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Wine of the Day: A&G Natale Fantino Rosso dei Dardi Nebbiolo, Piedmont 2014 4-23-16

AG N Fantino Rosso dei DardiAlessandro e Gian Natale Fantino Rosso dei Dardi Nebbiolo, Piedmont 2014 750ML ($21.95) Buy Now: $18 special

“From relatively young vines (21 years), this wine is fresh and floral, with notes of sour cherries, no gripping tannins, and nice acid. Definitely approachable now. Not your standard elevage for Nebbiolo as the wine sees no oak and spends 6 months in stainless steel before bottling.” -Troy

Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2014 Rosso dei Dardi is 100% Nebbiolo from Dardi, done in steel, with carbonic maceration. A textbook example of the vintage, the 2014 exudes class and personality. A host of dark cherry, plum, violet, spice and mint nuances open up effortlessly. The 2014 is at once translucent yet powerful as only Nebbiolo can be.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Karthauserhof Schieferkristall Riesling Kabinett 2012 4-22-16

Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Schieferkristall Riesling Kabinett Feinherb, Mosel 2012 750ML ($37.95) Buy Now: $29 special

Karthauserhof SchieferkristallWhy we love it: For being unapologetically German Riesling-y and, well, just fun to drink. Had a bottle open for the better part of a week and it kept getting better. Everything that should be “there” is – the quince, citrus, petrol, citrus, and lush-though-controlled residual sugars. Good now, and even better in the coming months. Who am I kidding? Years. – Tyler

Mosel Fine Wines 91 points “Schieferkristall refers to the Kabinett-styled wines at the Estate (the reference to Kabinett is pushed to the back label). A whiff of wild yeasts gives quickly way to a very attractive and floral bouquet of rose-water, grapefruit and mint.… Read the rest

Louis Roederer Cristal Brut, Champagne 2006 – April 2016

Louis Roederer Cristal Brut, Champagne 2006 750ML ($299.95) Buy Now: $219 special

Roederer Cristal 2006James Suckling 97 points “Deep pinot-driven presence is the first and lasting impression. Power with control. Superfine bead, bread and spiced biscuits, candied ripe red fruits and a sense of tight-knit complexity. Some grapefruit, lemon pith & gently flinty notes too – impressive nose. In the mouth it is rich, powerful, mouth-filling and flavoursome with a core of the same biscuity red fruit flavour, savoury nutty notes and a wrap of assertive, persistent acidity that holds rich powerful flavour deep and focused whilst maintaining a polished, gently creamy texture. Long chalky bread and biscuit finish. A superb Pinot-driven vintage.”

Antonio Galloni 96 points “Broad, ample and resonant on the palate, the 2006 Cristal dazzles with its pure richness and volume.… Read the rest

Pol Roger ‘Sir Winston Churchill,’ Champagne 2002 – April 2016

Pol Roger Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill, Champagne 2002 750ML ($279.95) Buy Now: $219 special

Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill 2002Antonio Galloni-Vinous 95 points “The 2002 Brut Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill is wonderfully open, expressive and resonant. The richness of the vintage comes through nicely, yet the more overt elements are very nicely balanced by a good deal of freshness. Baked apple, pastry, candied lemon, dried flowers and warm, toasty notes shape the generous, resonant finish. With time in the glass, the 2002 takes a on a striking, vinous character. Readers might want to consider opening the 2002 a few hours in advance, as it really blossoms with air.”

Wine Spectator 95 points “There’s a sense of quiet elegance and grace to this harmonious Champagne. Refined and lacy in texture, with finely wrought acidity lending focus and length to the spice- and graphite-laced flavors of ripe apricot and blackberry, lemon meringue pie, chopped almond and briny mineral.… Read the rest

Clos i Terrasses Clos Erasmus, Priorat DOCa 2012 – April 2016

Clos i Terrasses Clos Erasmus, Priorat DOCa 2012 750ML ($219.95) Buy Now: $169 special

Clos Erasmus Priorat 2012Wine Advocate 98 points “After no 2011 was produced, the 2012 Clos Erasmus comes with renewed energy, a much fresher approach and a more transparent wine while keeping the slate typicity of Gratallops even in a tiny-yielding vintage. Part of the wine aged in 700-liter clay amphorae and the rest in Burgundy barrels that added a spicy patina to the nose, yet very much respected the wet slate character of the vintage. Contrary to previous vintages, the core of fruit is red rather than black; the 2013 that I tasted (not in bottle) followed pretty much this same direction. The palate shows power, elegance and a special mineral savoriness akin to licking stones.… Read the rest