Friday Night Newsletter – 10-14-22

California

My Favourite Neighbour MFN Blanc, Paso Robles 2021 750ml $29 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “Fennel, lemon and mineral aromas follow through to bone-dry palate, with medium body and creamy, fine lees. Beautifully poised and delicious. Drink now.” 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $49

Opus One Overture, Napa Valley NV 750ml $124.50 special, 6 bottles in stock now
2018/2019 vintages

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Opus One, Napa Valley 2019 750ml $389 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2019 Opus One is a dense, beautifully layered wine, but it is also quite restrained. That should serve it well in time. Tasted next to the 2018, the 2019 possesses a bit more textural nuance and body, yet it has all the classicism that is such an Opus One signature. Bright floral accents linger on the sublime finish.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 97-99 points ” Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2019 Opus One leaps from the glass with notes of Black Forest cake, Morello cherries, mulberries and fresh blackcurrants plus hints of licorice, wilted roses, Sichuan pepper and iron ore. Full-bodied, the palate is jam-packed with juicy black, blue and red fruits, framed by velvety tannins and background freshness, finishing on a compelling earthy/mineral note. Tasted as a barrel sample, this is a truly magnificent Opus One in the making!”
Jeb Dunnuck 96-98 points “Similarly ruby/purple-hued, the 2019 Opus One is cut from the same cloth as the 2018 yet has a touch more baby fat and opulence, at least as this stage. Beautiful black raspberry, cassis, toasted spice, lead pencil, and subtle oak all make an appearance, and it’s medium to full-bodied, with a rounded, layered mouthfeel, impressive tannins, and a great finish. I don’t think it has the same precision as the 2018, but it brings another level of hedonism. It’s another beautiful wine from this team. The blend is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot.”


France – Loire

Domaine Brazilier Methode Trad Brut, Loire NV 750ml $17 special, 12 bottles in stock now
50/50 blend of Pineau d’Aunis and Chenin blanc.

Domaine Brazilier Methode Trad Brut Rose, Loire NV 750ml $17 special, 12 bottles in stock now
A sparkling rose made from Pineau d’Aunis.


France – Burgundy

Clotilde Davenne Cremant de Bourgogne Brut Extra, Burgundy NV 750ml $26 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Winery note “A limpid, luminous gold colour with a complex and intense nose of apples and pears with notes of acacias, apple blossom and brioche. Delicate and fine bubbles are found in this pleasurable wine with subtle flavours of white flowers and green fruit.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Clotilde Davenne Cremant de Bourgogne Brut Extra Rose, Burgundy NV 750ml $26 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery note “A limpid and luminuous pink colour and an intense nose that is lively and full of currant and red fruit aromas. The delicate bubbles help to emphasis the pleasure and finesse on tasting. There is fullness of flavours of red fruits balanced subtly with freshness and minerality. The finish is fresh, elegant and persistent.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Austria

Weingut Weninger ‘Ponzichter’, Burgenland 2019 750ml $19 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Ponzichter is the colloquial word for the German grape growing minority in Sopron – it means ‘bean grower’ since they’d often farm vegetables between the rows. The grapes (Pinot Noir and Zweigelt) are grown on Loam and Gneiss in both Austria and Hungary. The grapes were fermented in open-top vat, partly crushed and partly as whole berries. After 18 months in 40-year-old cask, the wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered with only 10ppm of sulphur. 12% ABV”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Portugal – Madeira

The Rare Wine Co. Historic Series Savannah Verdelho Special Reserve, Madeira NV 750ml $49 special, 6 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “The NV Savannah Verdhelo Special Reserve (Rare Wine Company) is lovely, wafting from the glass with inviting aromas of fruitcake, warm spices, bitter orange, blanched almonds and dried flowers. Full-bodied, satiny and enveloping, with racy acids, a fleshy core of fruit, nicely integrated sweetness and an off-dry finish, it concludes with a penetrating and mouthwateringly saline finish.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Medium amber with a green rim. Aromas of burnt orange, tobacco, toffee and herbs, with a hint of potpourri adding an exotic component. Broader and deeper than the Charleston, offering sappy orange marmalade, chestnut honey and toffee flavors underscored by tangy acidity. Shows a sweet, nutty quality on the smoky, gently spicy finish. I like this wine’s heft and thrust.”

The Rare Wine Co. Historic Series Charleston Sercial Special Reserve, Madeira NV 750ml $49 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Medium amber. Gingerbread, orange zest, clove, blond tobacco and honey on the nose. Spicy citrus and poached pear flavors are lifted by zesty acidity and show a gentle smoky quality on the back end. Blends sweetness and dryness smoothly, finishing with good nervy cut, a jolt of fleur de sel and lingering smoke, citrus and spice notes.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91 points “The NV Charleston Sercial (Rare Wine Company) is also showing nicely, delivering scents of orange oil, dried white flowers, beeswax, walnuts and nutmeg. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and enveloping, it’s bright and precise, with tangy acids cloaked in a fleshy core of fruit, concluding with a long, off-dry finish. This is the driest wine in the Rare Wine Company’s historic series and the bottling that would best lend itself to pairing with savory dishes.”

The Rare Wine Co. Historic Series Boston Bual Special Reserve, Madeira NV 750ml $49 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Rare Wine Company note “Sweeter than either Charleston Sercial or Savannah Verdelho, Boston Bual still boasts incredible balance and refreshing acidity. The hallmark of this wine is its otherworldly complexity, featuring cinnamon-clove spiciness with overtones of citrus peel and woodsmoke. There is just enough sweetness to excel as an after-dinner wine, but its long, dry finish also makes it work beautifully with food. Port and Madeira expert Roy Hersh has written that Boston Bual “emulates some of the finest qualities of vintage Madeira … exhibiting a light amber-tawny color and a nose of dried figs, walnuts, maple syrup, mahogany and a sense of bouillon cube; the mélange of fragrances is complex and compelling. Medium in weight initially, it develops greater heft after a few days open, with a rich and sumptuous mouthfeel.””

The Rare Wine Co. Historic Series New York Malmsey Special Reserve, Madeira NV 750ml $49 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Medium amber. Powerfully scented bouquet combines cherry compote, cola, molasses, pipe tobacco and brown sugar. Lush and expansive in the mouth, offering sweet pit fruit and orange marmalade flavors and a deeper note of espresso. Clings tenaciously on the finish, which leaves notes of bitter cherry and candied flowers behind.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91 points “Rich and exotic, the NV New York Malmsey (Rare Wine Company) mingles aromas of gingerbread and cloves with notions of Christmas pudding, molasses and figs. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated, it’s fleshy and muscular, with lively balancing acids and a long, lusty and generously spiced finish. This would work beautifully with rich desserts.”

The Rare Wine Co. Historic Series Baltimore Rainwater Special Reserve, Madeira NV 750ml $47 special, 6 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91 points “The latest release of the NV Baltimore Rainwater (Rare Wine Company) is showing well, mingling aromas of ripe peach, candle wax and dried fruits with hints of walnuts. Medium to full-bodied, ample and enveloping, it’s fleshy and elegantly satiny, with a lively core of fruit, nicely integrated sweetness and a nicely defined finish. This bottling, based on young Verdelho, is crafted to evoke the Rainwater Madeiras of the 19th century—wines that were especially prized in the city of Baltimore.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $54

The Rare Wine Co. Historic Series George Washington Special Reserve, Madeira NV 750ml $75 special, 6 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 94 points “Based on 10 to 20 year old wines, complemented by some much older Madeiras to achieve the sweetness of a Bual, the NV George Washington Special Reserve (Rare Wine Company) opens in the glass with complex aromas of honey cake, peach, walnuts, candied peel, spices and old Cognac. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and layered, it’s deep and concentrated, with tangy acids, a rich patina of spice and a long, penetrating finish.”
Importer note “For more than 200 years, a grateful America has called George Washington ‘the father of our country.’ He commanded the Continental Army, presided over the drafting of the Constitution, and was the nation’s first President. And above all other wines, Washington loved Madeira. Washington’s first recorded purchase of Madeira was a 110-gallon barrel shipped to him in 1759. By 1766, he was ordering 220 gallons at a time… Washington demanded the ‘choicest’ wines… To the very end, he prized Madeira. In 1798, a visitor to Mount Vernon wrote that Washington ‘loves to chat after dinner with a glass of Madeira in his hand.’ The very special Madeira in this bottle pays homage to the ‘rich old’ style of Madeira Washington loved.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

 

 

Much like the beautiful wines from Domaine d’Henri, the Bessin family works with very old vines from ancient family holdings in Chablis. Much too, like Domaine d’Henri, these wines are extremely well priced for the international acclaim they’ve achieved. Stock up before more buyers catch on.

“As I’ve written several times, this estate really deserves to be talked about more, as it belongs among Chablis’s top half-dozen domaines. Bessin, as he puts it, loves the acidity and tension of Chablis on the condition that it’s paired with substance and flesh, a philosophy that’s admirably translated into practice in the form of wines with cut and concentration, texture and definition. Harvesting by hand, followed by fermentation and élevage in neutral wood and tank on the lees for as many as 18 months, is the method by which they are produced. The resulting wines offer everything one’s looking for in great Chablis. Farming and winemaking are entirely compliant with organic certification and have been for years, with the exception of one product that Bessin employs to ensure his wines don’t precipitate tartrates.” –William Kelley

Jean-Claude Bessin Chablis Vieilles Vignes, Burgundy 2020 750ml $33 special, 18 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91 points “Offering up aromas of citrus zest, crisp green apple, white flowers, freshly baked bread and light reduction, the 2020 Chablis Vieilles Vignes is medium to full-bodied, satiny and seamless, with tangy acids, fine depth at the core and a long, mineral finish.”
Burghound 90 points “Outstanding! This is aromatically similar to the regular cuvée but with even better Chablis character. However, there is notably better mid-palate density and power to the bigger-bodied flavors that exude outstanding intensity while coating the mouth on the beautifully long finale. While offering another dimension of depth, it comes at the price of being more structured. Highly recommended provided you have the patience to allow it at least a few years of keeping.”

Jean-Claude Bessin Chablis La Fourchaume La Piece au Comte, Chablis Premier Cru 2020 750ml $69 special, 10 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 94+ points “A brilliant wine from the best part of Bessin’s holdings in this premier cru, the 2020 Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume La Pièce Au Comte exhibits aromas of citrus zest, crisp green apple, freshly baked bread, pastry cream and iodine. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and seamless, it’s deep and complete, with racy structuring acids and a long, saline finish.”
Burghound 93 points “Outstanding! Subtle but not invisible wood sets off a similar aromatic profile. There is however noticeably better density to the beautifully textured medium-weight flavors that display excellent length on the balanced, clean, dry and youthfully austere finale. This is excellent and well worth exploring.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Jean-Claude Bessin La Foret, Chablis Premier Cru 2020 750ml $49 special, 6 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “Mingling aromas of citrus zest, green apple and white peach with notions of nutmeg and white flowers, Bessin’s 2020 Chablis 1er Cru La Forêt is medium-bodied, satiny and incisive, with racy acids and a bright, saline profile. Beautifully balanced, it will offer a broad drinking window.”
Burghound 91 points “Outstanding! A more citrus-infused nose offers up its aromas of mint, seashore, lemongrass and a suggestion of wet stone. The richer and more powerful flavors possess good muscle if not quite the same refinement while delivering fine length on the bitter zest, clean and dry finale. This could use better depth, but the underlying material appears to be present for that to occur if given a few years of clearing first.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Jean-Claude Bessin Valmur, Chablis Grand Cru 2020 750ml $89 special, 18 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2020 Chablis Grand Cru Valmur is another reference point wine from Bessin, unwinding in the glass with aromas of citrus zest, fresh peach, white flowers, oyster shell, beeswax and blanched almonds. Full-bodied, satiny and layered, with racy acids and a taut, concentrated, impressively chiseled profile, it concludes with a long, iodine-inflected finish.”
Burghound 94 points “A ripe yet cool, airy and restrained nose blends aromas of green fruit and citrus with those of essence of pear, iodine and tidal pool. The very rich, full-bodied and concentrated broad-shouldered flavors ooze minerality on the bone-dry, austere, compact and built-to-age finale. This is also first-rate and a wine that should amply repay a decade plus of cellaring.”

 

The Domaine des Bosquets estate began its history in 1376. It changed ownership a handful of times over the centuries, it was owned by the Chauvet family from 1674 to the 19th century and then returned to the family in 1961. It has stayed with them ever since and is currently run by Chauvet descendent Julien Brechet. Des Bosquets produces remarkable wines from their parcels, which include some well-known terroirs that span the Gigondas, Beaumes-de-Venise and Sablet appellations. You may recognize Jasio, La Colline, Le Plateau, Les Bosquets, Roche, Les Routes, and Les Blânches, and their superb parcel, Le Lieu Dit. 

In Stock Now:

Domaine des Bosquets Gigondas Le Lieu Dit, Rhône 2019 750ml $99 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “The 2019 Gigondas Le Lieu-Dit is as good as it gets – hats off to the young Julien Brechet for one of the finest Gigondas ever made. Coming from a cooler, sandy terroir next to this estate and all Grenache, it was 70% destemmed and spent 18 months in used demi-muids before being moved to concrete tanks prior to bottling. A Grand Cru Red Burgundy-like array of wild strawberries, framboise, flowers, sappy green herbs, and spice all emerge on the nose. This is followed by a seamless, full-bodied, incredibly pure Gigondas that’s more about finesse and elegance than sheer power. I love it today, yet it has the balance, as well as structure, to benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and keep for two decades if stored properly.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 95-97 points “Bold raspberry and black cherry aromas are laced with Campari-like spice on the nose of the stunning 2019 Gigondas Le Lieu Dit, which comes from a sandy, southwest-facing parcel that is consistently among the last plots on the estate to be harvested. Full-bodied and velvety in texture, this is a rich, tannic (but ripe) example of Grenache that should be capable of aging well for close to two decades.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Delicious crushed raspberry and blackberry coulis flavors weave together, giving this version an equally enticing textural edge, while mouthwatering red licorice and rooibos tea notes stitch up the edges. Subtle mineral note infuses the finish, giving this a subtle grounding as the fruit sails through. Drink now through 2035. 540 cases made, 50 cases imported. — JM”