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Claude Riffault - Sancerre 'Les Boucauds' Loire Valley, France 2020 Masterfully Crafted Pure Expression Sancerre from Certified Organic and Biodynamic Sauvignon Blanc Sourced in the Lieu-dit of Les Boucauds! Sourced from the premier blocks of the Les Boucauds, the 2020 Riffault Sancerre 'Les Boucauds' is easily one of the purest expressions of Sauvignon Blanc in the region. The iconic Kimmeridgian soil rich in limestone brings lift and energy to wine with aromas of crisp orchard fruit, delicate white flowers, crisp minerality, and zippy citrus, all balanced beautifully with the addition of 50% French Oak aging which really rounds out the wine adding nuance of toasted brioche and hazelnuts. A perennial favorite from another fantastic vintage for the region, and a must have for any lover of Sancerre. Newsletter Special - $29.95
Vinous Media 92 Points - "The 2020 Les Boucauds is a Sancerre about precision and texture. It's a little reticent, having only been put in bottle several weeks before tasting, so don't expect much on the nose. There's clearly a lot of concentration and underlying power in the focused core. It's chalky and all sinew on the almost chewy, lengthy finish, giving it line and energy. The scent of almond croissant from barrel fermentation and lees time lingers alongside apple fruit. Really good stuff that will only get better with time in bottle." About The Estate: At barely 30 years old, Stéphane Riffault (Claude’s son and now the owner of the estate) is turning out Sancerre bottlings that are the envy of many producers twice his age. As David Schildknecht put it, “make no mistake: this address in the hamlet of Maison Salle (Sury-en-Vaux) is now one of the five or six most exciting estates in the Sancerre appellation.” Given that Stephane’s holdings represent 4 tenths of 1 percent of the appellation, this kid is clearly doing something right. The Terroir: Most of the domaine’s holdings are planted on the soft limestone soil called Terres Blanches with some parcels on Calliottes and Silex. Small, judicious uses of oak help to add length to the already precise, site-expressive, and vertical bottlings. All of the parcels are vinified separately, and with the exception of the rosé, all the wines are bottled unfiltered.
Having studied and worked in Burgundy (and closely with Olivier Leflaive), it’s easy to see the Burgundian influence in Stéphane’s wines. The mastery of minerality standing shoulder–height with the wood is rarely duplicated in Sancerre. Regardless of his parcels’ exposition (many are south-facing), Riffault’s wines are always crisp and high-cut with a jeweled sort of delineation that speaks to the precision and attention these wines get.
G.D. Vajra - Langhe Nebbiolo, Piedmont, Italy 2020 "This wine is our quest for the innocence of Nebbiolo, its purest expression" Giuseppe Vajra Varietal truth and purity of aromatics from the regions top Barolo producer. The 2020 Langhe Nebbiolo displays a bright ruby red color with copper undertones. Perfumes are lively and vibrant, with a floral bouquet of rose petals, violets and fresh berries, hints of dark fruit, lavender and mint. Elegant and complex on the palate with layers of crunchy red fruits, orange peel, sweet spices with earthy and mineral undertones. Classic true-to-varietal Nebbiolo from the high elevation limestone rich Vajra estate vineyards.
Newsletter Special - $19.99
Domaine de Baron'Arques - Bordeaux Blend Limoux AOC, Languedoc 2016 Chateau Mouton Rothschild Expert Winemaking at a Languedoc Price! Decanter - 97 Points! - "A seamless on-song Bordeaux style blend, yet with much more ripeness and juicy fruit gum character. Monumental depth of character which is enhanced by well-managed oak that is adroitly integrated with the silky tannins to give a fresh, elegant finish. Very complete, nuanced, long and beautifully balanced. Pitch-perfect now but still lots of life ahead. Excellent release."
Newsletter Special - $33.99
Cheers! -Alex Alexander Knechel - Certified Sommelier Wine Sales Manager - Plucky Wines alexanderknechel@pluckywines.com
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