Usseglio Les Claux Blanc
$36.99
This white blend from Rhone is composed of 60% Grenache and 20% of both Clairette and Roussane. It comes from vineyards owned by Domain Ussegglio that are both certified organic and biodynamic.
The Usseglio family initially emigrated to Châteauneuf de Pape from Italy. Brothers Pierre and Raymond began the dynasty that we know today as one of the most revered producers in the region. Stéphane, Raymond’s son, has now taken over the Domaine and is pushing hard to reach the potential of the family’s holdings, some of the best of Châteauneuf.
Durigutti Compuertas Cordisco
$31.99
It all began in 2007 with the first five hectares of an old Malbec vineyard that the brothers acquired a few steps from the winery, on Callejón de la Reta. Since then, a path of recovery and revaluation of the history and traditions of an emblematic wine region of Lujan de Cuyo begins: Las Compuertas. Over the years, more hectares were added to the project, today 31, and they baptized this place with the name of their mother, as Finca Victoria. This work seeks to accompany the development of producers in the area who maintain their vineyards with pride in the face of the unstoppable advance of urbanization.
Mayu Pinot Noir Gran Reserva
$27.99
400 kilometres north of Santiago, Chile, sits the Elqui Valley, effectively a high-altitude desert (the Atacama Desert) in the Coquimbo Region. The vineyards extend from the Pacific Ocean to the Andes, and the arid region relies on the Elqui River for irrigation, which is essential if grapes are to flourish here. At 2000 metres above sea level, it draws a parallel to the vineyards of Mendoza, Argentina, on the other side of the Andes.
The soils are composed mainly of clay, silt and chalk, and the hot, clear days and cool nights offer near-perfect growing conditions. It's also one of the darkest places on earth to stargaze, and as such, it's a World UNESCO Heritage Site, drawing both wine lovers and stargazers alike. Viña Mayu was established in 2005 as a separate winery from the Elqui Valley’s first fine wine producer, which was founded in 1998.
Mauro Olivier was one of the pioneers planting vines for fine wine production, sourcing the grapes from the different parts of the valley. He started working on his family vineyards for table grape production at a young age, and years later, he began working in Pisco production (the national Chilean spirit, made from white wine). In 2000, he planted the first Carménère and Syrah vines in the valley. Five years later, he decided it was time to embark on his own wine project, under the Mayu label. Mayu is an ancient INCA name for the Milky Way, meaning "creek of stars."
Paolo Leo Negroamaro
$23.99
Negroamaro is a native variety of Salento. The grape gets its name from the Latin word for black due to its rich ruby colour. Despite its high concentration of tannins and full body, this wine is elegant and well-balanced. Notes of fruit and spice on the finish make this IGP wine great for roasts, cured meats, medium-aged cheese, pizza, and second (or secondi) pasta dishes.
Marie Courtin Efflorescence Brut
$132.99
A Kensington Wine Market exclusive! Dominique Moreau took over a small vineyard of mostly 40 to 50 year old Pinot Noir with a vision of creating single-vineyard, single varietal, single vintage Champagnes from biodynamically grown grapes- farmed with meticulous care, and vinified au naturel. 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. The winery is named after Moreau's grandmother Marie Courtin.
Lapierre Morgon Raisins Gaulois
$39.99
A fun, fresh, well-priced red wine made from Gamay grapes by one of the top organic producers in Beaujolais. This pretty red is simple and straightforward and delicious. A wine of thirst par excellence! Marcel Lapierre, who died in 2010, was a major force behind the natural wine movement that has been sweeping the globe. His son and daughter, Mathieu and Camille, now heads up the winery, making fruit-forward wines with minimal intervention.
Lopez de Heredia Vina Bosconia
$72.99
The Bosconia vineyard, which has always been vinified separately at the winery, has more clay in the soil and tends to produce richer, plumper wines that are priced below Tondonia. This cuvée of Tempranillo with 10% Garnacha and 5% each of Graciano and Mazuelo boasts sweet fruit, dark plum, savoury herbs, black cherry, and silky tannins, almost Burgundian in style.
The 2013 Viña Bosconia Reserva, even in a cooler year, like 2013, has a rounder body and still 13.5% alcohol. They also insisted that "remember that we can use 15% of wine from another vintage, and perhaps we topped this one up with wine from 2015. We want consistency year after year." This matured in barrels for five years and was bottled unfiltered but fined with egg whites. It's expressive, elegant and subtle, clean and complex, with polished tannins and very good acidity (pH 3.3 and 6.7 grams of tartaric acid per litre of wine).
Durigutti Compuertas Victoria
$79.99
Hector and Pablo Durigutti were born in Mendoza, the cradle of Argentinian wine and were raised together. Their childhood and their home were always connected to a sensorial world, with aromas, ingredients and flavours that, over time, motivated them to choose the path to become enologists. As adults, they would find these familiar memories and similar passions. In 2002 they dedicated their efforts to the creation of a small family winey. Today the brothers have evolved to form a new generation of winemakers, leading an evolutionary change in Argentina’s viticulture. Their range includes the value-driven Abeja wines and the upper-tier Las Compuertas offerings produced from the oldest vineyard sites.
This blend is created from the best varieties of the old vineyards at Finca Victoria. The result is the purest expression of the Las Compuertas terroir. It is a celebration of life, paying homage to Héctor and Pablo Durigutti’s mother, Victoria. A delicious blend of 40% Malbec, 30% Cabernet Franc, 27% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cordisco. The vines date from 1914 and after a double grape selection, they are fermented and aged in second use 600 Litre French Oak Barrels for 12 months and then cement eggs for another 26 months.
Aubuisieres Cuvee Armelle
$29.74
Formerly known as Domaine Bernard Fouquet, until Bernard retired in 2021, handing the reins to Charles Lesaffre. Charles is the grandson of Gérald Bruley des Varannes, the man from whom Bernard's father André acquired his first vineyards, thereby bringing the story of the Domaine full circle. An avid practitioner of viticulture and oenology, Charles joined Bernard as an associate in 2019. Two years into his tenure, Charles has emphasized organic and biodynamic practices. Charles has continued, as Bernard before him, to capture the unique Vouvray mineral tones, along with the wonderfully balanced expression of fruit of the Chenin Blanc grape, in his wines.
A fantastic moelleux (the term for sweet chenin blanc from the Loire Valley), this dessert wine is vibrant, with notes of baked apple, honey and a touch of almond. Perfect to pair with pate, foie gras, cheese or fruit pies. It's sweet but far from cloying, and organic.