Bodega Benegas 2022 Estate Cabernet Franc Fourth generation of winemaker Federico Benegas Lynch, was born and raised in the El Trapiche winery until it was sold in 1999. Under the guidance of the iconic Angel Mendoza, Federico repurchased in 1999 the old vineyard Finca Libertad that had belonged to his family, as the new corporate owners of Trapiche had no need for this ultra-premium site. Their loss was his gain! Michel Rolland says that Finca Libertad’s Cabernet Franc is unique in the world as it has the characteristics of the Cabernet Franc from the 19th century Bordeaux. This is the winery’s prized Cab Franc, and we love it for its medium-bodied, savory expression of the varietal. A throwback to classic Mendoza!

Culley Road 2020 Grenache McLaren Vale Up a dirt track between Willunga and Silver Sands beach in McLaren Vale Australia is Culley Road, home to some of the region’s best Shiraz and Grenache grapes, as well as the Kenneally half of our dynamic foursome. High elevation, powerful wind gusts, and rocky soil means small and concentrated fruit, rich in flavor. Embracing single estate, organic winegrowing, we pride ourselves on leaving our land better than how we found it, because living soils create the best wines, and you need to try them for yourself. Cherry, raspberry, cinnamon, chalky tannin, good acid length.

Domaine Cabirau 2021 Maury Sec ‘Second Effort’ Another favorite from Cabirau, Second Effort. After 27 years importing wine, HPS President Dan Kravitz took the plunge and purchased his own vineyard in Roussillon. Named Cabirau after the vineyard’s original designation, the domaine is in the town of Maury, on a hillside below the ancient Cathar fortress of Queribus. From 25 and 60 year Grenache vines planted in schistous soils and a mix of old vines and newly planted Syrah and Carignan. The backbone of the Syrah and Carignan ally perfectly with the opulent Grenache, giving a medium-bodied wine of intense black fruit flavors, redolent of mountain herbs.

Schiavenza 2021 Langhe Nebbiolo The Alessandria family has been farming this Serralunga property since 1956. The estate and surrounding area were formerly part of the Opera Pia Barolo (a castle that is similar to Burgundy’s Hospice du Beaune – Part educational institution and part hospital), whose vineyards were worked by sharecroppers. The local dialect for sharecropper is “schiavenza,” hence the origin on the estate name. A name like Schiavenza should give one a clue as to the style here; this is no modern “barrique” aged Barolo estate – Wines here are fermented with native yeast in cement cisterns and then aged in traditional Slovenian botti. Despite its tannic structure, the wine’s fruity flavors of cherry and raspberries, supported with aromas of rose and anise, always seem to shine through.

Les Frailles 2023 Organic Monastrell/ Garnacha A family owned estate of 162 hectare with vineyards, Mediterranean forest, almond and olive trees with a unique terroir: altitude at 650-700 meters over sea level, dry agriculture, soil extremely calcareous, a Mediterranean climatology influenced by continental, and vines of 40-years-old average of our native grape, the Monastrell. Organic certified. The nose shows good intensity and certain elegance, a mixture of red berries, some fennel, Mediterranean herbs and spices. The palate is medium-bodied, with very fine tannins, clean, delineated flavors and good freshness.

Airfield Estates 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Yakima Valley Airfield Estates is a family owned and operated winery and vineyard situated in the heart of the Yakima Valley – Washington State’s oldest established AVA. For four generations, their family has been farming in this region. They planted their first wine grapes in 1968, but prior to its farming days, Airfield Estates operated as a training base for hundreds of Army Air Corps pilots during World War II. The airbase closed in 1944, and the airplane hangars and other buildings were auctioned off to the Miller family for $1. Here, each block of Cabernet Sauvignon was carefully selected to produce this excellent wine. Rich dark fruit aromas of blackcurrant, Bing Cherry, and red cassis, complemented by complex layers of toasted cedar and hints of graphite. The palate is full-bodied with smooth tannins and balanced acidity, showcasing an abundance of dark berry flavors intertwined with nuances of cola and smoked caramel.

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