Our Wines
After several bottles over the last week, I can confidently say that the 2021 Due Santi Rosso is the best wine we have ever made. I tasted it on its own and against bottles that are twice its price, and each time I was more impressed. The nose is classic Due Santi with red and black fruits encased with forest herbs and hints of graphite and coffee. As it opens (several hours of decanting) it begins to reveal this lengthy impression of Dutch Cocoa and medium-roasted coffee. It reminds me of tiramisu but without the guilt and the mess. This is as complex and refined as any wine I have tasted from Lazio since the 1994 Colle Picchioni Vigna del Vassallo (another story indeed). What a testament to the team at UD Rome. Bravo!
A near 50/50 Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot - The 2021 Rosso is the result of a near-perfect growing season. Our vines have matured, and our viticulture is world-class. The resulting fruit is ripe with intense black fruit flavors encapsulated by perfect acidity and subtle herbs that dance across the palate. This is a serious wine with potential for 15+ years of aging. Yet, it opens quickly and offers a lengthy and silky dose of that “yes this is what I want in a red wine”. We are quite proud of Claudia, our winemaker, and the team at Due Santi.We dedicate this vintage to our leader in Rome, the giant one, Dr Peter Hatlie. For without his tieless pushing this dream would never have been realized. Cheers to Peter and to all of us who love Due Santi. Enjoy this with all things from the grill.
This is a complex and rich wine with a lot of backbone to balance out the deep plum, cedar, and hint of vanilla. While our Rosso pairs quite well with pizza, it really shines when served with grilled red meat. The Due Santi is lovely now, but would benefit with a little time in your cellar. Only 200 cases for the American market.
Aurelio Settimo Dolcetto d’Alba D.O.C. 2020
The wines from the Settimo estate are made by Aurelio’s daughter Tiziana. Apart from her Nebbiolo vines, she grows nearly one hectare of Dolcetto. Tiziana’s approach is traditional and authentic, there are no new barrels here! The wine sees a short, 7-day fermentation on the skins and goes through frequent punching down and pumping over of the must. It goes through malolactic fermentation in concrete tank.
This strikingly ruby hued red shows cherries, strawberries, currants and a hint of almond. On the palate it’s fresh and juicy. It’s the perfect all-purpose spaghetti red.
Aurelio Settimo Dolcetto d’Alba 2021
We fell for the wines of Tiziana Settimo while tasting along with her in her cozy barrel room just outside of La Morra in the famed Langhe wine region of Italy. Dolcetto, for me, is the most complete wine for a weeknight meal from all of Italy. It sings with Pizza and holds its own with burgers, BBQ chicken, and even a simple salad. The wine is redolent with fleshy grapes, white pepper, violets, and plenty of easy, juicy happiness. Tiziana is a happy person, which comes out in all her wines. We are so pleased to launch the Settimo brand here at CB.
Aurelio Settimo Langhe Nebbiolo 2021
This "baby Barolo" is made from young Nebbiolo plantings at the famous Rocche dell’Annunziata vineyard adjacent to the winery. In recent years, this wine has taken on a more serious tone with a marked increase in depth and richness. This reminds me of Barolo but without the heavy dose of tannins accompanying those wines when they are young. I would put this beauty against many wines at double the price and still open this one when I need a guaranteed show-stopper for dinner guests. This is a new stock item for us, and we are thrilled.
Already noted as a top contender for the vintage of the century (thus far), there is no better year to launch the CB foray into Barolo than this year. The wine is big, bursting with aromatics of rose petals, orange bread, classic blacktop, and all kinds of hillside herbs one finds along the winding rods of the Langhe. The region is among the most beautiful places on earth (maybe the most attractive for me), and this Barolo is grown along the lovely winding curves near the winery. There isn’t much on the market for the price that can hold its own here. This is NOT an entry-level wine. This is a world-class bottling that deserves your attention and patience. Give this at least six months if possible, but it will be better in five-plus years.
2019 Barolo Rocche dell’ Annunziata
The estate’s flagship wine and one of Italy's top vineyard sites. This is the best wine we have ever offered. And we only have nine bottles to sell. This pack is the only way to get yours, but you will not regret it. All of the power and herbs of the DOCG Barolo, but this hits differently. It is a mountain road of aromatics, from fields of flowers, wet roads, and a driving beat of dark red fruit and forest berries that go on and on in the glass. I was slapped across the head with this wine when I tasted it at the winery. Tiziana kept referring to the arduous work it takes to harvest from this steep vineyard, and then she would laugh and call herself a jolly joker. Believe me, this wine is no joke. It is a serious, collectible asset that will reward a patient drinker with a highlight of their wine consumption on any given day. I have been tasting wines from this region for over 30 years. This bottling, from this vintage, is among the best I have ever drunk for this price.
Ca’ Lojera Cabernet Sauvignon Monte della Guardia 2018
Ambra and Franco Tiraboschi are well-known for their fantastic white Lugana wines, but they also have some hillside vines in the Monte della Guardia area where they grow Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. This 100% Cabernet is the grape au naturel. It’s all steel tank-fermented, just pure Cabernet Sauvignon as it was meant to be. Distinctly Old World, this displays the elegant side of Cabernet, with a zippy palate and herbal notes. This is cab for turkey, but will crush it with a burger as well.
Château d’Or et de Gueules Les Cimels Rouge 2021
I have been working with this winery since early 21st century and it is only getting better and better. One of my favorite wines in the world for the money. The 2021 Les Cimels incorporates 30% of that old vine Carignan (now over 80 years old), and it makes a world of difference. Aromas of an herbal nature, forest floor, lush undergrowth, mushroomy, black olive tapenade, black tea and cracked pepper waft from the glass. The wine’s fruitiness is not of a plummy nature, it’s more on the savory side, more in line with the olivey notes in the bouquet. The palate is medium-full with great balance and lithe tannins. It is a Rhone wine, so there is juicy purple and black fruit at its core, but its complexity makes it a standout.
It must be the Carignan. Back in 1998, Diane de Puymorin purchased Chateau d’Or et de Gueules, or “Red and Gold” in the Occitan dialect. She was strongly advised to rip up her Carignan vineyard in favor of re-planting it with more “noble” varieties such as Grenache and Syrah. Diane disagreed with her advisors, pointing out that the Carignan vines at the time were over 60 years old! She insisted on keeping them because they would help add complexity to her blends.
Château d’Or et de Gueules Trassegum 2020
Now we get into Beast Mode! This is a meaty and delicious wine from the same brilliant family as the Les Cimels. In a continuation on a theme, the Mourvèdre vines at d’Or et de Gueules are also over 80 years old! For their elevated Trassegum cuvée, it’s 50% Syrah and equal parts of the old-vine Mourvèdre and Carignan.
It’s a full-bodied red with aromas of dark purple and black fruit at its core, with an amalgam of complex notes such as black olives, earthy minerals, and the signature forest floor. The palate is rich and full-bodied, yet fresh and balanced. The black fruit holds court, front and center, and is carried across the finish line by harmonious structure and nuance. Bring out that lamb for Easter or whatever meat you got. This wine can stand up to it all.
Bergerac is not far from Bordeaux – actually, it’s about an hour and a half east of Saint-Émilion. Since it’s located further away from the ocean, one typically finds the same grapes/blends that are used in making the wines on Bordeaux’s Right Bank. 60% Merlot and the rest equal parts Cab Franc and Cab Sauvignon make up this medium-bodied, bistro quaffer.
There’s no oak involved here, so what you get is pure, juicy red and purple fruit. There is a lively feel to the wine, as its freshness keeps the fruity flavors alive through to the finish. The handy screwcap enclosure makes it easy to tote around to parties and small gatherings. This is perhaps the most outstanding cab value we have every sold. Dynamite!
2020 Chateau La Croix Calendreau, Bordeaux Superieur
In Bordeaux’s Saint-Emilion appellation, Chateau La Croix Calendreau exists. The owners of this chateau also own vineyard holdings around the city of Libourne, which are classified as Bordeaux Superieur. As confusing as it might be, the wine made from those holdings is also known as La Croix Calendreau. The vital distinction is the Bordeaux Superieur suffix.
In what seems more the norm than the exception, the 2020 vintage in Bordeaux was stellar. The weather enabled growers to raise a healthy fruit crop with optimal balance and expression. This humble Bordeaux Superieur punches through its class and price point. Medium/full-bodied, its fruit is expressive and dialed in to share the stage with its acidity, easy tannins, and structure.
2022 Cote Auxerre Rouge, Domaine Verret
Around 80 miles northeast of Beaune lie Burgundy’s Auxerre region. It's roughly midway between Beaune and Paris. Reds from the Auxerre enjoy a reputation for producing tasty Burgundies for a fraction of the prices demanded by their brethren to the southeast. Bruno Verret has run this estate in his family for over 250 years: he and his team farm over 60 hectares. Verret grows Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, though he also has Sauvignon Blanc (for his Saint-Bris) and Gamay vines.
The 2022 vintage was great for the region, and Bruno’s Cote Auxerre Rouge is a fine example, showing off all the goodness Mother Nature provided. It has red-fruited, subtle floral aromas with spicy undertones. Elegant and delicate on the palate, it sings of Burgundian Pinot Noir. Cherries and blackberries evolve from fresh to ripe, with spice notes framed by this unique terroir. Its finish is fresh and harmonious. Compare this Pinot Noir to the Domaine St Remy in this same box. They are both obviously PN, but the style contrast is excellent fun. Open them the same day with some Prime Rib.
*2020 Cotes-du-Rhone Mataro, Vignobles Boudinaud
Our delicious old friend, the Mataró is back! After interning stints in Australia and California, winemaker Thierry Boudinaud returned to France and began to apply his skills in crafting some of the better values from the southern Rhone Valley and its environs. One of which is a Cotes-du-Rhone made entirely from Mourvedre. Thierry calls it Mataro, the name of a city in Catalonia near Barcelona. The town's name became the vinous vernacular as another name for Mourvedre. Mourvedre is a highly late-ripening grape that thrives in warm climate zones with long, growing seasons. The south of France is a perfect place for that! Mourvedre can be super concentrated, full-bodied, and tannic, requiring a little patience and cellar time. Not Thierry's Mataro. One of the many likable things about it is its approachability and its plump purple fruit. Not overbearing or tight, it's an expressive and fruit-driven wine. It's a bottle; you need not worry about finishing it on the same day, as an opened bottle can last a couple of days on the counter.
For the 2020 Côtes-du-Rhone Mataro, expect aromas of brambly dark berry fruit and plummy purple berries up front, with layers of forest floor, earth, and spice lurking behind it. The palate is more medium to full-bodied, with charming fruit and a sturdy backbone. It finishes long and harmonious, the fruit persisting throughout the finish. Some may make a case that it makes for a fine cocktail wine, as its plummy fruit notes are charming, but to make it shine, try it with a slow-cooked beef brisket with a savory dry rub. This wine sings the next day after opening.
Domaine Christelle Betton Crozes-Hermitage Rouge ‘Espiègle’ 2018
The best red wine we have offered to date (outside of our beloved Due Santi Rosso, of course). This is 100% Syrah and absolutely dynamite. This is a muscular and glorious specimen and pairs perfectly with grilled meat. In fact, while we usually steer clear of too much BBQ sauce with French wine, this bottle dares one to pour it on thick.
2022 Domaine St Remy Pinot Noir Reserve
Going out on a limb here, but I do not think another Pinot Noir on the market is as complete and delicious as this bottling under $30. When I tasted this wine at the estate last November, it was the wine that moved me the most. I knew we needed a full-time red wine in the cellar to balance the big and bold Rosso from Due Santi. What we have here is its ethereal opposite. The wine is delicate but packed with classic Pinot Noir red fruits, delicious savory herbs, and warm spices. I cannot stress enough how great this wine is for its price. This crushes grocery store classics like La Crema. It is the wine we will burn through the most during Thanksgiving. But do not think it can’t stand up to steak or venison from the hunt. This wine drinks like it costs $60 a bottle. So, buy at least two. Wow!
2023 Domaine St Remy Pinot Noir Reserve
Going out on a limb here, but I do not think another Pinot Noir on the market is as complete and delicious as this bottling under $30. When I tasted this wine at the estate last November, it was the wine that moved me the most. I knew we needed a full-time red wine in the cellar to balance the big and bold Rosso from Due Santi. What we have here is its ethereal opposite. The wine is delicate but packed with classic Pinot Noir red fruits, delicious savory herbs, and warm spices. I cannot stress enough how great this wine is for its price. This crushes grocery store classics like La Crema. It is the wine we will burn through the most during Thanksgiving. But do not think it can’t stand up to steak or venison from the hunt. This wine drinks like it costs $60 a bottle. So, buy at least two. Wow!
Domaine Verret Coteaux de Bourguignons Gamay 2020
The food friendliest red of our bunch and also one of the most treasured wine grapes in the world that only seems to be reaching the height of its fame. Domaine Verret has been in the same family for over 250 years! Bruno Verret holds the reins of the estate, overseeing the 60+ hectares in total of the domaine's property. Verret grows Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, though he also has Sauvignon Blanc (for his Saint-Bris) and Gamay vines. The latter, specifically for his Coteaux Bourguignons. Bruno's 2020 Coteaux Bourguignons is an aromatic delight. Blackberries and cherry fruit intertwine with spices and berry thicket make for a finely tuned, complex introduction. On the palate, it is light and delicate, with the fruit and spices pronounced through to the finish. Its vibrant mouthfeel contributing to the lengthy finish. 2020 was a great Burgundy vintage, and technically, the Coteaux de Bourguignons is Burgundy, so make hay when the sun shines. No other Burgundies are coming to your door at this price.
Ferraton Père & Fils Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Plan de Dieu 2019
The Ferraton family took a giant leap forward when in 1998 they teamed up with their friend Michel Chapoutier. Chapoutier helped them convert to organic farming and biodynamic practices.
The Côtes-du-Rhône Villages distinction is a mark of high quality, as there are 22 specific villages whose names are qualified to be counted in this subset of wines. The grapes are destemmed, pressed and vinified in concrete vats. Maturation also takes place in vats. The wine has a dark fruit profile, with aromas of blackberries and black currants. The palate is lush and savory, with just enough brightness to maintain balance. The dark purple fruit will linger long after the finish. This is much bigger than you might imagine. The 15% alcohol is real (real tasty)
Masseria Furfante Nero Di Troia
I used to live and work in Puglia. And Nero di Troia was my wine of choice to drink with most all meals. And especially with the famous grilled meats of Pugllia’s renowned braccerie (their version of a BBQ joint where you pick your protein and they expertly grill it over hot olive wood fires). In fact, this wine is a second label produced by Rivera, a family-owned winery in northern Puglia, near the city of Andria and the remarkable Schwabian castle called Castel del Monte. While the Rivera family has only been bottling since the 1950’s, they’ve been practicing viticulture in the region since the 18th century, their estate has existed since at least the 12th. This is one of the coolest labels we have ever seen and the wine is just dynamite. It will transport you to the great Castel del Monte and make you feel like it’s all yours.
2021 Primitivo I Monili, Felline
Gregory Perrucci, the owner and operator of Felline, is more than a winemaker. He’s made a name for himself internationally through his research organization, Accademia dei Racemi. They were the first to champion the Primitivo grape in the Puglia region, previously only used to produce cheap bulk wine, and the first to commit serious effort to study the many facets of the area’s different soils. Led by Gregory, this innovative group of wineries and wines has shaped the culture of Southern Italian wine. It pushes the limits of the varietally correct expressions of their diverse grape varieties.
The 2021 Primitivo I Monili is a hearty wine made in a fresher style. Its bright, plummy, and blackberry notes will entice you. The structure is sound, and the finish is sturdy, with the hearty plummy fruit at its core. This is a big ol’ bbq wine from southern Italy. I lived here off and on for years. This wine is all about meat.
Societa Agricola Villa Varda Friuli Grave Refosco 2018
This is a big wine. It is from a cool place, near a rushing river. Yet, it is a mouthful of delicious and potent fruit. Notes of blackberry, cranberry, and cherry. Serve this wooly monster with a thick ribeye and lots of buttered potatoes.
You know we like to keep Italy represented. This is like an HGH Chianti. Rich and wonderful. Duke Cosimo III de' Medici - You know we're going back “a ways” if we're bringing up the Medici's - In 1716 the duke issued a declaration that wines from Carmignano and Chianti were allowed to be commercialized and shipped by sea. The areas were mapped out, effectively creating Italy's first Denomination of Controlled Origins. Cabernet Sauvignon was already growing in Carmignano at that time. Legend has it that Cabernet Sauvignon vine clippings were a wedding gift from France, upon the marriage of Catherine de' Medici and future French King, Henry II. Cabernet Sauvignon thrived in the hills near the Medici villa a few kilometers west of Firenze, and it became part of what made Carmignano what it is today.
Le Farnete's 2020 Carmignano is a super effort. Its aromas are expressive, revealing ripe, red fruit, herbs, with hints of earth and spice. The palate is zesty and fresh, the bright red fruit meeting darker notes in the rounded mid-palate, leading to the lively, balanced finish. It's a super next-level red that will obviously suit many Tuscan plates, though it can be enjoyed with smoky grilled meats, stews and a host of other fine foods.
Torre Zambra Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, “Colle Maggio” 2020
Situated in the rolling hills of Abruzzo along Italy’s Adriatic coast, Torre Zambra calls the commune of Villamagna home. The brand makes several different bottlings, and Colle Maggio represents the entry-level for their more serious line. Rhône-like in character, its aromas are of plums, dark berries, oak spice, earth, and forest floor. It’s versatile enough to enjoy on its own or paired with heartier fare. I like this wine with filled pasta and chicken broth.
Tour de l’Isle’s Robert Rocchi works with a handful of growers with some prized vineyards in the southern Rhône Valley. He makes the final blending decisions with these respective growers at their estates. The fruit for Robert’s Luberon is sourced from a vineyard in the village of Ménerbes, in the heart of Luberon. It has been certified organic since the 2016 vintage.
This one’s for those of us who love a layered, perfumy bouquet of dark berry fruits, cherries, and spice. It’s mostly Syrah and Grenache, with a little Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Carignan blended in for added complexity. It’s a great cocktail wine; that fruitiness persists through the finish. Grilled chops will pair here also, especially the fattier the better.
2020 Vinsobres, Tour de l’Isle
Tour de l’Isle is the project by Rhone Valley insider Robert Rocchi in 1992. With all of his connections in the southern part of the valley, Rocchi began with a brick-and-mortar shop purveying the fruits of his friends’ labors. After some time, Robert began to assist some of his growers with their farming, blending, and overall winemaking. He built the consulting side of his business in this manner and now advises a core of 5-7 growers with vineyards sprinkled around Grenache country. The shop exists today, though Rocchi has busied himself working with his growers in the vineyards and their respective domains.
Robert personally assembled the 2020 Vinsobres at the estate. Dark red fruit, currant notes appear on the nose, and a beautiful breadth of fresh blackcurrant, spice, and red berries. A long finish with well-integrated tannins follows this.
This wine is a beast and shows even better the next day after opening.
Now, in our fourth vintage, this is the Rosato we long hoped we could produce. It is the most complete and beautifully balanced wine we have made from our Merlot plantings. This wine is one part Provence (in color and acidity) and one part Castelli Romani (for its ripeness and length on the palate). This wine is worth the wait, and more. Sadly, we only have 600 bottles for the US market. That’s a mere 50 cases to go around. Take a big position on this wine and your late summer days will be filled with joy.
NV Domaine d’Orfeuilles Touraine Brut Rosé
Wow! This is sparkling wine from the same appellation as the Touraine Blanc is a revelation. This is going to be your pool sipper, that can dress up a special occasion as well. It's a pale cherry, and the bubbles are energized. The aromas are of melons, strawberry, and a hint of citrus. The palate is lively and balanced with the berry and melon fruit holding together, braced by the tangy citrus zip. There seems to be an extra dimension of complexity on the palate, something bold and brambly. And though it's less than half of the blend, the inclusion of Côt (or Malbec), is likely responsible for this extra dimension.
Domaine d'Orfeuilles was founded in 1947 by Paul Herivault in Vouvray. Their holdings include 20 hectares upon clay and clay/limestone soils with a high density of flint. Planted mostly to Chenin Blanc for their signature Vouvrays, the Herivaults tend a few red varieties as well. For their Touraine Brut Rosé, the grapes are Côt (40%), Cabernet Franc (40%), and Grolleau (20%). Now managed by Bernard Herivault, assisted by his son, Arnaud, the domaine has been farming organically since 2010, and is now certified. This fizz is made in the traditional Champagne style, fermented first in heat-controlled tank, then in the bottle. The bottles are disgorged 9-12 months later, and then released, ready to drink.
Az. Agr. Giavi Prosecco Superiore DOCG “Rive di Ogliano” 2022
The Giavi Brut is a delicious Prosecco, but the Rive di Ogliano Brut Nature is a cut above. It's a polished, pedigreed bottle of bubbles and its low price is ridiculous.
Like nearly all Prosecco, it's made using the Charmat method, which is essentially when the juice undergoes its second fermentation in steel tank giving the wine its bubbles. Valdobbiadene and Conegliano are the names of the two main towns on either side of their esteemed namesake DOCG. Proseccos that are from this DOCG are already much higher up the quality ladder than the entry level Prosecco DOC.
Within the Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG, there are several "Rive," which refer to vineyards planted on slopes of the steep hills that require hand harvesting only due to their rugged terrain. Wines from these Rive represent another giant step up the quality spectrum. Giavi’s comes from the very highly regarded Monticella hill. The wine is Brut Nature, meaning no sugar is added during fermentation, making the palate crisp and zippy (it comes in with a mere 2.5g/l of residual sugar). Its aromas are fresh and fruity: snappy green apple, pears, stone fruit, with a hint of citrus blossoms. On the palate it's elegant and creamy, just the right amount of lift to keep the lively fruit firing as we taste it. The finish is clean and zesty, with perfect balance. There are Champagnes out there that aren't this good! The best prosecco we have ever tasted at Cellar Browser.
NV Domaine d’Orfeuilles Touraine Brut Rosé
Wow! This is sparkling wine from the same appellation as the Touraine Blanc is a revelation. This is going to be your pool sipper, that can dress up a special occasion as well. It's a pale cherry, and the bubbles are energized. The aromas are of melons, strawberry, and a hint of citrus. The palate is lively and balanced with the berry and melon fruit holding together, braced by the tangy citrus zip. There seems to be an extra dimension of complexity on the palate, something bold and brambly. And though it's less than half of the blend, the inclusion of Côt (or Malbec), is likely responsible for this extra dimension.
Domaine d'Orfeuilles was founded in 1947 by Paul Herivault in Vouvray. Their holdings include 20 hectares upon clay and clay/limestone soils with a high density of flint. Planted mostly to Chenin Blanc for their signature Vouvrays, the Herivaults tend a few red varieties as well. For their Touraine Brut Rosé, the grapes are Côt (40%), Cabernet Franc (40%), and Grolleau (20%). Now managed by Bernard Herivault, assisted by his son, Arnaud, the domaine has been farming organically since 2010, and is now certified. This fizz is made in the traditional Champagne style, fermented first in heat-controlled tank, then in the bottle. The bottles are disgorged 9-12 months later, and then released, ready to drink.
Domaine St Remy Non-Vintage Cremant d’Alsace
Our answer to the brutal proliferation of bad sparkling wine. Why pay twenty-five bucks for some wretched commercially produced Prosecco when you can drink this exceptional sparkling wine from Alsace that will rival anything in this price category? Crémant Brut Prestige made from 50% Pinot Auxerrois, 40% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir.
After a traditional fermentation, the foam will naturally take place in the bottle, thanks to a second fermentation. After an aging period of 2 to 3 years for this crémant called "sur latte", the bottles are turned daily on their tips so that the deposit collects in the neck. Then, the disgorging takes place; the deposit is evacuated by cooling, dosed, recorked, and muzzled. It is a very pleasant crémant with a beautiful color and aromas of fresh fruit and toasted nuts. It is a fresh and dense wine with a gorgeous creamy foam.
James Suckling 92/100: “A fairly generous sparkling wine for Alsace, with the kind of creamy complexity and lees that you expect from a good champagne. Along with the brioche note, there are also notes of honey and candied lemon. Long finish with excellent harmony.”
Ostro Pinot Nero Rosé Spumante
Who doesn't love a foamy glass of delicious sparkling rosé? This little party starter from Friuli is one for the fridge and the hopeful return of gatherings in the coming months. In the meantime, there is enough deliciousness here to throw a party for yourself before settling into your coziest spot to binge some Netflix.
Voirin-Jumel Champagne Tradition
Put down that yellow label bubbly and dive into something much more compelling for a few dollars less. Jean Voirin, who owned some vines and sold all his grapes in bulk, decided to begin bottling his own champagne at the end of World War II. The Jumel family started producing champagne around the same time—René Jumel had a transport business and his wife's family had some vines that they cultivated. As the champagne market grew, René began selling some of his trucks and buying vineyards around the Côte des Blancs, which his wife, Paulette Richomme, worked and oversaw. Between 1950 and 1970, all the grapes were sold in bulk. A blend of 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir from the Côte des Blancs and Vallée de la Marne, this is the domaine's "entry level" champagne, perfect for any occasion. Its aromas and flavors of red fruits, hazelnuts and almonds are balanced by a pleasant liveliness. And way more interesting than some of the big house sparklers you pick up at the Warehouse Box Store.
Ca’ Lojera Lugana Superiore 2018
We needed a white that brings some weight to the table. And this stunner from the shores of Lake Garda is awesome. Proprietors Ambra and Franco Tiraboschi make their white wines with one grape variety, Turbiana. That's what the locals call it. After recent DNA testing, it has been determined that it is essentially the same variety as Verdicchio. The 2018 Ca' Lojera Lugana Superiore is pure class, and considering the price, it's a super value. It's bright and fresh, with aromatic hints of citrus, honeysuckle, and melon. The aromas are precise and persistent. On the palate, it opens up with a medium bodied amalgam of fruit and floral notes, and a steady stream of lively acidity leading to quite a pleasant, harmonious finish.
Chateau Puy-Servain Terrement Blanc 2021
This is the white wine sister to the Puy-Servain red we have offered in the past. It sings with all seafood, but it can hold up to lots of butter and even a lean cut of protein. Château Puy-Servain lies in the Montravel appellation just east of Bordeaux. The majority of their Montravel vines are planted to white varieties Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Sémillon and Muscadelle.
For his Terrement blanc, winemaker Daniel Hecquet deftly blends Sauvignon Blanc and Gris. For the price, it's amazing! The Sauvignon Gris gives the blend a soft, plump middle which fits in seamlessly with the Sauvignon Blanc. Think of it like how Sémillon tempers dry white Bordeaux. It has aromas of stone and citrus fruit with floral and herbaceous notes. The palate is bright and crisp, leading to a rich, complex finish. I may have to open one as I type. So darn good!
Cantine Bonelli Ortrugo Tradizionale 2023
A new white wine for us, Cantine Bonelli is just about halfway between Piedmont and Lombardy in the Emilia-Romagna region of northeast Italy. The family has been making wines since the 1940s. Ortrugo is a light-skinned but surprisingly fleshy white variety that, in this case, produces a tasty and velvety white wine with peach notes, tart apples, and white flowers. This is our, spring is on its way, wine, and we can’t wait to sip it while the flowers grow and the trees go green again. Serve with shrimp ravioli, baked ocean trout with an herb crust, blue cheese, walnuts, and pear salad.
Cantine Bonelli “Sogno” Val de Trebbia
This is a spritzy and delightful white wine to serve poolside or perhaps with a weekend brunch. You won’t even need to adulterate this beauty with OJ. Chill it well or sip it from your YETI mug on your floaty.
Lineo Belcanto is the collection of wines Cantine Bonelli named in honor of Puccini's librettist, Luigi Illica, who was born in Piancenza. The grapes for the Sogno (Puccini's La Boheme, "...Sogno chi'o vorrei sempre sognor") are grown on hillsides 18 miles southwest of Piancenza in Italy's Emilia-Romagna region. A blend of the region's native grapes, Ortrugo and Malvasia di Candia, this is a unique and delicious wine. It is low in alcohol and ever so slightly effervescent. The fizziness is achieved after a three-month long Charmat process; the same process used to make Prosecco. The Sogno is aromatic with notes of hawthorn and wisteria, but the finish is perceptively dry.
Domaine de la Rouletiere Jean-Marc Gilet 2020 Vouvray Sec "Cuvee Silex"
Dry Chenin Blanc is a thing of beauty. This one is made with 100% Chenin Blanc that comes from clay soils littered with small pieces of silex. It is aged in stainless steel tanks and older barrels (+ 10 years old). This medium to full-bodied wine has notes of apple, fresh almonds, peach, and citrus fruit. Imagine all the pairings with spicy foods and savory summer grilling without any perceptible sweetness. This wine is my go-to for sausages (especially the jalapeno and cheese kind). Also goes well with broiled fish and goat cheese.
Domaine Musset-Roullier Anjou Blanc Le Moulin de Chateaupanne 2019
This wine is 100% Chenin Blanc. Waxy fruit (star fruit, dried pineapple), flinty, and full of that lovely rockiness that only comes from the Loire Valley, this is a cerebral white wine. Dream pairing for grilled chicken (particularly with some French herbs) and shellfish cooked over a fire. Or you could just throw some olive oil, herbs, and salt on pasta and go to town.
2022 Domaine St Remy PINOT AUXERROIS –
Dry wine Pinot-Auxerrois is a variety of Pinot Blanc, with small berries and more intense aromas. This grape variety is tender and delicate, and it combines freshness and suppleness to represent a happy medium in the range of Alsace wines. Of great power and remarkable fruitiness, the wines from this sandy-granitic and clay-granitic terroir present a sumptuous balance. In the mouth, while being dry, it gives off a roundness, a subtlety, and a reserve of good quality. It has an enveloping persistence, but it is never excessive. Suitable for terrines, pâtés, various salads. This wine is all about Turkey, Cranberry Sauce, and plenty of Mac and Cheese. So, we have 20 cases on offer. Jump on it
The Picollo family has been making wine for three generations, traditionally farming nearly 8 hectares of vines. The estate is on the tiny slope of Rovereto, within Gavi DOCG in southern Piedmont. Its proximity to the Ligurian Sea keeps things cool at night, bestowing the Cortese grapes with their lively acidity. The vineyards face south and west, which goes a long way in getting the fruit ripe and in seamless balance. This is our second year to work with this gorgeous Gavi. We believe it is the answer to Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio overkill. It will work with the same foods as those wines but offers some unique qualities that could be considered “exotic." We go through cases of this wine at home.
Mas des Bressades “Tradition” Blanc
This is our white wine for red wine drinkers. There is so much texture and richness in this gorgeous blend that I would argue it might be better with a lot of summer foods than a red wine. This goes for grilled or BBQ chicken – gyros – salmon – and cheese enchiladas. This wine drinks like it cost $40. Decant this and drink about 30 minutes out of the fridge.
The 2021 Mas des Bressades Cuvée Tradition Blanc, Costières de Nîmes is a blend of Roussanne (50%), Marsanne (30%), Grenache Blanc (10%) and Viognier, and the result is a fresh, lively, somewhat fleshy wine that is perfectly balanced on both nose and palate. The aromas are of apple blossoms, orange peel and hints of exotic white and yellow fruit. The palate entry is soft and plush, with the fruit lifted by the bright acidity, exposing subtle notes of spice and flinty minerals. The finish is complex and lengthy, with all components firing together, and nothing out of place. Seriously, it walks like a white Châteauneuf des Papes and it talks like it too!
Our answer to Pinot Grigio is this delightful and rich expression of the grape when grown in Alsace. And while we still love a great Italian PG, this is a more serious version of the variety. The wine is immediately plush on the pallet and fills the mouth with a soft blanket of fruit and subtle spice. I want a basket of fried shrimp with plenty of remoulade. But one could be forgiven for pounding this after work or while reading the bathtub. This could be considered liquid self-care. We have about 10 cases of this beauty directly from France. Get it while it lasts.
Roccafiore Grechetto ‘Fiordaliso’
100% Grechetto di Todi and one of the most refreshing white wine styles from Italy. Cantina Roccafiore farms in the rolling hills of the Umbrian countryside near the town of Todi.The wine is dry, with a pleasing freshness, supported by minerality and persistence. The bouquet is of white flowers, with attractive notes of pink grapefruit and green apple.’
Quinta de Santiago Vinho Verde Alvarinho 2020
It starts with destemmed Alvarinho grapes, sourced from vines in Portugal’s Vinho Verde region. They’re lightly pressed and cold fermented before aging in stainless steel tank.
Alvarinho is just scrumptious, no matter in which Iberian nation it is grown. Quinta de Santiago’s 2020 is fresh and energetic. Aromas of peach, citrus, and mineral rise from the glass leading to a clean, polished mid-palate with a mineral backbone. The finish is dry and crisp. Its fleshy mid-palate and complex bouquet make it a great choice to pair with shellfish and/or chicken cutlets. But definitely give it a go if you are an oyster person.
