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$18.95
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France
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Rhone
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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Not yet reviewed; 2010 vintage rated 91 points by Wine Spectator: "This offers a lovely creamy feel, as enticing Cavaillon melon, pear and fig flavors are offset by hints of tangerine and bitter almond on the richly layered finish. Drink now through 2013. 50 cases imported."
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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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$17.95
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IWC 88
WA 87
France
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Alsace
In stock, 12+ available
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List $24.00
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88 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "(14% alcohol, 24 g/l r.s. and 4.4 acidity) Pale, green-tinged yellow. Varietally expressive aromas of lichee, smoked meat, brown spices and rose petal. Silky-smooth and sweet, with spice and meat flavors similar to the aromas. An easygoing and open-knit wine of good but not outstanding clarity and intensity, finishing with a light dusting of tannins and alcohol under control. (Nov/Dec 2010)"
87 points David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate): "[$24 list] Overtly sweet even at 14% alcohol, the Mann 2009 Gewurztraminer incorporates much of this year’s crop from the Altenbourg. Celery seed, litchi, rose petal, and saline, marine breeze in the nose lead to a full, subtly creamy, palpably low-acid, but fortunately persistently juicy palate, finishing somewhat simple and obviously sweet. Jacky Barthelme insists 'this is too good for a generic,' and I sympathize in terms of his willingness to declassify cru material, but in terms of the wine’s performance, it seems to me to have been classed correctly. Drink it over the next several years. (May 2011)"
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$13.95
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WS 88
IWC 87
WA 87
France
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Alsace
In stock, 12+ available
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List $18.00
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88 points Wine Spectator: "This displays fine balance between earth and salt notes and lemon curd, white peach and white pepper flavors. It's subtly juicy, with good layers of flavor set in a light-bodied frame. Drink now through 2012. 900 cases imported. (4/30/11)"
87 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Straw-yellow. Musky soft citrus fruits, hazelnut and spring flowers on the nose. Fat, supple and slightly sweet, but with good shape to its creamy stone fruit and spice flavors. A persistent, easygoing midweight with modest complexity. (Nov/Dec 2010)"
87 points David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate): "[$18 list] A roughly 70-30 Auxerrois-true Pinot blend as usual, the Mann 2009 Pinot Blanc is juicily laden with honeydew and musk melon, soft in feel, and attractively tinged with herbs and orange zest. Enjoy it over the next 12-18 months. (May 2011)"
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$17.95
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WS 90
IWC 88
WA 88
France
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Alsace
In stock, 12+ available
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List $24.00
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90 points Wine Spectator: "[$24 list] A pretty, aromatic white, this finds a fine fit for its delicate flavors of honeydew melon, peach, orange zest and spice. Dry and tangy, with lovely purity of flavor and balance. Drink now through 2016. 150 cases imported. (2/28/11)"
88 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "[$24 list] Bright light-medium yellow. Aromas of yellow peach, ginger and smoke, with a spicy component building with air. Moderately sweet (9 g/l r.s.) but with a sound, nicely buffered spine of acidity lending support. Shows the fruity side of the variety and finishes off-dry, with good dusty persistence. (Nov/Dec 2010)"
88 points David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate): "Lemon, orange and basil scent the Mann 2009 Riesling Cuvee Albert in a Muscat-like manner -- a resemblance that persists on a pungent, yet generously juicy palate. There is a melon-rind bitterness that -- along with a hint of cinnamon basil -- add to the stimulation of the finish, and a good balance has been struck between 9 grams of residual sugar scarcely noticeable as such and a moderate 13.2% alcohol. (May 2011)"
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$19.95
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France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or White
In stock,
3
available
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Amiot-Servelle produces fruity wines in which balance and elegance prevail, and this 2010 vintage is no exception. Fresh and nicely aromatic. Expressive aromas of white flowers, brioche, hazelnut and a hint of vanilla. Nice amplitude in the mouth, with a lovely intensity of white flowers, hazelnut, pear and vanilla. Elegant and refined, this Bourgogne blanc offers a harmonious balance, a hint of minerality and a very pleasant finish.
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$14.95
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France
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Rhone
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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List $18.00
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Robert Parker: "[$18 list] The 2010 Cotes du Rhone Clementia Blanc, an innovative blend of 45% Viognier, 45% Roussanne and 10% Clairette, exhibits a light gold color (probably due to the Roussanne) as well as good freshness, elegance and straightforward, medium-bodied flavors... (Aug 2011)"
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$12.95
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France
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South of France
In stock, 12+ available
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A surprisingly lush, full example of its appellation that might disappoint those looking for more typically bright, tart, lighter Picpoul virtues. Ripe pear and honeydew melon are tinged with pungent herbs as well as bitter melon rind and pear pip, and a hint of white pepper in the finish adds further stimulation.
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$9.95
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France
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South of France
In stock,
3
available
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A surprisingly lush, full example of its appellation that might disappoint those looking for more typically bright, tart, lighter Picpoul virtues. Ripe pear and honeydew melon are tinged with pungent herbs as well as bitter melon rind and pear pip, and a hint of white pepper in the finish adds further stimulation.
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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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$39.95
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France
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Burgundy
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Macon/Chalonnaise
In stock,
1
available
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This top cuvée from the brothers Jean-Pierre and Michel Auvigue drinks like grand cru Burgundy from the Côte d'Or, but at a fraction of the price. We recently popped one of these at a dinner party and haven't stopped recommending it since. Jean-Pierre and Michel are third generation proprietors at this property right in the heart of the Mâconnais. Robert Parker notes that "Their wines...are among the top half-dozen wines produced in the region... they are favorites at [many] important restaurants in France." The rich nose of tropical fruit, floral and lemon hints with toasted notes leads to surprisingly vibrant structure in the mouth, excellent balance and very good length. We appreciate the fresh-coated roundness and richness that brings complexity to this great wine of gastronomy. An ideal companion to Fettuccini Alfredo, roasted chicken with French fries, or foie gras.
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$25.95
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AM 89–91
WA 89–91
France
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Burgundy
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Chablis
In stock, 12+ available
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89-91 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "A classic Chablis nose offers up plenty of saline and oyster shell-infused green fruit that complements well the detailed, racy and impressively pure middle weight flavors that possess a lovely minerality on the focused and linear finish. This is textbook Chablis from start to finish. Drink: 2015+. (Oct 2011)"
89-91 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "The 2010 Chablis Vau de Vey is considerably cooler and more inward than the Beauroy, reflecting the personality of this cold, late-ripening site. The Vau de Vey shows excellent focus and verve in its intense white fruit, flowers and sea shells. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025. (Aug 2011)"
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$21.95
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WA 88
France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or White
In stock,
4
available
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88 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "Bacheler’s 2009 Bourgogne Aligote is a rich, generous wine with attractive up-front richness and fine balance. Clean, saline notes inform the bracing finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012+. (Sep 2011)"
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$24.95
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France
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Loire
In stock, 12+ available
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Producer notes: "A luminous robe, pale and clear. Aromas of white flowers, notes of vanilla. Fruity, unctuous, a mineral character, honey, vanilla. A long finish. Serving suggestions: Fish in cream, shellfish, cheese of character. It is ideal as an aperitif. A novel partner for foie gras."
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$19.95
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France
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Loire
In stock,
1
available
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The Bailly family have been winemakers in Sancerre since 1700. This is a classic styled Sancerre from Bailly's vineyards in and around the village of Bué, one of the greatest villages in the appellation. 100% Sauvignon Blanc.
Not yet reviewed; 2010 vintage rated 93 points by John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The 2010 Sancerre 'Terroirs' from Sylvain Bailly is classic Bué terres blanches Sancerre, with a depth and complex refinement that is very special indeed. The deep, complex and classy nose wafts from the glass in a seamless blend of gooseberry, lime zest, tart orange, suave, chalky minerality, white flowers, cut grass and just a touch of white pepper in the upper register. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and tightly-knit, with a great core of fruit, laser-like focus and cut, impeccable balance and great grip on the very long and intensely flavored finish. This is as good as Bué Sancerre gets! 2012-2020."
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$16.95
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AM 87
France
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Burgundy
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Chablis
In stock, 12+ available
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87 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(from 10 to 15 year old vines). This also displays a classic nose of green fruit, citrus and oyster shell nuances that can be found on the very fresh, crisp and dry flavors that possess enough flesh to be enjoyed now but I would advise cellaring this for 2 to 3 years first. In sum, perfectly good if not distinguished for its level. Drink: 2012+. (Oct 2010)"
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$21.95
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WS 89
France
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South of France
In stock, 12+ available
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List $27.00
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89 points Wine Spectator: "[$27 list] An intense, focused white, displaying interesting notes of chalk and sea salt to the firm flavors of apple, melon and smoke. Hints of dried apricot and lavender mark the finish. Drink now through 2017. 30 cases imported. (2012)"
Producer notes: "With a production of 1,250 cases, the Bandol Blanc consists primarily of Clairette and Ugni Blanc, with Bourboulenc and Sauvignon Blanc rounding out the blend and bringing aromatic complexity and freshness. Malolactic fermentation avoided. After fermentation, the wine was aged 5 months in stainless steel tanks or concrete before bottling."
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$19.95
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France
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Loire
In stock,
1
available
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Wine Spectator on the 1999 vintage: "Straightforward dessert wine, with sweet tangerine and lime candy notes... Good length on the finish."
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$67.95
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WS 95
WE 95
WA 92
France
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Loire
In stock, 12+ available
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List $85.00
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95 points Wine Spectator: "[$85 list] Rich, but pure and incredibly focused, with a laser beam of chamomile and quince cutting through the core of dried pineapple, white peach, Cavaillon melon and green plum. The finish has buried minerality, gorgeous mouthfeel and superb length. Drink now through 2030. 1,500 cases made. (9/30/11)"
95 points and 'Cellar Selection,' Wine Enthusiast: "With so much intensity, botrytis and concentration, this is going to be impressive. It is still very young, at a closed stage, but the ripe currant as well as the honey dominate. Great wine. (Jun 2011)"
92 points David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate): "Linden (i.e. basswood) honey and lily perfume; candied lime and grapefruit peel; quince preserves and pineapple scent the Baumard 2008 Quarts de Chaume and inform a glycerin-rich, oily, soothingly-unctuous palate that preserves elements of fresh citrus and salinity sufficient to call forth salivation and at least go some way toward offsetting what is for now extreme sweetness. The sheer persistence of flavor here is remarkable. This is likely to be a very long-lived (20+ year) and perhaps eventually an extraordinary wine. But for now it does not approach the complexity not to mention the sense of balance exhibited by the corresponding Coteaux du Layon Sainte Catherine. (Aug 2010)"
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$19.95
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WA 92
France
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Loire
In stock, 12+ available
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List $25.00
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92 points David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate): "[$25 list] Baumard’s 'regular' (a.k.a. Clos St.-Yves) 2008 Savennieres bursts from the glass in an exuberant bouquet of buddleia and apple blossom; quince and intimations of wet stone. This transcends the poise and clarity exhibited by several immediately preceding Clos du Papillon bottlings and suggests that -- chronologically speaking -- we have moved up into a new echelon of expressiveness. The bitter, piquant notes of toasted nut, quinine, white pepper, and fruit pit here are extremely subtle and integrated into a matrix of lusciously juicy pear, white peach, and quince. A salvia-inducing salinity and scallop-like sweetness ally themselves to the stony mineral elements in this wine’s long finishing colloquy with flowers and fruits, and there is a levity and refreshment -- and sheer drinkability -- that I have not noticed in previous Baumard Savennieres -- particularly pre-2007. Yet there is still ample sense of glycerin-richness and subtle oiliness. The combination of roughly a half percent less alcohol and more expressive acidity renders this drier-tasting than its 2006 and 2007 counterparts. Florent Baumard admits that a lesser percentage of his 2008s went through malo-lactic transformation than in most vintages, though I did not have chance to check precise analytical data on that. This sensational value is a delight to drink now. Whether it will 'suffer' on that account a reduced 'life span' must remain to be seen, although if anything my intuition is that this will be lovely for a decade, but that you would be foolish to deprive yourself of its short-term pleasure. (Aug 2010)"
Producer notes: "A round, smooth, and well balanced wine. Savennières is a tiny region located on the northern banks of the Loire River, just across from the town of Rochefort Sur Loire. The entire appellation consists of fewer than 200 acres (77 hectares) of vines, all planted to Chenin Blanc. The South/Southeast facing vineyards are planted on unique soils composed of schistous volcanic debris mixed with sandstone and granite, imparting a strong, intensely original minerality to the Chenin Blanc grape. Maximum permitted yields are the lowest in France for dry whites (25 hl/ha), resulting in wines of stunning concentration and perfume. The combination of this concentration with the naturally high acidity of the Chenin Blanc grape results in wines capable of lasting and improving for decades. This wine is par excellence, a wine to accompany grilled fish or sauce, seafood, hors d'oeuvres."
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$159.95
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RR 97
W&S 97
WS 96
France
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Rhone
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Chateauneuf-du-Pape
In stock,
7
available
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List $195.00
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97 points Rhone Report: "A profound white, the 100% Roussanne 2010 Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Cuvee Roussanne Vieilles Vignes is more fresh and focused than the traditional blanc (and that's saying something) and delivers spectacularly pure, delineated aromas of fresh peach, apricot, toasted bread, almond paste, and serious minerality. This is followed by a medium to full-bodied wine that is perfectly balanced and possesses a brilliant texture, superb focus and clarity, and classic finish. Brilliant now, this should also age beautifully. Given the general aging curve of these wines, I wouldn't hesitate to drink bottles over the coming 3-4 years, but after that, would hold off until a decade after the vintage. Thrilling stuff and this is a great vintage for Beaucastel. (Sep 2011)"
97 points and 'Year's Best Rhone,' Wine & Spirits: "[$195 list] 'I want to rub myself in it,' one taster said, completely seduced by this wine. He wasn’t the only one completely smitten by its play of cashew richness and firm warm stone, its billowy satin texture and its quiet wildflower tones. This is exceptional in its vivid portrayal of a place, the heat of the sun on stones and the cool of the air palpable in a sip, and yet it’s understated, elegant, the product of a patch of carefully tended roussanne vines that are a quarter-century old. (Feb 2013)"
96 points Wine Spectator: "[$195 list] Very rich, this cuts a broad swath, delivering a remarkably lush yet pure core of papaya, mango, green melon and green plum fruit all stitched with macadamia nut, brioche and honeysuckle notes that chime through the superlong finish. There's a great buried stony edge. Roussanne. Drink now through 2024. 200 cases imported. (2/29/12)"
93-95 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "Light yellow. An explosively perfumed bouquet evokes Meyer lemon, pear skin, jasmine and minerals. Sappy and penetrating, projecting a compelling blend of richness and vivacity. Powerful, incisive orchard fruit and candied citrus qualities put on weight with air and pick up a touch of bitter quinine that carries through the very long, palate-staining finish. Marc Perrin told me that it's a mistake to associate roussanne exclusively with opulence 'because when it's planted on limestone it keeps its freshness. The numbers are low on paper but what's in the glass is bright and contradicts the math and oenologists' predictions.' (Jan/Feb 2012)"
94 points Robert Parker: "The luxury cuvee, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Vieilles Vignes (Roussanne) (100% Roussanne aged in one-year-old barrels as well as new oak that no longer undergoes malolactic fermentation) is a prodigious dry white. A luxurious amount of rose water notes intermixed with honeysuckle, pineapple, nectarine, peach and subtle smoke emerge from this beauty. It possesses a terrific texture, zesty acids, an unmistakable minerality and a sumptuous personality. (Oct 2011)"
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$169.95
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RP 98
WS 96
France
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Rhone
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Chateauneuf-du-Pape
In stock, 12+ available
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List $195.00
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98 points Robert Parker: "The Beaucastel 2011 Roussanne Vieilles Vignes is another remarkable wine. Think of it as the 2010 with more minerality and precision. It has astonishing richness and length as well as massive body with great acidity. Drink it over the next 5-8 years. (Oct 2012)"
96 points Wine Spectator: "[$195 list] Dense, with creamy layers of pear, apple, green plum and acacia honey all carried by well-embedded acidity. The long finish lets salted butter, chamomile and macadamia nut flavors unfurl nicely, but there's still plenty in reserve for cellaring. Best from 2013 through 2020. 300 cases imported. (10/31/12)"
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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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$59.95
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France
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Champagne
In stock, 12+ available
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List $90.00
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All Chardonnay from an assortment of premier and grand cru vineyards.
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$59.95
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France
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Champagne
In stock,
1
available
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List $90.00
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A "grower Champagne" (aka "Farmer Fizz") from the same folks who make our best-selling non-vintage brut, Berthelot's Cuvée du Centenaire is produced only in exceptional vintages, such as 2004. This cuvée is a blend of approximately 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir, grown in grand cru sites in and around Aÿ and in premier cru vineyards in Dizy, with an average vine age of 40 years. For a Champagne produced mostly from Chardonnay, it is unbelievably opulent, with a lush nose redolent of hazelnut, cashew, and fresh-from-the-oven brioche. In the mouth it is surprisingly rich, with flavors that evoke dried fruits such as apricot and white raisin, finishing with a blast of citrus zest. This is frighteningly close in quality to the luxury cuvées issued by the grandes marques but at about half the price and is not to be missed.
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