September 6, 2014
Saturday Super Special
To be found below… Powerhouse Champagnes arriving Next Week Super Deal California Chardonnay Domaine Leflaive, here now and yet to come Magnums Galore!
Enjoy!
Two Great Champagne Producers Arriving Next Week
Champagne Bérèche et Fils
Leon and Albert Bereche founded the family estate in 1847 with only 2.5 hectares of vineyard land in Ludes, Champagne. The family mostly produced grapes to sell to larger houses. Beginning in the 1950s, successive generations expanded the property and aquired land in the Vallee de la Marne. Today, the estate has 9.5 hectares spread over 21 parcels in three areas of the Montagne de Reims and the Vallee de la Marne.
Although the family has been producing their own wines since the 1970s, it was the fifth generation of winemakers and the current owners, brothers Raphael and Vincent Bereche, that refocused the estate on production of their own wines and brought international fame and recognition for the impressive results. The brothers studied vineyard management and oenology and practiced their craft in various traineeships. They joined the estate in the early 2000s and quickly established a reputation as talented grower-producers. Through their leadership, the estate has shifted toward naturalistic growing methods that respect the land on which the wines are born.
The Bereche brothers, Raphael and Vincent, in the vineyard
Today, Bereche is a standout member of a small group of dedicated and brilliant growers and producers that are creating a quality renaissance in Champagne. Bereche wines are a must try for Champagne lovers, and their short supply makes them a worthwhile effort to seek out. Known for their deeply vinous Champagnes with pitch-perfect clarity, their wines such as Reflet D’Antan have received high praise from wine publications around the world, counting them among the best Champagnes in the world. 2010 was a difficult year in Champagne, but careful attention to grapes throughout the growing season and rigorous sorting resulted in elegant and balanced wines, especially those based on Chardonnay.
Beginning this year, the brothers are also releasing wines produced from grapes grown by neighbors and colleagues in their region under the Raphaël & Vincent Bérêche Crus Selectionnes label. They are beginning with unfinished bottles and will eventually produce the wines themselves from the purchased grapes. The brothers have personally selected the wines to reflect a style similar to their own. The focus of this new venture is to find new Champagne experiences and flavors in vineyards other than their own. The Crus Selectionnes are focused on what Raphael and Vincent view as unique opportunities, and are a chance for these talented winemakers to try something new while maintaining the high quality of Bereche wines across the board.
Bereche Champagnes Arriving September 12th
Bereche et Fils Les Beaux Regards Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature NV (2010) ($79.95) $69 special 100% Chardonnay from Montagne de Reims and Vallee de la Marne; 40+ year old vines. The wine is based on the Les Beaux Regards parcel, which has been in the family for 3 generations.
Bereche et Fils Vallee de la Marne Rive Gauche Extra Brut NV (2010) ($79.95) $69 special From Les Misy parcel in Vallee de la Marne. 100% old-vine Pinot Meunier, which the estate describes as being particularly well-adapted to the cold and humid climate and to the unique calcareous marl soil conditions. 4 g/l dosage.
Bereche Champagnes Available Here Now
Raphaël & Vincent Bérêche Crus Selectionnes La Cote Grand Cru Extra-Brut 1999 1.5L ($279.95) $219 special, 2 magnums available Raphaël & Vincent Bérêche Crus Selectionnes La Cote 1er Cru Extra-Brut NV ($89.95) $79 special, 2 bottles available Raphaël & Vincent Bérêche Crus Selectionnes Montagne Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru Brut 2004 ($99.95) $89 special, 1 bottle available Raphaël & Vincent Bérêche Crus Selectionnes Vallee De La Marne Extra Brut 2002 ($119.95) $99 special, 1 bottle available
Bereche & Fils Reflet d’Antan Brut NV(119.95) $99 special, 6 bottles available 2008 Base Vintage Antonio Galloni 94 points “The NV (2008) Reflet d’Antan is incredibly delicious. At once rich yet weightless, it embodies a sense of pure aesthetic beauty that is hard to do justice to with mere words. Rich, burnished overtones develop in the glass, giving the wine additional volume, yet the Reflet d’Antan remains gracious and impeccably polished. Hints of almond, spice and orange peel add elements of exoticism. Bérèche’s Reflet d’Antan remains one of the most unique and compelling wines in Champagne. Reflet d’Antan is a perpetual solera, based on the 2008 vintage in this release. This bottle was disgorged in October 2012. Dosage was 6 grams per liter.”
Cedric Bouchard Champagne Arriving September 12th
“Readers seeking to discover the finest in Champagne owe it to themselves to check out the wines of Cédric Bouchard…The wines are bottled unfined, unfiltered, and with no dosage, leaving only the indelible stamp of vintage, vineyard, and grape variety as interpreted by this immensely gifted vigneron.” -Antonio Galloni
Starting his house, Roses de Jeanne, in 2000 with a mere 1.09 ha of vines in the Aube, Cedric Bouchard has emerged as one of the most promising small Champagne houses in the area. Named Champagne’s finest winemaker by the Gault Millau in 2008, Bouchard rejected the older Champagne blending style, opting to produce single-vineyard, single-varietal, single-vintage wines. Bouchard has grown his initial holdings by working 1.47 hectares of vines owned by his father, which he farms with the same meticulous care as his own parcels. Although his father’s holdings were originally bottled under the Inflorescence label, beginning in 2014 all cuvées are now bottled under the Roses de Jeanne label. His goal is to create wines of individual character and minimal intervention, made from organically farmed vines with extremely restricted yields. Each wine is made in miniscule quantities, from juice from only the first pressing to preserve the delicate flavors, and fermented only with indigenous yeast. Bouchard believes in a long, slow and cool second fermentation with no dosage, producing a Champagne with smaller, finer bubbles, and allows the underlying falvors to shine through. Handling the winemaking process meticulously in the cellar through all these steps, Bouchard’s terroir-driven wines guarantee the utmost quality and originality with each vintage.
Arriving September 12th
Cedric Bouchard Roses De Jeanne Val Vilaine Blanc de Noirs NV (2012) ($79.95) $69 special 12+ bottles available Importer Note “100% Pinot Noir from the 1.5 hectare lieu-dit of Val Vilaine. 300-500 cases produced annually.”
Cedric Bouchard Roses De Jeanne La Parcelle Blanc de Noirs NV (2007) ($119.95) $99 special, 12 bottles available Importer Note “2007 harvest base. 100% Pinot Noir from the 1.5 hectare lieu-dit of Côte de Bachelin. Spends a full three years on the lees, and thus, is always bottled as a vintage cuvée. 150 cases produced annually.”
Cedric Bouchard Roses De Jeanne La Haute Lemble Brut Blanc de Blancs 2010 ($149.95) $139 special, 3 bottles available Importer Note “100% Chardonnay (five different clones) from the .12 hectare lieu-dit of La Haute Lemblée. Extremely limited production.”
Cedric Bouchard Roses De Jeanne La Boloree Blanc de Blancs 2010 ($179.95) $159 special, 6 bottles available Importer Note “Very old and rare Pinot Blanc from a 0.217 hectare lieu-dit known as La Boloree. Bouchard was initially uninterested in the parcel, but it landed in his lap after he drew the shorter straw in a dual between growers. Today, it is perhaps his most cherished site. Extremely limited production.”
Cedric Bouchard Roses De Jeanne La Presle Blanc de Noirs 2010 ($179.95) $149 special, 3 bottles available
Cedric Bouchard Roses De Jeanne Les Ursules Blanc de Noirs 2010 ($119.95) $99 special, 12 bottles available Cedric Bouchard Roses De Jeanne Les Ursules Blanc de Noirs 2010 1.5 LITER ($299.95) $279 special, 1 magnum available Importer Note “100% Pinot Noir from the .9 hectare lieu-dit of Les Ursules. The first vintage bottling of this wine is available in 2014. 250-300 cases produced annually.”
Can’t Wait? Have this Bouchard Champagne Now
Cedric Bouchard Inflorescence Val Vilaine Blanc de Noirs NV (2011) ($79.95) $66 special, 10 bottles available
Super Deal – Just Arrived
Sbragia Family Vineyards Home Ranch Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma Chardonnay 2009 ($29.95) $16 special Robert Parker 92 points “The 2009 Chardonnay Home Ranch impresses for its layered fruit and elegant personality. This is a laid-back Chardonnay from Sbragia, but it all works, and beautifully. This is a striking showing. The Home Ranch was aged in French oak barrels, 50% new, with full malolactic fermentation. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today The next best listed price is $20.25 The average listed price is $25 / bottle
Sbragia Family Vineyards Gamble Ranch Napa Valley Chardonnay 2009 ($39.95) $19 special Wine Advocate & Wine Spectator 91 points “The 2009 Chardonnay Gamble Ranch shows gorgeous textural ripeness and fabulous overall balance in its expressive varietal fruit. This is a beautiful, lush Chardonnay that is fermented and aged in French oak barrels (100% new) with weekly lees stirring. All of the elements are nicely balanced from start to finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today The next best listed price is $29.99 The average listed price is $37 / bottle
Domaine Leflaive
For over 140 years, the Leflaive family has owned vineyard land in the distinquished Puligny-Montrachet. In the 1920s, it was the patriarch Joseph Leflaive that revived the domaine by purchasing 25 hectares of phylloxera-devasted vineyards. He organized the replanting of the land using rootstocks better adapted to each individual parcel. The success from his investment helped push the domaine into international fame.
Anne-Claude Leflaive is the current manager of the domaine. Her father, Vincent, and her uncle, Jo, greatly expanded the vineyard holdings throughout Puligny-Montrachet, focusing on premier and grand cru vineyards. Anne-Claude took over leadership in 1993. She is passionate about terroir, and after experimenting with blind tasting trials of organic and biodynamic parcels over several years, she decided to convert the domaine to biodynamic. Now, even in notoriously difficult vintages such as 2004, she finds that the biodynamic vineyards still produce outstanding results since they are better equipped to withstand hardship without human and chemical intervention.
Vincent and his brother,Joseph, Leflaive
Anne-Claude took on Eric Remy as the new winemaker after Pierre Morey retired in 2008. He maintains the minimulist philosophy practiced in the cellars. The wines are fermented using natural yeasts in oak casks. Lees stirring occurs until the winter as necessary and maturation takes place in the cellar for two years. Only when necessary is the wine then homeopathically fined and lightly filtered. The resulting wines are a pure expression of Chardonnay, with the nuances and individual terroir of each vineyard perfectly represented. Respecting the vision of her father and through her own tireless energy and self-belief, Anne-Claude has developed this domaine to be a world leader in quality, producing Chardonnays of outstanding pedigree.
Domaine Leflaive – 2011 – Just Arrived
Domaine Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc 2011 ($59.95) $49 special, 18 bottles available Burghound 86-89 points “A very pretty and reasonably complex nose features notes of citrus peel, white flower and peach aromas. There is good vibrancy to the lightly mineral-inflected middle weight flavors that possess good verve and better than average depth and length. This should be very good and is worth a look.”
Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet 2011 ($109.95) $79 special, 3+ cases available Burghound 88-91 points “A similar if less expressive nose is trimmed in just enough wood to notice. There is really lovely purity of expression to the energetic and beautifully well-detailed medium weight flavors that are notably tighter and better focused before terminating in a lightly mineral-inflected, dry and persistent finish. This should also be lovely with a few years of bottle age.”
Domaine Leflaive Puligny Clavoillon 2011 ($139.95) $99 special, 3+ cases available Wine Spectator 94 points “Terrific from start to finish, this white starts out with lime blossom, apple, citronella and mineral aromas and flavors. Creamy yet fluid, intense yet airy, with harmony and a long aftertaste of citrus and stone. Best from 2016 through 2026.”
More Domaine Leflaive Wines Available Here Now
Domaine Leflaive Macon-Verze 2012 ($49.95) $39 special, 3+ cases available
Domaine Leflaive Puligny Pucelles 2011 ($279.95) $229 special, 2 bottles available Burghound 91-94 points “A broad-ranging nose is comprised of honeysuckle, anise, clove, lemongrass, brioche and pear. There is an appealing sense of volume to the beautifully delineated, serious, textured and energetic flavors that are both classy and stylish, all wrapped in a hugely long yet impeccably balanced finish where a touch of wood influence surfaces. A classic Pucelles of generosity and refinement that should amply reward up to a decade of cellaring.”
Pre-Arrival Wines Arriving this Month
Domaine Leflaive Batard Montrachet 2012 ($599.95) $499 special, 2 bottles available Stephen Tanzer 93-95 points “Bright medium yellow. Sexy aromas of peach, nectarine and brown spices, plus hints of wild cherry and fraise des bois. Quite full, rich and powerful, with a distinctly tactile quality to the saline iodine and mineral flavors. This ripe, brooding wine finishes with inexorable persistence. This has 13.45% alcohol and a post-malo pH of 3.1, according to Eric Remy.”
Domaine Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc 2012 ($69.95) $59 special, 9 bottles available Burghound “An airy and attractively layered nose presents primarily floral, pear and citrus peel aromas. The energetic but impressively rich flavors exhibit a lovely texture, indeed this is finer than most examples of the genre, all wrapped in a saline-inflected finish where the citrus character telegraphed by the nose reappears.”
Domaine Leflaive Chevalier Montrachet 2012 ($799.95) $619 special, 2 bottles available Stephen Tanzer 94-97 points “Fresh aromas of white peach, pineapple, lime and crushed stone. Rich, thick and full but with a pungent vein of stony minerality running through the wine and giving it energy and lift. Wonderfully silky and fine-grained grand cru with superb volume and a slowly building, extremely long finish. Before I tasted this approximation of the final blend, I tried the two components of this wine, from the top and lower parts of the vineyard. The Chevalier du Haut, which was near the end of its malo, showed an almost painful spine of acidity and minerality and a rather strict, calcaire-driven finish of lemon oil and iodine. The Chevalier du Bas was distinctly more floral and smoky on the nose and sweeter and more lush in the mouth, without quite the mineral tension of the first sample. But these two components should be extremely complementary.”
Domaine Leflaive Meursault 2012 ($179.95) $149 special, 2 bottles available Burghound 89-92 points “While there is noticeable reduction it’s not so much that the ripeness of the underlying fruit cannot be seen. The mouth feel of the medium weight flavors is finer than the Puligny villages but not as concentrated and here too there is that lovely sense of tension to the clean, dry, linear and citrus-inflected finale. This will also need a minimum of 3 to 5 years of cellar time before it will begin to display some of its potential.”
Domaine Leflaive Puligny Clavoillon 2012 ($199.95) $159 special, 12 bottles available Stephen Tanzer 90-92 points “(tasted near the end of its malolactic fermentation): Peach and a grilled note on the nose and palate; still a bit lactic. Fatter and sweeter than the village wine but suaver too. Finishes broad, quite dry and long. This struck me as like a baby Batard.”
Domiane Leflaive Puligny Combette 2009 ($219.95) $179 special, 6 bottles available Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Pale yellow with a green tinge. Musky, discreet nose hints at lime and nut oil. Dense, ripe and lush; shows sweet notes of vanilla and hazelnut but this is very tightly coiled today in the mid-palate. Explosive on the back end, finishing with excellent breadth and flavor intensity and a slightly tannic impression. Terrific volume here.”
Domaine Leflaive Puligny Folatiers 2009 ($219.95) $179 special, 18 bottles available Stephen Tanzer and Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2009 Puligny-Montrachet Folatieres is at once brighter and flashier than the Clavoillons. I especially like the vibrant minerality here. Yellow stone fruits flesh out the mid-palate and finish nicely in this expressive, radiant wine that captures the essence of the year. Remy comments that he tends to use barrels with lower levels of toast for the Folatieres to compensate for the richness the fruit provides on its own. Anticipated maturity: 2014+.”
Domaine Leflaive Puligny Pucelles 2009 ($249.95) $199 special, 18 bottles available Burghound and Stephen Tanzer 93 points “A notably ripe but still reasonably classic Pucelles nose of honeysuckle, citrus and white orchard fruit aromas, in particular pear, leads to rich, forward and wonderfully opulent medium-bodied flavors that brim with dry extract that coats the palate on the refined and impressively long finish. As it always is, this is a classy wine of finesse but with a generous side to it in 2009.”BH
Domaine Leflaive Puligny Pucelles 2012 ($349.95) $299 special, 2 bottles available Stephen Tanzer 92-95 points “Pale, bright yellow. Ripe, rich aromas of peach fuzz and grilled nuts, plus a distinct cyanic peach pit note. Offers impressive volume without undue weight, with the fruit currently in the deep background as the malo is in its latter stages. Best today on the subtle, slowly mounting finish, which displays terrific mineral grip. This should age gracefully and last well.”
Magnum Parade
A Comprehensive List of our Large Format Bottles All Available Now
OREGON
Westrey Abbey Ridge Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2011 1.5 LITER ($89.95) $79 special, 3 magnums available
Evesham Wood Le Puits Sec Eola Amity Pinot Noir 2011 1.5 LITER ($69.95) $59 special, 2 magnums available
Ayres Pioneer Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2011 1.5 LITER ($89.95) $72 special, 2 magnums available Stephen Tanzer 90 points “Bright red. Intense red and dark berry scents are complicated by notes of potpourri and sandalwood. Smooth and open-knit, offering vibrant black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors and a hint of white pepper. A bitter orange zest note adds a gripping sensation to the finish, which hangs on with very good tenacity and only a hint of tannins.”
Patricia Green Estate Old Vine Yammhill-Carlton Pinot Noir 2011 1.5 LITER ($99.95) $79 special, 2 magnums available Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Brilliant red. Smoky, sharply focused aromas of dried cherry, sassafras, potpourri and mocha. Chewy, energetic and subtly sweet, offering very good depth to its bitter cherry and black raspberry flavors. Tangy acidity gives lift and vivacity to the persistent finish, which features fine-grained tannins and a lingering floral nuance.”
CALIFORNIA
Kapcsandy Family Winery Endre Napa Valley Red 2009 1.5 LITER ($279.95) $159 special, 2 magnums available Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2009 Endre is a major step up in quality from the 2008 I tasted alongside it. The wine reveals lovely fleshiness and depth in its dark fruit, tobacco and spices. I especially like the way the Endre fleshes out on the finish. The 2009 is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Syrah. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017.”
Kapcsandy Family Winery State Lane Grand Vin Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 1.5 LITER ($899.95) $679 special, 3 magnums available Wine Advocate 98 points “The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Vin opens with the most beguiling bouquet imaginable. Freshly cut flowers, mint, cinnamon and licorice all make an appearance as this vivid, beautifully delineated wine opens up in the glass. A model of total finesse and elegance, the 2009 wraps around the palate with what feels like endless layers of aromas and flavors. This totally seamless, polished Cabernet Sauvignon is virtually impossible to resist today, but it will be even better in another few years. The 2009 is 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2039. Kapcsandy’s 2009s have developed beautifully over the last year.”
Harlan Estate Napa Valley 2001 1.5 LITER ($1799.95) $1,499 special, 2 magnums available Robert Parker 100 points “This wine, which first debuted in 1990, has probably garnered more perfect scores than any other Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2001 is just entering a young adolescent stage of development, exhibiting extraordinary nuances such as sweet, loamy soil and earthy minerality intermixed with some background smoke, black currant liqueur, plum, Asian spice and new saddle leather. Full-bodied, it possesses great intensity, with stunning flavors that are viscous enough to coat the mouth, but never become heavy or overbearing. The wine has a remarkable purity, concentration and intensity that should carry it for another 30+ years. This is already very promising, and for those who own it, I would suggest a good two to three hours of decanting prior to service.”
Harlan Estate Napa Valley 2003 1.5 LITER ($1499.95) $1,199 special, 2 magnums available Robert Parker 98+ points “One of the most backward yet promising wines of the vintage is the 2003 Harlan Estate. Its dense opaque plum/purple color is accompanied by a sumptuous bouquet of graphite, camphor, creme de cassis, smoky barbecue wood and a hint of forest floor. Similar flavors hit the mouth with full-bodied splendor, a multidimensional mouthfeel and texture, and the sensational finish lasts more than 45 seconds. Some tannins are still present, and this wine seems much younger than expected at ten years of age, so give it 4-5 more years of bottle age and consume it over the following 20-25 years.”
Harlan Estate Napa Valley 2004 1.5 LITER ($1499.95) $1,199 special, 3 magnums available Robert Parker 98 points “Very deep garnet-black colour with a purple rim. Though still very youthful and muted, this vintage is already subtly revealing a wide array of aromas including blackberry tart, cedar, violets, truffles, liquorice and all spice. In the mouth however this is no shrinking violet–the ’04 is a big, concentrated and highly structured wine with somewhat impenetrable, tightly grained tannins and medium to high acid supporting its rich weight. Very, very long finish displaying hints of savoury earthiness and that signature minerality that appears to surface in better years. Drink 2009-2030.”
Dunn Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 1.5 LITER ($249.95) $219 special, 8 magnums available Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is big, dark and juicy. There is an element of wildness that runs through the wine. Graphite, licorice, tar and smoke are just some of the nuances that add complexity. The 2006 boasts superb purity from start to finish. Elements of fleshiness give the impression the 2006 might drink well relatively early, until the massive tannins set in. Floral notes add freshness on the finish. This is another fabulous wine from Randy Dunn. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2036.”
Tablas Creek Esprit De Tablas Rouge 2011 1.5 LITER ($119.95) $89 special, 3 magnums available Wine Advocate 93 points “A blend of 40% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Counoise, the 2011 Esprit de Tablas has a core of sweet black raspberry and cassis that is cut by more savory, meaty nuances, pepper and spice. Medium to full-bodied, rich and beautifully textured, with ripe tannin, it’s a more streamlined, fresh version of the cuvee that relies more on elegance and complexity than sheer depth and richness. It will have 10-12 years of longevity.”
FRANCE- CHAMPAGNE
Pierre Peters Cuvee Reserve Blanc De Blancs 1.5 LITER ($149.95) $119 special, 12+ magnums available Wine Advocate 92 points “The NV Brut Cuvee de Reserve is striking. It shows fabulous cut and definition in its fruit, expressive aromatics all backed up by plenty of underlying structure. A bright, mineral laced finish rounds things out in style. This is superb entry-level wine from one of Champagne’s top producers. The Cuvee Reserve is 100% Chardonnay. This year’s release is based on 2008 (60%), with reserve wines going back to 1988, precisely 1988, 1990, 1993 and 1995-2007 (except 1999 and 2003). ”
Rene Geoffroy Extra Brut Millesime 2002 1.5 LITER ($319.95) $279 special, 3 magnums available Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2002 Extra Brut Millesime is a rich, broad shouldered wine graced with tons of fruit. Vinification in French oak barriques gives the wine considerable depth, volume and spiciness. Layers of ripe, expressive varietal fruit flow from this rich, dramatic Champagne. A caressing, multi-dimensional finish rounds things out in style. As good as this is – and it is outstanding – I prefer Geoffroy’s wines made in steel. The blend is 60% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay and 5% Pinot Meunier, with 2 grams per liter of dosage”
A. Margaine Brut Blanc de Blancs 2006 1.5 LITER ($159.95) $137 special, 8 magnums available Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Light gold. White peach, pear, smoky minerals and buttered toast on the sexy, highly perfumed nose. At once rich and lithe, with crackling minerality giving lift and verve to the wine’s intense pit and orchard fruit flavors. Sappy, fine-grained and pure, finishing long and precise, with hints of licorice and iodine.”
Bereche et Fils Blanc de Blancs Cote Grand Cru 1999 1.5 LITER ($279.95) $219 special, 2 magnums available
H. Billiot Reserve Brut Grand Cru NV 1.5 LITER ($149.95) $89 special, 5 magnums available Wine Spectator 93 points “Richly spiced, with a skein of ground clove, ginger and cardamom winding through flavors of dried apricot and apple, currant candy, passion fruit and lemon zest. Beautiful texture and balance here, followed by a long and mouthwatering, mineral-tinged finish. Drink now through 2020. 300 cases imported.”
De Sousa Brut Reserve Blanc De Blancs NV 1.5 LITER ($139.95) $89 special, 7 magnums available Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Light, bright yellow. Exotically perfume of nectarine, poached pear, brioche, anise and chamomile. Deep, round and fleshy, with powerful orchard and pit fruit flavors braced by a jolt of smoky minerals on the back half. Smoothly blends richness and vivacity, finishing with excellent clarity and toasty persistence.”
Demarne-Frison Goustan NV 1.5 LITER ($149.95) $99 special, 8 magnums available Demarne-Frison Lalore Blanc De Blancs NV 1.5 LITER ($149.95) $125 special, 1 magnum available
Deutz Blanc De Blancs 2007 1.5 LITER ($159.95) $139 special, 4 magnums available Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Light, bright straw. Lemon zest, green apple and chalky minerals on the fragrant nose. Dry and precise, offering energetic citrus and orchard fruit flavors that pick up anise and honeysuckle nuances with air. Closes stony and long, with lingering floral and iodine notes.”
Deutz Brut Millesime 2007 1.5 LITER ($129.95) $109 special, 2 magnums available
Fleury Brut Nature Symphonie d’Europe 1990 1.5 LITER ($379.95) $299 special, 2 magnums available Wine Advocate 94 points “The 1990 Extra Brut Symphonie d’Europe (Pinot Noir) opens with the most extraordinary bouquet. Smoke, graphite, apricot jam and honeysuckle all burst from the glass. Floral notes develop later, adding lift and freshness, but this remains a rich, full-bodied wine endowed with stunning power and plenty of unbridled intensity. Honey, almonds and flowers are some of the many nuances that are wrapped into the layered, textured finish. This is yet another great showing from Fleury.”
Gaston Chiquet Carte Verte Brut Tradition NV 1.5 LITER ($99.95) $89 special, 12 magnums available Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Light yellow. Suave, floral aromas of poached pear, blood orange, melon and honey. A dusty mineral quality adds lift to spicy red berry and citrus fruit flavors. Closes nervy and long, with resonating minerality and a touch of gingerbread.”
Vilmart Brut Grand Cellier d’Or 2006 1.5 LITER ($279.95) $219 special, 1 magnum available Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2006 Brut Cuvee Grand Cellier d’Or is a striking wine endowed with tons of class and sheer depth. It shows considerable power in its freshly cut flowers, spices and rich Chardonnay fruit. All of the aromas and flavors build effortlessly to a creamy finish layered with smoke, minerals and ash. This is a fabulous wine in every way, but it will require at least a few more years in bottle. The 2006 is 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir from Les Blanches Voies Bas. The wine spent 10 months in barrel and a total of four years on its lees.”
Vincent Couche Brut 2002 1.5 LITER ($119.95) $79 special, 9 magnums available
FRANCE-BURGUNDY
PY Colin-Morey Criots Batard Montrachet Grand Cru 2011 1.5 LITER ($899.95) $699 special, 1 magnum available
Chandon Briailles Pernand Vergelesses Ile de Vergelesses Premier Cru 2003 1.5 LITER ($119.95) $99 special 6 magnums available
Dom. et Sel. Bonnes Mares Elevage L. Ponsot 2009 1.5 LITER ($799.95) $699 special 2 magnums available
Hospices De Beaune Beaune Premier Cru Cuvee Rousseau-Deslandes 2011 1.5 LITER ($249.95) $219 special 3 magnums available
Domaine Faiveley Gevrey Chambertin Les Cazetiers Premier Cru 2011 1.5 LITER ($199.95) $169 special, 3 magnums available Stephen Tanzer 92 (+?) points “Bright medium red with a palish rim. Lovely floral lift to the aromas of cherry pit, rose petal, mint and sexy new oak. Densely packed and silky, offering good size but a light touch. Red fruit, bitter chocolate, floral and mineral flavors display terrific precision. Finishes pure, gripping and long, with a firm underpinning of dusty but sweet tannins and a lingering floral quality. This one should evolve gracefully.”
Alain Hudelot- Noellat Romanee St Vivant Grand Cru 2007 1.5 LITER ($999.95) $599 special, 4 magnums available Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Good medium red. Highly perfumed nose combines raspberry, strawberry, cocoa powder, white pepper, blood orange and a resiny headshop spiciness. Pungent, complex and weightless; a wonderfully lively, delicate wine with sneaky intensity and superb penetrating energy and lift. Finishes dry and understated. Suave rather than large. My recorked bottle lost some verve with 24 hours, suggesting that this wine is probably best for mid-term drinking-say, beginning in five years. But that brilliant nose can’t be duplicated anywhere outside the northern C o te de Nuits. Van Canneyt told me he doesn’t consider 2007 to be a great year for this domain and that he prefers the 2008s for their depth of fruit and texture.”
FRANCE- BORDEAUX
Chateau Figeac St. Emilion Grand Cru 2005 1.5 LITER ($349.95) $299 special, 3 magnums available Wine Spectator 95 points “This is subtle and complex, showing blackberry, fresh tobacco and light vanilla, with a hint of Indian spices. Full-bodied, with super well-integrated tannins and a finish that lasts for minutes. Refined and classy. The best modern wine from this producer. Best after 2015.’
FRANCE-RHONE
Pallieres Gigondas Terrasses Du Diable 2010 1.5 LITER ($119.95) $99 special, 5 magnums available Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Bright ruby-red. A complex, heady bouquet evokes candied red fruits, potpourri and Asian spices. Silky and seamless in texture, offering vibrant raspberry and bitter cherry flavors and an exotic touch of blood orange. Anise and herb notes come up with air and carry through a long, bright and focused finish. I underestimated this sexy wine last year.”
Delas Freres Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes- Marques de la Tourette 2009 1.5 LITER ($279.95) $219 special 9 magnums available Robert Parker 98 points “The magnificent 2009 Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes boasts a black/purple color as well as a wonderful nose of creosote, incense, charcoal, blackberry jam, acacia flowers, white chocolate and a hint of espresso roast. Full-bodied and unctuously textured with low acidity and magnificent density, this 2009 can be drunk in 5-6 years or cellared for 30-50 years.”
Domaine Auguste Clape Cornas 2010 1.5 LITER ($699.95) $599 special, 1 magnum available Robert Parker 100 points “Eclipsing even the 2009, the 2010 Cornas achieved one of the highest natural alcohol levels (14%) ever recorded at Clape. This complex, inky/purple-colored effort boasts abundant notes of charcoal, licorice, blackberries and blueberries intermixed with a hint of scorched earth (or is it charcoal embers?), a full-bodied mouthfeel, a seamless personality and a crushed rock-like minerality. The tannins are so sweet it will be drinkable in 2-3 years, and should keep for 25 or more. It is a tour de force in what Syrah can achieve in this hallowed appellation. Kudos to the Clape family, especially Pierre-Marie.”
Jean Louis Chave Hermitage Rouge 2008 1.5 LITER ($449.95) $289 special, 5 magnums available Wine Spectator 94 points “This is suave, with a smoldering tobacco note running from start to finish, while truffle, cocoa, braised fig and warm black currant confiture notes fill in the remaining space. Dense, but very silky along the edges, with remarkable harmony for the vintage.”
Jean Louis Chave Hermitage Rouge 2011 1.5 LITER ($649.95) $499 special, 1 magnum available Wine Advocate 96-98 points “The 2011 Hermitage (also still in barrel), in comparison, is more focused and straight, with a slightly more serious feel to its tannin profile and overall structure. All of the samples (again, tasted in individual components) were beautifully perfumed, with the Les Bessards (which will make up the bulk of the blend) showing surprising density and concentration in a vintage that generally produced more up-front and supple wines. A serious 2011 that will certainly be one of the stars of the vintage, it should be reasonably approachable on release and have an easy two decades of longevity.”
Usseglio Chateauneuf Du Pape Mon Aieul 2010 1.5 LITER ($249.95) $219 special, 8 magnums available Robert Parker 97 points “The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee de Mon Aieul (cropped at 12-16 hectoliters per hectare) comes from the estate’s finest vineyards in the southern part of the appellation (Les Grandes Serres), the eastern sector (the famed La Crau) and the northern sector (Guigasse). The wine is aged primarily in stainless steel tanks with a small percent (less than 20%) kept in 600-liter demi-muids. Despite the 16.5% natural alcohol, there is not a trace of heat in this wine. It is stunningly concentrated with great intensity as well as classic blueberry, peppery, incense, camphor, fig and licorice characteristics. Rich and full-bodied with slightly more freshness than their profound 2007, the 2010 Mon Aieul should age effortlessly for two decades.”
Saint Cosme Cotes Du Rhone 2013 1.5 LITER ($29.95) $21.90 special, 12 magnums available
FRANCE- BEAUJOLAIS
Chignard Fleurie Les Moriers 2011 1.5 LITER ($69.95) $59 special, 7 magnums available Wine Advocate & Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Bright violet color. A seductively perfumed bouquet evokes red and dark berries, lavender, Asian spices and smoky minerals. Juicy and focused on the palate, offering vibrant black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors that gain sweetness with air. The mineral quality comes back strong on the finish, which features silky tannins and a zesty floral pastille nuance.”
Marcel Lapierre Morgon 2013 1.5 LITER ($69.95) $59 special, 4 magnums available
Lucien Le Moine Chenas 2011 1.5 LITER ($149.95) $133 special, 3 magnums available Wine Advocate 92-93+ points “…it mingles striking wisteria perfume with scents and flavors of blueberry, pomegranate, black raspberry and smoked meat. Mouthwateringly salt-tinged and with crystalline suggestions of stony counterpoint, its infectiously juicy primary fruit informs a silken-texture palate and strikingly vibrant and persistent finish.”
FRANCE-OTHER
Domaine Pepiere Muscadet Sevre et Maine Chateau Thebaud 2010 1.5 LITER ($69.95) $59 special, 2 magnums available
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose 2013 1.5 LITER ($119.95) $89 special, 2 magnums available
Chateau Du Cayrou Cahors 1985 1.5 LITER ($179.95) $149 special, 3 magnums available Chateau Du Cayrou Cahors 2004 1.5 LITER ($49.95) $39 special, 1 magnum available
ITALY- PIEDMONT
Vietti Barbera d’Asti La Crena 2007 1.5 LITER ($149.95) $119 special, 1 magnum available Wine Advocate 94 points “Vietti’s 2007 Barbera d’Asti La Crena is a thrilling glass of wine. Jammy dark fruit, minerals, spices and French oak come together beautifully in this opulent, gorgeous La Crena. Today the wine is naturally quite primary, but with another few years in the bottle, it should develop plenty of tertiary nuances. I generally have my best experiences with La Crena around age ten, and have found it to be a wine that can stand side by side with just about anything. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019.”
Clerico Langhe Rosso Arte 2010 1.5 LITER ($99.95) $79 special, 5 magnums available
Clerico Langhe Rosse Arte 2011 1.5 LITER ($89.95) $69 special, 12+ magnums available Case-3 Clerico Langhe Rosse Arte 2011 1.5 LITER ($269.96) $189 special, 5 magnum cases available Stephen Tanzer 91 points “(90% nebbiolo and 10% barbera; aged for 18 months in new French oak): Good medium red. Perfumed aromas and flavors of plum, redcurrant, tobacco and spices. Intense and vibrant, with lovely inner-mouth aromatic lift. Very classy, delineated wine.”
Produttori Del Barbaresco Montestefano Riserva 2008 1.5 LITER ($139.95) $119 special, 10 magnums available Wine Advocate 95+ points “The 2008 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano is exquisite and harmonious from start to finish. Among the more structured 2008s, the Montestefano is the wine that most hides its tannin, as the fruit is intensely perfumed, rich and totally seductive. Today the Montestefano provides the illusion of being relatively accessible, but it is virtually certain to shut down in bottle. The 2008 boasts striking aromatics, seemingly endless layers of fruit and power to burn. Readers can think of the Montestefano as a synthesis of Montefico, Ovello and Rabaja. Not bad, to say the least. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2048.”
Produttori Del Barbaresco Ovello Riserva 2007 1.5 LITER ($149.95) $119 special, 2 magnums available Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2004 Ovello is deep, dense and incredibly primary. Although the wine clearly possesses remarkable stuffing, there is very little tertiary development here. With air, suggestions of menthol, pine, spices and licorice gradually emerge, but this remains a wine in need of serious bottle age. Lingering notes of sweetness resonate on the long finish. This austere, but beautiful Barbaresco is destined to develop beautifully in the bottle and should offer glorious drinking down the road. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024.”
Produttori Del Barbaresco Ovello Riserva 2007 1.5 LITER ($139.95) $119 special, 2 magnums available Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2007 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello comes across as cool, inward and reticent. In other words, very Ovello. It is one of the most complete of these 2007s, as the freshness of the site works to counter some of the more extroverted qualities of the year. The Ovello possesses stunning depth in its fruit, expressive inner perfume and firm yet refined tannins that provide the backdrop for all of the elements to come together beautifully in the glass. The Ovello seems to combine the best qualities of the Montestefano and Montefico. The huge, building finish provides a glimpse as to what awaits those who can exercise a measure of patience. This is a stunning Barbaresco on all counts. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2032.”
Produttori Del Barbaresco Ovello Riserva 2008 1.5 LITER ($139.95) $119 special, 12+ magnums available Wine Advocate 95+ points “The Produttori’s 2008 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello is a reference point wine for the village, even if, in truth, Ovello is a fairly diverse zone with many exposures. Firm, steely tannins support a core of expressive fruit in this vibrant, energetic Barbaresco. The 2008 is going to require considerable patience, but it is striking, even today. Sweet floral notes reappear on the vivid, utterly breathtaking finish, adding lift, precision and vibrancy. This is a stunning wine from the Produttori. The style is built on tension, energy and focus; in other words, all the qualities Ovello is known for. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2048.”
Produttori Del Barbaresco Rabaja Riserva 2007 1.5 LITER ($179.95) $149 special, 3 magnums available Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2007 Barbaresco Riserva Rabaja is a big, dark wine loaded with dark fruit, menthol, tar, flowers, mint, rosemary and an array of balsamic notes that develop in the glass. The Rabaja possesses stunning depth to match its muscular tannins. It is a dazzling wine endowed with tons of inner perfume and sheer personality as it saturates the palate from start to finish. Today, the Rabaja comes across as huge and almost Barolo like, but it has plenty of Rabaja character. Purists will want to age the wine for a number of years to allow the baby fruit to drop off, but the truth is, it is pretty stunning even today. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2037.”
Produttori Del Barbaresco Rabaja Riserva 2008 1.5 LITER ($179.95) $149 special, 9 magnums available Wine Advocate 96+ points “The 2008 Barbaresco Riserva Rabaja is utterly magnificent in this vintage. Usually a powerhouse, the 2008 is incredibly refined to the point it seems to literally hover on the palate. It is a wine of exquisite grace and beauty. All the elements are in place. I could describe the aromas and flavors, but that would be doing this majestic Barbaresco a huge disservice. Ultimately, the 2008 Rabaja, is all about textural finesse and pure elegance. This is another breathtaking wine from the Produttori. A king among kings. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2048.”
Vietti Barbaresco Masseria Riserva 2007 1.5 LITER ($349.95) $199 special, 3 magnums available Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2007 Barbaresco Masseria flows gracefully from the glass with fabulous aromas of crushed flowers, berries, spices and minerals. It is a wonderfully perfumed, elegant Barbaresco of the highest level. Supple and open today, it promises to drink well to age twenty, if not significantly longer. Hints of the profound 1989 Barolo Rocche – one of the all time greats here – lingers on the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2027.”
Vietti Barolo Brunate 2006 1.5 LITER ($399.95) $319 special, 2 magnums available Vietti Barolo Brunate 2006 3 LITER ($829.95) $699 special, 2 DOUBLE-MAGNUMS available Wine Enthusiast 97 points “Bravo! The Brunate cru has awarded Vietti with a stellar product: a wine that is unusually dark and plush with impressive intensity and crafted aromas of black fruit, spice, earth, licorice, balsam and gianduia chocolate-hazelnut spread. The soft, velvety texture is seductively delicious and the wine will age many long, glorious years.” WE Wine Advocate & Stephen Tanzer 95 points “Good medium red. Perfumed aromas of camphor, brown spices and menthol. Silky-sweet and aromatic in the mouth, with lovely class and a light touch for a wine with such a plush texture-no doubt due to a mineral element that reminded me of Musigny. Very intensely flavored, suave Brunate with an impressive rising finish. A superb showing: this has the structure for a slow evolution in bottle but the complexity to give it considerable early appeal.”ST
Vietti Barolo Lazzarito 2006 1.5 LITER ($399.95) $349 special, 1 magnum available Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2006 Barolo Lazzarito has begun to show the pedigree of this great Serralunga site now that Vietti has backed off the French oak, and the 2006 is nothing short of superb. A melange of dark, mineral-infused fruit flows from the glass as the large-scaled Lazzarito gradually shows off its class. Licorice, tar, smoke and earthiness add layers of complexity and nuance. The Lazzarito is still the Barolo that spends the longest number of months in French oak following the malolactic fermentation, but that period is down to several months from a full year the wine spent in small barrels up until 2001 or so. One day the Lazzarito may challenge the Rocche as Vietti’s signature Barolo, and that day may be closer than most people realize. This huge, imposing Barolo will require patience, but it is nothing short of superb. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2031.”
Vietti Barolo Lazzarito 2007 1.5 LITER ($449.95) $349 special, 2 magnums available Wine Advocate 96+ points “The 2007 Barolo Lazzarito is a superb, plush wine loaded with dark fruit, flowers of all sorts, sweet menthol and minerals, all of which flow through to the long, powerful finish. The wine’s inner perfume emerges over time, adding even more nuance and subtlety to this big Barolo. The 2007 Lazzarito is far from an open, easygoing wine, in fact it needs time, and lots of it. Anticipated maturity: 2022-2042.”
Vietti Barolo Rocche 2010 1.5 LITER ($499.95) $419 special, 1 magnum available Antonio Galloni 99 points “A wine of exquisite beauty, the 2010 Barolo Rocche is pure silk on the palate. The 2010 is incredibly dense, dark and powerful for a young Rocche. With time in the glass, the Rocche opens up nicely, showing the full breadth of its potential and pedigree. Stunning in the glass and impeccable throughout, the 2010 Rocche is firing on all cylinders. Sweet rose petals, mint, spices and licorice are woven into the breathtaking, perfumed finish.”
Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Asili 2005 1.5 LITER ($399.95) $319 special, 1 magnum available Wine Advocate 95 points “Giacosa’s 2005 Barbaresco Asili is noticeably rounder, sweeter and denser than the Santo Stefano. It shows remarkable balance and harmony in an incredibly pure, graceful style. The tannins are so finessed and elegant it is hard to actually perceive them on the palate. Here too, the wine shows awesome inner balance and poise. Sweet raspberries, flowers, roses and spices are just some of the nuances that emerge from this incredibly delicious, promising Barbaresco. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2025.”
Ca Del Baio Barbaresco Asili 2005 1.5 LITER ($119.95) $99 special, 2 magnums available Antonio Galloni 93 points“The estate’s 2005 Barbaresco Asili opens with a beguiling profile of dried roses, spices and raspberries. It possesses a compelling inner sweetness supported by finessed, silky-textured tannins. This bottling offers notable elegance and class, but then again, it is Asili. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020.”
Ca Del Baio Barbaresco Asili 2009 1.5 LITER ($89.95) $69 special, 5 magnums available Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2009 Barbaresco Asili caresses the palate with soft, open fruit and a resonant personality that is quite striking. The essence of red berries, rose petals and sweet spices blossom in the glass. This is an especially vibrant style for the year, with excellent freshness, color and balance. Firm tannins support a highly attractive, delineated finish. The 2009 should be an absolute beauty in another few years, once the tannins soften. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024. I was deeply impressed with the wines I tasted from Ca’del Baio this year. As always, the house style favors a juicy, fruit-forward expression of Nebbiolo.”
Marcarini Barolo Brunate 2010 1.5 LITER ($149.95) $133 special, 3 magnums available Stephen Tanzer 93+ points “Bright, dark red. Pungent, high-pitched aromas of bitter cherry, blackberry, mint, blood orange and white peach. Then dense, sweet and pliant yet penetrating thanks to terrific vibrant acidity. For a medium-bodied wine, this communicates an impression of strong dry extract. The firm tannins arrive late, allowing the wine’s finishing fruit to expand and stain the palate. Classic 2010 energy here.” Cappellano Barolo Pie Rupestris 2005 1.5 LITER ($189.95) $139 special, 1 magnum available
Elio Grasso Barolo Ginestra Casa Mate 2010 1.5 LITER ($249.95) $219 special, 1 magnum available Antonio Galloni 97 points “Dark red cherries, plums, smoke, tar, menthol and licorice all take shape in the 2010 Barolo Ginestra Vigna Casa Matè. Today the 2010 is painfully young and less expressive than the Gavarini, but equally promising. A generous, resonant wine, the 2010 blossoms in all directions with seemingly endless layers of dark, balsamic-inflected fruit. Today, the Casa Matè is closed and shut down, but it has all the qualities to develop into a spectacular Barolo. The future is bright, especially for readers who can be patient.”
Elio Grasso Barolo Riserva Runcot 2004 1.5 LITER ($329.95) $249 special, 7 magnums available Wine Spectator 98 points “Sweet spices introduce this concentrated red, whose deep, sappy flavors of cherry and plum mesh effortlessly with the supple texture. Licorice and mineral notes play around the edges, while the tannins are well-integrated. Stays bright and long on the finish. Best from 2013 through 2035.”
Giacomo Conterno Barolo Cascina Francia 2008 1.5 LITER ($379.95) $319 special, 5 magnums available Antionio Galloni 95+ points “The 2010 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia is cool, inward and reserved at this stage. Much less expressive than it was from barrel, today the 2010 appears to be in a closed phase. There is so much tension in the glass, though, and I can hardly wait to see where the 2010 goes over the coming years. A burst of mineral and floral infused fruit lingers on the polished, nuanced finish. Today, the 2010 seems to bring together the finesse of 2004 with the structure and power of the 2010. A pretty magical combination, if you ask me.”
Giacosa Barolo Le Rocche Del Falletto 2008 1.5 LITER ($419.95) $319 special, 11 magnums available Wine Spectator 96 points “Warm and chewy, this red exhibits cedar, sandalwood, tobacco and leather accents enhancing the core of cherry and raspberry. As this plays out on the palate, the wine turns more supple and vibrant, building to the long, expansive finish. Best from 2016 through 2035.”
Giacosa Barolo Le Rocche Del Falletto 2005 1.5 LITER ($499.95) $419 special, 1 magnum available Wine Advocate 96+ points, Wine Spectator & Stephen Tanzer 95 points “The 2005 Barolo Le Rocche del Falletto is a massive, towering Barolo loaded with tons of rich, primary fruit. The wine remains powerful, dense and muscular with superb length even if it is a smaller-scaled Barolo compared to previous great vintages. That said, when I came back to the wine after it had been in the glass for an hour or so, I found that the wine had grown remarkably. While the 2005 doesn’t have the explosive personality of the 2004, it remains an awesome achievement in this vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2035.”WA
Roberto Voerzio Barolo Riserva 2000 1.5 LITER ($499.95) $399 special, 1 magnum available Stephen Tanzer 94 points “Highly complex aromas of raspberry, woodsmoke, spices, pepper and Havana tobacco. At once lush and sappy in the mouth, with the creamy sweetness of a fruit liqueur complemented by notes of tobacco, chocolate and mocha. Shows a distinctly roasted character without losing its balance or verve. Explosive, seamless Barolo that saturates the palate with fruit. Finishes with slow-building tannins and outstanding persistence.”
Robertto Voerzio Barolo Riserva Capalot Brunate 1999 1.5 LITER ($599.95) $379 special, 4 magnums available Stephen Tanzer 95+ points “Full, deep ruby-red. Restrained but highly complex nose melds strawberry, raspberry, currant, mocha and dried flowers; less exuberant today than the Samassa. But the sweetest and lushest in the mouth of these ’99s: hugely rich, creamy and seamless but with terrific supporting vinosity giving it a lightness of touch.”
ITALY-TUSCANY
Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia 2010 1.5 LITER ($119.95) $99 special, 2 magnums available Antionio Galloni 95+ points “The 2010 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia is cool, inward and reserved at this stage. Much less expressive than it was from barrel, today the 2010 appears to be in a closed phase. There is so much tension in the glass, though, and I can hardly wait to see where the 2010 goes over the coming years. A burst of mineral and floral infused fruit lingers on the polished, nuanced finish. Today, the 2010 seems to bring together the finesse of 2004 with the structure and power of the 2010. A pretty magical combination, if you ask me.”
Isole E Olena Cepparello 2005 1.5 LITER ($179.95) $119 special, 10 magnums available Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2005 Cepparello is striking. It possesses stunning depth and a darker profile of fruit than is typical. The 2005 was quite compact when first released, but what a difference a few years in bottle make. Today the 2005 has begun to blossom into a big, dramatic wine for the year. As was the case throughout most of Chianti Classico, 2005 was shaping up to be a great year until the rains arrived just before harvest. This is a fabulous effort on its own, but especially notable for the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030.”
Isole E Olena Cepparello 2006 1.5 LITER ($199.95) $149 special, 2 magnums available Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2006 Cepparello is a super classic wine. It brings together the best elements of the house style in its breathtaking aromatics, delineated fruit and striking overall balance. All of the elements are in the right place for the 2006 to develop into a spectacular wine. The 2006 stands apart for its nuance, depth and overall detail. Juicy red cherries, raspberries, rose petals and licorice build to the huge, dramatic finish. The 2006 is one of the all-time great Cepparellos. It bears more than a passing resemblance to the stunning 1988. The 2006 has blossomed beautifully in bottle over the last few years, and it is now clear I underestimated its potential. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2036.”
ITALY- VENETO
Quintarelli Amarone Della Valpolicella 2004 1.5 LITER ($899.95) $799 special, 3 magnums available Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2004 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is insanely beautiful. A dark, mysterious beauty, the 2004 hits the palate with masses of black fruit, tobacco, smoke, licorice and incense. The 2004 is constantly changing in the glass, as it reveals layer after layer of flavor and pure nuance. Readers will have to be patient with the 2004, but it is spectacular. I tasted the 2004 just after bottling, and will not be surprised if it is even better with more time in bottle. The huge, voluptuous finish bodes well for the future. Readers who can find the 2004 should not hesitate. This is another magical 2004 from Quintarelli.”
Quintarelli Primofiore 2010 1.5 LITER ($179.95) $149 special, 2 magnums available
Quintarelli Valpolicella Classico 2005 1.5 LITER ($249.95) $219 special, 2 magnums available Quintarelli Valpolicella Classico 2005 3 LITER ($599.95) $499 special, 1 DOUBLE MAGNUM available
SPAIN
Ameztoi Txakolina Hijo Rubentis Rosado 2012 1.5 LITER ($79.95) $66 special, 6 magnums available
Bodegas Muga Rioja Rosado 2013 1.5 LITER ($29.95) $26 special, 2 magnums available
Bodegas Muga Rioja Prado Enea 2004 1.5 LITER ($129.95) $99 special, 6 magnums available Stephen Tanzer 94 points “80% tempranillo, with garnacha, mazuelo and graciano): Dark ruby. An intensely perfumed nose displays cherry-cola, cassis, licorice and woodsmoke, with a sexy floral quality and very good focus. Juicy, penetrating dark fruit flavors are given spine by tangy acidity and pick up bitter chocolate and spicecake nuances with air. Supple tannins add shape to the very long, sappy, smoke-accented finish. This is still a baby.”
La Rioja Alta Vina Ardanza Reserva 2004 1.5 LITER ($89.95) $79 special, 1 magnum available Wine Spectator #22 Wine Of The Year, Wine Spectator 94 points “Cedar, tobacco and spice hints frame dried cherry, berry and vanilla notes in this silky red. The flavors mingle nicely, framed by juicy acidity and light but firm tannins. The wine has a lovely, weightless intensity. A fine example of the traditional style. Drink now through 2020.”
GERMANY/AUSTRIA
JJ Prum Riesling Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese 2012 1.5 LITER ($149.95) $89 special, 12 magnums available Stephen Tanzer 92 points ” Pale golden yellow. Candied papaya, persimmon, clove and a vague hint of smoky botrytis on the nose. Luscious, creamy peach nectar flavor is nicely framed and accented by a splash of salty minerality. Richer and denser than the spätlese, showing excellent length, but not necessarily much better.”
JJ Prum Riesling Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese Gk 2012 1.5 LITER ($249.95) $179 special, 6 magnums available Mosel Fine Wines 93 points “This offers a deliciously rich and soft feel of flowers, herbs and ripe fruits, in which a hint of apricot, mango and also honey come through on the palate and in the finish. The wine is quite rich and smooth and leaves an airy and spicy feel in the long aftertaste. It lives from the fascinating botrytis complexity and it will be fascinating to see how it will develop in the coming decades. 2022-2042.”
Julian Haart Riesling Wintricher Ohligsberg 2012 1.5 LITER ($149.95) $99 special, 1 magnum available
Nikolaihof Riesling Vom Stein Smaragd 2010 1.5 LITER ($139.95) $119 special, 3 magnums available Terry Theise notes: “Almost rugged and gnarly-that’s ’10 baby. Flowering fields aroma doesn’t specifically signal “Riesling,” but the stretchy sinewy palate scratches that very itch; it’s the sting of mint without the mint of mint.”