Officially it’s fall! Time to adjust the cellar for those cooler nights when sunny days are at a premium. Check out our choices.
Bubbles
Liebart Regnier Blancs de Blanche Brut $40
Chardonnay
Lightly spicy and packed with citrus, this is a tensely fresh Chardonnay. The brightness adds to the minerality of this delicious wine, texture and fruit working well together. This champagne is silky-smooth, rich and indulgent on the palate.
Pascal Ponson Rosé de Gentes Dames Brut $48
68% Pinot Meunier, 15% ‘Vin Rouge’, 8.5% Chardonnay, 8.5% Pinot Noir
Textbook Rosé Champagne smell and taste of strawberry, wild cherry and cranberry lead the way. Orange scone, red apple and faint yellow rose petal follow behind. Great fruitiness, partly explained by the 10 G/L dosage, which falls squarely in the Brut range as it lifts the fruity flavors up.
White
2018 Trefethen Dry Riesling $15
A quality Cali Riesling– floral aromas of orange blossom and jasmine are complemented by fresh notes of green apple and grapefruit. On the palate, this bright, yet luscious wine evolves with flavors of nectarine, white peach and honey-crisp apple. The minerality and beautiful acidity provide an invigorating finish. Normally $20 Special Price $15
2019 J. L. Chave Crozes Hermitage Blanc Sybèle $36
60% Marsanne, 40% Rousanne
While Crozes-Hermitage and Chave are both synonymous with Syrah, Jean-Louis applies the same meticulous methods to this Marsanne/Rousanne blend for results that are graceful and lithe with mineral tension. Organic
2019 Domaine des Forges Savennieres Moulin du Gué $24
Chenin Blanc
A rich yet dry white infused with the distinctive mineral characteristic of the Savennières wines. The creamy texture is beautifully balanced with buttery notes, hazelnut and sweet spice through to a refreshing finish.
Reds
2017 Becker Landgraf Gau-Odernheimer Spatburgunder $25
Pinot Noir
An elegant Pinot Noir characterized by the salty mineral. Cool aromas with wild fruit and red berries. Fine, the herbaceous spice with a lot of zest and good finish. The wood is finely integrated.
2016 Romain Collet Bourgogne Rouge Les Vaux de L’Aumône $25
Pinot Noir
Red raspberry, star anise and spiced cherries jump out immediately; after decanting a whiff of freshly-tanned leather starts to emerge. The best Burgundy have a hint of what they call sous-bois – French for “forest floor.” This Bourgogne has a delightful hint of that woodsiness and soft earth. Was $31 Now $25
2015 Fantino Rosso dei Dardi $15
Nebbiolo
The Fantino brothers decided to make the most aromatic, drinkable Langhe Rosso possible. Spiced plums backed by red cherry, licorice, salami, charcuterie. Juicy, spiced and savory, meaty, plumy, a little tannic burr. Was $20 now $15
2017 Château. L’Ermitage Costieres de Niems $12
40% Mourvedre, 40% Syrah, 20% Grencahe
It is a hearty red with ripe tannins and plenty of red fruit flavors matched with a gentle savory edge.
2019 Domaine Alexandre Cady Anjou Rouge $15
Cabernet Franc
Here is a satisfying Loire red designed for the summer. It has bright aromas recalling freshly picked, ripe red fruits. This is a juicy, supple wine, which could be enjoyed gently chilled. Organic. Was $18 now $15
2015 Château Macalan Bordeaux Superieur $20
60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon
This wine has weight and richness, shown in the dense texture that has now softened into the juicy blackberry fruits. The blend with a good percentage of Cabernet Franc gives a perfumed, smoky edge to this attractive wine.