Next Tasting
May 24
Domaine Cornu-Camus Haut Côtes de Nuits, 2023 ($25.99) – Classic yet priced-for-every-day, estate-bottled Burgundy is a rare and very happy surprise. The land is expensive, the climate is unreliable, and demand usually exceeds supply. But beyond the famous villages on the Route des Grands Crus, there are still discoveries to be made: expressive wines, made by passionate stewards of the genuine Burgundian tradition. Cornu-Camus is one of those. It would probably get more press if it charged higher prices. Good for us that it doesn’t!
Lydia Cornu-Camus and Christophe Pertuzot run the domaine, founded in 1981. They have 30 acres of vines in the Hautes Côte d’Or and the Côte de Beaune. Their farming practices are sustainable and lutte raisonnée. Haut Côtes du Nuits wines come from vineyards just above or just below the zone where the best and most expensive Côtes de Nuits grapes are grown. Historically, grapes struggled to fully ripen in the cooler, upper vineyards, but climate change has improved things. The lower vineyards have less advantageous soil and are more subject to frosts.
This one comes from two well-exposed hillside plots, only 3-4 km southwest of the edge of Nuits-Saint-Georges. The first is in the village of Magny-lès-Villers in the vineyard called En Monte Mon (planted in the 1950s); the other, planted in the 2010s, is in Villers la Faye in a lieu-dit called La Tourelle. The two vineyards total 3.2 acres and face south on hills between 1150 and 1300 feet. Marl formations dominate the substrate, and the sloped portions are covered with limestone scree. The grapes are harvested by hand, given a 15-day cold maceration, then fermented with regular pump-overs and punching of the cap after which the wine spends 10 months in stainless steel before bottling. This a lot of red Burgundy for the money! Still young, it will only improve over the next year or two.
Canella Granriviera Mimosa ($16.99) – We welcome the unofficial start of summer with this delicious Mimosa. Unless you squeeze fresh oranges, this is the best Mimosa out there. It uses a good Italian Prosecco, Sicilian blood oranges, and a touch of Calabrian bergamot. It is fabulous! Established in 1947, Canella crafts some of Italy’s best-selling fruit-based cocktails. The family-owned and operated company is IFS-certified. No artificial colorants, preservatives, aromatics, or artificial carbonation.
Recent Tastings
May 17
Domaine Commanderie Quincy, 2023 ($18.99)
Cascina Vèngore Monte di Stefano Barolo, 2018 ($38.99)
May 10
Château Sainte Roseline “Le Cloitre” Cru Classé, Côtes de Provence, 2024 ($19.49)
Domaine Les Roches Bleues Brouilly Les Trois Loups, 2020 ($27.99)
May 3
Nadège and Emmanuel Fellot Bourgogne Blanc, 2023 ($23.99)
Pérez Cruz Chaski Petit Verdot, Maipo-Chile, 2018 ($27.99)
April 26
Colombaio di Cencio Toscana Bianco, 2021 ($24.99; Beekman’s special: $9.99)
Costa Stefanino (Nino Costa) Barbera d’Alba “Bardot,” 2021 ($19.99)
Sangri Sangria ($17.99/4pk cans)
April 19
The Messenger Cabernet 98, California, 2023 ($19.99)
Antonio Madeira Tinto Dao, Portugal, 2021 ($24.99)
April 12
Diatom Chardonnay, Santa Barbara, 2023 ($25.99)
Consejo de la Alta Rioja Riserva, 2010 ($19.99)
April 5
Roseline Rosé Prestige, Côtes de Provence, 2023 ($18.49)
Château Donjon de Bruignac “Premium,” Bordeaux Supérieur, 2022 ($25.99)
March 29
La Reserve Saint Dominique Gigondas, 2023 ($24.99)
Clos la Gaffeliere, St.-Emilion Grand Cru, 2015 ($33.99)
March 22
Château La Rose Belair Bordeaux Supérieur, 2019 ($18.99)
Finca Villacreces Pruno, Ribera del Duero, 2019 ($24.99)
March 15
Original Wines Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, 2021 ($26.99)
Château Côte de Baleau, St.-Emilion, 2020 ($30.99)
March 8
Anselmo Mendes Alvariño Contacto, Portugal, 2023 ($21.99)
G.D. Vajra Barolo Albe, 2020 ($39.99)
March 1
La Crema Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, 2020 ($28.99)
Pauillac de Pichon Baron, Pauillac, 2019 ($44.99)
February 22
Croce dei Monti Pinot Grigio, Alto Adige, 2023
Vallepicciola Chianti Classico, 2021 ($21.99)
February 15
Ferrandières Sauvignon Blanc, d’Oc-France, 2023 ($12.99)
Querceto di Castellina Chianti Classico L’Aura, 2022 ($26.99) ORGANIC
February 8
Ferrandières Chardonnay, d’Oc – France, 2023 ($12.99)
Bibbiano Chianti Classico, 2021 ($20.99)
February 1
Campolargo Termeao, Bairrada-Portugal, 2015 ($15.95)
Lilliano Chianti Classico, 2021 ($19.99)
January 25
Amisfield Sauvignon Blanc Central Otago-New Zealand 2022 ($21.49)
Château La Tour St. Bonnet, Médoc Cru Bourgeois, 2016 ($19.99)
January 18
Amisfield Sauvignon Blanc Central Otago-New Zealand 2022 ($21.49)
Château La Tour St. Bonnet, Médoc Cru Bourgeois, 2016 ($19.99)
January 11
King Estate Inscription Pinot Noir, Willamette-Oregon, 2023 ($23.99)
Vineyard Project 005 Petershof Riesling Feinherb, 2021 ($17.99)
January 4
Bodegas Hermanos Peciña Rioja Blanco, 2021 ($15.99)
Turley Zinfandel “Old Vines,” 2022 ($36.49)
December 28, 2024
Pico Maccario Barbera d’Asti Lavignone “Le Matite (The Pencils),” 2022 ($19.99)
Rubén Díaz (the guy) Vinadores de Gredos Paso (the company) La Escalera (the wine) Garnacha (the grape), Cebreros-Spain (the place), 2018 ($23.99)
François Secondé Brut Rosé Grand Cru a Sillery, NV ($59.99)
December 14
Aldo Conterno Langhe Quartetto 2020 ($34.99)
Burgess Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon “Contadina,” Napa Valley, 2018 ($39.99)
Chateau Coutet Barsac (Sauternes), 2012 ($44.99/375ml)
December 7
Cloisonne Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley, 2022 ($15.95)
On Point Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, 2022 ($39.99)
Fulcrum Pinot Noir, Wildcat Mountain Vineyard, Carneros, 2021 ($59.99)
Madman Sonoma Red Blend, 2021 ($29.99)