2023 Wine

Organic/Bio If you were a master of Loire Chenin Blanc, maker of wines often allocated, always highly praised, what would you make for a red? Francois Chidaine opted to go the other direction entirely, creating this country red... Read More

Organic/Bio One of the finest Barbera reds in the world shines as brightly as ever in the 2023 harvest. As Wine Enthusiast says in the 93 point review, Crafted with Barolo-level devotion, this structured Barbera seduces through... Read More

Organic/Bio When everyone else in Rueda was planting crummy grapes to replace those devastated by phylloxera, the farmers at what is now this outstanding Rueda winery just kept tending their vines in the cool, sandy, soils between... Read More

Lower ABV From a small plot of vines just outside Cote Rotie, this is 100% Syrah that has the savory richness to pair with roasted, grilled and smoked foods and the bold fruit to delight during solo sipping, too. It’s big... Read More

Organic/Bio Lower ABV It's hard to believe how much delicious flavor can be packed into a wine of so little pretension - and so little alcohol (just 12.5%)! The main grape here is Mencia, although a half-dozen other varieties... Read More

Hanzell is one of the few wineries that both helped drive the creation and fame of the California wine industry and that still turns out great wines today. It was founded in 1954 by Ambassador James D. Zellerbach to make wines... Read More

Hartford Court is easily one of the top “traditional” California Chard houses working today in the <$100 price point and this “village” bottling shows off their skill and ethic to a “T”.... Read More

Organic/Bio Lower ABV Heinrich Hartl III is best known for his very serious, structured, Pinot Noirs from top sites on the wooded ridge stretching southward from Vienna’s suburbs. This is his daily-drinking Pinot, done with... Read More

Lower ABV Kind of a Cotes du Rhone-meets-California vibe going on here in this Austrian blend of 50% Merlot, 25% Pinot Noir and 25% St. Laurent. Big and cheerful aromas of crushed red and black cherry pull you into a darkly fruited... Read More

From Napa’s great – soon to be legendary – 2023 vintage and a vineyard on Atlas Peak, this one-time bottling is built to enjoy tonight – 2030 or so. It’s 94% Cabernet Sauvignon with 3% each Petit... Read More

An “important” wine that delivers fully on its potential and price in 2023. For 50+ years, Jermann has been the benchmark for Friuli Venezia Giulia whites from the traditional Pinot Grigio to the pathbreaking Dreams... Read More

Lower ABV From Ken Wright’s own-rooted Eola-Amity site planted in 1988. As JebDunnuck.com says in the 96 point praise, “The 2023 Pinot Noir Carter Vineyard pours a bright ruby color and delivers energy and lift. With... Read More

Lower ABV The vines Jim Maresh planted on their own roots back in 1970 is today arguably the best, and certainly one of the most important, vineyards in the Dundee Hills. Jim’s grandson uses almost all the fruit for his... Read More

While hardly fruity, this is the most boisterous of Kelley's Pinots, almost gushing with blackberry nicely balanced by brilliant acids. Vinous captures it nicely in the 93 point write up: The 2023 Pinot Noir Mirabai mixes... Read More

Organic/Bio Lower ABV Some varietal grapefruit and lemon citrus notes peek out here, but it’s the crunchy Granny Smith, crisp Golden Delicious and Honeydew melon aromas and flavors that hold center stage here. Nicely light... Read More

Lower ABV One critic called this “easy-going” and another “no-frills yet easy-to-like” which nicely sums up this blend of fruit from Dundee Hills and neighboring sites. Wine Spectator’s 92 point review... Read More

Lower ABV From Valencia, this is a playful Spanish red that leads with ripe Garnacha (80%) fruit balanced by a touch of savory complexity from Syrah (20%). It’s done with 50% whole clusters, which add some herbal notes and... Read More

Normally you see a nicely priced Chardonnay from the South of France and can safely assume it was done in tank to emphasize the ripe pineapple, pear and apple fruit. Here there was so much fruit – really, gobs of it –... Read More

A once rare Piemonte grape makes a comeback! Always a more savory than fruity wine with big texture and zesty acids. Vinous describes this well in their 92 point review, “an attractive, expressive white from La Spinetta.... Read More

Lower ABV A group of young Loire Valley winemakers created Les Athlètes du Vin to showcase the wines they make from their own and neighbors' grapes in a friendly, natural, style. Which seems to suit Pineau d'Aunis... Read More

Maybe it’s a sign of the soft market, but it’s been a while since we’ve seen Napa Cabernet of this quality at such an enjoyable price! It’s 90% Cabernet Sauvignon plus splashes of Merlot, Cabernet Franc,... Read More

Excellent value in right down the middle Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. The whole valley is represented here, with fruit from Cascade Foothills, Corvallis, Carlton, Amity and Laurelwood, all aged in old oak. Shows more fresh, crisp,... Read More

A collaboration between Master Sommelier Sara Floyd and the Pisoni Family, gives a nicely ripe and stylish Napa Cab that will shine at table. Plenty of concentration black cherry/berry fruit, and touches of clove, vanilla and... Read More

Another great release of this, our all-time best-selling premium California Chardonnay. As always, it blends fruit from across the Sonoma Coast AVA including Carneros, the southern Russian River and cooler sites to the west. As... Read More

Lower ABV You rarely read winemakers’ notes here, but this one is too good even edit: “To enjoy the Marie’s cuvée, you have to enjoy simple things. Direct and immediate things. This wine is mainly about... Read More