2016 Janicot Vignobles Cahors Malbec Lamagdelaine Noire

2016 Janicot Vignobles Cahors Malbec Lamagdelaine Noire

with No Comment $30 and underCahorsFranceKevin VogtMalbec

JANICOT VIGNOBLES

2016 CAHORS MALBEC
LAMAGDELAINE NOIRE

2016 Janicot Vignobles Cahors Malbec Lamagdelaine Noire
Malbec originates from France and thrives in the Cahors region in the South, where they’ve produced it since the late middle ages. In Cahors, the Mediterranean climate combines the cooling influences from the Atlantic with calcium-rich limestone soils to create a deeper, richer, meatier Malbec. Janicot Vignobles’ 96 Point Cahors Malbec from Château Lamagdelaine is a brilliant example of how profound they can be, and at less than thirty bucks, the value is real.
 
Château Lamagdelaine’s 16 hectares of vines that reside on both sides of the Gallo-Roman aqueduct have thrived there for nearly 2000 years. This wine’s remarkable complexity results from the three distinct soil types within the Estate, which include; limestone scree cone, gravel, and siderolithic clays.  
 
The vineyard produces deep, black, intense, aromatic Malbec fruit that carries a freshness from the Southwest facing rows. Their vines average 40 years and reach deep into the thin topsoil, which results in a more concentrated wine with depth and complexity. 
 
JANICOT VIGNOBLES
2016 CAHORS MALBEC
LAMAGDELAINE NOIRE
 
Your Price: $29.99
 
96 Points
 
Gold Medal
 
Decanter World Wine Awards 2019
 
“Beautiful dark color, complex aromas mingling with very ripe red fruits. Mouth of beautiful substance where the tannins are round and well melted, the wine blends harmoniously with the wood, a finish with toasted notes.”
2017 Frederic Magnien Red Burgundy Bourgogne Graviers

2017 Frederic Magnien Red Burgundy Bourgogne Graviers

with No Comment $30-$40BurgandyFranceKevin VogtPinot Noir

FREDERIC MAGNIEN

2017 RED BURGUNDY 
BOURGOGNE GRAVIERS

2017 Frederic Magnien Red Burgundy Bourgogne Graviers
In Burgundy, expressing a vineyard’s terroir and the concept that the land the grapes are grown in bestows qualities unique to that site, hold true. Winemaker Frédéric Magnien’s mantra is to bring out the purest translation of Burgundy terroirs. He differentiates himself from other négociants by working closely with partner growers throughout the year and selecting only organically farmed, older-vine parcels cared for to his exacting standards. His Red Burgundy from Graviers offers remarkable insight into this excellent site, and at $33 it’s as Wine & Spirits writes, a “Crazy-good Bourgogne rouge”.
 
Graviers Vineyard is located in the sub-region of Chambolle-Musigny and is planted over soils rich in clay and gravel. The vines average 40 years in age, and the deep root systems help provide a vivid interpretation of the earth beneath and overall individualistic terroir.
 
Frédéric Magnien is a fifth-generation winemaker from Morey-Saint-Denis, who learned his craft from his father Michel Magnien of Domaine Michel Magnien. He furthered his knowledge by coming to California and working with Josh Jensen at Calera Vineyards before traveling to Australia and making his way back to Burgundy to follow his dream of producing wine under his name. 
 
FREDERIC MAGNIEN
2017 RED BURGUNDY 
BOURGOGNE GRAVIERS
 
Your Price: $33
 
“This fruit comes from a single parcel east of the RN74 in Chambolle-Musigny, where Magnien works with a grower farming 40-year-old vines in clay soils over gravel. He destems the grapes, allows a spontaneous fermentation while controlling the temperature, then ages the wine in older barrels, presenting the kind of depth and richness that could stand in for a Villages wine. The flavors are bold and ripe, almost chunky in their cherry intensity, with tart raspberry and apple-like acidity to brighten the finish. Crazy-good Bourgogne rouge.”
91 Points
2017 Chateau Moulin De La Grangere Bordeaux Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

2017 Chateau Moulin De La Grangere Bordeaux Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

with No Comment $30-$40BordeauxBordeauxFranceKevin VogtSaint Emilion

CHÂTEAU MOULIN DE LA GRANGERE

2017 BORDEAUX  
SAINT-EMILION GRAND CRU 

2017 Chateau Moulin De La Grangere Bordeaux Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
On paper, Château Moulin de la Grangère has everything you would want from a great Bordeaux. Their location is next to Château Pavie, one of Saint-Émilion’s most revered wineries that earns regular 100 point scores. Next, their consulting winemaker is Michel Rolland, whom many would argue is the world’s top winemaker. Their 2017 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru follows through with penetrating fruit, beautifully integrated tannins, and perfectly balanced acidity on the palate. At $33, the only thing this wine doesn’t have is a high price to match its tangible pedigree.
 
Château Moulin de la Grangère sits at the foot of the finest slopes of Saint-Émilion, where they planted their certified organic vines in clay-limestone soils. The winery excelled in 2017, and it was a vintage the Wine Spectator described as follows… “Cloudy July kept wines on the fresh, pure side, with good acidity and modest tannins. St.-Emilion atop the limestone plateau is excellent.” 
 
This wine is often 100% Merlot, but in 2017, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon increased structure in the final blend. Before fermentation, the wine team used vibrating tables to meticulously sort the most pristine berries, which shows in this stunning Grand Cru. 
 
CHÂTEAU MOULIN DE LA GRANGERE
2017 BORDEAUX  
SAINT-EMILION GRAND CRU
 
Your Price: $33
 
“The Château Moulin de la Grangère 2017 is a beautifully elegant Bordeaux, beginning with a nose of red currants, pomegranates, crushed granite, freshly turned earth, and light florals. There is an intriguing tension between red currants, mountain blackberries, crushed minerals, and cool blue fruits on the palate. It is elegant and focused with a seamless, supple mouthfeel and a long finish. Drink now through 2028.”
93 Points
2018 Domaine Regnaudot Red Burgundy Hautes-Cotes De Beaune

2018 Domaine Regnaudot Red Burgundy Hautes-Cotes De Beaune

with No Comment $30 and underBurgandyFranceKevin VogtPinot Noir

DOMAINE REGNAUDOT

2018 RED BURGUNDY
HAUTES-COTES DE BEAUNE 

2018 Domaine Regnaudot Red Burgundy Hautes-Cotes De Beaune
Hautes-Côtes de Beaune is a wine-growing region of predominately Pinot Noir, grown up on the hills above the Côte de Beaune. The name translates to “high hillsides of Beaune,” and Pinot Noirs from this area can have concentrated red fruits, intriguing complexity with a soft, well-rounded presence on the palate. Domaine Regnaudot’s 2018 is a textbook example of the quality of wines from this region, and at less than $30, the value is abundant.
 
Domaine Regnaudot is a small family-owned, and operated winery in Burgundy run by a father and son team focused on limiting yields and understanding their 16-acre vineyard’s terroir. They aim to produce their wines in a supple, fresh style focused on the natural essence of the fruit from their vineyard. 
 
Florian Regnaudot and his wife Marion meticulously sort and destem the grape clusters at the winery before they undergo a slow two-week fermentation. They age it for a year in French oak barrels, and now with a little time in the bottle, the 2018 vintage is rocking. 
 
DOMAINE REGNAUDOT
2018 RED BURGUNDY
HAUTES-COTES DE BEAUNE
 
Your Price: $29.99
 
 
“The Domaine Regnaudot Hautes-Côtes de Beaune 2018 is a gorgeous representation of the region with a beautiful nose of bright pomegranate, red cherries, earthy mushrooms, cola bean and sweet florals. The palate has penetrating red fruits including fresh red currants, ripe red plums, forest floor and light spice. There is a nice tension between the tart red fruits, earthy complexity, and the supple, rich body creating a great overall balance.”
92 Points
2015 Chateau Soussans Margaux

2015 Chateau Soussans Margaux

with No Comment $30-$40BordeauxBordeauxFranceKevin Vogt

CHÂTEAU SOUSSANS

2015 MARGAUX 

2015 Chateau Soussans Margaux
Our weekly tastings are done unbiased, with the retail price often unknown until after a wine makes our selection. We choose them based on quality, varietal and regional standards, and many other determining factors. Once a wine passes that test, the price comes into play, and we look for wines that outperform others in the same price category. I had pegged Château Soussans 2015 Margaux as a $50-$60 outstanding and classic representation of the region and vintage. When I found out that I could offer it to you for $36, I grabbed all I could…
 
Shaped from the highly sought after 2015 vintage, which the Wine Spectator describes as “truly special” in Margaux, Château Soussans is the second wine of Château Deyrem Valentin. Christelle Sorge tends the vines and manages both Estates, and she stands apart for her pure, traditional processes in the vineyards and winery, where her wines are 100% organic and natural. 
 
Christelle’s wine team forged Château Soussans from a small 5-acre parcel planted equally to Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot and located within the Deyrem-Valentin property. The 25 + year-old vines follow the same routine as Deyrem-Valentin, and the wine balances elegance with power and beautifully defined flavors that are classic to the region. 
 
CHÂTEAU SOUSSANS
2015 MARGAUX
 
Your Price: $36
 
“The Chateau Soussans 2015 is a beautiful, elegant achievement that begins with an intriguing nose with red plums, powdered stone, white flowers, forest ferns, and saddle leather. The palate has waves of mixed berries, red cherries, liquid minerals, and vanilla spice. It is a beautiful balance between power and elegance, which is everything you want from a Margaux.”
94 Points
 
“Made with 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot the wine is soft and silky with perfumed strawberry jam on the nose. Ripe plum and cream come through on the palate which has supple tannins and an attractive, lively red fruit finish. This elegant Margaux will be lovely to drink, share and enjoy over the next decade.”
2018 Domaine Guy Robin Chablis Vieilles Vignes

2018 Domaine Guy Robin Chablis Vieilles Vignes

with No Comment $30-$40BurgandyChablisFranceKevin Vogt

DOMAINE GUY ROBIN

2018 CHABLIS 
VIEILLES VIGNES

2018 Domaine Guy Robin Chablis Vieilles Vignes
Vieilles Vignes means old vines, and Guy Robin is one of my favorite producers of old vine Chablis. He began collecting old Chablis parcels back in the 60s, and few other Chablis estates have such a rich collection of older vines. As a result, few wineries can deliver Chablis wines of such character and complexity. At $33, his Chablis VV offers dynamic complexity, laser focus, and optimum balance.
 
Guy’s daughter Marie-Ange leads the Estate and shares her father’s passion for old vines. She creates their Vieilles Vignes Chablis from vines averaging four decades in age, and many of the neighboring plots are premier cru sites, sharing similar soils and climate. 
 
Guy Robin hand-harvests their Chardonnay grapes at the pinnacle of ripeness. He immediately presses them at the winery, where they’re held in a tank for 24 hours to settle naturally. The winery ferments in temperature-controlled, stainless steel tanks, and they also age in tanks to preserve the fruit’s most natural expression.
 
DOMAINE GUY ROBIN
2018 CHABLIS 
VIEILLES VIGNES
 
Your Price: $33
 
“Bright, citrusy aromas, with liquid minerals and white flowers, immediately grab you in the nose. On approach, the palate has an amazing richness, with concentrated, penetrating flavors including stone fruits, key lime, and an incredibly focused center palate. The finish is mesmerizing, with an amazing balance of richness and freshness. This is certainly one of my favorite Chablis, each vintage.” 94 Points
2016 Chateau De Messey Burgogne Chardonnay Vieilles Vignes

2016 Chateau De Messey Burgogne Chardonnay Vieilles Vignes

with No Comment $30 and underBurgandyChardonnayFranceKevin Vogt

CHATEAU DE MESSEY

BOURGOGNE CHARDONNAY
2016 VIEILLES VIGNES 

2016 Chateau De Messey Burgogne Chardonnay Vieilles Vignes
It’s not easy finding $26 domestic Chardonnays that are powerful, concentrated, and well-balanced, but in Burgundy, we sometimes uncover great values in the broad Bourgogne classification. Bourgogne covers an extensive area and can include any Pinot Noir or Chardonnay produced in Burgundy. Located in the Maconnais region within Burgundy, Chateau de Messey is well-known for producing extraordinary values in Chardonnay, and their Vieilles Vignes (Old Vines) Bourgogne Chardonnay is a brilliant example of a value white Burgundy.  
 
Chateau de Messey was initially constructed as a fortress in the 10th century, and their Chardonnay vineyards are located in the villages of Chardonnay and Cruzille, in the Macon Appellation. 
 
The wine team barrel fermented the 2016 vintage on the lees to give it more richness. It offers concentrated white and citrus fruits intertwined with minerals, white flowers, bright acidity, and a cleansing salinity on the finish. At $26, I wouldn’t miss it. 
 
CHATEAU DE MESSEY
BOURGOGNE CHARDONNAY
2016 VIEILLES VIGNES 
 
Your Price: $26
 
 
 
“Pale yellow color with greenish yellow high- lights. The complex nose offers white flowers, grapefruit, peach and mineral aromas. The palate is straightforward, generous with fresh fruits and grapefruit hints. This Chardonnay shows a good intensity with a long length.”
NV Haute Couture Rose French Bubbles

NV Haute Couture Rosé French Bubbles

with No Comment $30 and underChampagneChampagne/SparklingFranceKevin Vogt

HAUTE COUTURE

FRENCH BUBBLES
ROSÉ NV

NV Haute Couture Rose French Bubbles
Haute Couture French Bubbles unites the worlds of wine and fashion by fusing an ideal combination of flavor, style, packaging, and price. Their winemaking team perfectly unified traditional French winemaking with a new-world like fruit and mouthfeel, and at $28, this wine will make many friends… 
 
The winery is owned by Jean-Charles Boisset, who grew up at his parents Château du Clos Vougeot. He now operates one of the most impressive family-owned wine empires, with around 20 estates from France to California.
 
The blend combined Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes from several regions in France, and the wine team crafted it using traditional methods. After fermenting the grapes into still wine, they add a specific amount of liqueur de tirage (a liquid solution of yeast, wine, sugar,) to begin secondary fermentation. The next step is the dosage, which adds sugar back into the wine to soften it, and the results are stunning.
 
HAUTE COUTURE
FRENCH BUBBLES
ROSÉ NV
Retails at: $30
 
Your Price: $28
 
“Pale pink in color with enticing aromas and flavors of juicy cherry, blackberry and raspberry. On the palate, this rosé is creamy and has the perfect dosage for a delicately sweet finish”
2016 Chateau Odilon Haut-Medoc Domaines Barons De Rothschild (Lafite)

2016 Chateau Odilon Haut-Medoc Domaines Barons De Rothschild (Lafite)

with No Comment $30-$40BordeauxFranceKevin Vogt

CHÂTEAU ODILON 

2016 HAUT-MÉDOC
DOMAINES BARONS DE
ROTHSCHILD (LAFITE)

2016 Chateau Odilon Haut-Medoc Domaines Barons De Rothschild (Lafite)
Domaines Barons de Rothschild is a wine empire centered around the world-renowned Rothschild winemaking dynasty. It owns many Estates in Bordeaux, including the iconic first growth producers Château Lafite Rothschild. The Rothschilds also own Château Odilon, which hails from the Listrac-Médoc sub-appellation of Haut Medoc. At $36, the 2016 vintage is fantastic and embodies the full confidence that you would expect from one of Bordeaux’s top houses.  
 
Château Odilon’s vines are on a limestone plateau, which, combined with the proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, helps produce fruit with sublime clarity and freshness. This blend is 85% Merlot, balanced with Cabernet Sauvignon, and like many 2016’s, it’s profoundly structured, with beautifully integrated dusty tannins and perfectly balanced acidity. 
 
The Haut-Medoc is a wine-growing region on the left bank that’s adjacent to the appellations of Margaux, Pauillac, Saint-Estèphe, Saint-Julien, Moulis, and Listrac. The 2016 vintage in Bordeaux is referred to by some winemakers as “the second coming of Bordeaux” due to the overall quality, and once you try one from a great producer, I think you’ll agree… 
 
CHÂTEAU ODILON 
2016 HAUT-MÉDOC
DOMAINES BARONS DE
ROTHSCHILD (LAFITE)
 
Your Price: $36
 
 
“This wine offers aromas of black fruit, liquorice sticks, and delicate notes of orange blossom. On aeration, roasted scents and vanilla contribute to the nose’s complexity. The attack is direct and lively. The balance is characterized by good concentration with creamy tannins. This wine has remarkable elegance and its length suggests an excellent potential to age.”
2015 Chateau Chantelune Margaux Bordeaux France

2015 Chateau Chantelune Margaux Bordeaux France

with No Comment $40-$50BordeauxFranceKevin Vogt

CHÂTEAU CHANTELUNE

2015 MARGAUX
BORDEAUX, FRANCE

2015 Chateau Chantelune Margaux Bordeaux France
The region of Margaux produces some of the most powerful yet beautifully elegant wines in all of Bordeaux. Most are blends led by Cabernet Sauvignon, contributing to the power and depth, and Merlot, which weaves in a captivating elegance and supple fruit. Chateau Chantelune is a brilliant example of Margaux, and with the string of high-scores combined with the low price, this could go very quickly…
 
Shaped from the highly sought after 2015 vintage which the Wine Spectator describes as “truly special” in Margaux, the Chateau Chantelune 2015 is deeply concentrated with a satiny texture and striking complexity. Chantelune is an extraordinary 7 acre parcel of 40-year-old vines situated on the highest point in the appellation.
 
The wine is carefully guided from grape to bottle by José Sanfins, who’s also the director at Château Cantenac Brown. Our panel was floored by the quality, and this wine perfectly represents everything I love about Margaux.
 
CHÂTEAU CHANTELUNE
2015 MARGAUX
BORDEAUX, FRANCE
Retails at: $55
 
Your Price: $45
 
 
“….a total beauty in this wonderful vintage. Margaux may have been the sweet spot in all of Bordeaux in 2015, and the combination of the ideal conditions and incredibly talented winemaker José Sanfins make this wine simply sensational…. It begins with gorgeous aromas of blackberries and ripe currants along with graphite, spring florals and spices all taking shape. Medium to full-bodied, with wonderful concentration and depth, yet lovely elegance. It remains beautifully textured and polished with a gorgeous mouthfeel through the opulent finish.” 94 Points
 
“Owned and produced by José Sanfins, who is the manager at neighboring classed growth Château Cantenac Brown, this wine balances the elegance of Margaux with the richness of the vintage, giving swathes of black-currant fruit that has been lifted by the new-wood aging. Drink this wine from 2023.” 93 Points
 
 
“Very intense and ripe dark fruits with strikingly fresh dark berries on the nose. This leads to a concentrated palate with intense dark-plum and blackberry flavors. Try from 2021.” 92 Points
 
“This sports a sanguine note out front, followed by fresh and enticing damson plum, cherry preserve and raspberry coulis flavors. Richly layered, but with silky tannins that let the fruit hold sway throughout, while light violet and black tea details add background nuance. A mineral edge underscores the finish. Best from 2022 through 2032. 708 cases made.” 92 Points