2019 La Rasina Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany Italy

2019 La Rasina Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany Italy

with No Comment $40-$50BrunelloBrunelloItalyKevin VogtTuscany

La Rasina

Brunello di Montalcino
Tuscany, Italy, 2019

2019 La Rasina Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany Italy

From one of Brunello’s most celebrated vintages emerges La Rasina, a captivating synthesis of meticulous craftsmanship, organic stewardship, and authentic expression of terroir. With a stellar 95-point score, and from a vintage recognized by Wine Spectator for its remarkable blend of elegance and intensity, La Rasina stands as a luminous example, delivering exceptional quality and compelling value.

Set upon the northeastern slopes of Montalcino, La Rasina’s vineyards have been carefully tended by the Mantengoli family through three generations. Committed to organic farming and minimal intervention, their efforts allow the vineyard’s unique character and vivid fruit purity to resonate profoundly in every sip.

La Rasina’s Brunello spends over two years in large oak, carefully harnessing the elegance of tradition to deliver a wine that’s vibrantly alive. Its remarkable architecture promises decades of evolution, yet its lush complexity and elegant depth invite you to experience it right away.

La Rasina
Brunello di Montalcino
Tuscany, Italy, 2019

Your Price: $49.99

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“A firm, velvety-textured wine and not overbearing, offering red cherries and hints of cedar and mushrooms. Chewy and structured. Excellent structure and a savory finish. Cool, structured red. From organically grown grapes. Best in three to four years and beyond. Try in 2026.”

95 Points

2021 Merus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2021 Merus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

Merus

Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2021

2021 Merus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

With striking intensity and a captivating balance between muscle and finesse, the 2021 Merus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is unapologetically bold and commands attention. Once a cult garage label founded by Mark Herold, Merus rose swiftly in the late 1990s, earning a reputation for producing Cabernets with both swagger and substance. Now under the stewardship of Bill Foley, Merus reclaims its place among Napa’s elite with stunning authority.

At the helm of the 2021 vintage is Eric Baugher, a scientist turned artisan who, during his 27-year tenure at Ridge Vineyards, crafted two 100-point Monte Bello vintages. Known for his precision, restraint, and deep respect for structure, Baugher brings an exacting lens to Merus, elevating the brand with a style that marries power with poise.

Composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and complemented by Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, this wine is both muscular and magnetic. Aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak, it’s a wine of immense presence, but also one of clarity and control, bringing a commanding expression of modern Napa Valley.

Merus
Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2021
Retails at: $225

Your Price: $165

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“Beautiful plum and blue fruits, sappy herbs, violets, and sandalwood notes all emerge from Merus’s 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, a deep purple-hued, ripe, sexy 2021. Despite all its upfront baby fat, it has a rock-solid underlying structure and is going to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and should be long-lived.”

97 Points

2023 Ernest Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

2023 Ernest Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $30-$40ChardonnayKevin VogtSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

Ernest

Chardonnay 2023
Sonoma Coast

2023 Ernest Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

The 2023 Ernest Sonoma Coast Chardonnay pulses with coastal energy: brilliantly chiseled, refreshingly pure, and seamlessly composed, it stands shoulder to shoulder with the region’s most esteemed bottlings. Garnering a sensational 95-point rating, this Chardonnay effortlessly captures the elegance, minerality, and nuanced restraint synonymous with the region’s most coveted wines.

Ernest Vineyards, founded in 2012 by Erin Brooks, draws inspiration from Sonoma County’s rugged hillsides and rolling fog, giving a perfect setting for exceptional Chardonnay. With the arrival of winemaker Joseph Ryan in 2018, Ernest adopted a meticulous, minimal-intervention approach, celebrating the land’s unique voice and allowing its purest expression to illuminate every bottle.

Artfully crafted from the prized Old Wente clone, this Chardonnay boasts an alluring silkiness interwoven with crisp citrus notes. The 2023 vintage, fermented naturally with native yeasts and aged for ten months on lees in 25% new French oak, strikes a harmonious balance: beautifully textured yet vibrantly fresh. It is a wine that speaks eloquently of place, seamlessly blending depth, finesse, and unforgettable charm.

Ernest
Chardonnay 2023
Sonoma Coast
Retails at: $38

Your Price: $36

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“A super lean, racy, mineral-driven wine, so fresh and linear and full of energy. Crisp green apples and lemon pith. Light-bodied and refreshing. At just 12% alcohol it’s easy to sip and enjoy multiple glasses. Fermented in oak barrels with native yeast and native malolactic for a slightly smoother texture. Drink now.”

95 Points

2020 Marques De Murrieta Reserva Rioja Spain

2020 Marques De Murrieta Reserva Rioja Spain

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtRiojaSpainTempranillo

Marqués De Murrieta

Reserva Rioja
Rioja, Spain 2020

2020 Marques De Murrieta Reserva Rioja Spain

Marqués de Murrieta 2020 Finca Ygay Rioja Reserva is a wine of exceptional quality, setting a benchmark rarely matched in its category. From a historic winery founded by Luciano de Murrieta in 1852, this remarkable Rioja Reserva embodies the visionary spirit that transformed Rioja into one of the world’s most celebrated wine regions. Rich in tradition yet embracing modern refinement, the wine captures the timeless essence of its origin.

Luciano Murrieta’s pioneering journey, inspired by his studies in Bordeaux, gave rise to a style of Rioja that gained global acclaim for its power, complexity, and elegance. The Rioja Reserva is crafted predominantly from Tempranillo grapes grown in the distinguished vineyards of Rioja Alta, an area where history meets innovation to produce fruit of remarkable purity and depth.

With its graceful aging and clarity of expression, this Reserva speaks fluently in the language of Rioja: balanced, timeless, and resonant with place. At its price, few wines offer such pedigree, making it a compelling invitation to experience the soul of Rioja.

Marqués De Murrieta
Reserva Rioja
Rioja, Spain 2020

Your Price: $29.99

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“Subtle rusticity paired with assertive elegance, in a wine that marries subtle minerality with chalky tannins and poised, crunchy fruit. It’s vibrant throughout, with acid verve holding the rich, robust black fruit at the core. Long finish, with a spicy lining.”

95 Points

2023 Gamba MCM Estate Zinfandel Russian River Valley

2023 Gamba MCM Estate Zinfandel Russian River Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtRussian River ValleySonomaUSAZinfandel

Gamba

MCM Estate Zinfandel
Russian River Valley 2023

2023 Gamba MCM Estate Zinfandel Russian River Valley

Born from one of California’s oldest dry-farmed vineyards, the 2023 Gamba MCM Estate Zinfandel delivers a striking tribute to a century of continuous heritage. Rooted in a delicate balance of soil and climate, Gamba’s Estate Vineyard stands as a benchmark for sustainable viticulture, producing intensely concentrated Zinfandel from impossibly small yields.

With the 2023 MCM Zinfandel, Gamba masterfully celebrates a vineyard that has become a cherished symbol of Russian River Valley viticulture. Known for producing grapes brimming with lively, succulent fruit, this historic site imparts layers of complexity accentuated through indigenous yeast fermentation.

Aged gracefully in American and French oak, the 2023 vintage exemplifies Gamba’s signature style: richly textured yet impeccably balanced. Carefully crafted, it reveals astonishing depth, intricate detail, and a lingering finish that echoes its remarkable lineage, offering an homage to one of Sonoma’s oldest vineyards.

Gamba
MCM Estate Zinfandel
Russian River Valley 2023
Retails at: $69

Your Price: $49.99

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“The Gamba 2023 MCM Russian River Valley Old Vine Zinfandel opens with vibrant notes of juicy cherries, cranberries, and wild blackberries with underlying notes of Christmas spices and toast. On the palate, the wine has a silky smooth approach with flavors of bramble fruit, dark cherry, and boysenberry compote, complemented with savory undertones of tobacco leaf and dried herbs. The wine has supple tannins and finishes with a finely textured, velvety mouthfeel.”

94 Points

2021 Lorenzi Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley

2021 Lorenzi Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley

with No Comment $60-$70Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

Lorenzi Estate

Cabernet Sauvignon
Reserve 2021
Napa Valley

2021 Lorenzi Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley

At once bold and impeccably refined, the 2021 Lorenzi Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon channels the raw intensity of Howell Mountain into something transcendent. Crafted from meticulously selected fruit by Julien Fayard and shaped with quiet precision by Don Lorenzi, this wine is a singular expression of place, pedigree, and purpose.

Aging for thirty-two months in new French oak has sculpted the wine into something both majestic and deeply harmonious. Plush yet restrained, it glides across the palate with a velvet intensity. The confident yet composed tannins promise a graceful arc of evolution, while its inner tension suggests decades of potential.

It is built on a foundation of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, subtly elevated by Merlot’s plushness, Petit Verdot’s depth, and Malbec’s intrigue. The result is a wine of striking clarity and dimension. With only 250 cases produced, its scarcity is as real as its brilliance. 

Lorenzi Estate
Cabernet Sauvignon
Reserve 2021
Napa Valley
Retails at: $125

Your Price: Insider Club Members Only

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“With the addition of some Merlot and Petit Verdot, this is a 28-month, 100% French-oaked aged Cabernet Sauvignon with chewy, but approachable suede tannins. Dusted with cocoa and blueberry. The wine comes on like a heavyweight, but broadens across the palate, reining in its powerful message. A sprinkle of white pepper, graphite, licorice, and soy sauce drench the palate on the finish.”

95 Points

2019 Mastroberardino Radici Taurasi Campania Italy

2019 Mastroberardino Radici Taurasi Campania Italy

with No Comment $50-$60ItalyKevin VogtProprietary Red

Mastroberardino

Radici Taurasi
Campania, Italy 2019

2019 Mastroberardino Radici Taurasi Campania Italy

Mastroberardino’s Radici Taurasi embodies Campania’s volcanic terroir and centuries of heritage. Cultivated in the volcanic hills of Irpinia, it reflects the enduring commitment of one of Italy’s most historically significant wine families. After World War II, Mastroberardino spearheaded the revival of Campania’s indigenous varieties, with Aglianico at the center. ‘Radici’ represents the peak of what this classic varietal can be.

First released in 1986, the wine emerged from meticulous research into clonal selection, site elevation, and the precise pairing of vine to soil. The vineyard’s rugged volcanic soils and cool mountain breezes produce fruit with depth, restraint, and tension. Every detail of the farming and winemaking is carefully considered, allowing the character of the place to emerge clearly and confidently.

The 2019 vintage captivates with its harmony and intensity. After two years in French oak and large Slavonian casks, followed by extended bottle aging, the tannins are now firm but polished, the acidity bright, and the finish long and composed. Vinous called it “impossible to ignore.” For those drawn to authenticity, structure, and a deep connection to place, this is one of the most compelling wines in Southern Italy.

Mastroberardino
Radici Taurasi
Campania, Italy 2019

Your Price: $55

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“The 2019 Taurasi Radici is impossible to ignore, mixing cloves with incense, crushed stones and dried black cherries. This is saturating and intense, with a silken textural wave that ushers in masses of tart wild berry fruits and spices, all carried by a stream of vibrant acidity. It finishes long and youthfully tense, with a mineral tinge that lingers along with notes of black licorice and a sour cranberry crunch. In 2019, the Taurasi Radici is back to form.”

95 Points

2021 Buoncristiani O.P.C. Napa Valley Red

2021 Buoncristiani O.P.C. Napa Valley Red

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

Buoncristiani

O.P.C. 2021
Napa Valley Red

2021 Buoncristiani O.P.C. Napa Valley Red

Each vintage of Buoncristiani O.P.C. reveals a new chapter in the captivating story of Napa Valley’s celebrated terroir. With an artful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah, and a whisper of Merlot, this wine seamlessly weaves power and finesse into every sip. Born and raised in Napa, the Buoncristiani brothers connect deeply to their region, channeling intimate vineyard knowledge into each wine they produce.

Under the guidance of winemaker Jay Buoncristiani, each vineyard’s distinct voice is showcased brilliantly. His expert hand ensures that every element, from vibrant fruit to finely integrated tannins, aligns harmoniously, creating depth and perfect equilibrium. 

Buoncristiani has honed a signature style for more than twenty-five years, masterfully blending concentration and elegance to craft wines of profound texture and captivating allure. The 2021 O.P.C., sourced from some of Napa’s most revered vineyards, stands proudly among its predecessors, a stunning 95-point testament to bold, richly textured winemaking. 

Buoncristiani
O.P.C. 2021
Napa Valley Red
Retails at: $75

Your Price: Insider Club Members Only

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“The 2021 Red Wine O.P.C., Buoncristiani’s blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah and Merlot, is superb. Another rich wine in this range, the 2021 hits the palate with dense dark fruit, chocolate, graphite, leather, spice, plum and lavender. This rich, inky wine will delight Buoncristiani fans.”

95 Points

2023 Luna Gaia Agramante Grillo Sicily, Italy

2023 Luna Gaia Agramante Grillo Sicily, Italy

with No Comment $30 and underItalyKevin VogtProprietary White

Luna Gaia

Agramante Grillo
Sicily, Italy 2023

2023 Luna Gaia Agramante Grillo Sicily, Italy

Luna Gaia 2023 Agramante Grillo brings a vibrant expression of Sicily’s sun-kissed terroir, effortlessly fusing varietal purity, captivating minerality, and the soulful traditions of its island birthplace. Born from a collaboration between Cantina Orsogna and the biodynamic BioGaia collective, the wine’s artistic label celebrates Sicily’s renowned puppet theater with a nod to a culture where storytelling and viticulture intertwine.

Rooted in the fertile soils of the Valle del Belice, where volcanic earth meets cooling Mediterranean breezes, the biodynamically farmed vineyards impart a crystalline sense of place to this remarkable wine. The vineyard’s unique microclimate ensures a wine filled with bracing freshness, vibrant acidity, and mineral-laced clarity that dances effortlessly across the palate.

Unoaked yet profoundly nuanced, the 2023 Agramante Grillo enchants with crisp citrus, whispers of oyster shells, and an intriguing, stony spine. Its freshness and remarkable drinkability make it an approachable and engaging wine. As invigorating as a Mediterranean breeze, this vintage beckons you to savor the hidden treasures of Sicily, leaving an impression that is both lasting and delicious.

Luna Gaia
Agramante Grillo
Sicily, Italy 2023

Your Price: $24

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“The Luna Gaia 2023 Agramante Grillo from Sicily presents a beautiful nose featuring aromas of honeysuckle, orange blossoms, dried apricots, pears, pineapple, and browned butter with sage. On the palate, the wine has a succulent texture that coats the palate with bright stone fruit flavors, hints of tropical fruits and spices, and a long, complex finish. This wine is decadent and fun at the same time, showcasing the variety and Sicilian wine.”

94 Points

2023 Pierre Guillemont Bourgogne Cote d'Or Burgundy France

2023 Pierre Guillemont Bourgogne Cote d’Or Burgundy France

with No Comment $40-$50BurgandyFranceKevin VogtPinot Noir

Pierre Guillemot

Bourgogne Côte d’Or
Burgundy, France 2023

2023 Pierre Guillemont Bourgogne Cote d'Or Burgundy France

Domaine Pierre Guillemot’s 2023 Bourgogne Côte d’Or is a luminous expression of Pinot Noir where tradition and terroir converge. The wine presents a striking clarity and purity of fruit, enhanced by a lively brightness that encapsulates the spirit of Burgundy’s Côte d’Or. Rich yet light, expressive yet restrained, this wine embodies the character of Pinot Noir perfectly.

The Guillemot family, stewards of their land, practice organic viticulture and holds the prestigious Haute Valeur Environnementale certification. Their commitment ensures each vine flourishes in soils of limestone and clay, imparting complexity, nuance, and a vibrant lift to every grape.

Through partial whole-cluster fermentation, the Guillemot brothers extract exceptional freshness and floral notes from each cluster. These meticulous techniques result in a wine that reflects its terroir and the family’s passion, making Burgundy’s celebrated elegance accessible. The 2023 Domaine Pierre Guillemot Bourgogne Côtes d’Or Red Burgundy is a vivid, unforgettable invitation to experience the true spirit of Burgundy.

Pierre Guillemot
Bourgogne Côte d’Or
Burgundy, France 2023

Your Price: $45

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“This 2023 Bourgogne Côte d’Or Rouge from Domaine Pierre Guillemot is a vibrant expression of Pinot Noir. The nose is inviting and complex, with bright red cherries, complemented by notes of cola bean and mandarin peel. Subtle hints of fresh mushrooms and English roses add depth, while a touch of crushed flint provides a distinctive mineral edge. On the palate, the wine is vibrant and penetrating, with red fruits and berries that are fresh, concentrated, and beautifully balanced. Liquid minerals add complexity, while the ripe, fleshy fruit ensures a satisfying and mouth-filling texture. The dance of fruit and minerality creates a harmonious whole, making this a delightful and authentic representation of the region.”

93 Points