Wines

From the importer: The domaine’s top red wine is the cuvée Charles de Batz, which was the original name of d'Artignan. The wine is composed of 90% Tannat with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon from vines that are between 50 and 100 years old. After being completely destemmed, the Cabernet and Tannat are fermented separately in cement tanks. During this time, a bit of micro-oxygenation or microboullage takes place. The wine then goes into oak (50% new) in an underground cellar where it also undergoes malolactic fermentation. After 12 months in wood, it is blended and bottled after a very light filtration.

Very ripe, rich Madiran that takes no prisoners. This wine succeeds in obtaining more fruit than tannin! The color is nearly opaque—wine doesn't get much darker than this. It displays notes of black fruit (blackcurrant and blackberry) along with just a hint of red fruit. There is a cedar-like creaminess to the oak which is extremely well-integrated. Tannins pick up on the finish but, let's face it, this is Madiran and that is to be expected. These tannins seem to dissolve when the wine is matched with richly flavored meats like leg of lamb, duck, goose or game.

Only produced in certain vintages, Derame’s Muscadet Sevre et Maine Vieilles Vignes ‘Les Roches Gaudinieres’ is our latest find in that Muscadet-that-wants-to-be-white-Burgundy category.  As we say, “You can take the Melon out of Burgundy (where this grape originally came from), but in some cases you still find a lot of Burgundy in the Melon.” This striking white comes from Melon de Bourgogne vines planted in gabbro soils (igneous rock with a high calcium content) in 1940.  A little over a decade ago, Morandiere proprietor Alexandre Déramé had the opportunity to purchase this prized 7+ acre parcel from an older grower that was retiring. The rest, as they say, is history. 

94 Points! Pale to medium ruby, the 2017 Pinot Noir JINSEI Tobias Glen Vineyard opens slowly to warm black cherries, cranberries, woodsmoke, bergamot, dried flowers and a touch of tobacco and graphite. Medium-bodied, it’s wonderfully concentrated and savory, with meaty touches intertwined with the dark, ripe fruits, juicy, grainy and finishing long with lots of nuance. This has an appealing deeper, darker character than the rest of the lineup...made by consulting winemaker Stéphane Vivier. - Erin Brooks, robertparker.com

PLEASE BE AWARE, THIS IS A PRE-ARRIVAL WINE - YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED SHIPPING FEES UNTIL THE WINE(S) ARRIVE

1 btl Ch. Les Carmes Haut-Brion 2017 édition 100% Cabernet Franc

1 flacon 30ml. L’Eau des Carmes

This exceptional case tells the story of a century at les Carmes. A unique experience, a DIALOGUE between the WINEGROWERS of Carmes and BARNABÉ FILLION, perfume designer. Olfactory design, wine design, crafts that inspire each other to PAY TRIBUTE TO A CENTURY OF HISTORY. To Bijou, to the freedom of a woman who lived here for a long time, to the daring that expresses itself on a TERROIR. To the Peugue banks, where the WINEGROWERS celebrate nature and culture. To the genius of plants, and to that of CABERNET FRANC in particular, whose oldest plants have been exploring the area for over 90 years. To the next generation, grateful, brave and creative.

96 Points! The 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano is darkly concentrated and among the richest wines in this series of single-vineyard Riservas. Montestefano is angular, textured and bold with dark fruit aromas, dried blackberry, toasted almond and cured tobacco. With this vintage, you get an age-worthy wine that offers brawn and power for drinking in the medium term, but it will become increasingly silky and slender with time. Dusty tannins and crushed stone appear on the long finish. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

95 Points! The Produttori del Barbaresco 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Montefico is especially broad and thick in texture. It feels generous to the senses, wrapping thickly over the palate with a pretty mix of firm tannins and soft fruit fiber. These elements help to increase both the volume and the persistence of this classic wine. There is some dryness on the finish (and 15% alcohol), and you also taste crushed mineral and stone.I give this wine an edge in terms of future aging potential. Best After 2025. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

92 Points! From a single parcel of 65-year-old vines, the 2017 Cairanne Col du Debat features subtle cinnamon and clove notes on the nose. It's full-bodied, rich and velvety, with plenty of raspberry and cherry fruit, plus attractive resiny notes of rosemary and pine on the long finish. - Joe Czerwinski, robertparker.com

94 Points! From Mesnil sur Oger, the 2017 Champagne Côte Grand Cru pours a bright straw hue and is aromatic with notes of yellow apple and chalky stones. The palate is very long, with a silky, chalk texture as well as notes of lemon balm. it goes on for ages on the palate, with a linear drive and a fantastic finish. It’s linear and bright and will benefit from time in the cellar. Drink 2025-2045. 4.5 grams per liter dosage. - Audrey Frick, JebDunnuck.com

Born in Champagne in a grower’s family, Juliette Alips rapidly found her passion. With the mentorship of her close cousins, Raphaël and Vincent Bérêche, she discovered and learned all the ins and outs of producing champagne, from farming to vinification, tasting, and blending.

Graduated from enology school in Beaune in 2020, Juliette already has a few vintages under her belt with acclaimed producers like Louis Latour in Bourgogne, G.D. Vajra in Piedmont, and closer to home, Louis Roederer Champagne where she spent more than a year learning from this iconic Maison.

95 Points! The 2017 Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico Riserva has youthful, transparent, much brighter aromas than many earlier vintages with spice, oak, cream and ripe, red-fruits like cherry on the nose. On the palate, there is a much better intensity of sweet red fruits and the tannins are gentle and more refined. The palate feels unforced with a lighter touch overall and a better harmony and balance. There is a very long finish with mouth-watering acidity and fine tannins giving a savory, salty finish. - The Wine Independent

93 Points! The 2017 Red Blend is a Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blend, mostly from mountain sites in Napa Valley and about 11% from Knights Valley in Sonoma. Bold and punchy, the 2017 offers an intriguing combination of inky dark fruit and structure. More than that, though, the 2017 offers tons of pure drinking pleasure at a mid-tier price. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

From the winery: Notes of blackberry, licorice, Asian spice, citrus rind, boysenberry and mineral waft from this zingy, lively vintage of Sadie’s vineyard! The palate is quite yummy and juicy with notes of raspberry, root beer, spices, plum, charcoal, redwood bark and blueberry muffins. This Pinot is beautifully balanced with super-fine-grained tannins, an intense, concentrated body and an extremely long, lingering savory finish.

Sadie’s Vineyard, named for the family’s first German Shepherd, sits in the beautiful Sebastopol Hills along the chilly Bodega Highway corridor. The site is planted to some of our favorite clones; Pommard and Dijon 115.

92-94 Points! Also terrific, with lots of cassis, jammy blackberries, crushed rocks, and pepper notes, the 2018 Côtes Du Roussillon Villages Latour De France Occultum Lapidem is medium to full-bodied, has wonderful purity of fruit, no hard edges, and a great finish. - Jeb Dunnuck