16 products
- Red Wine
- Montepulciano
- Organic, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Full Bodied
- 750ml
- 13.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Azienda Agricola Jasci
Located on the hills that rise 250 meters above sea level from the Adriatic Sea just above the seaside resort town of Vasto in Abruzzo, here the Jasci family has been growing grapes and producing wine for three generations. Starting In the early 1960s, Pasquale and Maria turned the focus of their farm to producing estate wines.
In 1980, their son Giuseppe decided to convert the farm to organic, becoming one of the first ten wineries in all of Italy to be certified. Today led by grandson Donatello Jasci and his wife Piera, the family is the second largest single grower in all of the region. Donatello’s approach in the cellar is consistent with his farming: clean and simple. The wines see little or no oak and have a purity of flavor that is rare at the price. In addition to his duties at the winery, Donatello Jasci has served as President of the local Organic Growers’ Consortium.
Press Reviews
Millésime BIO 2022
Médaille d'Argent
- Red Wine
- Sousón
- Sustainable, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Light Bodied
- 750ml
- 13.2% alc./vol
About the Winery
Coto de Gomariz
Ricardo Carreiro, padre Caco, founded Coto de Gomariz in the seventies, when he managed to return to his land after emigrating to South America like so many other Galicians. His dream was to make wines and restore Gomariz's prestige as a historical vineyard. Today, his son Ricardo Carreiro has taken over and runs the winery along with winemakers Inma Pazos and Miguel Montoto.
Known as the "Golden Mile" of the Ribeiro since the 10th century, Gomariz is the oldest Viticultural Reserve in the Iberian Peninsula and has exceptional characteristics for growing grapes.
Press Reviews
Robert Parker
90 points
The fruit-driven 2020 The Flower And The Bee Sousón has nicely integrated oak and is pleasantly spicy and smoky with notes of ripe berries and some gritty tannins. These reds need food and/or time. 15,000 bottles produced.
Coto de Gomariz is the biggest exporter of Ribeiro wines. They are a family winery with 32 hectares of vineyards, eight of them planted to red varieties, all farmed organically and following the principles of Fukuoka and Steinner, but not certified. They produce 90,000 bottles.
- Red Wine
- Corvina, Rondinella
- Sustainable, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Full Bodied
- 750ml
- 15.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Ca' del Monte
Ca del Monte is situated on the hillsides overlooking the village of Negrar, in the heart of Valpolicella. It has belonged to the same family for generations, and is now run by brothers Umberto and Giuseppe Zaconte. There’s nothing fancy about this place. The house and winery are modest - and are attached to a 17th century monastery.
The estate is approximately 50 acres, and its 15-65 year old vines lie on gentle slopes at 800-900 meters. They grow on four soils including clay, limestone, red volcanic soil with red stones, and “Toar,” a green volcanic soil. The vineyards of Ca Del Monte are planted with 20-40 year old vines of Corvina, Rodinella and Molinara grapes that are planted in poor soils that stress the vines and nurture the fruit. All of the farming is done traditionally and non-certified organic.
- Red Wine
- Carignan, Grenache, Syrah
- Natural, Organic, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Full Bodied
- 750ml
- 14% alc./vol
About the Winery
Domaine Frédéric Brouca
Frédéric grew up in Normandy and met his Canadian wife Elaine at university in Lille, Northern France. They live a nomadic lifestyle (Canada, India, Singapore and USA) though Frédéric spends about half of his time in Faugères. Since early age, Frédéric had a calling for farming and the fierce desire to become a winegrower. After completing a Masters Degree in Finance in 2001, Frédéric went back to college for a Sommelier diploma and started his career as a Burgundy wine broker.
In late 2012, Frédéric and Elaine were fortunate to take over 25 acres of old vines in Faugères, organically farmed for twenty years and deeply rooted in schist soils.
2013 was the inaugural vintage for Domaine Frédéric Brouca. In his modest winery in the village of Laurens, Frédéric is creating a new vision for Faugères wines; fresh, vibrant and made without artifice. Nothing revolutionary, simply returning to our grandparent's ideology of farming and winemaking to craft 'Vins Vivants'. The Faugères Appellation is in the heart of Languedoc in the Hérault department. Here, winemaking dates back to the Greek times and was developed during the Roman Era. It wasn't until the early 1900's, however, that the wines became more widely known for its unique schist soils and moderate Mediterranean climate. These villages are heavily reliant on wine as an important part of their culture and economy.
The area is stunning with mountain views and close proximity to the Mediterranean Sea (20 miles / 30 kms). Faugères has a long history of responsible farming. It boasts the highest percentage of organic vineyards for any AOC in all of France with almost 50% of farmers making the choice.
Press Reviews
Wine Align
92 points - Sara d'Amato
A clean, juicy and lightly salty blend of grenache, syrah and carignan made from organically grown grapes on the hillsides of Faugères in the Languedoc, an appellation that boasts the highest percentage of organically farmed vineyards of any French AOC. As is typical with natural wines, this is fermented with wild yeast and is both unfined and filtered showing a touch of expected sediment at present when you near the bottom of the bottle. A fine example of the character that Brouca can coax out of his blends despite minimal intervention techniques. The 2020 is drinking very well now with a mouth-filling concentration of fruit, and barely perceptible wood spice from the 10% use of neutral barrels, the remainder having been vinified in stainless steel. The alcohol is well-balanced and the wine avoids the trappings of warm & jammy yet still showcases the generous sunshine of the region and natural garrigue. Very good length. Tasted January 2023.
92 points - Sara d'Amato
A clean, juicy and lightly salty blend of grenache, syrah and carignan made from organically grown grapes on the hillsides of Faugères in the Languedoc, an appellation that boasts the highest percentage of organically farmed vineyards of any French AOC. As is typical with natural wines, this is fermented with wild yeast and is both unfined and filtered showing a touch of expected sediment at present when you near the bottom of the bottle. A fine example of the character that Brouca can coax out of his blends despite minimal intervention techniques. The 2020 is drinking very well now with a mouth-filling concentration of fruit, and barely perceptible wood spice from the 10% use of neutral barrels, the remainder having been vinified in stainless steel. The alcohol is well-balanced and the wine avoids the trappings of warm & jammy yet still showcases the generous sunshine of the region and natural garrigue. Very good length. Tasted January 2023.
91 points - David Lawrason
This is a very expressive, interesting and rather juicy red made from a fairly typical blend of grenache (which dominates texturally), syrah and carignan. The nose shows quite floral violet notes with plummy/black cherry fruit, pepper and a touch of meatiness. It is mid-weight, fairly soft yet lively on the palate with some alcohol heat providing intensity. Carignan's acid and tannin complex adds to this idea. The length is excellent. Tasted January 2023.
- Red Wine
- Gamay
- Biodynamic, Sustainable, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Light Bodied
- 750ml
- 13% alc./vol
About the Winery
Stéphane Aviron
Stéphane Aviron can be considered a pioneer in his approach to winemaking in Beaujolais, however he would just tell you that he’s simply returning to the traditional practices that have always made fantastic Gamay wines. Sustainable viticulture, extremely old vines and classic Burgundian techniques. He focuses on the Beaujolais village crus, all but forgotten gems of vineyards when the nouveau craze took over, which are the best sites for unique, expressive and terroir driven wines. All of the fruit is sourced from old vines (40+ years), so seeing Vieilles Vignes on the label is a rite of passage, not a privilege. Authenticity and a distinctly Beaujolais style of winemaking is what sets Stéphane apart from the rest.
Press Reviews
Wine Align
90 points - David Lawrason
This is a delicious, fairly juicy and charming young gamay. There is a hint of meatiness on the nose but all kinds of candied strawberry/cherry as well, and violet-like florals. It is light to medium bodied, open knit, slightly sour-edged with very generous fruit on the palate. The tannins are notably mild, the alcohol provides some power and the length is very good to excellent. Tasted June 2022
- Red Wine
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Dry
- Full Bodied
- 750ml
- 13.70% alc./vol
About the Winery
Pearce Family Wines
In the early 2000's Nicholas Pearce was exposed to the garagiste movement in Bordeaux and was particularly inspired by négociants like Jean Luc Thunevin (Saint Emilion), James Sichel (Margaux) and Nicolas Potel (Beaune) from Burgundy.
After returning home to Ontario and starting his own wine company, he has had a hand in making 10+ wines in two hemispheres, 3 countries and 5 different appellations since the 2013 vintage.
Press Reviews
Wine Align
90 points - Michael Godel
2018 vintage: The latest in wine merchant Nicholas Pearce's negoce project (that counts 10 wines in three countries I believe) is this Columbia Valley cabernet sauvignon. Rue Naujac is the street Pearce lived on while studying and working in France and Bordeaux is the country's 33rd department. The reference "33" is slang for Bordeaux, a wink-wink, nudge-nudge laugh for those who know him. A blend of two different vineyards, one in Wahluke Slope AVA & the other in Horse Heaven Hills AVA. Deep, dark, unctuous, flowing with Cassis and no shortage of graphite notes neither. Good spirit and quite correct, better and more honest than most at the west coast price. Drink 2020-2024. Tasted July 2020.
90 points - David Lawrason
2018 vintage: This is a quite tasty and delicious cabernet if veering into sweet territory. It is quite full bodied, smooth and dense, and balanced in that sense. The nose is very ripe with blackcurrant jam, spice and generous oak spice. It is full bodied, with some cabernet earthiness and dried herbs. Very good to excellent length. Tasted August 2020.
90 points - John Szabo, MS
2018 vintage: A creation of Ontario importer Nicholas Pearce in partnership with a French winemaker with 30 years experience in Washington, Rue Naujac is the street Pearce lived on while studying/working in France, and Bordeaux is the country's 33rd department, both of which gave the inspiration for the name and lot # of this wine. It's made of pure Cabernet Sauvignon, 64% of which is from the coveted Wahluke Slope AVA, and 36% Horse Heaven Hills AVA, with 15% new oak used for maturation. It's crafted in a typically forward, plush and dark fruit flavoured Washington style, immediately engaging and appealing, with a vague sensation of sweetness on the palate to broaden appeal. Tannins are thick and velvety, while mocha-chocolate flavours fold into the fruit. Both sophisticated and approachable, a winning style all around, well priced. Tasted July 2020.
- Red Wine
- Malbec
- Sustainable, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Full Bodied
- 750ml
- 13% alc./vol
About the Winery
Château Lamartine
The Château Lamartine stands at the extremely west side of the Cahors Appellation, on the oldest of Lot Valley’s terraces. The terroir of the 37 hectares faces South on clay and limestone soils which guarantees a perfect maturity to the Malbec.For four generations, the Gayraud family has given the greatest care to the vines as well as the wine-making. This is the key to get the purest expression from the terroirs.
Press Reviews
Wine Align
92 points - Michael Godel
The 2018 “Tradition” bottling represented Cahors with good distinction and from first nose this follow-up ’19 takes that excellence one step further. Not that it gives anything away for free because there is some reserve here but the wine opens with air and agitation to reveal classicism in every respect. The fruit is mature and slow developed, ever so slightly charred and surely on a low trajectory of incrementally developing complexity. Cautious now and yet so close to drinking as well it it’s ever going to be. Drink 2024-2028. Tasted March 2023.
91 points - John Szabo
Open and fragrant, maturing nicely at this stage, Lamartine's classic Cahors (90% malbec with 10% merlot), is a lovely and succulent wine, well-proportioned and fresh, with lively acids and a real limestone twang. Wood is fully in the background, an accessory to complexity, while tannins are ripe, fine and silky and length is exceptional in the price category. Classy, well made wine, authentic, and surely better than most Bordeaux for the money. Drink or hold another 4-6 years. Tasted March 2023.
- Red Wine
- Nebbiolo
- Biodynamic, Natural, Organic, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 14% alc./vol
About the Winery
Punset
While the vineyards that form Punset have been farmed by the Marcarino family for generations, it is truly thanks to Marina and her incredible energy that the estate is how it is nowadays. In the 1980s, she decided to pursue organic farming – a demanding choice that was rewarded by becoming the first estate to receive the organic certification in Italy. Her passion for the soil and the environment led her to embrace biodynamics and the agronomic philosophy of Manasobu Fukuoka. From one of the healthiest vineyards in Italy, Marina crafts wines that brim with life, energy, and pure terroir.
Known for the very first certified organic Barbaresco of Italy, Marina continues to show the world that you can preserve tradition and think of the future simultaneously.
Press Reviews
James Suckling
92 points
This is tasting beautifully now with strawberry, cedar, and hazelnut character. It’s medium-bodied with firm tannins that need to soften. But very pretty already. Drinkable now, but better in two or three years. Try after 2024.
Wine Enthusiast
90 points
Blue flower, underbrush and wild herb aromas mix with a whiff of tobacco. Racy and linear, the palate offers sour cherry, star anise and a hint of rusted iron alongside taut, close-grained tannins that leave a drying finish.
Wine Align
93 points - Michael Godel
Wildly aromatic of wild strawberry and sweet bitters liqueur. Highly glycerin and textural with grippy and elastic stretched tannins. A huge Neive Barbaresco with time definitely secure on its side. Drink 2022-2030. Tasted January 2020.
- Red Wine
- Sangiovese
- Organic, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 14% alc./vol
About the Winery
Villa Calcinaia
Villa Calcinaia is situated in the centre of Chianti Classico near the town of Greve-in-Chianti. This historic estate has been home to the Counts Capponi since 1524, and is maintained by Sebastiano Capponi and his brother Niccolo. In 1992, Count Sebastiano Capponi became the first in the history of the family to manage the winery personally, giving a new life to the vineyards and the cellar.
The family owns 200 hectares of land planted with olive trees, vines and pine trees. Organic farming is the standard at Villa Calcinaia where 75 acres of vineyard are planted with Sangiovese, Merlot, Canaiolo, Grechetto, Vernaccia, Trebbiano, and Malvasia. Through every vintage, the wines are crafted with food in mind. They are balanced, elegant, perfumed, and savoury yet refreshing with restrained vigour and intensity that ensures longevity.
Press Reviews
Wine Align
92 points - Michael Godel
2019: As a reminder Cappone (the singular) is sangiovese from the youngest vines on winemaker/proprietor/philosopher Sebastiano Capponi’s Villa Calcinaia estate in Greve in Chianti. Capponi also makes a Chianti Classico (Annata) from more mature plants yet truth be told the consistency in his wines from sku to sku and vintage to vintage is just about as exemplary as it gets for the region. The 2019 captures all the qualities of Calcinaia’s terroir and style with near pitch perfection, in as much as a $25 wine can effect. Phenolic ripeness at peak, acids salty and crunchy, tannins real, sapid and secure. Drink 2022-2025. Tasted October 2022.
91 points - David Lawrason
2019: This is a quite ripe, fruity and floral expression of young Chianti with pretty raspberry/currant fruit nicely inflected with fresh herbs and a certain charcuteries meatiness. It is medium bodied, well balanced, fresh with some tannic grit, but nothing that hearty. The length is very good. Best 2023 to 2026. Tasted October 2022
- Red Wine
- Malbec
- Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 14.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Bodega Marco Zunino
The dream of 4 French partners in Argentina's Mendoza region can be found 200 kilometers from the district capital, in the South of the region, in the town of San Rafael. It's an oasis surrounded by large canyons and crossed by two rivers, Diamante and Atuel, vital for agriculture and tourism in the region.The arid climate, rugged landscape coupled with the plane trees located along the country roads and weeping willows bordering its rivers that makes the area reminiscent of the midi region in the South of France.
The thirty-hectare vineyard boasts an exceptional site and an idyllic regional climate for wine producing. The low rainfall, vineyard altitude (670m) and high temperature variations are key to the diversity and quality of San Rafael’s terroir and offers the ideal setting for a truly exceptional quality of grape.
Press Reviews
Wine Align
90 points - Sara d'Amato
A bright and cheery malbec made with finesse. The palate is cut and refreshed with a salty component, zesty acidity and mildly sinewy tannins. Sleek with notes of earth, new leather and blackberry. Impressively complex with a memorable finish. Drink now or hold until 2023. Tasted July 2020.
90 points - David Lawrason
This is a very generous, open knit, dense and just slightly sweet malbec with classic aromas of mulberry/raspberry, thyme, a touch of meatiness and oak vanillin. It is very smooth, almost slippery and dense with fine tannin and warm. The length is very good to excellent. Lots here for $20. Tasted June 2021