A “Marriage” of Great Terroirs in the South of France’s Languedoc – Rich & Full-Bodied Red

Domaine d’Aupilhac “La Boda” (Montpeyroux Languedoc 2014)
Special Price: $243/6-pack (~$41/bottle)

After recently drinking a bottle of 2014 Domaine d’Aupilhac’s stunning cuvée “La Boda” paired with a luscious cut of beef we couldn’t be more pleased with its evolution over a year after its initial release. It practically fills the room with fragrant notes of ripe blueberries and blackberries, garden herbs and crushed stone. A sip is simultaneously ripe and electric, filled with pure fruit balanced by a marathon finish. While this wine will provide pleasure for many years to come it is drinking so well today it might not last in the cellar.

“La Boda” gets its name from the Spanish word for marriage. The blend is a union of terroirs: 45% Syrah comes from the north-west facing vineyard of “Les Cocalières” that is situated at an altitude of some 1,150 feet and rich in prehistoric oyster fossil deposits, which lend an incredible length and minerality to the wine. The remaining 45% Mourvèdre and 10% Carignan come from the “Aupilhac” vineyards on south-west facing hillside terraces.

The lieux-dits of Aupilhac and Les Cocalières are renowned, fully biodynamic-certified properties located in the enclave of Montpeyroux just across the river Hérault from Daumas Gassac and Grange des Pères. Though five generations have farmed these choice vineyards, it is Sylvain Fadat that brought the estate its acclaim. Not one to shy away from hard work, Sylvain cultivates vines on steep, extremely rocky terrain, and has even terraced much of the land himself – an enormous financial investment and back-breaking work but necessary in this case to reveal a great terroir.

Sylvain believes that effort in the vineyard has the most influence on the quality of his wine and he is in tune with every nook and cranny of his varied parcels, coaxing old vines to root deep into soils of limestone, clay, scree, and blue marl. The grapes are harvested by hand and only indigenous yeasts are used. The wines are bottled unfiltered in accordance with the lunar cycle and optimal atmospheric pressure. It’s the meticulous attention to each and every one of the small details that results in a deep, rich, and vibrant wine of great expression.

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Posted on 2019.01.04 in France, Saturday Sips Wines, Languedoc-Roussillon  |  Read more...

Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s Finest Terroir + A Poundable Côtes-du-Rhône

Situated in the heart of the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the vineyard Clos Saint Patrice has an unhindered view of the famous Château of the popes which has dominated the village and its vineyards for almost 800 years. But the great view is not the only thing that makes the vineyard special. As far back as 1838, Clos Saint Patrice was identified as one of the best Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyards in the directory L’annuaire de Vaucluse. Modest winemakers Guy Jullian and his son Jérôme purchased the Clos in 2009 and thus became the first owners of a monopole in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

A little over four acres in size, the Clos is located on the appellation’s Villafranchian terrace and enjoys a southerly exposure. The parcel is planted with very old Grenache and Mourvèdre propogated from ancient vines. The soil is made up of rounded silica pebbles above clay and sand colluvial deposits.

It is this marriage of great old vines and unique terroir that gives the wine of Clos Saint Patrice the balance and elegance to stand out as one of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s finest wines. Indeed, one of the most respected French wine publications, Le Guide des Vins Bettane & Desseauve may have said it best: “This minuscule parcel which very nearly disappeared has risen from its ashes thanks to the efforts of a dynamic team which, from the very first vintage, managed to equal the most elegant wines of the appellation…This is a highly recommendable estate which is unfortunately likely to produce small volumes in comparison to the demand.”

But of course the wine doesn’t make itself. Guy and Jérôme tend the vines by hand and according to the principles of organic agriculture. No chemical products are ever applied. In order to obtain an optimum balance they will allow the fruit to hang until phenologically mature. Harvest begins at the end of September for the Grenache and finishes mid-October with the Mourvèdre. In the cellar, maceration and fermentation are done exclusively in concrete tanks. Aging takes place over 14 months in concrete vats and a further 12 months in the bottle.

Domaine Saint Patrice “Clos Saint Patrice” (Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2015)
Special 6-Pack Price: $864 ($144/bottle)

The 2015 Clos Saint Patrice has all the finesse and balance you expect from one of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s top wines. Notes of dried flowers and fennel-heavy herbes de Provence rise above a rich cherry fruit essence. A sip fills the mouth with luscious, sappy red fruits to move on to a silky mid-palate and everlasting mineral finish. With the tension and elegance of a world-class wine, Clos Saint Patrice will likely reward a drinker over the next couple of decades, or longer.

Domaine Saint Patrice “Vieilles Vignes” (Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2015)
Special 6-Pack Price: $318 (~$53/bottle)

The unique character of Domaine Saint Patrice’s “Vieilles Vignes” Châteauneuf-du-Pape comes from the diversity of its terroirs. The wine is a blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah from multiple plots: La Bertaude, Bois-Lauzon, Cabrières d’Orange, Cabrières de Châteauneuf-du Pape, Bois-Dauphin, Le Pied Long, Les Bousquets, Les Terres Blanches, Les Marines, and Les Galimardes. In the cellar, maceration and fermentation are done in concrete tanks. Aging takes place over 14 months in concrete vats, large oak foudre, half-muids, and barrique with a further 12 months after bottling. On the nose are luscious red and black fruits with a hint of kirsch beneath warm terracotta and mint. A sip is simultaneously ripe and pulsing with wiry energy. Drink now or over the course of the next decade, especially with lamb and rosemary.

Domaine Saint Patrice “Vieilles Vignes” (Côtes-du-Rhône 2015)
Special 6-Pack Price: $97 (~$16/bottle)

A wine to stock up on, Domaine Saint Patrice “Vieilles Vignes” Côtes-du-Rhône is boisterously fruity in aromatics and flavor with some clean earth and a hint of herbs. A sip is downright poundable, juicy, with a finish that extends far beyond its reasonable price. It has all the elements one looks for in the type. The attractive price is just the cherry on top. It is a blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah from three plots: Les Champauvins, Le Coudoulet, and Boisfeuillet. In the cellar, maceration and fermentation are done in concrete tanks. Aging takes place over 14 months in concrete vats and large oak foudre with a further 12 months after bottling.

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Posted on 2018.12.12 in France, Saturday Sips Wines, Southern Rhone  |  Read more...

Give the Gift of Wine: Mixed 12-pack of Top-Quality 2014 Bordeaux Half-Bottles in Wood Box

12-pack of Top-Quality 2014 Bordeaux Half-Bottles in Wood Box $350 SOLD OUT

Stop by the shop this Saturday to sample a few fantastic red wines from Bordeaux.

If you’re looking for the perfect gift for the wine lover in your life – even if that wine lover is you – look no further than our mixed 12-pack of Bordeaux half bottles packed in attractive wood boxes. We selected an assortment of “Left-Bank” mostly Cabernet Sauvignon-based Bordeaux, ranging from Cru Bourgeois to Classified Growth wines.

All wines are from the 2014 vintage, which has shaped up to be the best vintage following the historic back-to-back vintages of 2009 and 2010. The long growing season and a glorious autumn allowed for both maximum ripening and concentration. Yet ultimately it was the cool summer weather that has determined the style of the wines, with low pH and great body the wines of 2014 Bordeaux will generally show both power and freshness.

The sealed gift box includes a one page description of the wines and two each of the following bottles:

Château Lynch Bages (Pauillac)
69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
This classified “Fifth Growth” estate is one of the most recognized producers in the world. Since 1973 it has been owned by Jean-Michel Cazes and is now run by his son, Jean-Charles.

Château Maucaillou (Moulis-en-Médoc)
52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot
A property on the rise. Philippe Dourthe is at the helm of this family owned estate known for producing wines with depth of fruit and a firm and tannic structure.

Château Pédesclaux (Pauillac)
53% Cabernet-Sauvignon, 47% Merlot
Pédesclaux recently enlarged their vineyard holdings with the purchase of 29 acres situated on the Milon plateau. These vines are located next to parcels owned by Château Lafite Rothschild and Château Mouton Rothschild.

Château du Glana (Saint-Julien)
70% Cabernet-Sauvignon, 30% Merlot
A complete renovation in 2003 brought Château du Glana up to the standards of modern times in its wine making and vineyard management techniques. A genuine value wine from Saint-Julien.

Château Chasse Spleen (Moulis-en-Médoc)
50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot
One of nine “Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnels” as classified in 2003, and one of the top two producers in the Moulis-en-Médoc appellation (alongside Château Poujeaux).

Château Sociando Mallet (Haut-Médoc)
60% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc
Sociando-Mallet was a forgotten and derelict property by the time it was bought by Jean Gautreau in 1969. The estate has since seen considerable expansion and modernization, and subsequently a reputation for quality.

en Magnum

If one or two 1.5 liter magnum bottles of Bordeaux make more sense as a gift for your wine loving friend or your cellar, we have a large selection to choose from. Prices range from $160 to $290 for some of the top producers of the region, including: Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé Château Troplong Mondot, Second-Growth Saint-Julien Château Léoville-Barton, and Third-Growth Margaux Château d’Issan, among many more.

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Posted on 2018.12.05 in France, Bordeaux, Saturday Sips Wines  |  Read more...

The Champagne Society – December 2018 Selection: Champagne Penet-Chardonnet

Penet-Chardonnet “TerroirEscence” (Verzy & Verzenay Grand Cru Extra Brut)
Price for The Champagne Society members: $75 (regular price $89)

Penet-Chardonnet is an historic Champagne grower/producer located in the village of Verzy in Montagne de Reims. Fifth generation winemaker Alexandre Penet holds 14 acres of vines located across the Grand Cru villages of Verzy and Verzenay known for its Pinot Noir.

From an early age, Alexandre assisted his grandfather Emile and then his father Christian in the art of making champagne. Yet as a young man, Alexandre decided to make his own way in the world, first as an engineer, and then eventually earning an MBA from the University of Chicago Business School. But the siren song of Champagne called him back to the family estate where he, along with his wife Martine, have created a range of distinctive, top quality Champagnes produced to exacting standards. Wines that combine character, freshness and low dosage. Indeed, Alexandre is a believer in both limiting dosage and not allowing malolactic fermentation so as the expression of terroir can be fully realized.

You may already be familiar with the wines of Alexandre Penet under his négociant label of low and zero dosage Champagnes. The December 2018 Selection for The Champagne Society is produced from the family’s own vineyards. “TerroirEscence” is made from 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonny from a special selection of Grand Cru parcels in Verzy and Verzenay. It is blended with oak barrel matured reserve wines and represents the essence of Penet’s terroir while perfectly expressing the producer’s style of richness, complexity, and minerality. The base wine is from the 2010 vintage and the wine was bottled on May 26, 2011. After over six years of aging in the bottle the wine was disgorged on August 30, 2017. The dosage is 5.6 grams per liter. Less than 8,000 bottles are produced and each bottle is individually numbered.

In the glass a golden hue hints at maturity. Big and round on the palate, ripe grapefruit and melon eventually turn to mild spice and a hint of toasted nuts. A tight vein of acidity gives the wine great balance and drinkability followed by a long mineral finish.

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Posted on 2018.12.02 in France, The Champagne Society, Champagne  |  Read more...

Fresh & Fragrant Friuli – A Red Pinot Noir & White Friulano from Northeastern Italy

Silvano Gallo was already a recognized winemaker in the far northeastern Italian region of Friuli back when the nearby bordering country of Slovenia was still part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Today, Slovenia is an independent country and member of the European Union and Silvano’s two sons, Fabrizio and Marco, have propelled the family-run winery of Masùt da Rive into one of Friuli’s exemplary producers.

The Gallos cultivate 54 acres of vineyards nestled in the valleys along the Isonzo River where the mild maritime climate helps to elaborate wines with full phenolic ripeness while maintaining freshness. The family treats their vineyards like a garden and minimize mechanical aids to reduce carbon emissions and prevent exhaust fumes from drifting over the vineyards. Although they are not certified organic there are no chemicals applied to the vines. The winery is fully sustainable with all energy needs supplied by solar power.

Winemaking in Friuli goes back to pre-Roman times when the ancient Veneti tribe were growing vines there but ethnic contrasts have almost always been a way of life in a place where Italian, Austrian, and Slavic cultures collide. The region’s aptitude for viticulture is reflected in wines with fresh fragrance, crisp fruit, and charming textures that speak of its history as well as the present.

Masùt da Rive “Pinot Nero” (DOC Isonzo del Friuli 2016) RED
Special 6-Pack Price: $156 (~$26/bottle) SOLD OUT

100% Pinot Noir from chalky, gravel soils on southeast exposures. Much like the region’s cultural mélange there’s a mix of native and international grape varieties allowed in Friuli. The Gallo’s believe that they have a superior climate zone for elaborating Pinot Noir to reflect both the fruit and the place. Indeed, their Isonzo “Pinot Nero” is a fine example of the textural balance one might find in a wine from the Côte de Beaune, with an aromatic vibe that seems both Italian and universal at the same time. The wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged in French oak barriques (50% new, 50% 2 year-old barrels) for 12 to 18 months. An additional 12 months of bottle aging is done prior to release.

Masùt da Rive “Friulano” (DOC Isonzo del Friuli 2017) WHITE
Special 6-Pack Price: $135 (~$22/bottle) SOLD OUT

100% Friulano from chalky, gravel, and clay soils on southeast exposures. The Friulano wine grape was formerly known as “Tocai Friulano” until the late 2000s. Although its origins date back to the early 17th century in Friuli, Hungarians successfully argued that there is a danger of confusing the fresh, crisp, aromatic whites made from “Tocai Friulano” with “Tokaji,” the golden dessert wine of northeast Hungary. The grapes were whole cluster pressed and the juice fermented and then aged in stainless steel tanks for nine months. There is an additional 6-8 months bottle aging prior to release. The result is a fresh, well-balanced wine brimming with floral aromatics and finishing with a touch of bitter almond.

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Posted on 2018.11.28 in Saturday Sips Wines, Friuli Venezia Giulia  |  Read more...

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