The Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc displays intense lifted aromas of passionfruit and lime zest and hints of elderflower. The palate introduces delightful citrus based mouth-watering intensity and finishes with a strong textural component. Nautilus Estate produces serious Sauvignon Blanc, with site selection offering complex and age-worthy wines. This producer is a master of texture, as demonstrated here by the creamy mouthfeel, with a citrus pith and herbal through line and a great crunch of acidity that makes this a food friendly drop.

The Hartford Court Chardonnay really overdelivers. It’s an ideal expression of the Russian River Valley, with all the bright, sunny orchard fruit and spritzy citrus lift you could hope for, but also an extra measure of freshness and juiciness that leaves the mouth watering. Notably restrained, this shows excellent finesse and complexity.

The Hartford Court Pinot Noir is also from the Russian River Valley. It’s a bright ruby color and boasts a seductive perfume with notes of fresh leather, ripe cherries, sweet spices, and forest earth. The palate is medium-framed and has a focused and bright feel, with refreshing, mouthwatering acidity, ripe tannins, and a gently tapering, spiced finish.

Chianti for the Bordeaux drinker! This Chianti Classico opens with aromas of violet and bright red cherries, layered with fresh notes of mint and cedar. Flavors of raspberries and ripe plum dominate mid-palate, rounded with elegant tannins. Each sip is framed by pleasant acidity, finishing with notes of candied orange peel, cinnamon, and fresh rosemary. Arceno is based in Castelnuova Berardenga where the diverse soil types make for a more powerful expression of Sangiovese.

José Luis Ripa Sáenz de Navarrete has seen the ins and outs of Rioja and knows its wine making history like no one else, having worked for many years with some of the most reputable houses in the region (full disclosure, he is married to Maria Jose Lopez de Heredia). He makes just one wine, this aged rosé from a hectare of vines in the Najerilla Valley, in Rioja Alta. It’s primarily Garnacha with a small amount of Tempranillo. This is complex, layered and finely spiced with nuts, spice and marmalade, as well as some citrus notes. Very detailed with a wonderful savory quality, as well as some taut citrus fruit, a touch of pear skin, and also some cherry hints. It has been dubbed the new Tondonio rosé.