There are Grandes Marques, "Mini-Marques," and then there are the TRULY grande marques. Bollinger is so grande (so important) that the most famous quotes on Champagne are attributed to its most endearing owner. Lily Bollinger was not only the most important character in the story of Bollinger, she remains its most charismatic.

The technical side of Bollinger – the unmatched level of investment in every bottle produced – is every bit as important as Lily's story. Stepping into the cellars of Bollinger will take your breath away. Imagine the greatest collection of Champagne you could ever hope to personally witness in one place. Imagine magnums of the most pristine, Grand Cru Champagne – bottled under cork – resting there before your eyes. How many bottles would it take for you to think, "Holy bubbles, Batman, that's a LOT of Champagne?"

In the cellars of Bollinger rests 600,000 magnums (100,000 cases) of Champagne reserves. It is this massive – truly mind-boggling – stash of reserves which contributes to the unmatched quality and consistency of the Bollinger Special Cuvée. The master blending performed which results in the richness, the depth and full body we love in Bollinger includes 50% of these reserve wines, some of which are up to 15 years of age. This Bollinger Special Cuvée you're buying today contains a healthy percentage of reserve wine from the vintage of 2000.

Moreover, in keeping with the historical Bollinger tradition and winemaking style – the style Lily championed across Europe – the Special Cuvée is vinified in seasoned oak barrels of varying size, shape and age. This barrel vinification is followed by another three years of aging on the fine lees, a process absolutely unmatched across the region. It's a time-consuming, laborious, expensive process that's driven by passion; as only Lily Bollinger would have had it.

Lily took over the estate upon her husband's passing in 1941 and is celebrated for greatly expanding the estate's vineyard holdings as well as the soaring popularity during her time as director and beyond. Recalling her arrival to London to declare her 1955 vintage, a reporter made public Lily Bollinger's reply when asked how much she enjoyed her own product. I think of it every day, or least every day I have a bottle of Bollinger:

"I drink my Champagne when I'm happy and when I'm sad. Sometimes I drink it when I'm alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I'm not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise I never touch it - unless I'm thirsty."
–Elizabeth "Lily" Law de Lauriston-Boubers Bollinger

One of the finest Bollinger Special Cuvée bottlings to date, with my price making it that much finer.

"An expression of terroir in a glass..." - Decanter

Described as "an Argentine winemaker with rock star appeal" by the Wine Enthusiast's Michael Schachner, the remarkably talented 100 pt. winemaker Marcelo Pelleriti is at the forefront of crafting vineyard-driven Malbec in the Uco Valley, his blockbuster 96 pt. 2021 Marcelo Pelleriti Heritage Terroir Expressions Hostage revealing fragrant, concentrated dark fruit with refined, silky tannins on a long, mineral finish, boasting the complexity of old vine Malbec to enjoy over the next decade at a remarkable value price.

Located southwest of the City of Mendoza, Argentina's Uco Valley has enjoyed a rise in popularity among wine travelers over the last two decades, its stunning scenery framed by the snowcapped Andes Mountains home to a new wave of high-end luxury wine resorts earning it the title "Argentina's Napa Valley" from critic Tim Atkin. Boasting a diverse range of high altitude terroirs inspiring a new movement towards "wines with an authentic sense of place" according to Vinous critic Joaquin Hidalgo, Uco Valley native Marcelo Pelleriti has been a pioneer of vineyard driven wines in the region for nearly two decades, gaining international recognition as the first Argentinian-born winemaker to garner a perfect Parker score for his 100 pt. 2010 Chateau La Violette Bordeaux and establishing his personal label Mendoza winery on his family's 110-year-old farm in La Consulta in 2007. Forming a collaborative partnership with Miguel Priore to craft terroir expressive Grand Cru wines from the region's old vine Malbec, Marcelo sourced the 2021 Heritage Terroir Expressions Hostage cuvee from the Altamira vineyard situated at 1,100 meters above sea level, planted with pre-phylloxera Malbec vines over 60 years of age in a rugged terrain of rocky alluvial soils that produce intensely concentrated, tiny thick-skinned berries and naming the cuvee for being "held hostage" by the vineyard's alluring old vine Malbec. Fermenting the hand harvested grapes with native yeasts in stainless steel, the refined 2021 Marcelo Pelleriti Heritage Terroir Expressions Hostage Malbec was aged for 12 months in French oak barrels and 12 months longer in bottle, revealing a harmonious, beautifully balanced Malbec described as "supple, smooth and polished" by critic Tim Atkin with a fresh solid core of fruit boasting distinct minerality on a backbone of ripe, polished tannins.

Among "the most dynamic winemakers in Argentina" according to James Suckling, the impressive 96 pt. 2021 Marcelo Pelleriti Heritage Terroir Expressions Hostage Malbec showcases Marcelo's remarkable expertise for transparently expressing the distinctive Uco Valley terroir, a thrilling old vine Malbec at an unheard of price worthy of stocking the cellar to enjoy over the next decade.

"A serious wine in the making."

Jeb Dunnuck

From the pioneering winery on Napa's iconic Pritchard Hill, the bold and luscious 96 pt. 2021 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Signature features rich, aromatic dark fruit hinting of graphite and cedar layered with velvety tannins on a smooth and lasting finish, its age worthy complexity reflecting Chappellet's decades' long legacy as Cabernet Sauvignon experts and "a smoking good value" according to Jeb Dunnuck at a best on the market price.

Climbing the rocky slope above the intersection of the Silverado Trail and the Oakville Cross Road, the narrow drive winding up Pritchard Hill leads to the original pyramid shaped Chappellet winery built in 1968, surrounded by rustic gardens and meticulous vineyards with panoramic views of the valley and St. Helena off in the distance. Moving to Napa in the mid-1960's, Molly and Donn Chappellet heeded the advice of legendary winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff and purchased 320 acres in the rugged hills east of Oakville instead of the valley floor, establishing the first winery to plant at higher elevations in the region just a year after Robert Mondavi Winery opened its doors. Remaining one of the few family-owned wineries in Napa and now run by the second generation, Chappellet's estate vineyards are located above the fog line at elevations from 800 to 1800 feet, planted in well drained, rocky volcanic soils with low yielding vines that produce smaller, thick skinned berries with enhanced flavors and depth. Blending mostly mountain grown Cabernet Sauvignon with small amounts of Petit Verdot, Malbec and Merlot, longtime winemaker Phillip Corallo-Titus aged the elegant 2021 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Signature in French oak for about 20 months, yielding richly concentrated, vibrant fruit and integrated polished tannins poised to gain complexity over the next few decades.

Now home to a bevy of some of Napa's most exclusive producers including Bryant Family, Continuum, Ovid and Colgin, the sensational 96 pt. 2021 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Signature remains an incredible value, "a big overachiever" according to Vinous critic Antonio Galloni and a top rated Napa Cab boasting the pedigree of Pritchard Hill at a fraction of the price of its high profile neighbors and promising Napa Cab lovers years of pleasurable drinking ahead.

"Sweetly spiced and creamy yet with a vibrant core..." - James Suckling

Few producers in California display such consistent quality up and down their range as Paso Robles' Daou Vineyards. Their top-end collectibles routinely pull in massive scores, but at the same time, their entry-level offerings are some of the best in the game, as we see in today's sub-$20, 94-point gem of a Chardonnay. Sourced exclusively from old-vine parcels in Edna Valley, the 2023 Reserve is a pure example of the best features of California Chardonnay, marrying ripeness with balance, which results in a profile with serious appeal to a wide audience. Sure, there are plenty of sub-$20 Chardonnay options out there, but only a select few can match the pedigree and style of this must-try beauty from a true Paso Robles icon.

"Really impressive already, with more to come; the star buy from this year’s collection." - Decanter

There's not much we can or need to say about Penfolds' latest iteration of their smash-hit, best-selling Shiraz. The 2023 Bin 28 picks up right where all the previous vintages left off with a sterling critical line that includes stout praise from all corners. This wine is always a quintessential expression of Aussie Shiraz, thanks to Penfolds' complete mastery of their vineyards and winemaking. As always, everything is so impeccably balanced and composed that it's still a shock how good the Bin 28 is when you consider its sub-$25 price. All the components work in such harmony that it's easy to lose sight of what a value it is, to the point where it's not just delicious now, but it will also cruise for a long time in the cellar. When was the last time you spent $25 on a wine you'll still be enjoying ten or 15 years from now? Exactly. So make some room in the cellar and load up, because the 2023 Bin 28 is a hit for fans of Penfolds and any great Australian Shiraz.

We just landed a newly arrived parcel of a frontrunner for wine of the vintage in 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape at must-see pricing. Paul-Vincent Avril sets the bar for classic, age-worthy style year after year, and the 2022 Clos des Papes is another entry in the pantheon of legendary wines to emerge from this storied address.

"The 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is showing beautifully, with the sun-kissed style of the vintage yet more depth and density than most ... It's one of the wines of the vintage and will have two decades of longevity." - Jeb Dunnuck

The 24 different parcels that comprise the wine are located in a diverse range of terroirs, from the rocky La Crau to areas of sand, limestone, and gravel, giving Avril the ability to maintain a consistency of style and quality that few in the region can match, while also mitigating any difficulties the growing season may bring. The 2022 is everything collectors expect from this benchmark icon, with critics across the board hailing its long-haul pedigree and perfectly composed profile. Best of all, our razor-sharp, market-leading pricing allows you to stock the cellar with confidence.

The López de Heredia new releases are always some of the anticipated of the year, and kicking off this round, we have the standard bearer for Crianza Rioja, from a stellar vintage to boot.

"The super bargain of the [Lopez] portfolio..." - Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate

Following on the success of the previous vintage, the 2017 Cubillo is yet again a rock-solid performer in its category. The vineyard itself is a true gem, capable of producing at the Gran Reserva level, but winemaker Mercedes López de Heredia insists on making the Crianza because it's just that important to their entire range. The 2017 vintage was not without its challenges, but in the end it produced a "Smooth, juicy and slightly chalky" expression that "retains the fine-boned elegance of the Cubillo style." In other words, it's a prime example of LdH's traditional Rioja pedigree, and our razor-sharp price offers you the opportunity to stock up big, so you can enjoy this best-in-class overachiever time and time again for years to come.

"It's tough to beat unadulterated Macallan in first-fill oloroso, especially at this price." - Andrew Kitz, B-21 Spirits Buyer

Single malt fans know that demand for Speyside's most famous distillery has hit such a fever pitch that prices have long since gone off the rails on official distillery bottlings, but thanks to top-tier independent bottlers like Signatory, we can still get our hands on some fan-favorite expressions that won't break the bank. Unfortunately, they don't tend to last long. Our offer late last year on the 2011 Speyside (M) 13 Year Old sold out in one day. Now that same juice is a year older and a year wiser, so it's a safe bet this 14 Year Old will see much the same reaction from our savvy single-malt fans.

The Speyside (M) made a name for itself a few years ago when it could still bear the Macallan name on the label, and even though we get the cryptic yet not-so-secret "M" designation nowadays, we're still getting that unmistakable Macallan character. All the more, Signatory bottles this release at 100 proof with no adulteration in the form of filtration or additives, so it's just pure Macallan and pure Speyside all the way. "It’s as pure an expression of the distillery as you’ll find," notes Andrew. Indeed, when you consider the specs, it's hard to argue. And when you factor in the price, it's a no-brainer for any avid Speyside fan, of Macallan or anything else.

"Their specialty is working with the Godello grape, which may well be Spain’s finest indigenous white grape ... Avancia is certainly the top producer of this intriguing and delicious dry white." - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate

Godello is the emblematic white grape of Spain, and the Valdeorras D.O. is emblematic of Godello. Jorge Ordoñez' Bodegas Avancia has been a standard bearer for Godello for years, and their Old Vine bottling is a consistent benchmark vintage after vintage. Sourced from head-trained, dry-farmed vines approaching 40 years of age on slate and quartz soils, resulting in a wine of serious depth and age-worthy concentration. The 2024 carries on this cuvée's sterling track record with a 94-point review from Vinous for its "pure, direct expression" of Godello. "Intense, with good freshness and weight," it's built to be a lasting rendition that will set the bar for Spanish whites in its price tier.

"This is a textbook definition of varietal purity. I can't think of anyone doing Vermentino as well as Capichera." - Andrew Kitz, B-21 Wine Buyer

It seems Italy's white wine scene is getting better and better with each vintage, and you can now add the 93-point 2025 Capichera Vermentino Lintori to the list of the country's benchmark, native-grape expressions. Arguably the finest estate in Sardinia's Gallura DOCG.

The recent acquisition of the estate by Italian wine entrepreneur Carlo Campanini Bonomi has ensured that this iconic property not only remains a standard-bearer for the island, but that it takes its game to next level by staying true to its singular terroir. Bonomi considers the property to be one of great heritage, and it's his responsibility to carry that heritage forward. To that end, his extensive investments since his purchase are now paying off big time, as we clearly see in this riveting value performer. Harvested entirely from estate vineyards, the Lintori is quintessential Vermentino, with an intense mineral backbone balanced by full weight and texture. "I’m sold," declares Andrew, "one of Italy’s best values in white wine."

The original vision of Capichera's founder is on full display in this latest rendition under the estate's new ownership - to produce the finest expressions of an Italian winemaking tradition that dates back a thousand years, and to position the estate as its global ambassador. Based on the 2025 Lintori, we'd say they're succeeding with flying colors.

As the original garagiste winemaker who basically started the trend, Jean-Luc Thunevin has fashioned himself as arguably the most controversial figure in Bordeaux over the past 20 years, but his track record is simply undeniable. One monster score after another, vintage after vintage, his Valandraud wines prove his mettle as a one of the great talents on the Right Bank.

His style is unabashedly modern, which suits this quartet of vintages perfectly, so it's no surprise to see high-90s press across the board, but apex of the set is the 100-point 2022, which Jeb Dunnuck declares "another heavenly wine and pure perfection." With power and intensity beyond measure, it still retains a sense of polish and focus even in a powerhouse vintage like 2022. As Antonio Galloni attests, "The 2022 deftly balances opulence and finesse in grand style," a testament to Thunevin's singular winemaking skill. The 2020 is no shrinking violet either, flirting with perfection and "one of the wines of the vintage" according to Dunnuck, while the 2019 is a "sensational" wine, "stunning in its delineation and with sheer energy, [it's] a towering wine that captures all the best the vintage has to offer." Finally, the powerhouse 2018 grand vin is "a wine of tremendous stature that distinguishes itself in a vintage peppered with stunning wines," as noted by Galloni.

This micro-parcel presents a can't-miss opportunity for serious collectors to add four undeniable blue-chips to the cellar at some of the sharpest pricing in the market, but our quantities are very limited, so don't hesitate to lock in your supply now.

"These aged Takamines are singular whiskies that showcase the full potential of the style. Uniquely Japanese and simply delicious, they're worth every penny." - Andrew Kitz, B-21 Spirits Buyer

You may not know the name Jokichi Takamine, but you certainly know some of his most important contributions to American life. As a highly esteemed Japanese chemist working in the U.S. in the early 20th century, he discovered the adrenaline hormone in humans and developed the anti-inflammatory epinephrine. So if you have a bee, peanut, shellfish, or other random allergy, thank Dr. Takamine. If you've ever visited the spring marvel that is the cherry blossoms on Washington, DC's Tidal Basin, you can also thank Dr. Takamine. He was instrumental in brokering the gift from the mayor of Tokyo to the District of Columbia. Without him that annual spectacle wouldn't exist. But most importantly to the whiskey world, Dr. Takamine discovered that the traditional koji mold so widely used in sake fermentation could also be used to great effect in barley fermentation, laying the foundation of what is now the koji whiskey category.

While Dr. Takamine's whiskey ventures never took off in the U.S. for a variety of reasons both commercial and regulatory, he took the method back to Japan, where it wasn't until nearly 100 years later that Shinozaki distillery started experimenting with it, producing the first modern, commercially viable koji whiskeys. Naming the brand after Dr. Takamine in honor of his vision, they've now releasing micro-batches of some of the very first koji whiskeys laid down at the distillery, in a variety of age statements to celebrate the growth of the category.

The Takamine 20 Year Old is a blend of four early experimental casks from 2003 and 2004, showing the multi-dimensional personality of the spirit as it starts to reach its true full maturity. The Takamine 26 Year Old, a world apart from the 20 Year Old from just six more years aging, is the last parcel of the very first experimental casks laid down in 1998. A true rarity and singular whiskey, only 600 bottles were filled and released for the entire global market, making it a collectible gem of the highest order.

"One of the overachievers of the vintage for a regional Barolo and a strong contender for top of the year lists..." - Audrey Frick, JebDunnuck.com

The historic Luigi Einaudi estate is a bastion of classic Barolo wines, but the personal history of its founder is even more impressive. Luigi Einaudi was born a peasant, but his gifted intellect and unmatched work ethic would see him rise to become one of the most influential figures in all of Italy during the 20th century. While most Americans know his name from his eponymous wine estate, Einaudi also became a prominent economist, eventually rising to the head of the Banca d'Italia, and finally becoming the first democratically elected President of the Republic of Italy. Against this backdrop of this personality, the wine's might seem like an afterthought, but his winery was indeed Einaudi's true lifelong passion. His visionary work in the vines dates back to 1915, when he was one of the first to graft vines to American rootstock, thus saving his vineyards from phylloxera. It was shortly thereafter that he decided to make and bottle his own wines, and now four generations later, his great-grandson Matteo Sardagna is leading the estate into the 21st century with his own forward thinking processes and methods.

The single-cru Barolos are indeed benchmarks in 2021, but the entry-level 2021 Barolo Ludo is one of the vintage's sharpest steals at under $40. The estate's ethereal style shines in the impeccable 2021 vintage, and the fruit from vineyards in Barolo, La Morra, and Verduno shines with outstanding clarity. "A sleek, elegant red, silky in texture and linear in profile," notes Bruce Sanderson of Wine Spectator, "This wine's purity and structure show the potential of the vintage." It's also one of those sweet spot expressions that will provide a textbook introduction for those new to the region, while still checking every box that seasoned aficionados look for in a classically styled Barolo.

"The estate, led by Sébastien Branger, has a reputation for producing classic wines with a crystal-clear and pure style." - Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate

Any knowledgeable insider knows that Muscadet is one of the most consistently excellent categories for overperforming white wine values. In fact, we can't think of anywhere in the world that delivers more bang for the cellar-worthy buck than here. And these days, the region is really leaning into its diverse terroirs and their myriad expressions, while the top growers are pursuing quality with the same passion and steadfastness as the best domaines from anywhere else in France. The Branger domaine, founded during World War I, is a reference-point for Muscadet's classic heart and soul.

The Brangers own and farm vines in Muscadet's most important communes, and it's their plots in the "grand cru" village of Monnières-St Fiacre that form their top-tier bottling, Les Gras Moutons, made from shallow, amphibolite soils. The wine doesn't bear the commune name on the label because Sébastien chooses not to age sur lie long enough to meet the appellation minimum, but this 94-point 2022 beauty is "a great bottle of Muscadet in the making!" The vines date back to 1936, so the concentration, intensity, and soil signature are textbook, and given the reticent primary character right now, it's set to age beautifully for another ten to fifteen years (how's that for a $20 wine?!). The "understudy" to Les Gras Mouton is the 92-point 2023 Les Fils de Mouton, which Castaing declares "deserves recognition as one of the top values in the region." The younger vines (44 years old) around the village of Maisdon-sur-Sèvre grow on metamorphic gneiss, mica, and schist, produce "a lovely and classic bottle of top flight Muscadet" that far outpaces its sub-$15 price point. In fact, you can (and perhaps should) lay this down for a years as well, to give it the chance to fully develop. Of course, at this price, you can load up and enjoy it whenever you want.

Needless to say, we're fully on board the Muscadet train, and the ride is only getting better as we add more outstanding domaines like Branger to the fold. It's a great time to be a Loire lover. That's for sure.

"Delivering terrific balance and poise, this wine represents a confident and successful effort from one of Bolgheri’s founding winemakers." - Monica Larner, Wine Advocate

The pioneering Michele Satta founded his eponymous estate in 1980, and in doing so, he set the wheels in motion for the creation of what is now one of Italy's most famous hotbeds for collectible wine. Based in Bolgheri, Satta's estate excels at the Super Tuscan style, using classic Bordeaux varietals to craft wines of serious class and distinction. The Cabernet Sauvignon-based Piastraia quickly became a gangbusters best-seller at B-21 with the outstanding 2021 vintage, followed by the equally prodigious 2022. Now, we're thrilled to present the 97-point 2023 Piastraia at unbeatable, sub-$50 pricing.

These days, Michele is gradually taking a more hands-off role and handing over principal winemaking duties to his son, Giacomo. Where Michele's style was always focused on ethereal finesse and elegance, Giacomo has opted to bolster the wines' personalities with a bit more concentration and structure, so they are now undeniable cellar candidates to contend with the best of Bolgheri. The 2023 Piastraia is the first vintage in which Giacomo has excluded Sangiovese, and the wine shows its more Bordeaux-oriented characteristics in its "brooding aromatic profile" and "well-integrated structure." Still, it also shows its cards in beautiful fashion now, eminently accessible yet poised to evolve in fine form over many years. In short, it's another signature expression from one of our own favorite Super Tuscan producers and an undisputed icon of the category.

As the original garagiste winemaker who basically started the trend, Jean-Luc Thunevin has fashioned himself as arguably the most controversial figure in Bordeaux over the past 20 years, but his track record is simply undeniable. One monster score after another, vintage after vintage, his Valandraud wines prove his mettle as a one of the great talents on the Right Bank.

His style is unabashedly modern, which suits this quartet of vintages perfectly, so it's no surprise to see high-90s press across the board, but apex of the set is the 100-point 2022, which Jeb Dunnuck declares "another heavenly wine and pure perfection." With power and intensity beyond measure, it still retains a sense of polish and focus even in a powerhouse vintage like 2022. As Antonio Galloni attests, "The 2022 deftly balances opulence and finesse in grand style," a testament to Thunevin's singular winemaking skill. The 2020 is no shrinking violet either, flirting with perfection and "one of the wines of the vintage" according to Dunnuck, while the 2019 is a "sensational" wine, "stunning in its delineation and with sheer energy, [it's] a towering wine that captures all the best the vintage has to offer." Finally, the powerhouse 2018 grand vin is "a wine of tremendous stature that distinguishes itself in a vintage peppered with stunning wines," as noted by Galloni.

This micro-parcel presents a can't-miss opportunity for serious collectors to add four undeniable blue-chips to the cellar at some of the sharpest pricing in the market, but our quantities are very limited, so don't hesitate to lock in your supply now.

We just landed a newly arrived parcel of a frontrunner for wine of the vintage in 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape at must-see pricing. Paul-Vincent Avril sets the bar for classic, age-worthy style year after year, and the 2022 Clos des Papes is another entry in the pantheon of legendary wines to emerge from this storied address.

"The 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is showing beautifully, with the sun-kissed style of the vintage yet more depth and density than most ... It's one of the wines of the vintage and will have two decades of longevity." - Jeb Dunnuck

The 24 different parcels that comprise the wine are located in a diverse range of terroirs, from the rocky La Crau to areas of sand, limestone, and gravel, giving Avril the ability to maintain a consistency of style and quality that few in the region can match, while also mitigating any difficulties the growing season may bring. The 2022 is everything collectors expect from this benchmark icon, with critics across the board hailing its long-haul pedigree and perfectly composed profile. Best of all, our razor-sharp, market-leading pricing allows you to stock the cellar with confidence.

"The estate, led by Sébastien Branger, has a reputation for producing classic wines with a crystal-clear and pure style." - Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate

Any knowledgeable insider knows that Muscadet is one of the most consistently excellent categories for overperforming white wine values. In fact, we can't think of anywhere in the world that delivers more bang for the cellar-worthy buck than here. And these days, the region is really leaning into its diverse terroirs and their myriad expressions, while the top growers are pursuing quality with the same passion and steadfastness as the best domaines from anywhere else in France. The Branger domaine, founded during World War I, is a reference-point for Muscadet's classic heart and soul.

The Brangers own and farm vines in Muscadet's most important communes, and it's their plots in the "grand cru" village of Monnières-St Fiacre that form their top-tier bottling, Les Gras Moutons, made from shallow, amphibolite soils. The wine doesn't bear the commune name on the label because Sébastien chooses not to age sur lie long enough to meet the appellation minimum, but this 94-point 2022 beauty is "a great bottle of Muscadet in the making!" The vines date back to 1936, so the concentration, intensity, and soil signature are textbook, and given the reticent primary character right now, it's set to age beautifully for another ten to fifteen years (how's that for a $20 wine?!). The "understudy" to Les Gras Mouton is the 92-point 2023 Les Fils de Mouton, which Castaing declares "deserves recognition as one of the top values in the region." The younger vines (44 years old) around the village of Maisdon-sur-Sèvre grow on metamorphic gneiss, mica, and schist, produce "a lovely and classic bottle of top flight Muscadet" that far outpaces its sub-$15 price point. In fact, you can (and perhaps should) lay this down for a years as well, to give it the chance to fully develop. Of course, at this price, you can load up and enjoy it whenever you want.

Needless to say, we're fully on board the Muscadet train, and the ride is only getting better as we add more outstanding domaines like Branger to the fold. It's a great time to be a Loire lover. That's for sure.

As the original garagiste winemaker who basically started the trend, Jean-Luc Thunevin has fashioned himself as arguably the most controversial figure in Bordeaux over the past 20 years, but his track record is simply undeniable. One monster score after another, vintage after vintage, his Valandraud wines prove his mettle as a one of the great talents on the Right Bank.

His style is unabashedly modern, which suits this quartet of vintages perfectly, so it's no surprise to see high-90s press across the board, but apex of the set is the 100-point 2022, which Jeb Dunnuck declares "another heavenly wine and pure perfection." With power and intensity beyond measure, it still retains a sense of polish and focus even in a powerhouse vintage like 2022. As Antonio Galloni attests, "The 2022 deftly balances opulence and finesse in grand style," a testament to Thunevin's singular winemaking skill. The 2020 is no shrinking violet either, flirting with perfection and "one of the wines of the vintage" according to Dunnuck, while the 2019 is a "sensational" wine, "stunning in its delineation and with sheer energy, [it's] a towering wine that captures all the best the vintage has to offer." Finally, the powerhouse 2018 grand vin is "a wine of tremendous stature that distinguishes itself in a vintage peppered with stunning wines," as noted by Galloni.

This micro-parcel presents a can't-miss opportunity for serious collectors to add four undeniable blue-chips to the cellar at some of the sharpest pricing in the market, but our quantities are very limited, so don't hesitate to lock in your supply now.

As the original garagiste winemaker who basically started the trend, Jean-Luc Thunevin has fashioned himself as arguably the most controversial figure in Bordeaux over the past 20 years, but his track record is simply undeniable. One monster score after another, vintage after vintage, his Valandraud wines prove his mettle as a one of the great talents on the Right Bank.

His style is unabashedly modern, which suits this quartet of vintages perfectly, so it's no surprise to see high-90s press across the board, but apex of the set is the 100-point 2022, which Jeb Dunnuck declares "another heavenly wine and pure perfection." With power and intensity beyond measure, it still retains a sense of polish and focus even in a powerhouse vintage like 2022. As Antonio Galloni attests, "The 2022 deftly balances opulence and finesse in grand style," a testament to Thunevin's singular winemaking skill. The 2020 is no shrinking violet either, flirting with perfection and "one of the wines of the vintage" according to Dunnuck, while the 2019 is a "sensational" wine, "stunning in its delineation and with sheer energy, [it's] a towering wine that captures all the best the vintage has to offer." Finally, the powerhouse 2018 grand vin is "a wine of tremendous stature that distinguishes itself in a vintage peppered with stunning wines," as noted by Galloni.

This micro-parcel presents a can't-miss opportunity for serious collectors to add four undeniable blue-chips to the cellar at some of the sharpest pricing in the market, but our quantities are very limited, so don't hesitate to lock in your supply now.

We just landed a newly arrived parcel of a frontrunner for wine of the vintage in 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape at must-see pricing. Paul-Vincent Avril sets the bar for classic, age-worthy style year after year, and the 2022 Clos des Papes is another entry in the pantheon of legendary wines to emerge from this storied address.

"The 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is showing beautifully, with the sun-kissed style of the vintage yet more depth and density than most ... It's one of the wines of the vintage and will have two decades of longevity." - Jeb Dunnuck

The 24 different parcels that comprise the wine are located in a diverse range of terroirs, from the rocky La Crau to areas of sand, limestone, and gravel, giving Avril the ability to maintain a consistency of style and quality that few in the region can match, while also mitigating any difficulties the growing season may bring. The 2022 is everything collectors expect from this benchmark icon, with critics across the board hailing its long-haul pedigree and perfectly composed profile. Best of all, our razor-sharp, market-leading pricing allows you to stock the cellar with confidence.

We've been working with the wines of Sébastien Dampt for a few vintages now, and the scion of one of Chablis' most prominent winemakers has found a strong following among our long-time Burgundy aficionados. After all, Sébastien is a staunch adherent to the "no oak" style, à la Louis Michel, and his wines reflect the kind of terroir purity that fetches a high premium from hardcore fans of classic, "old school" Chablis.

The 91-point 2024 Vaillons 1er Cru exhibits this style beautifully – understated when it needs to be while giving up just the right level of approachability to be enjoyable right out of the gate. With "excellent balance" and "rich and relatively generous" flavors, this 1er Cru is superb value for in a classically cool Chablis vintage. The "super-sleek, intense" village bottling is itself a real value champ too, notching Outstanding and Top Value designations from Burghound.

Working directly with the domaine, we were able to source a parcel at a by-far market-best price, so our savvy B-21 Burgundy fans can jump on a true exponent of pure Chablis terroir for a downright steal.

"These aged Takamines are singular whiskies that showcase the full potential of the style. Uniquely Japanese and simply delicious, they're worth every penny." - Andrew Kitz, B-21 Spirits Buyer

You may not know the name Jokichi Takamine, but you certainly know some of his most important contributions to American life. As a highly esteemed Japanese chemist working in the U.S. in the early 20th century, he discovered the adrenaline hormone in humans and developed the anti-inflammatory epinephrine. So if you have a bee, peanut, shellfish, or other random allergy, thank Dr. Takamine. If you've ever visited the spring marvel that is the cherry blossoms on Washington, DC's Tidal Basin, you can also thank Dr. Takamine. He was instrumental in brokering the gift from the mayor of Tokyo to the District of Columbia. Without him that annual spectacle wouldn't exist. But most importantly to the whiskey world, Dr. Takamine discovered that the traditional koji mold so widely used in sake fermentation could also be used to great effect in barley fermentation, laying the foundation of what is now the koji whiskey category.

While Dr. Takamine's whiskey ventures never took off in the U.S. for a variety of reasons both commercial and regulatory, he took the method back to Japan, where it wasn't until nearly 100 years later that Shinozaki distillery started experimenting with it, producing the first modern, commercially viable koji whiskeys. Naming the brand after Dr. Takamine in honor of his vision, they've now releasing micro-batches of some of the very first koji whiskeys laid down at the distillery, in a variety of age statements to celebrate the growth of the category.

The Takamine 20 Year Old is a blend of four early experimental casks from 2003 and 2004, showing the multi-dimensional personality of the spirit as it starts to reach its true full maturity. The Takamine 26 Year Old, a world apart from the 20 Year Old from just six more years aging, is the last parcel of the very first experimental casks laid down in 1998. A true rarity and singular whiskey, only 600 bottles were filled and released for the entire global market, making it a collectible gem of the highest order.

We've been working with the wines of Sébastien Dampt for a few vintages now, and the scion of one of Chablis' most prominent winemakers has found a strong following among our long-time Burgundy aficionados. After all, Sébastien is a staunch adherent to the "no oak" style, à la Louis Michel, and his wines reflect the kind of terroir purity that fetches a high premium from hardcore fans of classic, "old school" Chablis.

The 91-point 2024 Vaillons 1er Cru exhibits this style beautifully – understated when it needs to be while giving up just the right level of approachability to be enjoyable right out of the gate. With "excellent balance" and "rich and relatively generous" flavors, this 1er Cru is superb value for in a classically cool Chablis vintage. The "super-sleek, intense" village bottling is itself a real value champ too, notching Outstanding and Top Value designations from Burghound.

Working directly with the domaine, we were able to source a parcel at a by-far market-best price, so our savvy B-21 Burgundy fans can jump on a true exponent of pure Chablis terroir for a downright steal.

"These aged Takamines are singular whiskies that showcase the full potential of the style. Uniquely Japanese and simply delicious, they're worth every penny." - Andrew Kitz, B-21 Spirits Buyer

You may not know the name Jokichi Takamine, but you certainly know some of his most important contributions to American life. As a highly esteemed Japanese chemist working in the U.S. in the early 20th century, he discovered the adrenaline hormone in humans and developed the anti-inflammatory epinephrine. So if you have a bee, peanut, shellfish, or other random allergy, thank Dr. Takamine. If you've ever visited the spring marvel that is the cherry blossoms on Washington, DC's Tidal Basin, you can also thank Dr. Takamine. He was instrumental in brokering the gift from the mayor of Tokyo to the District of Columbia. Without him that annual spectacle wouldn't exist. But most importantly to the whiskey world, Dr. Takamine discovered that the traditional koji mold so widely used in sake fermentation could also be used to great effect in barley fermentation, laying the foundation of what is now the koji whiskey category.

While Dr. Takamine's whiskey ventures never took off in the U.S. for a variety of reasons both commercial and regulatory, he took the method back to Japan, where it wasn't until nearly 100 years later that Shinozaki distillery started experimenting with it, producing the first modern, commercially viable koji whiskeys. Naming the brand after Dr. Takamine in honor of his vision, they've now releasing micro-batches of some of the very first koji whiskeys laid down at the distillery, in a variety of age statements to celebrate the growth of the category.

The Takamine 20 Year Old is a blend of four early experimental casks from 2003 and 2004, showing the multi-dimensional personality of the spirit as it starts to reach its true full maturity. The Takamine 26 Year Old, a world apart from the 20 Year Old from just six more years aging, is the last parcel of the very first experimental casks laid down in 1998. A true rarity and singular whiskey, only 600 bottles were filled and released for the entire global market, making it a collectible gem of the highest order.