Winter Wines

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Billecart-Salmon Brut Reserve
Non-Vintage Sparkling Wine from Champagne, France

Fine bubbles which rise slowly, persistent mousse. Straw-colored. A nose of ripe pear with some touches of cut hay. Full fruit, but clean in the mouth. This cuvée contains 40% Pinot Meunier, 30% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay. All wines from the best sites in the department of the Marne, from more than twenty top vineyards in Champagne. The overall composition of this cuvée has not changed much for almost fifty years. Fresh and long tasting, the Brut Réserve may be drunk on all occasions. (Winemakers Notes)

In the crisp, balanced style of the producer, this nonvintage Champagne is light, poised and elegant. It is satisfyingly mature with good acidity and minerality. Lively and perfumed, it is ready to drink. Editors' Choice. (Wine Enthusiast - Rated 90 Points).

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Pascal Jolivet Pouilly Fume 2017
Sauvignon Blanc from Pouilly-Fume, Loire, France

Each grape is sorted when gathering the harvest; we work by gravity to respect the natural flow of the juice within vinification process. A light pressing to preserve the quintessential character of the fruit. Terroirs are blended: 50% limestone, 30% flint and 20% limestone clay. Each terroir is vinified separately in thermo-regulated stainless steel tank. Limestone brings minerality and finesse. Limestone-clay enhances fruit and richness. Flint provides structure and minerality. Masculine, fruity, timeless and complex. (Winemaker Notes)

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Lioco Sonoma Chardonnay 2017
Chardonnay from Sonoma County, California

This wine has an aroma of lemon oil, loquat and quartz. The flavor is reminiscent of fennel bulb, key lime and chamomile. Pair this with turmeric chicken wings, uni pasta or fish & chips. (Winemaker Notes)

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Anthill Farms Campbell Ranch Vineyard Pinot Noir 2016
Pinot Noir from Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California

Pungent and bold, with expressive savory aromatics, layered fruit and fabulous overall balance. This is one of the darker, more brooding wines in the range. Crushed flowers, mint, raspberries and pine are laced into the textured, super-expressive finish. (Winemaker Note)

Pungent and bold, with expressive savory aromatics, layered fruit and fabulous overall balance. This is one of the darker, more brooding wines in the range. Crushed flowers, mint, raspberries and pine are laced into the textured, super-expressive finish. (Winemaker Note)

The 2016 Pinot Noir Campbell Ranch Vineyard opens with a serious burst of fruit. There is terrific depth and intensity, but today the oak is showing a bit more prominently than is typically the case with the Anthill Pinots. The 33% whole clusters are not at all evident. The Campbell Ranch has quite a bit of potential. (AG) 93+  (4/2018) (Vinous -93 points)

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Navaherreros Garnacha de Bernabeleva 2015
Grenache from Madrid, Spain

Navaherrerros is a red wine made from grenache grapes from every vineyard in the estate. Through different soils, orientations and microclimates, it expresses San Martin de Valdeiglesias' terroir. The ages of the vines range from 40 to 80 and planting densities from 1,900 to 2,200 vines per hectare.

Vineyards are manually harvested. Vinification takes place in wood, stainless steel or concrete tanks, depending on the features of the grapes, for each site is vinified and aged separately. (Winemaker Note)

The 2014 Navaherreros Garnacha de Bernabeleva had notes of cherries in liqueur and Mediterranean herbs, and it was showing some development and a touch more ripeness than the 2015. The palate also shows a little warmth, as it has one full degree more alcohol than the 2015. (Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - 90)

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R. Lopez de Heredia Rioja Vina Tondonia Reserva 2006
Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain

Vibrant red leading slightly towards amber. Light fresh texture with notes of vanilla and dried berry aromas. Rich, very dry, smooth, developed. Firm tannins and balance. Goes well with all meat dishes however prepared. A perfect partner to a Leg of New Season Welsh Lamb stuffed with wild garlic, rosemary and anchovies. Blend: 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacho, 10 Mazuelo and Graciano. (Winemakers notes)

The red flagship 2006 Viña Tondonia Reserva was inspired by the vineyards of the Médoc but produced with local grapes, 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacho, 5% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo, which achieved 13% alcohol in 2006. It always matures in used American oak barriques for some six years. The oldest of all the reds I tasted, it was also the one with more freshness, which speaks to the quality of the vineyard. This takes the lion's share of the 400,000 bottles the winery produces, with some 220,000 bottles filled over a period of 12 consecutive days in May 2014. (Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - 95 Points)

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