Bob McDonald

9.1

A beautiful rich, plush full bodied McLaren Vale Shiraz. Trial sentence. I can continue. Well performed on the Australian Show Circuit. Even though Innocent Bystander is based in the Yarra Valley the fruit for this Cuvée came from the Gateway biodynamic vineyard in McLaren Vale. Supple and delicious with that spicy overlay and soft tannins. — a month 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

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

Kristy

9.0

Gateway rosé for red drinkers, longer skin contact, tart jolly rancher cherry skins, — 8 years ago

Sean Herriott

8.9

This 2012 has aged well. Could be a ringer for village level Chablis. Maybe this will be my gateway into exploring Alsace! — 9 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars – Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Napa Valley, California – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
Artemis is the gateway wine of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, one of Napa’s most iconic producers, remembered for its Judgment of Paris triumph in 1976. The 2014 vintage sits in a sweet spot: accessible, polished, and still carrying the hallmarks of Napa’s valley-floor fruit. This blend is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon with small percentages of Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot layered in for balance.

Aromas & Flavors
Inviting notes of ripe blackberry, cassis, and black cherry lead the way, accented by cedar, vanilla, and hints of graphite. Subtle secondary notes of mocha and baking spice emerge as it opens in the glass, showing both freshness and depth.

Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied with supple tannins and balanced acidity. Polished, silky textures glide across the palate, finishing with a long echo of dark fruit, oak spice, and a touch of savory herb.

Winemaking Notes
Aged around 15–20 months in French oak, Artemis strikes a balance between power and approachability. Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars’ style is always about elegance over sheer force, and this vintage highlights that philosophy.

Food Pairing
Perfect with grilled ribeye, herb-crusted lamb, or hearty mushroom risotto. Its elegance also makes it a great match with aged cheddar or gouda.

Verdict
A graceful Napa Cabernet that proves why Stag’s Leap remains a benchmark. The 2014 Artemis is in a perfect drinking window now, refined, approachable, and still true to the estate’s legacy of elegance. — 9 years ago

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! — 2 months 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

Matt Perlman

8.9

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

Bill R

8.9

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

Marc vanholst

9.8

One of my last bottles in 2017 but what a great wine this is !!! Incredible in fruit, silky in the mouth and seems to last forever in aftertaste. A really beautiful “gateway to heaven”... — 8 years ago

Sara Sutton

10

Sweet. Slight taste of the red "armpit" flavor, but it doesn't turn me off. In fact, I think this will help be my gateway to red wines. — 9 years ago

Marc Stubblefield

Wine Sales at Vino Carta and Kogod Wine Merchant

9.1

Gateway Radikon. Once you've opened your palate to the enchanting Pinot Grigio, the truly magical Jakot, Oslavje and Ribolla await. This tho - fan-fuckin-tastic with a roast chicken. — 9 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! — 10 months ago

romo

9.2

Raul’s gateway drug. Start here. — 3 years 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. — 8 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

This was my gateway scotch and it still doesn’t disappoint. A profoundly balanced whiskey that satisfies the Speyside itch every time. — 9 years ago

Gene Gray

9.1

Very easy, fruit forward Pinot Noir with a light taste and smooth finish. Think gateway wine. 😜 — 9 years ago

David Goldfinger

9.6

What a wine. As I have said before Cardinale has been a gateway wine for me. The nose upon opening was briefly very fruit forward. Later drinking like a true bdx. — 9 years ago