Almost Perfect: 96+ Point Wines

Almost Perfect: 96+ Point Wines | WineMadeEasy.com

These critically acclaimed wines rated 96-points and above are this close to being perfect. They make great gifts for hard-to-please wine lovers, the new in-laws, or that finicky boss. They would also make a great start or addition to any wine cellar. Now is the time to buy to ensure timely arrival before Christmas. Quantities on some of these wines are limited.

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  1. 2017 1item
  2. 2018 4items
  3. 2019 2items
  4. 2020 3items
  1. Amici Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

    2019 / 750 ml. | Item#57025

    JD9696 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - 3/10/2022
    The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley comes from a mix of all the single vineyards. Readers should never overlook this type of wine, as the ability to blend from multiple sites gives winemakers incredible flexibility, and these wines can represent smoking values. Full-bodied aromas and flavors of currants, chocolate, lead pencil, and graphite emerge from this beauty, and it’s ripe, mouth-filling and balanced, with a great texture. It’s in the running for the best Napa Cabernet Sauvignon at the price point. (Jeb Dunnuck)
    RP94+94–96 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 18th Mar 2021
    The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is composed of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot and 6% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, it prances out of the glass with showy notes of warm cassis, baked black berries, Black Forest cake and menthol, plus suggestions of cardamom and licorice. The medium to full-bodied palate is refreshing and elegantly styled with bags of juicy, expressive black fruits and a satisfyingly savory finish. 1,600 cases are due to be made.
    VN9494 pts. - Vinous - Jan 2022
    The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is an outrageously beautiful wine. As I have written here before, the Reserve more than holds its own next to the vineyard designates. I adore the Reserve for its opulence, grip and intensity. Blackberry jam, chocolate, licorice, espresso, lavender and dried herbs build over time, but the Reserve is a wine to admire for its completeness. And, it is a steal in the world of high-end Napa Valley Cabernets.
    Wine Grapes

    Primary Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon | All Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon

    Compare at $89.99 $69.99

    You save: $20.00 (22%)

  2. Cheval des Andes

    2018 / 750 ml. | Item#56387

    RP9898 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 16th Sep 2021
    The 2018 Cheval des Andes is a blend of 70% Malbec and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon fermented in small lots in 3,000- to 8,000-liter tanks and matured 40% in 225-liter oak barrels, 40% in 400-liter oak barrels and the remaining 20% in 2,500-liter oak vats for 13 months. Ninety percent of the oak used was French and the rest a blend of Austrian, Slovenian and German oak, 50% of it new. 2018 has been one of the best vintages in recent times in Mendoza, and the wine shows it. It’s a cooler vintage, and the wine has improved in freshness and elegance without losing any clout. It’s 14.5% alcohol and has a pH of 3.73. This is young, juicy, elegant and balanced and still has some herbal and toasted notes; it’s medium to full-bodied, with the creamy and luxurious texture of the modern Bordeaux, ultra fine tannins and a long, dry and precise finish. It’s still undeveloped and seems to have all the components and the balance between them for a long and positive development in bottle. With wines like this, I sometimes wish I had a time machine so I could see them in 20 years from now… I think this is the finest Cheval des Andes I’ve ever tasted. 100,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in January 2020.
    JS9898 pts. - JamesSuckling.com - Friday, December 4, 2020
    This is a plush, rich Cheval with blueberry and floral aromas and flavors. HInts of tar and fresh lavender. Full body. The depth and richness are impressive, as are the ripe yet fresh tannins. Very long and structured, yet controlled and in balance. This will be a great wine indeed. Release in September 2021. Drink after 2023.
    VN9696 pts. - Vinous - Nov 2021
    The 2018 Cheval Des Andes is a blend of 70% Malbec — half from Las Compuertas and half from Paraje Altamira — and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon from Las Compuertas. It was aged in barrels and foudres, 50% in new oak. Purplish red in the glass. It shows an expressively complex nose of plum, cherry and hints of spice, pepper, ink, blackberry, and blackcurrant. The oak provides a profound and subtle backdrop of sweet spice. In the mouth, it’s viscous and broad with a little juice, velvety in texture and with very fine tannins. The finish is long-lasting with a satisfying feel. A relaxed, delicate, extremely well-balanced wine with a more generous core than the 2017 vintage.
    SP9292 pts. - Wine Spectator - Mar 31, 2022
    Big and rich, with expressive beef and earthy notes to the dark plum and roasted dark cherry flavors, which are backed by firm tannins and acidity. Creamy in the midpalate, with hints of dried green herbs and dark chocolate on the finish. Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2026. 7,500 cases made, 2,500 cases imported. (Kim Marcus)
    Wine Grapes

    Primary Grape: Malbec | All Grapes: 70% Malbec

    Compare at $109.00 $87.20

    You save: $21.80 (20%)

  3. Fèlsina Rància Chianti Classico Riserva

    2018 / 750 ml. | Item#56114

    VN9797 pts. - Vinous - Sep 2021
    The 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia is an absolutely stunning wine. The archetype of Rancia in the past has been of a big, potent Chianti Classico but in 2018, Rancia is a wine of mind-blowing elegance and finesse. Silky, perfumed and indescribably finessed, the 2018 dazzles from start to finish. It’s a magical wine in every way.
    RP9595 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 7th Oct 2021
    The 2018 is an unusual vintage that shows an especially austere character. Off the bat, it must be said that the Fèlsina 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia would certainly benefit from more cellar time and a long drinking window. The Rancia is elegant and streamlined with a medium-bodied style that breaks from some of the more concentrated vintages we’ve seen in the past. The bouquet reveals a lot of dark or black character with blackcurrant, tar, resin, iron ore and a dusty hint of dry graham cracker (which reminds us of the vintage heat). Structurally, the wine offers a solid and firm footing, but it would benefit from further evolution.
    JS9595 pts. - JamesSuckling.com - Wednesday, August 11, 2021
    This is really subtle and complex with cherry, herb, floral and sage aromas that follow through to a full body with firm, fine tannins that give form and energy to the wine. Racy and very fine. Drink or hold.
    Wine Grapes

    Primary Grape: Sangiovese | All Grapes: Sangiovese

    Compare at $64.99 $54.99

    You save: $10.00 (15%)

  4. Château Pape Clément

    Grand Cru Classé de Graves
    2018 / 750 ml. | Item#55076

    JD9999 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - 3/11/2021
    Coming from 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc brought up in 60% new French oak, the 2018 Château Pape Clement from Bernard Magrez is a gorgeous wine that’s performing even better from bottle than barrel, which is always a good sign. Deep ruby/purple, with stunning crème de cassis and blackberry fruits as well as kaleidoscope-like notes of graphite, scorched earth, smoke, violets, and spring flowers, it offers full-bodied richness yet stays light on its feet, graceful, and almost ethereal on the palate, with integrated acidity and building yet seamless tannins. The Cabernet Sauvignon really sings at this point, and there’s almost a Médoc-like regalness here. Reminding me of a slightly more elegant 2005 (it also has similarities to the 2016), it will benefit from 4–6 years in the cellar and keep for 30+ years. (Jeb Dunnuck)
    RP96+96+ pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 31st Mar 2021
    The 2018 Pape Clement is a blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, aged for approximately 18 months in oak barriques, 60% new. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it rolls out of the glass with vibrant notes of crushed black cherries, stewed black plums and black raspberries, followed by suggestions of violets, star anise, cardamom and camphor with a waft of iron ore. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers exhilarating energy, offering crunchy black berry and exotic spice layers with a solid frame of ripe, grainy tannins and loads of freshness, finishing long and mineral tinged. Still very primary, it will need a good 5 years in bottle to deliver that next-level experience and will drink over the next 30+ years.
    VN9696 pts. - Vinous - Mar 2021
    The 2018 Pape Clément is such a beautiful and inviting wine. Silky, perfumed and layered, the 2018 shows the more restrained, vibrant style that has become the norm here in recent years. Red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal and spice are front and center, while the oak — in the past so strong here — is really dialed back. The 2018 is going to be a fascinating wine to follow in the cellar over the next several decades. The purity of the flavors is just striking.
    Wine Grapes

    Primary Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon | All Grapes: 66% Cabernet Sauvignon

    Compare at $129.00 $103.20

    You save: $25.80 (20%)

  5. Alain Voge Cornas Les Vieilles Vignes

    2019 / 750 ml. | Item#58540

    JD9797 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - 2/16/2022
    The 2019 Cornas Les Vieilles Vignes is similarly inky colored and has a classic nose of plums, Asian spices, sandalwood, and iron. Medium to full-bodied, with good acidity and ripe tannins, it doesn’t have the sheer weight, richness, or girth of the Vieilles Fontaines, yet it’s certainly a more classic Cornas that will be approachable with just 3–4 years of bottle age yet evolve for twenty years if you’re so inclined. (Jeb Dunnuck)
    SP9696 pts. - Wine Spectator - Jul 31, 2022
    This is packed with succulent cherry, plum paste and blackberry fruit flavors that show hints of mulled spice, dried anise, singed tobacco and sweet tapenade as they move through. A mouthwatering mineral edge extends the lengthy finish. Cellar patiently, then serve with game for the full seduction. Best from 2024 through 2038. 1,265 cases made, 225 cases imported. (James Molesworth)
    RP9292 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 20th Jan 2022
    Now, this is more like it. A big step up from the disjointed Les Chailles, the 2019 Cornas Vieilles Vignes is a classic rendering of Cornas, with hints of crushed stone, mint, blueberries and red berries on the nose. It’s medium to full-bodied, velvety and concentrated enough, yet it’s not overbearing or heavy; it’s just deliciously drinkable and will drink well for more than a decade. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes. (Joe Czerwinski)
    Wine Grapes

    Primary Grape: Shiraz | All Grapes: 100% Syrah

    AWARDS & ACCOLADES

    2022 Wine Spectator Top 100 Selection | #95

    Wine Spectator Top 100 selection - 2022 | #95

    Compare at $89.99 $71.99

    You save: $18.00 (20%)

  6. Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Chaupin

    2020 / 750 ml. | Item#58286

    JD95+95–97 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - 11/3/2021
    The 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Chaupin is mostly Grenache sourced from the northern part of the appellation (a small part comes from La Crau), and it was 70% destemmed and brought up in foudre and tank. A deeply hued barrel sample, it offers lots of cassis and pure black raspberry fruits, medium to full body, incredible purity, great tannins, and a blockbuster finish. This is another regal, flawlessly put together Grenache from this talented team. (Jeb Dunnuck)
    SP9494 pts. - Wine Spectator - Web only – 2022
    Ripe but very focused, with a streamlined feel to the mix of raspberry, red currant and bitter cherry fruit flavors. Reveals a racy apple wood note coursing underneath, while licorice, black tea and graphite fill in through the finish. Best from 2023 through 2038. 1,500 cases made, 504 cases imported. (James Molesworth)
    Wine Grapes

    Primary Grape: Grenache | All Grapes: Grenache

    Compare at $99.99 $79.99

    You save: $20.00 (20%)

  7. Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese

    2020 / 750 ml. | Item#56297

    RP9898 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 25th Aug 2022
    The 2020 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese is intense and complex on the still introverted but complex nose that shows clear, bright fruit aromas (baby pineapple) intermingled with fine, flinty slate notes. What an aristocratic appearance! Round, crystalline and saline on the palate, this 2020 Auslese is much more openhearted and fruity as well as frisky and frivolous than it pretends to be on the nose. This is a really Catholic Riesling or a picture-book Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese. Its finish, however, is Protestant: rigorously linear, straight and with serious structure and grip. All in all, this is the world’s most ecumenical Sonnenuhr. Pure fascination. 7% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine from AP 38 21 in July 2022. (Stephan Reinhardt)
    Wine Grapes

    Primary Grape: Riesling | All Grapes: 100% Riesling

    Compare at $79.99 $63.99

    You save: $16.00 (20%)

  8. Rocca di Montegrossi Geremia

    2017 / 750 ml. | Item#57560

    VN9797 pts. - Vinous - Sep 2021
    The 2017 Geremia is a revelation. It might be even better than the 2015 or 2016, which is saying a lot. Soaring aromatics make a strong first impression. In 2017, the fruit profile leans more into the red fruit end of the spectrum. The warm, dry year yielded a Geremia that is unusually open. I doubt too many of the estate’s fans will have a problem with that given how long these wines usually take to open. Today, the 2017 Geremia is a total pleasure bomb. Don’t miss it. (Antonio Galloni)
    Wine Grapes

    Primary Grape: Merlot | All Grapes: Merlot

    DESIGNATIONS

    Organic

    Organic: Made with organic grapes

    Compare at $69.99 $55.99

    You save: $14.00 (20%)

  9. Casa Castillo Las Gravas

    2020 / 750 ml. | Item#58762

    RP9898 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 29th Apr 2022
    The phenomenal 2020 Las Gravas was produced with 92% Monastrell from 30- to 40-year-old vines on north-facing gravel soils (hence its name) complemented with 8% Garnacha. It fermented with 30% full clusters and indigenous yeasts in underground stone lagares and matured in a combination of 500-liter barrel and 5,000-liter foudres for 16 months. It has classical parameters, 14.5% alcohol, a pH of 3.47 and 4.87 grams of acidity per liter. The wine is super perfumed and floral, really showy, elegant, nuanced and refined, with the notes of pine needles and wet soil much subtler than in the 2019. There is an ethereal character to the 2020s that I haven’t found in any previous vintage here, but at the same time, the wines are very mineral and have lots of energy and light. There is precision, cleanliness, definition and elegance like I hadn’t seen before and refined tannins with a pungent mineral sensation in the textured finish. This is an incredible wine for the price asked. 35,500 bottles produced. There was a single bottling in February 2022. (Luis Gutiérrez)
    Wine Grapes

    Primary Grape: Mourvèdre | All Grapes: 92% Monastrell

    Compare at $89.99 $79.99

    You save: $10.00 (11%)

  10. Podere Poggio Scalette Il Carbonaione

    2018 / 750 ml. | Item#56146

    VN9696 pts. - Vinous - Sep 2021
    The 2018 Il Carbonaione is one of the most elegant editions of this flagship wine I can remember tasting. Il Carbonaione is usually a rich, bombastic wine, but the 2018 is sleek, gracious and remarkably refined. The fruit was picked a week later than originally planned because of a family emergency. That results in an exotic Carbonaione that is beguiling but not at all heavy. I can’t wait to see how it ages.
    Wine Grapes

    Primary Grape: Sangiovese | All Grapes: Sangiovese

    Compare at $59.99 $47.99

    You save: $12.00 (20%)

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