Hot Sheets

2018 CLOS LA COUTALE CAHORS
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

Cahors, located in the Dordogne happens to be the fountainhead of the Malbec grape. Expressions from this area have virtually nothing in common with those from Argentina; wines from this area are more dry and expressions of the soil and conjure up the old term, black wines of France.

Clos la Coutale's Cahors combines noble, sturdy history with modern, fruity accessibility blended with 80% Malbec (known as Cot or Auxerrois locally) with 20% Merlot for smoothness. The nose is ravishing with tones of black licorice, blackberry, hints of graphite, and spices. Very drinkable and fleshy now due to vintage 2018's decadence. Enjoy over the next 4-5 years with duck, hearty stews, bleu cheese and pâté.

2018 VINCENT & SOPHIE MOREY
BOURGOGNE CHARDONNAY
SPECIAL - $23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

My my my has this wine come around nicely since its release last year! Vincent Morey comes from great Chassagne-Montrachet bloodlines; his father is the great Bernard Morey. Over the years, we have been unbridled with our passion for these wines and once again, we are thrilled to offer one of the finest white Burgundy values to you.

The 2018 Vincent & Sophie Morey Bourgogne Chardonnay comes from four plots, one in Puligny-Montrachet, one in Chassagne-Montrachet and two in Santenay. 50% aged in barrel (20% new) and the other 50% aged in stainless steel, this wine is sheer magnetism. Once poured in the glass, it is like a great song that builds and builds and builds. Buttered popcorn is followed by orange-blossom, lemon and tinges of rosemary. Power, depth, class and superb balance and lift. The finish parachutes and brings it back to earth with its lively, linear citrus/spice tones that have wonderful depth and pleasantly stick around for a long time well after the wine is swallowed. Given the ever-escalating prices of just about anything that comes from this area of Burgundy, twenty-four bucks for this wine is a steal.

2015 DOMAINE BISCARELLE
COTES-DU-RHONE VILLAGES
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE

One of the great things about this wine is the direct relationship that the local importer has with Jerome Greico – this helps alleviate pricing, which if done through a national importer would tag on another 30%. An estate with a long history of growing grapes and selling off to the negociants, former autoroute patrolman Jerome Greico caught the wine bug and took on his father-in-law’s vineyards in and around Chateauneuf-du-Pape and then commenced to bottling his own wines about a decade ago when he gave up his day job to focus on the grape.

Made from 55% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 20% Carignan and 5% Cinsault, this wine is sheer class from the glass. Traditionally produced utilizing whole bunches, it harkened back to a pre-Covid Blondie show that I saw where an actual keytar appeared! Throwing off aromas that are virtual ‘strawberries~n~smoke’ in a glass, more Thai spices and hot-rock/peppery, gamey aspects come through as it unfolds in the glass. Classy, sassy, smoky and with an abundance of goodness, this hearty, yet lyrical Rhone delivers and invites you back for glass after glass after glass. At age six, this wine is absolutely en feu and drinking exquisitely. Enjoy with grilled lamb, chicken, burgers, stir-fried dishes and more.

2018 DOMAINE COLETTE
REGNIE VIEILLES VIGNES
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

A new producer for us and from one of the least known of the ten Cru of Beaujolais. Regnie is situated between Brouilly to the south and Morgon to the north. This appellation bridges the sensualities and fruit of Brouilly and power of Morgon, revealing bits of both yet capturing its own identity very well indeed.

From 70+ year old vines, Colette's old vine cuvee exemplifies Regnie so very well with its dense red cherry aspects along with its detail of origin. More raspberry arrives with an essence graham-spice and subtle turned earth from the traditional vinification techniques. Vinous and stretching across the palate with a non-stop finish, this wine proves that Cru Beaujolais is one of the ultimate pairings with sausages. Also great with chicken, leaner steaks, aged Gruyere, Pho and so much more. Enjoy over the next 5-7 years.

2018 DOMAINE DES FORGES
SAVENNIERES 'MOULIN DE GUE'
SPECIAL - $19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Twenty Bucks for Savennieres is virtually unheard of, so if you like the apex of French white wines, do take advantage! Domaine des Forges is a fine Anjou-based producer who excels with both red and white wines. This excellent Chenin Blanc is located on the plateau of the village of Savennières, opposite the Moulin de Gue and is one of the steals of this top Loire white wine appellation.

Shallow soils of schist and sand provide an aromatic profile with telltale honey-orange-pekoe scents that come from this area. Layered yet quite ethereal and never straying into becoming over the top and too heavy. Drawn-out with an abundance of lift and spiced nut bread tones on the rocking finish that shows no shortage of minerality. Drink young within 3-4 years for early fruit pleasure, or wait until age 10 for tertiary aromas to arrive.

2020 JM RAFFAULT CHINON ROSE
$12.99 BTL./$155.88 CASE

Time for a swerve away from Southern French Rose wines into Chinon, another area that produces excellent pink wines. Rose from this area tends to be lighter and zestier than those from the South and this is one of the absolute steals from a top red wine grower.

Made with 100% Cabernet Franc and teeming with aromas of hawthorn, strawberry and a touch of smoky earth that impeccably roll into a with electricity that revealing itself on the mouth-watering, finish that screams for multiple sips. You just don’t get more yummy than this! Enjoy with goat cheese, charcuterie or an omelet jacked with bacon.

2017 SARRAZIN MARENGES ROUGE
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE

Perhaps the most forgotten appellation of Burgundy's Cote D'Or is Maranges. Initially receiving an AOC in 1937 for negociants to label wines as 'Cotes-de-Beaune', it was elevated in 1988 to its own status and now known as Maranges. This is the youngest appellation of the Cote D'Or and lately one of its best-kept secrets.

Located at the south end bordering Santenay and the Cote Chalonnais, this offering comes from one of the superb producers of Givry, Mercurey, Rully and a small amount of two different Maranges wines. Classic clay-limestone soil at 750 meters allows this slightly warmer site to be harnessed very well making for a silky and stylish Pinot Noir. No shortage of aromatics, ample floral and spiced raspberry tones shine through under a layer of discreet red earth, allspice and smoke. Caressing and mouth filling with fine lift, grace and underlying backbone for some longevity. The finish is filled with smoothness, class and no shortage of persistence. Very enjoyable now and given the backbone and quality of the vintage, this wine will develop nicely through 2028.

2018 CHATEAU CLAMENS
COMTE TOLOSAN ROUGE
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE

From SW France. Blended with almost equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon, Negrette, Syrah and Merlot and organically farmed, soil-driven with ripe blackberry scents make this very different from Bordeaux, Madiran or Cahors. The fullness of the 2018 vintage is evident here with creamy berries, dark chocolate, sanguine and violet. Generous, fleshy and flavorful with the wildness of Negrette present on the sassy and assertive finish. French to its core, have this with anything that is bad for you…rillettes, confit, paté, etc.

2018 CHATEAU FAUGERES
SAINT-EMILION GRAND CRU CLASSE
$64.99 BTL. - LIMITED!

96 points - Vinous...The famed Bordeaux region of Saint-Emilion has an entirely different classification system for its wines versus those of the Medoc. The name Grand Cru is tossed around like a frisbee but it goes even a bit further. The apex of Grand Cru for this region is known as Premier Cru Classe ‘A’. There are only four and include the likes of Cheval Blanc, Ausone, etc. Then there is Premier Cru Classe ‘B’, counts 14, and includes Figeac, Clos Fourtet and others. The next layer, which includes this wine, is Grand Cru Classe and there are 64 Chateaux entitled to this status and let’s face it, none of these 82 mentioned are cheap - yet this is a steal! Following this is Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, with over 200 represented. Lastly, there is just plain Saint-Emilion. Hope this helps because this wine is priced very well given its lofty status. Lastly, it is a grand wine to cellar and will be perfect for a 21st birthday or 20-25th anniversary based on 2018.

'The 2018 Faugères is fabulous. Silky and nuanced, the 2018 is striking right out of the gate. As I noted previously, the 2018 marks a transition to a more finessed style that is hugely appealing. There is plenty of the richness Faugères fans expect, but, at the same time, the wine is so well balanced and harmonious. Hints of rose petal, lavender, spice and dark fruits linger on the memorable close. The 2018 is an undeniably sexy wine. Drink 2028 - 2048' – 96 POINTS, ANTONIO GALLONI - VINOUS.