Palmento Costanza’s “Mofete” is a blend of two of these grapes: 80% Nerello Mascalese (the noble grape of the region) and 20% Nerello Cappuccio. The name Mofete means “it erupts”, which is probably meant to be a reference to the volcanic soils and vineyards that produce their wines.
Posted on February 21, 2024
Floribeth Kennedy
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The Chateau is well situated and in the 1800s its wines sold for just as much as all the famous Chateaux. So when the 1855 classification was released and they saw their name omitted, they sued. A judge ruled against them in 1869, so here we, over 150 years later, able to buy their wine for a fraction of what they would have cost….some bargains really persist!
Posted on February 18, 2024
Josh Shapiro
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Lafon and his team have been producing Chardonnay in the Macon for around twenty years now. He was one of the first pioneers from the Cote d’Or to discover the amazing terroir in this part of Burgundy, and he snapped at vineyards at bargain prices.
Posted on February 14, 2024
Josh Shapiro
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The wine is Johannis’ Feinherb from the 2016 vintage. Feinherb is an essentially dry style where a touch of residual sugar is allowed to remain in the wine to offer balance to razor-sharp acidities. It is beautifully representative not only of the Johannis philosophy but also the Rheingau region.
Posted on February 12, 2024
Josh Shapiro
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2011 was a powerhouse vintage in Rioja, the kind that benefits from long aging. How convenient and thoughtful it was for López to cellar the wine for us. It’s just now entering its prime drinking window: its powerful structure is beginning to integrate, its intense flavors are starting to meld.
Posted on February 07, 2024
Josh Shapiro
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Today, we go to the top of the Cotes-du-Rhone hierarchy. We have a villages-designated wine (above that designation, you are no longer a Cotes-du-Rhone, but rather something like Gigondas or a Vacqueyras), from old vines and a very famous producer: Pegau.
Posted on February 06, 2024
Josh Shapiro
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La Gerla takes a light and traditional touch in the cellar, but wants to make sure the wines are accessible and have broad appeal. There is no french oak here, and fermentations are kept fairly cool. The result is focused and polished Brunello that we are confident you will love.
Posted on January 31, 2024
Floribeth Kennedy
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When you think of California Cabernet, probably many things come to mind. Rich. Oaky. Expensive. Today’s wine will make you rethink the category.
Posted on January 28, 2024
Josh Shapiro
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Gour de Chaule is a bastion of traditional wine-making in the AOC. Their history dates back to Great-Grandfather Eugene, who started the winery in 1900.
Posted on January 24, 2024
Josh Shapiro
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Bordeaux is a big place, and today we’re going to travel many miles from the place where those kinds of more serious wines are made. Leave the Medoc and all its Rothschild splendor, cross the city of Bordeaux, and traverse up the Garonne river another 40 kilometers or so.
Posted on January 21, 2024
Josh Shapiro
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Over the decades, Montbourgeau has become known for their white wines; like the best in the region, they are complex with saline notes, waxy yellow fruit and, above all, tons of intense minerality. You can taste the terroir.
Posted on January 14, 2024
Josh Shapiro
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