Colline de l’Hirondelle – Douzens, France (Corbières)

Jennifer Buck and Didier Ferrier tend and farm supremely old vineyards at the base of the Montagne d’Alaric in the Corbières region of Languedoc-Roussillon in the south of France. Didier’s family has owned the vineyards for generations and it is only now, under the stewardship of Jen and Didier, that the fruit is being utilized for estate bottled wines as opposed to going into the soup wine of the local co-op. Ancient Carignan, Grenache and Syrah, along with the indigenous cross Chenançon, conspire to create soulful cuvees that express the garrigue (scrub herbs) and nuances of the south of France.

Ventilo 2019

Jen and Didier were prescient when creating this unique Provencal style rosé from the individualistic and rugged Chenançon variety. It’s attributes lend themselves perfectly for this style of wine as the peppery nuances combine with the richness of the fruit to produce a serious yet quaffable pinkie. $20

Oiseau 2015

Colline de l’Hirondelle translates to ‘swallow hill’ and the bird wine, as we affectionately have dubbed this one, is their highest production/flagship wine (still minuscule at 833 cases). A base of garriguey old vine Carignan with Grenache and Syrah lending a Provencal seasoning to the mix. $22

Vincent Caillé – Muscadet, Loire Valley, France

Vincent is one of the leaders of the natural wine movement in this Atlantic Ocean influenced region of northwest France. His efforts are as direct from vine to glass one could hope for with he only acting as a conduit. His vineyards look more like a garden, with a natural mix of green plantings between the vines. Only natural yeasts are used and there is definitely the influence of the saline sea spray promulgated by the vineyards’ proximity to the ocean.

Muscadet Sèvre et Maine 2018

The flagship wine comprised of 100% Melon de Bourgogne, the signature white variety of the region. The 2016 vintage was on the warm side lending a richness to this wine giving it an almost Mâconnais feel. Supremely satisfying all purpose vin blanc. $18

Gamay 2018

The grape of Beaujolais also thrives in the maritime-influenced Loire Valley. Vincent’s natural winemaking lends a more earthy note to the variety’s natural bright, juicy red fruit. $19

Côt 2018

Côt, also known as Malbec, is originally from southwestern France where it spread to Bordeaux, Loire, and of course Argentina. In this cool climate the variety expresses itself a bit differently giving a more elegant and lower alcohol version. A perfect all purpose red that can be served slightly chilled in the warmer weather. $20

HEYL ZU HERRNSHEIM – Rheinhessen, Germany

The crimson hued, volcanic outcrop of soil in and around the village of Nierstein produces the fruit for some of the most distinctive wines in all of Europe. This unique terra is responsible for the rarely found mineral depth realized in the wines of Heyl Zu Herrnsheim, symbolized by the iconic label of St. Peter holding the key to heaven. The pleasure quotient is incredibly high as the imbiber is continuously drawn in by the aromas and layers of flavor.

Weisser Burgunder 2017

The German moniker for Pinot Blanc. Very few white wines under $20 are as mouthwateringly intense. $18

Riesling 2017

A bit more citrus on the nose and palate here. The red soil imparts a mouthwatering acidity making this the perfect Riesling for non-believers in the greatest white wine grape in the world. $18

Brudersberg Riesling 2015

This monopole vineyard produces one of the iconic wines of Europe, let alone Germany. A center cut, prime piece of Nierstein. The 13 shows a touch of tertiary notes while the 15 is full throttled, full of character Riesling goodness. $39

Domaine Richou – Anjou, Loire Valley, France

When perusing the vineyards of Domaine Richou with Didier, the eldest son of the Richou family, he occasionally reaches down and scoops up a rock, turns to you and implores you to smell and almost taste the offering. He is quite literally the rock star in the Anjou region of the Loire valley! He actually packed some of these igneous and metamorphic samples when traveling to the United States to exhibit alongside his vinous gems (the TSA authorities at JFK must have had a look of incredulity when his bag passed through the x-ray). The granite and schist laden terroir – along with a minimalist approach to winemaking – makes for some of the purest expressions of the region.

Anjou Blanc ‘Les Rogeries’ 2015

Here we have Didier’s single vineyard, older vine effort and a Chenin Blanc tour de force. A powerful Chenin with an unctuous mouthfeel and a driving mineral balance with a finish that seemingly never ends. $30

Anjou Rouge ‘4 Chemins’ 2017

A Cabernet Franc dominated blend (the signature red variety of the region) with a dollop of Cabernet Sauvignon thrown in for good measure. A fresh, yet serious, example of the under appreciated member of the Cabernet family. This wine is oh so refreshingly delicious and is the perfect ‘bistro’ wine, being able to complement a host of cuisine, perhaps the best red for pairing with salmon. $22

Domaine Elian da Ros – Marmandais, France

Elian da Ros has achieved cult like status amongst searchers for unadulterated, character laden, earth driven, natural wines. He farms the oldest vines in the sleepy area of Marmandais, located directly under the shadow of the behemoth that is Bordeaux. The indigenous Abouriou variety plays a complementary role to the Bordelais varieties of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon with a bit of Syrah used for a seasoning. Elian worked with MW Olivier Humbrecht of Domaine Zin Humbrecht for five years before returning to his native Marmandais, certainly one of the best mentors for producing biodynamically crafted vin extraordinaire such as these.

Le vin est une Fête 2017

‘This wine is a party’ literally reads the label in French, connoting Elian’s treatment of this unbelievably delicious blend of Abouriou (40%), Cabernet Franc (40%), and Merlot (20%). He allows the Abouriou to go through partial carbonic maceration, lending a fruit forward aspect to resulting wine with the structure being supplied by the complementary players. $20

Le Vignoble d’Élian 2016

This cuvée is dominated by old vine Cabernet Franc (50%) with the remainder dedicated to Merlot and Syrah from same old vineyard. The graphite and earth imbued Cabernet Franc give this wine a depth and layered feel and would remind the imbiber of a hand made, garagiste style St. Emilion of the highest order. $26

Chante Coucou 2015

The Chante Coucou is a Merlot dominated blend with Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Syrah playing supporting roles. The terroir is gravelly clay in profile, the perfect substrata for the softer Merlot. Perhaps the Pomerol to the St. Emilion like expression above. $32

Clos Baquey 2012

This is Elian’s tour de force blend of Cab Franc and Merlot (35% each) with Abouriou and Cabernet Sauvignon at 15% each. Each variety is vinified separately in open concrete vats with light pigeage over a 2-3 week period lending a suppleness to the intense fruit. This is serious wine indeed and one that is sought after by many of the top restaurants throughout France along with his other cuvées. $48

Domaine de Piaugier – Sablet, France

Sophie and Jean Marc Autran farm some of the oldest and most advantageously situated vineyard sites in the Côtes du Rhône Villages area of Sablet, located in the shadows of the Dentelles de Montmirail. This unique 200 million year old, pushed up from the earth, mountainous outcrop laid a limestone base to the soil adding a singular stylistic component to the wines emanating from the surrounding vineyards. These Grenache based reds offer the wine drinker an incredible quality to value quotient as the relative anonymity of the Sablet region makes for conditions whereby the wines can be blindly be thrown into tastings with their more famous neighbors of Gigondas and Châteauneuf-du-Pape and hold their own.

Côtes du Rhône ‘La Grange de Piaugier’ 2017

This is ESTATE bottled Côtes du Rhône as opposed to most examples found in the market that are sourced from the entire region. The forty year old vineyard is comprised of a base grape broth of Grenache with a complementary seasoning of Carignan, Cinsault and Syrah. This is seriously delicious Côtes du Rhône from a superb vintage. $16

Sablet 2018

The Autran’s flagship wine with it’s trademark red label is perhaps the most beloved red wine by our patrons over the years. This old vine Grenache with a touch of Syrah provides pleasure well above its station price-wise and could be tasted with $30 plus wines from neighboring Gigondas and definitely be in good company. $20

Sablet ‘Les Briguiéres’ 2016

Jean Marc’s grandfather planted this hillside vineyard abutting the Dentelles over 50 years ago. He made the decision to include 20% of the plantings to Mourvèdre along with the Grenache that comprises the remaining portion. The Mourvèdre lends a wonderful darker/earthier component to the resulting wine making this one of the true benchmark efforts in the appellation. Les Briguiéres is capable of aging up to twenty years in good vintages but is seductively enticing to drink on release, enabled by fruit forward nature of Grenache. $27

Sablet Blanc 2017

The token white wine in the Piaugier stable is also a terrific value when contemplated with the more expensive peers of the region. A unique blend of Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne creates a rich white wine lovers dream. Aging in two year old seasoned French oak barrels adds an extra layer of depth and structure. A wonderful complement to seafood stews, poultry and the like. $23