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Abreu Vineyards Madrona Ranch USA California Napa Valley Madrona Ranch, foot of Spring Mountain., volcanic, sedimentary 50%-60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35%-40% Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot Early morning picking, double sorting, whole-berry fermentation, 24 months in 100% new French oak, unfined, unfiltered.
Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon USA California Napa Valley Pritchard Hill (St. Helena) at 1,000 ft. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Vineyard managed by David Abreu. 1st vintage, 1992. Open-top fermenters, 100% new French oak. ~1,000 cases/year mailing list only.
Chateau Ausone France Bordeaux Saint-Emilion Grand Cru (2012: Premier Grand Cru Classé A) Côtes-St. Emilion. (only top growth on slope & limestone) 55% Cabernet Franc, 45% Merlot Picked in multiple passes; 4-5 week fermentation in wood vats, 20-22 months in 100% new French oak. 2nd wine: La Chapelle d'Ausone.
Chateau Beaucastel Hommage à Jacques Perrin France Rhône Châteauneuf-du-Pape-Cru Estate located in North/Northeast of appellation south of Orange All 13 permitted are grown on estate; Hommage approx. 60% Mourvedre, 20% Grenache, 10% Counoise, 10% Syrah Selected vintages starting 1989. Sorting, complete destemming, fermentation in wood vats, aging in foudre.
Chateau Cheval Blanc France Bordeaux Saint-Emilion Grand Cru (2012: Premier Grand Cru Classé A) Graves-St. Emilion. (on border with Pomerol) 51% Cabernet Franc, 47% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon (CS not used for grand vin) 45 parcels harvested & fermented individually. High % of Cab Franc makes for a distinctive style. 2nd wine: Le Petit Cheval.
Chateau Cos D'Estournel France Bordeaux Saint-Estèphe (1855: 2ème Grand Cru Classé) Southern St.-Estèphe near Pauillac, 61 plots 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot Cellars operate strictly by gravity (no pumps), new cellar features 72 conical tanks in sizes conforming to parcels. 2nd wine: Pagodes de Cos.
Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou France Bordeaux Saint-Julien (1855: 2ème Grand Cru Classé) Deep gravel bed ("beautiful pebbles") parallel to Gironde 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot/earlier small % Cab Franc & Petit Verdot (planted E/W or N/S depending on parcel to enhance exposure & drainage) Hand picking, mobile sorting tables; adapted destemming/crushing; malolactic fermentation in tank. 18 months in 50%-80% new French oak. 2nd wine: Croix de Beaucaillou.
Chateau D'Yquem France Bordeaux Sauternes (1855: Premier Cru Supérieur) Hilltop in commune of Sauternes 75% Semillon, 25% Sauvignon Blanc Botrytis-infected grapes, 5-6 passes over 6 weeks, 300-600 g/l of sugar, grapes pressed 3-4 times, barrel fermented, 100% new French oak. Also dry white, "Ygrec".
Chateau Haut-Brion France Bordeaux Graves (1855: Premier Grand Cru Classé) Gravel mound, commune of Pessac across from La Mission-Haut-Brion. 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot Historic property & Chateau dating from 1500s; only non-Médoc to be included in 1855 Classification. 2nd Wine: Le Clarence de Haut-Brion. Also Chateau Haut-Brion blanc.
Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion France Bordeaux Graves (1953: Cru Classé de Graves) Gravel mound, vines in Talence & Pessac, Château faces Haut-Brion 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc Fermented in stainless; 18-22 months in 80% new oak. 2nd Wine: La Chapelle de La Mission Haut-Brion. Also Chateau La Misson Haut-Brion blanc as of 2009 vintage.
Chateau Lafite-Rothschild France Bordeaux Pauillac (1855: Premier Grand Cru Classé) Northern Pauillac & St.-Estèphe, close to Mouton-Rothschild. 80-95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5-20% Merlot, 0-5% Cabernet Franc & Petit Verdot, (vines < 10 years not used for grand vin; 1961: 100% Cab Sauv) "Lafite" derived from "faîte" = ridge. Vatting in wood, stainless steel, concrete for Merlot; 18-20 months in 100% new French oak. 2nd wine: Carruades de Lafite.
Chateau Lafleur France Bordeaux Pomerol Plateau of Pomerol, close to Petrus, 3 types of gravel soil 50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Franc 4.58 hectares, ½ size of Petrus; severe selection & sorting; 18 months in minimum of. 50% new oak. 2nd wine: Pensées de Lafleur.
Chateau Latour France Bordeaux Pauillac (1855: Premier Grand Cru Classé) Günzian gravel, grand vin from 47 ha L'Enclos, along Gironde 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc & Petit Verdot(grand vin typically 90% Cab Sauv) Vineyard first planted in 1300s. Hand sorting, fermented in steel tanks, multiple sizes. De facto 2nd wine, mainly from its own plots: Les Forts de Latour.
Le Pin France Bordeaux Pomerol Plateau of Pomerol, gravel & sand near Petrus 100% Merlot Pioneered Bordeaux garage wines, 1979 first release; first to conduct malolactic fermentation in barrel; fermented in stainless steel, aged in 100% new oak. ~600 cases/year.
Chateau Léoville-Las-Cases France Bordeaux Saint-Julien (1855: 2ème Grand Cru Classé) Close to Gironde, grand vin from Clos, gravels-clay-sand 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot(grand vin typically 75% Cab Sauv) 3/5 of original Leoville estate divided in early 1800s. De facto 2nd wine from dedicated vineyards: Clos du Marquis.
Chateau Margaux France Bordeaux Margaux (1855: Premier Grand Cru Classé) Commune of Margaux, gravel, clay, sand, limestone 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc & Petit Verdot(grand vin 100% organic since 2012, often 85% Cab Sauv) Double sorting, steel & wood vats, 18-24 months in 100% new French oak. 2nd wine: Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux (also Pavillon Blanc).
Chateau Montrose France Bordeaux Saint-Estèphe (1855: 2ème Grand Cru Classé) Facing Gironde, gravel with sand. outcrop, 234 unified acres 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot Multiple sortings including optically, destemming, fermented in steel tanks, 18 months in 60% new French oak. 2nd wine: La Dame de Montrose.
Chateau Mouton-Rothschild France Bordeaux Pauillac (1855/1973: Premier Grand Cru Classé) W of Pauillac village, deep gravel w/sand, clay 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot "Mouton" comes from "motte" = mound. Promoted to 1st Growth in 1973. Fermented in wood & steel, 20 months in 100% new oak. 2nd wine: Le Petit-Mouton.
Chateau Petrus France Bordeaux Pomerol Highest elevation of Pomerol (131 ft.), clay, iron-rich subsoil 95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc (Petrus frequently 100% Merlot) Fastidious vineyard husbandry, fermented in concrete with temperature control, aged in 100% new French oak .
Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande France Bordeaux Pauillac (1855: 2ème Grand Cru Classé) Adjoins Latour, Pichon Baron, Lynch Bages, gravel w/clay, limestone 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot(more Cab Sauv, less Merlot & Cab Franc than previously) Fermented in stainless steel, multiple sizes; 18 months in 50% new French oak. 2nd wine: Reserve de la Comtesse.
Dalla Valle Maya USA California Napa Valley Oakville/Vaca Mountains at 400 ft., rocks, clay, loam, Maya faces South 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Cabernet Franc 1st vintage: 1988. Fermented in stainless steel, malolactic fermentation & aging in 50% new French oak. 200-500 cases/year, mailing list only.
Domaine Armand Rousseau Chambertin Clos de Bèze France Burgundy Côte de Nuits-Grand Cru 1.42 ha, East facing, mid-slope on Bajocian/Bathonian 100% Pinot Noir Progenitor of Burgundian clos, gift to Abbey of Bèze in 630. Alter ego of Chambertin: etched, complex vs. powerful, dense; 18-24 months 100% new oak.
Domaine Armand Rousseau Chambertin France Burgundy Côte de Nuits-Grand Cru 2.55 ha, East facing, mid-slope on Bajocian limestone 100% Pinot Noir Chambertin derived from campus bertini = field of Mr. Bertin; 1st village to hyphenate its name with top vineyard, in 1847; 18-24 months in 100% new oak.
Domaine Coche-Dury Corton-Charlemagne France Burgundy Côte de Beaune-Grand Cru 0.33 ha, clay, limestone 100% Chardonnay (planted 1960 - no clones, very rare in Burgundy today) Vineyards now ploughed; mechanical & pneumatic press; barrel fermented & aged for up to 22 months in French oak (25%+ new); bottled unfiltered.
Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé Musigny Vieilles Vignes France Burgundy Côte de Nuits-Grand Cru 7.2 ha=70% of Musigny, Bathonian/Comblanchien 100% Pinot Noir (0.6 ha of their holding planted to Chardonnay) Only grand cru along with Corton that can be red & white. Ploughed, no fertilizers; fermentation in wood vats, punching down; aged in 33% new French oak.
Domaine de la Romanée Conti La Tâche France Burgundy Côte de Nuits Grand Cru 6.06 ha monopole: La Tâche + Les Gaudichots ou La Tâche 100% Pinot Noir Now biodynamic, average. 25 hl/ha. Partial destemming, cold maceration, open wood vats, aged in 100% new oak, unfiltered. 10,147 bottles ('03) to 24,867 ('00)
Domaine de la Romanée Conti Montrachet France Burgundy Côte de Beaune-Grand Cru 0.67 hectare, 3 parcels in Chassagne 100% Chardonnay Biodynamic (by 2008), ploughed by horse; late picking, possible botrytis element. Bottles produced: 2,321 (2002) to 4,079 (2009).
Domaine de la Romanée Conti Romanée-Conti France Burgundy Côte de Nuits-Grand Cru 1.81 ha monopole, sandy clay over Bathonian limestone 100% Pinot Noir Biodynamic (by 2008), average 25 hl/ha. Partial destemming, cold maceration, open wood vats, aged in 100% new oak, unfiltered. 3,151 bottles (2008) to 6,465 (2009)
Domaine du Pegau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée da Capo France Rhône Châteauneuf-du-Pape-Cru La Crau (sand), Escondudes (galets), Montpertuis (galets) 70% Grenache, 7% Syrah, 3% Mourvedre, 20% Cinsault, Vaccarèse, Terret, Counoise, Picpoul, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Roussanne, Muscardin, Picardan; mostly 100 yrs old Late hand harvest; no destemming, fermented in cement, ambient yeast, no temperature control; aged 24 months in well-used 60 hl oak foudre.
Domaine Georges Roumier Musigny France Burgundy Côte de Nuits-Grand Cru 0.0996 ha, calcareous clay over Bathonian 100% Pinot Noir Hand harvest, sorting; 35% destemming, punching down, ambient yeast, 16 months in French oak (none new, 2-8 uses), unfined, unfiltered.
Domaine Henri Jayer Vosne-Romanée Cros Parantoux France Burgundy Côte de Nuits-Premier Cru 0.72 ha (of 1.01) inherited by Emmanuel Rouget 100% Pinot Noir Henri. Jayer has mythic reputation: retired 2001, died 2006. Cros Parantoux of grand cru stature. Destemming, cold maceration, high % new oak, unfiltered
Domaine Leflaive Montrachet France Burgundy Côte de Beaune-Grand Cru 0.0821 ha, one parcel in Chassagne next to DRC 100% Chardonnay Planted 1960, biodynamic (since '97), one new 500-liter Allier barrel for 12 months, 6 months in used oak. 1st vintage: 1991.
Domaine Leroy Chambertin France Burgundy Côte de Nuits-Grand Cru 0.5 ha, 3 parcels 100% Pinot Noir Biodynamic (since 1988), replants individual vines; sorted on tables, no destemming/crushing, fermented in barrel, punching down/pumping over.
Domaine Leroy Musigny France Burgundy Côte de Nuits-Grand Cru 0.27 ha, Bathonian/Comblanchien 100% Pinot Noir Biodynamic (since 1988), replants individual vines; sorted on tables, no destemming/crushing, fermented in barrel, punching down/pumping over.
Domaine Ponsot Clos de la Roche Vieilles Vignes France Burgundy Côte de Nuits-Grand Cru 3.4 ha (largest owner), Morey St.-Denis 100% Pinot Noir Late picking, partial stems, very limited SO2, reductive handling (uses inert gases), 24 months in used oak, unfined, unfiltered, late bottling.
Domaine Ramonet Montrachet France Burgundy Côte de Beaune-Grand Cru 0.2590 ha, one parcel in Puligny 100% Chardonnay Instinctive, not technical winemaking; fermentation started in tank with gross lees, finished in barrel; limit bâtonnage; aged in ~ 33% new oak
Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Landonne France Rhône Côte-Rôtie-Cru 45° slopes, calcareous clay w/iron oxide 100% Syrah Fermented/macerated in steel tank for 4 weeks, pumping over by CO2 pressure, 40 months in 100% new French oak
Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Mouline France Rhône Côte-Rôtie-Cru Côte Blonde, terraced "amphitheater", gneiss & loess 89% Syrah, 11% Viognier co-fermented Fermented/macerated in steel tank for 4 weeks, pumping over, 40 months in 100% new French oak.
Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Turque France Rhône Côte-Rôtie-Cru Côte Brune, South facing, 45° slope, mica, clay, iron oxide 93% Syrah, 7% Viognier co-fermented Fermented/macerated in steel tank for 4 weeks, auto punching down, 40 months in 100% new French oak.
Harlan Estate USA California Napa Valley Oakville hills, 325-525 ft., volcanic(to East), sedimentary (West) 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot Hand picking, multiple passes; double sorting; fermented in steel & wood; 26 months in French oak; unfined, unfiltered. 1st vintage: 1990. ~ 1,800 cs/year
J L Chave Ermitage Cuvée Cathelin France Rhône Hermitage-Cru Mostly Méal (limestone, clay), Bessards (granite), Beaume 100% Syrah Mostly destemmed, fermented steel & wood, punching down, aged 18 months in 33% + new Burgundian barrels. Made 1990 (1st), 1995, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2009, 2010.
J L Chave Hermitage France Rhône Hermitage-Cru Bessards (granite), L'Hermite (granite, clay), Méal, Beaume 100% Syrah Most destemmed, fermented steel & wood, punching down, aged 26 months (since 2006, less previously) in maximum 15% new Burgundian barrels.
Salon Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil France Champagne Côte des Blancs-Grand Cru 1 ha plot + 19 other grand cru origins in Mesnil-sur-Oger 100% Chardonnay Aged on yeast 10 years; Extra Brut style (5 g/l dosage). ~ 5,000 cases per vintage; 37 vintages in 20th century.
Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon USA California Napa Valley Rutherford, JJ Cohn Estate, 225-300 ft., loam w/clay, gravel 100% Cabernet Sauvignon (including ~ 2 acres of "Old Men" planted on St. George rootstock) Historic property, source for many top labels. Hand picking, sorting before/after destemming, 22 months in French oak, unfined, unfiltered. ~ 1,000 cases per year.
Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon USA California Napa Valley Oakville, foot of Vaca Mountains, 52 plots, red volcanic, clay 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc Early ripening vineyard. 1st vintage: 1992. Fermented steel, wood vats, barrel by plot; ~ 750 cases per year. 2nd wine: Second Flight (as of 2012).
Domaine Liger-Belair La Romanée(Château de Vosne-Romanée) France Burgundy Côte de Nuits-Grand Cru 0.8452 ha monopole, smallest appellation in France 100% Pinot Noir (NB. L-B owned vineyard but wine was sold by Maison Leroy, 1950-1962; Bichot, '63-'75; Bouchard Père, exclusive '76-'01, shared rights '02-'05) Biodynamic (since 2008). Currently: 7-day cool maceration, very gentle pressing, pumping over, 18 months in French oak, high % new; unfined, unfiltered.
Sine Qua Non USA California Central Coast/Santa Barbara County/Sta Rita Hills/Bien Nacido 4 estate vineyards (Eleven Confessions, Cumulus, etc.) Multiple, especially. Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Roussanne; also Touriga Nacional, Petit. Manseng, Graciano, others Many wines; e.g., Dangerous Birds, Hoodoo Man, The Inaugural, Nail in My Cranium, On Your Toes. 1st vintage: 1994. Winery in Oak View, South of Santa. Barbara.
Krug Vintage France Champagne multiple districts & crus 20 ha of estate vineyards (30%) plus long-term suppliers 2002: 40% Pinot Noir, 39% Chardonnay, 21% Pinot Meunier/2000: 42% PN, 43% Char, 15% PM/1996: 48% Pinot Noir, 31% Chardonnay, 21% Pinot Meunier Fermented in 205-liter barrels averaging 20 years of age (none new); no malolactic fermentation; racked to steel tanks for assemblage of cuvée; aged on yeast 10 years.
Krug Clos du Mesnil France Champagne Côte des Blancs-Grand Cru 1.84 ha estate vineyard (walled plot in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger) 100% Chardonnay Fermented in 205-liter barrels averaging 20 years of age (none new); no malolactic fermentation ; racked to steel tanks; aged on yeast 10 years.
Marcassin Chardonnay USA California Sonoma Coast Marcassin Vineyard + Three Sisters Vineyard 100% Chardonnay (clones: Old Wente, Hyde, Mt. Eden, Dijon 76 & 95) NB. Three Sisters up to 2010 vintage Early morning picking, refrigerated truck, whole-cluster pressing; 12 months in 100% new French oak; no cold stabilizing, unfined, unfiltered.
Marcassin Pinot Noir USA California Sonoma Coast/Sonoma County Marcassin Vineyard + Three Sisters, Blue Slide Ridge 100% Pinot Noir (clones: Calera, Old Swan, Dijon 667 & 777) NB. Three Sisters & Blue Slide Ridge up to 2010 vintage Early morning picking, refrigerated truck, destemming; 12 months in 100% new French oak; no cold stabilizing, unfined, unfiltered.
Dom Perignon France Champagne multiple districts & crus Aÿ, Bouzy, Mailly, Cramant, Le Mesnil, Verzenay, Hautvillers 35%-60% Pinot Noir (espec. Aÿ, Bouzy, Verzenay, Hautvillers)40%-65% Chardonnay (espec. Cramant, Mesnil s/Oger) 1st vintage: 1921; until 1943 vintage, transferred to replica 18th-century bottle (per T. Stevenson). 42 vintages from 1921 to 2010. Aged 7 years. Dosage: 5-7 g/l.
Dom Perignon OEnothèque (Plénitude) France Champagne multiple districts & crus Aÿ, Bouzy, Mailly, Cramant, Le Mesnil, Verzenay, Hautvillers 35%-60% Pinot Noir (espec. Aÿ, Bouzy, Verzenay, Hautvillers)40%-65% Chardonnay (espec. Cramant, Le Mesnil) 1st vintage: 2000, w/vintages back to 1959. Based on stage of maturity or Plénitude: 12-15 years from vintage = P2 (1st OEnothèque), 30-40 years = P3.