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| VIN, VINO, WINE TASTING BAR SCHEDULE |
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SEPTEMBER 2010 |
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| DIDIER DAGUENEAU – POUILLY-FUMÉ |
WEDNESDAY 9/1 |
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The World’s Greatest Sauvignon Blancs |
| We started selling Didier Dagueneau’s wines when he was coming of age as a winemaker in the early 1990s, and have featured every vintage since. Dagueneau’s pristine, intense, multi-faceted wines soar to heights no other Sauvignon Blancs can reach. Here are three spellbinding 2007s, along with an older Silex and a ten-year-old version of his iconic Asteroide. |
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| 1. |
2007 Blanc Fumé de Pouilly (Dagueneau) |
$75.00/btl |
$11.00/taste |
| 2. |
2007 Sancerre “Le Mont Damné” (Dagueneau) |
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n.a. |
$17.50/taste |
| 3. |
2007 Blanc Fumé de Pouilly “Silex” (Dagueneau) |
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$125.00/btl |
$17.50/taste |
| 4. |
2005 Blanc Fumé de Pouilly “Silex” (Dagueneau) |
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n.a. |
$17.50/taste |
| 5. |
2000 Blanc Fumé de Pouilly “Asteroide” (Dagueneau) |
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n.a. |
$24.00/1 oz |
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Short Series (1-3) $42.00 |
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Full Series (1-5) $79.00 |
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| DOMAINE PEGAU – CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE |
THURSDAY 9/2 |
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Seven Vintages of Cuvée Reservée |
| We latched onto Pegau’s distinctively old-fashioned Cuvée Reservée Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the mid-1990s. There is never much to be had, but we scratch for every case we can get. Here are seven vintages, including the just arrived 2007, along with one of their exceedingly rare Cuvée Laurence bottlings. |
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| 1. |
2007 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “Reservée” (Pegau) |
$105.00/btl |
$14.75/taste |
| 2. |
2006 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “Reservée” (Pegau) |
$85.00/btl |
$12.00/taste |
| 3. |
2005 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “Reservée” (Pegau) |
$110.00/btl |
$15.50/taste |
| 4. |
2004 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “Reservée” (Pegau) |
$98.00/btl |
$14.00/taste |
| 5. |
2001 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “Reservée” (Pegau) |
n.a. |
$14.00/taste |
| 6. |
2000 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “Reservée” (Pegau) |
$98.00/btl |
$14.00/taste |
| 7. |
1998 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “Reservée” (Pegau) |
n.a. |
$21.00/taste |
| 8. |
2004 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “Laurence” (Pegau) |
$275.00/btl |
$35.00/taste |
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Short Series (1-4) $51.00 |
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Full Series (1-8) $127.00 |
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| LA SPINETTA – PIEMONTE/TOSCANA |
FRIDAY 9/3 |
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Superstar Sangiovese and Nebbiolo |
| I remember being presented with La Spinetta’s first vintage of Barbera d’Asti. It must have been the late 1980s or early 1990s. It was alright, but had a horrible brown paper label, and we didn’t buy it. We did buy it the next year, when both the wine and packaging were better, and most every vintage since. Now it’s a staple here. By the mid-1990s Giorgio Rivetti and his family were serious players in Barbaresco, with the Barolo and Tuscan properties being added in the 2000s. Now they are recognized as one of the greatest red wine producers in Italy. |
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| 1. |
2004 Toscana Sangiovese “Sassontino” (La Spinetta) |
$50.00/btl |
$7.50/taste |
| 2. |
2004 Toscana Sangiovese “Sezzana” (La Spinetta) |
$50.00/btl |
$7.50/taste |
| 3. |
2001 Barbaresco “Gallina” (La Spinetta) |
$120.00/btl |
$16.50/taste |
| 4. |
2003 Barbaresco “Gallina” (La Spinetta) |
$120.00/btl |
$16.50/taste |
| 5. |
2003 Barbaresco “Valeirano” (La Spinetta) |
$120.00/btl |
$16.50/taste |
| 6. |
2001 Barolo “Campe” (La Spinetta) |
$125.00/btl |
$17.00/taste |
| 7. |
2001 Barbaresco Riserva “Gallina” (La Spinetta) |
$375.00/magnum |
$25.50/taste |
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Short Series (1-4) $43.00 |
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Full Series (1-7) $97.00 |
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| ROBERT CHEVILLON – NUITS-SAINT-GEORGES |
SATURDAY 9/4 |
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Six Vintages of Les Vaucrains |
| We had Robert Chevillon’s Nuits-Saint-Georges for sale when we first opened, vintage 1983. We have sold 25 consecutive vintages. Why not? Chevillon has been the most consistently excellent producer in our Red Burgundy collection, excelling in great years and excelling in difficult years. Here are six vintages of his “Les Vaucrains”. |
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| 1. |
2007 Nuits-Saint-Georges “Les Vaucrains” (Chevillon) |
$105.00/btl |
$15.00/taste |
| 2. |
2006 Nuits-Saint-Georges “Les Vaucrains” (Chevillon) |
$110.00/btl |
$15.50/taste |
| 3. |
2005 Nuits-Saint-Georges “Les Vaucrains” (Chevillon) |
n.a. |
$17.50/taste |
| 4. |
2004 Nuits-Saint-Georges “Les Vaucrains” (Chevillon) |
$99.00/btl |
$14.50/taste |
| 5. |
2003 Nuits-Saint-Georges “Les Vaucrains” (Chevillon) |
$110.00/btl |
$15.50/taste |
| 6. |
2002 Nuits-Saint-Georges “Les Vaucrains” (Chevillon) |
n.a. |
$17.50/taste |
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Short Series (1-4) $56.00 |
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Full Series (1-6) $86.00 |
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| VINCENT DAUVISSAT - CHABLIS |
TUESDAY 9/7 |
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Premier Crus and Grand Crus |
| One of the coolest aspects in the evolution of VVW was the immediate, passionate, and enduring love affair of our clientele with Chablis. It’s uncanny. It has allowed us to be a major player, to become the largest retailer of high-quality Chablis in California. No other shop acquires and sells as much Dauvissat, Fèvre, and Raveneau as we do. Of these big three, Dauvissat is the most scarce. |
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| 1. |
2008 Chablis “Vaillons” (Dauvissat) |
$65.00/btl |
$9.50/taste |
| 2. |
2008 Chablis “La Forest” (Dauvissat) |
$78.00/btl |
$11.50/taste |
| 3. |
2002 Chablis “La Forest” (Dauvissat) |
n.a. |
$11.50/taste |
| 4. |
2007 Chablis “Les Clos” (Dauvissat) |
n.a. |
$15.50/taste |
| 5. |
2005 Chablis “Les Preuses” (Dauvissat) |
$110.00/btl |
$15.50/taste |
| 6. |
2005 Chablis “Les Clos” (Dauvissat) |
$110.00/btl |
$15.50/taste |
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Short Series (1-3) $29.00 |
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Full Series (1-6) $69.00 |
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| DOMAINE DE MONTILLE - VOLNAY |
WEDNESDAY 9/8 |
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Eight Vintages of Pommard “Rugiens” |
| We started selling de Montille wines in earnest with the 1989 vintage, a superb year for the domain. Maybe some of you old-timers still have some. Back then Hubert de Montille was at the helm, and the domain, though renowned, was tiny, with holdings in Volnay and Pommard only. Now, nineteen vintages later, son Etienne runs a significantly expanded domain, featuring a galaxy of coveted Premier Crus and Grand Crus the likes of Puligny-Montrachet “Cailleret”, Corton-Charlemagne, Vosne-Romanée “Malconsorts”, and Clos Vougeot. But you can still make the case that de Montille’s flagship wine is their Pommard “Rugiens”. |
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| 1. |
2007 Pommard “Les Rugiens” (de Montille) |
$125.00/btl |
$16.50/taste |
| 2. |
2006 Pommard “Les Rugiens” (de Montille) |
$125.00/btl |
$16.50/taste |
| 3. |
2005 Pommard “Les Rugiens” (de Montille) |
n.a. |
$17.50/taste |
| 4. |
2004 Pommard “Les Rugiens” (de Montille) |
$110.00/btl |
$14.50/taste |
| 5. |
2003 Pommard “Les Rugiens” (de Montille) |
n.a. |
$16.50/taste |
| 6. |
2002 Pommard “Les Rugiens” (de Montille) |
n.a. |
$16.50/taste |
| 7. |
2001 Pommard “Les Rugiens” (de Montille) |
n.a. |
$14.50/taste |
| 8. |
1995 Pommard “Les Rugiens” (de Montille) |
n.a. |
$17.50/taste |
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Short Series (1-4) $59.00 |
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Full Series (1-8) $117.00 |
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| DÖNNHOFF - NAHE |
THURSDAY 9/9 |
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“The Greatest Rieslings on Earth” |
| Our relationship with Dönnhoff started recently, with the 2005 vintage. We had tried to sell German Rieslings in the 1980s, and again in the 1990s, neither time reaching critical mass, each time abandoning the category with our tail between our legs. We tried again starting with the 2005s, and this time it worked. Dönnhoff is a key reason why, every year since our bestselling German producer, a clear sign of our clientele’s exceptional taste. Importer Terry Theise says, “In this humble taster’s opinion, these are the greatest Rieslings on earth.” Our affinity was locked in in the summer of 2008, when Helmut and his wife hosted a tasting in our upstairs room. It proved to be our most memorable tasting event of the year, leaving those of us in attendance in love with both the Dönnhoffs and their wines. Here are five ephemeral Spätleses, one Auslese, and one Eiswein. |
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| 1. |
2006 Riesling Spätlese “Norheimer Kirschheck” (Dönnhoff) |
$55.00/btl |
$8.25/taste |
| 2. |
2006 Riesling Spätlese “Schlossböckelheimer Felsenberg” (Dönnhoff) |
$60.00/btl |
$9.00/taste |
| 3. |
2008 Riesling Spätlese “Schlossböckelheimer Kupfergrube” (Dönnhoff) |
$68.00/btl |
$10.25/taste |
| 4. |
2007 Riesling Spätlese “Schlossböckelheimer Felsenturmchen” (Dönnhoff) |
$72.00/btl |
$10.75/taste |
| 5. |
2008 Riesling Spätlese “Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle” (Dönnhoff) |
$78.00/btl |
$11.75/taste |
| 6. |
2006 Riesling Auslese “Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle” (Dönnhoff) |
$75.00/375ml |
$21.00/taste |
| 7. |
2007 Riesling Eiswein “Oberhäuser Brücke” (Dönnhoff) |
$325.00/375ml |
$35.00/1oz |
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Short Series (1-4) $34.00 |
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Full Series (1-7) $95.00 |
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| MOCCAGATTA - BARBARESCO |
FRIDAY 9/10 |
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Five vintages of Bric Balin, and Two of Cole |
| Moccagatta’s winery sits on a hilltop just south of the village of Barbaresco. Their Bric Balin vineyard covers the steep hillsides directly below. Over the years it has become our favorite Barbaresco. Not because it’s the most powerful and showy. But because it is so elegant and intricate, so feminine and composed, the epitome of what Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, and nowhere else, can be. Here are five vintages, along with two of the more muscular Cole. The sensational 2007s are new arrivals. |
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| 1. |
2007 Barbaresco “Bric Balin” (Moccagatta) |
$70.00/btl |
$10.50/taste |
| 2. |
2007 Barbaresco “Cole” (Moccagatta) |
$88.00/btl |
$13.25/taste |
| 3. |
2004 Barbaresco “Bric Balin” (Moccagatta) |
$70.00/btl |
$10.50/taste |
| 4. |
2004 Barbaresco “Cole” (Moccagatta) |
n.a. |
$13.25/taste |
| 5. |
2001 Barbaresco “Bric Balin” (Moccagatta) |
$75.00/btl |
$11.25/taste |
| 6. |
2000 Barbaresco “Bric Balin” (Moccagatta) |
$145.00/magnum |
$11.00/taste |
| 7. |
1999 Barbaresco “Bric Balin” (Moccagatta) |
$85.00/btl |
$12.75/taste |
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Short Series (1-4) $43.00 |
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Full Series (1-7) $74.00 |
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| AUGUSTE CLAPE - CORNAS |
SATURDAY 9/11 |
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Eight Vintages of Cornas |
| Auguste Clape, the dean of all Cornas producers, is a domaine we’ve proudly represented since the year we opened, every vintage, courtesy of importer Kermit Lynch. These are classic Northern Rhône Syrahs, grown on precipitously steep hillsides, formidable in their youth, ageing long and gracefully. |
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| 1. |
2007 Cornas (Clape) |
$98.00/btl |
$13.75/taste |
| 2. |
2006 Cornas (Clape) |
$90.00/btl |
$12.50/taste |
| 3. |
2005 Cornas (Clape) |
$95.00/btl |
$13.25/taste |
| 4. |
2004 Cornas (Clape) |
$88.00/btl |
$12.25/taste |
| 5. |
2003 Cornas (Clape) |
$88.00/btl |
$12.25/taste |
| 6. |
1998 Cornas (Clape) |
n.a. |
$14.50/taste |
| 7. |
1997 Cornas (Clape) |
n.a. |
$14.50/taste |
| 8. |
1993 Cornas (Clape) |
n.a. |
$14.50/taste |
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Short Series (1-5) $58.00 |
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Full Series (1-8) $97.00 |
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| VINCENT GIRARDIN - MEURSAULT |
TUESDAY 9/14 |
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Puligny-Montrachet Premier Crus |
| Vincent and Veronique Girardin visited us with importer Danny Haas back in 1995, their first marketing trip to the U.S. Their enterprise was new, and tiny. They had just three reds with them, vintage 1993, two Santenays, and a Pommard if I remember right. How things have changed over the ensuing fifteen years! Now they are situated in an impressive new facility in Meursault and, through purchases from Henri Clerc, have an impressive array of vineyards in Puligny-Montrachet. Here are bottlings of Folatières, Combettes, Pucelles, and Cailleret. |
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| 1. |
2004 Puligny-Montrachet “Le Cailleret” (Girardin) |
$110.00/btl |
$15.50/taste |
| 2. |
2005 Puligny-Montrachet “Les Combettes” (Girardin) |
$110.00/btl |
$15.50/taste |
| 3. |
2005 Puligny-Montrachet “Les Pucelles” (Girardin) |
$115.00/btl |
$16.00/taste |
| 4. |
2007 Puligny-Montrachet “Les Folatières” (Girardin) |
$110.00/btl |
$15.50/taste |
| 5. |
2007 Puligny-Montrachet “Les Combettes” (Girardin) |
$120.00/btl |
$16.50/taste |
| 6. |
2007 Puligny-Montrachet “Les Pucelles” (Girardin) |
$135.00/btl |
$19.00/taste |
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Short Series (1-3) $42.00 |
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Full Series (1-6) $88.00 |
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| CHARLES JOGUET - CHINON |
WEDNESDAY 9/15 |
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Le Chêne Vert and La Dioterie |
| For most of us in the VVW community, Charles Joguet defines Chinon. We’ve stocked Joguet’s varietal Cabernet Franc wines continuously for twenty-five years. Not every wine every vintage, but we’ve always had several reference standard Joguet Chinons in stock. Joguet makes some bottlings to be enjoyed young, others for extended ageing. This tasting focuses on their two most ageworthy vineyards, Clos du Chêne Vert and Clos de la Dioterie. |
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| 1. |
2006 Chinon “Chêne Vert” (Joguet) |
$40.00/btl |
$6.00/taste |
| 2. |
2006 Chinon “La Dioterie” (Joguet) |
$42.00/btl |
$6.50/taste |
| 3. |
2005 Chinon “Chêne Vert” (Joguet) |
$45.00/btl |
$7.00/taste |
| 4. |
2005 Chinon “La Dioterie” (Joguet) |
$45.00/btl |
$7.00/taste |
| 5. |
2003 Chinon “La Dioterie” (Joguet) |
$60.00/btl |
$9.00/taste |
| 6. |
2002 Chinon “La Dioterie” (Joguet) |
$45.00/btl |
$7.00/taste |
| 7. |
2000 Chinon “La Dioterie” (Joguet) |
$45.00/btl |
$7.00/taste |
| 8. |
1999 Chinon “Chêne Vert” (Joguet) |
$50.00/btl |
$7.50/taste |
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Short Series (1-5) $32.00 |
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Full Series (1-8) $51.00 |
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| ALZINGER - WACHAU |
THURSDAY 9/16 |
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Loibenberg and Steinertal Rieslings |
| Our history with Alzinger is less than a decade. I think the first vintage we bought was 2002. A father and son team with vineyards in Austria’s renowned Wachau district, their wines are majestic, not because of their power, but because of their breathtaking harmony and intricacy. Between the tiny production and their rock star status in the Austrian wine community, Alzinger wines are hyper-scarce here. Only 115 cases of the 2009s are available for the entire U.S. We are happy to have our share. This flight showcases Riesling bottlings from their two best vineyards. |
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| 1. |
2008 Riesling Smaragd “Loibenberg” (Alzinger) |
$70.00/btl |
$9.75/taste |
| 2. |
2008 Riesling Smaragd “Steinertal” (Alzinger) |
$75.00/btl |
$10.50/taste |
| 3. |
2007 Riesling Smaragd “Loibenberg” (Alzinger) |
$80.00/btl |
$11.25/taste |
| 4. |
2007 Riesling Smaragd “Steinertal” (Alzinger) |
$85.00/btl |
$12.00/taste |
| 5. |
2006 Riesling Smaragd “Loibenberg” (Alzinger) |
$70.00/btl |
$9.75/taste |
| 6. |
2006 Riesling Smaragd “Steinertal” (Alzinger) |
$75.00/btl |
$10.50/taste |
| 7. |
2004 Riesling Smaragd “Loibenberg” (Alzinger) |
$70.00/btl |
$9.75/taste |
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Short Series (1-4) $39.00 |
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Full Series (1-7) $66.00 |
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| MONGEARD-MUGNERET – VOSNE-ROMANÉE |
FRIDAY 9/17 |
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Eight Côte de Nuits Grand Crus |
| Rarely touted by the critics, Mongeard-Mugneret’s enduring popularity among VVW’s Burgundy lovers is based on the single most important criteria - bang for the buck. Vincent Mongeard’s wines consistently deliver grand drinking experiences, at prices that are remarkably fair vis-à-vis their peers. |
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| 1. |
2007 Echezeaux (Mongeard-Mugneret) |
$110.00/btl |
$15.50/taste |
| 2. |
2007 Echezeaux “Vieilles Vignes” (Mongeard-Mugneret) |
$140.00/btl |
$19.00/taste |
| 3. |
2006 Clos Vougeot (Mongeard-Mugneret) |
$170.00/btl |
$22.00/taste |
| 4. |
2006 Grands Echezeaux (Mongeard-Mugneret) |
$190.00/btl |
$24.50/taste |
| 5. |
2004 Richebourg (Mongeard-Mugneret) |
$240.00/btl |
$29.50/taste |
| 6. |
2003 Echezeaux (Mongeard-Mugneret) |
$120.00/btl |
$16.50/taste |
| 7. |
2002 Echezeaux (Mongeard-Mugneret) |
$125.00/btl |
$17.50/taste |
| 8. |
2002 Grands Echezeaux (Mongeard-Mugneret) |
$250.00/btl |
$31.50/taste |
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Short Series (1-4) $73.00 |
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Full Series (1-8) $159.00 |
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| UCCELLIERA - MONTALCINO |
SATURDAY 9/18 |
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Two Rossos and Six Brunellos |
| Uccelliera is the creation of Andrea Cortonesi. As a kid he worked at Ciacci Piccolomini. The owner of Ciacci, impressed with Andrea’s work ethic, helped him buy his first vineyards and establish Uccelliera in 1986. We first became fans in the 1990s, and have followed and acquired the wines avidly ever since. Now Uccelliera is recognized as one of the great stars of Montalcino. Too bad there is so little wine. |
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| 1. |
2008 Rosso di Montalcino (Uccelliera) |
$35.00/btl |
$5.50/taste |
| 2. |
2005 Rosso di Montalcino (Uccelliera) |
n.a. |
$5.50/taste |
| 3. |
2005 Brunello di Montalcino (Uccelliera) |
$68.00/btl |
$9.50/taste |
| 4. |
2004 Brunello di Montalcino (Uccelliera) |
n.a. |
$11.50/taste |
| 5. |
2003 Brunello di Montalcino (Uccelliera) |
$78.00/btl |
$11.50/taste |
| 6. |
2001 Brunello di Montalcino (Uccelliera) |
n.a. |
$16.00/taste |
| 7. |
1999 Brunello di Montalcino (Uccelliera) |
n.a. |
$16.00/taste |
| 8. |
2001 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva (Uccelliera) |
$125.00/btl |
$17.50/taste |
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Short Series (1-5) $39.00 |
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Full Series (1-8) $83.00 |
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| THIERRY ALLEMAND - CORNAS |
TUESDAY 9/21 |
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Six Allemand Cornas, and One Verset |
| Thierry Allemand is the new superstar of Cornas, standing alongside Clape as one of the two dominant producers in the village. This is recent. Allemand’s intellect and work ethic are amazing, but only in the last decade has he had vineyards capable of yielding the very best Cornas. He was able to acquire exceptional parcels as older vignerons retired and sold off their properties. Chief among these was Noël Verset, who for almost two decades was a major presence in our Rhône selection. Now Noël is in his nineties. As an homage we’ve included his 1999, his last great vintage, in this flight. |
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| 1. |
2007 Cornas “Chaillot” (Allemand) |
$95.00/btl |
$13.50/taste |
| 2. |
2007 Cornas “Reynard” (Allemand) |
$115.00/btl |
$16.00/taste |
| 3. |
2006 Cornas “Chaillot” (Allemand) |
$80.00/btl |
$11.50/taste |
| 4. |
2004 Cornas “Chaillot” (Allemand) |
$98.00/btl |
$14.00/taste |
| 5. |
2004 Cornas “Reynard” (Allemand) |
n.a. |
$16.00/taste |
| 6. |
2002 Cornas (Allemand) |
$80.00/btl |
$11.50/taste |
| 7. |
1999 Cornas (Noël Verset) |
$90.00/btl |
$12.50/taste |
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Short Series (1-4) $49.00 |
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Full Series (1-7) $85.00 |
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| SCHLOSS GOBELSBURG - KAMPTAL |
WEDNESDAY 9/22 |
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Eight Grüner Veltliners |
| We didn’t sell any Grüner Veltliner until ten years ago. Now we will tell you it is one of the world’s greatest white wine varietals. At its best it has the depth and texture of the best Chardonnays from Burgundy, with a verve and vibrancy that is unique and compelling. Schloss Gobelsburg is one of Austria’s Grüner Veltliner superstars, and their Lamm bottling is the most consistently extraordinary Grüner Veltliner we know. This flight of eight includes five vintages of Lamm. |
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| 1. |
2008 Grüner Veltliner “Renner” (Schloss Gobelsburg) |
$42.00/btl |
$6.50/taste |
| 2. |
2007 Grüner Veltliner “Renner” (Schloss Gobelsburg) |
$45.00/btl |
$7.00/taste |
| 3. |
2008 Grüner Veltliner “Lamm” (Schloss Gobelsburg) |
$68.00/btl |
$9.50/taste |
| 4. |
2007 Grüner Veltliner “Lamm” (Schloss Gobelsburg) |
$68.00/btl |
$9.50/taste |
| 5. |
2006 Grüner Veltliner “Grub” (Schloss Gobelsburg) |
$50.00/btl |
$7.50/taste |
| 6. |
2006 Grüner Veltliner “Lamm” (Schloss Gobelsburg) |
$68.00/btl |
$9.50/taste |
| 7. |
2005 Grüner Veltliner “Lamm” (Schloss Gobelsburg) |
$68.00/btl |
$9.50/taste |
| 8. |
2004 Grüner Veltliner “Lamm” (Schloss Gobelsburg) |
n.a. |
$9.50/taste |
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Short Series (1-4) $29.00 |
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Full Series (1-8) $62.00 |
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| VINCENT GIRARDIN - MEURSAULT |
THURSDAY 9/23 |
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Seven Côte de Nuits Grand Crus: 2001 & 2002 |
| Vincent Girardin is the only vintner with two slots in our tasting program this month, and it is well deserved. Over the last fifteen years Burgundy has been our biggest sales category, and Girardin our largest Burgundy supplier. This second flight features Girardin’s Côte de Nuits Grand Cru reds |
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| 1. |
2001 Latricières-Chambertin (Girardin) |
$110.00/btl |
$15.50/taste |
| 2. |
2001 Clos Vougeot (Girardin) |
$110.00/btl |
$15.50/taste |
| 3. |
2002 Clos de la Roche (Girardin) |
$120.00/btl |
$16.50/taste |
| 4. |
2002 Charmes-Chambertin (Girardin) |
$140.00/btl |
$18.50/taste |
| 5. |
2001 Grands Echezeaux (Girardin) |
$160.00/btl |
$21.50/taste |
| 6. |
2002 Mazis-Chambertin (Girardin) |
$175.00/btl |
$23.00/taste |
| 7. |
2002 Chambertin (Girardin) |
$225.00/btl |
$28.50/taste |
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Short Series (1-4) $59.00 |
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Full Series (1-7) $125.00 |
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| TORBRECK – BAROSSA VALLEY |
FRIDAY 9/24 |
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Five Vintages of Run Rig Shiraz |
| There was a time in VVW’s history, coinciding with the dot.com boom, when we bought and sold tons of Australian reds, especially Shiraz. As quickly as this category snowballed, it collapsed. It was curious how quickly it grew, and equally how curious how quickly it died. To this day I am puzzled by the contemporary lack of interest in Aussie Shiraz. Where did all its fans go? The very best Shiraz were and are among the greatest red wines in the world. Dave Powell’s Torbreck Winery is the one Aussie producer we can’t let go. Dave has a master’s touch for tempering old-vine Shiraz’s tendency towards unctuousness, letting its compelling complexity shine through. Run Rig is his masterpiece, and this flight showcases five superb vintages |
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| 1. |
2005 Shiraz “Struie” (Torbreck) |
$55.00/btl |
$8.00/taste |
| 2. |
2004 Shiraz “Descendant” (Torbreck) |
$110.00/btl |
$15.50/taste |
| 3. |
2004 Shiraz “Run Rig” (Torbreck) |
$225.00/btl |
$29.00/taste |
| 4. |
2002 Shiraz “Run Rig” (Torbreck) |
$225.00/btl |
$29.00/taste |
| 5. |
2001 Shiraz “Run Rig” (Torbreck) |
$175.00/btl |
$22.50/taste |
| 6. |
1998 Shiraz “Run Rig” (Torbreck) |
n.a. |
$24.00/taste |
| 7. |
1997 Shiraz “Run Rig” (Torbreck) |
n.a. |
$29.00/taste |
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Short Series (1-4) $73.00 |
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Full Series (1-7) $141.00 |
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| WILLIAM FÈVRE - CHABLIS |
SATURDAY 9/25 |
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Eight Grand Cru Chablis |
| While we and our clientele have been avid about Chablis for twenty-five years, William Fèvre has only been part of the VVW scene for the last decade. Fèvre amassed a spectacular collection of Chablis properties, especially in the Grand Crus, but winemaking was not his strong suit. He sold his properties to Joseph Henriot in 1998. The vineyards were already in excellent shape, winemaking was revamped and greatly improved by the new regime, and the “new” Fèvre domain immediately ascended to the ranks of the Chablis elite. We’ve been serious buyers since the 2000 vintage. Here are eight Grand Cru bottlings, including four vintages of Clos. |
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| 1. |
2008 Chablis “Valmur” (Fèvre) |
$110.00/btl |
$15.50/taste |
| 2. |
2008 Chablis “Preuses” (Fèvre) |
$110.00/btl |
$15.50/taste |
| 3. |
2008 Chablis “Bougros-Côte de Bouguerots” (Fèvre) |
$110.00/btl |
$15.50/taste |
| 4. |
2008 Chablis “Clos” (Fèvre) |
$125.00/btl |
$17.50/taste |
| 5. |
2007 Chablis “Clos” (Fèvre) |
n.a. |
$17.50/taste |
| 6. |
2005 Chablis “Clos” (Fèvre) |
$125.00/btl |
$17.50/taste |
| 7. |
2003 Chablis “Clos” (Fèvre) |
n.a. |
$17.50/taste |
| 8. |
2002 Chablis “Clos” (Fèvre) |
n.a. |
$17.50/taste |
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Short Series (1-4) $57.00 |
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Full Series (1-8) $119.00 |
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| HENRI GOUGES – NUITS-SAINT-GEORGES |
TUESDAY 9/28 |
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Eight Vintages of Les Saint-Georges |
| Henri Gouges is one of the two titans of Nuits-Saint-Georges. Like Robert Chevillon, Gouges makes a formidable array of Nuits-Saint-Georges wines, and nothing else. I visited the domaine in the 1997 with the importer Danny Haas. We were invited to stay for dinner after the visit. There were four of us guests, and Christian Gouges asked when each of us was born. He went down to the cellar and reappeared with a wine from each of our birth years! Mine was the wine of the night, 1954 Les Saint-Georges, a superstar wine from a horrible vintage. Gouges wines take a long time to evolve, often with a great payoff. |
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| 1. |
2007 Nuits-Saint-Georges “Les Saint-Georges” (Gouges) |
$165.00/btl |
$21.50/taste |
| 2. |
2006 Nuits-Saint-Georges “Les Saint-Georges” (Gouges) |
$165.00/btl |
$21.50/taste |
| 3. |
2005 Nuits-Saint-Georges “Les Saint-Georges” (Gouges) |
n.a. |
$24.50/taste |
| 4. |
2004 Nuits-Saint-Georges “Les Saint-Georges” (Gouges) |
$98.00/btl |
$14.00/taste |
| 5. |
2003 Nuits-Saint-Georges “Les Saint-Georges” (Gouges) |
$125.00/btl |
$17.00/taste |
| 6. |
2002 Nuits-Saint-Georges “Les Saint-Georges” (Gouges) |
n.a. |
$17.00/taste |
| 7. |
2001 Nuits-Saint-Georges “Les Saint-Georges” (Gouges) |
n.a. |
$17.00/taste |
| 8. |
1996 Nuits-Saint-Georges “Les Saint-Georges” (Gouges) |
$165.00/btl |
$21.50/taste |
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Short Series (1-4) $73.00 |
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Full Series (1-8) $137.00 |
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| DOMAINE WEINBACH - ALSACE |
WEDNESDAY 9/29 |
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Whites with a Little Age |
| I have had the great fortune to taste in Weinbach’s cellars with Laurence Faller, more than once. It is a magical experience, transformative even. One every wine lover should have. It is not just the setting, or the spellbinding wines. It’s Laurence, her intellect and passion and encyclopedic knowledge. As she tastes and evaluates, answers questions, discusses vintage issues and her philosophies, you think, “That’s who I want making the wine I drink.” When you enjoy a Weinbach wine, you are drinking the creation of an artist/scientist who is probably smarter and more talented than you, and has dedicated her career to making wines for you. |
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| 1. |
2004 Muscat “Alsace Reserve” (Weinbach) |
$40.00/btl |
$6.00/taste |
| 2. |
2005 Riesling “Schlossberg” (Weinbach) |
$45.00/btl |
$6.75/taste |
| 3. |
2004 Riesling “Schlossberg-Ste. Catherine” (Weinbach) |
$68.00/btl |
$9.50/taste |
| 4. |
2004 Riesling “L’Inedit” (Weinbach) |
$80.00/btl |
$11.50/taste |
| 5. |
2002 Pinot Gris “Ste. Catherine” (Weinbach) |
$55.00/btl |
$8.25/taste |
| 6. |
2002 Pinot Gris “Altenbourg-Laurence” (Weinbach) |
$78.00/btl |
$11.00/taste |
| 7. |
2005 Gewürztraminer “Altenbourg-Laurence” (Weinbach) |
$78.00/btl |
$11.00/taste |
| 8. |
2004 Gewürztraminer “Furstentum-Laurence” (Weinbach) |
$85.00/btl |
$12.00/taste |
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Short Series (1-5) $38.00 |
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Full Series (1-8) $69.00 |
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| JEAN-LOUIS CHAVE - HERMITAGE |
THURSDAY 9/30 |
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Seven Vintages of Hermitage Rouge |
| In the early years of the shop I was the only full-time person, so we were only open four days a week. Kermit Lynch was our biggest supplier (he still is, most years). On Tuesdays I would drive up to the Berkeley store to pick up my order because in those days they did not make deliveries. Often Kermit was there and we would chat. Once during our first year we were talking about Chave’s 1983s, which had just arrived. I was on board with the red, but less excited about the white. He tried to change my mind. He gave me the hard sell. “Victor, you should buy and cellar 10 cases of this personally, for yourself. You’ll be able to enjoy it for the rest of your life.” My head spun. I thought it was a crazy idea. I didn’t do it. Now, twenty-five years later, I don’t regret not following Kermit’s advice. I am not really passionate about Chave’s white (though I’ve certainly enjoyed some great bottles over the years). What I regret is not buying and cellaring 10 cases of the red for myself! |
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| 1. |
2006 Hermitage Rouge (J.L. Chave) |
$275.00/btl |
$34.50/taste |
| 2. |
2005 Hermitage Rouge (J.L. Chave) |
$295.00/btl |
$36.50/taste |
| 3. |
2004 Hermitage Rouge (J.L. Chave) |
$275.00/btl |
$34.50/taste |
| 4. |
2000 Hermitage Rouge (J.L. Chave) |
$325.00/btl |
$39.00/taste |
| 5. |
1999 Hermitage Rouge (J.L. Chave) |
$375.00/btl |
$45.00/taste |
| 6. |
1995 Hermitage Rouge (J.L. Chave) |
$375.00/btl |
$45.00/taste |
| 7. |
1993 Hermitage Rouge (J.L. Chave) |
$295.00/btl |
$36.50/taste |
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Short Series (1-4) $129.00 |
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Full Series (1-7) $245.00 |
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