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Inventory updated: Fri, Jul 11, 2025 04:08 PM cst
Over 95pts Under $95
Today at Flickinger Wines we are pleased to offer an array of excellent scoring 95pt wines that are all below $95. Treasures abound, happy hunting!!
The following are the wines remaining from the offer sent on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Please enter your desired quantities and click the 'Add' button.
| Producer |
Vint. |
Wine |
Price |
Qty |
Order |
| | Bordeaux Red |
| Ch. La Lagune |
2009 |
Haut Medoc  |
$95 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 96 (3/2015): Fabulous aromas of licorice, flowers and blackcurrants follow through to a full body with wonderful silky and caressing tannins and a long, flavorful finish. It’s complex and exceptional. Better in 2018 but so enjoyable to taste and drink now.
WA 95 (2/2012): It is not unusual that the 2009 La Lagune is a spectacular effort given the fact that this estate has been making terrific wines over the last decade or more. It boasts a dense purple color as well as a beautiful perfume of blueberries, mulberries, cassis, white chocolate and subtle toasty oak. Notes of Chinese black tea, cedarwood and forest floor also make an appearance in the singular aromatic and flavor profiles. This sumptuous, full-bodied La Lagune possesses low acidity, abundant but ripe, sweet tannin and a long, 45-second finish. Give this beauty 5-7 years of bottle age and drink it over the following three decades. |
|
| | Rhone Red |
| Dom. de la Vieille Julienne |
2019 |
Chateauneuf du Pape Les Hauts-lieux |
$79.98 |
5 |
|
| |
| JD 98+ (11/2021): The 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Hauts-Lieux includes slightly more Mourvèdre and comes from a cooler parcel in the northern part of the appellation. It has another level of purity and precision compared to the Trois Sources and has extraordinary notes of blueberries, cassis, black licorice, violets, and crushed stone-like minerality. Incredibly concentrated, massive, and yet perfectly balanced, it has no hard edges and is just an incredible tasting experience. Hide bottles for 4-5 years and enjoy over the following 20-25 years. |
|
|
2019 |
Chateauneuf du Pape Les Trois Sources |
$66 |
36 |
|
| |
| JD 96+ (11/2021): More cassis, morello cherry, Asian spice, and a beautiful sense of minerality and loamy earth emerge from the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Trois Sources, a full-bodied, concentrated blend of 60% Grenache, 15% each of Cinsault and Syrah, and the balance Mourvèdre. Coming all from the estate’s sandy soils in the northern part of the appellation, this incredibly concentrated, textured wine has perfect balance, building tannins, and a great finish. Give this beauty another 4-5 years in the cellar and drink it over the following two decades or more. |
|
| Dom. des Bosquets |
2022 |
Gigondas La Colline |
$59.99 |
28 |
|
| |
JD 92-94+ (10/2023): The 2022 Gigondas La Colline should be outstanding, yet it certainly doesn't have the opulence or richness of prior vintages. Beautiful black raspberries, spring flowers, camphor, and loamy earth notes all flow to a medium to full-bodied, elegant, pretty Grenache (it's 100% Grenache) with ripe tannins and a great finish. It's another 2022 that will demand bottle age.
VM 94-96 (1/2024): Grenache-lovers: Buckle up for the promising 2022 Gigondas La Colline. This bold and time-demanding wine combines fragrant floral, red fruit and spicy aromatics with terrific structure and remarkable intensity. Vinified with 40% whole clusters and coming in at 15.3% alcohol, this layered 2022 red needs a few years in bottle to settle down. Nicolas Greinacher. |
|
| Dom. du Tunnel |
2020 |
Cornas ex-Domaine |
$53.99 |
8 |
|
| |
VM 94-96 (12/2022): Saturated violet. Highly fragrant, mineral-accented boysenberry, cherry liqueur, candied violet and allspice aromas are complemented by a smoky mineral nuance. Offers palate-staining dark berry, candied licorice and bitter chocolate flavors that pick up notes of candied flowers and exotic spices on the back half. Powerful but surprisingly lively as well, finishing very long and smooth, with sharp delineation and gently gripping tannins. Josh Raynolds.
JD 94-96 (2/2022): The 2020 Cornas shows the vintage’s ripe yet fresh style. Lots of red and blue fruits, a kiss of minerality, medium to full body, and ripe tannins all make for a beautiful, impeccably made Cornas that will have two decades of longevity. |
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|
2021 |
Cornas Vin Noir ex-Domaine |
$79.99 |
23 |
|
| |
| JD 93-95 (12/2022): The 2021 Cornas Vin Noir is even better and clearly a candidate for the wine of the appellation. Ripe blackberries, smoked herbs, cured meats, iron, and spice all flow to a medium to full-bodied, beautifully concentrated, balanced Cornas offering ripe, velvety tannins, plenty of mid-palate depth, and a great finish. Bravo. |
|
| | Rhone White |
| Etienne Guigal |
2016 |
Condrieu La Doriane |
$89 |
10 |
|
| |
JD 96 (1/2018): The flagship 2016 Condrieu La Doriane also shows the freshness and more classical style of the vintage. Citrus blossom, crushed rocks, honeysuckle, and orange blossom give way to a medium to full-bodied, incredibly elegant Condrieu that gains depth and richness with time in the glass. It will be better this time next year and keep for 7-8 years.
JLL ****[*] (11/2017): Bright, rather full yellow. Has a large, broad, impressive bouquet that brims with grilling, oak, tropical fruits. Wham bang! The palate carries a generous, stylish wave of richness laced with mineral coolness that really ignites its quality. It finishes with flair, really races along to the close, oaking on the aftertaste. This is sensaround Condrieu, one that really covers the ground, and deserves turbot, lobster, veal and other joli ingredients. From spring 2018. Decanting advised.
WA 94 (12/2017): Bottled in June 2017, the 2016 Condrieu la Doriane is entirely barrel-fermented in new oak. This vintage seems more restrained and less rich than some others, but it remains marked by smoky, grilled apricot aromas and flavors. It’s nicely balanced and not overly opulent, retaining a sense of elegance on the long, spicy finish. |
|
| | Alsace |
| Dom. Bott-Geyl |
2000 |
Sonnenglanz Grand Cru Pinot Gris VT (500 ML) |
$59 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 96 (10/2002): Sweet chamomile is interwoven with botrytis in the aromatics of the 2000 Pinot Gris Sonnenglanz Vendanges Tardives. Medium-bodied, complex, and powerful, this raisin, poached pear, and apricot-flavored wine is exceptionally harmonious. Drink it between 2005 and 2020.
VM 89-91 (7/2001): Subdued but tangy aroma dominated by peach. Thick and generous, with ripe, well-integrated acidity nicely framing the pit fruit and brown spice flavors. A long, pliant fruit bomb. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| | Loire |
| Bernard Baudry |
2018 |
Chinon La Croix Boissee |
$49 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 96 (10/2021): The ripeness of the 2018 vintage gives an almost Syrah/Viognier character to the Chinon La Croix Boissee, which offers sweet black fruit and a creamy apricot note. Sumptuous yet never ever opulent, it's almost as if the wine's just done a yoga class. Plentiful tannins give the inside of your cheeks a chalky rub, while there's surprising freshness considering the ripeness, leading to a lengthy finish. This is a baby that will turn out to be a great adult. Rebecca Gibb. |
|
| | Spain |
| Antonio De la Riva |
2023 |
Macharnudo San Cayetano Vino de Pasto 2024 Release; Ex-Domaine |
$69.89 |
17 |
|
| |
JS 97 (10/2024): The aromas of sliced apples, blossom honey, lilacs and salt follow through to a medium body with energy and focus. Notes of flint. So lively and vivid, with a classic nature and a compressed palate. It’s refined, compact and totally integrated. More refined than the 2022. Pure palomino. From a single parcel in one of the best vineyards of Jerez. Fermented in Sherry casks and then aged with 15% flor. Drinkable now, but even better from 2025.
WA 96 (10/2024): The unfortified white 2023 Macharnudo San Cayetano comes from a very old plot of Palomino in Pago Macharnudo, San Cayetano, where the natural concentration is even higher. San Cayetano has different exposures, and this is selected from the north-facing side, which gives more freshness and elegance to the wines. It's intense, powerful and elegant, still very young but with a lot of nuances, with more character and without the baby fat. This is a wine they sell through La Place de Bordeaux. This has only around 15% of wine with flor; with time it develops notes of licorice and spices, even hints of esparto grass. Tasty and fresh. There's a lot of finesse here; it's different from the 2022 but at the same quality level (or higher!). It has only 13.5% alcohol. 6,000 bottles produced. |
|
| Telmo Rodriguez |
2021 |
Matallana Ribera Del Duero 2024 Release; Ex-Domaine |
$54.95 |
6 |
|
| |
| WA 97 (6/2024): The Ribera del Duero red 2021 Matallana comes from a challenging year but with very good potential for quality and quantity. It has grapes from different vineyards in five different villages on different soils, where they made a big selection to keep the very best grapes; they got 80,000 kilograms of grapes and ended up producing some 22,000 bottles. It fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel and oak vats. It matured in French oak barrels of different sizes for 14 months. This is a superb classical Ribera del Duero with ripeness, concentration, balance and elegance and the freshness from a cooler year marked by the big snowstorm in January and a milder summer. It has 14.4% alcohol with a pH of 3.72 and 4.6 grams of acidity. It's very spicy and peppery, showy and extroverted, very spicy with some exotic notes of nutmeg, ripe wild berries, violets and herbs. It's medium to full-bodied with very chalky tannins and is tasty, almost salty. 22,450 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2023. |
|
| | Germany |
| JJ Prum |
2022 |
Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese |
$54.99 |
14 |
|
| |
| JS 96 (12/2023): Here’s a very classic Mosel Spatlese with exactly the combination of richness, elegance and delicacy that makes this category unique. Such delicate white peach and sliced pear, rose and honeysuckle aromas. Very long finish that is as succulent as it is refined. You just want to linger there for as long as you can. Drink or hold. |
|
| Peter Lauer |
2020 |
Kupp Fass 18 Grosses Gewachs |
$54.99 |
3 |
|
| |
JS 95 (7/2021): Complex nose of wet ferns, wild berries and smoke. As cool and still as it is deep in the woods, this concentrated, tightly wound wine is just beginning to open up. Very classic, stony finish with noble austerity. Drinkable now, but best from 2023. Screw cap.
WA 92+ (9/2021): Lauer’s 2020 Kupp GG Fass 18 shows a clear and pure yet intense, still a bit yeasty bouquet. The palate is quite rich and powerful but elegant, revealing a Kupp that needs some years to develop more finesse and charm. The wine is quite intense and lush and provided with tannins that still dry the palate a bit. Tasted in Wiesbaden in August 2021. |
|
| Weingut Emrich-Schonleber |
2022 |
Monzinger Fruhlingspatzchen Riesling Grosses Gewachs |
$69.99 |
20 |
|
| |
| VM 93-95 (9/2023): The 2022 Riesling Monzinger Frühlingsplätzchen Grosses Gewächs opens with a sunny, friendly creaminess, and a slight overtone of mango sets an accent. The palate is serene, bright, absolutely focused on lemon and a little lemony pith, but with a luminous, slender creaminess. The textural aspect holds spice, which is not apparent yet but will reveal itself. It also gives structure to this light, bright, filigree wine. Subtle length extends that lovely, gentle pithiness. Anne Krebiehl. |
|
| Weingut Georg Gustav Huff |
2020 |
Hipping Riesling Alte Reben |
$39.99 |
3 |
|
| |
| JS 96 (11/2021): So much star fruit, pink grapefruit and white peach on the nose, knocking you back slightly in the first moment. As bright as a rocket leaving the launch-pad in the direction of Mars, this dry riesling from the red soils of one of Nierstein’s top sites is super-straight and focused, the breathtaking, fresh finish intensely citrus and mineral. Drink or hold. |
|
| | Italy |
| Caparzo |
2019 |
Brunello di Montalcino La Casa |
$67.99 |
31 |
|
| |
JD 95 (2/2024): Ripe and inviting, the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino Vigna La Casa pours a deep ruby/red color and reveals intertwining notes of kirsch, fresh leather, dried roses, and sweet Mediterranean herbs. It’s elegant and full-bodied, with ripe tannins, a plush texture, and wonderful length that floats away gently. It’s a very attractive wine with a weightless feel and has an open window for enjoyment over the coming 10-12 years.
WA 95 (12/2023): The Caparzo 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna La Casa offers a balanced presentation of candied cherry, dried fruit and toasted spice. This is a lovely and joyous wine with velvety soft tannins and good inner energy that adds dimension and depth to the mouthfeel. Vigna La Casa is a contemporary expression from Montalcino with extra fruit concentration and structure, and the results are carefully balanced throughout. Some 14,000 bottles were made. |
|
| Casanova di Neri |
2019 |
Brunello di Montalcino |
$68 |
13 |
|
| |
| WA 95 (12/2023): The Casanova di Neri 2019 Brunello di Montalcino shows thick fruit fabric with stitchings of underbrush, pressed rose, bright cherry, tobacco and balanced oak spice. This wine definitely has a special groove. It offers a ripe, round texture with good acidity followed by fine, chalky tannins. This is impressive quality for 109,600 bottles produced. In fact, this is one of the best village Brunellos from Giacomo Neri and his family made so far. |
|
| Castellare di Castellina |
2019 |
I Sodi di San Niccolo Toscana IGT |
$94.99 |
32 |
|
| |
| VM 95 (8/2023): The 2019 I Sodi di San Niccolò is another fabulous wine from Castellare. At this stage, the 2019 is an infant. The purity of the fruit is compelling. Despite its considerable intensity, the 2019 appears to have less forbidding tannins than in many years, which should allow it to drink well with minimal cellaring. Blood orange, sweet spice, leather and cedar linger on the stylish finish. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Castello Dei Rampolla |
2019 |
Sammarco |
$69.98 |
36 |
|
| |
WA 96 (9/2023): A blend of (organic and biodynamic) Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese, the 2019 Sammarco is more austere and even robust compared to the punchier style prized throughout this portfolio. This is a firmly grounded wine, with a bigger baseline of aromas, spanning black fruit, baked plum, spice, tobacco and crushed limestone. You feel the natural concentration of the 2019 vintage and beautifully managed tannins in this wine. This is a release of 25,837 bottles and 292 magnums.
VM 94 (8/2023): The 2019 Sammarco is a very pretty, elegant wine with gorgeous aromatic intensity from the Cabernet Sauvignon that makes up the majority of the blend this year. Sweet pipe tobacco, cedar, mint, dried cherry, incense and crushed leaves lend notable aromatic presence to this young, nascent Sammarco. Time in the glass brings out striking inner perfume and sweetness. In 2019, Sammarco is more finesse than power. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Cavallotto |
2018 |
Barolo Bricco Boschis ex-Domaine |
$68.99 |
8 |
|
| |
JD 95 (5/2023): The 2018 Barolo Bricco Boschis pours a deep ruby and has spiced and enveloping aromatics of cigar box, leather, pure red cherry, and turned earth. This medium-bodied red is approachable and graceful, with moderate tannins and good concentration in its notes of Earl Grey tea, blood orange, and raspberry liqueur. Drink 2024-2044. Audrey Frick.
WA 94 (6/2022): The Cavallotto 2018 Barolo Bricco Boschis (a certified organic wine) is a lovely expression with fruit from one of the most beautiful sites in Castiglione Falletto, measuring 7.3 hectares. The wine is streamlined and tight with forest berry, blackcurrant and spice. It is taut and silky, showing fruit that has been shaped by cool nights and warm days. Bricco Boschis always delivers a special sense of sharpness and focus. Production is 23,747 bottles and 1,333 magnums.
VM 92+ (2/2022): Cavallotto’s 2018 Barolo Bricco Boschis is a powerhouse. A blast of sweet dark cherry, menthol, licorice, gravel and incense hits the palate. Youthful and quite strapping in terms of its presence, the 2018 holds quite a bit of promise. That’s the good news. But readers will have to be patient, as the tannins are quite searing at this stage for a wine that has typically been a bit more forthcoming. This is an especially serious edition of the Bricco Boschis Barolo. Antonio Galloni.
WS 92 (9/2022): A firmly structured, dry Barolo, with a core of cherry and plum shaded by earth and tobacco elements. Turns austere, picking up an underlying mineral streak on the finish. Best from 2025 through 2038. |
|
| Elvio Cogno |
2017 |
Barolo Cascina Nuova |
$61.99 |
22 |
|
| |
JS 95 (3/2021): Attractive dried strawberry with cherry and tar on the nose. Full-bodied with powerful tannins that are dusty and intense. Very flavorful and long. Solid as a rock. Needs at least three or four years to soften and come together.
WA 93 (6/2021): This wine is a sure bet from Elvio Cogno and such a steal. The 2017 Barolo Cascina Nuova delivers ample intensity and power. In this regard, it keeps faithfully in line with the expectations of a hot vintage that rendered more concentrated and sweeter fruit. However, the expert winemaking team at this estate has been able to manage any excesses or hints of over-ripeness. These are solid results with 20,000 bottles available.
JD 93 (5/2021): The 2017 Barolo Cascina Nuova is perfumed with ripe cherry, licorice, tar, and dried roses. The palate is ripe and refreshing, with a fairly classic build noted by red plum, tobacco leaf, and turned earth. This wine is beautiful and inviting out of the gates or drink 2022-2036.
WS 93 (11/2021): This is focused and almost creamy in texture, boasting cherry, strawberry, almond, tar and earth flavors. Multifaceted and just when you think it's accessible, the dense, dusty tannins emerge. Fresh and long. Best from 2025 through 2045. 1,700 cases made, 500 cases imported. |
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|
2013 |
Barolo Ravera |
$79 |
2 |
|
| |
JS 97 (2/2017): Wonderful complexity and subtlety here with firmness. Aromas of orange peel, stones, walnuts and dark fruits. Medium to full body, plenty of fruit and a racy finish. A beauty. Drink or hold.
WA 95 (8/2017): This is a stunningly precise expression of Nebbiolo that shows exceptionally well in this vintage. The 2013 Barolo Ravera benefits from slightly higher altitudes that help to develop the singular linearity and focus of the wine. If many other celebrated crus, such as Cannubi and Brunate, exist at 250 to 350 meters, Ravera starts at 380 meters. That higher positioning means that fruit is harvested as much as ten days after the other sites. This wine offers a savory vein with iron and pencil shaving. But it also fills out generously over the palate with dark fruit and spice. This Barolo promise a long aging future.
WS 94 (10/2017): Firm and unyielding today, yet with latent aromas and flavors of cherry, rose, tobacco and tar. Supported by a well-integrated structure, with vibrant acidity driving the purity and length. Offers a lingering aftertaste of tobacco and iron. Best from 2021 through 2040. 325 cases imported.
VM 93+ (2/2017): The 2013 Barolo Ravera is dark, powerful and inviting. Here the flavors tend towards the darker end of Nebbiolo spectrum, with firm supporting tannins that add to an impression of power. Sweet spice, leather and plum notes develop as the wine gains volume in the glass. Today, the 2013 is powerful and tightly wound. Historically, the Ravera has needed a few years to unwind. I expect that will be the case here as well. |
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|
2017 |
Barolo Ravera |
$87.99 |
15 |
|
| |
JD 97 (5/2021): The 2017 Barolo Ravera makes a statement with its intense aromas of licorice, kirsch, pipe tobacco, and spice. Revealing a balanced and chiseled structure, the palate conveys dried raspberry, blood orange, and dried herbs. A great wine from the 2017 vintage, it feels like it will hold up to the test of time. Drink 2024-2042.
WA 94 (6/2021): The Ravera cru is seeing renewed energy and interest, thanks to the hard work of the Elvio Cogno team. They believed in Novello from the very beginning, and today a wine like the 2017 Barolo Ravera shows special confidence and pride. This pretty Barolo made with a blend of Nebbiolo clones (Lampia and Michet) reveals a slow succession of aromas with dark cherry and blackberry. The results are lasting, contoured and beautifully focused, thanks to mineral notes of rusty iron or brick. Nuanced notes of licorice and campfire ash round off the finish. Production is 13,000 bottles.
JS 94 (3/2021): Cherry and candied strawberry with flowers and some dried earth. Full-bodied, layered and chewy. Lots of wet earth and mushroom to the red fruit. Tight now. Try after 2023.
WS 93 (11/2021): A tightly wound, linear red, this reveals steeped cherry and plum flavors, with shadings of tar, eucalyptus and licorice. The dense matrix of tannins rules the finish, yet this shows nice equilibrium overall. Best from 2025 through 2043. 1,100 cases made, 350 cases imported. |
|
| Girolamo Russo |
2020 |
Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo |
$62.08 |
10 |
|
| |
WA 95 (6/2023): The Girolamo Russo 2020 Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo opens to a hint of salinity or minerality that is specific to this site. Those linear aromas tend to frame a tight core of wild fruit, white cherry, apricot and mountain flowers like blue bonnet or Sicilian ginestra, which grows with yellow blooms on the flanks of the volcano. The wine's interesting saltiness cedes directly to the mouthfeel. The tannins are more prominent in this vintage. You should get very good aging potential from this bottle.
VM 93.5 (9/2023): The remarkably pretty 2020 Etna Rosso Feudo d'Mezzo opens with a whiff of sweet spice that gives way to dried roses, cinnamon and clove. This is surprisingly juicy and energetic in feel, with crisp red fruits propelled by vibrant acidity as citrus adds cheek-puckering tension toward the close. The 2020 finishes dramatically long with a saturating concentration and edgy tannins that curl the tongue as sour cherry hints fade. This is deceivingly open and giving yet remarkably complex. I suggest checking in on one for its primary fruit but then cellaring the rest to unveil their underlying power. Eric Guido. |
|
| Isole e Olena |
1997 |
Cepparello |
$95 |
10 |
|
| |
WA 95 (6/2012): The 1997 Cepparello is pure seduction. Today the wine isn’t as opulent as I expected, rather it has taken on a much more sensual, feminine expression that is quite beautiful. Layers of juicy red berries, roses and spices come to life as the 1997 turns explosive on the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2037.
WS 95 (12/2007): Dark ruby. Beautiful aromas of crushed blackberry, plum, mineral and spices. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and lots of berry, cut wood and dark chocolate. Very long. Youthful. Still needs time.--1997 Italian blind retrospective. Best after 2008. 3,900 cases made. |
|
| M. Marengo |
2017 |
Barolo Brunate |
$76.99 |
19 |
|
| |
JS 95 (6/2021): A red with lovely ripe strawberry, spice and some flowers and leather. Dried orange peel, too. Full-bodied with firm, chewy tannins that are slightly mouth-puckering. It’s structured and rather powerful. Needs time to soften. Give it three or four years to soften. Try after 2024.
VM 94 (2/2021): The 2017 Barolo Brunate shows why this is such a highly-regarded site. Powerful and deep, the 2017 has enough fruit and pedigree to keep the formidable tannins in check. Blue/purplish fruit, spice, leather, licorice and menthol gain volume as the 2017 opens in the glass. This brooding Barolo needs time in bottle, but it is pretty compelling, even in the early going. Antonio Galloni.
WA 94 (6/2021): With fruit from La Morra, the 2017 Barolo Brunate presents a taut and tight bouquet of candied cherry, violets, orange peel and iron ore. The aromas are fluid and agile, yet they are also quite polished and focused. Indeed, this Brunate offers the greatest degree of complexity and sheer depth in this portfolio from the Marengo family of La Morra. Again, we see those extra tight tannins that are such a common feature of Barolo wines from the hot and dry 2017 vintage. This was a release of 4,800 bottles. |
|
| Poderi Colla |
2017 |
Barolo Dardi Le Rose Bussia |
$56.99 |
8 |
|
| |
| VM 94+ (10/2021): The 2017 Barolo Bussia Dardi Le Rose is superb. Classy and poised, the 2017 captures all the personality of Bussia. The Colla Barolos typically need a few years to shine. I imagine that will be the case here as well. As attractive as the 2017 is today, the best is yet to come. Crushed flowers, spice, sweet pipe tobacco and incense lend considerable nuance to a core of sweet Nebbiolo fruit. What a pretty wine this is. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Sottimano |
2020 |
Barbaresco Cotta ex-Domaine |
$74.99 |
36 |
|
| |
VM 96 (10/2023): The 2020 Barbaresco Cottá is another fabulous wine in this range from Sottimano. Dark and super-classic in bearing, the 2020 has tremendous stature along with a darker and more somber personality than usual. The balance here is just mind-blowing. Scorched earth, leather, tobacco and incense infuse the finish with tons of nuance to complement its muscular personality. Antonio Galloni.
JD 96 (5/2023): Moving to the 2020 Barbaresco Cotta, fantastic mineral-tinged aromas of crushed stones, pencil shavings, and blackberry are followed by a medium-bodied red with a ripe yet linear feel and crunchy red fruits of red plum, orange rind, and clove. I liked this for its more tension-packed and energetic feel and stony texture. Drink 2025-2040. Audrey Frick.
WA 94+ (8/2023): A wine from Sottimano that also draws its fruit from the village of Neive (and Barbaresco, because these 2.8 hectares of vines are on the border), the 2020 Barbaresco Cottá shows an austere character with pronounced rust or iodine aromas that are neatly layered into dark fruit and dried cherry. The wine sports a generous, medium-weight texture that offers a good amount of textural firmness to the palate. Give this pretty wine a little more time to flesh out. 9,000 bottles were produced. |
|
|
2021 |
Barbaresco Cotta ex-Domaine |
$71.95 |
3 |
|
| |
JD 97 (5/2025): The 2021 Barbaresco Cotta also sports a bright red color in the glass. It has a pure and seductive nose leading with aromas of wild raspberries, anise, sweet tea, and floral perfume. The palate is inviting and more approachable out of the gate, with ripe tannins, a floating, medium-bodied frame, and pretty notes of apricot lingering on the finish. It’s hard to resist now, but it should have plenty of longevity over the coming 15-20 or more years. Audrey Frick.
VM 96 (10/2024): The 2021 Barbaresco Cottá is quite the powerhouse. As usual, it is marked by a huge mid-palate of fruit, but more classic winemaking these days keeps that in check while also adding the notable structural dimension to balance things out. Black cherry, licorice, incense, graphite, tobacco and scorched earth all build in a virile, potent Barbaresco to treasure for the next two decades. This has come together beautifully since I tasted it last year. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2019 |
Barbaresco Curra ex-Domaine |
$82.99 |
26 |
|
| |
WA 96 (8/2023): Released one year later than the other Barbarescos in this portfolio, the Sottimano 2019 Barbaresco Currá brings the intensity up a notch and not just in terms of dark fruit and cassis. The wine's mineral profile is more pronounced and, in careful moderation, so is the oak toast and spice delivery. There are more distinct elements here, all played forward with great intensity, that ultimately reach a place of excellent balance and endurance. Sadly, only 2,000 bottles emerged from this 1.6-hectare vineyard site in Neive.
VM 94 (10/2022): The 2019 Barbaresco Currà is another stellar wine in this range from Sottimano. Deep and authoritative, the 2019 possesses tremendous depth and textural intensity. Incisive Currà tannins are present, but they are pretty much buried by the sheer richness of the fruit. Antonio Galloni. |
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|
2021 |
Barbaresco Fausoni ex-Domaine |
$71.99 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 96+ (5/2025): The 2021 Barbaresco Fausoni is a bright red color and leads with a detailed and elegant bouquet of dried roses, pomegranate, toasted incense, and dusty earth. It’s bright and medium-bodied, with focused acidity, finely coiled and nervous tannins, and a clean, savory finish. It feels a bit wound up, but who are patient should be rewarded over the coming 15 years. Audrey Frick.
VM 96+ (10/2024): The 2021 Barbaresco Fausoni is bright, nervy and finely cut. Crushed rocks, white pepper, incense, red fruit, pink grapefruit and orange peel all scream out of the glass. Nervy and sinewy, with tons of top-end brightness, the Fausoni is a rock star. But it's also a wine for readers who appreciated the more linear, classically austere style of Barbaresco. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2019 |
Barbaresco Pajore ex-Domaine |
$65.99 |
22 |
|
| |
WA 95 (8/2022): Here's a beautifully elegant and fine expression of Nebbiolo from Treiso. The Sottimano 2019 Barbaresco Pajoré shows an earthy personality with crushed stone and potting soil that frame a pretty core of red and purple fruits. I love the depth and complexity of this wine and the slightly more structured tannins that give this wine power and importance.
VM 93+ (10/2022): The 2019 Barbaresco Pajorè is dense and quite closed in on itself. Then again, that is Pajorè. There's terrific depth and density here, but not quite the power of some recent releases. That's not a bad thing, as the more restrained style allows the nuance to come through. This is an especially refined edition of the Pajorè. Today, the Pajorè is quite compact and a bit of a bruiser, but there's terrific fruit intensity that just needs time to blossom. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2020 |
Barbaresco Pajore ex-Domaine |
$65.89 |
15 |
|
| |
VM 97 (10/2023): The 2020 Barbaresco Pajorè is deep, sensual and mysterious, as wines from this great site tend to be. Black cherry, lavender, new leather and balsamic overtones infuse the Pajorè with tremendous complexity and textural resonance. The 2020 is still an infant, but its potential is evident. Antonio Galloni.
JD 96 (5/2023): Pouring a rich garnet, the 2020 Barbaresco Pajore is fleshy and ripe, with a pleasant touch of rustic aromas of saddle leather, black cherry, and balsamic herbs. This medium to full-bodied red is ripe with meaty tannins, rounded black raspberry fruit, potting soil, and mouthwatering salinity on the finish. It is a ripe yet very attractive wine to hold another 6-12 months and drink 2024-2040. Audrey Frick.
WA 94 (8/2023): The Sottimano 2020 Barbaresco Pajoré (with 6,000 bottles made) is a tight and elegant wine with mid-weight structure. The bouquet is very expressive with dried cherry, blackcurrant, iron ore and blue flower. Sottimano succeeds in crafting very linear and precise wines, and that is certainly the message delivered by this wine from the Pajoré Vineyard in the village of Treiso. It ends on a dry, chalky note. |
|
|
2021 |
Barbaresco Pajore ex-Domaine |
$73.99 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 96+ (10/2024): The 2021 Barbaresco Pajorè has shut down massively since I tasted it last year. Dried herbs, menthol, incense, game and tobacco infuse the palate with tremendous complexity. Readers will find an austere, classically built Barbaresco for the cellar. Time in the glass brings out the natural breadth and structure of Pajorè. Quite simply, this is an archetype. What a wine. Antonio Galloni.
WA 96+ (1/2025): This wine comes from a 1.5-hectare plot with white soils and 40- to 50-year-old vines. Pajoré tends to produce austere wines with an etched mineral note and without the glossy softness you can get in some of the other parcels. The Sottimano 2021 Barbaresco Pajoré saw submerged-cap fermentation until January 20, 2022, marking one of the longest maceration times to date for this estate. This pretty wine has a ferrous or metallic note coupled with crushed mineral. These shape an angular, almost cubist personality. However, you also get tart cassis and crushed peppercorn. The wine is indeed more austere, and this bodes well for a long aging window. The tannins are grippy and tight. Production is 6,000 bottles. |
|
| | USA Red |
| Arietta |
2018 |
H Block Hudson Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$89 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 95 (1/2021): The 2018 Red Blend H Block is a blend of 56% Cabernet Franc and 44% Merlot, co-fermented. Like all of the wines from Hudson, the H Block possesses striking aromatic complexity to match its mid-weight personality. Dried cherry, herbs, iron, tobacco and smoke are some of the many aromas and flavors that grace this wonderfully expressive red wine. Bright acids and clean, minerally notes frame this exquisite red from Arietta. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Behrens & Hitchcock |
2003 |
Kenefick Ranch Cuvee Torn Label |
$69 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 93-95 (2/2005): The 2003 Kenefick Ranch Cuvee (a 400-case lot of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot) exhibits an inky/ruby/purple color along with a gorgeous perfume of smoke, blueberry liqueur, creme de cassis, white chocolate, and espresso roast. Dense, opulent, and full-bodied, with a terrific texture as well as palate penetration, and a 40-45 second finish, it is capable of lasting a decade or more.
VM 91+ (6/2005): Medium ruby. Cool, pure aromas of cassis, licorice and violet. Juicy, dry and lively, with excellent flavor intensity and enticing floral lift. I would have guessed this had some cabernet franc. Quite tightly wound after the bottling, and currently showing its tannic side. But this will almost certainly merit a higher rating with four or five years of additional bottle aging. In this vintage, Les Behrens used a mechanical punchdown tank for the Kenefick Ranch cabernet sauvignon-an approach that was used for more wines in 2004. |
|
| Chalk Hill |
2007 |
Estate Proprietary Blend |
$65 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 95 (2/2010): Perhaps the finest Estate Red to date is the 2007. Its dense ruby/purple hue is followed by blackberry, cassis, cedar, and licorice characteristics, supple tannins, a more accessible personality, full body, and admirable purity, texture, and length. Drink this beauty over the next 2-3 decades.
WS 93 (9/2010): Bold, rich, graceful and full-bodied, offering a wonderful beam of ripe blackberry, currant and wild berry, with touches of spice and tobacco leaf. Full-bodied, firming on the finish, where the flavors gain depth and maintain their persistence. Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Carmenère. Drink now through 2017. 5,000 cases made.
VM 91 (6/2010): (51% cabernet sauvignon, 24% malbec, 13% merlot, 11% petit verdot and 1% carmenere) Inky ruby. Highly aromatic nose combines cassis, cherry skin, cured tobacco and smoky oak. Supple on entry, offering sweet dark fruit flavors, then tightly wound in the middle, with a sappy quality to the dark berry liqueur and smoky herb flavors. Showing a lot of exotic character right now, much of which seems oak-derived, but there's a concentrated dark fruit as well. The smoky note gains power toward the back, which shows rather suave tannins and lingers with very good intensity. |
|
| Donelan |
2013 |
Cuvee Christine Syrah |
$75 |
4 |
|
| |
| JD 96 (7/2017): There’s just over 900 cases of the 2013 Syrah Cuvee Christine and it’s 100% Syrah made with the idea to highlight the variety from Sonoma County. It has more minerality and savoriness than the Kobler Family as well as a darker, ruby color and incredible notes of gamey meats, black fruits, wood smoke, charcoal and pepper. With full-bodied richness, ripe tannin and a killer finish, this beauty has sensational purity of fruit and continues to gain depth and richness with time in the glass. It’s just another sensational Syrah from this team that rivals anything coming out of France or California today. |
|
| Horsepower Vineyards |
2017 |
High Contrast Vyd. Syrah |
$89 |
6 |
|
| |
| JD 95+ (4/2020): The 2017 Syrah High Contrast Vineyard is more wound up and tight, with backward notes of chocolaty black fruits, toasted spice, mulled plums, cured ham, and sweet mulch all developing with time in the glass. Full-bodied and concentrated on the palate, with plenty of tannins, this is one 2017 that’s going to reward bottle age. Do your best to hide bottles for 4-5 years if possible, and it should see its 20th birthday in fine form. This is certainly for those who like a big dose of funk in their Syrah! |
|
|
2017 |
Sur Echalas Vyd. Syrah |
$125 |
1 |
|
| |
| JD 96 (4/2020): 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. |
|
|
2017 |
Sur Echalas Vyd. Syrah |
$95 |
3 |
|
| |
| JD 96 (4/2020): 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. |
|
| Linne Calodo |
2017 |
In My Dreams Proprietary Blend |
$75 |
6 |
|
| |
| VM 96 (12/2020): Deep, brilliant ruby. Powerful, smoke-accented red and dark berry and spice-cake aromas are complemented by suave floral and incense accents that expand as the wine opens up. Appealingly sweet and broad on the palate, offering sappy black raspberry, cherry liqueur, star anise and lavender pastille flavors supported by a spine of juicy acidity. Smoothly plays richness off energy and finishes spicy and extremely long, with lingering florality and smooth tannins that add shape and subtle grip. (Drink between 2024-2034). Josh Raynolds. |
|
| No Girls |
2014 |
Walla Walla Valley Tempranillo |
$95 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 95+ (6/2017): Deeper ruby/purple in color, the 2014 Tempranillo la Paciencia is vinified in concrete tank, then moved to take tank for malolactic fermentation, then into 20% new French demi-muids. Charcoal, beef blood, black currants, roasted herbs and smoked meats all emerge from this rich, full-bodied, concentrated and tannic beauty that has incredibly finesse, elegance and length. It's another wine that builds with time in the glass, has ample fruit authority, and is going to keep for two decades. |
|
| Pisoni Estate |
2007 |
Pinot Noir |
$75 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 96 (8/2009): An exceptional effort from 10-year-old vines, this dense ruby/purple-hued, full-bodied Pinot Noir exhibits a killer aromatic display of black raspberries, forest floor, spring flowers, cola, and a subtle hint of smoke. Although extravagantly rich, it is not overweight, but rather well-delineated and pure. This is a full-bodied tour de force in Pinot Noir winemaking that has the aromatic complexity of a grand cru Burgundy, but the sensational fruit, glycerin, texture, and mouthfeel of the golden state of California. Drink it over the next 8-10 years.
VM 90 (12/2009): Vivid red. Intensely perfumed aromas of black raspberry, Asian spices, anise and potpourri; this could be used as incense. Energetic red and dark berry flavors are complemented by deeper notes of cola and oak spice, with velvety tannins adding support. Very suave pinot, with sweet vanillin oak and spicecake notes lingering on the long, sappy finish. Very modern to be sure but this is awfully tasty. |
|
|
2008 |
Pinot Noir |
$79 |
5 |
|
| |
WA 98 (8/2010): An absolutely stunning fireworks display of aromatics emerges when the nose gets close to the glass of this dense ruby/purple-colored wine. Foresty notes, spring flowers, black raspberry, black currants, sweet cherry, and sassafras all jump from the glass. Extremely layered, velvety-textured, and opulent, with a finish that goes on for 50 seconds, this full-bodied wine has extraordinary concentration, purity, and “gravitas.” It is a sensational wine that should drink well for up to a decade. Bravo!
VM 90 (12/2010): Vivid ruby. Lively aromas of crushed red berries, spicecake and cracked pepper. At once velvety and firm, with energetic black raspberry and cherry flavors accentuated by pepper and herbs. Smooth and sweet on the finish, which features fine-grained tannins and a kiss of candied rose. Josh Raynolds. |
|
| Rhys |
2014 |
Alpine Vyd. Pinot Noir (375 ML) |
$39 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 95 (7/2015): The 2014 Pinot Noir Alpine Vineyard bristles with energy. Rose petal, mint, white pepper and blood orange give the Alpine its super-appealing aromatic upper register, but there is plenty of depth lurking beneath. Here the flavors are bright and nicely focused, while the richness of the vintage is mostly felt in the dense, potent finish. Antonio Galloni.
WA 94 (10/2016): Another complete, broad and layered red that delivers on all accounts, the 2014 Pinot Noir Alpine Vineyard reveals a healthy ruby color as well as a darker core of red and black raspberry fruits, peppery spice and forest floor in its medium to full-bodied, balanced personality. I love its mid-palate, and while it certainly offers pleasure today, it should be at its best from 2019-2029. |
|
| Stonestreet |
2015 |
Monolith Cabernet Sauvignon |
$69 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 96+ (6/2018): Crème de cassis, cedarwood, graphite, and crushed violets all define the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Monolith, which is medium-bodied, concentrated, and moderately tannic on the palate. It’s nicely balanced and certainly promising, but I wouldn't open bottles for at least 4-5 years. This cuvée comes from vines planted in 1989 and spent 20 months in just under 50% new French oak. 257 cases. Stonestreet falls under the Jackson Family umbrella and focuses on higher elevation, mountain sites. The wines, made by Lisa Valtenbergs, are rock-solid across the board.
VM 92 (7/2018): The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Monolith is powerful, deep and concentrated. There is no shortage of intensity in the 2015, but the chunky, big tannins do convey and impression of wildness and rusticity. Aside from living up to its name, the 2015 is also very young. It will be interesting to see what a bit more bottle age adds. Antonio Galloni.
WA 93+ (2/2019): Made of 100% Cabernet aged 20 months in 47% new French oak, the deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Monolith opens with bold notions of black cherry preserves, black raspberries, blackcurrant cordial and mocha with hints of tar, licorice, wild sage and cedar chest. The palate is full-bodied, concentrated and built like a brick house with firm, grainy tannins and great freshness supporting the generous fruit, finishing long and earthy. |
|
| Substance |
2017 |
BX Klein Cabernet Sauvignon |
$59 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 95+ (5/2021): The 2017 Klein Bx Vineyard Collection checks in as a blend of 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Cabernet Franc, and 28% Merlot, all co-fermented and brought up in a mix of new and used barrels. It's a rich, powerful, concentrated Bordeaux blend delivering lots of red and black fruits, ample leafy herb, tobacco, cedar, and damp earth nuances, full-bodied richness, and a deep, rich, layered texture and mid-palate. There are a lot of ripe tannins on the finish, and it's holding things relatively close to its vest, which can be common in 2017. Give bottles 2-4 years in the cellar and it should drink brilliantly over the following 15 years.Wines of Substance is the Bordeaux side of the K Vintners releases. Drink between 2023-2038.
WA 92 (7/2021): Consisting of 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Cabernet Franc and 28% Merlot, the 2017 Bx Klein Vineyard opens with a juicy and oaky essence that sways out of the glass with elements of dusty leather, hints of black olive and roasted plum before offering nuances of vanilla, cardamom and resinous purple flowers. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is juicy, with a distinct mineral tension, fine-grained tannins and lingering spice tones across the mid-palate. The wine concludes with the subtle flavors of worn leather and pencil shavings over the long, complex and juicy finish. The wine rested for 28 months in 73% new French oak barriques.
VM 91+ (12/2020): Moderately saturated medium red. Subtly complex aromas of redcurrant, plum, cherry, mocha, black olive, clove, red licorice, spices and menthol. Thick, spicy and fairly sweet on entry, then much firmer in the middle palate, with the substantial dusty tannins biting down on the fruit and giving grip to the back half. Ultimately quite dry and classic, even if it's also fine-grained. Shows more energy and definition than the Merlots, not to mention more incipient complexity, but has the most serious tannins of all of the current Substance releases. I'd wait until next year to drink this. Drink between 2021-2029. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Turley Wine Cellars |
2003 |
Hayne Vyd. Petite Sirah |
$79 |
3 |
|
| |
| WA 93-95 (2/2005): The 2003 Petite Syrah Hayne Vineyard displays the telltale squid ink-like color with some purple hues, and a stupendous nose of pure, black fruits intermixed with minerals, licorice, and incense. Full-bodied, with massively extracted flavors but incredibly well-balanced and vibrant, this wine needs 5-10 years of bottle-age and should age effortlessly for a quarter of a century. |
|
|
2003 |
Hayne Vyd. Petite Sirah Scuffed Label |
$79 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 93-95 (2/2005): The 2003 Petite Syrah Hayne Vineyard displays the telltale squid ink-like color with some purple hues, and a stupendous nose of pure, black fruits intermixed with minerals, licorice, and incense. Full-bodied, with massively extracted flavors but incredibly well-balanced and vibrant, this wine needs 5-10 years of bottle-age and should age effortlessly for a quarter of a century. |
|
|
2006 |
Hayne Vyd. Petite Sirah |
$75 |
6 |
|
| |
WA 93-96 (12/2007): Never disappointing, and usually one of the finest Petite Syrahs made in California, the 2006 Petite Sirah Hayne Vineyard once again hits on all cylinders. A blockbuster Petite Sirah, inky purple in color with a glorious nose of charcoal, black raspberry, blueberry, creme de cassis, licorice, and crushed rocks, it is very full-bodied, powerful, with sweet tannin, decent acidity, and a 45+-second finish. This is an infantile wine that will benefit from 5-7 years of bottle age and last 25-30+ years.
VM 92-93 (6/2008): Saturated ruby. Exotic berries, fruity peppercorn, bitter chocolate, flowers, mocha and wet slate on the nose. Wonderfully sappy and fruity in the mouth, with terrific definition to the flavors of crushed dark berries, pepper and spices, along with a suggestion of exotic apricot. The pepper and spice elements linger impressively on the seriously tannic finish. |
|
|
2015 |
Hayne Vyd. Petite Sirah Slightly Raised Cork |
$79 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 93-96 (12/2016): The 2015 Petite Syrah Hayne Vineyard possesses a gorgeous structural spine to balance the intense, inky fruit. Chocolate, plum, spice and succulent red cherry notes abound in this creamy, super-expressive Petite. In 2015, the Hayne is ample, deep and beautifully rendered. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| | USA White |
| Perchance |
2022 |
Beckstoffer Carneros Lake Chardonnay Ex-Domaine |
$95 |
36 |
|
| |
JD 95-97 (2/2024): The 2022 Chardonnay Beckstoffer Carneros Lake Vineyard is stunning stuff, and this is one I can't wait to taste from bottle. Reminding me of a great Chardonnay from Aubert with its ripe pineapple, lemon oil, candlewax, and honeyed flower notes, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a layered, seamless mouthfeel, and that rare mix of richness and freshness. This will spend 15 months in barrels, and there are roughly 150 cases.
WA 93 (10/2024): Composed of Clone 96 planted in 1995 and barrel fermented in 100% new French oak, half of the 2022 Chardonnay Beckstoffer Carneros Lake Vineyard underwent malolactic fermentation. It boasts a subtle honeyed element, plus ripe melon and pear notes. Full-bodied, plump and generous, with a long, richly textural finish, it's a beauty to enjoy over the next several years. |
|
| Rhys |
2013 |
Alpine Vyd. Chardonnay Signs of Old Seepage |
$94 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 96 (10/2015): The star of the whites was the 2013 Chardonnay Alpine Vineyard. Tasting like a Grand Cru Chablis with its incredibly pure lemon curd, flinty minerality, brioche and white flowers, it's medium to full-bodied, laser focused, crisp and crystalline on the palate. It's a stunning Chardonnay that will compete with the creme de la creme of Chardonnays.
VM 93 (7/2015): The 2013 Chardonnay Alpine Vineyard is gorgeous from the very first taste. Chiseled and finely cut, the 2013 boasts considerable energy, tension and focus. Lemon oil, white flowers, mint and white pepper are all given an extra kick of brightness. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| | Australia |
| Leeuwin Estate |
2012 |
Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon |
$79 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 96 (7/2023): The 2012 vintage in Margaret River was classical and fine; many producers made excellent quality wines in this vintage, and for me, the reds are defined by a ripeness of tannin, which is fully resolved in every regard. Here, the 2012 Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon is layered with cocoa nib, coffee grounds, sage, cassis, blackberry, mulberry, summer raspberry and dried curry leaf. In the mouth, it exudes polish and tannin ... a graceful, almost effortless wine. Sensational.
VM 93 (10/2017): Vivid ruby-red. Powerful, oak-tinged blackberry, cherry, candied rose, cured tobacco and mocha scents, accompanied by succulent herb and mineral flourishes. Sappy and seamless on the palate, offering densely packed but energetic bitter cherry, dark berry, mocha and licorice flavors that unfurl slowly. Youthful tannins shape a very long, sweet finish, which features resonating spice, mineral and floral pastille notes. This wine's energy and balance suggest that it will enjoy a long, smooth evolution in bottle. (Drink between 2021-2029). Josh Raynolds. |
|
| | Argentina |
| Cheval des Andes |
2020 |
Mendoza Red Wine |
$78.99 |
36 |
|
| |
WA 98 (8/2023): The 2020 Cheval des Andes was harvested from the last of February for the first time ever. They now harvest using cold trucks (for the first time), and they also started earlier in the morning, which he reckons was very good for the precision of the wine. The final blend was 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot, which makes a comeback as it was not used since 2016. This is slightly riper than 2019, with a little more alcohol (14.5%) and with very good structural tannins but saving the freshness, and it has the spicy side from the Petit Verdot (Gabillet talks about white pepper). The wine has the ultra sleek and polished texture and the elegance and the balance that is the signature here; the wine is very clean and precise. I see very good regularity across the three vintages I tasted next to each other—this 2020 and the 2018 and 2019. Overall, this is a triumph over the adverse conditions of the vintage.
JS 97 (7/2023): Ripe, baked dark cherries with spices and some violets. Hints of graphite, cocoa powder, incense and black pepper. Dried rose petals. A slightly fuller Cheval des Andes with tense, silky tannins and a lingering, generous finish. Ripe, but still has lots of restraint and precision. 49% malbec, 49% cabernet sauvignon with a 2% petit verdot. 24% of the malbec comes from Altamira and all the rest of the fruit come from Las Compuertas. Drink or hold.
VM 96 (9/2023): The 2020 Cheval des Andes is a blend of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot from Paraje Altamira in the Uco Valley and Las Compuertas in Luján de Cuyo. Aged in French oak barrels, it’s purple in the glass with a garnet sheen. The nose reveals a well-judged approach to the warmth of 2020, featuring ripe plum, redcurrant, mint and hints of white pepper over a bed of bay leaf and cedar. It’s dry and velvety on the palate, with rich, polished tannins that deliver a juicy, balanced mouthfeel. The balsamic notes and rich palate reflect the year’s character, while the finish is dynamic and long-lasting. Joaquin Hidalgo |
|
| | Other White |
| Franz Hirtzberger |
2006 |
Hochrain Smaragd Riesling |
$75 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 95 (6/2008): The 2006 Riesling Smaragd Hochrain smells beautifully of fresh lemon and lime, pungent hedge flowers and herbs. As so often, this wine has a clarity and class all its own. Citrus, yellow plum, distilled red fruits, almond extract, flowers and herbs billow across the palate, and an expansive, juicy finish offers both more sheer refreshment and more intriguing interplay than possessed by any other wine in this collection. Enjoy this beauty anytime over the coming decade. |
|
| Kracher |
1998 |
TBA #10 Nouvelle Vague Grande Cuvee (375 ML) |
$95 |
1 |
|
| |
| WS 98 (6/2001): Complex and ethereal. Concentrated and thick, yet lighter than air, this sweetie combines apricot, caramel and vanilla flavors with a velvety texture and vibrant acidity. Picks up a smoky note on the finish. Beautifully done. Drink now through 2010. 330 cases made. |
|
|
1999 |
TBA #6 Nouvelle Vague Grande Cuvee (375 ML) Bin-Soiled Label; Signs of Seepage |
$85 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 96 (6/2002): The aromatically demure 1999 #6 Grande Cuvee Nouvelle Vague Trockenbeerenauslese has the texture of 10-W-40 motor oil, yet has exquisite balance. Tangy peaches, apricots, butter, and tropical fruits can be found in this prodigious wine's personality. Projected maturity: 2005-2030+.
WS 90 (9/2002): A well-integrated sweetie, combining rich, caramel and citrus flavors and a vibrant structure. Although intense, it shows more grace than power. Drink now through 2008. 1,400 cases made. |
|
|
1999 |
TBA #6 Nouvelle Vague Grande Cuvee (375 ML) Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$85 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 96 (6/2002): The aromatically demure 1999 #6 Grande Cuvee Nouvelle Vague Trockenbeerenauslese has the texture of 10-W-40 motor oil, yet has exquisite balance. Tangy peaches, apricots, butter, and tropical fruits can be found in this prodigious wine's personality. Projected maturity: 2005-2030+.
WS 90 (9/2002): A well-integrated sweetie, combining rich, caramel and citrus flavors and a vibrant structure. Although intense, it shows more grace than power. Drink now through 2008. 1,400 cases made. |
|
|
2000 |
TBA #6 Nouvelle Vague Grande Cuvee (375 ML) |
$75 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 96 (10/2003): Spices, new French oak, and super-ripe pears can be discerned in the aromatics of the magnificent 2000 #6 Grande Cuvee Trockenbeerenauslese Nouvelle Vague (9.5% alcohol, 233 grams residual sugar/liter, and 7.8 grams/liter total acidity). Aged for 24 months in new oak barrels, this tangy, lively, medium- to full-bodied effort has superb balance. Candied apples, jammy apricots, red currants, and hints of citrus zests are found throughout its flavor profile and extensive finish. Drink it over the next 25-30 years. |
|
|
2000 |
TBA #6 Nouvelle Vague Grande Cuvee (375 ML) Bin-Soiled Label |
$75 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 96 (10/2003): Spices, new French oak, and super-ripe pears can be discerned in the aromatics of the magnificent 2000 #6 Grande Cuvee Trockenbeerenauslese Nouvelle Vague (9.5% alcohol, 233 grams residual sugar/liter, and 7.8 grams/liter total acidity). Aged for 24 months in new oak barrels, this tangy, lively, medium- to full-bodied effort has superb balance. Candied apples, jammy apricots, red currants, and hints of citrus zests are found throughout its flavor profile and extensive finish. Drink it over the next 25-30 years. |
|
|
2000 |
Zwischen Den Seen TBA #5 Scheurebe (375 ML) Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$75 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 96 (10/2003): The massive, full-bodied 2000 #5 Scheurebe Trockenbeerenauslese Zwischen den Seen (11.5% alcohol, 212.8 grams residual sugar/liter, and 6.5 grams/liter total acidity) bursts from the glass with peppery yellow fruit, spicy, and botrytis aromas. Armed with the density and depth of 10W40 motor oil, it is a syrupy, jammy, viscous effort. Loads of jammy apricots, cherries, and peaches can be discerned in its spice-laden personality. Projected maturity: now-2030. |
|
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2004 |
Zwischen Den Seen TBA #7 Welschriesling (375 ML) Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$75 |
1 |
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| VM 96 (11/2006): Deep golden yellow. Juicy stone fruits, honey, tobacco and a piquant hint of grapefruit on the nose. Powerful but juicy palate-coating flavors of apricot, hazelnut paste, white pepper, white tea and marshmallow. This opulent wine should go on for decades. Drink from 2010 to 2040. Peter Moser. |
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2007 |
Zwischen Den Seen TBA #7 Welschriesling (375 ML) |
$55 |
1 |
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| VM 95 (11/2009): Medium golden yellow. Sharply defined aromas and flavors of apple and pear. Unctuous in its texture, with flavors of lemon verbena and prune and a subtle note of sponge cake. In spite of its extreme sweetness, this round wine is quite juicy thanks to a solid core of acidity and plenty of chalky minerals. Has a long and very promising life ahead of it. Peter Moser. |
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| Prager |
2007 |
Achleiten Riesling Smaragd |
$69 |
1 |
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WA 95 (2/2009): A site-typical concentration of fresh white peach, buddleia, iris, lime, and pungent mineral suggestions greets you from the glass of Bodenstein’s 2007 Riesling Smaragd Achleiten. This also displays the amazing, Achleiten-typical interplay of pit fruit, citrus, nut oils, and stony, savory, mysteriously pungent elements that taste as though they must have been mined from the earth. A certain cool restraint, yet amazing subtle length puts me in mind of the supernal 1997, once that wine hit its stride. I would expect 8-10 years of wonder.
VM 94 (12/2008): Medium green-yellow. The typical smoky flint of the Achleiten is displayed in the bouquet along with yellow peach and delicate blossom honey. Very elegant and yellow-peachy in the mouth, with a veritable peacock's tail of finishing fruit harmoniously supported by vibrant acidity. Rich extract lends texture and finesse. Already quite attractive but has the potential for further development in bottle. This paired wonderfully with sole in a crayfish and Pernod sauce with fennel and red beetroot. Drink now to 2022.
WS 91 (12/2009): Rich and zesty, with an enticing array of peach, apple and tropical fruit flavors that are powered by lip-smacking spice and cream notes. Very lush and plush. Drink now through 2012. 75 cases imported. |
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| | Bordeaux Red |
| Ch. Larcis-Ducasse |
2019 |
St. Emilion |
$79 |
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Sold Out
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| | Bordeaux White |
| Ch. Suduiraut |
2009 |
Sauternes (375 ML) |
$45 |
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| | Italy |
| Sottimano |
2021 |
Barbaresco Basarin |
$73.99 |
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| | USA Red |
| Booker Vineyard |
2014 |
My Favorite Neighbor Proprietary Blend |
$69 |
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| Mt. Brave |
2017 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$79 |
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| Turley Wine Cellars |
2001 |
Hayne Vyd. Petite Sirah |
$85 |
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