Top Quality Store
| 2019 Giodo Alberelli di Giodo Nerello Mascalese (1.5L) | ||
| Nerello Mascalese from Sicily, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More As consulting enologist with multiple 100 pt. scores to his credit, Italy's Carlo Ferrini knows a thing or two about crafting exceptional wine, his own top-rated Brunellos described as "Montalcino's best-kept secret" by the Wine Spectator's Robert Camuto. Setting his sights on Sicily's Mount Etna, these small production selections from Ferrini's Podere Giodo hit the mark, crafted from old vines ranging up to 100 years of age to deliver exceptional depth reflecting their rich volcanic origins, two enticing wines for Mount Etna aficionados and a perfect introduction for anyone looking to explore the region's best. After a decade of consulting with some of Sicily's most renowned estates including Tasca D'Almerita, Pietradolce and Le Casematte , winemaker Carlo Ferrini purchased some small parcels on the north-facing terraced black lava slopes of Etna, planted with extraordinary low yielding, pre-phylloxera Nerello Mascalese vines averaging 80-100 years along with a small parcel of the indigenous white Carricante, the vines "a mere" 50 years of age. Trained to the traditional low-bush goblet method (called "albarello" in Italian meaning "little tree"), the parcels are located at high altitudes from 800 to 950 meters, above the official limits of the Etna DOC (widely considered to have been drawn too low) and classified under the Sicilia denomination. Boasting lush aromatics evocative of citrus and wild herbs, the zesty 95 pt. 2021 Sicilia Carricante is an exceptional follow up to Giodo's inaugural white Etna release in 2020 described by the Wine Advocate's Monica Larner as "proof that some of the most interesting wines from Etna today are the whites." Producing only 2,500 bottles from less than a half hectare plot, Carlo aged the enticing 2021 Sicilia Carricante for about 6 months in stainless steel tanks on the lees with 10 months longer in bottle, yielding fresh energetic fruit with distinct nuances of flinty crushed stone on a mouthwatering finish. Sourced from a 1.5-hectare parcel and fermented in stainless steel, Carlo aged the 2019 Sicilia Nerello Mascalese in large oak casks for 18 months with additional time in concrete and another 12 months in bottle, yielding layered fragrant fruit and balanced acidity with a long-lasting finish. Reminiscent of a meticulously crafted Pinot Noir, the elegant 96 pt. 2019 Sicilia Nerello Mascalese boasts bright fresh red fruit hinting of spice and elegant minerality, the old vine fruit yielding a powerfully concentrated red that's ready to enjoy now "but will be great in a few years" according to critic James Suckling, available in both 750 ml. and cellar worthy magnums for collectors of Italian wines to enjoy for the next decade. Expertly crafted to showcase their unique volcanic terroir, these exceptional top-rated Giodo Alberelli di Giodo selections from superstar winemaker Carlo Ferrini are equally intriguing for fans of Sicilian wines already familiar with Etna's alluring appeal and any Italian wine lover wanting to explore the region's best, now a terrific opportunity to mix a case at value pricing. | ||
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| 5 Sentidos Espadin Capon Mezcal (750ml) | ||
| From Oaxaca, Mexico | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More If you're a mezcal fan or collector and you haven't jumped on board with 5 Sentidos yet, you're missing out on some of the most compelling, artfully crafted offerings in the category. The brainchild of American Jason Cox, the project began as a collection of house mezcals selected for his upstart Oaxaca restaurant El Destilado. This transplant with an insatiable thirst for artisan agave spirits spent countless hours and miles traversing Oaxaca and its surrounding environs, scouting out the best artisan mezcal producers no one had yet heard of. We're talking true family operations that run on sweat and calloused hands and that produce stunningly complex, singular expressions you won't find anywhere else. Today, the 5 Sentidos range offers a dizzying array of options and styles, and the two on offer here are just a glimpse of the full spectrum, but once you get a hold of them, you'll find yourself diving into the deep end. The Espandin El Capón, from Alberto Martinez's La Escondida palenque in the mountainous village of Santa Catarina Albarradas, is "ultra-traditional destilado de agave from a true artisan of the craft" according to B-21 Spirits Buyer Andrew Kitz. Indeed, Martinez' mastery of clay pot distillation, a centuries-long practice here, is on full display here. High-toned, sweet aromatics give off tons of nuanced complexity, but it's on the "tour de force" palate where the style truly shines. With loads of weight and viscosity, the clay pot pedigree is evident, yet it's also expertly balanced for a profile that fans of this style will absolutely love. Like the El Capon, the Pechuga de Mole Poblano from Defino Tobón Mejia is a showstopping representation of the style. Defino ferments theAgave cupreata(aka Papalote) mash with a freshly slaughtered chicken from his back yard, dousing it in homemade mole poblanoin the process. "A veritable bomb of savory, meaty goodness," the Pechuga de Mole is a wild ride of complexity and intrigue. As Andrew notes, "Delfino is absolutely nailing the style, and it's no wonder this expression has developed such an avid legion of fans." If you're already familiar with 5 Sentidos, you'll no doubt want to add these gems to your shelf at home, and if you haven't discovered them yet, this pair is the perfect introduction to the top-tier craftsmanship that goes into all of Jason Cox's selections. | ||
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| 2020 Domaine de la Vieille Julienne Les Trois Sources (1.5L) | ||
| 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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| 2001 Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino Madonna del Piano Riserva (1.5L) | ||
| Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More From time to time, I like to walk the warehouse, see what goodies we've collected in the cold recesses over time; 50 years at this location there's no telling what we might find in the warehouse. I guess that's an advantage to having such an expansive, cold warehouse – you don't really worry about all those treasures (until the accountants start asking questions). So last week I took a stroll down Big Bottle Lane – took a special bottle or two home, too. Friends, our collection of perfectly stored big bottles of Italian wines – pristine condition, perfect provenance – would send your Pavlovian senses into overdrive. Magnums of 100 pointers, double magnums of 2007 Brunelli, big bottles of 2010 Baroli... yeah, I went nuts with the ordering; you'd think I have a love for perfection – and an affection for large formats. Well, it's Italian Madness time – okay, so I stole from basketball season, it's still catchy – and you're gonna flip for the selection; the prices are a slam dunk! Sorry, couldn't help myself... Seriously though, take a look at this selection, and remember: these are my personal stash; you won't find better conditions, or a better selection under one roof. | ||
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| 2022 Andremily Mourvedre (750ml) | ||
| Mourvedre from Central Coast, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Jim Binns continues to expand in impressive fashion ... As always, the wines are done in a rich, unctuous style, with extended maceration and tons of depth. With the right sites, that style can be incredibly exciting." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous After achieving a staggering twenty-seven 100-point scores during his tenure with winemaker Manfred Krankl at Sine Qua Non, Jim Binns established Andremily in 2012 on the outskirts of Ventura County, just south of Santa Barbara, naming it after his two children, Andrew and Emily. Sourcing grapes from top Santa Barbara vineyards including the legendary Bien Nacido and White Hawk, Jim has also expanded his use of estate-grown fruit since his recent purchase of the 39-acre Slide Hill Vineyard in Edna Valley, a move that has had "a profound impact on the wine" according to Galloni. "This roster delivers a comparable style [to SQN] in its density and opulence, albeit with even more chocolate-tinged richness and, somewhat paradoxically, more finesse." - Matthew Luczy, Wine Advocate We've just received our first allocation of the 2022 reds – a "brilliant" Mourvèdre and a #11 Syrah that's "heavenly stuff" – and if they're any indication, this vintage is shaping up to be another gangusters set, with both wines coming in at 96-98 points from Jeb Dunnuck. Needless to say, fans of Andremily, or full-throttle, luxury California reds in general, will not want to miss these. And if you need to reload on previous vintages, be sure to lock in on the highly acclaimed 2021s, as well as a handful or rare magnums from 2019 and 2020! | ||
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| 2019 Vina Sena Sena (3L) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Aconcagua Valley, Chile | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Eduardo Chadwick is one of the most important people of the vine in Chile – the world for that matter – facing multiple obstacles throughout his impressive career. For nearly a decade Eduardo worked to rebuild the iconic Viña Errázuriz, restoring his family's 19th century estate to its former glory. As Eduardo was gaining ground, California's most famous man of the vine paid the country a visit in 1990. Robert Mondavi fell in love with Chile and would soon be introduced to his counterpart in the region. By 1995, the two had reached a pioneering agreement – Seña was born. For four long, grueling years the two passionate visionaries toiled over vineyard sites in search of the perfect terroir for their dream wine. This was to be Chile's icon above all others. Site was paramount. Located in the Valle de Aconcagua, on a 42 hectare colluvial vineyard of well drained gravel, rock and loam, the Seña vineyard is planted to the perfect mix of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Syrah. The slightly cooler temperatures of this elevated, sloping site allow for long, slow ripening. The Seña vineyard is often harvested two weeks after its nearest neighbor. Precious few wines in the country will compete; perhaps none – after all, perfection is incredibly rare. This is a wine above all others ever bottled in Chile. A wine which is rightly described by Neal Martin as "The peripatetic wine that goes around the world challenging and, let it be said, often defeating First Growths in blind tastings." | ||
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| Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Reserve Exclusive (187ml) | ||
| Sparkling from Epernay, Champagne, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Too much of anything is bad, but too much Champagne is just right." Mark Twain While lovers of fine Champagne don’t need an excuse to indulge, this exceptional offer featuring the 92 pt. Nicolas Feuillatte Reserve Exclusive Brut N/V will make it especially easy to “pop a cork” and enjoy some bubbly deliciousness at a price worth celebrating (see how we did that?) . Crafted in a style that “above all expresses elegance” according to the Wine Spectator’s Bruce Sanderson, the Nicolas Feuillatte Reserve Exclusive Brut offers creamy, fresh fruit on a fine beaded, satiny mousse, one of Champagne’s top values now specially bargain priced for stocking up ahead of the holiday season. Based in Chouilly about 10 minutes from Epernay, Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte is perched on a hill overlooking rolling vineyards, a modern chic welcome center and tasting salon fronting high tech winemaking facilities so large that it also serves as a secondary production and storage site for Moet & Chandon. Known as a flamboyant socialite whose inner circle of high profile friends included the glamourous Hollywood actress Lauren Bacall, entrepreneur Nicolas Feuillatte established the Champagne brand bearing his name in 1976 in partnership with Henri Macquart, founder of the Centre Vinicole de la Champagne, the largest cooperative of growers in the region. Sourced from over 2,100 hectares of vineyards farmed by over 5,000 growers across the appellation, the Nicolas Feuillatte Reserve Exclusive Brut is a balanced blend of 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Meunier and 20% Chardonnay, with aging on the lees for 36 months before bottling yielding a well-balanced Champagne that’s “bright and pillowy” according to the Wine Advocate’s William Kelley, revealing “a fleshy core of fruit and tangy acids” hinting of brioche on an impressive silky finish. Boasting a pleasing “upfront charm” according to Decanter’s Simon Field, the 92 pt. Nicolas Feuillatte Reserve Exclusive Brut is drinking beautifully now, its subtle flavors and delicate bubbles making it the perfect choice as an aperitif and an “easy to reach for” house champagne at bargain pricing. | ||
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| 2015 M.Chapoutier Domaine de Bila-Haut Occultum Lapidem (1.5L) | ||
| Syrah from Cotes du Roussillon, Languedoc-Roussillon, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Tasted from barrel in December 2016 and again this month (March 2018) from bottle last week (February 2018), I continue to insist that it's the Occultum which offers the consumer and hedonist alike the most bang for their dollar. Palate coating, teeth staining, dark as night and with aromas that will engulf your senses, this decades-old cuvee hits stride with the 2015. If ever, this is the vintage and this is the wine. Schiste/slate soils impart the intensifying midpalate experience that can overwhelm, as well as an etching depth to the finish. The region continues to impress with wines that are build like the nearby fortress town of Carcassonne. No wonder the famous Chapoutier was attracted to this place where he can build wines to rival his Rhone wines at a fraction of the cost – at least for now. | ||
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| 2019 Domaine de Montille Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru (1.5L) | ||
| Chardonnay from Chevalier-Montrachet, Burgundy, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Boasting fresh, lively fruit and balanced acidity, these spectacular 2019 Domaine de Montille Burgundies come from a vintage that "hit the bullseye" according to critic James Suckling, offering a "rare combination of excellence and great consistency." Benefiting from our long-standing relationship with the Domaine, this part two of our exclusive Domaine de Montille offering features Burgundies from the estate's vineyards heading south from Volnay through the Cote d'Or to Saint Aubin, ranging from a value-packed entry level Red Burgundy to a vast array of exquisite Premier and Grand Cru Whites, all exceptional wines offering outstanding value, many offered in large format perfect for cellaring. Now considered a pioneer in the region for being among the first to estate bottle his wines and craft ageworthy Burgundy with a sense of place, Hubert de Montille took over his family's estate at the age of 17 in 1947 after it had dwindled to only 2.5 hectares and set about rebuilding the domaine's holdings while establishing a stellar reputation. Taking the reins after his father's 50-year tenure, Hubert's son Etienne was among the first in the region to convert to organic and then biodynamic practices, while continuing to expand the estate with the acquisition of some of Burgundy's most highly regarded vineyards, including those of Chateau de Puligny-Montrachet in 2012. Now with 35 hectares of holdings spanning an astounding 20 separate top appellations throughout the region, Domaine de Montille's top Chardonnay parcels south of Volnay include Puligny Folatières, a premier cru with two prestigious neighbors, Leflaive and Leroy, the rock-covered Meursault Poruzots next to the famous "Les Genevrières" vineyard and Saint Aubin En Remilly, located just behind the revered Grand Cru Le Montrachet. Crediting the influence of his brother-in-law, the masterful Meursault winemaker Jean Marc Roulot, Etienne employs a restrained use of new oak for the whites depending on the specific plots, aging for up to a year on the lees and preserving the acidic backbone while crafting complex, balanced wines that will evolve over decades. From the exceptional 2019 Bourgogne Blanc "Clos du Chateau," boasting the rich profile of Puligny Montrachet at a fraction of the price, to the magnificent 2019 Chevalier Montrachet Grand Cru, an ultimate expression of refined, long-lived Chardonnay from a tiny .23 hectare parcel, and including one Red Burgundy, the bright and energetic 2019 Bourgogne Rouge, these selections from Domaine de Montille rank among the top in the region, superbly expressing each terroir with alluring freshness and elegant length. Produced in a vintage with significantly lower yields guaranteeing excess demand, now is the time to secure your allocation of these magnificent 2019 Burgundies today and look forward to enjoying them for years to come. | ||
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| 2019 Andremily EABA (1.5L) | ||
| Syrah from Santa Barbara, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Jim Binns continues to expand in impressive fashion ... As always, the wines are done in a rich, unctuous style, with extended maceration and tons of depth. With the right sites, that style can be incredibly exciting." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous After achieving a staggering twenty-seven 100-point scores during his tenure with winemaker Manfred Krankl at Sine Qua Non, Jim Binns established Andremily in 2012 on the outskirts of Ventura County, just south of Santa Barbara, naming it after his two children, Andrew and Emily. Sourcing grapes from top Santa Barbara vineyards including the legendary Bien Nacido and White Hawk, Jim has also expanded his use of estate-grown fruit since his recent purchase of the 39-acre Slide Hill Vineyard in Edna Valley, a move that has had "a profound impact on the wine" according to Galloni. "This roster delivers a comparable style [to SQN] in its density and opulence, albeit with even more chocolate-tinged richness and, somewhat paradoxically, more finesse." - Matthew Luczy, Wine Advocate We've just received our first allocation of the 2022 reds – a "brilliant" Mourvèdre and a #11 Syrah that's "heavenly stuff" – and if they're any indication, this vintage is shaping up to be another gangusters set, with both wines coming in at 96-98 points from Jeb Dunnuck. Needless to say, fans of Andremily, or full-throttle, luxury California reds in general, will not want to miss these. And if you need to reload on previous vintages, be sure to lock in on the highly acclaimed 2021s, as well as a handful or rare magnums from 2019 and 2020! | ||
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| 2019 Andremily Grenache (1.5L) | ||
| Grenache from Santa Barbara, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Jim Binns continues to expand in impressive fashion ... As always, the wines are done in a rich, unctuous style, with extended maceration and tons of depth. With the right sites, that style can be incredibly exciting." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous After achieving a staggering twenty-seven 100-point scores during his tenure with winemaker Manfred Krankl at Sine Qua Non, Jim Binns established Andremily in 2012 on the outskirts of Ventura County, just south of Santa Barbara, naming it after his two children, Andrew and Emily. Sourcing grapes from top Santa Barbara vineyards including the legendary Bien Nacido and White Hawk, Jim has also expanded his use of estate-grown fruit since his recent purchase of the 39-acre Slide Hill Vineyard in Edna Valley, a move that has had "a profound impact on the wine" according to Galloni. "This roster delivers a comparable style [to SQN] in its density and opulence, albeit with even more chocolate-tinged richness and, somewhat paradoxically, more finesse." - Matthew Luczy, Wine Advocate We've just received our first allocation of the 2022 reds – a "brilliant" Mourvèdre and a #11 Syrah that's "heavenly stuff" – and if they're any indication, this vintage is shaping up to be another gangusters set, with both wines coming in at 96-98 points from Jeb Dunnuck. Needless to say, fans of Andremily, or full-throttle, luxury California reds in general, will not want to miss these. And if you need to reload on previous vintages, be sure to lock in on the highly acclaimed 2021s, as well as a handful or rare magnums from 2019 and 2020! | ||
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| 2021 Andremily Mourvedre (1.5L) | ||
| Mourvedre from Central Coast, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Jim Binns continues to expand in impressive fashion ... As always, the wines are done in a rich, unctuous style, with extended maceration and tons of depth. With the right sites, that style can be incredibly exciting." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous After achieving a staggering twenty-seven 100-point scores during his tenure with winemaker Manfred Krankl at Sine Qua Non, Jim Binns established Andremily in 2012 on the outskirts of Ventura County, just south of Santa Barbara, naming it after his two children, Andrew and Emily. Sourcing grapes from top Santa Barbara vineyards including the legendary Bien Nacido and White Hawk, Jim has also expanded his use of estate-grown fruit since his recent purchase of the 39-acre Slide Hill Vineyard in Edna Valley, a move that has had "a profound impact on the wine" according to Galloni. "This roster delivers a comparable style [to SQN] in its density and opulence, albeit with even more chocolate-tinged richness and, somewhat paradoxically, more finesse." - Matthew Luczy, Wine Advocate We've just received our first allocation of the 2022 reds – a "brilliant" Mourvèdre and a #11 Syrah that's "heavenly stuff" – and if they're any indication, this vintage is shaping up to be another gangusters set, with both wines coming in at 96-98 points from Jeb Dunnuck. Needless to say, fans of Andremily, or full-throttle, luxury California reds in general, will not want to miss these. And if you need to reload on previous vintages, be sure to lock in on the highly acclaimed 2021s, as well as a handful or rare magnums from 2019 and 2020! | ||
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| 2020 Andremily #9 Syrah (1.5L) | ||
| Syrah from Central Coast, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Jim Binns continues to expand in impressive fashion ... As always, the wines are done in a rich, unctuous style, with extended maceration and tons of depth. With the right sites, that style can be incredibly exciting." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous After achieving a staggering twenty-seven 100-point scores during his tenure with winemaker Manfred Krankl at Sine Qua Non, Jim Binns established Andremily in 2012 on the outskirts of Ventura County, just south of Santa Barbara, naming it after his two children, Andrew and Emily. Sourcing grapes from top Santa Barbara vineyards including the legendary Bien Nacido and White Hawk, Jim has also expanded his use of estate-grown fruit since his recent purchase of the 39-acre Slide Hill Vineyard in Edna Valley, a move that has had "a profound impact on the wine" according to Galloni. "This roster delivers a comparable style [to SQN] in its density and opulence, albeit with even more chocolate-tinged richness and, somewhat paradoxically, more finesse." - Matthew Luczy, Wine Advocate We've just received our first allocation of the 2022 reds – a "brilliant" Mourvèdre and a #11 Syrah that's "heavenly stuff" – and if they're any indication, this vintage is shaping up to be another gangusters set, with both wines coming in at 96-98 points from Jeb Dunnuck. Needless to say, fans of Andremily, or full-throttle, luxury California reds in general, will not want to miss these. And if you need to reload on previous vintages, be sure to lock in on the highly acclaimed 2021s, as well as a handful or rare magnums from 2019 and 2020! | ||
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