FERRANDO ANECDOTE

Posted on April 2, 2020 Neal RosenthalPosted in Luigi Ferrando, Occasional Thoughts

Seeing the Ferrando brothers in this photo reminds me of the first visit I made to Carema back in January 1980. In the company of a roguish Neapolitan, I met Luigi Ferrando, father of Roberto and Andrea (seen in this photo) on a damp, overcast day. We met in the small city of Ivrea, home to the Olivetti dynasty, a family noted for its well-conceived approach to urban life, creating over the years a “company town” generous in its living standards and cultural and sporting accoutrements. From Ivrea, we made the short drive to the village of Carema,

Étoile 2016

Posted on March 17, 2020March 17, 2020 Neal RosenthalPosted in Domaine de Montbourgeau, Insights, Occasional Thoughts

Scrambled and sunnysided eggs just gathered an hour or so ago from the chicken coop, sautéed shiitakes in Armato oil with shallots and garlic from last year’s garden and added some Armato oregano and peperoncino, steamed broccoli and Brussels sprouts dressed with Bea “Grezzo” oil … all accompanied by this brilliant Étoile 2016 from Nicole Deriaux’s beautiful Domaine de Montbourgeau. This wine is vivid, vivacious and vibrant, bursting with energy. Sous-voile élevage, no concessions to modernity, honest and true to the grand traditions of the Jura. The salinity obvious in the nose and on the palate references the millennia-old period when this region was ocean rather than terra firma. This wine practically trembles in the mouth with a near static electricity. Fully expressive of its specific terroir, the elegance and cut of Nicole’s wines are on display.

NIR

Gigondas “Gour de Chaulé” 1991

Posted on February 25, 2020February 25, 2020 Neal RosenthalPosted in Occasional Thoughts

29 years young. Vibrant, ripe, with length and no sign of fatigue. Classic Grenache spice. Punches well above its weight. Another example of how this domaine performs at a consistently superior level year in, year out. NIR

Brunello “La Torre” 2001

Posted on February 6, 2020February 6, 2020 Neal RosenthalPosted in Articles, La Torre, Occasional Thoughts

Drinking this marvelous wine this evening. Gorgeous in all aspects. Aromatic with dark cherry and cigar box aromas. Quite full in the mouth but with a graceful, persistent finish marked by velvety tannins. 19 years young with plenty of energy for the long haul. A complete, complex and impeccable wine.

NIR

Domaine Michel Gahier

Posted on September 9, 2019 Neal RosenthalPosted in Michel Gahier, Occasional Thoughts

With Michel this Saturday morning. Certainly one of the great domaines in our portfolio. Drinking 1985 Trousseau Grands Vergers. NIR

Chateau Auney l’Hermitage Graves Rouge “Cuvee Cana” 2014

Posted on August 28, 2019August 28, 2019 Neal RosenthalPosted in Chateau Auney l’Hermitage, Occasional Thoughts

We have before us this evening a near perfect wine, a classic rendition of the particular terroir that is the Graves. The beauty of this wine crafted by Christian Auney is its subtle tenacity, the rigor of its structure which is truly distinguished.

Mondeuse Savoie (Chamiot) 2015

Posted on August 6, 2019 Neal RosenthalPosted in Articles, Occasional Thoughts, Romain Chamiot

What a terrific wine we have at the table tonight! The Mondeuse 2015 from Romain Chamiot is racy and joyous. Classic Alpine notes of pine resin and wild berry fruit with vigorous acidity and impeccable balance.  Very much proof of the nobility of Mondeuse when planted on these sub-Alpine plateaus. Excellent value as well!  NIR

Spanna Costa Della Sesia (Clerico) 2013

Posted on August 4, 2019August 28, 2019 Neal RosenthalPosted in Articles, Azienda Vitivinicola Massimo Clerico, Occasional Thoughts

Drinking this wine tonight. This is the sort of Nebbiolo that I grew up on. Fine, sexy, somewhat pale in color, grainy tannins with bitter cherry flavor, hints of earth on nose and palate, subtle spice and tree bark to boot. Very fine drinking right now with a myriad of dishes … roast chicken, flank steak in its juices are two that come to mind. We had fat portobellos tonight to indulge my vegetarianism which worked perfectly.

NIR

Sizzano (Monsecco) 2013

Posted on July 16, 2019 Neal RosenthalPosted in Articles, Monsecco, Occasional Thoughts

Sitting on the deck on a lovely summer’s eve finishing a bottle of Sizzano 2013 from MONSECCO after polishing off a pizza fresh out of the oven topped with pickings from the garden. What a joy this unpretentious wine is! Aromatically compelling with the classic scents of Nebbiolo … the earthy compost underlies the faded, […]

Sancerre Rouge 2013

Posted on July 9, 2019July 8, 2019 Neal RosenthalPosted in Articles, Domaine Lucien Crochet, Occasional Thoughts

Sitting at The Corner in the Hotel Tivoli drinking the 2013 Sancerre Rouge “Croix du Roy” from Lucien and Gilles Crochet. Married specifically to a plate of potato gnocchi with fava beans but went equally well with the green pea risotto served simultaneously. The essential red fruit of the wine was subtle and charming; the […]

Chateau Valcombe Epicure Rouge 2016

Posted on July 8, 2019July 8, 2019 Neal RosenthalPosted in Articles, Chateau Valcombe, Occasional Thoughts

Just finished a lovely little red from Valcombe that sang beautifully over two days. It is a shame that this estate in the Ventoux is often overlooked as Luc Guénard is cranking out some satisfying wines at very reasonable prices. And, as for purity of expression and total absence of manipulation in the cellar as […]

Saturday night’s lineup

Posted on July 4, 2019July 4, 2019 Neal RosenthalPosted in Articles, Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur, Domaine Ghislaine Barthod, Domaine Hubert Lignier, Domaine Jacques Carillon, Occasional Thoughts

This past Saturday night we entertained some friends for dinner and drew some precious wines from the cellar … as you can witness from the photo. Each of the five wines served was in splendid condition.

Cornas Lionnet 2016

Posted on June 27, 2019 Neal RosenthalPosted in Domaine Lionnet, Occasional Thoughts

Our dedication to wines of terroir is best and most fundamentally expressed in a wine such as the Cornas “Terre Brulée” 2016 produced at the Domaine Lionnet. For all the excitement that swirls around the wines of the northern Rhone and various other interpretations of Syrah globally,

Perfection!

Posted on April 14, 2019 Neal RosenthalPosted in Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur, Occasional Thoughts

We are drinking this evening the finest wine of the year to date. An astonishing wine of breed and class from one of the finest vigneron of my career: Vincent Bitouzet’s Meursault Perrieres 1990. A white wine of almost 29 years age that is brimming with life, rich but vibrantly fresh still with a glowing […]

A Note From Joseph Dorbon

Posted on February 11, 2019February 11, 2019 Neal RosenthalPosted in Domaine Joseph Dorbon

A journalist asked us to send Joseph Dorbon a question about understanding the balance of a wine aged sous-voile, and he penned a rather insightful response, which is noted below in both French and English (Translation: Dillon Lerach): Responding to your question about oxidation, I will first assume that you are only speaking about whites. […]

Aging white wine in the fridge

Posted on February 11, 2019 Neal RosenthalPosted in Brovia, Cave du Vieux-Moulin, Domaine Joseph Dorbon, Occasional Thoughts

Our people are cranking out some very fine wines! We drank again today three wines that have been sitting in our fridge OPEN since John Paine showed them to his New Orleans clients a couple of weeks ago.

The 2016 Gamay “La Mourziere”

Posted on January 28, 2019 Neal RosenthalPosted in Cave Caloz, Occasional Thoughts, Rosenthal Wine Merchant News

The 2016 Gamay “La Mourziere” is more proof of the sensational quality being cranked out by our quartet of SWISS growers. Clean, bright, dynamic, classic Gamay scent and flavors wrapped in this delicious wine that is a perfect companion to a multitude of dishes. So light on its toes but with an athletic posture that […]

What we are drinking tonight

Posted on January 13, 2019January 15, 2019 Neal RosenthalPosted in Grosjean Freres, Occasional Thoughts

The quite spectacular “Vigne Rovettaz”, single vineyard origin, 2016 Cornalin from Grosjean.

Aging Gracefully

Posted on January 6, 2019 Neal RosenthalPosted in Articles, Chateau Soucherie, Occasional Thoughts

A subject quite close to my consciousness obviously … and these three old friends each demonstrate the elegance of age built on the foundation of youthful strength and excellent breed.

A modest wine for New Year’s Eve

Posted on January 2, 2019January 2, 2019 Neal RosenthalPosted in Granger, Occasional Thoughts

A lovely experience tonight and surprising as well. We are drinking Granger’s Beaujolais Villages “Le Fetrau” from the 2013 vintage.

Drinking this wine tonight.

Posted on December 26, 2018 Neal RosenthalPosted in Occasional Thoughts

Simply stated one of the greatest wines of our 40+ year history! NIR

Summary of Grower Visits – Part VIII

Posted on December 20, 2018December 20, 2018 Neal RosenthalPosted in Articles, Mas Cal Demoura, Mas Julien, Neal speaks!

For those who think these wines are a tad expensive, consider this: that harvest levels are sometimes as low as 20 hectolitres per hectare at these two Mas. Reflect on that when you are considering village level white Burgundy at $600+ per case (rendement frequently 50 to 60 hl/ha). Organic?

Summary of Grower Visits – Part VII

Posted on December 18, 2018December 19, 2018 Neal RosenthalPosted in Articles, Chateau Pradeaux, Chateau Simone, Domaine du Bagnol, Neal speaks!

Chateau Simone:
I spent a delightful morning with Florence and Jean-Francois (known as “Jeff” to Florence!) Rougier after departing from the early morning visit with Sylvain MOREY. The deep dive into Simone started with a trio of vintages of Grands Carmes Blanc.

Summary of Grower Visits – Part VI

Posted on November 12, 2018November 8, 2018 Neal RosenthalPosted in Chateau Pradeaux, Chateau Simone, Neal speaks!

Provence – A day for 3 Chateaux ….

CHATEAU SIMONE: what a lovely estate! Each time I visit (and, remember my first visit with the Rougier family was in 1981) I remain impressed by the impeccable grounds, the perfectly maintained cellar and ultimately the consistently excellent and idiosyncratic wines.

Summary of Grower Visits – Part V

Posted on November 10, 2018November 8, 2018 Neal RosenthalPosted in Bastide du Claux, Chateau Valcombe, Domaine Bois de Boursan, Domaine de Fenouillet, Neal speaks!, Occasional Thoughts

BOIS DE BOURSAN: 2018 was a difficult vintage for Versino; harvest began 12 Sept ended 28 Sept; due to extensive mildew throughout the season, he harvested 11.5 hectoliters per hectare; this on the heels of 2017 which yielded another small crop size of 22 hl/ha.

Summary of Grower Visits – Part IV

Posted on November 9, 2018November 6, 2018 Neal RosenthalPosted in Domaine du Gour de Chaulé, Domaine La Manarine, Mikael Boutin, Neal speaks!, Occasional Thoughts

More commentary on the visits Michael and I made to the growers between Oct 16 and Oct 23 …

DOMAINE DU GOUR DE CHAULE: Harvest in 2018 started on 13 Sept for the Rosé and then proceeded in stages of 3 to4 days as the vineyards ripened in an irregular, and different, pace …

Summary of Grower Visits – Part III

Posted on November 8, 2018November 6, 2018 Neal RosenthalPosted in Domaine Lionnet, Guillaume Gilles, Neal speaks!, Occasional Thoughts

The afternoon of our second day on the road was joyous as the wines of Guillaume Gilles and Domaine Lionnet are simply magical.

GILLES: Guillaume started harvest early in 2018, the 4th of September. He reports a bountiful harvest of excellent quality. The ‘17s have brilliant potential.

SUMMARY OF GROWER VISITS – PART II

Posted on November 7, 2018November 6, 2018 Neal RosenthalPosted in Etienne Becheras, Neal speaks!, Occasional Thoughts, Yves Cuilleron

CUILLERON: Our second day in the Rhône started with a tasting with Yves Cuilleron. The “Cuilleron Empire” continues to expand and requires considerable time to proceed through a tasting. In fact, 32 wines were presented, the result of which was that we were then late for the remaining appointments for that day.

Summary of Grower Visits – Part 1

Posted on November 6, 2018November 6, 2018 Neal RosenthalPosted in Bernard Levet, Neal speaks!, Occasional Thoughts, Xavier Gerard

Michael Kane and I just wrapped up 9 days on the road visiting our growers in the northern and southern Rhône, Provence, Languedoc – Roussillon and Bordeaux. We were the beneficiaries of beautiful Indian summer weather during the entirety of our trip, one of the few blessings from global warming.

Simone Grands Carmes Blanc 2014

Posted on November 5, 2018November 5, 2018 Neal RosenthalPosted in Chateau Simone, Occasional Thoughts

Kerry and I revisited this wine over the weekend, opening and drinking most of the bottle yesterday with an udon-based vegetable broth; then, again, tonight to observe the wine’s evolution. It is, actually, spectacularly good, a wine loaded with character, strongly lanolin, petroleum-laced, amidst the background menthol-pine aromatics and flavors.

2016 Domaine Fourrier A Brief For The 2016 Vintage

Posted on July 25, 2018 Neal RosenthalPosted in Articles, Domaine Fourrier, RWM Contributor

The 2016 vintage at the Domaine Fourrier presents in a classic manner with precision and grace. However, it is another in the recent spate of scarce harvests that makes this offer a challenge to place in front of those who have patronized the wines of this estate since the first vintage (1994) we imported so […]

The Love Affair with the Jura Continues

Posted on June 4, 2018June 4, 2018 Neal RosenthalPosted in Articles, Rosenthal Wine Merchant News

Join Us At: Closerie Les Capucines 7 rue de Bourgogne F39600 ARBOIS Tél : 33 (0)3 84 66 17 38 email : contact@closerielescapucines.com Mobile : 33 (0)6 50 83 26 00 fax: 33 (0)3 84 66 21 58 web: closerielescapucines.com We are pleased to announce that, as of 31 May 2018, we have acquired “Closerie […]

Jean Faurois Vosne Chaumes 1981

Posted on February 21, 2018February 21, 2018 Neal RosenthalPosted in Articles, Occasional Thoughts

Drinking this aged beauty tonight. Blake and Michael , I believe, may have had the pleasure of meeting the “Master”.  Jean Faurois was the epitome of the classic Burgundian vigneron of this era … a gentleman of the first order … quiet, determined, calm with a deep love of his land and a knowledge so […]

The Dragonfly: A Sign Of A Healthy Environment

Posted on October 2, 2017October 2, 2017 Neal RosenthalPosted in Occasional Thoughts, Rovellotti

A REPORT FROM THE ROVELLOTTI FAMILY IN GHEMME I received a note yesterday from my good friend, Antonello Rovellotti, who was brimming with good cheer because of the healthy state of his vineyards in Baragiola, recognized as the top “cru” in Ghemme. He recounted that back when he was a young boy (and he is […]

LOSING A BRANCH FROM THE TREE

Posted on June 29, 2017 Neal RosenthalPosted in Occasional Thoughts

On Monday evening, June 26, 2017, the New York-based RWM team gathered at the Westlight in Brooklyn to honor our long-time colleague, Paul-Pierre Compere. Paul has decided to retire on June 30th after twenty-three years of rendering impeccable service to us and to our clients. The party, as you can see from the accompanying slide […]

Dinner chez Crochet

Posted on February 7, 2017February 9, 2018 Neal RosenthalPosted in Domaine Lucien Crochet, Rosé Report Archive

Some photos at the dining table of Gilles, Laurence and Esther Crochet. Pot au feu, root vegetables, goat cheeses of different ages and lots of Sancerre Rouge 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2012 Prestige, 2009 Prestige, 1997 Prestige. NIR

Guy Larmandier

Posted on February 6, 2017February 9, 2018 Neal RosenthalPosted in Champagne Guy Larmandier, Rosé Report Archive

Today, in Vertus on the Cote des Blancs, we visited with Francois Larmandier of Champagne Guy Larmandier. The current release of his Vertus Brut Rose 1er Cru is from the 2013 harvest with a dosage of 6 grams for the USA, essentially the same cuvée as the Vertus Brut but with the addition of 10% […]

Champagne Roger Coulon

Posted on February 6, 2017February 9, 2018 Neal RosenthalPosted in Champagne Roger Coulon, Rosé Report Archive

As a preliminary to the field reports on the 2016 Roses which are now in the process of being bottled , we are sending along comments on the duet of Roses produced by our two Champagne growers. Here is the newest cuvée of “Roselie” from Champagne Roger Coulon with the next generation of the family, […]

Rosé Report from the Field:

Posted on February 3, 2017February 9, 2018 Neal RosenthalPosted in Rosé Report Archive

My colleagues, Jeremy Sells, Clarke Boehling and Neil Rosen, will be on the road in France between February 6th and February 15th for the primary purpose of doing a final tasting of the 2016 Rosés from almost every one of our suppliers immediately prior to shipment to the USA.  They will be providing notes from […]

Cornalin Les Bernunes 2014

Posted on February 3, 2017February 3, 2017 Neal RosenthalPosted in Cave Caloz, Occasional Thoughts

To all:  We drank the Cornalin “Les Bernunes” 2014 from Caloz this evening with total satisfaction.  This red gained strength and depth throughout the course of the meal.  Beautiful color; racy, alpine aromas that move to smoky, meaty, Syrah-like (northern Rhone locale); long finish, very fresh with spice and licorice components; starts simple, clean but […]

Simone Blanc and Rouge

Posted on January 22, 2017January 30, 2017 Neal RosenthalPosted in Chateau Simone, Insights, Occasional Thoughts

First, experience shows that the “oiliness” that is so typical of top quality Simone Blanc develops slowly and intensifies as the wine ages; texturally the mineral drive one divines in the youthful stages and which makes for a more linear sensation recedes as the density of the wine increases, a development which, in turn, yields […]

Old Wine Alert!

Posted on January 3, 2017January 3, 2017 Neal RosenthalPosted in Occasional Thoughts

ATTENTION:  just opened a 1986 Vosne Romanée 1er Cru “Les Chaumes” produced by a member of the first group of Burgundians from whom I ever purchased wine:  JEAN FAUROIS.  I was introduced to Faurois by Claudette Amiot (Bernard’s wife) in late 1981 or early 1982.  Jean was born in the Chateau du Clos de Vougeot […]

Harmand-Geoffroy Gevrey Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 2011

Posted on December 28, 2016December 28, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Domaine Harmand-Geoffroy, Insights, Occasional Thoughts

Drank the above-captioned wine last night at dinner with immense satisfaction. Anyone should be comfortable recommending this bottling to someone looking for classic, compelling Cote de Nuits at the village level.  Still with a touch of youthful edginess but scintillating bouquet, deep robe, dense texture, deeply dark-fruited with excellent length … head and shoulders above […]

a dialogue on Arboreus, Michel and Pradeaux

Posted on December 5, 2016December 5, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Chateau Pradeaux, Occasional Thoughts, Robert Michel

Clarke, Beautifully said … bravo! I am an ardent admirer of the 2009 Arobreus which, I believe, is Bea’s best effort to date of this particular wine.  There is a persistence to its attack and finish that is subtle but remarkable.  I, for one, am not at all surprised by its tenacity over a four-day […]

Chauvenet Bourgogne “Noyer du Pendu” 2014

Posted on November 28, 2016November 28, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Occasional Thoughts

Run do not walk to grab whatever remains of this wine in stock. Call your friends and favored clients to let them know that this is a top flight “entry level” red Burgundy , one amongst several wines in this category that are standouts in our portfolio. NIR

2014 Poulsard Pêcheur

Posted on November 9, 2016November 9, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Domaine Pecheur, Occasional Thoughts

Drinking this exquisite version of Poulsard (2014) from Pêcheur tonight. Elegant, clean, so very ALIVE and a perfect companion to so many different types of cuisines. What a joy! NIR Neal: I, too, have been taken with this wine having had the opportunity to taste it now stateside.  Every bit as you describe:  star-bright; autumn […]

Ca’ du Leria 2013 Clerico

Posted on November 1, 2016November 3, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Azienda Vitivinicola Massimo Clerico, Insights, Occasional Thoughts

Married this wine tonight to a grilled magret duck breast. The wine is brilliant, showing a vibrant ruby color, evocative nose of fresh crushed wild berries and a spicy, fresh finish. Surprisingly complex for its price, it bristles with a lovely acidity. I would say that we should give the Ca’ du Leria 2013 a […]

Arbin Mondeuse (Magnin) 2011

Posted on October 31, 2016October 31, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Domaine Louis Magnin, Insights, Occasional Thoughts

Drinking with exquisite pleasure this classic Mondeuse from Louis Magnin. When we first brought this wine into the States last spring, it was tight as a drum with its high acid tension. To my surprise,  this wine has turned the corner much more quickly than I had thought it would. It is wonderfully aromatic with […]

Clerico Spanna 2012

Posted on October 28, 2016October 28, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Azienda Vitivinicola Massimo Clerico, Insights, Occasional Thoughts

Drinking this wine tonight. At a beautiful spot right now. Structured, perfectly balanced , savory with spice, lithe and long on the palate. A near-perfect example of Alto Piedmontese Nebbiolo. Confirms for me, once again, that Clerico is right behind (perhaps equal to) Rovellotti as the best of our producers from that region. Highly recommended! […]

Chassagne Rouge ’85 Prudhon

Posted on March 14, 2016March 14, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Domaine Henri Prudhon, Insights, Occasional Thoughts

Drank this wine tonight with pleasure. At 30 years plus a modest village burgundy is still alive and bright with its typical grainy tannins. Color deepened with aeration. Might it have been even better 5 or 10 years ago? Probably but this wine is a “gamer”, a sturdy little fellow. Last bottle in the cellar!

St Aubin Murgers Dents de Chien ’13

Posted on March 7, 2016March 7, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Domaine Henri Prudhon, Insights, Occasional Thoughts

Drinking the subject wine tonight with sautéed shrimp and a risotto made with a sample of a carnaroli rice from the Novara region of Piedmont. Classic white Burgundy, Meyer-lemon like acidity, beautifully dense with a long, clean, lively finish. The Prudhons are a class act and are cranking out truly superb wine. We also drank […]

A Week of Wine at Mad Rose Ranch

Posted on February 18, 2016June 14, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Occasional Thoughts

We thought it might be fun to share with you the wines we drink at home during the course of a week … providing commentary on the wines as well as some insight as to why each wine was selected and the food we served with it.  If this exercise proves interesting, we will repeat […]

Bois De Boursan Felix ’11

Posted on January 13, 2016February 12, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Domaine Bois de Boursan, Occasional Thoughts

Drank this beauty tonight with dinner. This vintage, somewhat suspect in the general perception, is showing brilliantly. The ripe and spicy Grenache takes center stage with a touch of tannic kick from Mourvèdre. A wine that is shedding its quietude and finding a classic expression of Chateauneuf – with stems!  NIR

Loire Valley Wines

Posted on January 7, 2016June 29, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Chateau Soucherie, Domaine Lucien Crochet, Domaine Philippe Gilbert, Occasional Thoughts

Kerry and I continually assess our wines by putting each to the ultimate test: drinking wine with our meals.  Over the most recent weekend, we explored, with much satisfaction, several wines from the Loire Valley that do not appear regularly at our home table. On New Year’s Eve, our quiet celebration was toasted with the […]

Etienne Becheras Saint Joseph Blanc 2011

Posted on December 31, 2015February 11, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Etienne Becheras, Occasional Thoughts

Drinking the above captioned wine tonight. We have a small allocation of this wine every year which is, by and large, ignored once it arrives. That is a shame. The wine is rich, speaks with a booming voice and is blessed with a joyous perfume full of exotic flora. This wine should fine a home […]

Auney L’Hermitage Cana Rouge ’12

Posted on December 29, 2015February 11, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Chateau Auney l’Hermitage, Occasional Thoughts

Drinking this wine tonight. Delicious. One of the best values in the portfolio. Perfect balance, dignified, an adult wine of class and breed. Photo will follow.  By the way, the proprietors are two of the most intelligent and charming vignerons in our universe. NIR

Lionnet Cornas 2012

Posted on September 28, 2015February 11, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Domaine Lionnet, Occasional Thoughts

Drinking this wine tonight (see photos). Classic Cornas. May be the best Cornas in stock right now. Powerful, dramatic, severe, every element of the appellation is on display … The granite soils, the non-destemmed grapes, the raw ferocity of Syrah in the northern Rhone.  So good right now but with a brilliant future of 10 […]

Dolcetto d’Alba ’14 DeForville

Posted on September 10, 2015June 14, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in DeForville, Occasional Thoughts

Once again our friends, the Anfosso family of Barbaresco, have produced one of the singular great values in our portfolio of wines. We are drinking tonight the 2014 Dolcetto d’Alba which is simply delicious, actually thirst-quenching, vibrant, fresh, so very much alive! One wonders sometimes how it is possible to produce a wine of this […]

NOAH Coste della Sesia Croatina 2011

Posted on September 1, 2015February 16, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Noah, Occasional Thoughts

a brief note about one of our newest wines… To our delight, this wine from young Andrea Mosca’s cellars in Brusnengo in the Alto Piemonte is developing nicely and shows, with a considerably higher degree than I anticipated, a true sense of terroir. In fact, this wine from Croatina is much more fine than it […]

An Old Friend

Posted on August 24, 2015December 31, 2015 Neal RosenthalPosted in Occasional Thoughts

No one ever made a truer Chambolle Musigny than our old friend (and very first producer in Burgundy), Bernard Amiot. Tonight we are enjoying his 1997 Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru “Les Chatelots”. As we do, we reminisce about how we started working with Bernard, tasting through the cellar and marking the individual barrel or barrels […]

2000 J Dauvissat

Posted on August 21, 2015June 17, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Jean & Sebastien Dauvissat, Occasional Thoughts

Drinking this wine drawn from the cellar tonight. Rather astonishing for its freshness  (15 years old, village wine!). Classic Chablis – aromatically and gustatorily true to its Kimmeridgian origins. My only quibble is that it shows just a touch too “warm” on the palate despite its declared 12% alcohol. Lovely density … As we used […]

Barbera d’Asti “Ca’ del Buc” 2013 from DeForville

Posted on June 8, 2015June 14, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in DeForville, Occasional Thoughts

On a beautiful spring evening in Shekomeko‎, we are enjoying a favorite wine of ours: the Barbera d’Asti 2013 produced by the Anfosso family from their “Ca’ del Buc” vineyard in Costigliole d’Asti. Although the family is based in Barbaresco, they have owned this special site for many years, using it to produce this formidable […]

Aging Dolcetto – An Example

Posted on January 17, 2015February 11, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Brovia, Occasional Thoughts

Having tasted through the series of older Dolcetto Dogliani (an appellation with a certain deserved renown for producing age-worthy Dolcetto) recently, it was a revelation to drink a bottle of Dolcetto d’Alba “Vignavillej” 1998 from Brovia, a wine drawn from our private collection. It is an astonishing wine – deep in color, robust, still fresh […]

A Bordeaux Moment – Pauillac front and center

Posted on December 13, 2014February 11, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Chateau Chantecler, Occasional Thoughts

Just finished drinking a bottle of Chateau Chantecler, Pauillac, 2010 (while listening to the Brad Mehldau Trio) which experience drove our memories to the earliest days of our career in wine when we had the pleasure of indulging in another Pauillac by the name of Château Latour in vintages like ’61, ’62 and ’64, wines of […]

Several Visits to the Cellar

Posted on December 1, 2014June 14, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Brovia, DeForville, Luigi Ferrando, Occasional Thoughts, Paolo Bea

The nicest aspect of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend is that it gives us a bit of “down-time” to explore the cellar and dig up a few wines to drink at our leisure. So, here is a brief report on a few wonders that have been hanging out underground for awhile … We had the pleasure […]

Working the high mountain passes of the Valle d’Aosta

Posted on March 18, 2014October 27, 2017 Neal RosenthalPosted in Danilo Thomain, Ermes Pavese, Grosjean Freres, La Cantina di Cuneaz Nadir, Occasional Thoughts

It’s thrilling to work the high passes of the Valle d’Aosta searching for wines in places that are home to the chamois and mountain goat as much as they prove to be fertile ground for a fascinating array of local grape varieties.  Our love affair with this area started 35 years ago in January 1980 when we first […]

A Grand Cru Experience

Posted on March 14, 2014February 11, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Domaine Harmand-Geoffroy, Occasional Thoughts

We sat at the dinner table tonight and drank, over a simple dinner (leftover pork tenderloin, roast potatoes, endive and blue cheese salad), a bottle of Mazis-Chambertin produced by our grower Harmand-Geoffroy in the 2006 vintage. This bottle offered vivid testimony of its breed and answers the question: do certain vineyard locations truly provide a […]

Saint Emilion

Posted on December 13, 2013February 11, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Chateau Belregard Figeac, Chateau Haut-Ségottes, Occasional Thoughts

On November 23, 2013 Neal wrote: “Just wrapped up a lovely morning in Saint Emilion and am now on the train from Libourne to Bordeaux (to catch a connection to Montpellier this afternoon). I was delighted by what I tasted at both Haut Segottes and Belregard Figeac. First of all, I am happy to report […]

A Morning in Vouvray

Posted on December 13, 2013February 11, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Clos de la Meslerie, Occasional Thoughts, Philippe Foreau Domaine du Clos Naudin

        “Wednesday (20 Nov 2013) morning was dedicated to Vouvray with stops at Peter Hahn’s Clos de la Meslerie and Philippe Foreau’s Clos Naudin. 2013 was not kind to the appellation: a devastating hailstorm in summer and a rainy late season and cold spring reduced yields and made the growers struggle mightily […]

Neal’s Report from the Eastern Loire

Posted on December 13, 2013June 29, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Domaine Lucien Crochet, Domaine Philippe Gilbert, Marc Deschamps, Occasional Thoughts

“The afternoon of Tuesday, Nov 19 2013 was spent in the Eastern Loire visiting with Marc Deschamps, Gilles Crochet and Philippe Gilbert. In Pouilly-sur-Loire, Marc Deschamps reported favorably on the results of the current harvest, better results than might have been anticipated considering the up-and-down conditions during the growing season. He predicts a wine with […]

Report on Dauvissat and Defaix

Posted on November 25, 2013June 17, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Daniel-Etienne Defaix, Jean & Sebastien Dauvissat, Occasional Thoughts

Last week Neal traveled from Champagne to Chablis before making his way to the Loire.  Here are his notes from domaines Dauvissat and Defaix. “I visited with Sebastien Dauvissat early in the morning of Tuesday November 19 – a hint of snow was in the air. Our stocks of the Dauvissat wines are dwindling rapidly […]

Notes from Champagne

Posted on November 25, 2013October 5, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Champagne Guy Larmandier, Champagne Roger Coulon, Occasional Thoughts

On Sunday, Neal departed for his final grower visits of the season.  He continues to chronicle them here on the blog. 11/21/13 “I am on the train departing from Nantes destination Bordeaux – finally a free moment to pen a few words about my current visits with our growers. On Monday of this week, I […]

Visit to the Valais

Posted on November 7, 2013February 11, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Cave Caloz, Occasional Thoughts

After a couple of days in the Alto Piemonte and the Canavese, Neal crossed over the mountains via the Gran San Bernardo pass to visit our growers in the Valais in Switzerland … herewith his initial comments: “We arrived in the Valais on Tuesday evening, I introduced our newest colleague, Ross Mattis, to the traditions […]

The Report from Ferrando

Posted on November 7, 2013February 11, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Luigi Ferrando, Occasional Thoughts

A day in Carema, October 2013: “Our visit with Luigi, Roberto and Andrea Ferrando was spent mostly in discussion of the “crisis of quantity” in Carema and whether there is some way to increase access to, and control the production of, grapes within the appellation. There is no easy answer to this conundrum but, at […]

Neal’s Visit to the Alto Piemonte (Oct 2013) continued

Posted on November 4, 2013June 8, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Azienda Vitivinicola Massimo Clerico, Castello Conti, Occasional Thoughts

Neal’s visits in Alto Piemonte continued with a trip to Castello Conti: “Tuesday morning Oct 22 we visited with Elena and Paola Conti. Four wines were the subjects for the day.  The wines had just been bottled 10 days prior. The Nebbiolo Colline Novaresi 2012 was the most affected by the bottling, showing the dryness […]

Updates from Alto Piemonte

Posted on October 25, 2013February 10, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Monsecco, Occasional Thoughts, Rovellotti

We will continue posting Neal’s dispatches from his producer visits.  Over the next few days he will be in Italy and Switzerland.  Here is the first update from Italy. “A quick “wrap” of yesterday’s activity in the Alto Piemonte, 10/21/13 … Monsecco: Greeted by Giorgio and Fabio, as usual. This duo presents a charming and […]

A Day in the Jura

Posted on October 2, 2013February 10, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Domaine de Montbourgeau, Domaine Overnoy-Crinquand, Jacques Puffeney, Michel Gahier, Occasional Thoughts

Sunday, Sept 22, 2013 Neal spent the day visiting our producers in the Jura.  Here are his notes: “I spent last Sunday (September 22) visiting each of our four producers. The first issue to discuss is “reduction” in certain wines from our producers in the Jura. Of course, we had this problem raise its ugly […]

Northern Rhone Part I

Posted on September 24, 2013February 10, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Domaine Guillaume Gilles, Occasional Thoughts

Late last week, Neal spent time visiting producers in the Northern Rhone. Here is his report on Guillaume Gilles: September 20, 2013 “On Friday Sept 20, I visited with each of our five producers in the northern Rhone. I am pleased to report that the wines from both the 2011 and 2012 vintages are exceptionally […]

Northern Rhone Part II

Posted on September 24, 2013February 10, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Domaine Lionnet, Etienne Becheras, Occasional Thoughts

Neal’s update on our Northern Rhone producers continues with Domaine Lionnett and Etienne Becheras: September 20, 2013 “The Domaine Lionnet is really coming into its own. Ludovic is finding his stride. My notes are replete with praise. There is no doubt that 2012 will be a top vintage here and, interestingly and somewhat in contrast […]

Northern Rhone Part III

Posted on September 24, 2013April 14, 2017 Neal RosenthalPosted in Bernard Levet, Occasional Thoughts, Yves Cuilleron

This is Neal’s final dispatch from the Northern Rhone: September 20, 2013 “To wrap up the Northern Rhone…I had a pleasant encounter with Yves Cuilleron. Yves continues to expand his holdings. There are now 55+ hectares that he exploits as owner and sharecropper. There is now a nice Crozes Hermitage Rouge being produced. The Levets […]

A quick report from the Savoie

Posted on September 19, 2013July 8, 2015 Neal RosenthalPosted in Occasional Thoughts

Neal has taken off on the first of his autumn trips to visit our growers in Europe.  We will chronicle his travels on the blog by posting his field reports. September 19, 2013 “Flew into Geneva this morning and visited Vens-le-Haut and Magnin today. Was privileged to be here on a gorgeous day, unfortunately one […]

A Tasting Odyssey in Three Parts

Posted on September 17, 2013July 8, 2015 Neal RosenthalPosted in Occasional Thoughts

Part 1: The Midwest Comes East On September 9 and 10, Rosenthal Wine Merchant hosted a group of its distributors and their top clients from the Midwest states of Wisconsin, Nebraska, Missouri and Colorado at its warehouse in New York City. Just a few years ago it was difficult, or impossible, to find Rosenthal wines in most […]

Chateau Haut Segottes – A History Lesson

Posted on September 3, 2013February 10, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Chateau Haut-Ségottes, Occasional Thoughts

As you can see from the attached photo, we drank a bottle of 1980 Chateau Haut Segottes (Saturday Aug 31, 2013), one of the few older vintages that remain in stock from the collection that we purchased from Mme Meunier, the proprietor, several years ago.  Of course, this vintage was left behind in our stock while […]

A Mountain Red

Posted on June 7, 2013February 10, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Cave du Vieux-Moulin, Occasional Thoughts

The exuberant reds from our growers in the Valais scream out their mountain heritage. Drinking the 2011 Cornalin from Romain Papilloud tonight makes the point brilliantly. A wine of vibrant, deep color, its bouquet brings the Alpine atmosphere directly to the table like a fresh, cool breeze rustling through the low bushes of berry and […]

Old Originals

Posted on June 7, 2013February 10, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Bernard Levet, La Torre, Occasional Thoughts

This week [June 2 – 8 2013] we raided the cellar again.  Without planning it, we drank two wines that share an interesting history: the 1983 Cote Rotie from Bernard Levet and the 1982 Brunello di Montalcino from Luigi Anania’s La Torre estate.  Two distinct wines with one dramatic similarity: both wines were the first […]

Brunello “La Torre” 1982 + Chet Baker !

Posted on June 7, 2013February 10, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in La Torre, Occasional Thoughts

People always talk about food and wine matches but not so often of the marriage of wine and music. Tonight [June 6, 2013] we experienced the ideal: listening to Chet Baker (singing + playing trumpet) while drinking Brunello “La Torre” 1982. Both are the ultimate in sophistication, elegance and class.  

A BRIEF COMMENTARY ON RECENT VINTAGES IN BURGUNDY

Posted on March 5, 2013August 16, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Occasional Thoughts

At the request of one of our best clients, I composed a brief and certainly very general summary of our view of recent vintages in Burgundy (from 1999 to 2010).  You might find this commentary of some interest … 1999: a heralded vintage for both red and white wines; whether the wines will live up […]

Badebec – Our Newest Addition to the Portfolio

Posted on February 22, 2013February 10, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in La Cantina di Cuneaz Nadir, Occasional Thoughts

Standing in the kitchen as we prepare dinner and taste the first bottle of “Badebec”, a Rosso from the Vallé d’Aosta, to come to the States.  It’s always exciting to test these recent arrivals once they are Stateside.  We do all of our selecting overseas in the cellars so that initial bottle opened at home […]

Exploring the cellar (again) – a perspective on Hubert Lignier and wines with a bit of age …

Posted on February 21, 2013February 10, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Domaine Hubert Lignier, Occasional Thoughts

It seems that, more often than not when contemplating a new blog post, I am drawn to comment on the joys of exploring wines that we had tucked away in our private cellar many, many moons ago.  I do this, I think, because there appear to be so few opportunities now for those who are […]

Beaujolais: An Essential Part of Burgundy

Posted on February 10, 2013February 10, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Granger, Occasional Thoughts

We have argued for many moons that some of, if not the, best values in red wine can be found in Beaujolais.  Certainly, when one cruises the “cru” vineyards of this region, the grapes of which have been cared for and transformed into wine by the serious and quite traditional growers, the notion that Beaujolais […]

Chianti Classico, Sangiovese, Castelnuovo Berardenga

Posted on February 10, 2013February 10, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Occasional Thoughts, Podere le Boncie

We recently indulged ourselves with a trip into our past as experienced through several older vintages of Chianti Classico Riservas from Castell’in Villa, one of our first sources of superb Italian wine (and no longer part of our portfolio for a complex of reasons).  Most specifically, we drank on separate occasions the 1988 and 1985 […]

DeForville Barbaresco

Posted on August 24, 2012June 14, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in DeForville, Occasional Thoughts

Tonight (August 23 2012) we drank a bottle of Barbaresco “Vigneto Loreto” 1997 from De Forville.  This estate, with which we have been working for the past 33 years, has always flown a bit under the radar … in  a commercial sense.  Perhaps this is because the Anfosso family, the owners of De Forville, are […]

What We Have Been Drinking …

Posted on August 24, 2012February 10, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Champagne Roger Coulon, Domaine Forey Pere & Fils, Monsecco, Occasional Thoughts

A brief note about some of the wines we have consumed over the past few days … Coteaux Champenois Blanc (Coulon) 2008: the “deposit” or “veil” that was present when we first released this wine seems to have disappeared; the wine is scintillatingly replete with the terroir of Champagne – stony to its core with […]

Villa Sant’Anna Chianti Colli Senesi 2005 and Thoughts on Assembling a Cellar

Posted on July 6, 2012February 10, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Occasional Thoughts, Villa Sant’Anna

We stumbled across a bottle of Chianti Colli Senesi 2005 from Villa Sant’Anna the other day while cruising our personal cellar; so, we drank it that evening.  A simple but satisfying wine this modest Chianti from the hills just north of Montepulciano with a rustic, earthy bouquet, lots of presence on the palate and tannins […]

EXPANDING OUR ITALIAN PORTFOLIO: ALTO PIEMONTE AND CALABRIA:A QUARTET OF GROWERS

Posted on June 14, 2012February 8, 2018 Neal RosenthalPosted in Azienda Vitivinicola Massimo Clerico, Du Cropio, Monsecco, Occasional Thoughts, Rovellotti

For years we have longed to expand our footprint in Italy,  most specifically in Piedmont but also with an eye to southern Italy which heretofore was completely absent from our coverage.  With much good fortune, beginning with a casual encounter last December in Rome and continuing through an intense four day exploration we conducted in […]

ABISSI 2009

Posted on April 15, 2012February 10, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Bisson, Occasional Thoughts

When Piero “Bisson” Lugano told me about his fantastical plan to submerge his nascent Spumante deep beneath the waters of the bay of Portofino where it would undergo its second fermentation, I thought he was kidding.  Then, when he actually did make the arrangements, I tossed it off as nothing more than a brilliant publicity […]

The Meursaults of Bitouzet-Prieur

Posted on April 13, 2012February 10, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur, Occasional Thoughts

Tonight, on the spur of the moment, Kerry descended into the cellar and brought up a bottle of Meursault 1er Cru “Charmes” 1990 from Bitouzet-Prieur to enjoy with our dinner (a couple of steamed lobsters). It is a remarkable experience to enjoy a fine white Burgundy at the age of 22 years, one that is […]

La Torre: A rare release of Brunello Riserva

Posted on April 5, 2012February 9, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in La Torre, Occasional Thoughts

In several weeks, we will be releasing the Brunello di Montalcino RISERVA 2006 from Luigi Anania’s estate “La Torre”. Luigi produces a small amount of Riserva from time-to-time depending on the quality of a particular vintage. Even then, he severely restricts the amount of Riserva that he makes so that he does not affect in […]

Our Foray into Lessona

Posted on March 20, 2012February 10, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Azienda Vitivinicola Massimo Clerico, Occasional Thoughts

Yesterday, March 19, we arrived in Milan and headed directly to the northeastern sector of Piemonte to prospect for growers in the appellations of Lessona, Ghemme and Gattinara. In the small town of Lessona, which is the smallest in size of the subject appellations, we met with Massimo Clerico. He is the third “largest” producer […]

Drinking Montbourgeau and Listening to Billy Holliday

Posted on March 18, 2012February 10, 2016 Neal RosenthalPosted in Domaine de Montbourgeau, Occasional Thoughts

We are in the midst of a special moment, a quiet dinner at home on the evening before we leave to prospect in the Piedmont and Calabria. The atmosphere is cool, calm and crystalline – listening to Billy Holliday sing and drinking the L’Etoile Cuvee Speciale 2006 from Nicole Deriaux’s Domaine de Montbourgeau, a brief […]