Up to 45% Off Ch. de la Tour’s Burgundy Gems

Château de La Tour, owned by Francois Labet who has directed both Château de la Tour and the family estate since 1984, is one of the most fabled wine producers in Burgundy, renowned for its exceptional Grand Crus from the famed Clos de Vougeout.  In response to a request to create a Bourgogne Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that would be accessible for everyday enjoyment, the Labet label was created by Francois in honor of his father, Pierre. All of the Labet wines are made at the family’s estate; sourced from contracted old vine vineyards with complete oversight, receive the same attention as the Grand Crus and made with the same care and techniques as their Chateau de la Tour wines. Was $360 a 6-pack. Now $220   Sourced from Veilles Vignes, these are wines of purity, complexity, and freshness that punch way above their weight! Ordinarily selling for $60, the 2016 Francois Labet Pinot Noir and Chardonnay may be DouxVin’s best current value opportunity.    Limited Mixed 6-Pack Offer Available 3 bottles each of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir $220   CA - Order Now For delivery outside of California > CLICK HERE As always, these curated collections reflect our “all-in” pricing strategy that includes sales tax and delivery.

Apr 16, 2020 at 10:31 AM Permalink

94pts Italian Tuarasi Riserva

2014 Radici Taurasi Reserva         I first discovered Mastroberardino and this remarkable wine at VinItaly a number of years ago and it has become a DouxVin favorite ever since. When I’m looking for a opulent, powerful red to accompany a rich meat dish (think Osso Buco), few wines represent a more pleasant accompaniment than Taurasi, especially a Riserva from such a renowned producer in a stellar vintage. And it’s drinking beautifully right now. Fewer than 50 bottles of this remarkable wine remain available. -Warren       Mastroberardino is one of the leading wineries and wine families in all of Italy in terms of production, market impact, and innovation. This is one single family with a winemaking history which dates back to the early 18th century, and which is largely responsible for the viticultural success of Campania's remote Irpinia area. The Mastroberardino family have earned themselves a place in Italy’s viticultural history as a guardian and protector of indigenous grapes of Southern Italy’s Campania region. The family has not just worked to maintain these varieties, but Mastroberardino has successfully turned would-be extinct grapes into world class varieties. 2014 Mastroberardino Radici Taurasi Reserva Deep ruby-red in color, complex and intense aromas of black fruits and tobacco complement undertones of cherries and plum skins. On the palate, the Radici Taurasi Riserva is enveloping, elegant, and persistent, with a long finish of blueberries and mulberries.       Read The Review! 94pts Wines & Spirits: “This vintage of Mastroberardino’s flagship wine is delicious, saturating the palate with fruit and spice flavors. The aglianico grapes come from the family’s Montemarano and Mirabella Eclano estates, where the vines grow in sandy or clay soils at elevations of 1,150 to 2,100 feet. The wine’s roasted-beet richness lends earthy ballast to the flavors of ripe plum and woodland berries, cinched together by tannins that feel firm and polished. Those flavors surround a core of blackberry minerality that centers the wine, lending structure along with smoky savor. The finish is long and balanced, indicating many years of life ahead.”

Apr 2, 2020 at 10:09 AM Permalink

Yalumba - The Most Historic Australian Winery

The Most Historic Australian Winery Established in 1849, Yalumba is Australia’s most historic family owned winery. It remains fiercely independent through the generational ownership by the Hill-Smith family. DouxVin was honored recently to host Yalumba scion Jessica Hill-Smith at an iconic dinner late last year when we enjoyed selections from the wines below among others. Yalumba’s longevity and success is a result of patience, collaboration and progressive thinking. There is foresight to embrace the natural terroir to craft wines with individual character and a sense of purpose, a spirit to reinvest in the land upon which it operates and the knowledge to serve as a leader in the industry. It is committed to sharing stories of provenance gathered over more than 168 years of history of family winemaking. Our six pack offering includes two bottles of each of the following: 2015 Yalumba Tri-Centenary Vineyard Grenache The Tri-Centenary (Nursery) vineyard, located in the heart of the Barossa Valley, is the source of the Tri-Centenary Grenache. This single vineyard Grenache comprises some 820 gnarly old bush vines that were planted in 1889. This very limited wine is made only in the best years; the wine has bright fruit tones (think pomegranate, wild strawberries, violets, red petals) and pairs well with Peking Duck. 96 points James Suckling   2014 The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz Blend The Signature is a celebration of wine and people – more than 50 vintages, 50 names and 50 stories. 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Shiraz with the average vine age at 35 years. It over delivers based on price. Pair with Steak au Poivre. A perennial DouxVin favorite. 95 points Decanter   NV Antique Muscat Finish a great meal with this luscious and intense dessert wine made from Muscat grapes. The grapes are picked late for sweetness and aged in barrels for up to 10 years. Pair with any dessert with carmelized sugar or savory sauces such as molasses, caramel and maple syrup. 92 points Wine Enthusiast       Contact Warren directly for personalized cases of wines you love, or to explore special DouxVin favorites new to you. We will customize a selection just right for you.

Mar 28, 2020 at 9:00 AM Permalink

Quinta de la Rosa - A 200 year-old Port House Branches Out

In Portugal, DouxVin’s “go to” winery is Quinta de la Rosa, where the Bergqvist Family has been making exceptional Port for over 200 years. Since the 1990’s they have branched out to produce some gorgeous still wines. Until recently, Portuguese still wines were not on the radar screen of consumers. Fortunately that has changed. Portugal is producing world class wines from indigenous varietals they have diligently protected, that have been growing since the time of the Romans and that over-deliver for their price. Quinta de la Rose is fortunate to have a great diversity of vineyards which not only run along the banks of the River Douro, but also climb up to 400 metres above sea level. The majority of vineyards are south and southwest facing (the most coveted orientations) and are planted with an assortment of vines of both age and variety. All vineyards are classified as Grade A by the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e Porto (IVDP). Our six pack offering includes two bottles of each of the following:   2017 Quinta de la Rosa Estate Red Traditional port varieties, mainly Touriga Nacional (60%) and Touriga Franca (12%) with Tinta Roriz (8%), Sousão (5%) and the rest sourced from an old vineyard, mixed field blend. The grapes mainly come from the Lamelas vineyard planted more than 30 years ago. Quite approachable as a young wine, it can either be drunk now or aged for 5 or more years. 91 points Decanter Magazine/Recommended Selection   2016 Quinta de la Rosa La Rosa Reserve Red Traditional port varieties, mainly 60% Touriga Nacional with the rest being mixed field planted vines from the older dry stone terraced vineyards at La Rosa. The wine would be best served with red meats and more powerful dishes. It also goes well with cheese, especially the Serra cheese found in Portugal. It is a wine that can be drunk now or aged for up to 10 years. 94 points Wine Advocate       NV Quinta de la Rosa - 20 Year Tawny Port Traditional port varieties, mainly Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz, from the older dry stone terraced vineyards at La Rosa. Made in the Quinta de la Rosa “house” style of slightly drier, not cloyingly sweet style. Tawny ports can be drunk chilled as an aperitif or at the end of the meal either on their own or with dessert or cheese. This Tawny is a blend of ports with an average age of twenty years. Every year the grapes are picked by hand in September/October and trodden by foot in granite lagares. Each year Quinta de la Rosa keeps back some of the best quality port and uses these to make up the 10 and 20 year old tawny blends. 95 points James Suckling       For true aficionados, a limited number of old ports are also available, including the 30-year Tawny and a rare vertical composed of the 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011 & 2012 vintage Ports. Please contact Warren for more information.

Mar 24, 2020 at 8:22 PM Permalink

#7 WS Top 100 - Ramey Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay 2016

#7 on Wine Spectator's Top 100 2016 Ramey Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay We all eagerly await the releases of Wine spectator’s Annual Top 100 list, especially the Top 10 Wines of the year. Last year, the 95-point 2016 Ramey Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay was ranked #7 on this most reputable list. DouxVin has been a strong supporter of Ramey—the wines are superb, especially their coveted single vineyard-designate bottlings, and we were fortunate to have been allocated a precious few cases. We are pleased to offer three-packs of this special wine for only $210 including sales tax and delivery. 2016 Ramey Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay Ramey's Hyde Vineyard is located on the rolling hills of the Napa side of Carneros. The vines are exposed to the cool marine air coming from the Petaluma Gap, which helps provide a cooler growing season. The vines were planted in the '90s on top of ancient creek beds full of Haire Clay Loam and plenty of scattered rocks. After harvest, the grapes are whole-cluster pressed, then undergo full native malolactic fermentation in barrel, with sur lies bâtonnage. The wine is then aged for 18 months in 30% new François Frères French oak barrels.     “Precise and powerfully structured, with intense Asian pear, apple and ripe citrus flavors that feature rich, savory notes. Displays concentrated minerality on the spicy and textured finish. Should blossom in the cellar.” —Kim Marcus. WS-95 Points. Highly Recommended.   “In my mind, Ramey is one of the top wineries in the United States.” —Antonio Galloni, Vinous.   If you are also interested having DouxVin create a custom collection for you, or if you are looking for any specific wines, please contact Warren directly.

Mar 23, 2020 at 1:46 PM Permalink

Iconic Napa: Chappellet- A Singular Collection

For five decades, the Chappellet family has been crafting world-class wines from fruit cultivated on the steep, rocky slopes of Napa Valley’s renowned Pritchard Hill. As one of the first wineries to pioneer high-elevation hillside planting, and one of the few remaining great family-owned Napa Valley wineries, Chappellet Vineyard has influenced generations of vintners, an enduring legacy as one of California’s most acclaimed producers.

An absolute icon in Napa, DouxVin is pleased to present this wonderful Chappellet six-pack composed of two bottles each of the following:

2017 CHAPPELLET 'GROWER COLLECTION' CHARDONNAY CALESA VINEYARD.  93+points Wine Advocate.  The Calesa vineyard, farmed by Oscar Renteria, is a haven for cool-climate Chardonnay. With its exposure to fog and wind from the Petaluma Gap, the grapes ripen slowly and develop beautiful flavors.  

2017 CHAPPELLET 'GROWER COLLECTION' PINOT NOIR DUTTON RANCH  91 points Vinous.  In 1967, legendary grower Warren Dutton planted his first vineyard, and helped to establish Russian River Valley as one of the world’s great appellations for Pinot Noir. Nestled in the cool, foggy hills above the Russian River Valley, the result is a wine with remarkable depth and concentration.

2017 CHAPPELLET 'SIGNATURE' CABERNET SAUVIGNON NAPA VALLEY  93 points Vinous.  For the past three decades, the 'Signature' Cabernet Sauvignon has been the flagship of Chappellet. The fruit hails from the famed Pritchard Hill, on vines growing upon the rocky hillside and produce small, intensely concentrated grapes. An iconic Napa Cab.

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY CLICK HERE

Mar 22, 2020 at 12:47 PM Permalink

Love Nebbiolo? A Superb Vietti Collection

Vietti Mixed 6Pack A few weeks ago, we had the honor of hosting Vietti’s Elena Currado at a spectacular dinner in San Francisco featuring a broad range of wines from this renowned Piedmont, Italy producer. We were so impressed with the experience that we’ve decided to offer a few of the dinner selections for you to enjoy in the comfort of your own home. Vietti is an icon in the entire world of wine. The Vietti winery, now managed by the family’s fifth generation, is based in the small medieval village of Castiglione Falletto with vineyards in all eleven communes within Barolo. Vietti is the oldest continuously operating winery in Barolo, and the first to bottle a single-vineyard Barolo fifty years ago with the 1961 Rocche. Our special offer of this six-pack of Vietti wines, features two bottles each of the, Vietti “Perbacco Nebbiolo”, Vietti “Castiglione” Barolo, and the very limited and extraordinary Vietti “Masseria” Barbaresco: Perbacco Nebbiolo This bottle of 100% Nebbiolo has fruit drawn from 7 different vineyards, mostly crus in Barolo and Barbaresco. Using a combination of barrique and large Slavonian casks, the wine keeps aging in oak for 2 years in barrel. 93 points Wine Advocate.   Castiglione Barolo The Castiglione is a combination of 100% Nebbiolo from small vineyards all throughout Barolo. After harvest, the grapes are separated by their cru, and remain so until bottling. Aged in a combination of oak and barriques for approximately 30 months. 94 points James Suckling & Vinous   Masseria Barbaresco The Masseria is made up of 100% Nebbiolo, with vineyard fruit from Treiso and Neive. An extraordinary wine and one of the big hits at our dinner with Elena. 92+ points Wine Advocate & Vinous     $350 Order Your 6pack Today If you are also interested in some of the extremely limited Vietti Barolos not featured in this collection (or any other wine), please contact Warren directly.

Mar 19, 2020 at 12:58 PM Permalink

Port Is Clearly Not Only For Dessert!

I had the distinct pleasure this week of having lunch with Chris Forbes of Taylor Fladgate who was in San Francisco to promote their excellent portfolio of Port from: Taylor Fladgate; Croft, Fonseca and Wiese & Krohn. This was a wonderful afternoon at Boulevard on San Francisco’s Embarcadero and I was amazed at how well these wines paired with our food—Port is clearly not only for dessert!

We began with the lovely and lively Taylor Fladgate Chip Dry White Port. As pleasant as it was alone as a sipper, it took on new life in the PortoTonica (1 part white port, 2 parts tonic water and a sprig of mint) such a refreshing and enjoyable aperitif.

We dived right in with the Croft Ruby Porto. This full fruit flavored wine was the perfect beginning to our Port journey while we waited for our food. We quickly moved on the Fonseca Bin 27 Port, a luscious wine that I learned is the most popular Ruby Port sold in the U.S. I can taste why. Our final wine before the food arrived was the slightly drier, more delicate 2012 Taylor Fladgate Late Bottled Vintage Porto which clearly benefited from waiting for its time in bottle.

The Snake River Farms Wagyu Beef Carpaccio with porcini aioli, pickled shiitakes, marcona almonds, porcini tuille & parmesan arrived just in time to embrace the Croft 7 Year Old Reserve Tawny Porto, full of dried fruit, fig and nutty flavors that matched perfectly with the ridiculously tasty Wagyu. Next up was the Taylor Fladgate 10 Year Old Tawny Port somewhat drier than the Croft but with similar nutty characteristics that complemented the earthiness of the porcini flavors.

At this point my duck confit arrived. Unfortunately, I was now so enthralled by the wines I became lax in my note taking about the food and order of the remaining wines. I just relaxed to enjoy the food, wine and company. I do remember the duck was terrific and paired exceptionally well with the next flight of wines. These included: the 2016 Fonseca Vintage Porto that presented the deepest garget color and was vibrant and lively, still tannic with food-pleasing spiciness; the Fonseca 20 Year Old Tawny, which was superb and a lovely progression from the earlier tasted 10 Year Fladgate; the Taylor Fladgate Reserve Tawny, with 13-14 years of ageing, whose gorgeous 18th Century replica one-liter bottle was almost as impressive as this splendid wine.

We concluded the meal with espresso and caramel candies complemented perfectly by the 1982 Wiese & Krohn Porto Colheita which demonstrated a lovely caramel color and nose. I love dried apricots and found an essence of them in this gorgeous wine experience that I described to Chris as “Dancing on the Tongue™️.” I told him he could use this description for a small licensing fee!

While I love Port, like most lovers of sweet wine, I usually indulged in Port with dessert or as an after dinner libation. Today, especially now that modern science has medication to prevent gout, it was such a pleasure to discover that Port is entirely appropriate and quite enjoyable as a midday accompaniment to a flavorful lunch.

Drink up-next year they’ll make more.

Contact Warren  📩 Warren@DouxVin.com  📞  (415) 828-5334

Jan 12, 2019 at 10:21 AM Permalink