Tasting notes; wines that we really, really like, May 4, 2019

2017 Von Winning Sauvignon Blanc II Trocken

Pfalz, Germany

Regular Price $27.99

Sale price $21.99

Let’s address some misconceptions about German wines: a) they are not all sweet (most are not), b) grapes other than Riesling are planted, c) most Rieslings are not sweet, and d) this wine from Pfalz is just crazy good. Herbal and freshly vegetal, it’s more cucumber than grapefruit, plenty rich and invigorating

2016 Jean-Philippe Fichet Bourgogne Blanc

Meursault, France

Regular Price $39.99

Sale price $31.99

Jean-Philippe Fichet farms small plots in and around Meursault, making wines of incredible depth and minerality. This wine, from six plots within the city of Meursault shows the style and verve of his wines, but a at fraction of the cost of his more prestigious wines. 100% Chardonnay, fermented in older oak barrels, and aged for an additional 12 months in barrel. Rich and full, and crisp and vivacious.

2018 Berthier Coteaux du Giennois Rosé

Loire Valley, France

Regular Price $18.99

Sale price $14.99

Brothers Clément and Florian Berthier combine traditional and modern-day practices to make wines that honor their families commitment to the soil and their community. The wine, of 100% Pinot Noir, illustrates that commitment. There is nothing superfluous or disjointed about this wine; lean and linear, with bright berry flavors and lip-smacking acidity, this is a perfect aperitif or sushi wine.

2017 Lapierre & Pacalet ‘Cousins’ Juliénas

Beaujolais, France

Regular Price $34.99

Sale price $27.99

This wine is produced by the cousins Mathieu Lapierre and Christophe Pacalet (who both make wines under their own labels as well). The wine (of 100% Gamay) is robust and full, structured yet elegant. Deep red berry flavors and floral aromas dominate. Bold but not heavy, it retains persistent and freshening acidity. Don’t decant or hurry this wine; allow it to open throughout your meal and delight in the development of secondary flavors and aromas. It’s well worth your patience.

2013 Domaine Les Bastides

Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, France

Regular Price $27.99

Sale price $21.99

This is a country wine, of Grenache (70%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (30%). Its unadorned, unfiltered, unfined, and unfussy. Bold and full with both polished and coarse attributes, it’s got fruit, structure, acidity and weight. A bit high in alcohol (14%), it nonetheless carries the alcohol within showing any heat.

2016 Antidoto

Ribera del Duero, Spain

Regular Price $29.99

Sale price $23.99The vineyards of Ribera del Duero in north central Spain have been farmed for centuries, but wine critics ‘discovered’ them in the 1980s and immediately fell for the modern, ripe, oak draped wines that became the (new) standard. Thankfully, more sensible heads have prevailed; namely Bertrand Sourdais, who sources grapes for this wine from ancient vineyards in the east of the region. The resulting wine is elegant and balanced while still full and rich.