Contrada

Italian for single vineyard. Each Contrada will have its own name.

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Italian for single vineyard. Each Contrada will have its own name. Plural = Contrade. Etna’s Contrade have certainly raised knowledge of the term. Each year a tasting, the Contrade dell’Etna, is held to taste the current releases from Etna. The term is used throughout Italy.

Contrade names you might have heard of from Etna: Rampante, Guardiola, Feudo di Mezzo, Acuria, Sciaronuova, Calderara, and Rivaggi. Moving north to Veneto, Gini’s top Soave is from the Contrada “Salverenza”.

 

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Thibaud Boudignon Savennières 'Clos Frémine' 2023

Chenin Blanc from Savennières, D'Anjou-Saumur

Thibaud Boudignon Savennières ‘Clos Frémine’ 2023

The 2022 Savennières Clos de Fremine has purity and tranquility; it's a cloud of Chenin Blanc blossoming in the mouth. There were a lot of grapes that didn't make the grade in 2022 due to the hot, dry conditions of the season, but the strict sorting implemented by Boudignon and team appears to have done the trick. The wine is gently fresh, but a salty line provides persistence. An appetizing fragrance of chamomile, honey and nectarine lingers long in the mouth.Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous 94 Poi

Vintage 2023
$219
$209ea in any 3+
$199ea in any 6+
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Domaine Alex Moreau Pommard 1er Cru 'Les Fremiers' 2022

Pinot Noir from Pommard, Côte du Beaune

Domaine Alex Moreau Pommard 1er Cru ‘Les Fremiers’ 2022

This possesses the most floral-suffused nose in the range with its pretty liqueur-like aromas of various red berries, soft earth and a hint of crushed anise. There is excellent volume to the caressing and seductively textured flavors that exude a subtle minerality on the youthfully austere, firm and compact finale. Like the Caillerets, this needs more depth so at least some patience is in order.Allen Meadows, Burghound 90-92 Points

Vintage 2022
$290
$280ea in any 3+
$270ea in any 6+
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Domaine de l'Arlot Nuits-Saint-Georges '1er Cru Clos des Forêts Saint Georges' Monopole 2022

Pinot Noir from Nuits-Saint-Georges, Côte-de-Nuits

Domaine de l’Arlot Nuits-Saint-Georges ‘1er Cru Clos des Forêts Saint Georges’ Monopole 2022

One of the most profound Clos des Forêts I've had from Arlot! Great core of dark fruit. Lovely tannins 100% destemmed after starting in 2021 with destemming. Very complete wine. Showing great touch. That lovely balance that sees it in a style between Gevrey and Vosne-Romanée. Plush, fine & super long. Perfumed with roses and delicate spice. Soft fine. Immediate approachability yet this will clearly offer so much more with time in bottle. Give this 7 years and you’ll be happy give it 15 a

Vintage 2022
$464
$444ea in any 3+
$424ea in any 6+
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Domaine Blain-Gagnard Chassagne-Montrachet 'Clos St Jean' Rouge 2021

Pinot Noir from Chassagne-Montrachet, Côte du Beaune

Domaine Blain-Gagnard Chassagne-Montrachet ‘Clos St Jean’ Rouge 2021

This is also relatively deeply colored. The ultra-fresh nose freely offers up its aromas of the cool essence of red currant along with background wisps of earth and violet. The racy and beautifully detailed medium weight flavors exude a very subtle minerality on the bitter pit fruit-inflected finale. This youthfully austere effort should repay mid-term keeping.”Allen Meadows, Burghound 89 Points

Vintage 2021
$189
$182ea in any 3+
$175ea in any 6+
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