The Critics Choice

Experts deem these wines to be the top of the class.

The Critics Choice includes one bottle of the following:

Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon 2018: Full-bodied with lots of layered fruit and round, creamy tannins. The palate shows lovely ripe-berry character with chocolate and hazelnut and a long, flavorful finish. Hints of black truffles. Plenty going on here with a firm framework that gives the wine form and interest. Try it after 2022. 95 Points James Suckling

Chateau Larcis Ducasse 2016: The 2018 Château Larcis Ducasse checks in as 89% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc. Aged 18 months in 60% new barrels, it offers a truly sensational bouquet of ripe blackcurrants, espresso roast, scorched earth, bloody meat, chocolate, iron, and bouquet garni. A massive, super-rich Saint-Emilion with a dense, concentrated, layered mouthfeel, it has building yet sweet tannins and incredible purity of fruit. This heavenly juice offers astonishing richness and depth while staying flawlessly balanced and elegant. Sadly, there are less than 3,000 cases produced, but this monumental, legendary wine will have 40-50 years of longevity if well stored. 100 Points Jeb Dunnuck

Phelps Freestone Chardonnay Napa Valley Chardonnay 2018: The 2018 Chardonnay Freestone Vineyard, aged 13 months in 41% new French oak, takes its time on the nose, slowly opening to notes of saline, crushed nuts, lemon peel and quince. The palate is medium-bodied, juicy and very silky, its citrusy fruits opening to savory hints underneath, and it finishes very long and nuanced. Give it another couple years in bottle to gain in amplitude.

Alternates can be requested or substitutions made due to stock availability.