Tamnavulin 1979
$1,149.99
According to the Malt Whisky Yearbook, Tamnavulin is the fastest growing single malt in Scotland. While historically much of the distillery's production has ended up in Whyte & Mackay blends, it seems as though there's a new vision for the brand. With a capacity of about 4.2 million litres, we should soon be seeing a lot more Tamnavulin. Sadly, the core range is rather lean, but there was also a decade long stock gap from the mid-90s through mid-2000s, so a lot of the spirit is really just coming into its own. Imagine our surprise when this 2018 Taiwan-exclusive bottling appeared in our market. Apparently, this was the last batch they had left from the 1970s. It was matured in a combination of first fill Sherry butts and Bourbon barrels. In their own words: "Initially matured in Bourbon barrels then transferred to 30 Years Old Matusalem Oloroso Sherry butts before being returned to First Fill Bourbon barrels for a final maturation period to conclude the 39 year maturation."
Just gonna say it: this price is way too low.
Non-chill filtered, and bottled at 46.5% abv
Clerget Volnay
$174.99
The 2019 Clerget Volnay is matured in 20% new oak and is completely de-stemmed. It offers darker fruit compared to the Volnay Village with raspberry wild strawberry and cranberry. Hints of briary and sous-bois develop in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with a vibrant element of blood orange suffusing the bright red fruit with a slightly chalky textured finish. Very good tension throughout this Volnay that should give 15-20 years of drinking pleasure. (Drink between 2022-2040).
Larmandier Rose Champagne
$184.99
Larmandier-Bernier is, according writer Peter Liem, "one of the finest producers in the Côte des Blancs", garnering rave reviews not just from Liem but other top critics like Vinous' Antonio Galloni. The wines are unified stylistically, with chalky cores and delicate, lifted citrus and floral notes that seem drawn in pastel. But there are also strong differences, a testament to the distinct personalities within the Côtes des Blancs.
This is a rare saignee method champagne rose. Intense on the palate and delicate on the nose. This cuvée is produced from the Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris grapes picked in Vertus, where the two varieties grow together in the same plot of old vines. It’s made by macerating the berries for a few days, a technique not commonly used in Champagne.
Leonetti Cabernet
$213.99
Leonetti was founded by Gary and Nancy Figgins, in 1977 as Walla Walla’s first commercial winery. What is far less understood is that the presence of this family in Walla Walla spans over a century-long into the deep silt loam of this valley. Gary was incredibly fortunate to know his grandparents, Francesco and Rosa Leonetti, and grew up making weekend trips the short distance down the old dirt road to the Leonetti farm they established in 1906. This is the same site where, with a few cuttings of Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling, Gary would come to plant his first commercial vineyard in 1974 and unknowingly establish an entire industry for our valley. Building off the inspiration he gleaned from his grandfather’s bubbling fermentations on the farm’s dirt floor basement, the only logical thing to do to honour his family’s roots would be to name the winery Leonetti Cellar. Through these experiences, Gary and his son acquired a certain perspective and reverence for our family heritage that guides them to this day. The wine has become the benchmark for Washington Cabernet, capable of aging for 20 years or more.
Javillier Meursault Cuvee Tete de Murger
$229.99
The Javallier story started in Meursault, after the war in 1945 when Raymond Javillier decided to cultivate 2 ha. of plots which had always belonged to the family. The turning point for the estate was in 1974: Patrick received his diploma in wine studies (Diplôme National d’Oenologie) and his father handed over the estate with full responsibility for the harvest and wine-making process. Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, the estate acquired new plots and the addition of land which belonged to the family of his wife, Catherine. In 2005, Marion, the elder daughter of Patrick, joined the domain after studies in management and winegrowing with the responsibility for sales and the winemaking process of the red wines. In 2011, Pierre-Emmanuel Lamy, the husband of Laurène (Marion’s sister) also joined the domain, in charge of the fieldwork and winemaking process of the white wines. Today, Marion and Pierre-Emmanuel are the third generation to benefit from and develop the family tradition. Javallier makes some of the finest white wines in Burgundy.
Oddero Barolo 2021
$119.99
The Oddero Barolo DOCG 2017 is a classic expression of Barolo. Its rustic persona is apparent on both the nose and palate; You see elements of dried rose petals, truffles, terracotta, fried sage leaves, licorice, cranberry and red currant following through on the finish. 100% Nebbiolo and 100% Organic!
Mushroom Risotto, wild boar or Piave Cheese will be great to pair with this wine. You can even pair this Barolo with a hearty Lasagna, an elegant Carbonara or even your favourite pizza!
San Leonardo Magnum 2018
$294.99
The IGT big gun of Alto Adige in a big bottle! If you are a fan of the bold but balanced red wine of Bordeaux, you need to try this wine from Italy! The San Leonardo 2015 vintage is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Carmenère, and 10% Merlot aged for 24 months in a combination of new and refill French Oak barrels. This bold wine can drink now with decanting and bold red meats and/or cheeses to pair, or it can be forgotten about in your cellar for the next two decades or more!
Quintarelli Alzero 2014
$649.99
A legendary wine from a legendary producer! "The late, great Maestro del Veneto, Giuseppe Quintarelli, succeeded in establishing his mythical and legendary estate during an amazing sixty-year career. All of the tradition, love, heart, and soul of crafting one of the world's finest wines continue at the Quintarelli home and winery in the hills north of Verona," according to Kermit Lynch. Alzero is made by letting Cabernet Franc grapes air-dry before pressing. One of the last wines to be made by Quintarelli, who died in 2012. Serious collectors of top Italian wine will not want to miss out on this rich, intense beauty.
Podere Forte Anfiteatro 2017
$274.99
The Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004, encircles the Podere Forte. The estate was founded in 1997 by Pasquale Forte, a visionary entrepreneur who has created a balanced system where every element complements the others, following the principles of organic and biodynamic agriculture. The old concept of the corte romana has been recreated on the 500-ha estate: a place where people, plants and animals coexist in harmony and sustainable self-sufficiency. Wine is the main focus, but Podere Forte is also synonymous with the breeding of Cinta Senese pigs, Chianina cattle and Suffolk sheep, as well as various other farm animals, all living on biodynamic feed. Podere Forte produces its own fertilizers and compost using vine prunings and fallen timber from the woods. The pigs eat acorns and chestnuts in the woods where they roam freely, the bees pollinate the flowers and aromatic herbs in the botanic garden where the hives are. The olive groves cover around 26 hectares and in 2020 production of the first varietal oil, from the Frantoio variety, started.