No-Brainers
Showing 928–936 of 2667 results
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Delas Freres 2010 La Landonne Côte Rôtie
$224.99Northern Rhone Valley France
Wine Advocate 98 Rating
Up with some of the greatest Cote Roties out there is Delas's 2010 Cote Rotie la Landonne. Revealing an inky purple color as well as an incredible perfume of spring flowers, violets, black raspberries, graphite and Asian spice, it has drop-dead gorgeous purity, full-bodied richness and a seamless, layered texture that fails to completely cover the wine's underlying tannic grip. Made from 100% Syrah and aged 16 months in new French oak, hide bottles in the cellar for another 4-5 years and enjoy them over the following three decades. SP35-4 -
Romano Dal Forno 2017 Valpolicella Superiore
$124.99Veneto Italy
James Suckling 95 Rating
Pungent nose of violets, amarena cherries, dried figs and lightly charred oak. Some toffee notes emerge with air, together with more pressed flowers. Not so much full-bodied as full-flavored, with silky, fine and polished tannins. Very young and driven at the moment. Lacks the depth and complexity of more fortunate vintages, but still shows exceptional quality. Try from 2024. -
Continuum 2018 Proprietary Red
$289.99Napa Valley California
Wine Advocate 100 Rating
Composed of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Cabernet Franc, 9% Petit Verdot and 6% Merlot, the deep garnet-purple 2018 Proprietary Red has a fantastically fragrant nose of candied violets, red roses, Morello cherries and blackcurrant pastilles with hints of wild blueberries, red currant jelly, iron ore and forest floor, plus a waft of cinnamon stick. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is completely packed with tightly wound black and red berry layers, framed by firm, ripe, finely grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with incredibly persistent and evocative floral and mineral layers. An absolute head-turner, this 2018 is all that and then some. Tim Mondavi mentioned that this is due to be bottled in just a few weeks—mid-August—meaning this barrel sample I tasted is pretty close to being a finished wine. With the estate vineyard turning 10 year's old in 2018, here's where we see how incredibly special this singular Pritchard Hill site really is. SP11-1 -
Costanti 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva
$229.99Tuscany Italy
Wine Enthusiast 100 Rating
This perfumed wine opens with layers of scents, including violet, woodland berries, new leather, forest floor and warm spices. Smooth and elegantly structured, the savory palate boasts juicy black-skinned berry, blood orange, licorice, tobacco and the barest hint of coffee bean alongside taut, fine-grained tannins. Bright acidity keeps it impeccably balanced. *Cellar Selection*
R18-4 SP46-2 -
Costanti 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva
$224.99Tuscany Italy
Wine Enthusiast 100 Rating
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Heady scents of chopped herbs, woodland berry, forest floor, new leather, dark spice and violet are just some of the aromas you’ll find on this fragrant wine. It’s savory and loaded with finesse, delivering juicy Marasca cherry, raspberry compote, licorice, orange zest and pipe tobacco alongside firm yet polished tannins and fresh acidity. A tangy mineral note graces the lingering finish. It’s still young and needs plenty of time to fully unwind and develop. Drink 2027-2042. SP46-2 -
Collina Dalla Valle 2013 Red
$119.99Napa Valley California
Antonio Galloni 92+ Rating
The 2013 Collina Dalla Valle is dark, powerful and inviting. Dark red cherry, plum, smoke, licorice, graphite and lavender are all super-expressive in the glass. Vibrant and finely-cut, the 2013 is another exceptional vintage for the Collina. In this vintage, the Collina is 58% Cabernet Franc and 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, in other words heavy on the Franc, which is the result of newer plantings making it into the blend. R41-4 SP22-1 -
Clos Saint Jean 2018 Chateauneuf Du Pape La Combe Des Fous
$149.99Southern Rhone Valley France
Jeb Dunnuck 98 Rating
The star of the show in 2018 is the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape La Combe Des Fous, which has an incredible mix of complexity, power, and elegance that’s something to behold. Sporting a deep purple/plum color as well as a killer bouquet of blackcurrants, lavender, peppery garrigue, graphite, and white chocolate, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a seamless, multi-dimensional texture, incredible tannins, and a gorgeous finish. This is as good as 2018 gets, and while it’s already impossible to resist, it’s going to evolve for 15+ years. SP34-4 -
Clos i Terrasses Clos Erasmus 2017 Laurel
$59.99Priorat, Spain
Wine Advocate 95 Rating
The 2017 Laurel is a blend of the younger vines, some barrels that were declassified from Clos Erasmus and the remaining Cabernet Sauvignon, and in the low-yielding and dry 2017 vintage, it's 70% Garnacha, 20% Syrah and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 15% alcohol. The wine fermented mostly in concrete and oak vats with indigenous yeasts and matured in a combination of oak vats, concrete, used barriques and amphorae for 16 months. They produce this to be approachable from the moment it's released. The 2017s feel very aromatic, open, expressive and young, quite primary, tender and juicy and surprisingly fresh for a dry, warm year that resulted in a very early harvest. There is a peachy, soft, approachable quality here that I like very much. Surprisingly enough, winemaker and proprietor Daphne Glorian sees reminiscences of the 2013s in the 2017s, and I have to agree. SP35-8 -
Cliff Lede 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District
$79.99Napa Valley California
Wine Spectator 95 Rating
This wine substantially overdelivers on its price point, presenting a dark fruit profile, generous tannin and oak, and an expansive full-bodied style. Blended with 8% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, it is approachable while never forgetting its structured, complex roots. SP30-4
