Tag Archives: buy

Domaine JL Chave Hermitage Blanc 2012 – April 2016

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc, Rhone 2012 750ML ($319.95) Buy Now: $199 special

Wine Spectator 97 points “A stunner from the start, with distinct depth to the creamed mango, white peach and heather flavors, this maintains superior precision and definition as the singed almond, chamomile, salted butter and ginger notes fill in. Glazed pear, elderflower honey and beeswax details chime in on the extremely long finish. Enjoyable now, but needs serious cellaring to show its full potential. Best from 2016 through 2037. 500 cases made.” JM

Wine Advocate 96 points “Much more open, fleshy and sexy, the 2012 Hermitage Blanc was just bottled a month prior to this tasting. Coming from l’Ermite, Les Rocoules, Maison Blanche and Peleat lieux-dits, it’s always a rough blend of 80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne that’s aged in barrel. Loaded with notions of honeysuckle, orange marmalade, powered rock, buttered citrus and green almond, it’s full-bodied, rich, upfront and fruit loaded. While I think it will be a relatively accessible early in its life, it has the concentration to hold for two decades.” WA

Josh Raynolds–Vinous 94-96 points “Tasted in single-site components from tanks as the wine awaited blending: #1, from Peleat: Ripe pear and honey aromas, with a suave floral accent and a hint of smoky minerals. At once rich and lively, showing excellent back-end power. #2, from Rocoules: Intense, mineral-accented citrus and orchard fruit aromas, with a sexy floral nuance building with air. Bright, focused and mineral-driven, with a strong Meyer lemon quality lingering on the tangy finish. #3, also from Rocoules: Showing more emphasis on orchard fruit than the first Rocoules tank, with powerful quince and pear flavors and a touch of bitter quinine. Dusty minerals sharpen the long, sappy finish. #4, from l’Ermite: Spicy citrus zest and ginger scents along with a chalky mineral note and a hint of anise. Smoky and penetrating, with superb finishing clarity and lingering spiciness. #5, also from l’Ermite: More floral and masculine than the previous l’Ermite, with strong jasmine and orchard fruit character and a touch of bitter quinine. Bright and nervy on the finish, which doesn’t want to let up.” JR

Chateau Simone Palette Rose Provence 2014 – April 2016

Chateau Simone Palette Rose, Provence 2014 750ML ($79.95) Buy Now: $59 special

Importer note “This magical and ancient estate in the hills just south of Aix-en-Provence produces a Rosé from the Palette appellation that is outside of category. It is a wine that belies the notion that rosés are simple wines to be drunk up young. We have indulged ourselves with 10-year old Château Simone Rosé and have marveled at the tenacity, vibrancy and complexity of this very serious wine. Expensive yes … but a special experience. A blend identical to the rouge: 45% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, 5% Cinsault, 20% Syrah, Castet, Manosquin, Carignan, Muscat Noir & Blanc. The mineral backbone of this wine is augmented by the flavors and bouquets sourced from the magnificent pines that surround this estate.”

Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin La Grande Dame Brut, Champagne 2006 – April 2016

Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin La Grande Dame Brut, Champagne 2006 750ML ($169.95) Buy Now: $119 special

Wine Spectator 94 points “Bright and graceful, this seamlessly knits a subtle streak of smoke-tinged minerality with flavors of almond financier, poached pear, candied kumquat and crème de cassis, focused by vibrant acidity and a refined, creamy mousse. Drink now through 2030.”

Taittinger Collection Zao Wou-Ki, Champagne 1998 – April 2016

Taittinger Collection Zao Wou-Ki, Champagne 1998 750ML ($499.95) Buy Now: $399 special

Importer note “The Taittinger Collection Series bottles are released only in great vintages, from a selection of the year’s finest cuvées. The wines are made from Chardonnay mainly from the Grands Crus of the Côte des Blancs, and Pinot Noir from Montagne de Reims and Vallée de la Marne vineyards. The fruit is pressed in the vineyards and the first pressing is transported to the winery for fermentation, followed by a second fermentation in the bottle. Aged for five or more years on the lees, the wine acquires complexity and the fine, pinpoint bubbles characteristic of its sparkle.”

Domaine Jamet Cote Rotie 2013 – April 2016

Domaine Jamet Cote Rotie, Rhone 2013 750ML ($149.95) Buy Now: $119 special

Domaine Jamet Cote Rotie, Rhone 2013 1.5L ($319.95) Buy Now: $279 special

Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Inky ruby. A vibrant spice- and mineral-accented bouquet evokes ripe black raspberry and blueberry, candied flowers, incense and peppery spices. Sweet, palate-staining red and blue fruit compote and violet pastille flavors are complicated by notes of cracked pepper and bitter chocolate, with a spicecake nuance gaining strength in the glass. Velvety, pliant tannins add gentle grip to a strikingly long and incisive finish that strongly repeats the floral and mineral notes.” JR

Jeb Dunnuck-Wine Advocate 93-95+ points “Tasted from multiple barrels, Jean-Paul’s 2013 Côte Rôtie is a peppery, complex and concentrated effort that shows the classic wildness and perfume of the estate. All of the samples had bright acidity and a spine of ripe tannin, so short-term cellaring will be the name of the game here. Always one of my favorite visits, Jean-Paul is loaded with enthusiasm and passion, and we went through multiple barrels for each of his cuvees. To me, his wines epitomize traditionally made Côte Rôtie. Jean-Paul told me that he was thrilled with his 2013s, but that it was an irregular vintage that will require bottle age. His 2012s are some of the most impressive in the vintage. The news here, however, is the split between Brothers Jean-Paul and Jean-Luc Jamet, who have been running the estate together since 1991. Jean-Paul will continue making the wines, and will maintain the majority of the estate vineyards. What effect, if any, this will have with regard to the wine is yet to be fully determined.”