Domaine de la Combe ‘Vendange Nocturne’ Melon Blanc 2022
Origin: Loire Valley, France
Retail: $23.95 | Sale: $21.56
Descended from the Bourgeois family (Domaine Henri Bourgeois) in Sancerre on his mother’s side and the fifth generation of the Gadais family (Gadais Père et Fils) to produce wine from the rolling hills surrounding Saint-Fiacre-sur-Maine, Pierre-Henri Gadais was perhaps destined to be a vigneron. After receiving his degree in Viticulture and Enology in Burgundy and Wine Business in Bordeaux, Pierre-Henri worked in Australia, Switzerland, and all over France as an apprentice winemaker before returning to work with his father in 2016. Domaine de la Combe is unique in that all the Domaine’s vines are in a single block. There are 3 distinct terroirs in the domaine: orthogneiss on the summit, gneiss on the southern slopes, and schist on the northern slopes. The Domaine has a good mix of young and old vines with the oldest being planted in the 1950’s and youngest as recent as 2016. Only in his early thirties, Pierre is constantly experimenting and pushing boundaries, but also firmly rooted in the tradition of his forebears. Light bodied with an inviting floral nose and a palate of green pear, citrus acidity, and sea spray. Ready for oysters , fresh prawns or fresh Spring greens right from the garden. 100% Melon de Bourgogne
Domaine Benastra ‘La Petite Soeur’ Rouge 2021
Origin: Languedoc, France
Retail: $24.95 | Sale: $22.46
At the western end of the Agly valley, in the north-west corner of the Roussillon, a peaceful revolution is taking place. This rugged, windy region covered by granite and schist soils is now home to several very interesting and talented vignerons. At the forefront of this revolution is Joseph Paillé, an incredibly gifted vigneron who is producing some of the most exciting wines in the Roussillon today. From a winemaking family in Anjou, Joseph was essentially working full time in the vineyards by the age of 13. In 2008 he partnered with his stepfather, Jo Pithon, and Wendy Paillé to create the now internationally renowned Loire estate of Pithon-Paillé. In 2014 he made the difficult decision to leave the family business for Roussillon, where he started Domaine Benastra. Joseph believes wholeheartedly that to produce great wine you must first be a great farmer. Yields are kept naturally low by the combination of poor inhospitable soils and the ever present northwesterly wind. Organic and biodynamic practices are employed in the vineyards, and Joseph takes a low interventionist approach in the cellar. His wines bridge the gap between the classic and the ‘natty’ world; these are serious wines that beautifully demonstrate how “natural” wine can also be polished. This wine is teeming with nuanced cherry cordial and red plum flavors. Pairs equally well with warm stew or chilled slightly for Spring! 20% Lledoner Pelut, 20% Carignan Noir, 30% Syrah, 30% Grenache Noir
Le Mas de Mon Père 'Tu m'Intéresses!' 2021
Origin: Languedoc, France
Retail: $24.95 | Sale: $22.46
In the tiny village of Arzens, at the confluence of the Mediterranean and Oceanic climates, the enigmatic Frédéric Palacios is crafting soulful, terroir driven wines from just 5.5 hectares spread over 7 plots. Frédéric worked the plots with his father and grandfather and sold the grapes to a local cooperative cellar. After several years away, his father invited him to come home and vinify on the family land in 2005 and thus, Le Mas de Mon Père (The house of My Father) was born. Fred’s 7 plots are located either on hillsides or terraces at altitudes ranging from 200 to 435 meters. From these clay-sandstone heights, with Oceanic and Mediterranean influences, Bordeaux varieties thrive. The vineyards are certified organic, and Fred employees many Biodynamic principles in the vines and in the cellar. Translating roughly into, ‘You interest me!’, we know you will agree. Teasing between black cherry aromas and black coffee. Equally earthy, dry and teaming with fresh forest fruit. Perfectly balanced on the palate between tannin and acidity. Pairs well with beef, pasta, or veal. 60% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, 8% Malbec, 8% Grenache Noir, 2% Cinsault
Domaine Sables Verts ‘Glou Glou’ 2021
Origin: Loire Valley, France
Retail: $27.95 | Sale: $25.16
Domaine des Sables Verts is a relatively new project owned and run by Caroline Meurée and her husband, Hervé Maligne. Their project was started in 2019, when the couple took over a sprawling estate covering 40 acres spread amongst 5 villages with 33 different plots, with an average vine age of 40 years. The crown jewel of the estate are their two single-vineyard wines of Cabernet Franc from the famed parcels of “Poyeux” and “Chaintres” planted in the early 1950s, and where their neighbors are none other than Clos Rougeard and Thierry Germain. The name, Sables Verts, or “green sand”, comes from unique greenish sand that is a component in many of the best vineyards of Saumur-Champigny, and sits atop the Mother rock of limestone tuffeaux that underlies much of the region. The cellars themselves are also dug into the tuffeaux and form a cool, damp home for raising the wines. In the vineyards, Caroline and Hervé work as naturally as possible. They have had their HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) since the outset, but are also working toward full organic certification as well. Amazing intensity of aromas from tangy red fruits of raspberry to blackcurrant combined with a lively freshness. Juicy and ready for the first grill-out of the year. 100% Cabernet Franc