https://missoulawine.com/blogs/news.atomMissoula Wine Merchants - News2023-07-21T13:00:00-06:00Missoula Wine Merchantshttps://missoulawine.com/blogs/news/cellar-club-1997-bruno-giacosa-barbaresco-asili2023-07-21T13:00:00-06:002023-08-08T13:47:05-06:00Cellar Club: 1997 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco "Asili"Doug NessThis is undoubtedly the treasure of our recent foray into the MWM cellars. Bruno Giacosa is one of the most legendary producers to have ever made wine in the Langhe, right up there with Giacomo Conterno and Bartolo Mascarello. So when we saw about a dozen lined up in an old wooden case, we circled up, opened a bottle, and gave it a try.
1997 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco "Asili" — $500
The rise of the Giacosa estate coincided with the skyrocketing fame of Barolo and Barbaresco in the 80s and 90s, but Bruno had been perfecting his craft since 1945—when he was only 15 years old. His mastery of terroir, his peerless palate, and his fierce campaigning were instrumental in propelling the wines of Piedmont into international prominence. Giacosa's career lasted a full eight decades, during which time his wines and his life revolutionized the world of Italian wine.
Without question, the '97 "Asili" is considered one of Giacosa's best bottlings ever. "Asili" is perhaps the most important single vineyard site in all of Barbaresco. It is the quintessence of the village, producing wines of tremendous elegance, freshness, and complexity. Giacosa purchased holdings in this cru in the 80s, and many of his expressions of this regal site are in the pantheon of fine Italian wine. Current vintages retail for about $250 per bottle. The legendary 1997 vintage is all but off the market, except for the small lot we have been saving for you today.
In the glass, the most delicate floral aromatics announce the coming of a truly special wine. Dried rose petal, fresh jasmine, perfumed violet. While the tannins have become silky over 26 years, the acidity is still strong and fresh in the form of supple red fruits and a touch of cedar box. It is, without exaggeration, one of the most delicious wines we've ever had the pleasure of opening.
We have 16 bottles available. Because we'd like these bottles to go to our Missoula customers, we will provide a 25% discount if you purchase three, and 15% if you purchase two. This is an opportunity to secure one of the world's truly elite wines—as a gift for a friend or family member, as a wine for a special occasion, or as an occasion unto itself.]]>
https://missoulawine.com/blogs/news/cellar-club-08-lopez-de-heredia-blanco2023-07-14T14:00:00-06:002023-08-08T13:52:26-06:00Cellar Club: '08 Lopez de Heredia BlancoDoug NessThe wines of López de Heredia are beloved in the auction world. Their scarcity, their longevity, and their reputation make them a must-have for any collector of fine wines. And when compared with other collectible bottles, they tend to be very affordable. The whites of López are particularly sought-after. This, the Viña Tondonia Reserva, is the highest-end white they regularly produce, and you can routinely find drinkable examples going all the way back to the 70s and 80s. Today we have the pleasure of offering one bottle from the excellent 2008 vintage.
We should mention the provenance here as well. This week we unearthed about three cases of old wine which had sat, unopened, in a temperature and humidity-controlled cellar since the wine shop was first opened eight years ago. Over the next few weeks we're going to highlight a selection of these old and rare bottles, beginning with this lovely White Rioja.
2008 López de Heredia Viña Tondonia Blanco Reserva — $100 Viña Tondonia was planted in 1913 and 1914 along a curve in the River Ebro, right at the border between Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa. It is one of the greatest vineyards in all of Spain. It is planted in the traditional bush-vine style, in which plants are trained individually in the shapes of goblets, rather than being trellised in rows for ease. This method is the condicio sine qua non for the staunchly-traditionalist López de Heredia. Their entire philosophy centers around low yields, ancient vines, and minimal intervention, all of which have become buzz words the world over but which have formed the ethos of López since the mid-19th century, even when long oak aging and mechanized production swept the Rioja in the 80s and 90s. They've found themselves in the vanguard, in the rearview, then back again.
Old White Rioja, especially from López, is one of the most fascinating and unique wines in the world. The acidity in the '08 is still very much alive, giving structure to notes of ripe tangerine, dried peach, toasted nut, and honey, capped off by a penetrating sea salt finish. At 15 years old, it's ready to drink now, but don't be afraid to lay it down for another decade or more. This is a wine built for the long haul. 1 bottle available. -SOLD-]]>
https://missoulawine.com/blogs/news/new-arrivals-red-burgundy2023-07-06T14:00:00-06:002023-08-08T13:55:04-06:00New Arrivals: Red BurgundyDoug NessBurgundy is one of the best wine regions in the world. It is also one of the most frustrating. You find a bottle you like, the next vintage comes in, it's not as good. You splurge on something expensive, and it's disappointing. It's a frustrating region for us wine sellers, too. The producers we're used to recommending can have bad vintages, or their prices skyrocket, or they don't come in at all. What keeps us coming back is hope, because when Burgundy is good, it can be the best wine in the world. This summer we have the pleasure to introduce two new producers, both affordable, handcrafted, and organic.
2020 Domaine Gachot-Monot Côtes de Nuits-Villages — $50 Domaine Gachot-Monot was founded in 1890, and has been operated by five consecutive generations. Their holdings are modest, spread across the villages of Corgoloin, Comblanchien, Nuits St. Georges, Chambolle-Musigny, and St. Aubin. But Damien Gachot works all his vineyards as if they were grand cru. Consistently these wines present outstanding value, not just for Burgundy, but for Pinot Noir generally. They are rich, spiced, laden with perfume, and plainly enjoyable. There's a reason this estate has been integral to Kermit Lynch's Burgundy portfolio for over two decades. 11 bottles available.
2019 Domaine Taupenot-Merme Saint Romain — $56
Romain Taupenot is, amazingly, the ninth generation winemaker at Domaine Taupenot-Merme. The history is apparent in the glass—you get the inexplicable feeling that you have drank something perfectly-crafted, an archetype of itself. Lately that feeling has been hard to replicate for less than $100, which is why we were so excited when it first came in. The Saint Romain comes from a plot of 50-60 year old vines, producing a fresh, leafy, but elegant style of wine. A stunning value for less than $60. 10 bottles available.]]>