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$21.95
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RP 91
WS 91
France
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Rhone
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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91 points Robert Parker: "The outstanding 2009 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Cairanne La Brunote (60% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 10% Carignan from white clay soils) was aged 12 months in larger wood demi-muids before being bottled unfiltered. Revealing slightly more concentrated blue, red and black fruits, lavender, incense and white chocolate notes, it offers an opaque ruby/purple color along with full body and a long finish. There is not a hard edge to be found in this voluminous, multilayered red. It should drink nicely for 5-7 years. (Aug 2011)"
91 points Wine Spectator: "Ripe but very fresh, with mouthwatering acidity driving the linzer torte, blackberry and black currant fruit. Lovely spice cake and black licorice notes flash through the finish, with a dusting of cocoa powder. Drink now through 2013. 50 cases imported. (10/15/11)"
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$16.95
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AM 87
France
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Burgundy
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Chablis
In stock, 12+ available
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87 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(from 10 to 15 year old vines). This also displays a classic nose of green fruit, citrus and oyster shell nuances that can be found on the very fresh, crisp and dry flavors that possess enough flesh to be enjoyed now but I would advise cellaring this for 2 to 3 years first. In sum, perfectly good if not distinguished for its level. Drink: 2012+. (Oct 2010)"
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$9.95
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Italy
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Puglia
In stock, 12+ available
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Three Glasses, Gambero Rosso (2013). In addition to becoming a Three Glasses winner, this wine was awarded the single 'Best Value for the Money' among all Italian wines by Gambero Rosso.
This modestly priced 100% Negroamaro from Puglia was recently awarded the coveted Three Glasses designation by Gambero Rosso--perhaps the lowest priced Italian wine we have ever known to receive such an award! The wine shows streaks of garnet giving way to intense ruby red color. Its nose is of candied fruits and spices that evolve into clean underbrush, tea, and amber notes. Enhanced by notes of red flowers, the aromas return on the palate transported by confident but not overbearing alcohol. The tannins and fresh acidity work in counterpoint to create a balanced, soft wine. Pair with veal and beef, game, lamb, and ripe aged cheeses.
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$14.95
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United States
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Merlot
In stock, 12+ available
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List $25.00
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Producer notes: "[$25 list] Ripe black plum and red cherry aromas deepen in intensity with inviting notes of milk chocolate and warm spice. A palate rich with sweet dark berry fruit notes of black tea and spice balance a lightly creamy texture with soft, plush tannins and fine structure."
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$14.95
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WA 91
W&S 91
IWC 90
Chile
In stock, 12+ available
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List $22.00
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91 points Jay Miller (Wine Advocate): "[$22 list] The 2009 Marques de Casa Concha Carmenere contains 14% Cabernet Sauvignon in its makeup. The fruit was sourced from the superb Peumo Vineyard in Rapel Valley with the wine aged for 18 months in 42% new French oak. It displays a more brooding personality in its promising bouquet of sandalwood, exotic spices, dried herbs, floral notes, plum, and blackberry. In the glass it is full-bodied, rich, plush, and structured. The wine conceals enough fine-grained tannin to evolve for 3-4 years. This lengthy effort, stylistically similar but less expensive than the Terrunyo Carmeneres, is a great value that will be at its best from 2014 to 2024. (Feb 2012)"
91 points Wine & Spirits: "[$22 list] A wine of enormous power, this is dominated by black fruit flavors and a youthfully blunt texture—a carmenère far from its ideal point of consumption. The clean lines and firm acidity will help it develop in bottle for at least three years. If you open it now, decant it for a steak. (Jun 2011)"
90 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "[$22 list] Opaque ruby. Black and blue fruits on the nose and in the mouth, with complicating licorice and floral nuances and a kick of cracked pepper. Smooth and expansive, with subtle tannins adding shape and grip on a long, spicy finish. (May/Jun 2011)"
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$8.95
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Italy
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Campania
In stock, 12+ available
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List $14.00
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This vibrant Lacryma Christi 2009 Rosso hails from the lava-caked foothills of Mount Vesuvius, just east of the spirited bayside city of Naples. Lovers of Campanese wines already know that the region's mild year-round climate and cool Mediterranean breezes provide ideal growing conditions for its indigenous varietals. This deliciously inexpensive blend is crafted with fruit sourced from Caputo's Enodelta, twenty-five hectares of sun-baked volcanic soil at altitudes of 300-500 meters. Campania's local varietals include the smoky, licorice and berry infused Piedirosso and Aglianico, varietals that are uniquely suited to the volcanic soils of the region. This delightful wine is aged entirely in stainless steel, which allows the subtleties and nuances of the smoky, mineral-driven terroir to come out naturally. The 2009 vintage in southern Italy has been highly lauded by critics and oenophiles alike. This is easily one of the most interesting, well-balanced red quaffers we've come across at this price.
Aromas of red current, cherry, cocoa, tar, licorice, and dusty earth on the nose give way to tobacco leaf and smoky black minerals on the palate. A rustic yet smooth, well-balanced, medium-bodied red with bright acidity. In the glass over time evolve pretty scents of mint, flowers and dried herbs that add complexity and elegance. Perfect with pizza, spicy seafood pasta, or on its own with salumi, antipasti, and hard sheep's milk cheeses. The blend is 65% Piedirosso, 35% Aglianico, all grown in the black lava caked soils of region.
Not reviewed; 2010 vintage rated 87 points by Robert Parker: "The wild strawberry, sweet cherry and damp earth-scented and flavored, fresh, light-bodied 2010 Lacryma di Christi can be drunk slightly chilled (as you would a Beaujolais). Enodelta has fashioned three very good values."
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$13.95
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WS 90
France
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Bordeaux
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Red
In stock, 12+ available
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List $25.00
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90 points Wine Spectator: "[$25 list] This is ripe and polished, with sleek cassis and blackberry fruit framed with toasty mocha and espresso hints, but also nicely grounded in terroir, with a tug of roasted earth and tobacco on the finish. Drink now through 2015. (3/31/12)"
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$10.95
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Italy
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Piedmont
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Barbera
In stock, 12+ available
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88 points Wine Spectator: "There's good depth to this red, whose black cherry and blackberry flavors are intense and fresh. This is bright, with a hint of tannins on the finish. Drink now. (2/29/12)"
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$21.95
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JS 92
RP 90
France
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Bordeaux
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Red
In stock, 12+ available
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92 points James Suckling: "A soft and fruity wine, with lovely fruit and a lively tangy acidity. Lasts for a long time. Why wait? But will improve with age as well. (2/14/12)"
90 points Robert Parker: "Another major sleeper of the vintage, this consistently well-made wine (another consulting job by Stephane Derenoncourt) has hit pay dirt. It came in at 14% natural alcohol, with a final blend of 99% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. Vivid, explosive black cherry and blackberry fruit intermixed with some subtle charcoal as well as loamy soil and tobacco leaf notes are all present in the complex aromatics. Full-bodied, fleshy, without a hard edge to be found, this velvety-textured wine is ideal for drinking over the next 2-4 years. Who said Bordeaux doesn’t produce terrific wines at low price points? (Feb 2012)"
17.75/20 points Decanter: "Richly oaky nose, with just a hint of stewed fruit but not over the top. Fresh attack. Certain minerality. Firm tannic structure. It has line and length. Definitely a more serious wine. Should age. Drink: 2013-2022. Alcohol 13%. (Dec 2012)"
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$11.75
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W&S 89
Argentina
In stock, 12+ available
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89 points and 'Best Buy,' Wine & Spirits: "A blend of 70 percent malbec with corvina, this is made in the style of a ripasso. In spite of the warmth of its alcohol, it feels refreshing, the acidity like a beacon illuminating the red fruit flavor. For veal slow-braised with sweet spices. (Feb 2012)"
Producer notes: "70% Malbec, 30% semi-dried Corvina. A deep-coloured red with violet notes. A decisive bouquet of ripe, jammy fruits, especially prune, with a further suggestion of licorice. Great structure immediately on the palate with a well maintained acidity, nicely balanced by decisive and lively tannins. The generous nose makes for a pleasantly dry finish. The technique used here is Masi’s speciality: double fermentation. After soft pressing of the Malbec grapes, on-skin fermentation lasted 16 days in stainless steel tanks at a constant 23-27°C. The second fermentation was induced with selected yeasts and used 30% of whole Corvina grapes given a brief appassimento treatment before pressing. 13.5% alcohol."
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$11.95
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WA 89
Italy
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Umbria
In stock, 12+ available
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List $15.00
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89 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "[$15 list] The 2009 Grechetto Assisi Bianco is an absolutely beautiful white graced with generous fruit, expressive aromatics and a long, inviting finish. Drink this crisp Grechetto over the next year or two. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2011. (Jun 2010)"
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