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Finding a properly aged Montepulciano d'Abruzzo of this pedigree is a rare thrill. While visiting one of the region’s most historic, traditional estates—a family famous for holding their top wines back for a decade or more before release—I was offered a tiny allocation of this magnificent 2011 from their personal library. The 2011 vintage was warm and generous, yielding a wine of immense concentration that has now softened into absolute elegance after years of perfect cellaring. The nose is incredibly complex, offering layers of baked blackberry, dried plum, cured tobacco, leather, and a signature hint of dark cocoa. On the palate, the once-massive tannins have melted into a velvety, seamless texture, carrying savory notes of balsamic and earth through a remarkably long, persistent finish. It is a profound, soul-stirring expression of mature Abruzzo that is fully ready to drink tonight, offering an unforgettable experience of aged Italian wine without the typical premium.

Amarone della Valpolicella is made from grapes dried before fermentation, a traditional process known as appassimento. The Classico designation on Villalta’s 2017 “XIX” identifies its origins in Valpolicella’s historic production zone northwest of Verona, connecting this Veneto red to a more narrowly defined area within the wider appellation.

For over a decade now, I have received more emails about the Petroni rosé than any other wine in the category. "When does the new vintage arrive?" Well, it's finally here, and once again, it does not disappoint. The 2025 release is generous and expressive, showcasing notes of nectarine, passion fruit, and wild strawberry. A kiss of salinity and vibrant acidity provide balance and freshness. While unmistakably character-driven, it remains effortlessly approachable, always inviting another return to the glass. The only time I've visited Corsica, a stop at Petroni's vineyards was high on my list. Perched above the nearby lagoon, the vineyards overlooked the water on a damp, cool day just after harvest. Everything was still green and lush, and the beauty of the site left a lasting impression. That trip remains one of my favorite sourcing experiences, and Petroni continues to stand among my most rewarding discoveries. Year after year, this rosé reminds me exactly why.

The Hillfighter, a “second label” from WeatherEye, is mostly Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon, with 24% Syrah and 7% Tempranillo. I loved how its dried blueberry, worn saddle leather and graphite aromas reminded me of a mature Bordeaux. The wine's flavors of black cherry are ably backed by fine-grained tannins. *Editors' Choice*

Focused herbal, wild black fruit and tobacco nose. The youthful palate is poised and approachable with a soft texture, high tannins and brisk acidity. It has an intensity of flavour in the mouth and an energetic, impressively long, finish. A very accomplished expression of Graciano. The value here is superb! *Platinum Medal 2022 Decanter World Wine Awards*

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 1997 Sandeman Late Bottled Vintage Port. Sandeman started in 1790 with George Sandeman, a Scott who set up a wine merchant business in London specializing in Port and Sherry. Today the Sandeman portfolio includes Port, Sherry, and Madeira. Robert Parker for the Wine Advocate had this to say about the historic producer: "Sandeman is one of the biggest and most conspicuous of the port houses, with extensive interests in the sherry business as well. They advertise significantly and their products are well-represented in virtually every American marketplace. The quality is quite good given the quantity of wine produced."

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 1977 Fonseca Vintage Port (100JS, 100WS, 95JG). James Suckling: "I found a bottle of 1977 Fonseca in my cellar - probably my last. It was absolutely gorgeous. I gave this fortified wine a perfect score in its youth and I think it has finally evolved into its perfection as a mature vintage Port... This is in total balance now with such harmony. What amazing aromas of berry and flowers. Full and sweet, the tannins are complete dissolved. The fruit is perfect. This goes on for minutes. " (06/2016)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 1985 Cockburn Vintage Port (90WS). Wine Spectator: "Shows an abundance of thick, rich fruit and plenty of backbone. Very inky, dense color, with a rich, floral nose of berries and cherries. Full-bodied, medium sweet, with massive anise and cherry flavors and extremely well integrated tannins and acidity. (Web Only-1989)"

Bid on this 2-bottle tasting lot in original wood; including 1 2020 Next Of Kyn (Sine Qua Non) "Cumulus Vineyard #14" Central Coast Red Blend (1.5L) (100JD, 98VN, 97RP) and 1 2020 Next Of Kyn (Sine Qua Non) "Número Seis" Central Coast Touriga Nacional (1.5L) (100RP, 99VN, 98JD). Of the 2020 Next Of Kyn (Sine Qua Non) "Cumulus Vineyard #14" Red Blend (1.5L), Jeb Dunnuck writes: "Lastly, and a perfect wine if there ever was one, the 2020 No 14 Cumulus Vineyard comes all from the estate Cumulus Vineyard in Oak View... Aged 30 months in just 23% new French oak, it just about jumps out of the glass with its ripe blackberries, spice, leather, sandalwood, and peppery, savory herb-driven aromas and flavors. With full-bodied richness and depth, building, velvety tannin, a stacked mid-palate, and awesome length on the finish, it's a wine I wish I could pour for every reader, it's that singular and impressive..." (08/2023)

Bid on this magnum of 1983 Graham's Vintage Port (1.5L) (96WS, 94DC, 92RP). Wine Spectator: "Dark color, with intense aromas of blackberry, licorice and hints of flowers. Full-bodied, lightly sweet, with superrefined tannins. Long and caressing. Very youthful. Will improve for a long time. This is really excellent. Always has been. Just starting to come around. " (02/2008)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 1977 Dow's "Silver Jubilee" Vintage Port (97JS, 93RP, 92WS). James Suckling: "This is really glorious and refined, offering a polished and creamy texture. Complex aromas and flavors with cream, dried fruit and nuts. Medium body. Very beautiful. A refined and glorious 1977 now. Real deal." (01/2017)

Bid on this magnum of 2019 Next Of Kyn (Sine Qua Non) "Numero Cinco" Central Coast Touriga Nacional (1.5L) (98RP, 98VN). Vinous: "The 2019 Touriga Nacional – Número Cinco marries textural opulence with plenty of structure. Inky dark fruit, chocolate, new leather, incense, spice and graphite infuse the 2019 with tremendous brooding intensity. I would give the 2019 at least a few years in bottle to come together as it is incredibly primary. (AG)" (06/2022)

Bid on this 4-bottle lot of 2002 Arietta "Variation One" Napa Valley Red Blend (95RP, 93ST). Wine Advocate: "The stunning 2002 Variation One (70% Merlot and 30% Syrah) exhibits an exotic, opulent personality with a deep purple color, and sweet aromas of cocoa, new saddle leather, black raspberries, cassis, and acacia flowers. Full-bodied, with beautifully integrated oak (all of these wines are aged in 100% new French wood), wonderful sweetness, tremendous delineation, and laser-like clarity and transparency of character. (RP)" (02/2005)

Bid on this bottle of 1977 Warre's Vintage Port (98DC, 94JS, 93WS, 92RP). Decanter: "There is such cleanliness to the flavours and such freshness in the aromas that it’s hard to recognise this as being 50-year-old Port. The wafts of rose petals and star anise are enticing, while the integrated components are seamless and there’s significant power driving though an unusually long, unwavering palate line. With 1977 revered as one of the great Port vintages, this definitely lives up to its esteemed reputation. (DS)" (04/2024)

Bid on this 6-bottle tasting lot; including 1 2000 Francis Coppola "Diamond Collection Red Label" Zinfandel , 1 2000 Francis Ford Coppola "Diamond Collection Black Label" California Claret, 1 2001 Francis Coppola "Diamond Collection Red Label" Zinfandel , 1 2001 Francis Ford Coppola "Diamond Collection Black Label" California Claret, 1 2002 Francis Coppola "Director's Reserve" Napa Valley Zinfandel, and 1 2002 Francis Coppola California Rosso. Of the 2002 Francis Coppola California Rosso, Who cares what Dr. Atkins had to say about it? If you're like us, and you love pasta as an everyday, easy-to-make and economically sensible meal, then you'll want to stock up on this Rosso from Niebaum Coppola. Made from a blend of old-vine Zin (49%), with goodly amounts of Syrah and Cabernet, it shows aromas of currants, dark fruit and spicy clove. The blend provides for a core of dense blackberries, plum and rich mocha flavors, with a finish of subtle vanilla from brief French oak aging.

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2017 Saxum "The Hexe" Paso Robles Red Blend (99JD, 98VN, 94RP). Jeb Dunnuck: "Built around old, head-trained vines right outside the winery and 58% Grenache, 27% Mataro, 11% Petite Sirah, and the rest Tempranillo, the 2017 Hexe is another gorgeous, sexy 2017 that's a joy to drink. Offering loads of blackberries, chocolate, white pepper, black licorice, and bouquet garni-like aromas and flavors, it’s full-bodied, ultra-pure, seamless, and gorgeously put together." (09/2020)

One of the most iconic producers in Txakolina. From the importer: "Ameztoi is one of the top producers of Getariako Txakolina. They own 20 hectares of vines in the best location. From the vineyards one can see the town of St. Sebastian and understand the influence of the Atlantic Ocean on local viticulture. Made from the indigenous grape varieties of Hondarribi Zuri and its red companion Hondarribi Beltza. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and bottled with residual carbonic acid that gives the wine its natural spritz."

Susumaniello takes its name from somarello, the little donkey of Puglian dialect, because a young vine carries enormous loads of fruit before its yields collapse with age, and that temperament is precisely why the variety was abandoned for Negroamaro and Primitivo and had almost vanished from the Brindisi countryside before a handful of estates replanted it. Trullo Flaminio put in two hectares in 2016 on the same clay-and-limestone ground as its old-vine Negroamaro, near the sea along the Via Appia, so this 2020 comes from vines in their fourth leaf, the donkey at its most generous. The winemaking is simple and transparent: native-yeast fermentation in concrete, with 80% of the wine raised in concrete and 20% in used tonneaux, no new wood anywhere. 2020 was a balanced season in Salento, without 2021's drought or 2022's extreme heat, and six years in bottle have turned the grape's famous blue fruit toward something darker and more savory. In the glass, it pours an inky, nearly opaque purple with a narrow garnet rim. The nose is blueberry, black mulberry and violet, with black pepper, dried fig and a cool note of eucalyptus. On the palate it is round and juicy, with soft, velvety tannins, fresh acidity and a long, dark-fruited finish that stays clean. This is Susumaniello as a drinking wine rather than a curiosity, pure and unforced. Drink now and through 2027, with bombette from the Valle d'Itria, braciole al sugo, or burrata and a wood-fired pizza.

Pale to medium ruby-garnet hue. A very mineral nose with crushed stones, iron, some bitter oranges, wild herbs and savory berries. Huge tannins and high acidity on an austere palate with a full body and a mineral-driven finish. Lots of bones and tension here, but no heft. Drinkable now, but better in two years. A mineral and more Barolo-like Etna Rosso. (ZS)

An intense wine with vibrancy and style. On the nose it shows bright cassis, bramble fruit, eucalyptus, balsamic, graphite, minerals and hints of leather and tobacco. Soft palate with silky, velvety tannins, crisp acidity and a long, chewy, savory finish. The first vintage with 10% cabernet franc. Drink or hold. (AF)

Composed of 100% Cinsault, the 2025 Vin Vif (Union Sacre) Central Coast Cinsault underwent 20% whole-cluster, native fermentation in stainless steel. Lovingly punched down by hand twice daily, and aged in neutral puncheons for six months, only 300 cases were produced. Bright and fresh flavors of blueberry and tangy fruit leather mingle with delicate notes of black pepper. Thoughtfully made yet unpretentious, serve this with a chill without a care in the world.

You don’t have to splurge to enjoy a taste of Sicily—especially when it’s as delicious as the 2023 Làmurà Nero d’Avola, all for just $9.90! This organic Sicilian gem brings bold flavor without the bold price, making it an easy win for any wine lover looking to savor the island’s most famous red grape. Expect rich aromas of dark cherries, blackberries, and a hint of warm spices, all mingling with a subtle earthiness that transports you straight to Sicily’s rugged landscapes. On the palate, it’s smooth and juicy, with a touch of Mediterranean herbs and a finish that lingers just long enough to keep you coming back for more. Nero d’Avola thrives in Sicily’s warm climate, and Làmurà has captured that sunny energy in this bottle.

Smith Woodhouse’s 2015 Late Bottled Vintage Port was matured in wood for four years. Bottled in 2019, without any fining or filtering, it was then aged in bottle for a further six years in the Smith Woodhouse lodge in Vila Nova de Gaia, prior to release. This prolonged ageing, first in wood and then in bottle is key to the development of the rich and spice-forward aromas and flavors that give this Port a style and complexity akin to that of Vintage Port. Most LBV Ports produced today are matured exclusively in wood, filtered before bottling and placed on the market without any bottle-ageing. Smith Woodhouse’s traditional method of maturation, combining both wood and bottle-ageing, distinguishes it from most other LBV Ports currently available.

Giuseppe Quintarelli’s estate lies in the hills of Negrar, in Veneto’s Valpolicella zone. Primofiore—Italian for “first flower”—combines local Corvina and Corvinone with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, bringing together the region’s native grapes and international varieties in a distinctive expression of the estate’s range.

My favourite sub-category of tawny as this combines the freshness of youth with complexity of age: lovely reddish-tawny hue with a toffee and dried citrus character on the nose and palate, now smooth and silky with creamy texture (the concentration of age), the sweet fruit (that is the hallmark of Graham’s) offset by a streak of fresh acidity on the finish. A seamless melange of glorious flavours. (RM)

Bid on this bottle of 2012 Le Coeur (Vérité) Alexander Valley Tannat. Le Coeur Tannat is a distinctive wine produced by Pierre Seillan, the esteemed winemaker behind Vérité, as part of Jackson Family Wines. Sourced from high-elevation vineyards in Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, this wine showcases the Tannat grape, traditionally associated with France's Madiran region. Le Coeur Tannat is celebrated for its deep ruby color and complex bouquet, featuring aromas of black plum, black cherry preserves, fresh violets, and French roast coffee. On the palate, it offers a linear and racy texture, with firm tannins, high acidity, and a pronounced mineral note of wet stones, culminating in a bright, lingering finish. This wine exemplifies Seillan's dedication to crafting wines that reflect both varietal character and the unique terroir of Sonoma County.

Bid on this 2-half-bottle lot of 1997 Dal Forno Romano Recioto della Valpolicella (375ml) (98RP, 97VN), the legendary sweet red from Romano Dal Forno, the uncompromising Veneto master whose Amarone and Recioto rank among Italy’s most sought-after wines. Made from Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara grapes air-dried for up to six months and aged in French oak, it pours inky black with the thick consistency of olive oil. Wine Advocate writes: “Tones of chocolate, hickory smoke, prune, cinnamon cake, black plum, root beer, crushed granite and licorice have the bright intensity of primary colors on a painters’ wheel. The mouthfeel is solid, thickly concentrated and delightfully sweet... Almost indestructible, a wine like this will age longer than most. (ML)” (10/2013)

Bid on this 3-bottle tasting lot; including 1-bottle of Warre's "Otima" 10 Year Old Tawny Port (500ml) (91W&S, 91WS) and 2-bottles of 1997 Warre's Vintage Port (94WS, 90VN). Of the 1997 Warre's Vintage Port, Wine Spectator writes: "Dark in profile, with warm buckwheat, singed juniper and espresso notes leading off, backed by warm black currant and fig compote flavors. Has heft, but the brambly undertow is easily absorbed through the finish. Approachable, but there's no rush at all. (JM)" (02/2017)

Bid on this bottle of 2014 Cayuse "Camaspelo" Walla Walla Valley Red Blend (96RP, 95IWR, 93VN, 92WE). Wine Advocate: "The 2014 Camaspelo is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (there's a splash of Tempranillo). It offers lots of red and chocolate-covered black currants, black cherry, black olive, tobacco and leafy herbs. It shows more fruit with time in the glass, has a full-bodied, ultra-pure, layered style and plenty of fine tannin. (JD) 96+" (06/2017)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 1995 Taylor "Quinta de Vargellas" Vintage Port (94VN, 92WS, 91JG). Vinous: "Saturated ruby. Brooding blueberry, cassis, licorice and mineral nose complicated by a whiff of smoked meat; easy to pick out as Taylor in a blind grouping. Very concentrated, palate-saturating black cherry and black raspberry flavor. Thick and round but vibrant and delineated. Impressive extract. Explosive finishing fruit goes on and on. A very powerful port, but much more accessible early than a classic vintage Taylor. (ST)" (03/1998)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 1994 Dow's Vintage Port (99DC, 97WS, 96RP). Decanter: "This was my pick of the vintage when it was first declared in 1996, and nearly 30 years later I feel fully justified in recommending it again. Retaining its deep colour, opening up to reveal ripe, exotic aromas of gum cistus, eucalypt and mint, so very expressive of the Douro. Ripe, quite powerful and still tight-knit with lovely rich, minty fruit, broad yet firm, tannins rising to a fresh, gripping, opulent finish (especially for Dow in its customary drier style). Now glorious to drink – it should last a lifetime. (RM)" (10/2023)

Bid on this 4-bottle lot of 2004 Arietta "Variation One" Napa Valley Red Blend (93VN). Vinous: "Arietta's 2004 Red Wine Variation One is deep, powerful, dense and ripe, all qualities that make it an excellent choice for drinking now and over the next few years. The 2004 has aged very nicely, with all the elements in the right place. It is without question one of the better wines in this flight of early vintages. (AG)" (05/2017)

Bid on this magnum of 1946 Bodegas Toro Albalá “Don PX Convento Selección” Pedro Ximénez Montilla-Moriles (1.5L) (OWC) (100RP), a legendary 100-point sweet wine and one of the first Spanish fortified wines ever to earn a perfect score from Wine Advocate. Made from sun-dried Pedro Ximénez grapes harvested in the era of the Second World War, it aged in a single cask for more than 65 years at the historic Aguilar de la Frontera bodega, founded in 1844. Wine Advocate’s Luis Gutiérrez called it “ultra-mega-super concentrated.” Expect raisins, dates, dried figs and candied orange layered with cinnamon, toffee, cocoa and coffee, with a dense, syrupy texture and a near-endless bittersweet finish. A rare large-format treasure for collectors of great sweet wines.

Bid on this 6-bottle lot of 1977 Graham's Vintage Port (93RP, 91WS). Wine Advocate: "Graham is another great port house, producing one of the deepest-colored and sweetest styles of vintage port. Along with Taylor and Fonseca, Graham has probably been the most consistent producer of great port in the post- World War II era. Their tawnys are quite good rather than exceptional, but their vintage ports are truly sublime and sumptuous. (RP)" (12/1988)

The 2016 Nerello Mascalese Vigne Vecchie delivers old-school aromatics of dried cherries, complementary nectarine, musky rose petals, crushed rocks and leather strap. It is lifted and finessed with a pulse of zesty acidity and a solid core of tart wild berry and citrus. A bitter tinge lingers as nuances of tart blackberry and blood orange fade. There’s a pleasurable rusticity to the 2016 that I find very attractive. (EG)

The 2023 Benanti Etna Rosso is a textbook, high-toned benchmark for volcanic Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio. Sourced from choice plots across the north, southwest, and southeast slopes of Mount Etna, these bush vines are rooted in pure, mineral-rich volcanic ash and sand at altitudes up to 750 meters. Raised primarily in stainless steel with a tiny fraction in neutral oak, it focuses purely on raw varietal tension. The wine pours a translucent, pale ruby color, leaping with wild strawberries, sour red cherries, pomegranate, and orange peel, backed by a deep vein of volcanic ash, white pepper, and wild thyme. The palate is light-bodied, energetic, and chiseled, driving forward on a sharp spine of vertical acidity and fine-grained, ash-dusted tannins. It finishes bone-dry and intensely sapid, leaving a mouth-watering trail of crushed stones and tart red fruit.

If you want to discover the hidden, rugged side of Piedmontese viticulture, you have to leave the famous rolling hills of the Langhe and head west toward the jagged peaks of the Cottian Alps. Here, in the Pinerolese appellation just outside of Turin, you will find L’Autin. The name translates to "the little vineyard" in the local dialect, an apt title for an estate that champions tiny, high-altitude plots of native grapes. The terroir here is defined by the mountains: it is cooler, dramatically steeper, and the soils are packed with crushed stone and minerals. (In fact, the estate is so tied to the local geology that they age their sparkling wines deep inside an abandoned talc mine!). The "Gemma Vitis" is a celebration of the local Bonarda grape, specifically adapted to this cool, alpine-adjacent climate. Because of the extreme diurnal temperature shifts, the grapes develop thick skins and brilliant natural acidity. This isn't a heavy, brooding red. The mountain terroir translates into a wine of incredible crunch and energy. It pours a vibrant, deep purple, offering bright, rustic aromatics of wild blackberry, crushed raspberry, and a distinct, graphite-like minerality derived from the rocky soil. On the palate, it is juicy, vertical, and refreshing, with a mouth-watering finish that begs for a plate of rich, local tajarin pasta or a spread of cured alpine meats.

Tommaso Bussola Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is a bold and luxurious expression of the traditional Amarone style, crafted by one of the leading producers in the Valpolicella region. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and innovative approach, Tommaso Bussola creates Amarone wines that are both powerful and refined. The wine is made from carefully selected Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, and other native grapes, dried using the traditional "appassimento" method to concentrate the flavors and intensity before fermentation. The result is a deeply concentrated wine with an intense bouquet of dried cherries, plums, figs, and dark chocolate, accented by notes of spice, tobacco, and licorice. On the palate, it is full-bodied and rich, with velvety tannins, balanced acidity, and layers of ripe dark fruit, dried herbs, and hints of earthiness. The long, warming finish reveals the wine’s complexity and aging potential, making it both opulent and elegant. This Amarone pairs beautifully with rich, hearty dishes such as braised meats, game, or aged cheeses, and can also be enjoyed on its own as a meditative wine. Tommaso Bussola Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is an exceptional example of the Amarone tradition, offering both immediate pleasure and the ability to age gracefully for many years.

This is one of the most fascinating rescue stories in Italian viticulture. In the 1920s, a man named Antonio Longanesi discovered a single, unknown vine climbing the branches of an old oak tree in the swamplands of Emilia-Romagna. He propagated it, saving the grape from total extinction. Today, that grape is known as Uva Longanesi, and the wine made from it is trademarked as Bursôn—the historical nickname of the Longanesi family. Tenuta Randi is one of the key pillars of the Consorzio Il Bagnacavallo, a small, fiercely dedicated group of Romagnolo producers protecting this ultra-rare variety. Grown in the alluvial plains of Ravenna, where the Adriatic Sea influences the climate, the Longanesi grape is notoriously thick-skinned and rustic, demanding immense patience both in the vineyard and the cellar. To tame its massive structure, the "Selezione" tier often borrows techniques from Amarone, utilizing a partial drying of the grapes (appassimento) and extended aging in oak. It is dark, brooding, and powerfully structured.

The benchmark for the region. It offers the ethereal transparency of Pinot Noir with the volcanic grip of Nerello Mascalese.

A blend of Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio from their parcels across the mountain. Aged in a combination of tonneaux and large casks, this Etna Rosso is both powerful and elegant. Notes of wild red berries, ash, and spice lead to a structured palate with fine-grained tannins and a long, persistent finish.

A textured, precise and flavorful red with aromas of cherries, fresh flowers and dried herbs. Medium-bodied with fine tannins. Vivid with succulent forest berry character and a mouthwatering finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink now. (KD)

Juicy and vibrant with plenty of red fruit and red floral essences, the 2022 The First Lady Pinotage is bright and attractive in the glass. Medium-bodied and with lively acidity, it offers firm tannins with a clean, succulent finish that is ready for food. The wine rested for a year in various types of oak, 8% new, (AM)

This Rosé Txakolina bursts from the glass with vibrant aromas of fresh strawberries, watermelon rind, pink grapefruit, and fresh-cut herbs, all framed by the wine's signature subtle spritz on the palate. The palate is light on its feet, zipping along with mouthwatering acidity and a refreshing streak of citrus, creating a wine that's as playful as it is thirst-quenching. There's an unmistakable Atlantic freshness here, with a subtle mineral edge and salinity that adds just enough seriousness beneath all the fun. The delicate natural effervescence gives the wine extra lift, making it dangerously easy to pour another glass. Whether paired with grilled shrimp, fish tacos, or simply enjoyed on a sunny afternoon, this is the kind of bottle that disappears faster than you'd expect.

The 2021 Terra de Cuques is a 50-50 blend of Garnatxa and Cariñena from Priorat. Garnet in color, it features aromas of blood orange and grapefruit, with pomegranate, curry and spice hints over an herbal bouquet. Dry, lean and chalky on the palate, it offers a nimble yet concentrated mouthfeel that contrasts with the wine’s intensity. This is a modern take on Priorat reds, crafted in a distinctive style. (JH)

This is one of the most charming and distinct red blends you will find from Campania, and a brilliant introduction to the historic Ocone estate. If you love the power of Aglianico but want something approachable enough for tonight's dinner, the "Bozzovich Nero" is your answer. A blend of Aglianico and Piedirosso (the grape responsible for the soft, aromatic wines of Vesuvius), this wine offers the best of both worlds. The Aglianico provides the structure and depth, while the Piedirosso adds a layer of softness, perfume, and drinkability that makes this wine incredibly versatile.

Aurélien Laherte’s new release of Rosé de Meunier is from the base year of 2019 and was disgorged in January of 2023, with a finishing dosage of 2.5 grams per liter. The wine is quite deep salmon color, as Monsieur Laherte crafts this in a unique manner, with thirty percent of the blend made from grapes given an extended skin contact after pressing, ten percent being still red wine and sixty percent being meunier that is crushed and immediately removed from the skins to keep the wine white in color. The bouquet is deep and elegant, offering up scents of cherries, blood orange, a touch of rhubarb, chalky soil tones, rye bread and a topnote of dried flowers. On the palate the wine is vibrant, full-bodied, focused and complex, with a good core, lovely soil undertow, elegant mousse and plenty of vinosity informing the long and very nicely balanced finish. This is definitely a Rosé Champagne that is made for the table.

A luscious, super-moreish tawny, with notes of sweet orange peel, mellow Madeira honey cake, almond/marzipan and salted caramel. Silky, honeyed mouthfeel, with praline to the finish. Satisfying and very complete, this 10-year-old is naughty but nice, polished and toothsome: a great execution of the house style (20cl bottle tasted). (SA)