The Wines of This Week's Tasting:
Delicious Wines at Reduced Prices
February 6, 2019
White
A Top-of-the-Line Pouilly Fuisse
2015 Ch. Fuisse Pouilly Fuisse Tete de Cru
"The wood treatment has largely if not completely integrated on the overtly floral white orchard fruit aromas. There is a relatively sleek mouth feel to the delicious and notably rich middle weight flavors that are refreshing and persistent if not especially complex on the slightly tangy finish." Burghound
I liked this wine a lot when I tasted it from barrel for its quince-laden purity and sleek line. We sold some at its original price. Perhaps it was Burghound's 'not especially complex ' that slowed its sales and gave us this reduced price. Highly recommended
Very Good - Excellent Was $48, Now 29.99, 25.99 by the case, three cases only
A Mountain White
2016 Cave Mont Blanc, Blanc de Morgex et de La Salle Extreme
This wine is for the adventurous and those who admire a good solid wine. It comes from the communes of Morgex and La Salle in the Val d'Aoste, Italy's francophone province high up and hard by the Alps. The grape is the famous Prie Blanc, well famous outside Aorta only in a couple of pockets in Spain and Switzerland. Climate and variety make this much like a mountain savagnin from the Jura, with good depth, solid acidity, and richness. No intervening oak though, and only 11 per cent alcohol.
Very Good Plus Was $22 Now 16.99, 13.99 by the case
A Winemaker's Fantasy
2015 Au Bon Climat Hildegard
One of Burgundy's best white wine vineyards takes its name from Charlemagne, the great Franco-Roman emperor. Jim Clendenen, the genius artist-manque behind the noted Au Bon Climat figured out that before phyllloxera the Corton Charlemagne vineyard was planted to Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Aligote. And so he made wine out of those three, naming it Hildegard after Charlemagne's better half.
I don't think his Hildegard is more feminine than modern Corton Charlemagne, but it is headier, more savory, and rich. Hildegard may not be the the name you choose for for your daughter, but once you taste it, you will want for for your table. Three cases only
Very Good - Excellent Was $40, now 29.99, 25.49 by the case
Riesling from a Top Alsace Estate
2015 Albert Boxler Riesling Reserve
Albert Boxler ranks with Trimbach, Weinbach and Zind Humbrecht as one of the top producers in Alsace. Jean Boxler's wines are more rich and deep than flashy, exciting for their depth and longevity. They are also quite expensive and sought after, better known in Europe than here.
We got a small quantity of his more forward 2015 reserve or young vines Riesling which we can offer at just a bit over half its original price.
"offers a clear and elegant, more fruity than mineral, nose with a delicate Riesling and stone fruit aroma. The wine is quite intense and aromatic on the palate, provided with good freshness and piquancy, with the finish displaying stimulating salinity. Bottled with eight or nine grams of residual sugar." Stephen Reinhardt, Wine Advocate
"Starts with a saline note in the mouth, but then the mouth is astonishingly intense for young vines, for in this vintage several parcels were declassified which makes it generously thicker. The most accessible of all the [Boxler] rieslings." Bettane & Desseauve
2015 Albert Boxler Riesling Reserve was $57 Now 35, 29.75 by the case, 2 plus cases
Red
A Big Name New Release Pinot Noir
2016 Belle Glos Pinot Noir Clark & Telephone Santa Maria Valley
Why this single vineyard current release appeared on a distributor's price reduction list is beyond me, but I have never been one to question good luck. I have enjoyed other vintages of this wine but have not yet tasted this one , so I'll just tell you what James Laube wrote in the Wine Spectator:
"Exhibits a broad, rich, plush array of flavors, with extracted blackberry, mocha and black tea notes. A potent Pinot that mimics Syrah, pushing to the edge of power and dimension without collapsing under its own weight. Drink now. "
Was $58 now $35, 29.99 by the case, three cases only
A Robust Bordeaux Cabernet
2014 Ch Pomies-Agassac (Haut Medoc)
Pomies-Agassac is the second wine of the well known Haut Medoc estate Cru Bourgeois ExceptionnelCh. d'Agassac. The 2014 is a bold, solid wine theat makes no apologies for its cabernet component. Robust and powerful, yet smooth textured. it can be drink now or kept for a few years.
2014 Ch Pomies-Agassac (Haut Medoc); Color: very dark and opaque; Aroma: dense spicy cabernet notes, very rich, with dusty graphite, very masculine; Mouth: broad smooth and flowing, robust cabernet in the center, fine mouth-clinging tannins on a long finish; Very Good Plus 18.99; Mixed Case, 17.09; Case, 16.14
Was $29 Now 18.99, 14.99 by the case
Order by phone at 617.367.8605, or reserve here: order@federalwine.com
Please pass this on to any friends who are wine enthusiasts!
- Len Rothenberg
