star rating: Five Stars (92-100)

Domaine Etienne Daulny Sauvignon Blanc 2022

93
Domaine Etienne Daulny
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2022
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Sancerre
Retail Price: $29.00

Tasting Notes: This sancerre has an amazing balance of acidity and minerality with subtle notes of melon and pineapple. The elegant layers of flavor do not disappoint from the beginning to the end.
Domaine Etienne Daulny Sauvignon Blanc 2022

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I Veroni Sangiovese Riserva 2020

94
I Veroni
Fanciful Name: Riserva
Varietal: Sangiovese
Vintage: 2020
Country of Origin: Italy
Appellation: Chianti Rùfina
Retail Price: $44.00

Tasting Notes: This elegant chianti is thoughtfully balanced. The velvety mouthfeel of fruit and structure conducts a symphony of flavors across your palate. Every note is controlled and perfect positioned for flavor and experience.
I Veroni Sangiovese Riserva 2020

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Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Blend Cuvée Brut

95
Piper-Heidsieck
Fanciful Name: Cuvée Brut
Varietal: Champagne Blend
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Champagne
Retail Price: $70.00

Tasting Notes: Reflecting the house style, this blend of wines produced from multiple parcels providing a cross section of the region's terroir, the wine is brilliant pale gold in the glass, with a fine and persistent mousse. The extended bottle aging provides multiple layers of tree fruit and toasted nuts. In the mouth, it is supple and lively. A great example of an attractive house style, from one of the region's leading producers.
Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Blend Cuvée Brut

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San Felice Red Bordeaux Blend Vigorello 2019

95
San Felice
Fanciful Name: Vigorello
Varietal: Red Bordeaux Blend
Vintage: 2019
Country of Origin: Italy
Appellation: Toscana IGT
Retail Price: $57.99

Tasting Notes: From one of the pioneers of the Supertuscan movement, the usual, regional blend is augmented and elevated by the use of pugnitello, a native variety that contributes complexity and structure to the wine. Intensely dark ruby in the glass, the nose and palate both reflect the dark red fruit, with spice and a subtle floral character. Wonderfully flexible in terms of the wide range of dishes that the wine complements.
San Felice Red Bordeaux Blend Vigorello 2019

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Xavier Grenache Rouge  2020

95
Xavier
Fanciful Name: Rouge 
Varietal: Grenache
Vintage: 2020
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Chateauneuf du Pape
Retail Price: $68.99

Tasting Notes: A lovely example of what one of the Rhône Valley's top appellations is capable of producing. A bright saturated purple in the glass, the nose and palate are highlighted by berry and cherry fruit, with hints of spice. The palate reflects the nose, with warmth and spice, in addition to the exquisite red fruit.
Xavier Grenache Rouge  2020

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Bodegas Muriel Tempranillo Reserva 2018

96
Bodegas Muriel
Fanciful Name: Reserva
Varietal: Tempranillo
Vintage: 2018
Country of Origin: Spain
Appellation: Rioja
Retail Price: $19.99

Tasting Notes: Tempranillo is developing a huge following around the world, but the easiest way is to go to the source in the famed Rioja region. Sourcing from the famed Alavesa region, this family-owned vineyard hand-harvests their fruit, and follows the strict guidelines for the Riserva designation (24 months in oak/12 months in bottle). Robust red coloring leads to notes of coffee, vanilla and rich red fruits. Over-delivers for the money!
Bodegas Muriel Tempranillo Reserva 2018

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Quinta de Ventozelo Touriga Franca

96
Quinta de Ventozelo
Varietal: Touriga Franca
Country of Origin: Portugal
Appellation: Douro
Retail Price: $25.00

Tasting Notes: A wonderful example of a wine produced from a variety that deserves much more attention and respect. Deep and brilliant ruby/garnet in the glass, the entrancing nose of elegant black fruit and spice is attractive and alluring. In the mouth, the wine is supple with an underlying power, showcasing its potential for aging. At this price point, it's a superb value.
Quinta de Ventozelo Touriga Franca

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Georges Cartier Champagne Blend Tradition Brut

96
Georges Cartier
Fanciful Name: Tradition Brut
Varietal: Champagne Blend
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Champagne
Retail Price: $61.00

Tasting Notes: With a majority of the wine produced using pinot meunier, the fruit really shines in this outstanding example of high-quality Champagne. Brilliant pale gold, with a fine and delicate mousse, the nose and palate showcase the superb fruit, as well as the extended aging in bottle. Complexity and lovely fruit are the dominant aspects of this superb sparkler.
Georges Cartier Champagne Blend Tradition Brut

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Herdade do Rocim Red Blend Rocim Clay Aged Tinto

96
Herdade do Rocim
Fanciful Name: Rocim Clay Aged Tinto
Varietal: Red Blend
Country of Origin: Portugal
Appellation: Alentejo
Retail Price: $63.99

Tasting Notes: A very-modern wine, produced using ancient techniques. After crushing, the wine is aged for over a year in clay containers, which contributes to the wine's smooth texture, along with weight on the palate, allowing the red fruits prevalent on the nose to echo on the palate. Lovely now, worthy of some aging.
Herdade do Rocim Red Blend Rocim Clay Aged Tinto

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Donnafugata Nero d’Avola Mille e una notte 2019

97
Donnafugata
Fanciful Name: Mille e una notte
Varietal: Nero d'Avola
Vintage: 2019
Country of Origin: Italy
Appellation: Sicilia
Retail Price: $91.00

Tasting Notes: Intense ruby color in the glass, the nose is complex, with notes of black and red fruits, enhanced by hints of bright spice and vanilla tones. In the mouth, the extended finish is previewed by accessible dark fruit with excellent texture and volume. Absolutely stunning.
Donnafugata Nero d’Avola Mille e una notte 2019

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Quinta do Crasto Touriga Nacional 2016

97
Quinta do Crasto
Varietal: Touriga Nacional
Vintage: 2016
Country of Origin: Portugal
Appellation: Douro
Retail Price: $79.00

Tasting Notes: Exceptionally dense bright purple in the glass, the nose is dominated by dark berry fruit, with a subtle floral hint. Lush and weighty on the palate, with rich fruit and tannins, the finish lingers and lingers. Delicious now, it's also a great candidate for aging.
Quinta do Crasto Touriga Nacional 2016

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Caymus Vineyards Pinot Noir 1858 2020

92
Caymus Vineyards
Fanciful Name: 1858
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2020
Country of Origin: USA
Appellation: Monterey
Retail Price: $29.99

Tasting Notes: Monterey County's mix of warm sun and cool fog produce grapes that are incredibly high quality for the price point, and this wine is no exception. This wine delivers an elegant combination of juicy plum mixed with cinnamon and spices. It compliments everything from a dinner party cheese plate to the cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving turkey.
Caymus Vineyards Pinot Noir 1858 2020

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