Top Quality Store
| 2019 Mastroberardino Radici (750ml) | ||
| Aglianico from Taurasi, Campania, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Described as a “drop dead classic” and “impossible to ignore” by Eric Guido of Vinous, the stunning full-bodied 95 pt. 2019 Mastroberardino Radici boasts vivid silky-textured fruit with bright energetic acidity and beautifully ripe tannins, a broad-shouldered Taurasi from Campania’s benchmark estate built for a long and epic evolution over the next few decades and offered at an equally thrilling value price to enjoy often. Returning from World War II to find his family’s Irpinia estate in Italy’s Southern Apennines in ruins, ninth generation Antonio Mastroberardino set about bringing the historic property back from the brink of near devastation caused by war, economic depression and phylloxera, his efforts over the next decades credited with relaunching viticulture in the Campania region. Tasked with replanting the vineyards, Antonio made a critical decision to eschew the pressure to plant popular international grape varieties and instead is credited with nearly single handedly preventing the region’s indigenous grapes including the red Aglianico from extinction and establishing Mastroberardino as the region’s benchmark for quality, earning Taurasi the nickname of “the Barolo of the south” and helping it gain DOCG status in 1992. Overseen by his son Piero for the last two decades, Mastroberardino’s 260-hectare estate spans a biodiverse mix of sustainably farmed vineyards, forest and olive groves, the low yielding Aglianico vines for the Radici planted on steep slopes in a mix of clay and sandy volcanic and limestone soils across two diverse subregions ranging from 350 to 650 meters above sea level. Crafted by winemaker Massimo di Renzo with a minimal focus on extraction and fermented in stainless steel with native yeasts, the powerful flagship 2019 Mastroberardino Radici was aged for 24 months in a combination of French oak barriques and Slavonian oak casks with an additional minimum 24 months in bottle, yielding rich aromatic black fruit with nuances of graphite and smoke, the deep and complex Taurasi described by Eric Guido of Vinous as “notably energetic, with a beautiful purity of fruit and tannins that promise further development.” Crafted by the region’s reference point producer considered “the royal family of Campania,” Antonio Galloni of Vinous calls Mastroberardino’s Taurasi “a legendary wine that can rival the best from any region,” highly recommending it for “readers seeking to build a collection of fine, cellar worthy wines” without breaking the bank, the impressive 95 pt. 2019 Mastroberardino Radici unbeatably priced for lovers of bold Italian reds to stock the cellar and enjoy its thrilling evolution for decades to come. | ||
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| Caymus Red Schooner Transit No. 3 (750ml) | ||
| Grenache from Australia | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More As the first to introduce Caymus to the state of Florida back in 1981, our decades-long relationship with the Wagner Family of Wines presented a terrific opportunity to feature a selection of their outstanding offerings at rock bottom pricing, from the entry level Bonanza Cabernet Sauvignon Lot 6 to the iconic 2021 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon in limited one-liter bottles, along with Chard, Pinot and the easy-drinking Conundrum blends plus the lush Red Schooner Malbec Voyage 11 and the Red Schooner release called Transit. Here’s what’s in stock and ready to enjoy. Boasting dark fruit hinting of vanilla and soft tannins, Bonanza Cabernet Sauvignon Lot 6 blends fruit from a variety of vineyard sites and vintages, its name referring to the “Bonanza” of unheralded vineyards throughout the state (and not the TV Western for those of us over a certain age…), crafted for everyday enjoyment. Inspired by Chuck Wagner’s father and his “no rules” approach to mixing wines, the Conundrum White is a refreshing proprietary blend of a variety of white grapes including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier that boasts lush tropical fruit and crisp acidity, while the Conundrum Red offers rich, dark fruit including Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon rounded out by pleasant, layered tannins. Sourced from vineyards in Santa Barbara to the south up to Solano County in the north, the Sea Sun Chardonnay balances bright, creamy fruit woven with harmonious toasted oak, while the Sea Sun Pinot Noir offers lush, ripe red fruit hinting of forest and spice with a velvet, palate-pleasing texture, its grapes coming from cool climate vineyards along the Pacific. Grown high in the Andes Mountains of Argentina, the ripe Malbec grapes for Red Schooner are shipped via chilled containers to Napa, where the Caymus team crafts a luscious, richly styled Malbec, referred to as Voyage 11 and coming from the 2021 Argentina vintage. Also shipped via chilled containers and crafted by the Caymus winemaking team, the grapes for Red Schooner Transit 2 are mostly Shiraz with a little Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia’s Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, with aging in French oak yielding ripe, dark fruit flavors hinting of spice and mint with smooth, firm tannins. A comprehensive selection of top-quality wines crafted by the iconic Wagner Family of Wines, this is a not to be missed offer for Caymus fans to mix a case or two, stock up on some everyday wine or select a few favorites – with the legacy of the legendary Caymus behind each label at best on the market pricing, every choice is a win-win. | ||
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| 2021 Ferrari-Carano Tresor (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Sonoma's standard-bearer Ferrari-Carano needs little introduction. These quintessential California classics have been all-time best sellers at B-21 for years, and it's always nice to see a standard bearer continue to hit the mark. These 2021s and 2022s showcase winemaking duo Rebecka Deike and Natalie West at their best, all notching solid press from James Suckling and offering outstanding value and consistent excellence. The "Ripe yet elegantly balanced and refreshing" 2023 Chardonnay is a top-shelf value performer at 91 points & under $16, a perfect option for your next go-to house white. A step (or two) up at 94 points, the 2022 Tre Terre is "full bodied with lovely texture and tension" per Suckling, outpacing it's sub-$25 price. For the reds, the 2021 Siena hits on all cylinders for fans of this QPR best seller, while the 2021 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon catches 92 points from Suckling, who notes, "Medium-bodied with fine tannins and beautiful length. Bright and vivid. Plenty of cabernet character." If you're looking for surefire quality at an easy price, you almost have too many good options with these Sonoma classics. | ||
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| 2019 Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino (750ml) | ||
| Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More The 2019 Brunello vintage keeps delivering one winner after another, only proving the hype machine correct. Our latest razor-sharp buy comes from Castiglion del Bosco, a historic estate that has found new footing and a new level of quality in recent years yet remains an insider's favorite with more than reasonable pricing. "The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino is a stunning interpretation of Northwest Montalcino terroir."- Eric Guido,Vinous Under the guidance of renowned Piedmont winemaker Luca Currado (former proprietor of Vietti), the Leoneschi family have executed an incredible renaissance of this storied property, which is now producing some of its best wines in years. The 2019 Brunello normale found high favor with every major publication, led by 96 points from James Suckling and 95 points from Vinous' Eric Guido."Structured, but showing beautiful drinkability with wonderful balance and form," as Suckling notes, it's a clear result of the work that Cecilia Leoneschi has undertaken to improve in both the cellar and the vineyards. Of course, the excellent 2019 growing season puts its beautiful stamp on this wine in what Kerin O'Keefe describes as its "weightless concentration" and "taut fine-grained tannins," suggesting it will have a wide window of prime drinking appeal. Our private clients can dive in on a crowd-pleasing Brunello classic that offers something for everyone, all at a price you won't see anywhere else. | ||
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| 2019 Le Cinciole Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Aluigi (750ml) | ||
| Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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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. | ||
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| 2020 Mas Alta Cirerets (750ml) | ||
| Carignan from Priorat, Catalonia, Spain | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "The 2020 Cirerets, 60% Garnacha and 40% Cariñena, shows clean aromas and flavors, definition and elegance within the powerful, ripe and concentrated style from Priorat and the winery." - Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate Balancing the fresh, pure flavors of Garnacha with the elegance and complexity of old-vine Cariñena, the 2020 Bodegas Mas Alta Cirerets is a bargain-priced beauty, boasting luscious fruit, wild herbs, and flinty minerality while delivering serious bang for the buck for lovers of robust, terroir-driven Spanish reds. Although often overshadowed by more famous regions like Ribera del Duero and Rioja, the rugged, remote Priorat DOC southwest of Barcelona has gained an elite reputation among collectors over the last several decades, its unforgiving, steep vineyards planted on the dark, decomposed slate known as llicorella mixed with shale and red clay, which produces highly rated red blends, often with stratospheric prices to match their critical acclaim. Established in 1999 as a joint project under the direction of renowned Rhône négociant and winemaker Michel Tardieu and the late, iconic French enologist Philippe Cambie, Bodega Mas Alta crafted the outstanding value-driven Cirerets in the village of Vilella Alta, its organically farmed vineyards located at high altitudes from 100 to 600 meters in the shadow of the Serra del Montsant mountains. A blend of Garnacha (Grenache) from 20-year-old vines and Cariñena (Carignan) from low-yielding, 60-year-old vines, the outstanding 2018 Cirerets was fermented in concrete tanks with local yeasts, then aged separately for 16 months before blending – the Garnacha in used barrels and the Cariñena in new ones – yielding elegant, velvety tannins finishing with mineral-tinged acidity rooted in the region's unique volcanic soils. Drawing praise from Robert Parker over a decade ago for producing top values in the region, Mas Alta's bright and youthful 2020 Cirerets continues the trend with 94+ points from Wine Advocate's Luis Gutiérrez and can't-miss, sub-$40 price for a stunning collectible value. | ||
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| 2016 Jim Barry Shiraz The Armagh (750ml) | ||
| Shiraz from Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More It was Jim Barry's drive and community spirit that helped shape South Australia's Clare Valley as a benchmark producer of world-class Riesling and cemented its place as one of Australia's premier wine regions. Jim Barry Wines has a strong lineage. Jim himself was the first qualified winemaker in the Clare Valley, graduating with the 17th Degree in Oenology from the famous Roseworthy Agricultural College in 1947. Working for 22 years as winemaker at a large cooperative, Jim Barry became a pioneer of Australian table wine. He then went on to establish Taylors Wines in 1969. His wife Nancy proved a driving force in the formation of Jim Barry Wines, and sons Peter, Mark & John were involved in the company's rise. Peter Barry became managing director in 1985. Today Peter's children Tom, Sam and Olivia work for Jim Barry Wines as winemaker, commercial manager and brand ambassador respectively. Current custodians Peter & Sue Barry are deeply proud that Jim Barry Wines is still family owned, with three generations of Roseworthy graduates. The Barry family name is synonymous with the Clare wine region and their deep ties to the local community continue to this day. The Armagh Shiraz has achieved extraordinary success and is regarded as one of Australia's highest quality wines. The vineyard was named after the adjoining hamlet of Armagh, established by Irish settlers in 1849 and named after the lush rolling hills of their homeland. Jim Barry planted the 8 acre vineyard in 1968 with Shiraz grapes. The vineyard is planted on its own roots on grey sandy abrasive topsoil over clay subsoil and receives an average rainfall 20 inches per year. Such is The Armagh vineyards suitability that minimal intervention is needed to maintain very low yields yields below 4 tons per hectare, which produce rich and concentrated fruit of the rare quality required to produce wines with aging potential. From the first vintage in 1985, The Armagh has achieved remarkable success and has become highly collectable. | ||
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| Glenfiddich 12yr Sherry Cask Finish Single Malt Scotch (750ml) | ||
| From Dufftown, Speyside, Scotland | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "...this vibrant amontillado cask finish from malt master Brian Kinsman adds sweetness and depth to the 12 year old..." - Whisky Advocate As we anticipate the unveiling of this year's Whisky Advocate Top 20 Whiskies of 2024, we think it's a great opportunity to check in on one of the honorees from last year's roster, now at market-leading, sub-$40 pricing for a limited time. Glenfiddich's 12 Year Old Single Malt has legions of fans around the world, and while the flagship bottling has always been a cornerstone of any great Scotch bar, the distillery is also a pioneer in different cask-finishing styles. Over the years, some have been better than others, but the team at Glenfiddich simply nailed this Amontillado sherry cask version. This fan favorite turned a lot of heads last year when it landed at #14 on the Top 20 Whiskies of 2023. Sitting pretty among other bottlings at many times its price, it instantly became one of the smartest single malt buys on the market. If you or the Glenfiddich fan in your life need to start the holidays off with a bang, this is the deal to do it, and now is the time to stock up big. Speaking of the holidays, it's also time to think about those showstopping gifts that will leave a lasting impression for years, and the Glenfiddich 21 Year Old Gran Reserva Rum Cask Finish Single Malt will do just the trick. With monster press and a singular take on this beloved collector's malt, the 21 Year is a must for any fan of the of the world's best-selling Scotch distillery. | ||
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| 2021 Faust Cabernet Sauvignon The Pact (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Coombsville, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More “No deal with the devil required - the Huneeus family was ahead of the game when they staked a Cabernet claim in Coombsville with Faust.” James Molesworth, Wine Spectator A decadent, age-worthy Napa Cab from the team behind Quintessa, the powerful 97-point 2021 Faust Cabernet Sauvignon The Pact impeccably balances rich dark fruit, tantalizing minerality and layered, refined tannins,sourced from an exceptional Napa vintage described as “fabulous” by Antonio Galloni of Vinous and promising over a decade of enjoyment at an unbeatable price. One of the first to recognize the potential for growing Cabernet Sauvignon in the remote southeastern corner of Napa Valley, visionary Quintessa founder Agustin Huneeus established the Faust winery in Coombsville in 1998 three years before it was recognized as an AVA, the region's growing reputation for exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon attracting some of Napa’s top winemakers over the last two decades including Andy Erickson and Paul Hobbs. Known for developing Mondavi’s Opus One and rebuilding Cardinale and Rudd, then Faust winemaker Charles Thomas recognized the unique attributes of the estate’s lower yielding, higher altitude parcels and began to separate those plots of Coombsville fruit for a new bottling in 2007, naming it “The Pact” after Goethe’s classic Faustian bargain of making "a deal with the devil.” Located on a 128-acre hillside estate in well-draining rocky, volcanic soils, the elevated, low yielding parcels for the Pact are influenced by a unique ‘cup and saucer’ like ridge called the ‘caldera’ funneling winds from the San Pablo Bay and creating conditions for extended, gradual ripening, while overnight fog lingering late into the morning lowers temperatures and enhances the Cabernet's natural acidity. A Napa Valley veteran who produced top scoring Cabs at Harlan, Joseph Phelps and Groth, winemaker David Jelinek vinified each parcel for The Pact separately and aged the final blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot and 2% Merlot for 22 months in 45% new French oak before bottling, yielding a seductively smooth Cab described by James Suckling as “really complex and flavor intensive” promising to age beautifully and declaring “I can’t wait.” The richly textured 2021 Faust Cabernet Sauvignon The Pact was among a handful of the highest rated Coombsville Cabs of the vintage yet priced at a fraction of the region’s higher profile producers, delivering one the best values in Napa Cab and an exceptional pour to enjoy over the next and beyond. | ||
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| 2020 Stolpman Vineyards Originals (750ml) | ||
| Syrah from Santa Barbara, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Declared “one of the reference-point estates in Ballard Canyon” by Vinous critic Antonio Galloni, these highly rated, site specific wines from Stolpman Vineyards deliver superb quality at an astonishing price. Establishing their reputation as pioneering growers in California’s Ballard Canyon and selling their fruit to cult producers like Sine Qua Non, second-generation Pete Stolpman along with esteemed vineyard manager Ruben Solorzano now craft the outstanding Stolpman portfolio from their 150 acres of estate vineyards planted over three distinct limestone ridges in Santa Barbara County, yielding vibrant, complex and impeccably balanced wines ranging from entry level offerings to top estate cuvees. Described as “a total charmer” and “a ridiculous value” by Vinous critic Antonio Galloni, the 93 pt. 2021 La Cuadrilla is a rich blend dominated by estate grown Syrah with proceeds benefiting Solorzano’s dedicated La Cuadrilla vineyard crew. Stolpman’s white wines include the richly textured 97 pt. 2020 L'Avion Roussanne named “one of the stars” of the outstanding 2020 vintage by the Wine Advocate’s Erin Brooks, reminiscent of the Northern Rhone’s great white wines at a fraction of the cost. Stolpman’s most unique wines include the savory, dark-fruited 96 pt. 2020 Hair of the Bear, a combination of co-fermented Petite Sirah and Roussanne that’s “magical” according to the Wine Enthusiast’s Matt Kettman. Based on old vine fruit planted by founder Tom Stolpman, the 96 pt. 2020 Sangiovese offers “layered flavors and loads of juicy appeal” according to the Wine Advocate’s Erin Brooks, an homage to Tuscany’s revered grape crafted by winemaker Kyle Knapp in a ripe California style. Inspired by his love of Northern Rhone wines, Tom Stolpman’s Syrah plantings are the oldest in the Ballard Canyon AVA is the full-bodied 94 pt. 2020 Angeli Cuvee is sourced from the estate’s oldest own-rooted Syrah, described as a “pure, downright vibrant wine” by Jeb Dunnuck. Boasting 90 plus point ratings across their portfolio, these selections from Ballard Canyon’s iconic Stolpman Vineyards are garnering well deserved attention from critics across the board, challenging its under the radar status and making now the best time to mix a case or two of these top rated and top value Santa Barbara beauties and take advantage of this exceptional pricing | ||
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| 2015 Azelia San Rocco (750ml) | ||
| Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Azelia's owner Luigi Scavino is cousin to Enrico Scavino of the more famous Paolo Scavino winery, both sharing ownership of the famous Fiasco hill in Castiglione Falletto (Bricco del Fiasc). Located in Castiglione Falletto, it is no surprise that Azelia's village Barolo is primarily sourced here and is styled to drink upon release; very elegant and refined. Showing more power depth and structure, Azelia's single vineyard wines from Serralunga d'Alba are San Rocco and Margheria. San Rocco is one of Serralunga's top sites and this old vine San Rocco proves it. Also from older vines, the Margheria shows more breadth and openness afforded by clay balanced with limestone energy representing the vintage well. | ||
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| 2021 Marietta Gibson Block Syrah (750ml) | ||
| Syrah from McDowell Valley, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More From a California vintage described as “amazing” by James Suckling, these highly rated 2021 Marietta Cellars selection are crafted in a “deliciously drinkable style” according to Jeb Dunnuck, a wide range of vineyard-focused cuvees sourced exclusively from estate fruit and affordably priced for stocking up by the case. Established by third generation Sonoma native Chris Bilbro over four decades ago, Marietta Cellars has continued its founder’s legacy of producing exceptional, reasonably priced California wines under his son Scot since 2012, sourcing the portfolio from over 400 acres of organically farmed estate vineyards. Crafted from mostly old vine Syrah dating back to the late 1800’s, the sumptuous 93 pt. 2021 Marietta Christo boasts ripe, succulent dark fruit hinting of peppery herbs with zesty acidity, a silky Rhone blend with integrated tannins promising to evolve over the next decade. The powerful 93 pt. 2021 Marietta Arme is an impressive Bordeaux style blend dominated by rich California Cabernet Sauvignon described as “incredibly elegant” by the Wine Advocate’s Erin Brooks. Sourced from the 35-acre Angeli Vineyard first planted in the late 1880’s, the 96 pt. 2021 Marietta Angeli is a blend of old vine Zinfandel with small amounts of Petite Sirah and Syrah aged in neutral barrels, offering bright, spiced fruit with a seamless, silky texture and harmonious tannins built to satisfy a Zinfandel craving over the next decade and called “absolutely delicious” by Vinous critic Antonio Galloni.. Sourced from old vine Syrah planted over a century ago, the powerful 95 pt. 2021 Marietta Gibson Block Syrah is “intensely bold and savory” according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous, revealing richly concentrated fruit hinting of graphite with refined, integrated tannins and vibrant acidity, summed up as “absolutely delicious” by critic Galloni and promising to mature gracefully in the cellar for another ten years or more. Living up to Marietta’s long-time reputation for over delivering value, Antonio Galloni of Vinous declared “Scot Bilbro has the magic touch when it comes to crafting wines that deliver superb quality for the money across the various tiers in this range,” these unbeatably priced 2021 Marietta selections an opportunity for Marietta fans to stock up on their favorites and for newbies to mix a case and enjoy Marietta’s combination of exceptional quality and outstanding bang for the buck. | ||
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| 2018 Georges Vernay Les Chaillees de l'Enfer (750ml) | ||
| Viognier from Condrieu, Rhône, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Domaine Georges Vernay, founded by Francis Vernay in 1937, is a third-generation, venerable wine producer, located in the heart of Condrieu, France. The efforts of Francis Vernay were instrumental in the creation of the official Condrieu appellation in 1940. In later years, Francis was succeeded by his son Georges, who played a key role in restricting the geographical boundaries of Condrieu, preserving the character of the appellation and ensuring its future greatness. In 1996, Christine Vernay, Georges' daughter, took over as winemaker and General Manager of the Estate. Recognized as one of the great winemakers in France, several of her wines have recently been awarded the coveted 100 points in the world’s top wine publications; remarkable - since the 2011 vintage, not a score below 96 from Jeb Dunnuck for the Coteau de Vernon. Among the top two or three Condrieu in any vintage, the Coteau de Vernon comes from very old vines planted in 1936 and 1960, on the steep granite slopes just behind the Vernay estate. | ||
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| 2019 Nicolas-Jay l'Ensemble Pinot Noir (750ml) | ||
| Pinot Noir from Willamette, Oregon | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More A “best of the best” blend of the most outstanding barrels from top Willamette Valley parcels, Burgundy superstar winemaker Jean-Nicolas Meo’s alluring 94 pt. 2019 Nicolas-Jay Pinot Noir l’Ensemble offers lush earthy aromas of rich, bright red fruit with refined, velvety tannins, meticulously crafted by a “winemaker at the top of his art” according to the Wine Spectator’s Per-Henrik Mansson and a terrific value certain to appeal to fans of classically styled Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and lovers of Red Burgundy alike. Perched high in the Dundee Hills west of Newberg in Willamette’s Yamhill-Carlton AVA, the 53 acre Nicolas-Jay estate boasts a contemporary state-of-the-art gravity winemaking facility and intimate tasting room in a restored cattle barn bordered by towering fir trees and Oregon white oaks, its newly planted vineyards situated on a natural amphitheater with breathtaking views of the Chehalem Mountains. A culmination of a three-decade long friendship founded on a shared love of Pinot Noir, Nicolas-Jay was established by music producer Jay Boberg and renowned Burgundy winemaker Jean-Nicolas Meo in 2012, the co-owner of Domaine Meo-Camuzet known for his 30 year legacy of producing exceptional red Burgundy from Grand Cru vineyards including Richebourg, Clos de Vougeot and Echezeaux. Employing techniques that mirror his vineyard-focused approach at Meo-Camuzet, Jean-Nicolas’ expertise influences all aspects of the winemaking at Nicolas-Jay, his meticulous attention to detail including strictly limiting yields, harvesting earlier than many neighboring producers and placing the fruit in small cherry bins to prevent bruising. After separating the 100% destemmed Pinot Noir grapes into up to 30 individual native yeast fermentations to focus on the purity of the fruit, Jean-Nicolas utilizes gentle pump-overs to keep the berries intact before switching to the more common punch-downs to build tannic structure. Blending the most exceptional barrels sourced from their top parcels from a range of AVA’s across the Valley, Jean-Nicolas and associate winemaker Tracy Kendall aged the elegant 2019 Nicolas-Jay Pinot Noir l’Ensemble in 35% new French oak barrels crafted by the same coopers used for the Meo-Camuzet wines for 16 months before bottling it unfiltered and unfined, yielding a polished and silky Pinot Noir reminiscent of red Burgundy with fresh earthy fruit and a lengthy spiced finish hinting of chalky minerality that reflects its Willamette Valley origins. From a classic Oregon vintage producing “epic Pinot Noirs of noteworthy elegance and energy” according to Vinous critic Josh Raynolds, Jean-Nicolas Meo’s fresh and vibrant 94 pt. 2019 Nicolas-Jay Pinot Noir l’Ensemble is a harmonious, terroir-expressive blend of exceptional Pinot Noir crafted by a masterful Burgundy winemaker and structured to continue to evolve in the glass and in the cellar, offering a unique opportunity to enjoy an elegant and finessed Burgundy-style Pinot Noir at a seriously non-Burgundy price. | ||
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| The Macallan Harmony Collection Intense Arabica Single Malt Scotch (750ml) | ||
| From Craigellachie, Speyside, Scotland | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More What better way to kick off the renaissance of our spirits email offers than a triple feature from the most famous name in single malt Scotch? Macallan is the undisputed standard bearer for Highland whisky, and their limited-release bottlings are always hot commodities among collectors. The trio on offer today represent everything that the distillery's legions of hardcore fans know and love - singular Highland character paired with unmatched luxury from the most desirable name in collectible Scotch. Leading off, we have the newly arrived A Night on Earth Jerez de la Fronterra, the third release in the Night on Earth series, celebrating the distillery's heritage as a visionary leader in sherry-aged Scotch as well as the vibrant cultural Jerez touchstone of Nochevieja, the region's traditional New Year's Eve festival. Aged in top-tier European and American oak cooperage, Night on Earth Jerez is the perfect combination of the classic Macallan Highland profile and full-on sherry influence for a truly memorable limited release. Macallan fans will also know the pair of Harmony Collection releases as two of the most sought-after in recent years from the venerable distillery. The Intense Arabica and Amber Meadow fully live up to their names in their respective profiles, delivering one-of-a-kind expressions that are also pure Macallan at heart. Best of all, in anticipation of the newest forthcoming release, we're offering both renditions at limited-time pricing that's the best in you'll find in the Florida market, so Macallan fans will want to strike quickly on a rare opportunity at a collectible trifecta. | ||
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| 2010 Chateau Lascombes (1.5L) | ||
| Merlot from Margaux, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "The 2016 Château Lascombes is another brilliant Margaux, and I was blown away by this wine... while I’d happily enjoy bottles today, it’s going to keep for 25-30 years." Crafted by the renowned Second Growth estate in an excellent vintage, the opulent 95pt 2016 Chateau Lascombes offers lush dark fruit with hints of smoky graphite and structured, ripe tannins, described as "really stunning" by critic James Suckling and offering incomparable value, conveyed ex-Chateau. Established in the center of the Margaux plateau, the stately ivy-covered 19th century Chateau Lascombes was brought back to its original grandeur in the 1950s under the direction of renowned wine writer and entrepreneur Alexis Lichine, who raised the quality of the estate's wine exponentially over his two decades of ownership. Planted to 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon with 5% Petit Verdot, Lascombes' 120 hectares of vineyards are the largest holding in the Margaux AOC, divided into three distinct blocks based on their diverse soils of clay, gravel and limestone. Formerly the technical manager of Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Duhart-Milon and Château l'Evangile before taking the reins at Lascombes in 2001, winemaker Dominique Befve presided over the most recent modernization of the estate, remapping and restructuring the vineyards, constructing new cellars and employing stricter selection for the Grand Vin under the advisement of renowned winemaking consultant Michel Rolland. Aged in 80% new French oak barrels for 18 months, the full-bodied 95pt 2016 Chateau Lascombes boasts layers of luscious dark fruit, minerality and impressive length with "a terrific sense of elegance and purity" according to critic Jeb Dunnuck, already incredibly drinkable. Offered at a fraction of the price of nearby Chateaux Margaux and Palmer from an outstanding vintage, the 2016 Chateau Lascombes strikes the balance between richness and elegance, giving "full rein to the classy image of Margaux as the center of delicacy and precision in the Médoc" according to Bordeaux expert Jane Anson, conveyed in pristine provenance in cellar-ready original wooden cases and promising years of enjoyment. | ||
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| Casa Dragones Joven Tequila (750ml) | ||
| From Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Estate Grown Tequila? You bet! Hey, Tequila comes from a specific place and the agave plant is treated with as much reverence as vines in Burgundy, Bordeaux or Napa Valley. Jalisco is the Mexican state where Tequila comes from, and the agave plant thirsts for the trinity of soil, climate and altitude found here. Casa Dragones takes the pureness of flavor a blanco has and adds a small amount of extra añejo to round out the palate, producing what the Robb Report called "the greatest single sipping tequila," this crystal clear potion they call "Joven." Drinkers of fine whiskey the world over should take notice here, tequila delivers some of the world's most flavorful and palate-pleasing spirits. | ||
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| 2021 Antinori Tenuta Guado al Tasso (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More 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. This latest set of new releases show the unmatched pedigree of Antinori, from the sterling quality of the fruit, to the clear terroir signatures, to the precise and meticulous winemaking. The entry-level Il Bruciato has fast made a name for itself as one of the great Super Tuscan value performers in the market, and the 93-point 2023 delivers on this reputation. "Full-bodied ... generous and rounded, with supple ripe tannins providing a fleshy sensation through the finish," notes Audrey Frick, writing for Jeb Dunnuck. The blend of all five Bordeaux varietals makes for an easy to enjoy, go-to option with an added dimension of Antinori class. Speaking of which, that same class is on full display in the towering 2021 Guado al Tasso. Racking up a bevy of outstanding press headlined by Galloni's massive 98-point review, the 2021 is a wine of "gorgeous sophistication" as described by James Suckling, marked by "crazy aromatic presence and feel" thanks to an elevated percentage of Cabernet Franc in the blend, which plays perfectly against the stunning quality of the Cabernet Sauvignon in this vintage. "The pedigree and purity of this red are evident immediately," notes Wine Spectator, as we'd fully expect from the hallowed cellars of Marchesi Antinori. | ||
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| The Macallan A Night On Earth In Jerez de la Frontera Single Malt Scotch (750ml) | ||
| From Craigellachie, Speyside, Scotland | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More What better way to kick off the renaissance of our spirits email offers than a triple feature from the most famous name in single malt Scotch? Macallan is the undisputed standard bearer for Highland whisky, and their limited-release bottlings are always hot commodities among collectors. The trio on offer today represent everything that the distillery's legions of hardcore fans know and love - singular Highland character paired with unmatched luxury from the most desirable name in collectible Scotch. Leading off, we have the newly arrived A Night on Earth Jerez de la Fronterra, the third release in the Night on Earth series, celebrating the distillery's heritage as a visionary leader in sherry-aged Scotch as well as the vibrant cultural Jerez touchstone of Nochevieja, the region's traditional New Year's Eve festival. Aged in top-tier European and American oak cooperage, Night on Earth Jerez is the perfect combination of the classic Macallan Highland profile and full-on sherry influence for a truly memorable limited release. Macallan fans will also know the pair of Harmony Collection releases as two of the most sought-after in recent years from the venerable distillery. The Intense Arabica and Amber Meadow fully live up to their names in their respective profiles, delivering one-of-a-kind expressions that are also pure Macallan at heart. Best of all, in anticipation of the newest forthcoming release, we're offering both renditions at limited-time pricing that's the best in you'll find in the Florida market, so Macallan fans will want to strike quickly on a rare opportunity at a collectible trifecta. | ||
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| Redwood Empire Pipe Dream Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) | ||
| From Sonoma County, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More If you're looking for a new range of expertly crafted, boutique American whiskies to enjoy, look far to the west, all the way to the edge of the continent. There, in Sonoma County, you'll find Redwood Empire. This small-production distillery is a paragon of forward thinking and vision. Using a variety of mashbills and unconventional blends of different mashbills, Redwood Empire turns out thrilling releases, each named for an iconic California coastal redwood tree and each offering a highy distinctive profile, which gives the ardent whiskey fan a prime opportuntiy for exploration and discovery. From small production quotas (only four barrels a day) to innovative sustainability practices to their grain-to-glass ethos, they're initimately tied to their surroundings. The distillery's consistent upward trajectory is borne out in a bevy of excellent recent press puts the spotlight on a must-try line-up unlike any other in the category. Whether it's a classic bourbon profile you're looking for or a high-rye powerhouse, or a unique blend of the two different styles for that matter, you'll find it here. | ||
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| 2017 Domaine La Soumade Cuvee Confiance (1.5L) | ||
| Grenache from Rasteau, Rhône, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Located on steep, south-facing slopes and mostly clay soils, Rasteau produces deep, concentrated wines that have distinct minerality to go with savory, chocolaty, earthy aromatics. While most drink well on release, the best can easily keep for 10-15 years. It’s worth pointing out that while the region was known in the past for making more rustic, alcoholic wines, that’s no longer the case, and the wines today show much more polish, elegance, and balance. The top wines are a match for anything coming out of the Southern Rhône Valley today." Dunnuck designates the top seven domaines of Rasteau, La Soumade among them along with three other properites we work with. Don't miss Fleur de Confiance that Wine Advocate writer Joe Czerwinski declared "the most impressive Rasteau to have ever passed these lips." | ||
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| Knob Creek Bourbon X Rye Blended Whiskey (750ml) | ||
| From Clermont, Kentucky | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More It's the most anticipated time of year for whisky fanatics as Whisky Advocate comes out with its annual Top 20 Whiskies of the Year list. Yesterday's reveal of the full list completes a week of excitement for collectors and buyers alike, as we see which of our favorites made the cut. So, it's a great thrill for us to feature six of the top contenders on the list today, including the collectible trophy Bruichladdich 18 Year Old at the #2 spot and the simply stunning Lagavulin "The Ink of Legends" 12 Year Old Special Release Single Malt, which landed in the #3 spot for its thrilling expression of hallmark Lagavulin peated malt finished in Don Julio Anejo tequila casks. Heaven Hill's innovative Grain to Glass series rounds out the top five with the 6 Year Old Straight Bourbon, and a trio of insider's favorites all make an appearance as well. Ardbeg's The Spectacular takes the well-known and loved peat monster proflie of this famous single malt and rounds it out in balanced luxury with finishing in ruby port piples, a first for the distillery. Finally, a pair of Kentucky stalwarts do the Bluegrass State proud. Knob Creek's Bourbon x Rye is an expert blend that captures the best of both categories in one bottle, and 2XO's The Kiawah Blend shows the masterful blending skill of one Dixon Dedman, the genius behind the cult phenom bourbons of Kentucky Owl, and it's available at a market-best price, no less. If you're looking for the perfect holiday gift for the whisky enthusiast in your life (or if you are that whisky enthusiast), these are can't-miss winners that have just seen their cachet rise in remarkable fashion. Don't miss out on the chance to own a piece or three of whisky royalty. | ||
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| 2019 Chateau Canon (750ml) | ||
| Merlot from Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More We just can’t get enough of the incredible 2019 Bordeaux! Described as “unquestionably a great vintage for Bordeaux” by Jeb Dunnuck, this absolutely stunning lineup of exceptional 2019s are all rated 97 pts and above with four scoring 100 pts., offered at value pricing that’s hard to resist – pick a few favorites or mix a case or two and prepare to enjoy these age worthy beauties for years to come. “One heck of an impressive Margaux” according to Jeb Dunnuck, the elegant 97 pt. 2019 Chateau Giscours is mostly Cabernet with 35% Merlot, its well-integrated oak and ripe tannins poised to evolve for “two decades or so,” - as Antonio Galloni of Vinous declares, “The 2019 is fabulous - that's all there is to it.” Earning the #13 spot of the Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 Cellar Selections 2022, the “perfect” 100 pt. 2019 Chateau Troplong Mondot is a dazzling St. Emilion blend of mostly Merlot, “without question one of the wines of the vintage” according to critic Galloni that Jane Anson of Inside Bordeaux calls “impressive” with chalky limestone tannins that “speaks of its soils.” A Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blend from Pessac Leognan, the muscular 99 pt. 2019 Chateau Haut Bailly is “just magic” according to the Wine Advocate’s Lisa Perrotti-Brown, described as “unquestionably a big wine with a brilliant future” by critic Galloni. Always delivering one of the top values from Pauillac since its transformation by the brilliant Alfred Tesseron and his team, the powerful and alluring 99 pt. 2019 Chaeau Pontet Canet is “extremely well balanced and well-integrated” according to Decanter’s Georgina Hindle, a full-bodied Left Bank blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon that Hindle calls “just such a great wine, everything you want” with firm, velvety tannins "promising a long life.” Declaring “Oh, this is good,” Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson calls St. Estephe’s elegant 100 pt. 2019 Chateau Montrose “a masterclass in the flavors and aromatics that you expect in a great Medoc wine” and one that “makes you smile," summed up by James Suckling as “polished and very fine with lovely length.” The massive 100 pt. 2019 Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron offers the power of well-crafted Cabernet Sauvignon blended with a little Merlot, boasting a firm tannic grip that “lands you squarely in Pauillac” according to critic Anson that “will age for decades without breaking a sweat.” Blending mostly Merlot with Cabernet Franc, St. Emilion’s lush 100 pt. 2019 Chateau Canon 100 pt. is described as “one of the most refined, elegant Right Bank wines of the vintage” by the Wine Advocate’s William Kelley, “with a deep core of fruit, beautifully refined tannins” and as noted by the Wine Spectator’s James Molesworth, “a fine lacy thread of chalky minerality” that James Suckling declares “one for the cellar.” Elegantly crafted from mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, Neal Martin of Vinous calls the enchanting 99 pt. 2019 Chateau Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande “an absolute show-stopper” with gorgeous aromatics reminiscent of Latour, “a powerful, multi-dimensional Pichon-Lalande,” that he sums up in a single word, “Stunning.” Described as “a brilliant wine as one of the stars of the show from Margaux” by Jeb Dunnuck, the Left Bank’s classically-styled 99 pt. 2019 Chateau Palmer is “a very fine wine with a serious structure” that “will age for many years” according to the Wine Enthusiast’s Roger Voss and called “a brilliant rendition of the contemporary Palmer style” by the Wine Advocate’s William Kelley. A treasure trove of exceptional Left and Right bank blends promising decades of longevity, those Bordeaux fans and collectors who make room in the cellar for these top-rated 2019’s will be rewarded again and again, these beautiful top-rated Bordeaux certain to provide enjoyment for years to come. | ||
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| 2019 Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino La Casa (750ml) | ||
| Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More A duo of age worthy Brunello di Montalcino wines from one of the region’s top rated producers, B-21 Brunello fans seeking outstanding value know to make room in the cellar for the enticing 95 pt. 2019 Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino and refined single-vineyard 97 pt. 2019 Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino La Casa, sourced from a stellar vintage blending “power and elegance” according to Vinous critic Eric Guido and both unbeatably priced at a fraction of the region’s higher profile estates. Counted among Montalcino’s most historic wineries and known for producing one of its first single vineyard Brunellos, owner Elisabetta Gnudi Angelini is credited with transforming the spectacular 200-hectare Caparzo estate in northern Montalcino over the last several decades, employing meticulous attention to detail including the construction of a new, technologically advanced cellar and replanting the vineyards while expanding the total area under vine from 46 hectares to 90. Representing “a beautiful introduction to the brand and a great value” according to Eric Guido of Vinous, the seductive 2019 95 pt. Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino was sourced from 9 hectares of vineyards spread over five diverse sectors in the DOCG and aged in a mix of French and Slavonian oak barrels and casks for up to 3 years with extended time in bottle, yielding “outstanding freshness, incredible balance of richness, and a great deal of complexity” according to Audrey Frick of Jeb Dunnuck and promising “another decade of pleasure” according to Brunello expert Kerin O’Keefe. Sourced from the Montosoli Hill, “a true Cru of the region” according to Vinous critic Eric Guido, the plush 97 pt. 2019 Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino La Casa comes from the estate’s 5-hectare La Casa vineyard and was aged for the first 12 months in French oak barriques, the next 24 months in 30-hectoliter French oak barrels and over a year in bottle, yielding “a lovely and joyous wine with velvety soft tannins and good inner energy” according to the Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner described as “focused and elegantly structured” by critic Kerin O’Keefe who sums it up as “excellent.” Crafted as pure and transparent expressions of their exceptional Montalcino terroir, the impressive 95 pt. 2019 Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino is “already surprisingly accessible but will also offer another decade of pleasure” according to critic Kerin O’Keefe while the elegant 97 pt. 2019 Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino La Casa will continue to evolve over the next few decades according to the Wine Spectator’s Bruce Sanderson, giving savvy Tuscan wine lovers who stock the cellar an opportunity to enjoy two exceptional Brunellos at a bargain price. | ||
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| 2011 Vinedos de Paganos El Puntido Gran Reserva (750ml) | ||
| Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More A hidden-gem Rioja collectible typically only well-known by insiders and collectors, the single-vineyard El Puntido Gran Reserva is the kind of terroir-specific wine that is growing more prominent in this classic Spanish wine region. Entirely Tempranillo from a small, high-elevation plot of 60-year-old vines in the Páganos village of Rioja Alavesa, the 2011 is just entering a long prime drinking window. "I love its overall balance, mid-palate depth, and length, and it's drinking brilliantly today, with another decade or more of overall longevity." - Jeb Dunnuck James Suckling likewise describes it in his 95-point review as "full-bodied, extremely integrated and polished [with] a super long finish." The vineyard's elevation, combined with an extremely unique ambient yeast only present in one other vineyard in Rioja, give the warm-vintage 2011 rendition a fascinating underlying freshness that's seldom found among its comtemporaries. Whether you're a fan of Rioja or just a savvy collector of the world's best small-production, terroir-driven expressions, the 2011 El Puntido is perfectly poised to shine in your glass tonight or anytime over the next 10 to 15 years. | ||
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| 2020 Domaine Giraud Galimardes Rouge (750ml) | ||
| Grenache from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Domaine Giraud is a relative newcomer in the Southern Rhone, crafting its first wine in 1974 from 4 hectares of rented vines and producing its first estate cuvee in 1998 under second generation siblings Marie and Francois Giraud. Spanning over 17 hectares spread over 64 separate parcels across the appellation, Giraud’s estate owned vineyards are planted with vines averaging 60-80 years of age in a diverse mix of pebble, sand, clay, and limestone soils, each parcel farmed organically with minimal treatments and managed manually from harvesting to sorting. Sourced primarily from old-vine Grenache including parcels in Les Gallimardes and La Crau, the elegant 2020 Domaine Giraud Chateauneuf-du-Pape Tradition Rouge is a blend of 80% Grenache and 5% Mourvedre aged for 18 months in cement vats and 15% Syrah matured in used Bordeaux barriques and bottled without filtering or fining, crafted in a vineyard-driven style with “relatively simple, unadorned winemaking” according to Wine Advocate’s Joe Czerwinski with fine-grained tannins that frame the intense, luscious fruit and predict a long and satisfying evolution in the cellar. A small-production cuvee that wasn’t produced at all in 2021 due to frost damage, the enticing 95-point 2020 Domaine Giraud Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Gallimardes Rouge comes from a terroir-expressive vintage “producing athletic, elegant wines of intensity and panache” according to Decanter’s Matt Walls, an under-the-radar gem priced far below the region’s higher profile estates and expertly crafted to reward savvy collectors with over a decade of pleasurable drinking ahead. | ||
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| Redwood Empire Emerald Giant Cask Strength Rye Whiskey (750ml) | ||
| From Sonoma County, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More If you're looking for a new range of expertly crafted, boutique American whiskies to enjoy, look far to the west, all the way to the edge of the continent. There, in Sonoma County, you'll find Redwood Empire. This small-production distillery is a paragon of forward thinking and vision. Using a variety of mashbills and unconventional blends of different mashbills, Redwood Empire turns out thrilling releases, each named for an iconic California coastal redwood tree and each offering a highy distinctive profile, which gives the ardent whiskey fan a prime opportuntiy for exploration and discovery. From small production quotas (only four barrels a day) to innovative sustainability practices to their grain-to-glass ethos, they're initimately tied to their surroundings. The distillery's consistent upward trajectory is borne out in a bevy of excellent recent press puts the spotlight on a must-try line-up unlike any other in the category. Whether it's a classic bourbon profile you're looking for or a high-rye powerhouse, or a unique blend of the two different styles for that matter, you'll find it here. | ||
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| 2018 Belargus Quarts-de-Chaume Grand Cru Roueres (750ml) | ||
| Chenin Blanc from Anjou, Loire, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More A not to be missed selection of top-rated Chenin Blancs from the Loire Valley’s newest rockstar producer, this stellar lineup of exquisite wines from Domaine Belargus is “a must investment for all fans of Chenin Blanc” and equally appealing to those who enjoy “the very great white wines of this world” according to the Wine Advocate’s Stephen Reinhardt, produced in limited quantities and available while they last. Established in 2018 by Ivan Massonnat, Domaine Belargus is founded on the groundwork of Anjou legend Jo Pithon, among the first to shift focus to vineyard specific Chenin Blanc in the late 1980’s and responsible for the revitalization of the dramatic Coteau des Treilles, a steep, terraced vineyard referred to as the Cote Rotie of the Layon Valley. Originally known for sweet wines but also producing dry Chenins since the late 20th century, the Anjou Noir region boasts a mosaic of complex mineral and volcanic soils perfect for growing Chenin Blanc, with each of the Belargus cru’s expressing its unique origins, including premium parcels in the famed Quarts-de Chaume AOP, the only Grand Cru site in the entire Loire Valley. Leading off with the dry selections, the entry level 94 pt. 2018 Belargus Anjou Ronceray Blanc offers classic Chenin Blanc spiced fruit “all backed by finely beaded acidity” according to the Wine Spectator’s Aleks Zecevic while the powerful 97 pt. 2018 Belargus Anjou Treilles Blanc is a silky, seamlessly textured Chenin Blanc with a mineral tinged finish sourced from the famed 2.72-hectare Coteau des Treilles monopole, a beauty that “any serious wine lover should at least taste” according to critic Reinhardt. Sourced from vineyards along the Layon River, its humid air aiding in the late season development of botrytis, the 96 pt. 2018 Belargus Coteaux du Layon Moelleux Layon is a harmonious blend of polished fruit and honeyed texture, offering “great tension between acidity and sweetness” according to critic Zecevic with a “sensationally long” finish and delivering incredible value. Sourced from one of the three plots listed in the original declaration of the Grand Cru Quarts-de-Chaume appellation, the 96 pt. 2018 Belargus Quarts-de-Chaume Grand Cru Roueres is “rich yet finessed and elegant” according to critic Reinhardt, bottled in full size 750 ml. Described as “fabulous” and “irresistible,” the 99 pt. 2018 Belargus Quarts-de-Chaume Grand Cru Les Quarts pairs “richness and sweetness with crystalline finesse and elegance in an unrivaled way” according to Reinhardt, and the viscous and intensely concentrated 100 pt. 2018 Belargus Quarts-de-Chaume Grand Cru Ultra is “made for eternity,” and with only one barrel produced, a must for collectors of “the finest noble sweet wines,” poised to age for decades, both of these beauties offered in 375 ml. half bottles. Offered in a range of styles and levels of complexity, these selections from Domaine Belargus highlight Chenin Blanc's chameleon-like ability to elegantly mirror its terroir when crafted by an exceptional producer. Sourced from an outstanding 2018 Loire Valley vintage, Chenin Blanc fans and anyone looking to explore the Loire’s best whites won’t want to miss this opportunity to enjoy these masterful Loire wines from Domaine Belargus, ideal for mixing a case at an astoundingly good price. | ||
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| 2020 Domaine de la Vieille Julienne Les Trois Sources (750ml) | ||
| Grenache from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More An impressive, limited production CDP lauded by critics and coveted by Rhone enthusiasts, the richly textured 97 pt. 2020 Domaine de la Vieille Julienne Les Hauts Lieux reveals powerful, mineral-tinged aromas and fresh layered fruit matched by fine acidity, its firm, muscular tannins built to evolve over the next decade - simply a brilliant Chateauneuf du Pape that collectors will want to reserve a spot for in their cellars. Located at the northeastern corner of the Chateauneuf du Pape AOC, Domaine de la Vieille Julienne has been owned by the Daumen family since 1905, its highly rated Southern Rhone blends crafted by talented fifth generation winemaker Jean-Paul Daumen for the last three decades. One of the first estates in the region to convert to biodynamic practices under Jean-Paul, the domain farms 15 hectares in the Chateauneuf du Pape AOC, a single contiguous north-facing vineyard sheltered from the extreme heat and planted with mostly Grenache in a mosaic of limestone and quartz soils in the Mont Redon lieu-dit. While some of the estate’s Grenache are over 100 years of age, winemaker Daumen focuses his cuvees on specific terroirs rather than the age of the vines, the Les Hauts Lieux cuvee a field blend of hand harvested grapes grown at the highest elevation, blended together parcel by parcel from vines averaging 70 years of age. Employing what he calls “severe” selection while dramatically limiting yields, Daumen co-fermented the blended grapes with natural yeasts in cement tanks, then aged the 2020 Les Hauts Lieux CDP in large oak foudres for 18 months, bottling without fining or filtering with additional time in the cellar to yield rich concentration and superb depth. Consistently garnering critical praise including a spot on the Wine Spectator’s Top 100 of 2020, the Wine Advocate declared, “Jean-Paul Daumen continues to fashion some of the top wines of the vintage, in just about every vintage” - the elegant 97 pt. 2020 Domaine de la Vieille Julienne Les Hauts Lieux offering an outstanding opportunity for collectors and fans of the finest Chateauneuf du Pape rouge to stock the cellar with this meticulously crafted, hard to acquire gem at an unheard of price. | ||
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| 2018 Enzo Boglietti Barolo Arione (750ml) | ||
| Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Described by the Wine Advocate as crafting “some of the richest, most deeply flavored Barolos in Piedmont,”, this selection of highly rated Cru Barolos from Enzo Boglietti rank among the Piedmont’s top bargains, each sourced from small family-owned parcels spread across Barolo’s top Cru’s and all promising to age over the next decade or more at an incredible value price. Ending his family’s decades’ long practice of selling grapes to the local coop, Enzo Boglietti established his La Morra winery with 3 hectares of vineyards in 1991, counted among the group of rebellious young winemakers at the time producing a more modern style Barolo crafted to be immediately accessible. Over the years Enzo has moderated his approach, limiting the use of new French oak barriques and reducing extraction times during fermentation to produce elegantly styled, site expressive Barolos from some of the region’s top Crus, his vineyards now spanning 20 hectares across the Langhe. Described by James Suckling as “clean and fresh”, the appealing 92 pt. 2018 Enzo Boglietti Boiolo is sourced from a 1.95 hectare parcel at 300-350 meters above sea level on the northern border of Rocche dell’Annunziata, while the aromatic 94 pt. 2016 Enzo Boglietti Fossati expresses the typical character of the Fossati cru with floral aromatics and balsamic nuances, summed up by the Wine Spectator’s Bruce Sanderson as “graceful yet packs a punch.” From the warmer, protected Cru situated between the upper portion of Fossati and Cerequio, James Suckling calls the 96 pt. 2015 Enzo Boglietti Case Nere “impressively refined” while describing the 95 pt. 2016 Enzo Boglietti Brunate as “fullbodied” and finishing “tight, dense and long,” sourced from a tiny half hectare Brunate parcel known for producing elegant, silky Barolo with deep complexity. From the southernmost Cru in Serralunga that exhibits a “distinctly wild, feral quality strong on iron and mineral” according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous, the refined 95 pt. 2018 Enzo Boglietti Barolo Arione is his most “pinot-like” Barolo according to Enzo, while the 94 pt. 2018 Enzo Boglietti Brunate delivers Brunate’s legendary combination of elegance and power “balanced by juicy, acidity” according to the Wine Independent’s Susan Hulme with “a lovely fresh finish.” Described as “a young producer on the rise” crafting “sumptuous Barolos” by critic Antonio Galloni over a decade ago, these elegantly crafted Cru Barolo selections from Enzo Boglietti overdeliver in a big way, priced at a mere fraction of his competitors and offering a terrific opportunity to mix a case and enjoy Boglietti’s full range of top scoring Cru Barolo reflecting the region’s diverse terroirs for years to come. | ||
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