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Domaine du Grand Montmirail Gigondas lies in the foothills of a limestone escarpment in a remote part of Gigondas. A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, this wine has real depth of flavour with concentrated black fruits balanced by fresh acidity and a rich warm finish. In Gigondas, cultivating grapes to make wine and olives to make oil stretches back to ancient times. As long ago as the 1st century, Julius Caesar established a colony of veterans on this site. One is said to have been so jovial that he was nicknamed Jucundus, 'the joyful', and his village became known as Jocundatis, which later became Gigondas. Domain du Grand Montmirail covers more than 35 Ha, planted exclusively on the hillsides and terraces located south / south-east side of the Dentelles de Montmirail, forming a superb amphitheater dedicated to the vine and the wine. The altitude of the vineyard varies between 300 and 350 meters and enjoys natural protection against the wind dominating the mistral. The vineyard is composed of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre parcels, aged between 15 and 65 years. The harvest begins with Syrah, the quickest grape to ripen, and then the Grenache in the highest spots. The Mourvèdre is the slowest ripening and usually the last grape to be harvested. The entire harvest is picked by hand, and yields are never more than 35 hl/ha. Among the old vines on the terraces, they generally fall to a maximum of 30 hl/ha. The recently picked grapes are transported quickly to the winery situated off to the side of the vineyards. Pair it with Beef, Casserole, Lamb, Mushrooms -
Stéphane Riffault (Claude’s son and now the owner of the estate) is turning out Sancerre bottlings that are the envy of many producers twice his age. As David Schildknecht put it, “Make no mistake: this address in the hamlet of Maison Salle (Sury-en-Vaux) is now one of the five or six most exciting estates in the Sancerre appellation.” Given that Stephane’s holdings represent 4-tenths of 1 percent of the appellation, he is clearly doing something right. Based in the village of Sury-en-Vaux, Stéphane Riffault works 33 different parcels in 8 different lieu-dits spread across four villages. The 13.5 hectares of vines are plowed, and no synthetic material is used. Starting in 2017, the property has been certified organic by ECOCERT and biodynamic by BIODYVIN. Unlike most Sancerre producers, the entire harvest is carried out by hand, and extensive sorting occurs before the grapes are crushed. Stéphane’s wife, Benedicte, leads the harvest team while Stéphane manages the sorting and press during harvest. Most of the domaine’s holdings are planted on the soft limestone soil called terres blanches, with some parcels on calliottes and silex. Minor, judicious uses of oak help to add length to the already precise, site-expressive, and vertical bottlings. All the parcels are vinified separately, and except for the rosé, all the wines are bottled unfiltered. Having studied and worked in Burgundy (and closely with Olivier Leflaive), it’s easy to see the Burgundian influence in Stéphane’s wines. The mastery of minerality standing shoulder–height with the wood is rarely duplicated in Sancerre. Regardless of his parcels’ exposition (many are south-facing), Riffault’s wines are always crisp and highcut with a jeweled delineation that speaks to the precision and attention these wines get. These are not your daddy’s (or his daddy, Claude’s) Sancerres. Sancerre Les Denisottes Les Denisottes comes from a lieu-dit located quite close to the domaine’s cellar. Here the terres blanches soils are deeper and more pebbly than rocky and producing a richer style of Sancerre – one that requires a longer élevage in barrel, and released with a greater capacity to age. -
Bodegas Martínez Lacuesta was founded in 1895 in Haro by Félix Martínez Lacuesta. A winemaker, lawyer, politician and publicist, he was the first president of the National Association of Winegrowers and Wine Industries, as well as of the Rioja Wine Union. He was also one of the creators of the Regulating Board of D.O. Rioja, where he represented his fellow winemakers. The philosophy of this century-old winery is to produce the best wines from the best grapes. To do so, they have plots distributed throughout Rioja Alta, searching for the best vineyards and buying, up until this day, new plots to plant new vines. Martínez Lacuesta Reserva is a wine made from Tempranillo, Graciano and Mazuelo, from vineyards located at 450-600 metres of altitude. Their vines, of an average of 25 years old, are planted on clayey-calcareous soils. Suitable to accompany white or red meats, fishes with sauce, grilled meat or vegetables -
Founded in 1972, Bodegas LAN lies in the heart of Rioja Alta and boasts one of the most spectacular single-vineyard sites in the region: Viña Lanciano. The name LAN comes from the initials of the three provinces of the Rioja Designation of Origin: Logroño, Álava and Navarra. -
Domaine Bois de Boursan makes exemplary Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the Southern Rhône. This family-run estate was started by the Versino family in 1955, who moved across from Piedmont in Italy. It is now in the hands of Jean-Paul, the third generation at the helm. He takes great pride in continuing to make traditionally-styled reds with the belief that vinifying with stems and ageing the wine for extended periods in large oak foudres gives his wine its unique character. There is nothing flashy or opulent here, just wines with great character. In total, Jean-Paul has 10 hectares spread across 27 different parcels in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with its changing soil types and vines up to 50 years old. -
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 -
Claus Preisinger made his first wine when he was just 20 years old and quickly expanded the 3 hectares of his family vineyards by the Neusiedlersee lake in Burgenland (Austria) to 19 ha. He is the youngest member of Pannobile, a group created to champion the unique character of Burgenland’s terroir and local varieties, and a promising new Austrian producer. Puszta Libre! comes from vineyards lying on the north shore of Lake Neusiedl on very varied sandy loam soils, with flint, quartz, slate and limestone. Basing his work Rudolf Steiner's biodynamic principles, he maintains the natural balance of the vineyard using only organic and biodynamic practices. Puszta Libre! is a tribute to ancient viticulture both in the way it is made and in the way it is presented. Its design is inspired by classic soft drinks and invites you to drink it cold and without preconceived ideas. Drink slighly chilled and with your mates!
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