Final Pickup Hours: Tuesday 11/23, 5-6:30pm
Shipping Order Deadline: Sunday 11/21
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Ragot’s 2023 Clos Jus is terrific. It’s 85% raised in barrel (40% new) and… More (+) Ragot’s 2023 Clos Jus is terrific. It’s 85% raised in barrel (40% new) and the rest in amphora, with 25% whole cluster. This recipe makes for a serious red Burgundy, and the wine has the presence and texture of a village-level Gevrey-Chambertin. The nose is dark and sappy with impressively complex layers of spice, blackberry, cherry and stones. The mouth is rich and dense but with exceptional tension and freshness – it’s a dynamic wine in a way that much sub-$50 red Burgundy is not.
Neal Martin of Vinous gave it 91 points, finding a “bouquet of crushed strawberry, cranberry and lightly pressed flower.” In the mouth he noted “fine tannins, well balanced and refined,” concluding “this is another delicious Givry from Nicolas Ragot.”
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Join us on Thursday nights for the return of in-person tastings at the Depot… More (+) Join us on Thursday nights for the return of in-person tastings at the Depot this fall!
Thursday, September 14, 6:30pm: Chablis & the Maconnais
Explore white Burgundies from outside the Côte d'Or.
Gautheron Chablis 1er Montmains 2021
Collet Chablis 1er Vaillons 2021
Collet Chablis Grand Cru Valmur 2021
Giroux Pouilly-Fuissé VV 2020
Maillet Pouilly-Fuissé 2020
Forces-Telluriques Viré-Clessé 2020
Any purchases of 3+ bottles will be credited back the $50 tasting fee. Less (-) Free US Shipping | ||
Morey’s vines in this plot are over 40 years old, and produce small, perfectly… More (+) Morey’s vines in this plot are over 40 years old, and produce small, perfectly ripe berries year in and year out. This results in an intense, sappy wine with dark flavor, dark color, and a smooth, concentrated mouthfeel. We were amazed at how rich and masculine the flavor was, particularly so far from the soils of the Côte de Nuits.
The nose is dark and woodsy, showing intense black raspberry and licorice. The mouth is intense but smooth and long, with gingerbread, spice, and blackberry jam. Tasted blind we’d put this somewhere in southern Nuits-St-Georges or northern Gevrey Chambertin. Less (-) Free US Shipping | ||
Antonio Galloni of Vinous calls the Coutier wines “gorgeous…all showing the natural richness of… More (+) Antonio Galloni of Vinous calls the Coutier wines “gorgeous…all showing the natural richness of Ambonnay,” and writing they “have been favorites of mine for years, because of their quality, personality, and exceedingly fair prices.” Ambonnay is known as Pinot Noir country, where extra clay and warm southern exposure lend themselves well to the red grape.
Courtier’s base “Cuvée Tradition” is simply exquisite grower Champagne at a remarkable price. It’s super expressive exploding from the glass with notes of spring flowers, pear, raspberries, herbs and brioche. At 6g dosage and a blend of 70% pinot noir and 30% chardonnay it’s dry but full of fruit, and the texture is at once lush and crisp. This is accessible, affordable, downright tasty Champagne – full of character, flavor, and life. Less (-) Free US Shipping | ||
One of our favorites recent second wine discoveries is the Murmure du Larcis Ducasse… More (+) One of our favorites recent second wine discoveries is the Murmure du Larcis Ducasse, a St-Emilion Grand Cru. Chateau Larcis Ducasse is a well known estate whose flagship label “flirts with perfection” in good vintages (Jeb Dunnuck). If you’re in need of a serious, mature, sub-$60 Bordeaux, look no further.
James Suckling gave the 2018 Murmure a 95, just two points behind the flagship label that year, finding it “elegant…juicy, and fleshy texture…savory…such balance.” This wine stole the show at our tasting in January, and we’re delighted it’s finally arrived. Among a crowded field of other St-Emilions, this showed a beautiful floral nose with violets and plum, and lush, very fresh fruit. The mouth is sturdy and rich, and every tannin is coated in gorgeous ripe fruit. Drink with steak.
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Chateau Cantemerle is an extremely old property (dating back to the 12th century), recognized… More (+) Chateau Cantemerle is an extremely old property (dating back to the 12th century), recognized as a “fifth growth” in the 1855 classification. This is the most serious of the three, with a gorgeous, deep, outstanding nose showing wild cherries, tobacco, and just a hint of spice. The mouth is sturdy and extremely well built, with tremendous concentration and a long impeccably balanced finish. There’s dark, rich fruit, solid structure, and impressive freshness. Less (-) Free US Shipping | ||
As Master of Wine Jasper Morris wrote recently: “Cyril Gautheron is a superb producer… More (+) As Master of Wine Jasper Morris wrote recently: “Cyril Gautheron is a superb producer making wines in a crisp cool classically Chablis style, which is now really quite hard to achieve in these warmer seasons.” We thought it unlikely that Cyril would have followed his extraordinary 2022s with another vintage like it, but the 2023s are every bit as good, and in some cases even better.
Montmains premier cru “Vieilles Vignes” is exceptional in 2023. The balance is just beautiful, with good roundness in the mouth, plenty of freshness at the same time, and extraordinary persistence on the palate. The 80 year age of these vines has something to do with the exceptional results, but vinification also plays a part. For a part of this wine Cyril has used a 3500 liter wooden cuve, which delivers micro-oxygenation without much movement of the lees, making the wine less focused and a bit more open. Less (-) Free US Shipping | ||
The Bonnefonds produce exceptional red wines, with notes of dark fruits and spice. They… More (+) The Bonnefonds produce exceptional red wines, with notes of dark fruits and spice. They are rich without being heavy – only 13% alcohol – and there’s an attractive liveliness often lacking in Syrah from the Southern Hemisphere. Bonnefond wines will age with no trouble for ten or more years.
Their Côte Rôtie shows plum, roasted meats and black pepper; the mouth is spiced and dense, showing olives and dark chocolate, and a hint of smoke. The inky tannins here are firm but not harsh, and with a few hours in a carafe this is a lovely glass of wine. We wouldn’t be the first to volunteer to work the vertigo-inducing “fields” of Bonnefond’s vineyards, but we’re certainly glad someone does. Less (-) Free US Shipping |
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Thanksgiving Whites
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Thanksgiving Reds
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Thanksgiving Bubbles
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