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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $399.16
WS
95
WA
93
Case only
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $123.95
The 2004 Sammarco shows why this is such a magnificent vintage for Tuscany. Silky, layered and impeccably refined,...
VM
97
WA
93
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $135.59
Case only
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $82.78
There's just something about this 50-50 Sangiovese-Merlot blend that makes it absolutely irresistible. The fullness,...
WE
94
VM
91
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $379.07
This is a hopelessly gorgeous wine with so much energy, intensity, density and good cheer. The superb...
WE
98
JS
97
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Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $433.95
The 2004 Sassicaia is a lovely, understated effort. Medium in body, it presents nuanced layers of sweet dark fruit,...
WA
93

Italian Red Blends Lemberger Melon de Bourgogne 2004

One of the more unusual French grape varietals, Melon de Bourgogne has been grown in and around the Loire Valley for several hundred years. In fact, this grape was first planted in the Loire region of Pays Nantais back in the mid 17th century, after a devastating frost decimated most of the red grapes which were typical in the area. The winemakers of Pays Nantais were keen to cultivate vines which were hardy, high yielding, and capable of surviving another such frost, and so turned their attention to Melon de Bourgogne for this very reason. The native home of the varietal is actually in Burgundy, where it is still grown to a lesser extent.


Because Melon de Bourgogne produces naturally heavy yields, the vintners of Pays Nantais go to great lengths to reduce the amount of fruit the vines bear. This allows the finest characteristics of the grape to come forward, and also opens up the opportunity for it to express the wonderful granite and schist soils in which the vines are grown. Melon de Bourgogne is a minerally white wine grape varietal, with a very subtle set of fruit flavors. It is prized for its freshness and brightness, and is seeing a revival in the twenty first century as an excellent wine for pairing with a wide range of foods.