Basilio Acodo Tinto
$51.99
Basilio Izquierdo is a prominent figure in the Spanish wine industry, having spent 32 years as the head winemaker at CVNE, a highly respected brand in Rioja. In 2007, he established Bodegas Basilio Izquierdo with a vision to craft wines that reflect a modern interpretation of Rioja. His mission focuses on sourcing grapes from unique vineyards that are over 40 years old, utilizing his four decades of expertise to create exceptional wines. This dedication has led to the creation of the “Basilio inventions” label, featuring small batches of exclusive wines that are seldom found outside of Spain.
In 2016, Basilio was recognized as one of the 50 exceptional winemakers globally, standing out among over 2,500 winemakers.
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.
Paolo Leo Salice Salentino
$25.99
Perhaps one of the most famous appellations and blends coming out of Southern Italy, Salice Salentino is a traditional Puglian wine primarily consisting of Negroamaro and other local black grape varietals. The intense ruby colour is met with lively tannins and a medium body, creating a wine that is rich in dark fruit and spice. This wine perfectly embodies the character of Southern Italy and its people, making it an ideal pairing for many dishes.
Val d'Oca Prosecco Magnum
$65.99
Val d’Oca is one of the oldest, leading producers of Prosecco. Their sparkling wines are made with the Glera grape which is cultivated and vinified in the hills of Valdobbiadene. Here the famous Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG was born, its designation of origin is not only controlled but also guaranteed. Val d’Oca also produces Prosecco DOC coming from lands in the province of Treviso.
Kay Brothers HIllside Shiraz
$59.99
"Dark chocolate, mulberries and savory spice all come together on the nose of the 2015 Hillside Shiraz. It's a dense, concentrated wine, richly structured and tannic but not unapproachable with a rare hunk of beef or lamb. The Kay Brothers wines make no concessions to modernity, sticking to the tried and true methods of crafting traditional, cellar-worthy Shiraz." Wine Advocate
Becker Guillaume Red Wine
$31.99
Guillaume is the French translation of Wilhelm. The name Wilhelm in turn means the conqueror.
With a mouthful of a label name like Familie Friedrich Becker Guillaume Rotwein, you must be wondering: is this wine German or French? This Cuvee takes its queues from both wine-making countries, typically being made with a combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Dornfelder. It also sometimes features Pinot Meunier and Blauer Portugieser (a red grape variety planted mostly in Germany, Austria and also in Portugal, under the name “Português Azul”). The exact recipe for this Cuvee changes from vintage to vintage.
Thanks to the growing region, the grapes are grown on two different soil types. Some vines are planted on deep loam and clay soils while others are rooted in limestone soils. The age of the vines is between 19 and 35 years. The grapes are hand-picked, destemmed and allowed to naturally ferment. After two to three weeks of fermentation in open oak vats and vats, they were gently pressed. Further maturation took place for 25 months in large and small oak barrels. The wine was bottled in December 2022 without filtration or fining.
--
The Becker family owns more than 30 hectares and produces over 12,000 cases annually. Positioned on the very border with France in the town of Schweigen, the Beckers have witnessed that border shifting throughout history. Today, they have vineyards on both the French and German sides, at the edge of the Palatinate (Pfalz) forest—with 50 percent of their land situated on the French side in Alsace.
The soils in the area are composed of deep layers of shell limestone, with various topsoils, which in combination with the region’s mild climate, provide the ideal growing conditions for Spätburgunder. Hence, the logical focus is on the variety. As one of the pioneers, Fritz Becker Sr. was also one of the first winemakers in the region to mature his Spätburgunder in barriques.
Their most prestigious vineyard is Kammerberg, a steep single vineyard on deep marl and limestone near Wissembourg, recovered by Fritz Sr. in 1967. The old vines are mostly German clones and some French and grow on deep marl lime soils that produce powerful but also refined, mineral-driven Pinot Noirs (it is all about the dirt here!); St. Paul cultivated here in the 14th century by the Cistercians of Wissembourg, which had since become overgrown but the Beckers uprooted trees and bushes in early 2000 and planted Spätburgunder; and Sonnenberg, with poor limestone soils ideal for growing Riesling.
From KWM: We sourced these wines a year ago after reading the rave reviews from numerous publications, in Germany and beyond. The Pinot Noirs are prized and will give Burgundy fans a solid alternative.
A. Margaine B de B 2016 Magnum
$364.99
This is a magnum/1.5Litre bottle of the A. Margaine Le Spécial Club Champagne. Regular sized bottles can be found here.
This is the high end of the high end for Champagne A. Margaine: Only produced in special years, this very limited release Blanc de Blancs is built to last.
- Blanc de Blancs - 100% Chardonnay
- Vintage 2016
- 30% Oak Barrels
- No Malolactic Fermentation
- 6 years ageing
- 1er Cru, Villers-Marmery
- 12.5% ABV
Producer Description
"Our Special Club 2016 is a champagne that represents a fresh and elegantly chiseled year. Its fine bubbles and sharp nose will charm you from the first tasting. On the palate, this champagne reveals a long and dynamic profile, with a beautiful lemony acidity in the finish. Perfect for celebrating special moments and accompanying your finest meals."
Lopez Vina Tondonia Reserva Red Magnum
$209.99
Lopez de Heredia is a family-run Spanish producer based in Rioja and regarded as one of the world’s greatest wine estates. It was founded in 1877 by Don Rafael Lopez de Heredia y Landeta. Four generations of the Lopez de Heredia family have devoted themselves to upholding their 140-year tradition of producing exceptional wines.
Tondonia, the winery’s most famous vineyard and product, was established between 1913 and 1914. It extends over 250 acres on the right bank of the River Ebro. In addition to Tondonia, the estate owns three vineyards (Cubillo, Bosconia, and Zaconia) covering a total area of 420 hectares. The soil is alluvial clay with a high proportion of limestone. Lopez de Heredia winery is the oldest in Haro and one of the first three houses in the Rioja region. They use completely natural and traditional methods of winemaking and their grapes are sourced exclusively from their own vineyards. They use typical Rioja varieties to produce the best wines: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo for reds, Viura and Malvasia for whites. The winery’s commitment to tradition is evident in their 131-year history of using American oak. They continue to have their own cooperage, making them the only bodega in Spain to hand-craft all the barrels used to age their wines.
Dumangin Ratafia Single Barrel 16 Year
$173.24
If you have never tried Ratafia, you are in for a treat. Dumangin is one of our Champagne exclusives and one of the last few producers to make this specialty. The base is half brandy (distilled from Champagne grapes) and half unfermented grape juice from the region, aged for 16 years in a combination of old oak and other vessels via the Ratafia method. Ratafia is an ancestral method of preserving fruit juice in the same way that salting was used to preserve meat. It involves four stages: first, in oak casks from Crozes-Hermitage (Alain Graillot). Second, aged Soléra style - an ancestral method of maturing and gradually assembling different vintages, generally used for the great Port wines. Third, the cask is closed tightly and left outside, where it is subject to changes in temperature. Fourth, in stainless steel tanks. The result is a sweet wine in a mouthwatering style similar to Pineau de Charentes that can be cellared for an additional 25 years. The bouquet shows cinnamon and spices with ripe tropical fruits and figs, nuts, baking and brown sugar. The palate reflects the nose and is clean without being cloying. There's a nice amount of fruit with great richness and nutty notes. The finish delivers a baked character of dry biscotti and vanilla. It makes a beautiful aperitif or as the final touch to a great meal.