Curated Selections

Join 10,000 clients nationwide who enjoy reading about and receiving the finest selections from the wine world.

Merchant's
Pick

Hand-selected features for both budding enthusiasts and avid collectors.
Gaja Barbaresco • The Reference Point 2019!

It's happened only a few times in the past few decades!  

The 2019 Gaja Barbaresco is a windfall wine.  "Gaja did not bottle any other Barbaresco crus, opting to use the best lots for this bottling."  Vinous

Those crus (Gaja's most collectible Barbarescos, Sori Tilden and Sori San Lorenzo, fetching over $500 per bottle), have been declassified into this Nebbiolo windfall.  

Weather reduced the region's yields but didn't affect the quality!  Rather than make fewer single vineyard crus, the Gaja family made only one premium Barbaresco in 2019, a "stellar vintage."  Antonio Galloni   

For the 2019 vintage, there will be no single cru bottlings for Barbaresco, and all of the fruit has gone into the estate bottling. The 2019 Barbaresco is energetic and inviting, with aromatic notes of rose petal, ripe raspberry, and clove.  It offers fresh strawberry, orange pith, and dusty earth with fine-grained tannins.  Like all Gaja wines, there is an undeniable elegance even in its youth.  

Few, if any, producers make a finer Barbaresco.

If you've ever wanted an inkling of what $500 Nebbiolo tastes like, here is your chance.  Even though the 2019 Gaja Barbaresco contains its traditional estate Nebbiolo, the single-vineyard influence is palpable.

If you are new to Gaja, this is the vintage to begin your journey - you will realize it is worth every penny.

As always, these wines are gorgeous today.  But, if you can wait a few years, you will look back in awe and be thrilled that you added this trophy to your collection.

Enjoy!

99

View more

Merchant's
Pick

Hand-selected features for both budding enthusiasts and avid collectors.
Good AND Modestly Priced • You Rarely Get Both

When recently enjoying Antinori's 2022 Calafuria Tormaresca Rosé, I was immediately reminded how rare it is to find a wine that is both good and cheap.

In this instance, good = very good!

Having tried this patio pleaser the other day, we can say with confidence you can get both attractive cost and quality in Antinori's Calafuria, a sea-side estate that produces an under-the-radar rosé, perfect for your summertime enjoyment.   

A refreshing wave of bright fruit hits you on entry.  Fresh strawberries, pink grapefruit, and young cherries are at the wine's core.  The fantastic texture of watermelon pith gives the rosé a bit of depth.  Subtle notes of herb and citrus showcase mineral underpinnings.  It has a lovely finish, which seems to last and last. 

Calafuria over-delivers!

Attractively priced for larger group get-togethers, it also has the quality to stand up to any summertime cuisine, especially grilled seafood. 

At this price, Calafuria could and should be your summertime workhorse rosé. 

Enjoy!

93+

View more

Merchant's
Pick

Hand-selected features for both budding enthusiasts and avid collectors.
Priceless Puligny-Montrachet

Feet, not miles.  One hundred feet is all that separates Guillemard-Clerc's Bourgogne Blanc "Les Parties" from Puligny-Montrachet.

Imagine if your kitchen was in Puligny-Montrachet village, but your dining room was in neighboring Cote de Beaune.  

A few meters prevents the Domaine from putting Puligny on the label even though their Les Parties lieu-dit (vineyard) sits on the border.  As such, the winery cannot use the more prominent name and, by law, must use the Bourgogne Blanc designation. 

Some in the industry call this gem a "Baby Puligny-Montrachet."

This Chardonnay is NO baby!

Classic fruit of green apple and citrus.  The mid-palate wowed us with its gorgeous minerality and length.  The structure of this white Burgundy lasts for minutes.  A backbone of lemon zest keeps the wine dancing on the palate until you are presented with a mild dash of neutral oak and baking spice.  This Bourgogne Blanc has the weight of a Chablis and the grace of a Puligny.

What We Love About This Puligny-Montrachet

On day two of enjoying this delicious Chardonnay, it was as lively and vibrant as the first.

A must-have for white Burgundy fans, Guillemard-Clerc's Bourgogne Blanc Les Parties is 1/4 the price you would pay for good Puligny-Montrachet.

It warrants repeating; this is a Puligny-Montrachet in every sense!

Les Parties is a wonderful new addition to our white Burgundy section.  So good, we took nearly all that was imported!

Enjoy now and over the next five years.

 

96+

View more

Merchant's
Pick

Hand-selected features for both budding enthusiasts and avid collectors.
Our #1 Pick Of 2023!

In 2023, we enjoyed tasting many outstanding wines.  From the resurgence of Burgundy (coming off a few years of hail) to outstanding Bordeaux vintages (i.e., 2018 and 2019), the field was rich with a wide variety of wines for all types of enthusiasts.  

One wine is so compelling it was easy to make it our #1 Wine Of The Year.  You may recall, the normale 2016 Aurelio Settimo Barolo Rocche dell'Annunziata took our #1 Wine in 2021 putting most other Barolos to shame.

We patiently waited three years for Settimo's "Riserva" Barolo (Riserva Barolos, by law, must age for at least 5 years, including 18 months in oak before release). 

THE WAIT IS OVER - THE WINE IS STUNNING!

Settimo's Rocche dell'Annunziata is a site-specific Barolo that is approaching eight years of bottle age.  It resembles the normale, but has so much more personality due to its nearly eight years of age.  Aromas of roses, tar, cedar, plum, and freshly picked strawberries. It’s full-bodied with layers of fruit and ripe tannins. Sweet and succulent, it has a silky stewed cherry texture - almost creamy.  A wonderful push of acidity and fine tannins provide great structure.  Gorgeous dusty texture is juxtaposed with the fruit.  Add white truffle, terracotta, dried cherries, and spices, and you will understand why Annunziata Baroli are in such demand.

What We Love Most About Settimo's Barolo Annunziata

In the hamlet of La Morra, Barolo, the hillside cru known as Rocche dell'Annunziata has earned Grand Cru status (ala Burgundy) among producers.  Like Burgundy, it is a limited and coveted parcel where producers pay top dollar to own just a tiny row of vines.   

Wine Spectator has recently written, "the vineyard is known for refined and beautifully structured wines made by an A-list of producers."  Iconic producer Paolo Scavino, for example, makes a Rocche dell'Annunziata Barolo - a fantastic wine at $300 per bottle.

Baroli at much higher price points do not command the depth and nuance of Settimo's site-specific Barolo.  It is creamy, textured, and gorgeously balanced.  

Decant for an hour if you'd like to enjoy it now (which you should) and cellar for up to another 20 years.  

Cheers!

99

View more

Merchant's
Pick

Hand-selected features for both budding enthusiasts and avid collectors.
An Incredible Value Takes #4 Of Our Top 5

Are you ready to enjoy a superb sub-$25 white Burgundy that will shock your palate but not your wallet?! 

You will be scratching your head, asking, "Where has this wine been all these years?"

"Les Pierres Grises is hands down one of the best values we have ever uncorked." Steven Bedrosian

The mystery lies in the "grey stones" (Les Pierres Grises) that define this legendary vineyard. These ancient rocks infuse the wine with a mineral handshake, making it unlike anything you've ever tasted.

You don't need to be a wine critic to appreciate the quality! 

Each sip pulls you in! Juicy white peach bursts out of the glass, followed by crisp citrus zest that dances on your palate alongside a touch of pear, quince, grapefruit pith, and jasmine tea.  Fresh, lively, and refreshingly tart, the wine fades gracefully, leaving endless minerality.  A Chablisienne finish invites you to take another sip and explore it's nuances all over again.

Don't let this gem turn into a lost legend.

Les Pierres Grises is not to be confused with California Chardonnay.  Neither fleshy nor extracted, the nuance, lift, and vibrancy of the wine will make you wonder, "How is this much quality packed into this price?"

Secure your 2022 Saint-Veran Les Pierres Grises and uncork the secrets for yourself as there isn't much to go around.

Enjoy with seafood of any kind, salads, or with a wedge of cheese.

Cheers!

96

View more

Merchant's
Pick

Hand-selected features for both budding enthusiasts and avid collectors.
Our #5 Wine of 2023!

The 2022 Michel Sarrazin & Fils Bourgogne Rouge waltzed its way into Our Top Five Of 2023 with its symphony of flavors.

The Sarrazin brothers are known for making spectacular high-altitude Burgundy from the village of Jambles, a tiny hamlet just outside of Givry, 300 meters above sea level.   

The quality and attention to crafting world-class Pinot Noir gives the wine its je ne sais quoi.

Fruit destemming is kept to a minimum.  On entry, you are met with a wave of ripe cherries and wild strawberries laced with a tantalizing hint of earthy spice.  On the palate, the Pinot Noir's DNA takes center stage - a vibrant ballet of red fruit, cherry, delicate florals, and a whisper of minerality lingers like a secret.  Hints of blueberry and eucalyptus on the finish provide unexpected and welcome secondary notes.  Its pure, plushy, silky, and balanced profile marries perfectly with the Burgundian terroir. 

The winery spares no expense; all wines are aged in barriques exclusively from the famed tonnelier Francois Freres.  

We can think of no better wine to raise a glass to start 2024, new beginnings and the kind of wine that makes you savor every moment.

An allocated wine from the importer, stock up while you can!

Cheers to a new year brimming with unforgettable flavors!

Enjoy!

95+

View more

Merchant's
Pick

Hand-selected features for both budding enthusiasts and avid collectors.
Crazzzy Good Cabernet • Volcanic vibes in a bottle!

This is my first feature in several months.  I can't say enough about this high elevation California Cabernet.  From the first sip my taste buds went into full party mode!

Obsidian Ridge Cabernet has been our secret staple for over a decade. Few wines compare in uniqueness, crowd-pleasing nature, and overall deliciousness.

Obsidian Ridge "Volcanic Estate" offers readers a taste of the wild, untamed mountain in every sip.

A delicious blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (90%) with the balance Malbec, Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot.  The "Obsidian Ridge Vineyard" is steeply sloped; the extreme climate, altitude, and site volcanics embody the wild and complex expression of the wine, which offers a symphony of flavors:  aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, and crushed volcanic stone. On the palate, dark, lush fruit is balanced by refreshing acidity. Velvety tannins. The long finish leaves lingering dark fruit, spice, and earth.

Volcanic magic!  Fruit is grown at 2,640 feet on volcanic soil, which contributes to the wine's intensity of aromatics, stewed fruit, and unique character that you won't find anywhere else.

Obsidian is also a fantastic food pairing red.  Whether it's roasted prime rib, a savory chicken saltimbocca, or a simple charcuterie board, this Cabernet will elevate your culinary experience to another level.

The Estate Cabernet is released only once a year in small lots.  The 2021 vintage is no exception. Once it's gone, you'll have to wait until next year.

By the way, we also have this stunning Cabernet in magnums, here.

95

View more

Merchant's
Pick

Hand-selected features for both budding enthusiasts and avid collectors.
98 Point Brunello • Masterful Montalcino!

"This is a go-to bottle if you want a first and memorable taste of the classic 2016 vintage." Wine Advocate

It's high elevation and among the southernmost vineyards in Montalcino, it is no wonder Renieri produces some of the most captivating and exotic Brunello in the region in any vintage.

The 2016 is exceptional!

 The winery's altitude contributes to the charm and depth of this masterful Montalcino.

Elegant and bohemian, it displays floral traits of hibiscus, walnut husk, chinotto, juniper berries, and burnt mandarin peel. In the background, small hints of sandalwood enhance the grace of the matrix. Full body, juicy, and perfectly velvety tannins extract in the matrix and a finish that shows a graceful and luminous balsamic closure." International Wine Review

I've enjoyed this wine several times over the past year and it is a striking Tuscan red.

Ready to enjoy now, the 2016 Renieri Brunello is a fantastic pairing with truffle ravioli and shaved Parmesan.  It also pairs perfectly with a pear and arugula salad, followed by grilled steak and oven-roasted new potatoes!

​​​​​​​Enjoy now and over the next decade.

Cheers!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

MP

View more

Merchant's
Pick

Hand-selected features for both budding enthusiasts and avid collectors.
#6 Wine Of The Year • 98 points "What a wine." Vinous

"The 2019 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon from Dunn is nothing short of stunning." International Wine Review

Dunn Vineyard's "Howell Mountain" always gets monster scores - and rightly so.  It is no surprise that this iconic Cabernet Sauvignon just landed Wine Spectator's #6 Wine Of The Year.

Dunn has been an iconic Cabernet producer for the past fifty year.  They were a pioneer in the Howell Mountain region.  Their "Howell Mountain" Cabernet Sauvingon is a classic, terroir-driven Cabernet Sauvignon; not a fruit bomb, like so many Cali Cabs today.

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is outrageously beautiful.  A wine of extraordinary purity, the 2019 dazzles right out of the gate. The tannins are nearly silky for a young Howell Mountain Cabernet. Red/purplish fruit, lavender, spice, rose petal and pomegranate all build in this sumptuous, explosive Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2019 is one of the most elegant Cabernets I have tasted here, and that is saying something. What a wine!"  Vinous

Howell Mountain's micro-climate is what contributes to this wine's character.  A small region within Napa, the cool days force the grapes to struggle.  A smaller grape means a ration of less fruit to skin.  That means more texture and structure and less over-the-top fruit. 

A gorgeous 2019 Napa vintage will allow you to enjoy this stunning Cabernet now.  Dunn's Howell Mountain is also known for its ageability.  

Feel free to cellar this gem and enjoy it over the next 20 years.  

Drink or hold.  We suggest doing both! 

First come, first served.

Enjoy!

 

MP

View more

Merchant's
Pick

Hand-selected features for both budding enthusiasts and avid collectors.
Magnificent Must Have Meursault!

Domaine Remi Jobard produces seven Meursault cuvees, three of which are 1er Cru. 

Whatever doesn't go into those cuvees is declassified into this stunning Bourgogne Blanc.  This means you are getting flagship Meursault fruit ($150 - $200 per bottle) at a fraction of the price. 

And, most of the Chardonnay in this Bourgogne Blanc borders the prized 1er Cru "Charmes" vineyard, literally a stone's throw away.

Jobard's Bourgogne Blanc Vieille Vignes (old vines) is one of Burgundy's hidden treasures.  If you were to blind-taste this Chardonnay, you would be captivated by its classic Meursault profile of pear, lemon zest, green apple, white peach, orange oil, and white flower.  A hint of roasted nut and chalk provide a bit of weight and texture.  The wine is absolutely delicious!

What We Love About Jobard's Bourgogne Blanc

It is rare to find a Vieille Vignes (old vine) Bourgogne Blanc.  Jobard's Bourgogne Blanc is sourced from 40+ years old Meursault (Chardonnay in the village of Meursault). 

This is an important distinction from many other Bourgogne Blancs produced.  Most Bourgogne Blancs use juvenile and newly planted vines planted in a prestigious village (ie, Meursault, Puligny Montrachet, Chassagne Montrachet).   To avoid the degradation of a flagship, prestigious wine (Puligny, Chassagne, etc), the juvenile grapes are declassified to Bourgogne Blanc.  Producers do this to generate revenue while these vines establish themselves.

Locals tend to snatch up all that is available of Remi Jobard's Bourgogne Blanc, with very little making its way out of France.  And by the way, this beautiful Chardonnay also happens to be certified organic.  

Given its terroir, quality and structure, you can enjoy this Meursault now and over the next decade. 

Enjoy!

 

MP

View more

2019 Brunello di Montalcino

2019 Brunellos are off the chart good and are being compared to the iconic 2010, 2016, and historic 1997 vintages.

Shop Now

Our Location

One Engle Street, Englewood, NJ 07631