Highly Allocated Gems
Showing 208–216 of 559 results
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Domaine de Ferrand 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape
$69.99Southern Rhone Valley France
Jeb Dunnuck 95 Rating
The 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape checks in as 90% Grenache and the rest 3% each of Mourvèdre, Syrah and Bourboulenc, with a splash of Cinsault, brought up all in tank. It has a deep, layered, powerful yet elegant style as well as notes of black raspberries, crushed violets, blueberries, ground pepper, and earth. With a rounded, sexy texture, no hard edges, fine tannins, and a beautiful finish, it's a fabulous wine in the vintage. SP35-2 -

Domaine de La Charbonnière 2015 Vacqueyras Cuvée Spéciale
$34.99Southern Rhone Valley France
Jeb Dunnuck 93 Rating
The 2015 Vacqueyras Cuvée Spéciale is another blockbuster. Made from 100% Grenache that was 70% destemmed and aged in oak tanks, it offers terrific notes of kirsch, dried herbs, ground pepper and loads of loamy soil/sandy aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied, balanced and with beautiful tannin quality, drink it anytime over the coming decade. SP36-1 -

Domaine de la Janasse 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes
$109.99Southern Rhone Valley
Wine Advocate 98 Rating
The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Vieilles Vignes is a tour de force. Raspberry and apricot-scented fruit, rich chocolate notes and an incredible whirlwind of spice are delivered in this full-bodied wine that shows no heat, just waves of flavor. It should drink well for 20 years or more. R26-4 -

Domaine De La Janasse 2020 Chateauneuf Du Pape Chaupin
$89.99Southern Rhone Valley France
Jeb Dunnuck 99 Rating
I was blown away by the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Chaupin, a 100% Grenache release that comes almost exclusively from the Chaupin lieu-dit in the northern part of the appellation. It's never as inky-hued or powerful as the Vieilles Vignes but always screams Grenache with its sexy, ripe, seamless, and remarkably elegant style. The 2020 offers a translucent ruby/purple hue as well as incredible aromatics of blackberries, black raspberries, peppery garrigue, herbes de Provence, and flowers, and it opens up nicely with time in the glass. Full-bodied and concentrated on the palate, it has silky tannins, no hard edges, and a great finish. I finished my note with “a Grenache lover's dream.” This is up with the finest vintages produced and will evolve for 15+ years. SP33-10 -

Domaine Della 2018 Pinot Noir
$69.99Santa Lucia Highlands California
Jeb Dunnuck 93 Rating
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Located south of Monterey, the Santa Lucia Highlands is a great AVA that produces an amazing amount of outstanding Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrahs. Starting with the appellation 2018 Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands, it comes all from the Soberanes Vineyard (in the relative center/southern end of the appellation) and spent 15 months in 47% new French oak. This beautiful, elegant, complex wine displays the fruit-loaded style of the appellation yet stays balanced, nicely textured, and even elegant. Black cherries, black raspberries, leafy herbs, a touch of flowers, and some earthy/forest floor notes all emerge from the glass, and it hits the palate with a soft, supple texture, again, terrific balance, and a great finish. It's slightly less expensive than the single vineyard, but I think it’s just as good. SP1-2 -

Domaine du Pegau 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape
$89.99Southern Rhone Valley France
Vinous 96 Rating
The 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée is one of the strongest vintages for this wine in recent history. It is magnificent, soaring from the glass with pungent aromas of crème de cassis, ripe raspberry and strawberry, cured meat, tobacco, licorice, iodine and garrigue. Full-bodied, vibrant to the core and offering a multidimensional profile, this wine is really, really good. The Féraud family and the entire team deserve a round of applause for this sublime Cuvée Réservée, which will still be kicking ass 20 years from now. R45-1 SP37-17 -

Domaine du Pegau 2021 Chateauneuf du Pape
$89.99Southern Rhone Valley France
James Suckling 95 Rating
This has so much power and meaty depth for the 2021 vintage, also stacks of healthy tannins that give it great intensity at the very long and complete finish. It’s packed with licorice, tar and stony character that makes it hard to pull yourself away from its compelling hold. Drinkable now, but best from 2025. R44-1 -

Domaine Faiveley 2020 Beaune Clos de l’Ecu Premier Cru
$99.99Cote de Beaune Cote d'Or Burgundy France
Wine Advocate 93 Rating
Aromas of raspberries, cherries, sweet spices, raw cocoa and peonies preface the 2020 Beaune 1er Cru Clos de l'Écu Monopole, a medium to full-bodied, concentrated and vibrant wine with tangy acids, melting tannins and a long, saline finish. This is very promising. SP3-6 -

Domaine Faiveley 2020 Vosne-Romanee
$79.99Cote de Nuits Burgundy France
Wine Spectator 92 Rating
A luscious, fruity style, offering black currant, black cherry, wet earth, vanilla and mineral notes. Dense, showing some grip on the extended finish. Overall, this is polished and harmonious. Drink now through 2033. SP6-6
