All older vintage wines have been purchased from a single collectors cellar. Pictures can be requested before shipment.
Xavier Vignon Chateauneuf du Pape XV Rouge is made from 50% Grenache, 45% Mourvèdre and 5% Syrah. From 100 year old vines.
It shows a bit of toasty oak up front but balances that with ample black cherry fruit and soft, dusty tannins. Long and harmonious on the finish, it should drink well on release in 2019 and for a decade or more after that.
Pairs with beef with mustard sauce - Pork tenderloin with winter vegetables - Roasted duck - Malaysian pork chop and spice tea.
Review:
"A lovely example of what one of the Rhone Valley's top appellations is capable of producing. A bright saturated purple in the glass, the nose and palate are highlighted by berry and cherry fruit, with hints of spice. The palate reflects the nose, with warmth and spice, in addition to the exquisite red fruit."
- Beverage Dynamics (Spring 2024), 95 pts
Ziata Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc is made from 100 percent Sauvignon Blanc.
The small, concentrated berries of the 2021 vintage created a riper, rounder expression of our Sauvignon Blanc. Fruit and floral notes of ripe, fleshy peach, cantaloupe and white flowers drive the flavor profile, with lemon and wet copper adding brightness and dimension.
Review:
Fragrant, with pretty honeysuckle, orange blossom water and candied ginger notes that add elegance to the light, fresh frame of citrus, pear and pineapple flavors. Packs crisp acidity.
-Wine Spectator 91 Points
Ziata Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is made from 100% Pinot Noir.
Vineyard Notes
Green Valley is tightly delineated geographically and climatically, and is the most consistent Sonoma Coast appellation in terms of soil, climate and flavor profile. Two factors, in particular, make it ideal for Pinot Noir. First, the predominant soil type is Goldridge, which with its excellent drainage and low fertility, curtails the vine’s vigor. This results in fewer clusters but of better quality. Second, its elevation and cool coastal climate mean a smaller swing between and day and night temperatures, and its overall cooler daytime temperatures allow for a longer growing season to bring out the full potential of the fruit.
Tasting Notes
This silky Pinot Noir opens with aromas of fresh strawberry, cherry, raspberry and plum, warmed by notes of spice, forest floor and cedar. The wine is fresh and balanced on the palate, with fruit and beautifully integrated oak flowing into a long, juicy finish.
Production Notes
This was the third year of drought, but well-timed watering in the vineyard ensured ample growth and cluster development. Rolling heat spells prior to harvest were kept in check by cool nights, courtesy of the nearby Pacific Ocean. This diurnal range resulted in a medium-bodied, juicy gem of a Pinot Noir.
La Despensa Boutique Cinsault is made from 100% Cinsault.
A genuinely unique wine - they are the only producers of Cinsault in Colchagua! From a new vineyard planted in 2017, the team at La Despensa thinks they’ve hit the jackpot with this variety in this valley. Much more structure, color and intensity than the typical Chilean Cinsaults from further south, this is an easy drinking but serious version of this wonderfully fruity variety!
Grand Veneur Chateauneuf Du Pape Blanc La Fontaine is made from 100% Roussane.
Yellow-gold color. The nose is rich in aromas of citrus fruit, tropical fruit, quince and honey, with a touch of vanilla. On the palate, the same aromas appear together with a fatness combining exotic fruit and vanilla : the wine is rich, generous and elegant, with extraordinary length. "La Fontaine" is often considered to be one of the best Châteauneuf du Pape white, and it is by definition a superb gastronomy wine.
Best between 1 and 8 years.
Review:
"Always all Roussanne, the 2022 Châteauneuf du Pape La Fontaine Blanc comes from organically grown grapes and was brought up entirely in oak. It's a brilliant white that would compete with a Grand Cru White Burgundy with its smoky stone fruits, brioche, crushed stone, and floral aromatics. Full-bodied on the palate, with a deep, layered mouthfeel, huge richness, and a great finish, this is legit awesome white wine that I'd be thrilled to have in the cellar. I love it today yet see no reason it shouldn't evolve gracefully for at least a decade."
- Jeb Dunnuck (Importer Highlight: Fran Kysela ; July 2024), 97 pts