Yangarra Estate Hickinbotham Clarendon Grenache 2019
Our first release of this wine and the only wine we make that is not sourced from the Yangarra Estate. We felt with Grenache being our specialty that this small plot (0.9 ha) of Grenache planted in 1962 is incredibly well-suited to our portfolio of single block wines. Hand-picked on the 9th of March and mechanically berry sorted, 100% destemmed, crushed and then tipped into 1800 L ‘cocciopesto’ stone egg-shaped amphoras. The fermentation occurred in the amphoras, with a gentle maceration of only wetting the cap, and remained on skins for 90 days. No pressings are used in this wine. Matured exclusively in the amphora for a further 8 months.
Hand-picked fruit is destemmed and fermented in 1800L egg-shaped amphorae, remaining on skins for 90 days. It then remains in the amphorae for a further 8 months. The resulting Grenache adds another exceptional expression to Yangarra’s stable. It holds great fruit purity and intensity, concentration, and a refreshing line of acidity.
Yangarra Noir 2021
Grenache is the emerging hero variety of McLaren Vale. Traditional blends of Grenache from the region focused on the varieties Grenache (G), Shiraz (S) and Mourvedre (M), and thus the term GSM. For many years in the old-world Grenache had many more blending partners. In France, namely the Sourthern Rhone, it can be blended with Cinsaut, Counouise, Picpoul Noir, Muscardin. In Priorat Spain, with Carignan. We started planting some of these obscure Southern Rhone and Priorat varieties in 2008 which has culminated in our first Noir blend being produced.
Many of these varieties, including Grenache, have a blanc (white), gris (grey) and noir (black) expression of the variety, which lead to calling this the Noir. Kept on lees in 100% older French oak for 6 months after fermentation.
VARIETY: 45% Grenache, 19% Mourvédre, 19% Carignan, 12% Shiraz, 4% Cinsaut, 1% Counoise
"A bright assemblage of fresh red-fruit aromas and flavors with crisp, easygoing texture and a neat, succulent finish. 62% grenache, 15% shiraz, 12% mourvedre, 6% carignan, 3% cinsault and 2% counoise. Drink now. Screw cap." - 91 points, James Suckling
Chateau Gouprie Pomerol 2019
Chateau Gourprie owned by the Moze Berthon family since 1820, is a charming little estate situated at Maillet, neighbouring Château Gazin, l'Evangile and Le Bon Pasteur.
This vineyard is composed of 4.5 hectares laying on a superb clay-limestone and ferruginous subsoil typical of the Pomerol area. Since 2014 Hubert de Boüard (Chateau Angelus) is the wine consultant as well as Chateau Maillet the other Pomerol jewel of the Moze-Berthon family.
Carmin color with beautiful depth. Complex nose, expressing ripe red fruit (crushed strawberry), vanilla and torrefaction. In the mouth the texture is silky and tannins express finesse and balance. The mouth evolution is long and harmonious with notes licorice and tobacco.
Varietals: 75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc
Beronia Crianza 2020
A deep, cherry red colour with a bright garnet edge. Complex on the nose with distinct aromas of cherry and raspberry and threads of rosemary and thyme. This Crianza is full of fresh, ripe berry fruits flavours with hints of sweet baking spices. Full-bodied with a long, balanced finish.
Serve between 15 and 17ºC. The perfect accompaniment to roases, chargrilled chops, cured meat and mature cheeses.
Recommended for drinking up to 2028.
This wine is suitable for vegans.
Chateau Malartic Lagraviere Blanc 2017
The white wines present exceptional quality. The cool August produced superbly balanced grapes, highlighting their aromatic profiles.
For the whites, the aromatic profiles are superb; the wines show a crisp line of acidity, good tightness and a pleasant sappiness, with plenty of fruit and a good quality framework.
80% Sauvignon, 20% Sémillon
“Attractive, fresh-lemon and grassy nuances with wild herbs and slightly flinty elements, too. The palate has such intense and fresh acidity. Fine lemons and limes and a thrillingly dry, long finish. ” – Janvier at James Suckling
Coup de Foudre Les Bouquinistes 2020
Les Bouquinistes 2020 is a field blend composed of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc from our Calistoga, Napa Valley vineyards.
We produced just shy of 500 cases of this vintage.
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc
"Aromas of currants, orange peel, dark plums and hints of vanilla. Some bark. Medium-bodied with juicy flavors and a light bark and stem undertone. 24% petite sirah, 20% merlot, 20% cabernet franc, 18% syrah, 10% malbec, and 8% cabernet sauvignon. Delicious for early drinking. Drink now." - James Sucking, 91 points
We are excited about this offer; and the amazing story told by our featured author will move you to your core. Our goal is to produce a stunning Napa Valley wine while promoting the missions of our esteemed authors and generating much-needed awareness and funding for worthy charities throughout the world. Each vintage celebrates an author who exemplifies unwavering commitment to social justice. Past vintages have featured a wide range of scribes, including Nicolas Kristoff of The New York Times, Pulitzer-prize winner Tracy Kidder, Jacqueline Novogratz and Patricia McCormick. These collaborations have raised more than $100,000 to benefit charities in Cambodia, Africa, Nepal and other developing countries.
I AM A GIRL FROM AFRICA
We are excited about this offer; and the amazing story told by our featured author will move you to your core. Our goal is to produce a stunning Napa Valley wine while promoting the missions of our esteemed authors and generating much-needed awareness and funding for worthy charities throughout the world. Each vintage celebrates an author who exemplifies unwavering commitment to social justice. Past vintages have featured a wide range of scribes, including Nicolas Kristoff of The New York Times, Pulitzer-prize winner Tracy Kidder, Jacqueline Novogratz and Patricia McCormick. These collaborations have raised more than $100,000 to benefit charities in Cambodia, Africa, Nepal and other developing countries.
Read more...
Les Bouquinistes 2020 Chapter Six features Elizabeth Nyamayaro’s I Am A Girl From Africa. It is a remarkable story of what is possible when girls are given an equal right to quality education. When Elizabeth was only eight years old a severe drought decimated the crops in her agricultural village in Zimbabwe. After months of hunger and malnourishment, she found herself alone, face down under a tree in a parched field, too weak to move. Incredibly, a UN aid worker found her, gave her food, and saved her life. This was a transformative moment for Elizabeth; it inspired her to dedicate her life to uplifting her community, her continent and now the world. As Elizabeth grew into a teenager and then a young adult, attending school intermittently when she wasn’t needed to help “find money,” she never lost sight of this goal. She was grounded by the African concept of Ubuntu: I am because we are. And because we are, you are! With the support of her community — and exceptional drive and perseverance — Elizabeth overcame crushing obstacles and eventually served as a senior advisor to the United Nations where she launched HeForShe, one of the world’s largest global solidarity movements for gender equality. She has chosen that the proceeds from the sale of this wine will benefit globalgirlsglow.org. Global G.L.O.W. is an organization that mentors girls to advocate for themselves and make their communities stronger. Their after-school programs in 23 countries, including the United States, seek to ignite the power of girls as a force for global transformation. Your contributions will continue to deliver the important message of hope, community support and interdependence to girls and women all over the world.
Amuse Bouche Prêt à Boire Rosé 2021
Made in the southern French style, the 2021 Prêt à Boire Rosé is a Grenache and Syrah blend. Pale salmon pink in color, it offers beautiful aromas of potpourri, raspberry tart and fresh cherries, with hints of baking spices and cracked black pepper. It remains the only rosé produced in the US that garners 90+ point ratings from all the top wine critics.
Some of you may not be aware that the world lost George Rodrigue on December 14, 2013. He was 69 years old. George, and his wife Wendy, have been dear friends of ours since 2005 when we initially commissioned George to paint a "blue dog" for our 2006 Amuse Bouche release. A native of Louisiana, George launched his painting career in the 1960s. He was not only a magnificent artist; George was a true community leader, philanthropist and advocate of arts education, inspiring a new generation of artists through the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts.
"Cherry-colored rosé with aromas of plum stones, raspberries, watermelon, sweet spices and dried flowers. Medium-to full-bodied with bright acidity and just a hint of tannin texture. Dry. Grenache and syrah. Drink now."
- James Suckling, October 2021
Louis M. Martini Lot 1 2018
Winemaker Notes
Our concept of small-lot winemaking dates back to 1948 when Louis M. Martini began ranking his most exceptional Cabernet lots to use for a special selection blend. We honor this attention to detail with every vintage we make, fermenting Lot No. 1 in small open-top tanks, which allow for a high level of precision when extracting color and flavor. All lots were alternately punched down and pumped over up to four times daily to build the desired foundation for the wine’s mouthfeel. Our barrel program for Lot No. 1 is also unique, with the primary component being 36-month air dried French oak. This longer drying time encourages rich tannin structure throughout the duration of the wine’s 19 months in barrel (83% new).
Nose: The 2018 Lot No. 1 vintage showcases enticing aromas of wild blackberries, cocoa and toasted oak supported by notes of brown spice and humidor.
Palate: The rich, plush palate boasts flavors of shaved chocolate and reduced blackberry compote with hints of cinnamon. The long finish reveals classic oak character and plush tannins.
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
"This has a frankly toasty note overlaying rich cassis, plum and boysenberry compote flavors, while licorice root, loam and roasted mesquite notes fill in on the finish. Not shy in the muscular approach. For fans of the style. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 2,149 cases made." - 94 points, James Molesworth, Senior Editor and Special Projects Director at Wine Spectator
Veramonte Chardonnay 2022
CHARDONNAY | 2022
CASABLANCA VALLEY
BRIGHT • LUSCIOUS • SMOOTH
Fresh and expressive aromas of pear, quince, and lemon curd, interwoven with toasty oak notes. On the palate, vibrant purity of the fruit, with a beautiful texture and depth that leads to a memorable long finish. A very expressive and elegant wine.
This vintage in Casablanca presented good conditions starting in spring, setting us up for excellent flowering and fruit set. Harvest began the last week of February, which was slightly delayed from what we had planned. However, things sped up and we had a very good ripening curve, especially at the end of the season. This year, the first varieties to be harvested were Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, having received very good temperatures from October onwards.
This Chardonnay is silky and mineral and is without a doubt an elegant and expressive wine.
Recommended Serving Temperature: 12ºC
Food Pairing: Seafood, Chicken Salad
"A pure chardonnay here with some wet stones, green pineapples and lime. Nice texture on the crisp, linear palate. A nice attack of fresh acidity and an alkaline, chalky finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink now." - 90 points, James Suckling
Beronia Verdejo Rueda 2021
Colour: Bright, pale yellow colour with hints of green
Aroma: Intensely aromatic, the wine displays notes of citrus and white fruit, together with herbaceous aromas such as fennel.
Palate: Crisp and fresh, a chilled glass of our Verdejo is always a great choice. Elegantly textured with ripe, white peach and melon with threads of fresh, fennel herbs.
Varietals: 100% Verdejo
Food Pairing: Fish, White Meat, Pasta, Rice Dishes, Cheese
"Attractive white almonds, lemon zest and chalky stones on the nose, followed by a fresh, bone-dry palate with some stony lemon fruit in a chalky texture. A very well-made verdejo that will have gastronomic appeal. Vegan. Chill it and drink now. Screw cap." - 91 points, James Suckling 
Chateau de Pommard Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2020
Organic certified (AB). Hand-harvested grapes, hand-sorted on a vibrating table. 40% whole-cluster, placed into stainless steel fermentation vats by gravity flow. Weeks-long maceration, minimal pumping-over and punching-down. Pressing in pneumatic press. Placed in French oak barrels for aging on fine lees.
With a deep ruby color, our Burgundy Pinot Noir 2020 expresses captivating aromas of black fruits, and floral notes such as peony and violet. The palate is dense and structured, with soft tannins. The finish is fresh and vibrant, with a pleasantly refreshing minty note.
Maturation: 16 months in 20% new French oak barrels
Production: 3400 bottles
Food Pairing: Beef, Veal, Game (deer, venison), Poultry
Arnaldo Rivera Barolo DOCG Undicicomuni 2018
Ruby red with garnet shades. The nose is elegant, with notes of cherry, plum and rose, followed by violet, berries, tobacco, cinnamon, licorice and vanilla. On the palate it is balanced, intense and with a pleasant freshness.
Serving temperature: 18/20 °C
"Quite dense and loamy on the nose with hints of dried red fruit and spice. Medium to full body and firm, fruit-coated tannins. Lots of energy and drive on the palate, giving a long, long finish. Give this plenty of time to unravel. Best from 2024." - 92 points, James Suckling