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$69.95
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FWR 88–91
JG 90
AM 87–90
France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
Pre-arrival,
6
available
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90 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The 2009 Chambolle villages from Madame Barthod is a dynamite example of the vintage and a wine that I will certainly be trying to add to my own cellar. The nose is deep, pure and classic, as it jumps from the glass in a lovely mix of red and black cherries, fresh herb tones, raw cocoa, lovely soil tones and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, pure and sappy at the core, with a great signature of soil, fine-grained tannins, tangy acids and excellent length and grip on the classy finish. I would tuck this lovely AC away for four or five years to let its secondary layers of complexity emerge, but it is going to be hard not to drink early on, as it is so beautifully balanced that its moderate tannins are not going to put up much resistance. Great juice. 2014-2035. (Nov/Dec 2010)"
88-91 points Fine Wine Review: "The Chambolle is pure and mineral with dark and red fruits in the nose. In the mouth, the wine shows less power than the Bourgogne, although it is still fairly powerful, with dark fruit and some minerality. (Issue #130; 2011)"
87-90 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(from 11 different parcels totaling 1.5 ha, scattered all around Chambolle). An ultra fresh, airy, pure and high-toned red pinot fruit nose slides gracefully into detailed and mineral-driven middle weight flavors that culminate in a dusty, mouth coating, balanced and linear finish. This is a classically styled Chambolle of finesse. Drink: 2014+. (Jan 2011)"
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$64.95
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FWR 90–94
AM 90–93
IWC 90–93
France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
Pre-arrival, 12+ available
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List $90.00
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90-94 points Fine Wine Review: "Chevillon’s Nuits-Roncières is less deep than the previous two wines (we’ve switched here from the Côte de Vosne to the central part of Nuits) but more stony with ripe tannins that are most evident. The overall profile of the wine is one of coolness. (Issue #130; 2011)"
90-93 points and 'Outstanding,' Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(from a 1.0 ha parcel of 45+ year old vines). Moderate wood influence does not unduly hamper the attractiveness of the otherwise fresh and bright earthy and high-toned red pinot fruit suffused nose. The rich and solidly structured medium-bodied flavors possess copious amounts of mid-palate sap, which is a good thing because the impressively persistent finish is firm to the point of being chewy. This is potentially the best example of the Chevillon Roncières that I have ever seen from cask though note that patience will be required. Drink: 2019+. (Jan 2011)"
90-93 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Bright, dark red. Cooler aromas of dark cherry, raspberry, smoke and minerals. Juicy, tight and firmly built; sweet but not at all cooked. This pure, fruity wine shows very good energy from calcaire Finishes with fine-grained tannins and lovely lingering perfume. An excellent early showing for this wine. (Jan/Feb 2011)"
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$89.95
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FWR 93–97
JG 94
WA 93–94
France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
Pre-arrival, 12+ available
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93-97 points Fine Wine Review: "Last, the Nuits-Vaucrains is stony and mineral in the nose. In the mouth, the wine is nervy with dark fruits and juiciness and minerality. The wine shows length, precision, and excellent tannins, but will need some aging time. (Issue #128; 2010)"
94 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The 2008 Vaucrains was showing as well as any wine in the cellar on this trip. The bouquet is simply beautiful, as it offers up scents of red berries, cherries, blood orange, great, stony soil tones, a touch of vinesmoke and the faintest whisper of new wood. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and strikingly pure and transparent, with a rock solid core of red fruit, great nervosité, impeccable focus and a very long, ripely tannic and tangy finish. A superb Vaucrains. 2018-2050+. (Nov/Dec 2009)"
93-94 points David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate): "The Chevillon 2008 Nuits-St.-Georges Les Vaucrains projects an amazing sense of deep, dark concentration. Latakia tobacco; peat; rushed stone; roasted red meats; soy; and ripe, fresh blackberry inform the nose and absolutely stain the palate. The tannins here are as ultra-fine as they are formidable, and the tug on my salivary glands as relentless as are the finishing flavors. If this doesn’t leave you reaching for a napkin or your lips fluttering, probably no wine will. The energy and salinity here render a wine that you feel as if you must strain through your teeth nonetheless fleet-of-foot, enticing, and invigorating. (Jun 2010)"
92-94 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(from a 1.5 ha parcel). Ripe, elegant and dense aromas of blue and black pinot fruit plus floral nuances and one can smell the concentration of the rich, thick, mouth coating and impressively scaled flavors that stain the palate with chewy pinot extract and culminates in a textured, structured and superbly long finish that should be capable of extended aging. Magnificent. Comments: Sweet spot Outstanding. Drink: 2020+. (Jan 2010)"
91-94 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Deep, bright ruby-red. Black raspberry and chocolate aromas are complemented by sweet oak. Less refined than the Saint-Georges or Cailles but solidly built and quite powerful, with a youthfully medicinal character to the blast of dark fruit flavors. Extremely primary and impressively long. This may need the most patience of this excellent set of 2008s. (Mar/Apr 2010)"
17/20 points Jasper Morris (The World of Fine Wine): "Full color; rich, generous, plummy nose; exciting potential. Good weight and enough fruit to uncover the bones. (Issue #34; 2011)"
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$64.95
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WA 94
IWC 92
France
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Champagne
Pre-arrival,
2
available
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List $110.00
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94 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "[$110 list] The NV Extra-Brut Grand Cru V.P. Viellissement Prolonge is Pinot Noir from Grand Cru vineyards in Bouzy, Ambonnay and Verzenay that spent 70 months on its lees. This is the most intense wine in the Egly-Ouriet line-up. White truffles, roasted nuts, honey and candied apricots are layered beautifully in this creamy, expansive Champagne. Early tertiary notes make this an excellent choice for drinking now and over the next few years. Disgorged May, 2010. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2018. (Dec 2010)"
92 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "(disgorged August, 2006 after 61 month on the lees) Yellow-gold. Explosively perfumed nose offers an exotic perfume of smoky apricot, orange, floral honey and toffeed nuts. Deep, rich pit fruit flavors are brightened by orange zest and floral qualities, with subtle toasty lees adding complexity. This is very wine-like, with a deep, chewy texture and a strong finish. For all its depth and power, this remains focused and impressively elegant. An excellent non-vintage Champagne. (Nov 2007)"
Importer notes: "This wine is Egly's treasure; with more than SIX YEARS on its lees, 'V.P.' (in French, 'extended aging') is a testament both to the greatness of his terroir and to his vision as an uncompromising Champagne artist. A blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, pulled from older vines in the three finest villages in the Montaigne de Reims."
Richard Juhlin: "This firm was established in 1930 and nowadays Michel Egly owns 7.7 hectares at Ambonnay, a third of a hectare at Bouzy and one and a half a hectare at Verzenay as well as 2 hectares Meunier in Vrigny. The average age of the vines is 35 years, with 60 years for the prestige wines. The wines are phenomenally great and rich. The grower is very close to gaining five stars through his fantastic development in recent years. Probably the foremost grower of Pinot Noir in the entire Champagne region nowadays..."
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$69.95
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France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
Pre-arrival, 12+ available
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Last year when we first introduced Domaine Felettig to the US market, they were a virtual unknown. Yet, with no US press, we sold our entire allocation in just one day. Fact is, Chambolle at this price simply doesn't exist anymore. Despite incredible holdings, it was only after Henri Felettig recently handed control over to his son and daughter, Gilbert and Christine, that things began to change. With the assistance of neighbor Louis-Michel Liger-Belair in the vineyards, their raw material vastly improved and the wines took off. 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. Every wine importer in the country is trying to get a piece of them after John Gilman recently wrote them up as "the next big thing," but our direct sourcing, we are able to offer them at exceptional pricing.
Tasting notes: This is the only bottling of Carrières on the market and exhibits a unique spiciness we've yet to detect elsewhere in Chambolle. Highly recommended.
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$64.95
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France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
Pre-arrival, 12+ available
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Last year when we first introduced Domaine Felettig to the US market, they were a virtual unknown. Yet, with no US press, we sold our entire allocation in just one day. Fact is, Chambolle at this price simply doesn't exist anymore. Despite incredible holdings, it was only after Henri Felettig recently handed control over to his son and daughter, Gilbert and Christine, that things began to change. With the assistance of neighbor Louis-Michel Liger-Belair in the vineyards, their raw material vastly improved and the wines took off. 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. Every wine importer in the country is trying to get a piece of them after John Gilman recently wrote them up as "the next big thing," but our direct sourcing, we are able to offer them at exceptional pricing.
Tasting notes: Located in the heart of Chambolle, Combottes is a tiny vineyard Felettig shares with Ghislaine Barthod and Christophe Roumier and is rarely seen on the market.
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$99.95
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AM 93
France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
Pre-arrival, 12+ available
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93 points and 'Outstanding,' Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(from a large 1.74 ha parcel). A fresh, pure and very cool nose offers up aromas of a variety of red berries, earth and a hint of the sauvage that is also reflected by the delicious, intense and broad-shouldered flavors. There is excellent volume but also plenty of underlying tension that imparts a real sense of verve to the long, balanced and highly complex finish. Despite the admirable size and weight this is a bit more refined than usual thanks to the relatively fine-grained tannins. Lovely stuff and well worth considering. Drink: 2022+. (Apr 2012)"
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$74.95
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JG 92
FWR 92
WA 90–92
France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
Pre-arrival, 12+ available
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92 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The 2009 Volnay 'Vendanges Selectionées' from the Lafarges is excellent this year. The bouquet is a red fruity and refined mélange of cherries, red plums, raw cocoa, fresh thyme, a touch of blood orange, stunningly complex soil tones and a nice touch of rose in the upper register. On the palate the wine is fullish, pure and very transparent, with a rock solid core of fruit, ripe tannins, tangy acids and excellent length and grip on the youthful and classy finish. 2015-2040. (Nov/Dec 2010)"
92 points Fine Wine Review: "The Volnay, vendanges sélectionnées is pure with structure underlying the red fruit. This should be excellent with perhaps 8-10 years in the cellar. (Issue #137; 2013)"
90-92 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "The 2009 Volnay Vendanges Selectionnees is a selection of village-level parcels. This is a decidedly centered style of Volnay built on a solid core of fruit. It possesses plenty of mid-palate juiciness, while the fruit has enough sheer density to match the tannins on the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2029. (May 2011)"
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$89.95
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France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
Pre-arrival,
10
available
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List $120.00
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Situated just above Clos Saint Denis Grand Cru and adjacent to Grand Cru Clos de la Roche on a gradual slope. This vineyard has a very rocky terrain littered with limestone varying from pebble-sized to grapefruit-size. As with "Les Monts Luisants", both the surrounding Grands Crus decreased the size of the vineyard when expanding their respective limits. The soil here is still wafer thin, though it has a higher clay component, with more water retention and soil density. The average age of the vines is 26 years. Production: 4 barrels.
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$89.95
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France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
Pre-arrival,
9
available
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List $120.00
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Situated just above Grand Cru Clos de la Roche, on a roughly 26% grade, this vineyard is one of the steepest in the region. Only one vineyard, 1er Cru "Les Genavrières", separates "Les Monts Luisants" from "Les Chaffots". A good portion of this vineyard was consumed by the expanding limits of Clos de la Roche. The soil here is heavily based on oolitic limestone, with rigid pebbles found throughout. The soil here is thin, well drained and fine. The average vine age here is over 45 years. Production: 4 barrels.
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$76.95
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France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
Pre-arrival, 12+ available
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List $100.00
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Today "Les Robardelles" is almost an unknown in the framework of renowned Volnay Premiers Crus. As far back as 1855 it was compared favorably to some of its highly regarded neighbors. To the immediate south, you will find "Les Santenots", adjacent and to the west lays the vineyard "En Caillerets", both two of the most celebrated vineyards in Volnay. This vineyard is on a relatively modest slope, with a strong proportion of dense clay with golf ball-sized pieces of exposed limestone. The vines here have a minimum age of 40 years. Production: 3.25 barrels.
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$99.95
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RR 97
RP 94–96
IWC 93–95
France
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Rhone
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Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Pre-arrival,
10
available
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97+ points Rhone Report: "A deep, voluptuous, and concentrated Chateauneuf-du-Pape that's a blend of 100% Grenache that is aged all in foudre and neutral barrel, the 2010 Domaine Pierre Usseglio Cuvee de mon Aieul is deep purple and semi-opaque in color and offers up a spectacular bouquet of blackberry, raspberry liqueur, roasted meats, spring flowers, licorice, and edgy minerality. Checking in at over 16% alcohol, yet showing no heat on the nose, it is fresh and beautifully focused aromatically. This full-bodied, layered, and lavishly textured Chateauneuf-du-Pape has fantastic concentration and masses of ripe tannin that are only partially concealed by the wine's fruit. While possibly a notch down from the '07, this is about as good as this cuvee gets. It will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age, and drink beautifully for 2+ decades. (Sep 2012)"
94-96 points Robert Parker: "In total contrast, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Mon Aieul has intense blueberry, black raspberry and lavender notes that jump from the glass of this opaque purple-colored wine. It is 100% Grenache in 2010, all coming from three of their finest vineyards -- Les Grandes Serres in the southern part of the appellation, planted in 1926, La Crau, which of course is the famous sector in the eastern part of Chateauneuf du Pape and an early maturing one, and Guigasse, which is in the northerly sector, next to the sandy soils of the lieu-dit known as Pignan, as well as Grand Pierre. This wine tips the scales at about 16.5% alcohol, finishes completely dry and has no heat. The yields were a preposterous 16 hectoliters per hectare. I wouldn’t be surprised if this impressive wine jumps a few points in score, as it is still primary, backward and super-concentrated. It will need 3-5 years of cellaring and then drink well for at least two decades. (Oct 2011)"
93-95 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "(all grenache): Opaque ruby. Powerful aromas of blackberry, lavender, cola and licorice, with a spicy topnote. Supersweet, broad and lush, with explosive red and dark berry flavors complicated by candied flowers and allspice. Finishes with resonating spiciness, broad velvety tannins and superb length. (Jan/Feb 2012)"
94 points Wine Spectator: "A bold, ripe, almost heady style, with thickly layered blueberry, fig and boysenberry fruit laced with mouthwatering spice and melted black licorice, followed by a long, fruitcake-filled finish. This has the stuffing and grip for cellaring, but ultimately for fans of the more bombastic style. Best from 2014 through 2030. 400 cases made. (10/15/12)"
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