Newsletter
January 18, 2023 – February 17, 2023
Trevigne
2020 Barbera d’Asti ‘Trevigne’ (Vietti)
Sale Price $19.99 – $203.90 case of twelve
Perbacco
2020 Langhe Nebbiolo ‘Perbacco’ (Vietti)
Sale Price $27.99 – $285.50 case of twelve
Also from Vietti is their ‘near’ Barolo, Perbacco. Culled from 15 different sites in Barolo and Barbaresco, this charming Nebbiolo is aged for 2 years in oak and offers gorgeous, delicate spice, delicious berry fruit, and a cool, tannic finish. Terrific with braised short ribs and roasted potatoes.
Lezèr
2021 Vigneti delle Dolomiti ‘Lezèr’ (Foradori)
Sale Price $27.99 – $285.50 case of twelve
As far as we know Foradori is the best producer of the Teroldego grape variety in the Dolomite region of Trentino. The original bottling of Lezèr came about after a devastating hailstorm in 2017 left them with a compromised harvest. They salvaged the vintage and released an honestly labelled, pale red called Lezèr (meaning light in the local dialect). It proved to be so popular that they have made a version from then on, with or without hail. The 2021 is a fresh, perfumed mountain red with lovely cool forest flavor. It’s a great match for seared salmon with lentils and dill.
Castellare
2020 Chianti Classico (Castellare)
Sale Price $23.99 – $244.70 case of twelve
Consistently one of our favorite Chiantis, Castellare recently underwent an overdue price increase to $24.99. But when we were given one last opportunity to buy some at the old price, we didn’t hesitate to stock up. This organic Chianti exemplifies the freshness and fragrance of Sangiovese grown in the upper hills of the Classico subzone. Vibrant and precise flavors of red cherry are complemented by dried herbs and earth. The bright acidity and supple, silky tannins make this a fine choice for a hearty Tuscan bean stew.
Etna Rosso
2020 Etna Rosso (Benanti)
Sale Price $24.99 – $254.90 case of twelve
The main grape in Etna Rosso is Nerello Mascalese, which gives a bright fruitiness fused with the volcanic minerality of Mt. Etna. Benanti is also a champion of the Nerello Cappuccio grape, which lends a pleasing herbal and tannic quality in their entry-level rosso. Together these create a charming red that is light in color but deep in flavor. Earthy and dry, this is a terrific match with seared tuna and beans.
Montefalco
2019 Montefalco Rosso (Fongoli)
Sale Price $23.99 – $244.70 case of twelve
Umbrian reds are an underrated lot. The 2019 Montefalco Rosso blend from Fongoli is amazing. This biodynamic mix of Sangiovese, Sagrantino, Montepulciano, and Merlot comes from 40-year-old vines. It is fermented with natural yeasts, aged 18 months in old oak barrels, unfined, unfiltered, and totally delicious. Cherry fruit, mint, and mouth-filling, tactile tannins make this a great wine for a roast lamb.
Listed prices are honored through February 17th, 2023. We will not honor mistyped prices. Vol. 47, No. 2
2021 Mâcon-Péronne (Maison Matisco)
We haven’t missed a vintage of this in over 10 years, so we were more than pleasantly surprised by how well the Vignerons des Coteaux Romanais dealt with the difficult 2021 vintage. Le Grand St. Vincent is, once again, a crisp, aromatic, minerally, and dry Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc. An ideal match with goat cheese salads and seared fish. 
One of the highlights of our wine career was when, during a visit to the Loire estate, Philippe Vatan (the owner of Château du Hureau) pulled the cork from a un-labeled bottle of Chenin Blanc. The cork was stamped with the word ‘Victoire’ and the wine was from the 1945 vintage. What history! What a wine. Our regular offering from Hureau is their fine red Saumur-Champigny, labelled Tuffe after the chalky soil of the appellation. The 2020 is an exquisite Cabernet Franc. It has a superb nose of earth, leaves, and berry fruit, while the elegant tannins provide structure and dryness. Try this lovely red with salmon, lentils, and spinach.
Though rosé has a reputation as a simple summer quaffer, we want to help rehabilitate its image. There are plenty of serious and well-made examples which are fit for year-round consumption and are incredibly versatile with food. So we jumped at the recent chance to buy more of Heidi Schröck’s Tour de Rosé at a great price, figuring if we’re going to promote a rosé in winter, it needs to be unique, delicious, and a fantastic value. The 2021 is an unlikely blend of Lagrein, Teroldego, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zweigelt, and Blaufränkisch (phew!) from Burgenland in eastern Austria. This delightful and zesty rosé has generous cranberry, peach, and blood orange fruit, plus a touch of creaminess and gentle salinity on the dry finish. It will be excellent with schnitzel and a winter citrus salad, and as an antidote to the dreary days of winter.
Pinot Bianco is treated far more seriously in the vineyards and wineries of Alto Adige than Pinot Grigio. The family-run Hofstätter winery produces a lovely Pinot Bianco. The 2021 has a gentle fruitiness, good weight on the palate, and a kernel of bitter almond in the finish. It is also one of the most versatile of dry whites. Have this with any sautéed fish or roast chicken preparation. Because Hofstätter is located in the village of Tramin, we must mention their “spicy wine of Tramin.” Their single-vineyard Kolbenhof is an amazing Gewürztraminer.
Winter is an especially good time for a hearty Côtes du Rhône and this new-to-us winery clearly fits the bill. Domaine du Jas’ 2020 is a certified organic blend of Grenache and Syrah. The fruit of Grenache 
The village of St. Vincent de Pertignas is located due south of St. Émilion, across the Dordogne River but on a similar limestone terroir. The 2019 Cuvée Barrique from Château Pertignas is only made in the finest vintages, uses their oldest vines and is matured in French oak. This results in a rich, tactile wine with bold, dark fruit and ripe tannins. Have this 2019 with a seared rib eye, braised endive, and Roquefort.
2020 Rosso Piceno ‘Tolenus’ (Cantina Numa)