In This Newsletter:
Felsina Sale
Collector’s Corner Featurette: Domaine Huet’s Demi-Secs
Stock Up & Save On
Fèlsina
Felsina Sale
Collector’s Corner Featurette: Domaine Huet’s Demi-Secs
Stock Up & Save On
Fèlsina
Few wine producers worldwide have the quality and consistency of Fèlsina. We’re proud to be longtime supporters of their work. They offer some of the most collectible in the appellation, as well as age worthy. We stock dozens of cases of these explosive reds every year that are quickly snapped up by longtime collectors and new admirers alike.
The 100% Sangiovese Fontalloro is a Brunello-drinker’s dream, with explosive aromatics and lots of power to back it up. This wine showcases the winery’s commitment to expressing the unique character of their property and the potential greatness achieved in blending. With its rich, velvety texture, enticing aromas, and long, satisfying finish, Fontalloro embodies the perfect marriage of tradition and innovation.
Our second option is the Rancia, an exceptional single-vineyard wine. Felsina rehabilitated the site and cloned the best vines throughout the vineyard, eventually spreading them throughout their other holdings. The dominant soil type of the vineyard is albarese, a type of limestone-infused sandstone that’s famous for the aromatic punch it contributes to the wine. Today, this is the source of their Chianti Classico Gran Selezione. This is a new, higher designation within Chianti. It requires longer aging than a Chianti Classico Riserva and more stringent quality control, among other requirements.
The Colonia vineyard, home of their original Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, is a true passion project. The family began replanting and developing the vineyard in 1966, only completing the project in 1993 due to the difficulty of the terrain. It sits atop the hill of Poggio a Rancia. Only 3,000 bottles are produced annually, a tiny quantity of this precious wine. The resulting wine is spectacular with unrivaled precision and focus.
Felsina is certainly leading the way to the new pinnacle of quality in Chianti. Stock up on some of their finest during our three-day sale!
The 100% Sangiovese Fontalloro is a Brunello-drinker’s dream, with explosive aromatics and lots of power to back it up. This wine showcases the winery’s commitment to expressing the unique character of their property and the potential greatness achieved in blending. With its rich, velvety texture, enticing aromas, and long, satisfying finish, Fontalloro embodies the perfect marriage of tradition and innovation.
Our second option is the Rancia, an exceptional single-vineyard wine. Felsina rehabilitated the site and cloned the best vines throughout the vineyard, eventually spreading them throughout their other holdings. The dominant soil type of the vineyard is albarese, a type of limestone-infused sandstone that’s famous for the aromatic punch it contributes to the wine. Today, this is the source of their Chianti Classico Gran Selezione. This is a new, higher designation within Chianti. It requires longer aging than a Chianti Classico Riserva and more stringent quality control, among other requirements.
The Colonia vineyard, home of their original Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, is a true passion project. The family began replanting and developing the vineyard in 1966, only completing the project in 1993 due to the difficulty of the terrain. It sits atop the hill of Poggio a Rancia. Only 3,000 bottles are produced annually, a tiny quantity of this precious wine. The resulting wine is spectacular with unrivaled precision and focus.
Felsina is certainly leading the way to the new pinnacle of quality in Chianti. Stock up on some of their finest during our three-day sale!
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Felsina
10% off any 6+ or more in-stock bottles of Felsina
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Friday, April 25th at 9 am Pacific.
10% off any 6+ or more in-stock bottles of Felsina
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Friday, April 25th at 9 am Pacific.
We offer six in-stock Felsina options on sale now, including:
Felsina Berardenga Fontalloro Toscana IGT 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Felsina Berardenga Fontalloro Toscana IGT 2018 1.5L Displayed Price: $128, that’s $121.60 at 5% off and $115.20 at 10% off, 7 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 95 points “The 2018 Fontalloro is bright, floral and full of energy. In most vintages, Fontalloro is quite open, but the 2018 is especially nervy and taut. That won’t be an issue in time, of course, but readers should plan on being patient. Sangiovese is so expressive here. A whole range of floral and savory accents lingers on the close.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “To my palate, the 2018 vintage sometimes feels a little too ripe or baked. I was reminded of those characteristics when tasting the Fèlsina 2018 Fontalloro. There is plenty of dark fruit at its core, but this wine also reveals dry tones of jarred oregano, grilled Mediterranean herb, crushed aspirin and graham cracker. The mouthfeel is pleasantly lean and silky, and perhaps the wine delivers more in terms of length than it does weight or texture. A little more bottle age should help flesh out and soften these results.”
Felsina Berardenga Fontalloro Toscana IGT 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $62.50, that’s $59.38 at 5% off and $56.25 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “A fresh and crunchy Fontalloro with currants, orange peel and hints of peaches and cedar. Medium body, firm and fine tannins and a crisp and bright finish. Lots of energy and verticality to this! Drink after 2025.”
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 94 points “The 2019 Fontalloro is terrific. In this vintage, the blend of three vineyards is a plus in giving a wine endowed with density, resonance and plenty of Sangiovese character. Dried herbs, leather, incense, tobacco and cedar open with time in the glass.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Felsina Berardenga Fontalloro Toscana IGT 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $66, that’s $62.70 at 5% off and $59.40 at 10% off, 20 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “A vibrant red, with fleeting aromas of lavender and wild rosemary mingling with cherry, orange peel, earth, mineral and tobacco flavors. On the elegant side, despite its youthful power, with excellent harmony, refined tannins and a long, complex aftertaste. Sangiovese. Best from 2026 through 2045. 3,800 cases made, 1,200 cases imported.”
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 94 points “The 2020 Fontalloro is a sensual, enveloping wine. Dark red-toned fruit, sweet spice, tobacco, cedar and mint are all beautifully delineated. Fontalloro is a pure Sangiovese from vineyards that straddle the Chinati Classico and Colli Senesi appellations. The duality is very much on display here.”
Felsina Berardenga Rancia, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Rancia DOCG 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $54.50, that’s $51.78 at 5% off and $49.05 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 95+ points “The 2021 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Rancia is the rst vintage in which Rancia moves from Riserva to Gran Selezione. More importantly, Fèlsina appears to be back on track after two years, during which Rancia underperformed because of the inclusion of a parcel that did not work in the blend and contributed a slight vegetal character. The 2021 marries power and finesse in the way only Rancia can. Black cherry, leather, game, spice, licorice, tobacco and grilled herbs are all nely knit in a brooding yet elegant Gran Selezione that delivers the goods. Superb.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Felsina Berardenga Colonia, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2010 750ml Displayed Price: $149, that’s $141.55 at 5% off and $134.10 at 10% off, 8 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95+ points “When you hear the story of the effort that went into making the Colonia vineyard, you have to wonder if the fine folks at Fèlsina are absolutely mad. It took them two years of dynamite blasting to clear the imposing rock that had forced previous generations of the Poggiali family to virtually abandon this site. But an ambitious Giovanni Poggiali takes credit for making this spectacular vineyard what it is today. The wine produced here is quickly becoming the second flagship product after Fontalloro. The 2010 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Colonia is a wine of enormous beauty and depth. This is Sangiovese at its highest expression and any doubt I had about the previous vintage (which was the first time this wine appeared as a Gran Selezione) have been washed away by this current release. What really stands out are the wine’s precise mineral and graphite aromas that lend an incredible sense of focus and balance. The oak element is also beautifully integrated.”
A pioneer in biodynamic viticulture, Domaine Huet is the most sought-after Vouvray producer. They craft producing wonderful and empirically age-worthy wines not to be overlooked: affordable, benchmark luxuries.
Though they make decadently sweet wines and bone-dry, the sweet spot are the demi-secs. No, seriously! These off-dry wines make unexpectedly fabulous pairings with rich stews and sausages, rabbit in mustard sauce (a personal favorite), and roasted squash and kale dishes. The touch of sweetness enhances the flavor of a meal much like a dash of lemon or a sprinkle of salt. We offer a wide selection of vintages, so you can enjoy a fruity younger example or a poised aged example tonight!
In Stock & On Sale Now:
Domaine Huet Vouvray Clos du Bourg Demi-Sec 2020 750ml $44 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Rebecca Gibb MW-Vinous 97 points “Drinking the 2020 Clos du Bourg Demi-Sec is like taking your shoes off at the end of a long day of walking and soaking them in warm water: there’s just satisfaction and relaxation. The 2020 has a sense of volume but not weight, filling the mouth with depths of pure fruit before the acid pours forth like a canal lock being opened. You can expect a hint of spice and crème caramel alongside apple and florals. I am utterly seduced.”
Domaine Huet Vouvray Clos du Bourg Demi-Sec 2023 750ml $49 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “Firmly structured and elegant, this is a demi-sec but supremely food-friendly and balanced, with subtle sweetness deftly offset by savory power and mineral notes. Plush and generous, with flavors of honeycomb, ripe apple and heather that are all tightly hemmed in with plum skin acidity and apple seed tannins. Green almond bitterness and hints of fleur de sel mark the complex finish. Drink now through 2037. 490 cases made. –KB”
Domaine Huet Vouvray Le Mont Demi-Sec 2015 750ml $44.50 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2015 Vouvray Le Mont Demi-Sec is deep, rich and flinty on the nose, with caramel and vegetable flavors indicating a great complexity. Full-bodied, dense and powerful, this is highly complex and persistent, yet refreshing and transparent Chenin with a juicy fruit and lots of grip, energy and tension. Rather demure at the moment, this enormously structured wine has a great aging potential and I recommend to store it for 6-10 years, at least.”
Domaine Huet Vouvray Le Mont Demi-Sec 2023 375ml $28 special, 12 half-bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points “For a demi-sec, this leans toward the dry, savory end of the spectrum. There are a lot of layers and substance to this, with a savory thread of green herbs and bitter white tea weaving through elderflower, quince and apple flavors, while gentle tannins provide a solid frame. Cool river stone and pink peppercorn notes line the finish, encased in smoke and salt, with length and a lot of depth. The toasty cedar notes will integrate with more time in bottle. Drink now through 2037. 740 cases made.”
Though they make decadently sweet wines and bone-dry, the sweet spot are the demi-secs. No, seriously! These off-dry wines make unexpectedly fabulous pairings with rich stews and sausages, rabbit in mustard sauce (a personal favorite), and roasted squash and kale dishes. The touch of sweetness enhances the flavor of a meal much like a dash of lemon or a sprinkle of salt. We offer a wide selection of vintages, so you can enjoy a fruity younger example or a poised aged example tonight!
In Stock & On Sale Now:
Domaine Huet Vouvray Clos du Bourg Demi-Sec 2020 750ml $44 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Rebecca Gibb MW-Vinous 97 points “Drinking the 2020 Clos du Bourg Demi-Sec is like taking your shoes off at the end of a long day of walking and soaking them in warm water: there’s just satisfaction and relaxation. The 2020 has a sense of volume but not weight, filling the mouth with depths of pure fruit before the acid pours forth like a canal lock being opened. You can expect a hint of spice and crème caramel alongside apple and florals. I am utterly seduced.”
Domaine Huet Vouvray Clos du Bourg Demi-Sec 2023 750ml $49 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “Firmly structured and elegant, this is a demi-sec but supremely food-friendly and balanced, with subtle sweetness deftly offset by savory power and mineral notes. Plush and generous, with flavors of honeycomb, ripe apple and heather that are all tightly hemmed in with plum skin acidity and apple seed tannins. Green almond bitterness and hints of fleur de sel mark the complex finish. Drink now through 2037. 490 cases made. –KB”
Domaine Huet Vouvray Le Mont Demi-Sec 2015 750ml $44.50 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2015 Vouvray Le Mont Demi-Sec is deep, rich and flinty on the nose, with caramel and vegetable flavors indicating a great complexity. Full-bodied, dense and powerful, this is highly complex and persistent, yet refreshing and transparent Chenin with a juicy fruit and lots of grip, energy and tension. Rather demure at the moment, this enormously structured wine has a great aging potential and I recommend to store it for 6-10 years, at least.”
Domaine Huet Vouvray Le Mont Demi-Sec 2023 375ml $28 special, 12 half-bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points “For a demi-sec, this leans toward the dry, savory end of the spectrum. There are a lot of layers and substance to this, with a savory thread of green herbs and bitter white tea weaving through elderflower, quince and apple flavors, while gentle tannins provide a solid frame. Cool river stone and pink peppercorn notes line the finish, encased in smoke and salt, with length and a lot of depth. The toasty cedar notes will integrate with more time in bottle. Drink now through 2037. 740 cases made.”
Don’t miss our additional sales going on now:
California Pinot Noir
Buy any 3- 5 bottles of CA Pinot for a 5% discount
Buy any 6+ bottles of CA Pinot for a 10% discount
German & Austrian Magnums
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of German & Austrian Magnums, 3L & 6L
10% off any 6+ or more in-stock bottles of German & Austrian Magnums, 3L & 6L
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
California Pinot Noir sale ends Wednesday, April 23rd at 9 am Pacific. German & Austrian Magnum sale ends Thursday, April 24th at 9 am Pacific.