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$34.95
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France
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Burgundy
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Macon/Chalonnaise
In stock,
1
available
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Jean-Pierre and Michel Auvigue practice noninterventionist winemaking techniques, and their pure, crisp wines are an unadulterated reflection of each of their terroirs. This wine reveals a rich nose of tropical fruit with toasted notes that follows in the mouth with surprisingly vibrant structure, excellent balance and very good to excellent length.
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$9.95
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France
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Loire
In stock, 12+ available
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List $14.00
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87 points David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate): "...bright, bracing lemon and lime and borderline grassiness are accompanied by cooling mint, attractively pungent caraway, and a palpable sense of extract and chalky minerality... this gets high marks for sheer tenacity and for its light bulb-like, wake-up personality. (Aug 2008)"
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$23.95
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France
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South of France
In stock,
9
available
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Paul Strang (South-West France: The Wines and Winemakers): "The Barré family has been growing vines at Viella since 1850, and Didier represents the sixth generation... His roguish and teasing manner conceals a deep seriousness for his wines, which are regularly cited as among the best of the region. The vineyard covers about 24 hectares, partly on a pebbly-clay plateau to the west of the village and partly on a south-eastern slope over the east where Didier grows his grapes for pacherenc. Some of his vines go back 100 years."
The cuvee "Vitis MCM" is made with 100% Tannat harvested from vines planted in 1900 and aged in 80% new oak barrels.
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$18.95
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France
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Alsace
In stock,
1
available
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List $24.00
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David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate): "The Dirler 2007 Pinot -- a 100% Pinot Noir of pale salmon color -- was, for the second time in the history of this cuvee (and far more successfully than in 2006), fermented in barrel, where it received extended lees contact. Fresh cherry and lime on the nose follow on a palate of subtle creaminess and generous refreshment, with spicy adjuncts from the barrel and mineral salts mingling in a saliva-inducing finish. This will prove versatile over at least the next 12-18 months. (Apr 2010)"
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$169.95
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France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
In stock, 12+ available
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List $225.00
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96+ points Sonoma Wine Journal: "Violet robe. Exceptionally pure nose of spicy cherries, and with aeration the bouquet also shows notes of raspberries, iron, minerals, cinnamon, and flowers. The attack is all pure stalky Pinot fruits, still too young to fully enjoy but showing all the hallmarks of a great wine that simply needs time to evolve. Delicious and vibrant, the finely delineated tannins are enmeshed in the silken finish that lasts for nearly 60 seconds. Remarkable balance between the generous composition of fruit, acidity, tannins. For parents with children born in 2007 and who can afford this beauty, this would be an excellent Grand Cru Burgundy to cellar until your child's 21st birthday or other special occasions. From Laurent Ponsot. 13.5% alc. Drink now-2030. (Oct 2010)"
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$59.95
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France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
In stock, 12+ available
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We recently discovered this producer from Chambolle. Though the domaine has been around for a while, and has incredible holdings, few know much if anything about them. Part of the reason is because they are so tiny. For instance, with the exception of their Chambolle villages, none of Felettig's holdings are larger than 0.5ha, so the wines seldom make their way to the US. In fact, even in Europe, they're nearly impossible to find. The other reason is that it was only after Henri Felettig recently handed control over to his son and daughter, Gilbert and Christine, that the wines became great. With the assistance of neighbor Louis-Michel Liger-Belair in the vineyards, their raw material vastly improved. In the cuvérie, they began employing minimal intervention and new oak is kept to 40% for the 1er Crus and 20-30% for the appellation Villages. The resulting wines are at once pure, dense and energetic, reminiscent of a hypothetical cross between Mugnier and Roumier. We're certainly not putting Felettig in the same league as these two icons, just illustrating their style.
Fuées is the sister vineyard to Bonnes Mares and made famous by Fréderic Mugnier.
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$46.95
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France
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South of France
In stock, 12+ available
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45% Syrah, 45% Grenache, 10% Carignan.
Not yet reviewed; 2008 vintage rated 94 points by Wine Spectator: "This ripe, rich and powerful red has a deep well of dark fruit and spice flavors that are supported by firm tannins and plenty of fresh acidity. The finish shows raspberry ganache and cocoa powder, with hints of pepper. Drink now through 2020. 500 cases made."
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$11.95
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France
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Bordeaux
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Red
In stock, 12+ available
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65% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon. Ruby red color, with aromas of red fruits and black currants. Medium-bodied with abundant fruit flavors, a hint of spice, and soft, silky tannins.
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$8.95
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France
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South of France
In stock, 12+ available
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List $13.00
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Pellehaut, from the Roman "pila haut" (high point), is owned by the Béraut family. Gaston Béraut oversees the domaine, which also includes cattle, wheat and sunflowers. One son, Martin, is the vineyard manager, commonly found between the vines. The other, Mathieu, is the winemaker. Mathieu studied under Yves Grassa at nearby Château de Tariquet, as well as at Château Beycheville in Bordeaux and, during one harvest in the nineties, was Jim Clendenon' right-hand man at Au Bon Climat in Southern California. Ampelomeryx is a blend of Chardonnay and Petit Manseng, fermented and aged in new oak.
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$21.95
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France
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Rhone
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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'Recommended,' Decanter: "Ample, blackberry fruit, hint of earth and game. Ripe, good, breezy drinking. Modest, late tannins. Enjoy now. Drink from 2010. (7/27/10)"
WHWC Staff Notes: "I was really excited to try this wine, as it is from the legendary 2007 vintage, which is pretty much gone from the marketplace, especially wines in this price range. Also, it is from Redortier, a producer that has consistently released fantastic wines when they reach their prime. The blend on this vintage is 60% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 5% Counoise. A co-worker and I pulled the cork on one and were both blown away. It takes a few minutes to really open up, but once it does, it sings! The flowery, medium-toned Grenache is hidden behind balanced, rich dark fruit and subtle minerality. Underneath is a nuance of the classic Beaumes-de-Venise black pepper. The acid is well-poised and keeps the wine fresh and lively on the palate, while the tannins are soft and integrated, contributing to the structure but not dominating it. This is a really fantastic bottle of Rhône that you could drink now, or hang onto for a few more years. It won't be around very long, so order some while you can." - Casey Carmichael
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$18.95
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France
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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Importer notes: "An estate reflecting the image of an ever-changing Jura and family enterprise that was created in the early '40s by Désiré Rolet. A native vineyard consisting of 60 hectares distributed over the best hills of the Arbois and Côtes du Jura AOC vineyards, the Rolet Estate is the second largest winegrowing estate in the Jura. Tasting Notes: Clear and brilliant color reflecting pale green glints, which denote the freshness of the vintage. White flower and apple aromas. The mouth balances fullness with acidity, and the palate confirms what the nose predicts. Finally, the wine clings to the mouth for a full finish. It pairs well with appetizers and fish entrees. Fermented and matured for 18 months in barrels in order to bring out the specific personality of the Côtes du Jura terroir; a very particular terroir that characterizes the wine with notes of gunflint and almond. 100% Chardonnay."
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$16.95
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France
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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Importer notes: "An estate reflecting the image of an ever-changing Jura and family enterprise that was created in the early '40s by Désiré Rolet. A native vineyard consisting of 60 hectares distributed over the best hills of the Arbois and Côtes du Jura AOC vineyards, the Rolet Estate is the second largest winegrowing estate in the Jura. Tasting Notes: Pretty, pale color with green glints; fine bubbles that rise slowly yet with persistence. The nose is delicate and discrete, smelling of white flowers and hawthorn. The mouth has a solid finish with some vivacity, lacks bitterness, and is full-bodied, pleasant and delicate. This is an all-occasion wine and can be enjoyed as an aperitif, at the end of a meal or any time day or night. Chardonnay 54%, Savagnin 23%, Poulsard 23%."
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$14.95
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France
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South of France
In stock, 12+ available
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List $19.00
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80% Carignan and 20% Grenache. Purple in color. Intense aromas of red fruits, blueberries, raspberries, licorice and some spice. On the palate, supple and round, with a long finish. Food match: pork glazed with caramel, beef or lamb stew, duck with cherry sauce, veal medalions and mushrooms, rabbit with prunes, pasta with cream sauce.
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$28.95
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France
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Loire
In stock, 12+ available
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The Les Clos parcel comes from old vines planted on clay-limestone soil that gives this wine a great minerality. Vincent ages this wine in barrels which gives it more aromatic complexity, with notes of honey and acacia mingling with notes of citrus zest. The flavors are pure and off-dry (r.s. 21 mg/L), with a liveliness and freshness. Nice length bringing forth hints of spice, and a touch of salinity and sweetness.
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