Monday, September 18, 2006

Fall Arrivals

CHAMPAGNE BARON-FUENTE


Small family-run House located in the Aisne making champagnes that stand up to those of the 'fancy' (90+ rated) villages of the Marne. A full range of superbly crafted, elegant champagnes is produced and we will have a few standouts for the alcoholidays.

GRANDE RESERVE EXTRA BRUT (3G/L)
CUVEE GALIPETTES BRUT ORGANIC ECOCERT
BRUT ROSE "DOLORES"
1999 BRUT "GRAND MILLESIME"

LUC ET FABRICE MARTIN


This pair has fashioned some of the hottest insider wines in the Loire over the last decade, piling up awards at Paris and other top shows. They make very little of each wine and all are very tough to come by, even in France. It’s almost impossible to find older vintages and a number of US importers have tried to gain the rights to this property over the last several years but the winery is not interested in being just another Loire winery in a crowded portfolio. They know what they have and that is at the level of the top names in the region. As an example, past vintages of their SGN are somewhat mythical in Europe.

2005 COTEAUX DU LAYON “VIEILLES VIGNES”
2004 COTEAUX DU LAYON “PRESTIGE” (MDO PARIS)
2002 COTEAUX DU LAYON “SGN” (500ML LYS, TROPHEE OR)

CHATEAU LES QUATRE FILLES


Le Quatre Filles is one of the last unknown decorated vintners in the
Rhone that ‘le Grand Bob’ has yet to discover (thus the outstanding
price/value). This is their 7th straight award winning vintage in
France and I'm quite sure 2005 has produced examples that will
be very highly sought after by collectors around Europe and the
world. I am one of two US sources. All wines are certified organic ECOCERT.

2005 COTES DU RHONE ROUGE (GOLD MEDAL SIGNATURE BIO)
2005 COTES DU RHONE VILLAGES CAIRANNE ROUGE
2005 COTES DU RHONE VILLAGES ROCHEGUDE ROUGE

DOMAINE DES ESCARAVAILLES


This estate is named for a medieval order of penitent monks known as the scarabs who had their abbey on the property. The current philosophy practiced is much more pleasing to the senses with rich and hedonistic wines that have caught the attention of “le Grand Bob”, as well as an 18/20 in Decanter for the Rasteau “La Ponce”. The consulting oenologist is the celebrated Philippe Cambie and the wines have more than a little ‘chateauneuf’ to them. Yields are miniscule and interventions are minimal. Millesime has the lowest prices in the US for these wines.

2005 COTES DU RHONE VILLAGES CAIRANNE ROUGE “LE VENTABREN”
2004 COTES DU RHONE VILLAGES RASTEAU ROUGE “LA PONCE” WA87-90
2005 COTES DU RHONE VILLAGES RASTEAU ROUGE “HERITAGE 1924”

CHATEAU LA DECELLE


John Beal dealt with this estate back in the 80s and since those days they have been unavailable here. Over the years, I've noticed solid marks from Decanter and lots of medals in France. I figured I'd get the ball rolling with their top cuvee, the Saint Paul. Inky, explosive, and plenty classy. Gold Medal winner at the "Concours des Vignerons Independants" 2006.

2004 COTES DU RHONE VILLAGES VALREAS ROUGE “SAINT PAUL”


DOMAINE DU COULET


Another major 'coup' for MILLESIME is top-drawer Cornas producer, Matthieu Barret of Domaine du Coulet. Last year's 2003 version of Barret's entry level Cornas "Terrases du Serre" made Parker flip: "unquestionably one of the appellation’s “wines of the vintage", 91-94pts.
The "Billes Noires" however is more a La Mouline, a 150 case micro-cuvee that is by definition limited. Yields are 5-8hl/ha!!! A certain 'star' broker in New York somehow alienated Monsieur Barret, resulting in Millesime securing a third of the production, of which I have 120 blles left to sell. There are 120 blles of the "Terrasses" Cuvee as well.

2004 CORNAS "TERRASSES DU SERRE"
2004 CORNAS "BILLES NOIRES"


ANWILKA - STELLENBOSCH


MILLESIME's first ever South African wine. 42000 bottles were produced with only 30000 for the market outside of South Africa. Millesime has secured and sold a significant percentage, with 360 blles left for sale. RP posted the following comment on his board on 03/18:
"Funny to me commenting on this wine after tasting 225+ rather astonishing 2005 Bordeaux this week,but this is the finest red wine I have ever had from South Africa....a partnership of Bruno Prats,Hubert de Bouard,and the Klein Constantia folks.This debut release, the 2005,a blend of 37% syrah and the balance cabernet sauvignon,is world class stuff....as one might expect from the people behind it....the first release...there are 42,000 bottles from their vineyards in Stellenbosch,and it is priced to sell for about $40-45 in the USA...release is imminent....exceptional wine...."

2005 STELLENBOSCH RED