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| Bollinger Brut Champagne Special Cuvee (750ml) | ||
| Sparkling from Champagne, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More There are Grandes Marques, "Mini-Marques," and then there are the TRULY grande marques. Bollinger is so grande (so important) that the most famous quotes on Champagne are attributed to its most endearing owner. Lily Bollinger was not only the most important character in the story of Bollinger, she remains its most charismatic. The technical side of Bollinger – the unmatched level of investment in every bottle produced – is every bit as important as Lily's story. Stepping into the cellars of Bollinger will take your breath away. Imagine the greatest collection of Champagne you could ever hope to personally witness in one place. Imagine magnums of the most pristine, Grand Cru Champagne – bottled under cork – resting there before your eyes. How many bottles would it take for you to think, "Holy bubbles, Batman, that's a LOT of Champagne?" In the cellars of Bollinger rests 600,000 magnums (100,000 cases) of Champagne reserves. It is this massive – truly mind-boggling – stash of reserves which contributes to the unmatched quality and consistency of the Bollinger Special Cuvée. The master blending performed which results in the richness, the depth and full body we love in Bollinger includes 50% of these reserve wines, some of which are up to 15 years of age. This Bollinger Special Cuvée you're buying today contains a healthy percentage of reserve wine from the vintage of 2000. Moreover, in keeping with the historical Bollinger tradition and winemaking style – the style Lily championed across Europe – the Special Cuvée is vinified in seasoned oak barrels of varying size, shape and age. This barrel vinification is followed by another three years of aging on the fine lees, a process absolutely unmatched across the region. It's a time-consuming, laborious, expensive process that's driven by passion; as only Lily Bollinger would have had it. Lily took over the estate upon her husband's passing in 1941 and is celebrated for greatly expanding the estate's vineyard holdings as well as the soaring popularity during her time as director and beyond. Recalling her arrival to London to declare her 1955 vintage, a reporter made public Lily Bollinger's reply when asked how much she enjoyed her own product. I think of it every day, or least every day I have a bottle of Bollinger: "I drink my Champagne when I'm happy and when I'm sad. Sometimes I drink it when I'm alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I'm not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise I never touch it - unless I'm thirsty." One of the finest Bollinger Special Cuvée bottlings to date, with my price making it that much finer: | ||
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| 2021 Bodegas Muga Reserva (750ml) | ||
| Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Bodegas Muga's status as an all-time Rioja reference-point is reaffirmed with this sterling trio of releases at razor-sharp pricing, highlighted by the newly arrived 2021 Torre Muga. "...one of the finest vintages for Torre Muga, along with 2016 and 2010." - Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate The 2021 Rioja vintage is already garnering rave reviews in the press, and the JD98 Torre Muga reflects that praise, "a gorgeous wine from a gorgeous vintage that’s worth the price." Concentrated and robust yet also polished and refined, the 2021 expresses the character of its old-vine plots in Villalba de Rioja, Brinas, and Labastida. A host of impressive reviews from James Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Advocate further confirm the 2021 Torre Muga as a special achievement, worthy of the wine's loft reputation among collectors. The Selección Especial Reserva is always a crowd and collectible favorite in the range and always priced well for a broad audience yet offering the kind of cellar-worthy appeal that serious collectors are looking for. The 2020 rendtion ramps up the collectible appeal thanks to a particular feature of the vintage itself – no Prado Enea was made in 2020, so all the fruit and juice that would normally comprise that flagship icon has instead gone into the Selección Especial. So, it's no surprise that the 2020 picks up right where the 2019 leaves off, led by Jeb Dunnuck's 95-point review that highlights its "medium to full-bodied richness, a round, layered mouthfeel, and silky tannins," which makes it "already hard to resist." Finally, the 2021 Reserva Rioja continues to be one of the sharpest values in Spanish wine, "a textbook example of [Muga's] style in a very good year, with power, concentration and clout, elegance and freshness" perGutiérrez' 94-point review in Wine Advocate.It's a perfect candidate to stack by the case, since it will not only cruise for several years in the cellar, but it will quench your thirst for Muga excellence anytime over the next decade while the you wait for the big boys to reach their prime drinking windows. For fans of Spanish wine and of Rioja in particular, this is a spectacular opportunity to load up on proven performers that will put many smiles on your face for countless years to come, at market-best pricing. | ||
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| 2019 Chateau Cantemerle (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Haut-Medoc, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Acknowledging that 2019 is already a heralded vintage, the salient question is whether it represents the summit of the 2018, 2019 and 2020 triumvirate. 'Yes' is the answer. I have always felt that is the case." - Neal Martin, Vinous Of course, you may or may not agree with Martin in terms of 2019 place in the "trifecta," but it's undeniable that is a truly spectacular Bordeaux vintage that has more than lived up to its day-one hype since the wine's have hit the market, hit collector's cellars, and found their way into the glasses of impatient enthusiasts. Best of all, pricing has always been highly favorable compared to 2018 and 2020 (to say nothing of 2022), so the 2019s have also been some of the sharpest collectible buys on the market from the get-go and remain so today. We've just landed a must-see treasure trove from this heralded campaign at ... you guessed it ... razor-sharp pricing cross the board, with superb performers in every classification and price tier. | ||
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| 2021 Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva (750ml) | ||
| Sangiovese from Chianti, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "The 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva is a wine of pedigree and class. Aromatic, vibrant and delineated, the Riserva captures all the best qualities of the year." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Now under the third generation of the Bianchi family, Castello di Monsanto is one of the most forward-looking yet traditional estates in Chianti Classico. After all, founder Aldo Bianchi was the visionary who first choose to bottle a single-vineyard wine from their prized Il Poggio parcel, and now his granddaughter, Laura, runs the estate with the same view toward the future that her father and grandfather did, and they now produce some of the most acclaimed, traditionally styled wines in the region. Another "sublime effort" from an epic vintage, the 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva is the estate's flagship expression of its philosophy and terroir, an ideal Tuscan microclimate that, along with the estate's use of Slavonian oak, produces Sangiovese wines of artisanal finesse and refinement. With a mountain of sterling critical praise, including several 95-point reviews, the 2021 Riserva stacks up as an all-time great value buy from Italy at well under $30, so you can (and should) consider stacking it by the case. | ||
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| 2019 Chateau Lagrange (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Acknowledging that 2019 is already a heralded vintage, the salient question is whether it represents the summit of the 2018, 2019 and 2020 triumvirate. 'Yes' is the answer. I have always felt that is the case." - Neal Martin, Vinous Of course, you may or may not agree with Martin in terms of 2019 place in the "trifecta," but it's undeniable that is a truly spectacular Bordeaux vintage that has more than lived up to its day-one hype since the wine's have hit the market, hit collector's cellars, and found their way into the glasses of impatient enthusiasts. Best of all, pricing has always been highly favorable compared to 2018 and 2020 (to say nothing of 2022), so the 2019s have also been some of the sharpest collectible buys on the market from the get-go and remain so today. We've just landed a must-see treasure trove from this heralded campaign at ... you guessed it ... razor-sharp pricing cross the board, with superb performers in every classification and price tier. | ||
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| 2022 Domaine du Cayron Gigondas (750ml) | ||
| From Gigondas, Rhône, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "...a medium to full-bodied, gamey, exotic, balanced Gigondas that's just about overflowing with character." - Jeb Dunnuck A favorite producer of B-21 Rhône fans and collectors offering incredible quality at an unbeatable value, Domaine du Cayron has hits the mark once again with their 2022 Gigondas. Fifth-generation sisters Roseline, Cendrine, and Delphine source their family’s single cuvée from old vines planted at some of the appellation’s highest altitudes, the domain's name Cayron referring to the crest of the Dentelles. Spanning nearly 17 hectares on 20 different parcels, the domaine’s vineyards are planted with mostly Grenache and smaller amounts of Syrah, Cinsault, and Mourvèdre on a mix of clay, marl and limestones soils. Employing traditional methods that are “old school all the way” according to Jeb Dunnuck, the Faraud sisters have produced "a killer effort offering beautiful darker fruits supported by some meaty, garrigue, and iron-like nuances" in their 2022 Gigondas. Along with Dunnuck, Vinous' Nicolas Greinacher declares "it’s an outstanding Gigondas worth seeking out" that will captivate fans of bold Southern Rhône reds on the first sip, while providing consistent pleasure for the next decade. | ||
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| 2018 Chateau LaTour Martillac Rouge (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Latour-Martillac remains one of the great value estates on the Left Bank, and this is especially true in outstanding vintages like the ones on offer today. With classic Graves terroir and expert winemaking, these wines consistently punch way above their weight class, as you can clearly see in the bevy of excellent press that accompanies each one. The highlights of the list are undoubtedly the 96-point 2019, which is "gorgeous, so bright and precise," delivering unreal bang for the buck at under $40, and the astounding 97-point 2022. Jeb Dunnuck dubs this powerhouse "a remarkably pure, medium to full-bodied Pessac-Léognan ... a brilliant 2022 that should be snatched up by readers." Of course, sharp-eyed collectors shouldn't over the 95-point 2018 or the "harmonious and well-defined" 2020. Last but certainly not least, the estate's white has always served as a reference-point for the category, made in part from Semillon vines over 140 years old. With 94-point potential according to several critics, the 2023 Blanc is "beautifully textured, rich, yet still racy white with tons to love," proving once again that Graves' whites are sometimes every bit as compelling as its reds. Whether you pick your favorite or go in for the whole vertical, you can rest assured you're getting some of the best quality-to-price character that the Left Bank has to offer. | ||
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| 2019 Chateau Pichon-Longueville au Baron de Pichon Longueville (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Acknowledging that 2019 is already a heralded vintage, the salient question is whether it represents the summit of the 2018, 2019 and 2020 triumvirate. 'Yes' is the answer. I have always felt that is the case." - Neal Martin, Vinous Of course, you may or may not agree with Martin in terms of 2019 place in the "trifecta," but it's undeniable that is a truly spectacular Bordeaux vintage that has more than lived up to its day-one hype since the wine's have hit the market, hit collector's cellars, and found their way into the glasses of impatient enthusiasts. Best of all, pricing has always been highly favorable compared to 2018 and 2020 (to say nothing of 2022), so the 2019s have also been some of the sharpest collectible buys on the market from the get-go and remain so today. We've just landed a must-see treasure trove from this heralded campaign at ... you guessed it ... razor-sharp pricing cross the board, with superb performers in every classification and price tier. | ||
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| 2019 La Rose Perriere (750ml) | ||
| From Lussac-St-Emilion, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Acknowledging that 2019 is already a heralded vintage, the salient question is whether it represents the summit of the 2018, 2019 and 2020 triumvirate. 'Yes' is the answer. I have always felt that is the case." - Neal Martin, Vinous Of course, you may or may not agree with Martin in terms of 2019 place in the "trifecta," but it's undeniable that is a truly spectacular Bordeaux vintage that has more than lived up to its day-one hype since the wine's have hit the market, hit collector's cellars, and found their way into the glasses of impatient enthusiasts. Best of all, pricing has always been highly favorable compared to 2018 and 2020 (to say nothing of 2022), so the 2019s have also been some of the sharpest collectible buys on the market from the get-go and remain so today. We've just landed a must-see treasure trove from this heralded campaign at ... you guessed it ... razor-sharp pricing cross the board, with superb performers in every classification and price tier. | ||
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| 2019 Stonestreet Cabernet Sauvignon Estate (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More With many of the choicest vineyard sites in Alexander Valley, Stonestreet is often considered the go-to producer for the appellation's quintessential expressions of Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. "...this balanced, elegant wine is refined and savory, with classic structure." - Wine Enthusiast The 94-point 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is a knockout rendition sourced from the estate's Monument Ridge vineyard, a collection of smaller blocks ranging in elevation from 400 feet all the way up to 2,400 feet. With such varied micro-climates, the wine itself captures every single facet of Alexander Valley Cabernet in spades - "full-bodied with chewy tannins, a lush mouthfeel, [with] fine acidity" as James Suckling describes it. The 2019 vintage adds its own particular mark on the wine in its overly charming approachability that is in prime form right now, which means it'll offer showstopping complexity and Cabernet character without having to hide in your cellar for five years (or more), all at a market-best price. | ||
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| 2020 Bodegas Muga Seleccion Especial (750ml) | ||
| Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Bodegas Muga's status as an all-time Rioja reference-point is reaffirmed with this sterling trio of releases at razor-sharp pricing, highlighted by the newly arrived 2021 Torre Muga. "...one of the finest vintages for Torre Muga, along with 2016 and 2010." - Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate The 2021 Rioja vintage is already garnering rave reviews in the press, and the JD98 Torre Muga reflects that praise, "a gorgeous wine from a gorgeous vintage that’s worth the price." Concentrated and robust yet also polished and refined, the 2021 expresses the character of its old-vine plots in Villalba de Rioja, Brinas, and Labastida. A host of impressive reviews from James Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Advocate further confirm the 2021 Torre Muga as a special achievement, worthy of the wine's loft reputation among collectors. The Selección Especial Reserva is always a crowd and collectible favorite in the range and always priced well for a broad audience yet offering the kind of cellar-worthy appeal that serious collectors are looking for. The 2020 rendtion ramps up the collectible appeal thanks to a particular feature of the vintage itself – no Prado Enea was made in 2020, so all the fruit and juice that would normally comprise that flagship icon has instead gone into the Selección Especial. So, it's no surprise that the 2020 picks up right where the 2019 leaves off, led by Jeb Dunnuck's 95-point review that highlights its "medium to full-bodied richness, a round, layered mouthfeel, and silky tannins," which makes it "already hard to resist." Finally, the 2021 Reserva Rioja continues to be one of the sharpest values in Spanish wine, "a textbook example of [Muga's] style in a very good year, with power, concentration and clout, elegance and freshness" perGutiérrez' 94-point review in Wine Advocate.It's a perfect candidate to stack by the case, since it will not only cruise for several years in the cellar, but it will quench your thirst for Muga excellence anytime over the next decade while the you wait for the big boys to reach their prime drinking windows. For fans of Spanish wine and of Rioja in particular, this is a spectacular opportunity to load up on proven performers that will put many smiles on your face for countless years to come, at market-best pricing. | ||
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| 2023 Penfolds Shiraz Bin 28 (750ml) | ||
| Shiraz from South Australia, Australia | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Really impressive already, with more to come; the star buy from this year’s collection." - Decanter There's not much we can or need to say about Penfolds' latest iteration of their smash-hit, best-selling Shiraz. The 2023 Bin 28 picks up right where all the previous vintages left off with a sterling critical line that includes stout praise from all corners. This wine is always a quintessential expression of Aussie Shiraz, thanks to Penfolds' complete mastery of their vineyards and winemaking. As always, everything is so impeccably balanced and composed that it's still a shock how good the Bin 28 is when you consider its sub-$25 price. All the components work in such harmony that it's easy to lose sight of what a value it is, to the point where it's not just delicious now, but it will also cruise for a long time in the cellar. When was the last time you spent $25 on a wine you'll still be enjoying ten or 15 years from now? Exactly. So make some room in the cellar and load up, because the 2023 Bin 28 is a hit for fans of Penfolds and any great Australian Shiraz. | ||
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| 2019 Chateau Lynch-Bages (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Acknowledging that 2019 is already a heralded vintage, the salient question is whether it represents the summit of the 2018, 2019 and 2020 triumvirate. 'Yes' is the answer. I have always felt that is the case." - Neal Martin, Vinous Of course, you may or may not agree with Martin in terms of 2019 place in the "trifecta," but it's undeniable that is a truly spectacular Bordeaux vintage that has more than lived up to its day-one hype since the wine's have hit the market, hit collector's cellars, and found their way into the glasses of impatient enthusiasts. Best of all, pricing has always been highly favorable compared to 2018 and 2020 (to say nothing of 2022), so the 2019s have also been some of the sharpest collectible buys on the market from the get-go and remain so today. We've just landed a must-see treasure trove from this heralded campaign at ... you guessed it ... razor-sharp pricing cross the board, with superb performers in every classification and price tier. | ||
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| 2019 Clos du Marquis (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Acknowledging that 2019 is already a heralded vintage, the salient question is whether it represents the summit of the 2018, 2019 and 2020 triumvirate. 'Yes' is the answer. I have always felt that is the case." - Neal Martin, Vinous Of course, you may or may not agree with Martin in terms of 2019 place in the "trifecta," but it's undeniable that is a truly spectacular Bordeaux vintage that has more than lived up to its day-one hype since the wine's have hit the market, hit collector's cellars, and found their way into the glasses of impatient enthusiasts. Best of all, pricing has always been highly favorable compared to 2018 and 2020 (to say nothing of 2022), so the 2019s have also been some of the sharpest collectible buys on the market from the get-go and remain so today. We've just landed a must-see treasure trove from this heralded campaign at ... you guessed it ... razor-sharp pricing cross the board, with superb performers in every classification and price tier. | ||
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| 2019 Chateau Bellefont-Belcier (750ml) | ||
| Merlot from Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Acknowledging that 2019 is already a heralded vintage, the salient question is whether it represents the summit of the 2018, 2019 and 2020 triumvirate. 'Yes' is the answer. I have always felt that is the case." - Neal Martin, Vinous Of course, you may or may not agree with Martin in terms of 2019 place in the "trifecta," but it's undeniable that is a truly spectacular Bordeaux vintage that has more than lived up to its day-one hype since the wine's have hit the market, hit collector's cellars, and found their way into the glasses of impatient enthusiasts. Best of all, pricing has always been highly favorable compared to 2018 and 2020 (to say nothing of 2022), so the 2019s have also been some of the sharpest collectible buys on the market from the get-go and remain so today. We've just landed a must-see treasure trove from this heralded campaign at ... you guessed it ... razor-sharp pricing cross the board, with superb performers in every classification and price tier. | ||
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| 2019 Malescot St. Exupery (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Margaux, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Acknowledging that 2019 is already a heralded vintage, the salient question is whether it represents the summit of the 2018, 2019 and 2020 triumvirate. 'Yes' is the answer. I have always felt that is the case." - Neal Martin, Vinous Of course, you may or may not agree with Martin in terms of 2019 place in the "trifecta," but it's undeniable that is a truly spectacular Bordeaux vintage that has more than lived up to its day-one hype since the wine's have hit the market, hit collector's cellars, and found their way into the glasses of impatient enthusiasts. Best of all, pricing has always been highly favorable compared to 2018 and 2020 (to say nothing of 2022), so the 2019s have also been some of the sharpest collectible buys on the market from the get-go and remain so today. We've just landed a must-see treasure trove from this heralded campaign at ... you guessed it ... razor-sharp pricing cross the board, with superb performers in every classification and price tier. | ||
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| 2019 Belle-Vue (750ml) | ||
| Merlot from Haut-Medoc, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Extremely sleek, elegant and well made." Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux (93 pt. Decanter review) From a top Haut-Medoc chateau classified as Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel, the impressive 93 pt. 2019 Belle-Vue offers rich aromatic spiced fruit with velvety ripe tannins, a beautifully balanced and age worthy Left Bank blend promising "to be a gem of a wine" according to Jeb Dunnuck and bargain priced for everyday enjoyment. Located along the D2 just west of Macau, Chateau Belle-Vue is visible from the roadside just south of the massive iron gates of Margaux's Chateau Giscours and barely two kilometers from the Gironde. Releasing its first vintage in 1996, Chateau Belle-Vue is a relatively young estate situated near one of Bordeaux's original drainage canals that separates it from Giscours, sharing a similar name but not to be confused with St. Emilion's Chateau Bellevue. Planted mostly to Cabernet Sauvignon, the 15-hectare vineyard has deep rough gravelly soil considered the region's best terroir near the Garonne tributary and bordered by woodland to the east, the vines averaging around 39 years of age with some planted nearly a century ago. Boasting an unusually high percentage of Petit Verdot that adds a distinctly aromatically spiced component to the Grand Vin, the deeply structured 2019 Belle-Vue was aged for 14 months in 30% new French oak to reveal fresh, earthy fruit balanced by savory acidity, yielding "a gorgeous bottle of wine that will keep for over a decade" according to Jeb Dunnuck. Describing it as "powerful and burly," Antonio Galloni of Vinous calls the 93 pt. 2019 Belle-Vue "an ideal wine for the dinner table" its appealing spiced flavors and fresh dense tannins promising a decade of drinking pleasure at a superb value. | ||
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| 2019 Chateau LaTour Martillac Rouge (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Latour-Martillac remains one of the great value estates on the Left Bank, and this is especially true in outstanding vintages like the ones on offer today. With classic Graves terroir and expert winemaking, these wines consistently punch way above their weight class, as you can clearly see in the bevy of excellent press that accompanies each one. The highlights of the list are undoubtedly the 96-point 2019, which is "gorgeous, so bright and precise," delivering unreal bang for the buck at under $40, and the astounding 97-point 2022. Jeb Dunnuck dubs this powerhouse "a remarkably pure, medium to full-bodied Pessac-Léognan ... a brilliant 2022 that should be snatched up by readers." Of course, sharp-eyed collectors shouldn't over the 95-point 2018 or the "harmonious and well-defined" 2020. Last but certainly not least, the estate's white has always served as a reference-point for the category, made in part from Semillon vines over 140 years old. With 94-point potential according to several critics, the 2023 Blanc is "beautifully textured, rich, yet still racy white with tons to love," proving once again that Graves' whites are sometimes every bit as compelling as its reds. Whether you pick your favorite or go in for the whole vertical, you can rest assured you're getting some of the best quality-to-price character that the Left Bank has to offer. | ||
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| 2022 Chateau LaTour Martillac Rouge (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Latour-Martillac remains one of the great value estates on the Left Bank, and this is especially true in outstanding vintages like the ones on offer today. With classic Graves terroir and expert winemaking, these wines consistently punch way above their weight class, as you can clearly see in the bevy of excellent press that accompanies each one. The highlights of the list are undoubtedly the 96-point 2019, which is "gorgeous, so bright and precise," delivering unreal bang for the buck at under $40, and the astounding 97-point 2022. Jeb Dunnuck dubs this powerhouse "a remarkably pure, medium to full-bodied Pessac-Léognan ... a brilliant 2022 that should be snatched up by readers." Of course, sharp-eyed collectors shouldn't over the 95-point 2018 or the "harmonious and well-defined" 2020. Last but certainly not least, the estate's white has always served as a reference-point for the category, made in part from Semillon vines over 140 years old. With 94-point potential according to several critics, the 2023 Blanc is "beautifully textured, rich, yet still racy white with tons to love," proving once again that Graves' whites are sometimes every bit as compelling as its reds. Whether you pick your favorite or go in for the whole vertical, you can rest assured you're getting some of the best quality-to-price character that the Left Bank has to offer. | ||
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| 2022 Giovanni Rosso Etna Rosso (750ml) | ||
| Nerello Mascalese from Etna, Sicily, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "The writing is on the wall ... Mount Etna has established itself as one of the most essential viticultural areas in the world." - Eric Guido, Vinous What was once an afterthought (or even out of thought) of the Italian wine scene, Sicily, and Mount Etna in particular, are now seeing a sky-rocketing level of attention from critics and consumers alike. Homegrown names like Terre Nere (a long-time B-21 favorite) and Pietradolce, as well as cult darlings like Arianna Occhipinti, have put the region on the map, and now we're seeing exceptionally talented winemakers from the mainland set up shop and put their talents to work on the singular varietals and vineyards that dot this volcanic landscape. Giovanni Rosso is the source of perennially acclaimed Barolos from the estate's plots in famed sites such as Cerretto and Vignarionda, and now under fourth-generation winemaker Davide Rosso, the estate has acquired parcels and expanded into Mount Etna with exceptional results. This pair of gems exemplifies both Rosso's pure winemaking philosophy and pure volcanic terroir. The 2022 Rosso has notched 95 points from James Suckling for its "perfumed and graceful" style, while the 94-point 2024 Bianco is "fragrant, [with] a ton of personality ... A delicious, moreish wine," according to Jane Anson. There's no shortage of new discoveries and sleeper stars waiting for you in Sicily, but this pair from Giovanni Rosso should be near the top of your list if you want to get a crystal clear introduction to this amazing, rising-star category. | ||
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| 2023 Thierry & Pascale Matrot Meursault Les Chevalieres (750ml) | ||
| Chardonnay from Meursault, Burgundy, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "An exceptional range throughout that shows this Meursault reference-point in a brilliant light." - Andrew Kitz, B-21 Burgundy Buyer This iconic Meursault domaine, spearheaded by the legendary Pierre Matrot, is now in its third generation under Pierre's granddaughters Elsa and Adele, who are shepherding it into a thrilling new era, as our Burgundy team discovered last spring during their visit. The sisters have undertaken a subtle yet remarkable transformation of the domaine's style, moving away from the more solidly built, heavily oaked wines of their father, Thierry, and toward a more nuanced expression of terroir signature with very judicious use of the barrel. The results are vividly compelling wines that convey the domaine's prized holdings in crystal-clear fashion. The 2023 vintage favored Chardonnay in the Côte de Beaune, and Matrot's wines also capture the balanced brilliance of the vintage perfectly. The treasured 1ers crus of Puligny Combettes and Meursault Perrieres surely turned out some absolutely thrilling renditions in 2023, the former "super-sleek, delicious, and appealingly tension-filled" and the latter showing 95-point potential according to both Martin and Morris for its "cool, pure and beautifully layered" personality. It's great to see such an iconic domaine showing this level of potential and promise as it enters a new era, and based on what we saw from them earlier this year, Matrot's best days may yet be ahead of us. | ||
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| 2019 Chateau Lafite Rothschild (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Representing the upper echelon in the Bordeaux hierarchy, these top scoring vintages from two iconic First Growth estates are guaranteed not to disappoint, whether it's the "complexity, finesse and longevity" of Chateau Lafite Rothschild according to Inside Bordeaux's Jane Anson or the signature "explosive depth" and "breathtaking purity of flavor" of Chateau Haut-Brion according to Vinous critic Antonio Galloni, another terrific opportunity to fill in the cellar with 100 pt. gems or treat yourself to the one of a kind pleasures that only First Growth Bordeaux can deliver in every vintage at best on the market pricing. Spanning 112 hectares as the largest holding among the First Growths, the vineyards of Chateau Lafite Rothschild are located on rolling slopes of gravel up to ten meters deep in Pauillac, planted mostly to Cabernet Sauvignon with less than half of the total production making the final cut and aged for 18-20 months in new French oak barrels made at the estate's onsite cooperage.Exhibiting Lafite's "undeniable class and charm" according to Jeb Dunnuck, these top scoring selections range from the refined 100 pt. 2015 Chateau Lafite Rothschild that's just entering its realm of approachability, described by Inside Bordeaux's Jane Anson as "a truly classic Lafite" that's "understated and lyrical" to the magnificent triple 100 pt. 2020 Chateau Lafite Rothschild promising to "hit its 100th birthday in fine form" according to Jeb Dunnuck, every vintage revealing intensely aromatic, concentrated dark fruit with textbook graphite notes and layered silky tannins promising decades of longevity. Set among the contemporary suburbs of the city of Bordeaux, Chateau Haut-Brion's vineyards for the red Grand Vin span 50 hectares in Pessac-Leognan, planted almost evenly with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with small parcels of Cab Franc and Petit Verdot in a complex terroir ranging from limestone to sand to 18-meter-deep gravels interspersed with deep clay, the Grand Vin aged in mostly new French oak barrels for 22 months. With every vintage boasting its legendary ability to age, these thrilling selections range from the plush 100 pt. 2009 Chateau Haut-Brion offering the estate's signature ripe, opulent fruit elegantly balancing massive tannins to the 100 pt. 2020 Chateau Haut-Brion declared "a legend in the making" by Jeb Dunnuck and "ready to shine as the centerpiece of your collection for the next 40+ years" according to Inside Bordeaux's Jane Anson. A treasure trove of exceptional First Growths that will make it hard to choose, these top scoring blends from Chateau Lafite Rothschild and Chateau Haut-Brion range fromsome with over a decade of cellaring to more recent vintages requiring patient cellaring, all promising a thrilling evolution for decades to come and delivered in perfect provenance at best on the market pricing. | ||
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| 2021 Smith Madrone Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Readers seeking Napa Cabernets from the 2021 vintage with serious cellaring potential should consider stocking up on Smith Madrone's offerings, as these '21s are true cellar-worthy gems." - Jonathan Cristaldi, Decanter Stu and Charlie Smith have been quietly making some of the most classic, old-school Napa Cabs on the market since 1972. Perched high up on their rural property atop Spring Mountain, the brothers have largely avoided the glitz & glamour rat race that is the modern Napa wine scene. Instead, they stick to the fundamentals, beginning with their 15-hectare, prized Cabernet Sauvignon block planted in 1971. Indeed, James Suckling calls Smith-Madrone "a staunch defender of the restrained, elegant style of Napa reds made in the 1970s." The 2021 vintage was tailor-made for the classicists, an outstanding campaign of ideal conditions, and the wines have proven themselves to be modern benchmarks. The 2021 Smith-Madrone Estate Cabernet is a knockout with a pair of 97-point reviews leading an impressive critical line. "A Cabernet that exemplifies how the variety became so popular: classic, structural, aromatic, and finessed. "A Cabernet that exemplifies how the variety became so popular: classic, structural, aromatic, and finessed. An impossible find for the price." That about sums it up from Wine Enthusiast. In a category that is becoming prohibitively expensive for many wine lovers, the 2021 Smith-Madrone takes us back to Napa's golden years, not in terms of style, but in terms of value as well. | ||
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| 2019 Muga Prado Enea Gran Reserva (750ml) | ||
| Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Bodegas Muga's status as an all-time Rioja reference-point is reaffirmed with this sterling trio of releases at razor-sharp pricing, highlighted by the newly arrived 2021 Torre Muga. "...one of the finest vintages for Torre Muga, along with 2016 and 2010." - Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate The 2021 Rioja vintage is already garnering rave reviews in the press, and the JD98 Torre Muga reflects that praise, "a gorgeous wine from a gorgeous vintage that’s worth the price." Concentrated and robust yet also polished and refined, the 2021 expresses the character of its old-vine plots in Villalba de Rioja, Brinas, and Labastida. A host of impressive reviews from James Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Advocate further confirm the 2021 Torre Muga as a special achievement, worthy of the wine's loft reputation among collectors. The Selección Especial Reserva is always a crowd and collectible favorite in the range and always priced well for a broad audience yet offering the kind of cellar-worthy appeal that serious collectors are looking for. The 2020 rendtion ramps up the collectible appeal thanks to a particular feature of the vintage itself – no Prado Enea was made in 2020, so all the fruit and juice that would normally comprise that flagship icon has instead gone into the Selección Especial. So, it's no surprise that the 2020 picks up right where the 2019 leaves off, led by Jeb Dunnuck's 95-point review that highlights its "medium to full-bodied richness, a round, layered mouthfeel, and silky tannins," which makes it "already hard to resist." Finally, the 2021 Reserva Rioja continues to be one of the sharpest values in Spanish wine, "a textbook example of [Muga's] style in a very good year, with power, concentration and clout, elegance and freshness" perGutiérrez' 94-point review in Wine Advocate.It's a perfect candidate to stack by the case, since it will not only cruise for several years in the cellar, but it will quench your thirst for Muga excellence anytime over the next decade while the you wait for the big boys to reach their prime drinking windows. For fans of Spanish wine and of Rioja in particular, this is a spectacular opportunity to load up on proven performers that will put many smiles on your face for countless years to come, at market-best pricing. | ||
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| 2024 Bodegas Avancia Godello (750ml) | ||
| Godello from Valdeorras, Galicia, Spain | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Their specialty is working with the Godello grape, which may well be Spain’s finest indigenous white grape ... Avancia is certainly the top producer of this intriguing and delicious dry white." - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate Godello is the emblematic white grape of Spain, and the Valdeorras D.O. is emblematic of Godello. Jorge Ordoñez' Bodegas Avancia has been a standard bearer for Godello for years, and their Old Vine bottling is a consistent benchmark vintage after vintage. Sourced from head-trained, dry-farmed vines approaching 40 years of age on slate and quartz soils, resulting in a wine of serious depth and age-worthy concentration. The 2024 carries on this cuvée's sterling track record with a 94-point review from Vinous for its "pure, direct expression" of Godello. "Intense, with good freshness and weight," it's built to be a lasting rendition that will set the bar for Spanish whites in its price tier. | ||
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| 2020 Chateau LaTour Martillac Rouge (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Latour-Martillac remains one of the great value estates on the Left Bank, and this is especially true in outstanding vintages like the ones on offer today. With classic Graves terroir and expert winemaking, these wines consistently punch way above their weight class, as you can clearly see in the bevy of excellent press that accompanies each one. The highlights of the list are undoubtedly the 96-point 2019, which is "gorgeous, so bright and precise," delivering unreal bang for the buck at under $40, and the astounding 97-point 2022. Jeb Dunnuck dubs this powerhouse "a remarkably pure, medium to full-bodied Pessac-Léognan ... a brilliant 2022 that should be snatched up by readers." Of course, sharp-eyed collectors shouldn't over the 95-point 2018 or the "harmonious and well-defined" 2020. Last but certainly not least, the estate's white has always served as a reference-point for the category, made in part from Semillon vines over 140 years old. With 94-point potential according to several critics, the 2023 Blanc is "beautifully textured, rich, yet still racy white with tons to love," proving once again that Graves' whites are sometimes every bit as compelling as its reds. Whether you pick your favorite or go in for the whole vertical, you can rest assured you're getting some of the best quality-to-price character that the Left Bank has to offer. | ||
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| 2023 Chateau LaTour Martillac Blanc (750ml) | ||
| Semillon from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Latour-Martillac remains one of the great value estates on the Left Bank, and this is especially true in outstanding vintages like the ones on offer today. With classic Graves terroir and expert winemaking, these wines consistently punch way above their weight class, as you can clearly see in the bevy of excellent press that accompanies each one. The highlights of the list are undoubtedly the 96-point 2019, which is "gorgeous, so bright and precise," delivering unreal bang for the buck at under $40, and the astounding 97-point 2022. Jeb Dunnuck dubs this powerhouse "a remarkably pure, medium to full-bodied Pessac-Léognan ... a brilliant 2022 that should be snatched up by readers." Of course, sharp-eyed collectors shouldn't over the 95-point 2018 or the "harmonious and well-defined" 2020. Last but certainly not least, the estate's white has always served as a reference-point for the category, made in part from Semillon vines over 140 years old. With 94-point potential according to several critics, the 2023 Blanc is "beautifully textured, rich, yet still racy white with tons to love," proving once again that Graves' whites are sometimes every bit as compelling as its reds. Whether you pick your favorite or go in for the whole vertical, you can rest assured you're getting some of the best quality-to-price character that the Left Bank has to offer. | ||
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| 2019 Chateau Sociando-Mallet (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Haut-Medoc, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Acknowledging that 2019 is already a heralded vintage, the salient question is whether it represents the summit of the 2018, 2019 and 2020 triumvirate. 'Yes' is the answer. I have always felt that is the case." - Neal Martin, Vinous Of course, you may or may not agree with Martin in terms of 2019 place in the "trifecta," but it's undeniable that is a truly spectacular Bordeaux vintage that has more than lived up to its day-one hype since the wine's have hit the market, hit collector's cellars, and found their way into the glasses of impatient enthusiasts. Best of all, pricing has always been highly favorable compared to 2018 and 2020 (to say nothing of 2022), so the 2019s have also been some of the sharpest collectible buys on the market from the get-go and remain so today. We've just landed a must-see treasure trove from this heralded campaign at ... you guessed it ... razor-sharp pricing cross the board, with superb performers in every classification and price tier. | ||
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| 2024 Giovanni Rosso Etna Bianco (750ml) | ||
| Carricante from Etna, Sicily, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "The writing is on the wall ... Mount Etna has established itself as one of the most essential viticultural areas in the world." - Eric Guido, Vinous What was once an afterthought (or even out of thought) of the Italian wine scene, Sicily, and Mount Etna in particular, are now seeing a sky-rocketing level of attention from critics and consumers alike. Homegrown names like Terre Nere (a long-time B-21 favorite) and Pietradolce, as well as cult darlings like Arianna Occhipinti, have put the region on the map, and now we're seeing exceptionally talented winemakers from the mainland set up shop and put their talents to work on the singular varietals and vineyards that dot this volcanic landscape. Giovanni Rosso is the source of perennially acclaimed Barolos from the estate's plots in famed sites such as Cerretto and Vignarionda, and now under fourth-generation winemaker Davide Rosso, the estate has acquired parcels and expanded into Mount Etna with exceptional results. This pair of gems exemplifies both Rosso's pure winemaking philosophy and pure volcanic terroir. The 2022 Rosso has notched 95 points from James Suckling for its "perfumed and graceful" style, while the 94-point 2024 Bianco is "fragrant, [with] a ton of personality ... A delicious, moreish wine," according to Jane Anson. There's no shortage of new discoveries and sleeper stars waiting for you in Sicily, but this pair from Giovanni Rosso should be near the top of your list if you want to get a crystal clear introduction to this amazing, rising-star category. | ||
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| Nikka Whisky From The Barrel Extra Marriage 40th Anniversary (500ml) | ||
| From Tokyo, Japan | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "...this is gorgeous liquid..." - Jonny McCormick, Whisky Advocate Nikka's From The Barrel releases are always highly anticipated and coveted among Japanese whisky fans, with previous releases pulling down top accolades, including Whisky Advocate's Whisky of the Year in 2018 and Gold Medals at the World Whisky Awards. To celebrate this iconic bottling, they've released a 40th anniversary limited edition with a special twist. From The Barrel is Nikka's tribute to their dual mastery of grain and malt whiskies. A blend of several barrels of both spirits, it showcases the incredible depth and intrigue that these spirits offer when their best features work in tandem. After final blending, the spirit is allowed to rest an extra three months in used oak to harmonize the flavors and texture, resulting in the profile that fans have gone crazy over for now four decades. For this "Extra Marriage" edition, the whisky spends six months in barrel, which gives even greater depth, detail, and nuance to an already stupendous dram. For Nikka fans, or any fan of top-tier Japanese whisky, this is one to add to the shelf without thinking twice.
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