Search Results
Every month we sample over 600 wines. We introduce about 50. (You'll find the ones we reject at our competitors.) Scroll below to check out some favorites that really get our blood going!
Chateau Troplong Mondot St. Emillion 2015
95
Wine Spectator
96
Wine Advocate
96
Decanter
99
Jeb Dunnuck
98
James Suckling
96
Wine Enthusiast
97
Vinous, Antonio Galloni
(12/2017) "One of the stars of the vintage, the 2015 Troplong Mondot has come together beautifully over the last year and half. Rich and sumptuous to the core, it is a classic wine from this property, built on serious fruit density and textural richness. Dark red cherry, plum, chocolate, new leather and spice are some of the many notes that build as the 2015 shows off its irrepressible personality. A viscerally exciting, resonant wine, it just needs a few years to shed some of its baby fat. Tasted two times. Drinking window: 2025 - 2040."
(12/2017) "One of the stars of the vintage, the 2015 Troplong Mondot has come together beautifully over the last year and half. Rich and sumptuous to the core, it is a classic wine from this property, built on serious fruit density and textural richness. Dark red cherry, plum, chocolate, new leather and spice are some of the many notes that build as the 2015 shows off its irrepressible personality. A viscerally exciting, resonant wine, it just needs a few years to shed some of its baby fat. Tasted two times. Drinking window: 2025 - 2040."
$
12899
Discount:
750 ML
Guiborat "Prisme.13" Grand Cru Champagne NV
93
Our Score
(12/2018) Richard and Karine Fouquet farm eight hectares in the Grand Cru villages of Cramant and Chouilly. They sell most of their fruit to large houses, retaining a small amount to bottle under their own Guiborat label. While designated as nonvintage, the "Prisme.13" consists entirely of fruit from the excellent 2013 vintage. Disgorged in early 2017, it is replete with high-pitched tension and chalk-themed minerality. The palate is generous and concentrated, giving ripe lemon and yellow apple fruits on the long, complex, nicely textured finish.
(12/2018) Richard and Karine Fouquet farm eight hectares in the Grand Cru villages of Cramant and Chouilly. They sell most of their fruit to large houses, retaining a small amount to bottle under their own Guiborat label. While designated as nonvintage, the "Prisme.13" consists entirely of fruit from the excellent 2013 vintage. Disgorged in early 2017, it is replete with high-pitched tension and chalk-themed minerality. The palate is generous and concentrated, giving ripe lemon and yellow apple fruits on the long, complex, nicely textured finish.
$
4799
Discount:
750 ML
Bodegas El Nido "Clio" Jumilla 2016
92+
Our Score
(11/2018) Big, beautiful and voluptuous, the 2016 Clio is a glass-staining purple in color with a nose that exhibits blackberry, blueberry, black cherry and spicy wood tones. The palate is full, rich and explosive with flavors of black and red fruits plus a bit of smoky bacon. The warm and concentrated palate is wonderfully inviting. There's a reason this wine has such a cult following. If you like powerfully fruity, smooth and dense wines, this is for you!
(11/2018) Big, beautiful and voluptuous, the 2016 Clio is a glass-staining purple in color with a nose that exhibits blackberry, blueberry, black cherry and spicy wood tones. The palate is full, rich and explosive with flavors of black and red fruits plus a bit of smoky bacon. The warm and concentrated palate is wonderfully inviting. There's a reason this wine has such a cult following. If you like powerfully fruity, smooth and dense wines, this is for you!
$
3799
Discount:
750 ML
R. Lopez de Heredia "Vina Tondonia" Reserva Rioja 2006
95
Wine Advocate
(2/28/2018) "The red flagship 2006 Vina Tondonia Reserva was inspired by the vineyards of the Medoc but produced with local grapes, 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacho, 5% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo, which achieved 13% alcohol in 2006. It always matures in used American oak barriques for some six years. The oldest of all the reds I tasted, it was also the one with more freshness, which speaks to the quality of the vineyard. Drink 2018 - 2028."
(2/28/2018) "The red flagship 2006 Vina Tondonia Reserva was inspired by the vineyards of the Medoc but produced with local grapes, 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacho, 5% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo, which achieved 13% alcohol in 2006. It always matures in used American oak barriques for some six years. The oldest of all the reds I tasted, it was also the one with more freshness, which speaks to the quality of the vineyard. Drink 2018 - 2028."
$
3499
Discount:
750 ML
Etienne Doue "Cuvee Selection" Brut Champagne NV
91+
Our Score
(12/2018) Imagine, a serious and quite scrumptious artisan Champagne that sells for roughly $10 to $15 per bottle LESS than the big production brands. Crazy! A better grower Champagne simply cannot be found at this price! Etienne, with help from daughter Virginie, crafts this wine from 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir. Creamy orchard fruit and yellow flower flavors swirl across the finely moussed palate. Totally enticing, and simply delicious.
(12/2018) Imagine, a serious and quite scrumptious artisan Champagne that sells for roughly $10 to $15 per bottle LESS than the big production brands. Crazy! A better grower Champagne simply cannot be found at this price! Etienne, with help from daughter Virginie, crafts this wine from 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir. Creamy orchard fruit and yellow flower flavors swirl across the finely moussed palate. Totally enticing, and simply delicious.
$
3299
Discount:
750 ML
Domaine Sigalas Santorini Assyrtiko 2017
93
Wine Advocate
95
Wine & Spirits
(8/2018) "This assyrtiko may not be as powerful as Sigalas's single-vineyard bottlings, but the 2017 excels in the simple joy and purity it transmits. It's a liquid landscape of Santorini, from the clean, salty scent of a white-sand beach to the blinding brightness of the white limed buildings, telegraphed here in sunny, pithy lemon flavors. It feels minimalist and yet dynamic, thirst-quenching and vital."
(8/2018) "This assyrtiko may not be as powerful as Sigalas's single-vineyard bottlings, but the 2017 excels in the simple joy and purity it transmits. It's a liquid landscape of Santorini, from the clean, salty scent of a white-sand beach to the blinding brightness of the white limed buildings, telegraphed here in sunny, pithy lemon flavors. It feels minimalist and yet dynamic, thirst-quenching and vital."
$
2999
Discount:
750 ML
Chateau D'Aiguilhe Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux 2015
Check out the mouthwatering review for this lush bottling from Count Stephan von Neipperg!
92
James Suckling
92
Wine Spectator
92
Wine Enthusiast
92
Jeb Dunnuck
(11/30/2017) "Moving to the red and made from 80% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc, the 2015 Chateau D'Aiguilhe is also brilliant and well worth seeking out. Sporting a vibrant ruby/purple color as well as gorgeous notes of black raspberries and blue fruits, violates, bouquet garni, and spring flowers, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, bright acidity, and firm tannin, all of which give it a masculine feel, despite having plenty of upfront fruit. This is a beautiful Cotes de Castillon that will benefit from 2-3 years of cellaring and keep for a decade or more."
(11/30/2017) "Moving to the red and made from 80% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc, the 2015 Chateau D'Aiguilhe is also brilliant and well worth seeking out. Sporting a vibrant ruby/purple color as well as gorgeous notes of black raspberries and blue fruits, violates, bouquet garni, and spring flowers, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, bright acidity, and firm tannin, all of which give it a masculine feel, despite having plenty of upfront fruit. This is a beautiful Cotes de Castillon that will benefit from 2-3 years of cellaring and keep for a decade or more."
$
2799
Discount:
750 ML
Obsidian Ridge "Obsidian Ridge Vineyard" Red Hills of Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
91+
Our Score
(12/2018) Crafted by Vin Chicago alum, Alex Beloz, this latest release of Obsidian Ridge continues to impress, showing a tremendous amount of depth and elegance. A harmonious balance of black cherry, blackberry and cassis fruit flavors are layered with oak-driven complexities of mocha, cedar and baking spice. The finish is long and smooth with silky tannins that glide across the palate. The value of this mountain grown Cab is exceptional - it beats Napa at its own game. As the winery likes to say, "The grapes don't know which county they're in."
(12/2018) Crafted by Vin Chicago alum, Alex Beloz, this latest release of Obsidian Ridge continues to impress, showing a tremendous amount of depth and elegance. A harmonious balance of black cherry, blackberry and cassis fruit flavors are layered with oak-driven complexities of mocha, cedar and baking spice. The finish is long and smooth with silky tannins that glide across the palate. The value of this mountain grown Cab is exceptional - it beats Napa at its own game. As the winery likes to say, "The grapes don't know which county they're in."
$
2799
Discount:
750 ML
Foradori Vigneti delle Dolomiti Teroldego 2015
91+
Our Score
92
Decanter
(10/2017) "From young Teroldego vines sourced from 16 parcels. Fruit, 30% whole bunch, is fermented in concrete tanks then aged half in oak, half concrete. This is Foradori's signature wine: refreshing and juicy, with a purity of dense red and black fruit, lifted violets and a peppery edge making it deliciously quaffable."
(10/2017) "From young Teroldego vines sourced from 16 parcels. Fruit, 30% whole bunch, is fermented in concrete tanks then aged half in oak, half concrete. This is Foradori's signature wine: refreshing and juicy, with a purity of dense red and black fruit, lifted violets and a peppery edge making it deliciously quaffable."
$
2299
Discount:
750 ML
Desparada "Fragment" Santa Barbara County Sauvignon Blanc 2017
We've just reloaded on Vailia's kick-butt Sauvignon Blanc!
91
Our Score
(11/2018) Winemaker Vailia From turned out 697 cases of this full throttle beauty! The wine sings of the warm Santa Barbara County sunshine. Sourced from two excellent vineyards (McGinley and Presqu'ile), it is loaded with a mixed basket of ripe, juicy and pure fruit flavors including green apple, melon, lemon and lime zest, white grapefruit, guava, mango and more. Fresh green herbs and a hint of bell pepper round out the delightful list. Full and explosive on the palate, this intense, energetic and complex Sauvignon Blanc offers up immediate thirst quenching juiciness and refreshment that carries through to a long, balanced and oh-so-delicious finish.
(11/2018) Winemaker Vailia From turned out 697 cases of this full throttle beauty! The wine sings of the warm Santa Barbara County sunshine. Sourced from two excellent vineyards (McGinley and Presqu'ile), it is loaded with a mixed basket of ripe, juicy and pure fruit flavors including green apple, melon, lemon and lime zest, white grapefruit, guava, mango and more. Fresh green herbs and a hint of bell pepper round out the delightful list. Full and explosive on the palate, this intense, energetic and complex Sauvignon Blanc offers up immediate thirst quenching juiciness and refreshment that carries through to a long, balanced and oh-so-delicious finish.
