Highly Allocated Gems
Showing 37–45 of 645 results
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Aubert 2021 Chardonnay CIX
$199.99Sonoma Coast
Wine Advocate 96-98 Rating
From a vineyard that borders the source of Aubert's Lauren bottling, there are 1,200 cases of the 2021 Chardonnay CIX Estate. Matured in 75% new French oak, this review is based on a tank sample awaiting bottling. Planted to a Montrachet selection in 2008, there's just a hint of fumé character, those smoky, mocha notes accenting ripe peaches and bright lime pith. It's characteristically full-bodied, generous, creamy and lush, yet with enough acidity to keep it clean and fresh on the finish. SP32-2 -
Aubert 2021 Chardonnay Eastside Vineyard
$199.99Russian River Valley
Wine Advocate 98-100 Rating
The 2021 Chardonnay Eastside was tasted as a tank sample, due to be bottled in December 2022. It comes barreling out with bold notes of fresh peaches, lime cordial, and orange blossom with touches of crushed rocks, toasted almonds, and honeysuckle. The full-bodied palate delivers compelling tension with taut, tightly knit layers, culminating in a wonderfully exotic, pineapple and guava-laced finish. This comes from a warmer site, in Russian River, usually the second to be picked (after Sugar Shack). It is planted to the Montrachet clone on very rocky, gravelly soils, where the vines really struggle. Drink: 2023-2039. SP32-2 -
Aubert 2021 Chardonnay Lauren
$199.99Sonoma Coast California
Wine Advocate 98-100 Rating
Unlike many of Aubert's wines, the 2021 Chardonnay Lauren Estate incorporates four different selections (Hyde Old Wente, Montrachet, Mount Eden and Hudson). From vines planted in 1999 and 2000 on the site of a former orchard, and matured in 80% new French oak, it exudes power yet remains balanced. Hints of pencil shavings mark the nose, joined by effusive notes of lime and white peach, while the palate is full-bodied, rich and slightly oily in feel. Despite a sense of massive density, it remains fresh and lively, with great length and energy on the finish. It's the crowning achievement among a stellar collection of 2021s from Aubert. SP32-1 -
Aubert 2021 Chardonnay Powder House
$199.99Sonoma Coast California
Wine Advocate 95-97 Rating
Floral, non-fruity hints of crushed stone and talcum powder appear on the nose of Aubert's 2021 Chardonnay Powder House, creating an attractive counterpoint to the wine's honeyed richness and intense white-peach notes. Full-bodied and silky in feel, it's a bit custardy in texture yet lithe, graceful and long, with an almost mentholated finish. There are 2,000 cases this vintage, from a Forestville vineyard planted in 2015 mainly to Hyde Old Wente, plus a bit of Mount Eden. SP32-1 -
Aubert 2021 Pinot Noir CIX
$199.99Sonoma Coast California
Antonio Galloni 98 Rating
The 2021 Pinot Noir CIX Vineyard is fabulous. Rich, deep and explosive, the 2021 possesses striking inner perfume and brilliant fruit. Sweet red cherry, plum, spice and pomegranate build into the heady, sumptuous finish. Goldridge soils over volcanic ash are magical here. What a wine. Drink 2024-2033. R27-5 -
August Briggs 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Two Moon Vineyard
$49.99Dry Creek Valley California
The wine is deep and intense with a concentrated color has inviting aromas of cassis, anise, dark plum and a hint of earth that now comes through with time in the bottle. The taste is where this wine has blossomed into a beauty. Intoxicating flavors of currants, black cherry, green olive and bell pepper are prominent on the first swirl. The wine has mild oak and cedar aromas as well to add to the complexity. It is a pure cabernet sauvignon rich with ample weight and texture yet round with balanced tannins. You can give this wine another seven or ten years of cellaring if you can wait! SP26-4 -
Auteur 2014 Pinot Noir Savoy Vineyard
$59.99Anderson Valley California
The subject of our decisive and resolute obsession, the most demanding yet creative of all the wine varietals – and for us, the most rewarding. Pinot Noir’s remarkable ability to become chameleon-like and adapt to showcase its nuances is the synergy that creates the might and gravitas signature of our wines. Through a blend of organic, biodynamic and regenerative farming practices, our fruit is hand-harvested at night to retain natural, cool temperatures for less extractive phenolics during an extended cold soak followed by long and slow fermentation. Each vineyard is naturally fermented and whole-cluster pressed before final blending.
R40-1 -
B Cellars 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Ehrlich Vineyard
$149.99Napa Valley California
Wine Advocate 96 Rating
The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Ehrlich Vineyard is from another spot in Oakville. The production of this wine is 750 cases of unfined and unfiltered Cabernet Sauvignon. B Cellars is starting to get my attention and is one of the more exciting and newer producers in Napa Valley, and although they’ve been at it for a while, I have never tasted wines of this quality from them. This is spectacular Cabernet Sauvignon that offers up cedar wood, blackcurrants, blueberry, incense and graphite. It is full-bodied, powerful and rich, but with sweet tannin and the 2014 hallmark of suppleness and charm. Quite deep, opulent and stunningly rich, drink it over the next 20 years. R39-1 -
B Wise 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Trios
$39.99Napa Valley California
When it comes to Brion Wise’s brilliant collection of American wines, the new Napa Valley Trios cuvee of Cabernet Sauvignon is guaranteed to make you smile ear to ear. The Trios is drawn from prized vineyards in Rutherford, Yountsville and Coombsville that each feature porous, gravelly soil. This forces the roots to dig deep into the poor soil, drawing mineral groundwater for fresh, vibrant grapes. The vineyards’ position on the valley floor guarantees excellent sun exposure providing for superb concentration. The resulting wine is deep and concentrated, with flavors of strawberry, black cherry, licorice and toasty oak. The tannins are fine and the finish is mineral and seems to just go on and on. R37-1