| 2023 Frank Family Vineyard Chardonnay (750ml) | ||
| Chardonnay from Carneros, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Frank Family Vineyards has earned a loyal following for their consistently outstanding wines priced well below their fellow Napa competitors, and these Napa Valley selections are no exception, a spectrum of ready-to-enjoy wines from outstanding California vintages, ranging from their opulent Carneros Chardonnay to a top-scoring Napa Cab described as "superb" by Antonio Galloni of Vinous, all delivering exceptional value. Working from 380 acres of estate vineyards in Carneros, Rutherford, and Capell Valley, long-time winemaker and GM Todd Graff employs the same barrel aging across the entire Napa line-up, utilizing a mix of one-third new French oak barrels with one-third once-used barrels and one-third twice-used barrels. Sourced from cooler climate vineyards in Carneros, the luscious 2023 Frank Family Vineyard Chardonnay balances rich, fragrant fruit and a creamy texture from lees stirring with bright acidity, while the aromatic 2022 Frank Family Pinot Noir reveals fresh, juicy fruit hinting of earthy spice with vibrant acidity on a satiny finish. The 2021 Frank Family Vineyard Zinfandel offers ripe, dark bramble fruit layered with pepper and spice from estate vineyards in Capell Valley and Rutherford, while the smooth and satisfying, 2022 Frank Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon contains well-integrated tannins that promise a decade of longevity. A range of deliciously appealing Napa Valley wines that over-deliver, these Frank Family Vineyards selections reflect Frank Family's trademark consistency and quality, guaranteed to please at a price that won't break the bank. | ||
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| 2021 Beaulieu Vineyard Reserve Tapestry (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "It's medium to full-bodied, with a layered, elegant mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish. Bravo to the team at Beaulieu for delivering this level of quality..." - Jeb Dunnuck Legendary Napa pedigree and a benchmark vintage come together to form a top-tier overachiever in the 2021 BV Tapestry Reserve. Often known as "Baby Latour", it's a lovely precursor to the estate's iconic flagship wine, at a fraction of the price. Not only that, but the 2021 also boasts some impressive accolades, led by a 96-point score from James Suckling, who declares it "one of the best I have had." The vintage's outstanding growing conditions resulted in a wine with "excellent length and serious tension" between plush fruit and precisely executed structure. As Antonio Galloni remarks, "Soft, silky contours wrap it all together, adding to a sense of immediacy that is impossible to miss." The winemaking team at BV is firing on all cylinders in the past few vintages, and any fan of super-classic Napa Cabernet should take a good look at this surefire, sub-$40 winner. | ||
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| 2019 Chateau Cantemerle (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Haut-Medoc, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Acknowledging that 2019 is already a heralded vintage, the salient question is whether it represents the summit of the 2018, 2019 and 2020 triumvirate. 'Yes' is the answer. I have always felt that is the case." - Neal Martin, Vinous Of course, you may or may not agree with Martin in terms of 2019 place in the "trifecta," but it's undeniable that is a truly spectacular Bordeaux vintage that has more than lived up to its day-one hype since the wine's have hit the market, hit collector's cellars, and found their way into the glasses of impatient enthusiasts. Best of all, pricing has always been highly favorable compared to 2018 and 2020 (to say nothing of 2022), so the 2019s have also been some of the sharpest collectible buys on the market from the get-go and remain so today. We've just landed a must-see treasure trove from this heralded campaign at ... you guessed it ... razor-sharp pricing cross the board, with superb performers in every classification and price tier. | ||
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| 2020 La Rioja Alta Reserva Vina Alberdi (750ml) | ||
| Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "It is approachable, elegant and ticks all the boxes for this style of wine at an affordable price." - Decanter La Rioja Alta's Vina Alberdi needs little to no introduction here at B-21. It's been a perennial best-seller for years on end and one of the most consistent values in Spanish wine during that entire span of time. The 93-point 2020 vintage continues the sterling track record of this benchmark overachiever and this reference-point estate. Forty-year-old vines, expert and precise aging in American oak (a La Rioja Alta specialty), and extended bottle aging before release all contribute to a "lively, harmonious, focused red" that bears the classic Rioja profile while remaining eminently approachable today. Even better the price tag offers the kind of versatility that makes it easy to stack some away in the cellar for a few years or pop the cork tonight – or both. | ||
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| 2016 Chateau Pontet-Canet (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Alfred Tesseron and his team, led by estate manager Jean-Michel Comme, have completely transformed both the vineyards and identity of Château Pontet-Canet by embracing organic and biodynamic practices. Recognizing the extraordinary terroir of Pontet Canet – the heart lies in a plateau outcropping of Garonne Gunz gravel which overlays limestone bedrock, these poor soils allow drainage that's optimal for Cabernet. The center of this plateau is planted to Cabernet Franc which is surrounded by Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot is planted on the gravelly clay soils that meet the perimeter of the gravel plateau. Tesseron's campaign for biodynamic agriculture began in 2004 and tasting results confirmed this to be the estate's future; the Medoc's first Classified Growth dedicated to biodynamics. Pontet Canet received its organic certification in 2010 and Demeter in 2014 – the world's largest certification organization for biodynamic agriculture used in 50 countries. Three Breton draft horses were added to the estate's stable replacing tractors in 2008, now at total of seven horses tend the vineyards. With great terroir and extraordinary dedication to excellence, Tesseron has elevated Pontet Canet beyond its historic performance; now among the top estates in Bordeaux. | ||
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| 2022 Frank Family Vineyard Pinot Noir (750ml) | ||
| Pinot Noir from Carneros, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Frank Family Vineyards has earned a loyal following for their consistently outstanding wines priced well below their fellow Napa competitors, and these Napa Valley selections are no exception, a spectrum of ready-to-enjoy wines from outstanding California vintages, ranging from their opulent Carneros Chardonnay to a top-scoring Napa Cab described as "superb" by Antonio Galloni of Vinous, all delivering exceptional value. Working from 380 acres of estate vineyards in Carneros, Rutherford, and Capell Valley, long-time winemaker and GM Todd Graff employs the same barrel aging across the entire Napa line-up, utilizing a mix of one-third new French oak barrels with one-third once-used barrels and one-third twice-used barrels. Sourced from cooler climate vineyards in Carneros, the luscious 2023 Frank Family Vineyard Chardonnay balances rich, fragrant fruit and a creamy texture from lees stirring with bright acidity, while the aromatic 2022 Frank Family Pinot Noir reveals fresh, juicy fruit hinting of earthy spice with vibrant acidity on a satiny finish. The 2021 Frank Family Vineyard Zinfandel offers ripe, dark bramble fruit layered with pepper and spice from estate vineyards in Capell Valley and Rutherford, while the smooth and satisfying, 2022 Frank Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon contains well-integrated tannins that promise a decade of longevity. A range of deliciously appealing Napa Valley wines that over-deliver, these Frank Family Vineyards selections reflect Frank Family's trademark consistency and quality, guaranteed to please at a price that won't break the bank. | ||
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| 2021 Vajra Barolo Albe (750ml) | ||
| Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Stylistically, the Vajra Barolos embody all the virtues of modern classicism. The wines are elegant, silky, polished and an absolute delight to drink." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous You know the name, and perhaps you already know that the 2021 vintage in Barolo is one for the books, so let's jump right into this set of stunning new releases from "one of the leading estates in Piedmont." As any astute Barolo collector knows, a great vintage is marked not only by the heights that the top wines reach, but by the overall quality of the entry-level offerings, and Vajra's flagship Albe bottling knocks it out of the park in 2021. Wine Advocate's Monica Larner tagged it with 95 points and called it "an enormously versatile expression of Nebbiolo, with an affordable price, that offers more value for your money than most Barolos out there," with several other critics chiming in with their own glowing praise for a serious sub-$40 contender. Movnig to the single crus, Vajra's enviable stable is a star-studded affiair in this benchmark campaign, led by a pair of 98-point collectible treasures in the Ravera and Bricco della Viole, the latter "a wine of stature and breeding" showcasing "little details [that] emerge with terrific sharpness in an epic vintage such as 2021." Of course, we shouldn't overlook the 96-point Coste di Rose. "Loaded with finesse" per Kerin O'Keefe, "[it's] already tempting, [but] the best is yet to come." It's safe to say this is one of the must-have ranges in 2021 Barolo, so collectors should make room in the cellar and cast a wide net on these guaranteed long-haul trophies. | ||
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| NV Agrapart Terroirs Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Grand Cru Disgorgement July 2025 (750ml) | ||
| Sparkling from Avize, Champagne, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Crafted by artisan producer and B-21 favorite Pascal Agrapart in the chalky Cote des Blancs, Champagne Agrapart has enjoyed an under the radar reputation, but with the release of these highly rated 2025 cuvees, that's about to change. From one of the top grower-producers in the region, these selections from Agrapart offer a rare taste of meticulously crafted, terroir-driven Champagne at a remarkable value that's bound to sell out in a flash. Now run by the fourth consecutive generation, Agrapart ranks at the top echelons of Champagne, earning a 3-star rating in the Revue de Vin du France alongside only 7 other houses, including Krug. Planted almost entirely with Chardonnay with a few small plots of Pinot Noir, the ten-hectare Agrapart Domaine comprises more than 70 small parcels predominantly in the Grand Cru villages of Avize, Cramant, Oiry, and Oger with a few Premier Cru plots on the Cote de Blancs, boasting low yielding vines averaging over 40 years of age with the oldest over 70 years. Taking the reins of his family's historic estate in Avize over four decades ago, Pascal works the soils manually while employing organic practices, tilling with horses to ensure his soils do not get compacted (one of his parcels is worked by and named for his horse Venus). Fermenting the base wines exclusively with native yeasts which he believes is critical to expressing the terroir, Pascal employs a mix of older barrels dependent on the cuvee and longer than required bottle aging on the lees, yielding gorgeous, pure fruit impeccably balanced with chalky minerality that finishes long, each cuvee uniquely identified with a different colored plaque (i.e., the round metal disk on top of the cork). | ||
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| NV Agrapart 7 Crus Extra Brut Disgorgement July 2025 (750ml) | ||
| Sparkling from Avize, Champagne, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Crafted by artisan producer and B-21 favorite Pascal Agrapart in the chalky Cote des Blancs, Champagne Agrapart has enjoyed an under the radar reputation, but with the release of these highly rated 2025 cuvees, that's about to change. From one of the top grower-producers in the region, these selections from Agrapart offer a rare taste of meticulously crafted, terroir-driven Champagne at a remarkable value that's bound to sell out in a flash. Now run by the fourth consecutive generation, Agrapart ranks at the top echelons of Champagne, earning a 3-star rating in the Revue de Vin du France alongside only 7 other houses, including Krug. Planted almost entirely with Chardonnay with a few small plots of Pinot Noir, the ten-hectare Agrapart Domaine comprises more than 70 small parcels predominantly in the Grand Cru villages of Avize, Cramant, Oiry, and Oger with a few Premier Cru plots on the Cote de Blancs, boasting low yielding vines averaging over 40 years of age with the oldest over 70 years. Taking the reins of his family's historic estate in Avize over four decades ago, Pascal works the soils manually while employing organic practices, tilling with horses to ensure his soils do not get compacted (one of his parcels is worked by and named for his horse Venus). Fermenting the base wines exclusively with native yeasts which he believes is critical to expressing the terroir, Pascal employs a mix of older barrels dependent on the cuvee and longer than required bottle aging on the lees, yielding gorgeous, pure fruit impeccably balanced with chalky minerality that finishes long, each cuvee uniquely identified with a different colored plaque (i.e., the round metal disk on top of the cork). | ||
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| 2023 Stolpman Vineyards La Cuadrilla Ballard Canyon (750ml) | ||
| Syrah from Santa Barbara, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "...one of the better values in all of California wine." - Matthew Luczy, Wine Advocate The long-awaited new release of this all-time B-21 best seller is here. Stolpman's La Cuadrilla has been a bona fide value champion for us for several vintages running, and it's basically cornered our market on sub-$20 California reds. A blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Sangiovese, this spectacular, "lights out" favorite has always brought its A-game big time, and that all continues apace in 2023. "Bright, punchy and full of character, the 2023 delivers superb quality and striking purity of fruit," notes Antonio Galloni. Made every year by the estate's vineyard workers, who then split the proceeds from sales, this is a true wine of community and collective effort and reward. There's not much else to say – if you're already fan, then make some room and stock up like you always do. The 2023 La Cuadrilla is ready to rock with stunning character and unbeatable value, just like it always has. | ||
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| 2021 Brassfield Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from High Valley, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More It's understandable if you thought the days of true value in California Cabernet were well behind us, but the gorgeous score from Brassfield reminds us that the good times are still rolling, if you keep a sharp eye for bargains. Next door neighbor to Napa but world's apart in nearly every way, Lake County boasts some classic California Cabernet features - volcanic soils, long-growing seasons, marked by big diurnal temperature swings, ideally situated mountain slopes. It's all here, without the dramatic Napa price tags. Brassfield estate sits on the edge of Clear Lake in High Valley, and it can only be described as one of the most picturesque vineyards in California. The 2021 Estate Cabernet takes advantage of an excellent growing season, with 94 points from Wine Enthusiast confirming that you don't need to pay a king's ransom for great Cabernet real estate or a great Cabernet wine for that matter. If you're looking for a regular house red or a perfect candidate to host a crowd for the holidays, the 2021 Brassfield Estate Cab is your go-to. | ||
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| NV Henri Giraud Esprit Nature Brut (750ml) | ||
| Pinot Noir from Champagne, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Henri Giraud's artfully crafted Champagnes are mainstays at B-21, with a thrilling line-up anchored by the overwhelming fan-favorite Esprit Brut Nature. We've always considered it an overperforming value, and now we've secured special pricing, under $50 for a limited time. "Medium-bodied, round and sappy, it's slightly creamy, with an elegant, fresh mid-palate that segues into an ethereal, long finish..." - Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate Add to our must-see pricing some new, impressive reviews, and you have a can't-miss Champagne proposition that any devoted bubbles fan would be wise to jump at. An already glowing 95-point review from James Suckling earlier in the summer is complemented by Wine Advocate's Yohan Castaing, who recently tagged the Esprit with his own solid 93-point review on his way to declaring "the Champagnes from this house to be among the finest, most elegant and most precise that I tasted on my last trip." This latest release is another notch of success in the estate's transition to a much more elegant, refined style in recent years, and it shows the kind of tremendous upward trajectory that makes today's opportunity to stock up at a steal all the more compelling. | ||
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| 2023 Kelley Fox Pinot Noir Mirabai (750ml) | ||
| Pinot Noir from Willamette, Oregon | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Ever since we caught on to the incredible wines from Willamette Valley rising star Kelley Fox several vintages back, we've seen an avid following develop around her ethereal, precisely crafted wines. Working with the crème de la crème of vineyard sites in Dundee Hills, she's carved out a top spot on the list of the valley's go-to boutique names. Demand is on a steady upward trajectory, but her flagship Mirabai Pinot Noir still delivers the goods for anyone interested in discovering this super-talented winemaker for the first time. Sourced from a handful of said top Dundee Hills sites (see below), the 2023 is every bit the stylish charmer that we've come to know and love from this bottling. Easygoing yet full of character and nuance, it once again stands as one of the sharpest buys in Oregon Pinot, with a new 93-point review from Wine Advocate to add to its cachet. We just scored a new parcel at exceptional pricing that allows our private clients to load up on a proven performer that will shine now and anytime in the next decade. | ||
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| 2015 Chateau Pontet-Canet (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Alfred Tesseron and his team, led by estate manager Jean-Michel Comme, have completely transformed both the vineyards and identity of Château Pontet-Canet by embracing organic and biodynamic practices. Recognizing the extraordinary terroir of Pontet Canet – the heart lies in a plateau outcropping of Garonne Gunz gravel which overlays limestone bedrock, these poor soils allow drainage that's optimal for Cabernet. The center of this plateau is planted to Cabernet Franc which is surrounded by Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot is planted on the gravelly clay soils that meet the perimeter of the gravel plateau. Tesseron's campaign for biodynamic agriculture began in 2004 and tasting results confirmed this to be the estate's future; the Medoc's first Classified Growth dedicated to biodynamics. Pontet Canet received its organic certification in 2010 and Demeter in 2014 – the world's largest certification organization for biodynamic agriculture used in 50 countries. Three Breton draft horses were added to the estate's stable replacing tractors in 2008, now at total of seven horses tend the vineyards. With great terroir and extraordinary dedication to excellence, Tesseron has elevated Pontet Canet beyond its historic performance; now among the top estates in Bordeaux. | ||
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| 2025 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc (750ml) | ||
| Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Vivid, round and juicy ... Lively and succulent, with a delicious finish." - James Suckling Today's offer needs no introduction. Just arrived in stock is the latest vintage of the number one, all-time best-selling New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Cloudy Bay. The wine that put the entire category on the map is as good as ever with 93 points from Wine Spectator and 92 points from James Suckling. Best of all, we have it at a market-best, sub-$25 price, so you can load the wine fridge, get ready for warm weather, and enjoy a timeless classic again and again throughout the summer and beyond. | ||
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| 2019 Chateau Lagrange (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Acknowledging that 2019 is already a heralded vintage, the salient question is whether it represents the summit of the 2018, 2019 and 2020 triumvirate. 'Yes' is the answer. I have always felt that is the case." - Neal Martin, Vinous Of course, you may or may not agree with Martin in terms of 2019 place in the "trifecta," but it's undeniable that is a truly spectacular Bordeaux vintage that has more than lived up to its day-one hype since the wine's have hit the market, hit collector's cellars, and found their way into the glasses of impatient enthusiasts. Best of all, pricing has always been highly favorable compared to 2018 and 2020 (to say nothing of 2022), so the 2019s have also been some of the sharpest collectible buys on the market from the get-go and remain so today. We've just landed a must-see treasure trove from this heralded campaign at ... you guessed it ... razor-sharp pricing cross the board, with superb performers in every classification and price tier. | ||
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| 2023 Beringer Chardonnay Private Reserve (750ml) | ||
| Chardonnay from Napa, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Quite a powerful wine that is carried by pure acidity and freshness." - James Suckling Beringer's Private Reserve line is arguably one of the greatest sources of consistent quality for price in Napa Valley and has been for the past three decades. The stellar 2023 vintage provided plenty of opportunity to continue that track record, and the latest release of the Private Reserve Chardonnay does not disappoint. In fact, it's set to be a reference-point rendition of this all-time fan favorite 96 points from James Suckling and 95 points from Jeb Dunnuck. Sourced almost entirely from the historic Gamble Ranch in Oakville, this is Napa Chardonnay through and through, yet it stays well clear of the excesses that have sometimes plagued the category in recent, namely over-ripeness and heavy-handed oak. "Medium to full-bodied, it's pure, balanced, and layered, with wonderfully integrated oak," notes Dunnuck, "It brings ample power and richness while staying light on its feet." That about sums up the Beringer style and the brilliant 2023 Napa vintage, and it gives ample reason to stock up. | ||
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| Champagne Lallier Reflexion R.021 Brut (750ml) | ||
| From Champagne, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Champagne Lallier's widespread vineyard sources through the grand cru villages of the Côte de Blancs and Montagne de Reims, especially in their home base of Äy, allow them to create these wonderfully pure, eminently approachable vintage expressions that somehow remain unbelievably priced for everyday enjoyment. The Reflexion R.021 is a classic showcase of the 2021 Champagne vintage's fresh, incisive style, with 30% reserve wines from the powerful 2020 vintage adding just the right level of backbone and depth for a "substantial palate" that's simultaneously "precise and youthful" according to James Suckling. Like previous releases, the wine is made is to convey a snapshot of the growing season, and the R.021 does that with great clarity, but it's also made primarily to put smiles on the faces of a wide audience of sparkling wine fans, something that's easily achieved with it's outstanding, sub-$35 price tag. If you keep a "house" Champagne on rotation, this is your new candidate. If you need a celebratory toast for a large crowd for a low-key steal of a deal, this is your pick. Either way, Lallier's R.021 is a gem to stock up on. | ||
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| 2021 Vina Sena Sena (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Aconcagua Valley, Chile | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "One of Chile's icon wines and deservedly so" Wine Advocate When visionaries Eduardo Chadwick and Robert Mondavi created Vina Sena in 1995, they embarked on a joint mission to create one of the world's greatest red wines, and with the first taste of the perfect scoring 2021 Vina Sena, collectors and wine aficionados will enthusiastically agree: Mission Accomplished. Standing shoulder to shoulder with First Growths and cult Napa Cabs and among the most sought-after South American wines, the powerful 100 pt. 2021 Vina Sena offers fresh, decadent fruit framed with remarkable vibrant acidity on an unwavering finish, confirming its status as Chile's premier cult wine and one to make room for in the cellar at an unbeatable value. With a family history in the region dating back to the 1870's beginning with Don Maximiano Errazuriz, passionate vintner Eduardo Chadwick was committed to restoring his family's run-down 19th century estate to its former glory, inspired in the 1980's on a visit to Chateau Margaux to create a benchmark Chilean blend that rivaled the First Growths of Bordeaux. Fast forward to 1991, when Augustin Huneeus (yes, that "other" Chilean born winemaker and the visionary behind Napa's Quintessa) organized a trip for his friend Robert Mondavi to visit Chile and asked Eduardo to show him around. Inspired by the potential of the region's vineyards and the success of his venture with the Rothschild's, Mondavi partnered with Eduardo and began a four-year search for the perfect terroir to craft an "Opus One of South America" predominantly of Cabernet Sauvignon with Chile's indigenous grape Carmenere, discovering the perfect site in the Aconcagua Valley. Boasting well-drained rocky soils of gravel and loam, the hillside 42-hectare Sena vineyard was planted in 1998 to mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and other red Bordeaux varieties as well as Carmenere, its temperatures moderated by winds off the Pacific and pure mountain water from the snowcapped Andes supplying water for the vines. After Mondavi's death in 2003, Eduardo took over the project in its entirety, bringing the wine to global attention at the blind 2004 Berlin Tastings where wine experts ranked the Vina Sena above First Growths Chateaux Margaux and Lafite, continuing vintage over vintage to build its legendary reputation as "a compelling world class wine" according to Jeb Dunnuck. Produced in an outstanding relatively cool vintage allowing for extended hang times and slow, complete ripening of the biodynamically farmed grapes, longtime winemaker Francisco "Pancho" Baettig aged the 2021 Vina Sena for 22 months in a mix of 70% new French oak barrels with 10% in larger foudres, marking his last harvest as Sena's winemaker and yielding a finessed and perfectly balanced blend with lush, refined tannins and an exceptional potential for aging. Delivering on Eduardo Chadwick's goal to craft "a unique Bordeaux style blend with a very Chilean soul," the enticing 100 pt. 2021 Vina Sena is a remarkably elegant wine that James Suckling notes is "traded around the world like Bordeaux's First Growths," at a mere fraction of the price, a rare opportunity to enjoy terroir-driven perfection for less than many entry level Napa Cabs and a "mission" that collectors of the world's greatest red wines will be glad they accepted. | ||
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| 2024 Hartford Chardonnay (750ml) | ||
| Chardonnay from Russian River, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More The Hartford Family's roots in Sonoma's Russian River Valley are second to none, and they farm some of the Golden State's most prized plots of old-vine Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. Their reference-point range runs the gamut from incredible single-vineyard expressions to some of the greatest bang-for-the-buck values in the appellation. The 2023 Russian River Pinot Noir delivers everything that long-time fans of the estate are looking for. Pure Pinot Noir charm is on full display in vibrant, ripe fruit, silky texture, and, most importantly, superb balance, all at an easy price that makes this undisputed crowd-pleaser accessible to a broad audience. The 2023 Russian River Chardonnay is "a worthy follow-up to the brilliant 2022," displaying classic, richly textured Russian River fruit, vibrant acidic balance, and a luxurious finish that reveals its world-class pedigree. Fans of California Chardonnay may have grown used to overpaying for underwhelming quality, but this 94-point, sub-$20 beauty is ideally suited to buck that trend. Turning to the estate's wheelhouse, don't miss the trio of top-flight, single-vineyard Zinfandels, highlighted by the WS96 Highwire Vineyard from the acclaimed 2023 vintage. "Zin rarely shows this much focus and tenstion," notes Wine Spectator, and we couldn't agree more. Whether you're looking for an easy everyday go-to or a top-tier reference-point expression for the cellar, this range from Hartford has it in spades. | ||
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| 2022 Etude Pinot Noir Estate Grace Benoist Ranch (750ml) | ||
| Pinot Noir from Carneros, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Pinot Noir is a big deal in California, and while places like Sonoma, Santa Cruz, and Santa Barbara are at the front of everyone's minds, Carneros is the original cool climate AVA in California. Situated at the very south of Napa Valley, it's completely exposed to the influence of nearby San Pablo bay, and the potential for great Pinot Noir and Chardonnay has been established here for decades. One of the long-time, mainstay benchmarks for top-tier Carneros Pinot Noir is Etude, whose home estate of Grace Benoist ranch is one of the most historic vineyard properties in California. Originally founded and put on the map by the legendary Tony Soter, Etude has been under the direction of the equally skilled Jon Priest since 2005. He has continued the legacy of Etude as a Carneros standard-bearer, and the 2022 Grace Benoist Ranch Estate Pinot Noir is ample proof. With 96 points from James Suckling, it's a top-flight value contender in California Pinot at an outrageous $25 price for our private clients. This "floral and impressively complex" expression is premium California Pinot Noir all the way at a case-buy price that allows you to take house red roster up a level or two. | ||
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| 2023 Coudoulet de Beaucastel (750ml) | ||
| Grenache from Côtes du Rhône, Rhône, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "... yet another outstanding red Beaucastel with the potential to match or even outperform the delicious 2022." - Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous One of the most anticipated Rhône releases in any vintage is Beaucastel's reference-point Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and the 97-point 2023 delivers everything we expect from this iconic estate. The warm, dry growing season provided optimal conditions for all the estate's varietals to excel and the finished wine is classic Beaucastel in all respects. Jeb Dunnuck notes, "It has the purity, medium to full-bodied richness, and ripe, yet still fresh and lively style of the vintage and brings plenty of mid-palate depth, sweet tannins, and a great finish." The year saw a higher-than-usual Mourvedre content in the blend, so you can count on this rendition to cruise in the cellar, but the freshness and vibrancy of the Grenache components (with help of the highly aromatic Terret Nori, Vaccarese, and Muscardin) make it a true charmer right out of the gate. James Suckling's Rhône critic Stuart Pigott declares it "full-bodied but with a lightness of touch. Then the power and stony intensity pour over you in a giant wave. The freshness is extraordinary for this hot and dry vintage." In other words, one of France's leading wine estates hit another home run, and collectors can add this superb rendition to their cellars for a razor-sharp price. While you wait for the Châteauneuf to come around, you can also stock up on the 2023 Coudoulet de Beaucastel. Reflecting its well-earned reputation as "the Baby Beaucastel," the 2023 Coudoulet de Beaucastel is a solidly built, age-worthy Côtes-du-Rhône that takes the category a step up in terms of quality, character, and pedigree – the Coudoulet vines lie just on the "wrong side" of the road from Beaucastel's official Châteauneuf parcels, so the moniker isn't just a trope. Soils, micro-climates, and vine heritage are all similar, so the Coudoulet wine always offers glimpses of its world-class terroir. This JS93 "solid, focused, juicy and poised wine" is picture-perfect introduction to the vintage at Beaucastel. Finally, as icing on the cake, serious collectors shouldn't miss a chance to add a monumental vintage of the legendary Hommage à Jacques Perrin to their cellars at unbeatable pricing. The 2022 Hommage is a triple 98-point masterpiece and collectible cornerstone that sets the bar for the appellation and the vintage. "Combining mind-boggling intensity with impressive verticality, the full-bodied 2022 is one of the wines of the vintage," notes Nicolas Greinacher of Vinous. Yohan Castaing's own 98-point Wine Advocate review likewise calls it "a spectacular and immense wine ... [and] a must-have for collectors and enthusiasts." With the amply seductive style of the vintage, it's also likely to give off serious fireworks right now if you're the impatient type. Either way, this is a no-brainer opportunity for anyone who's serious about the world's greatest collectible wines. At every stage of the hierarchy and every price tier, Beaucastel proves its mettle time and time again, and these latest releases are unequivocal gems for any fan of Southern Rhône's best wines. | ||
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| 2019 Chateau Pichon-Longueville au Baron de Pichon Longueville (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Acknowledging that 2019 is already a heralded vintage, the salient question is whether it represents the summit of the 2018, 2019 and 2020 triumvirate. 'Yes' is the answer. I have always felt that is the case." - Neal Martin, Vinous Of course, you may or may not agree with Martin in terms of 2019 place in the "trifecta," but it's undeniable that is a truly spectacular Bordeaux vintage that has more than lived up to its day-one hype since the wine's have hit the market, hit collector's cellars, and found their way into the glasses of impatient enthusiasts. Best of all, pricing has always been highly favorable compared to 2018 and 2020 (to say nothing of 2022), so the 2019s have also been some of the sharpest collectible buys on the market from the get-go and remain so today. We've just landed a must-see treasure trove from this heralded campaign at ... you guessed it ... razor-sharp pricing cross the board, with superb performers in every classification and price tier. | ||
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| 2025 La Cana Albariño (750ml) | ||
| Albarino from Rias Baixas, Spain | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More If you've been a fan of Spanish wine over the past ten years or so, you've probably been waiting for Albariño to get the attention it deserves on the world stage, and while it still takes a back seat to Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and the like, the best examples are still shining brightly and only getting better with each passing vintage. La Caña has long been a benchmark producer of this one-of-a-kind varietal, working with top-notch sites in the Salnès sub-zone of Rías Baixas, widely considered ground zero for the most quintessential expressions. Year after year, their entry-level bottling far outperforms its price point in the critical press, with all the customary bright citrus and tropical fruit, vibrant acidity, and textured charm that Albariño aficionados have come to know and love. While the 2024 has yet to be reviewed professionally, we recently got a chance to try it with importer Jorge Ordoñez, and we can confidently say this rendition picks up right where previous vintages have left off, with more glowing praise no doubt in store in the near future. Meanwhile, you have a great opportunity to stock up on a fan-favorite crowd pleaser that seems tailor-made for summer soirées and warm days by the pool, so don't hesitate to lock in at our market-best price. | ||
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| 2019 La Rose Perriere (750ml) | ||
| From Lussac-St-Emilion, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Acknowledging that 2019 is already a heralded vintage, the salient question is whether it represents the summit of the 2018, 2019 and 2020 triumvirate. 'Yes' is the answer. I have always felt that is the case." - Neal Martin, Vinous Of course, you may or may not agree with Martin in terms of 2019 place in the "trifecta," but it's undeniable that is a truly spectacular Bordeaux vintage that has more than lived up to its day-one hype since the wine's have hit the market, hit collector's cellars, and found their way into the glasses of impatient enthusiasts. Best of all, pricing has always been highly favorable compared to 2018 and 2020 (to say nothing of 2022), so the 2019s have also been some of the sharpest collectible buys on the market from the get-go and remain so today. We've just landed a must-see treasure trove from this heralded campaign at ... you guessed it ... razor-sharp pricing cross the board, with superb performers in every classification and price tier. | ||
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| 2023 Frank Family Vineyard Zinfandel (750ml) | ||
| Zinfandel from Napa, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Frank Family Vineyards has earned a loyal following for their consistently outstanding wines priced well below their fellow Napa competitors, and these Napa Valley selections are no exception, a spectrum of ready-to-enjoy wines from outstanding California vintages, ranging from their opulent Carneros Chardonnay to a top-scoring Napa Cab described as "superb" by Antonio Galloni of Vinous, all delivering exceptional value. Working from 380 acres of estate vineyards in Carneros, Rutherford, and Capell Valley, long-time winemaker and GM Todd Graff employs the same barrel aging across the entire Napa line-up, utilizing a mix of one-third new French oak barrels with one-third once-used barrels and one-third twice-used barrels. Sourced from cooler climate vineyards in Carneros, the luscious 2023 Frank Family Vineyard Chardonnay balances rich, fragrant fruit and a creamy texture from lees stirring with bright acidity, while the aromatic 2022 Frank Family Pinot Noir reveals fresh, juicy fruit hinting of earthy spice with vibrant acidity on a satiny finish. The 2021 Frank Family Vineyard Zinfandel offers ripe, dark bramble fruit layered with pepper and spice from estate vineyards in Capell Valley and Rutherford, while the smooth and satisfying, 2022 Frank Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon contains well-integrated tannins that promise a decade of longevity. A range of deliciously appealing Napa Valley wines that over-deliver, these Frank Family Vineyards selections reflect Frank Family's trademark consistency and quality, guaranteed to please at a price that won't break the bank. | ||
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| 2024 Antinori Tenuta Guado al Tasso Il Bruciato (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "This is a magical property. Of late, the wines have been pretty magical too." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous While Tignanello gets all (or almost all) the attention in the Marchesi Antinori stable, the Guado al Tasso wines have started to gain some serious traction of their own among Italian fans, and they now stand apart from their more famous sibling in all the right ways. Indeed, recent vintages have seen the estate hit new benchmarks in quality and acclaim, something that continues in this trio of new releases. The 2024 Il Bruciato stands out as one of the Tuscany's leading value buys once again, capturing the power of the warm vintage while retaining ample freshness to make it accessible even today. This JD91 blend of Bordeaux varietals plus Syrah offers up a thoroughly modern profile with tons of broad, crowd-pleasing appeal and a price to match. The Super Tuscan blends are the attention-getters in the Antinori portfolio, but the 2022 Cont' Ugo Merlot is an insider's savvy buy. We know, we know ... Merlot? Yes, Merlot. It's one of the most intriguing and dynamic varietals in Tuscany today. The coastal climate and soils are ideally suited to this Bordeaux transplant, but the result is never just an imitation of the Right Bank style. Instead, Merlot takes on its own singular Tuscan character that lends a new and vibrant perspective to the grape and the category as a whole, and the 94-point 2022 Cont' Ugo is a prime example. Finally, the latest vintage of Guado al Tasso shows the unmatched pedigree of Antinori, from the sterling quality of the fruit, to the clear terroir signatures, to the precise and meticulous winemaking, which really was deciding factor in the 2022 vintage. As Monica Larner of Wine Advocate declares in her 96-point review, "The wine is velvety and richly textured at its core, but it is also seamless with very pleasurable sweetness." Everything about the 2022 is expertly composed and in its proper place, earning it three rock-solid, 96-point reviews from Italy's leading critics. For those who follow the Italian collectible scene, especially the Super Tuscan category, you'll no doubt be making room in the cellar for this exceptional expression from one of Italy's most iconic estates. | ||
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| 2021 Marques de Murrieta Reserva (750ml) | ||
| Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "It's very Rioja, with clout, elegance and freshness and the elegant tannins that are the signature of 2021 ... Bravo!" - Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate Declared "one of Rioja's most iconic labels" by Decanter's Clive Pursehouse, Marques de Murrieta is a bastion of classically styled Rioja. These top-scoring flagship Reserva, the signature Gran Reserva, and the highly coveted Castillo Ygay are all emblematic of the estate's reputation for benchmark Rioja expressions with top-tier cellar potential. A standard bearer for value every vintage, the double 96-point 2021 Rioja Reserva seems to have hit a new benchmark for this flagship cuvée in "one one of the finest vintages in recent times," as Luis Gutiérrez describes the 2021 campaign in Rioja. "Even more outstanding than the 2020" (which garnered big press in its own right), this rendition is the epitome of an overachiever. For under $30, you can enjoy a world-class Rioja tonight or you can stack the cellar. "Elegant yet perfectly structured ... It offers immediate appeal but will age gracefully for many years to come," declares Decanter. Simply put, wine lovers of all stripes will be hard pressed to find better bang for their buck. | ||
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| 2024 Flowers Chardonnay (750ml) | ||
| Chardonnay from Sonoma Coast, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "I was blown away by the wines I tasted this year from Flowers." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Long before the Sonoma Coast AVA was a thing, the Sonoma Coast style was being pioneered by Flowers in the far-flung reaches of the county out near Jenner and Fort Ross. Fast-forward a few decades and here we are, still looking at Flowers as the reference point for cool-climate California Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The latest flagship releases showcase a pair of excellent vintages in 2023 and 2024, but more importantly they deliver the utterly classic Flowers personality that has made them all-time best sellers and fan-favorites in California wine. And each one carries rock-solid critical praise as always. The 94-point 2024 Chardonnay is "a terrific introduction to this range" with its "intensity and sleek, mouthwatering acidity that give this precision." The 2023 Pinot Noir is a likewise a 94-point gem and "a great reflection of the long, cool growing season." With strong press across the board, it's yet another proven performer that long-time fans should find checks every box in the Flowers paradigm. When consistent excellence is the name of the game, Flowers is a hall of fame player. | ||
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| 2023 Bedrock Zinfandel Old Vine (750ml) | ||
| Zinfandel from California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "The 2023 is such a classy offering ...What an absolute delight." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Established in 2007 by the son of Ravenswood founding winemaker Joel Peterson, Bedrock Wine Company's Morgan Twain-Peterson and long-time business partner Chris Cottrell craft their wines from a who's-who list of the region's most historic vineyards, sourcing the old vine Zinfandel from century-old sites throughout Sonoma and Contra Costa counties, including Peterson's own Bedrock Vineyard. Described by Antonio Galloni as "among the most pedigreed vineyard sites anywhere in the world," Bedrock was the first California vineyard to be replanted in 1888 following the devastation of phylloxera, boasting a Zinfandel-dominated field mix planted in volcanic rocks and cobbly loam soil and farmed organically by the Petersons without irrigation. Blending 85% Zinfandel with 7% Carignan, 4% Cinsault and small amounts of other varieties averaging 80 years of age and fermenting with native yeasts, Morgan aged the lush 2023 Bedrock Zinfandel Old Vine in a combination of French oak and Austrian oak puncheons and foudres with about 10% new, yielding a fresh and delicately spiced Zinfandel with layered fine tannins that's ready to enjoy and will continue to mature gracefully over the next few years. Crafted by "one of the most talented winemakers of his generation" according to Galloni, the impressive, 93-point 2023 Bedrock Zinfandel Old Vine is blended from many of the iconic sites that go into Bedrock's single-vineyard Zins at a fraction of their price, delivering a transparent expression of rich, old-vine Zinfandel for an unbeatable value. | ||
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