| Wine Spectator Ben O'Donnell Issue: December 15, 2011 Terroir Frères Brothers Thierry and Philippe Germain left Bordeaux behind to cooperate and compete in the Loire Quite a few of Thierry Germain's friends are vines. Today, he's milling around one of his top plots in Saumur-Champigny, in France's Loire Valley, checking in on some of them. It is August, and they look good, with a summer dapple on their leaves and hardy grape bunches on their branches. "Here," says Thierry, examining vines that will eventually produce La Marginale, his top Cabernet Franc cuvée, "you have life, la vie, in the vine, in the soil. For me, the vine is similar to a person. One vine is similar to me or you. I speak with different parcels," listening for what each of his 35 parcels needs to thrive. He proceeds with an example: "Here, I don't cut the apex of the plant. The apex of the vine is similar to the legs of a person, and the roots are similar to the brain." Thierry finds the leaves provide support, and the roots, personality. You might not guess it, but Thierry is from Bordeaux. His father made wine there, as did his father's father and three further forebears of the family. But he and his younger brother, Philippe, decamped, and among the windmills and steeples of the central Loire Valley, they are a world away from wine's big-top. The Germain brothers didn't leave to live out the days as sleepy wine farmers, though. At his Château de la Roulerie, Philippe is trying hard to make the best dry white wine, and Thierry, at his Domaine des Roches Neuves, the best red wine, in all of the long Loire Valley. Thierry focuses on Cabernet Franc at Roches Neuves, though he also dabbles in Chenin Blanc, these being the grapes most favored by the middle stretch of the main Loire Valley winegrowing region, which runs 240 miles from Muscadet near the Atlantic mouth of the river to Sancerre, in the heart of France. Thierry's La Marginale has twice earned 93 points from Wine Spectator and easily qualifies among the benchmarks for the varietal. The wine Philipppe is proudest of is called Les Terrasses; a dry white made from Chenin Blanc in a region where full-on dessert Chenin Blanc has long been considered the terroir's mandate, it has earned very good to outstanding scores from Wine Spectator in recent vintages. The oldest of four siblings, Thierry, 43, relocated in 1991 after a "conflict of generations" with his father, Bernard. "He is le patriarche," says Thierry, adding diplomatically, "My father has a big personality." Nevertheless, it was Bernard who set 23-year-old Thierry up at Roches Neuves, after Thierry weighed settling in Burgundy or the Rhône. "Why here? Because you have the history-the kings of France came to the Loire Valley-and the climate, which is very good. And Cabernet Franc and Chenin are two very good grapes." While Thierry pursued Cabernet Franc, Philippe, 37, hardened himself in the crucible of Bordeaux distribution, selling his family's wines all over the world as export manager. After 11 years, he sought a sabbatical and, like Thierry, found his way to the Loire. Germain père by then had his own estate in the Loire as well, Château des Fesles, in Anjou, which he had purchased in 1996. In 2001, Bernard asked Philippe to look after it. Originally, Philippe planned to stay just five years. But a picture-postcard maison overlooking the hillocky vineyards of St.-Aubin-de-Luigne seemed an ideal place to raise a family. When Bernard offered to sell the chunk of Fesles called Roulerie to Philippe in 2004, he bit. In the complex schist soils of the site, Philippe saw the potential for the spice, tang and minerality needed for a great dry Chenin. Over at Roches Neuves, Thierry has returned from an afternoon jaunt through his 54 acres of scattered holdings, and parks his Land Rover at an unprepossessing modern building. He descends into the catacumbal cellar beneath it, hewn 600 years ago from of the same tufa that enriches his vines. Today, amid the old oak casks and two brand-new 25-hl foudres (so big they had to be built on site, and in which he will ferment and age his top cuvée), Thierry is tasting the past and future of Roches Neuves. He tries his '93 La Marginale, born in the same year as his son Louis, who is upstairs working the bottling line. It is a rustic, brambly wine, but "completely different from today's," he proclaims-a wine made by his 20-something self, "a dangerous man with big extraction" who clobbered the tender Loire grape with Bordeaux methods. "I was not a winemaker," he jokes. "I was Bordelais." Nevertheless, Thierry calls claims that Cab Franc can't age nonsense; he has drunk century-old Saumurs, he says. Thierry took his vineyards biodynamic early, receiving certification in 2000. He plants trees to encourage biodiversity in his vineyards (some 100 species of flora coexist with his vines), crushes grapes by foot, withholds sulfur as much possible and dismisses enology as chemistry-set winemaking. His practices were at first wholly without champions in the area. The appellation syndicate ridiculed him, he recalls. "Thierry, a tomate belongs on your face. You are stupid." Unlike some, Thierry does not shrug off the zodiacal aura that hovers around the organic farming core of biodynamics. "In this philosophy, you have different keys to understand the position of man and vine in the cosmos," he says. At one of his properties, there are no vines, just a big pile of dirt; Thierry has been making his own compost for nine years. "It's harder to do this well than to make a great wine," he says, cupping the wet dirt and taking a long sniff. "C'est parfait. The beginning of my wine is here." Like his vineyards, Thierry's compost pile is an ecosystem unto itself. Local kids plunder it in search of worms for fishing. On a summer day in 2010, Thierry has just bottled his 2008 Marginale, which spent 18 months in big oak barrels. He tastes it. "Like the baby Jesus in silk velour!" he declares. "My dream is that when I taste my red wine, I think it's a white wine, on the fruit, on the pleasure, on the minerality." The Côte de Nuits of Burgundy inspires the sort of delicacy and purity he seeks in his own reds. Thierry has the swagger of a man who blew off conventional wisdom and turned out just fine. But though he retains the mien of a cowboy garagiste, Roches Neuves today is more the rule than the rebel. Its healthy vines zip to maturity so that he typically harvests a week to 10 days before his neighbors. The Saumur syndicate hectored him on that, so he became head of its technical commission; now he picks when he likes. In this small area, 11 producers have followed him into organic or biodynamic practices. Thierry counts eight or nine "collaborators"; he gives them vines, helps them make and sell wine, and returns the profits. "In biodynamie, the philosophy is to share," he says, and he has benefited from this as well; he is to star in a documentary on biodynamics in France, by Luc Jacquet, who directed March of the Penguins. The brothers' homes are separated by a 50-minute drive. While Thierry's enthusiasm is rangy and breathless, Philippe is meticulous, a cartographer and chronicler of his expedition in winemaking. At his 104-acre estate, he knows his vineyards nearly to the meter and his volumes to the hectoliter. From a ridge buttressing his front yard, Philippe looks down on his top parcel for dry wine, Les Terrasses, rising like a staircase up the terraces it is named for. Comprising 100 percent Chenin Blanc, Les Terrasses is aged on the lees for nine months, as many fine whites of the region are. The 6 acres of Terrasses vines yield only 750 cases annually, but its microclimate is key. "The sun exposure on the vines is south-southwest, and it's very windy. It makes a big difference," he says, raising his voice above the gusts. To Philippe's 12 o'clock is Les Aunis, a source for his top dessert Chenin, made only in the most robust vintages, at a trickle of .4 tons per acre. He's been plying red and rosé as well. Thierry, as mentor and partner, remains a presence in Philippe's vineyards. "What I learned from him is really about the relationship between plant and soil, to really look at the plant like a fruit tree," says Philippe. But for the past two vintages, Philippe has commanded the winery, and with each harvest, he becomes more confident in the fields. Striding past his rows of stainless steel tanks, Philippe points out the improvements he has made at Roulerie. "When we arrived in 2004, we had nothing at all. No tanks, nothing." With Thierry's help, he began to wean the Roulerie plots off chemicals, to harvest more selectively and nudge biodiversity. In 2008, he restored the Comte Raoul's 18th-century manor to stateliness. When Philippe was still at university studying economics, Thierry used to tease that one day his younger brother would be hawking his wines. Today, the combined Germain venture in the Loire is called Thierry Germain Selections, and the brothers hope its neatly complementing strengths will help them lead the surge in quality and recognition they foresee for the central Loire. "This is two brothers, Thierry and Philippe Germain," Philippe recites the pitch. "We create Roches Neuves in Saumur-Champigny, in the top class of red, the top Cab Franc from the Loire, and you have Roulerie that will be, or should be I hope, one of the best dry white properties from the Loire Valley. Thierry is very strong in the French market; I have a background in export. And that makes a superb combination." For media inquiries, please contact: Diana Biederman / Diana@Blackbird-PR.com (212) 796-1640 For recent wine/spirits reviews click Here For recent VOS Press Releases click Here For VOS in the Media click Here
Click below to see Victor talk about the wine biz in an interview with Fortune Magazine
Recent VOS Press Releases Back to News & Media  2010 VOS Selections Champagne & Sparkling Portfolio Announced View/Download PDF of the 2010 Champagne/Sparkling Catalog For tastings, samples and photography, please contact: Diana Biederman/Mary Ellen Whitford Diana@Blackbird-PR.com/MaryEllen@Blackbird-PR.com (212) 796.1640 Executive Biography Victor Owen Schwartz, Founder and President, VOS Selections Similar to Warren Buffet or Vogue’s Anna Wintour, VOS Selections founder and president Victor Owen Schwartz “edits” a collection of what he believes to be the world’s superlative wines, spirits and sakes from often undiscovered producers. Unlike volume driven importers that choose product offerings based on critics’ scores, VOS Selections is a portfolio driven business. Victor’s philosophy emphasizes procuring the wines based upon taste, authenticity, and before they are scored. “The true measure of a great wine, whether it’s $10 or $100, is how it complements the food on the table,” notes Victor. “Victor is a visionary purveyor of great tastes—a pioneer importer with a polymath palate who, for the better part of two decades, has maintained a purist’s dedication to wines that are deliciously different and differently delicious. The magic of his selections is that they tend to open both the mind and mouth to flavors, textures and sensations rarely found in the quotidian world of grapes and gulps.” Joshua A. Wesson, Senior Director of Wine, Beer, and Spirits at The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company; Founder, Best Cellars Like a master sommelier’s expertise in pairing dishes to wines, for Victor food and wine go hand in hand: dinners prepared at home for friends and family present myriad opportunities for tasting a variety of wines with different foods, flavors and courses – even from different glassware, enhancing everyone’s enjoyment. His culinary talents complement his spot-on palate for creating enticing flavorful combinations. Victor’s path to success and the creation of VOS Selections was paved in travel, a dare-to-dream philosophy, and quite a bit of fun. In 1986, he left the San Francisco banking industry to work on a wine catalogue project in Napa, when the California wine industry was in its infancy. He left San Francisco for New York City, securing a position as Life Café’s manager, while supplementing his income at Park Avenue Liquors. A subsequent move to the East Village combined with a new part-time position at Astor Wines exposed Victor to how wine is best a partner with food. Staffers would participate in tastings, and Victor’s confidence in his palate emerged: the team usually agreed on what was delicious, and this consensus inspired Victor to revel in the world of wines. He sent a letter to Steven Spurrier, who invited him to Paris with the promise of a job at his renowned wine shop-cum-bookstore Les Caves de la Madeleine. Victor’s goal was to immerse himself in French food, culture, and language; he subletted his rent-stabilized apartment for six months to a sound engineer for The Cars, funding his adventure. Upon his arrival, M. Spurrier told Victor that to really immerse himself in everything French, living in Paris was only a partial contributory experience, encouraging him to visit the actual vineyards. Victor drove to the Rhône region, knocking on doors of wineries, and was warmly welcomed by the proprietors who generously gave of their time and experience, letting him wander and explore the vineyards with the farmers. Victor’s return to New York City was heralded when several of the wines (graciously provided by his hosts) entered in a tasting won glowing reviews from attending press. Winning was the impetus for raising $35,000 to purchase his first container of French wines for distribution, launching his calling as the New York region’s most selective importer and distributor. Like the wines he distributes, VOS Selections has grown organically, now with 16 employees, 500 portfolio selections created by over 220 winemakers of nearly 100 varietals in 17 countries: while his reputation was built on the best from traditional old world wine regions, VOS Selections features wines from far-flung locales like Uruguay and Morocco. Notably, Victor was the first American fine wine importer of Hungary’s Tokaji wines and Japanese sakes. Victor is a graduate of Cornell University. He and his wife Cushla, an artist, their daughters Chloë and Tallulah, reside on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Blackbird Public Relations press contacts: Diana Biederman/Mary Ellen Whitford Diana@Blackbird-PR.com/MaryEllen@Blackbird-PR.com (212) 796.1640 Company Profile Founded by Victor Owen Schwartz in 1988, VOS Selections is a New York City-based importer and distributor of high-quality hand-crafted wines, best-in-show spirits and superb sakes. Small is beautiful: VOS takes pride in discovering singular products in today's mass-produced world. “What is unique about VOS is Victor Schwartz, himself, passionate about wine and excited to find new and small producers from obscure, out of the way places. He enjoys the exotic, and hires his staff with similar interests.” Roger Dagorn, Master Sommelier For over 22 years, New York and New Jersey’s hottest restaurants and leading wine shops continually rely on VOS Selections to provide artisanal wines that make their cellars the best-stocked in the world. The VOS staff’s expertise is often called in to customize wine and beverage merchandising programs for each restaurant and retailer. Its comprehensive global portfolio of approximately 500 wines from 220 artisanal winemakers in 70 regions across 17 countries includes celebrated estate-bottled wines from familiar regions like the Rhône Valley, as well as cutting-edge wines from unexpected appellations, including Cabardes and the Jura. While the company’s reputation was built on the best offerings from traditional old world wine regions, VOS Selections now features wines from far-flung locales like Uruguay and Morocco. The VOS team’s first-hand knowledge of fine winemaking starts with regular visits to the vineyards where grapes are grown and harvested. From the inaugural collection onward, Victor has supported superior, healthy vineyard practices: the better ecological health of the vineyards, the better the wine. Similar to farming philosophies advocated by Dan Barber, Alice Waters, and Eric Schlosser in Food Inc., the winegrowers VOS represents approach the challenge of maintaining their vineyards with the goal of obtaining the best grapes possible utilizing the methods of sustainable, organic or biodynamic agriculture. The result: intensely ripe, flavorful fruit. The company’s sixteen employees and dynamic structure are integral to its success. Ongoing customer loyalty and trust is a testament to VOS Selections’ long-standing reputation for high quality products and dedicated service. The company is located at 555 Eighth Avenue, suite 1209, New York, NY 10018; (212) 967-6948. Blackbird Public Relations press contacts: Diana Biederman/Mary Ellen Whitford Diana@Blackbird-PR.com/MaryEllen@Blackbird-PR.com (212) 796.1640 New Kids on the Block: Legends Maintaining Relevance VOS Selections Expands Portfolio with New Wines from Vintage Vintners New York City (April 7, 2010) – Similar to Warren Buffet or Vogue’s Anna Wintour, VOS Selections Founder and President Victor Owen Schwartz “edits” a collection of what he believes to be the world’s superlative wines from small “trade secret” producers. This month, he’s augmented VOS’s best-in-show California portfolio with new offerings from the state’s premiere winemakers including Gary Farrell/Alysian; Delia Viader; Heidi Barrett/La Sirena; and John Sweazey/Anaba. “Though the labels may be new to VOS, each is consistent with the artistry, vision, and dedication to natural viticulture practices that we prize, and that our clientele expects,” says Victor. Significant changes in distribution channels affecting several upper echelon small wineries created a serendipitous opportunity for Victor to bring modern offerings from the wine world’s legendary pros. The “new kids” complement VOS Selections’ celebrated California collection: Cafaro; Cambiata; Fritz; Lillian; Poppy; Sine Qua Non; Topanga; Van Ruiten Family Winery; Vino Noceto; and Woodenhead Vintners. VOS Selections new additions:  Alysian Wines has an annual production of 3500 cases. "Just right," says Gary Farrell, who since 1978 has grown his reputation as one of the nation’s most esteemed winemakers with small lots of vineyard-designated Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the Russian River. Early stints at Rochioli and Davis Bynum inspired the creation of his own label, which he sold in 2004 with hopes of “returning to his roots” as a producer of tiny lots from the region’s finest vineyards. His inaugural releases from the highly touted 2007 vintage feature vineyard designates from Rochioli, Allen, and Floodgate.
 Varietal pioneer Delia Viader released the first vintage of her proprietary blend (a significant percentage of Cabernet Franc with Cabernet Sauvignon as its base) in 1989. Her mélange was considered a daring diversion from other Napa Cabernet-based wines, and it became Viader’s signature. Over the years, the winery added "V," a reserve Bordeaux-style wine combining Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon; and DARE which features three distinct wines: 100% Cabernet Franc, 100% Tempranillo, and 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, all incorporating fruit from selected vineyards, both on and off the estate.
 X marks the spot! If there is such a thing as Napa Valley royalty, it’s Heidi Barrett. Married to long-time Chateau Montelena winemaker Bo Barrett, Heidi enjoys legendary status in her own right with her label La Sirena, which focuses on small production Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and a dry white Muscat Canelli. The inaugural release of the winery’s newest offering is the playful Pirate’s TresuRed (2007) a Cabernet-based “brew” of 7 different varieties echoing the "treasure of the seven seas" thus affirming Heidi’s skills as a world-class winemaker with a sense of fun. Its innovative packaging resembles rum bottles; the label is an “olde” map of Napa Valley.
 Anaba is a new project based in Carneros, and the brain child of proprietor John Sweazey who produces small lots of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Rhone blends from estate vineyards and from other select sites in Sonoma. His “lieutenant” Jennifer Marion, director of winemaking and vineyard management, guides each wine from bud-break to bottle. The wines of Anaba display the ripeness and generosity of the Sonoma appellation, possessing a level of finesse enviable in such a new project.
Founded by Victor Owen Schwartz in 1988, VOS Selections is a New York City-based importer and distributor of high-quality hand-crafted wines, best-in-show spirits and superb sakes.Small is beautiful: VOS takes pride in discovering singular products in today's mass-produced world. For Victor Schwartz interviews, tastings, samples and photography, please contact: Diana Biederman/Mary Ellen Whitford Diana@Blackbird-PR.com/MaryEllen@Blackbird-PR.com (212) 796.1640 Recent Reviews Back to News & Media Stay Up to date on Press Reviews by following us on Twitter at: twitter.com/VOS_SELECTIONS Wine Spirits Neudorf Vineyards “Neudorf is undoubtedly one of the top wineries in New Zealand” -Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate New Producer In The VOS Portfolio! 2006 Chardonnay Nelson ROBERT PARKER 90 Points, "The 2006 Chardonnay exhibits a complex, slightly honeyed, orange-zest infused nose whilst the palate has a crisp, slightly spicy finish and moderate length." 2007 Chardonnay Moutere ROBERT PARKER 92 Points, "The 2007 Moutere Chardonnay has a very refined bouquet with notes of dried pineapple, dried mango and apricot, all with great precision. The palate has a creamy entry but the oak is well judged with good acidity. Touches of butterscotch inflecting the minerally finish. Superb length – this is a classy number." DECANTER 92 Points, “Intense, complex and totally seductive Chardonnay with a creamy texture and flavours that include hazelnut, brioche, grapefruit, mineral and very classy oak.” 2007 Pinot Noir Tom's Block ROBERT PARKER 91 Points, The 2007 Tom’s Block Pinot Noir has an austere reserved nose that needs time to open up – but it is worth the wait as it unfurls with cranberry, raspberry leaf and redcurrant aromas with a slight stalky edge in the background. The palate is medium-bodied, fine tannins, cranberry and dark plum, nice definition and balance towards the finish that has great length. Excellent." BOB CAMPBELL Master of Wine 93 Points, "elegant, supple wine with surprising power as evidenced by its impressively lingering finish and teasing complexity. Plum, cherry, floral and wild herb flavours plus a suggestion of attractive spicy oak. Dangerously drinkable.” Cambiata Tannat Monterey 2006 WINE ENTHUSIAST 90+ Points Ca ' Rugate New Producer In The VOS Portfolio! DECANTER "Best Soave Producer" Soave Monte Fiorentine 2008 The 2008 was just awarded Tre Bicchieri by the Gambero Rosso!! That makes FIVE vintages in a row! Onabay Vineyards Feature Article by Howard Goldberg NEW YORK TIMES "...wines are serious and promising, especially the 2007s" Click Here To Read The Article Blanc de Blancs 2006 NEW YORK TIMES “Onabay’s appley 2006 Blanc de Blancs brut is likely to appeal to fans of austere, chardonnay-based sparkling wine.” Great Blue Heron 2007 (Cab Franc--Merlot blend) NEW YORK TIMES “The vivacious 2007 Great Blue Heron is juicy and full-bodied, and displays cassis and black licorice flavors.” Amador Foothill Winery 2008 Rosato of Sangiovese MIKE DUNNE Wine Pick of The Week. 9-2-09 “... it has all the festive color, beckoning smell and spunky fruit flavor you'd want for this Labor Day weekend's toast to the dwindling days of summer.” Click Here To Read The Article Vina 1924 de Angeles 2007 Malbec ROBERT PARKER 90 Points, “Opaque purple colored, it offers up an expressive nose of smoke, spice box, and black cherry. Full-bodied, dense, ripe, and sweetly-fruited, this well-balanced, lengthy Malbec offers super value for a wine with such an aromatic/flavor profile.” 2007 Gran Malbec ROBERT PARKER 92 Points, “The 2007 Gran Malbec de Angeles Single Vineyard was aged in new French oak for 14 months. The fruit was sourced from a single 37-acre parcel of 85-year-old Malbec vines in Vistalba. Dense purple in color, the nose delivers an alluring perfume of pain grille, incense, pencil lead, black cherry, and plum. Opulent on the palate, this full-bodied wine has layers of succulent black fruit, plenty of spice, excellent concentration, and a lengthy, fruit-filled finish. Although it can be enjoyed now, several years of additional cellaring will be rewarded." Semeli Mountain Sun White 2008 FOOD & WINE “Best New Greek White Wines...elegant floral and spice notes…lemon blossoms, rose petals” Tselepos Mantinia Moschofilero 2008 NEW YORK TIMES #1 ranked Greek White Wine; Mantinia, the finest region for Moschofilero, represents only 5% of total Greek production of this variety Click Here To Read The Article Rainer Wess “Rainer Wess continues to demonstrate impressive progress and consistency.” Parker Wine Spectator Austria Tasting Report on the 2007 vintage: “a who’s who of Austria’s best includes…Rainer Wess.” Riesling Wachauer 2008 WINE SPECTATOR 90 points "A powerful white, delivering concentrated mineral and smoke flavors, with pear and apple tart as well. Apricot notes come in on the long, vibrant finish" Riesling Terrassen 2007 WINE SPECTATOR 92 points: “If you are looking for a good introduction to the Wachau’s whites without emptying your wallet, try those that carry the terrassen designation. This signifies wines blended from multiple vineyard sources. One release with an impressive quality-to-price ratio is the rich, smoky…Wess Terrassen…showing baked peach, apricot and vanilla flavors.” ROBERT PARKER 89 pOINTS: “Given the high quality of his basic bottling, Wess’s 2007 Riesling Terrassen had a hard act to follow, but it incorporates fruit from Lobenberg and Hollerin to good effect. Peach, lemon and almond on the nose also inform a nutty, subtly oily palate whose richness and extract make for an impression of slight sweetness. This sleek, refined Riesling finishes long on refreshment and with more than enough nuance to keep it fascinating for several years.” Grüner Veltliner 07 Terrassen ROBERT PARKER 88 Points: “features green bean, snap peas, and peaches. With a full, glossy-textured palate, underlain by notes of coffee and nut oils, it finishes with impressive length, rich fruit, and attractive piquancy.” Grüner Veltliner 07 Loibenberg ROBERT PARKER 89 Points: “ smells alluringly and site-typically of white peach, white pepper, snap pea, and iris. Silken in texture and with admirable richness, this refined Veltliner finishes with piquant, bitter, sizzling accents of toasted nuts, peach kernel and white pepper.” Jean Chauvenet Nuits-St-Georges 2006 – Bousselots 1er Cru WINE SPECTATOR 92 POINTS: “concentrated, this assertive red has a core of raspberry, cherry, iron and earth flavors. Vibrant acidity and stiff tannins shore it up.” Nuits-St-Georges 2006 – Vaucrains 1er Cru WINE SPECTATOR 91 POINTS: “Well-muscled & compact, this displays a core of concentrated blackberry and black cherry notes, accented by earth and mineral.” Dupont-Tisserandot Gevrey-Chambertin 2007 WINE SPECTATOR 90 Points: “Brilliant flavors of violet, cassis, raspberry and blackberry mark this rich yet firmly structured red…minerally finish. Nice length.” Gevrey-Chambertin 2006, Les Cazetiers 1er Cru WINE SPECTATOR 90 Points: “Rich plum and blackberry flavors are tinged with smoke and minerals…fresh and vibrant with power and length.” Gevrey-Chambertin 2006, Lavaux St-Jacques 1er Cru WINE SPECTATOR 91 Points: “There’s an added dimension to the cherry, berry and spice flavors…silky and deep, with everything in the right place.” Mazis-Chambertin 2006, Grand Cru WINE SPECTATOR 94 Points: “A fleshy style. Rich and concentrated with black cherry…and earthy flavors…a long smoky finish.” Charmes-Chambertin 2006, Grand Cru WINE SPECTATOR 91 Points: “Rich and fleshy…charming side of Gevrey, but with fine-grained tannins.” Picardy Pinot Noir Pemberton 2005 STEVEN TANZER 91 Points: “Vivid red. Suave, intensely perfumed bouquet of raspberry, cherry-vanilla, flowers and smoky minerals. Fresh, juicy and pure, offering seductive red berry flavors, fine-grained tannins and very good lift. An elegant style of pinot with impressive lingering sweetness.” Chardonnay Pemberton 2006 STEVEN TANZER 91 Points: “Fresh pear and peach aromas. Seductive and delicious.” Domaine Paul Autard Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2007 ROBERT PARKER 90—93 Points: “This gorgeous portfolio…includes a classically-styled traditional cuvee… beautiful, sweet black raspberry and kirsch fruit, tremendous opulence… Layered, sumptuous, and long in the mouth with excellent purity and freshness.” WINE SPECTATOR 93 Points Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Cote Ronde 2007 ROBERT PARKER 92—94 Points: “The 2007s are brilliant.” WINE SPECTATOR 95 Points: Highly Recommended "A stunner, combining the rich currant, fig and boysenberry fruit of the vintage with the region's characteristic charred applewood, graphite, aged tobacco and black tea notes. The long, invigorating finish is supported by riveting acidity and well-embedded grip. When power and finesse work together, it's a beautiful thing. Drink now through 2025. 400 cases imported." –JM Adega Algueira Ribeira Sacra 2005 ROBERT PARKER 90 Points: “Pinot Noir-like aromatics with plenty of spicy red fruits and a touch of oak. This leads to an elegant wine with incipient complexity, a silky texture, sweet red berry flavors, and good length.” 100% Mencia; 11 months in barrel. NEW YORK TIMES "Polished, substantial reds." Click Here To Read The Article Pinuaga Nature 2008 ROBERT PARKER 90 Pts: “The 2008 Nature is 100% Tempranillo fermented with native yeasts and aged for 3-4 months in 300-liter French and American oak. Dark ruby in color with an attractive nose of cedar, tobacco, incense, spice box, and black cherry, on the palate it is medium- to full-bodied with layered fruit, light tannin, good balance, and moderate length. It could well evolve for 1-2 years but can be approached now and over the next 8 years.” Tempranillo Vino de la Tierra de Castilla 2005 ROBERT PARKER 90 Pts: “The 2005 Tempranillo Reserve Selection was aged for 14 months in 45% new French and American 300-liter barrels. Inky purple, it delivers an expressive perfume of toasty oak, mineral, pencil lead, and blackberry” El Porvenir de Los Andes Laborum Torrontes 2010 ROBERT PARKER 92 Points (Highest Scoring White Wine) “a brilliant example of how good this varietal can be.” STEPHEN TANZER 90 Points " Very pale yellow. Subtly complex aromas of lime, dusty herbs and ginger. Supple, concentrated and serious, with a tactile quality and good lift to the lime zest and floral flavors. Finishes dusty and long, with lingering floral perfume. A lovely example of torrontes, from a vineyard planted at an altitude of 1,750 meters." Amauta 2005 (Red) ROBERT PARKER 90 Points: “...composed of 60% Malbec, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Syrah aged in French and American oak. Purple-colored, it delivers an attractive bouquet of cedar, spice box, black cherry, and blackberry. This medium to full-bodied wine makes a firm entry onto the palate, revealing ripe, spicy black fruit flavors, light tannin, and a sense of elegance. It has enough stuffing to evolve for several years and should drink well through 2020.” Villa di Corlo Lambrusco Grasparossa Corleto WINE SPECTATOR “The Corleto bottling delivers lambrusco with a depth and scale that few other lambruscos offer. Dense, deeply colored and rich, it's also dry and capable of taking on the spiciest salami, a flank steak or a rich dish with a cream sauce. That's an impressive achievement for what is usually dismissed as a fizzy red wine.” -Matt Kramer- Glory Days Chardonnay Lodi 2007 WINE SPECTATOR BEST BUY, 88 Points: “Pineapple & white nut aromas..supple, soft entry..dry-yet-fruity medium body with round honeyed apple & spice notes.” Pago de los Capellanes TOP 100 WINES OF 2006 & 2007, WINE SPECTATOR Ribera del Duero Crianza 2005 ROBERT PARKER 91 Points: “...dense & structured, the wine has layers of spicy black fruit & enough structure to evolve for 2-3 years. Long & pure in the finish.” Ribera Del Duero El Nogal 2004 ROBERT PARKER 94 Points: “...a single vineyard bottling made from 100% Tempranillo aged for 22 months in French oak. Inky purple, it offers a brooding, promising perfume of wood smoke, toast, violets, plum, and blackberry jam…sweet fruit, superb integration of oak, tannin, and acidity, layers of flavor, and despite its opulence, manages to be elegant at the same time..” Ribera Del Duero El Picon 2003 WINE SPECTATOR 94 Points: “Dense & rich...voluptuous...great depth & purity of flavor.” Dibon Cava Blanc BON APPETIT "A true bargain, with subtly sweet apricot flavors balanced by tart grapefruit." Click Here To Read The Article SLATE.COM "Brimming with grapefruit and almond notes…worth seeking out..while also dry..a more obvious crowd-pleaser." Click Here To Read The Article Cava Rose FOOD AND WINE "So delicious, I love this wine. You can start with this wine and drink it all the way through the meal.” Lettie Teague Click Here To Read The Article Domaine Berthet-Bondet Chateau - Chalon 2000 GOURMET "Chateau Chalon remains at the top....one of the five greatest white wines of the world" Click Here To Read The Article LA REVUE DU VIN DE FRANCE Five Stars "...we adore this cuvée...One of the world’s greatest and rarest white wines" Roger Pouillon Fleur de Mareuil Premier Cru NV Champagne JANCIS ROBINSON 18.5/20 pts (Top Score) "Really rather opulent nose that explodes with fruit and exotic flowers. Very broad and winning. Great balance. Why can’t more champagne provide this sort of intellectual and sensory pleasure? So beautifully balanced! This would make a great partner for some pretty serious fish dish." If you are a Jancis Robinson subscriber, Click Here To Read The Article WINE SPECTATOR 94 Points "Gorgeous. Complex and classy. Long, nutty aftertaste.” Jean-Paul Picard Sancerre Blanc 2008 NEW YORK TIMES The 2007 was a TOP WINE, Three Stars, New York Times Sancerre Tasting Report. The 2008 has greater depth & aromatic intensity than the 2007 Click Here To Read The Article Deobriga Rioja 2004 ROBERT PARKER 90 pts: “…composed of 80% Tempranillo and 20% Graciano aged for 8 months in French and American oak…offers up aromas of cedar, lots of spice, red currant, and blackberry. Supple-textured, ripe, and balanced, this medium-bodied wine has ample sweet red and black fruit and a pure finish.” Quinta de Couselo 2007 Albarino Turonia Rias Baixas STEVEN TANZER 90 Points. "Light yellow-gold. Dusty, mineral-driven lemon and lime aromas are complicated by jasmine and green cardamom. Firm and sharply focused, displaying energetic lemongrass and candied lime flavors and a bitter quinine quality. Gains flesh with air and finishes with very good lift and cut. Offers very good clarity and punch.” Gilles Morat 2007 Pouilly Fuisse Belemnites WINE SPECTATOR “The best wines of the Macon include the…Domaine Chataigneraie-Laborier Pouilly Fuisse Belemnites” 42 year old vines" FOOD & WINES Listed as one of the "Best wines of the Year" Jean-Maurice Raffault 2008 Chinon Rosé NEW YORK TIMES June 9th Top Ten In Panel Tasting “Tangy aromas and flavors or earth, herbs and almonds.” Click Here To Read The Article 2006 Chinon Clos des Capucins WINE SPECTATOR TOP WINES: Loire Valley Tasting Report 92 Points: “Since the wine’s debut in the 2001 vintage, it has steadily become one of the appellation’s top bottlings. Really packed…nearly lush raspberry ganache and blackberry fruit flavors laid over bittersweet cocoa…olive & spice…long fine-grained finish lets the minerality shine.” Domaine du Tremblay 2008 Quincy Médaille d’Or (Gold medal) at the Paris Concours General Agricole Chateau Haut Rian 2008 Bordeaux Blanc WINE SPECTATOR “If there’s a better dry white wine for the (little) money, I haven’t tasted it. I’ve tasted a good many dry whites at twice this price that aren’t even half as good. This wine could easily become your house white - it’s that good." - Matt Kramer Domaine de l’Estel 2008 Vin Du Pays du Gard Rose 1.5L (Our New Great Bag In The Box!) GOURMET MAGAZINE EIGHT GREAT ROSÉ WINES 3 of the 8 are VOS Selections! Click Here To Read The Article Kir Yianni 2008 Amyndeon Akakies (Greece's finest!) GOURMET MAGAZINE EIGHT GREAT ROSÉ WINES 3 of the 8 are VOS Selections! Click Here To Read The Article Chateau de Roquefort 2008 Cote du Provence Rose Corail JANCIS ROBINSON 17.5 out of 20, the top scoring wine in this tasting of Provencal Roses: "Chateau de Roquefort, Corail de Roquefort Rosé 2008 Côtes de Provence 17.5 Drink 2009-2010 35% Grenache Noir, 25% Syrah, 25% Cinsault, 5% Carignan, 5% Clairette, 5% Rolle. Vines are 20 to 40 years old at 380 m altitude, in west-north-west facing vineyards on stoney-clay and chalk soils - a beautiful amphitheatre just behind the hill from Bandol and Cassi | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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