1) Faust The Pact 2022, Coombsville, Napa Valley:  $118.99  The 2022 The Pact is perfectly balanced between the plush character of a warm season and the vibrant freshness that the Coombsville location always delivers. The nose opens with generous aromatics—expressive dark fruit seasoned with a medley of spices and intriguing botanicals, the vineyard’s distinctive star anise giving way to savory undertones of dried sage and the wild herb notes the French call garrigue. In the mouth, the wine is supple but focused, its fine-grained tannin structure wrapped in thin velvet. Bright acidity lifts the palate and adds a textural interplay, carrying juicy luxardo cherry and black currant flavors into a finish savory with the graphite that is always the mark of the vineyard.  98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot.

Special sale price:  $99.99!  Premium Reward Members take another 10% off!

 

2) 2023 Provins “L’Alpage” Chasselas Valais Switzerland:  $23.99  Winemaker Notes:  Because of local demand and the exchange rate, Swiss wine is just not widely available outside of Switzerland. However, this small country boasts over 250 grape varieties, the most-planted of which is Chasselas, which is a grape that shows white flowers in addition to citrus. Provins is a cooperative that produces sustainably grown, hand-harvested wines. This Chasselas was fermented in stainless steel, and spent six months on lees, which lends some body. Chasselas isn’t meant to be a complicated wine, but a rare treat for the price. The appellation of this wine is Mont-sur-Rolle in La Côte, with vineyards facing south toward Lac Leman, or Lake Geneva. “L’Alpage” refers to the mountain meadows where dairy cows graze, not unlike the first scene from the Sound of Music!

 

3) Greenhough River Garden Sauvignon Blanc 2025, Nelson, New Zealand:  $19.99  The Maori word Waimea translates into English as River Garden and is the name we give to our Sauvignon Blanc grown in our certified organic vineyard nestled into an elevated corner of the Waimea Plains beneath the foothills of the Richmond Range.  Pure, delicately fragrant aromas of citrus, lemongrass, and ripe apple. Light to medium-bodied, the palate is lively with lime, lemon and orange citrus flavors and zest. Tropical notes contribute a layer of richness and depth to the juicy palate. Elegantly nuanced rather than loud and pungent in style, there is no lack of crunchy, mouthwatering intensity and drive from beginning to end.

 

4) Quintessa Red Wine 2022, Rutherford:  $269.79  Decanter 99 pts.  Such an incredible wine here – one of the stars of the September releases. Smells amazing, cooling blueberries with fragrant blackcurrants, edges of florality – totally inviting scents. Full and filling in the mouth, this is ample with such a layered effect, super vertical and elongated. Tight and a little tense but it really works – such balance between black fruit, dried herbs, high acidity and a profound structure. Refined and beautifully presented. So much life, so much energy – this is pure class. A wine you don’t want to put down. Feels hands off despite such concentration and power. Ends salty with sticky licorice, mint and cooling wet stones. You could definitely drink this now but it will age too! 1% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot complete the blend. One of the final few vintages with Rodrigo Soto at the helm – he stepped down last year to concentrate on his family project Far Mountain in Sonoma Valley which is worth following. Winemaker Rebekah Wineburg.  93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Carménère, 1% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot.

 

5) Benanti Contrada Cavaliere Etna Bianco 2022, Sicily:  $64.99  Wine Enthusiast 94 pts.  The nose presents saline, fresh and slightly grassy aromas of new sneaker, white pepper, lemon and lime, while the palate is juicier and denser with flavors of white peach, yellow apple and dried lemon, but remains lively thanks to powerful currents of acid and salt.  Carricante.

 

6) Ink Grade Andosol Red Wine 2017, Napa Valley:  $64.99  Andosol draws inspiration from the historic field blends of California. The inherent stress the rugged site lends to grape growing will saturate the grapes with intensity and depth. An elegant example of this historic varietal, the 2017 Andosol is a reflection of all that Ink Grade has to offer, a wine polished and bold.  Blend: 88% Zinfandel, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon.

 

7) Ink Grade Sauvignon Blanc 2022, Napa Valley:  $59.99  Decanter 94 pts.  From a lower section of the Ink Grade Estate, below 425 metres, this vineyard sits just outside the Howell Mountain AVA, making it part of the Napa Valley AVA. Intentionally made in a more reductive style, it is fermented partly in barrel and concrete, then racked to stainless steel for six months before completing full malolactic fermentation. This wine showcases a generosity of fruit, leaning towards the stone fruit spectrum, with layers of spicy ginger and cool wet slate or flinty mineral notes. The palate is rich and textured, with warming spice nuances of ginger and turmeric, leading to a leesy, lingering finish. Very elegant and exceptionally food-friendly.

 

The following Vietti wines came in from a special presale.

8) Vietti Barolo Monvigliero DOCG 2021, Piedmont:  $249.99  Although the historical records of the Langhe area have always singled out the terroir of the small village of Verduno as one of the most naturally suited to creating remarkable wine, it is only in the last decade that a dedicated narrative has begun to emerge. This has helped to increase the attention and interest shown in Monvigliero. The area boasts loose, light-colored soil in which the Nebbiolo variety truly comes into its own in a unique way, requiring special winemaking methods (whole-bunch fermentation) to best express its inimitable character.  Vegan-friendly.

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate 97 pts.  This is the baby in the bunch, representing one of the newest additions to the Vietti portfolio, with the first vintage produced in 2018. The learning curve in Monvigliero is always steep, or so most winemakers tell me, because very few can go to 100% whole-cluster fermentation. Indeed, the 2021 Barolo Monvigliero sees 60% whole clusters. The Vietti team is experienced, and this wine is pristine. This vintage was harvested on September 30th, and maceration was a bit shorter, at 20 days. The wine shows a delicate film of pink salt with garden herbs, lemon leaves and spring flowers. It is a wine of extreme elegance, but I find that this vintage is especially Mediterranean in character.

 

9) Vietti Rabaja Riserva Barbaresco DOCG 2020, Piedmont:  $319.99  Jeb Dunnuck 96 pts.  The estate bought this land in 2019, and the 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Rabaja comes from their second harvest. It has a medium red hue and is highly expressive with aromas of salted orange, crushed roses, oak spice, ripe peach, and cranberries. The palate offers fantastic energy, with an approachable feel as well, and it has refined tannins and a long finish.

Vinous 95 pts.  The 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà is magnificent. A wine of crystalline precision and nuance, the 2020 bristles with energy. Slate, crushed rocks, orange peel, mint, cinnamon and dried flowers all race across the palate. This intensely saline, taut Barbaresco needs a number of years in bottle to be at its best, even if it is pretty alluring right now.

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate 94 pts.  This plot was purchased in 2019, and this is therefore the second vintage made. The Vietti 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà is spicy, juicy, and accessible with some sweetness on the tannins. The wine sports Mediterranean warmth from within with black cherry, spice and grilled rosemary. There is a saline-mineral touch as well that adds elegance, but all said in done, this wine is more immediate in delivery. The 2020 vintage is bookended by two superior vintages, the 2019 and 2021.

 

10) Vietti Barbaresco Roncaglie DOCG 2021, Piedmont, 1.5 l:  $309.99  Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate 96 pts.  Past vintages of this wine were called Roncaglie Masseria, but the word Masseria has been removed. The Vietti 2021 Barbaresco Roncaglie draws its fruit from inclined vineyards that produce fruit with finesse and elegance. This pretty wine opens to a note of fragrant flower or heritage rose that accompanies you over a long, silky close. In a good vintage like 2021, vintners could push skin macerations a little longer. This wine saw 25 days on the skins compared to 22 days in the 2022 vintage. Vietti recently purchased land in Rabajà, a site that produces profound wines, and this plot in Roncaglie has a greater presence of sand in its soils, creating more floral and delicate expressions instead. This matures in large oak casks for 24 months, and production is 6,066 bottles.

 

11) Taub Chardonnay 2024, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County:  $38.99  Citrus peel, pear, and honeysuckle over wet stone. Creamy yet nervy, with rich concentration, juicy Bartlett pear, and a hint of vanilla.

 

12) Cesari Justo Rosso 2021, Veneto:  $16.99  The name Justo comes from a combination of the English word Just and the Italian word Giusto – meaning Right. This wine is an appassimento style wine – the grapes are dried for a short period of time – about 20 days – thereby creating a wine that is “just right”. Fermentation with skin contact occurs for 15 days before being racked into stainless steel tanks for full malolactic fermentation. After a short period resting in the bottle, wine is released and ready to enjoy. This wine has a deep, bright, and intense red color. On the nose, notes of ripe fruit and cherry are evident. A bold structure, yet with a smooth and velvety mouth-feel. It goes perfectly with game, grilled or stewed meat, and very mature cheeses.

 

13) August Briggs Old Vine Zinfandel 2021, Contra Costa County:  $33.99  This 2021 vintage wine is one of the smoothest and most fragrant bottlings of our ‘Old Vines’. It is very aromatic with scents of boysenberry and sweet clove followed by ripe berry, dried herb, and cacao on the palate, with a soft and luscious texture. Pairs well with a variety of foods including hamburgers and all things bbq.

 

14) Hundred Acre Dark Ark Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Napa Valley:  $774.99  Decanter 100 pts.  Just 4.8 hectares of Cabernet Sauvignon are planted on this 18.21-hectare estate, situated on the steep, southeast-facing slopes of Glass Mountain in St. Helena. Purchased in 1999, the property is also home to Jayson Woodbridge’s striking underground Ring winery and caves. I awarded the 2021 vintage a perfect 100 points, and this 2022 Ark continues that legacy—it’s the most polished of Woodbridge’s single-vineyard Hundred Acre wines from the vintage. If Morgan’s Way is supreme elegance and Few and Far Between is deep, brooding, and muscular, then Ark sits perfectly in between—balanced and impressively saturated. The palate bursts with red-berry fruit, beautifully scented with brown baking spices, black tea, walnut, and a striking ironstone minerality.

 

James Suckling 100 pts.  Black currant, hints of mint, lead pencil and black cherry aromas follow through to a full body with very fine tannins and an endless finish. The texture leaves me breathless and speechless. Incredible length and depth. Hard not to drink now.

 

15) Ink Grade Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley:  $127.99  The high-elevation 30-year-old vineyard offers a wine of beautiful acid structure, fine tannins, savory and spicy flavors from black olives to Chinese 5-spice. The fruit has an elegant marriage of black and blue fruits both ripe and tart. A signature expression of the site is the graphite, iron and flint character that uniquely illustrates the terroir of the Aiken soils.

 

16) Cardinale Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Napa Valley:  $419.99  Jeb Dunnuck 100 pts.  The perfect 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon checks in as 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Merlot, all of which spent 22 months in 80% new French oak. The idea of this release is to showcase fruit from throughout the valley, and to say that winemaker Chris Carpenter succeeded would be an understatement. It boasts off-the-charts richness and depth as well as notes of cassis, toasted spices, graphite, tobacco, and espresso, with perfectly integrated oak. Inky purple-hued, full-bodied, voluptuously textured, and flawlessly balanced, it can be drunk any time over the coming 25 years or more.

 

17) Balfour Hush Heath Estate 1503 Classic Cuvee Brut Kent England:  $46.99  Wine Enthusiast 94 pts.  Classically structured and beautifully balanced, delicate fruit aromas dance with creamier, toastier ones. It hints at jasmine, white peach, apple with custard and lemon oil. There’s a silkiness to the mouthfeel, then a crunch of acidity and fine bubbles. Those delicate aromas flow seamlessly into flavors. A poised and ultra-food-friendly bottling. The back label suggests fish and chips.  64% Pinot Noir, 32% Chardonnay, 4% Pinot Meunier.

 

18) Barnett Vineyards Andrews Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2025, Dry Creek Valley:  $41.99  The beautiful light straw 2025 Sauvignon Blanc is bursting with quince and lily-floral aromatics. After a moment the tropical elements of passion fruit and lychee take over the nose. The palate is rich for a Sauvignon Blanc from the long cold fermentation. There is white pepper spice, lemon zest and kiwi fruit on the palate all carried by wonderfully balanced acidity. To get the full expression of this wine it should be served chilled, not cold, and consumed in its youth.

 

19) Dirler-Cade Brut Nature Rose Cremant D’Alsace 2020:  $37.99  This zero dosage rosé crémant shows the food-friendly style of Pinot Noir. Full-bodied with a densely woven texture and mouthwatering acidity, it’s got aromas of blood orange, cassis, and red pepper—plus reverberations of dark-berry jam and dark chocolate on the palate. The Cremant Brut Nature Rose has a deep pink color with copper glints. Blood oranges, blueberries, cassis, a touch of red pepper. Full-bodied, gripping with gentle phenolics on the palate, very densely woven texture, substance, with a fine saline touch, and mouth-watering acidity. Dark berry jam and dark chocolate with deep, long reverberations.

 

20) Barnett Vineyards Tina Marie Vineyard Pinot Noir 2024, Green Valley of the Russian River Valley:  $66.99  The 2024 Pinot Noir from the Tina Marie Vineyard is the darkest Pinot that we have made. The aromatics are very different this year, with pomegranate concentrate, crushed violets and black peppercorn dominating. There are underpinning elements of black cherries and crushed rock. Due to the five day cold soak and the nature of the year, this is a very viscous and rich Pinot, with big black cherry and mocha on the palate. This vintage has a bit more grip as far as the tannins are concerned, however the fresh acid from this cool sub-appellation keeps them in check. There is a long pomegranate finish. This sizeable wine will age nicely over the next 9-10 years (2034-2035).

 

21) Barnett Vineyards Merlot 2023, Spring Mountain District:  $88.99  Dark purple and opaque, this is one of the darkest Merlots we have made. Plum and caramel jump out of the glass matched by a myriad of spices. There are also aromatics of vanilla and crushed violets. Round and lush the palate has flavors of dark cherries and cream coffee. The tannins are full and chalky due to the cool year. Great acidity balances out the beautiful tannins and the finish is filled with plum and cocoa. This wine will age wonderfully over the next 9-10 years (2034-2035).

 

22) Barnett Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2023, Spring Mountain District:  $94.99  James Suckling 93 pts.  A tightly focused, intense and structured red that should get even better with time. Dense layers of black cherries, cocoa, spearmint and iron on the palate, lifted by lively, fine-grained and persistent tannins. Tempting to drink now but best from 2030.

 

23) Barnett Vineyards Cabernet Franc 2023, Spring Mountain District:  $125.99  The 2023 Cabernet Franc is a great representation of blending to create a beautifully balanced wine. Being a cool year the nose is filled with black peppercorns and pomegranate concentrate. There are elements of blackberry, caramel and a light pencil lead minerality. The palates viscosity comes from the 10% addition of Merlot, where flavors of vanilla and allspice emerge. The tannins are medium chalky, since the 10% Cabernet Sauvignon that was added was done so to soften them. The firm acidity speaks to the nature of the cool growing season. This is a beautiful and big wine that will benefit from 13-15 years of cellaring (2038-2040).

 

24) Barnett Vineyards Rattlesnake Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2023, Spring Mountain District:  $261.99  The 2023 Rattlesnake is an opaque dark purple. Fresh blackberries, anise and cola jump out of the glass. The blackberries are matched with black currants, coffee grounds and cocoa nibs with underpinning vanilla and pomegranate concentrate. The wine is very rich and plush. Plenty more black fruit is present on the palate matched with cedar, mocha and black licorice. The tannins are very chalky due to the cool year and therefore thicker skins. However, the wonderful mountain acidity balances them out. There is a long raspberry vanilla bean finish. This is a very well-structured Rattlesnake that will age beautifully for the next 16-17 years under the right conditions (2041-2042).

 

25) Kir-Yianni Akakies Sparkling Xinomavro 2024, Amyndeon, Greece:  $26.99  100% Xinomavro sourced from Amyndeon, across the mountains from Kir-Yianni’s home base of Naoussa and a historical source for high-acid grapes for rosé. This is fermented to an irresistible 17 grams or so per liter of residual sugar before a Charmat-method secondary fermentation that comes out to a creamy 3.5 atmospheres of pressure.  The nose is intensely fruit-forward with aromas of wild strawberry, white-fleshed cherry, and tomato. The mouth is rich and fruity with vibrant acidity and a delicate touch of sweetness. Delicious, refreshing finish.

 

26) Guasti Gavi del Commune di Gavi 2025, Piedmont:  $25.99  Guasti ‘Gavi di Gavi’ is a white wine from the Piedmont region of Italy, specifically produced in and around the town of Gavi. It’s made entirely from the Cortese grape. Gavi di Gavi wines are known for their dry, light-bodied, and fresh character, often with notes of lemon, apple, and pear. They are typically best enjoyed young.  Cortese.

 

27) Marchand-Tawse Nuits-Saint-Georges 2022, Cote de Nuits:  $101.99  Canadian-Burgundian brilliance from one of the region’s most acclaimed winemakers. Pascal Marchand, a Quebec native who became one of Burgundy’s most respected vignerons, partnered with Toronto’s Moray Tawse in 2011 to purchase the historic Maume cellars in Nuits-Saint-Georges. La Petite Charmotte, from alluvial soils below Premier Cru Bousselots, delivers a perfumed bouquet of iris and red fruit with hints of Earl Grey and one of the longest finishes of the vintage. Certified organic, biodynamically farmed, and guided by the lunar calendar. 

 

28) Pojer e Sandri Pinot Nero 2022, Dolomiti, Trentino:  $27.99  100% Pinot Noir.  Grown in three parcels above Faedo; Rocol (300 meters), Rodel Pianezzi (500 meters) & Palai (700 meters), these vineyards benefit from the constant wind off of Lake Garda. The vineyards are planted to a density of 6200-6500 vines per hectare in soils containing sandstone, siltstone, rocky loam, limestone & dolomite. The clones are a mix of Italian and Burgundian.  With a bouquet of wild berries, raspberries & strawberries, this garnet colored wine is both generous and exciting. Bright acidity backs up the the classic pinot fruit with just enough earthy notes.

 

29) Cote Mas Sauvignon Vermentino 2024, Languedoc Roussillon, Sud de France:  $14.99  WE 91 pts.  Editors Choice.  This is a fun blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Vermentino packaged in a fun label that screams summertime. Aromas of nectarine, honeysuckle and sea breeze lead from the nose into a broad palate of stone fruit, ripe apple and fresh floral flavors that that a crushed rock edge.

 

30) Domaine des Perdrix Echezeaux Grand Cru 2020, Cote de Nuits, Cote d’Or:  $345.99  Wine Spectator 95 pts.  Racy, featuring black currant, blackberry, blueberry, iron and tobacco flavors. Dense, with equilibrium, this ends with finely wrought tannins and a long, dark fruit-saturated finish. Reveals lingering mineral, spice and tobacco accents. Best from 2027 through 2046.

 

31) Clos Apalta Le Petit Clos 2021, Colchagua Valley, Rapel Valley, Chile:  $53.99  Vinous 96 pts. Embracing a Bordeaux-style approach, Le Petit Clos is the second wine of Clos Apalta. The 2021 Le Petit Clos combines 68% Carménère, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc, all sourced from the Apalta Vineyard in Colchagua. Displaying a purple hue in the glass, it exhibits a ripe character mellowed by the fresh nature of the vintage. It offers plum and blackberry aromas along with bay leaf, boldo and menthol hints over an ashy marmalade core. Indulgent, plush and rich on the palate, the soft and overwhelming mouthfeel lingers long with a precise, juicy and slightly refreshing personality. The 2021 vintage is indeed a standout for Clos Apalta.

 

32) Masseria Li Veli Susumaniello 2023, Salento, Puglia:  $27.99  Vinous 92 pts.  The dusty and floral 2023 Susumaniello Askos offers a refined bouquet of crushed blackberries, incense and exotic spice. Silky and round, its core of tactile minerals adds form toward the close. The 2023 finishes structured and long, leaving a coating of fine tannins and a lingering resonance of polished wild berry fruit. This could use some time in the cellar to come fully into focus, but it shows the complexity that Susumaniello can deliver.

 

33) Flora Lisa Pinot Grigio 2024, Terre D’Abruzzo:  $15.99  The sunny days and mountain-cooled nights provide a richer flavor profile for Pinot Grigio compared to Northern interpretations. Pinot Grigio here shows richer fruit, adding note of pear, ripe peach, and tropical citrus to the traditional green apple,  lemon, and white peach. It also offers a rounder texture and more exuberant aromatics. The spark of difference in Flora Lisa is the inclusion of the local grapes Pecorino and Trebbiano Abruzzese. Pecorino boosts the acidity and broadens the palate, while the small inclusion of Trebbiano Abruzzese adds texture and roundness. In short, Flora Lisa embraces its Abruzzese origins while honoring the crisp, refreshing core of Pinot Grigio. The philosophy for Flora Lisa is centered on driving environmentally conscious winemaking through new technologies, from vineyard to bottling. Not only are the wines produced from organic grapes, the packaging was designed to be sustainable using recycled materials.  Made with organic grapes and zero sugar.

 

34) La Valentina Spelt Montepulciano D’Abruzzo Riserva 2021, Italy:  $28.99  Vinous 93 pts.  Vibrant from the first tilt of the glass, the 2021 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva Spelt is impossible to ignore. Blood orange and peppery rose complicate crushed blackberries and sage. This is silky smooth with an elegant wave of ripe red and blue fruits. Clove and dark chocolate notes add a pleasantly bitter tinge toward the close. The 2021 tapers off with fantastic length and a gentle tug of fine tannins, leaving a zesty wild berry concentration that adds youthful poise. This is a great example of oak integration (50% new) and how well it can work when applied properly.

 

35) Chateau Musar by Gaston Hochar Rouge 2019, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon:  $85.99  The Hochar of this year is a bright ruby color – there are red fruits on the nose; bittersweet cherries with a hint of dark chocolate. Classic bright red fruits flavors and sweet, spicy notes follow through to the palate. The tannins are soft, the acidity fresh with very long length. Cellared well, it will keep for several years. Blend: 50% Cinsault, 35% Grenache, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon.

 

36) Jacques Dumont Sancerre Blanc 2024, Loire:  $45.99  Pale golden color with perfect clarity. On the nose, it is open and fruity with concentrated aromas of citrus and tropical fruits. Fine and expressive in mouth with good acidity and freshness. The finish is balanced and long.

 

37) Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino 2021, Tuscany, 1.5 l:  $417.99  James Suckling 99 pts.  Stunning aromas of beautifully ripe sangiovese with cherries, berries, cedar, sandalwood and orange and lemon blossoms. Medium- to full-bodied with a tannin structure that builds on the palate and ends with intensity and clarity. Muscular but agile. Best after 2029, but already a star of the vintage.