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.
Cosimo Taurino Notarpanaro
$36.99
Taking its name from the farm where the Taurino family started making wine, The Notarpanaro is made entirely from the Negroamaro grape. The grapes come from a single 25 hectare plot and the resulting wine is aged for two years in concrete tanks first, followed by a further half a year refill barriques before bottling. Here is what Wine Enthusiast has to say about the 2010 vintage:
"This well-priced, aged wine offers aromas of brandied cherries, spiced game and herbs on the nose. Its round feel and soft tannins make it entirely approachable to drink on its own, while its savory palate and graphite finish make it a perfect accompaniment to braised lamb or duck."
About The Winery
Cantina Cosimo Taurino was founded in 1970 by the legendary Apulian producer, Cosimo Taurino. He was a pioneer of Negroamaro, and of the Apulian wine industry, changing it's reputation of the 'not so great southern region that only produces bulk grapes for the north' to a region known for it's high quality red and rosé wines. Ever since the winery opened it's doors, they have continued to grow and produce some of the best wines Puglia has to offer.
Protos Verdejo
$24.99
Verdejo is effectively unique to Spain, and specifically to the Rueda region. It's dominated by citrus flavours that include lemon/lime and grapefruit, along a hint of salinity and a pleasant almond note that often develops after a few years in bottle. This one is aged on it's lees for 3 months, all in stainless steel tanks. It's a brilliant seafood wine, particularly with delicate white fish and the bivalve family (oysters, mussels, clams).
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.
Bindi Dixon Pinot
$89.99
"The Bindi Dixon Pinot Noir is based upon declassified grapes from the Original Vineyard planted in 1988 and grapes from the new Block K, planted in 2001. The ideal of this wine is to produce a delicious, perfumed, spicy harmonious, textured wine that is not as intense, complex nor ageworthy as our individual vineyard wines. Even when the outstanding Block K vines are older we will continue to declassify sections or barrels from each vineyard and produce this wine.
The wine is fermented the same way as our other Pinot Noirs in that it is ostensibly 100% de-stemmed and gently worked in small open vats. The wine spends 11 months in French barrels, of which about 10-15% is new.
Production varies from 500-700 dozen per vintage.
This wine was formerly called Bindi Composition Pinot Noir." - Bindi
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.