Willamette Pinot Noir
2017 Willamette Pinot Noir (Ken Wright Cellars)
Sale Price $21.99 – $224.30 case of twelve
Ken Wright’s most highly regarded wines are his numerous single vineyard Pinot Noirs, which showcase with stunning clarity the differences that site and soil can have on the grape when the quality is high and the winemaking is decidedly hands off. But his much more affordable Willamette Valley cuvée, blended from a number of select vineyard sites within the Willamette Valley AVA, is as fine a representative of its place as any. Deep yet graceful, the elegant fruit is blanketed in foresty spice, the signature of Oregon Pinot.

Corvina’s Time
2017 Valpolicella Classico Superiore ‘Casal Vegri’ (Ca’ La Bionda)
Sale Price $21.99 – $224.30 case of twelve
We wonder what would have happened in Valpolicella if the Corvina grape variety had not been subjected to the drying process that leads to Ripasso and Amarone wines. Those deep, dark, strong wines have their obvious appeal, but when a single vineyard Casal Vegri from Ca’ La Bionda is opened we lose interest in its dried-grape cousins. The 2017 has such gorgeous floral aromas and subtle berry fruit that we love to imagine it with a roasted sea bass stuffed with fennel. For us this compares to a Premier Cru Burgundy from the Côte de Beaune.

Côte de Nuits
2016 Bourgogne Pinot Noir (Mongeard-Mugneret)
Sale Price $24.99 – $254.90 case of twelve
The 2016 Bourgogne Rouge from Mongeard-Mugneret gives a terrific snapshot of the vintage and a look into the Côte de Nuits style of the producer. This Pinot Noir has a fine stony aroma, ample fruit and an earthy mushroom finish. Real Burgundy for a fair price.

Cru Communale Muscadet
2015 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine ‘Château-Thébaud’ (Domaine de la Pépière)
Sale Price $19.99 – $203.90 case of twelve
We were mildly shocked to learn that Marc Ollivier had retired. Our Muscadet epiphany was Marc’s single-vineyard old vine Clos des Briords. With his children uninterested in viticulture, Marc forged a plan to keep the Domaine alive: he hired and eventually made partners two talented young vignerons. In recent years the Muscadet authorities have designated some vineyard areas as Cru Communale, a higher grade of Muscadet. The Cru of Château-Thébaud shares the same fissured granite soil as Briords. The wine is given extended lees contact (30 months in the case of the 2015) which makes a richer, creamier style of Muscadet that still maintains its fine minerality. This is a gastronomic style of Muscadet that would be great with crab or lobster. Happy retirement to Marc; the future of La Pépière sounds, looks and tastes great.

Corsican Vermentinu
2017 Vin de France ‘Cuvée Faustine’ (Domaine Comte Abbatucci)
Sale Price $24.99 – $254.90 case of twelve
Corsica is an island of intense aromas and dramatic beauty. The land is mostly mountainous and covered with maquis, a wild shrub and herb mixture that flavors the wonderful cheese and charcuterie made on the island. Domaine Comte Abbatucci is a biodynamic producer whose low yielding vines produce Faustine, easily the most intense Vermentinu we have had in the store. It’s got weight and texture to go along with herbal and citrus blossom flavors, and the amazing finish just glides along. Have this with a grilled striped bass sprinkled with herbs.

Les Monts Damnés
2018 Sancerre ‘Les Monts Damnés’ (Thomas-Labaille)
Sale Price $29.99 – $305.90 case of twelve
We understand that $30 is a lot for a bottle of white wine, but this producer could successfully charge even more for it. The village of Chavignol lies at the base of Les Monts Damnés which is arguably the best vineyard in Sancerre. Given the steep slope, southern exposure and excellent drainage, superb wines come from this vineyard nearly every year. Plus, this wine is a rarity—a Sauvignon Blanc that will improve with age. 2018 was a very good year, giving a lovely combination of a full mouthfeel, concentrated citrus flavors and a crisp, lively finish.

Syrahvissante
2016 Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes ‘Syrahvissante’ (Louis Cheze)
Sale Price $11.99 – $122.30 case of twelve
A relative newcomer in the Northern Rhône, Louis Cheze started out in 1978 with just 1 hectare of vineyards in Saint-Joseph. He’s had much success along the way to owning 30 hectares in a number of appellations, but he still prefers to let his wines speak for themselves. Young vines planted in shallow granite soil give this medium-bodied, supple and peppery Syrah. Have it with a host of outdoor fare, from barbecue to grilled sausages with mushrooms.

Chardonnay Piedmont-style
2018 Piemonte Chardonnay ‘Crevoglio’ (Borgo Maragliano)
Sale Price $9.99 – $101.90 of twelve
Because there are a fascinating amount of native grapes, a lot of the time our Italian section is a Chardonnay-free zone. But every couple of vintages Crevoglio catches us by surprise. Borgo Maragliano in Loazzolo, Piedmont makes this lively and fun Chardonnay. While technically dry, it does not lack in fruit— melon, peach and fig flood the palate. It also has good depth and sneaky length. And what a great bargain it is.