Saturday Tasting:
Grower Champagnes
12 to 4pm
At the Bar

NV Mousse Fils Blanc de Noirs "Cuvee Or Tradition"
On Sale $42.99
"With just the right amount of acidity and tiny, perfect bubbles, the Mousse delivers flavors of cherry, mango, and a hint of spiced biscuits on the palate. Disgorged June 2012. Drink now through 2017. Only 50 cases imported."
Wine Merchant Notes

NV Chartogne-Taillet Cuvee Sainte-Anne Brut 
On Sale $42.99
"(60% chardonnay and 40% pinot noir, 80% from 2007 and 20% each from 2006 and 2005; disgorged June, 2011): Light gold. Deeply pitched aromas of orchard fruits and redcurrant, with a hint of pungent herbs. Dense and chewy on the palate, offering broad pear and bitter cherry flavors braced by tangy acidity. Shows very good clarity and energy on the finish, which leaves a spicy note behind."
90 Points Stephen Tanzer

2004 Gaston Chiquet Special Club Brut 
On Sale $75.99
"The 2004 Brut Special Club bursts from the glass with terrific energy and sheer class. It captures all of the potential of a year that was especially favorable to Chardonnay. There is plenty of nuance and detail in the glass. The 2004 shows off tons of personality and sheer class. Mint, sage and eucalyptus are some of the notes that wrap around the finish. This is first-class all the way. It is also one of the very finest wines I have ever tasted from Chiquet. The 2004 Special Club is 70% Chardonnay (from Dizy), 30% Pinot Noir (from Ay and Hautvillers). Dosage is 8 grams per liter. Disgorged July 2011. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019."
94 points The Wine Advocate

NV Chartogne-Taillet Cuvee Sainte-Anne Brut 
On Sale $41.99 
"(60% chardonnay and 40% pinot noir, 80% from 2007 and 20% each from 2006 and 2005; disgorged June, 2011): Light gold. Deeply pitched aromas of orchard fruits and redcurrant, with a hint of pungent herbs. Dense and chewy on the palate, offering broad pear and bitter cherry flavors braced by tangy acidity. Shows very good clarity and energy on the finish, which leaves a spicy note behind."
90 Points Stephen Tanzer

NV Henri Goutorbe Cuvee Prestige Brut 
On Sale $48.99
"(70% pinot noir, 25% chardonnay and 5% pinot meunier, mostly from 2005; disgorged June 20, 2011): Light yellow-gold. Orchard fruits, rose and minerals on the nose, with notes of gingerbread and rhubarb that come up with aeration. Sappy and focused on the palate, with very good depth and vivacity to its blood orange and candied floral flavors. Picks up a spicy quality on the back end and finishes with impressive cling and mineral-driven persistence."
92 Points Stephen Tanzer

H. Billiot Fils Brut Rose Grand Cru
On Sale $62.99
"The NV Brut Rose Grand Cru is a deeply colored, powerful wine that showcases the richness of Ambonnay at its finest. The Rose needs some time in the glass to find its inner balance, but when it does the fruit gains delineation and intensity through to the dramatic, sweeping finish. The NV Brut Rose Grand Cru is predominantly Pinot Noir (including 6% still Pinot) with a dash of Chardonnay from the estate's oldest vineyards." 92 Points The Wine Advocate

Saturday 12.8.12 Tasting

Saturday Tasting:  Barolos & Barbarescos 12 to 4pm At the Bar Tomorrow's tasting will feature Barolos and Barbarescos from two producers in Piedmont, Italy, Moccagatta and Luigi Piri. Robert Parker has hailed both labels as producing some of the best wines in Piedmont. Robert Parker on Luigi Piri: "This is an impressive set of wines from Giampaolo Pira. The wines aren't as massive as they sometimes are, but that is just fine. I also noted that the use of oak was much more polished than in some recent vintages." Robert Parker on Moccagatta: "This is one of the strongest sets of wines I can remember from Moccagatta. The entry-level offerings are absolutely delicious and reasonably priced. The Barbareschi are elegant and polished, with less overt oakiness than was once common. Moccaggatta's 2008s are among the best Barbareschi in what has proven to be a highly irregular vintage. Simply put, I can't say enough good things about these wines."

2005 Moccagatta "Bric Balin" Barbaresco On Sale $49.99 The 2005 Barbaresco Bric Balin is a wine of notable freshness and overall harmony. Sweet red cherries, menthol and spices emerge from this beautifully-balanced, feminine Barbaresco. The oak is particularly well-integrated in this vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2021. 92 Points The Wine Advocate 2008 Moccagatta "Bric Balin" Barbaresco On Sale $49.99 The 2008 Barbaresco Bric Balin wafts from the glass with crushed flowers, dried cherries, tobacco and cedar. It is less overt than the Basarin, with the structural components playing a greater role in the wine's balance. The energy and focus here are both attractive, while the oak seems to have come down, all of which adds up to a wine with terrific overall balance. The Bric Balin can be enjoyed with minimum cellaring, but it will require some air for the fruit to flesh out. It is a fine effort from the Minuto brothers. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2020. 94 Points The Wine Advocate 2008 Moccagatta "Basarin" Barbaresco On Sale $49.99 The 2008 Barbaresco Basarin is impeccable from start to finish. Sweet rose petals, dark cherries, spices and mocha are some of the notes that emerge from the Basarin. Constantly changing in the glass, the Basarin is at first quite rich in its fruit, but then turns quite a bit more elegant and ethereal with time in the glass. In 2008 the Basarin impresses for its superb overall harmony and balance. This is a fabulous showing from Moccagatta's entry-level Barbaresco. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2020. 92 Points The Wine Advocate 2008 Luigi Pira "Marenca" Barolo On Sale $64.99 The 2008 Barolo Vigna Marenca boasts a center of bright red berries that is surprisingly supple and elegant. Sweet red cherries, freshly cut flowers, spices and mint take shape in the glass as the 2008 shows off a refined, high-toned register that is rarely found in this wine. The 2008 boasts striking inner perfume and a long, chalky yet seamless finish that is the essence of harmony. A hint of dried roses and sweet cherries linger in the empty glass. This is another dazzling showing. The Marenca was aged in a combination of cask and tonneaux. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2028. 95 Points The Wine Advocate 2008 Luigi Pira "Margheria" Barolo On Sale $49.99 Pira's 2008 Barolo Vigna Margheria has developed very nicely since I first tasted it in November, 2011. The typical power and weight of this site comes through, but in 2008 the Margheria has an extra dimension of sexiness that makes it highly appealing. Dark cherries, plums, asphalt, melted road tar, dried rose petals and licorice are some of the many notes that come to life in the glass. The weight and tannic finish is pure Margheria, even if the 2008 isn't quite the bruiser it often is. Pira aged the Margheria in 20-hectoliter casks. This is a terrific showing. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2026. 93 Points The Wine Advocate 2008 Luigi Pira "Vigna Rionda" Barolo On Sale $89.99 The 2008 Barolo Vigna Rionda possesses striking inner perfume and sweetness as it wraps around the palate. Raspberries, hard candy, flowers, mint and sweet spices are some of the many notes that flow from this effortless, sensual Barolo. Silky tannins are present, but they are nearly covered by the pure sensuality of the fruit. Today the Rionda is supple, sweet and totally inviting. The finish is intense and totally haunting. This is an exceptional, hugely promising Barolo from Giampaolo Pira. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2028. 95 Points The Wine Advocate