Carchelo Jumilla Monastrell
$26.99
Bodegas Carchelo is a family-run producer in Jumilla, one of a handful of wineries that has raised the bar for the region's wines. Located in the eastern part of the Baetic mountain range, 80 km from the Mediterranean Sea and at an altitude of 600 m above sea level, Jumilla has a continental Mediterranean climate with a semi-arid nature. It is also a dry region located on a mineral and calcareous soil structure mixed with rich clay soils. This one is made entirely from Monastrell (a.k.a. Mourvedre) and is aged in steel tanks without any oak influence. The result is a wine with great purity and freshness, offering up notes of black plums, spice, and a subtle balsamic note.
Carchelo Altico Syrah
$35.99
Bodegas Carchelo is a family-run producer in Jumilla, one of a handful of wineries that has raised the bar for the region's wines. Located in the eastern part of the Baetic mountain range, 80 km from the Mediterranean Sea and at an altitude of 600 m above sea level, Jumilla has a continental Mediterranean climate with a semi-arid nature. It is also a dry region located on a mineral and calcareous soil structure mixed with rich clay soils.
Protos Reserva
$59.99
Things start to get serious in this range. It's produced from south facing vineyards in the Burgos Province from 50-year-old vines and aged in French and American barrels for 18 months. It spends two years in bottle prior to release. There's some grip to this wine along with dark red fruits, spice and minerality, and ideal companion to roasted meats and game. Decanting is recommended.
Farr Farrside Pinot Noir
$121.99
The Farr estate is located in the Moorabool Valley between Geelong and Ballarat, 100km southwest of Melbourne. Gary and Robyn Farr purchased the original property in 1994 and the second section in 1998—this latter had been untouched for almost 40 years and consisted of dense boxthorn and noxious weeds. The final piece of the puzzle, which links the two blocks of land, was purchased by Nick and Cassie Farr in 2011, making a total of 130 acres—of which 36 acres are under vine and the remainder is maintained as grazing and cropping for cattle and horses. With a mixture of different clones and rootstocks, the grape varieties grown here are viognier, chardonnay, pinot noir, gamay and shiraz. Grape growing in this region dates back more than 200 years, with Swiss settlers planting Victoria’s first vineyards here in the early 1800s.
"Each vintage of Farrside pinot noir exhibits more masculinity, structure and savoury components, while deep meaty, spicy and mineral flavours also continue to evolve. A balanced array of red and black fruits, Farrside pinot noir is fresh and edgy with bucketloads of character. This is a firm yet delicate wine with a long-textured finish." Winery notes
Lapalus Macon Pierre Clos Gamay
$28.99
"Fourth generation independent winemaker in southern Burgundy, 15 km from Macon, expressing all the authenticity of the terroir. Working in a spirit of quality and respect for the environment while combining tradition and new methods of vineyard management. Maurice Lapalus is joined by his son Christophe in overseeing 17 hectares of vines." (Crush imports) Most Gamy is synonymous with Beaujolais but the Macon has a small share as well. This is lovely Gamay with a decidedly Burgundian flare, chock-a-block with red fruits and spice.
Jacques Lassaigne Clos Sainte Sophie
$234.99
This wine is made from a unique plot in the middle of their vineyards with 40+ year old vines. "This wine is opulence personified. Intense laser-beams of acidity balance out the caramel notes here and the finish goes on and on for millennia. This wine pairs well with long-lived wedding anniversaries and doctoral dissertation completions, or it will make whatever random moment you decide to open one as special as either of those rare events. Extremely limited and unicorn-like."
"Jacques Lassaigne is a 4.7-hectare family vineyard located in Montgueux. The vineyards boast prime southeastern exposure and consist entirely of Chardonnay. The Montgueux vineyard sites were originally held for the Montrachet of Champagne and are located near the gates of Troyes—the former capital of Champagne. This area is technically part of the Aube department, but is much further north than what people typically think of as the Aube, in the Cote des bars which features wines often primarily made from Pinot Meunier. The terroir in Montgueux is nearly identical to the growing sites found further north in le Mesnil, as they share the same limestone vein —this is exceptional terroir for making great champagne. An intense backbone of acidity is often present in these wines, but since it is located further south than the storied Cotes des blancs, ripening is not as much of an issue. The non-vintage Blanc de Blancs is a blend of nine different vineyard sites & two successive vintages."
Jacques Lassaigne Le Cotet
$124.99
This cuvée issues from grapes of a single vineyard – “Le Cotet”. Here, the 50+ year-old vines have deeply-rooted in the chalky hillside, furthest to the east in the Montgueux vineyards. Mineral notes, very crisp, with a lemony finish. A wonderful companion to oysters, seafood and other shellfish.
"Musky apple and pear skin aromas are deepened by notes of chamomile and smoky lees. Tightly wound citrus zest and orchard fruit flavors expand with aeration, giving way to deeper nectarine, melon and marzipan. Toasted nut and lemon pith distinguish the impressively long, focused finish. This Champagne's blend of power and finesse is impressive." Vinous
Piron Beaujolais Blanc
$31.99
Dominique Piron’s family has been growing grapes here since the 16th century, and Dominique took over the estate in 1971. Piron farms 45 hectares of vineyards scattered among several different crus in Beaujolais, namely Morgon, Chénas, Brouilly, Régnié and Moulin-à-Vent. He owns some parcels, rents others, and also buys 20 hectares worth of carefully selected grapes from their neighbours. Regardless of where the grapes are sourced, Piron is responsible for every aspect of quality control from the vineyard management to the marketing of the finished wine. They take such great care of each of their crus that even the simple Beaujolais and Beaujolais-Villages wines are carefully selected from single-vineyard parcels. Each of their terroirs is unique, yet they are all granite-based soils—the ideal grounding for the Gamay grape. Piron farms sustainably, although he has also been experimenting with organic methods to achieve a rich biodiversity in the vineyards.
Laherte Champagne Les Longues Voyes
$114.99
'Les Longues Voyes' or the 'The long way' comes from a plot that is 30 km from the estate. This fine Blanc De Noirs Premier Cru is made from 100% Pinot Noir. It takes its time to get to optimal maturity. Long ageing in barrels on lees for 18 months and exceptional grapes give this wine richness and complexity.