In the world of wine, a bottle should transport you to a sun-drenched hillside in Tuscany, the vibrant energy of a Napa Valley harvest, or the quiet, chalky cellars of Champagne with the first sip. For the fall season, we’ve curated a selection of seven remarkable wines from around the world that should be on your radar:
Post & Beam by Far Niente 2024 Pinot Noir, Napa Valley
A study in elegance from a house renowned for powerful wines. While Far Niente is synonymous with Cabernet, their Post & Beam label demonstrates a masterful touch with the more delicate grape. The 2024 Pinot Noir is a stunner—a Napa interpretation that favors finesse over force.
Notes: Aromas of wild strawberry, crushed rose petal, and a hint of forest floor leap from the glass. On the palate, it’s silky and vibrant, with red cherry and baking spice that leads to a finish of remarkable length and purity. This is the Pinot for the Cabernet lover, a testament to Napa’s stunning diversity.
Bella Union 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Bella Union is a project dedicated exclusively to the art of Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2022 vintage is a masterpiece of blending, sourced from a union of prized vineyards across the valley.
Notes: Deeply colored and intense, it offers a classic Napa nose of cassis, blackberry, and dark chocolate. The mouthfeel is opulent and broad, with polished tannins and layers of ripe fruit, mocha, and a touch of graphite. It’s both powerfully structured and irresistibly drinkable, a Cabernet that lives up to its stellar pedigree.
Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Blancs, Champagne
This long-standing champagne house is a benchmark for quality, driven by an unparalleled reserve wine program. Their Blanc de Blancs, crafted exclusively from Chardonnay, is the epitome of precision and finesse, and is aged for years in 2,000-year-old chalk caves that are honored as a UNESCO World Heritage treasure.
Notes: A symphony of freshness, softness and complexity. Notes of lemon zest, white flowers, and toasted almonds are underpinned by a distinct chalky minerality. This is a Champagne for true bubble connoisseurs.
Castiglion del Bosco 2020 Brunello di Montalcino
Nestled in one of Montalcino’s oldest estates, Castiglion del Bosco produces Brunello that drinks smoothly with layers of complexity. The 2020 vintage is already being hailed as a modern classic, offering approachability alongside formidable aging potential.
Notes: A beautiful, translucent garnet hue gives way to a breathtaking nose of sour cherry, dried oregano, leather, and violet. The Sangiovese purity is on full display—energetic, with bright acidity and firm, refined tannins. It’s a wine of terroir and tradition, capturing the very soul of Tuscany.
Delas Frères’ 2022 Crozes-Hermitage ‘Domaine des Grands Chemins’, Rhône Valley
From the sun-baked slopes of the Northern Rhône, this 100% Syrah from a single domaine showcases the rugged charm and spicy character that make the region legendary. Delas Frères represents the pinnacle of Rhône viticulture.
Notes: A bold, inky wine bursting with aromas of blueberry, black pepper, and smoked meat. It’s generous and full-bodied on the palate, with a core of dark fruit, licorice, and a distinctive, savory, olive tapenade note. A powerful, yet impeccably balanced, expression of Syrah.
Donnafugata x Dolce & Gabbana ‘Isolano’, Etna
Where haute couture meets volcanic viticulture. This collaboration between Sicilian winery Donnafugata and fashion house Dolce & Gabbana is as much a work of art as it is a wine. These two Sicilian brands worked together to create beautifully designed bottles, perfect for showcases the elegant wines.
Notes: A captivating blend of Carricant with a small percentage of other white varieties. It presents a complex bouquet of yellow peach, flint, jasmine, and a whisper of smoke. The palate has a vibrant acidity that carries the flavors to a long finish.
Seven Apart 2023 Expedition Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
From the Stags Leap District, Seven Apart is dedicated to crafting wines of intensity and place. The ‘Expedition’ is their foundational Cabernet, a wine that explores the depth and complexity Napa has to offer.
Notes: Deeply layered, the 2023 Expedition offers a bouquet of crème de cassis, plum, and sweet tobacco. With hints of vanilla and spice, this bold, well-crafted Cabernet is sure to become a favorite.
