deVine Thoughts

Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the San Felice Chianti Classico (Tuscany – Chianti, Italy) – $21.49 regularly $26.49.

Agricola San Felice is steeped in local lore and history. Named after a local early Christian Saint from the 18th century, the property was bought by the Grisaldi Del Taja family – the founding members of the Chianti Classico consortium. The family produced wine for several centuries until 1968 when the estate passed to Enzo Morganti, where he restructured and transformed this venerable estate, concentrating on high quality winemaking, systematic scientific research and thoughtful vineyard purchases, which included the Campogiovanni vineyard in Montalcino in 1984. Today the property includes a 1,853 acre resort, 445 acres of vineyards and a 44 acre parcel dedicated to experimental viticulture and genetic improvement of Sangiovese. The winery makes regular appearances in the Wine Spectator’s Top 100.

The San Felice vineyards are situated amongst the gently rolling hills of the Castelnuovo Berardenga area of Chianti Classico. The winery’s annual production is around one million bottles (1,025,000 of Chianti, 80,000 of Brunello, 40,000 of Rosso di Montalcino and 55,000 of Bolgheri), divided into 16 labels, made entirely from estate-owned grapes.

Our feature this week is their Chianti Classico, a delightfully aromatic (violets) Sangiovese based wine which includes some Pugnitello – an ancient Tuscan grape that was nearly extinct when San Felice began working with it in the late 1980s. This Chianti Classico is smooth, expressive, pure and characterful, with black cherry, raspberry, blackcurrant, earth, tobacco, and a precise minerality. Harmonious, dry and long with fine structure and fresh acidity – it’s ideal choice with charcuterie, roast turkey or grilled beef.

San Felice Chianti Classico (Tuscany – Chianti, Italy) – $21.49, regularly $26.49.

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Toscolo Chianti (Tuscany, Italy) – $17.49 (regularly $20.99).

Toscolo, an Italian renaissance word meaning Tuscan boy, is owners Neil & Maria Empson’s labor of love from a longtime passion for the Chianti winemaking region. The Empsons chose their friend and star oenologist Franco Bernabei to make the wine and nothing was left to chance in order to make the Empsons’ proprietary brand that had to represent its Tuscan roots and credentials. Maria Gemma Empson personally designed the ultraclassic packaging and the wines’ characteristic “ancient seal,” bearing the features of the eponymous “Tuscan boy.”

Made from the Sangiovese grapes that have north and western exposure at an altitude of between 656-1,148 feet above sea level on clayey-calcareous soil. The average vine age ranges from 10-30 years while vinification is temperature-controlled fermentation and maceration for 12-15 days, with daily pumpovers. The aging process is in oak barrels for six months.

Made for early consumption, this Toscolo Chianti is a brilliant ruby in color, with its forward character showing off cherry fruit, a supple, fruity and flavorful palate, with appealing balance. Food friendly and versatile with charcuterie, pizza or pasta.

Toscolo Chianti (Tuscany – Chianti, Italy) – $17.49 (regularly $20.99)

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Author: Dirk Chan

deVine and International Cellars Inc. are excited to be hosting a stand-up event led by Florian Rougier, Export Manager for the highly regarded Champagne houses of Gardet and Ployez Jacquemart on Friday, September 26 @ 7pm. We will be tasting through seven Champagnes. Time flies as its already been two years since his last visit.

Maison Gardet was established in the late 19th century when Charles Gardet, an entrepreneurial shopkeeper founded his House in Epernay. In the 1930s, his son Georges Gardet moved to Chigny-les-Roses to continue the tradition and develop the Champagne Gardet brand.

Champagne Ployez-Jacquemart, located in Ludes is run by 3rd generation winemaker Laurence Ployez, the house is famous for and only makes Extra Bruts which are very popular amongst Michelin restaurants. We’ll be tasting some high-end Champagnes so don’t miss the opportunity – only 34 spots available for this stand-up event. Please book early to avoid disappointment.

The showcase wines of this tasting will be the newly released 2015 Gardet 130th Anniversary Extra Brut and the 2008 Prestige Charles Gardet Brut Millesime. Both are affordable for such elite cuvees – the former with outstanding packaging while the latter is a late release from 2008, a highly sought vintage because the vintage itself is one of the all time greats in the last 50 years (spoken in the same breath as 1990 and 1996) and most of the 2008’s are long gone so if you want some 2008’s in your cellar, come to this event.

Register for the event here…

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Author: Dirk Chan

This is a special pre-sell for 2022 Bouchard Pere et Fils Beaune Greves Vigne de l’Enfant Jésus Premier Cru (Beaune, Burgundy, France) – $374.99

Over the course of deVine’s 20 years in business, this 2022 vintage is only the third time we’re offering any of the Bouchard Pere et Fils Beaune Greves Vigne de l’Enfant Jésus Premier Cru (following the 2005 and 2014’s). Nicked name the Baby Jesus, it is a highly sought after red Burgundy – such is the limited availability that we have only six bottles for sale. This Pre-Sell ends on Sunday, Sep 28th at midnight and is pre-selling on a first-come, first-serve basis. Any unsold bottles from the pre-sell will sell for over $400 on arrival in early October.

The Burgundian wine domaine of Bouchard Pére et Fils can trace its origins back to 1731 and the L’Enfant Jesus’ 3.91 hectare plot was acquired via auction in 1791 – its mid-slope location and east and south-east facing location makes it the first parcels to be picked.

One of the legendary wines of the Beaune appellation, the Bouchard Pere et Fils Beaune Greves Vigne de L’Enfant Jésus is a signature wine from this estate. The vineyard is located inside the vast Beaune Greves vineyard – one of the best 1er crus of Beaune – and the Vigne de L’Enfant Jésus plot is located in what is widely considered the best part of Beaune Greves … in the very center of the vineyard. The reputation of this wine – nicked name The Baby Jesus, is if any Premier Cru Burgundy in Beaune were to be upgraded to Grand Cru, this would be one of the leading contenders for that honor. For information purposes, the great 2005 has been drinking marvelously for years now – elegance personified.

The 2022 vintage is a special year in Burgundy, ranking right up there for greatness alongside the esteemed 2019, 2015 and 2005’s. The 2022 Beaune 1er Cru Les Grèves Vigne de l’Enfant Jesus is lovely, wafting from the glass with aromas of blackberries, spices, violets and rose petals. Medium to full-bodied, broad and enveloping, with a fleshy attack that segues into a refined, mineral palate and a saline finish – it showcases Pinot Noir at its best. Some (30%) whole-bunch adds some floral perfume to the warm, spicy fruit. Notes of liquorice and graphite combine to give a warm, rounded feel. Drink 2026-2030.

2022 Bouchard Pere et Fils Beaune Greves Vigne de l’Enfant Jésus Premier Cru (Beaune, Burgundy, France) – $374.99.

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the 2017 Quinta do Vale D. Maria Vinhas do Sabor (Douro Valley, Portugal) – $21.49, regularly $26.99.

Located in the heart of the Douro region, in Cima Corgo in the Vale do Rio Torto, the first records of Quinta Vale D. Maria date back to 1868 where the grapes were used specifically to make Port. The history of Quinta Vale D. Maria winemaking begins in 1996 when purchased by Cristiano van Zeller from the family of his wife, Joana Lemos van Zeller.

Since then, and as a result of a lot of dedication and passion, Quinta Vale D. Maria has produced a lot of unique and terroir driven wines with sustainable practices, whose quality is recognized nationally and internationally.

Our feature this week, their Vinhas do Sabor Superiore red is a blend of Alicante Bouschet, Baga, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional aged in used French oak barrels for 9 months. Aromas of black fruits with subtle floral and smoky notes. Harmonious flavours flow through the palate of black cherries and plums, with elegant tannins adding complexity to a wine which is drinking very well now. Pair with aged cheeses, paella or vegetable dishes.

Quinta do Vale D. Maria Vinhas do Sabor (Douro Valley, Portugal) – $21.49, regularly – $26.99.

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b>Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Cune Viña Real Crianza (Rioja, Spain) – $21.49, regularly $25.99.

Viña Real is CVNE’s Rioja Alavesa-based winery, releasing its first vintage in 1920. The Viña Real style is one that showcases the forward fruit of Alavesa while simultaneously possessing the structure to age. The original fruit source was in the Elciego area, in the heart of the Rioja Alavesa region. The vineyards are located adjacent and clustered around the old Camino Rea (“Royal Road”), from which the wine takes its name.

Nowadays, the grapes are principally sourced from sunny south-facing slopes which run from the Sierra de Cantabria mountain range down to the Ebro River. As is also the case with the Cune line, the Viña Real wines are produced from over 50% estate fruit, an unusually high percentage for Rioja.

A new facility for Viña Real was completed in 2004 – it is situated on top of the hill known as Cerro de la Mesa and commands sweeping views of both the Alavesa vineyards and the town of Logroño (where we stayed during our last trip here), Rioja’s commercial center. If the Cune bodega represents CVNE’s commitment to the old and the traditional, the Viña Real bodega demonstrates their forward-thinking philosophy and their embrace of modern technology.

This week’s Crianza is a modern style Rioja, it is medium-full bodied red sourced from sunny, south-facing slopes in Rioja Alavesa. Look for aromas of cherries, raspberries, vanilla and mineral hints. Its medium bodied solid juicy blue and red fruits has a clovey edge finishing with zingy acidity. A half hour decant would be good and pair with a well-spiced chickpea stew.

Cune Viña Real Crianza (Rioja, Spain) – $21.49 (regularly $25.99)

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Ramos Pinto Duas Quintas Branco (Douro Valley, Portugal) – $22.49 regularly $27.99.

Ramos Pinto was established in 1880 by Adriano Ramos Pinto. It quickly became one of the most important wineries in Porto and at that time, accounted for half the wine exported to South America from the region. The estate became part of the Louis Roederer Family in 1990.

Ramos Pinto has four estates in the Douro Valley: Quinta do Bom Retiro and Quinta da Urtiga, located in Cima Corgo, as well as Quinta dos Bons Ares and Quinta de Ervamoira, in the Douro Superior. These four Quintas cover an area of 890 acres.

Our weekly offer this week is their Duas Quintas Branco – The Duas Quintas name is synonymous with a blend of highland and lowland soils, maturity and freshness, schist and granite. The Duas Quintas white is made from a selection of indigenous grape varieties (52% Rabigato, 30% Viosinho and 10% Arinto, 8% Códega) with personality, high natural acidity and remarkable aromatic complexity, a wine with structure to be enjoyed while young or age short-term. About 90% of the wine fermented in stainless steel vats and the remaining 10% in French and Austrian oak casks so it has enough vanilla to match with shellfish, octopus or an oily fish. Also goat cheese!!

Ramos Pinto Duas Quintas Branco (Douro Valley, Portugal) – $22.49 regularly $27.99.

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