Since the late 1970's every legendary Barolo produced in the cellars of Giacomo Conterno in Monforte d'Alba has come from the Cascina Francia vineyard in Serralunga. In 2008, Roberto Conterno made a bold move and purchased a piece of the historic Cerretta vineyard also in the village of Serralunga d'Alba. When we first had a chance to taste Roberto's first vintage of Cerretta (2008) he explained it would take 2-3 years for the vineyard to respond to his exacting standards of vineyard management. It would take 2-3 years for a Barolo to be produced from this newly acquired vineyard that would be able to rival his Barolo Cascina Francia. In short, 2009 Cerretta represents the last vintage of Langhe Nebbiolo from Conterno. In 2010 he released Cerretta as Barolo -- only in magnum --and we have just ordered the 2011 Barolo Cerretta which we'll offer in the fall 2015 for $187 per bottle.  

In other words, at $65 per bottle, Roberto Conterno's 2009 Nebbiolo Cerretta represents an unbeatable value. We reserved the last 13 cases.

We were delighted to receive a visit this week from Gray Hartley of the Hartley-Ostini winery in Santa Barbara. The Hollywood hit "Sideways" brought instant popularity to Pinot Noir and Hitching Post, the restaurant and wine featured in the film. Fame allowed Hartley-Ostini to make a lot more Pinot Noir; fortunately, they continue to hew true to varietal character and expression, and deliver these Santa Barbara classics -- simply beautiful, great-drinking Pinot Noir!

2012 Hartley-Ostini Hitching Post Pinot Noir "Highliner" $45

"A deep, dense wine, the 2012 Pinot Noir Highliner is laced with pomegranate, dark raspberry, spice and plum. Still tightly-coiled, the 2012 possesses gorgeous understated resonance in the classic, mid-weight style typical of Hitching Post Pinots. 90 pts." -Vinous

2012 Hartley-Ostini Hitching Post Pinot Noir "Cork Dancer" $30 (Concord) 

"Smoke-accented cherry and dark berries on the deeply perfumed nose. Palate-coating dark berry fruit flavors. Fleshy and densely packed but energetic as well, finishing with very good spicy persistence and harmonious tannins. 90 pts." Vinous 

2013 Hartley-Ostini Hitching Post Pinot Noir "Hometown" $22 (Belmont) 

"Pretty red fruits, spice and hints of underbrush to go with a medium-bodied, lightly textured mouthfeel. With no hard edges and a silky, seamless texture, it's an easygoing, delicious Pinot to drink over the coming handful of years." -- WA

What a welcome sight! Two gorgeous southern France roses are radiating that Spring feeling in the shops! Brighten up your holiday table with pink! 

2014 CHATEAU de VALCOMBE Ventoux Rose $14.99

A blend of old-vine Grenache Noir (60%), Cinsault (20%), Carignan and Clairette. Scented with strawberries, dried herbs, and ripe melon, Valcombe Rose is dry, thrilling and offers of plenty of refreshment.

2014 PEUCH-HAUT PRESTIGE Rose $15.99 (Coteaux du Languedoc) 

From one of the Languedoc's top estates, the Prestige Rose is a direct press of 70% Grenache & 30% Cinsault. Very light pink in color, it gives up fresh, crisp aromas of rose petal, white peach and hints of melon in a clean, elegant and hard-to-resist personality. The more you buy, the faster spring will arrive! 

2008 CHATEAU LA DOMINIQUE St. Emilion Grand Cru Classe $50

"An unqualified sleeper of the vintage, the dark ruby/purple-tinged 2008 La Dominique reveals black olive, licorice, tobacco leaf, raspberry and kirsch liqueur characteristics. Deep and medium to full-bodied with supple tannins, an endearing texture and a lush, long, seamlessly constructed finish, this wine can be enjoyed now and over the next 10-12 years. 90 pts." - WA

2008 MALARTIC LAGRAVIERE Graves $50   

"One of the most successful wines of the vintage, this blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot achieved 13.5% natural alcohol. It exhibits a deep ruby/purple color along with sweet notes of creosote, graphite, lead pencil shavings, black currants, plums and licorice. Medium to full-bodied and silky with good underlying acidity, it is a juicy, savory, quintessentially elegant wine, drink thru 2025+. 91 pts." - WA 

2006 DOM. de CHEVALIER Pessac-Leognan $100

"The 2006, a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, is a revelation of sweet, lush, black raspberry and black currant fruit intermixed with subtle notes of scorched earth and barbecue spices. Round, luscious, sexy, and exceptionally complex, the wine is dominated by that smoky minerality that comes from this area. It is the quintessentially elegant yet substantial Pessac-Leognan with class, complexity, and potential. Despite wanting to drink most of the bottle when I was tasting it, I know it will be even better with 2-4 years of bottle age, and should keep for two decades. 92 pts." -- WA

2006 CALON-SEGUR St. Estephe $125 

"A deep dark ruby/purple hue is accompanied by a sweet nose of black cherries, damp earth, and a hint of herbs. Medium-bodied with surprisingly soft tannin, no austerity, decent acidity, and a fruit-forward, fleshy personality, it should be accessible at an earlier age. 93 pts." -WA

Attention: aficionados of top tempranillo -- don't miss this offer!  

"Vivid purple. Ripe cherry, cassis, potpourri and cracked pepper on the intensely perfumed nose, with subtle licorice and woodsmoke qualities adding complexity. Deep, sweet and expansive, offering explosive dark berry compote, floral and anise flavors. This bottling has been going from strength to strength in recent years and offers superb value relative to its ritzy Pingus sibling. 94 pts." -- Vinous

 SPECIAL PRICE ENDS APRIL 4!