The Sec Wines Newsletter features wines that we're really excited to offer you. These are wines worthy of a special feature due to their high quality to value ratio and just plain deliciousness. Enjoy!
2021 Chêne Bleu, Rosé, Vaucluse, So. France SALE $29.99 (Reg. $37.99) bottle / $161.94(26.99) six-pack
Geek Alert: Isolated and protected, high in a mountain saddle, Chêne Bleu has its provenance in the département of Vaucluse in the southern Rhône (think Avignon) boarding Provence. This area is located in the foothills of Mont Ventoux at 1,800 to 2,000 feet above sea level, on the northern slopes of a spectacular limestone outcropping known as the Dentelles de Montmirail. It enjoys an exceptional terroir expression due to this pristine, remote location and its complex geology, with many exposed strata of rock in an UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve. Comprised of Grenache Noir, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault and Rolle, the Chêne Bleu is an incredibly terroir-driven Rosé that offers tremendous depth on both the nose and palate. While this limestone-mineral laden wine is totally satisfying on its own, it really excels at the table (grilled prawns, baked fish, sausages, veggies etc.). The only other Rosé that I can think of that’s comparable stylistically is the Château Simone Palette. I tired this wine when it arrived in town last fall and it was really good - it’s even better now. Wow! Limited.
Special Price: $29.99 per bottle
2016 Olga Raffault, Chinon, Less Picasses $28.99 bottle / $165.00($27.50) per six-pack
I don’t mean to sound like a broken record but… longtime readers of this column know that traditionally-minded Olga Raffault is not just our favorite producer of Chinon, but of Cabernet Franc grown anywhere in the world. The Les Picasses vineyard is one of the finest in Chinon, thus making it one of the finest Cabernet Franc vineyards in the world. Fifty+ year old vines grown on clay with a limestone base combined with minimalist winemaking give us one amazing Chinon. The 2016 is one of the most structured young Les Picasses I’ve ever had. Still, this wine is all about the earthy, minerally side of Chinon; beautiful raspberry fruit supports leather and soil tones, framed by mouth watering acidity and fine-grained tannins with amazing finesse. While the 2016 Olga Raffault Les Picasses is certainly very enjoyable to drink now with charcuterie, grilled fatty ribeye or a simple pork shoulder roast, this wine will improve as it ages effortlessly in the cellar through 2040. I've had the pleasure of enjoying the 1978, 1989 and 1995 over the past few years and flipped over all three vintages. I'm confident the 2016 will join the ranks of the above trio of mature vintages.
Special Price: $28.99 per bottle
2021 Dom. des Fines Caillottes (Jean Pabiot), Pouilly-Fumé, Loire $22.99
From the picture perfect 2021 vintage, Domaine de Fines Caillottes's Pouilly Fumé offers everything one wants from Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc. With a brilliant light yellow hue, the Fines Caillottes offers an expressive nose of grapefruit, green apple, pear and floral notes. The palate is full of life, suave, and fresh with an intense mineral core and a kiss of lime on the finish. This is a terroir-driven Pouilly-Fumé with gorgeous fruit to enjoy now and over the next three years. A really great value.
Special Price: $22.99 per bottle
2020 Domaine Sainte Marie, Trousseau, Cotes du Jura $49.99
Trousseau is the Jura’s “full-bodied” red wine, but is closer to Pinot Noir in body, if not aromas and flavors. The nose in this textbook Trousseau releases scents of damp forest, morel mushrooms, blueberries and a hint of brett that works well with the other aromas. The palate offers pristine dark fruit, earth and mineral notes framed by suave tannins and balancing acidity. Reminds me of a Jacques Puffeney Trousseau. Super-duper limited!
Special Price: $49.99 per bottle
2019 Calvet, Crozes-Hermitage Rouge (Syrah), N. Rhone $25.99
Wow, the nose here is explosive with heady aromas of sizzling bacon, violets, blueberries and potpourri - again, wow! The medium-bodied plate is silky-smooth with polished tannins surrounding vibrant blueberry and raspberry fruit and a note of baking spices. This 100% Syrah is drinking wonderfully now and should improve and drink well for several more years.
Special Price: $99.99 per bottle
NV Domaine Les Ecrites, en Bulle Rosé Brut, Touraine, Loire $20.99
Les Pierres en Bulles Brut Rosé is a blend of 60% Gamay, 30% Grolleau and 10% Cot. A beautiful pale rosé color, the nose is subtly complex and airy with a sent of white flowers and lightly toasted brioche. The plate is surprisingly elegant and subtle for a bubbly anywhere near this price point. Finesse, balance, hood strawberry fruit and brioche all leave you wanting to come back for more. A steal.
Special Price: $20.99 per bottle
2020 F.X. Pichler, Riesling, Loibner Ried Burgstall, Wachau, Austria $39.99 bottle / $222.00($37.00) six-pack
F.X. Pichler is the most famous and sought after producer in Austria for good reason. The wines not only offer kaleidoscopic complexity, but also unmatched precision and detail, aligned with perfect fruit, balance and the combination of finesse and power in the world of dry Rieslings. This wine’s got all that. Great nose, great palate, great finish - great wine to be enjoyed now and over the next decade. "Lovely white-peach, floral and basil nose. So juicy and so elegant with remarkable depth and precision. Intense salinity at the long, limey finish. Drink or hold.” - 93 Stuart Pigott, JamesSuckling.com
Special Price: $99.99 per bottle
2021 ConcaEntosa, Vermentino “Orahona” Isola dei Nuraghi, Sardinia, Italy $54.99 bottle / $299.94($49.99) six-pack
OK, I’m not supposed to mention things like this, but this is my favorite wine in this offer - don’t tell the other wines…This is serious Grand Cru level white wine from the very northern tip of Sardinia grown on a craggy sun-drenched granite bench. My prose can’t begin to do this wine justice, but the nose blew me away, as did the dry, rich, full-bodied palate with its immaculate fruit and stony minerality. Again, it’s hard to describe this wine, but I can tell you that I love it. Very limited- hurry.
Special Price: $54.99 per bottle
2018 Giacomo Conterno, Barolo, Francia $259.99
“The 2018 Barolo Francia is powerful, deep and also a touch austere. It shows the edginess of all the 2018s, but also has a feeling of textural creaminess that adds tons of character. Spice, menthol, leather and a whole range of balsamic overtones build into the deep, im Drinkposing finish. Roberto Conterno decided to forego his Barolo Monfortino in 2018, opting instead to blend all the casks into his Francia bottling. When that happens, Francia often surprises down the road. That could very well turn out to be the case here. (AG) 95+. Drink 2024-2043.” - 95+ Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Special Price: $239.99 per bottle
