Thomas Wilcox, Author at Ansonia Wines

Posted on November 14, 2016November 14, 2016 by Thomas Wilcox

Almost Champagne: Remarkable New Crémant de Bourgogne

Patience. The are two main distinctions between Champagne and other French sparkling wine. First, terroir: Champagne’s unique chalky soils contribute to the singular flavors of its wines. Second, time spent on the lees: Champenois must age their wines for a minimum of 15 months on the lees, adding complexity and depth to the wines. (Lees are the dead yeasts that precipitate from fermented wine.)

Today’s wine is a crémant from Burgundy, but it’s the closest thing to Champagne we’ve found outside the region. Though they can’t replicate the soils of Champagne, the winemakers at Louis Picamelot hold their finest wine — the Cuvée JB Chautard — for 36-48 months on the lees, longer than many Champagne houses. The result is an extraordinarily complex crémant, with notes of almond and crème brûlée, reminiscent of Grower Champagne.

Let your guests taste it before you tell them where it’s from — we bet every one of them will guess Champagne.

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Three Star. The Maison Picamelot in Burgundy’s Côte Chalonnaise was founded in 1926 by Louis Picamelot. Since then they have joined the ranks of the finest Crémant houses in Burgundy, with their wines appearing on the wine lists at Michelin starred restaurants such as the three star Lameloise in Burgundy. Today we’re excited to release their finest wine for the first time — the Cuvée Jean-Baptise Chautard 2012.

The JB Chautard is an exceptionally elegant blanc de blancs, made from Chardonnay and Aligoté. The nose shows peach, lime, and toast; the mouth is very fine, with a rich palate buoyed by delicate freshness and a beautiful mousse of bubbles. There’s nothing quite like Champagne, and if it’s the classic you’re after we can help. But at less than half the price of most good Champagne, this will impress even the most skeptical of sparkling wine enthusiasts.

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PICAMELOT Crémant “JB Chautard” 2012
Ansonia Retail: $38
case, half-case: $32/bot

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AVAILABLE IN 6- AND 12- BOTTLE LOTS

Email Tom to place an order.
or call Tom: (617) 249-3657

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Terms of sale. Ansonia Wines MA sells wine to individual consumers who are 21 or more years of age, for personal consumption and not for resale. All sales are completed and title passes to purchasers in Massachusetts. Ansonia Wines MA arranges for shipping on behalf of its customers upon request and where applicable laws permit.

Posted on November 11, 2016November 11, 2016 by Thomas Wilcox

Extraordinary New 2014 Puligny-Montrachet

Elegance. “Puligny-Montrachet is where Burgundian Chardonnay is at its most complete,” writes Clive Coates MW. The tiny town, covering over less than one square mile, has made highly sought-after wine for nearly a thousand years. Today many consider it, as Coates puts it, “the greatest white wine commune on earth.”

What makes this tiny corner of Burgundy so special? On the ground, it’s a combination of soil content (limestone, clay, and other minerals), slope, and exposition. Nearly every white Burgundy from the 2014 vintage has impressed us — the year produced wines with a perfect balance of richness and acidity — but the 2014s from Puligny-Montrachet are nothing short of exceptional.

Famous. Vincent Boyer is a young winemaker who has gained wide critical acclaim in recent years. His remarkable skill and excellent terroir hide behind a shy and humble personality. His domaine and most of his vines are in Meursault, but today we’re offering his village-level Puligny-Montrachet, from the Reuchaux vineyard. It’s a winemaking success as great as any Vincent has achieved.

The 2014 Puligny-Montrachet Reuchaux is elegance personified — the nose is very expressive, showing lime rind, chalk dust, white flowers, herbs and lemon. The mouth is concentrated and rich, but beautifully vibrant and very long, with an exceptional balance of fleshiness and mineral freshness. Look for notes of peach, spring flowers, straw, and white pepper.

Puligny’s freshness makes it an excellent food wine, and a bottle of this would seriously raise the stakes at your Thanksgiving dinner table. But we’d recommend serving it pre-dinner, before the wide-ranging flavors are served. Vincent himself likes scallops with his Puligny, and if you’re looking for an appetizer for Thanksgiving, this one will make you many friends.

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BOYER-MARTENOT Puligny-Montrachet “Reuchaux” 2014
Ansonia Retail: $68
quarter-case: $59/bot

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AVAILABLE IN 3- 6- AND 12- BOTTLE LOTS

Email Tom to place an order.
or call Tom: (617) 249-3657

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Posted on November 10, 2016 by Thomas Wilcox

Another Juicy, Delicious 2015 Gamay. $15

Small-batch. The 2015 vintage continues to impress. An unusually warm and sunny year resulted in wines of deep richness and concentration, even in regions where ripeness is often a concern. In the Beaujolais, home to our new winemaker Jean-Marc Monnet, the Gamay reached a density that resembles northern Rhône syrah.

Many readers picked up some of Monnet’s 2015 Juliénas last month, a dense, chewy, gulpable red Burgundy with exceptional depth. Today we’re releasing his 2015 Chiroubles, a sister cuvée to the Juliénas, with more elegance and finesse. Monnet is an understated producer — his domaine has no road sign, no website, and (until us) no American importer. But the quality of his terroir and skill is evident from the first sip.

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Bargain. The Chiroubles is prettier than the Juliénas, with a perfumed and floral nose, but the same rich juicy, gulpable mouthfeel. The nose is precise and ripe, with notes of cranberry, violets, graphite and minerals. The mouth is a delight — inky and vibrant, with crackling fruit and delicious, juicy tannins.

As we’ve said before, Beaujolais may be the perfect Thanksgiving red — it’s on our holiday table nearly every year. The combination of supple tannins with ripe young fruit means it pairs perfectly with a wide range of heavy, flavorful foods. But this Chiroubles will make friends long after the 24th. Serve it alongside cheese and crackers at a holiday party, or send it to someone as a gift — just don’t tell anyone what you paid for it.

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MONNET Chiroubles 2015
Ansonia Retail: $19
case, half-case: $15/bot

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AVAILABLE IN 6- AND 12- BOTTLE LOTS

Email Tom to place an order.
or call Tom: (617) 249-3657

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Posted on November 9, 2016 by Thomas Wilcox

New Rosé Grower Champagne

News. Winston Churchill once said of Champagne, “in victory you deserve it, in defeat you need it.” Whichever reaction this morning’s news brings you, we can assure you Champagne is a helpful accessory. We’re excited to introduce a brand new cuvée from our popular Grower Champagne vigneron Pascal Bardoux: his Brut Rosé.

We discovered Pascal Bardoux last year at the suggestion of Burgundian winemaker Michel Gros, a long time friend. Gros served Bardoux Champagne at his wedding, and both winemakers visit each other each year to exchange a trunkful of wine. That’s a pretty impressive endorsement, but even so we were surprised at just how good Bardoux’s wines are.

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Strawberry. Bardoux is a master craftsman with a humble, contemplative demeanor — his style seems a bit out of place in Champagne, home to glitzy tasting rooms and glossy brochures. But Bardoux’s understatement belies the exceptional elegance and complexity of his wines. His Brut Traditionnel has become a favorite among readers, and we’re excited to add a second today.

Bardoux’s Champagne Brut Rosé is dry and lively, with notes of roses and dried strawberries in the nose. The mouth is full but brisk, with delicate bubbles, and notes of strawberry cream and baked apples. Much mass market champagne runs $75-100 a bottle; Bardoux’s small batch cuvée is a comparative bargain under $50.

With Thanksgiving and Christmas on the way, there should be plenty of opportunity for bubbles in the future.

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BARDOUX Champagne Rosé Brut NV
Ansonia Retail: $54
quarter-case: $45/bot

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AVAILABLE IN 3- 6- AND 12- BOTTLE LOTS

Email Tom to place an order.
or call Tom: (617) 249-3657

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Posted on November 6, 2016 by Thomas Wilcox

Mixed Case: the Best of Burgundy

Stretching a mere thirty-two miles, Burgundy’s Côte d’Or is responsible for finest Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the world. From only two grape varietals, the winemakers of Burgundy produce an astounding range of expression. Every town has its own identity and style; each is part of a tradition of winemaking that stretches back nearly a thousand years.

For this case we’ve chosen six of our favorite Burgundian towns — Chassagne-Montrachet, Puligny-Montrachet, Vosne-Romanée, Chambolle-Musigny, Morey-St-Denis, and Gevrey Chambertin — and collected some of our favorite wines from each. It’s an example of the extraordinary variety possible from only two grapes planted on this famous stretch of land.

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BELLAND Chassagne-Montrachet 1er cru Morgeot “Clos Pitois” 2014
Roger Belland’s premier cru Chassagne-Montrachet is unusually lush and aromatic. The wine’s exotic bouquet leaps from the glass, with notes of pear, hazelnut, and baked lemon. Grown in a monopole vineyard first planted in 1421, this is classic and delicious Chassagne-Montrachet.

BOYER-MARTENOT Puligny-Montrachet 2014
From one of the finest vintages for white Burgundy in recent years, Vincent Boyer’s Puligny-Montrachet “Reuchaux” is elegance in a glass. Look for graceful notes of mineral and lime rind, alongside a mouth of honeysuckle and white flowers.

GROS Vosne-Romanée 2011
From a master winemaker, this is a classic Vosne. The nose shows the unique, spice and violets. The mouth is dense and pure, with beautifully silky tannins that show the elegance possible from a perfect marriage of grape and place.

AMIOT Morey-St-Denis 1er “Ruchots” 2012
Brothers Jean-Louis and Didier Amiot craft rich, lively Burgundies in a style that combines traditional earthiness with modern extraction. Look for notes of smoky cherries and charcoal in the nose; in the mouth find briary blackberry jam.

GROS Chambolle-Musigny 2011
Michel Gros’s village level Chambolle-Musigny drinks more like a premier cru, with the majority of the grapes coming from a plot adjoining the famous Grand Cru Musigny. Look for meaty notes of underbrush and raspberries, and a rich and supremely silky mouth.

BOURÉE Gevrey-Chambertin “Justice” 2011
From a village monopole where a guillotine once stood, this is exceptional wine in an old school style. The nose shows a collection of dark, stewed fruits, dried cranberries, cloves, and baked apple. The mouth is surprisingly smooth, with a softened palate that remains long and tense.

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BEST OF BURGUNDY

2x BELLAND Chassagne-Montrachet 1er 14: $78
2x BOYER Puligny-Montrachet 2014: $64
2x GROS Vosne-Romanée 2011: $72
2x AMIOT Morey-St-Denis 1er 2012: $85
2x GROS Chambolle-Musigny 2011: $74
2x BOURÉE Gevrey-Chambertin 2011: $78

Ansonia Retail: $902
offer price: $725/case

free East Coast shipping | save $177

Email Tom to place an order.

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Posted on November 6, 2016November 6, 2016 by Thomas Wilcox

Exquisite New Condrieu: Nectar of the Northern Rhône.

Gardenia. In France, vineyard location is paramount. Syrah grown at different latitudes tastes vastly different; in Burgundy, Pinot Noir’s character changes within the distance of a few feet. Viognier is aromatic and floral wherever it’s grown, but the complexity and elegance depends entirely on its origin. And nowhere else in the world does Viognier reach such expression as in Condrieu.

Located just below Côte Rôtie in the Northern Rhône Valley, about 20 minutes south of Lyon, Condrieu is a tiny appellation — just over half a square mile of vines. But it produces one of the world’s great white wines, as complex aromatically as it is elegant and mouthfilling on the palate. For fans of Viognier, there’s Condrieu, and then there’s everything else.

BAT Condrieu Cote Chatillon 2012

Honey. Our source for Condrieu is the brothers Bonnefond, a domaine best known for their excellent Côte Rôties. Their 2015 Condrieu is superb — the nose is extraordinarily complex and perfumed, with notes ranging from gardenia, herb honey, apricot, green tea, and dried mango. The mouth is smooth and rich with notes of peach and pear, and a beautiful grape-skin briskness that balances the mouthcoating texture.

With a chill in the air these days, we often prefer whites with some fullness and texture, and as an aperitif, this wine is unmatched. So complex and diverse is the array of flavors that it requires no accompaniment from food. Should hunger force your hand, a simple French salad is the best choice.

Final note — serve this in your largest Burgundy-style balloon glasses, and let the wine come up to room temperature in the glass. It’s an aromatic experience unparallelled in the world of food.

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BONNEFOND Condrieu 2015
Ansonia Retail: $56
quarter-case: $48/bot

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AVAILABLE IN 3- 6- AND 12- BOTTLE LOTS

Email Tom to place an order.
or call Tom: (617) 249-3657

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Posted on November 4, 2016November 4, 2016 by Thomas Wilcox

Smooth, Rich Syrah Blend for Wintery Weather. $18

Balance. For winemakers in Burgundy, finding enough sun is a perennial concern. An unusually rainy year like 2016 can make ripening difficult. In the Languedoc, France’s southernmost region, the concern is just the opposite: how to harvest grapes with enough acidity to preserve freshness.

It makes sense, then, that our favorite Languedoc wines often come from high-elevation zones, where cool breezes help encourage freshness. The best wines of the Languedoc are a careful balance between sundrenched Southern ripeness and refreshing minerality acidity. The Clos Bagatelle in the hills of Saint-Chinian walks the line between richness and energy as well as any domaine we know.

Richness. Located high in the schist-laden hills of the central Languedoc, the Clos Bagatelle is a centuries-old domaine making classic syrah-based southern reds. Today we’re suggesting their “Veillée d’Automne,” a smooth, meaty syrah blend that also includes carignan and cinsault. The nose is ripe and clean, showing plums and dark fruits; the mouth is chewy and dense, with a hint of toast and a crisp mineral line that balances the ripe fruit.

With winter weather on the way we’re reaching more and more for wines from the South. This is meaty, rich red wine that will warm you up as well as a crackling fire. Serve this with a beef stew, roasted vegetables, or a cassoulet; it’s also sure to make friends on your Thanksgiving table in a few weeks.

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BAGATELLE St-Chinian “Veillée d’Automne” 13
Ansonia Retail: $24
case, half-case: $18/bot

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AVAILABLE IN 6- AND 12- BOTTLE LOTS

Email Tom to place an order.
or call Tom: (617) 249-3657

NOTE: If it’s variety you’re after, consider our Wintery Reds mixed case for Thanksgiving, which includes this wine and 3 others.

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Posted on November 2, 2016November 2, 2016 by Thomas Wilcox

New $20 Red Burgundy: 100-year-old vines, 91 points

Vrai Bourgogne. Beaujolais is the source of plenty of uninteresting wines. Fully a third of the region’s production is the Beaujolais Nouveau, a cheap insipid red rushed to market a month after harvest. But the rest of the region contains many highly undervalued wines, some in the same class of top wines from the north of Burgundy.

No Beaujolais source has more impressed us than Laurent Perrachon. From meticulously cultivated old vines and careful use of oak, Perrachon creates remarkably delicious and refined red Burgundies. We’re not the only ones to notice; the domaine is among the only Beaujolais producers reviewed (and praised) by both Josh Raynolds (Vinous) and Allen Meadows (Burghound).

These are honest, complex, delicious red Burgundies; they just happen to be made from Gamay.

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Velvety. We wrote about the 2015 Fleurie last week; today we’re suggesting Perrachon’s 2014 Juliénas “Vignes Centenaires,” a wine made from vines planted more than a century ago. Perfectly extracted and carefully aged in oak barrels, this wine shows a beautifully dark, brooding nose of anise and blackberries. Josh Raynolds of Vinous awarded 91 points, calling it “round and fleshy but vibrant as well.”

The mouth is dense and rich and very long, with more stuffing than you find in many a $30 Pinot from Santenay or Maranges. The tannins are juicy and silky but sturdy, meaning this should develop nicely for another year or so. As we found out at a dinner party this week, however, an open bottle disappears with haste. Bring a few bottles to a Thanksgiving dinner, and no one will guess it’s Gamay.

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PERRACHON Juliénas “Centenaires” 2014
Ansonia Retail: $25
case, half-case: $19.95/bot

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AVAILABLE IN 6- AND 12- BOTTLE LOTS

Email Tom to place an order.
or call Tom: (617) 249-3657

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Posted on October 31, 2016 by Thomas Wilcox

2014 White Burgundy from a Secret Source.

Hidden. We find some of our favorite values in towns just off the beaten path. The neighbor villages of Chassagne-Montrachet and Puligny-Montrachet are the world’s best known sources for fine white wine. But just two miles to the west lies the often-overlooked town of Saint-Aubin, which turns out to be an exceptional source for value in white Burgundy.

The Thomas family has an intimate knowledge of the terroir of St-Aubin, where they’ve lived and made wine for over 70 years. Together with his two daughters, Gérard makes understated, highly affordable wines that are consistently delicious. And in a vintage like 2014, they rival the wines of more famous towns.

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Elegant. The 2014 St-Aubin “Champ Tirant” is a pure expression of a single, limited terroir. This still young wine is already drinking well; the youthful acidity melts beautifully into the smooth mouthfeel. The nose shows delicate yellow fruits and muted toasty notes like baked lemon and almond. The mouth shows enough freshness to help pair it beautifully with food, but enough richness and stuffing to make it drink like a far pricier wine.

Food pairings for white Burgundy are easy. According to Sommelier Rajat Parr, who calls St-Aubin a source “for some of the best-value Chardonnay in the world,” white Burgundy pairs best “with oilier and meatier poached fish like halibut, salmon, monkfish, cod and grouper.” Monkfish is a particular favorite at our house, particularly Thomas Keller’s Roasted Monkfish with butter and rosemary.

Aside from fish, we also love this with whole roasted chicken. Cook the bird with rosemary, lemon, and garlic, and enjoy the smells from the kitchen as they meld into the aromas from the glass.

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THOMAS St-Aubin 2014
Ansonia Retail: $34
case, half-case: $29/bot

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AVAILABLE IN 6- AND 12- BOTTLE LOTS

Email Tom to place an order.
or call Tom: (617) 249-3657

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Posted on October 30, 2016October 30, 2016 by Thomas Wilcox

November Futures has been released.

Fall is a great time of the year to be a wine lover. The air gets brisk. The fireplace resumes its cheerful duties. It is dark by dinnertime, and the food from the kitchen is richer and heartier. These changes are all conducive to the enjoyment of wine, and for us the falling leaves usher in a time of closer attention to what is on our plates and in our glasses. At our houses the change sends us off to the cellar in search of wines that will be interesting rather than just pleasant. Thanksgiving and the following holidays center around family and dinner table, and, chez nous at least, wine plays an important role.

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The last of our fall trilogy of Futures offerings is Burgundy-centric, with four of the five winemakers hailing from our favorite region. In fact more than half the wines in this issue come from Michel Gros, the best known and perhaps most talented winemaker in our portfolio. We offer a first look at his entire lineup of 2014s, debut two new cuvées from his domaine, and provide a rare chance to pick up some magnums. After a stop in Chassagne for the some of the world’s finest chardonnay, we also offer some suggestions of more modest Burgundies for everyday drinking — red 2014s from Givry, and white 2014s from the Maconnais. We even revisit a favorite vineyard in Pouilly-Fuissé, which will ring a bell of recognition for some of the most ancièn readers of these notes.

And finally, for those who love the rich wines of the Southern Rhône, we visit the Cartier family at the Domaine les Goubert. They make a wide range of wine, both for every day and for special occasions. We hope there will be something for everyone in this offering, and while we can’t make absolute promises, we anticipate they will arrive before Christmas.

Click below to download the PDF of our November Futures issue. The deadline to place orders is Sunday November 13.

November 2016 Futures (PDF)

Posted on October 28, 2016October 28, 2016 by Thomas Wilcox

New Distinctive Muscadet: Crisp, Dry, and Classic

Vintage. Perched where the Loire river meets the windswept Atlantic coast, Muscadet has long been a source for a classic, dry white wine. Served by the carafe in the oyster bars of Paris and London for decades, it’s refreshing, abundant, and inexpensive — a perfect glass to wash down a plate of crustaceans.

In the last few years Muscadet has undergone a reinvention of sorts with the elevation of three of the region’s best towns to a new “Cru Communal” status. Today’s wine comes from one of these three leaders in the new wave of Muscadet. Combining excellent terroir with extended years on the lees, this is an unusually complex take on a classic.

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Autumn. Martin-Luneau is a fourth generation family domaine farming old vines on the plains south of Nantes. Last year we sold their “Gorges” and “Deux Roches” from the 2010 vintage. This year we’re excited to release their “Clisson” from 2012, a wine that perfectly marries Muscadet’s signature brisk and lively mouthfeel with a new generation’s richness and complexity.

The nose of the 2012 Clisson is clean and pure, showing dried flowers, melons, and lemon. The mouth is smooth and very dry, with notes of stones, salt air, and apple skins. With oysters in season this is a perfect, inexpensive white for the fall. The winemakers themselves recommend serving this with a simple moules marinières, made with shallots, parsley, thyme, butter and, of course, Muscadet.

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MARTIN-LUNEAU Muscadet “Clisson” 2012
Ansonia Retail: $24
case, half-case: $19/bot

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AVAILABLE IN 6- AND 12- BOTTLE LOTS

Email Tom to place an order.
or call Tom: (617) 249-3657

IMAGE: “Fishing for Oysters at Cancale” by John Singer Sargent

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Posted on October 27, 2016October 28, 2016 by Thomas Wilcox

Mixed Case: Châteauneuf-du-Pape Sampler ($104 off)

Winter is Coming. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the perfect wine for cold weather. Made famous by French popes in the 14th century, and then again by Robert Parker in the 1980s, the area is rich with winemaking history. Today the appellation, which covers only about 12 square miles, produces some of the most sought after wine in the world.

Here are four Chateauneuf-du-Papes from four different producers. They all have between three and nine years of bottle age, and show the impressive variety of terroir available from the appellation. With fall here and winter on its way, this is the perfect mixed case to keep you warm.

As a bonus, the buyers of the first six samplers ordered will receive a new detailed map of the appellation (see photo here). [UPDATE: Map sold out.]

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ANDRÉ Chateauneuf 2012
Pierre André may be the original source for organic Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Their small batch red is intensely concentrated, drawing from vines with an average age of over 70 years. Look for notes of licorice, wild cherry, and prune.

MESTRE Chateauneuf 2013
Christophe Mestre is a young winemaker who is beginning to gain acclaim in the press. Vinous’s Josh Raynolds awarded this wine 90 points, calling the palate “sweet and seamless,” and highlighting notes of “cherry compote,” “raspberry” and “anise.”

FONT DU LOUP Chateauneuf “Puy Rolland” 2013
Made exclusively from 100-year old Grenache vines, this special cuvée from the Chateau de la Font du Loup is exceptional. With extremely concentrated fruit and beautiful fine-grained tannins, look for notes of strawberry jam and a silky mouthfeel.

AUTARD Chateauneuf “Cote Ronde” 2007
The Domaine Paul Autard is among the most celebrated sources in Chateauneuf, and his luxury cuvée, called Côte Rônde, is the finest wine he makes. This 2007, from a vintage considered the best in decades, is not one to miss.

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CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE SAMPLER

3x ANDRÉ Chateauneuf-du-Pape 12: $54
3x MESTRE Châteauneuf-du-Pape 13: $35
3x FONT DU LOUP Châteauneuf “P. Rolland” 13: $54
3x AUTARD Châteauneuf “Cote Ronde” 07: $80

(+ Free Map for first 6 buyers) [UPDATE: Map sold out.]

Ansonia Retail: $669
offer price: $565/case

free East Coast shipping | save $104

Email Tom to place an order.

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Posted on October 26, 2016October 26, 2016 by Thomas Wilcox

Grower Champagne is Back.

Discovery. We first met Pascal Bardoux only 15 months ago, but he has already become a favorite among our readers. His small-batch Champagnes are distinctive, delicious, complex, and comparative bargains. With much of the mass-market Champagne distributed in the US between $75 and $100 a bottle, Bardoux’s $45 Brut Traditionnel is twice the wine at half the price.

Pascal Bardoux is a fifth generation Champagne maker who resembles a professor more than a winemaker. His quiet, thoughtful approach to his wines is a stark departure from the glossy brochures and fancy tasting rooms common in Champagne. But Bardoux’s humble style belies the extraordinary intricacy and elegance of his wines.

After months of being épuisé, Bardoux’s three wines at last arrived in our warehouse — just in time for Thanksgiving and the holidays to come.

Best yet. Bardoux’s Brut Traditionnel is his non-vintage cuvée, and an excellent entree to the collection. A blend of 60% Pinot Meunier, 30% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir, this wine has the complexity and depth to match the finest bottles from Burgundy or Bordeaux. This year’s Traditionnel contains wine mostly from 2012, and we found it even better than last year’s. The nose shows plum and lemon and buttered biscuits; the mouth is dry, elegant, and smooth, with notes of apple and toast.

We can’t recommend this wine highly enough. For those new to Champagne, this wine will convert you with ease, and at $45/bot it won’t blow your sparkling budget. For those with a more Churchillian perspective on bubbles, this is as delicious and complex as any non-vintage grower Champagne we’ve had, and it’s impossible to match for value.

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BARDOUX Champagne Traditionnel NV
Ansonia Retail: $52
case, half-case: $45/bot

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AVAILABLE IN 6- AND 12- BOTTLE LOTS

Email Tom to place an order.
or call Tom: (617) 249-3657

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Posted on October 24, 2016October 24, 2016 by Thomas Wilcox

More Exceptional 2015 Red Burgundy.

Two for two. This past June we went searching for a new source in the Beaujolais. One morning we lined up two tasting appointments in Juliénas, one of the ten Beaujolais Cru. The first domaine (last week’s Jean-Marc Monnet) was so good that we continued to the second mostly as a matter of courtesy.

It’s good thing we did — the wines at our second visit were so impressive that we decided we couldn’t pass them up. The Domaine Laurent Perrachon is an old family domaine in Juliénas whose wines are as complex and delicious as anything we’ve had in the Beaujolais. These resemble far more the Pinot Noirs of Burgundy than the unserious wine for which Beaujolais is best known.

Imprimer

Inky. Perrachon is one of very few Beaujolais winemakers to be featured in both Burghound’s (Allen Meadows) newsletter and Antonio Galloni’s Vinous, and most wines scored in the 90s in both publications. Today we’re introducing his 2015 Fleurie, an exceptionally pretty wine that’s representative of this most elegant and floral of Beaujolais towns.

The nose shows beautiful violets, wild cherries, and rose petals, with a hint of licorice. The mouth has the unmistakable mark of 2015, the ripest vintage in years. The old vines provide density and concentration unusual for gamay, with notes of raspberry and blackberry, and a long, dense, elegant mouthfeel.

This is more refined than Monnet’s Juliénas, but also carries the region’s signature joviality. It’s more proof that 2015 is not a year to miss in Burgundy.

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PERRACHON Fleurie 2015
Ansonia Retail: $24
case, half-case: $18/bot

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AVAILABLE IN 6- AND 12- BOTTLE LOTS

Email Tom to place an order.
or call Tom: (617) 249-3657

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Posted on October 23, 2016October 20, 2016 by Thomas Wilcox

New 2014 Meursault: If Gold Were a Flavor…

Cote d’Or. “If gold were a flavor,” Matt Kramer once wrote, “it would taste like Meursault.” Though it has no Grand Cru vineyards, the wines of Meursault are some of the most sought after in the world. For most, the name recalls white Burgundies of decadence, opulence, and style.

We began buying from Vincent Boyer more than a decade ago, and since then the international wine press has widely acclaimed him as a rising star — his wines regularly score in the 90s, and his stocks evaporate faster every year. This year, for the first time in many years, Boyer offered us the opportunity to buy some of his Meursault “Narvaux,” a village level white considered among the finest in the town.

Combine this exceptional terroir and Boyer’s 60- and 70-year-old vines with the highly celebrated 2014 vintage, and you have a very special wine.

narv

Royalty. The Narvaux vineyard perches above Meursault’s row of premier crus, and borders the famous Genevrières vineyard. The wine is classic Meursault, with a wonderful mouthfilling intensity drawn from the richness of the fruit, not the oak. The nose is round and generous, showing buttery toast, hazelnut, and apricot. The mouth is full but tense, showing dense notes of pear and white flowers, with an energetic and tense finish.

This is classic, rich, extraordinary white Burgundy, which is the finest and most impressive expression of Chardonnay. Vincent suggests serving this with a simple broiled fish dressed in butter and lemon — we also suggest lobster as an exquisite pairing. Or begin a dinner party this holiday season with a glass of this Meursault — your only problem will be figuring out how to follow it with something as good.

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BOYER-MARTENOT Meursault “Narvaux” 2014
Ansonia Retail: $62
quarter-case: $54/bot

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AVAILABLE IN 3- 6- AND 12- BOTTLE LOTS

Email Tom to place an order.

or call Tom: (617) 249-3657

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