Quality House Wines

While some winemakers treat their Hautes Cotes as simple wine, Bernard gives his wines the royal treatment – the richness of the wine allows it to handle 25% new barrel and 75% in one to four year old barrels (same barrel use for his Vosne-Romanee). Even if the preference is rather for elegance than power it is always a stunning wine. Medium-bodied, the wine has a pure, fresh, clean mouth feel. Superbly ripe and round - not to mention that creamy edge that makes the 2009 immediately delectable.

Braida is one of the finest producers of Barbera in Peimonte and this wine proves to be one of the best examples of this varietal that we have ever tried. The bouquet shows very distinct notes of mature cherries which continues on the palate with rich, long finish. This wine is well-balanced, fragrant and very drinkable now. Pairs perfectly with pasta, sausage and strong cheeses.

100% Sauvignon Blanc from 15-20 year-old-vines farmed sustainably, this delightful Pouilly-Fumé is aged exclusively in satinless-steel tanks. It features a fresh and crisp bouquet of ripe citrus fruit (grapefruit, lemon, orange) followed by aromas of white flowers. Intensely mineral while fruity and harmonious on the palate.

The 2006 Bricco dell’Uccellone reveals a touch more ripeness and inner perfume than the Bigotta yet shows similar clarity and precision. While made in a soft, opulent style, in this vintage Bricco dell’Uccellone is a touch more restrained than has sometimes been the case, resulting in a wine that is noteworthy for its finesse and elegance. Sweet scents of French oak, smoke, licorice and jammy dark fruit linger on the clean, refreshing finish. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2018, 92 Points -RP

The 2009 Langhe Nebbiolo is surprisingly dense and muscular. Sweet red cherries, flowers and licorice come to life in the glass. Despite the wine’s richness, it also possesses plenty of Nebbiolo grip on the finish. The dense, ripe style is very nicely balanced here. This is a jewel of a wine. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019. 92 Points - RP

This wine comes from a small chateau in the Médoc region of Bordeaux. The higher proportion of Merlot to Cabernet Sauvignon makes this wine approachable and good for drinking now. It has structure while showing notes of red berry fruit with a long drawn-out finish.

While some winemakers treat their Hautes Cotes as simple wine, Bernard gives his wines the royal treatment – the richness of the wine allows it to handle 25% new barrel and 75% in one to four year old barrels (same barrel use for his Vosne-Romanee). Even if the preference is rather for elegance than power it is always a stunning wine. Medium-bodied, the wine has a pure, fresh, clean mouth feel. Superbly ripe and round - not to mention that creamy edge that makes the 2009 immediately delectable.

This 2008 Cuvee comes from DANIEL POLLIER’s 1.2 acre single vineyard “Les Perrieres” (entire plot is covered with stones), and with vines planted in 1960. It is a superb wine, showing depth and true regional characters. It has elegance, concentration, purity and great balance.

100% Sauvignon Blanc from 15-20 year-old-vines farmed sustainably, this delightful Pouilly-Fumé is aged exclusively in satinless-steel tanks. It features a fresh and crisp bouquet of ripe citrus fruit (grapefruit, lemon, orange) followed by aromas of white flowers. Intensely mineral while fruity and harmonious on the palate.

The 2009 Chablis Montmains (Domaine) presents a cooler, more inward expression of Montmains. The long, persistent finish is striking for its sheer purity. The Domaine bottling of Montmains is composed of the three terroirs within Montmains; 50% Butteaux, 25% Forets and 25% Montmains. The high slopes of Butteaux, especially rich in marl and limestone, give the wine its backbone of minerality, while Forets and Montmains provide a more fruit-forward expression. These late ripening plots are among the last to be harvested at Fevre. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024. 90 Points-RP

Braida is one of the finest producers of Barbera in Peimonte and this wine proves to be one of the best examples of this varietal that we have ever tried. The bouquet shows very distinct notes of mature cherries which continues on the palate with rich, long finish. This wine is well-balanced, fragrant and very drinkable now. Pairs perfectly with pasta, sausage and strong cheeses.

The 2006 Bricco dell’Uccellone reveals a touch more ripeness and inner perfume than the Bigotta yet shows similar clarity and precision. While made in a soft, opulent style, in this vintage Bricco dell’Uccellone is a touch more restrained than has sometimes been the case, resulting in a wine that is noteworthy for its finesse and elegance. Sweet scents of French oak, smoke, licorice and jammy dark fruit linger on the clean, refreshing finish. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2018, 92 Points -RP

Pinot Grigio of the finest quality. Spectacular fresh, pure, clean fruit. Superb aromatics jump out of the glass. Elegant in the moth with just the right amount of weight and minerality backing up the fruit with a clean, long delicious finish. Aged in stainless to accentuate the fruit in the nose and palate.

The 2009 Langhe Nebbiolo is surprisingly dense and muscular. Sweet red cherries, flowers and licorice come to life in the glass. Despite the wine’s richness, it also possesses plenty of Nebbiolo grip on the finish. The dense, ripe style is very nicely balanced here. This is a jewel of a wine. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019. 92 Points - RP

Conterno’s 2007 Barolo impresses for its sense of harmony and freshness. The wine has firmed up nicely since I first tasted it in November 2010, boding well for its development in the cellar. In 2007 the Barolo possesses an extra degree of richness and generosity than is typically the case, never a bad thing for an entry-level bottling. In a few years, the soft, supple fruit should be at the height of its expression. This is a jewel of a wine and a huge outperformer in relative terms. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2027.
92+ Points, Wine Advocate, February 2011

Ines Vizcarra is an estate-bottled wine made by Bodegas Vizcarra in the Ribera del Duero DO region. Named for winemaker and owner Juan Carlos Vizcarra's  youngest daughter. Ines Vizcarra is one of the bodega's two top wines. Today, Vizcarra is considered among the top producers in Ribera del Duero. Ines Vizcarra contains a portion of Merlot, which gives it a bright, silky and very elegant character. With a texture closer to Burgundy than Bordeaux, Ines conveys Juan Carlos’s elegant, powerful winemaking style.

Horizonte de Exopto is a wine whose character conveys lush black and blue fruits that are focused and pure. It has silky tannins and a persistent mineral note, the wine strikes an ideal balance of depth and finesse. Often referred to as "geogragphy in a bottle" with the identity of a clean, pure Rioja wine. Horizonte Exopto is a modern take on Rioja's finest traditions.

Cumbre represents Vine Hill Winery's best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from fruit grown in the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA. This Pinot Noir has beautiful bouquet of berry fruit. On the palate it displays notes of luscious dark rasberry with a hint of spice and a long finish. A fine example of Santa Cruz Pinot Noir.

An elegant wine, exhibiting aromas of raspberries and vanilla. It has lots of Carneros character. With a complex texture, it is a rich wine for rich food. Pairing: An excellent complement to pork loin or duck liver pate

This Chardonnay exhibits a nice minerality and firmness, showing a wide range of flavors. It displays a soft vanilla creaminess with a round, full mouth feel. Pairing: Enjoy with a wide range of seafood, from salmon to halibut and oysters to cracked crab.

The robust bouquet of freshly picked black currants, ripe blackberries and lilacs balance the nose beautifully with hints of nutmeg. This wine is full, rich and ready to drink now, but will age for at least 5-8 years. A beautiful example of the Paso Robles terroir.

Hailing from one of the finest vineyards in the Willamette Valley, this Pinot Noir has an alluring bouquet of toast, spice box, mineral, earth notes, raspberry, and cherry. Mouth-coating on the palate, it has layered savory fruit, ripe tannin, lively acidity, outstanding concentration, and a lengthy, pure finish.

The 2008 Pinot Noir Laurene Estate spent 13-15 months in 25% new oak. It offers a spendid nose of smoke, spice box, floral notes, black cherry and black rasberry. Medium-bodied on the palate, it has enough structure to evolve for 2-3 years. It has precise balance, a velvety texture and elegance. Drink from 2013 to 2023. 92 points - Wine Advocate