Wines
16 Items Found
- Villa Dria Gascogne Blanc Colombard Sauvignon 2011 Product #26047 (In Stock)
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The motto here is “Gascony seen by a feminine point of view.” Other than the fact that the estate is led by women, I’m not sure what that really means, but this is a heck of a delicious white for summer sipping. The blend is 80% Colombard – the main white grape in Gascony – for bright acidity and round texture and 20% Sauvignon Blanc for a big burst of fruit and touch of fresh hay. The fruit flavors coat your palate with ripe green melon, golden apple, and orange/tangerine flavors set off by lemony acids, a dash of minerality, and a whiff of fresh cut grass. A great summer sipper that delivers Sauvignon Blanc-like flavors that have been softened and tamed by the Colombard. Yummy.
- Ch La Chapelle Du Couvent Blaye 2009 Product #26362 (In Stock)
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From the sturdy wood case to the sophisticated label and sophisticated aromas and flavors, this is the kind of young Bordeaux you’d expect to cost $30 or more. Right out of the gate, classic Bordeaux aromas of blackcurrant, black raspberry, cedar and tobacco with just a hint of roasted coffee. Very polished and elegantly textured in the mouth where the blackcurrant fruit shines and accents of more cedar, coffee and bitter chocolate are lifted by sophisticated acidity. On the finish, the blackcurrant, tangy cherry and coffee flavors linger nicely as fine, polished, tannins provide support and a last whiff of uncured tobacco curls around at the end. If you enjoy just drinking fine Bordeaux by itself, this is a beauty – silky, perfumed, and subtle – but it will really shine with beef, lamb, or pork loin as well as earthy mushrooms with thyme.
- Kellerei Kaltern Caldaro Pinot Grigio 2011 Product #25887 (In Stock)
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Easily the best sub-$25 Pinot Grigio we’ve tried in years, this is Pinot Grigio for folks who like flavor with their crisp, refreshing, whites. At once crisp and rich and bursting with bright green pear, apple, peach and citrus and a long, mouthwatering, saline-inflected finish. Not surprising that Wine Enthusiast named this #39 on their Top 100 Wine Values of 2012!
"This gorgeous Pinot Grigio displays the fresh aromatic fragrances associated with cool-climate, mountain winemaking. Layers of jasmine, tangerine, cut grass and white almond appear on the bouquet, giving this wine a delicate and feminine personality. A spicy touch of acidity drives the clean, bright finish."Wine Enthusiast 90 points
- Dom Pascal Berthier Saint Amour Vv 2010 Product #25820 (In Stock)
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Local lore suggest that this rarely seen Cru was named after a Roman soldier (St. Amateur) who converted to Christianity after escaping death and established a mission near the area. Often more elegant and spicy than Morgon or Moulin-à-Vent, they just as successful in cellar. Pascal Bertier’s Saint-Amour vines average 45 years age and sit on a gentle south/southwestern slope at about 230 meters. His 2009 was a tad closed when it arrived last April but was a sensation when we offered it around Thanksgiving.
The 2010 is built to follow the same path. Give it a short decant (30 minutes is plenty) now and it’s racy, juicy, stony fun with pure tart cherry fruit and red raspberry juice spiced with notes of wet stones and violets. The aromas get stronger and more complex the longer it’s open, and this will be fun to drink now with something like fruited chicken salad or couscous. And, just like last year, by Fall additional layers of fruit and complexity will emerge just in time for Thanksgiving! - Biggio Hamina Pinot Noir Zenith Vyd 2009 Product #26310 (In Stock)
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Todd Hamina’s Zenith Vineyard Pinot takes the basic structure of his Willamette Valley 2009 and adds more concentrated fruit, complexity, and polish. The excitement here is the contrast of the powerful structure and the ethereal weight and flavors. As IWC says, “power and vivacity.” This will be outstanding with duck or salmon right now and get earthier and richer in the cellar.
"All Dijon clone 777; 45% whole clusters and 20% new oak. Bright red. Intense, spice-accented aromas of strawberry, raspberry and rhubarb, with a floral overtone. Juicy and precise, offering vibrant red fruit flavors that pick up smokiness and depth with air. Closes on a bitter cherry note, with impressive cut and lingering floral character. I really like this wine's precision and its blend of power and vivacity."International Wine Cellar 92 points
- Maillard Chorey les Beaune Rouge 2009 Product #25962 (In Stock)
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Even more than in the past, this is as fine a bottle of Pinot Noir as we sell for $30 or less. Pascal farms five different parcels in Chorey-les-Beaune and vinifies each on its own. Every winter, importer Olivier Daubresse works with Pascal to create a selection from the five tanks that demonstrates the best balance of forward fruit, earth, and ripe tannins. The 2009 vintage is, quite simply, the best Chorey Rouge Pascal has ever made.
Give it a swirl and you’ll find big, luscious, aromas of black and Bing cherry, red currant, Asian 5 spice, dark coffee and smoke. In the mouth it’s rich and powerful for a village wine with velvety spiced raspberry and cherry fruit, spice cake, roasted coffee and grilled mushroom flavors. Ripe and round in the middle, the wine snaps into precise, minerally, focus on the back palate and finish as notes of smokey mineral, crisp raspberry, and cocoa powder linger over fine-grained tannins. My note from January 2012 reads “That’s a winner. Buy lots.” Best advice I can give you. - Billo Desnivell Priorat Negre 2009 Product #25821 (In Stock)
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Young Blai Ferré i Just - winemaker at Priorat’s Celler Cecillio - made just 100 cases of this first release of Billo Desnivell Priorat Negre, so we were delighted when importer Jonas Gustafsson gave us a crack at some. When he was just 22 years old and fresh out of winemaking school, Blai purchased a 2.3ha vineyard partially planted to Carinyena and what is now 80 year old Garnacha Peluda – “hairy Grenache”. The local term “Desnivell” – or big differences in height – certainly applies to this rocky site that slopes down to 350 meters elevation at a 35 degree angle!
From his purchase of the land in 1998 through 2008, Blai sold the fruit from this magnificent site to a who’s-who of Priorat, including Mas Martinet, Álvaro Palacios, and his “regular” employer, Celler Cecillio. In the very fine 2009 vintage, though, Blai was ready to make his first wine from these steep slopes under his own, Billo, label.
The result is one of the most exciting young Priorat reds I’ve ever seen. Even this young, the aromas and flavors are already generous and complex with red and black fruits – cherries, berries and plums – supported by notes of granite and slate. It’s powerful, mouthfilling and deeply flavored, but also remarkably silky and elegant. “Finesse” isn’t a word often used for Priorat, but that’s what you’ll find here, especially on the long, juicy, finish where the black fruit, granite, and hints of violets linger on and on . Hard to resist right now but with 10+ years of improvement in front of it. - Carpineta Fontalpino Chianti Classico 2009 Product #25787 (In Stock)
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Just a terrific bottle of Chianti that’s ready to enjoy now with rich foods – think Tuscan steak! – or to improve for 8+ years in the cellar. A dark fruited, rich, wine with loads of ripe, sweet, fruit on the long finish. A gem.
“Wonderful aromas of blueberries and dark chocolate follow through to a full body, with velvety tannins and a fruity finish. Solid and structured Chianti Classico. One of my favorite producers in the area. Better in 2012.” James Suckling 91 points
“An expression of darker fruit, this red remains fresh and defined by violet, black cherry and spice notes. Polished, but still marked by dense, edgy tannins, matched by sweet fruit on the finish. Best from 2013 through 2020. 600 cases imported.”Wine Spectator 92 points
- Bodegas Laukote Rioja Vendimia Seleccionada 2009 Product #26360 (In Stock)
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From 80+ year-old Tempranillo vines, hand-harvested, and crushed by foot to extract plenty of color and flavor without getting harsh tannins from the stems or seeds. After vinification the wines go into American and French oak barrels – in 2009, 4 new and 12 old (7 years). The result is just about the perfect marriage between Rioja tradition and modern winemaking sensibility. In 2009 – the best vintage in Rioja since the great 2005 – this shows all of the power and depth of the past few releases but with a smidge more elegance and purity. It’s already generous aromatically, with powerful scents of black raspberry and plum fruit accented by notes of sweet spice, tobacco, violets and a touch of iron. The flavors are rich and almost lush with loads of ripe, dark, fruit lifted up by a note of blood orange acidity and supported by masses of fine, velvety, tannins. Drink now with rich or smoky foods or let it get even more elegant and complex over the next 8-15 years.
- Dom Larue Saint-Aubin 1er Cru En Remilly 2010 Product #26024 (In Stock)
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Standing at the foot of Le Montrachet, you can just see the St. Aubin 1er Cru vineyard En Remilly peaking up over the hill. The Larue’s planted their one acre plot at 300 meters elevation in 1989, and these 21 year-old, tightly packed, vines always give fruit of fine concentration. As always, the 2010 was vinified in small French oak barrels (20% new) and allowed to rest on the fine lees for 10 months.
Always one of my favorite wines here, the 2010 En Remilly opens with lovely aromas of crisp apple, butter, chalk, caramelized pineapple, fresh rainwater and a dash of lime zest. On the palate, it’s bright and juicy with lovely creamy apple, lemon curd, star fruit, fresh chervil, almond and cultured butter flavors. There’s fine purity, transparency, and length here and the complex finish of wet stones, chalk, lime zest, and fresh mint lingers on and on. Delicious now and sure to improve for 5-8 years, this is the kind of white Burgundy that will appeal to everyone from California Chardonnay fans to lovers of classic Chablis. - Dom Larue Saint-Aubin 1er Murgers Des Dents De Chien 2010 Product #26025 (In Stock)
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The “teeth of the dog” vineyard lies in the southern part of St. Aubin, on the border with Puligny-Montrachet and not far from Montrachet. The five separate vineyard parcels (about 4 acres total) were planted at different times, with the oldest vines dating from 1947 and 1964. Vinified in oak (20% new) with 10 months on the lees.
Definitely more Puligny in style than En Remilly and wanting a year or two of cellaring to open up. The 2010 is like a slightly riper, more generous, version of the 2008. Focused and chalky – and with even more minerality sure to emerge – this is still generous with its bright apple, lime, and peach skin fruit accented by fresh butter and toasted nuts. Vigorous and refreshing, there’s fine length here and a long finish where notes of parsley and thyme emerge. Terrific value. - Baer Ursa Columbia Valley Red 2009 Product #25937 (In Stock)
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We never got to taste the 95 point, WS Top 100 #6, 2008 Ursa but it’s hard to believe it was much better than the 2009! Where the 2008 was mainly Merlot, in 2009 Cabernet Franc excelled in Baer’s Stillwater Creek Vineyard plots, so winemaker Erica Orr went with that as the wine’s core. About a third of the wine is Merlot with 10% each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec for spine and depth.
The result is a wine that evokes warm-vintage Pomerol in terms of concentration and elegance but with a big burst of Washington fruit. The aromas show cherry and plum fruit accented by fresh herbs – thyme and marjoram – black olive, and toast notes. The texture is plush and silky with fine density of black cherry, blackberry and plum and dashes of black licorice and bitter cocoa. The tannins are dense but ripe, meaning you can enjoy this now with food and a decant or let it grow in cellar for 5-8 years. A “wow wine” in the best way."(44% cabernet franc, 38% merlot and 9% each cabernet sauvignon and malbec): Good deep, bright ruby-red. Explosive aromas of black raspberry, mocha, smoke and tobacco. Sweet, seamless and shapely, with thoroughly ripe, complex flavors of plum, currant, leather and mocha. In a powerful style but not overly sweet. Finishes with lively blueberry and boysenberry fruit and building tannins. This lovely blend avoids the liqueur-like quality shown by many 2009 reds."International Wine Cellar 93 points
"Firm in texture, this elegant wine has a lithe core of black cherry, raspberry and floral flavors that extend into the long and inviting finish. Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2014 through 2019. 981 cases made."Wine Spectator 92 points
- Pierre Paillard Champagne Blanc De Noirs "Act I" 2007 Product #26005 (In Stock)
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The Blanc de Noirs "Les Maillerettes" bottling is the more dark and brooding than the Blanc de Blancs, with just-ripe blackberry, mushroom, and forest floor aromas dominating the nose. On the palate it's as crisp and refreshing, but with a bit more body and depth than the Blanc de Blancs. It opens with bright citrus flavors, but quickly transitions into strawberry and blackberry fruit, and a savory, mushroomy quality.
The lieu-dit gets its name because it’s the “mother plot,” the vineyard from which Paillard selects cuttings to propagate the rest of its Pinot Noir vineyards and maintain the genetic identity of its holdings. In a village dominated by Pinot Noir, it’s especially important that their Pinot clones be not only excellent, but also unique to them.
While this would be fantastic as an aperitif or on its own like any good Champagne, the Blanc de Noirs will really shine with serious food - think duck, salmon, mushroom risotto - anything with earthy flavors and an unctuous texture to play against the crisp acidity and bracing effervescence.
- Pierre Paillard Champagne Blanc De Blancs "Act I" 2007 Product #26006 (In Stock)
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Pierre Paillard's Blanc de Blanc "Act 1" 2007, so named to stay within a legal loophole in France's vintage designation system, opens with a sophisticated whiff of white flowers and fresh almonds. Aromas of fresh pear, golden apple, and brioche come in as well. On the palate it's lemony and zippy, with a beautiful minerality and yeastiness on the finish.
Bouzy is a Grand Cru village that grows mostly Pinot Noir, and the Act 1 Blanc de Blancs is one of only two all-Chardonnay Champagnes made in Bouzy. This is a single-vineyard to boot, from the "Les Mottelettes" lieu-dit vineyard. Blanc de Blancs is always thought to be at the top of the prestige Champagne hierarchy. It’s a little lighter in body, more luxurious, and often a bit more expensive than bottlings blended with the red grapes Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.
This is a Blanc de Blancs that delivers all of that class and sophistication at far less than what you would normally pay for a single-vintage, 100% Chardonnay Champagne from all Grand Cru fruit. There is a bit more power and concentation here than in the Brut NV, but it retains all of the signature Paillard sparkle and fun. Potato chips and popcorn are always great matches with Champagne, but anything crispy and golden would be especially wonderful with this beautiful Blanc de Blancs.
"Disgorged January 25, 2012. Pale yellow-gold. Orchard and pit fruits on the toasty, gently spicy nose and in the mouth. Musky pear and peach pit flavors show a refreshingly bitter quality and pick up a buttery nuance with air. Finishes chewy and long, with lingering toastiness and a hint of anise. This Champagne has the heft to handle full-flavored food like strong cheeses or a buttery poultry dish."International Wine Cellar 90 points
- Relic Kashaya Pinot Noir 2010 Product #26076 (In Stock)
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This was the first wine sold out in our June offering, so I was especially pleased when Mike and Schatzi told me another few cases were available. If my notes are correct, this is just the second vintage for Relic working with fruit from this small vineyard about 30 miles west of Healdsberg and 3 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. As you’d expect, the site stays cool all year long from the steady Ocean breezes, but it sits well above the fog line for copious daily sunshine.
In 2010, Mike destemmed the fruit completely and aged the wine in a mixture of new and used wood. It’s a biggish Sonoma Coast Pinot with loads of dark cherry and black raspberry fruit and accents of cassis, vanilla, and earthy brush. Starts bright before exploding to coat your entire palate and then coming into clear focus with crisp acids and tannins on the earthy, dark-fruited, finish. The longer you spend with the wine, the more you appreciate the acidity and the earthy undertones that linger after each sip and keep you coming back for more. Just 250 cases made and we’ve got 3. - Sandrone Barolo Le Vigne 2008 Product #26382 (In Stock)
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Pre-Arrival; Wine Arrives Late October 2012
"Sandrone’s 2008 Barolo Le Vigne is a wine of breathtaking textural finesse and elegance. Nothing really stands out, so phenomenal is the wine’s balance and sense of harmony. This is the kind of wine that is easy to overlook because it doesn’t ask for attention and isn’t showy. Instead, everything is simply in the right place. The finest, most silky of tannins support a core of sweet red berries, flowers, mint and spices, all of which are woven together with total refinement. The eternal, nuanced finish bodes very well for the future. This is a dazzling effort from Luciano and Luca Sandrone."Wine Advocate 97 points
