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We've got an entire summer's worth of great wines... a little of this... a little of that... and we'd like to make some room for more goodies... check them out below... reply to order. You can click on the header to jump to that section
Antinori Guado al Tasso 2017 - Sale $109.99 - 97 pts Wine Advocate / 97 pts James Suckling - “From a warm and sunny vintage that produced darkly concentrated fruit, the Tenuta Guado al Tasso 2017 Bolgheri Superiore Guado al Tasso is a teaser and a super pleaser. This is one flashy wine. This carefully calculated blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc and 15% Merlot pours from the bottle with a beautifully saturated and rich color. I double-decanted my sample before writing this review, and the wine's aromas showed immediate harmony and intensity. The wine seduces and flirts with all your senses. This vintage caps many years of study regarding blending: The Merlot is slightly decreased here, and the Cabernet Franc is slowly taking on a more important supporting role. The Petit Verdot that was used as a peppery accent two years ago has now been removed altogether. The results are pliant, seamless and fluid, and that's the big takeaway here. The wine is bountiful, round, supple and full-bodied. Unless you are decidedly not a fan of this style, there's nothing not to love. I had anticipated more tightness in terms of possible hot-vintage tannins, but I am very pleased by the general integration of the mouthfeel. The Guado al Tasso vineyards are located not too far from the sea, at a low elevation of about 60 meters above sea level. The soils are alluvial with a unique mix of limestone clay and sand, with pockets of rocks and are generally known as the Bolgheri Agglomerate." WA
Ornellaia Serre Le Nuove 2018 - Sale $49.99 - 97 pts James Suckling – “Characterized by a lively ruby red colour, Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia 2018 is a wine of great aromatic complexity, a distinctive feature of this vintage. In the glass, aromas of berries, blackberry, raspberry and red cherry are accompanied by floral hints of wild rose and spicy notes of pink pepper and liquorice. On tasting, the wine has a good tannic structure, enveloping and balanced, with a crisp and savoury finish.” JS
Fattoria Petrolo Torrione 2018 - Sale $28.99 – 95 pts James Suckling / 94 pts Wine Advocate / 92 pts Vinous Media – “A red with plenty of blackberry, black-olive, floral and oyster-shell character. It’s full-bodied, yet layered, extremely polished and beautiful. A dusty texture. Hazelnut and walnut undertones. From organically grown grapes. A little more merlot and cabernet sauvignon in the blend. Gorgeous now, but better after 2021 and onwards.” JS
Trinoro Le Cupole 2018 – Sale $34.99 – 94 pts Wine Advocate – “This is a terrific wine that hits that proverbial sweet spot between excellence and value. The Tenuta di Trinoro 2018 Le Cupole is a blend of 40% Cabernet Franc, 37% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot that sees a brief eight months in second and third-passage barrique followed by some additional resting time in cement. Production is an ample 70,000 bottles. This lovely vintage shows dark fruit intensity and richness with cherry, blackberry and plum. There is a touch of sweetness, but the mouthfeel is well constructed and layered with phenolic tightness and tight natural structure that will help it age 10 years or more. Le Cupole is one of the best values found in Tuscany.” WA
Sant’Antonio Amarone 2016 – Sale $44.99 – 93 pts Vinous Media – “The 2016 Amarone della Valpolicella Antonio Castagnedi balances dark ripe fruits, sweet spices and rich mocha with savory herbs and violet florals. It’s a silky and energetic effort with cooling acids and minerals, coloring within the lines of refinement while still satiating the senses with masses of ripe black cherries. A bit of heat pokes out through on the finish, yet this is forgivable in my book, as the Antonio Castagnedi tapers off fresh to inner violet florals and a bitter twang of wild berries.” VM
Buglioni Amarone 2016 – Sale $59.99 – 93 pts Vinous Media – “Dark ruby-red in color with garnet shades. Intense and elegant aromas of ripe fruit, raisins and spices with vanilla, tobacco, cocoa and anise. Persistent, warm flavors, velvety and harmonious. This is a wine for meditation — a protagonist on its own. It is traditionally paired with game, grilled beef, stew, braised meat and mature cheeses, however, the smoothness of its dry fruit allows for modern and daring pairing…have you ever tried it with raw prawns or scampi?” VM
Raul Perez Ultreia Vitoriana 2019 – Sale $67.99 – 95 pts Vinous ". Expansive, spice-tinged black raspberry, cherry cola, licorice and potpourri aromas are complemented by a strong mineral topnote. Youthfully chewy and focused on the palate, offering concentrated yet lively black and blue fruit liqueur, succulent herb and violet pastille flavors and building spiciness. Finishes with repeating floral and dark fruit character, supple, well-knit tannins and outstanding, mineral- and spice-driven tenacity."
Raul Perez Ultreia Rapoloa 2019 – Sale $67.99 – No Review – 2018 was 96+ pts Wine Advocate - The combination of clay soil and northern exposure make for a cooler climate and a more piercing style. Raul says El Rapolao is “the one that talks back the most, but you have a soft spot for.” As Raul has said, this is the most reserved right now, but might have the most potential. "Vinified with a short maceration, it fermented in chestnut barrel, where the wine's allowed to deliver a veil of flor yeast, and it matured in two used 500-liter barrels and a 225-liter barrique. The plot that produces this Rapolao delivers a more fragile wine. This has 12.6% alcohol and is the longer and more austere of the Rapolao bottlings. It is cleaner and longer, young and juicy. This was the origin of the first Rapolao that they bottled separately in 2011 in the La Vizcaína range. There is magic here.” WA
Raul Perez Ultreia Valtuille 2019 – Sale $67.99 – No Review - 2018 was 97 pts Wine Advocate- Raul says this is his most consistent vineyard – and the only one that he owns in its entirety. He dubs it “the half pipe” – as in snowboarding – due to the vineyard’s unique shape and both northern and southern exposures. This double exposure results in a unique yin and yang to the wine – ripe fruit along with bright acidity. This is accentuated by a mixture of sandy and clay soils. Day in, day out, this baby is exactly what you want it to be! “This 2018 La Vizcaína La Vitoriana includes vines that were replanted in 2014/2015 with Bastardo (Merenzao or Trousseau), so the wine is more aromatic, more ethereal, perfumed and elegant, really impressive. This is the most aromatic and impressive; there is a conjunction of everything, the north-facing vineyards. It has impressive depth and expressiveness; it's wild but refined, explosive and more Burgundian than any of the la Vizcaína wines. This has character and attitude, light, power, energy, freshness and symmetry; it has a fine thread, lace-like, really impressive. In my head, Tom Jones started singing his famous song "Sex bomb, sex bomb..." This is an incredible wine at an incredible price point. 5,800 bottles produced. 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." WA on the 2018 Vitoriana Vizcaina
Domino del Aguila Reserva 2016 – Sale $69.99 – 97 pts Wine Advocate – “The Ultreia de Valtuille exudes aromas of blackberry, pillory, tobacco, leaf litter and a subtle reminder of apothecary as notes of cocoa. In the mouth, this red wine is structured, drying and very balanced. It is long and persistent, with a very marked ripe fruit that reminds us of the vineyard from which it comes.” WA
Clos Erasmus Laurel Priorat 2018 – Sale $54.99 – 96 pts Wine Advocate – “The Ultreia de Valtuille exudes aromas of blackberry, pillory, tobacco, leaf litter and a subtle reminder of apothecary as notes of cocoa. In the mouth, this red wine is structured, drying and very balanced. It is long and persistent, with a very marked ripe fruit that reminds us of the vineyard from which it comes.” WA
Alvar de Dios Tio Uco Toro 2018 - Sale $12.99 – 91 pts Wine Advocate – “The Ultreia de Valtuille exudes aromas of blackberry, pillory, tobacco, leaf litter and a subtle reminder of apothecary as notes of cocoa. In the mouth, this red wine is structured, drying and very balanced. It is long and persistent, with a very marked ripe fruit that reminds us of the vineyard from which it comes.” WA
Herencia Altes Garnacha 2018 – Sale $9.89 – 91 pts James Suckling / 90 pts Vinous Media – “Deep, glistening crimson. Lively red and blue fruit, floral and spice qualities on the perfumed nose. In a fleshy, fruit-forward style, showing very good clarity and seamless texture to juicy boysenberry and black raspberry flavors. Supple, discreet tannins lend shape to a long, blue-fruit-driven finish that leaves a spicy hint of white pepper behind.” VM
Portal Tinto 2016 – Sale $17.99 – “This wine bares more than a passing resemblance to a top-notch Cotes du Rhone, thanks to the Grenache, Carignan and Syrah, yet with a seeming juxtaposition of darker fruit and yet brighter acidity. Ridiculously exotic and expressive aromas practically jump from the glass – boysenberry, blackberries, cherries, anise and flowers – a veritable potpourri of all things good! Then more of that dark, luscious fruit follows, all balanced by bright acidity and fine tannins that cut like a laser through the wine. Simply, this is a spectacular wine, and an amazingly versatile one at that. Medium plus in body, with fine tannins and good acidity, this is an easy match for easy foods – burgers, roast chicken, burritos – yet you can “dress it up” and pair wonderfully with rustic fare like grilled lamb or braised short ribs…. Hmm…”
Black Slate Gratallops 2019 – Sale $19.99 – 96 pts Jeb Dunnuck – “A blend of 64% Grenache, 27% Carignan and 9% Syrah, the 2019 Black Slate Gratallops Vi De Vila comes from one of the warmer regions in the Priorat. Gorgeous black raspberries, liquid violets, garrigue, chalky minerality, and hints of rose petal all emerge from the glass, and it's medium to full-bodied and beautifully textured, with ultra-fine tannins and a gorgeous finish. With a liquid rock-like minerality that’s something to behold, this gorgeous, elegant wine is going to evolve for 10-12 years with no issues.” JD
Castano Solanera 2017 – Sale $14.99 – 94 pts Jeb Dunnuck – “Beautiful, with lots of cassis, blackberry, graphite, camphor, and acacia flower notes on the nose, the 2017 Vinas Viejas hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a layered, elegant texture, ripe tannins, and a gorgeous finish. A blend of 65% Monastrell, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Garnacha, brought up in 75% new French oak, it's the real deal and will keep for 7-8 years, probably longer.” JD
Petit Ducru de Beaucaillou 2018 (750 ml) – Sale $47.99 – 94 pts Decanter / 93 pts James Suckling / 91 pts Jeb Dunnuck / 90 pts Vinous Media – “Inky in colour and with intense cassis flavours joined by olive paste notes, this has a gorgeous, balanced feel. It needs to be carafed for an hour or two if you are looking to drink it soon, although the tannins are already silky and the concentration on display is pretty seductive. Great stuff, with a menthol blast on the finish, just brilliant value for money.” D
La Vieille Julienne les Hauts Lieux CNDP 2018 – Sale $79.99 – 97 pts Jeb Dunnuck – “Including slightly more Mourvèdre and from a cooler, higher elevation terroir, the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Hauts-Lieux has more cassis, game, peppery herbs, and olive notes, as well as the classic violets and black licorice nuances that always seem to be present in the wines from this estate. Possessing full-bodied richness, an ethereal, seamless texture, ultra-fine tannins, and nicely integrated acidity, it’s a more structured wine compared to the Les Trois Sources and will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and evolve for 15 years or more. It’s every bit as good as the Reserve cuvée in 2018.” JD
Domaine Marcoux CNDP 2019 – Sale $59.99 – 94 pts Jeb Dunnuck – “The 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape showed beautifully, with a deeper ruby/purple color as well as incredible Provençal notes of peppery garrigue, dried flowers, and jammy red and black berry fruits. Playing in the medium to full-bodied end of the spectrum, it has a great mid-palate, loads of building tannins, a solid spine of acidity, and a big finish. This is one smoking good, classic cuvée that savvy readers should snatch up. It will have 10-15 years of prime drinking.” JD
Sabon Prestige CNDP 2019 – Sale $61.99 – 95 pts Decanter – “A very deep and brooding style but with great freshness underneath. Deep tannic weave, with remarkable textural wealth. Just leaning slightly to the overripe in terms of fruit,but ends dry and savoury. A punchy, intense, muscular style. Grown on mixed soils, mostly galets roulés and sand, in the lieux-dits of Les Brusquières and Cabrières. Fermented half in stainless steel, half in concrete tanks, then aged in large barrels of different shapes and sizes. Prestige is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Counoise, Vaccarèse, Muscardin, and Terret Noir.” D
Rosiers Cote-Rotie 2016 - Sale $41.99 – 93 pts Wine Enthusiast / 91 pts Vinous Media – “Opaque ruby. Perfumed aromas of cherry, black currant and smoky minerals, plus a subtle floral note. Gently sweet and broad on the palate, offering supple dark fruit compote flavors that show good concentration and spicy thrust. Smooth and gently tannic on the persistent, smoke-tinged finish, where velvety tannins provide gentle grip. 25% new oak.” VM
Janasse CNDP 2019 – Sale $51.99 – 93 pts Decanter / 93 pts Jeb Dunnuck – “Leading off the 2019 Châteauneuf du Papes, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape reveals a ruby/purple, almost opaque hue to go with a beautifully Provençal, medium to full-bodied style as well as classy notes of peppery garrigue, spiced meat, black raspberries, and jammy blackberries. Nicely textured, with a terrific mid-palate as well as a great finish, this is a rock-solid, classic, traditional cuvée from this estate that will be approachable with short-term cellaring and evolve for 15-20 years or more.” JD
Juillots Barraults Mercurey 2018 - Sale $39.99 - 90 pts Burghound – “In Mercurey, a village nestled in Burgundy on the famous Côte Chalonnaise, the Michel Julliot Estate, which has existed for four generations, cultivates 30 hectares of vines producing a large selection of the best "climats" Mercurey has to offer. And the walled parcel “Clos des Barraults” is certainly their best! All the grapes are destemmed, so there are no excess stem tannins, just gorgeously ripe and attractive notes of strawberry, raspberries and anise melded perfectly with fine tannins. Proprietor Michel Juillot, the fourth generation owner of the estate, purchased a new press in 2009 that has led to a more gentle extraction of the fruit, resulting in finer, more refined tannins.” B
Glantenay Volnay Vieilles Vignes 2019 – Sale $49.99 – 93 pts Wine Enthusiast / 91 pts Burghound – “This gem is sourced from 60+ year-old vines in 3 different parcels. A couple rows here... a couple there... from vines as old as 80 years! All aged in French oak barrels, 20% new. I absolutely adore this wine, with its lush, inviting aromas of sweet black cherries and spices. On the palate the wine has is silky textured with a great attack of ripe blackberry and black cherry along with lots of spice, earth and hints of oak; the finish is very savory, polished and toasty.”
Larkmead Dr Olmo Cab Sauv 2016 – Sale $139.99 – 97 pts James Suckling / 95 pts Wine Enthusiast / 95 pts Wine Advocate / 95 pts Jeb Dunnuck / 94 pts Vinous Media / 94 pts Wine Spectator – “Composed of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Dr. Olmo (Black Label) is deep garnet-purple in color, offering exuberant notions of crushed black and red currants, warm plums and wild blueberries with an undercurrent of cigar box, violets, black tea and pencil lead plus a waft of menthol. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers wonderfully expressive cassis and red berry preserves layers with loads of floral and savory accents, framed by firm grainy tannins and oodles of freshness, finishing long and perfumed.” WA
FE Cab Sauv 2018 - Sale $169.99 – 98 pts Wine Advocate / 97+ Jeb Dunnuck / 96+ Vinous Media – “The flagship is the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Fe, and it's 100% Spring Mountain Cabernet. As with the Red Wine Blend, it has a notable freshness in its aromatics and offers impressive blue fruits, cedar, forest floor, bouquet garni, and spring flower-like aromas and flavors. These carry to a concentrated, full-bodied mountain Cabernet that has terrific mid-palate depth, building tannins, flawless balance, and a great, great finish. It's structured and tannic, and needs 4-5 years of bottle age, but this beauty is going to age like a great Bordeaux and keep for 30 years or more.” JD
FE Spring Mtn 26 Prop Red 2018 – Sale $119.99 – 97 pts Jeb Dunnuck / 94 pts Wine Advocate – “Located on Spring Mountain, the Fe Estate vineyard is six-plus acres with a high iron content in the soil, planted to eight-year-old vines. The 2018 26 is 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, 11% Petit Verdot and 5% Malbec and has a deep garnet-purple color. It soars out of the glass with bold cassis, blueberry preserves and ripe blackberries scents followed by nuances of menthol, truffles, smoked meats and beef drippings. Full-bodied, with firm, grainy tannins, the palate is lively with layer upon layer of vibrant, perfumed fruit.” WA
Andrew Will Sorella 2016 – Sale $79.99 – 99 pts Jeb Dunnuck / 96+ pts Wine Advocate – “Flirting with perfection, the 2016 Sorella checks in as 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% each of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot. Coming all from the Champoux Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills, its saturated purple color is followed by a La Mission Haut Brion-like bouquet of black and blue fruits, gravelly, minerality, smoke tobacco, and chocolate. Deep, multi-dimensional, full-bodied, and with beautiful complexity, it’s a magical wine as well as the finest wine from this estate to date. Bravo!” JD
Daou Paso Robles Cab Sauv 2019 - Sale $24.99 – 90-92 pts Wine Advocate – “The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon from Daou's Discovery Series is blended with 10% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. It is still in barrel but will age around 10 months in 60% new French oak. It has a deep ruby-purple color and a nose of cassis, garrigue, charcuterie and sweet baking spices. The palate is medium-bodied, lifted and gently structured with grainy tannins and good freshness, finishing long.” WA
Law Estate Audacious 2017 – Sale $73.99 – 98 pts Jeb Dunnuck / 94 pts Wine Advocate – “Based on 35% Grenache, 32% Carignan, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in 47% new oak, the 2017 Audacious reveals a ruby hue to go with a perfumed nose of blueberries, wild strawberries, new leather, flowery incense, and herbes de Provence. Gorgeous on the palate as well, with full-bodied richness, a weightless texture, and no hard edges, it will drink brilliantly over the coming 7-8 years, if not longer. It's in the same class as the brilliant 2016 and should be snatched up by readers!” JD
Law Estate First Tracks 2017 – Sale $73.99 – 98 pts Jeb Dunnuck / 94 pts Vinous Media / 94 pts Wine Advocate – “Deep purple-colored, the 2017 First Tracks (41% Petit Verdot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 24% Syrah) is glorious stuff. Killer cassis and black raspberry fruits, lots of spice, ground pepper, vanilla, and floral notes, full-bodied richness, and an incredibly plush, sexy, yet balanced mouthfeel all make for a brilliant, classic Paso Robles red that's going to keep for a solid decade or more.” JD
Law Estate Beguiling 2017 - Sale $73.99 – 97 pts Jeb Dunnuck / 94 pts Vinous Media / 94 pts Wine Advocate – “The Grenache-dominated (there's 18% Syrah) 2017 Beguiling offers a similar ruby/plum hue as well as spicy notes of wild strawberries, blueberries, dried earth, toasted spices, and flowery incense. It's another elegant yet full-bodied, powerful wine in this lineup that's loaded with character.” JD
Hartford Fanucchi Zinfandel 2018 – Sale $57.99 – 95 pts Wine Advocate – “Coming from vines planted over 100 years ago, which have been trained up to chest level to increase air circulation and sun exposure to the berries, the 2018 Zinfandel Fanucchi-Wood Road Vineyard was aged in French oak, 50% new, for 10 months. Deep garnet-purple colored, it skips out of the glass with notes of red currant jelly, raspberry pie and wild blueberries plus touches of stewed plums, wild sage and tilled soil with a waft of cast iron pan. Full-bodied, the palate has beautiful elegance and fine-grained tannins with a lively backbone lifting the pure black and blue fruit flavors to a long finish. 306 cases were made.” WA
Hartford Highwire Zinfandel 2018 – Sale $57.99 – 95+ pts Wine Advocate – “Coming from 100-year-old vines, half of the Highwire vineyard parcel is head-trained and half is trained on a high wire, permitting greater sun exposure and promoting even ripening. The 2018 Zinfandel Highwire Vineyard was aged in French oak, 51% new, for 10 months. Deep garnet-purple colored, the nose is a little closed and broody to begin, giving way to notes of black cherry compote, blueberry pie and raisin cake followed by nuances of garrigue, fragrant soil, white pepper and bay leaves. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is lively and chock-full of juicy black fruits, supported by chewy tannins, finishing long and peppery. 327 cases were made.” WA
Hartford Jolenes Zinfnadel 2018 - Sale $57.99 – 95 pts Wine Advocate – “From head-trained vines more than 100 years old, the 2018 Zinfandel Jolene's Vineyard was aged in French oak, 28% new, for nine months. Medium garnet-purple colored, it opens with notions of blackberry pie, fruitcake and plum preserves plus hints of Indian spices, sandalwood and fragrant earth with a waft of black loam. Full-bodied, rich, spicy and chock-full of black and blue fruit, it has a chewy texture and loads of freshness, finishing with epic length. 280 cases were made.” WA
Horsepower Tribe Syrah 2017 – Sale $148.99 – 97 pts Jeb Dunnuck / 96 pts Wine Advocate – “Beautiful notes of red and black raspberries, tobacco, plum sauce, loamy earth, and loads of floral notes emerge from the 2017 Syrah The Tribe Vineyard, another tight, closed wine that’s going to benefit from bottle age. Medium to full-bodied, with notable freshness as well as plenty of underlying structure, it reminds me of Cote Rotie from the Cote Blonde lieu-dit with its incredible floral character as well as its seamless texture. Beautifully done and one of the standouts in the lineup in 2017, give bottles a healthy decant if drinking any time soon, and my money is on it benefiting from 2-3 years of bottle age and evolving for 15-20 years or more.” JD
Horsepower Sur Echalas Syrah 2017 – Sale $148.99 – 96 pts Jeb Dunnuck / 96 pts Wine Advocate – “There’s no mistaking the Rocks origin of the 2017 Syrah Sur Echalas Vineyard. This beauty is just about overflowing with dark, meaty plum and blackberry fruits intermixed with lots of mulch, bacon fat, violets, and leafy herbs aromas and flavors. Rich, medium to full-bodied and textured, its core of sweet fruit emerges with time in the glass, and it has ripe, polished tannins, no hard edges, and a great finish. It’s one of the more approachable vintages from this label, yet 2-3 years of bottle age are still advised.” JD
No Girls Tempranillo 2016 – Sale $109.99 – 97 pts Jeb Dunnuck / 94+ pts Wine Advocate – “The 2016 Tempranillo La Paciencia Vineyard offers an exotic bouquet of black cherries, violets, chocolate, tobacco, smoke, and candied orange rind. It's deep, beautiful, savory, and full-bodied, with a thrilling texture. It's another incredibly elegant, singular wine from this estate. 321 cases.” JD
Villa Creek Cherry House Red 2018 – Sale $24.99 – 92 pts Wine Enthusiast / 91 Vinous Media – “Deep ruby. Spice-accented cherry and red berries on the perfumed nose, which acquires succulent herb and floral nuances with air. Smooth and appealingly sweet, offering juicy black raspberry, cherry and spice-cake flavors that show good depth and back-end lift. Finishes silky and quite long, with harmonious tannins and lingering spiciness.” VM
Noon Cab Sauv Reserve 2018 – Sale $66.66 – 95 pts Wine Advocate – “Noon's 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve delivers scents of mint, sage and bay leaf layered atop a deep bed of bold cassis. Full-bodied, jammy and rich, this is plush and velvety on the palate without being overly soft—the intrinsic structure of Cabernet keeps it focused despite the ripeness, prolonging the finish for what seems like many minutes. Aged in approximately one-third new French oak, you'll note that my review contains no mention of cedar or vanilla—the wood has been judged impeccably and virtually disappears into the wine.” WA
Noon Eclipse 2018 – Sale $66.66 – 96 pts Wine Advocate – ”As usual since 2011, the wine is dominated by Grenache, from vines planted in 1934 and 1943. Shiraz and Graciano from younger vines (planted 1998–2001) comprise 10–20% of the blend. The 2018 Eclipse features lovely herbal inflections and hints of apricot/stone fruit layered over ripe cherries. This open-knit, full-bodied effort adds hints of dark chocolate on the palate. Silky, long and delicious, with a softly dusty finish, it should drink well for another 10–15 years.” WA
Catena Adrianna River Stones Malbec 2017 - Sale $169.99 – 100 pts James Suckling / 98 pts Wine Advocate – “Incredible aromas of blackberries, hot stones, wet earth and flowers. Full-bodied, it floats across the palate with ultra-fine tannins that melt into the wine. Superb, long finish of subtle fruit and terroir-defined subtleties. Try in 2022, but already a dream to taste.” JS
Ridge Lytton Springs Petite Sirah 2018 – Sale $37.99 – 96 pts Vinous Media – “The 2018 Lytton Estate Petite Sirah is totally stunning. Bright, focused and powerful, the 2018 presents a breathtaking interplay of rich Petite fruit allied to a classic, old-school sense of structure. Dark blue/purplish fruit, leather, licorice, lavender, menthol and gravel are some of the many notes that infuse the 2018 with all those layers of flavor. The 2018 is a real stunner.” VM
Ridge East Bench Zinfandel 2019 - Sale $31.99 – 95 pts Jeb Dunnuck / 94 pts James Suckling – "Based on 100% Zinfandel, the 2019 Zinfandel East Bench has a great perfume of red plums, wild strawberries, and flowery incense, with just hints of cigar and dried orange peel emerging with time in the glass. While it's not a blockbuster, it brings gorgeous intensity and richness in a medium-bodied, weightless, elegant package that delivers ripe tannins and notable acidity." JD
Ridge Geyserville 2019 – Sale $42.99 – 94 pts James Suckling – “A beautiful red with lots of blackberries, cloves, stone, spice and purple fruit. It’s full and balanced with a creamy texture and a flavorful finish. Some graphite to the black fruit. More zin this year in the blend. 71% zinfandel, 19% carignan, 7% petite sirah and 3% alicante bouschet. Drink now.” JS
Ramey Rochioli Chardonnay 2018 - Sale $64.99 – 100 pts Wine Enthusiast / 94 pts Wine Advocate – “The 2018 Chardonnay Rochioli Vineyard is youthfully wound with soft white peach scents and touches of hazelnuts, flowers and crushed shell. The palate is racy and mineral driven to begin, opening to a soft, generously perfumed finish. Give it another couple of years in bottle. 905 cases produced.” WE
Ramey Hyde Chardonnay 2018 – Sale $64.99 – 100 pts Wine Enthusiast / 95 pts Wine Advocate / 95 pts Wine Spectator – “This is a stunner from blocks planted in 1997 and 1999. Beautiful aromas of toasted hazelnut and stone lead to a palate that shows undeniable minerality paired with lasting acidity. It shows freshness and energy throughout. Drink 2026–2032.”WE
Wayfarer Chardonnay 2018 – Sale $68.99 – 98 pts Wine Advocate / 95 pts Jeb Dunnuck / 94 pts Wine Spectator – “From the estate vineyard in the Fort Ross-Seaview appellation and barrel fermented (all native yeast) and aged 15 months in 70% new French oak, the 2018 Chardonnay Wayfarer Vineyard offers a classic and slightly Burgundian style in its caramelized orchard fruits, toasted nuts, brioche, and white flower-laced aromas and flavors. Showing a touch marine-like salinity with time in the glass, it’s medium to full-bodied and has good concentration, integrated acidity, and a great finish. Give it a year and it will drink nicely for a decade.” JD
Mt Eden Edna Valley Chardonnay 2018 – Sale $21.99 – 94 pts Wine Advocate / 92 pts Vinous Media – “The 2018 Chardonnay Wolff Vineyard is bright, nuanced and so expressive. Lemon peel, tangerine oil, dried flowers, chamomile and orchard fruit accents give the 2018 a striking sense of translucence. Bright and sculpted, the 2018 is outright fabulous. This old-vine, low-yielding site produces a Chardonnay of real distinction. Harvest took place in late October.” VM
Kumeu Village Chardonnay 2019 – Sale $19.99 – 91 pts James Suckling – “I have never been so impressed with their “entry-level” offering! A very vibrant, fresh nose with attractive peach and melon aromas, as well as fresh florals, leading to a palate that has pure, fleshy pear, peach and melon flavors.” JS
Novellum Chardonnay 2020 – Sale $13.99 – 94 pts Jeb Dunnuck – “A richer styled wine (I've compared this cuvée to a Chardonnay from Mark Aubert), the 2020 Novellum has a medium gold hue as well as a rich, powerful bouquet of caramelized lemon, honeyed almonds, candle wax, and toasted bread. Rich, medium to full-bodied, beautifully textured, and balanced, this is another no brainer purchase.” JD
Gobelsburg Gaisberg 1 OTW Riesling 2019 – Sale $37.99 – 96 pts James Suckling – “Ripe mango, a ton of spice and serious concentration make this an imposing, traditional style of Austrian dry riesling. Lots of power at the long finish, where you also get some exotic fruit to go with the substantial portion of spice and minerals.” JS
Tegernseerhof Bergistel Smaragd GV 2019 - Sale $24.89 – 94 pts Wine Enthusiast – “The shining, intensely yellow-golden colored 2017 Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Bergdistel is sourced in several smaller, rather gently steep vineyards around Dürnstein (Mühlpoint, Kreutles, Hollerin and Hochstrasser) that were all harvested and processed the same day in the middle of October, so rather late given that early vintage. The bouquet shows ripe and elegant fruit with good precision and freshness. Lush and piquant on the palate, this is a full-bodied, elegant and fresh Smaragd with an almost crystalline character, lingering minerality and crunchy grip. Rather tropical fruit aromas in the aftertaste. Excellent.” WE
F. X. Pichler Federspiel GV 2018 - Sale $34.99 – 92 pts Falstaff – “F.X. Pichler are truly monumental dry white wines - each with a mouth-filling presence, finish and complexity that leaves one speechless. Delicate smoky-mineral white peach fruit, a touch of grapefruit, floral nuances, attractive bouquet. Juicy, good complexity, fresh stone fruit nuances, lively acid arch, mineral-salty, fine fruity reverberation, remains sticky, a multifaceted food companion.” Importer
Monteillet Grandes Chailles Condrieu 2018 – Sale $55.99 – 94 pts Jeb Dunnuck – “Slightly deeper colored, the 2018 Condrieu Les Grandes Chaillées was brought up all in barrels, with 10% being new. It has a honeyed, brioche, and spiced orange-driven flavor profile and is medium to full-bodied, with loads of fruit as well as bright acidity. Drink it over the coming 2-4 years. It shows the more rounded, sexy style of the vintage perfectly.” JD
Fedellos Conasbrancas 2018 – Sale $29.99 – 93 pts Wine Advocate – “A blend of approximately 50% Godello, 25% Dona Branca and the remaining 25% a mixture of varieties, including Treixadura, Colgadeira and Palomino, etc.. It has a characterful nose, with no oak whatsoever, very floral, with intense notes of pollen. The palate is terribly balanced, with pungent flavors and integrated acidity, effervescent and sharp, with a salty finish. The effect of the skins is quite subtle, and there's no visible color or tannin. Perhaps it has been polished by the time in oak. It has good depth and is quite complete.” WA
Tiberio Pecorino 2020 - Sale $21.89 – 92 pts Vinous “The 2020 Pecorino opens with crushed, mineral stones and dusty dried flowers. It gains in depth as notes of yellow apple, nectarine and fennel evolve in the glass. This is silky, soothing and ripe, contrasted by bright acids and salty minerals, with penetrating herbal-tinged stone fruits and an attractive inner smokiness. It tapers off incredibly long and savory. In fact, at times, the flavor profile reminds me more of food than wine, with a note of umami that resonates throughout. This is highly enjoyable today, but make sure to also lose a few in the cellar. The Pecorino benefitted from a longer growing season and later harvest, which packed a lot of extra character into this wine.”
Janasse Viognier 2020 – Sale $19.99 – “The Sabon family took cuttings from the finest vineyards in Condrieu, Viognier’s “home”, and planted them in the southern Rhone. 60% of the wine is vinified in tank, while 40% sees oak barrels. The yin/yang of tank and oak blend harmoniously here – just a hint of vanilla and spice to add balance to the rich apricot and orange marmalade flavors. There’s vibrant acidity to keep everything in check, and classic aromas of honeysuckle keep you diving back in for more!”
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