Americas
The North American wine producing reputation can largely be attributed to the global fame and success of Napa Valley and Sonoma County in the United States. Although technically ‘new world’, its wines have the same devoted fan base (and often first-growth prices) as many classic European wines. Free from the shackles of European winemaking law, one can find a variety of cooler climate Cabs, Merlots, Pinots, Chardonnays and Rieslings that will entice all wine lovers.
South America is an exciting new melting pot of styles and flavours with a range of soils types and altitudes – taking international varietals and finishing with French winemaking techniques, or in the case of Argentinian Malbec, adopting a largely unloved grape and making it their own.
Americas
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California | 1 | - | $553.00 | |||||
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Cain Cain Five 2012 is a distinguished expression from the renowned Cain Cain Estate, nestled in the heart of Australia's Barossa Valley. Crafted with meticulous attention, this vintage showcases a harmonious blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Mourvèdre grapes, handpicked from the estate's premier vineyards. Fermented in French oak barrels, the wine undergoes an extended aging process, enhancing its complexity and depth. On the nose, Cain Cain Five 2012 reveals rich aromas of dark berries, plum, and subtle hints of spice, complemented by undertones of cedar and tobacco. The palate is exceptionally balanced, offering velvety tannins and a lingering finish that speaks to its superior craftsmanship. Esteemed by critics and connoisseurs alike, this wine exemplifies the estate's commitment to excellence and sustainable viticulture. Perfect for cellar ageing or celebrating special occasions, Cain Cain Five 2012 is a testament to fine Australian winemaking. |
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California | 1 | - | $565.00 | |||||
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Cain Cain Five 2013 epitomises elegance and craftsmanship, hailing from the esteemed vineyards of the Barossa Valley, Australia. Crafted by the renowned Cain Cain estate, this vintage benefits from a meticulous selection of Shiraz grapes, harvested at optimal ripeness to ensure depth and complexity. The wine undergoes a traditional fermentation process in French oak vats, followed by an extended aging period of 18 months in hand-selected oak barrels, imparting subtle vanilla and spice nuances. On the palate, Cain Cain Five 2013 unveils a harmonious balance of dark berry fruits, intertwined with hints of mocha and tobacco, leading to a velvety, long-lasting finish. Its rich structure and refined tannins make it an exceptional pairing for hearty dishes and gourmet cuisines. Celebrated in esteemed wine publications, Cain Cain Five 2013 stands as a testament to the producer’s dedication to quality and the distinguished terroir of Barossa. A quintessential choice for the discerning connoisseur. |
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California | 20 | 89 (VN) | $348.00 | |||||
Vinous (89)The 2020 Chardonnay (Central Coast) is a delicious, appellation-level wine. Citrus peel, orchard fruit, spice and light tropical accents all grace this understated, classy Chardonnay from Calera. |
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California | 20 | 88 (VN) | $389.00 | |||||
Vinous (88)The 2018 Pinot Noir (Central Coast) is laced with dried cherry, tobacco, cedar and mint. There's good complexity, although the first signs of maturity are starting to show. I would prefer to drink this over the next year or two at most. |
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California | 5 | 94 (VN) | $380.00 | |||||
Vinous (94)The 2018 Pinot Noir de Villiers Vineyard shows the natural intensity of the year in its powerful, broad personality. Dark blue/purplish fruit, gravel, incense, tobacco and mocha all flesh out in a Pinot that marries textural richness with plenty of grip and vertical lift. I would cellar this for at least a year or two, and that likely won't be enough for the 2018 to enter its sweet spot. |
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California | 1 | 96 (JD) | $537.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (96)The 2014 Pinot Noir Mills Vineyard is about as classic example of Calera Pinot Noir as you can find. Loads of sweet black raspberries, sassafras, plums, Asian spice and ginger notes emerge from this ripe, full-bodied, sexy, concentrated 2014 that has plenty of mid-palate depth, nicely integrated acidity, fine tannin and a big finish. It’s a forward, pleasure-bent beauty that shares some similarities to the Selleck Vineyard, and will keep for two decades or more. |
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California | 10 | 93 (VN) | $437.00 | |||||
Vinous (93)The 2018 Pinot Noir Mills Vineyard offers tons of aromatic presence to match its nervy, decidedly mid-weight personality. Crushed red flowers, blood orange, cinnamon, star anise and red berry fruit are nicely lifted. There is a bit of nerviness, and yet the 2018 comes across as one of the more open knit of the estate Pinots. |
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California | 3 | 92 (VN) | $284.00 | |||||
Vinous (92)The 2018 Chardonnay (Mt. Harlan) is bright, focused and translucent. A wine of striking character, the Mt. Harlan Chardonnay captures the essence of this rugged site in its savory complexity. In 2018, the Mt. Harlan is a bit lighter than it usually is, with a distinctly airy feel, and yet it has plenty of personality. Dried pear, mint, citrus oil, sage and dried flowers are some of the notes that develop over time. |
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California | 1 | 95+ (VN) | $613.00 | |||||
Vinous (95+)The 2014 Pinot Noir Ryan Vineyard is a powerful, bombastic wine with huge fruit and equally imposing tannins that demand patience. Waves of dark, deeply sketched fruit hit the palate in a virile Pinot Noir that is going to need at least several years to truly come into its own. By no means a shy wine, the Ryan also has tremendous potential. In 2014, the Ryan was done with 70% whole clusters, which is a bit lower than normal. |
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California | 1 | 92 (VN) | $373.00 | |||||
Vinous (92)The 2015 Pinot Noir Ryan Vineyard is dense and powerful in the glass, with a real sense of gravitas that gives the wine its somber feel. Vertical in construction and yet also dense, the Ryan is another wine that is going to need bottle age to be at its very best. There is plenty of potential though, that much is obvious, although the elevated ripeness and hints of slightly roasted fruit are impossible to fully escape. |
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California | 4 | 94 (VN) | $437.00 | |||||
Vinous (94)The 2018 Pinot Noir Ryan Vineyard is quite deep and heady in this vintage. Red fruit, iron, white pepper and savory herbs give the Ryan its distinctly incisive, feral personality. Hints of blood orange, raspberry and spice add an exotic flair. There is plenty of character here, that is for sure. |
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Central Valley | 10 | - | $131.00 | |||||
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From the eminent vineyards of Colchagua Valley in Chile, the beautifully crafted Caliterra Tributo Chardonnay 2015 presents an unparalleled wine experience. As a tribute to Mother Nature, this alluring Chardonnay is meticulously produced by the renowned winemaker Caliterra, whose commitment to sustainability is vividly captured in each bottle. The grapes are handpicked, fermented in French oak barrels, and subjected to an extended ageing process. This imparts the beverage with a harmonious blend of ripe apple, pear, and citrus flavours, enrobed in a delicate hint of toasty oak and vanilla. On the palate, this medium-bodied white wine dazzles with its balance of crisp acidity and minerality, bowing out with a lingering finish. Demonstrating an inspiring play between complexity and elegance, Caliterra Tributo Chardonnay 2015 is a sublime accompaniment to a variety of dishes, or savoured on its own. Experience a conduit to Chile's rich terroir with this fine wine. |
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Central Valley | 10 | - | $141.00 | |||||
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The Caliterra Tributo Sauvignon Blanc 2015 is a sophisticated offering from Chile's renowned Caliterra Winery. This captivating sauvignon blanc pays homage to the indigenous terroir of the Colchagua Valley. Esteemed for its remarkable character, this single vineyard expression of sauvignon blanc is emblematic of the Caliterra philosophy of respect for the environment and the harmony of sustainable production. This 2015 vintage manifests a vibrant, clear yellow colour with enticing green hints, a nose full of exuberant citrus and tropical fruit. On the palate, it offers delightful flavours of lime and grapefruit underscored by a distinctly mineral quality courtesy of the Valley's granitic soils. On release, critics widely lauded the Caliterra Tributo Sauvignon Blanc 2015 for its impressive display of balance, complexity and freshness. Whether savoured on its own or paired with delicate seafood, this exceptional vintage captures the refined elegance and spirit of Chilean winemaking. |
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California | 6 | 95+ (WA) | $1,750.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (95+)Composed of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot, the 2007 Proprietary Red Wine still possesses a youthful deep garnet-purple color and gives up a truly gorgeous nose of crème de cassis, blackberry pie and blueberry compote with notions of Chinese five spice, licorice, mocha and dusty soil plus wafts of cardamom and smoked meats. Full-bodied, rich and totally seductive in mouth, it has a firm frame of super ripe, grainy tannins with oodles of freshness and epic persistence. |
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California | 1 | 93+ (VN) | $1,305.00 | |||||
Vinous (93+)The 2009 Cardinale is a gorgeous, beautifully balanced wine endowed with gorgeous textural finesse and depth. Dark red fruit, spices and mint are woven together beautifully in this supple, engaging wine. Bright floral notes add lift, freshness and vibrancy on the finish. There is enough finesse to make the 2009 approachable early, but also enough richness to suggest the wine will drink early for a number of years. Winemaker Chris Carpenter creates the final blend from a number of vineyards, including Veeder Peak, La Jota, Spring Mountain, Andrew-Geoffrey and Clem Cardinalli. The final blend is 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Merlot, predominantly from hillside sites, aged in 100% new French oak barrels. This is a remarkable level of quality considering the 1,300-case production. |
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California | 2 | 96 (VN) | $1,025.00 | |||||
Vinous (96)The 2011 Cardinale is another of the many exceptional wines I tasted with Chris Carpenter this year. The 2011 is beautiful and exceptionally polished, but at the same time, the flavors are beautifully defined, crystalline in their beauty and flat-out striking. In this vintage, Cardinale is all about finesse and persistence, with less volume than some previous versions, but a touch more aromatic refinement. Today the 2011 is a bit compact, but I expect it to gain texture with more time in bottle. The blend is 89% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Merlot from vineyards on Howell Mountain, Mt. Veeder, Spring Mountain, Diamond Mountain, the St. Helena bench and a small parcel in Yountville adjacent to Blankiet |
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California | 2 | 95 (VN) | $1,755.00 | |||||
Vinous (95)The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Cardinale from Cardinale is totally seamless and textured on the palate, with layers of ripe, racy fruit, tons of intensity and an opulent, voluptuous finish that captures the essence of this style to the T. Dark red stone fruits, cinnamon, cedar, tobacco and new leather linger on the creamy finish. Winemaker Chris Carpenter draws across the entire range of Kendall Jackson's Napa Valley properties to craft Cardinale. In 2012, the blend is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Merlot from nine vineyards in a total of seven AVA's (Howell Mountain, Diamond Mountain, Spring Mountain, Mt. Veeder, Stags' Leap, Yountville and St. Helena). |
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California | 29 | 97 (VN) | $523.00 | |||||
Vinous (97)The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon is simply stunning. A real head-turner, the 2013 possesses superb density and tons of pure power. The flavors are deep, powerful and explosive. Mocha, new leather, and licorice wrap around a core of dark, sumptuous fruit. This dense, powerful Cabernet Sauvignon will require considerable patience, but it is super-impressive. And then some. Chris Carpenter crafted the 2013 from an assortment of parcels, most of them mountain sites on Diamond Mountain, Mt. Veeder and Howell Mountain. This is a real stand out. |
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California | 1 | 97 (VN) | $657.00 | |||||
Vinous (97)The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon is simply stunning. A real head-turner, the 2013 possesses superb density and tons of pure power. The flavors are deep, powerful and explosive. Mocha, new leather, and licorice wrap around a core of dark, sumptuous fruit. This dense, powerful Cabernet Sauvignon will require considerable patience, but it is super-impressive. And then some. Chris Carpenter crafted the 2013 from an assortment of parcels, most of them mountain sites on Diamond Mountain, Mt. Veeder and Howell Mountain. This is a real stand out. |
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California | 1 | 97 (VN) | $1,015.00 | |||||
Vinous (97)The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon is simply stunning. A real head-turner, the 2013 possesses superb density and tons of pure power. The flavors are deep, powerful and explosive. Mocha, new leather, and licorice wrap around a core of dark, sumptuous fruit. This dense, powerful Cabernet Sauvignon will require considerable patience, but it is super-impressive. And then some. Chris Carpenter crafted the 2013 from an assortment of parcels, most of them mountain sites on Diamond Mountain, Mt. Veeder and Howell Mountain. This is a real stand out. |
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California | 2 | 96 (VN) | $609.00 | |||||
Vinous (96)A powerful, unctuous wine, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is striking. Intense, expressive aromatics make a strong first impression. Silky tannins wrap around a core of dark red cherry, plum, mocha, spice and leather. Deep, unctuous and beautifully layered throughout, the 2014 Cabernet is a fabulous wine in this vintage. All the elements simply fall into place effortlessly. |
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California | 1 | 99 (JD) | $787.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (99)Just about as close to perfection as a wine can get, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon from winemaker Chris Carpenter comes mostly from mountain vineyards and is 89% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Merlot. This full-bodied, rounded, thrillingly textured beauty boasts a saturated purple color as well as a huge nose of crème de cassis, new saddle leather, barbecue smoke, and scorched earth. It has perfect integration of its fruit, tannins, acidity, and oak, carries remarkable power and intensity, yet still glides over the palate with no heaviness or sensation of weight. It’s going to be a legendary Napa Valley Cabernet and will have 3 decades or more of longevity. |
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California | 1 | 98+ (JD) | $783.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (98+)The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is based on a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot that spent 22 months in 81% new French oak. It’s a wonderfully complete, borderline perfect wine that shows the class of this estate as well as the vintage, revealing a seamless, full-bodied style that carries lots of blackcurrant, graphite, lead pencil, and tobacco aromatics, a deep, layered mid-palate, ultra-fine tannins, and flawless balance. As with most of Chris’s 2018s, it’s a wine that builds slowly with time in the glass, offering a layered, singular character. It’s a gorgeous 2018 that can be drunk today with ample pleasure, but it will ideally be given 4-6 years of bottle age, at which point it should evolve gracefully for 30-40 years. |
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Central Valley | 1 | 95 (WA) | $792.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (95)There is a big jump in freshness in the 2013 Carmín de Peumo, from a much cooler year; this is a wine always produced from the plot number 32 in their vineyard in Peumo. They have continuously reduced the time in oak and the percentage of new barrels used, while at the same time they have increased the quality of the wood, trying to unload the wine from the excesses of the past. This is still a full-bodied, powerful red blend where the oak is nicely integrated and the nose is fresh and clean, with a mixture of red berries and spices; this is presented in a slightly Bordeaux style combining warm and cool sensations, and very good balance. This wine always has a small percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. I might not have tasted all of the vintages, but this is possibly the best -- or one of the best -- vintages of Carmín; drink now or in the following ten or more years. Well done! 6,600 bottles produced. |
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Mendoza | 1 | 98 (JS) | $372.00 | |||||
James Suckling (98)Incredible aromas of spice, cedar, walnut and dark berry. Floral too. Spectacular nose. Full body, ultra-fine tannins and a racy and refined finish. Fresh and succulent. Made from old vines of mablec in Compuertas and cabernet sauvignon from Altamira. Such finesse. Half the normal production. The best wine ever from the Domaine Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) and Nicolas Catena winery. Drink or hold. |
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Mendoza | 1 | 96 (JS) | $117.00 | |||||
James Suckling (96)Extremely beautiful aromas of dried flower, currant, fresh leather and some tar. Full body with silky tannins that give a beautiful texture that leads to ripe currant, orange peel and incense. Complex and complete. 50% malbec from Agrelo and 50% cabernet sauvignon from Valle de Uco. So beautiful now but will age gracefully. |
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