Needless to say, these are all extremely limited, and no discounts are available.
(2008) Le Temps des Cerises—Axel Prufer, Fou du roi, Languedoc, France $60
An impossible wine from the fun-loving vigneron Axel Prufer in the sun-baked south of France. The Fou du roi cuvee is his top production coming from old vine carignan, grenache and a dab of cabernet sauvignon. Full-cluster, carbonic maceration gives this wine a freshness and low alcohol rarely achieved in this region mostly known for jammy fruit bombs. This is earthy yet gives a pure sense of spring with bright cherry aromas. We have just a few of these big bottles in stock.
2009 Domaine La Pepiere (Marc Ollivier), La Pepie, Cabernet Franc, Loire, France $35
From Marc Ollivier’s new(ish) line of easy drinking red wines sourced from choice vineyards around his home in the Muscadet producing region. Pure cabernet franc from a ripe and juicy vintage, this is the ultimate bistro quaff. Complete with a drunk chicken on the whimsical label, this is our favorite “critter wine”.
2009 Charly Thevenet, Regnie—Grain & Granit, Beaujolais, France $80
The youthful Charly Thevenet, son of famed Beaujolais visionary Jean-Paul Thevenet, blasted onto the scene two vintages ago and we have be anxiously awaiting the arrival of his super limited Regnie. This is a dark, brooding version of the cru village though balance is achieved in this “blockbuster” vintage. Minerals, smoke, iron and blood all in a dark purple robe. We have two of these. Also available in half bottles (750 mL).
2007 Domain Diochon, Moulin-a-Vent, Cuvee Vielles Vignes, Beaujolais, France $75
Diochon is known for crafting some of the most austere, rugged and age-worthy wines from the Beaujolais appellation of Moulin-a-Vent. The wine is aged in older oak barrels for an extended time to build on the potent framework that the soils of this cru exemplify. 2007 is a classic vintage – ripe but delineated, this shows the classic minerality and saline components of a pious, stern Moulin-a-Vent. Drink now with generous aeration or over the next 15 years. Your patience will be rewarded. Oh, and we only have one.
(2009) Frank Cornelissen, Contadino 7, Etna, Sicily $65
The wine that helped spark the revolution that is now in full swing on the mysterious island of Sicily. Frank is a pioneer, an outsider, and a minimalist through and through. He refuses the use of any technology that would manipulate the wine whatsoever. Old vine nerello mascalese and friends, hand harvested at extreme altitudes on Mt. Etna, vinified outside in plastic demijohns before passage into clay amphorae. This is a wine that both challenges and confirms traditional and ancient wine-making methods. We have just a few of these full bottles. Half bottles (750 mL) are also available.
2005 Az. Agr. Paolo Bea, Montefalco Sagrantino, Pagliaro, Umbria $215
Just 210 magnums of this epic wine were made in 2005. We have one. Bea-Sagrantino, need we say more?
2001 R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia, Rioja, Spain $135
One of the three original producers in Rioja, Lopez de Heredia remains the last vestige of the style that made Rioja one of the world’s great wines, starting in the 19th century. Each vintage, each vineyard, each wine produced by this famous estate shows unparalleled elegance and nuance. The estate releases these wines when they are deemed ready to begin the drinking period, thus they are never rushed to market. The 2001 vintage is among the best of the generation, and this wine displays deep leather, dust and tobacco with a soulful and savory finish seasoned with dill and mint. We only got 3 of these rare magnums, and one is gone already. Act now!