Newsletter
May 19, 2023 – June 18, 2023
Grill It
Summer officially begins when the grill is lit, food is roasted, and fresh salads are passed around. It’s a final chance to enjoy a deep, full red before the lasting heat of July and August is upon us.
A Mature Willamette Pinot Noir
2019 Willamette Pinot Noir (Eola Hills Wine Cellars)
Sale Price $17.99 – $183.50 case of twelve
Luckily Oregon still produces sanely priced Pinot Noir. This 2019 from the Eola Hills Wine Cellars is mellow and mature, with dried fruit and soft tannins thanks to its bottle age. Try this Pinot Noir with roasted salmon with a roasted ramp salsa.
Monsieur Morgon
2021 Morgon ‘Grands Cras’ (Jean-Marc Burgaud)
Sale Price $19.99 – $203.90 case of twelve
Jean-Marc Burgaud makes some of the best values in Beaujolais. Plus, he makes some of the best Beaujolais. We’ll never forget tasting old vintages in his cellar that had amazing length and depth. His 2021 Grands Cras is another in a long line of lovely Morgons. This is a cuvée that does not require aging, with its gentle tannins, gorgeous strawberry fruit, and long mineral-laden finish. Have this beauty with grilled asparagus, mushrooms, and a gooey cheese for maximum enjoyment.
Kleos
2020 Cilento Aglianico ‘Kleos’ (Luigi Maffini)
Sale Price $21.99 – $224.30 case of twelve
Near the ancient Greek temples of Paestum in southern Campania, Luigi Maffini makes strikingly original versions of Fiano and Aglianico. Located between bustling Naples and the touristy Amalfi Coast, his wines are always in demand. We are particularly drawn to his spicy, herbal Kleos. The 2020 is an Aglianico of precise weight and balance that can be served with grilled swordfish and a bean salad.
Big Paso Cabernet
2020 Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon (Broadside)
Sale Price $14.99 – $152.90 case of twelve
Broadside Cabernet Sauvignon is once again a terrific value with its weighted dark fruit and its smooth finish. Have this with grilled skirt steak tacos.
The Pretty Side of Bordeaux
2020 Blaye-Côtes de Bordeaux (Château Peybonhomme Les Tours)
Sale Price $17.99 – $183.50 case of twelve
Admittedly, the famous Médoc side of Bordeaux is not the most picturesque of landscapes. On the other side of the Gironde are the gently rolling hills of the Côtes de Blaye and wines that are graceful, affordable, and ready to drink. Peybonhomme Les Tours has made an exquisitely plummy 2020 that will complement a grilled butterflied leg of lamb with rosemary and garlic roasted potatoes.
Bourgueil LTD
2014 Bourgueil ‘Prestige’ (Lamé-Delisle-Boucard)
Sale Price $19.99 – $203.90 case of twelve
– The 2014 is sold out until late summer –
2009 Bourgueil ‘Prestige’ (Lamé-Delisle-Boucard)
Sale Price $14.99 per 375ml – $152.90 case of twelve
As you well know we are huge fans of the triple decker family winery of Lamé Delisle Boucard. The current vintage on our shelf is 2017, and as always it is a great value at $13.99. Because we have seen their vast underground cellar of older bottles, we occasionally ask them to ship us something with some age on it. This time they sent us some more of the gracefully aging 2014 vintage and surprisingly some half bottles of the mature 2009. Dig in. They won’t last long.
Listed prices are honored through June 18th, 2023. We will not honor mistyped prices. Vol. 47, No. 6
Value Liter
2021 Mosel Riesling Feinherb (Später-Veit)
Sale Price $14.99 per Liter – $152.90 case of twelve
Später-Veit is located in Piesport in the heart of the Mosel. They excel at cool, crisp Rieslings with a hint of sweetness. Our current favorite is their Feinherb bottled by the Liter. This 2021 is loaded with fresh floral aromas along with beautiful pear and apple fruit. A great match with asparagus and radishes.
The Heart of Cheverny
2020 Cour-Cheverny (Le Petit Chambord/François Cazin)
Sale Price $21.99 – $224.30 case of twelve
Cour-Cheverny is a small appellation entirely surrounded by the greater Cheverny appellation. Cour is home to the rare Romorantin grape variety. This grape is difficult to ripen but in the best years it is amazing. François Cazin is our master of Romo. His 2020 is full-bodied with peach, pear, and quince fruit, but retains incredible crispness. Have this beauty with seared salmon and a side of cool sesame noodles.
2L… It’s Big
2021 Vin de France Cinsault (Puech Redon)
Sale Price $39.99 per 2 Liter – $203.95 case of six
This 2 Liter party bottle came into existence when there was a US tariff on French wines. With a bunch of wine in the winery that needed to be sold, Puech Redon discovered that a 2L package was excluded from the tariff. Even though the tariff has been dropped they continue with this organic, biodynamic, un-sulfured Cinsault in the big bottle. Yes, it’s big, but if you’re having a sizable gathering this will make a cool addition. It’s at its tastiest served chilled, and its strawberry fruit and earthy funk will pair well with rice and beans and bold salads.
Choice Rosés
The rosé season is in full swing and it’s looking even better than last year’s difficult 2021 vintage. Here are some fresh and very affordable 2022s from some of our favorite producers.
2022 Pays d’Hérault Rosé (Moulin de Gassac)
Sale Price $11.99 – $122.30 case of twelve
Languedoc’s great Mas de Daumas Gassac’s value line Moulin de Gassac continues to deliver. The 2022 rosé is a lively blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Carignan. Try with spicy Thai.
2022 Côtes de Provence Rosé (Château Sainte-Croix)
Sale Price $13.99 – $142.70 case of twelve
The 2022 Sainte-Croix is our best value Provençal pink. Its peachy fruit and crisp minerals are perfect for a salade niçoise.
2022 Bourgueil Rosé (Lamé Delisle Boucard)
Sale Price $13.99 – $142.70 case of twelve
Our appreciation for this family winery runs deep, but they superbly over-delivered with their 2022 rosé. Pure Cabernet Franc with body, depth, and dryness. If you visit their winery in twenty years ask them for a bottle of this vintage. They will probably have some and it will be delicious. For tonight, have with a salad with warm chèvre.
2022 Navarra Rosado (Azul y Garanza)
Sale Price $15.99 per Liter – $163.10 case of twelve
This organic Navarra producer makes a great Liter of Garnacha rosado. This is fruity, spicy, crisp, and dry. Perfect for a paella party.
Amphibolite
2021 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine ‘Amphibolite’ (Domaines Landron)
Sale Price $17.99 – $183.50 case of twelve
Amphibolite is Jo Landron’s early drinking oyster bar Muscadet. The Melon B. (now the official name for the grape that produces Muscadet) absorbs amazing minerality from the iron and magnesium rich volcanic gabbro terroir. Totally organic and deliciously fresh, this a seafood lover’s delight.
Verdicchio
2021 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi (Stefano Antonucci)
Sale Price $13.99 – $142.70 case of twelve
Stefano Antonucci’s 2021 Verdicchio is a flavorful blast of lemony fruit along with laurel leaf and fresh raw almonds. This Adriatic-facing white is perfect for grilled bass and a fennel- and dill-laced potato salad.
Specialty Foods
Weydeland Flinck– $19.99 per lb
Treur Kaas – Woerden, The Netherlands
This wonderful aged Gouda checks all the boxes for us! A sweet butterscotch flavor, firm yet creamy texture, and ample crunchy tyrosine crystals make this a great pick at a great price. Aged for 10 months by the family-owned Treur Kaas, this cheese will pair perfectly with coarse salami and a brown ale.
Maxorata PDO – $22.99 per lb
Queso Majorero – Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
Spain’s Canary Islands are an archipelago located off the coast of northwestern Africa. Maxorata PDO is produced from the milk of the Majorero breed of goats which are unique to these volcanic islands. The cheese is creamy and tangy with a lightly grassy flavor. With its mild flavor and well-balanced acidity, this versatile and easy-eating cheese is perfect for snacking solo or entertaining.
Lake’s Edge – $34.99 per lb
Blue Ledge Fam – Salisbury, VT
Lake’s Edge is one of our favorite ash-ripened goat’s milk cheeses, produced by Blue Ledge Farm in Salisbury, Vermont. It is made with milk from their own herd of goats, and only produced from spring to late fall when the goats are naturally lactating and grazing in the pasture. Clean and bright with a milky sweetness, Lake’s Edge is an approachable but memorable cheese that we are thrilled to have back in stock after a long winter.
Ossau Iraty AOP – $27.99 per lb
Agour – Helette, France
This Ossau is made with 100% Black-Head Manech milk. These are true alpine sheep (with a rugged appearance to match), and this cheese really highlights the milk’s quality and character. True to the style, this has a semi-firm texture and is slightly sweet and earthy but also rich and bold. Amongst the different Ossau-Iraty cheeses we’ve tried, this one stands out with its intensity, richness, and persistent finish. This is not a beginner’s Ossau-Iraty, but we think it’s worth it.
Wines of the Month — May 19, 2023 through June 18, 2023
2022 Vin de France Rosé (Le Poussin Rose)
Sale Price $8.99 – $97.09 case of twelve
Le Poussin, our most popular French rosé, is selected by Sasha Lichine from the sandy soils of the Camargue. This is fresh, fragrant, and delightful.
2022 Picpoul de Pinet (Saint-Peyre)
Sale Price $9.99 – $107.89 case of twelve
The Picpoul grape variety is perfectly suited to the climate in the Languedoc. The 2022 from Saint-Peyre has ample body, apricot fruit, and a fresh, dry finish. Great for shellfish.
2020 Swartland Red Blend (Stratigraphy)
Sale Price $9.99 – $107.89 case of twelve
Stratigraphy is a South African Rhône blend of Grenache, Cinsault, and Petite Sirah. Its ripe, round fruit and peppery spice are ideal for spicy sausages and lentils.
2020 Sangiovese di Toscana (Ormanni)
Sale Price $11.99 – $129.50 case of twelve
The Brini family has owned Ormanni since 1818. Today they produce organic Chianti Classico and this Sangiovese, both from their own vineyards. This is packed with cherry fruit and a pleasing, earthy, dry finish. Great with pasta and beans.