As we near the holidays we
thought to highlight some of our new and restocked favorites
that are perfect accompaniments for your holiday table. From
a delightful Champagne to a divine Northern Rhone Syrah. But
first, let's begin with one of the most sought after white
wines from Sicily. As always,
Read, Relax, (sip), and Enjoy!
2025
Arianna Occhipinti Sicilia SP68 Bianco
(Italy, Sicily)
$35
Ever since
Arianna's appearance on Stanley Tucci's In
Search of Italy her wines have been
difficult to come by. But with great
persistance comes great reward. Her red wines
arrived a number of weeks ago, and today her
beautiful white wine is gracing the shelves at
Renegade.
A blend
of 60% Zibibbo (Muscat of Alexandria) and
40% Albanello, this darling of Sicily offers a
light bodied, bone dry, highly aromatic
beginning, with notes of lemon zest, quince,
subtle orchard fruit, mineral acidity, and a
silky, refreshing finish.
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Christophe
Mignon Champagne ADN de Meunier Brut Nature
(France, Champagne)
$65
Back
to Champagne and to a master of Pinot Meunier
(I know we've mentioned this is the first 100%
Pinot Meunier we've loved).
This one
sizzles with energy; there's citrus, hints of
the tropics, spice, salinity, a daring touch
of herbs (curry leaf? tarragon?), and a superb
finish. A holiday delight!
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2024 Gitton
Père et Fils Sancerre Les Echeneaux
(France, Loire Valley, Sancerre)
$40
This Sancerre
was featured in our Summer Sancerre pack, and
was so popular and asked about we restocked
heavily for the holidays.
Perhaps the
best single-vineyard Sauv Blanc we've tasted
from the Loire in ages. It is steeped in
elegance and class, balanced perfectly with
nothing out of place. It's a great beginning
to an even better evening.
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2024
Domaine Louis Michel Chablis
(France, Burgundy, Chablis)
$42
Who
doesn't like a good Chablis at the table? Or
when one is shucking a mound of oysters. The
2024s are dynamite and this one's no
exception. Lean, savory, mineral-driven, near
ripe orchard fruit, throw in a salty breeze
and mad finish and the evening is
complete.
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2025 Bodega
Chacra Pinot Noir Barda
(Argentina, Patagonia, Río Negro)
$38.50
Pinot Noir
from Patagonia is something to behold. But
let's back up.
Chacra was
created by Piero Incisa della Rocchetta (the
grandson of Sassicaia's creator), in 2004 with
the intention of finding the best terrior in
Río Negro, Patagonia for Pinot Noir (and
Chardonnay), and with the assistance of
Etienne Montille and Guillaume d’Angerville he
succeeded.
This is a
stunning estate Pinot Noir from his younger
vines planted on mostly sandy soil. Pure and
quietly powerful, citrus (blood orange),
berries (raspberry, bosen), with a nicely
crunchy mid-palate, and a wonderfully fresh
finish. A winner with chicken, no,
turkey dinner.
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2021
Poderi Colla Barolo Dardi Le Rose Bussia
(Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo)
$90
Occasionally
we revisit a bottle of Barolo and think, hmmm,
does it need more time? Is it in its right
head-space (so to speak), but last night we
knew we had come across a very special bottle
of Nebbiolo.
True, we
paired it with Bistecca alla Fiorentina,
but even before the first bite we were sold.
Elegant,
sophisticated, full of wild cherry, blood
orange, rose petal, savage, energy!
Young it may be but what a show it put on.
Highly recommended for the season.
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2023
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Saint-Joseph
(France, Northern Rhône, Saint-Joseph)
$110 - 750ml
$225 - 1500ml
If
you're guest count is large, yes we have magnums. Now for the
wine.
Since
1481...but you've already heard enough about the Chave family
history. Let's continue:
We first
came across Jean-Louis Chave many (many) years ago at a
restaurant in SF. The wine director (the restaurant was
Boulevard) brought a 2001 Saint Joseph from Chave and poured us
a glass suggesting this would be the perfect pairing for our
entree. You may ask what that dish was but we have completely
forgotten as the personality of the wine entranced the entire
table. That's when we realized how great Syrah can be.
In
the years since our love of this wine has only grown.
This
2023 is certainly young, but very approachable and indeed would
be perfect with rack of lamb, Beef Wellington, or do as we did
last night and pair it with classic
lasagna.
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