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| 2020 La Rioja Alta Reserva Vina Alberdi (750ml) | ||
| Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "It is approachable, elegant and ticks all the boxes for this style of wine at an affordable price." - Decanter La Rioja Alta's Vina Alberdi needs little to no introduction here at B-21. It's been a perennial best-seller for years on end and one of the most consistent values in Spanish wine during that entire span of time. The 93-point 2020 vintage continues the sterling track record of this benchmark overachiever and this reference-point estate. Forty-year-old vines, expert and precise aging in American oak (a La Rioja Alta specialty), and extended bottle aging before release all contribute to a "lively, harmonious, focused red" that bears the classic Rioja profile while remaining eminently approachable today. Even better the price tag offers the kind of versatility that makes it easy to stack some away in the cellar for a few years or pop the cork tonight – or both. | ||
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| 2023 Kelley Fox Pinot Noir Mirabai (750ml) | ||
| Pinot Noir from Willamette, Oregon | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Ever since we caught on to the incredible wines from Willamette Valley rising star Kelley Fox several vintages back, we've seen an avid following develop around her ethereal, precisely crafted wines. Working with the crème de la crème of vineyard sites in Dundee Hills, she's carved out a top spot on the list of the valley's go-to boutique names. Demand is on a steady upward trajectory, but her flagship Mirabai Pinot Noir still delivers the goods for anyone interested in discovering this super-talented winemaker for the first time. Sourced from a handful of said top Dundee Hills sites (see below), the 2023 is every bit the stylish charmer that we've come to know and love from this bottling. Easygoing yet full of character and nuance, it once again stands as one of the sharpest buys in Oregon Pinot, with a new 93-point review from Wine Advocate to add to its cachet. We just scored a new parcel at exceptional pricing that allows our private clients to load up on a proven performer that will shine now and anytime in the next decade. | ||
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| 2023 Beringer Chardonnay Private Reserve (750ml) | ||
| Chardonnay from Napa, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Quite a powerful wine that is carried by pure acidity and freshness." - James Suckling Beringer's Private Reserve line is arguably one of the greatest sources of consistent quality for price in Napa Valley and has been for the past three decades. The stellar 2023 vintage provided plenty of opportunity to continue that track record, and the latest release of the Private Reserve Chardonnay does not disappoint. In fact, it's set to be a reference-point rendition of this all-time fan favorite 96 points from James Suckling and 95 points from Jeb Dunnuck. Sourced almost entirely from the historic Gamble Ranch in Oakville, this is Napa Chardonnay through and through, yet it stays well clear of the excesses that have sometimes plagued the category in recent, namely over-ripeness and heavy-handed oak. "Medium to full-bodied, it's pure, balanced, and layered, with wonderfully integrated oak," notes Dunnuck, "It brings ample power and richness while staying light on its feet." That about sums up the Beringer style and the brilliant 2023 Napa vintage, and it gives ample reason to stock up. | ||
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| Champagne Lallier Reflexion R.021 Brut (750ml) | ||
| From Champagne, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Champagne Lallier's widespread vineyard sources through the grand cru villages of the Côte de Blancs and Montagne de Reims, especially in their home base of Äy, allow them to create these wonderfully pure, eminently approachable vintage expressions that somehow remain unbelievably priced for everyday enjoyment. The Reflexion R.021 is a classic showcase of the 2021 Champagne vintage's fresh, incisive style, with 30% reserve wines from the powerful 2020 vintage adding just the right level of backbone and depth for a "substantial palate" that's simultaneously "precise and youthful" according to James Suckling. Like previous releases, the wine is made is to convey a snapshot of the growing season, and the R.021 does that with great clarity, but it's also made primarily to put smiles on the faces of a wide audience of sparkling wine fans, something that's easily achieved with it's outstanding, sub-$35 price tag. If you keep a "house" Champagne on rotation, this is your new candidate. If you need a celebratory toast for a large crowd for a low-key steal of a deal, this is your pick. Either way, Lallier's R.021 is a gem to stock up on. | ||
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| 2025 La Cana Albariño (750ml) | ||
| Albarino from Rias Baixas, Spain | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More If you've been a fan of Spanish wine over the past ten years or so, you've probably been waiting for Albariño to get the attention it deserves on the world stage, and while it still takes a back seat to Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and the like, the best examples are still shining brightly and only getting better with each passing vintage. La Caña has long been a benchmark producer of this one-of-a-kind varietal, working with top-notch sites in the Salnès sub-zone of Rías Baixas, widely considered ground zero for the most quintessential expressions. Year after year, their entry-level bottling far outperforms its price point in the critical press, with all the customary bright citrus and tropical fruit, vibrant acidity, and textured charm that Albariño aficionados have come to know and love. While the 2024 has yet to be reviewed professionally, we recently got a chance to try it with importer Jorge Ordoñez, and we can confidently say this rendition picks up right where previous vintages have left off, with more glowing praise no doubt in store in the near future. Meanwhile, you have a great opportunity to stock up on a fan-favorite crowd pleaser that seems tailor-made for summer soirées and warm days by the pool, so don't hesitate to lock in at our market-best price. | ||
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| 2023 Bedrock Zinfandel Old Vine (750ml) | ||
| Zinfandel from California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "The 2023 is such a classy offering ...What an absolute delight." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Established in 2007 by the son of Ravenswood founding winemaker Joel Peterson, Bedrock Wine Company's Morgan Twain-Peterson and long-time business partner Chris Cottrell craft their wines from a who's-who list of the region's most historic vineyards, sourcing the old vine Zinfandel from century-old sites throughout Sonoma and Contra Costa counties, including Peterson's own Bedrock Vineyard. Described by Antonio Galloni as "among the most pedigreed vineyard sites anywhere in the world," Bedrock was the first California vineyard to be replanted in 1888 following the devastation of phylloxera, boasting a Zinfandel-dominated field mix planted in volcanic rocks and cobbly loam soil and farmed organically by the Petersons without irrigation. Blending 85% Zinfandel with 7% Carignan, 4% Cinsault and small amounts of other varieties averaging 80 years of age and fermenting with native yeasts, Morgan aged the lush 2023 Bedrock Zinfandel Old Vine in a combination of French oak and Austrian oak puncheons and foudres with about 10% new, yielding a fresh and delicately spiced Zinfandel with layered fine tannins that's ready to enjoy and will continue to mature gracefully over the next few years. Crafted by "one of the most talented winemakers of his generation" according to Galloni, the impressive, 93-point 2023 Bedrock Zinfandel Old Vine is blended from many of the iconic sites that go into Bedrock's single-vineyard Zins at a fraction of their price, delivering a transparent expression of rich, old-vine Zinfandel for an unbeatable value. | ||
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| 2016 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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| 2019 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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| 2010 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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| 2009 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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| 2025 Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc (750ml) | ||
| Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "This is a superb wine in any vintage." - Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate You many not know the name Kevin Judd, but you certainly know his contribution to the wine world. As the long-time winemaker at Cloudy Bay, he's done more than anyone to put New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc on the world wine map. Having long since moved on from that New Zealand icon, he's spent the past two decades or so making his absolutely brilliant Greywacke wines, which have become all-time Kiwi best-sellers in their own right. Year in, year out, the flagship Marlborough Sauv Blanc is a tremendous effort that puts the very best qualities of the category on display, and the newly arrived 2025 rendition does not disappoint, led by a resounding 94-point score from Wine Advocate. James Suckling also chimes in, calling it "A flavorful, focused and textural sauvignon blanc ... Lively and succulent, with a precise palate and a long finish." Judd's no-nonsense approach and unwavering commitment to his craft make this not only an excellent value but also a benchmark expression capable of performing at the highest level for many years to come. In other words, don't think twice and just stack it by the case. You'll be glad you did! | ||
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| 2015 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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| 2023 Patrice Rion Cote de Nuits Villages Vieilles Vignes (750ml) | ||
| Pinot Noir from Côtes de Nuits, 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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| 2021 Caparsa Chianti Classico Riserva Caparsino (750ml) | ||
| Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More We still can't believe our good fortune to have the singularly talented Paolo Cianferoni's Caparsa estate in our direct-import stable. Even more so, we still can't believe these wines are not on everyone's radar, so utterly refined, precise, and authentic are their character and substance. "Caparsa remains one of Chianti Classico's under-the- radar gems, a small estate known only to relatively small subset of wine lovers. These new releases are nothing short of captivating." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous After a recent tasting of the full range of 2021 Classicos, we fell head over heels with no hesitation, and we went all in on this spectacular trio. The 2021 Chianti Classico Caparsino kicks everything off with its pair of 95-point reviews from Decanter and Antonio Galloni, who praises it as "plush and wonderfully deep right out of the gate" making for "a Riserva of uncommon character and distinction." The Caparsino is brought up entirely in concrete tank to give it the purest Sangiovese character possible, something to be desired when the vineyards and fruit as impeccable as Caparsa's. After all, Paolo does everything the hard way, which almost always makes the best wines, and we're quite confident in saying that Caparsa is firmly among the elite producers in the region, even if their production and recognition are dwarfed by many of their larger peers. That also means that these are some of the sharpest, cellar-worthy Tuscan wines in our inventory, so you should have no doubts about going big, as they will remain absolutely thrilling expressions for years and years to come. | ||
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| 2023 Vincent Paris Cornas Granit 60 (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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| 2022 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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| 2023 Veyder-Malberg Gruner Veltliner Liebedich (750ml) | ||
| Gruner Veltliner from Wachau, Lower Austria, Austria | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Based on this showing, Veyder-Malberg is indeed as mad and as genius as they say he is." - Andrew Kitz, B-21 Austria Buyer You may not know Peter Veyder-Malberg, but among Austrian wine insiders, he's one of the most iconoclastic, not to mention talented, winemakers in the Wachau. His wines don't get nearly the wider attention that they deserve thanks to his general aversion to having them reviewed professionally (he's not a fan of tagging an arbitrary number onto his wines), so in order to get an idea of how truly special they are, you have to taste them yourself, and that's what B-21 Austria buyer Andrew Kitz recently did with the exceptional 2023s. Based in the Spitzer Graben, a narrow side valley of the Wachau with a decidedly cooler microclimate, Veyder-Malberg has been marching to the beat of his own drummer since the beginning, and the results are in a class all their own, starting with his "entry-level" Grüner Veltliner Liebedich. Sourced from many of Wachau's most prized sites, including Loibenberg and Hochrain, it's "a quintessential example of Austria’s most famous native grape in every way ... a layered, textured expression that Austrian wine fans shouldn’t miss." His true genius, however, shines in his single-vineyard wines, like the 2023 Grüner Veltliner Hochrain. Andrew describes a 95-point expression with aromas of "pure, shimmering minerality" and a palate that's "achingly elegant and precise ... a study in restrained intensity and ethereal elegance." Likewise, the 96-point 2023 Riesling Bruck is a remarkable, singular style that could only come from a winemaker like Veyder-Malberg. "Peter Veyder-Malberg’s 2023 Riesling Bruck is simply stunning. Like his other wines, it demands time, it demands proper temperature, and it demands attention. When all three conditions are met, you’re rewarded with a Riesling of absolutely beguiling delicacy, shimmering personality, and generally jaw-dropping finesse." It bears noting that these are not wines for immediate gratification. They are intellectual to say the least, and the 2023s at the moment are very primary, so patient collectors can confidently stock up knowing there is some tremendous evolution in store. If you're a fan of truly world-class Austrian wines, you need to jump on the Veyder-Malberg train without hesitation. | ||
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| 2023 Vincent Paris Cornas La Geynale (750ml) | ||
| Syrah from Cornas, Rhône, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Vincent Paris continues to craft distinctive, age-worthy Cornas, as evidenced once again during my most recent visit..." - Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous Our direct-import portfolio has taken some major steps in the past year and landed some big names, and now we can add Cornas icon Vincent Paris to that list. Thanks to some very fortuitous connections, we gained domaine-direct access to this perennial superstar producer and his benchmark wines. The outstanding 2023s have just landed in stock. Made from Paris' younger parcels on 30% slopes (and now with vines almost 30 years old), the 96-point 2023 Granit 30 exhibits fantastic signature elements of its granitic soils, as well as Paris' ultrafine winemaker's touch. "This is always the most forward and approachable of Paris's cuvées and will put a smile on your face right out of the gate," declares Dunnuck. Paris' wines are renowned for their cellar potential, but that doesn't mean you can't pop and pour the Granit 30 tonight. After all, it's "an accessible Cornas that’s packed with remarkable energy and freshness all the way through," so stocking the cellar is an easy choice. Next up, as the name suggests, the 97-point 2023 Granit 60 comes from three plots of old-vines on steep granite slopes, densely planted and low-yielding. Paris' winemaking methods are traditional yet meticulous, so he's able to showcase his prime terroir in crystal-clear fashion in each of his wines. There's tons of Cornas soul here, but the wines avoid the rustic, untamed nature that's sometimes associated with this appellation. Instead, we get ""a full-bodied 2023 that's beautifully balanced, elegant, and layered ... another smoking value from this incredibly talented vigneron." according to Dunnuck. Finally, boasting serious press from prominent voices like Suckling, Dunnuck, and Vinous among others, the 98-point 2023 Geynale is an outstanding collectible proposition that ranks with the region's elite names. This magnificent showstopper, made from the oldest vines in two of Cornas' most prized sites, is "full-bodied on the palate, with ripe tannins, the classic, wild, sauvage character of the appellation, and a great finish," while Wine Spectator declares, "Massive in scale yet achieves perfect harmony between its ripeness, texture and energy." We brought a staggering number of top-tier domaines into our direct-import fold in 2025, but Vincent Paris might just take the cake. These wines are built to age with incredible panache, so make room, stash a few away, and get ready to enjoy some of the most consistently excellent Northern Rhône Syrahs on the market. | ||
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| 2023 Veyder-Malberg Riesling Bruck (750ml) | ||
| Riesling from Wachau, Lower Austria, Austria | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Based on this showing, Veyder-Malberg is indeed as mad and as genius as they say he is." - Andrew Kitz, B-21 Austria Buyer You may not know Peter Veyder-Malberg, but among Austrian wine insiders, he's one of the most iconoclastic, not to mention talented, winemakers in the Wachau. His wines don't get nearly the wider attention that they deserve thanks to his general aversion to having them reviewed professionally (he's not a fan of tagging an arbitrary number onto his wines), so in order to get an idea of how truly special they are, you have to taste them yourself, and that's what B-21 Austria buyer Andrew Kitz recently did with the exceptional 2023s. Based in the Spitzer Graben, a narrow side valley of the Wachau with a decidedly cooler microclimate, Veyder-Malberg has been marching to the beat of his own drummer since the beginning, and the results are in a class all their own, starting with his "entry-level" Grüner Veltliner Liebedich. Sourced from many of Wachau's most prized sites, including Loibenberg and Hochrain, it's "a quintessential example of Austria’s most famous native grape in every way ... a layered, textured expression that Austrian wine fans shouldn’t miss." His true genius, however, shines in his single-vineyard wines, like the 2023 Grüner Veltliner Hochrain. Andrew describes a 95-point expression with aromas of "pure, shimmering minerality" and a palate that's "achingly elegant and precise ... a study in restrained intensity and ethereal elegance." Likewise, the 96-point 2023 Riesling Bruck is a remarkable, singular style that could only come from a winemaker like Veyder-Malberg. "Peter Veyder-Malberg’s 2023 Riesling Bruck is simply stunning. Like his other wines, it demands time, it demands proper temperature, and it demands attention. When all three conditions are met, you’re rewarded with a Riesling of absolutely beguiling delicacy, shimmering personality, and generally jaw-dropping finesse." It bears noting that these are not wines for immediate gratification. They are intellectual to say the least, and the 2023s at the moment are very primary, so patient collectors can confidently stock up knowing there is some tremendous evolution in store. If you're a fan of truly world-class Austrian wines, you need to jump on the Veyder-Malberg train without hesitation. | ||
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| 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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| 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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| Hampden Estate 8yr Single Estate Rum (750ml) | ||
| From Wakefield, Trelawney, Jamaica | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Among rum fanatics, the Hampden name instills a sense of reverence and, you might even say, joy thanks to their incredible, single-estate expressions that are known the world over. The estate's storied history as a sugar plantation and distillery dates back 265 years, but it was only in 2010 that they began aging their rums on site, and only in 2018 that they began bottling under their own label. In that brief span of time, the estate's official bottlings have become some of the most coveted and desired in the rum scene. Although we've endured a bit of a Hampden absence for a while, the brand is back in action at B-21 with its two most beloved releases, the 8 Year Old Single Estate and the HLCF Classic Pure Single Estate. The 8 Year's widely recognized green label is a symbol of excellence to Jamaican rum fans everywhere, as the light ester OWH marque is a perfect introduction to Jamaican rum category, offering a classic profile that isn't overwhelmingly funky or industrial with esters at just 40-60 g/HLPA . Still, the 8 Year is "loaded with aromatic and flavor complexity" according to B-21 Spirits Buyer Andrew Kitz. The intensely fruity nose is accented with numerous secondary nuances, while the palate offers just enough for funk fans to smile about without turning away the novice taster who's taking their first foray into Jamaican rum. As Andrew notes, it's "one of the iconic Jamaican rums that made me a fully converted rum fanatic, [and] it’s every bit as compelling as it’s always been." Taking things in a completely different direction, the HLCF Classic shows Hampden's higher-ester chops in all their glory. At 400-600 g/HLPA, it offers "the quintessential counterpart to the 8 Year’s relatively lighter, gentler personality." As the Beverage Testing Institute declares in their 97-point review, "this is not for the faint of heart or amateur imbiber, but hot damn is this delicious and complex; would happily sit with a bottle all day." A big industrial funk character is the foundation of the profile, offering "stunning complexity" on the nose and a deeply resonant, multi-dimensional palate. As Andrew notes, "those who appreciate the style will absolutely go head over heels for it." Jamaican rum is a category unto itself, and Hampden occupies a very special place in that sphere, so when we say these are must-have expressions for any fan of the category, we surely mean it. | ||
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| Hampden Estate HLCF Classic Rum (750ml) | ||
| From Wakefield, Trelawney, Jamaica | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Among rum fanatics, the Hampden name instills a sense of reverence and, you might even say, joy thanks to their incredible, single-estate expressions that are known the world over. The estate's storied history as a sugar plantation and distillery dates back 265 years, but it was only in 2010 that they began aging their rums on site, and only in 2018 that they began bottling under their own label. In that brief span of time, the estate's official bottlings have become some of the most coveted and desired in the rum scene. Although we've endured a bit of a Hampden absence for a while, the brand is back in action at B-21 with its two most beloved releases, the 8 Year Old Single Estate and the HLCF Classic Pure Single Estate. The 8 Year's widely recognized green label is a symbol of excellence to Jamaican rum fans everywhere, as the light ester OWH marque is a perfect introduction to Jamaican rum category, offering a classic profile that isn't overwhelmingly funky or industrial with esters at just 40-60 g/HLPA . Still, the 8 Year is "loaded with aromatic and flavor complexity" according to B-21 Spirits Buyer Andrew Kitz. The intensely fruity nose is accented with numerous secondary nuances, while the palate offers just enough for funk fans to smile about without turning away the novice taster who's taking their first foray into Jamaican rum. As Andrew notes, it's "one of the iconic Jamaican rums that made me a fully converted rum fanatic, [and] it’s every bit as compelling as it’s always been." Taking things in a completely different direction, the HLCF Classic shows Hampden's higher-ester chops in all their glory. At 400-600 g/HLPA, it offers "the quintessential counterpart to the 8 Year’s relatively lighter, gentler personality." As the Beverage Testing Institute declares in their 97-point review, "this is not for the faint of heart or amateur imbiber, but hot damn is this delicious and complex; would happily sit with a bottle all day." A big industrial funk character is the foundation of the profile, offering "stunning complexity" on the nose and a deeply resonant, multi-dimensional palate. As Andrew notes, "those who appreciate the style will absolutely go head over heels for it." Jamaican rum is a category unto itself, and Hampden occupies a very special place in that sphere, so when we say these are must-have expressions for any fan of the category, we surely mean it. | ||
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| 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 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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| 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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| 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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| 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 Patrice Rion Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Charmes (1.5L) | ||
| Pinot Noir from Chambolle-Musigny, Burgundy, France | ||
|
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 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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