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Wine of the Day: Zorzal Eggo Tinto de Tiza, Tupungato, Argentina 2014 4-21-16

Zorzal Eggo Tinto de Tiza, Tupungato, Argentina 2014 750ML ($39.95) Buy Now: $33 special

The ‘Eggo’ from Zorzal was a very pleasant surprise the first time we tasted it here at the shop. The wine had generated a fair amount of buzz and prior vintages scored quite impressively; suffice it to say that expectations were high. By all accounts, ‘Eggo’ performed well beyond our expectations. The Malbec-dominant blend presented a beautiful, balanced array of dark fruits and earth without an overabundance of showiness. We’re happy to now have the wine available for sale in addition to a few other cuvees listed below. Enjoy! -Tyler

Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2014 Eggo Tinto de Tiza is a blend from three different vineyards in Tupungato Winelands in Gualtallary. It’s a blend of mostly Malbec with some Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. As is the case with the whole Eggo range, the wine didn’t see any oak, and in this case it was matured in egg-shaped cement vats for one year. There are violets, plums, dark cherries and something earthy. This is slightly riper than the 2013. The medium-bodied palate has is fresh with a silky texture, pure flavors and a mineral-driven finish. At this price I’d buy it by the case. Super!”

Piper Heidsieck Rare Millesime Brut, Champagne 2002 – April 2016

Piper Heidsieck Rare Millesime Brut, Champagne 2002 750ML ($219.95) Buy Now: $189 special

Wine Spectator 97 points “Impeccably balanced and silky, with finely honed acidity shaping the expansive flavors of toasted brioche, crushed blackberry, lemon preserves and honey, revealing hints of Frangelico liqueur and smoked nut. Rich and vivid, with a lasting finish. Drink now through 2027. 2,500 cases made.” AN

Wine Enthusiast 94 points – Cellar Selection “This is top Champagne from Piper-Heidsieck, offering the delicious airy quality that’s the hallmark of this house, with crisp apple flavor, tangy acidity and the first signs of yeasty, toasty bottle age. Its fruit intensity has transformed into a splendid selection. It’s worth aging for a few more years, though also delicious now.”

Marques de Legarda Reserva de la Familia, Rioja DOCa 1995 – April 2016

Bodegas de la Real Divisa Marques de Legarda Reserva de la Familia, Rioja DOCa 1995 750ML ($99.95) Buy Now: $79 special

Producer Notes “Bodegas de la Real Divisa are some of the oldest wineries in both La Rioja and Europe, belonging to a family legacy, which boasts the noble, family name of Marqués of Legarda. Bodegas de la Real Divisa also produce highly expressive wines, created from the older vines: Draco and Marques de Legarda Reserva de la Familia. These wines are only elaborated during year, when the grapes are of optimum quality, as much so in the plant’s general health as the grapes’ organoleptic characteristics. [The Reserva de la Familia is produced from] grapes originating exclusively from the bodega’s own vineyards. Each variety of native red grape gives different values to wines: Tempranillo brings power, elegance and aromas, Graciano produces wines of great color with spicy aromas [and] Mazuelo produces wines that bring freshness.”

JL Chave Hermitage Rouge 2012 – April 2016

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Rouge, Rhone 2012 750ML ($219.95) Buy Now: $219 special

Wine Advocate 94-97 points “Looking at the 2012 Hermitage, which is still resting in barrels and getting ready to be bottled, it’s a much more classic, easy to read Hermitage that has lots of ripe, sweet fruit in its full-bodied, concentrated, textured profile. It has copious sweet blackberry and cassis fruit, violet and serious granite-like minerality, superb mid-palate depth and a focused, structured finish. It’s a beautiful, classy 2012 that will have 20-25+ years of longevity.” WA

Josh Raynolds–Vinous 95-97 points “Presented as components from four different barrels: #1, from Beaume: Exotic scents of candied licorice, dark berries and smoky Indian spices. Fleshy and broad on entry, then tighter in the middle, displaying superb depth to its bitter cherry and floral pastille flavors. #2, from Peleat: Explosive red fruit and potpourri aromas, with a bright mineral overtone. Silky and sweet, offering vibrant raspberry and cherry compote flavors and a touch of bitter chocolate. The red fruit note echoes strongly on the back half. #3, from Meal: Fleshier and rounder than the first two components, offering plush dark berry and violet flavors that coat the palate. Chewy tannins build on the finish and fold smoothly into the wine’s dense fruit. #4, from Bessards: Emphatic mineral and dark berry aromas pick up a sexy floral note and a hint of cola. Sappy, penetrating and sharply focused, displaying an impressive array of red fruit and floral qualities and strong finishing spiciness. Jean-Louis Chave told me he thinks this wine will be “classic Hermitage with an emphasis on fruit, not structure, but not lacking in structure at all–just compared to, say, 2010 and 2005.” JR

Giuseppe Mascarello Monprivato Barolo DOCG 2008 – April 2016

Giuseppe Mascarello e Figlio Monprivato, Barolo DOCG 2008 750ML ($179.95) Buy Now: $149 special

Wine Spectator 95 points –#6 Wine of the Year in 2013 – “Detailed and fragrant, offering floral, strawberry, cherry, licorice and spice flavors, this is elegant and underlined by a strong mineral streak. Well-proportioned, picking up intensity and complexity on the long, savory finish. Extremely fresh and classy”

Antonio Galloni – Vinous 95+ points “Mauro Mascarello’s 2008 Barolo Monprivato is a much more lifted and translucent wine than the 2006 Le Vigne. A wine that needs considerable air, the 2008 only starts to blossom with a few hours in the glass. Monprivato is often quirky, but the 2008 is a real moving target. Just this week alone I have tasted six bottles of the 2008 and found the wine a bit all over the place, especially compared to other wines from the same year. Still, with patience, the 2008 really sings. Ideally, readers should plan on cellaring the 2008 for at least another few years.”

Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 95+ points “Mauro Mascarello’s 2008 Barolo Monprivato is a much more lifted and translucent wine than the 2006 Le Vigne. A wine that needs considerable air, the 2008 only starts to blossom with a few hours in the glass. Monprivato is often quirky, but the 2008 is a real moving target. Just this week alone I have tasted six bottles of the 2008 and found the wine a bit all over the place, especially compared to other wines from the same year. Still, with patience, the 2008 really sings. Ideally, readers should plan on cellaring the 2008 for at least another few years.”