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$19.95
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France
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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40% Syrah, 40% Carignan, 20% Grenache from clay and limestone soils in the Vivarais area of southeast France near Côtes du Rhône. Winemaker Andrea Calek espouses a natural wine philosophy. Leaning always toward freshness, he builds his wine based on taste and uses no sulfur to damage the true nature of his fruit.
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$13.95
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France
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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16/20 pointsLa Revue du Vin de France: "The Chignin Vieilles Vignes is taut, well-defined, finely crisp with citrus zest. (2012)"
Only the Jacquère grape as grown in the village of Chignin can be used to produce this wine. It's light and fresh, but surprisingly well-balanced, with notes of island white flowers and citrus, and a pleasurably long finish. It pairs wonderfully with any seafood or cheese dish. Locally in the French Alps, it often accompanies an assortment of charcuterie (smoked meats and sausages with sauerkraut and apples). This is a wine meant to be enjoyed young. Denis and Didier Berthollier are the next generation of vignerons working the land established by their forebears a century ago. They're balancing modern viticulture and vinification methods with traditional practices in their operation, and their wines are being recognized for it.
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$21.95
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WE 91
France
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Other
In stock,
9
available
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List $33.00
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91 points and 'Cellar Selection,' Wine Enthusiast: "[$33 list] Dense and complex wine, packed with the ripest fruit. It has powerful tannins, although they are easily balanced by the rich plum and damson flavors. The wine is solid, chunky, based on a dry and firm core, ready for aging over 4 years. Malbec. Alcohol 14%. (Mar 2012)"
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$10.95
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France
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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50% Gros Manseng, 25% Sauvignon Blanc and 25% Ugni Blanc old vines. The dry white Côtes de Gascogne wine is grown in chalky and white clay soils, which imparts a mineral/fruity/floral flavor profile. Matured over 10 months on fine lees and stirred weekly. Serve as an aperitif, with apetizers, grilled fish, shellfish, lobster, or fish in cream sauce.
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$12.95
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France
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Other
In stock,
3
available
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Not yet reviewed; 2007 vintage rated 88 points by Wine Advocate: "...barrel-aged, 100% Gros Manseng... Honeydew melon, narcissus, honeysuckle, and orange zest in the nose lead to a lush, expansive, persistent palate impression, featuring some of the slight oiliness, honeyed richness, and musky, exotic animal notes familiar to those who drink Jurancon. Plan to enjoy this within the coming year."
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$12.95
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France
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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A ripe, fruity, earthy, medium-bodied white from 100% Gros Manseng, this wine exhibits aromas of pineapple and honey. Great maturity, but fresh and lively. The soave mouthfeel and the depth of flavors reflect the long 12-month aging on the lees in 50% large oak casks and 50% concrete vats. Partial malolactic fermentation. Serving suggestions: Versatile. Salads, cheese, fish, white meats. Alcohol 13.5%.
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$12.95
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France
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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From Jurançon, Gascony, Southwest France. Jurançon is known for both its dry and sweet wines, with Gros Manseng typically used for the former and Petit Manseng for the latter. Clos Lapeyre is the leader of the region, producing sapid, soulful wines highly expressive of their terroir. Imagine a hypothetical blend of Sauvignon Blanc (without the grassiness) and Chenin Blanc (minus the wet wool): pale gold color; dried apricot, peach, and acacia on the nose. Terrific minerality in the mouth.
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$15.95
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France
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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Its name says it all--"MiP" for "Made in Provence". Despite its incredibly pale color, this 100% Cinsault-based rosé is not shy in its aromatics or flavor. Aromas of citrus and a touch of herb. The palate overflows with raspberry, red currant and orange zest before finishing with plenty of nervy acidity. Pair with any summer fare especially grilled seafood, aioli, cold soups, lightly dressed salads, and with hors d’oeuvres.
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$15.95
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France
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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Producer notes: "100% Négrette. Elegant and displays a fine structure with aromas of flowers, pear and licorice."
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$16.95
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France
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Other
In stock,
9
available
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Pineau des Charentes is regional French aperitif, made in the départements of Charente and Charente-Maritime in western France. While popular in Charente, it is less well-known in other regions of France and somewhat uncommon abroad. It is a fortified wine made from a blend of lightly-fermented grape must and Cognac eau-de-vie. Grape varieties include Semillon, Colombard and Ugni blanc. Oak aged for 3 years. Serve chilled. Alcohol 17%.
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$11.95
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France
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Other
In stock,
10
available
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List $19.00
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From the Altesse varietal, Jacquin's Roussette de Savoie Marestel is another delicious, thirst-quenching wine from Savoie, this time with more body than Jacquère or Chasselas, and more subtle aromas than Roussanne. Quince, flowers, apricot and a touch of honey rise from the medium-bodied palate, which finishes with just a hint of mountain tonic. A wonderful match for light to medium-bodied white fish, cold chicken salads, shrimp dim sum, and crab fritters.
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$11.95
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France
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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Producer notes: "Jean-Luc Colombo has forged an international reputation as one of the most visionary and imaginative winemakers in France's Rhône Valley. Colombo has turned to the vineyards of the blue coast near Marseille for the inspiration behind his Cape Bleue Rosé. The vines grow on calcareous rocks overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and a landscape composed of peaceful olive trees and the garrigue. This dry Rosé, a blend of 67% Syrah and 33% Mourvèdre, has complex flavors of fresh raspberries, cherries, a hint of black olive and finishes with an elegant touch of freshness and spice. Serve with a wide range of fish, poultry and vegetarian fare or as simply as an aperitif at a café terrace by the water's edge."
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$13.95
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France
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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100% Pinot Noir from the little-known commune of Châteaumeillant in central France, southeast of the Loire Valley. Beautiful garnet color. The nose is expressive, revealing beautiful aromas of red fruits. The freshness on the palate reveals the soul of Pinot Noir. Elegant and finessed tannins lead to a spicy note on the finish.
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$11.95
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France
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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The Apremont cuvée is made with pure Jacquère, and provides clean, citrus fruit notes along with soft mineral notes and thirst-quenching acidity. This wine makes for a light and crisp aperitif, and is also excellent at the table with trout, perch, smoked salmon, or mountain cheeses like tomme and raclette.
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$24.95
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France
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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Importer notes: "100% Chardonnay. Organically grown, not certified. The vines, which range in age from 30 to 55 years old, are the main asset of this vineyard. They produce few but very concentrated grapes. Pair this wine with parsnip fritter, fish, white meat. Only 150 cases produced. Alcohol 13.4%. Drink over the next 5 to 10 years."
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$16.95
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France
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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Dave Phinney, the mastermind behind Orin Swift (The Prisoner) has once again created a one-of-a-kind wine. While standing on a curb waiting for a taxi at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, Dave noticed the ubiquitous country code stickers on the back of cars. The proverbial light bulb went on for a new idea. That idea was to make a wine combining the best grape varieties from great "locations" in Europe and apply the sticker as the label. What he has created is once again astounding. The second release, "F1" (for "France") from this project is a beautiful blend of Grenache from the Roussillon, Syrah from the Rhône, and assorted Bordeaux varietals.
Tasting Notes: "Opaque with ruby accents, the wine is intensely perfumed with aromas of vivid wild berry, warm spice, plum, kirsch, lavender and subtle oak nuances. The entry is juicy and penetrating with rich flavors of ripe blackberry, racy currant and blueberry that generously coat the palate. Easy drinking, the finish is long and clean with just the right amount of polished tannins to keep the fruit in focus. Alchohol 15%."
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$10.95
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France
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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Totally slurpable. Not tremendously complex or deep, but simply delicious. Replete with spicy red fruit and with low acid and tannin, this wine is downright fun! The type of wine to open without thought, during a wide variety of occasions and with many types of simple, comfort food (hey, don't most of us eat like that every night?). Gulp it by the bottle, gulp it by the case!
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$17.95
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France
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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Bergeron is the local name for Roussanne. The Demoiselles or young lady cuvée (the Quenard's have four daughters) is made from 30-year-old Roussanne vines grown on the steep, chalk rich hillside slopes of Chignin. The grapes are hand-harvested parcel by parcel, and undergo a long fermentation in stainless steel. Malolactic fermentation helps give the wine additional richness on the palate. The wine has lots of fruit on the nose, with creamy apricot and white peach rising from the glass. The medium to full body of this wine, along with its subtle minerality, make it an ideal partner for fish in sauce, scallops, poached salmon or white meats.
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$14.95
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France
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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Importer notes: "This cuvée is made from 65-year-old vines, grown on chalk and limestone soils. After being harvested by hand, the grapes undergo a long fermentation with full malolactic. The lies are stirred in the tank for two months to give the wine additional richness and complexity. The wine shows mineralled notes (tonic) as well as higher-pitched floral notes. Something like a hypothetical cross of Grüner Veltliner and Muscadet. Production is just over 600 cases a year."
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$17.95
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France
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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'Remarkable Wine,' Hachette Wine Guide 2011: "Elisa, fourth daughter of Jean-François Quénard, is the namesake of this parcel of Mondeuse... this Mondeuse offers a concentrated nose of very ripe black cherry, violet and licorice. It evolves on the palate to red fruits and casses before ending on a plum note. The wine is dense and sappy... 2 stars (out of 3)."
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$15.95
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France
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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Producer notes: "Vinification: Ancestral Dioise Method. Blend of 75% Muscat and 25% Clairette. Clairette brings lightness and freshness and Muscat gives the wine its bouquet. After pressing, the juice is refrigerated and the half-fermented must is bottled. Fermentation continues in the bottle from the natural sugar in the grapes. After fermentation in bottle in air-conditioned cellar, the sediments are eliminated by riddling, then disgorgement takes place with neither decanting nor filtering. Carbonation is produced exclusively by fermentation. A party wine. Ideal for dessert and cocktail, suitable for aperitifs. Organic."
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$23.95
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France
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Other
In stock,
10
available
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Importer notes: "An estate reflecting the image of an ever-changing Jura and family enterprise that was created in the early '40s by Désiré Rolet. A native vineyard consisting of 60 hectares distributed over the best hills of the Arbois and Côtes du Jura AOC vineyards, the Rolet Estate is the second largest winegrowing estate in the Jura. Tasting Notes: Clear, brilliant color with glints of green and pale gold. A very pleasant, somewhat vanilla bouquet. As is typical of Chardonnays, the scent of white flowers dominates. On the mouth it is rich and powerful with a good finish. A nice wine that is served with cold appetizers, fish and charcuteries."
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$19.95
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France
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Other
In stock,
3
available
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Importer notes: "An estate reflecting the image of an ever-changing Jura and family enterprise that was created in the early '40s by Désiré Rolet. A native vineyard consisting of 60 hectares distributed over the best hills of the Arbois and Côtes du Jura AOC vineyards, the Rolet Estate is the second largest winegrowing estate in the Jura. Tasting Notes: Deep cherry color. On the nose, Morello cherry carries this vintage. Then strawberry, a little bit of blackberry and the characteristic spiciness of this varietal appear. On the mouth, it has a lot of presence. One must wait patiently for this vintage's complex aromas to develop their warm flavors, reminiscent of cooked strawberry, raspberry and various spicy and peppery nuances. This is a vin de garde to be enjoyed with cooked meats, game and cheese."
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$18.95
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France
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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Importer notes: "An estate reflecting the image of an ever-changing Jura and family enterprise that was created in the early '40s by Désiré Rolet. A native vineyard consisting of 60 hectares distributed over the best hills of the Arbois and Côtes du Jura AOC vineyards, the Rolet Estate is the second largest winegrowing estate in the Jura. Tasting Notes: Clear and brilliant color reflecting pale green glints, which denote the freshness of the vintage. White flower and apple aromas. The mouth balances fullness with acidity, and the palate confirms what the nose predicts. Finally, the wine clings to the mouth for a full finish. It pairs well with appetizers and fish entrees. Fermented and matured for 18 months in barrels in order to bring out the specific personality of the Côtes du Jura terroir; a very particular terroir that characterizes the wine with notes of gunflint and almond. 100% Chardonnay."
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$16.95
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France
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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Importer notes: "An estate reflecting the image of an ever-changing Jura and family enterprise that was created in the early '40s by Désiré Rolet. A native vineyard consisting of 60 hectares distributed over the best hills of the Arbois and Côtes du Jura AOC vineyards, the Rolet Estate is the second largest winegrowing estate in the Jura. Tasting Notes: Pretty, pale color with green glints; fine bubbles that rise slowly yet with persistence. The nose is delicate and discrete, smelling of white flowers and hawthorn. The mouth has a solid finish with some vivacity, lacks bitterness, and is full-bodied, pleasant and delicate. This is an all-occasion wine and can be enjoyed as an aperitif, at the end of a meal or any time day or night. Chardonnay 54%, Savagnin 23%, Poulsard 23%."
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