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The 1995 is a stunningly beautiful wine, offering layers of pressed violets, dried rose petals, loamy earth, currant, and cassis. Juicy acidity remains vibrant and fully in check, balanced by firm, mineral-rich tannins. With time in the glass, notes of leather, tar, black olive, liquorice, and charcuterie emerge, adding depth and savory complexity. Enjoy this wine with pizza at Fiocha Pizza in Mattituck, NY.

Absolutely stunning. This wine strikes a remarkable balance of richness and freshness, layered with savoury depth. Super-fine tannins carry notes of leather, tobacco, and black tea—think Earl Grey—wrapped around cassis and blackcurrant fruit. It’s long, fresh, and vibrant from the pull of the cork, evolving beautifully with air to reveal sumptuous waves of rich earth, spice, smoked paprika, and undeniable elegance.

This is absolutely spectacular. At 15 years of age, the wine is riveting—showing the kind of secondary complexity you might wait 25 years to see in Bordeaux or Napa. Here, Cabernet Franc has evolved into a deeply expressive, medium- to full-bodied wine with layered cassis and red currant fruit, loamy earth, and dried eucalyptus. Notes of bay laurel, orange zest, and a hint of vanilla lift the finish, which is long, earthy, and energized by zesty acidity.

The 2010, which winemaker Kareem Massoud opened, was seriously impressive—showing pure berry fruit, currants, and warm brown spices. Juicy acidity lifts the mid-palate, while pressed floral notes and firm, expressive tannins guide the wine toward a long, mineral-driven finish.

The 2010 shows some tension right out of the gate, but with air, it opens beautifully—offering cassis, currant, wet slate, and warm brown spices. The palate builds with integrated tannins that carry both grip and a velvety texture, framed by savory notes of sage and bay laurel. A firm saline-acid tension drives the finish.

From Mark Snyder’s Red Hook Winery comes this Reserve, crafted by Christopher Nicolson with consulting from Abe Schoener. At 15 years of age, it’s remarkably enjoyable—downright enviable. The wine has developed an almost sherry-like character, with ripe cassis evolving into dark, sweet currants layered with baking spices and maple-honey tannins. Rich tones of dark loamy earth and black tea deepen the complexity, while the long, lingering finish echoes with salted crushed almonds, dried dates, and apricot.

The ‘Jour 1’ (‘Day 1’) explores Le Levant, south of Avize. 100% Chardonnay. Rich and full with a heady bouquet of jasmine, Mirabelle, and nougat. A fine, creamy mousse unspools with Granny Smith apple, flaky croissant, and salted caramel. Taut, tense, and mineral-driven.
50% Pinot Noir, 50% Chardonnay from Ambonnay. A lemony-rich bouquet brings forward decadent sugar-dusted pastries, toasted almonds, and dried apricots. Impressively taut with fleshy yellow apple, ripe pear, and fine-boned acidity. A vein of chalky minerality rounds out a long finish of black truffle, smoked sea salt, and lemon zest
Produced only in the best vintages, this wine offers impressive richness with creamy orchard fruit, fresh French pastry notes, and a beautifully layered nutty complexity. There’s a lengthy, toasty brioche character threaded with flinty minerality, leading to a savory, saline-acid finish. Eight years sur lie lends remarkable depth, yet the wine remains strikingly fresh and balanced on the long, inviting close. Disgorged 8.31.23 and 4.14.24. Dosage: 6 g/L.
Olivier Bonville of Champagne Franck Bonville (based in Avize) and stepson Ferdinand Ruelle are exploring the 319 Champagne villages. The ‘Jour 2’ (‘Day 2’) takes us to Le Couchant, north of Avize. 100% Chardonnay. Compact, mind-bogglingly complex. Exquisite fine beading is persistent. Savory, mineral-kissed, loaded with orchard fruits, mulberry, cherry, black truffle, and sous bois nuances—incredible.
Clean and expressive, this 2015 vintage-dated sparkling wine opens with lifted aromas of orchard and stone fruit, accented by hints of almond and white flowers. The mousse is assertive and creamy, building on the palate with toasty brioche notes. Excellent mid-palate concentration and a long, acid-driven finish underscore its remarkable freshness and vitality, even after extended time on the lees. The fruit was sourced from estate vineyards on the west side of Seneca Lake: 61% Pinot Noir and 39% Chardonnay.
Barrel-aged for an impressive 76 months in French oak, this bottling is the second release of 10 barrels from an old vine field blend of Merlot, Touriga Nacional, and Ruby Cabernet, bottled unfiltered. The result is a truly intriguing wine: rich with molasses character, stewed red fruit, and sweet spice notes, evoking a tawny port-like nose. These same flavors carry through on the palate, with a touch of strawberry balsamic reduction adding complexity. The tannins are still quite firm and present, building on the long, nutty finish.

This Robert Clay Sangiovese from Mandola Vineyards, which was ripped out sadly, produced from a single barrel of the 2015 vintage and aged for 65 months in French oak, presents a truly unique and intriguing rendition of the variety. At the pull of the cork, the wine is fresh and currant-driven, and builds with air into an unmistakably Port-like power, which is quite rare—and fascinating—for Sangiovese. Bone dry on the finish and with a sherry-like quality, and with more air it offers toasty nutty notes and currant fruit flavors, complemented by rich spice cake nuances. This is truly a one-of-a-kind expression of Sangiovese.

The ‘B 15 00 RCV MER’ is 100% Merlot. Fermented in picking bins, then racked into stainless steel tanks to settle before being barreled down for 26 months. It delivers rich black currant fruit and warm baking spices, with notes of spiced plum and plump, satiny tannins that glide into a long, balanced finish with just the right amount of tension.

The ‘B 15 01 RCV MTR’ hails from the 2015 vintage and represents the first two of ten barrels from an old vine field blend, aged for 76 months in 100% neutral Radoux medium+ toast French oak. This deeply expressive wine marries the lifted florals and blue fruit tones of the 2017 with the herbaceous spice and bright acidity of the 2016. Aromas of dried violet, grilled agave, and spicy currants unfold into a layered palate of tart red berries, dark cassis, and blood orange. Rich loamy earth, black truffle, and nutty undertones weave through a full-bodied frame, supported by sappy tannins and a savory, saline-tinged finish. The texture is firm yet supple, with persistent energy and depth from its extended barrel aging.

The ‘B 15 02 RCV MTR’ is the same wine as the ‘B 15 01 RCV MTR’—from the 2015 vintage and crafted from an old vine field blend—aged instead for an extraordinary 100 months in 100% neutral Radoux medium+ toast French oak. The currant and spiced plum fruit found in the 76-month-aged version is still present, now evolving into more tertiary territory. Notes of dusty sagebrush, loamy earth, kirsch, and crushed almonds emerge, along with spiced nuts and plenty of textural tannin to carry the wine’s weight and complexity. NOT YET RELEASED as of May 2025. Check with winery.

The ‘B 15 03 RCV MTR’ is the same wine as the ‘B 15 01 RCV MTR’—from the 2015 vintage and made from an old vine field blend—aged for an exceptional 114 months in 100% neutral Radoux medium+ toast French oak. The once-bright currant and spiced plum fruit has evolved into dried fruit and rich rum raisin cake, showing deep maturity and layered complexity. The tannins remain grippy but are finally beginning to resolve, leading to a long, spicy finish. Not yet released as of May 2025. Check with the winery for availability.

From Martini Family Vineyards, this wine is crushed and pressed into stainless steel and fermented with indigenous yeast. It offers expressive vinous aromatics layered with fresh apple and lemon verbena, supported by subtle honeycomb notes. A through line of lime-bright minerality carries the wine to a lifted finish.
Seven generations of the Monmarthes have farmed slopes in the Premier Cru village of Ludes. Taut, racy, and complex. Baked apples and pears emerge through an assertive mousse. The saline mid-palate is balanced by chalky minerals, finishing with Marcona almonds and smoky sea salt.
The ‘B 16 00 RCV MER’ is 100% Merlot. Fermented in picking bins, then racked into stainless steel tanks to settle before being barreled down for 38 months. This wine shows greater density and richness than previous vintages, with deep currant fruit beginning to take on a Port- or Sherry-like quality. A rich nuttiness is emerging, along with a rum-raisin character that adds complexity and a sense of coiled-up energy.

The ‘B 16 00 RCV TOU’ is 100% Touriga Nacional, aged for 36 months in neutral barrels. The nose offers spicy currant fruit and herbaceous aromatics, leading into a palate of tart red berries, blood orange, and sappy tannins. The finish is marked by a spicy, saline-acid tension that adds lift and vibrancy.

Unfolding in layers and taking its sweet time about it, this red is exquisite and quite reserved at the moment. It’s going to take some time (and then some more time) to fully come around. But as the earth, leather, rose petal, and red fruit action develops, it will turn into an absolutely understated beauty. – J.R.

Bending Branch’s 2017 Tannat, sourced from Newsom Vineyards in the Texas High Plains, is a medium- to full-bodied red that opens with vibrant cherry and strawberry fruit notes, complemented by white pepper spices. A powerful baseline of tannins provides structure, with nicely ripe and well-integrated tannins that add depth and smoothness. As the wine unfolds, nuances of tobacco and sage build complexity, leading to a mineral-rich finish.

Quite lovely. Lemon pastry and toasty, buttered-croissant notes build in the glass, framed by a rich, frothy, airy mousse that resolves with fine tension and a chalky mineral edge. A slick lemon-oil mid-palate carries the finish, layered with honeydew melon, apple and poached pear. You too can be a champ with Le Champ—just don’t call it Champagne. Call it The Champ, or Champers. Better yet, don’t overthink it at all. Pop the cork and enjoy with gusto.
Aged six years en tirage with a dosage of 3 g/L, this is a bright, vinous sparkling wine with notes of almond, white flowers, and abundant orchard fruit. The palate is fresh, clean, and marked by a steely mineral edge.
Heady black truffle, wild herbs, licorice, and salty sea spray notes. A bright, assertive mousse leads to creamy waves of caramelized pears and bruised yellow apples through a salty mineral finish. 60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir.
A rare 100% Pinot Blanc from Ville-sur-Arce, farmed by Rémy Massin, a salt of the earth Récoltant Manipulant. Vivid and bright. Lemon zest, smoky minerals, and wildflowers. Voluminous with profound lemony-intensity and crisp orchard fruit. Long, concentrated finish. Ageworthy.
Bright and attractive with white flowers, orchard fruits, and flaky French buttered pastry. Rich with a persistent mousse and layers of yellow apple, poached pear, vanilla cream, pastry crust, and a lemony finish.
Sources for this wine are El Diablo and Star Ridge, planted to Pommard and Vosne Romanée selections. Star Ridge is the older site and was originally part of the Gary Farrell estate. The Pommard here is Clones 4 and 5, with Clone 5 being the cleaned-up selection. At this stage, the fruit profile leans a touch baked, but it’s still quite delicious—think strawberry and cherry pie with classic cherry-pie spice. The palate is rich, satiny and velvety, driving a long, creamy and inviting finish.

2017 marked the first year that partners Christopher P. Bates MS, and Robert W. Bates began farming this estate, managing to coax just under a ton per acre from the vineyard. Sourced from their Sunspot and Underdog blocks, the fruit was destemmed, spontaneously fermented with ambient yeasts, then basket-pressed and aged in old neutral French oak. Bottled unfined and unfiltered, the wine strikes a nice balance between fruit density and rustic earthiness, lending real complexity. Dark cherry fruit and cocoa powder tannins create a chewy, textured palate, lifted by tangy acid tension. The low yields undoubtedly contribute to the wine’s depth and concentration. Now, eight years on, this wine still has a promising future ahead!

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The 2022 Estate Red from Uplift Vineyard in the Texas Hill Country is a bright, ripe, red-fruited wine with a hint of sage, cool wet slate, and rose petal. Medium-bodied, it features a firm spine of grippy acidity and taut, fine-grained tannins. The wine finishes with bright, crunchy pomegranate seed notes, revealing a juicy and fresh character. Aged in 10% new French oak, it shows great balance and vibrancy. The winery is situated on a stunning 72-acre site, with 55 acres planted as of 2024, in Hoover’s Valley within the Llano Uplift, surrounded by three mountain ranges and the Colorado River. It’s a gorgeous site, imbued with soil that is literally pure beach sand. Winemaker Claire Richardson, along with her full-time vineyard crew, is doing a phenomenal job of crafting bright, fresh, and energetic wines that truly capture the essence of this unique Texan countryside. The consulting winemaker is Jean Hoefliger.

The 2022 Malbec from Uplift Vineyard in the Texas Hill Country is 100% Malbec, aged for 16 months in 10-15% new French oak. It is beautifully fresh and inviting, with captivating red berry fruit notes and crystalline acid tension, making this Malbec quite impressive. Lovely blue fruit and violet notes complement the wine, while velvet, fine-grained tannins provide a smooth, medium-bodied structure. The wine is framed by elegant cedarwood spices, adding depth and complexity. The winery is situated on a stunning 72-acre site, with 55 acres planted as of 2024, in Hoover’s Valley within the Llano Uplift, surrounded by three mountain ranges and the Colorado River. It’s a gorgeous site, imbued with soil that is literally pure beach sand. Winemaker Claire Richardson, along with her full-time vineyard crew, is doing a phenomenal job crafting bright, fresh, and energetic wines that truly capture the essence of this slice of Texan countryside. The consulting winemaker is Jean Hoefliger.

Uplift Vineyard’s Texas Hill Country 2022 Sangiovese,sourced from vines planted on ancient granitic soils amidst surrounding mountain ranges, is a red-toned wine marked by vibrant currant fruit and brown baking spice notes. It features intense, fine-grained tannins that are beautifully balanced by a foundation of blood orange acidity. The finish is complex, with nuances of dried wild herbs, pomegranate seeds, and cherry pit, adding depth to its long, satisfying conclusion.

100% Cabernet Franc from the winery’s home vineyard on the west side of Cayuga Lake, currently in conversion to biodynamics. Hand-harvested, fully de-stemmed, with a spontaneous fermentation and three-week maceration. Aged in neutral barrels for 10 months and bottled in August 2023, unfined and unfiltered. This wine delivers terrific dark berry fruit concentration—think mulberry and cherry compote—layered with fine cedarwood, star anise, and violet aromatics. Earthy undertones emerge as the wine builds, anchored by soaring tannins and bracing acid tension that lead to a firmly grippy finish.

Dustin Valette has known Michael Browne since his days at John Ash & Co., and when they launched this project it became a genuinely special collaboration for the two of them. This is the first wine they’ve made together. The Pinot Noir is supple, round, and sumptuous, with wonderfully plump tannins and smooth, silky mixed berry fruit, layered with fragrant cocoa powder, dried violets, and rose petals. A rich saline minerality emerges on the medium-bodied finish and seems to linger effortlessly. The intensity of the wine is very much Michael Browne in character, yet it retains admirable energy and drive.

Entirely from Bush Crispo, crafted by Bob Cabral. Crushed cherry and cherry compote lead the way, followed by unsweetened chocolate and darker forest floor notes, with nuances of crushed cocoa nibs. The palate is intense, showing Rooibos tea notes and an almost meaty, iron-like mineral character, supported by integrated cedarwood and a spicy white pepper lift from some whole-cluster inclusion. Serve this with steak au poivre.

This is crafted by Bob Cabral. Super-fragrant from the outset, with rose petal and rose stem notes, dark cherry, and dark slate, lifted by white pepper spice and fresh redwood forest nuances. Black tea notes support the super-dark, juicy, ripe fruit and macerated cherry character. Hints of tangerine peel and crushed cocoa nibs add detail, all carried by a velvety texture and impressive length.

From the organically farmed Two Wolves Vineyard, this Cabernet Sauvignon offers expressive aromas of cassis, tobacco, and cedarwood. On the medium-bodied palate, savory notes of black olive and liquorice emerge, framed by crisp, finely structured tannins. Juicy blackberry and cherry fruit underscore the finish, adding lift and freshness.

Sourced entirely from Sangiovese (vines averaging 20 years old) grown in the Prenzano parcel and nearby estate vineyards, the fruit reflects a mix of sites clustered around the historic villa. Prenzano sits at the upper reaches of the property, where lighter, sand-influenced soils—similar in character to those found in Lamole—tend to yield more aromatic, finely structured wines. Juicy and delicious, with cedar, vanilla, and orange peel notes sitting atop ample and ripe cherry and red plum fruits. The black cherry flavor on the vibrant palate is immediately appealing, and the structure in the mid-palate is surprising, giving this red focus to balance out the fruitiness and acidity. The finish stays chewy and refreshing, inviting another (or several) sips. This one will add a touch of class to pasta night, for sure. Matured in a combination of oak, with roughly equal portions of new barrels, second-use barrels, and older, more neutral casks contributing to the final blend.

This Chardonnay opens with bold aromas of Meyer lemon and sweet, toasty oak that mellow beautifully on the palate. Layers of lemon oil, apricot, ripe yellow apple, and pear create a rich fruit salad character, all framed by zesty acid tension. The finish evokes the indulgent pleasure of a decaadent, powdered sugar-dusted lemon bar.
This is a silky, easy-drinking Pinot Noir brimming with bright red fruit and lifted spice. Velvety in texture, it glides across the palate with notes of espresso bean, clove, and a subtle hint of coriander cream lingering through the finish.

Sourced from certified sustainable estate vineyards, this wine was aged for 12 months in a mix of American and French oak barrels. This is a delicate and finessed expression of the variety, showing real prettiness with air. Juicy red cherry fruit mingles with clove, espresso bean, grapefruit zest, and a touch of coriander cream. Firm, mineral-laced tannins provide structure to this precise and focused red.

The winery’s first single-vineyard bottling of Cabernet Franc, this wine is sourced from an estate plot just north of the winery along the eastern shore of Seneca Lake. Aged for 12 months in a mix of American and French oak barrels, it shows real polish and elegance, with layered notes of cassis, black currant, and black cherry accented by cedarwood. Medium-bodied with dusty, firm tannins that possess a velvety appeal, the wine finishes long and clean, marked by wet slate minerality, white pepper, and subtle hints of coriander and cumin.

The winery’s Melody Vineyard was the first commercial planting of this cultivar in 1984, and they’ve produced a varietal Melody bottling ever since. Harvested in late September, the grapes were fermented in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and aromatic lift. Kiwi fruit rises from the glass and settles into a light- to medium-bodied white with soft, silky texture and a bright acid backbone. Subtle notes of orchard fruit and wet river stone round out this elegant and easy-drinking wine—perfect for enjoying with a good book or while prepping ingredients for a slow-cooked meal.
Sourced from 100% certified sustainable estate vines, these grapes were harvested in late October, then frozen and pressed before being fermented in stainless steel tanks. Gorgeous layers of luscious apricot and ripe pear unfold with honeysuckle and white flower aromatics, all lifted by a zing of kumquat-like crunchy acidity. The wine finishes long and pure with notes of wildflower honey. Balanced and zesty, with just the right amount of sweetness offset by vibrant acid tension.
One of the best wines I tasted from Wanderlust, this Viognier shows impressive mid-palate depth and fragrant, flinty minerality. Notes of quince and honeysuckle blossoms unfold gracefully, carrying through to a medium-length finish.

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