Products meeting the search criteria

Avennia Red Willow Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.

The Red Willow Cabernet is a true blockbuster.
Coming from one specific block of 30 year old vines at this iconic vineyard, then strictly barrel selected, this is the essence of powerful, old vine Washington Cabernet. After all of our efforts promoting the idea of the Bordeaux blend, it would take a pretty compelling argument to suspend that idea and make a 100% varietal Cabernet. In 2016 Red Willow provided us with just that. Each time we tasted it in the barrel, the belief grew that this was something special. Something we can't make every year. In the end we were won over, and decided to make a limited amount of this wine. But don't be fooled, as this too is a blend and a selection. Each year as we are tasting the grapes as harvest approaches, we notice that the vines near the bottom of this long, steep west-facing slope, are a little different. The vines at the bottom are in a little richer soil, and get a little more water, so we pick them separately, sometimes even a week or ten days apart, and keep them separate in barrel.

This wine is all from the top of the vineyard, with its lower yield and poorer soils giving more concentration and interest. Then further, nearly every combination of new and used French oak barrels were trialed to find the best blend. It's not enough just to use the four best barrels, but to trial each combination to see how they complement each other. For a wine with this much mass, 100% new French oak was used for the first time at Avennia. It is a wine that needs a little cellaring to start, but should last a very long time.

Review:

"The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Red Willow Vineyard is 100% Red Willow Cabernet Sauvignon that will spend roughly 20 months in close to 100% new French oak. Blackcurrants, smoked herbs, chocolate, and graphite notes all give way to a full-bodied, plump, rich, concentrated effort that's going to be better with short-term cellaring and keep for two decades."
- Jeb Dunnuck (April 2018), 94-96 pts

Avennia Valery Red Blend is made from 86% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Franc

Valery is named for the patron saint of wine in the St. Emilion region that inspired it.
We started with old vine Merlot from a stony block in the heart of the Yakima Valley and added complex, aromatic Cabernet Franc from the Horse Heaven Hills. The result is a balanced, complex wine with the elegance and ethereal perfume that this blend of two of Washington’s best varietals are known for.

The nose on this wine is very perfumed, almost exotic with notes of fresh violets, red plum, winter mint, fresh herbs and crushed limestone qualities. The palate is poised and balanced, with red fruits and mocha powder encapsulated in limestone. The finish lingers delicately, with the Cabernet Franc asserting a light tobacco and herb note, giving depth. A compelling wine that will continue to unwind for 7-10 years in the cellar.

Review:

"Brought up in 30% new French oak, the 2016 Valery (70/30 Merlot and Cabernet Franc) offers more black cherry and earthy, herbal notes as well as a medium-bodied, seamless, beautifully balanced style. It too shows a vibrant, fresh, yet concentrated style that has a Bordeaux feel in its weight and texture."
- Jeb Dunnuck (April 2019), 93 pts

"Good medium-dark red. Aromas of blueberry, mocha, licorice and violet are a bit darker than those of the 2015 version. Dense and penetrating, with wild flavors of dark berries, licorice and game given lift by rocky minerality and a minty nuance. Chris Peterson slightly acidified his Cabernet Franc from Champoux Vineyard, which he added to the wine for richness. This beauty may yet tighten up in the bottle.- Stephen Tanzer"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (November 2018), 92+ pts

This wine is characterized by grace and elegance. The bouquet is full and ethereal of ripe fruit and cherries in alcohol accompanied by typical nuances of the Mediterranean scrub such as lavender, thyme and wild mint. On the palate it has a very large and sweet opening. The silky tannin spreads a dense texture accompanied by a warm and lively body where notes of fresh coconut and sweet spices such as cinnamon persist.

-James Suckling 94 Points

Baron Aime Cremant de Bourgogne Brut Rose NV is made from  85% Pinot Noir & 15% Chardonnay.

Light pink color with coppery shades. The citrus notes blend subtly with aromas of strawberry, forming a fresh and delicate bouquet. The palate is lively, with notes of grapefruit and fresh bread. Together they form a rich, fresh and vibrant wine.

Review:

"Steely amber color. Aromas and flavors of strawberry, green apple, toasted oats, and creme fraiche with a satiny, lively, finely carbonated, dry light-to-medium body and a tingling, intricate, medium-length finish that presents overtones of slightly under ripe wild strawberries, apricot, warm bread dough, and lemon zest. Lively and bright for a perfect apéritif yet with just enough richness and body to carry you in seamlessly to the first course."

- Beverage Testing Institute (November 2022), 94 pts - GOLD MEDAL - BEST BUY

Belle Glos Las Alturas Vineyard Pinot Noir is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir. 

Deep garnet in color with an aromatic medley of black cherry, marionberry, ripe plum and a hint of anise. Dark fruit on the palate with flavors of wild berries, caramelized oak and cacao nibs complemented by subtle notes of vanilla, cedar and a hint of lavender and forest floor. Rich and unrestrained, this wine’s abundant fruit is beautifully balanced by firm acidity and layers of red and black fruit.

Review:

This extremely ripe and bold style of Pinot Noir will please those seeking such lushness. Dark in the glass, it begins with black cherry, toasty caramel and cola milk shake aromas. The palate is hefty and heavy, carrying ripe berry but also tart red-plum-skin flavors, as licorice adds spice

-Wine Enthusiast 91 Points

Bertani Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore Catullo is made from 70% Corvina Veronese, 20% Corvinone, 10% Rondinella.  Valpolicella Classica, Tenuta Novare Estate in Arbizzano di Negrar.

Wine of medium structure with elegant spicy notes of vanilla and chocolate accompanied by typical notes of cherry, sour cherry and white pepper. The palate offers the easy drinkability typical of Valpolicella and, at the same time, silky tannic structure and intense, prolonged aromatic persistence. The finish is fresh, soft and savory. A wine in the classic style, elegant, balanced, harmonious.

Review:

If I was forced to choose a number of wines that can steer the anachronistic Ripasso category into a brighter future, this would be among a very few. A mid-weighted, streamlined expression with just enough fruit on the bones. Think strawberries, lilacs, Asian plums, cloves and a hint of licorice. A noble, almost alpine bitterness lifts the finish. Brilliant. Drink or hold.

-James Suckling 95 Points

Bihan Le Pouilly-Fume is made from 100 percent Sauvignon Blanc. 

Its aromas: white flowers (hawthorn and acacia flowers), followed by hints of black current buds, pineapple, apricot or white peaches, depending on the year, with clear mineral notes in the finish. After a couple of years, aromas often evolve to quince and mango. On the palate, it is virile, powerful and long lasting. This Pouilly Fumé is for wine lovers who appreciate full, rich and generous wines.

Bling de la Ferme Blanche Sparkling Millesime is made from 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Clairette.

This is a Traditional Method Vintage Sparkling wine. Grapes are coming from the region of Cassis, but this sparkling wine can't be classified as Cassis AOC as the AOC is strictly for still White, Rosé and Red. 

It is made with the local grape variety : Sauvignon Blanc and Clairette.

Fine bubbles, crisp and delicate, citrus zest, lime, stone fruit.

Boekenhoutskloof Syrah Swartland is made from 100 percent Syrah. 

Grapes for our Boekenhoutskloof Syrah are picked from selected parcels of the finest Syrah, grown at our Swartland farms, namely Porseleinberg and Goldmine, close to the small town of Riebeek-Kasteel. These vineyards were planted on the rocky bedrock of decomposed Mica-Schist, a unique terroir, finding its expression in our concentrated and structured wines made from this Rhône grape.

The nose is perfumed, forthcoming and fresh, offering an array of rich dark fruits with a spicy, floral, even feral character, derived from complex aromas of dark berries, plums, violets, black olives, star anise and potting soil. The black fruits and earthy character of the nose follow through onto a dark, brooding palate with flavours of wild berries, brambles, liquorice, tobacco, cloves and black cardamom. The mid-palate is concentrated, deep, dense and slightly dusty, with dry, very fine cocoa-powdery tannins lending structure. The wine is very precise, with a medium to full body, a tight, grainy texture and vibrant acidity to balance. Blackberries, blueberries and notes of garrigue and dark chocolate linger on a savoury finish.

Review:

Using fruit from two exceptional Swartland sources – Goldmine and mostly Porseleinberg – this foudre-aged Syrah is fresh, subtle and intensely aromatic, as schist Syrahs often tend to be. Complex, floral and refined with remarkable freshness and palate length. Drink: 2020-2028.
 – Tim Atkin MW, 95/100

Bydand Pinot Noir Umino Vineyard is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir.

This small, sustainably farmed vineyard perches on a south-facing ridge in the Sebastopol Hills area of the esteemed Russian River Valley AVA, and has produced exceptional Pinot Noir for Bydand since their first vintage. Third-generation farmer David Umino rejected early assessments that the site was too cool for viticulture, and planted Pinot Noir there in 1996. The cold maritime winds in fact help to modulate ripening, and protect the grape’s natural purity and balance - resulting in fruit-driven wines with expressive red fruit and dark berry flavors, balanced with crushed rock and mouth-watering freshness. Velvety tannins coat the palate, providing an alluring and persistent finish.

This site combines the best of the earthy west Sonoma Coast and well-fruited Russian River.

Camus Graves Blanc is made from 50% Sauvignon Blanc and 50% Semillon.

A beautiful, brilliant color, this wine offers a great aromatic balance with complex and mineral notes, Offering white fruit (peach and pear), citrus (grapefruit and lemon), and a toasty finish with a delicate oak presence. The mouthfeel is rich and complex with a great minerality, freshness, structure, and a good length to the finish.

Pairs with poultry, fish, and shellfish.

Carmo Vinhos Madeira Sercial 10 Yr is the driest style of Madeira, a light bodied wine with a distinctive nutty nose. An excellent apertif. The concentration at this age has produced a very attractive and interesting wine, with a long finish.

Cave Carod Clairette de Die is made from 75% Muscat Petits Grains and 25% Clairette. Clairette de Die is produced with the ancestral dioise method. 
The grapes are rapidly pressed after the harvest and then placed in vats at low temperatures (replicating the process used by the Voconces in ancient times who kept the jars in the icy waters of their local rivers). The half-fermented must is bottled and fermentation continues in the bottle, giving a naturally sparkling wine. Disgorging occurs at least six months after bottling, while the wine still contains sugar and has reached an alcohol content of 7 to 9 %.

This is a sparkling wine with very fine bubbles, light in alcohol (8°), and containing residual sugar (incomplete fermentation). Clairette de Die has been known since ancient times (dates back to 77 A.D.). Clairette brings delicacy and lightness to the wine whereas Muscat gives its typical sweet flavor. The wine displays intense aromas, a refreshing balance of fruit and acidity with peach, orange and white flowers flavors.
This is an ideal wine for all desserts and ice creams, and is very interesting with foie gras. It is especially suitable for daytime meetings and cocktail parties.  A great breakfast wine!
Wine to be consumed young, to conserve the full fruity and floral flavors.  To be stored flat in a cool room away from light.

GOLD MEDAL - Effervescents du Monde 2010


GOLD MEDAL - Concours General Agricole de Paris 2012

SILVER MEDAL - Concours General Agricole de Paris 2011

Charles Smith Sixto Uncovered Chardonnay is made from 100 percent Chardonnay. 

Not from here, this wine is otherworldly. Apricot, stone, pippin apple, sea breeze, and wildflowers mingle to create this compelling beauty. Sit down and take your time with this wine, to savor the incredible structure, with a long and lingering presence of toasted almonds, apple blossom, and flint. A wonderful journey!.

Review:

What a pretty nose. Lemon peel, fresh white flowers, lavender, crushed sage and wet stone. Medium-to full-bodied with carrying acidity. Extremely articulate and graceful on the palate with bright citrus and a dried-floral note. Impressive depth and length. Salty and tangy on the finish with vibrancy. Drink or hold.
-James Suckling 96 Points

Chateau Castegens Cotes de Bordeaux Castillon is made from 80% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon.

The wine boasts an intense, deep and lively red color. The nose offers black fruit, blackberry, cigar box, licorice, some delicate and integrated oak flavors as well. The mouth is full of fruit flavors, spice and fine toasty flavors. The structure is rich, but the tannins are well integrated already. The finish is long and a slight mintiness give the wine a great length and some purity.

Pairs great with meat and vegetables on the grill.

Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Claux is made from 95% Grenache, 5% Syrah.

Château de Saint Cosme is the leading estate of Gigondas and produces the benchmark wines of the appellation. The property has been in the hands of the Barruol family since 1490. Louis Barruol took over from his father in 1992 making a dramatic shift to quality and converting to biodynamics in 2010.

Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Claux is the estate’s oldest vineyard and sits near the entrance to the winery. “It was first planted in 1870 following phylloxera. My uncles thought it wasn’t producing enough fruit and planned to uproot it in 1914,” says Louis Barruol, but “World War I interrupted that plan.”

The 1.8-hectare Le Claux—meaning “Clos” in old French—is a field blend of predominately Grenache. Louis Barruol believes 10% of the vineyard is from the original 1870 planting. Vines are replaced by massal selection and the average vine age is 60-years. The wine is made with whole cluster fermentation from indigenous yeasts, is aged in 20% new 228-liter barrels, and bottled without fining or filtration.

Tasting Notes

Brilliant violet color. Displays pungent, mineral- and spice-accented cherry, black raspberry, potpourri and licorice aromas, along with hints of savory herbs, vanillo and incense. Chewy and tightly focused on the palate, offering bitter cherry, dark berry and Moroccan spice flavors that unfurl slowly through the back half. It closes with firm tension, chewy tannins and excellent tenacity, leaving resonating cherry and floral notes behind. All barriques, a third of them new.

-Vinous 95-97 Points

Chateau Mazane Vacqueyras Rouge is made from 60% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre.

Ages in 30% Aged in oak, 70% concrete vats.

Medium-bodied, pure and elegant. It offers plenty of plum, blueberry, spring flowers and peppery notes. Beautifully textured, enjoy it over the coming 6-7 years.

Pair with with duck (roasted or grilled) as well as any grilled vegetables (eggplant, zucchini).

Soil types
The vineyard stretches over the plateau of scrubland that is ideally located between the terraces of the Ouvèze (tributary of the Rhone) and Dentelles de Montmirail, and constitutes pebbles soil debris of Dentelles de Montmirail and clay.

Winemaking
Traditional winemaking, temperature controlled fermentation.

Review:

"The 2020 Vacqueyras Château Mazane is terrific and well worth seeking out. Based on 60% Grenache, 25% Syrah, and the rest Mourvèdre, this medium-bodied, supple, elegant Vacqueyras has lots of red and black fruits, complex notes of peppery garrigue, sandalwood, and spice, polished tannins, and a great finish. Drink this beauty over the coming 7-8 years or so."

- Jeb Dunnuck (March 2023), 92 pts

Chateau Peymartin Saint-Julien is made from 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot.

Peymartin is the second wine of  Gloria, produced using the youngest vines (average 40 years-old) on the estate.

After a manual harvest, the grapes are vinified in thermo regulated stainless steel vats with malolactic in barrel. Peymartin spends approximately one year in cask followed by additional aging at the estate in bottel prior to release. The ensuing style of wine is typically a lighter and more elegant St. Julien, known for its early drinkability and charming character.

Tasting Notes:

Deep ruby-garnet in appearance, Peymartin is classic left-bank Bordeaux. Aromas of dried tobaco, cedar, blackcurrant, and pungent cooking spices greet the nose.  The palate is extremely elegant with ripe, yet structured tannins balanced by firm acidity, black fruits, savory earth, and hints of toasted vanilla.  A balanced and persistent finish underlines the wine's quality as well as its ability to hold up in bottle.