Auguste Clape

September 2015

The burden of success is scrutiny – everyone’s watching a bit closer, chalking each vintage against the last. Within the northern Rhone Valley, few producers are under closer watch than Auguste Clape, nestled within eight hectares in Cornas.

Though the Clape family made wine across many generations within the Languedoc, growers’ strikes in the early 1900’s sent the family up to the northern Rhone Valley. Once there, they started anew, carving out their land from the steep western slopes of the Rhone River. Auguste, the former mayor of Cornas, was the first in the area to bottle estate fruit. The family operation now includes Auguste’s son, Pierre-Marie, and grandson Olivier.

The family’s eight hectares under vine sit stacked precariously on terraced parcels, a difficult topography which renders machines useless.… Read the rest

September 16th, 2015

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Beaucastel Arriving Soon; Ganevat Round 2 – New Releases; Karthauserhof – Elegant German Riesling; Felsina – Arriving This Week and Arriving Next Month; Domaine Faiveley; Austrian/German Magnums!

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Flash Sale!
Arriving Mid-October

Perrin & Fils Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2013 750ML ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 92-95 points “Looking at the 2013 Châteauneuf du Pape, I was able to taste the individual components, with each showing fantastic depth and richness. The Mourvedre is the star of the show and had blockbuster levels of concentration and depth, with perfectly ripe tannin.… Read the rest

Re-Arrival Special Sale; New Week – New Arrivals; Staff Picks; Arriving This Fall; Bergstrom; Case Deals

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Re-Arrival Special– New, Lower Price!

Felsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2010 750ML ($34.95) $26 re-arrival special
Case-12 Felsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2010 750ML ($349.95) $279 pre-arrival special (that’s only $23.25/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2010 Chianti Classico Riserva is host to a beautiful mix of black mineral, fruit, dried mint and eucalyptus. The wine shows elegant evolution in the glass and backs it up with dry, polished tannins. This is a stunning effort available at a reasonable price. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2028. This is one of the nicest collections of new releases by Giuseppe Mazzocolin’s Felsina.… Read the rest

September 12, 2015

Ganevat Special Feature; New Weekend – New Arrivals; Tuscan Treasures; Lafarge; Remelluri; St. Cosme – New Reviews; Tuscan Treasures Round Two

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New Arrival Special Feature
Jean Francois Ganevat 2010s

Jean Francois Ganevat Cotes du Jura ‘Grusse en Billat’ 2010 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
Wine Advocate 92-93+ points “I tasted both lots that will become Ganevat’s 2010 Cotes du Jura Chardonnay Grusses En Billat, from schistic but clay-rich soils situated on a high plateau and then from the steep slopes around it in the village of Grusse immediately east of Rotalier. The former portion displays pungent aromas and bright, mouthwatering, juicy palate persistence of salt-tinged tangerine and lemon with their pips; Chablis-like chicken and herb broth; and musky rose radish.… Read the rest

Wednesday, September 9th 2015

Re-Arrivals & Re-Pricements; Giacomo Conterno; Know Your Grape: Pinot Blanc; German Dessert Wines; New Arrivals @ Closeout Prices

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Re-arrivals / Re-pricements

Bodegas Borsao Tres Picos Garnacha, Campo de Borja 2012 750ML ($21.95) Was $18, Now $14 special
Case-12 Bodegas Borsao Tres Picos Garnacha, Campo de Borja 2012 750ML ($239.95) $149 special (that’s only $12.42/bottle!)
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “(half fermented in French oak and half in stainless steel): Bright purple. Heady aromas of blueberry, cherry compote, white pepper and woodsmoke, plus an exotic cinnamon note. Fresh and seamless, offering vibrant blueberry and black raspberry flavors and suave floral notes.… Read the rest