Collector's Buying Guide: Upside BDX, Pinot & Chard Brilliance, '21 Napa

The end of summer is near, and while many are gearing up for the beginning of fall, we’ve been preparing for it all season long, ready to deliver some of the world’s finest wine discoveries. From sleeper-favorite Bordeaux to Napa treasures and beyond, these are some of the most exciting finds in our extensive inventory.

• Massive Upside: Top Sub-$50 Bordeaux Collectibles
• Prodigious Pinot: Top-Scoring CA and OR Allocations
• #1 Wine of the Year Reload: A St-Julien for the Ages
• A Wealth of White Burgundy: Hand-Picked, In-Stock Selections
• Roederer’s Next Go-To Champagne from a Great Vintage
• Direct-Import Treasures from the 2019 Brunello Vintage
• Top Wines from Napa’s Incredible 2021 Vintage

Today, we present a trio of wines that exemplify some of the best in modern Bordeaux. Bellefont-Belcier’s 2020 vintage catapults this modest estate into the spotlight. Their ability to craft a precise and elegant St-Émilion is impressive and beautifully showcased in this vintage. We’re also excited about the recent progress of Lagrange and Phélan-Ségur, two of the Left Bank’s rising properties in their signature vintages.

These Pinot Noirs rival the world’s best (yes, even those from Burgundy!), showcasing a beautiful sense of place. Crafted by some of the finest talents in the wine industry, these are landmark releases from each estate. While each wine has its unique character, the harmonious essence of Pinot Noir is both distinct and compelling.

Léoville-Barton is certainly decorated with some of the most prestigious accolades, but the beauty of this wine is that the best is yet to come. The Cabernet-friendly 2016 vintage played perfectly to the Super Second's strengths, and the resulting wine is one for the ages. This parcel is coming direct from the estate's cellars.

Recent shipments and seasonal allocations have given us a brief window of opportunity to access some of the most celebrated White Burgundy producers. Whether it's the exceptional Puligny from Jean-Marc Boillot, the elegance and precision of Etienne Sauzet, or a laser-sharp Corton-Charlemagne from Boillot or Alvina Pernot, the finest Chardonnays are at your fingertips—while they last.

Our enthusiasm for the 2019 Champagne vintage is sky-high, and the brilliance of the growing season shines through in Roederer's Collection 244. Crafted from some of the youngest vines on the Cristal estate, this Champagne showcases the unmistakable terroir and pedigree of the renowned house, while the reserve wines, dating back to 2012, add exceptional depth and complexity.

We won't dissuade you from picking up a bottle of La Fortuna or Sesta di Sopra, especially in a standout vintage like 2019. However, once you have those secured, be sure to explore their limited-production bottlings. These rare wines deserve the attention of every Brunello enthusiast. Each of them highlights the exceptional quality of the 2019 vintage and represents some of the finest selections from our remarkable direct-import Brunello collection.

Leading the charge in 2021 are two of Napa's top collectible value champions, Realm Bard and Bevan Ontogeny. These wines manage to stand shoulder to shoulder with their top vineyard bottlings in a vintage of this caliber. Meanwhile, Dominus, Togni, and Kapscándy set the benchmark for elegance and unparalleled terroir in Napa's premier sites. Their 2021 offerings are nothing short of extraordinary. These are wines that will be a joy to follow for years to come.