La Gerla Rosso di Montalcino
$52.99
Fattoria La Gerla, named for the large, old-fashioned, conical baskets that grape-harvesters used to carry on their backs, was founded in 1976 by the late Sergio Rossi. Originally from Milan, Mr. Rossi purchased the property in 1975 from Tedina Biondi-Santi, the daughter of Tancredi Biondi-Santi, who had inherited the property after her father’s passing. The purchase of what was then called the Podere Colombaio Santi included an ancient farmhouse and 6.5 hectare of vineyards. Mr. Rossi, who by then had been managing the Altesino-Caparzo estate for several years, renamed the property La Gerla and set about restoring the estate and replanting the vines using selection massale. His first vintage was 1976, making La Gerla one of the first 35 bottlers of Brunello di Montalcino; these days, there are 280. Today, La Gerla consists of 11.5 hectares, divided between the original 6.5 hectare vineyard in Canalicchio (Montalcino) and an additional 5 hectares in Castelnuovo dell’Abate, where Mr. Rossi was presciently the first to plant vines in earnest. The estate, now run by vineyard manager/director Alberto Passeri and winemaker Vittorio Fiore, makes five wines, all made entirely from Sangiovese Grosso, the only grape planted on the property.
La Leccia Chianti Classico
$37.99
In the 1920s, the Daddi family purchased the castle and its surroundings, and in their attentive care, it would remain for almost 100 years. Francesco Daddi took the reins of the family estate in 1997 and worked tirelessly at making incremental improvements, not the least of which was the return to the organic viticulture of his ancestors. He also worked closely with renowned architect Alessandro Loni Coppedè to restore crumbled portions of the castle and the gardens to their former glory. Francesco is mild-mannered and affable, the very definition of a gentleman. But he harbours a perfectionist streak that has led to world-class wine. The vineyards surround the Castello at altitudes ranging from 300 to 500 meters, with south and southwest exposure, and marl and chalk soils. They grow primarily Sangiovese, the most vital grape to Tuscany, along with small plots of other native varieties. The vines’ excellent exposure combined with the deftly tempered use of oak in the cellar makes for formidable incarnations of Chianti Classico, structured and powerful yet subtle and grounded.
Delinquente Weeping Juan Pink Pet Nat
$36.99
Another great intro to the more uncontrolled side of wine-making without scaring anyone off. Fresh and thirst quenching with notes of baking spice, underripe strawberry, and fresh off-the-vine watermelon. Crush this bottle on a patio with some fresh fruit and charcuterie, no regretting it.
Armand Heitz Pommard Clos Bauder
$122.99
Since 2019, the label has shifted names from Heitz-Lochardet to Armand-Heitz to reflect the strides the winemaker has made since taking the reins. Organic & Biodynamic The winemaking tradition at Domaine Armand Heitz dates back to 1857. Domaine Armand Heitz is located in Chassagne-Montrachet and was founded in the mid-1980s by Armand Heitz’s parents Brigette and Christian with initially just 5 hectares. Armand studied oenology and then decided to take over his family’s vines after completing his studies in 2011. For years, his mother, Brigette had contracted these vines to Maison Joseph Drouhin. And since taking over Armand has sought about regaining control of more of the vines under the domaine. He made his first vintage in 2013 with the help of consulting oenologist Ludovic Pierrot who had spent eight years working with Anne-Claude Leflaive at Domaine Leflaive. Armand farms the vineyards using biodynamic practices and his winemaking style is traditional in approach with the use of new oak kept at a minimum, usually around just 20-25%.
La Marca Prosecco
$26.99
Mascorrubi Teulera Ancestra
$29.99
This organic sparkling wine from Mascorrubi is made using the local Montonaga grape.
The Montonaga grape is a sub-varietel of Pareladda. Montonega vines produce loose bunches of small, pink grapes with thicker skins than Pareladda typically show and make aromatic and fresh white wine.
Rosier Ma Maison Magnum
$52.99
This is a magnum/1.5 Litre bottle of the Rosier Ma Maison Crement.
This Cremant Rose from the Languedoc is made from a combination of 70% Chardonnay, 20% Chenin Blanc, and 10% Pinot Noir. Pairs with seafood, grilled or breaded calamari, and more.
Mulderbosch Sparkling Rose
$22.99
Escarpment Vineyard Kiwa Pinot Noir
$68.99
Escarpment, defined as a long, steep slope that lies at the end of a plateau, is a unique place within Martinborough. Big open skies stretch across the Wairarapa, ‘glistening waters’ in te reo Māori, and the ancient alluvial soils run deep beneath the land. The home vineyard on Te Muna Road is situated just minutes east of Martinborough village, with 24 hectares of distinctive alluvial gravel, terraced land stretches out along the banks of the Huangarua River. The soils of the vineyard are alluvial loams that were formed by the Huangarua River over 20,000 years ago. With very deep alluvial gravels now layered over the loams this composition ensures exceptional drainage, one of the key prerequisites for nurturing and producing premium quality, healthy grape vines. Much like the great wines of Burgundy, Escarpment’s names their top Pinot Noirs after the vineyards from which the grapes were grown, rather than the grape variety. The Single Vineyard Kupe, Pahi, Te Rehua and Kiwa demonstrate this philosophy with distinctive elegance and character.