2020 Domaine du Cayron Gigondas (750ml) | ||
From Gigondas, Rhône, France | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Gigondas delivers some of the best bang for my buck in cellar-worthy red wines from France today." Josh Raynolds, Vinous A favorite producer of B-21 Rhone fans and collectors offering incredible quality at an unbeatable value, Domaine du Cayron’s 96 pt. 2020 Gigondas hits the mark once again, easily eclipsing many pricier blends from neighboring Chateauneuf-du-Pape with its bright fragrant garrigue-scented fruit and seamless tannins poised to “age reliably and gracefully” according to Vinous critic Josh Raynolds, a superb value for stocking the cellar. Located in the heart of Gigondas in the shadow of the craggy saw-toothed Dentelles de Montmirail, fifth generation sisters Roseline, Cendrine, and Delphine source their family’s single cuvee 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 Mourvedre on a mix of clay, marl and limestones soils, located from 300 to 400 meters above sea level with vines ranging from 40 to over 70 years of age. Employing traditional methods that are “old school all the way” according to Jeb Dunnuck, the Faraud sisters fermented the 2020 Domaine du Cayron Gigondas in subterranean concrete tanks before aging it two years in large, neutral oak foudres dating back more than 50 years, yielding plush, Grenache fruit layered on a backbone of spiced Syrah with the “downright Provençal characters that I absolutely love” according to Jeb Dunnuck, framed by fresh acidity and integrated mineral-tinged tannins on a long, polished finish. Ranking as one of the highest rated Gigondas of the vintage while remaining a relatively little-known gem, the richly textured 96 pt. 2020 Domaine du Cayron Gigondas is “an unapologetically traditional expression of the appellation” according to critic Raynolds that will captivate fans of bold Southern Rhone reds on the first sip, remarkably bargain priced for collectors to enjoy often over the next decade or more. | ||
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2023 Diatom Chardonnay (750ml) | ||
Chardonnay from Santa Barbara, California | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Fans of winemaker Greg Brewer’s pure and precise Santa Barbara County Chardonnays won’t need convincing to stock up on the new vintage of the elegant 93 pt. 2023 Diatom Chardonnay, transparently expressing the essence of fragrant Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay with shimmering minerality on a vibrant, saline finish and a “screaming value” according to Jeb Dunnuck that over delivers. Described as “the purest possible expression of Chardonnay from this region” by the Wine Independent’s Lisa Perrotti-Brown, veteran winemaker Greg Brewer established Diatom in 2005 in the Central Coast’s Sta. Rita Hills AVA to capture Chardonnay in its “most pure and unadulterated state,” naming it for the region’s distinctive marine sedimentary soils of fossilized plankton among the largest deposits in the world. Sourced from the Mission Hills Vineyard in Los Alamos, the low yielding Chardonnay vines produce smaller clusters and tiny berries that enhance concentration and depth, while cooling breezes funneling off the Pacific allow for longer ripening and flavor development and preserve the grapes’ natural acidity. Renowned as the co-founder of Brewer-Clifton and Melville with over three decades of winemaking experience, Brewer employed a non-interventionist approach to craft the 2023 Diatom, forgoing the use of oak and malolactic fermentation, an often-employed technique known for producing a softer, more buttery style of Chardonnay and instead producing a crisp, clean Chardonnay in a style reminiscent of Chablis. Fermented and matured in 100% stainless steel, the refined 2023 Diatom Chardonnay beautifully balances bright, lively fruit with refreshing, mineral-tinged acidity, reflecting Brewer’s signature style of “vibrant purity and freshness, with plenty of textural richness on the palate” according to Jeb Dunnuck and a mouthwatering finish that begs for another sip. From a unique terroir described as producing “natural tight acidity, tension, and an ocean-kissed salinity” by Decanter’s Jessica Dupuy, Greg Brewer’s impeccably balanced 93 pt. 2023 Diatom Chardonnay is richly layered with nuanced complexity and refreshing acidity, crafted by a masterful winemaker to transparently reflect its Sta. Rita Hills origins and an incredible value bargain priced for savvy Chard lovers to scoop up by the case. | ||
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2021 Leviathan Red (750ml) | ||
Cabernet Sauvignon from California | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More “A gorgeous wine that over delivers on all counts” Antonio Galloni, Vinous Renowned as a Napa Cab expert with two 100 pt. Screaming Eagle vintages to his credit, legendary veteran winemaker Andy Erickson knocks it out of the park with the rich and powerful 94 pt. 2021 Leviathan Red, boasting fresh, dark fruit hinting of graphite and savory spice on a satiny smooth finish, called a “seriously affordable, serious California blend” by the Wine Advocate and built to enjoy now and over the next decade. Born of his desire to create a bold red blend free of the constraints of California’s appellation system, Andy Erickson established the Leviathan project as an ever-changing proprietary mix intended to showcase the best characteristics of each vintage, working in partnership with Agustin Huneeus, the passionate vintner behind Quintessa. With an illustrious resume reading like a who’s who of the region’s top producers including Harlan, Staglin and Mayacamas, Erickson blended mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc in the 2021 Leviathan, sourcing it from mountainside parcels ranging from the Faust Vineyard in Napa’s southerly Coombsville AVA to Obsidian Ridge of Red Hills in the northern Mayacamas Mountains. Fermenting and aging each parcel before blending, Erickson utilized a mix of 25% new French oak and 75% two and three year old barrels for 15 months, yielding a rich and layered 2021 Leviathan with enticing aromatics, rich ripe fruit and substantial, supple tannins that’s “already impossible to resist” according to Jeb Dunnuck yet structured to evolve in the cellar. Calling it “one of the best” Leviathan blends in memory, Vinous critic Antonio Galloni of Vinous credits Erickson’s vast expertise in crafting extraordinary, terroir-driven Napa Cabs, the robust and refined 94 pt. 2021 Leviathan an immensely satisfying pour from one of the region's top winemakers and a sure bet for Napa Cab fans seeking an exceptional value to reach for often over the next decade | ||
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2021 Dominio de Pingus Psi (750ml) | ||
Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Castilla y Leon, Spain | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More “Incredibly elegant” Luis Gutierrez, Wine Advocate From the producer of one of Spain's most highly collectible wines, the rich and polished 96 pt. 2021 Dominio de Pingus Psi offers fresh and juicy aromatic fruit hinting of spice with zesty acidity and layered, silky tannins, a refined and age worthy Ribera del Duero priced well below the estate’s flagship cuvee and an unbeatable value for fans of bold Tempranillo blends to enjoy often over the next decade. Awarded the highest Wine Advocate score ever for a Spanish wine at the time, Danish-born and Bordeaux trained winemaker Peter Sisseck released the first vintage of Pingus in 1995, but the boat transporting the first 75 cases to the USA was shipwrecked in the Azores, fueling its already soaring demand and rocketing Pingus to cult status with premium pricing to match. Thankfully for Ribera del Duero fans, Sisseck soon had another idea to craft an affordable wine from old vine fruit mirroring the quality legacy of Pingus, raising the standards among the region’s independent growers by incentivizing them to improve viticultural practices and naming it Psi for the 23rd letter of the Greek alphabet. Formed as a coop from established growers in 2006, the Psi project has supplied technical expertise to preserve many of the region’s century-old, head-pruned vines while reducing yields and implementing biodynamic and organic farming practices to improve overall vineyard health, producing exceptional fruit by paying the independent growers a premium for quality instead of quantity. Sourced from over 700 high-altitude parcels in eastern Castilla y Leon, the 2021 Dominio de Pingus Psi is a blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Garnacha, fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged for 18 months mainly in used oak vats and a small amount of new oak barrels, yielding “a distinctive Ribero del Duero with excellent nuance and agility” according to Vinous critic Joaquin Hidalgo with the structure to age for another decade and beyond. Garnering the same score as the estate’s prestigious second label Flor de Pingus in 2021 and crafted with the meticulous standards of the flagship cuvee, the alluring 96 pt. 2021 Dominio de Pingus Psi continues its run as one of Ribera del Duero’s top-rated values, quietly creating its own cult-like following among savvy Spanish wine lovers and collectors seeking an exceptional deal. | ||
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2019 Chateau La Vieille Cure (750ml) | ||
Merlot from Fronsac, Bordeaux, France | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Described as “one of the clear go-to wines in Fronsac” by Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson, the opulent 93 pt. 2019 Chateau La Vieille Cure boasts fresh, ripe dark fruit hinting of spiced chocolate with rich, velvety tannins on an elegant finish, an under the radar gem that “dazzles from start to finish” according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous and a top value for Bordeaux fans to stash away and savor over the next decade. Declared “so reliable” by critic Jane Anson that it’s “a bellwether to the success of a vintage,” Chateau La Vieille Cure is considered a benchmark in the region, its exceptional consistency over the last decade driven by winemaker Jean Luc Thunevin, the well-known consultant and owner of Valandraud who took the reins in 2013. Considered one of the top terroirs in Fronsac, the 20-hectare Chateau La Vieille Cure vineyard is situated in a single contiguous plot facing Pomerol, planted mostly to Merlot averaging 40 years of age with the oldest vines over 75 years in limestone-rich clay soils mixed with chalk sloping up to 65 meters, its southwest exposure encouraging optimal ripening. Fermenting the hand harvested grapes with indigenous yeasts, the seductive 2019 La Vieille Cure is a blend of 75% Merlot with 22% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in a third new French oak barrels, yielding a luscious, full-bodied Bordeaux blend that's already a pleasurable pour and summed up by Jeb Dunnuck as a “classic Right Bank beauty to drink over the coming 10-12 years.” From an outstanding vintage producing rich and structured reds with “wonderful freshness and brightness” according to James Suckling, the elegant 93 pt. 2019 Chateau La Vieille Cure offers stunning quality matching many of the wines of nearby St. Emilion at a bargain price, “a year-in, year-out best value” according to Jeb Dunnuck that “does everything right” and an easy call for Bordeaux bargain hunters seeking a thrilling wine at an equally thrilling price. | ||
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2019 Chateau Troplong Mondot (750ml) | ||
Merlot from Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, France | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Here’s an exciting opportunity to enjoy a vertical of outstanding new releases from Chateau Troplong Mondot, three incredibly promising vintages garnering multiple 100 pt. scores and wowing critics across the board, each built for three decades of pleasurable drinking and unbeatably priced to over deliver value. Perched in a spectacular location with a 360-degree view overlooking St. Emilion, Chateau Troplong Mondot is marked by the prominent water tower at St. Emilion’s highest point, its stunning new cellars viewed from above on a glass catwalk reflecting the estate’s dramatic transformation since its purchase by insurance company SCOR in 2017. Immediately hiring Bordeaux veteran Aymeric de Gironde, formerly of Pichon Baron and Cos d’Estournel, to lead the estate, Troplong Mondot pivoted to a classical, terroir-driven style, identifying the unique qualities of even the smallest parcels of its organically farmed 65 hectares of vineyards and reducing the amount of new oak to allow their rich minerality to shine through, described by Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson as reflecting “a more evident respect for the powerful terroir that does not need to be overly dressed up” under the guidance of renowned consulting enologist Thomas Duclos. Vinified in vats instead of barrels to preserve freshness, the 98 pt. 2018 Chateau Troplong Mondot is “simply breathtaking” according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous, aged in 60% new oak with a small percentage in large vats and amphorae to yield a Troplong with “brighter red fruit flavors” that’s “backed by a distinct flinty minerality” according to the Wine Spectator’s James Molesworth. Earning the #13 spot of the Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 Cellar Selections 2022, the “perfect” 100 pt. 2019 Chateau Troplong Mondot is “impressive” according to Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson, with chalky limestone tannins that “speaks of its soils,” boasting “a satisfying overall mouthful and lasting impression” according to Decanter’s Georgina Hindle who sums it up as “incredible.” Declared “one of the Right Bank’s finest wines in this vintage” by the Wine Advocate’s William Kelley with another perfect score – the “fabulous” 100 pt. 2020 Chateau Troplong Mondot is “wonderfully exuberant right out of the gate” according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous, with aromatic, rich dark fruit described as “powerful and dense” by the Wine Enthusiast’s Roger Voss that “ends with a whoosh of freshness and lift” according to Jane Anson. Describing these recent vintages as marking “the upward trajectory and unveiling of the new expression of this very special site at Troplong Mondot,” the Wine Advocate’s William Kelley declared, “what an exhilarating ride this is!” while Jeb Dunnuck unequivocally declares “there is no denying the incredible quality from this chateau today” – these value priced Chateau Troplong Mondot selections offering an exciting opportunity for Bordeaux fans and collectors to mix a case or pick a few favorites and jump aboard St. Emilion’s rising star for the thrilling journey ahead. | ||
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2020 Avignonesi Grifi (750ml) | ||
Cabernet Sauvignon from Tuscany, Italy | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Crafted by “one of the reference points in Montepulciano” according to Vinous critic Antonio Galloni, the sumptuous 93 pt. 2020 Avignonesi Grifi is a top Super Tuscan value, an elegant 50-50 blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon offering fragrant dark fruit hinting of wild herbs and spice with dense, layered tannins on a fresh, lingering finish that’s bargain priced to enjoy often over the next decade. Founded in Italy’s first and oldest red wine appellation, Avignonesi owner Virginie Saverys purchased the historic winery in the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOC in 2009, transforming the estate to organic and biodynamic viticulture over the next decade with the help of renowned agronomer Adriano Zago and implementing an intense study to identify the unique qualities of each vineyard parcel. Now the largest biodynamic wine estate in Italy and the fifth largest in the world spanning 175 hectares, Avignonesi produced the terroir expressive 2020 Grifi from vines located in the rolling hills near the medieval town of Montepulciano as well as a plot in nearby Cortona, the parcels planted in sedimentary soils of calcareous limestone, clay and sand at altitudes ranging up to 375 meters above sea level. Vinified with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel vats, the appealing 93 pt. 2020 Avignonesi Grifi was aged for 24 months in a mix of oak casks and barriques, yielding dark, lightly spiced fruit with “fresh, fine-grained tannins and a cooling finish” according to James Suckling worthy of aging over the next ten years. Describing the estate’s ability to craft wines that transparently express their terroir, Eric Guido of Vinous declared, “For a lesson on Montepulciano’s terroir, one needs to look no further than Avignonesi,” the impressive 93 pt. 2020 Avignonesi Grifi a deliciously rich and complex Tuscan blend reflecting the estate’s meticulous attention to detail at an unbeatable value price | ||
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2020 Domaine de la Charbonniere Rouge (750ml) | ||
Grenache from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More “Harmonious and well made” James Suckling From a “charming, forward vintage” producing “a sea of beautifully textured” wines according to Jeb Dunnuck, the elegant 94 pt. 2020 Domaine de la Charbonniere Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge offers fresh aromatic garrigue-laden fruit perfectly balanced by vibrant, velvety tannins on a lingering, graphite-scented finish, a deliciously silky CDP ready to enjoy for years to come at a terrific value price. Founded by the Maret family in 1914, third generation Michel Maret inherited Domaine de la Charbonniere from his father in 1973 and has worked alongside his talented daughters Caroline and Veronique since 2004, producing an array of CDP’s that have steadily risen in quality over the last two decades. Sourced from across 19.5 hectares of vineyards in Chateauneuf du Pape, the estate’s holding include 50 year old vines in the Charbonniere lieu-dit as well as a parcel in Le Crau adjacent to Vieux Telegraphe with vines averaging 75 years of age, planted in clay sandy soils strewn with the region’s renowned rounded stones called galets roules. Hand harvesting with selective sorting and employing minimal intervention in the cellar, winemaker Veronique Maret vinified the 70% Grenache and 15% Syrah together and the 15% Mourvedre separately before aging the refined 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape mainly in wooden vats with small amounts in foudre, tank and used barrels, yielding a smooth, traditionally styled CDP with fresh acidity and well-integrated tannins built to “age gracefully” according to Jeb Dunnuck. Described by Vinous critic Nicolas Greinacher as offering “divine drinking pleasure,” the fresh and appealing 94 pt. 2020 Domaine de la Charbonniere Rouge ranks among the top-scoring Chateauneuf du Pape's of the vintage for far less than the region's higher profile estates, a top value CDP for Southern Rhone collectors to savor over the next decade. | ||
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2021 Schiopetto Collio Pinot Bianco (750ml) | ||
Pinot Blanc from Friuli Venezia Giulia, Veneto, Italy | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More A dazzling selection from the exceptional northern Italian producer “who put Friuli on the map” according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous, these top rated Schiopetto selections are crafted as unique and transparent expressions of their northern Italian terroir, an opportunity for anyone seeking to explore the exceptional range of white wines from the Collio region as well as two high scoring red cuvees at outstanding value pricing perfect for mixing a case. Among the first to prove “Italy can make serious whites” according to the Wine Enthusiast’s Kerin O’Keefe, Schiopetto is one of the oldest wineries in northeastern Italy established in the 1960’s, its founder pioneering cold fermentation and ageing in stainless steel tanks in the region and now spanning 30 hectares of estate vineyards planted on the ancient sea beds of marly clay and limestone known locally as “Ponca” near the Slovenian border. While all the Schiopetto wines offer richly aromatic fruit and distinct minerality, here are some unique highlights of each selection
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2020 Chateau Troplong Mondot (750ml) | ||
Merlot from Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, France | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Here’s an exciting opportunity to enjoy a vertical of outstanding new releases from Chateau Troplong Mondot, three incredibly promising vintages garnering multiple 100 pt. scores and wowing critics across the board, each built for three decades of pleasurable drinking and unbeatably priced to over deliver value. Perched in a spectacular location with a 360-degree view overlooking St. Emilion, Chateau Troplong Mondot is marked by the prominent water tower at St. Emilion’s highest point, its stunning new cellars viewed from above on a glass catwalk reflecting the estate’s dramatic transformation since its purchase by insurance company SCOR in 2017. Immediately hiring Bordeaux veteran Aymeric de Gironde, formerly of Pichon Baron and Cos d’Estournel, to lead the estate, Troplong Mondot pivoted to a classical, terroir-driven style, identifying the unique qualities of even the smallest parcels of its organically farmed 65 hectares of vineyards and reducing the amount of new oak to allow their rich minerality to shine through, described by Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson as reflecting “a more evident respect for the powerful terroir that does not need to be overly dressed up” under the guidance of renowned consulting enologist Thomas Duclos. Vinified in vats instead of barrels to preserve freshness, the 98 pt. 2018 Chateau Troplong Mondot is “simply breathtaking” according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous, aged in 60% new oak with a small percentage in large vats and amphorae to yield a Troplong with “brighter red fruit flavors” that’s “backed by a distinct flinty minerality” according to the Wine Spectator’s James Molesworth. Earning the #13 spot of the Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 Cellar Selections 2022, the “perfect” 100 pt. 2019 Chateau Troplong Mondot is “impressive” according to Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson, with chalky limestone tannins that “speaks of its soils,” boasting “a satisfying overall mouthful and lasting impression” according to Decanter’s Georgina Hindle who sums it up as “incredible.” Declared “one of the Right Bank’s finest wines in this vintage” by the Wine Advocate’s William Kelley with another perfect score – the “fabulous” 100 pt. 2020 Chateau Troplong Mondot is “wonderfully exuberant right out of the gate” according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous, with aromatic, rich dark fruit described as “powerful and dense” by the Wine Enthusiast’s Roger Voss that “ends with a whoosh of freshness and lift” according to Jane Anson. Describing these recent vintages as marking “the upward trajectory and unveiling of the new expression of this very special site at Troplong Mondot,” the Wine Advocate’s William Kelley declared, “what an exhilarating ride this is!” while Jeb Dunnuck unequivocally declares “there is no denying the incredible quality from this chateau today” – these value priced Chateau Troplong Mondot selections offering an exciting opportunity for Bordeaux fans and collectors to mix a case or pick a few favorites and jump aboard St. Emilion’s rising star for the thrilling journey ahead. | ||
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2019 Brezza Barolo Cannubi (750ml) | ||
Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Ranking among “the finest Barolos being made” by the Wine Enthusiast’s Kerin O’Keefe, the elegant 95 pt. 2019 Brezza Barolo Cannubi boasts brightly perfumed aromas and silky, red spiced fruit with layered complexity that has made Cannubi one of Barolo’s most famed and collectible Crus, bargain priced at a fraction of its better-known competitors and available in a variety of age worthy formats for stocking the cellar. Located just a few steps from the center of the town of Barolo, the historic Brezza winery is run by fourth generation Enzo and his nephew Francesco, continuing the family tradition of bottling wines from estate grown Nebbiolo fruit since 1910. Considered icons of traditional winemaking while employing sustainable practices including organic viticulture for over a decade, Brezza’s vineyards span a total of 16.5 hectares surrounded by hazelnut groves, its 1.4-hectare parcel in Cannubi originally planted between 1993 and 2003. Situated where two of Barolo’s most important geological formations meet (Cannubi coming from the Latin “connubio” or marriage), Brezza’s Cannubi parcel is located on the prime central part of the hill, its Nebbiolo vines planted in a mix of silty sand, clay and limestone at 250 meters above sea level on a southeasterly orientation favorable for even ripening. Surrounded by the highest slopes of La Morra, Castiglione Falletto and Monforte that shelter it from the cold and wind, Enzo and Francesco cultivate their sloping Cannubi vineyard by hand, employing techniques like green harvesting and thinning to further lower yields. After fermenting the hand harvested grapes with native yeasts in stainless steel, the supple and sleek 2019 Brezza Barolo Cannubi was aged in a mix of large, used Slavonian oak barrels for 24 months before being bottled unfiltered and unfined and cellared for another year prior to release, maintaining its fresh acidity while integrating refined tannins that promise over a decade of longevity. From a “stellar vintage” that will “thrill readers who appreciate the nuance, subtlety and structure of Nebbiolo” according to Vinous critic Galloni, the powerful 95 pt. 2019 Brezza Cannubi is an elegantly crafted, finessed Barolo from a top Cru that’s well-priced for savvy collectors to enjoy often without breaking the bank, at an unbeatable value. | ||
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2019 Argyle Brut Blanc de Blancs (750ml) | ||
Sparkling from Willamette, Oregon | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More A top value sparkling wine from a “stellar vintage” for Oregon Chardonnay according to the Wine Enthusiast’s Paul Gregutt, the elegant 93 pt. 2019 Argyle Brut Blanc de Blancs offers fragrant, fresh fruit with crisp, mineral-driven acidity on a creamy, refined mousse, an enticing 100% Chardonnay sparkler “packed full of flavor and tension” according to Neal Martin of Vinous that’s bargain priced for everyday enjoyment. While sparkling might not be the first wine that comes to mind when considering Willamette Valley, Oregon’s ability to produce complex Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with the balanced acidity required for sparkling wine production has long been recognized by Argyle founder Rollin Soles, ranking among the top producers in the US for over three decades and scoring the highest ratings given by the Wine Spectator and Wine Advocate for sparkling wines outside of Champagne. Encouraged by his friendship with legendary Bollinger vintner Christian Bizot, Rollin established Argyle in Dundee, Oregon in partnership with Australian businessman Brian Croser in 1987, confident the combination of Willamette Valley’s cool climate and extended growing season would produce exceptional New World sparkling wines that would rival Champagne. Produced as a new cuvee in the 2019 vintage, the Argyle Brut Blanc de Blancs was sourced from the estate’s original 124 acre Knudsen Vineyard at 630 to 1000 ft. above sea level in the heart of the Dundee Hills as well as the 137 acre Spirit Hill Vineyard at 600 to 700 ft. above sea level in Eola-Amity Hills, the combined cooling effects of higher elevation along with gusting winds through the Van Duzer corridor preserving the grapes’ freshness and acidity. Crafted in the traditional method by Nate Klostermann, Rollin’s handpicked successor since 2013, the alluring 2019 Argyle Brut Blanc de Blancs was made exclusively from hand harvested, estate grown fruit from the 2019 vintage, 40% barrel fermented over six months before bottling and aged on the lees for 30 months with minimal dosage, yielding ripe fruit hinting of toasty brioche and mouth filling, fine bubbles that linger on the refined and elegant finish. A delicious sparkler boasting impressive complexity from an outstanding vintage, the 93 pt. 2019 Argyle Brut Blanc de Blancs reflects Argyle’s long standing reputation as Oregon’s pioneering producer of Champagne-style wines, and as one of the few producers who crafts their sparkling wines in house, an exceptional value, summed up simply as an “excellent sparkler for an excellent price” by the Wine Enthusiast’s Michael Alberty and a true bargain for sparkling wine fans seeking to pop the cork more often. | ||
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2020 Clos Apalta Le Petit Clos (750ml) | ||
Carmenere from Apalta Vineyard, Colchagua Valley, Chile | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More “Bright, brooding and intense” Georgina Hindle, Decanter Sourced from the same vineyard as its iconic flagship cuvee, the rich 95 pt. 2020 Clos Apalta Le Petit Clos boasts fresh, vibrant dark fruit hinting of cedar and spice and soft, plush tannins on a long-lived finish, a luscious Bordeaux-inspired blend described as “one heck of a second wine” by Jeb Dunnuck expertly crafted by the Clos Apalta team for an unbeatable value price. Commissioned by owner and Grand Marnier heiress Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle, the stunning Clos Apalta winery in Santa Cruz is an architectural marvel, a spectacular seven level underground complex built into the granite hillside, its cylindrical roof surrounded by wooden slats depicting the staves of an open air barrel and the excavated rock repurposed throughout the structure from floor tiles in the gravity fed cellars to a rooftop sundial. Established in 1997 to craft a world class wine in Chile’s Colchagua Valley, Clos Apalta founders Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle and her husband Cyril de Bournet hired renowned French oenologist Michel Rolland to produce a uniquely Chilean blend of the indigenous Carmenere with Bordeaux varietals crafted with French winemaking expertise, garnering unanimous acclaim over the next decades including becoming the only South American wine ever to garner the coveted #1 spot on the Wine Spectator’s Top 100. First crafting the second wine in 2014 as a youthful expression of the Clos Apalta terroir, winemaker Jacques Begarie sourced the 2020 Le Petit Clos from a mix of mostly younger vines planted in the granite soils of the estate’s organically and biodynamically farmed El Condor vineyard, its unique microclimate in the shadow of the towering Cordillera Mountains creating optimal conditions for ripening Carmenere while maintaining its freshness and acidity. Blending 40% Carmenere, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot, Begarie aged the elegant 2020 Clos Apalta Le Petit Clos for 26 months in a mix of 53% new French oak barrels and 47% in second use French oak barrels, bottling it without filtering or fining to reveal fresh, luscious fruit hinting of peppery spice with bright acidity and outstanding length promising to age gracefully over the next decade. Reflecting its exceptional Chilean terroir, the lush and powerful 95 pt. 2020 Clos Apalta Le Petit Clos is a delicious and enticing second wine crafted with same meticulous attention to detail as the iconic Clos Apalta at a fraction of the price, a terrific opportunity for Clos Apalta collectors and fans of top tier Chilean reds to pull the cork more often. | ||
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2018 Chateau La Vieille Cure (750ml) | ||
Merlot from Fronsac, Bordeaux, France | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Described as “one of the clear go-to wines in Fronsac” by Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson, the opulent 93 pt. 2019 Chateau La Vieille Cure boasts fresh, ripe dark fruit hinting of spiced chocolate with rich, velvety tannins on an elegant finish, an under the radar gem that “dazzles from start to finish” according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous and a top value for Bordeaux fans to stash away and savor over the next decade. Declared “so reliable” by critic Jane Anson that it’s “a bellwether to the success of a vintage,” Chateau La Vieille Cure is considered a benchmark in the region, its exceptional consistency over the last decade driven by winemaker Jean Luc Thunevin, the well-known consultant and owner of Valandraud who took the reins in 2013. Considered one of the top terroirs in Fronsac, the 20-hectare Chateau La Vieille Cure vineyard is situated in a single contiguous plot facing Pomerol, planted mostly to Merlot averaging 40 years of age with the oldest vines over 75 years in limestone-rich clay soils mixed with chalk sloping up to 65 meters, its southwest exposure encouraging optimal ripening. Fermenting the hand harvested grapes with indigenous yeasts, the seductive 2019 La Vieille Cure is a blend of 75% Merlot with 22% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in a third new French oak barrels, yielding a luscious, full-bodied Bordeaux blend that's already a pleasurable pour and summed up by Jeb Dunnuck as a “classic Right Bank beauty to drink over the coming 10-12 years.” From an outstanding vintage producing rich and structured reds with “wonderful freshness and brightness” according to James Suckling, the elegant 93 pt. 2019 Chateau La Vieille Cure offers stunning quality matching many of the wines of nearby St. Emilion at a bargain price, “a year-in, year-out best value” according to Jeb Dunnuck that “does everything right” and an easy call for Bordeaux bargain hunters seeking a thrilling wine at an equally thrilling price. | ||
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2015 Chateau Haut-Brion (750ml) | ||
Merlot from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More From two legendary Bordeaux estates, these rare cellar selections from Chateau Haut-Brion and its sister property Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion boast a plethora of perfect scores and rank among the most long-lived and highly sought after collectibles, delivered in perfect provenance at best on the market pricing while they last. Lots of treasures here so let’s dig in. As part of Domaine Clarence Dillon, First Growth Chateau Haut-Brion and “Super Second” Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion have shared the same winemaking team in Pessac-Leognan for nearly two decades, crafting blends that uniquely reflect each estate’s exceptional terroir, La Mission offering bigger, more concentrated flavors with Haut-Brion displaying greater length and finesse according to renowned third generation winemaker Jean-Phillipe Delmas. Described by James Suckling as “already breathtaking” with “enormous aging potential,” the extravagant 100 pt. 2009 Haut-Brion offers the estate’s signature ripe, opulent fruit elegantly balancing massive tannins and declared “one of the most compelling examples of Haut-Brion ever made” by Robert Parker Jr. Describing it as “pure perfection and one of truly legendary wines out there,” the powerful 100 pt. 2010 Haut-Brion is “a massive wine in every sense” according to Jeb Dunnuck that Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson declares “ready to power through the ages,” certain to be a focal point in any collection in original wooden cases of one. The Wine Spectator’s James Molesworth calls the impressive 100 pt. 2015 Chateau Haut-Brion “a brick house of a wine,” while Antonio Galloni describes the massive 100 pt. 2016 Chateau Haut-Brion as a "nearly indescribable beauty,” exclaiming “What a wine!” Describing it as “a hugely captivating wine,” Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson declares the opulent 98 pt. 2017 Chateau Haut-Brion “one of the contenders for red of the vintage,” while the Wine Enthusiast’s Roger Voss names it a Cellar Selection that’s destined to be “a magnificent wine.” According to the Wine Advocate’s Lisa Perrotti-Brown, “Domaine Clarence Dillon pretty much nailed it across the board in 2018,” with James Suckling calling the elegant 100 pt. 2018 Chateau Haut-Brion “a classic beauty in the making.” Called “a beautifully dense, ripe wine” with “an opulent structure and gorgeous fruits,” by the Wine Enthusiast’s Roger Voss, the powerful 100 pt. 2010 Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion is described as “a real head turner” by the Wine Advocate’s Lisa Perrotti-Brown, robustly structured to evolve over the next five decades. “A total knockout,” Antonio Galloni of Vinous calls the 99 pt. 2016 Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion “absolutely delicious and the kind of wine that is so suggestive of a very bright future,” while he describes the “gracious and wonderfully nuanced” 97 pt. 2017 La Mission Haut-Brion as “a positively stunning wine” that “simply has it all.” Naming it one of the wines of the vintage, the 100 pt. 2019 La Mission Haut-Brion is “already showing its class,” according to Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson and is summed up by Jeb Dunnuck as “one of the few 2019s that will make your eyes roll back in your head,” available exclusively in cellar-ready magnums. A treasure trove of top scoring Bordeaux blends that will make it hard to choose, these outstanding releases from the iconic Chateau Haut-Brion and Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion offer an excellent foundation for a new Bordeaux collection and a golden opportunity for seasoned collectors to fill in a few holes in the cellar, all guaranteeing patient Bordeaux lovers decades of enjoyment ahead. | ||
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2018 Chateau Troplong Mondot (750ml) | ||
Merlot from Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, France | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Here’s an exciting opportunity to enjoy a vertical of outstanding new releases from Chateau Troplong Mondot, three incredibly promising vintages garnering multiple 100 pt. scores and wowing critics across the board, each built for three decades of pleasurable drinking and unbeatably priced to over deliver value. Perched in a spectacular location with a 360-degree view overlooking St. Emilion, Chateau Troplong Mondot is marked by the prominent water tower at St. Emilion’s highest point, its stunning new cellars viewed from above on a glass catwalk reflecting the estate’s dramatic transformation since its purchase by insurance company SCOR in 2017. Immediately hiring Bordeaux veteran Aymeric de Gironde, formerly of Pichon Baron and Cos d’Estournel, to lead the estate, Troplong Mondot pivoted to a classical, terroir-driven style, identifying the unique qualities of even the smallest parcels of its organically farmed 65 hectares of vineyards and reducing the amount of new oak to allow their rich minerality to shine through, described by Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson as reflecting “a more evident respect for the powerful terroir that does not need to be overly dressed up” under the guidance of renowned consulting enologist Thomas Duclos. Vinified in vats instead of barrels to preserve freshness, the 98 pt. 2018 Chateau Troplong Mondot is “simply breathtaking” according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous, aged in 60% new oak with a small percentage in large vats and amphorae to yield a Troplong with “brighter red fruit flavors” that’s “backed by a distinct flinty minerality” according to the Wine Spectator’s James Molesworth. Earning the #13 spot of the Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 Cellar Selections 2022, the “perfect” 100 pt. 2019 Chateau Troplong Mondot is “impressive” according to Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson, with chalky limestone tannins that “speaks of its soils,” boasting “a satisfying overall mouthful and lasting impression” according to Decanter’s Georgina Hindle who sums it up as “incredible.” Declared “one of the Right Bank’s finest wines in this vintage” by the Wine Advocate’s William Kelley with another perfect score – the “fabulous” 100 pt. 2020 Chateau Troplong Mondot is “wonderfully exuberant right out of the gate” according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous, with aromatic, rich dark fruit described as “powerful and dense” by the Wine Enthusiast’s Roger Voss that “ends with a whoosh of freshness and lift” according to Jane Anson. Describing these recent vintages as marking “the upward trajectory and unveiling of the new expression of this very special site at Troplong Mondot,” the Wine Advocate’s William Kelley declared, “what an exhilarating ride this is!” while Jeb Dunnuck unequivocally declares “there is no denying the incredible quality from this chateau today” – these value priced Chateau Troplong Mondot selections offering an exciting opportunity for Bordeaux fans and collectors to mix a case or pick a few favorites and jump aboard St. Emilion’s rising star for the thrilling journey ahead. | ||
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2019 Brezza Barolo Sarmassa (750ml) | ||
Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Ranking among “the finest Barolos being made” by the Wine Enthusiast’s Kerin O’Keefe, the elegant 95 pt. 2019 Brezza Barolo Cannubi boasts brightly perfumed aromas and silky, red spiced fruit with layered complexity that has made Cannubi one of Barolo’s most famed and collectible Crus, bargain priced at a fraction of its better-known competitors and available in a variety of age worthy formats for stocking the cellar. Located just a few steps from the center of the town of Barolo, the historic Brezza winery is run by fourth generation Enzo and his nephew Francesco, continuing the family tradition of bottling wines from estate grown Nebbiolo fruit since 1910. Considered icons of traditional winemaking while employing sustainable practices including organic viticulture for over a decade, Brezza’s vineyards span a total of 16.5 hectares surrounded by hazelnut groves, its 1.4-hectare parcel in Cannubi originally planted between 1993 and 2003. Situated where two of Barolo’s most important geological formations meet (Cannubi coming from the Latin “connubio” or marriage), Brezza’s Cannubi parcel is located on the prime central part of the hill, its Nebbiolo vines planted in a mix of silty sand, clay and limestone at 250 meters above sea level on a southeasterly orientation favorable for even ripening. Surrounded by the highest slopes of La Morra, Castiglione Falletto and Monforte that shelter it from the cold and wind, Enzo and Francesco cultivate their sloping Cannubi vineyard by hand, employing techniques like green harvesting and thinning to further lower yields. After fermenting the hand harvested grapes with native yeasts in stainless steel, the supple and sleek 2019 Brezza Barolo Cannubi was aged in a mix of large, used Slavonian oak barrels for 24 months before being bottled unfiltered and unfined and cellared for another year prior to release, maintaining its fresh acidity while integrating refined tannins that promise over a decade of longevity. From a “stellar vintage” that will “thrill readers who appreciate the nuance, subtlety and structure of Nebbiolo” according to Vinous critic Galloni, the powerful 95 pt. 2019 Brezza Cannubi is an elegantly crafted, finessed Barolo from a top Cru that’s well-priced for savvy collectors to enjoy often without breaking the bank, at an unbeatable value. | ||
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2019 Schiopetto Rivarossa (750ml) | ||
Merlot from Friuli Venezia Giulia, Veneto, Italy | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More A dazzling selection from the exceptional northern Italian producer “who put Friuli on the map” according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous, these top rated Schiopetto selections are crafted as unique and transparent expressions of their northern Italian terroir, an opportunity for anyone seeking to explore the exceptional range of white wines from the Collio region as well as two high scoring red cuvees at outstanding value pricing perfect for mixing a case. Among the first to prove “Italy can make serious whites” according to the Wine Enthusiast’s Kerin O’Keefe, Schiopetto is one of the oldest wineries in northeastern Italy established in the 1960’s, its founder pioneering cold fermentation and ageing in stainless steel tanks in the region and now spanning 30 hectares of estate vineyards planted on the ancient sea beds of marly clay and limestone known locally as “Ponca” near the Slovenian border. While all the Schiopetto wines offer richly aromatic fruit and distinct minerality, here are some unique highlights of each selection
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2020 Chateau La Vieille Cure (750ml) | ||
Merlot from Fronsac, Bordeaux, France | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Producing “seductive wines” boasting “depth, elegance and freshness” according to Wine Advocate’s Yohan Castaing, Bordeaux’s underrated Fronsac appellation continues to rise with these top-scoring 2020s sourced from some of the region’s most outstanding producers. From an excellent vintage that “delivers the goods” according to Neal Martin of Vinous, this is a terrific opportunity to stock up on an array of age-worthy Bordeaux gems at a bargain price. Situated on the Right Bank of the Garonne River northeast of Bordeaux city proper, Fronsac produces its red wines primarily from vines planted in a mix of clay and limestone soils as wells as pockets of a well-draining bedrock of clay, chalk, and sandstone found at some leading Saint-Emilion estates. Based predominantly on Merlot with smaller amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cab Franc, these humble overachievers often compete with wines from neighboring St-Emilion “but at far better prices” according to Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson. Described as “just gorgeous” by Antonio Galloni of Vinous, the 93-point 2020 Château de la Dauphine boasts perfumed dark fruit with firm, soft tannins, while the “solidly built” 93-point 2020 Château Moulin Haut-Laroque “has good tension from underlying chalky minerality” according to Wine Spectator, both promising to evolve over the next decade. Crafted by former Mouton-Rothschild winemaker Patrick Leon, the 94-point 2020 Château Les Trois Croix is “a fabulous Fronsac” offering perfumed dark fruit with “a precise quite minerally finish that is pure class” according to Vinous' Neal Martin, while the “straight-up impressive” 2020 Château Fontenil boasts layers of spiced dark fruit and a “supple, elegant texture” according to Jeb Dunnuck's 95-point review, who declares it “a winner and well worth a case purchase.” Described as “one of the go-to names in the appellation” by Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson, the “superb” 93-point 2020 Château La Vieille Cure is “rich and sumptuous in the glass” according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous with “gorgeous depth and texture,” its silky tannins built to enjoy over the next decade and beyond. From an undervalued, under-the-radar region delivering “high quality at a sensible price” according to Decanter, these superb 2020 Fronsac selections offer top value from “a great modern-day Bordeaux vintage.” Best of all, they're perfectly priced for Bordeaux bargain hunters to stock the cellar and enjoy for years to come. | ||
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2016 Chateau Haut-Brion (750ml) | ||
Merlot from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More From two legendary Bordeaux estates, these rare cellar selections from Chateau Haut-Brion and its sister property Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion boast a plethora of perfect scores and rank among the most long-lived and highly sought after collectibles, delivered in perfect provenance at best on the market pricing while they last. Lots of treasures here so let’s dig in. As part of Domaine Clarence Dillon, First Growth Chateau Haut-Brion and “Super Second” Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion have shared the same winemaking team in Pessac-Leognan for nearly two decades, crafting blends that uniquely reflect each estate’s exceptional terroir, La Mission offering bigger, more concentrated flavors with Haut-Brion displaying greater length and finesse according to renowned third generation winemaker Jean-Phillipe Delmas. Described by James Suckling as “already breathtaking” with “enormous aging potential,” the extravagant 100 pt. 2009 Haut-Brion offers the estate’s signature ripe, opulent fruit elegantly balancing massive tannins and declared “one of the most compelling examples of Haut-Brion ever made” by Robert Parker Jr. Describing it as “pure perfection and one of truly legendary wines out there,” the powerful 100 pt. 2010 Haut-Brion is “a massive wine in every sense” according to Jeb Dunnuck that Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson declares “ready to power through the ages,” certain to be a focal point in any collection in original wooden cases of one. The Wine Spectator’s James Molesworth calls the impressive 100 pt. 2015 Chateau Haut-Brion “a brick house of a wine,” while Antonio Galloni describes the massive 100 pt. 2016 Chateau Haut-Brion as a "nearly indescribable beauty,” exclaiming “What a wine!” Describing it as “a hugely captivating wine,” Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson declares the opulent 98 pt. 2017 Chateau Haut-Brion “one of the contenders for red of the vintage,” while the Wine Enthusiast’s Roger Voss names it a Cellar Selection that’s destined to be “a magnificent wine.” According to the Wine Advocate’s Lisa Perrotti-Brown, “Domaine Clarence Dillon pretty much nailed it across the board in 2018,” with James Suckling calling the elegant 100 pt. 2018 Chateau Haut-Brion “a classic beauty in the making.” Called “a beautifully dense, ripe wine” with “an opulent structure and gorgeous fruits,” by the Wine Enthusiast’s Roger Voss, the powerful 100 pt. 2010 Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion is described as “a real head turner” by the Wine Advocate’s Lisa Perrotti-Brown, robustly structured to evolve over the next five decades. “A total knockout,” Antonio Galloni of Vinous calls the 99 pt. 2016 Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion “absolutely delicious and the kind of wine that is so suggestive of a very bright future,” while he describes the “gracious and wonderfully nuanced” 97 pt. 2017 La Mission Haut-Brion as “a positively stunning wine” that “simply has it all.” Naming it one of the wines of the vintage, the 100 pt. 2019 La Mission Haut-Brion is “already showing its class,” according to Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson and is summed up by Jeb Dunnuck as “one of the few 2019s that will make your eyes roll back in your head,” available exclusively in cellar-ready magnums. A treasure trove of top scoring Bordeaux blends that will make it hard to choose, these outstanding releases from the iconic Chateau Haut-Brion and Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion offer an excellent foundation for a new Bordeaux collection and a golden opportunity for seasoned collectors to fill in a few holes in the cellar, all guaranteeing patient Bordeaux lovers decades of enjoyment ahead. | ||
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2021 Schiopetto Collio Malvasia (750ml) | ||
Malvasia from Friuli Venezia Giulia, Veneto, Italy | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More A dazzling selection from the exceptional northern Italian producer “who put Friuli on the map” according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous, these top rated Schiopetto selections are crafted as unique and transparent expressions of their northern Italian terroir, an opportunity for anyone seeking to explore the exceptional range of white wines from the Collio region as well as two high scoring red cuvees at outstanding value pricing perfect for mixing a case. Among the first to prove “Italy can make serious whites” according to the Wine Enthusiast’s Kerin O’Keefe, Schiopetto is one of the oldest wineries in northeastern Italy established in the 1960’s, its founder pioneering cold fermentation and ageing in stainless steel tanks in the region and now spanning 30 hectares of estate vineyards planted on the ancient sea beds of marly clay and limestone known locally as “Ponca” near the Slovenian border. While all the Schiopetto wines offer richly aromatic fruit and distinct minerality, here are some unique highlights of each selection
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2020 Domaine de la Charbonniere Cuvee Vieilles Vignes (750ml) | ||
Grenache from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More “Harmonious and well made” James Suckling From a “charming, forward vintage” producing “a sea of beautifully textured” wines according to Jeb Dunnuck, the elegant 94 pt. 2020 Domaine de la Charbonniere Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge offers fresh aromatic garrigue-laden fruit perfectly balanced by vibrant, velvety tannins on a lingering, graphite-scented finish, a deliciously silky CDP ready to enjoy for years to come at a terrific value price. Founded by the Maret family in 1914, third generation Michel Maret inherited Domaine de la Charbonniere from his father in 1973 and has worked alongside his talented daughters Caroline and Veronique since 2004, producing an array of CDP’s that have steadily risen in quality over the last two decades. Sourced from across 19.5 hectares of vineyards in Chateauneuf du Pape, the estate’s holding include 50 year old vines in the Charbonniere lieu-dit as well as a parcel in Le Crau adjacent to Vieux Telegraphe with vines averaging 75 years of age, planted in clay sandy soils strewn with the region’s renowned rounded stones called galets roules. Hand harvesting with selective sorting and employing minimal intervention in the cellar, winemaker Veronique Maret vinified the 70% Grenache and 15% Syrah together and the 15% Mourvedre separately before aging the refined 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape mainly in wooden vats with small amounts in foudre, tank and used barrels, yielding a smooth, traditionally styled CDP with fresh acidity and well-integrated tannins built to “age gracefully” according to Jeb Dunnuck. Described by Vinous critic Nicolas Greinacher as offering “divine drinking pleasure,” the fresh and appealing 94 pt. 2020 Domaine de la Charbonniere Rouge ranks among the top-scoring Chateauneuf du Pape's of the vintage for far less than the region's higher profile estates, a top value CDP for Southern Rhone collectors to savor over the next decade. | ||
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2017 Brezza Barolo Riserva Bricco Sarmassa (750ml) | ||
Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Ranking among “the finest Barolos being made” by the Wine Enthusiast’s Kerin O’Keefe, the elegant 95 pt. 2019 Brezza Barolo Cannubi boasts brightly perfumed aromas and silky, red spiced fruit with layered complexity that has made Cannubi one of Barolo’s most famed and collectible Crus, bargain priced at a fraction of its better-known competitors and available in a variety of age worthy formats for stocking the cellar. Located just a few steps from the center of the town of Barolo, the historic Brezza winery is run by fourth generation Enzo and his nephew Francesco, continuing the family tradition of bottling wines from estate grown Nebbiolo fruit since 1910. Considered icons of traditional winemaking while employing sustainable practices including organic viticulture for over a decade, Brezza’s vineyards span a total of 16.5 hectares surrounded by hazelnut groves, its 1.4-hectare parcel in Cannubi originally planted between 1993 and 2003. Situated where two of Barolo’s most important geological formations meet (Cannubi coming from the Latin “connubio” or marriage), Brezza’s Cannubi parcel is located on the prime central part of the hill, its Nebbiolo vines planted in a mix of silty sand, clay and limestone at 250 meters above sea level on a southeasterly orientation favorable for even ripening. Surrounded by the highest slopes of La Morra, Castiglione Falletto and Monforte that shelter it from the cold and wind, Enzo and Francesco cultivate their sloping Cannubi vineyard by hand, employing techniques like green harvesting and thinning to further lower yields. After fermenting the hand harvested grapes with native yeasts in stainless steel, the supple and sleek 2019 Brezza Barolo Cannubi was aged in a mix of large, used Slavonian oak barrels for 24 months before being bottled unfiltered and unfined and cellared for another year prior to release, maintaining its fresh acidity while integrating refined tannins that promise over a decade of longevity. From a “stellar vintage” that will “thrill readers who appreciate the nuance, subtlety and structure of Nebbiolo” according to Vinous critic Galloni, the powerful 95 pt. 2019 Brezza Cannubi is an elegantly crafted, finessed Barolo from a top Cru that’s well-priced for savvy collectors to enjoy often without breaking the bank, at an unbeatable value. | ||
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2020 Rippon Tinker's Field Pinot Noir (750ml) | ||
Pinot Noir from Central Otago, New Zealand | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More From an outstanding growing season yielding New Zealand’s “vintage of the century” according to James Suckling, the fresh and refined 97 pt. 2020 Rippon Pinot Noir Mature Vines is an enticing, small production gem offering earthy, seductive red fruit shimmering with bright acidity and finishing with firm, mouth coating tannins, masterfully crafted by talented winemaker Nick Rolfe from old vine fruit for collectors and lovers of the world’s best Pinot Noirs to enjoy over the next decade. Overlooking the turquoise waters of glacier fed Lake Tanaka framed by stunning vertical cliffs, Rippon’s sloping 15 hectares of vines on New Zealand’s mountainous South Island are among the world’s most photographed vineyards, producing equally impressive award-winning Pinot Noirs that rank it among “New Zealand’s most celebrated wineries” according to the Wine Enthusiast’s Christine Packard. Among the first to cultivate wine grapes in Central Otago, Nick’s father Rolfe Mills was serving in World War II when he recognized the similarity of the schist soil slopes of Portugal’s Douro Valley to those back in Wanaka and returned to his family’s lakeside farm decades later to experiment with different varietals before founding his winery in 1982. After training at some of Burgundy’s most iconic estates including Domaine de la Romanee-Conti and Domaine Jean-Jacques Confuron, Nick took the reins of his family’s winery in 2003, converting the vineyards to biodynamic viticulture, fermenting the hand harvested grapes parcel by parcel with indigenous yeasts and bottling without filtering or fining. Located in a protected area where the indigenous Maori came for a “place of rest,” Rippon’s 40 plus year old own rooted Pinot Noir vines are planted in a mix of schist with clay and loam at an altitude of 380 meters above sea level without irrigation, the vineyard’s proximity to the lake creating a microclimate that shields the vines from the South Island’s harsh winter temperatures. Maturing over two winters in barrel, the richly concentrated 2020 Rippon Pinot Noir Mature Vines was aged in 15% to 20% new in the first winter and completely neutral oak in the second winter before bottling without filtering or fining and spending two years longer in the cellar prior to release, yielding a harmonious, mineral-nuanced Pinot Noir promising to mature gracefully over the next decade and offering “a tantalizing glimpse of what New Zealand Pinot Noir can achieve with mature vines” according to Vinous critic Neal Martin. From a standard bearer of the region reflecting the very essence of its pristine Central Otago terroir, the remarkably elegant 97 pt. 2020 Rippon Pinot Noir Mature Vines ranks among the world’s most complex and cellar-worthy old vine Pinot Noir cuvees, an under the radar beauty delivering exceptional value and promising Pinot lovers a thrilling evolution ahead. | ||
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2022 Schiopetto Collio Sauvignon (750ml) | ||
Sauvignon Blanc from Friuli Venezia Giulia, Veneto, Italy | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More A dazzling selection from the exceptional northern Italian producer “who put Friuli on the map” according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous, these top rated Schiopetto selections are crafted as unique and transparent expressions of their northern Italian terroir, an opportunity for anyone seeking to explore the exceptional range of white wines from the Collio region as well as two high scoring red cuvees at outstanding value pricing perfect for mixing a case. Among the first to prove “Italy can make serious whites” according to the Wine Enthusiast’s Kerin O’Keefe, Schiopetto is one of the oldest wineries in northeastern Italy established in the 1960’s, its founder pioneering cold fermentation and ageing in stainless steel tanks in the region and now spanning 30 hectares of estate vineyards planted on the ancient sea beds of marly clay and limestone known locally as “Ponca” near the Slovenian border. While all the Schiopetto wines offer richly aromatic fruit and distinct minerality, here are some unique highlights of each selection
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2020 Rippon Rippon Pinot Noir Mature Vines (750ml) | ||
Pinot Noir from Central Otago, New Zealand | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More From an outstanding growing season yielding New Zealand’s “vintage of the century” according to James Suckling, the fresh and refined 97 pt. 2020 Rippon Pinot Noir Mature Vines is an enticing, small production gem offering earthy, seductive red fruit shimmering with bright acidity and finishing with firm, mouth coating tannins, masterfully crafted by talented winemaker Nick Rolfe from old vine fruit for collectors and lovers of the world’s best Pinot Noirs to enjoy over the next decade. Overlooking the turquoise waters of glacier fed Lake Tanaka framed by stunning vertical cliffs, Rippon’s sloping 15 hectares of vines on New Zealand’s mountainous South Island are among the world’s most photographed vineyards, producing equally impressive award-winning Pinot Noirs that rank it among “New Zealand’s most celebrated wineries” according to the Wine Enthusiast’s Christine Packard. Among the first to cultivate wine grapes in Central Otago, Nick’s father Rolfe Mills was serving in World War II when he recognized the similarity of the schist soil slopes of Portugal’s Douro Valley to those back in Wanaka and returned to his family’s lakeside farm decades later to experiment with different varietals before founding his winery in 1982. After training at some of Burgundy’s most iconic estates including Domaine de la Romanee-Conti and Domaine Jean-Jacques Confuron, Nick took the reins of his family’s winery in 2003, converting the vineyards to biodynamic viticulture, fermenting the hand harvested grapes parcel by parcel with indigenous yeasts and bottling without filtering or fining. Located in a protected area where the indigenous Maori came for a “place of rest,” Rippon’s 40 plus year old own rooted Pinot Noir vines are planted in a mix of schist with clay and loam at an altitude of 380 meters above sea level without irrigation, the vineyard’s proximity to the lake creating a microclimate that shields the vines from the South Island’s harsh winter temperatures. Maturing over two winters in barrel, the richly concentrated 2020 Rippon Pinot Noir Mature Vines was aged in 15% to 20% new in the first winter and completely neutral oak in the second winter before bottling without filtering or fining and spending two years longer in the cellar prior to release, yielding a harmonious, mineral-nuanced Pinot Noir promising to mature gracefully over the next decade and offering “a tantalizing glimpse of what New Zealand Pinot Noir can achieve with mature vines” according to Vinous critic Neal Martin. From a standard bearer of the region reflecting the very essence of its pristine Central Otago terroir, the remarkably elegant 97 pt. 2020 Rippon Pinot Noir Mature Vines ranks among the world’s most complex and cellar-worthy old vine Pinot Noir cuvees, an under the radar beauty delivering exceptional value and promising Pinot lovers a thrilling evolution ahead. | ||
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2022 Schiopetto Collio Friulano (750ml) | ||
Friulano from Friuli Venezia Giulia, Veneto, Italy | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More A dazzling selection from the exceptional northern Italian producer “who put Friuli on the map” according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous, these top rated Schiopetto selections are crafted as unique and transparent expressions of their northern Italian terroir, an opportunity for anyone seeking to explore the exceptional range of white wines from the Collio region as well as two high scoring red cuvees at outstanding value pricing perfect for mixing a case. Among the first to prove “Italy can make serious whites” according to the Wine Enthusiast’s Kerin O’Keefe, Schiopetto is one of the oldest wineries in northeastern Italy established in the 1960’s, its founder pioneering cold fermentation and ageing in stainless steel tanks in the region and now spanning 30 hectares of estate vineyards planted on the ancient sea beds of marly clay and limestone known locally as “Ponca” near the Slovenian border. While all the Schiopetto wines offer richly aromatic fruit and distinct minerality, here are some unique highlights of each selection
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2021 Schiopetto Mario Schiopetto M Collio (750ml) | ||
Friulano from Friuli Venezia Giulia, Veneto, Italy | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More A dazzling selection from the exceptional northern Italian producer “who put Friuli on the map” according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous, these top rated Schiopetto selections are crafted as unique and transparent expressions of their northern Italian terroir, an opportunity for anyone seeking to explore the exceptional range of white wines from the Collio region as well as two high scoring red cuvees at outstanding value pricing perfect for mixing a case. Among the first to prove “Italy can make serious whites” according to the Wine Enthusiast’s Kerin O’Keefe, Schiopetto is one of the oldest wineries in northeastern Italy established in the 1960’s, its founder pioneering cold fermentation and ageing in stainless steel tanks in the region and now spanning 30 hectares of estate vineyards planted on the ancient sea beds of marly clay and limestone known locally as “Ponca” near the Slovenian border. While all the Schiopetto wines offer richly aromatic fruit and distinct minerality, here are some unique highlights of each selection
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2020 Clos Apalta Le Petit Clos (375ml) | ||
Carmenere from Apalta Vineyard, Colchagua Valley, Chile | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More “Bright, brooding and intense” Georgina Hindle, Decanter Sourced from the same vineyard as its iconic flagship cuvee, the rich 95 pt. 2020 Clos Apalta Le Petit Clos boasts fresh, vibrant dark fruit hinting of cedar and spice and soft, plush tannins on a long-lived finish, a luscious Bordeaux-inspired blend described as “one heck of a second wine” by Jeb Dunnuck expertly crafted by the Clos Apalta team for an unbeatable value price. Commissioned by owner and Grand Marnier heiress Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle, the stunning Clos Apalta winery in Santa Cruz is an architectural marvel, a spectacular seven level underground complex built into the granite hillside, its cylindrical roof surrounded by wooden slats depicting the staves of an open air barrel and the excavated rock repurposed throughout the structure from floor tiles in the gravity fed cellars to a rooftop sundial. Established in 1997 to craft a world class wine in Chile’s Colchagua Valley, Clos Apalta founders Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle and her husband Cyril de Bournet hired renowned French oenologist Michel Rolland to produce a uniquely Chilean blend of the indigenous Carmenere with Bordeaux varietals crafted with French winemaking expertise, garnering unanimous acclaim over the next decades including becoming the only South American wine ever to garner the coveted #1 spot on the Wine Spectator’s Top 100. First crafting the second wine in 2014 as a youthful expression of the Clos Apalta terroir, winemaker Jacques Begarie sourced the 2020 Le Petit Clos from a mix of mostly younger vines planted in the granite soils of the estate’s organically and biodynamically farmed El Condor vineyard, its unique microclimate in the shadow of the towering Cordillera Mountains creating optimal conditions for ripening Carmenere while maintaining its freshness and acidity. Blending 40% Carmenere, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot, Begarie aged the elegant 2020 Clos Apalta Le Petit Clos for 26 months in a mix of 53% new French oak barrels and 47% in second use French oak barrels, bottling it without filtering or fining to reveal fresh, luscious fruit hinting of peppery spice with bright acidity and outstanding length promising to age gracefully over the next decade. Reflecting its exceptional Chilean terroir, the lush and powerful 95 pt. 2020 Clos Apalta Le Petit Clos is a delicious and enticing second wine crafted with same meticulous attention to detail as the iconic Clos Apalta at a fraction of the price, a terrific opportunity for Clos Apalta collectors and fans of top tier Chilean reds to pull the cork more often. | ||
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2022 Schiopetto Collio Pinot Grigio (750ml) | ||
Pinot Grigio from Friuli Venezia Giulia, Veneto, Italy | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More A dazzling selection from the exceptional northern Italian producer “who put Friuli on the map” according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous, these top rated Schiopetto selections are crafted as unique and transparent expressions of their northern Italian terroir, an opportunity for anyone seeking to explore the exceptional range of white wines from the Collio region as well as two high scoring red cuvees at outstanding value pricing perfect for mixing a case. Among the first to prove “Italy can make serious whites” according to the Wine Enthusiast’s Kerin O’Keefe, Schiopetto is one of the oldest wineries in northeastern Italy established in the 1960’s, its founder pioneering cold fermentation and ageing in stainless steel tanks in the region and now spanning 30 hectares of estate vineyards planted on the ancient sea beds of marly clay and limestone known locally as “Ponca” near the Slovenian border. While all the Schiopetto wines offer richly aromatic fruit and distinct minerality, here are some unique highlights of each selection
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