Red Burgundy Verticals
Drinking multiple vintages of the same wine is an excellent way to get to know a wine. In Burgundy, vintages play an important role in the character of a wine, and tasting the same wine in vertical be an educational (and delicious) experience.
Of course there are two vintage variables with every bottle: the time elapsed from the harvest year, and the patterns of that particular vintage itself. In other words, it’s impossible simultaneously to drink two wines at the same age from different vintages. But in our eyes that only adds another variable of intrigue.
So we’ve collected some red Burgundy vertical trios — the same wine in 3 vintages. Quantities are limited.
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 | After a near electrocution more than a decade… (+) After a near electrocution more than a decade ago, winemaker Denis Basset decided to pursue his personal passion and began making wine from the family’s long-established vineyards.
The Crozes-Hermitage “Etincelle” 2020 is almost entirely barrel-raised, with about 10% raised en cuve to assure freshness. It spent three additional pandemic months in barrel before bottling in December of last year, and the result is an attractive roundness in the mouth as it shows off its ripe, dark fruit with its touch of black pepper. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $22 | |
 | The 2020 Sablet from Goubert might be the… (+) The 2020 Sablet from Goubert might be the best Côtes du Rhône we’ve had in many years. It’s a blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah, all fermented together in the same tank. It’s raised in large concrete vats rather than oak barrels, and the resulting wine is fresh and untouched by notes of vanilla or toast.
Goubert’s Sablet 2020 is dark, juicy and refreshing: the nose is a blend of wild cherries, lavender, violets, and cloves. In the mouth the fruits are red, perfectly ripe, with beautiful freshness and a clean, spiced finish. The weight is just right: rich, rounded tannins, mouth-coating fruit, solid supporting acidity, and a smooth finish. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $22 | |
 | Free East Coast Shipping | $22 | |
 | For more than fifteen years we thought of… (+) For more than fifteen years we thought of Poggerino as our secret, but the word is definitely out now. Vinous’s Antonio Galloni considers their wines “some of the purest expressions of the Sangiovese grape in Italy."
Back after several years away, Poggerino's Labirinto is 90% sangiovese, with a 10% splash or organically farmed Merlot. (You won't taste the Merlot, it's there for a subtle softening of the sangiovese.) Labirinto is all vat raised (no oak), and a perfect weeknight pizza wine: a juicy and mouth-filling, a straightforward celebration of fruit. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $22 | |
 | Located in Pic-St-Loup, among the best terroirs in… (+) Located in Pic-St-Loup, among the best terroirs in the Languedoc, Foualquier crafts delicious red blends by employing careful biodynamic viticulture. Their wines channel the region’s wildness into exuberant, fruit-and-earth mixtures that are always complex and always polished.
This is pure Grenache raised in concrete tanks — a crisp, vibrant, unadulterated take on the grape. At 12.5% alcohol, the 2019 bursts with beautiful strawberry fruit, hints of grenache smoke, and notes of garrigue and lavender. The mouth is crisp and crackling with delicious, nicely balanced tannin – the shape of a Loire Valley Cabernet Franc wrapped in a Provencal package. Serve this on the back patio, a bit cool. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $22 | |
 | Winemaker Nicolas Haeni is a master of engineering… (+) Winemaker Nicolas Haeni is a master of engineering balanced wines in his scorching hot climate, and his rosé is a perfect example. An 80/20 blend of Grenache and Syrah, it’s rounder and smoother than Sanzay’s but at 13% alcohol remains lively and fresh. Look for rose petals and wild strawberries in the nose, with a clean, refreshing minerality in the mouth.
Nicolas himself, always humble and self-effacing, admitted he found the wine “magnifique” this year. Given the extra texture this is a perfect rosé for summer meals – goat cheese salad, grilled chicken, or a cold summer soup. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $22 | |
| Free East Coast Shipping | $22 | |
 | Nicolas Paget continues to produce excellent, dry, delicious… (+) Nicolas Paget continues to produce excellent, dry, delicious organic Chenin Blanc from the central Loire Valley. From his small, humble domaine not far from the Loire River, Paget produces a wide range of red, white, rosé and sparkling wines, all full of energy and life.
Paget’s simple flagship wine that’s everything you want from a dry Chenin Blanc. The 2021 is delightful, and a return to its usual clean, refreshing self. The nose shows pear and flint, with an easy, approachable profile. The mouth is crisp and very refreshing with apple and citrus fruit, and white flowers. At 13% alcohol it’s summer weight, and perfect for warm weather – think a Petit Chablis from an orchard-fruit grape. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $22 | |
 | Winemakers Celine and Didier Sanzay are fifth generation… (+) Winemakers Celine and Didier Sanzay are fifth generation growers in Saumur-Champigny in the central Loire. Their reds are pure Cabernet Franc, and fit modern Loire style -- small batch, organic, wild yeasts, no fining or filtering. They’re lovely on their own, but it’s the freshness and vibrant texture that makes them perfect food-paring reds.
Sanzay’s 2022 Saumur-Champigny is exactly what you want Loire Cab Franc to be: pure, joyful, unoaked, and refreshing. Clean, juicy fruit bursts from the glass on the nose — think wild cherries and graphite. The mouth is fresh, fruit forward, inky, and intense, with a bold and vibrant attack and a quick clean finish. Picture a juicy Beaujolais with more serious texture and darker fruit. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $22 | |
 | Free East Coast Shipping | $22 | |
| Winemaker Nicolas Haeni is a master of engineering… (+) Winemaker Nicolas Haeni is a master of engineering balanced wines in his scorching hot climate, and his rosé is a perfect example. An 80/20 blend of Grenache and Syrah, it’s rounder and smoother than Sanzay’s or Poggerino’s but at 13% alcohol remains lively and fresh. Look for rose petals and wild strawberries in the nose, with a clean, refreshing minerality in the mouth. Given the extra texture this is a perfect rosé for summer meals – goat cheese salad, grilled chicken, or a cold summer soup. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $22 | |
 | For more than fifteen years we thought of… (+) For more than fifteen years we thought of Poggerino as our secret, but the word is definitely out now. Vinous’s Antonio Galloni considers their wines “some of the purest expressions of the Sangiovese grape in Italy."
Poggerino's pure Sangiovese rosato has quickly become a favorite since it was introduced a few years ago. It's dry, crisp, and simply delicious, with a rose-petal nose and dried strawberries in the mouth. Serve it with a salty fish off the grill. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $22 | |
 | Michot’s Pouilly-Fumé Vieilles Vignes 2023 has just arrived… (+) Michot’s Pouilly-Fumé Vieilles Vignes 2023 has just arrived and it’s refreshing, unoaked, mouthfilling and utterly delicious. His old vine cuvée combines a ripe, sunny vintage with bursting tension underneath the gorgeous fruit. There’s lots of inexpensive Sauvignon Blanc around -- most of it isn’t half this good.
The nose shows mango, grapefruit rind, and straw; the mouth shows ripe grapefruit, lime rind, and honey. The wine is at once mouthfilling and electric, with the persistence of richness and freshness found in finest Sancerre, but with a serious discount.
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 | The 2023 vintage is delicious, winning Gold at… (+) The 2023 vintage is delicious, winning Gold at the local Concours d’Orange in 2024, and one of the best vintages of this wine we’ve had. The nose suggests ripe plums, and the mouth is rich and full, with just enough ripe tannin to notice. The finish is very smooth. Souverain’s 2023 Seguret is one of those wines where the first glass calls for a second. If you’re looking for something to match the pizza you are making for tonight’s dinner, you can’t go wrong with this. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $22 | |
| Paget’s 2023 Melodie is quietly beautiful, with an… (+) Paget’s 2023 Melodie is quietly beautiful, with an almost Chablisien array of grapeskin and minerals – clean, pure and delightful. The nose is floral and dry, with faint pear notes and a hint of apple. Even in a warm year Paget has managed to craft a refreshing cuvée — at a steely 12% alcohol it’s beautifully balanced, and a refreshing break from the palate-coating wines that dominate the market these days. Serve with fresh goat cheese on crusty bread and rejoice in simplicity. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $22 | |
 | Free East Coast Shipping | $22 | |
| Free East Coast Shipping | $22 | |
| Didier and Celine Sanzay are fifth generation growers… (+) Didier and Celine Sanzay are fifth generation growers in Saumur-Champigny producing fresh, pure Cabernet Franc in the modern Loire style -- small batch, organic, wild yeasts, no fining or filtering. Their 2023s in particular are “Loire classique” Didier told us last week – a return to the refreshing, low-alcohol.
Their 2023 Saumur-Champigny is exactly what you want Loire Cab Franc to be: pure, joyful, unoaked, and fresh. Clean, juicy fruit bursts from the glass on the nose — think wild cherries and graphite. The mouth is fresh, fruit forward, inky, and intense, with a bold and vibrant attack and a quick clean finish. Picture a juicy Beaujolais with more serious texture and darker fruit. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $22 | |
 | Picamelot is among Burgundy’s finest crémant houses. The… (+) Picamelot is among Burgundy’s finest crémant houses. The Wine Advocate’s resident Champagne expert William Kelley writes that “Picamelot produces some of the best sparkling wines in Burgundy,” and calls their wines “elegant,” “excellent,” and “superb.”
Picamelot’s dry rosé is 100% Pinot Noir, and made using the traditional method from Champagne: fermentation in tank, bottling, dosing with sugar and yeast, second fermentation, then disgorging. A lovely nose that balances fruit and floral notes, with strawberry, herbs and lemon. The mouth is perfectly dry, with great freshness alongside a gentle creamy mousse of bubbles. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $24 | |
 | Lafont Menaut is the project of Philibert Perrin… (+) Lafont Menaut is the project of Philibert Perrin, whose family also owns neighboring Chateau Carbonnieux (one of three visited by Thomas Jefferson in 1786). He employs the same care and expertise at both properties. The Cabernet adds dark, briary notes of blackberry and currant, with the Merlot adding notes of plum jam.
Lafont Menaut is a classic, dark-palate Bordeaux, showing figs and currants alongside notes of cedar smoke and earth. It benefits greatly from 30 minutes or so in a glass or decanter. The texture is long, dark, and rich, with ripe, juicy tannins that are present but pleasant. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $24 | |
 | Syrah grown in most of the world is… (+) Syrah grown in most of the world is bold, rich, smooth and voluminous. In the Northern Rhône the grape takes on a different style: lower alcohol, less mouthfilling, more spice, more energy. Recent scorching summers have blurred this style a bit, but 2020 was a welcome return to normal. Decanter writes of “A reliably fresh, balanced and approachable vintage – a return to classicism.”
Christophe was right about his 2020 Syrah – it’s lighter weight than recent years, but arguably even finer. The nose is spice forward, with black pepper, nutmeg and rosemary – the black fruit is there but taking a back seat to the savory elements. The mouth is gorgeous and refined, with refreshing tension and lovely intensity – it’s perfectly extracted, leaving not an ounce of harshness.
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| Free East Coast Shipping | $24 | |
 | It’s pure Sauvignon raised in used oak barrels… (+) It’s pure Sauvignon raised in used oak barrels, which add a very subtle hint of muted spice and help round out the mouth. But it’s the lively fruit that drives this wine. Grapefruit is still the dominant note here, blended with notes of anise, grapeskin, honey, straw, and pear.
This is a perfect summertime glass of white. It's lovely on its own, but food is a welcome companion for this wine. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $24 | |
 | Vincent Boyer is an innovative winemaker making extraordinary… (+) Vincent Boyer is an innovative winemaker making extraordinary wines in Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet, but his entry-level cuvées are among the best values in our cellar. His 2020 Aligoté in particular is a triumph; showing a beautiful nose of cortland apples, buttered toast and chalk. With its mild acidity and easy, fresh, lightweight mouthfeel, it’s worlds away from the aligoté of yesteryear.
William Kelley found it “seamless…satiny and racy, with a fleshy core of fruit.” Burghound gave it his “Outstanding” rating (a rarity for a wine of its humble level), writing of the wine’s “delicious and vibrant middle-weight flavors” with “very good density and a refreshing salinity.” (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $24 | |
 | Chenin from the middle Loire is often vinified… (+) Chenin from the middle Loire is often vinified off-dry, or what the vignerons now call “sec-tendre.” It’s another good choice for an aperitif, but it pairs surprisingly well with food as well. Paget’s sec-tendre has 10-12 grams of residual sugar, which is not enough to make it taste sweet (Champagne may be designated “Brut” at sugar levels up to 12), but enough to make the wine feel beautifully round in the mouth.
He calls it “Maestro,” and it’s fermented in barrels and held there for 12 to 14 months. We thought it a lovely expression of the grape. Try this wine with an Asian stir-fry, particularly Thai food. Or serve with a platter of salty (even strong) cheeses; (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $25 | |
 | Considering the tiny yields achieved from these shriveled… (+) Considering the tiny yields achieved from these shriveled grapes, the low price of this wine is remarkable. Voigny’s nose and mouth are full of the classic honeysuckle, apricots and peaches, but it’s the acidity that keeps this wine lively. Many sweet wines lack acidity and fall flat – Voigny is bursting with freshness to balance out its sweetness.
There may be no more perfect food-wine pairing than Sauternes with seared foie gras. If your stomach (or conscience) is too sensitive, serve blue cheese as a salty foil instead. Or serve a small glass in place of dessert at the end of the meal. A favorite wine of Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, this iconic wine will round out any cellar with style. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $25 | |
| The 2015 Etincelle is a triumph -- astonishingly… (+) The 2015 Etincelle is a triumph -- astonishingly intense and concentrated, but at 13.5% alcohol a balanced and refreshing glass as well. The color is an inky black-purple, with a savory nose showing cloves, blackberries and violets. The youthful raspy tannins have given way to a gorgeous polish -- it remains dense and smooth with classic notes of plum and black pepper. It’s a drink-now gem from a magnificent year. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $25 | |
 | This is old school winemaking: ambient yeasts, no… (+) This is old school winemaking: ambient yeasts, no oak (not even foudres), 100% whole cluster, no fining or filtering. It sounds like a recipe for a big rustic wine, but the Chastan sisters somehow managed to produce wines of superb texture and subtlety.
Made from Grenache and a splash of Mourvèdre, this wine resembles a cool inky Syrah, even though it’s absent from the blend. A floral nose gives way to ripe raspberries, lavender, sweet plums and earth. This is rich wine whose first impression is nonetheless freshness. There is good underlying structure, but the wine utterly without harsh or drying tannins. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $25 | |
| Despite the modest appellation “Collines Rhodaniennes,” the Bonnefonds’ Syrah… (+) Despite the modest appellation “Collines Rhodaniennes,” the Bonnefonds’ Syrah 2019 provides a way to sample their excellent winemaking at a modest price. Josh Raynolds found “blueberry, dark chocolate and a hint of black pepper” in the wine, and praised its “good depth and a touch of olive on the long, subtly tannic finish.” (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $25 | |
 | Poggerino’s wines are all pure sangiovese — dark… (+) Poggerino’s wines are all pure sangiovese — dark, delicately balanced expressions of an intense, powerful grape. We’ve worked with Poggerino for almost 15 years, but recently their star has risen dramatically. In his recent book Rajat Parr calls their wines “some of the purest expressions of [Sangiovese] in Italy.”
Poggerino’s 2018 Chianti Classico bursts with intensity and energy. It’s at once expansive and well defined -- it shows strawberry jam, anise, and a pleasant dustiness on the nose. The ripe fruit carries seamlessly across the palate, which is pleasantly mouth filling -- but neither hot nor flabby -- and the tannins are fine-grained and attractive. Look for notes of cherries and dried roses.
More from Poggerino (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $25 | |
 | Located along the banks of the Loire River… (+) Located along the banks of the Loire River in central France, Sancerre produces wines from pure Sauvignon Blanc. The wine typically combines ripe, juicy grapefruit notes with a lively minerality, often notes of flint, and pleasant herbal finish.
Garenne’s Sancerre fits this ideal perfectly -- it’s bone dry with pure sauvignon grapefruit in the nose. In the mouth it’s lively but with no astringency or grassiness -- a warm vintage gave added weight but no less freshness. Its terroir is a mix of Sancerre’s three soil types (limestone, clay/limestone, and flint), and the wine shows an appealing ripeness alongside the stones. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $25 | |
 | The Sancerre rouge 2019 has very attractive fruit with lovely… (+) The Sancerre rouge 2019 has very attractive fruit with lovely aromas of wild strawberries. In the mouth it’s on the light side, dominated by the pinot fruit. For this wine, the words “fun” and “refreshing” will come to mind rather than “profound.” Served cool on a hot day in the middle of the summer, this could be just the right choice to pair with chicken on the grill. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $25 | |
 | Like their neighbor Jacqueline André in Chateauneuf du… (+) Like their neighbor Jacqueline André in Chateauneuf du Pape, sisters Dany and Carol Chastan have run their family domaine for decades according to organic and biodynamic principles. The wines are all beautifully made, with minimal manipulation and no pretense. They practice old school winemaking — 100% whole clusters, ambient yeasts, no fining or filtering.
The Séguret, from the 2017 vintage, is mostly Grenache, with some Carignan and just a touch of Cinsault. It has a lovely plum nose with floral notes of violets. In the mouth it is intense and round, with plenty of supporting freshness. It’s juicy and fruit-forward, with a bit more rugged structure than the rest of the lineup. We find it drinks well immediately and should carry nicely into the fall and winter. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $25 | |
 | Pommeau is a blend of ⅔ unfermented apple… (+) Pommeau is a blend of ⅔ unfermented apple juice and ⅓ calvados, which is then aged in oak barrels for 2-3 years; (think Port, but with apples). The resulting drink is like a cordial, about 18% alcohol, and usually served chilled in small glasses to begin or end a meal. We love Pommeau, and are excited to have it around the house again soon — we keep a bottle chilled in the fridge and serve it with or as dessert. We even add it to crémant from time to time as a Norman take on the kir.
The Ribaude Pommeau is smoother than many we’ve found; the nose shows notes of baked apple, apricots, honey and dried flowers. The mouth is sweet, smooth and warm, with notes of almonds, tarte tatin, toffee, and wild cherries. Serve with blue cheese, foie gras, or camembert — but most perfectly, with an apple dessert. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $25 | |
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 | Jean-Louis Tribouley practices organic farming, biodynamics, and low… (+) Jean-Louis Tribouley practices organic farming, biodynamics, and low intervention. His property is high in the hills of the Roussillon, a remote winemaking area near France’s border with Spain. The vines grow on schist and gneiss/granite, and range from 40 to 70 years old.
“Elepolypossum” 2020 is all Carignan. The fruit is darker than in Copines and there’s a bit more body, but the wine is neither heavy nor highly extracted. Instead it offers a pleasant lift, and as the French often put it, “one glass calls for the next.” There’s plenty going on in the glass: some notes of garrigue, pepper and leather blended with lovely dark fruit. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $25 | |
 | Jean-Louis Tribouley practices organic farming, biodynamics, and low… (+) Jean-Louis Tribouley practices organic farming, biodynamics, and low intervention. His property is high in the hills of the Roussillon, a remote winemaking area near France’s border with Spain. The vines grow on schist and gneiss/granite, and range from 40 to 70 years old.
His 2020 “Alba” cuvée is mostly carignan with dollops of Grenache and Syrah. This wine offers a more familiar profile, less funky than the other two cuvées, Elepolypossum and Copines. There are notes of olives, garrigue, black tea and lavender in the nose, which offer a savory complement to the black raspberry fruit in the mouth. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $25 | |
 | The 2019 “Wachtberg” cuvée comes from south facing vines, and… (+) The 2019 “Wachtberg” cuvée comes from south facing vines, and spends some time in barrels (none new) during elevage. This has more richness but still excellent acidity, and no hint of wood. The nose shows clear apple fruit with notes of chalk and stones, the mouth is round and smooth, with vibrant minerality cutting through the rich fruit. Jancis Robinson’s reviewer found it “Thoroughly lip-smacking. Manages to combine the natural weight of the variety with lightness of touch.” Serve this with sushi and don’t be afraid to throw some spice at it. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $25 | |
 | After a near electrocution more than a decade… (+) After a near electrocution more than a decade ago, winemaker Denis Basset decided to pursue his personal passion and began making wine from the family’s long-established vineyards.
The 2020 Crozes-Hermitage “Fleur Enchantée” is all of 13% alcohol – refreshingly fresh despite its abundant dark fruit. The nose shows clove and blackberry, with black pepper and hints of earth – the oak is barely perceptible. The mouth is young and juicy with dark tannins and plenty of zip. The blackberry/plum fruit joins a fresh minerality and long dusty finish.
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 | After a near electrocution more than a decade… (+) After a near electrocution more than a decade ago, winemaker Denis Basset decided to pursue his personal passion and began making wine from the family’s long-established vineyards.
“Un Matin” is a blend of 40% Roussanne and 60% Marsanne, barred-fermented and raised in oak for 8 months before bottling. It is such a fixture among local restaurants that we had to wait three years for our first allocation of the wine. A bit like a cross between Condrieu and a white Chateauneuf, it makes a wonderful apéritif with its expressive nose and unctuous but vibrant mouthfeel. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $25 | |
 | The Jura is famous for its oxidized white… (+) The Jura is famous for its oxidized white wines made from Savagnin, but this cuvée is a bit different. The grape is Savagnin, but the style is called “ouillé” meaning “topped-up.” Instead of allowing the wine to evaporate and the yeast to form over the top of the liquid as in the oxidative Vin Jaune, winemakers continually refill the barrel to prevent oxidation.
The result is a pure Savagnin wine made like most other wines, and the results are delicious. The nose is bright and a bit earthy, with notes of herbs and yellow apples. The mouth has none of the nutty oxidation present in Vin Jaune, but shows a delightful array of spices and fruits – pear, white pepper, chalk, grapeskin. The textures is at once waxy and vibrant with lovely richness and great tension. This is unusual and excellent. Pair with sushi. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $25 | |
 | The Clos Bagatelle is in St. Chinian, where… (+) The Clos Bagatelle is in St. Chinian, where good elevation and a range of soils — distinct areas of limestone, sandstone, and schist — have allowed the Deleuze family to make wines of character for many years. In fact, wine has been made at the property since 1643.
Our choice from a long list of wines is Clos Bagatelle’s St. Chinian “Fil de Soi” 2019. The wine is a blend of Mourvedre, Grenache, Syrah and Carignan. It is raised in a combination of large wood foudres and smaller barrels, which yields a wine that is always fleshy and rich. The 2019 vintage opens with a nose of dark fruit and spice. In the mouth there are ripe plums mingled with a pleasant earthiness. The wine is full and round, with good persistence on the palate and a pleasant finish. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $25 | |
 | Winemaker Catherine Dhoye-Deruet has run her small 6-hectare… (+) 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. Her Vouvray Sec 2020 is a delight. The nose is lush and beautiful with exotic fruits alongside notes of chalk, apple, quince and pear. The mouth is rich, smooth and delicious with a bursting apple attack and a crunchy, stony dry finish. Serve with crumbly goat cheese, or garlic-ginger shrimp from the grill. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $25 | |
 | Sebastien took us to visit his Vers Chanes… (+) Sebastien took us to visit his Vers Chanes vines this spring – he explained that when the original Pouilly-Fuissé lines were drawn last century, the Vers Chanes plot had been forest. The since-cleared land, he believes, would rank today as Pouilly-Fuissé if the lines were redrawn. Lucky for us – today it remains a Macon-Fuissé, an overperforming terroir with a less famous name.
The wine itself is exquisite – unoaked Chardonnay with precise, linear focus. The nose calls to mind the golden lushness of Pouilly-Fuissé, but without the oak to obscure the gorgeous fruit. The mouth is lithe and precise, with chiseled minerality beneath the apple blossom and apricot notes. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $25 | |
 | Nicolas's 2021 “Petit Rouge” is simply delightful, and… (+) Nicolas's 2021 “Petit Rouge” is simply delightful, and a real bargain. It’s 70/30 syrah/grenache, raised in stainless steel, and alcohol clocking in at a cool 13.5%. The nose is dark and complex with classic syrah notes of violets and blackberry — by nose you might mistake it for a Northern Rhône pure syrah. But in the mouth the grenache shines through a bit more, with beautiful depth a splash of red fruit and cinnamon. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $25 | |
 | Basset’s white is a Roussanne-Marsanne blend (70/30), in… (+) Basset’s white is a Roussanne-Marsanne blend (70/30), in the style of a classic northern Rhône
white. The nose is soft and enveloping, with tropical notes of mango, pineapple, and green tea. The mouth is rich and round, but well balanced, showing nectarine and honey notes. There’s so much exotic fruit in the nose you almost expect this to be sweet, but the mouth finishes cool and soft and dry with terrific tension.
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 | Christophe Bonnefond’s Syrah is one of the only… (+) Christophe Bonnefond’s Syrah is one of the only wines in our portfolio with a “Vin de Pays” appellation, the broadest category in France. It’s always carried Bonnefond’s signature elegance and tension, most famously found in their terrific and well known Côte Rôties, but with less complexity and aging potential. It’s exactly the type of wine you’d expect to shine in a vintage like 2022…
…and you’d be right. The 2022 Syrah is downright delicious – bursting with cool blueberry and raspberry fruit, the tannins are juicy and delicious. At only 13.5% alcohol it’s not a bit flat or heavy – a gorgeous vibrant texture underlies the dark fruit and savory spice, making it as hard to put down as a bag of potato chips. Serve with takeout pizza on a weeknight.
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 | The Chateau Bel Air Gloria comes from the owners of… (+) The Chateau Bel Air Gloria comes from the owners of Chateau Gloria in St-Julien. The blend is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23 Merlot, and 2 Cabernet Franc, grown on gravel ridges with clay subsoils on the outskirts of St-Julien. We tasted and loved a sample of the 2018, an accessible, delicious wine with a tasty finish and a friendly price tag.
The nose is deep and lovely with notes of violets and tobacco; the mouth is punchy and delicious with classy tannins that avoid the 2018 trap of overripeness. Neal Martin of Vinous writes, “Not amazingly complex, but it will slip down the throat easily.” (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $25 | |
| “The 2021 Chianti Classico is exceptional.” Thus begins… (+) “The 2021 Chianti Classico is exceptional.” Thus begins Antonio Galloni’s review of Poggerino’s flagship wine, and having just tasted a sample, we wholeheartedly agree. We found the same gorgeous floral, dusty nose as always, with perhaps a deeper plum fruit profile than usual. The mouth carries an extra dose of richness and length.
Galloni awarded 93 points, finding “lavender, spice, menthol, licorice, and tobacco,” and calling it “racy and layered.” Jancis Robinson’s reviewer found it “fantastic,” calling it “long, intense and concentrated, with bags of polished tannins that never dominate the fruit.” (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $25 | |
| Winemaker Denis Basset of the Domaine Saint Clair… (+) Winemaker Denis Basset of the Domaine Saint Clair in Crozes Hermitage walks the line between tradition and modernity with skill and grace. His punchy, delicious wines are always beautifully crafted, minimally oaked, and bursting with dark fruit, terrific freshness, and friendly prietags.
The 2021 Crozes-Hermitage “Fleur Enchantée” is all of 13% alcohol – laser focused, perfectly balanced Syrah. The nose shows clove and blackberry, with black pepper and hints of earth – the oak is barely perceptible. The mouth is young and juicy with dark tannins and plenty of zip. The blackberry/plum fruit joins a fresh minerality and long dusty finish. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $25 |