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Anne Gros, the only daughter of François Gros, has established a solid character and reputation in the wine world after taking over her father’s domaine in 1988. At 25 years old, Anne saw the family domaine grow from 7 to 16 acres. Recently, she invested in a new cellar. She is a winegrower suspicious of certitude and fastidious about maintaining her freedom. As a woman winegrower, Anne knew how to prove herself and convince all who doubted of her ability to manage a domaine. She showed that she had not only the shoulders but the head to make her family heritage one of the greatest domaines of Burgundy. In 1984 she had to stop studying Arts to study vines’culture and oenology in Beaune and Dijon. Now her passion for vine and wine as well as her talent, sensitivity and professionalism posit her as a winemaker enthusiasts can rely on. Anne Gros has always been concerned about the environment, however she did not always find what she was looking for. so with this conviction, Anne Gros continued her approach to ecology without the recognition of organic certification The first harvest of this wine was 1999, Now the vines are mature and bringing very expressive fruit. This 4 acre single block parcel is situated in the commune of Concoeur just above the village of Vosne-Romanée. Originally bare of any vines, it was planted in stages (1996, 1997 and 1998). Chardonnay vines make up 2.4 acres on the upper part of the slope, where the earth is deeper and more humid (this is where the water of the hillside resurges). On the land itself: is an area rarely exceeding 300 metres in altitude in the west. the geographical diversity of burgundy leads to a diversity of climates and the existence of numerous micro-climates. the average annual insolation is 2000 hours, the average temperature is 11.5 degrees celsius. the côte de nuits is carved out of jurassic limestone. as its name suggests, the côte has a fairly steep slope. the clay-limestone complexes, the different sun exposures and the climatic data resulting from the shaping of the combes perpendicular to the fault line of the coast give us a very fragmented pdo classification system. Highly recommended with raw or grilled fish, shellfish in a court-bouillon, white meat, charcuterie without garlic and goat cheese. Fantastic Burgundy and not easy to find due to its limit production. Try it while you can -
Rafael Palacios is the son of D. José Palacios Remondo (founder of Bodegas Palacios Remondo) and the brother of Alvaro Palacios(Priorat) but ultimately a passionate producer of white wine. After producing his first white at the family-run winery, called Plácet, he decided to set up his own winery in Galicia, in the Valle del Bibei, under the Valdeorras denomination. Established in 2004, Rafael Palacios has rapidly become one of Spain’s greatest producers of white wine. His focus is on the local variety Godello, grown in a small estate on very old vines that are up to 90 years old from the areas steep-sided, terraced vineyards and have been cultivated with respect of the land, without using any type of herbicide or pesticide. Rafael Palacios is refining his work year after year, reaching the magic of the greatest wines. A top wine, and one to keep. Grub pairing suggestions are mild Asian dishes, Moroccan specialities, fish ragout with saffron sauce Risotto ai frutti di mar -
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This famous Domaine has been run by Caroline Lestimé, Jean-Noël’s daughter, since 1989. Its 12.5 hectares of outstanding vineyards have been certified organic since 2014, and are now run biodynamically, though are not yet certified as such. Most of the estate’s vineyards are in the heart of Chassagne, with one vineyard in the Hautes Côtes de Beaune, which looks down on St. Aubin and was planted in 2015 at an altitude of 300 metres above sea level. The vines are Guyot-trained and planted on a moderate hill facing east. The soils here are stony calcareous clays which are enriched with biodynamic composts at the end of every winter. The wines are, in the best sense of the phrase, ‘low intervention’ wines, with each expressing the character of its site. The 2018 vintage started with good levels of winter rainfall, replenishing the soil moisture content. After a cold February and a rainy March, conditions in April were warm and dry, allowing the vineyard growth to catch up after the earlier delays. Flowering occurred under perfect conditions and summer brought consistently warm, sunny days through to harvest, which took place on August 26th. Grapes for this wine come from two similar plots: one parcel is in the upper part of the appellation (just under the road to Santenay) and the other on the lower part. 40 year old Vines Approximately 200 cases of this cuvée are made each year. Great wine to be appreciated. being an elegant and with layers of structure making this wine quite exquisite. Decanter highly recommended here. -
In one of mine first wine classes, the teacher said regarding pairing wines with meals. ''You can attempt everything, and please please do so, but don't matter what you will try, you will see that there is only one type of wine that will pair beautifully with all the meals throughout the day. that wine is Champagne!''. Oh dear was he right...Pair this one with a lovely cooked breakfast and you in for a treat. As for the background of this wine: Raphaël and Vincent Bérêche, two of Champagne’s rising stars, have been working alongside their father Jean-Pierre at their nine-hectare estate of Bérêche et Fils since 2004, and today they are putting an increasingly personal stamp on this thoughtfully-run Domaine. The Bérêche estate owns vines in several different sectors of Champagne, with the three primary areas being the immediate vicinity around Ludes and Craon de Ludes, the gravelly terroir of Ormes in the Petite Montagne, and the area around Mareuil-le-Port, on the left bank of the Vallée de la Marne. A small parcel is also found in Trépail, in the eastern Montagne de Reims. Most recently, the estate has acquired its first grand cru vineyard in 2012, a tiny, 15-are parcel in the village of Mailly. The estate's vineyards are planted with roughly equal parts of the three varieties, and increasing attention is being paid to natural viticulture—Bérêche completely stopped using chemical herbicides in 2004 and has planted cover crops in all of the vineyards, and since 2007 a portion of the vineyard is being converted to biodynamics. Sharp-eyed observers will note that beginning in 2013, Bérêche has changed its status from RM (récoltant-manipulant) to NM (négociant-manipulant). This was done for two reasons: the first was to augment the production of the Brut Réserve by about 15 to 20 percent, selecting grapes from three trusted growers in the villages of Ludes, Maily and Rilly-la-Montagne. These grapes will be used exclusively for the Brut Réserve, and the rest of Bérêche's wines remain entirely estate-grown. The second reason was the creation of a négociant range called Crus Sélectionnés, released under the label Raphaël et Vincent Bérêche. These are wines selected from various sources across the Champagne region, designed to illustrate and reflect their respective terroirs, with the first series of wines to be released in 2014. At Bérêche, vinification tends towards the traditional: parcels are vinified separately, with natural yeasts used for smaller tanks and selected yeasts for larger ones. The family has slowly been increasing the percentage of oak used in the cellar, and today about three-quarters of the production is vinified in barrel. The malolactic is systematically avoided, and the wines are bottled around May, without filtration and with a natural cold-settling, achieved by opening all of the cellar’s windows and waiting for three days. Disgorging is still done entirely by hand, and unlike many growers who are embracing the idea of concentrated must for the dosage, Bérèche adamantly prefers a traditional liqueur. Recently the Bérêches have begun to work more with cork for the second fermentation, believing that it results in a wine of more character and complexity. Raphaël’s father was always a firm believer in cork, but it requires a lot of extra work—now that Raphaël and Vincent are working with him at the estate, it’s easier to accomplish. Today, a quarter of the production is bottled with cork instead of capsule, spread over five different cuvées: Les Beaux Regards, Vallée de la Marne Rive Gauche, Le Cran, Reflet d'Antan and the Campania Remensis rosé. Pair it with: Oysters, Grilled fish, Salads, Cheeses, Starters & Canapes -
Thomas Lynch was a descendant of the Tribes of Galway. His father John emigrated in 1691 from Galway, Ireland to Bordeaux, inherited an estate in the village of Bages through his wife, Elizabeth, in 1749. This year represents the foundation of Château Lynch-Bages, which Thomas passed on to his son, Jean-Baptiste, upon his marriage in 1779. Jean-Baptiste soon handed over supervision to his brother Michel who maintained responsibility for the Bages estate until 1824, when the family sold it to a Swiss wine merchant, Sebastien Jurine, who had recently moved to Bordeaux. Château Lynch-Bages remained in the hands of the Jurine family, followed by the Cayrou family, for over a hundred years. In 1934, Jean-Charles Cazes rented the property from its then owner, Felix de Vial, subsequently purchasing it in 1938. After Jean-Charles Cazes’ death, aged 95, in 1972, the estate has been largely managed by his grandson, Jean-Michel Cazes.[2] In the late 1980s, the AXA Millésimes group began to develop a portfolio of wine property holdings, and approached Jean-Michel Cazes for help (Claude Bébéar, the AXA President, was a long-time Cazes family friend). They established Châteaux & Associés, which Cazes ran until he reached 65, and which by the end of the twentieth century owned many vineyards across Europe. Ownership of Château Lynch-Bages, however, remains with the Cazes family. In 2017, the Cazes family has acquired Château Haut-Batailley, the 1855 Grand Cru Classé estate in Pauillac. In the interest of sustainable development, agriculture is in every way reasoned: fertilization methods defined precisely and adapted to soil, optimized phytosanitary control, use of sexual confusion against worms of the bunch, controlled grassing of plots for control the vigor of the vine, prolonged rest of the soil by flowering fallow land … The use of neutral products for the environment is everywhere privileged. -
This project was born from the will of three winemakers, Jorge Moreira, Francisco Olazabal and Jorge Serôdio Borges, to make a wine together. The chosen region was the Dão, a region for which there is a common admiration that was born in the tasting of older wines, from the 60s and 70s that surprise for their elegance and freshness. The identity and complexity of these wines is indeed remarkable and serves as an inspiration for MOB wines. -
The wine Priorat Dits del Terra is a red wine produced in the Catalunya region, more precisely Priorat or the Torroja del Priorat in Spain, by Terroir al Limit. The vineyards are south facing in the sun-baked slate hills of Priorat and 60+ year old carignan vines are not usually harbingers of floral elegance and silken grace. And yet this gap between expectation and stunning creation is precisely what makes Dits de Terra so iconic. The vineyard, one of the original Terroir Al Limit holdings, honors the Cyprus trees that shade the historic Eremitas throughout the region. It is crafted using whole bunch fermentation and initial vinification in cement, then afforded a rare gift: time, in the form of 16 months in Stockinger foudres and cement, with a gentle and unobtrusive elevage. This care and attention elevates it into a fine, complex and fluid expression of different terroirs. The dark depths in the glass belie its ephemeral lightness in aroma and flavor. Breathy black fruits and a persistent herbality enhance the supple spice and suspended movement across the palate. Anise, fresh fennel and rose notes are underscored with a fluid web of balsamic accents - never weighty nor wide. The wine exudes gravitas with the elegant confidence that comes only from complete comfort in one’s own skin. Only 2000 bottles produced, Masterclass of a wine! -
Located in Crouttes-sur-Marne, about 25km east of Meaux, the Bourgeois Diaz vineyard comprises 6.80 hectares of vines, of which 3.5 hectares are planted with Pinot Meunier, 2 with Pinot Noir and 1.3 with Chardonnay. The vines are on average 40 years old and have their roots in soils of clay, silt and chalk . Jérôme is the fourth generation of winegrowers on his father's side. His wife Charlotte, joined the estate in 2016, and today plays an important role in overseeing the estate, helping to develop the quality of the Champagnes. No pesticides, no chemical fertilizers, no technological manipulation, the wines of Jérôme and Charlotte are not only cared for, they are loved. The estate has been certified in organic and biodynamic viticulture since 2014. The biodynamic preparations 5 00P (twice a year) and 501 (3 to 4 times a year) are combined with low doses of copper and sulfur, horsetail decoctions, nettle, wicker, meadowsweet, chamomile, yarrow herbal teas, etc. Green manures are sown every other row, and an agro-forestry project was launched in 2019 (planting of 50 trees in a plot of 45 ares). Most of the work is done manually, foot by foot, to bring the maximum attention to the vines, which explains why the estate employs almost one person per hectare year-round. The harvest is manual, and most of the pickers are regulars, knowing the terroir and the state of mind of the estate. The bunches are harvested when ripe and sorted, so as to bring in grapes only in perfect sanitary condition. Disgorged on 01/12/2019 after 5 years of ageing, this non-dosed brut nature Champagne is straight, ample and deep, with great complexity brought by the long aging in the bottle Pair it with Lobster, bar carpaccio, lean tartare, Saint-Pierre, sweetbreads. Salut!! -
Another excellent wine from Niepoort. Charme is all about elegance and balance, achieved by taking special attention to the smallest details during the entire wine-making process. Made in traditional stone lagares with 100% grape stems, Charme’s elegance is achieved using grapes from very old vineyards in Vale de Mendiz, on the banks of the Pinhão river. Pair it with mushrooms and game dishes, such as partridge or pheasant -
Niepoort is a family business dating back to 1842. Its winemaking tradition began in the Douro region, with the roduction of Port wine. Nowadays has a foothold in all the major Portuguese regions with still wines production outside the Douro Valley. Know-how, enthusiasm and an innovative mindset have passed down from generation to generation, making Niepoort one of the most authentic and notable Portuguese wine producers. The grapes to produce this wine come from Quinta do Carril, from a north-facing vineyard with more than 70 years, and also from old vineyards about 100 years old near Quinta de Nápoles. Niepoort sums up this elegant bottling well by saying “Batuta is a wine of extremes, having more of everything, is at the same time, the one with a more discrete behavior.” Quite so this year (and most), as the wine opens with subtlety and elegance, seeming rather mute. It is somewhat tinged by oak early in its life. That will be easily absorbed. It takes some air and patience to see what this sometimes too subtle wine has, but there is good structure underneath (and a little tannic pop that emerges with air) that should allow the wine to develop well and have the time to acquire some complexity, which is often its best feature. It has a very Burgundian feel, with a silky, graceful mid-palate. There is nothing obvious about this bottling in any year. This year, certainly, it is a Batuta that is perhaps subtle to a fault, but it will be a perfect food wine and when you are drinking it you will suddenly realize how much you like it.'' Time will tell, definitely one of the great current masters of winemaking. Not just in Portugal but in the world -
These fresh and lovely whites were carefully chosen to make you travel through different parts of the world in comfort with a glass in hand. These are fresh, light, crispy, open wines that are super delicious and will test your taste buds and impress. Ferdinand Mayr Grüner Veltliner- Ferdinand Mayr is a musician turned winemaker and his organic wines are singing with flavour and intensity. Whoever says Grüner Veltliner says Austria and vice versa. This version of Ferdinand Mayr is accessible and it charms you right away. Exuberant, lively nose of citrus, apple and white pepper. On the palate, the ripe fruit and spiciness create a pleasant tension with the acidity. Crispy and ripe, as if you were biting into a juicy apple. Flavor and spiciness characterize this wine. Fantastic with Japanese or Thai cuisine. Portuga White Lisboa- A wine that presents itself as modern, with excellent aromatic intensity and offering citric fruit notes. With a light body, it has also a great natural freshness and shows great balance in the aftertaste. Antonio Rubini Pinot Grigio delle Venezie- Italian Pinot Grigio through and through with no surprises. This wine shows apple and pear with hints of white peach and elderflower. Light and refreshing, a mouth-watering partner for salads and seafood. Great any day of the week. Les Chaises Sauvignon Blanc- Another one that won't disappoint. This is a Languedoc Roussillon white made for the locals in South West France. Delicious, fresh zesty lemon and green apple flavours, lively and refreshing with good length. Ideal as an aperitif, with seafood, white meats, goats cheese and salads. Marlborough Sun Sauvignon Blanc- This absolutely stunning New Zealand white is what you expect from a sauvignon blanc from Marlborough and more. The inspiration for the labels came from a newspaper article about an unusual phenomenon that has swept the region... Pioneri Mundi Albariño- If you are a fan of Spanish Albariños, this one just ticks the box. Fantastic, all rounder and easy to drink, perfect for any occasion. Compliments all sorts of food, especially Tapas. -
For those red wine lovers. You know what I mean by red lips! We brought together for you a red wine case of 6 bottles full of character, lavish richness, booming dark fruits, warming spice flavours, and velvet-smooth down to the very last drop. With this case you will travel from Portugal, Spain through France and Italy all the way to California. No doubt you will develop some red wine lips... Lab Tinto Lisboa - Lab tested and Lab approved! Full bodied, red produced on the coast of Lisbon, is smooth and is very aromatic with notes of ripe black and red fruits. On the palate, juicy plums and dark berry fruit flavour with plenty of fresh yet fine tannins that take over at the finish, along with flavours of spice and liquorice. It is not a top shelf wine but it does punch above its weight. Michel Chapoutier Marius - As Marius, Michel Chapoutier’s great-grandfather, always said ‘A good wine is one that beckons us to take another sip’. This wine carries this message and reflects the warmth of the southern french terroirs in which they are rooted. Dark red, dense, clear wine with deep purple shimmer. On the nose: powerful, complex, dark, spicy, red berries, delicate floral note. Château Haut Gravelier - Château Gravelier is located on superb hillsides on the edge of Entre Deux Mers, Bordeaux. Classic French blend of 70% Merlot 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. With deep colour, classic structure and unusually ripe flavours, this is classic claret to serve with roast beef, duck or T-bone steak. Palacio del Camino Crianza Rioja - The simple enjoyment of a really good Rioja is sometimes forgotten. But here one is, great with food, but honestly, just as great in a large glass on a sofa with nowhere to be and nothing to do. An elegant fruity wine with vanilla, spices and red fruit. Monte del Frá Bardolino DOC - This charming and typical red wine from Veneto is a cuvée made from 65% Corvina, 30% Rondinella and 5% Sangiovese, the usual suspects as Italian red grape varieties go. On the nose exudes aromas of different types of cherries, raspberries and strawberries. A whole range of spicy overtones and undertones play around this fruity core: cloves, cinnamon, violets and pepper. Tannins and fruit acid are perfectly coordinated. In the finale, some more cinnamon and black pepper. I would pair this one with pasta or your favourite comfort food. Beringer Zinfandel California - A Zin that definitely portrays some Classic California ripeness. Ripe blueberries, blackberries, plums, a hint of smoky and mineral characters and a touch perfumed (dried floral notes) on the nose. On the palate you'll find that smoke and berry ripeness coming through, with a little tangy raspberry adding to a lengthy finish. Medium plus body with a silky mouthfeel, smooth light tannins and luscious acidity. I love Zins with a juicy bacon and smoked cheddar burger or with your favourite pizza. This one should not disappoint! -
Domaine de La Vougeraie is born from the assembly of domains acquired over time and the vines of the family. Its history dates back to 1964 with the first vine, Les Evocelles, acquired by our father at his very beginnings. Here, it is in his village that he will have his first lands around Gevrey-Chambertin. The reputation of Domaine de la Vougeraie is well established. This area of excellence is located in Premeaux-Prissey, a small village in Burgundy , near Nuits-Saint-Georges, in the Côte de Nuits . For this cuvée, the estate brings together two small plots in the “ La Rue aux Vaches ” and “ Noyer Bret ” climates . They are planted with Chardonnay and worked in biodynamics , homeopathy applied to the vine. 2018 was a generous, sunny vintage, which managed to maintain a good level of freshness Sylvie Poillot, General Manager, farms the estate’s 42 hectares biodynamically. “We do this to preserve the fertility of soils, and to have a very good balance between the soil and the plant’s health,” she explains. It’s not just the soil health that’s changed: two decades on from their conversion to biodynamics, the wines are evolving too: “The wines are more aromatic and more expressive year after year,” she says. A fascinating 2018: on the one hand, it’s opulent with the warmth of the vintage; on the other, it’s tight with typical Puligny fruit, stone and bite. A superior example. Drink 2022-2028 Great with grilled fish, scallops, lobster, lobster -
It began with a vision. A belief in the possibility of something bigger and better – something that didn’t quite exist yet. In the early 1970s, Napa Valley was a sleepy agricultural town on the brink of a fine-wine awakening. Drawing on his construction experience, Joe set about establishing the building blocks of winemaking excellence. By embedding his no-compromise philosophy deep into the bedrock of the winery, Joe set the framework to push for greatness. In 1974, he had the idea to make a unique blend each year, one that would represent the finest wine he could make from each vintage. He didn’t necessarily think it would always be a Cabernet Sauvignon either. His only thought was to make one wine that represented the best of Joseph Phelps Vineyards. Today, Insignia is widely regarded as a qualitative benchmark for Californian winemaking that has earned Joseph Phelps its longstanding reputation for excellence. The production has been scaled back to the point where all the fruit comes from estate vineyards, which is something of a rarity in California. This is now a brilliantly focused, dynamic producer that refuses to rest on its laurels. In our honest opinion in Pinto Wines this wine can compare easely with top Burgundy wines at this price point. We have aged some of these wines in store and are ready to be enjoyed. -
A Vintage Port is only declared in years of exceptional quality. Quinta do Vesuvio is arguably the most magnificent estate in the Douro valley. Located in the beautiful and austere Port-growing region of the Upper Douro valley, its history dates back to the 16th Century. “The quinta of all quintas – one of the wonders of the world”. At Vesuvio, the work of man and the work of nature achieve a perfect and enduring harmony. More than anywhere else in the Douro it has a haunting and enchanting beauty; when you leave it, you take with you a sense of the place that does not fade with time. Quinta do Vesuvio 2016 will surely make any lunch or dinner a memorable one. It is a fabulous accompaniment to chocolate desserts, such as chocolate pudding, but can also be enjoyed on its own - it is an experience in itself. -
Matsu, the Japanese word for 'wait', pays homage to the generations of devoted wine makers. The images of the real-life wine-producers decorate the bottle and represent the essence of each of the wines. Picaro means 'rogue' or 'rascal', and this rapscallion of a wine is a youthful interpretation of the Toro region's style. El Recio translates as 'the tough guy', and is a more serious, mature wine, made from the product of some of Toro's oldest vines. 'The Old One' of the Matsu range, made from the fruit of selected Tinta de Toro vines, averaging 110 years of age - presented in an original gift box. -
Wine is cheaper than Therapy! We put together these great wines, 3 whites and 3 reds that would put a smile on anyone's face, any day of the week. These wines can be enjoyed with or without food, but we always recommend a nibble. On the whites: Muralhas Vinho Verde - Monção e Melgaço has been producing wines and recognized for it since Roman occupation times, but was with Afonso III, 5th King of Portugal(1210-1279) that signed a ”Foral” that conceded Monção e Melgaço habitants the owners of the local wine and therefore they produced it with pride as they do today. The wine is made from the Alvarinho (predominant) and Trajadura varieties, indigenous to Portugal and the region, more specifically. The dry Muralhas de Moncao Vinho Verde never seems intrusive, but is soft, elegant and harmonious with no wood whatsoever. The wine goes well not only as an aperitif, but also with salads, seafood, fish dishes and white meat. Vitese Colomba Bianca Grillo Biologico- Grillo is the flagship of Sicily's indigenous white varieties, with its aromatic and floral nose. Fresh and harmonious on the well-structured palate, the Vitese Grillo has a long and elegant finish. Lovingly white, Lovingly good !! Bardos Rueda Verdejo- This artisan verdejo is part of the reason the Spanish Rueda region has become quite popular. Made unapologetically, you will find yourself like a true "Bard" drinking this wine. Delicious! On The Reds El Castro de Valtuille Joven - Made by the great Raul Perez. Fresh, mineral-tinged redcurrant and cherry scents that show very good clarity. Tangy, focused and pure on the palate, offering intense flavors of bitter cherry and red berry preserves. Shows a light touch that's quite pinot-like, along with a touch of smokiness that carries through a long, mineral-driven finish. If you want to show somebody what the Spanish region of Mencia smells, feels and tastes like, serve this one. Adega de Penalva Dão 'Indigena' Tinto -Adega de Penalva wines are delicious everyday examples of one of Portugal’s most intriguing appellations — the Dão. Perched above the Dão river itself as it snakes through its granite valleys, the Adega de Penalva is one of the leading cooperatives in the area, boasting around a thousand member growers. It’s important to note, though, that the average holding per member amounts to barely over a hectare—a figure that reminds us how tenaciously much of rural Portugal clings to its old ways. (On that note, all fruit destined for the ‘Indigena’ bottlings is hand-harvested.) Since its founding in the 1960s, the Adega has been collecting its members’ grapes and producing clean, characterful wines with a minimum of fuss. Aromas of leather and blueberries and notes of dark fruits with cherry and raspberry. Tank N32 Primitivo Appassimento IGT - Couldn't finish this wine case without bringing out the guns. This passionate and very well intended Italian red impresses with its perfect combination of elegance and strength. The bouquet reveals aromas of ripe cherries, juicy plums and dried fruit. In particular figs, dates and raisins come to mind. Has a dense and concentrated character. The pleasant and equally subtle residual sweetness gives this red wine a wonderful velvetiness. The long finish of Tank No 32 is carried by delicate notes of nougat and dark chocolate. -
Since 1481, the Chave family has been lording the soils of the Hermitage. Probably they are amongst the best visionaries and observers of the French wines in general. The vineyards are cultivated organically, with methods that favor very low yields and full ripeness, followed by minimal intervention in the winemaking process. The family's pride and joy is the Syrah planted on the fabled hill of Hermitage, but their wines from Saint-Joseph, a small nearby village devoted to the same grape, are a close second and represent distinct value. Syrah here doesn't taste like the bombastic syrah of California or Australia; rather, it's smoky, savory, and tastes like blackberries and black pepper. -
Denis Clair, quick with a laugh and a textbook bon vivant, created the domaine in 1986. The Clair family had owned parcels in the area for generations but sold most of their production to negociants. Denis set out to bottle his own wine. His wife Françoise was born in Saint-Aubin, a neighboring AOC village 2 1/2 miles to the northwest (a bit longer by car). This is where the Clairs' winery is located. They have a son, Jean-Baptiste, who joined the family business in 2000 working the vines. Jean-Baptist eventually began making their white wines. Today the family owns 15 hectares, including parcels in Santenay and Saint-Aubin. They sell 75,000 bottles a year, with about 75% of that going abroad. Fantastic with lobster, langoustines, turbot, a fillet of Saint-Pierre with fine vegetables, all shellfish and crustaceans, sole... Also unique with fine white meats, including pheasant with a beautiful cream sauce. Stunning gift and a bucket list wine -
Alexandre de Almeida, founder of the oldest hotel chain in Portugal with the same name, began producing Buçaco Wines in 1917 when he realized what the Hotel Winery concept meant after many visits to European hotels, including those on the French “Côte D’Azure”. This gave him the idea to open his own winery at the Buçaco Palace, starting to produce varieties that would come to be known as the glorious “Buçaco wines”. In the early 20th century, one of the most interesting pages on Portuguese wine was created, the wine that was to become a much-envied icon, but which was always intentionally kept out of the limelight. Its creator, Alexandre de Almeida, adopted the concept of linking luxury hotels to a winery with their own wine. If we look back, ever since the first harvests we realized the importance of this icon that was served to kings, queens and heads of state, as proven by menus, proudly kept at the Hotel Palace Buçaco. Buçaco wines were just that: objects of culture limited to very restricted circles, the elite. Their fantastic and noble labels still bear the symbol of their nobility to this day and age. The Buçaco wines were and still are always produced in the same way using the same methods as in the past. The fact that the grapes come from the Dão and Bairrada regions guarantees a wonderful wine that nobly develops in the bottle. If you happen to visit this unique 5* Hotel, just North of Coimbra(between Lisbon and Porto) you will be in for an experience. Situated in the Bussaco National Forest, this 5-star hotel occupies the hunting palace of the last Portuguese kings. Palace Hotel do Bussaco is an excellent example of Manueline-Gothic architecture. Its richly decorated corridors feature antique furnishings, large paintings and traditional Portuguese glazed tiles. Its elegant restaurant offers a range of exclusive Bussaco wines(only). Classic French cuisine and traditional Portuguese dishes are served at Palace Hotel do Bussaco’s restaurant. It is decorated with paintings by João Vaz, Moorish ceilings and exotic hardwood floors. Guests can try a glass of rare Port vintage at the bar. Fantastic experience with amazing wines
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