The Chronicle
Latest dispatches
111 results across all types
videoThe $22 California Chardonnay That Thinks It’s Chablis
Diatom Chardonnay Santa Barbara County 2024 Purchase this wine: https://www.winex.com/diatom-chardonnay-santa-barbara-county-2024.html Join our Daily Email Offer List: https://cdn.forms-content.sg-form.com/f3da488a-d10b-11ee-94a3-62718bdc6118 Some wines are about innovation. This one is about restraint. The Diatom Chardonnay from Los Alamos is one of the purest expressions of Chardonnay you will find anywhere in California. No oak. No butter. No manipulation. Just clean, coastal fruit and precision winemaking. And that is exactly why it works. The vineyard sits on diatomaceous earth soils, a rare and highly mineral-rich foundation that gives the wine its signature energy and salinity. Combined with a cool climate and careful farming, the result is Chardonnay that actually has something to say without relying on oak for flavor. Everything is done in stainless steel, preserving freshness and clarity. But here is the surprising part. This is not a simple wine. In the glass, it
videoOne of the Greatest Chianti Classico Wines You’ve Probably Never Had
Rocca di Montegrossi Chianti Classico Gran Selezione San Marcellino 2020 Link to Wine:https://www.winex.com/rocca-di-montegrossi-chianti-classico-gran-selezione-san-marcellino-2020.html Join our Daily Email Offer List: https://cdn.forms-content.sg-form.com/f3da488a-d10b-11ee-94a3-62718bdc6118 How do you follow up the highest scoring Chianti Classico in Wine Spectator history? With another stunning vintage. The Rocca di Montegrossi San Marcellino Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2020 comes on the heels of the legendary 2019 release, a wine that scored 97 points and set a new benchmark for the category. And now the 2020 is delivering in a big way. Antonio Galloni awarded the wine 96 points after a vertical tasting, confirming what insiders already knew. This is not just a great Chianti Classico. It is one of the most serious Sangiovese wines being produced in Tuscany today. San Marcellino is a single vineyard wine, composed of 88 percent Sangiovese and 12 percent Pugnitello, a rar
videoCollectors Are Chasing the 2023 Dominus and We Know Why!
Dominus Napa Valley 2023 Link to the wine: https://www.winex.com/dominus-napa-valley-2023.html Join our Daily Email Offer List: https://cdn.forms-content.sg-form.com/f3da488a-d10b-11ee-94a3-62718bdc6118 Some wines are great every year. And then there are vintages that stand apart. The 2023 Dominus Estate is shaping up to be one of those wines. Founded by Christian Moueix, the visionary behind Château Pétrus and other legendary Bordeaux estates, Dominus was always designed to bring a Bordeaux sensibility to Napa Valley. The estate sits in Yountville, where cooler conditions allow Cabernet Sauvignon to develop with balance, precision, and restraint. That vision has paid off. Since 2010, Dominus has produced a remarkable run of wines, including multiple 100 point vintages, cementing its place among Napa’s most collectible producers. But what makes 2023 especially compelling is what came before it. There was no 2022 Dominus produced. The vintage did not meet the estate’s standard
videoOne of the Most Reliable Pinot Noir Values in America
Drouhin Roserock Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills 2024 Link to Wine: https://www.winex.com/drouhin-roserock-pinot-noir-eola-amity-hills-2024.html Join our Daily Email Offer List: https://cdn.forms-content.sg-form.com/f3da488a-d10b-11ee-94a3-62718bdc6118 Some vineyards are famous before the winery even arrives. Roserock is one of them. Located in Oregon’s Eola-Amity Hills, this vineyard had already built a reputation for exceptional Pinot Noir long before the Drouhin family acquired the property in 2013. When the legendary Burgundy producer took over the site, expectations were high. And they delivered. The Drouhins kept Roserock distinct from their Dundee Hills estate, allowing the vineyard’s deeper, darker Eola-Amity Hills fruit profile to shine through while applying the same precision and elegance that made the family famous in Burgundy. The 2024 Roserock Pinot Noir is a perfect example of that balance. Compared to the richer 2023 vintage, the 2024 release shows a more cla
videoThe Secret Value Wine From One of Bolgheri’s Top Estates
Grattamacco Bolgheri Rosso 2023 Link to the wine: https://www.winex.com/grattamacco-bolgheri-rosso-2023.html Join our Daily Email Offer List: https://cdn.forms-content.sg-form.com/f3da488a-d10b-11ee-94a3-62718bdc6118 Bolgheri is one of the most prestigious wine regions in Italy. It’s home to legendary Super Tuscans like Sassicaia, Ornellaia, and Masseto. These are wines that routinely sell for hundreds of dollars a bottle. Grattamacco sits right in the middle of that story. Founded in the late 1970s, it was one of the pioneering estates in Bolgheri and quickly established itself as one of the region’s benchmark producers. Today the estate remains one of the most respected names on the Tuscan coast. Which is why wines like this are so surprising. The 2023 Grattamacco Bolgheri Rosso is the estate’s third wine, made from vineyards planted between 1989 and 2002. These are mature vines from serious terroir in one of Italy’s most expensive wine regions. The blend combines Cabernet S
videoIs this the BEST Chateau d’Yquem ever made?
Watch our full tasting video here: https://youtu.be/44U2orPmXD0 Link to the wine: https://www.winex.com/reserve-your-2023-chateau-d-yquem.html
videoThis Might Be the Next Legendary Château d’Yquem
Chateau d'Yquem Sauternes 2023 Pre-Arrival Link to the Wine: https://www.winex.com/reserve-your-2023-chateau-d-yquem.html There are great vintages of Château d’Yquem. And then there are vintages that collectors talk about for decades. The 2023 Château d’Yquem is shaping up to be one of those wines. Critics across the world are already calling it one of the greatest modern releases from the legendary Sauternes estate. Early scores include multiple 100 point ratings, along with a 99 from Neal Martin, and the momentum behind this vintage continues to build. What makes 2023 so special is the balance. The wine captures the richness and opulence of a great ripe vintage while maintaining the precision and freshness that defines the greatest bottles of Yquem. The blend remains classic, 70 percent Sémillon and 30 percent Sauvignon Blanc, aged in 100 percent new oak. In the glass, it shows extraordinary harmony. Aromas of saffron, honeyed citrus, and exotic fruit unfold with incredible pu
videoNapa Sauvignon Blanc Is Having a Moment and this Wine is PROOF
Amulet Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley AE 2024 Link to Wine: https://www.winex.com/amulet-sauvignon-blanc-napa-valley-ae-2024.html Join our Daily Email Offer List: https://cdn.forms-content.sg-form.com/f3da488a-d10b-11ee-94a3-62718bdc6118 For years, Napa Valley struggled to figure out what to do with Sauvignon Blanc. The region was focused on Cabernet, and the price gap between luxury Cabernets and affordable white wines made it difficult for wineries to justify serious investment in the category. But over the last decade, something remarkable has happened. A number of Napa producers have cracked the code, creating ultra-premium Sauvignon Blanc that rivals the great white wines of Bordeaux’s Pessac-Léognan. Amulet is part of that movement. The estate sits on the former Dancing Hares property on the east side of St. Helena in the foothills of Howell Mountain. After much of the vineyard was lost during the 2020 Glass Fire, the team replanted Sauvignon Blanc in 2021, creating a true “
videoThe Critics Say Buy This Rioja by the Truckload & Drink Unashamedly...OK!
Artuke Rioja 2024 Link to Wine: https://www.winex.com/artuke-rioja-2024.html Join our Daily Email Offer List: https://cdn.forms-content.sg-form.com/f3da488a-d10b-11ee-94a3-62718bdc6118 Rioja is changing. For decades the region was defined by long oak aging and the familiar classifications of Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva. But a new generation of producers is rewriting that script. Artuke is one of the leaders of this movement. Run by brothers Arturo and Kike de Miguel, the winery focuses on reclaiming old vineyards across Rioja Alta, farming them organically, and producing wines that emphasize fruit, freshness, and drinkability over heavy oak influence. The 2024 Artuke Rioja is a perfect example of that philosophy. Made primarily from Tempranillo grown in old vineyards around Baños de Ebro and San Vicente, the wine is produced using carbonic maceration, a traditional fermentation method that highlights vibrant fruit and silky texture. Everything happens in cement or
videoWhat Happens When Grand Cru Barolo Vineyards Come Together in a Value Wine?
Luigi Einaudi Barolo Ludo 2021 Link to Wine: https://www.winex.com/luigi-einaudi-barolo-ludo-2021.html Join our Daily Email Offer List: https://cdn.forms-content.sg-form.com/f3da488a-d10b-11ee-94a3-62718bdc6118 Barolo prices have climbed dramatically over the last decade. Between tariffs, exchange rates, and growing global demand, it’s no longer unusual to see entry-level Barolo priced well over $70 or even $100. Which makes wines like this so exciting. The 2021 Luigi Einaudi Barolo Ludo comes from one of Piedmont’s long-established producers, known for crafting classic Nebbiolo that captures both power and finesse. The 2021 vintage is widely regarded as one of the great recent Barolo years, joining standout vintages like 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2019. The wines combine concentration with freshness, delivering beautifully balanced expressions of Nebbiolo. What makes this bottling particularly compelling is its source material. Fruit comes from several outstanding Barolo sit
videoWhy Paso Robles Zinfandel Deserves More Respect
Lone Madrone Zinfandel Sheep Camp Willow Creek 2020 Link to Wine: https://www.winex.com/lone-madrone-zinfandel-sheep-camp-willow-creek-2020.html Join our Daily Email Offer List: https://cdn.forms-content.sg-form.com/f3da488a-d10b-11ee-94a3-62718bdc6118 Before Paso Robles became famous for high-end Rhône blends and $100+ cult wines, it was Zinfandel country. And some of the best Zinfandel in California still comes from Paso’s West Side. The Lone Madrone Sheep Camp Zinfandel is a perfect example. Grown in the Willow Creek District from bush vines originally planted in the mid-1970s, this vineyard benefits from Paso’s classic climate pattern: hot days for ripeness and the cooling influence of the Templeton Gap at night to preserve balance and freshness. The result is Zinfandel that delivers all the classic character you want without the heavy, jammy style many people associate with the grape. Bright plum, raspberry, and cocoa notes jump from the glass. On the palate, the
videoThis Is What Legit Châteauneuf Under $40 Looks Like
Clos Du Mont-Olivet Chateauneuf Du Pape 2022 Link to Wine: https://www.winex.com/clos-du-mont-olivet-chateauneuf-du-pape-2022.html Join our Daily Email Offer List: https://cdn.forms-content.sg-form.com/f3da488a-d10b-11ee-94a3-62718bdc6118 Some wines feel like luxury. Some wines feel like home. For Rhône lovers, great Châteauneuf-du-Pape often lands in that second category. Warm, generous, complex, and comforting in a way very few wines can be. Domaine de Mont Olivet is one of the classic old guard producers of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, farming estate vineyards since 1932 and working in some of the most important sectors of the appellation. Their holdings stretch across a who’s who of famous lieux-dits, especially in the northeast and east, where some of the most compelling Grenache-based wines in Châteauneuf are born. This bottling is the estate’s classic red, built primarily on Grenache with support from Syrah, Cinsault, Counoise, Vaccarèse, Terret Noir, Picpoul Noir, and Muscar
videoThe Closest Thing to Château Margaux Without Buying Château Margaux
Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux Vertical Link to Wines: https://www.winex.com/pavillon-rouge-vertical.html Join our Daily Email Offer List: https://cdn.forms-content.sg-form.com/f3da488a-d10b-11ee-94a3-62718bdc6118 In Bordeaux, there are five First Growth estates. Château Margaux sits at the very top of that pyramid. But the reality is, most wine lovers will never open a bottle of Château Margaux itself. Prices for the Grand Vin often climb into the thousands. That’s where Pavillon Rouge comes in. Pavillon Rouge is the second wine of Château Margaux, produced from the same legendary vineyards, with the same winemaking team and the same deep gravel soils that define Margaux. The difference is selection. The château simply chooses parcels and lots that they feel express a slightly different personality than the Grand Vin. In modern Bordeaux, the selection is incredibly strict, which means the quality of these wines is extraordinarily high. Today we’re offe
videoOne of the Best Chablis Producers… at a Crazy Price
William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Bougros 2021 Link to Wine: https://www.winex.com/william-fevre-chablis-grand-cru-bougros-2021.html Join our Daily Email Offer List: https://cdn.forms-content.sg-form.com/f3da488a-d10b-11ee-94a3-62718bdc6118 When it comes to Chablis, a few names dominate the conversation. William Fèvre is one of them. Widely considered one of the top producers in the region, the estate owns over 15 hectares of Grand Cru vineyards, more than half of its holdings planted in Premier and Grand Cru sites. Few producers know Chablis better. Today’s offer is the 2021 William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Bougros. Bougros sits at the base of the Grand Cru slope, traditionally producing broader, richer expressions of Chablis while still showcasing the region’s signature Kimmeridgian limestone minerality. The 2021 vintage was cooler and challenging, with frost dramatically reducing yields. But the best producers delivered stunning, classic wines reminiscent of ben
videoOne of the Smartest Pinot Noir Buys in America Right Now
Siduri Pinot Noir Anderson Valley 2020 Link to Wine: https://www.winex.com/siduri-pinot-noir-anderson-valley-2020.html Join our Daily Email Offer List: https://cdn.forms-content.sg-form.com/f3da488a-d10b-11ee-94a3-62718bdc6118 Great wines get lost in the shuffle. Especially right now. Siduri has long been one of California’s most respected Pinot Noir producers. Founded by Adam Lee and now part of Jackson Family Wines, the winery has maintained its original mojo while continuing to deliver serious single-region Pinot Noir. This Anderson Valley bottling blends fruit from Skycrest and Edmeades Vineyard, two outstanding cool-climate sites that balance warmer and cooler sections of the valley for a complete expression of the region. 2020 was a warm vintage, but Anderson Valley’s coastal influence saved the day. This wine is fire-free, clean, and beautifully intact. Ripe but fresh. Silky tannins. Black cherry, raspberry, subtle earth, and that classic Anderson Valley