2026 Holiday Season Newsletter

From one of Napa Valley's oldest vineyard sites, the 2023 George is an equal parts blend of old-vine Zinfandel and Petite Sirah. Leading with a generous palate of black cherry, ripe plum, mocha, and blackberry - rounded out with classic Zin spice - this 398 case production red sells online for $85 to $96. Our price blows away every price on the planet!

"Produced from the last surviving vines planted by pioneer Dr Crane in the 1880s and formerly known as El Coco. This is a righteous, full-throttle powerhouse of a red — utterly delicious and overflowing with dark berry fruit, mulberry and warm cola-like spices. Ripe, powerful old-vine tannins frame the wine, building a solid architectural core that holds all that juicy, concentrated fruit in balance. There is both tension and energy here, and the result is thrilling. A lengthy finish of fig fruit and fig paste with curranty richness builds and lingers." 
         - 94 Points, Decanter (12/8/2025)

Using fruit from a small vineyard in St. Helena and The Crane Assembly's own estate property in Calistoga, a mere 300 cases of this "exuberant" Napa Valley Cabernet were produced. At the winery it goes for $100. At 40% less, our two cases will be gone fast!

"The 2022 Disciples Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petite Sirah, and 1% Merlot. Deep garnet-purple colored, it comes barreling out with exuberant notes of black cherry compote, warm cassis, and wild sage, leading to hints of candied violets and wet stones. Full-bodied, the palate has a firm backbone of grainy tannins and a lively line supporting the muscular black fruits, finishing on a mineral note."
          - 94 Points, The Wine Palate (6/2025)

This powerful Napa Valley red has a median online retail of $56. Today's blows-away-every-listing-on-the-planet price is thirty bucks less!

"A sourced blend of nearly equal parts Petite Sirah, Zinfandel and Syrah with around 9% Grenache, the 2021 Disciples is a full-bodied, savory-leaning wine. Scents of asphalt and black olives dominate the nose, joined by hints of menthol and blackberries, while the palate is ripe and supple, then folds in some dusty tannins on the bright, mouthwatering finish. It's a big wine (15.7% alcohol on the label), but it handles it well, masked by the concentrated fruit. Drink Date: 2024 - 2033."
          - 92 Points, The Wine Advocate (7/3/2024)

Cabernet in the Alps? Absolutely! In 1979, Luis Raifer returned back from California and planted vines on a sun-soaked mountain slope. The result is Cabernet Sauvignon with an Alpine elegance. Serve it blind and watch your friends guess Bordeaux, then tell them where it really comes from! Worldwide prices range from $78 to $120. We're the only listing in the United States.

"Almost black in colour, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is a South Tyrol star from a trailblazing cooperative who changed the entire wine region. The vines are planted on a sun-drenched slope at 430m on sandy, gravelly moraine soils, and it offers alpine notes of concentrated blackberry, mountain herbs, cassis and warming gingerbread spice. Spending 18 months in French barriques, eucalyptus, liquorice and chocolate dance into the mix, with the palate showing ripe tannins, tight acidity and very a persistent finish. A compelling demonstration of Alto Adige's capacity for world-class Cabernet expression."
          - 93 Points, Decanter (2/28/2025)

For this wine, Tommasi pours its Valpolicella over the rich skins left from their Amarone. The wine "passes" through the skins, soaking up a bit of that lush, decadent Amarone magic. Dried red cherry and raspberry flavors mingle with vanilla, baking spice, cured meat and wild herbs - all complemented by soft tannins and a full, rich, mouthcoating finish. Online prices range from $24 to $34. Our price is ridiculous.

"A delicious Ripasso that demonstrates less is more when it comes to the use of Amarone pomace and its dried-fruit influence on the style. Tightly wound, detailed and nobly bitter, this mid-weighted and exceptionally savory expression challenges those clumsy examples that resemble ersatz Amarone. Alpine hints, bitter red cherries, licorice root and oranges. Dusty oak tannins compress the seams nicely. Fresh, lithe and ready for the sophisticated table. Textbook. Drink or hold."
          - 92 Points, James Suckling (4/3/2024)

The Nada family has farmed the Casot vineyard for over 120 years, and they haven’t changed their recipe in 70. Trends come and go. The Nadas don’t! Wine Spectator quotes $56. At 42% less, Our price blows away all five online listings. The critics write...

"Baked cherries, mingled with sweet spices and a touch of thyme, blend harmoniously with crushed rocks and stone elements. Well-structured with fine tannins and lifted acidity, this wine delivers in all aspects. A wine to add to your collection. Drink 2026–2045."
          - 95 Points, Wine Enthusiast (12/31/2023)

"A sleek, aromatic red, offering cherry, strawberry, rose hip, mineral and wild herb flavors. Balanced and lingers on the finish, where the fruit and herb elements echo. A high-wire act. Best from 2026 through 2042. 1,000 cases made, 30 cases imported."
          - 93 Points, Wine Spectator (12/15/2023)

"Intoxicating violet soaked with black cherry, a touch of herb, dark, dried cherry with depths of balsam, chocolate and rhubarb. Dense palate, great concentration, firm tannins, dusty yet ripe, with juicy acidity, some tartness of the fruit and a chocolaty finish. Great tension for ageing. Very polished finish despite the muscularity. Extremely classic winemaking if not old fashioned, with higher temperatures of fermentation up to 30-32°C and ageing in large oak for 18-24 months. Drinking Window: 2023 - 2040."
          - 94 Points, Decanter (1/25/2023)

Monthélie is Volnay’s next-door neighbor, minus the Volnay price! While sharing a hillside with one of Burgundy’s most coveted villages, Monthelie has stayed under the radar. Wine Spectator quotes $60 for this Premier Cru 2020 bottling from Chanson, which matches up quite well with what it sold for upon release three years ago. (The current vintage sells for around $70!) Bring on the grilled red meats and Burgundian cheeses like Époisses, Cîteaux and Langres!

"Lovely cherry and blackberry flavors are the essence of this expressive red, with spice and toasty oak accents. Elegant and long. Drink now through 2027. 30 cases imported."
          - 90 Points, Wine Spectator (11/30/2022)

Over 270 years of Burgundy in every bottle! Now owned by Champagne Bollinger, Chanson has been making wine in Beaune since 1750. La Dominode takes its name from the Latin word for lord, as this vineyard once belonged to the Lord of Savigny. All these years later, it’s still considered one of the village’s noblest sites. Wine Spectator quotes $90. Today, this Premier Cru, estate-grown Burgundy flies for half that amount!

"Very typical floral and red fruit charm for this appellation that's neatly underlined by the touch of toasty oak. Elegant mid-weight wine with good concentration and structure for the difficult 2021 vintage. Long smoky finish that's still a bit firm. Probably needs a couple more years in bottle to reach its best harmony. Drinkable now, but best from 2025."
          - 92 Points, Wine Enthusiast (11/1/2024)

"Fragrant, with floral, sandalwood, cherry, wild raspberry and green olive notes, this red is succulent and sinewy. Reveals lightly chewy tannins on the finish, yet this is balanced and long overall. Best from 2027 through 2040. 50 cases imported."
          - 91 Points, Wine Spectator (5/31/2024)

The Les Vergelesses vineyard sits just below the famed Grand Cru hill of Corton, where the slope tumbles down into some of the finest vineyards in Pernand-Vergelesses. Expect refined, expressive notes of blackcurrant, raspberry and violet with a delicate texture and impressive intensity on the palate. We only found one other listing in the country. Our price beats it by thirty bucks!

The Mongeard family has tended Burgundy vines since 1680. With extensive Grand Cru holdings, they are the second largest owner of Grands Échezeaux, trailing only Domaine de la Romanée Conti itself!

This Premier Cru bottling comes from their holdings in the Côte de Beaune. From the clay and limestone rich soils of the Les Avaux parcel, online prices range from $100 to $110. Today, as with everything on this list, you'll pay a whole lot less. A rare opportunity to explore Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret at a discount.

Online prices for this clean, crisp, generous Mâcon-Villages range from $22 to $28. We're letting it rip today for just twelve bucks!

"Deep-lemon tending towards gold in color, fragrant aromas of hay, dried field grass and white peach skin open on the nose along with nectarine blossom. The fulsome wine is supported by a wave of acidity that peaks on the finish bolstered by a touch of salinity."
          - 90 Points, Wine Enthusiast (12/31/2025)

Rich, ripe, and plump, the 2020 Trimbach Gewürztraminer is drinking great. Wine Spectator quotes $33. Median online retail is $30. Today's price on this viscous, spicy, classic white blows away all 53 listings!

"Racy and energetic thanks to a steely beam of acidity that cuts through the creamy density and ripe fruit. Offers bitter dried herb and flower notes, while warm spice elements chime in. The stony depth and firmness bring a chalky feel to the finish, which stretches out nicely. Drink now through 2029." 
          - 91 Points, Wine Spectator (8/31/2026)

"Expressive and layered, combining stone and tropical fruit with peach and mango at the core, joined by blood orange and a hint of tamarind. Bright acidity and a touch of light bitterness add complexity and keep the wine finely balanced. Energetic and composed, it finishes long with freshness and aromatic depth." 
          - 92 Points, Wine Enthusiast (5/1/2026)

This stuff is VERY good. Bonkers. Like really, really, really delicious. It is markedly sweet, and it is a knockout. Only one online listing. Our price blows it away. A solid 94 Points on our scale. The 95-Point review from Wine Enthusiast is spot on...

"Save yourself the trouble and replace dessert with this luscious wine. Deep-gold in color, this wine has an entrancing aromatic nose of dried apricot, orange marmalade, honey, quince, golden apple and dried orange peel. Rich in texture with depth of flavor, the wine is plush, opulent and absolutely delicious."
          - 95 Points, Wine Enthusiast (12/1/2024)

Median online retail for this impressive single-vineyard Pinot Noir is $67.75. Today, you'll pay half that amount!

"A transparent medium red, the 2022 Pinot Noir Hyland Vineyard comes from 50-year-old vines grown on Jory volcanic soils in McMinnville. On the nose, it offers perfumed notes of potpourri, fresh redcurrants, a hint of cinnamon spice, roses, and fresh, lifted mountain herbs. Medium-bodied and approachable, it fills the palate with fine tannins, a weightless feel, and a clean finish. It offers a lot of finesse and charm, with a refreshing feel. Drink it over the next 15 years. Maturity 2024 - 2039."
          - 94 Points, Jeb Dunnuck (8/6/2024)

"From the old-vine Hyland Vineyard, a Willamette Valley stalwart. It is beautifully perfumed with dark berries, clove and crushed earthen minerality notes. The palate is rich yet lively, with dark fruits, pluots, blackberry and Italian plums; there is Christmas spice and a savoury herb finish with crushed stone minerality to boot."
          - 93 Points, Decanter (5/4/2023)

A sleek, soft, red plum driven Napa red from Markham. We found 32 online listing for this Merlot dominated wine, ranging from $24 to $39. At 35% below the median, today's blowout price beats them all!

"Velvety, luxurious, ripe and chocolaty, this full-bodied wine has a relaxed texture, with soft tannins incorporating baked black-fruit flavors and tempting oak spices. Dark plums, blackberry jam and cocoa lend an almost sweet, delicious accessibility. Drink or hold."
          - 93 Points, James Suckling (9/16/2025)

"Based on 85% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc, the 2023 Red Blend The Altruist offers red and black fruits, vanilla, cedary herbs, and chocolate in a round, lush, and sexy style. It's upfront and ready to go, with a satisfying, hedonistic character geared for near-term drinking. Drink bottles over the coming 4-6 years. Drink 2025-2031."
          - 90 Points, Jeb Dunnuck (12/22/2025)

It is EXTREMELY rare to find an opulent, mature, upper-tier Sonoma Chardonnay for this price. Located near the Petaluma Gap, MacRostie's high-elevation Wildcat Mountain site is composed of volcanic soils, and it sees very high winds that drive the intensity of the fruit. A selection from two favorite blocks, the 2020 vintage was fermented in barrel, 28% new, undergoing partial malolactic fermentation then aged for a further 12 months with battonage.

We popped a bottle last week, and it is drinking great. Complex notes of lemon oil, cinnamon apple strudel, honeysuckle, and crushed stone are rich and real. Just 492 cases were crafted. Upon initial release four years ago, prices ranged from $40 to $55. Our price makes this an absolute steal.

$75 at the winery. Median online retail is $68. Our price on this tasty Lewis Cellars red destroys every one of the 69 listings!

"Based on 48% Syrah, 21% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Petite Sirah, the 2022 The Big Blend offers darker berries, pepper, meat, violets, and hints of iron and sage. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it's nicely textured and balanced, with ripe tannins. Aged 19 months in French and American oak, drink it over the next 5-7 years. Maturity 2025 - 2032."
          - 93 Points, Jeb Dunnuck (3/31/2025)