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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!
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!
Beck-Hartweg 2020 Vin d'Alsace Gewurztraminer "Bungertal"
A lovely little dry Gewurztraminer from Florian and Mathilde Beck-Hartweg. Floral and crisp, textbook Gewurz.
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.
Alzinger 2022 Wachau Dürnstein Riesling Federspiel
Sourced from vineyards around the town of Dürnstein, on more gravelly, sandy, alluvial soils in contrast to the more stony meager soils further up slope, as well as from some young plots of terraced vineyards. The nose is delicate and elegant with lots of fresh fruit of green vineyard peaches, some lychee and meadow flowers, plus smoky dark stone. Light and lively on the palate, with lots of spice and minerals, crisp acidity and fine flavors of pink peach and rose petals, but also a slight tannic grip - reminiscent of pear peel and lemon zest.
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!
Brundlmayer 2021 Kamptal Zobinger Heiligenstein Riesling Alte Reben Erste Lage
The terraced south and southwest facing slope of Zöbinger Heiligenstein has a unique geological history that has been preserved in this vineyard, full of fossilized plants and clumps of volcanic rhyolite and 270 million year old red desert sandstone! This produces a medium bodied Riesling with notes of lemon curd, spicy ginger, beeswax, and a slate-like minerality on the finish. GH
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
Frug Weingut Wurzinger 2022 Burgenland Orange (skin contact)
Mostly Gruner Veltliner with some Roter Veltliner from certified organic vineyards, bottled without filtration or fining, with a little sulfur addition. The Frug was a famous dance in Austria in the 1960s, and this fresh and zippy skin contact/"orange" wine is meant to make you do the Frug! It's a liter bottle too, so you can dance a little longer. A great deal and favorite for rooftop hangs, summer parties, or fall feasts.
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
Moric 2018 Burgenland Hausmarke Weiss Supernatural
A blend of mostly Gruner Veltliner (75%) and Chardonnay, meant for drinking now. Aged in large old barrels. As with all of Roland's wines, fermentation is with indigenous yeast and minimal SO2 used at bottling.
Moric 2020 Burgenland Hausmarke Rot
Hausmarket Rot is a blend of 50% Rotburger (zweigelt), 35% Blauufrankisch and 15% Blauburgunder (Pinot Noir). It comes across as Blaufrankisch with a more playful side, fresh and agile, full of notes of currants, plums and berries. There is a backbone of earth, minerality and spice that supports the dark fruit in this easy to drink introduction (House Brand) to the finessed and wonderful wines of Roland Velich. Giselle Hamburg
Nikolaihof 2021 Wachau Grüner Veltliner Hefeabzug
Nikolaihof is one of the oldest wine estates in Austria, whose history goes back almost 2000 years to the Roman empire. Germanic monks obtained the estate during the collapse of Rome, and the first written evidence of winemaking comes from 470 A.D. In addition, Nikolaihof has been practicing Bio-dynamics since 1971, making them one of the longest Bio-dynamic practicing wineries in the world. Nikoliahof became Demeter certified Bio-dynamic in 1998. “Hefeabzug” in german means aged on the lees. This is Gruner Veltliner from vineyards with clay-shaly soils with a high content of granite pebbles. The average age of the vines is 45 years. The wine is fermented in open oak tanks without the use of artificial yeast and without temperature control. Aging on fine lees in large old Austrian oak casks of 2000 - 12000 liters. This yields a lower alcohol Gruner with salinity, minerality and a faint spritz like a Muscadet, but with bigger bones and spice. Rich yet fresh with aromas of herbaceousness, whiter flowers and citrus, and flavors of green apple, flint, white pepper and lemon rind with a persistent, long finish. Giselle Hamburg
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
Ott, Bernhard 2021 Wagram Grüner Veltliner Der Ott
Der Ott is made from a blend of ‘young’ (15- to 35-year-old) vines from Bernhard's best vineyards: the loess-dominated Rosenberg and Spiegel as well as Stein with its primary rock, some clay and some loess. From the 2019 vintage onward, Ott has considered it to be at the same quality level as his single-vineyard wines.All the apple, lime and stone of great Gruner with a creamier texture.
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
Straka 2022 Little Big Mash Welschriesling/Pinot Blanc/Sau
Hailing from the southenrmost reaches in the mountains next to the Hungarian border. This is a new cuvee for Straka in a liter for your gluggable enjoyment: 70% Welschrieling/ 15% Weissburgunder/ 15% Sauvignon Blanc. After 4 days skin contact and several months in tank, the result is refreshing herbaceousness, white flowers and citrus. Your new party wine! GH
Straka 2022 Ready Steady Go! Welschriesling Pet Nat
A delightful Pet Nat from southeastern Austria next to the Hungarian border. Made of 100% Welschriesling from younger vines harvested earlier to preserve freshness. Ready Steady Go! is meant to start off your get togethers and dinners with a bang; Party Starter! GH
Strohmeier NV Steiermark Schilcher Frizzante
"Schilcher" is the name for a local rosé made from Blauer Wildbacher in the districts of western Styria. Always very racy, full of sharp minerality and acidity. This is one of the rarer examples of it made into a sparkling wine, using the traditional method that is the same as Champagne production. Farming is organic, 10 to 12 hours maceration, gentle pressing, spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel tanks. put into bottle unfiltered for a secondary ferment, a small sulfur dose in tank and none at time of disgorgement. Traditionally paired with fried chicken, a speciality of that region in Styria, Time to get your BONCHON on! Giselle Hamburg
Tement 2020 Sudsteiermark Morillon (Chardonnay) Muschelkalk
Morillon is the local name in Styria, which lies on the border with Slovenia, for Chardonnay. It's predominantly grown on coralline limestone soil, or Muschelkalk in German. After natural fermentation, the wine is aged for 18 months on the lees in big, neutral oak casks.From 30-year-old vines, fermented for one year in small barrels and aged for another six months in stainless steel (without the addition of sulfur), Bottled unfiltered. Bright and balanced now, but even better after two-three years of bottle age. A great substitute for chablis lover. GH
Von der Vogelwaide 2020 Wachau Balztanz Blanc
40% Grüner Veltliner, 35% Müller-Thurgau, 25% Riesling. Sourced from multiple tiny parcels across the Vogelwaide parcels in the western Wachau. Whole-cluster, fermented and aged in a mix of stainless steel and neutral oak. ‘Balztanz’ is a cuvée name that winemakers Daniel and Michael describe as ‘the mating dance of the bird world,’ and it’s used for their lighter-bodied, more expressive or easygoing wines. The birds on the label are also non-native to the Wachau valley, indicating that this is a cuvée for which the duo purchases a small amount of fruit to augment their tiny-parcel, steep slope estate fruit. Unfined and unfiltered showing a hazy straw hue, the wine is at once savory and delicate, herbaceous and green tree fruit, mineral yet ripe, It definitely doesn't drink like a typical Wachau white and that is a good thing. I tried it for the first time over a year ago at the newly opened Koloman restaurant in NYC. The Wine Director, Wachau native Katja from a wine growing family gave me the skinny on the dynamic duo and ever since then, I've been determined to bring them in to a wider public. I hope you will take a chance on these experimental newcomers from quite a conservative region! 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.
Wiederstein, Birgit 2021 Niederosterreich Pinot Noir die Diva
Birgit is a fearless winemaker not afraid to resurrect long forgotten or no longer cultivated varietals in her region of Carnuntum such as Harslevelu or Pinot Noir. The latter needs no introduction but does in her region as the grape's fickleness requires more care than the native easygrowing Zweigelt does. This is her new release of her 100% Pinot Noir aptly called "Diva". I will let her words describe her intentions and this cuvee best: " With Pinot Noir I am immediately reminded of a Diva - a female deity who is extremely talented, with finesse and self confidence. If as a winegrower you wrongly understand her, then you produce a simple red wine but if you accept her identity, then you get a Pinot Noir that "sings" and deeply touches you." . This Diva hails from an old single vineyard Rosenberg from Dijon clones. 30% whole cluster and foot stomped by Birgit's own feet! (She may be petite but has hobbit feet size 41!). Upon tasting, we were all struck by it's effortless elegance and balance of beautiful berry fruit and lush yet structured body with a persistent finish. We even drew parallels with Clos des Lambrays and Chambolle Musignys. Do not miss this opportunity to try this very Burgundian alternative! Giselle Hamburg
Zahel 2022 Vienna Gemischter Satz PetNat
A brand new cuvee from our friend Alex Zahel in Vienna;, a sparkling version of his family's famous Gemischter Satz or traditional Viennese white field blend hosting a bevy of white varietals (Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, Chardonnay, Grauburgunder, Weissburgunder and Traminer). A blast of juicy tree fruit, citrus, melon, mountain meadow and white rocks fizzes out of the glass. The palate is crisp yet ebullient, lithe yet structured possessing some grip and cut. A perfect foil for all holiday get togethers including brunch with it's low 10.5% ABV! Giselle Hamburg
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.
Coquelet 2016 Chiroubles Vieilles Vignes
The step-son of Georges Descombes, Damien Coquelet has worked alongside him since early childhood. Damian's 2016 Chiroubles VV is a beautiful wine showing bright aromas of ripe raspberry, morello chery, violet and citrus, really quite pretty. There is a lively mineral attack on the palate with earthy plum, cherry and raspberry fruit that is sappy, earthy and long. Quite lovely now, this should really sing after a few years of cellaring. Highly recommended! David Lillie
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
Descombes, Georges 2020 Morgon
Georges Descombes has created another superb Morgon in 2020 - not as bright perhaps as the 2014 (pictured) but with a similar balance of alcohol (13%), freshness and very ripe sappy fruit. The wine shows a bright, vivid red/black color with earth, violet and citrus notes mingling with lovely raspberry and blackberry aromas. The palate is ripe, silky and well-structured with fresh, velvety raspberry, cherry and blackberry fruit, with earth and mineral notes bringing texture and length to the sappy, lingering finish. This is a beautiful Morgon to serve cool with farm chicken, grilled pork and lamb, cow cheeses and charcuterie over the next 4 - 5 years. David Lillie
Desvignes 2022 Beaujolais L'Aube a Javernieres
2020 was the first vintage of "L'Aube à Javernières" and the first Desvignes wine to not be 100% cru Morgon, coming from a parcel of 20 to 30-year-old vines in deep clay soils on the edge of Javernières, just below the Cote du Py hill. The grapes are harvested by hand and the winemaking is consistent with most of the Desvignes wines, undergoing semi-carbonic fermentation and aged in concrete with no punchdowns. The 2022 is a fresh and exuberant expression of Gamay with beautiful ripeness, showing red fruit and cool herbs on the nose, backed by earthy acidity that creates wonderful tension and a long finish that makes it a versatile pairing partner. Absolutely delicious and a great value for anyone who loves serious Beaujolais!
Desvignes 2022 Morgon Côte de Py
The 2022 Desvignes Morgon "Cote de Py" is from 2.2 hectares of parcels on the Côte du Py, which is famous for its roche pourrie or "rotten rock" of manganese-rich, decomposed schist and its structured, long-lived wines. The vines are around 70 years old and have a cooler NE exposure at the top of the hill. They are certified-organic and harvested by hand. Generally around 50% of the bunches are left whole with the other 50% destemmed and put together into closed concrete vats for a partly carbonic fermentation; maceration is 13-14 days with a submerged cap and no punchdowns. The 2022 Côte du Py was aged in concrete egg for 10 months. This is a beautiful wine showing a bit more density and black fruits than the Javenieres. The color is a deep black/red with light rim. The aromas are deep and elegant - blackberry, black cherry, earth and licorice with mineral, sous-bois and citrus notes. The palate is dense and deep with black fruit liqueur, ripe and well structured with firm tannins. Black fruits, firm acicity and mineral flavors merge in the long finish - a wine to cellar for five years and then enjoy until 2035, but the tannins are supple and the sapid fruit makes this enjoyable young as well. Lovely wine. David Lillie
Desvignes 2022 Morgon Javernieres "Aux Pierres"
2022 Desvignes "Aux Pierres" - 2020 was the first vintage from this new parcel in the historic lieu-dit of Javernières at the foot of the famous Côte du Py hill. "Aux Pierres" comes from this 0.57-hectare plot of 90-year-old vines on a steep, east-facing slope. The soils are iron-rich, red clay with schist, pyrite and decomposed volcanic rocks. The wine is aged in 30-hectoliter concrete egg for 10 months. The Desvignes family considers "Aux Pierres" to be a true vin de garde. While we loved the austere elegance and depth of the 2021 "Aux Pierres," it has taken a more "solaire" and generous vintage to bring out the greatness in these old vines and this unique terroir. "It has a very complex mineral-driven bouquet with dark cherries, tea-leaves and crushed stone, floral scents emerging with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. This is very pure in style, beautifully balanced with a satin textured finish that is one of the most caressing you will find this vintage. Outstanding." - Neal Martin Vinous. We couldn't agree more - cellar for 5 years then drink until 2040 - or open a few days in advance, recork, then enjoy!
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!
Terres Dorées (Jean-Paul Brun) 2022 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 2022 shows a bright deep red color. The aromas are high-toned and ripe with red currant, raspberry and wild strawberry, quite bright and floral. 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) 2023 Beaujolais L'Ancien V. Vignes Nouveau
100% Gamay. Always our favorite Nouveau! The Terres Dorées L'Ancien vines are Jean Paul's oldest vines at 40-60 years old. They grow on the sandy clay-limestone hills in his home village of Charnay in the southern Beaujolais and yield small, thick-skinned berries. The farming is organic and harvest manual. The earliest harvest of these vines goes into his Nouveau. Unlike any other Nouveau out there, there is no carbonic maceration (true for all of his Gamays). The bunches are destemmed, the fruit crushed and fermented with native yeasts in tank, notably with no chaptalization; it is aged briefly, though longer than most Nouveaux, and bottled in time to land in the states by the third Thursday in November. The 2023 version shows lovely aromas of ripe cherry and blackberry with citrus and floral notes; the palate is dense, sappy and ripe with deep red and black fruits and hints of earth, citrus and cocoa. This is a seriously delicious Nouveau and bodes well for the 2023 vintage wines to come...
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!
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 2019 Saint-Emilion Chateau Cartier
The second label to Chateau Fonroque, 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. The 2019 vintage was unusually hot in mid-summer so harvest was early - "the result was a rich, harmonious wine with a silky texture. Its classicism makes 2019 one of our best vintages" says the Fonroque/Cartier website.
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 2021 Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux "Banzai"
A perfect treat for Thanksgiving - a Bordeaux that drinks like a Beaujolais! 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. No intervention during fermentation or aging, with small addition of SO2 at bottling.
Chateau Brandeau 2021 Vin de France Gas Gas
Julien likes to dance, I learned this the night I met him. No wonder he has a wine with people dancing on the label, and also no wonder that it's a carbonic maceration "glou glou" style blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon that you would never guess could taste this gulpable. If you want to have the stamina to dance all night while drinking wine, this is your bottle! The grapes come from sandy soils on top of clay, and Julien liked the idea of doing carbonic maceration with whole clusters to preserve all of the fresh fruit notes and come out with a very light-bodied red. What's nice is that because of the grape varieties employed here, the wine has lots of flavor and doesn't come across as thin or devoid of character. Quite the contrary, it stands out, maybe as the funky one, but would you rather listen to funk or classical when you're dancing? -EL
Chateau Micalet 2019 Haut Medoc
Chateau 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!
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!
"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+
This over-achieving but little known Saint-Emilion is situated southwest of the town of Saint-Emilion, just below Ch. Magdelaine, on the steep slope of limestone with clay and sandy soils that descends from the plateau. The vines are partly in a natural amphitheatre, facing south with great sun exposure and protection from north winds. The estate was purchased from the Moueix family in 2004 by Denise and Stephen Adams and is now certified organic and Biodynamic. The blend is roughly 95% merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, aging is 50% in new barrels, 30% in one year-old barrels and 20% in concrete egg and anfora. This complex and elegant Bordeaux will be perfect with fall and winter meals, and it would be a great hoilday gift as well. "It has a beautiful nose, very pure and bright, showing limestone freshness with taut, tense, black-cherry fruit. The palate shows a minerally, defined, taut fruit expression, with black cherry stone, black plum and damson, wrapped in a keen texture and underpinned by nicely grained tannins. Fresh, reserved, very structured, with ripeness but also tense elegance. Pure, cool and very long. Well done." The Wine Doctor
Grand Corbin Despagne 2019 Saint-Emilion
Chateau Grand Corbin Despagne has been certified organic since 2013. The blend is 75% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. 2019 is the 208th vintage by the Despagne family at Grand Corbin! "The 2019 Grand Corbin Despagne turned out beautifully. Readers will find a big, statuesque Saint-Émilion built on vertical energy. Black cherry, plum, graphite, spice, licorice and gravel lend nuance to this explosive, potent Saint-Émilion. Gravel, scorched earth, tobacco and incense lend gravitas on the substantial finish. This is an especially powerful, earthy Saint-Émilion. Quite simply, the 2019 is a flat out stunner. " Vinous
Grolet 2021 Côtes de Bourg "Origines"
Chateau La Grolet has been certified organic and Biodynamic since 2000. Double Guyot pruning, spontaneous winter grass cover. Soil tillage during the spring, every other row ploughed. Treatments combining small quantities of Bordeaux mixture with herbal teas such as horsetail or nettle. The blend is 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet-Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet-Franc, 5% Malbec. The Hubert family's great farming creates this sensational value Bordeaux which is truly a subtle, complex and profound wine. The 2021 shows a bright garnet color and very pretty aromas of wild berries, violet and rose petal. The palate is really lovely with pure black raspberry and cassis fruit in a light, elegant frame - at 12% alcohol the wine is quite pure and refreshing, a perfect Bordeaux for summer sipping or with lighter grilled foods. Serve a bit cool and enjoy!
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) 2018 Pessac-Leognan
"Blended at the same time as Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, Les Hauts de Smith 2018 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 wine has a bouquet with notes of blackberry, blackcurrant, a hint of chocolate and sweet spices. The palate is medium-bodied with pretty tannins and a supple and elegant finish tinged with graphite. Delicious now and over the next ten years.
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 certification 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!
Darkest purple red color, brooding and muted nose of dark fruits, intense chalk and clove; on the palate a bit of heat, very primary and showing nothing but a mass of sleek ripe fruit, firm tannins well covered by the fruit core. A very large scaled Magdelaine that will need a great deal of time - and yet it must be noted it has some scary similarities to its younger cousins, oak in proper proportion, fine length and good balance; time will tell if at maturity it reveals the full degree of subtle detail that is the mark of a great Magdelaine. F.O.S. (****)?, 2035+
Another compelling vintage from Chateau Mazeyres in Pomerol, which converted to organic and biodynamic farming in 2012 under viticultural engineer and oenologist Alain Moueix. A blend of mostly Merlot, with about a quarter Cabernet Franc and just a tiny amount of Petit Verdot planted on clay soils, with some plots having additional layers of sand and gravel. Hand-harvested, fermented in steel and concrete, aged in wood for 14 months. The wine is really outstanding in 2020. On the nose, there are deep black and red fruits, hints of spice, blood orange, rose, earth and rich woodsy aromas. On the palate, the texture is warm and generous, quite dense with bold plum and black cherry, with accents of herbs and mint. This very young wine is delicious now, with a long decant, but will be best after ten to twenty years in the cellar. From the estate's website: "Gravel soils endow this Mazeyres wine with smoky aromas and a chiselled,mineral texture. Clay brings undergrowth notes and a rounded, fleshy struc-ture. Biodynamics promotes finesse and freshness. The texture of Château Mazeyres wines consistently offers the velvety touch characteristic of fine Pomerol."
Petit Corbin Despagne 2016 Saint-Emilion
Grand Corbin Despagne was particularly successful in 2016 and this serious 2nd label is a terrific value in a rather dense and complex Saint-Emilion that is drinking beautifully now. The estate has been certified organic since 2013 and no herbicides have ever been used. Located on the border with Pomerol, the soils are sandy clay rich in iron giving a unique full body and mineral character to the wines. Petit Corbin is normally 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, and it tends to take fruit from the younger vines, aged between ten and twenty years, and the élevage features 50% two-year old barrels and 50% remains in cuve. The wine shows floral hints and dark cherry/blackberry fruit, and a supple palate that is charming and elegant with a fresh and not too tannic finish. Perfect for a dinner party this fall and winter, at an affordable price.
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...
Peybonhomme 2021 Premières Côte de Blaye Cru Bourgeois
Biodynamic farming, native yeasts, wild fermentations, great value – all phrases not typically associated with Bordeaux. Yet, each year the Hubert family provides us with just that in their staple cuvee from the Côte de Blaye. The Cru Bourgeois is a blend of mostly Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and a bit of Malbec. The 2021 has just arrived in NY - we'll taste it this Saturday, Oct 21st at the store, from 4 till 7pm....
Planquette (Didier Michaud) 2020 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 2020 is dark black and plummy in color. The nose is heady, with aromas of blackberry, earth, graphite, coffee and pungent dark flowers. Flavors steer towards ripe 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 firm, bright acidity. Definitely a bold Bordeaux, clocking in at 14.5% ABV, but so delicious, well structured and drinkable. Serve with a steak or roast and please decant if possible or open the day before - or cellar 5 to 10 years. Yum! DH/DL
Beaufort, Elodie 2018 Vin Mousseux (Cremant Bourg) L'Or de Vix Extra Brut (12/11)
(Arrives 12/11) The 2018 Elodie Beaufort Crémant is made by Réol Beaufort of Champagne André Beaufort and his wife Elodie from vines about 1/4 mile from the Champagne zone (Aube) on kimmeridjian and oxfordian limestone. 100% Pinot Noir. Zero SO2 is added and the fermentation and prise de mousse are with wild yeasts, aged in old barriques. Disgorged in July of 2023. The nose is rich and complex with hazelnuts and toasted brioche, with hints of green apple. The palate is quite the contrast - chiseled, crisp and focused with soaring acidity and a dry finish that would lend itself nicely to food. A vibrant Champagne by another name, serve with everything from oysters to fried chicken!
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.
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
Famille Paquet 2020 Maconnais Chardonnay Saint-Veran
A blast of fresh air from Famille Paquet in the Maconnais. Hailing from the hamlet of Saint Veran next to Poully Fuisse, the wine is very mineral with notes of grapefruit, green apples, lemon, and beeswax. The well-balanced palate shows shows vibrant acidity balanced with very light oak producing a fuller, lush mouthfeel coupled with some tropical fruit such as pineapple. A true showstopper for the price: Yes, delicious affordable Burgundy does still exist! GH
Guillemot-Michel 2021 Viré-Clessé Quintaine
We're extremely happy to have the wines of Guillemot-Michel back at Chambers Street! Along with Jean and Gautier Thevenet, and Julien Guillot at Vignes du Maynes, they are making white Burgundies with more depth and minerality than anything comparably priced in the Cote D'Or. The cool, low-yielding 2021 vintage takes us back to the style of the superb old-fashioned Macon wines of Jean Thevenet at Domaine de la Bongran. The 2021 "Quintaine" shows a lovely bright gold color with aromas that open with o hint of botrytis, followed by very floral ripe, slightly honeyed exotic fruits, with earth and mineral notes, just beautiful! The palate is ripe and generous but dry, with cool acidity and perfect structure. White and yellow fruits, citrus and minerals coat the palate leading into another hint of botrytis in the long finish. Serve this gorgeous wine with full-flavored fish dishes, chicken and white meats, goat cheeses or just sip and enjoy. Warning! This is not a bland, acidic, light-bodied Macon Chaardonnay - it's a remarkably complex, full-bodied, slightly botrytized wine with fabulous density and length....
Guillemot-Michel 2021 Viré-Clessé Retour a la Terre
Created in 2017, this cuvee is issued from grapes in the "Champ-Rond" vineyard, vinified in amphora of 800 liters. The 65 year-old vines are grafted on "Riparia Gloire de Montpellier" an old root-stock obtained in 1880, giving very low yields with magnificent small grapes, of a deep gold color. The 2021 Retour a la Terre presents the exotic notes typical of the domaine with an extra dimension of expression due to the respiration of the amphora. The small grapes of "Champ-Rond" ripen beautifully without a high degree of alcohol - they are picked on the last day of the harvest, and the elevage in amphora gives the wine a great purity. The wine shows elegant floral, white fruit, apricot, lemon and stone aromas. The palate is round, dense and silky with fabulous length and perfect acidity. This is a superb white Burgundy that is delicious now and will cellar beatifully for fifteen to twenty years. Highly recommended! David Lillie
Jobard, Claudie 2021 Rully En Villerange
The Jobard Rully "En Villerange" is from a 2 hectare parcel of 70 year-old vines on a well-exposed slope facng south-south-east with clay/limestone soils. Bright, light gold color. This is aromatically quite complex and pretty with pear, stone fruits, citrus, melon and lime-flower with a hint of oak. Opens up beautifully with aeration. The palate is racy and elegant with perfect stony acidity under white fruits, citrus, peach and mineral flavors. Very delicious and refreshing now, or after 3 to 5 years of cellaring. This is a great value in white Burgundy and very versatile at the table! (we can't resist including Claudie's list of suggested pairings: Soufflé au beaufort, Volaille en sauce blanche, Jambon persillé, Blanquette de veau, Viandes blanches, Lapin à la moutarde, Terrine de saumon, Pâtés, terrines, rillettes, Filets de volaille en sauce, Crabe, gambas vapeur, Cuisses de grenouilles, Moules à la crème) And please invite me...
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 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.
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 2020 Beaune 1er Cru Les Coucherias
Beaune 1er Cru "Les Coucherias" is a steep parcel high on the slope, on the site of an old quarry and much of the sub-soil is limestone tailings, permitting root penetration and drainage, with a topsoil of mixed clay and limestone "marnes blanches." In biodynamic agriculture since 1979, the vineyard is a south-facing semi-circle—a very warm spot giving a full, ripe wine. (tasted from a 12 year-old barrel) Light gold/brass color. Lovely aromas of pear, quince, lime-flower and ripe citrus. The palate is elegant and supple, with white fruits, almond, citrus and caramel framed in firm acidity and mineral flavors, showing good ripeness but finishing with firm stony acidity. Lovely wine. Delicious now, this should age gracefully till 2035 and beyond.
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, and a very elegant pairing with Thanksgiving dinner.
Rateau 2022 Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Blanc Chardonnay
Jean-Claude Rateau makes lovely Biodynamic wines in the Hautes-Côtes-de-Beaune in his east-facing vineyard of clay/limestone and marne soils. Quite racy and bright even in the ripe 2022 vintage, the wine shows lovely aromas of lemon, almond, stone, spiced pear and apple. The palate is rounder and more ripe than usual, but perfectly balanced with pear, citrus and stone flavors and terrific length. The antithesis of fat, oaky Chardonnays, this food friendly wine will accompany everything from oysters and grilled seafood to roast chicken and mild cheeses. Delicious now or cellar for 5 to 8 years. This is a real Chardonnay of terroir and a great value! David Lillie
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.
Agrapart NV (18/19) Champagne Grand Cru Terroirs Extra-Brut Bl de Bl 1.5L
A non-vintage blend from parcels in Avize, Cramant, Oger, and Oiry Sourced from Chardonnay vines between 20 and 50 years in age. Comprised of two vintages, the older of the two aged in wood, while the newer vintage is aged in tank. Above all Terroirs is a testament to the expression of chalk.
Beaufort, André NV (2021) Champagne Polisy Brut Réserve (D 09/23)
The André Beaufort NV (2021) Champagne Polisy Brut Réserve is 80% Pinot Noir from the 2021 vintage and 20% Chardonnay from 2018 - "it's showing well now" says Réol Beaufort "as the Chardonnay rounds out the young Pinot Noir." Organic farming since 1971 - one of the first in Champagne along with Georges Laval - wild yeast fermentations, minimal SO2. Disgorged in September of 2023. This is an outstanding value Champagne with loads of character - subtly toasty but with strong minerality and vibrant energy, not heavy but still textured with great acidity.
Gerbais, Pierre NV Champagne Extra-Brut Grains des Celles
A blend of Pinot Noir (50%), Chardonnay (25%), and Pinot Blanc (25%) from organically farmed vines grown in Kimmeridgian soils in Celles-Sur-Ource in the Aube. Initial fermentation is with indigenous yeast in tank, and the wine spends 30 months on the lees before disgorgement. There's a lot of character to this well-priced Champagne that makes for a fine aperitif, as well as having the stuffing to enjoy with roasted fish, chicken, or strong cheeses.3/gl dosage. John McIlwain
Horiot 2018 Rosé des Riceys En Barmont (Still)
Though there are fewer than 20 growers of Rosé des Riceys, we tend to think of the wines as a coming from a single terroir. By separately vinifying two different lieux-dits, Olivier Horiot shows the possibilities of expression within the appellation. En Barmont is a warm site, whose southerly exposure and marls interspersed with Kimmeridgian limestone produce a ripe Pinot Noir with a broader, and chalkier, character than nearby En Valigrain.
Horiot 2018 Rosé des Riceys En Valingrain (Still)
We have a not so secret love for the wines from Rosé des Riceys, a wine of (sun) kings, we are told, and a wine for gourmands who love the effusive bouquet, finely grained structure, weightless intensity, and startling persistence. Excellent farming and assiduous vinification by the affable Horiots results in rosé (not to mention Coteaux and Champagnes) of fabulous terroir expression, ageability, and flat out deliciousness. And while a still rosé from Champagne north of $50 may seem extravagant, please be assured these are wines of terroir and worthy of cellaring, especially those from Chez Horiot. Soils here are grey marl, and grapes are 10% foot-trodden, 90% whole-cluster, with aging in used barrels.
Horiot, Olivier 2016 Champagne 'Sève' Rosé de Saignée En Barmont
Unencumbered by the history and tradition of the Marne, Olivier Horiot has set out to make simple, intimate, and vinous Champagne that showcase the terroir of Les Riceys. The Sève is a Rosé de Saignée, from the warm, single vineyard site of En Barmont, where Pinot Noir can reach a robust ripeness that is balanced by firmly controlled yields. Four days of semi-carbonic maceration add both complexity and lightness to this joyful Champagne.
Horiot, Olivier 2018 Champagne 'Envol'
Envol is a new cuvée from Olivier Horiot, from Pinot Noir grapes, fermented and aged in a single concrete egg, without any addition of sulfitess. 2017 was the first vintage of the wine, and we haven't tried it yet, but are looking forward to opening one soon!
Horiot, Olivier 2018 Champagne Brut Nature 'Ailleurs'
Our friends at Louis/Dressner Selections tell us that this wine is "from the Cornouiller parcel in the village Fontette, hence it being from “somewhere else" (Ailleurs). We know it's all Chardonnay, and that this is the first bottling of the wine ever!
Horiot, Olivier 2019 Champagne Métisses Noir et Blancs Extra Brut
Though famed for their reds and the eponymous rosé, Riceys produces far more Champagne than still wines from its vineyards bordering Burgundy. And though the Kimmeridgian soils mean Pinot Noir in the Aube, they also make a convincing case for the underappreciated Pinot Blanc grape. Sourced from from 8 different vineyards in Les Riceys, Métisse is a blend of mostly Pinot Noir with about 25% Pinot Blanc. The varieties are barrel-fermented seperately and this bottling is from the 2019 vintage.
Horiot, Olivier 2019 Coteaux Champenois Rouge 'En Val Bazot'
Importer note: "Fermented & aged on the lees for one year in barrel with [an additional] long elevage in barrel before bottling."
Laval, Georges 2018 Champagne Cumières 1er Cru Bl de Noirs 'Les Hautes Chevres'
Vincent Laval's Les Hauts Chèvres Blanc de Noirs bottling comes from a parcel on the western portion of the slope of Cumières. Formerly comprised of Pinot Noir from very old vines (which have since been replanted), the wine is now made from venerable Pinot Meunier vines planted between 1931 and 1947 in the same lieu-dit. One could call this a "serious" Pinot Meunier, without the sometimes unbridled character the variety sometimes displays, due to the old vines and longtime organic farming of the dedicated Laval family, but that would understate the sheer deliciousness of the wine, which should only grow as the structural and fruit elements knit. -JCM
Laval, Georges 2019 Champagne Cumières Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs "Les Chênes"
If ever there were an argument that portions of Cumières merit Grand Cru status, Laval's Les Chênes makes a convincing case. The amphitheater-shaped vineyard is something of a sun trap and produces Champagnes of power and precision in Vincent's able hands. Made up of 100% organically-farmed Chardonnay from the eponymous lieu-dit on the eastern side of the village (near the bottom of the slope down by the river), where the soils are chalky rather than the clays of other portions of the village. This is a particularly powerful blanc de blancs. Don't hesitate to age for 10 or more years, as tastings with Vincent have shown that Les Chênes is a particularly long-lived wine and a magnificent expression of singular terroir. -JCM
Laval, Vincent NV Champagne 1er Cru Cumières "Rosé de Saignèe"
The rare Saignée rosé is a Brut Nature offering from Laval, a 50/50 blend of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.
Marguet 2018 Champagne Grand Cru Verzenay
From the Grand Cru village of Verzenay on the northern slope of the Montagne de Reims, this is a Blanc de Noir of Pinot Noir, disgorged in February '23, with zero dosage. 18 mg/l total sulfites, 2072 bottles produced.
Marie-Courtin NV Champagne Extra Brut "Résonance"
For you lovers of bone-dry, acid and mineral driven wine, here is your next bottle of Champagne! Marie-Courtin, a small, biodynamically certified grower in the Cotes des Bars makes Pinot Noir based Champagne (this bottling is 100% Pinot Noir) with no dosage whatsoever. The grapes come from 35-40-year-old vines planted in clay and limestone soil. The wine is raised in stainless steel and everything about it is pure and laser-like. The nose is extremely stony, the palate bracing with citrusy acidity. Find some fresh, white fish such as halibut or trout, drench it in butter, and drink this wine... -msb
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
Chantal Lescure 2020 Pommard Les Vignots
The Pommard "Les Vignots" is from south-facing vines situated on the Montagne de Pommard, in a terroir of clay-marl. These 35 year-old vines grow in high elevation, about 330 meters above sea-level. (The name stems from a parcel of vines remaining on this site that survived a desvastating insect attack that destroyed much of the Burgundy vineyard in the 1700s) The grapes are hand harvested and undergo a long fermentation in stainless steel tanks, punched-down and vatted for 18-25 days. The wine ages in a cold cellar on lees in barrels, 30% of which are new. The 2020 is a deep purple/red in the glass with aromas of plum and black cherry with some earth and pepper notes. The palate is big, earthy and nicely textured with dark cherry, plum and black raspberry, full-bodied but balanced with nice acidity. This is certainly a big wine for Burgundy, drinking well now but benefits from some air - it will come together nicely with a few years in the cellar. Jeff DiLorenzo
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.
Jobard, Claudie 2021 Beaune 1er Cru Les Epenottes
The Claudie Jobard Beaune 1er Cru "Les Epenottes" is a mix of young and old vines in stony iron-rich soil over the limestone next to Pommard "Les Epenots." The wine shows a bright deep red color with aromas of ripe black cherry and earth with game and floral notes. The palate is dense with lush black fruits, earth, mint and stone flavors and a chalky texture. This can be enjoyed now but a few years of cellaring should open this up drmatically as the material is there, enjoy until 2038. 13% alcohol. DL (Serve with roast lamb, pork or beef, gamebirds, farm chicken)
Jobard, Claudie 2021 Pommard Vieilles Vignes
Claudie made a tiny quantity of this wine due to the low yeilds in 2021, from old vines in three parcels - En Boeuf, La Combotte and Vaumuriens. The wine shows a relatively light red/garnet color with bright aromas of black cherry, raspberry, violet and earth, subtle and very pretty. Darker fruit, spice and earth notes emege on the palate which is dense but not at all heavy, wrapped in firm mineral flavors and well-structured but supple tannins, with terrific length. 13% alcohol. This very elegant Pommard can be enjoyed now but should really sing after five years of cellaring. DL (Serve with duck, farm chicken, rabbit, charcuterie)
Perrin, Céline 2020 Aloxe-Corton "Les Boutières"
The Perrin Aloxe-Corton "Les Boutieres" is from a parcel at the southern tip of Aloxe-Corton, bordering Chorey and Savigny-les-Beaune. The name refers to an ancient road that continued up though Savigny and Pernand-Vergelesses used by mule-drivers carrying "boutes' - goat-skins filled with wine, (sometimes from Etruria and Campania (!) as early as the 2nd century BC). One of the best known village level Aloxe sites, these vines are planted in quite deep clay soils full of iron oxide (red mud that sticks to your shoes). This is a classic Boutieres, with vivid red fruit and a meaty salty character somewhat obscured at present by vigorous tannic structure. The color is quite dark, deep ruby, garnet, it has aromas of small red fruits (raspberry, strawberry, cherry) and black fruits (blackcurrant, blackberry). Its accents intensify with air: jams and fruits in brandy, pistachio, prunes, truffle, cinnamon. It's by no means unapproachable but 4-6 years in the cellar will bring everything into high definition. Serve with red meats, grilled or in sauce, roasted poultry, game, without forgetting soft and washed-rind cheeses: Epoisses, Ami du Chambertin, Livarot...
Perrin, Céline 2021 Ladoix 1er Cru "Les Joyeuses"
This excellent parcel is a continuation of the Corton hill, adjacent to the Corton 1er Crus. The Perrin "Joyeuses" shows a brilliant garnet with purplish reflections. Raspberry, cherry, candied or brandy and ripe fruit fill the bouquet. We also encounter spicy notes (clove), coffee or cocoa. On the palate, we find all the finesse of the fruit aromas with good structure and just the right amount of tannins. Serve with jambon cru, rabbit, beef, and feathered game and mild-flavored cheeses such as Vacherin, Reblochon, Cîteaux, etc. Best after 4 to 6 years in the cellar, but delicious now as well.
Perrin, Céline 2021 Ladoix "Les Briquottes"
The Perrin Ladoix "Briquottes" is from another part of the quarries that used to cover this slope, just below the 1er Cru "Les Grechons" - the stone was cut into "briques" that were wrapped in paper and put between the bed covers in the winter. Beautiful garnet color with purplish reflections. On the nose, the bouquet opens with very floral, bright red fruits (raspberry, strawberry, blackcurrant) and jam. On the palate, we find an elegant light body with all the finesse of the fruits with silky tannins and a chalky texture with a bit of earth and minerals, finishing with firm acidity and sappy berry fruits. This red Ladoix will go well with beef, poultry and game birds, served a bit cool. Delicious now but best 2025 - 2030.
Perrin, Céline 2022 Bourgogne Pinot Noir
Celine Perrin's 2022 Bourgogne Rouge is a delightful wine showing a bright red/garnet color with floral high-toned cherry, strawberry and raspberry aromas. From 70 year-old Pinot Noir vines in and around Ladoix. There is sappy cherry fruit on the palate with plum skin, citrus, earth and mineral flavors that continue in the refreshing finish. This is a remarkable value - a beautiful, refreshing light-bodied Pinot Noir with gorgeous fruit, purity and length!
Rapet, Père et Fils 2021 Pernand-Vergelesses Les Belles Filles
The Pernand-Vergelesses vineyard "Les Belles Filles" is a northern extension of the 1er crus "Iles des Vergelesses" and "En Carradeux," facing east and always giving a bright, refreshing style of Pinot Noir. 2021 is a refreshing change frm the previous three unusually hot dry years - the wine shows lovely ripeness with aromas of tart cherry, raspberry and violets with earth, smoke and mineral notes. There are sappy red and black fruits on the palate in a bright mineral frame with a long, lively finish. This is an elegant, very pretty Pinot Noir that will be lovely, served cool, with chicken and pork dishes, charcuterie and mild cheeses.
Rapet, Père et Fils 2021 Savigny-Les-Beaune
Aux Fournaux is a gently sloping, southwest-facing vineyard bracketed by the Les Lavières and Vergelesses premier crus, whose rocky iron-rich marl and limestone soils produce Burgundies with a fine balance of earthiness and elegant fruit. Rapet farms 50+ year old vines from both the lower part of the slope and the premier cru portion of the climat. This 'village' Aux Fournaux shows expressive aromas of black cherry, violets, woodsmoke, black currant, and Lapsang Souchong: the palate is ferrous and mineral with bright acidity providing lift to the layered, spicy dark fruit, game, and earth flavors.
Rapet, Père et Fils 2021 Bourgogne Rouge "En Bully"
The Rapet Bourgogne Rouge "En Bully" is from a tiny vineyard high on the back-side of Corton, at an altitude of 350 meters on the slope facing les Hautes-Côtes on the locality named La Grande Corvée de Bully. The soil here is limestone marl with a shallow top-layer, always giving a bright and pretty style of Pinot. The 2021 is just delicious, a bit lighter and brighter than the previous three vintages, showing a vibrant red color and very floral aromas of ripe, crushed berries, rose petal and earth. The palate is beautifully balanced with velvety cherry and raspberry fruit with mineral, earth and citrus notes that linger in the refreshing, sappy finish. Just a delightful red Burgundy - serve a bit cool and enjoy!
Rapet, Père et Fils 2021 Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru "Aux Founaux"
From the premier cru portion of the vineyard. The 2021 Rapet Savigny-Les-Beaune Aux Fournaux is a lovely wine from a decidedly difficult vintage, giving old-fashioned wine of Terroir. While yields were low, deft vignerons captured beautiful fruit character and fine terroir expression. On the nose there are aromas of dark berries, black cherries, hedge fruits, with background notes of black tea, dried orange peel, and hints of brown sugar. The medium weight palate shows very pure flavors of black fruits, game, and pungent, ferrous earthiness framed by ripe though, somewhat rustic tannins on a building finish. There is good energy here and the powerful flavors should integrate with the structure in the mid-term and drink beautifully for the next 5-12 years. ("Outstanding" from Burghound)
Rateau 2017 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. . Even with the minimal extraction practiced at the estate, the 2017 Bressandes shows a dense red/black color and aromas of black cherry and ripe strawberry, quite deep with sous-bois, violet, graphite and citrus. The palate is dense and chalky, but remains elegant and silky with blackberry, earth, cocoa and minerals with terrific length of red currant, earth and juicy acidity. This is a beautiful wine that will give great pleasure in its youth - it's a bit softer than the 2016 - and should be a superb mature wine as well, perhaps until 2035 and beyond. David Lillie
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! David Lillie
Rateau 2022 Beaune Clos des Mariages
(This wine is just beautiful, not heavy, fragrant, supple. long - it will be on our table for Thanksgiving, along with the Chevalerie "Breteche.") 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 superb wine with gorgeious aromas, showing a bright mélange of black cherry, strawberry, red currant and raspberry with hints of spice, citrus, licorice and violet. The palate is very elegant showing 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. Beautiful wine! 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. The 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 an firm core of saline minerals. The wine is quite elegant, refreshing and beautifully balanced at 12.5% alcohol - it's a perfect Pinot for casual dinners with family and friends. Enjoy!
(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....
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)
Magnien, Stephane 2022 Coteaux Bourguignons Pur Pinot Noir
The 2022 "Pur Pinot Noir" is a beautiful Bourgogne Rouge produced by the talented Stephane Magnien at his small estate in Morey-Saint-Denis, from two small parcels in the lieu-dit "Gué" below the village, one planted in 1960 the other in 2009, aging for 10 months in large barrels and cuve inox, bottled unfined and unfiltered. The 2022 shows a bright deep red color and exuberant aromas of ripe strawberry, red currant and cherry - lush, earthy, meaty and floral. The palate is dense with vibrant black cherry and black raspberry fruit lifted by bright acidity, sappy and long. The finish is a bit firm and tight at the moment (10/12/23) with a nice mineral kick at the end, as the wine has just arrived in NY. Give this some time open if drinking now, or a year or two in the cellar. This is a classic Bourgogne rouge to enjoy over the next five years, at a quite reasonable price - grab a case or two for real Pinot Noir pleasure - don't delay! David Lillie
Perrin, Céline 2021 Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuit
The Perrin Hautes-Cotes de Nuits is from vines in and around Ladoix, including the "Clos des Fourches," a tiny parcel above Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru "Clos de la Marechale." Another wine that yielded major dividends over the course of a few hours, this started out all cherry skin and white pepper. But with time in the glass, the fruit turned juicy and round and the white pepper subsided, showing allspice, black pepper and a dusty and compelling mineral note with raspberry, cherry, licorice, and violet. Again, terrific value here.
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. Organic and biodynamic farming, minimal extraction and minmal SO2. (Our samples didn't arrive in time for today's offer, but our impressions last January were " SUPER!! Deep, dense, floral, unique...")
Adam, A.J. 2021 Mosel Riesling Im Pfarrgarten Feinherb
Dhron is named for a river that flows into the Mosel. Its steep, slatey vineyards form the tributaries northern bank. There, the sites are steeper and at higher altitude than most of Mosel. The wines are a little wispier and saltier and the fruit skews cooler and whiter. The Pfarrgarten is part of the Dhroner Hofberg. The steep, southwest facing Hofberg was given the top rating in Clotten’s 1868 Vineyard maps and was famous up until the exodus of younger winemakers and generation to the cities and flatter lands easier to machine cultivate and harvest. The soils are all Devonian grey slate and the vines are 50 years old. Herbaceous, wet rocks, faint peach and petrol with a beautiful kiss of juicy lemonade, peach fuzz with vibrant acidity and a lithe body clocking in at 10%abv. No sharp edges on this dreamy number.! Giselle Hamburg
Adam, A.J. 2022 Mosel Riesling Dhroner Hofberg Kabinett
The Grand Cru Hofberg is one of the greatest Mosel vineyards. In 1868 the vineyards of this hill were classified by the Prussians as an extraordinary place to make great Rieslings. It`s in a lovely quiet side valley on the Dhron river with weathered Devonian slate mixed with quartzite. Riesling vines are 30 to 65 years old and some are still ungrafted. Sun comes out late in the morning and settles early; the perfect microclimate for our Hofberg Kabinett! The grapes from this part of the Hofberg are fermented spontaneously in big stainless steel tanks.
Battenfeld Spanier 2013 Hohen Sulzen Riesling Trocken
Hohen-Sülzen is a wine producing village west of Worms, in Rheinhessen, Germany. It is located on the flat land just north of the Pfalz, with soils of deep limestone and a crumbly chalk toplayer, perfect for mineral laden whites and pinot noirs. As per Olivier Spanier: " The vines must root deep in this porous and water-storing rock to obtain nourishment. Due to the Donnersberg mountain, which intercepts the weather from the west, Hohen Sulzen is in the rain shadow and summers are drier than elsewhere. The water-storing limestone exhibits its virtues and yields wines that are ripe and vibrant. The deeply rooted vines bring out the stone aromas rather than the fruit aromas. This is what interests me: the spectrum of aromas of the stones and the soil found beyond the transient fruit. Dancing minerals. Salty character of origin. This applies to Riesling as well as to Sylvaner, the white wine as well as the red Burgundy. I don’t grow any other grape varieties." Flashing a deep gold exudes juicy apricots, accompanied by delicate herbal aromas and hints of honey due to its age, The palate is redolent with ripe apricots and a blast of chalky minerality and acidity. An absolute steal for a 10 year old Riesling. GH
Battenfeld Spanier 2021 Rheinhessen Gruner Sylvaner
Hohen-Sülzen is a wine producing village west of Worms, in Rheinhessen, Germany. It is located on the flat land just north of the Pfalz, with soils of deep limestone and a crumbly chalk toplayer, perfect for mineral laden whites and pinot noirs. As per Olivier Spanier: " The vines must root deep in this porous and water-storing rock to obtain nourishment. Due to the Donnersberg mountain, which intercepts the weather from the west, Hohen Sulzen is in the rain shadow and summers are drier than elsewhere. The water-storing limestone exhibits its virtues and yields wines that are ripe and vibrant. The deeply rooted vines bring out the stone aromas rather than the fruit aromas. This is what interests me: the spectrum of aromas of the stones and the soil found beyond the transient fruit. Dancing minerals. Salty character of origin. This applies to Riesling as well as to Sylvaner, the white wine as well as the red Burgundy. I don’t grow any other grape varieties." The Gruner Sylvaner (Green Sylvaner as it's called in the southern Rheinhessen) is super zesty and herbaceous with bright acidity and more of that cool minerality native to the area. An excellent affordable alternative for Sancerre lovers! Giselle Hamburg
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
Breuer, Georg 2017 Rheingau Rüdesheimer Berg Roseneck Riesling
Sharing one of Rudesheim's most famous GGs with our friend Leitz, Breuer's Roseneck is incredibly rocky and one of the steepest sites in Germany. Grapes have been cultivated from this site since the year 1200 and the historical name "Katerloch," or “Devil’s Hole,” is the amphitheater portion of the mountain that appears as though it was carved out of the slope of the Rüdesheimer Berg. Wines sourced from this site are always the coolest and leanest in Rudesheim.
Breuer, Georg 2021 Rheingau Rauenthaler Nonneberg Riesling
Breuer's five hectare monopole in a little side valley off of the Rhine near Weisbaden is made up of deep phylite soils producing intenesely concentrated yet elegant wines of stony minerality, spice and juicy citrus. Although drinkable now, it would be a shame not to lay down the 21s for a decade. A powwerhouse! GH
Breuer, Georg 2021 Rheingau Rüdesheimer Berg Rottland Riesling
Rottland sits directly above the town of Rudesheim stetching westward; facing completely south, the 15 to 50 percent grade slope is fully exposed to abundant sunlight and the numerous terrace walls store tremendous amounts of warmth. Composed of mostly red slate with some grey slate, quartzite covered with deep loess, the large Rottland is shared with Leitz & Kunstler amongst others. A pure, clean blast of saline minerality, bright citrus and white/yellow tree fruit with great length and a medium body. Pure elegance! GH
Breuer, George 2022 Sauvage Riesling Trocken
The entry level dry riesling from one of the founders of the Rheingau's Charta Association ushering in a drier style of Riesling in the Rhinegau. Flashing a pale green, Sauvage is all cristaline purity and brilliant acidity. This pops right out of the glass in a whirlwind of white rocks, herbaceousness, lemon peel and peach pit with the faintest spritz; simply breathtaking! GH
Gunderloch 2016 Rheinhessen Nierstein Pettenthal Riesling GG
Pettenthal is one of the three Grand Crus from the Roter Hang region along the Rhine in the Rheinhessen south of Mainz. The coolest and steepest Grosse Lage, 2016 marks the first vintage with Johannes Hasselbach as the main winemaker taking over for his father. Explosive with notes of tangeine, grapefuit, peaches, exotic spices, herbs, smoke and petrol undersored with salty minerality and ample acidity on a lush, dense and creamy body. Perfect for all manner of holiday dishes , a real showstopper! GH
Gunderloch 2021 Rheinhessen Nackenheim Riesling Roten Schiefer
Gunderloch hails from the Rheinhessen's historical "Roter Hang" (Red Slope) area along the Rhine river just south of Mainz. This historical estate from the mid nineteenth century is now in the hands of the latest generation Johannes Hasselbach, who has converted to organic viticulture, native yeast fermentations and minimal handling and sulfur. The wines now have lower alcohol levels, no deacidification, less RS and are less baroque compared to his forefather's wines. In Nackenheim, they own the dominant portion of the grand cru Rothenberg (sixty-five percent of the estate’s holdings) which is planted completely to Riesling. Their GG from here is the flagship of the estate; 5 kilometers down the road in Nierstein, they also have the GGs Pettenthal and Hipping. The "Roten Schiefer" (red slate) is sourced from all 3 GGs,. Very dry with the red slate coating the tongue and adding spice and herbaceousness to the palate whilst the 12 hours of skin contact adds tannins and tension. Fruit salad and minty nose with explosive, spicy limeade on the palate. Bring on the spicy Thai papaya salad and jungle curried pork! Giselle Hamburg
Gunderloch 2021 Rheinhessen Nierstein Pettenthal Riesling GG
Pettenthal is one of the three Grand Crus from the Roter Hang region along the Rhine in the Rheinhessen south of Mainz. The coolest and steepest Grosse Lage, the 2021 is already showing hints of petrol with it's cool mineral, herbacous, flinty frame underscored by great freshness and zesty spices from the red slate soils. Layered, dense and powerful, one could drink now but it would definitely benefit from several years cellaring. A true stunner! GH
Gunderloch 2022 Rheinhessen Nierstein Hipping Riesling GG
Niersteiner Hipping is Gunderloch’s smallest grand cru, sourced from an extremely steep portion of the vineyard. Spontaneously fermented, barrel-aged, and picked at punishingly low yields. The nose is typical Roter Hang: herbal, stony, savory, sunny, but ups the ante in 2022 with exotic florals like lilacs and jasmine tea. It is intense and really exciting! Considering that Hipping's other primo producer is Keller at $500 a pop, this new arrival is worth stocking up on !!!! Giselle Hamburg
Gut Hermannsberg 2020 Nahe 'Just Riesling!' Riesling Trocken
Germany's 2023 Vinum Wineguide just awarded our newest German producer from the Nahe, Karsten Peter, "Winemaker of the Year". As per the winery's website: "The stony, mostly volcanic soils, in our vineyards give our wines a pronounced raciness, spice and minerality." The entry level "Just Riesling " shows that in spades whilst maintaining an ethereal 11.5% abv and juicy fruit salad profile underscored by a dry finish. An excellent pairing for all manner of sushi, spicy Asian dishes, barbecued pork, Buffalo chicken wings...Game Day WIne! 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 2020 Mosel Ellergrub Riesling
The Grand Cru Ellergrub is Gernot’s favorite vineyard to work. Century-old, pre-phylloxera, ungrafted vines planted on a blue slate hillside of dizzying steepness renders a wine that’s nothing short of profound. It offers intense flavor, integrated juiciness, sensuous texture and extraordinary length and intricacy with guaranteed potential for long maturation.
Immich-Batterieberg 2020 Mosel Zollturm Riesling
Winemaker Genot kollman added another grand cru vineyard site in 2014, the dizzyingly steep Zoltrum (Toll Tower) in neighboring Traben. Historically, the Tower was the defacto toll booth for river traffic as it was high enough to see approaching boats in both directions giving the tollkeepers enough time to run down the hill and collect the toll!The Trabener Zollturm is sourced from the old-vines portion of a hectare recently acquired from a Kröv vintner in a once highly rated site just upstream from Gaispfad and Ellergrub.
Immich-Batterieberg 2022 Mosel Steffensberg Riesling
As per the distributor: " If these wines were classed like Burgundy, this would be a 1er Cru for the estate. Steffensberg is located on a side valley of Enkirch, composed of deeper, softer soils dominated by copper-tinted red slate. Spicy, fragrant wines are made here from extremely old, pre-phylloxera vines on their original rootstock, hand-harvested and aged in barrel." Steffensberg Riesling is a powerful yet elegant white wine from one of the steepest and most storied vineyards in the Mosel. A wine with an unprecedented structure that stands out as a companion to rich dishes with it's balanced interplay of sugar and acid, Mosel minerality and fruity/spicy notes. GH
Koehler-Ruprecht 2021 Pfalz Kallstadter Saumagen Riesling Kabinett Trocken
Named after the shape of the vineyard, (a large sausage in a pig's stomach casing), Saumagen is the estate's calling card. Planted in 1810 on a former limestone quarry from Roman times, Saumagen is famed for it's soils heavy with chalk and individual limestone, producing wines of great concentration. The 21 vintage is elegant and spicy, clocking in at a sprightly 11.5%. A true dry kabinett, delightful! GH
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."
Lardot, Philip 2022 Mosel Landwein Kontakt Ries/MT
An interesting blend of Muller Thurgau and Riesling, unfined and unfiltered with many moons on the lees from.....the Mosel???!!! Yes, as this is the brain child of Finish born, Amsterdam raised Philip Lardot, who after several harvests with Chenin Blanc in the Loire valley, got bit with the Riesling bug after doing a harvest at Ulli Stein in the Mosel and the rest is history. After 5 years of working together where he was supposed to be Ulli's successor, they parted ways so that Philip could make his more uncoventional Mosel wines. All the wines have long skin contact and all the fermentations are natural and Philip does not block malolactic fermentation, which is a bit unique in the Mosel. While there are certain parcels (for example in Bullay) that always go into these wines, the “Kontakt” wines can also receive random single-vineyard barrels, booster shots of top-level juice that Lardot declassifies. The end result is a fine balancing act of gauziness and clarity, deep minerality and layered herbaceousness! GH
Lauer, Peter 2022 Ayler Kupp Riesling Trocken #25
From Vom Boden Wines: "Think of this as a dry "Barrel X" - it's the village-level dry wine sourced from two sites (Scheidterberg and Rauberg) that circle around the backside of the village. Historically a bit chilly, these sites are now coming into a glorious place... For 2022 this is cut and clear and vigorous with a pronounced acidity - old-school Saar!" /////// From Mosel Fine Wines, Issue #66: "The 2022er Ayler Riesling No. 25 is a dry wine (with 6 g/l of residual sugar) made from fruit picked on the Scheidterberg and Rauberg side hills." Aromas of cool wet rocks and grass, honeydew and limeade, burst from the glass. The palate is juicy yet herbaceous and zesty with more of those green wet notes without being puckeringly dry or crisp. More of a spearmint than wintergreen Wrigleys gum profile. Giselle Hamburg
Lauer, Peter 2022 Grand Cru Riesling Schonfels Kabinett #111
From Vom Boden: "This is only the second Kabinett Lauer has ever made from the Schonfels vineyard; interestingly, this is sleek and mineral, but does have a cake-icing slickness to it, along with cut and grip." /// From Mosel Fine Wines, Issue No. 66: "The 2022er Schonfels Kabinett No. 111 was made from fruit harvested in this steep, south-east facing Lieu-Dit overseeing the Saar, and was fermented down to fruity-styled levels of residual sugar (53 g/l)."
Materne & Schmitt Lehmener 2019 Mosel Lehmener Ausoniusstein
The only single vineyard wine our fave Thelma and Louise dynamic duo bottle. An incredible Grosse Lage, of gray and green slate with pockets of rare limestone from a coral reef speckled with fossilized seashells. Perched high up on a super steep site above the river, it still manages to have a good water supply, necessary for the 100+ year old un-grafted vines. Vinified in steel to a seriously dry 1.4g RS and 6.6g acid (but it feels way higher than that thanks to the wine's innate minerality and very low RS). An incredible, rare wine of penetrating aromatics, terrific nerve and purity.
Müller, Stefan 2021 Krettnacher Euchariusberg Alte Riesling Kabinett
Their largest holding is the Euchariusberg (pronounced oy-sharius-berg) where they have 5 hectares of vines planted in 1944 and 1964. This is a rambling, diverse terroir from which Stefan derives emphatically delicious Rieslings, especially in sweet prädikats. Made from old un-grafted vines fermented to fruity-styled levels of RS (47 g/l). A lovely, lighter new release from here, harvested early for Kabinett (this is usually a Spatlese site), so it combines ripeness with that wonderful Saar "floaty" feeling.
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 2022 Mosel Graacher Domprobst Riesling Kabinett (AP03)
As per the distributor's website: In the village of Graach, with south-to-southwest exposition, the vines have great sun exposure all day as well as natural spring that runs through the hillside, guaranteeing good water supply even in warm vintages. The Romans already knew the benefits of Graach’s sites and cultivated vines here. In the Prussian classification of the Mosel vineyards from 1816 to 1832, Graach’s vineyards had the highest ratings. Compared to the wines just slightly northwest in Zeltingen, the wines from Graach show cooler green and white tones rather Wehlen and Zeltingen’s more orange and red flavors. These wines perfectly reflect this unique terroir and show the distinct differences between these two sites right next to each other. Domprobst is more mineral, smokier, shadowy, and takes longer to emerge while Himmelreich is buoyant, more floral, lighter in texture, and is open from day one. The '22 is pure, cool and flinty on the deep, dark and discreet, more aristocratic nose compared to the Himmelreich. It is utterly complex and with bright shimmers in the darkness of the Domprobst due to the flavors of juicy Sicilian lemons. Highly refined and saline, beautifully balanced and weightless as well as seamless with a savory finish.
Schaefer, Willi 2022 Mosel Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett
As per the distributor's website: In the village of Graach, with south-to-southwest exposition, the vines have great sun exposure all day as well as natural spring that runs through the hillside, guaranteeing good water supply even in warm vintages. The Romans already knew the benefits of Graach’s sites and cultivated vines here. In the Prussian classification of the Mosel vineyards from 1816 to 1832, Graach’s vineyards had the highest ratings. Compared to the wines just slightly northwest in Zeltingen, the wines from Graach show cooler green and white tones rather Wehlen and Zeltingen’s more orange and red flavors. These wines perfectly reflect this unique terroir and show the distinct differences between these two sites right next to each other. Domprobst is more mineral, smokier, shadowy, and takes longer to emerge while Himmelreich is buoyant, more floral, lighter in texture, and is open from day one. The 2022 shows a coolish, flinty character with ripe, well-concentrated fruit and dark slate notes. On the palate, this is a round and charming, mouth-filling and fruity but finessed and balanced. This is a very elegant and alluring style, but it will be even more so after some years of bottle age. The finish is delicate, fresh and frisky, saline and citric but not at all aggressive.
Stein 2022 Mosel Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett Feinherb Alte Reben
Perhaps the purest Mosel of them all in Ulli's range; it always ends up as a Feinherb, and is sourced from 80+ year old ungrafted vines in terraced vineyards on mostly blue and some grey slate. Compared to it's "sister" vineyard in Graach, Ulli's Himmelreich is slimmer with pronounced minerality and citrus lift. Just beyond dry with only 15 grams RS, this is a restrained and chiseled, old-school Feinherb. A sheer delight! Giselle Hamburg
Stein, Ulli 2022 Mosel Riesling Weihwasser Feinherb
Ulli knocks it out of the park again with this breathtakingly ethereal "Feinherb". Weihwasser means Holywater and Holy Moly is right; almost imperceptibly off dry clocking in at 11.5%, it wafts slightly saline lemonade, white flowers and pear on the nose. Flavors of wet rocks and honeydew underscored by herbaceous spearmint dance above the lithe body with a long, elegant finish. Dangerously gulpable so buy two for your next picnic! Giselle Hamburg
Thorle 2019 Rheinhessen Saulheimer Trocken Spätburgunder
Thorle is a 16th century estate in the center of the Rheinehessen, under new ownership of the Thorle brothers since 2006 who have converted the estate to being Certified Organic as of 2022. The estate is comprised of three vineyards on a mix of limestone and clay with loess top soils. All wines are unfiltered, gravity clarified, barrel-aged and bottled with minimal SO2. Their Spatburgunder is serious and dark fruited; spontaneously fermented on the skins for 3-4 weeks with frequent punch downs, aged in french oak for 20 months and bottled unfiltered.
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 2020 Barbaresco Serraboella
Our little secret: vintage after vintage, Barale’s Barbaresco Serraboella is one of our favorites. Of course it reflects the vintage, but the wine is always graceful and approachable, with good lift and balance - simply deliciously consistent wine, and always offer great quality for the price.
Barale 2021 Barbera d'Alba Castle
As with the Barale Dolcetto and Nebbiolo, the Barbera could serve as a text-book example of the grape. The 2021 a fine balance between very ripe fruit and very fresh, mouthwatering acidity – deliciously lush, crisp, and mineral all at once, this really outperforms.
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
Bricco Ernesto 2020 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.
The Boiolo is the only Barolo produced by our friend Mauro Drocco at Azienda Agricola Camparo, and it shows beautiful complexity. From 20-50 year old hand harvested Nebbiolo vines in La Morra, from slopes of south-eastern and southern exposure. The vineyard is planted on clay-calcareous, calcareous-siliceous and marl soils. Grapes are picked in October, before being pressed and fermented in stainless steel tanks. The wine ages in large French oak casks for 24 months before it is transferred to bottle, where it rests another year prior to release. On the nose, there are fresh black and red fruits, a touch of spicy licorice, and a savory aroma that conjures a bundle of dried green herbs. The palate has a bit of flesh, edges of tannic strength, and a clean line of acidity. Ripe black cherry hang above flavors of earth and dark stones. A very pleasurable wine, drinking well today. David Hatzopoulos
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
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.
Produttori del Barbaresco 1970 Barbaresco (arrives January '24)
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 January '24)
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.
Rinaldi, Giuseppe 2009 Barolo Brunate - Le Coste
We tasted this from barrel in May (barrel meaning really big old ‘botte’ – the barrel in question stands at least 15 feet high) and the wine was spectacular then. Very classic, very pure with great balance and everything desirable present. A wine to love, but a wine for the cellar. Jamie Wolff (2011)
Brachetto is usually made in the same style of Moscato d’Asti -- the fermentation is stopped when alcohol is still quite low and some of the CO2 is captured to create a slightly sparkling, sweet wine. The folks are Rovero farm strictly organically, the fermentation is arrested with filtration rather than large doses of sulfur (as is common for sweet Brachetto) to limit overall additions to the wine. The wine has opulent strawberry fruit and red flowers on the nose with a lively sparkle and creamy texture braced by bright acid and plenty of sweetness; it is a truly carefree wine that is a joy to drink. Try it as a natural pairing for pies, with strawberry shortcake, as a sweet pairing for prosciutto and melon, or as a dessert in and of itself.
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
It's hard to imagine a wine better suited to Thanksgiving - and offered here in the extra-festive magnum! Sandri's Barbera is an exuberant and delicious wine that will handle the sweet-and-sour of the meal, and will amaze your friends and relatives at the same time. The wine is deep and structured, and rich in juicy Barbera fruit - a treat at any time of year, but particularly fine now. Jamie Wolff
Sandri, Elio (Cascina Disa) 2020 Dolcetto d'Alba
I've always thought that Sandri's Dolcetto was one of the best I've tasted - a perennial favorite. Jamie Wolff
Sandri, Elio (Cascina Disa) 2020 Langhe Nebbiolo
I thought this was impressive – and delicious. The Italian word is “agrume”, which (even though my Italian is pretty amateur) somehow always sounds more descriptive than our “citrus fruits”, but in any case the wine is redolent of citrus fruits, balsam, and clay. A couple of years in bottle will give it a chance to unwind more, but it’s quite irresistible now. Jamie Wolff
This is a deal, plain and simple. It's my kind of wine - balanced, layered and nuanced, the elements in tension - it will repay time in the cellar, but recently proved to be quite delicious with a long decant. Exciting stuff! Jamie Wolff
Trediberri 2022 Nebbiolo d'Alba
Fruit from Berri, the western-most vineyard in La Morra, and from Vicoforte, which is quite a bit closer to the foothills of the alps. This wine is a great introduction to Trediberri, a fine balance of fruit and savory aromas and flavors, beautiful balance, very classic in nature. Jamie Wolff
Vallana 1954 Spanna Riserva Tre Torre di Traversagna
Both of the 1954 Vallanas offer an opportunity to taste 70-year-old wine that will surprise you - they are very much still alive and well. Of course they show more forest and earthy savory notes than fruit, but the acidity is rounded-off by some lovely raspberry and plum fruit - maybe the legacy of blending Nebbiolo with some other grapes... Give them a long time standing up, and decant well in advance and they will repay you with some fascinating old wine. Jamie Wolff
70% Nebbiolo with 30% Vespolina (a relation or descendent of Nebbiolo which brings amplified red fruit and spicy / peppery notes to the blend). The soils are allluvial, with large pepples; the vines are 25-40 years old. Grapes are organic, and fermentation is with indigenous yeasts; 12 days of maceration is followed by aging for 24 months in older 20HL Slavoinian botte. This yields a high-toned vibrant wine, with white pepper (from the Vespolina) and red berries, a hint of orange zest and rose - an elegant, complex, and delicious wine. Jamie Wolff
Villa Guelpa 2020 Colline Novaresi Nebbiolo
This is a ridiculously tasty, charming wine - ready (and easy) to drink; I can imagine it slightly chilled, poured with whatever you have on the grill... At 13 alcohol, it's very fresh and bright, with distinct ripe cherry fruit and wild herbs - just plain delicious, beautifully made wine. Jamie Wolff
Fonterenza 2019 IGT Tosana Rosso Alberello
Truly a Rosso wearing Brunello shoes, this is from a single parcel trained in alberello style. Yields are quite low, with relatively large bunches that have very spaced out grapes, and year after year, the Padovani sisters noted the exceptional quality of the wine coming from this vineyard, so they began bottling it as a single vineyard wine in 2015. 2019 was a great vintage in Tuscany, and a fantastic vintage for this wine, which is by all means on a level if not soaring above many Brunellos in the market. The vines are located just south-east of the town of Montalcino.
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
Gioventu Chianti comes from Michael Schmeltzer, the man behind our beloved Monte Bernardi wines. As expected, this wine is fantastic - worth so much more than the $17 price per bottle. From younger vines (planted in 2010) of Sangiovese, Canaiolo, and Ciliegiolo. After the grapes are crushed, the wine ferments naturally in cement tanks. Aging in also in cement and lasts 12 months. There is no fining or filtering before bottling. The color of the wine shows a burgundy center, becoming a clearer, burnt red on the edges. The nose is bold, with complex layers of fruit and earth. Aromas of black cherry, dark red flowers, and crushed, loamy rocks are at the core, with spicy, woodsy smells of milled black pepper and autumnal dried leaves right above it. The palate is focused on savory fruits of blackberry, cherry, and red citrus, freshened by a zing of clean minerality. Structure-wise, this wine has power, with long lasting acidity, and tannin on the top of the gums and down the tongue. An incredibly delicious wine! Paired wonderfully with taco truck carnitas and al pastor on day two...
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.
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.
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
Mocali 2006 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva
At 17 years of age this hits the sweet spot showing both youthful fruit and mature aromas and flavors. The wine is very aromatic, led by blackberry-like fruit balanced by violet and herbal notes; the palate is rich and suave, layered with subtle flavors of fruit and saline minerals. This is a real treat! Jamie Wolff
Agnanum 2021 Campania Falanghina Campi Flegrei
Campi Flegrei lies northwest of Naples, along the Amalfi Coast, where the Tyrrhenian Sea winds rush in each afternoon like clockwork. The area comprises large craters formed by volcanic activity, which left behind volcanic ash, sand, and basalt soils. Falanghina is the most widely planted white grape in Campi Flegrei, with a storied past as a favorite of the Romans and documented as “one of the finest grapes” by Pliny the Elder. Due to a waxy coating on the grape skins, wine growers prize Falanghina for its ability to withstand the persistent winds off the Tyrrhenian Sea. In addition, the vines flourish in volcanic soils, and due to the high content of sand, phylloxera does not exist in the region. Therefore, vines are generally older and produce highly concentrated fruit prized by wine drinkers for the intensely perfumed aromatics. Native yeast fermentation in stainless steel tank undergoing full malo and aging in tank with minimal sulphur just at fermentation. the nose is redolent with citrus; grapefruit and lemon peel as well as volcanic minerality. The palate is quite full with a honeyed almond note. a slightly bitter salinity and zippy acidity with green pear and more citrus. A perfect wine for rich seafood dishes such as Cioppino, swordfish, monkfish and lobster or fried frutti di mare. GH
Bera 2022 Moscato d'Asti Canelli
100 % Muscat Petit Grains from a beautiful organic vineyard, fermented with wild yeasts, minimal SO2 is used. We sell this Moscato d'Asti because it's one of the best we've ever tasted – a wine with finesse and complexity; layers of apricot, peach, honey, balanced by clean lime-like acidity. Most of the competition is dull and insipid by comparison. The fact that this organic wine is made by some of the nicest people you can imagine has nothing to do with our selecting it for your delectation...
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 2021 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.
i Clivi 2019 Colli Orientali di Friuli Friulano Galea
Friulano Galea I Clivi comes from old vines about 70 years old grown on the hills of Corno di Rosazzo along the Slovenian border. The marl here is calcareous with sandstone, with constant sun exposure. Matured 24 months on fine lees, always in stainless steel. This long maturation drives the wine aromatic expression to a deeper, more terroir-driven character. The 2019 offers a refreshing depth of oceanic flavors focused on salinity and minerality, with hints of anise, honey and almond.
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.
Lombardo, Giordano 2022 Gavi di Gavi Vigna San Martino
The Lombardo Gavi is a staple at Chambers. The 2020 has bright fruit of apricot and lemon, zesty minerality, and a medium mouthfeel. Even though there is a bit of weight on the palate, the wine also shows a touch of effervescence. A great bottle for anyone looking for a wine with ripe yellow fruits and a dynamic texture.
Mongioia 2016 Moscato d'Asti Crivella
Crivella is made with fruit from Riccardo Bianco’s oldest vines, including some planted in the mid 1800s by Riccardo’s great-great-something grandfather; such old vines are extremely rare, and while they produce very little fruit, it’s impossible for Riccardo to even think about replacing them. At a tasting in the shop a customer said, “Like Sauternes with bubbles!” which was a lovely way to describe the wine and its rich and unctuous character. made lively with fizz, and crisp with balancing acidity. A great match with cheese or not-so-sweet desserts, like panetone, or fruit pies. While there’s no botrytis, Crivella is much more complex and detailed than all but the very best Sauternes. I’ve certainly never tasted anything like it — a stunning wine. Jamie Wolff
Monterosso 2021 Terre Siciliane Etna Bianco Volcano
From organically sourced grapes, this white is 100% Carricante from the lower elevations at Mount Etna's base. The nose is subtle and pretty, with hints of cured lemon, green herbs, and wisps of white flowers. The palate is complex and layered with notes of salty yellow citrus and fresh grass.
Montesecondo 2019 Trebbiano Tïn
The ‘Tin’ cuvées are the most innovative wines being made at Montesecondo. The name is an homage to Silvio’s North African heritage (“Tin” means clay in Arabic); the ‘Tin’ wines are fermented and aged in clay amphora. The white 'Tin' is produced from a parcel that is primarily Trebbiano Toscano interplanted with a bit of Malvasia. The grapes are destemmed and placed in 250 to 350-liter unlined amphora to ferment for six months, and then bottled unfined and unfiltered. The wine shows aromas of ripe stone fruit and the palate is more lifted than many orange wines made with extended skin contact, perhaps due to the relatively tame personality of Trebbiano Toscano. The texture is soft rather than rugged with crisp acidity and delicate tannins showing flavors of tart white peach and fresh citrus fruit. Fascinating on its own, I think that it would be an easy match for all kinds of food: try it with rich pasta dishes, olives and cheese, white fish, grilled chicken or artichokes. - Andy Paynter /// This was Andy's old tasting note for the 2016 Trebbiano Tin, which was spot on and consistent on tech, with maceration now averaging between 6-8 months depending on the vintage. I recently opened a bottle of the Tin 2019 and I can say it's the best vintage of the wine I've ever had. Silvio has clearly found a way to utilize skins and amphorae to achieve a delicate mouthfeel and an added layer of complexity to the wine, without overdoing it. All of the flavors and textures are harmonious and balanced, it's a success!
Montoni 2022 Sicilia IGT Grillo Timpa
From the eastern facing, sandy slopes of the Grillo della Timpa Sicilia DOC, Fuedo Montoni delivers a refreshing but complex wine. 30 year old vines, planted at 700 meters above sea level, and handled under certified organic methods. Fermentation happens in cement, and for a portion of that time, the juice is in contact with the grape skins. The wine then ages in cement, in contact with the lees, for 6 months. The result is a complex, but utterly fresh glass of white. The color is clean lemon. The nose offers aromas of golden apple, pear, apricot and white flowers. Flavors are of dried lemon, green herbs, lime zest, salt and white pepper. The skin maceration definitely gives the wine a touch of tannic stability, like banisters to the wine's highly angled, persistent acidity. Really enjoyable wine that wakes up the palate.
Orsi Vigneto San Vito 2021 Vino Bianco Frizzante "Sui Lieviti"
LDM Notes: 100% Pignoletto, spontaneous fermentation and aging in concrete tanks. Maceration can vary from hours to days. Aged six months on the lees. A chilled grape must from the same year is then added to the wine before bottling. No disgorgement so you can leave the wine on the lees as long as you like!" This is a supremely drinkable frizzante wine with a pleasing combination of fruit, minerality and some earth - sure to please fans of orange wine but light and refreshing enough to appeal to a wide audience.
Orsi Vigneto San Vito NV Vino Bianco "Posca Bianca"
The Posca Bianca from Orsi Vigneto San Vito is a unique and complex wine from Emilia-Romagna made using a solera system, or "vino perpetuo," where a combination of Pignoletto, Alionza, Albana and Malvasia are vinified, some with skin maceration and some without, in a mix of oak, cement, stainless steel and anfora vessels. These are then added to the master tank as each new vintage is bottled, which contains many past vintages of Posca. Federico Orsi explains that he only uses around 10% of the tank for each vintage, so there's always a good amount of older wine with a fresh injection of young wine each year. The result is a fascinating white wine that's not quite in the "orange wine" spectrum but has lots of texture and depth, while retaining crisp acidity and prominent minerality. Fun fact - the name "Posca" refers to the daily ration of wine once given to Roman soldiers.
Passofonduto 2022 Sicily Vino Bianco Solfare
This is the best skin-contact wine I’ve tasted in a long time - this might seem like faint praise, but I assure you: this wine is spectacular. Just one day of maceration with the skins lends it distinctly orange wine character, but anyone who thinks they don’t care for skin-contact white will likely change their mind with Solfare. For one thing it’s fresh and clean – no weird mousiness, etc. For another it’s a living text book example of terroir and minerality, showing intense chalk and saline aromas and flavors, with added complexity from savory herbs and resin, and fruit that echoes ripe Chenin Blanc. The wine is very brisky and juicy, wound together with bracing acidity. A brilliant wine and a great addition to the best wines of Sicily. Jamie Wolff // LDM Notes: "Grillo and Catarratto are destemmed, macerated for one day then fermented and aged half in steel and half in French oak barrels. About 5% of the blend comes from aromatic white grapes Giuseppe does not know the name of...The grapes for this wine come from the Contrada Torre di Salto d'Angio from vines that are over 40 years old in pergola training (converted from albarello). The contrada is at about 500m elevation."
Pianogrillo 2021 Terre Siciliane Grecanico
A fresh and crisp Grecanico, and in true Sicilian style, very versatile at table, matching beautifully with black bean soup, spaghetti with tomato sauce, and grilled salmon with salsa verde. It turns out that Grecanico Dorato (the grape used here) is closely related to Garganega (the grape used in Soave), but this news surprised me because the wine is so much more exciting than 99.9% of Soave. At 12.5° alcohol, it is light and crystalline, with aromatics that made me think of exotic, gewurz-type fruit – lychee, pineapple, warm spices, all with an intense chalky / mineral foundation and racy, lemony acidity. From 30+ year-old vines, fermented in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts. Quite a remarkable and complex wine that far out-performs its price. -JW
Ronco Severo 2019 Colli Orientali Pinot Grigio
This is an orange wine made from late-harvest Pinot Grigio, which is fermented on its skins for about a month, gently pressed, and then raised on the lees for an additional 23 months. However, because Pinot Grigio has much more pigment in the skins than other white grapes, the extended skin contact causes it to look and drink like a very light red wine. A beautiful salmon color in the glass, the nose opens with notes of tropical red fruit and guava, as well as mandarin orange, a hint of red berry fruit, and spice. The palate shows more citrus, with blood orange, ruby red grapefruit, grapefruit peel and more pungent spice. Very well integrated but significant tannins coupled with great acidity.
Sara, Marco 2021 Friuli Colli Orientale Friulano
Friuliano grape. Vinified and aged in steel.
Suore Cistercensi 2022 Lazio Bianco Coenobium
The wine’s co-harvested and co-fermented Trebbiano (45%), Malvasia (35%), and Verdicchio (20%) translate the power of Vitorchiano’s volcanic soils. These grapes are grown in the Monastery according to natural methods, without the use of synthetic chemical treatments. Spontaneous fermentation in stainless-steel and fiberglass tanks. Unfined, filtered if necessary. Sulfur applied at harvest and bottling. 80-90mg/L.
Vignato 2019 Gambellara Classico El Gian
If you love Soave, this is the wine for you without paying the premium of the famous place name! Located about a 15 minute drive from Soave are the volcanic hills of Gambellara. Davide Vignato was the first winemaker to be certified organic and practicing biodynamic in this DOC. Made from 100% Garganega, the same grape as Soave, "El Gian" is named after the winemaker’s father who planted the vines 25 years ago in these rolling hills using the traditional pergola system. The wine is made in stainless steel tanks and rests on the lees for five months before being bottled. Straw yellow in color, it has both fruity and floral aromas, good minerality and acidity, and is savory with a hint of spice and citrus. Perfect with a meaty white fish, chicken or even a quiche at brunch!
Capcanes, Celler de 2022 Montsant Peraj Petita - (Kosher for Passover)
Celler de Capcanes creates a line of high-quality, terroir-driven Kosher from their old-vine Monsant vineyards. The Peraj Petita blend is 45% Garnacha, 20% Tempranillo, 20% Merlot, 15% Syrah, aged party in steel and then for 10 months in a combination of French and American oak. This wine is elaborated following Jewish Law and under the supervision of the prestigious Rabbinate OU from the USA and Kosher Federation of London in close collaboration with local Rabbis of Chabad Lubavitch. It is Kosher for passover and not mevushal.
Celler de Capçanes 2017 Montsant Flor del Flor Samso
Carignan grape . This is a single-variety Samsó wine. La Flor del Flor de Primavera Samsó comes from 4 plots of vines aged between 85 and 105 years old. These are old vines planted in clay, granite and slate soils at an altitude of 240-480 metres above sea level. The harvest is manual in 20 kg boxes. In the winery, the La Flor del Flor de Primavera Samsó grapes ferment with native yeasts at controlled temperatures and macerate for 24 days in stainless steel tanks. Aging takes place in new or one-year-old French barrels and, after the coupage has been made, the wine stays in stainless steel tanks for 3 months before being bottled.
Elvi Wines 2019 Alella 'Herenza' - (Kosher for Passover)
60% Pansa Blanca, 40% Sauvignon Blanc.. Kosher for Passover. Not Mevushal.
Joseph Zakon Wines 2010 New York Kesser Concord Kosher
Made in the tradition of Manischewitz, this is a classic sweet, fruity red wine made from New York's finest Concord grapes! Easy-drinking, low alcohol, best served chilled as an aperitif. It is OK certified, Kosher for Passover, and it is mevushal.
Batardiere 2021 Anjou L'Esprit Libre
From 3 parcels in the village of Rablay from vines aging from 15-90 years old. Plateaus of sandy soil and gravely soils of quartz over schist. The blend is assembled in stainless steel tanks before fermentation. Alcoholic and Malolactic fermentation occur naturally, without the use of temperature control, and the wine sees no sulfur whatsoever until a tiny addition at the bottling. This is a fun and truly singular expression of Chenin. At times there are hints of pear and lime flower, then it unfolds into sharp minerals and crispy acidity, and these two elements of fruit and stones continue to intermingle. It’s lean, but dense and round as well. -EL
Baudouin 2015 Anjou Rouge La Fresnaye
The Patrick Baudouin Anjou Rouge "La Fresnaye" is from an unusual parcel on a vein pf limestone bedrock in the midst of the volcanic and schist soils of the Anjou Noir. The 2015 is quite a treat to drink now, here's a 2019 revue from the Wine Doctor: This is 100% Cabernet Franc (maybe with some Grolleau) sourced from 0.9 hectares of vines, picked at a yield of 39 hl/ha. It was destemmed, vinified in cuve with a gentle infusion rather than active extraction, followed by malolactic fermentation and élevage in small used barrels. It is quite charming and fresh on the nose, with notes of smoky crushed cherry skins. An appealing palate, fresh and pure, smoky with cherry and blackcurrant skin, and a very complete finish."
Baudouin 2019 Anjou Rouge Coteaux d'Ardenay
From vines in Ardenay (Anjou Noir) on volcanic rock, schist, shale and sandstone. 100% de-stemmed. 40-day ambient yeast fermentation with maceration by infusion. Aged 12 months on the lees in Burgundian oak barrels (2-4 years old). Racked and aged another 4 months in tank before bottled. Minimal SO2 additions.
Baudry 2020 Chinon Cuvée "Les Mollières"
2020 is the first individual bottling of this particular 1-hectare plot, Mollières, which previously was incorporated into the "Domaine" cuvée. Mollières lies to the west of the town of Chinon, on a high spot having both northern and southern exposure. It is a windy, well-exposed site with heavy clay and yellow limestone soils. The fruit is destemmed without crushing and moved by gravity into unlined cement vats. Fermentation is spontaneous with native yeasts and without sulfur or temperature control; maceration lasts around two weeks with a daily pumpover and no punchdowns. The wine is aged in concrete tank for 15 months and bottled without filtration. Sulfur usage is minimal. The 2020 Mollières is lighter in body and color that the Croix Boissée and Clos Guillot, from a terroir that gives extremely mineral, earthy wines with delicate fruit. Lovely aromas of raspberry, strawberry, rose and earth; the palate is chalky and pure with vibrant berry fruits, with herbal and mineral notes. No extraction or oak aging, just beautiful expression of this classic Chinon terroir. Serve with white meats, fish, charcuterie, mild cheeses, aging of ten to fifteen years will be interesting. David Lillie
Baudry 2020 Chinon La Croix Boissée (11/14)
La Croix Boissee is a superb vineyard on thin sandy clay soils over limestone (Middle Turonian calcaire micacé) high on a south-facing slope above Cravant. 20 to 50 year-old vines. 20-day fermentation in tronconic wooden vats, 24 months of aging in 1 to 4 year-old Burgundy barriques, 9 months in cement. Zero SO2 added until a small dosage at assembly, 10 to 20 mg/L, bottled unfiltered. This is one of the greatest reds of the Loire Valley - at it's best after ten to thirty years of aging, the wine is also quite delicious, though with firm chalky tannins, when young. Unlike other famous wines of the Loire (and elsewhere) there is very gentle extraction and aging is in carefully selected used barrels and concrete, bringing great intensity of flavor but with an intriguing lightness allowing full expression of the limestone/clay soils. "The aromatics convey a sense of ripe purity, with blackcurrant, black cherry and even a touch of black olives, along with a minerally-chalky edge, and even after bottling it retains this divine complexity, with evolving scents of tar, peony, currant and toast. These aromas translate directly onto the palate, combining these same black fruits with a saline energy. It feels taut, textural yet sinewy and linear, before a long and charged finish. It has a silky sense of cohesion, but it is that long grip of tannins and fabulous complexity that tells you this is one for the ages" Wine Doctor
Baudry 2021 Chinon Cuvée Domaine
The Baudry Chinon "Domaine" is always one of our favorite reds from the Loire Valley and it's a sensational value as well. All Cabernet Franc of course, a blend of 75% from a parcel in St. Louans, where the thin clay over limestone soils give earthy well-structured wines, with 25% from gravel soils near Cravant, giving supple fruit and freshness. Organic farming, wild-yeast fermentation, aging in 5 to 10 year-old wooden vats and cement with almost no added SO2. We have to go back to 2014 for a similar wine to the 2021, at 12% alcohol, with a lovely bright color and beautifully floral red berry fruits. After a day open, complex earth, mineral, herbal and vegetal notes emerge. The palate is fresh and relatively light but with good density of red and black fruits with firm acidity and chalky mineral notes, showing the classic limestone terroir in Saint-Louans. Delightful, and very versatile at the table, serve a bit cool with just about anything. David Lillie
Baudry 2022 Chinon Les Granges
From 35 to 40 year-old vines on gravel and sandy soils with a bit of clay near the Vienne river in organic agriculture. Hand harvested, fermented with wild yeasts, ages for 8 to 10 months in cement vats, minimal addition of SO2 only prior to bottling. This "basic" cuvée from Bernard and Matthieu Baudry has gotten more and more "serious" as the vines age, giving a wine that is delightful to drink young, but that shows surprising complexity and mineral character as well. In the 2022 vintage, the wine is a sheer delight, an excellent vintage for this lovely wine. It showed a beautiful bright red/black color with bright rim with vibrant, lush aromas of cassis, red currant and raspberry - perhaps prettier than the darker fruits in the 2018 - 2020 vintages? The palate is dense with deep, vibrant blackberry and raspberry fruit, with earth and minerals, bright and balanced given the roundness and ripeness of the vintage. This is a delicious Chinon to drink a bit cool over the next five to eight years. Quantities get smaller for this wine every year, so don't delay in trying this very special Super Delicious Cabernet Franc!
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 La Tesniere Pineau D'Aunis
This is a light and lovely expression of Pineau d'Aunis from Pierre-Olivier Bonhomme, from vines near the Cher river on clay with silex in organic and biodynamic farming. Aged in old futs and demi-muids, bottled without filtration, minimal SO2. The 2022 shows a pretty light red color with subtle aromas of ripe raspberry, citrus, white pepper and violets, really pretty. A touch deeper than the 2021, it nonetheless delivers on the Pineau D'Aunis promise of peppery and bright rustic flavors. Lip-smacking acidity and a beautifully refreshing finish of minerals, earth and pretty red fruits. This is a delightfully refreshing version of Pineau d'Aunis - serve cool!
Bonhomme, Pierre-Olivier 2022 Vin de France Le Telquel
This "poil dur" is wagging its tail again in 2022, showing the ripeness and balance of this good vintage in the Loire Valley, with juicy aromas of blackberry, rose, spice and citrus. It's Gamay with a bit of Cabernet Franc in this vintage, with an extra layer of ripeness, and nice density of bright blackberry fruit, a bit floral and spicy. Quite refreshing with good length of lush berry fruits and citrusy acids in the finish. Serve a bit cool with charcuterie, chicken and pork - just delicious! David Lillie
Bonnefoy (La Madone) 2022 Côtes du Forez "Dacite"
The 2022 Bonnefoy "Dacite" is from 100% clay-granitic soil of the GRANO-DIORITE A DACITE type. This granite, unique in our region, comes from a block of rock from the Monts du Forez, which peaked in the primary era at more than 8,000 meters. A rare phenomenon, this DACITE contains calcium. This rock erodes, giving infertile, grainy soils with low clay content for the region (about 25%)." This lovely wine shows very floral, raspberry and minty aromas with a velvety, supple palate of pretty berry fruits. Serve this quite cool this summer, in the style of a delicious old-fashioned Beaujolais...
Bonnefoy (La Madone) 2022 Côtes du Forez "La Madone"
The Gilles Bonnefoy "Gamay sur Vulcan" is from 15 to 30 year-old vines, 50% on basalt soils, 50% on granit/clay soils on the slopes of an ancient volcano. Hand harvested with low yields, the grapes are de-stemmed and undergo a short fermentation with native yeasts. The wine is lightly filtered and bottled with minimal SO2. The color is a warm purple, with lighter violet edges. Nose is plush red and black berries, a minerally smoke, black tea, with an airy, grassy aroma. Palate has tart cherries and plums, a flash of limestone, and a hint of rich, woodsy earth develops on a long, engaging finish. The wine's structure, crisp but juicy, makes it incredibly drinkable. Complex and fresh, serve with a slight chill, and drink this summer.
Bonnefoy (La Madone) 2022 Côtes du Forez "Migmatite"
The 2022 Cote du Forez "Migmatite" from Gilles Bonnefoy at Les Vins de la Madone is a extraordinary Gamay from 50 year-old vines in a unique parcel of granite/clay soils very rich in mica. The grapes are hand-harvested with yields of only 25 hl/ha, followed by whole cluster fermentation with native yeasts. Aging is in cuve inox, with a light filtration and the wine is bottled with minimal SO2, per Demeter Biodynamic rules. The wine shows a deep black/purple color with elegant aromas of ripe black fruits, very floral and fresh. The palate is fabulously deep, dense and velvety with lush black fruits above a very present saline mineral character that lifts the vibrant black fruits in the long refreshing finish. Just a beautiful wine and perfect with grilled foods this summer, charcuterie and cheeses or just sipped cool by itself. This is the most "serious" of Gilles' wines to be offered this year - put a few in the cellar as the wine should develop nicely over the next 3 to 5 years. Highly recommemded!
Bonnefoy (La Madone) 2022 Côtes du Forez Mémoires de Madone VV
The 2022 Gilles Bonnefoy "Memoire de Madone" is made from old vines of a local Gamay grown on volcanic soils (basalt) in the Côtes de Forez (upper Loire east and a bit south of Lyon). The grapes are harvested by hand, partially de-stemmed and undergo a 15-day fermentation with wild yeasts. The wine shows a bright black/purple color with deep aromas of blackberry and black currant with hints of violet, stone and citrus. The palate is dense but light on its feet with a firm backbone of mineral flavors and earthy acidity under the blackberry and black raspberry fruit, with herbal and citrus notes. This is the most dense and structured of Bonnefoy's Gamays, and will benefit from decanting or a few hours aeration, serve with grilled pork, coq au vin, full-flavored cheeses. David Lillie
Bonnefoy (La Madone) 2022 Côtes du Forez Rosé Gamay sur Volcan
The delicious 2022 Gilles Bonnefoy Rosé is made from Gamay grown in both volcanic and clay/granit soils in the Côtes du Forez (upper Loire, east and a bit south of Lyon). The grapes are hand-harvested and ferment with wild yeasts, half is rosé de saigné, half is direct press. The wine shows a bright pink color and pretty floral aromas of raspberry and strawberry, with hints of citrus, spice and white peach. The palate is light and crisp but with nice density and saline minerals under the red fruits, finishing with good length of stone, citrus and berry fruits. Serve as a refreshing aperitif or with salads, grilled meats, seafood and goat cheeses. This should open up nicely over the summer and drink well through 2024. lovely wine and a great value! David Lillie
Bonnefoy (La Madone) 2022 IGP Urfé Roussanne de Madone
The beautiful Roussanne from Gilles Bonnefoy is from 20+ year-old vines (partly massale selection from Quenard in Savoie) grown on the steep south face of the volcano of Purchon. Bonnefoy farms these young vines carefully, keeping yields very low to promote concentration and harvesting late (Roussanne takes a long time to ripen fully) and by hand. Native yeast fermentation takes place in used barrels; the wine ages in the same. In the glass, the Roussanne is pale and shows a very expressive nose of white flowers, green herbs, and a touch of orchard fruits. Given the freshness of the nose, the palate is surprisingly and lusciously dense and complex, with pear, peach, citrus and herbal notes as well as long and broad minerality. A great expression of Roussanne on unique Volcanic terroir. Only 3000 bottles produced.
Bonnefoy (La Madone) 2022 IGP Urfé Sauvignons Gris/Blanc Volcan
The Bonnefoy 2022 "Sauvignons" is 60% Sauvignon Gris and 40% Sauvignon Blanc (massale selection) grown in basalt soils on the east face of the volcano of Purchon. Farming is certified organic and Biodynamic, all harvests are by hand, and Gilles Bonnefoy has a low-intervention approach in the cellar, where he eschews additives or new oak. The nose shows flinty stone and ripe citrus notes that continue on the palate, which shows further notes of gooseberries and a slight tropicality. There's nice density and length here, making it a quite serious expression of Sauvignon, distinguished by its long and dense mineral finish. A lovely wine that should definitely not be served too cold: this is Sauvignon with real substance.
Bregeon, Michel 2022 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie
Fred Lallier is now in charge at Domaine Bregeon and is doing great work at this important estate - one of the leaders in the return to quality in Muscadet. Certified organic, the 2022 Muscadet is from average 40 year-old vines in Gabbro terroirs in and around Gorges - it shows distinctive aromas associated with this terroir - pear, stone, petrol, anise and mushroom, with lovely white fruits in this ripe vintage with hints of lemon confit and wet stone. The palate is round and ripe, framed in firm acidity and mineral flavors, with stone fruits, earth, almond, anise and citrus that continue in the long finish. This is a lovely Muscadet in a riper style that is quite delicious now and should open up nicely over the next five years. Please decant or open an hour in advance. David Lillie
Chevalerie 2018 Bourgueil Busardière
From a 2 ha plot located fairly high on the slope, just below the Peu Muleau with more clay, and shallow soils closer to the Turonian yellow tuffeau. In the right hands, 2018 was a superb vintage for Loire Valley reds and the Busardieres was extraordinary at last winter's tasting, showing an incredibly elegant melange of dark fruit and mineral flavors with great purity and length, in the same mold as the Baudry Croix Boissée. If drinking now, please give it a lengthy decant or open the day before, best to wait 5 years then enjoy until 2040 and beyond. David Lillie
Chevalerie 2014 Bourgueil Bretêche
(In the fall of 2023, this wine is really singing and will be wonderful for Thanksgiving!) Bretêche (Domaine de la Chevalerie is the only estate claiming this vineyard name) is the easternmost vineyard, a rented plot on the border of Ingrandes-de-Touraine. On the southwestern exposed upper part of the mid-slope, the vines are planted on a meter-deep heavier clay with high mica content above the Turonian yellow tuffeau. The vines, biodynamically farmed, are between 25 to 55 years old. More powerful than Busardières with broader tannins, the wine maintains a great freshness. Hand-harvested and destemmed, the grapes are macerated for up to 20 days and aged in large used barrels in the magnificent underground cave dug into the yellow tuffeau for roughly 8 to 10 moths. The wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered. 2014 is considered a great classic vintage in the Loire for Cabernet Franc, and it is indeed very good at Domaine de la Chevalerie, with fruit a little darker than the 2015 (this opposite to a lot of other estates in the region). Ruby purple in the glass this cuvée as usual has more freshness, tension and a little austerity - 2014 enhances these typical quality of the wine! More open than the 2015, the nose has distinctive black cherry, elderberry notes, Chinese badiane and spearmint. The palate is still deliciously youthful barely showing any evolution, with lean and brilliant acidity, and oolong-like tannins. It is already very-well structured and poised, not angular at all. Decant it 2 hours and serve it in Bordeaux glasses, or keep it 20 years or so - I would say it will reach another plateau by 2025. Enjoy it with a duck magret, the juice reduced with a touch of raspberry vinegar, or sweetbreads in a madeira sauce. 100% Cabernet Franc. Pascaline Lepeltier
Chevalerie 2015 Bourgueil Peu Muleau
(Arrives 5/9) Peu Muleau is located on the upper part of the hill in Bourgueil, just below the forest, on Cenozoic eolian sands with iron, clay and altered limestone tuffeau. The vines are around 35 years old, and farmed biodynamically. The maceration lasts less than 20 days. Aging is done in a mix of tank and large used barrels with less and less oak. This is the earliest drinking single-vineyard cuvée, always on the raspberry and wild violet with very supple tannins, but you can keep it up to 10 years without a problem. Peu Muleau is always more linear than Les Galichets - it does not have the same clay-gravel flesh, dancing on its feet with great elegance. The 2015 shows a bright red color and aromas that are more earth than fruit with subtle raspberry, strawberry, citrus and spice. The palate is a lovely blend of earth and red fruits, fairly tight but quite elegant with firm acidity and mineral flavors blending with raspberry and violet in the finish. Warning - not a fruit bomb and best suited to those who like some rocks in their wine. Best to decant or cellar 3 - 5 years. David Lillie
Chevalerie 2015 Bourgueil Les Galichets
The Chevalerie "Galichets" vineyard is on mid-slope Turonian limestone with clay and alluvial sand and gravel topsoil, rich in silex; the vines average about 60 years of age - similar to the "Chevalerie" parcel but a bit lower on the slope, giving a wine that is more open and easy for early drinking. The 2015 vintage is excellent, with a bit more ripeness and lower acidity than 2014, while retaining the core of minerals and acidity always found in the Chevalerie wines. The aromas of black raspberry and blackberry fruit are ripe and floral. The palate is dense and silky, very mineral with ripe red and black fruits and a clean vibrant finish. Still quite youthful, but drinking beautifully now. David Lillie
Chevalerie 2018 Bourgueil Cuvée Chevalerie
The "home" vineyard also produced a superb wine in 2018, perhaps les dense and dark than the Busardières, but more expressive of the very old vines and the limestone below and beatifully balanced. La Chevalerie, between the Galichets and the winery, is slightly higher on the slope, with more clay on the top part. The Turonian tuffeau is not even three feet below. The oldest vines date from 1903 and 1922, the average being 75 years. The sandier part of the plot goes into the Galichets. This cuvée is a perfect introduction to the more “serious” tuffeau driven bottlings of the domaine. You still get the flesh and texture brought by the sand, you also pick up the racy, salty and fresh acidity typical of the tuffeau. The fruit becomes more blue with distinctive herbal notes. The Caslots have farmed this parcel since 1640! The 2018 will be great fun to enjoy in its youthful intensity, but best to wait 5 to 8 years then drink until 2040..
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...
Chidaine, François 2020 Montlouis Sur Loire Les Bournais
This is our favorite wine from François and Manuela Chidaine, long-time champions of organic and biodynamic farming in the Loire Valley. Named after the soil type "Les Bournais," a unique clay topsoil over limestone (tuffeau blanche) also found across the river in Vouvray and without the silex present in most Montlouis terroirs. First made in a sec-tendre style, recent vintages have been dry, with the 2020 showing power and balance at 3 g/L RS, 14.5% alc and 3.95 g/L total acidity. In the glass, the color is glimmering lemon. The nose is firm with apricot, citrus peel, and oyster shell, with healthy green herbs and lovely grassy aromas. The palate is salty, with a touch of anise, with lime zest and a touch of bitter nectarine. A great swish in the mouth, punctuated by a beam of vibrant acidity. The finish is long and mouthwatering. Delicious!
Delrieu-Ducleux 2021 Vin de France La Joue Blanc (Chenin)
La Joue is a natural Chenin Blanc from younger vines planted in 1976 on typical shist soils of the region. The wine is fresh with nice cut and a lovely dense mouthfeel. Aging is half in stainless steel and half in used barrels. There's a delicate nose with stone fruit (white apricot) and some preserved lemon aromas. Tasting in February of this year (2023), Julien noted that there was some mousiness in the finish and that the wine needed to age in the bottle an additional 6-8 months. The bottle we opened here that just arrived from France did show some bacterial notes in the finish, but vastly improved from this past Winter. We would recommend waiting an additional 2-3 months, but if you can't wait, just chill it and drink it quickly with friends. The acidity and overall balance are impressive, there is a lovely wine here that will reveal itself fully with a few more months of aging.
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.
Domaine de Reuilly 2022 Reuilly Pinot Gris Rosé
(Arrives Tues 8/8) The wines of the Domaine de Reuilly are getting better and better - the 2022 Rosé of Pinot Gris is from vines in organic and biodynamic farning, fermented with wild yeasts. The color is a lovely pale onion skin, the aromas are floral and pretty with gooseberry, peach, dried apricot and citrus peel, really lovely. Light berry, peach, green tea and stone flavors on the palate are dense and creamy but framed in firm acidity. With good ripeness, but subtle and balanced, this unique rosé will accompany a wide variety of foods, from oysters with vinaigrette, fish, grilled pork and chicken and Asian foods, and it's lovely to sip by itself! David Lillie
Foucher Lebrun 2022 Touraine Sauvignon Blanc
(NY Times Twenty Under $20 for Thanksgiving) Made from organically farmed vineyards on the edge of the Touraine territory, this racy and energetic Sauvignon Blanc is the baby brother to the Foucher Sancerre Le Mont. Yet another astonishing Loire value from Maison Foucher.
Guion 2018 Bourgueil Deux Monts
From 70-80 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 (tuffeau, craie micacée). 18-month élevage ; 40% in cuve inox, 20% in one new 400 liter barrel, 20% in one-year and 20% in two-year old barrels, assembled two months before bottling. This is the terroir giving the most elegant and age-worthy Bourgueils and 2018 is a magnificent vintage for this wine! Tasted July 2022, the wine showed a deep red/black color and lush aromas of ripe cassis and black raspberry with hints of brown spice and oak. The palate is a lovely combination of ripe black fruits and bright acidity, dense and supple with graphite and saline minerals under the deep fruits in the very long finish. Forward enough to enjoy now, this will need time to unfold its mysteries and will be a very complex and beautiful mature wine, best to wait 5 years then drink until 2042 and beyond.
Guion 2019 Bourgueil Cuvée Authentique
2019 brings us another superb wine from Stéphane Guion in Bourgueil, whose domaine has been certified organic since the 1960s. The new Cuvée Authentique replaces the Cuvée Prestige (we're not sure why?) coming from vines averaging 50 years-old on thin topsoils of sandy clay over limestone (tuffau jaune) in the parcels "Grand Mont," "les Marquises," le Vlaudons," "le Maupas," "les Caveries," "Petit Mont" and "Chavannes," terroirs that produces some of the most elegant and age-worthy Bourgueils. 2019 was another hot, dry year in the Loire Valley, but light rains in September and early October brought balance to the grapes, producing wines that are ripe and generous, with firm acidities and moderate alcohol. Tasted in France last February the 2019 Authentique showed gorgeous aromas of red and black fruits with floral, earth and herbal notes, quite pretty and ripe. The palate showed deeper black fruits, earth, spice and stone with the intense mineral character and firm acidity always present in Stephane's wines, with a moderate 13% alcohol, and a fabulous cool and sapid mineral finish. This superb wine will benefit from a long decant or a few years in the cellar, it should open up beautifully in five years or so, enjoy until 2040+ David Lillie
Guion 2020 Bourgueil Cuvée Candide
This is another beautiful wine from the shy and affable Stéphane Guion who is quietly making some of the best wines in Bourgueil. His 2020 Cuvèe Candide (Formerly Domaine) is from not-so-young (15 to 40 year-old) vines, on clay/limestone terroir in Benais and is equal to the superb 2018 and 2019 perhaps even better! The balance is just perfect at 12% alcohol. The wine shows a deep, vivid black/red color with bright rim with intense, pure aromas of cassis, black raspberry and blackberry confit (a little bighter than the 2019), stone and violets - very deep and ripe but still bright with earth and minerals as well. The palate is medium-bodied, finely textured, sappy and very fresh with firm acidity and chalky, saline mineral flavors framing the very pure blackberry and black cherry liqueur fruits, which continue in the long chalky finish, which somehow remains light and balanced. Great wine! Drink now, served cool, with grilled chicken and pork, charcuterie, green vegetables and mild cheeses, or hold 5 to 8 years for a velvety mature experience. This is a brilliant wine, especially given the ridiculous price - enjoy! David Lillie
The 2021 Guion Bourgueil Rosé shows plenty of minerality, with stone fruit, a hint of spring strawberries (think more tart, less fruity), tangerine, and spice. This is a very complex dry rosé, showing earthy red fruits and stone flavors that are still developing in its second year. Really tastes of the limestone terroir and the Guion's 50 years of organic farming, with a long finish and ample acidity and freshness. Thanks to Stéphane for another great vintage of his super-refreshing Rosé!
Guion NV VdF Methode Traditionnelle Rosé "Bête de Benais"
Stéphane has made his first ever methode traditionnelle sparking rosé from Cabernet Franc vines in a new parcel on clay/limestone soils in Benais. We can't say that it's equal to the Marie-Courtin "Indulgence," but it's a delightful wine! The color is a pretty very pale pink with subtle aromas of raspberry and earth; the palate is refreshing and dry, but not too dry, with a creamy mousse and classic Cabernet Franc berry fruit and mineral flavors that linger in the finish. $15.99! (The label commemorates (?) a monstrous wolf or wolves who attacked hundreds of people around the village of Benais in Bourgueil in 1693, if we believe the folk-tale. Google "La Bête de Benais" for many accounts in French and English)
Huet 2018 Vouvray Le Haut Lieu Moelleux 1er Trie
2018 Le Haut-Lieu Moelleux 1er Trie: 12.6% alc; 79 g/l RS; 3.8 g/l total acidity; pH 3.37 The 2018 dessert wines from Huet are superb - this delicious Le Haut Lieu will be a perfect ending to your Thanksgiving....
Huet 2018 Vouvray Le Mont Moelleux 1er Trie
2018 Le Mont Moelleux 1er Trie: 12.5% alc; 95 g/l RS; 3.6 g/l total acidity; pH 3.45
Lambert, Patrick 2018 Chinon L'Ame d'Antan
This beautiful Chinon is from 70 year-old vines in clay soils over limestone in Sonnay, near Cravant. The wine ages for 18 months in old barrels, less than 200 cases are made. 2018 is a great vintage for Ame D'Antan, which shows a deep black/garnet color with elegant aromas of ripe blackberry and strawberry with hints of violet, prune, citrus and crushed stone. The palate is dense but bright, with a silky texture, showing pure blackberry fruit with earth and licorice with firm mineral acidity. Good length with lingering berry and mineral flavors. Delicious now, it will age beautifully, probably best 2025 to 2035+. Highly recommended. DL
Lambert, Patrick 2018 Chinon Vieilles Vignes
The delicious Chinon Vieilles Vignes of Patrick Lambert is from 55 - 60 year-old vines on sandy clay soils over limestone. Hand harvested and fermented with wild yeasts, as are all of Lambert's wines, the Vieilles Vignes gets 12 months of aging in old barrels. The wine shows a deep red/black color and ripe blackberry and strawberry aromas with pepper, earth and citrus. The palate is deep and ripe in 2018, showing earthy blackberry and strawberry compote with prune and bitter chocolate and firm structure. This is a complex, old-fashioned Chinon that will accompany roast chicken and anything off the grill, served a bit cool. Age for five to ten years for a mature experience. David Lillie
Lambert, Patrick 2021 Chinon Les Deuzelles
The wines of Patrick Lambert have been a staple in our shop for some time now. His wines are classic, expressive, and made exclusively from his organically farmed estate. The 'Deuzelles' is selected from his 25-30 year old vines planted on gravel, clay with limestone and silex, and sandy soils. The juice is fermented in concrete vats for 15-18 days, then aged in old barriques for 3 to 6 months. This is one of the best values I can find for excellent Cabernet Franc. This bottling is denser and more concentrated than the 'Gourmandises' but just as pleasurable and easy-drinking. The nose has notes of blackberry and raspberry bramble, freshly turned soil, and savory herbs, and the on the palate the wine is juicy with supple tannins. This was lovely when I tasted it on day one, and even better on day two, so if you have the time, give this some air before you enjoy!
Lambert, Patrick 2021 Chinon Rosé
(Arrives 4/28) This delightful Chinon Rosé comes from Patrick Lambert's 6 hectares of organic vines in Cravant, around the corner from his friend and mentor, Bernard Baudry. Hand harvested from 25-year-old Cabernet Franc vines on gravel and sandy clay soils over limestone. The 2021 shows lovely aromas of berry fruits with citrus and rose; the palate is silky and ripe with raspberry, cherry, citrus and stone flavors with nice density and texture, with juicy acids, berry flavors and saline minerals in the finish. This is drinking beautifully now and will be delicious through the summer and into 2024. This is a fabulous value and highly recommended. David Lillie
Lambert, Patrick 2022 Chinon Gourmandise
"Gourmandise" is a beautiful "drink young" cuvée from Patrick Lambert, made from Cabernet Franc vines grown on sandy gravel soils near the Vienne. The wine shows a bright black/red color with lush high-toned aromas of crushed strawberry and black raspberry, with hints of citrus and pepper. The palate is supple and bright with luscious black raspberry and red currant fruit, quite lush and full-bodied in this superb vintage for the Loire but still with refreshing acidity. Serve this lovely wine quite cool with charcuterie and grilled chicken, pork or burgers, it's a perfect quaffing Cab Franc to drink over the next year or two... David Lillie
Landron, Jo 2017 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Le Fief du Breil
(Arrives 7/13) Jo Landron's Fief du Breil is from a beautiful walled vineyard sloping towards the Sèvre, with clay, sand and quartz stones over a bedrock of orthogneiss. The vines average 40 to 50 years of age, the vineyard is certified organic and biodynamic and gives very low yields. In the dense and well-strctured 2017 vintage the wine was aged 30 months sur-lie. This beautiful Muscadet needs aeration or decanting, then shows aromas of grapefruit skin, pear, lime-flower, candied citrus and almond. The palate is perfectly balanced and intensely mineral - showing ripe white fruits, almond, anise and stone flavors with firm acidity and pronounced flavors of stone and saline mineral. This is a bit more forward than the granite and gabbro-based based wines - really superb as a young wine served with shellfish, grilled fish and white meats. As usual with great Muscadet it will age beautifully and pair with monkfish, lobster and aged goat cheeses. 2017 is a great vintage for this superb Muscadet - don't miss it! David Lillie
Le Monde est Petit 2020 Vin de France Chardonnay
This is a fresh and friendly, direct press of Chardonnay, which is aged for 6 months in fiberglass tanks. I think of it as the perfect salad or grilled cheese wine. It is clean, unoaked, with subtle orchard fruit on the nose, crisp finish, a bit like what you'd expect from a Chardonnay mixed with what you'd expect from a Muscadet. Pleasant, stony and well balanced. -EL
Legrand, Clotilde 2017 Saumur-Champigny Chaintrée
"The “la Chaintrée” bottling from Clotilde Legrand is raised in older barrels for three years prior to bottling The 2017 is the “new release” of this excellent Saumur-Champigny, coming in at fourteen percent octane and delivering a deep and refined aromatic constellation of dark berries, cassis, cigar wrapper, a beautiful base of tuffeau chalky soil tones, juniper berry and upper register smokiness. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, elegant and shows off superb depth in the mid-palate, with fine focus and grip, ripe, buried tannins, seamless balance, great soil signature and a very long, energetic and complex finish. This is truly great Saumur-Champigny! It is certainly approachable at six years of age, but it is still fairly chewy on the backend and its plateau of peak maturity is still several years down the road." We have enjoyed the Legrand Chenins and we can't wait to try this very serious Saumur-Champigny!
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.
Luneau-Papin 2020 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 20 months of aging on the lees. The 2020 shows subtle, complex aromas of citrus, lime-flower, melon, pear, mint, almond and stone. The palate is silky, crystalline and dense, a bit softer than the 2018, with white fruits, almond, smoke and wet stone with excellent length of pear, minerals and firm 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!
Lunotte (Christophe Foucher) 2019 Vin de France Les Rossignoux 3
The 2019 Roussignoux 3 is the third release of Sauvignon Blanc from the 2019 vintage. After aging in barrel for over a year, Christophe moved this wine into fiberglass tank, where it rested for an additional 2 years. Some flor clearly developed at a certain point during the aging, giving the wine a fascinating oxidative profile. This wine is mind-bogglingly bizarre, a trip to drink, and generally very hard to compare to anything else in the wine world. There is a dense mineral core, notes of butterscotch and orchard fruits, herbs, and stones. Totally dry, with plenty of acid to help it wear the 14.5% alc. without any sense of heat or power. We do think it's qualitatively delicious, beguiling, and a wine that keeps bringing us back for another sip.
Lunotte (Christophe Foucher) 2020 Vin de France Les Rossignoux 2
The Rossignoux2 is the second release of Sauvignon Blanc from the 2020 vintage. This one was aged a bit longer than the Roussignoux"1" but is still similarly fresh, with subtle tropical fruit on the nose, and delicate acidity. The extra time on the lees in Christophe's hobbit cave has given more density to the wine, and calmed down the sharp, grassy notes of the Sauvignon Blanc. Instead, there is more of a stone fruit profile and less pronounced citrusy aromatics.
Lunotte 2021 Vin de France Printemps Rosé
Christophe Foucher's La Lunotte 2021 "Printemps" appears to be all his grapes from this tiny harvest vinified together as an orange wine or rosé. The color is orange/pink with inriguing aromas of blood orange, red currant, rose, brown spice, apricot... The palate shows bright acidity with hints of orange zest, wild strawberry, pear and apricot with very firm acidity in the clean mineral finish. 11.5% alcohol, zero SO2. It drinks like a tonic of some sort, at times while sipping this you might forget that you're drinking wine! A unique and delicious natural wine, which of course is what we expect from Christophe Foucher!
Morantin 2019 Vin de France Tango Atlantico (Cab Franc/Cot
The 2019 "Tango Atlantico" is a dense and delicious blend of Cabernet Franc and Cot grown on clay/limestone with flint soils next door to the Clos Roche Blanche, showing the ripeness and depth of this very good vintage for Loire reds. The wine shows ripe blackberry aromas, deep yet fresh with floral and herbal hints, cocoa and spice. The palate is dense with blackberry and black raspberry fruit, with firm acidity, earth and mineral notes in the long finish. Reminiscent of the CRB "Pif," serve a bit cool with grilled meats and full-flavored cheeses, enjoy over the next 3 to 5 years.
Orfeuilles 2019 Vouvray "Les Coudraies"
(Arrives Feb 21) Domaine D'Orfeuilles is known for the high concentration of flint in their clay/limestone soils, which one finds in the parcel of "Les Coudraies." The 2019 is a lovely "sec-tendre" somewhat in the style of the Pinon "Silex" or "Trois Argiles" having a bit of residual sugar to offset the wine's firm acidity. At a very modest 12% abv, the 2019 shows acidity in spades alongside it's hallmark flinty minerality and herbaceous nose rendering the RS as more of a juicy lemonade profile. Absolutely lip smacking and poundable in the best sense: at this price, an excellent party wine! Giselle Hamburg
Orfeuilles 2020 Vouvray "Silex"
(Arrives Feb 21) The 2020 Domaine d'Orfeuilles Vouvray "Silex" was vinified dry, highlighting the intense mineral flavors and chalky texture of Chenin Blanc in clay/limestone soils with a high content of silex. It's a pale straw in the glass with a nose that's delicate at first but hints at some hidden power layered beneath the surface. At 14% abv it's certainly robust and assertive with a sleek minerality coupled with firm acidity that suggests aging potential, while it doesn't feel overly hot. There's balance and texture and it would be great with seafood or lighter chicken dishes and provides phenomenal value at the price point! Jeff DiLorenzo
Pépière 2022 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Briords Vieilles Vignes
100% Melon de Bourgogne. Briords is a 3-hectare lieu-dit in the cru of Château Thébaud. These vines are the estate's oldest plot, planted from massale selection 60-70 years ago. The sandy clay soils are rich in granite de Thébaud, a type differing from granite de Clisson in in its higher feldspar and clay content; it is cooler, holds water well and ripens the fruit more slowly. The farming is certified-biodynamic and the vineyard work including harvest is manual. 2022 was a vintage of heat and sunshine but with frost in the spring that lowered yields. Much needed light rains in August enabled the grapes to ripen properly, and an early harvest brought in perfectly ripe fruit with somewhat lower acidities than usual. The 2022 "Briords" showed beautifully last winter in Angers - wonderfully elegant and round with terrific density and length. - vivid aromas of dried pear, bitter lemon, anise and herbs with surprising hints of exotic fruit backed with earth and mineral notes. The aromatic ripeness is more restrained on the palate which shows beautifully supple and dense pear and ripe apple fruit with adequate acidty, quite round and ripe, and finishing with nice grip and mineral flavors that linger on the palate. This is a beautiful "Briords," reminding me of 2009 - irresistible now and over the next 8 to 10 yeaars, but not for long-term aging. Of course serve with oysters and grilled fish, this full-bodied Briords wil also accompany lobster, scallops, chicken and white meats. Highly recommended! David Lillie
Pépière 2022 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine s Lie La Pépie
100% Melon de Bourgogne. Classic Muscadet on granite. The core of the "La Pépie" Sur Lie bottling is the 10-hectare heart of the Pépière estate, which is part of the Clisson cru in the tiny commune of Pépière near the winery; there is also a significant percentage of their cru Château Thébaud fruit, as well as some purchased fruit from a nearby organic farmer friend in the mix. Farming is certified-organic and the harvest by hand. The 2022 "La Pépie" shows a very pale gold color and ripe floral aromas of dried pear, quince, fines herbes, grapefruit and stone. The palate is round and refreshing, a bit softer than usual, with wet stone, pear, tart citrus, almond and mineral flavors. The finish is long and clean with citrus, a hint of anise and saline minerals. This is a round and refreshing Muscadet, with a bit more weight and density due to the warm, dry conditions in 2022 that will be perfect with oysters, grilled fish, roast chicken, Asian foods and mild goat cheeses. Thanks to Gwénaëlle and Rémi for another delicious "Pépie!"
Pépière 2019 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Gorges Cru Communal
(Last of stock) We're ecstatic to have another vintage of this superb new Muscadet from Pépière. The product of an exchange of juice with Fred Lailler at Domaine Bregeon from a tiny parcel of old vines on Gabbro bedrock with clay rich in quartz. The wine undergoes a slow fermentation and is then aged 36 months on the lees. (Marc Ollivier considers this a favorite of Pepiere's bottlings, along with the Château-Thébaud.) The 2019 Gorges is a complex, dense and beautifully structured wine, with a bit more brightness and acidity than than the superb 2015. The Gabbro terroir brings unique aromas showing almond, smoke and petrol notes in addition to stone, pear, quince and mushroom. The palate is dense and intensely mineral with ripe pear and quince, earth, almond, anise and citrus notes, with stone, lemon peel and white fruits lingering in the very long finish. If drinking young please give the wine a lengthy decant to release the unique character of this wine - best to wait at least 5 - 6 years before opening, then enjoy until 2042 and beyond. David Lillie " The 2019 Gorges from Domaine de la Pépière is simply outstanding, offering up a vibrant and already very expressive bouquet of breadfruit, lemon, sweet leesy tones, briny marine notes, lemongrass and a beautiful base of minerality from the basalt soils of this vineyard. On the palate the wine is zesty, full-bodied and mineral-driven in personality, with an outstanding core of fruit, a fine spine of acidity, excellent focus and balance and a very long, complex and extremely classy finish. This is a great young Muscadet!" VFTC
Pépière 2019 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Cru Château Thébaud
The Château Thébaud comes from old vines in vineyards with great terroir on slopes overlooking the river Maine. The granite here (Granite de Château Thébaud, oddly enough) is fissured and permeable by the vine roots which have access to water during dry spells and absorb micro-nutrients along the way. 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2014 here were among the best of the vintage in Muscadet and the 2019 will stand out as well due to the combination of density and minerality with the firm acidity and great ripeness of this very good vintage year for Muscadet. Our tasting in February revealed a superb Muscadet, not marked by the heat of the vintage, showing crystalline white fruit and stone flavors with firm acidity, fantastic purity, density and length. Of course this will offer briliant drinking as a young wine, but try to put some away for ten years at least. "On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, focused and complex, with marvelous depth at the core, superb soil undertow, zesty acids and a very long, poised and beautifully balanced finish. This is drinking quite nicely today, albeit, with far more complexity to come with extended cellaring. A fine, fine bottle" VFTC
Pépière 2022 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Les Gras Moutons
Muscadet for Thanksgiving? Yes, if it's the beautiful, ripe and perfectly balanced 2022 Gras Moutons! Les Gras Moutons is a great parcel on gneiss, in layers that permit a deep penetration by the vines, with sandy clay and amphibolite stones. The vines are at the top of a hill and on the south facing slope overlooking the Maine. (The name, by the way, does not refer to fat sheep, despite their presence on the label, but rather in local dialect, to the hilltop vineyard site.) This terroir produces lovely, classic Muscadet to drink young or after short-term cellaring of 5 to 10 years. The 2022 shows a bright very pale gold color. The nose is subtle but complex with a lovely melange of peach, pear, melon, lemon verbena, dried herbs and wet stone. Tha palate is marked by a nice bitter minerality underlying white fruits and citrus flavors. The finish is pure, clean and refreshing, perfectly balanced at 12% alcohol. This is a lovely Muscadet to enjoy with shellfish, fish and chips, fish in sauce and white meats over the next 10 years. Try to save a few - we're drinking the last of our 2018s which are fantastic...! David Lillie