Join us for a free tasting on Friday, March 22, 4-7pm! Michele Callisto, owner of Rosina’s Winery in the Hudson River Region of New York, will be back to pour sparkling. white, amber, rosé, and red wines—all perfect for an early spring. Special 15% case discount on any 12 featured bottles!
Welcome to Wine Gems! As an online wine merchant, we search the world's vineyards to bring you exemplary wines from every important wine region - not only the renowned, but also the undiscovered. We offer an eclectic portfolio of wines, spirits and ciders for shipping, in-store purchase and free local delivery.
Paso Cuello, Uruguay
Toscanini Malbec is an excellent introduction to the red wines of Uruguay. While Uruguay is better known for the Tannat grape, this bottle offers a terrific value in Malbec! The history of Toscanini dates to 1894, when Don Juan Toscanini and his wife Dona Maria Bianchi left their native Genoa to settle in the Rio de la Plata region, 30km north of Montevideo. Don Juan Toscanini founded his own winery in 1908, producing 4,200 liters of wine that were marketed under the “La Fuente” brand.
Toscanini Malbec comes from the estate vineyard in Paso Cuello, Canelones, located near the Atlantic Ocean, in southern Uruguay. After vinification it was aged in French and American oak barrels. Dark red color with violet hues. Complex and elegant nose, with aromas of ripe blackberry and plum notes, underpinned by subtle earthy undertones and a hint of vanilla oak. On the palate it is unctuous, pleasant, with intense and rounded tannins.
Enjoy Toscanini Malbec over the next 4-6 years with grilled red meats, hearty stews, and mature cheeses. The most traditional wine pairing is with slowly cooked leg of lamb flavored with sage, mint, and garlic in olive oil.
$13.99
Cotes du Rhone, France
Wine & Spirits 91 points!
Guigal’s Côtes du Rhône Blanc both sets and steps outside the standard for the appellation and showcases one of the great secrets of the Guigal family: their specialization in the great white Rhône varieties. While only 8% of the Rhône’s production is white, a full 25% of Guigal’s production is white and they are today the single largest producer of whites in the Rhône Valley. It is a beautiful, seamless wine that represents unbelievable value.
Guigal produces an almost completely distinct Côtes du Rhône Blanc due to their Northern Rhône mindset. Wines under this general appellation are dominated by Southern Rhône grapes, namely Grenache Blanc. Since 1991 the Guigals have searched for and worked with growers to encourage plantings of Viognier for their Côtes du Rhône Blanc, as they have a love story with this grape that was nearly extinct in the middle of the last century. They believe the Viognier adds critical freshness and aromatics to the other varieties. The wine is a blend of 60% Viognier, 15% Roussanne, 10% Marsanne, 8 % Clairette, 5% Bourboulenc, 2% Grenache blanc.
For 4 decades Guigal has used only environmentally sustainable methods of pest, disease and weed control. They work to conserve biological diversity, water resources, soils and ecosystems on their land. Packaging materials are recyclable or biodegradable. Lastly, they are committed to achieving a zero waste target.
Guigal Cotes du Rhone Blanc is yellow gold, clear and brilliant. Freshness on the nose marked by the distinctive aromas of Viognier; white flowers, apricot, acacia and white peach. On the palate it is fruity with plenty of richness and body. A well-rounded wine with elegance, strength, and balance.
Enjoy Guigal Cotes du Rhone Blanc with grilled chicken, swordfish, lobster, and grilled vegetables.
$17.99
Coteaux Varois en Provence AOP, France
Vinous 93 points! James Suckling 90 points!
Stunningly located in the heart of Provence, the 100 hectares of vines of the Château l'Escarelle estate flourish in 1,000 hectares of truly pristine countryside. Less than an hour's drive east of Aix-en-Provence, L'Escarelle is famous for its beautifully aromatic and enticing dry rosé wines. The estate's vines are planted in limestone soil on terraces separated by dry-stone walls at an altitude of up to 500 meters, naturally following the shape of Escarelle's rolling hills and the adjacent Montagne de la Loube.
Yann Pineau, a French businessman and environmental advocate, purchased the estate in 2014. Yann fully renovated the winery and then set about to implement a series of initiatives aimed at preserving this stunning natural environment. One of these projects included establishing the Butterfly Garden. This nature reserve was created in 2016 in partnership with the Itancia Endowment Fund and the LPO (a French bird conservation charity) to protect the area's wildlife and raise awareness of issues surrounding climate change. The Pacha (the Foxy Emperor in English) is a rare butterfly found in Provence, including on the Escarelle estate. This signature butterfly appears on the label of this wine. In 2016, Chateau l'Escarelle earned the Haute Valeur Environnementale certificate (HVE), France's most stringent environmental certificate, and 2020 marked the estate's first certified organic vintage.
“A captivating blend of crushed stone, sea spray and mint gives way to young peach as the 2022 Rosé Le Pacha blossoms in the glass. This is seductively creamy, textural, lifted and spry with depths of citrus-tinged orchard fruits and sweet inner florals that resonate throughout. There's tension on the finish, with candied lime notes pulling at the cheeks. Le Pacha is a blend of 40% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 20% Cinsault.”—Vinous, 93 points!
Enjoy L’Escarelle Le Pacha Rosé now and over the next 3-4 years as the perfect patio aperitif wine. It matches up beautifully with salade Nicoise, roast chicken, grilled shrimp and mild cheeses.
$24.99
St Helena, Napa Valley, California
Decanter 96 points! Wine & Spirits 94 points, Wine Spectator 93, Wine Advocate 91, James Suckling 92, Jeb Dunnuck 91
The result of a nearly perfect, long and cool ripening season (and oblivious to the Covid chaos swirling around it), the 2020 was picked and in the barn fully two and a half weeks before the Glass Fire broke out. Industrial-grade air filters kept smoke out of the winery as the wines went down to barrels. Corison is so grateful, and relieved, to present the lovely 2020. This wine is wildly complex with tart cherry, blueberry, red and black currants, raspberry, plum and boysenberry fruit, fleshed out with notes of baking spices and peppermint. The tannins are characteristically polite yet grippy. Mineral notes add lift and the evolving violet perfume is so pretty.~ Cathy Corison
“Medium to full-bodied, beautiful and restrained, with savoury aromatics of fennel, black liquorice, cedar, and black currants. Soft, satiny blackberry fruits are lifted by fine-grained yet supple tannins while a purity of fruit guides the palate to a long, tobacco-tinged finish marked by a mineral-freshness that beckons sip after sip—100% Cabernet aged 18 months in 50% new French oak barrels.”—Decanter, 96 points!
Enjoy Corison Cabernet Sauvignon over the next 15-20 years with filet mignon, beef brisket, rich vegetarian dishes and aged cheeses.
$136.99
Texas
Our 100% Rye Mashbill began with 91% Raw Elbon Rye from Northwest Texas accompanied by cara, chocolate and roasted rye. All milled, mashed, fermented, distilled, and matured onsite in Waco, Texas.
ON THE NOSE, Texas Rye Bottled in Bond balances warm sun tea, candied fennel, and spruce tips before cooling notes of melted mint chip ice cream and raspberry glaze.
ON THE PALATE, it begins with graham cracker crust, dark chocolate espresso bean, and cardamom before well-articulated notes of carrot frond, cedar chest, and apricot preserves. Nutella and blackberry jam on rye toast linger for the finale.
$54.99
Burgundy, France
Domaine Henri Prudhon Saint-Aubin Blanc is a beautiful white wine gem from the Cote de Beaune, showing off the natural beauty of the Chardonnay grape. The domaine was established by Henri Prudhon who was born and raised as a vigneron in the village of Saint Aubin since his birth in 1921. He and his wife, Marguerite, combined forces upon their marriage in 1945, putting their small vineyard holdings together to form the Domaine Henri Prudhon. Monsieur Prudhon was a force in his village, serving for many years as the mayor of this lovely hamlet set just to the west of Puligny and Chassagne along Route Nationale 6.
The domain encompasses 14.5 hectares of vineyards and produces on the order of 90,000 bottles of wine annually, eighty-five percent of which is exported outside of France. The vineyards are managed with the objective of intervening as little as possible in the natural vegetative cycle. Farming is Lutte Raisonnée.
This village-level white is sourced from multiple parcels that cover 2 2/3 hectare; the bulk of the vineyards are hillside situated and are found in the southwestern quadrant of the village. The age of the vines varies from 15 to 65 years. The soil is clay and limestone and the exposition is south-southeast. No new oak is utilized on this cuvée and the élevage is about eight months long.
Aromas of pear, lime, green apple and toasted almonds lead to a crisp palate filled with notes of citrus, apples, and minerals. A gorgeous Chardonnay, it offers a long, beautiful finish.
Enjoy Henri Prudhon Saint-Aubin Blanc with steamers, grilled sausages, roast chicken, grilled halibut, lobster salad and cheeses—chèvre, Beaufort, Comté and Emmental.
$42.99
Dominican Republic
Brugal Añejo is matured in carefully selected American oak casks that are medium toasted to provide a smooth taste, with beautifully light aromas of wood. Our Añejo rum is dry in an overall sense and buttery in the mouth with a slight hint of caramel and tannin.
Brugal Añejo is a perfect rum for mixing in a refreshing premium serve and sharing with friends.
$39.99
Dominican Republic
Brugal Añejo is matured in carefully selected American oak casks that are medium toasted to provide a smooth taste, with beautifully light aromas of wood. Our Añejo rum is dry in an overall sense and buttery in the mouth with a slight hint of caramel and tannin.
Brugal Añejo is a perfect rum for mixing in a refreshing premium serve and sharing with friends.
$29.99
Dominican Republic
Brugal Añejo is matured in carefully selected American oak casks that are medium toasted to provide a smooth taste, with beautifully light aromas of wood. Our Añejo rum is dry in an overall sense and buttery in the mouth with a slight hint of caramel and tannin.
Brugal Añejo is a perfect rum for mixing in a refreshing premium serve and sharing with friends.
$26.99
Jalisco, Mexico
The Camarena Family has been making tequila since 1937, crafting some of the world’s best tequilas for generations. Where Felipe and his sons have established El Pandillo Distillery is a place where they honor their family’s proud tequila tradition and quality standards while innovating for today. The name of the distillery, El Pandillo was the name of Felipe’s grandfather’s favorite bull and the tahona stone you see was the only surviving piece of what would have been their family’s distillery during the Revolution.
With tequila’s growing popularity, many producers modernize and rush the process to the detriment of crafting great tequila. At G4, Felipe uses traditional stone ovens, cooking the agave for 22 hours. However, most stone ovens only cook from the bottom, creating wasted agave and uneven taste. G4’s ovens cook from top and bottom to bring out the pure agave flavor. In addition to this, when the agave is done, most producers discard this. At G4, they repurpose the remains and turn it into fertilizer, reducing waste.
G4 tequila is distilled using traditional copper stills for the 1st and 2nd distillation. It’s how tequila was traditionally made, and provides a better end result than stainless. While it takes a little more work and won’t last quite as long, when it comes to pursuing the highest quality standards, that little bit extra is worth it to Felipe.
G4 Tequila Blanco offers nice minerality and forward aroma from rainwater distillation. Silky texture with slight heat. True agave, spicy, peppery, smooth and delicious with nice buttery notes and smoky elements. Complex, but pleasant sipping.
$49.99
Paarl, South Africa
Vitis Vinifera Awards (2023) - Double Gold Platter’s Guide (2022) – 4 stars
Druk My Niet T3 is a beautiful red blend from the Paarl wine region north of Cape Town. Druk My Niet (Don’t Squeeze Me) is a small boutique wine farm ascending the Hawekwa Mountains in the heart of the Boland region. It is nestled within the historic Dal Josaphat Valley amid larger farms and fields of local Fynbos. Located within a biosphere reserve, the vineyards are grown sustainably, and the wines are made to allow this pristine terroir to be expressed in all its beauty. These vineyards were planted in 2004 on ancient granitic soils at an elevation of 240m. The winemaker is Alexa Macfarlane.
Druk My Niet is a world-first blend of 40% Tannat, 35% Tempranillo, and 25% Tinta Amarella. Bright cherry aromas on the nose are supported by layers of cinnamon, fennel bulb and black tea. Hints of sandalwood and toasted fenugreek, combined with intense black and red fruits follow through onto the palate to produce a seamless wine of richness and intrigue. Notes of spice and dark fruits linger on the satisfying, dry finish.
Enjoy Druk My Niet T3 over the next 6-8 years with filet mignon, beef Bourguignon, roasted duck breast and aged cheeses.
$29.99
Crete, Greece
Ampelourgein Erotodiomatris is a beautiful natural Greek red wine blend two indigenous varieties of Crete: Kotsifali and Mandilari. The Ampelourgein winery was created by Nikos Papadakis in 1997. It is located in the village Schinokapsala of Lasithi on Crete and produces natural wines with minimal additives from local Cretan grape varieties. The vineyards are scattered in the mountains of Lasithi without intensive farming at an altitude of 850-1150 meters, far away from atmospheric pollution. Wild and hard but also a blessed place away from phylloxera. Organic with no sulfites added.
Ampelourgein Erotodiomatris is a natural dry red wine from two indigenous varieties of Crete. Mandilari is the king of the indigenous varieties of the island. It produces a full-bodied red that offers plum, anise and fig flavors with a backbone of leather and high acidity, very rich in color. For this reason, they often mix it with varieties such as Kotsifali. The latter is an excellent red variety that has a soft, sweet taste loaded with plum aromas. Fermentation is done in an open tank with native yeasts and minimal human intervention. This is a wine where the primary and secondary aromas dominate since it does not pass through the barrel at all, so that it is able to express the unique sensory signature of its place of origin!
Enjoy Ampelourgein Erotodiomatris with grilled lamb, souvlaki, moussaka, and rich vegetable dishes.
$37.99
Alexander Valley, California
Wine Advocate 94 points! Wine Enthusiast 94 points!
High above California’s Alexander Valley stand the towering Mayacamas Mountains, home to Stonestreet’s rugged Alexander Mountain Estate. This epic, untamed landscape is both challenging and rewarding when it comes to growing grapes. Here, we are truly a guest of nature, subject to both its bounty and its whims, which serve as a constant reminder that we are merely custodians to this remarkable place. Alexander Mountain Estate stands as the largest and one of the most extensive mountain vineyards in the world. Towering high above the Alexander Valley, Alexander Mountain Estate defies all previous conceptions of winegrowing-235 separate vineyard blocks are aligned in every imaginable spot on the compass, with peaks, valleys and ridges creating a broad spectrum of varied facings and elevations. Yet only a fifth of the 5,100-acre estate is planted to wine grapes.
As a blend of our best Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard sites, the Estate bottling is one of the most compelling illustrations of the Stonestreet Mountain. We blend this wine with discerning precision, balancing aromatic intrigue, texture and the Mayacamas’ signature structural elements into a pure reflection of the vintage. The 2017 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon starts out with savory aromas of raspberry, dried blood orange, violet and black tea. As the wine opens, deep fruit flavors of black currant, bramble, red plum, and milk chocolate begin to show. The palate is rich and inviting with purposeful tannins, considerable length and plenty of concentration.
“The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is blended with 1.5% Petit Verdot and matured for 20 months in 35% new oak. It's bursting with gregarious blackcurrant, blueberry, mint chocolate and lilac plus touches of cigar ash, licorice and coffee beans. The medium-bodied palate is light on its feet despite its deep core of perfumed fruit, with a frame of grainy tannins and juicy acidity that calls you in for another sip. This is wonderfully easy to drink despite offering plenty of complexity. 8,028 cases produced. Drink 2024-2039.”— Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate, 94 points!
Enjoy Stonestreet Estate Cabernet Sauvignon with grilled sirloin, roast lamb, and rich vegetarian dishes.
$65.99
Priorat, Spain
Lo Petit de la Casa is a wonderful introduction to the prestigious Priorat region of Spain. Trossos del Priorat is a small, family-run winery located in the village of Gratallops, at the top of the Priorat and home to some of the most prominent producers of Priorat. The Llicorella soils here provide unique climatic conditions in which the Grenache and Carignan vines thrive. The soil structure formed of layers upon layers of slate, with virtually no topsoil, helps with drainage, forcing the roots to grow deep into the soil to source water. Nutrients are poor, therefore the vines dedicate their reproductive cycle to the fruit rather than the vegetation, giving the grapes concentration and power.
Lo Petit de la Casa is 100% Grenache from organically grown strains under the certificate of the Catalan Council of Ecological Agricultural Production (CCPA). The winemaker Eva Escude works in collaboration with famed winemaker Toni Coca to produce wines with an elegant profile which Eva believes is the most authentic representation of the region. The grapes grow on slate soils, they are de-stemmed in the winery and macerated cold for greater aromatic extraction. Fermentation then occurs at low temperature for 19 days. The aging in three-year-old French oak barrels is about one year. This wine is finally aged in the bottle for 10 months. The goal of Trossos del Priorat is to produce wines expressive of the terroir, with the peculiarities of typical wines of Priorat.
Lo Petit de la Casa Priorat is ruby red in color and soft on the palate with medium-full-body and fine, well integrated tannins, offering rich flavors of plum and blackberries. It is a blend of Garnacha and Carignan. It is nicely balanced with a long, lingering finish.
Enjoy Trossos Lo Petit de la Casa Priorat over the next 8-10 years with roast lamb, steak, grilled vegetables and aged cheeses.
$24.99
Maremma Toscana IGT, Italy
La Mozza Ciliegiolo is a beautiful red wine from the Maremma subregion of Tuscany. Cultivated for centuries in Tuscany, especially in the Maremma area, Ciliegiolo represents the essence of the territory from which it originates. Produced in purity in order to emphasize all its characteristics, it is rightly considered among the native vines of excellence and among the most typical ones of the region.
Located in the heart of the wildest Maremma, La Mozza covers 36 hectares, of which 16 are vineyards. Located entirely in the municipality of Magliano in Toscana, an almost uncontaminated area of wild beauty, surrounded by pastures, arable land and forests, where many wild animals still roam.
La Mozza Ciliegiolo is deep ruby red in color, intense and brilliant with violet reflections. It offers a typically Mediterranean scent, warm and richly fruity, with notes of small black berries, thyme, nepetella and pink pepper. The long, consistent and silky tannins, well balanced by fullness and acidity, give it immediate drinkability, together with a long perspective of evolution in the bottle.
Enjoy La Mozza Ciliegiolo with veal, pasta, osso buco, and aged cheeses. It may be served slightly chilled to enhance its delicate aromatics.
$18.99
France
Ciroc Vodka Limonata brings a zesty twist to the classic spirit, infused with the natural flavors of sun-ripened lemons. Originating from France, this premium vodka is crafted using the traditional methods that have long established the region as a leader in producing fine spirits.
Perfect for crafting sophisticated cocktails, Ciroc Vodka Limonata pairs excellently with light appetizers, seafood dishes, and can equally be enjoyed simply over ice with a splash of soda. Its citric essence makes it a versatile companion for a variety of mixers.
$35.99
Gavi DOC, Piedmont, Italy
Gilbert & Gaillard Gold—International Challenge 2023
La Bollina Gavi is a beautiful food-friendly dry white wine from the Monferrato region of Piedmont, made of 100% Cortese. Tenuta La Bollina is located in the territory originally assigned to the production of Gavi DOCG. The estate, which for centuries has been the residency of the Marchioness Figari of Genova, is surrounded by a magnificent landscape of hills, selected vineyards and chestnut woods. The winery has 25 hectares of property and a well-equipped cellar.
La Bollina Gavi is straw yellow in color with tints of green. Dry and unoaked with medium-full body, it offers a beautiful nose of fresh fruits and spring flowers. Balanced, round and fresh with a long, refreshing finish.
La Bollina Gavi is an ideal match for grilled salmon, roast chicken, cheeses, risotto and vegetarian dishes. Enjoy over the next 4-5 years.
$16.99
Napa Valley, California
Vinous 96 points!
Maitre de Chai Cabernet Sauvignon is a beautiful expression of Napa Valley from a single vineyard, Gala Mountain Vineyard. It is rare when a winemaker has a background as a top-level chef in restaurants. Nonetheless, there are some interesting parallels between these two noble professions. In the case of Alex Pitts and Marty Winters of the Maitre de Chai winery, both food and wine figure prominently in their resumés. Having worked in top kitchens, cellars and even as front-of-the-house sommeliers, this combined experience has informed their approach to making their own wines. Their winery, Maitre de Chai, was established in 2012. Together they look to make wines of high quality in a way that best showcases the ingredients that top California vineyards can produce. For this Cab, it’s the Gala Mountain Vineyard in Napa Valley. The Gala Mountain Vineyard sits at 1,000' above Napa Valley on the slopes of Mt. George just East of the town of Napa. The Northwest facing, terraced vineyard was planted in 1992 and is cooled by the constant breezes of the San Pablo Bay. The six-acre vineyard was converted from organic to biodynamic in 2018.
“The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Gala Vineyard is fabulous. It emerges from a terraced vineyard at 1,800 feet in elevation in Napa Valley, just above the Coombsville AVA. Rich, dark and beautifully structured, the 2021 possesses notable pedigree and character. Black cherry, plum, gravel, licorice, bay leaf and espresso all race across the palate. Readers who enjoy old-school Napa Cabernets will adore this. This wine, if sold in Napa Valley, would cost four to five times as much. Don't miss it!”—Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 96 points!
Enjoy Maitre de Chai Cabernet Sauvignon with filet mignon, rack of lamb, steak, grilled vegetables and aged cheeses.
$49.99
Italy
Ultimate Beverage Challenge 93 points - Bright pink orange hue. Zesty orange and ruby red grapefruit aromas. The palate resembles the bouquet, while offering sweet flavors and grapefruit peel. Bright and zippy..April/2016
11% alcohol
Enjoy APEROL as an aperitif before meals, served on the rocks or mixed with soda, juices and sparkling wine. Serve in a well-chilled flute glass or rocks glass. Garnish with an orange slice.
$18.99
Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points!
Tenuta Guada al Tasso Il Bruciato from Antinori is a beautiful super Tuscan from the Bolgheri region. Il Bruciato was first produced in 2002 in one of the most difficult vintages ever for the Guado al Tasso estate. The wine is a modern interpretation of Bolgheri's unique terroir made from carefully selected Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah grapes from Guado al Tasso's vineyards. The geological composition of the soil is diversified giving the wine structure and complexity.
“An opaque purple blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah, the 2022 Il Bruciato is luxurious with notes of blackberry liqueur and some blue fruit coming through along with notes of violets, olive, and black licorice. Full-bodied, with a weightless and seamless feel, it has no harsh edges and offers ripe tannins with a supple texture, fresh acidity, and clean ripeness through a rather long finish.” —Jeb Dunnuck 93 points!
Enjoy Tenuta Guado al Tasso Il Bruciato with veal, pasta, osso buco, and aged cheeses.
$34.99
$39.99
$4.99
$42.99
$69.99
Valdeorras, Spain
Wine Spectator 89 points!
The Virgen del Galir winery is located in Éntoma, a small village in Orense, Galicia, in the northwest of Spain. It has been part of the CVNE family since 2018. The Galir Valley falls under the Valdeorras DO (designation of origin). The winery’s philosophy is to make wines that reflect the values of the land while respecting local traditions. This begins with the winery’s name, a tribute to Our Lady of Galir, the protector of the region’s vineyards. The history of wine growing in Valdeorras dates back to the Roman times, where there are references in Latin texts made to grape vines planted in the region along the river Sil. The name itself means "Valley of Gold." The region was given DO status in 1945.
“Grapes used for Pagos del Galir Godello are a selection from our vineyards in Entoma, Regueiron y O Serro. Soils in these high altitude vineyards with a 30% of inclination are mostly slate. A dry summer has provided a full maturation of the grape causing a fresh and aromatic harvest, probably one of the best of the last 10 years. Lemon color, clean and shiny. Intense nose, white fruit, bush, stones. Fresh in the mouth, silky, elegant, balanced, fresh.”-Virgen del Galir “Floral and pretty on the nose, with an enticing note of ripe apricot layered with the snappy tang of salty mineral on the lightly fleshy, mouthwatering palate. Shows hints of almond skin and citrus on the finish. Drink now. 2,900 cases made, 400 cases imported.”—Wine Spectator, 89 points!
Enjoy Virgen del Galir Godello Pagos del Galir with grilled shrimp, baked swordfish, roast chicken, tapas and light summer fare.
$18.99
$24.99
$23.99
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Audacia Codebreaker is a bold red blend from the Stellenbosch wine region of South Africa. Audacia is a 32-hectare wine farm in a very special area of South Africa's prime vine growing and winemaking region, Stellenbosch. It's situated in what is known as 'The Golden Triangle' of Stellenbosch, a unique patch of land at the foot of the Helderberg Mountain. It's special because this is where some of South Africa's best red wines, particularly Shiraz, are grown and made. It's for this reason - and the fact that its vineyards are exclusively planted to red grape varieties – that Audacia has dubbed itself “The Red Wine Boutique Winery.”
Audacia Codebreaker is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot. No sulphur added; naturally preserved with antioxidant honeybush/rooibos. The vines are between 22 and 24 years old and planted on a south-facing slope in deep alluvial soils. Natural nutrients are applied to the vineyards. The wine is aged in French oak barrels for 11 months, 33% new oak. The wine is violet red in color. Earthiness greets the nose with intense dark berries and hints of licorice. The wine has a medium body with a soft consistency and an elegant tannin structure. Black fruit is dominant on the palate with hints of dry spices that linger on.
On the nose, fresh mint and black currant aromas with vanilla undertones. The tannins are young, but elegant and well balanced on the palate with mint flavors and aromas. The wine was aged in French oak staves for 12 months. On the finish, it is long and velvety.
Enjoy Audacia Codebreaker with veal chops, steak, roasted vegetables, and aged cheeses.
$21.99
$21.99
Rioja, Spain
Wine Advocate 92 points! James Suckling 93 points!
La Rioja Alta Vina Alberdi Reserva is a gorgeous Spanish red wine gem for the ages from one of the top producers in the renowned Rioja wine region. With more than 50,000 casks and 6.4 million bottles stored at any one time, La Rioja Alta S.A. is unique in its ability to supply large quantities of fully mature wines of world class quality. The Bodega was formed in 1890 as a partnership of 5 quality-conscious growers keen to exploit the export potential for well-made 'modern' Rioja. La Rioja Alta has never let standards slip and continues to this day the tradition of careful long aging that gives Rioja its unique character. These wines offer a wonderfully complex bouquet, rich flavors, a seductively smooth texture, and are all ready to drink on release.
La Rioja Alta Vina Alberdi Reserva is bright garnet in color with intense cherry tones on the edge of the glass. On the nose, its strong aromatic intensity of ripe fruits, strawberries, raspberries and blackberry stands out, which round out the friendly balsamic notes of vanilla, caramel, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. The palate is rounded, balanced, with a gentle initial freshness and sweet, round tannins, giving way to a long, fruity and balsamic aftertaste, so characteristic of Viña Alberdi.
“Their young and fresh red 2018 Viña Alberdi, already a Reserva (Crianza in Spain), matured in oak barrel for two years—in new barrels for the first year and in used barrels for the second year. During the élevage, they racked the wine manually from barrel to barrel four times. 2018 was a year of lower alcohol and more freshness in the wines, and they thought the wines were not designed for the long haul; so, they didn't produce any other wine, and so the only wine from 2018 IS VIÑA ALBERDI! Which means that all the Tempranillo grapes that were destined for 890, 904 and all the other wines went to this wine. They didn't use the Garnacha (which was sold in bulk). So, this is a super- Viña Alberdi, which shows more Crianza style in this cooler vintage but with very good depth and complexity, perhaps a more modern and fresher style. The wine has a seamless palate and a juicy texture, with more color than other vintages, more intensity, more fruit... It has grapes from very good vineyards and poor soils that were never destined for this wine. Highly recommendable and very versatile. It has potential to age. They produced a whopping one million bottles of it. It was bottled in March 2021. Drink 2022-2028”—Luis Gutierrez, Wine Advocate, 92 points!
Enjoy La Rioja Alta Vina Alberdi Reserva with roast pork, lamb, grilled steak, paella, and aged cheeses.
$25.99
Kentucky
Basil Hayden Malted Rye introduces an entirely new flavor profile within the Rye category. It is a unique take on rye whiskey that delivers an unexpected softness and approachability. Basil Hayden Malted Rye leverages a malting process that transforms the rye grain to deliver a more subtle, mellow spice with delicate sweet & floral notes. The 100% malted rye mash bill imparts a delicate floral aroma and soft notes of vanilla and toasted rye bread, with a light finish of chocolate and warm spice.
Bottled at 80 proof, Malted Rye offers a well-rounded, lighter, approachable and refined taste profile.
$54.99
$36.99
$23.99
Tuscany, Italy
Vinous 92 points! Wine Advocate 94! Wine Spectator 93! Kerin O’Keefe 96 points!
Caprili Brunello di Montalcino is a beautiful red wine gem from the excellent 2018 vintage. Caprili is a Brunello estate in the southwestern sector of the Montalcino appellation near the hamlet of Tavernelle. They are considered one of the old guard of Montalcino producers as they were established in 1965 when they split off from the famous Pieve Santa Restituta estate. At that time there were fewer than 20 estates, and there are no well over 200! The wines are staunchly traditional, with long macerations followed by at least three years in cask. Caprili offers great value for world-class Brunello.
“Exotic and spicy from the first tilt of the glass, the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino wafts up with a bouquet of sweet herbal tones, woodland berries and wet stones. It’s round and supple in feel, as ripe strawberry and red plum are complemented by hints of autumnal spice. This finishes only lightly structured, almost transparent in feel, pinching at the cheeks with silty tannins, as nuances of clove and dried black cherries slowly fade. The 2018, an incredibly pretty yet delicate Brunello from Caprilli, is sure to win a lot of hearts.”—Vinous, 92 points!
“All about finesse and flavor, this stunner opens with quintessential aromas of classically crafted Brunello including violet, perfumed berry, new leather and forest floor that mingle with eucalyptus notes. It dances across the palate, offering juicy red cherry, orange zest, star anise and saline before a white almond close. Lithe tannins and fresh acidity keep it elegant and bright. Delicious and already approachable, it will age well for another decade or more. Drink 2023–2033.”--Kerin O’Keefe, 96 points!
Caprili Brunello di Montalcino is perfect with roast beef, osso buco, rich vegetarian dishes, and aged cheeses.
$59.99
Etna Rosso DOC, Sicily, Italy
Wine Advocate 92 points!
“Proprietor Marc de Grazia is one of the pioneers of the Etna. Not only was he among the first producers to recognize the value of these once-forgotten, ancient terroirs, he also was the first producer to bring attention to the specific qualities of these vineyards by bottling single-parcel Nerellos that have become reference-point wines for the Etna.” – Wine Advocate
Terre Nere Etna Rosso is a beautiful red wine gem from the volcanic soils of Sicily. The Terre Nere estate has roughly 43 hectares of vineyards, along with 150 olive trees. The Guardiola vineyards are the highest-altitude red-grape vineyards in Europe! 500,000 years of volcanic eruptions have created endless soil variation in neighboring plots of land, many of them radical. The soil at Terre Nere is mostly volcanic ash speckled by black pumice and peppered with abundant volcanic rock. Above all else, the extraordinary elevation yields dramatic temperature variations between night and day, making the wines of Etna fine and elegant, devoid of the heat and overripe flavors that usually define southern wines. Certified organic.
“The Tenuta delle Terre Nere 2020 Etna Rosso is made with declassified contrada fruit. The base is Nerello Mascalese, but a little Nerello Cappuccio and Nerello Mantellato is included, depending on the vintage. The wine is redolent of wild berry, mountain flower, dried herb, crushed white pepper and volcanic ash. It shows a silky finish with firm structure. Drink 2023-2028.”—Monica Larner, Wine Advocate 92 points!
This vintage is 98% Nerello Mascalese and 2% Nerello Cappuccio. The wine underwent spontaneous malolactic fermentation and aging in large French oak barrels (10-30 hl). Bottling after 14-16 months of wood aging and 1 month in steel.
Enjoy Terre Nere Etna Rosso over the next 6-8 years with osso buco, lasagna, grilled meats and aged cheeses.
$29.99
$29.99
$39.99
As wine breathes, it opens up and releases its intended aromas and flavors.
Traditionally, a decanter is used to aerate wine and the whole decanting process generally takes a half hour to one hour.
Magic Decanter Essential Wine Aerator is specially designed to speed up this process.
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