| 2021 Le Cinciole Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Aluigi (750ml) | ||
| Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "I was once again deeply impressed with Le Cinciole. Valeria Viganò and Luca Orsini have quietly turned Le Cinciole into one of the leading estates in all of Italy ... Readers should do everything they can to check out these new releases." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous One of the Italian jewels of our growing Direct Import portfolio, Le Cinciole is a name that fans of ultra-classic Tuscan reds need to know. Leading off, the 2021 Chianti Classico delivers incredible bang for the buck as a "juicy, vivid, and crunchy" entry-level value star, while the 2021 Aluigi Campo ai Peri Gran Selezione continues a recent run of stratospheric accolades that this cuvée has racked up from Antonio Galloni, who lauds it as "detailed and vibrant in the glass, with captivating energy." From a single parcel of vines on the region's famed galestro soils, the "terrific" 2021 is a quintessential Sangiovese expression, "balanced and bright with a pretty sense of fruit purity and focus" according to Monica Larner, which should be snatched up by savvy buyers. The estate plays mostly in the Sangiovese category with outstanding results, but that same exceptional vineyard [pedigree and winemaking talent come to bear in stunning fashion with Cabernet Sauvignon, as we clearly see in the 94-point 2020 Camalaione. A blend of 70% Cab, with the balance Syrah and Merlot, this is a powerhouse wine of real substance and layered intensity, with the signature characteristics that only Tuscany can bring to the native Bordeaux varietal. Finally, the 2021 Petresco, made of 100% Sangiovese from the estate's highest-elevation vineyard, is a paragon of age-worthy Sangiovese that can stand toe to toe with the most iconic renditions from Brunello and Chianti. The mineral- and -earth-driven profile will thrill fans of classic Tuscan reds, with the poise and refinement of a wine two or three times its price. Chianti's epic 2021 vintage produced "a restrained and complex wine with rare depth and vibrancy," as James Suckling describes it, denoting a level of class and sophistication that can stand with Italy's best collectibles. Fans of the estate won't want to miss these, and if you've never experienced Le Cinciole before, it's high time you got to know "one of the leading estates in all of Italy." | ||
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| 2023 Thierry & Pascale Matrot Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chalumeaux (750ml) | ||
| Chardonnay from Puligny Montrachet, Burgundy, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "An exceptional range throughout that shows this Meursault reference-point in a brilliant light." - Andrew Kitz, B-21 Burgundy Buyer This iconic Meursault domaine, spearheaded by the legendary Pierre Matrot, is now in its third generation under Pierre's granddaughters Elsa and Adele, who are shepherding it into a thrilling new era, as our Burgundy team discovered last spring during their visit. The sisters have undertaken a subtle yet remarkable transformation of the domaine's style, moving away from the more solidly built, heavily oaked wines of their father, Thierry, and toward a more nuanced expression of terroir signature with very judicious use of the barrel. The results are vividly compelling wines that convey the domaine's prized holdings in crystal-clear fashion. The 2023 vintage favored Chardonnay in the Côte de Beaune, and Matrot's wines also capture the balanced brilliance of the vintage perfectly. The treasured 1ers crus of Puligny Combettes and Meursault Perrieres surely turned out some absolutely thrilling renditions in 2023, the former "super-sleek, delicious, and appealingly tension-filled" and the latter showing 95-point potential according to both Martin and Morris for its "cool, pure and beautifully layered" personality. The sleeper star, however, is the "marvelous" Puligny 1er Cru Chalumeaux, showing 96-point potential from Morris. It's great to see such an iconic domaine showing this level of potential and promise as it enters a new era, and based on what we saw from them earlier this year, Matrot's best days may yet be ahead of us. | ||
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| 2023 Thierry & Pascale Matrot Meursault 1er Cru Les Charmes (750ml) | ||
| Chardonnay from Meursault, Burgundy, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "An exceptional range throughout that shows this Meursault reference-point in a brilliant light." - Andrew Kitz, B-21 Burgundy Buyer This iconic Meursault domaine, spearheaded by the legendary Pierre Matrot, is now in its third generation under Pierre's granddaughters Elsa and Adele, who are shepherding it into a thrilling new era, as our Burgundy team discovered last spring during their visit. The sisters have undertaken a subtle yet remarkable transformation of the domaine's style, moving away from the more solidly built, heavily oaked wines of their father, Thierry, and toward a more nuanced expression of terroir signature with very judicious use of the barrel. The results are vividly compelling wines that convey the domaine's prized holdings in crystal-clear fashion. The 2023 vintage favored Chardonnay in the Côte de Beaune, and Matrot's wines also capture the balanced brilliance of the vintage perfectly. The treasured 1ers crus of Puligny Combettes and Meursault Perrieres surely turned out some absolutely thrilling renditions in 2023, the former "super-sleek, delicious, and appealingly tension-filled" and the latter showing 95-point potential according to both Martin and Morris for its "cool, pure and beautifully layered" personality. The sleeper star, however, is the "marvelous" Puligny 1er Cru Chalumeaux, showing 96-point potential from Morris. It's great to see such an iconic domaine showing this level of potential and promise as it enters a new era, and based on what we saw from them earlier this year, Matrot's best days may yet be ahead of us. | ||
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| 2023 Thierry & Pascale Matrot Meursault 1er Cru Perrieres (750ml) | ||
| Chardonnay from Meursault, Burgundy, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "An exceptional range throughout that shows this Meursault reference-point in a brilliant light." - Andrew Kitz, B-21 Burgundy Buyer This iconic Meursault domaine, spearheaded by the legendary Pierre Matrot, is now in its third generation under Pierre's granddaughters Elsa and Adele, who are shepherding it into a thrilling new era, as our Burgundy team discovered last spring during their visit. The sisters have undertaken a subtle yet remarkable transformation of the domaine's style, moving away from the more solidly built, heavily oaked wines of their father, Thierry, and toward a more nuanced expression of terroir signature with very judicious use of the barrel. The results are vividly compelling wines that convey the domaine's prized holdings in crystal-clear fashion. The 2023 vintage favored Chardonnay in the Côte de Beaune, and Matrot's wines also capture the balanced brilliance of the vintage perfectly. The treasured 1ers crus of Puligny Combettes and Meursault Perrieres surely turned out some absolutely thrilling renditions in 2023, the former "super-sleek, delicious, and appealingly tension-filled" and the latter showing 95-point potential according to both Martin and Morris for its "cool, pure and beautifully layered" personality. The sleeper star, however, is the "marvelous" Puligny 1er Cru Chalumeaux, showing 96-point potential from Morris. It's great to see such an iconic domaine showing this level of potential and promise as it enters a new era, and based on what we saw from them earlier this year, Matrot's best days may yet be ahead of us. | ||
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| 2023 Thierry & Pascale Matrot Meursault (750ml) | ||
| Chardonnay from Meursault, Burgundy, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "An exceptional range throughout that shows this Meursault reference-point in a brilliant light." - Andrew Kitz, B-21 Burgundy Buyer This iconic Meursault domaine, spearheaded by the legendary Pierre Matrot, is now in its third generation under Pierre's granddaughters Elsa and Adele, who are shepherding it into a thrilling new era, as our Burgundy team discovered last spring during their visit. The sisters have undertaken a subtle yet remarkable transformation of the domaine's style, moving away from the more solidly built, heavily oaked wines of their father, Thierry, and toward a more nuanced expression of terroir signature with very judicious use of the barrel. The results are vividly compelling wines that convey the domaine's prized holdings in crystal-clear fashion. The 2023 vintage favored Chardonnay in the Côte de Beaune, and Matrot's wines also capture the balanced brilliance of the vintage perfectly. The treasured 1ers crus of Puligny Combettes and Meursault Perrieres surely turned out some absolutely thrilling renditions in 2023, the former "super-sleek, delicious, and appealingly tension-filled" and the latter showing 95-point potential according to both Martin and Morris for its "cool, pure and beautifully layered" personality. The sleeper star, however, is the "marvelous" Puligny 1er Cru Chalumeaux, showing 96-point potential from Morris. It's great to see such an iconic domaine showing this level of potential and promise as it enters a new era, and based on what we saw from them earlier this year, Matrot's best days may yet be ahead of us. | ||
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| 2021 Le Cinciole Petresco (750ml) | ||
| Sangiovese from Tuscany, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "I was once again deeply impressed with Le Cinciole. Valeria Viganò and Luca Orsini have quietly turned Le Cinciole into one of the leading estates in all of Italy ... Readers should do everything they can to check out these new releases." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous One of the Italian jewels of our growing Direct Import portfolio, Le Cinciole is a name that fans of ultra-classic Tuscan reds need to know. Leading off, the 2021 Chianti Classico delivers incredible bang for the buck as a "juicy, vivid, and crunchy" entry-level value star, while the 2021 Aluigi Campo ai Peri Gran Selezione continues a recent run of stratospheric accolades that this cuvée has racked up from Antonio Galloni, who lauds it as "detailed and vibrant in the glass, with captivating energy." From a single parcel of vines on the region's famed galestro soils, the "terrific" 2021 is a quintessential Sangiovese expression, "balanced and bright with a pretty sense of fruit purity and focus" according to Monica Larner, which should be snatched up by savvy buyers. The estate plays mostly in the Sangiovese category with outstanding results, but that same exceptional vineyard [pedigree and winemaking talent come to bear in stunning fashion with Cabernet Sauvignon, as we clearly see in the 94-point 2020 Camalaione. A blend of 70% Cab, with the balance Syrah and Merlot, this is a powerhouse wine of real substance and layered intensity, with the signature characteristics that only Tuscany can bring to the native Bordeaux varietal. Finally, the 2021 Petresco, made of 100% Sangiovese from the estate's highest-elevation vineyard, is a paragon of age-worthy Sangiovese that can stand toe to toe with the most iconic renditions from Brunello and Chianti. The mineral- and -earth-driven profile will thrill fans of classic Tuscan reds, with the poise and refinement of a wine two or three times its price. Chianti's epic 2021 vintage produced "a restrained and complex wine with rare depth and vibrancy," as James Suckling describes it, denoting a level of class and sophistication that can stand with Italy's best collectibles. Fans of the estate won't want to miss these, and if you've never experienced Le Cinciole before, it's high time you got to know "one of the leading estates in all of Italy." | ||
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| 2022 Chateau Les Carmes Haut-Brion (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Franc from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "This is an extraordinary vintage that will go down in record books as one of the all-time greats." - Jeb Dunnuck When Bordeaux's 2022 vintage premiered three years ago, there was some uncertainty as to how the wines would play out from such a hot, dry growing season, one which surely promised wines of massive power, ripeness, and weight. Would it be too much of a good thing? As it appeared then, and as it has turned out now that the wines are releasing to market, it's an extraordinary campaign among the best of the century. As Dunnuck observes, "Now that the wines are in bottles, it’s clear they have fully lived up to the early hype—and not just at the high end. The 2022s are deep, layered, and concentrated while staying beautifully balanced, light on their feet, and elegant." Today's selection presents an incredible treasure trove that showcases the vintage's greatest features at every price in the spectrum, leaving no doubt as to how good 2022 Bordeaux really is. | ||
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| 2023 Thierry & Pascale Matrot Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Les Combettes (750ml) | ||
| Chardonnay from Puligny Montrachet, Burgundy, France | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "An exceptional range throughout that shows this Meursault reference-point in a brilliant light." - Andrew Kitz, B-21 Burgundy Buyer This iconic Meursault domaine, spearheaded by the legendary Pierre Matrot, is now in its third generation under Pierre's granddaughters Elsa and Adele, who are shepherding it into a thrilling new era, as our Burgundy team discovered last spring during their visit. The sisters have undertaken a subtle yet remarkable transformation of the domaine's style, moving away from the more solidly built, heavily oaked wines of their father, Thierry, and toward a more nuanced expression of terroir signature with very judicious use of the barrel. The results are vividly compelling wines that convey the domaine's prized holdings in crystal-clear fashion. The 2023 vintage favored Chardonnay in the Côte de Beaune, and Matrot's wines also capture the balanced brilliance of the vintage perfectly. The treasured 1ers crus of Puligny Combettes and Meursault Perrieres surely turned out some absolutely thrilling renditions in 2023, the former "super-sleek, delicious, and appealingly tension-filled" and the latter showing 95-point potential according to both Martin and Morris for its "cool, pure and beautifully layered" personality. The sleeper star, however, is the "marvelous" Puligny 1er Cru Chalumeaux, showing 96-point potential from Morris. It's great to see such an iconic domaine showing this level of potential and promise as it enters a new era, and based on what we saw from them earlier this year, Matrot's best days may yet be ahead of us. | ||
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| 2020 Le Cinciole Camalaione (750ml) | ||
| Cabernet Sauvignon from Tuscany, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "I was once again deeply impressed with Le Cinciole. Valeria Viganò and Luca Orsini have quietly turned Le Cinciole into one of the leading estates in all of Italy ... Readers should do everything they can to check out these new releases." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous One of the Italian jewels of our growing Direct Import portfolio, Le Cinciole is a name that fans of ultra-classic Tuscan reds need to know. Leading off, the 2021 Chianti Classico delivers incredible bang for the buck as a "juicy, vivid, and crunchy" entry-level value star, while the 2021 Aluigi Campo ai Peri Gran Selezione continues a recent run of stratospheric accolades that this cuvée has racked up from Antonio Galloni, who lauds it as "detailed and vibrant in the glass, with captivating energy." From a single parcel of vines on the region's famed galestro soils, the "terrific" 2021 is a quintessential Sangiovese expression, "balanced and bright with a pretty sense of fruit purity and focus" according to Monica Larner, which should be snatched up by savvy buyers. The estate plays mostly in the Sangiovese category with outstanding results, but that same exceptional vineyard [pedigree and winemaking talent come to bear in stunning fashion with Cabernet Sauvignon, as we clearly see in the 94-point 2020 Camalaione. A blend of 70% Cab, with the balance Syrah and Merlot, this is a powerhouse wine of real substance and layered intensity, with the signature characteristics that only Tuscany can bring to the native Bordeaux varietal. Finally, the 2021 Petresco, made of 100% Sangiovese from the estate's highest-elevation vineyard, is a paragon of age-worthy Sangiovese that can stand toe to toe with the most iconic renditions from Brunello and Chianti. The mineral- and -earth-driven profile will thrill fans of classic Tuscan reds, with the poise and refinement of a wine two or three times its price. Chianti's epic 2021 vintage produced "a restrained and complex wine with rare depth and vibrancy," as James Suckling describes it, denoting a level of class and sophistication that can stand with Italy's best collectibles. Fans of the estate won't want to miss these, and if you've never experienced Le Cinciole before, it's high time you got to know "one of the leading estates in all of Italy." | ||
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| 2021 Vajra Barolo Bricco delle Viole (1.5L) | ||
| Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy | ||
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B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More "Two thousand twenty-one is a superb vintage for Barolo." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous The hype has been going for some time now, but you never know just how good or great a vintage can be until the wines hit the market. Now that the 2021 Barolos are here, it's clear that the early praise and accolades are well warranted. Apart from a few isolated weather events, the growing season was ideal by modern Barolo standards, with a long cycle and normal harvest time. Normal diurnal temperature shifts and heat patterns also contributed to the incredible overall quality that is becoming evident in the finished wines. As Galloni notes in his comprehensive vintage report, "The 2021 Barolos are finessed, elegant wines that will delight Piedmont fans." Against this backdrop, we present a staggering array of the vintage's most compelling recent releases, over forty wines spanning entry-level gems and values for near-term enjoyment to cult-caliber cellar performers that will show the 2021 vintage in all its glory decades down the road. Names like Vietti, Vajra, and Gaja dot the landscape, as well as under-the-radar winners like Brezza, Manzone, and Elio Grasso. If this introductory list below tells us one thing, it's that the 2021 Barolo campaign is going to offer immense enjoyment for collectors and Piedmont fans as they stock the cellar with one incredible wine after another. | ||
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