2022
Domaine Bernard-Bonin
Meursault Le Limozin
(France, Burgundy, Côte de
Beaune, Meursault)
$385
2022
Domaine Bernard-Bonin
Meursault La Rencontre
(France, Burgundy, Côte de
Beaune, Meursault)
$358
Not
counting the listings on
Wine-Searcher as
"pre-arrivals" (hmmm...)
while these two
Meursaults are pricey
these are the best
prices in the country.
Domaine
Bernard-Bonin, founded
in 1998 by the
husband-and-wife team of
Nicolas Bernard and
Veronique Bonin, has
rapidly gained
prominence as a top
Burgundy producer. With
nine hectares of prime
vineyard sites in the
southwest end of their
home village, Meursault,
and exceptional climats
in Puligny, the couple
has cultivated a
reputation for crafting
exceptional White
Burgundy wines.
Embracing thoughtful
biodynamic farming and
rigorous, attentive
cellar practices, their
wines boast energetic,
textured, and
distinctive profiles
with remarkable nuance
and detail. Their
offerings stand out for
their mouth-filling
texture and nuanced use
of oak, all the while
remaining attuned to the
complexities of their
terroirs.
We
received very little.
Call or email us with
requests.
2023
Domaine de
Colette
Beaujolais-Villages
Coteaux de
Colette
(France,
Burgundy) $20
The
Gaulthiers
care for the
vines on their
small estate
in the
picturesque
village of Lantignie
using “lutte
raisonnee,”
or minimal
intervention,
letting the
impressive terroir
of the region
shine through.
For his humble
Beaujolais-Villages,
rather than
use grapes
that didn’t
make the cut
for his crus,
he sources the
grapes for
this wine
specifically
from steep
pink granite
vineyards with
an average age
of 45 years
and one of the
plots, called
his estate’s
namesake ‘Colette,’
is over 80
years old.
Pinot Noir
lovers will
fall for this
elegant wine
that bursts
with fresh
cherry and red
raspberry
fruits with a
smack of
vibrant minerality,
fresh acidity
and
fine-grained
tannins on the
finish.
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2022
Clusel-Roch
Côteaux du
Lyonnais Les
Traboules
(France,
Rhône, Côteaux
du
Lyonnais) $22
This
is a
winemaker's
wine. OK, a
wine-lovers
wine too. Why?
We have a wine
here from one
of the most
sought after
Cote Rotie
(Syrah)
producers and
here he is
bottling Gamay
from vineyards
just South of
Lyon. Nuts,
right? But
wait until you
taste this
gem. This is
Gamay that has
that Northern
Rhone edge.
It's deep, and
textured,
flawlessly
balanced, yet
a wine so
ready to
drink. You can
contemplate it
until the cows
(sheep) come
home, or just
enjoy it with
friends around
a fire pit.
Tonight it's
sharing the
table with a
filet mignon;
yes, it's that
worthy.
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2012
R. López
de Heredia
Rioja Reserva
Viña
Bosconia
(Spain, Rioja)
$48
When
we tell you
this is their
brand new
release do
some math. The
wine is about
to turn 13
years old.
Crazy but what
a commitment
to their
craft. Our
experience
with this wine
goes back to
the 1956
vintage
(tasted like
Grand Cru
Burgundy at
age 60). This
may be one of
their best
wines from
their Bosconia
vineyard in
the last 10
years. The
wine dazzles
with its
complexity and
structure,
showcasing
flavors of
dark berries,
tobacco,
leather, and
hints of
spice.
Traditional to
the core; but
also with a
bit or air
super-impressive
today.
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2023
Paul Thomas
Sancerre
Chavignol Les
Comtesses
(France, Loire
Valley, Upper
Loire,
Sancerre)
$36
This
is that Sancerre
that drives
hosts crazy.
Serve it at
your cocktail
party and
you'll soon
find the
guests have
finished the
bottles; all
of them. Pair
this with the
most
exquisitely
cooked halibut
you've ever
prepared and
your diners
will talk only
of the wine.
That's the
problem with
good wine; it
steals the
show. Like
this one.
Better pick up
a few extra
bottles;
keeping
friends and
family happy
this time of
year is
paramount.
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2023
Pierre-Luc
Leyvraz
Chasselas
Grand Cru Les
Blassinges
(Switzerland,
Vaud, Lavaux,
St. Saphorin)
$38.50
Another
vintage,
another
knockout. 100%
Chasselas,
this is a wine
made for
fondue. But
also pork
loin, roast
chicken,
lentilles du
Puy, and yes,
a traditional
Spinach Salad
with lardons.
Pierre-Luc
Leyvraz is
often called
the "King of
Chasselas".
Drink, and
you'll see
why.
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