Roederer Estate Brut (750ml) | ||
Sparkling from Anderson Valley, California | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Described as “the best and most consistent sparkling wine producer on the West Coast” by the Wine Spectator’s Tim Fish, the vibrant 94 pt. Roederer Estate NV Brut lives up to Louis Roederer Champagne's iconic reputation, offering appealing layers of fresh fruit hinting of brioche with crisp acidity and a finely beaded mousse, an unmatched value in California sparkling wine bargain priced to enjoy freely now and over the next few years. Founded by the family-owned Louis Roederer Champagne over four decades ago, Roederer Estate was established in Mendocino County’s foggy Anderson Valley as a “grower house” that sources its grapes exclusively from 620 acres of estate vineyards. Considered an outlier at the time with most sparkling producers setting up shop in Napa Valley, fifth generation descendent and then president Jean-Claude Rouzard believed the terroir in remote Mendocino County was perfect for the champagne house’s sparkling wine project, the cooling waves of fog off the Pacific balanced by warmer daytime temperatures allowing the grapes to mature slowly and develop rich phenolic complexity while maintaining acidity. Over its 41 year history, consistency has played another key role in Roederer Estate’s success, with only two winemakers, both of French origins, producing the estate’s cuvees and currently under the direction of Alsace-born Arnaud Weyrich who took the reins in 2002. A blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir, Roederer Estate’s vineyards are organically and biodynamically farmed with meticulous consideration of the estate’s varied range of clay and gravel soils guiding viticulture, their proximity to the winery ensuring a quick pressing at harvest. Adding 15% of the estate’s oak-aged reserve wines spanning five vintages to the blend, the Roederer Estate Brut was fermented in stainless steel to retain freshness and precision and aged for 2 ½ years on the lees, yielding a Champagne-style, mineral driven sparkling wine with layered fruit and a savory creaminess that rises on a stream of steady small bubbles, finishing with a citrus acidity and brightness that’s “delightful” according to James Suckling. In an interview with the Wine Spectator, winemaker Weyrich reiterated the key element the 94 pt. Roederer Estate Brut NV shares with all exceptional wines, noting “Something speaks underneath all these wines, and it’s the sense of place,” the terroir-driven Roederer Estate Brut NV an easy choice for Champagne lovers and fans of complex sparkling wines seeking value to stock the cooler and reach for without hesitation, this outstanding price its own reason to celebrate. | ||
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Charles Heidsieck Champagne Brut Reserve (750ml) | ||
Sparkling from Champagne, France | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Over my decades of travel, I've become rather efficient; the places I call home, from one city to another, country by country run consistent. Local hoteliers know me, as do the keepers of the best hotel lounges. They see me coming and they know of my needs: a glass of Champagne. If the caretaker is new, they'll know by week's end: Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve is tops on my list. Champagne Charlie is a friend of mine. Legendary character, I imagine I may have even enjoyed the company of the man himself. Born in 1822, Charlie was the son of Charles-Henri Heidsieck, who was himself the nephew of Florens-Louis Heidsieck, co-founder of Piper Heidsieck. The tales of heroics run throughout Charlie's family. His father went down in history for his antics in 1811, storming into Moscow ahead of Napoleon on his galloping white stallion, cases of Champagne at the ready to celebrate. It didn't matter the victor to Charles-Henri, he was there to celebrate and sell some wine! Charlie had that same salesmanship in his gut. He popularized real Champagne in America for the first time after forming his eponymous firm in 1851. After his first visit to New York, he hired an agent to handle the business of importing his firm's Champagnes. Five years later, thousands of cases successfully sold, Charlie returned. New York lit up; banquets, balls and parties galore celebrating the man they affectionately named "Champagne Charlie." | ||
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Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Reserve Exclusive (750ml) | ||
Sparkling from Epernay, Champagne, France | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Too much of anything is bad, but too much Champagne is just right." Mark Twain While lovers of fine Champagne don’t need an excuse to indulge, this exceptional offer featuring the 92 pt. Nicolas Feuillatte Reserve Exclusive Brut N/V will make it especially easy to “pop a cork” and enjoy some bubbly deliciousness at a price worth celebrating (see how we did that?) . Crafted in a style that “above all expresses elegance” according to the Wine Spectator’s Bruce Sanderson, the Nicolas Feuillatte Reserve Exclusive Brut offers creamy, fresh fruit on a fine beaded, satiny mousse, one of Champagne’s top values now specially bargain priced for stocking up ahead of the holiday season. Based in Chouilly about 10 minutes from Epernay, Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte is perched on a hill overlooking rolling vineyards, a modern chic welcome center and tasting salon fronting high tech winemaking facilities so large that it also serves as a secondary production and storage site for Moet & Chandon. Known as a flamboyant socialite whose inner circle of high profile friends included the glamourous Hollywood actress Lauren Bacall, entrepreneur Nicolas Feuillatte established the Champagne brand bearing his name in 1976 in partnership with Henri Macquart, founder of the Centre Vinicole de la Champagne, the largest cooperative of growers in the region. Sourced from over 2,100 hectares of vineyards farmed by over 5,000 growers across the appellation, the Nicolas Feuillatte Reserve Exclusive Brut is a balanced blend of 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Meunier and 20% Chardonnay, with aging on the lees for 36 months before bottling yielding a well-balanced Champagne that’s “bright and pillowy” according to the Wine Advocate’s William Kelley, revealing “a fleshy core of fruit and tangy acids” hinting of brioche on an impressive silky finish. Boasting a pleasing “upfront charm” according to Decanter’s Simon Field, the 92 pt. Nicolas Feuillatte Reserve Exclusive Brut is drinking beautifully now, its subtle flavors and delicate bubbles making it the perfect choice as an aperitif and an “easy to reach for” house champagne at bargain pricing. | ||
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Piper-Heidsieck Cuvee Brut (750ml) | ||
Sparkling from Reims, Champagne, France | ||
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2020 Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon Knights Valley (750ml) | ||
Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma, California | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Consistently a top-quality choice for Cab fans seeking value, the 93 pt. 2020 Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon Knights Valley hits the mark again, revealing bright, savory fruit balanced by smooth tannins on a velvety plush finish reflecting its Knights Valley origins and a knock-out value unbeatably bargain priced to enjoy often. Among the first to recognize the region’s potential for growing exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon, Beringer has owned and farmed its vineyards in Knights Valley for over a half century, first to feature it on a label in 1974 and instrumental in the AVA gaining an official designation in 1983. Situated in a pastoral setting northwest of the winery, Beringer’s sustainably farmed 600-acre vineyard in Knights Valley is planted mostly to Cabernet Sauvignon with small amounts of other Bordeaux varietals in well-draining, rocky volcanic soils, enjoying the warmest daytime temperatures in Sonoma with cool evenings that preserve the grapes’ acidity. Crafted as a Bordeaux-style blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with small amounts of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot, winemaker Ryan Rech aged the enticing 2020 Beringer Knights Valley Cab for 15 months in 33% new French oak, yielding fresh, juicy fruit with signature Knights Valley notes of wild sage and black olive and a supple velvety texture that’s hard to resist. Described as a “full throttle Cabernet” that’s “sure to be a crowd pleaser” by Antonio Galloni of Vinous, the opulent 93 pt. 2020 Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon Knights Valley is a standout among its pricey Knights Valley peers, a smooth and satisfying Cab with a backbone for aging and an undervalued gem priced to enjoy without hesitation. | ||
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Nino Franco Prosecco Rustico NV (750ml) | ||
Glera from Valdobbiadene, Veneto, Italy | ||
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NV Pommery Brut Royal (750ml) | ||
Sparkling from Champagne, France | ||
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Gruet Blanc de Noirs (750ml) | ||
Sparkling from Albuquerque, New Mexico | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More When it’s time to let the bubbly flow this holiday season, there’s no better choice than the 92 pt. Gruet Blanc de Noirs, its luscious creamy mousse and refreshing acidity perfect for sipping and toasting and equally delicious as a sparkling mixer for brunch time mimosas, an Aperol spritz or a festive craft cocktail, offered at an almost unbelievable bargain price worthy of raising a glass and stocking up. Producing his family's first Gruet et Fils in the Champagne region in 1967, French native Gilbert Gruet became intrigued with crafting a Champagne-style sparkling wine in the US, inspired by a small group of Alsatian winemakers who were quietly having success harvesting wine grapes in New Mexico. After purchasing land three hours south of Albuquerque in 1984, the Gruet family planted an experimental high-altitude vineyard exclusively with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, releasing their first US sparkling wine in 1989. Garnering consistent critical acclaim over the last three decades including a spot on the Wine Spectator’s Top 100 and a Top 100 Best Buy by Wine & Spirits, experienced Reims-born “chef de cave” Cyril Tanazacqhas produced Gruet’s outstanding Blanc de Noirs in Champagne’s methode traditionnelle, crafting a deliciously refined and classically styled Pinot Noir-dominated blend balanced by Chardonnay’s racy acidity with 24 months of lees aging in the bottle to develop its complex toasty flavors. Whether hosting an event or celebrating with family and friends, the enticing 92 pt. Gruet Blanc de Noirs is "continuous and rich with a ripe elegance" according to the Tasting Panel, its deceptively inexpensive price offering an opportunity to “pop the cork” without hesitation throughout the holiday season and beyond. | ||
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Mumm Cuvee Napa Brut Prestige (750ml) | ||
Sparkling from Napa, California | ||
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Andre Clouet Brut Grande Reserve (750ml) | ||
Pinot Noir from Bouzy, Champagne, France | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More As the head of the historic Champagne house named for his grandfather Andre Clouet, larger than life vigneron Jean-François Clouet is considered by critics as one of the top grower-producers in the region. Jean-François' flamboyant personality, dubbed by one reviewer as a combination of "winemaker and circus ringmaster," belies his serious dedication and singular passion for producing rich and concentrated expressions of Pinot Noir-based Champagne, also known as Blanc de Noirs. From the outstanding 91pt non-vintage Grande Reserve to the exceptional 96pt Brut 1911, the champagnes of Andre Clouet exhibit the purity of the Pinot Noir fruit, with terroir-driven chalky minerality and deep complexity, ranking Andre Clouet among the region's finest producers and representing one of its best values. Inextricably tied to Champagne's history, the Clouet family have resided in the Montagne de Reims since 1492, first serving as book printers for King Louis XV in 1491 (a legacy now reflected in the Champagne house's ornate labels), producing their first champagne in Bouzy in 1741. Highlighting the Grand Cru pedigree of their 8 hectares of mid-slope sites in Bouzy and Ambonnay, the top cuvees are sourced from these estate vineyards, with additional Pinot Noir purchased from 60 hectares of growers' vineyards and each plot vinified separately. While upholding his family's traditional approach in the vineyard including hand pruning and selection, Francois continues to innovate in the cellar, including employing Sauternes barrels sourced from Château Doisy-Daëne for aging the Brut 1911 as a way of reducing the dosage, with the goal of adjusting sweetness without adding sugar. Exhibiting a gentle mousse and refined bubbles, the wines of André Clouet also boast notably creamy textures due to Jean-François' practice of extended aging on the lees, balancing crisp acidity and tantalizing minerality. While Andre Clouet remains relatively under the radar among the grower-producers in Champagne, these highly rated selections are among the best Blanc de Noir wines of the region, at a fraction of the price of prestige offerings from the larger Champagne houses like Krug and Bollinger. With the holiday season quickly approaching, this is the perfect opportunity to stock up on an array of the exquisite, artisanal Champagnes of Andre Clouet, one of the finest grower estates in the region today, whether for everyday enjoyment, celebrations or gifting and now offered at the best pricing on the market. | ||
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Heidsieck Monopole Brut Blue Top NV (750ml) | ||
Sparkling from Champagne, France | ||
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Anna de Codorniu Brut Reserva Blanc de Blancs (750ml) | ||
Sparkling from Cava, Spain | ||
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Laurent-Perrier La Cuvee Brut Champagne (187ml) | ||
Sparkling from Champagne, France | ||
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2022 Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc (750ml) | ||
Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand | ||
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Mumm Cuvee Napa Brut Rose (750ml) | ||
Sparkling from Napa, California | ||
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G.H. Mumm Grand Cordon Brut (750ml) | ||
Sparkling from Champagne, France | ||
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N.V. Chiarli Lambrusco Vecchia Modena (750ml) | ||
Lambrusco from Lambrusco di Sorbara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy | ||
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Charles Heidsieck Champagne Brut Rose Reserve (750ml) | ||
Sparkling from Champagne, France | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Over my decades of travel, I've become rather efficient; the places I call home, from one city to another, country by country run consistent. Local hoteliers know me, as do the keepers of the best hotel lounges. They see me coming and they know of my needs: a glass of Champagne. If the caretaker is new, they'll know by week's end: Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve is tops on my list. Champagne Charlie is a friend of mine. Legendary character, I imagine I may have even enjoyed the company of the man himself. Born in 1822, Charlie was the son of Charles-Henri Heidsieck, who was himself the nephew of Florens-Louis Heidsieck, co-founder of Piper Heidsieck. The tales of heroics run throughout Charlie's family. His father went down in history for his antics in 1811, storming into Moscow ahead of Napoleon on his galloping white stallion, cases of Champagne at the ready to celebrate. It didn't matter the victor to Charles-Henri, he was there to celebrate and sell some wine! Charlie had that same salesmanship in his gut. He popularized real Champagne in America for the first time after forming his eponymous firm in 1851. After his first visit to New York, he hired an agent to handle the business of importing his firm's Champagnes. Five years later, thousands of cases successfully sold, Charlie returned. New York lit up; banquets, balls and parties galore celebrating the man they affectionately named "Champagne Charlie." | ||
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Santa Margherita Prosecco (750ml) | ||
Sparkling from Valdobbiadene, Veneto, Italy | ||
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Perrier Jouet Grand Brut (750ml) | ||
Sparkling from Epernay, Champagne, France | ||
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Gruet Brut (750ml) | ||
Sparkling from Albuquerque, New Mexico | ||
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Maestro Dobel Diamante Tequila (750ml) | ||
From Jalisco, Mexico | ||
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Aperol Aperitivo (750ml) | ||
From Padua, Veneto, Italy | ||
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2022 Daou Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (750ml) | ||
Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles, California | ||
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NV Champagne Collet Brut (750ml) | ||
Sparkling from Ay, Champagne, France | ||
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ChocoVine Red Wine with Dutch Chocolate (750ml) | ||
Cabernet Sauvignon from Holland, Netherlands | ||
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2019 Artadi Vinas de Gain (750ml) | ||
Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Crafted by the renowned 100 pt. winemaker known for putting vineyard-driven Rioja on the map, the rich and elegant 94 pt. 2019 Artadi Vinas de Gain is a Rioja lovers' dream, a beautifully crafted Tempranillo offering lush aromas and vivid, pure flavors with a velvety, uplifted finish, incredibly bargain priced for stocking up to enjoy often. Founded as a local coop in Rioja Alavesa, Artadi has been transformed since the early 1990’s under the groundbreaking leadership of fourth generation winemaker Juan Carlos López de Lacalle, crafting the Bodegas’ first 100 pt. Rioja in 2004 and eventually leaving the Rioja DOC in 2015 to focus on its vineyard-expressive wines. Exhibiting the characteristic vibrant red fruit and dusty minerality that reflects its Alavesa terroir, the 2019 Vinas de Gain is sourced from Tempranillo vines ranging from 20 to 30 years of age, planted at altitudes between 450 and 700 meters in clay and limestone soils and all farmed organically. After overseeing the hand harvesting of grapes with strict selection, Juan Carlos aged the 2019 Vinas de Gain for 9 months in French barriques, yielding “a fresh, fruit-driven and juicy red” according to the Wine Advocate’s Luis Gutierrez with smooth, silky tannins on a backbone of well-integrated oak. From a Rioja vintage called “a perfect year” by Decanter’s Amaya Cervera, the outstanding 94 pt. 2019 Artadi Vinas de Gain reflects an undeniable pedigree, a pure expression of its unique Rioja Alavesa terroir meticulously crafted by one of Spain’s most acclaimed winemakers, an incomparable value for Rioja lovers and anyone looking for a deliciously satisfying red wine to reach for again and again. | ||
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2022 Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay (750ml) | ||
Chardonnay from Sonoma, California | ||
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Lucien Albrecht Cremant d'Alsace Brut (750ml) | ||
Sparkling from Alsace, France | ||
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2022 Astrolabe Sauvignon Blanc (750ml) | ||
Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Described as “a textbook example of the cool Awatere Valley style” by Decanter’s Bob Campbell, the crisp and zesty 94 pt. 2022 Astrolabe Sauvignon Blanc boasts Marlborough's fresh enticing aromas of citrusy, tropical fruit finishing with a hint of tangy minerality, a refreshingly delicious New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc unbeatably priced to pour and enjoy freely. Located on the Rapaura Road just below the Wairau River, winemaker Simon Waghorn established his small family-owned winery on New Zealand’s South Island in 1996, naming it Astrolabe after the astronomical instrument used by the pioneering navigators who first explored the Marlborough Sounds in the 19th century. Described as “a consistently delicious label” by the Wine Enthusiast’s Christina Pickard, Astrolabe sources top quality Sauvignon Blanc from long term contracts with a small group of growers in the Awatere Valley as well as parcels in Wairau, the Southern Valleys and the Kekerengu Coast, the sustainably farmed vineyards boasting a cooler climate with a diverse range of soils and growing conditions that contribute layers of complexity. After harvesting the grapes during the coolest part of the day, Simon preserved the freshness of the grapes for the 2022 Astrolabe Sauvignon Blanc throughout fermentation and aging, yielding elegantly balanced ripe citrus flavors with subtle notes of tropical fruit balanced by Marlborough's signature herbaceous minerality and a refreshing savory, dry finish that draws you back for another sip. Celebrating its 25th vintage in 2022, the bright and crisp 94 pt. 2022 Astrolabe Sauvignon Blanc is one of the year’s top rated New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs and an appealing choice for an everyday white, named a Wine Spectator Value Pick that's ready to enjoy often over the next few years at an equally appealing bargain price. | ||
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