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Simply put, 2021 is shaping up to be a classic Barolo vintage—one that captures everything Nebbiolo lovers hope for. Many are already comparing it to recent greats like 2016 and 2010. While some suggest that it might fall just short of those benchmarks, others believe it could match—or even surpass—the quality of those earlier vintages.

What sets 2021 apart is its combination of structure, elegance, and freshness. Unlike some of the warmer recent vintages, this year reflects a return to traditional Barolo: beautifully defined tannins, bright acidity, and delicate yet powerful aromatics. It’s a vintage where entry-level Barolos (the normales) will offer early appeal and will reward mid-term aging, while the top bottlings have the potential to age effortlessly for decades.

Well, simply put, 2022 is a great Bordeaux vintage. In most people’s estimation, it ranks together with 2005 as one of the greatest vintages so far this century.

In some ways, though, it’s even better than 2005. In 2005, it was still the “Parker” era. That is, Chateaux made wine in a style that was designed to please the influential wine critic Robert Parker. This tended to mean lots of ripe fruit and new oak. 

Since 2005, things have changed dramatically. Wine making has generally improved. And the style has moved away from Parker towards a more balanced, classic style. In 2022, we get a truly great vintage that is benefiting from both trends.

The first thing that everybody learns about Aglianico is that it’s kind of like Nebbiolo. Calling Aglianico the “Nebbiolo of the South” may sound trite, and yet it is helpful. Like Nebbiolo, Aglianico can produce powerful, long-lived, high acid, tannic wines that manage to seduce with compelling aromatics and elegance. 

Some people resist this comparison. It belittles Aglianico, they say. And it obscures the important differences between Nebbiolo and Aglianico. 

This post is part IV of a series called "Marvels on the Margins" which explores the over-looked regions of Italy. You can read the introduction to the series here, as well as Part 2 on Vino Nobile di Montepulciano here and Part 3 Trentino-Alto Adige here.

A Champagne lunch with Pascal Agrapart and his son Amboise is an exceptionally rare treat. So no surprise the guest list was a who's who of top New York City sommeliers and journalists. Why was I there? Somebody must have cancelled.

This is a region of mountains where two of Europe’s great cultures, Latin and Germanic, collide. The mountains themselves are great for skiing and hiking but are too high for vines. Instead, all the viticultural action is in the valleys or the lower slopes.

Explore this hidden gem of Italian wines in our latest exploration, 'Marvels on the Margins: Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.' Embark on a journey through the heart of Tuscany to uncover the rich history and unique terroir of Vino Nobile. Once lauded by poets and presidents alike, this noble wine showcases a blend of tradition and quality that distinguishes it in the realm of fine wines. Discover its nuanced flavors, detailed aging process, and how it stands up to its more renowned relatives, Brunello and Chianti. Join us in rediscovering the elegance of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.

The goal of this series is to deliver something more practical to wine lovers: profiles on wine regions with deep and serious wine traditions, producing great wines that consumers can actually purchase, drink, and collect. Let's get started with the great overlooked wines of Italy!

Our mantra is that it's always a good time for bubbles. But let's face it, New Year's Eve is a really good time for bubbles! With nearly 400 Champagnes to choose among from across our stores, there is a ton of variety spanning a spectrum of styles, sub-regions and price points. No matter your preferences, we've got you, so get the ice bucket ready! 

Champagne is the world’s most famous sparkling wine. Hailing from the Champagne regions of France, its biggest names are among the biggest names in wine: Moet, Dom Perignon, Veuve Clicquot, Cristal.

But there’s another side to Champagne: a universe of small-scale producers preserving ancient family farming traditions and bottling wines you’ve never heard of.

These are the Grower Champagnes.

As passionate explorers of Barolo, we've delved into the region's vintage history since 1961, uncovering how each year's unique climate has sculpted these revered wines. This journey reveals the dramatic shift from the unpredictability of earlier cooler years to the recent warmer vintages, which, against all odds, have produced wines with remarkable balance. The following serves as both a chronicle and a guide, helping fellow enthusiasts and collectors navigate the complex landscape of Barolo vintages, from those that demand patience to age to those that are a joy to drink now.

Wines of Portugal and Flatiron Wines have teamed up to organize tastings in San Francisco, D.C. and New York as a part of three city tour of the United States which kicks off next Thursday March 30th at the Julia Morgan Ballroom in San Francisco. Learn more about the events and reserve your spot today.

The 2019s remind me of many 2016s, except at this stage they are a little more powerful and a touch less transparent. The wines are balanced with elegant tannins and good acidity. A few wines are approachable now, but in general this is a vintage for cellaring.

Here is a quick 2019 vintage report along with my first impressions of what is shaping up to be an excellent vintage.