2024 Wine List
2024 Wine List
In 2024, I transitioned from being a student to becoming a certified Educator, teaching WSET Level 1 and 2 at the International Wine Center.
While enhancing my knowledge through teaching, I visited Barolo and Barbaresco and attended various wine events and masterclasses.
Presenting my 2024 Wine List, thoughtfully organized into four distinct categories:
• White (including Rose and Amber Wine)
• Sparkling
• Red
• Fortified/Dessert
Within each category, I've further classified the wines into three subcategories:
1. Amazing Value (<$30): Wines that offer exceptional quality without breaking the bank. (*means less than $20 after tax!)
2. Just Enjoy ($30-$75): Wines perfect for enjoyment, falling within a moderate price range.
3. Fancy ($75-$200): A Wow Wine on the table. More complex and concentrated wine with longer finish. Wines that are collectible and often have age potential.
This year, I added 2 new sessions:
4. Special Occasion: wines that cost over $200 but are often accessible through specialty wine shops or fine dining establishments.
5. A Whole New World, focused on rare and exceptional wine experiences I had in 2024
To enhance your wine selection process, I've also included insights into the collectability and ageability of each bottle:
• Drink: Indicating wines that are best enjoyed immediately. Holding them won't enhance their quality.
• Drink/Hold: Suggesting wines that can be enjoyed now or, if preferred, aged in your cellar for a few years to develop further.
• Hold: Reserved for wines that are currently too young to be consumed. It's recommended to let them rest for at least a few years before uncorking.
It's important to note that most wines are designed for immediate enjoyment, so there's no need to feel pressured to acquire bold, tannic, age-worthy wines if they don't align with your preferences.
Cheers to a well-rounded and enjoyable wine experience!
White (Include Rosé/Amber) | ||||
Amazing Value | ||||
2021 | Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Gewürztraminer | Alsace France | Drink | |
2022 | Hermann J Wiemer Dry Riesling | Finger Lakes USA | Drink | |
2022* | Kysela Pere et Fils Picpoul de Pinet | Languedoc France | Drink | |
2023* | Mas des Cabres Estive Rosé | Languedoc France | Drink | |
2022 | Selbach Spatlese Riesling | Mosel, Germany | Drink | |
2022 | Dalle Ore Uno.β Veneto IGT Pinot Grigio | Veneto Italy | Drink | |
2022 | Manousakis - Nostos Assyrtiko | Crete Greece | Drink | |
2022 | Bodega Garzón Albariño Garzón | Maldonado Spain | Drink | |
2022 | Tokoeka Sauvignon Blanc Reserve | Marlborough New Zealand | Drink | |
2022 | Louis Jadot Macon-Villages Chardonnay | Burgundy France | Drink | |
Just Enjoy | ||||
2020 | Simonnet-Febvre Chablis Mont de Milieu Premier Cru | Burgundy France | Drink/Hold | |
2020 | Domaine Vincent Bouzereau à Meursault | Burgundy France | Drink | |
2021 | Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese Trocken, Schömann | Mosel Germany | Drink | |
2020 | Vasse Felix Chardonnay | Margaret River Australia | Drink/Hold | |
2020 | Feudi di San Gregorio Fiano di Avellino | Campania Italy | Drink | |
2020 | Vassaltis Santorini Assyrtiko | Santorini Greece | Drink | |
2020 | Pieropan Soave Classico Calvarino | Soave Italy | Drink | |
2021 | Giodo Carricante Sicilia Alberelli | Sicily Italy | Drink/Hold | |
2021 | Weingut Robert Weil Kiedricher Grafenberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs (GG) | Rheingau Germany | Drink/Hold | |
2021 | Natenadze Wines “Meskhuri White” | Georgia | Drink | |
2021 | Elena Walch Alto Adige Beyond the Clouds | Alto Adige Italy | Drink/Hold | |
2021 | Jermann Venezia-Giulia Where Dreams Have No End | Friuli-Venezia Giulia Italy | Drink/Hold | |
2023 | Chateau Pradeaux Bandol (Rose) | Bandol, France | Drink | |
Fancy | ||||
2012 | Famille Hugel Riesling Grossi Laue | Alsace France | Drink | |
2016 | Peter Michael L’Apres-Midi Sauvignon Blanc | Sonoma Country, USA | Drink/Hold | |
2018 | Chateau de Bonnezeaux VdF 'La Montagne' | France | Drink | |
2018 | Albert Bichot Meursault | Burgundy France | Drink/Hold | |
2020 | Jean Paul Et Benoit Droin Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos Hommage A Louis | Burgundy France | Drink/Hold | |
Many of these wines can be notably young upon release, as I often tasted them at trade events where producers and importers showcase or pre-release their latest vintages. While these wines can be exceptional, many red wines benefit from aging or, at a minimum, decanting to reach their full potential.
Red | ||||
Amazing Value | ||||
2013* | Pleno Gran Reserva Tempranillo Navarra | Navarra Spain | Drink | |
2018* | Rioja Reserva Era Costana | Rioja Spain | Drink | |
2017 | Kir-Yianni Xinomavro Ramnista Vineyard | Naoussa, Greece | Drink/Hold | |
2019 | Alpha Estate Hedgehog Vineyard Xinomavro | Macedonia Greece | Drink/Hold | |
2021 | Elizabeth Spencer Mendocino Grenache | Mendocino, USA | Drink/Hold | |
2021 | Château Peyrabon Cru Bourgeois | Bordeaux France | Drink | |
2021* | Alamos Malbec ‘Selección’ | Mendoza Argentina | Drink | |
2022* | Tenuta San’Antonio Valpolicella 'Nanfre' | Valpolicella Italy | Drink | |
NV* | Concha y Toro 'Frontera' Merlot | Central Valley Chile | Drink | |
Just Enjoy | ||||
2010 | Vina Tondonia Reserva | Rioja Spain | Drink | |
2011 | Domaine Saint Gayan Gigondas | Rhone, France | Drink | |
2015 | Marques de Caceres Rioja Gran Reserva | Rioja Spain | Drink | |
2016 | Tenuta Santa Maria alla Pieve Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva | Vento Italy | Drink/Hold | |
2016 | Malartic-Lagravière | Bordeaux France | Drink/Hold | |
2017 | Masi Costasera Amarone Classico | Vento Italy | Drink/Hold | |
2017 | Giovanni Sordo Barolo Parussi | Piemonte Italy | Drink/Hold | |
2017 | Damilano Barolo Cannubi Reserva 1752 | Piemonte Italy | Drink/Hold | |
2019 | Scopone Brunello di Montalcino 2019 | Tuscany Italy | Drink/Hold | |
2019 | Moillard Fixin | Burgundy France | Drink/Hold | |
2019 | Renieri Brunello di Montalcino | Tuscany Italy | Drink/Hold | |
2019 | Keenan Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley USA | Drink/Hold | |
2019 | Walter Scott - Pinot Noir X Novo | Oregon USA | Drink/Hold | |
2020 | ETNA Rosso Garci | Sicily Italy | Drink/Hold | |
2020 | Produttori del Barbaresco | Piedmont Italy | Drink/Hold | |
2021 | Vietti Barbera d'Asti DOCG La Crena | Piedmont Italy | Drink | |
2021 | Cerbaiona Rosso di Montalcino | Tuscany Italy | Drink/Hold | |
2022 | Boekenhoutskloof Chocolate Block | South Africa | Drink/Hold | |
Fancy | ||||
2010 | Chateau Phelan Segur | Bordeaux France | Drink | |
2013 | Masi Campolongo di Torbe Amarone | Vento Italy | Drink/Hold | |
2015 | Michele Castellani Cinque Stelle Amarone della Valpolicella Classico | Vento Italy | Drink/Hold | |
2015 | Château des Tours Côtes du Rhône Grande Reserve | Rhone France | Drink | |
2016 | Ca' dei Frati Amarone della Valpolicella Pietro dal Cero. | Valpolicella,Italy | Drink/Hold | |
2016 | Chateau Canon La Gaffeliere | Bordeaux France | Drink/Hold | |
2016 | Vietti Barolo Riserva 2016 | Piemonte Italy | Drink/Hold | |
2017 | Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino | Tuscany Italy | Drink/Hold | |
2017 | Château Bélair-Monange - St Emilion | St Emilion | Drink/Hold | |
2019 | Produttori del Barbaresco-RISERVA ASILI | Piemonte Italy | Drink/Hold | |
2019 | Vik Valle de Cachapoal VIK | Valle Central Chile | Drink/Hold | |
2019 | Produttori del Barbaresco-Riserva Asili | Piemonte Italy | Drink/Hold | |
2019 | Lucien Le Moine : Gevrey-Chambertin 1er cru "Les Cazetiers" | Burgundy France | Drink/Hold | |
2019 | PlumpJack Syrah | Napa, USA | Drink/Hold | |
2019 | Torre Muga Rioja | Spain | Hold | |
2019 | Rhys Alpine Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019 | Santa Cruz | Drink/Hold | |
2019 | Castellare di Castellina I Sodi di San Niccolo Toscana | Tuscany Italy | Drink/Hold | |
2020 | Elio Grasso Barolo Gavarini Chiniera | Piemonte Italy | Drink/Hold | |
2020 | Chateau Canon - St Emilion | Bordeaux France | Hold | |
2020 | Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino | Mendoza Argentina | Hold | |
2021 | Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, Grand Cru Classé, Pessac-Léognan | Bordeaux France | Drink/Hold | |
2021 | Bergström La Spirale Pinot Noir | Oregon USA | Drink/Hold | |
2021 | Tua Rita Toscana Redigaffi | Tuscany Italy | Hold | |
Most sparkling wines are non-vintage, representing the signature style of their respective houses.
If you enjoy the bread-dough and brioche notes typical of the traditional method but want to stay under $20, consider trying Cava or Trentodoc.
For those who appreciate Champagne, especially vintage, exploring “grower” Champagne or small producers can offer exceptional value compared to the well-known, classic labels.
It is possible to get vintage champagne under $75. Focuses on the sales!
Sparkling | ||||
Amazing Value | ||||
NV* | Azimut Organic Cava Brut Nature | Spain | Drink | |
NV* | Rotari Brut Rose Arte Italiana | Trentodoc, Italy | Drink | |
NV* | Segura Viudas CAVA Brut Rosé | Spain | Drink | |
2021* | Argyle Vintage Brut | Oregon USA | Drink | |
2022* | Domaine Glinavos "Paleokerisio" Semi-Sparkling Wine | Greece | Drink | |
NV | Dr Heidemanns Riesling Brut Sekt | Mosel Germany | Drink | |
NV | Domaine Des Dieux - Rose of Sharon Rosé Cap Classique | South Africa | Drink | |
NV | Cesarini Sforza Brut, Metodo Classico | Trentodoc, Italy | Drink | |
NV | Castell d'Or Brut Reserva, Cava | Spain | Drink | |
2020 | Beira Extra Brut Rosé "3B," Filipa Pato | Portugal | Drink | |
2020 | Bohigas Brut Gran Reserva Cava | Spain | Drink | |
2022 | Ganeta Blanco Getariako Txakolina | Spain | Drink | |
Just Enjoy | ||||
NV | Champagne Delfour Rose Brut | Champagne France | Drink | |
NV | Bollinger Brut Special Cuvee | Champagne France | Drink | |
NV | Christophe Mignon AdN de Meunier Brut Nature Champagne | Champagne France | Drink | |
NV | A. Bergere Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs | Champagne France | Drink | |
NV | Moser 51,151 Brut NV | Trentodoc, Italy | Drink | |
NV | Nino Franco Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore Rustico Brut | Valdobbiadene Italy | Drink | |
NV | Perseval-Farge C. de Rosé, Brut - NV | Champagne France | Drink | |
NV | Bellavista Franciacorta Alma Cuvee Brut | Franciacorta, Italy | Drink | |
NV | J Vineyards Cuvee 20 Brut | California USA | Drink | |
NV | Champagne Leclerc Briant Brut Rose | Champagne France | Drink | |
NV | A. Margaine Brut Rose Champagne | Champagne France | Drink | |
NV | Laherte Freres Extra Brut Rose de Meunier | Champagne France | Drink | |
2019 | Riesling Sekt Brut, von Buhl | Pfalz Germany | Drink | |
2020 | Schramsberg Brut Rosé | California USA | Drink | |
Fancy | ||||
2011 | Apollonis "Inspiration de Saison" Extra Brut, Loriot | Champagne France | Drink | |
2013 | Ricci Curbastro Dosaggio Zero Gualberto | Franciacorta Italy | Drink/Hold | |
2014 | Louis Roederer | Champagne France | Drink/Hold | |
2014 | Bollinger La Grande Annee Brut | Champagne France | Drink/Hold | |
2015 | Taittinger | Champagne France | Drink/Hold | |
2015 | Laherte Frères Extra Brut Champagne Les Empreintes | Champagne France | Drink/Hold | |
2015 | Casa Sala 'Vinyes de Can Sala' Paraje Calificado Brut Nature Cava | Spain | Drink | |
2015 | Legras & Haas Les Saillons Champagne | Champagne France | Drink | |
2016 | Champagne Camille Savès Grand Cru | Champagne France | Drink | |
Don’t let your grandma’s cream sherry fool you—dessert and fortified wines can be both intriguing and beautiful. Some wine bars are starting to incorporate sherry into cocktails, so it might be time to try some home experiments of your own.
Dessert/Fortified | ||||
Amazing Value | ||||
2017 | Chateau Suau Barsac Sauternes Grand Cru (375ML) | Sauternes France | Drink/Hold | |
2021 | Vietti Moscato d’Asti | Italy | Drink | |
Just Enjoy | ||||
20Years | Dow’s 20 Years Tawny Porto | Portugal | Drink | |
2002 | Estate Argyros Vinsanto | Santorini Greece | Drink | |
2013 | Disznoko Tokaji: Tokaji Aszu 5 Puttonyos | Tokaj, Hungary | Drink | |
2016 | Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey Sauternes | Sauternes France | Drink | |
2018 | Château Bastor Lamontagne 2018 | Sauternes France | Drink | |
2019 | Inniskillin Vidal Icewine | Canada | Drink | |
2020 | Château Doisy-Védrines Sauternes 2ème Grand Cru Classé | Bordeaux France | Drink/Hold | |
Fancy | ||||
2003 | Taylor’s Vintage Port | Portugal | Drink/Hold | |
2011 | Chateau Guiraud 1855 1st Grand Cru | Sauternes France | Drink/Hold | |
2017 | Royal Tokaji Nyulaszo Single Vineyard | Tokaj Hungary | Drink/Hold | |
40Yrs | Royal Oporto 40 Year Tawny Port | Portugal | Drink | |
2020 | Robert Weil Keidrich Gräfenberg riesling trockenbeerenauslese | Germany | Drink/Hold | |
Special Occasion: A focus on wines priced over $200. While these represent a splurge, they are often accessible through specialty wine shops or fine dining establishments.
It’s important to note that regions like Burgundy typically experience vintage variations that can significantly affect a wine’s ageability. In contrast, for vintage Champagne, the focus is more on stylistic differences.
Special Occasion ($200+) | |||
NV | Champagne La Closerie -Extra Brut | Champagne France | Drink |
NV | Laurent-Perrier Brut Champagne Grand Siècle No. 26 NV | Champagne France | Drink/Hold |
2003/2006/2009 | Chateau Haut-Brion | Bordeaux, France | Hold/ Drink |
2009 | Dom Perignon Rose | Champagne France | Drink/Hold |
2005/2010 | Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion | Bordeaux, France | Drink/Hold |
2007/2009/2012 | Marques de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Rioja -Gran Reserva Especial Cosecha | Rioja, Spain | Drink/Hold |
2012 | Billecart-Salmon Louis Salmon Blanc de Blancs | Champagne France | Drink/Hold |
2013 | Rare Brut Champagne | Champagne France | Drink/Hold |
2013 | Taittinger Comtes de Blanc de Blancs | Champagne France | Drink/Hold |
2014 | Cristal | Champagne France | Drink/Hold |
2015 | Henri Giraud Fut de Chene MV Ay Grand Cru Brut | Champagne France | Drink |
2015 | Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Chapelle | Rhone, Italy | Drink |
2016 | Stag's Leap Wine Cellars S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa USA | Drink/Hold |
2018 | AoYun 敖云Shangri-La | China | Drink/Hold |
2019 | Domaine de Bellene Vosne-Romanee | Burgundy France | Drink/Hold |
2020 | Vietti Barolo Rocche di Castiglione | Piedmont, Italy | Drink/Hold |
2020 | Clos de Vougeot Lucien Le Moine | Burgundy France | Drink/Hold |
2021 | Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa USA | Hold |
2022 | Vega Sicilia Ribera del Duero Unico | Ribera del Duero Spain | Hold |
A Whole New World: A focus on rare and exceptional wines that are hard to find.
As a recognized wine educator, I have had the privilege of tasting rare wines and those in magnum or jeroboam sizes at various trade events and master classes. Some of these older vintages, even at 40 or 50 years old, have retained remarkable youthfulness. Others, while past their prime, have left me with unforgettable memories.
A Whole New World-Rare Wines | ||||
1966 | Chateau Haut-Brion | Bordeaux, France | Drink | |
1967 | Produttori del Barbaresco | Piedmont, Italy | Passed | |
1967 | Dr. Burklin-Wolf Wachenheimer Gerumpel Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese | Pflaz, Germany | Drink | |
1970 | Produttori del Barbaresco Riserva- Moccagatta | Piedmont, Italy | Drink | |
1980 | Marques de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Rioja -Gran Reserva Especial Cosecha | Rioja, Spain | Drink | |
1982 | Blandy's Vintage Verdelho | Madeira, Portugal | Drink | |
1985 | Veuve Clicquot Vintage Rose | Champagne France | Passed | |
1986 | Chateau Ausone -St-Emilion 1st Grand Cru Classe | Bordeaux, France | Drink | |
1988 | Marques de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Rioja Blanco-Gran Reserva Especial Cosecha | Rioja, Spain | Drink | |
1994 | Domaine de Chevalier | Bordeaux, France | Drink | |
1994 | 1994 Bodegas Muga 'Prado Enea' Gran Reserva | Rioja, Spain | Drink | |
1995 | Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion | Bordeaux, France | Drink | |
2002 | 2002 Domaine du Clos de Tart 'Clos de Tart' Grand Cru | Burgundy France | Drink | |
2006 | Orlando Abrigo Barbaresco Montersino | Piedmont, Italy | Drink | |
2009 | Ridge Lytton Springs Red Blend (Jeroboam) | Sonoma County, California | Drink | |
2011 | Castello di Ama Chianti Classico San Lorenzo Gran Selezione (Jeroboam) | Tuscany Italy | Drink | |
2012 | Henri Giraud Argonne Rose Champagne | Champagne France | Drink/Hold | |
2002 | Savennières "Coulée de Serrant," | Loire France | Drink | |
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