Reviews

Made in partnership with master distiller Ashby Marshall of SpiritWorks Distilling, this contains 65% organic rye and 35% malted grains and aged for seven years in new charred American white oak before finishing for seven months in French oak casks previously used for Angelica, a dessert wine made specifically for Buena Vista Winery. It tastes of marmalade on toast. 90 proof. - Virginie Boone

 In partnership with master distiller Ashby Marshall of SpiritWorks Distilling, this combination of 65% organic rye and 35% malted grains aged for seven years in new charred American white oak and finished for seven months in Buena Vista Port casks. The Port influence is strong, lending flavors of dark coffee, dark chocolate, baking spice, and fruitcake. 96 proof. - Virginie Boone

Made from a distillate of Barbera and Ugni Blanc grapes, this is a combination of 40% column-distilled brandy aged in used, charred American white oak and 60% alembic-distilled brandy aged in French oak wine casks that’s cellared for a minimum of ten and up to 20 years. Opening with vanilla, nutmeg, and citrus, it is lush and luxurious on the palate, flecked with dark coffee, nutmeg, and baked fig. 83 proof. - Virginie Boone

Sixty percent of this distillate of Chardonnay, French Colombard, Grenache, Muscat, and Symphony grapes is column distilled and aged in used, charred American white oak; the remaining 40% is alembic distilled and aged in rench oak wine casks. It’s then cellared for a minimum of seven and up to 15 years. Rich in baking spice and plum, it has lovely notes of oak and caramel that finish with orange zest. 85 proof. - Virginie Boone

Excellent depth, concentrated fruit flavors and a snug wrapping of tannins set this wine up nicely for further improvement with age. A vibrant texture and subtle oak spices in the flavor add to its appeal. Additions of Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec totaling 15% enhance complexity and structure. Best from 2026–2033. Editors’ Choice.

Showing lots of cocoa, brown sugar and espresso in the aroma, this full-bodied wine oozes maple syrup and black cherries over a chalky, tannic texture that smooths out with more sipping. The concentration of black fruits is impressive.

Expressive, from the effusive aromas of rose, sandalwood, wild strawberry and cherry to the silky texture and the aftertaste of floral, fruit, spice and mineral influences. Harmonious, alluring and complex, this is hard to resist now, yet all indications suggest this has excellent aging potential. Best from 2027 through 2043.

An intense red, this exudes macerated cherry, strawberry, graphite and floral flavors wrapped in toasty oak. While forthcoming, this is underscored by a muscular structure, with dense tannins shoring up the fruit and savory elements on the long aftertaste. Best from 2028 through 2047. 

A sleek, intense red hallmarked by a beam of pure cherry flavors. While the cherry and red berry fruit, spice and stony mineral elements are locked up by the muscular structure, this is long and resilient on the finish. Best from 2028 through 2045. 

A spicy red, this exudes cherry, sandalwood, vanilla and floral flavors, with an underlying vein of minerality. Bracing and vigorous, with midpalate intensity and a punchy aftertaste that expands for at least a minute. Best from 2027 through 2042.