Highly Allocated Gems
Showing 262–270 of 509 results
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Grattamacco 2019 Bolgheri Superiore
$119.99Tuscany Italy
Jeb Dunnuck 98 Rating
Reserved layers and depth slowly begin to emerge from the 2019 Grattamacco, so it is going to need time in cellar to open and show itself. As it opens in the glass, it reveals attractive dark mineral earth, kirsch, black pepper spice, and balsamic. It is concentrated and compact at this stage, with savory richness, and it displays full and balanced structure, ripe and present tannins, and notes of cassis, cedar, and pine resin. It reveals rich complexity without ever feeling murky, and its energetic tension takes this wine to the next level. Drink 2025-2050. R23-7 SPBX-6 -
Guado al Tasso 2019 Bolgheri Superiore
$139.99Tuscany Italy
James Suckling 98 Rating
This has a wild and perfumed nose of dried thyme, sage, blackberries, cocoa, graphite and white and green peppercorns. Then dried flowers. Full-bodied with firm, tight and precise tannins. Vibrant. There’s so much character and structure. A new benchmark for this winery. More cabernet franc than in the past. Best yet? 65% cabernet sauvignon, 25% cabernet franc and 10% merlot. Try from 2025. R39-3 -
Harlan Estate 2018 Bordeaux Blend
$1,800.00Oakville Napa Valley California
Jeb Dunnuck 100 Rating
Stunning on every level, the 2018 Proprietary Red Wine reveals a dense purple hue as well as an incredible bouquet of crème de cassis, graphite, crushed stone, iron, violets, and tobacco. Reminding me of a hypothetical blend of Ducru Beaucaillou and Pontet Canet from a great, classical vintage (or a more elegant version of the 2013 for simplicity), it's medium to full-bodied, perfectly balanced, powerful yet elegant, and has a finish that won't quit. This is pure gold in Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s already drinkable yet will benefit from 4-6 years of bottle age and have 40 years of prime drinking. SPBX-3 -
Hartford Court 2015 Pinot Noir Arrendell Vineyard
$85.99Russian River Valley California
Jeb Dunnuck 95 Rating
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From the oldest vines planted in the 1970s, the 2015 Pinot Noir Arrendell Vineyard is a perfumed, spicy wine that's just singing on the nose. Ripe cherries, raspberries, candied orange, and exotic spices give way to a medium to full-bodied, supple, seamless Pinot Noir. It has bright acidity, sweet, vibrant, fruit, notable tannin, and a great finish. Like a lot of the wines here, it has the fruit to shine, but this is certainly one of the more structured and tannic wines in the lineup. SP7-4 -
Hartford Court 2015 Pinot Noir MacLean’s Block Vineyard
$79.99Russian River Valley California
Jeb Dunnuck 96 Rating
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Also from the Green Valley portion of the Russian River Valley, from two separate blocks in the vineyard, the 2015 Pinot Noir MacLean's Block offers ample black cherries, exotic darker fruits, some toasty oak, medium to full body, and a lush, rounded, deep style on the palate. This cuvée sees a touch of whole cluster inclusion and is aged in 29% new French oak. Give this savory, rich, concentrated (masculine even) Pinot Noir a few years and enjoy over the following decade. SP7-6 -
Hartford Court 2017 Seascape Vineyard Chardonnay
$99.99Sonoma Coast California
Jeb Dunnuck 99 Rating
Coming from a site on a panoramic ridgetop located at 1150 feet in elevation, west of the town of Occidental and facing Bodega Bay, the 2017 Chardonnay Seascape Vineyard is another magical effort from this estate and is a quintessential Sonoma Coast Chardonnay. White flowers, salty minerality, apple blossom, and tart pineapple all emerge from the glass, and it’s medium to full-bodied and has a wonderful purity, bright (almost racy) acidity, and a great finish. Brought up in 42% new French oak, it shows almost no trace of its élevage, and while tight and slightly closed on the palate, it’s nevertheless insanely good. Give bottles another year and enjoy over the following decade. R32-5 -
Heitz 2015 Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
$299.99Napa Valley California
James Suckling 98 Rating
Structured and powerful with chewy and firm tannins with a light vanilla and currant undertone. Full bodied. Juicy and savory. Luscious and intense yet polished. Tension, energy and wonderful length and brightness. Drinkable but needs another three to four years to come around. R4-4 SP26-2 -
Herman Story Wines 2020 Casual Encounters
$69.99Paso Robles California
Inkier colored, the Casual encounters is a blend of 58% Mourvèdre, 34% Syrah, and 8% Grenache. Lots of mulled black fruits, smoked meat, barbecue, and peppery notes emerge from the glass. It’s full-bodied, super-rich, and concentrated, yet still stays light on its feet and beautifully balanced. It’s a classic, sweetly fruited, sexy wine to enjoy over the coming 5-7 years or so. R2-1 -
Horsepower Vineyards 2018 Grenache Sur Echalas Vineyard
$179.99Walla Walla Washington State
Jeb Dunnuck 96+ Rating
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There are two Grenache cuvées under the Horsepower label, both single vineyards. Starting with the 2018 Grenache Sur Echalas Vineyard, it has a deeper ruby/plum color as well as a spectacular nose of ripe cherry and strawberry fruits intermixed with lots of white pepper, dried flowers, orange blossom, and sandalwood. With medium to full-bodied richness, firm tannins, and beautiful depth of fruit on the palate, it might be the closest thing to Rayas that I've tasted, from anywhere. It remains to be seen if this can evolve into the same category at maturity, but no kidding around, this is a beautiful, elegant, seamless Grenache. It needs 3-4 years, if not longer, to let some tannins melt away, and it should have a solid 20 years of longevity. This is 100% Grenache bottled at 13.8% alcohol. R13-2 SP19-1
