newsletter

December 15, 2020 – January 14, 2021

The Blessing of a New Year

Sancerre and Savigny
Thomas-Labaille Les Monts Damnés Sancerre 2019 Sancerre ‘Les Monts Damnés’ (Thomas-Labaille)
Sale Price $29.99 – $305.90 case of twelve
After enjoying decades of vintages of Sancerre from Les Monts Damnés, and from various growers, we believe that this steep, south-facing vineyard is one of the planet’s best places to grow Sauvignon Blanc. Thomas-Labaille makes an excellent version in every vintage, and it’s the most affordable one we know of. The 2019 is wonderful.

2017 Savigny Aux Serpentières Ier Cru (Domaine Pierre Guillemot)
Sale Price $49.99 – $509.90 of twelve
Domaine Pierre Guillemot Savigny Aux Serpentières Ier Cru Now, onto one of our favorite vineyards in Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune. Guillemot has been producing Pinot Noir from Aux Serpentières for decades. Despite the deceptive pale color, this wine ages slowly and magnificently. The 2017 is a beauty with a stony nose, sly fruit, and subtle tannins.

Blanc and Oeil
Le Mesnil Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru (Le Mesnil)
Sale Price $44.99 – $485.90 case of twelve
This is a great Champagne bargain. Chardonnay produced on the chalky soils of the Grand Cru-rated village of Le Mesnil results in an elegant, minerally, and dry Champagne.

Champagne Brut 'Oeil de Perdrix’ (Jean Vesselle)
Sale Price $44.99 – $485.90 case of twelve
Jean Vesselle Champagne Brut Oeil de Perdrix Jean Vesselle’s Oeil de Perdrix is a bone dry and pale Rosé Champagne made from 100% Pinot Noir. The style hearkens back to the day when the freshly harvested black grapes would bleed juice on the way to the winery, creating a delicious, serendipitous rosé.

Quinta Santa Eufêmia 10 Year Old White Port White and Tawny
10 Years Old White Port (Quinta Sta. Eufêmia)
Sale Price $24.99 per 500ml – $269.90 case of twelve
When we featured this 10 Year White Port last year, its seductive aromas of honey, flowers, candied nuts, and golden raisins made it an immediate favorite. With a slight chill, it is perfect with fruit tarts and mixed berry pavlovas.

10 Years Old Tawny Port (Quinta Sta. Eufêmia)
Sale Price $17.99 per 375ml – $194.30 case of twelve
For those more in the mood for chocolate, nut, or caramel desserts, we suggest the 10 Year Tawny. Along with flavors of nuts, dried fruits, and apricots, there’s a hint of woodsy spice. Enjoy with a devil’s food cake one night and with a chunk of Stilton the next.

Franc and Sauvignon
Domaine de Pallus Chinon Messanges 2018 Chinon ‘Messanges’ (Domaine de Pallus)
Sale Price $16.99 – $173.30 case of twelve
We continue our ode to Loire Valley Cabernet Franc with this biodynamic Chinon from Domaine de Pallus. It has the overt stony aromas that make Cabernet Franc irresistible to its fans. Fresh, silky, and herbal, it’s wonderful with a lamb gyro.

Andes Plateau Cabernet Sauvignon Cota 500 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon ‘Cota 500’ (Andes Plateau)
Sale Price $17.99 – $183.50 case of twelve
Named for the altitude of the vineyards (located in Chile’s Maule Valley), the Cota 500 showcases its origins through fleshy but fresh aromas and flavors of blackcurrant and cedar. There is also a touch of black pepper, making this organic red a wonderful partner to steak au poivre with rosemary smashed potatoes.

Bourbon and Brandy
Single Barrel Bourbon (Four Roses)
Sale Price $39.99 per 750ml
Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon Four Roses Yellow Label is lauded as one of the best values in Bourbon. Take a step up to the Single Barrel Four Roses and you can experience even more intense flavors and a warm, smooth, lingering finish. We tasted a bottle from Warehouse ‘KE’ and Barrel No. 27-IU. There may be other bottles from other barrels in this offering, but that’s just part of the fun.

XO Alambic Brandy (Germain Robin)
Sale Price $99.99 per 750ml
Germain Robin XO Alambic Brandy Germain Robin is the standard-bearer of California Alambic Brandy. After a few years of scarcity, we recently secured all we could get of the 7 year and XO. This XO is based on Pinot Noir and is aged for nearly 20 years before bottling. After a taste in the backroom of the store, one of us said that the aromas made mask wearing almost enjoyable. Just imagine how nice it will taste at home.

Happy Holidays
and
A Happy New Year

Listed prices are honored through January 14th, 2021. We will not honor mistyped prices. Vol. 45, No. 1

True Riesling
2015 Pfalz Riesling ‘120 N.N.’ (Weingut Odinstal)
Sale Price $14.99 – $152.90 case of twelve
Weingut Odinstal Pfalz Riesling 120 N.N. We couldn’t believe our luck when we saw that one of our wholesalers was offering this dry Riesling at a deep discount to make room for new arrivals. The 120 N.N. is the entry-level wine from the biodynamic producer Odinstal, from Germany’s Pfalz region. It’s got lovely honeysuckle and ginger aromas along with juicy green apple and slate. This is an easy choice for spicy tuna rolls or Thai takeout.

Erath Pinot Blanc
2017 Oregon Pinot Blanc (Erath)
Sale Price $14.99 – $152.90 case of twelve
Pinot Blanc is among our favorite whites for its food friendliness. Whether it comes from Alsace, Alto Adige, Germany, or Oregon, we love the way its weight and character interact with rich foods. The herbal aromas and apple fruit of Erath’s 2017 make it a great match for crab cakes with a load of slaws and sides.

Langhe Rosso
G.D. Vajra Langhe Rosso 2017 Langhe Rosso (G.D. Vajra)
Sale Price $11.99 – $122.30 case of twelve
The esteemed Barolo producer G.D. Vajra has, year after year, provided us with one of our most popular Italian reds: their Langhe Rosso. It’s an organic blend of heirloom grape varieties, and at this sale price it’s the perfect weeknight pizza and pasta wine.

Ciacci Rosso
2017 Toscana Rosso (Ciacci)
Sale Price $11.99 – $122.30 case of twelve
Ciacci Toscana Rosso From bottom to top, Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona is a quality winery. Their top is exquisite Brunello; their bottom is this delicious and affordable Toscana Rosso. Mostly Sangiovese blended with some Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon, the cherry fruit and biting, dry finish make it recognizably Tuscan. Perfect for homemade pasta ragu and Pecorino.

Castillon
2016 Castillon - Côtes de Bordeaux (Château Tour Grand Mayne)
Sale Price $12.99 – $132.50 case of twelve
Château Tour Grand Mayne Castillon - Côtes de Bordeaux This Merlot from Bordeaux currently delivers more than many pricier Merlots in the store. Savory and meaty aromas abound, while smooth texture follows. If you appreciate a good Bordeaux, you’ll want this as your house wine to go with your Tuesday night burgers.

Montagne Saint-Emilion
2015 Montagne Saint-Emilion (Château de Grandchamp)
Sale Price $19.99 – $203.90 case of twelve
Château de Grandchamp Montagne Saint-Emilion This previously unknown Château has produced a terrific Bordeaux. The 2015 Grandchamp is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, and delivers plenty of ripe, dark fruit and ample tannins. This is a wine for red meat with mushrooms and blue cheese.

Fenouillet
2019 Vin de Pays de Vaucluse (Domaine de Fenouillet)
Sale Price $12.99 – $132.50 case of twelve
Domaine de Fenouillet Vin de Pays de Vaucluse This month’s Southern Rhône value red is an organic blend of Merlot and Marselan, a hybrid grape from Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon. Reminiscent of Grenache yet surprisingly light in body, this wine has the freshness and versatility to match with all kinds of foods, from winter bean stews to sage butter pork chops.

Pétalos
2018 Bierzo ‘Pétalos’ (Descendientes de J. Palacios)
Sale Price $19.99 – $203.90 case of twelve
Descendientes de J. Palacios Bierzo Pétalos Alvaro Palacios and his nephew Ricardo Perez put the Mencia grape and the Bierzo region on the wine map. With biodynamic viticulture, they patiently revived previously abandoned vineyards to create their acclaimed reds. Pétalos is the perfect introduction to the inky, concentrated, and mineral inflected wines made from Mencia. The 2018 is juicy and teeth-staining, with pomegranate fruit tempered by stony minerality. Lovely with brisket.

A Double Dose of Prosecco
Valdo Prosecco Brut Prosecco Brut (Valdo)
Sale Price $9.99 – $107.90 case of twelve
Good old Valdo is back. This is the absolute leader in the “spritz” category, but holds its own as a good glass of Prosecco.

Prosecco Brut Superiore (Sommariva)
Sale Price $15.99 – $172.70 case of twelve
The Sommariva is a wonderful Prosecco from the importer Kermit Lynch. This is so crisp and fine that it should be drunk on its own, or with a light meal of simple seafood or a risotto.

Chablis
Domaine Gueguen Chablis 2019 Chablis (Domaine Gueguen)
Sale Price $19.99 – $203.90 case of twelve
While it’s occasionally nice to tuck into a decadent Meursault, our standard go-to white Burgundy is an unoaked Chablis. The zesty mineral aromas and crunchy orchard fruit flavors complement a wide variety of foods, from savory to spicy. The 2019 from Gueguen continues their streak of great value wine, with superb freshness and a long, lively finish..

Bourgogne Rouge
2018 Bourgogne Rouge ‘Notre-Dame de Bonne Espérance’ (Dubreuil-Fontaine)
Sale Price $27.99 – $285.50 case of twelve
Dubreuil-Fontaine Bourgogne Rouge Notre-Dame de Bonne Espérance It can be a challenge to find good value in Burgundy. However, we recently chanced upon this well-priced gem, just in time for the holidays. This Bourgogne rouge provides immediate pleasure, with generous aromas of raspberries, freshly tilled soil, leafy forest floor, and subtle spice notes. After a few hours, this Pinot Noir expands in richness and texture. This will make any roast bird dinner extra special.

Specialty Foods

«Insert Gouda Pun Here»

Dutch Gouda is one of the most globally recognized and universally enjoyed European cheeses. There are as many nuances as there are producers, but all share a common sweet and salty flavor profile that makes them as versatile as they are delicious. As there are no official regional protections for the term Gouda, its history and definition have as much to do with process as provenance. Gouda-making is characterized by the rinsing of the curd prior to packing, which reduces the level of lactic acid and makes for an overall sweeter cheese. We are pleased to offer a tour of the Gouda style through six examples.

Beemster Vlaskaas $16.99 per lb
(Reg. Price $17.99) Pasteurized cow’s milk – The Netherlands
The 5 month aged Beemster Vlaskaas is buttery and semi-soft with a mild, fruity flavor. This easygoing cheese will pair as well with fresh fruit as cured sausage, or can be melted on a burger.

Arethusa Farm Europa $18.99 per lb
(Reg. Price $20.99) Pasteurized cow’s milk – Litchfield, CT
Arethusa Farm is one of our favorite local producers, and their take on a Dutch Gouda is every bit as delicious as we’d expect. This cheese has warm flavors of roasted nuts with notes of citrus and honey.

L’amuse Gouda $25.99 per lb (Reg. Price $26.99)
Pasteurized cow’s milk – The Netherlands
The signature Gouda from Fromagerie L’amuse is aged for 18 to 24 months at a temperature that is slightly higher than normal for a Gouda. This potentially risky maneuver is rewarded with a deep, rich butterscotch flavor that speaks to their skills as affineurs.

L’amuse Brabander $24.99 per lb
(Reg. Price $25.99) Pasteurized goat’s milk – The Netherlands
A long-standing staff favorite, L’amuse Brabander Goat Gouda packs a lot of flavor in every bite. The typical tangy flavor of goat’s milk has been transformed into a candy-like finish that is both sweet and nutty.

Roomano Pradera ‘Ancient Gouda’ $17.99 per lb (Reg. Price $18.99)
Pasteurized cow’s milk – The Netherlands
Aged 4 years, the Ancient Gouda is one of the longer-aged cheeses one is likely to come across. The extra aging produces a network of calcium lactate crystals, which provides that classic and appealing crunchy texture. While all of our Goudas have cheese crystals to some degree, the Ancient Gouda is by far the crunchiest, and it has an intense flavor to match.

Wilde Weide Dutch Boerenkaas DOP $27.99 per lb (Reg. Price $30.99) Raw cow’s milk – The Netherlands
Although the term Gouda does not have any protected status, Dutch Boerenkaas (“farmer’s cheese”) does enjoy a Protected Designation of Origin. Made with raw, organic milk and aged 10 to 15 months, this cheese is rich and complex, with subtle grassy notes mingling with sweet caramel and nuts. A truly special cheese, and one we’re fortunate to have on our counter.

Wines of the Month — December 15, 2020 through January 14, 2021

2018 Mâcon-Villages ‘La Côte Blanche’ (Cave de Lugny)
Sale Price $9.99 – $107.89 case of twelve
Cave de Lugny Mâcon-Villages La Côte Blanche The Cave de Lugny has produced another fine Chardonnay with the 2018 Côte Blanche. Crisp dryness and surprising concentration make it perfect for a roast fowl and cheesy potato gratin.

2018 Malbec (Nieto Senetiner)
Sale Price $9.99 – $107.89 case of twelve
This full-bodied, ripe, and plummy Argentine Malbec will be a great match for a rib roast with Brussels sprouts and blue cheese.

2016 Bordeaux Rouge (Grand Rousseau)
Sale Price $8.99 – $97.09 case of twelve
The 2016 Grand Rousseau impresses with its ripe fruit and firm, dry structure. Have this with meatloaf and roasted root vegetables.

Riff Pinot Grigio 2019 Pinot Grigio (Riff)
Sale Price $8.99 – $97.09 case of twelve
Riff is a collaborative project from Alois Lageder to promote environmentally friendly wine. We applaud that effort, as well as the 2019 Pinot Grigio for its freshness and crisp, dry finish.

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Newsletter

Happy Holidays and A Happy New Year

Specialty Foods

Wines of the Month — December 15, 2020 through January 14, 2021

Happy Holidays
and
A Happy New Year