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| 2023 Jacques Saumaize Pouilly-Fuisse Haut de la Roche Vieilles Vignes (750ml) | ||
| Chardonnay from Maconnais, Burgundy, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "A wine of unmistakable terroir character and class." - Andrew Kitz, B-21 Burgundy Buyer Pouilly-Fuissé's star is on an undeniable upward trajectory in recent years, starting with the promotion of several of its top sites to 1er Cru status in 2020, a move that many saw as a harbinger of rising prices along with rising reputation. In some instances, that's been the case, but by and large we're still seeing some of the smartest buys in Burgundy emerge from the appellation's best sites, which is also drawing attention to its best producers, many of whom remained relatively unknown beyond the usual insider's circles until now. One of those domaines in Jacques Saumaize, whom we've become big fans of in recent years as their vineyard stable and winemaking are on par with the best in the appellation. Case in point is this marvelous old-vine gem from a vineyard that just screams terroir. While it's not officially a 1er Cru (yet) Le Haut de la Roche is a spectacular piece of real estate right at the base of the Roche de Vergisson, one of the twin towering rock formations that dominate Pouilly-Fuissé's topography. The soils up here are as bare as bare gets, so the 50-year-old vines are forced to plumb deep into the limestone mother rock, and the result is a stunning expression of place. "Pure, shimmering minerality" is the calling card on the nose, while View From the Cellar's John Gilman describes a palate that's "crisp, complex and full-bodied, with a beautiful core of fruit, superb mineral undertow, zesty acids and a very elegant, vibrant, poised and seamlessly balanced finish." If you're a seasoned fan of white Burgundy, everything mentioned above should have your attention, as the 2023 Le Haut de la Roche from Saumaize is a quintessential example of what we love about these wines, all for a price that makes it easy for anyone to get on board. | ||
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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 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. | ||
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| 2020 Camigliano Brunello di Montalcino (750ml) | ||
| Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Over the past few years, we've been repeatedly surprised by the wonderful style and value from Camigliano's Brunellos. The benchmark 2019 vintage saw this hidden gem score a big hit with our customers, and now the newly released 2020 takes that same overachieving class to the next level with a glowing 95-point score from Wine Spectator. Among the estate's 92 hectares of organically farmed vineyards, the Brunello is sourced from 50 hectares planted with Sangiovese Grosso in a mix of sand, clay and marl, situated at 300 meters above sea level and enjoying a south-southwest exposure that ensures even and optimal ripening of the hand harvested grapes. Employing meticulous sorting in the vineyard and crafted in the estate's new gravity-flow cellar, winemaker Sergio Cantini aged the 2020 in a mix of Slovenian and French oak barrels for 24 months with 12 months in bottle, yielding a "harmonious and vibrant" Brunello. 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, discoveries like Camigliano show that they're among the smartest buys in Italian wine at the moment. | ||
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| 2021 Fontanabianca Barbaresco Bordini (750ml) | ||
| Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More From one of our most proven performers in Barbaresco, we have a spectacular opportunity on a single-vineyard stunner with a raft of critical accolades, from an epic vintage, and at a flat-out must-see price. Fontanabianca's Matteo Pola farms his family's outstanding vine holdings as they have for generations, and the results are some of the finest under-the-radar gems you'll find in Barbaresco, from their entry-level bottling to the insider-favorite, single-vineyard expressions like the 2021 Bordini. "The Fontanabianca 2021 Barbaresco Bordini, in the bottle with the black label, represents a step up in terms of focus and power..." - Monica Larner, Wine Advocate From a prized parcel very near to the Tanaro River, the Bordini offers a fantastic juxtaposition of body, depth, finesse, and elegance. The site's warm location and microclimate provides exceptional phenolic ripeness in the fruit, but the clay-limestone soils with their veins of sand endow the wine with effortless precision and grace, so Barbaresco collectors get the best of both worlds in one impeccable expression. A "stunning ,,, utterly delicious" offering with glowing accolades from several critics, led by Kerin O'Keefe's 96 points and 95 points from Wine Advocate's Monica Larner, the 2021 Fontanabianca Bordini is a no-brainer, razor-sharp buy for Piedmont collectors looking to maximize their collectible bang for the buck. | ||
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| 2021 Beaulieu Vineyard Reserve Tapestry (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "It's medium to full-bodied, with a layered, elegant mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish. Bravo to the team at Beaulieu for delivering this level of quality..." - Jeb Dunnuck Legendary Napa pedigree and a benchmark vintage come together to form a top-tier overachiever in the 2021 BV Tapestry Reserve. Often known as "Baby Latour", it's a lovely precursor to the estate's iconic flagship wine, at a fraction of the price. Not only that, but the 2021 also boasts some impressive accolades, led by a 96-point score from James Suckling, who declares it "one of the best I have had." The vintage's outstanding growing conditions resulted in a wine with "excellent length and serious tension" between plush fruit and precisely executed structure. As Antonio Galloni remarks, "Soft, silky contours wrap it all together, adding to a sense of immediacy that is impossible to miss." The winemaking team at BV is firing on all cylinders in the past few vintages, and any fan of super-classic Napa Cabernet should take a good look at this surefire, sub-$40 winner. | ||
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| 2019 Chateau Chasse-Spleen (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Moulis, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More One of the most enjoyable aspects of being a Bordeaux fan or collector is returning again and again to a lauded vintage to see how the wines are evolving. Of course, it's all the more enjoyable as Bordeaux offers you countless opportunities to do so without breaking the bank. Where the book-end vintages of the acclaimed "trifecta" of 2018, 2019, and 2020 are built on power and longevity, the middle vintage has always stood out for its approachability and refinement, which is clearly apparent in these best-selling, fan-favorite value performers on offer today. Leading off, we have "a really fabulous Cantemerle that surely represents outstanding value" per Neal Martin, who notes "You have no excuse not to have this in your cellar." The 93-point Chasse-Spleen is another hidden gem from Moulis-en-Médoc's most well-known estate, while "the purity and finesse are really something" on the 2019 Pedesclaux Pauillac, according to Jeb Dunnuck. With the pedigree of a multiple 100-point grand vin behind it, the 2019 La Dame de Montrose is once again one of the great second-wine buys of the vintage, "a serious Dame de Montrose, with clear ageing potential," according to Jane Anson. Best of all, each of these wines is showing out right now and starting to offer prime drinking for any Bordeaux lover who can't resist pulling a cork. And at these prices, you don't have to think twice about it! | ||
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| 2023 Domaine Joblot Givry Clos de la Servoisine 1er Cru (750ml) | ||
| Pinot Noir from Givry, Burgundy, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "...the Joblot family produces serious wines with substance and structure that develop beautifully in bottle ... this reference-point domaine is at the top of its game." - William Kelley, Wine Advocate During our November trip to Burgundy last year, we got acquainted with a number of new discoveries, but we also checked in with a few old favorites, among them the Givry benchmark Domaine Joblot. As sharp Burgundy collectors know, the scarcity and high prices in the Côte d'Or offer the perfect motivation to look further afield for smart buys that maximize your collectible dollar, and the "satellite appellations" of the Côte Chalonnaise are getting an increasing level of attention. Now under fourth-generation proprietor Juliette Joblot and domaine director Hélène Sarkis, Domaine Joblot continues to set the pace in the Givry appellation. Tasting the line-up of excellent 2023s with Hélène, we'd have to agree with William Kelley's assessment above: this domaine is firing on all cylinders. Among the red 1er crus, the going theme is "lovely and understated" as Burghound's Allen Meadows puts it, although each wine has its individual charm (and its own Sweet Spot and Outstanding designations from Meadows). The 2023 Servoisine 1er Cru and 2023 Clos du Cellier Aux Moines 1er Cru are quintessential expressions of the vintage at Joblot, sculpted iterations of a classic red Burgundy built for the cellar. The difference comes in the slightly darker personality of the Cellier Aux Moines. Where the Servoisine is a bit brighter, more effusive, and more approachable in youth, the Cellier Aux Moines is coiled up in its deeper, more concentrated fruit, needing a few years to unwind and start to show its cards. But when it does, you'll find a thrilling Givry 1er Cru that Burgundy purists will love. In a market where 1er cru red Burgundies with real class and terroir signature are typically found in the triple-digit price range, these sub-$45 specimens are razor-sharp buys are now in stock and offering tons of upside potential, at domaine-direct, market-best pricing. | ||
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| 2023 Domaine Joblot Givry Clos du Cellier Aux Moines 1er Cru (750ml) | ||
| Pinot Noir from Givry, Burgundy, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "...the Joblot family produces serious wines with substance and structure that develop beautifully in bottle ... this reference-point domaine is at the top of its game." - William Kelley, Wine Advocate During our November trip to Burgundy last year, we got acquainted with a number of new discoveries, but we also checked in with a few old favorites, among them the Givry benchmark Domaine Joblot. As sharp Burgundy collectors know, the scarcity and high prices in the Côte d'Or offer the perfect motivation to look further afield for smart buys that maximize your collectible dollar, and the "satellite appellations" of the Côte Chalonnaise are getting an increasing level of attention. Now under fourth-generation proprietor Juliette Joblot and domaine director Hélène Sarkis, Domaine Joblot continues to set the pace in the Givry appellation. Tasting the line-up of excellent 2023s with Hélène, we'd have to agree with William Kelley's assessment above: this domaine is firing on all cylinders. Among the red 1er crus, the going theme is "lovely and understated" as Burghound's Allen Meadows puts it, although each wine has its individual charm (and its own Sweet Spot and Outstanding designations from Meadows). The 2023 Servoisine 1er Cru and 2023 Clos du Cellier Aux Moines 1er Cru are quintessential expressions of the vintage at Joblot, sculpted iterations of a classic red Burgundy built for the cellar. The difference comes in the slightly darker personality of the Cellier Aux Moines. Where the Servoisine is a bit brighter, more effusive, and more approachable in youth, the Cellier Aux Moines is coiled up in its deeper, more concentrated fruit, needing a few years to unwind and start to show its cards. But when it does, you'll find a thrilling Givry 1er Cru that Burgundy purists will love. In a market where 1er cru red Burgundies with real class and terroir signature are typically found in the triple-digit price range, these sub-$45 specimens are razor-sharp buys are now in stock and offering tons of upside potential, at domaine-direct, market-best pricing. | ||
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| 2021 Massolino Barbaresco (750ml) | ||
| Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, 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 Frank Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Frank Family Vineyards has earned a loyal following for their consistently outstanding wines priced well below their fellow Napa competitors, and these Napa Valley selections are no exception, a spectrum of ready-to-enjoy wines from outstanding California vintages, ranging from their opulent Carneros Chardonnay to a top-scoring Napa Cab described as "superb" by Antonio Galloni of Vinous, all delivering exceptional value. Working from 380 acres of estate vineyards in Carneros, Rutherford, and Capell Valley, long-time winemaker and GM Todd Graff employs the same barrel aging across the entire Napa line-up, utilizing a mix of one-third new French oak barrels with one-third once-used barrels and one-third twice-used barrels. Sourced from cooler climate vineyards in Carneros, the luscious 2023 Frank Family Vineyard Chardonnay balances rich, fragrant fruit and a creamy texture from lees stirring with bright acidity, while the aromatic 2022 Frank Family Pinot Noir reveals fresh, juicy fruit hinting of earthy spice with vibrant acidity on a satiny finish. The 2021 Frank Family Vineyard Zinfandel offers ripe, dark bramble fruit layered with pepper and spice from estate vineyards in Capell Valley and Rutherford, while the smooth and satisfying, 2022 Frank Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon contains well-integrated tannins that promise a decade of longevity. A range of deliciously appealing Napa Valley wines that over-deliver, these Frank Family Vineyards selections reflect Frank Family's trademark consistency and quality, guaranteed to please at a price that won't break the bank. | ||
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| 2013 Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva (750ml) | ||
| Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More A Rioja lover's dream assortment, these traditionally styled selections from Lopez de Heredia come from one of the region's most esteemed Bodegas with over a century of expertise as grower-producers, their legendary, long-lived Riojas released only after lengthy aging in their famously moldy and cobweb-laced cellars, perfect for mixing a case or two at a price that "seems like a steal" according to Wine and Spirits. As the last remaining family-run Bodegas in Rioja, winemaking at Lopez de Heredia has remained remarkably unchanged since its inception in 1877, crafting its wines in the Vina Tondonia winery in Haro with only estate-grown fruit, fermenting with natural yeasts and aging for extended periods in wood before bottling without filtration and further aging in the bottle. Summing up the long-lived aging potential of each of these Lopez de Heredia selections, critic Neal Martin declares "a bottle of Lopez de Heredia is an individual and each time you meet, you may see a different side to its personality," reflecting the pure authenticity, remarkable ageability and striking complexity of these top vintages and promising pleasurable drinking ahead for Rioja fans and Spanish wine collectors who act quickly to secure their picks from this value packed offer. | ||
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| 2019 Chateau Gloria (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Showing beautifully, with the polished, pure, elegant style of the vintage ... It should be a no-brainer purchase for the wine lovers out there." - Jeb Dunnuck Bordeaux's 2019s remain some of the sharpest buys in the market up and down the price spectrum, and that's doubly true for a perennial overachieving estate with an overly impressive track record. Chateau Gloria is arguably the greatest hidden gem in St-Julien. Seeing as it doesn't fall under the 1855 classification, it has historically traded at prices that far underestimate the inherent quality of the estate's terroir and the resulting wines. The 2019 grand vin has been a head-turning specimen since En Primeur, and the years since its release have only reaffirmed it as a top contender for Left Bank value of the vintage. Led by Neal Martin's glowing 96-point review, the critical line is full of accolades and praise. Inside Bordeaux's Jane Anson declares, "Pure pleasure, this is hard to resist," and Jeb Dunnuck notes it as "a hands-down winner." The strides made at this estate in the past two decades have been nothing short of astounding, yet the pricing remains accessible to nearly any fan of Bordeaux's best, proving once again that the region is the world's top hotbed for long-term cellar value. | ||
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| 2019 La Dame de Montrose (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Saint-Estephe, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More One of the most enjoyable aspects of being a Bordeaux fan or collector is returning again and again to a lauded vintage to see how the wines are evolving. Of course, it's all the more enjoyable as Bordeaux offers you countless opportunities to do so without breaking the bank. Where the book-end vintages of the acclaimed "trifecta" of 2018, 2019, and 2020 are built on power and longevity, the middle vintage has always stood out for its approachability and refinement, which is clearly apparent in these best-selling, fan-favorite value performers on offer today. Leading off, we have "a really fabulous Cantemerle that surely represents outstanding value" per Neal Martin, who notes "You have no excuse not to have this in your cellar." The 93-point Chasse-Spleen is another hidden gem from Moulis-en-Médoc's most well-known estate, while "the purity and finesse are really something" on the 2019 Pedesclaux Pauillac, according to Jeb Dunnuck. With the pedigree of a multiple 100-point grand vin behind it, the 2019 La Dame de Montrose is once again one of the great second-wine buys of the vintage, "a serious Dame de Montrose, with clear ageing potential," according to Jane Anson. Best of all, each of these wines is showing out right now and starting to offer prime drinking for any Bordeaux lover who can't resist pulling a cork. And at these prices, you don't have to think twice about it! | ||
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| 2016 Labegorce (750ml) | ||
| Merlot from Margaux, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Since arriving in 2009, Marjolaine de Coninck has resurrected this estate, and the wines now play with the top in the appellation."- Jeb Dunnuck Bordeaux remains arguably the greatest hotbed of collectible value in the world of fine wine, and at the forefront of that trend the past decade has been Margaux's Chateau Labegorce. Since 2015, this dynamic estate has been outpacing its station in the quality and price heirarchies, delivering exceptional, cellar-worthy character and style at prices that allow Bordeaux collectors of all stripes to line their cellars. Today's mini-vertical showcases the past decade at this insider's favorite in all its glory, with stellar acclaimed renditions from five benchmark vintages. Consistent praise has followed the 2016 sinceen primeur, "afabulously textured Margaux" that shines in a modern classic vintage, while the 2018 "exudes elegance and class" according to Dunnuck. The 2019 and 2020 renditions round out the "trifecta" in fine form, each vintage expressing the full character of this lauded trio. Finally, the double 95-point 2022 just confirms that the estate is here to day among the elite of the appellation, a resounding triumph that still maintains the brilliant value this dynamic property has come to symbolize among Bordeaux's savviest collectors. Whether you're building a mini-vertical of your own or your just looking for a new surefire Left Bank winner that you can enjoy with abandon, this selection has it and then some. | ||
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| 2021 Wohlmuth Ried Edelschuh GSTK Riesling (750ml) | ||
| Riesling from Südsteiermark, Steiermark, Austria | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "This is a reliably excellent producer with some of the finest Styrian wines." - Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate Southern Austria's Styria region, also known as Südsteiermark, has always been an insider's secret among Austrian wine lovers. These are some of the most dramatic vineyards in the country, and their ancient soils are highly suited to a wide range of varietals, but it's the notable trio of Riesling, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc that really define the highest quality tiers here. In fact, Sauvignon Blanc is arguably the region's calling card, and Weingut Wohlmuth is an under-the-radar star in the region, thanks to theirs, which are praised for their combination of "radiant fruit, power and intensity" by Wine Advocate's Stephan Reinhardt. Their village vineyards around Kitzeck-Sausal are highly prized for the 400 million-year-old phyllitic slate soils, and the 94-point 2022 Kitzeck-Sausal Sauvignon Blanc is a classic expression of the estate's style and the varietal's character in this part of the world. Better yet, no Sauv Blanc fan should miss the jaw-dropping, 98-point 2022 Ried Edelschuh Sauvignon Blanc. "So deep yet so delicate" and playing on par with the world's very finest expressions, it's a collectible-caliber wine from an unequivocal grand cru site. Of course, this being Austria, Riesling is a foundational part of Styria's DNA, and Wohlmuth's 2021s are singularly expressive in that regard. The Dr. Wunsch vineyard has hundreds of years of history, but was only recently reclaimed and laboriously recultivated by the estate, bringing it back to its revered potential of generations past. The 2021 is a WA94, sub-$35 standout that's "dense, juicy and salty, showing crystalline acidity as well as enormous power and length with corresponding tannin structure, yet also elegance and finesse." Finally, the same Ried Edelschuh that produces the stunning Sauv Blanc mentioned above also produces a grand-cru caliber Riesling with "tension, grip and energy but also balance" to the tune of 95 points from Reinhardt. Austria has always been a source of some the best quality for the price in the Old World, and offering like these from Wohlmuth only reinforce the idea that any serious wine lover who prizes authentic terroir and unbeatable class should be digging deep into the country's incredible trove of new discoveries. | ||
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| 2022 Michel Juillot Mercurey 1er Cru Les Champs Martins (750ml) | ||
| Pinot Noir from Mercurey, Burgundy, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More In our constant search for true collectible value in Burgundy, we often find ourselves venturing outside the hallowed confines of the Cote d'Or and into the top ranks of the Cote Chalonnaise, particularly its most famous appellation, Mercurey. Among a handful of producers who operate a cut above most others in the appellation, Domaine Michel Juillot has turned out a superb set of 2022s that showcase all the terroir expression and cellar-worthy class you'd find in much more expensive examples from a bit further north. Among today's offer, from arguably the most revered site in Mercurey, is a must-try rendition that speaks clearly of the pedigree and quality of a great hidden-gem domaine in a fantastic vintage, boasting glowing accolades from the notoriously rigorous duo of Burghound and View From the Cellar. The BH92 Clos des Barraults is "one to look for" based on its "impressive power" and "serious and firm finale." | ||
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| 2019 Livio Sassetti Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino (750ml) | ||
| Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "The combination of power, depth and energy makes this impossible to ignore." - Eric Guido, Vinous As one of Montalcino's reference-point estates, Livio Sassetti's Pertimali holds a special place in the hearts of collectors. In the banner vintage of 2019, the estate's Montosoli terroir shines with special brilliance and the Brunello is high on everyone's list. The wine is always known for its precision and finesse, and this rendition is no exception, as Sassetti's various Montosli parcels all produced exceptionally high quality fruit. "The 2019 leaves the senses reeling with youthful tension yet maintains fantastic energy," notes Eric Guido. James Suckling likewise describes it as "complex, yet well rounded and balanced" in his 95-point review, and with the vintage's ideal combination of phenolic depth, intensity, and structural poise, you can safely assume this 2019 stunner is set to cruise in the cellar, offering the trifecta of what we all love in great Brunello – pure Sangiovese class, transparent terroir character, and overperforming value, especially for a wine with such outstanding cellar potential. | ||
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| 2021 Massolino Barbera d'Alba Gisep (750ml) | ||
| Barbera from Barbera d'Alba, 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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| High N' Wicked Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) | ||
| From Kentucky | ||
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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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| 2022 Antinori Tenuta Guado al Tasso Cont'Ugo (750ml) | ||
| Merlot from Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "This is a magical property. Of late, the wines have been pretty magical too." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous While Tignanello gets all (or almost all) the attention in the Marchesi Antinori stable, the Guado al Tasso wines have started to gain some serious traction of their own among Italian fans, and they now stand apart from their more famous sibling in all the right ways. Indeed, recent vintages have seen the estate hit new benchmarks in quality and acclaim, something that continues in this trio of new releases. The 2023 Il Bruciato stands out as one of the Tuscany's leading value buys once again, capturing the power of the warm vintage while retaining ample freshness to make it accessible even today. This JD93 blend of Bordeaux varietals plus Syrah offers up a thoroughly modern profile with tons of broad, crowd-pleasing appeal and a price to match. The Super Tuscan blends are the attention-getters in the Antinori portfolio, but the 2022 Cont' Ugo Merlot is an insider's savvy buy. We know, we know ... Merlot? Yes, Merlot. It's one of the most intriguing and dynamic varietals in Tuscany today. The coastal climate and soils are ideally suited to this Bordeaux transplant, but the result is never just an imitation of the Right Bank style. Instead, Merlot takes on its own singular Tuscan character that lends a new and vibrant perspective to the grape and the category as a whole, and the 94-point 2022 Cont' Ugo is a prime example. Finally, the latest vintage of Guado al Tasso shows the unmatched pedigree of Antinori, from the sterling quality of the fruit, to the clear terroir signatures, to the precise and meticulous winemaking, which really was deciding factor in the 2022 vintage. As Monica Larner of Wine Advocate declares in her 96-point review, "The wine is velvety and richly textured at its core, but it is also seamless with very pleasurable sweetness." Everything about the 2022 is expertly composed and in its proper place, earning it three rock-solid, 96-point reviews from Italy's leading critics. For those who follow the Italian collectible scene, especially the Super Tuscan category, you'll no doubt be making room in the cellar for this exceptional expression from one of Italy's most iconic estates. | ||
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| 2022 Michel Juillot Mercurey 1er Cru Clos des Barraults (750ml) | ||
| Pinot Noir from Mercurey, Burgundy, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More In our constant search for true collectible value in Burgundy, we often find ourselves venturing outside the hallowed confines of the Cote d'Or and into the top ranks of the Cote Chalonnaise, particularly its most famous appellation, Mercurey. Among a handful of producers who operate a cut above most others in the appellation, Domaine Michel Juillot has turned out a superb set of 2022s that showcase all the terroir expression and cellar-worthy class you'd find in much more expensive examples from a bit further north. Among today's offer, from arguably the most revered site in Mercurey, is a must-try rendition that speaks clearly of the pedigree and quality of a great hidden-gem domaine in a fantastic vintage, boasting glowing accolades from the notoriously rigorous duo of Burghound and View From the Cellar. The BH92 Clos des Barraults is "one to look for" based on its "impressive power" and "serious and firm finale." | ||
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| Philipponnat Royale Reserve Brut (750ml) | ||
| Sparkling from Champagne, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "The non-vintage cuvée from this producer, based on the southern slopes of the Montagne de Reims, is beautifully judged." - Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast Philipponnat is one of the undisputed masters of Pinot Noir-based Champagnes from the Montagne de Reims, with a line-up that offers referece-points at every tier. While they're best known for the iconic Clos des Goisses vintage collectible, the "entry-level" NV Royale Reserve showcases every bit of this hallowed producer's pedigree and class. The Royale Reserve is a perpetual reserve blend combining the current harvest with the previous year's release, a practice that, in effect, creates a wine containing vintages as far back as 1946! The result is a wonderful marriage of complexity and freshness that earned 93-point reviews from Spectator, Enthusiast, and James Suckling, who notes its "refined palate with pinprick mousse, crisp acidity and a tight, tense and clean aftertaste." Anyone who's had Clos des Goisses knows the inimitable class and distinction that defines the Philipponnat wines, but unlike the Clos des Goisses, you don't have to splash out hundreds of dollars to experience it in this exceptionally well-made charmer. | ||
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| 2019 Chateau Saint-Pierre (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Producing its outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated Bordeaux Blend from a small 17-hectare vineyard not far from Beychevelle and Ducru-Beaucaillou, the centuries' old Chateau Saint-Pierre was revitalized in the 1980s by the energetic Henri Martin, known as a driving force behind innovations at Chateau Latour and as the founder of Chateau Gloria. Planted mostly to Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller parcels of Merlot and Cab Franc on the gravelly Beychevelle plateau, the vines at Saint Pierre average 50 years of age, tended by a team of 45 vineyard workers under the direction of Remy Di Constanzio, former technical director of Cos D'Estournel. Now owned by Henri's daughter Françoise and her husband Jean-Louis Triaud. | ||
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| 2020 Chateau Saint-Pierre (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Producing its outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated Bordeaux Blend from a small 17-hectare vineyard not far from Beychevelle and Ducru-Beaucaillou, the centuries' old Chateau Saint-Pierre was revitalized in the 1980s by the energetic Henri Martin, known as a driving force behind innovations at Chateau Latour and as the founder of Chateau Gloria. Planted mostly to Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller parcels of Merlot and Cab Franc on the gravelly Beychevelle plateau, the vines at Saint Pierre average 50 years of age, tended by a team of 45 vineyard workers under the direction of Remy Di Constanzio, former technical director of Cos D'Estournel. Now owned by Henri's daughter Françoise and her husband Jean-Louis Triaud. | ||
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| 2022 Wohlmuth Ried Edelschuh GSTK Sauvignon Blanc (750ml) | ||
| Sauvignon Blanc from Südsteiermark, Steiermark, Austria | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "This is a reliably excellent producer with some of the finest Styrian wines." - Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate Southern Austria's Styria region, also known as Südsteiermark, has always been an insider's secret among Austrian wine lovers. These are some of the most dramatic vineyards in the country, and their ancient soils are highly suited to a wide range of varietals, but it's the notable trio of Riesling, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc that really define the highest quality tiers here. In fact, Sauvignon Blanc is arguably the region's calling card, and Weingut Wohlmuth is an under-the-radar star in the region, thanks to theirs, which are praised for their combination of "radiant fruit, power and intensity" by Wine Advocate's Stephan Reinhardt. Their village vineyards around Kitzeck-Sausal are highly prized for the 400 million-year-old phyllitic slate soils, and the 94-point 2022 Kitzeck-Sausal Sauvignon Blanc is a classic expression of the estate's style and the varietal's character in this part of the world. Better yet, no Sauv Blanc fan should miss the jaw-dropping, 98-point 2022 Ried Edelschuh Sauvignon Blanc. "So deep yet so delicate" and playing on par with the world's very finest expressions, it's a collectible-caliber wine from an unequivocal grand cru site. Of course, this being Austria, Riesling is a foundational part of Styria's DNA, and Wohlmuth's 2021s are singularly expressive in that regard. The Dr. Wunsch vineyard has hundreds of years of history, but was only recently reclaimed and laboriously recultivated by the estate, bringing it back to its revered potential of generations past. The 2021 is a WA94, sub-$35 standout that's "dense, juicy and salty, showing crystalline acidity as well as enormous power and length with corresponding tannin structure, yet also elegance and finesse." Finally, the same Ried Edelschuh that produces the stunning Sauv Blanc mentioned above also produces a grand-cru caliber Riesling with "tension, grip and energy but also balance" to the tune of 95 points from Reinhardt. Austria has always been a source of some the best quality for the price in the Old World, and offering like these from Wohlmuth only reinforce the idea that any serious wine lover who prizes authentic terroir and unbeatable class should be digging deep into the country's incredible trove of new discoveries. | ||
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| 2021 Escudo Rojo Baron Philippe de Rothschild Baronesa P. (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Maipo Valley, Chile | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Rich, very flavorful and long. Pretty hedonistic for 2021. Flamboyant, flavorful and extravagant." - Zekun Shai, JamesSuckling.com The Rothschilds are French winemaking royalty (literally and figuratively), so when Baroness Philippine de Rothschild decided to set up an enterprise in Chlie's Maipo Valley in the late 1990s, it was a testament to the nearly limitless potential of the region, something which the Baroness knew with her keen foresight for opportunity. Escudo Rojo is now a benchmark operation in every way, and the tête de cuvée Baronesa P. is the estate's ode to its visionary founder, a regal and stately wine in every way. This Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend also incorporates Chile's native Carménère, as well as small doses of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah, for an expression that reflects both its Chilean origins and the French roots of the Rothschild family. It's typically an extraordinarily opulent wine, but the cool 2021 vintage played its part in bringing enough poise and nuance that it stands out in the wine's recent history. This 96-point rendition is "very ripe and opulent but pretty fresh at the same time," resulting in what Vinous' Joaquin Hidalgo calls "a tasty, complex red." The 2021 Escudo Rojo Baronesa P. is another shining example of the world-class excellence of Chile's best regions and the reason why so many of France's greatest winemaking family's call it their second home. | ||
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| Bollinger Brut Champagne Special Cuvee (750ml) | ||
| Sparkling from Champagne, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More 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." One of the finest Bollinger Special Cuvée bottlings to date, with my price making it that much finer: | ||
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| Bruno Paillard Extra Brut Premiere Cuvee (750ml) | ||
| Sparkling from Reims, Champagne, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "This airy, nuanced Champagne from Bruno Paillard is a delight." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous From a prominent Champagne family with deep roots in the region, Bruno Paillard is a benchmark name for elegant, finessed wines of unimpeachable quality and class. Seeing as the house owns vineyards all over the prime grand cru real estate of Champagne, including Le Mesnil, Oger, Bouzy, and Verzenay, it's no surprise that even the entry-level Premiere Cuvee is a flat-out gem in its price point. We recently revisited this 94-point, perennial best-seller ourselves and were immediately reminded of why it's such a successful hit among Champagne aficionados. A blend of all three Champagne varietals with a good portion of the wine coming from a perpetual reserve dating to 1985, the Premiere Cuvee boasts outstanding vinous complexity and intensity while remaining true to the pinpoint precision and effortless grace that mark all of Paillard's wines. "One of my favorite entry level wines," notes Jeb Dunnuck's Champagne critic Audrey Frick, "this consistently over-delivers." We couldn't agree more, which is why we took a big position that invites you to stock up in multiples at a must-see, razor-sharp price. | ||
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| 2017 Domaine de la Bongran Vire-Clesse Cuvee Levroutee (750ml) | ||
| Chardonnay from Maconnais, Burgundy, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "...a Mâconnais reference point that produces some of the region's most idiosyncratic wines." - William Kelley, Wine Advocate Our new direct-import relationship with Gautier Thevenet's Domaine de la Bongran is one of the most exciting results of our November trip to Burgundy last year. As one of the most meticulous and thoughtful growers and winemakers in Viré-Clessé, his wines occupy two realms simultaneously - on the one hand, they're paragons of classic, age-worthy white Burgundy, while on the other, they're stylistically singular in ways that none of his contemporaries can seem to match. The elusive Cuvée E.J. Thevenet is "one of Burgundy's greatest wines [and] what's more, its longevity is legendary," according to Kelley. The 2020 more than lives up to this lofty reputation. Based on that endorsement alone, you'd assume a triple-digit price is the norm, but for less than $40, you can stock up on a bona fide cellar contender that will outlive many Côte-de-Beaune benchmarks at many times its price. "Rich and bright ... Super in its style," the 2020 E.J. Thevenet is one of the most distinctive and intriguing white Burgs we've seen in a while. Taking that same character to another level, the 2017 Cuvée Levroutée is easily the most unique expression we encountered on this trip. It's safe to say there's nothing else like it in Burgundy. Made only in certain vintages that provide the perfect conditions for botrytis formation (the last being 2006), Levroutée is simply a one-of-a-kind wine, with 95 points from Kelley and 94 points from Neal Martin and Jasper Morris, who declares, "This really is gorgeous as it combines the pretty side of botrytis aromatics with a classic chardonnay heart." The 2017 Levroutée is a collectible treasure par excellence, only hinting at its full potential and set to cruise for a long, long time in the cellar. Finally, not part of the original Bongran domaine but one that Thevenet's father purchased several decades ago, the vineyards for the Cuvée Emilian Gillet are classic Viré-Clessé limestone terroir, which results in a wine markedly distinct from its stablemates. While the warm 2022 vintage provides it with just the right level of fruit ripeness, the terroir signature is all verve and nerve, with racy acidity and pristine minerality providing a thrilling background for those old-school white Burgundy purists seeking structure and longevity. The quality trajectory of the Mâcon has skyrocketed in recent years, with domaines like Bongran at the forefront. Fortunately though, prices remain accessible for anyone, and once you've experienced these wines for yourself, you'll surely want to be on the lookout for more discoveries like these that are coming through our pipeline in the future. | ||
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| 2022 Chateau des Quarts Pouilly-Fuisse Clos des Quarts (750ml) | ||
| Chardonnay from Maconnais, Burgundy, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "This is lovely and a wine that seemingly always ages well even though this should be approachable on the younger side." - Allen Meadows, Burghound To Burgundy insiders and aficionados, Chateau des Quarts carries all the hallmark qualities of a cult-caliber domaine with singular collectible appeal. Let's start with the vineyard's pedigree. Nestled in the southernmost village in Pouilly-Fuisse, the Clos des Quarts itself is a remarkable site of centenarian vines on spectacular clay-limestone soils. Perfect southeast exposure and a slight incline make for classic Burgundian terroir, and the vineyard has been held in high regard by local vignerons for generations, including Pouilly-Fuisse statesman Olivier Merlin. Merlin's reputation for scouting out the best sites in the appellation was well-established, and he had buying grapes from the estate for years when it came up for sale in 2012. Recognizing the can't-miss opportunity before him and enlisting the partnership of his long-time friend, the legendary Dominique Lafon, he purchased the property with the aim of making one of Pouilly-Fuisse's great collectible treasures, and today that's just where the Clos des Quarts stands. The excellent 2022 vintage yielded a resounding success for Merlin and Lafon, this 94-point rendition boasts "marvellous backbone, extreme purity, entirely fresh white fruit, yet with a racy intensity that is exceptional." Vinous' Neal Martin likewise lauds its "seductive bouquet" with a palate that's "elegant and poised," qualities which may ultimately up his 93+ points after time in the bottle. The track record, the prized terroir, the prestigious winemaking pedigree - it's all here in a fantastic expression that stands toe-to-toe with many white Burgundies at twice its price or more. | ||
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