Just two months in and this year has already seen a slate of landings that surprise and delight: including new cuvées from old favorites and a pack of new-to-the-US producers who bring extra dimension to places we love.

Chris Leon kindly made a top ten for us:

ARNOT-ROBERTS ASCONA VYD

Ascona is one of those vineyards that practically lives in the ocean; hanging off the edge of the Santa Cruz mountains. It produces a salty, hydrating Sauvignon Blanc that's rarely seen in California; but of course, the boys behind Arnot-Roberts were able to find and bottle such a rare example of this grape here. $53

ESMERALDA GARCÍA 'SANTYUSTE'

We're still ruminating on Esmeralda's saline, quenching and completely zero zero expressions of Rueda (Read our Journal!) These are moving wines, from 200 year old vines, the appellation's oldest. 'SantYuste' is her entry-level (if you can call it that) blend of all four parcels, and an incredibly priced entry point to her style and work. $37

BODEGAS FULCRO 'PEDREIRA'

We're not shy of showing our love for the atlantic Albariños of Salnes; and, of all the great wines from here, this is our #1 go-to bottle. We tasted it against some of the more famous wines and was blown away by how persistent it is, even against wines twice the $. Deeply delicious, mouthwatering Albariño that would be happy at any wine lovers table. $29

RENAUD BOYER 'PRÉTY' MACON

A north star in the vangaurd of no-sulfur, natural Burgundy, Renaud Boyer's wines have quickly become cult favorites. His Saint-Aubin and Puligny are well known, but over the last couple of years he's extended his work into the Mâconnais. And now, is here in the US for the first time. $76

BENOIT COURAULT

Though not technically new to the shop, we haven't seen many of these Benoit Courault wines in over two years! These are some of the Loire's best: lively, schist-driven wines that includes his clamored-after 'Coulée' Grolleau and his top wine, 'Les Guinechiens' Chenin which is now back after a three year absence. $50+

SEBASTIEN GIROST BRUT RÉSERVE

If you know about the tiny village of Congy, it's frankly likely because of (the now rare) Ulysses Collin. But his neighbor Sébastien has broken off from the local co-op to bottle his own wine, and the result is one of the most incredible $50ish values we've been able to add to Champagne in a while. Quenching, juicy wine with 40% from 10 year reserve. $51

LIENHARDT'S 'LOIR ET CHER'

Antoine's newest Chardonnay is not from Burgundy; but from just outside of Cheverny, grown by friend Arthur Peltier (nephew of appellation legend Thierry Puzelat). Slowly pressed and raised in fiberglass and old wood, it sees an extra year of age (just like his white Burgundy). A delicious bottle that reminds us: talent knows no borders. $45

CHAMPAGNE COSE

Gil Conjo and Victor Allier are operating Champagne's most unique micronégoce project, sourcing single barrel quantities from young talents/icons like Flavien Nowack and Thomas Perseval. Gil and Victor's sole request is that the vin clairs see no sulfur; which they bring to their garage and vinify in old Selosse barrels. Gutsy, visceral. $125

FRANCESCA DILIBERTO'S FREISA

We were awe-struck by Francesca's first vintage, a beautifully fragrant style that feels deeply personal yet hints to her experience with Piedmont's tight pool of incredible talent: she worked for Philine Isabelle, makes her wines in the Maffrei cellar, with a longer élevage in Stockinger that reminds us of the duo at Lalú. This has serious polish. $50

KOBAYASHI

Surprise! There's a little more Kobayashi in stock 😏 one of the most individual, serious domestic projects to land on our shelves (Journal!), whose Rhône-inspired work with own-rooted vines has quickly become sought-after by collectors. We hosted them on Fulton last week and can tell you, the people are as kind and generous as the wines. $66+