There are Grandes Marques, "Mini-Marques," and then there are the TRULY grande marques. Bollinger is so grande (so important) that the most famous quotes on Champagne are attributed to its most endearing owner. Lily Bollinger was not only the most important character in the story of Bollinger, she remains its most charismatic.

The technical side of Bollinger – the unmatched level of investment in every bottle produced – is every bit as important as Lily's story. Stepping into the cellars of Bollinger will take your breath away. Imagine the greatest collection of Champagne you could ever hope to personally witness in one place. Imagine magnums of the most pristine, Grand Cru Champagne – bottled under cork – resting there before your eyes. How many bottles would it take for you to think, "Holy bubbles, Batman, that's a LOT of Champagne?"

In the cellars of Bollinger rests 600,000 magnums (100,000 cases) of Champagne reserves. It is this massive – truly mind-boggling – stash of reserves which contributes to the unmatched quality and consistency of the Bollinger Special Cuvée. The master blending performed which results in the richness, the depth and full body we love in Bollinger includes 50% of these reserve wines, some of which are up to 15 years of age. This Bollinger Special Cuvée you're buying today contains a healthy percentage of reserve wine from the vintage of 2000.

Moreover, in keeping with the historical Bollinger tradition and winemaking style – the style Lily championed across Europe – the Special Cuvée is vinified in seasoned oak barrels of varying size, shape and age. This barrel vinification is followed by another three years of aging on the fine lees, a process absolutely unmatched across the region. It's a time-consuming, laborious, expensive process that's driven by passion; as only Lily Bollinger would have had it.

Lily took over the estate upon her husband's passing in 1941 and is celebrated for greatly expanding the estate's vineyard holdings as well as the soaring popularity during her time as director and beyond. Recalling her arrival to London to declare her 1955 vintage, a reporter made public Lily Bollinger's reply when asked how much she enjoyed her own product. I think of it every day, or least every day I have a bottle of Bollinger:

"I drink my Champagne when I'm happy and when I'm sad. Sometimes I drink it when I'm alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I'm not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise I never touch it - unless I'm thirsty."
–Elizabeth "Lily" Law de Lauriston-Boubers Bollinger

One of the finest Bollinger Special Cuvée bottlings to date, with my price making it that much finer:

"These wines compete with the best of Napa"

Jeb Dunnuck

Building on its well-earned reputation for producing some of the best value, highly rated Cabernet Sauvignon blends from California, the powerful 95 pt. 2022 Daou Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve delivers the goods, revealing intensely aromatic ripe dark fruit hinting of graphite, cedar and earthy spice with lush tannins on a long, velvety finish, an elegantly crafted Paso Bordeaux blend affordably priced to enjoy often.

Set at the highest point overlooking Paso Robles at the same altitude of Napa's Howell Mountain, the opulent Daou Vineyards tasting room offers breathtaking panoramic views of rolling vineyards and the hills beyond, surrounded by meticulously manicured grounds at 2,200 feet above sea level on the steep slopes of the Adelaida District. Once described by legendary consulting winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff as "a jewel of ecological elements," the sustainably farmed Daou vineyard is situated on a western hilltop close to the Pacific Ocean above the coastal fog and away from the heat of eastern Paso Robles, its unique combination of high altitude, calcareous limestone soils and a cooler climate allowing the grapes to attain full ripeness while balancing acidity. Produced in a hot and dry Paso vintage yielding smaller clusters and greater concentration, the refined 2022 Daou Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon from the Daou estate and top vineyards across Paso blended with 23% Petit Verdot and aged for 18 months in 50% new French oak, yielding rich, silky dark fruit layered with herbal and mineral notes and smooth, balanced tannins from a vintage producing "early drinking, accessible wines built on elegance and ripe fruit" according to Eric Guido of Vinous.

Earning 90 plus point ratings for over a decade and counted among "the greatest Bordeaux blends I've tasted from Paso Robles" according to Jeb Dunnuck, the rich and robust 95 pt. 2022 Daou Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve reflects the Daou legacy for exceptional quality and consistency from the first taste, a delicious and beautifully balanced Paso Cab ready to enjoy at a price that makes it easy to pull the cork.

Spanish wine fans searching for a steal of a deal on great Rioja need look no further than the outstanding, 93-point 2016 Bodegas Manzanos Voche Reserva. Offering deep, mouth-coating flavors of dark, earthy fruit and spiced vanilla with powerful, satiny tannins, it's structured to age while remaining an incredible value.

While Voche is a relatively new project from Bodegas Manzanos, the Manzanos family has been making wine along the Ebro River in Rioja for five generations, founding the oldest winery in Haro in 1801. Based mostly on old-vine fruit, the Voche Reserva is a blend of Tempranillo and the lesser-known Graciano, an inherently spicy, dark-skinned grape that enhances aromas and adds structure and freshness. Representing three distinct terroirs, the vineyards for the 2016 Voche Reserva include the oldest Graciano parcel in Rioja called El Barranco, its 70-year-old vines planted on sandy soil at around 400 meters of elevation. After fermenting in stainless steel, the powerful 2016 Voche Reserva aged for 24 months in 50% new and 50% second-use French oak, then 24 months longer in bottle, finishing "long and compact" according to Wine Spectator's Bruce Sanderson and built to evolve over the next decade.

From an exceptional vintage described by Decanter's Michael Schachner as "a benchmark year against which future stellar vintages will be measured," the muscular, opulent, 93-point 2016 Bodegas Manzanos Voche Reserva delivers layers of bold flavors with smoky, earthy undertones that will have Rioja fans reaching for it again and again over the next decade, which is easy to do at this unbeatable price.

Bodegas Muga's status as an all-time Rioja reference-point is reaffirmed with this sterling trio of releases at razor-sharp pricing, highlighted by the newly arrived 2021 Torre Muga.

"...one of the finest vintages for Torre Muga, along with 2016 and 2010." - Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate

The 2021 Rioja vintage is already garnering rave reviews in the press, and the JD98 Torre Muga reflects that praise, "a gorgeous wine from a gorgeous vintage that’s worth the price." Concentrated and robust yet also polished and refined, the 2021 expresses the character of its old-vine plots in Villalba de Rioja, Brinas, and Labastida. A host of impressive reviews from James Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Advocate further confirm the 2021 Torre Muga as a special achievement, worthy of the wine's loft reputation among collectors.

The Selección Especial Reserva is always a crowd and collectible favorite in the range and always priced well for a broad audience yet offering the kind of cellar-worthy appeal that serious collectors are looking for. The 2020 rendtion ramps up the collectible appeal thanks to a particular feature of the vintage itself – no Prado Enea was made in 2020, so all the fruit and juice that would normally comprise that flagship icon has instead gone into the Selección Especial. So, it's no surprise that the 2020 picks up right where the 2019 leaves off, led by Jeb Dunnuck's 95-point review that highlights its "medium to full-bodied richness, a round, layered mouthfeel, and silky tannins," which makes it "already hard to resist."

Finally, the 2021 Reserva Rioja continues to be one of the sharpest values in Spanish wine, "a textbook example of [Muga's] style in a very good year, with power, concentration and clout, elegance and freshness" perGutiérrez' 94-point review in Wine Advocate.It's a perfect candidate to stack by the case, since it will not only cruise for several years in the cellar, but it will quench your thirst for Muga excellence anytime over the next decade while the you wait for the big boys to reach their prime drinking windows. For fans of Spanish wine and of Rioja in particular, this is a spectacular opportunity to load up on proven performers that will put many smiles on your face for countless years to come, at market-best pricing.

Equally appealing to Italian wine lovers seeking value and anyone looking for a deliciously crisp, well-crafted white wine at bargain pricing, the beautifully aromatic 2021 Ca dei Frati Lugana I Frati offers rich, ripe fruit and zesty mineral-driven acidity, reflecting its glacial origins overlooking the sparkling turquoise waters of Italy's Lake Garda and "always an excellent value" according to Robert Parker Jr., now bargain priced to easily become your new house Italian white.

Recognizing the area's potential for cultivating grapes for wine, Ca dei Frati founder Felice Dal Cero took over the rundown 18^th century Frati farm on the southern shore of Lake Garda in 1939 and set about improving viticulture and modernizing winemaking over the next three decades alongside his son Pietro, who was instrumental in the creation of the Lugana DOC in 1969 and responsible for their first official bottling. Now run by third generation siblings Gian Franco, Anna Maria and winemaker Igino Dal Cero, the family run Ca' dei Frati winery is based in Lake Garda's historic village of Lugana di Sirmione, surrounded by estate vineyards planted with the indigenous Turbiana, a distinct varietal previously called Trebbiano di Lugana from which the Lugana white wine is made. Ranging up to 40 years of age on glacial calcareous and clay soils that limit yields and contribute minerality, the Turbiana vines enjoy the lakeside's unique microclimate of warm days and ever present drying breezes, enhancing even ripening while preserving freshness and keeping the well ventilated grapes free of mold. Crafted from 100% Turbiana and fermented in stainless steel, the crisp and appealing 2024 Lugana I Frati was aged on the lees in stainless for 6 months with another 2 months in bottle before release, yielding fresh, alluring aromas and richly textured fruit hinting of saline-tinged minerality and finishing with tantalizing acidity that begs for another sip.

Formerly a coveted discovery of tourists who flock to the shores of Lake Garda each summer, the secret is out on the bright and elegant 2021 Ca dei Frati Lugana I Frati, an easy to love and affordably priced Italian white wine crafted by one of the region's top producers that you'll find yourself reaching for again and again.

"The 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva is a wine of pedigree and class. Aromatic, vibrant and delineated, the Riserva captures all the best qualities of the year." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous

Now under the third generation of the Bianchi family, Castello di Monsanto is one of the most forward-looking yet traditional estates in Chianti Classico. After all, founder Aldo Bianchi was the visionary who first choose to bottle a single-vineyard wine from their prized Il Poggio parcel, and now his granddaughter, Laura, runs the estate with the same view toward the future that her father and grandfather did, and they now produce some of the most acclaimed, traditionally styled wines in the region.

Another "sublime effort" from an epic vintage, the 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva is the estate's flagship expression of its philosophy and terroir, an ideal Tuscan microclimate that, along with the estate's use of Slavonian oak, produces Sangiovese wines of artisanal finesse and refinement. With a mountain of sterling critical praise, including several 95-point reviews, the 2021 Riserva stacks up as an all-time great value buy from Italy at well under $30, so you can (and should) consider stacking it by the case.

Sometimes the best choice is one that's so familiar that you might forget it's even there, but these top scoring Stags' Leap Winery selections deserve the full attention of Napa wine lovers seeking outstanding value, a range of seriously delicious white and red wines from prime Napa terroir available at bargain pricing whether choosing a few favorites or mixing a case.

Among the oldest growers in the Stags Leap District, the 240-acre property Stags' Leap Winery on the Silverado Trail has been continuously planted with vines since the late 1800's, the once abandoned estate undergoing a lengthy renovation beginning in the 1970's and becoming part of Treasury Wine Estates in 2011.

More than a nostalgic reminder of the days when great Napa wines didn't have to cost an arm and a leg, these high-scoring Stags' Leap Winery selections deliver the goods, all well-crafted, delicious wines reasonably priced for stocking up to enjoy anytime a taste of Napa calls.

Just when it seems the value end of California wine was starting to seem like a fantasy, a mirage, a long-forgotten memory, here we find not one but two extraordinary overachievers that make artisan California Cabernet accessible for everyone.

Master Sommelier Ian Cauble and winemaker Trevor Sheehan teamed up to use their extensive contacts in California wine to source exceptional fruit from up and down the Golden State, and they've produced a pair of remarkably expressive, utterly charming Cabernets that punch well above their respective weight classes. The incredible 2023 vintage adds its own layer of quality and character to each wine, leading to some rock-solid critical praise that we don't often see in this price tier. The double 93-point 2023 California Cabernet, sourced from Lake County vineyards, "does not disappoint" according to Wine Enthusiast. James Suckling likewise notes it as "a balanced and elegant blend of cabernet sauvignon, malbec and petit verdot ... So delicious and drinkable," and all for under $15.

Turning to the 2023 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, this 95-point gem blows the doors off the idea that great Napa Cab costs and arm and a leg. A thoroughly engaging standout, it "shows the beauty of the 2023" vintage according to James Suckling, with an aromatic profile that's "so attractive" and a palate with "fine, velvety tannins and a long and firm-tannin finish [with] just the right amount of tension at the end." Like its sibling, the 2023 Napa Valley Cabernet comes in at a stunning price, this under $30, something we never see these days in a Cabernet with "Napa Valley" on the label.

"An Argentine winemaker with rock star appeal..." - Michael Schachner, Wine Enthusiast

From one of "the most dynamic winemakers in Argentina" according to James Suckling, the thrilling 96-point 2019 Marcelo Pelleriti 1853 Old Vine Estate Heritage Malbec boasts 100-point winemaker pedigree from the Uco Valley's oldest Malbec vines, revealing ripe, juicy dark fruit with bright acidity on a lasting, savory finish and layered with plush tannins promising longevity at a remarkable value price.

Gaining international recognition as the first Argentinian-born winemaker to garner a perfect Parker score for his 100-point 2010 Chateau La Violette Pomerol, Uco Valley native Marcelo Pelleriti established his eponymous winery on his family's 110-year-old farm in La Consulta in 2007 and began a long-term collaboration with partner Miguel Priore in 2009, their shared vision to craft terroir-expressive Grand Cru wines encapsulating "the spirit of winemaking precision and creativity" in Uco Valley. Naming the estate for the year when the first Malbec vines arrived from France, Marcelo crafted the powerful 2019 Heritage Malbec from low-yielding, gnarled, pre-phylloxera Malbec vines aged over 100 years. The vineyard was vplanted in 1910 in rugged, silty loam and gravel soil at 1,050 meters above sea level, yielding tiny clusters of thick-skinned berries requiring the fruit of two vines to produce enough for a single bottle, imbuing his 1853 Malbec with rich concentration and staggering intensity. After fermenting the hand-harvested grapes with indigenous yeasts, Marcelo aged the impressive 2019 rendition for 24 months in French oak barrels with 12 months longer in bottle, yielding a "well-crafted and keenly priced" Malbec, revealing fresh, intensely concentrated fruit framed by ripe, polished tannins on a long and silky finish, the densely structured Malbec imbued with old vine complexity that guarantees longevity.

From a region producing "Argentina's best and most modern wines" according to Vinous critic Joaquin Hidalgo, the remarkably talented Marcelo Pelleriti is at the forefront of crafting terroir expressive Malbec in the Uco Valley, his blockbuster 96-point 2019 Marcelo Pelleriti 1853 Old Vine Estate Heritage Malbec offering aficionados and collectors of the best South American wines an exciting opportunity to jump on board Pelleriti's ever-rising trajectory and enjoy one of Argentina's most extraordinary Malbec values.

Champagne Lallier's widespread vineyard sources through the grand cru villages of the Côte de Blancs and Montagne de Reims, especially in their home base of Äy, allow them to create these wonderfully pure, eminently approachable vintage expressions that somehow remain unbelievably priced for everyday enjoyment. The Reflexion R.021 is a classic showcase of the 2021 Champagne vintage's fresh, incisive style, with 30% reserve wines from the powerful 2020 vintage adding just the right level of backbone and depth for a "substantial palate" that's simultaneously "precise and youthful" according to James Suckling. Like previous releases, the wine is made is to convey a snapshot of the growing season, and the R.021 does that with great clarity, but it's also made primarily to put smiles on the faces of a wide audience of sparkling wine fans, something that's easily achieved with it's outstanding, sub-$35 price tag. If you keep a "house" Champagne on rotation, this is your new candidate. If you need a celebratory toast for a large crowd for a low-key steal of a deal, this is your pick. Either way, Lallier's R.021 is a gem to stock up on.

"The fruit-forward and charming 2022 Shiraz Mother's Milk offers up a wild ride..."-Vinous

One of the pillars of the Australian wine scene are the remarkably well-made value stunners that can be found all over the country's myriad diverse wine regions. First Drop is one of those rare producers that hits homeruns at every point on the spectrum, from collectible caliber cult bottlings to overperforming gems that deliver big character for a small price, and the 2022 Mother's Milk Shiraz is exhibit A of the latter.

Entirely sourced from choice vineyards in Barossa, namely high-elevation plots in Seppeltsfield, Kalmina, and Eden Valley, the 2022 Mother's Milk boasts excellent pedigree, which goes a long way to explaining how such a sharply priced wine can offer so much top-flight polish and character. It's classic Barossa with its core of dark, luxurious fruits and savory/spicy undertones, all built on a "seamless" foundation of plush Shiraz tannins characteristic of the best Barossa expressions.

Considering all that, it's no wonder that the 2022 Mother's Milk collected a pair of 92-point scores from James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion and Wine Spectator, which also listed it among their Smart Buys/Best Values of the year. Priced for stacking by the case, it's an easy go-to for nearly any occasion.

"A serious wine in the making."

Jeb Dunnuck

From the pioneering winery on Napa's iconic Pritchard Hill, the bold and luscious 96 pt. 2021 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Signature features rich, aromatic dark fruit hinting of graphite and cedar layered with velvety tannins on a smooth and lasting finish, its age worthy complexity reflecting Chappellet's decades' long legacy as Cabernet Sauvignon experts and "a smoking good value" according to Jeb Dunnuck at a best on the market price.

Climbing the rocky slope above the intersection of the Silverado Trail and the Oakville Cross Road, the narrow drive winding up Pritchard Hill leads to the original pyramid shaped Chappellet winery built in 1968, surrounded by rustic gardens and meticulous vineyards with panoramic views of the valley and St. Helena off in the distance. Moving to Napa in the mid-1960's, Molly and Donn Chappellet heeded the advice of legendary winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff and purchased 320 acres in the rugged hills east of Oakville instead of the valley floor, establishing the first winery to plant at higher elevations in the region just a year after Robert Mondavi Winery opened its doors. Remaining one of the few family-owned wineries in Napa and now run by the second generation, Chappellet's estate vineyards are located above the fog line at elevations from 800 to 1800 feet, planted in well drained, rocky volcanic soils with low yielding vines that produce smaller, thick skinned berries with enhanced flavors and depth. Blending mostly mountain grown Cabernet Sauvignon with small amounts of Petit Verdot, Malbec and Merlot, longtime winemaker Phillip Corallo-Titus aged the elegant 2021 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Signature in French oak for about 20 months, yielding richly concentrated, vibrant fruit and integrated polished tannins poised to gain complexity over the next few decades.

Now home to a bevy of some of Napa's most exclusive producers including Bryant Family, Continuum, Ovid and Colgin, the sensational 96 pt. 2021 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Signature remains an incredible value, "a big overachiever" according to Vinous critic Antonio Galloni and a top rated Napa Cab boasting the pedigree of Pritchard Hill at a fraction of the price of its high profile neighbors and promising Napa Cab lovers years of pleasurable drinking ahead.

"...a medium to full-bodied, gamey, exotic, balanced Gigondas that's just about overflowing with character." - Jeb Dunnuck

A favorite producer of B-21 Rhône fans and collectors offering incredible quality at an unbeatable value, Domaine du Cayron has hits the mark once again with their 2022 Gigondas.

Fifth-generation sisters Roseline, Cendrine, and Delphine source their family’s single cuvée from old vines planted at some of the appellation’s highest altitudes, the domain's name Cayron referring to the crest of the Dentelles. Spanning nearly 17 hectares on 20 different parcels, the domaine’s vineyards are planted with mostly Grenache and smaller amounts of Syrah, Cinsault, and Mourvèdre on a mix of clay, marl and limestones soils. Employing traditional methods that are “old school all the way” according to Jeb Dunnuck, the Faraud sisters have produced "a killer effort offering beautiful darker fruits supported by some meaty, garrigue, and iron-like nuances" in their 2022 Gigondas.

Along with Dunnuck, Vinous' Nicolas Greinacher declares "it’s an outstanding Gigondas worth seeking out" that will captivate fans of bold Southern Rhône reds on the first sip, while providing consistent pleasure for the next decade.

Pinot Noir is a big deal in California, and while places like Sonoma, Santa Cruz, and Santa Barbara are at the front of everyone's minds, Carneros is the original cool climate AVA in California. Situated at the very south of Napa Valley, it's completely exposed to the influence of nearby San Pablo bay, and the potential for great Pinot Noir and Chardonnay has been established here for decades.

One of the long-time, mainstay benchmarks for top-tier Carneros Pinot Noir is Etude, whose home estate of Grace Benoist ranch is one of the most historic vineyard properties in California. Originally founded and put on the map by the legendary Tony Soter, Etude has been under the direction of the equally skilled Jon Priest since 2005. He has continued the legacy of Etude as a Carneros standard-bearer, and the 2022 Grace Benoist Ranch Estate Pinot Noir is ample proof. With 96 points from James Suckling, it's a top-flight value contender in California Pinot at an outrageous $25 price for our private clients. This "floral and impressively complex" expression is premium California Pinot Noir all the way at a case-buy price that allows you to take house red roster up a level or two.

"A delicious, citrusy and well-rounded white..." - James Suckling

For Piedmont's native white Cortese varietal, Villa Sparina is a household name. Apart from the unmistakable, highly distinctive bottle style, the wine itself is a textbook example of the Gavi di Gavi DOC in its delightfully fruit-forward aromatics and juicy, utterly charming palate profile. The Cortese vineyards, including the famed Monteretondo cru, date from 1945, so the finished wine always exhibits exquisite depth and concentration, even showing a propensity to benefit from a year or two in the cellar. Any way you look at it, this 91-point, sub-$15 value star is worth stocking up on.

Latour-Martillac remains one of the great value estates on the Left Bank, and this is especially true in outstanding vintages like the ones on offer today. With classic Graves terroir and expert winemaking, these wines consistently punch way above their weight class, as you can clearly see in the bevy of excellent press that accompanies each one.

The highlights of the list are undoubtedly the 96-point 2019, which is "gorgeous, so bright and precise," delivering unreal bang for the buck at under $40, and the astounding 97-point 2022. Jeb Dunnuck dubs this powerhouse "a remarkably pure, medium to full-bodied Pessac-Léognan ... a brilliant 2022 that should be snatched up by readers." Of course, sharp-eyed collectors shouldn't over the 95-point 2018 or the "harmonious and well-defined" 2020.

Last but certainly not least, the estate's white has always served as a reference-point for the category, made in part from Semillon vines over 140 years old. With 94-point potential according to several critics, the 2023 Blanc is "beautifully textured, rich, yet still racy white with tons to love," proving once again that Graves' whites are sometimes every bit as compelling as its reds.

Whether you pick your favorite or go in for the whole vertical, you can rest assured you're getting some of the best quality-to-price character that the Left Bank has to offer.

"These are high-quality wines that appear to do an excellent job representing their various terroirs." - Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate

As New York's Finger Lakes region has gained spotlight on the world stage in recent years, a handful of producers have emerged as the clear leaders setting the bar, and Louis Barruol's Forge Cellars is certainly one of the top names to know here.

The owner of Château Saint-Cosme in Gigondas (Rhone Valley, France) has an uncompromising approach to his craft, and the same meticulous attention and rigorous standard that make the Saint-Cosme wines so highly acclaimed is brought to bear on the Forge line-up. While the single-vineyard expressions are certainly standard bearers for the Finger Lakes' unique terroirs, the 2023 Classique Riesling offers all the characteristics that have garnered Finger Lakes Rieslings the attention they now deserve.

Ripe fruit, taut, tensile structure, and scintillating aromatics all come out in a wine that easily lives up to its 93-point press, and best of all, a case-buy price offers the perfect incentive to branch out and dive into one of the country's most dynamic, rising-star wine regions.

"This wine consistently makes a compelling case for one of the best under $50 Oregon Pinot Noirs." - Clive Pursehouse, Decanter

One of the best under-$50 Oregon Pinot Noirs? No question. We'll do you one better – how about the best Oregon Pinot Noir for under $30? We think that's exactly what you're getting in the 2023 Bethel Heights Estate Pinot Noir at our market-best pricing. Sourced from three of the Casteel family's outstanding estate vineyards, this wine is the very definition of bang for your buck. Winemaker Ben Casteel is an ardent believer in bringing his A-game to everything he makes, and that includes his entry-level offering. This double 94-point gem is "medium-bodied, ripe, and elegant, with fine tannins and more density than the 2021 or 2022 vintages, yet it remains light on its feet." In short, it's a showcase of all that we love about Eola-Amity Hills Pinot, and it even has "serious enough structure to lay down should you choose" according to Decanter. It's also a perfect example of what makes Bethel Heights our best-selling Oregon wine brand, several years running.

Garnering a steady string of 90-point-plus ratings vintage over vintage, the appealing 92-point 2024 Invivo X Sauvignon Blanc Sarah Jessica Parker is the real deal, offering classic Marlborough flavors of fresh, aromatic passion fruit, peach, and grapefruit with bright acidity on a smooth and juicy finish, appearing multiple times on Wine Spectator's Top 100 Values since its first release in 2019 and a solid choice for fans of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc seeking outstanding value.

From an excellent Marlborough vintage producing Sauvignon Blancs that are "pure, juicy and fresh, with zesty acidity," according to Rebecca Gibb of Vinous, the refreshing 92-point 2024 Invivo X Sauvignon Blanc Sarah Jessica Parker boasts an appeal that goes far beyond celebrity and loyal SJP fans, a terrific choice for anyone seeking a delicious, easy drinking white as well as lovers of New Zealand Sauv Blanc looking for an affordable, everyday pour and an unbeatable bargain for stocking up by the case.

B-21 Brunello mainstay Caparzo has experienced a stellar ascent under the ownership of Elisabetta Gnudi Angelini since 1998, and they're arguably producing their best wines ever. At least, that's our take from this trio of fantastic new releases from winemaker Massimo Bracalente.

The 2020 vintage's best wines strike a remarkable balance that defies the warm growing conditions, and Caparzo nails that sweet spot perfectly with this 95-point normale bottling. "This is really pretty ... Creamy and so polished. It goes on for minutes. A graceful and complex 2020 Brunello," notes James Suckling, hinting at one of the vintage's finest virtues, its approachability in the near term. While some 2020s are indeed blockbusters of huge structure and ripeness, they lack the graceful balance that defines the best Brunellos, but fans of the world's best Sangioveses can rest assured that all the varietal's most striking and important features can be found in spades in this stunning expression of "ample energy and dimension."

The most prized parcel on the estate is the old-vine plot next to the historic Tuscan farmhouse, appropriatey called Vigna La Casa, from which comes the La Casa bottling, a sterling terroir expression that always takes the estate's signature style to the next level. "A real charmer with ripe tannins, even, seamless acidity, and a great finish," notes Jeb Dunnuck's Italy critic Audrey Frick in her 96-point review. The 2020 La Casa boasts "otherworldly" balance per Vinous' Eric Guido, and James Suckling even floats the proposition that it could outpace the prodigious 2019 vintage.

Finally, the 2019 Brunello Riserva releases are finally hitting the market, and they're delivering on all the promise and hype the vintage has received since the reviews started coming out. As good as the 2019 normale and La Casa wines were from Caparzo, we knew the Riserva would be a knock-out, and it's here and ready to prove us correct. "The Caparzo 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva makes a terrific first impression thanks to the intensity of its dark fruit aromas and its well-integrated spice. This is a full-bodied wine with deep layers of richness and velvety tannins," writes Monica Larner for Wine Advocate. This is a classically styled Brunello that will cruise in the cellar thanks to its "dramatic length and structure," as Vinous' Eric Guido describes it, shining right alongside previous best-selling, benchmark vintages like 2015 and 2016.

"By any measure, 2023 is a magnificent vintage." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous

Galloni isn't the only voice to be singing the praises of Napa's 2023 vintage. Winemakers and critics alike seem over the moon about the uniformly high quality of this cool, long growing season. Jeb Dunnuck already compares it to another modern classic: "Across the board, the 2023s stand out for their purity, vibrancy, and elegance, yet they still deliver depth, richness, and concentration. The top 2023s are unquestionably on the level of the 2016s." What this means for wine lovers is that there are tremendous bargains to be found if you know where to look, something that is becoming a rare occurrence in today's Napa market. Today's offer brings together a handful of the top QPR releases to hit the market recently, all at sub-$40 pricing and all showing the same combination of youthful expression and solid cellar potential, the hallmark of this great vintage.

The 94-point 2023 HGIII blend from cult phenom Hourglass is a "charming, sexy beauty" based on Merlot, crafted by winemaker Tony Biagi to be an immediately accessible, captivating expression that Napa fans can indulge in without hesitation. "It's medium to full-bodied, round, supple, and balanced, with some classic Napa richness and depth," notes Jeb Dunnuck.Turnbull's Estate Cab has been one of the most consistent values in Napa for years, and the excellent 2023 vintage produced another "positively stellar" show-stopper to the tune of 93 points from Dunnuck. Wine Advocate's Joe Czerwinski also calls it "a super value and the rare modern-day Napa Cab under $100 that shows potential for further aging."

Of course, Napa's household names also showcase extreme value in 2023. The 94-point 2023 Frank Family Napa Valley Cab is a proven, pedigreed example of classic Napa style and a cool, "old-school" growing season, the likes of which produced many of Napa's legendary wines during the Valley's golden age. The 2023 is "a refined and complete example of Napa cabernet sauvignon showing all the poise and freshness of the cool vintage," as noted by James Suckling. Clos du Val's 2023 is "bright, aromatic, and punchy ... seriously beautiful from start to finish," while the "smooth and textural," 93-point 2023 Silverado appellation bottling offers all the features that have made this estate a fan-favorite for decades.

We'll say it time and time again – finding any Napa red with a rock-solid score and premium pedigree under $40 is a search for a needle and a haystack, but with this line-up of proven overachievers, we've got five needles in hand for savvy Napa fans to stock up on.

Just when it seems the value end of California wine was starting to seem like a fantasy, a mirage, a long-forgotten memory, here we find not one but two extraordinary overachievers that make artisan California Cabernet accessible for everyone.

Master Sommelier Ian Cauble and winemaker Trevor Sheehan teamed up to use their extensive contacts in California wine to source exceptional fruit from up and down the Golden State, and they've produced a pair of remarkably expressive, utterly charming Cabernets that punch well above their respective weight classes. The incredible 2023 vintage adds its own layer of quality and character to each wine, leading to some rock-solid critical praise that we don't often see in this price tier. The double 93-point 2023 California Cabernet, sourced from Lake County vineyards, "does not disappoint" according to Wine Enthusiast. James Suckling likewise notes it as "a balanced and elegant blend of cabernet sauvignon, malbec and petit verdot ... So delicious and drinkable," and all for under $15.

Turning to the 2023 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, this 95-point gem blows the doors off the idea that great Napa Cab costs and arm and a leg. A thoroughly engaging standout, it "shows the beauty of the 2023" vintage according to James Suckling, with an aromatic profile that's "so attractive" and a palate with "fine, velvety tannins and a long and firm-tannin finish [with] just the right amount of tension at the end." Like its sibling, the 2023 Napa Valley Cabernet comes in at a stunning price, this under $30, something we never see these days in a Cabernet with "Napa Valley" on the label.

With many of the choicest vineyard sites in Alexander Valley, Stonestreet is often considered the go-to producer for the appellation's quintessential expressions of Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.

"...this balanced, elegant wine is refined and savory, with classic structure."

- Wine Enthusiast

The 94-point 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is a knockout rendition sourced from the estate's Monument Ridge vineyard, a collection of smaller blocks ranging in elevation from 400 feet all the way up to 2,400 feet. With such varied micro-climates, the wine itself captures every single facet of Alexander Valley Cabernet in spades - "full-bodied with chewy tannins, a lush mouthfeel, [with] fine acidity" as James Suckling describes it. The 2019 vintage adds its own particular mark on the wine in its overly charming approachability that is in prime form right now, which means it'll offer showstopping complexity and Cabernet character without having to hide in your cellar for five years (or more), all at a market-best price.

"Really impressive already, with more to come; the star buy from this year’s collection." - Decanter

There's not much we can or need to say about Penfolds' latest iteration of their smash-hit, best-selling Shiraz. The 2023 Bin 28 picks up right where all the previous vintages left off with a sterling critical line that includes stout praise from all corners. This wine is always a quintessential expression of Aussie Shiraz, thanks to Penfolds' complete mastery of their vineyards and winemaking. As always, everything is so impeccably balanced and composed that it's still a shock how good the Bin 28 is when you consider its sub-$25 price. All the components work in such harmony that it's easy to lose sight of what a value it is, to the point where it's not just delicious now, but it will also cruise for a long time in the cellar. When was the last time you spent $25 on a wine you'll still be enjoying ten or 15 years from now? Exactly. So make some room in the cellar and load up, because the 2023 Bin 28 is a hit for fans of Penfolds and any great Australian Shiraz.

Bodegas Muga's status as an all-time Rioja reference-point is reaffirmed with this sterling trio of releases at razor-sharp pricing, highlighted by the newly arrived 2021 Torre Muga.

"...one of the finest vintages for Torre Muga, along with 2016 and 2010." - Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate

The 2021 Rioja vintage is already garnering rave reviews in the press, and the JD98 Torre Muga reflects that praise, "a gorgeous wine from a gorgeous vintage that’s worth the price." Concentrated and robust yet also polished and refined, the 2021 expresses the character of its old-vine plots in Villalba de Rioja, Brinas, and Labastida. A host of impressive reviews from James Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Advocate further confirm the 2021 Torre Muga as a special achievement, worthy of the wine's loft reputation among collectors.

The Selección Especial Reserva is always a crowd and collectible favorite in the range and always priced well for a broad audience yet offering the kind of cellar-worthy appeal that serious collectors are looking for. The 2020 rendtion ramps up the collectible appeal thanks to a particular feature of the vintage itself – no Prado Enea was made in 2020, so all the fruit and juice that would normally comprise that flagship icon has instead gone into the Selección Especial. So, it's no surprise that the 2020 picks up right where the 2019 leaves off, led by Jeb Dunnuck's 95-point review that highlights its "medium to full-bodied richness, a round, layered mouthfeel, and silky tannins," which makes it "already hard to resist."

Finally, the 2021 Reserva Rioja continues to be one of the sharpest values in Spanish wine, "a textbook example of [Muga's] style in a very good year, with power, concentration and clout, elegance and freshness" perGutiérrez' 94-point review in Wine Advocate.It's a perfect candidate to stack by the case, since it will not only cruise for several years in the cellar, but it will quench your thirst for Muga excellence anytime over the next decade while the you wait for the big boys to reach their prime drinking windows. For fans of Spanish wine and of Rioja in particular, this is a spectacular opportunity to load up on proven performers that will put many smiles on your face for countless years to come, at market-best pricing.

"It's medium to full-bodied, round, supple, and balanced, with some classic Napa richness and depth ..." - Jeb Dunnuck

We'll say it time and time again – finding any Napa red with a rock-solid score and premium pedigree under $40 is a search for a needle and a haystack, but with the 94-point 2023 HGIII blend from cult phenom Hourglass, we've got the needle in hand.

If you've ever looked at a map of Napa Valley, you'll see immediately where Hourglass got its name. The estate sits at the narrowest pinch where the hillsides are only a mile apart, the crux of the "hourglass" as its become known over the decades. Complementing this prized parcel, the Blueline vineyard in Calistoga was added to the estate in 2005 and planted to all five Bordeaux varietals. It's this site of ancient river gravel that forms the base of the proprietary 2023 HGIII blend, a "charming, sexy beauty" based on Merlot, crafted by winemaker Tony Biagi to be an immediately accessible, captivating expression that Napa fans can indulge in without hesitation.

The incredible 2023 growing season puts its stamp on the finished wine in an outstanding balance of plush fruit and structural vivacity, "expressive and detailed" to the utmost with varietal purity to spare. While the flagship Hourglass wines have become cult-caliber trophies over the years (with the price tags to match), the HGIII blend is a stunning and exceedingly rare value in today's Napa landscape that will thrill anyone's palate and budget.

"...the wine is very harmonious and balanced, with power and freshness, intensity and persistence." - Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate

Founded in 1995 by La Rioja Alta, that famed bastion of traditional Rioja, the Torre de Oña estate is LRA's outpost in the world of modern-style Rioja, and this spectacular terroir in Rioja Alavesa provides the perfect canvas on which to carry out their vision.

While it's the newest wine in the line-up, the Finca Martelo has unquestionably become the estate's calling card, as it reflects the singular character of the Torre de Oña property in its 60-year-old vines. This single-vineyard beauty is only produced in select vintages, when the conditions allow for the perfect expression and balance that the estate deems the heart and soul of the wine. The 2019 is the current release, garnering solid press from all the usual suspects, led by 94+ points from Luis Gutiérrez of Wine Advocate, who lauds it as "surprisingly fresh, medium-bodied and fine-boned, clean and elegant." Representing "a distinctive and tasty Rioja style" according to Vinous' Joaquin Hidalgo, it shows its polished, modern side with all the poise and grace you'd expect from one of Rioja's most accomplished producers.

"Mid-weight and gracious, with terrific purity, the Madame de Beaucaillou is a gorgeous wine..." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous

Savvy Bordeaux fans know that some of the very values and overachievers can be found in the second and even third wines from the legendary, blue-chip estates, especially in epic vintages like 2022. Saint-Julien icon Ducru-Beaucaillou knocked it out of the park in 2022, from their grand vin all the way down to today's superb value gem, the third wine Madame de Beaucaillou.

Made from mostly Merlot, the 2022 Madame offers up the intensity and energy of the vintage, with the ripeness of fruit providing immediate approachability. Jeb Dunnuck notes, "This rich, medium to full-bodied, layered, concentrated beauty way over-delivers." We couldn't have put it better ourselves. As any Bordeaux fan knows, the waiting is usually the hardest part, but the 2022 Madame provides an immediately enjoyable, pure representation of an epic modern Bordeaux vintage that you can dive into any night of the week, and for the next several years if you're so inclined.

San Vicente is as unconventional a project as you'll find in Rioja. When the Eguren family ripped up their vineyard in the early 1980s and replanted it with a massale selection of clones from their lowest-yielding vines, the consternation and ridicule came from all corners of the region. But he who laughs last laughs best, and now the Eguren family's efforts have been totally vindicated, as the wine is coveted Rioja collector's treasure year in and year out.

"The 2021 San Vicente showcases the completeness of the year with a rare combination of power and elegance" - Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate

At its debut one of the first single-cru bottlings that Rioja had ever seen, San Vicente has changed the region's dynamics over the past few decades, with numerous producers now following the Eguren family's lead and going for a site-specific, terroir-driven approach to their wines. A true original and still one of the best, San Vicente has once again stunned critics left and right with the 97-point 2021 vintage. "This has immediate charm and long-term aging potential. It is already expressive but will deepen beautifully over time," writes Vinous' Joaquin Hidalgo. The wine's refined, modern style and impeccable class have garnered the San Vicente a devoted following that will no doubt go head over heels for this latest expression, especially at our unmatched private client price that beats the rest of the market by a wide margin.

It's rare that such a renowned and reference-point estate like Avignonesi keeps pushing new boundaries instead of just resting on their laurels, but that's exactly what this iconic property has been up to for several vintages. And as Eric Guido of Vinous puts it, "The results are pretty stunning." After all, these fan-favorite, best-selling Tuscan reds have been a staple of B-21's Italian portfolio for years, and the 95-point 2022 Vino Nobile di Montalcino follows right in line with its predecessors.

"Avignonesi’s flagship bottling remains a fantastic value for first-class Vino Nobile..." - Eric Guido, Vinous

The estate's pioneering approach of crafting this wine out of 100% Prugnolo Gentile (the local Sangiovese strain) has made it a singular expression that has helped define the entire Vino Nobile category. The 2022 vintage has resulted in "a layered and complex wine with fresh, elegant aromas" and a palate that's "with a medium to full body, high yet integrated acidity, fine chalky tannins and a firm, polished finish." All of it adds up to another stupendous overachiever at a remarkable price, which we've come to expect from Avignonesi at this point. It's all the more impressive considering you can stock up big and stash some away in the cellar – as Eric Guido notes, "it will be worth the wait."