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750ml - Case of 6
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Aromatic, with hints of tea rose, graphite and bergamot, this creamy Champagne is svelte and well-knit, with bright...
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91
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Red
750ml
Bottle: $64.93 $72.00
The 2006 Sassontino is a pure expression of Sangiovese from 45-year-old vines. Past editions of this wine saw a small...
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93
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Red
750ml
Bottle: $66.84 $72.00
The 2006 Sezzana is a twin of the Sassontino, but not an identical one. Although the grape used is the same (100%...
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Red
750ml
Bottle: $466.94
The 1986 Chianti Classico Riserva stands apart from many wines of the 1980s for its big, rich fruit. Leather,...
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Red
750ml
Bottle: $149.80
The 2006 Chianti Classico Riserva hits all the high notes. Ripe and structured, yet also wonderfully contained, the...
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Sparkling
750ml
Bottle: $248.95
This is very lively and vibrant with a dense and rich center palate. Lots of complexity and balance with pastry,...
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97
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96
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Spirits
750ml
Bottle: $147.78 $158.90
6 bottles: $139.64
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Sparkling
750ml
Bottle: $199.94 $220.08
#80 TOP 100 WINES OF FRANCE 2022. This has a gorgeous nose of pie crust, biscuit, dried apple, hazelnut and citrus...
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95
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Sparkling
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $138.95
The 2006 Brut Cuvée Nicolas François is showing superbly, bursting with aromas of warm bread, citrus oil, wild...
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94
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Sparkling
750ml - Case of 3
Bottle: $477.28
#74 Wine of the World 2022. Baked raspberries, salted yellow plums, figs, walnuts, orange zest, mahogany and some...
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99
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Sparkling
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $224.89
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Sparkling
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $210.95
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $348.95
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Sparkling
750ml - Case of 3
Bottle: $1557.63
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Sparkling
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $159.14
A textbook blanc de blancs in a relatively opulent style, with ample grilled nut, brioche and spice character...
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96
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750ml - Case of 3
Bottle: $154.28
A textbook blanc de blancs in a relatively opulent style, with ample grilled nut, brioche and spice character...
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750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $98.95
Rich notes of pastry, crushed cherry, espresso cream, saffron and spice are well-meshed with vibrant acidity in this...
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92
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $127.90
The 2006 Brunello di Montalcino emerges from the glass with a finely knit bouquet of tobacco, sweet herbs, licorice,...
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Sparkling
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $241.86
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750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $84.95

Armagnac Champagne Blend Sangiovese 1986 2006 750ml

Armagnac is a beloved grape brandy, hailing from the beautiful French region of Gascony, in the south-west of the country. It has been in constant production since sometime just before the fifteenth century, and over the decades has been the toast of royal households across Europe. Today, it is still enjoyed for its unique flavor profile and characteristics, and although it is understandably compared with Cognac, its more famous cousin, lovers of Armagnac claim that its distinctive rusticity and full body make it a superior brandy, perfect as a digestif or as an evening treat.

Armagnac is made from more than one grape varietal, but the major player in this drink is the fine Ugni Blanc grape, more commonly known by its Italian name, Trebbiano. This is one of the most widely planted grape varietals in the world, and grows beautifully in Gascony, which has a similar microclimate as its neighbouring wine region, Bordeaux. Armagnac grapes reveal fascinating and complex flavors after distillation, which commonly include christmas cake, earthy, oaky notes and praline.

Armagnac is sold under two categories - vintage, and non-vintage. A vintage Armagnac is made from a blend of grapes which have been grown in a single year, and will have the date printed on the label. Non-vintage Armagnacs, on the other hand, are labelled according to their age. V.S indicates that the brandy has been aged for a minimum of two years, VSOP for four years, XO six years, and Hors d’Age is a premium Armagnac which has been aged for at least ten years.

The sparkling wines of Champagne have been revered by wine drinkers for hundreds of years, and even today they maintain their reputation for excellence of flavor and character, and are consistently associated with quality, decadence, and a cause for celebration. Their unique characteristics are partly due to the careful blending of a small number of selected grape varietals, most commonly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. These grapes, blended in fairly equal quantities, give the wines of Champagne their wonderful flavors and aromas, with the Pinot Noir offering length and backbone, and the Chardonnay varietal giving its acidity and dry, biscuity nature. It isn't unusual to sometimes see Champagne labeled as 'blanc de blanc', meaning it is made using only Chardonnay varietal grapes, or 'blanc de noir', which is made solely with Pinot Noir.

The name of this grape, meaning 'blood of Jove' conjures up evocative images of long dead civilizations, and gives the Sangiovese varietal a sense of the holy, the sacred, the special. Indeed, this particular type of Italian grape has been cultivated and processed for thousands of years, and is said to be the original favorite grape varietal of the Romans, and the Etruscans before them. Throughout history, vintners have continued to plant this varietal, and they continue to produce wonderful wines to this day. The long bunches of very dark, round fruit are treasured by fine wineries in Italy and a few other places around the world, and when young, these grapes are lively – full of strawberry flavors and a little spiciness. However, it is when they are aged in oak that they take on some truly special flavors and aromas, as seen in some of the finest wines of the Old World.