Bottle Shop of Spring Lake

Burgundy

Domaine-Humbert-Frères Bourgogne 2015

Emmanuel and Frédéric Humbert are the fourth generation of vignerons to tend this family estate. They took over the domaine from their parents in 1989 and since then they have been quietly and steadily improving the quality of their wine. Today they produce wines which reflect their dedicated effort and experience of the past 12 vintages. Emmanuel is the dynamic force behind this domaine: he is a thoughtful and passionate man with a great love for wine, food and rugby. Frédéric is shier and more reserved. The Humbert Brothers are well connected in the village of Gevrey-Chambertin, where they can count on a wealth of accumulated winemaking experience from their relations and family friends. They taste regularly with their cousin Bernard DUGAT-PY and with Pierre DAMOY and Philippe CHARLOPIN. For the Humberts' viticulture, the emphasis is on manual methods including ploughing, green harvest, if necessary, thinning of leaves and bunches. The fruit undergoes a pre-fermentation soak (14 –16° C for 3 – 6 days) in temperature-controlled vats, avoiding over-maceration to limit extraction of green tannin ; all wines are aged in Châtillonnais oak . 50% new oak for all wines except Estournelles and Charmes-Chambertin which see 100% new oak. BURGHOUND REPORTS: 'Frédéric Humbert and his younger brother Emmanuel run this 6 ha domaine. Readers may notice that the vineyard holdings appear similar to both of the Dugat domaines (see above) and this is not by chance - the Humbert brothers are cousins of Claude and Bernard. The always modest Emmanuel Humbert described 2015 as a "vintage that was easy to manage pretty much from start to finish. The fruit was super clean and very ripe and we began picking on the 3rd of September under ideal harvest conditions. Yields were off about 25% due to a partially troubled flowering and partially due to the fact that there just wasn't much juice in the berries. This made the vinifications tricky as there was a naturally very high ratio of solids to liquids. I used between 15 and 50% whole clusters and I believe that doing so helped to preserve the freshness of the wines which was my main concern. We made no additions of any kind to any of the wines. I love 2015 and believe that it's better than 2005, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2014. Time will of course be the final judge but I think that the vintage is extremely promising." I agree with Humbert's take on his 2015s in the sense that they are indeed extremely promising.' We tasted and positively loved this Bourgogne rouge which is from a vineyard located in the village of Gevrey-Chambertin. The nose is great, very rich and pure and in the mouth this is tasty and super smooth. Classy and soulful effort here.

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$44.99 $40.49

Joseph Drouhin Chambolle Musigny 2015

The Drouhin family has been making fine Burgundy since 1880. Founded by Joseph Drouhin, the Drouhin family has always had a passion for wine. Today, the great grandchildren of Joseph Drouhin, Philippe, Véronique, Laurent and Frédéric, run the family-owned company from their ancestors' house. Each has their own personality, but together, they share a common passion for the vine and the wine. Day after day, they strive for harmony, the hallmark of Joseph Drouhin wines. In 2016, Drouhin was bestowed a great award, as Wine & Spirits Magazine named Maison Joseph Drouhin one of their Top 100 Wineries of 2016. Chambolle is situated in the central part of the Côte de Nuits, surrounded by a sea of vines. Since the Roman times, the old Celtic village of Cambola has always been highly regarded for its vineyards. It is during the Middle-Ages that the monks perfected the art and technique of viticulture. Joseph Drouhin is an important propriétaire of various Premier Cru vineyards in Chambolle-Musigny. The Pinot Noir grape is vinified in the typical Burgundian style: slow maceration (18 days) with daily pumping over and punching down of the cap to extract the famed "gout de terroir" of Chambolle. After 18 months in barrels and fining with egg-whites, the wine is bottled. Joseph Drouhin suggests serving Chambolle-Musigny with delicately prepared dishes, such as "Canard aux cerises" (duck cooked with cherries) or "Boeuf aux morilles" (beef with morels). When serving with cheeses, they should be ripe but not too strong.

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$89.99 $80.99

Domaine Hudelot-Baillet Chambolle Musigny Vieilles Vignes 2015

Domaine Hudelot-Baillet is a true Chambolle-Musigny producer with cellars in the town as well as holdings entirely within the appellation. The domaine was created in 1981 by Joël Hudelot (inherited largely from his father Paul) and his wife Chantal Baillet. Joël retired in 2004 and passed along the reins to his son-in-law Dominique Leguen, who had been working with him at the domaine since 1998. The viticultural philosophy is organic though the domaine is not technically certified. There are no insecticides used and sexual confusion is employed instead to combat problematic bugs. The harvest is performed manually with sorting work done in the vineyards and again at the cuverie if necessary. The fruit is 100% destemmed, and the new oak program averages 30% for the villages wines , 40% for the 1ers and 50% for the Bonnes Mares. The wines are given 12 to 18 months of élevage before being bottled, generally without fining or filtration. Hudelot describes his intended style as one of finesse, succinctly explaining that "all of my appellations are in Chambolle and finesse is what we do best."

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$75.00 $67.50

Domaine Arlaud Cyprien Arlaud Vosne Romanee 2015

Domaine Arlaud was born from the marriage of Joseph Arlaud from the Ardèche, and Renée Amiot of Burgundy. Her family owned a few choice parcels of land in the Côtes de Nuits, including within Clos St. Denis and Bonnes Mares. Part of the couple’s wedding gifts included these parcels and so was born Domaine Arlaud. Joseph’s son Hervé Arlaud took over the estate in 1982 and expanded the domaine with purchases of prime vineyards, mostly in their home village of Morey St. Denis. Today, the star of the show is Hevré’s son Cyprien, who in the last ten years, has come into his own as one of the most exciting growers in all of France. Cyprien Arlaud took the reins of the domaine in 1997 with the simple and unwavering vision of making pure, benchmark Burgundy. He knew the only way to achieve this goal was to be forward thinking in the cellar, and most importantly in the vineyards. The same year he was put in charge, he began the conversion of the estate to biodynamics (certified in 2014). He also began using horses to plow domaine vineyards in order to keep the soils as healthy and alive as possible. He has top holdings in Morey St. Denis, Chambolle-Musigny, Gevrey-Chambertin, and Vosne-Romanée and his sister Bertille handles the horse plowing. This beautiful Vosne-Romanee is from the lieu-dit of ‘Aux Communes’, considered to be one of Vosne’s finest. Located a stone’s throw from the prestigious Clos des Réas, this extraordinary wine was aged in barrel (20% new) so as not to be too oaky. From a winemaking perspective, Cyprien is what we call non-interventionist. Under Cyprien’s stewardship, elegance has been the focus with lower levels of extraction and the reduction of new wood to zero on the Bourgogne and 15-30% on the rest of the lineup. Partial whole cluster is used on the upper level wines (maximum 30%), purely on the nature of the vintage and if the stems are perfectly ripe. The cellar in Morey St. Denis is one of the coldest in the Côtes de Nuits, helping Cyprien pursue a slow, non-interventionist vinification, with minimal use of SO2. All of his wines are also bottled unfined and unfiltered.

$89.99 $80.99

Domaine Confuron-Cotetidot Vosne-Romanée 2015

The Confuron's have been vignerons since the seventeenth century during the reign of Louis XIV. Their specialty was and continues to be vine selection and propagation. They have led the way in identifying top selections massales and even have a clone of the noble Pinot Noir in their name: Pinot Confuron. The family crafts village level wines from four villages in the Cotes de Nuits – Nuits-Saint-Georges, Vosne-Romanee, Chambolly-Musigny and Gevrey-Chambertin (as well as Pommard) – and they have an impressive array of premier cru and grand cru sites, including the famed Vosne Suchots (they are one of the largest holders), Echezeaux, Clos Vougeot, and tiny plots of Charmes Chambertin and Mazis Chambertin. Today, Yves Confuron holds the reins at the estate with the help of his oenologist brother Jack in the cellar. Their parents Jacky and Bernadette work the vines as they dutifully have for over fifty years. The vineyards, averaging 65 years of age, have never been treated with synthetic herbicides or pesticides and great attention is taken to minimize yields through regular plowing, short pruning and green harvesting in the spring. At harvest, triage is done both in the vineyard and in the cellar. Grapes are consistently harvested late to ensure ripe stems. Yves follows his family tradition of 100% whole-cluster fermentation, followed by long cuvaisons of two to three weeks and extended barrel ageing of up to two years. The villages wines tend to see 10-20% new oak, only a tad more for the 1er Crus, and up to a maximum of 50% for the Grand Crus. The wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered, and they show remarkable aromatic intensity, spice, purity of fruit, and striking minerality from their fantastic terroirs.

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$79.99 $71.99

Domaine Dominique Gallois Gevrey Chambertin 2015

Located in the historic village of Gevrey-Chambertin, Domaine Gallois is run by the ever humble and quality-driven Dominique Gallois. His great-grandfather built the family's wine cellar and home in 1901 among the family's vines in Gevrey. Today, this 12 acre estate has holdings in Bourgogne, village Gevrey, premier cru Gevrey and grand cru Charmes-Chambertin. Dominique believes that 'nature is boss' and he is known to have one of the coldest, oldest cellars in the region for long, slow fermentations and great aging potential for his wines. He also produces the wines with vegan methods (so no egg whites for fining). We tasted and loved this Gevrey, the quality is simply stunning. Ultra smooth and caressing, with red fruits abounding, this is Pinot Noir as it should be. A great wine to introduce the American Pinot Noir drinker.

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~~$79.99~~$65.00

Domaine Dominique Gallois Gevrey Chambertin La Combe Aux Moines 2015

This is a stunning Gevrey Chambertin from a small premier cru plot named La Combe aux Moines, which was planted in 1954 (60+ year old vines). Dominique Gallois farms his plot himself and believes that 'nature is the boss.' The result is a wine which is dense and rich but wonderfully balanced with an incredible texture, both sappy and silky. Black fruits and stones abound in this delicious offering. This 12-acre estate has been in the Gallois family since 1901. His Premier Cru wines generally receive 30% new oak for 14 months and since his cellar is so deep, the wines age quite slowly and are known for their finesse, elegance and freshness. He also produces the wines with vegan methods (so no egg whites for fining).

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$125.00 $112.50

Domaine-Humbert-Frères Gevrey Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 2015

During the 2015 Burgundy Barrel Tasting for Frederick Wildman, we tasted through Domaine Humbert's offerings with Emmanuel Humbert. This was the best vintage we have ever tasted from him and a highlight of the entire portfolio that day. Emmanuel and his brother Frédéric are fourth generation vignerons of this family estate. They took over the domaine from their parents in 1989 and have been turning out exceptional Gevrey-Chambertin, Charmes-Chambertin, Fixin and Bourgogne rouge ever since. The exuberant Emmanuel (friends & family call him 'Manu') has been the family's winemaker for over 20 years. He focuses upon manual methods in the vineyard, with organic-leaning practices and emphasizes low yields. 50% new oak is used for the village and Premier Cru's , 100% new oak is used on the Grand Cru's . His 2015 old vine Gevrey here is positively beautiful. Wild cherries, black plums, violets, raspberries and licorice abound in the nose and on the palate. So rich and complex, we suggest cellaring this beauty for a few years and then serving it with juicy lamb chops alongside quinoa or cous cous with nuts and dried cherries; or with wild salmon simmered in fresh herbs, olive oil and pomegranate juice. Burghound reports: "If you're not familiar with the Humbert wines, the style is one that many readers will definitely like. There is a purity to the wines that is really lovely and while there is a nod toward the modern, some of the wines are also made with a significant percentage of stems. Overall, the wines are at once stylish and beautifully rendered with outstanding transparency."

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$89.99 $80.99

Domaine Faiveley Gevrey Chambertin les Cazetiers 2015

Founded in 1825, today Domaine Faiveley combines the principles of modern winemaking methods with the time-honored traditions of France's noble Burgundy region. Domaine Faiveley owns a single 5.06 acre parcel of the total 25 acre Les Cazatiers vineyard. The vineyard is located high on the hillside in the northern part of the appellation bordering the equally famous 1er Cru of Clos St-Jacques. Exposure is due east with soils made up primarily of white marl (clay) and limestone gravel. They only produce about 1200 six packs of this great wine in any given vintage.

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$149.99 $134.99

Best Buys

Château-Siran Margaux 2014

In 1428, Guilhem de Siran swore a feudal oath in the church of Macau to the Abbot of Sainte-Croix de Bordeaux, to whom the parish was attached. By the end of the 17th century, the estate was already producing wine and by the 18th century, was known for producing fine wine, at a time when the Miailhe family settled in Bordeaux as wine brokers, a title granted to them by royal concession. It was in the 19th century, that the Château was acquired by the actual family. Their ancestor, Léo Barbier, bought the estate for 100,000 francs from the Count and Countess de Toulouse-Lautrec, the grandparents of the famous painter, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Ever since that time, generations of the same family have succeeded each other in a spirit of respect for the family wine-growing tradition. Château Siran is one of the very rare Bordeaux wine estates to have belonged to the same family for over 150 years. Produced from soils made up of a deep layer of gravel, the wines of Siran are typical of the great Margaux growths. Both powerful and delicate, they express the perfect balance between tannin, fruit and acidity. They are long-aging wines, which over time develop ripeness on the palate, giving a characteristic silky and velvety mouth-feel. Made from a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, Château Siran generally expresses finesse, femininity and silkiness rather than the raw power and virility of some Médoc wines. The high percentage of Petit Verdot, which can be as much as 15% of the final blend in some years, brings a spicy finish which enhances the unique character of the wines of Château Siran.

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~~$34.99~~$29.99

Julia James Pinot Noir 2016

Sourced from a few of California’s best Pinot Noir regions: Russian River, Santa Lucia Highlands and Monterey, Julia James is crafted by a veteran winemaker using sustainable farming methods in the vineyards. ‘How is it possible to make a California Pinot this good at this price? This baby looks like a Pinot, smells like a Pinot and tastes like a Pinot – there’s bright acidity fresh cherries, darker fruits, a light footprint and no oak overkill. My guess in a blind tasting would be that this is a $40 Willamette or Anderson Valley Pinot.’ forbes.com ‘20 best reds under $20’

$13.99 $12.59

Château-Roc-de-Minvielle Bordeaux 2015

Growing grapes since prior to the French Revolution, this estate has been owned by the Gadras family since the 1800’s. Today it is Pierre Gadras taking care of the vines, thinning leaves for maximum sunshine on the grapes and pruning back for fruit concentration. Planted to mostly Merlot with Cabernet Franc, this is exactly what we look for in a lovely petit château Bordeaux. Look for ripe, plump aromas of blueberry, cassis, licorice, plum and bing cherry. Fresh and alluring, this exudes grace versus power and has wonderful flesh and charm.

$13.99 $12.59

Château-Thivin Côte de Brouilly 2016

We tasted and positively loved this iconic Beaujolais from the Côte de Brouilly. Imported by French wine specialist Kermit Lynch, serving a bottle of this wine is a classic lesson in the great Gamay-based wines of the Beaujolais region, and Côte de Brouilly specifically. We quote from Kermit's website for the full and wonderful story: 'It is no surprise that Château Thivin is the benchmark domaine of the Côte de Brouilly; everything about it is exceptional. Built in the fifteenth century on an ancient volcano which juts out steeply into the valley below, Thivin is the oldest estate on Mont Brouilly. Even more important, however, is its tremendous success since farmer Zaccharie Geoffray purchased the château with its two hectares of land at auction in 1877. His son Claude expanded the property over the next few decades, and his son, also named Claude, boosted the prestige of the zone in the face of the Great Depression when he played a pivotal role in the creation of the Côte de Brouilly appellation. With his wife Yvonne, he also helped to bring greater recognition to the entire region with the establishment of the Maison du Beaujolais in 1953. Over the years the family continued to promote the appellation, receiving many influential artists and journalists at the château. The French novelist, Colette, wrote admiringly of her visit to Thivin. In 1976, Richard Olney brought Kermit Lynch to visit the estate on their first wine trip together. It was Olney’s top recommendation in all of Beaujolais. The current generation of the Geoffray family continues their tradition. Today their grandnephew Claude, his wife Evelyne, and their son Claude-Edouard continue the tradition as staunch and proud defenders of the terroir of the Côte de Brouilly. Thivin’s Côte de Brouilly parcels are predominantly south-facing and are planted entirely with Gamay vines that average 50 years of age. The soil is plowed and composted regularly while cover crops are left between some rows to encourage microbiotic activity. Absolutely no insecticides are used. On a slope with a grade of 48% and crumbly surface, implementing these techniques is essential to safeguard the soil from erosion, but it isn’t easy! Each section of the vineyard is harvested and vinified separately to preserve the unique characteristics afforded by variations in exposure and altitude. Even the estate’s vineyards in the Brouilly appellation are planted on a moderately steep hillside of decomposed pink granite, while most of the appellation is planted on the flat valley floor. Traditional whole-cluster fermentation keeps the characteristic fruity qualities of Gamay, after which the grapes are transferred to cuves by gravity without being crushed. Each vintage spends a few months in large oak foudres before bottling. The resulting wines, according to Kermit, resemble “…a country squire who is not afraid to get his boots muddy. Handsome, virile, earthy, and an aristocrat.” From the Wine Advocate: "Château Thivin must be one of the prettiest wineries in Beaujolais, perched on the steep slopes of the Côte de Brouilly like something you would find on a postcard. It is always a pleasure to meet winemaker Claude-Edouard Geoffrey (still a dead-ringer for Harry Potter—apologies for keep mentioning that), and in recent years he has certainly been casting his magic over the wines that are among the finest in Beaujolais. "The 2016 season started very warm," he told me as we tasted in his dining room, "and for one month [in early spring] it stayed around 25 degrees Celsius. This was followed by a cool period. April to June was very rainy, which made the viticulture very difficult, and then there was good weather during flowering. Afterwards it was a very good August and September, very hot and dry. Some of the young vines suffered during this period. We started the harvest around 21 or 22 September and finished 6 or 7 October. The next day the vines were freezing." Although the 2016s faced a more challenging growing season than the previous year, Thivin's wines performed extremely well, demonstrating freshness and satisfying fruit, not just with respect to the reds but also a wonderful Beaujolais Rosé that is one of the finest I have tasted from the region. I have bleated on about the brilliance of Thivin's Côte de Brouilly, in my mind one of the finest offerings from Beaujolais, an exemplary expression of Gamay from one of its most propitious terroirs. In summary, it is onwards and upwards from Château Thivin."

$24.99 $22.49

Castello di Monsanto Monrosso Toscana 2015

This is an extraordinary value for an estate-bottled Super Tuscan with a very high pedigree. Aldo Bianchi, a native of San Gimignano, left Tuscany before the Second World War to seek fortune in the North of Italy. In 1960, he came back to the area for a wedding and was enchanted by the view from the terrace of Castello di Monsanto. It was love at first sight which made him buy the property within a few months. But if Aldo was bewitched by the landscape, Fabrizio, his son, immediately fell in love with the wines he found in the cellar. Thanks to a passion for wine handed down to him by his grandmother, who came from Piedmont, and to an innate entrepreneurial spirit, Fabrizio, together with the untiring help of his wife Giuliana, started to plant new vineyards and convert the numerous farmhouses. In 1989, Laura, Fabrizio’s daughter, started to work in the company and gradually learned the land, the people who worked it and her father, the marvels and difficulties of the natural evolutive process which transforms grapes into wine. This is a red Tuscan blend of Sangiovese, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon

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$15.99 $14.39

Mauro Molino Nebbiolo 2016

Italy's best source for wine reviews, the Gambero Rosso , raves about the family-owned and managed Mauro Molino estate: 'The Molinos again showed why they are among the top Langhe producers. Credit goes in particular to Mauro and his son, Matteo, who is partly responsible for the estate's enormous critical success. For the basic Barolo, the estate ages the wine in large Slavonian oak barrels, which is a classic practice in the region, and the wine is known for its delicate nose of violets and roasted fruits, and concentrated, harmonious palate.' Mauro Molino founded this estate and today works alongside his son Matteo and daughter Martina. In 1973 Mauro graduated from enology school in Alba, and then followed that with five years of winemaking experience in Emilia Romagna. In 1979 after his father’s passing, he returned home to the family farm in La Morra and began consulting for local wineries while building up his own estate. 1982 was the first vintage from the famed family parcel in Conca dell’Annunziata, the conch-shaped parcel pictured above, and the rest is history. In 2003 Matteo joined the company, and then in 2009, Matteo’s sister also joined the gang. Today they manage approximately 12 hectares of vineyards, 50% dedicated to Nebbiolo for Barolo, and the rest mostly Barbera, and Dolcetto. This estate practices sustainable organic viticulture. This Nebbiolo is made from 10-30 year old vines in Monforte d’Alba and Guarene. Fermentation in stainless steel, then aging six months in large French oak casks coopered in Austria. Only 1000 cases produced.

$19.99 $17.99

Chateau Moulin de Mallet Bordeaux 2015

Château Moulin de Mallet is owned by the quality-driven Serge Couderc and his son Julien, who have worked tirelessly to constantly improve and modernize the nearly 100 acres that constitute the estate. Situated in the town of Pujols, a rocky outcrop overlooking the Dordogne River, facing the slopes of St Emilion in the far southeast corner of the Bordeaux region, this lovely vineyard enjoys beneficial clay-limestone soils, with old vines averaging 30 years. Made of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, we found a lovely bouquet evoking ripe red fruits, vanilla and licorice. In the mouth, this has admirable concentration and silky tannins. Serve with chicken and pork dishes, or with cheeses and charcuterie. A stunningly good buy tasted and approved by our staff.

$14.99 $13.49

Melville Estate Pinot Noir 2014

Owned by father and son Ron and Chad Melville, Melville is an estate driven winery, which focuses upon Burgundy and Northern Rhone style wines. Located in the heart of Santa Rita Hills, in Santa Barbara County, the estate has 85 acres planted to vineyards. Winemaker Greg Brewer makes Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chardonnay, and Viognier for the family. After having owned vineyards in Napa, Ron Melville came to Santa Rita and never looked back. Calculated composting, complex cover cropping practice and deficit irrigation, matched with a tremendous amount of crop reduction and canopy management are the critical components to Melville’s strength as wine growers. This is 100% Melville fruit from Melville's Sta. Rita Hills estate, and is a collection of 16 pinot noir clones. 40% of the fruit was fermented as whole-clusters with 60% gently de-stemmed in small (1.5 ton) open-top fermenters. Total skin and stem contact averaged 30 days (7 day cold soak, 2 + weeks of fermentation and 1 + week extended maceration). From the press, the wine was transferred directly into neutral barrel (old French oak), where it remained sur lie without sulfur until June, when it was gently racked for the first time and prepared for bottling in August. Yields were 3.6 lbs/vine (3.3 tons/acre).

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~~$39.99~~$29.99

Raymond Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

The Raymond family arrived in Napa Valley in 1933 and became connected to the Beringer family via marriage in 1936. Roy worked as winemaker for Beringer from 1933-1970, when in 1970, he and his two sons set out on their own with the 90-acre estate property in Rutherford where the winery is located. They released their first commercial wine under the Raymond Vineyards label in 1974 and never looked back. Like all great American family stories, the Raymonds put hard work and a pioneering spirit into their winery. Their dedication has helped make Raymond Vineyards a classic Napa Valley icon.

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~~$49.99~~$39.99

Marques de Murrieta Rioja Reserva 2012

Tasted and loved by our staff, Marques de Murrieta has a long, meaningful history at the Bottle Shop. When we were first learning about wines, it was very important to our dad for us to know the best, most classic wines of every great winemaking region in the world. In Spain, Marques de Murrieta was at the top of his list. We had the opportunity to taste old wines from Murrieta from vintages such as 1968 and 1959 with him while we were still in the infancy of our wine training. The estate is very much a traditional estate in style. While rich and deep in flavor, the fruit is multi-layered but not 'New World jammy'. Red and black fruits, cedar, leather, hints of spices, even hints of tar are revealed. We would pair this with Spanish-inspired cuisine, especially pork or lamb dishes. WINE ADVOCATE reports: 'Yes, this is one of the oldest wineries in Rioja, created back in the 19th century, and they keep their traditions, but now but each wine is selected from specific plots, something that they have done since the year 2000, a year that marked a big change in the winery. I feel more balance and better integration of the oak with the wine in recent vintages. I really liked the wines I tasted and was very excited to be shown a tank sample of the 1986 Castillo de Ygay Gran Reserva Blanco. Yes, you have read it correctly, it was a tank sample which is waiting to be bottled after almost 21 years in wood and 6 years in tank that will be released sometime in the future. I simply loved it.'

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$29.99 $26.99

Château-Pesquié Terrasses 2015

Located at the foot of the Ventoux mountain in the Rhône Valley, Château Pesquié has been cultivating vines for 2000 years. In the Provençal language, the term “pesquié” (from the Latin “pescarium”) originally describes a fishpond and applies to the lexical field surrounding springs and water which are vital commodities in the dry Provençal climate. The terroir of Château Pesquié has one of the coolest microclimates in the south of the Rhône Valley. The terroir has a great mineral diversity, predominantly consisting of limestone. The Ventoux Mountain provides exceptional conditions to create outstanding wines. In modern times, the estate has been family-owned and run by the same family for three generations, making some of the best wines of the appellation. Made of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah in the 2014 vintage, the name 'Terrasses' refers to the terraces painstakingly built by their ancestors into the steep vineyards.

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~~$16.99~~$13.99

Montes Classic Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

This Cabernet has been a huge success at the Bottle Shop. Made of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot, this was aged for 6 months in French oak, and has good body with cassis, black cherry, mint and spice complexities. Made from grapes grown in Chile's Colchagua Valley, which has become famous for good Cabernet's, this is one of the greatest value in Cabernet in the market. Winemaker/Owner Aurelio Montes was named "Winemaker of the Year" by Wine Spectator in the years 2002 and 2006. Montes and his partners run a great, quality-driven operation in both Chile and in Argentina at Kaiken.

$10.99 $9.89

Carpineto Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva 2012

Named for the Renaissance town of Montepulciano, the term nobile has historical roots in the original practice of reserving this wine exclusively for the aristocratic families of this area of Tuscany. Carpineto’s Vino Nobile is produced from fruit harvested exclusively from their Montepulciano Estate. The ethereal bouquet shows elegant notes of violet and toasted oak nuances. Bold fruit flavors envelope the palate with a velvety, elegant texture and long finish, it is dry and full in style. This Riserva benefits from extensive aging in a combination of Slavonian and French oak barrels for 18-24 months, followed by 12 months in bottle. TOP 100 WINE OF THE YEAR 2016

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$29.99 $26.99

Fattoria di Felsina Maestro Raro Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Fattoria di Fèlsina is one of the greatest quality estates in Tuscany. Based in the Chianti Classico region, Fèlsina produces one of the finest ranges of ageworthy and complex Chianti bottlings in all of Italy. Unlike many of their neighbors, Fèlsina has never succumbed to the temptation to produce "new age" Chianti made of international-styled blends that include Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. Instead, they continue to use solely Sangiovese in their Chianti wines. Consequently, their elegant yet intensely flavored Chiantis place them firmly among the top handful of Chianti producers, with the best vintages of their top Riserva Chiantis often approaching Brunello di Montalcino (also 100% Sangiovese) in terms of complexity and potential for longevity. In addition to their distinct bottlings of Chianti Classico, Fèlsina also produces one of Italy's rare Cabernet Sauvignon wines named Maestro Raro. Sourced from the vineyards of Il Poggiolo and Maestro Raro and made of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, Maestro Raro is made from soils which are farmed organically consisting of quarzitic blue-grey sandstone, stratified sand and calcareous alberese mixed with alluvial pebbles. The vineyards were planted in 1983 and are farmed with biodynamic methods and the grapes are all hand-harvested. Ultimately Maestro Raro is aged for 14-18 months' in oak, then blended in stainless steel before bottling. 'Felsina is a reference-point property for readers who want to discover the best Tuscany has to offer. Prices remain exceedingly fair considering the quality of what is in the bottle.' raves Wine Advocate

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~~$69.99~~$59.99

Paolo Scavino Barolo 2013

Enrico Scavino is at the helm of this family estate, founded in 1921, and has proven himself a leader in the quality of both his own vineyard and in the Barolo area at large. Considered the 'avant-garde' of the Langhe area, he continues to vinify his wines parcel by parcel, taking advantage of these small fermentations to try to make better wines. In fact, in 2007 Enrico has even designed and fabricated his own fermentation vessel, used exclusively on his Barolo, to improve the finesse of extraction from his nebbiolo. Now with his daughters Elisa and Enrica working with him full-time, it would seem possible for this statesman—contemporary of Domenico Clerico and Elio Altare—to take a step back. Instead, Enrico’s passion is further bolstered by the presence of the next generation. Castiglione Falletto lies in the very heart of the Barolo area — its soils are of both tortonian and helvetian origins, stratified amongst each other. In other words, crus in Castiglione like Bric del Fiasc (or even Bricco Boschis for that matter) combine the elegance of Barolo and La Morra with the power of Serralunga and Monforte. The first vintage of Bric del Fiasc was 1978—as a Barolo Riserva—hence the release this year of the 30 year anniversary Bric del Fiasc Riserva 2008 (AG:97+). But Enrico never closed his eyes to the beauty of the neighboring communes: in 1985 he signed a long-term lease on a small parcel in Cannubi in Barolo. Next, in 1990, he acquired a piece of the famed Rocche Annunziata cru in La Morra. In 2002, with the help of Domenico Clerico, he purchased a piece of Bricco Ambrogio, the most renown vineyard in the commune of Roddi. And most recently in 2007 he added a piece of Monviglero, considered the grand cru of Verduno. This Barolo represents the history and tradition of blending different crus of Nebbiolo in order to create a house style. The same care and quality work are employed on this wine as for all of the cru Barolo. Sourced from the top performing plots of 7 single vineyards in the village of Castiglione Falletto (Rocche Moriondino, Vignolo and Pernanno vineyards), Barolo (Albarella, Terlo and Vignane vineyards) and Serralunga d’Alba (San Bernardo vineyard). This wine is an opportunity for many clients to enjoy a great Barolo with an exceptional price quality ratio. “Enrico Scavino and his two daughters, Enrica and Elisa, continue to produce outstanding Barolos year in and year out.” – Wine Spectator “The Scavino family (Enrico and his daughters Enrica and Elisa) carry forth an important family legacy with a wide range of cru-specific wines that brilliantly exhibit individual styles.” – Wine Advocate

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~~$49.99~~$39.99

Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

In 1971 Charlie and Lorna Wagner asked their young son Chuck if he would be interested in joining them in starting up a winery and he leapt at the opportunity. They produced their first vintage in 1972, consisting of 240 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon and they continue to focus their efforts on top quality Cabernet Sauvignon to this day. Caymus Vineyards remains 100% family-owned by the Wagners. Charlie, Lorna Belle, and Chuck worked together as a remarkable team for over 30 years building Caymus Cabernet. Today, Chuck, his two sons, Charlie and Joe, and one daughter, Jenny, have joined the family team. Farming grapes remain the priority with the family farming about 350 acres of prime Napa Valley land. The Wagners took the name Caymus from the Mexican land grant known as Rancho Caymus, given to George Yount in 1836, which encompassed what eventually became the town of Rutherford and much of the surrounding area. Caymus Vineyards produces two Cabernets Sauvignons - a "Napa Valley" and the venerable "Special Selection". Both Cabernet bottlings have aromas and flavors which can only be achieved through "hang time" - a technique which chances the loss of crop if early winter sets in. Leaving the fruit to "hang" on the vine unusually long develops suppleness, increases color, and matures the tannins of the grapes. The wines are abundant in textural tannins yet soft as velvet. Crop thinning, allowing measured sunlight to reach the vine's fruit zone, and waiting for increased ripeness are all part of our viticultural practices. Caymus Cabernets offer a wide array of aromas and flavors including cocoa, cassis and vanilla.

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~~$99.99~~$89.99

Our Favorite Picks

Lucien Albrecht Cremant d'Alsace Brut Rosé

Made of 100% Pinot Noir using the classic methode champenoise , this has strawberry red raspberry and vanilla suggestions that are enhanced by the wine's wonderful ripeness and freshness, with saline and toast notes on the creamy, lush finish. The history of the Albrecht family as winegrowers can be traced back to 1425 with Romanu Albrecht, who lived in the town of Thann in the Haut-Rhin department of Alsace. During this time in the fifteenth century, Alsace experience a golden era. The Winegrowers Guild of Alsace was founded and each year, the most deserving wine grower was elected by the guild as Bangard, a highly respected position. Between 1520 and 1698, it was held by 8 generations of Albrecht's. Domaine Albrecht experienced a major development under the guidance of Lucien Albrecht, the father of Jean, to become one of the most important in Alsace with holdings in 9 villages surrounding Orschwihr. In 1972 Lucien Albrecht was also a pioneer of Cremant d'Alsace. Today the Cremant is one of the house's specialties. The cellar dates back to 1772 and houses large oak barrels, some of which are over 100 years of age…

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$19.99 $18.99

Camille Braun Cremant d'Alsace Brut Rose

The Braun Family can trace their roots in Alsace back to 1523, and have been making wine in the village of Orschwihr since 1902. Today the Domaine Camille Braun consists of 13 hectares of vines in or around Orschwihr, including the Grand Cru site “Pfingstberg,” documented since 1299, and single sites Bollenberg, Lippelsberg, Effenberg and Meissenberg. Under the watchful care of Christophe and Chantal Braun, the farming has been organic for the past 15 years and has been biodynamic since 2005. Production is just over 8,000 cases. The result of this labor has been numerous awards, including the Prize for Excellence at the Concours National in 2000, awarded for the consistent quality of all their wines, and in 2006 the Gold Medal at the Concours National des Crémants for their Crémant d’Alsace Brut. This beautiful Crémant d'Alsace Rosé Brut is made from 100% Pinot Noir planted in clay and limestone soils, with vines averaging 30 years and the average annual production is a mere 10,000 bottles. Look for a beautiful pale pink hue, lively and persistent mousse and an expressive nose of cherries, strawberries and red fruits. The palate is dry, subtle and delicate with fine balance and a round, soft finish.

$29.99 $28.49

Fisticuffs Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Fisticuffs’ vision is to produce the highest quality wine while keeping its pricing well managed - in essence, to over-deliver, and knock you out. To fulfill this objective, winemaker Rob Lawson crafted Fisticuffs using his years of experience making many of Napa Valley’s top Cabernets at Napa Wine Company, such as: Ghost Block, Mirror, and Kapcsandy. In the creation of this blend, Rob has applied the rigorous standards associated with the best Cabernets of Napa Valley, while sourcing fruit and blending components from some of Napa Valley’s top vineyards. The 2015 Fisticuffs is a classic Napa Valley Cabernet with a touch of Petite Verdot, Petite Sirah and Malbec. Aromas of dark chocolate, black cherry, cedar, and rose complement a mouth coating palate of vine ripened blackberry and baked raspberry. The tannins are firm yet subtle and expansive, and slowly yield to mocha and candied pecans on the finish.

$33.99 $30.59

Francois Baur Sang du Dragon Pinot Noir 2015

This Pinot Noir from the Alsace region is an absolute beauty and a wonderful example from northern France. Continuous vine growing in Alsace dates back to Roman times; viticulture in the Brand area was recorded in 1328 from documents of Paris and the abbeys of Munster. Red wines have been traditionally rare in Alsace because of the region's cool growing season and northerly location, but today we are seeing more and more reds produced with changing climates and organic winemaking methods. The name for this Pinot, 'Sang du Dragon' comes from an old legend...when the valley of the Rhine was still underwater, a dragon emerged from the waves to rest on the protruding Brand hilltop. The sun was too fierce, however, and its rays eventually pierced the dragon's scales, drawing blood. Gravely wounded, the dragon dragged itself to a cave where it then died. Many centuries later, wine growers came to plant vines in this area. Still fertile with the dragon's blood, legend has it that the vines even today produce a wine of fire. Today, Baur's wines carry the dragon's image. In an email we received from Virginie Baur, she told us : "Sang du Dragon means dragon's blood. There is a legend that a dragon was slain in this vineyard (the Brand vineyard), and the blood of the dragon made the vines strong. 'Brand' means "land of fire" in German and is a Grand Cru Vineyard but only Muscat, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer and Riesling can have the Grand Cru Appellation according to the AC laws, so we named the wine 'Sang du Dragon'." The story is fun for sure, but the wine itself is amazing. We drink it at home often, it is a wonderfully terroir -driven treat! Over the past several years, Baur has converted his vineyards to fully biodynamic production--a totally natural approach to the cultivation of vines that makes every attempt to respect the plants, the soil and the environment. No weed killers or insecticides are used; instead, certain types of grasses are encouraged to grow between the vines which actually strengthen the soil. To provide aeration, the earth is plowed manually a few times a year. Only natural products are used on the leaves of the vine itself: Work is scheduled according to the phases of the moon, often at night while the vines are resting and not fatigued by the sun. Studying in the same biodynamics class as Jean-Michel Deiss, one notes the fervor with which Pierre Baur (Virginie's father) now addresses his work; it has become a religion to him and, he trusts nature explicitly in his vineyards.

$39.99 $35.99

Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo 2014

Made by Tenuta Sette Ponti, Crognolo is a rich and complex Super Tuscan red made from stony galestro limestone, sand and clay soils. A blend of mostly Sangiovese with a dollop of Merlot, the vines average 30 years and the wine is aged in French oak for 12-18 months. The estate lies in the heart of the Chianti zone, and Crognolo is named for a wild bush, Cornus, that grows on the estate. This wine has wonderful concentration and a multi-layered, velvety style. Thoughts of grilled Tuscan steaks with rosemary potatoes immediately leap to mind, as this big red will pair beautifully with hearty red meat dishes.

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~~$34.99~~$24.99

Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Rosso di Montalcino 2015

Ciacci Piccolmini is one of the most sought-after producers in Montalcino. This ancient estate has 35 hectares of superior holdings in the prized Castelnuovo dell'Abate zone, including the 'Pianrosso' vineyard (from which the best grapes are selected for the Brunello di Montalcino) and the 'Fonte' vineyard, which produces grapes for the Rosso di Montalcino. This Rosso is made of 100% Sangiovese Grosso, with bright and rich red fruit, earth, dried citrus zest and gentle spices. The vineyard is organically farmed and the wine is fermented in stainless steel and concrete vats before being transferred to large Slovenian oak where it rests for 12 months. Only 1000 cases are typically produced in each vintage.

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~~$22.99~~$19.99

Fattoria di Magliano Sinarra 2013

We met both the father and the son from Fattoria di Magliano; Agostino Lenci was a prestigious shoemaker before fulfilling his dream of producing fine wine in Tuscany. His son Nicola is now the winemaker, while his brother is crafting small batch Belgian-style beer for the family. Sinarra, meaning 'to tell a story,' recounts a beautiful expression of Sangiovese cultivated in the Maremma Toscana. Fruit-forward with fresh notes of blackberries and blueberries, and herbal notes. A full-bodied, well-balanced red aged in cement vats for 6 months, then cellared for an additional six months. The perfect conversation-starter, the Etruscan alphabet adorns the label – the base of communication.

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~~$24.99~~$19.99

Robert Moncuit Grand Cru Brut Champagne

A family-run estate with organic vineyards, Champagne Robert Moncuit has a five generation history. Alex Moncuit started the vineyard in 1889, and in 1928 his grandson Robert created his first cuvée and Champagne Robert Moncuit was born. Robert continued to produce this exceptional Champagne until his death in 1987. His daughter Francoise took over the estate, and her son Pierre has been winemaker since 2000. Until 2000 all the wine was sold in France. The estate has 8 hectares under vine in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger which is the same renowned village where Krug's famous 'Clos du Mesnil' vineyard designate is made, and the Le Mesnil-sur-Oger is where the Salon family first realized and then convinced the world that this area was beautifully suited for Champagne made from 100% Chardonnay. The Moncuit family produces all 'Blanc de Blancs' Champagne, meaning 100% Chardonnay. Their vines are tended without the use of pesticides and herbicides. The fruit is hand-harvested and sorted, with each parcel vinified separately to optimize the outcome of blending. All of the wines are fermented and raised in tank, the goal being contact with the lees. The malos happen naturally, they don't filter or chapitalize. The base wine for this Brut is 2010 with about 20% reserve from 2009. Approximately 30% of the cuvée is aged in oak. This is the only wine in his range that sees any oak so as not to mask the beautiful chalkiness of the Mesnil soils. Made with 8g dosage.

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$49.99 $47.49

Domaine Drouhin Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2015

Domaine Drouhin Oregon is a long-time favorite wine estate of the Murray family. We met winemaker Véronique Drouhin-Boss when she first embarked upon her Oregon winemaking adventure in the early 1990's and was releasing her first vintages of 1988, 1989 and 1990. Visiting Oregon wine country was a revelation back then, and the Drouhin family's positive influence on the Willamette Valley is legendary. Véronique Drouhin-Boss always seeks to capture the essence of what nature has provided in the estate's vineyards each year, rather than trying to dictate a particular style. The wines at Domaine Drouhin are hallmarked by elegance, finesse, purity, and the capacity to improve gracefully with age. Domaine Drouhin Oregon uses approximately 20% new oak for their Pinot Noirs, which allows the character of the wine and vintage to show through. Barrels are custom made in Burgundy, using oak from France's best forests. The goal is to produce Pinot Noirs with balance, elegance and finesse. Domaine Drouhin is home to 90 acres of hillside vineyards in the heart of Oregon's Red Hills of the Willamette Valley, producing stunning Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that are noted internationally for their pure expression of fruit, superior balance, silky texture, and classical elegance. The 90 acres of hillside vineyards that ribbon the 225-acre estate are at the very heart of Domaine Drouhin wines. Situated atop the Dundee Hills, between 400 and 800 feet in elevation, the site was selected for its remarkable similarity in climate, latitude and aspect to the legendary vineyards of Burgundy. ' Domaine Drouhin remains one of the standards against which other Oregon Pinot Noirs must be measured.' - The Wine Advocate

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$49.99 $44.99

Melville Estate Pinot Noir 2014

Owned by father and son Ron and Chad Melville, Melville is an estate driven winery, which focuses upon Burgundy and Northern Rhone style wines. Located in the heart of Santa Rita Hills, in Santa Barbara County, the estate has 85 acres planted to vineyards. Winemaker Greg Brewer makes Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chardonnay, and Viognier for the family. After having owned vineyards in Napa, Ron Melville came to Santa Rita and never looked back. Calculated composting, complex cover cropping practice and deficit irrigation, matched with a tremendous amount of crop reduction and canopy management are the critical components to Melville’s strength as wine growers. This is 100% Melville fruit from Melville's Sta. Rita Hills estate, and is a collection of 16 pinot noir clones. 40% of the fruit was fermented as whole-clusters with 60% gently de-stemmed in small (1.5 ton) open-top fermenters. Total skin and stem contact averaged 30 days (7 day cold soak, 2 + weeks of fermentation and 1 + week extended maceration). From the press, the wine was transferred directly into neutral barrel (old French oak), where it remained sur lie without sulfur until June, when it was gently racked for the first time and prepared for bottling in August. Yields were 3.6 lbs/vine (3.3 tons/acre).

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~~$39.99~~$29.99

Loveblock Sauvignon Blanc 2017

Loveblock is the project of husband and wife team, Kim and Erica Crawford. After selling their enormously popular brand Kim Crawford, they forged ahead with this organic vineyard in Marlborough, believing deeply in embracing a natural life and protecting the environment. Kim is the winemaker and has fashioned a deliciously pure and balanced Sauvignon with white peach, fig and herb notes in the nose and mouth. This will pair particularly well with sushi and sashimi, lemon grass-accented Asian fare, green salads and crispy asparagus dishes.

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~~$22.99~~$17.99

Sottimano Barbera d'Alba Pairolero 2015

This is an exceptional Barbera from the Sottimano family who is well-known for high quality Barbaresco wines. While Nebbiolo may be 'king' in Piedmont (Nebbiolo is the grape used in Barbaresco and Barolo), the other two main red grapes of the region, Dolcetto and Barbera, are becoming more exciting due to the commitment of high quality growers such as Sottimano, Sandrone and Clerico. The 'Pairolero' Barbera is a blend of two different vineyards of Barbera in Neive; Curra' and Basarin. Winemaker Andrea Sottimano uses only natural, indigenous yeasts in the winemaking and the malolactic fermentation is completed in French barrels, where the wine remains for approximately 15-16 months. 25% of the barrels used for aging are new, the remaining 75% have previously been used for up to 4 times. There is no filtering and no fining prior to bottling. Barbera has become one of our favorite 'everyday' reds with a full range of foods. Serve with white meats, light red meat dishes, bright tomato-based sauces, cheeses, olives, cured meats and more.

$24.99 $22.49

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Bottle Shop of Spring Lake

1400 Third Avenue

Spring Lake NJ 07762

(732) 449-5525

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Bottle Shop of Spring Lake

1400 Third Avenue

Spring Lake NJ 07762

(732) 449-5525

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