October Newsletter: Mold, The Guardian of Burgundy, New Domaines

The October Newsletter is now available.

Click here to download the pdf.

Highlights from this month’s newsletter…

FOUR DECADES OF
CATHERINE & PIERRE BRETON >

by Dixon Brooke

© Catherine & Pierre Breton

The Bretons are quite a couple. Let’s start with the fact that their last name, Breton, is literally a synonym for the Cabernet Franc grape in the Loire Valley. Both are relatively short, so they can easily walk through the openings of all the troglodyte cellars that dot their property along the Loire River. Both are little balls of explosive energy and are super-passionate about their wines. They continue to take on more and more projects even though they are already working seven days a week and never come up for air. Catherine is now making wine in Vouvray and running a retail shop on the Île d’Yeu. Despite all this activity, they make some of the most natural and the most consistent wines in France. It is just insanity. In their immense wisdom they thought to stash away vintages from their greatest Bourgueil vineyard over the past four decades in their cool, limestone caves, and here we are able to present you with a perfectly preserved vertical. Three to drink now, one to age yourself. Santé!

 

per bottle

per case

2012 Bourgueil “Les Perrières” >
A thoroughbred of a wine with great breed and poise, long future.

$49.00

$529.20

2003 Bourgueil “Les Perrières” >
Deliciously lush and full, remains fresh with backbone.

82.00

885.60

1996 Bourgueil “Les Perrières” >
A vintage that took a long time to come around but is now singing.

88.00

950.40

1989 Bourgueil “Les Perrières” >
La grande année—25+ years and still going strong.

88.00

950.40

 

INTRODUCING
PODERE CAMPRIANO

A SMALL FARM IN TUSCANY

by Dixon Brooke

Finally! Ever since I discovered this tiny family farm in the hills above Greve in Chianti, I have been doing everything I can to rush the wines over here. Alas, small sometimes equals slow: not as many hands on deck to prepare labels, bottle wine, work the vines, survey the previous vintages in cask, cook dinner, etc, etc. I have been doing my best to save part of the wheel of aged pecorino cheese that the owner gave me until the wine arrived, but I just missed it. He promised to send more. These beautiful expressions of pure Sangiovese rendered with Tuscan heart and soul will transport you to the magical place that is Tuscany.

2011 CHIANTI CLASSICO >

Classic Chianti. Also textbook Greve. Dark, deep, infused with schist minerality, vigorous, bright, mouth-coating.

$30.00 per bottle $324.00 per case

2011 CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA >

The Riserva is more a wine of the earth than a wine of fruit. It has a lot to say and needs air, time, and preferably a bistecca to say it.

$42.00 per bottle $453.60 per case

2011 ALTA VALLE DELLA GREVE “80” >

From vines planted in their highest terraces in 1980, this is technically a Chianti Classico Riserva. Less technically, finesse, elegance, and pure deliciousness are a few of its most prized assets.

$57.00 per bottle $615.60 per case

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