ESAVE Sundae: Get Last Month's ESAVEs Today Only-www.b-21.com

PREV

2

of 7

NEXT

198 items found

Sort by:

Popularity

2019 Chateau Lanessan (750ml)

Cabernet Sauvignon from Haut-Medoc, Bordeaux, France

B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More

From the Haut Medoc estate known among savvy Bordeaux insiders for over delivering value, these 93 pt. Chateau Lanessan selections from top vintages are a welcome breath of fresh air for Bordeaux traditionalists seeking a great deal, offering layers of dark, savory fruit already drinking well with polished tannins worthy of laying down and now available in original wooden cases at best on the market pricing while they last.

Located just south of St. Julien near famed Second Growth Gruaud Larose, Chateau Lanessan boasts a history dating to the 14^th century, its Grand Vin’s steadily rising quality over the last decade due in large part to lower yields and stricter selection implemented by esteemed consulting winemaker Eric Boissenot. Sourced from 32 hectares of 30-year-old vines planted above the Garonne in gravel hills up to 25 meters deep, Chateau Lanessan is aged in a combination of 33% new French oak barrels, 33% one year old and 33% two year old for an average of 12 months, yielding earthy dark fruit and powerful tannic structure that evolves beautifully over time, garnering a reputation among Bordeaux purists as a harmonious, classically styled blend dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon with an impressive ability to age. Described as a “charmer” by the Wine Advocate’s William Kelley, the 93 pt. 2015 Chateau Lanessan is a blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot and 7% Cab Franc boasting “a firm grainy texture and great freshness” according to the Wine Independent’s Lisa Perrotti-Brown and “finishing with a skip in its step.” A blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, and 6% Petit Verdot, the 93 pt. 2018 Chateau Lanessan is “all class” according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous offering “tons of immediacy and pure appeal” and called “a pretty serious take on the vintage” by Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson that promises to age well. Boasting “rich, powdery tannins and a vibrant core of fruit” according to the Wine Advocate’s William Kelley, the 93 pt. 2019 Chateau Lanessan is a blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon with 36% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot, summed up by Kelley as a “fine effort” promising to age over two decades.

Described as producing “some of the best value wines on the Medoc peninsula” by Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson, these 93 pt. vintages from Chateau Lanessan are bargain priced for Bordeaux lovers looking to pull the cork more often and a terrific opportunity to start a collection of age worthy Bordeaux without breaking the bank.

93JA 92JS 91V

45ha on the outskirts of St Julien, making some of the best value wines on the Médoc peninsula. This is a great 2019, really one to look out for, good value and full of blackberry and black cherry fruits, polished with muscular frame, can easily last another decade or more. Eric Boissenot consultant. Last vintage under Paz Espejo, with new director Pierre Delage overseeing the final stages of ageing and bottling. An upscore from En Primeur.

93 points, Jane Anson (Jan 2022)

Fruity nose of ripe blackberries, currants, chocolate orange and oyster shell. It’s medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. Balanced and fresh with some spicy and salty notes to close. Drink from 2023.

92 points, James Suckling (Feb 2022)

The 2019 Lanessan is a powerful, deep wine. Grilled herbs, pepper, sage, mint and tobacco lend notable aromatic intensity. The Cabernet is especially marked here. Lanessan is pretty assertive in 2019. There is quite a bit of Cabernet savoriness and tannin.

91 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Feb 2022)

$19.88

Compare At: $23.99

39 bottles in stock and ready to ship.

1

2021 Martinelli Zinfandel Giuseppe & Luisa Vineyard (750ml)

Zinfandel from Russian River, California

B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More

Described by Decanter as a vintage of “powerfully-constructed, brambly, spicy reds,” these high scoring 2021 Zinfandels are crafted by California’s top Zinfandel experts, sourced from a range of terroirs that include some of the region's oldest vines and offering exceptional value for Zin lovers whether selecting a few favorites or mixing a case.

From the estate called “a beacon for Sonoma County Zinfandel-based field blends” by Antonio Galloni of Vinous, the 95 pt. 2021 Ridge Pagani Ranch Zinfandel includes old vine Zinfandel ranging from 90 to over 120 years, yielding a “well balanced, elegant wine” with “light, toasty oak accents” according to the Wine Enthusiast’s Jim Gordon. Bedrock winemaker Morgan Twain-Peterson produced the 94 pt. 2020 Bedrock Zinfandel Old Vine from vines averaging around 80 years old, delivering ripe spiced fruit “with good structure, fresh acidity and fine tannins” according to Jeb Dunnuck who calls it “an outstanding value” ready to enjoy over the next few years. Described as a fresher, approachable expression of the grape, the 93 pt. 2021 Frank Family Vineyard Zinfandel is "a serious Zinfandel" boasting ripe red fruit with "decadent baking spice notes” and “structured grippy tannins" according to Decanter’s Jonathan Cristaldi, while the Wine Spectator’s Tim Fish calls Seghesio Family Vineyards “one of California's elite Zinfandel specialists,” the 94 pt. 2021 Seghesio Old Vine Zinfandel sourced from gnarly head-pruned vines averaging 75 years of age with pronounced notes of bramble and peppery spice. Produced in the northeast corner of the Russian River Valley with its oldest vines dating back to 1910, the bright and juicy 93 pt. 2021 Limerick Lane Zinfandel is “an absolute winner” according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous that's “packed with varietal character," boasting the structure to evolve over the next few years. Named for founder Lee Martinelli’s grandparents who first planted grapes in the Russian River in the 1880’s, the rich and elegant 97 pt. 2021 Martinelli Zinfandel Giuseppe & Luisa Vineyard offers alluring aromatic fruit layered with spice and fresh juicy acidity, while the richly textured 95 pt. 2021 Limerick Lane Zinfandel 1910 Block from the estate's oldest block of vines is “a gutsy version, built in an old-school style” according to the Wine Spectator’s Tim Fish, both powerfully built Zins that will evolve for another decade.

From a cooler, uneventful growing season that “resulted in especially elegant, expressive wines” according to the Wine Advocate’s Erin Brooks, these highly rated, site-expressive 2021 Zinfandels offer an appealing range of styles and age-ability from diverse vineyards that include some of the region’s top old vine sites, all value priced and promising Zin fans who stock up some delicious drinking ahead.

97WA

The 2021 Zinfandel Giuseppe & Luisa is expressive, perfumed and a pleasure to drink—it offers restraint over power, detail over density and is one of those graceful California Zinfandels that seems more akin to Pinot Noir with its berry fruit and earthy layers. It has alluring scents of raspberry jam and tangerine with accents of lavender, mushrooms and fallen leaves, and the medium-bodied palate is supple and juicy with layer after layer of perfumed fruit. 1,630 cases were made.

97 points, Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate (Sep 2023)

$49.98

Compare At: $54.99

60+ bottles in stock and ready to ship.

1

2021 Melville Estate Pinot Noir (750ml)

Pinot Noir from Sta. Rita Hills, California

B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More

From an outstanding vintage for fans and collectors of California Pinot Noir, these top rated 2021 selections offer a comprehensive range of styles matching an array of individual tastes, all value priced for stocking up on a favorite and perfect for mixing a case.

Regardless of which microclimate it hails from, Pinot Noir in the Sonoma Coast AVA enjoyed consistently moderate growing conditions in 2021, with warm weather in the early part of the year kicking off the growing season early. The summer was marked by cool temperatures and dry conditions without prolonged heat spikes that yielded even ripening with extended hangtime and steady yields. Calling the 2021 Sonoma Coast Pinots “fabulous,” Antonio Galloni of Vinous describes them as “potent, brooding wines with dark fruit profiles and tons of textural depth” their deep structure and superb balance promising longevity. Situated about 350 miles south of Sonoma’s Russian River Valley, the Central Coast also enjoyed a cooler growing season in 2021, described by Jeb Dunnuck as an “undeniably great vintage” that “will be loved by those who prioritize finesse and elegance.” Experiencing a long even growing season without any heat spikes, dry conditions in the Central Coast required a judicious use of irrigation in 2021 that produced healthy fruit but smaller yields, the top talent in the region producing rich and age worthy Pinot. Jeb Dunnuck describes the 2021 Central Coast Pinots as “fresh, vibrant, yet concentrated wines with the up-front purity and charm to drink well today, yet the structure and depth to age gracefully,” while Antonio Galloni of Vinous declared the favorable conditions produced “a wide range of exceptional, world-class wines.”

Summing up the 2021 vintage for California Pinot, the Wine Spectator’s Aaron Romano declares “2021 has all the makings of a banner year for California, especially for Pinot Noir. There were no extreme heatwaves and yields were slightly lower than average, which has translated into reds with expressive fruit character and natural vibrancy,” these impressive 2021 Cali Pinot Noir selections showcasing a range of styles offered at value pricing to enjoy now and over the next decades.

95WE 94WA 93JD

Lovely aromas of cherry pie and damp mint make for a fresh and complex nose on this estate bottling, one of the more affordable ones in the Melville lineup. The palate is firm in texture and blasted with acidity, showing black cherry, cola, mace, bay leaf and clove flavors, a classic expression of this appellation.

95 points, Matt Kettmann, Wine Enthusiast (Mar 2023)

Medium ruby, the 2021 Pinot Noir Estate has alluring aromas of cranberry and orange jelly, forest floor and Angostura bitters. Medium-bodied, it floods the mouth with waves of juicy berry fruit supported by fine, chalky tannins, and it finishes long and layered. This was vinified using about 40% whole clusters. 7,824 cases produced.

94 points, Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate (Dec 2022)

The 2021 Pinot Noir Estate Sta. Rita Hills shows the more classic style of this estate today and is unquestionably a qualitative match for a top Premier Cru from Burgundy, albeit at about a fraction of the cost. Translucent ruby, with a gorgeous nose of peppery red and black cherry fruits as well as spring flowers, baking spices, and subtle briny, marine-like nuances, it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, an elegant, lively mouthfeel, supple tannins, and perfectly integrated acidity. It will evolve gracefully for 8-10 years, if not longer.

93 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Feb 2023)

$35.98

Compare At: $39.99

60 bottles in stock and ready to ship.

1

2016 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge (750ml)

Cabernet Sauvignon from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France

B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More

“One of the crown jewels of Bordeaux”

Antonio Galloni, Vinous

A range of top rated, pristinely cellared red and white blends from one of Bordeaux’s most undervalued estates, these selections from Domaine de Chevalier are built for decades of enjoyment, some already ready to enjoy and all promising astute collectors some superb drinking ahead.

Tucked away from view in southern Pessac-Leognan, the 120-hectare estate of Domaine de Chevalier is situated in a secluded parklike setting often described as “a secret garden,” its 65-hectare biodynamically farmed vineyard surrounded by lush forest on gently rolling hills that promotes biodiversity. Situated south of the city of Bordeaux and Chateau Haut-Brion, Domaine de Chevalier’s vineyards are arranged in a single square block on a mix of dark sand and fine gravel, planted mainly with Cabernet Sauvignon for the Grand Vin with a smaller 7-hectare parcel dedicated mostly to Sauvignon Blanc for the Blanc. Described as the white wine of the vintage by Jeb Dunnuck, the thrilling 98 pt. 2015 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc is composed of 75% Sauvignon Blanc and 25% Semillon aged for 18 months on the lees, yielding “a really gorgeous mouthfeel” according to the Wine Spectator’s James Molesworth while Antonio Galloni declares the “impressive” 98 pt. 2020 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc “one of the world’s great wines, hands down,” both exceptionally long-lived white Bordeaux promising to age for decades. Moving to the reds, the 96 pt. 2010 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge “is bloody brilliant” according to Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson, “at the beginning of its drinking window although nowhere near quitting” while the 96 pt. 2014 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge “offers full-bodied richness, a layered, silky texture, perfect balance and a great finish” according to Jeb Dunnuck. Earning a spot on the Wine Spectator’s Top 100 of 2019, the “stunning” 97 pt. 2016 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge boasts “beautiful complexity and texture” according to Inside Bordeaux's Jane Anson and Jeb Dunnuck calls the “classy, flawlessly balanced” 97 pt. 2017 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge “a gem that readers should snatch up,” already drinking beautifully and age worthy for another three decades. James Suckling calls the 99 pt. 2018 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge the ”greatest ever,” a Cellar Selection conveying “plenty of longevity” according to the Wine Enthusiast’s Roger Voss, and the Wine Advocate’s William Kelley declares the “exquisitely elegant” 97 pt. 2019 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge “a magical wine in the making” describing it as “a masterclass in what contemporary Bordeaux can deliver and worth a special effort to seek out.”

Calling Domaine de Chevalier “one of the true elite yet under the radar properties in Bordeaux,” Antonio Galloni of Vinous declares the work of superstar consultants Stephane Derenoncourt on the red and Denis Dubourdieu on the white, “shows in wines of pedigree, class and nuance,” making it no secret that stocking the cellar with these unbeatably priced Domaine de Chevalier blends will reward Bordeaux lovers with seriously enjoyable drinking for years to come.

97JD 97JS 96WS #23 Top 100 96WE 95V

As to the reds, the 2016 Domaine de Chevalier is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc that saw an extended maceration, malo in barrel, and 18 months in just 35% new French oak. This deep purple-hued beauty boasts a powerful bouquet of tobacco smoke, damp earth, gravelly, rocky minerality, wood smoke, and loads of dark fruits. Full-bodied, deep, concentrated yet incredibly elegant and seamless on the palate, it’s a legendary Chevalier in the making. While I rated this as high as 99 points on one of the four separate occasions I was able to taste it, I’m being conservative with the score. it has some upfront charm but needs 4-5 years of cellaring and will keep for 3-4 decades.

97 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Feb 2019)

Aromas of blackberries, red and dark plums, cedar and gravel, as well as red flowers and brown-leaf tea. It offers a very sleek and powerful array of ripe dark fruit and a very plush, focused and elegant bed of fresh, fine and powerful tannins. Plenty of aging potential, this is still quite tight. A blend of 55 per cent cabernet sauvignon, 35 per cent merlot, five per cent cabernet franc and five per cent petit verdot. Try from 2024.

97 points, James Suckling (Feb 2019)

The core of fruit flavor here is sappy and dense, with lots of kirsch, raspberry pâte de fruit and plum reduction notes, yet this stays fresh and racy overall, with a bright iron spine, flashes of tea and tobacco and a long finish that shows a wonderful infusion of alder and tobacco flavors. Offers a lovely combination of prodigious fruit details, with a tug of earth. Best from 2024 through 2038. 12,000 cases made.

96 points, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator (Mar 2019)

#23 - Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2019

This elegant wine wears its firm tannic structure lightly. It is densely textured, just starting on its road to maturity. Black-plum and berry fruits give the wine its weight as much as the tannins. It will age well over many years. Drink from 2026.

96 points, Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast (May 2019)

The 2016 Domaine de Chevalier is a classy affair on the nose: nothing ambitious or self-aggrandizing, just beautifully defined black fruit laced with pine needles and wilted irises. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, filigreed tannin, pitch-perfect acidity and a captivating sense of mineralité toward the persistent finish. This is an outstanding Domaine de Chevalier, possessing a surfeit of pedigree and breeding.

95 points, Neal Martin, Vinous (Jan 2019)

$84.88

Compare At: $89.99

34 bottles in stock and ready to ship.

1

2020 Guy Farge Saint Joseph Terroir de Granit (750ml)

Syrah from Saint-Joseph, Rhône, France

B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More

Here’s an exciting duo of top scoring Northern Rhone wines from one of the region’s rising stars, the enticing 92 pt. 2020 Guy Farge Saint Peray white and the robust 93 pt. 2020 Guy Farge Saint Joseph Terroir de Granit red offering lush, layered complexity that promises pleasurable drinking for years to come at a fraction of the price of higher profile producers and a perfect opportunity to mix a case at extraordinary value pricing.

Perched on a rugged slope with panoramic views of the Rhone and the village of Tain L’Hermitage, the winery of Domaine Guy Farge is headquartered in an unassuming building in Saint Jean de Muzols, its small tasting room overlooking the vast river valley known for producing some of the world’s greatest wines and now run by Guy's son, Thomas Farge. Dating back to the 1920’s, the Farge family has been renowned for growing quality grapes in the region, a reputation that has continued to rise with Thomas' implementation of sustainable viticultural practices since taking the reins including farming their 22 acres of estate vineyards organically and plowing the steep parcels with horses. Located in the most southerly appellation of the Northern Rhone, Guy Farge’s vineyard in Saint Peray is a small hillside parcel with a mix of the same varietals used to craft white Hermitage, the vines averaging 40 years of age planted in clay and calcareous limestone soils that contribute to its characteristic minerality. Fermenting the unique blend of 90% Roussanne and 10% Marsanne with indigenous yeasts, Thomas aged the intensely aromatic 2020 Guy Farge Saint Peray Grain de Silex on the lees in stainless steel vats with a small portion in older barrels, yielding “one of the finest vintages of this cuvee I’ve tasted” according to Jeb Dunnuck with richly textured, mouth coating fresh fruit and zesty, mineral-driven acidity that begs for another sip. Produced from the terraced, rocky vineyards near the winery from vines averaging 60 years of age, the classically styled 2020 Guy Farge Saint Joseph Terroir de Granit was aged in used 400-liter barrels for 12 months, revealing juicy ripe dark fruit hinting of cracked pepper and smokey flint with elegant, integrated tannins, described as “a serious Northern Rhone red” by Decanter’s Matt Walls that’s built to age a decade or more.

For fans and collectors of Northern Rhone wines seeking a great deal and anyone looking to discover the authentic wines of the region, these artisan-crafted cuvees from Domaine Guy Farge boast the enticing flavors and rich complexity of wines more than double the price, a terrific opportunity to enjoy two stunning values that represent the best of their appellations without breaking the bank.

93D 92JS

Smoky bacon notes on the nose, this is medium-bodied, with expressive, juicy ripe fruit, a savoury slant and no excess sweetness, plus a supporting beam of acidity. Plenty of aroma, structure and local character, this is very good indeed. From 60-year-old vines grown on granite with a large proportion of whole bunch. Good value for a serious Northern Rhône red.

93 points, Matt Walls, Decanter (Dec 2021)

In spite of the ripe vintage this has very bright black cherry fruit with a whiff of smoke and black pepper. Very good structure on the focused palate, the forthright yet fine tannins and the lively acidity driving this over the palate. Plenty of crushed rock character at the finish. Drink or hold.

92 points, James Suckling (Jan 2023)

$19.98

Compare At: $23.99

60+ bottles in stock and ready to ship.

1

2021 Torbreck Woodcutter's Shiraz (750ml)

Shiraz from Barossa, Australia

B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More

From the iconic Barossa winery ranked among the “upper level of all Australian producers” according to Vinous critic Josh Raynolds, the rich and powerful 96 pt. 2021 Torbreck Woodcutter’s Shiraz boasts a core of juicy, dark fruit with layers of structured, savory tannins on a long finish, a go-to Shiraz for savvy Aussie fans seeking outstanding value to enjoy over the next decade at a bargain price.

Founded by veteran Barossa winemaker David Powell three decades ago, Torbreck has remained a leader in the region since its purchase by Pete Kight, rising to “its best form yet” according to Angus Hughson of Vinous under former Peter Lehmann winemaker Ian Hongell who has been crafting the estate's wines including the Woodcutter's Shiraz since 2017. Called “one of the most exciting regions on earth for Shiraz” by the Wine Advocate’s Erin Larson, Torbreck has been a key player in Barossa’s evolution to a lower intervention, vineyard driven approach over the last decade, employing a greater understanding of the diversity within the region and producing “sleeker, age-worthy wines with subtle balance and sophistication” according to critic Angus Hughson. Considered its entry level Shiraz, the impressive 2021 Torbreck Woodcutter’s Shiraz is sourced from younger vines in Barossa’s cooler Eden Valley blended with hand harvested old vine fruit from the warmer Barossa valley floor, open fermented and aged in well-seasoned hogsheads and French oak foudres for 12 months to reveal luxurious fruit hinting of pepper and spice expertly balanced by refined acidity with seamlessly integrated oak, the cooler 2021 vintage creating “wines with power and grace that should age very well” according to Vinous critic Angus Hughson.

Described as offering “a taste of the Torbreck style at a reasonable price” by the Wine Advocate’s Joe Czerwinski, the richly textured 96 pt. 2021 Torbreck Woodcutter’s Shiraz is meticulously crafted to reflect Barossa’s exceptional terroir, promising lovers of Aussie Shiraz a decade of pleasurable drinking at an unbeatably affordable price.

96JS

Lovely ripened blackberries and raspberries. Al dente. Full-bodied yet so refined and focused with crisp acidity and ultra-fine, creamy tannins. Succulent and crunchy but focused and structured. Bright and purposeful. Drink after 2024 but already hard to hold back. Screw cap.

96 points, James Suckling (Nov 2022)

$22.98

Compare At: $24.99

60+ bottles in stock and ready to ship.

1

2018 Chateau Leoville Poyferre (750ml)

Cabernet Sauvignon from Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France

B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More

Sourced from over 80 hectares of estate vineyards in some of St. Julien’s best terroir, these exceptional vintages from Chateau Leoville-Poyferre boast Cabernet’s Sauvignon’s expressive dark fruit with elegant textured minerality and smooth, silky tannins, all luxurious, balanced Left Bank Bordeaux blends earning 94 plus point ratings and delivered ex-Chateau in perfect provenance at impressive value pricing.

While dating back to 1638, Chateau Leoville-Poyferre’s modern renaissance began in 1979, when Didier Cuvelier became the first member of his family to take charge of the estate after studying winemaking under the legendary Emile Peynaud. Implementing an extensive renovation of the vineyards with massive replanting and nearly doubling the estate’s holdings, Didier hired renowned consultant Michel Rolland to manage the harvest and refine the final blend, shifting the estate’s emphasis to Cabernet Sauvignon and crafting the Grand Vin in a richer, more opulent style by harvesting later to ensure even ripening.

Revisiting it at a retrospective tasting in 2021, James Suckling describes the full-bodied 100 pt. 2009 Leoville-Poyferre as “A red that gives wonderful pleasure now but will continue to do so for decades ahead.” Vinous critic Antonio Galloni calls the 95 pt. 2014 Leoville-Poyferre “Gorgeous” and “Super impressive” while Jeb Dunnuck describes the 97 pt. 2015 Leoville-Poyferre as an “unctuous, ripe, pedal-to-the-metal beauty." Dunnuck calls the 98 pt. 2016 Leoville-Poyferre a “brilliantly concentrated, full-bodied, opulent beast of a wine,” while the Wine Advocate’s Lisa Perrotti-Brown describes it as “simply alive in the mouth, culminating in an epically long finish that will leave your mouth practically tingling. WOW!” James Suckling calls the “serious” 95 pt. 2017 Leoville-Poyferre “one of the best of the appellation” while the Wine Enthusiast’s Roger Voss named both the 2017 and 2018 Cellar Selections built for the long haul. Finally, the “legendary” 100 pt. 2018 Leoville-Poyferre is a “a total thrill that tops my scale” according to critic Jeb Dunnuck while Antonio Galloni declares the perfect 2018 “dazzles from start to finish,” earning it the #7 spot on the Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2021.

All poised to reward Bordeaux lovers for decades to come, these perfectly cellared, top releases from Second Growth Chateau Leoville-Poyferre delivers powerfully concentrated fruit of exceptional depth and length with rich, ripe tannins, now offered at specially negotiated pricing, some ready to enjoy and all set to evolve in the cellar. After a recent retrospective tasting over the last two decades, Vinous critic Neal Martin summed it up: “Leoville-Poyferre has really taken flight” often "challenging the First Growths" and now offered in perfect condition at a fraction of the price.

100JD #1 Top 100 97WS #7 Top 100

Every bit as good as the 2009, and I think better than the 2010 and 2016, the 2018 Château Léoville Poyferré is a total thrill that tops out my scale. Based on 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, its dense purple hue is followed by an incredible, full-bodied monster of a wine that, despite massive amounts of fruit, tannins, and extract, still stays weightless and ethereal, with incredible purity. Loaded with notions of crème de cassis, spring flowers, tobacco, violets, charcoal, and cedar pencil, it's extraordinarily concentrated, flawlessly balanced, and has a finish that won't quit. This is a legendary wine in the making. Give bottles 7-8 years, a decade would be even better, and it will keep for 40-50 years. Hats off to the Cuvelier family for another extraordinary wine!

100 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Mar 2021)

#1 - Jeb Dunnuck Top 100 Wines of 2021

Waves of warmed cassis, mocha and warm tar aromas lead the way, while the core of macerated plum, blackberry and blueberry fruit waits its turn, showing admirable breadth and depth when it arrives, with roasted apple wood, bramble and cast iron buried deeply through the finish. This is a powerfully rendered wine with a cashmere scarf as accent. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2024 through 2040. 15,000 cases made.

97 points, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator (Mar 2021)

#7 - Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2021

2020 Clos Bellane Vinsobres Saint Jacques (750ml)

From Vinsobres, Rhône, France

B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More

Described as “impeccable beauties” by Jeb Dunnuck, these highly rated Clos Bellane selections reveal nuanced ripe dark fruit with flinty minerality from the unique northerly terroir of the Vinsobres AOC in the Southern Rhone, crafted by talented winemaker Stephane Vedeau of Ferme du Mont in Chateauneuf du Pape and all offered at exceptional value pricing perfect for mixing a case.

Elevated from Cotes du Rhone Villages to its own AOC status in 2005, the lesser known Vinsobres AOC has been the “secret” source of grapes for top rated Cote du Rhone blends from esteemed producers like Jean-Louis Chave of Hermitage for decades, the northern region bordered by a protective amphitheater formed by Mont Ventoux and the Alpine foothills and attracting high profile producers from the region’s warmer, southerly appellations including Louis Barruol of St. Cosme and the Perrin family of Chateau de Beaucastel. Drawn to the estate’s high elevation and limestone-rich soils on the Vinsobres plateau, Stephane purchased the Clos Bellane property in 2010, producing a range of terroir driven cuvees that emphasize freshness and balance by keeping extraction to a minimum and aging mainly in a combination of tank, concrete and well used barrels. Situated at 400 meters above sea level with panoramic views of Mont Ventoux and the Dentelles de Montmirail, Clos Bellane enjoys a cooler climate than most of the Southern Rhone, its 48 hectares of organically farmed vineyards planted mostly to Grenache aged 60 years of age and Syrah averaging 30 years of age on mineral-rich, pebbly slopes outside Valreas with an east-facing exposure that enables even ripening while lower night time temperatures preserve the grapes’ acidity. Aged mostly in concrete, the entry level 92 pt. 2020 Clos Bellane Valreas Rouge is a 50-50 blend of Grenache and Syrah bursting with fresh spiced dark fruit and mineral-tinged garrigue on a smooth, satisfying finish. A blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, Stephane aged the elegant and powerful 95 pt. 2020 Clos Bellane Vinsobres Saint Jacques in concrete vats for 12 months, yielding aromatic and vibrant dark fruit with hints of graphite and well balanced acidity on a persistent, mouthwatering finish. Crafted from 100% Syrah from the estate’s oldest vines, the rich and muscular 95 pt. 2020 Clos Bellane Valreas Les Echalas Rouge matured in a mix of barrels and concrete, yielding rich, aromatic dark fruit hinting of cracked pepper and savory spice with a velvety texture and fine, precise tannins able to age a decade or more.

Summed up as “gorgeous” by Jeb Dunnuck, these meticulously crafted gems from Clos Bellane offer B-21 Southern Rhone fans a chance to be among the first to enjoy this relatively undiscovered estate at a time when new appellations and pioneering producers are few and far between, their exceptional quality and drinkability placing them at the forefront of the emerging Vinsobres AOC and all outstanding values promising Rhone lovers pleasurable drinking for years to come.

95RAS

Wine makes the case for Vinsobres' upgrade to Grand Cru status. Syrah and Grenache blend with dramatic aromatics black exotic fruits and pepper spice with a palate attack to match. Exceptional density and length in its power. This is riveting; a bombshell of a Rhone.

95 points, Bob Sprentall, B-21 Proprietor (Jun 2023)

$19.98

Compare At: $23.99

60+ bottles in stock and ready to ship.

1

2019 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge (750ml)

Cabernet Sauvignon from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France

B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More

“One of the crown jewels of Bordeaux”

Antonio Galloni, Vinous

A range of top rated, pristinely cellared red and white blends from one of Bordeaux’s most undervalued estates, these selections from Domaine de Chevalier are built for decades of enjoyment, some already ready to enjoy and all promising astute collectors some superb drinking ahead.

Tucked away from view in southern Pessac-Leognan, the 120-hectare estate of Domaine de Chevalier is situated in a secluded parklike setting often described as “a secret garden,” its 65-hectare biodynamically farmed vineyard surrounded by lush forest on gently rolling hills that promotes biodiversity. Situated south of the city of Bordeaux and Chateau Haut-Brion, Domaine de Chevalier’s vineyards are arranged in a single square block on a mix of dark sand and fine gravel, planted mainly with Cabernet Sauvignon for the Grand Vin with a smaller 7-hectare parcel dedicated mostly to Sauvignon Blanc for the Blanc. Described as the white wine of the vintage by Jeb Dunnuck, the thrilling 98 pt. 2015 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc is composed of 75% Sauvignon Blanc and 25% Semillon aged for 18 months on the lees, yielding “a really gorgeous mouthfeel” according to the Wine Spectator’s James Molesworth while Antonio Galloni declares the “impressive” 98 pt. 2020 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc “one of the world’s great wines, hands down,” both exceptionally long-lived white Bordeaux promising to age for decades. Moving to the reds, the 96 pt. 2010 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge “is bloody brilliant” according to Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson, “at the beginning of its drinking window although nowhere near quitting” while the 96 pt. 2014 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge “offers full-bodied richness, a layered, silky texture, perfect balance and a great finish” according to Jeb Dunnuck. Earning a spot on the Wine Spectator’s Top 100 of 2019, the “stunning” 97 pt. 2016 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge boasts “beautiful complexity and texture” according to Inside Bordeaux's Jane Anson and Jeb Dunnuck calls the “classy, flawlessly balanced” 97 pt. 2017 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge “a gem that readers should snatch up,” already drinking beautifully and age worthy for another three decades. James Suckling calls the 99 pt. 2018 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge the ”greatest ever,” a Cellar Selection conveying “plenty of longevity” according to the Wine Enthusiast’s Roger Voss, and the Wine Advocate’s William Kelley declares the “exquisitely elegant” 97 pt. 2019 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge “a magical wine in the making” describing it as “a masterclass in what contemporary Bordeaux can deliver and worth a special effort to seek out.”

Calling Domaine de Chevalier “one of the true elite yet under the radar properties in Bordeaux,” Antonio Galloni of Vinous declares the work of superstar consultants Stephane Derenoncourt on the red and Denis Dubourdieu on the white, “shows in wines of pedigree, class and nuance,” making it no secret that stocking the cellar with these unbeatably priced Domaine de Chevalier blends will reward Bordeaux lovers with seriously enjoyable drinking for years to come.

97WA 97JD 97V 97JS 96WI

The 2019 Domaine de Chevalier is a magical wine in the making, wafting from the glass with aromas of wild plums, crushed blackcurrants and violets mingled with hints of pencil shavings, subtle spices and coniferous forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, deep and seamless, with a vibrant core of fruit, beautifully refined tannins and lively acids, it's exquisitely elegant and harmonious, concluding with a long, perfumed finish. Stylistically, this wine exhibits a much closer affinity with the great Domaine de Chevalier of yesteryear than much of what was produced here in the early 2000s. It's a masterclass in what contemporary Bordeaux can deliver, and worth a special effort to seek out.

97 points, William Kelley, Wine Advocate (Apr 2022)

I loved the 2019 Domaine De Chevalier, which is unquestionably up with the crème de la crème of the vintage. A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot that saw just 35% new oak, it sports a dense purple hue as well as a killer, quintessential Graves bouquet of darker black fruits, scorched earth, truffle, cold fireplace, tobacco, and graphite. More medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has brilliant purity, ultra-fine tannins, flawless balance, and a great, great finish. It's not a blockbuster but has this incredible sense of class, balance, and finesse while being rich and concentrated. It's a gorgeous wine, and wine lovers will adore being able to compare this side by side with the 2015, 2016, and 2018 over the coming 3-4 decades.

97 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Apr 2022)

The 2019 Domaine de Chevalier is pure, silky and exceptionally beautiful. The 2019 is all in reserve today. Sweet red berry fruit, mint, spice and blood orange lend brilliance to this understated, super-classy Pessac-Léognan red. Lifted floral aromatics and silky tannins grace this exquisite, wonderfully polished wine. Tasted two times.

97 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Feb 2022)

Beautiful, ripe redcurrants, bay leaf, violets and raspberries on the nose. Full-bodied with firm and very tight tannins that are polished and layered. Crushed stones highlight the beautiful blue fruit. Poised and refined. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 6% petit verdot and 4% cabernet franc. Try after 2026.

97 points, James Suckling (Mar 2022)

The 2019 Domaine de Chevalier rouge is made from 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, and 4% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, it needs a lot of coaxing to unlock notes of warm cassis, crushed blackberries, and boysenberry preserves, with hints of rose oil, cumin seed, and menthol plus a waft of wood smoke. Medium-bodied, the plate is wonderfully elegant, featuring very finely grained tannins and lovely tension, finishing long and minerally.

96+ points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent (Apr 2022)

$79.88

Compare At: $89.99

60+ bottles in stock and ready to ship.

1

2021 Leeuwin Estate Prelude Chardonnay (750ml)

Chardonnay from Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia

B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More

“Leeuwin is the benchmark, not only for the region but for the country as a whole.”

Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator

From “one of the very greatest producers of Chardonnay in the Margaret River” according to Australian expert James Halliday, the bright and enticing 97 pt. 2021 Leeuwin Estate Prelude Chardonnay offers lush layers of aromatic ripe fruit with a creamy texture and vibrant mineral-driven acidity, a superb introduction to the classic Leeuwin Estate style value priced at a fraction of its iconic Art Series cuvee to enjoy often.

Renowned for its prestigious summer concert series attracting musical acts from around the world, the manicured grounds of the Leeuwin Estate are home to one of the region’s top restaurants as well, the veranda’s expansive view overlooking the verdant 668-hectare estate best known for its Chardonnay. One of the five founding wineries in the Margaret River district, Leeuwin Estate began as a 465-hectare cattle farm purchased by founders Denis and Tricia Horgan in 1968, the couple more interested in Cape Leeuwin’s outstanding reputation as a surfing destination than in becoming winemakers. Approached a few years later by Napa Valley’s Robert Mondavi on the behalf of investors, the Horgans declined to sell and instead worked with the legendary winemaker to begin to transform the farm into vineyards planted mainly to Chardonnay, releasing their first commercial vintage in 1979. Situated on a peninsula south of Perth in Western Australia, the Margaret River enjoys a warm, dry Mediterranean climate that encourages optimal ripening while cool sea breezes from the surrounding Southern and Indian Oceans preserve the Chardonnay grapes' natural acidity, the rich complexity of the fruit enhanced by Leeuwin’s use of Burgundian methods including barrel-fermenting and aging on the lees. Crafted in a fresh, approachable style to be enjoyed upon release, winemaker Tim Lovett aged the refined 2021 Leeuwin Estate Prelude Vineyards Chardonnay for 10 months in 40% new French oak, yielding rich fruit hinting of citrus and brioche, with a creamy mouthfeel and racy acidity that calls Chardonnay lovers back for another sip.

Described as “an excellent intro to this long standing Margaret River winery” by the Wine Enthusiast’s Christina Pickard, the enticing 97 pt. 2021 Leeuwin Estate Prelude Chardonnay expresses it cool climate Margaret River origins in the estate’s rich Burgundian house style, an exceptional value from the region’s Chardonnay experts bargain priced to enjoy freely over the next few years.

97AWC 93WA

Only Leeuwin Estate could come up with a second label of such extreme quality. The quartz-green colour heralds a laser-cut wine of great purity with a perfumed, grapefruit-accented bouquet underscored by cleansing, refreshing acidity on the palate. Oak was an agent in its structure but plays no part on its palate.

97 points, James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion (Jun 2023)

The 2021 Prelude Vineyards Chardonnay is a multi-clonal wine: Davis 1, 5, Dijon (95, 96, 76), which is distinct from the Art Series Chardonnay, which is Gingin clone solely. The vineyard sources vary as well as the winemaking practice, allowing the winemaking team to try different processes and vessels in order to tease out different characters and textures. You get almond meal, preserved citrus and graphite. It's complex texturally yet still tight and linear. It's very good—both fresh and satisfying, with lightness and density at once. Flavorsome, lithe and long. Of the designated Prelude batches, 40% to 50% are left unsulfured and stirred twice a week. "Freshness and acidity are the corridor, and we build texture and complexity around that," says Chief Winemaker Tim Lovett. To put the complexity of the Chardonnay program at Leeuwin into context: in 2022, 32 parcels of Chardonnay came into the winery (from the estate and Peppy Park vineyards) waiting to be designated to either Art Series or Prelude; the parcels are then broken down further into batches to trial coopers, winemaking, etc.

93+ points, Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate (Jul 2023)

$29.98

Compare At: $37.99

60+ bottles in stock and ready to ship.

1

2020 Gerard Bertrand Chateau l'Hospitalet La Clape Rouge (750ml)

Syrah from Coteaux du Languedoc, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More

Sourced from a stunning landscape of rugged cliffs overlooking the sparkling Mediterranean in the South of France, the rich and satisfying 97 pt. 2020 Gerard Bertrand Chateau l'Hospitalet Grand Vin La Clape Rouge and lush and honeyed 93 pt. 2021 Gerard Bertrand Chateau l'Hospitalet Grand Vin La Clape Blanc reflect renowned winemaker Gerard Bertrand’s legacy of producing wines of “exceptional quality, complexity and class” according to the Wine Enthusiast's Lauren Buzzeo, two enticing Languedoc blends bargain priced for everyday enjoyment.

Based in a region known for mass produced wines, former rugby star and third generation winemaker George Bertrand has been instrumental in elevating the Languedoc’s reputation for quality, purchasing the L’Hospitalet estate in the coastal region of La Clape near Narbonne in 2002 to craft Rhone varietal blends. Boasting a history of winemaking dating back to the Roman empire, Bertrand is a pioneer of biodynamic viticulture in the region, reducing yields, harvesting later, and vinifying the plots separately to isolate the uniqueness of the terroir while attaining organic and biodynamic certification for the estate vineyards. Situated in the relatively new La Clape AOC established in 2015, Bertrand’s seaside vineyards are located on a 600 foot high limestone plateau that enjoys a semi-arid climate moderated by their proximity to the Mediterranean Sea, planted in a mix of fossil-rich marl and limestone soils and red Mediterranean soils formed on bluish grey compact chalk with the rugged terrain naturally limiting yields and enhancing concentration. A blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre sourced from strictly selected, hand harvested fruit, the fresh and silky 97 pt. 2020 Gerard Bertrand Chateau l'Hospitalet La Clape Rouge was aged in new French oak for 12 to 16 months, yielding rich, ripe fruit with well-integrated notes of toasty oak and vanilla and vibrant acidity on a lengthy finish, while the 93 pt. 2021 Gerard Bertrand Chateau l'Hospitalet Grand Vin La Clape Blanc is luscious blend of Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc and Vermentino, aged for 7-8 months with regular lees stirring to yield creamy, honeyed fruit hinting of spice with racy minerality and a bright, saline finish.

Described by the Wine Spectator’s Kristen Bieler as having “almost single handedly raised the reputation and quality of the region,” George Bertrand’s top scoring Chateau L’Hospitalet Grand Vins rank at the top of the Languedoc for combining quality and value, among “the world’s sexiest inexpensive wines” according Vinous and both affordably priced and seductively delicious reflections of their South of France terroir.

97D

Ripe Ribena and cassis flavours with perfumed cloves and fresh ground pepper. The full-bodied palate is rich with tannins and holds lots of oak while offering accents of baked fig, cooked cherry, and soy. The wine has the substance and quality to age gracefully.

97 points, Decanter (Jun 2022)

$29.98

Compare At: $34.99

60+ bottles in stock and ready to ship.

1

2016 Cos d'Estournel (750ml)

Cabernet Sauvignon from Saint-Estephe, Bordeaux, France

B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More

Boasting the stunning longevity typical of first growth Bordeaux, the quality of Cos d'Estournel has skyrocketed under the leadership of entrepreneur Michel Reybier since his purchase of the Chateau in 2000. Producing exceptionally elegant and opulent Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated Bordeaux blends year over year, this special selection from Cos d'Estournel encompasses a range of vintages from the 99pt 2005 to the 98+pt 2018, offering elegant, layered fruit, impressive texture and staggering intensity, some ready to enjoy now and all cellar-worthy for decades to come, now at exceptional pricing.

Situated on the hill just north of Lafite-Rothschild on the Route des Chateaux, the extravagant Taj Mahal-like façade of Cos d'Estournel hints at the spellbinding greatness of the wines produced on the estate, the iconic vista engraved on its labels. Established in southern Saint Estephe on Bordeaux's Left Bank in 1801, Cos d'Estournel was classified as a Second Growth in 1855 but over the last two decades under Reybier has acquired a reputation rivalling nearby first growth estates. With the assistance of technical director Dominique Arangoits, Michel Reybier's upgrades at Cos have included construction of a modern 100% gravity flow cellar to preserve the character of the fruit and the identification of different soil types in the vineyards to improve viticulture, improvements reflected in the wines' consistently excellent ratings over the last 15 vintages. Boasting a higher gravel content than most estates in Saint Estephe ("Cos" translates as "hill of pebbles"), the pebble-strewn vineyards are divided into distinct parcels based on soil type and exposure, with the vines averaging over 40 years of age. Employing extra care to preserve the estate's 100 year old Merlot vines, each parcel is meticulously tended and harvested at optimal ripeness, with the old vine Merlot contributing rich fruit and harmonic balance to the opulent signature style of Cos d'Estournel.

Over 200 years after founder Louis-Gaspard d'Estournel envisioned an estate that would create extraordinary wine, Cos d'Estournel is producing some of the most complex and ageworthy Bordeaux in the region, now under the thoughtful stewardship of Michel Reybier. Described as "one of Bordeaux's greatest properties" by Wine Spectator critic James Molesworth, these Cos d'Estournel Bordeaux blends are precise, focused and long-lived, offering the first growth quality of its nearby neighbors in Pauillac at a fraction of the price.

100WA 100V 100JS

The 2016 Cos d'Estournel is blended of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc aged in 65% new and 35% two-year-old French oak for 15 months. Bottled in July 2018, it is deep garnet-purple colored and starts off a little closed and reticent, opening out slowly and seductively to reveal beautiful lilacs, rose hip tea, crushed stones and camphor nuances over a core of crème de cassis, kirsch, wild blueberries and mocha plus wafts of incense and wood smoke. The palate is simply electric, charged with an energy and depth of flavors that seem to defy the elegance and ethereal nature of its medium-bodied weight, featuring super ripe, densely pixelated tannins that firmly frame the myriad of fruit and floral sparks, finishing with epic length. Just. Magic.

100 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate (Issue # Interim - Nov 2018)

The 2016 Cos d’Estournel was a bona fide showstopper out of barrel, the best that I had encountered in over 20 years of visiting the estate during en primeur, so my expectations were piled high when I returned to find out how it performs in bottle. Deep, almost opaque in color, it sports a very intense but broody bouquet with fathomless deep black fruit tinged with blueberry and violet. The aromas almost seem to envelop the senses. The palate is medium-bodied with ultra-fine tannin that I have never witnessed in any other vintage of Cos d’Estournel. There is a beguiling symmetry to this Saint-Estèphe, as well as unerring mineralité. The persistent, tobacco-tinged finish can be felt 60 second after the wine has departed. This is a monumental, benchmark Cos d’Estournel that will give not years but decades of pleasure, though I suspect it will close down for a period in its youth, hence my drinking window. 13.07% alcohol.

100 points, Neal Martin, Vinous (Jan 2019)

This is muscular yet so well defined and toned. Full-bodied with deep and dense fruit on the palate, yet powerful and rich at the same time. So much sandalwood and blackberry character. Chewy and rich at the finish. This is a warm and generous wine, but the alcohol is just over 13 degrees. Not that high. Love the finish. Extravagant. Magical. Try from 2025.

100 points, James Suckling (Feb 2019)

$279.88

Compare At: $279.99

53 bottles in stock and ready to ship.

1

2017 Le Cinciole Petresco (750ml)

Sangiovese from Tuscany, Italy

B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More

Described as a “gem of a producer” by Decanter, Podere Le Cinciole may well be the ultimate insider’s Tuscan estate, these high scoring, under the radar selections expressing the estate’s exceptional “golden” terroir in Chianti Classico's high altitude terrain and quietly gaining the lesser known Le Cinciole a reputation among critics including Antonio Galloni of Vinous as “one of the leading estates in all of Italy," each of these artisan-crafted red wines also among the region’s top values.

Situated on a biodiverse 30-hectare hilltop estate that includes an olive grove of 1,000 trees, Le Cinciole owners Luca Orsini and Valeria Vigano produce their measured, thoughtful wines from 11-hectares of biodynamically farmed vineyards in the Conca d’Oro, the amphitheater-shaped “golden basin” considered the Grand Cru of the region, planted in galestro soils of clay and schist ranging from 400 to 450 meters above sea level at one of the highest elevations in the region. Described as “one of the most distinctive wines in the appellation” by Vinous critic Antonio Galloni, the remarkably expressive 93 pt. 2019 Le Cinciole Chianti Classico and 92 pt. 2020 Le Cinciole Chianti Classico entry level cuvees were crafted from 100% Sangiovese and aged for 12 months in medium French oak barrels and a year in concrete before bottling, yielding seductive, earthy fruit and elegant tannins and described as “a perennial overperformer” by Decanter’s Michaela Morris that’s not to be missed. Crafted from 100% Sangiovese and aged well beyond the minimum requirement of 30 months for Chianti Classico's elite Gran Selezione category, Decanter critic Morris named the elegant 96 pt. 2016 Le Cinciole Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Aluigi one of her Top 10 wines of 2021, its luscious core of rich Sangiovese fruit and balanced mineral driven acidity boasting “quite a wow factor,” while Monica Larner of the Wine Advocate describes the “bold” 95 pt. 2018 Gran Selezione Aluigi as having “a lovely defined character” and Antonio Galloni of Vinous praises the 96 pt. 2019 Gran Selezione Aluigi as setting the gold standard for the classification, exclaiming “what a gorgeous wine this is.” A deeply layered blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with Syrah and Merlot, the exquisite 95 pt. 2016 Le Cinciole Camalaione is “absolutely gorgeous” according to critic Galloni, boasting lush dark fruits with remarkable persistence and balanced acidity, while the powerful 94 pt. 2017 Le Cinciole Camalaione “packs a huge punch” and the enticing 96 pt. 2018 Le Cinciole Camalaione is “a knockout,” describing the atypical blend as offering “stunning depth and textural intensity.” Sourced from 100% Sangiovese grown in a single vineyard at the estate’s highest elevation, Antonio Galloni calls the flagship 97 pt. 2017 Le Cinciole Petresco “breathtaking” while the 98 pt. 2019 Le Cinciole Petresco boasts “notable depth and intensity,” and like all Le Cinciole’s top cuvees, both are built to deliver pleasurable drinking over the next decade and beyond.

While Panzano and the Conca D’Oro have gained notoriety among collectors as the home to high profile producers like Fontodi, Le Cinciole's top scoring wines remain among Tuscany’s hidden treasures, still seeming “to fly under the radar” according to Antonio Galloni and a rare opportunity for lovers and collectors of bold Tuscan reds to “strike gold” and scoop up a stash of Le Cinciole’s purely irresistible wines at unbeatable prices.

98V

The 2017 Petresco is a stunning, utterly captivating wine. In a vintage that produced so many rich, opulent reds, Petresco is vertical in build and endowed with tremendous energy. Black cherry, spice, leather, tobacco, licorice and dried flowers open with a bit of coaxing. All the elements are so well balanced. The purity of the fruit is breathtaking. What a wine!

98 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Sep 2021)

2020 Raymond Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Selection (750ml)

Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa, California

B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More

Reflecting its owner's commitment to producing authentic, terroir-driven wines, this dynamic duo from Raymond Vineyards are two of Napa Valley’s top values, the enticing 92 pt. 2021 Raymond Chardonnay Reserve Selection and elegant 92 pt. 2020 Raymond Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Selection both sourced from exceptional Napa fruit at an outstanding price for stocking up.

Known for his larger-than-life personality and flamboyant velvet jacket attire, Burgundy-born Jean-Charles Boisset is a true believer that great wines are made in the vineyard, his first priority after purchasing Raymond Vineyards in 2009 to upgrade the existing 90-acre property and implement organic and biodynamic viticulture. Established in Napa Valley over 50 years by long-time Beringer winemaker Roy Raymond, Raymond Vineyards now spans over 300 acres in Rutherford and St. Helena, the vineyards and winemaking managed under the direction of 100 pt. consulting winemaker Phillipe Melka since 2009. In addition to gaining organic and biodynamic certification for the vineyards and building one of Napa's largest solar panel projects to generate electricity for the winery, Boisset hired former Far Niente winemaker Stephanie Putnam to work alongside Melka to refine the blends, consistently garnering 90 plus point ratings throughout her tenure. Grown in cooler vineyards in south Napa and Carneros, the elegant 92 pt. 2021 Raymond Chardonnay Reserve Selection comes from “a classic vintage in the making” according to James Suckling, barrel fermented in 18% new French oak without malolactic fermentation and sur lie aged for 10 months before being bottled and yielding aromatic fresh fruit hinting of toasty spice with vibrant acidity.

Expertly crafted from outstanding Napa fruit, this duo of top scoring Raymond Reserve Selections boast a winning combination of quality and value, both ready to enjoy now and promising pleasurable drinking for years ahead at an easy to reach for price.

92WE 91WS

Ultrasmooth in texture and quite chocolaty in flavor, this posh, opulent wine offers good cinnamon, mint and cedar accents over chocolate and raspberries that linger nicely on the finish. Drink from 2024.

92 points, Jim Gordon, Wine Enthusiast (Oct 2023)

This has floral lift from a violet edge, with a fruit core of raspberry and blackberry focused by a racy element. Shows bramble for grip as well as good energy through the finish, where a hint of the vintage's heat pokes in along the edges. Drink now through 2033. 14,000 cases made.

91 points, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator (Nov 2023)

$39.98

Compare At: $44.99

60+ bottles in stock and ready to ship.

1

2021 Girolamo Russo Etna Rosso 'a Rina (750ml)

From Etna, Sicily, Italy

B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More

Described as “one of the volcano’s most talented producers” by the Wine Advocate’s Monic Larner, these selections from winemaker Giuseppe Russo of Girolamo Russo features some of Sicily’s top-rated Mount Etna wines, a terrific opportunity to explore the outstanding range of wines crafted from Sicily’s volcanic terroir by a masterful winemaker that “never disappoints” at best on the market pricing.

While the steep, terraced vineyards of Mount Etna have attracted winemakers and consultants from all over the world, winemaker Giuseppe Russo is Sicilian born and bred, drawn back to his family’s roots in Passopisciaro after the death of his father Girolamo who had been farming vineyards on the slopes of Mt. Etna for decades but never bottling his own wine. Establishing the winery that bears his father’s name in 2005, Giuseppe’s organically farmed vineyards span 15 hectares on Etna’s windy northern slope, surrounded by olive and hazelnut trees at altitudes from 650 to 780 meters above sea level and planted with a range of indigenous grapes including the white Carricante and red Nerello Mascalese in Etna’s wide-ranging mineral-rich volcanic soils. Arranged in rows along narrow terraces held in place by stone walls, the steep terrain requires all the vineyard work including harvesting be done by hand, the ungrafted, gnarly bush vines called albarelli or “little trees” ranging from 80 to 100 years of age and divided into individual plots or single vineyards known locally as contradas based on each parcel’s unique soil composition. Sourced from 80 year old Nerello Mascalese and “an incredible value” rose according to the Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner, the elegant 92 pt. 2022 Girolamo Russo Etna Rosato blends fresh, ripe red berry and stone fruit flavors with nuances of mineral and spice and crisp acidity, while the enticing lemony-colored 93 pt. 2022 Etna Bianco Nerina is “a total pleasure to take in” according to Eric Guido of Vinous, boasting fragrant tropical fruit with zesty lemon on a mineral finish. A blend of Nerello Mascalese and Cappucio from various sites, Giuseppe co-fermented the grapes for the 94 pt. 2021 Girolamo Russo Etna Rosso 'a Rina in stainless steel and open tanks before aging it for 12 months in large Slavonian oak casks and concrete tanks and six months longer in bottle, yielding aromatic, bright red fruit hinting of nutty spice with smooth, silky tannins. Described as “remarkably pretty” by Eric Guido of Vinous, the 96 pt. 2021 Girolamo Russo Etna Rosso San Lorenzo “is one of the most impressive interpretations of Etna” according to the Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner revealing rich, vibrant fruit and an elegant silky texture, while the 96 pt. 2021 Girolamo Russo Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana Etna Rosso from 100% Nerello Mascalese is “one of the finest wines made on Etna in recent years,” revealing concentrated, ripe berry fruit with refined, chalky tannins. Sourced from the estate’s oldest high elevation vines, the refined 96 pt. 2021 Girolamo Russo Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo is described as “beautifully ethereal and almost weightless in character” by critic Larner, offering darker, fleshy fruit and streamlined tannins that promise longevity.

Recently declaring “Sicily is going through a Golden Age,” Vinous critic Eric Guido notes “the best part is that, overall, the wines are still an amazing value,” these highly rated selections from Girolamo Russo artfully expressing Mt. Etna’s uniquely volcanic terroir and unbeatably priced to explore and savor the wines of Sicily’s most exciting region.

94JS 93WA 92D

Plenty of citrus, orange peel, honey and beeswax with some pumice and volcanic soil character. Medium body, with firm and integrated tannins that are energetic and integrated. Very pretty now but even better in three or four years. Drink or hold.

94 points, James Suckling (Sep 2023)

This is the entry-level red from Girolamo Russo. Made with Nerello Mascalese and about 10% Nerello Cappuccio blended from various vineyard sites, the 2021 Etna Rosso 'a Rina offers terrific value with wild berry, blue flower and crushed stone over an elegant mouthfeel. The emphasis is on freshness and balance.

93 points, Monica Larner, Wine Advocate (Jun 2023)

This is what Giuseppe describes as his ‘Etna classico’ yet this undersells the complexity of the winemaking and the final result. Nerellos Mascalese and Cappuccio from San Lorenzo, Feudo, Calderara Sottana and Feudo di Mezzo are co-fermented in stainless steel and open vats with indigenous yeasts, then malo takes place in barriques. The wine is matured for 12 months in large Slavonian oak casks and concrete tanks. It has an enticing aroma of red and black cherries, almond, spices and balsam. In the mouth it's bright and intense, with a good body and balanced spicy red fruits. Fleshy and succulent, the finish is stony and slightly bitter (in a positive way).

92 points, James Button, Decanter (May 2023)

$29.98

Compare At: $34.99

60+ bottles in stock and ready to ship.

1

2021 Lemelson Pinot Noir Thea's Selection (750ml)

Pinot Noir from Willamette, Oregon

B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More

From a year Decanter’s Clive Pursehouse calls “a five star vintage for the Willamette Valley,” this selection of 21 exceptional 2021 Oregon Pinot Noir offers a comprehensive range of the vintage’s top rated wines value priced for lovers and collectors of exceptional Pinot Noir, a vintage filled with high scoring Pinots “worthy of your investment of time and money” according to Jeb Dunnuck whether selecting a few favorites or mixing a case.

After a challenging 2020 vintage of unprecedented wildfires in which many producers did not even produce red wines, Willamette Valley winemakers enjoyed a relatively easy 2021 growing season, starting with warm and dry conditions at the beginning of the vines’ dormant season in Fall 2020 and followed by a Winter without any significant damage despite severe snow and ice storms. Following budbreak in mid-April, an early bloom occurred in the first part of June with heavy rains that normally would have been problematic had they not been followed by a record setting “heat dome” when temperatures reached up to an astounding 117.5°F over a three day period across the Pacific Northwest, the wet soil protecting the vines from damage and encouraging healthy growth. The warm and dry remainder of the season prevented any mildew or disease, while cooler temperatures and substantial rain in September allowed the grapes to fully ripen and led to an extended and nearly perfect harvest producing “concentrated Pinot Noirs with fine tannins sure to become age worthy collectables” according to Decanter.

Describing the 2021 Oregon growing season, Audrey Frick of Jeb Dunnuck sums it up as “a stellar vintage, with the wines displaying an outstanding balance of ripeness, depth, and tension" and "equally compelling" as wines from California and Burgundy at a fraction of the price, these exceptional, top rated 2021 Oregon Pinots certain to match a broad array of individual tastes and all over delivering value.

92V 92WS

A smoky blend of wild herbs, ground ginger and crushed raspberries smolders up from the 2021 Pinot Noir Thea's Selection. It's softly textured with cooling minerality and pure red berry fruits underscored by saline minerals. Zesty acidity adds a liveliness through the finish as the 2021 tapers off long and spicy yet only lightly tannic.

92 points, Eric Guido, Vinous (Jan 2024)

Brisk and generous, with snappy cherry and pomegranate flavors highlighted by oolong tea and savory spices. Concludes with fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2031. 10,000 cases made.

92 points, Tim Fish, Wine Spectator (Feb 2024)

$27.98

Compare At: $34.99

60+ bottles in stock and ready to ship.

1

2021 Martinelli Pinot Noir Bondi Home Ranch (750ml)

Pinot Noir from Russian River, California

B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More

From an outstanding vintage for fans and collectors of California Pinot Noir, these top rated 2021 selections offer a comprehensive range of styles matching an array of individual tastes, all value priced for stocking up on a favorite and perfect for mixing a case.

Regardless of which microclimate it hails from, Pinot Noir in the Sonoma Coast AVA enjoyed consistently moderate growing conditions in 2021, with warm weather in the early part of the year kicking off the growing season early. The summer was marked by cool temperatures and dry conditions without prolonged heat spikes that yielded even ripening with extended hangtime and steady yields. Calling the 2021 Sonoma Coast Pinots “fabulous,” Antonio Galloni of Vinous describes them as “potent, brooding wines with dark fruit profiles and tons of textural depth” their deep structure and superb balance promising longevity. Situated about 350 miles south of Sonoma’s Russian River Valley, the Central Coast also enjoyed a cooler growing season in 2021, described by Jeb Dunnuck as an “undeniably great vintage” that “will be loved by those who prioritize finesse and elegance.” Experiencing a long even growing season without any heat spikes, dry conditions in the Central Coast required a judicious use of irrigation in 2021 that produced healthy fruit but smaller yields, the top talent in the region producing rich and age worthy Pinot. Jeb Dunnuck describes the 2021 Central Coast Pinots as “fresh, vibrant, yet concentrated wines with the up-front purity and charm to drink well today, yet the structure and depth to age gracefully,” while Antonio Galloni of Vinous declared the favorable conditions produced “a wide range of exceptional, world-class wines.”

Summing up the 2021 vintage for California Pinot, the Wine Spectator’s Aaron Romano declares “2021 has all the makings of a banner year for California, especially for Pinot Noir. There were no extreme heatwaves and yields were slightly lower than average, which has translated into reds with expressive fruit character and natural vibrancy,” these impressive 2021 Cali Pinot Noir selections showcasing a range of styles offered at value pricing to enjoy now and over the next decades.

96JD 95WS #19 Top 100 94WA

From the coolest area of the Russian River sites at the estate, the 2021 Pinot Noir Bondi Home Ranch is lifted with candied roses, pine, and pure red cherry. It is full-bodied, with a good spine of acidity, ripe well-balanced tannins, a focused feel, and a long finish with ripe red plum and spices. Drink 2024-2040.

96 points, Audrey Frick, Jeb Dunnuck (Jul 2023)

#19 - Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2023

Loaded, with gorgeous succulent, lush boysenberry, mulberry and açaí berry fruit seamlessly inlaid with singed apple wood, anise and fruitcake details. Gains additional beguilement from a late flash of potpourri and black tea. Drink now through 2032. 863 cases made.

95 points, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator (Sep 2023)

The 2021 Pinot Noir Bondi Home Ranch has deep scents of red cherry, mushroom and forest floor—it's still youthfully dense. The medium-bodied palate is chalky and seamless and boasts expansive, spicy fruit, generous earthy accents and a layered, lifted finish. It needs 2 to 3+ years in bottle to unwind. 868 cases were made.

94 points, Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate (Sep 2023)

$69.98

Compare At: $79.99

25 bottles in stock and ready to ship.

1

2017 Cos d'Estournel (750ml)

Cabernet Sauvignon from Saint-Estephe, Bordeaux, France

B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More

Boasting the stunning longevity typical of first growth Bordeaux, the quality of Cos d'Estournel has skyrocketed under the leadership of entrepreneur Michel Reybier since his purchase of the Chateau in 2000. Producing exceptionally elegant and opulent Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated Bordeaux blends year over year, this special selection from Cos d'Estournel encompasses a range of vintages from the 99pt 2005 to the 98+pt 2018, offering elegant, layered fruit, impressive texture and staggering intensity, some ready to enjoy now and all cellar-worthy for decades to come, now at exceptional pricing.

Situated on the hill just north of Lafite-Rothschild on the Route des Chateaux, the extravagant Taj Mahal-like façade of Cos d'Estournel hints at the spellbinding greatness of the wines produced on the estate, the iconic vista engraved on its labels. Established in southern Saint Estephe on Bordeaux's Left Bank in 1801, Cos d'Estournel was classified as a Second Growth in 1855 but over the last two decades under Reybier has acquired a reputation rivalling nearby first growth estates. With the assistance of technical director Dominique Arangoits, Michel Reybier's upgrades at Cos have included construction of a modern 100% gravity flow cellar to preserve the character of the fruit and the identification of different soil types in the vineyards to improve viticulture, improvements reflected in the wines' consistently excellent ratings over the last 15 vintages. Boasting a higher gravel content than most estates in Saint Estephe ("Cos" translates as "hill of pebbles"), the pebble-strewn vineyards are divided into distinct parcels based on soil type and exposure, with the vines averaging over 40 years of age. Employing extra care to preserve the estate's 100 year old Merlot vines, each parcel is meticulously tended and harvested at optimal ripeness, with the old vine Merlot contributing rich fruit and harmonic balance to the opulent signature style of Cos d'Estournel.

Over 200 years after founder Louis-Gaspard d'Estournel envisioned an estate that would create extraordinary wine, Cos d'Estournel is producing some of the most complex and ageworthy Bordeaux in the region, now under the thoughtful stewardship of Michel Reybier. Described as "one of Bordeaux's greatest properties" by Wine Spectator critic James Molesworth, these Cos d'Estournel Bordeaux blends are precise, focused and long-lived, offering the first growth quality of its nearby neighbors in Pauillac at a fraction of the price.

98WA 98JS

Composed of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, yields for the grand vin in 2017 were 43 hectoliters per hectare, and it was aged in 60% new oak. It came in at an alcohol of 13% and an IPT of 68. Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Cos d'Estournel needs a little coaxing to unfurl, revealing beautiful expressions of preserved plums, boysenberries, blackcurrant pastilles and wild blueberries with hints of Indian spices, menthol, lilacs and mossy tree bark plus a compelling suggestion of iron ore. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a solid backbone of firm, grainy tannins and well-knit freshness supporting the tightly wound blue and black fruits layers, finishing long and fragrant. This wine will need a good 5-7 years in bottle before it begins to blossom and should go on for at least another 40 years. I expect this wine to be a blockbuster of a head-turner when I come back and taste it at 10 years of age!

98+ points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate (Mar 2020)

Quite the bottle here! Spices, such as nutmeg and cinnamon, as well as dried meat and plums with cedar and sandalwood. Full body. Deep and dense in the center palate and a long, long finish. Shows finesse and tightness. Very polished tannins. Long and ethereal. Try after 2023.

98 points, James Suckling (Jan 2020)

$159.88

Compare At: $169.99

33 bottles in stock and ready to ship.

1

2019 Boscarelli Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (750ml)

Sangiovese from Tuscany, Italy

B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More

Described by Eric Guido of Vinous as “benchmarks in the region,” the 94 pt. 2019 Boscarelli Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and the 95 pt. 2018 Boscarelli Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Sotto Casa Riserva layer richly aromatic and vibrant Sangiovese fruit with polished, elegant tannins, two enticing, terroir-driven gems delivering outstanding value and promising fans of bold Tuscan reds years of enjoyment.

Located near the picturesque hillside village of Montepulciano near the southern border of Chianti Classico, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano has a long history of producing exceptional Sangiovese wines dating back over five centuries in the region, in recent years shedding its underdog reputation in the shadows of its higher profile Tuscan neighbors by focusing on the “natural translucence and expressivity of Sangiovese” according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous. Established in the early 1960’s and now run by third generation brothers Luca and Nicolo De Ferrari, Boscarelli sources their Vino Nobile wines from 18 hectares of estate vineyards in Cervognano at around 300 meters above sea level, planted mostly to Sangiovese with smaller amounts of indigenous varietals as well as parcels of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Described by Decanter’s Michaela Morris as “simply one of the best straight up Vino Nobiles I have tasted,” the elegant 94 pt. 2019 Boscarelli Vino Nobile di Montepulciano was aged in a mix of French and Slavonian oak barrels for 18-24 months with six months more in bottle, yielding ripe, bright fruit “with fine balance and a lingering finish” according to the Wine Spectator’s Bruce Sanderson. A blend of 80% Sangiovese with 12% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon harvested and fermented separately, the opulent 95 pt. 2018 Boscarelli Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Sotto Casa Riserva matured in a mix of 5 to 40-hectoliter French oak casks for 24 -30 months, described as “spicy and perfumed” with “a salty mineral underpinning” by Eric Guido of Vinous with lush, harmonious tannins built to evolve over a decade.

Among “some of the most beautiful wines in the appellation” according to the Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner, the 94 pt. 2019 Boscarelli Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and the 95 pt. 2018 Boscarelli Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Sotto Casa Riserva are deeply satisfying and elegant Vino Nobiles, summed up by Vinous critic Antonio Galloni as “wines of real character that also offer tremendous quality for the money” and a sure bet for Italian wine lovers seeking meticulously crafted, long-lived Tuscan reds that overdeliver value.

94D 93JS 92WA

Boscarelli is located in the revered area of Cervognano. Established in 1962, it's now run by third-generation brothers Luca and Nicolò De Ferrari, who have gradually been replanting the vineyards since 1987. The gorgeous 2016 Vino Nobile includes local blending varieties, Canaiolo Nero, Colorino and Mammolo. A spectrum of enticing aromas greets the nose, from rose, violets and wild cherry to sage and thyme. Elegant, savoury and deceptively light on its feet, the palate proposes sweet yet tangy fruit with layers of finessed, powdery tannin. This superb wine is just at the start of its evolution.

94 points, Michaela Morris, Decanter (Feb 2019)

An understated Vino Nobile with discreet minerals, spiced plums, cumin and tarry savoriness that needs some time to pull together and open up further. Quite nicely chewy and tight, with a full-bodied palate and a clean, mineral finish. A little demanding now, but shows potential. Try after 2024.

93 points, James Suckling (Aug 2022)

The Boscarelli 2019 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano opens immediately to red and purple fruits, but the wine also has an ethereal side with cola, licorice and grilled herb. The tannins are firm and chalky, and the wine concludes with bright acidity. The blend is 85% Sangiovese with smaller parts of Canaiolo, Colorino and Mammolo. Final production is 50,000 bottles.

92 points, Monica Larner, Wine Advocate (Dec 2023)

$34.98

Compare At: $39.99

60+ bottles in stock and ready to ship.

1

2020 Chateau Laroque (750ml)

Merlot from Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, France

B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More

A newly arriving container filled with top rated Bordeaux, these 2020 Bordeaux selections boast outstanding quality across the board at unparalleled value pricing, from a vintage of “brilliant wines” according to the Wine Advocate’s William Kelley and described by Vinous critic Antonio Galloni as “a year brimming with phenomenal wines at all levels, from the big names down to bottles the average consumer can still afford to purchase by the case.”

Although there were no significant heat spikes throughout the growing season, 2020 was a warm growing season overall in Bordeaux, with generally well-timed rain in the Spring followed by extremely dry summer weather that prevented the development of mildew. While summer drought conditions led to smaller berries and yields for Cabernet Sauvignon, mid-August rains on the Right Bank plumped up Merlot and cool September evenings during the last phase of ripening preserved freshness in the wines. Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson noted that “clay-limestone soils did brilliantly against the heat of the summer, favoring the St Emilion plateau” with an impressive array of wines also coming from the gravel soils of Pauillac and St Julien. Describing the white wines of 2020, Anson declares there are “plenty of delicious bottles,” the earlier harvest delivering “exotic fruit flavors with grip and personality.” Describing 2020 as “an incredibly exciting vintage for Bordeaux,” Antonio Galloni of Vinous finds remarkable quality in each of the Left Bank appellations, while calling Saint Emilion “one of the sweet spots of 2020” and noting “readers will find a bevy of compelling wines from satellite appellations” including Haut-Medoc and Fronsac. Called “an incredible classic vintage” by Jeb Dunnuck producing “a solid swath of cellar-worthy buys in the $65-and-under range” according to the Wine Spectator’s James Molesworth, critic James Suckling summed up the vintage well, declaring “if you buy or drink a bottle of top-rated 2020 Bordeaux, you are going to be more than happy. In fact, you most likely will be elated” and noting “many of the wines give pleasure for a young wine but the best will age for decades ahead.”

Summing it up as “a great modern-day Bordeaux vintage,” Antonio Galloni notes the wines are “less extracted, more vibrant and, frankly, much more fun to drink,” this well priced, wide-ranging offer a terrific opportunity to stock up on an array of age worthy Bordeaux from an exceptional 2020 vintage that according to Neal Martin of Vinous “delivers the goods.”

97WI 96V 95JD 95JA

A blend of 99% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc, the 2020 Laroque is deep garnet-purple in color. A little subdued to begin, offering subtle notes of crushed rocks and damp soil, it opens out to a core of ripe black and red plums and fresh blackberries, plus a fragrant waft of lilacs. The full-bodied palate is bursting with taut, muscular black fruits and amazing tension, framed by ripe, rounded tannins, and finishing with great length and depth.

97 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent (Mar 2023)

The 2020 Laroque is even better than the en primeur sample. Dark and enveloping, with tons of class, Laroque is a winner. Succulent dark plum, gravel, spice, menthol, licorice and pipe tobacco give the 2020 tons of nuance. Laroque is class personified. Winemaker David Suire is doing important work here.

96 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Feb 2023)

From an estate that has been on an incredible run of late, largely due to the talents of director David Suire, the 2020 Château Laroque shows the cooler, limestone-driven style of the terroir beautifully and has a clean, focused style in its darker (almost blue) berry fruits as well as chalky minerality, violets, spice, and floral nuances. Medium-bodied on the palate, this focused, straight, remarkably pure Saint-Emilion has terrific mid-palate depth and a great finish. It needs to be hidden in the cellar for a solid 4-5 years if possible and is going to have 30 years of longevity. If drinking any time soon, give it an hour in a decanter.

95+ points, Jeb Dunnuck (Mar 2023)

There is such incredible balance to this wine, with deftly expressed black and blue fruits, espresso, liqourice and cocoa bean shavings, all delivered slowly but surely through the palate, held in by sculpted tannins, and wet stone texture. This is my biggest upscore from En Primeur - I noted at the time that it was extremely closed, but it is now showing its incredible potential, and is a great value wine. David Suire director, owners Beaumartin family, 61ha of vines.

95 points, Jane Anson (Feb 2023)

2020 Guy Farge Saint Peray (750ml)

Marsanne from Saint-Peray, Rhône, France

B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More

Here’s an exciting duo of top scoring Northern Rhone wines from one of the region’s rising stars, the enticing 92 pt. 2020 Guy Farge Saint Peray white and the robust 93 pt. 2020 Guy Farge Saint Joseph Terroir de Granit red offering lush, layered complexity that promises pleasurable drinking for years to come at a fraction of the price of higher profile producers and a perfect opportunity to mix a case at extraordinary value pricing.

Perched on a rugged slope with panoramic views of the Rhone and the village of Tain L’Hermitage, the winery of Domaine Guy Farge is headquartered in an unassuming building in Saint Jean de Muzols, its small tasting room overlooking the vast river valley known for producing some of the world’s greatest wines and now run by Guy's son, Thomas Farge. Dating back to the 1920’s, the Farge family has been renowned for growing quality grapes in the region, a reputation that has continued to rise with Thomas' implementation of sustainable viticultural practices since taking the reins including farming their 22 acres of estate vineyards organically and plowing the steep parcels with horses. Located in the most southerly appellation of the Northern Rhone, Guy Farge’s vineyard in Saint Peray is a small hillside parcel with a mix of the same varietals used to craft white Hermitage, the vines averaging 40 years of age planted in clay and calcareous limestone soils that contribute to its characteristic minerality. Fermenting the unique blend of 90% Roussanne and 10% Marsanne with indigenous yeasts, Thomas aged the intensely aromatic 2020 Guy Farge Saint Peray Grain de Silex on the lees in stainless steel vats with a small portion in older barrels, yielding “one of the finest vintages of this cuvee I’ve tasted” according to Jeb Dunnuck with richly textured, mouth coating fresh fruit and zesty, mineral-driven acidity that begs for another sip. Produced from the terraced, rocky vineyards near the winery from vines averaging 60 years of age, the classically styled 2020 Guy Farge Saint Joseph Terroir de Granit was aged in used 400-liter barrels for 12 months, revealing juicy ripe dark fruit hinting of cracked pepper and smokey flint with elegant, integrated tannins, described as “a serious Northern Rhone red” by Decanter’s Matt Walls that’s built to age a decade or more.

For fans and collectors of Northern Rhone wines seeking a great deal and anyone looking to discover the authentic wines of the region, these artisan-crafted cuvees from Domaine Guy Farge boast the enticing flavors and rich complexity of wines more than double the price, a terrific opportunity to enjoy two stunning values that represent the best of their appellations without breaking the bank.

92WA 91JS 90JD

Fresh and lively pear and citrus notes appear on the nose of the 2020 Saint Peray Grain de Silex, joined by honeyed hints of riper stone fruit or perhaps barrel influence. An assemblage of 90% Roussanne (unusually high for the appellation) and 10% Marsanne, vinified and aged in a combination of tank (70%) and barrel (30%), it's medium to full-bodied, richly textured and just a pleasure to drink.

92 points, Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate (Jan 2022)

The wide spectrum of candied citrus and stone fruit aromas make this rich and creamy Saint-Peray enticing. Plenty of energy on the medium-bodied palate, then a long, rather soft finish with touches of caramel and butterscotch. Drink now.

91 points, James Suckling (Jan 2023)

Mostly Roussanne, the 2020 Saint-Péray Grain De Silex has an attractive, sappy, vibrant, medium-bodied style as well as notes of ripe citrus and sappy herbs. It's well-made and builds nicely with time in the glass, picking up more classic richness and depth. It's clearly an outstanding wine and one of the finest vintages of this cuvée I've tasted.

90 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Feb 2022)

$19.98

Compare At: $23.99

60+ bottles in stock and ready to ship.

1

2019 Clos Apalta (750ml)

Carmenere from Apalta Vineyard, Colchagua Valley, Chile

B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More

“There’s no doubt that Clos Apalta is one of the world’s greatest red wines.”

James Suckling

The powerful 99pt 2019 Clos Apalta from Chile’s Casa Lapostolle is a stunner, an elegantly crafted Bordeaux-style blend offering layers of dark plush fruit with rippling, juicy tannins on a lengthy finish, a perennial B-21 favorite that’s guaranteed to sell out quickly at our best on the market pricing.

Arriving in the Colchagua Valley in 1994, French Grand Marnier heiress Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle and her husband Cyril de Bournet were inspired by the exceptional Chilean terroir to craft a world class wine, tapping into the winemaking expertise of renowned French oenologist Michel Rolland to lead the restoration of the century old vineyards and construction of a new state of the art winery. Releasing this 22^nd vintage now under the direction of their son Charles-Henri de Bournet, Clos Apalta is the only South American wine ever to garner the coveted #1 spot on the Wine Spectator’s Top 100, named an astounding five times to the list and regularly earning “classic” ratings of 95 pts. and above. Sourced mainly from two blocks of old vines planted in a myriad of granitic soils in the 1920’s, the biodynamically farmed Clos Apalta vineyards are in the shadow of the towering coastal Cordillera Mountains, protected from the searing sun while enjoying a cool maritime mist most mornings that creates optimal conditions for ripening Carmenere while maintaining its freshness and acidity. Blending mostly Carmenere with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and a little Petit Verdot, winemaker Jacques Begarie aged the 99 pt. 2019 Clos Apalta for 24 months in 90% new French oak barrels before bottling without filtering or fining, yielding lush complexity and hedonistic richness with age-worthy structure placing it among the world’s greatest wines.

Celebrating the estate’s decades of success on its 20^th anniversary, Clos Apalta’s Charles-Henri de Bournet declared “this is no time for complacency” – reflecting the estate’s never-ending drive for perfection, the outstanding 99 pt. 2019 Clos Apalta is equally appealing to those who already know it well and any lover of bold reds looking to explore the top tier of Chilean wines at an outstanding value.

99JS #11 Top 100

A generous array of ripe black and blue fruit with pink peppercorns, green olives, dried flowers, toffee and chocolate orange. It’s full-bodied with firm, creamy and velvety tannins. Long and polished. Lovely salted caramel and olives at the end. Keeps going. Unfolds on the finish. 70% carmenere, 18% merlot, 8% cabernet sauvignon and 4% petit verdot. Drink or hold.

99 points, James Suckling (Jun 2022)

#11 - James Suckling Top 100 of 2022

$119.98

Compare At: $129.99

60+ bottles in stock and ready to ship.

1

2022 Brocard Chablis Vieilles Vignes de 1946 (750ml)

Chardonnay from Chablis, Burgundy, France

B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More

Ranging from fresh entry level cuvees to robustly structured 1er and Grand Crus, these top scoring selections from Jean Marc Brocard promise to over deliver value for fans of White Burgundy seeking a great deal, a rich assortment for Chablis fans and anyone looking for meticulously crafted white wines to enjoy now and over the next decade.

Located just down the Route de Chablis in the village of Prehy, Jean Marc Brocard’s winery was established with 1.5 hectares of vines from his wife’s family nearly 50 years ago, the estate’s vineyard holdings expanding to over 200 hectares and now under the direction of his son Julien who joined his father as vineyard manager in 1997 who spearheaded the estate’s transition to organic farming, From the only Burgundy appellation that allows non-Burgundian grapes, the 2022 Brocard Saint-Bris is a highly aromatic Sauvignon Blanc matured in wooden vats boasting crisp citrus fruit and grassy notes with brisk, mineral-driven acidity while the 100% Chardonnay 91 pt. 2022 Brocard Chablis Ste. Claire is “one of the hidden gems from Brocard” according to Neal Martin of Vinous, offering enticing aromatic fruit balanced by fresh acidity. Described as “excellent” by critic Neal Martin, the vibrant 94 pt. 2022 Brocard Chablis Vieilles Vignes de Sainte Claire balances the fresh, aromatic flavors of 75-year-old vine Chardonnay fruit with vibrant minerality while the richly concentrated 93 pt. 2022 Brocard Vieilles Vignes de 1946 offers creamy textured fruit on a fresh, polished finish, this special cuvee sourced from a single plot of low-yielding vines planted near the winery just after the end of World War II. Brocard’s highly rated 1er Cru selections include the elegant 92 pt. 2022 Brocard Chablis 1er Cru Montmains revealing rich, ripe fruit and fresh mineral-driven acidity, the exquisite 92 pt. 2022 Brocard Chablis 1er Cru Vau de Vey that’s “both classy and complex” according to Andy Howard of Decanter, and the stunning 94 pt. 2022 Brocard Chablis 1er Cru Vaulorent from the sole 1er Cru vineyard on the Grand Cru hill, a powerfully elegant 1er Cru with notable concentration and fresh, focused acidity. Ranked #8 on Decanter’s Top 10 Grand Cru Chablis of 2022, the powerful 95 pt. 2022 Brocard Valmur Grand Cru offers fresh, ripe lightly spiced fruit with well-balanced minerality and a lingering salinity, a rich and harmonious Grand Cru promising to develop over the next decade.

Hailed as a “year to snap up” by Decanter’s Andy Howard, these impressive 2022 Jean Marc Brocard selections elegantly balance the vintage’s ripeness with fresh acidity and enticing minerality, masterfully crafted by one of the region’s top producers and among northern Burgundy’s finest values well priced for stocking up.

93D 93RAS

Dense and rich style with a hint of reduction on the nose. More peach fruit than the citrus seen in Brocard's other Chablis. Love the extra weight here, very classy and fine. Aged in wood (petit foudre of 15 hectolitres). Comes from a massale selection planted after the Second World War.

93 points, Andy Howard, Decanter (Oct 2023)

Old vine weight and density expected and delivered. Great aromatics. Mineral with lemon peel aromatics. Recently bottled, so rewarded when allowed to open, at least through 2023. Due to the richness of the old vines, this is drinking really well now, and for a few years. As white Burgundy goes these days, this is an exceptional value.

93 points, Bob Sprentall, B-21 Proprietor (Aug 2023)

$34.98

Compare At: $39.99

60+ bottles in stock and ready to ship.

1

2022 Girolamo Russo Etna Rosato (750ml)

Nerello Mascalese from Etna, Sicily, Italy

B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More

Described as “one of the volcano’s most talented producers” by the Wine Advocate’s Monic Larner, these selections from winemaker Giuseppe Russo of Girolamo Russo features some of Sicily’s top-rated Mount Etna wines, a terrific opportunity to explore the outstanding range of wines crafted from Sicily’s volcanic terroir by a masterful winemaker that “never disappoints” at best on the market pricing.

While the steep, terraced vineyards of Mount Etna have attracted winemakers and consultants from all over the world, winemaker Giuseppe Russo is Sicilian born and bred, drawn back to his family’s roots in Passopisciaro after the death of his father Girolamo who had been farming vineyards on the slopes of Mt. Etna for decades but never bottling his own wine. Establishing the winery that bears his father’s name in 2005, Giuseppe’s organically farmed vineyards span 15 hectares on Etna’s windy northern slope, surrounded by olive and hazelnut trees at altitudes from 650 to 780 meters above sea level and planted with a range of indigenous grapes including the white Carricante and red Nerello Mascalese in Etna’s wide-ranging mineral-rich volcanic soils. Arranged in rows along narrow terraces held in place by stone walls, the steep terrain requires all the vineyard work including harvesting be done by hand, the ungrafted, gnarly bush vines called albarelli or “little trees” ranging from 80 to 100 years of age and divided into individual plots or single vineyards known locally as contradas based on each parcel’s unique soil composition. Sourced from 80 year old Nerello Mascalese and “an incredible value” rose according to the Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner, the elegant 92 pt. 2022 Girolamo Russo Etna Rosato blends fresh, ripe red berry and stone fruit flavors with nuances of mineral and spice and crisp acidity, while the enticing lemony-colored 93 pt. 2022 Etna Bianco Nerina is “a total pleasure to take in” according to Eric Guido of Vinous, boasting fragrant tropical fruit with zesty lemon on a mineral finish. A blend of Nerello Mascalese and Cappucio from various sites, Giuseppe co-fermented the grapes for the 94 pt. 2021 Girolamo Russo Etna Rosso 'a Rina in stainless steel and open tanks before aging it for 12 months in large Slavonian oak casks and concrete tanks and six months longer in bottle, yielding aromatic, bright red fruit hinting of nutty spice with smooth, silky tannins. Described as “remarkably pretty” by Eric Guido of Vinous, the 96 pt. 2021 Girolamo Russo Etna Rosso San Lorenzo “is one of the most impressive interpretations of Etna” according to the Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner revealing rich, vibrant fruit and an elegant silky texture, while the 96 pt. 2021 Girolamo Russo Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana Etna Rosso from 100% Nerello Mascalese is “one of the finest wines made on Etna in recent years,” revealing concentrated, ripe berry fruit with refined, chalky tannins. Sourced from the estate’s oldest high elevation vines, the refined 96 pt. 2021 Girolamo Russo Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo is described as “beautifully ethereal and almost weightless in character” by critic Larner, offering darker, fleshy fruit and streamlined tannins that promise longevity.

Recently declaring “Sicily is going through a Golden Age,” Vinous critic Eric Guido notes “the best part is that, overall, the wines are still an amazing value,” these highly rated selections from Girolamo Russo artfully expressing Mt. Etna’s uniquely volcanic terroir and unbeatably priced to explore and savor the wines of Sicily’s most exciting region.

92WA 92JS 91V 91D

The Girolamo Russo 2022 Etna Rosato reveals a floral bouquet with wildflowers, peach blossom and whiffs of zagara, or Sicilian lemon blossom. It offers subtle support at the back thanks to an especially fine and crisp mouthfeel. It could pair with something a little more complicated like raw fish.

92 points, Monica Larner, Wine Advocate (Jun 2023)

This shows subtle notes of pink cherries, peach skins, dried orange peel and dried flowers. Medium-bodied, delicate and sleek, with a freshness and crunchy acidity. Delicious with a textural, polished finish. Drink now.

92 points, James Suckling (Sep 2023)

Sweet rose, stone dust and orange sorbet make the 2022 Etna Rosato a total pleasure on the nose. Soothingly round and with a pleasant inner sweetness, this flows across the palate with crisp, mineral-tinged orchard fruits offset by a hint of sour citrus. The 2022 finishes intensely mineral in style while leaving the mouth watering as hints of sour melon gradually fade.

91 points, Eric Guido, Vinous (Sep 2023)

A selection of 80-year-old Nerello Mascalese vines from the lower part of the vineyard in Contrada San Lorenzo on the north side of Etna, this rosé has a short contact with the skins and sees only stainless steel. Hints of white peach and green and red fruit aromas accompany some spice and minerals in the mouth, with a touch of creaminess in the background. Fresh, succulent strawberry and raspberry flavours linger on a saline finish.

91 points, James Button, Decanter (May 2023)

$25.98

Compare At: $29.99

45 bottles in stock and ready to ship.

1

2018 Chateau Lanessan (750ml)

Cabernet Sauvignon from Haut-Medoc, Bordeaux, France

B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More

From the Haut Medoc estate known among savvy Bordeaux insiders for over delivering value, these 93 pt. Chateau Lanessan selections from top vintages are a welcome breath of fresh air for Bordeaux traditionalists seeking a great deal, offering layers of dark, savory fruit already drinking well with polished tannins worthy of laying down and now available in original wooden cases at best on the market pricing while they last.

Located just south of St. Julien near famed Second Growth Gruaud Larose, Chateau Lanessan boasts a history dating to the 14^th century, its Grand Vin’s steadily rising quality over the last decade due in large part to lower yields and stricter selection implemented by esteemed consulting winemaker Eric Boissenot. Sourced from 32 hectares of 30-year-old vines planted above the Garonne in gravel hills up to 25 meters deep, Chateau Lanessan is aged in a combination of 33% new French oak barrels, 33% one year old and 33% two year old for an average of 12 months, yielding earthy dark fruit and powerful tannic structure that evolves beautifully over time, garnering a reputation among Bordeaux purists as a harmonious, classically styled blend dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon with an impressive ability to age. Described as a “charmer” by the Wine Advocate’s William Kelley, the 93 pt. 2015 Chateau Lanessan is a blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot and 7% Cab Franc boasting “a firm grainy texture and great freshness” according to the Wine Independent’s Lisa Perrotti-Brown and “finishing with a skip in its step.” A blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, and 6% Petit Verdot, the 93 pt. 2018 Chateau Lanessan is “all class” according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous offering “tons of immediacy and pure appeal” and called “a pretty serious take on the vintage” by Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson that promises to age well. Boasting “rich, powdery tannins and a vibrant core of fruit” according to the Wine Advocate’s William Kelley, the 93 pt. 2019 Chateau Lanessan is a blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon with 36% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot, summed up by Kelley as a “fine effort” promising to age over two decades.

Described as producing “some of the best value wines on the Medoc peninsula” by Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson, these 93 pt. vintages from Chateau Lanessan are bargain priced for Bordeaux lovers looking to pull the cork more often and a terrific opportunity to start a collection of age worthy Bordeaux without breaking the bank.

93JS 91WA 91V

Shows tightness and focus with blackcurrant and olive character on the nose and palate. Medium body, fine tannins and a flavorful finish.

92-93 points, James Suckling (Apr 2019)

The 2018 Lanessan is deep garnet-purple colored with black cherries, cassis, mulberries and baked plums on the nose with herbs, earth and tea hints. Medium to full-bodied, it is a little chewy and herbal with the oak poking through on the finish.

89-91+ points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate (Issue # Interim - Apr 2019)

The 2018 Lanessan is a striking Haut-Médoc. Pliant, supple and inviting, the 2018 has so much to offer. Bright floral notes and soft, pliant red plum fruit give the wine tons of immediacy and pure appeal. Tasted two times.

88-91 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Apr 2019)

$19.88

Compare At: $23.99

60+ bottles in stock and ready to ship.

1

2020 Chateau Grand-Puy-Ducasse (750ml)

Cabernet Sauvignon from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France

B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More

A newly arriving container filled with top rated Bordeaux, these 2020 Bordeaux selections boast outstanding quality across the board at unparalleled value pricing, from a vintage of “brilliant wines” according to the Wine Advocate’s William Kelley and described by Vinous critic Antonio Galloni as “a year brimming with phenomenal wines at all levels, from the big names down to bottles the average consumer can still afford to purchase by the case.”

Although there were no significant heat spikes throughout the growing season, 2020 was a warm growing season overall in Bordeaux, with generally well-timed rain in the Spring followed by extremely dry summer weather that prevented the development of mildew. While summer drought conditions led to smaller berries and yields for Cabernet Sauvignon, mid-August rains on the Right Bank plumped up Merlot and cool September evenings during the last phase of ripening preserved freshness in the wines. Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson noted that “clay-limestone soils did brilliantly against the heat of the summer, favoring the St Emilion plateau” with an impressive array of wines also coming from the gravel soils of Pauillac and St Julien. Describing the white wines of 2020, Anson declares there are “plenty of delicious bottles,” the earlier harvest delivering “exotic fruit flavors with grip and personality.” Describing 2020 as “an incredibly exciting vintage for Bordeaux,” Antonio Galloni of Vinous finds remarkable quality in each of the Left Bank appellations, while calling Saint Emilion “one of the sweet spots of 2020” and noting “readers will find a bevy of compelling wines from satellite appellations” including Haut-Medoc and Fronsac. Called “an incredible classic vintage” by Jeb Dunnuck producing “a solid swath of cellar-worthy buys in the $65-and-under range” according to the Wine Spectator’s James Molesworth, critic James Suckling summed up the vintage well, declaring “if you buy or drink a bottle of top-rated 2020 Bordeaux, you are going to be more than happy. In fact, you most likely will be elated” and noting “many of the wines give pleasure for a young wine but the best will age for decades ahead.”

Summing it up as “a great modern-day Bordeaux vintage,” Antonio Galloni notes the wines are “less extracted, more vibrant and, frankly, much more fun to drink,” this well priced, wide-ranging offer a terrific opportunity to stock up on an array of age worthy Bordeaux from an exceptional 2020 vintage that according to Neal Martin of Vinous “delivers the goods.”

96JS 95JD 94V 94WS

A transparent and clear young Pauillac with blackcurrant, mushroom, chocolate, and wet earth. Full-bodied, layered and flavorful with fine, velvety tannins. Plenty of graphite and blue fruit at the end. Drink after 2027.

96 points, James Suckling (May 2023)

The 2020 Château Grand-Puy Ducasse is a brilliant, powerful, age-worthy Pauillac that will reward bottle age. Blackcurrants, tobacco, cedar pencil, and chocolate are just some of its nuances, and this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a dense, mouth-filling texture, plenty of ripe tannins, and outstanding length. It's not the most elegant Pauillac out there, but it has quintessential aromatics, structure, and density, and is beautifully done, as well as incredibly satisfying. It will probably take a decade of bottle age to hit maturity, and it should have 30-40 years of overall longevity. Tasted three times.

95 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Mar 2023)

The 2020 Grand Puy Ducasse is elegant, polished and sophisticated, just as it was en primeur. Dark cherry, mocha, licorice and crushed rose petals are some of the many notes that open up. Medium in body, with terrific energy and tons of class, Grand Puy Ducasse is very pretty and especially refined in 2020.

94 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Feb 2023)

Flows wonderfully from the start, with an already accessible feel to the mix of cassis and dark blackberry notes inlaid with singed alder, warm paving stone, tobacco leaf and graphite accents that then carry the finish. In the end, there's no rush at all here. A pretty gorgeous Pauillac. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2025 through 2038. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 10,733 cases made, 338 cases imported.

94 points, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator (Mar 2023)

$39.88

Compare At: $44.99

60+ bottles in stock and ready to ship.

1

2020 Chateau De La Dauphine (750ml)

Merlot from Fronsac, Bordeaux, France

B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More

A newly arriving container filled with top rated Bordeaux, these 2020 Bordeaux selections boast outstanding quality across the board at unparalleled value pricing, from a vintage of “brilliant wines” according to the Wine Advocate’s William Kelley and described by Vinous critic Antonio Galloni as “a year brimming with phenomenal wines at all levels, from the big names down to bottles the average consumer can still afford to purchase by the case.”

Although there were no significant heat spikes throughout the growing season, 2020 was a warm growing season overall in Bordeaux, with generally well-timed rain in the Spring followed by extremely dry summer weather that prevented the development of mildew. While summer drought conditions led to smaller berries and yields for Cabernet Sauvignon, mid-August rains on the Right Bank plumped up Merlot and cool September evenings during the last phase of ripening preserved freshness in the wines. Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson noted that “clay-limestone soils did brilliantly against the heat of the summer, favoring the St Emilion plateau” with an impressive array of wines also coming from the gravel soils of Pauillac and St Julien. Describing the white wines of 2020, Anson declares there are “plenty of delicious bottles,” the earlier harvest delivering “exotic fruit flavors with grip and personality.” Describing 2020 as “an incredibly exciting vintage for Bordeaux,” Antonio Galloni of Vinous finds remarkable quality in each of the Left Bank appellations, while calling Saint Emilion “one of the sweet spots of 2020” and noting “readers will find a bevy of compelling wines from satellite appellations” including Haut-Medoc and Fronsac. Called “an incredible classic vintage” by Jeb Dunnuck producing “a solid swath of cellar-worthy buys in the $65-and-under range” according to the Wine Spectator’s James Molesworth, critic James Suckling summed up the vintage well, declaring “if you buy or drink a bottle of top-rated 2020 Bordeaux, you are going to be more than happy. In fact, you most likely will be elated” and noting “many of the wines give pleasure for a young wine but the best will age for decades ahead.”

Summing it up as “a great modern-day Bordeaux vintage,” Antonio Galloni notes the wines are “less extracted, more vibrant and, frankly, much more fun to drink,” this well priced, wide-ranging offer a terrific opportunity to stock up on an array of age worthy Bordeaux from an exceptional 2020 vintage that according to Neal Martin of Vinous “delivers the goods.”

93JD 93V 93WE 93JS 93WI

The best I've tasted from this Château, the 2020 Château La Dauphine offers a terrific array of red and blue fruits as well as some classic Right Bank chalky minerality, medium to full-bodied richness, a pure, concentrated profile, and some background floral nuances. Drink this smoking good Fronsac over the coming decade.

93 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Mar 2023)

The 2020 La Dauphine is positively stellar. Soft and voluptuous, with fabulous depth, the 2020 offers up a heady mélange of blackberry jam, chocolate, licorice, spice, new leather and incense. This extroverted, inviting Fronsac is just gorgeous.

93 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Feb 2023)

The 85% Merlot in this superrich wine is what has pushed up the alcohol. It does give a powerful, juicy character to the black-currant fruits. Against the wood and tannins, this wine has density and a full ripe character. Worth aging, this fine, dense wine will be ready from 2026. Organic.

93 points, Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast (Dec 2022)

This offers lots of spices, chocolate and earthy notes to its dark-fruited character. Medium to full body. Ripe, velvety tannins and round texture. Shows depth and intensity with a compact structure and lingering finish. 85% merlot and 15% cabernet franc. From organically grown grapes. Try after 2024.

93 points, James Suckling (May 2023)

The 2020 de la Dauphine is a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, it comes barreling out with energetic blackberry pie and stewed plums notes followed by hints of potpourri, incense, and mossy tree bark. The full-bodied palate delivers impactful black fruit preserves layers with soft, rounded tannins and plenty of brightness on the finish.

93 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent (Mar 2023)

$22.88

Compare At: $25.99

60+ bottles in stock and ready to ship.

1

2018 Carpineto Chianti Classico Riserva (750ml)

Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy

B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More

It’s nearly impossible to find a better value in well-crafted Tuscan wine than this offer for the richly textured 93 pt. 2018 Carpineto Chianti Classico Riserva, a delicious Sangiovese deftly balancing ripe, earthy dark fruit with bright acidity on a lingering finish that’s bargain priced for fans of rich Tuscan reds to stock the cellar and enjoy often.

Established over 50 years ago in the rolling countryside between Florence and Siena, Carpineto’s founders Giovanni Carlo Sacchet and Antonio Mario Zaccheo were among the first in Chianti Classico to adopt modern viticulture and winemaking techniques to create wines that dramatically exceeded the quality standards of the time including employing extended aging up to a year beyond the minimum requirements. Described by the Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner as “a dynamic estate that makes wines across Tuscany's best appellations,” Carpineto sustainably farms 500 hectares of vineyards spanning five regions, producing the 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva from the estate’s original vineyard planted in calcareous clay and sandstone soils near the small town of Dudda in the hills of Greve. Hand harvesting the grapes and employing strict selection, the refined 2018 Carpineto Chianti Classico Riserva is a blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Canaiolo, aged in a mix of Slavonian oak casks and French oak barrels for over a year and transferred into stainless steel tanks and cement vats for six months before being bottled unfiltered and unfined, with further aging in bottle for over a year revealing bright fresh fruit layered with savory spice and toasted oak and boasting extra depth that comes with age.

From a Chianti Classico vintage producing “lively, refreshing, engaging wines” according to the Wine Independent’s Susan Hulme, the powerful 93 pt. 2018 Carpineto Chianti Classico Riserva will continue to live up to its true potential over the next few years, a delicious Riserva at an unbeatable price for Sangiovese fans to savor with every pour.

93WS 92WE 91WA 91JS

This powerful red is hallmarked by forthcoming aromas of black cherry, blackberry, iron, tar and tobacco. Burly tannins prowl in the background as this unfurls to a long, detailed finish. Balanced in a broad-shouldered way. Best from 2024 through 2035. 16,600 cases made, 5,000 cases imported.

93 points, Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator (Feb 2023)

Tar, stone and the umami of mushrooms, seaweed and soy sauce open the nose of this wine before juicier sour cherries and cranberries emerge. The palate has black cherries, blackberries, milk and dark chocolate, with bitter orange at the back. Well integrated with nice length.

92 points, Danielle Callegari, Wine Enthusiast (Apr 2023)

From a cooler vintage coming after the scorching hot previous year, the 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva has soft contours and lots of bright fruit with cherry, cassis and wild plum. This is a medium-weight Sangiovese with bright acidity. It ends with earthy notes of iris and blue flower. Production is 200,000 bottles.

91 points, Monica Larner, Wine Advocate (Feb 2023)

A spicy nose with cherries, dried herbs, bark, baking spices and dried earth. Medium- to full-bodied with fine, firm tannins. Structured, with a powdery texture on the center-palate and a chewy finish. Better from 2024.

91 points, James Suckling (Mar 2023)

$21.98

Compare At: $24.99

60+ bottles in stock and ready to ship.

1

2018 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge (750ml)

Cabernet Sauvignon from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France

B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More

“One of the crown jewels of Bordeaux”

Antonio Galloni, Vinous

A range of top rated, pristinely cellared red and white blends from one of Bordeaux’s most undervalued estates, these selections from Domaine de Chevalier are built for decades of enjoyment, some already ready to enjoy and all promising astute collectors some superb drinking ahead.

Tucked away from view in southern Pessac-Leognan, the 120-hectare estate of Domaine de Chevalier is situated in a secluded parklike setting often described as “a secret garden,” its 65-hectare biodynamically farmed vineyard surrounded by lush forest on gently rolling hills that promotes biodiversity. Situated south of the city of Bordeaux and Chateau Haut-Brion, Domaine de Chevalier’s vineyards are arranged in a single square block on a mix of dark sand and fine gravel, planted mainly with Cabernet Sauvignon for the Grand Vin with a smaller 7-hectare parcel dedicated mostly to Sauvignon Blanc for the Blanc. Described as the white wine of the vintage by Jeb Dunnuck, the thrilling 98 pt. 2015 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc is composed of 75% Sauvignon Blanc and 25% Semillon aged for 18 months on the lees, yielding “a really gorgeous mouthfeel” according to the Wine Spectator’s James Molesworth while Antonio Galloni declares the “impressive” 98 pt. 2020 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc “one of the world’s great wines, hands down,” both exceptionally long-lived white Bordeaux promising to age for decades. Moving to the reds, the 96 pt. 2010 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge “is bloody brilliant” according to Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson, “at the beginning of its drinking window although nowhere near quitting” while the 96 pt. 2014 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge “offers full-bodied richness, a layered, silky texture, perfect balance and a great finish” according to Jeb Dunnuck. Earning a spot on the Wine Spectator’s Top 100 of 2019, the “stunning” 97 pt. 2016 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge boasts “beautiful complexity and texture” according to Inside Bordeaux's Jane Anson and Jeb Dunnuck calls the “classy, flawlessly balanced” 97 pt. 2017 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge “a gem that readers should snatch up,” already drinking beautifully and age worthy for another three decades. James Suckling calls the 99 pt. 2018 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge the ”greatest ever,” a Cellar Selection conveying “plenty of longevity” according to the Wine Enthusiast’s Roger Voss, and the Wine Advocate’s William Kelley declares the “exquisitely elegant” 97 pt. 2019 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge “a magical wine in the making” describing it as “a masterclass in what contemporary Bordeaux can deliver and worth a special effort to seek out.”

Calling Domaine de Chevalier “one of the true elite yet under the radar properties in Bordeaux,” Antonio Galloni of Vinous declares the work of superstar consultants Stephane Derenoncourt on the red and Denis Dubourdieu on the white, “shows in wines of pedigree, class and nuance,” making it no secret that stocking the cellar with these unbeatably priced Domaine de Chevalier blends will reward Bordeaux lovers with seriously enjoyable drinking for years to come.

97V

The 2018 Domaine de Chevalier is easily one of the wines of the vintage. A wine of mind-blowing precision and regal elegance, Domaine de Chevalier dazzles from the very first taste. Dried herbs, rose petal, mint, blood orange, pomegranate and bright mineral notes all build in the glass. Richly layered but also translucent, the 2018 is a real head-turner. Don't miss it!

97 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Mar 2021)

2021 Ridge Pagani Ranch Zinfandel (750ml)

Zinfandel from Sonoma, California

B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More

Described by Decanter as a vintage of “powerfully-constructed, brambly, spicy reds,” these high scoring 2021 Zinfandels are crafted by California’s top Zinfandel experts, sourced from a range of terroirs that include some of the region's oldest vines and offering exceptional value for Zin lovers whether selecting a few favorites or mixing a case.

From the estate called “a beacon for Sonoma County Zinfandel-based field blends” by Antonio Galloni of Vinous, the 95 pt. 2021 Ridge Pagani Ranch Zinfandel includes old vine Zinfandel ranging from 90 to over 120 years, yielding a “well balanced, elegant wine” with “light, toasty oak accents” according to the Wine Enthusiast’s Jim Gordon. Bedrock winemaker Morgan Twain-Peterson produced the 94 pt. 2020 Bedrock Zinfandel Old Vine from vines averaging around 80 years old, delivering ripe spiced fruit “with good structure, fresh acidity and fine tannins” according to Jeb Dunnuck who calls it “an outstanding value” ready to enjoy over the next few years. Described as a fresher, approachable expression of the grape, the 93 pt. 2021 Frank Family Vineyard Zinfandel is "a serious Zinfandel" boasting ripe red fruit with "decadent baking spice notes” and “structured grippy tannins" according to Decanter’s Jonathan Cristaldi, while the Wine Spectator’s Tim Fish calls Seghesio Family Vineyards “one of California's elite Zinfandel specialists,” the 94 pt. 2021 Seghesio Old Vine Zinfandel sourced from gnarly head-pruned vines averaging 75 years of age with pronounced notes of bramble and peppery spice. Produced in the northeast corner of the Russian River Valley with its oldest vines dating back to 1910, the bright and juicy 93 pt. 2021 Limerick Lane Zinfandel is “an absolute winner” according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous that's “packed with varietal character," boasting the structure to evolve over the next few years. Named for founder Lee Martinelli’s grandparents who first planted grapes in the Russian River in the 1880’s, the rich and elegant 97 pt. 2021 Martinelli Zinfandel Giuseppe & Luisa Vineyard offers alluring aromatic fruit layered with spice and fresh juicy acidity, while the richly textured 95 pt. 2021 Limerick Lane Zinfandel 1910 Block from the estate's oldest block of vines is “a gutsy version, built in an old-school style” according to the Wine Spectator’s Tim Fish, both powerfully built Zins that will evolve for another decade.

From a cooler, uneventful growing season that “resulted in especially elegant, expressive wines” according to the Wine Advocate’s Erin Brooks, these highly rated, site-expressive 2021 Zinfandels offer an appealing range of styles and age-ability from diverse vineyards that include some of the region’s top old vine sites, all value priced and promising Zin fans who stock up some delicious drinking ahead.

95V 94WE 93WS

The 2021 Zinfandel Pagani Ranch is a wine of tremendous stature. Vertical and composed in bearing, the 2021 has a ton to offer, but is also a bit reserved today. Time in the glass brings out a mesmerizing range of red/purplish fruit, spice, cedar, new leather, tobacco, mocha and dried flowers. Pagani Ranch remains a beacon for Sonoma County Zinfandel-based field blends. This is a fine rendition.

95 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Nov 2023)

Vivid, focused raspberries and red currants light up the aroma of this well-balanced, elegant wine before cooked strawberries and red plums fill the palate. Light toasty, oaky accents of vanilla and chocolate lend a bit of extra interest. Best through 2033.

94 points, Jim Gordon, Wine Enthusiast (Dec 2023)

Potent at the core, yet retains a sense of refinement, with multilayered flavors of black cherry, fruitcake spices and licorice that build richness and structure toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2031. 7,300 cases made.

93 points, Tim Fish, Wine Spectator (Jan 2024)

$39.98

Compare At: $44.99

60+ bottles in stock and ready to ship.

1