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$18.95
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IWC 90
Italy
-
Trentino-Alto Adige
In stock,
3
available
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90 points Ian D'Agata (International Wine Cellar): "Pale, bright yellow. Lively aromas of green apple, thyme and white pepper are enlivened by a delicate minty quality. Very good Muller-Thurgau, with lovely inner-mouth aromatic character and flavors similar to the aromas. Finishes bright and clean; a little more fruit density and it would have merited an even higher score. Still, this is a very attractive wine; try it with something unusual, like buffalo mozzarella or pasta with mussels (sans tomato). (Sep/Oct 2011)"
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$33.95
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WE 94
IWC 91
WS 91
United States
-
Chardonnay
In stock,
4
available
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94 points Wine Enthusiast: "Abeja’s Chardonnays are as certain to hit their target as a Kobe Bryant slam dunk, and the style remains consistent vintage after vintage. Spicy, nutty, based around stone fruits and melon, they do not shy away from the toasty flavors that derive from barrel fermentation in 40% new French oak. The underlying minerality and well-balanced acidity mark this as Washington fruit, most of it from the outstanding Conner Lee vineyard. Alcohol 14.1%. 690 cases produced. (Apr 2012)"
91 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Bright straw-yellow. Aromas of apricot, peach, citrus peel, wild herbs, spearmint, butterscotch and lees, with a floral lift that reminded me of viognier. A fresh, lively midweight with stone fruit flavors complemented by vanillin, toasty oak. There's a savory sake-like quality and an umami texture at work here that go nicely with the wine's restrained sweetness. Finishes smooth and long, with noteworthy concentration. (Oct/Nov 2011)"
91 points Wine Spectator: "Refined, elegant and tightly wound, with a good tension as the pear and spice flavors play against earthy and minerally nuances on the finish. Drink now through 2014. 690 cases made. (5/31/12)"
Producer notes: "This vintage of Chardonnay offers the elegant, balanced style for which our Chardonnay is known. Pears, star fruit, kiwi, and vanilla combine with moderate, integrated oak flavors, beautiful complexity, and pleasant acidity. Production of this wine is just half of our usual case quantity. Vineyard sources: Mill Creek Vineyard & Conner Lee Vineyard. 100% French oak (40% new, 60% one-year-old). 100% barrel fermentation. 100% malolactic fermentation."
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$229.95
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RP 93
United States
-
Cabernet & Blends
-
California
In stock,
1
available
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93 points Robert Parker: "The 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Madrona Ranch (90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Merlot) exhibits a saturated purple color in addition to a gorgeous bouquet of espresso beans intermixed with licorice, incense, blueberries and blackberries. There is more tannin in the unusually austere finish, but the wine is remarkably complex, and should be exceptionally long-lived. There are 500 cases of this beauty, which should be at its finest between 2006-2025. (Aug 2002)"
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$159.95
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RP 92
United States
-
Cabernet & Blends
-
California
In stock,
2
available
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92 points Robert Parker: "A candidate for wine of the vintage, the gorgeous 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon Madrona Ranch (93% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot) boasts an inky/purple color as well as a sumptuous perfume of violets, blackberries, blueberries, and coffee offered in a medium to full-bodied, supple-textured, accessible style. Unlike Abreu’s biggest vintages, the 2000 is already delicious, and promises to evolve for 12-15 years. (Dec 2003)"
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$19.95
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WS 92
Argentina
In stock, 12+ available
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List $25.00
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92 points Wine Spectator: "[$25 list] Very pure, with a beam of raspberry coulis, blackberry and cherry pulp notes that pump out layers of spice, flint and wildflowers. Juicy yet structured, with a mineral edge to the long, savory finish. Drink now through 2015. (8/31/12)"
17/20 points Decanter: "This producer's Malbecs are often held up as representing the apex of the grape in Argentina. This is the most humble offering of its range but still has a fine complex nose of plum, red berries and smoked meat, through to a fresh, savoury palate of red berries with fine tannins. Alcohol 14.5%. (Apr 2013)"
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$34.95
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WA 93
IWC 90
Argentina
In stock, 12+ available
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List $48.00
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93 points Jay Miller (Wine Advocate): "[$48 list] The 2009 Quimera is a blend of 40% Malbec, 22% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot with yields averaging a minuscule 1.3 tons per acre. The wine was aged in 40% new French oak. Pain grille, pencil lead, Asian spices, incense, violets, and assorted black fruits inform the nose of a complex, intense, layered, spicy, succulent wine with impeccable balance and length. Although it can be approached now, it will benefit from another 2-3 years of cellaring. (Dec 2011)"
90 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "(a blend of 31% malbec, 27% cabernet sauvignon, 20% merlot, 18% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot; 40% new French oak): Ruby-red. Aromas of black raspberry, crushed cherry, caraway seed, graphite and licorice. Juicy and tightly wound, with an almost tart quality to the blackberry and cranberry fruit. Very young and structured but bound-up today. Finishes with good floral lift and plenty of acidity. This will need time in the cellar to loosen up and gain in nuance. (Mar/Apr 2012)"
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$124.95
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WS 91
United States
-
Cabernet & Blends
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California
In stock,
3
available
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91 points Wine Spectator: "Supple, fleshy, elegant and stylish, showing a layered mix of plum, black cherry and cranberry, with touches of spice and tobacco. Full-bodied and complex, gaining body and depth on the finish, where the flavors unfold to reveal touches of herb and mineral. Drink now through 2017. 75 cases made. (11/15/10)"
Producer notes: "Sleeping Lady Vineyard, which sits just south of Dominus in Yountville, rivals the best vineyard ground that exists in Napa Valley, and it consistently produces grapes with a unique purity and intensity of aroma, as well as a beautifully distinctive flavor. The wine exhibits an aromatic and flavor profile of crème de cassis, ultra-dark black cherry, and raspberry, and fine-grained tannins."
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$28.95
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FWR 91
IWC 89
Germany
In stock,
10
available
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Terry Theise: "(discernible but not obtrusive sweetness) SOMMELIER ALERT! This has the purest fragrance of old-school Mosel Riesling. It"s why we love it with a heart almost childlike, one we hardly know we own. This is sleeker than most recent vintages -- a 'mere' 87° with 10.8g acidity, which is not unnoticeable, but the slightly arch charm is beautiful for its angularity, and the wine shows absurd length."
91 points Fine Wine Review: "The Dhron Hofberg Kabinett displays yellow peach fruit but with restraint and also shows good length to go with some sweetness. 8.0% stated alcohol. (Issue #135/136; 2012)"
89 points Joel B. Payne (International Wine Cellar): "Fresh bouquet of pear and apple blossom. Delicately sweet on the palate, offering a nice interplay of apricot and luscious citricity. The persistent finish offers lipsmacking elegance. An exemplary kabinett. (Jan/Feb 2012)"
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$16.95
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IWC 91
PG 89
Spain
-
White
In stock, 12+ available
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List $23.00
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91 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "[$23 list] Pale gold. High-pitched aromas and flavors of orange, green apple and fresh fig, with a gingery topnote. Lithe and precise, with excellent finishing clarity and lingering floral notes. This suave, seamless wine would work with light as well as with richer foods, or all by itself. (Sep 2012)"
89 points Peñín Guide: "(100% godello). Colour: bright straw. Nose: fresh, fresh fruit, white flowers, fragrant herbs. Palate: flavourful, fruity, good acidity, balanced. (2013)"
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$21.95
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RP 91
WS 91
France
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Rhone
-
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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$21.95
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RP 92
RR 91
France
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Rhone
-
Other
In stock, 12+ available
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List $25.00
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92 points Robert Parker: "The 2010 Cotes du Rhone la Brunote (60% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 10% Carignan aged 12 months in demi-muids) is another outstanding effort. An opaque ruby/purple color is followed by lots of creme de cassis, kirsch, lavender, spice box and licorice notes. The wine is full-bodied, textured and long. It should drink well for a decade. (Oct 2012)"
91+ points Rhone Report: "The most dense and rich of the lineup, the 2010 Domaine Daniel et Denis Alary Cotes du Rhone Villages Cairanne La Brunote is a blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Mourvedre (there.s a small amount of carignan as well) that is aged all in old foudre. Meaty, dense, and loaded with notions of smoked meats, black fruits, licorice, and crushed rock-like minerality, this classic Cairanne is full-bodied, pure, and tannic on the finish. It will reward 2-3 years of bottle age, and have upwards of a decade or more of prime drinking. (Sep 2012)"
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$25.95
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RP 94
RR 93
France
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Rhone
-
Other
In stock, 12+ available
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94 points Robert Parker: "Alary’s top cuvee, the 2010 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Cairanne Font d’Estevanas is a blend of equal parts old vine Grenache and Syrah, the latter planted in 1961, grown in the clay/limestone hillsides. Aged in older barriques and demi-muids, it is a fabulous unfiltered wine offering abundant notes of licorice, truffles, camphor, black currants, kirsch, raspberries and hints of white chocolate and dusty, loamy, earthy soils. It should drink well for a decade or more. (Oct 2012)"
93 points Rhone Report: "A smoking good Cairanne that's all from the lieu-dit La Font d'Estevenas, the 2010 Domaine Daniel et Denis Alary Cotes du Rhone Villages Cairanne La Font d'Estevenas. An even split of Grenache and Syrah that is aged all in neutral wood, it sports a dense, opaque ruby color to go with fantastic aromatics of blackberry and black raspberry, new leather, licorice, roasted herbs, and hints of flowers on the nose. This flows to a medium to full-bodied, rich, and layered wine that has a silky, polished texture, beautiful mid-palate depth, and impressive underlying tannin structure. It is superb now, yet should easily evolve gracefully for 10-12 years. (Sep 2012)"
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$17.95
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RR 92
RP 91
France
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Rhone
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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List $22.00
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92+ points Rhone Report: "More tight, backwards, and mineral-driven than the La Font d'Estévenas, the 2010 Domaine Daniel et Denis Alary Côtes du Rhône Villages Cairanne Vieilles Vignes is a blend of Grenache and Mourvedre that is aged all in neutral wood. It is a gorgeous, classy effort that delivers clean aromas of black cherry, spiced raspberries, licorice, crushed stone, pepper, and subtle roasted herbs. This elegant, yet concentrated Cairanne has a lively, energetic texture, great acidity, and fantastic persistence and focus on the finish. Give bottles 2-3 years in the cellar, and then enjoy over the following decade. (Sep 2012)"
91 points Robert Parker: "[$22 list] The 2010 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Cairanne Vieilles Vignes is composed of 2/3 Grenache and the rest mostly Syrah with a tiny amount of old vine Carignan. It also is aged in tank and bottled unfiltered. A superb sleeper of the vintage, it boasts a dense ruby/purple color as well as copious notes of black currants, black cherries, earth, pepper, spice box and a hint of mountain laurel. This full-throttle 2010 possesses sweet tannin as well as an intriguing texture. It should drink nicely for 4-6 years. (Oct 2012)"
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$14.95
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RP 90
France
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Rhone
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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90 points Robert Parker: "The 2010 La Grange Daniel Blanc Vin de Pays d'Orange is a tank-aged 100% Roussanne that sells for a remarkable $15 a bottle. It is a challenge to make good Roussanne as the skin has considerable tannin and any skin contact can result in an astringently flavored wine. However, that's not a problem with this Roussanne fruit bomb. Notes of waxy orange marmalade and honeysuckle jump from the glass of this light gold-colored 2010. Alary's oenologist, Olivier Roustang, is also the oenologist for the Chave family in Hermitage, which may help explain the brilliance of this white wine. Drink it over the next 12 months. (Aug 2011)"
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$17.95
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WS 90
IWC 88
WA 88
France
-
Alsace
In stock, 12+ available
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List $24.00
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90 points Wine Spectator: "[$24 list] A pretty, aromatic white, this finds a fine fit for its delicate flavors of honeydew melon, peach, orange zest and spice. Dry and tangy, with lovely purity of flavor and balance. Drink now through 2016. 150 cases imported. (2/28/11)"
88 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "[$24 list] Bright light-medium yellow. Aromas of yellow peach, ginger and smoke, with a spicy component building with air. Moderately sweet (9 g/l r.s.) but with a sound, nicely buffered spine of acidity lending support. Shows the fruity side of the variety and finishes off-dry, with good dusty persistence. (Nov/Dec 2010)"
88 points David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate): "Lemon, orange and basil scent the Mann 2009 Riesling Cuvee Albert in a Muscat-like manner -- a resemblance that persists on a pungent, yet generously juicy palate. There is a melon-rind bitterness that -- along with a hint of cinnamon basil -- add to the stimulation of the finish, and a good balance has been struck between 9 grams of residual sugar scarcely noticeable as such and a moderate 13.2% alcohol. (May 2011)"
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$36.95
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WS 93
WA 90
IWC 90
France
-
Alsace
In stock,
7
available
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List $43.00
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93 points Wine Spectator: "There's a lovely purity and transparency to this elegant white, showcasing its minerality, which drives the spring blossom, white peach and grapefruit zest flavors. The citrusy acidity shows precision and adds a streamlined quality, with a long, white pepper-laced finish. Drink now through 2025. 100 cases imported. (2/28/11)"
90 points David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate): "[$43 list] At 13.5% alcohol and a scarcely-detectable 8 grams of residual sugar, the Albert Mann 2009 Riesling Schlossberg boasts an engaging aroma of fennel, mint, grapefruit, honeydew melon and saline, alkaline sea breeze, anticipating a generously juicy, saliva-inducing and refreshing palate performance. There is lovely, sappy, lip-smacking length, and a combination of lift and mineral dimension such as one encounters too seldom in this vintage. Enjoy this over the next 7-9 years. (May 2011)"
90 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "(13.5% alcohol, 8 g/l r.s. and 6.7 acidity) Bright pale yellow. Pungent aromas of grapefruit, quinine and lemon verbena. Chewy, pliant and slightly sweet, with intense, juicy flavors of citrus peel and lichee. A bit exotically ripe for this cuvee but smooth, refined and perfumed. Finishes with excellent dusty length. Mann's Schlossberg riesling can be extremely stony and dry but the 2009 version won't hurt your teeth. (Nov/Dec 2010)"
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$17.95
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W&S 90
United States
-
Zinfandel
In stock, 12+ available
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List $22.00
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90 points and 'Year's Best Zinfandel,' Wine & Spirits: "[$22 list] A blend of small-berried fruit from a hillside vineyard with grapes from the valley floor, this is floral, intensely earthy and powerfully constricted. The blend creates full-bodied richness, bringing in some raisined character that adds complexity to the tighter fruit. A black wine with bountiful tannins to carry it in the cellar. (Feb 2013)"
Producer notes: " We harvested from two individual vineyards on the eastern side of the Dry Creek Valley from early September to early October. One vineyard is hillside with red rocky soil producing smaller berries with flavors of blackberry and blueberry. While the 2nd vineyard has gravelly loam soil located on the valley floor and produces fruit with pronounced flavors of cherry, plum and black pepper. Overall 2009 was a cooler vintage with fewer heat spikes than in past years, so the acidity of this vintage is slightly higher than prior releases. The growing season allowed for uniform ripening in the which led to wines with good structure, balance and complexity. In the glass there are aromas of blackberry, dark cherry, plum, chocolate, spice, black pepper and vanilla. There is mouth filling texture with spicy flavors of blueberry, black pepper, dark fruits and a long finish. Winemaker Kevin Hall notes that 'this is a big wine'."
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$73.95
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WS 91
IWC 91
Italy
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Veneto
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Amarone
In stock,
9
available
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91 points Wine Spectator: "A firm, fresh red, with a smoky baseline and balanced flavors of black cherry, damson plum, violet, polished oak and spice. This is structured by bright acidity and chewy tannins that come to the fore on the finish. Best from 2013 through 2023. (10/15/11)"
91 points Ian D'Agata (International Wine Cellar): "Good deep ruby-red. Very ripe aromas of redcurrant and crushed rock, with a red berry liqueur-like nuance. Supple, lush and sweet, but with surprising acidity and a recurring mineral quality energizing the middle palate. Finishes with smooth tannins and very good length. This has the stuffing to age but also offers considerable upfront appeal. (Mar/Apr 2012)"
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$17.95
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WS 90
WA 89
Italy
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Veneto
-
Other
In stock, 12+ available
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List $20.00
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90 points and 'Top 100 Wine of 2011 (#60),' Wine Spectator: "[$20 list] This sleek, polished red offers juicy blackberry and black fruit flavors, backed by refined tannins and well-integrated acidity. Hard to stop sipping. Corvina Veronese, Rondinella and Sangiovese. Drink now through 2020. (10/31/11)"
89 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "[$20 list] The 2008 Palazzo Della Torre is striking in this vintage. It shows remarkable harmony in a tense, mineral-infused expression of fruit. Hints of licorice, tobacco, mocha and spices develop in the glass, adding further complexity and nuance. All of the elements flow gracefully to a finish layered with the essence of crushed rocks and flowers. This is an absolutely delicious wine from Allegrini. Palazzo della Torre is made with a partial ripasso technique in which 30% of the fruit is dried Amarone-style, while the other 70% is picked and vinified conventionally. Once again, Palazzo della Torre is one of the very finest values in Italian wine. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020. (Feb 2012)"
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$24.95
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IWC 90
Spain
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Red
In stock, 12+ available
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List $36.00
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90 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "($36 list; 100% tempranillo) Inky ruby. Extremely ripe nose offers powerful scents of roasted cherry and plum, along with dark chocolate and smoky herbs. The port-like qualities carry onto the palate, which offers sweet, deeply concentrated dark fruit compote, espresso and bitter chocolate flavors. Finishes with a wallop of ripe plum and impressive length. A bit extreme for my taste, but delivers undeniably impressive impact and richness. (Sep/Oct 2008)"
Importer notes: "The Allende Rioja, a 100% Tempranillo cuvee, was barrel fermented in a mix of new and used French oak, remained in barrel for 13 months, and was bottled unfiltered. The wine is inky purple-colored and has a superb nose of pain grille, mineral, violets, cranberry, and blueberry. The youthful palate reveals layers of fruit, ripe tannin, and excellent balance. The wine merits another 3-4 years of bottle age and should drink well through 2020."
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$79.95
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WS 94
United States
-
Cabernet & Blends
-
California
In stock, 12+ available
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94 points and 'Top 100 Wine of 2012 (#92),' Wine Spectator: "Striking, rich and opulent, elegant and refined, with ripe, dense blackberry, melted black licorice and touches of cinnamon and baking spice. Ends with fine-grained, detailed tannins. Best from 2013 through 2027. (12/31/12)"
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$47.95
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WA 91
United States
-
Italian Varietals
In stock,
10
available
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*SPECIAL: Take 10% Off Listed Price!
(We'll reduce item's price when processing your order.)
91 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "The 2008 Sangiovese shows plenty of varietal character in its expressive red cherries, licorice and tobacco but with Napa Valley warmth and shape. The wine’s volume and depth should allow it to drink beautifully for a number of years. This is an impressive California Sangiovese, something I can’t say too often. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2018. (Dec 2011)"
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$69.95
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IWC 90
Italy
-
Piedmont
-
Other
In stock,
1
available
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90 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "(all nebbiolo) Ruby-red. Reticent aromas of roasted cherry, fresh herbs, brown spices and nutty oak... Fat, rich, broad and sweet, but not yet as filled in as the Larigi or La Villa bottlings. Showing its 14.9% alcohol today, not to mention its oak element. But this powerful wine is extremely backward today and more about earthy, nutty, herbal terroir than about primary fruit. Finishes with huge, ripe, furry tannins that will require patience. (Nov/Dec 2002)"
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$54.95
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IWC 91
Italy
-
Piedmont
-
Other
In stock,
2
available
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Three Glasses, Gambero Rosso: "La Villa, from barbera and nebbiolo, is equally extraordinary. Today, it is superior to the monovarietal nebbiolo Arborina, which requires further bottle age. (2002)"
91 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "(a blend of Nebbiolo and Barbera) Deep medium ruby. Slightly roasted yet pure aromas of black cherry, blueberry, licorice and mint. Rich, fat and broad on entry, then tighter and less sweet in the middle than the Larigi. Intense black cherry flavor is complicated on the very long, firm finish by notes of blackberry, bitter chocolate and espresso. Tannins are quite firm, in the style of the vintage. (Nov/Dec 2002)"
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$39.95
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RR 93
Spain
-
Red
In stock, 12+ available
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93 points Rhone Report: "Showing slightly more dark fruit, as well as additional density and depth, the 2010 Bodegas Alto Moncayo Campo de Borja, also a blend of 100% Garnacha, has copious blackberry liqueur, spice-box, cedar, chocolate, and licorice qualities to go with a full-bodied, seamless, supple mouth feel. Building in richness and depth over the evening, yet showing gorgeous purity as well as an overall elegant profile, it is hard to resist and I found myself pouring more than a few glasses. Already delicious and approachable, it should drink nicely for upwards of a decade. (Mar 2013)"
This wine is spectacular, and represents the perfect foil for grilled steak. Rich, full bodied and muscular, Alto Moncayo has riveting intensity and palate staining extract; this Spanish red is inky/purple, full-bodied, and rich. This pedal-to-the-metal offering should age handsomely for a decade. 600 cases produced.
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