Almost Mid-Week Newsletter 2-08-22

Did you know that Franciacorta predates the creation of modern Champagne? Agostino Gallo is largely credited as the originator of the style in a 1654 missive on villa management, but experts suspect the style might go back as far as the Renaissance Period. Originally comprised of indigenous varietals Schiava, Trebbiano and Erbamat, the style is now largely defined by Pinot Noir (Called Pinot Nero if you’re feeling Italian) and Chardonnay. Grown in the rocky loess sent down the Italian Alps after the Ice Age, Franciacorta offers incredible depth, finesse and character at a fraction of the cost of contemporary champagne.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day we were able to secure an allotment of Berlucchi’s Rose if you were looking to bring the romance. Comprised of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and aged for 2 years on the lees prior to disgorgement, there is a complete spectrum of strawberry, Bing cherry, Hibiscus and toast underscored by an alpine minerality.    

Berlucchi arriving Friday, February 11th 

Berlucchi ’61 Rose Brut Franciacorta DOCG Rose NV 750ML ($44.95) $26 special 
Case-6 Berlucchi ’61 Rose Brut Franciacorta DOCG Rose NV 750ML ($269) $149 special, (That’s only $24.83 per bottle!) 
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Bright and savory, this refreshing, polished sparkler boasts alluring aromas of juicy raspberry, wild cherry, baking spice and a whiff of bread crust. The inviting aromas follow over to the vibrant palate along with a continuous refined perlage. A tangy candied nectarine note closes the finish.”
Wine Spectator 91 points “Enticing aromas and flavors of ripe strawberry and raspberry fruit are set on the fine, lively bead in this clean-cut, mouthwatering rosé, with a chalky underpinning. Lightly spiced on the lingering finish.”
#93 Wine Spectator Top 100 Of 2021 “Classic (Champagne) Method Rose from the most important quality sparkling region in Italy… Pinot Nero, Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay. It’s just killer! This producer created the Franciacorta sparkling wines in 1961, hence ’61 on the label.”
 

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Still shopping for Valentine’s Day gifts? We carry Rose, Champagne, and Sherry!
 

Kopke, founded in 1638, makes what might be the most vibrant and long lived port wines available. They too have been through adverse times in their near 400 year history, seeing dramatic shifts in the climate, swings in the popularity of their product, and the rise and fall of populist dictators. Through all of this, they’ve been consistent in their commitment to making the greatest Tawny and Colheita (vintage Tawny) Port available. 

We’re fortunate to have a tremendous lineup available:, including Colheita vintage selections from 1937, 1941, 1967, 1978, and more, plus their 30- and 40-year old tawny ports. Highlights from the vintages include the epitome of subtlety that is 1941. It’s said that stress makes for the best wines, and you’d be hard pressed to find a more chaotic period of history given World War 2 was at its destructive peak.    
These are perfect examples of age adding concentration and depth, but the traditional Kopke freshness that keeps these so vibrant. Flickers of warmth are reminiscent of Cognac, but the clarity of the fruit and spice dominate the balance.

Whether you’re buying for yourself or as a gift, make sure you take your time with these once they’re open. Allow it to develop and fill your glass to the fullest. All of these will continue to show their highlights and develop rich spice and dried fruit characteristics for years to come.

Kopke Selections in stock now: 

Kopke 40 Year Tawny Port 750ML ($219.95) $199 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “This offers a dreamy mix of caramelized pear, fig and peach flavors at the core, while caramel, sesame oil and date notes fill in through the expansive finish. At first glance this is quite lush, but the finish lingers with cut and drive. Drink now. 200 cases imported.”
Wine Advocate 93 points “The NV 40 Year Old Tawny Port was bottled in 2016 with a bar top cork and 145 grams per liter of residual sugar. This adds a bit more brandy as a nuance on the finish to the 30, reviewed this issue, but it still seems much like the 30 Year Old, surprisingly fresh and easy, beautifully balanced and on the lighter side in terms of mid-palate concentration. It is a lovely tawny on its own terms–I’m just not sure it delivers enough of an uptick to justify the price spike from the 30 (or, perhaps even the 20). On its own, though, it won’t disappoint. The price references a 750 milliliter bottle.”
 

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Kopke 30 Year Tawny Port 750ML ($179.95) $128 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “A very inviting, open style, with butterscotch and caramel notes framing the core of glazed pear, caramelized peach, golden raisin and warm fig flavors. The lush finish lets crème brûlée and ginger cream details hang, showing a flash of honeysuckle for lift. Drink now. 200 cases imported.”
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Dark gold in color, this Port relishes its age. Like an aged tawny, it has lost its fruit at this mature stage, while gaining the rich, intense character that comes from long wood aging. It has concentrated acidity and a long, lingering aftertaste. Drink now.”
Wine Advocate 93 points “The NV 30 Year Old Tawny Port  was bottled in 2017 with a bar-top cork and 130 grams per liter of residual sugar. The last release I saw of this was pretty fine. So, too, here. This adds a layer of depth and more complexity to the Burmester, although it lacks the Burmester’s elegance and sex appeal. While the finish here is bigger and more gripping, it is no more flavorful (actually, less so). Still, as this rolls around the mouth, it is impressive, not necessarily more exciting than the Burmester, but definitely different stylistically. They are good examples of the diversity you can get in one portfolio. As always, these last indefinitely, barring cork failures, but they are not really meant to be held.”

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Kopke Colheita Port Portugal 1937 750ML ($999.95) $799 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Mark Squires-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 1937 Colheita Tawny Port comes in with 156 grams per liter of residual sugar. This is surprisingly fresh and surprisingly elegant for its age. It demonstrates its age when it finishes with power, showing remarkable grip and length, plus all those old Tawny flavors you want, the molasses, baked caramel. There’s a touch of brandy lurking here and there. While this has far more power and complexity than the 1967 this issue, it does lack that wine’s elegance and balance. The hard edge here is pretty hard, even if that intensity is sometimes very admirable. (I suspect it will show better if you come back in three days after opening it. They do change a little after pulling that cork, just a little, after that first rush.) At times, though, that hard edge makes it less attractive. The texture is smooth and unctuous. Overall, this is a fine experience in a blockbuster style. In some ways, I liked it no more than the 1967, though, perhaps less. To be sure, they are very differently styled as this, of course, emphasizes its power and that extra bit of complexity. Don’t drink this too warm—that can make all the difference.”
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “Bottled in 2008, this extraordinary wine is still concentrated. It is also smooth, a velvet texture of richness bordering on opulence. The flavor of wood is there, but more important are the old-time fudge and toffee flavors, rounded with sweet sultanas and edged with acidity. Roger Voss”
[Bottling date will vary]
 

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Kopke Colheita Port Portugal 1941 750ML ($849.95) $799 special, 1 bottles in stock now
Mark Squires-Wine Advocate 97 points “The 1941 Colheita Tawny Port, bottled in November 2015 with 126 grams per liter of residual sugar, is a marvel. The acidity here makes this very lively, startlingly fresh and young. Add the endless finish and lingering flavors to the very fine structure, and this becomes irresistible. Penetrating and intense, it is also simply delicious, the intensity of flavor matching the structure easily. The aromatics are fabulous, too. Put this next to an open window and walk towards it. You should probably be able to smell it from about ten feet away. It is also perfectly balanced. The first time around, at the beginning of my note I wrote “gorgeous” and then repeated it. At the end, I wrote “love, love this.” That still seems to sum it up nicely.”
 

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Kopke Colheita Port Portugal 1967 375ML ($149.95) $119 special, 6 half-bottles in stock now
Mark Squires Wine Advocate 95 points “The 1967 Colheita Tawny Port comes in with 142 grams per liter of residual sugar. This is a nice step up compared to the younger parts of the lineup, elegant and focused, with a precise finish, a fresh feel, little discernible brandy and a long, long finish. The classic old tawny flavors of molasses and caramel wash over the palate. This isn’t big and thick, but some may very well prefer its elegant and brighter feel. In many ways, it is fresher than the 1981 or 1999 reviewed this issue, and it is better balanced than the 1937. It is very pretty.”
 

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Kopke Colheita Port Portugal 1978 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 26 bottles in stock now
Mark Squires-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 1978 Colheita Tawny Port was bottled in 2015 with 119 grams per liter of residual sugar and a bar top cork (typical for the house). It is very graceful for its age, finishing with a wave of sweetness, fruit and sugar. Emphasizing the caramel more than the molasses, this is irresistibly delicious, but it becomes more complex and puts on weight as it airs and warms. The wine shows off its power and hints of Brandy on the rather tense finish, too. Overall, this is a beauty that becomes more impressive the longer you sit with it. Then, you realize that its balance is simply perfect, yet it stands out in most every category. This is very fine and the price is pretty nice for the age and the quality.”
Roger Voss Wine Enthusaist 94 points “Not one of the generally declared vintages for Port, this year produced some ripe, sweet single quinta vintages. It also was a good year for rich, sweet tawnies. This is ripe, toffee-like in character packed with ripe raisin and sultana flavors. It is a luxurious wine, of course ready to drink.”
 

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Kopke Colheita Port Portugal 1989 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Intense amber-golden colour. It reveals a bouquet of wonderful complexity and elegance, with dominant aromas of dried fruit and vanilla and enveloping notes of toast. In the mouth, it is dense and voluminous, yet smooth and delicate. It shows great complexity and great balance. A long and impressive finish.”
 

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Kopke Colheita Port Portugal 2000 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Mark Squires- Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2000 Colheita Tawny Port is a roughly equal blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca and Tinta Barroca coming in with 116 grams of residual sugar. This release was bottled in July 2020 with a bar-top cork. There is a reason to pay the extra money and trade up from the 2001—although a small reason. The 2001 is a little gentler and more precise. This might be a little more complex and fuller bodied—a little. What I often see as the difference between the two vintages is depth—the 2000s were a bit fatter in vintage style, which often shows in the Colheitas as well. Here, that comes through too, but modestly. They are both lovely. I’d take this if I had to choose.”
 

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Kopke Colheita Port Portugal 2007 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 91 points “Warm toffee, cinnamon and ginger notes glide through, enhanced by a light streak of juniper. Ends with accents of dark tea and a flash of bitter almond. Drink now.”
Mark Squires-Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2007 Colheita Tawny Port comes in with 112 grams per liter of residual sugar. This is a friendly and easy ten-year Tawny, with a bright feel and an elegant mid-palate. It finishes well, tasty and fresh. There’s nothing overly complicated here, but it is impossible to dislike.”

Kopke Colheita Port Portugal 2011 750ML ($41.95) $33 special, 16 bottles in stock now
No reviews available. 2011 vintage report from Vinous: ” Near-perfect weather conditions yielded concentrated, powerful yet elegant vintage Ports with outstanding aromatic complexity and the acid backbone and tannic grip for a glorious, slow evolution in bottle. One of the half dozen finest port vintages of the past 50 years.”
 

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Love Port? Check out our full assortment including Vintage, Tawny’s and Single Quinta (Vineyard) expressions!
 

 

“The elite group of Montalcino’s best producers can no longer fail to include Giacomo Neri and his winery” – Italian wine guide Gambero Rosso

You’d be hard pressed to find a better introduction to Brunello and her special clones of Sangiovese than Casanova Di Neri. Founded in 1978 by grain merchant Giovanni Neri, the estate became one of the first 50 producers in the new appellation called Brunello. The estate came into their stride after the acquisition of the Cerretalto vineyard, which included exceptionally old vines that are now used for propagation and their most lauded offering. 

With their holdings now encompassing multiple vineyards (All planted to the Cerretalto clone they discovered) they in Eastern Montalcino, they are able to offer a picture perfect view of their holdings, at a price for the everyman. If that wasn’t enough the estate is practicing organic and has garnered awards from critics around the world, including 100 point scored from James Suckling, Robert Parker and Wine Enthusiast.    

Casanova Di Neri in stock now: 

Casanova di Neri Cerretalto Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2012 750ML ($419.95) $379 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 98 points “Flavors of medicinal herbs, juniper, macerated cherry, plum, tobacco and spice are the hallmarks of this intense red, which is ripe and concentrated, yet sleek and focused. Spice notes chime in on the long, minerally and firmly tannic finish. Best from 2023 through 2040.”
Wine Advocate 98 points ” The 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto offers a prolonged, flowing and carefully massaged drinking experience that drapes over the senses with some studied intensity and lots of intriguing complexity. This wine nails that perfect balance between power and elegance (that elusive exchange that so many winemakers hope to achieve) with effortless precision. Bold cherry fruit and spice are tightly woven together. In the mouth, the wine shows texture, depth and succulence. Generally speaking, this is not my favorite vintage in Montalcino, but this wine suddenly made me forget that thought.”
James Suckling 97 points “The density is so impressive in this great single-vineyard wine of Casanova. It’s full yet agile at the same time. Shows such integrated tannins and fresh acidity at the finish. Energized and focused. Tangy and citrusy. Mineral undertone. One of the great Brunellos of 2012. Better in 2022.”
 

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Casanova di Neri Cerretalto Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2013 750ML ($359.95) $289 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 98 points “This intense version is concentrated, with black cherry, blackberry, graphite, tobacco and spice flavors, yet remains light-footed due to the racy profile. Structured, yet beautifully balanced and youthful. Shows purity and length on the aftertaste, which introduces a floral component. Best from 2022 through 2045. 814 cases made, 150 cases imported. — BS”
Decanter 96 points “Cerretalto is a 4ha vineyard on red sandy clay at the very eastern edge of Montalcino. It’s a cool site that’s very slow and late ripening, with significant temperature differences between day and night. In 2013 the grapes were harvested during the second week of October, and though not designated as a Riserva, it’s aged like one. It’s a wine that takes time to come around, and the 2013 is characteristically closed, rigid and austere in its youth. It hints at dusty black cherry and wild plums wrapped up in a graphite and iron fist. Bracing acidity cuts through the intense, concentrated core. The oak is polished but needs to integrate, while stiff, sticky tannins demand a few years to soften. This is all about patience. Drinking Window 2023 – 2039.”
Ian D’Agata-Vinous 95 points “Deep luminous ruby-red. Spicy red cherry and mineral nuances on the nose and in the mouth. Enters fresh and juicy with noteworthy flesh and size to the red and blue fruit flavors, then suave and refined all the way onto the long refined finish. Closes with youthfully chewy tannins and a tactile mouthfeel offering hints of flinty minerals and raspberry. A brooding giant that is extremely elegant and refined. Very well done.”
 

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Casanova di Neri Cerretalto Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2015 750ML ($399.95) $319 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 98+ points “Of these new releases from this benchmark estate, the Casanova di Neri 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto is my favorite wine. This Riserva is larger than life with ripe fruit, raspberry, cherry, spice, cola, root beer, mesquite and cedar. The wine offers a flashy and generous quality of fruit that unfolds over time with a multifaceted and multi-layered presentation. One thing that stands out here is the acidity that is bracing and tart at first but then succumbs to an important supporting role, rendering lasting freshness and persistence to the finish. With time, you get a flash of cherry and crème de cassis that seals the deal.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 95 points “The 2015 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto is remarkably fresh and balanced despite its large-scale persona. Minty herbs give way to raspberry and cherry with exotic spices and a hint of pine resin. It boasts depths of silky textures; yet it remains juicy and full of energy, displaying ripe red and black fruits, laced with salty minerals, as hints of cinnamon and baker’s chocolate form toward the close. Fine tannins come forward on the finish, tugging at the cheeks, yet all under an air of sweet spice and violet florals. As young as this is today, it’s hard to put the glass down, and I can only imagine the depths that will be revealed with five or more years of cellaring.”
 

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Casanova di Neri ‘Giovanni Neri’ Rosso di Montalcino Tuscany 2019 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 32 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “Giovanni Neri is the new wine of Casanova di Neri, dedicated to the founder in order to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the estate. A unique wine that respects the philosophy and the style of Casanova di Neri, that are still the same as fifty years ago. Giovanni neri is the expression of a Sangiovese that comes from a vineyard that has a wonderful exposition, exceptional soil and vines forty five years old.”
 

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Casanova di Neri Tenuta Nuova Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2015 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 14 bottles in stock Now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 98+ points “Giacomo Neri and his family have crafted a wine that impresses from the first sip forward (especially when the wine is given ample time to open). The Casanova di Neri 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova must be treated with patience, and that patience is returned with many great rewards. Blackberry, plum and summer cherry are slowly folded into lasting flavors of spice, leather and beautiful balsam or medical herb. These are always a distinctive signature of this estate. The aromas flow with seamless transitions, and that fluid and ever-changing nature of the bouquet is what helps to build intensity and staying power. Fruit is harvested from a south- and southeast-facing slope at 250 to 300 meters above sea level. The soils are mixed loosely with crushed rock, allowing access to air and moisture. Indeed, pretty mineral accents appear as the wine takes on more air in the glass. What stands out most in this Brunello is the quality of the bouquet that is rigid and firm, yet not excessively so. You feel the structural texture of the wine as it sits firmly over the palate, yet there is mobility and softness to its many moving parts. I tasted this wine at various intervals over a 24-hour period. Tenuta Nuova was bottled in June 2018, and some 70,032 bottles were released.”
Ian D’agata-Vinous 96 points “Bright full red. Redcurrant, red cherry, violet, sweet spices, and orange zest on the scented nose. Not in the quite sweet and fleshy style this bottling is famous for, but suave and very well delineated, with the orange peel note providing inner-palate lift. Closes very clean with excellent length.”
Eric Guido – Vinous 96 points “The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova was quite restrained at first, requiring time in the glass to fully blossom, as subtle red berry fruits slowly gain volume and are then complemented by sweet red florals with hints of exotic spice, peppery herbs, and dusty minerals. On the palate, silky textures flood the senses with rich red berry fruits and sweet herbal tones, leaving hints of savory spice and minerals in their wake. The finish is long and unexpectedly fresh, showing the first hints of round tannins under a top note of sweet cherry, plum and a hint of black tea. There is so much going on here, yet it is all densely wrapped up in its youthful state.”
 

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Can’t get enough Brunello? We carry over 74 bottlings online and in-store. 

 

Does Germany have growing regions other than cool climate? The Pfalz and her 1800 hours of sunshine during the growing season would make a strong argument for just that. Closer to Strasbourg than Berlin; the Pfalz is nestled between the Haardt Mountains and the Rhine River in a veritable oasis of forests and hills. Archeological records show that the district was one of the first areas in the entire world to have widespread consumption and production of wine, dating back to 550 B.C.E. 

The beneficial growing conditions make for some of the most interesting and diverse expressions of German wine, with Riesling still being the crown jewel. The warmer average temperature creates Rieslings with less acidity and concentrated fruit flavors like apricot, mango and nectarine. Aromas usually feature a headier and effusive quality in comparison to other regions that brings to mind daffodils, yarrow and lilies. Burklin Wolf is no exception, with their family holdings dating back to 1597 and historically matching Burgundy in price. Much like the rest of the Pfalz their specialty has been in drier styles with the current generation of owners focusing exclusively on the category. Their vineyards could not be more suited for this production style, producing Rieslings with a structure you rarely see.

Burklin Wolf in stock now: 

Dr. Burklin-Wolf Wachenheimer Altenburg P.C. Riesling Trocken Pfalz 2017 750ML ($39.95) $24 special, 35+ bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht-Vinous 92 points “Piquant notes of apple and citrus pith mingle on the nose with crushed stone and struck flint, suggesting this interpretation of Altenburg will likely reflect the austerity and rigor of its gravelly soil and coolest of all Bürklin-Wolf microclimates. On top of that, I suspect this wine is suffering the most from its recent bottling of any Bürklin’s vintage 2017 P.C.’s. Even so, the site’s character is irrepressible. The firm palate musters more than enough primary juiciness to guarantee refreshment, and its piquant, pithy combination of hickory nut, lemon seed and stone carries into a mouthwateringly saline, formidably gripping, practically mouth-shaking finish. Give this time! (It already responds well to a good shaking.)”
 

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Dr. Burklin-Wolf Wachenheimer Riesling Trocken Pfalz 2017 750ML ($24.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 92 points “Slightly funky (from wild ferment) but also great citrus, pear and peach aromas. Good concentration for a village wine with quite a linear profile. Very clean finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
 

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Love German Riesling? We carry 508 different bottlings from across the country!

 

 

Eisele is one of the most hallowed terroirs in the Napa Valley.  Tucked into the foothills in Calistoga, it has produced incredible wines since 1971 for Phelps, Araujo and now (indirectly) Chateau Latour, who bought the property a few years ago. 

Their Sauvignon Blanc is one of Napa’s landmark whites, with a power and complexity rarely seen in the grape. That’s a testament to the site, and also to some of the best winemaking talent in the valley. We’re offering an email subscriber special on this magical wine—just $89 per bottle, and even cheaper on three-packs.

In Stock Now:

Eisele Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($119.95) $89 special
Case-3 Eisele Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($349.95) $255 special (that’s only $85/bottle!)
James Suckling 97 points “Sliced apples and limes on the nose with grassy and chamomile notes. But then it turns to honeysuckle, chalk and minerals. Full-bodied with papaya, sliced-pear and green-pineapple flavors. Tight and fresh at the end. Crunchy acidity. Solid density. Energetic finish. Drink now or hold.”
 

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We carry Sauvignon Blanc from around the world including New Zealand, Alto-Adige and the Loire!

 

Madiran remains a wine region often read about but is rarely seen in our market. With wines based around the varietal Tannat, it’s often blended with her sister grapes Malbec and Fer Servadou. By itself or even in concert together, the wines from the Madiran tend to be bold, rustic and featuring a mountainous influence from the nearby Pyrenees. The wines from Labranche Laffont are labors of love, with Christine Dupuy taking over her family’s estate at 23 after the unexpected passing of her father. Continuing his work in reviving Tannat (Previously in danger of extinction with less than 15 acres left in the entire world at one point), Christine farms organically and works to be as low intervention as possible.  

The Domaine’s style is textbook for the area, with an additional elegance that Christine strives to emphasize in her wines. Her wines deliver on all counts, with her Vielles Vignes especially featuring a refreshing herbaceousness akin to bergamot that combine beautifully with the trademark Assamese tea, violets, black raspberry, anise and redcurrants. Combine that with a lifted acidity and a fabulously long finish, this is a wine that continues to evolve hours after being in the glass. 

Tannins are definitely the leader when ranking the body, acid and aromatics but everything is still in balance. Considering the relative youth of this wine, it will only improve through cellaring. This is a perfect reset for someone looking to switch it up from their regular bold red from Bordeaux, Washington State, California or Spain and vastly over delivers on the price to quality ratio.   

Labranche Laffont wines in stock now: 

Domaine Labranche-Laffont Madiran 2017 750ML ($19.95) $16 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine & Spirits 91 points “Christine Dupuy makes this wine mainly in concrete vats, from 60 percent tannat blended with equal parts cabernets sauvignon and franc. It feels like a young colossus (the giant mecha you’d pilot to fight Godzilla, if you’ve ever seen Pacific Rim…). Thelength of its smoky, dark fruit suggests a few more years of bottle age will scale it down to a savory, delicious red for greens braised in duck fat. (W&S 06/21)”
Importer note “Based on Tannat with 20% Cabernet Franc and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Made mostly in concrete vats, with around 1/3 raised in older barrels. A wine that responds well to air.”
 

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Domaine Labranche-Laffont Vieilles Vignes Madiran 2017 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, only 4 bottles left in stock now
Importer note “100% Tannat. From several parcels that total 7.5 acres. One parcel of roughly 2 acres is of pre-phylloxera vines in the neighborhood of 150 years old; the other parcels support vines that are at least 50 years old. Grapes are de-stemmed and the wine is raised in Bordeaux barrels, roughly 20% of which are new each year. Given several hours of aeration, this Tannat blossoms. In exceptional years, Christine will vinify the block of pre-phylloxera vines separately and bottle the wine as her cuvée Préphylloxérique. In all other years, the wine from these ancient vines goes into the vieilles vignes cuvée.”
 

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