Bottle Shop of Spring Lake

Burgundy

Joseph Drouhin St Veran 2015

The lovely village of Saint-Véran, which produces Saint-Véran Blanc, is wedged between the areas of Beaujolais and Pouilly-Fuisse, hidden among the hills. Established by decree on January 6,1971, it is the latest appellation in the Mâconnais region. Its Jurassic chalky soil, a continuation of the limestone strata found in the Côte d'Or, is ideal for growing Chardonnay grapes. Drouhin's offering is one of the best and most traditional of the region. Picked by hand, the Chardonnay grapes are gently pressed then fermented in stainless steel so as not to hide the pure fruit flavors. Bottled before summer to capture the freshness and fruitiness of the wine, it may be drunk young or within 4 years from the harvest. Stylistically close to Pouilly-Fuisse, with its golden green hue, its intense fruity, flowery nose and its refreshing flavours, Saint-Véran marries well with hors-d'oeuvre, delicately flavoured charcuterie, oysters, mussels and other shellfish. It will also be wonderfully refreshing aperitif on its own without food. The 2014 was a TOP 100 WINE OF THE YEAR 2016.

$19.99 $17.99

Paul Pernot Puligny-Montrachet les Folatieres 2015

Paul Pernot founded this family domaine in 1959. He started with about 10 hectares, most of which had been in the family for almost 200 years. Paul and his sons, Paul and Michel, are considered among the most important producers of Puligny Montrachet alongside Domaine Leflaive. They work 20 hectares of vineyards, of which 15 are in the commune of Puligny-Montrachet, including two grand crus – Bâtard Montrachet and Bienvenues Bâtard Montrachet, as well as four other top premieres crus : Les Champs-Canet; Les Folatières; Clos de La Garenne, and Les Pucelles. They are also the largest owner in the illustrious 1er cru vineyard of les Folatières, This fine domaine keeps tradition, in its best way, on top of its agenda. The wines reflect the potential of their origin. The wines are carefully made with minimal batonnage, and no new oak is used for the regional and village wines. Premieres crus receive about 30% new oak, and the grand crus between 40-50% depend on the vintage. The wines are bottled with a fining and very light filtration. The wines of Domaine Paul Pernot deliver balance and purity.

$99.99 $89.99

Château Thivin Côte de Brouilly 2015

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: "The good thing about visiting Château Thivin with only a sketchy idea of its location is that you can just head for a large, hilly-shaped object (the Côte de Brouilly) and circle it a few times and you are bound to finally locate the 16th century château. Like last year, I also met with Cédric Chignard in order to taste his own wines and also those of Jean Foillard, also “in the house,” for a representation of Kermit Lynch’s Beaujolais producers. Claude-Edouard Geoffray, who may possibly resemble Daniel Radcliffe/Harry Potter even more than last year, has cast his magic wand over recent releases from Château Thivin and, in my humble opinion, produced some absolute classics from around Côte de Brouilly. “I was surprised by the freshness of the 2015,” he told me as we sat down to taste. “We had more concentration than maturity but the wines were also rich with acidity. We started the picking on 28 August and finished on 9 September. The harvest was fast, almost too fast. Because of the dryness there were not a lot of leaves and this made it easy for the pickers. There was hardly any sorting that needed to be done. People will like the 2015s.” As I mentioned, Château Thivin has a roster of outstanding wines that for me reach their zenith with their Côte de Brouilly. Both the 2014 and 2015 are fabulous wines that would be up there with the finest that I tasted during my stay in the region. I actually prefer them to the Cuvée Zaccharie that sees more oak maturation: still a very impressive wine but perhaps not quite as nuanced and detailed as the regular bottling."

wa94

$24.99 $22.49

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.

js92
we92
wa91

~~$34.99~~$27.99

M. Chapoutier Cotes du Roussillon Villages Bila Haut 2015

Domaine Bila-Haut is owned by the world-renowned Rhône Valley winemaker Michel Chapoutier. The estate is located in the Côtes du Roussillon of Languedoc, which borders the Rhône Valley and has many of the same grapes planted. Bila-Haut is an old vine estate that Chapoutier farms with biodynamic techniques (same as he does at his Rhone estate), and it is planted to Grenache, Carignan and Syrah. The cool winters, hot summers, low rainfall, and the local 'Mistral' (which is a drying breeze), combine to make a perfect climate for these varietals. All of the grapes are hand picked in the vineyards, and the bunches are de-stemmed upon arrival to the winery. The resulting wine is deep, rich and a little rustic, with black cherry, dark plum, mocha and licorice notes. It will pair beautifully with roasted and grilled meats, beef stew, hearty, spicy bean soups or flavorful cheeses. The 2010 Bila-Haut was chosen as a Top 100 Wine of the Year in 2012 by Wine Spectator.

wa91-93
ws90

~~$16.99~~$14.99

Mauro Molino Nebbiolo 2015

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.

bot92

~~$19.99~~$17.99

Château Siaurac Plaisir de Siaurac Lalande de Pomerol 2014

Ch â teau Siaurac is one of the most famous properties in Lalande-de-Pomerol, which is a satellite appellation of Pomerol. The family is oriented toward quality in order to produce wines with great expression and typicity of the terroir . The 'Plaisir de Siaurac' is made from the young vines of Ch â teau Siaurac, where the clay and gravel vines are cultivated with sustainable viticulture. The Ch â teau has been certified since January 2009; they conduct grassing between rows, grapes and leaves removal, hand harvesting and double sorting by hand. The average age of the vineyard is between 25 and 30 years. The 'Plaisir' has been made by an exceptional team as well: the technical director from Chateau Latour, Penelope Godefroy, has worked with, Jean-Claude Berrouet, who was the winemaker at Petrus for 40 years. A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, this tastes rich, velvety and pure with notes of cherry, mocha, licorice & rose petals. We have also been long-time fans of Chateau Siaurac so this new release was particularly exciting.

bot90

~~$24.99~~$19.99

Chateau Moulin de Mallet Bordeaux 2012

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.

we81

$14.99 $13.49

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…

bot92
we90
wa87
ws87

$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

Pico Maccario Barbera d'Asti Lavignone 2015

Pico Maccario is a Barbera specialist located in the town of Mombaruzzo in the heart of Piedmont’s Barbera d’Asti DOCG. Brothers Pico and Vitaliano created the Pico Maccario brand in 1997 following four generations of selling the family grapes to other producers. Pico Maccario, the eldest brother, devotes himself to the production of the wine while Vitaliano handles the commercial aspects of the business. 8000 rose bushes planted at the end of each vine row are both the symbol of the winery as well as a traditional indicator of vine-threatening diseases. Pico Maccario’s winemaking style is to respect the true varietal character of Barbera, delivering wines with focused, clean aromas, and balanced, pleasant acidity. These are very complete Barberas, that are as versatile and enjoyable, as rich and satisfying, in pure Piemontese tradition. We tasted and loved the Barbera d'Asti Lavignone which is a bright and aromatic wine with aromas and flavors of red cherries, violets and wild herbs. Soft tannins and a moderate level of alcohol and medium weight make Lavignone an ideal wine for immediate enjoyment. It can be served at room-temperature or slightly chilled and with a wide range of foods. With its soft tannins and moderate weight, Lavignone can be paired with many different dishes, even with fusion preparations, but it shines with roasted poultry and cheeses. The wine’s earthy flavors will nicely accent any dish containing herbs and mushrooms. Served slightly chilled, it can also be paired with spicy foods such as barbeque or Indian curry.

$16.99 $15.29

Francois Baur Sang du Dragon Pinot Noir 2012

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.

ws87

$39.99 $35.99

Domaine Hudelot-Baillet Bourgogne Rouge 2014

This is an incredible value offering from a small domaine in Chambolle-Musigny. Hudelot-Baillet's Bourgogne rouge is essentially de-classified Chambolle-Musigny augmented by parcels in Gilly. The domaine was created in 1981 with cellars and holdings in Chambolle, 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."

$29.99 $26.99

Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo 2013

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.

js95
ws88

~~$34.99~~$23.99

Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Rosso di Montalcino 2014

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.

~~$24.99~~$19.99

Paul Pernot Bourgogne Blanc 2015

Paul Pernot founded this family domaine in 1959. He started with about 10 hectares, most of which had been in the family for almost 200 years. Paul and his sons, Paul and Michel, are considered among the most important producers of Puligny Montrachet alongside Domaine Leflaive. They work 20 hectares of vineyards, of which 15 are in the commune of Puligny-Montrachet, including two grand crus – Bâtard Montrachet and Bienvenues Bâtard Montrachet, as well as four other top premier crus : Les Champs-Canet; Les Folatières; Clos de La Garenne, and Les Pucelles. They are also the largest owner in the illustrious 1er cru vineyard of les Folatières, This fine domaine keeps tradition, in its best way, on top of its agenda. The wines reflect the potential of their origin. The wines are carefully made with minimal batonnage, and no new oak is used for the regional and village wines. Premier cru's receive about 30% new oak, and the grand crus between 40-50% depend on the vintage. The wines are bottled with a fining and very light filtration. The wines of Domaine Paul Pernot deliver balance and purity. Look for beautifully perfumed aromas of flowers, citrus fruits, ripe pear and hints of cream. The palate is extremely focused and pure, with its mineral intensity balancing the lushness of the fruit. Spice, pear, honeysuckle and orange blossom flow in layers on the palate, leading to a fresh and vibrant finish. This is the kind of Bourgogne Blanc we love to drink at home.

$29.99 $26.99

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.

js92
agv90

~~$24.99~~$19.99

Tenuta La Favola Catarratto Grillo 2015

This certified organic estate is owned by Corrado and Valeria Gurrieri. A blend of 70% Catarratto and 30% Grillo, 100% handpicked, two indigenous Sicilian grapes, this white is clean, fresh and pure. It’s exactly what we have been looking for from Sicily for years… if you enjoy Gavi, Pinot Grigio and other dry Italian whites try this! Pair with artichokes and fresh seafood or serve as an aperitif.

$17.99 $16.19

Chateau La Croix Taillefer Pomerol 2010

This small family estate has been farmed with organic methods since 2002 and received organic certification in 2004. Romain Riviere has been in charge of the property since 1994 and he trained at the illustrious Chateau Ausone in Saint Emilion. The vineyard is planted to 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, as Merlot is considered the best and finest grape in Pomerol. And the vines are quite old, with vines up to 60 years in age, giving this wine very good complexity. All of the grapes are picked by hand. Chateau La Croix Taillefer is vinified in stainless steel tanks. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrel. Aged in up to 80% new oak depending on the vintage, for up to 18 months. Look for red fruits, licorice, vanilla and gentle earth aromas and flavors.

bot94
js93

$39.99 $35.99

Château Siaurac Plaisir de Siaurac Lalande de Pomerol 2014

Ch â teau Siaurac is one of the most famous properties in Lalande-de-Pomerol, which is a satellite appellation of Pomerol. The family is oriented toward quality in order to produce wines with great expression and typicity of the terroir . The 'Plaisir de Siaurac' is made from the young vines of Ch â teau Siaurac, where the clay and gravel vines are cultivated with sustainable viticulture. The Ch â teau has been certified since January 2009; they conduct grassing between rows, grapes and leaves removal, hand harvesting and double sorting by hand. The average age of the vineyard is between 25 and 30 years. The 'Plaisir' has been made by an exceptional team as well: the technical director from Chateau Latour, Penelope Godefroy, has worked with, Jean-Claude Berrouet, who was the winemaker at Petrus for 40 years. A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, this tastes rich, velvety and pure with notes of cherry, mocha, licorice & rose petals. We have also been long-time fans of Chateau Siaurac so this new release was particularly exciting.

bot90

~~$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.

bot95
st91

$49.99 $47.49

Domaine Drouhin Willamette Valley Edition Pinot Noir 2014

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

js94
we92

$49.99 $44.99

Melville Estate Pinot Noir 2013

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).

st92

~~$39.99~~$29.99

Loveblock Sauvignon Blanc 2015

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.

we90

$22.99 $20.69

Aphros Loureiro 2015

We are so impressed with this organic/biodynamic Vinho Verde white from Portugal. Most often, the Vinho Verde that we taste is fresh, easy, breezy, which is certainly fun and delicious, but this version of Vinho Verde was significantly more complex, mouth-filling and beautiful. In terms of the grape varieties grown in the DOC region of Vinho Verde, Loureiro and Alvarinho are the most aromatic and Loureiro finds its fullest expression in Lima Valley. The Vinho Verde region is totally exposed to the influence of the Atlantic Ocean. It is a beautiful landscape, but also a place where patience is required in order to achieve optimum ripeness. This is the flagship white wine from Aphros, made from 100% Loureiro, and aged on its lees for added complexity. Only 4,500 bottles produced. The winery suggests serving this white with fish, grilled or baked, cod with cream sauce, shellfish, sushi, salads and fruits (especially mango and melon). Look for a clean, lemony nose, with a touch of rose petals. A fresh wash of lime, grapefruit and perfumed melon invade the mouth, guided by the acidic, mineral edge which is the axis of the wine. This has a waxy texture and persistent, uplifting finish.

$16.99 $15.29

Dinastia Vivanco Rioja Reserva 2010

Located in Briones, La Rioja in northern Spain, the Vivanco winery is owned and managed by the Vivanco family. Third generation Pedro Vivanco is credited with expanding the family business from wine merchant to winery, earning a degree in enology to become one of Spain’s first certified winemakers. Today, he is joined by his sons, with Rafael serving as winemaker and Santiago overseeing the museum and foundation.Vivanco is dedicated to producing wines using only native grapes vinified using traditional techniques. Through extensive research and experimentation, Rafael has revived nearly extinct varietals and traditional wines that accurately reflect La Rioja’s history of winemaking. We fell in love with this 2010 Reserva...before we brought this bottling in, we had sold the 2010 Crianza and turned people onto the silky, pure, classic style of Vivanco. The Reserva is the deeper, fuller, more complex and alluring version of the Crianza made of 95% Tempranillo and 5% Graciano. Look for aromas of mature black and red fruits, with hints of cinnamon, spices and sage. This is a complex wine with lush, velvety tannins and a long finish. This age-worthy Reserva is vinified in large French oak vats, then aged in new and second-use French and American oak barrels for 24 months, plus an additional 24 months in bottle. Approachable now, yet will continue to develop for years to come. Vivanco Reserva’s intensity is a great match for hearty stews, roasted red meats, or even, dark chocolate. Juan Gris’ Still Life graces the label. Many of Gris’ paintings are linked to wine, but this particular piece is on display at the Vivanco Museum. The complexity and elegance of this work remind of the winery’s Reserva.

ws92

$24.99 $22.49

Domaine Mittnacht Freres Pinot Gris 2015

Founded in 1958, Mittnacht Freres is a boutique, family-run estate in Hunawihr of Alsace. We had the great pleasure of visiting this 20-hectare estate in October of 2014 and meeting the conscientious Christophe Mittnacht who produces spot-on, expressive, beautifully made wines from traditional Alsace varietals. He employs fervently organic and biodynamic practices in the vineyard, believing that biologically complex, complete soils are essential for producing original, meaningful wines. In Alsace, it is very important to own parts of Grand Cru vineyards, and this domaine has holdings in the Grand Cru Rosacker (in which Trimbach’s fabled Clos-St.-Hune is located), as well as excellent parcels between Ribeauville and Riquewihr, whose vines are the source of Mittnacht’s terrific varietally labeled wines. Pinot Gris may be served with a wide range of foods, from cheeses to seafood to roasted meats, especially pork and chicken. It is also perfect for classic Thanksgiving fare. We plan on serving Pinot Gris of Alsace at home on Turkey Day this year for sure... Christophe Mittnacht was the first organic vintner in Hunawihr, and now he proudly told us that there are six. He works with his cousin in the vineyards and at the domaine, and they have been organic/biodynamic since 1999. One of the reasons we wanted to visit Alsace was because of this commitment to organic viticulture. Christophe told us that 15% of Alsace is organic, versus 3% in all of France. The town of Hunawihr only has 500 residents, so to say it is a small town is a lovely understatement. Located 20 kilometers from the Black Forest of Germany and running along the Vosges Mountains, Alsace has a continental climate, enjoys a glacial air influence and has incredibly complex soils which include chalk, granite, sandstone, fossilized shrimp and more. The key is for the roots of the vines to dig for minerals and bring the salinity into the wines, which help to make these wines so special.

$24.99 $22.49

Chateau Prieure Lichine Margaux 2009

The history of Châteaux Prieure Lichine is long and interesting. It started out as a priory for Benedictine monks. The monks produced Bordeaux wine for dinner and various religious ceremonies. Like many estates during the French Revolution, Prieure Lichine was seized, split up and sold at auction. In 1789 parts of Prieure Lichine were bought by numerous surrounding Châteaux in the Margaux appellation. Since that time, the vineyard has sold wine under several different names including La Prieure and Prieure-Cantenac. By the time the noted author and merchant Alexis Lichine arrived in the Medoc to buy Château Prieure, the vineyard was down to only 11 planted hectares. Because the estate was no longer in the best condition, Château Prieure-Lichine was sold for a song. Rumors are, the estate was bought for the ridiculous sum of only 8,000 British Pounds! In 1951, Alexis Lichine put together a group to purchase the chateau along with several other chateaux in Margaux at the time, including Château Lascombes.After the estate was purchased, it was renamed Château Prieure Lichine, to honor the previous name and history of the property they retained the first part of the name, Prieure, and next they added the last name of the new owner. Thus Château Prieure Lichine was born.

wa93
ws91
we90

~~$69.99~~$59.99

Sottimano Barbera d'Alba Pairolero 2014

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

Mauro Molino Barolo 2012

Made from 100% Nebbiolo vines planted in 1985 and 1990, this delicious Barolo is made in a traditional style with 24 months in oak. Italy's best source for wine reviews, the Gambero Rosso , raves about this producer: "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…"

js90

$34.99 $31.49

Wine

Spirits

Other

Store Info

Location

Bottle Shop of Spring Lake

1400 Third Avenue

Spring Lake NJ 07762

(732) 449-5525

Hours

Monday - Thursday
10 am to 8 pm
Friday & Saturday
10 am to 8:30 pm
Sunday
12 pm to 6 pm
Extended Hours
Summer & Holidays

© Copyright 2017

Bottle Shop of Spring Lake

1400 Third Avenue

Spring Lake NJ 07762

(732) 449-5525

Website powered by Bottlenose.