Renegade
has been working with
Beaune
Imports for over 15 years. We've always
appreciated their selections, their
dedication, and their commitment to
discovering new regions and wines that we've
now come to love. Are first allocation of
Dangueneau arrived from Beaune Imports back
in 2014. Clos Rougeard, Lapalu, Lafon,
followed soon after along with Agrapart
Champagne, and hiding gems such as Domaine
Pelle in the Loire and Domaine de Trevallon
in Provence.
Today we are
focused on some of their newer acquisitions;
wines that arrived this morning (Friday) and
are now proudly displaced on our shelves.
Take a
look-see and if anything is of interest,
please reach out.
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2020
Vincent Cuillier Champagne Chemin des Rois
- Brut Nature
$86
A new
Champagne house for Renegade, so here's a
somewhat brief accounting of Vincent
Cuillier's winemaking practices.
Cuillier
embraces regenerative principles of cover
crops and low-/no-till farming to increase
soil organic matter and to preserve and
enhance biodiversity. Applies home made
composts to enrich soil and incorporates
Vitiforestry, which is the intentional
integration of trees into the vineyards
(a.k.a Agroforestry when integrated into
other agricultural crops).
Indigenous yeast fermentation in barrel and
free of any additives (including zero
sulfur). Aged in barrel for 12 months
followed by 24-30 months sur lattes. No
fining or filtration, disgorged by hand, no
sulfur or sugar added (sans soufre,
non-dose).
ORG + BIO D
TMI?
Possibly, but this Champagne house is
serious.
As for the
wine:
70% Pinot
Noir, 30% Chardonnay from a single parcel in
the village of Chenay (near Merfy).
Extremely complex, fresh, subtle toasty
notes, floral tones, and minerality. On the
palate, cool, fresh, very elegant, fine
acidity, persistent, bright fruit,
harmonious, with aromas of citrus and green
apple, and a very saline finish. More
please!
Sauvignon
Blanc in Burgundy!
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2022
Guilhem et Jean-Hugues Goisot Saint-Bris
Exogyra Virgula
(France, Burgundy, Côtes d'Auxerre,
Saint-Bris)
$26
Just a tad Southwest of Chablis there is
one tiny appellation in Burgundy that
allows Sauvignon Blanc to be bottled and
labeled Burgundy. This is the appellation
of Saint-Bris. Why you may ask? The short
anwser is soil type. The poor soil quality
did not lend itself to Chardonnay but
allowed Sauvignon Blanc to thrive. There's
a longer answer but you'll need asprin and
a large bottle of wine.
In
short we fell in love with this win
because it is unique.
Golden Delicious aromas abound along with
elderflower, a pleasant grassy-ness...
there's orange citrus notes, yellow plum
(perhaps), and as one of our tasters
mentioned:
"an
interesting combination between Sancerre's
expressiveness and Chablis' stony texture
and minerality."
Time
to venture out and try this one!
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2024
Domaine Verset A & E Viognier
(Vin de France)
$32
One
of our wine-enthusiast friends wrote a
short prose on this wine we would like to
share:
"The
word to describe this 2024 Viognier is
delicate, as in delicate color, aroma, and
flavor, delicate and restrained; there is
a sense of more to come. Delicately pale
in color, the scent of white flowers
blends with aromas of white peach apricot
and lemon meringue. As is typical of
Veritas Viognier, the mouth feel is
luxuriously smooth yet bright with
perfectly balanced fruit flavors of peach,
candied pear, and a hint of crystallized
ginger. The whole affair is one of subtle,
restrained delicacy - enjoy."
We
were also suitable impressed too.
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2024
Roagna Dolcetto d'Alba
(Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Dolcetto d'Alba)
$36.50
We
are always excited about this wine as it
is one of our very favorite Dolcettos.
Roagna has a knack for elevating what many
believe is a ho-hum varietal into a
world-class contender.
Red and dark fruit give may to a
surprising savory-salinity, which leads to
a mid-palate that's remarkably balanced
and finessed. Rounding out this winner is
the incredible finish; lengthy!
Don't
miss this one!
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2023
G.D. Vajra Piemonte Barbera Freisa
(Italy, Piedmont, Piemonte DOC)
$34
"Radically
alluring aromas", we wrote. And there's
beautiful freshness, and a lively, playful
element here. It's not a blend you often
(ever?) see but the Barbera and Freisa
belong together in the deft hands of G.D.
Vajra. In a word: Terrific!
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2021
COS Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico Delle
Fontane
(Italy, Sicily, Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Classico)
$48
$98
for 1.5 Liter bottles
Diving
right in, this wine is hauntingly
beautiful, with gorgeous floral notes,
hints of blood orange, black/red
raspberry, citrus, a touch of the exotic,
crazy energy, and a nice mineral-laden
finish. While the 2016 was outstanding (we
enjoyed a bottle over the holidays) this
2021 is even better.
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2022
Freire Lobo Dão Vigno
(Portugal, Beiras, Dão)
$16
Want
to know the top contender for the most versatile red under
$30? This one just may be it. Elisa Freire Lobo
has crushed it here... literally... with her feet. One of
the most overperforming reds we've tasted in ages. It's an
organic combo of Touriga Nacional, Jaen (what the
Spaniards call Mencia), and Alfrocheiro. Freakishly
complex for the $: pink peppercorns, red plums,
dark cherries, purple flowers and baking spices, all
intertwined with brightness and energy.
If
you're looking for a new house red for 2026, this one
makes its case in spades.
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