Eight generations have followed one another since Nicolas Chiquet planted his first vine stock in 1746. In 1935, Gaston Chiquet created his own brand, by planting Chardonnay in Aÿ, the bastion of Pinot Noir, and producing his own distinct wines. 

They are members of the "Club de Viticuleurs Champenois", or "Special Club" a group of 24 wineries (of over 5,000 growers of the appellation) producing their own luxury cuvees and commited to the highest of standards.  Although they don't have the marketing budgets of Les Grandes Marques, they do have exquisite vines and some of the finest terroir in all of Champagne.

"(70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir; aged for more than six years on its lees and disgorged in September, 2012):  Light yellow.  Vibrant cherry pit, blood orange and smoky minerals on the nose.  Dry, tightly wound and focused, offering deeply pitched red fruit and citrus zest flavours that pick up smokiness and energy with air.  Closes with serious power and lift, leaving sexy floral and toasty lees notes behind."

Hanzell is one of the grandest of all California wineries, producing extremely collectable wines.  Perched above the town of Sonoma, it was established in 1957, with the goal to produce wines echoing Burgundy's finest.

The Estate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are produced in very small quantities, not necessarily in every vintage, and to mailing list clients only.  Their ability to age is surpassed by no other winery.  Members of this elite group are often offered wines over 25 years of age and drinking optimally.

"Sebella" is a selection of vineyard lots from younger vines "auditioning" for the estate wine.  The rugged Sonoma Valley terroir is on display here, a tension, a poise, and a nervy freshness.  Sonoma Valley is cooled from the south by cold air from Carneros and from the north by cool air from Santa Rosa.  This cool buffeting air, a rain shadow provided by the Sonoma Mountains to the west and the rugged ancient terroir make for perfect, strenuous vine growing conditions which give the grapes bright acidity and lots of character.

"This was aged in used French oak for several months, just enough to give it a soft edge of butter and honey.  The basic fruit flavours are pure, ripe and delicious, with suggesting notes of tangerine and mango, brightened by a vibrant thread of lime juice."

The wines of Giovanni Rosso show a plumpness of vibrant red fruit that never detracts from classic Nebbiolo character, but makes for a more appealing drinking experience than some "traditionally styled" Barolos.  Their vineyards in Serralunga include some of the most historically important such as La Serra, Broglio, Damiano and Vigna Rionda (each of which is mentioned in a document dated 30th May 1694) as well as Cerretta and Sorano.

The fruit is grown as organically as possible - no artificial pesticides, herbicides or fungicides.  Harvest is done by hand and the elevage takes place in large, old 25 hl Fontainebleau French oak casks.

"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."

One of my favourite wines each year is "L'Argile", from Ventoux in southern France.  This is very old-vine Grenache with complimentary regional grapes, harvested by hand at one ton per acre (!!!), fermented with natural yeasts and matured in cement tanks.  Simply put, it is natural, beautiful, artisan wine at its finest and a steal at the price.

"The 2010 L'Argile is a stunning blend of 75% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 5% Carignan and 5% Cinsault that's aged all in tank. Finesse-driven and elegant, with perfumed aromas of kirsch and sweet black raspberries, forest floor, licorice and dried flowers (rose petal), this perfectly balanced, harmonious red delivers a medium to full-bodied, seamless texture, fine tannin and building richness that emerges on the finish. Far from over the top, it shines for its balance and energetic feel much more than sheer richness and power. Give it another year or three in the cellar and enjoy it through 2022."

Dancing Hares is one of Napa Valley's most exciting, new "cult" wineries.  Situated at the base of Howell Mountain, with only 4.4 acres of pristine vineyard land, the wines are crafted by Andy Erickson, one of Napa's hottest winemakers.  Other wineries he has produced wine for include Screaming Eagle, Dalla Valle, Ovid and Arietta.

"Even better, the 2010 Dancing Hares is deeper and fuller with more structure as well as a lot of the sensuality exhibited by the 2009. Composed of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc and the rest Petit Verdot, it boasts a dense purple colour and notes of wet rocks, blueberries, black raspberries, mulberries, espresso and subtle background oak. The delicious aromatics are followed by a deep, supple, round, opulent wine with some tannin underlying the extravagant fruit. A beauty of purity and symmetry, it is capable of lasting two decades or more."

Another great vintage for Cabernet in Napa Valley, and another great wine from Tim Mondavi.  Continuum is grown on Pritchard Hill, the famed area of Napa that does and does not exist.  What I mean is, although this mound above Lake Hennessy is renowned for the finest Cabernets, it is not a recognized viticultural area, and so the wines carry the AVA "Napa Valley".  Other wineries located here include Cabernet heavyweights Ovid, Chappellet David Arthur, Colgin and Bryant Family.

"This has been an impressive, serious wine since the debut vintage, and Tim Mondavi's estate high on Pritchard Hill has fashioned a 2010 blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, 11% Petit Verdot and 4% Merlot. Gorgeously ripe, intricate and nuanced, with aromas of spring flowers and red and black fruits, a stunning texture, sweet tannin, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and undeniable elegance and finesse, this complex beauty cascades over the palate without a hard edge to be found. It is a tribute to Mondavi's long resume of skillful winemaking. Black currants, blueberries and a touch of raspberries are all compelling and persistent. Drink this gorgeous Napa red now and over the next 15+ years."

Frank Altamura's lone winery in Wooden Valley of south-eastern Napa Valley produces one of the most consistently outstanding Cabernets we have the pleasure to sell.  Power, richness and poise are hallmarks of his winemaking, a craft forged at Caymus Vineyards in the early 1980's.

The soil types of this unique vineyard are similar to the Rutherford Bench and the mountainous regions of Howell Mountain, Pritchard Hill and Mount Veeder.  Careful vineyard husbandry has allowed Frank to dry-farm these 30 year old vines in the classic Napa Valley style.

The 2007 vintage was named Wine Spectator's #5 "Wine of the Year" in 2010.

"Offers a racy aroma, but tames quickly, with a dill-tinged edge to the tiers of dark berry, mocha, raspberry and subtle earth, gaining depth and maintaining persistence on the finish. Best from 2014 through 2027."