Dominio de Tares Cepas Viejas
$39.99
This is a beautiful Mencía that comes from 70 to 90-year-old vines from the villages of Cacabelos, Vilafranca del Bierzo and Toral de los Vados, all in the Bierrzo region of Spain. The wine is fermented using ambient yeast fermentation then left to age for nine months in French and American oak barrels. It's then aged another 6 months in barrel before it is finally released. Mencia is grape that was overlooked outside of Spain but it's gaining a loyal following for its calling card of flowery aromas complimented by flavours that include strawberry, raspberry, black licorice, pomegranate and cherry. It can produce light, almost Pinot Noir of Gamay-like wines but this one is considerably more substantial, ideal with grilled meats.
Kay Brothers Cuthbert Cabernet
$62.99
This McLaren Vale Cabernet combines rich, vibrant fruit with great structure and integrity and we feel is truly a wine worthy of honouring the legacy of Cuthbert 'Cud' Kay. Rich and concentrated dark flavours of mulberry and dark currants. Supported by fine-textured chalky tannins and supple minerality that linger on the finish. A beautifully composed and varietal expression of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Founded in 1890, Kay Brothers is the oldest winery in McLaren Vale and is still in the founding family's hands. Focusing on traditional red wines, Kay Brothers are world renowned for their exceptional selection. Since Kay Brothers first planted grapes in the fertile soil of their Amery Vineyard back in 1892, Cabernet Sauvignon has never been far from their thoughts. Along with Shiraz, and Grenache, Cabernet was to make up a large portion of Kay Brothers vintage for the next century. Though often blended with Shiraz to produce full-bodied Australian Claret for many years, Cabernet has long held its position as a wine of strength, power and balance.
Being born at Amery, and apart from service in the army during World War Two, Cuthbert Thornborough Kay - 'Cud' - devoted his life to producing rich, full-bodied red wines, the style he always enjoyed.
Quintarelli Alzero Magnum 2014
$1,549.99
A legendary wine from a legendary producer! "The late, great Maestro del Veneto, Giuseppe Quintarelli, succeeded in establishing his mythical and legendary estate during an amazing sixty-year career. All of the tradition, love, heart, and soul of crafting one of the world’s finest wines continue at the Quintarelli home and winery in the hills north of Verona," according to Kermit Lynch. Alzero is made by letting Cabernet Franc grapes air-dry before pressing. One of the last wines to be made by Quintarelli, who died in 2012. Serious collectors of top Italian wine will not want to miss out on this rich, intense beauty.
Carchelo Jumilla Monastrell
$26.99
Bodegas Carchelo is a family-run producer in Jumilla, one of a handful of wineries that has raised the bar for the region's wines. Located in the eastern part of the Baetic mountain range, 80 km from the Mediterranean Sea and at an altitude of 600 m above sea level, Jumilla has a continental Mediterranean climate with a semi-arid nature. It is also a dry region located on a mineral and calcareous soil structure mixed with rich clay soils. This one is made entirely from Monastrell (a.k.a. Mourvedre) and is aged in steel tanks without any oak influence. The result is a wine with great purity and freshness, offering up notes of black plums, spice, and a subtle balsamic note.
Carchelo Altico Syrah
$35.99
Bodegas Carchelo is a family-run producer in Jumilla, one of a handful of wineries that has raised the bar for the region's wines. Located in the eastern part of the Baetic mountain range, 80 km from the Mediterranean Sea and at an altitude of 600 m above sea level, Jumilla has a continental Mediterranean climate with a semi-arid nature. It is also a dry region located on a mineral and calcareous soil structure mixed with rich clay soils.
Protos Reserva
$59.99
Things start to get serious in this range. It's produced from south facing vineyards in the Burgos Province from 50-year-old vines and aged in French and American barrels for 18 months. It spends two years in bottle prior to release. There's some grip to this wine along with dark red fruits, spice and minerality, and ideal companion to roasted meats and game. Decanting is recommended.
Lapalus Macon Pierre Clos Gamay
$28.99
"Fourth generation independent winemaker in southern Burgundy, 15 km from Macon, expressing all the authenticity of the terroir. Working in a spirit of quality and respect for the environment while combining tradition and new methods of vineyard management. Maurice Lapalus is joined by his son Christophe in overseeing 17 hectares of vines." (Crush imports) Most Gamy is synonymous with Beaujolais but the Macon has a small share as well. This is lovely Gamay with a decidedly Burgundian flare, chock-a-block with red fruits and spice.
Jacques Lassaigne Clos Sainte Sophie
$234.99
This wine is made from a unique plot in the middle of their vineyards with 40+ year old vines. "This wine is opulence personified. Intense laser-beams of acidity balance out the caramel notes here and the finish goes on and on for millennia. This wine pairs well with long-lived wedding anniversaries and doctoral dissertation completions, or it will make whatever random moment you decide to open one as special as either of those rare events. Extremely limited and unicorn-like."
"Jacques Lassaigne is a 4.7-hectare family vineyard located in Montgueux. The vineyards boast prime southeastern exposure and consist entirely of Chardonnay. The Montgueux vineyard sites were originally held for the Montrachet of Champagne and are located near the gates of Troyes—the former capital of Champagne. This area is technically part of the Aube department, but is much further north than what people typically think of as the Aube, in the Cote des bars which features wines often primarily made from Pinot Meunier. The terroir in Montgueux is nearly identical to the growing sites found further north in le Mesnil, as they share the same limestone vein —this is exceptional terroir for making great champagne. An intense backbone of acidity is often present in these wines, but since it is located further south than the storied Cotes des blancs, ripening is not as much of an issue. The non-vintage Blanc de Blancs is a blend of nine different vineyard sites & two successive vintages."
Jacques Lassaigne Le Cotet
$124.99
This cuvée issues from grapes of a single vineyard – “Le Cotet”. Here, the 50+ year-old vines have deeply-rooted in the chalky hillside, furthest to the east in the Montgueux vineyards. Mineral notes, very crisp, with a lemony finish. A wonderful companion to oysters, seafood and other shellfish.
"Musky apple and pear skin aromas are deepened by notes of chamomile and smoky lees. Tightly wound citrus zest and orchard fruit flavors expand with aeration, giving way to deeper nectarine, melon and marzipan. Toasted nut and lemon pith distinguish the impressively long, focused finish. This Champagne's blend of power and finesse is impressive." Vinous