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
Piron Beaujolais Blanc
$31.99
Dominique Piron’s family has been growing grapes here since the 16th century, and Dominique took over the estate in 1971. Piron farms 45 hectares of vineyards scattered among several different crus in Beaujolais, namely Morgon, Chénas, Brouilly, Régnié and Moulin-à-Vent. He owns some parcels, rents others, and also buys 20 hectares worth of carefully selected grapes from their neighbours. Regardless of where the grapes are sourced, Piron is responsible for every aspect of quality control from the vineyard management to the marketing of the finished wine. They take such great care of each of their crus that even the simple Beaujolais and Beaujolais-Villages wines are carefully selected from single-vineyard parcels. Each of their terroirs is unique, yet they are all granite-based soils—the ideal grounding for the Gamay grape. Piron farms sustainably, although he has also been experimenting with organic methods to achieve a rich biodiversity in the vineyards.
DuMol Meteor Cabernet
$189.99
An exciting small bottling from one of the finest vineyards in the Coombsville district whose burgeoning reputation for style and profound quality gain traction with every vintage. Local winemakers have long appreciated this cool district in southeastern Napa close to the bay, known for its porous volcanic soils and dark succulent, aromatic wines of noteworthy intensity. Meteor Vineyard sits on rocky volcanic ash on a prominent knoll top in the center of the appellation in the shadow of the ancient volcano’s caldera.
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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.
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).
La Gerla Brunello Angeli Riserva
$194.99
This Brunello gli Angeli (Riserva) is made in select years, this comes entirely from a one hectare parcel of old vines from the original Biondi-Santi site, located between 270 and 320 meters above sea level. This hillside vineyard occupies a privileged position at the estate and consistently offers beautiful and healthy fruit. The wine is kept for 4 years in 50 hectoliter Slavonian oak casks and kept for an additional year in bottle before being released.
Fattoria La Gerla, named for the large, old-fashioned, conical baskets that grape-harvesters used to carry on their backs, was founded in 1976 by the late Sergio Rossi. Originally from Milan, Mr. Rossi purchased the property in 1975 from Tedina Biondi-Santi, the daughter of Tancredi Biondi-Santi, who had inherited the property after her father’s passing. The purchase of what was then called the Podere Colombaio Santi included an ancient farmhouse and 6.5 hectare of vineyards. Mr. Rossi, who by then had been managing the Altesino-Caparzo estate for several years, renamed the property La Gerla and set about restoring the estate and replanting the vines using selection massale. His first vintage was 1976, making La Gerla one of the first 35 bottlers of Brunello di Montalcino; these days, there are 280.
Today, La Gerla consists of 11.5 hectares, divided between the original 6.5 hectare vineyard in Canalicchio (Montalcino) and an additional 5 hectares in Castelnuovo dell’Abate, where Mr. Rossi was presciently the first to plant vines in earnest. The estate, now run by vineyard manager/director Alberto Passeri and winemaker Vittorio Fiore, makes five wines, all made entirely from Sangiovese Grosso, the only grape planted on the property.
Oddero Rionda Riserva
$289.99
This Barolo displays elegance, fine tannins, a persistent taste and minerality. It accurately reflects the characteritics of the soil of origin. Its tannins develop from a rugged soil, sandy and calcareous. Ruby red in colour with light garnet reflections, delicate notes of spices and liquorice and a desirable bouquet of red berries. Extraordinarily long finish. An exquisite Barolo that can age for another decade or so, but can be enjoyed with a good decant. Pair with something that is just as extraordinary.
Oddero produces some of the finest wines in Piemonte, and was one of the first to bottle Barolo. They also only farm organically.
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