WINE DEALS 5/4/26

Chateau Lassegue 2013, Saint Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux:    The Lassegue 2013 shows a beautiful color. The nose displays a remarkable freshness immediately upon opening, and with aeration notes of nutmeg, white pepper, and red fruit emerge, harmonious and ethereal. The freshness returns on the palate with well-integrated tannins, and the spice gives an added complexity to this balanced wine. With an energetic and vibrant finish, the 2013 is elegant to drink today, with plenty of room to age for additional aromatic development.  60% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Regular Price: $60.99  On Sale:  $46.99

Twomey Sauvignon Blanc 2023, Napa County/Sonoma County: James Suckling 93 pts.  Great freshness, with white peaches, citrus zest and some chalky, mineral effects on a medium to full body. Offers vivid acidity, bold fruit flavors and good balance. Fermented in a combo of small barrels, big puncheons, stainless steel drums and tanks. Made from four sites in both counties for built-in complexity.

Regular Price: $35.99. On Sale:  $22.99

1) Anakota Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Knight’s Valley:  $82.99  Grown in the volcanic soils of our estate-owned vineyards, Anakota Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon embodies the rustic spirit of rural Sonoma County. Our vineyards climb the southwest-facing slopes of 4,300ft. Mount St. Helena, and are surrounded by a wilderness of cold mountain streams and forests of native fir and oak. The message of our soil is conveyed in every bottle.  Showing a brilliant ruby-violet core with a bright violet rim, the appearance of 2023 Anakota Cabernet Sauvignon immediately signals the vibrancy and concentration of the 2023 vintage. High-toned aromas of crunchy boysenberry, juicy black plum, and roasted espresso bean are joined by dark baking cocoa, freshly ground herbes de Provence, and subtle baking spices. These flavors race across the palate, lifted by electric acidity and wet stone minerality. Mouth-watering tannins provide a firm structure, driving to a layered, complex finish.

 

2) Domaine Huet Le Mont Demi-Sec 2022, Vouvray:  $55.99  Wine Spectator 94 pts.  This has the structure and bitter-edged minerality to carry its weight and ripeness, with beeswax and white tea notes that overlay crunchy orchard fruit and pink grapefruit with peppery spice notes woven in. A lot of savory detail and acidity makes this superbalanced and very food-friendly.

 

3) Champagne Billecart-Salmon Le Rose 2015:  $146.99  A beautiful coppery pink hue with delicate salmon reflections. An intense aromatic burst of redcurrant and cherry in syrup, with hints of candied mandarin, coffee, and almond calisson, followed by refreshing notes of menthol and a touch of spice. A vibrant and juicy attack, unfolding with hints of pomelo and peach, stretching into mandarin juice notes that linger. The finish lifts with whispers of ginger, toasted almonds, and a touch of Sichuan pepper.

This champagne will pair wonderfully with scallop or shrimp yakitoris, spring rolls and filet mignon in crust.  48% Pinot Noir, 52% Chardonnay.

 

4) Azienda Santa Barbara Tardivo Ma Non Tardo Castelli di Jesi Verdicchio Riserva Classico 2021, Marche:  $63.99  A rich and complex nose entices with fruit (exotic, tropical) and notes of spice. An important structure is balanced by a fresh minerality that invites another sip. In addition to representing one of the regions best examples of Verdicchio, Tardivo Ma Non Tardo is participant in an interesting and noble project. The distinctive label is designed by artist Catia Uliassi who, together with the Santa Barbara winery, collaborates with the Fondazione Dott. Dante Paladini. A portion of the proceeds from each bottle of this Verdicchio goes to support research and treatment of neuromuscular disease.

 

5) Sokol Blosser Estate Rose of Pinot Noir 2024, Dundee Hills:  $19.99  Ripe strawberries, citrus, melon, and pineapple flourish on the nose of this wine. On the palate, tart mango and strawberries provide the perfect balance of bright red fruit flavors and acidity. Beautifully peachy pink in color, this Pinot Noir Rose is truly summer in a glass.

 

6) Hild Elbing Trocken Qualitatswein 2023, Mosel:  $23.99  The Obermosel (Upper Mosel) is a region seldom talked about in wine circles. It marks the start of the Paris Basin, the geographical reality that influences regions like Sancerre and Chablis. In the Obermosel, instead of slate soils, you find limestone, and instead of Riesling, you will find Elbling, one of Europe’s oldest grapes. Matthias Hild and his son Jonas farm five hectares of Elbling around the town of Wincheringen, on steep, terraced hillside vineyards. The duo craft crafts wines from this grape that are full of character, low in alcohol and high in acidity. They are pure and refreshing with verve, vigor and energy. The farming of these vineyards and the making of this wine is an act of cultural preservation as more and more people abandon their land and stop making wine from this grape.

The Hild Elbling Trocken is one of best representations of the varietal from the Obermosel. Mouthwatering aromatics of citrus, fine herbs and crushed chalk scintillate the senses. The broadens slightly, though offers a tightly wound combination of ruby-red grapefruit and lemon zest, punctuated with electric acidity and a marked limestone undertone. Dazzlingly refreshing from first sip to its vibrant, invigorating finish. Pair with anything from a raw seafood bar, caramelized onion tart or spicy green Thai curry.

 

7) Two Squared Red Wine 2021 by Alpha Omega, Napa Valley:  $48.99  Dark ruby red. Fruit aromas of bramble berries, strawberry rhubarb pie and blueberry are intertwined with notes of toasted grains, graphite, tarragon spice and blonde roast coffee. Medium bodied with exceptional balance, the assertive fruit flavors of cherry and raspberry are further enhanced by notes of dry earth and toasted French oak.  Blend: 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 3% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot.

 

8) Jean Bouchard Chateauneuf du Pape 2020, Rhone:  $45.99  Experience the rich heritage of Châteauneuf-du-Pape with Jean Bouchard’s exquisite red blend. This full-bodied wine showcases the region’s signature blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, offering complex flavors of ripe berries, herbs, and spices. Perfect for special occasions or to elevate your dining experience, this wine embodies the essence of Southern Rhône’s finest winemaking traditions.

 

9) Ceretto Arneis 2023, Langhe, Piedmont:  $20.99  Wine Enthusiast 91 pts.  This Langhe Arneis is like a summer fling in a glass – flirty, fun, and impossible to resist. Aromas of crisp green apples and zesty citrus practically beg for attention, while the palate is a lively mix of juicy pear and a hint of almond. It’s the perfect poolside companion or that perfect fresh wine for a good movie and the couch.

 

10) Valdorna 2014, Toscana:  $72.99  This modestly-priced Merlot-driven red is made by winemaker Pierre Seillan, famous for his Verité wines that rank among California’s most prestigious reds. Seillan is a gifted winemaker who plays with combinations of the classic Bordeaux varietals to masterful effect. The 2013 Valadorna is a dark wine that immediately captures attention with captivating plum, cherry and chocolate notes floating from the glass. The texture is elegant and round with ripe dark fruit at its core: blueberries, cherries and currants with dark chocolate. On the finish, a satisfying graphite minerality frames the fruit and makes you reach for the next sip. The Valadorna is already approachable, but will benefit from 5-7 years in the cellar. From the winery: Located in the southeast corner of Chianti Classico, in the commune of Castelnuovo Berardenga, vineyards for Arcanum are among the most prized in Tuscany. There, international winemaker Pierre Seillan draws on his experience in Bordeaux and California to produce three Bordeaux-style blends from Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

 

11) Benanti Contrada Cavaliere Etna Rosso 2022, Sicily:  $63.99  Vinous 92 pts.  The 2022 Etna Rosso Contrada Cavaliere displays a translucent ruby color. It wafts up with a dusting of sweet spice and lavender-laced blackberries. This is cool-toned and crisp, with ripe red berry fruits that slowly saturate as rosy inner florals cascade throughout. Juicy acidity adds mouthwatering freshness as a coating of fine tannins settles in through the long and youthfully structured finale. The 2022 Cavaliere is a remarkably pretty Nerello Mascalese that should only require a short stay in the cellar to show its best. 

 

12) Tenuta delle Terre Nere Moganazzi Etna Rosso 2023, Sicily:  $69.99  Nerello Mascalese.  James Suckling 96 pts.  “So perfumed and dreamy with flowers, citrus and hints of stone. Medium-bodied, this has fine tannins and lovely fruit in the caressing center-palate. The fresh, vivid finish ends with a bit of muscle. Drink or hold.”

Vinous 95 pts.  “The 2022 Etna Rosso Moganazzi has come together beautifully over the last year. This is explosive today, with a vivid mix of incense, clove and cinnamon stick that gives way to crushed blood orange and dusty black cherry notes. Its energy impresses first, washing across the palate with a soft and supple nature as depths of ripe red berry fruits slowly infuse the senses with a fresh, citrusy hint. Long and structured yet still accessible, the 2022 finishes with amazing concentration. This deserves an upgrade.”

 

13) Planeta Eruzione 1614 Nerello Mascalese 2019, Sicily:  $53.99  Extraordinary aromas of incense and herbs, hibiscus and wild fennel. Luminous and lyrical, this recounts the character and refinement of great red mountain wines but at latitudes not far from Africa. The tannins of compact texture are extracted with elegance. The sweetness and generosity of wild fruits and currants merges with aromas of incense and beeswax and a light, almost salty touch.  A wine whose character can allow the most audacious matchings with dishes of similar character. Serve with game, dishes with truffles, fish with complex sauces, cheese and salamis.

Wine & Spirits 94 pts.  Grapes for this wine come from high-elevation vines around Planeta’s Sciaranuova winery on Etna’s north slope, the soils deriving from an eruption that occurred in 1614. As the crushed nerello mascalese grape skins form a cap over the fermenting juice, winemaker Patricia Tóth keeps that cap submerged for up to 40 days, extracting fresh red-berry flavors and fine-grained tannins. The wine is easy-drinking yet packed with personality, its taut raspberry and blood-orange flavors scented with notes of smoke and pink blossoms.

 

14) Planeta Etna Nerello Mascalese 2022, Sicily:  $46.99  Nerello Mascalese.  James Suckling 94 pts.  Vivid and lively, this has aromas of dark cherries, watermelon and a hint of lemons following through to a medium body with integrated tannins and crunchy fruit at the end. Energetic and focused.

 

15) Kongsgaard Chardonnay 2023, Napa Valley:  $169.99   Since the 1996 inaugural vintage, the Chardonay has been primarily sourced from the Carneros growers Lee Hudson and Larry Hyde. Beginning in 2020 the winery has been privileged to include fruit from the spectacular Coombsville vineyard planted by Warren Winiarski. In line with the previous bottlings, the wine is defined tension of mineral energy and opulence, honoring its Burgundian antecedents.

Vinous 96 pts.  The 2023 Chardonnay (Napa Valley) is a total stunner. Lemon confit, white flowers, tangerine peel, baked apple tart and lightly honeyed notes fill out the layers effortlessly. This large-scale, layered Chardonnay is exceptionally elegant and polished. Readers will find a Chardonnay of tremendous textural breadth and pedigree.

 

“Kongsgaard consistently makes the best California in Chardonnay today.” – Eric Asimov

“These are the most interesting, naturally made wines one will find on earth.” – Robert Parker

“These classically forged Chardonnays are consistently jaw-droppingly incredible.” – Lisa Perrotti-Brown, MW

“Mind-blowing Chardonnay.” – Vinous Media

“Absolutely brilliant” – Jancis Robinson

 

16) Hedele Mavazija Goce 2020, Vipavaska, Dolina, Slovenia:  $54.99  Organic, dry wine from Slovenia’s Vipava Valley (Primorska region). Produced by Andrea Pittana, it is a 100% Malvasia (Malvazija) made with hand-picked grapes, often featuring a 6-month maturation in barrique.  High acidity.  Displays notes of lemon, lime, hay, and hints of almond.

 

17) Hubert Brochard Chateau de Fontaine-Aubon Sancerre Terres de Silex 2023, Loire:  $45.99  This Sauvignon comes from vineyards surrounding the beautiful Chateau de Fontaine Audon in the north of the Appellation, on flinty soil. The vineyard is HVE environmental certified (High Environmental Value). Sauvignon grapes are harvested partly with machines and by hand. Pressing is only in pneumatic presses. The vinification takes place in stainless steel tanks with controlled temperature in order to keep all the fine aromas of Sauvignon. This flinty terroir will give very mineral, fine and precise Sancerre. The wine is bottled around July the year after the harvest. A perfect expression of the flinty soil of Sancerre.  Hubert Brochard Vineyard is a total of 93 Ha : 83 Ha in Sancerre (with 10 Ha of Pinot Noir), 5 Ha in Pouilly Fumé, 5 Ha in IGP. It is very fragmented and extends over the villages of Chavignol, Sancerre, Amigny, Sainte Gemme, Ménétréol , Saint Satur, Thauvenay and Vinon. Powerful erosion has developed many types of soils (Chalk, Caillotes and flint). The average age of the vine is 30 years old. The vineyard is HVE environmental certified (High Environmental Value)  A warm, dry summer in the Central Loire with timely September rain in 2023 resulted in grapes reaching full ripeness and textbook alcohol levels.  Pale yellow. An expressive nose with pineapple, passion fruit and bright citrus. Well-balanced and structured with brilliant freshness.  Sushis, oysters, seafood, grilled fish.

 

18) Frog’s Leap Flycatcher Red 2023, CA:  $30.99  Vinous 93 pts.  The 2023 Flycatcher is a blend of 36% Zinfandel, 15% Cinsault, 13% Petite Sirah, 13% Carignane, 10% Tempranillo, 9% Merlot and 4% Syrah. Crushed red berry fruit, blood orange, cinnamon and crushed flowers soar from the glass. This vibrant, exuberant red offers tons of forward fruit buffered by brisk acids that add notable energy. Eminently quaffable, the 2023 also has plenty of complexity to satisfy more intellectually curious wine lovers.

 

19) Sylvain Pataille Marsannay Chardonnay Rose 2022, Cote d’Or:  $104.99  Chardonnay Rose is a genetic mutation of the Chardonnay grape specific to the village of Marsannay. Sylvain Pataille first noticed the mutation in 2002, when he acquired his Blangeys parcel, and found some surprisingly pink grapes at harvest. From 2002 until 2005, his Marsannay Blanc was 100% Chardonnay Rose from Blangeys, then he began to blend in Chardonnay from other parcels to complete the cuvée.

But Sylvain wasn’t content with mixing this unique grape variety with traditional Chardonnay. He continued his research from there, finally using his vines from Les Blangeys to propagate the variety, planting at high density (20,000 vines per hectare) in 2009 and then in 2013 and 2014.

2014 is the first vintage for this cuvée, but as Sylvain’s young massal selection vines come of age for wine production, we’re hoping to see more than the current 2 barrels produced in the future.

(88-90) Vinous  The 2022 Marsannay Blanc Chardonnay Rose, which Pataille likened to Pinot Beurot, has a strict nose with touches of dried lemon and orange rind, but overall, it is quite minimalist in style. The palate is lively on the entry, with a touch of CO2, an attractive texture, and a touch of chai and chamomile towards the finish. Fine. 

 

20) Michel Vattan Sancerre Blanc “M-K” 2024, Loire Valley:  $40.99  The 2024 Michel Vattan Sancerre Blanc “M-K” is a crisp, 100% Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley, characterized by intense citrus (lime, grapefruit), white peach, and stony mineral notes. Known for a racy, textured palate with high acidity, this cuvée offers a refined, persistent finish, often described as a classic, mineral-driven expression of the region.

 

21) Domaine de la Pepiere Les Gras Moutons Muscadet Sevre et Maine sur lie 2024, Loire:  $27.99  Domaine de la Pépière has long been the benchmark for terroir-driven Muscadet, crafting wines that go far beyond simple oyster pairings. Gras Moutons comes from a single, south-facing vineyard rich in schist, giving it extra depth and complexity compared to the more linear Muscadets of the region. The 2023 vintage, shaped by a balanced growing season, brings precision and texture, making this one of the most compelling expressions of Melon de Bourgogne.

Taut and mineral-driven, the wine opens with citrus zest, fresh pear, and crushed seashells, but it’s the texture that sets it apart—aged on the lees, it gains a subtle creaminess that rounds out its crisp acidity. More structured than the domaine’s classic Clisson bottling, it carries an almost Chablis-like weight while maintaining the bone-dry, saline finish that makes Muscadet so distinctive.  While perfect with oysters, Gras Moutons is also built for richer seafood, from scallops to butter-poached lobster. Enjoy now for its youthful energy, or give it a few years to develop even more nuance—it’s a Muscadet that rewards patience.

 

22) Shafer TD-9 Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Napa Valley:  $87.99  Wine Enthusiast 95 pts.  A full-bodied while refined Cabernet Sauvignon, the TD9 cuvée delivers the strength and generosity so characteristic of Shafer wine. Aromas and flavors of cassis, ripe blackberries and freshly cracked pine fill the mouth, leading into a lengthy and expressive finish of graphite and warming spices.

 

23) Parting Song Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, Napa Valley:  $259.99  This is a first time (maybe only time) collaboration between Reynolds Family Wines and Don Holloway.  It is an homage to his family immigrating to the Carolinas 300 yrs ago from England.  Hence the name, “The Parting Song.”  They only made 74cs (2pks).  It is a Bordeaux blend (almost all Cabernet Sauvignon with a tiny amount of Merlot & Cabernet Franc).  Hand crafted by Steve Reynolds & aged for 3 years in French Oak.  Also highlighting a year in wine that was so overshadowed by Covid – but, 2020 was fantastic.  Very special wine. 

 

24) Vietti Roero Arneis DOCG 2024, Piedmont:  $30.99  Jeb Dunnuck 90 pts.  A pale silver color, the 2024 Roero Arneis opens to lifted notes of fresh chives, pear, melon rind, lime zest, and white pepper. Springy and fresh, the palate is dewy and inviting, with a mid-weight feel and a delicate note of fresh pear lasting on the finish. It’s a refreshing wine with a lot of versatility to enjoy over the spring and summer seasons and is perfect to serve with fresh salads and chilled seafood.

 

25) Tibaldi Roero Arneis DOCG 2025, Piedmont:  $23.99  Grapes from vineyards in Pocapaglia and Santa Vittoria d’Alba are hand-picked, fermented, and then blended into a single wine that matures several months sur lie.

 

26) Feudo Montoni Grillo Timpa 2023, Sicily:  $25.99  Wine Enthusiast 92 pts.  The nose sparkles with fresh yet savory aromas of lemons, limes, herbs and a nutty cheesiness, but also has a delicate, balancing floral sweetness. The palate is dense, as stone fruit joins more citrus and floral notes, before salted nuts usher in a tangy, mineral finish.

 

27) Niepoort Docil Vinho Verde DOC 2024, Loureiro:  $18.99  From legendary winemaker Niepoort, this bottling captures the rare depth that sets the finest Vinho Verde apart. Made from organically farmed Loureiro grapes over 20 years old, grown on granitic soils, it marries freshness with a salty mineral backbone. Floral aromatics, bright citrus, and a persistent finish that lingers with surprising complexity.

 

28) Domaine La Clef du Recit Sancerre 2024, Loire Valley:  $36.99  WE 90 pts.  Delicate floral aromas lift from the glass including lilac and bruised honeysuckle followed by Fuji apple and hints of lychee. The rounded palate unveils a stony minerality with flakes of sea salt and lemon peel on the finish. Pair with oysters, linguine alfredo and salmon caviar.

 

2 new wines from Dave Phinney of Orin Swift:

 

29) Orin Swift Advice from John Merlot 2024, CA:  $32.99  Like many things at Orin Swift, what started as a fascination quickly turned into an obsession. Samantha Smith, Dave Phinney’s long time executive assistant (read: chauffeur, gopher, right hand ma’am, therapist, etc.), managed amidst her daytime job to multitask away at a book, Advice From John—an anthology of the brilliant, idiotic and sometimes deep thoughts found at the bottom of a cocktail and then subsequently scribbled and scrawled onto to the walls of dive bar bathrooms. ‘You Had Me At Hell No’, captured at a dive in Texas, caught Dave’s eye while ruminating ideas on how to bring Merlot back into the mainstream fold—long pilloried for its second of fame in THAT movie two decades ago. All good things circle back around, so, let’s revitalize this delicious, luscious and fun varietal. Grab a bottle of some good ole Advice and enjoy! Dominating aromatics abound without effort—notes of blackberry pie, black plum, sage and lilac come from the glass. A flooding sensation on entry drives dark fruits onto the mid-palate with touches of savory, fennel and licorice as complements. Long on the finish, the espresso bean and continued concentration of blackberry throughout fades slowly with gentle and soft tannins.

 

30) Orin Swift Bloodlines Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, CA:  $31.99  Dave Phinney’s connection to the wine industry runs deeper than he initially knew. After uncovering his extended family history, he discovered that winemaking had been on both sides of his family for generations. The winemaking “bloodline” had been there all along, perhaps silently guiding and inspiring the obsession.  The deep core pulls one into the glass of the 2024 Bloodlines, complemented by a neon fuchsia rim. Aromatically, the wine exudes notes of pluot, boysenberry, blackcurrant, black pepper and leather. As the wine opens, further complexity is revealed highlighted by a rocky perfume. Taut and balanced with acidity, the palate fills with rich notes of blackberry, lavender and a lengthy close of drying tannins.

 

31) Frederic Champault Domaine La Barbotaine Sancerre 2025:  $30.99  Set in the heart of Crézancy, Domaine La Barbotaine offers a vibrant tribute to the family heritage perpetuated by Frédéric Champault and his wife Sylvie. The winery is imbued with a history of winegrowing spanning the generations and is the perfect illustration of the commitment and passion that drive the Champaults. Since he began working on the farm in 1994, Frédéric Champault has not only been successful in preserving this heritage, but also in enhancing it.  This dry and fruity white wine has a beautiful light yellow color with brilliant reflections. It is full of finesse and complexity with delicate mineral touches. On the nose, we find freshness and fruitiness with citrus aromas. Our white Sancerre is ideally enjoyed at a temperature of 10 – 12°C; to consume now and preferably within 5 years after bottling.

 

32) Chateau Charmail Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel 2020, Haut-Medoc:  $35.99  Charmail has to be one of the best wine values in Bordeaux. A wonderfully made Haut-Médoc; fresh, full of life and flavor which in certain vintages, like 2000, 2005 and 2009, Charmail operates at the level of the classed growths – quite remarkable for a relatively inexpensive wine.  Chateau Charmail and Olivier Sèze are best known in the Bordeaux wine trade for being the first chateau to practice the now common and popular, technique of pre-fermentation, cold maceration, whereby the temperature of the fruit in the tanks is dropped to as low as 5 degrees Celsius and the berries are held in the vats for as long as two weeks.  Dark purple color with violet hue and almost black core. Elegant nose with ripe berries, black cherries, and hints of toasted gingerbread in the background. On the palate well-structured with freshness and ripe fruit, fine acidity, and silky tannins, elegant with convincing length.  2020 was a good vintage in Haut-Medoc.

 

33) Domaine Reverdy Ducroux Sancerre Cuvee BeauRoy 2024:  $35.99  Bright yellow color, with a bouquet of white and yellow fruits mixed with citrus. Well-balanced on the palate, undertones of mature fruitiness; juicy Sauvignon grape finish.

 

34) Feudo Montoni Grillo Timpa 2023, Sicilia:  $24.99  WE 92 pts.  The nose sparkles with fresh yet savory aromas of lemons, limes, herbs and a nutty cheesiness, but also has a delicate, balancing floral sweetness. The palate is dense, as stone fruit joins more citrus and floral notes, before salted nuts usher in a tangy, mineral finish.

 

35) Famiglia Anselma Barolo 2011, Piedmont:  $76.99  The Famiglia Anselma Barolo is a classic expression of Nebbiolo, offering aromas of leather, tobacco, violets, and orange zest alongside notes of dried cherry and spice. On the palate, it is lean yet powerful, with bright acidity, firm tannins, and a long, earthy finish. Now showing maturity but still structured for further aging, it shines with rich, savory dishes that balance its grip. Prime rib, braised short ribs, or lamb are natural pairings, while mushroom risotto, truffle pasta, or blue cheese risotto highlight its umami depth. Even fried anchovies with cheese, a family tradition, make a superb match.  This bottle was aged in the winery’s underground cellar until 2025!

 

36) COS Rosa di Lupo 2025, Sicily:  $30.99  Giusto Occhipinti of COS is a benchmark producer in the Vittoria appellation of Sicily, and certainly one of the most important, influential, producers in all of Sicily if not Italy as a whole. The winery was founded in 1980 by three friends, Giambattista Cilia, Giusto Occhipinti, and Cirino Strano. The initials of their last names form the winery’s name.  A deep pink, almost magenta color. Fresh and sunlit, this Sicilian rosato opens with notes of wild strawberry, blood orange, and a hint of pomegranate, lifted by a barely there garden herbal note. The palate is a little fuller than medium, good acidity is perfectly integrated, lightly textured. The flavors balance juicy red fruit with citrus zests and a subtle saline edge, a deep finish is clean, vibrant, and savory.  Nero d’Avola.

 

37) Meyer Family Cellars Spitfire Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Oakville:  $61.99  The first aromas immediately remind us that this wine is once again a Cabernet blend and not 100% varietal. The classic Cabernet notes of cassis, blackberry, and plum are there but once again green pepper and the floral tones of the Cabernet Franc are in the mix. Add depth, it exhibits deep notes of black cherry, sage and lavender that are characteristic of the Petit Verdot’s influence. Two vears in American oak have fostered a complex spice box of flavors, showing cardamom and cinnamon layered in a framework of integrated oak tannins. This vineyard site continually produces wines of great polish and drinkability, making them a joy to open while still young. This wine wants a steak with a nice chimichurri, or if you’re feeling more adventurous, a massaman curry.

 

38) Meyer Family Cellars Ferrington Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023, Anderson Valley:  $75.99  Ferrington Vineyard is the shining example of Pinot in the Anderson Valley. One of the earliest plantings on a well-drained rise, this vinevard’s small, old vines offer an intense expression of red fruit. Think Rose petal raviolis with a side of raspberries and strawberry rhubarb crème brulee for dessert.