Paul et Jean-Marc Pastou Sancerre Vieilles Vignes La Côte de Sury 2014
“Flinty, pure and lively, Sauvignon Blanc from the Pastou family estate each vintage is a must-have white wine: light in alcohol, pure in flavor and a great pair with just about anything you put on the table. ‘La Côte de Sury’ is a special selection and imported exclusively by North Berkeley Imports . . . . Hand-harvested. Fermented and aged in temperaturecontrolled, stainless steel tanks on fine lees. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.”
North Berkeley Imports

Pascal Cotat Sancerre La Grande Côte 2014
“Cotat Sancerre is simply some of the most singular Sauvignon Blanc in the world. Similar to his cousin François, Pascal Cotat crafts uncanny wines that defy both time and definition. These are wines that can age for decades effortlessly, and that marry a plush richness with a laser-like cut and energy . . . . Wines are barrel-fermented in older demi-muids and aged in larger tonneaux. All wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered . . . . Some of Pascal Cotat’s oldest vines (50 years and older) are located in ‘Grande Côte,’ a treasure of a vineyard. Sauvignon Blanc here delivers lush, supple flavors with a bracing vein of citrus-inspired acidity.”
North Berkeley Imports

Domaine Vacheron Sancerre Belle Dame Rouge 2012
"From 50-year-old vines on rocky, flint soils, the 2012 Sancerre rouge Belle Dame offers a seriously delicate, precise and fleshy bouquet of truly ripe, juicy and thickly skinned dark fruits (cherries, blackthorn, black berries) along with lovely floral and herbal aromas and peppery flavors. This is a really fresh, intense and alluringly fragrant bouquet – just lovely! Full-bodied, fresh and mineral-laced on the piquant palate, this is a linear, intense, very delicate, silky textured, sweet and powerful Pinot with a stimulating grip and an impressive length. I tasted this wine along with the 2010 and 2009 and can say the 2012 is the finest and most elaborated Pinot of the trio with extremely fine tannins and a perfect balanced, almost weightless elegance. Aged in barrel for at least 18 months before release, this is along with the more transparent and fresh 2010, is the most impressive Pinot Noir from the Sancerrois I have tasted for this report."
94+ Stephan Reinhardt, The Wine Advocate

Daniel et Julien Barraud Pouilly-Fuissé La Verchère Vieilles Vignes 2014
"From 70+ year old vines located in Vergisson . . . . This also possesses a relatively fine mouth feel as the overt mineral streak adds a sense of lift to the broad-shouldered and concentrated flavors that deliver fine depth and even slightly better length. This wine of finesse should also benefit from mid-term cellaring yet be approachable young too if desired."
92 Allen Meadows, Burghound.com

Daniel et Julien Barraud Pouilly-Fuissé La Roche 2014
". . . green apple, floral and discreet mineral reduction nuances. The middle weight flavors possess an ultra-fine mouth feel that is enhanced by the ample minerality before concluding in a saline and persistent finish that doesn't have quite the punch of the Les Crays. Still this is really quite lovely and is also worth considering."
92 Allen Meadows, Burghound.com

Daniel et Julien Barraud Pouilly-Fuissé Les Crays Vieilles Vignes 2014
"From 60+ year old vines located in Vergisson . . . . terrific intensity and minerality to the delineated medium weight flavors where the minerality is so prominent as to make the mouth feel akin to sucking on small pebbles, all wrapped in a tight, linear and strikingly persistent finish. This beauty appears to have outstanding upside development potential and is highly recommended."
93 Allen Meadows, Burghound.com

Daniel et Julien Barraud Pouilly-Fuissé En Buland Vieilles Vignes 2014
"65+ year old vines near Solutré that face north-east. A wonderfully broad nose consists of notes of mineral reduction, white orchard fruit, floral and petrol nuances. The dense, serious and voluminous flavors possess excellent mid-palate concentration as well as a copious amount of dry extract that helps to buffer the firm acidity on the impressively persistent and almost chewy finale. I very much like the balance of the powerful finish as well as the evident high quality material that should allow this to age effortlessly."
93 Allen Meadows, Burghound.com

Remoissenet Chablis Bougros 2014
"The 2014 Chablis Grand Cru Bougros has a voluminous and generous bouquet that comes racing out of the blocks -- apple blossom, sea spray and a touch of Cornice pear. The palate is crisp and fresh with a keen line of acidity, very intense and harmonious with a long, elegant finish that is top class. This is well worth seeking out -- a really splendid Chablis."
91-93 Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate

Guy Robin Chablis Les Clos 2007
“Simply put, there are few other Chablis estates with such a rich collection of original rootstock, and as a result, few other estates that deliver Chablis wines of such character and complexity. Because Guy refused to tear up vines for high-yielding clones as was the practice decades ago in Chablis, some 80% of the family’s vines across five grand cru vineyards and four premier cru vineyards are older vines – these low-yielding, pre-phylloxera vines deliver Chardonnay that is richly aromatic, reflecting Chablis’ historic terroir like a mirror. The estate maintains under one-half acre of vines in Les Clos, facing south/southeast. Vines are between 40 and 50 years old on pre-phylloxera rootstock. Grapes are harvested by hand, then pressed and fermented on indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. Wines are aged in mostly older French oak barrels for one year, with approximately 10% new barrels per vintage.”
North Berkeley Imports

Domaine Arlaud Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Les Ruchots 2014
"Bright red-ruby. Sexy iron and fresh blood notes on the reduced nose. Rich, broad and mouthfilling without any heaviness, thanks to strong minerality. The wine's red fruit flavors are under wraps today but show enough power and depth to support the serious, ripe tannins. For all its volume, this premier cru boasts terrific spine and energy. Arlaud told me that this cru ‘both eats and showcases the vintage,’ by which he means that it can mask a vintage's more obvious traits while presenting it to best advantage."
92-94 Stephen Tanzer, Vinous

Domaine Arlaud Charmes-Chambertin 2014
"A powerful, dense version, evoking cherry, currant and spice flavors, with underlying accents of mineral and tobacco. Tight and chalky on the finish, but showing promise . . . . [Only] 60 cases imported."
95 Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator

Gérard Raphet Clos de Vougeot Vieilles Vignes 2008
"From a tiny 0.20 ha parcel of 100 year old vines. This is also elegant, pure and broadly aromatic with hints of earth, underbrush and a touch of the sauvage adding nuance to the red currant and violet notes that introduce rich and rather serious medium-bodied flavors that possess good power and punch on the palate coating and solidly persistent finish. As it often is, this is the best in show chez Raphet in 2008."
90-93 Allen Meadows, Burghound.com

Rocca di Montegrossi Toscano Rosato 2015
"Bright pink. Vibrant, almost pungent aromas of raspberry, violet, minerals and licorice. Then fresh, firm and classy in the middle, with a medicinal austerity but also a lurking sweetness to the herbal and red berry flavors. This spreads out nicely on the back end, finishing with fine-grained tannins. A blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo Nero."
Ian d’Agata, Vinous

Rocca di Montegrossi Chianti Classico 2013
"The 2013 Chianti Classico is dark, sensual and beautifully layered in the glass. Freshly cut flowers, sweet red berries, mint and cinnamon are some of the many notes that flesh out in a textured, inviting Chianti Classico endowed with notable depth and personality. In 2013, Rocca di Montegrossi's Chianti Classico is especially dark and powerful."
91 Antonio Galloni, Vinous

Rocca di Montegrossi Chianti Classico Vigneto San Marcellino 2010
"Rocca di Montegrossi's 2010 Chianti Classico Vigneto San Marcellino is magnificent. Sweet herbs, leather, plums black cherries and cedar are some of the many notes that take shape as this textured, vibrant Sangiovese/Pugnitello blend shows off its pedigree. A wine of distinction and total class, the San Marcellino is gorgeous today."
93+ Antonio Galloni, Vinous

Rocca di Montegrossi Toscano Rosso Geremia 2012
"The 2012 Geremia (Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot) is the highlight in this range, and also one of the best wines I tasted during my recent trip through Chianti Classico. Deep, dense and brooding, the 20012 is another wine that will require considerable time to come into focus. Today it possesses exceptional depth, power and intensity, all of which will allow it to age effortlessly for many years. With time in the glass, scents of lavender, sage, menthol and licorice start to open up, but the 2012 needs time. This is an absolutely stellar wine from Rocca di Montegrossi and proprietor Marco Ricasoli-Firidolfi."
96 Antonio Galloni, Vinous

Collosorbo Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2010
"Cherry, leather, licorice and hints of grilled beef mark this juicy, expressive red. Tension emerges as this plays out on the finish, revealing an understated intensity. Fine length . . . . [Only] 550 cases made.”
94 Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator

Martinelle Beaumes-de-Venise Rouge 2012
"Dark ruby. Dark fruit liqueur, lavender and spicecake on the highly fragrant nose. Supple blackberry and bitter cherry flavors show good focus and spicy lift, and a smoky mineral quality adds nerviness. Seamless and expansive on the persistent finish, which features subtle tannins and a resonating floral quality."
90 Josh Raynolds, Vinous

Domaine La Bouïssière Gigondas 2013
"Deep ruby. Expressive spice- and mineral-accented aromas of raspberry, cherry and licorice develop a floral overtone in the glass. Juicy red and dark berry and lavender pastille flavors show very good depth and clarity. Supple tannins shape the impressively persistent finish, which features suave floral character and a lingering mineral quality."
92 Josh Raynolds, Vinous

Domaine La Bouïssière Gigondas La Font de Tonin 2012
"A stylish version, with a caressing feel to the pure core of plum, boysenberry and black cherry fruit, accented by lavender, violet and chalk notes. The chalk element echoes longest, giving this a very precise feel . . . . [Only[ 600 cases made."
94 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

Le Clos du Caillou Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Réserve 2012
"Lastly, the 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve Le Clos du Caillou is a classic example of this cuvée. Made from 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre, aged all in demi-muid, it offers ample dark fruits, chocolate, bouquet garni and licorice in its full-bodied, supple, forward and elegantly styled profile. As with all of the 2012s here, the tannin is wonderfully ripe, the wine has solid concentration and everything is perfectly balanced . . . . it’s hard to resist already . . ."
95 Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate

Château de Pibarnon Bandol Rouge 2010
"The 2010 Bandol Rouge is a true blockbuster, and readers should do their best to latch onto a couple bottles. More serious, tight and structured than the 2011, it offers lots of minerality as well as dark fruits, peppery herbs and underbrush in a medium to full-bodied, pure, layered style that just begs to be cellared . . . . It’s a great wine that will have two to three decades of overall longevity."
95 Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate