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Staff Favorites - Keith Mabry
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Reviews
2019 Vignerons de Plaimont "Les Cépages Préservés" Saint-Mont Blanc
Review Date: 11-29-2023
The region of Saint-Mont has not received much attention over the years. It sits next to Madiran which makes some of the biggest wines in the southwest of France. The red wines of Saint-Mont are similar and focus on the same grape varieties. But what has me intrigued are the whites of this area. Gros Manseng is the main grape here and it is often blended with several other workhorse grapes like Petit Courbu, Petit Manseng and Arrufiac. Some of my favorite whites in France come from the region of Jurancon just to the south of Saint-Mont and they also use the same grape varieties. So how has this region been so overlooked? Since none of these grapes has not broken out on the international stage, perhaps that is some of the problem. But now is the time for Saint-Mont to ascend as a region! And the Plaimont is the perfect wine to begin our journey. The profile of the blends here reminds me a bit of both Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc their flavor profile. The nose on the Cepages Preserves immediately yields aromas similar to Sauvignon Blanc with notes of orange peel, flamed grapefruit, mango and papaya. None of those grassy notes, though. And then the Chenin character kicks in with its mineral tones and richer body on the palate. It's like the raciest dry Vouvray you might taste but with pithy notes like the Sauvignon Blanc to give it texture. I love them and they are wonderful drinking with a variety of foods. Serve this beauty with sweet shellfish like shrimp in a garlic butter sauce or richer fowl dishes like duck or goose. The whites fruit and acid balance would even work nicely with some chicken thighs braised in a salsa verde. Get creative, this white has a lot going on and can open whole new possibilities for food pairings.
2020 Famille Ravoire "Pierre de Fontval" Cairanne
Review Date: 11-28-2023
The wines of Cairanne have been blowing up lately. I have been singing their praises, especially when we started working with Domaine Roche. Now these wines are finally getting their due. The Fontval ranked as one of Decanter's top Rhone wines in this year's wine competition. You may not need to read any further before putting a case (or two) in your shopping cart. But, a little more context... This small village was a humble Cotes du Rhone Village not too many years ago and in 2016 it was given Cru status alongside the more renowned villages of Gigondas, Vacqueyras and of course Chateauneuf-du-Pape. And I believe Cairanne is one of the most interesting Crus on the scene in the southern Rhone. The soils are filled with limestone pebbles, sand and clay. This distinct terroir gives natural finesse the tannins of the wines from this region. The Fontval is a true classic with its vibrant red fruit nose of strawberry jam and redcurrants. Flavors of violet pastilles, anise, tobacco and spices emerge on the palate. This is generous in the mouth but has silky tannins and a pop of acidity to keep it all in balance. I can think of no better value wine to have on my weeknight rotation right now!
2022 Domaine Pluchot "Arris" Gamay St-Romain Côte Roannaise
Review Date: 11-16-2023
One of our newest direct imports comes from the region of Cote Roannaise in the area known as the Upper Loire. This region, technically in the Loire Valley, is actually closer to Beaujolais and like its neighbor, Gamay reigns supreme. The grape here goes by the name Gamay St-Romain and is a specific clonal selection that is a little different than the regular Gamays you may see in Beaujolais. The "Arris" is vibrant with red raspberry fruit, sweet spices but has a light sanguine character that gives you that feeling of French terroir. It's that classic earthiness that makes this wine even more appealing. Serve as is or with a light chill and you have one of the best new arrivals for light to medium reds in the store right now.
Price:
$17.99
2006 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Review Date: 11-08-2023
I just had a chance to revisit this after several years and it is in a perfect drinking window right now. The bottles we just received came directly from Beaucsastel and the wine is in a perfect spot right now. The nose opens with fresh fruit and layers of dried flowers, herbs and spices. It is complex and inviting. On the palate, the texture is seamless. The tannins are perfectly integrated and the acid provides the balance. This is stellar Chateauneuf that is beautiful now and should continue to evolve for many years to come. If you are looking for an impressive wine to drink for any occasion, this will not disappoint!
2022 Domaine Bégude "Etoile" Chardonnay Limoux
Review Date: 11-08-2023
We have been big fans of Domaine Begude for nearly 20 years now. Their clean and precise monovarietal wines have always been one of our best value prospects from the southern French appellation of Limoux. Limoux still remains more famous for its sparkling wines but the region also makes outstanding Chardonnay. The rules of the appellation require that Chardonnay be barrel fermented and aged in wood for a minimum period of time but luckily they do not specify that it must be new and/or small barriques. Vigneron James Kinglake uses large format demi-muid, about 400-500L barrels and rotates them on a cycle of new, 1st and 2nd use for the Etoile. The fruit in the 2022 is sunny and filled with fresh flavors of nectarine and Pippin apples. A touch of creamy texture and light graham cracker spice is accented by a nice streak of minerality. This is fresh and focused Chardonnay for those who like a less oaky style but appreciate the roundess and richness that the grape brings to the table. Pure pleasure and a great bargain for sure!
2019 Xavier Vignon "Cuvée Anonyme" Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Review Date: 11-08-2023
Our relationship with Xavier has been fortunate. Since we began working with him directly, we have been introduced to some of the coolest wines we have found from any of our producers. The straight-from-the-barrel 1972, 2000 and now, 1983 are all unicorns. With his Arcane series, he blends across terroir and sometimes vintages to create magnificent wines that are often sums better than their parts cuvees. But the wine that turned my head so many years ago, was the Cuvee Anonyme. Always from many of his same sources and from the oldest vine fruit, the Anonyme is an exquisite wine that shows the depth of fruit that Xavier loves but always has an undercurrent of finesse that keeps the wines balanced and cellar worthy. The 2019 is the newest release showing saturated flavors of blackberry, fig jam, toasted herbs and a panoply of spices. It is complex and inviting and shows all the hallmarks of the power of the 2019 vintage. But, there is that streak of finesse on the palate. The tannins are integrated, the acidity keeps the wine lifted and never heavy across the palate. Yet another triumph from one of our best vignerons!
2020 Château de L'Ou "Secret de Schistes" Côtes Catalanes
Review Date: 11-02-2023
We work with several producers in the Roussillon. They each bring something special to the table but one of our stars in that side of our direct import portfolio remains the spirited and talented Severine Bourrier of Chateau de L'Ou. It was here 2015 Secret de Schistes that first turned my head and blew out the door when it landed. It didn't hurt that her style of winemaking and the quality of old vine fruit coming from a craggly brown schist vineyard evoked memories of the wines of Manfred Krankl. And for a fraction of the price. Though Severine's wines are bold, they always have a finesse and elegance that balance the rich and expressive flavors. As always, this is 100% Syrah showing a nose of blackberry, licorice, baking spices, sassafras and roasted meats. As they age, they feel like top-tier Hermitage. Again at a fraction of the price. Yet another release from Severing that continues to prove how important a core producer that she and her L'Ou wines have become to us. Not to be missed!
2019 Domaine de la Réserve d'O "La Réserve d'O" Terrasses du Larzac
Review Date: 11-02-2023
It's hard to believe that it has been well over a year since our last shipment of la Reserve d'O. This wine was an immediate sensation when we first started with vignerons Marie and Frederic Chauffrey. I met with Marie in February at a wine fair but sometimes it takes time for the wine to flow our direction. After revisiting the wine now that it has landed on our shelves, I am very pleased by the progress that the 2019 has made. The Chauffrey's handling of the wines has only gotten more deft and refined as they have added vintage after vintage under their collective belts. All biodynamic and low intervention winemaking leads to a fresh and lifted Rhone styled red. In the vein of great bio producers like Foillard, Lapierre and Leflaive of Beaujolais and Burgundy respectively, these are wines that use minimal intervention to express what is true about the terroir and the grapes themselves. The Grenache brings loads of bold fruit and leafy tobacco, the Syrah adds spice, texture and weight and the dab of Cinsault gives lift and floral tones. The mouthfeel has weight but it is elegant in the mouth and the tannins are refined. The still remains one of the benchmarks in our Southern French portfolio.
2020 Domaine Raymond Usseglio & Fils "Le Péché - Originel Sans Soufre Ajouté" Cinsault Vin de France
Review Date: 11-01-2023
Usseglio is a top tier producer of Chateauneuf du Pape so it may seem a bold choice to make 100% Cinsault, which is an oft-maligned grape for its lightness and lack of extraction. But when you have old vine fruit, like you do here - planted in the early 1960s, you get naturally lower yields and more depth of flavor. And the "Peche" has just that, flavor, in abundance. Even good old vine Cinsault tends to be light on the palate but this is denser, richer and more savory. This is beautifully complex and show harmonious structure on the palate. Though all natural (no sulfites are added during the winemaking process), this is a sultry wine that shows the typicity of old vine Cinsault but with the earthier side of a classic Chateauneuf. I like to think of this as the wine Marcel Lapierre from the Beaujolais appellation of Morgon would've made if he had ventured down to the Southern Rhone. Quite special stuff!
2020 Moulin de la Gardette "Cuvée Ventabren" Gigondas
Review Date: 11-01-2023
The 2020 Ventabren is another gem in a long string of successes we have had from Moulin de la Gardette. Jean-Baptiste Meunier continues to make strides forward in his winemaking creating some of the most distinctive and complex wines from Gigondas in the market. The fact that we have had a direct relationship with him has kept the prices tight on these wines over the years even following all the critical success he has been receiving. This new Ventabren in the glass evokes memories of walking through the forests in the mountains around the village to get to the heart of his old vine vineyards. Evocative is easily the best description. Aromas of incense, spice and garrigue emerge from the glass, flavors of blackberry, tobacco and wild thyme envelop the palate. The sweet fruit is perfectly balanced by the savory notes of this wine. This is another wine for the ages and should evolve beautifully for many more years to come. But what a pleasure to enjoy a bottle now!
2020 Hatzidakis Mavrotragano Santorini Greece
Review Date: 10-27-2023
Mavrotragano has only recently gotten the dry wine treatment (most was for reserved for sweet wines) and its shame that we have had to wait so long to see just how much we've been missing. This succulent red has that beautiful volcanic quality (Santorini is all pumice and lava) that leans toward memories of the Sicilian wines of Mt. Etna but with its supple almost Burgundian mouthfeel, it stands alone on its own. This is a beautifully textured red that will delight drinkers of Italian reds, bolder Burgundies and of course anyone interested in top-tier Greek reds.
Price:
$69.99
2021 Koutsogiannopoulos "Ksera Homata Old Vines" Santorini Greece
Review Date: 10-27-2023
From old vines sitting closer to the sea, this Assyrtiko has that transparency that leans more towards Cru Chablis than the richer riper styles that come from higher up the hills. Dry brined apple notes are complemented by white flowers, lemon grass and that intriguing volcanic minerality which is what makes the wines from Santorini so special. Also coming from a single vineyard parcel which makes it even that more special.
Price:
$57.99
2000 Xavier Vignon "2000" Cornas
Review Date: 10-24-2023
There seems to be limit to the amazing cellar "finds" that come from Xavier Vignon. Working with a multitude of producers up and down the Rhone, Xavier often discover caches of old wines that have been aging in tank for barrel for a extended periods of time. Such is this 2000 Cornas. Almost frozen in time, the wine has lived most of its life in barrel, slowly maturing and developing. The tannins are elegant, the fruit fresh and the complexity is sublime. Sweet raspberry, dusty leather, black licorice and sweet spices make for a compelling red that probably still has not reached its full level of maturity. This is great drinking now and should continue on for many more years to come.
Price:
$109.99
2022 Domaine du Vieil Orme Touraine Blanc Sauvignon Blanc
Review Date: 10-24-2023
The new vintage of the Vieil Orme is yet another impressive release from one of our favorite stalwart producers in the Loire. As the prices of Sancerre soared, we began looking for small artisanal producers in the satellite appellations that make Sauvignon Blanc. Touraine is a natural fit for values since it is quite large and is still one of the best areas to venture for wines that overdeliver for their price. We met vigneron Laurent Benoist back in 2017 and his fresh and crunchy Sauvignon Blancs were immediately captivating. Located in the Chenonceaux sub-region of Touraine, the hills are beautifully chalky and make for classically tense Sauvignons. When I tasted those first wines, they immediately reminded me of those Sancerres of yesteryear with lots of crunchy citrus, gooseberry and fresh hay flavors. The 2022s come from a warmer riper vintage shows loads of citrus but with more tropical flavors of passion fruit and pineapple. It's what I like to call "crushable" because you can easily follow one glass with another. Once again, we find our friends at Vieil Orme overdelivering for their humble price points.
2022 Franck Millet "Insolite" Sancerre
Review Date: 10-20-2023
The Insolite has become one of our most sought after whites year-after-year. The iconic wood boxes it arrives in have a few souvenir limestone stones from the Millet's vineyards. These rocks are the first thing that informs the flavor profile - chalky minerality. That thread of mineral tone and the framing acidity give that true sense of place which continues to be one of the reasons we love these wines. Other flavors of grapefruit, thyme and crushed pineapple show off the exciting 2022 vintage - a new benchmark in the balance of ripeness and acidity. This is pure pleasure now and will drink well for many more years to come.
Price:
$29.99
2022 Domaine des Côtes Blanches (Francois Millet) Sancerre
Review Date: 10-20-2023
Nicolas Millet has essentially taken over the day-to-day winemaking at the winery and continues to propel Domaine des Cotes Blanches forward in its viticultural and winemaking practices. The 2022 is classic for the vintage, showing aromas lime zest, lemon verbena with flavors of passion fruit and crushed stone. Loads of acidity frame the richer framework of the warmer vintage profile driving the minerality front and center. This is superb drinking now and should continue to drink for many more years. A new best in class from one of our favorite producers in Sancerre!
Price:
$22.99
2020 Sclavos "Monambeles" Mavrodaphne Slopes of Aenos Greece (Natural Wine)
Review Date: 10-17-2023
The Sclavos Monambeles is a bold and hearty red made from Mavrodaphne on the island of Cephalonia (Kefalonia). It is filled with rich gamy meat flavors, surrounded by blackberry fruit and new saddle leather. This is hefty wine that demands richer braised meat dishes like lamb shoulder or short ribs. Still youthful, but with a hefty hourlong decant it will unfold beautifully to give you that old school European vibe.
2022 Skouras "Salto - Wild Ferment" Moscofilero Péloponnèse Greece
Review Date: 10-17-2023
I have long been a fan of the wines of Skouras. One of my most iconic wine pairings was a bottle of Skouras Moscofilero and grilled fish plucked fresh from the Mediterranean. Of course it was on a sandy beach in Greece with a warm breeze coming in off the harbor and gentle waves splashing at the sand. That was almost a decade ago and I remember it like it was yesterday. Well, since then, Skouras has pushed the Salto forward which is also Moscofilero but this is all fermented with native yeasts and is from a darker more powerful clone of Mosco, called Mavrofilero. The beauty is definitely present with its notes of jasmine, makrut lime leaf, Meyer lemon and peach blossoms. The Salto is aromatically bold but is also racy and dry on the palate. You may not need a beach setting to enjoy what this wine has to offer but some grilled fish with a hearty squeeze of lemon and glug of olive oil will at least split the difference. This is still one of my most transportive wines!
2022 Domaine Nerantzi Assyrtiko Serres Greece
Review Date: 10-17-2023
Assyrtiko from Santorini has become so popular that it is no surprise that more of it is being produced in Northern Greece. The new Nerantzi Assyrtiko has to be one of the best new versions I have yet tried. Vibrant acidity is accompanied by zested lemon notes, green apples and a saline finish. This has great length and the acid structure just zings across the palate. If we see more wines like this from Nerantzi, Santorini just may take a backseat to the wines of Serres!
Price:
$19.99
2022 Domaine Papagiannakos Savatiano Old Vines Markopoulo Greece
Review Date: 10-17-2023
Savatiano may be widely planted in southern Greece but it has only recently begun to get the attention it deserves. It's a crisp white with a touch of spiciness that reminds me of Italian coastal whites like Verdicchio or Vermentino or even a little like lighter crunchier Gruner Veltliner. What's not to like about have a new crispy crunchy white to open with a lighter fare dinner? How about some creamy spiced hummus or some roasted bell peppers stuffed with feta cheese to go with this yummy new white?!
2021 Sigalas "Aa" Assyrtiko/Athiri Santorini Greece
Review Date: 10-17-2023
Sigalas remains the benchmark producer for Santorini wines. Their Assyrtiko was the original gatekeeper to quality wines on the island and set the standard for many of the producers that followed in their footsteps. Due to rising world demand and crushingly low yields, most top Assyrtiko have transcended the $50 price mark. One answer to this problem is to go back to the traditional blends of Santorini combining Assyrtiko with other grapes like Athiri and Aidani. Sigalas' answer is the A/a bottling, a blend of Assyrtiko and Athiri. And at under $30 this hits the mark for Santorini giving you that rich undercurrent of lemon curd, brined apples, and fresh acidity. This is a vibrant and brighter styled that has loads of mineral intensity. This makes a wonderful aperitif and will work with a host of mezza on the table!
2022 Domaine la Clef du Récit (Anthony Girard) Quincy
Review Date: 09-27-2023
As the prices of Sancerre have climbed, we have started to look at other wines just outside of this most hallowed appellation. Nearby is little Quincy (loosely pronounced Kan-See) which has loads of sandy, clay-limestone soils. Our friend Anthony Girard of Clef du Recit started acquiring land there a few years ago because he loved the freshness of the wines and slight variations in the fruit character. His Quincy has flavors of lemon verbena, tangerine and pear nectar. It is a juicy alternative to Sancerre and should scratch all of your Sauvignon Blanc needs for an even better price!
Price:
$17.99
2022 Domaine la Clef du Récit (Anthony Girard) Sancerre
Review Date: 09-27-2023
The 2022 vintage really shines through on this excellent new release from Anthony Girard. The wine opens with flavors of lemon curd, papaya and fresh cut melon and it is all braced by a supple mineral finish. The acidity lingers on the palate but the warmth and richness of the fruit is driving the vehicle at the moment. This is showing great now and will continue to develop for several more years.
Price:
$24.99
2021 Domaine Vacheron "Les Romains" Sancerre
Review Date: 09-27-2023
Vacheron is one of the benchmark producers working in Sancerre. They check a lot of my favorite boxes being biodynamic, having incredible vineyard sources and using pristine winemaking to express their fruit. The "Romains" has aromatics that are pure Sancerre, showing that bold citrus tone with notes of grass and capsicum. As it unfolds in the glass, flavors of ruby red grapefruit and passion fruit emerge. The finish is long and rich yet with a sinewy pithy note that should allow this wine to evolve for several more years in bottle. This is everything you could hope for in a Vacheron "Tete de Cuvee!"
Jean-Jacques Lamoureux "Réserve" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 09-22-2023
What a revelation! I'm a huge fan our DIs but this new arrival may be one of the best yet. Layers of fruit erupt from the glass including notes of apple, pear, peach and blood orange. A hint of the exotic as well including some starfruit, kiwi and a bit of ginger. On the palate the mousse is creamy with flavors that are generous and keep unfolding. Bravo!
Price:
$29.99
2022 Domaine Cherrier Frères Sancerre
Review Date: 09-05-2023
Brother Francois and Jean-Marie Cherrier have knocked it out of the park with the supple fruit filled Sancerre. The 2022 vintage is a generous one with ripe fruit but the acid structure is intact. The regular Sancerre from this Direct Import stalwart is filled with flavors of fresh Meyer lemon, green melon and nectarine. It has a lovely mid-palate weight that is fleshy but never heavy. It's downright crushable really! The price of Sancerre has progressed significantly over the last few years from world demand, to the short lived tariffs, to the constant shortages due to frost, it is challenging to find good Sancerre at this quality at this price. To mix my metaphors, this is a slam dunk!
Price:
$19.99
2020 Mas de Sainte Croix "Passion d'Une Terre" Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Valréas
Review Date: 09-05-2023
Mas de Sainte Croix has become one of our favorite go-tos since we started working directly with them back in 2017. Vigneron Julien Coipel reached out earlier that year via email looking for partners to work with in the United States.
He sent me some samples and the wines were impressive and very reasonably priced for the quality. I was about to go to the Rhone on a buy trip, so as part of that trip, I stopped and visited him at the winery. I met his father Jacques, who had started the winery, and we toured the vineyards and everything began to line up. From top-to-bottom, Mas de Sainte Croix's wines are reflective of the terroir of the northern part of the Southern Rhone. The vineyards sit at higher altitude on average, they are not as heavily affected by the Mistral winds and they are a few degrees cooler on average. This builds more tense, aromatic and perfumed Cotes du Rhones. The Passion d'Une Terre is just that - Passion of the land - all rolled into a glass! It has an elegant profile of lavender, red plum, sweet strawberry, bay leaf and tobacco. Mostly Grenache, a dollop of Mourvedre adds that savory sweetness and the earthiness that puts this wine at the top of my Cotes du Rhone recommendations. It feels both classically complex and effortless at the same time. This is a terrific wine for its purity and reflection of its terroir and shows the true potential of what this emerging estate can do. They haven't even reached the peak of their stride yet!
2018 Château de Montfaucon "Baron Louis" Lirac
Review Date: 09-05-2023
The new vintage of the Baron Louis has finally arrived! Like all vintages of this wine the "Baron Louis" is a later released wine. Where most producers are coming to market with their 2021s and 2022s, vigneron Rudi de Pins has always felt that this wine benefits with a few years in bottle before its release. I couldn’t agree more. The 2018 is pure Provencal pleasure with its flavors of cherry, blackcurrant, garrigue, and herbs de Provence permeating the glass. This new release has an elegant and refined texture that is perfect drinking right now. The Baron Louis traditionally ages well even for a decade or more but this new arrival is going to be hard to keep your hands off of!
2021 Baron de Montfaucon Côtes-du-Rhône Blanc
Review Date: 09-05-2023
We don’t talk much about the whites of the southern Rhone but the Montfaucon Côtes-du-Rhône Blanc should certainly be put on everyone's radar. The wines is based on mostly Clairette (some of vigneron Rudi’s oldest vines are Clairette) with a little Grenache Blanc and Viognier. Clairette provides nice structure and mineral tones, Grenache Blanc adds weight and Viognier gives some lift to the aromatics. It’s a nice three-way blend to see how each grape brings something different to table to make a sum-greater-than-its-parts kind of cuvee. It’s like this wine was built to bring to parties and share showing off its flavors of nectarine, white flowers and marzipan.
Price:
$17.99
2022 Château de Montfaucon Lirac Rosé
Review Date: 09-05-2023
A recent addition to the Montfaucon line is the Lirac Rosé. It was introduced a couple of years ago and was an instant success. This is fuller bodied rose reminiscent of the wines of Tavel (which also happens to be the neighboring appellation). The wine goes through some barrel aging (all neutral) but this provides a richer red fruit character which is accented by notes of peach, blood orange and a whisp of salinity. This is a great rosé to help carry us through to the next season.
Price:
$17.99
2020 Château Gigognan "Collection Stephane Henin" Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Review Date: 09-05-2023
We only received a tiny amount of the 2020 "Collection Stephane Henin". This is the winery’s unicorn wine. The “Stephane Henin” is a tribute to the late father of the owner Jean-François Hénin and is 100% Mourvedre. It is rare to see 100% varietal wine produced in the region that is not Grenache. Only one barrel of this wine is produced in the best vintages, and we were one of the few to receive some. This is a bold wine with rich red and black fruit, savory spices and a long finish. It reminds me a little of the bigger wines of Bandol but this has a riper middle palate that makes it oh, so attractive. If you get a bottle, set it aside for a few years if you can. It will be worth the wait.
2019 Château Gigognan "Bois des Moines" Côtes-du-Rhône Villages
Review Date: 09-05-2023
The 2020 "Bois des Moines" comes from the vineyards surrounding the Gigognan estate. A century ago, these would have been called Chateauneuf du Pape as the soils are all galet (rolled stones) on the surface with limestone and clay underneath. The Bois des Moines is at the southern end of Chateauneuf, but this part was left out when the official designation was established in 1936. That also makes this an incredible value! Truly a baby CDP with its full-bodied texture and dark cherry fruit this blend of 45% Grenache, 45% Mourvedre and 15% Syrah. The Mourvedre adds a meaty savory note that reminds me of that other famous house that also had a parcel left out of the appellation...Beaucastel! Their Coudoulet also has a lot of Mourvedre and was famously overlooked when the appellation boundaries were drawn. Coincidence? I think the Bois des Moines will offer just as much pleasure but for well under $20.
2022 Château Gigognan Viognier Côtes-du-Rhône Blanc
Review Date: 09-05-2023
The 2022 Cotes-du-Rhône richer more expansive version of Viognier. Coming from the southern Rhone as opposed to cooler climate versions from Condrieu, this Viognier has a more tropical edge. Roasted pear, mango, lychee and jasmine explode from the glass. Though exotic, it is never over-the-top. The wines is aged in 10% wood giving some spice presence to the wine as well. What a lovely white to transition to the upcoming cooler months.
2021 Domaine Belle Hermitage Blanc
Review Date: 09-05-2023
We received only a a tiny amount of the Hermitage Blanc. It is planted on the hill of Hermitage in the lieux-dits of Peleas, Maison Blanche and Diognières. A blend of nearly equal parts of Marsanne and Roussanne, in many years it is a powerful style needing many years to resolve, but the 2021 is fresh and opens quite quickly. It is loaded with a nose of fresh cut flowers, peaches and honey. Beautiful intensity on the nose and refined on the palate. Great for now with a little aeration but should evolve for many years to come.
2021 Domaine Belle "Roche Blanche" Crozes-Hermitage Blanc
Review Date: 09-05-2023
The "Roche Blanche" Crozes Blanc is a bold expression of pure Marsanne all from Kaolin soils. Showing more tropical nuances of pineapple and mango, this is a beautifully fresh style. The 2021 vintage was a little lighter for wines in this vintage, but it serves the Belle whites well, giving them more vibrant fruit aromas and brighter acidity.
2021 Domaine Belle "Les Terres Blanches" Crozes-Hermitage Blanc
Review Date: 09-05-2023
The whites of Domaine Belle are some of the best in the Crozes-Hermitage region. The "Terres Blanches" is a blend of Marsanne and Roussanne planted on Kaolin, the local calcareous clay-limestone soil exclusive to the village of Larnage. Though it is lush and filled with gorgeous orchard fruit flavors, it has a nice mineral vibe and tension that helps build its frame. The balance of a small amount of new wood lends a creamy finish to this wine. For those not that familiar with whites of the Northern Rhone, this is a great place to start!
2020 Domaine Belle Hermitage
Review Date: 09-05-2023
Always rising to the top though, the Belle Hermitage is another tremendous success. From the lieux-dits of Murets and Diognières, it is a wine that shows its aspect. Flavors of crème de cassis, chambord, cocoa and fresh leather, it is a powerful rendition showing the weight of the vintage. The tannins are quite fine, but this is still a wine that begs for a few years in the cellar. But what a wine!
2020 Domaine Belle "Roche Pierre" Crozes-Hermitage
Review Date: 09-05-2023
Most of Belle's production is on the local calcareous soil called Kaolin, but of their Crozes offerings, the Belle "Roche Pierre" Crozes is the biggest outlier. From a parcel planted to granite, it has a more rugged texture and sauvage nature about it. Filled with notes of currant jam, graphite and leather this is a bigger meatier style that encapsulates Syrah grown on granitic slopes. This competes easily with the best from nearby St-Joseph!
2020 Domaine Belle "Cuvée Louis Belle" Crozes-Hermitage
Review Date: 09-05-2023
Consistently one of the most impressive wines in its category, the “Cuvee Louis Belle” does not disappoint. The 2020 vintage is a superb one and this is probably the most impressive Cuvee Louis Belle since the 2015. Planted on Kaolin, the local calcareous soil indigenous to the village of Larnage, the wine shows weight and intensity but with defined edges. Flavors of boysenberry, ripe cherry, vanilla and cigar tobacco dance across the delightful and sumptuous palate. What a divine crossing of rich fruit on the palate followed through with seamless structure. The Louis Belle continues to evolve for hours as it breathes making it great in the short term. This should also continue to develop beautifully for many years to come.
2020 Chateau du Perry Malbec Cahors
Review Date: 08-30-2023
We don't see enough French Malbec and that's a problem. There is a ton of really good stuff out there but sometimes the prices don't quite match up with the market. Luckily we found this beauty from Cahors, the Chateau du Perry. Here you have something that gives the impression of that rich ripe fruit you might find in Argentina but with a more classic French sensibility. Cahors is slowly reemerging as a Malbec destination and I think this wine is its perfect ambassador. Flavors of black raspberry, licorice root, sassafras and graphite give way to a rich but structured palate. This is a lot of wine for under $15! Surely fans of Argentine Malbec will be enchanted but you Bordeaux drinkers shouldn't miss this either. It has all the weight and structure you're looking for with some nice fleshy fruit to balance this out. Worthy of case purchases for sure!
2022 Château de la Noblesse Bandol Rosé
Review Date: 08-30-2023
It's never too late in the year to enjoy a bottle of Bandol rose, in fact it's probably better. The wines of Bandol have a long history of ageability, the roses included. Since both the reds and roses are based on Mourvedre, which lends body and weight, and the vines are planted on calcareous clay-limestone, which helps provide acid structure, they have all the stuffing they need to develop more bottle complexity. The Noblesse has been one our Direct Imports for several years and it has gained a strong following. It shows notes of red currant, white peach and red plum and finishes with a succulent mineral intensity. This is a gorgeous drink right now but you would surely find much to enjoy as this wine settles and evolves over the next year or two.
Price:
$24.99
2017 Château Gigognan "Clos du Roi" Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Review Date: 08-23-2023
The wines of Gigognan continue to impress. The 2016 was one of our best selling Chateauneufs of all time. That wine was rich, yet balanced and continues to over-deliver for its price. I can happily say the same about the 2017. Most wine production has seen a marked increase in price but were able to keep the '17 right in line with the 2016. Thank goodness for the good will and quality winemaking at Gigognan. Even better they held back the 2017 for us as a later release. Now, with a few extra years of age under its belt, the 2017 is an absolute stunner of a wine, loaded with aromas of creme de mure, fig jam and violets. It has a layered complexity that continues to unfold in the glass, giving way to a creamy palate of blackberry, licorice and black olive. The finish is long, silky and sumptuous. This is one of the best expressions of a 2017 I have seen in some time, showing the ripeness of the vintage but with a seamless and balanced finish. Bravo!
2022 Les Vignerons de Tavel "Cuvée Royale" Tavel Rosé
Review Date: 08-23-2023
The wines of Tavel usually arrive a little later in the season than their Provencal counterparts...and that's a good thing! Though these are roses, they have a richness and body that leans towards light red and they can always use a few extra months to settle and unwind. The Cuvee Royale has always been a favorite and the 2022 is no different. It is a full-bodied rose with flavors of cherry, blood orange and a hint of garrigue. There is a silky palate texture and weight that carries the wine through to a long finish. Serve cool but not too chilled to best enjoy the waves of aromatics as they unfold. The Cuvee Royale remains the perfect rose to move us from summer outdoor drinking into early fall flavors.
2020 Gour de Chaulé "Cuvée Tradition" Gigondas
Review Date: 08-04-2023
Few areas in the Rhone evoke such sense memory for me as the region of Gigondas. The striking limestone monoliths known as the Dentelle sit high above thre region on the mountain forming the slopes that make up the appellation. Up and down the hills forests surround the vineyards. Altitude and later arriving sunlight hit the west and southwest facing slopes. This cooling effect of the mountain and forest shade help inform the garrigue and brushy notes that epitomize the flavor profile of Gigondas. When you breathe in the wines in your glass, they transport you in a way that few others do. Gour de Chaule has risen recently into the top ranks of producers working in the region. They came to my attention a couple of years ago and from the first sip, I felt the cool shade of the Dentelles and the scent of the forest in my glass. The 2020 is an excellent expression of its vintage. It has a richer core of fruit than the last few releases, drifting into darker berry fruit but with air and a brief decanting, the cool scent of fennel, bay leaf and lavender quickly emerge. This is yet another transportive wine from a winery that is not just "one to watch" but a winery that has truly arrived. Delicious now and easily equipped to last several more years in the cellar.
2020 Camille Cayran "La Grande Reserve" Cairanne
Review Date: 08-01-2023
The wines of Cairanne have emerged as some of the best values in the southern Rhone. The region was recently elevated from Cru Village level to full Cru status, which is quite an accomplishment since the growers had been lobbying for over a decade. But it speaks to the quality of the terroir and the evolution of the production in the area. Lots of calcareous clay and limestone rock inform the character. Both red and black fruit abound in the wines but lean heavy into the cherry fruit aromas. The Camille Cayran is emblematic of the region showing those flavors of black cherry accompanied by baking spice, fennel and rosemary. It is silky and sumptuous on the palate with nice balancing acidity. What a tremendous find and worthy of case purchases for sure!
2022 Domaine de Fondrèche Ventoux Rosé
Review Date: 07-20-2023
Fondreche is definitely one of my favorite additions to our Rhone portfolio. One of the great producers in the Ventoux, we have been fortunate to work directly with them for a few years now. Now fully certified organic, they have made incredible strides with Grenache and Syrah, using precise, minimal intervention winemaking. Oh and some of the best terroir in Ventoux as well, plus some great old vine Syrah, a rarity in the region where Grenache has dominated. But, I always come back to this rose. Based on Cinsault, Syrah and Grenache, it has so much purity. Loaded with orchard fruits like peach and nectarine, notes of watermelon rind and white currants. It has that fresh acidity that keeps it focused and refreshes your palate. Few wines speak summer in a glass quite like the Fondreche. Do not hesitate to load up on this as this beauty drinks really well now and should keep drinking for the next year or even longer...
2022 Château Vannières Bandol Rosé
Review Date: 07-14-2023
The wines of Provence are some of the most renowned roses in the world but within Provence lies the small appellation of Bandol. Originally famed for its red wines, it has become synonymous with the best (and some of the most ageworthy) roses in the world. The main grape is Mourvedre and as a red wine it is thick and lustrous. But as a rose, it produces salmon-hued wines that have a more weight and structure. This leads to a greater depth of flavor and a longer more silky palate. The Vannieres is a perfect example of these features. Blended with Cinsault and Grenache, it has gorgeous aromas of white cherry and strawberry with a kiss of salinity. Its silky fuller-bodied texture leads to a long finish. Absolutely joyful to drink right now and should continue to drink beautifully for several more years to come. Classic pairings are with grilled sausage and vegetables but a nice bouillabaise would create the most memorable pairing.
2022 Château Pradeaux Bandol Rosé
Review Date: 05-26-2023
There are a handful of top tier producers in Bandol and Pradeaux certainly ranks as one of them. The reds are rich and leathery, filled with savory herbs and dark brooding fruit and they evolve and linger for ages. The roses I would say are just as intriguing. They have a brilliant freshness and mineral cut that you find in every release. The 2022 is a superb example. It has gorgeous notes of fresh cut melon, white strawberries and a wet cobblestone note that makes my head spin. Much like their rouge brethren, these are roses that do have ageability. Often a year or two (sometimes 10) can yield even more complex and memory inducing flavors. Not to worry, though. The 2022 Pradeaux is one of the best young versions I have yet tasted. It's going to be hard not to drink a lot of this in its youth.
2019 Domaine Gallety Côtes du Vivarais Rouge
Review Date: 05-25-2023
A nice mix of savory spice meets black fruit. The flavors come in waves. I hadn't heard much from Vivarais, but if there are more like the Gallety, then this is an appellation worth exploring. Imported by Kermit Lynch.
Price:
$24.99
2020 Malmont Côtes du Rhône-Villages Seguret
Review Date: 05-25-2023
Focused and beautiful blueberry jam, with notes of savory spice and a light meaty tone. This is structured, yet fleshy giving a sense of weight but never heavy. All hillside fruit from a special terraced plot in Seguret. It's a shining star within the appellation.
Price:
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