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| 2021 Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva (750ml) | ||
| Sangiovese from Chianti, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "The 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva is a wine of pedigree and class. Aromatic, vibrant and 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. | ||
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| 2021 Vina Sena Sena (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Aconcagua Valley, Chile | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "One of Chile's icon wines and deservedly so" Wine Advocate When visionaries Eduardo Chadwick and Robert Mondavi created Vina Sena in 1995, they embarked on a joint mission to create one of the world's greatest red wines, and with the first taste of the perfect scoring 2021 Vina Sena, collectors and wine aficionados will enthusiastically agree: Mission Accomplished. Standing shoulder to shoulder with First Growths and cult Napa Cabs and among the most sought-after South American wines, the powerful 100 pt. 2021 Vina Sena offers fresh, decadent fruit framed with remarkable vibrant acidity on an unwavering finish, confirming its status as Chile's premier cult wine and one to make room for in the cellar at an unbeatable value. With a family history in the region dating back to the 1870's beginning with Don Maximiano Errazuriz, passionate vintner Eduardo Chadwick was committed to restoring his family's run-down 19th century estate to its former glory, inspired in the 1980's on a visit to Chateau Margaux to create a benchmark Chilean blend that rivaled the First Growths of Bordeaux. Fast forward to 1991, when Augustin Huneeus (yes, that "other" Chilean born winemaker and the visionary behind Napa's Quintessa) organized a trip for his friend Robert Mondavi to visit Chile and asked Eduardo to show him around. Inspired by the potential of the region's vineyards and the success of his venture with the Rothschild's, Mondavi partnered with Eduardo and began a four-year search for the perfect terroir to craft an "Opus One of South America" predominantly of Cabernet Sauvignon with Chile's indigenous grape Carmenere, discovering the perfect site in the Aconcagua Valley. Boasting well-drained rocky soils of gravel and loam, the hillside 42-hectare Sena vineyard was planted in 1998 to mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and other red Bordeaux varieties as well as Carmenere, its temperatures moderated by winds off the Pacific and pure mountain water from the snowcapped Andes supplying water for the vines. After Mondavi's death in 2003, Eduardo took over the project in its entirety, bringing the wine to global attention at the blind 2004 Berlin Tastings where wine experts ranked the Vina Sena above First Growths Chateaux Margaux and Lafite, continuing vintage over vintage to build its legendary reputation as "a compelling world class wine" according to Jeb Dunnuck. Produced in an outstanding relatively cool vintage allowing for extended hang times and slow, complete ripening of the biodynamically farmed grapes, longtime winemaker Francisco "Pancho" Baettig aged the 2021 Vina Sena for 22 months in a mix of 70% new French oak barrels with 10% in larger foudres, marking his last harvest as Sena's winemaker and yielding a finessed and perfectly balanced blend with lush, refined tannins and an exceptional potential for aging. Delivering on Eduardo Chadwick's goal to craft "a unique Bordeaux style blend with a very Chilean soul," the enticing 100 pt. 2021 Vina Sena is a remarkably elegant wine that James Suckling notes is "traded around the world like Bordeaux's First Growths," at a mere fraction of the price, a rare opportunity to enjoy terroir-driven perfection for less than many entry level Napa Cabs and a "mission" that collectors of the world's greatest red wines will be glad they accepted. | ||
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| 2021 Gerard Bertrand Chateau l'Hospitalet La Clape Rouge (750ml) | ||
| Syrah from Coteaux du Languedoc, Languedoc-Roussillon, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Arguably the most dynamic producer in southwest France, Gerard Bertrand's stable of estates form the backbone of the winegrowing traditions in the regions around the foothills of the Pyrenees. As dramatic a winegrowing landscape as you'll find, this region has been home to the vine since the ancient Romans and Phoenicians fought over it. Chateau l'Hospitalet in the coastal La Clape AOC is a marvelous property, part resort, part vineyard, and part nature preserve, where you'll find some of the most definitive wines of the appellation. The 2021 l'Hospitaliet Rouge, a blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvedre, is "a gorgeous wine that is dripping with finesse" per Wine Enthusiast and "a classic at this address" according to Wine Advocate. Likewise, the 2021 Blanc, made from Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Vermentino, and Viognier, is "plush and inviting, with warm spice details and a honeyed note on the mineral-rich, racy finish" as described in Wine Spectator's 92-point review. If you're a fan of eminently classic Rhone-style wines with their own signature character, look no further. | ||
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| Andre Clouet Brut The V6 Experience (750ml) | ||
| Pinot Noir from Bouzy, Champagne, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More As the head of the historic Champagne house named for his grandfather Andre Clouet, larger than life vigneron Jean-François Clouet is considered by critics as one of the top grower-producers in the region. Jean-François' flamboyant personality, dubbed by one reviewer as a combination of "winemaker and circus ringmaster," belies his serious dedication and singular passion for producing rich and concentrated expressions of Pinot Noir-based Champagne, also known as Blanc de Noirs. From the outstanding 91pt non-vintage Grande Reserve to the exceptional 96pt Brut 1911, the champagnes of Andre Clouet exhibit the purity of the Pinot Noir fruit, with terroir-driven chalky minerality and deep complexity, ranking Andre Clouet among the region's finest producers and representing one of its best values. Inextricably tied to Champagne's history, the Clouet family have resided in the Montagne de Reims since 1492, first serving as book printers for King Louis XV in 1491 (a legacy now reflected in the Champagne house's ornate labels), producing their first champagne in Bouzy in 1741. Highlighting the Grand Cru pedigree of their 8 hectares of mid-slope sites in Bouzy and Ambonnay, the top cuvees are sourced from these estate vineyards, with additional Pinot Noir purchased from 60 hectares of growers' vineyards and each plot vinified separately. While upholding his family's traditional approach in the vineyard including hand pruning and selection, Francois continues to innovate in the cellar, including employing Sauternes barrels sourced from Château Doisy-Daëne for aging the Brut 1911 as a way of reducing the dosage, with the goal of adjusting sweetness without adding sugar. Exhibiting a gentle mousse and refined bubbles, the wines of André Clouet also boast notably creamy textures due to Jean-François' practice of extended aging on the lees, balancing crisp acidity and tantalizing minerality. While Andre Clouet remains relatively under the radar among the grower-producers in Champagne, these highly rated selections are among the best Blanc de Noir wines of the region, at a fraction of the price of prestige offerings from the larger Champagne houses like Krug and Bollinger. With the holiday season quickly approaching, this is the perfect opportunity to stock up on an array of the exquisite, artisanal Champagnes of Andre Clouet, one of the finest grower estates in the region today, whether for everyday enjoyment, celebrations or gifting and now offered at the best pricing on the market. | ||
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| 2022 Domaine Charvin Le Poutet (750ml) | ||
| From Côtes du Rhône, Rhône, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "It is really like drinking a fine bottle of Châteauneuf du Pape at a fraction of the price!" - John Gilman, View From the Cellar There you have it. We'll get to the specifics momentarily, but Gilman sums up the 2022 Charvin Le Poutet as well as anything else we could possible say about it. When you consider that Charvin's 2022 Châteauneuf notched a whopping 98 points, it becomes clear that this "humble" Cotes-du-Rhone is anything but. Sourced mainly from Grenache vines approaching 100 years old in a sandy plot just across the street from the Châteauneuf boundary line, the 2022 Le Poutet is a pristine example of Laurent Charvin's top-tier winemaking skills. "Try finding another Côtes-du-Rhône with this level of finesse, precision, and terroir signature," writes B-21 Rhône Buyer Andrew Kitz, "You'll be looking for a long time." Jeb Dunnuck likewise declares, "I love its overall balance, and it's medium-bodied, elegant, has fine, polished tannins, and outstanding length. It will shine for a solid decade." We've already seen the 2022 Châteauneuf fly out the door, which tells us that Chavin is still a name with serious cachet among Rhône fans, so we won't be surprised to see the same response to this spectacular overachiever at a price that makes it all too easy to go in big. | ||
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| NV Agrapart Complantee Extra Brut Grand Cru (750ml) | ||
| Sparkling from Avize, Champagne, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Crafted by artisan producer and B-21 favorite Pascal Agrapart in the chalky Cote des Blancs, Champagne Agrapart has enjoyed an under the radar reputation, but with the release of these highly rated 2025 cuvees, that's about to change. From one of the top grower-producers in the region, these selections from Agrapart offer a rare taste of meticulously crafted, terroir-driven Champagne at a remarkable value that's bound to sell out in a flash. Now run by the fourth consecutive generation, Agrapart ranks at the top echelons of Champagne, earning a 3-star rating in the Revue de Vin du France alongside only 7 other houses, including Krug. Planted almost entirely with Chardonnay with a few small plots of Pinot Noir, the ten-hectare Agrapart Domaine comprises more than 70 small parcels predominantly in the Grand Cru villages of Avize, Cramant, Oiry, and Oger with a few Premier Cru plots on the Cote de Blancs, boasting low yielding vines averaging over 40 years of age with the oldest over 70 years. Taking the reins of his family's historic estate in Avize over four decades ago, Pascal works the soils manually while employing organic practices, tilling with horses to ensure his soils do not get compacted (one of his parcels is worked by and named for his horse Venus). Fermenting the base wines exclusively with native yeasts which he believes is critical to expressing the terroir, Pascal employs a mix of older barrels dependent on the cuvee and longer than required bottle aging on the lees, yielding gorgeous, pure fruit impeccably balanced with chalky minerality that finishes long, each cuvee uniquely identified with a different colored plaque (i.e., the round metal disk on top of the cork). | ||
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| 2023 Vincent Girardin Bourgogne Blanc Cuvee St Vincent (750ml) | ||
| Chardonnay from Bourgogne, Burgundy, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "I have said this before but it bears repeating that Germain has been on a roll over the last 5 years and 2023 is again a fine example of that success." - Allen Meadows, Burghound Vincent Girardin's staggering portfolio of domaine and négociant bottlings can be a daunting task to wrap your head around, but once you dive in, the whites always seem to be the ticket at this Meursault-based stalwart. Our Burgundy team's visit to the domaine last fall proved that notion in 2023 as well, a vintage which favored Chardonnay anyway. We've already introduced you to one of this past year's shining stars in Burgundy value in the 2023 Cuvée St-Vincent Bourgogne Blanc, which B-21 buyer Andrew Kitz says "overdelivers in a big way," and now we've just received a handful of other excellent expressions that should grab the attention of any savvy white Burgundy fan. The 2023 Meursault Narvaux is a top-tier village cru that "nudges Premier Cru in quality" according to Neal Martin, also earning Outstanding and Top Value marks from Burghound. No less impressive, the "pedigreed, precise, and textbook" Puligny-Montrachet Vieilles Vignes shows that winemaker Eric Germain knows his way around outside his Meursault home turf. Turning to the 1er crus, the "elegant yet magisterial" 2023 Chassange 1er Cru La Romanée is "one to watch" according to Martin, and the JM91-94 Puligny 1er Cru Les Folatières is a superb representation of this treasured terroir that stands with the finest of the vintage. There's no shortage of hyped-up, next big things in Burgundy, but when it comes to reliable performance year in and year out, you can't go wrong with a standard-bearer like Girardin in an excellent vintage like 2023. | ||
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| Louis Roederer Champagne Collection 246 (750ml) | ||
| Sparkling from Champagne, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "The NV Brut Collection 246 is positively stellar. It’s a terrific example of where Roederer is going with this cuvée stylistically." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Begun a few years ago as a bold step in a new direction by one of Champagne's most revered houses, Roederer's Collection Series is now a full-fledged fan-favorite that hits every mark with each new release. Created to replace Roederer's non-vintage Brut in 2017, the Champagne Collection series labels each release with a unique ascending number akin to Krug's non-vintage Grande Cuvée. Chef de Cave Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon crafted the fifth-release Collection 246 from 54% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir and 11% Pinot Meunier. Sourced evenly from Roederer's La Riviere, La Montagne, and La Côte estates, the Collection 246 includes 35% perpetual reserve wines created in 2012 that are stored in stainless steel and topped off every vintage, along with 10% from previous years and young plots on the Cristal estate aged in French oak foudres. The remaining 55% from 2021 grapes was fermented mostly in stainless steel with 15% in oak, the final blend then aged for four years in bottle on the lees, yielding remarkable complexity in a non-vintage Champagne. Wine Spectator calls it "a harmonious Champagne that shows impeccable balance, with depth and focus." Its mouthwatering, textured fruit is beautifully balanced by lively acidity that finishes long on a steady stream of finely beaded bubbles, making for a marked departure in style from what most grand marque houses seek in their non-vintage cuvées. From "one of the most ambitious and exciting producers in Champagne, big or small" according to Galloni, the Collection 246 is crafted by one of the region's most talented winemakers with the same meticulous attention to detail as the house's legendary tête de cuvée Cristal, delivering benchmark class and quality at its price point. | ||
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| 2023 Bethel Heights Pinot Noir Estate (750ml) | ||
| Pinot Noir from Willamette, Oregon | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "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. | ||
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| High N' Wicked The Judge 14yr Whiskey (750ml) | ||
| From Tennessee | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Founded by two veterans of spirits giant Brown-Forman, independent bottler High N' Wicked has a made a name for themselves in the craft whiskey scene by their access to superb stocks from the country's best sources. Their series of highly limited, age-stated releases have been cult collector's hits since their debut in 2020, but now you can add "stunning value star" to their list of must-try offerings. When we tasted the High N' Wicked Kentucky Straight Bourbon earlier this year, it was clear from the get-go that everything about this whiskey was done with pure pleasure in mind. "Complex and enticing," according to Wine Enthusiast's 95-point review, this 5-year-old gem boasts quite a high rye content, but its sweet mashbill finds the perfect pocket of balance and opulence that make it incredibly approachable for a wide audience. Of course, you'll also want to pay close attention to the The Judge and The Jury. The market on age-stated American whiskey is through the roof, and you're almost always looking at triple digits for anything with this kinds of number on them. That makes this pair a can't-miss, flat-out steal in the category. After 14 years in new #4 char oak, High N' Wicked gave the 96-point The Judge an addition six months in Hungarian Tokaji dessert wine casks. Ramping up the intensity, the 94-point The Jury saw an extra year in the new #4 char barrel, finishing in a premium ex-Madeira cask. Nothing added and nothing chill-filtered out, these are luxurious, altogether singular expressions that we seldom see in the bourbon category. | ||
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| 2019 Stonestreet Cabernet Sauvignon Estate (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More 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. | ||
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| 2023 Pascal Bonhomme Vire-Clesse Vieilles Vignes (750ml) | ||
| Chardonnay from Macon, Burgundy, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "This is great Mâconnais chardonnay!" - John Gilman, View From the Cellar B-21 Burgundy fans are well familiar with Pascal Bonhomme's Vire-Clesse Vieilles Vignes, making it an undisputed best-seller in the category over several vintages, but as happens from time to time, the wine fell off our radar for a few vintages. Recently, we went back to the importer to get a look at the newly arrived 2023 rendition, and we were thrilled (but not surprised) to find that it's better than ever. Bonhomme sources this wine from his oldest parcels, now approaching 70 years in age, so it exudes a quintessential combination of concentrated aromatics and flavors, along with "all of the vibrancy and freshness inherent in this lovely vintage" as Gilman notes. Our own Burgundy buyer Andrew Kitz also found the 2023 to be "a statement in grace and elegance ... [with] super-fine limestone minerality, fantastic balance and textural precision, medium weight, and excellent definition." Bonhomme's style is the classic white Burgundy profile that captures something for everyone. Nothing is ever overdone or lacking, so no matter what your tastes, you'll find plenty to love in this latest expression from a proven B-21 winner. | ||
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| 2023 Domaine Chavy-Chouet Bourgogne Blanc Les Femelottes (750ml) | ||
| Chardonnay from Bourgogne, Burgundy, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Value and Burgundy, together in the same sentence? Yes, indeed. We've spent the past six months curating an exceptional roster of overperforming gems that deliver all the class and terroir expression that Burgundy fans crave, while still coming in at surprisingly affordable pricing. Our direct-import portfolio is at the heart of this selection, starting with the 2023 Chavy-Chouet Bourgogne Blanc Les Femelottes, a compelling entry-level charmer that boasts great pedigree, as it hails from a 3-hectare parcel of high-density plantings bordering the official Puligny appellation. Refined and expressive, it's a superb introduction to a rising-star domaine in the Cote d'Or and a surefire winner for anyone who's looking for true white Burgundy terroir at a bargain price. In a similar vein, Vincent Girardin's 2023 Cuvée St-Vincent Bourgogne Chardonnay is, in fact, made mostly from declassified Meursault vines, with a small balance of Puligny and Chassagne fruit rounding out the composition, so there's no question where the wine derives its outsized character. B-21 Buyer Andrew Kitz explains, "We came across a number of great values on our last trip to Burgundy, but nothing held a candle to this one when it came to Chardonnays in this price tier." Moving to the reds, you'll find an incredible single-vineyard Coteaux Bourguignon from a fantastic, family-run Gevrey domaine, Marchard-Grillot. The 2023 Marchand-Grillot En Bollery comes from a plot that sits against the east wall of the Clos de Vougeot, and it's "essentially every bit as good as many village crus from the Côte de Nuits, at a mere fraction of the price," according to Andrew. Next up, the 2022 Jessiaume Bourgogne Rouge Les Perrieres is Santenay village pedigree in all but official designation. A northeast-facing parcel of 60-year-old vines, it excels in sunny years like 2022, producing a wine that reflects not only the showstopping fruit concentration of the vintage but also the vivid freshness and definition of slightly cooler micro-climate. "This 2022 easily gives many village crus a run for their money, and it's an instant contender for top Pinot value in the store." Finally, we have the 2023 Rion Cote-de-Nuits Village Rouge, which "was impressive enough to have us fully convinced that Rion takes things seriously at every level of their line-up." With amplified depth of fruit and structural integrity, it checks every box that we're looking for in red Burgs at this price point – terroir signature, purity, balance, immediate charm, and enough backbone to make it an easy choice for the cellar. As you can see, we've done our digging, and whether you're looking for an easy pick to enjoy today, or something you can stock up on and come back to over and over again for a few years, there's a surefire winner or three in this list for you. | ||
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| 2020 Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino (750ml) | ||
| Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "The successful wines of 2020 are absolutely gorgeous." - Eric Guido, Vinous How does Brunello follow an act like the epic 2019 vintage? That's the million-dollar question surrounding Brunello's 2020 vintage, and to be sure, it doesn't boast the generation excellence or across the board consistency of 2010, 2016, or 2019, but as with any great wine region, the great producers certainly made great wines, and they're ripe for the picking if you know where to look. Today's offer distills our broad and deep selection of 2020 Brunellos into a quartet of favorites that we believe capture the vintage perfectly while offering exceptional quality-to-price ratio. The "harmonious and vibrant" 2020 Camigliano takes this estate's overachieving class to the next level with a glowing 95-point score from Wine Spectator, while the 2020 Caparzo "is really pretty ... Creamy and so polished. It goes on for minutes. A graceful and complex 2020 Brunello," as noted James Suckling, hinting at one of the vintage's finest qualities, its approachability in the near term. 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." It should come as no surprise that Montosoli's most famous estate, Altesino, turned out some stellar wines yet again in this vintage. The 2020 Altesino is once again a razor-sharp buy with three of 95-point scores under its belt. "Offering both refined complexity and true drinking pleasure, with nothing heavy or weighted, it's fabulous all around," declares Dunnuck's Italy critic, Audrey Frick. Finally, the 2020 Casanova di Neri boasts an extra dimension this vintage, as that estate's legendary Cerretalto was not produced, the fruit going instead into this bottling, resulting in 96-point rendition that is "especially spicy, lifted and intense" according to Wine Advocate's Monica Larner. As the 2020 Brunellos have come to market, it's becoming clear that this vintage is a more than worthy follow-up to the heralded 2019s, and best of all, performers like these show that they're among the smartest buys in Italian wine at the moment. | ||
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| 2022 Xavier & Agnès Amirault St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil Les Quarterons Rouge (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Franc from Bourgueil, Loire, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Xavier Amirault's passionate advocacy of biodynamics and his meticulous attention to detail make him a natural advocate for the St-Nicolas de Bourgueil appellation, but his wines themselves do more than enough talking. The domaine's Clos des Quarterons is a singular property in the region, from which Amirault carefully crafts his range. The entry-level 2022 Les Quarterons is made from predominantly younger vines on sandy soils, providing a beautiful introduction to the utterly charming style of this humble yet talented winemaker. With 94 points and an Editor's Choice nod from Wine Enthusiast, it's a certified gem that shows what Cabernet Franc can be in the right hands. Our own Andrew Kitz was equally impressed, calling it "Cabernet Franc as it should be ... immensely satisfying and easy to enjoy." Xavier's parcellaire wines take things up a notch or two, as you'll clearly see in the 2020 Le Fondis, from a north-facing, gentle slope of clay and sandy sediment. "As unapologetically old-school and classic as Loire Cab Franc gets," the Le Fondis is every bit the reference-point. You'll understand exactly why the Bordelaise adopted the varietal when you taste this wine. Its "ultra-suave texture and dark personality" make for a "Cabernet Franc with quintessential Loire heart and soul," as Andrew puts it. The consistency and pedigree of Amirault's wines far outpace their price points, making them savvy buys across the board for Loire fans who prize authentic, true-to-form expressions that can only be made in this part of the world. | ||
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| 2020 Chateau Pontet-Canet (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Pontet-Canet is inarguably one of the most dynamic estates in Bordeaux over the past two decades, routinely outperforming its Fifth Growth classification to turn out masterpieces of unquestionable pedigree and collectible class, including multiple 100-pointers. Capitalizing once again on a great growing season, the team at Pontet-Canet hit a unanimous homerun in 2020. "A great Pontet - immediately seductive and enjoyable with a long ageing potential." - Georgina Hindle, Decanter Notching big scores led by a 98-pointer from James Suckling, the 2020 is a powerhouse cellar candidate that clearly reflects the character of this monumental vintage. Based on just 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2020 boasts an elevated percentage of Merlot (32%) in the blend, which results in an opulent undercurrrent, rounding out the robust structure that is a hallmark of the best 2020s. Praising "its overall sexy, supple, seamless style," Jeb Dunnuck notes in his review of 97+ points, "it's going to be one for the ages as well." Few estates are as consistent in their achievements as Pontet-Canet in the modern era, and while the property is now a certified collector's choice, pricing remains incredibly reasonable for a wine of such thoroughbred stature and longevity. | ||
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| 2022 Tenuta di Arceno Il Fauno di Arcanum (750ml) | ||
| Merlot from Toscana, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Tuscany's reference-point Tenuta di Arceno is renowned for their world-class prowess with Bordeaux varietals, but it's not just the tête de cuvée Arcanum and Valadorno that draw the attention. The second wine Il Fauno di Arcanum has been a perennial best-seller in the Super Tuscan category for years now, and the 2022 rendition right where previous vintages left off. The 93-point 2022 Il Fauno, made from a handful of the estate's earliest ripening sites in the southwest section, is further proof of how well Merlot thrives in Tuscany. The blend of 40% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Franc, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot offers serious depth and varietal balance at its price point. It's a classic display of robust, modern Bordeaux character with an unmistakable Tuscan signature, from one of the region's most reliable and consistent estates, all available at the only sub-$30 price in the market. | ||
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| 2018 Chateau Lafite Rothschild (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Representing the upper echelon in the Bordeaux hierarchy, these top scoring vintages from two iconic First Growth estates are guaranteed not to disappoint, whether it's the "complexity, finesse and longevity" of Chateau Lafite Rothschild according to Inside Bordeaux's Jane Anson or the signature "explosive depth" and "breathtaking purity of flavor" of Chateau Haut-Brion according to Vinous critic Antonio Galloni, another terrific opportunity to fill in the cellar with 100 pt. gems or treat yourself to the one of a kind pleasures that only First Growth Bordeaux can deliver in every vintage at best on the market pricing. Spanning 112 hectares as the largest holding among the First Growths, the vineyards of Chateau Lafite Rothschild are located on rolling slopes of gravel up to ten meters deep in Pauillac, planted mostly to Cabernet Sauvignon with less than half of the total production making the final cut and aged for 18-20 months in new French oak barrels made at the estate's onsite cooperage.Exhibiting Lafite's "undeniable class and charm" according to Jeb Dunnuck, these top scoring selections range from the refined 100 pt. 2015 Chateau Lafite Rothschild that's just entering its realm of approachability, described by Inside Bordeaux's Jane Anson as "a truly classic Lafite" that's "understated and lyrical" to the magnificent triple 100 pt. 2020 Chateau Lafite Rothschild promising to "hit its 100th birthday in fine form" according to Jeb Dunnuck, every vintage revealing intensely aromatic, concentrated dark fruit with textbook graphite notes and layered silky tannins promising decades of longevity. Set among the contemporary suburbs of the city of Bordeaux, Chateau Haut-Brion's vineyards for the red Grand Vin span 50 hectares in Pessac-Leognan, planted almost evenly with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with small parcels of Cab Franc and Petit Verdot in a complex terroir ranging from limestone to sand to 18-meter-deep gravels interspersed with deep clay, the Grand Vin aged in mostly new French oak barrels for 22 months. With every vintage boasting its legendary ability to age, these thrilling selections range from the plush 100 pt. 2009 Chateau Haut-Brion offering the estate's signature ripe, opulent fruit elegantly balancing massive tannins to the 100 pt. 2020 Chateau Haut-Brion declared "a legend in the making" by Jeb Dunnuck and "ready to shine as the centerpiece of your collection for the next 40+ years" according to Inside Bordeaux's Jane Anson. A treasure trove of exceptional First Growths that will make it hard to choose, these top scoring blends from Chateau Lafite Rothschild and Chateau Haut-Brion range fromsome with over a decade of cellaring to more recent vintages requiring patient cellaring, all promising a thrilling evolution for decades to come and delivered in perfect provenance at best on the market pricing. | ||
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| 2020 Ramirez de la Piscina Seleccion Reserva (750ml) | ||
| Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "...there's a compact feel to this firm red but also a sense of balance and integration." - Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator As dominant as Rioja is in the Spanish collectible space, its penchant for delivering outstanding everyday values is also unmatched. The latest entry proving the point is Ramirez de la Piscina's charming 92-point 2020 Selección Reserva, a rock-solid performer for the cellar or the table at an easy case-buy price. The estate's style is purely reflective of the terroir in Ábalos and San Vicente de la Sonsierra, yielding wines of chalky finesse, refined tannins, and old-school complexity. For the Reserva, however, they take a decidedly New World approach in the oak regimen and fruit profile. James Suckling sums it up as "A dense and full-bodied Rioja ... Chewy and firm, with wood-soaked tannins, yet it doesn't overpower the rich dark berry and plum fruit." If you're a fan of Rioja, this is a razor-sharp buy to add to the cellar for future enjoyment, but it can also occupy a starring role in your regular rotation thanks to our must-see, sub-$20 price. | ||
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| 2016 Andre Clouet Dream Vintage (750ml) | ||
| From Bouzy, Champagne, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More As the head of the historic Champagne house named for his grandfather Andre Clouet, larger than life vigneron Jean-François Clouet is considered by critics as one of the top grower-producers in the region. Jean-François' flamboyant personality, dubbed by one reviewer as a combination of "winemaker and circus ringmaster," belies his serious dedication and singular passion for producing rich and concentrated expressions of Pinot Noir-based Champagne, also known as Blanc de Noirs. From the outstanding 91pt non-vintage Grande Reserve to the exceptional 96pt Brut 1911, the champagnes of Andre Clouet exhibit the purity of the Pinot Noir fruit, with terroir-driven chalky minerality and deep complexity, ranking Andre Clouet among the region's finest producers and representing one of its best values. Inextricably tied to Champagne's history, the Clouet family have resided in the Montagne de Reims since 1492, first serving as book printers for King Louis XV in 1491 (a legacy now reflected in the Champagne house's ornate labels), producing their first champagne in Bouzy in 1741. Highlighting the Grand Cru pedigree of their 8 hectares of mid-slope sites in Bouzy and Ambonnay, the top cuvees are sourced from these estate vineyards, with additional Pinot Noir purchased from 60 hectares of growers' vineyards and each plot vinified separately. While upholding his family's traditional approach in the vineyard including hand pruning and selection, Francois continues to innovate in the cellar, including employing Sauternes barrels sourced from Château Doisy-Daëne for aging the Brut 1911 as a way of reducing the dosage, with the goal of adjusting sweetness without adding sugar. Exhibiting a gentle mousse and refined bubbles, the wines of André Clouet also boast notably creamy textures due to Jean-François' practice of extended aging on the lees, balancing crisp acidity and tantalizing minerality. While Andre Clouet remains relatively under the radar among the grower-producers in Champagne, these highly rated selections are among the best Blanc de Noir wines of the region, at a fraction of the price of prestige offerings from the larger Champagne houses like Krug and Bollinger. With the holiday season quickly approaching, this is the perfect opportunity to stock up on an array of the exquisite, artisanal Champagnes of Andre Clouet, one of the finest grower estates in the region today, whether for everyday enjoyment, celebrations or gifting and now offered at the best pricing on the market. | ||
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| Andre Clouet Spiritum 96 Rose Grand Cru (750ml) | ||
| Pinot Noir from Bouzy, Champagne, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More As the head of the historic Champagne house named for his grandfather Andre Clouet, larger than life vigneron Jean-François Clouet is considered by critics as one of the top grower-producers in the region. Jean-François' flamboyant personality, dubbed by one reviewer as a combination of "winemaker and circus ringmaster," belies his serious dedication and singular passion for producing rich and concentrated expressions of Pinot Noir-based Champagne, also known as Blanc de Noirs. From the outstanding 91pt non-vintage Grande Reserve to the exceptional 96pt Brut 1911, the champagnes of Andre Clouet exhibit the purity of the Pinot Noir fruit, with terroir-driven chalky minerality and deep complexity, ranking Andre Clouet among the region's finest producers and representing one of its best values. Inextricably tied to Champagne's history, the Clouet family have resided in the Montagne de Reims since 1492, first serving as book printers for King Louis XV in 1491 (a legacy now reflected in the Champagne house's ornate labels), producing their first champagne in Bouzy in 1741. Highlighting the Grand Cru pedigree of their 8 hectares of mid-slope sites in Bouzy and Ambonnay, the top cuvees are sourced from these estate vineyards, with additional Pinot Noir purchased from 60 hectares of growers' vineyards and each plot vinified separately. While upholding his family's traditional approach in the vineyard including hand pruning and selection, Francois continues to innovate in the cellar, including employing Sauternes barrels sourced from Château Doisy-Daëne for aging the Brut 1911 as a way of reducing the dosage, with the goal of adjusting sweetness without adding sugar. Exhibiting a gentle mousse and refined bubbles, the wines of André Clouet also boast notably creamy textures due to Jean-François' practice of extended aging on the lees, balancing crisp acidity and tantalizing minerality. While Andre Clouet remains relatively under the radar among the grower-producers in Champagne, these highly rated selections are among the best Blanc de Noir wines of the region, at a fraction of the price of prestige offerings from the larger Champagne houses like Krug and Bollinger. With the holiday season quickly approaching, this is the perfect opportunity to stock up on an array of the exquisite, artisanal Champagnes of Andre Clouet, one of the finest grower estates in the region today, whether for everyday enjoyment, celebrations or gifting and now offered at the best pricing on the market. | ||
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| 2021 Le Cinciole Chianti Classico (750ml) | ||
| Sangiovese from Chianti, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "I was once again deeply impressed with Le Cinciole. Valeria Viganò and Luca Orsini have quietly turned Le Cinciole into one of the leading estates in all of Italy ... Readers should do everything they can to check out these new releases." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous One of the Italian jewels of our growing Direct Import portfolio, Le Cinciole is a name that fans of ultra-classic Tuscan reds need to know. Leading off, the 2021 Chianti Classico delivers incredible bang for the buck as a "juicy, vivid, and crunchy" entry-level value star, while the 2021 Aluigi Campo ai Peri Gran Selezione continues a recent run of stratospheric accolades that this cuvée has racked up from Antonio Galloni, who lauds it as "detailed and vibrant in the glass, with captivating energy." From a single parcel of vines on the region's famed galestro soils, the "terrific" 2021 is a quintessential Sangiovese expression, "balanced and bright with a pretty sense of fruit purity and focus" according to Monica Larner, which should be snatched up by savvy buyers. The estate plays mostly in the Sangiovese category with outstanding results, but that same exceptional vineyard [pedigree and winemaking talent come to bear in stunning fashion with Cabernet Sauvignon, as we clearly see in the 94-point 2020 Camalaione. A blend of 70% Cab, with the balance Syrah and Merlot, this is a powerhouse wine of real substance and layered intensity, with the signature characteristics that only Tuscany can bring to the native Bordeaux varietal. Finally, the 2021 Petresco, made of 100% Sangiovese from the estate's highest-elevation vineyard, is a paragon of age-worthy Sangiovese that can stand toe to toe with the most iconic renditions from Brunello and Chianti. The mineral- and -earth-driven profile will thrill fans of classic Tuscan reds, with the poise and refinement of a wine two or three times its price. Chianti's epic 2021 vintage produced "a restrained and complex wine with rare depth and vibrancy," as James Suckling describes it, denoting a level of class and sophistication that can stand with Italy's best collectibles. Fans of the estate won't want to miss these, and if you've never experienced Le Cinciole before, it's high time you got to know "one of the leading estates in all of Italy." | ||
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| 2023 Domaine Sebastien Dampt Chablis Les Vaillons 1er Cru (750ml) | ||
| Chardonnay from Chablis, Burgundy, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More We've been working with the wines of Sébastien Dampt for a few vintages now, and the scion of one of Chablis' most prominent winemakers has found a strong following among our long-time Burgundy aficionados. After all, Sébastien is a staunch adherent to the "no oak" style, à la Louis Michel, and his wines reflect the kind of terroir purity that fetches a high premium from hardcore fans of classic, "old school" Chablis. These newly arrived 2023s are clearly reflective of Dampt's style, starting with the 92-point 2023 Vaillons 1er Cru. "Very disciplined though still with the generosity of the vintage," the 2023 is understated when it needs to be while giving up just the right level of approachability to be enjoyable right out of the gate. The Cote de Lechet likewise shows its 1er cru pedigree in spades, with "excellent volume and richness to the succulent and sappy middle weight flavors" as described by Burghound's Allen Meadows. Finally, the village level Chablis stands as an unbeatable value in its category, an "easy-going effort" with "cool and pretty aromas ... textured, even succulent, medium-bodied flavors." Working directly with the domaine, we were able to source this parcel at a by-far market-best pricing, so our private clients can jump on these true exponents of pure Chablis terroir for a downright steal. | ||
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| 2009 Andre Clouet Dream Vintage Grand Cru (750ml) | ||
| From Bouzy, Champagne, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More As the head of the historic Champagne house named for his grandfather Andre Clouet, larger than life vigneron Jean-François Clouet is considered by critics as one of the top grower-producers in the region. Jean-François' flamboyant personality, dubbed by one reviewer as a combination of "winemaker and circus ringmaster," belies his serious dedication and singular passion for producing rich and concentrated expressions of Pinot Noir-based Champagne, also known as Blanc de Noirs. From the outstanding 91pt non-vintage Grande Reserve to the exceptional 96pt Brut 1911, the champagnes of Andre Clouet exhibit the purity of the Pinot Noir fruit, with terroir-driven chalky minerality and deep complexity, ranking Andre Clouet among the region's finest producers and representing one of its best values. Inextricably tied to Champagne's history, the Clouet family have resided in the Montagne de Reims since 1492, first serving as book printers for King Louis XV in 1491 (a legacy now reflected in the Champagne house's ornate labels), producing their first champagne in Bouzy in 1741. Highlighting the Grand Cru pedigree of their 8 hectares of mid-slope sites in Bouzy and Ambonnay, the top cuvees are sourced from these estate vineyards, with additional Pinot Noir purchased from 60 hectares of growers' vineyards and each plot vinified separately. While upholding his family's traditional approach in the vineyard including hand pruning and selection, Francois continues to innovate in the cellar, including employing Sauternes barrels sourced from Château Doisy-Daëne for aging the Brut 1911 as a way of reducing the dosage, with the goal of adjusting sweetness without adding sugar. Exhibiting a gentle mousse and refined bubbles, the wines of André Clouet also boast notably creamy textures due to Jean-François' practice of extended aging on the lees, balancing crisp acidity and tantalizing minerality. While Andre Clouet remains relatively under the radar among the grower-producers in Champagne, these highly rated selections are among the best Blanc de Noir wines of the region, at a fraction of the price of prestige offerings from the larger Champagne houses like Krug and Bollinger. With the holiday season quickly approaching, this is the perfect opportunity to stock up on an array of the exquisite, artisanal Champagnes of Andre Clouet, one of the finest grower estates in the region today, whether for everyday enjoyment, celebrations or gifting and now offered at the best pricing on the market. | ||
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| Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Single Barrel Select Bourbon (750ml) | ||
| From Bardstown, Kentucky | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "... arguably the most compelling B-21 single cask bourbon in our inventory."- Andrew Kitz, B-21 Spirits Buyer The Iconic Heaven Hill distillery has a number of benchmark brands under their umbrella, but none have the kind of cachet and following that Elijah Craig does. Of course, the flagship bottlings are consistent, perennial top sellers, and the limited Barrel Proof releases always get scooped up by the hardcore bourbon collectors, but there's really nothing like an Elijah Craig single cask to make your collection stand out. Hand-selected exclusively for B-21, the 9 Year Old Barrel #6871256 shows the famed Elijah Craig profile at its pinnacle. Bottled at a full barrel proof of 120.4, this cask is full-throttle intensity and opulence from start to finish. A towering aromatic profile defined by deep red fruits and luxurious barrel character leads the way, while the palate is a kaleidoscope of depth and complexity riding a weighty but balanced texture to an incredibly refined, drawn-out finish. Fans and collectors of Heaven Hill's most coveted whiskeys will not want to miss this showstopping expression, but any avid bourbon enthusiast is going to be bowled over by the world-class character of this singular cask. | ||
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| 2023 Hartford Pinot Noir (750ml) | ||
| Pinot Noir from Russian River, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More The Hartford Family's roots in Sonoma's Russian River Valley are second to none, and they farm some of the Golden State's most prized plots of old-vine Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. Their reference-point range runs the gamut from incredible single-vineyard expressions to some of the greatest bang-for-the-buck values in the appellation. The 2023 Russian River Pinot Noir delivers everything that long-time fans of the estate are looking for. Pure Pinot Noir charm is on full display in vibrant, ripe fruit, silky texture, and, most importantly, superb balance, all at an easy price that makes this undisputed crowd-pleaser accessible to a broad audience. The 2023 Russian River Chardonnay is "a worthy follow-up to the brilliant 2022," displaying classic, richly textured Russian River fruit, vibrant acidic balance, and a luxurious finish that reveals its world-class pedigree. Fans of California Chardonnay may have grown used to overpaying for underwhelming quality, but this 94-point, sub-$20 beauty is ideally suited to buck that trend. Turning to the estate's wheelhouse, don't miss the trio of top-flight, single-vineyard Zinfandels, highlighted by the WS96 Highwire Vineyard from the acclaimed 2023 vintage. "Zin rarely shows this much focus and tenstion," notes Wine Spectator, and we couldn't agree more. Whether you're looking for an easy everyday go-to or a top-tier reference-point expression for the cellar, this range from Hartford has it in spades. | ||
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| 2020 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino (750ml) | ||
| Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "The successful wines of 2020 are absolutely gorgeous." - Eric Guido, Vinous How does Brunello follow an act like the epic 2019 vintage? That's the million-dollar question surrounding Brunello's 2020 vintage, and to be sure, it doesn't boast the generation excellence or across the board consistency of 2010, 2016, or 2019, but as with any great wine region, the great producers certainly made great wines, and they're ripe for the picking if you know where to look. Today's offer distills our broad and deep selection of 2020 Brunellos into a quartet of favorites that we believe capture the vintage perfectly while offering exceptional quality-to-price ratio. The "harmonious and vibrant" 2020 Camigliano takes this estate's overachieving class to the next level with a glowing 95-point score from Wine Spectator, while the 2020 Caparzo "is really pretty ... Creamy and so polished. It goes on for minutes. A graceful and complex 2020 Brunello," as noted James Suckling, hinting at one of the vintage's finest qualities, its approachability in the near term. 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." It should come as no surprise that Montosoli's most famous estate, Altesino, turned out some stellar wines yet again in this vintage. The 2020 Altesino is once again a razor-sharp buy with three of 95-point scores under its belt. "Offering both refined complexity and true drinking pleasure, with nothing heavy or weighted, it's fabulous all around," declares Dunnuck's Italy critic, Audrey Frick. Finally, the 2020 Casanova di Neri boasts an extra dimension this vintage, as that estate's legendary Cerretalto was not produced, the fruit going instead into this bottling, resulting in 96-point rendition that is "especially spicy, lifted and intense" according to Wine Advocate's Monica Larner. As the 2020 Brunellos have come to market, it's becoming clear that this vintage is a more than worthy follow-up to the heralded 2019s, and best of all, performers like these show that they're among the smartest buys in Italian wine at the moment. | ||
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| 2021 Massolino Barbaresco (750ml) | ||
| Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "The 2021s are marvelously complete wines that offer a captivating mix of energy, structure, depth and plenty of site character." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous To paraphrase Mark Twain's infamous quip about good whiskey, too much great wine is not enough, and we still can't get enough of Barbaresco's epic 2021 vintage. Ever since these wines began to hit the market, they've delivered on the early praise that was heaped on them by critics across the board. There's obviously no shortage of spectacular buys in this vintage, but that breadth of choice can often make selection daunting, so we've hand-picked some of our absolute favorites get you going in this reference-point campaign. Massolino shines with a pair of superb offerings in their "super-classic" village bottling and their triple 95-point Albesani single cru. Produttori's 2021 village bottling is once again one of the steals of the vintage. With 95+ points from Wine Advocate, it's a "a classical expression of Nebbiolo that gives us good reason to be excited for the upcoming 2021 Barbaresco Riservas." Next up, the 2021 Fontanabianca Bordini is a no-brainer, razor-sharp buy for Piedmont collectors looking to maximize their collectible bang for the buck, a "stunning ,,, utterly delicious" offering with glowing accolades from several critics, led by Kerin O'Keefe's 96 points and 95 points from Larner. Finally, don't miss the single-cru sleeper stars from Albino Rocca and Giuseppe Cortese. "This vivid, sculpted Barbaresco is hugely promising," writes Galloni in his 95-point review of Rocca's 2021 Ronchi. He likewise praises Cortese's 2021 rendition of the iconic Rabaja cru as "complex, dynamic and youthfully austere—in other words, it's classic Rabajà ... a drop-dead gorgeous beauty." No matter which way you turn, it seems Barbaresco's 2021 vintage is knocking it out of the park, and our market-leading pricing on these fan favorites and collectible hits provides you ample opportunity to stock the cellar full for the next couple of decades. | ||
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| 2023 Massolino Nebbiolo (750ml) | ||
| Nebbiolo from Langhe, Piedmont, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Massolino is another winery that has been on a roll of late. These new releases are stellar." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous One of Piedmont's leading lights, Massolino is a perennial standout among Piedmont fans for their super-refined, elegant house style. From the village wines to the single-cru expressions, you'll find captivating profiles that have won critical accolades year in and year out. We just sourced a must-see parcel of some of the estate's finest recent releases, showcasing the impeccable excellence that characterizes every bottle of Massolino. Leading off is the 2021 village Barbaresco, a blend from the Albesani, Starderi, and Serraboella crus. As Galloni explains, "Readers will find a super-classic Barbaresco [with] lifted aromatics, mid-weight structure and persistent yet fine tannins." The triple 95-point, "very impressive and detailed" 2021 Albesani Barbaresco takes things up a notch - "a super-classic wine that ... possesses notable structure and the understated depth that is common of Barbaresco" according to Galloni. Finally, Piedmont fans shouldn't overlook the other varietal gems in the Massolino stable, highlighted by their lovely, utterly charming 2023 Dolcetto and the 93-point 2021 Barbera Gisep, a blend of three parcels within the Barolo DOCG designation with more serious pedigree than is typically found in this "humble" Piedmont varietal. There's no doubt that Massolino should be on every Piedmont lover's short list, and these latest releases show one of the region's great estates at the top of their game. | ||
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| 2022 Domaine de la Pepiere Muscadet Clisson (750ml) | ||
| Melon de Bourgogne from Muscadet, Loire, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Today, Rémi Branger and Gwénaëlle Croix admirably run Domaine de la Pépière, keeping alive the same vision and commitment to exceptional quality that were the hallmarks of Marc Ollivier’s long career, and the estate remains one of the very finest in Muscadet." - John Gilman, View From the Cellar There's no disputing Domaine de la Pépière's place in the Muscadet hierarchy. These are always among the finest terroir-driven expressions of this category that you'll come across, and the fact that almost anyone can buy them by the case and enjoy them for up to two decades also makes them some of the smartest collectible buys in all of French wine. The latest releases have just landed in stock, boasting big scores from Gilman at some of the sharpest prices in the country. The domaine's flagship 2023 Les Gras Moutons is "refined, complex, and vibrant," and the 2023 Clos des Briords showcases this prized site of 90-year-old vines in all its glory, "a brilliant bottle in the making." Taking things up a notch, the "superb" 95-point 2022 Clisson "shows remarkable depth on the nose ... [with] a great core of fruit, superb mineral undertow, zesty acids and impeccable balance on the long, complex and very, very classy finish." From vines approaching the century mark, it boasts the complexity, detail, and long-term potential of many wines four times its price or more. For Loire enthusiasts, Muscadet is the hub of ultimate insider steals, and these releases from Pépière should be at the top of the list for anyone seeking the apex of this dynamic yet still under-the-radar region. | ||
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