2023 Raul Perez Atalier “A Cruz das Animas” Rias Baixas Albariño
Atalier is the exciting new Rías Baixas Albariño project from the redoubtable Raúl Pérez, and this wine is nothing short of explosive. It leaps out of the glass with aromas of oyster shell and etherized granite and follows through with a palate rich in marine-inflected yellow and green fruits and sporting a powerful surge of acidity.
Fermented and aged in large, neutral French oak foudres. The oxygenation that occurs during this élevage gives the wine a softer, rounder entry that balances out the razor-sharp acidity. Biodynamic and organic.
2019 Domaine Alain Burguet Gevrey-Chambertin ‘Lavaux Saint Jacques’ Premier Cru
This rustic Pinot Noir hails from a premier cru climat just west of Gevrey-Chambertin. The palate is medium-bodied with rich and concentrated flavors, nice acidity, and integrated tannins. Aged for 19 months in barrel (50% new oak).
Like all of Burguet’s wines, this bottle is produced from organic (converting to biodynamic) fruit, native yeasts, and is bottled unfined / unfiltered. Only 50 cases produced.
2022 Bachelet-Monnot Maranges ‘La Fussiere’ Blanc Premier Cru
Fruit for this 1er cru White Burgundy comes from the highest vineyard site in Maranges (avg. 30 years in age). This is a sneaky premier cru that I think would keep an eye on. It may be the best valued Burgundy on the market.
Organic farming practices, hand-harvested, native yeast fermentation and aged for 12 months in barrel.
2022 Peay Pinot Noir ‘Savoy Vineyard’ Anderson Valley
Savoy Vineyard in the Anderson Valley is considered one of the best vineyards in all of California for Pinot Noir. It’s highly-regarded for producing classic Pinot Noir with a touch of influence from the Pacific Northwest. Think California fruit mixed with Oregon’s rustic concentration.
Organic farming practices, woman-winemaker.