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Masciarelli 108509

Marina Cvetic Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva 2019

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC

July 10, 2023
 The Montepulciano Marina Cvetic represents an intense and remarkable expression of one of the historical vines of Abruzzo.  The 100% Montepulciano comes from eight of the estate's top parcels, across an altitude of 500 to 1,200 feet above sea level, on soils of calcareous clay and lime.  In these vineyards, we find not only the traditional Abruzzo pergola vine training, but also Simple Guyot and Spur Cordon as well.

90

Wine Enthusiast -January 25, 2024 Spring 2024 Issue  

93

Vinous -August 25, 2023 "Mentholated herbs lift depths of medicinal black cherry and clove as the 2019 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva San Martino Rosso makes itself known. This is a deep and powerful effort with…

93

James Suckling -August 11, 2023 "Chocolate cherries, stewed plums, cedar and grilled rosemary on the nose. It’s chewy and meaty on the palate, with firm tannins and a medium to full body. Lots of bite…

Masciarelli 108507

Marina Cvetic Trebbiano d'Abruzzo Riserva 2021

Trebbiano d'Abruzzo

July 10, 2023
 The Trebbiano Riserva Marina Cvetic represents the ultimate expression for the estate of one of the historical vines of Abruzzo.  Like Montepulciano, Trebbiano was once thought to be a workhorse grape without the potential to produce great wine. The interpretation of this wine is original and has a character. Marina Cvetic wines have full body and are elegant and are a “lone voice” for the most demanding and technical experts.

90

Wine & Spirits -January 25, 2024 Spring 2024 Issue  

Château La Serre 108502

Château La Serre 2020

Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classe

July 10, 2023
 Château La Serre has an exceptional position in the very heart of Saint-Emilion, six hundred feet from the town ramparts of this magical UNESCO protected area, on outstanding limestone soils with a due south exposure.  The history of the property dates to the 15th century, with the residence constructed at the end of the 17th century by a prominent local family.  Arnaud d'Arfeuille's grandfather purchased the property in 1956, and his father Luc in particular worked on renovating the vineyards and cellars to produce wine equal to its terroir.

92

Vinous -March 01, 2023 "The 2020 La Serre is a brooding, potent Saint-Émilion. Blackberry jam, cloves, licorice, leather, incense, tobacco and gravel add to an impression of gravitas and virile intensity that builds as…

Xavier Milhade Wines 108501

Château Tour Bayard 2022

Montagne-Saint-Émilion

July 10, 2023
 Château Tour Bayard is a recent addition to the Milhade portfolio, coming into the family through marriage. This 25 acre property in the St.-Émilion Satellite Montagne-St.-Émilion has been run by the Richard family since 1956, and is now regarded as one of the top estates in the appellation.

(91-93)

Wine Advocate (91-93) -November 01, 2023 "The 2020 Tour Bayard has a deep purple-black color, bounding out of the glass with exuberant notes of crushed black cherries, juicy blackberries and chocolate-covered cherries, followed by hints of…

91

Wine Enthusiast -June 27, 2023 "This is a powerful wine with ripe tannins and spice from wood aging. It has a generous character, rich and full of black fruits." -R.V 6/26

91

Vinous -March 01, 2023 "The 2020 Tour Bayard is just as compelling from bottle as it was en primeur. Bright, savory and super-expressive, the mid-weight Tour Bayard is a terrific model of classicism. Time…

Xavier Milhade Wines 108500

Château Boutisse 2020

Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

July 10, 2023
 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.

94

Vinous -March 01, 2023 "The 2020 Boutisse is a gorgeous, wonderfully pure, elegant Saint-Émilion. Dark cherry/plum fruit, mocha, crushed rocks and blood orange are all beautifully delineated. The 2020 is silky and vibrant, with…

Champagne Bollinger 108372

PN AYC18

Champagne, France

July 05, 2023
 PN, made entirely from Pinot Noir to underscore the very essence and DNA of the House style, is the first new cuvée added to Bollinger’s permanent range since rosé in 2008. Each release of PN, developed as a series to bring Bollinger’s unique vision of Pinot Noir to light, will showcase a different cru from the base year that highlights its distinctive terroir and taste. The fourth edition of the series, PN AYC18, sources many of the grapes from Aÿ, and explores the interpretation of Pinot Noir from 2018 and features reserve wines dating back to 2009.

94

Wine Advocate -December 15, 2023 "Based on the 2018 vintage, complemented by reserve wines aged in magnum dating back to 2009, Bollinger's newly released NV Brut Blanc de Noirs PN AYC18 was disgorged this year…

93

Wine Spectator -September 13, 2023 "Mouthwatering and finely meshed, with density to the satiny texture, this marries bright acidity with flavors of ripe white cherry, biscuit, pickled ginger and candied grapefruit peel. Opens slowly on…

92

Vinous -July 05, 2023 "Tense and vibrant, with notable saline intensity, the AYC (based on Aÿ) sizzles with energy. Dried pear, crushed flowers, mint, sage, chalk and light pastry notes all race across the…

Champagne Bollinger 108357

La Côte aux Enfants Champagne

Champagne, France

July 05, 2023
 Established by Jacques Bollinger between 1926 and 1934, La Côte aux Enfants is a steep hillside vineyard located on the outskirts of Aÿ. This unique parcel has been a source of endless fascination, producing some of the most highly prized Pinot Noir in the region. Aware of its potential, it became Champagne Bollinger's ambition to produce a great vintage Champagne exclusively from this vineyard, with 100% Pinot Noir. The fruit comes from the north-west side of the hill, revealing a particularly refined expression of La Côte aux Enfants vineyard.

97

Wine Advocate -December 14, 2023 "While one might have expected the cool, northwest-facing part of this famed Aÿ vineyard to produce a rather unyielding wine in a vintage like this, Bollinger's brilliant 2013 Brut Blanc…

97

Wine Spectator -September 22, 2023 "A vinous version, with subtle, savory hints of grilled herbs and tar on the nose, revealing a minerally underpinning to the palate's flavors of black currant, bread dough, saffron, crystallized…

99

James Suckling -August 02, 2023 "Complex aromas of pie crust, iron, chalk and hints of sweet strawberries. Some ginseng. Full-bodied with very fine bubbles that give it tension and focus. Extremely fine and polished tannins…

95

Vinous -July 05, 2023 "The 2013 La Côte aux Enfants is a rich, heady Champagne. Passion fruit, candied apricot, white flowers, vanillin, spice and tangerine oil all race across the palate. Deep and layered,…

Les Quatre Mains by François & Guillaume Thienpont 108351

L'Etoile 2018

Lalande-de-Pomerol

June 30, 2023
 The name of the wine and related vineyard, L’Étoile, evokes Saint-James of Compostela (in Latin, campus stellae means the path of the star) and the time of the great pilgrimages. The vineyard covers 5 hectares, on gravelly soil with sand and clay. A blend of Merlot (80% in general), Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, aged for 18 months in once-used barrels from Vieux Château Certan.

92

James Suckling -February 20, 2022 Aromas of blueberry, black tea, pine needle, dark chocolate and walnut. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, velvety tannins and a creamy texture. Chewy and concentrated. Precise.

Les Quatre Mains by François & Guillaume Thienpont 108349

Les Fillottes 2019

Pomerol

June 30, 2023
 The four points on the crest of the bottle symbolize the work of four hands and the four plots. Among them, the plot Les Fillottes gave its name to the Cru. Located to the west of the Pomerol bell tower, the vineyard spreads over 3.50 hectares, on gravel and clay soils. The limited production wine is a blend of Merlot (80%) and Cabernet Franc (20%). Aged for 18 months in once-used barrels from Vieux Château Certan.

94

James Suckling -February 20, 2022 Lavish and aromatic on the nose with lots of blackberry, dark-chocolate and hazelnut character. It’s full-bodied with layers of ripe, chewy tannins and a beautiful cappuccino and berry aftertaste.

Les Quatre Mains by François & Guillaume Thienpont

Les Fillottes

Pomerol

June 30, 2023 - The four points on the crest of the bottle symbolize the work of four hands and the four plots. Among them, the plot Les Fillottes gave its name to the Cru. Located to the west of the Pomerol bell tower, the vineyard spreads over 3.50 hectares, on gravel and clay soils. The limited production wine is a blend of Merlot (80%) and Cabernet Franc (20%). Aged for 18 months in once-used barrels from Vieux Château Certan.

94

James Suckling -February 20, 2022 Lavish and aromatic on the nose with lots of blackberry, dark-chocolate and hazelnut character. It’s full-bodied with layers of ripe, chewy tannins and a beautiful cappuccino and berry aftertaste.

Domaine Chanson 108288

Viré-Clessé 2022

Viré-Clessé, Burgundy

June 29, 2023
 Chanson's regional wine, Viré Clessé is one of the best white wines of the region, combining suppleness and minerality. The appellation lies in the heart of the Mâcon appellation in the south of Burgundy. It's produced from a combination of Chardonnay and Chardonnay Muscaté grapes.

90

Vinous -August 18, 2023 "The 2022 Viré-Clessé has an intense and well-defined bouquet: yellow fruit, melted wax and slithers of sliced peach. The palate is well-defined with a lovely, resinous texture. Balanced and poised,…

Le Macchiole 108155

Bolgheri Rosso 2021

Bolgheri Rosso DOC

June 26, 2023
 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.

94

Wine Enthusiast -November 13, 2023 Winter 2024 Issue - D.C.

94

Wine & Spirits -November 08, 2023 Text to follow- S.J 10/23

95

Wine Spectator -October 13, 2023 "Pure and expressive, this red features cherry, raspberry and blackberry flavors augmented by iron, spice and light herb accents. Sleek and elegant, with a succulent profile and excellent persistence on…

92

Vinous -August 07, 2023 "The 2021 Bolgheri Rosso gorgeous wine shows how compelling this vintage is on the Tuscan coast. Effusive and deep, the 2021 is beautifully layered from start to finish. Gentle touches…

93

James Suckling -July 06, 2023 "Attractive aromas of dark berries with crushed walnuts, spicy herbs and dusty earth undertones. Medium- to full-bodied with a firm grip of tannins, that are fine and polished. Juicy acidity…

(93+)

Wine Advocate (93+) -June 02, 2023 "The Le Macchiole 2021 Bolgheri Rosso is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. The wine kicks it up from the start with bold but also very…

Le Macchiole 108149

Paleo Bianco 2021

Toscana IGT

June 26, 2023
 First produced in 1991 in tiny quantities for a local restaurant, Paleo Bianco today is a silky, mineral-driven blend of Chardonnay  and Sauvignon Blanc with loads of savory Mediterranean character.

92

James Suckling -July 06, 2023 "This has a citrusy nose with hints of pear skins, honeysuckle, raw almond and lemon custard. Full-bodied and round-textured with crunchy acidity. Polished and mineral. A blend of chardonnay and…

95

Wine Advocate -June 26, 2023 "The 2021 Paleo Bianco is a blend of 70% Chardonnay and 30%Sauvignon Blanc that offers fresh acidity, creamy citrus and plenty of sharp mineral definition. This mid-weight white sees partial…

95

Wine Enthusiast -March 24, 2023 "Opening aromas of rubber bouncy ball and green apple on the nose belie the seriousness of this Chardonnay. It subsequently suggests salted lemon peel, damp cobblestones and more lush tree…

Le Macchiole 108110

Paleo Rosso 2019

Toscana IGT

June 26, 2023
 Paleo Rosso has been called Italy's landmark expression of Cabernet Franc. It is named for a type of local wild grass, which once covered the land where its vines are now planted. Originally a blend of several different varieties, the wine has been made from 100% Cabernet Franc since 2001, and was the first mono varietal Cabernet Franc to be produced in Bolgheri. The grapes come from several vineyards on the estate, including Vignone, Madonnina, Puntone and Casa Nuova. Each vineyard is picked separately, and fruit from the same vineyard is often picked more than once at different stages of maturity, resulting in about 20 different pickings.

97

Wine & Spirits -June 26, 2023 "A benchmark cabernet franc from Bolgheri since it was first bottled as a single-variety wine in the 2001 vintage, Paleo knocked it out of the park in 2016. Moderate temperatures,…

95

James Suckling -June 26, 2023 "A full-bodied, powerful and polished red with aromas of dark plums, dark cherries, tobacco, bay leaves, dark chocolate, mocha and cedar. Firm, ripe tannins. Compact and muscular. Yet, it remains…

98

Wine Advocate -June 26, 2023 "The Le Macchiole 2019 Paleo reveals an extremely precise and etched personality that is perfectly suited to this classic vintage. If you love Cabernet Franc, this is your wine. The…

93

Wine Spectator -June 26, 2023 "Boasts a beam of black currant fruit matched with black olive, bell pepper, wild rosemary, tar and vanilla aromas and flavors. A crisp and focused red, with light tannins lining…

96

Wine Enthusiast -June 26, 2023 *CELLAR SELECTION* "A gripping high-wire act of balance and integration, with a nose of cedar chips, wild herbs, black pepper, bergamot and underbrush and a palate of bing cherry, mixed…

Le Macchiole 108106

Scrio 2019

Toscana IGT

June 26, 2023
 Scrio was first produced in 1994. Le Macchiole founder Eugenio Campolmi created it because he wanted to produce a wine that would best express his vision of Syrah, his favorite grape variety. Scrio has an original personality and stands apart from Syrah grown in France or anywhere else - it is an extraordinarily compelling meld of deep and velvety Mediterranean fruit with cool climate aromatics and detail. Given the extremely limited production, Scrio is decidedly a hidden gem.

94

James Suckling -June 26, 2023 "Blackberry and black olive with black pepper and clove on the nose. Medium-bodied with round, creamy tannins and a juicy finish. Delicious fruit and texture. So enticing." - J.S 7/22   

95

Wine & Spirits -June 26, 2023 "Scrio bears more resemblance to a Northern Rhône syrah than in any previous vintage I’ve tasted, unfolding with violet-scented flavors of fresh red plum and red currant tinged with notes…

(97+)

Wine Advocate (97+) -June 26, 2023 "The Le Macchiole 2019 Scrio benefits from reductive winemaking that is intended to lock in the natural fragrances and elegance of this versatile grape. It is fermented in stainless steel…

95

Wine Spectator -June 26, 2023 "Expressive, this red features black cherry, blackberry, floral, mineral and toasted spice flavors. Dense, yet smooth in texture and balanced, with a lingering aftertaste that echoes the dark fruit and…

95

Vinous -March 16, 2022 "The 2019 Scrio (Syrah) is a wine of remarkable precision that has little, if anything, in common with previous vintages. Understated and gracious, with compelling aromatic presence, the 2019 is…

Le Macchiole 108103

Messorio 2019

Toscana IGT

June 26, 2023
 Messorio, a Merlot monovarietal, is the winery’s crown jewel. Its initial vintage was 1994, and since then it has received extraordinary acclaim, including a 100-point score from the Wine Spectator for the 2004 vintage. The name Messorio refers to the ancient Tuscan practice of wheat harvesting, the most important time of the year in the Bolgheri countryside - once it referred to wheat; these days, it is all about grape harvesting.

98

Wine & Spirits -June 26, 2023 "Cinzia Merli’s refinements in the vineyards and cellar over the past several years have coincided with the long and balanced 2019 growing season to produce the most elegant, vibrant and…

97

James Suckling -June 26, 2023 "The plums and hazelnuts come out clearly on the nose with some tar and black coffee undertones. It's full-bodied with ripe berry and cappuccino flavors. Chewy yet fine tannins. Merlot."…

(97+)

Wine Advocate (97+) -June 26, 2023 "The stunning Le Macchiole 2019 Messorio is all Merlot from a special 2.5-hectare plot with a classic mix of Bolgheri soils featuring clay, silt, sandstone and limestone. The wine ferments…

97

Wine Spectator -June 26, 2023 "Well-marked by new oak at this stage, with vanilla and toasty spices wrapped around a core of plum, black cherry, earth and cedar. Graceful and balanced, turning firmer on the…

95

Wine Enthusiast -June 26, 2023 "Le Macchiole is always identifiable by its death-defying acts of balance and the Messorio is no exception. Cherries, cranberries, wild herbs and soil on the nose carry through onto the…

97

Vinous -March 16, 2022 "The 2019 Messorio marries the natural opulence of Merlot on the Tuscan Coast with a feeling of finesse I don’t think I have ever seen here before. There is plenty…

Marietta Cellars 108062

Angeli Zinfandel 2021

Alexander Valley, California

June 22, 2023
 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.

96

Wine Advocate -March 10, 2023 "Blueberry, boysenberry and blackberry give way to wafts of graphite, gobs of violet and even touches of tangerine. The medium to full-bodied palate explodes with concentrated fruit and expansive layers…

Marietta Cellars 108061

Román Zinfandel 2021

North Coast, California

June 22, 2023
 Named after cellarmaster Román Cisneros who has worked at Marietta for over 32 years, this Estate Zinfandel is from the Angeli estate vineyard in Alexander Valley and the McDowell Valley estate vineyard. One of the grape varieteies that Marietta is famous for, this wine captures the bright, juicy character of Zinfandel, and hearkens to an era before dark, thick and oaky styles of Zinfandel took hold. The Virgin of Guadalupe on the label is a nod to Roman's dedication, selflessness, and sacrifice, both for the Bilbro family and his own. It is also a nod to the Mexican-American heritage of Roman and many of Marietta's crew members. Marietta's family series is an ode to the elements that have unified the family's winemakers over time: family, hard work, passion, and a love for the creative process that is winemaking.

95

Wine Advocate -October 23, 2023 “The 2021 Román Zinfandel is juicy, alluring and easy to drink without sacrificing complexity, offering tremendous quality for its modest price. Blended with 4% Petite Sirah and 4% Barbera, the…

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