Category Archives: Wineries We Cherish

Rare & Classic – Bordeaux: Clos Fourtet 2012 – August 2016

Clos Fourtet, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2012 750ML ($149.95) Buy Now: $119

If you’ve driven to the town of St. Emilion you’ve probably seen Château Clos Fourtet, its rose bush-ended vineyard rows, and the classic château itself. Built in 1790, the stone manor sits atop one of Bordeaux’s best limestone-hewn cellars. And ever since Philippe Cuvelier purchased Clos Fourtet in 2001, the wines laid down in that cellar have only been better: the 2009 Clos Fourtet garnered 100 points from Robert Parker. Few vintages deliver like 2009, but 2012 was kindest to Merlot, which constitutes 86% of this Premier Grand Cru Classé (the rest being 10% Cab Sauvignon, 4% Cab Franc): a decidedly Right Bank year. Praised by critics from the USA, France, and the UK, the 2012 Clos Fourtet is drinking well now, but has a long life ahead still.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Joh. Jos. Prum Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Kabinett 2012 – July 2016

Joh. Jos. Prum Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2012 750ML ($27.95) Buy Now: $19

The other day, while researching the Middle Mosel in Jancis Robinson’s Oxford Companion to Wine, I learned that “Badstube is one of the few if not the only German Grosslagen made up entirely of first-rate terroir.” With reason (my background is in Burgundy) I expected to pay a premium for such a wine. Then I found a bottle of Joh. Jos. Prüm 2012 Bernkasteler Badstube Kabinett on our shelf, for $19. So I bought it, and opened it, and spent an evening reveling in the beauty of German Riesling. Fine to enjoy now, but also ready for many years of cellaring, this wine first of all exuberates class.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Chateau du Fort Pontus Fronsac 2010 – Bordeaux – 7-26-16

Chateau du Fort Pontus, Fronsac, France 2010 750ML ($24.95) Buy Now: $18 special

Case-6 Chateau du Fort Pontus, Fronsac, France 2010 750ML ($149.95) Buy Now: $99 special

Tucked away on Bordeaux’s Right Bank, just down the Dordogne from St. Emilion and Pomerol, the Fronsac Appellation quietly produces some of Bordeaux’s best early-drinkers. The lazy river, the wooded hills, the gravelly soil, and the châteaux: Fronsac is definitely Bordeaux. Château du Fort Pontus represents its bordelaise roots, but with a twist. The wine is 100% Merlot. Grown across 15 acres, the vines, 30 years old, are harvested manually, and the wines raised in the traditional style. Add all of this to a vintage like 2010, rated “outstanding” and which produced wonderfully concentrated wines, and you’ve got a wine that’s drinking deliciously today.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Domaine Philippe Tessier Cheverny Blanc, Loire 2015 7-25-16

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

Long a go-to producer of delicious and energetic wines, Tessier’s offerings are a benchmark for transparency and value. His Cheverny Blanc – an 80/15/5 blend of Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and de Arbois – is a study of freshness and purity. Ripe citrus elements and white floral notes lead into a lasting, bright finish. Cheverny is all about value and charm, and Msr. Tessier is perhaps its finest steward. – Tyler… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Crowley Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2014 7-24-16

Crowley Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special, ETA July 26th

“The 2014 Willamette Valley is all first-press wine comprised mostly of Pommard clone Pinot with some Dijon and the last of the Gehrts Vineyard (now that Jadot has purchased the vineyard). The WV was aged in barrel for over 16 months before bottling. It’s a lighter styled Pinot meant for hot summer days. In the glass, there are highly perfumed notes of cranberries, garrigue and a touch of fresh iris and pine. It’s medium to light bodied with very finely grained tannins that coat the palate and a refreshing acidity. The entire range of 2014s from Crowley has benefitted from the new entry-level wine, A La Votre, made from 9 barrels of press wine.… Read the rest