Marie Courtin Efflorescence Brut
$113.04
A Kensington Wine Market exclusive! Dominique Moreau took over a small vineyard of mostly 40 to 50 year old Pinot Noir with a vision of creating single-vineyard, single varietal, single vintage Champagnes from biodynamically grown grapes- farmed with meticulous care, and vinified au naturel. Brut Efflorescence (100% Pinot Noir) is at first rather cool and inward, then explodes on the palate with great intensity. It is a fabulous wine endowed with tons of persistence and sheer energy. The aromas and flavors build towards the rich, generous finish. The winery is named after Moreau's grandmother Marie Courtin.
Mas Blanch i Jove Sao Expressiu
$37.49
These family-owned organic vineyards are located in Les Garrigues, on the western border of the Priorat region, a mountainous area more than 700 meters above sea level. The uniqueness of the vineyards’ soil, the low rainfall, the ample sunshine and the significant temperature differentials between day and night allow them to obtain a product of exceptional quality. Made from a blend of Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo, this wine packs a punch. Complex aromas, elegant and mature with highlights of red and black fruits, accompanied by a blend of balsamic and aniseed flavours that provide a distinct freshness. Cocoa and vanilla are there, but subtle. Soft yet potent on the palate, consistent and elegant with an emergence of forest fruits and sweet spices. Good acidity, elegant, tasty with soft tannins. Velvety and fresh tannins. An expressive wine that talks to you. One of the best from the region of Costers del Segre! Enjoy with big red meat, stews, hearty vegetarian fare, and on its own.
La Kiuva - Rouge de Vallee
$34.84
A blend of 70% Picotendro (local Nebbiolo clone), 30% Gros Vien, Neyret, Cornalin and Fumin.
La Kiuva is a tiny co-op in the Vallée d'Aoste, whose headquarters are in Pied de Ville. It was created in 1975 and its first vintage was 1979. Today, it consists of just 60 growers comprising 25 hectares of vines (18 in DOC) and producing around 8000 cases total. In this way it is more akin to a fine small winery with each grower tending their small plot like in Burgundy with the co-operative's agronomist ensuring the highest quality of viticulture. Most of the grower members farm organically. Kiuva means a bale of chestnut leaves used to feed animals during the winter.
All the vineyards are located between 380 and 500 meters above sea level, with the white and aromatic varieties being planted at the higher levels and the vineyards at the lower levels producing wine with greater structure and body that is aged in wood. The older vineyards are pergola-trained but the newer vineyards are cane-trained along wires. The diurnal difference is greater than in Piemonte, due to the proximity of the Alps and thus the harvest period is prolonged. The higher elevation is also advantageous when there is excessive rain.
Dumangin Blanc de Blancs
$80.74
A grower-producer in the heart of Chigny-les-Rose, Giles Dumangin has champagne coursing through his veins. Dating back to the 1650s, the Dumangins have always worked with the vines of Champagne, but it wasn't until 1890 when Hippolyte Dumangin created Champagne Dumangin in the 1er Cru vineyards of Chigny-les-Roses. Five generations later, Champagne Dumangin is producing an array of champagnes, from their classic, feminine style to their newer, high-end cuvees.
One of only two Blanc de Blancs produced at Champagne Dumangin, this vintage champagne is simply delicious! . Enjoy as an aperitif, or with oysters or lobster.
Dumangin Le Vintage Premier Cru 2010
$63.69
2010 Vintage. A grower-producer in the heart of Chigny-les-Rose, Giles Dumangin has champagne coursing through his veins. Dating back to the 1650s, the Dumangins have always worked with the vines of Champagne, but it wasn't until 1890 when Hippolyte Dumangin created Champagne Dumangin in the 1er Cru vineyards of Chigny-les-Roses. Five generations later, Champagne Dumangin is producing an array of champagnes, from their classic, feminine style to their newer, high-end cuvees. Their Vintage Cuvee is a blend of Chardonnay (54%) and Pinot Noir (46%), and with 9 years en tirage (on the yeast lees), the wine shows beautiful and elegant complexity. Expect notes of brioche, grilled almonds, blossom and lemon drops, with a bright acidity that extends the finish. Pair with fresh seafood, or simply enjoy as an aperitif. 2010 was a challenging vintage for the region, but Dumangin did some aggressive sorting and managed to deliver a lovely vintage wine.
Meinklang Gruner Veltliner
$28.04
The Meinklang vineyards are found in eastern Austria close to the Hungarian border. Gruner Veltliner, Austria's darling white grape varietal, is making Burgundian Chardonnays look positively bland and has wowed wine critics internationally for it's great food-matching credentials. Full of the flavours of green apple and citrus, with a white pepper finish, it offers a wonderful hit of mineral freshness. This wine is made entirely from Grüner Veltliner grown on sandy loam. The grapes are gently pressed into stainless steel where they ferment and age on lees for a short period of time. The wine goes through a loose filter before being bottled with 90ppm total Sulphur. 11% ABV
Vincent Gaudry Sancerre
$55.24
Vincent Gaudry uses fruit from all three soils types in Sancerre--chalk, silex and clay-limestone marl--to make Le Tournebride, a rarirty for the region, and a boon to this wine. The chalky soils contribute perfumy grapefruit and lime notes, while the silex adds a smoky mineral dimension and the clay-limestone marls give the wine weight and structure. The result: A wonderfully complete representation of all that Sancerre has to offer--fruit, mineral and substance.
Burgos Porta Mas Sinen Clos
$56.09
This aromatic red bursts out of the glass with a big bouquet of aromas that includes black licorice, tea, campfire smoke and black fruits. On the palate, it's all cassis, black fruits and spice, with firm but ripe and well-integrated tannins. It spends its time 90% French and 10% American oak barrels and will continue to improve for another 8 -10 years.
Dumangin M.V. La Cuvee
$48.74
Formerly known as Cuvee 17, the M.V. LA Cuvee is Dumangin's entry level Champagne, and is easily the best value we have. It is a multi-vintage Champagne... hence the name, and we love the new labels!
Producer Description
"M.V La Cuvée (formely known as « La Cuvée 17 »), is the Alchimiste en Champagne version of a Multi Vintage cuvée. Composed of the 3 grapes with an average 50% reserve wines depending on years, it comes in all sizes.
"This fine and fruity champagne is versatile and will complement most fine dishes Pristine bouquet of vibrant lemons and strawberry hull opens out into a palate of fantastic, linear freshness with great persistance"