Highly Allocated Gems
Showing 523–531 of 653 results
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Napanook 2017 Red Blend
$84.99Napa Valley California
Jeb Dunnuck 94 Rating
The 2017 Napanook checks in 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot. It offers classy notes of cassis, black currants, toasted spices, and hints of flowers. With lots of chocolately richness, medium to full body, and beautifully ripe tannins, it's layered and has impressive depth of fruit, followed by a great finish. It's going to evolve for 15-20 years. It's an incredible value in classic, impeccably made Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. SP13-2 -
Stonestreet 2016 Rockfall Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
$149.99Alexander Valley California
Jeb Dunnuck 98+ Rating
Another gem that’s going to flirt with perfection in a decade is the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Rockfall Vineyard. Based on 100% Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon aged 20 months in 65% new French oak, its deep purple color is followed by a mammoth-sized bouquet of crème de cassis, lead pencil shavings, scorched earth, and graphite. Showing more spice and tobacco with time in the glass, it has incredible purity of fruit, building tannins, and flawless balance, all making for a majestic Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon that will keep for 30 years or more. SP22-1 -
Aubert 2019 Chardonnay Powder House
$199.99Sonoma Coast California
Wine Advocate 99-99 Rating
A relatively new vineyard label for Aubert (the third vintage to be produced), the 2019 Chardonnay Powder House comes from eight acres of what are now estate-owned vines planted in 2013 to Hyde Old Wente and Mt. Eden clones on Goldridge soils. It prances out of the glass with showy scents of fresh nectarines, pink grapefruit, lime leaves and preserved lemons plus hints of struck flint and wet pebbles. The full-bodied palate possesses an almost electric intensity with bags of nervy citrusy flavors and a very lively backbone, finishing with great length and oodles of minerals. This should age fantastically! SP32-2 -
Aubert 2019 Chardonnay Lauren
$199.99Sonoma Coast California
Wine Advocate 97-100 Rating
Lauren Vineyard (named after Mark Aubert's daughter) is the first vineyard Mark Aubert ever bought. It is composed of gravel mixed with Goldrich soils and was planted in 1999 to four different clones: two Old Wente clones, Mount Eden and Corton-Charlemagne. The 2019 Chardonnay Lauren Estate (a barrel sample) was fermented and aged in 100% new French oak. Unlike the other 2019 Aubert Chardonnays, this one needs a little swirling and coaxing to reveal the youthfully mute nuances of sea spray, crushed cashews, beeswax and allspice over a core of fresh pineapple, passion fruit, lemon meringue pie and toast. The full-bodied palate delivers the most gorgeous silken texture with tons of opulent spice-laced tropical fruit flavors and a refreshing line, finishing with incredible length and energy. Singularly stunning. SP32-1 -
Aubert 2019 Chardonnay Larry Hyde & Son
$199.99Sonoma Coast
Wine Advocate 97-100 Rating
Aubert noted that this is his coolest site and usually the last to be harvested. Located near the Hyde Estate winery, by virtue of chilly afternoon breezes, it is indeed among the coolest sites on the Napa side of the Los Carneros AVA. This section is planted to Corton-Charlemagne clone on St. George rootstock. A barrel sample, it is being aged in 50% new French oak barrels. Whoa—the 2019 Chardonnay Larry Hyde & Sons explodes from the glass with bombastic scents of sea spray, freshly shaved ginger, lemon curd and grapefruit plus emerging hints of green guava, lime cordial and coriander seed with a waft of struck flint. Full-bodied, rich and lively, the palate is remarkably fruity and yet possesses loads of mineral sparks and savory nuances, finishing very long and spicy. This vintage no doubt played to the strengths of this site beautifully in 2019, delivering a very impressive wine of amazing singularity and intensity. SP32-2 R35-1 -
Aubert 2019 Chardonnay CIX
$199.99Sonoma Coast
James Suckling 98 Rating
So much character on the nose here. Notes of ripe citrus, stone fruit and elderberry. Full-bodied with an oily texture and soft, staying presence. A mix of woody spice and mint creates pleasant tension between warm and cool. Such a layered and intriguing wine. Totally delicious. Pine at the finish. Drink or hold. SP32-1 R36-3 -
Aubert 2019 Chardonnay Eastside Vineyard
$199.99Russian River Valley
Antonio Galloni Vinous 98-100 Rating
The 2019 Chardonnay Eastside Vineyard is deep, powerful and packed. Lemon confit, crushed rocks, menthol, graphite, chamomile and vanillin infuse the 2019 with striking layers of dimension. Bright acids give the sculpted finish tremendous persistence. Montrachet clone on Riparia rootstock in a rocky site yields a Chardonnay of rare distinction and class. SP32-4 -
Aubert 2016 Chardonnay Eastside Vineyard
$224.99Russian River Valley
Jeb Dunnuck 100 Rating
Another perfect wine is the 2016 Chardonnay Eastside Vineyard, which comes from a site on the east side of the Russian River Valley. All from a suitcase clone from Montrachet, it has a perfumed, vibrant bouquet of caramelized green citrus, crushed rocks, orange blossom, and candied ginger. While it’s a full-bodied, powerful wine, it has an incredible sense of freshness and purity, with more saline/oyster shell notes developing as it sat in the glass. It’s another tour de force from Mark Aubert! SP32-2 -
Saxum 2020 James Berry Vineyard White
$199.99Willow Creek District Paso Robles California
Jeb Dunnuck 97-99 Rating
While the 2020 James Berry Vineyard White hasn't been bottled yet, I was nevertheless blown away, and I suspect it will be one of the finest whites to come from the region. Sporting a medium gold hue as well as a full-bodied, deep, rich, concentrated profile, it has a heavenly bouquet of white stone fruits, toasted bread, honeysuckle, and white flowers. You could safely put this awesome wine up against the finest whites coming out of the Rhône Valley today. SP32-3