A Tale of Two Rioja – Modern and Classic

The Modern

Artuke “Pies Negros” (Rioja, 2011)
~$21/bottle

With less than 55 acres of vineyards, Artuke Bodegas y Viñedos is most certainly a family affair. Artuke is the contraction of the names of Arturo and Kike de Miguel Blanco, brothers and third generation viticulturalists in the historical Basque province of Álava. Although their father still helps with vineyard maintenance, and their mother will have a plate of food at the ready for family members and visitors alike, it’s the two young men who have completely remade the winery to focus on small vineyard plots in and around their village of Abalos in the high elevation foothills of the Cantabrian Mountains.

Their wines reveal the characteristics of the Alavesa sub-zone, the northernmost and smallest of the three Rioja sub-zones, where the cooling influence of the Atlantic Ocean meets the warmer interior. This unique climate has the effect of ripening Tempranillo grapes with slightly thinner skins, yielding wines with superb fruit and freshness.

A blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano from vines as old as 95 years, Pies Negros means Black Feet, a reference to the archaic method of crushing the grapes using one’s feet – a method that the brothers are determined to use to this day, as they believe the gentle crushing helps to maintain the purity of the fruit. After fermentation, the wine is aged for 14 months in a combination of new and older 225 liter oak barrels, resulting in a wine that’s full of mature, dark red fruits and a touch of spice with a firm finish.

The Classic

Today, there are few Rioja Gran Reservas that can match the elegance and power of Marqués de Murrieta’s most venerated label, “Castillo Ygay” Gran Reserva Especial.

Only made in the best vintages, The 2005 is a blend of 89% Tempranillo and 11% Mazuelo (aka Cariñena) from “La Plana”, their finest single vineyard site at around 1500 feet of elevation. The wine ages for a period of 30 months in 225 liter oak barrels, with at least 10 months in new oak. It then matures for a further two years in bottle before being released. Luis Gutierrez of Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate calls the 2005 Castillo Ygay “a classic among classics” and “a true vin de garde which develops complex notes of violet and meat with time in the glass.” The Peñín Wine Guide says it’s the best 2005 Gran reserva of Spain and gives it a robust 95 points (if you’re keeping score).

The Marqués de Murrieta bodega is located in the western subzone of Rioja Alta just south of the poplar-lined River Ebro. The immense wall of the rocky Sierra de Cantabria to the north holds the Atlantic winds at bay. Where the grand hillsides aren’t covered in vines there are handsome pastures for cattle and sheep. Scattered about are thickets of juniper, boxwood and holly. Oak, beech and pine grow in the highlands.

~$76/bottle

Not just a great wine from one of the top winemaking regions in Spain, the six pack, red mahogany-stained wood box is filled with bottles wrapped in red tissue with the Marqués de Murrieta logo. It makes a beautiful gift or a lovely centerpiece in the cellar.

$290/magnum

Go big with the 1.5 liter magnum in its own red mahogany-stained wood box. These are very limited, highly allocated bottles, and we were able to source a handful. Besides being a great gift, one of these will make you the life of any party, especially a party involving an excessive amount of roasted beast.

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Posted on 2015.12.14 in Saturday Sips Wines, Spain DO, Priorat DOQ  |  Read more...

Red Bordeaux for the Holidays

2010 in Bordeaux was the driest year in six full decades. The vines were parched for most of the summer, with almost no rainfall the entire month of August. Days were long and warm, nights were cool. The result was a crop of small, thick-skinned, ripe berries with tremendous concentration and freshness. By all accounts the 2010 Bordeaux vintage was a banner year for creating intense wines with refined tannins and ideal balance.

We’ve sourced a small stash of some prime 2010 Bordeaux and thanks to a favorable exchange rate we’re able to offer these wines at sweet prices.

Château Saint-Pierre (Saint-Julien, 2010)
$135/bottle

Classified as a Fourth Growth in 1855, this 42 acre Saint-Julien estate is one of the smallest in the region, producing only about 5,000 cases every year. The property has older vines, planted with 75% Cabernet Sauvignon 15% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc, averaging around 40 years old, and growing from gravel, sand and clay soils in prime vineyards behind the town of Saint-Julien-Beychevelle. Château Saint-Pierre has a long history of producing rich and powerful wines with great density and the 2010 vintage illustrates this as much as any other on record. If you drink like Robert Parker you’ll be pleased to know that his Wine Advocate gives this bottle a hefty 97 points.

Château Villemaurine (Saint-Émilion, 2010)
~$67/bottle

The Grand Cru Classé vineyards of Château Villemaurine have been producing quality fruit for a couple of centuries. But it was the relatively recent purchase and subsequent investment in the property and cellars, including the hire of noted winemaking consultant Stéphane Derenoncourt, that has brought the estate to prominence. Saint-Émilion boasts the famous clay-based soils of “Right Bank” Bordeaux ideal for Merlot, and theVillemaurine bottling reflects this with a blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc for a wine of abundant aromatics and ripe, concentrated fruit. This very small property of 17.5 acres produces only about 1,200 cases every year. 91+ Wine Advocate.

Bordeaux for Parties

Need a lot of wine for your office party, or big gatherings of friends and family, or just saving money to pay for all those new Star Wars toys? You won’t need to break the bank with these crowd-pleasing Bordeaux wines.

As M.F.K. Fisher once wrote, “With good friends …. And good food on the board, and good wine in the pitcher, we may well ask: When shall we live if not now?”

Château La Gravette Lacombe (Médoc, 2010)
~$18/bottle

Ranked as a Cru Bourgeois as far back as 1893, La Gravette Lacombe is now managed by Rémi Lacombe, who also produces Château Bessan Ségur. From about 25 acres of fine gravel vineyards grows 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot. Vinification in thermo-regulated stainless steel vats creates wines of freshness and depth.

Château Puy Garance “Cuvée Prestige” (Castillon CdB, 2011)
~$14/bottle

This estate lies on the southern slopes of the plateau around Belvès in southern Castillon. The limestone-clay soils of Castillon suit the Merlot vines that predominate here. The estate is managed by former owner Frédéric Burriel who was retained after he sold the property to the Bockmeulen family a few years ago. With investment in vineyards and cellars, Frédéric first created the barrel-aged Cuvée Prestige in the 2007 vintage.

Château des Perligues (Graves, 2013)
~$12/bottle

Farmed on a 17 Acre vineyard planted on the well drained, sandy-gravel soils of Graves. 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, and 8% Cabernet Franc combine for a medium-bodied wine with plenty of fruit and round finish for easy drinkability.

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Posted on 2015.12.07 in France, Bordeaux  |  Read more...

Thanksgiving Wine Recommendations

Stop by this Saturday to sample a few wines ideal for your Thanksgiving celebration and stock up with special discounts on all featured wines.

Our first rule for selecting Thanksgiving wine is not to freak out. The meal is far too diverse with textures, flavors and aromas to labor over perfect pairings. The wines should be light, refreshing and energetic, with moderate alcohol, lots of fruit, a lively acidity, and versatile enough to complement everything from the roast bird to Aunt Grace’s green bean casserole.

Perhaps even more importantly, you should have plenty of wine. Thanksgiving is time for merriment and the wine should be as bountiful as the food. We’ve selected a diverse list of wines that will enhance any feast.

Whether you’re using it as an aperitif, through the meal, or for a special toast, sparkling wine is one of the most versatile wines you can have on hand. The dry and complex 2012 Valldolina Cava (~$18) is a superb value from Spain, or try Chenin Blanc-based Thierry Germain’s “Bulles de Roche” Saumur (~$22) from the Loire Valley of France. For a little more elegance we suggest the vibrant Champagne Alexandre Penet “Extra Brut” (~$53). If it’s a small crowd of two or you want to bring a nice gift for the host, grab a half bottle of Champagne Deutz Rosé (~$26) in a lovely pink gift box.

Speaking of Rosé, you can hardly go wrong with the crisp and dry Merlot-based 2014 Rothschild Rosé (~$18) out of the Bordeaux region. Serve well-chilled with a seafood cocktail, fresh greens, and the like.

Cooler climate white wines are the order of the day. Abundant with fruit and freshness, 2014 Pievalta “Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi” (~$17) is a crowd favorite. Surprise your guests that have only known the grapefruity styles of Sauvignon Blanc with the bracing mineral qualities of 2014 Alphonse Mellot “La Moussière” Sancerre (~$26). Or elevate the entire evening with a couple of bottles of 2011 Darviot-Perrin “Les Magnys” Bourgogne (~$39) – an old vine chardonnay from a single vineyard steps away from Meursault in Burgundy.

You don’t want red wines that are too tannic or heavy because they’ll become cumbersome and could overpower many of the dishes. The drink pundits call for Beaujolais this time of year and it’s a great suggestion. But we’re going with something both similar and different. 2013 Artuke Rioja (~$14) has a similar weight and finish to many Beaujolais but with a ripe Tempranillo vibe that is distinctly Spanish. One of the best red wines to pair with almost any food is 2014 Fattoria Moretto “Lambrusco Grassparossa di Castelvetro” (~$16). It’s a little fizzy, it’s purple, and it’s a joy to drink. 2013 Coto de Gomariz “The Flower and the Bee” Ribeiro (~$18) is practically the wine version of cranberry sauce. And you can never go wrong with a good Pinot Noir from Burgundy. 2012 Claudie Jobard “Les Vaumuriens” Pommard (~$40) will set the evening on another plane of mirth. All of these red wines are best when slightly chilled, especially the Lambrusco and the Rioja.

For a sweet finish, the fortified Mas Amiel “20” Maury (~$44) is a cask blend with the youngest being 20 years in age. It’s loaded with notes of sweet herbs, black figs, candied licorice and fruit leather. Drink it with dessert or as dessert.

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Posted on 2015.11.19 in Saturday Sips Wines  |  Read more...

Recently Arrived Case Prices 2013 Red & 2014 White Burgundy

We’ve directly sourced another round of Burgundy. Stock up and give some as gifts for family, friends, and your cellar, and for drinking over the holidays. You will not find Burgundy of this quality at lower prices than what we are able to offer here.

Our allocations are limited (they always are with good Burgundy) so please place your order quickly. Mix and match as you please, minimum 12 bottle order.

Domaine Sylvain Langoureau: The husband and wife team of Nathalie and Sylvain Langoureau farm about 21 acres of prime vineyards in Saint-Aubin, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet. This is a heart and soul garagiste operation based in the tiny hamlet of Gamay, nestled between Puligny-Montrachet and Saint-Aubin.

$26 Chassagne-Montrachet “Les Voillenots Dessous” (2014) Red
$26 Saint-Aubin (2014) White
$31 Saint-Aubin “Les Frionnes” (Premier Cru, 2014) White
$31 Saint-Aubin “Le Champlot” (Premier Cru, 2014) White
$58 Meursault “La Pièce Sous la Bois” (Premier Cru, 2014) White
$58 Puligny-Montrachet “La Garenne” (Premier Cru, 2014) White

Château de la Maltroye: Jean-Pierre Cournut owns some of the best plots in Chassagne-Montrachet and is considered one of the finest producers in the village. We still have a handful of his red wine from the 2002 vintage and they are presently singing – a testament to the power and longevity of Chassagne-Montrachet in the right hands.

$43 Santenay “La Comme” (Premier Cru, 2014) White
$49 Chassagne-Montrachet (2014) White
$58 Chassagne-Montrachet (Premier Cru, 2014) White
$88 Chassagne-Montrachet “Les Grandes Ruchottes” (Premier Cru, 2014) White
$99 Chassagne-Montrachet “La Romanee” (Premier Cru, 2014) White
$171 Chassagne-Montrachet “Le Dent de Chien” (Premier Cru, 2014) White
$261 Bâtard-Montrachet (Grand Cru, 2014) White

Domaine Demougeot: Rodolphe Demougeot‘s star is on the rise. He’s based out of Meursault and since 1990 has assembled nearly 20 acres of vines, many in distinguished Premier Cru vineyards of Côte de Beaune. Besides being full of richness and finesse, his wines are a superb value – at least for now.

$34 Beaune “Les Beaux Fougets” (Premier Cru, 2013) Red
$40 Savigny-lès-Beaune “Les Peuillets” (Premier Cru, 2013) Red
$52 Pommard “Les Vignots” (2013) Red
$58 Pommard “Les Charmots – Le Coeur des Dames” (Premier Cru, 2013) Red

Domaine Stéphane Magnien: Talk about first-rate vineyard holdings, how about fourth generation winemaker Stéphane Magnien‘s Grand Cru plots in Charmes-Chambertin and Clos Saint-Denis. The domaine is not much more than 11 acres so the entire production for some of the wines could fit in the back of a pickup truck.

$58 Morey-Saint-Denis “Aux Petites Noix” (Premier Cru, 2013) Red
$117 Charmes-Chambertin (Grand Cru, 2013) Red
$225 “1.5 Liter” Charmes-Chambertin (Grand Cru, 2013) Red
$117 Clos Saint-Denis (Grand Cru, 2013) Red
$225 “1.5 Liter” Clos Saint-Denis (Grand Cru, 2013) Red

Domaine François Lamarche: Vineyards holdings don’t get much more impressive than the Grand Cru sliver of La Grande Rue that runs parallel to Romanée-Conti and La Romanée. Lamarche is the sole owner (monopole) and winemaker Nicole Lamarche turns it, and all of their vineyard production, into wines that are natural, elegant, and highly expressive of their terroir.

$26 Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits (2013) Red
$135 Clos-de-Vougeot (Grand Cru, 2013) Red
$135 Échezeaux (Grand Cru, 2013) Red
$405 La Grande Rue “Monopole” (Grand Cru, 2013) Red

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Posted on 2015.11.16 in France, Burgundy  |  Read more...

Legendary Italian Pinot Noir

Frecciarossa “Giorgio Odero” Pinot Nero (Oltrepò Pavese, 2010)
~$35/bottle

If you’ve spent any time at Elie Wine Company you’ve browsed our vast selection of red Burgundy. You know that we know good Pinot Noir.

No other Italian wine zone produces more Pinot Noir (Pinot Nero in Italian) than the Oltrepò Pavese. While the majority of it is destined for sparkling wines, the producer Frecciarossa makes one of the most renowned still red wines from Pinot Nero in all of Italy. Indeed, the world’s leading authority on Italian wine, Gambero Rosso, consistently awards their cuvée Giorgio Odero it’s highest rating of Tre Bicchieri (Three Glasses) year after year – an award only the top wines of Italy will ever receive.

Cuvée Giorgio Odero is a wine that will likely sell for much more than its current price once it’s “discovered” by some critic with a large audience. For now, let’s keep it between us and our close friends.

Oltrepò Pavese is in the southwest corner of Lombardy, wedged between Emilia and Piedmont. Once part of Piedmont, it is still sometimes referred to as Antico Piemonte. But Lombardians have good reason to feel possessive about Oltrepò, whose lovely Appennine foothills have a relatively mild climate typically characterized by a hot, dry spell in late summer and early autumn that favors slow ripening of the fruit.

Giorgio Odero was the son of the founding father of Villa Odero (now about 86 acres total) that brought the region to prominence in the 1930s. In 1990, under the direction of Margherita Radici Odero, Giorgio’s daughter, the vineyards and the cellar saw further investment.

Only about 1,100 cases of Cuvée Giorgio Odero are produced each year. It all comes from an eight acre plot of clay and calcareous soils between 400-500 feet altitude. Farming is sustainable with organic treatments used when necessary. Grapes are hand-picked and sorted before fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The wine is then aged for 12 months in 30% barriques, 30% in one year old barriques, and 40% in one year old tonneaux, followed by at least 24 additional months in the bottle.

The result is a wine with the structure of a Premier Cru red Burgundy and the aromatic vibe of Italy. Cherry, raspberry, and red currant precede notes of licorice and hints of smoke. On the palate the fruit starts concentrated and unfolds into a lengthy rush of balanced acid and fine tannins. This is a wine just beginning it’s developmental arc, so while it drinks lovely presently, and would make a fine accompaniment to holiday dinners, it will continue to broaden with years in the cellar.

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Posted on 2015.11.11 in Saturday Sips Wines, Italy, Lombardy  |  Read more...

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