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| 2022 The Calling Chardonnay Dutton Ranch Vineyard (750ml) | ||
| Chardonnay from Russian River, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More With the market in California's premium wine regions on an ever-upward trajectory, it's rare to come across an artisan offering for under $25, but for several years, The Calling has been a go-to source for top-tier Russian River Valley class at easily accessible prices. The 2022 duo featured today delivers everything we love about this producer - pristine varietal character, meticulously polished winemaking, and pricing that makes it easy to stock the cellar and reach for them again and again. The 2022 Russian River Pinot Noir is sourced from prime sites throughout the AVA for a classic appellation expression that B-21 proprietor Bob Sprentall calls "an enticing, concentrated wine that is serious to its core." Showcasing one of their exceptional single-vineyard sources of Chardonnay, the 2022 Dutton Ranch is a 93-point beauty according toWine Spectatorthat brings this prized site into full focus with its "generous" fruit and graceful structure what will appeal to any fan of quintessential Sonoma Chardonnay. Best of all, they're each available at a superb, sub-$25 price that makes them perfect candidates to add to your regular rotation or to stock up on for the next time you need to impress a crowd. It's safe to say we don't see deals like this come around too often from this part of California, so when we do, we go all in. | ||
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| 2019 Xavier Vignon Lirac (750ml) | ||
| Grenache from Lirac, Rhône, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More From a favorite producer of B-21 Southern Rhone fans, this selection of expertly crafted Xavier Vignon cuvees represents some of the region’s top values, a range of terroir expressive blends from a stellar, instinct-driven winemaker unbeatably priced for stocking up by the case. Described by Jeb Dunnuck as “easily one of the best winemakers in the Southern Rhone,” Xavier Vignon has been well known for decades as a top consulting enologist among the top producers of Chateauneuf du Pape including Marcoux, Raymond Usseglio and La Nerthe, utilizing his insider access to some of the region’s most exceptional parcels to craft his own consistently top-rated CDP’s and Southern Rhone blends since 2007. Described as a “lively and very well-balanced Cotes du Rhone” by James Suckling, the rich and inviting 91 pt. 2020 Xavier Vignon Cotes du Rhone Vieilles Vignes is an exceptional introduction to Xavier’s Rhone reds offering spiced red, jammy fruits with hints of garrigue on a smooth, satisfying finish. Sourced from a lesser known appellation just across the river from Chateauneuf du Pape, the appealing 92 pt. 2019 Xavier Vignon Lirac boasts fresh vibrant dark fruit with hints of peppered spice and flinty graphite on a long-lived finish, a co-fermented blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah aged 70% in concrete and 30% in barrels and boasting a “lip-smacking drinkability factor” according to the Wine Advocate’s Joe Czerwinski. A blend of 95% Grenache and 5% Mourvedre from vines between 80 and 100 years of age, the elegant 93 pt. 2019 Xavier Vignon Gigondas showcases its pure old vine fruit with bright flavors and peppery minerality, described as “finesse-driven and lengthy on the palate” by Jeb Dunnuck who sums it up as “a beautiful wine” promising a decade of longevity. Describing his winemaking skills as “impeccable,” Jeb Dunnuck notes these pure and terroir-expressive Xavier Vignon selections offer “superb balance and classic Southern Rhone characters,” calling them “a treasure trove for the savvy buyer” and a sure thing for lovers of Southern Rhone wines. | ||
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| 2022 Raventos i Blanc Blanc de Blancs (750ml) | ||
| Xarel-lo from Catalonia, Spain | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Renowned as the benchmark for vineyard-driven sparkling wines in Spain, these impeccably crafted 93-point Raventos selections express their mineral-rich terroir in a fresh, elegant style, offering richly concentrated fruit with balanced acidity on a fine beaded mousse and delivering “unmatched value” according to the Wine Spectator’s Keith Newton at unbeatable, best on the market pricing. Boasting a 500 year history stretching over 21 generations as growers in Catalonia, the Raventos family are pioneers of the Cava industry, producing the first bottle of Cava under the Cordoniu label in the late 1800’s by applying the traditional method used to make Champagne to a blend of classic Penedes grape varieties. Selling their interest in Cordoniu in 1984 in response to a Cava’s overall decline in quality and reputation, the Raventos family refocused on making vineyard-driven sparkling wines from their 90-hectare biodynamically farmed estate across from their old winery and established Raventós i Blanc in 1986, officially withdrawing from the Cava classification in 2012 while championing the creation of a new D.O. with higher standards. A blend of 49% Xarel·lo, 34% Macabeo and 12% Parellada with the addition of 5% old vine Monastrell to add complexity and enhance its rosy color, the Wine Spectator’s Alison Napjus calls the lush 95 pt. 2022 Raventos i Blanc de Nit Rosado Brut Rose “a bright and harmonious sparkler” with “snappy acidity” and a refined, creamy texture resulting from extended less aging, its name translating as ‘Of the Night’ in Catalan in reference to the estate’s cool evening harvest times considered optimal for preserving freshness. Sourced from vines averaging over 40 years of age and composed of 40% Xarel·lo, 39% Macabeu, 15% Parellada and 6% Malvasia de Sitges, the fresh and silky 93 pt. 2022 Raventos i Blanc Blanc de Blancs is a bright, aromatic sparkler with impeccable balance described as “pure, clean and pleasant” and declared “complex and expressive beyond its price point” by the Wine Advocate’s Luis Gutierrez. Among “the finest and most elegant sparkling wines being made in Spain” according to Vinous critic Joaquin Hidalgo, this enticing 93 pt. duo from leading Spanish producer Raventos delivers incredible bang for the buck among its sparkling wine peers, bargain priced for mixing a case and a sure bet for sparkling wine lovers seeking to pop the cork more often. | ||
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| 2022 The Calling Pinot Noir (750ml) | ||
| Pinot Noir from Russian River, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More With the market in California's premium wine regions on an ever-upward trajectory, it's rare to come across an artisan offering for under $25, but for several years, The Calling has been a go-to source for top-tier Russian River Valley class at easily accessible prices. The 2022 duo featured today delivers everything we love about this producer - pristine varietal character, meticulously polished winemaking, and pricing that makes it easy to stock the cellar and reach for them again and again. The 2022 Russian River Pinot Noir is sourced from prime sites throughout the AVA for a classic appellation expression that B-21 proprietor Bob Sprentall calls "an enticing, concentrated wine that is serious to its core." Showcasing one of their exceptional single-vineyard sources of Chardonnay, the 2022 Dutton Ranch is a 93-point beauty according toWine Spectatorthat brings this prized site into full focus with its "generous" fruit and graceful structure what will appeal to any fan of quintessential Sonoma Chardonnay. Best of all, they're each available at a superb, sub-$25 price that makes them perfect candidates to add to your regular rotation or to stock up on for the next time you need to impress a crowd. It's safe to say we don't see deals like this come around too often from this part of California, so when we do, we go all in. | ||
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| 2022 Raventos i Blanc de Nit Rosado Brut Rose (750ml) | ||
| Macabeo from Catalonia, Spain | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Renowned as the benchmark for vineyard-driven sparkling wines in Spain, these impeccably crafted 93-point Raventos selections express their mineral-rich terroir in a fresh, elegant style, offering richly concentrated fruit with balanced acidity on a fine beaded mousse and delivering “unmatched value” according to the Wine Spectator’s Keith Newton at unbeatable, best on the market pricing. Boasting a 500 year history stretching over 21 generations as growers in Catalonia, the Raventos family are pioneers of the Cava industry, producing the first bottle of Cava under the Cordoniu label in the late 1800’s by applying the traditional method used to make Champagne to a blend of classic Penedes grape varieties. Selling their interest in Cordoniu in 1984 in response to a Cava’s overall decline in quality and reputation, the Raventos family refocused on making vineyard-driven sparkling wines from their 90-hectare biodynamically farmed estate across from their old winery and established Raventós i Blanc in 1986, officially withdrawing from the Cava classification in 2012 while championing the creation of a new D.O. with higher standards. A blend of 49% Xarel·lo, 34% Macabeo and 12% Parellada with the addition of 5% old vine Monastrell to add complexity and enhance its rosy color, the Wine Spectator’s Alison Napjus calls the lush 95 pt. 2022 Raventos i Blanc de Nit Rosado Brut Rose “a bright and harmonious sparkler” with “snappy acidity” and a refined, creamy texture resulting from extended less aging, its name translating as ‘Of the Night’ in Catalan in reference to the estate’s cool evening harvest times considered optimal for preserving freshness. Sourced from vines averaging over 40 years of age and composed of 40% Xarel·lo, 39% Macabeu, 15% Parellada and 6% Malvasia de Sitges, the fresh and silky 93 pt. 2022 Raventos i Blanc Blanc de Blancs is a bright, aromatic sparkler with impeccable balance described as “pure, clean and pleasant” and declared “complex and expressive beyond its price point” by the Wine Advocate’s Luis Gutierrez. Among “the finest and most elegant sparkling wines being made in Spain” according to Vinous critic Joaquin Hidalgo, this enticing 93 pt. duo from leading Spanish producer Raventos delivers incredible bang for the buck among its sparkling wine peers, bargain priced for mixing a case and a sure bet for sparkling wine lovers seeking to pop the cork more often. | ||
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| 2022 Seghesio Old Vine Zinfandel (750ml) | ||
| Zinfandel from Sonoma, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More By now, Seghesio's reference-point Old Vine Zinfandel needs little to no introduction, as it's long been a certified best-seller at B-21 for those seeking ultra-classic Sonoma Zin character for an absolute steal. Routinely one of the best bang-for-the-buck QPR stars in its category, the wine shines again in 2022 with a 93-point score fromWine Spectator.From select plots averaging 75 years of age, the 2022 Old Vine highlights everything we love about California Zinfandel in its bold yet balanced personality. "LIke a briar patch in a glass," asSpectator's Tim Fish describes it, this wine is a thrilling combination of exuberant fruit and spicy undertones that define all the best versions of this original California varietal. Fans of the estate shouldn't hesitate to stock up big yet again at our unbeatable market-best price. | ||
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| 2020 Chateau Fontenil (750ml) | ||
| Merlot from Fronsac, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More From the estate owned by renowned enologist and 100 pt. winemaker Michel Rolland, the lush and finessed 95 pt. 2020 Chateau Fontenil boasts dark, ripe polished fruit with elegant, integrated tannins on a long velvety finish, meticulously crafted of Merlot from an excellent vintage that “delivers the goods” according to Neal Martin of Vinous and a superb value. Located in the lesser known Fronsac appellation on the right bank of the Gironde, Chateau Fontenil was established by Michel Rolland and his wife Dany in the mid-1980s, their search for a family country home leading them to a grand but rundown house in Saillans adjacent to seven hectares of old vines. First purchasing the vineyard and eventually the Chateau, the Rollands spent over a decade on a top to bottom renovation of the estate, restoring the Chateau, modernizing the wine-making facilities and replanting vineyards. Situated on a south facing slope overlooking the river Isle and the town of Libourne, the vineyards span 11 hectares planted mostly to Merlot in clay and limestone soils, located at the highest elevation on the plateau of Fronsac with vines averaging 45 years of age. Manually harvesting and vinifying plot by plot, the 2020 Chateau Fontenil exemplifies Michel Rolland’s supple, opulent style, aged in 60% new French oak for 15-18 months to yield vibrant fruit and smooth, fine grained tannins described as “impeccably balanced” by Antonio Galloni and finishing with “a welcome kick of acidity” according to Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson on a lengthy, elegant finish. While many of his client’s top scoring Bordeaux blends have sky high prices to match, Michel Rolland’s elegant 95 pt. 2020 Chateau Fontenil is a superb value, “sexy, seamless, straight-up impressive” according to Jeb Dunnuck that’s “well worth a case purchase,” ready to drink and worthy of aging at an unbeatable price that makes it easy for Bordeaux lovers to do both. | ||
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| 2020 Xavier Vignon Cotes du Rhone Vieilles Vignes (750ml) | ||
| From Côtes du Rhône, Rhône, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More From a favorite producer of B-21 Southern Rhone fans, this selection of expertly crafted Xavier Vignon cuvees represents some of the region’s top values, a range of terroir expressive blends from a stellar, instinct-driven winemaker unbeatably priced for stocking up by the case. Described by Jeb Dunnuck as “easily one of the best winemakers in the Southern Rhone,” Xavier Vignon has been well known for decades as a top consulting enologist among the top producers of Chateauneuf du Pape including Marcoux, Raymond Usseglio and La Nerthe, utilizing his insider access to some of the region’s most exceptional parcels to craft his own consistently top-rated CDP’s and Southern Rhone blends since 2007. Described as a “lively and very well-balanced Cotes du Rhone” by James Suckling, the rich and inviting 91 pt. 2020 Xavier Vignon Cotes du Rhone Vieilles Vignes is an exceptional introduction to Xavier’s Rhone reds offering spiced red, jammy fruits with hints of garrigue on a smooth, satisfying finish. Sourced from a lesser known appellation just across the river from Chateauneuf du Pape, the appealing 92 pt. 2019 Xavier Vignon Lirac boasts fresh vibrant dark fruit with hints of peppered spice and flinty graphite on a long-lived finish, a co-fermented blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah aged 70% in concrete and 30% in barrels and boasting a “lip-smacking drinkability factor” according to the Wine Advocate’s Joe Czerwinski. A blend of 95% Grenache and 5% Mourvedre from vines between 80 and 100 years of age, the elegant 93 pt. 2019 Xavier Vignon Gigondas showcases its pure old vine fruit with bright flavors and peppery minerality, described as “finesse-driven and lengthy on the palate” by Jeb Dunnuck who sums it up as “a beautiful wine” promising a decade of longevity. Describing his winemaking skills as “impeccable,” Jeb Dunnuck notes these pure and terroir-expressive Xavier Vignon selections offer “superb balance and classic Southern Rhone characters,” calling them “a treasure trove for the savvy buyer” and a sure thing for lovers of Southern Rhone wines. | ||
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| 2020 Giodo Alberelli di Giodo Nerello Mascalese (750ml) | ||
| Nerello Mascalese from Sicily, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Crafted by Italy’s legendary 100 pt. winemaker Carlo Ferrini from Sicily’s volcanic slopes, these top scoring Giodo Alberelli di Giodo selections offer a range of meticulously crafted red and white wines from “one of the world's most interesting, high-quality, yet value-driven categories” according to Eric Guido of Vinous, transparently expressing their unique Mount Etna terroir and value priced to enjoy now and over the next decade. Inspired by a handful of perfectly situated vineyard sites on the slopes of Mount Etna, famed consulting enologist Carlo Ferrini established Giodo Alberelli after more than a decade of consulting with some of Sicily’s most renowned estates, naming it for the traditional low-bush vines in the region resembling little trees known as “alberelli” and releasing his first vintage to unanimous critical acclaim in 2016. Assembling a patchwork of parcels on Etna’s north-facing black lava terraces in the Sicilia DOC, Ferrini sourced the Giodo Alberelli wines from a range of small plots situated from 800 to 950 meters above sea level planted with low yielding, pre-phylloxera Nerello Mascalese vines averaging 80-100 years along with a tiny parcel of the indigenous white Carricante averaging 50 years of age. Boasting lush aromatics evocative of citrus and wild herbs, the zesty 95 pt. 2022 Giodo Alberelli di Giodo Sicilia Carricante reaffirms “that some of the most interesting wines from Etna today are the whites” according to the Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner, balancing crisp energetic fruit hinting of flinty crushed stone with saline acidity on a mouthwatering finish. Conveying its varied soils and elevations much like Pinot Noir grown in the Cote de Beaune, the elegant 96 pt. 2020 Giodo Alberelli di Giodo Nerello Mascalese reveals pure red earthy fruit with refined minerality and subtle integrated tannins on “a long, vibrant, fresh finish” according to Decanter’s James Button who sums it up simply as “beautiful,” while Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson declares the powerful and fresh 96 pt. 2021 Giodo Alberelli di Giodo Nerello Mascalese “oh so juicy and full of minerality,” both age worthy reds layered with old vine character and focused tannins promising to evolve over the next decade and beyond. From the region described as “Italy’s most dynamic wine scene” by the Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner, these top scoring Giodo Alberelli di Giodo selections are pure and refined expressions of Mount Etna’s volcanic terroir crafted by a master of Italian wine, value priced for Etna fans to stock the cellar and a stellar mixed case for wine lovers seeking to explore the region's best. | ||
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| 2019 Chateau Saint-Pierre (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "I continue to absolutely love what this estate puts in the bottle, and it remains an incredible value given its quality." - Jeb Dunnuck The above quote neatly sums up the recent track record of St-Julien's Château Saint-Pierre. A perennial example of the combination of incredible collectible pedigree and accessible price for which Bordeaux is world-renowned, Saint-Pierre is a hidden gem that allows collectors of all stripes to load their cellars with long-haul contenders that won't break the bank. This quartet of in-stock modern classics shows why the estate has racked up one stellar review after another from across the critical space, turning out some of the sharpest cellar-worthy buys on the Left Bank over the past decade. The "brilliant" 2016 starts things off with 96+ points from Dunnuck, followed the by the 95-point 2018, "an outstanding St-Julien that should age well over the next 20-30 years." Rounding out "The Trio" as vintages 2018-2020 are now known, we have the 96-point 2019, "a Saint-Julien of real substance and presence" per Antonio Galloni of Vinous, as well as the equally prodigious, 96-point 2020 that James Suckling calls "Full-bodied, opulent and broad-shouldered. Structured and refined." Diving into the full scope of Saint-Pierre's recent critical accolades and accomplishments, it's easy to see that this property belongs on every Bordeaux enthusiast's radar, as they're punching with some top-tier company at prices that represent genuine value in today's collectible space. | ||
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| 2016 Chateau Saint-Pierre (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "I continue to absolutely love what this estate puts in the bottle, and it remains an incredible value given its quality." - Jeb Dunnuck The above quote neatly sums up the recent track record of St-Julien's Château Saint-Pierre. A perennial example of the combination of incredible collectible pedigree and accessible price for which Bordeaux is world-renowned, Saint-Pierre is a hidden gem that allows collectors of all stripes to load their cellars with long-haul contenders that won't break the bank. This quartet of in-stock modern classics shows why the estate has racked up one stellar review after another from across the critical space, turning out some of the sharpest cellar-worthy buys on the Left Bank over the past decade. The "brilliant" 2016 starts things off with 96+ points from Dunnuck, followed the by the 95-point 2018, "an outstanding St-Julien that should age well over the next 20-30 years." Rounding out "The Trio" as vintages 2018-2020 are now known, we have the 96-point 2019, "a Saint-Julien of real substance and presence" per Antonio Galloni of Vinous, as well as the equally prodigious, 96-point 2020 that James Suckling calls "Full-bodied, opulent and broad-shouldered. Structured and refined." Diving into the full scope of Saint-Pierre's recent critical accolades and accomplishments, it's easy to see that this property belongs on every Bordeaux enthusiast's radar, as they're punching with some top-tier company at prices that represent genuine value in today's collectible space. | ||
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| 2020 Ramirez de la Piscina Crianza (750ml) | ||
| Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Rich, fruity and expressive ... Weighty yet well-balanced with texture." - Decanter As dominant as Rioja is in the Spanish collectible space, its penchant for delivering outstanding everyday values is also unmatched. The latest entry proving the point is Ramirez de la Piscina's charming 2020 Crianza, a rock-solid performer for an easy case-buy price. Two of the characteristics that make Crianza Rioja such a powerhouse category in the everyday price is tier are the reliably enjoyable, approachable fruit profile and the bright, refreshing balance, both of which this 2020 displays in spades. Whether you're a fan of Rioja or just looking for a new candidate to add to your everyday/crowd-pleaser rotations, you can rest assured you've found it in this artfully crafted rendition. | ||
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| 2021 Robert Mondavi The Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa, California | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville is straight-up fabulous..." - Jeb Dunnuck No name in California wine history is as synonymous with Napa Cabernet as Robert Mondavi. Sourced from this revered estate's iconic To Kalon vineyard, an undisputed California "grand cru," the 2021 The Estates Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon makes the most of its pedigree and this acclaimed Napa vintage. A bevy of glowing praise, including 95 points from Decanter and 94 points each from Antonio Galloni and Jeb Dunnuck, confirms the wine's place as yet another benchmark expression of the valley's most famous AVA. "A wine of gravitas and power, the 2021 has a lot to offer," notes Galloni, who goes on to praise "a new level of energy and vibrancy in the Mondavi wines that is compelling." Rather than rest on their laurels, the team at Mondavi have redoubled their efforts to keep turning out stunning renditions such as this, and fans of expertly crafted Napa Valley Cabernet can add it to their cellars at a remarkable, sub-$60 price that's handily beats the rest of the market. | ||
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| 2017 Giodo Brunello di Montalcino (750ml) | ||
| Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Anyone who describes himself as a “Sangiovesista” is decidedly serious about Tuscany’s revered grape, but when that Sangiovese devotee is renowned enologist Carlo Ferrini, be assured there is some equally serious Brunello di Montalcino backing it up. From the secluded hillside vineyard producing “Montalcino’s best kept secret” according to the Wine Spectator’s Robert Camuto, the sensational Giodo Brunello di Montalcino offers true Sangiovese perfection from an outstanding vintage, its aromatic ripe, earthy fruit elegantly balancing mouthwatering acidity and silky-smooth, polished tannins, already delivering enjoyment today and promising to age beautifully for a decade or more. Bordered by mature trees and ancient cypress with stunning views of the towering Monte Amiata, the nearly hidden Podere Giodo estate spans 5.5 hectares of organically farmed vineyards at 300 to 400 meters above sea level, its newly built contemporary stone buildings and state of the art winery seamlessly blending into the garden-like hillside setting. Boasting an A-list of customers in the region including Barone Ricasoli, Fonterutoli, Talenti and Romitorio, winemaker Carlo Ferrini quietly started his personal Montalcino project in 2002, clearing 2.5 hectares of mostly oak forest on mineral-rich slopes and planting it with specially selected, low yielding Sangiovese clones for the Brunello, its optimal southeast exposure protecting the vines from the intense afternoon sun. Produced only in top vintages like 2016, declared one of Brunello’s “greatest ever” by James Suckling, Ferrini practices green harvesting to further reduce yields, dropping about 40% of his crop in August and hand harvesting the first selection for the Brunello in September. Utilizing short macerations to minimize extraction and fermenting in stainless and concrete with native wild yeasts, the sophisticated Podere Giodo Brunello was aged for 30 months in large 500 and 700 liter oak casks, followed by additional time in concrete vats and years in bottle, yielding an exquisite, brightly focused Brunello described as “a career defining wine” by the Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner, a remarkable feat considering Ferrini’s 30 plus year legacy as one of Tuscany’s greatest consulting winemakers. Initially trying to keep Podere Giodo under the radar so as to not compete with his high-profile clients, perfection is simply hard to keep under wraps, the meticulously crafted Giodo Brunello di Montalcino reflecting Carlo Ferrini’s uncompromising devotion to “celebrating the pleasures of Sangiovese” according to Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson and now with increased demand, requiring quick action for collectors to secure their cellar-ready stash. | ||
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| 2018 Chateau Saint-Pierre (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "I continue to absolutely love what this estate puts in the bottle, and it remains an incredible value given its quality." - Jeb Dunnuck The above quote neatly sums up the recent track record of St-Julien's Château Saint-Pierre. A perennial example of the combination of incredible collectible pedigree and accessible price for which Bordeaux is world-renowned, Saint-Pierre is a hidden gem that allows collectors of all stripes to load their cellars with long-haul contenders that won't break the bank. This quartet of in-stock modern classics shows why the estate has racked up one stellar review after another from across the critical space, turning out some of the sharpest cellar-worthy buys on the Left Bank over the past decade. The "brilliant" 2016 starts things off with 96+ points from Dunnuck, followed the by the 95-point 2018, "an outstanding St-Julien that should age well over the next 20-30 years." Rounding out "The Trio" as vintages 2018-2020 are now known, we have the 96-point 2019, "a Saint-Julien of real substance and presence" per Antonio Galloni of Vinous, as well as the equally prodigious, 96-point 2020 that James Suckling calls "Full-bodied, opulent and broad-shouldered. Structured and refined." Diving into the full scope of Saint-Pierre's recent critical accolades and accomplishments, it's easy to see that this property belongs on every Bordeaux enthusiast's radar, as they're punching with some top-tier company at prices that represent genuine value in today's collectible space. | ||
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| 2021 Giodo Alberelli di Giodo Nerello Mascalese (750ml) | ||
| Nerello Mascalese from Terre Siciliane, Sicily, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Crafted by Italy’s legendary 100 pt. winemaker Carlo Ferrini from Sicily’s volcanic slopes, these top scoring Giodo Alberelli di Giodo selections offer a range of meticulously crafted red and white wines from “one of the world's most interesting, high-quality, yet value-driven categories” according to Eric Guido of Vinous, transparently expressing their unique Mount Etna terroir and value priced to enjoy now and over the next decade. Inspired by a handful of perfectly situated vineyard sites on the slopes of Mount Etna, famed consulting enologist Carlo Ferrini established Giodo Alberelli after more than a decade of consulting with some of Sicily’s most renowned estates, naming it for the traditional low-bush vines in the region resembling little trees known as “alberelli” and releasing his first vintage to unanimous critical acclaim in 2016. Assembling a patchwork of parcels on Etna’s north-facing black lava terraces in the Sicilia DOC, Ferrini sourced the Giodo Alberelli wines from a range of small plots situated from 800 to 950 meters above sea level planted with low yielding, pre-phylloxera Nerello Mascalese vines averaging 80-100 years along with a tiny parcel of the indigenous white Carricante averaging 50 years of age. Boasting lush aromatics evocative of citrus and wild herbs, the zesty 95 pt. 2022 Giodo Alberelli di Giodo Sicilia Carricante reaffirms “that some of the most interesting wines from Etna today are the whites” according to the Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner, balancing crisp energetic fruit hinting of flinty crushed stone with saline acidity on a mouthwatering finish. Conveying its varied soils and elevations much like Pinot Noir grown in the Cote de Beaune, the elegant 96 pt. 2020 Giodo Alberelli di Giodo Nerello Mascalese reveals pure red earthy fruit with refined minerality and subtle integrated tannins on “a long, vibrant, fresh finish” according to Decanter’s James Button who sums it up simply as “beautiful,” while Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson declares the powerful and fresh 96 pt. 2021 Giodo Alberelli di Giodo Nerello Mascalese “oh so juicy and full of minerality,” both age worthy reds layered with old vine character and focused tannins promising to evolve over the next decade and beyond. From the region described as “Italy’s most dynamic wine scene” by the Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner, these top scoring Giodo Alberelli di Giodo selections are pure and refined expressions of Mount Etna’s volcanic terroir crafted by a master of Italian wine, value priced for Etna fans to stock the cellar and a stellar mixed case for wine lovers seeking to explore the region's best. | ||
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| 2019 Xavier Vignon Gigondas (750ml) | ||
| From Gigondas, Rhône, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More From a favorite producer of B-21 Southern Rhone fans, this selection of expertly crafted Xavier Vignon cuvees represents some of the region’s top values, a range of terroir expressive blends from a stellar, instinct-driven winemaker unbeatably priced for stocking up by the case. Described by Jeb Dunnuck as “easily one of the best winemakers in the Southern Rhone,” Xavier Vignon has been well known for decades as a top consulting enologist among the top producers of Chateauneuf du Pape including Marcoux, Raymond Usseglio and La Nerthe, utilizing his insider access to some of the region’s most exceptional parcels to craft his own consistently top-rated CDP’s and Southern Rhone blends since 2007. Described as a “lively and very well-balanced Cotes du Rhone” by James Suckling, the rich and inviting 91 pt. 2020 Xavier Vignon Cotes du Rhone Vieilles Vignes is an exceptional introduction to Xavier’s Rhone reds offering spiced red, jammy fruits with hints of garrigue on a smooth, satisfying finish. Sourced from a lesser known appellation just across the river from Chateauneuf du Pape, the appealing 92 pt. 2019 Xavier Vignon Lirac boasts fresh vibrant dark fruit with hints of peppered spice and flinty graphite on a long-lived finish, a co-fermented blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah aged 70% in concrete and 30% in barrels and boasting a “lip-smacking drinkability factor” according to the Wine Advocate’s Joe Czerwinski. A blend of 95% Grenache and 5% Mourvedre from vines between 80 and 100 years of age, the elegant 93 pt. 2019 Xavier Vignon Gigondas showcases its pure old vine fruit with bright flavors and peppery minerality, described as “finesse-driven and lengthy on the palate” by Jeb Dunnuck who sums it up as “a beautiful wine” promising a decade of longevity. Describing his winemaking skills as “impeccable,” Jeb Dunnuck notes these pure and terroir-expressive Xavier Vignon selections offer “superb balance and classic Southern Rhone characters,” calling them “a treasure trove for the savvy buyer” and a sure thing for lovers of Southern Rhone wines. | ||
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| 2016 Remirez de Ganuza Reserva (750ml) | ||
| Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Remírez de Ganuza remains one of the most reliable sources for modern, ripe, concentrated, powerful and generously oaked Riojas around ... If that's the style you're looking for, look no further..." - Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate Based in La Rioja Alavesa, Bodegas Remirez de Ganuza has been at the forefront of innovation in Rioja since its founding in 1989. From over 200 individual plots of vineyards at the foot of the Sierra Cantabria mountains, they produce impeccably crafted, modern Riojas with style and flair, using painstaking techniques. One of those is the demanding process of intra-cluster selection. It's not quite berry by berry, as in Sauternes, but it's not just merely selecting the best bunches either. To make their top-tier Reserva and Gran Reserva, the team hand-separates the "shoulder" of the cluster from the tip, to include only the grapes with the absolutely ideal phenolic ripeness. The result in 2016 is a 94-point standout with dense dark fruits and exquisitely polished barrel character that is only just starting to reveal its true potential. For fans of full-throttle Rioja opulence, this is one to stash away in the cellar and reap the rewards for many, many years down the road. | ||
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| 2022 Giodo Alberelli di Giodo Bianco Terre Siciliane Carricante (750ml) | ||
| Carricante from Terre Siciliane, Sicily, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Crafted by Italy’s legendary 100 pt. winemaker Carlo Ferrini from Sicily’s volcanic slopes, these top scoring Giodo Alberelli di Giodo selections offer a range of meticulously crafted red and white wines from “one of the world's most interesting, high-quality, yet value-driven categories” according to Eric Guido of Vinous, transparently expressing their unique Mount Etna terroir and value priced to enjoy now and over the next decade. Inspired by a handful of perfectly situated vineyard sites on the slopes of Mount Etna, famed consulting enologist Carlo Ferrini established Giodo Alberelli after more than a decade of consulting with some of Sicily’s most renowned estates, naming it for the traditional low-bush vines in the region resembling little trees known as “alberelli” and releasing his first vintage to unanimous critical acclaim in 2016. Assembling a patchwork of parcels on Etna’s north-facing black lava terraces in the Sicilia DOC, Ferrini sourced the Giodo Alberelli wines from a range of small plots situated from 800 to 950 meters above sea level planted with low yielding, pre-phylloxera Nerello Mascalese vines averaging 80-100 years along with a tiny parcel of the indigenous white Carricante averaging 50 years of age. Boasting lush aromatics evocative of citrus and wild herbs, the zesty 95 pt. 2022 Giodo Alberelli di Giodo Sicilia Carricante reaffirms “that some of the most interesting wines from Etna today are the whites” according to the Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner, balancing crisp energetic fruit hinting of flinty crushed stone with saline acidity on a mouthwatering finish. Conveying its varied soils and elevations much like Pinot Noir grown in the Cote de Beaune, the elegant 96 pt. 2020 Giodo Alberelli di Giodo Nerello Mascalese reveals pure red earthy fruit with refined minerality and subtle integrated tannins on “a long, vibrant, fresh finish” according to Decanter’s James Button who sums it up simply as “beautiful,” while Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson declares the powerful and fresh 96 pt. 2021 Giodo Alberelli di Giodo Nerello Mascalese “oh so juicy and full of minerality,” both age worthy reds layered with old vine character and focused tannins promising to evolve over the next decade and beyond. From the region described as “Italy’s most dynamic wine scene” by the Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner, these top scoring Giodo Alberelli di Giodo selections are pure and refined expressions of Mount Etna’s volcanic terroir crafted by a master of Italian wine, value priced for Etna fans to stock the cellar and a stellar mixed case for wine lovers seeking to explore the region's best. | ||
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| 2022 Domaine Weinbach Riesling Cuvee Colette (750ml) | ||
| Riesling from Alsace, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Domaine Weinbach is an iconic domaine ... The wines are amongst the most elegant and poised in Alsace. They are paradigms of varietal expression and age effortlessly." - Anne Krebiehl MW, Vinous For four generations, Domaine Weinbach has stood as a standard bearer for Alsace's finest expressions, producing universally acclaimed wines that have few equals in the region or anywhere in France for that matter. Winemaker Eddy Leiber-Faller now helms this treasured estate along with his brother Théo, carrying on the remarkable legacy laid down by their grandmother, mother, and aunt. We've just secured a parcel of some of their latest stunning releases, which have already garnered big press from bothWine Advocateand James Suckling's Alsace critic Stuart Pigott. Leading off, the 2022 Riesling Cuvée Colette carries unimpeachable grand cru pedigree – after all, it hails from old vines at the bottom of the Schlossberg grand cru, one of the most hallowed sites in the region that produces some its most sought-after wines. Notching 95 points from James Suckling and an additional 93 points fromWine Advocate, the 2022 Colette is a "very pure ... elegant and stunningly precise" rendition that presents all the best characteristics of the dry Riesling style in the hands of one of Alsace's most revered domaines. Likewise, the JS94 Riesling Cuvée Théo posseses "Stunning balance and finesse" according to Pigott, making it an ideal introduction to the Weinbach style. Riesling isn't the only noble varietal that thrives in the hands of the Faller family. The 2022 Pinot Gris Caracoles boasts "superb balance" resulting in a 94-point wine that "has a gracefulness that is really delightful ... with fantastic textural complexity," while the 93-point 2022 Gewürztraminer Treilles du Loup, from a rare parcel with granitic soils, is "an extraordinarily fine and fresh wine for this grape variety" per Pigott, carrying its 10g/l of residual sweetness with grace and aplomb. If you're already a fan of this treasured domaine, you'll want to jump on this opportunity while you can, and if you haven't yet gotten acquainted with them, now is the time – our market-best pricing is the perfect excuse to add these surefire winners from one of the wine world's greatest names to your collection. | ||
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| 2020 Chateau Saint-Pierre (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "I continue to absolutely love what this estate puts in the bottle, and it remains an incredible value given its quality." - Jeb Dunnuck The above quote neatly sums up the recent track record of St-Julien's Château Saint-Pierre. A perennial example of the combination of incredible collectible pedigree and accessible price for which Bordeaux is world-renowned, Saint-Pierre is a hidden gem that allows collectors of all stripes to load their cellars with long-haul contenders that won't break the bank. This quartet of in-stock modern classics shows why the estate has racked up one stellar review after another from across the critical space, turning out some of the sharpest cellar-worthy buys on the Left Bank over the past decade. The "brilliant" 2016 starts things off with 96+ points from Dunnuck, followed the by the 95-point 2018, "an outstanding St-Julien that should age well over the next 20-30 years." Rounding out "The Trio" as vintages 2018-2020 are now known, we have the 96-point 2019, "a Saint-Julien of real substance and presence" per Antonio Galloni of Vinous, as well as the equally prodigious, 96-point 2020 that James Suckling calls "Full-bodied, opulent and broad-shouldered. Structured and refined." Diving into the full scope of Saint-Pierre's recent critical accolades and accomplishments, it's easy to see that this property belongs on every Bordeaux enthusiast's radar, as they're punching with some top-tier company at prices that represent genuine value in today's collectible space. | ||
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| Alambique Serrano La Sociedad Florida Rum Society Cask Rum (750ml) | ||
| From Oaxaca, Mexico | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Not one for the faint of heart, it’s a big, brash powerhouse that challenges the established rum conventions in the best possible way." - Andrew Kitz, B-21 Spirits Buyer If you're a rum fanatic, Florida is where you want to be - after all, we're America's gateway to the tropics. The Florida lifestyle is fully in sync with tiki culture, and nobody celebrates it better than the Florida Rum Society, a group of industry professionals and hardcore rum aficionados on a mission to bring this remarkable spirit into the mainstream. Part of that mission is hand-selecting truly distinctive single casks from all over the rum world to showcase the incredible stylistic diversity and singular character of this beloved spirit. While many of their selections hail from some of the category's most well-known and distinguished names (think Worthy Park, Hampden, Planteray, Rhum Clement, Holmes Cay, etc.), they have a knack for unearthing some unbelievable, under-the-radar finds that will broaden the horizons of even the most seasoned rum veteran. Today's offer fits that bill and then some. Mexico's Alambique Serrano may not be a household name, but the craftsmanship and work ethic of this third-generation distillery are undeniable, leading to La Sociedad, the very first FRS single-cask selection from "south of the border." Founded in the early 1930s in Oaxaca by German immigrant Max Krassel, Alambique Serrano is now run by Max's four grandsons, who still put in the same kind of arduous work their grandfather did when he began producing his aguardiente in the village of Santa Maria Tlalixtac high in the Oaxacan cloud forest. The cane fields here are so steep that the brothers harvest and transport the cane by donkey, horse, and mule to a mobile trapiche for milling, before gravity-feeding the cane juice down the mountain to the palenque, a labor of love if there ever was one. After fermenting in an open-top pine vat with ambient yeasts and distilling on a rustic, copper alembic still, the spirit was aged for two years in virgin French oak in dry conditions over 5,600 feet above sea level. The result is an 11 on the intensity scale, a full cask-strength stunner that's unlike anything else we've ever come across in the rum category. If you're looking to take your rum collection to the next level, this cask and the several other FRS cask selections available on our website are unequivocal must-try specimens for anyone who's serious about the world's best rum. | ||
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| 2022 Domaine du Vissoux Pierre-Marie Chermette Fleurie les Garants (750ml) | ||
| Gamay from Beaujolais, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "To my palate, some of the cuvées ... number among the finest values that can be found in French wine, and I warmly recommend any readers who haven't yet acquainted themselves with this estate to try a few bottles." - William Kelley, Wine Advocate Domaine du Vissoux, now under the direction of the extremely talented Jean-Etienne Chermette, continues to set the bar in Fleurie. From some of the appellation's choicest parcels, these are always among the most admired expressions, particularly in the excellent 2022 vintage. Chermette once again hit high marks across the board with the notoriously stingy John Gilman of View From the Cellar. The 94-point Fleurie Les Garants, from a parcel that used to be part of the Moulin-à-Vent cru, "is first class Fleurie that belies its old Moulin-à-Vent classification ... Fine, fine juice!" Speaking of Moulin-à-Vent, the 2022 Les Trois Roches, sourced from three old-vine plots, is "a brilliant young wine ... a proper bottle of Moulin-à-Vent [that] deserves some hibernation time in the cellar." Finally, Chermette's Brouilly is a stalwart example of a cru that doesn't quite carry the cachet of the more famous crus, but nonetheless is a source of superb wines of serious character. Gilman notes the 93-point 2022 Pierreux is "a gorgeous example of this fine vintage ... bright, full-bodied, pure and nicely soil-driven, with a beautiful core of fruit, moderate, buried tannins, lovely focus and grip and a long, complex and impeccably balanced finish." Chermette's wines underscore the true brilliance of artisan cru Beaujolais – stunning terroir representation, superb cellar potential, and razor-sharp pricing that makes it easy to collect by the case. | ||
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| 2022 Domaine Weinbach Gewurztraminer Les Treilles du Loup (750ml) | ||
| Gewurztraminer from Alsace, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Domaine Weinbach is an iconic domaine ... The wines are amongst the most elegant and poised in Alsace. They are paradigms of varietal expression and age effortlessly." - Anne Krebiehl MW, Vinous For four generations, Domaine Weinbach has stood as a standard bearer for Alsace's finest expressions, producing universally acclaimed wines that have few equals in the region or anywhere in France for that matter. Winemaker Eddy Leiber-Faller now helms this treasured estate along with his brother Théo, carrying on the remarkable legacy laid down by their grandmother, mother, and aunt. We've just secured a parcel of some of their latest stunning releases, which have already garnered big press from bothWine Advocateand James Suckling's Alsace critic Stuart Pigott. Leading off, the 2022 Riesling Cuvée Colette carries unimpeachable grand cru pedigree – after all, it hails from old vines at the bottom of the Schlossberg grand cru, one of the most hallowed sites in the region that produces some its most sought-after wines. Notching 95 points from James Suckling and an additional 93 points fromWine Advocate, the 2022 Colette is a "very pure ... elegant and stunningly precise" rendition that presents all the best characteristics of the dry Riesling style in the hands of one of Alsace's most revered domaines. Likewise, the JS94 Riesling Cuvée Théo posseses "Stunning balance and finesse" according to Pigott, making it an ideal introduction to the Weinbach style. Riesling isn't the only noble varietal that thrives in the hands of the Faller family. The 2022 Pinot Gris Caracoles boasts "superb balance" resulting in a 94-point wine that "has a gracefulness that is really delightful ... with fantastic textural complexity," while the 93-point 2022 Gewürztraminer Treilles du Loup, from a rare parcel with granitic soils, is "an extraordinarily fine and fresh wine for this grape variety" per Pigott, carrying its 10g/l of residual sweetness with grace and aplomb. If you're already a fan of this treasured domaine, you'll want to jump on this opportunity while you can, and if you haven't yet gotten acquainted with them, now is the time – our market-best pricing is the perfect excuse to add these surefire winners from one of the wine world's greatest names to your collection. | ||
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| 2018 Giodo Brunello di Montalcino (1.5L) | ||
| Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Anyone who describes himself as a “Sangiovesista” is decidedly serious about Tuscany’s revered grape, but when that Sangiovese devotee is renowned enologist Carlo Ferrini, be assured there is some equally serious Brunello di Montalcino backing it up. From the secluded hillside vineyard producing “Montalcino’s best kept secret” according to the Wine Spectator’s Robert Camuto, the sensational Giodo Brunello di Montalcino offers true Sangiovese perfection from an outstanding vintage, its aromatic ripe, earthy fruit elegantly balancing mouthwatering acidity and silky-smooth, polished tannins, already delivering enjoyment today and promising to age beautifully for a decade or more. Bordered by mature trees and ancient cypress with stunning views of the towering Monte Amiata, the nearly hidden Podere Giodo estate spans 5.5 hectares of organically farmed vineyards at 300 to 400 meters above sea level, its newly built contemporary stone buildings and state of the art winery seamlessly blending into the garden-like hillside setting. Boasting an A-list of customers in the region including Barone Ricasoli, Fonterutoli, Talenti and Romitorio, winemaker Carlo Ferrini quietly started his personal Montalcino project in 2002, clearing 2.5 hectares of mostly oak forest on mineral-rich slopes and planting it with specially selected, low yielding Sangiovese clones for the Brunello, its optimal southeast exposure protecting the vines from the intense afternoon sun. Produced only in top vintages like 2016, declared one of Brunello’s “greatest ever” by James Suckling, Ferrini practices green harvesting to further reduce yields, dropping about 40% of his crop in August and hand harvesting the first selection for the Brunello in September. Utilizing short macerations to minimize extraction and fermenting in stainless and concrete with native wild yeasts, the sophisticated Podere Giodo Brunello was aged for 30 months in large 500 and 700 liter oak casks, followed by additional time in concrete vats and years in bottle, yielding an exquisite, brightly focused Brunello described as “a career defining wine” by the Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner, a remarkable feat considering Ferrini’s 30 plus year legacy as one of Tuscany’s greatest consulting winemakers. Initially trying to keep Podere Giodo under the radar so as to not compete with his high-profile clients, perfection is simply hard to keep under wraps, the meticulously crafted Giodo Brunello di Montalcino reflecting Carlo Ferrini’s uncompromising devotion to “celebrating the pleasures of Sangiovese” according to Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson and now with increased demand, requiring quick action for collectors to secure their cellar-ready stash. | ||
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| 2022 Domaine Weinbach Riesling Cuvee Theo (750ml) | ||
| Riesling from Alsace, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Domaine Weinbach is an iconic domaine ... The wines are amongst the most elegant and poised in Alsace. They are paradigms of varietal expression and age effortlessly." - Anne Krebiehl MW, Vinous For four generations, Domaine Weinbach has stood as a standard bearer for Alsace's finest expressions, producing universally acclaimed wines that have few equals in the region or anywhere in France for that matter. Winemaker Eddy Leiber-Faller now helms this treasured estate along with his brother Théo, carrying on the remarkable legacy laid down by their grandmother, mother, and aunt. We've just secured a parcel of some of their latest stunning releases, which have already garnered big press from bothWine Advocateand James Suckling's Alsace critic Stuart Pigott. Leading off, the 2022 Riesling Cuvée Colette carries unimpeachable grand cru pedigree – after all, it hails from old vines at the bottom of the Schlossberg grand cru, one of the most hallowed sites in the region that produces some its most sought-after wines. Notching 95 points from James Suckling and an additional 93 points fromWine Advocate, the 2022 Colette is a "very pure ... elegant and stunningly precise" rendition that presents all the best characteristics of the dry Riesling style in the hands of one of Alsace's most revered domaines. Likewise, the JS94 Riesling Cuvée Théo posseses "Stunning balance and finesse" according to Pigott, making it an ideal introduction to the Weinbach style. Riesling isn't the only noble varietal that thrives in the hands of the Faller family. The 2022 Pinot Gris Caracoles boasts "superb balance" resulting in a 94-point wine that "has a gracefulness that is really delightful ... with fantastic textural complexity," while the 93-point 2022 Gewürztraminer Treilles du Loup, from a rare parcel with granitic soils, is "an extraordinarily fine and fresh wine for this grape variety" per Pigott, carrying its 10g/l of residual sweetness with grace and aplomb. If you're already a fan of this treasured domaine, you'll want to jump on this opportunity while you can, and if you haven't yet gotten acquainted with them, now is the time – our market-best pricing is the perfect excuse to add these surefire winners from one of the wine world's greatest names to your collection. | ||
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| 2022 Domaine du Vissoux Pierre-Marie Chermette Moulin a Vent Les Trois Roches (750ml) | ||
| Gamay from Beaujolais, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "To my palate, some of the cuvées ... number among the finest values that can be found in French wine, and I warmly recommend any readers who haven't yet acquainted themselves with this estate to try a few bottles." - William Kelley, Wine Advocate Domaine du Vissoux, now under the direction of the extremely talented Jean-Etienne Chermette, continues to set the bar in Fleurie. From some of the appellation's choicest parcels, these are always among the most admired expressions, particularly in the excellent 2022 vintage. Chermette once again hit high marks across the board with the notoriously stingy John Gilman of View From the Cellar. The 94-point Fleurie Les Garants, from a parcel that used to be part of the Moulin-à-Vent cru, "is first class Fleurie that belies its old Moulin-à-Vent classification ... Fine, fine juice!" Speaking of Moulin-à-Vent, the 2022 Les Trois Roches, sourced from three old-vine plots, is "a brilliant young wine ... a proper bottle of Moulin-à-Vent [that] deserves some hibernation time in the cellar." Finally, Chermette's Brouilly is a stalwart example of a cru that doesn't quite carry the cachet of the more famous crus, but nonetheless is a source of superb wines of serious character. Gilman notes the 93-point 2022 Pierreux is "a gorgeous example of this fine vintage ... bright, full-bodied, pure and nicely soil-driven, with a beautiful core of fruit, moderate, buried tannins, lovely focus and grip and a long, complex and impeccably balanced finish." Chermette's wines underscore the true brilliance of artisan cru Beaujolais – stunning terroir representation, superb cellar potential, and razor-sharp pricing that makes it easy to collect by the case. | ||
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| 2019 Giodo Brunello di Montalcino (1.5L) | ||
| Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Anyone who describes himself as a “Sangiovesista” is decidedly serious about Tuscany’s revered grape, but when that Sangiovese devotee is renowned enologist Carlo Ferrini, be assured there is some equally serious Brunello di Montalcino backing it up. From the secluded hillside vineyard producing “Montalcino’s best kept secret” according to the Wine Spectator’s Robert Camuto, the sensational Giodo Brunello di Montalcino offers true Sangiovese perfection from an outstanding vintage, its aromatic ripe, earthy fruit elegantly balancing mouthwatering acidity and silky-smooth, polished tannins, already delivering enjoyment today and promising to age beautifully for a decade or more. Bordered by mature trees and ancient cypress with stunning views of the towering Monte Amiata, the nearly hidden Podere Giodo estate spans 5.5 hectares of organically farmed vineyards at 300 to 400 meters above sea level, its newly built contemporary stone buildings and state of the art winery seamlessly blending into the garden-like hillside setting. Boasting an A-list of customers in the region including Barone Ricasoli, Fonterutoli, Talenti and Romitorio, winemaker Carlo Ferrini quietly started his personal Montalcino project in 2002, clearing 2.5 hectares of mostly oak forest on mineral-rich slopes and planting it with specially selected, low yielding Sangiovese clones for the Brunello, its optimal southeast exposure protecting the vines from the intense afternoon sun. Produced only in top vintages like 2016, declared one of Brunello’s “greatest ever” by James Suckling, Ferrini practices green harvesting to further reduce yields, dropping about 40% of his crop in August and hand harvesting the first selection for the Brunello in September. Utilizing short macerations to minimize extraction and fermenting in stainless and concrete with native wild yeasts, the sophisticated Podere Giodo Brunello was aged for 30 months in large 500 and 700 liter oak casks, followed by additional time in concrete vats and years in bottle, yielding an exquisite, brightly focused Brunello described as “a career defining wine” by the Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner, a remarkable feat considering Ferrini’s 30 plus year legacy as one of Tuscany’s greatest consulting winemakers. Initially trying to keep Podere Giodo under the radar so as to not compete with his high-profile clients, perfection is simply hard to keep under wraps, the meticulously crafted Giodo Brunello di Montalcino reflecting Carlo Ferrini’s uncompromising devotion to “celebrating the pleasures of Sangiovese” according to Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson and now with increased demand, requiring quick action for collectors to secure their cellar-ready stash. | ||
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| 2022 Domaine Weinbach Pinot Gris Les Caracoles (750ml) | ||
| Pinot Gris from Alsace, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Domaine Weinbach is an iconic domaine ... The wines are amongst the most elegant and poised in Alsace. They are paradigms of varietal expression and age effortlessly." - Anne Krebiehl MW, Vinous For four generations, Domaine Weinbach has stood as a standard bearer for Alsace's finest expressions, producing universally acclaimed wines that have few equals in the region or anywhere in France for that matter. Winemaker Eddy Leiber-Faller now helms this treasured estate along with his brother Théo, carrying on the remarkable legacy laid down by their grandmother, mother, and aunt. We've just secured a parcel of some of their latest stunning releases, which have already garnered big press from bothWine Advocateand James Suckling's Alsace critic Stuart Pigott. Leading off, the 2022 Riesling Cuvée Colette carries unimpeachable grand cru pedigree – after all, it hails from old vines at the bottom of the Schlossberg grand cru, one of the most hallowed sites in the region that produces some its most sought-after wines. Notching 95 points from James Suckling and an additional 93 points fromWine Advocate, the 2022 Colette is a "very pure ... elegant and stunningly precise" rendition that presents all the best characteristics of the dry Riesling style in the hands of one of Alsace's most revered domaines. Likewise, the JS94 Riesling Cuvée Théo posseses "Stunning balance and finesse" according to Pigott, making it an ideal introduction to the Weinbach style. Riesling isn't the only noble varietal that thrives in the hands of the Faller family. The 2022 Pinot Gris Caracoles boasts "superb balance" resulting in a 94-point wine that "has a gracefulness that is really delightful ... with fantastic textural complexity," while the 93-point 2022 Gewürztraminer Treilles du Loup, from a rare parcel with granitic soils, is "an extraordinarily fine and fresh wine for this grape variety" per Pigott, carrying its 10g/l of residual sweetness with grace and aplomb. If you're already a fan of this treasured domaine, you'll want to jump on this opportunity while you can, and if you haven't yet gotten acquainted with them, now is the time – our market-best pricing is the perfect excuse to add these surefire winners from one of the wine world's greatest names to your collection. | ||
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| 2022 Domaine du Vissoux Pierre-Marie Chermette Brouilly Pierreux (750ml) | ||
| Gamay from Beaujolais, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "To my palate, some of the cuvées ... number among the finest values that can be found in French wine, and I warmly recommend any readers who haven't yet acquainted themselves with this estate to try a few bottles." - William Kelley, Wine Advocate Domaine du Vissoux, now under the direction of the extremely talented Jean-Etienne Chermette, continues to set the bar in Fleurie. From some of the appellation's choicest parcels, these are always among the most admired expressions, particularly in the excellent 2022 vintage. Chermette once again hit high marks across the board with the notoriously stingy John Gilman of View From the Cellar. The 94-point Fleurie Les Garants, from a parcel that used to be part of the Moulin-à-Vent cru, "is first class Fleurie that belies its old Moulin-à-Vent classification ... Fine, fine juice!" Speaking of Moulin-à-Vent, the 2022 Les Trois Roches, sourced from three old-vine plots, is "a brilliant young wine ... a proper bottle of Moulin-à-Vent [that] deserves some hibernation time in the cellar." Finally, Chermette's Brouilly is a stalwart example of a cru that doesn't quite carry the cachet of the more famous crus, but nonetheless is a source of superb wines of serious character. Gilman notes the 93-point 2022 Pierreux is "a gorgeous example of this fine vintage ... bright, full-bodied, pure and nicely soil-driven, with a beautiful core of fruit, moderate, buried tannins, lovely focus and grip and a long, complex and impeccably balanced finish." Chermette's wines underscore the true brilliance of artisan cru Beaujolais – stunning terroir representation, superb cellar potential, and razor-sharp pricing that makes it easy to collect by the case. | ||
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