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 | As is often the case when a new generation joins in the winemaking, in… More (+) As is often the case when a new generation joins in the winemaking, in recent years the domaine has experimented with micro-cuvées. We found two particularly interesting. First, a cuvée raised in amphora, which allows micro-oxygenation at a level similar to that from small oak barrels, but without the addition of oak flavors. The result is a more fully developed wine, a bit more rounded out but maintaining the freshness of that 13% alcohol level. (This wine will bear the same Forces Telluriques label, but with orange wax around the cork to distinguish it from the gray wax of the regular cuvée). Morris was even more enthusiastic about this one, giving it his 5/5 star award, and writing: “love the balance of this…pears not peaches, with excellent length.” Less (-) Free US Shipping | |
 | Located in Vouvray in the central Loire Valley, Fontainerie is a small 6-hectare estate… More (+) Located in Vouvray in the central Loire Valley, Fontainerie is a small 6-hectare estate producing delicious wines of pure Chenin Blanc. The winemaker is Catherine Dhoye-Deruet – she’s run the place since the 90s, and it’s been in her family since the early 1700s.This cuvée is just what we want from Vouvray – pure, classic, refreshing Chenin blanc, raised in steel (no oak) and fermented fully dry. The nose is floral and fresh, with notes of apple blossom, ripe pear, saffron and chalk. The mouth is clean and crisp, with smooth fruit and a clean finish. Simple, delightful summertime Chenin blanc. Less (-) Free US Shipping | |
 | Vouvray is in the central Loire, an area known for its Chenin Blanc planted… More (+) Vouvray is in the central Loire, an area known for its Chenin Blanc planted in an unusual type of soft limestone called tuffeau. Like many in Vouvray, Catherine Dhoye-Deruet's caves are carved into the tuffeau right below her vines – it’s a unique and remarkable place, and one that can produce terrific wines.The 2016 Vouvray Demi-Sec was perhaps the most exciting wine at the Fontainerie tasting. At just 20g of residual sugar – compared with, say, 120g for Sauternes – this is barely sweet. In fact the splash of RS serves as just one element among many, along with a burst of stony freshness, clean acidity, and lush tropical fruit. With its near decade in the bottle, the fruit has developed into an extraordinary array of flavors, including raisins, dried mango, baked pear, yellow plum, and others unnamed / unknowable. But the end of the palate finishes with an elegant and vibrant tension. This wine has the sweetness of a lightly sweetened cocktail – think a Tom Collins or Whisky Sour – with the same acidity to balance. Less (-) Free US Shipping | |
| | Winemaker Catherine Dhoye-Deruet has run her small 6-hectare estate since the 1990s, and it’s… More (+) Winemaker Catherine Dhoye-Deruet has run her small 6-hectare estate since the 1990s, and it’s been in her family since the early 1700s.With 30 grams of residual sugar and excellent minerality, this Demi-Sec is lightly sweet – picture the sweetness in a bowl of ripe berries rather than a slice of cake. The nose is tropical and wonderful, showing quince, pear, and cooked apples. The mouth is smooth, elegant and quite long, with a beautiful velvety texture and almost a hint of tannin. This cuvée probably isn’t sweet enough for dessert – we’d serve it with a spicy Asian dish, sushi with a healthy dose of wasabi, or fish tacos alongside salsa with some authority. Less (-) Free US Shipping | |
 | 'When we visited last spring, Negrier told us that 2022 was unequivocally the best… More (+) 'When we visited last spring, Negrier told us that 2022 was unequivocally the best vintage in the domaine’s 30 year history. He attributes this partly to the very dry growing season, which also featured damaging hail early, at the cost of 40% of the crop. The result: tiny grapes and highly concentrated must. Indeed, the Fleuron de Liot 2022 – a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon – is utterly delicious and should age very well. Right now this well-balanced wine is inky and dark, showing black cherry and cassis fruit. There is excellent density: the fine tannins coat the mouth and persist on the palate. Less (-) Free US Shipping | |
 | St. Estephe is at the northern end of the Haut Médoc, home to the… More (+) St. Estephe is at the northern end of the Haut Médoc, home to the likes of Chateau Cos d’Estournel and Chateau Montrose. The soils of St. Estephe have more clay than those of Pauillac to the immediate south, and this makes for big wines with a dark color and a long life.The 2019 Fleuron de Liot is intense and delicious, showing chocolate powder, black cherry, tobacco and faint herbs. There’s excellent density and perfectly coated tannins — we think this is a candidate to age nicely for 5-8 years. Less (-) Free US Shipping | |
 | Four bottles each of three Red Burgundy cuvées from the superb 2022 vintage.Desvignes Givry… More (+) Four bottles each of three Red Burgundy cuvées from the superb 2022 vintage.Desvignes Givry 1er cru "Grand Berge" 22: rich, elegant, intense; strawberry, toast, stonesBelland Maranges 1er "Fussière" 22: rich, rugged, juicy, mouthfilling; cassis, plum, violetsRavaut Bourgogne Côte d'Or 22: smooth, concentrated, bursting; cherry, blackberry, gingerbreadFree Shipping East of Chicago Less (-) Free US Shipping | |
 | Much of our Beaujolais portfolio has gotten more serious in recent years, and Guillaume… More (+) Much of our Beaujolais portfolio has gotten more serious in recent years, and Guillaume Goujon and Seb Dupré are making gamays as impressive as many pinots from the north. But for Equinoxe de Printemps, their goal is a simpler wine that’s readier to drink early — less extraction, less elevage, just delightful gamay fruit.Grown on granite and sandy soils, this is an exuberant wine with lovely low tannins and perfectly judged acidity. The nose shows raspberries and violets, while the mouth is crunchy and flat out delicious. Serve a bit cool on a sunny backyard patio. Less (-) Free US Shipping |