Wines
- Domaine Berthoumieu Madiran Cuvée Charles de Batz 2017$21.98Availability:In Stock
From the importer: The domaine’s top red wine is the cuvée Charles de Batz, which was the original name of d'Artignan. The wine is composed of 90% Tannat with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon from vines that are between 50 and 100 years old. After being completely destemmed, the Cabernet and Tannat are fermented separately in cement tanks. During this time, a bit of micro-oxygenation or microboullage takes place. The wine then goes into oak (50% new) in an underground cellar where it also undergoes malolactic fermentation. After 12 months in wood, it is blended and bottled after a very light filtration.
Very ripe, rich Madiran that takes no prisoners. This wine succeeds in obtaining more fruit than tannin! The color is nearly opaque—wine doesn't get much darker than this. It displays notes of black fruit (blackcurrant and blackberry) along with just a hint of red fruit. There is a cedar-like creaminess to the oak which is extremely well-integrated. Tannins pick up on the finish but, let's face it, this is Madiran and that is to be expected. These tannins seem to dissolve when the wine is matched with richly flavored meats like leg of lamb, duck, goose or game.
Learn MoreHURRY, ONLY 9 LEFT! - Stefania Barbot Taurasi Fren 2019WA94$44.98Availability:In Stock
94 Points! The Stefania Barbot 2019 Taurasi Fren offers pretty concentration and richness with dark fruit that starts with blackberry preserves, cherry confit, rum cake and sweet spice. The full-framed Fren could use another few years of bottle age to soften those chalky Aglianico tannins. Despite the wine's robust profile, the fruit remains punchy and lively. This wine ages for three years before its release, including two years in oak. Fruit comes from old vines aged from 70 to 90 years old. Only 4,000 bottles were made, and you get a beautiful Taurasi at an affordable price. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com
Learn MoreHURRY, ONLY 12 LEFT! - Stefania Barbot Aglianico Irpinia Ion Campi Taurasani 2019JS92WA91$28.98Availability:In Stock
91 Points! A pure expression of Aglianico, the Stefania Barbot 2019 Irpinia Campi Taurasini Ion is thick and darkly concentrated with a powerful 15.5% alcohol content. That brawn and muscle proves distracting, especially on first impact. However, the overall quality of dark fruit, with pressed blackberry and dark cherry, gives the wine pretty vertical lift and inner energy. On the palate, the wine is more streamlined and elegant than you might initially expect. Ion pulls itself nicely together at the end. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com
92 Points! Lots of focused crushed-berry and cherry character. Very fresh. Medium body. Fine and delicate tannins and a delicious finish. Sort of Beaujolais mouth-feel to this. Drink now. - JamesSuckling.com
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- Elena Fucci Aglianico del Vulture Sceg 2021WA93VM92$21.98Availability:In Stock
93 Points! Here's a fun new wine from Elena Fucci named "sceg," after the local dialect word for pomegranate. The 2021 Aglianico del Vulture Sceg is made with fruit from old vines in the village of Barile, perched on the steep slopes of the extinct Vulture volcano. This wine sends an important message for Aglianico because it aspires to a more contemporary profile with bright fruit flavors and an accessible drinking style. We're still talking about the mighty Aglianico grape, so you can expect ample tannic structure and texture; however, this wine does indeed break down in terms of bouquet with tart berry, cranberry jelly from a can and Amarena cherry. And, yes, there is plenty of pomegranate berry too. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com
92 Points! Camphor complicates grilled herb and red plum aromas as the 2021 Aglianico del Vulture SCEG opens in the glass. This is an especially rich and supple rendition of SCEG, with sour citrus enlivening masses of dark red fruits and perfumed inner florals that resonate throughout. Juicy acidity maintains an energetic feel as grippy tannins come forward through the close, as the 2021 finishes long and staining with a youthful tension that puckers the cheeks. - Eric Guido, Vinous Media
Learn More - Grifalco Aglianico del Vulture Grifalco 2021VM93$24.98Availability:In Stock
93 Points! Crushed red plums, blood orange, and sweet spice create an alluring bouquet as the 2021 Aglianico del Vulture Grifalco lifts from the glass. This is soft tectured with a saline tinged core of wild berry fruits. Violet inner florals amass toward the close. The 2021 Finnishes with medium length and perfumed, grippy tannins as sour citrus nuances add freshness. I truly admire the energy and the classic lines inherent in this beautiful Vulture Aglianico. - Eric Guido, Vinous Media
Learn MoreHURRY, ONLY 8 LEFT! - Elena Fucci Aglianico Del Vulture Titolo 2020VM95$44.98Availability:Out of Stock
95 Points! It’s almost impossible to pull away from the darkly alluring and utterly radiant aromatics of the 2020 Aglianico del Vulture Titolo. With each swirl, tobacco, ash and forest floor give way to crushed violets, black currants and mint candies. It washes across the palate like pure silk, at first pliant and soothing, yet quickly gains a more tactile crunch, as mineral-tinged fruits saturate, and savory herbal tones resonate throughout. The 2020 finishes structured and incredibly long with notes of salted licorice, balsamic spice and cocoa that never seem to quit; and yet, through it all, residual acids keep the mouthwatering. This is deceptively attractive at this young stage, yet structured for the long haul—what a beauty. - Etic Guido, Vinous Media
Learn More - Morandé Vigno Old Vines 2020JS94WA94Availability:In Stock
Only $19.98 at checkout + 10% Off 6 or more!
94 Points! There is varietal rusticity and typicity in the 2020 Vigno, produced with 93% Cariñena and 7% Syrah from Melozal in Maule. It's serious and ripe without excess at 14% alcohol, with good freshness, red and black fruit, violets, earth and some tree bark. It's tasty and supple. It matured in a lightly toasted 4,000-liter foudre and used barrels for 18 months. It should get better with some more time in bottle. - Luis Gutierrez, robertparker.com
94 Points! Bright and very racy nose with vibrant sour red cherries, crushed blueberries, flowers and a hint of mineral. So juicy and bright with a firm, almost mineral quality to the center palate. A little sharp but so succulent with fine, fresh tannins aplenty. Really drinkable and long. Enjoy now. - JamesSuckling.com
Learn More - Preston Carignane Dry Creek Valley 2021$29.98Availability:In Stock
From the winery: Our Carignane block in the Vogensen parcel is truly a gem of the entire Preston Vineyard: eighty year old vines stand, statuesque but sprawling, with the same dynamic balance inherent to a large, tangled oak. On harvest day in mid September, time slows a little, and we take care to sort and process the fruit from these soulful, weathered vines. With regard to winemaking, the wine is hardly made at all: the real work has already been done by the vines over most of the last century, their roots digging ever deeper in communion with the alluvial bench they stand on. Whole bunches of grapes are crushed by foot in a large open-top fermenter, and after a few weeks we drain the wine off to neutral barrels, where it ages for a year or so before bottling. A dynamic balance is expressed in the wine as well: within its unity is a tension between fruity notes of blackcurrant and plum and savory notes of leather and sap; and of granite and iron minerality vibrating with finely-grained tannic structure. A wine of energy and soul that represents a history of winegrowing in our corner of Dry Creek.
Learn MoreHURRY, ONLY 6 LEFT! - Clos Figueras Priorat Clos Figueres 2018JS94WA95$79.98Availability:In Stock
95 Points! The 2018 Clos Figueres follows the path of cleanliness and precision of the 2017 in a better vintage. It's Garnacha and Cariñena from old vines with Cabernet sauvignon, Syrah and Monastrell, which seems to be a Mediterranean grape that is coming out of the closet in Priorat. It fermented and matured in new and second use 300- and 500-liter French oak barrels for 14 to 16 months. It's powerful and ripe at 15% alcohol, but with a low pH and good freshness. It's nuanced and complex and has elegance and some floral notes, with a more developed nose compared to the younger 2019 and 2020 tasted next to it. This has to be one of the finest vintages of Clos Figueres ever. 5,150 bottles were filled in February 2020. - Luis Gutierrez, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
94 Points! Aromas of dark plums, lavender, dried thyme, cloves, black olives and chocolate. It’s full-bodied with fine tannins and fresh acidity. Supple and velvety. Sweet spices and chocolate on the long, elegant finish. Try from 2022. - James Suckling
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- Iovine Terra del Gragnano Penisola Sorrentina 2020$15.98Availability:In Stock
- 50% Piedirosso, 40% Aglianico & 10% Sciascinoso
- The name ‘Piedirosso’ (red feet) reflects the bottom of the vine, which is red, similar to the red feet of a pigeon
- Vinified in temperature-controlled stainless steel
- Long secondary fermentation in autoclave
- spft, a touch fruity, a touch fizzy, killer pizza wine!
HURRY, ONLY 7 LEFT! - Garzón Tannat Single Vineyard 2018JS94$24.98Availability:In Stock
94 Points! Extremely perfumed with violet and blueberry aromas that follow through to a full body with creamy, refined tannins. Wonderful depth, due to the compact fruit and vertical line of tannins. Black pepper to the dark fruit. Better in two or three years. Try after 2022. - JamesSuckling.com
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- Salvatore Molettieri Taurasi Vigna Cinque Querce 2007WA92VM91Special Price $39.98 Regular Price $54.98Availability:In Stock
92 Points! Molettieri’s 2007 Taurasi Vigna 5 Querce is a big, big wine. Mocha, espresso, game, tar, licorice and dark raspberries meld together in an unusually ripe, flashy Taurasi. The 2007 boasts tons of richness and sheer power, but it needs at least another year to settle down and incorporate its oak. Unlike most Molettieri Taurasis, the 2007 should drink well with minium cellaring. - Antonio Galloni, robertparker.com
Learn More - Garzon Tannat Reserva Uruguay 2019JS91$14.98Availability:In Stock
91 Points! A full-bodied red with aromas of black cherries, blackcurrants, violets and black licorice. Tannic and chewy with a firm core of dark fruit. Try from 2023. - JamesSuckling.com
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- Cantina Giba Carignano del Sulcis 6 Mura 2016Special Price $34.98 Regular Price $49.98Availability:In StockTre Bicchieri Gambero Rosso...6 Mura Rosso is a full-bodied and concentrated Carignano, able to age for an extended time. Produced from ancient vines with very low yield by hectare. Deep red ruby color, powerful aromas and flavors full of mature red fruit and spices. Very elegant wine but austere, like the land where it comes from. Learn MoreHURRY, ONLY 7 LEFT!
- Clos del Rey IGP Cotes Catalanes L'Aragone 2021$19.98Availability:In Stock
By all accounts this is a unique plot of Carignan with some vines that reach well over 100 years of age. The yields here are even lower than the Episcata at a paltry 20 hl/ha. The harvest/fermentation regimen is the same. Grapes are hand harvested and sorted in the cellar, fermentation is done under temperature-controlled conditions with natural yeasts, and the same sojourn in concrete for 12 months. Some of you may have had experience with Carignan but this varietal from old vines is a different bird entirely. It speaks of its origins with accents of garrigue and schisty minerality to the core of dark fruit, Priorat-esque. One thing vine age does is round out and plump up this intensely flavorful grape.
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