98 points

2019 Pym-Rae Red Blend

Jeb Dunnuck, Jeb Dunnuck, May 2023

“The 2019 Château Pym-Rae is a textbook Mount Veeder Cabernet with its exotic red, blue, and black fruits as well as complex notes of mountain scrub brush, lavender, tobacco, and lead pencil. Hitting the palate with full-bodied richness, it has a layered, elegant mouthfeel, ultra-fine yet substantial tannins, and a great finish. It's one of those iron fist in a velvet glove type wines that will benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and shine over the following two decades.”

96 points

2014 Rare Millésimé Rosé

Jeb Dunnuck, Jeb Dunnuck, November 2023

“The 14th vintage of Rare, the 2014 Champagne Millésime Rosé has 9 grams per liter dosage, and most of the Pinot Noir in it comes from Verzy, with the red wine coming from Les Ricey. Pouring a brilliant orange/pink hue, the wine is juicy and fresh with aromas of wild strawberry tart, graham, blood orange, and a hint of cardamom. Medium to full-bodied, its mousse is inviting and adds just a hint of spice character, with notes of grapefruit pith on the finish. A bit more reserved on opening, it will benefit with more time to open and show its best, but it has a very attractive structure. Drink 2025-2040.”

95 points

2022 M. Chapoutier La Bernardine Blanc

Jeb Dunnuck, Jeb Dunnuck, October 2023

“Mostly Clairette (there's 20% Grenache Blanc), the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape La Bernardine Blanc has a gorgeous array of ripe pears, honeyed tangerines, white flowers, and a wonderful sense of stony minerality. This all carries to a medium to full-bodied, richly textured, and flawlessly balanced white with integrated acidity and outstanding length.”

91 points

2022 Mathilde Chapoutier Selection Côtes de Provence Sainte-Victoire AURISSO

Jeb Dunnuck, Jeb Dunnuck, October 2023

“Coming from the limestone and clay soils of the Sainte Victoire appellation, the 2022 Côtes De Provence Sainte Victoire Aurisso (50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and the rest Cinsault and Rolle) has pretty strawberry and white flowers notes to go with a medium-bodied, fresh, focused, beautifully balanced style. As with the other releases from Mathilde, this is named after a dominant wind in Provence.”

89 points

2022 M. Chapoutier Belleruche Rouge

Jeb Dunnuck, Jeb Dunnuck, October 2023

“Black raspberries, juicy cherries, peppery garrigue, and violet notes all emerge from Chapoutier's 2022 Côtes Du Rhône Belleruche, a medium-bodied, fleshy, balanced, straight-up delicious Côtes Du Rhône to drink over the coming 4-6 years or so.”

89 points

2022 M. Chapoutier Belleruche Blanc

Jeb Dunnuck, Jeb Dunnuck, October 2023

“The 2022 Côtes Du Rhône Belleruche Blanc brings more richness and depth, with beautiful orchard fruits, some tangerine, flower oil, and honeysuckle notes, medium body, and a rounded, layered mouthfeel. It will be incredibly versatile on the dinner table. The blend is 60% Roussanne, 20% Viognier, and the rest Grenache Blanc and Clairette.”

89 points

2022 M. Chapoutier Belleruche Rosé

Jeb Dunnuck, Jeb Dunnuck, October 2023

“The 2022 Côtes Du Rhône Belleruche Rosé has a lighter pink hue as lively strawberry and white flower aromatics in a medium-bodied, light, refreshing, and delicious style.”

91 points

2020 Donnafugata Isolano Dolce&Gabbana

Danielle Callegari, Wine Enthusiast, August 2023

“A blend of light, bright citrus and sun-warmed stones contrasts the indulgent, floral aromas of almond flowers and marzipan on the nose with the same play among lemon and almond and volcanic soil on the palate.”

96 points

2020 Isole e Olena 'Cepparello' Toscana IGT

Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator, October 2023

“Expressive and sumptuous from the get-go, this red features cherry, strawberry, rose, orange peel, mineral and Tuscan herb aromas and flavors. Sangiovese. Best from 2025 through 2045. 4,800 cases made, 800 cases imported.”

93+ points

Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel Blanc de Noirs

Audrey Frick, Jeb Dunnuck, November 2023

“The first launch for this wine, the NV Champagne Essentiel Blanc De Noirs Extra Brut is 80% Pinot Noir with the rest Meunier and comes from sustainable grapes. It doesn’t include any reserve wine, so it’s entirely from the 2019 vintage, and moving forward, Boutillat will begin to introduce a new solera to go into this cuvée, coming from 10 different villages across the region. A bright straw hue, the wine opens to a delicate smoky lift with fresh notes of orange citrus, blackberry, and flowers. The palate is pure and fantastic, with distilled black fruit, a fresh, chalky texture, and an elegant, fluffy mouse as well as a well-rounded purity of fruit through the mid-palate. A great first vintage for this wine, it has a lot of charm now and will age gracefully over the coming 10-12 years. It’s a wonderful gateway into Blanc de Noir, a category that should be more prized”

92 points

Piper-Heidsieck Brut Rosé

Audrey Frick, Jeb Dunnuck, November 2023

“With the 2018 vintage as its base, the NV Champagne Sauvage Rosé is salmon-colored with a copper tinge. Historically, this cuvée poured a very deep color, but they have dialed back on the color and the power, working toward a more refined and elegant style. This edition is a silky expression with attractive ripe, fresh red berries, roses, and croissants. Rounded, with a refined mousse that enhances the creamy texture, it offers notes of fresh apricot and juicy tangerine fruit on the finish. It’s approachable now but should age gracefully over the coming 10-15 years. Drink 2024-2040”

94 points

2018 M. Chapoutier Chante-Alouette Blanc

Anna-Christina Cabrales, Wine Enthusiast, December 2023

“An array of complex layers lure you into the glass: an orchard of apple and pear, fresh lemon zest, quince, squeeze of fresh pineapple, yellow lily and marzipan, underpinned with raw almond. The palate is complex with an intense layer of stone topped with jackfruit, lemongrass and honeysuckle. Cellar well through 2030+ or enjoy now with rich spicy dishes. — Anna-Christina Cabrales”

92 points

Charles Heidsieck Rosé Réserve

Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator, November 2023

“This fresh rosé Champagne is framed by pink grapefruit peel acidity, showing good concentration without excessive weight. Offers a finely knit range of cantaloupe, peach skin, brioche and fleur de sel flavors. Long, creamy finish. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. Disgorged 2022. Drink now through 2026. 675 cases imported.”

92 points

Piper Sonoma Brut

Jim Gordon, Wine Enthusiast, December 2023

“Like its rosé sibling, this new release is an overperformer. An elegant feel and subtle citrus, toast and mineral flavors add up to a bottle of bubbles with finesse. Tiny, slow bubbles and a light but tangy texture carry the delicate flavors beautifully on the palate and through the lingering finish.”

93 points

Piper Sonoma Brut Rosé

Jim Gordon, Wine Enthusiast, December 2023

“EDITOR'S CHOICE
Lively, lasting pinpoint bubbles and a light salmon color are followed by a complex mix of tangy fruits, toast and minerals in this concentrated and complete wine. Suave but crisp in mouthfeel, imbued with subtle peach and apricot flavors, this wine is something to be savored.”

93 points

Piper Sonoma Brut Reserve

Jim Gordon, Wine Enthusiast, December 2023

“EDITOR'S CHOICE
Wafting orange pith, tangerine and white raspberries, this light salmon-hued wine pops nervy raspberries, cranberries and lime zest on the palate for a tangy, refreshing and dry expression that is mouthwatering. It is light, lean and elegant, best for educated palates”

#9 in Top 100 100 points

Charles Heidsieck Champagne Charlie

Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, December 2023

“The return with a new iteration of this iconic Champagne, first produced in the 1980s, and named after Charles Heidsieck, one of the great Champagne promoters of the 19th century, is to be welcomed. The wine itself lives up to the bill-ing of its history, rich in the house style and with just a hint of maturity. This great wine, still full of white fruits, has so many years ahead. The wine is likely to mature gently for a decade at least. Cellar Selection.”

91 points

2021 M. Chapoutier Les Meysonniers Rouge

James Suckling, James Suckling, May 2023

“A fruity and delicate red with sour cherries, blueberries, violets, black pepper and hints of smoke. Medium-bodied with finely grained tannins. Precise and fresh with crunchy berries towards the salivating finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”

91 points

2021 M. Chapoutier La Combe Pilate Viognier

James Suckling, James Suckling, May 2023

“Here’s a very good introduction to the viognier whites. Full peach and apricot aromas are married to a generous body and lively acidity. Some positive tannins at the finish. Grown at 250 meters altitude on a site that faces west with sandy granitic soil with a bit of loess. Vinified in stainless steel with sur lie aging. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold”

90 points

2022 M. Chapoutier Belleruche Rouge

James Suckling, James Suckling, May 2023

“Plenty of crunchy red berries and cherries on the nose with dark cherries, dried thyme and peppercorns. Medium body with firm tannins. Juicy fruit at the center with structure and a vibrant core of peppercorns to the finish. Drink now.”