Vinoteca-MO

Three releases from the legendary Grosjean brothers in Valle d’Aosta. Two long time favorites (Pinot Noir and Petite Arvine) and a new sparkling rose called Montmary. Biodynamic. . . . #rosenthalwinemerchant #valledaosta #italianwine #alpinewine #petitearvine #pinotnoir #sparklingrose #wanderlust

I had an interesting conversation with a customer this week. While he had tasted scores of different wines from the southern Rhône, and lots of domestic and Aussie Syrah, the wine in our glasses was his first experience with the northern Rhône commune of St. Joseph. Etienne Becheras’ 2016 St. Joseph Le Prieure d’Arras was, in my opinion, a perfect starting point for understanding this underrepresented AOC on the west bank of the mighty Rhône river. Not all that long ago, ...St. Joseph (along with Cornas, Crozes Hermitage, Hermitage and Cote Rotie) was the definitive expression of Syrah. Wild forest berries,leather, coffee, white pepper and a bloody, gamy, iron rich personality was the assumed nature of the grape. It has only been within the last 20 or so years that the riper, denser style of new world Syrah has become the default. The Becheras St. Joseph is a classic throwback to the style that was once the only game in town. Etienne is a throwback himself, adhering to the traditional standard of only growing vines on steep terraces (reserving the flatter sections of his property for fruit trees and ash and acacia groves), working those vineyards by hand, and producing subtle, savory wines that positively reek of the terroir and pure varietal expression. Is time travel theoretically possible? Maybe not for our whole body, but this wine gives our palates a chance to do so. Brent Warren

NEW ARRIVALS : Good things come in small packages! Erin Pooley (her middle name is Frances and she is diminutive) has just graced us with 4 new releases, including our 1st ever shipment of Luchsinger Sem/ Sauvignon Blanc : Cab Franc from McLaren Vale? Yep, classic, savory Cab Franc bristling with energy. A balancing act of Aussie intensity and nervy acidity ... : While the Duffy family’s property along the Tamar river in Tasmania proved unsuitable for producing tennis rackets (the name Holm Oak comes from the original plantings), it has become a fantastic terroir for Pinot Noir. Another silky, understated , spicy Pinot from Bec Duffy - Txakolina is back! Uriondo is one of the original three pioneering producers in the DO of Bizkaiko Txakolina. From a tiny vineyard planted in 1982, this racy, spritzy bottle of deliciousness can (and SHOULD) be enjoyed year round

Get grabby. These bottles tend to disappear quickly. Clos des Rocs might fly under the radar because there are no famous vineyards, although Oliver Giroux does own about 30% of the 32 hecatare Pouilly-Loché appellation, but there is no denying that this seriously engaging, classic white burgundy. Loché is just east of its more famous cousin, Fuissé, and his a master class of the appellation. He tends the vineyards himself, farms organically, and only works with estate fr...uit. 100% Chardonnay, raised in 60% stainless steel and 40% neutral French oak, the 2019 Mâcon-Loché "En Pres Foret" showcases younger vines but full on gorgeous aromatics, citrus notes and perfectly pitched limestone and flint. That barrel kiss is nuanced and makes for a surprisingly complex wine. . . . #rosenthalwinemerchant #whiteburgundy #burgundy #chardonnay #organicwines #frenchwines #macconais #pouillyfuisse #instawine #winesofinstagram

W s & ? Of the several dozen grape varietals that are familiar to even casual students of wine, Piedmont’s Dolcetto may be the most overlooked and misunderstood. The name of the grape may be as responsible as the wine it produces for this misconception. Translating as little sweet one, Dolcetto is generally considered to make light, fruity wines that require early consumption. When thought of in terms of the three major red grapes of Piedmont (alongs...ide Nebbiolo and Barbera), the true nature of Dolcetto starts to emerge. While Nebbiolo is high in both tannin and acidity, and Barbera high in acidity but lacking tannin, Dolcetto is early to ripen and low acid, but produces small (little) berries with tannin-rich skins that taste sweet fresh from the vine. Many Dolcettos from the famous villages of Alba and Asti are vinified to accentuate the ripe, sweet fruit and downplay the rugged tannins. In contrast, Nicoletta Bocca’s 2012 San Fereolo Dogliani Superiore is a sterling example of what can be achieved with this sweet little grape. Old (40-75 years) vine Dolcetto biodynamically farmed in Cuneo just south of Barolo and aged for nearly eight years (roughly split between large, neutral oak barrels and bottle), this is Dolcetto of remarkable depth and power. Already well past the drink by date of most of its brethren, this complex, savory wine will reward patient cellaring (or intensely flavored cuisine if you can’t wait).

Great wine doesn’t drink itself. Let’s do this #winerep #winesales #dryjanuary #nothanks #rosenthalwinemerchant #thesortingtable #chinon #dogliani #chablis #montecucco #tuscany #italianwinelover #burgundylover #loirevalley

It is hard to argue with the widely held notion that what is IN the bottle is more important than what is ON the bottle. While I am firmly in the function over form camp on this issue, I can’t help but be beguiled by the bottle and label of Ermes Pavese’s Blanc de Morgex et de la Salle. The dark, squat, short necked bottle and charmingly medieval, Alpine harvest scene depicted on the label makes me root instantly for this wine to be great. Fortunately, the wine more than del...ivers in terms of both quality and style. This is 100% Prie Blanc from the highest (nearly 4000 ft ASL) vineyard in Europe- such a remote and inhospitable corner of Italy’s Valle d’Aosta region that the vines here are ungrafted- phylloxera just can’t hack it up here. This wine is a trip to both the Alpine hills and centuries past, pure and racy, redolent of apples, citrus, and fresh cut hay, buttressed by a crystalline acidity that echoes the ancient stone fenestrated by those tenacious natural roots. Ermes Pavese makes the only estate bottled wine from this tiny appellation (there is a co-op, but who prefers wine produced by a committee?), and we are lucky to have it. - Brent Warren . . . #alpinewine #prieblanc #ungraftedvines #italianwine #valledaosta #morgexetdelasalle #aosta #winelover #sommelier #sommlife #winedesign

Bubbles for days Just a few of our faves for the holidays. What are you -ing? . . .... #bubbles #pinkbubbles #champagne #champagnelover #cremant #cremantdalsace #vouvray #cava #blancdenoirs #prosecco #glera #rosenthalwinemerchant #thesortingtable #demaison @dmselections @rosenthalwinemerchantfanclub @thesortingtable See more

Ride the purple wave . . cred @johnny.nero .... #nofilter #txakoli #txakolina #getariakotxakolina #basquecountry #paisvasco #thanksgivingwine #winecrush #hondarrabibeltza #spanishwine #winesofspain See more

Each cuvée is an authentic expression of terroir and the Bordeaux trifecta of ripe fruit, undergrowth and velvety tannins. These are wines we like to pour for people and then be quiet. The land and the family’s centuries long commitment speaks volumes. Let the wine be transportive.... #bordeaux #rosenthalwinemerchant

Brent’s Wednesday spotlight The 2016 Sasseti Livio Pertimali Rosso di Montecucco La Querciolina is both a new wine and an old one for me. I have been lucky enough to sell the wines of the Sasseti family (Pertimali is their estate in Montalcino) for nearly my entire career in the wine business, going back to the mid 90s. The recent addition of the Sasseti wines to the portfolio of @thesortingtable has given me a third opportunity to work with these fantastic, classic Tusca...n wines. However, this marks my first experience with the Rosso di Montecucco. Montecucco is a relatively new appellation (although there is 1200+ years of winemaking history here, it has only had appellation status since 1998, and the Sassetis purchased the La Querciolina vineyard in 1999)nestled between Montalcino and Scansano on the opposite side of the Amiata mountain. This is a sun drenched, charming expression of Sangiovese. While it does possess some of the spicy, meaty depth and ripe tannin of its more famous elder sibling (from the previously mentioned Pertimali estate on the opposite side of the mountain), this is a lush, polished wine that can be enjoyed immediately. #tuscany #italianwinelover #italianwine #sangiovese #montecucco #familywinery #winewednesday #winewednesdays #vino #tuscanwine @morgansteve

When is the last time you had Zinfandel? : . Ehren Jordan has a deft hand with this grape having made it for Turley for years before opening Day winery in Sonoma. His approach, like at Failla, is gentle to suss out flavors from the old vines grown at cooler climate sites and freshness from whole-cluster and open-top ferments. While the wine does age in oak, it's neutral and imparts a bit of cedar rather ...than any vanilla. There's no jam here, just juicy black raspberries, maraschino cherries, and brambly wild fruit. It's medium to full-bodied and just gorgeous. Thanksgiving is around the corner and this wine is sure to please, complementing a range of dishes and palates. But, no need to wait, check out the comments for where to get it NOW! Day Zinfandel 2017, Sonoma County #zinfandel #sonomacounty #sonoma #wholecluster #coolclimatewines #winelover #thanksgivingwine #instawinelovers #instawine #vino #russianrivervalley #drycreekvalley

60 degrees on Saturday and pouring these beauties to keep you cool & warm. Please join us #stl for an outdoor #winetasting Cristiana Tiberio De Maison Selections Newsprint Wines #saucemagazine #feastmagazine #riverfronttimes

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