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| 2008 Chateau Suduiraut Ex-Chateau 2023 (375ml) | ||
| Semillon from Sauternes, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Featured in a range of formats and vintages cellared in perfect conditions, Sauternes fans and those looking to explore them won't need an excuse or special occasion to enjoy this thrilling, top scoring selection from Chateau Suduiraut, boasting fresh, opulent honeyed fruit perfectly balanced by savory acidity, offering a not to be missed opportunity for both collectors and newbies to stock up on at bargain pricing and enjoy over the next decades. Set among exquisite gardens designed by the creator of the Sun King’s grounds at the Palace of Versailles, the majestic two-story turret-flanked Chateau Suduiraut is one of Bordeaux’s most beautiful estates, located just to the north of Chateau d’Yquem with 92 hectares of sloping organically farmed vineyards planted with mostly Semillon vines averaging 30 years of age. After harvesting the botrytized grapes over multiple passes with strict selection employed in the vineyard, longtime technical director Pierre Montegut vinified the Chateau Suduiraut Sauternes in French oak, blending mostly Semillon with small amounts of Sauvignon Blanc, then aged it on the lees in 50% new French oak barrels for 18-24 months, yielding its signature perfumed aromas with rich and decadent spiced fruit, balanced with energetic acidity and epic length. Describing it as “a mood altering wine,” the 95 pt. 2004 Suduiraut boasts “a range of honeyed flavors that never seems to stop” according to Wine and Spirits, while the Wine Advocate’s Robert Parker Jr. declares the 95 pt. 2006 Suduiraut “unctuously textured, with superb, full-bodied richness, good underlying acidity, and a stunning finish.” Boasting “a beautiful razor-sharp line of acidity that effortlessly slices through all that pure botrytised fruit,” Neal Martin of Vinous calls the 98 pt. 2009 Suduiraut a “benchmark Suduiraut” and declares the 96 pt. 2010 Chateau Suduiraut “simply magnificent” and “a candidate for best Sauternes of the vintage." Vinous critic Antonio Galloni declares the “fabulous” 97 pt. 2016 Suduiraut “such a gorgeous wine,” delivering a remarkable combination of flavor and intensity yet remaining “gracious and classy," while the Wine Enthusiast’s Roger Voss calls it “a great wine with a long-term future.” Whether selecting a few favorites or mixing a case, these magical vintages of Chateau Suduiraut are crafted to reveal their layered complexity over the next decades, their rich palate deftly balanced by an energizing lift of acidity, guaranteeing a pleasurable evolution for years to come. Christian Seely, AXA's charismatic managing director behind Chateau Suduiraut, describes tasting these elegantly crafted Sauternes well: “It is above all a supremely pleasurable wine, and one that needs no excuse, context or pairing: You can just open it for the sheer pleasure of the thing.” Never more true at these exceptional bargain prices. | ||
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| 2023 Kelley Fox Gruner Veltliner (750ml) | ||
| Gruner Veltliner from Dundee Hills, Oregon | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Declared “one of the most exciting portfolios of wines made in the United States” by Eric Guido of Vinous, these Kelley Fox selections from Willamette Valley include a top scoring range of elegant vineyard-expressive Pinot Noirs and a rich, energetic Chardonnay, her record of exceptional quality earning the portfolio a devoted cult following worldwide and available in limited quantities outside her exclusive winery list. Establishing her winery in 2007 with her father Gus Stearns, Kelley Fox was mentored by David Lett of The Eyrie Vineyards before spending a decade as the winemaker at Scott Paul Wines, crafting her wines as a transparent expression of their vineyard origins with limited intervention in the winery and gaining access over her career to some of Oregon's top vineyards. Employing small lot fermentations with all native yeasts and aging in in used barrels, Eric Guido of Vinous describes Kelley’s 2022 Pinot Noirs as “lifted, finessed and ethereal yet still vibrantly fruit-focused and nearly spiritual in the way that seemingly only Pinot Noir can be,” while the white wines are “potent and rich yet driven by an energetic mineral core that adds remarkable depth.” Sourced from the Dundee Hills AVA, the entry level 92 pt. 2022 Kelly Fox Pinot Noir Mirabai offers “soft elegant fruit as well as a supple texture and fresh acidity” according to Audrey Frick of Jeb Dunnuck, while the beautifully aromatic 96 pt. 2022 Kelley Fox Liminal Maresh Vineyard Pinot Noir has “approachable, fine tannins, vibrant, mouthwatering, even acidity, and crystalline purity” and promises to evolve for over a decade. Vinous critic Eric Guido calls the rich and juicy 96 pt. 2022 Kelley Fox Durant Vineyard Pinot Noir “a model of purity, silken to the core” with “unbelievable freshness,” while the fresh and zesty 96 pt. 2022 Kelley Fox Maresh Vineyard Golden-Crowned Sparrow Blocks Pinot Noir is “darkly alluring” with “silky textures and simulating acidity,” both built for a decade or more of enjoyment. Sourced from the Freedom Hill Vineyard and aged in stainless steel for six months, Audrey Frick of Jeb Dunnuck calls the 93 pt. 2023 Kelley Fox Willamette Valley Chardonnay “hard to resist,” offering fresh, spiced fruit with “outstanding energy propelling it through the lovely, savory, mineral-noted finish” and declaring it “a tremendous value.” Focusing on the clearest expression of a vineyard's character, Kelley Fox is a name for Oregon wine fans to add to their must try list, or as succinctly stated by Vinous critic Eric Guido, “Anyone looking for Oregon Pinot Noir purity and transparent communication of terroir from the soil to the vine to the bottle must explore Kelley Fox Wines.” | ||
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| 2020 Bodegas Muga Seleccion Especial (750ml) | ||
| Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Bodegas Muga's status as an all-time Rioja reference-point is reaffirmed with this sterling foursome of releases that we just secured at razor-sharp pricing. Leading off we have a Prado Enea for the ages. "The expressive, complex and nuanced 2016 Prado Enea Gran Reserva is a textbook traditional Rioja in the making ... with all the components in the right proportion to age superbly in bottle." - Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate Muga's flagship bottling is always a coveted item, and this WA97+ rendition is already showing legendary pedigree that will thrill collectors and connoisseurs of Spain's finest. A universally lauded expression of this classic Rioja Gran Reserva, the 2016 boasts towering press including no fewer than four 97-point scores, putting it in rarified air among the greatest vintages of this Spanish icon in the 21st century. "A brilliant wine with a solid two decades of prime drinking ahead of it" per Jeb Dunnuck, this is collectible Rioja class at its very best, and it's now available to our private clients at a must-see price that you won't find anywhere else. The Selección Especial Reserva is always a crowd and collectible favorite in the range and always priced well for a broad audience yet offering the kind of cellar-worthy appeal that serious collectors are looking for. The double 95-point 2019 "has to be one of the finest vintages for this wine ... a powerful vintage with balance and freshness" according to Gutiérrez. Vinous' Joaquin Hidalgo likewise declares, "This red stands out for its crystal-clear expression, showcasing a range of Rioja's virtures." The 2020 rendtion ramps up the collectible appeal thanks to a particular feature of the vintage itself – no Prado Enea was made in 2020, so all the fruit and juice that would normally comprise that flagship icon has instead gone into the Selección Especial. So, it's no surprise that the 2020 picks up right where the 2019 leaves off, led by Jeb Dunnuck's 95-point review that highlights its "medium to full-bodied richness, a round, layered mouthfeel, and silky tannins," which makes it "already hard to resist." Finally, the newly released 2021 Reserva Rioja is one of the sharpest values in Spanish wine, "a textbook example of [Muga's] style in a very good year, with power, concentration and clout, elegance and freshness" perGutiérrez' 94-point review in Wine Advocate.It's a perfect candidate to stack by the case, since it will not only cruise for several years in the cellar, but it will quench your thirst for Muga excellence anytime over the next decade while the you wait for the big boys to reach their prime drinking windows. For fans of Spanish wine and of Rioja in particular, this is a spectacular opportunity to load up on proven performers that will put many smiles on your face for countless years to come, at market-best pricing. | ||
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| Wilderness Trail B-21 Barrel Select Cask Strength Bourbon (750ml) | ||
| From Kentucky | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "...a spice-driven, punchy firecracker that’s tailor-made to take any Bourbon cocktail to the next-level." - Andrew Kitz, B-21 Spirits Buyer All too often when we find multiple single casks from the same distillery, the question arises, “What’s the difference?” And all too often, it’s not readily apparent. Not the case here – our two B-21 casks from Wilderness Trail are just pure, unadulterated fun, showing off two stellar interpretations of a fan-favorite distillery's trademark style. Last month, we showcased the unabashedly sweet, decadent Wheated cask, a true charmer through and through, and today we're taking things in a whole new direction with a straight Bourbon cask of a decidedly different nature. Likes its sister cask, it's still boasting plenty of Wilderness Trail's patented sweet mash style of distillate, but the high rye content and a year less in barrel make for a profile that's much more centered on spice and punch than on opulent luxury. The ISC #4 Char barrel has a bigger influence on the younger make than in the Wheated, so all manner of vanilla, baking spices, and anise are cranked up to eleven in this one. Layered under all of that is the spicy rye character that just sings in impeccable fashion alongside the more subtle sweetness from the mash bill. You can certainly drink it neat, and we highly recommend it, but you'd be crazy not to try it as the base for your next Old Fashioned or Manhattan, as this cask can stand up next to anything you throw at it. | ||
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| 2023 Hirtzberger Riesling Ried Singerriedel Smaragd (750ml) | ||
| Riesling from Wachau, Austria | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "In this cool end of the Wachau, this particular house style has come to a convincing apotheosis in 2023. It's really impressive but, above all, elegant." - Anne Krebiehl,Vinous The Hirtzberger estate is in many ways the definitive Wachau standard bearer. After all, it was the original Franz Hirtzberger who founded the Vinea Wachau classification which now sets the standards for the region's three-tier hierarchy of Steinfeder, Federspiel, and Smaragd. Franz the second has now served as president of the organization for going on three decades, so the family practically is Wachau in a way. And that's before we even get to their unparalleled stable of vineyard sites, all of which are simply some of the best in all of Austria. As with many of the country's finest producers, the magnificent 2023 vintage has endowed their wines with next-level class and inspired massive accolades from across the critical sphere, highlighted by the three benchmark collectible trophies on offer below. Starting with the 100-point Singerriedl Riesling, it's a wine of "fabulous concentration, focus and finesse" that will stand for decades in any cellar full of the world's top examples. The V97 Steinporz Riesling "is a triumph" according to Krebiehl, while the "inviting and generous appeal" of the 97-point Axpoint Grüner gives fans of the variety all the quintessential character they're looking for in a reference-point expression. We've been absolutely thrilled with what we've seen in Austria's 2023 vintage so far, and Hirtzberger's offerings stand unequivocally among the very elite of the campaign. However, quantities are limited, so collectors will want to take decisive action to secure these gems at the best pricing in the market. | ||
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| 2018 Agrapart Mineral Extra Brut Blanc de Blanc 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 2023 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 Hirtzberger Riesling Ried Steinporz Smaragd (750ml) | ||
| Riesling from Wachau, Niederosterreich, Austria | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "In this cool end of the Wachau, this particular house style has come to a convincing apotheosis in 2023. It's really impressive but, above all, elegant." - Anne Krebiehl,Vinous The Hirtzberger estate is in many ways the definitive Wachau standard bearer. After all, it was the original Franz Hirtzberger who founded the Vinea Wachau classification which now sets the standards for the region's three-tier hierarchy of Steinfeder, Federspiel, and Smaragd. Franz the second has now served as president of the organization for going on three decades, so the family practically is Wachau in a way. And that's before we even get to their unparalleled stable of vineyard sites, all of which are simply some of the best in all of Austria. As with many of the country's finest producers, the magnificent 2023 vintage has endowed their wines with next-level class and inspired massive accolades from across the critical sphere, highlighted by the three benchmark collectible trophies on offer below. Starting with the 100-point Singerriedl Riesling, it's a wine of "fabulous concentration, focus and finesse" that will stand for decades in any cellar full of the world's top examples. The V97 Steinporz Riesling "is a triumph" according to Krebiehl, while the "inviting and generous appeal" of the 97-point Axpoint Grüner gives fans of the variety all the quintessential character they're looking for in a reference-point expression. We've been absolutely thrilled with what we've seen in Austria's 2023 vintage so far, and Hirtzberger's offerings stand unequivocally among the very elite of the campaign. However, quantities are limited, so collectors will want to take decisive action to secure these gems at the best pricing in the market. | ||
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| 2021 Dominio de Atauta Parada de Atauta (750ml) | ||
| Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Castilla y Leon, Spain | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "The perfumed, floral and aromatic 2021 Parada de Atauta combines ripeness with freshness and elegance." - Luis Gutierrez, Wine Advocate An estate on the rise in Ribera del Duero, Dominio de Atauta has emerged as one of the region's great insider's secrets, with several astute critics recognizing the undeniable quality and character of these wines crafted from high-elevation, old vines planted in very poor soil. The Soria sub-zone adds an element of finesse to Atauta's wines, even as the signature intensity of Ribera is on full display. An "excellent opportunity to sample what this winery can do," the Parada de Atauta is an overachieving stunner that punches well above its weight class. As Wine Advocate's Luis Gutierrez notes, "It's not a shy wine ... but keeps the poise and harmony, with a round and tender palate, very fine tannins and purity of flavors." Parada is sourced from a handful of plots ranging in age from 90 to 120 years on sandy terroir, giving it that poise and harmony mentioned above, while a lighter oak regime (by Ribero standards) provides just the right contours to bring everything together in one supremely polished, enticing package. It's somewhat surprising that Atauta doesn't have a bigger market footprint in the U.S., but we're also proud to showcase a Spanish insider's top find at a price that can't be beat. | ||
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| 2019 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli (750ml) | ||
| Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "The 2019s from Altesino are some of the best new releases I can remember tasting at this address." - Eric Guido, Vinous It should come as no surprise that Montalcino's stupendous 2019 vintage turned out some amazing wines at the storied Altesino estate. The Brunello normale is once again a razor-sharp buy, "among the denomination’s best values" according to Michaela Morris of Decanter, but the estate's flagship bottlings have truly reached epic heights in this soon-to-be-legendary vintage. Racking up an impressive 98-point score from Wine Spectator, the 2019 Altesino Riserva is a powerhouse in every sense. It was sourced almost entirely from the estate's southernmost Pianezzine vineyard, resulting in "a rousing interplay of dark earthy nuance ... with sweet, luscious fruits," as described by Decanter. The 2019 is a concentrated and robust cellar contender that will cruise along with the vintage's very best renditions thanks to a superbly crafted balance. As Spectator's Bruce Sanderson puts it, "The taut, driving structure, especially its bracing acidity, propels this red to the superlong aftertaste."Showing the incredible diversity of the estate, the 2019 Montosoli from the famous hill in the north of the appellation is no less impressive, with four 97-point scores on its card. As Eric Guido notes, "The 2019 is seamless and harmonious ... Montosoli terroir at its very best, and even at this early stage, it's impossible to resist pouring another glass." By now, the 2019 Brunello vintage is on everyone's radar, and as the Riservas and single-vineyard bottlings come to market and critics shower their accolades, collectors will surely be in frenzy to stock up on the top performers. So, when we found this benchmark bottlings at some of the market's best prices, we jumped in with both feet, and you'll surely want to do the same. | ||
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| 2020 Mario Marengo Barolo Brunate (750ml) | ||
| Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Described as “consistently outstanding” by Vinous critic Galloni, these top scoring 95 plus point 2020 Barolo selections from Mario Marengo are among the region’s best values, an array of vineyard expressive Barolo from entry level to Cru reflecting the characteristic “grace, elegance and understatement” of an outstanding Piedmont vintage according to critic Galloni and unbeatably priced whether choosing a favorite or mixing a case. Boasting a history in the region dating back over a century, Marengo’s small 6-hectare estate includes old vine holdings in the Brunate and Bricco delle Viole Cru’s, its new cellars in Serradenari now run by fourth generation Marco and his wife Jenny along with their son Stefano. Crafted under the advisement of legendary consulting enologist Beppe Ca’Viola, the elegant 95 pt. 2020 Mario Marengo Barolo is a blend across the estate's four top La Morra vineyards, yielding “a very authentic portrait of this Barolo village known for delicate, floral and softly graceful expressions of Barolo” according to the Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner. Sourced from a steep one hectare parcel in one of Barolo’s highest-elevation vineyard Cru’s, the ethereal 97 pt. 2020 Marengo Barolo Bricco delle Viole comes from Nebbiolo vines averaging over 70 years of age, its intoxicating aromatic spiced fruit beautifully balancing powerful, supple tannins that’s “hard not to touch now” according to James Suckling while promising another decade or more of pleasurable drinking. Reflecting “the characteristic power and determination of the Brunate Cru” according to the Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner, the full-bodied 97 pt. 2020 Mario Marengo Barolo Brunate was sourced from 1.2 hectares of Nebbiolo planted in 1942, offering dark and sultry fruit with earthy aromas and fresh minerality and solidly built for decades of evolution. An array of artisan crafted gems produced in small amounts, Antonio Galloni of Vinous describes these 2020 Mario Marengo selections as “stylish Barolos that stand out for their supreme balance,” this offer a rare opportunity for Barolo collectors seeking outstanding value to stock the cellar with stunning Barolo for an incredible bargain price. | ||
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| Holmes Cay Heritage Blend Rum (750ml) | ||
| From Barbados | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Eric Kaye's Holmes Cay rum range is a bona fide treasure trove for hardcore tiki heads and collectors, as he sources some of the most compelling single cask expressions on the market, with access to seemingly all of the rum world's finest distilleries and stocks. So, it's no wonder that the Holmes Cay core range features some of the sharpest quality-to-price buys in the category, particularly the 96-point Heritage Blend. It's a marvelous ode to the stylistic variety of Caribbean rum. Part molasses distillate from Venezuela and Foursquare in Barbados, and part rhum agricole (cane juice) from Martinique, the Heritage blend offers clear characteristics of each style in utterly charming fashion. "Complex aromas" and a "mouthwatering palate" culminate in a "notably long" finish that led Wine Enthusiast's Kara Newman to tag it as Best Buy along with her glowing score. At a price that allows you to stock the bar in multiples, it'll be a fabulous addtion to your cocktail game or a surefire winner anytime you need a go-to fix for your rum craving without breaking the bank. | ||
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| Indri Dru Cask Strength Single Malt Indian Whisky (750ml) | ||
| From Gurugram, Haryana, India | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "This one is a real late-night treat." - Whisky Advocate Indian single malt whiskey has been riding a tide of populartiy in recent years, as names like Amrut have gained big traction among whiskey fans looking for top-quality juice at fair prices. Right along side them, though with more under-the-radar fanfare, Indri is turning out superb specimens that have piqued the interest of collectors and connoisseurs the world over. The Cask Strength DRU bottling is a strict selection of ex-bourbon barrels that have developed according to the highest standards of the master blender. After all, in the sub-tropical climate of the Indian plains where Indri is located, maturation is accelerated, thanks in large part to higher heat and humidity, as well as increased "angel's share" evaporation that concentrates the spirits even more. Bottled with no added color or chill-filtration, the DRU lives up to the hype with numerous awards and accolades over the past few years, capped by a 93-point review in Whisky Advocate that praises its "fathomless pool" of complexity and opulent malt character. If you're a single malt fan that needs to freshen up your repertoire or if you're a seasoned insider who's keen on the world's most interesting expressions, the Indri DRU is a go-to standout that won't disappoint. | ||
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| 2022 Andremily White Cuvee (750ml) | ||
| Roussanne from Santa Barbara, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Jim Binns continues to expand in impressive fashion ... As always, the wines are done in a rich, unctuous style, with extended maceration and tons of depth. With the right sites, that style can be incredibly exciting." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous After achieving a staggering twenty-seven 100-point scores during his tenure with winemaker Manfred Krankl at Sine Qua Non, Jim Binns established Andremily in 2012 on the outskirts of Ventura County, just south of Santa Barbara, naming it after his two children, Andrew and Emily. Sourcing grapes from top Santa Barbara vineyards including the legendary Bien Nacido and White Hawk, Jim has also expanded his use of estate-grown fruit since his recent purchase of the 39-acre Slide Hill Vineyard in Edna Valley, a move that has had “a profound impact on the wine” according to Galloni. "This roster delivers a comparable style [to SQN] in its density and opulence, albeit with even more chocolate-tinged richness and, somewhat paradoxically, more finesse." - Matthew Luczy, Wine Advocate We've just received our first allocation of the 2022 reds – a "brilliant" Mourvèdre and a #11 Syrah that's "heavenly stuff" – and if they're any indication, this vintage is shaping up to be another gangusters set, with both wines coming in at 96-98 points from Jeb Dunnuck. Needless to say, fans of Andremily, or full-throttle, luxury California reds in general, will not want to miss these. And if you need to reload on previous vintages, be sure to lock in on the highly acclaimed 2021s, as well as a handful or rare magnums from 2019 and 2020! | ||
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| 2021 Long Shadows Feather Cabernet Sauvignon (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Columbia, Washington State | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More One of the most consistently excellent and intriguing projects in Washington wine, Long Shadows is basically an assembly of all-star winemakers applying their world-class skills to some of the best fruit in the state, and it's no wonder that the 2021 Feather Cabernet Sauvignon is the most impressive wine in the stable, as it comes from the hand of none other than Napa Valley icon Randy Dunn. "This rich, spicy, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon has terrific purity, a deep, layered mid-palate, and a broad, layered, expansive mouthfeel that keeps you coming back to the glass,"notes Jeb Dunnuck. This cult-caliber expression captures all the hallmark features that put the finest Washington Cabs in a class all their own. With the help of one of the world's best consulting winemakers in Philippe Melka, Gilles Nicault has developed the Pirouette into a standout, Old World-inspired Bordeaux blend that's simultaneously pure Washington at heart,"a medium to full-bodied, nicely balanced, dense 2020 offering ripe tannins and outstanding length." The 2020 Pirouette is a true showcase of Nicault's blending skills, with top-flight Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot playing starring roles, supported by dashes of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec sourced from some of the appellation's most acclaimed sites, including Dionysus and Weinbau. The result is a wine that's "velvety smooth yet lifted in feel," displaying all the various varietal features in due course, along with classic Red Mountain structure and texture that tell you exactly where the wine comes from. Finally, we have the 2020 Pedestal Columbia Valley Merlot that has been setting the bar for the category since its inception. Sourced from two premier sites on the Wahluke Slope, this top-flight expression boasts all the quintessential hallmarks that make Washington such a hotbed for collectible Merlot bottlings that rival the best from Napa and Bordeaux. Dunnuck declares, I loved the 2020 Merlot Pedestal, which makes the most of the vintage ... it’s concentrated, has ripe, chalky tannins, plenty of mid-palate depth, and a great finish." In other words, you have everything you're looking for in a "luscious and round" 94-point rendition that will shine for years in the cellar. | ||
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| 2023 Hirtzberger Gruner Veltliner Ried Axpoint Smaragd (750ml) | ||
| Gruner Veltliner from Wachau, Niederosterreich, Austria | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "In this cool end of the Wachau, this particular house style has come to a convincing apotheosis in 2023. It's really impressive but, above all, elegant." - Anne Krebiehl,Vinous The Hirtzberger estate is in many ways the definitive Wachau standard bearer. After all, it was the original Franz Hirtzberger who founded the Vinea Wachau classification which now sets the standards for the region's three-tier hierarchy of Steinfeder, Federspiel, and Smaragd. Franz the second has now served as president of the organization for going on three decades, so the family practically is Wachau in a way. And that's before we even get to their unparalleled stable of vineyard sites, all of which are simply some of the best in all of Austria. As with many of the country's finest producers, the magnificent 2023 vintage has endowed their wines with next-level class and inspired massive accolades from across the critical sphere, highlighted by the three benchmark collectible trophies on offer below. Starting with the 100-point Singerriedl Riesling, it's a wine of "fabulous concentration, focus and finesse" that will stand for decades in any cellar full of the world's top examples. The V97 Steinporz Riesling "is a triumph" according to Krebiehl, while the "inviting and generous appeal" of the 97-point Axpoint Grüner gives fans of the variety all the quintessential character they're looking for in a reference-point expression. We've been absolutely thrilled with what we've seen in Austria's 2023 vintage so far, and Hirtzberger's offerings stand unequivocally among the very elite of the campaign. However, quantities are limited, so collectors will want to take decisive action to secure these gems at the best pricing in the market. | ||
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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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| 2022 Samuel Billaud Montmains Chablis 1er Cru (750ml) | ||
| Chardonnay from Chablis, Burgundy, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Let’s cut to the chase. Samuel Billaud is one of the most exciting winemakers in Chablis. He has the 'touch' that elevates wines to another level ... Would I put him in the same tier as Vincent Dauvissat and Raveneau? I would." - Neal Martin, Vinous There's not much we can say that isn't already perfect captured in the above quote from Martin. Samuel Billaud is firmly ensconced in the elite tier of Chablis producers. With huge press from Martin and Jasper Morris, including several Five Star designations, the 2022 range is a resounding triumph for Billaud, with vintage-best efforts in every tier of the quality heirarchy. While his wines can still be had for a fraction of the price of his cult-status contemporaries, they're starting to become almost as difficult to find in stock. This latest parcel is now available in limited quantities, so anyone who hasn't already locked in their allocation should take full advantage of this opportunity. | ||
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| 2019 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino Riserva (750ml) | ||
| Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "The 2019s from Altesino are some of the best new releases I can remember tasting at this address." - Eric Guido, Vinous It should come as no surprise that Montalcino's stupendous 2019 vintage turned out some amazing wines at the storied Altesino estate. The Brunello normale is once again a razor-sharp buy, "among the denomination’s best values" according to Michaela Morris of Decanter, but the estate's flagship bottlings have truly reached epic heights in this soon-to-be-legendary vintage. Racking up an impressive 98-point score from Wine Spectator, the 2019 Altesino Riserva is a powerhouse in every sense. It was sourced almost entirely from the estate's southernmost Pianezzine vineyard, resulting in "a rousing interplay of dark earthy nuance ... with sweet, luscious fruits," as described by Decanter. The 2019 is a concentrated and robust cellar contender that will cruise along with the vintage's very best renditions thanks to a superbly crafted balance. As Spectator's Bruce Sanderson puts it, "The taut, driving structure, especially its bracing acidity, propels this red to the superlong aftertaste."Showing the incredible diversity of the estate, the 2019 Montosoli from the famous hill in the north of the appellation is no less impressive, with four 97-point scores on its card. As Eric Guido notes, "The 2019 is seamless and harmonious ... Montosoli terroir at its very best, and even at this early stage, it's impossible to resist pouring another glass." By now, the 2019 Brunello vintage is on everyone's radar, and as the Riservas and single-vineyard bottlings come to market and critics shower their accolades, collectors will surely be in frenzy to stock up on the top performers. So, when we found this benchmark bottlings at some of the market's best prices, we jumped in with both feet, and you'll surely want to do the same. | ||
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| 2020 Ettore Germano Barolo (750ml) | ||
| Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Among Barolo enthusiasts, Ettore Germano is one of the great under-the-radar producers in the Serralunga d'Alba commune, with the Ceretto, Lazzarito and Prapo bottlings annually offering some of the best expressions to be found from these hallowed crus. But winemaker Sergio Germano's exceptional skills translate all the way even to his village bottling, a fan-favorite that hits big time in 2020. "Powerful, generous and harmonious, this is a wine for now or later but will bring smiles for years." - Wine Enthusiast Made from younger vines in the estate's prized crus mentioned above, the 2020 Barolo Commune de Serralunga boasts top-tier pedigree, with Germano's refined and gentle winemaking giving it superb approachability in youth while still setting it up for the long haul. Lead by a 96-point score from noted Italian authority Kerin O'Keefe, the press on this sharp buy is consistently praiseworthy. "Fluid and open, showing excellent balance," according to Wine Spectator, the 2020 is a quintessential expression of the Serralunga style, and it will give Barolo lovers something to look forward to tonight or any time over the next decade or more. | ||
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| Ardnamurchan Sherry Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) | ||
| From Ardnamurchan, Highlands, Scotland | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "...one of those brilliant expressions that steps right up to the line of being too much of a good thing, without crossing it." - Andrew Kitz, B-21 Spirits Buyer Established in 2014, Ardnamurchan is relatively new in the Highland scene, but they've got their feet fully under them, and they've been the talk to the town in Scotch circles for a few years now. The commitment to world-class quality is evident in everything from the distillery's facilities to their production, aging, and blending, resulting in a number of awards and recognitions in several recent industry publications and competitions. Working with artfully crafted distillate in both peated and unpeated form, these are some of the most compelling new Highland malts to hit the market in some time, highlighted by this flat-out stupendous Sherry Cask release. At a mere 2,000 bottles imported into the US, it's already in high demand and rightly so. Blended from 15 unpeated sherry hoggies and 10 peated, quite active sherry butts, this is everything that fans of sherried Scotch are looking for. The cask influence takes center stage, with an expertly managed peat component playing perfect counter to the opulence of the oloroso in exquisitely precision fashion thoughout. "All in all, this is a fabulously complex and intriguing dram, while at the same time being just a pure joy to drink," notes B-21 Spirits Buyer Andrew Kitz. Best of all, while many boutique, sherry-aged single malts are hitting eye-popping prices, Ardnamurchan's remains a relative steal, but who's to say how long that'll be the case, if they keep turning out releases like this. | ||
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| 2022 Domaine Pousse d'Or Corton Clos du Roi Grand Cru (750ml) | ||
| Pinot Noir from Corton, Burgundy, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "As the scores and commentaries confirm, I was very impressed with the wines in 2022 and in particular, those from Volnay really stood out." - Allen Meadows, Burghound We're down to the last few in-stock bottles of acclaimed 2022s from one of the Côte de Beaune's most coveted domaines. A dynamic estate that boasts no fewer than seven grands crus and eleven 1ers crus (three of which are monopoles), Pousse d'Or is always high on the checklist of collectors in a great vintage like 2022. The domaine's extensive line-up, which amassed glowing accolades across the board, includes numerous Sweet Spot and Outstanding designations from the notoriously rigorous Allen Meadows of Burghound. Leading off is the crown jewel of the 1er cru monopoles, the "super sleek and highly energetic" 1er Cru Clos de 60 Ouvrées from the prized En Caillerets vineyard, which offers just a touch more weight and gravitas than its "perfumed and exceptionally pretty" monopole stablemate, the 1er Cru Clos de la Bousse d'Or. As a testament to just how successful the vintage was for winemaker Benoît Landanger and his team, the "excellent" Pommard 1er Cru Jarolières punches well above its place in the heirarchy, matching its Volnay counterparts in class and sophistication. Atypical for Pommard, Meadows notes "a lovely sleekness to the delicious, vibrant and more muscular flavors that possess a gorgeous texture, all wrapped in an impressively long, firm and well-balanced finale." Finally, the "impeccably well-balanced" Corton Clos de Roi Grand Cru offers one of the smartest buys of the vintage in its category, its "gorgeous mouthfeel together with solid power" indicating a grand cru with exceptional cellar potential. If you missed these gems on the first go-round, now is your last chance to score one or several true cellar performers that highlight a great vintage and a great domaine in all their glory. | ||
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| 2019 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Paganelli (750ml) | ||
| Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More It seems the 2019 Brunello vintage is the gift that keeps on giving, as we're still unearthing stellar collectible opportunities on the region's most sought-after names. "Il Poggione remains one of the absolute top producers of Brunello from year to year at a remarkably fair price point." - Eric Guido, Vinous Il Poggione's classically structured, spice-driven style is on full display in the 2019, which captures the very best of this remarkable Brunello vintage. The expansive estate in the warmer southern sub-zone of Montalcino benefits greatly in balanced growing seasons, where the wine's hallmark power can stretch its legs without going overboard. Vinous' Eric Guido declares it "Enveloping and serene ... Il Poggione has captured the radiance of the vintage, yet this is just a baby today." Boasting true collectible potential at great pricing, Poggione's 2019 Brunello is another notch in an impressive recent track record for a bona fide Tuscan benchmark estate. | ||
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| 2022 Lingua Franca Estate Eola-Amity Hills Chardonnay (750ml) | ||
| Chardonnay from Willamette, Oregon | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "The team [at Lingua Franca] led by winemaker Thomas Savre is producing a portfolio of wines that show the power and complexity possible to obtain in Oregon." - Eric Guido, Vinous Renowned for crafting top-scoring Burgundy for his family’s Côte-de-Beaune estate, master winemaker Dominique Lafon worked as a consultant to Oregon’s Evening Land Vineyards before collaborating with master sommelier and Evening Land general manager Larry Stone to co-found Lingua Franca in Willamette Valley’s Eola-Amity Hills in 2015. Lafon's expertise at crafting exceptional Burgundy was credited with driving Evening Land’s rising reputation early on. Purchasing the 140-acre Janzen Farm, a prime parcel situated next to Evening Land’s Seven Springs site and adjacent to Domaine Serene’s Jerusalem Hill Vineyard, Stone and Lafon then worked with renowned Willamette viticulturist Mimi Casteel to determine the precise mix of clones to plant based on the site’s varied soils, utilizing organic and biodynamic viticulture throughout the estate’s 66-acre vineyard and hiring Evening Land’s former assistant winemaker and Lafon protege Thomas Savre to craft its vineyard-driven wines. Boasting experience at legendary Burgundy estates including Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, Domaine Dujac, and Maison Nicolas Potel, Savre employs a transparent, minimal-intervention approach in the cellar, resulting in wines that now boast an impressive track record of world-class quality and glowing acclaim from the critical press. The 2022 vintage continues this upward trajectory in spades, showing why Lingua Franca remains one of Oregon's most exciting producers. | ||
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| 2023 Kelley Fox Chardonnay Durant Vineyard Lark Block (750ml) | ||
| Chardonnay from Dundee Hills, Oregon | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Declared “one of the most exciting portfolios of wines made in the United States” by Eric Guido of Vinous, these Kelley Fox selections from Willamette Valley include a top scoring range of elegant vineyard-expressive Pinot Noirs and a rich, energetic Chardonnay, her record of exceptional quality earning the portfolio a devoted cult following worldwide and available in limited quantities outside her exclusive winery list. Establishing her winery in 2007 with her father Gus Stearns, Kelley Fox was mentored by David Lett of The Eyrie Vineyards before spending a decade as the winemaker at Scott Paul Wines, crafting her wines as a transparent expression of their vineyard origins with limited intervention in the winery and gaining access over her career to some of Oregon's top vineyards. Employing small lot fermentations with all native yeasts and aging in in used barrels, Eric Guido of Vinous describes Kelley’s 2022 Pinot Noirs as “lifted, finessed and ethereal yet still vibrantly fruit-focused and nearly spiritual in the way that seemingly only Pinot Noir can be,” while the white wines are “potent and rich yet driven by an energetic mineral core that adds remarkable depth.” Sourced from the Dundee Hills AVA, the entry level 92 pt. 2022 Kelly Fox Pinot Noir Mirabai offers “soft elegant fruit as well as a supple texture and fresh acidity” according to Audrey Frick of Jeb Dunnuck, while the beautifully aromatic 96 pt. 2022 Kelley Fox Liminal Maresh Vineyard Pinot Noir has “approachable, fine tannins, vibrant, mouthwatering, even acidity, and crystalline purity” and promises to evolve for over a decade. Vinous critic Eric Guido calls the rich and juicy 96 pt. 2022 Kelley Fox Durant Vineyard Pinot Noir “a model of purity, silken to the core” with “unbelievable freshness,” while the fresh and zesty 96 pt. 2022 Kelley Fox Maresh Vineyard Golden-Crowned Sparrow Blocks Pinot Noir is “darkly alluring” with “silky textures and simulating acidity,” both built for a decade or more of enjoyment. Sourced from the Freedom Hill Vineyard and aged in stainless steel for six months, Audrey Frick of Jeb Dunnuck calls the 93 pt. 2023 Kelley Fox Willamette Valley Chardonnay “hard to resist,” offering fresh, spiced fruit with “outstanding energy propelling it through the lovely, savory, mineral-noted finish” and declaring it “a tremendous value.” Focusing on the clearest expression of a vineyard's character, Kelley Fox is a name for Oregon wine fans to add to their must try list, or as succinctly stated by Vinous critic Eric Guido, “Anyone looking for Oregon Pinot Noir purity and transparent communication of terroir from the soil to the vine to the bottle must explore Kelley Fox Wines.” | ||
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| 2021 Dominio del Bendito Las Sabias (750ml) | ||
| Tempranillo from Toro, Spain | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Terrin is a producer who nurtures the vine, seeking a concentrated and powerful style of the gravelly terroir." - Joaquin Hidalgo, Vinous Spain's Toro region is one of the country's most dynamic, though it has long existed in the shadows of the more renowned Rioja and Ribera del Duero regions. But winemakers like Dominio del Bendito's Antony Terrin are making serious waves by harnessing the potential of the extremely stony soils, old vines, and trademark powerful Toro style, resulting in serious wines of substance and depth that are built for the cellar. The 2021s are heavy hitters with serious press from Wine Advocate's Luis Gutiérrez, led by the 95-point, aptly named Titan del Bendito. Made from old, ungrafted plots, some dating to the 19th century, it "showcases the ripe and powerful style of the zone and the winery coupled with good freshness from a very complete and balanced year." Terrin intends this wine to be an ode to the great sophistication and age-worthiness of traditional Toro wines. Stylistically different, the 94-point Las Sabias is "full-bodied but balanced, with ripe fruit and tannins and integrated oak." From 45- to 80-year-old bush vines of Tinto del Toro, the Las Sabias is crafted to showcase a certain poise and freshness that Terrin believes is possible even in this warm-climate region. Of course, there will always be ample space for Rioja and Ribero in the cellars of Spanish wine collectors, but with entries like these from Dominio del Bendito, the Toro region should be on everyone's radar. | ||
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| 2022 Samuel Billaud Bougros Chablis Grand Cru (750ml) | ||
| Chardonnay from Chablis, Burgundy, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Let’s cut to the chase. Samuel Billaud is one of the most exciting winemakers in Chablis. He has the 'touch' that elevates wines to another level ... Would I put him in the same tier as Vincent Dauvissat and Raveneau? I would." - Neal Martin, Vinous There's not much we can say that isn't already perfect captured in the above quote from Martin. Samuel Billaud is firmly ensconced in the elite tier of Chablis producers. With huge press from Martin and Jasper Morris, including several Five Star designations, the 2022 range is a resounding triumph for Billaud, with vintage-best efforts in every tier of the quality heirarchy. While his wines can still be had for a fraction of the price of his cult-status contemporaries, they're starting to become almost as difficult to find in stock. This latest parcel is now available in limited quantities, so anyone who hasn't already locked in their allocation should take full advantage of this opportunity. | ||
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| 2020 Giodo Brunello di Montalcino (750ml) | ||
| Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More “Famed enologist Carlo Ferrini’s small private vineyard may produce Montalcino’s best-kept secret” Robert Camuto, Wine Spectator Described as “celebrating the pleasures of Sangiovese” by Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson, superstar winemaker Carlo Ferrini has the golden touch for crafting vineyard expressive Brunello, his elegant 97 pt. 2020 Giodo Brunello di Montalcino revealing ripe, aromatic fruit hinting of balsamic with vibrant acidity and velvety, fine tannins, a small production gem already delivering pleasurable drinking and promising to age beautifully for a decade or more. Recognizing the potential of a small, steep parcel of stony, mineral-rich soil nestled deep within the forest and bordered by ancient cypress, veteran enologist Carlo Ferrini purchased his tiny estate on the southeastern side of Montalcino in 2002, naming it Giodo to honor his parents Giovanna and Donatello and planting it with 15 clones of Sangiovese selected for their low yields and high-quality grapes. Boasting a 30 plus year legacy as a leading consultant to a “who’s who” of iconic Tuscan estates including Barone Ricasoli, Fonterutoli, Talenti and Romitorio, the legendary Ferrini “has long emphasized investment in vineyards over winery technique” according to the Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner, maintaining a meticulous hands-on approach to viticulture while keeping Giodo relatively under the radar in deference to his high-profile clients. Boasting a southeast exposure that protects the vines from the intense afternoon sun, Giodo’s organically farmed 3 hectare vineyard for the Brunello is situated at 300 to 400 meters above sea level, an altitude Ferrini believes is optimal for growing Sangiovese, the yields reduced by 40% with green harvesting and the hand harvested grapes undergoing further strict selection with only the best fruit in top vintages vinified for the Brunello. Utilizing short macerations to minimize extraction and fermenting in a mix of stainless and concrete with native yeasts, Ferrini aged the alluring 2020 Giodo Brunello di Montalcino for 30 months in 500, 700 and 2,500-litre oak casks followed by additional time in concrete vats and over a year in bottle, yielding a fresh, silky textured Brunello boasting “innate power and intensity” according to the Wine Spectator’s Bruce Sanderson and finishing with elegantly layered, polished tannins and evolving complexity to enjoy over the next decade and beyond. Describing Giodo “as first and foremost a story of Sangiovese,” Ferrini declared the grape his “first great love,” the sumptuous 97 pt. 2020 Giodo Brunello di Montalcino a golden opportunity for fellow Sangiovese lovers and collectors of age worthy Tuscan reds to stock the cellar with a profoundly elegant Brunello from one of the region’s most talented winemakers. | ||
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| 2022 Kelley Fox Liminal Maresh Vineyard Pinot Noir (750ml) | ||
| Pinot Noir from Dundee Hills, Oregon | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Declared “one of the most exciting portfolios of wines made in the United States” by Eric Guido of Vinous, these Kelley Fox selections from Willamette Valley include a top scoring range of elegant vineyard-expressive Pinot Noirs and a rich, energetic Chardonnay, her record of exceptional quality earning the portfolio a devoted cult following worldwide and available in limited quantities outside her exclusive winery list. Establishing her winery in 2007 with her father Gus Stearns, Kelley Fox was mentored by David Lett of The Eyrie Vineyards before spending a decade as the winemaker at Scott Paul Wines, crafting her wines as a transparent expression of their vineyard origins with limited intervention in the winery and gaining access over her career to some of Oregon's top vineyards. Employing small lot fermentations with all native yeasts and aging in in used barrels, Eric Guido of Vinous describes Kelley’s 2022 Pinot Noirs as “lifted, finessed and ethereal yet still vibrantly fruit-focused and nearly spiritual in the way that seemingly only Pinot Noir can be,” while the white wines are “potent and rich yet driven by an energetic mineral core that adds remarkable depth.” Sourced from the Dundee Hills AVA, the entry level 92 pt. 2022 Kelly Fox Pinot Noir Mirabai offers “soft elegant fruit as well as a supple texture and fresh acidity” according to Audrey Frick of Jeb Dunnuck, while the beautifully aromatic 96 pt. 2022 Kelley Fox Liminal Maresh Vineyard Pinot Noir has “approachable, fine tannins, vibrant, mouthwatering, even acidity, and crystalline purity” and promises to evolve for over a decade. Vinous critic Eric Guido calls the rich and juicy 96 pt. 2022 Kelley Fox Durant Vineyard Pinot Noir “a model of purity, silken to the core” with “unbelievable freshness,” while the fresh and zesty 96 pt. 2022 Kelley Fox Maresh Vineyard Golden-Crowned Sparrow Blocks Pinot Noir is “darkly alluring” with “silky textures and simulating acidity,” both built for a decade or more of enjoyment. Sourced from the Freedom Hill Vineyard and aged in stainless steel for six months, Audrey Frick of Jeb Dunnuck calls the 93 pt. 2023 Kelley Fox Willamette Valley Chardonnay “hard to resist,” offering fresh, spiced fruit with “outstanding energy propelling it through the lovely, savory, mineral-noted finish” and declaring it “a tremendous value.” Focusing on the clearest expression of a vineyard's character, Kelley Fox is a name for Oregon wine fans to add to their must try list, or as succinctly stated by Vinous critic Eric Guido, “Anyone looking for Oregon Pinot Noir purity and transparent communication of terroir from the soil to the vine to the bottle must explore Kelley Fox Wines.” | ||
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| 2021 Andremily Grenache (750ml) | ||
| Grenache from Santa Barbara County, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Jim Binns continues to expand in impressive fashion ... As always, the wines are done in a rich, unctuous style, with extended maceration and tons of depth. With the right sites, that style can be incredibly exciting." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous After achieving a staggering twenty-seven 100-point scores during his tenure with winemaker Manfred Krankl at Sine Qua Non, Jim Binns established Andremily in 2012 on the outskirts of Ventura County, just south of Santa Barbara, naming it after his two children, Andrew and Emily. Sourcing grapes from top Santa Barbara vineyards including the legendary Bien Nacido and White Hawk, Jim has also expanded his use of estate-grown fruit since his recent purchase of the 39-acre Slide Hill Vineyard in Edna Valley, a move that has had “a profound impact on the wine” according to Galloni. "This roster delivers a comparable style [to SQN] in its density and opulence, albeit with even more chocolate-tinged richness and, somewhat paradoxically, more finesse." - Matthew Luczy, Wine Advocate We've just received our first allocation of the 2022 reds – a "brilliant" Mourvèdre and a #11 Syrah that's "heavenly stuff" – and if they're any indication, this vintage is shaping up to be another gangusters set, with both wines coming in at 96-98 points from Jeb Dunnuck. Needless to say, fans of Andremily, or full-throttle, luxury California reds in general, will not want to miss these. And if you need to reload on previous vintages, be sure to lock in on the highly acclaimed 2021s, as well as a handful or rare magnums from 2019 and 2020! | ||
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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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