843-471-2157 mariedsauer@gmail.com

WINE DEALS 3/15/2024

On sale:

Champagne L’esprit de Chapuy Rose Brut
A rosé mainly from the Sézannais vineyard blended with 13% red wine from Ambonnay (Montagne de Reims). The wine is fruity and delicious, with both mineral and tannic notes. A lighter dosage would have suited it to accompany feathered game with cranberries.  65% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir, and 15% Pinot Noir vinifie en rouge.

Regular great price: $57.99
On sale for a limited time: $45.99!

WINE DEALS 3/14/2024

1) Francois Villlard L’appel des Sereines Syrah 2021, Vin de France:  $19.99  A young vine, peppery and juicy Syrah with aromas of violets, spices and blackberries. A great freshness, soft and fleshy tannins, as well as a persistent finish.

2) Le Pur Fruit du Causse De Combel-La-Serre Cahors 2021:  $20.99  100% Malbec (aka Auxerrois in local parlance). The fruit for Pur comes from seven different Combel sites totalling 8.5 hectares around their home village of Cournou, which lies on the Causse, a limestone plateau in Cahors at 320m elevation. Planted on clay-limestone soils, the vines are certified-organic, average 35 years old and are kept to a modest 45 hl/ha yield. The grapes are hand-harvested and crushed with 20% whole clusters; the juice ferments at cool temperatures with indigenous yeasts in cement tanks with a 10-day skin maceration. The wine is aged on its lees in cement through the winter and bottled in the spring. Pur Fruit is Combel’s “entry-level” red, made in a fruit-forward, more approachable style than most Cahors on the market, as well as more than Combel’s other wines (except arguably their carbonically-macerated Carbo).

3) Motovun Roxanich Portorose 2021, Bacva, Visnjan:  $34.99  An elegant rosé for all seasons, the Roxanich Portorose is made out of the indigenous grape varieties Borgonja Istriana and Teran.  An innovative rosé, created as hommage to the chic Adriatic resort of Portorose, its aroma reminds of walking in the garden when picking up first roses in the season.  The Roxanich Portorose is an entirely innovative expression of a rosé, giving its best to a distinctive gourmet palate, with an intense bright color illustrating nuances of rosehip, hibiscus and pomegranate. The wine offers intense and structured sips of an elegantly bodied variety of spicy and earthly aromas. One recalls notes of fresh raspberries, cranberries, strawberries with a hint of lavender.

4) Domaine du Joncier Les Muses 2020, Lirac, Rhone:  $37.99  The vineyards of Lirac are littered with alluvial riverbed stones and surrounded by spicy, resinous garrigue herbs—a long-documented recipe for success in the Southern Rhône. At Domaine du Joncier, Marine Roussel crafts this special cuvée with a high proportion of Mourvèdre, giving a Lirac of exceptional structure, freshness, and aging potential. Full of ripe fruit and brawny tannins, it can be enjoyed now or later.

5) Denavolo “Dinavolino” N.V.:  $36.99  Denavolo is the private domain of Giulio Armani, the long-time winemaker at Emilia’s La Stoppa. Armani founded his domain in 2005 in the town of Travo and sources his grapes from a nearby three-hectare, biodynamically-run vineyard. Here, he makes white wine in the manner of red wine, that is to say with prolonged skin maceration and pumping of the wine over the caps, technique designed to extract color, flavor compounds, and tannins for reds. The resulting wines are orange-tinted, highly aromatic, full-bodied, and tannic.  25% Malvasia di Candia Aromatica, 25% Marsanne, 25% Ortugo, 25% Unidentified Varietals  A blend from 28-year old vines, this wine comes only from those at the bottom of the slope at Denavolo. Grapes are hand-picked and destemmed before fermenting naturally for more than one to two weeks on the skins. There are 7 to 8 pumpovers in the first few days, and the wine is both fermented and aged in stainless steel without any additional SO2.

6) Bibi Graetz Testamatta 2018, Toscana, 1.5 l:  $222.99  The elegance of Sangiovese variety is always the main character of Testamatta wine. This vintage shows how Sangiovese can be fresh, fruity on one hand, elegant, long and persistent on the other. 2018 is rich of blackberries and blueberries, earthy hints and light mineral undertone. It has a pronounced intensity accompanied by silky and important tannins that make the wine long and persistent. This Testamatta is persistent and rich of finesse, one of the greatest they have ever made.

7) Domaine de la Cote Bloom’s Field Pinot Noir 2021, Santa Rita Hills:  $109.99  Iron rich top-soil, shale bedrock and southwest exposure Calera, Swan and Mount Eden clones. 100% whole cluster ferment in open concrete tanks.  97 points Wine Enthusiast  “This estate bottling shows the most vivid and accessible fruit qualities compared to the rest of the 2021 lineup. Dark berry aromas meet with rose, carnation, achiote and turned earth on the nose. The tightly structured palate’s dark-fruit core is decorated in eucalyptus leaf, kalamata olive and strong, dank herb flavors. *Editors’ Choice* (MK)” (4/2023)

8) Torbreck Descendant 2020, Barossa Valley:  $97.99  Wonderfully lifted aromatics, perfumed fresh black and red fruits complemented by spice and florals wafting from the glass. Blackcurrants, mulberry, cassis, and satsuma plum intertwine with pot-pourri, dried apricots, cloves and star anise. The palate shows the integration of dark Barossa fruits and second use RunRig French oak barriques balanced by trademark viscosity. A firm mouthfeel of fine grained tannins balanced by dense yet creamy like texture extolling the vineyard pedigree.  Pair with forest game, mushrooms or truffles.  Blend: 91% Shiraz, 9% Viognier.

9) Catherine & Pierre Breton Chinon “Beaux Monts” 2020, Loire:  $35.99  A masterpiece. This bottle is a delicious study of the terroir of Chinon. Fleshy plum and blackberry, forest floor, with a bit of that deciduous complexity that ties it to the Loire Valley. A must-buy for anybody who loves Loire Cabernet Franc. Drink at any point over the next ten years.

10) Chateau la Grolet 2021, Cotes de Bourg:  $24.99   Winemaker Jean-Luc Hubert is a small Bordeaux producer for whom history, the life of the vineyard, and the estate are vital ingredients in the wine. This is a remarkable red from the Côtes du Bourg area, located opposite Margaux across the Gironde River.  Château la Grolet is located just a few kilometers outside of Bordeaux proper, among rolling green hills, where they biodynamically farm Merlot, Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc and a bit of Malbec.  This wine comes from clay and gravel soil in the Côtes de Bourg, which brings out supple fruit and spicy notes. A blend of mostly Merlot with Cab Sauvignon, it’s a concentrated, robust wine with classic notes of red cassis, graphite, and a great tannic structure.

11) Domaine Duseigneur La Goutte du Seigneur Cotes du Rhone 2022:  $22.99  The name of this  cuvee is a wink to our family name that literally means “Drop of the Lord”. La Goutte du Seigneur is wonderfully refreshing, with a fragrant nose exhaling aromas of wild strawberries, a thirst-quenching palate, and a superbly exuberant finish structured by silky tannins. This very approachable wine is one you ‘ll  beg to have more. Great to bring to BBQs and petanque games!  50% Grenache, 50% Syrah. Vines of 30 years old, clay-limestone soils.

12) Vinos de Terruños La Milla Albarino 2022, Rias Baixas:  $28.99  La Milla is a cuvée made in collaboration with third generation winegrower and winemaker Angel Parada. It is sourced from organically and biodynamically farmed plots of old vines (40 to 80 years old) in the sandy soils of the Soutomaior subzone of Rías Baixas. After hand harvesting, spontaneous fermentation and aging occur entirely in stainless steel tanks. Apricot pit, white peach fuzz and sea breeze. Great with seafood!

13) Weingut Edgar Brutler Sefu White 2022, Crisana, Romania, 1 liter:  $25.99  Sefu is a liter bottle from Edgar Brutler in Transylvania, Romania. It’s a co-fermented field blend of Chardonnay, Riesling, Furmint, and Tămâioasă Românească (Romanian Muscat). It ferments in three 225L oak barrels, one 3000L stainless steel tank, and three 1000L stainless steel tanks. In total, it’s about 80% stainless to 20% barrel. Bottled unfined and unfiltered with the only addition being a total SO2 of 20ppm. The wine is light, lean, ultr-dry, refreshing, and just a little bit edgy.

14) Weingut Edgar Brutler Sefu Red 2022, Crisana, Romania, 1 liter:  $25.99  The Sefu Red is a blend of Pinot Noir and Syrah. The Pinot Noir is treated much like the Sefu white – pressed hard to avoid solids, bad tannins and reduction, and then settled out for 24 hours. It’s then fermented in one 3000L stainless steel tank and six 500L oak barrels. The Syrah is whole bunch pressed into open vats, macerated for three days, and right as fermentation starts to kick off, it’s pressed and fermented in four 500L oak barrels and three 225L oak barrels. Bottled unfined and unfiltered with the only addition being 15ppm of total SO2.

15) Ptujska Klet Halozan White Wine 2021, Slovenia 1 lt.:  $15.99  On the nose, the Haložan wine offers us a good mix of fresh floral aromatics, which combines with shades of fruit, especially apples. Clean pleasant aromatics leads to the freshness in the mouth, because the wine is light, youthful and distinctly fruity.  Haložan blend is one of the most traditional local wines in Štajerska. It is made for daily consumption, a simple, fresh field blend of local white grapes. There is no specific formula to this blend, it is slightly different every year. What is consistent is the fact that it is one of the most popular wines in Slovenia. A casual wine to drink chilled with or without food.  Welschriesling, Riesling, Chardonnay, Furmint, Pinot Blanc.

16) Samas White Wine 2022, Isola dei Nuraghi, Sardinia:  $21.99  Samas The Punica Samas is a crisp, fresh Vermentino from Sardinia. It is named after Punic, the God of the Sun. Vermentino and Chardonnay grapes grown in sandy soil are hand harvested at dawn to maintain characteristic varietal notes and freshness. This white wine has vibrant apple flavors and aromas with an underlying salinity and a hint of tropical fruit.  Estate History: Punica is a winery in Sardegna founded by Tenuta San Guido, makers of the Super Tuscan Sassicaia and Sardinian winery Santadi’s President Antonello Pilloni. Working alongside the legendary Tuscan winemaker, Giacomo Tachis, who believed that Sardinia could produce a fantastic wine from grapes grown in Sulcis, the estate produces some of the finest wines from the Island.

17) Rutherford Sullivan Estate Coeur de Vigne 2020, Rutherford, Napa Valley:  $89.99  Great price!  True to style, the 2020 Coeur de Vigne has an elegant savory note with undertones of minerality and distinctive soil- borne complexity. This wine exhibits an Old-World style of winemaking that has fresh acidity and structure but exhibits New World nuances that are pure, rich and coating. This juxtaposition allows the Coeur de Vigne to be versatile and can be enjoyed on its own or with food. Flavors of dark chocolate and black cherry fade into chewy tannins, providing an elegant length on the palate. The Merlot-dominant blend can be enjoyed now or cellared for years to come.
Blend: 68% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot.

18) Camille Giroud Ladoix Les Grechons Premier Cru 2020, Cote de Beaune, Cote d’Or, Burgundy:  $99.99  New this year. An excellent white wine terroir on marl. This has a very interesting bouquet, a touch of bacon fat reduction, a touch of graphite. This has body and personality, a little salinity, and excellent persistence. A wine of character!  Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy (January 2022)

19) Booker Vineyard My Favorite Neighbor Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Paso Robles:  $41.99  Great price!  A homage to Stephan Asseo of L’Aventure Winery became an obsession. Sourced from exceptional vineyard sites around Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo and south to Edna Valley, this wine is cultivated meticulously by the farmers who have become My Favorite Neighbors. With their dedication to the land, we are able to craft a world class wine without any shortcuts or compromises. Welcome to our Neighborhood.
The 2021 My Favorite Neighbor Cabernet Sauvignon fills the glass with a seamless culmination of black cherry, cassis and warm spice. On the palate, you are rewarded with a full body displaying blackberry and plum with underlying notes of tobacco. An additional layer of red fruit and a pop of acid, combined with well-integrated tannins and a beautifully crafted structure, leave nothing to be desired. This is a serious wine that can be enjoyed and respected by all.

20) Castell D’Encus Acusp Pinot Noir 2013, Costers Del Segre:  $64.99  2013 was one of the best vintages in this region.  It seems that we have a cult wine that no one knows about, well at least no one outside of Spain that is. In 2001 Raul Bobet headed up into the Catalan Pyrenees in search for land that would be protected from the increasing temperatures common in the more established DOs in Catalunya. While exploring this alpine terrain he discovered evidence of ancient winemaking in the form of stone lagars carved into the very bedrock a few kilometers outside the small town of Talarn. Taking this as a sign, he chose this spot to be the location of what would become Castell d’Encus.
At 1000 meters in altitude, farming at Castell d’Encus is an interesting proposition. Surrounded by mountains, the site is prone to snow, frost, and attacks by ravenous birds so extensive steps must be taken to protect the vines and fruit from the depredations of nature. As is the case with other regions where the vines struggle to thrive, the finished wines benefit from the suffering. Despite the youthfulness of the vineyards, the finished wines are remarkably complex and nuanced, and show the potential of moving back to places long abandoned. Because the climate is so extreme Raul has selected more northerly varieties to cultivate: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Riesling and Albarino. What indigenous varieties were planted up here so long ago, will never be known, it seems that he’s doing just fine with these – as recently remarked by Luis Guiterrez, “These are some of the most exciting new wines throughout Spain.”

21) Force & Grace by Joseph Carr Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Napa Valley:  $50.99  On the palate, the Napa Valley Cabernet presents bright concentrated flavors of plum, dried cherry, blackberry fruit leather and black tea, supported by rich silky tannins and integrated acidity. The finish lingers with evolving notes of cedar, cacao, nutmeg, and licorice.  Blend: 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec.

22) Marc Soyard Domaine de la Cras Monopole Cras Bourgogne 2020, Coteaux de Dijon:  $79.99

Biodynamic. 100% Chardonnay from Le Grand Bessy vineyard planted in 1983. Clay-limestone with marl subsoil. Manually harvested with sorting done at the vine. Pressed into barrel in an old vertical press. Native fermentation and malo in barrel. 15-18 months in barrel (15% new). No racking, fining or filtering. A homeopathic (1 g/HL) dose of SO2 added only just prior to bottling. 4,394 bottles produced.

“A big step up from the highly delectable Bourgogne Blanc, at once more high-toned and exotic on the nose and more palate-saturating in the mouth. Ripe orchard fruit, young pineapple with hint of sweet oak-spice lead to a complex set of flavors and a minerally charged palate. The fruits and salinity leave the tongue stained with flavors long after the wine leaves the mouth. This beautifully ripened wine is held together by an uncanny high-voltage energy. A dynamic juice and a stunning achievement for the vintage and appellation.”

23) Le Vins de Pirouettes Espectacular de Stephane 2019, Alsace:  $32.99  Cultivated and vinified by Stéphane Bannwarth, Domaine Bannwarth.  Vineyard: 40-yo vines on clay-limestone in Ammerschwihr. Certified organic since 2004, biodynamic (DEMETER) since 2012.
Grapes: Riesling 7%, Pinot Gris 37%, Gewurztraminer 50%, Muscat 6%..Making of: Grapes are hand-harvested, gently stomped and shortly skin macerated. The juice is then fermented with indigenous yeast and zero sulfur in stainless steel tanks. Bottled the following fall with zero addition of sulfur (15ppm SO2 total).  Unfined and unfiltered.  Personality: radiant! Salmon-pink orange color, a compelling nose of traminey-roses and exotic fruit with depth of the pinot gris and riesling’s lift: a very nicely done skin contact wine for any occasion.

24) Cakebread Dancing Bear Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, Howell Mountain:  $189.99  Our goal with Dancing Bear is to capture the intense mountain character of fruit from this unique site, perched high above northern Napa Valley on the steep, rugged slopes of Howell Mountain. Small-lot winemaking allows our winemaker to monitor extraction during fermentation so that each lot achieves just the right balance between fruit and tannin. Aging in French oak barrels-predominantly new oak-adds depth to this remarkable wine.
“This big, dramatic wine has become a cult classic among lovers of Howell Mountain cabernet sauvignon, including the bears who call this high-elevation estate home. This wine offers generous aromas of black cherry and fig that carry over onto a concentrated, fleshy palate.” — Dennis Cakebread

25) Champagne Grands Terroirs Veuve Fourny & Fils Vertus Premier Cru, Magnum:  $137.99  This blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir sees partial barrel aging, partial malolactic fermentation, and two and a half years aging in bottle before release. The result is a sleek, elegant Champagne that has roundness along with the astonishing freshness and finesse that are characteristic of all Fourny wines.

26) Francois Villard Les Contours de Deponcins Viognier 2022, IGP Collines Rhodaniennes:  $29.99  From one of the stars of the northern Rhone according to Robert Parker. Villard’s Viognier is rich, full-bodied and elegant with aromas of white peaches and honeysuckle.

27) Zenato Ripassa Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore 2019, Veneto:  $28.99  This wine is closely connected to the greatest wine of Valpolicella: Amarone. After pressing the dried grapes from which Amarone is made, the Valpolicella wine is passed over the still warm marc of Amarone. A second alcoholic fermentation begins which increases the alcoholic content and the wine becomes richer in color, bouquet.  Excellent companion to game dishes, grilled meat and roasts, salami and aged cheeses.

And from my special tasting with Reilly Keenan March 2:
28) Keenan Chardonnay 2021, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley:  $48.99  Keenan’s 2021 Chardonnay was hand harvested, de-stemmed, then gently pressed. The juice was fermented and aged in French and American oak barrels. The wine was left on the lees and the barrels were stirred weekly. No secondary, or malolactic fermentation was carried out, leading to the crisp, citrus character of this wine. The wine was bottled after approximately seven months of aging in the cellar. The finished wine shows citrus, ripe pear and green apple in the nose. Hints of lush white peach are noticed as the wine opens up. The sur-lie aging has added richness and complexity, and a touch of toasty oak returns on the finish. Like all of Keenan’s wines, this Chardonnay is a food worthy wine whose crisp acidity and medium body will accompany a wide variety of cuisine.

29) Keenan Capstone Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, Spring Mountain:  $88.99  A 100% estate bottling of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot presents all the strengths of the Keenan Mountain top estate; great structure, deep dark fruit and a classic balance of sweet and savory elements. This classic Bordeaux style blend will respond to many types of cuisine and will age gracefully in the cellar for many years.

30) Keenan Merlot 2019, Napa Valley:  $52.99  The 2019 Keenan Napa Valley Merlot shows intense aromas of black cherry, blackberry, and cassis. Complex nuances of cocoa and coffee bean emerge as the wine opens up.

31) Keenan Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Napa Valley:  $69.99  The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is composed primarily of grapes grown on Keenan’s Spring Mountain District Estate; the remainder of the fruit was harvested from Pope Valley, a grape growing region located in the eastern portion of Napa. The blend was assembled just before bottling. The Estate grown Cabernet imparts amazing concentration and remarkable structure, while the portion of Cabernet harvested from Pope Valley adds complex aromas and a balanced mid-palate.

32) Keenan Reserve Merlot Mailbox Vineyard 2019, Spring Mountain District:  $84.99  For the seventeenth consecutive year the rechristened “Mailbox” vineyard has been chosen as the source for the Reserve Merlot bottling. Hints of violets and a signature earthy spiciness show in the nose, a chocolaty creaminess combines with the rich dark full fruit on the palette, the finish is beautifully layered, deep, elegant and very, very long. Drink now or decades from now.

33) Keenan Reserve Mernet 2019, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley:  $124.99  2019 is their 21st consecutive vintage of “Mernet” (mare-nay) their proprietary marriage of Merlot and Cabernet. This year the blend is 50% Merlot, all coming from our “Mailbox Vineyard”, and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 337 from our “Big K” vineyard. The resulting wine is a seamless blend with an emphasis on high-toned sweet delicious rich fruit with an almost hidden depth and structure. Enjoy now or decades from now.

34) Keenan Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Spring Mountain District:  $129.99  2019 marks the 43rd vintage for the Robert Keenan Winery and the 19th consecutive vintage of Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. This year’s blend consists of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 15 and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 7, both from our “Big K” vineyard, and 5% Cabernet Franc from our “Upper Bowl” vineyard. Deep aromatics, piercing and precise, a full rich saturated mouth feel, and a long lasting multi-layered finish define this exemplary blend. Enjoy now or decades from now.

35) Keenan Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Spring Mountain District:  $189.99  2014 marks the 38th vintage for the Robert Keenan Winery and the 14th consecutive vintage of Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. This year’s blend consists of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 15, and 19% Clone 7, both clones from our “Big K” vineyard, and 3% Cabernet Franc from our “Upper Bowl” vineyard. Deep aromatics, piercing and precise, a full rich saturated mouth feel, and a long lasting multi-layered finish define this exemplary blend. The 2014 Reserve Cabernet, comprised of fruit from 17 year old vines, is showing new subtle layers of flavors that we saw even during fermentation. Enjoy now or decades from now. Cheers!  Michael Keenan

36) Keenan Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Spring Mountain District:  $189.99  2013 marks the 37th vintage for the Robert Keenan Winery and the 13th consecutive vintage of “Reserve” Cabernet Sauvignon. The vineyard now in its sixteenth year has hit full maturity. This year’s blend consists of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 7 from Keenan’s “Upper Bowl” estate vineyard, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 15 from their “Big K” estate vineyard and 5% Merlot from their “Mailbox” estate vineyard. Deep aromatics, piercing and precise, a full rich saturated mouth feel, and a long lasting multi-layered finish define this exemplary blend. The 2013 Reserve Cabernet also shows a distinctly savory note on the finish that appears to be a signature aspect of the entire vintage. Enjoy now or decades from now. Cheers!

37) Double Black Limited Edition 1924 Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon by Gnarly Head 2022, Lodi:  $13.99  Layered with suggestions of blackberry, vanilla and warm spice with notes reminiscent of Bourbon: caramel, butterscotch and charred oak.  Savory bacon-wrapped filet alongside maple pecan sweet potatoes or grilled, pecan-smoked beef tenderloin.

38) Champagne L’esprit de Chapuy Rose Brut:  $57.99  A rosé mainly from the Sézannais vineyard blended with 13% red wine from Ambonnay (Montagne de Reims). The wine is fruity and delicious, with both mineral and tannic notes. A lighter dosage would have suited it to accompany feathered game with cranberries.  65% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir, and 15% Pinot Noir vinifie en rouge.

39) Dominique Josep Le Petit Saint Vincent Saumur Champigny 2021, Loire:  $27.99  In the small circle of elite producers in the heartland of Saumur-Champigny in Varrains, the lively, friendly and talented Dominique Joseph is impossible to miss. Fully organically farmed since 1992, the Domaine grows 12 hectares of vineyard perfectly located over 55 different locations. The “Le Petit Saint Vincent” cuvée is from vineyards located on clay and limestone soils or yellow tuffeau with sandy influence. The tuffeau is a yellow limestone unique to Saumur-Champigny.  On the nose fruity notes arise first with red fruit and it opens up to black fruits and light spice. The palate is charming, round and fruity. It can be enjoyed at a barbecue, with white meat and slightly chilled with cheese. Drink now. 100% Cabernet Franc.