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International Wines
Isole e Olena 2018 Chianti Classico, Italy
$ 33.00
A fantastic new Chiantico Classico from one of Italy's best producers, one of the best every vintage.
93 Points Decanter: "It is strange to see a bright red wine, and to smell ripe pinky-yellow peach. But I am told that peach is not such an unusual note for the Sangiovese from this hillcrest, along which the great estates Isole e Olena, Paneretta and Monsanto sit, looking out towards the Tyrrhenian sea. Winemaker Paolo de Marchi is a great fan of the native Canaiolo Nero and blends in 15%, contributing a black/violet colour, breadth, softness and spice to balance the austerity of Sangiovese. A consistently excellent wine."
91 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2017 Chianti Classico is fabulous. Bright, punchy and so full of character, the 2017 is absolutely delicious. Sweet berry, cedar, tobacco, rose petal and subtle earthy notes all grace the 2017, an exquisite wine that will drink well with minimal cellaring. More than anything, I am so impressed with the wine's energy."
90 Points Decanter: 'While Isole e Olena was able to avoid frost damage in 2017, owner Paolo de Marchi estimates losing 40% of production due to drought conditions. He always picks as late as possible and vinifies gently to avoid rustic, green tannins. Aromas are restrained hinting at black currant, sage and spice with an undertow of espresso. On the palate there is a sumptuousness yet no lack of acidity and smart sophisticated tannin shore in ripe, generous fruit."
Isole e Olena Chianti is a wine of incredible finesse. Supple, elegant and perfumed, this blend of Sangiovese and Canaiolo is the result of pristine quality fruit grown in high-density, naturally farmed vineyards. Year in, year out, winemaker Paolo de Marchi sets the highest standard for the wine of the region.
Juan Gil 2019 Silver Label Jumilla Red, Spain
$ 19.99
A phenomenal value
A phenomenal red from Spain that sells for a song from Bodegas Juan Gil. Big and full-bodied, California wine lovers will take to this wine easily.
93 Points Robert Parker: "The 2018 Juan Gil (silver label), from a cooler and rainier, more continental vintage than the 2017 I tasted next to it. The origin is the same, Monastrell from their own old, non-irrigated vines fermented in stainless steel and matured in French oak barrels for around 12 months. This is the first vintage that is certified organic. There were some challenges, but they resulted in a fresh and balanced wine with integrated oak and a juicy and round palate. They have introduced optical sorting of the grapes, and perhaps that's why there is more precision and purity. They cannot do manual sorting at this price point, but optical sorting seems like a good alternative. 2018 is a more difficult vintage than the 2017, yet this wine is better, juicier and seems to absorb the oak better, with just a smoky touch that reminded me somehow of a Northern Rhône. Really impressive."
The Gil family from Jumilla have built a brand new winery that has 100% renewable energy, and all the waste is reused (water goes to humus, etc.). All of their vineyards are organically farmed even though they don't have a full certification in order to avoid bureaucracy. 2017 was a Mediterranean year in the style of 2015, and 2018 was cooler, more in the style of 2016, both very challenging harvests. The Juan Gil Silver Label Red is one of our favorite buys from Spain!
La Massa 2017 Toscana, Italy
$ 24.99
An amazing value...
La Massa’s entry-level “La Massa” Super Tuscan is a blend of Sangiovese with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Alicante. Grown in La Massa’s idyllic “Conca d’Oro” estate, the wine gives a sneak peek into the potential of this producer's high end wines.
This full-bodied, energetic red from the Chianti Classico region of Panzano combines warm richness with balance and length that makes it widely popular year after year. Winemaker Stephane Derenoncourt, one of Bordeaux's most renowned winemakers, crafts the wine with Bordeaux influences including aging in French oak, 20% new, to produce a luscious mouth-feel. This wine is one of the best values in the market place.
93 Points James Suckling: "A plush red with sweet-berry and spice aromas and flavors. Hints of vanilla. Full body. Lush and delicious. Needs a little time to come together, but already very attractive."
91 Point Robert Parker: "Beautiful and seamless, the 2017 La Massa beats the heat. There is little sign of a warm vintage in this blend of 70% Sangiovese, 15% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon plus Alicante Bouschet. The wine turned out terrifically bright and nuanced with its light spice and blackberry notes. Present it alongside a veal tagliata with rosemary. You get terrific value here."
La Scolca 2020 Gavi dei Gavi Black Label Bianco Secco, Italy
$ 44.99
Gavi dei Gavi, the prestige of La Scolca, is acheived through the most rigorous respoect for nature, according to the most traditional rules of cultivation, from pruning to harvest of vineyards that reach up to sixty years of age. The benchmark for quality worldwide.
Tasting Notes: "Pale straw in color with delicate greenish highlights. Intense lemon citrus fruit with floral and flinty notes on the nose, comparable to the best wines from Chablis. Medium bodied, with apple and more citrus fruit on the palate as well as notes of almonds and hazelnuts. The finish is crisp, refreshing and long.
La Scolca led the movement to establish an exciting, new quality level for dry Italian white wines when the Soldati family launched their trademarked "Gavi dei Gavi" in 1966. Gavi comes from a small growing area in northwestern Italy located north of Genoa on the steep slopes of the Ligurian Apennines. The 62-acre La Scolca estate, owned and directed by Giorgio Soldati, is situated in one of the best communes, Rovereto.
La Scolca is an artisanal winery, which pioneered modern, controlled vinification in stainless steel to preserve the subtle fruit of the Cortese grape. Yields are kept low, well below the legal maximum, through severe pruning and thinning. The oldest vines and best sites are reserved for their Gavi dei Gavi, packaged in a clear Burgundy-style bottle with a distinctive black label.
Le Vieux Donjon 2020 Chateauneuf-du-Pape, France
$ 74.99
94 Points Parker - limited
A great wine from France's Rhone Valley.
94 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "From an estate that seems to have hit another level over the past 5-7 years or so, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape reveals a deeper plum/purple color as well as charming, complex aromas and flavors of ripe blackberries, mulberries, peppery garrigue, flowers, and orange blossom. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it shows the more charming, mid-weight style of the vintage, has silky tannins, wonderful overall balance, and outstanding length. It's not going to match the top vintages from this estate, but it's going to put a smile on your face any time over the coming 15 years or so."
Leeuwin 2016 Prelude Vineyard Chardonnay, Australia
$ 34.99
Our favorite Chardonnay from "Down Under"! Any California Chardonnay fan will love Leeuwin's Prelude Chardonnay. Limited in production and not much is imported to the US so try it while its still available!
91 Points Wine Spectator: "Fresh and lively, with vibrant acidity to balance the ripe pear and floral flavors, hinting at clotted cream as the finish lingers. Drink now through 2015. 500 cases imported."
Leeuwin 2017 "Art Series" Chardonnay Margaret River, Australia
$ 79.95
96 points - limited
Our favorite Chardonnay from "Down Under"! Any California Chardonnay fan will love Leeuwin's Art Series Chardonnay. Limited in production and not much is imported to the US so try it while its still available.
96 Points Wine Spectator *Highly Recommended*: "The Leeuwin 2017 Art Series Chardonnay opens rich and lush, with grilled pineapple, ripe pear and fleshy apricot flavors. Details of mineral, lime peel and Meyer lemon add a fresh thread of acidity and a sense of precision, finishing with a note of sesame seed. Drink now through 2030. 800 cases imported."
Legit 2016 Tolaini Cabernet Sauvignon, Tuscany
$ 44.99
95 Points
Wine Spectator #26 Wine of 2019.
95 Points Wine Spectator: "An impressive red of breadth and depth, featuring black cherry, plum, leather, earth, iron and cedar aromas and flavors. This is solidly built and well-balanced, with finely honed tannins and lively acidity providing backbone. Best from 2021 through 2040."
LEGIT is wine of power and finesse, an organically farmed Cabernet Sauvignon made from hand-picked grapes from prized San Giovanni Vineyard in the heart of Castelnuovo Berardenga. Here the gentle sloping Tuscan vineyard and its gnarled vines mimic the angular melodies and dissonant twists of Monk's great masterpieces. "A wine born of soul and depth", a harmonius and unlikely marriage of American Jazz and Italian tradition that is as perfectly irreverent, as stylishly 'LEGIT' as the Artist who inspired it.
The wine has a deep ruby red color. The nose displays hints of green pepper, licorice and graphite melted with oak vanilla flavors. Full bodied with a ripe fruit palate, LEGIT has the potential to age for a long period of time, which is typical of the Cabernet Sauvignon produced in the Castelnuovo Berardenga Area."
Luca 2019 Old Vines Malbec, Uco Valley Argentina
$ 34.99
Laura Catena, proprietor of Luca Winery, is a fourth generation vintner, who also happens to be a Harvard and Stanford educated emergency medicine physician. Following the birth of her first child, Luca, she felt compelled to create a legacy of small production Argentine wines. The Luca Old Vines Malbec is from fruit grown in the Uco Valley, and is, in typical Luca style, a big, broad shouldered, structured powerhouse of a wine.
93 Points Robert Parker: "Fom new plantings in Gualtallary, the Luca Malbec has increased the proportion of fruit coming from this cool place to make it approximately a 50/50 blend of Malbec fruit from Gualtallary and La Consulta, both in the Valle de Uco. There is a big jump in precision and harmony along with more freshness and elegance. The expansive palate has great depth and fruit with very good freshness. This could well be the best vintage of Luca Malbec and I think the best might be yet to come, as the new vineyard matures...Luca is the personal project of Laura Catena."
93 Points James Suckling: "Beautiful aromas of blackberry, black licorice and spice follow through to a full body, with ultra-fine tannins and a blueberry, dark chocolate and light nut aftertaste. Drink or hold."
Luce Della Vite 2019 Luce, Tuscany
$ 124.99
99 pts
New release of the iconic Super Tuscan Luce Red, one of Italy's most sought-after wines. Limited.
99 Points James Suckling: "Sophisticated aromas of lead pencil, graphite and blackcurrant. Hints of black olives and herbs, too. Full-bodied, yet tight and deep, with super precision and intensity to the tannins. Incredible balance of structure and finesse to this. Give it time in the cellar. Better after 2027."
Luce was the first wine created in Montalcino by blending Sangiovese and Merlot. Combining the roundedness and softness of Merlot with the structure and elegance of Sangiovese might seem a rather obvious idea, and yet it took the insight and collaboration of the Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi and Robert Mondavi Families to launch this innovative project in the land of the world renown Brunello di Montalcino, a wine made strictly from Sangiovese.
Marchese Antinori 2019 Tenuta Tignanello Chianti Classico Riserva, Italy
$ 47.99
New release from Marchese Antinorio, producer of the legendary Super Tuscan Tignanello!
94 Points Wine Spectator: "A harmonious red, offering an expression of cherry, blackberry and floral aromas and flavors offset by a vibrant, well-integrated structure. Shows iron, tobacco, smoke and a hint of wild herbs, which weigh in as this evolves on the palate toward a lingering aftertaste. Delivers finesse and energy. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2024 through 2038."
94 Points James Suckling: "A tight, fruity red with black-cherry and blueberry aromas and flavors. It’s full-bodied with chewy yet fine-grained tannins. Love the polish and focus. Driven and linear. Drink after 2023."
92 Points Robert Parker: "This wine is made with fruit from the 130-hectare Tignanello estate and is Sangiovese with a smaller part Cabernet Sauvignon. The Marchesi Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva Marchese Antinori is a dark and sultry expression with a higher degree of evident richness and concentration in this vintage that produced smaller, more compact berries. The tannins stand out tallest here, and there is some bitterness that is more in line with my expectations of the vintage. In fact, among these new Marchesi Antinori releases this wine most accurately reflects the hot vintage especially in terms of mouthfeel. There is a pretty menthol note on the close. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel, and the wine ages in French and Hungarian oak barrels for one year."
Marqués de Murrieta 2016 "Finca Ygay" Rioja Riserva
$ 27.99
94 Point Rioja
One of Rioja's finest Riservas from Marques de Murrieta.
94 Points James Suckling: "This is very structured and powerful with a dense and rich palate of ripe fruit and hints of toasted oak. Full and layered. Structured. Released February 2020. Needs a few years of bottle age.
94 Points Robert Parker: "I also tasted an unbottled sample of the Marques de Murietta 2016 Rioja Reserva, which should be bottled in a couple of months, before the summer. What I tasted was the final blend, and it represents the year—2016 was a cooler year, and the wine also goes in that direction. 2016 saw a large crop, and the grapes for this cuvée were harvested at the end of September, going toward more finesse and subtleness, combined with the natural power. There was a change in the winery in 2016 that was finalized in 2018 with the new winery. The wine is textured and fine, and it's more elegant than the 2015 I tasted next to it. The detail and texture on the palate is different, and the quality of the tannins is completely different. This should be released in early 2020."
Though it's one of the oldest Rioja bodegas, dating back to the mid-19th century, Marqués de Murrieta has not rested on its laurels. They continue to produce excellent wines that are big hits with their customers and critics alike. They farm all their own grapes on their large, contiguous vineyard just outside of Logroño, which boasts old vines, a variety of soils from chalky clay to very stony parcels, and a climate that particularly favors not only Tempranillo but some of the region's finest Mazuelo.
Marqués de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial Rioja 2011
$ 199.99 $ 229.00
99 Point Rioja
One of Rioja's finest reds from Marques de Murrieta, the Castillo Ygay Grand Reserve Rioja is a beautiful wine - limited.
99 Points James Suckling: "Marvelous aromas of crushed berries, tobacco, cedar and mushrooms. Some dried cheese. Then turns to flowers. Very complex. Full and intense with fantastic depth and power. It goes on for minutes. It is a wine that exudes tradition but gives a sense of modernity with precise winemaking. Two years in oak, one in concrete and three or four in bottle. Drink on release and age onwards."
97 Points Wine Enthusiast "Cellar Selection": "Deep violet-red to the eye, this wine has a nose of raspberry, white chocolate and juniper berry. Still youthful on the palate, it offers ever-present tannins supporting flavors of dark plum, black cherry, caramel and violet that slowly fade into a soft cherry-pie finish. Drink through 2042. Alcohol 14%."
97 Points Robert Parker: "It has greatness and finesse and is a very attractive wine with all the stuffing and balance that is needed for a long (and positive) aging in bottle. This is one of the finest modern day vintages of Castillo Ygay. This is going to develop in the direction of the classical bottlings from yesteryear."
Only the finest vintages from the 741-acre (300-hectare) Ygay Estate are used to make Castillo Ygay. This Gran Reserva Especial is made from Tempranillo and Mazuelo from vineyards located at 500 meters above sea level. Limited in production and sought after all over the world, it is the worthy choice for our emblematic Castillo Ygay label. The Cebrian-Sagarriga family, who in 1983 acquired the Marques de Murrieta winery, established in 1852, has a distinct winemaking philosophy that is founded in the pursuit of quality and excellence through tradition and innovation.
Mastrojanni 2015 Brunello di Montalcino
$ 74.99
97 points
A fantastic buy in Brunello di Montalcino from Mastrojanni. Limited.
First established in 1975, the award winning Mastrojanni has become one of the most well-respected Montalcino producers. 2015 was not only a great year for wine throughout the whole of Europe but is being called the best vintage ever for Brunello di Montalcino!
97 Points James Suckling: "Wow. What a gorgeous Brunello with complex and beautiful aromas and flavors of cherries, flowers, walnuts and berries. It’s full-bodied, yet so polished and refined with soft, creamy tannins that are long and linear at the end. It goes on for minutes. Drinkable now, but better in 2022."
94+ Points Robert Parker: "The Mastrojanni Brunello di Montalcino has a succulent or meaty quality that adds to the overall intensity of the wine. You get rich fruit, baking spice and even a touch of rum cake. The wine is dark and velvety in appearance, and the mouthfeel is robust and concentrated. I love the full-bodied appeal and power of this wine. It has seamlessly captured the spirit of the vintage. Its approach is immediate, and you can enjoy this wine without waiting too much longer. The mouthfeel is lean, snappy and smooth. Fruit comes from a 14.4-hectare vineyard with south-facing exposures and clay soils with lots of broken rock shards."
94 Points Antonio Galloni: "Mastrojanni's Brunello di Montalcino presents a complex, dark, and earthy display of ripe black cherries that gives way to dusty, dried florals, spice box, crushed stone and hints of animal musk. On the palate, silky textures and pure Sangiovese fruit collect beneath resonating earth tones, all supported by a web of minerals and tannin. The finish is long and youthfully structured, yet the wine maintains terrific freshness."
Michel Gassier 2010 'Lou Coucardie" Rouge, Rhone
$ 27.99
A fantastic new release from Michel Gassier - limited.
94 Points Robert Parker: "The 2010 Costieres de Nimes Chateau de Nages Lou Coucardie is somewhat of an experimental cuvee launched a few years ago by Michel Gassier and his consultant, Philippe Cambie. It is a selection of very old vines and is a blend of 60% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache and 10% Syrah. The wine is aged in small barrels, of which 50% are new. Its black/purple color is accompanied by notes of mint, blueberry and blackberry liqueur, incense, camphor and charcoal. This amazing tour de force should age nicely for 10+ years."
For four generations, the Gassier family has been working in the Costieres de Nimes, and Michel Gassier and his American wife are the most recent proprietors of these biodynamically farmed vineyards. Gassier has quickly become a reference point for what can be achieved in this area just south of Chateauneuf du Pape. This 175-acre estate also produces some terrific white wines as well as a handful of other reds that I have reviewed previously. They should not be missed!
Miraval 2020 Rosé Cotes de Provence, France
$ 21.00
This wine comes from Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's Provence estate, Château Miraval, and is possibly the most anticipated release of a rosé ever seen. Hurry before it sells out in a flash. The new summer wine to be seen with!
Made in partnership with the Perrin family of Château de Beaucastel and featuring a distinctive Champagne punt design, it comes from a blend of Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah and Rolle (aka Vermentino). It was made using a combination of direct pressing and the saignée method and vinified primarily in stainless vats. Roughly 5% was fermented in oak barrels to give the wine added richness. All grapes for this wine are grown using organic techniques.
91 points Jeb Dunnuck: "The Miraval Côtes De Provence Rosé is gorgeous. Peach, citrus, and raspberry notes all leap from the glass and it's juicy, vibrant, and crisp on the palate. This is terrific, and I suspect the finest vintage to date for this cuvée."
91 points Wine Enthusiast: "Still owned jointly by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, this beautiful estate has produced a rich, full wine. Made for the owners by the Perrin family of Château de Beaucastel in the Rhône Valley, this wine exhibits great sophistication, with rich caramel and strawberry fruit and spice finish."
Mollydooker 2018 Gigglepot Cabernet Sauvignon
$ 58.00
New Cabernet release from Mollydooker! Limited.
previous vintage 90 Points Wine Spectator: 'Distinctive, showing a juicy quality to the cherry and berry flavors, with details of mocha and black pepper gaining some traction. Polished on the finish, where all the elements are harmonious and lingering. Drink now through 2030."
Mollydooker 2019 The Boxer, Australia
$ 29.99
Mollydooker is one of Australia's hottest labels - try this delicious red blend while its still available!
previous vintage 93 Points Wine Spectator: "Opens with a grace note of fresh mint, featuring a mix of juicy wild blackberry and blueberry flavors at the core, showing dense tannins and toasted cumin accents. Finishes with some power. Drink now through 2025."
Mollydooker (the Australian equivalent of “Southpaw”– both Sparky and Sarah Marquis are left-handed) is the label of the renowned winemaking team of Sparky and Sarah Marquis.
Mollydooker 2019 Two Left Feet, Australia
$ 27.99
Mollydooker is a hot new label from Australia - try this delicious red blend while its still available!
91 Points Robert Parker: "Ripe and fleshy, with appealing cherry and raspberry flavors that come gushing out, mingling with licorice, nutmeg and savory accents, lingering on the finish. Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2030."
Mollydooker (the Australian equivalent of “Southpaw”– both Sparky and Sarah Marquis are left-handed) is the label of the renowned winemaking team of Sparky and Sarah Marquis.
Mollydooker 2020 Blue Eyed Boy Shiraz, Australia
$ 54.99
Mollydooker is a hot new label from Australia - try one of the highest-rated Shiraz' ever while its still available.
95 Points Robert Parker: "The opaque purple-colored Mollydooker Blue-Eyed Boy Shiraz spent 12 months in 80% new American oak. It offers up an enticing nose of cedar, tobacco, mineral, blueberry, and black raspberry. Opulent on the palate, this glossy effort will evolve for another 1-2 years but can be enjoyed now and over the next decade."
94 Points Wine Spectator: "A succulent, juicy red, with huckleberry, plump blackberry and blueberry preserves that show hints of salted dark chocolate, dried violet and cardamom. Beyond the generous fruit flavors is a structure of polished tannins, with hints of palo santo, dried herbs and tobacco, adding depth and intrigue on the finish. Drink now through 2046."
Mollydooker (the Australian equivalent of “Southpaw”– both Sparky and Sarah Marquis are left-handed) is the label of the renowned winemaking team of Sparky and Sarah Marquis.
Mollydooker 2020 Carnival of Love Shiraz, Australia
$ 79.99
Mollydooker is a hot new label from Australia - try one of the highest-rated Shiraz' ever while its still available.
93 Points Wine Spectator: "Juicy, soft and plush flavors of root beer–scented cherry and raspberry are spicy and a touch candied, but very generous, showing off caramel and sandalwood accents. Smooth and supple through the long finish, this is impressive for the complexity and focus. Drink now through 2029."
Mollydooker (the Australian equivalent of “Southpaw”– both Sparky and Sarah Marquis are left-handed) is the label of the renowned winemaking team of Sparky and Sarah Marquis.
Muga 2019 Torre Muga Rioja
$ 139.99
98 Point Rioja
One of Rioja's finest reds from Miuga, introducing Torre Muga. Limited.
98+ points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2019 Torre Muga is always a more powerful, ripe expression of Rioja that never loses its sense of place. Deep ruby/purple, with a glorious bouquet of cassis, graphite, tobacco leaf, chocolate, and crushed stone, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a deep, pure, multi-dimensional texture, building tannins, and good acidity. It's young, unevolved, yet oh, so promising. Hide bottles for 7-8 years if you can, and it will cruise for 20-30 years. The blend is 80% Tempranillo and the balance Mazuelo and Graciano, aged 18 months in French oak. Drink: 2029-2060. (6/13/22)"
97 points/'#20 Spanish Wine of the Year 2022,' James Suckling: "Intense nose of black fruit, ink, roasted espresso, black truffle and dried rosemary. It’s full-bodied with so much power and concentration. Firm but very velvety and integrated tannins. Deep core of black fruit. Yet, it’s not heavy. Long. One for the cellar. Try this from 2027."
95+ points Robert Parker: "The 2019 Torre Muga showcases the classical blend of Tempranillo, Mazuelo (Cariñena) and Graciano, all from old and some ancient vines. The grapes are harvested into 200-kilogram boxes, the bunches destemmed and the grapes put through optical sorting to ferment in small oak vats with indigenous yeasts. Malolactic was in new French oak barrels, where the wine aged after racking for some 18 months, during which time it was racked every eight to nine months. It was fined with egg whites. 2019 is a great vintage for Muga, and they produced quality and quantity, which is remarkable. This has a slightly more modern profile and some French oak undertones, more noticeable in a wide glass and subtler in a narrower one. But it has stuffing, freshness and balance to absorb it in the short to medium term. And it's a year of power and finesse, one of the best in recent years. (Jul 2022)"
With the 2019 vintage of Torre Muga Rioja we are presented with an elegant-looking wine, with good depth of color, a rich red with purplish hues which denote its youthfulness and potential for evolution. The nose reveals a deeply intense aroma of blackberries and strawberries. The smoked nuances from its aging in finest quality French oak come through, creating an unmatchable harmony. A powerful palate, with the same predominant aromas as on the nose, and a good balance between the alcohol and the acidity as well as smooth, elegant tannins. The finish is very long in the mouth leaving a sensation of fullness.
Nikolaihof 2018 Wachau Grüner Vetliner Hefeabzug, Austria
$ 29.99
90 Points Robert Parker: "The 2018 Grüner Veltliner Hefeabzug opens with a clear, elegant and warm, well-balanced and slightly flinty bouquet of ripe fruits, blossoms and almonds. The attack on the palate is vivacious then round and lush. Bottled with 11.5% alcohol, the 2018 doesn't taste as dry as this wine normally is and reminds me of grape juice but in a more elaborated, refined and mineral way. Tasted from lot 1078719 at the Nikolaihof in September 2019."
Pio Cesare 2015 "Ornato" Barolo, Italy
$ 159.99
98 Points
One of the top-scoring Barolos of the 2015 vintage! Limited.
This is a very rich Barolo, dense, with supple tannins, full concentrated ripe fruit, elegant and powerful with an extremely long life. It is produced in small quantities and only in excellent vintages. This vintage has extraordinary elegance, complexity and character. Silky and intense bouquet. Full body, great structure, right tannins, incredible ageing potential, precise and classic Nebbiolo style. The wine has sweet and very elegant tannins. It still needs one year in oak for the best maturation. Bravissimo!
98 Points James Suckling: "The aromas are so complex yet subtle with wet earth, mushrooms and dark fruits. Dried flowers as well. Full body, chewy tannins that are ultra-fine and powerful, yet there is a finesse and beauty to them...Classic, great nebbiolo."
2017 Tre Bicchieri winner
Pio Cesare 2018 "Ornato" Barolo, Italy
$ 169.99
98 Points
One of the top-scoring Barolos of the 2015 vintage! Limited.
This is a very rich Barolo, dense, with supple tannins, full concentrated ripe fruit, elegant and powerful with an extremely long life. It is produced in small quantities and only in excellent vintages. This vintage has extraordinary elegance, complexity and character. Silky and intense bouquet. Full body, great structure, right tannins, incredible ageing potential, precise and classic Nebbiolo style. The wine has sweet and very elegant tannins. It still needs one year in oak for the best maturation. Bravissimo!
98 Points James Suckling: "This is amazingly structured with tight and polished tannins that give this wine superb linear length and balance. Full body and bright and focused fruit. Goes on for minutes."
2017 Tre Bicchieri winner
Quinta do Crasto 2016 Riserva Old Vines Douro, Portugal
$ 41.99
This discovery is one of Portugal's finest red wines from the Duoro Valley. A rich, full and round red with a great finish. Don't miss.
94 Points Wine Enthusiast "Editor's Choice": "A blend of 30 grape varieties from vines aged at least 70 years old, this wine boasts density and a firm structure. It’s powered by tannins, dark black-fruit flavors and great concentration, and is an impressive wine that needs much more time. Drink from 2022." #49 Wine Enthusiast Top 100 of 2020.
93+ Points Robert Parker: "The 2016 Reserva Old Vines (an average age of 70 years) represents 37 of Crasto's 42 plots and/or small vineyards of old vines. It was aged for 16 to 18 months, depending on lot, in 65% new oak (85/15 French and American) and comes in at 14.5% alcohol. Solid in the mid-palate, this has impressive depth and a seductive demeanor. The finish lingers beautifully. After an initial creamy hit of texture, it becomes silkier and sensual. Beautifully balanced, this has moderate tannins. It drank well after some hours of double decanting, but it is not really ready to drink. It will be much better around 2023, although it is approachable."
Brix26 Inside Scoop: Quinta do Crasto, which traces its roots back to the 17th century, was purchased by Constantino de Almeida, a partner in the Port house of Constantino, in 1910. ln 1981, Constantino de Almeida’s granddaughter Leonor (“Tita”) and her husband Jorge Roquette took over the Quinta, determined to restore and revitalize the family estate. Following the change in Portuguese law (allowing single quintas to bottle and export wine), Crasto has been producing and exporting table and port wines since 1994. The perseverance and commitment of the Roquette family has restored Quinta do Crasto to its rightful status as one of the great family estates of the Douro.
Raul Perez 2020 La Vizcaína La Vitoriana, Bierzo (Spain)
$ 44.99
97 Points Parker
A fantastic small-production gem from Spain's Bierzo region - limited.
Raúl Pérez Pereira is universally considered to be one of the world’s most visionary winemakers. Since he produced his first vintage for his family’s winery in 1994 at the age 22, he has been in the forefront of the conversation about what has been called “The New Spain”. Do yourself a favor and check his wines out today, we highly recommend.
97 Points Robert Parker: "The 2020 La Vizcaína La Vitoriana matured mostly in a troncoconic oak foudre and had a very short time in barrel. This wine has more Alicante Bouschet in the blend than others, and they didn't include the white grapes in the vineyard. But against all logic, the wine has more finesse than the 2019...
...Raúl Pérez doesn't stop. Beyond the huge range of wines I tasted, he has more—the R+D wines under the RaúlPérez label, and he has FOUR whole new projects, of which I tasted only Valdecañada (from Ponferrada). The Valdecañada project started in 2008/2009 when he bought a winery in the zone of Ponferrada (Cabildo) that came with to hectares of vineyards. The grapes were added to the Ultreia wines, but he saw the potential to achieve lower alcohol and more freshness and decided to start separating them in 2015. It's a zone with schist and slate soils. The wines that age in that winery are all aged under a veil of flor yeast, which allows him to work with very little to no sulfur. The style of the wines is quite different from the other wines from Pérez. There are three very different zones in Bierzo—Corullón, Valdecañada and Valtuille—different soils and altitudes, and he now works in two of them. He tends to favor 2020 against 2019, but it's difficult to generalize. 2020 is easier, more immediate, similar to 2010.
..." This is an incredible wine at an incredible price point. It was bottled in May 2020, only five weeks before I tasted it, and the wine felt relaxed and expressive. Things can only get better with a little more time in bottle. This could very well be the finest vineyard from the project. It's a small paraje, and there are only six owners (Castro Ventosa, Vinos Valtuille and two or three small grape growers); there is a part that is abandoned, and part of it is also south facing. The whole cru could be between three and four hectares."
In addition to numerous other accolades, Raúl was named “Winemaker of the Year” by German publication Der Feinschmecker in 2014 and “Best Winemaker in the World” for 2015 by the French publication Bettane+Desseauve. In the February 2018 Decanter, Master of Wine Pedro Ballesteros wrote, “Raúl Pérez is the archetype of the intuitive winemaking genius.” A picture of Raúl in that same article is captioned, “Is this the best winemaker in the world?”
Raul Perez 2020 Ultreia Saint Jacques, Bierzo (Spain)
$ 22.99
A fantastic small-production gem from Spain's Bierzo region - limited.
Raúl Pérez Pereira is universally considered to be one of the world’s most visionary winemakers. Since he produced his first vintage for his family’s winery in 1994 at the age 22, he has been in the forefront of the conversation about what has been called “The New Spain”. Do yourself a favor and check his wines out today, we highly recommend.
94 Points Points Robert Parker: "They had not bottled the Raul Perez 2020 Ultreia Saint Jacques yet and were still waiting for the labels (and they label the day after they bottle), so I caught an unbottled sample that was very tender and fruit-driven, primary and quite open. He used more stems and full clusters in 2020, and since 2018, they have removed the percentage of white grapes that used to be included in the wine. It's a little more Mediterranean, with aromatic herbs and a more powerful palate
In addition to numerous other accolades, Raúl was named “Winemaker of the Year” by German publication Der Feinschmecker in 2014 and “Best Winemaker in the World” for 2015 by the French publication Bettane+Desseauve. In the February 2018 Decanter, Master of Wine Pedro Ballesteros wrote, “Raúl Pérez is the archetype of the intuitive winemaking genius.” A picture of Raúl in that same article is captioned, “Is this the best winemaker in the world?”
Sena 2019 Red, Aconcagua Valley, Chile
$ 139.99
One of Chile's most sought-after wines. Limited.
A deep, bright ruby red color with purple hues, Seña 2019 shows complexity on the nose with red and black fruits aromas and a distinctive freshness. Several layers of aromatics deliver suggestions of pepper, dill and rosemary alongside coffee beans, pastries and vanilla. On the palate Seña shows blueberry pie and cassis cream notes whilst brimming with fresh-picked red and black fruits. Seña 2019 is a very elegant wine, with great structure, complexity and depth – with notable freshness and polished tannins. Blend: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Malbec, 15% Carmenere, 4% Petit Verdot
98 Points Robert Parker: "The 2019 Seña was produced with a Bordeaux blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Malbec, 15% Carmenere and 4% Petit Verdot with the Chilean character of the high percentage of Carmenere. Most of the volume fermented in stainless steel with some 10% in concrete vats, and the final blend matured for 22 months in French oak barrels, 80% of them new, and 10% in Stockinger vats. It's 13.5% alcohol and has good acidity and freshness, coming through as medium-bodied, elegant and balanced. This is incredibly elegant, subtle and harmonious even at this early stage. It has floral aromas, notes of orange peel, a touch of creamy sweet spices and great freshness. The palate is medium-bodied, seamless and pure, with pungent flavors and a soft texture. It's long, clean, defined and super tasty. I feel this wine is getting better and better by the vintage. The grapes were picked quite early, and that helped to contain the ripeness and seems to have been a great decision. There was also an exception in the Panquehue zone where the Seña vines are, where the summer was cooler than the average, so quite different to many other regions in Chile."
98 Points James Suckling: "Such beautiful aromas of crushed berries, currants, walnuts, allspice and nutmeg follow through to a full body with tight, ultra fine tannins that provide length and intensity. A finish of slightly dried cherries with wet earth, slate and stone. Chewy and fine-grained. A wine with soul and length. Give it time. Drink after 2025."
Sori Della Sorba 2019 Nebbiolo Langhe
$ 59.99
Limited new release
Inaugural release from Giovanna Bagnasco (proprietor of Brandini in Barolo) and Carlo Mondavi (grandson of Robert and proprietor of Raen in Sonoma) - extremely limited.
93+ Points Robert Parker: "The Sori della Sorba 2019 Langhe Nebbiolo is beautifully bright and pure. The wine strikes at the heart of the Nebbiolo grape, offering you a slice of its very essence, completely unadulterated by any outside factors. The bouquet reveals spicy fruit, blueberry and light cassis. Background tones of rusty earth, terracotta and pressed blue flowers also appear. You might recognize crushed white pepper and grilled herb. This biodynamic expression of Nebbiolo captures the most honest and transparent side of this noble Piedmont grape. Production is 3,441 bottles, 40 magnums and three jeroboams. That said, with this inaugural release, you'd be lucky to find one at all."
In a steep, raw territory caught between the breezes of the Mediterranean Sea and fresh air of the Italian Alps is where the story of Sorì della Sorba begins. ‘Sori,’ meaning Cru, or the best vineyard, is the highest, best exposed vineyard, always south facing, where the sun is strongest and where the snow melts first. It is in this apex position that the Sori della Sorba vineyard sits, just 500 meters from the villages of Barolo, centered in the winemaking area of Diano D’Alba. Theirs is a site of great, world-class potential capable of producing wines that sit alongside the world’s finest.
In 2019, Giovanna Bagnasco (proprietor of Brandini in Barolo) and her life partner Carlo Mondavi (grandson of Robert and proprietor of Raen in Sonoma) took the reins at this estate, and set about immediately converting the farming to organic with an eye towards permaculture. The first results, in a word, are stunning. A single-vineyard Langhe Nebbiolo of such elegance and finesse as to make Barolo producers jealous! The Sori della Sorba site gives wine of incredible expression, structure, vibrancy, and elegance and 2019 was a perfect year for a serious wine of finesse and length. The estate’s premier release is fragrant from the moment opened with dried rose petals, crushed cherries, white tea, orange pith, wet rock, fennel seed, truffle and forest earth. All these notes are held together with its incredibly fine grained, lasting tannins. Powerful and energetic in its youth, the 2019 Sori della Sorba will continue to evolve to heightened levels for decades to come.
St. Cosme 2019 Cotes du Rhones "Les Deux Albions", France
$ 27.99
St Cosme is one of the Rhone Valley's hot up-and-coming producers. The fantastic "Les Deux Albion" is basically declassified Gigondas at a fraction of the price. Dont miss!
91 Points Wine Enthusiast: "This Syrah-dominant blend augmented by Grenache, Carignan, Mourvèdre and Clairette is sourced from three Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages communes of Plan de Dieu Saint Maurice and Cairanne. Vinified in wooden vats and matured in concrete, it offers decadent cassis and black-plum flavors accented by tar, charred sage and licorice. Supple and piercing, the wine is ready now but will hold through 2028."
90 Points Robert Parker: "Mainly Grenache, with smaller portions of Mourvèdre and Syrah, the St. Cosme 2018 Cotes du Rhone Les Deux Albions matured in wooden and concrete vats. Black cherries and blueberries mark the nose, picking up hints of garrigue and black olives along the way. Medium to full-bodied, plush and expansive, it turns almost velvety on the finish. It's another terrific bargain from Barruol."
Tenuta dell' Ornellaia 2019 "Ornellaia", Bolgheri Superiore
$ 259.99
97 Points - limited
New release of one of Italy's most iconic wines, Ornellaia.
97+ Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2018 Ornellaia is an introvert at this stage. Medium in body, with terrific persistence and impeccable balance, the 2018 is not in any mood to show all its cards today. Hints of red berry fruit, mocha, spice, licorice and dried flowers emerge with a bit of coaxing. I won’t be surprised to see it put on weight with more time in bottle. There is certainly plenty to look forward to. Readers should expect a silky, aromatic Ornellaia in line with vintages such as 2004 that are more about finesse than raw power. This is the first time in which Merlot drives the blend in Ornellaia."
97 Points Robert Parker: "This is a beautiful expression of coastal Tuscany and the sunny Mediterranean. The Ornellaia 2019 Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia (a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot) pours from the bottle with a specific darkness that has elements of both inky saturation and ruby highlights. The wine is saturated and rich—this is something you notice off the bat—but it also reveals a pleasing lightness or grace that is transmitted to both the bouquet and the palate. Dark fruit, pressed blackberry and plum mingle with more substantial aromas of spice, leather and sweetly cured tobacco. The tannins are beautifully managed, and the wine sports considerable heft and density on the palate that drives a very long and pleasurable mouthfeel."
Tenuta dell' Ornellaia 2019 "Ornellaia", Bolgheri Superiore MAGNUM (1.5L)
$ 575.00
98 Points - rare Magnum
*This is a Magnum (1.5L) of Ornellai 2019 - limited*
97+ Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2018 Ornellaia is an introvert at this stage. Medium in body, with terrific persistence and impeccable balance, the 2018 is not in any mood to show all its cards today. Hints of red berry fruit, mocha, spice, licorice and dried flowers emerge with a bit of coaxing. I won’t be surprised to see it put on weight with more time in bottle. There is certainly plenty to look forward to. Readers should expect a silky, aromatic Ornellaia in line with vintages such as 2004 that are more about finesse than raw power. This is the first time in which Merlot drives the blend in Ornellaia."
97 Points Robert Parker: "This is a beautiful expression of coastal Tuscany and the sunny Mediterranean. The Ornellaia 2019 Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia (a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot) pours from the bottle with a specific darkness that has elements of both inky saturation and ruby highlights. The wine is saturated and rich—this is something you notice off the bat—but it also reveals a pleasing lightness or grace that is transmitted to both the bouquet and the palate. Dark fruit, pressed blackberry and plum mingle with more substantial aromas of spice, leather and sweetly cured tobacco. The tannins are beautifully managed, and the wine sports considerable heft and density on the palate that drives a very long and pleasurable mouthfeel."
Tenuta San Guido 2019 Sassicaia, Bolgheri
Sold Out
New release of Sassicaia, the greatest Super-Tuscan from Italy. Limited.
Sassicaia is the most iconic wine made in Italy today. It is the most collected Italian wine in the world and arguably could be the most famous wine in your cellar. This is the wine that all other Super Tuscans are based on and compared to and that made Bolgheri, on the coast of Tuscany, one of the most famous wine regions in the world today. Sassicaia 2011, a blend of cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc, comes from the region's best vintage in years. Perhaps Italy's greatest wine, order the classic new vintage while we have it available.
100 Points Decanter: "Sassicaia 2019 spent 25 months in oak (one-third new). ‘We are going longer in oak in the past few years,’ said Carlo Paoli, managing director of Tenuta San Guido. Quite pale in the glass, the nose is extremely graceful and intense with a lavender note enhanced by restrained bramble fruits, fermented citrus peel, an intense violet aroma and graphite minerality in depth. The attack is soft and full, the flavor savoury and cedary through to the finish, with integrated velvety tannins and lifted acidity. A perfectly woven structure is bound with signature freshness and fruit vibrancy, making this one for the long haul. "
99 Points James Suckling: "The purity of Cabernet Sauvignon fruit is exceptional here, with character and sensibility that’s reminiscent of some of the great Sassicaias from the 1980s, such as 1982 or 1988. But this is much more precise and clean. Aromas and flavors of currants and berries with cedar and earth. Sage and minty character, too. It’s full-bodied yet there’s so much polish and balance, together with structure, elegance, and refinement. Hard not to drink at this stage, yet give it time and respect. This will be a classic Sass and reminds me why I love this wine."
99 points Wine Enthusiast: "Enticing aromas of blue flower, cassis, camphor and spice are front and center in this stunning red. The lithe, savory palate features black currant, red plum and star anise while tobacco notes linger on the long finish. Elegant, polished tannins and bright acidity keep it beautifully balanced and focused."
98 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The latest release from Tenuta San Guido is the 2019 Bolgheri Sassicaia. The bouquet is up front and very expressive from the get-go. It offers a generous display of crunchy, dark cherry that hints at the extra concentration and fruit weight obtained in the 2019 growing season. This vintage will be remembered for the crisp richness of the fruit and its important textural imprint. It also shows fine elegance, bordering on the ethereal, with berry aromas, tarry earth and brushes of balsam herb or grilled rosemary. Sassicaia always shows an almost-glossy finely knit quality to the polished mouthfeel, and I find it again here next to fresh acidity and firm tannins. Mouthfeel in 2019 is the wine's strongest suit. The 2019 is one of the prettiest and most balanced editions of Sassicaia we've seen this past decade, along with the back-to-back duo of 2016 and 2015. The 2019 marries the precision of the 2016 with the rich fruit weight of the 2015."
98 points Wine Spectator: "Supple and beautifully defined, with black cherry, black currant and blackberry fruit augmented by tobacco, iron and thyme. Firmly structured, tightening up as this lingers with an aftertaste of dark fruit, graphite and spice. Shows a sense of elegance as well as power and intensity."
Tenuta San Guido 2020 'Guidalberto' Tuscany
$ 59.99
New release of Sassicaia's second wine, Guidalberto, a phenomenal buy from Italy. Limited.
From Tenuta San Guido, makers of the iconic Sassicaia, comes a wine made for less serious occasions, but maintains the high class of winemaking. Aged in a mix of French and American oak for 15 months. This is the wine to enjoy while its big brother, Sassicaia, spends another few years in time-out. Straight from the barrel, Vinous was already calling it “positively stellar” and Wine Enthusiast has since marked it as “racy and delicious.” 60% Cabernet Sauvignon with 40% Merlot, this delicate blend is driven by freshness and pops with intense red fruit flavor and ripe, silky tannins.
95 Points Wine Enthusiast: "This enticing red offers alluring aromas of fragrant purple flowers, dark-skinned berries and crushed mint. The elegantly structured palate doles out succulent blackberry, orange zest, licorice and saline notes set against taut, refined tannins. It's nicely balanced by fresh acidity. Drink 2022–2029."
Terrabianca 2019 Campaccio Toscana Rosso, Italy
$ 52.99
A fantastic value Super Tuscan red from Italy!
93 points Robert Parker: "A blend of 70% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot, the Arillo in Terrabianca 2019 Campaccio shows elegant restraint with hints of cinnamon and sweet oak that frame a core of dark fruit. If you remember the old Campaccio, you will recognize the wine's black label and the fonts used in the design. Stylistically speaking, however, this wine has evolved over the years to show a much more tapered and graceful approach today. Pretty mineral notes create a final signature."
92 Points James Suckling: "Aromas of sour cherries, orange peel and some flowers follow through to a medium to full body with creamy, velvety tannins and a juicy finish. Give this three or four years to soften. Best after 2024."
91 Points jeb Dunnuck: "The 2019 Campaccio Collezione is ripe and concentrated with aromas of baked cherry, balsamic, cedar, and licorice. It is medium to full-bodied, with ripe, angular tannins and earthy notes of forest floor, tea leaf, and cherry pit. There is a meaty richness to this wine that can stand up to heartier cuts of beef and game."
Tolaini 2018 Valdisanti Toscana IGT
$ 34.99
95 Points
For fans of Tuscan reds that combine clean, fruit-led flavors with a touch of the regional earthiness, and a vibrant, mid-weight drinkability, the 2018 Valdisanti from the Tolaini estate should be on your list! This Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc mix is a modern expression of an ancient winemaking land, and a natural fit for proprietor Pierluigi Tolaini, who returned to his homeland in Tuscany after building a successful transportation and logistics business in North America.
95 Points Wine Spectator: "A vibrant, lively red, this boasts cherry, raspberry and floral aromas and flavors, accented by toasty oak. Deftly balanced and persistent, firming up nicely in the end, with terrific length and freshness. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2024."
94 Points James Suckling: "Crazy nose of blackberries and red chilies follow through to a full-bodied palate with chewy yet polished tannins that expand in the mouth, giving it a velvety texture. Extremely long and flavorful. Turns compact. Give it time to open. Try in 2024."
Vieux Chateau Certan 2017 Pomerol, France
$ 324.99
100 Points - top Bordeaux
A rare 98-point Bordeaux from the heralded 2017 vintage. Extremely limited.
98 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "Possibly the wine of the vintage, the 2017 Vieux Chateau Certan is a blend of 81% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon from the highest point on the Pomerol plateau. Deep purple, with a heavenly bouquet of creme de cassis, blueberries, scorched earth, crushed violets, tobacco, and earth, this beauty is full-bodied, has incredible depth of fruit, ripe, present tannins, integrated acidity, and a great finish. This estate has been on fire of late, and this is undoubtedly a worthy follow-on to the otherworldly 2015 and 2016. It has the depth of fruit and texture to offer pleasure even today, yet a solid 7-8 years of cellaring are warranted, and it should be long-lived. Bravo!”
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