Albert Bichot Crémant de Bourgogne Brut Réserve
Origin: Bourgogne, France
Retail: $24.95 | Sale: $22.46
The first traces of the Bichot family date back to 1214. They settled in Burgundy in 1350, in their stronghold of Châteauneuf-en-Auxois. In 1831, Bernard Bichot founded a wine trading business in his name in Monthélie. His son, Hippolyte, succeeded him and bought the first vines in Volnay. His son, Albert Bichot, the first to bear the name, gave the family business new momentum in the late 19th century and settled in the center of Beaune once and for all in 1912. Winemakers practice sustainable viticulture, responsible soil maintenance, and manual labor that boosts the plants’ natural defenses. The dedicated teams at each estate know each terroir perfectly well and are very attentive to the development of the vines they oversee. The nose boasts notes of citrus – lime, pink grapefruit – and white blossoms which pave the way for vivacity and freshness on the palate. Clean and precise with beautiful length. Blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
Frog’s Leap Shale And Stone Chardonnay 2021
Origin: Napa Valley, California
Retail: $44.95 | Sale: $40.46
Frog's Leap is a family-owned winery dedicated to sustainable principles and committed to producing wines with balance, restraint and respect for terroir. Originally founded by the Williams Family in 1981 on a spot along Mill Creek known as the Frog Farm, today Frog's Leap makes its home amongst 200 acres of vineyards in Rutherford at the historic ‘Red Barn’. Now in its forty-first year of production, Winemakers John Williams and Pablo Polanco hand-craft an annual production of 60,000 cases comprising Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Merlot, and an estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon. Using the best of Napa Valley's organically grown, dry-farmed grapes and the most traditional winemaking techniques, Frog's Leap strives to produce wines that deeply reflect the soils and climate from which they emanate. 'Shale and Stone' on the label is reflective of the deep minerality of the vineyard's ancient fractured shale soils and the freshness of the varietal. With long sur lie aging in concrete, it is taut but generous, and full yet bright on the palate. 100% Chardonnay
Martoccia di Luca Brunelli Poggio Apricale 2021
Origin: Tuscany, Italy
Retail: $20.95 | Sale: $18.86
Martoccia di Luca Brunelli is a dedicated organic farm in practice, but not certified. Dry-farming, sustainability, and picking by hand are all simply a way of life. While all of the fruit is estate-grown, Luca’s vines themselves are non-contiguous (half belonging to the Brunello DOCG, with the other half situated in the nearby Montecucco district). Martoccia, their original farm, was 3 hectares and is located just below the ancient medieval Fortress of Montalcino. Their love for their land and respect for Montalcino traditions drive their passion for their work. At its baseline, there is the usual clay-and-fossil mixture typical of this region which is great for growing Sangiovese. “Poggio Apricale” paints an image of the hilltop where the sun bathes the fruit for maximum expression of fragrance and highest quality. Sangiovese Grosso is blended with a small amount of Merlot and Colorino for body and a more attractive coloring. All of the forward fragrant delights of Montalcino in a wine meant to be consumed without cellaring. Deep ruby red with complex layers of cherry, blueberry, black tea, and balsamic. Full-bodied, with dark fruit, structured tannins, and integrated acidity. A blend of Sangiovese, Merlot, and Colorino
Antiquum Farm Juel Pinot Noir 2022
Origin: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Retail: $59.95 | Sale: $53.96
At 800 feet above sea level, Antiquum Farm’s 14.5-acre vineyard is one of the most unique sites for the Pinot Noir variety in all of Oregon. Before the American west was thrust upward from the ocean floor, ancient lava flows poured over much of the sea bed. These decomposed lava flows are now the vineyard’s topsoil, with a sandstone mid-layer that grows in density until meeting the basalt parent material. Antiquum Farm forged a new system of wine growing called Grazing-Based Viticulture, a method in which they use the sun’s energy to capture and store atmospheric carbon. This method physically transformed the pinot noir grapes to have a pure blue tone more akin to Syrah or Nebbiolo, and thicker skins like Cabernet Sauvignon, which aid in resisting pests and mildew pressure. This pinot noir was named after the winemakers’ son, Juel, to embody the wilderness of the farm. This wine reflects his staunchly individual spirit, creativity, sensitivity, and depth. It is a blend of the six selections of Pinot Noir grown at Antiquum Farm. Bold dark and red fruit with hints of earth, spice, and tobacco. Smoothly structured with impressive depth of flavor and a long, floral finish. 100% Pinot Noir.