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The Original Napa Valley Icon: Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon S.L.V.
napa, Verticals & Retrospectives, featured, United States: California
, Aug 2026
Fifty years ago, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars’ 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon Stag’s Leap Vineyards bested some of France’s best-known wines at an unassuming blind tasting. That tasting, chronicled as the Judgment of Paris, became a cultural phenomenon that changed the wine world. On the eve of the 50th anniversary of this momentous occasion, Vinous was thrilled to host a deep retrospective of the estate’s Cabernet Sauvignon S.L.V. going back to the 1973.
Mvemve Raats MR de Compostella: 2014-2022
Verticals & Retrospectives, South Africa, featured
, Aug 2026
Many years ago, the MR de Compostella from winemakers Bruwer Raats and Mzokhona Mvemve lit the torch for my South African wine journey. It was thus an enormous pleasure to taste through the last decade of releases with Raats, solidifying the MR de Compostella as one of the Cape’s finest Bordeaux blends.
Inflections In Chardonnay: Chablis 2024 & 2025
France: Burgundy, featured
, Aug 2026
While Chablis is a constant source of quality in the Burgundy landscape, what is not constant is the weather. The 2024 and 2025 growing seasons posed very different challenges that stymied quality in some places but gave rise to marvellous wines in others.
Cellar Favorite: 1989 Domaine François Raveneau Chablis Butteaux 1er Cru
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, France: Burgundy
, Aug 2026
There is something authentic and unadorned about a mature Premier Cru Chablis. The 1989 Domaine François Raveneau Chablis Butteaux 1er Cru is firing on all cylinders.
Vinous Table: Bell’s, Los Alamos, California
Vinous Table, United States: California
, Aug 2026
Bell’s is the finest restaurant in Santa Barbara wine country. Locally sourced ingredients and soulful, precise cooking come together in an experience that radiates California class.
Jura: France's Mysterious Outsider
France: Jura, featured
, Aug 2026
Winemakers in Jura rarely follow a script. Neither did the last two vintages. While the mercurial 2025 growing season produced promising young reds, the frost- and mildew-ravaged 2024 vintage has emerged far more positively than anticipated, led by whites that are at times outstanding. This report focuses on Château-Chalon AOC, which celebrates its 90th anniversary this year, explores the newly released 2019 Vin Jaunes and Château-Chalons, and offers an early look at a 2026 growing season that is on track to become the earliest on record.
Remembering David Hirsch
Vinous Remembers, United States: California
, Aug 2026
The wine world lost a trailblazing pioneer when David Hirsch passed away on July 28, 2026. He was 81 years old.
Campania’s Reawakening: Beyond the Shadow of Taurasi
Italy: Center & South, featured
, Aug 2026
From the ancient, high-elevation vines of Taurasi to the moonscape-like vineyards of Cilento and the volcanic slopes of Caserta, Campania is experiencing a region-wide evolution. A new wave of terroir-focused, quality-driven winemakers is bringing the distinctions among Campania’s varied landscapes into sharper focus.
Cellar Favorite: 1964 Casa Ferreirinha Barca Velha
Portugal, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Aug 2026
Surprisingly little has been written about Barca Velha compared to the world’s other iconic wines. Barca Velha is Portugal’s most vaunted non-fortified wine. Bottles are coveted. They fetch a pretty penny. The 1964 is a beautiful example of why,.
Remembering Emidio Pepe
, Jul 2026
The wine world bids farewell to Emidio Pepe, the titan of Abruzzo who proved the world-class potential and longevity of Montepulciano through a lifetime of innovation and dedication.