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$249.95
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JG 92
IWC 91
WS 91
France
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Champagne
In stock,
1
available
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92 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "(served from magnum). This magnum is the same cuvée as the regular-sized bottle above (2008 base wine with thirty percent of the blend comprised of wines from 2006 and 2007), but for some reason, it was showing even a bit more youthful generosity in the mid-palate out of the larger format. This is a quite as dry styled Brut bottling, with a dosage of 7 grams per liter of residual sugar, and will age extremely well. The classy nose wafts from the glass in a blend of apple, a touch of tangerine, complex minerality, bread dough and a nice dollop of smokiness up high. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, pure and complex, with a bit more early stuffing showing at the core, the same brisk acids, frothy mousse and a very long finish of excellent focus and grip. I love the Billecart non-vintage Brut and am very pleased to see it more readily available here in New York that used to be the case. As the slight difference in score might indicate, Champagne always tastes better out of magnum! Fine juice. 2013-2030. (Jan/Feb 2013)"
91 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "Light yellow-gold. Orange and pear aromas are complemented by notes of vanilla bean and honeysuckle. Silky in texture and nicely precise, with juicy orchard fruit flavors and a tangy note of Meyer lemon. Dry but in no way austere. Blends depth and energy smoothly and finishes with excellent clarity and nervy cut. (Dec 2010)"
91 points Wine Spectator: "Aromatic and spicy, with cedar, honey and ginger notes matching a firm structure and lean, intense character. Fine length."
91 points Wine News: "Lots of honey scents frame aromas of pineapple, apricot, chalk, yeast and brioche. Crisp, focused flavors of apple, orange marmalade, caramel and bread dough. Flint emerges in the dry finish. (Dec 2006/Jan 2007)"
Wall Street Journal: "Very good. Best of tasting. Pretty much all the aromas and flavors we want in Champagne--toasted nuts, yeast, minerals, a hint of zingy lemon and even some honeysuckle--all in a balanced, elegant package that gives it a relaxed sophistication. (12/13/08)"
Richard Juhlin: "(35% Pinot Noir, 30% Pinot Meunier, 35% Chardonnay) This is the creation of the son, Antoine Billecart. I claim this to be the best nonvintage Champagne of the extremely fruity school. The nose is lively and as fresh as a spring morning, the flavor is light and citrus-fresh with a long, balanced aftertaste of Granny Smith apples. Softer, sweeter, and more creamy recently. (Feb 2010)"
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$122.95
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WE 89
France
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Bordeaux
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Red
In stock,
3
available
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89 points Wine Enthusiast: "It takes a while to get beyond the dry structure of this wine. But underneath that initially forbidding exterior, there is a solid core of ripe, sweet black fruits and an elegant balance with the acidity coming through to finish well. A wine for some aging--maybe 3-4 years. Alcohol 13%. (Dec 2009)"
50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. 30% of the wine was aged for 18 months in new French oak; 70% in 1-year-old oak. 2006 was a very good vintage at du Seuil. The wine has many of the characteristics of a classic Bordeaux vintage: good acidity, concentrated, forward tannins and a complex, pleasant fruitiness. Multiple levels of structure and integrated oak flavors.
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$31.95
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France
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Rhone
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Other
In stock,
7
available
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If you need a reason to get over your anti-boxed-wine bias, here it is: a round, fruity, earthy Côtes du Rhône from a mini-cooperative known for practicing sustainable agriculture. "From the Tank" is a newly released collaboration between the Estézargues co-op in the southern Rhône and Jenny & François Selections, an importer specializing in so-called natural wines, made largely without chemical manipulation. Before settling on a medium-bodied blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan for their inaugural vintage, "we tasted a bunch of tanks," says Jenny & François’ Jenny Lefcourt, who also chose the utilitarian name and helped design the three-liter cardboard box, which compactly houses the equivalent of four bottles.
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$1,295.00
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JS 98
WA 97
IWC 97
Italy
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Piedmont
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Barbaresco
In stock,
3
available
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98 points James Suckling: "This will be in the market in 2012. This is full and rich with irresistible silky tannins. This brings more substance and richness than the white label. Lay this down until 2016. 10,000 bottles. (5/29/12)"
97 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "The 2007 Barbaresco Riserva Asili is sweet, perfumed and totally gorgeous in its round, sensual fruit. Silky, elegant tannins frame the long, harmonious finish. Stylistically the 2007 is most similar to the 2004, although it seems to have more exuberant, opulent fruit. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2037. (Feb 2011)"
97 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Good deep red. Very ripe aromas of red cherry, black raspberry, rose petal and flint. Huge yet magically light on its feet, with Musigny-like flavors of red fruits, flowers and pungent minerals. Wonderfully sweet and deep wine with great sap and floral lift; I find this considerably less medicinal than the normale Very much like a great Burgundy but with even more energy. The alcohol here is about 14% and the pH is 3.45. (Nov/Dec 2009)"
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$699.95
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WS 96
JS 94
WA 94
Italy
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Piedmont
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Barolo
In stock,
2
available
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96 points Wine Spectator: "[$300 list] An elegant, fruity style, boasting raspberry, cherry and floral aromas and flavors. This is pure and delicate for the commune, with fine intensity, finesse and depth. The tannins mesh beautifully with the wine's silky texture, ending with an excellent finish. Just surprisingly open and approachable. Best from 2014 through 2032. 1,500 cases made. (12/15/11)"
94 points James Suckling: "Dried strawberries, with hints of flowers. Full bodied, with clean fruit and polished tannins. Very fruity. Need a couple of years to soften. Reminds me of the 1997. (5/6/11)"
94+ points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "The 2007 Barolo Falletto is an overachieving wine, even at this high level. The bouquet has a level of delineation, sweetness, inner perfume and nuance generally only found in Giacosa’s Red Label Riservas. The Falletto impresses for the intensity of its dark fruit and superb overall balance. The extroverted personality of the vintage is quite evident, especially as the wine sits in the glass. Menthol, flowers and licorice add the final notes of complexity on the finish. This is an especially racy Barolo from Bruno Giacosa, but the trademark elegance is there. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2032. (Feb 2011)"
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$549.95
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WA 94
Italy
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Piedmont
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Barolo
In stock,
1
available
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94 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "The 2003 Barolo Le Rocche del Falletto is a fascinating wine. It is classic Giacosa, with a lovely core of sweet roses, raspberries, licorice and menthol that is currently hiding under an imposing wall of tannins. It is also a wine of contrasts, at times open and accessible, at others brooding and shut down. As it sits in the glass the fruit gradually emerges to fill out the wine’s structure. It had only improved when I re-tasted it several days after first opening the bottle. That said, it will require further cellaring to soften the tannins, as the wine has shut down considerably since bottling. Made from the heart of the Falletto vineyard, it clearly benefits from the age of the vines in these selected plots. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2023. (Oct 2007)"
Gambero Rosso: "Le Rocche del Falletto... managed to overcome the main obstacles of the 2003 vintage, showing very pleasant and at the same time already incredibly ready to drink. (2008)"
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$699.95
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Italy
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Piedmont
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Barolo
In stock,
3
available
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$1,250.00
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JS 100
WA 98
Italy
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Piedmont
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Barolo
Pre-arrival,
3
available
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100 points James Suckling: "I tasted this last year and had to put it in this report again after tasting it a couple of weeks ago. This is phenomenal. Clearly perfect with layers of subtle fruit and spices and hints of chocolate. Full and very long. It builds on the palate and goes and goes. Hazelnut and dark fruits. So fresh and bright too. A fabulous and structured red. January 2013 release. 12,000 bottles made. (7/19/12)"
98 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "The 2007 Barolo Riserva Le Rocche del Falletto bursts onto the palate with masses of dark fruit. The Riserva is a decidedly dark, brooding wine in this vintage. Scorched earth, smoke, menthol, licorice and new leather flow with marvelous intensity all the way through to the powerful finish. Over time the classic Giacosa bouquet of dried rose petal emerges, rounding out this fabulous effort in grand style. The imposing tannins will require a measure of patience, but the 2007 Riserva is shaping up to be another magnificent, towering Barolo from Bruno Giacosa. Anticipated maturity: 2022-2042. (Feb 2011)"
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$224.95
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WS 92
United States
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Zinfandel
In stock,
1
available
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*SPECIAL: Take 10% Off Listed Price!
(We'll reduce item's price when processing your order.)
92 points Wine Spectator: "Deep, jammed with fruit character, this ripe version offers plenty of new oak, revealing a rich texture and zesty flavors of smoky licorice, blackberry cobbler and cracked pepper. Drink now through 2019. (5/31/13)"
Producer notes: "51% Zinfandel, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah, 12% Petite Sirah, 2% Charbono, 1% Grenache. The wine has a dense red and black hue that is framed in vibrant crimson. Aromas of Bing cherry, espresso, roasted fig and vanillin oak accents are persistent. The entry is powerful and generous supported with lively acidity while flavors of ripe raspberry, pomegranate and wild berry fruit linger harmoniously. Soft, integrated tannin chains allow the wine to be approachable now and provides for a pleasant finish. Alcohol 15.2%."
Not yet reviewed; 2010 vintage rated 90 points by Wine Spectator: "...a bold, rich red blend that's jammed with flavor. Aromas of blackberry and caramel lead to ripe plum, licorice and spicy vanilla flavors. Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Charbono and Grenache. Drink now through 2017."
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$1,350.00
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WA 93
Italy
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Veneto
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Amarone
In stock,
2
available
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Three Glasses, Gambero Rosso: "...the Amarone '98 is a real gem, an inimitable classic Amarone. Poetry, intensity and depth find their full expression here in an explosion of cherry fruit and harmony that will continue to echo for years. This is an example and lesson in style that all producers and consumers should explore and earned Three very well-deserved Glasses. (2008)"
93 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "The 1998 Amarone reveals a gorgeous nose along with ripe red cherries, cough syrup, spices and minerals on a medium-bodied frame. Made in a sweet, inviting style, it offers excellent length as well as purity in a very classic style. It also appears to have enough fruit to compensate for the volatile acidity which is present. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2018. (Oct 2007)"
Bastianich & Lynch (Vino Italiano): "Giuseppe Quintarelli is the dean of Veronese winemakers. His Amarone is the standard by which all others are judged, and is priced accordingly--but if there was ever a reason to spend a lot of money on wine, Quintarelli provides one with Amarones that are consistently luxurious and complex, yet balanced. A Quintarelli Amarone is first and foremost about the exotic aromas only a dried-grape wine can deliver."
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$499.95
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United States
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Cabernet & Blends
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California
In stock,
1
available
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Producer notes: "Our 2008 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a complex and layered expression of California Cabernet. The wine has a dark garnet color and is bursting with fruit even as it is poured. On the palate, it has an extraordinarily rich attack, a satin texture and an exuberant expression of fruit on the mid-palate that comes from picking grapes at the peak of their ripeness. Given proper cellaring, this wine should give drinking pleasure through 2032. 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 7% Cabernet Franc. Alcohol 14.1%."
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$169.95
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JS 93
WE 90
United States
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Cabernet & Blends
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California
In stock,
4
available
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93 points James Suckling: "This is amazing value in California Cab. It's hard to believe. Aromas of fresh herbs with currants and blueberries as well as mint. It's full body with velvety tannins and a juicy finish. Lots of fruit but not overdone and not over alcoholic. Drink and don't worry. (6/14/12)"
90 points and 'Editors' Choice,' Wine Enthusiast: "The translucent color and light body warn against aging this wine, but why would you want to? It’s delicious right out of the bottle. Rich in black currant, cherry, violet and cedar, it’s a blend of all five of the classic Bordeaux varieties. (12/31/12)"
Over the last nine vintages, this has been the best selling Cabernet in the store. For those not familiar with the Waterstone story, it bears repeating. Rumor has it that the primary fruit source is declassified juice from a California cult wine that sells for well in excess of three figures. We’ve been asked not to disclose the winery by name, but let’s just say it’s located on the magnificent oak-studded knolls of the Rutherford-Oakville benchlands west of Highway 29. At any rate, regardless of fruit source, this continues to be one the best under-$25 Cabs on the market.
Producer notes: "Well-established hillside vineyards are the foundation of this wine, giving the finished blend its intense inner core of fruit. The complexity and balance of this vintage was achieved through diverse sourcing. Barrel aged for 24 months in French oak (80% new). With its Bordeaux-like presence, this wine is deep, rich, and lingering. Firm, integrated tannins frame the concentrated, dark fruit (currant, black cherry, wild berry, plum.) Toasty oak and an earthy edge add to the wine’s great complexity."
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