Mario Bazan Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Sampler

Region: California > Napa
Grape type: Cabernet Sauvignon

It's taken two years, making this our longest courtship in memory. Of the 3,500 bottles of that classically structured 2005, we've finally wrestled away the last 420. Thanks to Mario for forgetting our Tarzan act, and now offering a like amount of the absolutely extravagant 2007 from Wine Spectator's 99pt vintage. Just 70 (mixed) cases are up for grabs at a price that defies logic. Purple/black to the edge. Rich and powerful on the attack, packed with blackberry liveliness. read more »

2011 Domaine Dominique et Janine Crochet Sancerre

Region: France > Loire
Grape type: Sauvignon Blanc

This is the last of our trifecta commitment to Janine -- and it's the best of all. If the 2009 was plump and juicy, where fatness trumped backbone, the 2010 was all about stony minerality, letting the ripe apple concentration take a back seat. But here, with this absolutely stunning 2011 from that warm precocious vintage, Teddy would make his dad proud. Rich and marvelously concentrated on the attack, full of Golden Delicious intensity with just a hint of honey. But despite richness that outpoints the 2009, the finish is fresh and riveting, taking an electrifying page out of the 2010's book. read more »

2009 Longfellow Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

Region: California > Sonoma > Sonoma Coast
Grape type: Pinot Noir

When Craig Whitney and Mark Smith first saw Griffin's Lair ten years ago, they wondered if the risk the growers had taken on this unproven hillside didn't outweigh the potential gain. Now that not only Longfellow, but Spottswoode, Arnot-Roberts, Wind Gap and finally Kosta Browne have followed suit, no one's wondering about the Griffin's Lair 'gamble' any more. read more »

2010 Famille Brechet Lirac Moulin des Chenes

Deep purple to the edge, with trademark Cambie's dark raspberry and sweet herbes-de-Provence aromatics. Rich and dense on the attack, packed with ultra-ripe wild berry compote, polished but chewy, still marvelously bracketed by the firm backbone and bracing low pH of this monumental harvest.

Something else of note. When we first tasted this wine before bottling, Brechet's release price was slotted at $25/bottle. Since then, the euro has slipped 15% and Laurent has sharpened his pencil for WineAccess. Is there a richer, juicier, more vibrant red on the market at $15.50/bottle on cases? If you think so, give us a holler. We'll be right over. Shipping included on 6.
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