VVW News - November 2015 REFINED YOUNG VINE ZIN 2012 Zinfandel Bambino (Bucklin) Bucklin is renowned for their old vine Zinfandel from Old Hill Ranch in Glen Ellen, a field blend produced from vines planted in the 1880s. In 1998 they planted a plot next door to the old vines parcel with cuttings taken from the old vines. Primarily Zinfandel but also including Petite Sirah, Alicante Bouchet, Syrah, Grenache, and Carignane, they call the wine from this parcel Bambino. With the vines fifteen years old in 2012 and blessed with a mild, nearly perfect growing season, Bucklin produced their finest Bambino yet. What is most impressive is how composed and refined it is it is California Zinfandel after all. Its berry fruit is complex and nuanced, strong but not overly bold, and its alcohol, acidity, and tannic structure are so well balanced the wine becomes a seamless whole rather than a bunch of impressive parts. It is no fruitbomb, and there is nothing clumsy about it. Few California reds display this sort of precision and focus, the sort that just exudes class. You don t have to be a Zinfandel fanatic to fall for this one. In the realm of California red wine, it is a remarkable value. 2012 Zinfandel Bambino (Bucklin) $22.00 HALF-CASE SPECIAL 10 Percent Off $118.50 ($118.50/6 bottles = $19.75/bottle) BORDEAUX CABERNET BARGAIN 2010 Haut-Medoc (Chateau Valentin) Here is a meaty, robust bottle of well-aged Cabernet at a dynamite price. It comes from the village of Macau, just south of Margaux along the banks of the Gironde. Chateau Valentin is a micro-estate, with just four acres of vines. Their cépage is classic Medoc: 80 percent Cabernet Sauvignon with 10 percent each Merlot and Petit Verdot. It is fermented in cement vats just like it was a generation ago, and aged in 2 and 3 year-old barrels. Now five years old, its tannin and structure are just right, providing a good backbone, nice grip, and a long finish while its deliciously ripe but still fresh Cabernet flavors seduce your palate. No razzle-dazzle here, just a solid, delicious bottle of Red Bordeaux with an amazing price. 2010 Haut-Medoc (Chateau Valentin) $24.00 HALF-CASE SPECIAL 15 Percent Off $122.50 ($122.50/6 bottles = $20.42/bottle) VIBRANT PIEDMONT RED 2012 Barbera d Alba Regiaveja (Bovio) We ve had a couple of gorgeous 2012s from Bovio on hand since early this year, but we did not anticipate the knee-buckling quality of Bovio s newly arrived Barbera Superiore. Regiaveja is Bovio s designation for Barbera made from an old vines parcel in La Morra s renowned Arborina vineyard. Deep ruby-purple in color, it has a vibrant, fresh aroma that will make you want to dive right in. Its medium-bodied, zesty black cherry flavors have compelling freshness and cut, superb depth, and a clean mouthwatering finish that is driven by acidity rather than tannin. In fact its structure, similar to that of a Burgundy or Pinot Noir, makes it eminently accessible, or slurpable if you are not the disciplined sort. Vibrant, fresh, zesty, compelling, mouthwatering, and delicious you better have a second bottle on hand in case the first one empties too quickly. 2012 Barbera d Alba Superiore Regiaveja (Bovio) $28.00 HALF-CASE SPECIAL 15 Percent Off $142.50 ($142.50/6 bottles = $23.75/bottle) HALF-CASE SAMPLER 20 PERCENT OFF NOVEMBER RED NEW ARRIVALS We have fabulous new arrival reds this month from Sonoma, Bordeaux, and Piedmont, all featured above. Why not try all three? This sampler includes two bottles of each, at a 20 percent discount. 1. 2012 Zinfandel Bambino (Bucklin)... $ 22.00 2. 2010 Haut-Medoc (Chateau Valentin)... $ 24.00 3. 2012 Barbera d Alba Superiore Regiaveja (Bovio)... $ 28.00 NOVEMBER RED NEW ARRIVALS SAMPLER 2 bottles of each - 20 Percent Off - $118.50 ($118.50/6 bottles = $19.75/bottle)
ARRIVING VIA AIRFREIGHT ON THURSDAY 11/19 2015 Beaujolais Nouveau (Domaine Dupeuble) Burgundy s harvest was both early and under beautiful weather conditions this year, and optimism abounds in cellars throughout the region. Our first chance to try the vintage will be the arrival of Domaine Dupeuble s Beaujolais Nouveau on November 19. By all indications its going to be special Rarely do we see such dark color and voluptuous fruit in a young Beaujolais! The challenge with Nouveau is in keeping the more structured wine to age in the cellars until next year and releasing the easier drinking stuff first. In 2015 everything was worthy of the grand vin! Nouveau as you ve never experienced it. - Dixon Brooke, Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant 2015 Beaujolais Nouveau Kermit Lynch Selection (Domaine Dupeuble) $17.50 HALF-CASE SPECIAL 10 Percent Off $94.50 ($94.50/6 bottles = $15.75/bottle) SPECIAL EVENING TASTING 2012 Grand Cru Red Burgundies featuring ten of the vintage s top wines 2012 Bonnes-Mares... Arlaud Père & Fils 2012 Chambertin Clos de Bèze... Bouchard Père & Fils 2012 Charmes-Chambertin... Arlaud Père & Fils 2012 Corton Les Perrieres... Vincent Girardin 2012 Le Corton... Bouchard Père & Fils 2012 Grands Echezeaux... Mongeard-Mugneret 2012 Clos de la Roche... Arlaud Père & Fils 2012 Clos Vougeot... Thibault Liger-Belair 2012 Clos Vougeot... Mongeard-Mugneret 2012 Clos Vougeot... Meo-Camuzet The wines will be presented blind 2.1 ounce pours TUESDAY NOVEMBER 24 7:00 P.M. $315.00 (PLUS TAX) Pre-paid reservations required 11 flights available No charge for two people to share one flight 2 A TRULY CLASSIC NEW VINTAGE 2013 Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe This superb Vieux Télégraphe vintage is the example other southern French winemakers could look to when seeking where to go next. It is a breakthrough wine. Daniel Brunier said concisely what he, his brother Frédéric, and I were thinking as we tasted it after the bottling: Truly classic Vieux Télégraphe, deep and powerful as usual, yet showing great finesse and class, almost an ethereal quality. The bouquet is as lovely an expression of the stony plateau of La Crau as I can remember. It brings to mind the magnificent 1978, 1981, and 1983 Vieux Télégraphes. At Châteauneuf, you can t do better. And pay attention to the remarkable tannin that supports the weight of the wine so well - you can actually use the word ethereal to describe the wine on the palate. Revel in that tannin - so present, so lovely. Good grip! as Clive Coates likes to say. Drink the 2013 young, old, and in between. - Kermit Lynch, Importer NOVEMBER SPECIAL - 15 PERCENT OFF on purchases of six or more bottles of 2013 Vieux Télégraphe La Crau Regular 15% Off Price Price 2013 Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau (Vieux Télégraphe)...750ml$ 80.00 $ 68.00 2013 Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau (Vieux Télégraphe)...375ml$ 42.00 $ 35.70 2013 Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau (Vieux Télégraphe)...1.5l$ 170.00 $ 144.50 2013 Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau (Vieux Télégraphe)...3.0l$ 425.00 $ 361.25
HALF-CASE SAMPLER 20 PERCENT OFF Bargain White Burgundies The idea here is to provide high-quality wines to our White Burgundy fans at down-to-earth prices. Included are 2013 Bourgogne Blancs from three renowned winemakers - Jean-Marc Boillot, whose vines are in Puligny- Montrachet, and brothers Thomas and Vincent Morey, whose vines are in Chassagne-Montrachet. The wines are variations on a theme, each with bright Chardonnay fruit, excellent depth, refreshing acidity, and just the barest background hint of oak. If you are unfamiliar with the Burgundian style of Chardonnay, this is a tremendous way to see how different they are from their California counterparts. With the sampler discount, they average just over $22 a bottle. 1. 2013 Bourgogne Blanc (Vincent Morey)... $ 25.00 2. 2013 Bourgogne Blanc (Thomas Morey)... $ 26.00 3. 2013 Bourgogne Blanc (Jean-Marc Boillot)... $ 32.00 BARGAIN WHITE BURGUNDIES SAMPLER 2 bottles of each - 20 Percent Off - $133.00 ($133.00/6 bottles = $22.17/bottle) 2013 White Burgundies Domaine Vincent Girardin NOVEMBER SPECIAL - 15 PERCENT OFF on purchases of three or more bottles of 2013 Girardin Whites Regular 15% Off Price Price 2013 Rully Vieilles Vignes (Vincent Girardin)... $ 28.00 $ 23.80 2013 Meursault Vieilles Vignes (Vincent Girardin)... $ 45.00 $ 38.25 2013 Saint Aubin Les Murgers des Dents de Chien (Vincent Girardin)... $ 48.00 $ 40.80 2013 Chassagne-Montrachet Vieilles Vignes (Vincent Girardin)... $ 58.00 $ 49.30 2013 Puligny-Montrachet Vieilles Vignes (Vincent Girardin)... $ 65.00 $ 55.25 2013 Meursault Les Charmes - Dessus (Vincent Girardin)... $ 90.00 $ 76.50 A subtle touch of reduction is just enough to shave the top notes off of the otherwise ripe orchard fruit and floral suffused nose. There is excellent underlying tension to the delineated, intense and lightly mineral-inflected medium-bodied flavors that coat the palate on the citrusy, crisp and notably dry but not really austere finale. This should drink well after only 3 years or so of bottle age but reward 6 to 8. 2020+ (90-92/100) 2013 Chassagne-Montrachet Le Cailleret (Vincent Girardin)... $ 90.00 $ 76.50 A notably more elegant nose consists of an array of citrus elements, ripe pear, white peach and soft spice scents. There is excellent intensity to the punchy and firmly stony middle weight flavors that terminate in a saline, clean, focused and agreeably dry finale. 2020+ (90-92/100) 2013 Puligny-Montrachet Les Referts (Vincent Girardin)... $ 98.00 $ 83.30 This is the first wine to display any appreciable amount of wood though it by no means materially detracts from the elegant and ripe aromas of pear, red apple and acacia blossom. There is an agreeable intensity to the notably lemony medium-bodied flavors that possess a seductive texture thanks to the abundance of dry extract before concluding in a racy finish that delivers moderate depth but fine persistence. 2020+ (90-92/100) 2013 Meursault Les Perrières (Vincent Girardin)... $ 110.00 $ 93.30 Firm reduction presently renders an evaluation of the nose moot. By contrast there is a beguiling vibrancy and freshness to the sleek, cool and focused mineral-driven flavors that are shaped by citrus-inflected acidity, all wrapped in a long finale. 2020+ (90-93/100) 2013 Puligny-Montrachet Les Folatières (Vincent Girardin)... $ 115.00 $ 97.75 An appealingly fresh nose is composed of essence of pear, floral and white peach aromas that are trimmed in a touch of citrus. The vibrant and impressively detailed flavors deliver ample power and punch on the intense and impressively persistent finish. 2020+ (90-93/100) 3
4 AN ALL-TIME GREAT VINTAGE 2004 Barolos 2004 confirms its status as one of the all-time great vintages for Barolo. The long, moderate growing season and late harvest produced a set of beautifully perfumed, layered Barolos that are built on class and finesse. One of the questions I am most frequently asked is what makes a truly great, historic vintage. To me, a large part of it is the goose bump' factor, something the 2004s had in spades, even when they were in barrel. All things considered, the 2004s have aged spectacularly well. At the ten-year mark, I am looking closely at how wines are developing, specifically if the elements in a wine are aging at the same pace, which I consider absolutely essential. In other words, are the aromatics, fruit and overall structural profile in-line, or not? The pure thrill in revisiting these wines was only equaled by the same level of excitement I felt when tasting through the 1989s and 1990s a few years back. 2004 Barolos are perfumed and graceful, and also (with a few exceptions) much less imposing in tannin than either 2006 or 2010, the two powerhouse vintages of the decade. I expect the 2004s will age beautifully for years to come. NOVEMBER SPECIAL - 15 PERCENT OFF on purchases of three or more bottles of 2004 Barolos Regular 15% Off Price Price 2004 Barolo Conca (Mauro Molino)... $ 78.00 $ 66.30 The 2004 Barolo Vigna Conca possesses outstanding depth and richness in its expression of dark cherries, licorice, anise, smoke, tar, mocha and toasted oak. Endowed with a plush, engaging personality, this Barolo is sure to find many admirers. 2013-2017 (91/100) 2004 Barolo Giachini (Revello)... $ 88.00 $ 74.80 Revello's 2004 Barolo Giachini is wonderfully lifted in the glass. Sweet floral and spice notes lead to a core of expressive red-toned fruit, all supported by silky, polished tannins that add to an overall impression of refinement. This is an impeccable, beautifully balanced Barolo from Revello. 2015-2019 (93/100) 2004 Barolo Margheria (Azelia)... $ 100.00 $ 85.00 While most of the Azelia 2004s performed inline with previous tastings, the Margheria has turned out to be more compelling than I had originally foreseen. Lavender, smoke, iron, herbs, dark cherries, plums and spices give the wine its striking aromatics. Tension, energy and precision are the signatures. There is so much to like here. 2015-2029 (95/100) 2004 Barolo Marenca (Luigi Pira)... $ 105.00 $ 89.25 Pira's 2004 Barolo Marenca is in a good place right now to enjoy the wine's natural inclination towards full-throttle richness. Hints of tertiary complexity are woven throughout a core of dark red and black fruit, smoke, tobacco, menthol, licorice and French oak. The 2004 won't last forever, but it has held up well and is quite attractive today. 2015-2019 (90/100) 2004 Barolo Brunate Vigna Vecchia (Mario Marengo)... $ 115.00 $ 97.75 The 2004 Barolo Vecchia Vigna delle Brunate is more forward than the straight Barolo Brunate. Scents of licorice, game, sage and leather add darkness as well as weight, but the 2004 appears to have been heavily marked by new French oak. Although the flavors are a bit forward, the 2004 should drink well for at least a few years. 2015-2019 (92/100) 2004 Barolo San Rocco (Azelia)... $ 125.00 $ 106.25 The 2004 Barolo San Rocco is in a gorgeous place right now. Expressive savory and floral notes open up in a lifted Serralunga Barolo endowed with superb underlying depth and textural richness. Ample, layered and beautifully expressive through to the finish, the 2004 is just as impressive today as it was from barrel. 2015-2029 (95/100) 2004 Barolo Le Vigne (Sandrone)...$ 195.00 $ 165.75 The 2004 Barolo Le Vigne is one of the darkest, most intense Le Vignes I can remember tasting. In this vintage, the fruit is especially somber, the legacy of the late harvest season. Black cherries, plums, cinnamon, flowers, mint and leather meld together in a sumptuous, exceptionally polished Le Vigne that will continue to drink well for many years. 2015-2029 (96/100)
2013 Red Burgundies Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret NOVEMBER SPECIAL - 15 PERCENT OFF on purchases of three or more bottles of 2013 Mongeard-Mugneret reds Regular 15% Off Price Price 2013 Bourgogne Rouge (Mongeard-Mugneret)... $ 28.00 $ 23.80 2013 Fixin (Mongeard-Mugneret)... $ 48.00 $ 40.80 2013 Gevrey-Chambertin (Mongeard-Mugneret)... $ 65.00 $ 55.25 2013 Vosne-Romanée (Mongeard-Mugneret)... $ 65.00 $ 55.25 2013 Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Plateaux (Mongeard-Mugneret)... $ 65.00 $ 55.25 2013 Chambolle-Musigny (Mongeard-Mugneret)... $ 68.00 $ 57.80 A very fresh, cool and restrained nose exhibits notes of assorted red berries that are trimmed in gentle earth nuances. The equally cool and restrained middle weight flavors possess fine delineation on the lightly stone-inflected finish. My guess is that this will round out in time. 2018+ (86-89/100) 2013 Vougeot Premier Cru (Mongeard-Mugneret)... $ 90.00 $ 76.50 A pungent nose of strong reduction and wood introduces rich, round and relatively forward middle weight flavors that display a fine bead of minerality on the textured finish that possesses good overall depth and length. This generously proportioned effort should also drink well young if desired. 2019+ (89-91/100) 2013 Vosne-Romanée Les Orveaux (Mongeard-Mugneret)... $ 95.00 $ 80.75 Here the wood treatment is a good deal more evident and it fights a bit with the aromas of menthol, spice, plum and black pinot fruit. There is a lovely minerality to the precise and tension-filled middle weight flavors that possess fine depth and length. This mildly toasty effort should drink well young if desired. 2019+ (88-91/100) 2013 Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Boudots (Mongeard-Mugneret)... $ 98.00 $ 83.30 Here there is no reductive funk and the nose is really quite pretty with its airy, markedly floral and beautifully spicy aromas of plum, violet and sandalwood. There is a very generous mouth feel to the muscular, rich and lush flavors that deliver fine length. 2021+ (89-92/100) 2013 Vosne-Romanée Les Petits Monts (Mongeard-Mugneret)... $ 115.00 $ 97.75 An overtly spicy, ripe and very fresh nose is composed by notes of pomegranate, cinnamon, soy, black cherry and soft wood. There is evident minerality present on the beautifully detailed, stony and energetic medium weight flavors that possess a saline-inflected, lingering and wellbalanced finish. Like many of the wines in the range this should be approachable in its youth if desired. 2021+ (90-92/100) 2013 Vosne-Romanée Les Suchots (Mongeard-Mugneret)... $ 125.00 $ 106.25 2013 Clos Vougeot (Mongeard-Mugneret)... $ 190.00 $ 161.50 The nose is quite expressive with its broad-ranging array of pomegranate, wood spice, earth, floral and dark berry fruit scents. I like both the sense of energy and delineation to the supple and delicious middle weight plus flavors that possess good power on the textured and moderately austere and slightly clipped finish. In this case the underlying tannins seem ripe so my range offers the benefit of the doubt that the awkward finish is due to the abundant gas. 2023+ (89-92/100) 2013 Echezeaux La Grand Complication (Mongeard-Mugneret)... $ 195.00 $ 165.75 2013 Grands-Echezeaux (Mongeard-Mugneret)... $ 240.00 $ 204.00 A distinctly toasty nose displays notes of subtle spice, menthol, earth and very cool yet ripe red and dark berry fruit aromas. There is gorgeous intensity to the mineral-driven large-scaled flavors that possess a lush mouth feel thanks to the abundant dry extract before culminating in a refined yet serious finish that delivers excellent length. 2025+ (91-93/100) 2013 Richebourg (Mongeard-Mugneret)... $ 450.00 $ 382.50 5
6 TASTING BAR SCHEDULE - NOVEMBER 2015 For more complete information, please visit www.vinvinowine.com and click Tasting Bar. 2013 BURGUNDIES: TUESDAY 11/3 & WEDNESDAY 11/4 GIRARDIN WHITES & MONGEARD-MUGNERET REDS We have two substantial collections of new arrivals from Burgundy this month 2013 Vincent Girardin Cote de Beaune whites and 2013 Mongeard-Mugneret Cote de Nuits reds. This tasting offers a preview of both, with three Girardin whites and three Mongeard-Mugneret reds. Fresh young Burgundy direct from the source. 2013 Meursault Vieilles Vignes (Girardin); 2013 Meursault Les Charmes Dessus (Girardin); 2013 Puligny- Montrachet Les Referts (Girardin); 2013 Chambolle-Musigny (Mongeard-Mugneret); 2013 Vosne-Romanée Les Orveaux (Mongeard-Mugneret); 2013 Vosne-Romanée Les Petits Monts (Mongeard-Mugneret). 2004 RHONE VALLEY SUPERSTARS THURSDAY 11/5 2004 is one of those sleeper vintages for Rhone Valley reds, an unheralded year whose wines have turned out really, really well. Isn t it interesting how wines from hyped vintages sometimes are just okay, while those from overlooked years are great. As they say, time will tell. Here are five superb 2004 Rhone Valley reds. 2004 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Renaissance (Cristia); 2004 Cornas (Auguste Clape); 2004 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reservée (Pegau); 2004 Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Beaucastel); 2004 Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Clos des Papes). 2013 WHITE BURGUNDIES: VINCENT GIRARDIN FRIDAY 11/6 & SATURDAY 11/7 Vincent Girardin has recently adjusted their release program to give their wines an extra half-year of ageing before sale. Their 2013 whites have just arrived, at the tail end of this vintage s release cycle. Here we showcase three villages wines and four Premier Crus, all excellent Burgundies very well-priced for their quality. 2013 Rully Vieilles Vignes (Vincent Girardin); 2013 Saint Aubin Les Murgers des Dents de Chien (Vincent Girardin); 2013 Chassagne-Montrachet Vieilles Vignes (Vincent Girardin); 2013 Puligny-Montrachet Vieilles Vignes (Vincent Girardin); 2013 Chassagne-Montrachet Le Cailleret (Vincent Girardin); 2013 Meursault Les Perrieres (Vincent Girardin); 2013 Puligny-Montrachet Les Folatières (Vincent Girardin). 2012 RED BURGUNDIES: NUITS-SAINT-GEORGES TUESDAY 11/10 & WEDNESDAY 11/11 2012 in Burgundy particularly favored the Pinot Noirs from the Cote de Nuits, and here we take a look at the wines of Nuits-Saint-Georges. Featured are bottlings from five top producers, with four villages wines and three Premier Crus. Delicious young Red Burgundies with a bright future. 2012 Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Plateaux (Mongeard-Mugneret); 2012 Nuits-Saint-Georges (Henri Gouges); 2012 Nuits-Saint-Georges Aux Saints Juliens (de Montille); 2012 Nuits-Saint-Georges Clos des Porrets (Henri Gouges); 2012 Nuits-Saint-Georges La Charmotte (Thibault Liger-Belair); 2012 Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Roncières (Robert Chevillon); 2012 Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Vaucrains (Henri Gouges). 2004 BAROLOS THURSDAY 11/12 2004 confirms its status as one of the all-time great vintages for Barolo. All things considered, the 2004s have aged spectacularly well. Here is a chance to add some great aged Barolos to your collection, or just enjoy them at the tasting bar if your Barolo collection is already topped-up. 2004 Barolo Conca (Mauro Molino); 2004 Barolo Giachini (Fratelli Revello); 2004 Barolo Margheria (Azelia); 2004 Barolo Marenca (Luigi Pira); 2004 Barolo Brunate Vigna Vecchia (Mario Marengo); 2004 Barolo San Rocco (Azelia); 2004 Barolo Le Vigne (Sandrone). ARTISAN CHAMPAGNES FRIDAY 11/13 & SATURDAY 11/14 Here we go, our first Champagne tasting of the season. This is a tremendous lineup of new arrivals, four nonvintage blends and four superb vintage bottlings. They present an impressive array of styles, but uniformly very high quality. Champagne Cuvée de Reserve (Ruelle-Pertois); Champagne Le Mesnil Grand Cru (Pierre Moncuit); Champagne Ambonnay Grand Cru (Henri Billiot); Champagne Cuvée 738 Extra Brut (Jacquesson); 2006 Champagne Bouzy Grand Cru (Paul Bara); 2009 Champagne Symphorine (Jean Milan); 2008 Champagne Special Club Millésime de Collection (Pierre Gimonnet); 2008 Champagne Rive Gauche - Rive Droite Grand Cru (Marc Hebrart). CABERNET SAUVIGNON: RECENT ARRIVALS TUESDAY 11/17 & WEDNESDAY 11/18 We ve beefed up our Cabernet selections for the holiday wine drinking season. Here are eight recent arrivals, spanning the spectrums of style and price. Of particular interest are the wines of VVW newcomers Scribe and Young Inglewood, and new vintages of long time favorites Forman and Ridge Monte Bello. 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles (Brea); 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Old Hill Ranch (Bucklin); 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Mason s (Lewis); 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Outpost East (Scribe); 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley (Lewis); 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena (Young Inglewood); 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley (Forman); 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Bello (Ridge).
2013 DRY RIESLINGS: AUSTRIA VS. GERMANY THURSDAY 11/19 Dry Rieslings have been de rigueur in Austria for decades. They are still a bit of a new thing in Germany, with their nascent Grosses Gewächs program. Let s see how they compare. This tasting showcases two 2013 bottlings each from four top producers: Brundlmayer and Nigl of Austria and Dönnhoff and Spreitzer of Germany. Dry Rieslings at their very best. 2013 Riesling Steinmassel (Brundlmayer); 2013 Riesling Senftenberger Piri (Nigl); 2013 Riesling Grosses Gewächs Wisselbrunnen (Spreitzer); 2013 Riesling Grosses Gewächs Rosengarten (Spreitzer); 2013 Riesling Grosses Gewächs Felsenberg (Dönnhoff); 2013 Riesling Privat Senftenberger Pelligen (Nigl); 2013 Riesling Heiligenstein Lyra (Brundlmayer); 2013 Riesling Grosses Gewächs Hermannshöhle (Dönnhoff). 2013 RED BURGUNDIES: MONGEARD-MUGNERET FRIDAY 11/20 & SATURDAY 11/21 Come one, come all to our first significant tasting of 2013 Red Burgundies showcasing eight Cote de Nuits bottlings from Mongeard-Mugneret of Vosne-Romanée, a producer well known to the denizens of VVW. Included are four villages wines, two Premier Crus, and two Grand Crus. 2013 Fixin (Mongeard-Mugneret); 2013 Gevrey-Chambertin (Mongeard-Mugneret); 2013 Vosne-Romanée (Mongeard-Mugneret); 2013 Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Plateaux (Mongeard-Mugneret); 2013 Vougeot Premier Cru (Mongeard-Mugneret); 2013 Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Boudots (Mongeard-Mugneret); 2013 Clos Vougeot (Mongeard-Mugneret); 2013 Grands Echezeaux (Mongeard-Mugneret). 2012 BOURGOGNE ROUGE ET AL MONDAY 11/23 We are open for special Monday hours (11am 7pm) this holiday week. We take as much care in selecting our moderately-priced Burgundies as we do in selecting our Premier Crus and Grand Crus. This tasting showcases our current inventory of moderately-priced 2012s four Bourgogne Rouges, one Bourgogne Passetoutgrain, one Cote-de-Nuits Villages, and two Hautes Cotes de Nuits. Included are the efforts of superstars Robert Chevillon, Thibault Liger-Belair, and Jean-Nicolas Meo. You don t have to pay the big bucks to enjoy high-quality Burgundy. 2012 Bourgogne Rouge (Camus-Bruchon); 2012 Bourgogne Rouge (Bruno Colin); 2012 Hautes Cotes de Nuits Rouge (Michel Gros); 2012 Cotes-de-Nuits Villages (Joseph Drouhin); 2012 Bourgogne Passetoutgrain (Robert Chevillon); 2012 Bourgogne Rouge Roncevie (Arlaud); 2012 Bourgogne Rouge (Meo-Camuzet); 2012 Hautes Cotes de Nuits Rouge Clos du Prieure (Thibault Liger-Belair). CALIFORNIA CHARDONNAYS TUESDAY 11/24 Echoing the sentiments expressed in the notes about yesterday s tasting, we are very, very careful in our selection of California Chardonnay. We don t want to be the style police we bring in wines across the spectrums of butteriness, oakiness, and concentration (though we strictly draw the line at sweetness sorry Rombauer fans). Whether the winemaker s goal is boldness or refinement, we look for balance and harmony, and reject those that are sloppy or clumsy. Here are eight bottlings, any of which will be great at the Thanksgiving table. 2013 Chardonnay Bien Nacido (Ojai); 2012 Chardonnay Russian River (Porter-Bass); 2013 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast (Peay); 2013 Chardonnay Napa Valley (Forman); 2013 Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains - Estate (Ridge); 2014 Chardonnay Russian River (Lewis); 2013 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast - Estate (Peay); 2013 Chardonnay Mount Carmel (Mail Road). RED BURGUNDIES FROM LYON S BACKYARD WEDNESDAY 11/25 Lyon is France s longtime gastronomic capital, a place where eating and drinking is a lusty, enthusiastic endeavor. Its favorite reds are virtually homegrown, coming from southern Burgundy s nearby vineyard districts of Beaujolais and Macon. On the eve of Thanksgiving, we ll line up six superb examples, easy-drinking delicious reds that are perfect for enjoying with your Thanksgiving feast. 2013 Regnie Vieilles Vignes (Colette); 2014 Macon Rouge (Mathieu Paquet); 2013 Cote de Brouilly (Pavillon de Chavannes); 2013 Morgon (Marcel Lapierre); 2012 Moulin-a-Vent Vieilles Vignes (Thibault Liger-Belair); 2012 Moulin-a-Vent La Roche (Thibault Liger-Belair). VIEUX TELEGRAPHE LA CRAU VERTICAL: 2005-2013 FRIDAY 11/27 & SATURDAY 11/28 We ve sold every vintage of Vieux Tèlègraphe s iconic Châteauneuf-du-Pape since 1983, missing only 2002 when no Vieux Télégraphe was produced. Too bad we didn t keep back bottles of all of them. But we do have a stash going back to 2005, so we can put up a nine vintage vertical starting with the newly-arrived 2013. The combination of the Brunier family s talent and commitment to quality with the one-of-a-kind terroir of La Crau is one of the most fortuitous combinations in French viticulture, and we are all better off for it. Enjoy your Thanksgiving weekend with some compelling Vieux Tèlègraphes. 2013 Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau (Vieux Télégraphe); 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau (Vieux Télégraphe); 2011 Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau (Vieux Télégraphe); 2010 Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau (Vieux Télégraphe); 2009 Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau (Vieux Télégraphe); 2008 Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau (Vieux Télégraphe); 2007 Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau (Vieux Télégraphe); 2006 Châteauneuf-du- Pape La Crau (Vieux Télégraphe); 2005 Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau (Vieux Télégraphe). 7
2015 BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU 2013 WHITE BURGUNDIES VINCENT GIRARDIN 2013 RED BURGUNDIES MONGEARD-MUGNERET 2013 CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE VIEUX TELEGRAPHE!"#$%&'()$$&*)"( +,$,&-.$%)/0 -)"1 -)(.&)(%.2&') -0#*"%&3.,&456 Return Service Requested 2004 BAROLOS Special Tasting 2012 GRAND CRU RED BURGUNDIES Tuesday 11/24 7pm $315.00 THANKSGIVING WEEK SCHEDULE Monday 11/23 11 am - 7 pm Tuesday 11/24 11 am - 7 pm Wednesday 11/25 11 am - 7 pm Thursday 11/26 CLOSED Friday 11/27 11 am - 8 pm Saturday 11/28 11 am - 7 pm DIRECTIONS: From I-280 - Exit at Page Mill Road and head east on Page Mill into Palo Alto. Turn left (north) on El Camino Real. Turn right at the first traffic light on El Camino, which will be S. California Avenue. We will be on your right about halfway down the first block. From US-101 - Exit at Oregon Expressway, and head west on Oregon Expressway into Palo Alto. Turn right (north) on El Camino Real. Turn right at the first traffic light on El Camino, which will be S. California Avenue. We will be on your right about halfway down the first block. PARKING: Free parking along S. California Avenue, in the Palo Alto Public Parking Garage on Cambridge Avenue, and in the Palo Alto Public Parking Lot on Sherman Avenue. HOURS: Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 11 am - 7 pm 11 am - 7 pm 11 am - 7 pm 11 am - 8 pm 11 am - 7 pm VVW News November 2015 www.vinvinowine.com info@vinvinowine.com (650) 324-4903 FAX: (650) 324-4976