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| Lochlea Our Barley Single Malt Scotch Whisky | ||
| From Ayrshire, Lowlands, Scotland | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "The flagship Our Barley is about as fan-friendly as a whisky can get, and although it’s hard to look past the super-stylish packaging, once you get into the juice itself, you’ll be hooked." - Andrew Kitz, B-21 Spirits Buyer One of the more exciting yet under-the-radar rising stars in the Scotch scene, Lochlea should (and probably will) be on every single malt fanatic's list of must-try discoveries in short order. Founded in 2018, they've already racked up some impressive critical accolades across their range, and as the distilling team hits their stride, there's no telling how high their star will climb. As B-21's Andrew Kitz declares, "If you’re looking for a new, boutique single-malt distillery to go nuts over, here’s your champion." The Lochlea property itself, once belonging to the immortal Scottish poet Robert Burns, was historically a cattle farm, and that's what owners Neil and Jen McGeoch had in mind when they purchased it in 2006. However, it was soon apparent that cows wouldn't cut it financially, and they turned to the property's other historical cash crop. Now, 50 acres of malting barley are the backbone of this grain-to-glass operation, with the old cattle-farming structures and facilities converted into a modern, functioning distillery in 2016. Long-time Laphroaig master distiller John Campbell set the standards with the first batches, and that uncompromising quality is now seen across the board in every release. You'll no doubt see more from this fabulous, bootstrapped project in the near future, but the flagship Our Barley is the perfect dram to sink your teeth into as you fall in love with a true star in the making in boutique Scotch whisky. | ||
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| 2019 Forman Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5L) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Ric Forman's 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is shaping up to be epic. A wine of unreal precision and energy, the 2019 dazzles with its magnificent purity and class." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Ric Forman's status as a cult Napa pioneer is well-established, with a critical track record to match the best of them. His 11-acre Howell Mountain property is the source of his expertly crafted, classically styled Cabernets, which he has been turning out since 1983. Perfectly justified in resting on his laurels, Ric instead keeps knocking out the hits, as we clearly see in the stellar, 97-point 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon. Three distinct parcels make up Forman's vineyard, and each one lends its own particular touch to the finished wine, while Forman's own traditionalist winemaking methods ensure a consistency of style and excellence that few in Napa can match. The wine's "remarkable textural intensity" is a hallmark Forman calling card, and it portends a long life in the cellar, as is the case with almost every vintage he's ever made. We just sourced a must-see parcel at unbeatable pricing, not only on the regular 750ml format, but also on large-format 1.5L magnums and 3L jeroboams. It's a can't-miss opportunity for serious Napa collectors to load up on a genuine classic from a generational winemaking talent. | ||
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| 2019 Forman Cabernet Sauvignon (3L) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Ric Forman's 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is shaping up to be epic. A wine of unreal precision and energy, the 2019 dazzles with its magnificent purity and class." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Ric Forman's status as a cult Napa pioneer is well-established, with a critical track record to match the best of them. His 11-acre Howell Mountain property is the source of his expertly crafted, classically styled Cabernets, which he has been turning out since 1983. Perfectly justified in resting on his laurels, Ric instead keeps knocking out the hits, as we clearly see in the stellar, 97-point 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon. Three distinct parcels make up Forman's vineyard, and each one lends its own particular touch to the finished wine, while Forman's own traditionalist winemaking methods ensure a consistency of style and excellence that few in Napa can match. The wine's "remarkable textural intensity" is a hallmark Forman calling card, and it portends a long life in the cellar, as is the case with almost every vintage he's ever made. We just sourced a must-see parcel at unbeatable pricing, not only on the regular 750ml format, but also on large-format 1.5L magnums and 3L jeroboams. It's a can't-miss opportunity for serious Napa collectors to load up on a genuine classic from a generational winemaking talent. | ||
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| 2022 Glantenay Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chenes (750ml) | ||
| Pinot Noir from Volnay, Burgundy, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "The unassuming but passionate Thierry Glantenay continues to produce delicious, sensual wines in his cellars in Volnay." - William Kelley, Wine Advocate One of Volnay and Pommard's best kept secrets, Domaine Bernard & Thierry Glantenay somehow still flies under the radar, despite producing some of the most consistently and widely acclaimed wines in these appellations. The only drawback is that they're always tightly allocated and in short supply, which makes our in-stock parcel a truly enticing proposition. The entire range is well worth seeking out, but the undisputed highlights start with the 94-point, "superb" Clos des Chenes 1er Cru, "perfectly proportioned and built for the long haul" according to John Gilman of View From the Cellar. This site's familiar power and energy are readily on display in grand fashion in 2022. The "equally stunning" Santenots 1er Cru delivers another benchmark terroir expression in its "velvety and harmonious" profile. Finally, don't miss the epic Les Rugiens 1er Cru, "the most complex and complete amongst Glantenay's range ... a Pommard to hunt down" as Vinous' Neal Martin puts it. Glantenay's approach in the cellar and in the vineyards has resulted in a steady upward trajectory for the domaine over the past several years, and the wines are now flirting with the titans of Volnay and Pommard while still remaining relatively accessible for collectors looking for real long-term propositions at savvy prices. | ||
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| 2021 Vajra Bricco delle Viole (1.5L) | ||
| Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Stylistically, the Vajra Barolos embody all the virtues of modern classicism. The wines are elegant, silky, polished and an absolute delight to drink." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous You know the name, and perhaps you already know that the 2021 vintage in Barolo is one for the books, so let's jump right into this set of stunning new releases from "one of the leading estates in Piedmont." As any astute Barolo collector knows, a great vintage is marked not only by the heights that the top wines reach, but by the overall quality of the entry-level offerings, and Vajra's flagship Albe bottling knocks it out of the park in 2021. Wine Advocate's Monica Larner tagged it with 95 points and called it "an enormously versatile expression of Nebbiolo, with an affordable price, that offers more value for your money than most Barolos out there," with several other critics chiming in with their own glowing praise for a serious sub-$40 contender. Movnig to the single crus, Vajra's enviable stable is a star-studded affiair in this benchmark campaign, led by a pair of 98-point collectible treasures in the Ravera and Bricco della Viole, the latter "a wine of stature and breeding" showcasing "little details [that] emerge with terrific sharpness in an epic vintage such as 2021." Of course, we shouldn't overlook the 96-point Coste di Rose. "Loaded with finesse" per Kerin O'Keefe, "[it's] already tempting, [but] the best is yet to come." It's safe to say this is one of the must-have ranges in 2021 Barolo, so collectors should make room in the cellar and cast a wide net on these guaranteed long-haul trophies. | ||
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