21-on-21: Save 21% In-Store Today Only on Top Recs-B-21 Fine Wine & Spirits

1 2 3 4 ... 8 › »

234 items found

Sort by:

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!

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)

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.

96WS 95WA

This is packed with dark plum, blackberry and boysenberry preserve flavors at the core, enlivened with juniper, tobacco and licorice snap notes. Lovely roasted apple wood accents score the finish, with the fruit taking a long encore. Best from 2020 through 2035. 500 cases made.

96 points, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator (Nov 2017)

The top wine at Solitude is the 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape La Reserve Secrete, a 50-50 blend of Grenache and Syrah, 60% of which was matured in new oak. Virtually none of the oak is apparent on the nose, which features peppery-herbal and bright cherry notes. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, creamy and lush, with ripe cherries and berries that glide to a long, silky finish that turns slightly chocolaty at the very end. While approachable now, this wine should be able to go a couple of decades,

95 points, Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate (Issue # 233 - Oct 2017)

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.

94WA

The 2015 Hermitage, from the lieux-dits of Les Beaumes and Péleat, was aged entirely in new demi-muids. It's a full-bodied, rich wine that retains a sense of freshness with its mouthwatering flavors of cassis, blackberries and blueberries accented by hints of espresso, crushed stone and licorice. Nearly approachable now, it also shows some firm tannins on the finish, suggesting two decades of longevity.

94 points, Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate (Issue # 234 - Dec 2017)

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.

88V

Modestly saturated but fresh medium red. Slightly high toned aromas of plum, cherry, spice, marzipan, coffee and tobacco. A bit narrower than the '95, but sweet and vinous, with truffle and licorice flavors. Good extract and texture. Finishes with slightly dry tannins. Serve this Barolo with meat.

88 points, Stephen Tanzer, Vinous (Nov 1998)

$269.99

26 bottles in stock and ready to ship.

1

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.

95WA 94WS

The 2013 Porseleinberg uses whole bunch fruit and is matured 60% in foudre and 40% in concrete eggs. Winemaker Callie Louw has fashioned a wine that has a very composed, quite intense and voluminous bouquet - black cherries and iris, with less of the violets and more a brooding marine influence that with aeration takes control of the aromatics. The delineation here is very impressive. The palate is grippy on the entry, the terroir permeating this Syrah from start to finish. With a Cornas-like brutishness counterpoised with stunning delineation and focus, this is a serious Syrah for the Syrah Swartland afficionado. It has the presence to last 15-20 years and represents one of the region's best contributions to the vintage. Good luck finding a bottle!

95 points, Neal Martin, Wine Advocate (Issue # Interim - Nov 2015)

This has a core of raspberry, boysenberry and blackberry fruit waiting to burst out, harnessed for now by graphite-edged grip. Loads of black tea, violet and anise details fill in the background, while the finish ripples with acidity. Youthfully coiled, showing superb energy throughout. Syrah. Best from 2018 through 2027. 420 cases made.

94 points, Wine Spectator (Sep 2016)

2008 Pra Amarone della Valpolicella (1.5L)
Corvina from Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy

B-21 Top Recommendation Read More