Tag Archives: wine of the day

Wine of the Day: Scarpa ‘RossoScarpa’ Monferrato Rosso, Piedmont 2010 7-22-16

Scarpa ‘RossoScarpa’ Monferrato Rosso, Piedmont 2010 750ML ($19.95) Buy Now: $16 special

Scarpa 'RossoScarpa' Monferrato Rosso, Piedmont 2010

Scarpa ‘RossoScarpa’ Monferrato Rosso, Piedmont 2010

The Scarpa estate has existed since 1854 and, across the ensuing 162 years, has been owned by five different families who have each helped shape the label’s destiny. Through the 60’s and 70’s, Mario Pesce worked hard to establish the name as a world-class winery; time spent studying in Alsace and Burgundy brought about an experimental approach to winemaking which he retrofitted onto the existing Italian traditions at home in Monferrato. Across Piedmont, Scarpa became a known and respected name, earning the respect of such legends as Bruno Giacosa and Angelo Gaja.

This 90-10 blend of Dolcetto and Ruche is rendered in stainless steel and left to age in bottle. All comes from Scarpa’s estate vineyard, ‘Poderi Bricchi’ of Castel Rocchero, in the heart of the Monferrato. Upon opening, the wine is bright and fresh, if a little jittery. After decanting, the cranberry and red flower elements fused into a more complex, earthy, almost savory palate. The wine flirts between that hyper-dry, round and lightly-tannic signature with something deeper, layered, and untamed. With six years of age already built it, this wine will continue to grow and please as the seasons change. Such a lovely, dynamic bottle of wine. Really enjoyable. – Tyler

Wine of the Day: Domaine Philippe Tessier Cheverny Rouge, Loire 2015 7-21-16

Domaine Philippe Tessier Cheverny Rouge, Loire 2015 750ML ($21.95) Buy Now: $18 special

Domaine Philippe Tessier Cheverny Rouge, Loire 2015

Domaine Philippe Tessier Cheverny Rouge, Loire 2015

With Phillippe’s Cheverny Rouge, it’s all about texture and energy. This blend of Gamay, Pinot and Cot presents wild red fruit along with an edgier, earth-and-spice-tinged finish.  The Gamay sees two weeks of carbonic maceration, which gives the wine a livlier feel on the palate. The Pinot is 30% destemmed and the Cot is completely destemmed. All is fermented seperately prior to determining the finished 60/30/10. Minimal manipulation and maximum fun!Cheverny is all about value and charm, and Msr. Tessier is perhaps its finest steward. – Tyler

Wine of the Day: Mas de Gourgonnier Les Baux de Provence Rose 2015 7-20-16

Mas de Gourgonnier Les Baux de Provence Cuvee Tradition Rose, Provence 2015 750ML ($21.95) Buy Now: $18

The Mas de Gourgonnier Rosé comes from a happy childhood. Grown organically, its grapes enjoy the hot, dry days of Provence in the company of olive trees, which the domaine also cultivates. Hand-harvested and estate-bottled by a family with several generations of ownership, this fine little rosé even wears a charming label. Bone dry, its deep pink/orange hue prompts a nose of candied orange peel and jasmine, followed by fresh strawberries and orange blossoms on the palate. The 2015 comes from 60% Grenache, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cinsault, and 4% Syrah. This is a rosé to stock up on, ahead of the Indian Summer. – Daniel

Josh Raynolds–Vinous 90 points “Vivid orange-pink. Tangerine, ripe red berries and a floral nuance on the highly perfumed nose. Smooth, seamless and concentrated, offering pliant red fruit and candied orange zest flavors and a suggestion of succulent herbs. Finishes on a juicy berry note, showing strong persistence and an echo of bitter orange pith.”

Wine of the Day: Domaine de Montille Beaune Greves & Pommard Pezerolles 7-19-16

Domaine de Montille Beaune Greves & Pommard Pezerolles

Domaine de Montille Beaune Greves & Pommard Pezerolles

The Côte de Beaune hardly hosts a better-known name than de Montille. It’s as if the family of archetypical Burgundian vignerons arose from the earth of Volnay centuries ago. The late Hubert de Montille helped make the domaine famous for its classic style of age-worthy Burgundy, but now his son and daughter make the wines. Low yields and partial whole-cluster fermentation remain the norm, but the modern de Montille reds have softer tannins, are more aromatic, and they don’t require as much cellar time as before. Few other wines from Beaune, Pommard, and Volnay speak of their terroir and of Burgundian culture like de Montille wines do. The 2007 Greves will drink nicely now, while the 2009’s could be decanted today or kept in cellar another handful of years. This is very fine, hard to find, Burgundy. – Daniel

Domaine de Montille Les Greves, Beaune Premier Cru 2007 750ML ($99.95) Buy Now: $79

Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 90+ points “Medium red. Spicy redcurrant, raspberry, minerals and subtle earth tones on the inviting nose. Then rather reticent and firmly built, with good energy and lift to frame the red berry and spice flavors. Precise, juicy wine with very good aging potential. This is a modest 12.5% alcohol with a rather low 3.4 pH, according to Etienne de Montille.”

Domaine de Montille Les Greves, Beaune Premier Cru 2009 750ML ($99.95) Buy Now: $79

Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 90+ points “The 2009 Beaune Les Grèves is a weighty, powerful wine graced with a solid core of fruit. Hints of smoke, tar and ash add complexity to the dark fruit. This has more than enough energy and sheer heft to develop nicely for at least a few years in bottle. Crushed rocks frame the intense finish.”

Domaine de Montille Les Pezerolles, Pommard Premier Cru 2009 750ML  ($179.95) Buy Now: $149

Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2009 Pommard Les Pezerolles is rich, round and seductive. Layers of fruit caress the palate in this enveloping, textured Burgundy. There is plenty of intensity in the glass. Hints of hard candy and licorice wrap around the finish. The Pezerolles was made with 100% destemmed fruit. Although I like the wine’s frank immediacy, I also think it will age gracefully.”

Wine of the Day: Domaine Bruno Cormerais Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie Chambaudiere, Loire 2014 7-18-16

Domaine Bruno Cormerais Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie Chambaudiere, Loire 2014 750ML ($17.95) Buy Now: $14 special

Fresh and light like a North Atlantic summer breeze, Muscadet wines seem to have evolved with the sea. The Sèvre et Maine region lies where the Loire meets the Atlantic, and the wines’ minerality carries a saline note. What better pairing, then, for shellfish? A sip of Bruno Cormerais 2014 Chambaudière rides smooth across the palate like a gaviotte. The fresh bouquet of lime, white fruit and flowers rises like a wave and keeps surging after the wine has rinsed down a mussel. Not excessively acidic, this Muscadet harbors food, but can also sail on its own, on a sultry summer evening. – Daniel