Bruno Verdi Pinot Grigio 2014
Bruno Verdi’s Pinot Grigio was a pleasant surprise at a recent LA tasting. What we liked most about the wine was its richness and complexity. The grapes are harvested by hand from vineyards in both Canneto Pavese and the adjacent commune of Castana. The wine is fermented and aged in stainless steel at a low temperature and the wine is bottled at the end of winter to capture its freshness. Verdi’s Pinot Grigio is a fine, elegant wine of great balance and relatively low alcohol (11.5%).

Monastero Suore Cistercensi Coenobium 2014
The much-anticipated new release has arrived and will not disappoint! Coenobium is a cult favorite which recently received some glowing press in the NY Times from esteemed wine writer and critic Eric Asimov who wrote, “This is a rare Lazio white with great character, a blend of Trebbiano, Malvasia, and Verdicchio . . . . It’s redolent of apples, herbs, citrus and volcanic soils, and has just the slightest pleasant tannic rasp, courtesy of longer-than-usual maceration with the grape skins.”

Domaine Pastou Sancerre La Côte 2014
The small village of Sury-en-Vaux, northwest of Sancerre, is the secret source of this extraordinarily characterful Sauvignon Blanc. Winemaker Jean-Marc Pastou for some 30 years has followed a singular calling to make the most honest and terroir-true Sancerre his few acres will give. His vineyards sit at the highest point in the village and his older vines (that he planted himself) grow on perfect terroir: the classic chalky stones and flinty soils which give Sancerre its characteristic energy.

Château Pradeaux Le Côtes de Provence Rosé 2015
A relatively new rosé offering chez Pradeaux from a parcel of vines in Bandol that has recently been declassified to the local Côtes de Provence appellation. This is a beautifully elegant wine demonstrating peach skin, iodine, citrus skin, and a persistent salinity. The wine is typically composed of 70% Cinsault and 30% Mourvèdre.

Commanderie de Peyrassol Côtes de Provence Rosé Château Peyrassol 2015
This is the elite cuvée of the estate relying as it does on grapes harvested from the oldest vines of the domaine (35 years and older). Principally composed of Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah, the “Château” bottling also sees the addition, from time-to-time of Tibouren, an ancient and regal Provençal grape.

San Fereolo Dolcetto di Dogliani Valdiba 2013
We consider the estate to be perhaps the greatest reference point for the terroir of Dogliani, which is located immediately south of Barolo in the Langhe. The Dogliani DOCG is home to some of the greatest Dolcetto vineyards in the Piemonte, and this appellation accounts for the majority of the estate’s 12 hectares under vine. The oldest Dolcetto vines were planted in 1936, while the youngest date back to 1978. In the hands of this celebrated artiste, the Dolcetto grape arguably reaches its quality zenith.

De Forville Langhe Nebbiolo 2014
Those looking for a supremely well-priced, quality bargain from Piemonte will not want to miss this superb production from the venerable De Forville estate. The average age of the vines is 30 years. The wine is fermented in stainless steel for 10 days to 2 weeks and then is refined in large oak barrels for an additional year. It is an astonishing value.

Brovia Barbera d’Alba Ciabot del Fi 2013
This is a vibrant, finely honed wine that delivers well-crafted vectors of mixed red and black cherry fruits along with hints of spice and forest wild berries. Kissed with just a hint of French oak, the wine is a refined and elegant expression of the Barbera grape and demonstrates a level of quality that towers overs most of the Barbera that currently crowd in the market.

Jean-Louis Chave Sélection Côtes-du-Rhône Mon Cœur 2014
Certainly a cut above most Côtes-du Rhône in structure and complexity, this traditionally-fashioned blend of Grenache and Syrah is capable of providing double-duty pleasure both as a stand-alone red and as the perfect accompaniment to the summer roster of grilled and casual fare, particularly in backyard, beach, or on-board dining.

Clos du Mont-Olivet Côtes-du-Rhône Séraphin 2014
From the renowned and historically important estate of Clos du Mont-Olivet, this wine is a Côtes-du-Rhone in name only. The old vine plot from which the wine is made abuts Châteauneuf-du-Pape and, quite frankly, tastes as good or even better than many Châteauneufs we have experienced at a fraction of the cost. This is an astounding value proposition.

Domaine du Gour de Chaulé Gigondas 2012
"Vivid ruby. Highly perfumed scents of ripe red and dark berries, garrigue, incense and smoky minerals. Sappy, seamless and appealingly sweet, offering intense red and dark berry liqueur and lavender flavors and a suggestion of star anise. Spreads out and becomes spicier on the finish, which features supple tannins and a potent whiplash of candied flowers." Josh Raynolds, Vinous, 92-93 points.

Jean-Louis Chave Sélection Saint-Joseph Offerus 2013
"Inky ruby. Heady aromas of raspberry liqueur, cola, potpourri and smoky bacon are lifted by a vibrant mineral quality. Deep-pitched red fruit and violet pastille flavors stain the palate and become sweeter and more lively with air. Silky, focused and very nicely balanced, with excellent finishing thrust; silky, even tannins add grip. This is as fine a version of this bottling as I have ever tasted and shows a distinctly graceful touch for Syrah." Josh Raynolds, Vinous, 92 points.

Mas Jullien Côteaux de Languedoc Terrasses du Larzac 2010
“The 2010 Coteaux du Languedoc Terrasses du Larzac is another superb example of this cuvee. Cassis, currant bud, massive minerality and a distinct iron/bloody quality all emerge from the glass, and this full-bodied, dense, concentrated and structured 2010 has fantastic tension and an overall energetic vibe.” 94, Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate