Hirtzberger, Mathias 2022 Wachau Spitz Treu Gruner Veltliner Federspiel

After a brief career in finance, the younger brother of well established Franz Hirtzberger returned to the Wachau and took over another retiring family member's plots. The Treu cuvee is sourced from the highest part of the Kollmutz vineyard and represents Faith (as illustrated by the heart icon on the label). Taking some heraldic themes for his labels and wine names, the former feature the coat of arms of St Florian which had a wine production site in the village from the 13th century until mid 20th century. As explained by Mathias's website: "One heart has loved many. Historically, it is the further development of the fig leaf and often stands for love, strength, endurance and perseverance. In heraldry, the heart is a symbol of loyalty and bravery. The higher you go up the Kollmütz, the cooler it becomes on average throughout the year and the sandier the paragneiss become. This makes the wines incredibly aromatic, complex and dense, while maintaining an animating lightness." Indeed, the wine is all heart with pretty notes of citrus and herbaceousness with a juicy body of peach, melon and pure joy. Lovely! Giselle Hamburg

Felix NV Burgenland Rotburger R&B

A new side project between Kolfolk winemaker Stefan Wellanschitz and his US distrubutor Winemonger, Felix R&B is a liter full of Rotburger (aka Zweigelt) with a dash of Blaufrankish (hence the name R&B). Surprisingly structured for both Rotburger and liter sized bottlings, R&B is the ultimate fall weather party red with beautiful notes of red berries and brambly forest floor. Sunday football tailgate BBQ? Check! Thanksgiving dinner? Check! Bingeing the new Netflix miniseries The Fall of the House of Usher? Check!!! At this price, you can't afford not to check it out!  Giselle Hamburg

Kühn, Peter Jakob 2018 Rheingau Sekt Brut Riesling

Harvested from the higher, cooler vineyards at the very start of harvest time and made up of Riesling, Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois.  The base wine is spontaneously fermented followed by the second fermentation in bottle with 24 months aging on the lees. A minimal dosage of 2.9 grams lends it a pristine, linear profile. Aromas of citrus, faint petrol and wet rocks are followed by flavors of brioche, lemon curd and crunchy minerality with zingy acidity and a sprightly mousse.  Although perfect on its own as an aperitif, it's complexity begs for some food whether it be oyster and shellfish or schnitzel and fried chicken! An elegant alternative to Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Champagne that will make your heart sing and your wallet smile! Giselle Hamburg

Wasenhaus 2022 Baden Grand Ordinaire

Alexander Götze and Christoph Wolber of Wasenhaus met while working in Burgundy. The friends returned to Germany with the idea of finding old vines and making pure, low-intervention wines. Grand Ordinaire—formerly Baden Nouveau— is all Pinot Noir, fermented  100% whole cluster before pressing off and finishing fermentation in tank. The 2022 delivers plenty of bright red fruit, with a lightweight and racy palate. The nose offers aromas of crushed strawberry, pomegranate, and cherry stone. Serve with a light chill!

Ilarria 2020 Irouléguy Blanc

From organically certified vineyards, 1 ha dedicated to Petit Manseng and 1 ha to Petit Courbu, permaculture-pioneer Peio Espil offers a very unique interpretation of Irouléguy Blanc as he is one of the few growing grapes on Trias limestone, a soil so hard he had to use dynamite to plant the vines. No tilling, use of ewes to graze the spontaneous vegetation and compost the soils leads to balanced yields of very concentrated grapes. Harvested almost at the same time despite the fact Petit Courbu is usually an earlier ripening grape than Petit Manseng (Petit Courbu has usually dense cluster and thinner skin berries, but not at Ilarria thanks to the farming), both see some skin maceration (6 hours or so for the Petit Courbu, 12-14 hours for the Petit Manseng) in order to extract aromatic compounds and structure, the musts are blended right away, and fermented spontaneously, with malolactic always occurring, something very rare for the region! Long fermentations are preferred for texture. A little bit of sulfites are used after the fermentation when the wine needs to be racked from inox to demi-muids from tonnellerie de l’Adour. Then the wine stays untouched on its fine lees with racking if needed. The wine is aged up to 18 months, and doesn’t need to be filtered before bottling. Sulfites are adjusted at this time for a total round 45ppm. With moderate alcohol, it has a surprising density with so many layers: a very complex nose of passion fruit, chamomile, yellow plum and smoked salt, the palate is very savory with a saline quality, and more dried hawthorne and thai basil leaves. It is a salivating wine with so much to give, that you want to sip on it little by little. Enjoy it today in large Burgundy glass or keep it for 10 years. For pairing, a rabbit agnolotti with dried sage or a cauliflower panna cotta with crab meat flesh and grapefruit segment.

Bastide Blanche 2016 Bandol Cuvee Fontanéou

From  a 1.75 hectare single vineyard called "Fontanieu", north facing, on a slope near la Cadiere d' Azur on a unique red clay soil over limestone that naturally provides a mineral tension and raciness complemented by notes of nutmeg and violet. Aged in large foudre, 4,000 bottles produced. The 2016 Fontanéou shows a dark black/purple color and aromas of ripe blackberry and back cherry liqueur with smoky garrigue, citrus peel, violet and cocoa. The palate shows supple, spicy black fruits, bitter chocolate, garrigue, black olive and spice - quite ripe but surprisingly well-balanced with cool, earthy acidity. The finish is long with sappy black fruits and mineral flavors - a beautiful Bandol for current drinking that will soften nicely with 5 to 15 years of cellaring.  David Lillie

Navarre 2021 Saint-Chinian Cuvée Olivier

Thierry Navarre's  Cuvée Olivier is a blend from old vines of Carignan, Grenache, and Syrah in Thierry’s 12-hectare practicing organic estate situated in the AOC of Saint-Chinian, grown in brown schist soils that give density to the finished wine. 2021 is an excellent vintage for the "Olivier" with earthy dark fruits, quite supple and long with elegant tannins.  On the nose it is deep and complex with dusty dark plum, boysenberry, pink peppercorn, sage, lemon oil, and clementine zest.  The palate is poised and structured, leaning towards more smoky and mineral flavors but is balanced by fresh fruit. Blackberries, citrus, and savory herbs come to mind on the finish that lingers on the palate. On day two the palate is beginning to open up with more fruit redolent of pomegranate seeds and  minerals.  Drink now or cellar for 10 to 15 years. Truly a great wine, perfect with grilled meats, tagines and stews and a fantastic value.

Cru Godard 2019 Francs - Côtes de Bordeaux

65% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec. Harvest by hand, natural fermentation, and zero new oak. Château Cru Godard’s vines grow on southerly exposed hillsides adjacent to the Saint-Emilion appellation,  geographically closer to Bergerac than to the city of Bordeaux. The wine is fermented by indigenous yeast in stainless steel tanks and is then matured 50% in tank and 50% in used barriques that have seen two passages. The 2019 has a dark ruby robe. The nose offers aromas of sweet black fruits, tobacco, and cocoa. The mid-weight palate has soft flavors of black cherry, cassis, blackberry, and coffee framed by savory earth notes and fine-grained tannins. A great value!

Barth, Laurent NV (2021) 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!

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.

Thillardon, Paul-Henri 2021 Chénas Vibrations

Paul-Henri Thillardon began with 3 hectares of family vineyards in 2008, then acquired 2 hectares in Chénas, always worked with organic/biodynamic methods and has been certified organic since 2011. Vinifications here are semi-carbonic, with a long maceration but gentle extraction. "Vibrations" is an assemblage of all of the domaine's Chénas parcels, including some fruit from their top site, "Chassignol", bottled with zero So2 additions. Pretty, ethereal aromas of juicy, red berry fruit and high-toned floral notes, combine with subtle, flinty-mineral notes. Light-bodied and vibrant, with lots of energy from the lively acidity and bright red-fruit flavors, and supple tannins. Drinking very well now, and should continue to evolve over the next 3-5 years.  Punchy, racy fun with saucisson before dinner, but with enough earthy soul to shine magret of duck. This is sensational Chénas and “Vibrations” is an apt name for the cuvée—it’s just humming and strumming with energy!

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

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)

Berthier, Clement & Florian 2021 Coteaux du Giennois "Terre de Silex"

Florian and Clement Berthier are the fifth generation at this estate based in the Coteaux du Giennois, also producing wines in Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé and Menetou-Salon. From the estate's vineyards in the Coteaux du Giennois, just downstream from Pouilly-Fumé, they produce this lovely single-vineyard Sauvignon Blanc from vines in clay/silex soils. The wine shows a vibrant nose of minerals, citrus, white flower and pear, with a dense, elegant palate showing hints of gooseberry, lemon zest, white fruits and minerals with a clean refreshing finish. This is an excellent alternative to the nighboring wines of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, at a modest price.

Bonhomme, Pierre-Olivier 2022 Vin de France Tesniere Blanc (Menu Pineau)

Menu Pineau, also known as "Arbois" is described in Wine Grapes  (J. Robinson et al.) as "an old variety from the Val de Loire named after its similarity to Gros Pineau (Chenin Blanc)...although it has nothing to do with the village called Arbois in the Franche-Comté." It is an offspring of Gouais Blanc, along with many other European grapes, and is "a little more rustic, but less acid than Chenin Blanc," according to Thierry Puzelat. The 2022 La Tesnière Blanc by Pierre-Olivier Bonhomme is from organically-grown vines, 75% Menu Pineau and 25% Chenin Blanc. The wine shows a bright pale gold color, with subtle aromas of grapefruit, dried pear and apple, dried herbs, nettle, lemon peel, stone and caramel. The palate is austere and stony, with firm acidity and flavors of hazelnut, citrus, baked apple, earth and brown spice. A really fascinating wine and a great pairing with sushi, grilled fish with fennel, lemon chicken, aged goat cheeses and much more. Highly recommended to lovers of unique natural wines.

Les Capriades 2022 VdF Méthode Ancestrale Pet'Sec

A delicious, mineral-driven Pet-Nat from Pascal Potaire, "Les Capriades" is all Chardonnay in the '22 vintage. Touraine's limestone soils are on full display in this bottling. Aromas of crushed seashells and lemon zest will have you craving oysters on cue. The body is crackling with vibrant, tart acidity and a crunchy mineral texture that ushers the citrus notes over to a beautiful sweet note that rounds everything into a powerful finish. A wonderful, complex and delicious wine that we highly recommend.

Chevalerie NV Vin de France Bulle de Fort

The brand new Domaine de la  Chevalerie "Bulle de Fort" is a direct press rosé Petillant Naturel, 100% Cabernet Franc and just incredibly delicious!! Warning, this is not a wimpy pale pink rosé - it shows a deep cherry-red color and a ripe full-bodied palate with beautiful deep red currant/raspberry fruit, a real wine of terroir with bubbles! Really quite sensational, can't wait to bring some home. This will accompany the entire Thanksgiving meal...

Carmarans, Nicolas 2022 IGP Aveyron Maximus

After running one of the most important wine restaurants in Paris (Le Café de la Nouvelle Mairie), Nicolas Carmarans decided to sell off his business to go back to his roots and revive the vineyards of his grand-parents in Le Bruel, a little hamlet lost in Aveyron. 5th largest department in France, Aveyron is one of the most isolated, mostly populated by sheep and pasture. Yet in the medieval time this was one of the most important vineyard in the country, on the path to Santiago-di-Compostella. Starting in 2002 and rehabilitating slowly but surely the terraces and the vineyards, Nicolas put back the Pays d'Entraygues on the map! His wines are just soulful and delicious. Maximus is an invigorating expression of Fer Servadou from high altitude vineyards on granitic slopes. Vinified in whole-cluster and semi-carbonic maceration in stainless steel with a short aging  (8 months), the wine bursts with pomegranate, wild strawberry and blood orange zest, without loosing its medicinal undertones (gentiane, thai basil and pepper). 2022 being a warm vintage, the wine shows lovely density and ripeness, yet keeps its vibrating tension and slight grippy tannins making it so drinkable! It is a very versatile wine :  pop it up with pizzas, tacos, soy-marinated tuna, or enjoy it by itself! 100% Fer Servadou.

Clos Des Boutes 2021 Costieres de Nimes Chamboultou

Carignan from older vines, lovely nose, balanced medium body.

Clos Des Boutes 2021 Costieres de Nimes Sabbra Cadabra

Sabbra Cadabra is a blend of Grenache and Carignan, that is fresh, bright and very charming in the 2021 vintage. Sylvain Boutee has been producing lovely wines from small parcels he tends by hand, and they are always great values. This vintage of Sabbra Cadabra stood out as a particularly lovely expression, fully a southern-Rhone wine, but with gracefulness, and a lighter expression than might be expected.

Clos Des Boutes 2022 Costieres de Nimes Le Pluriel

The delicious Clos des Boutes "Le Pluriel" is made from Carignan, Syrah and Grenache grown in the "galets roulés" soils of the Costieres de Nimes. Hand harvested into small baskets, fermented with wild yeasts with minimal extraction, aging in vat. This is a fresh, delicious, easy-drinking wine with pure, lovely aromas of cherry and blackberry. The palate is supple and sapid with gorgeous red fruits balanced by refreshing acidity - a simple but superb product of great Biodynamic farming!

Kelley Fox 2022 Willamette Valley Mirabai Pinot Noir

We rarely suggest judging a book by its cover, but in this case the label speaks so well to its contents! The 'Mirabai' from Kelley Fox blends fruit from two neighboring vineyards, 75% from the Maresh Vineyard and 25% from Weber. The Dundee Hills parcels were both planted in the 1970's so the vines are fully mature, and sit on Jory soil. The quality of the farming coupled with Kelley's intuitive sense and strict aversion to additives in the cellar allows the land to shine through in this bottle. The is a portion of whole cluster here, depending on the vintage, fermentation is in small lots, and aging is around 7 months in neutral French oak. The 2022 is a beautiful wine, brimming with energy but with a seductive side that makes it feel like a treat. It's light enough to work with classic Thanksgiving fare but has the structure and cut to stand up to heartier meats or roasted vegetables. Always a favorite and this vintage is no exception!

Arnot-Roberts 2022 California North Coast Trousseau

The Californian Trousseau scramble continues!  Arnot-Roberts sources theirs from three AVAs across Northern California.  Unfiltered and unfined for your maximum Trousseau enjoyment.

Pepe Raventos 2021 'Vinya del Noguer' Xarel-lo

A tiny, artisanal side project from our friend Pepe Raventos, this is the wine I tasted in Pepe's basement (essentially a beautiful, serene cellar) under his minimalist home in Sant Sadurni, around 2016 or 2017. Pepe was quite excited to share a wine that was aged in amphora (or maybe it was cement egg in the beginning), made from the local Xarel-lo grape, and vinified and bottled without any added sulfites. I believe I remember Pepe being quite playful about it, as he probably was taught that working without sulfites was dangerous and impossible, so there was a sense of a sneaky glee in breaking the rules. Now, several years later, and after we special ordered 10 cases of this secret zero/zero Xarel-lo for Chambers Street, the Vins Pepe are back! Now employing some old French barrels along with amphora, the Vinya del Noguer Xarel-lo is fantastic in '21, with a long mineral core and leesy, slightly dense texture in the mid-palate. The interplay of weight and cut is perfect, reminding a bit of a Chablis meeting a Mediterranean white.

Celler Escoda Sanahuja 2021 Vina de Espana La Llopetera

2021 was a really great vintage for the Escoda-Sanahuja wines, across the board, with great acidity levels, purity and vibrance without any flaws or off-aromas or flavors, which can sometimes end up in their natural wines that are always made without added SO2. Llopetera is all Pinot Noir, bright, but not so light in fact. Nice material, pretty florals on the nose and medium body on the palate. Very nice now, but should develop well over then next 5 years. A delicious and pure natural red that is truly in a nice place.  -EL

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 Lupo 2021 Barbera d'Asti

The Cantina Del Lupo Barbera d’Asti is a textured, fruit forward Barbera that feels more serious than many of the Barberas coming out of Asti.  Rather than light red fruit, the Cantina Del Lupo shows fairly concentrated dark berry fruit on the nose with an herbal tinge to it.  Fairly full and showing some sweet spice on the palate, it has fresh acidity and very soft tannins.  Pair it with pizza, tomato-based pasta dishes, and simple chicken dishes.  -AP

Pianogrillo 2022 Terre Siciliane IGT Frappato

A beautiful, fresh Frappato from the Pianogrillo estate in Sicily. Bright red and translucent in the glass, with ripe cranberry, red berries, and eucalyptus notes. A perfect light-bodied red from the overlooked Frappato grape!

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.

I Fabbri 2019 Chianti Classico Lamole Fiasco

We couldn't resist including the famou Fiasco bottle, which happens to have great wine inside, and also makes for a fun conversation piece on the table with the Thanksgiving feast! The old school 'Fiasco' was a large bottle wrapped in straw, perhaps originally of a much larger size, like a damijon but in this iteration, a more manageable 1 liter. 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 with a light chill for extra refreshment.

Ousyra 2022 Paros Monemvasia

The name of the winery means happiness and reflects the happiness of it's couple, who met and fell in love on Syros. Edward left Scotland and stayed on the beautiful island which is the Capital of the Cyclades. His focus is on reviving it's extinct, indigenous varietals such as Serifiotiko. This Monemvasia hails from the neighbouring island of Paros a short half hour ferry ride away. From ungrafted 80 year old bush vines farmed on terraces carved into the mountainside. A cousin to Peloponnese's Malvasia in every manner, it shows a lovely chalky, slatey minerality with notes of lemony citrus in a medium to full body. The wine is made by whole cluster slow pressing ( 5Hours 20 mins!) that leaves the grapes uncrushed so none of the bitternes from the stalks or seeds imbue the wine. Extremely limited production of 3000 bottles, so grab a botle or two while it's still in stock! Giselle Hamburg

Soellner 2021 Wagram Grüner Veltliner Wogenrain

Soellner, a biodynamic grower in the loess-heavy soils in Wagram, Austria's absolute best source for characterful yet excellent value Grüner Veltliner. Even though the region is home to some upcoming stars (see Bernhard Ott), the Soellner wines still way over-deliver for their price. Fermented with wild yeasts in stainless steel. Notes of snap peas, lemon zest and perfect level of acidity. "Wogenrain" is the ancient name for Wagram ("surfside").

Immich-Batterieberg 2021 Mosel C.A.I. Riesling Trocken

C.A.I. stands for Carl August Immich, owner of the estate in the 19th century, who used gunpowder charges to blast out part of the mountainside in order to plant vines. Grapes are sourced  from vineyards in the Mosel and Saar valleys, vinified in stainless steel.  C.A.I. has a bright greenish-yellow, translucent robe. The nose offers and intriguing blend of white flower and stone fruit aromas with a  hint of gunsmoke (echoes of Herr Immich's munitions?). The palate is racy and mouthwatering with zesty citrus peel and white cherry fruit with a long, lip-smacking finish. Rainwater fresh and bright.

Camin Larredya 2021 Jurançon Sec La Part Davant

La Part Davant is Camin Larredya’s main white, produced around the family property in La Chapelle-de-Rousse on south exposed poudingues, a sandy-clay soil with cemented pebbles. Farmed biodynamically, the wine is a blend of Gros and Petit Manseng with a touch of Courbu for balance. Jean-Marc really appreciates the “complementary grapes” of the AOC, working to rehabilitate their potential!  Hand-harvested, the grapes are whole-cluster pressed with a little bit of skin-contact for the Mansengs (10% of the volume) to bring aromatics and structure, Blended then vinified and aged 1/3 in barrique, 1/3 Stockinger foudre, 1/3 in anfora, the malolactic does not usually occur. The 2021 is a wine of firm structure and fabulous mineral character that showed beautifully in France last winter. The nose is layered and subtle for a Manseng based wine: you can imagine orange blossoms, lemon verbena and star fruit. In the palate, everything is in place, dry and vibrant, with such a back bone of acidity that there is no heaviness. Slight grainy tannins in the finish bring even more dimension. A beautiful wine and a great bottle to drink now, the wine would be even more enjoyable with a couple of years of cellaring. Decant and serve in large Bordeaux glass, and pair it with a sole meunière. If you like Saumur Blanc or Rheinhessen Riesling, this wine is for you. 50% Gros Manseng, 35% Petit Manseng, 15% Courbu, 14% alc, 3 gr/l RS.

Ilarria 2020 Irouléguy Rouge

In the French Basque hills, enveloped by Spain, Peio Espil tends his family’s estate with impressive care. Peio, after careers in both Sauternes and Jurancon, returned to Irouleguy to work sustainably, and received complete organic certification in 2008. Here he strictly adheres to a Fukuoka-inspired way of organic farming, with biodiversity in the vineyards and no plowing, with the overall health of the soil being his number one concern. The 2020 Rouge is  approximately 55% Tannat, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 30% Cabernet Franc and it's another sensational vintage for this unique wine. Deep black/red color with bright rim; elegant aromas of red currant, cassis and blackberry with rose petal and earth, really lovely. A bit leaner than the 2019, the wine is intense and well structured with firm acidity beneath sapid berry fruits that coat the palate. There is a lovely balance between intensity  of fruit and refreshing acidity and while there are firm tannins the wine remains elegant, supple and immensely enjoyable to drink now, with a beautiful combination of soil, fruit and bright acidity in the finish. Serve a bit cool with grilled lamb, hangar steak or a tagine of vegetables, enjoy until 2035.

Gravillas 2020 Vin de France Lo Vielh Carignan

(last of stock) The Clos des Gravillas "Lo Vielh" is from Carignan planted in 1911 that was the first vineyard purchased by Nicole and John, who saved it from being torn out. "The vines demand a lot of work and attention, but they pay it back. The soil is exceptional, lumpy as desired due to a very lively humus and a perfect stony limestone on the Terroir of Cazelles. These vines give a wine that speaks with great depth and finesse, with notes of thyme and bay leaf." The aromas are really fascinating - blackberry, blueberry, fig and violet. It's dark and almost inky in color but medium/light in body, velvety and deeply flavored, and has great freshness, with ample acidity and a lingering mineral finish. This would pair well with most dark meats but is particularly suited to anything gamey - the winemaker recommends guinea hen! It's a piece of Languedoc history that is unique and delicious - bravo to John and Nicole for saving the old vines.  David Lillie

Barth, Laurent 2020 Alsace Riesling Rebgarten VV

From old vines in a south facing vineyard of sandy granite soils in Bennwihr, Laurent Barth produced this superb dry Riesling that shows a bright pale gold color, with ripe floral aromas of pear, almond, citrus and spice. The palate however, while rich, shows a light, dry character, very mineral and with firm acidity. Green apple, citrus peel, almond and stone flavors linger in the long, nicely balanced finish. This is a lovely dry Riesling to pair with a wide variety of fish and white meat dishes, highly recommended!

Pascal Henriot 2021 Franch-Comte Coteaux de Champlitte Pinot Auxerrois

From a tiny off-the-beaten-path appellation, between Alsace and the Jura, this is 100% Pinot Auxerrois, from pretty much THE producer of note for organic farming, hand-harvested, native yeast fermentation wines in the area. A mysterious treat, reminding us a little bit of both Alsace and the Jura, with lovely mineral finish that clearly shows the wine could age in the cellar. Indeed it will likely be a treat with 5-10 years in bottle, but if you've never had a Coteaux de Champlitte wine, you may have to try one sooner!

Chantereves 2021 Bourgogne Blanc

In 2021, this lovely Bourgogne Blanc was sourced from vineyards in the village of Maranges, though the bottling was previously sourced from several different vineyards, including in Beaujolais. The vintage for whites was one of their favorites at the domaine, and they bottled with no additions of SO2 only in 2021 for this wine. Fermentation was with indigenous yeast, with aging in neutral oak barrels, and no batonnage. This is a young Chardonnay with a lot of potential but equally charming in the moment. Notes of lemon and stone fruit on the palate, unmistakable acidity and mineral length on the finish. Even for a Bourgogne Blanc, this seems like it will have a really nice future ahead of it! If drinking now, decant and don't serve too cold.

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")

Tessier 2022 Cheverny Rouge

(We tasted this wine over 4 days - recorked, in the fridge - it got better and better gaining density and complexity - beautiful wine!) The delicious 2022 Tessier Chevery Rouge is from 15 to 40 year-old vines of 70% Pinot Noir, 25% Gamay and 5% Cot grown in sandy clay soils. Wild yeasts, of course, and aging in old barrels with minimal or zero SO2 added, bottled unfiltered. A bit more Pinot Noir than usual in 2022. The yields were surprisingly good in 2022, but the fruit achieved perfect ripeness in this excellent vintage for Loire reds, showing deep cherry and raspberry with plum, rose, citrus and brown spice. The palate is round, velvety, ripe and vibrantly refreshing with chalky spiced berry fruits, plum skin and mineral flavors, ending with sappy red fruits and bright acidity. Serve quite  cool with charcuterie, chicken and pork dishes and a wide variety of cheeses.  Just delicious! (20 mg/L total SO2, 12.69% alc.)

Domaine de Reuilly 2022 Reuilly Les Pièrres Plates

(Just arrived!) Minerals for days is the first thing that comes to mind while enjoying this wine, but in 2022 there is ample ripeness and lovely fruit as well. Not only a great alternative to Sancerre, but distinctly of Reuilly, a nearby Loire appellation laden with Kimmeridgian limestone. The Domaine de Reuilly was founded in 1935 alongside an oak forest, which is still used by the Domaine for their barrels. Proprietor Denis Jamain has taken this estate to new levels of quality with organic and biodynamic farming.  The nose is delicate and opens up nicely as it comes up in temperature showing notes of fresh, clean grass, white grapefruit, and peach blossoms. The palate is lean and linear displaying the beautiful stony texture imparted by the calcareous soil. This wine will be a perfect highlight to shellfish and crisp salads, and lovely balance to lighter proteins and creamy goat cheeses.

Villemade 2020 Cour-Cheverny Chataigniers

Hervé Villemade makes beautiful Cour-Cheverny, 100% Romorantin - Chataigniers is from relatively young vines that give a vibrant, herbal, very mineral wine that is delicious now or with 10 - 15 years of cellaring. Unique and delicious, only 6 btls are available.

Maison en Belles Lies 2019 L'Etrange Rouge

Pierre Fenals has slowly patched together a collection of vineyards in Burgundy, with some tiny plots he owns and others he manages and farms. L'Etrange is Pinot Noir, with a touch of Aligoté and Gamay, fermented with native yeasts and vinified and bottled without the addition of sulfur. Opened recently with friends, this was ready to go, with bright red fruit, and perfect acidity!   -EL

Le Temps des Cerises (Prufer) 2022 Vin de France Avanti Popolo

Axel Prufer, of Le Temps des Cerises, could be considerd one of the early adopters of carbonic maceration in the Languedoc, where it was not used as a winemaking approach as it has been historically in the Beaujolais. Trying it with grapes like Carignan, Cinsault, Aramaon and Grenache, unlocked new tools for making wines with freshness and lower alcohol, which Prufer has done since he first started making wines in the Languedoc in 2003 (he's originally from Germany). With the intention of making wines without additives, Prufer has relied on great farming, natural acidity and the absence of oxygen to make natural wines without added SO2. Avanti Popolo is a nice Languedoc medley, with rustic, brambly aromas, which blend well with the traditional wild raspberry notes common with carbonic maceration. This is an easy-going light bodied red, and a great introduction to the wines of Axel Prufer.  

Le Temps des Cerises (Prufer) 2022 Vin de France Jalava

Jalava is a tasty offering from Axel Prufer, a natural winemaker and vinegrower who settled in the Languedoc in 2003. 100% Cinsault, clean and very enjoyable for hours, though with the low alcohol and high-toned red fruits, it's extremely "drinkable" and will likely be empty shortly after opening! Not the lightest red out there, but certainly a light red to be enjoyed with a very light chill.

Le Temps des Cerises (Prufer) 2022 Vin de France Un Pas de Coté

Un Pas de Cote is all Grenache, which undergoes carbonic maceration, with a resulting wine having energy and freshness, some spice and bold flavors on the palate, with low alcohol and ideal gulpability.

Pepe Raventos 2021 'Vinya la Plana' Malvasia de Sitges

Malvasia de Sitges, recuperated from one single remaining vineyard in Sitges that was the last parcel in the 70s, nearly extinct until the painstaking work of Ramon ___ from Cellar Pardas. Pepe got some clippings from Ramon to plant Malvasia de Sitges in limestone soils at his family's estate in 2018, and this is the limited production wine (1500 bottles produced) that tells the story. As with the other "Vins Pepe" wine, these are aged in Pepe's basement, but instead of old barrels and amphora, the Malvasia is aged in cement eggs, which in some ways might calm the herbal sharpness of the grape, but retain all of the notes of Mediterranean herbs and bright lemons.

Orto Vins 2020 Montsant Tinto

Joan Asens is considered the "guru of biodynamics" in the Priorat area, and cut his chops making wine at the famous Alvaro Palacios estate. Orto Vins is a project that he started on the side of his full-time gig, over a decade ago. Joan works with vines in Montsant, and this is a lovely, fresh style of Montsant made from a blend of primarily Grenache and Carinyena (Carignan).

Marques de Tomares 2021 Rioja Excellence

From several plots in RIoja Alavesa and Rioja Alta, this is a great value Rioja, made from organic practicing, dry farmed vineyards. The folks at Marques de Tomares do carbonic maceration for half of the fruit, and destem the rest, using light pump-overs to limit extraction. Aging is in French oak (with some new barrels) for about 3-5months before bottling without fining or filtration, and spending a bit over a year in bottle before release. A very graceful and acid-forward young Rioja, from 90% Tempranillo with 10% Graciano for some tannins, which are overall very smooth and refined. A good every-day red for all occasions!

Folias de Baco 2022 Douro Uivo PT Nat Curtido

A delightful skin contact Pet-Nat from Tiago Sampaio at Folias de Baco. All Moscatel Galego, a local Muscat found in the Douro, the wine has lovely floral aromas, with a delicately textured mouthfeel and fine mousse. Aside from some cloudiness to the wine, there is nothing funky about it, and it definitely excels in the refreshment department. Though tasted solo, it should be great with fried foods, salads, and vegetarian fare, though may be too dry to pair with spicy or sweet dishes. This is a perfect sparkler to sit back with as the sun sets.  EL

Susana Estaban 2021 Alentejo Aventura Branco

From up and coming winemaker Susana Estaban, this is a balanced and delicious white from the Alentejo region of Portugal. Aventura Branco is a blend local varieties, including Viosinho and many others. Fermention and aging is in stainless steel, with the wine kept on the lees for about a year. We love the mineral expression and the mid-palate weight here, and were certainly impressed with the story of this young winemaker who left the Douro and Dao to search for old vineyards on the granitic slopes of Portalegre. The energy and structure from the granite is evident in this precise (yet not too sharp) white.

Susana Estaban 2020 Alentejo Aventura Tinto

Importer Note: Aventura Tinto is a blend of younger vines (roughly 30 years old). The blend is roughly 40% Aragonez (Tempranillo), 40% Touriga Nacional, and 20% older vine field blend. Fermented and aged in stainless steel for about 12 months, and then aged in bottle for another year before release

Filipa Pato 2022 Bairrada Tinto 'Dinamico'

The name for this wine, Dnmc (or Dinamico), reflects the idea that expressions of the local Baga grape from different locations will produce a complex, and dynamic wine. It also could be seen as a nod to the biodynamic principles and treatments that Filipa Pato and William Wouters have introduced in their vineyards. They have been increasingly focused on organic and biodynamic viticulture as the years go by, much to our delight! 100% Baga, this medium-bodied red is fresh, and vibrant, with a touch of wild red fruit and dark berries, and subtle spice. Fermentation and aging is in tank with minimal extraction, but long maceration periods still provide good structure to the wine. Overall, it's a great introduction to the very enjoyable Baga grape, specifically here involving limestone terroir and the Atlantic influence of western Bairrada. -EL