Solera

The unique yeast that grows on top of the sherry protecting it from oxidation.

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Spanish term. A method of perpetually ageing wine in a “pyramid” of barrels. Wine for bottling drawn from the bottom layer. The barrels from this layer, are then topped from the next layer up, and so on until the top layer is reached. This layer is topped by fresh wine made that year. The barrels are typically left 5/6ths full. Each layer in a Solera is called a Criadera, or layers. Fino sherries will have 7 criadera, Manzanilla at least 9 and up to 20. Practically, wineries, simply place them in batches representing a criardera rather than building actual solera stacks. The image below shows the basics of how the system works.

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Domaine de la Pousse d'Or Volnay 1er Cru 'Caillerets - Clos des 60 Ouvrées' 2022

Pinot Noir from Volnay, Côte du Beaune

Domaine de la Pousse d’Or Volnay 1er Cru ‘Caillerets – Clos des 60 Ouvrées’ 2022

An exotically spicy and broadly floral-suffused nose is comprised mostly by ripe plum and black cherry scents. The super-sleek and highly energetic medium weight flavors brim with both dry extract and an almost aggressive minerality on the precise, intense, balanced and lingering finish that, like the Bousse d’Or, would benefit from better depth. Even so, this is very classy juice with the aging potential to match. (Monopole) 2034+ ♥ Sweet spot OutstandingAllen Meadows, Burghound (92-94

Vintage 2022
$284
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Antoniolo ‘Osso San Grato’ Gattinara Riserva DOCG 2016

Nebbiolo from Gattinara, Alto Piemonte

Antoniolo ‘Osso San Grato’ Gattinara Riserva DOCG 2016

Jesus wept on the Bones of Saint Gratto! The very blood of Christ! Stunning. If I ever made a wine of this caliber I'd retire on the high. Galloni's note is bang on! The acid-tannin complex steps up again from the 'standard' Riserva. The tannins are layered, of depth, fine and long. You can ever so easily lose yourself in the glass! Mind-boggling!"The 2016 Gattinara Riserva Osso San Grato is magnificent. Elegant and weightless, with tremendous precision, the 2016 is all class. Rose petal

Vintage 2016
$275
$265ea in any 3+
$255ea in any 6+
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Domaine Alex Moreau Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru 'Morgeot' 2023

Chardonnay from Chassagne-Montrachet, Côte du Beaune

Domaine Alex Moreau Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru ‘Morgeot’ 2023

On the spectrum from elegant to bold 'Morgeot' is always on the richer side of Alex's wines. Aromas of pear, apple blossom, sweet citrus oil and nutmeg introduce the 2023 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeot, a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered wine built around ripe acids and chalky structuring extract. Once again, it's derived from Les Fairendes.William Kelley, The Wine Advocate 91-93 PointsPungent aromas of reduction and wood toast lead to caressing yet powerful bigger-bod

Vintage 2023
$485
$465ea in any 3+
$445ea in any 6+
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Domaine Henri Germain Meursault 'Les Chevalières' 2023

Chardonnay from Meursault, Côte du Beaune

Domaine Henri Germain Meursault ‘Les Chevalières’ 2023

The 2023 Meursault Les Chevalières wafts from the glass with notes of buttery citrus fruit, white flowers, green apple and hazelnuts, followed by a medium to full-bodied, satiny and saline palate that's bright and mineral. The racy style of this site works well with the inherent generosity of the vintage. William Kelly, The Wine Advocate 90-92 PointsThe 2023 Meursault Les Chevalières (not Premier Cru as I mistakenly wrote last year!) has a very cohesive bouquet with light white flower

Vintage 2023
$283
$273ea in any 3+
$263ea in any 6+
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