Reviews

Iron Horse Vineyards

Ocean Reserve Blanc de Blancs 2017

Green Valley, Russian River Valley, California

Ocean Reserve is a special, limited edition, vintage Blanc de Blancs, created in partnership with National Geographic. Iron Horse dedicated its Blanc de Blancs to National Geographic’s Ocean Initiative as a nod to the Pacific Ocean, which is the engine behind the fog and cool, coastal influence in the Green Valley; $4 per bottle sold goes to establishing marine protected areas and supporting sustainable fishing practices around the globe. The Ocean Reserve’s racy lime and tangerine notes, saline acidity, and beautiful creamy finish, conjures images of the ocean itself and pairs flawlessly with all manner of seafood.

Iron Horse Vineyards

Classic Vintage Brut 2017

Green Valley, Russian River Valley, California

The flagship of the estate, this wine shows everything the family strives to accomplish. The quality and finesse strike memory bells that say “Champagne,” while the flavors are unmistakably Sonoma County, Russian River, Green Valley and most distinctly Iron Horse. Delightful and complex rising dough, orange marmalade and baked apple aromas lead to an exquisitely balanced palate with flavors of ripe red apple, mandarin orange and hazelnut.  The complexity of flavors and textures are perhaps only overshadowed by the sheer pleasure of enjoyment.

Iron Horse Vineyards

Russian Cuvée 2017

Green Valley, Russian River Valley, California

Russian Cuvée has multiple layers of meaning. Originally named for the historic Reagan-Gorbachev Summit Meetings in 1985, it also refers to the vineyard’s unique location in the Russian River Valley. The Russian Cuvée is the “richest” in the Iron Horse line up, though it is still technically brut-level dry. A perfect toasting wine, served at White House State Dinners for six consecutive Presidential Administrations, it boasts aromas of caramel apple, nutmeg and orange zest, flavors of ripe red apple, lime, brioche and brown sugar on the palate. It is equally comfortable at the end of the meal with dessert as at the start of the meal for a toast.

Domaine des Baumard

Savennières Clos du Papillon 2018

Savennieres

If Savennières produces some of the most compelling dry white wines in the world, the Clos du Papillon plot within Savennières , so named for its butterfly shape, concentrates and magnifies all the characteristics of this small, distinct appellation. Baumard is the largest owner of this vineyard, with the best holdings, and the wines display a captivating combination of ripe orchard fruit, floral, and mineral notes, within a structure able to age decades.

Domaine des Baumard

Savennières Clos du Papillon 2016

Savennieres

If Savennières produces some of the most compelling dry white wines in the world, the Clos du Papillon plot within Savennières , so named for its butterfly shape, concentrates and magnifies all the characteristics of this small, distinct appellation. Baumard is the largest owner of this vineyard, with the best holdings, and the wines display a captivating combination of ripe orchard fruit, floral, and mineral notes, within a structure able to age decades.

Langlois-Chateau

Château de Fontaine-Audon Sancerre 2019

Loire Valley, France

The crown jewel of Langlois’ Sancerre holdings is at Château de Fontaine-Audon, a 37-acre vineyard from which they produce a single-vineyard Sancerre of the same name. 100% Sauvignon Blanc grown entirely on silex (flint) terroir, Langlois-Chateau’s single-vineyard Sancerre undergoes a gentle pressing, is fermented in stainless steel and then is kept on its lees for 6 months until bottling in April. 

Juvé & Camps

Brut Rosé Pinot Noir NV

Cava

Originally developed for the United States and now as popular as Reserva de la Familia, Juvé & Camps' flagship rosé is made from 100% Pinot Noir. Following the "Méthode Traditionnelle", it is aged for 15 months in the bottle. Categorized as 'Brut' with only 5g/l of dosage, it is intense, fresh and exuberant with aromas of bright red fruits.

Errázuriz

MAX Sauvignon Blanc 2020

Aconcagua Costa

With a delightful profile that delicately manages to combine the fruity style of New Zealand and the minerality of the Loire Valley, Errazuriz has built a reputation for producing one of the most interesting Sauvignon Blancs from the Aconcagua Costa. MAX Sauvignon Blanc grapes come from the Manzanar Vineyard in Chile's newest appellation, Aconcagua Costa. Planted by Errazuriz in 2005 and just 8 miles from the Pacific Ocean, the combination of cool climate and diverse, quality soils creates wines with tremendous freshness and bracing minerality.

Finca Decero

Malbec 2018

Agrelo, Mendoza, Argentina

A core intensity of red fruit flavors and lifted violet aromas remain the signature of Malbec from the estate’s Remolinos Vineyard. This is exquisitely balanced by freshness of acidity and an elegant integration of French oak which adds complexity to the rich mid palate.

Ornellaia

Ornellaia Bianco 2018

IGT Toscana

Ornellaia Bianco is Italy's most ambitious white wine. It is a result of the Estate’s desire to translate the exceptional properties of its terroir not only into red wines, but also into this magnificent white.

Ornellaia

Ornellaia 2018

Bolgheri DOC Superiore

Ornellaia is the estate's "Grand Vin," with exceptional balance, power, elegance, and great aging potential. It faithfully reflects, in every vintage, its nature, site, and distinctive Mediterranean personality.

Marietta Cellars

Angeli Zinfandel 2018

Alexander Valley, California

Once a component of the Angeli Cuvée, this Zinfandel long stood out for its brilliance, clarity, and leanness. Now, showcased on its own, it speaks volumes about this unique little canyon off Alexander Valley known as Angeli Ranch. The halo-like image on the label pays homage to Viola Angeli, who sold the Angeli Ranch to Chris Bilbro in an angelic act that mirrors her name. The estate series from Marietta is made with terroir in mind above all else. For many years these sites were included in blends, though they routinely stood out as extraordinary. These wines are true expressions of unique sites, crafted with freshness, tension and longevity in mind.

Le Macchiole

Bolgheri Rosso 2018

Bolgheri Rosso DOC

Bolgheri Rosso is a refined, irresistible blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah, serving as an introduction to the estate. The wine is, frankly, almost too good at the price. All the intensive artisanal work that Le Macchiole carries out in its vineyards and cellars benefits this wine, and despite more availability than its Paleo Rosso, Messorio and Scrio siblings, it sells out nearly as quickly.

Château Recougne - Boutisse - Tour Bayard

Château Boutisse 2018

Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

Purchased in 1996,the Milhade family have invested enormously in the vineyards and facilities at Boutisse and, above all, with their energy. Today Boutisse is no longer a surprise - dynamic young winemaker Marc Milhade has transformed this estate into an outstanding Saint-Emilion, with ripe, structured and engaging character.

Château Minuty

Rose et Or Rosé 2020

Côtes de Provence

Rose et Or encapsulates the Chateau Minuty Saint-Tropez estate. It speaks of the seaside with its freshness and flavors, and represents the ultimate in what a quality Côtes de Provence rosé can achieve: it's gentle freshness giving way to concentrated, almost gourmet flavors.  It moves from the terrace to the white table cloth like no other.

Paternoster

Don Anselmo Aglianico del Vulture 2016

Aglianico del Vulture DOC

Don Anselmo is a landmark wine made from 100% Aglianico grapes, the native varietal in Basilicata for which the region is renowned. It is dedicated to the winery's founder, Anselmo Paternoster, and represents the history, roots, and continued importance of the Paternoster family in the area of production of the wines, Vulture.

Domaine des Baumard

Quarts de Chaume 2017

Quarts de Chaume

The dramatically beautiful Quarts de Chaume appellation produces some of the great sweet wines of the world, Baumard's chiefly among them. Truly the "Grand Cru" site of the Loire Valley.

Domaine des Baumard

Savennières 2018

Savennières

Champagne Ayala

Le Blanc de Blancs 2014

Champagne, France

Ayala’s Blanc de Blancs is 100% Chardonnay, produced in small quantities in exceptional years only, fully expresses the superb caliber of great Chardonnay from the best crus of the Côte des Blancs. After 6 years of aging in Ayala’s cellars, remarkable minerality and low dosage make this an outstanding wine.

Iron Horse Vineyards

Unoaked Chardonnay 2018

Green Valley, Russian River Valley, California

This pure Chardonnay is a natural beauty that showcases the extraordinary qualities of the Green Valley area. It has a crackling brightness, with stone and citrus fruits on the nose joined by an appealing minerality and spice that drive a long finish. The best of both worlds, this bottling combines the tension between concentrated fruit and the raciness of the best Chablis, with a kiss of California sunshine providing fruit and supple texture: it is impossible to put down.