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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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Daniel Bouland Morgon Corcelette 'Vielles Vignes Sable' MAGNUM 2022
Ridiculous Yields!
I haven't had a chance to taste these and reviews aren't out yet. Given the consistency and the comments on the vintage below from Bouland and Morris they're just a no brainer.One of the wineries I buy from each year without hesitation. Expect them to have an extra degree of sophistication compared with other recent releases. Wine specific importer notes below.Even Bouland himself struggled to find fault in his wines from what is an outstanding vintage for Beaujolais. “I’m not co
$119
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Gini Soave 'La Froscà' 2015

Gini Soave ‘La Froscà’ 2015

Garganega | Veneto, Italy

A more typical Soave style than the Salvarenza, beautifully built on a frame of quality fruit. Pear and citrus are cleansed by a very typical and lovely silvery line of bitterness. Long with a lovely mid-palate. A great mid-palate is a sign of a good wine!
$62
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$56ea in any 6+
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Champagne Benoît Marguet Ambonnay 'Les Beurys' Blanc de Blanc Grand Cru 2018
Intensely smoky and flinty, also almost blindingly fresh, this is a dangerously chalky Champagne. The bergamot aroma expands dramatically as it aerates in the glass. Extremely concentrated Amalfi lemon character on the super-focused palate, building and building at the driving chalky finish that doesn't want to let go of you.  July 2023SP 98 Points
$321
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$291ea in any 6+
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Jean-Paul et Benôit Droin Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons 2022
A slightly cooler if still ripe nose reflects notes of white pepper, plenty of citrus influence and discreet shellfish nuances. Here too the palate impression of the middleweight flavors is one of richness and generosity yet the supporting acidity is both a little firmer and a bit brighter as well. This delicious effort could use better depth but more should reasonably develop with a few years of aging. Allen Meadows, Burghound 90-92 Points
$160
$153ea in any 3+
$146ea in any 6+
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