Staff Picks: 2023

Xurxo Alba’s family has been farming and making Albariño in Rïas Baixas O Salnés region, near the Atlantic Ocean, for generations. This is a taut and fresh white wine with so much energy… it literally... Read More

100% Biodynamically grown Loureiro. The idea behind Ten was to create a wine where they would ferment to approximately 10 degrees alcohol and have approximately 10 grams of residual sugar. Delicate tangerine and lime zest notes... Read More

The Knoll is always intriguing as a wine of contrast. Rose petal and ripe grapefruit aromas are underlaid by a distinct smokiness. A rich and explosive palate of apricot marmalade and lemon curd, but with an intense grapefruit... Read More

A blend of Jacquère and Altesse in almost equal proportions on the steep slopes of the Bauges foothills. A plot in a beautiful setting that Axel has imagined as a secret garden. Gentle, natural winemaking gives the Jacquère... Read More

Common Wealth Crush is an exciting project out of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley that functions as a custom crush meets incubator meets thinktank cooperative. All their projects have small producers in mind who are making waves... Read More

This 100% Nero d’Avola from Riverland, Australia, is wild fermented in stainless steel, and has blush strawberries and cream on the nose; super refreshing raspberry and rose water on the front palate. But it’s the... Read More

Made by Greg Brewer and already bottled, the 2023 Chardonnay comes from the Mission Mills Vineyard just outside of Los Alamos. Its vivid medium gold hue is followed by a vibrant nose of salted citrus, tangerine, exotic flowers,... Read More

Elegant, dry and fine, this Sylvaner from the complex soil of Rosenberg has unbelievabl purity and precision. It is a sophisticated and straightforward wine, with ripe floral notes and a slight bitterness that will only get better... Read More

The ever-pleasing and fruit-forward “Tasmorcan” Barbera by Elio Perrone is a sure crowdpleaser. Loaded with aromas of blueberry, raspberry and plum with a hint of sweet baking spice and wild mint is a pleasure. The... Read More

Hailing from Italy’s northernmost region, called Alto Adige or Südtirol—depending on whether Italian or German is your first language—this Schiava is a dreamy discovery for lovers of ethereal reds with a... Read More

Planted in the late 1970s these rare and gnarly looking, massive trunked, and nearly extinct vines produce unique and intriguing fruit each year. A veritable highwire act; light on its feet, wildly floral yet savory with a visceral... Read More

This elegantly balanced Pinot Noir has lush cherry and strawberry flavors with a hint of lightly toasted oak. Pair this wine with roasted turkey, soft cheeses like Brie or Comté, or hearty vegetables like sautéed... Read More

Sourced from 40 year-old vines in the Hordem and Dalwood vineyards, the Kirkton family established the first vineyard in Hunter Valley. Fermented and aged in stainless steel, this is a fresh and crisp Semillon, with undertones... Read More

Dynamic winemaker Vanessa Hoffman brings her scientific precision and global experience to this rare German-heritage variety at Knapp Winery. This Siegerrebe showcases everything exciting about less-common varieties in the Finger... Read More

La Miraja is nestled within the original castle of Castagnole Monferrato, constructed in the 11th century and retrofitted to serve as a cellar in the 1400s. Castagnole Monferrato holds the illustrious honor of being the birthplace... Read More

This is as much a masterpiece of filigree as the stained glass windows of a Gothic cathedral. At least this is the first impression, then when you reach the wine’s deep core you find gigantic concentration and off-the-scale... Read More

A dry sparkling white, this pét-nat is made entirely from Muscat à Petits Grains. Aromatic, racy, and with aromas of tropical fruits and white flowers. One of the most refreshing wines I've had in a long time!... Read More

Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio is one of the world’s most ancient vineyard sites, where grapes have been cultivated for wine production since the 5th century B.C.E.! The uber-rare, completely delicious piedirosso grape –... Read More

One of our most beloved wines, a salty-citrus-exotic sparkler that captures the wonderful, unique energy of nascent wine. We always make it from the same single vineyard, our sandy plot called Sahary, so it's a field blend... Read More

This Godello-based white from Rafael Palacios comes from sustainably-farmed vines averaging 25 years of age. Fermented and matured on the fine lees in neutral French oak, it offers lively, refreshing acidity with a mineral-driven... Read More

Minutes from the Mediterranean coast of southeast Sicily, Massimo Padova crafts this white wine from Grillo, Grecanico, Inzolia, Moscato Giallo, and a smattering of heirloom varieties. The magic of these grapes, planted on the... Read More

The Krettnacher Euchariusberg Auslese is harvested from vines planted in 1944 and 1964 in the privileged Gross Schock part of the vineyard, a deep, south-facing parcel of blue slate cooled by hillside breezes. Yields are punishingly... Read More