Tasting notes, Feb. 11, 2023; wines from (mostly) Bordeaux

                     Bordeaux 2019 Chevalier L’Esprit de Chevalier Blanc$39.99 / Case Price $32 Pessac-Leognan / Bordeaux / France65% Sauvignon Blanc, 35% SemillonAged in a combination of used and new French oak barrels, L’Esprit is the second selection of the famed Domaine de Chevalier. Aromas and flavors of tropical fruits are backed by persistent acid and subtle notions[…]

Tasting notes, Feb. 4, 2023;Pinot Noir Challenge

                     Pinot Noir Challenge 2020 Michel Magien Bourgogne Côte d’OrOn sale for $32.99 Morey Saint Denis / Nuits / France100% Pinot NoirThe fruit for Magien’s Bourgogne Côte d’Or comes from vineyards just outside of Morey Saint Denis. The resulting wine is full and bright, showcasing the dark fruit charm of the Cote de Nuits. 2019 Benton[…]

Tasting notes, Jan. 28, 2023: New arrivals from the Southern Rhone

                     Southern Rhône Valley 2020 Stehelin Sablet Blanc$29.99 / Case Price $24 Sablet / Côtes-du-Rhône Villages / France34% Grenache Blanc, 33% Marsanne, 33% RoussanneThe village of Sablet is named for the densely packed sand which dominates the soil in the area. Stehelin’s Blanc is sourced from 20 year-old vines and raised in neutral vessels. Aromatic while[…]

Tasting notes, Jan. 21, 2023; New Arrivals from Italy

                     New Italians 2021 DeForville Ca del Buc$19.99 / Case Price $16 Barbaresco / Langhe / Italy100% ChardonnayCreated from 35-40 year-old vines planted in limestone soils, Deforville produces this single site Chardonnay using indigenous yeasts and only stainless steel for fermentation and refinement. 2021 Almondo Bricco delle Ciliegie$24.99 / Case Price $20 Roero / Langhe /[…]

Tasting notes, Jan. 14, 2023…it’s a grape thing…Syrah

                     Syrah/Shiraz 2018 Alexandrins SyrahOn Sale for $13.99 Northern Rhone / France100% SyrahHeavily influenced by the granite soils of the Northern Rhone, the Alexandrins Syrah leads with savory rather than fruity flavors. Here we find aromas of black olive and bacon mingling with piquant red flavors.  2019 Eric Texier St-Julien en St-Alban$31.99 / Case Price $25.60 St[…]

Wine of the Year 2022

(For the record, this is largely a re-posting of my comments about this wine from our Thanksgiving wine selections. Everything I said then is still true today 2021 Kurtatsch Schiava Sonntaler Alte Reben  Südtirol Alto Adige, Italy Regular price: $30 per bottle Case price: $24 per bottle Frankly, I’m a sucker for wines like this…high[…]

Tasting notes, Our favorite wines of 2022; Jan. 7, 2023

                     Our Favorite Wines of 2022 2020 Thibaud BoudignonAnjou Blanc$45 / Case Price $36 Anjou / Loire Valley / France100% Chenin BlancThibaud Boudignon is a Bordeaux native who found his way to the Anjou back in 2007. Since that time, he has become one of the most well-regarded producers of dry Chenin Blanc in the appellation.[…]

Wine tasting, Dec. 30, 2022; Champagne & Sparkling wines

                     Sparkling Wines NV Clavelin Brut Comte$24.99 / Case Price $20 Jura / France 100% ChardonnaySourced from a high plateau with base soils of limestone, the Brut Comte is produced by Methode Champenoise, secondary fermentation carried out in bottle. The wine is hand riddled and offers a particularly deep orchard fruit profile. 2020 Bisol Prosecco CredeOn[…]

Tasting notes, Wines for Holiday Dinner; Dec 22, 2022

                     Holiday Fun! NV Voirin-Dumel Blanc de BlancOn Sale for $39.99 Cramant / Champagne / France100% ChardonnayDriven by orchard fruits and a distinctly stony quality, this Champagne is sourced entirely from Grand Cru rated vineyards. A perfect match for oysters or someone you like. 2020 JB BeckerWallufer WalkenbergKabinett Trocken$32.99 / Case Price $26.40 Rheingau / Germany100% RieslingA[…]