JULY 16, 2026
1) Podere Le Ripi Attenti al Lupo 2020, Toscana: $39.99 This is 100% Sangiovese from mixed Montalcino soils, picked early for lift and fermented as whole clusters with a short, closed-tank carbonic maceration to keep the tannins fine and the fruit vivid. Élevage follows in concrete and stainless steel to preserve crunch and clarity, and the wine is bottled with a light touch of sulfur.
2) Barnett Vineyards Chardonnay Sangiacomo Vineyard 2024, Carneros: $48.99 The 2024 Sangiacomo Chardonnay has a brilliant light gold core. Aromatics of pear and apricot are first apparent followed by tropical fruits. Mainly passion fruit and guava. There are underpinning jasmine and white pepper. Nicely viscous as always flavors of stone fruit with hints of rosewater and soapstone prevail on the palate. The acidity is fresh due to the limited malo-lactic this year. A wonderful expressive wine in its youth, this wine will age nicely over the next 5-6 years (2030-2031).
3) Donnafugata Anthilia Bianco 2024, Sicilia DOC: $22.99 Anthìlia 2024 has a yellow straw color. The nose offers a fresh and fragrant bouquet with notes of white pulp fruit and zest of citrus combined with delicate hints of wild flowers. In the mouth the fruity notes are enhanced by a pronounced freshness and pleasant sapidity. Lucido (synonym for Catarratto), the predominant variety; the blend is complemented by other autochthonous and inter- national varieties.
4) Chateau Pradeaux Bandol Rose 2025, Provence: $39.99 Vinous 93 pts. The 2025 Bandol Rosé is already showing beautifully, offering a medium-bodied palate with lovely drive and freshness, the latter especially impressive given the warmth of the vintage. There is a sense of poise here that sets it apart, combining Mediterranean sun with real structural discipline. This is precisely why great Bandol Rosé enjoys such a cult following – it is not merely refreshing, but serious and characterful with the depth to evolve in bottle. Few Rosés in the world occupy that space so convincingly, and this wine is a clear reminder of the category’s highest possibilities.
5) Gatinois Grand Cru Tradition Brut N.V., Ay, Montagne de Reims: $53.99 Predominantly Pinot Noir (80%) which brings richness, structure and a delicious character. The 20% of Chardonnay adds a feminine touch to the blend. There is also a significant proportion of reserve wines in the blend (30%). The champagne is aged “sur lattes” (horizontally on racks) in our cellars for a minimum of 2 years before the yeasts are disgorged. A deep golden hue with coppery reflections indicates the richness of this blend. The nose opens with fresh notes of pears and lime blossom which give way to more intense, complex aromas and a characteristic Pinot Noir vinosity. Our Brut Tradition is fresh on entry to the palate with a good balance between fruit and finesse, a nice round structure and ripe fruit aromas which evolve into toasty notes. With its discreet sugar dosage (7g/l), this Champagne is well-suited to aperitifs, accompanied by foie gras toasts or sushi. Try it with seafood or a sea scallop carpaccio.
6) R.H. Coutier Tradition Brut Grand Cru N.V., Ambonnay, Montagne de Reims: $52.99 Produced entirely from Grand Cru grapes from the village of Ambonnay, this stunning Brut Tradition shows rich, leesy fruit obtained through extended bottle aging prior to disgorging. Quite vinous in texture, it is full and long with crisp apple fruit notes on the finish and showing some toasty notes in the nose. Very low dosage levels allow the great Ambonnay fruit to shine.
7) Marchand Tawse Volnay 1er Cru Fremiets, Cote de Beaune, Cote d’Or: $137.99 Volnay 1er Cru Fremiets is a well positioned Premier Cru located on the northern side of Volnay, close to the Pommard border, where limestone and clay soils combine to produce a style that balances the perfume and finesse of Volnay with a slightly firmer structural backbone. The site is known for wines that retain aromatic lift and elegance while showing more depth and tension than some of the more delicate central Volnay climats. In Tawse’s hands, the fruit is carefully selected and vinified with controlled extraction to maintain purity and avoid over concentration, allowing the site to speak clearly. Elevage takes place in French oak barrels with a restrained proportion of new oak, supporting integration while preserving freshness and detail. The wine shows red cherry, raspberry and wild strawberry, with violet florals, subtle spice and a fine mineral undertone. The palate is refined and layered, with silky tannins, fresh acidity and a long, elegant finish that reflects both the finesse of Volnay and the precision driven approach of the domaine.
8) Frog’s Leap Merlot 2023, Rutherford, Napa Valley: $49.99 The 2023 is fully loaded with Merlot’s distinctive fruitiness: ripe plums and black cherries straight out of the orchard, complete with a veneer of dusty earthiness reflecting the soils that they were grown in. This wine has great bones, by which they mean a kind of sense of completeness to the tannins, fully integrated with the acidity, that gives it a powerful presence on the palate while not distracting from the wine’s aromatic complexity. In the end, great Merlot is all about balancing its generous, plummy cherry-cola fruitiness with the tannin and acidity that drive its tension and inherent power. I think the 2023 achieves that goal perfectly, and I’m excited to drink it for decades into the future. Blend: 93% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc.
9) Tenuta San Guido Sassacaia 2022, Bolgheri: $299.79 Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate 100 pts. Very few vintages of this legendary Tuscan wine deliver the immediate joy, richness and complexity found in the Tenuta San Guido 2023 Bolgheri Sassicaia. Tasted both before and after its January 2026 bottling, this is a wine that feels uncannily open and generous in its youth, a rare trait for Sassicaia, which is famously inscrutable at this stage. The 2023 vintage was marked by a cold winter and above-average rainfall followed by a severe outbreak of downy mildew that damaged leaves, forcing brutal fruit selection and resulting in a 20% reduction in yields. Only the estates willing to make these sacrifices succeeded, and the best wines rank among the most compelling and elusive of recent years.
The blend includes 13% to 14% Cabernet Franc alongside Cabernet Sauvignon, with the Franc playing a decisive phenolic role that reinforces elegance, linearity and brightness. Aromas unfold with wild sage, rosemary and dark fruit before moving into crushed stone minerality, rose petal and a finely spiced spectrum of pink peppercorn, nutmeg, anise, cardamom, bergamot and blood orange, joined by a delicate note of mentuccia romana, sweeter and gentler than classic mint. The palate shows beautiful softness framed by chalky tannins and mineral tension. Its acidity shines bright and guarantees long cellar aging potential. The wine remains fluid and flexible in the glass as different facets of the bouquet emerge. Like the legendary 1985, 2023 was a difficult and stressful vintage shaped by a cold winter, yet it stands as proof that great pressure can indeed give birth to diamonds.
10) Castellare I Sodi di S.Niccolo IGT 2020, Toscana: $129.99 Vinous 97 pts. The 2020 I Sodi di San Niccolò is fabulous. It is a rare wine that offers power, finesse and translucent energy at once. All the elements are in perfect balance. I can’t remember a Sodi like this one, a wine that is so complete and alluring right out of the gate. Rose petal, lavender, spice, orange peel and sage open first. What impresses me most about the 2020 is the finesse of its tannin, something I have very rarely seen in Sodi at this early stage. Magical. This is remarkable in every way. (Drink between 2028-2050) (97+)
11) Feudi di San Gregorio Piano Di Monte Vergine Taurasi 2016, Campania: $72.99 Coming from Feudi di San Gregorio’s very first planted vineyard, Piano di Montevergine is a wine that embodies elegance. This is the reason for which it was chosen to make a reserve wine. Feudi considers Piano di Montevergine to be their best representation of the Aglianico grape’s potential. The 35-50 year old vines sit on a high plateau at about 1,300 feet above sea level with a southwestern exposure in the area of Taurasi, and the conditions give rise to grapes that once transformed into wine, have very delicate tannins. The deep, sandy, volcanic soil gives an incredible elegance to the fruit. Complex scents with notes of blackberry, plum, and sour cherry, along with sweet spices and a hint of toast Full-bodied with elegant tannins and mineral notes; lingering finish with delicate taste of ripe cherries, dark fruit, and licorice.
12) Comando-G La Bruja Vino Regional 2024, Sierra de Gredos: $48.99 Wine Advocate 94 pts. They had to source new vineyards for the 2024 La Bruja, one from El Tiemblo, as the main vineyard delivered only 9,000 kilos of grapes because of the frost (it can produce up to 30,000 kilos in a normal year). So, this is a regional Gredos red from the Cebreros part. It has more fruit and is rounder and juicier than the 2023, but it still delivers very pretty aromas of violets and wild herbs. It has a fine-boned mouthfeel with chalky tannins. It comes in at 14% alcohol, with good freshness and balance.
13) Bootleg Cabernet Sauvignon 2024, Paso Robles: $22.99 This wine is a big and bold, richly textured, opulent and ready-drinking Cabernet with flavors of red and black fruit, cassis, cola, and baking spices, finishing with textured minerality, elegant tannins, and bright acidity.
14) Turley Bechthold Vineyard Cinsault 2025, Lodi: $33.99 Planted in 1885, this Cinsault vineyard is certainly the oldest of its kind in the United States, and perhaps even the oldest Cinsault in the world! A light-bodied red grape, Cinsault (pronounced SAHN-so) is usually found in the south of France as a component of Châteauneuf-Pape in the Rhône Valley, or consumed as rosé in Provence. The Bechthold Vineyard vines are gnarly, head-trained, and dry-farmed in deep, sandy soils. They’re also ungrafted, meaning they remain on their original vitis vinifera roots that were first planted 136 years ago, a phenomenon nearly impossible to replicate today. The wine is light bodied with fresh, high acidity, almost akin to a Gamay or a very light Pinot Noir. It’s fermented using only natural yeasts and aged in 100% used French oak.
15) Turley Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2025, Napa Valley: $41.99 Certified organic, head-trained, dry-farmed vines from our Napa Valley Estate. Classic, bright and lively, with citrus zest, crushed white oyster shell, lemongrass and a hint of nectarine. Fermentation and aging in various vessels including French barrique, stainless steel, and concrete egg lend the wine a multifaceted, charming complexity. Refreshing, zippy and dynamic on the palate. Ready to drink now.
16) Walter Scott Sojeau Vineyard Pinot Noir 2024, Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley: $81.99 Whole-block co-fermentation of Dijon 115, Pommard, and Wadenswil clones, fermented with indigenous yeasts. Aged 15 months in 35% new French oak. Unfined and unfiltered. Sojeau is the most aromatic and lift-driven single-vineyard Pinot Noir in the Walter Scott lineup. Think northern Burgundy in profile: raspberry, dried rose, iron, black tea, and cool mineral. The Van Duzer winds enforce slow, even ripening and keep acids brisk and bright. The co-fermentation of three clones adds aromatic complexity that no single clone could achieve alone. 2024 was a steady, even-ripening year in the Eola-Amity Hills, producing wines with genuine freshness and focus.
17) Lapostolle la Parcelle 8 Vieilles Vignes 2020, Apalta, Colchagua Valley, Rapel Valley, Chile: $138.99 James Suckling 99 pts. Complex and intense with a rare mineral quality for the hot 2020 vintage. Fresh blueberries, wild herbs, hot stones and graphite. A hint of violet. Tannins are quite chalky and tense on the medium- to full-bodied palate. Extremely long with an ethereal finish. It goes on and on, lasting for two minutes. Effortless intensity and concentration, but almost weightless. This delivers exceptional freshness for this vintage. Harvested from 18th March. Already drinkable now, but it will last. 100% century-old, ungrafted cabernet sauvignon.
18) Fortunate Son The Diplomat 2019 Red Blend, Napa Valley: $174.99 The 2022 Diplomat greets the senses with a captivating suite of aromas, including dark cocoa, fresh cut strawberry and vanilla bean. A profound mineral layer, like an outcropping of stone, are wedged alongside sweet notes of candied almond slivers and flaky pie crust. A flourish of rose petals adds perfume, while fresh-cut cedar and a cooling thread of peppermint provide lift and freshness. On the palate, soft and supple tannins glide effortlessly, carrying a tapestry of red fruit and sweet-spice nuance across the tongue. The texture is both silken and inviting, leaving a lingering impression of elegance, balance, and quiet power. 63% Cabernet Sauvignon; 33% Merlot; 4% Petite Sirah. 97 pts. James Suckling
19} Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Napa Valley: $64.79 Decanter 94 pts. A blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.5% Cabernet Franc, and 0.5% Petit Verdot, aged for 15 months in 55% new French oak and 45% older French oak barrels. No matter the vintage, this winery consistently delivers. Artemis offers classic blackberry fruit, sagebrush, and loamy earth, with tobacco influences. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, with precise, superfine tannins and layers of cherry, blackberry, graphite, and perfumed violets building toward a finish full of energy, drive, and tension. Ideal for enjoying on its own before a meal and throughout dinner. The tannins in this vintage are notably gentle and approachable, making it an excellent candidate for early drinking.
Magnum: $144.99
20) Antinori Tenuta Guado al Tasso Il Bruciato 2024, Bolgheri: $35.99 James Suckling 93 pts. A fairly bold style for this wine. Rich, complex, bright and focused, showing cassis, plums, wild fennel and a bit of cloves. Medium-bodied and quite supple, it’s full of fruit concentration with firm, grainy tannins, toasty flavors and refreshing acidity. Easy to drink. Drink or hold. 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc, 18% Merlot, 8% Syrah, and 7% Petit Verdot.
21) Champagne Cyrill Banchet Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs N.V., Chouilly: $64.99 Champagne Cyrill Banchet is a small family estate in Chouilly that has obtained that the label of Grand Cru. Of the more than 300 wine-producing villages in Champagne, only 17 are categorized as “grand cru” (“great/best growth”). 100% Chardonnay.
22) Michel Vattan Sancerre Rose 2025, Loire: $35.99 The wine opens with a lifted, crystalline nose of wild strawberry, red currant, white cherry, and citrus zest, accented by subtle floral tones and the flinty minerality that marks Vattan’s vineyards in Maimbray. On the palate it is brisk, pure, and elegantly textured, showing delicate red‑berry fruit, hints of peach skin, and a clean, saline edge that stretches the finish. Its tension and precision make it exceptionally food‑friendly, pairing beautifully with goat cheese (especially Crottin de Chavignol), oysters, shrimp, salmon tartare, sushi, grilled vegetables, herb‑roasted chicken, and light Provençal dishes where its acidity and minerality sharpen and elevate the flavors.
23) Domaine Specht Pinot Gris 2023, Alsace: $19.99 Yellow-gold color . The nose develops aromas of dried fruit, apricot, honey . Ample and fleshy on the palate, this wine is sustained by a nice tension. The finish is long and balanced out with a superb acidic structure. Serve with foie gras, white and red meats (pork, veal roast, duck), tajine with apricots, Alsatian dish : baeckeoffe, strong cheese (Comté, Beaufort).
24) Marcel Servin Chablis 2023, Burgundy: $34.99 This is a textbook expression of unoaked Chardonnay from Chablis—bright and refreshingly mineral-driven. On the nose, citrus and green apple lead, with subtle flint and white chalk notes beneath. The palate is crisp and clean, offering lemon zest and white peach layered over a pronounced flinty minerality that lingers through the finish, which is dry, precise, and impressively persistent.
25) Chateau Nozieres Malbec 2022, Cahors: $18.99 This mineral dominated Malbec, with 15% Merlot, is dry, packed with tannins as well as black currants and wild berries. It is on the rustic side even if the tannins are quite soft, finishing with intense acidity.
Pair with Pizza, Pasta, Burgers, Grilled meat, Chicken or Blue Cheese.
26) J. Denuziere Saint-Joseph Cru de la Vallee du Rhone 2020: $38.99 Hand picked; whole cluster inclusion. Foot trod for gentle extraction. Fermented in stainless steel tanks and open wooden vats for three to five weeks. Élevage on fine lees for 12 months in neutral French oak barrel before bottling. Southeast facing, steep terraces planted to granite-rich soils. No ploughing between rows allowing for a maximum of pollinators and biodiversity in the soil. Dry-farmed, organic practices. Syrah. The fruitiness of the wine is intertwined with the minerality of the graphitic soil, highlighting the freshness and intensity of the Saint Joseph. (Jeb Dunnuck, 2022, 93 pts.) Grilled ribeye with sauce béarnaise, duck confit, roasted lamb with ratatouille, charcuterie and cheese.
27) Chateau du Vallier Cadillac Cotes de Bordeaux 2019, Grand Vin de Bordeaux: $26.99 WE 90 pts. The most recent purchase of the Dulon family, this estate on the slopes near the city of Cadillac has produced a wine with swathes of juicy fruits, rich tannins and a perfumed character. It will develop well and be ready to drink from 2023. 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet sauvignon, 10% Malbec.
28) Domaine Jouard Chassagne-Montrachet Rouge “Vieilles Vignes” 2023, Cote de Beaune, Cote d’Or: $61.99 Grown on old vines that impart beautiful depth and added aromatic complexity. On this exceptional terroir, the clay-limestone soil, sometimes interspersed with marl, gives the wine tannic finesse and freshness, while preserving the fruity expression of the grapes. The 2023 vintage experienced contrasting weather, with a hot summer tempered by some rainy periods, which should result in supple wines, marked by fruit and elegant structure. The winemaking, respecting Burgundian traditions, generally aims to preserve the vibrancy of the fruit and the subtlety of the tannins, especially when dealing with old vines. A symbol of Burgundian expertise, the village of Chassagne produces refined reds, once almost as renowned as its whites, with a lovely vibrancy and an aromatic profile combining red fruits, sweet spices, and slightly earthy notes. To accompany this wine, opt for refined and delicate cuisine. A roasted chicken breast, quail stuffed with mushrooms, or a morel risotto will perfectly highlight its structure and freshness. Regional dishes, such as parsley ham or eggs meurette, will also underscore its authentic Burgundian character. Soft cheeses, such as a mature Brie or a mild Époisses, will be ideal companions after a few years of aging.
29) Aime Arnoux Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge Selection Parcellaire 2023, Grands Vins de la Vallee du Rhone: $65.99 50+ year old vines planted to soils rich in red clay and cobbles. Located in the heart of the Châteauneuf-duPâpe. 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre. Rich and dense, with intense aromas of red berries and red plum are met with baking spice and a faint note of anisette. Full-bodied, present tannin structure, long finish. Pair with Venison stew with porcini mushrooms, thyme-crusted beef tenderloin, hunter-style rabbit, Gardiane stew, scrambled eggs with truffle, goat cheese.
30) Staglin Family Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 40th Anniversary Selection 2022, Rutherford, Napa Valley: $304.99 The 40th Anniversary Selection 2022 Staglin Cabernet Sauvignon showcases the sunshine and abundant maturity of the vintage. A nose of intoxicating and dense blackcurrant and cocoa powder precedes broad spectrum complexity on the palate. Dark hued cherry and blackberry compote, mocha, warm nutmeg, vanilla, fresh lavender and a touch of tarragon are enhanced by full-figured richness and a plush mouthfeel. Energetic and buoyant acidity partners with pillow-soft, super fine tannins that linger for an impressive, lengthy finish.— By Winemaker Matt Peterson, August 2025
I love this producer! And it’s very hard to get it! Be sure to try a bottle. You’ll want more!
31)Domaine Serafin Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 2022, Cote de Nuits, Cote d’Or: $139.99 With robust dark fruit flavors, there is noticeably more volume and density on the palate with firmly structured tannins and a finish with a hint of bitter cherry pit, licorice, and forest floor. This is a rustic old-school effort that is expressly built-to-age for more than a decade.
32) Domaine Jean-Marie Bouzereau Meursault 2022, Cote de Beaune, Cote d’Or: $119.99 Golden yellow color. Vanilla aromas with touches of butter and brioche. Round on the palate with notes of toasted hazelnuts and acacia honey. Jean-Marie’s style is a perfect marriage of restrained ripeness combined with traditional winemaking that results in exceptional examples of the appellation.
33) Javier San Pedro Ortega Viuda Negra Otra Historia Tempranillo 2022, Vino de Laguardia, Rioja Alavesa: $22.99 Dark, cherry-red color. Expressive aromas of red fruits like strawberry and raspberry accompanied by impressions of violets and licorice. Due to its aging on inox, the wine enjoys plenty of fraîche and bulges with flavorful fruit. Fresh and pure on the palate. Structure and concentrated fruit keep in perfect balance. Medium-bodied and long finish. Another interpretation of the classic Rioja style. Pure and elegant style that goes perfectly with all kinds of grilled meat dishes but also vegetarian preparations and all kinds of tapas or Pinxtos. As its fruit is not affected by all kinds of wood maturation, it lends itself perfectly to being served chilled if necessary.
34) Colgin IX Estate Red Wine 2022, Napa Valley: $819.99 The 2022 “IX Estate” vintage offers a flourishing bouquet of vivid fruits, fragrant florals, earth, and spice. Classic cassis and red currant emerge from the glass with subtle notes of crushed flowers and bergamot tea. The soul of the wine bursts with an invigorating energy. Botanical herbs, subtle tobacco, and a touch of bouillon enhance the intricacies of this stimulating vintage. Silky, succulently textured tannins drench the palate, while hints of salted caramel and cracked pepper add a salivating sensibility. Flavors continue for a refreshingly long finish. Seductive yet awakening, the 2022 “IX Estate” is a charismatic wine to behold early yet will reveal continued pleasure and vitality for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. 100 pts. James Suckling.
35) Castello Romitorio Colto Rosso di Montalcino 2021, Tuscany: $52.99 Robert Parker 92 pts. A relatively new wine, the Castello Romitorio 2021 Rosso di Montalcino Colto shows good focus, with red cherry, grilled herb and earthy sensations that are clean and perfumed. Absent are any aromas related to compost or autumnal leaf. There is a very comforting quality to this wine that shows no sharp edges or bitterness. The palate punches back with medium-plus body, star anise and a bright fresh quality of fruit. The wine sees six months in oak and six months in cement, and only the alcohol feels a bit hot at 15%. This is a 6,000-bottle release.