Luce Brunello di Montalcino 2016

Luce Brunello is the estate’s tribute to one of Italy’s crowning jewels of wine production. Of the 217 acres of vineyards at Luce, 27 are are officially listed in the Register for Brunello di Montalcino DOCG. It is an exquisitely balanced wine, gentle and yet powerful, and is produced in very small quantities to showcase the unique character of a pure Sangiovese  from the estate and to pay tribute to the tradition of winemaking excellence in Montalcino.

 

Ponzi Vineyards Pinot Noir Reserve 2017

Beginning with the 2017 vintage, Ponzi’s Pinot Noir Reserve comes exclusively from estate fruit, including from some of Oregon’s oldest vines. As one of the major wine publications once wrote, “All Oregon Pinot Noirs are measured against the Ponzi yardstick”. That has been true for over 50 years, while the Ponzi family has farmed 140 acres of certified sustainable vineyards all planted on Laurelwood soils. During their tenure, the Ponzis have observed the unique characteristics as their vines penetrated the earth and evolved. Bright red fruit character in their youth gave way to dark berry and brambly spice as the vines reached into the volcanic layers. The character of this soil has defined the Ponzis’ wines and served as a guide for generations of winemakers in the Willamette Valley. The Pinot Noir Reserve’s brooding dark fruit and exotic spice has rendered it one of the ultimate examples of artisanal, site-expressive Pinot Noir in the United States today, year after year epitomizing a character of restrained power. The 2017 boasts a new label design with a textured effect that resembles the layers of Laurelwood soils. 

Far Mountain Myrna Chardonnay 2019

Myrna’s focused intensity of fruit and texture reflects its two extreme mountain and hillside vineyard sites.  The word Myrna translates to “beloved”, a reflection of Far Mountain’s feelings about truly great Chardonnay: wines that can translate from their sites intense minerality, texture and a dazzling spectrum of flavors.

Far Mountain Fission Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Fission is a pure mountain wine, with a dark depth of fruit chiseled by the cool elevation of its two vineyard sites.  A wine of texture, with the intensity and sappy concentration we associate with old vines, it builds into powerful tannins that remain refined, almost cloaked by the seductiveness of the fruit and the gently building structure. The name Fission was ultimately chosen to reference the textural and mineral characteristics that the unique volcanic soil brings to this wine.

Domaine Chanson Gevrey-Chambertin 2018

Gevrey-Chambertin is one of the major communes in the Cote de Nuits and is located in the northern part of the appellation. Fruit is sourced from 4 contracted growers from mid-slope vineyards bordering the prestigious  Premier Crus, including the Lavaux St Jacques. This is a “coup de coeur” wine, meaning it touches your heart with its charming style and powerful aromas and flavors.

Château Tour Bayard 2018

Château Tour Bayard is a recent addition to the Milhade portfolio, coming into the family through marriage. This 25 acre property in the St.-Émilion Satellite Montagne-St.-Émilion has been run by the Richard family since 1956, and is now regarded as one of the top estates in the appellation.

 

Marina Cvetic ISKRA 2017

ISKRA is the Serbian word for “spark,” and Gianni Masciarelli dedicated this wine to his wife, Marina Cvetic, who is from Serbia. It is among the Marina Cvetic line of wines, which Gianni created for his wife. Made from a single-vineyard cru of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, ISKRA is a wine of extraordinary distinction and depth.

E. Guigal Ermitage Ex Voto Rouge 2015

Ermitage Ex-Voto represents the fulfillment of a longtime dream of Marcel Guigal’s to own vineyard land on the hill of Hermitage. Through the purchase of the de Vallouit and J. L. Grippat domaines in 2000, Guigal acquired four exceptional vineyard parcels on this legendary site. The 2001 vintage was the first release of this estate-bottled Hermitage red and white. The quality of the intense old-vine fruit is quite special, but given the Guigal’s already strong work in Hermitage, they decided to only release an Ex-Voto red or white when the wine is utterly exceptional and clearly superior to their appellation bottlings.

E. Guigal Ermitage Ex Voto Blanc 2016

Ermitage Ex-Voto represents the fulfillment of a longtime dream of Marcel Guigal’s to own vineyard land on the hill of Hermitage. Through the purchase of the de Vallouit and J. L. Grippat domaines in 2000, Guigal acquired four exceptional vineyard parcels on this legendary site. The 2001 vintage was the first release of this estate-bottled Hermitage red and white. The quality of the intense old-vine fruit is quite special, but given the Guigal’s already strong work in Hermitage, they decided to only release an Ex-Voto red or white when the wine is utterly exceptional and clearly superior to their appellation bottlings.

Domaine Chanson Givry 2018

Givry is one of the smallest but most famous of the 5 villages in the heart of the Côte Chalonnaise, in the southern part of Burgundy. Whole bunch maceration really helps this wine to deliver. It brings structure, matter and a touch of spiciness and freshness.

Domaine Talmard Mâcon-Chardonnay 2020

This Burgundy Estate produces one utterly perfect wine: a pure and refreshing Chardonnay, from the birthplace of the Chardonnay grape.

Eden Specialty Ciders Brut Nature 2018

Sparkling beverage aficionados know that “brut nature” is the classification used in champagne to indicate that a bottle is bone dry, bottled without residual sugar or dosage. Made from at least 14 heirloom and tannic apple varieties, Eden’s Brut Nature is bottle fermented and aged on the lees for at least 18 months. It is elegantly balanced with deep apple character, smooth tannins and well-integrated acidity. 

Eden Specialty Ciders Imperial 11 Rosé 2019

Eleanor Leger’s love of alcoholic beverages blossomed as a teenager in France, away from the watchful eyes of her parents. Living through (yet another!) freezing Vermont winter, she was determined to create something that would whisk her back to the warmth of southern France – at least in the glass. She worked tirelessly to find just the right combination of apples and fruit to strike the right balance of color, with just a kiss of sweetness. She experimented with cherries, raspberries, black currants and several other things before landing on red currants. With that, Imperial 11 Rosé was born.

The Imperial 11° Rosé cider has the body, alcohol level and juiciness of a delicious drier rosé wine. The cold-concentrated apple juice is infused with red currant juice which provides earthy tannin and red berry flavor notes as well as beautiful color. 

Marietta Cellars Old Vine Red Lot 72

Affectionately known as “OVR,” Marietta’s Old Vine Red is a proprietary red wine made to replicate the field blends of the old vineyards in Sonoma and Mendocino counties. A groundbreaking combination of varietals and multiple vintages first produced in 1982, this wine has blazed the path for red blends for decades. With an historic underground following, it is one of the longest lasting and best known red blends produced today. Predominantly comprised of fresh, young Zinfandel, OVR gets its backbone from Petite Sirah with about three years of age in neutral barrel, and its savory component from Syrah with about two years of age in neutral barrel. Occasionally, other varieties like Barbera, Carignan, or Grenache will be blended in to complement the other elements. The goal is always to create an enjoyable table wine made with integrity that combines pure fruit, a supple mouth feel and a rich, solid structure.

Masciarelli Villa Gemma Colline Teatine Bianco 2020

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

Masciarelli Villa Gemma Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo 2020

Perhaps the finest rosé production area in Italy, and one of the few appellations dedicated only to rosé, Cerasuolo has a long history of producing serious rosé, and showcasing how well the Montepulciano grape is adapted to rosé. Masciarelli first produced this wine in 1986, only 5 years after the winery was founded. With deep fruit and structure but no shortage of pleasure, it is a rosé you can take to the dinner table.

Rotem and Mounir Saouma Châteauneuf-du-Pape Omnia 2018

Mounir Saouma likes to describe Chateauneuf-du-Pape as a mosaic, with all the wild traditions and differences together making for very different interpretations. Omnia, Latin for “all,” is his attempt to encompass the entire region’s terroir and winemaking history (and perhaps future) in one glass. The fruit comes from 9 vineyard parcles across all 5 of the Chateauneuf communes, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Courthezon, Sorgues, Bedarrides and Orange (in early vintages, when the Saoumas did not have all the vineyards they have today, they would purchase fruit; today, Rotem & Mounir Saouma is 100% Estate). The wine is then vinified and aged in foudres, cement and 500 liter barrels – a little bit of everything.

The aging is as Mounir ages his Burgundies: extremely long, never racked, no fining, no filtration. It would be easy to say that we expected the experience running one of Burgundy’s leading producers, Lucien Le Moine, would show in Mounir’s wines. But the actual results need to be tasted to be believed and understood: a wine with beguiling fruit and savory richness, yet extraordinary finesse and detail.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Magis 2019

Another unsurprising but jawdropping discovery when encountering the Saouma wines: Magis, Mounir’s white Chateauneuf from the heavily limestone Pierredon vineyard in Bedarrides.  It makes sense that a producer of great white Burgundy would quickly become enchanted by the possibilities here. Only 3% of Chateauneuf is white, and virtually all of it is bottled after 6 months. Mounir’s chateauneuf is aged 18-24 months and has already been compared to some of the great white Burgundy crus for its depth and minerality.

Marietta Cellars Gibson Block Syrah 2018

Made from the oldest Syrah vines in California, in the heart of the McDowell Valley AVA, this wine reflects the hidden property where it is grown – quiet, obscure and profound. This ancient, dry farmed, mixed block next to the original Gibson Homestead has been producing grapes for over a hundred years. Limited in production due to the unique grape source, this wine is built to enjoy with food.

The estate series from Marietta is made with terroir in mind above all else. For many years these sites were included in blends, though they routinely stood out as extraordinary. These wines are true expressions of unique sites, crafted with freshness, tension and longevity in mind.

Marietta Cellars Old Vine Riesling 2020

Marietta’s Old Vine Riesling is the most recent and unique extension of the Old Vine series (or “OVR”). Originally intended as a gift for Scot’s partner, Lisa, who is German, the bone dry style of Riesling became a fan favorite and permanent addition. While it is the only wine is the lineup that is not estate grown, it comes from some of California’s oldest Riesling vines and offers an extraordinary value and delightful drinking experience.