90 Point+ Rated Wines

Wine Information:Intense ruby red in color, this Brunello has a complex and balanced nose, showing aromas of raspberries and liquorice with notes of chocolate and spice, varying from vanilla to cinnamon to coffee. Warm and full on the palate, the flavors are beautifully pronounced with excellent length.Alcoholic fermentation is carried out in stainless steel; malolactic fermentation follows in oak. The wine ages for three years in large Slovenian oak casks.Denomination: BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO...

Notes:The Chianti Classico Riserve comes from a selection of grapes from vineyards which are more suitable for long maturing. Vinified in steel with a maceration of about 20 days, and as a second passage, it is aged in smaller wooden barrels for about 18 months, to then rest for a minimum of 3 months in glass. Composition of the grapes : 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo and Colorino. ...

There's lots of chocolate, hazelnut and dried fruit flavors in this elegant tawny, which is very suave, with a long finish that's filled with cream, sandalwood and luscious white fruit flavors. Drink now. 2,500 cases made. –KM - Wine Spectator Magazine 91 PointsA finely balanced wine that combines rich red fruit flavors with acidity, a slight tang from the spirit and a feeling of warmth and roundness. It finishes with an almond note and fresh acidity. - R.V. - Wine Enthusiast Magazine 90...

A deliciously satisfying wood-aged Port. It has an intense fruitiness, with layers of acidity and oxidated notes. It’s concentrated, yet shows lightness and poise. - R.V. - Wine Enthusiast Magazine 93 PointsA vibrant tawny, with a rich array of dried citrus, apricot and hazelnut flavors that are backed by plenty of fresh acidity. Features white chocolate on the finish. Drink now. 665 cases made. –KM - Wine Spectator Magazine 92 Points ...

VARIETAL & REGION: The Barolo wine region is arguably the most famous DOCG in Italy. It is located in Piedmont, in the northwestern part of the country, and is perched between the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea in the Langhe Hills. Often referred to as the “King of Wines,” Barolo wines are produced from Nebbiolo grapes grown in this designated region. There, the grapes benefit from limestone, clay and sandy soils, and are influenced by cool, mountain air and warm sea breezes. Barolo is often...

Vineyards & Winemaking: This flirtatiously fruity French beauty is made from the Gamay grape grown in the northern part of the Beaujolais region, which is rare for a wine at this price. Most everyday priced Beaujolais wines comes from the south. The vines grow in the traditional freestanding bush or gobelet style near the villages La Chapelle de Guinchay and Romaneche - Thorins which lie just to the east of the Crus Fleurie and Chénas. The soil is a free-draining mixture of decomposed granite,...

Vineyards & Winemaking: Between the big city and majestic mountains sits Lodi--California’s small town answer to big-time flavor. This wine is a blend made of Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Tannat and Souzao. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and then aged in a blend of concrete and oak for 6 months.Taste: This wine is reminiscent of the field blends made by California’s pioneering winemakers. Big fat aromas of cassis, blackberry, and plum with traces of...

VARIETAL & REGION: Brunello di Montalcino is one of Italy's most famous wines. In the Tuscan town of Montalcino, vineyards of Sangiovese spread out in every direction from the medieval hilltop city. The grape bunches ripen under the warm Tuscan sun, periodically cooled by breezes drifting through the Orcia Valley. ABOUT THE WINE: Made from 100% Sangiovese, this wine comes from the highly regarded 2015 vintage. Grape bunches are hand-harvestedand sorted before a two week fermentation. After...

Vineyards & Winemaking: The original vineyards for this wine were planted as far back as the late 1700s. The vines are located more than 800 meters above sea level and are irrigated from the mineral rich water from snow melting on the Andes mountains. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and then aged in a blend of new and recently used French oak for up to 14 months.Taste: An aromatic melody of black currant, cherry and cassis rises above a harmonious backdrop of tobacco, mocha and toasty...

VARIETAL + REGION: The wine is made from fruit picked from vines situated primarily on the east side of Napa Valley. This ideal location benefits from cool mornings and late afternoon sunshine. Soils are a mix of alluvial gravel and clay with volcanic rock. Soil composition and vineyard slope allows for smaller berries with more concentrated color and ripe flavors. ABOUT THE WINE: Bunches are destemmed, crushed and fermented in stainless steel. During fermentation the juice is pumped over the...

VARIETAL & REGION: Russian River Valley is one of the great wine regions in the United States, and is home to some of the most well known domestic wineries. Located in the heart of Sonoma County, Russian River Valley is cool and foggy, plush with hillside vineyards. The cool climate provides the ideal environment for Chardonnay grapes to ripen slowly over a long growing season, which promotes complexity and balance in the wines. ABOUT THE WINE: Chardonnay bunches are harvested from sandy loam...

Story:No doubt that Merlot was the wine of the 90s. Unbelieveably smooth and in vogue, people were hypnotized by its good vibrations. Then one wannabe actor dissed it and suddenly a while new world appeared where everybody was too sexy for Merlot. Shot down in a blaze of glory. I guess that's the way love goes. But, hold on, we're bringing it back!Taste:A mild blend of red plums, currants and cedar aromas with a touch of earthy goodness. The wine is medium to full-bodied and impeccably...

Golden yellow in color with ripe apple, pear, and apricot aromas hovering above notes of wild flowers and honey. Medium bodied with a generous smack of minerality, this wine is perfect with pasta primavera, grilled seafood, or sliced prosciutto, asiago, and fresh crusty bread. Salut! - Winery

VARIETAL + REGIONS: parkling wine consumption in the US continues to grow rapidly. At the head of that growth curve is Prosecco, a sparkling white wine from northeastern Italy (specifically the Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia wine regions). Prosecco is also the informal name for the grape variety used to make these wines, which is now known as Glera. ABOUT THE WINE: Lot 50 is made from grapes harvested in the southeastern Veneto from cordon-trained vines planted in alluvial soils. After a...

Vineyards & Winemaking: The grapes are picked from vines grown in predominantly slate soils on steep slopes throughout the Mosel Saar Ruwer valleys. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel, resulting in a crisp, off-dry style Riesling. Taste: Fragrant aromas of white peach, nectarine and Bosc pear backed by pastoral scents of hay or straw. The wine has a touch of sweetness backed by refreshing acidity. Notes: The Mosel River winds its way northeast from the Vosges mountains of France until it...

Exuberant aromas of citrus fruit, ripe melon and guava with some underlying herbal and classic gooseberry notes. Fresh fruit and crisp acidity creates a well balanced and elegant wine with a smooth finish. This is a classic New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. - Winery

VARIETAL + REGION: Shiraz has found a home in the coastal regions of South Australia. Long, warm summers ensure the grapes achieve full fruit and tannin ripeness, resulting in expressive aromas, a velvety texture, and a finish that keeps going. ABOUT THE WINE: Bunches are harvested and brought to the winery where they are sorted and de-stemmed prior to a temperature controlled fermentation in stainless steel. Cooler fermentation temperatures preserve Shiraz’s characteristic flesh black fruit...

Notes: Le Tense shows the elegant, feminine style of Chiavennasca (Nebbiolo). A bright, medium ruby color is followed by a nose of bright fruit, earth and exotic spice. The wine is medium bodied on the palate with layers of fruit, and a firm, dry finish. Varietals: 100% Chiavennasca (Nebbiolo)Alcohol: 14%** Only 4 in Stock **

2017: The winter of 2017 ended a five-year drought with January recording the most rainfall in over 20 years. The abundant rainfall continued into March, causing a modest delay in budbreak, and pushing bloom back by two weeks. Increased soil moisture allowed for healthy vine growth and development. The summer, in turn, was warm and punctuated by occasional heat waves. Despite Mother Nature’s variability, favorable weather in August provided optimal conditions for fruit development and...

2018 Slander Pinot Noir: Abundantly aromatic, the wine opens with ripe cranberry, marmalade, white pepper, fresh brioche, dried sage, camphor and Mediterranean coastal trail. The entry is silky with a flood of bing cherry galette, Madagascar vanilla and ripe red fruits. Seamless, integrated and elegantly opulent, the wine finishes gracefully with trace amounts of soft, oak tannin. Aged: 10 months in French Oak, 42% newAlc./Vol.: 15.2% ...

The story behind the label... This wine was introduced as a one-time bottling in 2002 after a wild fire struck the vineyard’s surrounding hillsides. The residual ash and smoke resonated in the Syrah grapes, creating a very memorable wine. Year after year, we are asked to develop a Syrah to keep the story of this wine alive! Now, 10 vintages later, we hope you will enjoy this bold Syrah comprised from several exceptional vineyards in the Columbia, Yakima and Walla Walla Valleys. STAFF NOTES:...

Growing Season: Following five consecutive years of drought, 2017 provided record-setting winter rainfall that filled our reservoirs, and helped replenish soils and aquifers alike. Spring lead with dry conditions that facilitated an optimal fruit set before summer commenced with warm-cold day cycles, critical for slow flavor development and preserving acid. A series of late summer heat waves increased the rate of maturation which was followed by a prolonged series of cool days in...

Bright, golden colour. Beautifully evolved nose of aromas of pineapple and mango on a palate of honey and delicate vanilla-like hints of the oak. Its mouth is round and generous, giving a feeling of the sweetness of Chardonnay and it is balanced in acidity with a long-lasting freshness on the finish. - Winery

Bin 600 is intrinsically linked to Penfolds beginnings in California, a narrative that now spans more than twenty years. In 1998, Penfolds imported a heritage selection of vine cuttings from South Australia’s esteemed Kalimna and Magill Estate vineyards, and planted them in Californian soil. The original name of the Camatta Hills vineyard was Creston “600” Ranch, a special place in the Penfolds California timeline for it serves as a reference point to the start of our American journey. Creston...

Penfolds Quantum Bin 98 is the continuation of a twenty-year endeavor from when Australian vine cuttings were planted in Californian soil. A Wine of the World that encapsulates a bold blending alliance, Quantum reveals a wine that shows wisdom, crafted with conviction but also embedded in the “quality-first” philosophy that underpins Penfolds flagships. The wine serves as the most powerful expression of our blending style and leads the charge in Penfolds ambition to seek out parcels of intense...

Tasting Notes:Aromatics of cassis and exotic spice with a hint of anise. Early season blackberry and dark cherry coat the palate and tingle with striking acidity. Finishing with hints of cigar box, dusty summer cedar and cola. Aging: 10 months in 38% new French oak, 23% one year-old French oak, 23% two year-old French oak , and 16% neutral French oak Finished TA: 6.0 g/LFinished pH: 3.70Finished Alcohol: 14.1% ** Only 1 in Stock ** ...

Shows finesse, along with depth to its honey, candied citrus and mineral flavors. Lovely balance and harmony render it seamless and graceful. Drink now. –BS - Wine Spectator Magazine 91 Points

Notes:A traditional, easy to drink wine, which comes from a blend of Dolcetto grapes from the vineyards of the Einaudi estates which surround Dogliani. Born in the Einaudi vineyards positioned in the hills of San Luigi, Santa Lucia and Madonna delle Grazie in Dogliani. In the Dogliani area this traditional wine reaches its absolute best: of a ruby red colour, which tends toward violet with a rich fruity bouquet, full bodied with an intense aroma of undergrowth and a pleasantly tannic taste,...

Full-flavored yet crisp and delicate. Nicely doughy on the nose with distinctive mature, toasty and nutty flavors. Harmonious Brut with lovely balance and a great, lingering finish. - Wine Spectator Magazine 92 Points

ESTATE:One of the oldest port houses, Quinta do Noval is also arguably the greatest. It is unique among top port houses in that most of the ports are made from estate-grown fruit and, notably, all the vintage Noval wines are from the single Quinta do Noval vineyard. Noval is mentioned in land registries going back to 1715, and has been sold just twice in that time, once in the late 19th century, and to its present owners in 1993. Noval has, however, a reputation for being an innovative,...

BACKGROUND: Quinta do Vale Meão was founded in 1877 by the legendary Dona Antònia Adelaide Ferreira and is owned today by her great-great-grandson Francisco “Xito” Olazabal. Vale Meão built its reputation supplying fruit to the famed 250-year-old Port house Ferreira. In 1952, its vineyards were chosen to create a revolutionary wine, which for decades would be the Douro’s only globally recognized table wine. Vale Meão began a new life in 1998 when Xito realized his dream of making his own wine...

Bright yellow with a strong bead. Sexy, strongly perfumed bouquet displays melon, white peach and strawberry, along with a sexy floral overtone. Sweet pear, strawberry and raspberry flavors are refreshingly juicy, with slow-building spices adding interest. Tightened up with air, but finishes with excellent clarity and a silky texture. - Stephen Tanzer 91 PointsThe NV Brut Grand Cru Tradition is a very pretty wine that is surprisingly accessible and round for a Champagne from Ambonnay. The wine...

Ravines Dry Riesling is made in the dry, New World Style. Elegant and vibrant with intricate floral aromas.  Pear, apple and citrus notes followed by a lingering mineral finish. It pairs well with foods as diverse as spicey Asian, delicate seafood, and poultry in rich sauce. - Winery

Variety: Nebbiolo 1st vintage: 1965 Harvesting period: October Vinification:Destemmed and crushedThermo-controlled fermentation at a temperature of 30°C (85°F)Average time of maceration: 7-10 daysMalolactic Fermentation in November in oak barrels Aging: two years in oak barrels of 25hl and 50 hl Longevity media of wine: over 20 years Tasting notesColor: garnet red.A bouquet with traces of licorice and tobacco.Full flavored, full-bodied and elegant. Notes on wine and food pairing:Noble and...

Variety: Nebbiolo 1st vintage: 1965 Harvesting period: October Vinification:Destemmed and crushedThermo-controlled fermentation at a temperature of 30°C (85°F)Average time of maceration: 7-10 daysMalolactic Fermentation in November in oak barrels Aging: two years in oak barrels of 25hl and 50 hl Longevity media of wine: over 20 years Tasting notesColor: garnet red.A bouquet with traces of licorice and tobacco.Full flavored, full-bodied and elegant. Notes on wine and food pairing:Noble and...

HISTORY: In 1886, high in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the first Monte Bello vineyards were planted, and winery construction begun. A first vintage from the young vines followed in 1892. During Prohibition (1920-1933), the vineyard was not fully maintained; some vines survived into the late 30’s, but by the 1940s they were effectively abandoned. Eight acres of cabernet sauvignon were replanted in 1949. These were the source of the first Ridge Monte Bello (1962) and subsequent vintages until 1974...

This is an absolutely first-rate bubbly, dry, smooth and rich. Has complex flavors of peaches, limes and strawberries, accented by doughy yeast and smoky flavors. Really defines the balanced elegance and pedigree you want in a great sparkler. — S.H. - Wine Enthusiast Magazine 90 Points

Tasting Notes: The wine has a bright garnet color with an amazingly high-toned explosive nose of wild sage, blood orange peel, raspberry and shiitake mushrooms. The palate is quite bright and lively with acidity and yet warm with flavors of orange blossom, red fruits, orange peel, well integrated French oak and herbs. There is a great generous fresh forward varietal fruit to the wine making it great to drink now or over the next few years. The balance of the wine keeps it fresh and at the same...

TASTING NOTES:The colour is a delicate pomegranate pink with very slightly orange reflections. The sparkling, light effervescence has a persistent foam.The nose is subtle and fresh, first offering an original palette of tropical fruits (guava and lychee) and small berries (raspberries, cherries and wild strawberries) in the first instance. These are followed by rose and pomegranate notes which complete the complex, intense aromatic profile, dominated by somewhat undeveloped primary aromas.On...

Sequoia Grove Cabernet Sauvignon 2018: The grapes for the Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon come from the finest vineyard sites in the best appellations of Napa Valley, including the Sequoia Grove Estate and Tonella Estate Vineyards in Rutherford, as well as select parcels from top growers, including Morisoli and Beckstoffer in Rutherford, Stagecoach in Atlas Peak, Lamoreaux in the Oak Knoll District and Healy in St. Helena. All fruit is hand sorted before undergoing a cold soak followed by...

Winemaker Comments: “2018 Hillside Select is an enticing balance of opulence and energy. This classic Cabernet Sauvignon fills the glass with vivid aromas of blackberry, black cherry, warm earth, and baking spice. The flavors richly echo the wine’s aromas, adding juicy layers of summer briar fruit, berry compote, cinnamon, lively red and black plums, and mocha with a long, radiant finish. Structured tannins offer the promise of a lengthy, sumptuous tenure in your cellar.” - Shafer Winemaker...

One Point Five Cabernet Sauvignon:One Point Five is an elegant, silky Cabernet Sauvignon with soft tannins and abundant fruit that is approachable when young, yet capable of aging gracefully. This wine reflects the climate and soils of our Stags Leap District vineyard sites and Shafer’s commitment to meticulous, sustainable farming and quality winemaking.Winemaker’s Comments:“From the moment you pull the cork on this vintage rich, tantalizing aromas fill the air with blackberry, black...

One Point Five Cabernet Sauvignon: One Point Five is an elegant. Silky Cabernet Sauvignon with soft tannins and abundant fruit that is approachable when young, yet capable of aging gracefully. This wine reflects the climate and soils of our Stags Leap District vineyard sites and Shafer’s commitment to meticulous, sustainable farming and quality winemaking. Winemaker’s Comments: “In your glass the wine introduces itself with enticing aromas of red and black fruit, baking spice, dark violets,...

One Point Five celebrates lasting bonds, taking its name from the term “a generation and a half,” once coined by John and Doug Shafer to describe their long, accomplished father-and-son partnership. These two worked side by side for decades leading our Stags Leap District winery, always with a spirit of energy and teamwork that continues to inspire everything we do at Shafer today. One Point Five Cabernet Sauvignon 2018: One Point Five is an elegant. Silky Cabernet Sauvignon with soft tannins...

Notes: TD-9 is a proprietary blend that celebrates a bold move. In 1973, in the space of a few months, John Shafer went from riding morning commuter trains in Chicago to teaching himself to drive a TD-9 tractor in our Napa Valley vineyard. He’d never grown grapes or made wine in his life. That spirit of risk-taking and adventure still guides Shafer today and inspired the creation of this new wine. Winemaker’s Comments: “This juicy red blend is loaded with vivid summer fruit – red plum, red...

Good deep red-ruby. Musky aromas of cassis, licorice, game, tobacco leaf and subtle brown spices. Velvety-sweet and deep, with hints of tobacco leaf, mint and herbs giving definition to the middle palate. Nicely bright but youthfully tight wine, finishing with broad tannins. Carrying a moderate 13.5% alcohol. Still tight, but then this won't be released until next winter. Incidentally, following Silver Oak's purchase of a vineyard in Soda Canyon in 1999, this wine now relies less on contract...

VINTAGE NOTES:Textbook conditions saw near-ideal bud break, steady flowering, even fruit set, and a lengthy stretch of warm days and cool and often foggy nights during the long summer months. Late and light rain held off until grapes found optimal ripeness, bringing exceptional quality with a smooth balance of acids and sugars. WINEMAKING NOTES:Average 19 days of maceration.18 months of barrel age in 45% new oak, of which 93% was French and 7% was American. Overall blend: 85% French oak, 15%...

The 2008 Brunello di Montalcino is deep, textured and impeccably balanced. Dark cherries, plums, tobacco, crushed rocks and spices blossom in the glass. Here, too, the overall sense of harmony is utterly captivating. A gorgeous wine, the 2008 stands out for its exceptional polish. The style is a bit deeper, richer and more layered than the Pelagrilli, but at the same time remains deeply marked by the prevalence of fruit from the northern side of Montalcino. In 2008 Pacenti lost about a third...