Marie Courtin Efflorescence Brut 2019
$144.99
A Kensington Wine Market exclusive! The champagnes from Marie-Courtin are truly something special. An ultra-fine, elegant style with amazing freshness. Delicate and racy, yet absolutely unique in style thanks in part to biodynamic viticulture. All her grapes are grown in a single plot of 2.5 hectares, which is also the total size of the domain that Dominique Moreau founded in 2000. Because all her wines come from a single vineyard, she has decided to emphasize the differences in champagnes through vinification. There are wines matured in barrique, amphorae, enamel tanks and one without sulfur. All come from the 2.5 hectares of single vineyard on the Kimmeridge marl soil of the Soden, on the Côte des Bar. Winemaker Dominique Moreau, who named the estate after her grandmother, is a master of purism. Her champagnes are delicate and elegant, yet with underlying power and a high degree of drinking pleasure.
Brut Efflorescence (100% Pinot Noir) is at first rather cool and inward, then explodes on the palate with great intensity. It is a fabulous wine endowed with tons of persistence and sheer energy. The aromas and flavors build towards the rich, generous finish.
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.
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.
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.
Anselmo Mendes Antigos Alvarinho
$32.99
Anselmo Mendes is recognized not only for the excellence of the wines he produces but also for the surprising and consistent way he innovates. Combining the use of age-old techniques, such as fermentation on skins, with bold winemaking methods such as the fermentation of Alvarinho in oak casks, he is established in Portugal and abroad with an original design and his own identity. Anselmo Mendes wines are the result of a long, faithful connection to the land, an experimentalist and studious spirit and a philosophy of respect for the ecosystem that translates into methods of integrated production. He is widely regarded as the best producer of white wines in Portugal.
Terredora Lacryma Christi Rosso
$41.99
This winery begins with a tale of two brothers - Walter and Antonio Mastroberardino -who parted ways, with Antonio acquiring the winery and Walter acquiring the vineyards (renamed as Terradora). The Terredora di Paolo estate is located on the hills of Irpinia surrounding the valleys of the Sabato and Calore rivers. With about 180 hectares of vineyards, they rank among the most prestigious producers in Southern Italy. The South of Italy is one of the most interesting wine areas in the country and Campania, and especially the Irpinia region, produces wines from native grape varieties such as Aglianico, Fiano, Greco, Piedirosso and Falanghina, all of which are brimming with personality. Aglianico has been called the Barolo of the South for its power and its ability to age for many years. We have just received their Irpinia Aglianico, Falanghina, Rosato, and Lacryma Cristi Rosso (made from Piedirosso).
The Lacyrma Christi from Terredora is a red wine made from 100% Piedirosso harvested selected vineyards on the slopes of Vesuvius. An ancient legend suggests that God cried when he found a strip of paradise stolen by Lucifer in the Gulf of Naples and, where his tears fell, the vine grew. Piedirosso, the vine grown on the slopes of the Vesuvius volcano, celebrates life from the ashes and testifies to the ceaseless work of recovery and innovation that Terredora undertakes to promote wine-growing in the region. Essence of fire and sea - the signature of Terredora Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio Rosso.
Anselmo Mendes Pardusco
$26.99
A red Vinho Verde from Anselmo Mendes! This red blend is made using three black grapes native to the region: Alvarelhão, Pedral, and Cainho.
Anselmo Mendes is recognized not only for the excellence of the wines he produces but also for the surprising and consistent way he innovates. Combining the use of age-old techniques, such as fermentation on skins, with bold winemaking methods such as the fermentation of Alvarinho in oak casks, he is established in Portugal and abroad with an original design and his own identity. Anselmo Mendes wines are the result of a long, faithful connection to the land, an experimentalist and studious spirit and a philosophy of respect for the ecosystem that translates into methods of integrated production. He is widely regarded as the best producer of white wines in Portugal.
Moss Wood Cabernet 2022
$127.99
One of our favourite wines and wineries. Moss Wood is an iconic winery that helped put Margaret river on the map. This is their flagship wine and an absolutely stellar Cabernet with layers of complexity and character. This 2022 marks the 50th vintage of Moss Wood's Cabernet is made up of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cab Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. It was matured in 228 litre French oak barrels (16% new).
Producer Description of the 2022 Vintage
"In summary, what do we make of the 2022 Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon, the 50th vintage of this wine? Given the milestone, we’re happy and just a bit relieved we’ve been able to deliver a year with all the classic features of the style. The warm season ensured consistent ripeness, so the wine displays the vineyard’s typically dark fruit aromas and the palate certainly has the expected key feature of concentrated but balanced tannin, all enhanced by the prettier fragrances which we attribute to the cooler final weeks in March. Very few have been better."