Wines

94 Points! I loved the 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, a vibrant white offering ample Meyer lemon, honeyed flowers, and crushed stone-driven aromatics, as well as a crisp, clean sense of reduction. Medium-bodied, nicely concentrated, and elegant, it might be my favorite of the lineup. I love it today, yet it should have at least a decade of longevity, if not more. - Jeb Dunnuck

94 Points! A solid sauvignon blanc with Meyer lemons, light grapefruit, peach stones and just a touch of flint on the nose and palate. Creamy texture. So caressing. Very Loire-like in a Touraine sort of way. Made from old vines planted in the 1940s and 1960s. Nine months or less in concrete tanks, used large barrels and 80-gallon stainless steel drums. Made by the fourth generation of the Mondavi family. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

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94 Points! This is a beautiful, fresh 2017 Brunello with fine tannins and a medium body of cherry, bark, cedar and pine-needle flavors. It’s long and polished with ultra-fine tannins and fresh acidity. Nicely done for the vintage. Drink or hold. - James Suckling

93 Points! Tenute Silvio Nardi is an estate worth visiting. It occupies one of the most extreme locations in the appellation, tucked away into the hills north of the town in a wild no-man's-land of its own. Once you get there, there is a cozy, warm feeling, with vineyards carved out of the surrounding Mediterranean shrub oaks and forests. If you taste forest floor, button mushroom and wild flowers in the 2017 Brunello di Montalcino, you could easily imagine this magical place. This is a silky, mid-weight Brunello with a cool-climate character (which is preserved despite the hot vintage). - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

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92-94 Points! The 2022 Savigny-lès-Beaune Les Marconnets 1er Cru is a little more fruit-driven on the nose than Bize's other cuvées, offering lifted blueberry and bilberry scents and hints of wild heather. The medium-bodied palate has fine-grain tannins, a little riper than the Aux Fournaux. There’s more flesh yet with plenty of structure exerting a huge grip, rending this approachable but with the ability to age in bottle. Classic Pinot Noir. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

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92 Points! Cherry stones, currants, tobacco and lemon peel on the nose. Sleek and focused, elegant, with fine-grained tannins, a medium body and a creamy, linear finish. Try from 2024. - JamesSuckling.com

 

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100 Points! Looking at the Grand Vin, the 2022 Château Smith Haut Lafitte checks in as a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot that was raised in 60% new French oak. Reminding me of a more elegant version of the 2010, it has a dense purple hue to go with a rich, powerful, full-bodied, sensationally complex nose of cassis and darker berries interwoven with woodsmoke, scorched earth, chocolate, and chalky minerality. Concentrated, deep, and layered on the palate with ripe, velvety tannins, it's a sensational, absolutely heavenly effort that will keep for 40-50 years. Along with the 2009, 2010, and 2020, this is one of the greatest wines to ever come from this address. Don't miss it. - Jeb Dunnuck

100 Points! Deep and evocative, this bursts with blackcurrants, milk chocolate and floral perfume. Instantly captivating, the palate is silky yet structured, with tannins seamlessly supporting vibrant red and black berries. Broad and powerful, yet it glides, showcasing Cabernet’s structure, Merlot’s generosity and cool spiced fruit. A mineral core adds complexity, with flint-like nuances. A masterclass in power and balance – and unmistakably Smith. 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. Organic. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter.com

98 Points! The vivid fruit character here is so impressive for this hot and dry vintage. It's medium- to full-bodied, showing gorgeous crushed grapes and dark berries. With density, clarity and beauty, it really speaks of great cabernet sauvignon. The tannins are integrated and go long, taking you deep and complete on the palate. 64% cabernet sauvignon, 32% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. Seems almost drinkable now but needs at least five years of bottle age. - JamesSuckling.com

97+ Points! The 2022 Smith Haut Latte is silky, elegant and nuanced. It's all there. A wine of precision and class, the 2022 is so impressive. Rened, supple tannins wrap around a core of blue/purplish fruit, lavender, espresso and mocha. I nd the 2022 a bit buttoned up today, but that is probably a very good thing for its long-term prospects. I look forward to seeing it age. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

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PLEASE BE AWARE, THIS IS A PRE-ARRIVAL WINE - YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED SHIPPING FEES UNTIL THE WINE(S) ARRIVE

92-94 Points! The 2024 Smith Haut Lafitte was picked from September 18 to October 9 and matured in 60% new oak. It has an understated bouquet that I appreciate, with scents of blackberry, raspberry, light rose petal and India ink that gradually unfurl in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, extremely well balanced and very refined, with a linear and correct finish. This is a classy Smith Haut Lafitte that will provide up to 20 years of drinking pleasure. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

 

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From the importer: The Bronca Sisters' best vineyard is called Particella 68, as is their reserve wine obtained from that vineyard. The site is perhaps 500 yards from the edge of the Cartizze boundary, the most prized growing area in the Prosecco zone; the wine is made from Prosecco grapes with very small amounts of the other traditional indigenous varieties (Verdisio, Bianchetta, and Perera). In my opinion this wine compares very favorably with the best Cartizze in style and in quality, although it is less expensive.

The vinification is unusual for Prosecco; instead of two seperate fermentations, (grape juice to still wine, then still wine to sparkling wine), the Bronca Sister’s Prosecco grapes are pressed and the juice is held at very low temperatures until it is ready to be made into sparkling wine (done periodically throughout the year to maintain the freshest possible stock) upon which time the must is put into a special fermenter and fermented directly to sparkling wine. This more costly single fermentation process retains more of the classic pear aroma that makes Prosecco distinctive, and the excellent acidity of the site balances very well with the Extra Dry level of sweetness. No sugar is added, all of the sweetness comes from the must. 

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94 Points! A rich and round style, this red boasts plum, cherry and black currant flavors, with accents of earth, iron and menthol. Well put-together, even if the tannins are dense and assertive on the finish. Delivers earth and spice notes that linger. Best from 2025 through 2045. - Wine Spectator

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92 Points! A fragrant red with notes of dried raspberries, strawberries, earth and dried flowers. Medium body with silky tannins and fresh acidity. Crunchy, with plenty of redcurrants in the finish. Not quite complex, but tasty, laid-back and easy to drink. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. - Eric Guido, Vinous

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94 Points! The second wine of this incredible estate, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Lyndenhurst reveals a deep purple hue as well as a great nose of assorted currants, black cherries, tobacco, and lead pencil. It's beautifully concentrated, has medium to full-bodied richness, and ripe tannins, all making for an undeniably delicious, classic, balanced Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon to drink over the coming 10-15 years. - Jeb Dunnuck  

94 Points! A juicy red with black currants and balsamic. Bark and mushroom. Iodine, too. Medium body, creamy texture that tightens at the end. An energy and firmness in the finish but remains so attractive. Savory. Hard not to drink now. So do, but will also age nicely. - James Suckling

93 Points! The non-estate 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Lyndenhurst, like the estate bottling, is scheduled for release in September 2024. Including all five Bordeaux varieties and matured in 40% new French oak, it boasts classic scents of cassis, black cherries and some gentle cedary notes. It's medium to full-bodied, gently velvety but still firm, with a long, cool finish. It's more than $100 these days, but it still delivers a high-quality drinking experience. - Joe Czerwinski, robertparker.com

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94 Points! A flinty, herbaceous aroma leads to nicely layered flavors of citrus, ginger and limestone in this complex, subtle and fascinating wine. Nervy acidity braces the ample herb and fruit flavors for an especially energized mouthfeel. - Wine Enthusiast

Winemaker Notes: The 2023 vintage was long and temperate, and at times, blissfully cool. The resulting wine has a great balance of richness and texture and a very well-delineated backbone of vibrant acidity. Aromatics and flavors of lemon, mandarin, Asian pear, and white peach with fresh, floral notes of cassis bud and lime. Very long and mouth-wateringly juicy.

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94+ Points! The 2020 Steiner Ried Grillenparz 1ÖTW Kremstal Riesling is pure, fresh and stony on the clear, precise, terroir-driven nose. Round and juicy on the elegant and refined palate, this Riesling has crystalline acidity and a long, intense, aromatic and salty-piquant finish. It is very young but digestible and with great talents to age terrifically well. Tasted in Grafenegg, September 2021. - Stephan Reinhardt, robertparker.com

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93 Points! This supple but structured wine is sourced from various parts of the valley, yet still has the gentle power of the Stags Leap District. Suave oak spices, rich dark fruit and a full body give a generous, broad feel that is nicely freshened by fine-grained tannins. Drink now or hold. - James Suckling

93 Points! A consistently good value, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Artemis is 98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Cabernet Franc, and the balance Malbec and Merlot. Its deep purple hue is followed by a gorgeous perfume of crème de cassis, spicy oak, and flowers. This carries to a medium to full-bodied, pure, balanced, silky 2021 that has the vintage's pure, focused, elegant style, good mid-palate depth, and a great finish. - Jeb Dunnuck

92 Points! The only one of these releases to contain purchased fruit, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Artemis draws from such diverse sources as Atlas Peak, Calistoga, Coombsville, Saint Helena and Wooden Valley. It's rather fresh and primary, with almost grapey notes, black cherries and cassis. In the mouth, it's full-bodied and plush, with a soft, velvety finish. A nice step up in quality over the 2020 version, it should drink well for up to a decade. - Joe Czerwinski, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

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94 Points! Young and unevolved, the 2018 Chardonnay Estate offers fresh, lively bouquet of honeyed peach and lemon oil-like notes interwoven with plenty of toasted bread, spice, and white flowers. It’s clean, medium-bodied, and elegant on the palate, and it shows the supple, elegant, approachable style of the vintage nicely. It’s going to benefit from a year in bottle and should evolve nicely for 3-5 years. This estate continues to produce a brilliant, high-class Chardonnay well worth seeking out! - Jeb Dunnuck

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94 Points! This is a field blend and shows intense tobacco-leaf and floral character. It’s full bodied, chewy and powerful. Wild and thought-provoking. Moss, bark and black-tea undertones. A blend of 38% cabernet sauvignon, 34% cabernet franc and 28% merlot. - JamesSuckling.com Learn More

94 Points! The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Signature includes 5% Malbec. It presents notes of ash and bell pepper, complemented by fine wood nuances. The intense palate reveals hints of mint and cassis. This well crafted wine offers medium richness and reactive tannins, finishing juicy and long with expressive fruit. - Joaquin Hidalgo, Vinous Media

93 Points! Blackcurrants, blue fruit, crushed stone, black olives and fresh herbs. Medium-bodied with creamy fine tannins and a bright and vivid finish. Polished. Really delicious now but will improve. Real cab with balance. - JamesSuckling.com

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94 Points! The latest release of Taittinger's NV Brut Folies de la Marquetterie is showing superbly, bursting from the glass with aromas of fresh bread, crisp stone fruit, buttered toast, citrus oil and mirabelle plums. Full-bodied, vinous and fleshy, with an enveloping core of fruit, racy acids and a pillowy pinpoint mousse, it's a gourmand, concentrated wine with the substance to evolve with grace in the cellar. - William Kelley, robertparker.com

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91+ Points! Based on the same blend as the Brut Réserve with an addition of red wine, the NV Brut Prestige Rosé reveals a delicate, perfumed bouquet of strawberries, red berries, herbs, blood orange and guava. Medium to full-bodied, elegantly vinous and perfectly balanced, it has a pinpoint mousse and a long, ethereal finish. - Yohan Castaing, robertparker.com

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96 Points! A fabulous wine, and one of the two greatest Talbots of the last 50 years, this wine still has a very murky garnet/plum/purple color and a spectacular nose of sweet creme de cassis intermixed with freshly ground pepper, melted road tar, herbes de Provence, and beef blood. It is followed by an enormously concentrated wine of full body, layers of concentration and sweet tannin. The wine seems to be just hitting its plateau of maturity, where it should last for at least 10-15 more years. A prodigious Talbot. Anticipated maturity: Now-2020. Last tasted, 6/02. - Robert Parker, robertparker.com

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95 Points & Wine Spectator #4 Wine of the Year 2022! Well-built and rather refined for the vintage, with a deep well of red and black currant paste and plum reduction flavors supported by a deeply inlaid iron note, all of which run the length of the wine. Offers subtle savory, tobacco and singed cedar notes that add range, with a savory echo that leaves a mouthwatering feel in the end. Built to cellar. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2025 through 2040. - Wine Spectator

95 Points! Ripe redcurrants and plums with violet and other flowers on the nose. Full-bodied with firm, polished tannins that are ripe yet firm. Pure fruit here. Pretty center-palate. Chewy finish. Give this at least five or six years to come around. Best after 2026. - James Suckling, jamessuckling.com Learn More