Case of - the Year 2023
Price: $299.99
Sale Price: $191.88
| Producer | Case of |
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| Country | United States |
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| Varietal | Mixed |
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| Vintage | 2023 |
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| Sku | 18276 |
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| Size | 750ml |
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The Case of the Year is Here!!!
For long-timers, you know exactly what that means. Scroll to the bottom, click the order button, then start planning dinners for the weekend!
For fresh faces, Rich and I spent months researching, tracking down and sampling wines in the $20+ range. When we zeroed in on something, we negotiated with the supplier for an even better price. Four wines… 100 cases of each wine… that gets their attention!
All the wheeling and dealing gets the price down to just $191.88 for the case (3 of each wine) … That’s $15.99 per bottle… beating the Best Price Online combined for these wines!
Poliziano Rosso di Montepulciano 2021 (Tuscany, Italy)
91 pts James Suckling / 90 pts Wine Spectator / 90 pts Vinous
I’ve been enamored with all things Poliziano ever since I visited the winery a few years ago. Founded by Dino Carletti in 1961 this great estate exudes quality through and through. For me they are the benchmark for top wines from the Montepulciano region in Tuscany’s south. The region on the whole is misunderstood and underrepresented in the US market. What’s the confusion? Well for starters they don’t grow the Montepulciano grape in Montepulciano! This is Sangiovese country just like the rest of Tuscany, and in Montepulciano its specifically the Prugnolo Gentile clone that reigns supreme
For many producers in the region their Rosso is used as a way to declassify their Vino Nobile bottlings, younger vines or barrels that don’t make the top wine. But not at Poliziano! The Carletti family dedicates a vineyard to Rosso di Montepulciano. The vines here are up to 53 years old and are situated with full sun exposure throughout the day, producing ripe but not overly tannic fruit, and full-bodied but not heavy wines. A sustainably farmed blend of 80% Prugnolo Gentile (Sangiovese) with 20% Merlot, fermented in concrete tanks and aged for 10 months in 50% new French oak barrels. Poliziano considers their Rosso to be the foundation of their portfolio and you can tell. This is a showy wine. Chianti Classico meets right bank Bordeaux? Silky smooth with layers of red cherry and plum. There’s a fine core of tannins, structure that belies the price point and a finish that seems to go on for minutes. Lovely with lamb chops, pasta with red sauce of course, or a simple charcuterie plate with some local cheeses.
“Wickedly fresh and floral, the 2021 Rosso di Montepulciano wafts up from the glass with a bouquet of wild strawberries, stems and all, plus touches of mint and blood orange. This steps softly yet with impact, impressing with fleshy red and blue fruits expertly offset by a salty core of minerality. Raspberry and blueberry preserves and rosy inner florals make the lightly tannic and medium-length finish a total pleasure. This is a beautiful blending of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Merlot.”
Almanova Mencia 2021 (Ribeira Sacra, Spain)
93 pts Decanter
Located to the west of the more known Bierzo, the region occupies a narrow band on either side of the Sil and Minho Rivers. Narrow because the land here is extremely steep… vineyards literally explode nearly vertically from the rivers! Check out the picture. Yes, that is a ladder! The steep, rocky soil forces the vines to dig deep into the hillsides to find water and nutrients. As a result, the vines are not particularly vigorous, but the little fruit they produce is oh-so-glorious! And because all of the harvesting must be done by hand, only the best fruit is chosen.
For fans of Raul Perez’s Ultreia St. Jacques, I find the Almanova to be more floral in aromatics and brighter in its flavor profile due to a lack of any oak. And fermentation is done in temperature-controlled vats. Together, this results in an explosive array of bright, juicy fruit aromas and flavors, raspberry and cherry being the most prominent. There’s a hint of rose petals as well… not so much in the flavor, but in the nose… a delicate whiff of flowers that seduces you before the intense fruit flavors take charge! If you like $35-40 Pinot Noir… well, I will happily keep selling it to you… but you really ought to give this a shot. Just ridiculous quality for the money.
"Tomato vine, parma violets, fresh thyme, quince and floral. Succulent, sumptuous young Mencia. Pure expression, bright and crunchy on the palate with redcurrant and rhubarb." Decanter
Guarda Rios Tinto 2020 (Alentejo, Portugal)
97 pts Decanter World Wine Awards
A blend of Aragonez, Syrah, Trincadeira & Alicante Bouschet. From Alentejo, Portugal.
Look, you’re just gonna have to trust us on this one. It’s spectacular!!!
"Ripe vine fruits, blackberry, chocolate and vanilla on the nose followed by juicy acidity in the mouth with ripe, supple tannins and notes of black olive, tobacco and garrigue on the palate."
Hyot Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux 2019 (Bordeaux, France)
90 pts James Suckling
From 7th generation winemaker Amelie Aubert comes this knockout value! Situated to the east of St. Emilion, Ch. Hyot highlights Merlot (70%) with a complementary role from Cabernet Franc (20%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (10%). This higher-than-average dose of Cabernet Sauvignon (for Right Bank wines) is made possible by the portion of the vineyard closer to the Dordogne River. These gravely soils retain heat, allowing the Cabernet to fully ripen. The result is a balancing background of fine tannins to the lush Merlot fruit. Cab Franc adds some spicey elements as well.
“Mulberries, dark plums, dried herbs, burdock and cigar box on the nose. Medium body with powdery tannins. Fruity, with fresh acidity and a flavorful, earthy finish.” JS
Vintages and ratings subject to change at any time.
All pricing and availability subject to change.
Artwork does not necessarily represent items for sale.
