Highly Allocated Gems
Showing 235–243 of 651 results
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Domaine Charvin 2019 Chateauneuf Du Pape
$69.99Southern Rhone Valley France
Jeb Dunnuck 96 Rating
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The 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape from Laurent is the usual blend of 82% Grenache and the rest nearly equal parts Syrah, Mourvèdre, Vaccarèse, and Counoise that was brought up all in concrete tank. It shows the sunny, spicy, Provençal style of the vintage beautifully while still having incredible freshness in its red and black fruits as well as garrigue, ground pepper, spring flowers, and incense aromas and flavors. Gorgeous on the palate as well, this medium to full-bodied Châteauneuf du Pape is balanced and has terrific tannins, no hard edges, and a great finish. Rhône lovers need to have this beauty in their cellar, and it's going to offer pleasure for a solid two decades. R21-2 -
Domaine de Chevalier 2010 Bordeaux Blend
$119.99Pessac Leognan Bordeaux
Jeb Dunnuck 95 Rating
The 2010 Domaine de Chevalier is still a baby, yet with air, offers tons of pleasure. Black currants, truffle, scorched earth, and licorice aromas and flavors all give way to a big, concentrated, unctuous beauty that has ample sweetness to its tannin, a stacked mid-palate, and a blockbuster finish. A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot, it needs an hour in a decanter if drinking anytime soon, and certainly has another two decades of longevity in front of it. It’s a sensational bottle of wine. R12-2 -
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. SP35-3 -
Domaine de Ferrand 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape
$64.99Southern Rhone Valley France
Jeb Dunnuck 95 Rating
Beautiful violets, wildflowers, Asian spices, lavender, and Bing cherry fruits all soar from the glass of the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape. This full-bodied, beautifully textured, seamless 2019 brings the richness of the vintage while staying light on its feet, elegant, and perfectly balanced. While the acidity is quite low (I’m sure the pH is quite high), this will age on its balance and concentration. Hats off to Philippe Bravey for another singular Châteauneuf du Pape that readers will love to have in their cellars. As usual, the blend is 85% Grenache, with the balance other permitted varieties, brought up completely in tank. It can be drunk any time over the coming 15 years or more. SP38-10 SPBX-24 -
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. SP36-2 -
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. R26-5 -
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 de Saint Prefert 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Collection Charles Giraud
$199.99Southern Rhone Valley
Jeb Dunnuck 100 Rating
Even better (as well as a perfect wine), the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Collection Charles Giraud checks in as a nominal blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre that was brought up in demi-muids. It reveals a deep purple color as well as heavenly notes of blackberry and currant fruits intermixed with loads of cured meats, spice box, Asian spices, and a distinct loamy soil and minerality. Always more structured and powerful than the Reserve Auguste Favier release (no doubt due to the Mourvèdre component), it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, building yet polished tannins, flawless balance, and a great, great finish. Pure perfection in a glass, it’s as good as wine gets. Give bottles 2-4 years and enjoy over the following two decades. Hats off to winemaker Isabelle Ferrando for yet another thrilling wine! SM -
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
