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French - Loire Valley
2022 Chateau de Fosse-Séche, Reserve du Pigeonnier, Cabernet Franc, Vaudelnay, Saumur, 137DD
Gemstone color, layers of aroma, concentrated minerality and great balance, this wine left me speechless in the thrill of tasting something lost. Clos Rougarad is one of our favorite wines which we no longer are allocated. Adrien and Guillaume Pire have crafted something akin with Reserve du Pigeonnier but from flinted, gravel and clay rather unique from the limestone that the region is known for. The brothers are impassioned by their work, and make no concessions in farming the land with pristine, beyond organic methods.
$240
2022 Domaine Guiberteau ‘Rouge’, Cabernet Franc, Saumur, Bin 75 CC
In 1996 under the mentoring of Clos Rougeard’s Nady Foucault, Romain made 5000 bottles of red wine that he managed to sell easily. The success convinced him to pursue a qualitative approach to winemaking and gradually take back his family’s grapes from the cooperative. The grapes are hand harvested and carefully sorted in the vineyard, de-stemmed and fermented from ambient yeast. Rouge is a cuvée including plots from the Chenin dominant Brézé vineyard.
$83
2022 Frédéric Mabileau Les Rouillieres Cabernet Franc, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil, Bin 97P
Les Rouillères is the Mabileau family’s calling card; pure, unadulterated Cabernet Franc made with minimal intervention; organic fruit, gentle extraction, absolutely no oak and a small amount of sulfur. It clearly expresses Cabernet Franc grown on the sandy gravel soils of Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil. The nose has charming, red-black fruit and a touch of pencil shavings, while the palate bursts with juicy and succulent fruit coated in sweet, ripe tannins.
$72
2023 La Grapperie Adonis Pineau d’Aunis, Coteaux-du-Loir, Bin 59 CC
Trained agronomist specialising in plant physiology, Renaud Guettier organically farms five hectares of mostly Chenin and Pineau d’Aunis, scattered amongst plots close to his village. This expression is powerfully correct for the variety: it is light, bright, compact and elegant, with soaring notes of wild strawberry and cracked pepper. Adonis is unfiltered, unfined and unsulfured.
$88
2021 Mosse, Bisou, Grolleau Noir | Gamay | Cabernet Franc | Chenin, VDF, Bin 44CC
From a mix of gravel and shale soils these varieties are vinified separately using very short maceration. The result is raspberry in color with expressive aromas of black fruit, Indian spice and figs. It is a very fresh palate, light, fruity wine with a tangy finish.
$60
2023 Le Clos du Tue-Bœuf, VDF Rouge Pineau d'Aunis, Les Montils, Touraine, France, Bin 96R
A very lightly colored variety this Pineau d'Aunis exhibits bright red barely ripe strawberry aromas integrated and which highlights a nice balance of acid and tannin. A historic significance for wine making, records of the lieu-dit “le Tue-Boeuf” and the Puzelat family go as far back as the 1400’s. After the creation of the Cheverny AOC the Puzelat’s became one of the first examples of customers trusting the estate’s work methods over the appellation itself as many of the varieties and cuvée they produce buck the AOC’s rules.
$81
2018 Les Jardins des Theseiis, Côt, Thésée, Touraine, Bin 27R
I usually like to talk about the winemakers an their process but everywhere you look you quickly learn about Paul-André Risse and Anouk Lavoie-Lamoureux leaving their careers in biology to make wine. I was looking for a french Malbec to flagship the variety on our list and here is an elegant yet unadulterated elaboration of the variety. There is no oak, it is unfiltered and zero sulfur added leaving us deep purple wine with aromas of black cherry, blueberry and plum unmistakably Malbec.
$90
French - Beaujolais
2022 Julie Balagny, Minouche, Fleurie, Beaujolais VdF, Bin 69BB
Julie Balagny landed in the village of Fleurie in 2009. With a few hectares of Gamay vines that are flanked by the woods and prairies, her approach was more natural. Semi-carbonic fermentation and then aging in old barrels. Declassified to a Vin de France intentionally but fully Fleurie at its core.
$90
2022 Julie Balagny, Toccata, Fleurie, Beaujolais VdF, Bin 57BB
This wine comes from En Remont, three hectares of vines planted on a steep slope amongst woodlands high in the hills of Fleurie that Julie called home. The vines here are up to ninety years old and planted over a complex terroir of pink granite, basalt and quartz. A gleaming ruby in the glass, this is a compelling wine of rare balance and poise. Delicious now, it will age with grace for years to come.
$100
2023 Anne Sophie Dubois, Le Labourons, Gamay, Fleurie, Bin 65 O
Les Labourons is sourced from a single parcel. The grape selection is fastidious and only the best are meticulously sorted and fully destemmed and aged for around 13 months in neutral oak, for a dialed finessed style nodding at her burgundian roots. Born in Champagne she studied wine making in Volnay. More winegrower than winemaker Dubois spends rigorous time in the vineyard to ensure the best possible outcome each vintage offers. She is at the helm through the entire process and even the artist responsible for her labels.
$93
2017 Alex Foillard, Gamay, Brouilly, 126BB
Jean’s son, Alex, is sprinting with the family torch in non-intervention farming, minimal intervention, and bonkers good Bojo.
$110
2023 Jean-Claude Lapalu, La Croix des Remeaux, Gamay, Brouilly, Bin 105 R
From 50+ year old vines in the La Croix des Remeaux vineyard Jean-Claude crafted a wine with ethereal aromas from white blossoms and cooled red cherries and berries. This single vineyard bottles gets the oak treatment in neutral barrels for 6-8 months which evokes a more serious structure and extended finish where tannin competes with acidity.
$108
2023 Jean-Claude Lapalu, Le Rang du Merle, Gamay, Beaujolais-Villages, Brouilly, Bin 134BB
From the oldest vines in the Le Rang du Merle plot Jean-Claude vinifies one of the most serious but pleasant cru wines we have ever tasted. The organically farmed fruit is picked sur-maturité, (when grapes start to shrivel and acid levels fall) then ferment for 3 weeks before spending 9 months in barrel. A medium pronounced nose of savory meaty notes with blown white pepper and even olive all lend to a balanced mouthfeel of acid and tannin while red fruits pop out.
$136
French - Burgundy
2019 Aurelien Verdet, Les Hauts Pruliers, Pinot Noir, Nuits-Saint-Geroges Bin, 3AA
The vibrancy of Aurélien Verdet’s wines reflects his personal passion and commitment to organic farming. As the third generation of his family to grow grapes in Burgundy, his approach reflects an inherited conscience from his father, Alain, who was a pioneer in organic viticulture and winemaking. This is taut showing red and blue fruit with nuances of dried leaves and crushed pepper. Delightful with food or just to savor and contemplate.
$145
2018 Louis Chenu Pere & Fils 'Aux Clous' 1er Cru Pinot Noir, Savigny-les-Beaune, Bin 107Q
In the heart of the Côte de Beaune, daughters of Louis, Juliette and Caroline Chenu bring us the amazing wine you’d expect from such a coveted appellation but at a value uncommon to the area. The family, 5 people, carry out the vineyard work themselves. They work organically, relying on native yeasts and neutral fermentation containers to convey a true reflection of the terroir. Aux Clous, synonymous with clos or wall, is a south facing vineyard with deep red earth in the top quarter fortified by stoney ground below. The wine is tender and ready to drink. It has an elegant body and a gorgeous gemstone color.
$130
2020 Domaine Boris Champy, Elevation 421, Pinot Noir, Hautes-Côtes de Beaune, Bin 15CC
This is from the first biodynamically farmed vineyard in Bourgogne sitting 421 meters above sea level in the higher elevations of Cotes de Beaune. The aromas are concentrated expressing the darker red fruits and the body is a little taut and reserved showing some spicy notes and a sustained finish.
$103
2021 Maison En Belles Lies, Pinot Noir, Aloxe-Corton AOC, Cote de Beaune, Bin 116FF
Pierre stumbled upon one of Rudolf Steiner's books on biodynamic farming at a Parisian flea market, which became the catalyst for his journey into the world of vines. After working with natural wine pioneers such as Trapet, Lapierre, and Emmanuel Giboulot, He purchased his first in the Haute Côtes de Beaune. Since then, he has expanded his holdings and now rents and owns vineyards in Saint-Aubin, Santenay, Monthelie, and Corton, including a plot of Le Corton itself. Vinified with natural wild fermentation in whole bunches and aged in large barrels, it is bottled with no fining, filtration or added SO2. This light colored stunner dances around a fragrant core of red forest berries, bramble, humus and spiced pomegranate juice.
$120
2021 Domaine Georges Glantenay, Pinot Noir, Chambolle-Musigny, Bin 112O
Airy aromas of black cherry, forest, and a box of roses become serious on the palate with a high toned structure, clothy tannin and a long graceful dance for a finish. 1793 bottles produced
$145
2022 Domaine Georges Glantenay, Pinot Noir, Pommard, Bin 104Q
Lifted, this wine shows aromas of cocoa, spice, dried flowers, wisps of orange peel and warm rocks. Spice become more pronounced on the palate which is bodied and expertly balanced for a long finish that warms. 2967 bottle produced
$120
2021 Domaine Georges Glantenay, Pinot Noir, Volnay, Bin 131AA
Guillaume and Sarah’s grandfather planted most of the estate in the 1950’s and 60’s so a majority of the vines are clocking in at 60+ years. The holdings are spread across 16 different appellations comprising 10 hectares of organically farmed parcels dotting the land between Volnay and Pommard. The brother sister duo are gentle with the fruit, hand harvesting in teams, sorting, destemming and performing more of an infusion than maceration all in the name of creating balance and instant drinkability while capturing the grandeur of the terroir. The result has a very astute handshake with earth and fruit, precisely balanced with delightfully smooth tannins.
$110
2023 Domaine de la Saraziniere ‘Le Pepie’ Gamay Macon-Serrieres, vin De Bourgogne, Bin 113O
On granitic and sandy soils, Le Pepie is from young gamay vines exhibiting fresh mentholated aromatics of black fruits, blood orange and dried leaves with a light body that is direct and complex. Phillipe and Guillaume work diligently in the vineyard so it’s possible to vinify a pure wine, free of manipulation and additives that could otherwise impede expressing its terroir.
$80
French - Jura | Savoie
2023 Domaine Benedicte & Stephane Tissot, DD, Trousseau | Poulsard | Pinot Nor, Arbois, Bin 23DD
Domaine et Déroute is a happy-go lucky blend from the couple, leaders of Jura’s biodynamic, low-intervention movement. It is farmed near Montigny-lès-Arsures and fermented with native yeasts and bottled without added sulfur. Light, spirited, with red fruited aromas from currant, strawberry, and whiffs of spice and earthy funkyness. There’s a tart crunch to the fruit, a subtle herbal edge, and a fine line of acidity that makes it deeply drinkable.
$94
2022 Domaine Benedicte & Stephane Tissot, El Barberon, Pinot Nor, Côtes du Jura, Bin 28CC
Whether it be Geverny or Nuits Saint George this wine is often pumped up to being compared with burgundy. I think a lot of that is to develop interest in a region that is now already world renowned and maybe a little unnecessary and redundant for such a unique Pinot. El Barberon from Lias clay and comes in with tart aromas from red cherry, cranberry, and cracked pepper. The palate has nice acidity and structure.
$122
2023 Domaine Benedicte & Stephane Tissot, V. Vignes, Poulsard, Arbois AOC, Bin 18FF
Pronounced aromas of Strawberry, raspberry and cherry with notes of spice. The palate is juicy and rich with elegant tannin. Its a fresh wine lifted from a site on Lias era and Triassic clays where the combination of meticulous biodynamic farming and fastidious cellar work.
$100
2023 Domaine Benedicte & Stephane Tissot Singulier, Trousseau, Arbois AOC, Bin 61EE
From the couple’s oldest Trousseau vines planted on gravelly slopes and from a single parcel. The 2023 vintage is expertly made, balancing tension, ripeness, and clarity.
$102
French Rhône
2021 Saint Cosme, Syrah, Côte-Rôtie AOC, Bin 139 Q
While Château de Saint Cosme is the benchmark estate of Gigondas, Louis Barruol took over from his father in 1992, adding a négociant arm to the business in 1997. He simultaneously made a dramatic shift to quality, by converting to biodynamics in 2010. This wine is lighter across the board than much that comes from the esteemed vineyards of Côte-Rôtie. It leans on more minerality than ripeness, It’s layered, ethereal, exquisitely balanced and an absolute joy to drink.
$127
2021 René-Jean Dard & François Ribo, Syrah, Crozes-Hermitage, Bin 19.O
Subtle, un-extracted Syrah intended for immediate enjoyment D&R’s Crozes-Hermitage is kinda like their calling card and a great introduction into their iconic wines.
$125
2023 René-Jean Dard & François Ribo, Syrah, Saint-Joseph, Bin 18GG
“What we like is natural wine because it’s alive, wine that does not necessarily have to be kept – just drunk and drunk again.” (François Ribo, quoted in John Livingstone-Learmonth’s The Wines of the Northern Rhône). François & René-Jean do just that with their slice of syrah in Saint- Joseph evoking elegance from the variety that is so often vinified into big tannic wines.
$113
2022 René-Jean Dard & François Ribo ‘C’est le printemps’, Syrah, Crozes-Hermitage, Bin 27 EE
Released in the spring after harvest ‘It’s Spring’ is almost like a nouveau of Syrah
$100
2022 Martin Texier Brézème, Syrah, Saint Julian & Saint Alban, Côtes Du Rhône, Bin 59R
You may have heard of his father, Eric, the famous natural wine producer, Martin began making wine in 2014. After leaving university, he ventured into music, DJing in NYC while also learning the wine trade with internships at both Uva Wines in Brooklyn and Flatiron Wines in Manhattan. It was after this that he realized that his calling was to follow in his father’s footsteps and return to the vines. This is not a replica of his father's Brézème. It’s vibrant and young, exhibiting a different generation of wine making, influenced by different experiences, art and music.
$90
2020 Martin Texier 'Le Preyna', Cinsault | Granache, VDF Saint-Julien-en-Saint-Alban, Bin 53AA
$70
French - Bordeaux
2021 Le Puy 'Emilien', Merlot | Cabernet Sauvignon | Cabernet Franc | Malbec | Carménère, Gironde, Bin 135P
I forgot about Bordeaux for many years in an attempt to avoid chemicals and headaches from chapitalisation and new oak. Leave it to Neil Rosenthal to introduce a winemaker that bucks the status quo of modern farming and still delivers classic wines. Chateau le Puy is a bit of an anomaly as Jean-Pierre Amoreau and his son, Pascal oversee the biodynamic farming and winemaking techniques forgotten by most in the region. The estate sits at the second highest point on the plateau and is a mix of highly acidic clay, silex and limestone. The “elevage” of wines is done according to the lunar rhythm and the red cuvées are raised in barrel for 24 months, neither fined nor filtered before bottling.
$105
2022 Famille Amoreau, Duc des Nauves, Merlot | Cabernet, Côtes de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Bin 130AA
A cuvée from a neighboring vineyard belonging to the Amoreau family, situated on the same astéries-limestone mother rock as their estate, but at a slightly lower altitude at 80 meters above sea level compared to Le Puy’s 110 meters. The culture and the vinification are carried out by the Château Le Puy team following the same approach: natural, organic and biodynamic. Fermentation occurs with indigenous yeast, maturing in small, cement vats, bottled without filtration after 12 months. With of black fruited, aromas of plum and cherry the 22’ vintage is ripe with higher alcohol than the past 3 vintages but completely balanced with velvety tannins, perfect for Chef Mckenna’s Steak frites au Poivre
$83
2020 Château la Closerie du Chêne ‘Christiana’, Merlot, Grand Cru Saint-Émilion, Bin 86BB
Very much reflective of the style and region Cathérine has crafted a wine in a classic way but by no means conventional. The wine is organically farmed and only a tiny addition of sulfur. Using a mix of steel wood and amphora she managed to strike a delightful balance of something ready for immediate drinking that is still serious.
$86
French Reds - South
2020 Fabian Jouves ‘La Rouque’ Malbec, Cahors AOP BIn 107 DD
This is a stunning Cahors hitting all the quintessential notes that the variety is known for. Fabian hand harvests the fruit from biodynamically farmed vineyards. The healthy grapes spontaneously ferment before being racked off into a mix of concrete and neutral oak where it elaborates for 6 months before bottling. Jouves captures concentrated dark fruit, mineral, and smoky oak notes with low tannins and a smooth finish.
$72
2022 Bruno Duchene ‘la luna,’ Grenache | Carignan, Languedoc-Roussillon, Bin 140.O
Bruno farms incredibly rugged vineyards in the Cru Banyuls. La Luna is composed of Grenache Noir, Gris and Blanc, and Carignan from 50+ year old vines collected from 12 organically farmed plots. Duchene vinifies the wine with a light touch, whole cluster fruit and no pumpovers. The fermentation and aging are split between oak and steel and then bottled without fining, filtration or sulfur. The result is a contrast from the standard dark and lush wines of the region.
$75
2022 Clos de la Barthassade ‘Pur C’, Cinsault, Pays d’Hérault IGP, Terrasses du Larzac, Languedoc, Bin 78FF
Guillaume and Helene Baron, are making delicious and highly drinkable wines from some of the best terroir in the Terrasses du Larzac. Guillaume takes an approach unusual for the region by fermenting a large portion of the fruit whole cluster which imparts character to the wines. The results are extremely impressive, with every wine speaking clearly of its origin in a place where the vagueness is the norm. With elegance, balance and purity of fruit this exudes delicate Pur C accompanied by dark fruits and vibrant freshness.
$79
2024 Clos Fantine ‘La Lanterne’ Cinsault, Aramon, Languedoc, Bin 121FF
Clos Fantine is an estate in the Faugères region of Languedoc stewarded entirely by three siblings Corine, Carole, and Olivier. Their guiding force in the creation of these wines is all about understanding the specific needs of their land and cultivating a balance of life both in the vines and the cellar. Their vineyards are unplowed and teeming with biodiversity from native plants and grasses, only allowing sheep to graze in the winters to keep things in check. And in the cellar a hands off but practiced and meticulous approach allow the different ambient yeasts to develop a complexity unique to their specific terroir. A rich, vibrant, and highly aromatic red that feels completely distinctive to Languedoc.
$72
La Marotte La Plage, Field Blend, Languedoc, Bin 120 I
Julie Thelen and Xavier Auboux of La Marotte make La Plage, (the beach) as a field blend from one old plot planted to an array of red and white varieties. Gobblet trained Carignan, Aramon, Cinsault, Alicante Bouschet, Œillade, Terret, Mourvèdre, Morastel, Vermentino, Grenache, Grand Noir de la Calmette, Clairette, and Ugni Blanc is macerated for 2 weeks as whole bunches and destemmed berries arranged layer by layer, and that's it. No fining filtering or additions. This results in vast aromas of red and black fruits and a palate with a beautiful balance, complexity, and length.
$80
2017 Henri Milan 'Les Jardins,' Merlot, Provence, Bin 63R
Born out of the foothills of the Alpilles Mountains, Milan's Merlot is A: intoxicatingly aromatic B: a triumph for the grape when it's not grown on clay C: a revelation!
$120
German
2022 Stine ‘Cuvée X’, Pinot Noir | Cabernet Sauvignon, Mosel, Germany, Bin 61CC
From 3 plots in Uli’s St. Aldergund holdings, the wizard of ‘the Magic Mosel’ has finally sent us this delightful cuvée. He has been making it since the vines produced ripe enough fruit, over 30 years ago. It is a lighter bodied wine destined for warmer weather that is zippy and refreshing with aromas of hearty red fruits like plum and currant.
$72
2023 Baumberger “Glow Glow”, Spätburgunder, Mandel, Nahe, Germany, Bin 25AA
Pauline & Carl Baumberger are sixth generation growers that have taken the natural wine world of Europe by storm with infectious smiles and wines that are clear, vibrant and über drinkable. As of 2023 they have decided alongside their parents to convert the entire estate production to 0/0 natural wine under the Glow Glow name. Pauline happens to be married to Jonas Brand so the ideas here are similar: impeccable farming, native yeast fermentation and a focus on wines that are invigorating with natural acidity and slender forms that are nearly chuggable. This is a beautifully pale, delicate Pinot that is far more complex than at first glance.
$83
2020 Shelter Winery, ‘N114’, Pinot Noir, Baden, Bin 127EE
In a micro-climate cooled by the Black Forest, Hans-Bert Espe and Silke Wolf farm a couple of hectares with little regard for big yields. Thoughtfulness in the vineyard takes precedence at Shelter where it is ok to make only a little bit of great wine. The N114 and namesake of the winery comes from a Canadian air base bunker where the couple first made wine. It is made from the smallest bunches of the oldest vines in their Nordweil vineyard planted with dijon clones in 1971. The wine is delicate and shadowy and may take some time to unwind but even Hans-Bert will admit it is the best wine they have made.
$135
2019 Heitlinger, Pinot Noir, Baden Germany, Bin 89AA
The Heitlinger Spatburgunder, Pinot Noir, comes from the southwest corner of Germany, another area where Krampus likes to clamor about. It's highly elegant, delicate, balanced and truly enjoyable. "Baden (an obsolete German word for baths) is the western part of the German state of Baden-Württemberg, named for Baden-Baden, which was named for its hot springs." The juice is aged oak, not overpowering one bit. The finish is as long as Krampus' tongue! The winery is certified organic as well. I think this wine is an ageable wine, like all of us, but most definitely drinking solid as of now. This wine is asking for food! And I think it would pair with delicate spices, nutty flavors, root vegetables, and even chocolate! - Catie O
$78
2016 Leipold’s Obervolkacher Spätburgunder, Trocken, Franken, Bin, 55P
A great exposition from limestone rich soils, this is a village level pinot noir from german clones exhibiting light but stony architecture perfectly balanced with layers of aroma, electricity and a lingering pleasant finish. Peter has been farming his family’s small estate, which is known for Silvaner, and has crafted our favorite red wines from the region and possibly Germany.
$87
2021 Leipold’s Obervolkacher Spätburgunder R, Trocken, Franken, Bin 115Q
Peter's reserve red from limestone rich soils, this, also from german clones, is more concentrated, perfectly balanced with layers of aroma, rich and structured palate and longer finish. This is a perfect followup bottle to the 2016 village Spätburgunder.
$93
2021 Leipold’s Pinot Noir, Trocken, Franken, Bin 88BB
French clones were harvested separately for Leipold’s Grand Cru wine. It is from a southwest facing portion of the Lansdknecht Muschelkalk hill. The influence of oak is more apparent as the wine was from a partial whole bunch fermentation in 40% new oak barrels with the rest in used barrels from DRC. This wine is alive and a serious treatise with Burgundian pinot noir.
$106
Italian
2022 DaniloThomain Enfer 2022 Enfer d'Arvier Valle d'Aosta, Italy, Bin 91AA
I selected this wine not only because of the excellent illustration on the label, but most because of this vital juice. It's made from 90% Petit Rouge / 10% Pinot Noir, Gamay, and Gamaret. I also just learned that this vineyard is "home of the second highest wine producing zone in the valley, the Enfer d’Arvier is a splendorous amphitheater of steeply terraced vines overlooking the Dora Baltea/Doire Baltée River below. The shape of this “bowl” of vineyards effectively concentrates the heat of the sun, thus giving birth to the “hell of Arvier” moniker."For me this wine offers ideas of fall turning into winter, soft corduroy, or suede leather textures, gentle, but lively spices, tobacco, and leather lined car seats. This wine has a bit of unruliness, which I appreciate! I think it would pair with lamb, mushrooms, a hearty stew and even a dark mysterious film. - Catie O.
$87
2023 Crivelli Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG, Piemonte, Bin 72GG
2023 Crivelli Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG, Piemonte, Bin 72GG
$82
2022 Crivelli Grignolino d'Asti DOC, Piemonte, 2EE
Delicate winemaking and painstaking farming renders a balanced, fresh, juicy take on the grape when so many others are astringent and difficult. Grignolino has more seeds per grape than any other varietal, which is primarily where the tannins come from. The bouquet is ample and refined, with aromas of violet and gladiolus.
$80
2023 Castello Di Verduno, ‘Basadone,’ Pelaverga Piccolo, Verduno, Bin 135EE
Previously most known for this local indigenous grape variety, Verduno is the town and namesake of this old estate. Gabriella Bulottio single handedly saved this ancient variety from extinction. Basdone or little kisses is gemstone ruby color with orange highlights. It exhibits subtle but elegant aromas that flit from crushed leaves to dry red cherries and floral notes. It is deliciously fine bodied with a sustained, quintessential Piedmontese finish.
$84
2023 Castello Di Verduno, ‘Campot,’ Dolcetto d’Alba, Verduno, Bin 109.O
Campot is vibrant, showcasing undulating layers of aromas as is the estate’s trademark. Here you will find notes from violets, plum and cherries with a refreshing lift that cools and brightens the palate revealing juicy notes that dance. Tannins are here but soft and make for a lovely red wine with a sustained finish.
$72
2023 Castello Di Verduno, Langhe Nebbiolo, Verduno, Bin 93Q
Declassified, organically grown fruit is hand harvested from plots in both Barolo and Barbaresco to make this delightful Piedmontese classic. Very light in color, red is drawn front the edge of the glass. Pronounced aromas of strawberry, morello cherry pop leaving whiffs of dried marijuana, tobacco and fresh cut garden lawns. It’s bodied and lifted with silky tannins that barely grip during the long finish.
$82
2022 Castello Di Verduno, Nebbiolo, Barbaresco DOCG, Bin 132R
Sourced from three vineyards Rabaja, Rabaja-bas and Faset with soils composed of clay, sand, and limestone. Organically grown fruit is hand-harvested around the first or second week of October. Fermentation is carried out in stainless steel for about twenty days with periodic punching down of the cap before a 3 month rest. The wine is racked off into gigantic slovenian casks called botti grandi where it rests again for 18 months. Then racked again and aged 14 months in bottle before release. This is the way. It exhibits dark fruited aromas that undulate between dried bouquet in a clay pot, leaf pile and orange blossoms amongst many other things hidden treats unlocked with time in the glass.
$97
2020 Castello Di Verduno, Nebbiolo, Barolo DOCG Bin 38BB
From a historic property who is lucky to own top crus both in Verduno and Barbaresco, Verduno from the mother’s side of the family and Barbaresco from the father’s side of the family. This classic Barolo is solely from the Boscatto vineyard in the commune of Verduno where the soil is a mix of chalk and clay, known locally as "Marne di Sant'Agata". This wine, like all of the estate’s, undulates, changing from this aroma to that. The body is precise and long as it should be. All of this lineage of winemaking and terroir make for a classic wine and a great value.
$101
2013 Pio Cesare, Nebbiolo, Barolo DOCG, Piemonte, Bin 77 GG
A late release of a classic vintage from a quintessential producer at an unbeatable value. Founded in 1881 by Cesare Pio, he was one of the first wine producers to believe in the great potential and quality of wines from Piemonte. He was among the very first winemakers to produce these wines with a philosophy that was dedicated to the terroir and the strictest quality. For five generations, the family has been producing traditional Piemontese wines in its ancient cellars, located in the centre of the town of Alba. While not pursuing certification the vineyards are working in organic sustainable practices.
$105
2020 Roccheviberti, Bricco Boschis, Nebbiolo, Castiglione Falletto, Barolo, Piemonte, Bin 100EE
I am a sucker for maps and when a winemaker whips one out to show you their holdings. Giovanni, one of the 3 people who make Roccheviberti, is proud to show off his small but unique estate in the middle of Barolo. Bricco Boschis is one of 2 sites the winery produces. It is a southwest exposed amphitheater of undulating vines that is exhibiting driving white pepper, violet, red cherry and dried rose petals mixed with bitter chocolate cinnamon and licorice. The palette is full bodied as any Barolo but more elegant and forgiving than the usual suspects.
$120
2019 Cantina Cenci Ascheria Merlot Umbria, Italy, Bin 63Q
Merlot from a single vineyard. "Ascheria" is the name of the original vine of Merlot which does not have French origins but comes from the Basque Country. The grapes are esteemed and go through spontaneous fermentation with whole grapes in 500 liter tonneaux.
$82
2021 Cantina Cenci Piantata Sangiovese Rosso Umbria, Italy, Bin 23R
100% Sangiovese Grosso from a single vineyard. “Piantata” is the name of the parcel of Sangiovese, where in ancient times the Olivetan friars cultivated the vine married to the mulberry tree, the so-called “piantata”. The grapes are de-stemmed and then go through spontaneous fermentation in 10 hl oak barrels for fermentations.
$82
2022 Meigamma Rosso Zero, Bovale | Cannonau | Barbera Sarda, Villasimius, Sardinia, Bin 131DD
This wine is ruby red with complementing red fruited aromas, orange peel, steeped tea bag and earthy notes. Rosso Zero has a chewy and spritzy medium body with a brambly but balanced tannic finish. Barbara and Giuseppe Pusceddu have organically farmed a single hectare on sandy soils about 600 meters from the sea since 2006. The wine undergoes a 6-day maceration period, it's aged in stainless steel on it's lees, and bottled without clarification or filtration.
$67
2020 Occhipinti Grotte Alte, Frappato | Nero d'Avola, Cerasuolo Di Vittoria Classico DOCG, Sicily, Bin 110DD
Arianna's only DOCG wine, in this case Vittoria's most famous, Cerasuolo di Vittoria, a blend of the best native varietals, Nero d'Avola and Frappato. "Grotte Alte" is named for the limestone ridges on which the Occhipinti estate lies, straddling and combining both Mediterranean and mountain influences, with red and sandy clay soils over limestone at about 280 meters. Coming from a selection of older vines, a longer maceration and barrel aging, the Grotte Alte is essentially the "grown-up", appellation-designated version of the "baby" SP68 red IGT wine.
$116
2023 Occhipinti 20th Anniversary, Frappato, Ventesima Vendemmia, Sicily, Bin 114P
The 20th vintage of Arianna’s quintessential red has come in bounding with those famous ripe cherry aromas and quaff-ability. Sourced from fruit in Ventesima and Vendemmia this vintage is varietally perfect, definitely deserving of its 20th Anniversary ribbon.
$93
2022 Occhipinti Siccagno, Nero D’Avola, Sicily, Bin 102GG
Earthy aromas of soil, and graphite meet peppery notes. The body is layered letting black fruited flavors pop out of the firm acidity and lightly dusted tannins. The finish is a progression firmly rooted in rock minerality that gives way to a sea saltiness. From 35 years old, Siccagno is fermented with native yeasts in concrete tanks and aged for 22 months in large Slavonian oak botti.
$93
Spanish
2020 Angelita del Challao, Tempranillo | Garnacha | Mazuelo | Viura | + rare heirloom varieties, Labastida, Rioja Alavesa, Bin 108 Q
The variety make up is interesting as it is a reflection of the variety make up of the plot. This is the ancient tradition and remnant in Rioja, each plot rooted with red varieties in the middle surrounded by a small percentage white varieties as perimeter. Everything is vinified plot by plot in concrete with indigenous yeasts. 40% foot trodden whole clusters layered on top of uncrushed grapes, fermentation, then aged in 225 - 2000 Liter foudres for 10 months. The plots are blended together and rest for an additional 10 months in concrete, thus 20 months all together.
$93
2021 Challao, Garnacha, Labastida, Rioja Alavesa, Bin 98O
We sat down with Manuel “Manu” Michelini this spring and were delighted by his energy as much as we were by his wines. At 28 years old he has already participated in 30 vintages, (in both hemispheres as he was born in Mendoza), and his inspiration is compelling like a breath of fresh air from northern Spain. This single variety wine is from one plot planted in the 1960s called Las Ginebras, situated on top of silty powdery calcareous sands and is the highest elevation Grenache found in the region.
$114
Casa Aurora 'Poula', Various White Varieties | Garnacha Tintorera, Bierzo DO, Bin 120O
Casa Aurora is named lovingly, after the legacy set forth by winemaker Germán Blanco’s great-grandmother, Aurora Garcia. Besides planting vineyards, making wine at the home of the village priest, Aurora became the first female in the region to work at the local coal mine. Germán is committed to rehabilitating the vineyards his great-grandmother planted and bottling each as an individual expression of their location. We are pleased to offer the following selections: 2018 ‘Poula’ Single vineyard blend of red and white grapes that include Mencia, Garnacha, Trousseau, Godello, Palomino
$92
2021 Finca Parera FAK Fins Als Kullons, Sumoll | Garnatxa Blanca | Xarel·lo, Penedés, Cataluna, Bin 14 U
This traditional Claret style bounds with aromas from stone, carnation and ripe citrus with whisps candy cigarettes. The body is refreshing leaving generous velvety tannins balanced with acid that want to be quenched immediately. First the Granatxa Blanca and Xarel·lo, (white varieties) are macerated and infused together at low temperatures. When the Sumoll, (red variety), is ripe, it co-ferments with the whites. The wine is gravity settled during the winter and bottled in 1 liter because of its quaff-ability.
$83
2022 Envinate ‘La Santa de Úrsula’, Negramoll | Listán Negro | Listán Blanco, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, Bin 129DD
La Santa de Úrsula is a blend from 3 vineyards on the northeastern coast of the island in an area called La Carujera. The DO here is Tacoronte-Acentejo and the maestros of Vino Atlánticos have done it again with this mix! The vineyards sit on sand and clay soils over red basalt bedrock and the sites are fermented separately in concrete before maturing in natural french oak.
$100
Emerging | Historic | Not To Be Overlooked
2020 Vinas Mora 'Andreis,' Babič, Croatia
Babič is a wonderful grape that displays an incredible array of flavors. What I most enjoy about Vinas Mora's is there ability to broaden the profile with light and dark fruits with balance acidity, and less big clunky fruit common of others from Croatia.
$70
2018 Domaine Bessa Valley Enira, Merlot | Syrah | Petit Verdot, Ognianovo, Pazardzhik Bulgaria, 104EE
The opaque garnet color here has a full bouquet of forest floor, dark fruited, plum not prune, cocoa powder and vanilla. Aromatics are held up here with a harmonious full balance of rusticity and structure. Bordered by the Rhodope Mountains to the north the valley’s make up of clay-limestone soils provide power and structure, but also acidity and minerality. The Domaine is not certified organic but the influence of commercial grape farming and wine making never made it this far past the eastern bloc.
$56
North American
2023 Poetson, Co-Ferment, Pinot Noir | Pinot Gris, Old Shore Vineyard, Lake MIchigan Shore AVA, Bin 30.O
This delightfully light red really hits home not just because it’s from just across the pond but I was honored to help McNealy, (Gaelic for poet’s son), do the monotonous job of bottling this wine. In fact, many stalwarts from Chicago hospitality assisted in all aspects of this first release of Alex’s and we are so excited to share! I find aromas of cherry, cranberry, white pepper with hints of sassafras and cream. The palette is akin to the ‘ramato’ wine, how pinot gris-gio were traditionally vinified. It’s light but bodied and the harmonious minerality, acid and tannin has refreshing intrigue.
$68
2022 Division-Villages Béton, Cabernet Franc | Côt | Gamay | Cabernet Savignon | Pinot Noir, Oregon, Bin 68FF
The Loire Valley, and notably the wines of Cheverny, were the initial inspiration for the flavor profile of Béton. Since its inception 10 years ago, Kat and Tom have brought together a mix of varieties that perfectly fit the mission with this wine – yumminess for any occasion, the ultimate bistro wine for one and all!
$64
2022 Tzum Sean Nos Spring Ephemeral, Canary Islands Varieties Columbia Valley, Washington, Bin 18FF
Nate Ready is a world class sommelier and lives in awe of nuance from exceptional classics but his take on winemaking amplifies wild aroma from wild terroir and this Spring Ephemeral is no exception. The pale ruby orange juice is bursting with aromatic alpine spirits balanced with tea like tannin. Includes equal parts pink and white varieties, Pink Negramoll, Listan Negro, Malvasia Fina, Mission, Palomino and Babosa Negro. Transcendent
$106
2021 Jess Miller Pinot Noir, Sunnyridge Vineyard, McMinnville AVA, Oregon, Bin 103 Q
From tending the vines at Clos Roche Blanche with Julien Pineau to translating a pruning guide loaned from Alice and Olivier de Moor when they realized her zeal in the vineyards, Jess Miller is a bad ass. She is a true vigneron spending days in the vineyards tending 12ish acres from which she receives grapes to make this elegant autumnal and textured Pinot. It’s something of a revelation, the kind that has made Oregon Pinot so famous.
$98
2019 Troon 'Côtes du Kubli', Syrah | Grenache, Applegate Valley, Oregon, Bin 109Q
Troon sits on the Kubli bench, a plateau sitting high above the Applegate river. It's surrounded by the Siskiyou mountains and just one of the most stunning backdrops for any domestic vineyard. The direction is Rhone here and this is their flagship expression.
$79
2021 Emme Wines 'Tiny Fancy' Cabernet Franc | Merlot , Redwood Valley, California, Bin 35 BB
We were already impressed by her wines when Rosalind Reynolds visited for 3rd Coast Soif but we wanted to meet her face to face to get a glimpse of what she has going on in Sebastopol. Rosalind works closely with Pax Mahul at his facility he lends to Martha Stoumen, Patrick Cappiello and Carlo Mondavi. She is the master of logistics there, which is like spinning plates during harvests when she orchestrates receiving fruit for 5 different winemakers coming from scores of vineyards. I got the impression that her hard work for Pax gives her a special insight for what works best and access to some of the choice fruit. Her wines come from mostly dry farmed vineyards, fermented with natives yeasts, foot trodden, and vinified without filtration. Emme’s namesake is a nod to her grandmother. Each wine is treated as a unique creation even if she repeats the same elevagé from one vintage to another. From Pine mountain vineyard this fruit was handpicked by Rosalind and her partner Alex for whom the wine is named.
$100
1999 Clos Saron ‘Once Upon a Time’, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sierra Nevada Foothills, Yuba, California, Bin S
An absolutely perfect expression of California Cabernet from Slope 16, a 1 acre section of the Renaissance Vineyard, known at the time to produce their finest, most nuanced, ethereal expression of Cabernet Sauvignon. This is the last vintage produced from this stellar site and fortunately we have 10 bottles to share with you. Upon arrival we cracked one open and the wine is ready for you now.
$160
2017 Clos Saron 'Stone Soup,' Syrah, North Yuba, Sierra Foothills, California, Bin 92FF
To anyone that has not previously had a Clos Saron wine, one would think "California, warm weather, close to Oregon, of course this is what Syrah would taste like." And, that would sadly be the quintessential "judging a book by the cover." Air ball. The decomposed granite (red clay) the vines grow in sound perfect for Syrah. However, it gets so hot the vines shut down during the prime weeks ripening should be occurring. Not 2017, an abundance of rain helped control the excessive heat and the result is the stunning, medium (not heavy) bodied, deeply nuanced 2017 "Stone Soup." Endless aging potential!
$140
2018 Clos Saron, ‘Holy Moly!’ Grenache, Merlot, North Yuba, Sierra Foothills, California Bin 136 P
Co-fermented from the steep rocky volcanic terroir of the Renaissance Vineyard terraces 2000ft+ above sea level. 18’ shows way more balance and acidity than the fruit forward intensity from the other two vintages this cuvee was made. That's why I like it. Gideon achieves greatness in his reds at this altitude and the 18’ Holy Moly! his definitely a gateway drug.
$90
2021 Cruse Wine Co. Charles Heintz Vineyard Syrah, Sonoma Coast Bin 54FF
On the ridge 500ft above Occidental sits one of the most truly coastal vineyards in California. Heintz has a strong maritime influence, great diversity in soil types and coastal fog moving directly through the vineyard during the growing season. Michael Cruse would buy this place if you gave him a winning lotto ticket and the Syrah he made from there definitely makes him deserving of such a windfall. Nobody could call him a phony. Cooling earth, black fruit preserves and pepper shaker greet you in the most polite ways. The body is balanced across the board until a bright acidity takes over the finish.
$90
2021 Dunn Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley AVA, California, Bin 56FF
Half from the Napa Valley floor and half from their esteemed Howell Mountain Estate. The 21’ vintage was quick to ripen from a hot June producing a smaller crop. The resulting wines are abundant with both freshness and structure with cooling but rich, borderline exotic perfumes. Everything is aged 32 months in a cave that Randy Dunn carved into the side of the mountain right below the vineyards.
$158
2021 Dunn Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California, Bin 27BB
Cooling red and blue fruited aromas were expertly coaxed out of this precocious vintage. Howell Mountain is an ancient volcano with red loamy soils that produce unique ethereal wines when the vineyards are well kept. Mike Dunn and his top sales person, bojangles, his enthusiastic pit hound the same color as the soil, lead the tour around the estate vineyards. Mike has transformed the farming at Dunn since taking over the farming. He is on his 25th vintage tending the soils and stopped using roundup in 2011 when he realized how toxic it was for his family living on the property.
$210
2021 Maître de Chai, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gala Mountain Vineyard, Napa Valley, Bin 117DD
The gala mountain vineyard is a biodynamically farmed, six-acre site at 1000 ft above the Napa Valley on the slopes of Mt. George. The northwest facing vineyard is cooled from contact breeze and well drained, deep rooted producing small clusters which lend to the structure of the wine. The grapes were destemmed and fermented with native yeasts in small open top fermenters and aged for sixteen months in 32 neutral barrels. (May-TRUH de Shay) is a project from hospitality veterans Marty Winters and Alex Pitts As Maître de Chai, (May-TRUH de Shay), “masters of the cellar,” Alex and Marty acknowledge the supremacy of the vineyard and their own somewhat limited role. Great wine is made from great vineyards and great grapes.
$95
2019 Inconnu, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, Bin 23R
Laura's Cabernet Sauvignon, for me, is a direct reflection of the winemaker herself. Unwavering, unflinching, direct, and full of power. One of the few labels in and around Napa that challenges convention.
$90
2016 Sinskey 'POV', Cabernet Sauvignon | Merlot | Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley, California, Bin 54.O
The blend changes yearly to express the "point of view" that Robert and his winemaker feel each bottle should express. A pioneer in Napa, and Carneros, farming organically and biodynamically, Sinskey vineyards are representative of how biodiversity and competition create healthy soil.
$110
2021 Brea, Pinot Noir, Eden Rift Vineyard, Central Coast, California, Bin 101Q
This was a mainstay on our BTG list for almost a year and we thought it would be nice to keep a few bottles around. Eden Rift Vineyard is located in the Hollister Hills and sits on the San Andreas fault line about 20 miles west of Monterey. The soil is mineral rich and farmed without the use of pesticides, herbicides or synthetic fertilizers. The fruit is destemmed, fermented from native yeasts and aged in neutral oak for 8 months. The wine is lush but balanced with aromas of dark ripe fruit and forest floor. A small project with Chris Brockway at the helm with only 900 cases produced.
$56
2020 Ridge, Montebello Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon | Merlot | Petit Verdot | Cabernet Franc, Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, California, Bin GG
If you know about Ridge you probably have heard about the Montebello Vineyard and how it is synonymous with the Judgment of Paris and subsequent competition 30 years later. Ridge Montebello came in 5th beating all the other french reds in 1976 and was first place in 2006. One thing that is often overlooked about this juggernaut bottle is it is actually a ‘natural wine’ in that it is made from hand harvested, organically grown fruit let to ferment from yeasts native to the vineyard and winery. Oak is more prominent than terroir here as the wine is structured for a decade or two of aging. 2020 started out mild, prompting an early bloom which was followed by heavy spring rains that ultimately inhibited the harvest size. Then steady summer fog allowed for a slow ripening. The winemaker assures us this vintage is a classic.
$305
2023 The Austin Wine Company Cerasuolo, Sangiovese | Graciano, One Elm Vineyard, Texas High Planes, AVA, Bin 25 EE
50% Graciano from One Elm Vineyards in the Panhandle of Texas benefits from Dry, hot days, cool nights while the 50% Sangiovese benefits from the limestone calcareous soils covering the Limestone Terraced vineyard in the Texas High Plains AVA South West of Austin. The AWC has crafted a crushable light red with aromas of cherry that is very balanced and refreshing on the palate and patio.
$88
Southern Hemisphere
2022 Renzaglia, Shiraz, O'Connell Valley, NSW Australia, Bin 94 Q
I can’t think of another wine that has made it on our list with more serendipity. One morning I was thinking about how there must be some great Australian wines, maybe even a great Shiraz. That very evening I sat down at the bar next to Sam Renzaglia, in town for a family reunion and scouting Chicago for a sense of who may be interested in selling his wines. I was struck by his family’s story and after researching their intentions with farming and looking forward to hedge climate change I am excited to share one of their wines. It's a cuvée of 3 different parcels vinified separately, naturally fermented, extraction was deft, unfined, unfiltered and limited to less than 100 cases.
$75
2021 Babylonstoren, Shiraz, Simonsberg-Paarl, South Africa, Bin 118AA
This is a deep ruby colored wine full with aromas from dark fruits, cassis, graphite and spice. The palette is lush and velvety where black current, black cherry and prune make appearances for a lingering finish.
$54
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