Category Archives: Special Features

Delamotte – Extended Tirage Masterpieces

8-20-2020

Delamotte is best known as the more affordable arm of Salon—the original luxury-collectible single vineyard Blanc de Blancs from Le Mesnil. While that’s understandable, it tends to ignore the fact that Delamotte is a Champagne house of not in its own right (it’s much easier for other merchants to shout “Salon for $$” than to sell the Champagne on its own merit). If one were making a case for Delamotte as a great producer on their own, you could look no further than their “Collection” wines.

These are the peak of the Delamotte range, held on the lees longer and disgorged late to capture the full glory of mature Champagne. They have the racy brightness of their Cote de Blancs origins balanced against toasty, rich flavors that only come with age.

… Read the rest

Borgogno & Figli Derthona Timorasso

Borgogno & Figli Derthona Timorasso – 8-18-2020

Arriving Friday, August 21st

Giacomo Borgogno & Figli Derthona Timorasso Colli Tortonesi, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($69.95) $54.50 pre-arrival special
Grapelive 94 point “A few years ago, Walter Massa of Vigneti Massa almost single handedly brought the rare Timorasso grape back from extinction and now it is one of the hottest white wines made in the Piedmonte region. We are seeing many great producers jumping on the bandwagon, including the famed Vietti and this beautiful expression by the legendary Barolo maker Borgogno. Tasted at Slow Wine earlier this year, the 2018 Borgogno Derthona DOC should be arriving to the United States soon, though you’ll have to really work hard to get your hands on it as it is extremely limited, but you’ll be greatly rewarded for your hard work and search if you get your hands on it.… Read the rest

Snowden: Napa Valley’s Best-Kept Open Secret

Snowden – 8/16/2020

Offering one of Napa Valley’s best quality-to-price ratios, Snowden has earned the respect of both its peers and consumers alike. Today we’re thrilled to offer their 2016 “Brother” bottling, as well as two vintages (2016 and 2017) of “The Ranch” bottling. Both wines punch well above their weight, offering what many consider the region’s best sub-$100 and sub-$50 Cabs respectively.

Located at the confluence of several of Napa Valley’s most acclaimed appellations, including Rutherford and St. Helena, Snowden is a Beverly Hills estate without the 90210 zip code. This location, on the gentle hillside of the Vaca Mountains, allows the estate’s third generation winemaker Diana Snowden Seysses to produce wines of power and nuance. Having trained in both Napa and Europe, her wines combine prototypical Napa muscle with freshness and intricate fruit.… Read the rest

Top Value Medocs: February 2020

Arriving February 21st, several attractively priced Bordeaux reds from vintages with stories to tell.

2016 is considered by many to be the finest vintage of the last decade. It was a year that had a bit of everything, rain in the spring, drought in the summer, but through it all the grapes on Bordeaux’s left bank underwent the perfect amount of stress to yield exceptionally ripe yet fresh fruit.

2008 witnessed rain during much of the growing season, but was fortunately saved by a dry autumn. This led to inconsistent quality, but many great wines for those who knew where to look, Chateau Larose Perganson’s 2008 Haut-Médoc amongst them.

Chateau Larose Perganson

An estate with a history dating back 300 years, today Chateau Larose Perganson produces modern styled Bordeaux with intense fruit, subtle oak (over 30% new barrels), and smooth tannins.