| DECEMBER 2023 NEWS Holiday Hours Recent Arrivals Creating Special Occasions Parking Reminders  The important changes to note are that we are open on Sundays until 5:00pm for the remainder of December and closed January 1-3 for an inventory count. NEW ARRIVALS Here are a few wines we’ve added recently and want to share with you — all wonderful for the cooler weather we’ve got this month!  Champagne Pierre Moncuit Blanc de Blancs Brut ‘Hugues de Coulmet’ NV In the 1950s, Pierre Moncuit began bottling his own wine, rather than selling his family’s fruit to the big houses. His daughter Nicole took over in the late 70’s, and her daughter has now joined the team as well! They make terrific grower Champagnes that showcase terroir, always a single-vintage blend (even when they’re not labeled as such). Hugues de Coulmet is their Chardonnay vineyard in the Côte de Sézanne — the wine sees 3 years aging on the lees and drinks crisp, light and fresh. We have their higher-end Blanc de Blancs and their 2008 vintage as well — a terrific lineup!  Xavier Monnot Bourgogne Chardonnay ‘Les Grandes Coutures’ 2021 It’s not every day that we get to meet a Burgundy we’d never heard of! Xavier Monnot has been running his mother’s family estate since 1994, and began bottling under his own label since 2005. He keeps his average vine age around 30-40 years, with a mind towards traditionalism in the cellar to the point that his grapes are still crushed by foot! Les Grandes Coutures is a blend of 3 plots bordering Meursault with clay-dominant soils and aged 12-14 months in 15-20% new oak, leading to a rich, textured Bourgogne Blanc!  Bodegas Trus Ribera del Duero Crianza 2018 Ribera del Duero is probably Spain’s second-most well-known red wine region behind Rioja, having burst onto the international wine scene in the mid-2010s. The reds are typically 100% Tinto Fino, the local name for Tempranillo, though the wines tend to be much riper and more structured than in Rioja. Ribera is often a terrific entry-point into European wines for those more used to big California reds! The Trus Crianza is a perfect example, loaded with black cherries and plums, leather, and a hint of vanilla. It is a big wine, and definitely benefits from time to breathe, but mercifully does not take long to soften in the glass!  Château Marquis de Terme Margaux 2016 We are excited to offer some range of this Margaux! Château Marquis de Terme was classified as a Fourth Growth in 1855, but gained attention even earlier than that — Thomas Jefferson proclaimed it one of his top 16 Bordeaux estates in 1787 during his term as ambassador to France! This is a classic expression of Margaux’s rich, velvety style — full of dark fruits, savory herbs, and a rocky minerality. Best of all: the large format price-per-ounce is better than the 750ml, which we seldom see! And for the aged wine aficionados, we also have their 2001 vintage direct from the Château! |
| Creating Special Occasions Contributed by Anne Worden We often receive calls requesting wine cellar evaluation services. The reason for the requests can range from divorce settlement to estate valuation to insurance claims; it is rarely a joyous event that leads to these calls. Regardless of the circumstances, we are always eager to work in cellars and thoroughly enjoy the process of evaluating collections. These opportunities are typically a pleasure from start to finish. However, the pleasure of the work is dimmed by a strong message that we take away from this task when we discover wines that have declined in value and potential joy. We want to pass that message along, especially in the midst of the holiday season. As wine lovers we carefully select our wines. In many cases, we appropriately tuck them away to age. We also invest in bottles that we find intriguing and save them for special occasions. We set them aside and wait for the right day, gathering or event. Our work in wine cellars has reminded us that wine is enhanced when sharing with others, and that it is best enjoyed in its prime–a simple concept that even those of us in the industry often forget. This message cannot be delivered more poignantly than by a day of work in a cellar left behind by its collector. Another reason we might hold a particular bottle back is to share it with someone who will experience it the same way that we do, which prompts me to recall how the generosity of others has resulted in my own growth in wine knowledge and enjoyment. When I was still a novice in my appreciation of wines, I was very graciously handed a glass of Comte Lafon Meursault Clos de La Barre. As soon as the wine was on my palate, everything I thought I knew about wine changed. I still remember the place, the smell, the taste, and most importantly the people sharing the wine. I try to remember that by sharing my special bottles and their stories with those newer to the world of wine, I have the opportunity to create this experience for them. Don’t wait for a special occasion to open that bottle of wine; it might just be the bottle of wine that makes the occasion special. Parking Reminder: We love to offer free parking when you’re coming to visit the shop, but we do need to know your car is on the lot so that we can protect you from being booted if you’re making another stop! Please pop your head in to let us know you’re running another errand or two before coming in, and we’ll happily let Admiral know your car is with so that you don’t get fined! Tastings and Events Our ticketed events are finished for 2023 but we will of course still be opening bottles for the chance to try before you buy, and we’ll have some of our reps stop by and pour you samples while you shop as well. So that we don’t bury you in emails, updates about these informal tastings will instead be up on our Instagram — give us a follow @nolawinemerchant if you don’t already! |
