Great Italian Reds From Piedmont to Sicily!!!

Buongiorno! Italy, for all of it's fame and household name wine regions, is still full of undiscovered buys. Even famous Tuscany and Piedmont holds delights in good price points that will please your palate and not hurt your wallet. 

2009 Vietti Barolo "Castiglione"

On Sale $42.99

The 2009 Barolo Castiglione delivers a radiant but subdued quality with polished notes of dry mineral, black fruit, tar, licorice, leather and many more levels of complexity. This entry-level Barolo demonstrates that great results are achieved in 2009. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.

​94 points, The Wine Advocate​

2008 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino

On Sale $62.99

The 2008 Brunello di Montalcino is one of the best wines of the year. A relatively big, voluptuous wine for the year, the 2008 impresses for its inner perfume, silky tannins and terrific overall balance. Hints of leather, tobacco and dried herbs add complexity. The 2008 isn’t immediately showy, as so many recent vintages have been; instead, it is a wine built for the cellar. Still, with time in the glass, the wine’s exquisite perfume begins to emerge. In 2008, Il Poggione did not bottle a Riserva, all the juice went into the regular bottling. Brunello di Montalcino is highly vintage dependent in the market, especially in the United States. Most people won’t look at this wine because of the vintage. Let others make that mistake. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2033.

93+ points, The Wine Advocate ​

2010 Isole e Olena Chianti Classico

On Sale $19.99

Good ruby-red. Lovely floral aromas of plum, redcurrant, sweet spices and violet. Sweet, lush and round, with a slightly high-toned quality that adds appeal to the red fruit flavors. Finishes broad and long, with ripe tannins.

​91 points, Stephen Tanzer

2010 Tasca d'Almerita Lamuri, Sicilia IGT

On Sale $13.99

Tasca’s 2010 Nero d’Avola Lamuri is flat-out gorgeous. Sweet floral and minty notes meld in a seamless core of deep, expressive red fruit in this impeccable, totally gracious wine. In 2010 the Lamuri impresses for its overall balance and pure class. This is one of the more refined, polished Nero d’Avolas readers will come across. It is also a fabulous value. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2020.

91 points, The Wine Advocate

Xavier Monnot Burgundies Arriving Soon

 

 Xavier Monnot is easily one of our favorite producers of affordable, amazing quality Burg for the price. His whites have also shown that they can age gracefully. These are enjoyable now or can be consumed with a few years of aging.

"Xavier Monnot is a 17-hectare estate, all family-owned, located in Meursault. About 50% of the vineyards are planted in white, 50% in red. The production though is 65% white. Domaine Xavier Monnot’s vineyards are very spread out, covering most of the Côte de Beaune starting in Beaune 1er Cru “Cent Vignes” and stretching all the way to Maranges 1er Cru in the Côte Chalonnaise. All the vines are hand-harvested and new oak is used with a lot of caution."

Importer Bobby Kacher

 

2011 Xavier Monnot Bourgogne Blanc

Pre-Arrival Price $25.99

"Bourgogne Chardonnay is made from 25 year-old Meursault vines. It is barrel-fermented and aged in 20% new oak for 12 months. It displays a fine golden color and beautiful flower aromas. This balanced wine has an intense and firm taste backed by fruit notes."

​Bobby Kacher​

2011 Xavier Monnot Monthelie Rouge

Pre-Arrival Price $45.99

"The vineyard for this wine is located at the foot of a slope on draining gravel soils. Monthélie rouge is an unctuous wine, filled with ripe red fruits. This is a beautiful expression of Pinot Noir."

​Bobby Kacher​

2011 Xavier Monnot Monthelie Blanc "Les Duresses"

Pre-Arrival Price $45.99

"Monthélie “Les Duresses” is aged in 25% new oak for 12 months. This wine shows a gorgeous color with bright highlights. Its bouquet is elegant and delicate, with aromas of candied fruits. The taste is firm and structured."

Bobby Kacher

2011 Xavier Monnot Meursault 1er Cru "Les Charmes"

Pre-Arrival Price $99.99

"Meursault-Les Charmes is a 1er Cru is made from 1.25 hectares in one of the most well-known 1ers Crus areas. Two-third of the vines are 60 years old, the wine is aged in 40% new oak for 14 months. This 1er Cru is a delicate but firm wine showing woody and almond notes. Elegant and silky, it has a gorgeous bright color."

​Bobby Kacher​

2010 Xavier Monnot Meursault 1er Cru "Les Charmes"

Pre-Arrival Price $99.99

2011 Xavier Monnot Meursault 1er Cru "Le Limozin"

Pre-Arrival Price $59.99

Meursault “Le Limozin” comes from a 1 hectare vineyard that borders “Les Charmes” and “Les Poruzots”. Displaying delicate aromas of flowers and fruits, this wine has bright color and an ample mellow taste.

​Bobby Kacher​

2011 Xavier Monnot Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru "Les Folatieres"

Pre-Arrival Price $99.99

In the very heart of Puligny is a one-hectare vineyard which produces the Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru “Les Folatières”. 40% new barrels are used for the fermentation. This generous and opulent wine displays fine aromas of apricots and citrus fruits of bright golden color.

​Bobby Kacher​

2010 Xavier Monnot Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru "Les Folatieres"

Pre-Arrival Price $89.99

Casanova di Neri Brunelli-New Arrivals!

 

 

 On offer today are wines from whom we consider to be one of the greatest producers of Brunello....Casanova di Neri. The ultimate in balance between earth and fruit! We've received a small allocation of these age-worthy gems so if you're a fan of Brunello, don't miss out!

"Proprietor Giacomo Neri makes some of the richest, most textured Brunellos readers will come across. The house style favors a lush expression of fruit with a softness that makes the wines very appealing upon release. In recent years the wines have become more elegant, with less of the excessive heaviness that characterized prior vintages."

-The Wine Advocate

 

2007 Casanova di Neri "Tenuta Nuova" Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany

Sale Price $79.99

"The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova saturates the palate with masses of super-ripe dark fruit, tar, licorice and new leather. The Tenuta Nuova is an especially full-bodied, seamless Sangiovese deeply influenced by the Mediterranean climate of this warm site in the south of Montalcino. Layers of fruit build to an effortless, resonant finish laced with considerable aromatic nuance. This is another terrific showing from Giacomo Neri and his talented team. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2027."

-Rated 95+/100 by The Wine Advocate

 

2006 Casanova di Neri "Cerratalto" Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany

Sale Price $219.99 750ML

"The 2006 Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto emerges from the glass with layers of beautifully delineated dark fruit, flowers, mint, licorice and violets. It possesses terrific richness and nuance in a full-bodied, structured style that captures the essence of this great vintage. Big, powerful tannins provide the backdrop for expressive, super-ripe aromas and flavors. The 2006 needs time to soften, but it is immensely promising. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2026."

-Rated 95/100 by The Wine Advocate

2007 Casanova di Neri "Cerratalto" Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany

Sale Price $232.99

"The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto is racier and more polished at this stage than the 2006. It boasts superb aromatics, silky tannins and extraordinary textural finesse. I imagine the 2007 will be immensely appealing upon release. Today it is stunning. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2027."

-Rated 96/100 by The Wine Advocate

 

New Whiskies from Around the World-Tasting This Thursday!

Just a reminder about this Thursday's whiskey tasting. We're pouring a excellent slate of malts so don't miss out!

It Ain't Scotch But I Like It!-New Whiskies From Around the World
Thursday, May 30th
6-7:30pm
$20.00 per person
Call 314.863.6282 for reservations

We're catching up here at the Merch with loads of new arrivals in the last few months. Dave Davis, the Merch's resident "whiskey dude" will be pouring all sorts of malts including a nice slate of Japanese whiskies. We're also featuring one new single malt scotch from the famed Glenrothes distillery, Here's the lineup for the evening:

8 Year Greenore Single Grain Irish Whiskey 40% ABV
Cooley Distillery

12 Year Hibiki Blended Whiskey 43% abv
Suntory

12 Year Taketsuru Pure Malt 40% abv
Nikka

12 Year Hakushu Single Malt Whiskey 43% abv
Suntory

15 Year Yoichi Single Malt Whiskey 45% abv
Nikka

NV Amrut Single Malt Whiskey "Fusion" 46% abv
Bangalore, India

1995 Glenrothes Single Malt Scotch 43% abv
Distillery Bottling, Speyside

New Releases from Bedrock!

Bedrock is a fascinating winery founded in a converted chicken coop. A CHICKEN COOP! The son of Ravenswood founder Joel Peterson, their wines are fantastic! The new vintages have just been reviewed. Here are the details...

The Wine Advocate on Bedrock's Winemaker Morgan Twain-Peterson:

"Morgan Twain-Peterson is one of the most impressive young winemakers I have ever met, and it’s not just because he grew up the son of a famous producer. Making wines at this level requires talent, passion, hard work and a great palate, none of which is easily inherited."

2011 Bedrock Wine Co. Syrah "Kick Ranch Vineyard," Sonoma
On Sale $33.99
The 2011 Syrah Kick Ranch bursts from the glass with a rush of expressive dark fruit. Creamy and resonant, the 2011 impresses for how open it is, especially within the context of the year. Savory herb and floral notes develop in the glass, but the Kick Ranch is really an immediate wine built on fruit. My impression is that it will drink well pretty much upon release and for at least another decade beyond. Today, it is a treat to gain an early glimpse into the potential of the wine. The 2011 was made with the inclusion of 5% Viognier. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2025.
92 points, The Wine Advocate

2011 Bedrock Wine Co. Syrah "Griffins Lair," Sonoma Coast
On Sale $39.99
The 2011 Syrah Griffin’s Lair wraps around the palate with great intensity. There is a raw, animal power to the Griffin’s Lair that is impossible to miss. The addition of 12% Viognier with 60% whole clusters gives the wine a dimension of aromatic lift and vibrancy that is hugely appealing. A multitude of red fruits, tobacco, smoke, new leather and iron are layered into the finish. A gorgeous, complete wine, the 2011 Griffin’s Lair is stunning. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2021.
93 points, The Wine Advocate

2011 Bedrock Vineyard "Pagani" Heritage, Sonoma Valley 
On Sale $35.99
The 2011 Pagani Ranch Heritage Wine is huge. Black fruit, tar, smoke, licorice and asphalt burst from this deep, muscular, Zinfandel-based wine. Imposing and intense, the Pagani boasts stunning depth and richness for the year. This is a serious red that will require considerable patience. Seemingly endless layers of fruit open up over time, followed by suggestions of violets, cloves and mint that add complexity. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2031.
93 points, The Wine Advocate

2012 Bedrock Rose of Mourvedre "Ode to Lulu," Sonoma
On Sale $20.99
"The usual base of the wine is centered around the Mourvedre planted at Bedrock Vineyard in 1888, along with an additional 10% from Mourvedre planted in 1922 at Pagani Ranch.  All lots were picked between 19 and 21.2 brix, whole-cluster pressed, and fermented with native yeasts.  The finished rose is, in my estimation, the best I have made. Vibrant, delicate, and perfumed, the wine should be a great pairing for a food but also have some serious guzzleability."
-Winemaker's Notes

It Ain't Scotch But I Like It!-New Whiskies From Around the World

Thursday, May 30th

6-7:30pm

$20.00 per person

Call 314.863.6282 for reservations

We're catching up here at the Merch with loads of new arrivals in the last few months. We're focusing this tasting on all sorts of malts including a nice slate of Japanese whiskies. We're also pouring one new single malt scotch from the famed Glenrothes distillery, Here's the lineup for the evening:

8 Year Greenore Single Grain Irish Whiskey  40% ABV

Cooley Distillery

12 Year Hibiki Blended Whiskey 43% abv

Suntory

12 Year Taketsuru Pure Malt 40% abv

Nikka

12 Year Hakushu Single Malt Whiskey  43% abv

Suntory

15 Year Yoichi Single Malt Whiskey  45% abv

Nikka

NV Amrut Single Malt Whiskey "Fusion"  46% abv

Bangalore, India

1995 Glenrothes Single Malt Scotch 43% abv

Distillery Bottling, Speyside

Billecart-Salmon Tasting This Thursday 3/14

Thursday Tasting:
Billecart-Salmon Champagnes
5 to 7pm
At the Bar

Join us Thursday, March 14th as we welcome Geoffrey Loisel, Director North America for Champagne Billecart-Salmon. He will be pouring five different selections from their portfolio including their classic Brut Rose and will answer all of your questions about this famous region. The tasting lineup is below:

"The Billecart-Salmon house style is defined by class, elegance, and a sublime freshness to the wines. Long fermentations at cold temperatures with no malolactic fermentation are the rule at this small, family-owned property in Mareuil-sur-Ay."
The Wine Advocate

NV Billecart-Salmon Brut Reserve
On Sale $49.99
"The Brut Reserve is a light, fine and harmonious Champagne. Its blend is made with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier from three different years, sourced from the best sites in the Champagne region."
Winemaker's Notes

NV Billecart-Salmon Brut Blanc de Blancs
On Sale $79.99
"This Chardonnay cuvee has been elaborated from the five grand cru vineyards of the Cote des Blancs: Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oger. it is a blend of the two different years, revealing the special quality of the Chardonnay. Creamy bubbles, aromas of buttered brioche and minerals, and a long finish."
Winemaker's Notes

2004 Billecart-Salmon Vintage
On Sale $82.99
"Light, bright gold. Mineral-accented aromas of orange, white flowers, ginger and white pepper, with a leesy overtone. Juicy, penetrating orchard fruit and orange zest flavors gain flesh and and spiciness with air. Packs a solid punch but carries no excess weight and finishes with impressive clarity and chalky, mineral-driven persistence. I'd give this youthful Champagne a few years to unwind."
92 Points, Stephen Tanzer

NV Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose
On Sale $79.99
"Light orange. Tangerine, pear and flowers on the nose, which is complicated by a note of fennel. Broad and sappy but dry, with lively orange and strawberry flavors and a subtle note of spice cake. Weightier on the finish, which features an exotic note of spicy herbs. This Champagne's delicate touch will make it work well with simple seafood dishes or even sashimi."
92 Points, Stephen Tanzer
1999 Billecart-Salmon Cuvee Nicolas Francois Billecart
On Sale $99.99

Also available from Billecart-Salmon
(Not Included in Thursday Tasting)

NV Billecart-Salmon Extra Brut
On Sale $75.99
"Charming biscuity flavor with white fruits and a full, harmonious minerality resulting in a sensationally balanced finish."
Winemaker's Notes
2002 Billecart-Salmon Cuvee Elisabeth Salmon Rose
On Sale $199.99
"This is a beautifully balanced, elegant and mature sparkler. There is fruit-ripe strawberry-but the main character is its fine balance and richness. It can age, though it is at its best now."
94 Points, The Wine Enthusiast

Small and Large Format:

NV Billecart-Salmon Brut Reserve
375ml $27.99

NV Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose
375mL $45.99, 1.5L $169.99