Newsletter
September 19, 2023 – October 17, 2023
Vino Nobile
2019 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (Poderi Sanguineto I e II)
Sale Price $34.99 – $356.90 case of twelve
Rosso di Montalcino
2019 Rosso di Montalcino (Caparzo)
Sale Price $19.99 – $203.90 case of twelve
Roero, The Other Side of the River
2015 Roero ‘Monfriggio’ (Chiesa Carlo)
Sale Price $23.99 – $244.70 case of twelve
The Tanaro river divides Roero from Barolo, but there is also fine Nebbiolo made in the Roero. Case in point is Chiesa Carlo, who annually makes by hand 375 cases of their Monfriggio. This pure Nebbiolo ages for two years in barrel and the 2015 is now a mature beauty. The gorgeous aromatics include rose petals and plums, with a ripe, dry, tannic finish. Great with braised beef stew and carrots.
Montecucco
2020 Montecucco ‘Rigoleto’ (Castello ColleMassari)
Sale Price $14.99 – $152.90 case of twelve
The Spicy Special
2022 Verduno Pelaverga ‘Speziale’ (Fratelli Alessandria)
Sale Price $24.99 – $254.90 case of twelve
The Pelaverga Piccolo grape has achieved cult status in hipster wine circles. This grape, embraced and resurrected by Barolo growers in the village of Verduno, is nothing like the tannic and age-worthy Nebbiolo. Instead it is light and fresh, charming and seductive. With a slight chill it has floral aromas along with spicy raspberry fruit. A fine light red for a seared salmon with spinach and lentils.
Terre Siciliane
2021 Terre Siciliane ‘Jakì’ (Valdibella)
Sale Price $13.99 – $142.70 case of twelve
Valdibella is a Sicilian cooperative comprised of 6 families. They grow grapes, olives, and almonds. Their Jakì is a hearty blend of organically grown Nero d’Avola and Cabernet Sauvignon. No sulfur is used at any time during the winemaking and bottling. Excellent with pasta and a spicy eggplant sauce.
Listed prices are honored through October 17th, 2023. We will not honor mistyped prices. Vol. 47, No. 10
Although the region around the city of Nantes is considered Muscadet country, there are still vineyards dedicated to red grapes. Vincent Caillé is a fifth-generation Muscadet producer and champion of natural wine practices who also makes charming red wines. We were lucky to grab the last cases of his Gamay at a closeout price. This biodynamic light red (clocking in at only 12%) has a delightful contrast between its dark aromas of vetiver and black pepper and its bright flavors of cranberry and red plum, followed by a spicy finish. Depending on the weather, either have this with a slight chill or as is with an impromptu meal of salamis and hard cheeses.
The fine wine world is waking up to the quality of Portuguese Alvarinho. The Soalheiro winery was one of the first to bottle Alvarinho as a single varietal. Their vines, located in the sub region of Monção e Melgaço along the Minho river, take advantage of the granitic terroir with warm days and cool nights. The 2022 is fresh and lively with peachy fruit and a long minerally finish. Great for sushi. 
The Baudrys make some of the best Chinon, plus they make Les Granges, one of the best values in the appellation. As the vines age it appears that this bottling, as charming as it is, has become better and more refined. The 2021 is ripe and rich in plum and raspberry fruit. A fine match with a pork roast and rosemary potatoes. 
Mont Brouilly is an extinct volcano in the south of Beaujolais. The base surrounding the mountain is Brouilly, the largest Cru of Beaujolais. On the slopes is the Côte de Brouilly, significantly smaller and one of the best Crus. Our favorite is the Domaine de la Voûte des Crozes, the home of the vigneronne Nicole Chanrion. It is baffling to us that she can support her family by making just 2,500 cases of wine per year, but we are grateful because this is a Beaujolais that we love to drink. The dominating feature in her vineyards is the presence of volcanic blue schist. This contributes to the structure and earthiness of the wine. It also possesses wonderful strawberry fruit with a dusting of herbs and spices. A bottle of this along with a roast chicken is heavenly.
When Lulu Tempier married Lucien Peyraud in 1936 the Bandol appellation took a leap forward. Her family owned Domaine Tempier, and Lucien began advocating for the traditional Bandol grape, Mourvèdre, to become a majority component of the region’s red wines. Along the way they raised seven children, and this gregarious Provençal clan brought an ex-patriot food writer, an American importer, and a trailblazing west coast chef into their world view. Richard Olney wrote a terrific book about Lulu’s cooking, Kermit Lynch imported the wines, and Alice Waters’ Chez Panisse in Berkeley, California markedly improved the American restaurant industry. Usually, we just get a few cases of the rosé and red per year, but much to our surprise we got some extra 2020 Bandol Rouge at a slightly better price. This is an amazing wine, with ripe dense fruit, peppery spice, and sun-soaked Mediterranean herb and olive flavors. Great for a grilled leg of lamb with garlic and rosemary.
We love our liter bottles. They promise juicy refreshment as a joyous partner to good food and good times. With this German Silvaner, however, the liter bottle format belies how serious of a wine it is. No surprise, as it’s the entry wine from Peter Leipold, a young winemaker with a growing following, located in Franken, a region where Silvaner attains its highest expression. This dry white has honeysuckle blossom and crunchy orchard fruits hanging on a scaffolding of saline minerality. Upon opening, its subtle spritz makes it even more suitable for all sorts of fried foods, from schnitzel to fries to tempura.
The Thevenet family in the Viré-Clessé appellation makes some of the most distinctive Chardonnay in Burgundy. They have long made late harvest whites that combine a mild sweetness with gorgeous minerality. In addition, the wines age magnificently. We have secured the last few cases of their intense 2018 vintage at a (slightly) sweet price. Have this with a roasted sea bass on a bed of sautéed onions.
