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 Chateau de Haute-Serre Malbec

2014 Château De Haute-Serre Malbec

with No Comment $30 and underCahorsFranceKevin VogtMalbec

CHÂTEAU DE HAUTE-SERRE 2014 Chateau de Haute-Serre Malbec

2014 MALBEC
CAHORS, FRANCE

 
Did you know the Malbec grape originates in France, and thrives in the Cahors region in the South of France, but today, around 70% of the Malbec planted worldwide is in Argentina… However, Château de Haute-Serre’s Vineyards in Cahors, France date back to middle ages… In 2009, Haute-Serre got a little help from the Master of Malbec Paul Hobbs, who’s been pushing the boundaries of Malbec on multiple continents for decades.  With Paul  as consulting winemaker, their 2010 went on to earn a place on the Spectator Top 100.  Most are familiar with the style of Argentine Malbecs, which are known for their fruit-forward, plummy/blackberry and velvety texture. For those looking for a more densely packed, concentrated Malbec with savory undertones, firm tannins and meaty character, Old-World Malbec from Cahors may be just what they’re looking for. 
 
Malbec is a thick-skinned grape that needs more sun than Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to mature and Château de Haute-Serre’s parcel has excellent Southwest and Southeast exposure allowing the grapes to reach optimum maturity.  They’ve been making news long before earning a spot on the WS Top 100 list…  Back in 1889 their Malbec was honored by being placed on a Gala menu in line with the famous Château Margaux and Pommard wines.  I strongly recommend trying a case… you’ll be really glad you did.  
 
CHÂTEAU DE HAUTE-SERRE
2014 MALBEC
CAHORS, FRANCE
 
Your Price: $25/btl 
 
 

  
 
“On some of the highest vineyards in Cahors, this estate has a history reaching back to the Middle Ages. This latest vintage from this major estate has a firm structure and cool texture. Allied to acidity and dark tannins, the rich black fruits are going to need time to mature. Drink from 2020.” 90 Points

 
 “A concentrated red, building ripe cherry, plum pudding and licorice drop flavors that are detailed with floral, cocoa powder and raspberry accents. Fresh acidity and mineral elements give focus through the orange peel-tinged finish. Drink now through 2022...” 90 Points

 

 

Customers who enjoy Chateau De Haute-Serre Malbec may also enjoy these two outstanding Reds…
RICCITELLIhttp://bit.ly/2014RiccitelliMalbec
2014 MALBEC
THE APPLE DOESN’T FALL 
FAR FROM THE TREE
Retails at:  $30.00/btl
 
Your Price: $19.99/btl 

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Winery Notes: “Deep purple in color, with beautiful aromas of wild dark fruits, vanilla and chocolate in the nose. This is a complex and rich vine with smooth ripe tannins and a long finish…”  95 Points, Decanter
CATENA
2014 CABERNET FRANC
SAN CARLOS
APPELLATION SERIES
Retails at:  $30.00/btl
 
Your Price: $22.99/btl 

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From Vinous: “Enticing aromatic lift to the aromas of purple fruits, violet and brown spices. Suaver than the Agrelo Cabernet Sauvignon, offering exhilarating cut and penetration and an ideal balance between sweetness and suppleness of fruit and acidity. Savory, plush and ripe for all its energy…”  91 Points
2015 Chateau Vieux Potana Lalande De Pomerol

2015 Chateau Vieux Potana Lalande-De-Pomerol Bordeaux, France

with No Comment $30-$40BordeauxBordeauxFranceKevin Vogt

CHATEAU VIEUX POTANA

2015 LALANDE-DE-POMEROL 
BORDEAUX, FRANCE

2015 Chateau Vieux Potana Lalande De Pomerol
Did you know that one of the most expensive wines in the world upon release is Chateau Petrus, and that it’s made from 100% Merlot grapes grown in the Pomerol region in Bordeaux?  Lalande-de-Pomerol borders the Pomerol region to the north and of the two main villages Lalande-de-Pomerol and Néac, Néac has clay and gravelly soils commonly seen in Pomerol.   Chateau Vieux Potana comes from Néac and exhibits the dusty, chalky tannins, dark berries and gravely undertones that are classic to the region.  The winery’s consulting winemaker is Michel Rolland, one of the most influential winemakers in the world with hundreds of clients spanning 13 countries… At $33/btl, I strongly recommend securing a case.  
 
Marrying 85% Merlot from 35 year old vines with 15% Cabernet Franc, Vieux Potana’s 2015 perfectly showcases the elegance and supple berries of Merlot with the power and aromatics of great Cabernet Franc.  Most people likely have never heard of Chateau Vieux Potana and with the tiny number of cases imported into the US, neither had I until I tasted it… 
 
CHATEAU VIEUX POTANA
2015 LALANDE-DE-POMEROL
BORDEAUX, FRANCE
 
Your Price: $33/btl 
 
Tasting Notes: “This wine displays a shimmering garnet/ruby color, with an elegant nose of tart cherry pie filling, cocoa dusted chocolate truffles, forest ferns and freshly turned earth. The palate is beautifully focused with concentrated red cherry, liquid minerals, fresh currants with a mouth quenching freshness that triggers your swallow reflex.  The finish is long and complex with the perfect combination of power and elegance.”
 
Customers that enjoy Chateau Vieux Potana Lalande-de-Pomerol, may also enjoy these two terrific French Reds…
 
2013 Paul Jaboulet Aine Gigondas 2013 Moulin De Tricot Margaux
PAUL JABOULET AINÉ
2013 GIGONDAS
PIERRE AIGUILLE
Retails at:  $35.00/btl
 
Your Price: $27.99/btl 

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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
MOULIN DE TRICOT
2013 MARGAUX
BORDEAUX, FRANCE
Retails at:  $65.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl 

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Tasting Notes: “With striking aromas of crushed violets, black raspberry, wild rose and plum, Moulin de Tricot’s 2013  Margaux
 is deep, plush and remarkably elegant. Well-integrated and precise flavors of dark red fruits, spices, floral components and minerals all intermingle effortlessly throughout the looonnnng and highly-pleasurable
2016 G of Chateau Guiraud Bordeaux White

2016 G of Château Guiraud Bordeaux White

with No Comment $30 and underBordeauxFranceSauvignon Blanc

G of CHÂTEAU GUIRAUD 

2016 BORDEAUX WHITE
BORDEAUX, FRANCE

2016 G of Chateau Guiraud Bordeaux White
Variety is the spice of life and while California, Sancerre and New Zealand offer Sauvignon Blancs with bright, sometimes searing acidity and super-crisp flavors, Bordeaux brings a more rich, opulent and lime-infused style that’s impossible to ignore.  Detailed, round and broad are all perfect descriptors for Chateau Guiraud’s Bordeaux White which opens up to limestone-scented baked yellow-apples, mandarin orange, tangerine, wet stone and crème brûlée.  A palate quenching kaleidoscope of finely detailed flavors keeps you coming back for more, and with a 90-93 Point score from the Wine Spectator, I wouldn’t hesitate to secure a case. 
 
Château Guiraud isn’t just one of Bordeaux’s preeminent producers of First Growth Sauternes, they also produce stunning dry whites wines.  A blend of both Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, the 2016 is remarkably expressive, rich and assertive.  If you haven’t experienced a dry white from this renowned wine region, here’s a terrific opportunity to try one of the best.
 
G of CHÂTEAU GUIRAUD 
2016 BORDEAUX WHITE
BORDEAUX, FRANCE
 
Your Price: $19.99/btl 
 
From The Wine Spectator: “This is still a bit tight, with a racy lemon pith frame around the core of white peach, tangerine, chamomile and straw flavors. Shows weight and zip, and should fill out nicely.”   90-93 Points
 
Customers that enjoy G of Chateau Guiraud’s Bordeaux Blanc may also enjoy these two terrific white wines…
2017 Alma de Cattleya Sauvignon Blanc 2017 Domain La Croix Saint-Laurent Sancerre
ALMA de CATTLEYA
2017 SAUVIGNON BLANC
SONOMA COUNTY
 
Your Price: $19.99/btl 
 
Immeasurable talent… gifted… Midas touch… These would all be fitting descriptors of winemaker Bibiana Gonzalez Rave.  Her artistry has allowed her to climb the ranks and become winemaker at Pahlmeyer… She’s also made wines at Lynmar and has extensive experience making wine in France.  Bibiana applies her vast skill-set and remarkable abilities and crafts wines that exceed all expectations…
DOMAINE LA CROIX 
2017 SANCERRE
SAINT-LAURENT
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl 
 

Created from nearly half-century old vines, this wine bursts onto your palate with textural bliss, and a well balanced, keen thread of acidity that leaves your palate craving another sip.   

A pure expression of Sancerre, this immensely appealing 100% Sauvignon Blanc (as all white Sancerre’s are) is highly nuanced, intriguing and loaded with pristine fruit and rocky minerals.