Last month we had the pleasure of hosting Scot Bilbro, second generation winemaker of Marietta Cellars, at our Elston Avenue store.

“Marietta turns out bold, delicious wines that offer superb quality and value. Best of all, the wines remain exceptionally well priced.”
- Antonio Galloni, January 2025

Today we bring you his 2022 Christo, a powerful, opulent Rhône inspired red blend that has earned 94-Point reviews from both Antonio Galloni and Wine Enthusiast.

At our $21.99 price, it’s the kind of wine that every red wine lover could benefit from having in the arsenal at all times! Read on for the full story of this overperforming California red, and for impressive Cabernet Sauvignon bottlings from Marietta, then click the Big Green Button to secure your supply!

2022 Marietta ”Christo” Red Blend
McDowell Valley, Mendocino, California
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Founded in 1978, this Northern California winery built their brand on the premise of bringing wine lovers pleasure-packed wines that sell for a song. Nearly fifty years later, that philosophy is still going strong.  

An absolute treat for the senses, the complexity, balance and sheer deliciousness of their 2022 Christo make it the textbook definition of a “crowd pleaser.”

Gorgeous and concentrated fruit flavors of dark cherry, raspberry coulis, and blueberry lead the way, followed by intriguing secondary notes of pepper, baking spice, dried herbs, wild game and a whiff of smoke.

We’re not the only ones who fell hard for this Rhône inspired blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Petite Sirah. Let’s not forget about that splash of Viognier either, which adds a beautiful floral component that lifts everything up. The palate is powerful and opulent with a silky smooth mouthfeel and a long, complex finish. Just wow!

“The 2022 Christo is bold and explosive in the glass. A rush of blackberry, dried herbs, menthol, licorice, chocolate, lavender and scorched earth opens first. This ample, generous Syrah-based red has so much to offer. Its potent, structured personality will be a fine companion to equally hearty dishes at the dinner table. There's a bit of brawn on the finish, but that works well within this style. Drinking Window: 2025 - 2034.”
          - 94 Points, Vinous - Antonio Galloni (1/2025)

“This little-known wine-growing region, South of Mendocino, has only one winery. They have been in operation since 1978. It is structured bottling of Syrah, Grenache, Petite Sirah, and a splash of Viognier as a nod to the Northern Rhône of France. Their region gets the warm days, but it has cooler temperatures later in the day, creating structured, high-toned, red wines driven with red fruits, savory herbs, and silky tannins with grit. Aerate and enjoy now, or you can cellar until 2030”
          - 94 Points, Wine Enthusiast (12/1/2025)

Vinous quotes a release price of $28. Out of 21 listings, our price beats all but two outliers on the East Coast. A tremendous wine here!

Vin Chicago Price: 21.99

Cabernet!
(The Marietta Way)

2022 Marietta ”Armé” Cabernet Sauvignon
McDowell Valley, Mendocino, California
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Don’t let the Mendocino appellation fool you. This is textbook North Coast Cabernet. Tasted blind, it is a mirror image of Cabs that sell for twice the price further south in the Napa or Alexander Valleys.

Blending 92% Cabernet Sauvignon with 4% Merlot, 2% Malbec, and 2% Petit Verdot, this ripe, vibrant and youthful red gives an abundance of black cherry, cassis and currant flavors along with subtle sweet spice. Not quite full in body, the soft and grippy tannins melt away as the finish trails off, leaving delicious notes of baking spice, vanilla and cedar.

“The 2022 Armé is another gorgeous wine in this range from Marietta. Bold and racy in the glass, with generous forward fruit, the 2022 is all charm. Succulent red cherry, spice, blood orange, cedar, sweet pipe tobacco and crushed leaves all meld together. This mid-weight, flavorful Cabernet Sauvignon delivers the goods, big time. Dollops of Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot round out the blend. Drinking Window: 2025 - 2034."
          - 93 Points, Vinous - Antonio Galloni (1/2025)

“Rich, aromas of blackberry, dark plum, orange peel, oregano, and notes of coriander and mushroom on the nose; while the flavors on the palate are Bing cherry liquor, rhubarb, mocha, star anise, and dusty tannins on the finish. Decant and enjoy pair with grilled pave of beef, baked polenta, wild mushrooms."
          - 93 Points, Wine Enthusiast (12/31/2025)

Vinous quotes a release price of $33 and this estate Cabernet is worth every penny at that price. The online median retail of 30 listings is $27. As usual, our price is less. 

Vin Chicago Price: 25.99

2022 Marietta ”Game Trail” Cabernet Sauvignon
Yorkville Highlands, North Coast, California
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This premium Cabernet bottling comes from the south facing "Game Trail" vineyard at 1400 feet elevation in the Yorkville Highlands, with Alexander Valley to the southeast and Anderson Valley to the northwest. 

Pouring a beautiful ruby color, this gorgeous expression of Cabernet boasts a remarkable balance of ripe red and black fruits met by aromatics of wild herbs and mushrooms. It's like a walk through the forest. 

Soave and well balanced, you'll find flavors of black cherry, red currant, and black berry complemented by notes of fresh pine, mint, forest floor, pencil lead, and green herbs. You may even find a hint of Bordeaux influence! The smooth and elegant mouthfeel and gritty tannins beg for a ribeye steak basted with garlic butter and rosemary. Perfection!

“The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Game Trail emerges from a site planted at 1,400 feet in elevation in the Yorkville Highlands. Readers will find a dark, savory, almost pungent Cabernet Sauvignon that is deeply expressive of place. Blackberry, olive tapenade, black pepper, sage and lavender add to a palpable impression of gravitas. I would give the 2022 a year or two in bottle to shed some of its baby fat. It's an incredibly distinctive wine, that much is plainly obvious. Drinking Window: 2025 - 2037."
          - 94 Points, Vinous - Antonio Galloni (1/2025)

“Lush, aromas of Huckleberry, cassis, and notes of sandalwood, on the nose; the flavors on the palate are lively, cranberry, red currants, red licorice, dried fennel, tobacco leaf, and mouth-watering tannins on the finish. Decant and enjoy paired with roasted squab, chanterelle mushrooms, herbed potatoes, truffle au jus."
          - 94 Points, Wine Enthusiast (12/31/2025)

It is quite telling that Vinous and Wine Enthusiast are in total lockstep with their ratings. All three of these wines tell their story well, and they are so much fun to share. Vinous quotes $52 for this single vineyard beauty. Our price is 23% less!

Vin Chicago Price: 39.99