CHRISTOPHER'S BLOG

Nothing Like it in All of Italy One of the most unique and delicious wines I brought in with our recent Italian shipment comes to us from the Viotti company in Piedmonte. The grape varietal they’re using dates to 1939 when one Professor Dalmasso – one of Italy’s most famous experts in the study and classification of cultivated varieties of grapes, an ampelographer – crossed … Continue reading Viotti’s Irresistible, Drink-Me-Now Albarossa »

Meursault or Napa, this will Thrill You! So, you say you’re a fan of Meursault but don’t want to pay the tariff for the pleasure of the ride? Well look no further my friend, for the perfect substitute just made its way across my palate. It comes to us from Luca, in the Tupungato of the Uco Valley in Argentina. It’s the perfect balance between a Burgundian … Continue reading One of the Greatest Chardonnays We’ve Tasted! »

Only 5 Cases at this Price! One thing I have constantly stressed when assisting folks with ferreting out tremendous wines that fly under the radar – those hidden jewels costing a third of what that should – is to learn the winemakers behind the wines. Often, especially in Bordeaux, very wealthy and well tenured winemakers – those who own multi-million-dollar properties in pristine appellations – will find … Continue reading 100-point Winemaker’s $16 Steal! »

Drinks Like a $75 2016 Chateauneuf! The Brechet family, owners of the world-renowned Chateau Vaudieu Chateauneuf du Pape, have been producing their stunning wines across three appellations since the 1700s. Passed from one family member to the next, it would be upon the death of Gabriel Meffre in 1987 when his daughter Sylvette Bréchet stepped in to take control. She was joined by her son … Continue reading Brechet’s 96-point Rockstar Pure Grenache Lirac »

One of the Finest 2015s Bottled! The story of today’s phenomenal Barolo estate, Abrigo Giovanni, began much like many do, with a patriarch arriving to Barolo and setting down new roots. The estate’s founder, Giovanni Abrigo, moved to Diano d’Alba from Treiso in 1968, purchasing the old Crava farmhouse which now houses the family’s historical cellar. Giovanni and his wife Maria managed what was then a … Continue reading Abrigo Giovanni’s Outstanding Barolo Ravera »

Baby L’Eglise Clinet for a Fraction of the Price When searching for value in great Bordeaux, as I’ve always said, you’ve got to know the back story. That’s how I buy my Bordeaux – the selections you see in my shop – and it’s how I came to select today’s offering, Chateau les Cruzelles. First, the ownership. Cruzelles is owned by one of the most famous chateaux owners and winemakers of our … Continue reading The 100-Point Winemaker’s Club Keeps Rollin’ »

Cuvee 1682 – THE Perineal Overachiever A perineal overachiever, with multiple 90+ ratings under its belt, yet still available for less than $20, Fontareche can trace its unbroken history to the 10th century. Under a grant from the Archbishop of Narbonne, Fontareche and its glorious towers became an official estate, and would remain under that single ownership until changes at the beginning of the 13th century. Additional changes came at the second half of the … Continue reading 10th Century Estate STILL Rockin’ the Charts! »

Chateau Roylland Wows the Critics! I came across Chateau Roylland in the spring of 2017 at the UGC event in St Emilion. That’s where multiple Chateau gather their wines under one roof for convenience and comparison. I was there for the annual En Primeur week and this was my day to taste about 50 St Emilions.  I was crammed into the space, elbow to elbow with hundreds of … Continue reading 93 points and less than $30?! Jump on this one folks! »

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate LOVES This! In Italy’s deep south, resting just off the toe of her “boot,” lies the Mediterranean’s largest island, Sicily. Sicily’s eastern edge is home to Mount Etna, one of Europe’s highest active volcanoes at just under 11,000 feet high. Mount Etna is not just active, it is volatile, frightening and quick to erupt. So why plant vineyards here? Furthermore, why … Continue reading My Italians are Starting to Arrive! Mount Etna First Up. »

Classic No-Brainer! Ninety-Three points is that threshold where things get serious, where a merely good wine becomes great – or at least something very special. It’s also where we generally find wines in the $30 and up range. Case in point, most of my favorite Castillon, Pomerol and Petite Chateaux in better vintages are reviewed at 93 points (sometimes higher) and START at $30 – Montlandrie and L’Enclos, … Continue reading Hot Wine Offer: 93 points & Under $18 “Sleeper of the Vintage” »