PRE-ORDER
2011 | JS 92
Known for its elegance, fine tannins, and a more accessible, lighter-footed structure than some neighboring Pauillacs.
2014 | JS 93
Notes of plum, cassis, tobacco, and mineral
2017 | V 94
The 2017 vintage is noted for being a "charming" and "fresh" year rather than a blockbuster, produced under the ownership of the Cazes family.
2018 | WS 94
Rich, medium to full-bodied with structured tannins and a long, savory finish.
2019 | JS 95
A blend characterized by high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon, bringing elegance and savory mineral notes rather than raw power.
2020 | D 96
Refined and succulent, with a "sweet core of plummy fruit" and a "tensile" structure.
2021 | V 94
Very approachable for a young vintage, offering a mix of red and black fruits, fine tannins, and a "cool-vintage" elegance.
About Winery
Château Haut-Batailley, Fifth Grand Cru Classé in the 1855 Official Classification, is a benchmark in the Pauillac appellation. Its name is derived from the word "bataille" (battle), in memory of the fighting that is said to have taken place on the estate at the end of the Hundred Years' War in the 15th century.
Since 2017, Château Haut-Batailley has been run by the Cazes family, who are continuing the work begun by the Borie family in 1930 while carrying forward the style and quality of this key Médoc cru on the Left Bank of the Bordeaux region.
Winemaker Notes
Ruby / purple color, the intense and complex nose reveals hints of black fruit, brioche bread. The attack is vivid and velvety. The mid-palate enhanced the black fruit notes, unveiled firstly on the nose and some toasty notes. The wine is juicy and fleshy with elegant tannins. Final on the length.
About Winery
Chateau Langoa-Barton, 3rd Classified Growth, was the first of the two Bordeaux wine estates bought by Hugh Barton in the 1820s, the other being Leoville-Barton, 2nd Classified Growth.
Hugh Barton was a descendant of an Irish family which settled in Bordeaux in the 18th century and which has a long and distinguished history in the region's wine trade. Both properties are still family-owned and run and together represent the longest tradition of unchanged ownership in the Medoc. Anthony Barton is the current proprietor but is gradually passing the reins to his daughter Lillian. Langoa Barton has 20 hectares of vineyards (Cabernet Sauvignon 71%, Merlot 21% and Cabernet Franc 8%) lie on gravelly-clay soils. Vinification includes 18 months' maturation in oak barriques (50% new). Langoa Barton is vinified and matured in exactly the same way as Leoville-Barton and any difference between them must be put down to variations in the soils and exposure of their respective vineyard blocks.
Both Langoa and Leoville wines are models of typical St Julien restraint and elegance, and Anthony's fair pricing policy, always with an eye to the long term has won him many loyal friends amongst his customers. For years, Langoa Barton was considered slightly lighter and more forward than Leoville. However, in the last decade it has become noticeably deeper in colour and richer and more concentrated on the palate. Langoa Barton is now often the equal of Leoville.
2015 | D 93
Dark black berries, notes of cassis on nose and palate. Intense, focused and precise, it shows a lovely purity of flavour. Excellent oak, concentrated and fresh, very good ageing potential. A fine example from Napa Valley.
2016 | JS 93
A tight and deep wine with a beautiful center palate of currants, berries, lemon rind and silky tannins. Rich and opulent, yet fresh. Lightly chewy with a caressing texture. 78% cabernet sauvignon and 11% merlot with malbec, petit verdot and cabernet franc.
2018 | JS 94
A tight and deep wine with a beautiful center palate of currants, berries, lemon rind and silky tannins. Rich and opulent, yet fresh. Lightly chewy with a caressing texture. 78% cabernet sauvignon and 11% merlot with malbec, petit verdot and cabernet franc.
About Winery
For more than 100 years, Beaulieu Vineyard has been setting the standard for rich, classic Napa Valley wines. Our legacy honors the marriage between state-of-the-art technology and gentle, traditional winemaking methods, a combination that enhances the expression of our remarkable vineyard terroir. From Calistoga in the north, to Carneros in the south, our Beaulieu Vineyard Napa Valley wines reflect this region's diverse terroir with classic varietal character.
PRE-ORDER
2015 | JS 94
Layered and juicy... with currants, light chocolate and cedar
2017 | WA 93
The 2017 vintage is characterized as savory and traditional, featuring notes of dark berries, graphite, and cedarwood. It is well-structured with fine tannins, leading to a long, polished finish.
2018 | WE 95
Reviewers often highlight its "classic" style, featuring "ripe, velvety tannins" and "bright berry fruits".
2019 | JS 96
67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc. Offers a blend of ripe fruit, fine tannins, and freshness.
2021 | WE 95
Described as "supple" with "velvety tannins" and a "long finish".
About Winery
Chateau Langoa-Barton, 3rd Classified Growth, was the first of the two Bordeaux wine estates bought by Hugh Barton in the 1820s, the other being Leoville-Barton, 2nd Classified Growth.
Hugh Barton was a descendant of an Irish family which settled in Bordeaux in the 18th century and which has a long and distinguished history in the region's wine trade. Both properties are still family-owned and run and together represent the longest tradition of unchanged ownership in the Medoc. Anthony Barton is the current proprietor but is gradually passing the reins to his daughter Lillian. Langoa Barton has 20 hectares of vineyards (Cabernet Sauvignon 71%, Merlot 21% and Cabernet Franc 8%) lie on gravelly-clay soils. Vinification includes 18 months' maturation in oak barriques (50% new). Langoa Barton is vinified and matured in exactly the same way as Leoville-Barton and any difference between them must be put down to variations in the soils and exposure of their respective vineyard blocks.
Both Langoa and Leoville wines are models of typical St Julien restraint and elegance, and Anthony's fair pricing policy, always with an eye to the long term has won him many loyal friends amongst his customers. For years, Langoa Barton was considered slightly lighter and more forward than Leoville. However, in the last decade it has become noticeably deeper in colour and richer and more concentrated on the palate. Langoa Barton is now often the equal of Leoville.
2020 | Vivino 4.3
WE found it perfumed, oak‑driven, with pineapple & honey notes.
2022 | WE 92
WE praised bold butter, oak, vanilla; dessert‑like richness.
2023 | JS 91
JS described lush pear & peach pie flavors
About Winery
Founded in 1980, by Koerner and Joan Rombauer, Rombauer Vineyards has been producing acclaimed wines from Napa Valley and the Sierra Foothills ever since. Still family owned and operated, our winery is known for its high-quality wines, exceptional vineyard sites, and family-style hospitality.
In 1972, when Koerner and Joan Rombauer moved their two children, two horses and five dogs to Napa Valley, they were already well acquainted with the natural relationship between food and wine. Koerner’s great aunt Irma Rombauer wrote the internationally renowned cookbook, The Joy of Cooking, and his German ancestors had deep roots in the winegrowing region of Rheingau.
Koerner and Joan established Rombauer Vineyards in 1980, and in 1984 they released their first California-style Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Four decades later–and still family owned–the winery has become widely acclaimed for its distinctive, fruit-driven expressions.
Our first vintage was our 1980 Cabernet followed by our 1982 Chardonnay. We still make and cherish those wines as well as many others.
Winemaker Notes
We are fortunate to work with two outstanding Durell Vineyard Chardonnay blocks that blend with synergy and result in exceptional wines each vintage. These two blocks of Old Wente clone Chardonnay have formed the Sojourn Durell Chardonnay since 2012. Both blocks were picked at night to retain freshness and allow us to extract only the highest quality juice. This wine offers a unique combination of apple and citrus fruit aromas with layers of minerality. It is expansive yet balanced, with great acidity, firm structure, and a long finish.
About Winery
Sojourn Cellars was founded in 2001 by two tennis friends, Craig Haserot and Erich Bradley, who shared a passion for great wine and tennis. They started with small bottlings of Cabernet Sauvignon from exceptional vineyard sources. Over the years, Sojourn Cellars has grown into a boutique winery producing highly acclaimed Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Their hands-off winemaking style allows the character of the vineyard sites to shine through in the wines.
Winemaker Notes
The 2022 DAOU Chardonnay displays a rich, ample nose of pineapple, vanilla bean, mango, hazelnut and nutmeg spice. Floral tones of honeysuckle and star jasmine are accented by sweet ginger and lemon zest. The palate is weighty and mouthfilling, delivering round, silky flavors of Bartlett pear, Crenshaw melon, kiwi and fresh pineapple. Notes of Golden Delicious apple and papaya are complemented with lemon cream pie and crushed almonds, while hints of white peach, citrus peel and cinnamon linger on a long, graceful finish.
About Winery
In the golden, oak-studded hills of Paso Robles' fabled west side, not far from William Randolph Hearst's magnificent castle, there is a man with a Homeric vision. His name is Daniel Daou and he is devoting his life and every imaginable resource to creating, first and foremost, a Cabernet Sauvignon that rivals the very best in the world.
Gracefully perched atop a stunning promontory at 2,200 feet, the DAOU Spanish Colonial style winery is embraced by a tangible serenity. Hawks wheel and bank while the all-day sun caresses close planted rows of lush, emerald green vines. The 100 percent calcareous soil makes no sound as it passes out nourishment and only a gentle breeze flows up through the Templeton Gap from the Pacific. The quiet is bewitching; you want to lay down roots here, just as the four-year-old vines have done. But the sense of peace belies the serious industry at work on this 100 acre estate. No effort is spared to create the luscious varietals and blends that flow from this limited production winery. This kind of synergy happens rarely: superlative climate and terroir, super intensive vineyard culture, and cutting edge viticultural practice. You're more likely to find it in Bordeaux than Central California. Coupled with the infectious passion and gracious, family style hospitality of the Daou brothers, Georges and Daniel, the result is pure magic. The kind of magic that comes in a bottle.
Winemaker Notes
The 2021 Cakebread Merlot (Napa Valley, California, USA) presents deep aromas of blackberry and black cherry, lifted by violet and subtle crushed stone minerality. On the palate, concentrated flavors of fresh blackberry and black plum unfold with silky texture, balanced by bright acidity and fine tannins. Notes of mocha, toast, and oak add complexity, leading to a lingering finish of rich black cherry and mineral tones. Elegant yet structured, this Merlot reflects the diversity of Cakebread’s estate vineyards, combining freshness, depth, and refined balance.
About Winery
Cakebread Cellars was founded in 1973 by Jack and Dolores Cakebread in Rutherford, Napa Valley, California. Their journey began when Jack, originally a photographer, visited Napa to shoot images for a wine book and ended up purchasing a small ranch. From those modest beginnings, the family built a winery that quickly gained recognition for its Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, later expanding into Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and other varietals. Over the decades, Cakebread Cellars has grown into one of Napa Valley’s most respected family-owned wineries, known for its commitment to quality, sustainability, and hospitality, with wines now distributed internationally.
PRE-ORDER
2017 | D 94
The wine is noted for its "frisky and fresh" character, providing a "juicy core" of blackcurrants and moderate tannins.
2018 | V 96
The 2018 vintage is noted for being "bright and full of juice, prioritising vibrancy over power". It is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend with a "slightly chewy" structure that balances ripe fruit with a refreshing, earthy finish.
2020 | JS 97
The 2020 blend is 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Merlot. It is described as a "tightly coiled" and "sophisticated" wine with intense cassis, damson plum, and savory graphite notes.
2021 | JS 95
A classic Bordeaux, described as "bright and punchy" with a "cool" and "savory" style, returning to a more traditional, restrained structure compared to warmer years.
About Winery5th classified growth in 1855. The name of Grand-Puy comes from the old expression "puy" which means "hill, little hill", and this land is mentioned in documents dating from the Middle Ages. Indeed, the vineyard extends on one of the ridges of land which were made the first wines of the Medoc. Since the sixteenth century, the thought has passed from generation to generation and, by way of alliances between families, he stayed within the same descent until 1920, before resuming a destiny with Borie family in 1978. Under the leadership of François-Xavier Borie (Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou), GP Lacoste is the perfect example of a classic Pauillac, tannic and full bodied. A wine for keeping, which makes part of the top of the Medoc wines.
Winemaker Notes
The 2023 Vasse Felix Sauvignon Blanc is a complex, textural skin-contact white wine from Margaret River, Australia, though it is not currently listed for direct purchase on Wine.com (which instead stocks other Vasse Felix expressions like their Filius Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay).
About Winery
Vasse Felix is the oldest wine estate in the Margaret River region of Western Australia, founded in 1967 by cardiologist Dr. Thomas Brendan Cullity. Cullity planted the first 8 acres of vines to prove the area's potential for fine winemaking, naming the estate after French sailor Timothée Vasse. David and Anne Gregg bought it in 1984, and the Holmes à Court family took over in 1987.
PRE-ORDER
2012 | WE 93
his concentrated wine is packed with new wood as well as dark chocolate flavors. The palate is dense with bitter, extracted coffee flavors, but balanced by lively, lingering acidity.
2014 | V 92
Praised for its aromatic complexity of redcurrants, truffle, and vibrant structure.
2015 | WE 94
Dense tannins are balanced by rich black-fruit flavors. The attractive and stylish wine shows the generous nature of the vintage.
2016 | JD 93
The 2016 Château Grand Corbin (Saint-Émilion Grand Cru) is highly regarded as a strong value, high-quality wine from a standout Bordeaux vintage. It is often praised for its deep color, elegant tannin structure, and potential for aging.
2018 | WE 92
Powerful fruits and tannins show densely in this concentrated wine. It is all about structured black fruits that are still young and vibrant with freshness among the ripe flavors. The wine needs to smooth out, so wait until 2024.
2019 | WE 92
Surprisingly soft tannins are already integrated into the generous black fruits and ripe texture of this full-bodied wine. Its richness along with the black currant flavors are balance by the juicy acidity that cuts through into the finish.
2020 | V 95
The 2020 is a blend of mostly Merlot, characterized by deep ruby/purple colors, intense fruit, and a blend of savory notes.
2021 | JS 91
A fresh, elegant, and medium-bodied vintage with red fruit, spicy oak, and firm tannins. It is widely considered a successful, approachable effort for the year, often priced as a good value within the appellation.
About Winery
Château Grand Corbin, located in Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, has a rich history dating back to the 19th century, with documented ties to the land even earlier. Initially, the estate was part of the Corbin seigneurie and later expanded in 1852. In 2012, Château Haut Corbin was merged into Château Grand Corbin, creating a larger estate. The Despagne family has been associated with the land since at least the 16th century, with Louis Despagne acquiring initial plots in 1812. The estate was recognized as a Grand Cru Classé during the 2006 Saint-Émilion classification.
Winemaker Notes
ARIEL Chardonnay, with its tropical fruit character and subtle oak from barrel aging, has a distinctive combination of buttery apple and butterscotch flavors, combined with a toasty French oak bouquet. This is a dealcoholized wine that will continue to develop complexity as it ages. Try it with spaghetti carbonara, mango mahi-mahi, sautéed scallops, crispy duck.
THE J LOHR STORY
Fifty years ago, Jerry Lohr embarked on a career change. What followed would reshape the landscape of the California wine industry and create one of the country’s most popular wine brands.
In the late 1960s, Jerry Lohr began an extensive investigation of California grape growing regions – searching for the ideal location for his first vineyard. Jerry was raised on a South Dakota farm; his agricultural roots armed him with an innate sense for the relationship between climate, soil, and location. His research and instincts led him to the Central Coast, an area just beginning to explore its potential for winegrowing.
Four decades ago, the California Central Coast had not yet emerged as one of North America’s world-class winegrowing regions. With little history or viticultural precedent, planting on the Central Coast was a gamble. One of a handful of early pioneers, Jerry Lohr was among the first to realize the inherent potential of Monterey and Paso Robles for producing high quality grapes and superb wines.
PIONEERING MONTEREY AND PASO ROBLES -JERRY LOHR LEGACY-It’s no coincidence that the Central Coast’s emergence as a world class winegrowing region runs parallel with the establishment and growth of J. Lohr Vineyards & Winery. Founder Jerry Lohr is one of the region’s pioneers and has played a larger-than-life role in bringing the area to prominence.
Jerry’s instincts led him to two regions located about 75 miles apart. In the early 1970s, he chose Monterey County’s Arroyo Seco district for its cool, windy climate and rocky soils as ideal for Chardonnay. In the 1980s, he recognized the potential of Paso Robles for growing Bordeaux varietals, especially Cabernet Sauvignon – given the area’s rich soils and dramatic diurnal temperature swings between warm days and cool nights.
After Jerry Lohr’s nearly decade-long search for the right place to plant his first vineyard, he chose a site in Monterey County that was to become the heart of the Arroyo Seco appellation. Jerry originally planted 280 acres in 1972 and 1973 near Greenfield. Monterey County’s Arroyo Seco appellation has proved ideal for growing layered, complex Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Brisk winds and fog off Monterey Bay, stony, well-drained soils, and a lack of damaging fall rains all combine to produce grapes with trademark fruit intensity and balancing acidity. In 1974, Jerry unveiled the first J. Lohr winery in San Jose.
In the early 1980s, Jerry Lohr saw the potential for great Cabernet Sauvignon further south. Borrowing a lesson from the French—that great Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon excel in very different growing conditions—Jerry began planting Cabernet Sauvignon and other red varieties in San Luis Obispo County’s little-known Paso Robles region in 1986. With the hands-on devotion of an artisan farmer, Jerry tended to the vines while diligently working toward the creation and development of an adjacent winery and barreling cellars; J. Lohr’s Paso Robles production facility was opened in 1988.
