More than a drink, Wine is an experience. With unlimited choices it can also be intimidating.
Join me as I sit down for a talk with Roman Polnar as part of Hebrew Free Loan's series,"Food For Thought." It was an entertaining conversation and I was able to share my insights into enjoying the adventure of discovering and procuring great wines regardless of taste or budget.
I offered, what I believe, is a fresh perspective on the world of wine, how to create and enjoy memorable wine experiences, and share my own story about changing careers to start DouxVin, my experience-focused wine business.
Sancerre is renowned for white wine and is one of the world’s benchmarks for Sauvignon Blanc. However, the Sancerre experience is incomplete without savoring the two red varietals allowed in the region: Pinot Noir and Pineau D’Aunis. One of our favorite producers in Sancerre, Famille Bourgeois, produces extraordinary wines from all three of these varietals featured in this splendid collection.
Famille Bourgeois, now in its 11th generation, covers 72 hectares of the esteemed Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé appellations, located in the most desired of Sancerre locations, Chavignol. And yes, Chavignol goat cheese and Sancerre Blanc are a perfect food pairing. Today, Arnaud, Lionel, and Jean-Christophe Bourgeois are just as much the stewards of that history as the initiators of the future of the vines and wines of the house. Though the family is forever striving to perfect their craft, they remain committed to Henri’s original vision of showcasing the purity of the varietals and the unique beauty of the Loire Valley.
"La Bourgeoise" is made from old Sauvignon vines growing on flinty slopes first worked by the monks of Saint Satur. The old vines of Domaine Henri Bourgeois offer a distinct character with notes as aromatically diverse and complex as the rugged terrain from which they came.
The beautiful Sancerre Rouge is made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes from 40 year old vines. Following fermentation the wine spends up to 10 months in Tronçais oak barrels. On the nose, black cherries and vanilla with a hint of mint. On the palate, medium-bodied and slightly spicy with savory notes and balanced acidity.
An excellent Rosé from the Coteaux du Vendômois, the northernmost appellation of the Loire Valley. Made in a vin-gris style, this wine is beautiful, crisp and ideal to imbibe on a warm summer day.
The 4th of July holds special significance for me for two key reasons. Firstly, growing up in Johannesburg, July 4 was a special date that we always celebrated, as it was my parent’s wedding anniversary. My father, a true wine aficionado and avid collector, would bring out a bottle or three for the family to share on this auspicious date, especially for me and my siblings, as we are the living embodiment of that July day in 1963!
Trevor & Mimi
When I arrived in the US in 1985, settling first in LA, I joined in the unique celebration of America’s independence, I learned to appreciate all that makes our country and system such a shining example to the world. As millions have done before me, after officially becoming a citizen many years ago, July 4 is not only a celebration of the American spirit and our values, but, personally, embodies a new home, a welcoming place to build a future, a broad canvas on which to live a full, free and rewarding life. These past 35 years have been truly amazing and, as usual, this coming 4th of July celebration will be another special day to celebrate this special American adventure.
In recognition of those that have come to America over the centuries, I’ve composed a collection of wine from around the world (and one from here of course) to celebrate our diversity and adventurous spirit, bottles I intend to share with friends on the 4th.
This six-pack collection is a great accompaniment to the traditional outdoor festivities, from backyard barbecues to picnics watching fireworks:
Tuscany has long been a DouxVin go-to favorite for one of our most-loved varietals—Sangiovese. Few red wines promote the relaxed pleasure derived from a top-notch Chianti Classico. To be able to relax over a summer barbecue with a 90+ point wine from an artisanal producer like Castello di Ama, provides a respite from daily pressure and stress. And as this offer represents such a terrific value, this an opportunity not to be missed.
Castello di Ama sits 12 miles northeast of Siena in the hills of Gaiole. This is the heart of Chianti Classico, a bucolic rolling landscape of woods, vineyards and olive groves. The property is owned and operated by the husband and wife team of Marco Pallanti and Lorenza Sebasti. Over the last quarter century they have replanted all of the vineyards and upgraded all of the winemaking capabilities to make this one of Tuscany’s showcase producers.
2015 Chianti Classico “Ama”
Raspberry and cherry flavors are immediate in this elegant, balanced red, followed by accents of earth and spice. … well-proportioned. Drink now through 2022.
Once in a while, we get the opportunity to showcase something extraordinary for our clients. Produttori del Barbaresco, hailing from Piedmont, Italy, produces big, bold Nebbiolos and Barbarescos and is one of the most sought after wine cru collectives in the world.
In great vintages only, nine single vineyards are produced and released after four years under the Riserva program. These wines are produced from a selection of grapes sourced from nine historical premium sites within the Barbaresco village boundaries. Historical vineyards, known for centuries for producing high quality grapes and now worldwide famous also thanks to the Produttori del Barbaresco legacy. Their names are Asili, Montefico, Montestefano, Muncagota, Ovello, Pajè, Pora, Rabajà, Rio Sordo.
First released in 1967, they are vinified and aged with exactly the same style in order to show their different personalities at their best and purest form. A tasting of the nine"Produttori Crus" is therefore an unique experience, just like a walk through the hills of Barbaresco can be!
I’ve been privileged to share these single crus over the past several vintages with Winery CEO, Aldo Vacca; a Piedmont legend and extraordinary guide and educator.
DouxVin is proud to be able to offer an extremely rare case offering of all nine Crus. With each Cru having received great scores from the industry’s top critics (94-97 Points), you will add to your cellar one of the best overall collections of Barbaresco in years. Arguably the best red wine values in the world.
Robin Lail is a legend in Napa hailing from one of the most storied and famous historical families in the Valley, dating back to 1879 when her great -granduncle, the iconic Captain Gustave Niebaum founded Inglenook. Robin grew up among the vineyards of Inglenook, pioneers of fine winemaking in the Napa Valley. Inglenook was passed down to Robin’s grandfather and then to her father, John Daniel Jr., a true innovator (he was the first to put ‘Napa Valley’ on his labels and pioneered varietal labeling) and wine industry leader who produced legendary wines.
Robin was recently featured on the cover of Wine Spectator Magazine’s May 2020 Issue. A terrific story, well worth the time to read—ideally with a glass of Lail Cab or SB on hand.
“The 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, from vineyards in Yountville and Coombsville, was barrel fermented in 30% new French oak and aged in stainless steel. It opens with beautiful peach blossoms, fresh green apples and lemonade notes with touches of lime leaves, coriander seed and paraffin wax. Medium-bodied, refreshing, elegant and with impressive intensity, the palate delivers impactful citrus and savory layers with a zesty kick to the finish.”
“A blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, and 6% Petit Verdot from a multitude of vineyards, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Blueprint reveals a saturated purple color as well as classic notes of blackcurrants, tobacco, damp earth, chocolate, and hints of new leather. Beautifully balanced, medium to full-bodied, ripe, and textured, it's a smoking good, affordable effort well worth seeking out. It will evolve for 10-15 years or more.”
“What is the most overlooked terroir in California? It’s a question I am asked often. The answer is always the same: The Santa Cruz Mountains. These rugged hillsides just south of San Francisco are home to some of the world’s greatest vineyards and wines."
- Antonio Galloni
California’s Best Kept Secret, Vinous Media
Mindego Ridge winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains is one of DouxVin’s absolute go-to sources for amazing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Elegant wines that age beautifully, at prices that are well below their market value. Meticulous care of the vineyards, where very shoot on every vine is touched many times during the growing season – pruning, training, lateral removal, fruit thinning, and every other aspect of vine maintenance is performed by hand. Mindego Ridge implements a comprehensive farming program to achieve optimal vine health and fruit quality, adopting best practices from organic, sustainable and biodynamic farming disciplines.
We are pleased to be able to offer a discounted 6-Pack collection that includes two bottles each of the extraordinary and highly-regarded 2016 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, as well as the 2018 Rosé of Pinot Noir – which is not typically offered outside of the tasting room.
This wonderful Mindego Ridge 6-Pack contains two bottles of each:
2016 Mindego Ridge Chardonnay
100% estate grown, with only about 340 cases produced. 15% new oak, 75% neutral oak and 10% stainless steel aging, provide wonderful layers to the wine, while allowing the beautiful fruit to express itself. Medium-bodied and elegantly textured with green apple, white peach and pear flavor profiles.
94 points Jeb Dunnick
2016 Mindego Ridge Pinot Noir
100% estate grown, single vineyard Pinot Noir from the 8.7 acre home vineyard. Made in small lots by non-interventionist methods – hand sorting, native yeast fermentation, hand punch downs. Aged for 11 months in ¼ new, ¾ neutral French oak. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. Beautiful drinkability now, with exciting cellaring potential. Only 640 cases produced.
95 points Jeb Dunnick
2018 Mindego Ridge Rosé of Pinot Noir
This item is very limited. Only 77 total cases were produced. Fresh and vibrant, offering flinty mineral notes layered with rose petal, hints of strawberry, watermelon, and a delightfully bright finish. The perfect way to kick off a special day.
New Zealand is about much more than Sauvignon Blanc. DouxVin’s friend, Graham Painter, founder of New Zealand Wine Navigator, set out on a mission to find and export to the US Market some of the greatest NZ wines you’ve never heard of. Together with Master Sommelier Cameron Douglas, they have done just that, offering “The Finest Small Case Production Wines of New Zealand.”
As we move through Spring and into Summer, NZ wines are a perfect match for warmer weather with refreshing whites and enlivening reds. DouxVin is pleased to have composed a couple of special collections reflecting some of the best wines in the NZ Wine Navigator portfolio.
As a special incentive to introduce you to wines that are likely to be new discoveries, we have worked with Graham to offer these collections at 35% off regular prices for a limited time.
Our previous New Zealand 12-Pack contains one bottle of each:
Family run since 1937, Établissements Jean-Pierre Moueix is the owner and producer of several prestigious crus, including Château La Fleur-Pétrus, Château Trotanoy, and Château Hosanna in Pomerol; Château Bélair-Monange Premier Grand Cru Classé in Saint-Émilion; and, in Napa Dominus Estate and Ulysses.
The renowned and globally famous Christian Moueix joined the family business in 1970. Initially directing the company’s viticultural activities, he later assumed commercial responsibilities before becoming President in 1991. Passionate about viticulture, he added to the firm’s vineyard holdings through the acquisition of remarkable vineyard sites in Pomerol including Château Providence and Dominus Estate, a 124-acre vineyard in Napa Valley acquired in 1982. He has been named Winemaker of the Year by both Wine Spectator and Decanter.
2012 Château Providence, Pomerol
Moueix’s first release was in 2005 following the purchase of the property which, due to its location next to Chateau Lafleur and Hosanna, he saw as having great potential. Testament to the quality of the fruit, the vineyard was rolled into Lafleur Petrus. The wine, due to the gravelly clay, has a supple, plum fruit character.
94 points Wine Spectator
2010 Chateau La Serre
La Serre is one of the absolute little gems of Saint-Emilion, a property right at the top of the village, surrounded by many illustrious estates, and year after year producing fabulous under-the-radar wines. Floral nose with an expression of ripe dark fruit.
94 points Wine Spectator
2016 L’Hospitalet de Gazin
Château Gazin is located on the north-eastern part of the Pomerol plateau, between Châteaux Petrus and Lafleur-Gazin. L’hospitalet de Gazin, the second wine of Château Gazin, has been produced since 1986 from the fruit of younger vines. An elegant, supple, charming wine, it can be enjoyed after just a few years in bottle.
Domaines Ott is the most coveted rosé in the world. In 1896, after a tour of France’s many vineyards, Marcel Ott, a young graduate in agronomy engineering from Alsace, finally found an estate that inspired him. To set the scene, we are in Provence. The Mediterranean is lapping at the shore a mere stone’s throw away...
In these parts, growing vines is the legacy of ancient times. Today, 120 years later, cousins Christian and Jean-François Ott dedicate their life to their ancestor’s love for the site, exemplified by their single estates: Château de Selle; Château Romassan, and; Clos Mireille.
This wonderful “Taste of Domaines Ott” contains 2 bottles of each legendary Estate plus a Magnum of Château De Selle:
2018 Château de Selle
Château de Selle was the first estate acquired by Marcel Ott in 1912. It is in Taradeau, with distinctive terroir producing highly distinguished and elegant wines.
Vines are grown on terraced vineyards and the wines draw their flavors from the arid climate and minerals in the soil, demonstrating exceptional character. Wines are made from an accomplished blend of several grape varieties with which half of the estate’s 140 hectares are planted: Cabernet Sauvignon lends complexity, elegance and magnificent strength, Grenache provides a full-bodied texture, Cinsault adds a delicate and rounded touch, while Syrah gives its rich color to the blends.
2018 Chateau Romassan
Acquired by the Ott family in 1956, it took thirty years of hard work and experience for the old Château Romassan to produce great wines typical of the Bandol AOC appellation. The estate is located in the heart of the celebrated Bandol winemaking region.
Indigenous to the area, Mourvèdre is the estate’s primary grape variety—particularly suited to the arid climate and austere soil. Its calm temperament is revealed in the strength of its harmonies, its robust structure and its staying power both on the palate and in the cellar. This singular land with its sun-drenched and particularly dry microclimate produces sophisticated and very powerful wines.
2018 Clos Mireille
In the 1930s, Marcel Ott fell in love with Clos Mireille, a very old property, right on the coast by the intense blue of the Mediterranean.
Planted on foothills on the shores of the Mediterranean, the vineyard’s location is unusual. The character of the wines is made even more exceptional in that the clay soil on this ancient rocky outcrop contains no limestone. Its broad sea-facing orientation gives Clos Mireille wines their inimitable character.