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| 2023 Vincent Paris Saint-Joseph (750ml) | ||
| Syrah from Saint-Joseph, 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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| Historias y Memorias Espadin Joven Mezcal (750ml) | ||
| From Oaxaca, Mexico | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "...if you love delicious, artisanal, versatile mezcal for a bargain, this ought to be your new favorite." - Andrew Kitz, B-21 Spirits Buyer The overall quality in the mezcal scene is certainly on the upswing in the past decade, but that rise has also come with higher prices for what you're getting. So, when we came across this outstanding, hand-crafted gem from master mezcalero José Luis Hernandez, it was a no-brainer at under $45. Hernandez is all traditional in his methods - underground pit oven, horse-drawn tahona, open-top wood fermentations, double distillation on a copper alembic still - so Historias y Memorias exhibits real craftsmanship and varietal purity, with classic, dark, savory aromatics and flavors on a weighty, full-bodied palate showing a well-restrained smoky character. We don't often see this kind of character and authenticity at this price point, and with such a quintessential profile and broad stylistic appeal, the Historias y Memorias is perfectly poised to enter your regular rotation in whatever way you choose to let it shine. | ||
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| 2023 Xanadu Chardonnay (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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| 2020 Marguet Ambonnay Les Crayeres 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 Cumičres, 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 Les Carmes Haut-Brion (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Franc 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 Larrivet Haut Brion Rouge (750ml) | ||
| Merlot from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Confirming my expectations, the 2022 Larrivet Haut-Brion is one of the best wines ever produced at this estate." - Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate As part of the general trend of overperforming Pessac estates in the past decade, Larrivet Haut-Brion's stock is steadily rising among the critical press and Bordeaux enthusiasts alike. Thanks to the guiding hand of famed enologist Michel Rolland, the style of the estate's wines has taken on an unprecedented level of class and polish culminating in the spectacular 2022 vintage. Following the overall character of the vintage, this triple 95-point, sub-$50 standout is "a dramatic, deeply resonant wine" with loads of structural stuffing to go the distance in the cellar. To further emphasize the estate's marvelous recent trajectory, we also have four back-vintage gems on offer that showcase how well Larrivet performs year in and year out. The 2016 is now in its prime drinking window where it will remain for years, while the 95-point 2019 shows "a rich, broad, mouth-filling, spicy, complex and full-bodied style that has loads to love" per Jeb Dunnuck. Keen-eyed collectors also won't sleep on the AG95 rendition from the "off-vintage" of 2017. "Bold, rich and intense, the 2017 exudes tremendous depth and intensity ... Readers should expect a wine of real energy and explosive power," declares Galloni. All in all, we love featuring Pessac, because the appellation is rife with stupendous collectible values, and while collectors often focus on building verticals of Bordeaux's most hallowed names, this line-up proves that you can get tremendous mileage out of doing the same with under-the-radar gems like Larrivet. | ||
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| 2022 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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| 2019 La Petite Marquise Clos du Marquis (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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| 2021 Elena Fucci Titolo 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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| 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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| 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 Cumičres, 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 Eric Forest Saint-Veran Terre Noire (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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| 2019 Chateau Margaux (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Margaux, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Whether its what James Suckling describes as the "wonderful combination of refinement and power" in Chateau Margaux or the complexity and depth of Chateau Mouton Rothschild that Jeb Dunnuck declares "quintessential Pauillac," these top scoring vintages from two iconic First Growth estates are guaranteed not to disappoint, a terrific opportunity to fill in the cellar with 100 pt. gems or treat yourself to the one of a kind pleasures that only First Growth Bordeaux can deliver in every vintage at best on the market pricing. A seductive Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blend, Chateau Margaux' 82-hectare vineyard boasts some vines over 80 years of age, producing exceptional quality fruit which undergoes rigorous selection with typically only a third or less of production making the cut for the Grand Vin and typically aged for 18 to 24 months in 100% new French oak barrels made at their onsite cooperage. A top scoring selection ranging from the stunning 100 pt. 2009 Margaux just entering its window of drinkability to the alluring 100 pt. 2020 Margaux declared "a Margaux for the ages" by Inside Bordeaux's Jane Anson, every vintage shares the Grand Vin's signature refinement and meticulous balance, offering floral aromatics and lush dark fruit with dense silky tannins that promise decades of enjoyment and all "elegant and utterly compelling" in the words of the Wine Advocate's William Kelley. A sumptuous and rich Cabernet Sauvignon blend known for its unique artwork labels that change with each vintage, Chateau Mouton Rothschild shares Margaux's "insane ability to age" according to Inside Bordeaux's Jane Anson, its 83 hectare vineyard at Pauillac's highest elevation planted to 81% Cabernet Sauvignon averaging 50 years of age with some vines over 130 years with only 50% of the harvest making the final cut for the Grand Vin and always aged in 100% new French oak typically for 19 to 22 months. Described as a "multi-dimensional First Growth with a very persistent finish" by Vinous critic Neal Martin, the dazzling 100 pt. 2009 Chateau Mouton Rothschild is ready to enjoy after over a decade of pristine cellaring while the stunning 100 pt. 2010 Mouton is "a battleship of a wine" according to the Wine Spectator's James Molesworth and not far behind, every vintage revealing the estate's signature seductive texture, velvety tannins and incredible depth and ranging to the "ethereal" 100 pt 2020 Mouton Rothschild that James Suckling declares "hard to not drink now," highlighting its approachability while acknowledging the potential for decades of evolution. Representing the upper echelon in the Bordeaux hierarchy, some of these remarkable First Growths boast over a decade of cellaring and others require patient cellaring before pulling the cork, but all are guaranteed to "blow you away any time" over the next several decades in the words of Jeb Dunnuck, delivered in perfect provenance at exceptional value pricing. | ||
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| Granalta Tequila Blanco (1L) | ||
| From Arandas, Jalisco, Mexico | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Value and craftsmanship collide in this excellent, artisanal blanco ... Dollar for dollar, it might just be the best tequila value in the store." - Andrew Kitz, B-21 Spirits Buyer The value end of the tequila spectrum continues to be awash in overly manufactured, adulterated juice that can barely be considered tequila, so that's why we're always on the lookout for winners like this exceptionally priced blanco from Granalta. Made with highly traditional methods and absolutely zero additives, this blanco is a serious hitter for its price, especially when you consider the 1-liter bottle. Not only are the agaves roasted extremely slowly in stone ovens with gentle crushing on a roller mill, but inclusion of fibers in the fermentation gives the already excellent raw materials additional depth of flavor and textural intensity that we hardly ever see in this price tier. From the "outstanding, balanced sweetness" to the "textural, full weight and viscosity," the Granalta Blanco is a remarkably versatile offering that's right at home in your favorite cocktail or on its own with a few rocks. We all love a good go-to performer, and this one is perfectly suited to pretty much anything you want to do with it.
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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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| 2024 Rudi Pichler Gruner Veltliner Federspiel Wachau (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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| 2024 Rudi Pichler Riesling Smaragd Terrassen (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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| 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 Philippe Alliet Chinon Coteau de Noire (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 Patrice Rion Nuits-St-Georges 1er Cru Clos des Argilleres (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 Patrice Rion Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Charmes (1.5L) | ||
| 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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| 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 Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Roche Volcanique (750ml) | ||
| Pinot Gris 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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| Remi Landier / PM Spirits Collab Fins Bois XO Cognac (750ml) | ||
| From Cognac, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More As far as Cognac's six recognized crus go, Fins Bois may not carry as much cachet as Petite and Grande Champagne, but that just means you can find truly spectacular, artisanal gems at a fraction of what you'd pay for a similar expression from the more esteemed crus. Remi Landier may not be a household name in the US market, but the domaine has become a reference-point for Fins Bois under the direction of fifth-generation owner Geraldine Landier. Her collaboration with PM Spirits Nicolas Palazzi has resulted in few must-try expressions to come to the states, led by this stupendous, 11-year-old XO. "...this single-cask XO shows how seriously we should be taking the finest Fins Bois expressions." - Andrew Kitz, B-21 Spirits Buyer Distilled in 2011 on a Charentais copper pot still and bottled in 2022, this single cask went through a series of aging regimens to give it the layered complexity and regal bearing of a much more expensive offering – "a bold yet utterly refined powerhouse" as described by B-21 Spirits Buyer Andrew Kitz. It boasts a "showcase of great depth and nuance" with luxurious fruits and multi-faceted spice character, the barrel treatment asserting itself in noticeable but balanced fashion. At 63% abv, it's big but also accessible, so stately in bearing that the seasoned Cognac fan and novice alike won't find any need to tone it down with water. In a category where big marques and corporate conglomerates can overshadow the true artists, this XO is a breath of fresh air and a stunning value at our razor-sharp price. | ||
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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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| 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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| 2021 Ulysses Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville (750ml) | ||
| 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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| 2024 Rudi Pichler Gruner Veltliner Smaragd Kollmutz (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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| 2024 Rudi Pichler Riesling Smaragd Kirchweg (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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| 2018 Larrivet Haut Brion Rouge (750ml) | ||
| Merlot from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Confirming my expectations, the 2022 Larrivet Haut-Brion is one of the best wines ever produced at this estate." - Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate As part of the general trend of overperforming Pessac estates in the past decade, Larrivet Haut-Brion's stock is steadily rising among the critical press and Bordeaux enthusiasts alike. Thanks to the guiding hand of famed enologist Michel Rolland, the style of the estate's wines has taken on an unprecedented level of class and polish culminating in the spectacular 2022 vintage. Following the overall character of the vintage, this triple 95-point, sub-$50 standout is "a dramatic, deeply resonant wine" with loads of structural stuffing to go the distance in the cellar. To further emphasize the estate's marvelous recent trajectory, we also have four back-vintage gems on offer that showcase how well Larrivet performs year in and year out. The 2016 is now in its prime drinking window where it will remain for years, while the 95-point 2019 shows "a rich, broad, mouth-filling, spicy, complex and full-bodied style that has loads to love" per Jeb Dunnuck. Keen-eyed collectors also won't sleep on the AG95 rendition from the "off-vintage" of 2017. "Bold, rich and intense, the 2017 exudes tremendous depth and intensity ... Readers should expect a wine of real energy and explosive power," declares Galloni. All in all, we love featuring Pessac, because the appellation is rife with stupendous collectible values, and while collectors often focus on building verticals of Bordeaux's most hallowed names, this line-up proves that you can get tremendous mileage out of doing the same with under-the-radar gems like Larrivet. | ||
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