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| 2021 Giovanni Manzone Barolo Gramolere (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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| 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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| ASW Fiddler Big Green Egg 100° Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) | ||
| From Atlanta, Georgia | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More If you've never heard of Atlanta's ASW Distillery, it's time you did. This highly awarded craft operation has racked up some solid insider and industry attention in their short lifespan with their sourced bottlings, and now that they're hitting full stride with their own make coming to maturity, they're about to go next level. Self-styled "Southern Pot-Still Pioneers," the team headed by master distiller Justin Manglitz uses a high-wheat mash bill and double distillation on Vendome copper pot stills to craft some exceptional-quality distillate that is then subjected to a wide array of cask finishes, some of which can only be described as highly experimental. This avant-garde approach has naturally given rise to their aptly named Fiddler range of whiskeys. In a stroke of mad genius, the Big Green Egg collaboration is perhaps their most intriguing experiment yet. Long story short, Manglitz decided to toast or char barrel staves in a Big Green Egg smoker (yes, the same that now has a rabid sub-culture among barbecue fans), and use them for finishing. "Gimmicky? Maybe, but the results in the bottle bear it out, big time," notes B-21's Andrew Kitz. The 100-proof flagship Big Green Egg bottling offers a notable influence of the finishing process in its "slightly austere yet subtly complex" profile that centers on the savory, spicy side of things despite ASW's high-wheat, signature mash. The Big Green Egg Georgia Heartwood bottling, by contrast, boasts an "extremely opulent" aromatic profile with a "broad, tannic, structurally firm palate" showcasing superb definition and depth. For single cask effort, Manglitz hand-harvested oak from north Georgia forests and applied the BGE treatment to every third stave. "Whatever you think of the method ... something is working out in incredible fashion here," declares Andrew. Finally, the Fiddler Encore #2 Cigar Batch is just such an experimental effort, blended from mostly 7-year-old juice finished in port pipe, maple syrup cask, and sherry butt. The result is "a one-of-a-kind bourbon profile" according to B-21 Spirits Buyer Andrew Kitz, with an "absolutely gorgeous" aromatic profile and a "luxurious ... incredibly complex" palate. You might look askance at the finishing regimen, but once you taste the results, we're sure you'll be on board in a big way. This is quintessential high-wheat opulence with its own singular personality that is poised to put ASW on the map in a big way. As Andrew notes, "if this release in any indication at the direction they’re headed, cult bourbon fans are going to start taking serious notice of them." | ||
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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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| 2019 Malescot St. Exupery (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Margaux, 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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| 2023 Veyder-Malberg Gruner Veltliner Hochrain (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 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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| NV Agrapart 7 Crus Extra Brut Disgorgement July 2025 (750ml) | ||
| Sparkling from Avize, Champagne, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Crafted by artisan producer and B-21 favorite Pascal Agrapart in the chalky Cote des Blancs, Champagne Agrapart has enjoyed an under the radar reputation, but with the release of these highly rated 2025 cuvees, that's about to change. From one of the top grower-producers in the region, these selections from Agrapart offer a rare taste of meticulously crafted, terroir-driven Champagne at a remarkable value that's bound to sell out in a flash. Now run by the fourth consecutive generation, Agrapart ranks at the top echelons of Champagne, earning a 3-star rating in the Revue de Vin du France alongside only 7 other houses, including Krug. Planted almost entirely with Chardonnay with a few small plots of Pinot Noir, the ten-hectare Agrapart Domaine comprises more than 70 small parcels predominantly in the Grand Cru villages of Avize, Cramant, Oiry, and Oger with a few Premier Cru plots on the Cote de Blancs, boasting low yielding vines averaging over 40 years of age with the oldest over 70 years. Taking the reins of his family's historic estate in Avize over four decades ago, Pascal works the soils manually while employing organic practices, tilling with horses to ensure his soils do not get compacted (one of his parcels is worked by and named for his horse Venus). Fermenting the base wines exclusively with native yeasts which he believes is critical to expressing the terroir, Pascal employs a mix of older barrels dependent on the cuvee and longer than required bottle aging on the lees, yielding gorgeous, pure fruit impeccably balanced with chalky minerality that finishes long, each cuvee uniquely identified with a different colored plaque (i.e., the round metal disk on top of the cork). | ||
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| 2021 Uccelliera Brunello di Montalcino (750ml) | ||
| Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Andrea Cortonesi's Uccelliera is a bastion of traditional Brunello, and it's in acclaimed vintages like 2021 that they find their purest, most authentic expression. We just secured a first-tranche parcel of remarkable pricing that have any serious Tuscan collector loading up on this benchmark wine. "A spicy and classic Brunello..." - James Suckling Spanning ten hectares, including two hectares bordering Ciacci Piccolomini''s famous Pianrosso vineyard, Uccelliera's sustainably farmed Sangiovese vines are planted in sandy loam soils mixed with stones and rich in crumbled fossils, situated on slopes from 150 to 350 meters above sea level that enjoy a unique microclimate protected by towering Mount Amiata and cooled during the hot summers by breezes off the nearby Orcia River. Fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks, the "bold and beautiful" 2021 Uccelliera Brunello di Montalcino was aged in a mix of Slavonian and French oak barrels of various sizes for 24 months with extended bottle aging (a total of five years aging required by the DOC), yielding elegant, aromatic fruit and lush, textured tannins that "once again underscores Andrea Cortonesi’s ability to translate terroir with precision and consistency," according to the Wine Advocate's Monica Larner.
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| 2022 Chateau Lascombes (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 Servin Bougros Grand 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 Servin Les Clos Chablis Grand 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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| 2021 Prunotto Barolo Bussia (750ml) | ||
| Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Under the ownership of Italian wine titan Marchesi Antinori, Barolo's famed Prunotto estate is poised to go on a run for the ages. Antinori has gone all in on this property, from vineyard management to winemaking. As Antonio Galloni observes, "Today, the wines are good as they have ever been," and with the exceptional stable of sites in the portfolio, the estate continues to reach new heights seemingly with each passing vintage. The 2021 Barolos are exceptionally fine, highlighted by the iconic Bussia vineyard. "...a mysterious, complex Barolo that reveals myriad shades of nuance over time." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous This soon-to-be-legendary vintage put its full stamp on the 2021 Bussia from Prunotto, resulting in "a heady, beguiling wine" that shows the full poise and precision of the 2021 growing season in its deep yet tightly wound personality. It's "well endowed with classic Nebbiolo architecture but graciously leaves space for the fruit to expand," which indicates that this rendition can be enjoyable for impatient Barolo fans who give it a good decant. However, make no mistake – this is one for the cellar as its myriad facets are nowhere near ready to show themselves in full. Galloni sums it up perfectly when he writes, "There's a lot of wine here. I can't wait to see how this ages." We've just sourced a parcel at prime pricing in both 750ml and 1.5L magnum format, so our private clients can get the jump on one of the 2021 Barolo campaign's sharpest collectible buys. | ||
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| Hampden Estate 8yr Single Estate 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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| 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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| 2021 Ulysses Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville (375ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Simply put, Christian Moueix's Napa Valley project Ulysses is a wine every collector of Napa Cabernet should have in their cellar." - Jonathan Cristaldi, Decanter While the lion's share of attention goes to Dominus, Christian Moueix's Ulysses project has become an under-the-radar cult all-star in collectible Napa Cabernet. Rather than being merely a "substitute" Dominus, the Ulysses is very much its own thing. Moueix purchased this prized Oakville property in 2008 and the replanted vines are hitting the next phase of their maturity arc and showing the true personality of the property, resulting in wines of increasingly pure, concentrated expression. The 2021 Napa vintage is full of treasured blue chips, and the 99-point 2021 Ulysses is right there with the best of them. "Energetic and flexing but in a friendly way" as described by James Suckling, this is pure Oakville Cabernet is the very best of ways. Dominus winemaker Tod Mostero is at the helm at Ulysses too, so you can be sure the pedigree is top shelf all the way. Where Dominus is dark and backwards in its youth, Ulysses offers an extroverted personality that can appeal to a broad spectrum of Napa enthusiasts. Years from now, we will likely look back on the 2021 vintage as the year where Ulysses fully came into its own and entered the pantheon of Napa's truly elite blue chips. | ||
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| ASW Fiddler Big Green Egg Georgia Heartwood Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) | ||
| From Atlanta, Georgia | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More If you've never heard of Atlanta's ASW Distillery, it's time you did. This highly awarded craft operation has racked up some solid insider and industry attention in their short lifespan with their sourced bottlings, and now that they're hitting full stride with their own make coming to maturity, they're about to go next level. Self-styled "Southern Pot-Still Pioneers," the team headed by master distiller Justin Manglitz uses a high-wheat mash bill and double distillation on Vendome copper pot stills to craft some exceptional-quality distillate that is then subjected to a wide array of cask finishes, some of which can only be described as highly experimental. This avant-garde approach has naturally given rise to their aptly named Fiddler range of whiskeys. In a stroke of mad genius, the Big Green Egg collaboration is perhaps their most intriguing experiment yet. Long story short, Manglitz decided to toast or char barrel staves in a Big Green Egg smoker (yes, the same that now has a rabid sub-culture among barbecue fans), and use them for finishing. "Gimmicky? Maybe, but the results in the bottle bear it out, big time," notes B-21's Andrew Kitz. The 100-proof flagship Big Green Egg bottling offers a notable influence of the finishing process in its "slightly austere yet subtly complex" profile that centers on the savory, spicy side of things despite ASW's high-wheat, signature mash. The Big Green Egg Georgia Heartwood bottling, by contrast, boasts an "extremely opulent" aromatic profile with a "broad, tannic, structurally firm palate" showcasing superb definition and depth. For single cask effort, Manglitz hand-harvested oak from north Georgia forests and applied the BGE treatment to every third stave. "Whatever you think of the method ... something is working out in incredible fashion here," declares Andrew. Finally, the Fiddler Encore #2 Cigar Batch is just such an experimental effort, blended from mostly 7-year-old juice finished in port pipe, maple syrup cask, and sherry butt. The result is "a one-of-a-kind bourbon profile" according to B-21 Spirits Buyer Andrew Kitz, with an "absolutely gorgeous" aromatic profile and a "luxurious ... incredibly complex" palate. You might look askance at the finishing regimen, but once you taste the results, we're sure you'll be on board in a big way. This is quintessential high-wheat opulence with its own singular personality that is poised to put ASW on the map in a big way. As Andrew notes, "if this release in any indication at the direction they’re headed, cult bourbon fans are going to start taking serious notice of them." | ||
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| 2021 Chateau Pontet-Canet (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Alfred Tesseron and his team, led by estate manager Jean-Michel Comme, have completely transformed both the vineyards and identity of Château Pontet-Canet by embracing organic and biodynamic practices. Recognizing the extraordinary terroir of Pontet Canet – the heart lies in a plateau outcropping of Garonne Gunz gravel which overlays limestone bedrock, these poor soils allow drainage that's optimal for Cabernet. The center of this plateau is planted to Cabernet Franc which is surrounded by Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot is planted on the gravelly clay soils that meet the perimeter of the gravel plateau. Tesseron's campaign for biodynamic agriculture began in 2004 and tasting results confirmed this to be the estate's future; the Medoc's first Classified Growth dedicated to biodynamics. Pontet Canet received its organic certification in 2010 and Demeter in 2014 – the world's largest certification organization for biodynamic agriculture used in 50 countries. Three Breton draft horses were added to the estate's stable replacing tractors in 2008, now at total of seven horses tend the vineyards. With great terroir and extraordinary dedication to excellence, Tesseron has elevated Pontet Canet beyond its historic performance; now among the top estates in Bordeaux. | ||
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| 2024 F.X. Pichler Gruner Veltliner Ried Loibenberg (750ml) | ||
| Gruner Veltliner from Austria | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Lukas Pichler delivered one of the best collections of the year—extract, tautness, freshness and fill all shine in 2024." - Anne Krebiehl, Vinous For fans of Austria's finest expressions, F.X. Pichler occupies elite status among a handful estates that set the bar in the Wachau and beyond. Winemaker Lucas Pichler is a renowned perfectionist with such confidence in his own skills and style that he recently decided to withdraw from the Vinea Wachau, the region's official wine classification organization that sets the criteria for the familiar Steinfeder, Federspiel, and Smaragd designations, instead opting to allow his wines to distinguish themselves on pure terroir character rather than empirical measures like residual sugar, ripeness, and alcohol levels. This range of magnificent 2024 Rieslings and Grüner Veltliners, including another showstopping double 100-point Riesling Kellerberg, continue to vindicate Pichler's approach, offering crystalline purity and site specificity that capture the attention of fine wine collectors the world over. With outstanding press across the board from James Suckling, Vinous, and Peter Moser of Austria's renowned Falstaff Magazine, these are surefire winners that will shine in your cellar for many years along side the world's great collectible white wines. | ||
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| 2024 F.X. Pichler Riesling Ried Loibenberg (750ml) | ||
| Riesling from Wachau, Niederosterreich, Austria | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Lukas Pichler delivered one of the best collections of the year—extract, tautness, freshness and fill all shine in 2024." - Anne Krebiehl, Vinous For fans of Austria's finest expressions, F.X. Pichler occupies elite status among a handful estates that set the bar in the Wachau and beyond. Winemaker Lucas Pichler is a renowned perfectionist with such confidence in his own skills and style that he recently decided to withdraw from the Vinea Wachau, the region's official wine classification organization that sets the criteria for the familiar Steinfeder, Federspiel, and Smaragd designations, instead opting to allow his wines to distinguish themselves on pure terroir character rather than empirical measures like residual sugar, ripeness, and alcohol levels. This range of magnificent 2024 Rieslings and Grüner Veltliners, including another showstopping double 100-point Riesling Kellerberg, continue to vindicate Pichler's approach, offering crystalline purity and site specificity that capture the attention of fine wine collectors the world over. With outstanding press across the board from James Suckling, Vinous, and Peter Moser of Austria's renowned Falstaff Magazine, these are surefire winners that will shine in your cellar for many years along side the world's great collectible white wines. | ||
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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 Rudi Pichler Riesling Smaragd Achleiten (750ml) | ||
| Riesling 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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| 2024 Rudi Pichler Riesling Smaragd Achleiten (750ml) | ||
| Riesling 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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| 2022 Xanadu Chardonnay Reserve (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More As prices in Napa Valley continue to skyrocket, savvy collectors are turning to some far-flung reaches to get their hands on cult-caliber Cabernets and Chardonnays for prices that don't break the bank, and Australia's Margaret River is at the top of the pyramid in that regard. You may be familiar with iconic Leeuwin's Art Series, but Xanadu has been quietly keeping pace for years with their equally stunning line-up, headlined by the critically acclaimed Reserve bottlings. At 97+ points, the 2022 Chardonnay Reserve is "a wine of profound complexity and length, yet it is steely, restrained and mineral in the extreme," writes Erin Larkin of Wine Advocate. The heavily maritime climate of the Wallcliffe sub-region that Xanadu calls home gives extra vibrancy and verve to an already racy style of Chardonnay that Margaret River is well-known for, as is confirmed by several glowing critical reviews in addition to Larkin's. A pair of 96-point reviews from Suckling and Halliday Wine Companion and 94 points from Vinous add icing to the cake. Likewise, the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve notched 96 points from Wine Advocate's Erin Brooks, who writes, "Routinely a beautiful wine, it's no different in this vintage, and it will reward careful cellaring for decades to come." In other words, don't sleep for a second on this pair for a bona fide, world-class collectibles that can be had for a fraction of the price of similar bottlings from Napa or Burgundy. At the opposite end of the price spectrum, the flagship wines present some of the greatest QPR expressions to be found anywhere in Australia, with massive scores across the board and under $30 each. The 95-point 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon is a "classic, polished Margaret River Cab" that demonstrates a "youthful, vibrant nature" today but will certainly cruise for a few years in the cellar. Also pulling in 95 points, the 2023 Chardonnay is "very focused and mineral-driven," demonstrating the excellent, cool-vintage potential of Margaret River Chard in this vintage. The electric, vibrant style of Xanadu means this is one for the cellar, and probably for much longer than you'd think, according to Wine Enthusiast's Christina Pickard. It's not every day that you can find a pair of benchmark collectible and a pair of stellar QPR value stars in the same offer, let alone from the same producer, but today offers a chance for wine lovers of all stripes and budgets to load up on some overperforming all-stars at market-best pricing across the board. | ||
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| 2022 Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More As prices in Napa Valley continue to skyrocket, savvy collectors are turning to some far-flung reaches to get their hands on cult-caliber Cabernets and Chardonnays for prices that don't break the bank, and Australia's Margaret River is at the top of the pyramid in that regard. You may be familiar with iconic Leeuwin's Art Series, but Xanadu has been quietly keeping pace for years with their equally stunning line-up, headlined by the critically acclaimed Reserve bottlings. At 97+ points, the 2022 Chardonnay Reserve is "a wine of profound complexity and length, yet it is steely, restrained and mineral in the extreme," writes Erin Larkin of Wine Advocate. The heavily maritime climate of the Wallcliffe sub-region that Xanadu calls home gives extra vibrancy and verve to an already racy style of Chardonnay that Margaret River is well-known for, as is confirmed by several glowing critical reviews in addition to Larkin's. A pair of 96-point reviews from Suckling and Halliday Wine Companion and 94 points from Vinous add icing to the cake. Likewise, the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve notched 96 points from Wine Advocate's Erin Brooks, who writes, "Routinely a beautiful wine, it's no different in this vintage, and it will reward careful cellaring for decades to come." In other words, don't sleep for a second on this pair for a bona fide, world-class collectibles that can be had for a fraction of the price of similar bottlings from Napa or Burgundy. At the opposite end of the price spectrum, the flagship wines present some of the greatest QPR expressions to be found anywhere in Australia, with massive scores across the board and under $30 each. The 95-point 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon is a "classic, polished Margaret River Cab" that demonstrates a "youthful, vibrant nature" today but will certainly cruise for a few years in the cellar. Also pulling in 95 points, the 2023 Chardonnay is "very focused and mineral-driven," demonstrating the excellent, cool-vintage potential of Margaret River Chard in this vintage. The electric, vibrant style of Xanadu means this is one for the cellar, and probably for much longer than you'd think, according to Wine Enthusiast's Christina Pickard. It's not every day that you can find a pair of benchmark collectible and a pair of stellar QPR value stars in the same offer, let alone from the same producer, but today offers a chance for wine lovers of all stripes and budgets to load up on some overperforming all-stars at market-best pricing across the board. | ||
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| NV Agrapart Terroirs Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Grand Cru Disgorgement July 2025 (750ml) | ||
| Sparkling from Avize, Champagne, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Crafted by artisan producer and B-21 favorite Pascal Agrapart in the chalky Cote des Blancs, Champagne Agrapart has enjoyed an under the radar reputation, but with the release of these highly rated 2025 cuvees, that's about to change. From one of the top grower-producers in the region, these selections from Agrapart offer a rare taste of meticulously crafted, terroir-driven Champagne at a remarkable value that's bound to sell out in a flash. Now run by the fourth consecutive generation, Agrapart ranks at the top echelons of Champagne, earning a 3-star rating in the Revue de Vin du France alongside only 7 other houses, including Krug. Planted almost entirely with Chardonnay with a few small plots of Pinot Noir, the ten-hectare Agrapart Domaine comprises more than 70 small parcels predominantly in the Grand Cru villages of Avize, Cramant, Oiry, and Oger with a few Premier Cru plots on the Cote de Blancs, boasting low yielding vines averaging over 40 years of age with the oldest over 70 years. Taking the reins of his family's historic estate in Avize over four decades ago, Pascal works the soils manually while employing organic practices, tilling with horses to ensure his soils do not get compacted (one of his parcels is worked by and named for his horse Venus). Fermenting the base wines exclusively with native yeasts which he believes is critical to expressing the terroir, Pascal employs a mix of older barrels dependent on the cuvee and longer than required bottle aging on the lees, yielding gorgeous, pure fruit impeccably balanced with chalky minerality that finishes long, each cuvee uniquely identified with a different colored plaque (i.e., the round metal disk on top of the cork). | ||
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| 2020 Marguet Ambonnay Brut Nature Grand Cru (750ml) | ||
| Sparkling from Ambonnay, Champagne, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Talk about an unbelievable coup de grâce for our direct-import portfolio! We are thrilled to announce our new domaine-direct relationship with Ambonnay's most dynamic and forward-thinking visionary, Benoît Marguet. You will seldom meet a vigneron more passionate about his craft and more confident in his methods than Benoît, and while his stellar Champagnes might give him ample reason for arrogance, he's anything but. After our domaine visit last October, we went all in on this singular grower. Combine his almost obsessively meticulous viticulture with some of the finest vine holdings in Bouzy and Ambonnay and you get a range of wines that are simply gorgeous through and through, starting with his flagship 94-point Shaman. Based on the outstanding 2022 vintage, this grand cru blend is "a wonderful combination of fruit, roundness, and freshness" while also maintaining "intensity, power, and a salty structure." The village grand Cru Ambonnay is itself a 95-point gem of the highest caliber, a "fragrant and very pretty" blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that shows the multi-dimensional potential of both Marguet's vine holdings and his winemaking, but the true brilliance of the range lies in his single-vineyard showstoppers. Made and allocated in highly limited quantities, these are some of the most tranparent, terroir-expressive Champagnes on the market. The 96-point Les Bermonts comes from half-hectare of Chardonnay planted in 1952 on clay and limestone and is "a wine of marvelous harmony that knits everything together into a seamless fabric of the vineyard itself." Likewise, the double 95-point Les Crayeres displays "vivid, chalky aromatics of stunning purity" and a palate of "marvelous fruit intensity" where "the structure and textural vibrancy are just breathtaking." Finally, the 96-point 2017 Sapience represents Marguet's appreciation for communal, like-minded growers who exhibit the same passion for their work. It's a blend of all three Champagne varietals, cultivated by growers with equally serious methods and repuations – Meunier from Vincent Laval in Cumières, Chardonnay from David Leclapart in Hautvilliers, and Pinot Noir from Marguet's own Ambonnay plots. A "wonderful, profound, lasting" wine of singular character, it's an expression in a category of its own. This was indisputably the finest line-up top to bottom on our last trip to Champagne, and getting direct access to this cellar is one of the top three highlights of 2025 for our direct-import program, so any avid collector or fan of the most compelling grower Champagnes should dive deep into this selection without hesitation. | ||
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| 2023 Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Clos Windsbuhl (750ml) | ||
| Gewurztraminer 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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| ASW Fiddler Encore #2 Cigar Batch Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) | ||
| From Atlanta, Georgia | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More If you've never heard of Atlanta's ASW Distillery, it's time you did. This highly awarded craft operation has racked up some solid insider and industry attention in their short lifespan with their sourced bottlings, and now that they're hitting full stride with their own make coming to maturity, they're about to go next level. Self-styled "Southern Pot-Still Pioneers," the team headed by master distiller Justin Manglitz uses a high-wheat mash bill and double distillation on Vendome copper pot stills to craft some exceptional-quality distillate that is then subjected to a wide array of cask finishes, some of which can only be described as highly experimental. This avant-garde approach has naturally given rise to their aptly named Fiddler range of whiskeys. In a stroke of mad genius, the Big Green Egg collaboration is perhaps their most intriguing experiment yet. Long story short, Manglitz decided to toast or char barrel staves in a Big Green Egg smoker (yes, the same that now has a rabid sub-culture among barbecue fans), and use them for finishing. "Gimmicky? Maybe, but the results in the bottle bear it out, big time," notes B-21's Andrew Kitz. The 100-proof flagship Big Green Egg bottling offers a notable influence of the finishing process in its "slightly austere yet subtly complex" profile that centers on the savory, spicy side of things despite ASW's high-wheat, signature mash. The Big Green Egg Georgia Heartwood bottling, by contrast, boasts an "extremely opulent" aromatic profile with a "broad, tannic, structurally firm palate" showcasing superb definition and depth. For single cask effort, Manglitz hand-harvested oak from north Georgia forests and applied the BGE treatment to every third stave. "Whatever you think of the method ... something is working out in incredible fashion here," declares Andrew. Finally, the Fiddler Encore #2 Cigar Batch is just such an experimental effort, blended from mostly 7-year-old juice finished in port pipe, maple syrup cask, and sherry butt. The result is "a one-of-a-kind bourbon profile" according to B-21 Spirits Buyer Andrew Kitz, with an "absolutely gorgeous" aromatic profile and a "luxurious ... incredibly complex" palate. You might look askance at the finishing regimen, but once you taste the results, we're sure you'll be on board in a big way. This is quintessential high-wheat opulence with its own singular personality that is poised to put ASW on the map in a big way. As Andrew notes, "if this release in any indication at the direction they’re headed, cult bourbon fans are going to start taking serious notice of them." | ||
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| 2023 Chateau Beaucastel Rouge (750ml) | ||
| Grenache from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "... yet another outstanding red Beaucastel with the potential to match or even outperform the delicious 2022." - Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous One of the most anticipated Rhône releases in any vintage is Beaucastel's reference-point Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and the 97-point 2023 delivers everything we expect from this iconic estate. The warm, dry growing season provided optimal conditions for all the estate's varietals to excel and the finished wine is classic Beaucastel in all respects. Jeb Dunnuck notes, "It has the purity, medium to full-bodied richness, and ripe, yet still fresh and lively style of the vintage and brings plenty of mid-palate depth, sweet tannins, and a great finish." The year saw a higher-than-usual Mourvedre content in the blend, so you can count on this rendition to cruise in the cellar, but the freshness and vibrancy of the Grenache components (with help of the highly aromatic Terret Nori, Vaccarese, and Muscardin) make it a true charmer right out of the gate. James Suckling's Rhône critic Stuart Pigott declares it "full-bodied but with a lightness of touch. Then the power and stony intensity pour over you in a giant wave. The freshness is extraordinary for this hot and dry vintage." In other words, one of France's leading wine estates hit another home run, and collectors can add this superb rendition to their cellars for a razor-sharp price. While you wait for the Châteauneuf to come around, you can also stock up on the 2023 Coudoulet de Beaucastel. Reflecting its well-earned reputation as "the Baby Beaucastel," the 2023 Coudoulet de Beaucastel is a solidly built, age-worthy Côtes-du-Rhône that takes the category a step up in terms of quality, character, and pedigree – the Coudoulet vines lie just on the "wrong side" of the road from Beaucastel's official Châteauneuf parcels, so the moniker isn't just a trope. Soils, micro-climates, and vine heritage are all similar, so the Coudoulet wine always offers glimpses of its world-class terroir. This JS93 "solid, focused, juicy and poised wine" is picture-perfect introduction to the vintage at Beaucastel. Finally, as icing on the cake, serious collectors shouldn't miss a chance to add a monumental vintage of the legendary Hommage à Jacques Perrin to their cellars at unbeatable pricing. The 2022 Hommage is a triple 98-point masterpiece and collectible cornerstone that sets the bar for the appellation and the vintage. "Combining mind-boggling intensity with impressive verticality, the full-bodied 2022 is one of the wines of the vintage," notes Nicolas Greinacher of Vinous. Yohan Castaing's own 98-point Wine Advocate review likewise calls it "a spectacular and immense wine ... [and] a must-have for collectors and enthusiasts." With the amply seductive style of the vintage, it's also likely to give off serious fireworks right now if you're the impatient type. Either way, this is a no-brainer opportunity for anyone who's serious about the world's greatest collectible wines. At every stage of the hierarchy and every price tier, Beaucastel proves its mettle time and time again, and these latest releases are unequivocal gems for any fan of Southern Rhône's best wines. | ||
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