Weingut Wohlmuth 2021 Riesling Kitzeck-Sausal  Kitzeck-im-Sausal is a village that deserves high praise. That’s because it boasts the highest-in-elevation wine estates in Austria. But it takes more than a mountaintop to create great wine. It takes many generations of the Wohlmuth family who have been making 100% single-estate-grown wine here since 1803! Dense, aromatic and ripe Riesling fruit here with plenty of clarity and mineral substance—Gerhard Wohlmuth says this is “the best Dr. Wunsch we have ever had: pure and juicy, with low pH, almost only tartaric acid and perfectly brought to the cellar.” On the palate, this 2021 is dense, juicy and salty, showing crystalline acidity as well as enormous power and length with corresponding tannin structure, yet also elegance and finesse. Still, this is a powerful Riesling overall that can stand a few years of aging.

Viu Manent 2022 Reserva Sauvignon Blanc  After working as a wine merchant alongside his father and brother since the 1930’s, Miguel Viu Manent made the decision to branch out on his own in 1965, purchasing a historic vineyard and winery in Chile’s Colchagua Valley. The estate was and still is one of the most well-exposed sites in the region. The grapes for this wine come from Viu Manent’s  San Carlos vineyard in the heart of the Colchagua Valley. Outstanding fruity aromas of white peach, pineapple, and grapefruit intermingled with floral and subtle citrus and saline notes. The palate is complete, fruity, fresh, and persistent with good volume and a pleasing finish.

Domaine Delmas 2019 L’Envol AOC Limoux Blanc Domaine Delmas has long been considered a reference point for Limoux bubbles, and now still wines. The house is operated by Bernard Delmas, his wife Marlene, and their son Baptiste. From a small parcel of vines farmed organically by the Delmas family in the steep mountains that tower over the village of Limoux, this wine is a blend of Mauzac and Chardonnay. Fresh, racy with typical notes of crisp green apple and honey. The Mauzac grape varietal gives this wine its classic Blanquette de Limoux characteristics of crisp green apple. The texture is creamy, well-structured with fresh elegance and good length.

QSS Rare NV Vinho Verde  QSS is the union between the wines of Quinta de S. Sebastião, with more than 300 years of tradition in wine production in Arruda dos Vinhos, and a cause – endangered animals. The most recent wines from Quinta de S. Sebastião, QSS Rare range, were born combining two purposes: to offer vibrant and modern wines and to support organizations that fight against the extinction of species that are currently endangered. This wine is dedicated to Sardines, an iconic element of Portuguese culture and gastronomy. In the last 20 years there has been a decrease in Sardines, so this wine donates some of its proceeds to sustainable fishing practices in Portugal. The wine has a slight spritz, fruity with nice minerality, fresh and light, with a smooth and slightly sweet aftertaste. Pair with salads and other cold meals, fish and seafood.

Duquesa de Valladolid 2021 Rueda  New 2021 vintage! You may know Verdejo as a thirst-quenching alternative to Sauvignon Blanc. The best examples in the world come via the Castilla y Leon region of Spain, and this particular example is a side project of the Bodegas LAN team.  From the warm 2021  vintage, this somewhat plump example shows a brilliant straw color with green reflections. Powerful and complex in the mouth with the characteristic acidity from the Verdejo variety and aromatic herb notes. Well-balanced, versatile wine.

Tenuta Gaggino 2020 Rosato  Lady in charge! 45-year old Ondine took over her family’s organic but very classic estate and decided to add a layer of fun, experimental wines to shake things up in the family portfolio. Ondine de la Feld, who helms her family’s old-school, certified organic, estate in the Marche, on a hill overlooking the Adriatic sea in the heart of the famous Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC Classico appellation. Lush, organic Rosé for an insane value! 

Chateau Grand Moulin 2016 “Cuvée Fleur Elysee” Corbières  Château Grand Moulin’s 35 years of adventure began in 1985, when Jean-Noël Bousquet acquired 24 hectares and settled in a private cellar on the site of an old mill on the banks of the river Orbieu. Today it is Frédéric Bousquet, a young winegrower, who took over from his father in 2014, and is at the head of the estate. Château Grand Moulin is a large and vast vineyard, a mosaic of terroirs, producing wines sold and recognized throughout the world as one of the leaders of the Corbières appellation. Beautifully bold, this wine is lush and has a long finish on the mouth. Pairs great with red meats and grilled vegetables! 

Domaine de Thulon 2020 Beaujolais-Villages Morgon Les Charmes  Here we have some classic old vine Morgon! The vineyard situation is both typical and perfect; on a granite hillside with south-west exposure. With an intense, purplish-ruby color, this Beaujolais is packed with delicious aromas of cherry and strawberry that explode from the glass. This farm is located on the old estate of Château de Thulon (15th century) and was purchased by Annie and René Jambon in 1987 after they were “métayers” for 20 years there. Their children Carine and Laurent are now running the estate, and a passion for experimentation sets them apart from peers in the region. These are some of the best values in French wine we’ve come across in the last decade. Try it slightly chilled to bring out more delicate fresh fruit flavors.

Château Lauriga 2019 Cotes du Roussillon “Cuvee Bastien”  Our friend Jean-Claude Mas purchased Lauriga several years ago after the untimely passing of longtime proprietor Rene Clar. The property sits between Perpignan and Thuir (where the aperitif Byrrh is made), and the history of winegrowing at Lauriga dates back to 1068 when the King of France personally tended the vineyards. Old-vine Grenache and Syrah shine in this wild countryside, in both dry and traditional “racine” format. This blend serves as the domain’s flagship these days. A nose of ripe red fruits, jammed, with liquorice aromas and a touch of sweet spices, with a well balanced palate.

Reserve de Marande 2021 Pinot Noir  The Réserve de Marande range offers seductive and generous wines, produced in southern France, in the Languedoc-Roussillon and Gascony region. This particular Pinot Noir was selected from their best vineyards, from the sunniest areas, to create a wine with smooth taste and aromas of “Garrigue.” Garnet red in color, the wine has lovely aromas of raspberry and cherry, subtle smoky and peppery hints with some thyme. Fruity, elegant, well-balanced and a silky long finish. An incredible value for French Pinot Noir.

Crous Saint Martin 2019 Gigondas “Les Espaliers”  An overnight blockbuster for us immediately upon arrival two vintages back, Crous St Martin is a collaboration between Rhone expert Harry Bosmans and Eric Bonnet of Domaine Bastide Saint Dominique. Harry is a household name amongst quality growers in the Rhone Valley and an invaluable resource thanks to his skill on both the production side and on the sales side. The vines here are located in the different terroirs of Gigondas, probably the most complex soil of the southern Rhone, going from alluvial soil (from the river l’Ouvèze) of about 100.000 years ago, up to the Trias being 200 million years old. Meet silky, elegant, cheerful Gigondas.

GEN 5 2020 Ancestral Red Blend  For five generations (since the 1870’s) the Lange family has lived and worked their land in Lodi, California, always striving to leave the land in a better state for the next generation. Johann and Maria Lange started out as watermelon farmers. The family moved into grape growing in 1916. Today, their vineyards are certified green by Lodi Rules Sustainable Wine-growing. This wine celebrates 5 generations with 5 varietals blended into this delicious, crowd-pleasing wine: 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Zinfandel, 5.5% Malbec, 4.5% Petite Sirah, 3% Merlot, 5% other varietals. Comforting and inviting with its rich dark fruit flavors, creamy texture, and velvety finish.

Thank you for your support of the family winegrowers we work with!