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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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From a huge 3.5 ha holding that is composed by <75% Vaillons proper with the remainder from Roncières, Mélinots and Châtains.Here too there is a vague suggestion of the exotic on the slightly riper aromas of pear compote, ocean spray, iodine and wet stone. The rich, vibrant and palate coating flavors are also supported by bright acidity that carries over to the wonderfully long, youthfully austere and firm finale. This beauty should age effortlessly91-93 points,  Drink: 2029+
$137
$132ea in any 3+
$127ea in any 6+
This is Mortet’s ‘super Gevrey’ and comes from a clutch of five brilliantly placed plots that Denis Mortet deliberately chose for the quality of their terroirs and vines. The vineyards include En Motrot, situated between the church and Château de Gevrey-Chambertin close to Clos Saint-Jacques; Au Vellé, very close-by under Petits Cazetiers; Combe-du-Dessus, situated at the top of the Brochon slope just north-east of Gevrey itself; En Champs directly below Gevrey’s 1er Cru Champeaux (the
$319
$309ea in any 3+
$299ea in any 6+

Domaine Armand Rousseau Grand Cru ‘Mazy-Chambertin’ 2002

Pinot Noir | Gevrey-Chambertin, Burgundy

Price on Application – Contact us.There is a slightly cloudy aspect to the appearance. This has begun to turn secondary with overtly earthy and sauvage characters to the perfumed and pure aromas that lead to rich, punchy, intense and tautly muscular flavors that exude a fine minerality on the utterly delicious, balanced and long if robustl finish where a hint of wood surfaces. I have had two very different experiences with this wine as one bottle seemed relatively light and almost rea

Benjamin Leroux Nuits Saint Georges 2022

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

This blend of Nuits-Saint-Georges climats includes the village lieu-dit Les Allots and three Premiers Crus: Les Cailles, Aux Thorey and Les Boudots. The lion’s share, however, is drawn from Aux Herbues on the Vosne border and a parcel in the northern part of Fleurières, just south of the town. This year, Les Tuyaux, a stony terroir at the very northern end of the appellation, has joined the party. The 2022 was entirely destemmed. My notes read “Very Ben Leroux” in that it’s a
$254
$244ea in any 3+
$234ea in any 6+