Leaders of the ‘New Spain’
 
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Envínate
 

The “New Spain” movement has transformed Spain’s image in the world of wine. Before, Rioja was essentially shorthand for Spanish wine and all other regions seemed to follow suit with big, ripe flavors, high alcohol, and so, so much new oak. In the last couple of decades, an alternative style has arisen, eschewing the fat for finesse.
 
Though less individually famous than the other leading figures in the “New Spain” winemaking movement, such as Ester Nin and Carles Ortiz of Familia Nin-Ortiz, Daniel Landi and Fernando Garcia of Comando G, and Raúl Pérez Pereira of Bodegas y Viñedos Raúl Pérez, the impact of Envínate has been profound.

 

Travel Down the Danube to Your New Favorite
 
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Knoll
  

In the wine region of Wachau in Austria, Weingut Knoll occupies some of the country’s most celebrated vineyards. As a leading member of the Wachau Nobilis Districtus (an illustrious organization of the top Wachau winemakers), the winery is heralded by critics, somms, and collectors as one of the finest. Quality is the focus to best capture the individual expressions of their famed parcels along the Danube River.
 
Across fifteen hectares, Riesling and Grüner Veltiner vines are cultivated by third-generation members of the Knoll family: Emmerich III oversees the cellar and August is head of vineyard work. The family’s history growing grapes in the region dates as far back as 1379.

 

At The Cusp of Cult
 
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Brovia
 

Traditionally farmed, the expressive Barolos of Brovia have wowed insiders for decades. Ever since the 2015 vintage, we’ve been writing about how surprised we are that these wines don’t fly off the shelves. They seem to have it all: perfectionist vineyard management (organic without certification, careful pruning, and hand harvesting), superb and distinctive holdings (see for reference: Villero), unapologetically old-school winemaking (long and slow fermentation and long aging in large barrels and, subsequently, in bottle), and consistently excellent releases (see for reference: their reviews). A long, solid list of reasons why you should take note.
 
So, given their traditionalist stance and indifference to the whims of modern preferences, what could be bringing the limelight to this small producer?

 

Benchmarks of Piedmont
 
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GD Vajra & Baudana
 

G.D. Vajra is responsible for some of the finest Barolos we offer and also excels with their more entry-level options. The lineup as a whole is simply the best in Piedmont today. At all price points, they craft benchmark wines against which all others are judged.
 
As we climb the ladder, there are small-production wines from rare grapes (Freisa) and the cellar-defender Langhe Nebbiolos and village-level Barolos. At the top end, we find single-vineyard Barolos including the Ravera, which goes for triple digits from others addresses. The Bricco delle Viole is the highest vineyard in Barolo, named for the violets that blossom across its southern exposure.