{"title":"Best Selling Wines - June 2022","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"mail-road-mount-carmel-vineyard-pinot-noir-santa-rita-hills-california-2016","title":"Mail Road, Mount Carmel Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills, California, 2016","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eMAIL ROAD is a project born of a commitment to place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe strive to produce wines of uncompromising excellence and distinction. Impossible-to-forget wines. Wines that open hearts and engage minds. Wines that are powerful, yet graceful and balanced. Wines that reveal the passion and uncompromising craft that went in their creation. \u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFifty miles northwest of Santa Barbara, California, on a steep, south-facing cliff, a short few miles from the Pacific Ocean, Mail Road meets its end at the geographic center of The Sta. Rita Hills AVA, the historic and iconic Mt. Carmel Vineyard. The wines produced by Mt. Carmel fruit are remarkable in their lean toward site specifically and marked by deep concentration, exceptional depth, structural complexity and bracing acidity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eOrganic.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\" data-mce-style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePinot Noir\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara, California\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\" data-mce-style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWinemaker Matt Dees Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMount Carmel Vineyard is the exclusive purveyor to Mail Road Wines.  Mount Carmel Vineyard is located on a steep, south-facing cliff, north of the Santa Ynez River. Established in 1990 by Ron and Nancy Piazza, the vineyard is planted to a variety of own-rooted, organically and principally dry farmed, heritage Pinot Noir and Chardonnay clones. The vineyard is at 800 to 1000 feet elevation, with botella clay, limestone, diatomaceous earth, calcerous deposits and sandy loam soils.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 Points - Vinous\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMail Road’s 2016 Pinot Noir Mt. Carmel Vineyard is a vivid, stunningly beautiful wine endowed with real class and personality. A wine of translucent energy and drive, the 2016 is utterly compelling from the moment it is first poured. The red and purplish berry fruit is nicely delineated, but the wine still needs time to develop the full breadth of its aromatics. In a word: Wow!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mail Road","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39596348735530,"sku":"","price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/products\/Mail-Road-Mount-Carmel-Vineyard-Pinot-Noir-Santa-Rita-Hills-California-2016.jpg?v=1762528135"},{"product_id":"taittinger-comtes-de-champagne-blanc-de-blancs-champagne-france-2011","title":"Taittinger, Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs, Champagne, France, 2011","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTaittinger is one of just five Champagne houses to cellar its wines in the famous ‘Crayeres’ of Reims – chalk caves originally dug by the Romans. The house owns four kilometres of Crayeres, nowadays used to age their prestige cuvees.\u003cbr\u003eTaittinger’s history can be traced back to 1734, when it was originally known as Forest-Fourneaux, founded by Jacques Fourneaux who worked closely with local Benedictine monks to learn how to produce wine. As such, the house is the third oldest Champagne producer in history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe estate was bought by the Taittingers – a family of wine merchants – in 1932, and thanks to the great depression and subsequent low land prices, the family also picked up huge swathes of vineyard. From 1945-1960, Francois Taittinger established the cellars in the Abbey of Saint-Nicaise, and after his death in 1960 his brother Claude took over, pushing the estate into a Champagne house of world renown. Such was the status of the label that the Taittinger family soon expanded its business into other luxury goods. However, this eventually led to financial difficulties, and in 2005 the Taittinger brand – including the Champagne house – was sold to the American owned Starwood Hotel Group. The sale was badly received by the Champagne industry, with many fearing the new owners – unfamiliar with the culture of Champagne – would put profit ahead of quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJust one year later, Claude’s nephew, Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger, who had always been opposed to the sale, negotiated a €660m deal with the Starwood Group, and the Taittinger family resumed ownership of the company. Taittinger is therefore one of the few remaining independently owned Champagne Houses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eChardonnay\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eChampagne, France\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs is the finest example of the Taittinger House style and is always a vintage cuvée. It is made with 100% white grapes from the 5 villages with a Grands Crus classification for the Chardonnay grape (Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Oger, Mesnil-sur-Oger).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis cuvée is created using juice from the first press only. A small percentage (5 %) of the blend is aged in fresh oak barrels to create the very delicate balance of toasted notes in the final wine. Taittinger knows it must be patient with these great Chardonnays, which are the crowning glory of its terroir; the Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs remains for up to 10 years in the chalk quarries beneath Saint-Nicaise, before emerging to ignite and delight the palates of wine-lovers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-mce-fragment=\"1\" class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_list\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-mce-fragment=\"1\" class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_list\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-mce-fragment=\"1\" class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_rating\"\u003e\n\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\" class=\"wineRatings_rating\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e97 Points - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJames Suckling\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-mce-fragment=\"1\" class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_review\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-mce-fragment=\"1\" class=\"pipSecContent_copy\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA firm, fresh Comtes with a tight and composed palate. It’s full-bodied with a racy mid-palate. Long and persistent. Very structured with phenolics and acidity. Minerally. Floral, too. Refreshing and energetic.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-mce-fragment=\"1\" class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_list\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-mce-fragment=\"1\" class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_list\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-mce-fragment=\"1\" class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_rating\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\" class=\"wineRatings_rating\"\u003e94 Points  - \u003c\/span\u003eRobert Parker's Wine Advocate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-mce-fragment=\"1\" class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_review\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-mce-fragment=\"1\" class=\"pipSecContent_copy\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAfter the tightly coiled, hyper-concentrated 2008, Taittinger's 2011 Brut Blanc de Blancs Comtes de Champagne represents a more immediate, charming rendition of this cuvée. Bursting from the glass with aromas of orchard and stone fruit mingled with notions of pastry cream, blanched almonds and mandarin, it's medium to full-bodied, pillowy and fleshy, with a soft and enveloping profile, lively acids and a pretty pinpoint mousse. Readers might think of the 2011 as a somewhat less reductive and less intense stylistic sibling of the 2006, and as it takes on more toasty complexity with bottle age, it will make for immensely seductive drinking.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e93 Points - Wine Spectator \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA minerally version, with smoke and saline notes deftly meshed with flavors of glazed apple, lemon-infused pastry cream and marzipan. This is fine and softly creamy in texture, with lemony acidity providing good definition through to the lightly toasty finish. Elegant. Drink now through 2030.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eProduct size: 750ml \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Regal Wine Co","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40133227773994,"sku":"","price":245.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/products\/Taittinger-Comtes-de-Champagne-Blanc-de-Blancs-Champagne-France-2011.jpg?v=1762529005"},{"product_id":"mail-road-mount-carmel-vineyard-pinot-noir-santa-rita-hills-california-2018","title":"Mail Road, Mount Carmel Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills, California, 2018","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eMAIL ROAD is a project born of a commitment to place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe strive to produce wines of uncompromising excellence and distinction. Impossible-to-forget wines. Wines that open hearts and engage minds. Wines that are powerful, yet graceful and balanced. Wines that reveal the passion and uncompromising craft that went in their creation. \u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFifty miles northwest of Santa Barbara, California, on a steep, south-facing cliff, a short few miles from the Pacific Ocean, Mail Road meets its end at the geographic center of The Sta. Rita Hills AVA, the historic and iconic Mt. Carmel Vineyard. The wines produced by Mt. Carmel fruit are remarkable in their lean toward site specifically and marked by deep concentration, exceptional depth, structural complexity and bracing acidity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eOrganic.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\" data-mce-style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePinot Noir\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara, California\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\" data-mce-style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWinemaker Matt Dees Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMount Carmel Vineyard is the exclusive purveyor to Mail Road Wines.  Mount Carmel Vineyard is located on a steep, south-facing cliff, north of the Santa Ynez River. Established in 1990 by Ron and Nancy Piazza, the vineyard is planted to a variety of own-rooted, organically and principally dry farmed, heritage Pinot Noir and Chardonnay clones. The vineyard is at 800 to 1000 feet elevation, with botella clay, limestone, diatomaceous earth, calcerous deposits and sandy loam soils.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e97 Points - Vinous\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eA dazzling wine\u003c\/em\u003e, the 2018 Pinot Noir Mt. Carmel Vineyard possesses magnificent richness to match its statuesque personality. The flavors are rich, bold and ample, and yet the 2018 retains so much nuance and vibrancy. Inky red\/purplish fruit, lavender, graphite and spice build into the huge, resonant finish. What a wine. The 2018 was done with 6% whole clusters and was aged in a combination of one and two-year-old barrels...Ronald Piazza and Michal Palmer own Mail Road and the Mt. Carmel Vineyard, one of the top sites in California for both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Winemaker Matt Dees sure knows how to get the most out of this fruit. The wines I tasted are off the charts.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 Points - Jeb Dunnuck \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003eThe 2019 Pinot Noir Mount Carmel Vineyard is more floral and exotic, with a thrilling core of black raspberry and wild strawberry fruits supported by candied orange, violet, flowery incense, and assorted spices. These all carry to a vibrant, medium-bodied Pinot Noir with a classic, focused spine of acidity, a more rounded mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It's another gorgeous wine. Drink bottles any time over the coming 10-12 years or so.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mail Road","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45063173341489,"sku":"","price":130.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/products\/Mail-Road-Mount-Carmel-Vineyard-Pinot-Noir-Santa-Rita-Hills-California-2018.jpg?v=1762533694"},{"product_id":"alphonse-mellot-satellite-sancerre-blanc-loire-valley-france-2016","title":"Alphonse Mellot, Satellite Sancerre Blanc, Loire Valley, France, 2016","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\" data-mce-style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eAs far back as the XVI century, in 1513 to be exact, the local records mention the MELLOT family, whose life even at that time was governed by the seasons of the vine and the production of wines of excellent quality. The Mellot family, vinegrowers and wine merchants, was again mentioned during the siege of the town. They pursued their patient labours and continued to gain recognition because César Mellot was appointed as Wine Advisor to Louis XIV in 1698.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAt the beginning of the XIX century, ALPHONSE MELLOT founded a tavern in Sancerre where one could savour the local wines and so began a flourishing trade that was to continue. In 1881 he was granted a licence to ship his wine throughout France and all over the World. This marked the beginning of a pacific conquest which has been pursued and developed by the family business from father to son ever since, with the eldest son continuing to bear the name of the Founder Alphonse.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eToday, this century old winemaking tradition is perpetuated by Alphonse MELLOT, father and son, the 18th and 19th to bear the name.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\" data-mce-style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eSauvignon Blanc\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\" data-mce-style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eLoire Valley, France\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThis 100% Sauvignon white wine has an elegant nose, a golden robe with paler glints about it, and a taste of ripe quince and grapefruit that leaves a gently refreshing fruitiness on the palate with notes of citrus peel and a crystalline iodine finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccompanied by oysters, a langoustine cassoulet or Crottin de Chavignol cheese, Satellite provides immediate pleasure and will gradually come to express its full complexity as the years pass.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e92 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 2016 Sancerre Satellite assembles the fruit from different lieux-dits and soil types of Chavignol and opens with clear, intense and well-concentrated fruit with herb notes on the bright yet deep and very elegant nose. Full-bodied and dense on the palate, with mild, perfectly interwoven acidity, a lingering phenolic grip and fine salinity, this is a perfectly matured Chavignon classic with substance and first hints of maturity. However, the wine is so stable, dense and firm that you can enjoy it for the next 5, maybe even 10 years. Tasted in January 2021.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e92 Points - Wine Spectator\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eBright and racy, with plenty of zing to the flint, white peach and gooseberry notes that glisten as they carry through to the lime-tinged finish. Drink now through 2021.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eProduct Size: 750ml\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Monterey Bay","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45410450506033,"sku":"","price":70.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Alphonse-Mellot-Satellite-Sancerre-Blanc-Loire-Valley-France-2016.jpg?v=1759500128"},{"product_id":"la-staffa-rincrocca-verdicchio-dei-castelli-di-jesi-riserva-classico-docg-marche-italy-2019","title":"La Staffa, 'Rincrocca,' Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Riserva Classico DOCG, Italy, 2019","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cb\u003eTop recommendation!\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eLa Staffa's young owner and enologist Riccardo Baldi was sharing a booth not far away, and I tasted through his whole line of wines, impressed by them and by his youthful enthusiasm (Riccardo is 24 and has already made 4 vintages). A week later, a visit to the vineyards and winery in the beautiful rolling hills outside the little town of Staffolo was equally impressive. (The Marche is one of Italy's most beautiful region, and the wine and food culture of the area should be better known.)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eIan d'Agata, in his wonderful new book about Italian grapes*, says that Verdicchio is arguably Italy's greatest native white grape variety;' I don't know if I'd go quite that far, but I love the grape and have drunk a lot over the years. The combination of aromas and flavors (apple, citrus, almond, herbs) is different, the weight in the mouth is different, but both wines are excellent examples of a fine Italian native variety.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv title=\"Page 1\" class=\"page\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"section\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"layoutArea\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"column\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e100% Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi \u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eMarche, Italy\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLa Staffa’s ‘Rincrocca’ is a selection of old Verdicchio vines. The site is planted with 5 different clones of Verdicchio, 2 of these clones are not available in the market anymore. Notes of almond, citrus, green apple, and herbs, with fresh acidity and a long finish. Delicious as a dry aperitif, or drink with most any seafood dish or roast chicken.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e92 Points - Wine Enthusiast\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRincrocca is La Staffa's selection from their oldest vines planted with five different clones of Verdicchio (two of which are found only on this estate). This wine opens with aromas of fresh orchard fruits, pressed wildflowers and candied lemon zest. The palate is layered and textured. Each sip evolves until the bottle is empty, so buy more than one. Notes of crushed chalk, sea salt and almonds wrap around the core of beautifully pure Bosc pear flavors.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"wineRatings_rating\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Oliver McCrum","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46288064348465,"sku":"","price":46.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/La-Staffa-Rincrocca-Verdicchio-dei-Castelli-di-Jesi-Riserva-Classico-DOCG-Marche-Italy-2019.jpg?v=1690403489"},{"product_id":"mail-road-mount-carmel-vineyard-pinot-noir-santa-rita-hills-california-2017","title":"Mail Road, Mount Carmel Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills, California, 2017","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eMAIL ROAD is a project born of a commitment to place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe strive to produce wines of uncompromising excellence and distinction. Impossible-to-forget wines. Wines that open hearts and engage minds. Wines that are powerful, yet graceful and balanced. Wines that reveal the passion and uncompromising craft that went in their creation. \u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFifty miles northwest of Santa Barbara, California, on a steep, south-facing cliff, a short few miles from the Pacific Ocean, Mail Road meets its end at the geographic center of The Sta. Rita Hills AVA, the historic and iconic Mt. Carmel Vineyard. The wines produced by Mt. Carmel fruit are remarkable in their lean toward site specifically and marked by deep concentration, exceptional depth, structural complexity and bracing acidity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eOrganic.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\" data-mce-style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePinot Noir\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara, California\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\" data-mce-style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWinemaker Matt Dees Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMount Carmel Vineyard is the exclusive purveyor to Mail Road Wines.  Mount Carmel Vineyard is located on a steep, south-facing cliff, north of the Santa Ynez River. Established in 1990 by Ron and Nancy Piazza, the vineyard is planted to a variety of own-rooted, organically and principally dry farmed, heritage Pinot Noir and Chardonnay clones. The vineyard is at 800 to 1000 feet elevation, with botella clay, limestone, diatomaceous earth, calcerous deposits and sandy loam soils.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95 Points - Vinous\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eInky, rich and explosive, the 2017 Pinot Noir Mt. Carmel Vineyard captures all of the natural richness of the vintage. Today, it is the wine's sheer depth that speaks with most convection, but there is plenty of nuance behind that, especially once some of the primary flavors start to recede. The 2017 has tons of potential, that much is clear.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e94+ Points - Jeb Dunnuck\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThere are a tiny 200 cases of the 2017 Pinot Noir Mount Carmel Vineyard, which comes from the estate vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills and was destemmed and aged in a little under 50% new French oak. It reveals a semi-opaque purple\/ruby color as well as a youthful bouquet of black raspberries, mulberries, candied violets, Asian spice, and incense. With subtle oak, medium body, a concentrated, firm mid-palate, and present tannins, it's a beautiful wine, yet in no way ready to drink. Hide bottles for 2-4 years and it should cruise for a decade or more.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e93 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eInky, rich and explosive, the 2017 Pinot Noir Mt. Carmel Vineyard captures all of the natural richness of the vintage. Today, it is the wine's sheer depth that speaks with most convection, but there is plenty of nuance behind that, especially once some of the primary flavors start to recede. The 2017 has tons of potential, that much is clear.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mail Road","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47984546677041,"sku":null,"price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/MailRoad_MountCarmelVineyardPinotNoir_SantaRitaHills_California_2017.jpg?v=1703797081"},{"product_id":"mail-road-mount-carmel-vineyard-pinot-noir-santa-rita-hills-california-2019","title":"Mail Road, Mount Carmel Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills, California, 2019","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eMAIL ROAD is a project born of a commitment to place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe strive to produce wines of uncompromising excellence and distinction. Impossible-to-forget wines. Wines that open hearts and engage minds. Wines that are powerful, yet graceful and balanced. Wines that reveal the passion and uncompromising craft that went in their creation. \u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFifty miles northwest of Santa Barbara, California, on a steep, south-facing cliff, a short few miles from the Pacific Ocean, Mail Road meets its end at the geographic center of The Sta. Rita Hills AVA, the historic and iconic Mt. Carmel Vineyard. The wines produced by Mt. Carmel fruit are remarkable in their lean toward site specifically and marked by deep concentration, exceptional depth, structural complexity and bracing acidity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eOrganic.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\" data-mce-style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePinot Noir\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara, California\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\" data-mce-style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWinemaker Matt Dees Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMount Carmel Vineyard is the exclusive purveyor to Mail Road Wines.  Mount Carmel Vineyard is located on a steep, south-facing cliff, north of the Santa Ynez River. Established in 1990 by Ron and Nancy Piazza, the vineyard is planted to a variety of own-rooted, organically and principally dry farmed, heritage Pinot Noir and Chardonnay clones. The vineyard is at 800 to 1000 feet elevation, with botella clay, limestone, diatomaceous earth, calcerous deposits and sandy loam soils.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 Points - Jeb Dunnuck\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003eThe 2019 Pinot Noir Mount Carmel Vineyard is more floral and exotic, with a thrilling core of black raspberry and wild strawberry fruits supported by candied orange, violet, flowery incense, and assorted spices. These all carry to a vibrant, medium-bodied Pinot Noir with a classic, focused spine of acidity, a more rounded mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It’s another gorgeous wine. Drink bottles any time over the coming 10-12 years or so.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mail Road","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47984549495089,"sku":null,"price":129.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/MailRoad_MountCarmelVineyardPinotNoir_SantaRitaHills_California_2019.jpg?v=1757422574"},{"product_id":"inama-vin-soave-classico-veneto-italy-2022","title":"Inama, Vin Soave Classico, Veneto, Italy, 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eNow in its third generation of leadership, the Inama family has been producing wine for over forty years in the Veneto. The family has a well-defined goal to produce different wines whose only aim is to represent their vision of the land, despite the styles and trends of the moment. In the 1950s, prior to founding the Inama estate, Giuseppe Inama began using his savings to purchase small plots of vineyards in the center of the Soave Classico region. At the time few understood the area's potential, but Giuseppe believed that he could make a wine capable of restoring Soave's reputation by working with only top-quality vineyards of old-vine Garganega (Soave’s original grape).\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt Inama, white grapes are picked fully ripe, and after a short maceration and gentle pressing the must is left to settle before a temperature-controlled fermentation and spontaneous malolactic fermentation. In order to preserve both the aromatic intensity and natural balance of the grapes, the wines are bottled with minimum fining and filtration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to working with Garganega, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, Inama also grows traditional Bordeaux varietals in the historic, hidden zone of Colli Berici – Italy’s oldest DOC for Cabernet and Merlot grapes. Their Carmenère vineyards here date back to the 1800s. This historic, though little known zone south of Vicenza has a temperate climate and is marked by unique ancient geological seismic events calle “bradyseism”—volcanic ridges generating a soil extremely rich in trace elements and minerals. Inama feels this terroir is the most underrated and under-realized in Italy and his goal is to produce great wines from these hillsides.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInama believes in everyday living and minimalism, respecting the winemaking practices that have laid the foundations of modern wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProducing wine for more than half century has led them to develop three fundamental values that inspire their projects: a great terroir dominates the varietal aspects of the grape. A wine’s caliber depends upon the quality of the ecosystem, with the soil paramount. Inama is always working to refine technique, developing internal research and collaborating with some of the most renowned international experts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eClick \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/h2Sh_lTn3ws\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e to watch our YouTube video about this wine!\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eGarganega \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eSoave, Veneto, Italy\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eOn the nose, floral notes such as chamomile, elderflower, and iris. This wine is mineral on the palate with almond on the finish, typical of Classic Garganega.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePairs well with risotto, white fish, crudo and sushi or salads.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e90 Points - James Suckling\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eGlazed quince, marzipan and fecund stone fruits careen along a mid-weighted palate, towed by typically saline acidity and a furl of smokiness. A warm year. And it shows. A blend of all plots that are not designated for the Foscarino. Volcanic soils only. Partly sourced fruit. All Garganega.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chambers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48340797718833,"sku":null,"price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Inama_VinSoaveClassico_Veneto_Italy_2022.jpg?v=1708271440"},{"product_id":"domaine-de-pallus-messanges-rouges-chinon-loire-france-2021","title":"Domaine de Pallus, Messanges Rouges, Chinon, Loire, France, 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eNote: Once this vintage runs out, we will move onto the next one.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eBertrand Sourdais made a name for himself at Spain's upstart Dominio de Atauta, before returning to his family estate in Cravant-les-Côteaux in the heart of the Chinon appelation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy 2010, seven years after taking the reins, Bertrand began reducing yields and converting the vineyards to biodynamic practices. This was coupled with changes in the cellar such as longer macerations and élévage to capture the true personality of Chinon and his beloved Cabernet Franc.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe flagship cuvée \"Les Pensées\" represents a blend of the estate's soils, combining fruit from limestone and clay for aromatics, heavier clay for power, and sand for finesse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore the age of 30, Chinon-native Bertrand Sourdais had already made an impressive name for himself at Spain’s upstart, Dominio de Atauta. It was his first post at the helm, following stints at Mouton-Rothschild in Bordeaux, Santa Rita in Chile, and with Alvaro Palacios in Priorat. His work and experience at Atauta, discovering a new terroir of remote ancient, ungrafted vines far away from the heart of the Ribeira del Duero appellation, gave him many invaluable lessons. The most important of these was the need to think critically about every single step in the viticulture and winery work, being careful to honor tradition, and sometimes question it, and to avoid mistakes often made by a more standard and modernist approach. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBy 2003, Bertrand was determined to return to France and take up the challenge of his beloved Cabernet Franc. His family estate, Domaine de Pallus, is located in Cravant-le-Côteaux, in the heart of the appellation, and is blessed with some of Chinon’s choicest vineyards. With vines averaging over 45 years of age, Pallus held all the potential Bertrand could hope for. Taking what he had learned from Atauta, he began his quest to find the ultimate limit for Pallus and by 2010, conversion to biodynamic practices was underway. Additionally, he reduced yields to approximately 30 hl\/ha.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the cellar, Bertrand completely rethought the winemaking process. He employs an extended maceration of up to an thirty days, quite long by Loire Cabernet Franc standards, to capture the “true” personality of Chinon. Elévage is similarly long and gentle and primarily takes place in second passage barrels from elite Bordeaux estates. All in all, the wines are handled less, and bottled later, than almost any others in Chinon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMessanges—Messanges is an old Loire Valley name for Cabernet Franc. Bertrand is using this line for a Red and Rosé from his younger vines. Vinified for immediate accessibility, they are the perfect introduction to the Pallus style.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eBertrand Sourdais\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e100% Cabernet Franc\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eChinon, Loire, France\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMessanges is an old Loire Valley name for Cabernet Franc. Domaine de Pallus reveals the charm and seductive character of Cabernet Franc. It has a floral and spicy character that pairs well with sausages and goat cheeses.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Elevage Wine Co","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49019256897841,"sku":null,"price":21.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/DomainedePallus_MessangesRouges_Chinon_Loire_France_2021.jpg?v=1714329760"},{"product_id":"martinelli-vigneto-di-evo-zinfandel-russian-river-valley-sonoma-california-2022","title":"Martinelli, Vigneto di Evo Zinfandel, Russian River Valley, California, 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThe Martinelli Family has been growing grapes and making wine in the Russian River Valley since the late 1880s. As 5th generation stewards of some of the finest vineyards in the region, they’re proud to continue this legacy of hands-on farming, bringing decades of experience to everything they do.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTheir primary goal has always been hand-crafting quality wines that are born in their estate vineyards. All of their grapes are Estate grown, allowing us to use only their favorite blocks for each vineyard designated wine. They have a commitment to quality and have never offered for sale a wine that they felt did not live up to the reputation and expectations of its label. They also try to maintain a sense of consistency with each vintage, while still allowing the true nature of the vineyard to shine through. These wines are limited production and each vineyard is hand farmed very carefully, producing only the finest quality fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eCourtney Robinett Wagoner\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eZinfandel\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRussian River Valley, Sonoma, California\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Note\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThe 2022 growing season was full of ups and downs, keeping our winemaking team on their toes. The season started out with ideal conditions with early rains helping to push bud break into Spring. While we encountered instances of shatter (a grape berry fails to develop because of incomplete pollination) due to frost, this was limited to specific vineyards. Meticulous attention was given to addressing this issue, as we diligently assessed each block and thinned any clusters affected by shatter. Thankfully, the summer months offered the optimal combination of warm days and perfectly cool nights. However, Labor Day weekend launched what has been marked as one of the most heat-intensive 7-day periods on record for Sonoma County, resulting in a significant number of vineyards reaching their ripening stage simultaneously.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis wine is wonderfully complex in the nose with aromas of red plum compote, raspberries, and dried mission figs. An energetic entry with juicy black plum flavors seamlessly transitions from mid palate to finish coated with dark chocolate shavings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e92 Points - CT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Skurnik","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50325852553521,"sku":null,"price":34.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Martinelli_Vigneto_di_Evo_Zinfandel_Russian_River_Valley_Sonoma_California_2022.jpg?v=1741290849"},{"product_id":"mail-road-pinot-noir-santa-rita-hills-santa-barbara-california-2022","title":"Mail Road, Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills, Santa Barbara, California, 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eMAIL ROAD is a project born of a commitment to place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe strive to produce wines of uncompromising excellence and distinction. Impossible-to-forget wines. Wines that open hearts and engage minds. Wines that are powerful, yet graceful and balanced. Wines that reveal the passion and uncompromising craft that went in their creation. \u003cspan\u003eFifty miles northwest of Santa Barbara, California, on a steep, south-facing cliff, a short few miles from the Pacific Ocean, Mail Road meets its end at the geographic center of The Sta. Rita Hills AVA, the historic and iconic Mt. Carmel Vineyard. The wines produced by Mt. Carmel fruit are remarkable in their lean toward site specifically and marked by deep concentration, exceptional depth, structural complexity and bracing acidity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrganic.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemakers\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMatt Dees, Michael Palmer, and Ron Piazza\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePinot Noir\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara, California\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinemaker Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLovely balance between lifted floral elements and earth-driven spice. Layered with luscious red fruit. Ripe Gaviota strawberry, rhubarb and dark raspberry. Rose and pink peppercorn. Sweet tobacco and porcini mushroom. Bold fruit shines on the mid-palate. Highlighted by herbal and resinous tones. Earthy and so complex. Full of pleasure today and wonderful glass for tonight.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e92 Points - Jeb Dunnuck\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStarting with the two Pinot Noirs from Mail Road Wines, both of which are from the Mt. Carmel Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills, the 2020 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills reveals a vivid ruby hue as well as a bright, juicy, medium-bodied style in its ripe raspberry and cranberry fruits interwoven with sappy underbrush and chalky mineral-like nuances. It's balanced and has an elegant, streamlined texture as well as good length.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mail Road","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50333573382449,"sku":null,"price":55.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/MailRoad_PinotNoir_SantaRitaHills_SantaBarbara_California_2022.jpg?v=1732132620"},{"product_id":"jouves-croisille-pur-jus-orange-vin-de-france-france-2023","title":"Jouves \u0026 Croisille, 'Pur Jus' Orange, Vin De France, France, 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/Y_f-pkTfcX0\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJouves \u0026amp; Croisille Pur Jus Blanc de Maceration is a skin contact white blend of popular Cahor varieties. A natty funk baby with ripe stone fruit, herbs, honey, and a touch of nuttiness on the nose, it’s full-bodied and rich on the palate, with flavors of apricot, peach, and persistent minerality. The skin contact gives this wine a pleasant tannic grip, adding complexity and depth. 90 days of maceration in concrete tanks, bottled unfined and unfiltered with a very low SO² addition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJouves \u0026amp; Croisille is the brainchild of long-time friends Fabien Jouves, Germain Croissille, and his brother Simon. Fabien and the Croisille brothers both share the same philosophies when it comes to farming, vinification, and the future of the Cahors appellation. The Croisille and Jouves family both farm about 30 hectares using organic and biodynamic practices. Wanting to make something together for quite some time now – outside of their family estates – they’ve chosen to collaborate and create a new project using friends’ grapes who farm the same way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFabien Jouves’ first vintage was in 2006, Germain’s not far behind in 2007. The vinification process is non-interventionist and occurs naturally with spontaneous yeast. Various vessels are used to age the wines: concrete tanks, barrels, or large foudres depending on the wine’s personality. When it comes to the style of winemaking – Even though Cahors is physically closer to the Bordeaux appellation – they choose to look towards burgundy or northern rhone for inspiration. Similar to Burgundy, they focus on showcasing the various differences in soil composition and even choose to use burgundy bottles rather than Bordeaux.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs the new faces of Cahors – they feel it’s their responsibility to show the world the true expression of Cahors and the real beauty of Malbec, pure and unadulterated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOrganic and Biodynamic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinemakers\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eFabien Jouves, Germain Croissille, and Simon Croissille\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e25% Sauvignon Blanc, 25% Colombard, 25% Semillon, 25% Chardonnay; Orange Wine, Skin Contact\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eCahors, France\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJouves \u0026amp; Croisille Pur Jus Blanc de Maceration is a skin contact white blend of popular Cahors varieties. A natty funk baby with ripe stone fruit, herbs, honey, and a touch of nuttiness on the nose, it’s full-bodied and rich on the palate, with flavors of apricot, peach, and persistent minerality. The skin contact gives this wine a pleasant tannic grip, adding complexity and depth. 90 days of maceration in concrete tanks, bottled unfined and unfiltered with a very low SO² addition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eProduct Size: 750ml\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Garber","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50334185619761,"sku":null,"price":20.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Jouves_Croisille_PurJus_Orange_VinDeFrance_France_2023.jpg?v=1732138737"},{"product_id":"domaine-vacheron-sancerre-les-romains-loire-france-2023","title":"Domaine Vacheron, Sancerre \"Les Romains\" Loire, France, 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/Y_f-pkTfcX0\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThe Vacherons are without question Sancerre’s leading winemaking clan. From the family’s pioneering work in identifying and exploiting the region’s top terroirs to their leading position in biodynamic viticulture today, there are few if any artisans in Sancerre as exacting or as respected.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGreat-grandfather Maurice Vacheron tended a few vines back when Sancerre was but a stop on a village road. His son, Jean, was the first of the family to specialize in producing wine, paying particular attention to the influence of terroir on Sauvignon Blanc. Jean’s sons, Denis and Jean-Louis, solidified the Vacheron name in Sancerre, showcasing the family’s talent with not only Sauvignon Blanc but also Pinot Noir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday, Denis’ son, Jean-Laurent, and Jean-Louis’ son, Jean-Dominique, have taken the estate to a whole new level of quality, championing biodynamic viticulture and selecting singular vineyard parcels that the family has observed for generations (and planted with their own hands) to bottle as single-vineyard wines, with the goal of showcasing the heights that Sancerre can reach.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor more than two decades we’ve brought these world-class wines to the United States, and it has been exhilarating to watch the family’s vine-growing and winemaking expertise deepen with each vintage. To wit, the family has always made fine Sancerre; yet the current generation has pushed the estate to a level of quality that transcends appellation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBiodynamic.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinemakers\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eJean-Laurent \u0026amp; Jean-Dominique Vacheron\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e100% Sauvignon Blanc\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eLoire Valley, France\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eAromas of crisp pears, lemon zest, wildflowers. Stone fruit and citrus, with a finish that echoes the terroir’s smoke and sea-salt notes. Complex and very age-worthy. Suggested to pair with rich seafood; white meats; cream sauces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e93 Points - James Suckling (2022 Vintage)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eA bright, delicious and refined Sancerre with notes of sliced apples, fresh herbs and stones. Medium-bodied with bright acidity and character. Precise with volume and poise. Well rounded, crunchy and flavorful, with excellent length. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eProduct Size: 750ml\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"North Berkeley","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51486666916145,"sku":null,"price":84.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Domaine_Vacheron_Sancerre_Les_Romains_Loire_France_2023_cd2bd5d1-768b-48c5-956f-96306af7da2f.jpg?v=1758936566"},{"product_id":"taittinger-comtes-de-champagne-blanc-de-blancs-champagne-france-2013","title":"Taittinger, Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs, Champagne, France, 2013","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTaittinger is one of just five Champagne houses to cellar its wines in the famous ‘Crayeres’ of Reims – chalk caves originally dug by the Romans. The house owns four kilometres of Crayeres, nowadays used to age their prestige cuvees.\u003cbr\u003eTaittinger’s history can be traced back to 1734, when it was originally known as Forest-Fourneaux, founded by Jacques Fourneaux who worked closely with local Benedictine monks to learn how to produce wine. As such, the house is the third oldest Champagne producer in history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe estate was bought by the Taittingers – a family of wine merchants – in 1932, and thanks to the great depression and subsequent low land prices, the family also picked up huge swathes of vineyard. From 1945-1960, Francois Taittinger established the cellars in the Abbey of Saint-Nicaise, and after his death in 1960 his brother Claude took over, pushing the estate into a Champagne house of world renown. Such was the status of the label that the Taittinger family soon expanded its business into other luxury goods. However, this eventually led to financial difficulties, and in 2005 the Taittinger brand – including the Champagne house – was sold to the American owned Starwood Hotel Group. The sale was badly received by the Champagne industry, with many fearing the new owners – unfamiliar with the culture of Champagne – would put profit ahead of quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJust one year later, Claude’s nephew, Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger, who had always been opposed to the sale, negotiated a €660m deal with the Starwood Group, and the Taittinger family resumed ownership of the company. Taittinger is therefore one of the few remaining independently owned Champagne Houses.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eVitalie Taittinger\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eChardonnay\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eChampagne, France\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eCrystal clear, with a beautiful golden shimmer through colours of straw yellow and reflections of gold; the bead is fine, delicate and lively. The vintage captivates a blend of ripe citrus fruit flavors with pastry notes. The nose is fresh, smooth, and reveals a natural expression of radiant flavors. On the palate, the wine's effervescence unfurls into an invigorating sensation. It tightens up on the finish to leave a lingering taste imbued with ginger and liquorice. Possessing a natural delicacy, this Comtes de Champagne 2013 extends its energy with dynamism and a striking purity of aromas\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerfect for a special celebration, this champagne is the ideal match for a seafood, shellfish or fish entrée.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_list\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_rating\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"wineRatings_rating\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e99 Points - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJames Suckling\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_review\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipSecContent_copy\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFantastic complexity here with aromas of toast, biscuit, lemon, almond, chalk and some fennel. It's long, sleek and mineral, with tight, very fine bubbles and so much tension and precision. Very long and chalky finish. Disgorged end of 2023. Drink or hold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_list\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_rating\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"wineRatings_rating\"\u003e98 Points  - \u003c\/span\u003eVinous\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_review\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipSecContent_copy\"\u003e\n\u003csection data-view=\"Product.Information\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product-details-information-content\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product-details-information-content-container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv role=\"tabpanel\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-action=\"tab-content\" data-type=\"information-content\" class=\"product-details-information-tab-content\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-id=\"product-details-information-0\" id=\"product-details-information-tab-0\" class=\"product-details-information-tab-content-panel active\" role=\"tabpanel\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-type=\"information-content-text\" class=\"product-details-information-tab-content-container\" id=\"product-details-information-tab-content-container-0\"\u003eThe 2013 Comtes de Champagne is a towering Champagne, as it was last year. Rich, sumptuous and explosive, the 2013 soars out of the glass with a captivating mix of tropical fruit, apricot, passion fruit, baked apple tart, mint and yellow flowers. It is one of the most explosive, extroverted Comtes I have ever tasted. Impressive. 2025-2053 (AG)\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-type=\"information-content-text\" class=\"product-details-information-tab-content-container\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-type=\"information-content-text\" class=\"product-details-information-tab-content-container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_rating\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"wineRatings_rating\"\u003e98 Points  - \u003c\/span\u003eWine Enthusiast\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_review\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipSecContent_copy\"\u003e\n\u003csection data-view=\"Product.Information\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product-details-information-content\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product-details-information-content-container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv role=\"tabpanel\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-action=\"tab-content\" data-type=\"information-content\" class=\"product-details-information-tab-content\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-id=\"product-details-information-0\" id=\"product-details-information-tab-0\" class=\"product-details-information-tab-content-panel active\" role=\"tabpanel\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-type=\"information-content-text\" class=\"product-details-information-tab-content-container\" id=\"product-details-information-tab-content-container-0\"\u003eThis beautiful Chardonnay from five top Grand Cru vineyards is textured with fruit that is still impressively perfumed. Its concentration has allowed it to remain perennially young. Although there are hints of toastiness, the Champagne has many more years of potential. *Cellar Selection* (RV)\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-type=\"information-content-text\" class=\"product-details-information-tab-content-container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-type=\"information-content-text\" class=\"product-details-information-tab-content-container\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-type=\"information-content-text\" class=\"product-details-information-tab-content-container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_rating\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"wineRatings_rating\"\u003e96 Points  - \u003c\/span\u003eDecanter\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_review\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipSecContent_copy\"\u003e\n\u003csection data-view=\"Product.Information\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product-details-information-content\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product-details-information-content-container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv role=\"tabpanel\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-action=\"tab-content\" data-type=\"information-content\" class=\"product-details-information-tab-content\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-id=\"product-details-information-0\" id=\"product-details-information-tab-0\" class=\"product-details-information-tab-content-panel active\" role=\"tabpanel\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-type=\"information-content-text\" class=\"product-details-information-tab-content-container\" id=\"product-details-information-tab-content-container-0\"\u003eTasted six months on from release, the restrained quality of this vintage is shining a little brighter with its lime leaf, floral honey and green mango scents, touches of oyster shell and an emerging floral honey depth, with few signs of outgoing creaminess or nuttiness just yet. Citric juiciness drives the narrow, long palate, perfectly built for ageing; this continues to be a vintage to watch. A blend of all the grand cru villages of the Côte des Blancs. (TH)\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-type=\"information-content-text\" class=\"product-details-information-tab-content-container\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eProduct size: 750ml \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Regal Wine Co","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51684668997937,"sku":null,"price":255.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Taittinger_Comtes_de_Champagne_Blanc_de_Blancs_Champagne_France_2013_23959376-0c6d-454d-8d58-7dff5d7f6bd1.jpg?v=1757423105"},{"product_id":"taittinger-comtes-de-champagne-blanc-de-blancs-champagne-france-2012-magnum","title":"Taittinger, Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs, Champagne, France, 2012 (Magnum)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTaittinger is one of just five Champagne houses to cellar its wines in the famous ‘Crayeres’ of Reims – chalk caves originally dug by the Romans. The house owns four kilometres of Crayeres, nowadays used to age their prestige cuvees.\u003cbr\u003eTaittinger’s history can be traced back to 1734, when it was originally known as Forest-Fourneaux, founded by Jacques Fourneaux who worked closely with local Benedictine monks to learn how to produce wine. As such, the house is the third oldest Champagne producer in history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe estate was bought by the Taittingers – a family of wine merchants – in 1932, and thanks to the great depression and subsequent low land prices, the family also picked up huge swathes of vineyard. From 1945-1960, Francois Taittinger established the cellars in the Abbey of Saint-Nicaise, and after his death in 1960 his brother Claude took over, pushing the estate into a Champagne house of world renown. Such was the status of the label that the Taittinger family soon expanded its business into other luxury goods. However, this eventually led to financial difficulties, and in 2005 the Taittinger brand – including the Champagne house – was sold to the American owned Starwood Hotel Group. The sale was badly received by the Champagne industry, with many fearing the new owners – unfamiliar with the culture of Champagne – would put profit ahead of quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJust one year later, Claude’s nephew, Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger, who had always been opposed to the sale, negotiated a €660m deal with the Starwood Group, and the Taittinger family resumed ownership of the company. Taittinger is therefore one of the few remaining independently owned Champagne Houses.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eVitalie Taittinger\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eChardonnay\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eChampagne, France\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Tete de Cuvee from the house of Taittinger. Comte de Champagne Blanc de Blanc has for generations been the standard bearer for 100% Chardonnay Champagne. The 2012 harvest was affected by the combination of climatic vagaries from which it experienced throughout the season, such as winter and spring frosts and hail. However, the climatic conditions that allowed for the maturation of the grapes were exceptional, owing to the dry and sunny months of August and September. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs is the finest example of the Taittinger House style and is always a vintage cuvée. It is made with 100% white grapes from the 5 villages with a Grands Crus classification for the Chardonnay grape (Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Oger, Mesnil-sur-Oger).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis cuvée is created using juice from the first press only. A small percentage (5 %) of the blend is aged in fresh oak barrels to create the very delicate balance of toasted notes in the final wine. Taittinger knows it must be patient with these great Chardonnays, which are the crowning glory of its terroir; the Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs remains for up to 10 years in the chalk quarries beneath Saint-Nicaise, before emerging to ignite and delight the palates of wine-lovers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_list\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_rating\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"wineRatings_rating\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e99 Points - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJames Suckling\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_review\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipSecContent_copy\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is a fantastic and refined Blanc de Blancs. So layered and complex, with lemon curd, chalk, hazelnuts, pastries, baked apples and almond croissants. Structured and tightly wound, with almost imperceptible bubbles. Delicious salty notes at the end. Beautiful. Drink or hold. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_list\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_rating\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"wineRatings_rating\"\u003e95 Points  - \u003c\/span\u003eRobert Parker's Wine Advocate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_review\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipSecContent_copy\"\u003e\n\u003csection data-view=\"Product.Information\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product-details-information-content\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product-details-information-content-container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv role=\"tabpanel\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product-details-information-tab-content\" data-type=\"information-content\" data-action=\"tab-content\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv role=\"tabpanel\" class=\"product-details-information-tab-content-panel active\" id=\"product-details-information-tab-0\" data-id=\"product-details-information-0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"product-details-information-tab-content-container-0\" class=\"product-details-information-tab-content-container\" data-type=\"information-content-text\"\u003e2012 Brut Blanc de Blancs Comtes de Champagne is showing beautifully out of the gates, offering up demonstrative aromas of sweet golden orchard fruit, buttery croissants, peach and hazelnuts. Medium to full-bodied, pillowy and enveloping, it's a rich, textural, vinous Comtes somewhat reminiscent of the brilliant 2002. If it gains in tension and cut (as the 2002 did and as I suspect the 2012 will) with more time on cork, it will make this initial rating seem conservative.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product-details-information-tab-content-container\" data-type=\"information-content-text\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eProduct size: 1.5L \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Regal Wine Co","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52196959912241,"sku":null,"price":620.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Taittinger-Comtes-de-Champagne-Blanc-de-Blancs-Champagne-France-2012.jpg?v=1699402302"},{"product_id":"domaine-vacheron-sancerre-les-garennes-loire-france-2022","title":"Domaine Vacheron, Sancerre \"Les Garennes\" Loire, France, 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/Y_f-pkTfcX0\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThe Vacherons are without question Sancerre’s leading winemaking clan. From the family’s pioneering work in identifying and exploiting the region’s top terroirs to their leading position in biodynamic viticulture today, there are few if any artisans in Sancerre as exacting or as respected.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGreat-grandfather Maurice Vacheron tended a few vines back when Sancerre was but a stop on a village road. His son, Jean, was the first of the family to specialize in producing wine, paying particular attention to the influence of terroir on Sauvignon Blanc. Jean’s sons, Denis and Jean-Louis, solidified the Vacheron name in Sancerre, showcasing the family’s talent with not only Sauvignon Blanc but also Pinot Noir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday, Denis’ son, Jean-Laurent, and Jean-Louis’ son, Jean-Dominique, have taken the estate to a whole new level of quality, championing biodynamic viticulture and selecting singular vineyard parcels that the family has observed for generations (and planted with their own hands) to bottle as single-vineyard wines, with the goal of showcasing the heights that Sancerre can reach.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor more than two decades we’ve brought these world-class wines to the United States, and it has been exhilarating to watch the family’s vine-growing and winemaking expertise deepen with each vintage. To wit, the family has always made fine Sancerre; yet the current generation has pushed the estate to a level of quality that transcends appellation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBiodynamic.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinemakers\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eJean-Laurent \u0026amp; Jean-Dominique Vacheron\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e100% Sauvignon Blanc\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eLoire Valley, France\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eAromas of crisp pears, lemon zest, wildflowers. Stone fruit and citrus, with a finish that echoes the terroir’s smoke and sea-salt notes. Complex and very age-worthy. Suggested to pair with rich seafood; white meats; cream sauces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e91 Points - CT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eProduct Size: 750ml\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"North Berkeley","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55649767555377,"sku":null,"price":79.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/DomaineVacheron_Sancerre_LesGarennes_Loire_France_2022_1.jpg?v=1786402207"}],"url":"https:\/\/marchantofwine.com\/collections\/best-selling-wines-june-2022.oembed","provider":"Merchant of Wine","version":"1.0","type":"link"}