As the winery writes, Andrew Murray has been singularly and nearly maniacally focused on crafting Syrah for 25 years. His Everyday (in French Syrah “Tous les Jours”) Syrah from Santa Ynez gives you a good idea of how... Read More
Organic/Bio While Stephen Hagen and his team are fine winemakers, the real story here is winegrowing. Stephen’s unique “grazing based viticulture” replaces herbicides, mowing, plowing and fertilizers with something... Read More
Organic/Bio There’s something joyfully incongruous about a bearded outdoors guy who wears flannel, farms his vineyard with horses, chickens, sheep, geese and (his own) children, and waxes on passionately about the quality... Read More
Organic/Bio The edges of Antiquum Farm’s “Big Field” vineyard are kind of the far edge of what Pinot Noir can do. The winemaking is simple enough – fully de-stemmed fruit, open top fermenters, a bit of... Read More
As always, a benchmark interpretation of Virginia's most prominent red wine grape made in a rich but balanced and highly drinkable style. The 91 point review from JamesSuckling.com gives you a great idea of what to expect:... Read More
As always, a benchmark in Virginia wine for both immediate enjoyment with food and many years in cellar to come. In 2020, a blend of Merlot 62%, Cabernet Franc 34%, Petit Verdot 4% with the Cab Franc giving extra lift.... Read More
Morgan Twain-Peterson crafts this bold, gutsy, California red from a mixture of vines growing in some of the country's most famed old-vine sites. The base is Bedrock Vineyard (planted 1888), Nervo (1896), and Sodini (1905)... Read More
Vinous says this is “positively stellar” and we agree! From old vine sites like Bedrock, Lazy Dog, Monte Rosso and Montecillo, this pairs terrific concentration and fruit with outstanding energy and freshness. As Wine... Read More
A big snoot- and mouth-ful of crushed berries and cherries with some cocoa dust, a touch of acidic/tannic bite, and a “I dare you to stop drinking me” finish that keeps you coming back for more. Like an Italian Chianti... Read More
Organic/BioLower ABV
If you think this is impressive right now (and it is!), just wait until you give it some time in decanter or a year or two in cellar. Plenty of succulent fruit but also amazing old-vine intensity from a large... Read More
The old-vine specialists at Birichino go back to a 19th century vineyard with 100 year-old vines to create Mouredre that's full of dark fruit and earthy notes with a crisp, long, finish. Just 12.5% alcohol and 180 six-packs... Read More
There aren’t a lot of “great” California Pinot Noirs at this price point; this is one of them. From a vineyard at the foot of the Santa Cruz Mountains first planted in 1910 and then replanted with cuttings from... Read More
A tremendous bottle of Eola Hills Pinot made from estate fruit with just a little whole cluster and a lot of style, charm and power. We love the silky feel to the spiced red berry fruit and an enlivening twist of orange peel at... Read More
Just a delightful, ready to love, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir from a blend of Estate and Van Duzer Vyd fruit. The dark raspberry and red cherry fruit are delicious and fun and buoyed by a lift of red berry acidity and fine, light,... Read More
Former NE Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe continues to make an all-star name for himself in the world of Walla Walla wine. This is about 75% Cabernet Sauvignon plus Merlot, Cab Franc and Malbec and deliver rich blackcurrant... Read More
One of the longest-running high-quality “value” Pinots we know of. As Robert Parker said of the 2013 edition: An authentic tasting Pinot Noir that sells for a song. Aromas of sweet red and black cherry fruit intermixed... Read More
Jeb Dunnuck does such a great job describing this in his 91 point review! “Coming from the oldest vines (32 years) and highest elevation on the property (500 feet), the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley has the addition... Read More
Howell Mountain specialist Bravante makes tiny quantities of powerful, deep, mountain structured wines. Here roughly one-third each Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot get extra perfume from 24% Cabernet Franc and lift from 7% Malbec.... Read More
Natural winemaker Chris Brockway and importer Tim Elenteny created Brea to bring low-intervention winemaking to traditional Cabernet grapes, making something authentic (but not weird!). They crush it with this Cabernet from a... Read More
Brick & Mortar is really a California sparkling house, meaning they grow a lot of cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. When Pinot gets a bit too ripe for fizz, it’s perfect for elegant, pure, juicy still wines like this... Read More
If you love California Cab’s rich blackcurrant and blackberry fruit, dash of chocolate, sweet spice, full body and fine and firm tannins that are ready to party with a steak, then you’ll definitely enjoy drinking this.... Read More
Cade’s Estate Cabernet shows Howell Mountain power and grip in a softer, more accessible, style. As Jeb Dunnuck says in his 93 point review, “The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain comes almost all from the estate... Read More
Winemaker Neil Koch has worked with superstar Philippe Melka at benchmark Napa Cab houses like Seavey Vineyards, Bryant Family and Vineyard 29 and helped make the bold whites and Chardonnays of Lewis Cellars as assistant winemaker... Read More
Even though it's just a Napa red, this gains structure and complexity from the boost of a little Pritchard Hill fruit. In 2023 it's more than half Cabernet Sauvignon plus Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and a full 10% Petit... Read More
Winemaker Morgan Lee calls his value line “City Limits” to reflect his deep connection to both Washington vines in the east and his urban community and winery near Seattle. This is a juicy fun realization of that,... Read More
