Paolo Bea Pagliaro Secco, Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG 2008 750ML ($89.95) $79 special

Umbria, the heartland of Italy; the only region of Italy that is in fact surrounded by Italy. Its rolling hills and intermittent plains are something of an agricultural paradise. Montefalco is said to be the balcony of Umbria; an ancient hilltop fortess village. And the nearby Montefalco hills are the center of Umbrian wine tradition, with pre-Roman origins. For all of its prized olive oils and sometimes prized wines, the greatest “export” from Umbria may well be the particular theology of the Franciscan Order, founded in 13th Century Assisi, 20 miles to the north from Montefalco.

The Bea Family in Montefalco pre-dates the 16th Century. For all the impact that Paolo Bea has had on the world of wine, the estate is tiny and not specifically devoted to wine.… Read the rest

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Castello di Ama ‘San Lorenzo’, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2011 750ML ($57.95) $41.90 special
Case-12 Castello di Ama ‘San Lorenzo’, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2011 750ML ($549.95) $432 special (that’s only $36/bottle!)
Case-6 Castello di Ama ‘San Lorenzo’, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2011 750ML ($259.95) $233 special (that’s only $38.83/bottle!)
James Suckling 96 points “This has a dusty character on the nose with soil, dried fruit and blueberry. Flowers too. Full body, firm tannins and a fresh finish. Tight and structured. Shows wonderful depth of fruit and beauty. Chewy. Better in 2016.” JS… Read the rest

January 2016

The Gaja winery was founded in 1859 in the Langhe district of the Piedmont region.  For generations, the family was known for their traditional production of Barbarescos and Barolos. When Angelo Gaja took the helm in the 1960’s, he adopted modern methods of winemaking and became known as “the man who dragged Piedmont into the modern world.” His innovations involved introducing barrique aging, hybrid French bottle formats and longer corks. 1978, Angelo replanted a vineyard of Nebbiolo with Cabernet Sauvignon not because he loved Cabernet, but because he wanted to introduce Italy as a major contender in the world market. If he could grow and produce an international varietal that could gain respect, then he could persuade the world of the greatness of Italy’s indigenous grapes.… Read the rest

January 2016

Two illustrious figures in Burgundy, Jacques Seysses, founder of Domaine Dujac, and Aubert de Villaine, owner of DRC, founded the Triennes Domaine in Aix en Provence with their friend, Michel Macaux. The estate’s cool microclimate and clay-limestone soils immediately attracted the pair. The wines are influenced by their Burgundian ties: showing excellent structure and balance. The cooler microclimate helps the grapes retain acidity and finesse. The rose is primarily Cinsault with some Grenache, Syrah and Merlot. The Saint Auguste bottling is a reserve selection of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Both bottlings are aged in seasoned barrels from Domaine Dujac.

Domaine de Triennes Wines Available Here Now

Domaine de Triennes Sainte – Fleur Viognier, IGP Var 2013 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Case-12 Domaine de Triennes Sainte – Fleur Viognier, IGP Var 2013 750ML ($219.95) $189 special (that’s only $15.75/bottle!)… Read the rest

January 2016

French-Chilean Class in a Glass

Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle and her husband Cyril de Bournet founded Lapostolle in 1994. The Marnier Lapostolle family, known for founding Grand Marnier liqueur, drew on long long roots in wine and spirits within France. Their project in Chile, under the name Lapostolle, delivers world-class wines across every tier.

Spread across three vineyards, the winery’s vineyards total 370 hectares across the Chiliean coastline across different terroirs. Situated south of Santiago, the vineyards include mountain ranges and dried-up riverbeds; exposure to sun, fertile soils, and oceanic breezes all contribute to ideal winegrowing conditions. The ambition of ‘Casa’ series of wines –newly arrived to the shop – is to deliver value-driven, delicious wine from a grand estate known for world-class viticulture.… Read the rest