A. Margaine Extra Brut Champagne
$106.99
The Champagnes from father-daughter duo Arnaud & Mathilde Margaine are a KWM exclusive, and they are exceptional. With vineyards based in Montagne de Reims, they specialize in Chardonnay (90%) although they also have a small plot of Pinot Noir. This small estate (7 hectares) was started by Arnaud's father (Bernard) in the 1950s and is organically farmed. The vines average 35 years of age and the Chardonnay is produced from a clone unique to the area.
Samsara Priorat
$47.99
"Samsara, a new project from Priorat produced by the team of enologists Eva Escudé, Coca i Fitó and Trossos del Priorat in Gratallops. Samsara is an approachable, modern wine that brings Priorat to the palates of the world. Samsara is made from Garnacha (50%) and Cariñena (35%), with small amounts of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, all of them from the Gratallops and Vilella Alta areas. The vines are 15 to 70 years old! The nose offers aromas of ripe red fruit, tangerine, light balsamic, and delicate spice. The palate is fresh and nervy with ripe supple tannins."
Hansel South Slope Pinot Noir
$68.99
The South and North Slope vineyards of Hansel lie in the Russian River Valley. The two vineyards face each other, side by side, but show very different characteristics despite their proximity. Here is what Stephen Hansel has to say about the South Slope and the French Clone 777 Pinot Noir planted there: "The South Slope begins at the highest elevation and the furthest South of all of our Vineyards blocks. It slopes from South to North about 45 feet and it's soils are predominantly sandy loam. The berry size is medium with a high berry count giving cluster weight that has yields approaching 2 1/4 tons/acre (our highest yields). It is 100% French clone 777, and tends to show it's earthy side far more then our other clones. Although this wine definitely has a French origin, each year it becomes more and more new world."
Hansel Cuvee Alyce Pinot Noir
$69.99
From The Winemaker
Alyce was my Mom and she was the life of the party.
There is a section of vineyard right in the middle of the North slope where the soils are very heavy adobe clay resulting in the vines struggling to produce a crop more than 1 ton to the acre. It is a field blend of clone 777 and 115. This minimal crop yield tends to produce wines that are big, rich, "over the top" flavors; perfect for "Alyce". The South Slope begins at the highest elevation and the furthest South of all of the vineyards blocks. Soils are predominantly sandy loam and the vines are all from Burgundy clone 777. Dark cherry, tobacco, cedar, dried autumn leaves and iron lend this wine tons of character and depth.
Carlone Davide Boca Piemonte
$73.99
Boca is both a small D.O.C. zone and a rare red wine made from the Nebbiolo grape (locally named Spanna, 70-90%) along with Vespolina and Uva Rara (Bonarda Novarese), vinified either together or separately. Despite its modest size, its roots can be traced back to Roman times.
The wine is grown in the north of Piedmont, along the Sesia River, on the wooded hills of the Novarra province around the towns of Boca, Maggiora, Cavallirio, Prato Sesia and Grignasco. It delivers notes of wild berries, cherry, and forest floor. Fine but grippy tannins make it a natural fit with beef and lamb.
Hansel Cuvee Alyce Chardonnay
$56.99
Stephen Hansel (Walter Hansel's son) on the Cuvee Alyce Chardonnay
"Produced from the highest elevation and is a product of 3 clones; the Hyde/wente; the Hudson/wente and French Dijon clone 95. These clusters are extremely small and the berries are the size of BB's; offering rich and flavorful wines. My mom, Alyce, was an exciting Lady with over-the-top energy and appeal. This wine takes after her."
The 2020 was whole- cluster pressed and then aged in one-year old French oak for 12 months. The fruit is sourced from the highest elevation of their vineyard sites which helps preserve acidity and freshness. The oak is present but nicely integrated while the palate offers baked apples and spice with just the right amount of acidity to balance things out. Only 708 cases were produced.
A. Margaine Rose Champagne
$96.99
The Champagnes from father-daughter duo Arnaud & Mathilde Margaine are a KWM exclusive, and they are exceptional. With vineyards based in Montagne de Reims, they specialize in Chardonnay (90%) although they also have a small plot of Pinot Noir. This small estate (7 hectares) was started by Arnaud's father (Bernard) in the 1950s and is organically farmed. The vines average 35 years of age, and the Chardonnay is produced from a clone unique to the area.
Trossos Llum D`Alba Blanco
$42.99
The arid vineyards of Priorat, about a 90-minute drive from Barcelona, produce some of the most sought-after Spanish red wines. White wines, on the other hand, are a scarcity here but taste this and you'll wonder why. It's a blend of Viognier, Grenache Blanc and Macabeau. Expect notes of passion fruit, ripe pineapple, white peach, citrus, thyme and tart grapefruit. A medium-bodied wine with some beautiful acidity and structure. Perfect with roast chicken.
Hansel North Slope Pinot Noir
$68.99
The North and South Slope vineyards of Hansel face each other, side by side, but show very different characteristics despite their proximity. The North Slope's Pinot Noir plantings are from clone 115. Stephen Hansel states "...115 exhibits the most fruit-driven flavors and appears more "New World" then French." This is might be the most expressive of the Pinot range, a lush, plush wine with notes of cherry, cranberry, spice and forest floor. It's a great example of Burgundy meets California, in other words the best of both worlds. The vibrant acidity will allow it to age gracefully for another decade but it's hard to resist right now.