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| Compass Box Crimson Casks Blended Malt Scotch (750ml) | ||
| From Scotland | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Since its founding in 2000, Compass Box has taken the boutique Scotch whisky scene by storm, thanks to their innovative approach to their craft. "Different from a distillery, more than a blender" is how they style themselves, and that description succinctly captures what they do. Working with an incredible range of stocks from Scotland's most admired distilleries, the blending team at Compass Box sets out to create highly distinctive, specific profiles that capture the nearly endless array of possibilities within the Scotch category. In their core line-up, the Crimson Casks is a world-wide fan favorite, blended from impeccable stocks distilled at such esteemed facilities as Glen Moray, Benrinnes, and the "Distillery near the the town of Aberlour" (wink, wink) among others. With two-thirds of the blend comprised of oloroso sherry casks, along with some prime ex-bourbon and Spanish red wine casks thrown in for good measure, it's a luxurious, pleasure-packed dram that fulfills all the promise of its name. Big, boisterous, dark fruits, deep chocolate, resonant toffee, and all manner of sweet and spicy treats are on full display in a thrillingly complex profile that garnered 95 points from Wine Enthusiast to go along with 93 points and a Top 20 Whiskies of 2024 honor from Whisky Advocate. Now, with our best-in-market pricing, you can jump in on this singular Scotch stunner that delivers as much bang for the buck as anything out there. | ||
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| 2023 Flowers Pinot Noir (750ml) | ||
| Pinot Noir from Sonoma Coast, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "I was blown away by the wines I tasted this year from Flowers." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Long before the Sonoma Coast AVA was a thing, the Sonoma Coast style was being pioneered by Flowers in the far-flung reaches of the county out near Jenner and Fort Ross. Fast-forward a few decades and here we are, still looking at Flowers as the reference point for cool-climate California Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The latest flagship releases showcase a pair of excellent vintages in 2023 and 2024, but more importantly they deliver the utterly classic Flowers personality that has made them all-time best sellers and fan-favorites in California wine. And each one carries rock-solid critical praise as always. The 94-point 2024 Chardonnay is "a terrific introduction to this range" with its "intensity and sleek, mouthwatering acidity that give this precision." The 2023 Pinot Noir is a likewise a 94-point gem and "a great reflection of the long, cool growing season." With strong press across the board, it's yet another proven performer that long-time fans should find checks every box in the Flowers paradigm. When consistent excellence is the name of the game, Flowers is a hall of fame player. | ||
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| 2023 Servin Vaillons Chablis 1er Cru (750ml) | ||
| Chardonnay from Chablis, Burgundy, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "The 30-hectare Domaine Servin ... continues to number among Chablis's most reliable addresses." - William Kelley, Wine Advocate Long-time B-21 Burgundy aficionados know Domaine Servin as a bastion of the classical Chablis style. Year in and year out, this exceptional estate holds true to the characteristics that have earned the region its legions of adoring fans. Even in a warm vintage like 2023, the domaine's extensive range of wines maintain the chiseled cut and energy that fans of the old school know and love. These are proven performers that deliver quintessential Chablis style and first-class QPR. A standout trio of 1er crus is lead by the "simply beautiful" Montée de Tonnerre that garnered 94 points from View From the Cellar's John Gilman and 90-93 points and an Outstanding designation from Meadows of Burghound, who notes its "The super-sleek, intense and equally attractively textured flavors " The crown jewels in the Servin stable are undoubtedly the Les Clos and Bougros Grands Crus, both of which are superbly structured renditions that collectors will love to have in their cellars for years to come. As the region's recent growing seasons have tended to favor a more modern, upfront style, it's becoming increasingly harder to find Chablis expressions that capture the very best of what made the region famous in the first place, but Domaine Servin is still holding true to form, and you'll be hard-pressed to find more transparent terroir character in the 2023 vintage than this line-up on offer today. | ||
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| 2023 Shafer One Point Five (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Stags Leap, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Easily one of the most revered estates in all of California wine, Shafer is synonymous with Napa Valley, and particularly the striking (and strikingly expensive) Pritchard Hill terroir, Of course, the towering Hillside Select is an original California luxury blue chip, but we've always loved it's baby brother, the One Point Five, for its ability to translate the heart and soul of this remarkable estate for a fraction of the price of the Hillside. "The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five is stellar ... It’s a gorgeous bridge into the flagship Hillside Select." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous By first indications, the 2023 Napa vintage is shaping up to be one for the ages, so it's no surprise to see this Napa icon shining brightly once again. "Deep, pliant and resonant in the glass," the One Point Five nails the quintessential character of the 2023 growing season with real style and distinction, resulting in rock-solid press led by a 96-point review from Jeb Dunnuck, who calls it a "classic, serious wine" that even touches on a bit of Pauillac spirit for a sterling, benchmark display of Napa Cabernet brilliance. | ||
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| 2019 Chateau Lafite Rothschild (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Representing the upper echelon in the Bordeaux hierarchy, these top scoring vintages from two iconic First Growth estates are guaranteed not to disappoint, whether it's the "complexity, finesse and longevity" of Chateau Lafite Rothschild according to Inside Bordeaux's Jane Anson or the signature "explosive depth" and "breathtaking purity of flavor" of Chateau Haut-Brion according to Vinous critic Antonio Galloni, another terrific opportunity to fill in the cellar with 100 pt. gems or treat yourself to the one of a kind pleasures that only First Growth Bordeaux can deliver in every vintage at best on the market pricing. Spanning 112 hectares as the largest holding among the First Growths, the vineyards of Chateau Lafite Rothschild are located on rolling slopes of gravel up to ten meters deep in Pauillac, planted mostly to Cabernet Sauvignon with less than half of the total production making the final cut and aged for 18-20 months in new French oak barrels made at the estate's onsite cooperage.Exhibiting Lafite's "undeniable class and charm" according to Jeb Dunnuck, these top scoring selections range from the refined 100 pt. 2015 Chateau Lafite Rothschild that's just entering its realm of approachability, described by Inside Bordeaux's Jane Anson as "a truly classic Lafite" that's "understated and lyrical" to the magnificent triple 100 pt. 2020 Chateau Lafite Rothschild promising to "hit its 100th birthday in fine form" according to Jeb Dunnuck, every vintage revealing intensely aromatic, concentrated dark fruit with textbook graphite notes and layered silky tannins promising decades of longevity. Set among the contemporary suburbs of the city of Bordeaux, Chateau Haut-Brion's vineyards for the red Grand Vin span 50 hectares in Pessac-Leognan, planted almost evenly with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with small parcels of Cab Franc and Petit Verdot in a complex terroir ranging from limestone to sand to 18-meter-deep gravels interspersed with deep clay, the Grand Vin aged in mostly new French oak barrels for 22 months. With every vintage boasting its legendary ability to age, these thrilling selections range from the plush 100 pt. 2009 Chateau Haut-Brion offering the estate's signature ripe, opulent fruit elegantly balancing massive tannins to the 100 pt. 2020 Chateau Haut-Brion declared "a legend in the making" by Jeb Dunnuck and "ready to shine as the centerpiece of your collection for the next 40+ years" according to Inside Bordeaux's Jane Anson. A treasure trove of exceptional First Growths that will make it hard to choose, these top scoring blends from Chateau Lafite Rothschild and Chateau Haut-Brion range fromsome with over a decade of cellaring to more recent vintages requiring patient cellaring, all promising a thrilling evolution for decades to come and delivered in perfect provenance at best on the market pricing. | ||
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| 2022 Philippe Alliet Chinon Vieilles Vignes (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Franc from Chinon, Loire, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "What a great scoop for our Loire direct-import portfolio to have Philippe Alliet and his son Pierre join the fold ... these wines are easily among the very best in Chinon." - Andrew Kitz, B-21 Loire Buyer While not extremely well-known on this side of the Atlantic, Domaine Philippe Alliet is one of the Chinon appellation's leading lights, standing in strong company right alongside the likes of Charles Joguet. Father and son Philippe and Pierre employ meticulous methods to their prized vineyard holdings (some of the very best in all of Chinon), spearheading a new wave of viticulture that emphasizes very low yields and optimally ripe fruit at all costs. The resulting wines are nothing short of revelatory, reference-point expressions, which we saw first-hand during a tasting last fall. The entire range is superb, but the 93-point 2022 Vieilles Vignes offers a perfect introduction to this remarkable, must-know estate.Selecting from the oldest vines in their various plots, all at least 70 years old, the Alliets vinify and age the VV entirely in cement vats, while full de-stemming only adds to the sheer allure of the wine's personality and expression. As Yohan Castaing of Wine Advocate writes, "This vintage is one of the most precise and pure expressions of Vieilles Vignes I have ever tasted. Kudos!" Turning to the single-vineyard cuvées, the 2022 L'Huisserie hails from a south-facing on Chinon's most favored hillside, the clay and flint soils imparting both a round, fleshy, full-fruited character as well as a firm mineral signature to the wine. This "multidimensional wine" showcase the Alliet style to a T, with none of the rusticity that often follows Chinon Cab Franc. Finally, the 2023 Coteau de Noiré is a stupendous expression of a Chinon "grand cru" site with similar clay and marl soils and a much steeper 40% incline. The wine exhibits a firm structural foundation, sappy mid-palate, and brooding fruit profile for what amounts to a pinnacle expression of cellar-worthy Cabernet Franc. Best of all, we're bringing you the Alliet wines directly from the domaine as new additions to our rapidly expanding Loire direct-import range, so the quality for price, which was already outstanding, becomes essentially unbeatable in the category. | ||
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| 2023 Veyder-Malberg Gruner Veltliner Liebedich (750ml) | ||
| Gruner Veltliner from Wachau, Lower Austria, Austria | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Based on this showing, Veyder-Malberg is indeed as mad and as genius as they say he is." - Andrew Kitz, B-21 Austria Buyer You may not know Peter Veyder-Malberg, but among Austrian wine insiders, he's one of the most iconoclastic, not to mention talented, winemakers in the Wachau. His wines don't get nearly the wider attention that they deserve thanks to his general aversion to having them reviewed professionally (he's not a fan of tagging an arbitrary number onto his wines), so in order to get an idea of how truly special they are, you have to taste them yourself, and that's what B-21 Austria buyer Andrew Kitz recently did with the exceptional 2023s. Based in the Spitzer Graben, a narrow side valley of the Wachau with a decidedly cooler microclimate, Veyder-Malberg has been marching to the beat of his own drummer since the beginning, and the results are in a class all their own, starting with his "entry-level" Grüner Veltliner Liebedich. Sourced from many of Wachau's most prized sites, including Loibenberg and Hochrain, it's "a quintessential example of Austria’s most famous native grape in every way ... a layered, textured expression that Austrian wine fans shouldn’t miss." His true genius, however, shines in his single-vineyard wines, like the 2023 Grüner Veltliner Hochrain. Andrew describes a 95-point expression with aromas of "pure, shimmering minerality" and a palate that's "achingly elegant and precise ... a study in restrained intensity and ethereal elegance." Likewise, the 96-point 2023 Riesling Bruck is a remarkable, singular style that could only come from a winemaker like Veyder-Malberg. "Peter Veyder-Malberg’s 2023 Riesling Bruck is simply stunning. Like his other wines, it demands time, it demands proper temperature, and it demands attention. When all three conditions are met, you’re rewarded with a Riesling of absolutely beguiling delicacy, shimmering personality, and generally jaw-dropping finesse." It bears noting that these are not wines for immediate gratification. They are intellectual to say the least, and the 2023s at the moment are very primary, so patient collectors can confidently stock up knowing there is some tremendous evolution in store. If you're a fan of truly world-class Austrian wines, you need to jump on the Veyder-Malberg train without hesitation. | ||
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| 2023 Schiopetto Collio Friulano (750ml) | ||
| Friulano from Friuli Venezia Giulia, Veneto, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More We've taken tremendous pleasure in watching our direct-import relationship with Schiopetto take off, since these are unquestionably some of the most incisive, harmonious, and scintillating Italian white wines out there. Indeed, as Kerin O'Keefe contends, they prove without a doubt that Italy's white wines can reach a level of serious expression to rival many others in the Old World. Several vintages in a row have gotten our B-21 customers acquainted with this range and built up quite a following, and we're happy to report that after a recent tasting of the latest releases, there are even more stunning offerings on tap in the coming months, starting with the 95-point 2023 Friulano. James Suckling describes it as "very minerally and smoky ... medium- to full-bodied, tangy and energetic," while Wine Advocate's Monica Larner found "classic layers of Golden Delicious apple, quince and mineral tones." We were similarly struck with the head-turning, perfumed aromatics, the surprisingly complex and charming flavors, and the lip-smacking finish. Another 95-point varietal benchmark is the 2023 Pinot Bianco. While the grape often gets shorted in reputation and renown, it can nonetheless produce incredibly compelling wines in the right hands. Schiopetto's 2023 is "full and layered with lovely density and freshness" according to James Suckling, with purity and depth to spare. These are just the highlights, but if you're already a fan of Schiopetto, you'll no doubt be making room in the cellar for the whole range, and if you haven't yet tried them, this is a can't-miss opportunity to add a truly world-class estate to your repertoire. | ||
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| 2022 Chateau Chasse-Spleen (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Moulis, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "This is an extraordinary vintage that will go down in record books as one of the all-time greats." - Jeb Dunnuck When Bordeaux's 2022 vintage premiered three years ago, there was some uncertainty as to how the wines would play out from such a hot, dry growing season, one which surely promised wines of massive power, ripeness, and weight. Would it be too much of a good thing? As it appeared then, and as it has turned out now that the wines are releasing to market, it's an extraordinary campaign among the best of the century. As Dunnuck observes, "Now that the wines are in bottles, it’s clear they have fully lived up to the early hype—and not just at the high end. The 2022s are deep, layered, and concentrated while staying beautifully balanced, light on their feet, and elegant." Today's selection presents an incredible treasure trove that showcases the vintage's greatest features at every price in the spectrum, leaving no doubt as to how good 2022 Bordeaux really is. | ||
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| 2023 Eric Forest Pouilly-Fuisse les Crays 1er Cru (750ml) | ||
| Chardonnay from Maconnais, Burgundy, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More His name doesn't appear much in the critical press these days, but Eric Forest quietly remains one of Pouilly-Fuissé most engaging and talented winemakers. Our Burgundy team recently paid a visit to his cellars, and they were thrilled to discover Eric and his wines in exceptional form. The range of 2023s got nods all around, but the Les Crays 1er Cru was the undisputed standout. "One of the top three wines from our recent trip to Burgundy, and we’re thrilled to get it directly from the domaine’s cellars." - Andrew Kitz, B-21 Burgundy Buyer The Les Crays vineyard itself boasts every feature that makes a quintessential Pouilly-Fuissé Chardonnay - southerly exposure, very poor soils of broken limestone, moderate slope, and old vines (these planted between 1930 and 1966). At the foot of the famed Roche de Vergisson, Les Crays is terroir excellence in a nutshell, and Forest's 2023 "is a head-turning expression that shows why this vineyard is a bona fide 1er cru," according to Andrew. It's a complete wine in every sense that is already starting to synch its components into a harmonious whole that will only gain in complexity and personality over the coming several years. Further underscoring the excellence of Forest's domaine holdings are his old-vine, single-vineyard gems from Terre Noire in St-Véran and Clos des Charmes in Mâcon-Pierreclos. The former comes from a small, 100-year-old parcel on dark clay over bleached white limestone, and it's "easily the most concentrated and intense wine in Forest’s line-up," tightly wound today but with utterly compelling cellar potential for the medium to long term. The latter, by contrast, is an "upfront, charming yet precisely crafted gem ... with real style and substance that does everything it’s supposed to." Today's Burgundy market is a wild place, and when you find a top-notch, single-vineyard expressions like these under $60, you jump at them, plain and simple. | ||
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| 2022 Le C des Carmes Haut-Brion (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "This is an extraordinary vintage that will go down in record books as one of the all-time greats." - Jeb Dunnuck When Bordeaux's 2022 vintage premiered three years ago, there was some uncertainty as to how the wines would play out from such a hot, dry growing season, one which surely promised wines of massive power, ripeness, and weight. Would it be too much of a good thing? As it appeared then, and as it has turned out now that the wines are releasing to market, it's an extraordinary campaign among the best of the century. As Dunnuck observes, "Now that the wines are in bottles, it’s clear they have fully lived up to the early hype—and not just at the high end. The 2022s are deep, layered, and concentrated while staying beautifully balanced, light on their feet, and elegant." Today's selection presents an incredible treasure trove that showcases the vintage's greatest features at every price in the spectrum, leaving no doubt as to how good 2022 Bordeaux really is. | ||
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| 2019 Chateau Sociando-Mallet (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Haut-Medoc, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Acknowledging that 2019 is already a heralded vintage, the salient question is whether it represents the summit of the 2018, 2019 and 2020 triumvirate. 'Yes' is the answer. I have always felt that is the case." - Neal Martin, Vinous Of course, you may or may not agree with Martin in terms of 2019 place in the "trifecta," but it's undeniable that is a truly spectacular Bordeaux vintage that has more than lived up to its day-one hype since the wine's have hit the market, hit collector's cellars, and found their way into the glasses of impatient enthusiasts. Best of all, pricing has always been highly favorable compared to 2018 and 2020 (to say nothing of 2022), so the 2019s have also been some of the sharpest collectible buys on the market from the get-go and remain so today. We've just landed a must-see treasure trove from this heralded campaign at ... you guessed it ... razor-sharp pricing cross the board, with superb performers in every classification and price tier. | ||
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| 2022 Chateau Marjosse Rouge (750ml) | ||
| Merlot from Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "This is an extraordinary vintage that will go down in record books as one of the all-time greats." - Jeb Dunnuck When Bordeaux's 2022 vintage premiered three years ago, there was some uncertainty as to how the wines would play out from such a hot, dry growing season, one which surely promised wines of massive power, ripeness, and weight. Would it be too much of a good thing? As it appeared then, and as it has turned out now that the wines are releasing to market, it's an extraordinary campaign among the best of the century. As Dunnuck observes, "Now that the wines are in bottles, it’s clear they have fully lived up to the early hype—and not just at the high end. The 2022s are deep, layered, and concentrated while staying beautifully balanced, light on their feet, and elegant." Today's selection presents an incredible treasure trove that showcases the vintage's greatest features at every price in the spectrum, leaving no doubt as to how good 2022 Bordeaux really is. | ||
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| 2021 Giovanni Manzone Barolo Castelletto (750ml) | ||
| Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Manzone turned out a fabulous set of 2021 Barolos ... Readers who enjoy savory, classically built Barolos informed by cooler microclimates will want to check these wines out." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Giovanni Manzone is one of Barolo's great hidden gems, and we're excited to kick our direct partnership with them into high gear with the fabulous 2021 vintage. Based in Monforte d'Alba, Manzone owns prime parcels in Castelletto and Gramolere, where today's pair of single-vineyard all-stars comes from. "The 2021 Barolo Gramolere is deep, layered and super-expressive ... a drop-dead gorgeous beauty," declares Antonio Galloni of Vinous. This steep south/southwest-facing slope, situated between Castelletto and Bussia, is ideal Nebbiolo terroir, and the wines it produces are consistently classic in style. The rocky, with clay-calcareous soils are too poor to grow anything other than vines, so of course, we're talking about primo raw materials for stunning, single-cru Barolo. Galloni doesn't mince words about the Castelletto either: "This poised, dramatic Barolo has it all. It's one of the very finest wines I have tasted at this address in a very long time. Don't miss it." The 2021 rendition more than lives up to the hype with "a beguiling mix of aromatic intensity, fruit depth and structure." This steep, east-southeast-facing slope of sandy, calcareous soils yields a classical style of Barolo, and the incredible 2021 growing season puts its stamp on this monumental expression. A complete wine in every sense, the 2021 Castelletto is an ultimate Piedmont insider's score, standing with other Barolo masterpieces (like Sandrone's Le Vigne, Burlotto's Casteletto, and Vietti's Cerequio, to name a few) at a mere fraction of their prices. We recently tasted the full range of Manzone 2021s, and they as quintessential in style as you could wish for from a great Barolo vintage – perfect fruit ripeness, exquisite aromatics, and textural brilliance, all in primary form and ready to evolve into something special. | ||
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| Hampden Estate HLCF Classic Rum (750ml) | ||
| From Wakefield, Trelawney, Jamaica | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Among rum fanatics, the Hampden name instills a sense of reverence and, you might even say, joy thanks to their incredible, single-estate expressions that are known the world over. The estate's storied history as a sugar plantation and distillery dates back 265 years, but it was only in 2010 that they began aging their rums on site, and only in 2018 that they began bottling under their own label. In that brief span of time, the estate's official bottlings have become some of the most coveted and desired in the rum scene. Although we've endured a bit of a Hampden absence for a while, the brand is back in action at B-21 with its two most beloved releases, the 8 Year Old Single Estate and the HLCF Classic Pure Single Estate. The 8 Year's widely recognized green label is a symbol of excellence to Jamaican rum fans everywhere, as the light ester OWH marque is a perfect introduction to Jamaican rum category, offering a classic profile that isn't overwhelmingly funky or industrial with esters at just 40-60 g/HLPA . Still, the 8 Year is "loaded with aromatic and flavor complexity" according to B-21 Spirits Buyer Andrew Kitz. The intensely fruity nose is accented with numerous secondary nuances, while the palate offers just enough for funk fans to smile about without turning away the novice taster who's taking their first foray into Jamaican rum. As Andrew notes, it's "one of the iconic Jamaican rums that made me a fully converted rum fanatic, [and] it’s every bit as compelling as it’s always been." Taking things in a completely different direction, the HLCF Classic shows Hampden's higher-ester chops in all their glory. At 400-600 g/HLPA, it offers "the quintessential counterpart to the 8 Year’s relatively lighter, gentler personality." As the Beverage Testing Institute declares in their 97-point review, "this is not for the faint of heart or amateur imbiber, but hot damn is this delicious and complex; would happily sit with a bottle all day." A big industrial funk character is the foundation of the profile, offering "stunning complexity" on the nose and a deeply resonant, multi-dimensional palate. As Andrew notes, "those who appreciate the style will absolutely go head over heels for it." Jamaican rum is a category unto itself, and Hampden occupies a very special place in that sphere, so when we say these are must-have expressions for any fan of the category, we surely mean it. | ||
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| 2022 Chateau Prieure Lichine (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Margaux, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "This is an extraordinary vintage that will go down in record books as one of the all-time greats." - Jeb Dunnuck When Bordeaux's 2022 vintage premiered three years ago, there was some uncertainty as to how the wines would play out from such a hot, dry growing season, one which surely promised wines of massive power, ripeness, and weight. Would it be too much of a good thing? As it appeared then, and as it has turned out now that the wines are releasing to market, it's an extraordinary campaign among the best of the century. As Dunnuck observes, "Now that the wines are in bottles, it’s clear they have fully lived up to the early hype—and not just at the high end. The 2022s are deep, layered, and concentrated while staying beautifully balanced, light on their feet, and elegant." Today's selection presents an incredible treasure trove that showcases the vintage's greatest features at every price in the spectrum, leaving no doubt as to how good 2022 Bordeaux really is. | ||
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| 2023 Frank Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "By any measure, 2023 is a magnificent vintage." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Galloni isn't the only voice to be singing the praises of Napa's 2023 vintage. Winemakers and critics alike seem over the moon about the uniformly high quality of this cool, long growing season. Jeb Dunnuck already compares it to another modern classic: "Across the board, the 2023s stand out for their purity, vibrancy, and elegance, yet they still deliver depth, richness, and concentration. The top 2023s are unquestionably on the level of the 2016s." What this means for wine lovers is that there are tremendous bargains to be found if you know where to look, something that is becoming a rare occurrence in today's Napa market. Today's offer brings together a handful of the top QPR releases to hit the market recently, all at sub-$40 pricing and all showing the same combination of youthful expression and solid cellar potential, the hallmark of this great vintage. The 94-point 2023 HGIII blend from cult phenom Hourglass is a "charming, sexy beauty" based on Merlot, crafted by winemaker Tony Biagi to be an immediately accessible, captivating expression that Napa fans can indulge in without hesitation. "It's medium to full-bodied, round, supple, and balanced, with some classic Napa richness and depth," notes Jeb Dunnuck.Turnbull's Estate Cab has been one of the most consistent values in Napa for years, and the excellent 2023 vintage produced another "positively stellar" show-stopper to the tune of 93 points from Dunnuck. Wine Advocate's Joe Czerwinski also calls it "a super value and the rare modern-day Napa Cab under $100 that shows potential for further aging." Of course, Napa's household names also showcase extreme value in 2023. The 94-point 2023 Frank Family Napa Valley Cab is a proven, pedigreed example of classic Napa style and a cool, "old-school" growing season, the likes of which produced many of Napa's legendary wines during the Valley's golden age. The 2023 is "a refined and complete example of Napa cabernet sauvignon showing all the poise and freshness of the cool vintage," as noted by James Suckling. Clos du Val's 2023 is "bright, aromatic, and punchy ... seriously beautiful from start to finish," while the "smooth and textural," 93-point 2023 Silverado appellation bottling offers all the features that have made this estate a fan-favorite for decades. We'll say it time and time again – finding any Napa red with a rock-solid score and premium pedigree under $40 is a search for a needle and a haystack, but with this line-up of proven overachievers, we've got five needles in hand for savvy Napa fans to stock up on. | ||
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| 2023 Hartford Old Vine Zinfandel Highwire Vineyard (750ml) | ||
| Zinfandel from Russian River, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More The Hartford Family's roots in Sonoma's Russian River Valley are second to none, and they farm some of the Golden State's most prized plots of old-vine Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. Their reference-point range runs the gamut from incredible single-vineyard expressions to some of the greatest bang-for-the-buck values in the appellation. The 2023 Russian River Pinot Noir delivers everything that long-time fans of the estate are looking for. Pure Pinot Noir charm is on full display in vibrant, ripe fruit, silky texture, and, most importantly, superb balance, all at an easy price that makes this undisputed crowd-pleaser accessible to a broad audience. The 2023 Russian River Chardonnay is "a worthy follow-up to the brilliant 2022," displaying classic, richly textured Russian River fruit, vibrant acidic balance, and a luxurious finish that reveals its world-class pedigree. Fans of California Chardonnay may have grown used to overpaying for underwhelming quality, but this 94-point, sub-$20 beauty is ideally suited to buck that trend. Turning to the estate's wheelhouse, don't miss the trio of top-flight, single-vineyard Zinfandels, highlighted by the WS96 Highwire Vineyard from the acclaimed 2023 vintage. "Zin rarely shows this much focus and tenstion," notes Wine Spectator, and we couldn't agree more. Whether you're looking for an easy everyday go-to or a top-tier reference-point expression for the cellar, this range from Hartford has it in spades. | ||
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| 2022 Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "This is an extraordinary vintage that will go down in record books as one of the all-time greats." - Jeb Dunnuck When Bordeaux's 2022 vintage premiered three years ago, there was some uncertainty as to how the wines would play out from such a hot, dry growing season, one which surely promised wines of massive power, ripeness, and weight. Would it be too much of a good thing? As it appeared then, and as it has turned out now that the wines are releasing to market, it's an extraordinary campaign among the best of the century. As Dunnuck observes, "Now that the wines are in bottles, it’s clear they have fully lived up to the early hype—and not just at the high end. The 2022s are deep, layered, and concentrated while staying beautifully balanced, light on their feet, and elegant." Today's selection presents an incredible treasure trove that showcases the vintage's greatest features at every price in the spectrum, leaving no doubt as to how good 2022 Bordeaux really is. | ||
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| 2023 La Cayetana El Corazon Manda (750ml) | ||
| Malbec from Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Among the many exceptional boutique projects popping up in Argentina, it's hard to keep track of which (or how many) new kids on the block to add your list of new discoveries. But if you're going to add any, one of them has to be La Cayetana. The brainchild of Ver Sacrum winemaker Eduardo Soler and his wife, Emilia Armando, this project is in its infancy, having only released their first wines in 2020, but they're already making big waves among the critical press. "This is a wine of higher expression compared with other reds from Uco Valley. Structured yet unforced, it offers length, balance and quiet authority." - Joaquin Hidalgo, Vinous Based in Uco Valley just outside of Mendoza proper, Soler has access to some truly excellent vines, from which he makes a few stellar single-vineyard offerings. Chief among them is the 96-point 2023 El Corazon Manda, made from 70-year-old, ungrafted vines in El Cepillo, at the very southern, very cold end of the valley. Nestled at over 1,000 meters in elevation, this site produces otherworldly Malbec fruit, delivering a style that challenges most modern conventions surrounding the varietal. "Dry, vibrant and distinctly chalky, it shows fine-grained tannins and an intense palate that flows with precision toward a long finish." It's a thoroughly beguiling, thought-provoking expression of Malbec that just screams craftsmanship and artistry, and the fact that we can offer it for under $50 just goes to prove that Argentina is still the destination for many of the world's finest wine values. | ||
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| 2019 Chateau Malartic-Lagraviere Rouge (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Acknowledging that 2019 is already a heralded vintage, the salient question is whether it represents the summit of the 2018, 2019 and 2020 triumvirate. 'Yes' is the answer. I have always felt that is the case." - Neal Martin, Vinous Of course, you may or may not agree with Martin in terms of 2019 place in the "trifecta," but it's undeniable that is a truly spectacular Bordeaux vintage that has more than lived up to its day-one hype since the wine's have hit the market, hit collector's cellars, and found their way into the glasses of impatient enthusiasts. Best of all, pricing has always been highly favorable compared to 2018 and 2020 (to say nothing of 2022), so the 2019s have also been some of the sharpest collectible buys on the market from the get-go and remain so today. We've just landed a must-see treasure trove from this heralded campaign at ... you guessed it ... razor-sharp pricing cross the board, with superb performers in every classification and price tier. | ||
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| 2019 Chateau Puygueraud Rouge (750ml) | ||
| Merlot from Côtes de Francs, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Acknowledging that 2019 is already a heralded vintage, the salient question is whether it represents the summit of the 2018, 2019 and 2020 triumvirate. 'Yes' is the answer. I have always felt that is the case." - Neal Martin, Vinous Of course, you may or may not agree with Martin in terms of 2019 place in the "trifecta," but it's undeniable that is a truly spectacular Bordeaux vintage that has more than lived up to its day-one hype since the wine's have hit the market, hit collector's cellars, and found their way into the glasses of impatient enthusiasts. Best of all, pricing has always been highly favorable compared to 2018 and 2020 (to say nothing of 2022), so the 2019s have also been some of the sharpest collectible buys on the market from the get-go and remain so today. We've just landed a must-see treasure trove from this heralded campaign at ... you guessed it ... razor-sharp pricing cross the board, with superb performers in every classification and price tier. | ||
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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 Vincent Paris Cornas La Geynale (750ml) | ||
| Syrah from Cornas, Rhône, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Vincent Paris continues to craft distinctive, age-worthy Cornas, as evidenced once again during my most recent visit..." - Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous Our direct-import portfolio has taken some major steps in the past year and landed some big names, and now we can add Cornas icon Vincent Paris to that list. Thanks to some very fortuitous connections, we gained domaine-direct access to this perennial superstar producer and his benchmark wines. The outstanding 2023s have just landed in stock. Made from Paris' younger parcels on 30% slopes (and now with vines almost 30 years old), the 96-point 2023 Granit 30 exhibits fantastic signature elements of its granitic soils, as well as Paris' ultrafine winemaker's touch. "This is always the most forward and approachable of Paris's cuvées and will put a smile on your face right out of the gate," declares Dunnuck. Paris' wines are renowned for their cellar potential, but that doesn't mean you can't pop and pour the Granit 30 tonight. After all, it's "an accessible Cornas that’s packed with remarkable energy and freshness all the way through," so stocking the cellar is an easy choice. Next up, as the name suggests, the 97-point 2023 Granit 60 comes from three plots of old-vines on steep granite slopes, densely planted and low-yielding. Paris' winemaking methods are traditional yet meticulous, so he's able to showcase his prime terroir in crystal-clear fashion in each of his wines. There's tons of Cornas soul here, but the wines avoid the rustic, untamed nature that's sometimes associated with this appellation. Instead, we get ""a full-bodied 2023 that's beautifully balanced, elegant, and layered ... another smoking value from this incredibly talented vigneron." according to Dunnuck. Finally, boasting serious press from prominent voices like Suckling, Dunnuck, and Vinous among others, the 98-point 2023 Geynale is an outstanding collectible proposition that ranks with the region's elite names. This magnificent showstopper, made from the oldest vines in two of Cornas' most prized sites, is "full-bodied on the palate, with ripe tannins, the classic, wild, sauvage character of the appellation, and a great finish," while Wine Spectator declares, "Massive in scale yet achieves perfect harmony between its ripeness, texture and energy." We brought a staggering number of top-tier domaines into our direct-import fold in 2025, but Vincent Paris might just take the cake. These wines are built to age with incredible panache, so make room, stash a few away, and get ready to enjoy some of the most consistently excellent Northern Rhône Syrahs on the market. | ||
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| 2023 Rudi Pichler Gruner Veltliner Smaragd Achleiten (750ml) | ||
| Gruner Veltliner from Wachau, Niederosterreich, Austria | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "...the [2024s] have beautiful concentration and real tension. Well done." - Anne Krebiehl, Vinous Arguably one of the top three estate in the Wachau, Rudi Pichler is a unanimous reference-point for the region, and there are few, if any, estates that have the same wherewithal to spin absolute gold out of a difficult vintage. Old vines, steep slopes, and Rudi's uncompromising, meticulous skills turned out a range of stunning expressions that are easily among the best in the category. From the beautifully balanced, 94-point Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Terrassen to the towering excellence of the 98-point Riesling and Grüner Smaragds from the Achleiten site, the entire range is comprised of must-have benchmarks for serious Austrian fans. Savvy buyers will not overlook the "exquisite purity and expression" of the double 96-point Riesling Smaragd Kirchweg or the equally "stunning" Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Kollmutz. These are just a few of the highlights in an entire line-up that sets the bar for the vintage, and to top it all off, don't miss the very last stocks of the equally prodigious 2023s, still available at remarkable pricing. | ||
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| 2023 Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Rangen de Thann Clos-St.-Urbain (750ml) | ||
| Riesling from Alsace, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Zind-Humbrecht is one of the most famous domaines in Alsace – deservedly so ... No matter what variety, the expressions are layered and pure." - Anne Krebiehl MW, Vinous Just landed in stock, we have a thrilling range of 2023s from one of France's benchmark domaines. Zind-Humbrecht is unquestionably one of the three most iconic domaines in Alsace, routinely racking up huge press and glowing accolades up and down their comprehensive line-up. As expected, the 2023s show out in fine form, the warm vintage balanced by Pierre-Emile Humbrecht's highly finessed winemaking. The domaine's exquisite terroirs all acquit themselves with extraordinary class and precision, starting wth the Roche series, which are simply declassified younger vines in the domaine's priceless Grand Cru holdings. The 95-point Roche Calcaire Riesling is "taut, lemony, long, streamlined and tightly coiled—a wellspring of freshness," per Anne Krebiehl, while the "very dynamic and driving" 95-point Roche Volcanique Pinot Gris shows the noble varietal's exceptional class. Of course, for anyone seeking the apex of Alsace, the grands crus from Clos St-Urbain plot in the Rangen de Thann are the only way to go. The 2023 Riesling Clos St-Urbain flirts with perfection with 99 points from Stuart Pigott and 98 points from Krebiehl, A wine of "gigantic concentration, elegance and finesse," it showcases what Alsace Riesling is all about. The "incredible" 2023 Pinot Gris Clos St-Urbain actually hits perfection, with 100 points from Pigott, who declares, "The brain-rattling concentration, smokiness and flinty energy of this unique dry pinot gris don’t fit in any box on this planet." Both of these selections are naturally among the world's finest, most long-lived collectible whites anywhere. These are just a few highlights from a truly stellar range of timeless classics that astute collectors will be thrilled to own in the years to come. | ||
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| 2023 Veyder-Malberg Riesling Bruck (750ml) | ||
| Riesling from Wachau, Lower Austria, Austria | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Based on this showing, Veyder-Malberg is indeed as mad and as genius as they say he is." - Andrew Kitz, B-21 Austria Buyer You may not know Peter Veyder-Malberg, but among Austrian wine insiders, he's one of the most iconoclastic, not to mention talented, winemakers in the Wachau. His wines don't get nearly the wider attention that they deserve thanks to his general aversion to having them reviewed professionally (he's not a fan of tagging an arbitrary number onto his wines), so in order to get an idea of how truly special they are, you have to taste them yourself, and that's what B-21 Austria buyer Andrew Kitz recently did with the exceptional 2023s. Based in the Spitzer Graben, a narrow side valley of the Wachau with a decidedly cooler microclimate, Veyder-Malberg has been marching to the beat of his own drummer since the beginning, and the results are in a class all their own, starting with his "entry-level" Grüner Veltliner Liebedich. Sourced from many of Wachau's most prized sites, including Loibenberg and Hochrain, it's "a quintessential example of Austria’s most famous native grape in every way ... a layered, textured expression that Austrian wine fans shouldn’t miss." His true genius, however, shines in his single-vineyard wines, like the 2023 Grüner Veltliner Hochrain. Andrew describes a 95-point expression with aromas of "pure, shimmering minerality" and a palate that's "achingly elegant and precise ... a study in restrained intensity and ethereal elegance." Likewise, the 96-point 2023 Riesling Bruck is a remarkable, singular style that could only come from a winemaker like Veyder-Malberg. "Peter Veyder-Malberg’s 2023 Riesling Bruck is simply stunning. Like his other wines, it demands time, it demands proper temperature, and it demands attention. When all three conditions are met, you’re rewarded with a Riesling of absolutely beguiling delicacy, shimmering personality, and generally jaw-dropping finesse." It bears noting that these are not wines for immediate gratification. They are intellectual to say the least, and the 2023s at the moment are very primary, so patient collectors can confidently stock up knowing there is some tremendous evolution in store. If you're a fan of truly world-class Austrian wines, you need to jump on the Veyder-Malberg train without hesitation. | ||
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| 2019 Chateau Branaire-Ducru (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Acknowledging that 2019 is already a heralded vintage, the salient question is whether it represents the summit of the 2018, 2019 and 2020 triumvirate. 'Yes' is the answer. I have always felt that is the case." - Neal Martin, Vinous Of course, you may or may not agree with Martin in terms of 2019 place in the "trifecta," but it's undeniable that is a truly spectacular Bordeaux vintage that has more than lived up to its day-one hype since the wine's have hit the market, hit collector's cellars, and found their way into the glasses of impatient enthusiasts. Best of all, pricing has always been highly favorable compared to 2018 and 2020 (to say nothing of 2022), so the 2019s have also been some of the sharpest collectible buys on the market from the get-go and remain so today. We've just landed a must-see treasure trove from this heralded campaign at ... you guessed it ... razor-sharp pricing cross the board, with superb performers in every classification and price tier. | ||
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| 2022 Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "This is an extraordinary vintage that will go down in record books as one of the all-time greats." - Jeb Dunnuck When Bordeaux's 2022 vintage premiered three years ago, there was some uncertainty as to how the wines would play out from such a hot, dry growing season, one which surely promised wines of massive power, ripeness, and weight. Would it be too much of a good thing? As it appeared then, and as it has turned out now that the wines are releasing to market, it's an extraordinary campaign among the best of the century. As Dunnuck observes, "Now that the wines are in bottles, it’s clear they have fully lived up to the early hype—and not just at the high end. The 2022s are deep, layered, and concentrated while staying beautifully balanced, light on their feet, and elegant." Today's selection presents an incredible treasure trove that showcases the vintage's greatest features at every price in the spectrum, leaving no doubt as to how good 2022 Bordeaux really is. | ||
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| 2023 Vincent Paris Cornas Granit 30 (750ml) | ||
| Syrah from Cornas, Rhône, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Vincent Paris continues to craft distinctive, age-worthy Cornas, as evidenced once again during my most recent visit..." - Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous Our direct-import portfolio has taken some major steps in the past year and landed some big names, and now we can add Cornas icon Vincent Paris to that list. Thanks to some very fortuitous connections, we gained domaine-direct access to this perennial superstar producer and his benchmark wines. The outstanding 2023s have just landed in stock. Made from Paris' younger parcels on 30% slopes (and now with vines almost 30 years old), the 96-point 2023 Granit 30 exhibits fantastic signature elements of its granitic soils, as well as Paris' ultrafine winemaker's touch. "This is always the most forward and approachable of Paris's cuvées and will put a smile on your face right out of the gate," declares Dunnuck. Paris' wines are renowned for their cellar potential, but that doesn't mean you can't pop and pour the Granit 30 tonight. After all, it's "an accessible Cornas that’s packed with remarkable energy and freshness all the way through," so stocking the cellar is an easy choice. Next up, as the name suggests, the 97-point 2023 Granit 60 comes from three plots of old-vines on steep granite slopes, densely planted and low-yielding. Paris' winemaking methods are traditional yet meticulous, so he's able to showcase his prime terroir in crystal-clear fashion in each of his wines. There's tons of Cornas soul here, but the wines avoid the rustic, untamed nature that's sometimes associated with this appellation. Instead, we get ""a full-bodied 2023 that's beautifully balanced, elegant, and layered ... another smoking value from this incredibly talented vigneron." according to Dunnuck. Finally, boasting serious press from prominent voices like Suckling, Dunnuck, and Vinous among others, the 98-point 2023 Geynale is an outstanding collectible proposition that ranks with the region's elite names. This magnificent showstopper, made from the oldest vines in two of Cornas' most prized sites, is "full-bodied on the palate, with ripe tannins, the classic, wild, sauvage character of the appellation, and a great finish," while Wine Spectator declares, "Massive in scale yet achieves perfect harmony between its ripeness, texture and energy." We brought a staggering number of top-tier domaines into our direct-import fold in 2025, but Vincent Paris might just take the cake. These wines are built to age with incredible panache, so make room, stash a few away, and get ready to enjoy some of the most consistently excellent Northern Rhône Syrahs on the market. | ||
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