We always get excited when the new vintage of a favorite limited wine comes back. So we’re beside ourselves right now, with multiple releases of some old and dear friends all dropping at the same time!
These wines only come once a year, and they’re either allocated and/or produced in limited quantities. So they’re not going to last long, and once they’re gone, they’re gone until next year. So hurry in to get your hands on these gems!
Raisins Gauloises
It’s been two years since we’ve seen Marcel Lapierre’s fresh, fruity and insanely easy drinking Gamay (the wine was not released in 2021, as challenging growing conditions left the fruit below Lapierre’s standards). Using declassified fruit from Lapierre’s legendy vineyards in Morgon, Raisins is juicy, playful and bright, with lower alcohol levels to boot. Definitely give this a bit of a chill.
Available at Krog & West End; $24.99
La Boutanche Gamay (Olivier Minet)
There may not be a more popular brand among both Hop City customers and staff than the La Boutanche line. Importer Selection Massale partners with natural wine makers in multiple regions around the world to craft supremely drinkable and approachable wines in a variety of styles, and all packaged in 1-liter bottles.
The Gamay is made by Olivier Minet, who produces a line of highly regarded natural wines in the south of the Beaujolais region. The wine he produces for La Boutanche comes from 90+ year old vines and is packed with juicy cherry and raspberry, complemented by aromas of fresh herbs and black tea. Ridicuslously quaffable.
Available at Krog only; $26.99
Occhipinti SP68 Bianco and SP68Rosso
Arianna Occhipinti is a natural wine legend in Sicily, both due to her own wines and as a result of having trained under her uncle Giusto, who makes the island’s highly admired COS wines. Her SP68 blends bring together varieties that are native to or have centuries-long histories in Sicily - the white Bianco is made of 60% Zibibbo and 40% Albanello, while the red Rosso is composed of 70% Frappato and 30% Nero d’Avola.
All the fruit is organically grown, hand-harvested from 20+ year-old vines, and fermented in concrete tanks with native yeasts. The Bianco is aromatic and fresh, with white peach and chamomile notes, accented by hints of almond and Balsamic. The Rosso is fruity and spicy, with red currants and wild berries, and hints of baking spice and dried thyme. Both are wonderfully easy-going while being tremendously versatile with food.
SP68 Rosso available at Krog & West End; SP68 Bianco at Krog only; $34.99
Occhipinti Frappato
While her SP68 wines focus on easier drinking blends, Arianna Occhipinti’s single-varietal wines are intense yet elegant wines that showcase the unique terroir of Sicily. Her Frappato sings with robust acidity, supple and tart cherry, aromas of rose petal, and a hint of smoke on the finish that reflects Sicily’s volcanic soils. Harvested from vines averaging 40 years in age, kept in contact with skins for 30 days, and aged 14 months in large-format Slavonian oak barrels.
