Newsletter
November 17, 2023 – December 14, 2023
No Farms No Pinot Noir
2021 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir (Scenic Valley Farms)
Sale Price $17.99 – $183.50 case of twelve
Northern Western Lights
2022 Washington/Oregon White Blend (Borealis)
Sale Price $13.99 – $142.70 case of twelve
Broadside
2021 Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon (Broadside)
Sale Price $14.99 – $152.90 case of twelve
Vouvray
2021 Vouvray ‘Les Charmes’ (Alain Robert)
Sale Price $17.99 – $183.50 case of twelve
Chenin Blanc is a wonderful grape. In Vouvray one can taste Chenin in all its glory, from crisp, minerally, and dry wines to luscious, long-lived dessert wines. Here we have a lovely dry version from Alain Robert. This combines bright citrus fruit, earthy minerals, and a crisp, dry finish. This is an all-around great food wine.
Reserve Chardonnay
2021 Chardonnay ‘Reserve’ (Domaine Bousquet)
Sale Price $11.99 – $122.30 case of twelve
We can’t remember when we didn’t like a release from Domaine Bousquet. This month we are here to praise and enjoy their
Reserve Chardonnay. Like all their premium wines this is made from organic grapes. High elevation vines in Argentina’s Tupungato Valley give excellent ripeness and a crisp finish. Perfect for turkey and green beans.
Very Old Vine Zin
2021 Zinfandel ‘Old Vines’ (Bedrock)
Sale Price $21.99 – $224.30 case of twelve
The vines used to make this Zinfandel average over 80 years of age. The deep fruit is fresh and spicy, and the palate is full and delightfully balanced. This shapely red will be perfect for the dark meat of a roast turkey along with a rich stuffing.
Listed prices are honored through December 14th, 2023. We will not honor mistyped prices. Vol. 47, No. 12
Located in the musical-sounding village of Niedermorschwihr, Domaine Boxler produces a stunning variety of varietal Alsace wines, all from their own vineyards, many of them Grand Crus. One of our favorite Boxler wines is their only blended still wine, the Edelzwicker Réserve. The blend changes from year to year but it is always a textured, dry white that cries out for full-flavored food. The 2020 is a mix of Riesling (young vine fruit from a Grand Cru), Pinot Gris (also Grand Cru), Pinot Blanc, and Sylvaner. A delicious treat from one of Alsace’s best producers.
Back in 1970 Carlo Vaira made a mysterious blend of Barbera and Freisa. It apparently stuck in family lore as they resurrected the wine in the 2018 vintage and now again in 2021. We’ve always loved Vajra’s reds for their directness and varietal purity, but this is a lovely wild card. The Freisa contributes an aromatic wild strawberry aroma, while the Barbera contributes weight and spice. What was Carlo Vaira thinking back in 1970? We think he just wanted something to go with lasagn. 
Loire Valley wine producers Catherine and Pierre Breton have long been known for their high-wire lifestyle. They were one of the earliest in the region to practice organic viticulture. They then began organizing wine shows of like-minded growers, plus traveling to promote their wines, all while raising children and treating it like a party all along the way. Even though they specialize in Cabernet Franc, this wine made from Grolleau seems to capture this dynamic couple. Made from 60 year-old vines, this is an aromatic delight with zesty cranberry fruit and a spicy finish. A crazy delicious wine made by an incredible winemaking couple. 
Chidaine’s wines are always full-flavored and impeccably balanced. The 2022 rosé is a blend of Grolleau, Pinot Noir, and Gamay. A delight with chicken wings.
2022 Coteaux du Vendômois ‘Le Cocagne’ (Cave du Vendômois)
The tiny appellation of Madiran produces a truly original red. Beginning with the ferociously tannic Tannat grape variety, producers have learned to soften its impact with techniques in the cellar and skillful blending. Château Peyros’ 2019 Héritage is 60% Tannat and 40% Cabernet Franc. It’s an earthy and dry country French red with dark fruit and balanced tannic structure that is perfect for a grilled sirloin and blue-veined cheeses.
2020 Côtes du Rhône ‘La Gerbaude’ (Domaine Alary)
The Savoie has lately been a good source of light but flavorful whites and reds. The Jacquère grape delivers a ton of orchard fruit flavor and stony minerals at just 11.5%. We return to the 2021 Apremont from Jean Perrier one last time for its delicious affordability and its affinity for fondue. 
Marc Ollivier’s ode to his village of La Pépière endures in La Pépie. Still one of our favorite French whites, this bottling is pure joy with its exquisite balance between subtle fruit, lively minerals, and a bone-dry finish. Despite being typecast as a delivery vehicle for briny bivalves, this Muscadet is much more versatile. Give it a try with Vietnamese rolls and noodles.
The Pleasant Ridge 2 Year is a very limited, extra-aged version of the already delicious Pleasant Ridge Reserve. This alpine-style cheese has a rich and densely flavored paste with notes of toasted nuts and creamy café au lait. Connoisseurs may recognize Uplands as the producer of Rush Creek Reserve, which is also available now in very limited quantities.
This is one of our favorite cheese finds this year: a Gouda aged for 18 months without wax. This is a delightfully springy and vibrant cheese with notes of sweet cream and lemongrass. The natural rind allows for the aging cheese to interact with its environmental microbiome and promotes a more complex flavor. This is our first cheese from Urban Stead and we’re impressed so be on the lookout for more!
