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Rogers & Company Newsletter
October 2011
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Greetings!
This month's newsletter draws together a number of wines that I've not written about in some time. With over 250 wines always available in our consignment program, some wines just don't get as much PR as others.
I have a beautiful bio-dynamic Sancerre to tell you about, one of the world's best Champagnes, a "cult wine" from the Northern Rhone, two fantastic Sonoma County Pinot Noirs, and what would a Rogers & Company newsletter be without a few Cabernets?
Prices are per-bottle, all taxes in, exclusive of bottle deposit. We sell only by the case and do offer delivery.
For our ever-increasing catalogue and all the reviews, please visit Rogers & Company on the web.
Please forward this e-mail to anyone who you know loves wine too.
Sincerely, Chris. |
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Domaine Vacheron Sancerre Blanc 2010 [750ml/12case] $33.95
 Domaine Vacheron is one of Sancerre's top domaines, they are specialists in both white Sancerre (Sauvignon Blanc) and red Sancerre (Pinot Noir). Cousins Jean-Laurent and Dominique Vacheron are the second generation to lead this exciting domaine ever upward. In 2004 all 40 hectares were certified biodynamic, and the expression of the fossilized-shell soils, called silex, in the wines continues to become more elegant and precise vintage after vintage.
The 2010 is not yet reviewed, but I was able to find a lovely tasting note, provided by the one of the most respected distributors of artisan wines in California, North Berkeley Wine Imports: "One of the finest and most complex Sauvignon Blanc wines we've tasted in a while, and the great tragedy is there just so little of it. Chalk dust, white pepper, pear skins and poached fruits mix on the angular and fresh nose. Calling any wine "perfect" is bold but this one fits the bill."
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Champagne Vilmart & Cie. "Coeur du Cuvée" 2002
[750ml/6case] $129.95
 "Montrachet with bubbles!"
Tom Stevenson, Decanter May 2007
The brilliant 2002 vintage has all but come and gone. We have only six 6-bottle cases of this magnificent wine remaining. Although Wine Advocate has yet to publish their critique this vintage, the previous two received wonderful press; 94 points in 2000 and 95 points in the notoriously poor 2001 vintage. I feel confident in presuming 95 or more points in 2002. Don't let this opportunity to own one of the top luxury Champagnes pass you by.
Here is a mouth-watering tasting note from the inimitable Champagne expert Terry Thiese:
"It also has an ungodly aroma; Chinese 5-spice, carrots sweating in butter, lemon honey, macadamias, and an edge of white irises that will go truffley in time. The palate makes you wonder how wine gets any better. It has astonishing solidity and yet a zephyr of blossoms float over the high skies, and yet it all comes to some kind of loving accord on the finish, Reggiano and sea-scallops and saffron risotto - yet there's also a green Chartreuse-y note. Head-shaking. There's even a flavour of pumpkin pie, and the finish establishes a colony on your palate. By the way, notwithstanding my subjective preference for the galvanic freshness of the 2001, there's no questioning the massive impact of this wine. It will go the greater distance."
2.5/3 stars, Terry Thiese, catalogue 2011 |
St. Francis Sonoma County Chardonnay 2009 [750ml/12case] $21.95
 St. Francis sources their fruit for this delicious Chardonnay from estate vineyards in the Russian River and Sonoma Valleys, as well as from growers in the Carneros and Alexander Valley. Harvested at night to retain the fruity freshness, the wines are lot-fermented and then see six months of lees stirring in French and American oak to develop further complexity. It is quite an elegant style of Chardonnay, especially given the price.
"Typical, clean and balanced California Chardonnay. This white shows lemon curd, cream and light honey on the nose and palate. Full and fruity, with bright acidity and a pristine, fresh finish. Drink now."
90 points, JamesSuckling.com, February 20, 2011 |
Vietti "Perbacco" Nebbiolo 2008 [750ml/6case] $30.95
 "I think it is fair to say readers will be stunned by the quality of the wines that are emerging from this family run property in Castiglione Falletto." - Wine Advocate, February 2011
Vietti's vineyard holdings are spectacular - Rocche, Villero, Rivera and Lazzarito to name only a few and the attention paid to the expression of these terroirs has earned Vietti's reputation as one of Barolo's top estates. Perbacco is a blended Nebbiolo, sourced from up to ten vineyards including some outside of the DOCG Barolo, and so its DOC is Langhe. This is a wonderful introduction to the Nebbiolo grape, expressive, complex and dry; as well it provides an introduction to the precision of the Vietti wines.
This vintage has yet to be reviewed by Wine Advocate, but previous vintages have never received less than 90 points. |
Chateau Anthonic 2007 Moulis-en-Medoc [750ml/12case] $31.95
 Categorized as a Cru Bourgeois Superieur in 1932 and re-confirmed in 2003, this family estate is situated on well drained clay-limestone and gravelly soils in the commune of Moulis. The majority of the vines in production today are approximately 20 years of age. Merlot dominates the blend, providing body and richness, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc contributing the tannins and aromatics.
The style is quite massive for a wine dominated by Merlot and a two hour decant of any vintages less than seven years old is recommended to amplify the aromatics and soften the mouthfeel.
"A serious, intense wine, a success for the vintage, with its dusty tannins, solid blackberry fruits and a firm core. The wine is weighty, maybe just giving a green pepper hint, but generally sitting foursquare in the mouth."
90 points, Wine Enthusiast, June 2010 |
Alain Graillot Crozes Hermitage "La Guiraude" 2009
[750ml/6case] $54.95 only 5 cases in stock
 Alain Graillot's "La Guiraude" is a best-barrel selection of his renowned Crozes Hermitage. Made in very small volumes, 650 cases in 2009, it is one of the Northern Rhône's most interesting wines.
"This is very tight now, with a wall of iron clad structure holding the core of blackberry, cassis and black cherry fruit in check. Notes of tar, iron and sweet tobacco lurk in the background. The long, long finish is all minerally cut. A brick-house Crozes that demands cellaring. Maybe the best vintage for this cuvée. Best from 2013 through 2020. 650 cases made."
94 points, Wine Spectator, October 2011 "Absolutely phenomenal, and one of the best wines he has ever made, is Graillot's top cuvee, the 2009 Crozes Hermitage Cuvee Speciale La Guiraude. Dense purple, with notes of charcoal, blackberry, cassis, licorice, earth and pepper, the wine is full-bodied, rich, very primary and unevolved, but loaded with fruit, glycerin, body buttressed by crisp acids and sweet, abundant tannin. Give it 2-3 years of cellaring and drink it over the next 15 or more years." 93 points, Wine Advocate, February 2011 |
Flowers Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2009 [750ml/6case] $67.95
 The wild and windy far-Sonoma Coast produces some of the U.S.A.'s best Pinot Noirs. Flowers was one of the first to explore this rugged land for grape growing, previously only home to mountain lions and fir trees, but the miserly soils, constant wind, cool temperatures and brilliant sunshine make it perfect for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
"This is consistently one of the most restrained and delicate Pinots you'll find in California. A blend of far-coast sites, in 2009 this is 30% from Flower's Sea View Ranch, plus fruit from the DZ and Peterson vineyards and other western Sonoma sites in the Sebastopol and Occidental areas. It's long on strawberry- and cranberry-scented fruit, layered with the complexity that far-coast Pinot can attain, a complexity that seems to be tied to the acidic, ridge top soils where conifers once thrived. The structure leaves room for food, like grilled fennel suasage."
93 points and "Best Buy", Wine & Spirits, October 2011 |
Capiaux "Chimera" Sonoma County Pinot Noir 2009
[750ml/12case] $41.95
 Sean Capiaux is a dynamic man. As winemker and COO for O'Shaughnessy Estate and Progeny Winery (O'Shaughnessy's sister project), he's quickly established himself as one of Napa's top Cabernet Sauvignon winemakers, but his own personal project focuses only on Pinot Noir. He produces five single-vineyard wines, and Chimera, a blend made from two of the single-vineyard sites and four others.
His style is very minimalist - no fining, no filtering, and little use of new oak. He wants the vineyards and the fruit to speak for themselves. Only 973 cases were made of this wine in 2009.
"Another intriguing offering is the 2009 Pinot Noir Chimera. Most Burgundy varietals did well in 2009 because it was such a perfumed vintage given the cooler temperatures. The lacy, elegant Chimera possesses a fragrant bouquet of spring flowers intermixed with red and blue fruits as well as mossy underbrush characteristics, a round, generous mouthfeel and sweet, silky tannins. Already delicious as well as complex, it can be enjoyed over the next 2-3 years."
91 points, Wine Advocate, February 2011
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Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot Santa Cruz Mountains Estate 2007
[750ml/6case] $49.95
This wine, sourced from the famed Monte Bello vineyard displays the hallmarks of this famed terroir, but in a more accessible, younger drinking wine. Make no mistake, it has years of cellar life ahead of it, but with a one-hour decant and/or a juicy steak off the grill, this wine sings!
The limestone soils at the elevation of the Monte Bello vineyards combined with exposure to the Pacific Ocean's winds produces intense, mineral-inflected Cabernet with structure and density.
"(58% cabernet sauvignon and 42% merlot) Deep ruby. Black raspberry and cola on the nose, made more complex by notes of vanilla, pipe tobacco and cracked pepper. Firm, mineral-accented red and dark berry and bitter cherry flavours become sweeter with air and pick up a suggestion of mint. Sweet and focused on the finish, which repeats the vanilla and cherry notes. This wine is made from the younger vines of the Monte Bello vineyard." 91 points, International Wine Cellar, November/December 2010 |
Frog's Leap Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
[750ml/12case] $56.95
 John Williams is a special kind of farmer. Going against the grain in Napa, he doesn't chase scores or trendy styles, he's not catering to critics' preferences. He's growing organic, dry farmed, terroir driven wines in the classic Napa style. His Cabs speak of the "Rutherford dust" at term that refers to the cocoa powder-like tannins that Rutherford soils impart. The wines are healthy and balanced for decades of aging and very drinkable when young - the best of both worlds.
"John Williams consistently grows one of the most compelling Cabernets on the napa Valley floor - without ever irrigating his organically farmed vines. His 2008 is elegant and refined; a cabernet that's not afraid to show some varietal notes of tobacco and herb, along with black cherry and cranberry flavours. It's complex and youthfully tannic, all woven into a seamless finish. This should age with grace."
92 points and "Best Buy", Wine & Spirits, August 2011 |
Neagles Rock Clare Valley Shiraz 2009 [750ml/12case] $25.95
 Clare valley is a magical place to grow grapes. Where else on earth does Shiraz and Riesling grow side by side and produce world-class results? The cool-climate is a result of elevation, but sunshine is abundant. These wines are perfumed, fresh, and intense. Shiraz in particular shows a density and mesh of acidity that is rarely found in Shirazes from warmer regions like McLaren Vale and Barossa.
"Inky black fruit with lashings of toasty oak, and attractive floral highlights are all evident on the bouquet; the palate is dense and chewy on entry, yet lightens with fresh acidity at the finish." 92 points, James Halliday, January 2011 James Halliday has awarded Neagles Rock his highest honour, 4-stars for more than 5 years in a row. He awards 4-stars to wineries who are an "outstanding winery capable of producing wines of the highest calibre."
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Chris McLean
416 961 2294 x 29 |
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