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$21.95
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RP 91
WS 91
France
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Rhone
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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
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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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$17.95
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RR 92
RP 91
France
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Rhone
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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List $22.00
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92+ points Rhone Report: "More tight, backwards, and mineral-driven than the La Font d'Estévenas, the 2010 Domaine Daniel et Denis Alary Côtes du Rhône Villages Cairanne Vieilles Vignes is a blend of Grenache and Mourvedre that is aged all in neutral wood. It is a gorgeous, classy effort that delivers clean aromas of black cherry, spiced raspberries, licorice, crushed stone, pepper, and subtle roasted herbs. This elegant, yet concentrated Cairanne has a lively, energetic texture, great acidity, and fantastic persistence and focus on the finish. Give bottles 2-3 years in the cellar, and then enjoy over the following decade. (Sep 2012)"
91 points Robert Parker: "[$22 list] The 2010 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Cairanne Vieilles Vignes is composed of 2/3 Grenache and the rest mostly Syrah with a tiny amount of old vine Carignan. It also is aged in tank and bottled unfiltered. A superb sleeper of the vintage, it boasts a dense ruby/purple color as well as copious notes of black currants, black cherries, earth, pepper, spice box and a hint of mountain laurel. This full-throttle 2010 possesses sweet tannin as well as an intriguing texture. It should drink nicely for 4-6 years. (Oct 2012)"
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$10.95
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France
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Rhone
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Other
In stock,
3
available
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List $15.00
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Denis Alary, according to La Revue du Vin de France's "Le Classement des Meilleurs Vins de France," "produces serious and solid wines...possessing an undeniable charm." The La Gerbaude, from an eponymous parcel within the Cairanne AOC, is a ripe, round, plummy affair made from 75% Grenache, 15% Carignan and 15% Syrah. This is one of those terrific Southern Rhônes you can quaff all day long, with or without food, while wallowing in its seductive, lavender-inflected perfume and lush, opulent texture.
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$36.95
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WS 93
WA 90
IWC 90
France
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Alsace
In stock,
7
available
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List $43.00
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93 points Wine Spectator: "There's a lovely purity and transparency to this elegant white, showcasing its minerality, which drives the spring blossom, white peach and grapefruit zest flavors. The citrusy acidity shows precision and adds a streamlined quality, with a long, white pepper-laced finish. Drink now through 2025. 100 cases imported. (2/28/11)"
90 points David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate): "[$43 list] At 13.5% alcohol and a scarcely-detectable 8 grams of residual sugar, the Albert Mann 2009 Riesling Schlossberg boasts an engaging aroma of fennel, mint, grapefruit, honeydew melon and saline, alkaline sea breeze, anticipating a generously juicy, saliva-inducing and refreshing palate performance. There is lovely, sappy, lip-smacking length, and a combination of lift and mineral dimension such as one encounters too seldom in this vintage. Enjoy this over the next 7-9 years. (May 2011)"
90 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "(13.5% alcohol, 8 g/l r.s. and 6.7 acidity) Bright pale yellow. Pungent aromas of grapefruit, quinine and lemon verbena. Chewy, pliant and slightly sweet, with intense, juicy flavors of citrus peel and lichee. A bit exotically ripe for this cuvee but smooth, refined and perfumed. Finishes with excellent dusty length. Mann's Schlossberg riesling can be extremely stony and dry but the 2009 version won't hurt your teeth. (Nov/Dec 2010)"
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$13.95
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RR 88–91
France
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Rhone
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Other
In stock,
2
available
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88-91 points Rhone Report: "A promising barrel sample that has loads of southern Rhône flair, the 2011 Domaine Amido Lirac (60% Mourvedre, 20% Carignan, 15% Syrah, and 5% Grenache) has loads of spice-laced blackberry, garrigue, leather, and hints of crushed flowers emerging from the glass. This is followed by a beautifully put together red that is balanced, has good acidity, and plenty of ripe tannin framing the finish. Given the balance and quality of fruit, this possibly outstanding 2011 should be approachable on release, yet drink well for 3-5 years. (Sep 2012)"
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$41.95
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JG 87
France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
In stock, 12+ available
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87+ points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The 2008 Chambolle AC is quite good and surprisingly, my favorite wine in this range. The nose offers up classic Chambolle notes of red and black cherries, dark chocolate, lovely soil tones, woodsmoke and a judicious touch of new wood. On the palate the wine is medium-full, long and tangy, with solid complexity and good length and grip. A very respectable bottle of Chambolle villages. 2014-2030. (Mar/Apr 2010)"
Allen Meadows (Burghound): "his is also extremely fresh and airy with a pretty mélange of red and blue pinot fruit with similar floral notes that merge into vibrant, clean and pure middle weight flavors that are supported by mildly edgy structural elements on the short and slightly dry finish. Drink: 2013+. (Jan 2011)"
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$49.95
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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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Allen Meadows (Burghound): "A somber if still pretty nose of earth, stone and the same dark berry fruit aromas leads to rich, full-bodied and delicious flavors blessed with good mid-palate fat while being underpinned by firmer and also mildly rustic tannins. This is a good but not especially elegant Chambolle though I do like the persistence. Drink: 2014+. (Jan 2011)"
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$49.95
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AM 88
France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
In stock,
6
available
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88 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "A lightly spiced nose of red and blue pinot fruit has its expressiveness reduced by noticeable reduction so be sure to decant this if you're going to try one young. The lacy, pure and round mineral-inflected flavors are forward and very supple, all wrapped in a dusty, delicious and mouth coating finish. This notably pretty effort is very Chambollesque in character. Drink: 2017+. (Apr 2013)"
Jasper Morris (Inside Burgundy): "This domaine is run by Christian Amiot (one of the sons of Pierre Amiot from Morey-St-Denis) who is married to Elisabeth Servelle, daughter of Bernard Servelle-Tachot... The domaine has been farmed organically from 2003, with AB certification from the 2008 vintage. The wines taste fresh and modern although there is no great reliance on oak--20 per cent new wood is used for the village wine, and up to 50 per cent for the two top premiers crus... (2010)"
Clive Coates (The Wines of Burgundy): "Quality has improved... The wines now are very good, indeed. (2008)"
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$69.95
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France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
In stock,
6
available
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Allen Meadows (Burghound): "This seems mildly evolved already and the wisps of secondary fruit are, surprisingly, apparent. The complex... flavors are chewy... Drink: 2013+. (Jan 2011)"
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$79.95
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France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
In stock,
2
available
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Allen Meadows (Burghound): "A wild red berry fruit nose that is a bit fresher and more elegant than the Les Plantes is quite densely fruited which complements well the supple, generous and seductively textured flavors that possess solid depth and extract on the long and lightly mineral-infused finish. Very good if not truly special. Drink: 2015+. (Jan 2012)"
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$74.95
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AM 89–92
France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
In stock, 12+ available
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89-92 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "Mild reduction detracts only mildly from the red and black pinot fruit that also displays a subtle hint of crushed herbs. The dusty and sappy middle weight flavors are supported by very fine tannins and good richness on the long and mouth coating finish. There is a bit more mid-palate concentration here compared to the Les Plantes and Feusselottes. Drink: 2017+. (Jan 2012)"
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$79.95
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France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
In stock,
1
available
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Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(Amiot-Servelle is one of only two proprietors). Here the nose offers extremely fresh aromas of raspberry and strawberry that complement textured, concentrated and detailed middle weight flavors that are delicious, focused and impressively complex... Drink: 2014+. (Jan 2011)"
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$89.95
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AM 90
France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
In stock,
9
available
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90 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(Amiot-Servelle is one of only two proprietors). This is quite ripe, indeed to the extent of having mocha and cassis aromas that manage to retain a reasonable sense of freshness. The suave, round and delicious middle weight flavors are quite textured as here too there is ample dry extract that renders the firm tannins almost invisible on the mouth coating yet slightly bitter finish where a hint of wood toast surfaces. In contrast to the villages Chambolle however, there appears to be enough extract present to allow the tannins to round out and thus my score offers the benefit of the doubt. Drink: 2016+. (Jan 2012)"
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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,
5
available
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Allen Meadows (Burghound): "Classic ruby. A cool, restrained, ultra elegant and airy nose features very pure black cherry and raspberry fruit aromas along with a sauvage note that complement the round yet detailed middle weight flavors that possess good energy and a touch of minerality on the ever-so-slightly under ripe finish... Drink: 2014+. (Jan 2011)"
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$69.95
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AM 90
France
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Burgundy
-
Cote d'Or Red
In stock,
5
available
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90 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "This is a very ripe Feusselottes with notes of cassis and black raspberry though here too there is enough reduction to notice. The dense and quite seductively textured medium-bodied flavors possess a silky mouth feel on the balanced and lingering finish where a hint of mineral character emerges. This is almost delicate and is an understated wine of finesse. Drink: 2017+. (Apr 2013)"
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$69.95
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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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Allen Meadows (Burghound): "This also displays just a hint of reduction that serves to reduce the expressiveness of the nose though aggressive swirling liberates notes of reticent red currant, briar and wet stone. There is excellent verve to the middle weight flavors that exude mineral and soil tones before terminating in a quite finely detailed finish that lacks the same depth as the best here. Drink: 2018+. (Apr 2013)"
Jasper Morris (Inside Burgundy): "This domaine is run by Christian Amiot (one of the sons of Pierre Amiot from Morey-St-Denis) who is married to Elisabeth Servelle, daughter of Bernard Servelle-Tachot... The domaine has been farmed organically from 2003, with AB certification from the 2008 vintage. The wines taste fresh and modern although there is no great reliance on oak--20 per cent new wood is used for the village wine, and up to 50 per cent for the two top premiers crus... (2010)"
Clive Coates (The Wines of Burgundy): "Quality has improved... The wines now are very good, indeed. (2008)"
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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,
10
available
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Allen Meadows (Burghound): "A somewhat riper nose of red raspberry and a touch of cassis marries into rich, full and delicious flavors that possess more volume if less detail... I like the energy...Drink: 2014. (Jan 2011)"
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$64.95
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France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
In stock,
8
available
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Allen Meadows (Burghound): "This is both fresher and more elegant with a red berry liqueur nose cut with notes of spice and earth that gives way to rich but nicely detailed middle weight flavors that posses firm yet ripe and well-integrated tannins, all wrapped in a mouth coating finish where a touch of wood surfaces. (Jan 2011)"
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$69.95
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AM 89–91
France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
In stock, 12+ available
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89-91 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "Relatively strong reduction knocks down the nose though it's clear that the underlying fruit is ripe. The nicely rich and round flavors possess good volume and this too offers a supple and silky mouth feel on the delicious, balanced and persistent finish. This is not quite as refined as the Feusselottes but displays a bit more complexity. A qualitative choice. Drink: 2016+. (Jan 2012)"
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$149.95
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AM 92
France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
In stock,
8
available
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92 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "A cool, pure and restrained nose features notes of pungent earth, humus, underbrush, spice and freshly crushed red berries. There is a touch of the sauvage to the round, generous and fleshy medium weight plus flavors that possess good size and weight before culminating in a well-detailed, complex and lingering finish. Drink: 2019+. (Apr 2013)"
Producer notes: "One of the first plots along the 'Route des Grands Crus', on the Morey side which is also entitled to the appellation of Mazoyères-Chambertin Grand Cru. On the nose, nearly candied, develops strong aromas of black fruit. This appellation always displays a strong density due to the small loose clusters able to mature easily. This wine is aptly named due to its very rich tannins and a slightly sweet taste at mid-palate."
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$159.95
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AM 93
France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
In stock,
6
available
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93 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "A spicy, ripe and exuberant nose of plum, raspberry and warm earth is followed by rich, round and very seductive medium-bodied flavors that possess a lovely mix of power and complexity before culminating in a relatively powerful and mouth coating finish. This is very Clos St. Denis in character with its combination of finesse and taut muscularity and the overall impression is one of contrast, which is to say a broad-scaled wine of finesse. As expressive as this is today I got the distinct sense that this is going to close down hard in the near future and will also require extended cellaring before it's again ready for prime time. Drink: 2023+. (Apr 2013)"
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$109.95
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France
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Burgundy
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Cote d'Or Red
In stock,
1
available
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Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Medium red. Medicinal black cherry on the nose. Then sweet and lively in the mouth, with an enticing sugar/acid balance. Complex flavors of black fruits, spices and licorice. Structured, firmly tannic wine with very good length and a touch of dryness. (May/Apr 2006)"
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$58.95
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France
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Burgundy
-
Cote d'Or Red
In stock, 12+ available
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Robert Ampeau is among a small breed of traditional producers that holds back releasing its wines until after several years in bottle, and sometimes after several decades. Among those "in the know", Ampeau is considered one the greatest buys in all of Burgundy. However, the wines are nearly impossible to find here in the US. Most never leave France, where local collectors quickly snatch up the lion's share of any and all new releases.
We are one of the few merchants in US to have worked significantly with Ampeau directly over the years. As a result of our relationship, we were afforded the opportunity to get in on their latest release of 1993 Volnay Santenots, a wine considered by many (including us) as the best red in their cellar. As a domaine known mostly for whites, the Volnay Santenots often gets overlooked in Ampeau's stable of production. However, their Santenots is one of the greatest examples of the vineyard you will find from any producer, even including Lafon.
We've had the pleasure of tasting the 1993 on multiple occasions and each time it's been nothing less than stunning. You won't find any professional reviews on the wine (due to the fact the winery does not allow critics to taste out of barrel), but you can find numerous community tasting notes on cellartracker.com where 77 people score it on average 91.3 points with a median score of 92 points. Personally, we would put it at 93 or 94 points, but whatever. Point being, this is one the greatest pristinely aged wines for the price you will find on the market, now or at any time in the future.
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