2014 Pujanza Hado (750ml) | ||
Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Tasting these estate-owned single vineyard beauties of Bodegas Pujanza – from 99 acres of historic sites dating to the 1920s, newer parcels planted in the 1970s – the breathtaking Sierra de Cantabria Mountains in the distance, I began to understand the importance of these sites in Laguardia; Rioja Alavesa's most beautiful village. Planted to 100% old vine Tempranillo (save for one parcel of 50+ year old Viura), heights reaching elevations above 2,100 feet, clay-limestone soils naturally curtailing yields and returning fruit of purity, precision, freshness and unmatched elegance, these are among my most treasured discoveries of recent trips to the region. Carlos San Pedro's family has been here for many years, launching Pujanza was the next, logical step towards producing their vision of the perfect wine – marrying place, time, man and history in their single vineyard expressions. Finca Valdepoleo is their most iconic single vineyard, the family pride; it represents Carlos' pursuit of the ultimate Laguardia expression. While Hado is for the newly initiated; an opportunity to explore Pujanza's great terroirs in a younger drinking wine. Both are singular expressions, terroir focused; very, very proud wines. Striking, DO NOT miss selections! | ||
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2015 Domaine de la Solitude Reserve Secrete (750ml) | ||
Grenache from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More In the 14th century, the papal court relocated to Avignon in the Rhone valley, giving Chateauneuf du Pape its name ("new house of the Pope"), while dozens of noble Italian families relocated to the region. Among those were the Lançon family forebears, the Barberini family of Rome – still prominent in Italy; a Pope and a couple cardinals in the lineage – making these owners of Domaine de la Solitude an integral part of the region's historical fabric. Their family crest – the three bees adorning the labels on their bottles – dates to the middle ages. Including the Renaissance, through the Revolution and throughout these modern times, the Lançon family has been part of Chateauneuf du Pape. In the early 1870s, conscientious growers gathered together, formulating the rules which launched the entire Appellation Controlée (AOC) system, the Lançon family the cornerstone estate for their zone. Fittingly, they reached another watershed moment in their long, brilliant history, landing in Wine Spectator's Top 100 list for 2017. I'll soon have each of their ultra-fine specialty cuvees from 2015 in stock, as well as their Top 100 earning 2016 CDP Blanc (#74). Order yours today, you're gonna want these. | ||
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2015 Yann Chave (750ml) | ||
Syrah from Hermitage, Rhône, France | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More That 2015 is great vintage in the Rhone and particularly in the Northern Rhone is now well known and shrewd buyers have already taken positions. The classic estate of Yann Chave, with excellent but small holding in Hermitage with significant holding in Crozes-Hermitage representing great Chave value is no exception. Reference standard is his Crozes "Rouvre" from 60 year old vines and a stunning Hermitage. Yann loves his 1999s and feels 2015 is a repeat of that epic vintage. | ||
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1994 Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo Brunate le Coste (750ml) | ||
Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More My first visit with Beppe Rinaldi was in the early 1990s when the wines of Barolo were not so well known, and Beppe Rinaldi unknown. We rallied behind Beppe with a selection of 14 vintages, magnums too (recalling the spectacular 1988 from magnum). Remarkable that his wines were so recently discovered. The wines are much the same really, but tradition was giving way to a modern style of new oak and new ways... Retrograde, folks like Bartolo Mascarello, Giacomo Conterno and Beppe Rinaldi are back on top as the modern wave fades. History does repeat, and how well articulated by Rinaldi, with historic Barolo sites of Brunate, Cannubi, Le Coste and Tre Tine. | ||
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2013 Porseleinberg Syrah (750ml) | ||
Syrah from Swartland, Coastal Region, South Africa | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More From super bargains to superstars, South Africa puts it all on the the table with an unmatched spectrum of diversity; terroir, varietals and winemaking. The biodynamic work of green thumb Johan Reyneke who is doing great work with old vine Chenin Blanc, and fortunately South Africa has extensive holdings of old-vine Chenin. Ernie Els is turning out winning wines, in particular the 2014s with intense, exceptional reds. Serious Cabernet sources are blessing this Proprietor's Blend from the Helderberg region within the Stellenbosch appellation. What about a Syrah that favors the great wines of the northern Rhone? Cape Syrah! Stunning Porseleinberg Syrah is being hatched from concrete eggs in the Swartland. Winemaker Callie Louw is proving South Africa is a serious world stage contender. Organically farmed, whole bunch fermentation, native yeasts to grapes from severe schistous rock soils make a terroir-driven wine not to be missed. Buitenverwachting's Bayten Sauvignon Blanc is a serious Sauvignon Blanc as much as a serious bargain. Planted in the southwest corner of South Africa, a cooler growing region just eight miles from False Bay – well suited for Sauvignon – that is dry-farmed old vines planted on decomposed granite. These are just a sampling of cutting-edge, fun, dynamic wines from South Africa that you are sure to explore and enjoy. | ||
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2008 Pra Amarone della Valpolicella (1.5L) | ||
Corvina from Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
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