Vinography Unboxed: Highlights from the Week of April 19, 2026

Hello and welcome to the latest edition of Vinography Unboxed, where I curate some of the most exciting wines that have arrived at my doorstep recently.

This week, I had the pleasure of tasting several new releases from the Raventos family, known for their exceptional sparkling wines from the Penedès region of Spain. Their Raventos i Blanc brand recently released a new Blanc de Blancs and a rosé, both of which offer delightful flavors and great value. Additionally, their Mas de Serral line features a wine aged remarkably long on its lees for those who appreciate older vintage Champagnes.

I also explored a couple of German Rieslings this week, with highlights from Scholls Vollrads in Rheingau and Eugen Müller in Pfalz. The Müller Riesling stands out as a fantastic everyday choice.

From Two Shepherds, I tasted their Grenache Gris, which is a vibrant white with stone fruit notes, perfect for those seeking something different. Their Wiley Carbonic Carignan is also a find — a lively, light red that’s perfect for casual gatherings.

In more serious offerings, I enjoyed the new vintage of Gallica Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville Ranch, showcasing finesse and restraint.

A highlight of the week was receiving new releases from Cathy Corison. Her fall releases from the stellar 2023 vintage promised to impress. The Helios Cabernet Franc from the Sunbasket Vineyard earned a perfect score from me, embodying poise and grace, while her standard Cabernet Sauvignon also shined.

Interestingly, Cathy shared an unexpected wine this week — a Rutherford Cabernet crafted from the prestigious Bella Oaks Vineyard, which is set to be uprooted. This unique addition to her portfolio is as phenomenal as anticipated.

Here are the tasting notes for the wines I sampled:

Tasting Notes

2024 Raventos i Blanc “Blanc de Blancs” Cava Blend, Spain

• Pale gold, medium-fine bubbles, aromas of apples and lemon. Tastes of lemon peel and stony flavors with lively acidity. Score: 9. Cost: $27. Click to buy.

2023 Raventos i Blanc “de Nit” Cava Rosé Blend, Spain

• Pale peachy-pink, aromas of rhubarb and strawberries. Refreshing flavors of grapefruit and rhubarb. Score: 8.5 – 9. Cost: $31. Click to buy.

2015 Pepe Raventos “Mas de Serral” Cava Blend, Spain

• Light bronze-gold, with notes of marzipan and baked apples. Flavors of butterscotch and blood orange. Score: 9. Cost: $177. Click to buy.

2023 Schloss Vollrads Riesling, Rheingau, Germany

• Pale gold, aromas of honeysuckle and green apples. Bright flavors of pear and honeysuckle. Score: 8.5. Cost: $30. Click to buy.

2022 Eugen Müller “Vom Basalt” Riesling, Pfalz, Germany

• Greenish gold, with notes of mandarin and lychee. Tastes of orange zest and honeysuckle. Score: 8.5. Cost: $16. Click to buy.

2024 Two Shepherds Grenache Gris, Russian River Valley, CA

• Light bronze with peach notes. Tastes fruity with a floral finish. Score: 8.5 – 9. Cost: $30. Click to buy.

2025 Two Shepherds “Wiley Carbonic – Trimble Vineyard” Carignan, Mendocino County, CA

• Hazy purple, aromas of earth and candy. Fun, sourish flavors with vibrant acidity. Score: 8.5. Cost: $28. Click to buy.

2023 Gallica “Oakville Ranch Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA

• Dark garnet, aromas of black cherry and tobacco. Well-balanced with a strong oak finish. Score: 9. Cost: $175. Click to buy.

2023 Corison Winery “Helios – Sunbasket Vineyard” Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley, CA

• Medium garnet, with floral and fruity notes. Tastes harmonious and balanced. Perfect 10. Cost: $195. Click to buy.

2023 Corison Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA

• Dark garnet, aromas of blackcurrants. Well-balanced, needs some aging. Score: 9.5. Cost: $140. Click to buy.

2023 Corison Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, CA

• Dark garnet, balanced herbaceous notes. Score: 9.5 – 10. Cost: TBD.

Stay tuned for more results from my future tastings!

About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!