Staff Picks: 2021

This is one of the most reliable malbec producers in the Mendoza region of Argentina, with wines that are always balanced and tapered rather than sweetly fruity. Intended to express the character of the high-altitude Uco Valley,... Read More

The 2021 Chianti Classico RS Cultusboni is rich, boisterous and quite appealing. I would open it in advance to allow some of the youthful brawn to soften. A burst of red-toned fruit, pipe tobacco, cedar and sweet spice makes a... Read More

Berge is a parcel of the oldest vines planted to Kieselsandstein located near the top of the Stettener Pulvermächer. Long maceration, elevage in 500L barrel, and then longer aging in bottle before releasing on Jochen’s... Read More

The Caloz family established their domaine in 1960, setting up their home and cellar in the village of Miege which is at the southern end of the Valais. Heida-Paien is the Swiss version of the famous Savagnin grape however it... Read More

Mouthwatering and vibrant, zingy and intense on the palate with the shot of lemon and lime juice, creamy peach and apricot and touch of spiced vanilla on the finish. Long and satisfying still with energy and precision all the... Read More

Domaine des Crets is a newish project from two Burgundy obsessives who recently found their way to an organic estate in the Maconnais. Their Mâcon-Villages, with delicate citrus flavors, has a wonderful balance between liveliness,... Read More

The ruby-hued 2021 Barbaresco is savory and ripe with aromas of medicinal herbs, cherry lozenge, sour cherries, salty earth, menthol, and licorice. Medium-bodied, it’s rich through the palate, with ripe tannins and notes... Read More

This concentrated blend of Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Nacional, and Touriga Franca from Alentejo exemplifies Portugal's evolution in unfortified wines. Aged for 9 months in French oak, it offers a fresh and structured profile... Read More

Le Puy’s main wine “Emilien” is comprised of 85% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Carmenère. After spontaneous fermentation in cement vats, it is transferred to 50-hectoliter foudres for one year,... Read More

A rich red, the 2021 GMS is ripe with floral and spice aromas of smoked meat, lavender, and resinous earth. Full-bodied with ripe tannins, a mineral texture, and notes of gravelly earth and fresh pepper, it reminds me of a great... Read More

Beautiful intense garnet color. An engaging aroma with notes of morello cherry, blueberry, hints of jam, and smoke, offering a complex aromatic palette. Juicy, clean, and punchy on a vegetal background. A supple and balanced wine,... Read More

Sourced from the Grand Cru vineyard Goldtröpfchen, this lightly off-dry wine is packed with notes of salty, ocean air, white peach, crushed slate, and lime zest. The intensity of the minerals pair nicely with the richness... Read More

Babić is a grape that thrives on hardship, and Vinas Mora have found just such sites for their Kaamen cuvée. 30-50 year old vineyards from rocky and wind-swept villages in the Primošten hinterland. The remarkable... Read More