Sandrone
Barolo Le Vigne Sibi et Paucis 2008
Barolo
Le Vigne is a wine created from four different Nebbiolo vineyards, each of which brings its own contribution. This union generates an exceptionally complex wine that is round and harmonious on the palate, with fruity and spicy notes, and this approach of blending together plots is in fact the traditional one in Barolo.
Sandrone Barolo Le Vigne Sibi et Paucis 2008 (97 WA)
Wine Advocate “The 2008 Barolo Le Vigne Sibi et Paucis comes from a vintage that was sandwiched between other blockbuster years such as 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010. This is an excellent…
Related Materials: Sandrone Barolo Le Vigne Sibi et Paucis 2008 Tech Sheet (97 WA)
Sandrone
Barolo Le Vigne 2014
Barolo
Le Vigne is a wine created from four different Nebbiolo vineyards, each of which brings its own contribution. This union generates an exceptionally complex wine that is round and harmonious on the palate, with fruity and spicy notes, and this approach of blending together plots is in fact the traditional one in Barolo.
Sandrone Barolo Le Vigne 2014 (96 VM)
Vinous Media "The 2014 Barolo Le Vigne once again shows the wisdom of blending fruit from different sites. If there is a vintage where blending has the potential to be the difference-maker,…
Related Materials: Sandrone Barolo Le Vigne 2014 Tech Sheet (96 VM)
Sandrone Barolo Le Vigne 2014 (95 WE)
Wine Enthusiast (Cellar Selection) "Red berry, dried rose petal, exotic spice, menthol and a whiff of underbrush take shape in the glass. On the youthfully tense but focused palate, taut refined tannins and vibrant…
Château de Nalys
Saintes Pierres de Nalys Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2017
Chateauneuf-du-Pape
The second white wine to the Château de Nalys Grand Vin Blanc has a character all its own, with a strongly different varietal and plot composition, and like its red Saintes Pierres counterpart, a fermentation, and aging geared towards emphasizing freshness. The hallmark seamlessness of Guigal's white wines is especially evident in this wine, which is unlike any Châteauneuf white we have experienced in its grace and lift.
Château de Nalys Saintes Pierres de Nalys Blanc 2017 (91 WA)
Wine Advocate “A blend of 36% Clairette, 29% Bourboulenc, 25% Grenache Blanc, 7% Roussanne and 3% Picardan, the 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Saintes Pierres Blanc reflects the first vintage since the Guigal…
Related Materials: Château de Nalys Saintes Pierres de Nalys Blanc 2017 Tech Sheet (91 WA)
Saintes Pierres de Nalys Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2017
Jancis Robinson "Waxy and more aromatic than most, with something of the peachiness of Condrieu, it seems. Superbly fleshy with soft acid and full body. A touch of nutty character on the…
Related Materials: Château de Nalys Saintes Pierre de Nalys Blanc 2017 Tech Sheet (17 JR)
Masciarelli
Villa Gemma Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva 2012
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Started in Gianni Masciarelli's grandfather's basement, Villa Gemma is the wine that announced Abruzzo to the world, showcasing what the region and grapes of Abruzzo could produce. Villa Gemma Montepulciano Riserva is the only Italian wine with 14 consecutive Tre Bicchieri awards and, more importantly, was the wine that established Abruzzo as capable of making truly distinct, extraordinary wines. Villa Gemma Montepulciano Riserva is a powerfully - almost undeniably - intense wine of character and complexity, with deep fruit and earthy, spicy secondary characteristics that could only come from the Montepulciano grape in Abruzzo
Masciarelli Villa Gemma Monteluplciano d’Abruzzo Riserva 2012 (93 WE)
Wine Enthusiast "A heady dose of fresh dill and cigar box rides over a dense core of cherry and spicy blackberry in this flagship wine from Masciarelli. It's big and bold on…
Luce
Lucente 2016
Toscana IGT
Lucente is the second wine of Luce, a wine with contemporary style, immediate and great pleasure, and like its elder sibling, an authentic interpretation of Montalcino and the Luce estate.
Luce Lucente 2016
James Suckling "Ripeness and intensity here with dark berries, dark chocolate, walnuts and sage on the nose, following through to a full body, round and chewy tannins and a ripe-fruit finish.”
Related Materials: Luce Lucente 2016 Tech Sheet (92 JS)
Champagne Ayala
Perle d’Ayala 2002
Champagne, France
A treasure in the portfolio, Perle d'Ayala is produced only in exceptional years, according to practices that have remained faithful to the Champagne tradition. Composed of a majority of Chardonnay, this wine captures the essence of the Champagne terroir, in the purest respect of the style of the House.
Champagne Ayala Perle d’Ayala 2002
Wine & Spirits “Where else but in Champagne can you buy a 12-year-old wine with this freshness of fruit, immediately brisk with scents of lemon and orange, generously layering in flavors of golden…
Related Materials: Champagne Ayala Perle d’Ayala 2002 Tech Sheet (95 W&S)
Champagne Ayala
Blanc de Blancs 2008
Champagne, France
Ayala’s Blanc de Blancs is 100% Chardonnay, produced in small quantities in exceptional years only, fully expresses the superb caliber of great Chardonnay from the best crus of the Côte des Blancs. After 6 years of aging in Ayala’s cellars, remarkable minerality and low dosage make this an outstanding wine.
Champagne Ayala Blanc de Blancs 2008
Wine Spectator “Rich and ripe flavors of glazed apricot and spiced plum are layered with pastry dough, graphite and spice notes in this balanced version, with a lively bead. Accessible, presenting juicy…
Related Materials: Champagne Ayala Blanc de Blancs 2008 Tech Sheet (92 WS)
Finca Decero
The Owl & The Dust Devil 2015
Agrelo, Mendoza, Argentina
Finca Decero has become recognized not only for having one of the highest quality vineyards in all of Mendoza, but also for catapulting into an elite group of the most highly regarded producers in Argentina. The wines all come from the single Finca Decero vineyard, and the winery’s focus is entirely quality focused.
The Owl & The Dust Devil 2015 (93 TA)
Tim Atkin, MW “Finca Decero’s evocatively named cuvée of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot and a little Tannat is now into its second edition. The Petit Verdot provides lots of structure here, giving…
Related Materials: Finca Decero The Owl & The Dust Devil 2015 Shelf Talker (93 TA)
The Owl & The Dust Devil 2015 (90 WE)
Wine Enthusiast “This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Tannat is rich yet well balanced. Its jammy berry aromas are creamy but also a touch reedy. On the palate, dark…
The Owl & The Dust Devil 2015 (92 JD)
Jeb Dunnuck "The 2015 Owl & the Dust Devil is a blend of 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Malbec, 19% Petit Verdot and the rest Tannat that saw 18 months in 40% new…
Related Materials: Finca Decero The Owl & The Dust Devil 2015 Tech Sheet (92 JD)
E. Guigal
Côte-Rôtie Château d’Ampuis 2014
Côte-Rôtie
The Guigal family spent 15 years restoring Château d'Ampuis, a historic property whose oldest sections date to the 11th century. The Château d’Ampuis has been the symbol of the town of Ampuis and the world-renowned Côte-Rôtie vineyard area for ten centuries. When the Guigal family learned that there was at one time a wine produced with the Château d’Ampuis name, they decided to produce an exceptional wine that would showcase the best that Côte-Rôtie has to offer.
E. Guigal Cote-Rotie Chateau d’Ampuis 2014
Wine Spectator "This is frankly toasted, with mocha and bacon notes leading off. The core of dark currant and cherry preserve flavors has the stuffing to match, while singed bay leaf and…
“Finishes pure, sweet and focused on the penetrating finish”
Josh Raynolds, Vinous Media "Deep bright-rimmed ruby. Sexy, highly perfumed aromas of ripe dark berries, cherry pie, olive and pungent flowers are sharpened by a suggestion of peppery spices. Supple and appealingly sweet, offering…
Masseto 2015 (99 JS)
James Suckling "The aromas are profound here with a deep and vast character of black olives, cedar, chocolate and berries, as well as vanilla essence and light coffee. Flamboyant. Full-bodied, this powerful…
Masseto 2015 (100 WA)
Monica Larner "The wine is absolutely teeming with sensorial spirit that is transmitted through the bounty of the bouquet and the solid tannins of the mouthfeel. Nothing about the wine goes unnoticed…
Chateau Montelena
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Napa Valley, California
The Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a medium-bodied wine offering notable raciness up front, compelling freshness and depth of flavor. The earthy, complex and concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon is softened by the judicious addition of Merlot. This is a wine that delivers immediate pleasure upon release.
2015 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Vinous “Montelena’s 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon is gorgeous. Pliant and supple, the 2015 offers notable density and raciness in an up-front style that will drink well upon release. Succulent red/purplish fruit, spice, new…
Related Materials: Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 Shelf Talker (92 VM)
Poggio al Tufo Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 (94 JS)
James Suckling "A cabernet that flits between black peppers, beautifully fresh elderberries, lavender and violets. Medium to full body, lots of spicy undergrowth flavors and a long, chewy finish. Drink in 2020."
Related Materials: Poggio al Tufo Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 Tech Sheet (94 JS)
Errázuriz
MAX Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Aconcagua Costa
It's becoming common knowledge, Errazuriz is one of the most interesting quality areas to grow Sauvignon Blanc, with wines that sit between the fruit of New Zealand and the minerality of the Loire Valley. MAX Sauvignon Blanc grapes come from the Manzanar Vineyard in Chile's newest appellation, Aconcagua Costa. Planted by Errazuriz in 2005 and just 8 miles from the Pacific Ocean, the combination of cool climate and diverse, quality soils creates wines with tremendous freshness and bracing minerality.
Errazuriz MAX Sauvignon Blanc 2017 (92 JS)
James Suckling "Lovely tarte au citron and citrus flowers aromas lead into a ripe and elegant sauvignon. Generous and crisp with a long, polished finish. Drink or hold."
Related Materials: Errazuriz MAX Sauvignon Blanc 2017 Tech Sheet (92 JS) Errazuriz MAX Sauvignon Blanc 2017 Shelf Talker (92 JS)
Errázuriz
MAX Pinot Noir 2017
Aconcagua Costa
Maximiano Errazuriz founded Errazuriz in 1870 in the foothills of Mount Aconcagua, the highest peak in the Andes Mountains and the Western Hemisphere. Recognizing that this valley, with its hot, dry summers and cool Pacific Ocean breezes, was ideal for growing grapes, he sent for the finest clones from France and with tenacity and perseverance transformed this barren land into a world-class vineyard. Today, the tradition of quality lives on with Don Maximiano’s descendant, Eduardo Chadwick.
Errazuriz MAX Pinot Noir 2017 (92 JS)
James Suckling “Hibiscus, bright violets, blueberry tea, Chinese spices and herbs. Medium body, tight yet never firm tannins that frame a crunchy core of blue fruit up to a minerally, super-refined finish.”
Related Materials: Errazuriz MAX Pinot Noir 2017 Tech Sheet (92 JS) Errazuriz MAX Pinot Noir 2017 Shelf Talker (92 JS)
Errázuriz
MAX Chardonnay 2016
Aconcagua Costa
Maximiano Errazuriz founded Errazuriz in 1870 in the foothills of Mount Aconcagua, the highest peak in the Andes Mountains and the Western Hemisphere. Recognizing that this valley, with its hot, dry summers and cool Pacific Ocean breezes, was ideal for growing grapes, he sent for the finest clones from France and with tenacity and perseverance transformed this barren land into a world-class vineyard. Today, the tradition of quality lives on with Don Maximiano’s descendant, Eduardo Chadwick.
Errazuriz MAX Chardonnay 2016 (91 JS)
James Suckling “A tangy and delicious white with cooked apple, lemon rind and orange zest character. Medium body, bright finish. Very pretty wine. Always a vivid chardonnay."
Errazuriz MAX Chardonnay 2016 (91 WS)
Wine Spectator “Minerally and rich-tasting, with finely crafted flavors of apple, citrus, pear and spice that are supported by fresh acidity. Crunchy dried savory notes power the finish. Drink now through 2021.”
Related Materials: Errazuriz MAX Chardonnay 2016 Tech Sheet (91 WS)
Errazuriz MAX Chardonnay 2016 (91 W&S)
Wine & Spirits “This Chardonnay is from the first vines Errazuriz planted in Manzanar, nine miles off the Pacific Coast. Now ten years old, they produced a wine with vivid white fruit flavors, spice…
Related Materials: Errazuriz MAX Chardonnay 2016 Shelf Talker (91 W&S)
Dog Point Vineyard
Chardonnay 2015
Marlborough
Several influential voices in the wine industry believe that in time Chardonnay may prove New Zealand's single highest achievement. All three of the Dog Point wines fermented in barrel are small in production, but the Chardonnay is the smallest, and at times indeed the most dazzling.
“a compelling example of Marlborough Chardonnay”
Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate "The 2015 Chardonnay is a smoky, toasty, medium to full-bodied effort marked by a terrific acid line. That grapefruit note provides the backbone over which riper notions of white peach,…
Related Materials: Dog Point Vineyard Chardonnay 2015 Tech Sheet (93 WA)
Dog Point Vineyard
Pinot Noir 2015
Marlborough
Dog Point's renown as a Sauvignon Blanc producers has done nothing to lessen the enthusiasm around their Pinot Noir, today considered one of the finest in New Zealand. What sets their wine apart is the generosity of the structure, which comes off as rich but not sweet, and the complex mingling of fruit and savory notes.
“Regal pinot with soul and swagger”
James Suckling "Impressive red-cherry aromas precede great depth and structured, handy tannins that pull real flavors out of the wine and coat the palate. This holds fresh and rich darker cherries and…
Related Materials: Dog Point Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015 Tech Sheet (96 JS)
Masciarelli
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2015
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
The first line created by Gianni Masciarelli has become over the years a landmark for the company and its customers, in addition to being the most consistent and known, in Italy and abroad. Its wines, Montepulciano D’Abruzzo DOC, Trebbiano D’Abruzzo DOC, and Rosato IGT Colline Teatine are today “a classic”, which can reflect the genuine taste of tradition and the quality of Abruzzo native vines.
“Cranberries, raspberries, elderberries and fresh herbs”
James Suckling “Cranberries, raspberries, elderberries and fresh herbs dominate on the nose here. Medium to full body, firm tannins and a fresh finish. Drink now.”
Related Materials: Masciarelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2015 Shelf Talker (90 JS) Masciarelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2015 Tech Sheet (90 JS)
“Fruit forward, and incredibly delicious”
Jeb Dunnuck “A terrific value is the 2015 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, a little gem of a wine based on Montepulciano brought up all in stainless. Loaded with notions of rich cherry and blackberry fruit, leafy…
Dog Point Vineyard
Section 94 Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Marlborough
Section 94 is widely regarded as the most distinctive and greatest Sauvignon Blanc being made in New Zealand today. James Healy and Ivan Sutherland were among the first to begin fermenting their Sauvignon in barrel with wild yeasts, a technique that along with the old vines they use, leads to a full-bodied wine that is less fruit-forward, more exotic, and has immense textural complexity.
Dog Point Vineyard Section 94 Sauvignon Blanc 2015 (95 JS)
James Suckling "The trademark reductive complexity will surprise the regular sauvignon-blanc drinker and delight those who delve into great white Burgundy. Flinty lemon and grapefruit pith and really fresh, riverstone minerals, the…
Related Materials: Dog Point Vineyard Section 94 Sauvignon Blanc 2015 Tech Sheet (95 JS)
“medium to full-bodied, with a rich, almost creamy texture”
Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate "The flavors are settling into a comfortable range of stone fruit, melon and pink grapefruit. It's medium to full-bodied, with a rich, almost creamy texture and a long, plush finish."
Related Materials: Dog Point Vineyard Section 94 Sauvingnon Blanc 2015 Tech Sheet (93 WA)
Le Macchiole
Scrio 2013
Bolgheri
Scrio was born in 1994, out of Eugenio Campolmi's wish to produce a wine which would best express his vision of Syrah, his favorite grape variety. As all Le Macchiole wines, Scrio has an original personality and stands apart from Syrah grown in France or anywhere else - it is an extraordinarily compelling meld of deep and velvety Mediterranean fruit with cool climate aromatics and detail. Given the extremely limited production, Scrio is decidedly a hidden gem.
“This is the best syrah in Tuscany this year with incredible depth and beauty.”
James Suckling “Wow. This is the best syrah in Tuscany this year with incredible depth and beauty. The texture is so plush yet polished and caressing. Full body. The finish of chocolate, hazelnut, smoked…
