Domaine Francois Bertheau – Quietly leading the way in Chambolle

  One can only speculate as to the reasons behind Francois’ decision to forgo attending this years’ GJDB  – perhaps his long-standing relationship with Kermit Lynch could offer some insight – but his absence was noticed (at least by this fan of ethereal Chambolle-Musigny). It’s nice to know we have so many of his wines [...]

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Domaine Rossignol-Trapet – A Gevrey-Chambertin Superstar

  I first encountered these 100% biodynamically farmed (certified as of 2005), increasingly transparent and terroir driven wines in 2002, while traveling Burgundy to sample the newly bottled vintage. Tasting Nicolas Rossignol-Trapet’s wines again this year at the GJDB reveals a Domaine truly on their game.   Rossignol-Trapet is a Domaine that was formed by [...]

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ConoSur Pinot Noir “Bicycle” Label

Although my wine shop has been closed for more than 15 months, family and friends continue to inquire as to my drinking preferences. Imported by one of the most respected French import houses, a company that brings many of my favorite Burgundies to America, this affordable Pinot has been poured at my house now for [...]

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A Life’s Work

It was the late 1980s… Our “unabashed Francophile” leader – as he has been described by the local wine writers in Houston – was just beginning his career in the wine business working in one of the most upscale dining establishments in the Dallas area – Riviera. Christopher Massie found himself under the wing of [...]

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Phenomenal Pinot – Roessler Direct to YOU

Hello again friends, For several vintages now, including a couple of offers some of you enjoyed in the old wine shop, I’ve been discussing the wines from Roessler Cellars in Sonoma.  Home to some of the finest Pinot Noirs I not only have sold, but collect and regularly consume as well, Roessler routinely releases what [...]

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Biodynamic Updates – And Some New Wines to Try

We’ve just returned from our scouting trip to Virginia and my mind this morning is swimming with ideas.  The local wine scene in Richmond is vastly different than the one evidenced by consumers in the metropolis where I currently reside, with the most obvious contrast being the abundance of boutique shops adorning the landscape.  From one [...]

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A Biodynamic Roundup

Blog Update #73, 2009: A Biodynamic Roundup I’ve chronicled our steps towards the building of a new and vastly improved family business through these blog updates, sharing daily discoveries over at my social network page where I’m known by the “handle” of Chambertin.   As we dig down deep this morning to hopefully complete the final [...]

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HWI Does the Underbelly of Houston’s Wine Scene

  So it’s early afternoon on a cloudy, humid day here in Houston and your consumer proponent is working up the energy to make the drive to 2410 Smith Street.  It’s been a leisurely day so far, the usual errands complete, consisting of Little M’s school run, a few paragraphs typed for articles due to [...]

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Houston Wine Idealist Week II

As a consumer in this nation’s 4th largest city, I now find myself in a very different position than the one I held over the past decade.  From 1999 until very recently, I was a merchant of fine wine, offering the city’s inhabitants wines that could best be described as exclusive, esoteric selections from a [...]

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Laetitia Winery – Tardivat’s Dream Lives On

I told myself I was going to approach these Recession Busters with less apparent fanfare than the weekly newsletters for one simple reason: “cheap don’t need no hype!”  But after the realization that the several thousand recipients of yesterday’s e*blast apparently overlooked the absolutely untouchable price on the Laetitia Pinot Noir, I’ve decided it behooves [...]

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