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Almaviva 2016 Proprietary Red, Puente Alto Chile
$ 134.95
97 Points
One of Chile's finest wines, the Almaviva 2013 is a delicious Cabernet blend.
Almaviva is a joint venture between Concha Y Toro and the Rothschild family, begun in 1998. Like her father before her saw in the Opus One project, Baroness Philippine de Rothschild saw the potential to create a world-class claret from these own-rooted, 37 year old vines on purely alluvial soils high in the “Puente Alto” zone of the Maipo Valley.
97 Points James Suckling: "A wine with wonderful blueberry, blackberry and hints of cedar and spice. Full body, dense and beautiful fruit. Chocolate, walnut and berry. It goes on for minutes. A fabulous wine. Better in 2020 but gorgeous now."
95 Points Robert Parker: "The 2016 harvest was complicated by rain in late April, which made them hurry up and finish two weeks earlier than normal. The year was also cooler, and the 2016 Almaviva, a blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Carmenère, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot has less alcohol at 13.9% compared to 15% in 2014. The élevage was shortened to 16 months, and they decreased the percentage of new French barrels used—down to 77% from the 82% in the previous year. The wine is fresher and less marked by the oak, a more fluid version, with fine tannins. This is a little different, a lighter and fresher year. It was a very dry winter, complicated by rains. I found very good harmony and fine tannins, balance and freshness in one of the most elegant vintages I remember from Almaviva. This has contained power, very accessible tannins and no green notes at all. It's young but accessible and should develop nicely in bottle, as it has the balance and freshness. This is an elegant and fresh vintage for Almaviva, young and tender, taking advantage of the natural conditions for it. Well done!"
Altesino 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, Tuscany
$ 119.99 $ 150.00
98 points - limited
One of the top-scoring Brunello Riservas from the stellar 2012 vintage! Limited.
98 Points Wine Spectator: "This delivers intense balsamic notes of juniper, wild rosemary and sage, along with rose, cherry and berry aromas and flavors. Elegant and saturated with flavor, supported by a vibrant structure. Ends with energy and refined tannins. Best from 2022 through 2040. From Italy."
A Cellar Selection
Altesino is a reference point producer in Brunello di Montalcino, sought after in every vintage, especially in the top vintages. Brunello Riserva offers a solid, full body and excellent aging potential. Its ample and complex bouquet is reminiscent of violets, wild berries, cedar, leather, tobacco and spices. On the palate, it is austere and seductive with a perfect blend of fruit, acidity and mouth coating tannins. This is the perfect bottle for Brunello lovers. Pair with Steak au poivre, rack of lamb or beef carpaccio.
Antinori 2016 "Tignanello" Toscana Proprietary Red, Italy
$ 119.99
New release of the cult Super Tuscan Tignanello! One of Italy's
97 Points Wine Spectator: "A big, lush style, this red delivers pure aromas and flavors of black currant, cherry, violet, flint, tobacco and baking spices. This is supple, yet backed by a firm, dense matrix of tannins, so all the components are there, but this
needs time to integrate. Lovely sweet, ripe finish. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2022 through 2040. From Italy.—B.S.."
97 Points Robert Parker: "Tasted from barrel, the 2016 Tignanello will be released next year in April. This celebrated red blend is of course mostly Sangiovese with about 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. If 2015 is an ideal vintage for Tuscan blended reds made with the great Bordeaux varieties, the 2016 vintage is better suited to Italian grapes such as Sangiovese. This classic vintage of Tignanello has a leg up, albeit slim, over the previous vintage precisely because the protagonist here is Sangiovese. This wine shows a high caliber of fresh primary fruit that is direct and intense. In the mouth, the wine is focused and sharp. Ultimately, the 2016 Tignanello is slightly more streamlined compared to the more fleshy 2015. This adds to the firm elegance you get here."
The Antinori family of Florence, one of the world's oldest and most distinguished wine producers, has lived in Tuscany since the 14th century and celebrated its 625th anniversary as wine makers in 2010.
Binigrau 2016 Nounat White Blend Mallorca, Spain
$ 28.00
We fell in love with this white on a recent trip to the island of Mallorca and have brought it back to share with our customers - get the new vintage before the ratings come out.
previous vintage 95 points Robert Parker: "Binigrau’s Nounat is priced slightly above the cut-off mark for this (Best Buys) report, but there are several things about it that are absolutely remarkable, so I’m including it. First of all, it is the greatest wine I have ever tasted from the beautiful Mediterranean island of Mallorca. Secondly, it is a curious blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Prensal (an indigenous grape of the island) that is aged in a combination of tank, concrete eggs and Burgundy barrels. Absolutely spectacular, I tasted this beauty alongside some of the finest dry whites I had in my cellar, and it easily held its own, if not eclipsed those wines. Abundant notes of tropical fruits, crushed wet rocks, spring flowers, buttery tropical fruits and citrus are all present in this stunner as are a majestic texture and a long, dry, rich finish. This amazing Spanish white wine must be tasted to be believed. It is a credit to the brilliance of Eric Solomon. It should be consumed over the next 2-3 years."
This is a great alternative to Chardonnay but still full-bodied that California wine lovers will appreciate. Bright yellow-gold. Pungent aromas of orange peel, honey and smoky minerals, with a powerful floral overtone. Lush and glyceral, with honeyed orchard and pit fruit flavors brightened by juicy acidity. Shows impressive depth as well as vivacity, finishing with excellent cling, a touch of honey and strong, stony persistence. This exotic wine reminds us of a top-notch dry pinot gris from Alsace.
Bodegas El Nido 2016 "Clio" Red, Jumilla
$ 44.99
One of our favorite reds from Spain! Limited.
previous vintage 92+ points Robert Parker: "Tasting two completely different vintages of the same wine is very revealing, and having the 2015 Clio next to the 2014 showed how each of them revealed the character of the vintage. 2015 is a very complete and balanced year, resulting in classic, powerful wines with concentration and balance, and all that is needed to age in bottle. This is a similar blend as the 2014, mostly Monastrell with 30% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for almost two years in French and American oak barrels. The oak is there, but it feels like the fruit is able to integrate it with some more time in bottle. In general, there is a lot more balance and freshness than in the 2014, and the character of the Monastrell is a lot more noticeable than the Cabernet. This should develop nicely in bottle."
This is a joint project between the Gil family, who has done so much to put Jumilla on the map with the wines from Finca Luzon, wine broker Jorge Ordonez, one of the pioneers for unearthing high quality wines from Jumilla, and famed Australia winemaker, Chris Ringland. The wines are spectacular efforts that establish new benchmarks, not only in terms of its bold pricing, but also the extraordinary quality of what is in the bottle. The fruit is harvested by hand in small baskets, picked very ripe, given a severe triage, and fermented in open top, three to four ton vats. The wine is aged in 100% new French and American oak for malolactic fermentation and for 26 months prior to being bottled.
Breca 2015 Old Vines Garnacha Aragon, Spain
$ 15.99
Best buy
One of the best red buys from Spain we've found this year!
92 Points Wine Spectator *#29 Wine of 2018*: "Round, smooth and dense, this red shows harmony and balance. Plum and blackberry flavors mingle with black olive, toast and mineral notes, supported by well-integrated tannins and fresh acidity, leaving a lovely floral finish. Drink now through 2027."
Casa Lapostolle 2012 Clos Apalta, Chile
$ 124.99
Casa Lapostolle's 'Clos Apalta' is perhaps the finest wine ever to come out of Chile. Truly hand-crafted, Clos Apalta is hand-harvested at night, enhancing the fruit used to make wine, while also reducing energy use at the winery, since there is no need for additional cooling in the cellar. Limited.
93 Points Wine Spectator: "A dense, ripe and powerful style, with concentrated flavors of dark plum, blackberry and chocolate. Very plush and creamy midpalate, with a rich finish loaded with espresso notes, along with medium-grained tannins. Carmenère, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2020."
Castello di Ama 2014 Chianti Classico San Lorenzo
$ 44.99
95 points
A fantastic new Chiantico Classico from one of Italy's best producers, and an amazing buy for the price. Limited.
95 Points James Suckling: "Tight and super silky with a gorgeous density and precision that gives great polish to the tannins. Makes them almost dusty. Lots of subtle dark berry, mineral and spice. Drink or hold."
93+ Robert Parker: "The 2014 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione San Lorenzo flaunts its importance. It boasts confidence and an outward-looking personality that comes as a refreshing surprise. Like all Gran Selezione wines, it is released 30 months after January 1st following the harvest. This expression of Sangiovese shows depth and power with ripe fruit tones of cherry and forest berry. I am delighted and surprised by the elegant and soft nature of the mature tannins. The wine’s finish offers bright freshness with layers of dark fruit, wet earth and forest floor."
91 Points Wine Spectator: "Shows fine purity to the cherry, strawberry and leather notes, with a hint of licorice. Ripe, sweet fruit and a juicy texture collide as this plays out on the long finish. Drink now through 2025."
Castello Di Volpaia 2015 Chianti Classico Riserva
$ 49.99
96 Points - limited
Wine Spectator’s Highest Rated Chianti Ever from Castello di Volpaia - Limited.
96 Points Wine Spectator: "Though saturated with black currant and blackberry fruit and backed by opaque tannins, this red is pure and balanced. Thyme, iron, leather and tar notes give this complexity, while the finish goes into overtime. Best from 2023 through 2040."
Castello Di Volpaia 2015 Chianti Classico Riserva
Cercius 2013 Cotes du Rhone Rouge, France
$ 17.99
Simply put, the bang-for-the-buck factor on this huge Rhone wine is way off the charts. Robert Parker has called this wine "one of the greatest Cotes du Rhones I have ever tasted" and you won't need more than one sip to see why. No matter the vintage, the Cercius is always loaded to the brim with big, sexy fruit, but it is never overpowering.
91 Points Robert Parker: "The Cotes du Rhone Cercius Vieilles Vignes from the Plateau de Domazan, is a blend of 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah aged six months in concrete. Cercius is the Latin name for the legendary north/south whipping winds called the Mistral that dominate the southern Rhone Valley for one hundred or so days a year. The deep ruby/purple-colored 2013 Cercius boasts a stunning nose of camphor, incense, blackberries, cassis, kirsch and licorice. This full-bodied, opulent, saturated, fruit-dominated red wine is super-pure, incredibly well-balanced, full and stunning. Drink it over the next 2-3 years...
...Michel Gassier is receiving copious press (all positive and deservedly so) from French wine journalists, and he has been favorably reviewed in The Wine Advocate for nearly a decade. In this joint project with Philippe Cambie and Eric Solomon, he produces what may be his best value."
Chapoutier 2015 Ermitage Blanc L'Ermite, Rhone Valley
$ 730.00
100 Points - limited
Extremely limited new white from Rhone Valley master Chapoutier.
100 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "One of the most singular wines I’m able to taste each year is unquestionably the l’Ermite Blanc from Chapoutier and it certainly lives up to the billing in 2015. Offering what I can only describe as a liquid rock (a liqueur of rocks?) character intermixed with notes of buttered citrus, pineapple, smoked meats, charcoal and toast, the 2015 Ermitage l’Ermite is full-bodied, decadent and locked and loaded on the palate. It needs 2-3 years of cellaring and I suspect will keep for half a century."
98 Points Wine Spectator: "Bright and pure, with a beautiful core of white peach, heather, yellow apple, star fruit and mirabelle plum notes backed by light citrus oil and verbena threads on the finish. Shows energy and tension throughout, with depth in reserve thanks to a long quinine echo at the end. Really stunning. Drink now through 2040. 204 cases made."
Chateau Cantenac Brown 2015 Margaux
$ 79.99
96 Points - limited
One of our favorite buys from the fantastic 2015 Bordeaux vintage. Limited.
94-96 points Wine Enthusiast: "Beautiful dusty tannins permeate this ripe wine. It has a smooth and rich texture, with bright blackberry flavors and a refreshing, vibrant close. (RV)
(4/2016) 95 points Decanter: "I love the fruit here, with pure´ed damson and deeply focussed, bitter dark chocolate. It has lovely grip and persistency, a wine that you want to take your time with and watch as it develops. It is poised and balanced, with lots of impact and well-extracted, not afraid to push things, but pulls back at the end. 60% new oak."95 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "A rich, exotic wine, the 2015 Cantenac Brown is simply stunning. Dark cherry, plum, mocha, espresso, licorice and leather all flesh out in this ample, voluptuous Margaux. A rush of super-ripe dark cherry, plum, violet, lavender and sweet French oak builds as this plush, explosive wine shows off its bold personality. The 2015 is quite concentrated and extracted in style, and yet all the elements are wonderfully fused together. I would give the 2015 at least a few years to assimilate some of its new oak."
94 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Readers who need more proof that Margaux was the place to be in 2015 just need to taste the 2015 Château Cantenac Brown. Based on roughly 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot it offers an extraordinary nose of crème de cassis, caramelized cherries, flowers, and spices. This medium to full-bodied effort has plenty of tannins, as well as toasty oak, yet is perfectly balanced and has a great mix of both freshness and richness. It’s a tour de force that will be drinkable in 4-5 years and last for 25-30 years!"
94 points James Suckling: "Instantly appealing ripe dark berries and plums with graphite and other dark stony notes. Very well-integrated wood here. The palate has a plush, suave and supple feel to it. Great concentration and energy. Really intense yet fresh finish. Try from 2022."
Chateau D'Issan, Margaux
$ 89.99
96 points
One of our top picks from the fabulous 2015 Bordeaux vintage. Limited.
96 points James Suckling: "Very complex aromas of currants, blackberries and iodine with hints of dried mushrooms and flowers. Full-bodied, very fine and silky with a very, very long finish. Shows tension and finesse. Structured yet shows an ultra-fine texture. Deep, dense center palate, yet it's all so polished. A wine for the future. Drink in 2022."
95 points Jeb Dunnuck: "A powerhouse offering from proprietor Emmanuel Cruse (with consulting advice from Eric Boissenot) is the 2015 Château d'Issan which in 2015 is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot brought up in just over 50% new barrels. Offering a spectacular bouquet of blackcurrants, lead pencil, chocolate and espresso, this full-bodied, incredibly sexy Margaux boast sweet, sweet tannin, lots of oak, a stacked mid-palate and a huge finish. It’s a tour de force that’s going to benefit from 5-6 years of cellaring and keep for three decades. As I’ve stated numerous times in this report, Margaux was the place to be in 2015 and I suspect numerous estates have made their best wines to date."
95+ points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2015 d'Issan is a total knock-out. Spectacularly ripe and intense, the 2015 exudes richness in all of its dimensions. Super-ripe dark plum, lavender, spice, savory herbs, iron, smoke and new leather add myriad shades of nuance to this super-ripe, decidedly hedonistic Margaux. A powerful, dense wine, the 2015 is going to need a number of years before it is close to being ready to drink. I was quite impressed with d'Issan both times I tasted it. The 2015 has really come along nicely. The blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot, aged in 50% new oak. Eric Boissenot consults."
Chateau de Beaucastel 2016 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge
$ 89.99
97 Points
One of the top-rated Chateauneufs from the vintage - limited.
99 Points James Suckling: "This is a stunning Beaucastel. A classic! Has a superb array of fruit, ranging from red, through to blue, darker purple and black. Nuances of dark, stony minerals, spices, wild flowers and herbs. So fleshy. This has impeccable balance, super-silky tannins and an extraordinarily long finish. This has decades ahead of it. Drink or hold."
96 points Robert Parker: "Bottled only a week before my visit, I was blown away by how well Beaucastel's 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape was showing. It's full-bodied, creamy, lush and rich, with layers of raspberry fruit, garrigue and spice that unfold across a seamless palate. No doubt it will go through cycles of being open and closed throughout its lifespan, but it would be a mistake to simply order a case, put it into storage and forget about it without trying one first and swooning over the sheer lusciousness and youthful complexity.
...One of the standout tasting while I working in the southern Rhône, the Perrin family, now largely under the helm of Thomas, Marc, Pierre, and Mathieu, continues to produce some of the top wines, at numerous price points, in the southern Rhône."
Chateau de Vaudieu 2016 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge
$ 54.99
94 Points
A great new discovery from Chateauneuf-du-Pape. One of the best buys of the great 2016 vintage. This is quickly becoming a winery with a cult-like following.
94 Points Wine Spectator: "Gorgeous, with a lush core of raspberry, blueberry and boysenberry puree flavors gliding through, flecked with anise, violet and incense notes. Carried by fresh, well-embedded acidity, this is lush and beguiling through the lengthy finish. Best from 2020 through 2035. 500 cases imported."
93 Points Robert Parker: "Even Vadieu's "regular" CdP is excellent. The 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape, an 80-20 blend of Grenache and Syrah mostly aged in concrete, offers ripe red raspberry and apricot notes alongside delicate hints of spice and garrigue. Full-bodied and lush, it shows off wonderfully ripe Grenache fruit without much in the way of other adornment or artifice, finishing long and silky...
...Located just next to Rayas, this large, historic estate has been run with incredible precision and passion by Laurent Bréchet since 1990. Today he’s aided by superstar Rhône consultant, Philippe Cambie, and the lineup has grown to include numerous new single parcel cuvées, both in red and white. In addition, during my visit I was able to taste a bottle of the 2010 Châteauneuf du Pape Amiral G., which I rated 99 points on release. I’m happy to report it lived up to every one of those points, plus one more."
Chateau Le Pin 2009 Pomerol, Bordeaux
$ 4,999.00
The rare, 100-Point Chateau Le Pin 2009 Pomerol from Bordeaux now available - limited.
100 Points Robert Parker: "Exceptional purity and a blockbuster nose of mocha, black cherry liqueur, mulberries and plums are followed by an extravagantly rich wine that seems to have a nearly endless finish. Truly haute couture of Merlot, so to speak, this wine has a finish that goes well past a minute, with wonderfully sweet tannins and a provocative, concentrated, broad mouthfeel that is remarkably luxurious. This is amazing stuff! It should drink well for 20-25 years."
Chateau Montrose 2010 St. Estephe, Bordeaux
$ 289.00
One of the top-scoring Bordeaux of the 2010 vintage. Limited.
100 Points Parker: "This is considered to be among the greatest vintages ever made in Montrose, right up with the 1929, 1945, 1947, 1959, 1961, 1989, 1990 and 2009. Harvest was October 15 to 17. The wine has really come on since I last tasted it, and it needs at least another 10 years of cellaring. The blend was 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. The wine is opaque black/blue, with an incredible nose of blueberry and blackberry liqueur, with hints of incense, licorice, and acacia flowers. Tannins are incredibly sweet and very present. The wine is full-bodied, even massive, with great purity, depth and a finish that goes on close to a minute. This is a 50- to 75-year-old wine that will repay handsomely those with good aging genes. (Note: The Chateau Montrose website gives an aging potential of 2020-2100.)"
Château Montrose is one of the leading wine properties of St.Estéphe, and produces some of the longest-lived wines in the Médoc. Montrose had been owned by Jean-Louis Charmolue from 1962 until 2006, when it was sold to Martin and Olivier Bouygues, owner of the eponymously named construction firm Bouygues, is located in the east of the appellation, just north of the hamlet of Marbuzet, on a gravel knoll only 800 metres from the Gironde estuary. The proximity of the estuary ensures a microclimate that protects against frost, and the vines, which lie on deep clay-gravel soils, benefit from a south-easterly aspect.
Chateau Peby Faugeres 2010 St. Emilion, Bordeaux
$ 199.99
97 Points Parker
One of the top-rated 2010 Bordeaux - limited.
97 points Robert Parker: "A very limited production cuvee, the 2010 Peby Faugeres is sold in a specially designed bottle from Silvio Denz, who also owns Lalique Crystal. It comes from the oldest portion of the Faugeres vineyard, which is actually more of a completely separate entity under Denz than it was under the previous owners. The 2010 is 100% Merlot and again 15% natural alcohol. The vines were cropped at 20 hectoliters per hectare, but harvested about a week before the harvest finished for the main Faugeres vineyard. Most observers would tend to look at this wine as a modern-style, massive, intense St.-Emilion, with an opaque purple color, a floral nose shaded by notes of blueberry liqueur intermixed with black raspberries, vanillin, subtle smoke and barrique smells. It is full-bodied and built for two decades of longevity, but should be reasonably drinkable in 5-6 years because of the 100% Merlot content. This is a thrilling wine, as it has been in nearly every vintage where it has been produced...
...Acquired by Swiss native Silvio Denz a number of years ago, this property continues to overachieve in virtually every vintage. Behind the scenes, Stephan von Neipperg, the proprietor of La Mondotte, Clos de l’Oratoire, and a number of other properties, consults on viticultural matters, while harvesting, winemaking and elevage are guided by Michel Rolland." ."
Chateau Peby Faugeres 2015 St. Emilion, Bordeaux
$ 184.99
99 Points
One of the top-rated 2015 Bordeaux - limited.
99 points James Suckling: "A very intense yet playfully ripe and balanced expression of dark plums, dark stones and blackberries. Then wait for the dark, leafy notes of dark tea and charcoal as well as deeply integrated wood aromas of violets and cloves. The palate moves on a very energized and fluid bed of tannin that builds very smoothly into an ascending finish. Plush, impressive and very composed. Super long and focused finish. Try from 2022."
...Acquired by Swiss native Silvio Denz a number of years ago, this property continues to overachieve in virtually every vintage. Behind the scenes, Stephan von Neipperg, the proprietor of La Mondotte, Clos de l’Oratoire, and a number of other properties, consults on viticultural matters, while harvesting, winemaking and elevage are guided by Michel Rolland." ."
De Martino 2015 "Vigno" Old Vines Carignan, Chile
$ 44.99
96 points Parker
The name Vigno holds a special place in the hearts of Chilean winemakers. This is a dedication to old vine Carignan grapes. The De Martino Vigno was harvested from Carignan planted on granite fields with some vines dating back to 1955. We really love the texture and red berry earth notes. Super tasty and powerful. Love it!
96 Points Robert Parker: "Surprisingly enough, the 2015 Vigno Single Vineyard la Aguada was bottled at the same time as the 2014 vintage, so I also got to taste it even though the wine won't see the light for some time. Even if 2015 was a warmer year, it was also the year the dry-farmed vineyards of Maule saw more rain than in the last three years. This helped the plants to regain balance, but the ripening was heterogeneous, which they think helped this field blend to keep the acidity. In fact, the wine is only marginally higher in alcohol and also higher in acidity than the 2014. The difference here is that the élevage in second use 5,000-liter oak foudres was shortened to 21 months. This feels very austere, incredibly young and vertical, with a texture clearly influenced by the granite; they thought the wine didn't need any more time in oak, and it has kept fantastic freshness. However, this won't be sold until early 2018, so it will have time to rest in bottle. It seems like the rains of 2015, even if the year was a little warmer, helped the dry-farmed vines to produce fresher wines. The nose shows more the character of the vintage while the palate is angular and with marked acidity. I believe this is going to age superbly."
Derived from the Spanish word for wine, “vino,” with the letter “g” borrowed from Carignan, which makes up majority of the blend. Vigno is a single-vineyard Carignan produced from a 70-year-old, dry-farmed, head-trained, and non-grafted vineyard called La Aguada situated in the Maule Valley. A beautiful, perfumed nose with elegant, yet rustic touches of cured meats, tree bark, smoke, ripe cherries, and subtle sweet baking spices.
Delas Freres 2017 "Saint Esprit" Cotes du Rhone Rouge
$ 14.99
An amazing value from the South of France - hurry!
95 Points Decanter: "60% Syrah, 40% Grenache. Lovely rich opulent and floral, black berry and plum nose, the palate is big with well layered fruit, attractively firm but soft tannin and hints of oak, a big wine with a lovely finish. *Gold Medal Winner Decanter Asia Wine Awards.*
Robert Parker: "A blend of 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache, the Cotes du Rhone Saint-Esprit is a screaming value. If offers bold black cherry and blueberry fruit aromas, lively fruit flavors, silky tannins and a crisp, lengthy mocha-tinged finish. Drink this fun, bouncy little wine over the next couple of years."
Descendientes de J. Palacios 2017 Petalos de Bierzo, Spain
$ 19.99
93 Points Parker
One of our favorite discoveries from Spain that sells for a song!
93 Points Robert Parker: "There are more white grapes in the 2017 Pétalos del Bierzo, almost 10%, not because they wanted to lower the alcohol, because the alcohol was similar to 2016, but because the white grapes achieved perfect ripeness (Ricardo Pérez Palacios told me he's never seen such beautiful white grapes). The wine had been bottled the day before I tasted it, so they also showed me a tank and a barrel sample they had saved for the purpose of comparison. However, the bottled wine, the first produced at their new facilities, was really singing and didn't show any fatigue. The palate was vibrant, with acid strawberry flavors. It is very immediate, approachable, round and juicy, really pleasant and drinkable."
Domaine des Bosquets 2015 Gigondas, France
$ 29.99
94 Points - Great New Discovery
A great new discovery from the Southern Rhone! One of the top wines of the vintage.
94 Points Robert Parker: "Looking at the classic cuvee, the 2015 Gigondas is a wine that readers should buy by the case. A blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and the balance Mourvèdre and Cinsault, it offers up gorgeous notes of black raspberry, fruit tart, spice and incense in a medium to full-bodied, ultra pure, seamless style that just begs to be drunk. It will keep for over a decade. Readers wanting to get a hold of the best of the 2015 vintage need to latch onto these wines from Domaine des Bosquets. This estate has been brought up to the pinnacle of Gigondas, and the Southern Rhône, by the talent and drive of the Brechet family, namely the young Julien Brechet, and consultant Philippe Cambie
...Owned by the Brechet family (of Chateau Vaudieu in Chateauneuf du Pape) Domaine des Bouquet covers 75 acres (65 of which are in Gigondas) and is run by the young, yet incredibly talented, Julien Brechet. Philippe Cambie also consults here, and while the style emphasizes fruit and texture, these never lose their southern Rhone style. These are easily some of the top 2011s I was able to taste, and the ‘12s are just as strong. This is an estate that needs to be on every reader’s radar!"
This 26 hectare estate is one of the top Domaines in Gigondas. The winemaker here is Laurent Brechet who displays the same attention to detail and emphasis on quality as he does for the wines he makes at Château de Vaudieu in Châteauneuf du Pape. Located at the south west of the appelation, the ‘Lieu Dit‘ lies on exceptional sandy soils which give the Grenache its fine tannins, airy flavours and wonderful acidity which balances its power so well.
Domaine des Bosquets 2016 "le Lieu Dit" Gigondas, France
$ 54.99
94 Points - Great New Discovery
A great new discovery from the Southern Rhone! One of the top wines of the vintage.
94 Points Robert Parker: "Big, rich and full-bodied, the 2016 Gigondas le Lieu Dit is old-vine Grenache from a sandy part of the property, aged in demi-muids. It's got huge black cherry, berry and plum fruit, yet remains fresh and vibrant, showing a bit of warmth without going over the top. It should drink well for a decade."
...Owned by the Brechet family (of Chateau Vaudieu in Chateauneuf du Pape) Domaine des Bouquet covers 75 acres (65 of which are in Gigondas) and is run by the young, yet incredibly talented, Julien Brechet. Philippe Cambie also consults here, and while the style emphasizes fruit and texture, these never lose their southern Rhone style. These are easily some of the top 2011s I was able to taste, and the ‘12s are just as strong. This is an estate that needs to be on every reader’s radar!"
This 26 hectare estate is one of the top Domaines in Gigondas. The winemaker here is Laurent Brechet who displays the same attention to detail and emphasis on quality as he does for the wines he makes at Château de Vaudieu in Châteauneuf du Pape. Located at the south west of the appelation, the ‘Lieu Dit‘ lies on exceptional sandy soils which give the Grenache its fine tannins, airy flavours and wonderful acidity which balances its power so well.
Domaine Grand Veneur 2016 Côtes du Rhône “Les Champauvins”
$ 22.99
94 Points - great discovery
A fantastic discovery from France that sells for a song!
Full-bodied and dense, the Alain Jaume Domaine Grand Veneur 2016 Cotes du Rhone tastes more like a "baby Châteauneuf." A complete wine, rich and elegant, thanks to the harmony of all the elements which make it up. Highly recommended.
94 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "One of the finest vintages of this cuvée to date, the 2016 Côtes du Rhône Les Champauvins (70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre) is a brilliant, sexy, medium to full-bodied Côtes du Rhône that offers a spectacular bouquet of garrigue, peppery herbs, pine, and sweet red and black fruits. With beautiful complexity, a layered, seamless texture, notable tannins, and a great finish, it easily competes with any number of more expensive Châteauneuf-du-Papes and Gigondas. It’s great today yet will keep for 7-8 years."
92 Points Robert Parker: "Now that it's in the bottle, the 2016 Cotes du Rhone les Champauvins is looking as good as I predicted last year. It's a full-bodied, concentrated wine that could mop the floor with many Châteauneufs. Rich black cherry fruit is joined by complex herb and spice notes, a creamy mid-palate and a lingering finish. Worth buying by the case."
Domaine Jerome Gradassi 2016 Chateauneuf -du-Pape
$ 49.95
An exclusive Chateauneuf-du-Pape that is one of our favorite discoveries from the Rhone Valley. Tiny producer, great price and delicious bottle of wine make this a real winner.
The new 2016 was rated by the Revue du Vin de France (France’s most respected wine publication) as one of the 4 best Châteauneuf du Pape of the vintage – alongside Rayas, Capo de Pegau and Clos du Mont Olivet (at a price far less than those)!
We continue to hunt in the Rhône Valley for exciting emerging talent, and in Jérôme Gradassi we have struck the jackpot. Jérôme, 50 years old, was the boss and chef of a Michelin starred restaurant, L’Isle Sonnant in Avignon, until he sold it in 2003 to take up a mere 3½ hectares of vines left to him by his grandfather. In the cellar it’s all very traditional - into old stone tanks for the vinification, then a short ageing in old barrels. 75% Grenache. Scented, perfumed - very herbal and sweet on the nose - and with well-integrated fruits with a hint of cumin and white pepper. Much more accessible than most young Châteauneufs. This has the freshness of the vintage and is really a very accessible example. No rough edges. This has come on very nicely in bottle. Well done!
Domaine Tempier 2014 Bandol Rouge, France
$ 44.95
New release - 92 pts
One of our favorite reds from the South of France, always sells out early. Highly recommended.
92 Points Robert Parker: "An impressive barrel sample, the 2014 Bandol Cuvee Classique shows surprising depth and concentration in the vintage. Notes of dark fruits, mineral and peppery, Provencal herbs all emerge from this medium to full-bodied, beautifully pure, elegant 2014 that should drink reasonably well on release."
Dominio de Pingus 2016 PSI Red, Ribera del Duero
$ 34.99
A fantastic value
New wine from Dominio de Pingus who make the legendary Pingus Red. A fantastic value!
94 points James Suckling: "This is a fragrant and gritty Pingus with a ton of tannins which give it a lot of depth and length. This wine deserves some patience. It needs two or three years more of bottle age to be at its best, but should keep for some years following."
Having established Pingus as a new benchmark for greatness in Spanish wine, Peter Sisseck has embarked on a new quest: to produce a wine that captures the soul of Ribera del Duero. And he intends to do so by harnessing the passion of the region’s growers who have, for far too long, lacked the tools, capital, and vision to make wine that is truly “theirs.” And thus PSI was born.
It is a Utopian idea, born of Peter's passionate belief in organic and biodynamic farming as well as his gratitude to the region for giving a young Danish winemaker the opportunity to make arguably Spain's most coveted wine.
F. Thienpont 2011 Bordeaux Rouge, France
$ 19.99
From the family reponsible for some of Bordeaux's top wines like le Pin and the 100-point Vieux Chateau Certan, this is a fantastic $20 Bordeaux. A Brix26 exclusive.
The red wine from Thienpont comes from a clay and limestone plateau in the Entre-Deux-Mers The grapes are 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon fermented in stainless steel and aged for 7 months. This is a perfect every day red with beef and barbecue.
Finca Villacreces 2013 "Pruno" Ribera del Duero
$ 19.99
One of the best red buys from Spain we've found this year - hurry!
93 Points Robert Parker: "Wow! I’ve loved this wine in the past and the 2013, a blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 12 months in French oak, is stunning, simply over-delivering in so many different ways. This wine, which offers up copious quantities, of blueberry, black raspberry and black currant fruit, licorice, graphite and meaty notes, offers fabulous aromatics, medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, beautiful, pure texture and a long, heady finish with subtle oak. What’s amazing is the French oak is all two-year-old, super-expensive Darnajou barrels. For $20 this is another amazing offering from Spain and from importer Eric Solomon. Normally, one would expect to pay $75 to $150 for a wine that tastes like this, but this beauty can be yours for $20 or less!
Gaja 2014 Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
$ 189.99
It is nearly impossible to overstate the influence of Angelo Gaja on Italian wine and its lofty reputation among connoisseurs. New release!
98 Points Wine Enthusiast "Cellar Selection": "This isn't just a great wine for what was a notoriously cool, wet vintage, it's quite simply a magnificent wine. Perfumed and loaded with finesse, it opens with scents of woodland berry, iris and baking spice while the vibrant, balanced palate doles out Marasca cherry, dark culinary spice, crushed herb and menthol. Refined tannins and fresh acidity provide the taut framework while a licorice note wraps around the finish. Gorgeous. Drink 2022-2034."
96 Points Antionio Galloni (Vinous): "Gaja's 2014 Barbaresco is rich, super-dense, and inviting, with serious underpinnings of structure and the same classicism that made the 2013 so compelling. Dense and powerful in the glass, with explosive energy and tons of tannin, the 2014 is built for extended cellaring. Expressive floral and savory notes hover out of the glass in this super-expressive Barbaresco. This is one of the most tightly wound, intense versions of Gaja's Barbaresco I can remember tasting. Don't miss it."
Hacienda Monasterio 2015 Ribera del Duero
$ 46.99
95 Points - Spanish gem
One of our top picks from Spain and the Ribera del Duero - don't miss this gem from Pingus winemaker Peter Sisseck.
95 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2015 Crianza from Hacienda Monasterio is a blockbuster effort that’s a blend of 75% Tinto Fino, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the balance Merlot, all of which spent 18 months in 30% new French oak. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by terrific notes of blueberries, violets, graphite, and crushed rocks. Full-bodied, deep, concentrated, and elegant, with a traditional style and building tannin…. It’s no doubt beautiful today yet will keep for a decade or more. Even at $50, it’s a smoking value!”
94 Points Robvert Parker: "The flagship Crianza is now simply referred to as 2015 Hacienda Monasterio. It's mostly Tempranillo, with 10% each Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, fermented with indigenous yeasts and with long and soft macerations. It has a balanced nose, with nuance and subtleness, with the oak nicely folded into the fruit, incipient perfume, and even if young, you can almost see where it can go in bottle. The foreign varieties are not really noticed; they are very integrated. The palate has terrific balance and refined tannins. There is no heat or excess ripening whatsoever. For a moment, I thought I was tasting the 2014. This is one of the best and most widely available wines from Ribera del Duero. It should evolve nicely in bottle."
Hacienda Monasterio has a special place in our hearts and cellars. Having remained at the vanguard of the evolution of the DO of Ribera del Duero since its founding in 1991, Hacienda Monasterio continues to innovate and seek new ways to make wines that embody the region’s potential for power as well as elegance and finesse. Guiding this evolution is Peter Sisseck, who joined the estate shortly after its inception and while he has pushed the envelope in the DO with his own wine Pingus, he’s remained at the helm of Hacienda Monasterio: overseeing the purchase and planting of new vineyards, grafting over existing vines to the local Tempranillo, Tinto Fino, and incrementally improving vinifications by championing native fermentations, experimenting with whole clusters and employing larger 500L French oak barrels for aging.
Isole e Olena 2014 Cepparello, Toscana Rosso
$ 79.99
97 Points - limited Super-Tuscan
Cepparello is one of Italy's most iconic wines and a reflection of Paolo De Marchi's career. Today Cepparello, named after a small seasonal stream among the vineyards, is a selection of the estates best fruit. Soils primarily Galestro, vineyards orientated Southwest and are 400 meters above sea-level. Paolo believes that vintage is part of terrior and wines of origin reflect the vintage. Limited.
97 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "Isole e Olena's 2014 Cepparello is mind-blowingly beautiful. The product of a long, cool growing season with perfect weather at the end of the fall. Dark, savory and intensely mineral, the 2014 possesses remarkable depth and intensity. In 2014, the grapes reached full maturity at lower sugars than is the norm today. I tasted the 2014 from an assortment of barrels. If the finished wine is like the wine I tasted from barrel, the 2014 Cepparello will be one of the big surprises of the vintage. I love the mid-palate depth here.."
95 Points Robert Parker: "Here is another big surprise from an underdog vintage. The 2014 Cepparello had recently been bottled when I preview tasted it, but it is far from its release date. Paolo De Marchi sold off any finished wine that did not live up to his standards and picked the very best results for this edition. Production this vintage is down by almost a quarter. This is a beauty. It flaunts a deep, dark appearance with succulent fruit, savory spice, leather and grilled herb. The oak element needs additional time to integrate and it surely will as the wine continues its slow bottle evolution. Only a third of the blend is aged in new oak. This upcoming Cepparello is a wine of substance and distinction."
Juan Gil 2015 Jumilla Red, Spain
$ 17.99
A phenomenal value
A phenomenal red from Spain that sells for a song. Big and full-bodied, California wine lovers will take to this wine easily.
91+ Points Robert Parker: "The 2015 Juan Gil (silver label) is their pure Monastrell aged in oak for 12 months. The profile of this wine has changed, and there is now no trace of oak; it feels a lot more focused, fresh and approachable, with berries, Mediterranean herbs and balsamic notes, quite intense. The palate is very tasty, not terribly complex, with fine tannins, good balance and freshness. Approachable and easy to drink. Bravo for the change!"
Louis Latour 2016 Corton-Grancey Burgundy Grand Cru
$ 169.99
99 points - limited
One of the top-scoring Burgundies from the 2016 vintage, the Louis Latour Corton-Grancey is a beautiful Pinot Noir. Limited.
Château Corton Grancey is Louis Latour’s blend of four different Grand Cru climats: Bressandes, Perrières, Grèves and Clos du Roi, the proportions of which vary depending on the vintage. The average age of the vines is over 40 years.
99 Points James Suckling: "Love the depth of fruit and intensity of this wine. It has dark fruit and floral undertones, as well as meat, which is very captivating. Full body, purity of fruit and nice, powerful tannins. Chewy and powerful. Focused austerity. A wine for the cellar. Try in 2022."
Luca 2014 Malbec, Uco Valley Argentina
$ 29.99
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. This 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 2014 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."
M. Chapoutier 2015 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Barbe Rac, France
$ 129.99
96 Points - limited
Rare top-rated Chateauneuf from Chapoutier. Limited.
96 Points Robert Parker: "The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Barbe Rac is 100% Grenache, but this parcel is located on the western edge of the appellation, in what Chapoutier describes as a hot, dry location—even in the context of the appellation. From vines planted in 1901-1902, this is a dense, plummy wine, oozing with concentrated fruit and even turning a bit fudge-like on the long, supple finish. I don't expect it to age quite as well as the Croix de Bois, but it's still a thrilling wine."
96 Points Wine Spectator: "Very silky and refined, but with ample depth and drive, as the core of kirsch, plum sauce and raspberry coulis flavors is focused and lengthy, while light tea, incense, mineral and shiso leaf notes dart throughout. The long finish has well-embedded, latent grip. Should cruise in the cellar. Best from 2020 through 2040."
M. Chapoutier 2015 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Croix de Bois, France
$ 109.00
97 Points - limited
Rare top-rated Chateauneuf from Chapoutier. Limited.
97 Points Robert Parker: "At the top end of Chapoutier's Southern Rhône hierarchy are the two sélections parcellaires from Châteauneuf du Pape. I had a slight preference for the 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Croix de Bois, which comes from the Bédarrides (eastern) side of the appellation, a site with galets roulés over clay, which Chapoutier says resists drought. This is a full-bodied, dense, plummy wine, but it retains ample freshness and offers loads of spicy complexity, including exotic notes like cumin and coriander that linger enticingly on the finish."
96 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2015 Châteauneuf-Du-Pape Croix de Bois is another single vineyard cuvée made from 100% Grenache that was completely destemmed and aged all in concrete. It's slightly deeper ruby colored than Barbe Rac and offers a more fruit-driven style. Blueberry, plums, black cherries, spring flowers and Asian spice. Building with time in the glass, ripe, voluptuous and elegant, yet also concentrated and structured, it needs 2-4 years of bottle age."
Marqués de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial Rioja 2009
$ 109.99
96 Point Rioja
One of Rioja's finest reds from Marques de Murrieta, the Castillo Ygay Grand Reserve Rioja is a beautiful wine - limited.
96 Points Robert Parker: "In 2009, the final blend was Tempranillo with 19% Mazuelo (or Cariñena), one of the highest percentages of Mazuelo ever. The grapes are now sourced from the La Plana vineyard within the Ygay estate, one of the higher-altitude plots at 485 meters. The grapes fermented and aged separately, the Tempranillo in American oak barrels and the Mazuelo in French barriques for 26 months, given its power. It has that seriousness, character and somehow rusticity of the Mazuelo, austere, harmonious and still young. It has good depth and concentration, still young and lively with fine tannins and a backbone of freshness that lifts it up. It will develop for a very long time in bottle. This is a great classical Rioja for the long haul."
95 Points Wines & Spirits: "The vines on the La Plana plateau, the highest point of the estate, at 1,600 feet in elevation, were 60 years old when faced with the heat of the 2009 vintage. The majority of this wine is tempranillo, harvested at the end of September; 19 percent of the blend is mazuelo (carignan), harvested a week later. The wine has the richness of the vintage while the fruit holds its freshness, with tart plum and strawberry notes helping to shape all the flavor concentration. It’s a fat wine with attitude, packing dense tannins that last for minutes and need a decade or more to be fully absorbed into the fruit. It’s supple, heady and delicious now, and significantly more complex with several days of air, as it will be with years of age. (Dec 2018)"
James Suckling 95 points - "TOP 100 SPANISH WINES OF 2018" #56: "A special Rioja that’s traditional, but not old-fashioned. Dusty, licorice and spice nose with red fruit. A cool and elegant wine, in spite of the concentration. Long, firm finish. Expands with aeration. From vines planted in 1945. Drink or hold. (Aug 2018)"
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.
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!
Paul Jaboulet 2015 Crozes Hermitage Domaine Thalabert
$ 44.99
97 points - limited
A fantastic buy from the Southern Rhone! High recommended Crozes Hermitage from Paul Jaboulet.
97 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "The finest vintage to date, better even than the stellar 2010, the 2015 Crozes-Hermitage Domaine De Thalabert is a gorgeous, deep, layered, and incredibly satisfying Crozes. Blackcurrants, olive tapenade, truffles and earthy notes all emerge from this full-bodied, gorgeously textured and seamless 2015. With fine tannin and no hard edges, it can be drunk today or cellaring for 15-20 years."
94 Points Antonio Galloni: "(made from vines that range from 40 to 60 years old; raised for a year in oak barrels, 20 percent of them new) Youthful violet. Powerful mineral- and spice-accented blue fruit liqueur and violet aromas are complemented by suggestions of licorice and white pepper. Concentrated and expansive on the palate, offering intense blueberry, cherry and spicecake flavors and an exotic Indian spice quality that builds on the back half. Shows excellent clarity and lift on the finish, which is framed by velvety, harmonious tannins that fold smoothly into the juicy dark fruit.
93+ Points Robert Parker: "The 2015 Crozes Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert is a super effort, packed with savory notes of black olives and crushed stones. It's full-bodied and rich, with a hint of cedary oak, but there's plenty of fruit and ripe tannins on the lingering finish. Like some of those fine Thalabert vintages of the past, it should drink well for a couple of decades...
...Since the Frey family purchased this historic firm in January 2006, the winemaking process and equipment have gone through a series of dramatic changes. Now, I feel the team, winery and various terroirs are finally operating smoothly as a whole, and the recent releases are among the best Paul Jaboulet Aîné wines ever produced. Caroline Frey says that's because the biodynamic practices are finally paying big dividends in the domaine vineyards. No doubt that has played a role, but the winemaking here has also adapted over time, paying less homage to Bordeaux and becoming more Burgundian/Rhônish in style. Consumers can visit the company's caveau and wine bar, conveniently located on the main market square of Tain l'Hermitage, to try the wines for themselves."
Penfolds 2012 Grange, Australia
$ 850.00
*PRE-order the new 2012 vintage for October 25th Shipping* and secure your alloction before the ratings come out
Founded in 1844 Penfolds is heralded as the leading luxury winery in Australia. Its icon wine, and Australia’s most celebrated wine, is Grange. It is the original and most powerful expression of Penfolds multi-vineyard, multi-district blending philosophy and is officially listed as a Heritage Icon of South Australia.
2010 Vintage 99 Points Robert Parker: "The 2010 Grange is a 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 96% Shiraz blend made from Barossa Valley, Clare Valley, Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale and Magill Estate fruit that was aged 17 months in 100% new American oak hogsheads. Very deep purple-black in color, this is classic Grange - amongst the finest produced - replete with fresh, vibrant and youthful black fruit notes showing some blueberry aromas and accents of camphor, anise and the slightest floral hint plus a whiff of oak in the background to lend a cedar-laced lift to this textbook Shiraz nose. Medium to full-bodied in the mouth, it is very taut and finely constructed showing typically firm, grainy, uniform tannins, great concentration and wonderful persistence on the finish. If I have any very slight complaint of this near perfect wine it is that it seems a little too clinical and appears to speak less of the land and the heart of South Australia and more of the very skilled winemaking than did the Grange from the magical 2008 vintage."
Pingus 'Flor de Pingus' 2016 Red, Ribera del Duero
$ 89.99
New from Pingus!
Second wine from Dominio de Pingus who make the legendary Pingus Red. Limited.
Harmonious and elegant, this is a beautiful second wine from the renowned Dominio de Pingus. Dark cherry nose with earthy and coffee nuances; pure, concentrated fruit on the palate. Like those other esteemed names, Pingus has a quality that is often lacking in today's "modern" wines-a sense of utter individuality. There is no other wine in the world, let alone Spain, that is quite like Pingus, and that singularity is one of the fundamental requirements for great wine.
95 Points Robert Parker: "I caught the 2016 Flor de Pingus days before it was due for bottling, so what I tasted was the final blend (done after the time in barrel was over) that was just settling in tank before being bottled. The paradox of 2016 is that it was a warm year, but the resulting wines have great freshness, which also happened in 1996 (one of my favorite old vintages of Pingus). The yields were higher, which brought more freshness to the wines; and the wines are airier and not as compact as, for example, 2015. In fact, what they have been doing for some time now is to work in viticulture—the pruning and what you do with the canopy—to achieve slightly higher yields and get the plants to balance, because as you increase the yields, the ripening takes longer. Even though it's young, this shows amazing perfume that should bloom with a year in bottle. This has all the signals to become one of the greatest vintages of Flor de Pingus. I already look forward to tasting this in my next round, after it has spent a year or more in bottle. A mini-Pingus at a very different price."
The 2015 Flor de Pingus is a mosaic of different vineyards in the village of La Horra in Burgos, totaling some 35 hectares. As all these are estate vineyards, they were much better controlled than those used for PSI, and the wine shows it in a challenging vintage like this one. It has a slightly different profile from your average Ribera, with better freshness. The wine had only been in bottle for around one month, and the wine is open and expressive. There are some roasted aromas, black cherries, blackberries and plenty of spices with hints of smoke. It’s also a lighter version of Flor, and whether this will be as long-lived as other vintages, it’s still a question mark, as the extra acidity might give it a longer life than expected. In any case, give it some time in bottle to finish integrating the oak and drink over the next four-five years.
Pio Cesare 2012 "Ornato" Barolo, Italy
$ 119.99
98 Points
One of the top-scoring Barolos of the 2012 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
Poggio Antico 2011 'Altero' Brunello di Montalcino Red
$ 99.00
96 Points Suckling
A phenomenal Brunello di Montalcino from Tuscany and one of the top wines of the stellar 2011 vintage! Very little imported to the U.S. so hurry.
96 Points James Suckling: "I love the subtle aromas of rose petal, dark fruit and perfume that follow through to a full body, with fine tannins and a beautiful finish. It's very fine and pretty. Savory and delicate. Such finesse here. Drink or hold."
Winemaker Tasting Notes: Extremely dark and concentrated. Open, very persistent and clean with wonderful aromas of blackberries, raspberries, coffee, spices and vanilla. Rich, powerful, extremely concentrated yet elegant and velvety. The silky and ripe tannins make it particularly smooth to the palate. Loads of plum, dark cherry and licorice and a very very long finish. A wine that will keep and further improve for many years.
Poggio Antico 2014 Lemartine Red, Tuscany
$ 48.99
A phenomenal Super Tuscan red from Italy. Very little imported to the U.S. so hurry.
95 Points James Suckling: "This is a wine that shows glorious aromas of blueberries, blackberries, violets and other flowers. Hints of green olives. Full body, with ultra fine tannins and a beautiful, polished silky tannins. Exquisite. Harmony. A blend of cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot. Best Lemartine ever. Better in 2016."
Poggio Antico is one of Italy's Top 100 Estates located in Montalcino and known for their excellent (and expensive) Brunello's. The Lemartine is an fantastic blend of Sangiovese (50%), Cabernet Sauvignon (25%) and Petit Verdot (25%). The three estate-grown varietals are vinified seperately in small French oak barrels for nine months. Once blended, they become Lemartine. This 'Super Tuscan' blend has great structure and firm yet never aggressive tannins. It generously delivers intense red and black fruit flavors and hints of leather and spices. Its complexity and minerality come from the estate's unique terroir.
Tenuta dell' Ornellaia 2016 "Ornellaia", Bolgheri Superiore
$ 219.99
98 Points - limited
98 Points James Suckling: "Such balance and finesse with power to this wine. Shows dried flowers, currants and minerals. Full body and firm and silk tannins. Love the texture. Umami character everywhere. Goes on for minutes."
98 + Points Jeb Dunnuck: "From a great vintage for Bolgheri, the 2016 Ornellaia is a classic blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot that was aged 20 months in 70% new French oak. Its saturated purple color is followed by a deep, beautifully concentrated yet primordial effort that offers serious intensity in its cassis, black cherry, graphite, bay leaf, forest floor, and spring flower aromas and flavors. Full-bodied and multi-dimensional on the palate, it has thrilling purity of fruit, ample tannins, and a great, great finish. This is a tour de force in red wine that needs 4-5 years of bottle age and will keep for two decades. "
Tikal 2013 "Jubilo" Red, Mendoza Argentina
$ 39.99
Great new red blend discovery from Argentina. Highly recommended.
92 Points International Wine Cellar: "A 60/40 blend of malbec and cabernet sauvignon. Saturated bright ruby. Black cherry and licorice on the nose, plus a hint of tea leaf. Sweet and creamy in the mouth but with harmonious acidity giving shape and definition to the concentrated black cherry, dark berry and chocolate flavors. Finishes with a firm spine of fine chocolatey tannins and fresh acidity. I'd give this a few years in bottle to express itself more fully."
Tikal wines reflect the spirit of Mendoza: the sense of pride, love, celebration and even a bit of craziness. Ernesto Catena spent his childhood in the vineyards of Mendoza among wine-growers and local pundits. A skilled horseman, software developer and book editor, Ernesto pursues all that gives pleasure in life. This hedonism (in the best sense of the word) shows through in his wines. It is a style meant to provide enormous pleasure rather than provoke contemplation; an expression of emotion rather than intellect. He has named his wines with passion in mind: Patriota (Patriot), Amorio (Love Affair), Jubilo (Rejoice), and Locura (Madness).
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