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Andre & Michel Quenard
Chignin Vieilles Vignes 2021
Origin: Savoie, France
Retail: $23.95 | Sale: $21.56
Savoie is a picture of fairy-tale perfection: snow-capped peaks, green rolling hills, wildflowers, and cold, sparkling mountain streams. This idyllic region hugs the western Alps, where Michel Quenard and his family farm twenty-two hectares of vineyards along the steep, rocky slopes of the Coteau de Torméry around Chignin. Michel’s grandfather started the domaine in the 1930s. Though he slowly increased the vineyard holdings, he also sold off most of his wine in bulk. It was not until 1960 that Michel’s father, André, began bottling under their own label. Armed with a degree in viticulture and enology from Beaune, Michel joined the domaine in 1976, expanding vineyard holdings and making improvements to the cellar. Today, he is joined by his son Guillaume. Made from the Jacquère grape variety and very old vines (selection of plots planted in 1930), this Vieilles Vignes cuvée is characterized by greater suppleness, complexity and aromatic richness on the palate. Pale and brilliant yellow color, alliance of fruit flavors like apple and scents of white flowers like acacia, hazelnut. 100% Jacquère
Château Les Vieux Moulins
Pirouette 2019
Origin: Bordeaux, France
Retail: $14.95 | Sale: $13.46
At present, the property comprises 20 hectares of uniquely red vines, which are part of the controlled appellation Blaye côtes de Bordeaux. The make-up of the vines is classical for Bordeaux’s right bank region, being 80% Merlot, 13% Cabernet-Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet-Franc, a variety which we are looking to develop. They have a large palette of terroirs, which come from soils which range from sandy clay, through to limestone clay and types of gravel. Taking care to collect only the grapes which are: healthy, in the correct stage of phenolic maturity, and which are aromatically complete. Consequently, their work in the vat house is simple and rests in line with the duties of organic agriculture. The wine is then vinified with as little direct involvement as possible.
45% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon
Domaine Chante Alouette Cormeil Saint Emilion Grand Cru 2002
Origin: Bordeaux, France
Retail: $35.95 | Sale: $32.36
Domaine Chante Alouette Cormeil has been owned by the Delol family since 1818. It takes its name from the two parcels of land that it combines: Cormeil and Chante-Alouette (which translates to "Song of the Skylark"). Since 1995, the wine has been made by Samuelle Delol, who took over for her father, Yves. Perhaps it is the 200 years of farming their land or maybe it is the personal philosophy of Samuelle and Yves, but the viticultural and winemaking practices are old enough to be new again, literally: organic farming with non-intervention winemaking. The wine is aged in 2 and 3 year old barrels for 24 months before being bottled unfiltered. The Delol family is admired by many of the old-guard aristocracy of St-Émilion winemakers for their refined aesthetic and commitment to crafting wines at the highest level.
65% Merlot 20% Cabernet Franc 15% Cabernet Sauvignon