Tag Archives: white wine

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.”

Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Gran Reserva Blanco, Rioja DOCa 1981 – April 2016

R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Gran Reserva Blanco, Rioja DOCa 1981 750ML ($249.95) Buy Now: $189 special

Neal Martin – Wine Advocate 95 points “The 1981 Vina Tondonia Blanco Gran Reserva has a complex bouquet of barley sugar, candle wax, dandelion and a touch of melon. The palate is medium-bodied with fine acidity, dried honey and a touch of lemongrass than lends it edge. The finish is bone dry, beautifully defined and persistent in the mouth. Drink now-2030+”

Antonio Galloni – Vinous 93 points “The richly-colored 1981 1981 Viña Tondonia Blanco Gran Reserva captures the essence of this house’s wines. It is a wine of great complexity as well as contrasts. At once mature yet seemingly ageless, full-bodied yet somehow also miraculously delicate, it displays evolved sensations of earthiness, smoke, roasted nuts and dried apricots in a more oxidative style with great persistence on the palate and enough acidity to make me think it will drink well for at least another ten or so years.”

Josh Raynolds – Vinous 93 points “True gold, but remarkably youthful for its age. Wild, complex bouquet of pungent flowers, succulent herbs, orange peel, violet, vanilla, toasted nuts and baking spices. Rich, deep and beautifully concentrated, with surprising energy to the ripe pear and poached apple flavors complemented by marzipan and vanilla. This actually tightens up on the finish, showing a lingering exotic, spicy character. You could drink this right now or even hold it for a few more years.”

Wine of the Day: Bossard Domaine L’Ecu Orthogneiss 2013 4-15-16

Guy Bossard Domaine de l’Ecu Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie Orthogneiss, Loire 2013 750ML ($24.95) Buy Now: $19 special

Charming and complex in equal measure, this bottle proves that there’s much more to Muscadet than oysters and easy-drinkin’. The dryness and minerals you’d expect meet a unique palate of melon, citrus fruit, salty ocean air, and an intriguing touch of savory herbs. A lovely problem-solver of a wine, whether one seeks refreshment, no-fuss food pairings, or a respite from the unwarranted barrage of boring white wines which mid-August so often falls victim to. Pro tip: the Orthogneiss also ages terrifically! -Tyler

Wine Enthusiast 91 points “This wine is creamy, rich and has a fragrant, aromatic character. It is full in the mouth, hinting almost at toastiness, certainly vanilla and rich yellow fruits. Ripely concentrated and spicy, it can be drunk now.”

Wine Advocate 90 points “The pale colored 2013 Muscadet Sevre et Maine Orthogneiss has a precise and citric fruit aroma of candied limes, dried apples and brown pips. The palate is quite rich but also piquant, fresh and salty, the finish complex and long. This is another must-taste Muscadet from this terrific biodynamic domaine.

Wine of the Day: Aw, Shucks! Servin ‘Les Forets’ 2013 (with Oysters!) 4-13-16

Domaine Servin Les Forets, Chablis Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($31.95) Buy Now: $26 special

The days of winter are coming to an end and spring is in the air. Things are changing. The trees are blossoming in the streets and the air smells sweet. We say goodbye to our winter coats and warm wool socks. Sadly, it’s almost time to say goodbye to months with “R” in them: oyster months. Not to worry, there is still time. I suggest we do what is only right by celebrating these last days of April with some fine Chablis and oysters.

Millions of years ago the Chablis region of Burgundy was an ocean floor and the area has many sea fossils. Over the eons, this developed in a mineral rich soil which makes for distinctive chardonnays. Perhaps that is the reason many people believe good crisp Chablis and oysters to be a magical food and wine pairing.

Domaine Servin dates back to 1654. Seven generations later, it is one of the largest growers in Chablis with 35 hectares in the most famous vineyards ranging the entire appellations.

Located in the left bank of the Serein, The “Les Forets” sits on .38 hectares of kimmeridgien soil consisting of a multitude of layers of small oysters. This wine is elegant and medium bodied with bright acidity to match the briny liquor of oysters. The warm apple fruit in this wine also matches the subtle cucumber and melon notes that are mostly hard to detect in oysters. – Tara

Wine of the Day: Domaine Pattes Loup Chablis 2013 4-12-16

Thomas Pico Domaine Pattes Loup Chablis 2013 750ML ($31.95) Buy Now: $28 special
Why we love it: Efficiency. There’s a relentless energy to this wine, so packed with flavor and layers yet sitting so delicately on the tongue. Lemon sorbet, ripe peach, white flowers, and a kiss of spice make it classic, yet the texture of it all lends a really lovely distinctiveness. I’m crazy about this one. – Tyler

“The 2013 Chablis Villages is a blend of vines up to 60 years old, 90% in vat and 10% in barrel. This came from the latest of three bottling that Thomas Pico makes. It has a clean and precise bouquet with citrus fruit and just a faint touch of white chocolate. The palate is well balanced with a crisp, light opening, simple at first, but offering a light spicy note toward the finish to lend a bit of personality. Returning after 10 minutes, it develops a light marine element on the nose and a touch more weight on the finish.” -Wine Advocate