WINES OF THE WORLD
Given our backgroud in Old World wines, we don't limit sales in our Los Olivos shop to Santa Barbara County. GloriaVina is a celebration of the world's best wines, with bespoke offers sent out bi-weekly, with wines priced better than any other retailer west of the Mississippi (and sometimes the whole country).
98DE, 97VM, 97JS
"Solaia sings in 2023. It's supremely vertical with already-integrated sandy tannins, its tall frame adorned with crunchy, sapid forest berries, chocolate, menthol, iodine and floral top notes. Generous and finessed, it's drinking surprisingly well at this early stage and will continue to prosper for the next two decades at least." -Decanter, 98DE
96WE, 17JR, 94WA
"The Benanti 2023 Etna Bianco Superiore Contrada Rinazzo shows a very fine and chiseled quality with dusty mineral and crushed stone that frame citrus fruit and unripe peach. The wine relaxes in the glass to reveal elegance and depth with a hint of spice, nutmeg and Sicilian bitter almond, and it closes with wild sage. I like the linear tightness and energy of this razor-sharp Carricante." -Wine Advocate, 94WA
95JS
"A restrained wine with aromas of smoke, subtle kerosene, lime peel, lemon leaves, wet stones and broom flowers. Savory and tight-knit, with a light to medium body, zesty acidity and a substantial palate showing intensity and length. Very focused despite its structure. Drink or hold." -James Suckling, 95JS
98WE, 17+JR, 94+VM
"Benanti's Etna Rosso Rovittello bottling is, I think, the second panel in the diptych with their Pietra Marina Etna Bianco. If the Pietra Marina is the labyrinth holding the Minotaur, the Rovittello Particella no. 341 might be spun from Ariadne's thread, strong enough to endure a challenge, delicate enough to be a silent tool of navigation." -Wine Enthusiast, 98WE
"An opulent and graceful full-bodied wine with a pleasing mix of plush stone fruit, citrus and citrus peel. The aromas are beautiful and decadent, with baked citrus, pastry crust, wet stones and white flowers. Nice concentration and tension on the palate, with cleansing acidity and a very long finish. Delicious now, but built to age." -James Suckling, 97JS
"The 2023 Pinot Noir Silice is layered and seductive, showing black raspberry liqueur, wet stones, toasted spice, cardamom, and black cherries. “Silice” means silica, and this wine comes from forest blocks planted in 2001 on the site with the highest sand content in the soils that they work with. The structure is remarkable, fine, and floating on the palate, with refreshing acidity and an angular, well-defined, gravelly texture to its tannins, which is highly appealing and reminiscent of Nebbiolo in its structure. Drink 2027-2047." -Jeb Dunnuck, 98JD
"Situated in Bibbona on the Tuscan coast, it consists of equal parts Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with a dash of Petit Verdot. The 2022 is deep and rich, with concentrated hedgerow berry aromas allied to grilled and fresh herb scents. In the mouth it showcases the vintage's compact nature and density of fruit, with an elevated menthol character which sweeps in with a wave of freshness and carries the wine on its coat tails. Very refined, silky tannins and high acidity, along with some lovely floral top-notes make this a well balanced and aromatically seductive wine. Best after several years in bottle. (Drink between 2026-2040)." -Decanter, 96DE
"Bright, rich light gold. On the nose, it initially offers aromas of candied citrus fruits, honeycomb, and yellow peach, along with subtle hints of daisies and hay. On the palate, it offers beautiful, pronounced fruit—rich peach notes—with great tension and fullness; it unfolds in several waves and lingers for a long time." -Falstaff, 94FA
"The 2022 Fiano di Bocca di Lupo is a model of purity, with a vivid blend of fresh pears and apples elevated by a whiff of chamomile, white flowers and flint. This is graceful yet complex, almost oily in texture, with a saline tinge up front that gives way to nectarine, apricot and lime. It leaves an enriching note of hazelnut on the finish, maintaining a wiry and youthfully tense frame as a salty flourish resonates and a refreshing note of chlorophyll lingers on. The Fiano di Bocca di Lupo is a wine of contrasts. What a beauty. (Drink between 2025-2032)" -Vinous, 94VM
James Suckling's #1 Wine in Argentina (Sept 17, 2025)
"So linear and driven, with so much tension and intensity. Aromas of sliced apples, lemons and stones. Medium-bodied with flavors of apples, seashells, lemons and crushed stones. It goes on and on. Matured in 30% amphorae and 70% oak. Fantastic. Drink or hold." -James Suckling, 97JS
"Very attractive aromas of red cherries, mushrooms and flowers follow through to a medium body with firm and integrated tannins and a vivid, subtle, fruity finish. A lovely young Brunello that you can enjoy now or age for many years to come. Drink or hold." -James Suckling, 95JS
"An amazing 2008 rosé Champagne that has all the structure and aromatic complexity - sushi ginger, oolong tea and caramelized mandarin orange - we associate with this vintage, but also has more charm than most. On the palate, this sparkling has stunning concentration, yet is diamond bright. The interplay of creaminess, fine tannins and mineral acidity builds and builds at the breathtaking finish. The color comes from about 7% pinot noir red wine, partly from the little-known Les Riceys in the far south of Champagne. Drink or hold." -James Suckling, 98JS
"Jackpot! Combines oak, dried fruit and mushroomy notes in the way that so few sweet wines bring together in such a perfect chorus. Thick, viscous, lengthy, complex – an absolute thing of wonder." -Jancis Robinson, 19/20JR
"Chiara Boschis made some of the most thrilling wines of the vintage. Her 2019s are positively stellar. The 2019 Barolo Mosconi is the most potent of the three Barolos in the range. It exudes Monforte darkness and virile intensity from the very first taste. Black cherry, plum, mocha, sage, tar, lavender and spice infuse the 2019 with tons of character. This is one of the most elegant wines I have ever tasted from Mosconi, a site that does not naturally lend itself to finesse. (Drink between 2027-2044)" -Vinous, 98VM
[#7 Wine of 2024] "Boasting great depth and extreme elegance, the drop-dead gorgeous Ciacci Piccolomini Pianrosso delivers crushed raspberry, succulent Morello cherry, star anise and crushed mint flavors while aromas of eucalyptus, wild rose, new leather and forest floor continuously lift out of the glass. It’s a smooth, stunning wine, with taut, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity that lend great aging potential and energy. Absolutely stunning." -Kerin O'Keefe, 100KO
"The vino de paraje (lieu-dit) 2022 La Breña 1er makes a comeback after the 2020 vintage, as it was not produced in 2021. This has a similar profile to the single-vineyard La Breña; it's perfumed and elegant, without the precision of the single vineyard but still amazingly elegant, with very fine granite tannins and a supple, almost salty twist in the finish that makes you salivate. This is so fresh that I forgot we were tasting a wine from 2022. It's narrow, complete, mineral, elegant and crisp, with Villanueva finesse. 3.568 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2024." -Wine Advocate, 96+WA
[#10 Wine of the Year 2025] "The compelling Conti Costanti 2021 Brunello captivates with pronounced aromas of fragrant purple flower, eucalyptus, Mediterranean brush and perfumed berry. All about class and extreme finesse, the elegant palate delivers succulent wild raspberry, crushed Marasca cherry, spiced orange zest and star anise set against a backbone of fine-grained tannins. Fresh acidity lends balance and great intensity. Year after year Andrea Costanti turns out what are among the very best wines from Montalcino, and the 2021 is no exception, it’s an absolute stunner with great aging potential. Drink 2031–2046." -Kerin "O'Keefe, 99KO
"The 2021 Soul Of A Lion is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot. It was matured for 22 months in 100% new French oak, bottled in August of 2023 and tasted in late September. It takes some time to unfold scents of blackcurrants, blueberries, green pepper, dried lavender and sage and continues to open as it spends time in the glass. The palate is stunning! It has ripe, detailed fruit, pixelated tannins and seamless acidity and finishes with fantastic length and perfume. It's an especially elegant example of this cuvée and should be very long lived." - Wine Advocate 96+WA
"Velvet-lioned tannins manage to have the power to hold on to teeth and palate. A majestic red that comes in with a roar, gentled by its poise and presence. The blend of 76% Cabernet, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Petit Verdot exhibits notes of graphite, violets, blackberry, tobacco, and coffee bean. It’s power levels off to a refined, harnessed purr for an ideal finish." - Tasting Panel 99TP
"Displays lemon, honey, mineral, fennel seed and lime aromas. Full-bodied, this fills the mouth with lime, apple tart and vanilla character. Very, very intense. Fantastic. Needs time to come together. The best white from this estate in a long time. Best after 2014. 2,080 cases made." -Wine Spectator, 97WS
"Dave’s Painted Scars 2022 is fully loaded—bursting with kirsch, violet pastilles, sweet oak spice, and crushed red rock volcanic minerality. Full-bodied and plush, it shows daring tannins and a long, dark-fruited finish. The blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah comes from old vines planted in the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains, straddling the border between France and Spain...the wine...pulls you in with hypnotic intensity and holds you there with depth, texture, and raw beauty. (Drink between 2025-2033)" -Decanter, 94DE
"Lighter purple, a more herbaceous nose but in a pleasing way, 100% whole bunch. Savoury strawberry with some herbs, good acidity and fine length." -Jasper Morris, 90-92JM
"The 2022 Moulin De Duhart offers classic Pauillac character, with cassis, graphite, smoked tobacco, and ripe black cherries. Medium to full-bodied, it’s pure and polished, with beautiful tannins and an incredibly elegant style for a second wine." -Jeb Dunnuck, 93JD
[James Suckling #70 Italian Wine of the Year in 2026] "Aromas of dried apples, pears, crushed stones, rosewater and roses, as well as hints of vanilla, follow through to a medium to full body. Bright and crunchy with lovely layers of fruit. All barrel-fermented and aged 11 months. Up to 85% chardonnay with a mix of other white varieties. Drink or hold." -James Suckling, 97JS
"An ambitious wine that shines with an intense mix of blood-orange and white-peach aromas" - James Suckling
[James Suckling #92 Italian Wine of the Year in 2026] "Fascinating aromas of blanched almonds, salt, dried apples, dried pears and some candied fruit. Medium- to full-bodied with plenty of fruit, but it remains tight and layered. Focused finish of dried lemons and lime tree. Drink now." -James Suckling, 97JS
"The 2023 Chenin Blanc Jurassic Park is one of the best domestic Chenin Blancs I’ve encountered. Varietal notes of honey, yellow apple, orange oil, chalk and wet wool are unashamedly Chenin. The 2023 feels almost toothsome—something you can really grab ahold of and sink your teeth into. It’s a style I find wildly appealing. (Drink between 2026-2031)" - Vinous 94VM
"The Lola Pinot Noir is a wine from Gap’s View, a 28-year-old vineyard tucked into the windy Petaluma Gap. Those fierce breezes here toughen up the grape skins and give the wine some real backbone, while the alluvial soils keep things lively with a streak of minerality. The 2023 is one of Failla’s more serious Pinots this vintage, leaning into a darker, moodier vibe: juicy plums, black cherries, and ripe blackberries layered with a perfume of crushed violets, clove spice, and a wet-stone earthiness. At 13.8% alcohol and with plenty of bright acidity, it manages to stay fresh and lifted even with all that depth." - Decanter, 95DE
"The layered nose is sophisticated and intense without being overwhelming, as aromas of tobacco leaf and teak kick things off, followed by Luxardo cherry and pomegranate syrup, before concluding with a hint of gunpowder and crushed rocks. The palate dusts bitter cocoa and chili over ripe blackberries and black cherries, before substantial yet fluid tannins carry you to a finish which smolders with a quiet heat. A sleeper hit that should get more attention, like the down album track that surpasses the single." -Wine Enthusiast, 94WE