June 2008 Newsletter
A SPECIAL OFFER FOR JUNE — 2005 DOMAINE ROMANEE CONTI
2005 is considered one of the great, if not the greatest, vintage in Burgundy and Domaine Romanee Conti is considered by many to be the finest estate in Burgundy. Here is an opportunity this month, for newsletter subscribers, to own a sealed 6 pack of DRC Romanee St. Vivant or Echezeaux at below current market prices. 2005 Domaine de la Romanee Conti Romanee St Vivant — “Just as this year’s Echezeaux challenges the quality of the Grands-Echezeaux, another surprise of the vintage is a spectacular showing for the 2005 Romanee-St.-Vivant. A startlingly dark, mouth-watering amalgam of purple plum paste, blackberry preserves, bitter chocolate, toasted walnut, soy, and raw beef intrigues the nose. On the palate, this cleaves to the dark side, with viscous, mouth-coating concentration of lightly-cooked black fruits, charred meat, mysterious forest floor complexity, and bitter-sweet florality… With its palpable extract, profound personality, and refined but abundant tannins, this is surely wine to set aside for at least a decade. 96-97pts.” (WA # 170) $11,500 / 6 pack
2005 Domaine de la Romanee Conti Echezeaux — “The 2005 Echezeaux delivers ravishingly sweet, high-toned aromas of black raspberry, maraschino, marzipan, marmalade and iodine. The texture is amazingly creamy and polished, and the long, refined finish adds an alluring hint of mocha. Superb saturation of ultra-ripe fruit but with freshness; remarkable concentration yet elegance, lift, indeed near weightlessness: this is 2005 at its best. The temptation to drink this in its early years will, I suspect, be irresistible… let’s hope so anyway. 94-95pts.” (WA # 170) $5,500/ 6 pack
DOMAINE LEROY
An unusual year for the Domaine and an opportunity for Burgundy lovers
Due to the recent death of her husband, Lalou Bize-Leroy took the most extraordinary step of declassifying all her Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards into village level wines for the 2004 vintage. In 2005 her Grand Cru’s will retail in excess of $1,000 so this, as strange as it may sound, presents a unique opportunity to drink some incredible Burgundy at reasonable prices. Here are the reviews from Allen Meadows:
2004 Domaine Leroy Bourgogne — “the most complex nose I have ever experienced with a so-called Bourgogne, revealing notes of red raspberry, spice, earth and violets that are followed by rich, classy and stylish flavors that possess a textured, pure and wonderfully refined finish that goes on and on. This is of top Premier Cru quality and while the structure is supple, this clearly will age. Score: 92-Comments: Outstanding!” $112.95
2004 Domaine Leroy Vosne Romanee — (from Richebourg, Romanèe St. Vivant, Brulèes, Beaumonts and Genevriéres) ” a mix of red and black pinot fruit aromas that merge into rich, mouth coating, concentrated and powerful flavors that put the attribute of class on parade. This is an exceptionally stylish wine with a richness and velvety quality that is incredibly seductive. Score: 95 — Comments: Don’t miss! Outstanding!” $274.95
FATHERS’ DAY GIFT SUGGESTIONS
One suggestion is to buy vintages that correspond to the children’s birth year. We carry a few older vintages 1934,1969,1980,1981 and many wines from 1998 to 2007. Here are some other unique gift ideas for Dad — Vinturi Wine Aerator — It draws air into the wine as you pour yourself a glass thus allowing the wine to open with more fruit and flavor. It also has an attractive design and package. $44.95
2003 Cantina del Pino Barbaresco Ovello (Magnum in wood case) — “a terrific effort from Vacca. It displays more color as well as weight than the Barbaresco normale with deep, penetrating aromatics, richly layered suggestions of sweet fruit, toasted oak and menthol and finely-integrated tannins. 92pts.”(WA #167) $119.95
1995/96/97 Jack London Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon vertical from Kenwood (in a presentation case) — a two bottle of each vintage vertical (6 bottles total) from three of the best years for California wines. These were wines built to last and are ready to drink now. $249.95 (2 sets available)
2001 Monte Volpe Sangiovese 3 Liter signed by wine maker and owner Greg Graziano — A California Sangiovese aged for 14 months in oak from the same family that produces Enotria Barbara. $59.95
VERY SPECIAL AND HIGHLY ALLOCATED NEW ARRIVALS
2006 Beaux Freres Pinot Noir The Beaux Freres Vineyard, Ribbon Ridge — “Smoky dark berries and cherry-cola on the nose, picking up exotic incense and bacon fat with air. Intense flavors of spiced cherry and blackberry flavors are enlivened by zesty minerality and framed by supple tannins. A plush, suave, alluring wine with excellent finishing sweetness and a late jolt of rooty sassafras. 91 pts.” (IWC, 5/6- 08) $94.95
2004 Bond Melbury Proprietary Red Wine — From Harlan Estate- “A sensational wine with an inky bluish/purple color, fabulous blueberry and blackberry fruit with hints of lead pencil, acacia flower, pain grille, and spice, the tannins are supple and the wine exuberant, flamboyant, ripe, rich, and long. This is sensational stuff that can be drunk now or cellared for 20-25 years. 95pts”. (WA #174) $314.95
PETER MICHAEL WINERY
“This 121-acre estate with 114 producing acres of vineyard all located in Knight’s Valley continues to be at the top of their game and I can’t recommend the wines highly enough.” — Robert Parker
The 2005 Les Pavots (3,600 cases of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc, 12% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot) is a sensational wine, with a style that suggests a hypothetical blend of a great St.-Emilion and Pomerol. Chocolatey cassis notes intermixed with incense, licorice, and a hint of black olive are present in this wine. When it hits the palate, it comes across as very Pomerol-like, with lushness, full body, and opulence. The tannins are sweet, the pH high, and the wine gorgeously full, pure, dense, and long. It’s a terrific example of non-interventionalist winemaking that has turned out a beautiful, silky-textured wine that should age effortlessly for 15+ years 95pts.” (WA # 174) $195.00
The 2005 La Carriere (1,900 cases) “This wine has terrific fresh acidity that buttresses the lemon and orange blossom notes mixed with honeyed pear and hints of peach and nectarine. A gorgeous, mineral-laced Chardonnay, it should drink nicely for 5-7 years. 95pts.”(WA# 174) $89.95
SATURDAY TASTINGS
Every Saturday between 2pm and closing we will offer two wines to taste and enjoy while shopping. Perfect just before or after a movie at the Westhampton.
NEW ARRIVAL — 2004 Muga Reserva Unfiltered
“a dark ruby-colored with an enticing nose of pain grille, pencil lead, crushed stone, and blackberry. This leads to an elegant wine with layers of flavor, several years of aging potential, and a lengthy finish. 93pts.” (WA # 175) $29.95 If you enjoy Spanish wines this is one that you do not want to miss.
Don’t forget — OUR OWN Emerson LATE BOTTLE VINTAGE PORT TRUFFLES — $3.95 and $4.95