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On sale: The new vintage of Austin Hope is in and we have the same great deal! Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon 2024, Paso Robles, CA: The 2024 Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon opens with aromas of ripe cherry and blackberry, layered with delicate notes of violets and dried spices. On the palate, it is a luscious, modern-styled wine with lush dark fruit notes, unfolding into rich flavors of cocoa and roasted coffee. Nuances of vanilla bean and baking spices add warmth and complexity, carrying through the long, smooth finish. Full-bodied and expressive, this wine is sourced from six of Paso Robles’ eleven sub-districts, bringing together multiple expressions of Cabernet Sauvignon into a beautifully balanced wine with integrated, polished tannins. On sale: $33.99! Case price: $367.20! ($30.60)
1) Stagard Handwerk Riesling 2022, Kremstal: $26.99 Vinous 90 pts. The 2022 Riesling Handwerk was harvested from a mix of sites following a hail event on 18 August that destroyed half the fruit in its usual parcels. Stagård supplemented with fruit from the Kögl, Grillenparz and Gaisberg, thus representing great, but unnamed, provenance. This includes 2% of whole berries, and 10% of the wine fermented in wood. Beautifully subtle notions of crushed citrus leaf verge into ripe lemon zest on the tender nose. The palate comes in with cooling, soothing serenity on a very slender but smooth body, displaying overtones of conifer, citrus leaf and a smattering of pepper. This is a picture of slenderness with mouthfeel and citric serenity. (Bone-dry)
2) Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona Fabivs Sant’Antimo Rosso DOC 2024, Tuscany: $30.99 ‘Fabius’ is a unique wine produced since 1998 with 100% Syrah grapes from Vigna del Conte in Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona Estate. Named after Fabivs de’ Vecchis, bishop of Montalcino, it showcases intense ruby red color, velvety tannins, and a persistent finish. The vineyard’s terroir and microclimate are ideal for Syrah. Powerful, layered, and structured with fruit-driven and spicy notes, FABIVS has velvety tannins leading to a persistent finish.
3) Jacques Dumont Sauvignon Blanc 2024, IGT Val de Loire: $13.99 Bright and aromatic white wine from the Loire Valley. It features flavors of citrus, green apple, and a hint of tropical fruit, with bright acidity and a clean finish. This Sauvignon Blanc is perfect for pairing with seafood, salads, and light appetizers. Serve well-chilled to enjoy its fresh and zesty profile.
4) Comte de la Chevaliere Sancerre Rose, Loire: $23.99 WE 93 pts. Editor’s Choice. This wine wants to show you what a serious, mature rosé can be. The orange-hued wine opens with a complex nose of nectarine, stewed apples, orange marmalade, honeysuckle, and dried apricot. Rich and creamy in texture, the wine boasts well-integrated fruit kissed by golden-apple and strawberry puree. Serve with a cheese plate or enjoy by itself. It draws inspiration from rosé Champagne to build additional complexity and poise in the glass by blending together multiple vintages.
5) Valdicava Rosso di Montalcino 2023, Tuscany: $48.99 Notes of black cherry, balsamic and a slight hint of mushroom. Aromas of eucalyptus tea leaves and violets can be picked up as well. The palate is bone dry with medium acidity. The tannins are soft and well integrated in the wine. At first sip this wine might seem a bit austere but the more it breathes the more refined it becomes with a silky and elegant finish on the palate. Sangiovese.
6) White’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc Black Label 2024, Marlborough, New Zealand: $16.99 Perfumed with nettle flower and green pepper, with a palate of limes, restrained minerality and a hint of tropical fruit. The wine is sappy, fresh, clean and a very easy drinking wine. The wine is dominated by 50% Awatere Valley fruit, with vineyards located on both sides of the river in three sub-regions. Soils on the south bank are deep silt loams and fertile, while the north bank sites are stoney, shallow silt loams and lighter in structure. A dry and windy climate in this valley leads to small, thick-skinned berries with an emphasis on herbal intensity. Wairau Valley sites in the Rapaura district and the Southern Valleys make up much of the rest of the blend. These are warmer areas and the soils vary between deep fertile loams and gravelly alluvium clays. Fruit from these sites are often more tropical, with some ripe citrus characters. Vines are all managed with vertical shoot positioning and pruned to leave balanced bud numbers and crop levels consistent with individual site capacity. Picking decisions are made entirely on flavor. Skin-contact is minimized and cool fermentations with neutral yeast in stainless steel tanks preserve the crisp, fresh varietal nature of the fruit.
7) Quattro Theory Merlot 2022, Napa Valley: $35.99 WE 92 pts. Displaying the plush pleasure of Merlot with flavors of red and black cherry and plum spin through with mountain herbs, espresso, and savory verve. Pleasing concentration on a wine that will serve a meal.
8) Les Bottes Rouges La Pepee Pinot Noir 2023, Arbois, Jura: $75.99 This red wine is made with Pinot Noir grapes which see 3 weeks maceration in Inox tanks to preserve freshness. Light and with a slight rustic charm. This is the project of Jean-Baptiste Menigoz and Florien Kleine Snuverink in Arbois, Jura. The Pinot Noir is sourced from two low-yielding vineyards near La Mulatière and Les Bodines, with vines planted in 1978 and 1990 on clay and marl. The grapes are destemmed and macerate for 10 days without extraction, then half is pressed into 600L barriques while the rest ages in stainless steel. Notes of floral lavender, berry fruit compote, light spice and a perfumed lift.
9) Domaine De L’Arlot Clos Des Forets Saint-Georges Nuits-Saint-Georges Premiuer Cru Monopole 2024, Cote de Nuits, Cote d’Or: $204.99 The nose reveals a spicy, lively wine with great aromatic depth, featuring woody notes, and remains highly appealing thanks to its aromas of wild strawberries and rose petals. Supple, fresh and with a lovely texture on the palate, this wine grows in intensity and offers well-integrated tannins. The finish is smooth and silky with subtle balsamic notes that bring tension and energy.
10) Chateau de Trinquevedel Tavel 2025, Rhone Valley: $21.99 If you love both reds and fuller-bodied rosés, Tavel is an incredibly exciting appellation because it produces wines that fall all across this spectrum. For instance, our newest Tavel from Gaël Petit could be considered a light red, while our longest-running Tavel from Château de Trinquevedel is without a doubt a rosé. Blending mostly Grenache with a little bit of Clairette, Syrah, Cinsault, and a splash of Mourvèdre and Bourboulenc, Trinquevedel’s rosé is a serious and complex beauty. Notes of red berries, orange zest, and spice swirl in a frame that is medium-bodied thanks, in large part, to the sunny terroir and the soil’s quintessential rounded river stones known as galets roulés.
11) Domaine de Terrebrune 2025, Bandol, Provence: $41.99 Terrebrune’s Bandol epitomizes the idea of a terroir-driven rosé, from the nose of thyme and white peach, redolent of a Provençal summer, to its mouthwateringly salty finish, a reminder that the sea is just a stone’s throw away. Accordingly, this 2025 is characterized by tangy, salty minerals underlying beautiful citrus and herbal notes. Vigneron Reynald Delille is never shy to point out the aging potential of his rosé, often pulling out twenty-year-old bottles in pristine condition to prove his point. In its youth, its brightness makes it a great companion to seafood in its most basic form, including crudo, urchin, or grilled loup de mer (sea bass). With age, it picks up weight and develops deeper aromatics, allowing it to stand up to richer and more complex dishes. The newly arrived 2025 is textured and invigorating, and whether uncorked young or old, Terrebrune’s rosé is certain to convey all the class of its distinctive Provençal terroir. Anthony Lynch
12) Hedele Obelunec Chardonnay Vipava-Goce 2021, Kakovostno Vino ZGP, Slovenia: $74.99 A premium single-vineyard dry white wine (Kakovostno vino ZGP) produced by Kmetija Hedele in the Vipava Valley of western Slovenia, near the historic village of Goče. It reflects a cool-climate style with complex mineral and stone-fruit characteristics. Ripe stone fruit, peach, and white blossoms accented by ginger and subtle spice. Creamy, textured mouthfeel balanced by a crisp, refreshing acidity and trademark saline minerality.
13) Quintarelli Giuseppe Rosso Ca’ del Merlo 2018, Veneto: $148.99 Two special techniques employed at Quintarelli give this Rosso, which also features Corvina in the blend, its sumptuous perfume and lavish depth of flavor. With appassimento, a portion of the grapes are dried on straw mats after harvest for a period during which all their intrinsic qualities intensify. The rest undergoes ripasso, wherein newborn wine is racked onto the pressed skins of Quintarelli’s legendary Amarone. This sets off a small secondary fermentation that adds body and alluring dark fruit. For all its gravitas, the Ca’ del Merlo retains a certain levity in the form of floral nuances and graceful tannins. You can enjoy this masterpiece for many years to come, and now is the time to start. 55% Corvina and Corvinone, 30% Rondinella, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, Nebbiolo, Croatina, Sangiovese.
14) Stoller Family Estate Chardonnay 2023, Dundee Hills Estate: $29.99 Our 2023 Dundee Hills Estate Chardonnay opens with aromas of lime zest, wet stones, and fresh pineapple. These flavors are amplified on the palate with layers of passionfruit, white flowers, and melon. There is an energetic tension to the mid-palate that gives way to a long, lingering saline finish. The combination of vibrant fresh fruit with flinty minerality is unique and captivating.
15) 00 Wines Chardonnay 2023 Eola-Amity Hills AVA, Willamette Valley: $173.99 International Wine Report 99 pts. Bright lemon zest, green apple, crushed volcanic stone, airy florals and wet clay frame a precise, high-acid Chardonnay with vivid balance and impressive definition. A high-elevation Eola-Amity Hills Chardonnay shaped by volcanic basalt, ancient marine sediment, smoky mineral tones, citrus, nectarine, wet stone, and saline orchard fruit.
16) 00 Wines Chardonnay 2023, Chehalem Mountains: $233.99 James Suckling 96 pts. Aromas of meringue, vanilla, dried apples and flint are more than evident. Medium-bodied with chewy yet integrated phenolics that run up and down the palate. Racy finish. Vinous 96 pts. The 2023 Chardonnay Chehalem Mountain blows off an attractive hint of reduction as crushed stones and flint mix with sesame before giving way to nuances of vanilla spice and crushed yellow apples. A stunning core minerality is beautifully offset by fresh acidity and ripe orchard fruits, coming across as nearly salty yet juicy to the core. The 2023 resonates with tension, so youthful today, leaving a subtly chewy sensation and saline resonance.
17) 00 Wines Beaune Les Cent Vignes 1er Cru 2023, Cote de Beaune, Cote d’Or: $178.99In our expanding Burgundy portfolio of Grand Cru and 1er Cru wines, we are pleased to offer our inaugural Beaune 1er Cru Les Cent Vignes release. This is a wine of concentration with fruit-forward notes and a pronounced luxurious nose, which are all hallmarks of Beaune 1er Cru terroir. Jasper Morris MW in his book “Inside Burgundy” notes, “Beaune wines should be all about fruit . . . the point of Beaune is not to offer firmly constructed, powerful wines but to tickle the pleasure points.” The vineyard Les Cent Vignes is a traditionally underappreciated terroir with very light sand and limestone soils. Located at the base of the Beaune hillside, Les Cent Vignes is situated near the northern part of the town. We bring the same attention to detail to our 1er Cru wines that we bring to our Grand Cru offerings. The intention in sourcing this organically farmed 1er Cru Pinot Noir is to craft an approachable, pleasurable Burgundy wine for 00 Wines fans and collectors.
18) 00 Wines Pinot Noir 2023, Chehalem Mountains: $239.99 The 2023 Chehalem Mountain Pinot Noir is a singular expression of one of the Willamette Valley’s historic vineyard sites. Sourced from old-vine Pinot Noir planted at Chehalem Mountain Vineyard, this wine captures the lifted, aromatic, and quietly powerful side of the Chehalem Mountains. The wine opens with vivid notes of mint, citrus zest, sweet smoke, strawberry, and rose before moving into silky red and blue fruit, cooling acidity, and mineral tension. Fine, crunchy tannins give the wine shape and length, while a floral finish reveals the elegance and restraint of this heritage site. A Pinot Noir of lift rather than weight, this bottling reflects 00 Wines’ single-origin approach: transparent, precise, and deeply tied to place.
19) Silver Oak Sauvignon Blanc 2025, Napa County, Sonoma County: $38.99 Crafted from our Napa and Sonoma estate fruit, this inaugural Sauvignon Blanc is bright, fresh, and expressive, with tropical aromatics, citrus blossom, lemon zest, and white peach lifted by lively acidity. Made for summer tables, long weekends, and meaningful moments worth marking together. 94 points, JamesSuckling.com
20) Martin Texier Brezeme Vigne de la Carriere 2023, Brezeme, Northern Rhone: $52.99 Deep purple color; expressive aromas of blackberry, blackcurrant, and plum with hints of violet, pepper, and earthy undertones; medium to full-bodied with balanced acidity and smooth tannins, offering flavors of dark fruits, spice, and a touch of smokiness, leading to a long, elegant finish. 100% Syrah.
21) Cyril & Jean-Mi Rouge 2024, Languedoc: $22.99 The idea is simple. Provide a delicious wine inexpensively, and of course, naturally made. Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah on sandy clay/limestone in the Gard. Certified organic vineyards. Naturally fermented, separately in cement vats. Vinified with no S02 in cement vats and blended 3 months before bottling in stainless steel. 10 ppm S02 at bottling.
22) Marchand Tawse Nuits-Saint-Georges 2022, Cotes de Nuits: $96.99 Pascal Marchand, a pioneering organic/biodynamic Burgundian, partnered with Canada’s Moray Tawse in 2011 to form this négociant-domaine. They hand-pick fruit from biodynamic vineyards and now farm parcels in 20+ appellations. The 2012 purchase of Domaine Maume in Gevrey-Chambertin strengthened their foundation. Biodynamic Burgundy, seriously pursued. Deep, vibrant ruby with an inviting nose of sweet raspberry, wild strawberry and a touch of dark spice. On the palate the wine is racy and bright, with a firm yet supple tannic structure, earthy complexity and a crisp, focused finish. More approachable than the 2021 in its youth, with the depth to reward a few years of patience. Perfect with veal saltimbocca, lamb chops, mushroom risotto or a porcini quiche.
23) Jean-Max Roger Sancerre Cuvée “Marnes et Caillottes” 2025: $37.99 A benchmark Sancerre from one of the appellation’s most respected family estates. Named for the two classic soils of Sancerre—Kimmeridgian marls (marnes) and limestone (caillottes)—this cuvée beautifully balances richness with precision. The limestone contributes vibrant citrus fruit and elegance, while the marls add depth, texture, and a long mineral finish.
24) Marchand Tawse Savigny Les Beaune Les Vergelesses 1er Cru 2023, Cote de Beaune, Cote d’Or: $89.99 Jasper Morris 91 pts. Pale in color and the finest bouquet of the whites too date. Still some ripe fruit here but it is much fresher on this marly limestone terroir. Little grapefruit notes and a certain chalky nuttiness, but, overall, an interesting white.
25) Sphaerics If and Only If Chardonnay Upper Barn Vineyard 2024, Alexander Valley: $179.99 Ryan Montgomery, JamesSuckling.com
26) Odette Reserve Chardonnay 2023, Napa Valley: $84.99 James Suckling 96 pts. The nose is powerful yet shows finesse, giving hints of orange blossoms, salted nuts, preserved lemons, lanolin and struck match. The palate has fine acidity and impressive length, with depth of flavor that lingers for minutes and high mineral tension supported by underlying texture and weight. Delicious now and for years to come. The best bottling of this wine to date, coming from a new winemaker and the cool 2023 growing season.
27) Botella by Sea Smoke Pinot Noir 2024, Santa Rita Hills: $54.99 Botella is named after the mineral-rich soil type found on our Estate Vineyard and other exceptional vineyards of the Sta. Rita Hills. Botella’s grapes are sourced from neighboring vineyards of the Sea Smoke estate. Our Pinot Noir is shaped with a gentle hand, echoing the estate’s signature elegance while offering its own bright immediacy. Similar to the approach we take with our estate wines, winemaking features separate fermentations by block with gentle cap management. Botella features less time on the skins, earlier picks for bright aromatics, shorter barrel aging, and lower new French oak impact. Notes of raspberries, red cherries, chaparral, and bouquet garni, together with vanilla bean and a touch of toffee.
______________________________ I’m going to start carrying more Sake! And it’ll be available in the shop by the glass! Here are some new offerings: 28) Yuki No Bosha Limited Release Junmai Ginjo “Cabin in the Snow”, Akita, Japan, 300 ml.: $21.99 Hints of anise on the nose. Mango and strawberry on the palate, finishing with a white pepper spice. Serve chilled with salad, spicy foods, sashimi, and desserts.
29) Watari Bune Junmai Ginjo “The 55”, Ibaraki-ken, Japan, 720 ml.: $43.99 Watari Bune is the name of the rice used to make this sake. The brewery revived this rice strain in the 1990’s after it had been extinct for sixty years. It took them three years before they had enough rice to brew their first batch of sake. It is now a cult favorite among sake aficionados, known for its unique flavor profile which balances nutty notes with abundant ripe fruit, bright acidity and finishes with a delicate effervescence. Overall lively and bright, fruity with some funky aromas and flavors. Over-ripe musk melon on palate, bright white peach in finish. Serve chilled with monkfish liver (ankimo), considered the foie gras of the sea. Also delicious with duck and other game served with berries. ______________________________
30) PlumpJack Syrah 2023, Napa Valley: $90.99 Vinous 97 pts. The 2023 Syrah is the bomb. Inky, deep and explosive, the 2023 is seriously impressive. A blast of dark cherry fruit, lavender, licorice, espresso and dried herbs stains the palate. The 22% stems are buried under waves of fruit. This unctuous, full-throttle Syrah has so much to offer.
31) PlumpJack Merlot 2022, Napa Valley: $68.99 Vinous 93 pts. The 2022 Merlot is terrific. Bright and aromatic, the 2022 exudes freshness in its red/purplish fruit. Floral overtones and hints of spice, cedar and pipe tobacco add aromatic presence. The 2022 is not quite as opulent as most years, but that’s not a bad thing at all. If anything, this more vibrant style is hugely appealing.
32) Cesarini Sartori Ripenere Montefalco Rosso DOC Riserva 2020, Umbria: $31.99 Notes of black cherry in alcohol with hints of tobacco, leather, cloves, rosemary, and chocolate powder. Balsamic and citrusy background. Elegant tannins, good flavor, freshness, and acidity. Notes of black cherry, vanilla, bitter orange, and black pepper. Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet, Sagrantino.
33) Rochioli Pinot Noir 2024, Russian River Valley: $90.99 Jeb Dunnuck 96 pts. A pure ruby color, the 2024 Pinot Noir Estate once again rises to the top of the range with mouthwatering acidity, refined tannins, and ripe fresh cherries accented by baking spice and anise. Medium-bodied and approachable, it completely overdelivers while staying true to both the estate fruit and the vintage.
I had the pleasure of meeting with the owner (and he’s a Master Sommelier!) of Kumeu River in Auckland, New Zealand last week. I’ve been wanting to get cool climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from New Zealand and his wines amazed me! So of course I had to buy plenty for you to also try. I highly suggest you come and try these:
34) Kumeu River Rays Road Chardonnay 2025, Hawke’s Bay: $56.99 Rays Road is Kumeu River’s new vineyard site in Hawkes Bay. This limestone hillside is at 180 m altitude, with a northerly aspect. It is dry-farmed to yield high quality grapes for wine under the Rays Road name for our Kumeu River label. This Chardonnay was hand-harvested, whole bunch pressed and fermented with wild yeast in older French Oak barrels to give a wine that is zesty and fragrant, with mineral complexity that is very true to its site. This is the one that is more like Chablis!
35) Kumeu River Rays Road Pinot Noir 2024, Hawke’s Bay: $53.99 The Pinot Noir at Rays Road was planted by the previous owners in 2008 with a variety of superior clones. We are very excited by the Pinot Noir from this limestone terroir, and the future of this vineyard is certainly very bright. From this site we select a portion which makes up 80% of the Kumeu Village Pinot Noir. The best section of this vineyard we leave for the Rays Road bottling. After malolactic fermentation this winewas matured for 12 months in French Oak (10% new). The resulting wine is bright, fragrant with ripe cherry and other red-fruit aromas. There is also a distinctive dry leaf quality which contributes to the complexity. The palate is supple, deceptively concentrated with a distinctive limestone edge. It is approachable now, and we have no doubt that this complex wine will enhance further with bottle age.
36) Kumeu River Coddington Chardonnay 2025, West Auckland: $88.99 This wine is produced from a vineyard owned by Tim and Angela Coddington, whose grapes have contributed to the blend of Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay since 1998. It is a vineyard that produces very rich and unctuous Chardonnay that we have long believed could make an excellent single vineyard wine. In 2006, we decided to give Coddington single vineyard status to reflect this vineyard’s unique character.
37) Kumeu River Mate’s Vineyard Chardonnay 2025, Western Auckland: $106.99 In 1990, Maté Brajkovich reworked the land and planted a new vineyard of Chardonnay vines on the site of the original vineyard that he and his family purchased in March 1944. The first grapes from this vineyard were harvested in March 1993, the year following Maté’s death. The resulting wine was released in November 1994 to coincide with celebrations marking the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Brajkovich Family’s arrival at Kumeu River.
38) Billecart Salmon Sous Bois Brut N.V., Magnum: $233.99 A radiant yellow crystalline appearance with golden glints brought to life by a luminous bead of persistent fine bubbles. There is an olfactory impact due to the richness of harmonious expressions (dry fruits, fresh citrus, and white fruits) coupled with finely buttered seductive notes. A defined aromatic undertone which expresses the mature complexity linked to the vinification in oak barrels. The caressing and refreshing texture enhances the creamy sensation, dominated by a beautiful bracing vivacity. A burst of flavors (notes of grilled brioche, toffee) thanks to the distinguished power and maturity which is a mark of the great wines of Champagne. Blend: 43% Chardonnay, 29% Pinot Meunier, 28% Pinot Noir.
39) Domaine Jouard Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2024, Cote de Beaune, Cote d’Or: $649.99 Paul makes just 1 barrel (twenty-five cases) of this prestigious wine. He has only 4 rows which are toward the southwest corner of the Batard vineyard next to the Criots-Batard-Montrachet vineyard and very near the Le Montrachet vineyard. Incredible location. This famous white wine is truly one of the very best. It sells out quickly each and every year. Huge wine. Built for the ages. Tightly wound in its youth. Layers of apple, fig, honey, and white flower flavors with loads of spice. Simply formidable. As it develops (or if you decant it for hours), incredible nuances become apparent. No wonder it’s one of the world’s most famous white wines. Grilled lobster. Firm fish, such as Halibut or Sea Bass. Grilled chicken. Veal. Sweetbreads. Any mushroom or truffle dish. Light cheeses, such as Comte. Heavier cheeses, such as Epoisses.
40) Post & Beam by Far Niente Pinot Noir 2024, Sonoma Coast: $34.79 Tasting Panel 95 pts. The palate instantly engages with soil surrounded by tobacco and fresh basil in this Pinot Noir with a style all its own. Deep notes of roast coffee amplify ripe, brambly blackberry and black cherry. White-peppered cedar and an upright structure are noteworthy.
41) Venge Scout’s Honor Proprietary Red Wine 2024, Napa Valley: $35.99 Scout’s Honor blend is based on a tradition of producing a full bodied and delicious red wine that is ready to consume upon release. The winery starts with a base of old-vine Zinfandel and build upon that with old-vine Charbono, dry- farmed Petite Sirah, and finish with mountain Syrah. Full-bodied, concentrated, and gorgeous, with a balance of full- bodied tannins and jammy, ripe black fruits, sweet currants, pepper spice, and mouthwatering deliciousness. Blend: 72% Zinfandel, 17% Charbono, 7% Petite Sirah, 4% Syrah.
And I just received a special mixed case of verticals: Rinaldo Barolo! Giuseppe “Beppe” Rinaldi’s Barolo is globally significant as one of the ultimate standard-bearers for uncompromising, traditionalist winemaking in Piedmont. Led for decades by the late veterinarian-turned-winemaker Giuseppe “Beppe” Rinaldi (and now managed by his daughters Marta and Carlotta), the estate fiercely resisted the modern “Barolo Boy” movement of small oak barriques and extracted international styles.
42) Rinaldi Barolo Brunate 2022: $359.99 Jeb Dunnuck 97 pts. Reviewed April 2026 A transparent ruby hue, the 2022 Barolo Brunate Le Coste combines refined depth with a sense of weightless beauty. Aromas of black raspberries, polished flowers, graphite, and alpine herbs lift from the glass. Medium-bodied, it carries slightly broader shoulders on the palate, with notes of blood orange, cranberry, and redcurrant. The blend is roughly 80% Brunate with the remainder from Le Coste, whose sandy soils contribute finesse and aromatic lift. Brunate was among the vineyards most affected by drought in 2022, and production was roughly half of normal, yet the wine retains striking complexity and balance. Drink 2027-2047. 7,000 bottles were produced.
43) Rinaldi Barolo Tretine 2022: $374.99 Jeb Dunnuck 95 pts. Reviewed April 2026 Pouring a transparent ruby hue, the 2022 Barolo Tre Tine is surprisingly graceful given the challenging season. Aromas of wild raspberries, fresh wildflowers, sweet tea, and orange citrus emerge from the glass. Medium-bodied, it offers sunny, charming fruit without heaviness, supported by refined tannins and refreshing acidity. A blend from Ravera, Le Coste, and Cannubi San Lorenzo, the wine reflects the estate’s effort to preserve freshness in the vintage. Drink 2027-2040. 9,000 bottles were produced.
44) Rinaldi Barolo Cannubi S. Lorenzo 2003: $489.99 Wine Advocate: The 2003 Barolo Cannubi(San Lorenzo)/Ravera is sweet and ripe with the essence of perfumed sweet cherries and raspberries. It is made in a soft, seductive style that is unusual for this producer and which makes the wine very accessible even at this stage. I always look forward to visiting this small, family-run property as Giuseppe Rinaldi is one of the most entertaining producers in the zone. Armed with a wicked sense of humor, he is apt to keep visitors engaged for hours. Walking into the cellar is like stepping into the past, a time when the pace of life was much slower and still rooted in a more human tempo. Like all producers Rinaldi was faced with the prospect of an unusually early harvest. “I absolutely refused to pick my Nebbiolos in September, so I waited until the first of October,” says Rinaldi. I have never seen anything like 2003. It was so hot that summer that on many evenings I would take a candle and good book and go sleep in the cellar.” Rinaldi’s 2003s are more successful than I had originally envisaged, yet his 2004s were rapturous when I tasted them from barrel a few months ago. Giuseppe Rinaldi’s Barolos remain among the most rigorously traditional wines being made today. They will appeal most to readers looking for pure, unadulterated wines, that while not always perfect from a technical standpoint, never fail to deliver a memorable drinking experience.
45) Rinaldi Barolo Bussia 2020: $469.99 Vinous Media 96 pts. The 2020 Barolo Bussia opens with a burst of dark fruit, spice, menthol and licorice. Layered and light on its feet, the medium-bodied 2020 particularly reveals its explosive energy and intensity on the back end. This is super classy. Jeb Dunnuck 96 pts. The second vintage of the 2020 Barolo Bussia is incredible. Pure and crystalline, with brilliant clarity, it offers notes of cherry cordial, cinnamon candies, alpine herbs, and chalky earth. The palate is energetic and pure, with a subtle luxuriance of ripe, refined tannins and a gamey underlying richness as well as a long-lasting finish. This exceptional wine may supersede the 2021, which I tasted at the estate, but given how things can change dramatically with a year spent in bottle, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the inverse over time. Drink over the coming 20 years. Wine Advocate 95 pts. First introduced in 2019, we now have our second edition of this exciting wine from Giuseppe Rinaldi. The 2020 Barolo Bussia is a wine of strength and power. The Rinaldi family has 1.3 hectares in Bussia, of which 3,000 square meters are Dolcetto and the rest are Nebbiolo. Carlotta Rinaldi tells me that this new project came with a steep learning curve because clay and marl soils have a harder time drying out and getting the tractor through can be a challenge. They had leased the property in 2019 and were able to buy it in 2022. Waves of new plantings over very deep terrain came in the 1940s, the 1960s and the 1980s. That thicker soil profile contributes to the dense constitution of this Barolo. There are vines at the top of the hill with full southwest exposures and there are vines at a lower elevation. This wine represents a selection of the top part, to achieve this medium-plus texture, the bold tannic profile and these age-worthy qualities. Wine Spectator 95 pts. Bright cherry and raspberry aromas and flavors are framed with earth, underbrush and mineral notes in this dense, expressive red. Turns compact on the finish, which persists, with fruit and mineral echoes. This is harmonious, offering an alluring texture, yet needs a few years to absorb the tannins. Best from 2028 through 2047. |
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