Newsletter
February 16, 2024 – March 17, 2024
Euro-Centric
This month, as so many others, we have a selection of interesting wines from some of Europe’s unsung regions and producers. Hofstätter in Alto Adige for two great Pinots. Collioure, a hearty red in Roussillon. Müller-Ruprecht, a new Pfalz Riesling in a Liter. And of course a couple of Loire Valley whites.
The Hofstätter Family of Pinot
2022 Pinot Grigio (J. Hofstätter)
Sale Price $17.99 – $183.50 case of twelve
2022 Pinot Nero (J. Hofstätter)
Sale Price $17.99 – $183.50 case of twelve
Producers in the Alto Adige make a dizzying number of wines from vineyards planted at dizzying heights. While most of the production comes from large cooperatives, J. Hofstätter is one of the few family operations. We are big fans of their Pinot Bianco, but this month we have new vintages of their other 
Pinots, Grigio and Nero. We probably didn’t need another Pinot Grigio on the shelf, but we all agreed that this 2022 is exceptionally good. It’s fresh, lively, and beautifully balanced. The 2022 Pinot Nero is truly excellent. This seemingly weightless wine has gorgeous fruity aromas and a mouthful of violets and plums. Both are stupendous values.
Collioure
2020 Collioure ‘L’Oriental’ (La Rectorie)
Sale Price $21.99 – $224.30 case of twelve
Banyuls and Collioure are two appellations that encompass the same vineyard land in Roussillon along France’s westernmost Mediterranean coast. When the Grenache grape is harvested late and made into a sweet red it becomes Banyuls. When made into a dry wine it is Collioure. La Rectorie’s L’Oriental is made from grapes harvested at Banyuls-level ripeness, but fermented dry. This is a deep, powerful red with mouth-filling plummy fruit along with considerable tannins. When winter comes around and gives us another cold blast this Collioure is the type of red that you’ll crave along with a cassoulet or a lamb tagine.
Who’s Hibou?
2022 Riesling Trocken ‘Hibou’ (Müller-Ruprecht)
Sale Price $19.99 per Liter – $203.90 case of twelve
We’re suckers for a young and fresh Grüner, Silvaner, or Riesling bottled in a Liter. This month we have a new dry Riesling from Müller-Ruprecht in Germany’s Pfalz. The 2022 Hibou is an aromatic delight with crunchy apple and pear fruit. On the palate, it’s cool, crisp, and minerally. A fine white for a seafood stew.
Reuilly
2021 Reuilly Blanc (Domaine de la Pagerie)
Sale Price $17.99 – $183.50 case of twelve
The most in-demand white French wine lately has been Sancerre, the Loire Valley’s finest Sauvignon Blanc. So much so that satellite villages like Menetou-Salon, Quincy, and Reuilly have also seen an uptick in demand. This month our favorite Sancerre substitute comes from the Pointereau family at Domaine de la Pagerie. Their 2021 is a classic flinty and dry Sauvignon. A great match for cod or haddock.
Savennières
2020 Savennières (Château du Breuil)
Sale Price $29.99 – $305.90 case of twelve
Chenin Blanc is certainly a well-known grape, but Savennières may be Chenin Blanc’s least-known dry wine. Located in the western Loire near the city of Angers, this tiny appellation is enjoying a small renaissance. Château du Breuil’s organic vineyards are planted on pure schist, giving the wine an intense minerality. This gloriously ripe 2020 also has layers of fruit alongside scents of herbs and hay. A superb white for shellfish and soft-ripened cheeses.
Listed prices are honored through March 17th, 2024. We will not honor mistyped prices. Vol. 48, No. 3
Going to the I.R.
You guessed it, Inventory Reduction. Here are some end of
vintages and wines that have hung around a little too long.
Additional discounts apply, even during the quarterly sale,
resulting in some ridiculous bargains.
2019 Cabernet Franc ‘Reserva’ (Garzón)
Regular Price $15.99 –
I.R. Price $13.99
Our love of Cab Franc extends all the way to Uruguay. So should yours.
2018 Itata ‘Pencopolitano’
(Pedro Parra)
Regular Price $17.99 – I.R. Price $15.99
Chilean winemaker Pedro Parra’s Cinsault/Pais blend is like no other wine we know. Not a bad thing.
2018 Bianco
dell’Emilia
(Paltrinieri)
Regular Price $9.99 –
I.R. Price $7.99
AKA white Lambrusco.
2021 Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro
‘Monovitigno’ (Fattoria Moretto)
Regular $24.99 –
I.R. Price $21.99
AKA red single-vineyard Lambrusco.
2021 Vin de France ‘2L’ (Puech Redon)
Regular Price $39.99 per 2L – I.R. Price $19.99 per 2L
A 2 Liter bottle of southern French Cinsault is probably a big mistake.
2019 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Raymond)
Regular Price $54.99 – I.R. Price $39.99
One of the great labels in Napa Cab.
2021 Vino Rosso ‘Sabbia Vulcanica’ (Agnanum)
Regular Price $17.99 – I.R. Price $14.99
Loved a previous vintage. This Piedirosso from Naples might be too volcanic.
2021 Vino Rosso ‘Jakì’ (Valdibella)
Regular Price $13.99 –
I.R. Price $11.99
A cool Sicilian red that we just bought too much of.
2021 Beira Interior ‘Reserva Quartz’ (Beyra)
Regular Price $14.99 –
I.R. Price $11.99
A fine, minerally Portuguese white. Label is a bit busy.
2015 Vino de la Tierra de Cádiz (Vara y Pulgar)
Regular Price $19.99 – I.R. Price $17.99
Earthy and interesting red wine from Andalucía, which is and shall remain sherry country.
2020 Minervois ‘Plaisir’
(Château Sainte Eulalie)
Regular Price $15.99 –
I.R. Price $13.99
Big, bold red with lots of sediment.
2019 Châteauneuf-du-Pape
(Domaine de la Janasse)
Regular Price $59.99 –
I.R. Price $49.99
Immense. Intense. Maybe just dense.
2021 Dolcetto d’Alba ‘Coste & Fossati’ (Vajra)
Regular Price $22.99 –
I.R. Price $19.99
Elegant, refined Dolcetto. Maybe too refined?
Sale Dates
The First Quarterly Sale of the Year will last two full weeks.
The sale begins Friday February 16th and runs through Sunday March 3rd.
Details: 10% off six bottles; 20% off twelve bottles.
Wines of the Month (back page),
fortified wines (Port, Sherry, Vermouth, etc.)
and sparkling wines may be included
for a 10% discount.
Blue tagged (NET) wines and
jug wines (1.5L and 3L) are excluded.
2015 Fronton ‘Coste Rouge’
(La Colombière)
Regular Price $19.99 –
I.R. Price $17.99
Negrette from Toulouse will someday have its moment.
2020 Coteaux de l’Ardèche
‘Petite Selve’ (Château La Selve)
Regular Price $12.99 –
I.R. Price $10.99
From the back label: “This wine is an UFO in the Rhône region and cultivates the paradoxes.” That says a lot.
2016 Venezia Giulia ‘Jakot’ (Radikon)
Regular Price $79.99 per L –
I.R. Price $69.99 per L
Radikon’s wines are mind-blowing. Just be careful.
1987 Marsala Superiore (Marco de Bartoli)
Regular Price $125.00 per 500ml –
I.R. Price $99.99 per 500ml
Don’t use this for cooking.
2021 Apremont ‘Cuvée Gastronomie’ (Jean Perrier)
Regular Price $13.99 –
I.R. Price $11.99
Get to know Jacquère, Savoie’s prolific fondue white.
2019 Bourgogne
(Robert Groffier)
Regular Price $74.99 –
I.R. Price $64.99
We thought we could downsell Burgundy lovers from Grand Cru to this Bourgogne Rouge. Don’t ask for the Bonnes Mares.
Macvin du Jura ‘5 ans d’âge’ (François
Rousset-Martin)
Regular Price $49.99 – I.R. Price $44.99
Late-harvest Chardonnay fortified with spirits from the Jura. Great with Comté.
2016 Arbois Vin Jaune (Domaine Maire)
Regular Price $34.99 per 375ml –
I.R. Price $29.99 per 375ml
Nutty, dry, extra-aged Savagnin from the Jura. Classic match with chicken stew with morels.
Spirits on Sale
Maybe you forgot that we also carry a large selection of fine spirits.
These are currently on sale, all in 750ml.
Domaine Tariquet VSOP Armagnac
Regular Price $59.99
Sale Price $49.99
Tariquet is one of our favorite Armagnac
houses. Their VSOP is smooth and rich with spicy fruit flavors.
Grey Goose Vodka
Regular Price $37.99
Sale Price $29.99
Made exclusively with wheat from the Cognac region, Grey Goose is France’s premium vodka.
Evan Williams
Bottled-in-Bond
Bourbon
Regular Price 21.99
Sale Price $19.99
This is one of the great bargains remaining in the bourbon market.
Plymouth Gin
Regular Price $34.99
Sale Price $29.99
Plymouth Gin is a classic English gin that is the perfect base for many cocktails.
Wines of the Month — February 16, 2024 through March 17, 2024
2021 Chianti Colli Senesi (Casa alle Vacche)
Sale Price $9.99 – $107.89 case of twelve
This solid Tuscan producer has come through with a lovely Chianti from the hills of Siena. The perfect red for a bean and pasta soup.
2020 Corse Rouge (Domaine Petroni)
Sale Price $9.99 – $107.89 case of twelve
From the island of Corsica, Domaine Petroni’s rouge is a graceful, balanced blend of Niellucciu, Syrah, and Grenache. A fine red for a spicy eggplant stew.
2022 Custoza (Gorgo)
Sale Price $9.99 – $107.89 case of twelve
Gorgo’s Custoza is a delicious blend of several different grapes grown on the plain to the south of Lake Garda. Crisp, dry, and with surprising weight, this will be a fine match with risotto and scampi.
2021 Costières de Nîmes (Château L’Ermite d’Auzan)
Sale Price $11.99 – $129.49 case of twelve
This red from Nîmes is a full-flavored, fruity blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. Lovely with a beef stew.