Barth, Laurent 2020 Alsace Riesling Rebgarten VV

Barth, Laurent NV (2019) Alsace Extra Brut Petillant Naturel

Mostly Pinot Auxerrois with some Pinot Noir in the mix, this is a methode ancestrale "Pet Nat" from Laurent Barth... a wine we never knew existed since most of it is sold in Europe and Laurent keeps a fair amount at home to share with friends. The wine spends 18 months sur latte (sur lie) before disgorging. A fascinating and singular wine, with a beautiful creamy texture and subtle aromas of red berries, citrus and minerals that continue on the elegant, refreshing palate. This is one of the most delicious Pet Nats of France - rarely available, don't delay!

Bechtold 2019 Cremant d'Alsace (Pinot Auxerrois/Chardonnay)

A blend of Pinot Auxerrois and Chardonnay (yes, Chardonnay in Alsace!) from a long-time organic estate in Alsace. Very classy, dry and framed by mineral cut. There's enough golden fruit and brioche on the nose to give the sense of broadness, but overall it's a clean and fresh traditional style sparkler... and a fantastic deal!  -EL

Brand & Co. 2021 VDF Kvevri Blanc

Kvevri is a new wine from Philippe Brand that was aged with some skin contact in buried Kvevri (Georgian spelling is Kvevri or Qvevri, otherwise known as Amphora) in Philippe's garden in Alsace. A blend of Pinot Auxerrois, Chardonnay and Riesling, aged in three 800L Kvevris which were imported from Georgia, and are lined with a thin layer of beeswax. Maceration time is 10 months, with an additional 2 months of aging before bottling without filtration or added SO2. There is real grip to this wine, a nice structured mouthfeel, very similar to the level of tannins found in most Georgian amber wines. Both an homage and an exploration of aging vessels and maceration times that are atypical for Alsace.

Brand, Charles & Philippe 2018 Alsace Pet-Nat 'Le Bidule'

A gently sparkling, hazy Pet-Nat from Philippe Brand. Le Bidule is a blend of Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and 10% direct press Pinot Noir. Low alcohol and as the French say, "digeste," in that it has nice texture and goes down quite smoothly. This will be a great Pet-Nat to have on the table during the holidays, as the bubbles are not aggressive yet the wine is still light on its feet and very refreshing and palate cleansing.

Brand, Charles & Philippe 2021 Alsace Oeillet le Litre (Liter)

A fresh and forward liter bottle of Pinot Blanc, sort of a classic Alsatian dry white, perfect for salads, cheese, tarte flambée, or on its own as an apero. A touch of orchard fruit on the palate and nice acidity overall.

Les Vins Pirouettes (Binner and Friends) 2022 Vin d'Alsace Eros de Vincent

Alzinger 2021 Wachau Hohereck Riesling Smaragd

Alzinger 2021 Wachau Hollerin Riesling Smaragd

Alzinger 2021 Wachau Loibenberg Grüner Veltliner Smaragd

Ambrositsch, Jutta 2020 Wien Ein Liter

Jutta Ambrositsch is our favorite new biodynamic grower in Vienna. This wine's a bit of a quirky one: it's a full liter and her hommage to the workhorse Grüner Veltliner liters that get us through the summer months but it's so much more interesting. She created it's first iteration in 2011,  Due to the small size of the 2010 harvest she didn't have enough gemischter satz to bottle on its own. Her solution was to hold it back in tank for a year and blend with the 2011, along with some additional parcels of Riesling and Grüner Veltliner from around the city. The result is terrific, with aromas of flowers, anise and loads of dark-toned minerals. Vividly intense and citrus-leaning on the palate, this will have you re-thinking the whole concept of Austrian liters. Just a tiny drop came into the US, so grab it while you can. -jfr  Juicy and round with flavors of nectarine and melon, yet bright and lively. GH

Barbara Öhlzelt 2022 Österreich Grüner Leader (1 Liter)

Based in the town of Zöbing, Barbara Öhlzelt farms six hectares of vines. Her Grüner Leader is always a go-to bottle for gatherings. The 2022 is very fresh and fun; juicy ripe peach and apples, balanced by green pineapple acidity. Enjoy with salty snacks, salads, light pastas, fresh cheeses!

Frug Weingut Wurzinger 2022 Burgenland Orange (skin contact)

Kolfolk 2022 Intra! The Wild Blaufrankisch Rose

This is the 2nd vintage of Stefan's highly sought after rose from Burgenland, Austria made from 100% Blaufrankisch. Hailing from a high altitude, cooler site right on the border with Hungary. The INTRA stands for intracellular aka carbonic maceration, the same technique used in Beaujolais. Very aromatic with aromas of ripe berries and floral with flavors of berries and savory herbs. Super bright and lightly spiced with enough structure to make it a fabulous food accompaniment. Super Quaffable! GH

Nittnaus, Anita & Hans 2018 Burgenland 'Anita' Red Blend

Hailing from eastern Burgenland along the Hungarian border, Anita is mostly Zweigelt with splashes of Blaufränkisch and Sankt Laurent. Bright acidity lets the spice-drenched red and black fruits dance on the palate, and the wine—with only 15 milligrams per liter of added sulfur—bristles with energy. There is just enough structure here to keep the wine from feeling simple, underscoring  the notes of blackberries, blueberries, black cherries, cola, peppercorn and nutmeg. Lip smackingly delicious! Giselle Hamburg

Nittnaus, Anita & Hans 2021 Burgenland Pinot Blanc Gruner Kalk & Schiefer

 Made of 65% Pinot Blanc & 35% Grüner Veltliner, this delightful wine hails from soils of chalk and slate, from the northern part of Leithaberg mountains in Burgenland  Grown in soils of chalk and slate which impart an extremely mineral  profile. Herbaceous and mineral aromas are underscored by notes of lemon oil, green apple.and sea spray. A fabulous wine for summer, zesty and refreshing! Giselle Hamburg

Ott, Bernhard 2021 Wagram Grüner Veltliner Reid Rosenber

"The crown jewel and the top vineyard for Bernhard. The vineyards are in a sort of amphitheater which is open to the south but protects the vines from the wind (high elevation here, from 280-320 meters above sea level). Here we find the deepest, calcareous loess soils, up to 20 meters deep and the oldest vines, some of which were planted in 1956. This is the inspiration for Bernhard’s life’s work." Skurnik

Ott, Bernhard 2021 Wagram Grüner Veltliner Reid Stein

"Stein is actually a vineyard that Bernhard farms that’s in the Kamptal, specifically the village of Engabrunn.  Bernhard’s village of Feuresbrunn is right on the border of  Kamptal and the Wagram and Bernhard has roots in these Engelbrunn vineyards going back to his Great Grandfather who started farming these sites in 1889 . Stein means stone and as the name would suggest, this vineyard is loess with a lot of gneiss. It might remind you more of the wines from Renner than the heavy loess wines from Rosenberg, which recall the Lamm more than any other site. Long maceration here in the press prior to natural fermentation in steel. 100% estate fruit, Respekt certified Biodynamic." Skurnik

Ott, Bernhard 2022 Wagram Grüner Veltliner Am Berg

Bernard Ott is a fourth generation winegrower in the region of Wagram in lower Austria. His family has been cultivating vines and making wine since 1889. When he took over from his father in 1995, he began to improve the family estate by converting to biodynamics and making positive changes in the cellar as well. Ott is considered an icon in the world of Austrian wines and is a major figure in the world of biodynamic winemaking.Am Berg is made from organic Gruner Veltliner grapes grown in loess soil.  The grapes are sourced from younger estate vines and purchased from growers in Feuersbrunn.  Natural fermentation in stainless steel, left on the fine lees until bottling in February. A delightfully zesty rendition, full of lip smacking minerality  with a profound wintergreen herbaceousness, leading to notes of lemon curd, green apple, white pepper and anise with a concentrated, long finish.  Bring on the Thai food! Giselle Hamburg

Rosi Schuster 2021 Burgenland St. Laurent Classic St Margarethen

This lone St. Laurent on the shelf right now is simply a knock-out and one of the best examples of the variety I've tried. The bright-fruited nose is laced with complex baking-spice aromas: cinnamon, nutmeg and anise. Well-balanced and refreshing, this wine could take a light chill and become dangerously drinkable. Spontaneously fermented in open tanks, and not a single new barrel goes near this wine, so drink up! A quick note: this is the third vintage we've worked with this wine and it's by far the best. No one is making better reds in Austria than Hannes Schuster and this vintage's earthy character brings new complexity to an already reliably great wine. — jfr

Stadlmann 2019 Thermenregion Pinot Noir Classic

The Stadlmann family has been making wine since the 1780s in the Thermenregion; sheltered from the northern winds by the Vienna Woods, it is one of Austria's warmest wine growing areas. The 'Classic' line of wines are aged in large, used barrels to showcase the true character of the grape and terroir.

Straka 2020 Burgenland Blaufrankisch 'Greenschist'

A delightful Blaufrankisch from Sud Burgenland near the border with Hungary. The 2020 vintage manages a fine balancing act between savory and plummy notes but will also be able to age gracefully due to the higher acid and the mineral notes imparted by the green schist soil type. An ideal red that can pair with a wide variety of foods!  -Giselle Hamburg

Weingut Harm 2017 Wachau Riesling Durnsteiner Kellerbur

From 25 year old vines in the Dürnsteiner Kellerberg,  another renowned site in Wachau,  it provides the foundation for particularly intense Rieslings. Weathered gneiss, the most common rock in this area, stamps the site’s meager, sandy soil.

Chignard, Cédric 2022 Juliénas Beauvernay

This is a lovely Beaujolais from the Chignard family, better known for their Fleurie "Les Moriers." As with much of Julienas the bedrock of "Beauvernay" is diorite, rather than granite, locally called "roches bleues." It's an interesting terroir of volcanic origin with more clay and rich in magnesium, giving complex well-structured wines.  Possessing the ripe fruit and lush palate of the 2022 vintage in Beaujolais, the Julienas "Beauvernay" shows a pretty red/black color, with elegant, a bit restrained aromas of black raspberry and  black cherry with violet, blood orange, earth and stone, which should open up nicely over the next few years. It's ripe and sapid but with lively acidity and well proportioned. Tart cherry, plum and red currant fruit with saline minerals, earth and spice coat the palate and continue in the earthy finish. Quite lovely now, especially with a long decant,  this should soften and gain complexity with three to five years of aging, drink till 2028.

Coudert (Clos de la Roilette) 2021 Fleurie Griffe du Marquis

Aged in two to six year-old Burgundy barrels. From eighty-plus year-old vines, as is Tardive. "The wood is obviously not present to mask the wine, but rather to accompany it, to complement its tannins and create complexity. It's really tight the first two years, but opens up beautifully when you give it some time," says Alain.

Coudert (Clos de la Roilette) 2022 Fleurie Cuvée Tardive 1.5 L

2022 is certainly a vintage for mags!

Coudert (Clos de la Roilette) 2022 Fleurie Cuvée Tardive

We have had the pleasure of selling every vintage of Alain Coudert's "Cuvée Tardive" since it's creation in 1994 (or was it 1995?) and the 2022 is certainly one of the best! Although the vintage is marked by ripeness and generous alcohol (14%) we found the 2022 to be less forward and more firmly structured than the equally sunny vintages of 2018 - 2020.  From average 80 year-old vines in clay with manganese in addition to granite soils near Moulin-A-Vent, fermentation in whole clusters with native yeasts in open-top, neutral wood vats with the cap kept submerged; the maceration for Tardive is approximately 18 days, aging takes place in old foudres.  The 2022 shows a dark black/red color, with elegant aromas of ripe blackberry and black cherry with violet, licorice and earth. The palate is deep and tight with black cherry, blackberry and strawberry liqueur, licorice and spice, backed by firm acidity and intense mineral flavors. The finish is sensational with fabulous purity and depth, showing very firm tannins and slightly bitter black fruits. Please hold five years, and drink until 2040. Very little is available, 6 bottle maximum, please.  David Lillie

Coudert (Clos de la Roilette) 2022 Fleurie Clos de la Roilette

There is no shortage of ripeness in the 2022 "Clos de la Roilette" Fleurie from our friend Alain Coudert, but despite the 14% of alcohol, this wine is just delightlful, showing charming, pure raspberry fruit with aromas that are delicate and floral but lush and deep at the same time. The full-bodied palate is beautifully textured and balanced by bright acidity with earth and mineral flavors beneath the lovely dense fruit. Serve this gorgeous wine a bit cool over the next five to eight years, pure enjoyment!

Descombes, Georges 2019 Morgon Vieilles Vignes

 This is a classic version of the Descombes Morgon VV, showing ripe high-toned black raspberry and tart cherry aromas with plum, violet, citrus, earth and brown spice, really lovely. The elegant sappy black and red fruits continue on the palate with complex notes of blood orange,  mint and spice, quite saline and earthy as well, really showing the terroir. The wine is dense and structured but bright and balanced, finishing with refreshing acidity, citrus, cherry fruit, anise and mineral flavors. Delicious now, this should be superb in three to five years, and should drink well till 2030 and beyond.  David Lillie

Descombes, Georges 2020 Morgon Vieilles Vignes

The Descombes Morgon Vieilles Vignes is made from 60 to  100 year-old vines from numerous sites on granite soils; semi-carbonic fermentation then aging  6 - 8 months in Burgundy barrels and one year in bottle before release. Dense and dark, this wine has formidable concentration. Some nice floral notes on the nose, with some vegetable ash and herbal characteristics wrapped around the dense dark fruit core. Deep and intense blackberry compote character on the palate is supported by inky tannin. This is a full-blooded Beaujolais that will benefit from a decade in the cellar, though right now it's certainly delicious as a young wine as well - always one of our favorite Beaujolais!

Descombes, Georges 2020 Morgon Vieilles Vignes 1.5 L

This is a classic version of the Descombes Morgon VV, showing ripe high-toned black raspberry and tart cherry aromas with plum, violet, citrus, earth and brown spice, really lovely. The elegant sappy black and red fruits continue on the palate with complex notes of blood orange,  mint and spice, quite saline and earthy as well, really showing the terroir. The wine is dense and structured but bright and balanced, finishing with refreshing acidity, citrus, cherry fruit, anise and mineral flavors. Delicious now, this should be superb in three to five years, and should drink well till 2030 and beyond.  David Lillie

Desvignes 2021 Morgon Côte de Py

From old vines on the north-east section of the Cote du Py, semi-carbonic vinification with a longer maceration and more extraction than normal in the Beaujolais. The forward, fresh character of the 2021 vintage suits the Desvignes style nicely with the wine showing softer tannins and lush fruit ideal for drinking young. Deep red/black color. Pretty aromas of black-raspberry, strawberry and red currant with violet and citrus, quite ripe. The palate is rich and supple with firm tannins and acidity, showing red fruit liqueur, black cherry and hints of cocoa an earth. This is a lovely example of the Desvignes style in a lighter, more traditional vintage.

Henriot, Sandrine 2020 Beaujolais-Villages

Sandrine Hanriot took over the Biodynamic vines of Roland Pignard in Morgon, Regnie and Beaujolais-Villages. The 2020 BV shows a bright red color with aromas of violet, raspberry, cherry and white pepper, with light red fruits on the palate, refreshing and a bit earthy with tart berry fruits and minerals in the finish. Serve quite cool with charcuterie, roast chicken and mild cheeses.

Henriot, Sandrine 2021 Regnié

Sandrine Henriot's parcel in Regnié has more clay in the soil than in Morgon and always gives a well-structured wine. The 2021 shows a bright black/purple color and high-toned aromas of blackberry and black raspberry with violet and citrus peel, quite elegant. The palate is supple and ripe but not heavy with lovely black raspberry, cherry and raspberry confit, quite sapid and long with refreshing acidity and finishing with lingering red fruit and mineral flavors. Delicious now this will open up over the next few years, drink until 2028.

Terres Dorées (Jean-Paul Brun) 2021 Beaujolais l'Ancien V.V.

L'Ancien comes from Jean Paul Brun's home village of Charnay in the southern Beaujolais. The vines range in age from 40 to 60 years old and are planted on slopes sporting the area's signature sandy clay-limestone soils, featuring the particular local "dorée" or "golden" limestone that is laden with iron. These older vines have always been farmed organically and harvested by hand and yield small, thick-skinned Gamay berries. As for all Terres Dorées reds, the vinification is traditional Burgundian rather than the normal carbonic maceration in Beaujolais. The palate shows lush, ripe berry fruits backed by citrusy acidity, quite refreshing. The finish is long and sappy with bright red fruits and tart acidity - stock-up on this crowd-pleasing Beaujolais!

Terres Dorées (Jean-Paul Brun) 2022 Beaujolais Chardonnay

Jean-Paul Brun's Chardonnay comes from 35 year-old vines grown on sandy clay and limestone soils in the southern Beaujolais  and is raised in stainless steel (no oak).  Bright aromas of peach, apricot, lemon zest, and thyme lead to flavors of pure white fruits, juicy lime, crisp orange blossom, subtle herbal undertones, and a long chalky finish. Paired with salad, seafood,chicken, goat milk cheeses, or nothing at all, this is a beautiful choice and great value in white Burgundy!

Vignes du Maynes 2019 Morgon Les Charmes

Starting with beautiful biodynamic grapes from Roland Pignard on "les Charmes" in Morgon, Julien worked his magic in the cellar with his zero-sulfur semi-carbonic vinification and the result is this superb Morgon from great terroir. The wine shows the ripeness of this excellent vintage in Beaujolais and the intense flavors of terroir always present in the Pignard wines over the years. Julien's vinification has created a beautifully balanced and pretty wine with fabulous length - drink now or cellar 5 to 10 years.

Vionnet, Karim 2020 Beaujolais-Villages

Karim Vionnet, who worked for years with Guy Breton, makes Beaujolais-Villages and Chiroubles with 5 hectares of vines averaging 55 years old. No chemical treatments in the vineyard and no yeasts, sugar or sulfur added in vinification. The Beaujolais-Villages, from vines in Quincie, Beaujeu and Lantigne, receives about 10 mg of sulfur at bottling. As we have watched a lot of our favorite wines from the region creep up in price, the Vionnet is still mercifully affordable and delicious. It's full of pretty high toned strawberry and purple-tinged fruit and lined around the edges with hints of dark flowers and baking spices, etc etc. What is really important with great Beaujolais is that fresh quenching feel that comes when you drain your glass after a bite of fatty ham or sausage with some crusty bread. This is a perfect wine when you need a bottle or four. Sam Ehrlich

Bellegrave 2010 Pomerol

The 2010 Château Bellegrave is something serious. Not an outright meaty wine, it's savory in more of an alluring, herbaceous, mint-and-tobacco way. An hour open reveals a nose of red fruit, flavors of dark minerals and plum, and a bracing structure of lean edges and good acidity. The crucial stuffing, the attractive, semi-plump middle, forms after three hours or so of air. At this point, the wine's aromas and flavors have expanded, too. Dashes of extra-dark cocoa and dried cherries hum under more pungent and lasting aromas of black pepper, leather and smoke. A subtle, bitter kiss of ground espresso and an even subtler peck of mint give pleasurable nuance to a palate of dates, plum, and red currants. No cellaring needed, drink this today - just open it at 5 if your meal begins at 8. David Hatzopoulos

Cartier 2018 Saint-Emilion Chateau Cartier

The second label to Chateau Fonroque,  the Chateau Cartier sees none of the estate's Cabernet Franc. The Merlot that goes into this wine comes from under the limestone plateau of St.-Emilion, picked from biodynamically farmed vines on the limestone-clay and silty clay soils of the slopes and bottom-slopes.  All fruit is picked by hand. The wine was fermented naturally and aged in a mixture of 75% barrel and 25% concrete vats. A very impressive partner to Fonroque, mimicking the minerally character that the estate is known for.  The nose delivers scents of dark flowers and rich baked fruit - strawberry, cherry, blueberry. The palate shows deep red and black cherry and plum, with accents of warm cedar and herbs. There is great minerality, which lends the wine a structure of supreme freshness, but a textural softness making the wine quite delicious now in the sunny 2018 vintage. Great wine. David Hatzopoulos

Chateau Brandeau 2019 Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux Chateau Brandeau

The house red if you will, Chateau Brandeau is a classically dark-fruited yet elegant and balanced Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux. Majority Merlot (80%) from slopes on clay, with old vines Cabernet Franc from clay and limestone soils. Julien feels this wine offers a true expression of the terroir of the estate, "sans artifice." Maceration is for about 4 weeks, with light extraction, some occasional punchdowns and light pumping over. Aging is for 16 months in 5000L foudres. Note, there's no new oak here, or even small second use barrels. Perhaps this is what he means by "sans artifice" as we do get a very pure expression of smooth cassis fruit from the Merlot, a lovely touch of the Cabernet Franc on limestone for mineral complexity in the finish, and the neutral aging that allowed the wine to develop slowly and preserved the fruit notes. This is, in the end, the idea for the wine, that it would show the fruit, with the subtle complexity of the aging in large foudres without the taste of wood. A great, no nonsense $20 bottle of Bordeaux!

Chateau Brandeau 2019 Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux Les Barriques d'Alice

Alice, Julien's daughter, is the inspiration for the name of this wine, which is a selection from six parcels on south facing clay/limestone slopes in the domaine, fermented and aged in used 500L barrels ("Barriques") for 16 months. A blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, the wine has fantastic balance and smooth integrated tannins, partly from the fruit and partly from the barrel aging, with nice subtle flavors of oak here. There's no reason not to open it now to have with a satisfying meal, but of the Chateau Brandeau wines, it is the most suited for aging over the next 5 years. As a fan of 2019 Bordeaux reds, I'll be putting some away to have when dinner calls for Bordeaux in a few years!  -EL

Chateau Brandeau 2020 Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux Joue Franc Jeu

Joue Franc Jeu is likely some play on words. Joue is play, Franc is for Cabernet Franc, but can also mean honest, Jeu is game. I'm not sure, but Julien is playing the Cabernet Franc game fantastically here with this 100% Cab Franc expression from clay and limestone soils. This is a really charming red, for fans of Cabernet Franc and for fans of easy-going wines with a bit of structure. The maceration is short here, around a week, and there was no intervention during fermentation and aging, with a very low dose of SO2 at bottling. The staff here at Chambers Street Wines were all fans of this when we opened the wines, not just because it was unexpected to have a 100% Cab Franc from Bordeaux, but also for the graceful yet still earthy and honest style.

Chateau Brandeau 2021 Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux "Banzai"

Banzai is a tasty, pure Merlot expression from clay and limestone soils in Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux. The grapes are carefully destemmed and see a short and light maceration for 7-8 days, in what is called 'infusion style,' meaning there is no pumping over or any kind of aggressive agitation of the skins and juice, which are allowed to ferment with less extraction (less grippy tannins). It's Merlot, so it's ripe enough and has plenty of material to maintain an ideal medium-bodied expression, but it's also light in a way, not in the glass necessarily but on the palate and in terms of drinkability. For $18 it's a no-brainer as a perfect medium bodied and silky red for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, well, basically every night. No intervention during fermentation or aging, with small addition of SO2 at bottling.

Chateau Fonroque 2017 Grand Cru Classe Saint-Emilion

Château Fonroque is a superb certified biodynamic and organic estate near Saint-Émilion. Owned by the Moueix family since 1931, the estate is a proponent of traditional wine-making techniques with hand harvesting, spontaneous yeasts, and limited use of new oak. An elegant Bordeaux with precise minerality, the wine is a blend of Merlot (80%) and Cabernet Franc (20%) of 35-year-old vines planted on limestone soils with some portions of clay on the hillside of the vineyard. The wine is fermented with native yeast in concrete vats and then aged in oak (with 30% new), keeping the freshness of the vintage. The resulting wine is a Bordeaux with energy and tension, bright calcareous minerality, great acidity and grippy tannin. On the nose, the bouquet is complex and lively with crunchy cranberry and black cherry, tart dark berries, dried tobacco leaves, Moroccan spices, earth, purple flower and savory notes. Drinking beautifully now, pair this wine with classic fare, such a steak, roasted rack of lamb, duck breast and full-flavored cheese, or age it for an additional 15 years.

Chateau Micalet 2019 Haut Medoc

hateau Micalet, with a few hectares in the commune of Lamarque was classified "Cru Artisan" by Feret in 1893.  Acquired by the Fedieu family in 1972 the estate was enlarged slightly, never using herbicides, and with a new generation the conversion to organic agriculture was started in 2006. The estate now has 10 hectares on deep beds of gravel, planted at 8,000 pieds/hectare; the normal blend is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot -  and 7% Petit Verdot,  a grape the Fedieus feel is particularly important. The grapes are harvested by hand and undergo a 3 to 4 week fermentation, the wine ages in barrique, 30% new. The nose on the Haut Medoc has dark plummy cassis fruit, with hints of vanilla and baking spice. Young leather notes and dark gravel tones as well. A little floral with dark violets and roses. The palate has deep, lush black cherry. Graphite and iron on the tongue give an earthy glimmer. Medium acid and soft tannin, but great density at its core and terriic length. Drink up - this is a sensational value for a very good Haut-Medoc!

d'Arsac: The Winemakers' Collection 2005 Haut Medoc Michel Rolland Cuvee No 1

Ferriere 2016 Margaux

"Chateau Ferriere was certified organic in 2015 and biodynamic in 2018.  It is one of the rare Classified Growths to be biodynamic certified, not only in its vineyard, but also in the cellar. Ferriere develops its own wild yeast starter culture, avoids any input during vinification and limits the addition of sulfur to the strict minimum. 20% of the wine is aged in small ovoid concrete vats, developed by the property in 2012, and the biggest part of the ageing takes place in oak barrels. Born of this approach are wines that are more mineral, fresh and vibrant that fully express the terroir, without embellishment nor artifice." - Ferriere website "The 2016 Ferriere is a dense, full-bodied wine that will need a few years in bottle to shed some of its tannins. Old vines imbue the 2016 with a palpable sense of power and resonance that comes through in the wine's dark, somber personality. Blackberry, smoke and gravel are some of the notes that build as the 2016 opens in the glass." - Vinous 2018  The wine is drinking beautifully in 2023, but a decant is advised, or cellar and enjoy until 2040+

Haut Bages Liberal 2019 Pauillac

One half of the vineyard of Château Haut-Bages Libéral is located on the historic plateau of Bages (gravelly soil), while the other half directly overlooks the Gironde on a limestone hill. The presence of limestone in the vineyard brings a touch of freshness and minerality to the style of the wine, making it unique within the Pauillac appellation. Since the 2000s, biodiversity has been at the heart of all the viticultural practices at Château Haut-Bages Libéral. The plots are surrounded by hedges and trees of various species, and they are gradually planted in the heart of the vines. The soils are covered by permanent grassing or by seedlings (rye, mustard, clover, broad beans, lupines, etc.). The estate is certified organic since 2019 and Biodynamic since 2021. The 2019 is a gorgeous wine, complex and powerful with a more fresh and mineral character than most "modern" Bordeaux. Decant if drinking now, or cellar and enjoy until 2040+

Hauts de Smith (Smith Haut-Lafite) 2016 Pessac-Leognan

"Blended at the same time as Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, Les Hauts de Smith 2016 was crafted and aged with the same care as the estate’s Grand Vin; the entire winemaking process is exactly the same." - From the website of Smith Haut-Lafite.  "The 2016 Les Hauts de Smith is pliant, racy and inviting. This Merlot-based wine offers tons of early accessibility and sheer appeal. Super-ripe red cherry, raspberry, mint, rose petal and dried flowers add grace throughout. A range of striking floral/savory Cabernet Sauvignon aromatics add complexity, while the Merlot is felt in the wine’s fleshiness." Vinous

La Conseillante 2001 Pomerol

La Gurgue 2019 Margaux

Claire Villars-Lurton (G & C Lurton of Ferriere, Haut-Bages Liberal and Durfort-Vivens) has dramatically elevated the quality of this unknown Margaux, achieving organic certificatioin in 2016 and Biodynamic certification in 2018.  The 2019 is 54% Cabernet-Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 6% Petit-Verdot. 12 months ageing: 60% in barrels and 40% in ovoid tanks. The vintage is characterised by the elegance of the tannins, thanks to an exceptional late season where hot days alternated with cool nights. 2019 Château La Gurgue is marked by an exuberant nose of black fruits, the wine is ample with a beautiful finish and a lot of freshness. Perhaps the greatest value in Margaux!

Micalet 2019 Haut Medoc Origine

The Chateau Micalet Haut-Medoc "Origine" is from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and 20% Petit Verdot grown on deep beds of gravel in Lamarque. The Fedieu familu created this wine to be a slightly lighter and more ready-to-drink version of their Haut-Medoc, with a shorter cuvaison and without aging in wood. The Origine has a beautiful nose, with ripe blackberries, dried blueberries and an elegant combo of orange peel and clove. On the palate, the wine is full and bold, with black pepper, dark cherry and a zesty accent of cassis and plum peel. Structurally, the wine shows just enough generous texture, a mineral zing, and medium acid. A fantastic buy at under $20! David Hatzopoulos

Peybonhomme 2020 Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux Quintessence

This year's Quintessence from the famille Hubert's estate in the Cotes de Bordeaux is composed of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon from beautiful biodynamically farmed vines on clay limestone soils.  The nose is dense and ripe on opening, showing ripe cassis, blackberry and raspberry, with hints of warming spice. With time open, the wine shows increasingly complex aromatic qualities, with more tobacco and earth coming through by hour 4 or 5. On the palate, the fruit is again ripe and dense, with cassis liqueur, ripe blackberry, and black cherry balanced by bristly tannins and limestone minerality on the long finish. After some time open, the palate leans more towards cacao and earth, but the ripe fruit remains dominant. A pleasure now with butter basted rib eye steak or roast beef, it will certainly improve over the next 10 to 15 years...

Planquette (Didier Michaud) 2019 Vin de France (Médoc)

Didier Michaud works 1.7 hectares in the Medoc with 30 to 100 year-old vines on limestone with thin soils of clay with sand and stones.  He has old vines of Merlot Queue Rouge and massale selection Cabernet Sauvignon, farmed organically with just a little compost and shallow plowing. Vinification with wild yeasts, no extraction and no added sulfur (total SO2 less than 2 mg/L). This is one of the most "natural" and deliciously old-fashioned wines of Bordeaux. In the glass, the '19 is rich and plummy in color. The nose is heady, with awesome smells of mint, fresh garden soil, graphite, and pungent  dark flowers. Flavors steer towards ripe forest fruits, like blueberry, blackberry, and cassis. Anise and herbs, with crunchy minerals, add flare to the wine's fruit. Great density, a velvety texture with engaging tannins and bright acidity. Definitely a bold Bordeaux, clocking in at 15% ABV, but so delicious, well structured and drinkable. Yum! David Hatzopoulos

Sarget de Gruaud Larose 2020 St. Julien

Sarget of Gruaud Larose: 100% of the surface is managed according to the principles of Organic and Biodynamic Agriculture. The estate is in conversion to organic production since 2019. The soils are Garonne gravel from the first quaternary, planted to 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 3 % Petit Verdot. This second label of Gruaud Larose is a lovely Saint-Julien to drink now, medium bodied and supple with floral aromas and pretty red and black fruits, earth and tobacco notes - drink now or cellar and enjoy over the next ten years.

Yquem 2013 Sauternes .375ml

Peybonhomme 2021 Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux Le Blanc - Arrives 9/18

 This is the twelfth vintage of the Hubert family's "Blanc Bonhomme" - the vines are now 17 years old, certified organic and Biodynamic. The grapes are hand-harvested in the early morning, pressed gently, fermented with native yeasts and the wine is aged partly in new oak, mostly in cement vats. Only about 650 cases are made. In 2020, Le Blanc is 45% Sauvignon Blanc, 45% Semillon, and 10% Colombard, and shows elegant pear, lemon, herbal and dried flower aromas, with pear, citrus and chalky mineral flavors on the palate. At 12.5% alcohol, the 2021 is lighter and brighter than the previous 3 vintages and it really shows the terroir with crisp acidity, lovely white fruit, a hint of dried pineapple, light oak and stony flavors in the finish. Really a lovely, balanced and food-friendly wine - serve with anything from oysters to grilled fish to roast chicken.

Buisson, Henri & Gilles 2021 St. Romain La Perriere

From a parcel of forty-year old vines, roughly 325 meters above the valley and village of Saint Romain. The soils here are intensely chalky and this comes across immediately. Notes of fresh stones and spring water on the nose, with soft lemons and fresh minerality. Very long and clean, with a subtle touch of viscosity in the finish. Probably the lightest of the range today, this feels very much in conversation with first-rate Chablis. 

Buisson, Henri & Gilles 2021 St. Romain Sous Le Chateau

'Sous Le Chateau' comes from vines averaging thirty years, but high on the slope (nearly 400 meters above sea level) and facing south-southeast. This is the fullest feeling of the Buisson St. Romains, with ripe lime and orange citrus, white peach and apricot notes and some sweet spice up front. There is excellent length on the palate and plenty of stoniness at the back end. The 2021 saw about 10% new oak and was fermented and aged in barrel as with their other whites. Overall, there is a creamier mouthfeel than the Perriere, with fresh green herbs and a long finish. Fantastic!

Buisson, Henri & Gilles 2021 St. Romain Blanc Sous la Velle

'Sous la Velle' faces due east and is another parcel high above the valley. The vines average sixty years old though some are as old as ninety. This is a show-stopping wine. The nose and palate show lemon curd, white flowers, and limeade, with accents of buttery croissant and spice. The limestone here adds power and presence, aided by incredible acidity.  This is absolutely top class white Burgundy and not to be missed. It was a bit more reserved on the nose, clearly this will age beautifully and as the only white that seemed a bit reserved overall (yet clearly showing fantastic potential), we'd recommend putting this one down for a little while.

Chandon de Briailles 2020 Savigny-les-Beaune Les Saucours Blanc

Chandon de Briailles 2020 Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru Ile de Vergelesses Blanc

Of the four hectares that Chandon de Briailles owns in Île de Vergelesses, one hectare is planted to Chardonnay. It's a clay and limestone soil, which is a part of the same geological break as Charlemagne; with more clay at the bottom of the parcel and very calcareous at the top. The chardonnay, planted in 1985 and 1991, is in a perect location mid-slope facing east. Fermented and aged in two 1,000L Stockinger barrels. Bottled in September 2021 because it aged much slower in the large barrels.

Chateau des Rontets 2019 Pouilly-Fuissé "Pierrefolle"

"The Pouilly-Fuissé cuvée Pierrefolle is made from the only vineyard situated outside the Clos at Rontets: this plot is set only 500 meters south and is warmer because of its plain East exposure and the sheltered position from the North wind. This climat has older geological origins, preceding the Jurassic era: it sits on a granitic bedrock and its soil has no clay or limestone. This is why at the beginning of the 1970s it was planted using the Riparia rootstock, which has low vigor and guarantees limited yields and very good quality grapes. All these characteristics produce wines with lower acid, compared to those produced within our Clos. Although larger and somehow more generous, Pierrefolle is always sustained by a precise mineral expression and citrus aromatic note." In the 2019 vintage, the Pierrefolle shows a beautiful, very elegant nose of white and exotic fruits, citrus and stone. The palate is quite dense and very mineral with firm saline acidity underlying the pear and citrus fruit. The finish is long with mineral flavors lingering on the well-structured palate. This is a sensational Pouilly-Fuissé and a great food pairing - drinking well now, but five to ten years of aging will be very interesting. Highly recommended. David Lillie

Dangin, Bruno NV Crémant de Bourgogne Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut

What a difference 2 kilometers makes! Bruno Dangin's Crémant de Bourgogne is made from 100% Pinot Noir from organically farmed vines in Molesme, located just beneath the southern border of Champagne's Aube.The limestone rich soils are the same as those of their pricier neighbor to the north.  Boasting a fine bead and soft mousse and aromas of red fruits and autolyse, one would be hard pressed to spot the difference. The palate offers great depth, pure pinot fruit, and a suave, layered, persistent finish. This is a great value in bubbles and will grace the holiday table nicely. John McIlwain

Domaine de l'Enclos 2022 Chablis

From the Bouchard bros, a fabulous textbook Chablis even from such a hot vintage! Lovely minerality and yellow apple/citrus aromas on the nose. The palate bursts with juicy lemonade with a chalky undercurrent. An elegant finish clocking in at 12.5%, truly excellent! Giselle Hamburg

Heitz. A 2018 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru

Another sliver of a parcel here, right at the top of Charlemagne.

Lafouge 2020 Auxey-Duresses Les Boutonniers

"Les Boutonniers" is contiguous with Meursault "Meix Chavaux" on shallow soils of clay, high in iron, over the limestone bedrock, usually giving a somewhat lean and very "mineral" white Burgundy. "The 2020 les Boutonniers is one of the ripest white wine in the cellars this year, coming in at a svelte 13.2 percent octane! The wine is beautiful, offering up a complex nose of tart pear, apple, lime blossoms, chalky soil tones, beeswax and just a hint of vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is bright, full-bodied and tensile in personality, with a fine core of fruit, excellent mineral drive and a long, zesty finish. I would be inclined to give this lovely wine a couple of years in the cellar and let some of its secondary layers unfurl. Fine juice." John Gilman "View from the Cellar"

Lafouge 2021 Auxey-Duresses Les Hautés Blanc

As easy as it is to forget the quality of Auxey-Duresses Blanc, it's just as easy to overlook the sensational quality of Domaine Lafouge. The Auxey-Duresses Blanc Les Hautés (from the lieu dit situated next to Les Vireuils in Meursault) displays a fine balance of white floral aromas (acacia and honeysuckle) with white orchard fruits on the nose. The palate is racy and mineral with pear and nectarine fruit vying for attention with a good degree of mineral cut. This is pretty and a fine value in white Burgundy.

Lignier, Hubert 2021 Bourgogne Aligoté Aux Poirelots

Lignier, Hubert 2021 St. Romain

Magnien, Stephane 2021 Bourgogne Aligoté

The 2021 Stéphane Magnien Bourgogne Aligoté is from a small parcel of 30 year-old vines in clay soils below the village of Morey-Saint-Denis. Harvesting is by hand with a severe selection, about 200 cases are made, best to drink over the next 3 to 5 years. Amongst a slew of sub-par Aligotés and highly priced, allocated Aligotés, this one stands out, delivering just enough density and weight to balance the high acidity, mineral and chiseled stony notes. This is a great aperitif, and a perfect accompaniment to herbed fish, or any type of seafood for that matter. "Pale yellow color with silver reflections. Nose with aromas of yellow fruits and citrus fruits. The palate is fresh, aromatic and elegant. Un vin goulayant et agréable, serve cool over the next 2 - 3 years."

Moreau, Alex (formerly Domaine Bernard Moreau) 2021 Bourgogne Blanc

Moreau-Naudet 2021 Chablis 1er Cru Forêts

One of the truly great sites in Chablis, comparable in some vintages to the Grands Crus. Moreau-Naudet's vines age from twenty-five to sixty years. There is an overall sense of class and poise here that makes obvious the Premier Cru designation. It combines a delicacy of texture with density and a feeling that if you have the patience to stash a couple away, there will be plenty to unpack as you drink them through the years.

Moreau-Naudet 2021 Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre

Generally considered the greatest of Chablis' Premier Cru vineyards, Montée de Tonnerre is one of only two that share the same hillside and exposition with the Grand Crus. While it may not have all the breadth and power of those vineyards, it nonetheless produces wines of great intensity that can be aged for many years.

Morey-Coffinet 2021 Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru

Importer note from Martine's Wines: "From a well-situated plot, this 0.13-hectare parcel of vines was planted in 1996 at the top of the vineyard and is located on the Chassagne side. There is no trimming on this site and it is plowed by horse. Aged 16 months in 350 L oak barrels, 50% new. Unfiltered."

Morey-Coffinet 2021 Bourgogne Blanc

From a 0.96-hectare parcel in the village of Chassagne, both the Santenay and Puligny sides, planted in 1988, 2001, and 2012. Aged in barrels, with 25% new for 10 months.

Morey-Coffinet 2021 Saint Aubin 1er Cru Frionnes

Les Frionnes is a Premier cru located south of the town of Gamay, between Saint Aubin and Chassagne Montrachet. Thibault Morey has good company here with neighbors like Lamy and Prudhon. Average vine age is 40 to 60 years old. The wine is aged for 10 months in 228 and 350 L oak barrels, 30% new and 70% two-year-old barrels.

Petit-Roy 2021 HCB Blanc

Seichii's Hautes Cotes de Beaune Blanc is from a small vineyard in the village of Nantoux, slightly north-west of Pommard. The vineyard is biodynamically farmed and harvest is by hand with careful selection. Aging is in barrel for about a year, and bottling is without fining or filtration and with a minimal addition of SO2.

Rateau 2022 Beaune Clos des Mariages Blanc

Located toward the bottom of the slope beneath Beaune Grèves and adjacent to Les Cents Vignes, Clos des Mariages is a mix of young and very old vines planted in clay and limestone soils. The lovely 2022 Blanc shows high-toned aromas of lime-flower, melon, pear, wet stone and honeysuckle. The palate is light and silky with pear, apple and citrus flavors with chalky minerals and herbal notes in the refreshing finish. Superb in 2022, the wine combines lush, lovely fruit with bright acidity and a real mineral presence. Delicious now, but in 5 - 10 years it will be quite special.  David Lillie

Rateau 2022 Cote de Beaune La Grande Chatelaine

About a kilometer or two northwest of the Beaune 1er Crus, La Grande Chatelaine is a cooler site with soils comprised of clay over limestone. The 2022 Clos de la Grande Chatelain is 90% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Blanc and Pinot Beurot. This is a great vintage for the Grande Chatelaine - it's classy and elegant wine with fresh cool-toned aromatics of white flowers,  nectarine, rainwater,  and pear skin. The medium-bodied palate is a little warmer toned  offering flavors of nectarine, white peach, and crushed herb with a fairly savory finish. Beautiful wine!

Seguin-Manuel 2021 Bourgogne Blanc

Seguin-Manuel has flown under the radar for many years, making really pretty elegant Burgundies in both colors. They farm organically, use a minimum of new oak and produce wines that speak of their origins. This is an excellent Bourgogne Blanc (Chardonnay) that is not marked by new oak notes, and has a very balanced mid-palate with some weight and good acidity.

Vignes du Maynes 2020 Mâcon-Cruzille Les Chassagnes 1.5L

The Vignes du Mayne "Les Chassagnes" is from massale-slection Chardonnay.  The walled vineyard (clos) was abandoned around 1880 after the phylloxera epidemic,  replanted  in 2005. The virgin soil is rich with humus from the forest that had grown on it. The very thin layer of soil (15 to 30 cm) is clay-limestone. The colluvial deposits of clay loam covering a layer of very calcareous and siliceous weathered limestone give the wines their minerality. Yield 20 hl/ha / Organic and biodynamic farming. Harvested by hand with no sorting because it is unnecessary / 12 hours of crushing and skin maceration before pressing / Fermentation in 600L demi-muids using natural yeasts, no SO2 / Matured on lees for 11 months without racking / Bottled in September with or without SO2 depending on the batches.

Bérêche et Fils 2019 Champagne Extra Brut Ludes 1er Cru 'Beaux Regards'

Les Beaux Regards is a blend of two parcels of Chardonnay in Ludes on the northern slope of the Montagne de Reims planted in 1964 and 1970. Grapes for the bottling come from the "Beaux Regards" vineyard planted in 1902 close to Ludes and parcels planted in 1964 and 1970. The loamy clay soils produce a Champagne more vinous in character, rather than exclusively taut and chalky. 100% Chardonnay, disgorged January '23 Extra Brut with 2g/l dosage.

Bérêche et Fils 2019 Champagne Extra Brut Rive Gauche

Pinot Meunier-based Champagnes always remind us of Fall. Something about the spiciness and orchard fruit with the broader palate character from the limestone clay soils seem to lend warmth and breadth to the profile.. 100% old-vine Pinot Meunier sourced from the lieu-dit Le Misy, located in Port à Binson on the southern bank of the Marne river. Fermented with native yeasts in barrel and aged under cork, Bérêche's 'Rive Gauche' makes a convincing case for Champagnes made from the oft-underestimated Pinot Meunier grape. The old vines restrict the sometimes overly exuberant quality of the variety. 100% Pinot Meunier from 2019 vintage. Disgorged in November of 2022, 2g/l dosage.

Forget-Brimont NV Champagne Brut 375ml

Marguet 2018 Champagne Grand Cru Ambonnay

Marguet 2018 Champagne Grand Cru Avize

Marguet 2018 Champagne Grand Cru Bouzy Rose

Marguet 2018 Champagne Grand Cru La Grande Ruelle

Marguet 2018 Champagne Grand Cru Le Parc

Marguet 2018 Champagne Grand Cru Les Beurys

Marguet 2018 Champagne Grand Cru Verzenay

Marguet 2018 Champagne Grand Cru Village 6pack - Wooden box

Nowack, Flavien NV (Base 19) Champagne Extra Brut Les Arpents Rouges

Nowack, Flavien NV (Base 20) Champagne Extra Brut 'Autre Cru' Blanc de Meunier

Perrier-Jouet 2007 Champagne Belle Epoque

Prevost (La Closerie) NV (2010) Champagne Les Beguines

Solemme 2016 Brut Nature 1er Cru Ambre de Solemme

Solemme 2018 Brut Nature 1er Cru Espit de Solemme Noir et Blanc

Solemme NV Brut 1er Cru Terre de Solemme

Suenen 2016 Cramant Grand Cru Les Robarts Extra-Brut

Suenen 2019 Base Champagne Oiry GC Blanc de Blancs Extra-Brut

Chandon de Briailles 2020 Corton-Bressandes Grand Cru

Chandon de Briailles 2020 Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru Les Lavières

Chantal Lescure 2021 Côte de Beaune Clos des Topes Bizot Rouge

From vines planted in 1960,  high on the slope in Beaune just above the 1er Cru L'Ecu, facing east, in a terroir of clay and pebbles over limestone. (The name refers to "toppe" meaning field or fallow land before planting vines, Bizot is a common family name in Burgundy) The grapes from this high elevation vineyard are harvested late and undergo a short pre-fermentation maceration, aging is in two and three year-old 500 liter barrels. The 2021 shows high-toned aromas of ripe black cherry fruit with rose, black pepper, earth and citrus, quite elegant. The palate is silky and very "calcaire" with sappy black cherry - intensely mineral with firm acidity, earth and black fruits that linger in the long finish. This is a quite elegant and "mineral" Burgundy at a very reasonable price, that will benefit from a few hours open or three to five years of cellaring.  David Lillie

Chantal Lescure 2020 Pommard Les Vaumuriens

The Chantal Lescure Pommard "Les Vaumuriens" is from a steep northeast facing slope abutting Volnay, just above "Les Rugiens." The vines are 45 - 50 years old, grown on very rocky soils of brown limestone over limestone marl and hard limestone giving very earthy wines very marked by the terroir. The wine shows aromas of cherry, blackberry and earth with a very "calcaire' palate, less forward than most 2020s. The lighter weight and more mineral character of Vaumuriens makes it a very versatile food pairing. Decant if drinking now, or hold 3 - 5 years then enjoy until 2035.

Chantal Lescure 2020 Pommard 1er Cru Les Bertins

The Chantal Lescure Pommard 1er Cru "Les Bertins" is from a one hectare parcel of old vines on the Volnay side of Pommard, at the base of the slope in clay over hard  limestone and rocky debris. There is a pre-fermentation maceration followed by a long, slow fermentation with wild yeasts, with aging in 30% new barrels with one soutirage after 18 months. The wine shows a deep red/black color with bright, elegant aromas of blackberry and black cherry, deep and meaty with rose, earth and blood orange. The palate is dense and chalky with round, sappy blackberry and red currant fruit, licorice and minerals, lifted by bright acidity. The finish is long with saline minerals and black fruits lingering on the palate. Decant if drinking now - this very elegant Pommard will benefit from five years of cellaring, then enjoy until 2040. David Lillie

Domaine Cruchandeau 2021 Beaune 'Les Bon Feuvres'

Importer tech info: "Located on the southern end of Beaune, bordering the 1er Crus, on mostly clay soils. 40-year-old vines. Produced in two tanks, whole cluster in one tank, 100% destemmed in another. Three-week maceration. Aged 12 months on lees in stainless steel."

Domaine Cruchandeau 2021 Savigny Les Beaunes Rouge

Importer tech note: "From two plots planted in 1980 totaling .45 hectares. The grapes are partly destemmed, followed by cold maceration for ten days and by vatting for 3 to 6 weeks and frequent pumping over. Aged between 12 and 15 months in oak barrels (20% new)."

Domaine des Croix 2020 Corton Grand Cru Greves

100% Pinot noir. Organic. 60-year-old vines. It sees 25% whole cluster and 16 months in 33% new oak. David Croix begin his winemaking career straight out of viticulture school when he took over the reigns at Camille Giroud (as well as working with Guy Roulot), when he was just 24 years old. In 2016 he quit his day job to focus entirely on his own small domaine, which he purchased back in 2005.

Domaine des Croix 2020 Corton Grand Cru La Vigne au Saint

100% Pinot Noir. Organic. sourced from the brown clay and Jurassic limestone terroir known as "Corton limestone." As with many clay-rich sites, this bottling sees more stems—40% whole-cluster in this case.

Fery, Jean 2017 Savigny-les-Beaunes Sous la Cabotte

This is a lovely Savigny-les-Beaune and a great value for current drinking, showing soft cherry fruit and floral aromas. Medium dark ruby robe. Dark berry fruit and black cherry, loamy earth, and hint of wood smoke on the nose. Heady spice aromas follow. Earthy flavors vie with black fruits, iron, blackberry seed, for attention. Serve cool, enjoy over the next 3 - 5 years.

Génot-Boulanger 2017 Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru Clos du Chapitre

This Premier Cru red comes from the Clos du Chapitre, a parcel with some iron, along with limestone with flint stones.. Vines are an average of 50 years old, surrounding the parcel called 'Les Miex,' and facing South. Destemmed fruit, native yeast fermentation, and aging in barrel for 12 months, with 10-15% new oak, followed by 6 months in stainless steel before bottling. There is a ripe strawberry and raspberry profile on the nose with integrated wood and mineral structure in the mid-palate. Delicious now and should be lovely as the fruit tones down over time in the cellar. 

Huber-Verdereau 2020 Meursault 'Dressolles'

Huber-Verdereau is a humble domaine in Burgundy that stopped using synthetic fertilizers or herbicides in 1994, and obtained organic certification in 2003, with Biodynamic certification following shortly after that. Their approach in the cellar is non-interventionist, like their approach in the vineyards. Their Meursault comes from a tiny 26 ares plot, which is about a half of an acre large. Grapes are harvested carefully by hand and go through pneumatic press over the course of 4 hours. The juice settles in stainless steel before being moved to barrels for fermentation and aging, without stirring, for 1 year. This is undeniably a top-level Chardonnay, both opulent and at the same time very balanced by natural acidity. We're fans of White Burgundy overall in 2020, which seems like an all-around great year for whites, and this fine bottle of Meursault does not disappoint!  -EL

Lafon, Dominique 2020 Volnay 1er Cru Lurets

Lafon, Dominique 2021 Volnay

Laurent, Dominique 2005 Corton Vieilles Vignes

Magnien, Henri 2021 Aloxe-Corton 1er Cu La Coutiere

Magnien, Henri 2021 Corton Grand Cru Les Grandes Lolieres 1.5L Mag

Morey-Coffinet 2021 Bourgogne Rouge

From a 0.81 hectare in Les Grandes Terres & Grand Champs. planted in 1968 and 1978. Aged ten months in barrel, 30% new, 70% two-years-old.

Morey-Coffinet 2021 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos Saint Jean

Importer note from Martine's Wines: "Historically, one of the great sites for Pinot Noir in Chassagne, owned primarily by the Pillot family. From a 0.2 hectare parcel planted in 1978. Aged 14 months in 228 L oak barrels, 50% new. Unfiltered."

Morot, Albert 2010 Beaune 1er Cru Toussaints

Murat, Herve 2012 Hautes Cotes de Nuits Le Clos Duc

Pavelot, Jean-Marc 2009 Savigny Les Beaune 1er Cru Narbantons

Pavelot, Jean-Marc 2010 Savigny Les Beaune 1er Cru Dominode

Pavelot, Jean-Marc 2010 Savigny Les Beaune 1er Cru Gravains

Pavelot, Jean-Marc 2010 Savigny Les Beaune 1er Cru Narbantons

Pavelot, Jean-Marc 2010 Savigny-Les-Beaune 1er Cru Aux Guettes

Pavelot, Jean-Marc 2011 Savigny Les Beaune 1er Cru Dominode

Pavelot, Jean-Marc 2011 Savigny Les Beaune 1er Cru Gravains

Pavelot, Jean-Marc 2011 Savigny Les Beaune 1er Cru Lavieres

Pavelot, Jean-Marc 2012 Savigny Les Beaune 1er Cru Dominode

Pavelot, Jean-Marc 2012 Savigny-Les-Beaune 1er Cru Aux Guettes

Petit-Roy 2021 Auxey-Duresses Rouge

Petit-Roy 2021 Hautes-Cotes de Beaune Rouge

Petit-Roy 2021 Hautes-Cotes de Nuits Rouge

Petit-Roy 2021 Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru Les Fichots

Rapet, Père et Fils 2021 Pernand-Vergelesses Les Belles Filles

Rapet, Père et Fils 2021 Savigny-Les-Beaunes

Rapet, Père et Fils 2021 Bourgogne Rouge "En Bully"

Rapet, Père et Fils 2021 Chorey-les-Beaune Vieilles Vignes

Rapet, Père et Fils 2021 Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru "Aux Founaux" (Jan 20)

Rateau 2020 Beaune 1er Cru Les Bressandes

Jean-Claude Rateau has a large parcel in the 1er Cru Les Bressandes on a steep slope facing east with pebbly clay/limestone soils, conducted in biodynamic farming since 1979. The soil is warm and well-drained giving ripe, structured wines. There is a 21-day cuvaison with manual cap-punching followed by 18 months in old barrels. The 2020 is a superb wine that will age beautifully. The aromas are deep and complex with black fruits, earth, violets and spice. The palate is ripe and intense, elegant and beautifully balanced with red and black fruits, earth and saline mineral flavors. "Precise" is the word that came to mind, a great expression of this terroir, showing a bit more like a Grèves or Teurons in this vintage. Certainly interesting to taste now but best after five years of cellaring, and for many years after that. A great Burgundy for the cellar at a reasonable price!

Rateau 2022 Beaune Clos des Mariages

Located toward the bottom of the slope beneath Beaune Grèves and adjacent to Les Cents Vignes, Clos des Mariages is a mix of young and very old vines planted in clay and brown limestone soils. "This fertile soil gives wines that are open and joyous, with delicate spice notes, giving great pleasure in their youth and capable of long-term aging." (J-C Rateau) Indeed the 2022 Clos des Mariages seems a bit fuller than the 2020 and 2021 but showing lovely brightness and balance, really a beautiful wine,  showing a bright mélange of black cherry, strawberry and raspberry with hints of spice, citrus, licorice and violet. The palate shows dense, chalky fruit, sappy and ripe but with firm acidity and mineral flavors that continue in the very long, juicy finish. This is absolutely delicious now and should drink well continuously over the next ten to fifteen years. David Lillie

Rateau 2022 Beaune "Les Beaux et Bons"

Jean-Claude says this wine, sourced from lieux-dits Beaux Fougets (clay soils) and Bons Feuvres (iron-rich soils) on the Pommard side of Beaune, always shows aromas of "cerises noires" (black cherries).  The 2022 has a dark ruby, verging on purple robe. The ripe, lush nose is super-pretty with plummy dark fruit aromas with notes of violet, cassis, and spice box. The palate also tends towards black fruits (there's that black cherry!) but with lovely lightness and balance with savory herbal notes, and a brooding earthiness beneath the ripe, exuberant fruit. This showed a bit lighter than the "Mariages" and "Prevoles" but in a delightful and elegant way  - give this a bit of aeration and it will be a very satisfying bottle with coq au vin or perhaps braised duck legs.

Rateau 2022 Beaune 1er Cru Les Reversées

From vines grown in the calcareous clay soils of "Les Reversées" premier cru, toward the bottom of the hill in the center of the slope next to "Les Teurons," and  below "Clos de la Mousse," exposed east and slightly north (hence "reversées" - wrong side of the hill.) Mostly young vines, massale selection from the Clos des Epenaux. Tjhe 2022 shows generous black cherry, boysenberry, notes of cherry pit and anise on the nose. Ripe mid-weight palate, lighter than "Bressandes," with ripe black fruits, hints of iodine and iron and other soil beneath supple structure. Succulent acidity and savory mineral notes offset the ripeness and lend energy and drive on a balanced and mineral palate-coating finish.. The purity of fruit and earth notes are finely balanced and this is an excellent Burgundy for the mid-term.

Rateau 2022 Beaune Les Prevoles

 The 2022 Beaune Les Prévoles (a lieu-dit below 1er Cru Chouacheux and les Tuvilains) is the most structured and dense of the Rateau Beaune "village" reds, which shows beautiful ripe aromas of cherry and black raspberry with rose, earth, citrus and brown spice.  The palate is chalky and sapid, showing the ripeness of the 2022s, with lush berry fruits enveloping firm acidity and mineral flavors. Really a lovely wine and quite delicous now, full enough for grilled meats, as well as chicken and pork dishes and cheeses such as morbier, tomme de savoie. This should benefit from a bit of aging but is quite beautiful as a young wine, drink until 2035.

Rateau 2022 Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Rouge

From a small parcel of 50 year-old vines in AOC Hautes-Côtes-de-Beaune, certified Biodynamic, "lyre ouverte" pruning.  The wine shows a bright medium red/garnet color and very floral aromas of berry fruits - crushed raspberry, cranberry and strawberry, quite pretty and beautifully light and fresh, even in 2022, with a bit of orange peel and spice. The palate is bright, and light to medium-bodied with sappy tart cherry and strawberry fruit, finishing with juicy acidity and minerals.  The wine is quite elegant and refreshing and low in alcohol - it's a perfect Pinot for summertime dinners with family and friends. Enjoy!

Voillot, Joseph 2005 Volnay 1er Cru Les Fremiets

Voillot, Joseph 2020 Volnay Vieilles Vignes

Voillot, Joseph 2021 Pommard 1er Cru Les Pézerolles

Voillot, Joseph 2021 Pommard 1er Cru Les Rugiens

Bart 2021 Marsannay Clos du Roy

North of "Longeroies," in the commune of Chenove, the slope narrows and is steeper in the large and quite famous parcel the "Clos du Roy," with thin stony soils over white limestone in the upper part and generally deeper soils over limestone marl below. (The parcel was acquired by the Duke of Burgundy in the early 13th century and sold to the king (roy) of France in the 14th century!) This gives the most structured and elegant of the Bart Marsannays (along with our other favorite "Au Champ Salomon"). Hold for 3 to 5 years, drink until 2036+ "A markedly floral nose, and in particular violet, enjoys additional breadth in the form of spiced red berries. The dense and powerful yet seductive and caressing medium-bodied flavors are almost aggressively mineral-inflected while delivering slightly better depth and persistence. Good stuff in a built-to-age package.".  Burghound

Bart 2021 Marsannay La Montagne

Not exactly a mountain, but high on the slope above "dessus des Longerois' facing south, on thin soils of limesone rocks over the white "oolite" limestone bedrock. A bit brighter and lighter than the other three wines offered today, but with lovely density of fruit and very pronounced mineral flvors in the finish. Decant or hold a few years if possible.

Bart 2021 Marsannay Les Ouzeloy

"Les Ouzeloy" is just below "Les Finottes" next to Bas des Longerois. Here the slope has flattened out and the soils are deeper over the limestone below, giving wines with more flesh and weight. The 2021 shows a medium red/garnet color with bright rim. The aromas are floral (rose, violet) with ripe cherry, black raspberry and earth, lush and quite pretty. The palate is supple with a nice chalky texture, not heavy, with ripe morello cherry, strawberry confit, earth, citrus and minerals with nice persistence of citrus and dark fruits in the refreshing finish. Quite delicious now, serve a bit cool, enjoy ever the next 5 years.

Bart 2022 Marsannay Rosé

(not certified organic, but we still love it.) A lovely rosé of Pinot Noir from Pierre Bart in Marsannay, the 2022 shows a bit more weight than usual in this very pretty vintage of ripe, forward fruit. Bright pink color. Subtle hints of red currant and strawberry, floral and mineral. The palate shows nice density and a silky texture with sappy berry fruits, blood orange and stone supported by refreshing acidity, finishing with elegant mineral, citrus and strawberry flavors long and quite delicious. Please open this young wine in advance if drinking now, or even put some aside for next year....

Billard-Gonnet 2015 Pommard 1er Cru Chaponieres VV

Camus-Bruchon 2009 Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru Lavieres

Camus-Bruchon 2010 Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru Lavieres

Camus-Bruchon 2012 Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru Lavieres

Chantal Lescure 2020 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru

From vines in the upper part of the Clos (Lieu-dit "Montiotes Hautes") Terroir pebbly clay/limestone, 50% of the vines are 70+ years-old, 50% were replanted in 2011. (The exact position is a bit unclear on the Beteta maps, which put the Chantal Lescure vines running across "Dix Journaux" into "Montiotes Hautes" (?)  just below Meo-Camuzet and above Guyon, De Montille and Prieuré-Roch)

Domaine des Perdrix 1998 Echezeaux Grand Cru

Drouhin-Laroze 1998 Musigny Grand Cru

Engel, Rene 2003 Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru Les Brulees

Esmonin, Sylvie 2006 Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Clos St. Jacques

Esmonin, Sylvie 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin

 From 30-35+  year-old vines from 4 hectares in many parcels. 40% whole cluster fermentation, aged in 20% new oak.

Fourrier 2016 Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Clos St Jacques

Hospices de Nuits/Meo-Camuzet 1999 Nuits St Georges 1er Cru Didiers Cuvee Jacques Duret

Leroy 2004 Gevrey Chambertin

Leroy 2004 Vosne Romanee

Lienhardt, Antoine 2019 Côte de Nuits Villages 'Emphase'

Lignier, Hubert 2020 Gevrey-Chambertin Regnard

Lignier, Hubert 2020 Morey St. Denis Trilogie

Lignier, Hubert 2021 Bourgogne Grand Chaliot

Magnien, Henri 2021 Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Champeaux

Magnien, Henri 2021 Gevrey Chambertin Vieilles Vignes

Magnien, Stephane 2021 Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Cuvée "Aux Petites Noix"

From two premier crus, Les Gruenchers and Clos Baulet, mid slope in Morey Saint-Denis, giving a slightly fuller wine than Faconnieres. As with all of Stephane's parcels, there is a high percentage of old vines of "pinot tordu."  (As we have only 12 bottles, we offer John McIwain's review of the most likely denser and higher alcohol 2017: "Stephane Magnien is a longtime Chambers  favorite. The 2017 "Aux Petites Noix" has a dark ruby robe. The nose is a touch reserved at first; with an hour in the glass, aromas of black fruits, Lapsang Suchong, mustard seed, and game emerge, with a pleasing cool herbal note lending lift. The palate is mid-weight and fairly concentrated for the vintage—blackberry syrup, dark loamy soil, game, and iron dance around savory mineral core girded by ripe, though somewhat firm tannins. This has good sap and there’s enough sophistication and supple fruit for this to be a pleasure with air (and it is a pleasure), but there’s enough structure, balance, and nascent complexity to warrant 7-10 years of cellaring so that the elements knit. That said, this is just cracking with braised duck legs and olives over  grits, and mustard greens. This is a lovely bottle for earthy, soulful fare and well worth the tariff. John McIlwain")

Millot, Jean-Marc 2003 Echezeaux Grand Cru

Mugneret-Gibourg 2009 Clos Vougeot Grand Cru

Mugneret-Gibourg 2010 Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru (declassified Griotte Chambert

Mugneret-Gibourg 2011 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Chaignots

Mugneret-Gibourg 2011 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Feusselottes

Mugneret-Gibourg 2011 Echezeaux Grand Cru

Mugneret-Gibourg 2011 Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru (declassified Griotte Chambert

Mugneret-Gibourg 2012 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Feusselottes

Mugneret-Gibourg 2012 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Chaignots

Mugneret-Gibourg 2013 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Feusselottes

Mugneret-Gibourg 2013 Clos Vougeot Grand Cru

Mugneret-Gibourg 2013 Ruchottes Chambertin Grand Cru

Mugneret-Gibourg 2013 Vosne Romanee

Perrot-Minot 1999 Chambolle Musigny Vieilles Vignes

Perrot-Minot 2000 Charmes-Chambertin VV Grand Cru

Perrot-Minot 2002 Vosne Romanee Champs Perdrix VV

Potel 2005 Volnay 1er Cru Champans

Prieur, Jacques 2000 Musigny Grand Cru

Rateau 2021 Gevrey-Chambertin

The Gevrey-Chambertin by Jean-Claude Rateau is from two small parcels in "Aux Etelois" (below Grand Cru Griottes)  and "les Epointures" (below 1er Cru Clos Prieur) on the more fine and aromatic side of Gevrey, south of the village. The midweight palate is lithe, racy, and offers up vibrant flavors of dark fruits, crushed herbs, game, and salty soil notes. Great lifted acidity and core of minerality overlain by an assortment of wild berry fruits.  Great tension and verve and a bargain at the price. Wonderful with veau aux champignons.

Rouget 2009 Vosne Romanée

Roumier 2001 Bonnes Mares Grand Cru

Tremblay, Cecile 2017 Echezeaux Grand Cru

Becker, J.B. 2019 Rheingau Wallufer Walkenberg Auslese Trocken

Becker, J.B. 2020 Rheingau Wallufer Walkenberg Spatlese Trocken Alte Reben

Brand 2021 Pfalz Weissburgunder

Hailing from the Northern Pfalz near the border with the Rheinhessen and it's limestone soils. Fresh like a German mountain meadow with herbaceous notes of pine forest floor, grass and white flowers,. Extremely zippy and refreshing with notes of limeade, green apple and peach with effervescent acidity yet juicy fruit. The perfect spring picnic wine meant to be consumed in the great outdoors with a brisk chill, able to accompany all manner of light fare: Pure Spring in a Liter Bottle. Giselle Hamburg

Dönnhoff 2021 Nahe Oberhäuser Brücke Riesling Auslese Goldkap .375

Donnhoff 2021 Nahe Riesling Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Auslese Goldkaps

Dostert, Jonas 2021 Mosel Weiss Pinot gris

Emrich-Schönleber 2021 Nahe Riesling Monzinger Halenberg Auslese

Emrich-Schönleber 2021 Nahe Riesling Monzinger Halenberg Spätlese

Emrich-Schonleber 2022 Nahe Riesling Mineral Trocken

Sourced from the younger vines of the Halenberg and Fruhlingsplatschen GG vinyards, the Mineral offers an incredible value to Riesling lovers. Surprisingly saline whilst true to it's name, Mineral hews razor-blade like precision with hammer like slatey minerality buoyed by linear acidity (even in 2022). A wonderful showcase of all the terroirs of the Nahe. Giselle Hamburg

Emrich-Schönleber 2022 Nahe Riesling Monzinger Halgans Trocken

The GG  HALENBERG is one of the smallest vineyards in Monzingen, but it has the best reputation. It lies to the east of town between 160 and 220 metres with a slope of 20-70 percent and a southern exposition. Its blue-grey slate and quartzite soil makes the steep vineyard easily warmed. Prone to dryness in summer, the difficult, arid growing conditions cause the vines to compensate with small, highly aromatic grapes. Named after the long necked geese that fly overhead it every year, Halgans is a study in power combined with grace. Notes of herbaceousness and grapefruit mingle with steely stoniness and cool spice whilst underscored by vibrant acidity and an incredibly persistent length. As with the Fruhtau, this younger expression of it's GG can benefit from several years ageing. If one is too tempted to wait that long, then at least let it settle till Christmas and serve with... some roast goose, the Schonleber's traditional pairing! Giselle Hamburg

Enderle & Moll 2021 Baden Weißburgunder

Enderle and Moll 2021 Baden Pinot Noir 'Muschelkalk'

Gunderloch 2022 Rheinhessen Riesling Trocken 'Hasselbach'

Gunderloch's "entry level" dry riesling from the flatter lands atop of the Roter Hang cliffs that rise up above the Rhine river just south of Mainz. Comprised of red crumbly slate soils, the wine is imbued with great minerality and fresh herbaceousness. A wonderful riesling for Sauvignon Blanc lovers! Giselle Hamburg

Immich-Batterieberg 2018 Mosel Zeppwingert Riesling Feinherb

Gernot works 8 terraces here of 100-year-old vines on GRAY SLATE and quartzite SURROUNDING  the Batterieberg. The wine is a pale straw yellow with hints of green. The nose offers exuberant aromas of white peach, apple, melon, candied ginger and wet stone. The plate, though technically off-dry, is dry tasting and decidedly mineral, with a briny, stony core enrobed by ripe orchard fruit and white strawberry flavors with a hint of pithy citrus character that knits with the earthy character on the pungent, palate-staining finish. This is the most overtly mineral of the lineup and displays the most pronounced old-vine character. This has grand potential and is seemingly coiled at the moment. Decant 6 hours ahead if drinking now but better to wait 5-7 years and beyond for the towering structure to knit. Impressive stuff. John McIlwain

Immich-Batterieberg 2019 Mosel Ellergrub Riesling

A preposterously steep grand cru of BLUE SLATE with ancient 100yr old ungrafted vines, fermented and aged in used oak casks for 10 months. The 2019 vintage was vinified just slightly off dry at 11.4 grams of RS, hence the Feinherb labeling as opposed to Grand Cru. The nose is an explosion of juicy peach & white stone fruit enrobing an iodine mineral core giving way to an expansive, spicy, lingering finish. This is still tightly wound, but has all the elements to make for compelling drinking with 5-10 years in the cellar.  A blockbuster expression of Gernot's self-proclaimed favorite site. What makes the Ellergrub vineyard so special? Gernot believes it’s the soil: “The Ellergrub has a higher proportion of blue slate than my other vineyards. Also, the slate is finely weathered, with lots of little pieces of stone. This makes for very subtle and elegant wines which can be very mineral and not fruit-driven at first and generally need time.”  Giselle Hamburg

Immich-Batterieberg 2020 Mosel Ellergrub Riesling

Immich-Batterieberg 2021 Mosel Batterieberg Riesling

This wine is sourced from  a 1.1 hectare monopole within the Zeppwingert. The 60-year-old un-grafted vines are planted in GRAY SLATE and quartzite soils on terraced plots, in the drier and cooler portion of the slope. The robe is a pale greenish-yellow. The nose is vivacious with aromas of white flowers, pear skin, white rocks, and a hint of peach. The palate is concentrated and tightly wound on the attack with a flinty attack with white tea, white pepper, and mouthwatering lemon pith notes fanning out on the finish. This is deeply stony and has great verticality with great energy. Delicious now, but could use some cellaring to unwind. Dynamite in a bottle! Giselle Hamburg

Knebel 2019 Mosel Winninger Uhlen Riesling Grosses Gewaches

Kühn, Peter Jakob 2019 Rheingau Oestricher Klosterberg Riesling Trocken 1er G

The name of the vineyard derives from the former Cistercian monastery of Gottesthal. The soil has calcareous loess with fossilized seashells & quartz pebbles. It was deposited millions of years ago as the "primordial beach" of the Rhine at about 160 m above sea level. and a moderate incline. The wine is super mineral yet delicately spicy, full of rosemary and herbaceousness. It is the masculine stag couterpart to Hendelberg's feminine doe in its breadth and concentration.  Giselle Hamburg

Kühn, Peter Jakob 2020 Hallgartener Hendelberg 1er G Riesling

The name of the site goes back to the old German word “Hindi” (= hind). This used to be a site for watching hinds (does) feeding with their calves in spring, long before wine was grown here. From their highest vineyard at 300 meters above the Mittel Rhiengau plateau, the site is south-west facing and very steep in parts, riddled with grey Devon slate. The high angle of inclination favors the effect of the sun in spring and autumn and reduces the intensity of radiation in midsummer. The vines are aerated by the down winds which helps prevents diseases and cooled by the wooded Taunusrange above. This produces a wine of bright acidity and verve; the nose is very mineral yet delicate and ethereal. The palate is full of bright citrus underscored by a very elegant slate influence. Overall, sleek and feminine like the does that used to graze there. Giselle Hamburg

Kühn, Peter Jakob 2021 Rheingau Oestricher Doosberg Riesling GG

DOOSBERG is a plot of 45 year old vines on a south-west facing slope. This ensures the vines are exposed to constant winds, allowing the grapes to dry fast and develop in ideal conditions for a dry Riesling. The grapes are hand-harvested, whole-bunch-pressed for eight hours and then fermented with natural yeasts. It is then aged on lees for 13 months before being racked in December then aged on fine lees until April. As per the distributor:" The nose is powerful and elegant,  highly complex and terroir-driven that shows fascinating earthy tones of crushed  slate, iodine and  lemonade. Silky, lush and highly elegant on the palate, this is a juicy but refined, vibrantly pure and mineral Doosberg with fine, crunchy tannins and characteristic mineral acidity and crisp phenolic grip. The finish is enormously long and energetic in all its crescendo salinity and mineral purity."

Richter, Max. Ferd. 2021 Mosel Wehlner Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese*** Fass 42

Richter, Max. Ferd. 2021 Wehlner Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese*** Fass 42 375ml

Schaefer, Willi 2015 Mosel Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese #17

Schaefer, Willi 2019 Mosel Graacher Domprobst Riesling Auslese #11 375ml

The 2019 Graacher Domprobst Auslese #11 is filigreed and racy for the pradikat, showing all the verve and brightness of the vintage. The nose shows a touch of sponti, but time in the glass reveals pretty aromas of pear skin, orange blossom, peach nectar, and cool mint leaves. There's a delicate honeyed sweetness that dances across the palate balanced by pitch-perfect acidity and waves of luscious stone fruit and citrus flavors with a subtle herbal undercurrent. Framing this is a zesty, mouthwatering stoniness leading to impeccable balance even at this young age. This is already lovely, but this will dazzle when mature in 8-10 years and for decades beyond. An emotionally gratifying wine! John McIlwain

Schaefer, Willi 2021 Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spatlese #13 Auction

Schäfer-Fröhlich 2021 Nahe Bockenauer Felseneck Kabinett

Schäfer-Fröhlich 2021 Nahe Bockenauer Felseneck Ries Spätlese

Schäfer-Fröhlich 2021 Nahe Bockenauer Felseneck Spätlese GK

Schmitt, Bianka & Daniel 2019 Rheinhessen Kekfrankos

Schneider, K.H. 2019 Nahe Sobernheimer Domberg Riesling Spatlese

Steinmetz, Günther 2019 Mosel Brauneberger Juffer Auslese GKA

Steinmetz, Günther 2020 Mosel Brauneberger Juffer Kabinett

Steinmetz, Günther 2020 Mosel Neumaganer Rosengartchen Auslese GKA

Steinmetz, Günther 2021 Mosel Piesporter Treppchen Vom den Terrassen

Steinmetz, Günther 2021 Mosel Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling 'GZ'

Vollenweider 2020 Mosel Riesling Schimbock

Vollenweider 2021 Mosel Riesling Wolfer Goldgrube Spatlese

Wasenhaus 2022 Baden Grand Ordinaire

Wasenhaus 2022 Baden Gutedel

Weingut Mann 2021 Rheinischer Riesling Grauburgunder

Barale 2018 Barolo di Barolo

Called “Barolo di Barolo” because the fruit comes from vineyards in the town of Barolo, this is labeling that we’re seeing more of these days. The wine shows some of the best aspects of the good 2018s – lovely light weight, savory and easy drinking, with entrancing citrus, rose, and earthy notes. A wine more on the side of finesse than power, it’s nonetheless complete. It will drink very well now and for the next 10+ years. Jamie Wolff

Barale 2021 Dolcetto d'Alba Le Rose

A lovely light-mid weight Dolcetto, very fresh with good acidity and classically tannic, this combines bright red fruit and savory herbal notes; this will gain complexity with just a little more time in bottle. Jamie Wolff

Baudana / Vajra 2018 Barolo Baudana

I'm looking forward to tasting the 2018 again because a couple of months ago it was a stand-out in a large crowd of bottles, and people. My note - more accurately, my scribble - reads "lovely red cherry and blood orange - a very fresh nose - medium bodied, ripe tannin, a very elegant Serralunga - velvet glove". Make of it what you will - the wine will not disappoint! Jamie Wolff

Baudana / Vajra 2019 Barolo Baudana

I'm looking forward to tasting the 2019 again because a couple of months ago it was a stand-out in a large crowd of bottles, and people. My note - more accurately, my scribble - reads "lovely red cherry and blood orange - a very fresh nose - medium bodied, ripe tannin, a very elegant Serralunga - velvet glove". Make of it what you will - the wine will not disappoint! Jamie Wolff

Baudana / Vajra 2019 Barolo Cerretta

Baudana / Vajra 2019 Barolo del commune di Serralunga

Boggione, Claudio 2018 Barolo Brunate

Borgogno, Serio & Battista 1976 Barolo Riserva

Bricco Ernesto 2019 Vino Rosso (Nebbiolo - Roero)

100% Nebbiolo. Soil sand 70%, limestone 20%, clay 10%. De-stemmed, quick four day mecaration on the skin before fermentation. Indigenous yeats in a mix of anfora 50% and large barrels 50% for 35 days. Malolactic fermentation in same barrels for 9 months before resting in the bottle for an additional 3 months. No filtration. One of Italy's first certified organic vineyard, in the Roero area of Piemonte in NW Italy.

Brovia 2016 Barolo Garblet Sué

For years Garblet Sue  has been - for me - the most elusive of the Brovia wines. Then the 2015 turned out to be a very fine wine, and the 2016, tasted from barrel, showed equally well. Now I'm looking forward to trying it again... Jamie Wolff

Brovia 2017 Barolo Villero

Burlotto 2013 Barolo Monvigliero 3 L

Cantina del Lupo 2021 Barbera d'Asti

Cantina del Lupo 2021 Piemonte Grignolino "Grignole"

Very engaging on the nose, like uncovering a bowl of strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries while a breeze of light flowers and green grass stirs on a summer afternoon. Really, if the aromatics of this wine don't put a smile on your face, I don't know what will. The color is a translucent rhubarb hue. On the palate, there is vibrant acidity and only a minuscule tannic touch. The fruit on the tongue has more of an edge than it does on the nose, with tangy red cherry and crisp red apple. Edgy but deliciously fresh.

Cantina del Pino 2016 Barbaresco

Cappellano 1952 Barolo

Cappellano 1954 Barolo

Cappellano 1957 Barolo

Cappellano 1962 Barolo (bottled by Troglia)

Cappellano 1965 Barolo

Cappellano 2014 Barolo Gabutti Pie Franco

Cappellano 2015 Barolo Gabutti Rupestris

Castello di Verduno 2021 Pelaverga 'Basadone'

Pelaverga grape. Fermentation and maceration for 8 days in stainless steel tanks. The wine is then refined for 8 months in these same tanks. Finally, it rests in the bottle for 3 months before being released for sale.

Ceretto 1966 Barolo

Cogno, Elvio 2016 Barolo Cascina Nuova

Fontanafredda 1974 Barolo Riserva Speciale San Pietro

Fontanafredda 1974 Barolo Riserva Speciale Vigna Bianca

Fratelli Alessandria 2019 Barbera d'Alba Superiore Priora

Guardasole 2016 Boca

Guardasole 2018 Rosso Pio Decimo

Marcarini 2016 Barolo la Serra

Monte Maletto 2018 Carema Sole e Roccia

Porro, Guido 1971 Barolo

Produttori del Barbaresco 1970 Barbaresco Riserva Moccagatta (arrives Dec '23)

The 1970 Barbaresco Riserva Moccagatta from one of the my favorite Piedmont producers is showing beautifully with a compelling blend of earthy old Nebbiolo aromas, resolved tannins, and still lively fruit. The tension between the sweet and savory on the nose is beguiling, while the palate has evolved to the point where the fruit and earthy flavors  are supported by the structure, rather than dominated by it. Given time to blossom (we strongly advocate double decanting after lunch for dinner service) this is the perfect partner for braised meat with polenta or risotto with truffles. This is a lovely wine and a truly special treat for lovers of aged Nebbiolo. (Tasted 2/25/16) John McIlwain

Produttori del Barbaresco 1962 Barbaresco Riserva (arrives December '23)

Produttori del Barbaresco 1965 Barbaresco (arrives December '23)

Produttori del Barbaresco 1967 Barbaresco Riserva Speciale Moccagatta (arrives Dec '23)

Produttori del Barbaresco 1967 Barbaresco Riserva Speciale Rabaja (arrives December '23)

Produttori del Barbaresco 1968 Barbaresco (arrives December '23)

Produttori del Barbaresco 1970 Barbaresco (arrives December '23)

Black cherry and kirsch flavors are underlined by subtle hints of bresaola, dark chocolate, and fresh earth. It's not a powerful vintage, but nevertheless impresses with its lightness, litheness, and elegance (2/28/16).  Jonas Mendoza

Produttori del Barbaresco 1970 Barbareco Riserva Pora (arrives December '23)

Still doing very well at 40+ years, with intense mature Nebbiolo aromatics, dry and savory; the wine is not overly tannic, but no Piemontese would ever serve this except at table, with a main-course meat dish like ossobuco or something grilled; do so and you will have a memorable treat.    

Produttori del Barbaresco 1971 Barbaresco (arrives December '23)

Produttori del Barbaresco 1973 Barbaresco 3.78 L (arrives December '23)

Produttori del Barbaresco 1974 Barbaresco (arrives December '23)

1974 was a sleeper vintage for the Produttori, and it has definitely impressed on two separate occasions while tasting vertical flights of the cooperative's normale. Ripe red and black cherry fruit flavors mingle with secondary notes of balsamic, dark chocolate, and spaded earth. The medium body and robustness is supported by a quite lithe texture (1/17/17). Jonas Mendoza

Produttori del Barbaresco 1978 Barbaresco (arrives December '23)

Produttori del Barbaresco 1995 Barbaresco 3L (arrives December '23)

Rovero 2019 Brachetto d'Asti

Brachetto grape. Organic certified ICEA. Just after being hand harvested in September, the grapes are selected prior to crushing and they cold steeping for 7 days. Then grapes are gently pressed and they must be clarified and filtered several times. The grape juice obtained is kept in refrigerated tanks until it is processed in the autoclave, to obtain a sparkling wine by means of a controlled temperature fermentation, using selected yeasts. The wine-making technique is the same for all Brachetto wines, even if each of them has individual features due to the different original vineyard of origin.

Sandri, Elio (Cascina Disa) 2017 Barolo Perno

One of the best 2017s we tasted in 35 visits last year – which might seem like faint praise, but this is a very fine wine under any circumstance, and a choice for drinking now / soon. The wine is very fresh and bright (unusual for the vintage), showing crisp red fruit and blood orange, bringing vibrancy to a deep core. Very fine indeed! Jamie Wolff

Sandri, Elio (Cascina Disa) 2020 Barbera d'Alba Superiore

Sandri’s Barbera always shows some of the gravitas and depth that his Nebbiolo-based wines carry so gracefully; the 2020 is made friendly with blackberry fruit, delicate rose petal, and a hint of baking spice. Drinkable now, or over the next 10 years. Jamie Wolff

Sandri, Elio (Cascina Disa) 2020 Barbera d'Alba Superiore 1.5 L

Sandri, Elio (Cascina Disa) 2020 Dolcetto d'Alba

Trediberri 2019 Barolo Berri

Trediberri 2019 Barolo Berri 1.5 L

Trediberri 2022 Barbera d'Alba

Trediberri 2022 Nebbiolo d'Alba

Vajra, GD 2022 Langhe Nebbiolo JC Clare

Vallana 1954 Spanna Riserva Tre Torre di Traversagna

Vallana 1954 Spanna Riserva Tre Castello di Montalbano

Vallana 1964 Spanna Cinque Castelli

Brunelli, Gianni 2013 Brunello di Montalcino

Castello di Verrazzano 1969 Chianti Classio Riserva

Felsina 2012 IGT Toscana Fontalloro

Fornacina 2017 Brunello di Montalcino

I've tried to resist the temptation of a potential cliché, but: this made me think of Burgundy, because this is a really elegant Brunello with no sign of heat, beautiful balance – it’s intense, but not at all too rich, with good lift, and a clear sense of place. I’ve tasted Fornacina for about 10 years now, and terroir emerges in the wine; the relatively high altitude (400+ meters), and the high PH of the galestro soil, must play a role in how fresh the wine is. The wine is very fragrant with “frutti di bosco”, or forest fruits (wild strawberry, blackberry, etc), clay and “sotto bosco”, or forest floor – leafy and earthy. After 4+ hours open, it’s showing even better: a very refined wine, aromatic, dynamic, and delicious

Fornacina 2020 Rosso di Montalcino

Making some of our favorite Brunello wines, Simone and Mauro Biliorsi farm six hectares of vines just outside of the historic town of Montalcino. The vineyards were converted to organic farming in 2004, and the conscientious work in the vines is mirrored in the traditional winemaking: fermentation using only indigenous yeasts, and the wine is raised in large Slovenian oak barrels with a volume between 20 and 35 hectoliters. The 2020 Rosso is just a beautiful wine showing a bright red/garnet color and elegant aromas of tart cherry, raspberry, violet and forest floor, subtle and pure. The palate has a lovely texture from the schistous clay soils with black cherry and berry fruits with bright acidity, spice and mineral flavors. The finish is very long, pure and refreshing with sappy bitter cherry lingering on the palate. Serve cool with braised meats, grilled chicken, mushroom risotto, open a few hours in advance if possible or cellar 3 - 5 years. Lovely wine! David Lillie

Fuoristrada (Monte Bernardi) NV Sangiovese Rosato TetraPak Liter 1L Rose

One of our favorite Italian winemakers is actually American. Michael Schmelzer moved to Italy in 2003 with his family and purchased 10 hectares of organic vineyards in the "belly button of Chianti Classico" at Monte Bernardi. Since that time he has branched out and started making wines from Sicilian grapes as well. This spring he introduced his Tetra Pak Rosato which is made from 100% Nero d'Avola grapes. Don't let the vibrant pink carton fool you. It's more subtle on the inside - fresh and energetic with great acidity and a slight grip. Raspberry, strawberry, and fresh watermelon fruit make this the perfect beach or picnic wine. An added bonus is that Tetra Pak cartons use 54% less energy, create 80% less greenhouse gasses, and produce 60% less solid waste volume than a 750ml glass wine bottle. So you can celebrate summer and save the environment

I Fabbri 2019 Chianti Classico Lamole Fiasco

I Fabbri's Fiasco bottling is an incredibly bright Sangiovese from one of our favorite Chianti producers. The nose of this fresh red is full of wild fruits - cherries, strawberries, and blueberries. Lending a rustic accent is a pleasant aroma of savory green herbs. Flavors of black cherry and dark stones create a bright palate with a healthy level of high-toned verve. Great acidity and a light hint of tannin round out this delicious (and dangerously drinkable) wine! Serve at cellar temperature for extra refreshment. David Hatzopoulos

I Fabbri 2019 Chianti Classico Terra di Lamole

Sangiovese 90%, Canaiolo 10%. Old vineyards cultivated at 550 mts. Handcraft harvest. Stainless steel containers. Carried out partly in tanks and partly in 500 liter French oak barrels from the central massif of second and third passage.

le Cinciole 2017 Chianti Classico

le Cinciole 2019 Chianti Classico

Lecci e Brocchi 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva

The Chianti Classico Riserva is graced with the image of il Chiorba (the baldy) – the founder of the Lecci e Brocchi farm. The wine ages for two years in botte (large older wood barrels). It’s very aromatic, with herbs and stone over a core of dark fruit. Structured and showing some ripe tannins, it’s full-bodied by still graceful and vibrant, with a long and juicy finish. An impressieve Riserva, this will continue to develop for years to come. Jamie Wolff

Lecci e Brocchi 2019 Chianti Classico Ragonaia

Ragonaia is a single-vineyard, 100% Sangiovese Chianti Classico, aged in used French barriques and tonneau; the wood aging brings some richness of texture and an elegance to the wine. Also very savory and mineral, it’s quite full-bodied, with pronounced red fruit on the long finish. Perhaps the most contemporary / least rustic in style of the Lecci wines, it’s still a treat for anyone partial to Sangiovese. Jamie Wolff

Monte Bernardi 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva

Another fantastic vintage of this staple red from Monte Bernardi. 95% Sangiovese with 5% of Canaiolo Nero from estate vines in Panzano, Chianti. Wine is fermented naturally in oak and stainless steel before aging 18-24 months in oak. The nose is very fragrant, with notes of warm blueberry preserve, balsamic and freshly baked pie crust. Above those deep aromas, there are fresh red cherries and woodsy forest shrubs. On the palate, there are flavors black cherry, milled coffee beans, and a very lovely note of candied blackberry. The wine has a long finish of herbs and spice. Structure-wise, this Chianti has high acidity and healthy tannin. An incredible wine! 

Pian delle Querci 2020 Rosso di Montalcino

Sangiovese grape. This Rosso di Montalcino was aged in old Slavonian casks for just under a year before bottling. The Pian delle Querci winery is a small property located in the village of Montalcino. They have a mere 2 ha of vines dedicated to making this fine Tuscan red wine.

Ruffino 1965 Chianti Il Magnifico

Bera 2022 Moscato d'Asti Canelli

Bosco dei Cirmioli 2021 Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie DOC

This is a very predictable and well priced Pinot Grigio, one that an in-law can dump a bunch of ice into and fully enjoy, in fact, it's not a bad idea! The riper fruitiness of the Pinot Grigio with a touch of cold ice that will also freshen the experience. Bosco does practice organic agriculture but not with this wine, we're told it's quasi-organic and it is wild yeast fermentation at least. Please forgive us, it's an $11 bottle of Pinot Grigio!

Bricco Ernesto 2020 Vino Bianco (Arneis - Roero)

Arneis. 0.6 hectareas only 0.3 in use. Soil sand 70% limestone 20% clay 10%. 4 days maceration. Indigenous yeast. Fermentation: amphora 50% large barrels 50%. Aged for 9 months in the same containers before resting in bottle for 3 aditional months.

Casaretti 2020 Veneto Bianco Brol di Calmasino

This wine is mostly Garganega, plus 10% Cortese, from organically tended vines on the shores of Lake Garda in the Veneto There is a five day maceration on the skins before a soft pressing. Fermented naturally in 500L tonneau barrel. The wine is aged for eight months in tonneau and concrete with occasional battonage. Three more months in bottle before release. The color is a fresh lemon hue in the glass with flecks of silver. The nose is herbaceous and savory, showing cured citrus peel, lean apricot, and salinity. The palate is also especially salty, with incredible briskness, and the crisp flavor of orchard fruit and lemon. David Hatzopoulos

Casaretti 2021 Veneto Bianco Brol di Calmasino

De Bartoli NV Marsala Vecchio Samperi Ventennale 500ml

I Fabbri 2021 VDT Bianco Casole

A savory white from Tuscany, this Trebbiano and Malvasia blend is a clean lemon color in the glass. The nose has dried citrus peel, green herbs and chamomile, with a hint of spice and grassiness. Flavor-wise, the wine is warm, with apple and white pepper. There is a bitterness, like green tea, on the mid-palate before revealing a softness and richness on the finish. A substantial mouthfeel, this wine calls for heavily herbed roast chicken or pork, or even red meats.

Il Fortunato 2020 Prosecco (Organic, low SO2)

This is a rare item: Clean, crisp dry Prosecco, made from organic fruit, indigenous yeasts, very low SO2. This is a wine that will please everyone – your inner wine geek, and your (here please fill in the blank for your friend or relative who pays no attention to the details but will guzzle it down and ask for more). An amazing value! Jamie Wolff

La Marca di San Michele 2019 Verdicchio Castelli di Jesi DO Superiore Capovolta

This wine is fresh and bright but has gained complexity with age to the point where it is competing with some of Italy’s best white wines. Aromatically fine and layered, with typical almond, a hint of white flowers, tarragon, fennel, and other green herbs it’s fairly full-bodied and shows no heat (at 13 degrees alcohol); the pleasing vinosity and richness is carried by quite pronounced saline mineralilty and lively hints of fresh lime. All in all this is a perfect moment for this lovely wine. Jamie WolffA truly fantastic wine. On the nose, there is a fresh nuttiness, accented by plush herbs, white blossoms, clementines and apricot. Flavors are generous, and the mouthfeel defies the wine's age. Lemons, orange pith, and zingy white minerals cling to an awesome, filling structure. Great acidity and a little tannin - you lick your gums after you sip it. Powerful wine, and an absolute stand-out at this price point.

La Visciola 2017 Passerina del Frusinate IGT Donna Rosa

Donna Rosa is a biodynamic Passerina del Frusinate IGT white wine. Produced in La Visciola family winery located in Lazio, central Italy, this wine is the result of the recovery of the Passerina del Frusinate autochthone grape variety, naturally grown and then made into wine. The attention to nature and traditional production gift us this excellent wine, genuine and with a character like Donna Rosa, the owner of the winery from which it gets the name. indigenious white varietals.

Le Marie 2020 DOCG Pinerolese Rosso (Nebbiolo) 'Debarges'