5+1 Critics’ Choice Set

If you are the kind of person who wants to ensure you’re getting the best of the best, with no guesswork whatsoever, this set was made for you. We’ve made it easy with a set of six critics’ favorites from around the world — 94- and 95-point gems lauded by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Wine Spectator, and Decanter World Wine Awards to name a few.

The reviews back the scores, with raves like “gorgeous,” “superb,” “tremendous,” “beautiful integrity and elegance,” “one of the classics,” “seamless,” “sensational,” “outstanding,” “impresses from the instant the cork is pulled,” and “among the most profound wines” all being used to describe these bottles.

We’ve included a bottle of 95-point Bordeaux on the house and shipping is on us. You win.

5+1 Critics’ Choice Set Set Includes:

2015 Domaine du Chateau Larroque Bordeaux Superieur | Decanter World Wine Awards - 95 pts

*Complimentary bonus bottle*

95 points for $18? We wouldn’t have believed the numbers on the 2015 Château Larroque Bordeaux Supérieur until we tasted it and were awestruck ourselves after it ran away with the Platinum Award for “Best Value Bordeaux Red” at the 2017 Decanter World Wine Awards. Twenty Master Sommeliers and 65 Masters of Wine scrutinized 17,200 wines at this year’s Decanter event — the world’s largest and most prestigious wine competition — and the magazine’s tasting note on the Larroque reads like that of a Grand Cru: “An attractive nose of oak overlaying seductive dark red fruits with hints of blackcurrant leads into a complex palate with silky tannins. Soft, earthy flavours of dark cherry and currant matches silky tannins to finish.” Socking away a few cases of 95-point Bordeaux shipped direct from the winery would normally cost thousands. Wine Access clients snapped up every bottle we had of two offers. We again asked for more and the one pallet — 56 cases — has arrived in the states. Exclusive to our Store — see for yourself why this is a favorite among our clients.

2014 TOR Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley | International Wine Report - 95 pts

It’s no wonder Thomas Keller’s The French Laundry carries this 2014 TOR Napa Valley Cabernet on its list. In a gushing 95-point, 150-word love-letter, International Wine Review named it “sensational,” “outstanding,” and said it “impresses from the instant the cork is pulled.” TOR inches closer to perfection each year in the pages of Wine Advocate with multiple 96-100 scores. “Kudos to Tor Kenward who is pushing the envelope in a dramatic and brilliant manner!” declared Robert Parker, who has described the portfolio as “wines with sensational quality.” Featuring fruit drawn primarily from Melanson Vineyard on Pritchard Hill — which Wine Enthusiast says is producing “among the most profound wines in Napa” — Tor and winemaker Jeff Ames have another massive hit on their hands with this 2014. Thanks to an in through our Master Sommelier Sur Lucero MS, who helped spotlight the brand at the French Laundry, we secured an allocation.

2014 Lagier Meredith Syrah Mt Veeder | Wine Spectator - 94 pts

Had Steve Lagier and Carole Meredith planted Cabernet Sauvignon on their coveted hillside site atop Mt. Veeder and produced a wine of this quality, it would easily fetch $90+. Instead, in 2014, they eked out just 450 cases of some of the valley’s richest, most structured Syrah. Wine Spectator rated it 94 points, praising the “agile balance between plump fruit and great structure,” while Robert Parker found this rich mountain-fruited gem “One of the classics of Northern California,” “seamless,” and said it “can be drunk now or cellared for up to a decade or more.” Miraculously, the recent wildfires that burned atop Mt. Veeder skirted around this site — so more of this brilliant Syrah will follow. But for now, after the winery’s mailing list is satisfied with this current release, Wine Access clients are next in line.

2014 Chateau Mille-Roses Haut-Medoc Bordeaux | Decanter World Wine Awards - 95 pts

It’s all about location for Château Mille Roses. Although technically in Haut-Médoc, the certified organic 23.4-acre property rests between the historic Margaux estate Château Giscours and Haut-Médoc legend Château Cantemerle. Its 2014 Château Mille Roses Haut-Médoc Bordeaux proves they’re taking full advantage of their estate’s Cantemerle-esque sandy gravel soil. Our judging panel, led by Matt Deller MW and Sur Lucero MS, loved the wine for its overall balance, purity, and textbook Left Bank palate presence, but just don’t take our word: The label just pulled down 95 points at the 2017 Decanter World Wine Awards, earning distinction for its “intense black fruit nose” and “finely grained tannins.”  But you won’t find this 2014 Château Mille Roses anywhere but here. An importer brought in 100 cases exclusively for us. We’re pleased to offer this well-crafted, rare, 95-point Bordeaux.

2014 C.O.S. Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico Sicily DOCG | Wine Advocate - 94 pts

When you pick up a bottle of COS Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico, you’re not just picking up history and tradition, you’re drinking the realized dream of three men’s life mission. In resurrecting the traditions of ancient Sicily, Giambattista Cilia, Giusto Occhipinti, and Cirino Strano (the C, O, and S of COS) didn’t take the easy way, but the reward can be found in every glass of the 2014 COS Cerasuolo di Vittoria. 94 points from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, which called it a “tremendous wine” that “reveals beautiful integrity and elegance.” For those of you partial to Northern Italy’s Piedmontese all-star — the Nebbiolo grape — consider what The Advocate said about this 2014 COS: “It has many elements that recall a young Nebbiolo…” but is less assertive in its youthful hedonism. At $35 per bottle, half the price of a terrific Barolo, this is a bottle you can’t afford to miss out on.

2015 Mario Schiopetto Collio Friulano DOC | James Suckling - 95 pts

Mario Schiopetto, and his eponymous estate continues to produce critically-acclaimed head-turners. James Suckling rated the 2015 Mario Schiopetto Friulano Collio 95 points and called it “gorgeous” and “superb,” while praising its stone fruit aromas, and intense spiciness. Gambero Rosso, Italy’s vigilant guardian of quality, gives it Tre Bicchieri (Three Glasses), their highest honor. It is one of the finest examples of Friulano.