Grand Veneur Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge Le Miocene is made from 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre .
An intense dark-ruby color. The nose develop aromas of ripe black fruit (such as blackberry), cherry and spice box. The palate reveals the presence of tannins, in high quantity and elegant. The finish is long and luxurious. This is the Châteauneuf du Pape expression, displaying all the characteristics of the terroir.
Soil type: Plots are located northern part of Châteauneuf du Pape and the vines are grown under organic process.The soil is marked by the violence wrought by the Rhone river. It consists of a layer of marine molasses of the Miocene period covered by alpine alluvium. The presence of a great number of rounded stones known as "galets" in the earth is evidence of the time when the Rhone, then a torrent, tore fragments of rock from the Alps and deposited them on the plain. The GRAND VENEUR cuvee will express year after year a great power and aromatic complexity.
Winemaking & ageing: Harvest is sorted by hand, destemmed and crushed. Fermentation temperature is controlled at 30°C. Vatting period of 18 to 20 days. Matured in vats and oak casks.
Review:
"The 2022 Châteauneuf du Pape Le Miocene checks in as 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and the rest Mourvèdre, all destemmed, that was raised mostly in tank, with the Syrah and Mourvèdre in oak. It has a beautiful nose of ripe red and black fruits that give way to more licorice, black olive, peppery garrigue, and spices. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it's balanced and has ripe, building tannins and a great finish. It's going to evolve gracefully for 10-12+ years."
- Jeb Dunnuck (Importer Highlight: Fran Kysela ; July 2024), 93 pts
Kosta Browne Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir.
Dark cherry, raspberry, and elderberry intertwine with intriguing hints of fresh basil, and pomegranate. Decadent fruit flavors unfold, showcasing remarkable acidity with dynamic structure and an enduring finish.
Our Appellation Series wines embody our unwavering commitment to exploration and the artistry of crafting soulful, thought-provoking wines that pay homage to the world’s extraordinary terroirs.
The Sonoma Coast is the largest appellation in Sonoma County, strongly influenced by its proximity to the ocean and heavy rainfall—producing more than twice the annual amount of its inland neighbors.
Our Sonoma Coast vineyards span the northern true coastal zone and the southern edge of the appellation. This distinctive blend is made from 11 different clones, fermented in predominantly stainless steel, and aged for 16 months in 38% new oak. The resulting wine has an energetic acidity with cascading layers of black cherry and elderberry, followed by a lasting finish.
Fact of Note: This Sonoma Coast blend was the longest to ferment in stainless steel from our Appellation Series.
Larroque Bordeaux Blanc is made from 73% Sauvignon Blanc and 27% Colombard.
No oak.
Color : Pale yellow with green tints.
Nose : Complex aromas of white flowers, exotic fruits, citrus and boxwood, with a touch of minerality.
Mouth : Aromatic, with a nice richness and freshness. Predominant flavors of tart, crisp fruit.
Marie-Christine, the daughter of Henri Ducourt, purchased this prestigious left-bank property in 1979, which lies on the border of the Graves appellation.
The 60-hectare vineyard was rapidly replanted and the château building, which dates from 1348, was restored.
Our family now produces three different-colored wines there: red, white and rosé.
Grown on loamy-clay soil.
Harvest : Machine harvesting in the cool, early morning
Maceration : Skin-contact maceration for several hours, depending on ripeness, and pressing
Fermentation : Beginning of the cold alcoholic fermentation (12°C / 53°F) then an increase in temperature to finish the fermentation at 20°C / 68°F.
Enjoy this wine as an aperitif or during the meal with fish, seafood or chicken salad.
Le Jade Viognier is made from 100 percent Viognier
The wine comes from sun-drenched vineyards planted on the best terroir - specially selected for its physical and geographical characteristics - on clay and limestone hillsides called "costières" (coastal region). The vineyards are only a few miles away from the Etang de Thau, a coastal lagoon that is situated between the port of Sète and Marseillan.
The color is a wonderful brilliant yellow with pearl tints. Intense and seductive aromas of ripe fruits, especially apricot, and floral notes with a hint of rose petals. The texture is very harmonious, generous, round and long. The finish is long and balanced with a good freshness.
Perfect as an aperitif, or great with richer dishes like langoustines, smoked or marinated salmon. Great too with guinea fowl in creamy or curry sauce. Serve it also with a broccoli and Roquefort soup or for dessert with a mango and pineapple tarte Tatin. An extremely versatile wine!
Review:
"This 100% Viognier comes from some of the region’s best vineyards, whose clay and limestone soils lend mineral and chalky notes. Night-picked fruit receives extended skin contact prior to partial cold fermentation in tanks (with a small percentage fermented in oak) and subsequent aging on the lees in large vats. No malolactic is done, which helps the wine retain its freshness as it presents the ripe tropical fruit, citrus, and apricot that define its profile along with a round, harmonious texture and floral notes such as rose petal. Pour it by the glass as an apéritif, or pair it with seafood dishes or a good blue cheese like Roquefort."
- The Somm Journal (April/May 2022)
Lingua Franca The Plow Pinot Noir is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir.
A large proportion of fruit from some of our finest sites, 48% coming from Blocks 1 - 3, planted with PN777 clone. Another 44% is sourced from two blocks of the bold PN 115. The elegant and nuanced PN777 Pinot Noir grown on Gelderman-Jory soils creates the top notes of mineral, rose petal and savory elements while the PN115 provides the fruit, body and weight of the wine.
Loin of lamb, Filet Mignon, veal chop, veal scallopini, pasta with Bolognese sauce, charcuterie, hard cheeses, hamburger, Viennese boiled beef (Tafelspitz), Wienerschnitzel, Kalbi, Bulgogi. Teriyaki, Vietnamese shaking beef, Chinese broccoli beef or Feast of the Immortals? Experimentation is welcome!
Review:
The 2022 Pinot Noir Estate saw 20% whole clusters and 20% new oak. A representation of the vineyard, the blend can vary from year to year. The 2022 is a ripe ruby color and opens to notes of spice and ripe raspberries. Medium-bodied, it’s a great appellation wine, with ripe tannins and a great finish. Drink 2024-2036. A few thousand cases were produced.
-Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
Luis Canas Rioja Blanco is made from 90% Viura and 10% Malvasia (60+ years old vines)
Barrel fermented for 3.5 months in new French oak barrels.
Alcohol: 13,5º
Total acidity: 6,5 g./l.
Volatile acidity: 0,25 g./l.
PH: 3,40
Free SO2: 25 mg./l.
Grapes harvested in small boxes to be selected manually on the table, bunch by bunch.
Beautiful golden yellow, with bright lemony highly-luminous reflections. The nose is fine, with great elegance, combined with floral and fruity tones.
The palate is dry with a crisp acidity that gives its freshness and vivacity, a structured and tasty finish of ripe fruit.
We recommend that you taste it at 8°C.
It is appropriate to accompany shellfish, crustaceans and grilled white fish or fish stews. It also blends elegantly with rice, soft cheeses, blue cheeses, all kinds of mushrooms and fresh fruit.
Review:
"Clean citrus, reductive matchstick, crushed stone, and white flower notes all emerge from the 2022 Rioja Blanco Vinas Viejas, an incredibly well-made, balanced white that has a layered mouthfeel, building richness, and a clean, crisp, mineral-laced, almost salty finish. It will be a dream with tapas or as a starter. The blend is 85% Viura, 10% Malvasia, and the rest Tempranillo Blanco."
- Jeb Dunnuck (Importer Highlight: Fran Kysela ; July 2024), 94 pts
Matheus Piesporter Michelsberg Riesling is made from 100 percent Riesling.
QBA stands for "Qualitätswein bestimmter Anbaugebiete", which means that the wine comes from one of the 13 designated wine regions.
A beautiful wine with delicate perfumed aromas. Medium bodied, well balanced, filled with peaches and green apples, crisp and fresh acidity.
Maysara Autees Pinot Blanc is made from 100 percent Pinot Blanc
No oak
Autees is the ancient Persian Goddess that protects all plants, animals and trees on Earth. She is the protector of life and all things that grow.
A slightly richer episode of Pinot Blanc, tending towards monologues of ripe apricot and even lychee.
Act I is entitled: ‘Floral scents in the nose are pure honeysuckle alight on a cool breeze…’ Then the grizzled director cuts to a shock of acidity that beckons you back again.
Act II opens with a playful back-and-forth of the mineral laden mid-palate and a lilting tune of a green grass finish.
Act III is seldom noticed over your mile-wide smile.
At Maysara Winery & Momtazi Vineyard, we are committed to cap-turing the complete expression of our land and conveying it to you through superior quality in every bottle. We practice only low-impact, holistic farming methods in our Demeter Certified Biodynamic Vineyard. We are confident these practices are the best way to capture the true essence of the soil in our fruit and ensure health of our vines and the unique accent of our terroir for generations. This philosophy is carried into the cellar, where Demeter Certified Biodynamic wine-making practices produce wines with intensity, sophistication and elegance while maintaining a purity of both fruit and earth.
Stellar with the firmer cheeses, fresh, ripe fruit and subtly herbed seafood.
Mordoree Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge Dame Voyageuse Grenache 90 % Mourvèdre 4% Syrah 4 % Counoise 1% Vaccarese 1% .
Mordoree Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge Dame Voyageuse is a more approachable version of the La Reine des Bois. It is meant to be enjoyable early compared to her sister Cuvée which is made for the long run.
Color : deep ruby red, opaque.
Aromas : red fruits, changing to touches of leather, black truffles and coffee.
Palate : fat, concentrated and full flavored with a very long liquoriced and fruity finish.
Ageing potential : 6 to 10 years.
Surface : 5 Ha.
Yield : 30 Hl./Ha.
Vineyard age: 60 Years
Terroir : Clay-siliceous on pebble stones
Harvest : by hand
Vinification : 100 % destemmed, long 30 days maceration with a maximum of 34° C temperature.
Estate bottled
Review:
"Big, juicy, bold and powerful. Really driving, chunky, mouthfilling fruit and tannin. It's long, broad and expansive, a huge wine for those that enjoy massive Châteauneufs. It's all there though – the fruit, the ripeness, the smooth tannin , the acidity, the freshness. Will take time to come together then it will be very long lived. The most powerful Dame Voyageuse to date – don't expect an approachable second wine"
- Decanter Magazine (September 17th 2023, Part of Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2022: Report and top-scoring wines), 95 pts
Mordoree Lirac Rouge Reine des Bois equal parts Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre
Color : deep dark red, with blueish hints.
Aromas : highly fruity ( raspberry, billberry, blackberry ), floral (violet) and intense with a grilled touch ( coffee ).
Palate : melted and concentrated tannins, full bodied, very long fresh finish.
Ageing potential : 8 to 10 years
Grilled meats, sauce meats, game birds, game rabbits and semi-mature cheeses.
Review:
"The 2022 Lirac Cuvée De La Reine Des Bois checks in as 40% Syrah and the rest equal parts Grenache and Mourvèdre. It's a killer bottle of wine that has both red and black fruits intermixed with notions of peppery garrigue, flowers, melted licorice, and graphite. With a rare level of purity and precision, it's medium to full-bodied, has a supple, layered mouthfeel, fine tannins, and a great finish."
- Jeb Dunnuck (Import Highlight: Fran Kysela; July 2024), 93 pts
Mordoree Tavel Rose Reine des Bois is made from Grenache
Nose: Steady rose, brilliant and cristal clear.
Aromas : very complex : from flowers, white fruits and red fruits (strawberries, pomegranate, rapsberry). Slightly mentho-lated
Palate : fresh, classy, elegant, very long.
Aging capacity : 8 to 10 years.
This wine comes from a parcel planted on a pebbled soil covered with stones, whose geology is typical of the grands crus from the Rhone Valley (a base made of marine molasse from the Miocene period covered with an alpine diluvium from the Villafranchian period). 100 % destemming, cold maceration during 48 h., pneumatic pressing, fermentation at 18° C.
To pair with: roasted and or spicy chicken, duck, goose, fish soup, white meat, seafood and a lot of fishes (tuna, John Dorry, red mulet, etc...).Quite all Asian cuisine. Dishes with garlic, dishes with tomatoes.
Review:
"A blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Cinsault and 10% Clairette, the 2022 Tavel La Reine des Bois is a touch darker in hue than its stablemate, the La Dame Rousse, but it's still not among the darkest of Tavels in the glass. That's perfectly okay, as the aromas and flavors are textbook for the appellation: crushed stone, flowering garrigue, ripe cherries and mouthwatering strawberries, all capped off by refreshing citrus-zest notes on the lengthy finish. Full-bodied and full-flavored, it's one of the candidates for top Tavel this year. - Joe Czerwinski"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (May 2023), 93 pts
Nickel & Nickel C.C. Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon.
VINEYARD DESCRIPTION C.C. Ranch is planted in Rutherford, along the slope of a knoll west of the Silverado Trail. The vineyard grows classic Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon on well-drained, gravelly loam soil and receives a variety of exposures, depending on the block and location. The vines are well balanced and the canopy is opened up to give good light exposure. Nickel & Nickel produces wine from 15 select acres of this 115-acre vineyard.
HARVEST NOTES The beginning of the 2022 growing season was exceptionally mild, with budbreak kicking off in March. By May, the vines began to demonstrate strong shoot growth and average crop yields ahead of veraison in mid-July. While we welcomed a few heat spikes during the summer months, our proactive approach to vineyard management allowed us to not be negatively impacted and we maintained great quality through heat mitigation preparation, including the use of shade cloths and misting systems, among others. Mild to moderate temps in August created optimal conditions allowing for bright and focused flavors.
SENSORY EVALUATION The 2022 C.C. Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon offers a pure expression of Rutherford, pushing the edge of ripeness while retaining a juicy vibrancy. Concentrated red raspberry and cherry flavors blend beautifully with subtle notes of clove, baking spice, and the signature Rutherford dust. The oak harmonizes with the fruit, adding depth, while vibrant acidity and silky tannins create a layered mouthfeel.
The C.C. Ranch exudes finesse from the very first swirl with lifted plum and floral aromatics opening onto a beautifully plush palate. Ripe raspberry and plum flavors are underscored by seductive spicy notes, with soft tannins gently supporting the wine from entry to completion. With fruit that grows brighter and fresher as the wine progresses to the finish, this Rutherford Cabernet is incredibly approachable now but will continue to age gracefully over time. A finish that lingers well after the last sip.
Orin Swift 'Slander' Pinot Noir is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir.
Staying humble and letting the grapes do the talking is how we get better at winemaking every vintage. Pinot Noir requires even more humility, especially in the vineyards – when the grapes are ready, they’re ready. Requiring a gentler approach with punchdowns rather than pumpovers, Pinot Noir expresses itself when it is lead manipulated. Slander is the union of California Pinot Noir made in the Orin Swift signature style delivering a bold and expressive wine.
There are several fantastic growing regions in California bes t suited to Pinot Noir—from down in Santa Barbara County to up north in the Anderson Valley to everywhere in between. We’ve been fortunate to source Pinot Noir from across the state in many of these ideal locales for years . Finnick y, sensitive and with lots of personality, the varietal requires a long growing season and relatively mild weather to ripen and develop its beautiful flavors , all while retaining its brightness . Sourced from the Rancho Real, Annapolis, Del Rio, Laguna and a few other vineyards, this vintage of Slander is an example of the sum being greater than its parts. WINEMAKER’S NOT
The 2022 Slander delivers a medium ruby core with a lucid rim that-s almost translucent. Aromatically, Bing cherry, briar fruit and some raspberry give way to ripe strawberry and associated red fruits. Bright and enveloping on the entry, notes of fresh strawberry, watermelon, thyme and a hint of funk come through. Spicy on the finish, the wine closes with a flash of blue fruits and lift.
Orin Swift 8 Years In The Desert Napa Valley is a blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah.
The Eight Years in the Desert pours a dark mauve core with a red amethyst rim and aromatic notes of ripe blackberry and raspberry bramble. Further hints of chocolate covered espresso bean, black pepper and allspice emanate from the glass. The entry is dominated by black plum preserves and freshly baked mixed berry morning bun with an energetic yet concentrated mid-palate. Soft and textured tannins give way to a lifted finish with a touch of pluot and dried tarragon.
BLEND
Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah
MATURATION
7 months in French Oak, 35% New
ALC/VOL
15.6%
Orin Swift Abstract Red is made from Grenache, Petite Sirah and Syrah.
The 2022 Abstract pours a dark purple core with a neon, ruby rim. The nose is quintessential Abstract but with a broodier twist-notes of ripe black plum, cacao, black pepper, cedar, dried porcini, forest floor musk and sweet oak. The entry is coating and flooding with hints of blueberry preserves, tarragon, balsamic glaze and anise. Bright and lifting through the palate, the finish offers an umami note akin to eggplant yakitori.
MATURATION Aged eight months in French Oak, 31% New ALC/VOL 15.3%
Pago de Carraovejas Ribera Del Duero is made from 90% Tempranillo, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Merlot
The most honest interpretation of the Carraovejas Valley.
Body, structure and balance with a vibrant background. Delicacy, harmony and passion for detail are perceived in a wine that reflects the unique character of the valley in an outstanding way.
The 2022 vintage was characterized by cool winter months and extremely low rainfall, reaching limits that had not been observed for years. Due to the good rainfall of the previous year, the vines had good accumulated water reserves, which allowed the vineyard to have a good phenological cycle and normal development. Budding and flowering were perfectly developed in each of the varieties worked, and a homogeneous and balanced development of the plants was achieved. The summer was excessively hot, with several episodes of heat waves, which were mitigated by drip irrigation. Veraison, which was slower than in previous years, and ripening began in early August and the berries developed very uniformly. Harvest began on September 12 and ended on September 28.
Pago de Carraovejas 2022 is the most honest reflection of the valley to which it owes its name. An environment in which the vines climb the slopes to form a unique landscape. On the surface, its tertiary soil of limestone marl, clay and sandstone outcrops force the vines to self-regulate and give their best. Plots that converge in an orography marked by its unique mesoclimate. The vineyards are distributed from the middle zones to the moors that exceed 900 meters in altitude; from the gentle undulation that descends towards the stream, to the plots that exceed 30% slope. South- and north facing slopes, each with its own personality, create the profile of the Carraovejas Valley.
The grapes for Pago de Carraovejas 2022 were harvested by hand after an initial selection of bunches in the vineyard. Subsequently, in the winery, a double selection was made: first by cluster then by berry. Gravity must production allows maximum respect for the raw material. During the fermentation process, indigenous yeasts and lactic bacteria from our own estate were used. The wine was aged in French and American oak barrels for 12 months. The entire process was marked by precision and care in every detail. For greater protection, the wine contains sulfites. Finally it was clarified with natural egg white and bottle in spring of 2024.
Review:
A concentrated, dense Ribera del Duero, but there is a lot to like if you enjoy plushness, with its lush blackberry fruit and dark chocolate. Fine-grained and full-bodied on the palate, but fresh and still pretty tense, with chalky tannins. Drink from 2025.
-James Suckling 93 Points
Pago de los Capellanes Tinto Joven is made from 100% Tempranillo.
Joven Roble is for everyone and for every moment. Fresh and vibrant, while at the same time complete and full of energy. A clear, affable, open and solid character. We take its production very seriously to obtain a blissfully satisfying wine with every vintage.
Review:
All Tempranillo, the 2022 Ribera del Duero Tinto Joven has a deep purple hue as well as beautiful blue fruits, violets, graphite, and charcoal aromas and flavors. Along with medium to full-bodied richness, it has wonderful purity and precision, fine tannins, and a great finish. It's a stunning value.
-Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
Paul Hobbs Edward James Estate Chardonnay Russian River Valley is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.
This small five-acre estate named after Paul's great-grandfather, Edward James, rewards us with a chardonnay that is pale straw in color with inviting aromas of lemon zest, red apple skin, gardenia, and honeysuckle. A creamy mouthfeel on the palate evolves into poached pear, ginger spice, and brioche that come together with a crunchy acidity and lively finish.
Review:
The 2022 Chardonnay Edward James Estate was named after Paul’s grandparents on his father’s side and originates in a vineyard planted entirely to Hyde Wente clone of Chardonnay. It was raised in French oak for 18 months on the lees. In the glass, it’s highly expressive and layered with aromas of toasted spice, incense, honeysuckle, quince, and preserved citrus. Medium to full-bodied, it has a fantastic, long, supple texture with a linear, crystalline feel, great, evenly fresh acidity, and a salty, mouthwatering finish. This is my favorite of the white wines at this tasting. Drink 2025-2037.
-Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points
Paul Hobbs George Menini Estate Chardonnay is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.
Located on the southwestern edge of the Russian River Valley appellation in an area known as the Sebastopol Hills, this Chardonnay from George Menini Estate displays pale straw in color and boasts an elixir of white and yellow florals, tart yellow apple, bartlett pear, and baking spice. A precise yet supple wine with notes of juicy Gravenstein apple, vibrant sea salt, and crushed rock, complemented by a cool-climate zing of acidity. An impressive level of complexity for a young vineyard.
Review:
The 2022 Chardonnay George Menini Estate comes from the Sebastopol Hills, where this vineyard was once an old apple farm. In the glass, it pours a bright silver/yellow color and is lifted and fresh on the nose, opening to notes of wet stone, dewy citrus blossoms, almonds, and fresh pear. Elegant and medium-bodied, it’s long on the palate, with delicate floral notes and hints of lemon curd through the finish. Drink 2025-2037. 675 cases were produced.
Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points
Colored in pearlescent pale straw tones flecked with gold, our 2022 chardonnay from Russian River Valley’s cool Green Valley opens with a refreshing swirl of clover and fresh-cut alfalfa laced with spring blossoms around hints of white peach and citrus that open to crisp Fuji apple and warm baking spice. Apple notes carry through in the mouth over complex layers of crème caramel and butterscotch, all lifted with the bright energy of juicy acidity and savory oyster shell minerality. The rich, structured finish is touched with sea salt—the briny tension in elegant balance with a touch of new oak.
Green tint to the light yellow color. A very tight 2022 for this hot vintage, showing tension and focus. Medium- to full-bodied with super integrated tannins that show such length and intensity. It gives a beautiful nod to grand cru Burgundies of yesteryear. Love this. Drink or hold.
-James Suckling 97 Points
Technically from Green Valley of the Russian River Valley, the 2022 Chardonnay Ross Station Estate is a bright yellow green hue and comes from the Hudson Vineyard, which sits on pure Goldridge soils and includes some of the later ripening Calera clones. Aged 18 months in barrel, the wine has a Grand Cru-like richness and layered depth. In the glass, it shows off a wonderful bouquet of candied apple, honeysuckle, lemon oils, and almond. The palate is rounded, with a silky texture and great acidity that propels it through the palate to its long finish with notes of almond. This is an exceptional wine to drink over the next 10-12 years. 460 cases were produced. Drink: 2024-2036.
-Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points
Paul Hobbs Chardonnay Russian River Valley is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.
Crafted with precision from six pedigreed sites comes a wine that beams with pale straw hue. The newest vintage brings wonderful aromatic intensity: candied lemon peel, white florals followed by crisp green apple. A creamy and viscous texture on the palate is buoyed by white nectarine and dried apricot that’s balanced with a vibrant acidity, bringing focus to the wine’s finish that lingers with hints of flinty mineral notes.
Review:
Johann Michel Cornas Cuvee Mere Michel is made from 100 percent Syrah.
Cuvee Mère Michel was first introduced in 2016 and is not produced every year. This wine is a tribute to Johann Michel' wife, Emmanuelle, and a nod to the French song, La Mere Michel. This wines comes from Selection Massale (replanting new vineyards with cuttings from exceptional old vines from the same property) cuttings of Serine off the 1947 Yves Cuilleron vineyard at Chavanay. The vineyards are located in the lieu-dit "Les Cotes" at an altitude of 230 meters and benefiting from a southern sun exposure.
Review:
"Only made in top vintages, the 2018 Cornas Mère Michel is a tribute to Johann's wife and a play on the French song "La Mere Michelle." Brought up in a new demi-muid, it's a richer, broader wine compared to the Cuvée Jana yet still has incredible Cornas style in its red, black, and blue fruits as well as notes of toasted spice, roasted meat, chocolate, and wild herbs. Rich, full-bodied, and opulent, it has a touch more upfront appeal and should be drinkable in just 4-5 years yet also evolve for two decades." -
Jeb Dunnuck (Northern Rhône: The 2018s and 2019s, November 19th 2020), 98 pts
There are afternoons with indigo skies when we approach one of the oldest plots of the estate. Our stroll from the winery follows a line of cypress trees to the corner of a path. This angle gives its name to our most exceptional vineyard.
El Picón is the great symbol and the most profound reality. The sum of enigmas in a beautiful, pure fruit. The wine of silence and intimate joy, an eternal taste in which generations, labours and nature’s favors culminate.
Grapes from the plot of El Picón, one of the oldest at the Pago de los Capellanes estate in Pedrosa de Duero.
22 months in 225-litre, extra-fine grain French oak barrels dried over 60 months.
Pago de los Capellanes Finca El Picón is a mature red wine with intense aromas of red and black fruit from the forest accompanied by deep balsamic notes and spicy touches provided by aging. In the mouth it is meaty, deep and very balanced. A medium to full-bodied wine with vibrant acidity and fine, velvety tannins. The finish is long and very persistent.
1.6 hectares of clay loam soil with surface gravel. Very poor fertility and very low vineyard yields.