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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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| 2023 Servin Butteaux 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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| 2005 Chateau Lynch-Bages (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Lynch-Bages is pure magic in 2019....A towering Pauillac, the 2019 Lynch Bages will make a great addition to any cellar…Don't miss it. Antonio Galloni, Vinous Savvy Bordeaux collectors won't need convincing – the thrilling 100pt. 2019 Chateau Lynch-Bages continues this estate's epic run of exceptional quality, elegantly balancing concentrated lush dark fruit with grippy, mouth-coating tannins on "an extremely persistent, almost Lafite-like finish" according to Inside Bordeaux's Jane Anson who declares it "a great Lynch-Bages of the modern era," offered at an equally spectacular value and delivered ex-Chateau in original wooden cases of six. Owned by the Cazes family for nearly a century, visitors to Chateau Lynch-Bages encounter an almost fairytale-like village complete with a Michelin-starred restaurant and luxury hotel, its stunning new contemporary winemaking facility designed by noted architects and sons of the masterful architect I.M. Pei, creator of the once controversial glass Louvre pyramid in Paris. Spanning 100 hectares planted mostly to Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller parcels of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, the vineyards are located on a range of terroirs across Pauillac, from close to the Chateau on the gravelly Bages plateau to bordering St. Julien next to Chateau Pichon Lalande, the estate's vines for the Grand Vin averaging 30 years of age with some as old as 60 years. Under the direction of fourth generation Jean-Charles Cazes, the powerful 2019 Chateau Lynch-Bages was aged for 18 months in 75% new French oak, revealing intense, dark Cabernet aromatics described as "gorgeous from the start" by the Wine Spectator's James Molesworth, embodying the hedonistic Lynch-Bages style with a core of fresh opulent fruit layered over rich, ripe tannins that according to Decanter's Georgina Hindle give "no doubt that this is going to age slowly and for many decades." | ||
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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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| 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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| NV Marguet Shaman 22 Brut Nature Grand Cru (750ml) | ||
| Sparkling from 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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| 2019 Agrapart L'Avizoise Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru (750ml) | ||
| Sparkling from Avize, Champagne, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Crafted by artisan producer and B-21 favorite Pascal Agrapart in the chalky Cote des Blancs, Champagne Agrapart has enjoyed an under the radar reputation, but with the release of these highly rated 2025 cuvees, that's about to change. From one of the top grower-producers in the region, these selections from Agrapart offer a rare taste of meticulously crafted, terroir-driven Champagne at a remarkable value that's bound to sell out in a flash. Now run by the fourth consecutive generation, Agrapart ranks at the top echelons of Champagne, earning a 3-star rating in the Revue de Vin du France alongside only 7 other houses, including Krug. Planted almost entirely with Chardonnay with a few small plots of Pinot Noir, the ten-hectare Agrapart Domaine comprises more than 70 small parcels predominantly in the Grand Cru villages of Avize, Cramant, Oiry, and Oger with a few Premier Cru plots on the Cote de Blancs, boasting low yielding vines averaging over 40 years of age with the oldest over 70 years. Taking the reins of his family's historic estate in Avize over four decades ago, Pascal works the soils manually while employing organic practices, tilling with horses to ensure his soils do not get compacted (one of his parcels is worked by and named for his horse Venus). Fermenting the base wines exclusively with native yeasts which he believes is critical to expressing the terroir, Pascal employs a mix of older barrels dependent on the cuvee and longer than required bottle aging on the lees, yielding gorgeous, pure fruit impeccably balanced with chalky minerality that finishes long, each cuvee uniquely identified with a different colored plaque (i.e., the round metal disk on top of the cork). | ||
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| 2023 Eric Forest Macon-Pierreclos Clos des Charmes (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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| 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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| 2023 Artadi Vinas de Gain (750ml) | ||
| Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Overall, the 2023 Viñas de Gain delivers a compelling interplay of dark expression and agile structure..." - Joaquin Hidalgo, Vinous It's been a few vintages since we've seen this one-time Spanish best-seller, but the double 93-point 2023 Artadi Viñas de Gain reminds us why the wine and the estate have such a devoted legion of fans. If you're an Artadi fan, you'll already know that this visionary estate has a tendency to buck the norms in Rioja, which leads to them declassifying the wines from the Rioja denominación, but these are still some of the most soulful and ambitious offerings you'll find. While the single-vineyard wines fetch big scores and big price tags to match, the Viñas de Gain has always been a stellar value driver, incorporating the exceptional winemaking of second-generation owner Carlos López de Lacalle with the prized terroirs around the villages of Laguardia and El Villar for a vivid, charming expression that satisfies almost everyone. In this vintage, Carlos tuned the winemaking and elevage toward the goal of crafting "fine-boned wines with freshness," as Wine Advocate puts is, and that's well evident in the 2023 VdG. "Broad yet fresh, combining juicy flow with fine, reactive tannins and notable energy," this is a sound representation of a movement that is finding real traction in modern Rioja, and with these kinds of results, Artadi is ready to reclaim its best-seller status in no time. | ||
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| 2022 Philippe Alliet Chinon L'Huisserie (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 Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer (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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| 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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| Isle of Raasay Hebridean Gin | ||
| From Scotland | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "I can’t think of a single application where this eminently stunning expression won’t work." - Andrew Kitz, B-21 Spirits Buyer Handcrafted, artisanal gin is having its moment in the spotlight, and some of the finest iterations are coming out of Scotland. We've featured the excellent, boutique single malts from the eponymously named Isle of Raasay Distillery on the far-flung island of the Hebrides on a few occasions, and today we're introducing you to their equally superb craft gin. Made from a double-distilled base of Raasay's signature malt and juniper harvested from the island's wild, rugged interior, it's steeped with ten different botanicals of the highest quality, including sweet orange peel, lemon peel, coriander, orris root, and angelica root, while the base spirit itself carries a lovely black currant undertone that sets the stage for the "simply captivating" palate and "graceful and stately" aromatic profile. With a wild combination of luxurious, viscous texture and ethereal balance, it shows its artisanal pedigree in spades, and will make a perfect base for any and all of your favorite gin cocktails, or for sipping with a few rocks and a twist on a hot day. Best of all, you can add it to your bar for the sharpest price in the country. | ||
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| 2023 Patrice Rion Nuits-St-Georges 1er Cru Clos Saint Marc (750ml) | ||
| Pinot Noir from Nuits-St-Georges, Burgundy, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More One of our top additions to our direct-import portfolio in the past two years is undoubtedly Domaine Michele & Patrice Rion, a consistently excellent property now run by Patrice's son Maxime. The domaine is on a true roll of late, resulting in benchmark renditions from their holdings in Vosne, Chambolle, and Nuits. Garnering generous accolades from Burgundy's three most influential critical voices, the 2023s follow suit on the equally stunning 2022s, highlighted by their trio of 1er crus from Nuits-St-Georges, which stand with elite company of the appellation in names like Gouges, l'Arlot, and Chevillon, but at a fraction of their prices thanks to our direct access to the domaine's cellars. Each one is a pure reflection of its Nuits-St-Georges terroir and the outstanding 2023 vintage, offering undeniable collectible appeal for the cellar. The "harmony and beauty" of the 1er Cru Clos des Argillieres kicks it off with 96-point potential from Jasper Morris, while the "lovely" Les Hautes Pruliers, from a top-of-slope parcel in the famed 1er cru, shows 94-point potential per Neal Martin and quintessential appellation character. The crown-jewel of the domaine, however, is the singular 1er Cru Clos St-Marc from a monopole parcel of 60 year old vines just under a hectare in size. With 96-point potential according to Morris and 93-95 points from Neal Martin, the Clos St-Marc is "the Domaine's standout cuvée in 2023—superb," a powerful Nuits with focus and poise that will cruise for two-plus decades. As great as the NSGs are, don't overlook the "racy, beautifully detailed and solidly concentrated" Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Charmes, a wonderfully suave and savvy buy that can punch with much more expensive expressions, or the stupendous value of the sub-$40 Cote-de-Nuits Village, which offers solid proof that "Rion takes things seriously at every level of their line-up." We're thrilled to present these impressive, under-the-radar Cote-de-Nuits standouts to our Burgundy clients at our unbeatable, domaine-direct pricing, so don't miss this opportunity to load your cellar with some of the sharpest collectible buys in the acclaimed 2023 vintage. | ||
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| 2023 Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Roche Calcaire (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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| 2019 Chateau D'Aiguilhe (750ml) | ||
| Merlot from Côtes de Castillon, 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 Larrivet Haut Brion Rouge (750ml) | ||
| Merlot 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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| 2023 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon SLV Judgment of Paris 50th Anniversary (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "A classic wine from a great vineyard." - James Suckling There's no more important event in the history of American wine than the 1976 Judgment of Paris, at which a Cabernet Sauvignon from a little known Napa Valley winery bested the titans of Bordeaux in a blind tasting and officially put Napa Valley on the global wine map. That winery was Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, and the wine was the 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon. Now, fifty years on, Stag's Leap is an American wine icon, and they're celebrating their historic road to stardom with a special 50th anniversary release of their flagship SLV Cabernet Sauvignon. The vintage itself is shaping up to be an epic campaign of classic Napa brilliance, which coincides perfectly with the new stylistic direction that the estate is undertaking since Antinori assumed majority control in early 2023. What was once a modern, commercially focused style is now returning to the golden age of Napa Cabernet. As Galloni states, "this is a brilliant set of wines from Head Winemaker Marcus Notaro and his team." The 98-point 2023 SLV is a worthy ode to the Stag's Leap legacy, with real "gravitas" including "a long, sturdy finish that bodes well for the cellar." What's more, you'll also find the 97-point 2021 SLV Cabernet, "a firm but refined, elegant wine that shows great balance, tension and a wonderful bouquet." Like 2023, the 2021 campaign is being hailed as modern classic for Napa, with a cool, long growing season that plays perfectly to estates like Stag's Leap, who represent Napa's golden age. | ||
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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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| 2022 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge (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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| 2022 Zind-Humbrecht Zind (750ml) | ||
| 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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| 2022 Hartford Old Vine Zinfandel Fanucchi-Wood Road 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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| 2020 Marguet Ambonnay Les Bermonts Brut Nature (750ml) | ||
| 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 Riesling (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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| 2022 Elena Fucci SCEG Aglianico del Vulture (750ml) | ||
| Aglianico from Aglianico del Vulture, Basilicata, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Elena Fucci is a force." - Eric Guido, Vinous It's been a slow, grinding but steady ascent for Italy's premier southern denominacions, and Aglianico del Vulture is at the head of the pack. Several producers are forging the region's modern path, but arguably none are as dynamic as Elena Fucci. Having taken over her family's estate in 2000 at a very young age, she has risen as the most prolific voice and advocates of Vulture, as well as one of its most talented winemakers. Her style has evolved over the years, blending forward-looking vision and rooted tradition. In short, it straddles a fine line between Old World and New World. Her latest set of releases further confirm her as a must-know for any true Italian insider. Centered around the 7.5-hectare family vineyard of Titolo, these Aglianico wines are full of distinctive personality, reflecting in part her objectively great winemaking and in part the amazing volcanic terroir of the DOCG. The 2022 SCEG is a classic introduction to the varietal, made in an accessible style, which for Aglianico still means a few years in the cellar to show all its cards. Even today though, it's "savory yet cool-toned, with depths of dark red fruits and tactile minerality" that will offer loads of enjoyment. The Titolo bottlings are the crown jewels, conveying the family estate and the varietal in its purest form. The 2021 flagship Titolo is "impossible to ignore," boasting a seamless, balanced, measured profile that earned 94 points from both Eric Guido and Wine Advocate's Monica Larner, who writes, "the 2021 Aglianico del Vulture Titolo is classic Elena Fucci and is the wine you should buy if you love her signature style." Elena's stylistic evolution is also fully evident in the 2021 Titolo by Amphora, which as one might induce, is done entirely in clay amphorae, which means it is pure varietal expression to the max. This double 94-point, "precious and limited release" is a fascinating counterpoint to the flagship Titolo, with "wonderfully soft contours and vivid fruit" that showcase the full potential of this fantastic estate. Best of all, these wines are all tailor-made for the cellar, with potential lifespans that rival the finest red wines of Tuscany and Piedmont, for a fraction of their prices. If you're on the hunt for your next great discovery from the Boot, Elena Fucci should be top of your list. | ||
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| NV Agrapart Experience 20 Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru (750ml) | ||
| Sparkling from Avize, Champagne, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Crafted by artisan producer and B-21 favorite Pascal Agrapart in the chalky Cote des Blancs, Champagne Agrapart has enjoyed an under the radar reputation, but with the release of these highly rated 2025 cuvees, that's about to change. From one of the top grower-producers in the region, these selections from Agrapart offer a rare taste of meticulously crafted, terroir-driven Champagne at a remarkable value that's bound to sell out in a flash. Now run by the fourth consecutive generation, Agrapart ranks at the top echelons of Champagne, earning a 3-star rating in the Revue de Vin du France alongside only 7 other houses, including Krug. Planted almost entirely with Chardonnay with a few small plots of Pinot Noir, the ten-hectare Agrapart Domaine comprises more than 70 small parcels predominantly in the Grand Cru villages of Avize, Cramant, Oiry, and Oger with a few Premier Cru plots on the Cote de Blancs, boasting low yielding vines averaging over 40 years of age with the oldest over 70 years. Taking the reins of his family's historic estate in Avize over four decades ago, Pascal works the soils manually while employing organic practices, tilling with horses to ensure his soils do not get compacted (one of his parcels is worked by and named for his horse Venus). Fermenting the base wines exclusively with native yeasts which he believes is critical to expressing the terroir, Pascal employs a mix of older barrels dependent on the cuvee and longer than required bottle aging on the lees, yielding gorgeous, pure fruit impeccably balanced with chalky minerality that finishes long, each cuvee uniquely identified with a different colored plaque (i.e., the round metal disk on top of the cork). | ||
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| NV Marguet Shaman 22 Brut Nature Rose Grand Cru (750ml) | ||
| Sparkling from 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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| 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 Patrice Rion Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Charmes (750ml) | ||
| Pinot Noir from Chambolle-Musigny, Burgundy, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More One of our top additions to our direct-import portfolio in the past two years is undoubtedly Domaine Michele & Patrice Rion, a consistently excellent property now run by Patrice's son Maxime. The domaine is on a true roll of late, resulting in benchmark renditions from their holdings in Vosne, Chambolle, and Nuits. Garnering generous accolades from Burgundy's three most influential critical voices, the 2023s follow suit on the equally stunning 2022s, highlighted by their trio of 1er crus from Nuits-St-Georges, which stand with elite company of the appellation in names like Gouges, l'Arlot, and Chevillon, but at a fraction of their prices thanks to our direct access to the domaine's cellars. Each one is a pure reflection of its Nuits-St-Georges terroir and the outstanding 2023 vintage, offering undeniable collectible appeal for the cellar. The "harmony and beauty" of the 1er Cru Clos des Argillieres kicks it off with 96-point potential from Jasper Morris, while the "lovely" Les Hautes Pruliers, from a top-of-slope parcel in the famed 1er cru, shows 94-point potential per Neal Martin and quintessential appellation character. The crown-jewel of the domaine, however, is the singular 1er Cru Clos St-Marc from a monopole parcel of 60 year old vines just under a hectare in size. With 96-point potential according to Morris and 93-95 points from Neal Martin, the Clos St-Marc is "the Domaine's standout cuvée in 2023—superb," a powerful Nuits with focus and poise that will cruise for two-plus decades. As great as the NSGs are, don't overlook the "racy, beautifully detailed and solidly concentrated" Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Charmes, a wonderfully suave and savvy buy that can punch with much more expensive expressions, or the stupendous value of the sub-$40 Cote-de-Nuits Village, which offers solid proof that "Rion takes things seriously at every level of their line-up." We're thrilled to present these impressive, under-the-radar Cote-de-Nuits standouts to our Burgundy clients at our unbeatable, domaine-direct pricing, so don't miss this opportunity to load your cellar with some of the sharpest collectible buys in the acclaimed 2023 vintage. | ||
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