Ponzi Vineyards Laurelwood Chardonnay
Laurelwood District, Willamette Valley, Oregon
November 13, 2024 - Situated along the Northern ridge of the Chehalem Mountains, the Laurelwood District boasts ancient soils of fractured basalt layered over with a fine, windblown sediment called loess. A decade-long effort by the Ponzis, alongside their neighbors, has resulted in the recognition of Oregon’s first soil-based AVA, the Laurelwood District.
James Suckling -March 15, 2023 "Showing bright Sicilian lemon, white grapefruit, matchstick, apricots and white tea aromas. Clean and deliciously creamy, with a medium to full body and focused finish."
Jeb Dunnuck -September 14, 2023 "A medium yellow hue, the 2021 Chardonnay Laurelwood District is juicy with notes of melon, wet stone, candied citrus, and a rounded touch of oak spice. Medium-bodied, with fresh energy…
Château de La Chaize Côte de Brouilly “Chavannes” 2023
Beaujolais
October 17, 2024 - The vineyard's unique terroir, with its soil of pink sand from granites, fosters deep root exploration and optimal grape cultivation conditions. A wine of exceptional complexity and character.
James Suckling -March 06, 2024 "The complex and compelling nose of red fruit pulls you inexorably into the concentrated and beautifully proportioned medium-bodied palate of this exciting Cote de Brouilly. At the super-elegant finish, the…
Château de La Chaize Fleurie Lieu-Dit “La Chapelle des Bois” 2023
Beaujolais
October 17, 2024 - Situated in one of Chaize’s seven cadastral localities of the Fleurie appellation, it occupies one of the finest terroirs. It is currently in consideration for Premier Cru Classification.
James Suckling -March 06, 2024 "This beautiful Fleurie has stacks of black raspberry fruit, but is anything other than loud. It gracefully tiptoes over your palate. Barely medium-bodied, but such a wonderful elegance right through…
Masciarelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2022
Abruzzo
October 11, 2024 - Masciarelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo has proudly served as the global benchmark for Montepulciano for nearly 40 years, and, for countless wine drinkers, continues to be the ideal introduction to the wines of Abruzzo. This wine shows how, when handled with care, the late-ripening Montepulciano grape produces refined wines of soft acidity, ripe and moderate tannins, and bright red berry and cherry notes with a distinct, spicy character.
Langlois Crémant de Loire Brut Réserve NV
Loire Valley, France
October 10, 2024 - This Crémant is mostly Chenin Blanc, the rest Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc. Grown mostly in Saumur, it also includes fruit from Anjou and Touraine. Fresh and polished, it includes 10% reserve wines and ages for at least 24 months on the lees during its secondary fermentation.
Wine Enthusiast -October 09, 2024 "This fresh, bright crémant is a great value for the price point. Golden apple, bosc pear and dried white-flower blossom open on the nose and carry into a persistent finish.…
Far Mountain Fission Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Moon Mountain District, Sonoma Valley, California
October 09, 2024 - Fission is a pure mountain wine, with a dark depth of fruit chiseled by the cool elevation of its two vineyard sites. A wine of texture, with the intensity and sappy concentration we associate with old vines, it builds into powerful tannins that remain refined, almost cloaked by the seductiveness of the fruit and the gently building structure. The name "Fission" references the textural and mineral characteristics that the unique volcanic soil brings to this wine.
James Suckling -December 05, 2023 "Lovely fresh thyme, currant and lead pencil. Black berry. Black olive. Pine cone and pine needles. Bay leaf. Medium to full body, with round and firm tannins and not too…
Far Mountain Myrna Chardonnay 2021
Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California
October 09, 2024 - Myrna’s focused intensity of fruit and texture reflects its two extreme mountain and hillside vineyard sites. The word Myrna translates to "beloved", a reflection of Far Mountain's feelings about truly great Chardonnay: wines that can translate from their sites intense minerality, texture and a dazzling spectrum of flavors.
James Suckling -December 05, 2023 "Cooked apple with hints of caramel and flint as well as stone. A touch of nougat. Medium to full body with a firmness and fine creamy texture. Crunchy fruit at…
Wine Enthusiast -September 30, 2024 "Bright and focused mountain fruit is on display here from a dry farmed vineyard at high elevation. Meyer lemon, white flowers, river rocks and tangerine aromas on the nose give…
E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2023
Rhône Valley
October 03, 2024 - This wine showcases one of the great secrets of the Guigal family: their specialization in the great white Rhône varieties. While only 8% of wines from the Rhône are white, Guigal’s are a full 25% of their production; today they are the single largest producer of white wines in the region. It is a beautiful, seamless blend that represents unbelievable value.
James Suckling -December 05, 2023 "An aromatic white Cotes-du-Rhone with lots of floral aromas, including pink roses. Ripe and medium- to full-bodied. Long, creamy finish with a touch of fine tannins balancing this neatly. A…
Petrolo Classico Riserva 2021
Val d'Arno di Sopra DOC
September 13, 2024 - Bòggina is a Sangiovese cru and a testament to the winemaking foresight of Petrolo’s founder, Gastone Bazzocchi, who planted the vineyard in 1952 and saw the great quality potential of the vineyard early on. Over the years, the vineyard has been replanted little by little with a massale selection to preserve the diversity of the original clones. Classico Riserva showcases the great expression of a 100% Sangiovese that Petrolo’s unique terroir and microclimate are capable of producing.
Wine Advocate -March 14, 2024 "Closed with a red wax capsule with beautiful artwork on the front label, the organic Petrolo 2021 Val d'Arno di Sopra Riserva Bòggina C is quite dense and rich, especially…
James Suckling -January 24, 2024 "A gorgeous sangiovese with orange peel, cherry, cherry blossom and sandalwood aromas and flavors. Medium body with very fine tannins that run the length of the wine. Fresh and vivid…