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
2019 Domaine Nicolas Gaudry Pouilly-Fume Loire Valley, France

2019 Domaine Nicolas Gaudry Pouilly-Fume Loire Valley, France

with No Comment $30 and underFranceKevin VogtLoire ValleySauvignon Blanc

DOMAINE NICOLAS GAUDRY

2019 POUILLY-FUME
LOIRE VALLEY, FRANCE
(100% SAUVIGNON BLANC)

2019 Domaine Nicolas Gaudry Pouilly-Fume Loire Valley, France

The pinnacle of Sauvignon Blanc production comes from the iconic Loire Valley in France, and inside the Loire, the regions of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé are foremost. Both Sancerre Blanc and Pouilly-Fumé are composed of 100% Sauvignon Blanc, but on the palate, Pouilly-Fumé can be more lush than Sancerre, and one hallmark is a subtle smoky, gunflint note, which is less common in Sancerre. One of the best examples of classic Pouilly-Fume is from Nicholas Gaudry, whose 2019 is ridiculously good. 
 
The Gaudry family has been making wine in Pouilly-sur-Loire for generations, and the wines offer a pure expression of Sauvignon Blanc. They vinify each plot separately and ferment them in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness. 
 
The wine team made the 2019 vintage in a bright, clean, energetic style that’s both dynamic and perfectly balanced. If you love Sauvignon Blanc, I highly recommend securing a case of brilliant Pouilly-Fumé. 
 
DOMAINE NICOLAS GAUDRY
2019 POUILLY-FUME
LOIRE VALLEY, FRANCE
(100% SAUVIGNON BLANC)
 
Your Price: $29.99
Click to Order
 
 
 
“Pale yellow robe. The bouquet fresh, with notes of white flowers and citrus fruit. The mouth dynamic, with crisp acidity and stone fruit. A pleasant finish.”
2014 Monthelie-Douhairet-Porcheret Burgundy

2014 Monthelie-Douhairet-Porcheret Burgundy

with No Comment $40-$50BurgandyFranceKevin VogtRed Burgandy

MONTHELIE-DOUHAIRET-PORCHERET 

2014 LES DURESSES
PREMIER CRU RED BURGUNDY

2014 Monthelie-Douhairet-Porcheret Burgundy

 
As hard as it is to find Premier Cru Red Burgundies at an affordable price, finding one made by one of Burgundy’s most renowned winemakers is a lot more difficult… Monthelie-Douhairet-Porcheret is made by André Porcheret, former winemaker at Domaine Leroy from 1988-1993. Leroy is one of the greatest producers in the world, and some would consider them in the same class as Domaine Romanee Conti. At our price, Monthelie’s Les Duresses is absolutely stunning.
 
The area of Monthelie is known for producing some of Burgundy’s most stunning values, and it neighbors Volnay to the North. The top producer in Monthelie is Monthelie Douhairet Porcheret, and their wines offer sensational levels of pure yet expressive fruit, notable elegance, and sense of place. 
 
Arising from a solid vintage in the Cote de Beaune, and one the Wine Spectator details as the third consecutive year of hail, resulting in low yields, yet the best are complex, juicy and age-worthy. This is an exceptional example of the vintage, which produced powerful, complex wines.
 
MONTHELIE-DOUHAIRET-PORCHERET 
2014 LES DURESSES
PREMIER CRU RED BURGUNDY
 
Your Price: $45
Click to Order
 
 
 
 
“The Monthelie Douhairet Porcheret Monthelie Les Duresses 2014 begins with an alluring nose combining tart cherries, asian spices, pomegranate, French lavender, crushed rock and hints of cola. The palate is bright with tart red berries, earthy minerals, exotic spices and a saline quality. It has a medium finish with fine grained tannins that promise a decade of cellaring or more.” 92 Points
2019 Chateau Des Garcinieres Provence Rose Cotes De Provence

2019 Chateau Des Garcinieres Provence Rose Cotes De Provence

with No Comment $30 and underFranceKevin VogtProvenceRosé

CHÂTEAU DES GARCINIÈRES

2019 PROVENCE ROSÉ
CÔTES DE PROVENCE

2019 Chateau Des Garcinieres Provence Rose Cotes De Provence

There are many reasons why Rosé sales in the US are climbing by double digits year-after-year. Many high-quality Rosés are affordable, and the best offer a laser-like focus, remarkable clarity, and freshness of fruit that’s simply irresistible. The level of value is immense, and when you’re looking for a refreshing white that’s not heavy or overbearing and can pair with a multitude of foods, Rosé stands tall. One of the best in our shop is Château des Garcinières, and the new 2019 release is brilliant.  
 
This jewel comes from Provence, a region in Southeastern France, and an area revered for producing delicate, yet focused Rosé wines. Château des Garcinières has been family owned and operated since 1898, and they’ve been caring for these grapes for four generations. 
 
The 2019 Garcinières Rosé deliciously combines Grenache and Cinsault grapes. On the palate, the wine is concentrated and focused, with bright orchard fruits, veins of minerals, bright acidity, and delicate sea-like nuances that bring a smile to my face every time I taste it.
 
CHÂTEAU DES GARCINIÈRES
2019 PROVENCE ROSÉ
CÔTES DE PROVENCE
Retails at: $26
 
Your Price: $24.00
Click to Order
 
 
“This elegant Rosé is vibrant and fresh; aromas of white peach and nectarine emerge from the glass with a bit of bubble gum that provides a touch of sweetness. Beautiful floral notes of scented jasmine expand into the glass as it opens. The lovely soft peach color is reminiscent of previous vintages, and Provence in general, which gives clear evidence of the wine we’ve come to love. Mouth filling orchard fruit and lemon peel notes give way to bracing acidity, wild strawberry, sea shell minerality and a hint of lavender to remind us of its home by the sea.”
2018 Domaine Ott Chateau de Selle Provence Rose

2018 Domiane Ott Chateau de Selle Provence Rosé

with No Comment $40-$50FranceKevin VogtProvenceProvenceRoséUncategorized

DOMAINE OTT 2018 Domaine Ott Chateau de Selle Provence Rose

2018 PROVENCE ROSÉ
CHATEAU DE SELLE

 
Every different kind of wine has at least one brand that sets a prescience of quality, and act as a reference-standard for the category. When it comes to dry Rosé from Southern France, Domaine Ott reigns supreme. They’re one of the most iconic producers of Rosé wines, and they’re consistently high-scoring, and they always sell out.  Château de Selle was the first estate acquired by Marcel Ott in 1912 and they’ve continued to create some of the most detailed and intellectually profound Rosé on the market.  Emerging from Provence, France where greater than 50% of the wine output is Rosé, Domaines Ott’s Chateau de Selle will win you over with detailed mandarine orange, lime peal, striking minerality and crystalline structure.  This is simply one of the best Rosés in the world and with Labor Day weekend coming up fast, now is the time to stock up.
 
With attention to every minute detail under consideration, beginning with the terroir, and finishing with the stunning perfume bottle like packaging, Domaines Ott is the epitome of classic Provençal Rosé.  While there might be a lot of Rosés available in the $20-$30 range that are easy to love, Domaines Ott will have you infatuated from the moment it touches your lips. Rosé simply doesn’t get any better…
 
DOMAINE OTT
2018 PROVENCE ROSÉ
CHATEAU DE SELLE
Retails at:  $54.00/btl
 
Your Price: $49.99/btl 
 
From Wine & Spirits: “De Selle was Marcel Ott’s first estate, an imposingly rocky slope of gypsum, red clay, dolomite, gravel and sandstone in Taradeau that he purchased in 1912. The rosé it produced in 2018-a blend of grenache with cinsault, syrah and mourvèdre-is more open than the Clos Mireille: De Selle is immediately inviting in its fresh, floral scents of melon and rosemary. The urge to drink it becomes only more immediate when the tangy wine hits the palate, delivering seashell minerality like a jolt of electricity. Bright and energetic, it would make short work of a dozen oysters.“ 93 Points
 
Customers who enjoy Domaines Ott Chateau de Selle Rosé, may also enjoy these two outstanding Provence Rosés…
2017 Chateau des Garcinieres Cotes du Provence Rose
 2018 Domaine Ott Clos Mireille Provence Rose
CHÂTEAU DES GARCINIÈRES
2018 PROVENCE ROSÉ
CÔTES DE PROVENCE
 
Your Price: $23/btl

Click to Order

Importers Tasting Notes: “... This biodynamic Rosé is vibrant and fresh; aromas of white peach and passion fruit emerge from the glass with a hint of lavender to remind us of its home by the sea. As with previous vintages, the mouth is filled with delicate raspberry and wild strawberry. The hallmark minerality of the wine is persistent thru the lively finish. Crisp and lovely, the striking acidity makes it a perfect example of why all others try to imitate the Rosés’ of Provence!”
 
DOMAINE OTT
2018 PROVENCE ROSÉ
CLOS MIREILLE
Retails at:  $54.00/btl
 
Your Price: $49.99/btl

Click to Order

 
From Wine & Spirits: “Clos Mireille sits close to the sea, a patch of schist and clay in La Londe Les Maures. Planted to grenache, with some cinsault, rolle and syrah, and farmed organically, it produced a tight rosé in 2018, succulent and strong. It tastes vividly of sea spray, powered by Meyer lemon-like acidity, while herbal notes play at the edges, like an echo of the scrub that grows between the vines. For all its power, this is a quiet wine, a rosé that demands close attention over a leisurely fish dinner.”  94 Points
2013 Delas Domaine Des Genets Vacqueyras

2013 Delas Domaine Des Genets Vacqueyras

with No Comment $30 and underFranceKevin VogtProprietary RedRhone ValleyRhone ValleyUncategorized

DELAS 2013 Delas Domaine Des Genets Vacqueyras

2013 VACQUEYRAS
DOMAINE DES GENETS

 
As much as I love the innovative and forward styles of New World GSM blends (Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre), I’m equally drawn to the complexity, depth and character found in Old World GSM’s, which originated in the Rhone region in Southern France as early as 600BC.  With trials and tribulations spanning hundreds of years, many of the best wines in the Old World give you that feeling of antiquity and historical relevance when you taste them.  Vacqueyras is located in the Southern Rhone Valley of France, just a few kilometers from Gigondas.  Many consider it to be the younger and more affordable brother to the iconic region of Chateanuef-du-Pape.  The wines from Vacqueryas are revered for their power and when you find one that’s been perfectly cellared and is ready to drink like this one, they can offer some of the greatest value in the Rhone Valley.
 
The region shares similar soils and climate to neighboring Gigondas, and like Gigondas their reds are often built around a core of Grenache.  Winemakers in Vacqueyras tend to use more Syrah than in Gigondas, and in turn the wines can be deeper, richer and even more powerful.  The 2013 Delas Domaine Des Genets is a prime example and with a few extra years of bottle age, the 2013 is absolutely stunning.  In fact, we bought every bottle available before our glasses were emptied… It’s that good and at $23, this could go fast…
 
DELAS
2013 VACQUEYRAS
DOMAINE DES GENETS
 
Your Price: $23/btl 
 
From Vinous: “Vivid ruby. Lively red berry and cherry aromas pick up hints of lavender and peppery spices with air. Silky, gently sweet and focused on the palate, offering juicy raspberry and spicecake flavors and a touch of smokiness. Dusty tannins come up slowly, adding shape to a long, fruit-driven finish.” 90 Points
From Richard Jennings: “Bricking dark red violet color; mature, ginger cake, dried berry, licorice, dried fig nose; tasty, black fig, licorice, ginger cake palate with good balancing acidity; medium-plus finish (blend of Grenache, Syrah & Mourvedre)”  93+ points

Customers that enjoy a beautiful Vacqueyras may also enjoy these two terrific Rhone Wines…

2014 Lavau Gigondas 2013 Paul Jaboulet Aine Gigondas
LAVAU
2014 GIGONDAS
RHONE VALLEY, FRANCE
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl

Click to Order

 
From Vinous, “Youthful violet. Aromas of fresh black and blue fruits are complemented by suggestions of peppery spices and pungent flowers. Sweet and open-knit, offering jammy blueberry and cherry compote flavors that tighten up slowly in the glass. Finishes smoky and long, with harmonious tannins coming in late.” 90 Points
PAUL JABOULET AINÉ
2013 GIGONDAS
PIERRE AIGUILLE
 
Your Price: $27.99/btl

Click to Order

 
From Vinous, “Limpid ruby. Perfumed aromas of ripe red berries, peppery spices and potpourri, complicated by a woodsmoke nuance. Silky, expansive and gently sweet, offering concentrated raspberry liqueur and lavender pastille flavors and an allspice quality that builds on the back half. Finishes sweet, sappy and persistent, with firming fine-grained tannins adding grip.”  90 Points