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$21.95
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RP 91
WS 91
France
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Rhone
-
Other
In stock, 12+ available
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91 points Robert Parker: "The outstanding 2009 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Cairanne La Brunote (60% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 10% Carignan from white clay soils) was aged 12 months in larger wood demi-muids before being bottled unfiltered. Revealing slightly more concentrated blue, red and black fruits, lavender, incense and white chocolate notes, it offers an opaque ruby/purple color along with full body and a long finish. There is not a hard edge to be found in this voluminous, multilayered red. It should drink nicely for 5-7 years. (Aug 2011)"
91 points Wine Spectator: "Ripe but very fresh, with mouthwatering acidity driving the linzer torte, blackberry and black currant fruit. Lovely spice cake and black licorice notes flash through the finish, with a dusting of cocoa powder. Drink now through 2013. 50 cases imported. (10/15/11)"
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$21.95
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RP 92
RR 91
France
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Rhone
-
Other
In stock, 12+ available
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List $25.00
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92 points Robert Parker: "The 2010 Cotes du Rhone la Brunote (60% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 10% Carignan aged 12 months in demi-muids) is another outstanding effort. An opaque ruby/purple color is followed by lots of creme de cassis, kirsch, lavender, spice box and licorice notes. The wine is full-bodied, textured and long. It should drink well for a decade. (Oct 2012)"
91+ points Rhone Report: "The most dense and rich of the lineup, the 2010 Domaine Daniel et Denis Alary Cotes du Rhone Villages Cairanne La Brunote is a blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Mourvedre (there.s a small amount of carignan as well) that is aged all in old foudre. Meaty, dense, and loaded with notions of smoked meats, black fruits, licorice, and crushed rock-like minerality, this classic Cairanne is full-bodied, pure, and tannic on the finish. It will reward 2-3 years of bottle age, and have upwards of a decade or more of prime drinking. (Sep 2012)"
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$25.95
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RP 94
RR 93
France
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Rhone
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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94 points Robert Parker: "Alary’s top cuvee, the 2010 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Cairanne Font d’Estevanas is a blend of equal parts old vine Grenache and Syrah, the latter planted in 1961, grown in the clay/limestone hillsides. Aged in older barriques and demi-muids, it is a fabulous unfiltered wine offering abundant notes of licorice, truffles, camphor, black currants, kirsch, raspberries and hints of white chocolate and dusty, loamy, earthy soils. It should drink well for a decade or more. (Oct 2012)"
93 points Rhone Report: "A smoking good Cairanne that's all from the lieu-dit La Font d'Estevenas, the 2010 Domaine Daniel et Denis Alary Cotes du Rhone Villages Cairanne La Font d'Estevenas. An even split of Grenache and Syrah that is aged all in neutral wood, it sports a dense, opaque ruby color to go with fantastic aromatics of blackberry and black raspberry, new leather, licorice, roasted herbs, and hints of flowers on the nose. This flows to a medium to full-bodied, rich, and layered wine that has a silky, polished texture, beautiful mid-palate depth, and impressive underlying tannin structure. It is superb now, yet should easily evolve gracefully for 10-12 years. (Sep 2012)"
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$14.95
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RP 90
France
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Rhone
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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90 points Robert Parker: "The 2010 La Grange Daniel Blanc Vin de Pays d'Orange is a tank-aged 100% Roussanne that sells for a remarkable $15 a bottle. It is a challenge to make good Roussanne as the skin has considerable tannin and any skin contact can result in an astringently flavored wine. However, that's not a problem with this Roussanne fruit bomb. Notes of waxy orange marmalade and honeysuckle jump from the glass of this light gold-colored 2010. Alary's oenologist, Olivier Roustang, is also the oenologist for the Chave family in Hermitage, which may help explain the brilliance of this white wine. Drink it over the next 12 months. (Aug 2011)"
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$18.95
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RP 91
RR 91
France
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Rhone
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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91 points Robert Parker: "Another winner is the 2010 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Cuvee des Galets Plan de Dieu. Fashioned from 45-65 year old vines, this unfiltered blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 20% Mourvedre is a killer value. It boasts a dense ruby/purple color as well as stunning aromas of kirsch liqueur, licorice, camphor, tobacco leaf and underbrush. Spicy, peppery and loaded with fruit, this medium to full-bodied red is another crowd-pleasing, classic example of Provencal viticulture that should age nicely for 4-5 years. (Aug 2011)"
91 points Rhone Report: "A rock star value that is both rich and complex, the 2010 Plan de Dieu Cuvée des Galets is a blend of 60% Grenache, and equal parts Syrah and Mourvedre, that comes from tiny yields of only 20-22 hl/ha. It delivers beautifully fresh aromas of black fruits, underbrush, violets, and licorice that flow to medium to full-bodied, rich, and concentrated palate that possesses excellent freshness and a classy, elegant texture. It delivers way more quality than the price suggests, and will shine for 5-7 years. (Sep 2012)"
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$21.95
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RR 93
RP 90
France
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Rhone
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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93 points Rhone Report: "Even richer, with additional depth and richness, the 2010 Cuvée 3 Cépages is a blend of equal parts Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre, that gets harvested all at the same time in October when the Mourvedre finally gets ripe. This results in ultra ripe Grenache and Syrah, and while it is no lightweight, it stays beautifully fresh and light on the palate. Deep, rich, and layered, with copious blackberry, toasted spice, dusty minerality, and ground pepper, this full-bodied Côtes du Rhône is uncommonly concentrated and possesses a brilliant textured, notable purity, and grippy tannin that gives the wine plenty of edge and cut on the blockbuster, heady finish. It is already reasonably approachable (I followed this bottle for three days), yet will be even better in another year, and drink well through 2017. (Sep 2012)"
90+ points Robert Parker: "Two late released 2010s include the 2010 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Trois Cepages, an equal part blend of Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah. It is a deep, structured effort revealing an impressively saturated dark ruby/plum/purple color in addition to abundant aromas of black currants, cherries, licorice, truffles and earth. Drink it over the next 5-6 years. (Oct 2012)"
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$35.95
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JG 92
WA 90
France
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Champagne
In stock, 12+ available
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List $50.00
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92+ points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The Berthelot NV Brut is a beautiful bottle, and the current release is every bit as fine as the wine I reported on last September. To remind readers, the Berthelot family has been growers in the region since the nineteenth century, but only began to bottle some of their production on their own in 1977. Their twenty-two hectares of vines lie in Ay and the nearby town of Dizy, and their vineyards share the heavy chalk of the Cote des Blancs, rather than the more typical clay and alluvial deposits of other villages in the Vallee de la Marne. The Berthelot Brut Reserve bottling is a blend of twenty-five percent chardonnay, forty-five percent pinot meunier and thirty percent pinot noir, and the family keeps a goodly supply of older wine available to blend in and maintain the house style of their non-vintage brut. The bouquet on the current release is again refined and complex, as it offers up a classy melange of pear, grapefruit zest, sourdough, beautiful chalky soil tones and a hint of vanilla custard in the upper register. On the palate the wine is fullbodied, deep and beautifully balanced, with a great core of fruit, refined mousse, and sound acids on the very long, soil-driven and complex finish. Utterly refined and sophisticated Brut NV, this wine is delicious now, but will clearly age brilliantly for the next fifteen to twenty years. A seamless and discreet beauty. 2007-2025. (May/Jun 2007)"
90 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "[$50 list] The NV Brut Premier Cru Reserve is a gorgeous wine that offers lovely complexity in its subtle nuttiness and toast. The wine blossoms on the palate with expressive, generous fruit, showing terrific balance as well as poise. A long, creamy finish with suggestions of flowers and citrus rounds out this delicious Champagne. No disgorgement date indicated. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2014. (Dec 2009)"
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$12.95
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RP 90
WS 89
France
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South of France
In stock,
5
available
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90 points Robert Parker: No tasting note given. Previous vintage rated 92-94 points by Robert Parker: "...very high quality and deserve[s] readers’ attention. Hopefully my prose has convinced more than a handful of readers to try these remarkable wines from one of the most fascinating and compelling personalities in the entire wine world, and one dedicated to the highest quality."
89 points Wine Spectator: "Features powerful pear tart and spiced apple flavors, which are joined by notes of dried mango and fig. Hints of shiso leaf and tarragon show on the firm, focused finish. Drink now through 2016. (5/31/13)"
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$13.95
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WS 90
France
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Bordeaux
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Red
In stock, 12+ available
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List $25.00
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90 points Wine Spectator: "[$25 list] This is ripe and polished, with sleek cassis and blackberry fruit framed with toasty mocha and espresso hints, but also nicely grounded in terroir, with a tug of roasted earth and tobacco on the finish. Drink now through 2015. (3/31/12)"
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$21.95
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JS 92
RP 90
France
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Bordeaux
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Red
In stock, 12+ available
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92 points James Suckling: "A soft and fruity wine, with lovely fruit and a lively tangy acidity. Lasts for a long time. Why wait? But will improve with age as well. (2/14/12)"
90 points Robert Parker: "Another major sleeper of the vintage, this consistently well-made wine (another consulting job by Stephane Derenoncourt) has hit pay dirt. It came in at 14% natural alcohol, with a final blend of 99% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. Vivid, explosive black cherry and blackberry fruit intermixed with some subtle charcoal as well as loamy soil and tobacco leaf notes are all present in the complex aromatics. Full-bodied, fleshy, without a hard edge to be found, this velvety-textured wine is ideal for drinking over the next 2-4 years. Who said Bordeaux doesn’t produce terrific wines at low price points? (Feb 2012)"
17.75/20 points Decanter: "Richly oaky nose, with just a hint of stewed fruit but not over the top. Fresh attack. Certain minerality. Firm tannic structure. It has line and length. Definitely a more serious wine. Should age. Drink: 2013-2022. Alcohol 13%. (Dec 2012)"
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$15.95
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RR 90
France
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Rhone
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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90 points Rhone Report: "A smoking Côtes du Rhône, the 2010 Domaine Grand Nicolet (70% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 10% Carignan, and 5% Mourvedre) is aged all in concrete tank and is a gorgeous example of Provencal viticulture. It delivers loads of black cherries, mineral, smoked earth, and dark chocolate-like qualities (very Rasteau-like actually) that flow to a full-bodied, rich, powerful 2010 that has layers of fruit, yet also a fair kick of tannin as well. Buy this beauty by the case, give it a year or two, and drink bottles over the following 4-6 years. (Sep 2012)"
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$18.95
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RR 92
WS 91
RP 90
France
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Rhone
-
Other
In stock, 12+ available
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List $28.00
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92+ points Rhone Report: "Even more serious and structured, the 2010 Domaine Grand Nicolet Rasteau Vieilles Vignes is a blend of 70% Grenache (from 60-year-old vines) and 30% Syrah (from 30-year-old vines) that has the Grenache aged in tank and the Syrah in 10% 1 and 2-year-old barrels. Big, mineral-driven and firm, with black cherry liqueur, spice-box, and new leather aromas and flavors all showing, this full-bodied, concentrated Rasteau needs a solid 2-3 years in the cellar. It will drink well for upwards of a decade. (Sep 2012)"
91 points Wine Spectator: "A broad, fleshy style, with lots of layered dark fig, hoisin sauce, roasted tobacco and melted licorice snap notes. Features a nice gutsy feel through the finish, with a flash of juniper. Solid. Drink now through 2015. 500 cases imported. (10/15/12)"
90 points Robert Parker: "[$28 list] Much better, the dense purple-colored 2010 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Rasteau exhibits attractive black cherry, earthy, herbal notes intermixed with sweet plum, fig and prune characteristics. Full-bodied and chewy, it is ideal for drinking over the next decade. (Oct 2011)"
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$15.95
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RR 93
RP 90
France
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Rhone
-
Other
In stock, 12+ available
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List $20.00
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93 points Rhone Report: "A stunning blend of 65% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 5% Carignan that is aged in barrique for 11 months, the 2010 Domaine les Grands Bois Cuvée Gabrielle possesses a deep purple color as well as fantastic aromatics of sweet blackberries, licorice, crushed flowers, coffee grinds, and plenty of loamy earth and sappy underbrush on the nose. Full-bodied and voluptuous on the palate, with a seamless, polished texture, fantastic concentration, and a ridiculous amount of persistence and length on the finish given the price tag, this knockout Côtes du Rhône Villages should be purchased by the case. Bottled unfined and unfiltered, it will drink well for 5-8 years. (Sep 2012)"
90 points Robert Parker: "The 2010 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Cuvee Gabrielle is a blend of 65% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 5% Carignan from 10- to 80-year-old vines, aged in barrique and neutral foudres. Bottled unfiltered, this deep, plum/purple-colored 2010 offers up black cherry, fig, roast beef, bouquet garni, licorice and soil notes. Deep, medium to full-bodied, rich and well-textured, it should drink well for 4-5 years. (Oct 2012)"
Producer notes: "Grenache 55%, Syrah 35%, and Carignan 10%. Beautiful garnet with slight bluish reflections. Subtle bouquet of strawberry, blackberry and violets. On the palate, initial impressions of fruit brandy, then a velvety texture with hints of green pepper, with closing notes of spice. A wine that is enjoyable today but with the stuffing to age well, too. Food pairing: Perfect with a fillet of beef with mushrooms or duck with spices."
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$18.95
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RR 91
France
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Rhone
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Other
In stock,
9
available
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List $25.00
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91 points Rhone Report: "An outstanding Côtes du Rhône that has both complexity and richness, the 2010 La Ferme du Mont Côtes du Rhône Villages Le Ponnant possesses lots of sweet cherries, licorice, underbrush, and floral characteristics to go with a medium to full-bodied, elegant, and silky textured palate feel. Beautifully balance, fresh, and lively, with a finesse driven slant, this knockout 2010 is a serious value that will shine for 4-6 years. (Sep 2012)"
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$44.95
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RR 93
WA 92
France
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South of France
In stock, 12+ available
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List $85.00
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93+ points Rhone Report: "[$85 list] A serious, old vine Grenache Cuvee that's aged all in new oak, the 2005 Mas de la Deveze Cotes du Roussillon Villages Pandora is still a baby in terms of development, sporting an inky purple color to go with decadent, awesomely rich aromas of roasted herbs, black licorice, smoked meats, crushed flowers, and earthy dark fruits. Full-bodied and beautifully concentrated, yet with impeccable balance, notable freshness, and a mineral and bitter chocolate driven finish, this is thrilling stuff that possesses loads of richness and power, yet also shows a sense of restraint and elegance. It opens up over the evening, yet never loses its primary, youthful flare or structured edge. I would give bottles another 3-4 years in the cellar, at which point it should be at the early stages of maturity, with a full decade or longer of prime drinking. (Mar 2012)"
92 points David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate): "[$85 list] A special bottling of pure old vines Grenache in (four!) new barrels, Bernstein’s 2005 Pandora mingles strawberry jam, white pepper, smoked meat, and barrel staves in the nose, and comes to the palate amazingly sweet and high-toned, with strawberry liqueur underlain by persistent meatiness and stony mineral character. Fine tannins suffuse the palate but do not interfere with the enjoyment of so much pure, ripe fruit. (Oct 2007)"
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