Wine by the bottle
Nov ‘25
Sparkling Bottle List
Méthode Ancestrale ~ Pétillant Naturel ~ PétNat
White ~
Coup de Jus “Bulle Ton Body” Vin de France ~ $88
This 100% Chardonnay PetNat from Geraud Fromont of Domaine Marnes Blanche in Jura is an elegant expression of the style with expansive carbonation and flavors of green apple, almond, lees, and limestone.
2023 Capriades Vin de France ~ $90
From our favorite Loire PetNat producing duo, Pascal Potaire and Moses Gaddouche, comes this 100% Chardonnay. It’s so crisp and refreshing, maiking this bottling the perfect wine to start or finish your evening.
2020 Costadilà “280 slm” Vino da Tavola, Italy ~ $72
This wildly natural Prosecco bottling was left undisgorged to retain the sediment and it pours a hazy orange showing a lively palate of citrus zest, pear skin, elderflower, and stony minerals with a dry finish.
2023 Casa Coste Piane “Brichet” Glera, Colli Trevigiani IGT, Italy ~ $68
The Follador family is a favorite grower in Veneto and this Brichet bottling comes from a single vineyard, of 80 year old vines, showing a depth of flavor and mineral complexity you wont find in another prosecco.
2022 Podere Pradarolo “Indocilis” Emilia-Romagna, Italy ~ $66
This ancestral method sparkler from Alberto Carretti is 100% Spergola, which saw a 30-day maceration. Amber in color, this wine vividly displays a palate of dried apricot, white tea tannin, citrus zest, and saline.
Rosé ~
Sot de l’Ange “Sottise” Vin de France ~ $64
Quentin Bourse produces this dangerously drinkable PetNat from younger Grolleau and Gamay vines in Touraine. This bottling is expansive and expressive showing a fresh palate of tart pomegranate, bright citrus zest, and chalky minerals.
Mosse “Moussamoussettes” Vin de France ~ $68
We’ve always loved this wonderfully refreshing petillant naturel rosé from the Mosse family comprised of Pineau d’Aunis, Grolleau Noir, and Cabernet Franc. It’s darker in color and on the palate it bright acidity and flavors of black raspberry, tangy rhubarb, and subtle tannin.
2022 Meinklang “Frizzante Rosé” Burgenland, Austria ~ $54
From Angela and Werner Michlits, one of our favorite biodynamic farming couples in Austria, this 100% Pinot Noir sparking rose is almost too drinkable showing summer strawberry and rhubarb with a gentle mousse.
2022 Costadilà “O-X Rosato” Vino da Tavola, Italy ~ $76
This ancestrale method Veneto sparkler is a 50-50 blend of Glera and Pinot Nero showing a pinkish amber color, fine effervescence, and cool balance of soft red fruit, bright citrus, and toasty lees on the palate.
Red ~
2022 Cinque Campi Lambrusco dell’Emilia, Italy ~ $60
This dry ancestral method Lambrusco, made by Vanni Nizzoli, is a favorite sparkling red wine of ours. Naturally farmed and fermented, it shows moderate carbonation alongside flavors of tart red fruit, hibiscus, soft spice, and sleek tannin.
2021 Ferretti “Al Scûr” Lambrusco dell’Emilia IGP, Italy ~ $58
Elisa and Denise Ferretti make this natural Lambrusco from mostly Lambrusco Salamino. This natural red sparkler shows expansive carbonation and flavors of dried fruit, clay, red currant, and savory tannin.
Méthode Traditionelle ~ Méthode Champenoise ~ Crémant
White ~
2018 Peter Lauer “Sekt” Germany ~ $75
1992 Peter Lauer “Sekt Reserve” ~ $160
1984 Peter Lauer “Sekt Reserve” ~$195
Florian Lauer is bottling some of our favorite sparkling Rieslings and we’re thrilled to have an opportunity to show a couple current release alongside some of his older library releases. These are not to be missed!
2020 Weiser-Kunstler “Enkircher Zeppwingert Riesling Sekt Brut Nature” Mosel, Germany ~ $120
From a Grand Cru of mostly older ungrafted vines planted to gray slate and quartz, this mineral-driven dry sekt spent nearly two years on the lees and satisfies the senses with flavors and aromas of ginger, meyer lemon, stone fruit, and toasted meringue.
2020 Tripoz “Nature” Brut, Cremant de Bourgogne, France ~ $88
Celine and Laurent Tripoz are making some of the most stunning sparkling wines in Burgundy. This 100% Chardonnay shows a palate so expansive and expressive it’ll captivate you till the very last sip.
Marnes Blanche Cremant du Jura, France ~ $100
This 100% Chardonnay, from Geraud and Pauline Fromont, spent 2 years on the lees and was bottled without dosage. It’s both textural and intense showing a focused palate of tart green apple, iron-rich minerals, creamy lees, bright acidity, and a dry finish.
Domaine Lagille “L’inattendue” Brut Champagne, France ~ $110
With winegrowing roots in the village of Treslon since 1818, Vincent and Maud Lagille are bottling some of the finest expressions of single varietal Pinot Meunier we’ve tasted. This drier Champagne saw just 2 g/L dosage, after 3+ years of lees aging, showing a fine mousse and a supple palate of chalky minerals and stonefruit.
2018 Vadin-Plateau “Chêne la Butte” Brut Nature Champagne, France ~ $170
Aurélie Robinot and her mother Muriel Vadin run this family estate in the village of Cumières; this single vineyard Premier Cru Blanc de Blanc from them spent 5 years on the lees and was bottled without dosage. It’s textural, dry, and well integrated showing a palate of citrus zest, lees, crisp acidity, and chalky minerals.
George Laval “Cumieres” Premier Cru Brut Nature Champagne, France ~ $200
With a grape growing lineage dating back to the late 17th century, Vincent Laval produces some of the most breathtaking bottlings in Champagne and this recent disgorgement of Cumieres is the best we’ve tasted!
2007 Mas del Serral Brut Nature Conca del Riu Anoia, Catalunya, Spain ~ $220
Unlike any other Spanish sparklers we’ve tasted, this single vineyard blend of Xarel-lo and Bastard Negre spent 100 months on the lees and was bottled without SO2. The wine’s toasty and fresh with an abundance of mineral, acid, and taut fruit that will demand your attention to that last drop.
Rose ~
2021 Jurtschitsch “Brut Rosé” Kamptal, Austria ~ $88
This blend of Zweigelt, St Laurent, and Pinot Noir, from Stef and Alwin Jurtschitsch, saw 2 years on the lees and was bottled with 7 grams dosage. The wine is light and refreshing showing a harmonious palate of wild raspberry, saline, rosehips, and creamy lees.
Bottle List ~ Whites
France ~
2021 Les Bottes Rouge “Léon” Arbois, Jura ~ $120
After retiring from a career in education, Jean-Baptiste Menigoz started farming several small plots of vines in Arbois. This 100% Chardonnay is a favorite bottling of his, it wonderfully displays the beauty of Arbois showing balanced acid and texture with a layered palate of tangy orchard fruit, slight oxidation, and bracing minerality.
2020 Domaine de la Tournelle “Corvées Sous Curon” Arbois, Jura ~ $110
This special Chardonnay bottling, from Evelyn Clairet, comes from a tiny site of old vines planted to soils rich in gravel and limestone. Evelyne works the vineyard completely naturallly and in the cellar this cuvee spent two years in old barrels where it quietly developed a layered palate full of bright citrus, almond, umami, and chalk.
2022 Notes Bleues “Les Sarres” Arbois, Jura ~ $90
Jura native, Cedric Mottet, started his estate in 2017 after a career as a Jazz musician he returned home and now works several hectares of older vines near Arbois. This topped up Savagnin from Cedric saw two years on the lees and shows a textural and fresh palate of lean citrus fruit, toasty lees, soft herbs, and salinity.
2023 DeMoor Bourgogne Aligote, Burgundy ~ $84
Aligote can often be overlooked in Burgundy due to the importance of Chardonnay in the region. Though, Alice and Olivier DeMoor perennially bottle one of our favorite expressions of the varietal and this 23’s seamless texture, lean orchard fruit flavors, focused acidity, and immense mineral presence are all in perfect harmony.
2022 DeMoor “Bel Air et Clardy” Chablis, Burgundy ~ $130
Alice and Olivier have been farming organically since 2005 and in the cellar they are a couple of the most natural producers in Chablis. This finessed Chardonnay comes from two parcels and shows a focused palate displaying crisp acidity alongside flavors of orchard fruit, sesame, brioche, and Kimmerigian limestone.
2021 Gérard Duplessis “Vaillons” Chablis, Burgundy ~ $120 This 5th generation estate, now run by Lilian Duplessis, has stayed dedicated to tradition while working some of Chablis’s best terroirs. This 1er Cru Vaillon comes from four rocky parcels and displays integrated flavors and aromas of Kimmeridgian limestone, ripe stone fruit, creamy lees, and oyster shell.
2023 Frantz Saumon “Vin de Frantz” Chenin Blanc, Vin de France ~ $72
A top producer in Loire Valley, Frantz naturally farms several older-vine sites throughout Azay-Le-Rideau. This ’22 Chenin bottling comes from mostly estate fruit, as well as some thoughtfully farmed fruit from a neighbor, showing all the beauty of young Chenin and the true diversity of Frantz’s Touraine terroir.
2023 La Ferme de La Sansonniere “La Lune” Vin de France ~ $110
Atypical for his area, Mark Angeli bottles dry expressions of Chenin Blanc rather than the sweeter versions that the Coteaux du Layon appellation is known for. La Lune is a perennial favorite and his most appraochable bottling in it’s youth showing fresh aromatics and flavors of tropical fruit, sea spray, meyer lemon, and brioche.
1995 Pinon “Cuvée de Novembre” Vouvray, Loire Valley ~ $140
This sweet wine is best with cheese and charcuterie or just shared with several close friends. 100% botrytised Chenin Blanc, that Francois Pinon harvested in late November, showing good balance of sweetness and earth with prounounced flavors of sweet tropical fruit, shitake mushroom, dried apricot, limestone, and botrytis.
2021 Domaine de Veilloux “Argilo” Cheverny, Loire Valley ~ $78
This traditional Loire Valley blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Menu Pineau comes from several clay-rich vineyards naturally farmed by 6th generation grower, Michel Quenioux. It beautifully displays both terroir and typicity with a textured and elevated palate showing citrus zest, saline, stone fruit, and clay.
2023 Dard and Ribo Crozes-Hermitage ~ $155
Only a few growers in the Rhone Valley consistantly produce white wines that we love and, in our opinion, Rene-Jean Dard and Francois Ribo’s Marsanne/Roussane bottling is amongst the best from the region. Lovely in its youth, this wine shows a textural and flashy palate of stonefruit, almond, mineral, and a touch of barrique.
Spain & Italy ~
2008 Lopez de Heredia “Vina Tondonia Reserva” Rioja, Spain ~ $125
The winemaking philosophy at Heredia hasn’t changed much over their 150-years of production. Their Reserva rests in barrel for 6 years and is then aged a 5 years in the cellar prior to release. This white is well- balanced with surprisingly fresh acidity and a layered palate of orchard fruit, barrel spice, and salty mineral.
2020 Fazenda Augalevada “Ollos de Roque” Ribiero, Spain ~ $90
Iago Garrido is a young Galician who’s crafting some truly unique expressions of northwestern Spanish fruit. This single vineyard blend of Treixadura, Lado, and Aguadelo was raised in amphora and very old 500L barrels from Jerez. The wine developed flor during aging, resulting in a bottling that brings a combination of rich Loire Valley Chenin and slightly oxidative Jura Savagnin to mind.
Nanclares y Prieto Rías Baixas, Spain ~
Alberto Nanclares and Silvia Prieto bottle nearly a dozen different Albariño’s each vintage and each of their bottlings is a vibrant and unique expression of the various terroirs of Rías Baixas.
2023 “Albariño de Alberto Nanclares” ~ $90
From 10 parcels, vines up to 95 years old, this is a wine of clarity with a strong salty influence from the coast.
2023 “O Bocoi Vello” ~ $82
From 4 parcels and aged in a single 100-year-old 1800L chestnut barrel, this wine is more textural, with heightened acidity, stone fruit, and saline.
2022 La Staffa Verdicchio del Castelli di Jesi, Marche, Italy ~ $60
Riccardo Baldi of La Staffa produces some of our favorite expressions of the Verdicchio varietal we’ve tasted. This bottling comes from organically farmed, higher-elevation, limestone-rich vineyards and it displays a waxy texture, with fresh acidity, and layered flavors of stonefruit, subtle spice, fine herbs, and sea spray.
2022 La Biancara “Sassaia” Veneto, Italy ~ $68
Angliolino Maule has been working naturally in the vineyards and cellar for over 3 decades, producing some of our favorite Garganega bottlings around. This wine comes from his most mineral rich sites and is blended with 15% Trebbiano showing both texture and acidity alongside layered flavors of stone fruit, green tea, and flint.
Germany & Austria ~
2021 Leipold “Gassberg” Franken, Germany ~ $88
Of the many varietals grown in Franconia, Sylvaner is the one of greatest importance. Peter Leipold bottles some of the most invigorating and weightless wines from the storied region and this single vineyard Gassberg is one of our favorite expressions of the varietal with chisled fruit, structure, and mineral concentration.
2021 Vetter “Muschelkalk” Franken, Germany ~ $75
Stefan Vetter’s nervy and chistled Sylvaner bottlings are some of the finest expressions of the varietal you’ll taste. Muschelkalk is one of Stefan’s top sites, the vineyards limestone rich soils lend acid and tension heightening a palate full of bright citrus, green grape skin, and lemongrass.
2023 Jonas Dostert “Elbling Alte Reben” Obermosel, Germany ~ $78
Jonas is a young producer in the Upper Mosel and with his natural approach in the vineyards he’s bottling a new and exciting side of German wine. This bottling, from older vines, shows the great potential of Elbling with Chablis-esque minerality, shimmering acidity, key lime, almond, and a dry persistant finish.
2021 Weiser-Künstler “Enkircher Ellergrub” Riesling Kabinett, Mosel, Germany ~ $82
Konstantin Weiser and Alexandra Künster are one of the hardest working couples in the Mosel. They work hauntingly steep terraces organically, doing all of the work by hand, and vinify all of their fruit naturally in the cellar. This Ellergrub bottling is a favorite due to its supple texture, moderate sweetness, immense mineral presence, and range of aromatics and flavors embody the soul of the Mosel.
2021 Carl Loewen “Maximin Herrenberg GG” Mosel, Germany ~ $98
Don’t miss the opportunity to taste this classic dry Riesling from an approachable young vintage. Carl traditionally vinifies this GG on ambient yeast and raises it in old oak barrels allowing the vineyards old vines, some planted in 1896, to impart a deep mineral presence alongside flavors of lime zest, slate, and sencha tea.
2020 Clemens Busch “Marienburg Fahrlay GG” Mosel, Germany ~ $90
Clemens is a 5th generation grower in the village of Pünderich, who’s been farming his incredibly steep vineyards organically since the mid 80’s. This dry Riesling comes from a single plot of vines on Marienburg planted to blue slate and shows a lovely balance of tropical fruit, bright acidity, and immense minerality.
1999 Ludes “Klusserather Bruderschaft” Riesling Kabinett Trocken, Mosel, Germany ~ $110
Lovers of Mosel Riesling look no further. Hermann Ludes, now with the help of his nephew Julian, has been quietly producing bracing bottlings from the incredibly steep Thornicher Ritsch site for several decades. Each bottling vivdly displays their old vines planted to blue slate with brilliant balance and tension.
2022 Julian Haart “rote Erden” Rheinhessen, Germany ~ $98
From vineyards owned by Klaus Peter Keller in Rheinhessen, this is one of the best dry Rieslings we’ve tasted in a while. Julian keeps the vinification simple letting the terroir of Rheinhessen really shine here; the palate is textural and acid-driven showing flavors of tropical fruit, soft floral notes, ripe peach and crushed limestone.
2020 Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spatlese #10 Mosel, Germany ~ $90
Willi and his son Christoph farm some incredible sites surrounding the village of Graach. Domprobst, planted to Devonian gray/blue slate, often produces some the most mineral rich wines in the Mosel; this Spatlese is on the sweeter side with crisp acidity and balanced flavors of ripe peach, fresh ginger, lychee and gray slate.
2019 J.B. Becker “Wallufer Oberberg Kabinett Halbtrocken” Rheingau, Germany ~ $80
2008 J.B. Becker “Eltviller Sonnenberg Spatlese” Rheingau, Germany ~ $90
2004 J.B. Becker “Martinsthaler Rödchen Spatlese” Rheingau, Germany ~ $120
2000 J.B. Becker “Wallufer Berg Bildstock Spatlese” Rheingau, Germany ~ $120
Hans-Josef Becker realized his passion for dry expressions of Riesling as a winery apprentice in the 1960s and has quietly been producing some of the worlds best since taking over his family-owned estate in 1971.
2022 Tschida “Himmel Auf Erden Grand Cuvee” Burgenland, Austria ~ $80
Christian Tschida is a farmer first and his dedication to organic growing and biodiversity is reflected in the purity of each of his bottlings. This blend of Gruner Veltliner and Sauvignon Blanc is higher-toned and incredibly fresh showing an integrated palate of ripe peach, fine herbs, tart citrus, and tangy limestone.
2021 Jurtschitich “Ried Loiserberg” Kamptal, Austria ~ $105
Alwin and Stef Jurtschitich naturally farm several vineyards in and around the village of Langenlois. This Gruner Veltliner comes from the higher-elevation Loiserberg; the wine’s chistled and lean showing a beautiful expression of Kamptal fruit with crisp acidity, orchard fruit, fennel, subtle spice, and crystalline minerals.
America ~
2019 Steen “Jurassic Park Vineyard” Santa Ynez Valley, California ~ $72
Leo Steen sources this Chenin Blanc from own-rooted vines planted in 1978. The fossil rich limestone soils of Jurassic Park impart a distinct mineral profile into the wines grown there and this bottling from Leo is high-toned and textured with balanced flavors of white peach, lemon zest, eucalyptus, and almond.
Bottle List ~ orange
2023 Matassa “Cuvee Alexandria” Vin de France ~ $148 1.5L
As an intern studying in southern France, Tom Lubbe met his future wife and rather than returning home to South Africa he stayed in the Roussillon to start Matassa in 2003. This wildly natural bottling from Tom is a macerated Muscat d’Alexandria showing heightened flavors of peach, elderflower, skin tannin, and schist.
2022 Podere Pradarolo “Vej” Emilia-Romagna, Italy ~ $68
Alberto and Claudia Carretti bottle some of our favorite expressions of macerated wine in Northern Italy. This 100% Malvasia di Candia saw a 90 day maceration followed by 16 months of aging in old barrels; the resulting wine has a deep amber color and an integrated palate of bright clementine, spicy ginger, and salty tannin.
2023 Le Coste “Bianchetto” Lazio, Itaty ~ $72
This blend of mostly Procanico, Malvasia di Candia, and Vermentino, planted to volcanic soils near the town of Montefiascone, saw a two week maceration and was bottled early to retain freshness. The wine is vibrant and youthful with crisp acidity and balanced flavors of tart citrus, dried herbs, and soft tannin.
2018 Radikon “Oslavje” Friuli, Italy ~ $80 500ml
Fruili is one of the most storied regions when discussing orange wine. Saša Radikon is a favorite grower in the area and his families dedication to tradition is evident in each of their bottlings. This amber Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc saw a 3 months maceration and long aging in large Slovenian oak casks prior to bottling; it’s elevated and slightly savory showing flavors dried citrus, gingery spice, salty minerals, and moderate tannin.
2022 Buondonno “Bianco alla Marta” Toscana IGT, Italy ~ $88
100% old-vine Trebbiano Toscana, this 10-day-macerated bottling from Gabriele Buondonno is one of the most balanced amber wines we’ve recently tasted from Tuscany. The wines both rustic and elevated with good tannin structure and a lively palate of dried apricot, clay, citrus zest, and focused acidity.
Oriol Artigas Allela, Spain ~
Oriol Artigas naturally works several sites north of Barcelona, planted to mostly Pansa Blanca, producing some of our favorite costal wines in Spain; these bottlings are singular and unique distinguished by each sites soils.
2021 “La Bestia” ~ $100
100+ year old vines planted to pure schist, this is Oriol’s most structured and age-worthy expressions of Allela.
2021 “La Bella” ~ $100
A perennial favorite, granite soils and a 14-day maceration lend this wine texture and a mineral driven palate.
Bottle List ~ rosé
2023 Curtin “Trick Pony” Mosel, Germany ~ $70
Rosalie Curtin, once a Humboldt Park resident and Rootstock regular, left the states in Spring of ‘22 to work alongside Philip Lardot as an intern in the Mosel. The two are now engaged and collectively bottling wines under their own labels; Trick Pony is a rosé of Pinot Noir from slate soils and for us, a favorite bottling from ‘23.
2023 Ardoisières “Rhodonite” IGP Vin des Allobroges ~ $98
From naturally farmed vineyards planted to black schist and clay soils in the Alpine region of Savoie, this 100% Gamay rosé from Brice Omont shouldn’t be missed. The wine’s linear and dry, showing lively acidity alongside aromas and flavors of crisp mountain air, provençal herbs, red fruit, citrus zest, and immense minerality.
Bottle List ~ red
France ~
2023 Binner Pinot Noir, Alsace ~ $90
Christian Binner has been a leading force in the natural wine community since taking over his family estate in 1999. His expressions of Alsatian Pinot Noir are some of the best around and this bottling shows edgy wood tannin alongside bright acidity and flavors of dark brambly fruit, chalky minerals, and soft spice.
2022 Jerome Balmet “Barbe Rousse” Vin de France ~ $72
After interning a couple of vintages with fellow Beaujolais growers, Jean-Claude Lapalu and Mathieu Lapierre, Jerome started his own label in 2012. His winery is just on the outskirts of the Brouilly and this Gamay bottling shows a wild expression of the Cru with ample structure, heightened acidity, red fruit, granite, and dusty tannin.
2023 Dutraive (Grand’Cour) “Cuvée Vielles Vignes” Brouilly, Beaujolais ~ $98
A terrific wine from a classic vintage, Jean-Louis Dutraive works several old-vine sites in Brouilly, planted to granite rich soils, and produces some of the most ethereal Gamay in the Cru. The bottling is youthful and persistent showing high acidity and a palate full of tart red fruit, rose petal, clove and granitic minerals.
2015 Chamonard “Le Clos de Lys” Morgon, Beaujolais ~ $105
This cellar release from Jean-Claude Chanudet is drinking great right now; from several parcels of 50-100 year old vines, it’s showing both the power and elegance of Gamay with earthy and red fruited aromatics alongside a supple palate of tart cherry, violet, anise, soft wood tannin, and lifted acidity.
2022 Les Bottes Rouge “La Pepee” Côtes du Jura ~ $120
Jean-Baptiste Menigoz’s 100% Pinot Noir bottling comes from 2 vineyards planted to clay soils and sees extended elevage in 600L barrique. This lighter bodied wine is one of our favorite Jura Pinot’s we’ve tasted showing a seemless texture, fresh acidity, and a concentrated palate full of dark red fruit, soft spice, and clay.
2023 Domaine de la Tournelle “Trousseau des Corvées” Arbois, Jura ~ $125
This single vineyard Trousseau is a perennial favorite due to it’s focused and lively expression of the varietal. From older vines naturally farmed and fermented by Evelyn Clairet, the wine is lighter in body with a suprisingly dense palate full of brambly fruit, integrated spice, higher-toned minerals, and soft savory tannin.
2023 Tissot “Vielles Vignes” Arbois, Jura ~ $120
In recent years we’ve jumped at the opportunity to show the wines of Benedicte and Stephane Tissot and we couldn’t be more excited about this unsulfured old-vine Poulsard from them. Extremely raw, this wine shows energy, texture, and restraint with layered flavors of taut red fruit, clay, white pepper, iron and savory tannin.
2023 Mosse “Bangarang” Vin de France ~ $70
Recently, Rene and Agnes Mosse have entrusted the responsibilities of their family run Anjou estate to their two sons Sylvestre and Jo. The quality hasn’t skipped a beat and this bottling of Pineau d’Aunis, Grolleau, and Cab Franc is light bodied showing fresh flavors of red currant, white pepper, chalky minerals and soft tannin.
2017 Clos Rougeard “Les Poyeux” Saumur Champigny, Loire Valley ~ $225
Clos Rougeard produces some of the most sought after Cabernet Franc bottlings in Loire. A five-week maceration, followed by fermentation and aging in used barrique, have lent this stunning Samur-Champigny a classic palate displaying fresh acidity, black currant, lavender, limestone, and integrated wood tannin.
2022 La Grapperie “L’Enchateresse” Vin de France ~ $98
Pineau d’Aunis is one of the Loire Valley’s oldest native varietals and there are few bottling better than this one from Renaud Gauthier. From 50-115 year old vines, this wine’s medium bodied showing persistent acidity with fine tannin and layered flavors of wild strawberry, white pepper, and flint.
2023 Ferme de la Sansonnière “Les Gélinettes” Vin de France ~ $120
This elusive bottling of mostly Grolleau Noir, with small amounts of Gamay and Cab Sauv, from the Anjou icon Mark Angeli is one of our favorite Loire reds that we rarely see in Chicago. It’s both textural and expressive showing a harmonious palate of blackberry, garrigue, grippy tannin, and savory spice.
2014 Chateau Falfas Cotes de Bourg, Bordeaux ~ $160 1.5L
In 1962, François Bouchet of Chateau Falfas became the first biodynamically certified grower in France. His daughter Veronique now heads up the estate and strictly following classic Bordeaux tradition she crafts some of the most engaging Right Bank bottlings around. This medium bodied Merlot based blend is a favorite, showing edgy tannin and balanced flavors of dark brambly fruit, savory spice, gravel, and smoky barrique.
2020 Closerie du Chene St Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux ~ $88
From a tiny 1.15-hectare vineyard planted in 1956, this traditional blend of Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc by Catherine Grébau is one of the most approachable young St Emilions we’ve tasted. Meduim-bodied, it seamlessly displays a darker palate of dark plum, cedar, iron-rich minerals, and soft wood tannin.
2021 Eric Texier “Brézème” Syrah, Cote du Rhone, France ~ $70
Over the last 20+ years Eric has been instrumental in the revival of Brézème, a region in Northern Rhone, and Eric’s bottling’s are always amongst our favorites from the storied region. This ’21 Brézème is edgy and fresh showing savory tannin, persistent acidity, and a balanced palate of soft spice, tart red fruit, and tangy minerals.
2021 La Ferme de l’Arbre Saint Joseph, Northern Rhone ~ $84
This semi-carbonic Syrah bottling from Christian Lericq is a new favorite St Joseph of ours. Everything here is done naturally, producing an intense wine that’s not too heavy showing darker aromatics alongside a concentrated palate of brambly fruit, savory black olive, freshly ground pepper, and grippy tannin.
2023 Matassa “Tommy Ferriol” Vin de France ~ $80
This blend of 60% Syrah and 40% Muscat Petit Grains from Tom Lubbe shows us a wilder side of southern France. The Syrah is harvested from multiple sites, some planted as early as 1929, lending notes of dried red fruit and iron-rich minerality to a palate that’s elevated by the fresh and floral typicity of Muscat.
2023 Bruno Duchene “Odin” VdP de la Côte Vermeille ~ $84
The highly sought-after wines of Bruno Duchene are some of our favorites; Odin is an amphora raised blend of Tempranillo, Carignan, and Syrah planted to a coastal Mediterranean vineyard. Bruno co-ferments everything and bottles without additives producing a wine of clarity, depth, and verve that shouldn’t be missed.
Italy ~
2023 Vini Rabasco “Cancelli” Montepulciano, Abruzzo ~ $72
This wildly natural Montepulciano from Iole Rabasco comes from vineyards that have never seen chemicals and in the cellar she keeps the maceration short followed by early bottling without fining, filtration, or SO2. The wine’s vertical and vibrant on the palate showing tangy red currant, white sage, clay, and soft sleek tannins.
2021 Torre alle Tolfe Toscana IGT ~ $75
The picturesque vineyards of Torre alle Tolfe lie on the rolling hillsides just outside of Siena. Mania Castelli and her friend Giacomo Mastretta produce some of our favorite single varietal bottlings in Tuscany and this 100% Ciliegiolo shows a wilder expression of the varietal with savory tannin, elevated acidity, and dark red fruit.
2021 Vigne del Noce “Ajan” Asti, Piedmont, Italy ~ $82
This estate was founded in the early 1920’s by Ezio Trinchero’s great-uncle and grandfather; the two brothers, Serafino and Secondo, we’re widely admired by many for producing some of the most age worthy bottlings in Asti. Ezio has continued their vision, working naturally in the vineyards and cellar, and this wine is equal parts Nebbiolo and Freisa showing focus and balance with elevated acidity, chalky minerals, and layered red fruit.
2020 Castello Conti Colline Novaresi, Piedmont ~ $75
Since taking over for their father, three sisters, Elena, Anna, and Paola have been producing some of the most breathtaking bottlings in Alto Piedmonte. This 100% Spanna, the local name for Nebbiolo, shows an integrated and elegant expression of the varietal with a palate of rose petals, dried red fruit, anise, and integrated tannin.
2019 Canonica “Paiagallo” Barolo ~ $150
Very little of Giovanni Canonica’s remarkable Barolo bottlings leave Italy each year. Staying true to tradition, his wines are fermented in concrete, with a two month maceration, aged in Slovenian botti, and bottled without filtration; these wines are a very pure, rustic, and timeless expression of Nebbiolo that should not be missed.
2018 Roagna “Pira” Barolo ~ $230
5th generation winemaker, Luca Roagna produces raw and traditional expressions of his Piedmontese fruit each vintage. This younger Pira comes from a small monopole on the Cru which saw a 2 month maceration followed by 5 years of aging in large cask; terrific in it’’s youth, this wine is open and expressive with flavors and aromas of rose petal, tart cherry, fennel, clay, and supple savory tannin.
2023 Occhipinti “il Frappato” Vittoria, Sicily ~ $88
Arianna started her estate in 2001, she naturally farms and bottles some of our favorite indigenous Sicilian varietals and this 100% Frappato saw a 30 day maceration lending the wine a deep bouquet and expressive palate that brings sun-soaked volcanic earth and dried brambly fruit to mind.
2021 COS “Cerasuolo di Vittoria” Sicily ~ $80
Tcherhis is a favorite Sicilian winery, started in 1980 by three super-smart university pals (Cilia, Occhipinti, and Strano: ergo, COS) in their parents’ vineyards. They researched ancient winemaking methods and have rehabilitated old Carthaginian varietals to make the purest wine possible. Their traditional blend of Frappato and Nero d’Avola shows a concentrated palate of brambly fruit, dried herbs, soft spice and volcanic minerals.
Czech Republic, Germany, & Spain ~
2021 Martin Vajcner “Dekadence” Znojmo, Czech Republic ~ $78
Martin comes from a family of wine growers dating back nearly 4 centuries. This field blend of mostly Zweigelt and Blaufrankisch saw a 12 month maceration in Morovian amphora and was bottled without additives. The wine is suprisingly fresh showing sleek savory tannin and balanced flavors of dark fruit, herbs, iron, and clay.
NV Brand “Cuvee Flora” Pfalz, Germany ~ $60
This bottling, from 5th generation wine growers Daniel and Jonas Brand, is a multi-vintage blend of Dornfelder from a single vineyard planted by their grandfather. Partial carbonic maceration has lent this wildly natural bottling sleek tannin and on the palate it shows flavors of cherry lambic, citrus zest, barnyard, and limestone.
2022 Wasenhaus Baden, Germany ~ $88
Started in 2016 by Christoph Wolber and Alex Götze, Wasenhaus focuses heavily on natural farming and minimal intervention producing some of the most ethereal bottlings in southern Germany. This 100% Pinot Noir shows a palate layered and classic palate full of brambly fruit, soft spice, mild oak, and tangy limestone.
2013 Lopez de Heredia “Viña Bosconia” Rioja, Spain ~ $80
Lopez de Heredia is a legendary producer in Rioja, known for their timeless long-aged bottlings that preserve the tradition of their celebrated region. This meduim-bodied 12 year old classic Rioja flatters the palate with bright acidity alongside flavors of black cherry, anise, integrated oak, and a dry finish.
2023 Envinate “Lousas Rosende” Ribera Sacra, Spain ~ $90
This soulful bottling of mostly Mencia comes from vines planted to sandy soils rich in decomposed granite. Alfonso Torrente bottles without additions of any kind and the resulting wine here is both fruit forward and savory showing a brilliant balance of brambly fruit, subtle spice, moderate tannin, and crystalline minerals.
2023 Envinate “Misturado de Abeleda” Ribeira Sacra, Spain ~ $98
From a single vineyard of 80+ year old vines, co-planted to 65% red varietals and 35% white varietals, this bottling is a unique and traditional expression of Ribeira Sacra. The fruit is foot trodden, then left to macerate in concrete for 36 days before spending 11 months in old barrels; both lively and rustic, this wine embodies a sense of place above all and shows elevated flavors of pomegranate, garrigue, peppery spice, and soft tannin.
North America ~
2023 Ridge “Three Valleys” Sonoma County, California ~ $78
Paul Draper worked nearly 50 harvests at Ridge before retiring in 2016; Paul’s non-interventionist approach in the vineyards and cellar inspired many to work more naturally and his influence is being seen more today than ever before. This “Three Valleys” bottling from Ridge is a fuller-bodied Zinfandel led blend that we believe is a wonderful introduction into the wines of this legendary estate.
2021 Claire Hill “Grist Vineyard” Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma, California ~ $88
Grist was planted in 1983 atop Bradford Mountain and the organically farmed site produces some of the most deeply concentrated Syrah in Dry Creek Valley. Claire vinifies this Syrah with 10% Viognier producing an aromatic and layered wine with savory tannin and flavors of dried cherry, iron, barrel smoke, and garrigue.
2020 Frenchtown Farms “Suba Rosa” North Yuba, Sierra Foothills, California ~ $135
After working several vintages under the guidance of Gideon Beinstock at Clos Saron, Aaron and Cara Mockrish established Frenchtown Farms in 2015. This dry-farmed Syrah bottling from the famed Renaissance vineyard shows a savory side of the varietal with edgy tannin, taut red fruit, and persistant acidity.
2023 Haarmeyer “Heringer Estate Nebbiolo” Clarksburg AVA, California ~ $82
Craig and Alex Haarmeyer bottle some of exciting expressions of California fruit sourced from vineyards near their winery in Sacramento. This semi-carbonic Nebbiolo comes from an organically farmed site showing a lighter-side of the varietal with an acid-driven palate of tart strawberry, rosehip, and stonefruit, with a dry finish.
2018 Clos Saron “Home Vineyard” Sierra Foothills, California ~ $130
This Pinot Noir from Gideon Beinstock comes from one of California’s most facinating terroirs. HIs ungrafted vines are densely planted to a combonation of clay, volcanic ash, and decomposed granite creating an ethereal, yet structured, wine with savory tannin balanced by bright red fruit and pronounced mineralty.
2018 Caparone “French Camp Vineyard” Paso Robles, California ~ $64
This organic, unfined, and unfiltered Cab is on the more unorthodox side of the California spectrum. Caparone’s dedication to “traditional / Old World” winemaking is evident and incredibly harmonious in all of their bottlings. This single vineyard Cab is medium-bodied showing aromatics of cedar, red fruit, and Provencal herbs alongside flavors of red currants, rosemary, leather, and dusty dry tannin.