Wines

Organic / Natural / No Sulfites Added

100% Pinot Grigio from 15 year-old, estate-grown vines planted in alluvial soils, rich in clay. Upon arrival in the cellar, the grapes are destemmed and crushed, followed by a soft pressing, static clarification and fermentation exclusively with wild yeasts at controlled temperature in stainless steel vats at 18?C. The wine is kept on its fine lees for several months in stainless steel vats at a controlled temperature. The lees are frequently stirred to add depth and texture. The wine is bottled without the addition of any sulfites whatsoever. The checkered label is meant as an homage to the tiled floor of St. Marks Basilica in Venice. - No Added Sulfites -

Winemaker Notes:
Indicative of its cool-climate origins, with bright acidity beneath notes of pear, apple, pineapple, apricot, nutmeg and vanilla-all framed by a richly textured palate.

"Pale gold in color, this Cava has aromas of mature white peach, toasted bread and green tea with hints of lemon citrus and apricots. Equally rich and broad on the palate, these flavors continue to unfold on the palate." Importer notes

Reserva de la Familia is the flagship cuvée of the Juvé y Camps estate winery. In the beginning days of their winemaking, the Juvé y Camps family had their own reserve of this Cava, and it is still the only Brut Nature that they make. Made from the free run juice of traditional varieties Macabeo, Xarel.lo and Parellada and a touch of Chardonnay, this is the Cava of choice of Spain’s royal family, and it is regularly served at all official banquets.

Juvé & Camps is a family-owned winery located in San Sadurní d’Anoia, a small town in the northeastern Penedès region near Barcelona. Founded in 1921 by Joan Juvé Baqués and his wife Teresa Camps Farré, the winery’s three-generation history has resulted in an international reputation for producing top-quality Cava. The story of Juvé & Camps actually began over 200 years ago when Joan Juvé Mir, a bold and enterprising vine grower with ideas ahead of his time, laid the foundation for what would become the family firm. His son, Antoni Juvé Escaiola, carried on the legacy. There were many challenges, including the terrible phylloxera plague. Advocating replanting (as did other leading figures of the Penedès), he led a drive to restore the vineyards and to rebuild the region’s wine production. Respected and loved by his contemporaries, his example encouraged his son, Joan Juvé Baqués, to build the family’s first winery. Joan Juvé Baqués married Teresa Camps Farré, an exceptional woman and an enthusiastic supporter who, in 1921, inspired her husband to launch the first sparkling wine under the Juvé brand. It was made in the underground cellars beneath the family home in San Sadurní d’Anoia. Today, Juvé & Camps has established itself as the most highly regarded Cava producer in Spain. Juvé & Camps wines are regularly served at state banquets given by Spain’s Royal Family and are offered to visitors and guests by the National Government, the Senate and Congress.

90 points James Suckling
A round, juicy red with plum, chocolate and berry aromas and flavors. Chewy, yet caressing with a long, flavorful finish. Hints of biscuits and balsamic. Drink now

Winemaker Notes:
"Apothic Red reveals intense fruit aromas and flavors of rhubarb and black cherry, complemented by hints of mocha, chocolate, brown spice and vanilla. The plush, velvety mouthfeel and the smooth finish round out this intriguing, full-bodied red blend."

Inspired by the "Apotheca", a mysterious place where wine was blended and stored in 13th century Europe, Apothic Red offers a truly unique wine experience.

The brambly spice of Zinfandel, dark fruit flavors of Syrah, the bold notes of Cabernet Sauvignon and the smooth elegance of Merlot unite to create this captivating red blend.

"Our signature Riesling is vibrant and aromatic, featuring the distinctive minerality that has become our trademark. Fragrant essence of spring blossoms sets the stage for a succulent palate of early fruit, balanced with a refreshing crispness, revealing the true qualities of the Riesling grape. A brilliant texture carries into a lingering finish, in a wine that accommodates a wide range of food." Winemaker notes

Whole Cluster Press, Cold fermentation 3+ months, No fining or filtering agents, Estate grown & bottled. Estate Vineyards: 65% HJW, 23% Josef, 12% Magdalena.

Organic / Biodynamic

90 points Wine Advocate
The red 2022 Montecastrillo was produced with 90% Tempranillo and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon from younger vines, fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel and matured in 225-liter barrels for eight months. It has good ripeness, 14.5% alcohol and a pH of 3.75. It's medium-bodied and approachable, with fine tannins, finishing with fruit-driven flavors. It keeps the poise in this warm and dry year.

Finca Torremilanos continues with their environmentally minded approach. Not only are their 198 hectares certified organic and biodynamic, but they go beyond that and installed solar panels in 2023 that cover 40% of their electricity needs. Production is 500,000 bottles.

100% biodynamically-cultivated Tempranillo from the estate’s younger vines. Fermentation takes 9 days and malolactic occurs in 80% stainless steel and 20% in barrel. Elevage for three to four months in a mix of French and American 225L barrels.

92-94 points Jeb Dunnuck
The only barrel sample I was able to taste, the 2021 GSM Santa Barbara County showed beautifully, and if this wine is any indication, this estate didn’t miss a beat in 2021. Giving up pretty blue fruits, peppery herbs, and sappy flower nuances, it’s medium to full-bodied, has terrific tannins, and an elegant yet textured style that will drink nicely right out of the gate.

92 points Wine Spectator
Plush and savory, with sleek raspberry, orange-tinged mocha and smoked pepper flavors that build richness and structure toward refined tannins. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. Drink now through 2030. 1,350 cases made.

91-93 points Vinous
The 2021 GSM is a promising wine. Deep and beautifully layered in the glass, with terrific vibrancy, the GSM is marked by gorgeous purity in its red/purplish fruit and terrific balance. It is the only 2021 that had been racked at the time of my visit, but also a wine that portends well for the vintage if its representative of quality across the range.

Off Dry sparkling red.
Fabio Lini's artisanal approach to sparkling wine production, their bright red fruit and berry
flavors are balanced by juicy minerality. Their clean but lingering finish makes them an ideal
pairing for a wide variety of cuisines.

"Ruby red colour with a golden rim. Bright and deep. Complex aromas. There is a great balance between the fruit (cherries, black plums, ripe blackberries) and the clean nuances of the wood (clove, pepper, vanilla and coconut). The nose is further enriched by the aromas that develop during bottle ageing. Smooth and balanced on the palate with a full, elegant feel and a long, lingering finish." Winemaker notes

Aged for 18 months in American and French-oak casks (50%). Rounded off for 18 months in the bottle cellar.

91 points Wine Advocate
A terrific value proposition, the organic Valle dell'Acate 2022 Sicilia Vittoria Il Frappato shows a light appearance with shiny ruby colors. This wine is fragrant and punchy with lots of vibrant cherry fruit, wild berry and sour cassis. Hints of caper or green olive also appear. You get energy and tension in this easy-drinking red. Valle dell'Acate makes a really fun bottle of Frappato that hits all the right marks.

Winemaking Notes:
Fresh, bright and crisp, this Sauvignon Blanc is a wine of balance, richness and aromatic complexity. Leading with zesty citrus notes of grapefruit, Meyer lemon and a light grassiness, this wine gives way to more tropical fruit and melon characteristics. This classic Sonoma County style Sauvignon Blanc ends with clean, refreshing acidity and pairs beautifully with toasted brie, seared scallops, oysters with mignonette and fresh pasta with sweet peas and a lemon cream sauce.

Food Pairing:
This classic Sauvignon Blanc pairs wonderfully with oysters, salads, vegetable quiche and a variety of seafood dishes.

Organic

Whilst the origins of viticulture at Can Vendrell go back to the middle ages, it was not until 1903 that the Albet family established itself at the estate. Joan Albet i Rovirosa came to Can Vendrell to oversee the replanting of the estate after the Phylloxera plague. This process involved planting American rootstock and grafting the desired variety onto that rootstock. After replanting the vineyards he stayed on as manager of the 210 hectare estate of which 90 hectares were vineyards.

It was the fourth and current generation, Josep Maria Albet i Noya, that introduced organic farming methods to the vineyards. Josep Maria took over the management of the estate after his father's death in 1972 and at the end of the seventies started producing his first organic wines. With the success of that first wine produced specifically for the Danish market, they gradually moved the entire estate over to organic farming.

The family also finally acquired the estate that they had been farming for four generations. At this point, they began a long process of continuous rennovation of the cellar, as well as switching 100% of the estate over to organic farming methods.

We currently control 80.6 hectares of vineyards as well as buying grapes from local farmers who have converted to organic farming, paying the highest prices in the Penedès and advising the farmers to ensure the highest quality.

Winemaker Notes:
This Hess Select Cabernet features grapes from some of the best vineyards in Napa and Lake county. The wine showcases a ruby color with aromas red raspberry and dark cherry. Flavors of red raspberry, black cherry follow with spicy notes of currants, anise, cloves, cedar and a touch of vanilla. This soft, round, medium-bodied wine tastes like Cabernet should.
This Cabernet is perfect with an informal BBQ straight through to Saturday night. Dishes incorporating sweet peppers, caramelized onions or roasted Portobello mushrooms, a hearty bacon burger with blue cheese, barbecued shrimp, and mild blue cheeses or cheddar cheese. All these dishes pair well with the Hess Select Cabernet.

Organic

Whereas much of Austria’s Grüner Veltliner is planted in soils of loess, Stadlmann’s grows in the limestone that characterizes their sector of the Thermenregion, resulting in an elegantly chalky, salty wine less opulent than many versions grown elsewhere. Fermented spontaneously in large neutral-oak casks, it is bottled in May the year after harvest without fining and with only a gentle filtration, rarely topping 12.5% alcohol. (Rosenthal Wine Merchant Import)

Winemaker Notes:
"Our prize offering, the ultra premium Claret, sports a label that honors the first Cabernet Sauvignon blended in a Bordeaux style by Gustave Niebaum in 1910. Claret is a term originally coined by the British to describe Cabernet-based wines. This Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc blend is alluring and sophisticated; it is memorably lush with a tapestry of smooth tannins and succulent flavors of wild berries, plum and anise. Borrowing tradition of European wineries, we add gold netting to bottle to signify outstanding quality of wine."

77% Cabernet Sauvignon 19% Petit Verdot 3% Cabernet Franc 1% Merlot. Aged 12 months in French oak.

Deep, inky red in color, this wine offers up seductive scents of cassis, licorice, ripe plum and blackberry intermingled with hints of toasty oak and nutmeg spice. Concentrated fruit envelops the palate, with deep, luscious flavors that echo the nose. It has a rich, full-bodied structure, hints of sweet oak, and a long, pleasing finish. - PJ

An absolutely lip smacking Montelpuciano that shows none of the grapiness or downright ugliness of all too many cheap Abruzo table wines. Instead, the Pietrantonj shows outstanding cherry fruit, dried tobacco, and soft leather. But most importantly, it inspires you to keep returning to the glass. This is our kind of table wine, and for red-sauce-driven Italian food, we'd take this any day over many, many hundred-dollar plus wines that are all pomp and no soul. - PJ

Chianti Castiglioni features a beautiful ruby-red color with elegant purple hues. Delightful fruity notes immediately emerge on the nose: cherry, blackcurrant and raspberry. Floral and fragrant notes such as violet make an appearance later on. On the palate, Chianti Castiglioni is lively, soft and enveloping. The finish is long and persistent, with the after-taste confirming the fruity aromas previously detected on the nose. Pairs well with full-flavored dishes such as pappardelle pasta in a meat sauce, as well as roast chicken, sauteed beef with vegetables, and medium-aged cheeses.

91pts Wine Enthusiast:
"A blend of 80% Pinot Noir with 20% Chardonnay, this rose sparkles in well-hewn acidity, a dry mix of white peach that's fruity and decadent in creamy waves of soft texture and yeasty bubbles. It finishes with length and breadth, an ideal match for the table."

Brut Rose grapes are harvested by hand during the cool morning hours to ensure they arrive at the winery in pristine condition. Fermentation is conducted at cool temperatures, mainly in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and fruit intensity. A few selected lots are aged in French oak barrels to add depth, complexity and spiciness to the final blend. A small amount of red Pinot Noir is added to the blend before bottling to create the beautiful pink coral color. An average of 18 months’ yeast aging adds complexity, contributing subtle bread dough flavors and layers of creaminess. The wine is then disgorged and a dosage added back to balance the wine’s acidity. The dosage includes a Pinot Noir fermented in traditional Burgundian fashion, which contributes an extra measure of depth, color and robust fruitiness.

Winemaker Notes
"A clear, bright pale yellow in color, with refreshing citrus aromas of grapefruit and lime that intermingle with subtle tropical fruit aromas, especially pineapple, and a touch of herbs. On the palate, it is a balanced, fresh and fruity wine, with velvety texture and a persistent, enjoyable finish."

90 points Wine Spectator
Fresh and stylish, with abundant cured tobacco, ground anise and white pepper accenting ripe black plum and currant fruit flavors. The finish shows a hint of tarry smoke alongside light, fine tannins. Drink now through 2025.

The name Redimore, or "king of blackberries," recalls the youthful aromas of its single varietal composition. 100% Aglianico grapes vinified with long maceration on the skins at a controlled temperature in stainless steel tanks. Aged in French oak barriques for 12 months.

Organic

This organically farmed Estate fruit Cava is way more serious than you may be used to. The wine spends three years on the lees and is only disgorged when the US importer places their order. This results in a richer, more complex style of Cava that displays some serious brioche. A blend of 37% Parellada, 35% Macabeu and 28% Xarel-lo, the vintage-dated 2018 Brut Reserva was disgorged in December of 2021, having spent three years on the lees. The resulting wine is an excellent example of what Cava can be. The nose is clean and fruity with hints of apple, caramel and fresh herbs. The palate is elegant and balanced with well-integrated bubbles and excellent balance. Four grams dosage, 5.9 acidity and only 11.5% alcohol. Yum!

Food pairing: At any time. Ideal as an aperitif. Goes well with fish, seafood cream soup, white meat, goat cheese and desserts.

Torelló Mata uses only fruit from vines that are a minimum of 30 years old.

90 points James Suckling
Sliced green apple, lemon zest and white almond on the nose with a crisp and bright profile of yellow and green fruit on the palate. Elegant and fresh-toned.

90 points Jeb Dunnuck
All Verdejo, the 2021 Nisia is cut from the same cloth and has vibrant yellow fruits, citrus
blossom, honeysuckle, and floral notes in its medium-bodied, clean, lively, pretty style. It's slightly fresher and more medium-bodied compared to the richer 2020.

"Well-balanced and lightly creamy, this fresh white layers a tang of salinity and lemony acidity with flavors of white peach, pineapple, white blossoms and spice. Drink now through 2025." - Wine Spectator

Organic / Natural / Orange Wine

Owned by the Suriol family, Cellers de Can Suriol del Castell is known for making wines and vintage Cava with personality in the organic winemaking tradition. They make wines under the Suriol brand which are all estate bottled fruit and then they make the Azimut line from purchased grapes from their neighbors, all of whom work organically. The Can Suriol vineyards and winery are situated in Alt Penedes, Province of Barcelona, Catalunya. This region is justifiably famous for producing fine wines and cava. The cultivation of the Can Suriol vineyards is done by 100% organic methods as certified by the CCPAE (until 2007 NOP certification). - Jenny & Francois

Well structured and balanced, this full-bodied wine fills the palate with ripe but not jammy plum and black-cherry flavors backed by moderate tannins. It's a very good, substantial wine to pair with red meat.