Paternoster Synthesi Aglianico del Vulture 2015

The Synthesi Aglianico del Vulture is true to its name: the word means “synthesis,” and the wine is made from grapes grown in different sections of the Vulture region. Synthesi is an Aglianico intended for drinking young, and is an excellently priced example of what the grape is all about. 

 

E. Guigal Crozes-Hermitage Blanc 2019

Crozes-Hermitage is the “entry” appellation to the Northern Rhône Valley, but there are very clearly quality vineyard sites that can produce wines of appealing complexity and depth. While not much Crozes-Hermitage white is produced, Guigal has become the most important producer of white wine in the Rhône Valley, and from their vineyards and in their hands, Crozes displays an expressiveness and brightness while also capturing the warmth of the area. Explosive and exotic floral and fruit aromas and flavors meld with intense mineral notes, and the silky, powerful concentration of flavors has an appealing roundness that finishes remarkably fresh.

Round Turn Distilling Bimini Gin

Set firmly in the American style of gin, Bimini Gin uses a neutral base spirit made from non-GMO American corn and is distilled four times for exceptional purity of flavor. The botanicals are separated into groups during distillation, with each group being milled, macerated, and distilled separately. Vapor temperature is closely controlled to maximize the herbal notes and creamy textures imparted by the distillates and the river from the Saco River. The slow distillation process preserves the natural flavors and oils that give the spirit it’s depth and unique texture.

E. Guigal Crozes-Hermitage Blanc 2018

Crozes-Hermitage is the “entry” appellation to the Northern Rhône Valley, but there are very clearly quality vineyard sites that can produce wines of appealing complexity and depth. While not much Crozes-Hermitage white is produced, Guigal has become the most important producer of white wine in the Rhône Valley, and from their vineyards and in their hands, Crozes displays an expressiveness and brightness while also capturing the warmth of the area. Explosive and exotic floral and fruit aromas and flavors meld with intense mineral notes, and the silky, powerful concentration of flavors has an appealing roundness that finishes remarkably fresh.

Château Recougne 2018

Legend has it that the name Recougne came in “recognition” of the quality of its wines by King Henri IV in the early 17th century, and while wine has been made on the site for 400 years, the estate is perhaps more relevant today than ever. As Bordeaux recalibrates towards producing wines of freshness and balance, Recougne stands as an example of a pure, fresh style that has remained steadfast for over half a century. The wines have concentration and energy, with pure red and black fruits and a complex earthiness. Amazingly, examples of Recougne from the 1950s and 1960s are still drinking gorgeously

Today the wines are made by one of the young stars of the right bank, the fourth generation of his family to make wine at Recougne, Marc Milhade. Marc’s philosophy and energy are guided towards more work in the vineyard, and less intervention (in this case, continuing less intervention) in the cellar.

Paternoster Don Anselmo Aglianico del Vulture 2013

Don Anselmo is a landmark wine made from 100% Aglianico grapes, the native varietal in Basilicata for which the region is renowned. It is dedicated to the winery’s founder, Anselmo Paternoster, and represents the history, roots, and continued importance of the Paternoster family in the area of production of the wines, Vulture. The grapes come from small and particularly old vineyard parcels in Barile, located at 2000 feet above sea level, with naturally low yields (35- 40 quintals per hectare). The soil is volcanic, with a significant levels of lava and ash.

 

Château Recougne 2015

Legend has it that the name Recougne came in “recognition” of the quality of its wines by King Henri IV in the early 17th century, and while wine has been made on the site for 400 years, the estate is perhaps more relevant today than ever. As Bordeaux recalibrates towards producing wines of freshness and balance, Recougne stands as an example of a pure, fresh style that has remained steadfast for over half a century. The wines have concentration and energy, with pure red and black fruits and a complex earthiness. Amazingly, examples of Recougne from the 1950s and 1960s are still drinking gorgeously

Today the wines are made by one of the young stars of the right bank, the fourth generation of his family to make wine at Recougne, Marc Milhade. Marc’s philosophy and energy are guided towards more work in the vineyard, and less intervention (in this case, continuing less intervention) in the cellar.

E. Guigal Saint-Joseph Lieu Dit Blanc 2018

Guigal’s Saint-Joseph Lieu Dit Blanc comes from the vineyard that gives the Saint-Joseph appellation its name, and is one of the finest sites in the Northern Rhone Valley. Made in minuscule quantities, the Lieu Dit Blanc is one of the most original and distinctive whites in the Rhone.

Guigal believes, as do a number of top producers working in the area, that Saint-Joseph will be one of the great stories in the next few decades, reaching the renown it received several hundred years ago. Saint-Joseph Blanc is a serious wine, with weight and complexity, and is deeply reflective of its vineyard sites. A seamless balance of freshness and fruitiness, pleasure and interest, and flavors and structure. Guigal’s specialty in whites is especially evident in this wine.

Domaine Chanson Chablis 2018

The village of Chablis, located in the northernmost district of Burgundy, is known for producing steely, crisp wines with intense green-appley acidity and a firm, mineral backbone. Chanson’s Chablis shows characteristics you’d expect from Premier and Grand Cru wines from the appellation and has the same phenolic maturity. The fruit comes from selected hillside plots just south of the village giving greater concentration and ripeness. 

Domaine Chanson Chablis 2020

The village of Chablis, located in the northernmost district of Burgundy, is known for producing steely, crisp wines with intense green-appley acidity and a firm, mineral backbone. Chanson’s Chablis shows characteristics you’d expect from Premier and Grand Cru wines from the appellation and has the same phenolic maturity. The fruit comes from selected hillside plots just south of the village giving greater concentration and ripeness. 

Domaine Chanson Chablis 2022

The village of Chablis, located in the northernmost district of Burgundy, is known for producing steely, crisp wines with intense green-appley acidity and a firm, mineral backbone. Chanson’s Chablis shows characteristics you’d expect from Premier and Grand Cru wines from the appellation and has the same phenolic maturity. The fruit comes from selected hillside plots just south of the village giving greater concentration and ripeness. 

Marietta Cellars Old Vine Rosé 2020

Marietta’s Old Vine Rosé is a perfect extension of the Old Vine series. Made in a Provençale, direct-press style from some of the oldest Syrah and Grenache vines in California, it is fresh, nuanced, and perfectly balanced to enjoy with food or on its own. As always with the “OVR” wines, it delivers a lot more substance and pleasure than you could expect.

Domaine Chanson Chablis 2016

The village of Chablis, located in the northernmost district of Burgundy, is known for producing steely, crisp wines with intense green-appley acidity and a firm, mineral backbone. Chanson’s Chablis shows characteristics you’d expect from Premier and Grand Cru wines from the appellation and has the same phenolic maturity. The fruit comes from selected hillside plots just south of the village giving greater concentration and ripeness. 

Finca Decero The Owl & The Dust Devil Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Finca Decero has become recognized not only for having one of the highest quality vineyards in all of Mendoza but also for catapulting into an elite group of the most highly regarded producers in Argentina. The wines all come from the single Finca Decero vineyard, and the winery’s focus is entirely quality focused. This is a single varietal wine which exhibits classic Cabernet Sauvignon flavors of cassis, red fruits and cedar notes woven together with supple tannins and the taut structure which is the hallmark of its origin, the high altitude Remolinos Vineyard.

Tommasi Le Rosse Pinot Grigio 2017

This Valpolicella Pinot Grigio can be described as sitting between the richer, more concentrated Pinot Grigio from Friuli to the north, and racier styles from the Veneto at large. The nose is spicy with hints of tropical fruit, the flavors clean and crisp, and the body round and soft with a crisp finish.

Masciarelli Villa Gemma Colline Teatine Bianco 2019

While the Villa Gemma Montepulciano was the wine that announced Abruzzo to the world, the Bianco, created just a year later, further defined what the region and grapes of Abruzzo could produce. This wine, first released in 1985, speaks to the white grape varieties specific to the region and has become on of the most exciting wines produced at the estate

Finca Decero The Owl & The Dust Devil Malbec 2018

Finca Decero has become recognized not only for having one of the highest quality vineyards in all of Mendoza but also for catapulting into an elite group of the most highly regarded producers in Argentina. The wines all come from the single Finca Decero vineyard, and the winery’s focus is entirely quality focused. This wine is a single varietal Malbec which exhibits richness of fruit in the mid palate whilst maintaining an overall elegance in style which is the hallmark of its origin, the high altitude Remolinos Vineyard .

Château Tour Bayard 2014

Château Tour Bayard is a recent addition to the Milhade portfolio, coming into the family through marriage. This 25 acre property has been run by the Richard family since 1956, and is now regarded as one of the top estates in the appellation. The soils here are a mix of clay and limestone marl, and the vineyard is planted in a beautifully situated natural amphitheater with an ideal southerly exposure. Merlot is the predominant variety, accounting for 80% of the vignoble, complemented by Cabernet Franc and Malbec; the vines are about 40 years old on average. The Richard family works the soils organically, eschewing pesticides and other chemical treatments.

At harvest, the grapes are 100% destemmed and crushed before being placed in temperature controlled vats. Each parcel on the estate is vinified separately, and the wine is raised for 12 months in a combination of cement tanks (60%) and new and second fill barrels (20% each). The finished wine is supple and full-bodied, with excellent ripeness, and refined aromatics from the Cabernet Franc.

Il Mosnel Franciacorta Franciacorta Brut Nature NV

The debut of this new cuvée made solely from organically-grown grapes pays homage to the quintessence of the vineyard and to the utter harmony of nature’s components. This assemblage of elegant Chardonnay and subtly fruity Pinot Blanc, with a judicious tot of Pinot Noir to lend structure, matures sur lie for a minimum of 24 months in the cellar. Revealing in the glass a luminous white-gold shot through with pale green highlights, it opens to a thrust of vibrant, crisp fragrances, with cleanly-delineated citron and grapefruit melding gracefully into floral impressions of hawthorn, honeysuckle, and verbena, with just a hint of iodine. At the same time, it conveys crisp fruit notes of white peach and gooseberry, marked by the generous effusion classic to youth, which equally characterizes the full-volumed palate, taut, and energy-laden that concludes with a lively, full-flavored finish. 

Il Mosnel Franciacorta Franciacorta Rosé NV

A deeply-fragrant rosé whose crisp, graceful Chardonnay finds its delicious complement in the fruit-rich depth of Pinot Noir and the supple roundedness of Pinot Blanc. All the grapes are gently pressed, and the wine develops its harmonious character over more than 24 months of maturation sur lie. Its gold-edged, powder-pink hue hints at fresh picked redcurrants and cherries on the nose, which then develop into ultra-crisp apricot and wild strawberry, peony petals and blood oranges, plus a subtle vein of fresh almond and cotton candy. It opens generously, warm, and full in the mouth, with energy-laden impressions of succulent, fresh picked pomegranate and red apple, a complex enlivened by a slender yet tangy sapidity.