Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars “Artemis” Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Napa Valley, California – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
Artemis is the gateway wine of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, one of Napa Valley’s most iconic producers, forever linked to the historic 1976 Judgment of Paris. The 2021 vintage is exceptionally polished and graceful, showcasing Napa valley-floor fruit with balance and finesse. Primarily Cabernet Sauvignon with small percentages of Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot layered in for additional complexity and structure.

Aromas & Flavors
Welcoming aromas of baked blackberry, cassis, and black cherry unfold alongside cedar, subtle vanilla, graphite, mocha, and baking spice. As the wine opens in the glass, deeper secondary notes emerge while maintaining freshness and elegance.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied with rounded tannins and balanced acidity. Silky textures glide effortlessly across the palate, finishing long with dark fruit, oak spice, and a refined herbaceous edge.

Food Pairings
Excellent with grilled ribeye, herb-crusted lamb, braised short ribs, hearty mushroom risotto, aged cheddar, or gouda.

Verdict
A graceful and refined Napa Cabernet that continues to demonstrate why Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars remains a benchmark producer. The 2021 Artemis is already entering a beautiful drinking window now, approachable, polished, and elegant, while still carrying enough structure to evolve further with additional aging.

Did You Know?
The original Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon won the famous 1976 Judgment of Paris, the blind tasting that shocked the wine world and helped establish Napa Valley among the great wine regions globally.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is exactly the kind of Napa Cabernet that reminds people elegance and power can absolutely coexist in the same bottle. Cheers! — 12 days ago

romo

9.2

Raul’s gateway drug. Start here. — 3 years ago

Matt Perlman

8.9

Delivers every damn time. Loire cab franc gateway drug — 7 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Domaine Derey Frères – Marsannay “Les Vignes Marie” 2021 🇫🇷
Marsannay AOC, Côte de Nuits – Burgundy, France

Overview
100% Pinot Noir from Marsannay, the only Côte de Nuits village allowed to produce wines in all three colors (red, white, and rosé). “Les Vignes Marie” is a standout parcel that shows the classic finesse of Burgundy Pinot while keeping Marsannay’s hallmark freshness and approachability.

Aromas & Flavors
Bright red cherry, raspberry, and wild strawberry lead the nose, with hints of rose petal, subtle spice, and earthy forest floor. A touch of mineral undertone brings lift and precision.

Mouthfeel
Elegant and medium-bodied with silky tannins, lively acidity, and a refined structure. Balanced and supple, finishing with freshness that keeps you coming back for another sip.

Winemaking Notes
The Derey family has been established in Marsannay since the mid-17th century, and their work focuses on organic farming and gentle cellar practices. The 2021 vintage, cooler and classic in style, emphasizes delicacy over power.

Food Pairing
Perfect with roast chicken, duck breast, mushroom risotto, or a charcuterie board. Its finesse makes it versatile across light meats and earthy vegetarian dishes.

Verdict
A graceful Burgundy Pinot that captures Marsannay’s balance between Côte de Nuits structure and charming approachability. For me, this sits as one of my most favorite wines in the Côte de Nuits — at a very affordable price point, it punches well above its weight and shows how Burgundy can still deliver tremendous value.

📚 Educational Sidebar – Why Marsannay Matters
Marsannay, at the northern gateway of the Côte de Nuits, is often overshadowed by its neighbors like Gevrey-Chambertin. But its wines deliver exceptional value, showing Pinot Noir with purity, finesse, and terroir character — a smart entry point into Burgundy without the Grand Cru price tag. Cheers! — 8 months ago

Pooneet K

8.9

Albariño was one of my gateway white wines and perhaps is partially responsible for my continued love of high acid low oak whites. This is really lip smackingly crisp, quite high levels of acid, but also a bit more body than I normally associate with Albariño. Nice. — 6 years ago

Heather Danskin

9.4

So delicious! Very smooth and fruity without being too sweet. Love this. — 7 years ago

Frank Artale

9.3

Sour cherry and chocolate also espresso notes. High abv but in balance. From southern area of Montalcino where hot and dry. Great gateway Brunello for your cabernet drinking friends. — 2 years ago

Thomas Williams

8.9

100% Godello - Do Valdeorras - Gateway to Galicia (said w a lisp) Northwest Spain just outside Rias Baixas and northern Portugal.
Perfectly served w pulpo gallego, (octopus) Served at menu del Dia (Spanish mid day meal 2pm)
Clay, granite and slate soil gives the wine a zesty mouth feel.lemon and pear notes. If you like sauv blanc, you'll love this Godello. — 3 years ago

Aaron Tan

9.2

Bwah! What can I say? Olivier just makes wines that I’m incredibly fond of and this was no exception. For me, the Lamy Bourgogne punches assuredly above its weight class (though proper AB comparisons are still in order to validate this). It’s just the detail and intensity that gets to me. Soars in the glass with aromas of citrus, green apple, iodine, and a touch of herbaceous elements. The flavours follow through to the palate with mind-boggling delineation. Pure, bracing, weighty, long, and so so chalky that even the most seasoned of taster might call this a Chablis. Damn it, I need more! I certainly put the entire table onto these wines with this pull - the perfect gateway drug to the world of Lamy. — 4 years ago

Bill R

8.9

Gateway to Barolo. Lighter in color. 13.4 ABV. — 8 years ago