{"title":"March 11: Study of the Great Whites of the World","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"annulus-napa-valley-sauvignon-blanc-napa-valley-california-2022","title":"Annulus, Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, California, 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe’ve been fortunate to call the Napa Valley home for more than two decades. Living in this beautiful place, we have forged cherished friendships and close partnerships with world-renowned vintners, growers, and winemakers and honed our love of fine wines. After years of dreaming and planning, together with our daughters Alexandra and Elena, we are delighted to present Annulus and our own interpretation of the wines and Napa Valley vineyards we love.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe spirit and passion we bring to Annulus is also reflected in our decades-long dedication to unraveling the mysteries of a rare, life-threatening autoimmune disease called scleroderma.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs Board Members of the Scleroderma Research Foundation (SRF) and Directors of the research program, we have spent many years building a pioneering research portfolio and an innovative global clinical trial platform designed to advance new therapies for scleroderma.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach year, as a part of our fundraising efforts, we join forces with a star-studded group of comedians, actors, musicians and chefs for the cause at the SRF’s signature event, “Cool Comedy • Hot Cuisine.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn 2021, an early bud break, a long hang time, low yields, and a smaller leaf canopy yielded intense, concentrated fruit at Vine Hill Ranch. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNigel Kinsman\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e61% Sauvignon Blanc, 24% Semillon, 15% Sauvignon Musqué\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eNapa Valley, California\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThe 2022 growing season began with dry conditions that promoted early bud break.  Moderate heat in the first half of the summer supported even ripening. The site’s southern exposure ensured full ripening while fastidious organic and biodynamic farming, led by Steve Matthiasson, preserved soil moisture. Morning fog and cool afternoon breezes sealed fresh acidity into the fruit.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis Bordeaux-style blend of 61% Sauvignon Blanc, 24% Sémillon, and 15% Sauvignon Musqué (an aromatic clone of Sauvignon Blanc) is sourced entirely from Rancho Pequeño Vineyard, a 10-acre parcel on the eastern bench of the Oakville appellation. Floral aromatics include honeyed acacia and chamomile, white pepper, and fennel seed. The palate offers up Asian pear, lemon confit, and lychee. Hints of oyster shell and a firm phenolic backbone give this wine excellent persistence and a mouthwatering finish.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e93 Points - The Wine Palate\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThe 2022 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc is composed of 76% Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Musque Clone, plus 24% Semillon. It zips out of the glass with intense notes of green apples, mown grass, and lime leaves, leading to hints of crushed rocks and yuzu zest. The medium-bodied palate is refreshing and understated with savory nuances and a chalky finish.\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KJS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50503278723377,"sku":null,"price":77.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Annulus_Napa_Valley_Sauvignon_Blanc_Napa_Valley_California_2022_88c1f20b-3a2d-4db5-a7e5-91db2d7a53e8.jpg?v=1752776950"},{"product_id":"domaine-aux-moines-savennieres-roche-aux-moines-loire-france-2022","title":"Domaine aux Moines, Savennières-Roche aux Moines, Loire, France, 2022 (top scoring)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eDomaine aux Moines was founded in 1981, though there are records of vineyards planted in the region since the middle ages, when the monks (“moines” in French) from the Abbaye de St Nicolas tended vines. It is now run by the energetic mother-daughter team of Monique and Tessa Laroche. The estate comprises 9.6 Ha of Chenin Blanc and .8 Ha Cabernet Franc. The vineyards are all south and southwest facing hillsides in the sub-appellation of \"Roche Aux Moines\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSavennieres is located on the Western edge of the Anjou region in the Loire valley, not far from the city of Angers. The vineyards are located on hillsides along the Loire river. The proximity to the river helps to temper the cold of the region as well as to encourage ripeness and protect against springtime frosts. The soils in Savennières are predominantly schists with some sandstone and clay. They tend to produce a flinty, drier style Chenin Blanc that can age for a long time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe estate has always taken a natural approach in their vineyard work and cellar practices. Since the beginning, they practiced “lutte raisonnée” (sustainable agriculture), though are officially in conversion to Organic certification (Eco-cert) as of 2008. Yields are kept extremely low, which -- by law in \"Roche Aux Moines\" -- means under 30 h\/h, and often less. All work is done by hand including the harvest which occurs slowly over a few weeks (5-6 “tries” or pickings). The wines are all fermented with indigenous yeasts, and aged in a combo of tank and cask (220 and 400-liter, mostly used), with usually 65-75% tank and the rest wood. Bottling is done around 9-10 months after harvest, though the winery stocks vintages for sale back almost 20 years! \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"field field-name-field-notes-viticulture field-type-text-long field-label-hidden\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"field-items\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"field-item even\"\u003eOrganic.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"field-item even\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eTessa Laroche\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"field-item even\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e100% Chenin Blanc\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eLoire Valley, France\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFloral and intense aroma. Flavors of white flowers and yellow fruit that evolves towards complex notes of acacia and candied fruit. Gastronomy wine. Pairs well with pike, turbot, lobster, white truffle risotto.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e98 Points - James Suckling\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eIf you’ve never had a great Savennieres before, this demonstrates how magnificent they can be. Brimming with citrus blossom and floral honey notes, this has a spectacular mineral intensity and vitality that take your breath away. At the super-long finish there’s a haunting smoky character. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"La Grenouille","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51843875930417,"sku":null,"price":66.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Domaine_aux_Moines_Savennieres-Roche_aux_Moines_Loire_France_2022_top_scoring.jpg?v=1760987323"},{"product_id":"jean-philippe-fichet-meursault-burgundy-france-2023","title":"Jean-Philippe Fichet, Meursault, Burgundy, France, 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eA noble terroir has reclaimed its birthright. Once esteemed above all other Burgundy villages for its white wines, Meursault fell from grace in the late 19th century—despite having a greater diversity of superb Chardonnay soils than any other place in Burgundy, and possibly any other spot on earth.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eToday, Meursault is back on top, and a new generation of winemakers is capitalizing on its diverse soils to make some of Burgundy’s most exciting white wines. “Expression” is the order of the day, and wines of unprecedented individuality are emerging from such cellars as Comtes Lafon, Guy Roulot and Arnaud Ente. But if there is one winemaker who points the way to the future, it may be Jean-Philippe Fichet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMore than any of his peers, Fichet is testing the limits of transparency, to find the very soul of Meursault’s \u003cem\u003eterroirs\u003c\/em\u003e. It was Meursault’s destiny to have its soils revealed in this way: their intense stoniness is magnified by an exceptionally low water table, forcing the vines’ roots deep underground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFichet's work is a direct outgrowth of a breakthrough that happened three decades ago: René Lafon's decision to bottle his Meursault “Clos de la Barre” on its own. For a century before, such a thing had been unheard of, as only the most famous vineyards—the \u003cem\u003epremier crus\u003c\/em\u003e—were ever bottled individually; everything else was blended into Meursault \u003cem\u003evillages\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLafon’s innovation not only proved that a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003elieu-dit\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(a non-classified vineyard) could say something profound, it drew attention to Meursault’s incredible soils—paving the way for the later accomplishments of Jean-François Coche, Jean-Marc Roulot and, of course, René Lafon’s son Dominique. But Fichet has carried Lafon’s revolution to another level—studying every square inch of earth and stone in his domaine, to make Meursault’s purest set of single-\u003cem\u003eclimat\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFichet’s methods reflect his philosophy: he is famously meticulous and abhors taking short cuts. His low yields, the foremost key to quality, are achieved through severe winter pruning rather than by green harvesting. And he believes his wines’ expressiveness is enhanced through a patient eighteen- month \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eélevage\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, with little new oak employed, and by avoiding aggressive lees stirring.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eWinemaker\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eJean-Philippe Fichet\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eChardonnay\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eBurgundy, France\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Les Narvaux\", with a south-east exposure, is on stony soil located on hard rock subsoil. This plot produces elegant and mineral wines. \"Les Clous\", located on shallow marl (30-40 cm) produces delicate, elegant and mineral wines. \"Le Limozin\" has beautiful sloping moderately deep land producing long and rich wines. \"Les Criots\" and \"Les Crotots\" are on very rich soil and produce generous, slightly buttery and fat wines. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blending of the four plots brings together the qualities of the four soils, giving a balanced, racy, mineral wine with a great finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_authorName\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e92 Points - Jasper Morris\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_review\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipSecContent_copy\"\u003eMid lemon. There is just a hint of honeysuckle on the nose, yet with a real feeling beneath of Meursault. Quite luxuriant behind, all white fruit with a little bit of butter at the edges, lesser acidity, accessible and delicious. Drink from 2027-2031. Tasted Oct 2024.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipSecContent_copy\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Elevage Wine Co","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51935420219697,"sku":null,"price":114.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Jean-Philippe_Fichet_Meursault_Burgundy_France_2023.jpg?v=1760474924"},{"product_id":"hugel-riesling-grossi-laue-aoc-alsace-france-2014","title":"Hugel, Riesling 'Grossi Laue,' AOC Alsace, France, 2014","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eIn the cellars, the oldest of which dates back to 1551, can be seen rows of oak wine casks, over one hundred years old, crafted by the forefathers of the present generation of Hugels now running the company. Near them is the oldest cask in the world still in use: the Sainte Caterine, which has a capacity of 8,800 litres. It was built in 1715, the year in which Louis XIV died.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe company has always maintained its family character and is determined to keep it that way. The vineyards are owned and farmed by individual members of the family whereas the company owns the buildings and machinery.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWinemakers\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJean-Frédéric Hugel and Marc Hugel\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e100% Riesling\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eAlsace, France\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e“GROSSI LAÜE” (great terroirs in the Alsatian dialect). These wines are a true return to the cultural and timeless values of the family with a deep anchoring in its historical terroirs. Very great Riesling which is already expressed but which will further gain in complexity 8 years and more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe young, almost juvenile color suggests a wine that defies the years. On the nose, the cursor is immediately placed on a marked, accomplished and mature expression of terroir. The years in the cellar have had their effect, the wine appears open, broad, deep. The Schoenenbourg expresses itself here as racy, musky, toasted with its typical notes of fresh almond, nuts mixed with a patina and butteriness that would almost make you believe it was aged on wood. It is not so. This is just the sign of a ripe wine and a fully ripe harvest. The broad, sapid, intensely saline palate is full and without softness, the vibrant acidity responds perfectly present, while no sugar shows through. The wine is powerful with relief and volume, the finish is long and salivating, serenity emerges from the glass. The terroir expresses itself. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePairs with white meats, noble fish and shell fish .\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e92 Points - Wine Spectator\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eRich and concentrated, with an unctuous mix of peach and lime curd lined with warm hay and subtle honey, this is silky, almost oily, on the palate. Impressively fresh and pure, given its bottle age. Shows invigorating spices, acidity and mineral energy, which bring laser focus and form through the long, bitter-edged finish. Drink now through 2035.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e91 Points - Vinous\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eBright golden yellow. Fennel, licorice, orange oil and tangerine on the very complex, deep nose. Multilayered and dense; vibrant acidity nicely focuses the orchard and tropical fruit flavors on the long, mineral finish. “Grossi Laue” is the Alsatian-dialect equivalent of “great terroir.” \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Frederick Wildman","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52019144982833,"sku":null,"price":109.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Hugel_Riesling_Grossi_Laue_AOC_Alsace_France_2014.jpg?v=1762459506"}],"url":"https:\/\/merchantofwine.com\/collections\/march-11-study-of-the-great-whites-of-the-world.oembed","provider":"Merchant of Wine","version":"1.0","type":"link"}