Agrapart NV (base 18) Champagne 7 Crus

Comprised of grapes from all seven villages in the Côte des Blancs, where Agrapart has vines, 7 Crus is a blend of two vintages, aged partially in barrel, partially in tank. The wine is fermented with native yeasts and aged on the lees for three years before release. 7 Crus is a Champagne that ages beautifully and is worthy of space in one's cellar.

Dampierre 1988 Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs

Dom Perignon 2009 Champagne

Krug 1988 Champagne Brut

Moncuit NV Champagne Extra Brut GC BdB Reserve Perpetuelle

Perseval-Farge NV Chamery 1er cru Cuvee Jean-Baptiste

Baudry 2010 Chinon La Croix Boissée

( From 2013) From a small parcel of clay over limestone on a south-facing slope above Cravant. 20 months of aging in 2 and 3 year-old barriques. This is perhaps the finest example of La Croix Boissee to date. Even as a very young wine the aromas are quite complex and wonderfully elegant. Blackberry, strawberry compote, pepper, briar, earth, chocolate and musk... There is superb concentration of black and red fruits with seemingly perfect structure and acidity and fabulous length. Destined to become a truly great Chinon, this will be best perhaps between 2020 and 2035. I remember Matthieu telling me, back in 2010, that they had finally figured out how to get the best result from this great vineyard, and here it is...

Baudry 2014 Chinon Croix Boissée Blanc

A beautiful complex glass of Chenin from Chinon courtesy of Matthieu and Bernard Baudry from young vines in La Croix Boissee. Aromas of lime-flower, stone, dried pear and apple. A hint of hazelnut and spice. Palate opens with aeration to show intense dried pear, anise, beeswax and strong mineral flavors with very firm acidity in the finish. The intense citrus oil and dried herbs in the finish are typical of white Chinon. This is a beautiful and really unique expression of Chenin Blanc. Decant or open 1-2 hours before serving. Highly  recommended!

Baudry 2014 Chinon Les Grézeaux

(Tasted in January 2016) From 50 to 60 year-old Cabernet Franc vines on a gravel soil over sandy clay and limestone at the bottom of the hill of Sonnay in Cravant. Aged 12 months in 3 to 5 year-old barrels.  The 2014 is certainly one of the greatest "les Grézeaux" from this wonderful estate! Beautiful deep red/black color, lush, complex palate of ripe dark fruit with perfect balance and fabulous length, with  cool acidity lifting the fruit. As always the "les Grézeaux" is enjoyable young as the gravel soil gives a wine with a silky texture, but it ages beautifully as well, as anyone with the 1989 can tell you. This is a must for any lover of Chinon!

Baudry 2015 Chinon La Croix Boissée

From a small parcel of sandy clay over limestone (calcaire micacé) on a south-facing slope above Cravant. 24 months of aging in 1 to 4 year-old Burgundy barriques. (Over the years, the Baudrys have moved to a more gentle extraction on this wine and have lengthened the barrel aging, never in new oak.) This is one of the greatest reds of the Loire Valley - at it's best after ten to twenty years of aging, the wine is also quite delicious, though with firm chalky tannins, when young. The 2015 is a bit softer and more immediately enjoyable than the 2014, but it's a superb "Croix Boissée" that was sensational out of barrel when tasted in February of 2016 and 2017. Tasted from bottle on arrival in NY, the wine shows a deep red/black color and lush aromas of blackberry and strawberry, with black pepper, rose, citrus, roast meat and earth - quite ripe but with nice brightness. The palate is a bit closed but showing real elegance of blackberry and red currant fruit, floral and balanced, with a dense core of mineral flavors and cool acidity. The finish is long and elegant with pure red fruits and firm structure. Decant if drinking now, best 2024 - 2040+  David Lillie

Baudry 2015 Chinon Les Grézeaux

From  60 year-old Cabernet Franc vines on a gravel soil over sandy clay and limestone at the bottom of the hill of Sonnay in Cravant. Aged 12 months in 3 to 10 year-old barrels.  Dark black/purple color with quite floral blackberry and strawberry aromas, with a bit of earth, spice and citrus. Very silky and supple on the palate ("We don't extract anymore" said Matthieu) with stony black fruits, meaty, chalky and long. Good acidity in the finish with graphite and velvety black fruits, quite elegant and closer to the 2014 in style than the other cuvées. This is a lovely "Les Grézeaux" and is highly recommended for early drinking or ten to fifteen years of cellaring.  David Lillie

Baudry 2017 Chinon Croix Boissée Blanc

This rare and beautiful Chenin Blanc is from the top of the "Croix Boissée" parcel on eroded limestone. The wine ferments very slowly in 500 liter toneaux until dry - less than 2 g/l residual sugar. The 2017 Croix Blanc is superbly elegant with aromas of pear, white peach, almond and lime-flower. The palate is supple, with lovely ripe fruit, but also shows firm acidity and chalky minerals. Delicious now, but ten to fifteen years of aging will be very interesting. Serve with  fish or chicken in sauce and a wide variety of cheeses. David Lillie

Baumard 1996 Quarts de Chaume

Bregeon 2004 Muscadet Sevre et Maine Gorges

Michel Bregeon is one of the heroes of Muscadet, having continued to pick by hand and ferment with wild yeasts throughout the 80's and 90's when those around him had gone industrial. Beginning in 1982 he has made, in good vintages, a cuvee originally called "Gorgeois" that was kept in cuve for three to six years before bottling, gathering richness and complexity through autolysis of the lees. Chambers Street was the first source for this wine beginning with the 1996 and we have just received the excellent 2004 (bottled in February 2010) now recognized by the INAO as a Cru Communal under the name Gorges. A much better vintage in the Pays Natais than elsewhere in the Loire (as seen in Jo Landron's superb Fief du Breil and others) the 2004 Gorges combines richness and depth with great acid balance and length while staying light on it's feet at roughly 12 % alcohol. The color is light bronze, the aromas are of ripe citrus, melon and wet stone. The palate is earthy and chalky with hints of caramel, smoke and anise. While it will be a great pleasure to drink this wine now with an elegant fish or white meat dish, or goat cheese, those who have a place to forget this wine for 10 to 15 years should have something special on their hands...

Breton, Catherine et Pierre 2008 Bourgueil Franc de Pied

Breton, Catherine et Pierre 2010 Bourgueil Franc de Pied

From relatively young un-grafted vines on sandy clay over limestone. As in the Baudry Chinon Franc de Pied, the alcohol is a bit lower but the wine has beautiful intensity of black and red fruits with bracing acidity. There is an elegant saline character on the palate and a long refreshing finish — lovely wine that will drink well now but will improve with a few years in bottle. A rare and unique wine!

Breton, Catherine et Pierre 2010 Bourgueil Les Perrieres

One of our favorite Loire Valley reds is the Pierre and Catherine Breton Bourgueil Les Perrieres, and we have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the 2010. As opposed to the heavier and more forward 2009, the 2010 is lighter and medium-bodied, perfectly balanced with earthy, bright acidity and obviously built to last — a "grand vin!" From 70+ year-old vines in mid-slope on soil of clay and silica over limestone. Deep black/red color; elegant aromas of black fruits, earth and mint, subtle and beautiful. Intense fruit on the palate but not at all heavy — blackberry, red currant, black pepper, bitter chocolate and mint with a hint of oak, framed in cool acidity with a tannic structure that will carry this wine for twenty years or more. Powerful and complex yet balanced and elegant at 12.5% alcohol. This beautiful wine comes from the Bretons long experience with this parcel, their 30 years of organic and biodynamic farming and a masterful vinification and élevage, with minimal SO2, which allows great terroir expression and ageability. I will be putting this wine in my cellar, along with my 2010 Baudry Croix Boissee, and, if I can afford it, a 2010 Clos Rougeard, for a nice tasting in 2034! (Some details: Hand harvested into small boxes; 7 day cool maceration, wild yeast fermentation in oak vat without addition of SO2, progressively warmer over 15 days; no chaptalization, minimal extraction — one pumping over, no cap punching; aged in 10% new, 90% one-year-old barrels for two years with one racking; bottled after 2 1/2 years on a "flowering" day.) DL

Cazin 2010 Cour-Cheverny Cuvée Renaissance

Clos Roche Blanche 2010 Touraine Gamay

Clos Roche Blanche 2010 Touraine Cuvee Pif

Catherine Rousel's dog is a noble beast, keeping the vineyard's mouse population on alert and romping happily along with any group touring the vines. This year, Pif's cuvee has all the Cot and Cabernet Franc giving a superb black-fruited wine that's intense but light on it's feet. Don't fret Pif fans, there is more on the way...

Clos Roche Blanche 2013 Touraine Pif

Any walk in the vineyard at Clos Roche Blanche was accompanied by Pif trotting ahead, still alive we hope, thought quite old now. A gentle and faithful dog. This year's version of the namesake wine (Côt and Cabernet Franc) is quite serious with complex, deep aromas of plum, blackberry and earth with herbal notes. Earthy black fruits on the palate with firm acidity and more tannin than usual. Serve cool with a steak, grilled meats, roast chicken. Open well in advance or cellar a few years for peak drinking.

Clos Roche Blanche 2014 Touraine Pif

Pif, the loyal vineyard dog of Clos Roche Blanche was always with us in the vines, hunting for critters in the grass, trotting ahead as we strolled along hoping to absorb wisdom from Catherine and Didier. Pif is no longer with us and this 2014 is the last vintage for the CRB blend of Cot and Cab Franc - but what a last vintage it is, perhaps the best Pif ever made! The wine shows fabulous high-toned aromas of blackberry, blueberry, licorice, chocolate, black pepper and musk. There is firm acidity on the palate which is light but very dense with berry liqueur, earth and anise. Beautifully balanced at 12% alcohol this lovely wine is delicious now but will be best after a few years in the cellar. Long-term aging seems possible. A wonderful good-bye from Pif and the Clos Roche Blanche... (6 bottle maximum purchase, please)

Collier 2009 Saumur Blanc

Cotat, François 2013 Chavignol Rouge

Cotat, François 2014 Sancerre Chavignol Rose

Guion 2010 Bourgueil Deux Monts

From 70 to 80 year-old vines in "Petits Monts" and "Grand Monts" towards the top of the slope above Benais, facing roughly south-west, clay over Turonien limestone. This is prime real-estate in Bourgueil. Tasted in January of 2012, this wine showed superb elegance and focus, with the great balance of Loire reds in 2010. Not for drinking young—hold for five years, then enjoy until 2040!

Guion 2010 Bourgueil Cuvée Prestige

2010 brings us another great Cuvée Prestige from Stéphane Guion in Bourgueil, whose domaine has been certified organic since the 1960s. From vines averaging 50 to 70 years old. Perhaps less dense than the superb 2009, there is a bit more brightness and balance in this lovely wine which features high-toned aromas of strawberry compote with floral, herbal and musky notes, with hints of  roast coffee and bitter chocolate. Intense material on the palate with bright strawberry and cherry fruits encased in brisk, very earthy acids. A brilliant wine that needs five years or more in the cellar, peak drinking perhaps 2018 to 2030. If drinking now decant well in advance or open/taste/re-cork three or four days beforehand. 1985, 1989 and 1990 tasted recently at the domaine were fantastic — given the low price, this is one of the world's great values to cellar. Thank you, Stéphane!

Huet 1989 Vouvray Cuvee Constance 750ml

Huet 2002 Vouvray Le Haut Lieu Demi-Sec

Huet 2005 Vouvray Le Mont Sec

A bit more closed than the Haut Lieu, showing citrus notes and a long, stony finsh. Great material but will need more time to open up — you might want to decant this if drinking now. 2005 may not be 1989, but these wines will be wonderful when mature, say around 2015 and should drink well for many years... DL

Huet 2005 Vouvray Le Mont Demi-Sec

A bit sweeter than the Bourg (23 grams RS) and possessing more open and very lovely fruit aromas, but with good balancing acidity. Very delicious. DL

Huet 2008 Vouvray Le Haut Lieu Moelleux

*This wine is in the warehouse and will not be available for pick-up or delivery until after Labor Day.2008 is a great vintage for moelleux and demi-sec Vouvray as the high acidity of the vintage gives fabulous brightness and balance to the extra sweetness. The Huet 2008 Haut-Lieu is superb now with terrines, foie gras, vegetable soups, mild cheeses and much more - and don't hesitate to age ten more years.

Huet 2010 Vouvray Clos du Bourg Sec

"The 2010 Clos du Bourg Sec is another absolutely brilliant wine in the making, as it soars from the glass in a blaze of apple, lemon, a touch of pineapple, bee pollen, stunningly complex minerality and a pungent topnote of white flowers. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and absolutely rock solid at the core, with seamless balance, brisk acids and stunning length and grip on the zesty and laser-like finish. This is still very, very early days for this magnificent wine, but the balance here is so perfect that the wine is a great joy to drink in its youth. Like the 2010 Le Mont Sec, I would fully expect this great wine to shut down in a few years’ time and hibernate for a solid decade, after which it will be pure magic for another fifty or more years! This is a great, great young vintage of Clos du Bourg Sec! 2020-2080."

Huet 2010 Vouvray Clos du Bourg Demi-Sec

"There was very little Demi-Sec produced at Domaine Huët in 2010, but the Clos du Bourg is a magnificent wine in the making and very much proof that this vintage possessed the potential for profound Demi-Sec as well as the great trio of Sec bottlings that the estate has produced. The deep, delicate and stunning nose offers up scents of apple, quince, a delicate hint of tangerine, bee pollen, beautifully complex, chalky soil tones, citrus peel and dried flowers in the upper register. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and hermetically sealed, with a great core, stunning focus and balance, a superb girdle of bright acidity and magical length and grip on the seamless and very closed finish. Normally, young vintages of Domaine Huët offer up a modicum of early approachability before shutting down, but apparently, I have missed this window with the 2010 Clos du Bourg Demi-Sec. It is inherently a brilliant wine, but patience will be required! 2020-2085+"

Huet 2012 Vouvray Clos du Bourg Sec

Joguet 2012 Chinon Clos du Chêne Verte

Joly, Nicolas 2002 Savennieres Coulée de Serrant

Joly, Nicolas 2011 Savennieres Les Vieux Clos

Domaine de l'Ecu 2015 Vin de France Invictus (Cabernet Franc)

Luneau-Papin 2010 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Le "L" d'Or"

A beautiful L d'Or that shows the remarkable combination of ripeness, balance and great acidity in the 2010 vintage. This wine was surprisingly open and aromatic when tasted in January 2012 but possessed of perfect acidity and loads of saline mineral flavors, reminding us of 2002.

Luneau-Papin 2012 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Le "L" d'Or

From a parcel of old vines on granite soils in Vallet that always gives a racy, mineral wine that can age for 20 years and more. I'm not partial to the new label, but otherwise this is a great vintage for "L" d'Or. 2012 was a low-yielding year giving wines with excellent concentration matched with bracing acidity. The wine shows lovely aromas of pear liqueur, citrus, stone and white pepper; the palate is dense with white fruits, intense saline minerals with firm acidity in the long citrus/mineral finish. You know what to do...

Luneau-Papin 2015 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Excelsior

Made only in exceptional vintages, the Luneau-Papin "Excelsior - Clos des Noelles" is one of my favorite Muscadets, usually a bit rounder than the granite-soil "L D'Or" but always aromatically complex and with great intensity and length.   The massale-selection vines were planted in 1936 on a terroir of "micaschistes a deux micas," (lieu-dit "La Plecisiere") exposed full south. The grapes are hand-harvested and undergo a slow wild yeast fermentation with 36 months of aging on the lees. The 2015 shows subtle, complex aromas of bitter lemon, lime-flower, melon, pear, mint, almond and stone.  The palate is silky, crystalline and dense with white fruits, lemon zest, almond, smoke and wet stone with fabulous length of pear, minerals and taut acidity.  Please decant if drinking now, serve with any elegant seafood dish. Cellar five to fifteen years and serve with richer fish dishes, white meats, rabbit. Beautiful wine!  David Lillie

Maisons Brûlées (Michel Augé) 2008 Vin de Table L'Erèbe

Maisons Brûlées (Michel Augé) 2009 Vin de Table L'Erèbe

A blend of Cot and Cabernet Franc, this is a darker, richer wine that the Herdeleau. Very complex red and black fruit aromas, with a bit of game and smoke. Michel Augé has been making wine without SO2 for many years and is one of the most respected growers in the Loire.

Maisons Brûlées (Michel Augé) 2010 Vin de Table L'Erèbe

For many years we have enjoyed tasting and talking with Béatrice and Michel Augé—a soft-spoken and intelligent couple who farm nine hectares in Pouillé, above the Cher river in Touraine. They are certified biodynamic and use no sugar, yeasts or other additives and bottle without sulfur if the vintage allows. We're proud to have a growing number of their wines in the store. The 2010 L'Erèbe is made from Côt and Cabernet Franc and was bottled without added SO2. "The sulfur used as a preservative annihilates many of the positive effects of wine" says Michel. The wine is aromatically superb with complex black fruits with earth and spice. The palate is full and very expressive, but light in weight with crisp acidity—an invigorating and interesting experience! Highly recommended. (for photos and additional info check-out the wineterroirs.com article from 2005)

Morgat 2012 Savennières Fides

Des Ouches 1989 Bourgueil Vieilles Vignes

Pepiere 2010 Muscadet Sevre et Maine Clos des Briords

Marc Ollivier's superb Clos des Briords is from old vines in a small parcel on granite of Chateau Thébaud. Although 2010 may not be the equal of 1996 or 2002, this is indeed a great vintage for this wine, whether you drink it now or hold for 25 years. Exhibiting the usual ethereal salt-air, wet stone, citrus and white fruit aromas with a very complex and subtle palate of citrus, apple and pear with fabulous length of acid and mineral flavors. Don't delay, this wine is almost gone....

Pepiere 2010 Muscadet Sevre et Maine Clos des Briords 1.5L

Pépière 2013 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Clos des Briords

The "invigorating" 2013 Clos des Briords is a bit leaner than the 2012, with subtle aromas of sea-spray and wet stone, lemon flowers and thyme with hints of pear. The palate has mouth-coating citrusy acids with anise, apple and pear with a finish that is all minerals. This vintage has great purity and firm acidity, making it fabulously refreshing and a great match with oysters, crudo and grilled fish. Cellar for ten to fifteen years and serve with full-flavored fish and poultry dishes and goat cheeses. A "classic" Clos des Briords as Marc Ollivier says, a great "food wine" and a great value, as always!

Pépière 2014 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Clos des Briords

Last of Stock! (From three hectares of old vines on granite of Chateau Thébaud with well-drained soils of clay, sand and gravel. Hand harvested, transported in small baskets, cellar functions by gravity, no pumping, wild-yeast fermentation, seven months aging on the lees.) A classic Clos des Briords from this excellent vintage in the Loire - a season that started poorly but was saved by good weather from mid-August through September. The aromas show more white fruits than usual in this ripe vintage with herbal, mineral, stone and lemon-peel, quite lovely. The palate is dense and creamy with apple/pear fruit, wet stone, saline minerals and citrusy acids. A bit rounder perhaps, than the 2010 and 2012 and wonderful now with oysters, sole, flounder and richer fish dishes as well. From the Domaine: "The Spring was very classic, not too cold, not too warm, and wet as usual. The flowering went well which permitted a nice quantity and quality of grapes. The month of July was sunny but August began like a poor autumn, cold and humid. Late in August we really didn't know what would happen as the risk of rot was very high. Then, after a last big storm around August 24th, dry, warm and sunny weather began which lasted until October. The grapes matured and were of excellent quality with both high sugar and high acidity! We picked the Briords parcel on Monday Sept 15th and Tuesday the 16th in the early part of the harvest. The fermentations went well, lasting approximately a month and a half. I would say that it's a vintage representing what we like in Briords: citrusy vivacity, scintillating material and salinity in the finish."
 

Pinon, François 2009 Vouvray Silex Noir

At our recent tasting with Francois and Julien Pinon, his 2010 and 2009 were equally superb.  The 2009s have a bit more residual sugar, but the alcohol levels are moderate and the acidities are good, giving beautifully balanced wines.  The Silex Noir has superb aromas of honey, apple, lime-flowers, verveine — today, this is much more aromatic than the Tradition. Perhaps less dense, a bit less sugar, with terrific length and acidity. A great Vouvray to drink this summer or in 2050. 13.3% alc, 16 gr/l rs, 5.1 acidity. Becoming friends with people like Francois Pinon is one of the great pleasures of the wine "business". We first met his parents in 1981, and have known Francois since he took over in the late 80's. He's now one of the great producers of Vouvray, and makes great honey, too. His organic vineyards are beautiful and his winemaking is superb — enjoy!

Pinon, François 2010 Vouvray Silex Noir

The Silex Noir has superb aromas of honey, apple, lime-flowers, verveine, with perfect mid-palate and crisp finish. Becoming friends with people like Francois Pinon is one of the great pleasures of the wine "business". We first met his parents in 1981, and have known Francois since he took over in the late 80's. He's now one of the great producers of Vouvray, and makes great honey, too. His organic vineyards are beautiful and his winemaking is superb — enjoy!

Pinon, François 2013 Vouvray Le 2013

Francois Pinon lost most of his 2012 crop to a devastating hailstorm, which was followed by 2013 - a vintage of tiny yields due to poor weather at flowering, frost and mildew. The Pinons made only one wine in 2013, "Le Vouvray," a quite beautiful Vouvray featuring delicate aromas of lime-flower, citrus, stone, honey and pear. The palate is light, but round with mineral flavors, stone, honey and white fruits. Subtle, silky and quite pretty this would be a great aperitif, or serve with fish in sauce, chicken and mild cheeses.

Pinon, François 2014 Vouvray Deronnieres

The grapes for this new cuvee from Francois Pinon used to be included in the Silex Noir, but this wonderful vineyard, on a hill-top directly above the Pinon's cave, much deserves to be bottled on it's own. At 18 grams/liter of residual sugar, 12.4% alcohol and strong acidity, the Deronnieres approaches Demi-Sec in style but with superb minerality and balance. The wine shows subtle aromas of lime-flower, dried pear, lemons and stones. The palate is very saline and mineral with bitter lemon, white fruits, and herbal notes with impressive density and length. A great demi-sec with fantastic minerality that will age beautifully!

Pinon, François 2014 Vouvray Silex Noir

After a disastrous hail-storm in 2012 and tiny yields in 2013, Francois Pinon finally has wine to sell and from an outstanding vintage. Tasting through samples of his 2014s in February we were thrilled by these beautiful wines, clearly among the very best of the appellation. The Silex Noir is from parcels of clay over limestone with black flint, giving wines with a unique mineral character and complex, open aromas. The 2014 is superbly balanced at 12.1% alcohol and 15 grams of RS with very firm acidity. Lovely citrus, dried pear, licorice and floral aromas with full-bodied palate of minerals, white fruits and citrus, finishing with good acidity. Though quite delicious now, this is a very young wine that will benefit from decanting or aging, perhaps best 2025 to 2035.

Raffault, Olga 2008 Chinon Les Picasses

** This is a Pre-arrival item. Arrives late May 2022 **

The Domaine Olga Raffault Chinon "les Picasses" is one of the most famous wines in the region - a wine that is delicious young but that cellars beautifully for ten to twenty years, even longer in a good vintage. Under the direction of Eric de la Vigerie and Sylvie Raffault, quality here has been maintained, and improved, with the adoption of organic farming. The vines averaged about 40 years-old in 2008, a vintage that was cool much of the summer but after a sunny and warm September the grapes were harvested on October 10th with beautiful maturity and concentration, combined with the firm acidity found in this vintage.The wine shows a slightly mature red/black color with aromas of ripe blackberry, strawberry and prune with, orange rind, earth and musk. The palate is supple and deep with ripe blackberry liqueur and hints of pepper, cocoa, licorice, earth and minerals. The finish is long and sappy with firm acidity. This great Chinon in mid-life cries out for a nice steak, coq au vin  or pork ribs. Drink now after decanting or cellar for ten  more years.

Raffault, Olga 2010 Chinon Les Picasses

Raffault, Olga 2011 Chinon Les Picasses

The 2011 Olga Raffault Les Picasses is a softer "drink-young" version of this wine, although it may be delicious twenty years from now as well. Deep garnet/black color, aromas of earthy strawberry, blackberry, prune and smoked meat, with violet, licorice and cocoa. the palate is fairly soft, with ripe berry-fruit liqueur, citrus and earth. Ripe and supple but with firm acidity. Enjoy now, slightly cool, with roast chicken, pork chops, steak, lapin aux pruneaux...or cellar indefinitely.

Roche Bleue 2015 Coteaux du Loir L'Orée de la Berterie

This is a beautiful Chenin Blanc from Sébastien Cornille at Domaine de la Roche Bleue, from 30 year-old vines on slopes and terraces of clay and silex over limestone, certified organic farming with biodynamic methods. The 2015 L'Orée de la Berterie shows lovely ripe aromas  - peach, pear, and kiwi with almond,  floral and mineral notes. Dried pear, citrus peel, stone and herbal notes on the palate with terrific density and a quite firm citrus and mineral finish. This is an outstanding and mineral young Chenin that will open up over the next five to ten years, and it's a superb value as well. Serve with ceviche of fluke, fish in sauce, roast chicken and mild cheeses.  DL

Saumon, Frantz 2011 Montlouis sur Loire Mineral Plus

Saumon, Frantz 2012 Montlouis sur Loire Mineral Plus

Source du Ruault 2010 Saumur-Champigny

Cabernet Franc from Jean-Noel Millon in Samur Champigny! In a region where many of the vineyards are on gently rolling hills making mechanical work in the vines the norm, we were happy to find a producer whose work was traditional and of high-quality. The wine opens up with classic chalky strawberry and red raspberry fruit on the nose and with delicate hints of white pepper and rosewater. Fresh and with refined tannins, this is an absolute crowd pleaser! Tim Gagnon

Tessier 2015 Cour-Cheverny La Porte Dorée

"La Porte Dorée" is from 40 to 90 year-old  Romorantin vines grown on clay soils with limestone bedrock. The juice undergoes a long, slow alcoholic fermentation and malolactic fermentation, and the wine ages in old foudres and barriques. Minimal SO2 is added before bottling. The 2015 "Porte Dorée" shows  complex aromas of pear, citrus, lime-flower, white pepper, almond and caramel. The palate shows ripe pear, quince, citrus, almond and intense mineral flavors that coat the mouth and are very dense and long. This is a very young wine that will benefit from decanting or 3 to 10 years of cellaring. Serve now with fish or chicken in a cream sauce and with a wide variety of full-flavored cheeses. Lovely wine! David Lillie

Tue-Boeuf 2015 Touraine La Guerrerie Qvevri

Boillot, Louis 2014 Moulin a Vent Les Brussellions

Chamonard 2009 Morgon Le Clos de Lys

Chamonard 2010 Morgon Clos de Lys

Jean-Claude Chanudet and his wife Geneviève (Chamonard) at Domaine Chamonard are making some of the finiest wines in the Beaujolais. His father-in-law, Joseph Chamonard, was farming with organic methods and making wine in the Chauvet style along with his friends in Morgon, Guy Breton, Jean Thevenet, Marcel Lapierre and Jean Foillard. The 4 hectare estate is farmed with great care, although not certified organic, fermentations are with wild yeasts and aging is in large old casks and foudres. The wines are enjoyable young but have a great ability to age, even for 10 to 20 years. The 2009 here was particularly successful, with better acidity and balance than most others and the 2010 is outstanding. The aromas are lovely with strawberry confit, plum, citrus, spice and floral notes. The palate is medium-bodied with earthy acidity and deep black and red fruits. More asutere than the 2009, this is a well structured wine that can be enjoyed now, but will benefit from 2 or 3 years of aging and should then keep for many more. Highly recommended.

Chamonard 2012 Morgon Le Clos de Lys

Jean-Claude Chanudet has made a lovely Morgon in 2012, showing the purity and balance of this difficult but qualitatively quite good vintage in the Beaujolais. Ripe earthy aromas of blackberry and strawberry that reappear on the light palate framed in bright acidity and saline minerals. Quite pretty in a light, bright style, this promises to be very delicious in three to five years, with longer aging quite possible. Enjoy it this Spring and Summer for its refreshing purity...

Chamonard 2014 Morgon Le Clos de Lys

From four hectares of massale-selection, high density plantings ranging from 50 to 100 years of age in the lieu-dits of Chenes, Corcelette, and les Martillets. Vigneron Jean-Claude Chanudet works the vineyards organically but does not seek certification.  The 2018 is nicely balanced at 13% alcohol in this very ripe vintage, showing complex aromas of black raspberry, cherry and strawberry, very floral and earthy with hints of spice and blood orange. The palate is ripe but not at all heavy with plum, earth, citrus and mineral notes mingling with the berry fruits. The finish is long and sappy with a hint of smoke and firm acidity. This is a lovely and truly authentic natural Morgon! DL

Chanrion, Nicole - Voute des Crozes 2002 Côte-de-Brouilly

Chanrion, Nicole - Voute des Crozes 2005 Côte-de-Brouilly

Chanrion, Nicole - Voute des Crozes 2009 Côte-de-Brouilly

Coudert (Clos de la Roilette) 2009 Fleurie Cuvée Tardive 1.5 L

Coudert (Clos de la Roilette) 2010 Fleurie Griffe du Marquis

Alain Coudert's homage to his father Fernand is a superb Fleurie that will need three to five years in the cellar and should drink beautifully over the next ten to fifteen years or more. This is the same juice as the great 2010 Cuvée Tardive, aged in two to six year-old barriques and recently bottled.

Coudert (Clos de la Roilette) 2010 Fleurie Cuvee Tardive

Cuvée Tardive, which literally translates to ‘late,’ is so-named as an admonition to avoid consuming the bottle in the flush of youth. Initial reticence, without the jubilant fruit of the previous vintage, along with tightly wound mineral and tannin clearly indicates the need for cellaring. Three days of oxygen exposure brought out an inkling of high-toned berry fruit and florality, a fleeting preview of the complex aromatics that will unfold over time. JR/JW

Coudert (Clos de la Roilette) 2012 Fleurie Cuvée Tardive

From eighty year-old vines on clay and granite soil. By "Tardive," Alain Coudert implies that one should wait for this wine to mature, in this case probably about 5 to 7 years, although those unable to wait will certainly enjoy drinking it now. Deep aromas of meaty blackberry and strawberry confit, violets and mint. Intense palate of berry liqueur, plum, stone and earth with fabulous length and firm, even slightly bitter acids. Earthy fruit coats the palate in the finish — ripe but balanced at 13% alcohol. This will be a great mature wine, perhaps best between 2020 — 2025. We're opening this up for case sales, so don't delay as there is no additional inventory in France.

Coudert (Clos de la Roilette) 2013 Fleurie Cuvée Tardive

Coudert (Clos de la Roilette) 2014 Fleurie Cuvee Tardive

From eighty year-old vines on clay and granite soil in Alain Coudert's beautiful Clos de la Roliette, just over the border from Moulin-a-Vent. By "Tardive," Alain Coudert implies that one should wait for this wine to mature, in this case probably about 5 to 7 years, although those unable to wait will certainly enjoy drinking it now. In the cavalcade of great Cuvee Tardives, the 2014 weighs in at 13% and shows a more weight and flesh than the racy and wonderful 2012, and a bit less structure than the 2010 (our favorite of recent vintages) and is brighter and more balanced than the monumental 2009. In other words, it's a fabulous wine that should be in the cellar of any lover of Beaujolais! The wine is a deep red/black color and shows fresh, high-toned aromas of blackberry liqueur, strawberry, violets, brown spice, licorice and grilled meats - really quite lovely. The palate is framed in stone and mineral flavors with firm acidity, with earthy dark fruits and an almost bitter finish of saline minerals and black fruits. This is a superb Tardive, very expressive of the manganese-rich soils and a lovely combination of beautiful floral/fruit aromas and a dark mineral-laden palate. Wait five to seven years, drink until 2030?

Coudert (Clos de la Roilette) 2016 Fleurie Cuvée Tardive

From eighty year-old vines on clay and granite soil in Alain Coudert's beautiful Clos de la Roliette, just over the border from Moulin-a-Vent. By "Tardive," Alain Coudert implies that one should wait for this wine to mature, in this case probably about 5 to 7 years, although those unable to wait will certainly enjoy drinking it now. The 2016 is cool-toned and finely structured, at 13% it's showing less density than the 2015 and calling to mind the balance and bright minerality of the 2014 vintage. The wine shows deep ruby in the glass, intense aromas of red fruit, violets, fennel, smoke, and black pepper. The palate is creamy and floral on the attack then develops vivid flavors of blueberry and crushed strawberry layered over earthy spice, game, and stone on the grippy mid-palate. The finish is long and mineral and ends on a slightly bitter citrus note. An elegant and age-worthy vintage from Alain. Drinking now, but should develop beautifully with a few years of bottle age. Amanda Bowman

Descombes, Georges 2014 Morgon Vieilles Vignes

This is an extremely pretty Morgon, showing subtle high-toned black raspberry and tart cherry aromas with plum, violet, citrus and brown spice, really lovely. The black and red fruits continue on the palate with complex notes of blood orange, earth, mint and spice. The wine is dense and structured but bright and balanced, finishing with refreshing acidity and mineral flavors. Delicious now, this should be superb in three to five years, and should drink well till 2027. DL

Descombes, Georges 2014 Regnié Vieilles Vignes

This beautiful Regnié has the perfect weight, density and sublte flavors to be a great choice for Thanksgiving!  The Descombes Regnié Vieilles Vignes is superb in 2014, showing lovely aromas of red currant and strawberry, violet, orange peel, brown spice and soil. There is velvety strawberry and blackberry compote on the palate with rose, pomegranate, earth and citrus. The finish is long with lemony acidity, mineral flavors and pretty red fruits. This is a complex and beautifully balanced Regnié that is delicious now, with aeration, and it should be superb from 2020 to 2026+. Highly recommended.  David Lillie

Ducroux 2015 Vin de France Patience 1.5 L

We recommend holding this for another three to five years.

Ducroux, Christian 2017 Vin de France Exspectatia

Christian Ducroux' 5 hectare  estate has been certified organic and biodynamic since 1985, and has operated as a nearly self-sufficient farm, producing its own fertilizer and compost, and plowing and harvesting almost entirely without machinery. The vines average over 60 years of age and are replaced by massale selection, giving extremely low yields. Tasted on arrival in NY, the 2017 Exspectatia (the wine formerly known as Régnié) shows a bright red/black color, with aromas of ripe black raspberry, cherry, spice, rose, licorice and citrus. The palate shows bright raspberry and blackberry fruit, earth, mineral and leafy flavors with a tight, long earthy finish. This fascinating natural wine is quite delicious now, but best to wait a few months - and a cellaring of five to ten years should be very interesting. Bravo to Christian for his beautiful farming and for this complex, expressive natural wine! This is a living, changeable and profound wine of terroir - certainly one of the finest natural wines of France.(Decanting advised, no added sulfur - consume on the day opened.)

Ducroux 2018 Vin de France Patience

 "Patience" (including the "Paradis," the first of the press wine, and the last of the press wine) is always extraordinary. Deeper and more tannic than the "Exspectatio," it benefits from 5 - 6 years of aging before opening. The 2013, tasted at the shop in Jan 2023, was gorgeous, still youthful and bright, with fabulous pure berry fruits and earthy flavors. Sorry, 2 bottle maximum, please.

Ducroux 2018 Vin de France Prologue

Christian Ducroux' 5 hectare  estate has been organic and biodynamic since 1985, and has operated as a nearly self-sufficient farm, producing its own fertilizer and compost, and plowing and harvesting almost entirely without machinery. The vines average over 60 years of age and are replaced by massale selection, giving extremely low yields and low levels of alcohol. Christian's farming is among the most thoughtful and inspired practiced anywhere in the world and his wines express this work in a joyful natural way. "Faites des vins peu alcoolisés avec un joli parfum" said Jules Chauvet (Make wines low in alcohol and with lovely aromas) and no one does this better than Christian - the 2018 Prologue weighs in at a hefty 11.5% alcohol due to the extra ripeness of what is shaping up to be a great vintage in Beaujolais, and shows a fairly dark red/black color  with lush aromas of crushed raspberry, strawberry and blackberry (!) with bright floral notes and hints of roast meat and citrus. The palate is lush, bright and supple with ripe black raspberry, citrus, earth and mineral flavors. This lively, very alive and simply beautiful wine takes you into the soils of Ducroux's vineyards and is a tonic for the soul. Zero added sulfur, keep cool - highly recommended for lovers of natural wines. David Lillie

Ducroux, Christian 2019 Vin de France Esquisse Rosé

  The 2019 "Esquisse" Rosé seemed a bit lighter than the 2018, showing a pretty orange/pink color with aromas of citrus and raspberry, with subtle red fruits on the palate, fresh and silky with a clean mineral finish - a rosé that should gain in complexity over the next 3 - 5 years. David Lillie

Lafarge - Vial 2014 Fleury Bel-Air

Lapalu 2015 Vin de France Alma Mater

Lapalu 2016 Beaujolais-Villages Le Rang du Merle

Lapierre 2010 Morgon

Lapierre 2011 Morgon

Lapierre 2012 Morgon

Lapierre 2013 Morgon

Lapierre 2013 Morgon Sans Soufre

Lapierre 2014 Morgon

Another amazing Morgon from Mathieu and Camille Lapierre! There's an underlying minerality and complexity to this wine that is perhaps overshadowed by the joyful, smile-inducing fruit that jumps out of the glass. Though a candidate for aging 3 to 5 years, this bottle rarely lasts longer than a day in my possession! serve lightly chilled. eben lillie

Lapierre 2014 Morgon 1.5 L

Lapierre 2015 Morgon

Matthieu and Camille Lapierre continue the beautiful work of their father, producing an elegant Morgon in the difficult, very ripe 2015 vintage. The wine shows lovely deep aromas of blackberry liqueur and earth lifted by hints of citrus, violet and mint. The palate is ripe and supple with plum, blackberry, earth, spice  and citrus. The finish is ripe, soft and lovely. We would recommend drinking this juicy Morgon, served quite cool, over the next five years, but longer term aging might be possible as well.

Lapierre 2016 Morgon

Métras, Yvon 2014 Fleurie (Vieilles Vignes) 1.5 L

Thivin 2015 Cote de Brouilly Cuvee Godefroy

Thivin 2015 Cote de Brouilly Cuvee La Chapelle

Vissoux (Pierre-Marie Chermette) 2008 Fleurie Poncié

Berlioz, Gilles NV Vin de Savoie le Jaja (Jacquere)

Berlioz, Gilles NV Vin de Savoie La... Deuse...

Berlioz, Gilles 2015 Vin de Savoie Chignin les Filles

Beaucastel 1999 Chateauneuf du Pape

Clape 2013 Cornas

Clape 2014 Cotes du Rhone

Gilles, Guillaume 2016 Cotes du Rhone Les Peyrouses

Jaboulet 1996 Hermitage La Chapelle

Juge, Marcel 2013 Cornas

Juge, Marcel 2015 Cornas

Luyton, Michele 2013 Hermitage

Luyton, Michele 2015 Hermitage

Nodin, Remy 2014 Cornas Les Eygas

Barraud, Daniel 2012 Pouilly Fuisse En France

Berlancourt 2013 Bourgogne Blanc

Chavy-Chouet 2013 Meursault Narvaux

Chavy-Chouet 2013 Meursault 1er Cru Les Charmes

Chavy-Chouet 2013 Meursault 1er Cru Genevrieres

Chavy-Chouet 2013 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Folatieres

Chavy-Chouet 2016 St Aubin 1er Cru Murgers des Dents de Chien

Chavy-Chouet 2016 Meursault 1er Cru Les Charmes

Colin-Morey, Pierre-Yves 2012 Pernand Vergelesses En Caradeux

Colin-Morey, Pierre-Yves 2017 Bourgogne Blanc

Cruchandeau, Julien 2014 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Hameau de Blagny

Dampt, Maison 2014 Chablis Grand Cru Le Clos

Dampt, Sebastian 2015 Chablis 1er Cru les Beugnons

Dampt, Sebastian 2016 Chablis 1er Cru les Beugnons

Fontaine Gagnard 2017 Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Boudriotte

Fontaine Gagnard 2017 Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Maltroie

Fontaine Gagnard 2017 Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Vergers

Garaudet, Florent 2013 Meursault

Garaudet, Florent 2013 Puligny-Montrachet

Garaudet, Florent 2014 Monthelie Blanc Sous le Cellier

Garaudet, Florent 2014 Puligny-Montrachet

Janot-Bos 2014 Bourgogne Blanc

Jobard, Remi 2014 Bourgogne Blanc

Morel, Jean-Jacques 2014 Puligny-Montrachet

Roulot 2015 Bourgogne Blanc

Roulot, Jean-Marc (negoce) 2015 Bourgogne Blanc Blanc

Cruchandeau, Julien 2017 Haute Cote de Nuits La Cabotte

Durand, Xavier 2014 Nuits St Georges Les Charmois

Fournier 2010 Marsannay les Echezots

Laurent, Dominique 1996 Vosne Romanee Champs Perdrix

Laurent, Dominique 1996 Vosne Romanee Croix Blanche

Laurent, Dominique 1996 Vosne Romanee Cuvee Royale

Laurent, Dominique 1996 Vosne Romanee 1er Cru Les Chaumes

Laurent, Dominique 1996 Vosne Romanee 1er Cru Aux Malconsorts

Ledy, Vincent 2013 Savigny-les-Beaune

Meo-Camuzet 2000 Clos Vougeot Grand Cru

Mongeard-Mugneret 2012 Echezeaux Grand Cru

Bon Pasteur 1989 Pomerol

Certan de May 1983 Pomerol

Certan de May 1986 Pomerol

Certan de May 1988 Pomerol

Clos du Jaugueyron (Théron) 2010 Haut-Médoc

L'Evangile 1981 Pomerol

This vintage is often overlooked in favor of the great 1982s, but it was quite good all around Bordeaux, with Pomerols especially successful.  Now fully mature and showing great elegance and complexity. 

Haut Brion 2002 Pessac-Leognon

Mirebeau 2011 Pessac-Leognon

Moulin de Tricot 2005 Margaux

Poujeaux 2007 Haut Médoc

Le Puy 2010 Francs Côte de Bordeaux Expression Originale Cave Auge