Popular Wines

As magical and enigmatic as the world of wine can be, it’s not always easy to find your way around. Every day, inexperienced wine enthusiasts try to explore new blends and end up with a shopping list that their budget simply cannot support. Every high-quality wine is a unique, important experience, one that opens a person’s taste palate to a whole new world of flavor and pleasure. Something primal awakens within, urging you to find new and more compelling aromas and textures. But with so much to choose from, where do you begin?
When it comes to wine, popular blends are relatively common for a reason. They serve as an excellent entry point into the world of fine wine, and studying them lets you understand more obscure, complicated wines out there. A collection has to start somewhere, and these blends are often easier to get and help you develop your taste. Imagine bonding with your friends and family over a brand you’re all familiar with and able to appreciate to its fullest. Good wine offers something new, yet vaguely familiar with each glass, as your mouth picks up on subtleties in the liquid that tempt you further and inspire thought and introspection, uncorking new conversation topics and improving the mood no matter the situation.
If you’re looking for safe picks, you want to set your sights on quality brands from Italy, France, and Spain. A glass of sultry Sangiovese or Trebbiano Toscano can liven up a family meal and impress even the stuffiest guests while being a perfect partner to any traditional Italian dish you can think of. One taste of a Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay is enough to let France stand out as a breeding ground of divine, elegant elixirs that can fit the taste of any enthusiast. Meanwhile, Spain offers powerful blends such as Garnacha, Bobal, or Tempranillo, helping you create memorable moments out of even the most ordinary evening. And this is only scratching the surface.
Our goal is to introduce you to popular, tested brands the same way we would introduce you to a potential soulmate. With the right mood and some good timing, you can develop a healthy, pleasurable relationship with wine that lasts a lifetime.
When it comes to wine, popular blends are relatively common for a reason. They serve as an excellent entry point into the world of fine wine, and studying them lets you understand more obscure, complicated wines out there. A collection has to start somewhere, and these blends are often easier to get and help you develop your taste. Imagine bonding with your friends and family over a brand you’re all familiar with and able to appreciate to its fullest. Good wine offers something new, yet vaguely familiar with each glass, as your mouth picks up on subtleties in the liquid that tempt you further and inspire thought and introspection, uncorking new conversation topics and improving the mood no matter the situation.
If you’re looking for safe picks, you want to set your sights on quality brands from Italy, France, and Spain. A glass of sultry Sangiovese or Trebbiano Toscano can liven up a family meal and impress even the stuffiest guests while being a perfect partner to any traditional Italian dish you can think of. One taste of a Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay is enough to let France stand out as a breeding ground of divine, elegant elixirs that can fit the taste of any enthusiast. Meanwhile, Spain offers powerful blends such as Garnacha, Bobal, or Tempranillo, helping you create memorable moments out of even the most ordinary evening. And this is only scratching the surface.
Our goal is to introduce you to popular, tested brands the same way we would introduce you to a potential soulmate. With the right mood and some good timing, you can develop a healthy, pleasurable relationship with wine that lasts a lifetime.
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1988 Prunotto Barolo Bussia90RPThis firm has been making spectacular wines recently. Their 1988s are excellent, and their 1989s potentially superb. This difference in vintages is well-displayed in Prunotto's Bar..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $400.00
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1996 Ceretto Barolo Bricco Rocche95WSComplex aromas of Indian spices, plum and violet. Full-bodied, with big, velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Finally starting to mellow. Concentrated and rich.--1996 Piedmont ..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $285.00
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1996 Gaja Sperss Barolo97AGThe 1996 Sperss is arguably the most backward of these 1996s from Gaja. Still very young and tightly wound, the 1996 is going to need at least a few years to truly blossom. Even so..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $455.00
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1997 Conterno Fantino Barolo Sori Ginestra92RPThe 1997 Barolo Sori Ginestra exhibits a deep ruby/purple color in addition to complex aromas of tobacco smoke and gloriously sweet, jammy cherry liqueur. Ripe, opulent, and full-b..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $130.00
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1997 Paolo Scavino Barolo Bric del Fiasc95RPFrom a well-known Castiglione Falletto vineyard, the 1997 Barolo Bric del Fiasc reveals the essence of cherry jam in its massive constitution. It is a powerful, full-bodied effort ..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $215.00
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1997 Rocche Dei Manzoni Barolo Vigna d'la Roul90RPThe 1997 Barolo Vigna d'La Roul reveals espresso characteristics, intermixed with chocolate, caramel, leather, and black cherry/berry fruit. Full-bodied and smoky, with a supple te..." Learn MoreAs low as $165.00
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1999 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Monfortino Riserva99AGThe 1999 Barolo Riserva Monfortino is simply epic, as it always has been. A Barolo of statuesque, profound beauty, the 1999 very clearly belongs among the greatest Monfortinos ever..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $1,860.00
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1999 Roberto Voerzio Barolo Sarmassa di Barolo94+VM(bottled entirely in magnums) Saturated medium ruby. Superripe aromas of raspberry, minerals, dried rose, bitter chocolate and roasted oak, complicated by tangy spices and hints of..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $530.00
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2000 Ceretto Barolo Bricco Rocche96WSWild aromas of decadent fruit, with lots of plum, fresh mushroom and fresh strawberry. Full-bodied, with ultrasilky tannins and a long finish. Wonderfully crafted. Seductive. The t..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $190.00
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2000 Ceretto Barolo Prapo93WSCoffee, berry and tobacco aromas on the nose follow through to a full-bodied palate, with chewy yet soft tannins and a long, rich finish. Very chocolaty. Solid and tight. Needs yea..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $135.00
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2000 Paolo Scavino Barolo Bric del Fiasc98WSVery, very ripe fruit, with strawberries and plums galore. Turns to Indian spices and cedar. Full-bodied, with an exquisite palate of ultraripe tannins that turn to velvet. Long, l..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $775.00
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2001 Elio Grasso Barolo Gavarini Chiniera93WSPlum and cedar aromas rise from the glass following through to a full-bodied palate, with silky tannins and a juicy, fruity aftertaste. Already delicious. This is always excellent...." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $139.00
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2001 Gaja Sperss Barolo95AGThe 2001 Sperss is the alter ego to the Conteisa. It is a decidedly powerful, virile wine with plenty of Serralunga muscle in its powerful, brooding personality. Tobacco, mint, cru..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $400.00
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2001 Paolo Scavino Barolo Bric del Fiasc96AGThe 2001 Barolo Bric del Fiasc is a gorgeous wine laced with smoke, tar, licorice and menthol. The 2001 remains powerful and authoritative, with more than enough fruit to balance i..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $170.00
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2003 Conterno Fantino Barolo Vigna del Gris92AGThe 2003 Barolo Vigna del Gris has aged nicely. Signature floral and spice notes meld into a core of bright red fruit. This south-east facing site tends to produce a fresher more a..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $99.95
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2004 Gaja Sperss Barolo99WSPowerful and structured. Delicate aromas of sandalwood, blackberry, licorice and cherry follow through to a full body, with very chewy tannins and loads of pretty fruit and hints o..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $475.00
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2007 Vietti Barolo Brunate98AGThe 2007 Barolo Brunate is a stunner. Layers of dark fruit, mocha, chocolate, menthol, pine and spices emerge reluctantly from an inward, mysterious Barolo that captures the essenc..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $655.00
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2008 Luciano Sandrone Barolo Cannubi Boschis95AGThe 2008 Barolo Cannubi Boschis, from Sandrone's library release program, is very, very young. It is also interesting to taste the 2008 today, as it was made during a time in which..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $245.00
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2009 Vietti Barolo Villero Riserva100RPIn a word, the 2009 Barolo Riserva Villero is magic. I'm not sure I understand how Luca Currado does it. With his wizard's wand, he achieves a level of purity and intensity that I ..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $570.00
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2010 Brovia Barolo Brea Vigna Ca'Mia97AGSmoke, tar, earthiness and licorice add gorgeous dimensions of complexity in the 2010 Barolo Brea Vigna Ca’ Mia. Here, too, the flavors are remarkably bright and focused. The..." Learn MoreAs low as $270.00
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2010 Vietti Barolo Ravera100AGThe 2010 Barolo Ravera is one of the greatest wines I have ever tasted from Vietti. Stunning. It's as simple as that Freshly cut flowers, mint, spices, crushed rocks and pine jump ..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $485.00
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2012 Vietti Barolo Ravera96AGThe 2012 Barolo Ravera is once again a star. Finely cut and chiseled throughout, the 2012 boasts striking precision and nuance. Rose petal, chalk, white pepper, cranberry and pomeg..." Learn MoreAs low as $215.00
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2012 Vietti Barolo Rocche97JSWow. The rose petal aroma is gorgeous with ripe strawberry and cherry undertones. Full body, dense and powerful. Chewy and rich tannins. Lasts for minutes on the palate. Best in 20..." Learn MoreAs low as $240.00