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2013 Domaine Monier Terre Blanche (1.5L)

Syrah from Saint-Joseph, Rhône, France

B-21 Top Recommendation
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High up in the hills, overlooking the Northern Rhône River below, Monsieur Monier is the third generation to farm his family's vineyards in the lieu-dit of Brunieux, a very special spot in Saint Joseph. Now in his early sixties, he recalls the ways of his father, when thoughts of exports and estate bottling were foreign to this town of 700 inhabitants; when trading estate-grown apricots for electrical work was more important than making a living selling wine. In his father's day, grapes were sold to the local co-op, and it wasn't until Jean-Pierre took over that these 30-45 year-old vines began receiving the attention they were due. Following in the steps of Biodynamic professionals in Germany, Monier saw his estate certified Biodynamic by 2006, placing him and his vineyards in an elite, albeit small class of growers. Known as the STGT (Soil to Glass Transfer) group – a category developed by Northern Rhône expert, John Livingstone-Learmonth – these winemakers "survived the onslaught of marketing campaigns, press hype, fashions in winemaking, and wine school orthodoxies" to produce wines vividly true to their origins. You haven't experienced Saint Joseph until Monier's wines have been in your glass. Today, that opportunity has come.

94RAS 92V

Serious, old vines, low yields, from a great vintage, and our pal Kermit Lynch represents this domaine - that says a lot.

94 points, Bob Sprentall, B-21 Proprietor (Jun 2016)

Inky ruby. Highly aromatic scents of raspberry, Asian spices and violet, with a bright mineral element contributing precision. Spicy and penetrating, showing excellent clarity to its lively flavors of red berries, floral pastilles and spicecake. This graceful, mineral-driven wine displays potent floral and spice character on the long, sappy, gently tannic finish.

90-92 points, Josh Raynolds, Vinous (Dec 2014)

2015 Cantina del Taburno Greco (750ml)

Greco from Campania, Italy

B-21 Top Recommendation
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When it comes to the very best in Italian whites, my friends at Vias, coupled with the irresistible bottlings from Leonardo LoCascio's Winebow Group, along with the man himself, Marc de Grazia, deliver uncompromised quality in their classic offerings. Take Broglia, singular in nature in the Gavi territory, their estate was once the ancient Tenuta La Meirana, birthplace of Gavi dating to 972. These hillside plantings return yields of less than one third those allowed by the DOCG regulations, the resulting wines incredibly structured, perfumed, palate pleasing like none other. Or the inimitable Argiolas, who bottles one of my favorite versions of Vermentino; 100% varietal, slightly later harvested for a fuller flavor and aged sur lees for a finish that captivates – undeniable benchmark. There's my friend, Piero Mastroberardino, his family's estate vineyards planted to the most important sites throughout Avellino, with their Falanghina vineyards (within the Sannio appellation) returning an absolutely gushing wine for 2015. Finally, de Grazia's Cantina Taburno, originally established at the turn of the 20th century, their high elevation Greco a dazzling example of what's possible in the hands of such gifted winemakers. A thrilling collection, deserving of the true enthusiast.

91V

Bright, golden-tinged yellow. Mint, tropical fruits and a strong note of anise on the nose. Densely packed but at the same time racy, showing terrific energy and clarity to the flavors of fresh herbs, lime and mango. Finishes lively and with a strong herbal note on the long back end.

91 points, Ian D'Agata, Vinous (Sep 2016)

$16.99

24 bottles in stock and ready to ship.

1

2014 Pujanza Hado (750ml)

Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain

B-21 Top Recommendation
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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!

91WA

The 2014 Hado wants to showcase the freshness and typicity of Tempranillo in the zone of Laguardia in Rioja, where Pujanza's vineyards are located. 2014 was an early and warm vintage, and the grapes comes from a diversity of plots in Laguardia. The wine is fermented (malolactic included) in stainless steel vats and matured in French oak barrels for one year. This year he used a lot of grapes from the Valdepoleo vineyard (he doesn't buy grapes, but he doesn't want to sell them, either), so the wine has more character. It's usually a more straightforward wine and it has more freshness, from a clay-rich vineyard; but here, the aromas are fresher and more floral. The palate is lively, fine-grained and tasty. A very good showing for this wine. 105,000 bottles produced. Bottling was in March 2016.

91 points, Wine Advocate (Issue # 226 - Aug 2016)

$19.99

60+ bottles in stock and ready to ship.

1

2016 Powell & Son Roussanne Marsanne (750ml)

Marsanne from Barossa, South Australia, Australia

B-21 Top Recommendation
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I've written about Callum Powell's dad – David Powell – many times over the years. You know him (or at least his world famous wines) well. A native of South Australia, David Powell decided life as an economics major wasn't his gig, and a brief tour of the world landed him in the Scottish Highlands, where he met his wife – Callum's mother. That's also where he landed his famous job as a lumberjack, toiling away in the ominous Torbreck forest; something we all know led to the name of his first winery. Callum tells of a deeper, more complex story, however. When Powell returned to South Australia, the Barossan way of life made its mark on the couple. They worked for the finest producers: Peter Lehmann, Yalumba, Wolf Blass, Saltram and Rockford. They travelled the finest European wine regions, spending a great deal of time in the Rhone Valley in particular. They gained invaluable insight into the highly complex and varied world of Barossa and its varietals. And they continued working with those original plantings from Powell's first gig. Today, those parcels are "well into their second century of age" explains Callum, and they comprise the cornerstone of Powell & Son's striking selections.

92WA 92WS

A blend of 60% Marsanne and 40% Roussanne, the 2016 Marsanne Roussanne offers pretty scents of warm peach, beeswax, honey and allspice with a hint of baking bread. Medium-bodied with plenty of savory and stone fruit flavor layers, it has a satiny texture and great persistence. 160 cases were made.

92+ points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate (Issue # 229 - Feb 2017)

Rich, with smooth and creamy peach, apricot and Asian pear flavors, accented by spicy toast and a whiff of roasted fennel. The supple texture and detailed finish go on and on. Drink now through 2027. 150 cases made.

92 points, MaryAnn Worobiec, Wine Spectator (Jun 2017)

2013 Barone Ricasoli Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Castello di Brolio (750ml)

Sangiovese from Chianti, Tuscany, Italy

B-21 Top Recommendation
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Located 10 miles northeast of Siena, Ricasoli's Castello di Brolio is unquestionably THE most important landmark in the greater Chianti region. Staggering in every since of the word, the country castle of Brolio – with its gardens and historic palace – stands as a reminder of this family's importance to Chianti, Tuscany and the myriad wines of this region. It was on this site – destroyed and rebuilt over the ages as wars raged between Siena and Florence – where Baron Bettino Ricasoli, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Italy, created the Chianti recipe. His blend of 70% Sangiovese, 15% Canaiolo and 15% Malvasia Bianca was updated by Bettino Ricasoli – the "Iron Baron" – who, at the age of 20, began the first great revival for his family's wines and the entire region. His work is widely defined as a Risorgimento in Italian winemaking; by 1867 Italy earned its first gold medal at the Paris Exposition – earned by the Brolio Chianti. And in 1872, Chianti – the zone – was officially born. Barone Ricasoli's Castello di Brolio Chianti established the zone, subsequently setting the Classico borders; today, it's the standard-bearer for the Gran Selezione classification. The 2013 stopped me in my tracks. You're gonna want that.

95JS

A bright and refined red with delicate chocolate, plum and raspberry character. Medium body, integrated fruit and tannins. Bright acidity. Love the vivid fruit and citrus combination here. Drink now or hold.

95 points, James Suckling (Aug 2016)

$49.99

35 bottles in stock and ready to ship.

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2013 Virna Barolo (750ml)

Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy

B-21 Top Recommendation
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Of all the fine aspects defining the best vintages in Barolo, definition of site – the all-important notion of terroir, a.k.a. typicité – stands out as number one in my book. For 2013 – a slow, even and late ripening harvest – each of my favorite producers' top wines performed at their highest levels in years. As I've followed many of these superlative examples – some already in stock – I've marveled at their evolution. What began life as a near mirror of the fantastic 2010 vintage has morphed, with the aromatics in particular – coupled with some dynamite textures – outperforming most 2010s. I'm beginning to think of these 2013s more along the line of our favorite 2008s – you'll no doubt recall my high praise for those from 4, 5 years ago – with an added layer of depth to the fruit that makes these 2013s among my top picks of the last decade+. As more folks have joined the bandwagon, allocations have tightened, so take my advice: lock in now. These are the wines you've waited for!

95JS

Tar, orange peel and strawberry aromas follow through to a full body with chewy and powerful tannins and a long and flavorful finish. A structured and intense wine. Don't miss this. Crazy quality for a straight up Barolo blend. Much better in 2021.

95 points, James Suckling (Jul 2017)

$39.99

34 bottles in stock and ready to ship.

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2015 Gerard Charvin Chateauneuf du Pape (750ml)

Grenache from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France

B-21 Top Recommendation
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In his final review of the region before departing Wine Advocate to launch JebDunnuck.com, Jeb tackled the 2015 Chateauneuf vintage, reporting, "The reds are full-bodied and show beautiful purity of fruit, good concentration and notable, yet ripe and rounded tannin structures." Winemakers were upbeat, too, "Most vignerons I spoke with compared 2015 to a mix of 2007 and 2010..." This certainly applies to the wines I like to offer. Today's group – from my good buddy, importer Peter Weygandt – represents just such a set; wines which you know, have made a part of your personal collections for decades, and which consistently top the charts. Usseglio is a prime example. "Undeniably one of the big successes in the vintage..." Jeb tells us, Usseglio's Imperiale Cuvee is staggering, and it's paired with Peter's personal cuvee – Girard – showcasing the incredible talents at this estate. Two of the finest traditional cuvees on the market today come from the cellars of Ferrand as well as Charvin. Josh Raynolds of Vinous considers Charvin's 2015 "perhaps the best wine ever..." while the 2015 Ferrand is "impressively suave and focused..." Together, here's a group of 2015s you're truly gonna want.

96V

Lurid ruby-red. Sexy, highly perfumed raspberry, boysenberry and floral pastille scents are complemented by hints of musky rhubarb and Asian spices. Palate-staining sweet red and blue fruit and spicecake flavors show power as well as superb vivacity thanks to a spine of juicy acidity. The floral quality comes back emphatically on a strikingly long, sappy finish shaped by smooth, slow-mounting tannins. This might be the finest wine to emerge from this estate that I have ever tasted, and I've had some pretty amazing ones over the years.

94-96 points, Josh Raynolds, Vinous (Mar 2017)

2015 Peake Ranch Chardonnay (750ml)
Chardonnay