MCF Rare Wine Ltd.
 
Reds for January

Welcome to 2017 and Happy New Year.

I'm only 11 days late with that, but every January, after the mad dash that is the retail Holiday life, it always takes me about a week to reflect and re-energize.

Even though it's going to be 60 degrees tomorrow here in NYC, we just got over a frigid snap and, as usual, we combated the weather with plenty of good food and hearty red wine.

I thought it would be fun to share some of the most enjoyable recent bottles because, well, nothing makes winter more enjoyable then a warm table with friends and family and great wines.

Benoit Roseau Saint Joseph 2014 $28
This lovely St Joe was a favorite back in the Spring of last year and we were able to wrangle one last drop of this little gem right before the year ended.  It's a medium weight red that is classic Northern Rhone Syrah to its core.  The nose is loaded with all manner of dark, very savory aromas that seem to change from whiff to whiff.  That kaleidoscopic personality translates to the rather nimble palate as well.  This is a flavor packed, yet energetic red wine that'll complement all manner of winter fare.  MAGS also available at $56

Teutonic Wine Co. 1787 Wasson Vineyard Red 2014 $33
This delicious blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay is a relatively new offering from one of our all-time favorite producers of quirky, terroir-driven wines in Oregon.  The addition of Gamay gives an extra level of soft earth to their oh-so-delicate style of Pinot Noir.  The red fruits are highlighted by fantastic acidity on the finish.  It's part German Pinot, part Beaujolais and all Oregon.

Cappellano Dolcetto d'Alba 2011 $43
This arrived in early December and it might be my favorite pick in the shop right now for a number of reasons.  It's a simply delicious glass of Dolcetto from one of the all time masters of traditional Piemontese wine.  It's totally open for business as well, thanks to the fact that it's got five years under its belt already.  The youthful, zippy nature of young Dolcetto has softened into a beautifully elegant and delicate wine that allows the subtle herbs and spice to come through.  From casual Italian fare to a Sunday roast chicken, this is a very versatile wine.  Fully mature Dolcetto from an old-school master -- not much to complain about with that.

Montevertine 2013 $53
I think I've said this a million times, but every time I drink great Chianti I wonder why I don't drink it more often.  This 2013 Montevertine (Sangiovese with hints of Canaiolo and Colorino, your classic Chianti blend) was a sublime companion to a classic Bolognese the other night and I'm still tasting it.  The fine structure is deceptively firm and the aristocratic expression of Central Italy's most noble grape is nothing short of classic.  It's the vinous expression of the Tuscan soul.

Bussola Amarone Classico 2010 $60
Amarone isn't one of the wines you hear me hawking all that much, mainly because I'm a little picky about the style.  It has to walk a fine line between power and finesse.  Too raisin-y and one dimenstional?  Alcohol all you smell/taste?  No thanks.  But when you get a wine like Bussola's Amarone Classico 2010, I'm all about it.  A board of some firm cheeses after dinner with a glass of this juicy, weighty, complex and soul-warming red sounds pretty great on a cold night.

Bellegrave Pomerol 2010 $65
This has been a staple favorite over the last year and a half here and, sadly, this is the final shipment of this vintage!  This is as classically styled a Bordeaux that's left on the market, and is great expression of Merlot.  Bellegrave eschews the dense, smooth, modern tendencies for a firm, structured profile.  It's a darker expression of Merlot, with a solid core of intense minerals and a great backbone.  The otherworldly balance of the 2010 vintage suits it perfectly.  It's fantastic now and it'll continue to evolve nicely over the next decade.

Buy a solid case of any wine or make a custom mix of 12 and get a 10% discount. 

Matt Franco

MCF Rare Wine, Ltd
237 West 13th Street
New York 10011
mcf@mcf-rarewine.com
212.255.8870
www.mcf-rarewine.com