|
|
Wines Not Available in Stores!
August 2013
|
|
Greetings!
We are proud to announce the addition of Domaine J.A. Ferret of Pouilly-Fuissé to the Rogers & Company portfolio. It is one of the most historic and respected producers in the Mâconnais region of Burgundy.
Domaine J.A. Ferret is located in the heart of the appellation and began production in 1840. They became the first producer in Pouilly-Fuissé to bottle at the estate. Their 17 hectares are located in some of the appellation's best sites, 13 in the amphitheatre of Fuissé and four in Roche de Vergisson. The development and identification of the appellation's best sites lead to the classification of Têtes de Crus and Hors-Classés within their portfolio. This has been used as the foundation of their application to the INAO (Institut National de l'Origine et de la Qualité) for a Cru Classé classification system for Pouilly-Fuissé.
In 2008, the Domaine was purchased by Maison Louis Jadot whose goal is to continue the tradition established by the Ferret Family. Since the beginning the Domaine has only had women as winemakers. This tradition is maintained today by Audrey Braccini.
In addition to these two new wines we've selected a group of wines that are not available in Vintages at the LCBO, only from Rogers & Company directly.
Please visit our website for our blog, our wine reviews and our catalogues.
All the best!
Chris.
|
|
Domaine J.A. Ferret
Pouilly-Fuissé "Autour de Fuissé" 2011
$44.95 per bottle, 6 bottles per case
ARRIVING early December 2013 The Autours de Fuissé is a blend of the best parcels located on the amphitheatre of Fuissé, the vines are 10-35 years old. Half is matured in enamalled tanks and half in 1-4 year old barriques.
Although this is the "introductory" wine for the estate, by any other producers' standards this would be minimally mid-tier. It is impressively rich and fresh and shows a very harmonious mineral expression. The finish is intense and spicy and I recommend decanting it 30 minutes before drinking.
|
Domaine J.A. Ferret
Pouilly-Fuissé Hors-Classé "Les Ménétrières" 2011
$73.95 per bottle, 6 bottles per case
ARRIVING early December 2013
Les Ménétrières is a vineyard of only 0.8 hectares and is located just south of the village of Fuissé. One-third of the vines are forty years old, one-third twenty years old and one-third ten. The soil is composed of marl (chalky mud-stone) transitioning to the magical Pearly Flagstone. The topsoil is alluvial deposits originally from the famed lieu dit Les Murgers.
If the INAO completes the classification process Les Ménétrières is expected to be a Grand Cru Classé. This is a sumptuous wine that demands decanting and will develop beautifully for over a decade in the cellar.
"An oaky style, showing substance to the peach, melon and grapefruit notes. The texture is creamy, featuring a structure that showcases all the elements on the lingering finish. Gains noticeably from aeration. Drink now through 2020. 50 cases imported to the U.S."
92 points, Wine Spectator, August 2013
|
Lis Neris "Lis" 2008
$54.95 per bottle, 6 bottles per case
One of our most unique wines is "Lis" by Lis Neris, grown in northeastern Italy's Friuli region, the greatest area for whites in the country.
This is Lis Neris' flagship white - a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio, fermented and matured in the same barrel, matured for 11 months with frequent stirring of the lees. It is bright and juicy, creamy, elegant and harmonious. If you enjoy white Burgundies and are looking for a captivating shift in flavours, consider Lis 2008.
While the 2008 hasn't been reviewed, Antonio Galloni, previously of Wine Advocate and publishing now on his own, awarded the 2007 93-points, the 2006 92-points and the 2004 90-points.
|
O'Shaughnessy Estate
Oakville Chardonnay 2011
$72.95 per bottle, 12 bottles per case
Though O'Shaughnessy Estate is located on Howell Mountain and are known for making huge reds from estate vineyards and from their vineyards on Mt. Veeder, Betty O'Shaughnessy lives in Oakville and her personal vineyard is now producing wonderful, luxurious Chardonnay.
Production is tiny, so our allocation was very small. We feel lucky to just be able to offer any in Ontario!
If you already collect their Cabernet Sauvignons this would make a lovely compliment to that collection, or if you just love rich, complex and luxurious Napa Chardonnays, act fast!
"The third vintage of the Chardonnay benefits from what was learned from the first two releases. Again, the natural yeast present in the vineyard was used for fermentation and the malolactic fermentation was kept to a minimum, creating a wine with great complexity and freshness. The winemakers utilized 85% French oak, both new and used, and 15% stainless steel barrels, while sur lie ageing and stirring lightly for 10 months before going to bottle unfiltered. Pale yellow in colour with a hint of green and a slight haze from the yeast, this wine displays aromas of Canary melon, tangerine, Anjou pear, kiwi, lemon zest and jasmine. Flavours of orange blossoms, toffee, crème brulee, hazelnut, honeycomb and star fruit compliment the balanced acidity on the palate."
Sean Capiaux, winemaker
|
Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco 2008
$48.95 per bottle, 6 bottles per case
The press for the 2008 is fantastic, so I'll let the critics take it from here:
"The Produttori's 2008 Barbaresco is simply fabulous. A sweet bouquet melds into expressive fruit in a Barbaresco that is exceptionally polished and refined. The 2008 boasts striking sweetness and inner perfume to match its understated, elegant personality. Quite frankly, the 2008 is very hard to resist today, as the tannins are quite polished. Unusually sweet, silky and refined, the 2008 will take the better part of a decade to show the full breadth of its pedigree. It is one of the very finest values in ageworthy wine from anywhere in the world. This is a magnificent showing from the Produttori and a great introduction to the 2008 harvest at this historic house. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2038."
91+ points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, October 2012
"Intense violet, dried cherry, medicinal notes and herb liqueur on the nose. Good balance of fruit and tannins with much more flavour and character than expected. Dried red fruit, flowers and spice notes all intertwine in the mouth. Good, classic wine. Drink 2012-2017"
4/5 stars, Decanter magazine, April 2012
Gambero Rosso 2013 - 2 glass award winner
|
Giovanni Rosso Barolo "Serralunga" 2008
$53.95 per bottle, 6 bottles per case
Although the Rosso family has been tending vines in Serralunga d'Alba for more than a century, Azienda Agricola Giovanni Rosso has only been a label since 1995 when Davide Rosso took the helm. Davide is a conscientious man, who has studied at both Domaine Jean Grivot and Domaine Denis Mortet. This Burgundian training is evident in his wines which are grown organically with no pesticides or herbicides. The wines are made to reflect their terroir first and foremost. What terroir they have! Including the famed Crus of La Serra, Cerretta, Broglio, Meriame, Sorano, Costa Bella, Lirano and Damiano and one of the undisputed crown jewels in the world of wine, Vigna Rionda.
Fermentations occur with wild yeasts in cement tanks without temperature control and elevage happens in large 25 hl Fontainebleau Forest French oak casks for 36 months. This is a diversion from the traditional casks which would be made of Slavonian oak. Although a young winery, Giovanni Rosso has quickly proven to be one of the best in the region.
"An attractive entry-level offering, the 2008 Barolo Serralunga d'Alba captures the essence of the village in a fairly approachable style. Smoke, incense, tobacco, menthol and dark fruit emerge effortlessly from this gracious, refined Barolo. The 2008 has enough inner sweetness to make it accessible upon release. This is a lovely entry-level offering. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2020."
91 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, October 2012 Gambero Rosso 2013 - 2 glass award winner |
 Alain Graillot St. Joseph 2011 $39.95 per bottle, 6 bottles per case
Alain Graillot is a master with Syrah. His Crozes-Hermitages is among the best and his best-barrel selection "La Guiraude" is as collectable as can be. In fact, in 2011 the 2009 vintage was named Wine Spectator's #9 Wine of the Year.
He owns one hectare in Saint Joseph, where the wines are known for their vibrant and juicy, "rustic" character, but I think rustic isn't a fair descriptor.
Syrah inherently shows "blue, black and red" meaty, tapenade, citrusy, savoury aromas and flavours with apparent tannins and that makes the wines fun to drink. I can't think of a better wine for drinking outdoors near a grill. My favourite aspect of this wine is that despite the volume of flavour and character the wine has only 13% alcohol. Pour me another!
|
Domaine Brusset
Gigondas "Le Grand Montmirail" 2011
$32.95 per bottle, 12 bottles per case
Moving south through the Rhône Valley one would find Gigondas, the best of the Côtes du Rhône Village appellations. The old vine Grenache that grows here is among the best in the world.
Domaine Brusset farms their vineyards in the shadow of Les Dentelles, a small, rugged mountain range that splits the region in two. This wine is 65% Grenache, the balance being Syrah, Mourvedre and a bit of Cinsault. It is fermented partially in tank and 4-6 year old 600-litre barrels. The wine is powerful and rich but not heavy, and since the tannins come only from the skins and pips the wine requires no time to "come together". Drink it now and for the next 5-7 years easily.
Press for Brussets' wines tends to come out just after we have finished selling the vintage. The 2011 is no exception, so has not been reviewed yet, but the 2010 received the following:
"A superb offering, the 2010 Gigondas Tradition Les Grands Montmirail reveals a more saturated purple colour as well as more concentration, definition and precision. It is a refreshing, vibrant, full-bodied wine to drink over the next 12-15 years."
92-94 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, October 2011I still have available 2 cases of their top-level wine, 2011 Gigondas "Les Hauts de Montmirail", available at $50 per bottle in cases of six.
|
Cain "Concept" 2008
$64.95 per bottle, 6 bottles per case
Perched high atop Spring Mountain, Cain Vineyard & Winery is one of Napa's most respected producers. Their famous "Cain Five" is produced from fruit grown here by gifted winemaker Chris Howell.
Cain Concept is vinified and aged exactly like the Cain Five, but the core is Cabernet Sauvignon grown on the classical "benchlands" that have defined the greatness of the Napa Valley for more than 100 years. Naturally, in the "Cain Way," they blend in the sister varieties to build complexity, to add nuance, to articulate the structure and to draw the wine to a satisfying close.
2008 was characterized by low yield - especially in the Cabernet Sauvignon, giving a tight and concentrated core on which Chris was able to build on with the complementary varieties of the blend. Other than low yields there were no real issues. It was a typically warm and mellow growing season in the Napa Valley - no wonder the wines from this valley are so easy to love!
For 2008 the blend is 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc and 9% Petit Verdot. Stylistically, it tends to be more fruit forward and less tannic than Cain Five so it can be enjoyed now but will cellar for up to a decade. 2008 is one of my favourite vintages of the decade, producing structured but drinkable wines. What more could you want?
|
Peay "Sonoma Coast" Pinot Noir 2011
$62.95 per bottle, 6 bottles per case
Peay (pronounced Pay) is quite simply one of California's best small producers. If you have never had one of their characterful Pinot Noirs, elegant Chardonnays or exotic Rhône-varietals you really should treat yourself. In December 2009 The San Francisco Chronicle named Peay Vineyards "2009's Winery of the Year". Eric Asimov of The New York Times calls them, "Exceptional wines of rare precision and intensity." To quote Matt Kramer's Wine Spectator article "Seven Wines to Try Before, well, You Know" (Nov 30, 2009) "..to taste the indisputably original savour of Pinot Noirs from producers such as Flowers, Hirsch and Peay is to marvel at America's Pinot Noir treasures." The challenge is that the winery is located in Fort Ross/Seaview appellation of the far-Sonoma Coast. In my opinion this is the best region in the state for Burgundy and Rhône varietals. Besides Peay, Flowers and Hirsch, producers here include Marcassin, Failla, Peter Michael and Pahlmeyer. The weather, however, is wild and unpredictable and so year to year the winery can't really guarantee volumes or maintain vertical productions. Some wines are made in volumes of less than 100 cases. Therefore the wines aren't available in all markets and are found only on the savviest wine lists. The 2011 Sonoma Coast Pinot is an introduction to the Peay style and quality. I also have one of their estate Pinots called "Pomarium 2011" arriving at the end of September.
"Bright ruby-red. Highly perfumed smoke- and spice-accented aromas of candied red berries, vanilla and rose. Nicely concentrated but energetic, offering sappy raspberry and cherry-vanilla flavours that gain spiciness with air. Closes vibrant and long, with a lingering floral note and silky, fully integrated tannins. Almost all of the fruit here came from the Peay estate vineyard."
91 points, International Wine Cellar, May 2013
|
|
|
|
|
Chris McLean
416 961 2294 x 29
|
|
|
|
|
|
