Highly-Coveted Allocations of Marie Demets Champagne

Ever since Vinous reviewer Neil Martin famously called Marie Demets his “Sparkling Wine of 2022,” we’ve been dying to get our hands on allocations of this micro-production Champagne.

Just this past week, we were able to track down and locate the importer for Marie Demets Champagne here in the states and secure just a handful of cases. Every single grape in these wines is harvested by hand and you can tell when you taste them.

Because of low availability, these wines will not be available for walk-in orders, so please place your orders online in advance.

As Martin wrote in his glowing review: “Pierre Demets is the third generation winemaker who took over the running of the house in 2014, joined by his wife Mathilde three years later. It’s a tiny house in the middle of nowhere, apparently closer to Dijon than Reims. I appreciated its delineation and joie-de vivre. The palate has real weight and race, a vibrant Champagne with a fine edgy, citrus-led opening before subtle white peach, lime and Clementine notes furnish the finish. Prices for this are incredibly reasonable in the present inflationary climate for Champagne, so it is highly recommended!”

We were able to secure allocations of the $50 Brut Tradition and just a few scattered bottles of the $99 single vineyard “La Fôret.”

Not only is the Champagne some of the best we’ve ever tasted, the bottles are just as beautiful. Here’s the breakdown of what makes these wines so special:

Marie Demets Tradition Brut Champagne $49.99

Made with 100% Pinot Noir from 10 hectares of fruit in the Côte de Bars and Gyé-sur-Seine, this Blanc de Noir expression is the definition of elegance. Fine bubbles, elongated minerality, and perfect balance from front to back. This is easily the best $50 Champagne in the store right now (for as long as it lasts!).

Marie Demets “La Fôret” Extra Brut Champagne 2018 $99.99

An absolutely gorgeous Champagne in a stunningly beautiful bottle. Made from 100% Chardonnay from just 0.23 hectares of vineyard, La Fôret isn’t just a single vineyard Champagne, it’s a single vintage. The expression of a particular time and place. 22 months of lees aging gives it richness and weight, but the laser-like acidity and minerality are what immediately draw your taste buds in. Every single grape is hand-harvested and it shows. This wine is clean, delicate, fresh, and lithe on the palate. Lemon peel, mousse, and green apple in utter gracefulness. Do a side-by-side with Dom Perigon and it’s not even close. There’s no Champagne in the store this good at $100. Don’t miss it.

An American Chardonnay Worth Splurging For

Sometimes you taste a wine that truly takes your breath away, so much so that time almost stops, and every sense of your being is focused on just how amazing its flavor is.

We had one of those experiences last week when tasting the 2022 Granville Chardonnay from Koosah Vineyard, a wine that rivals the top Grand Cru of Chablis in terms of freshness, acidity, minerality, and grace.

This is not your buttery, oaky, over-extracted California Chardonnay. This is an up-and-coming label that we think could soon rival some of the best expressions of the Santa Rita Hills in terms of its character and depth. In fact, we’re so over the moon about it, we felt the need to send you this email!

Limited in quantity and absolutely microscopic in terms of production, Granville is a family-owned winery located in Oregon's Willamette Valley, focusing on high-elevation vineyards in the Dundee Hills and Eola-Amity Hills appellations. Founded by Jackson and Ayla Holstein, Granville grows and sources grapes from vineyards farmed with organic and biodynamic standards, thriving on volcanic soils.

The fruit they harvest from Koosah Vineyard is some of the most precious in the entire country. Sitting atop the Eola-Amity Hills, it’s also one of the highest and steepest vineyards in the Willamette Valley. As a result, the cost of harvesting these grapes is set at a premium.

Because so little of this wine is made, we were only able to track down 5 total cases.

As a result, all bottles are only available to order online from our warehouse. If you’re looking to pick up, please use one of the ship-to-store options.

This wine carries our highest possible recommendation. Our only regret is that we couldn’t get more.

2022 Granville Chardonnay Koosah Vineyard $64.99

93 POINTS: VINOUS - The 2022 Chardonnay Koosah Vineyard bursts from the glass with a vibrant array of citrus zest, crushed rocks and sage. This mixes savory and sweet, with ripe nectarine and hints of sour melon catapulted forward by zesty acidity atop a framework of salty minerals. Despite its intensity and girth, the 2022 finishes wildly fresh and long, with a staining of lemony concentration and spice. The high-elevation fruit of Koosah Vineyard is on full display in this young and electric Chardonnay.

A. Overholt Returns to its Monogahela Roots

To explain the full history of A. Overholt rye whiskey would take far longer than we have the space (or the attention span) in this blog, which is why we highly recommend reading Bourbon historian David Wondrich’s article from 2017 here.

For the sake of brevity, however, we’re gonna give you the quick bullet points as to why today’s whiskey offering is so very special:

• The Overholt brand is over 200 years old with production that dates back to 1810, making it America’s oldest continually-maintained brand. Ulysses S. Grant drank it, as did JFK.

• Yet, the brand has languished over the years in the Beam portfolio, eventually winding up in the sub-$20 price point and near the bottom shelf in terms of quality.

• While Beam produces Old Overholt in Kentucky, the brands history dates back to the old days of Pennsylvania rye distillation, or what’s known as “Monogahela” rye whiskey, which accounted for more than a third of America’s whiskey distillation in the 19th century.

• With the resurrection of A. Overholt Monogahela rye whiskey, Beam has returned the Overholt brand to its original mashbill of 80% rye and 20% malted barley, rather than the Kentucky style it had been producing.

With its return to greatness, Beam’s new A. Overholt Monogahela rye is receiving rave reviews from whiskey fans nationally, and it’s classy bottle and old school packaging makes the presentation even cooler.

A. Overholt Monogaleha Mash Rye Whiskey

SirDavis Delivers

Many of us in the industry asked ourselves the same question when we heard rumblings about the SirDavis whiskey project: Beyoncé likes whiskey?

Apparently, not only is Beyoncé a Japanese whisky connoisseur, her family also has a historical tie to moonshining in Alabama. SirDavis is named for Beyoncé’s great-grandfather, who according to family lore was quite skilled at distilling.

How do you tie a love of delicate Japanese blending together with American whiskey history? You team up with one of the best blenders in the world to help you. Beyoncé, together with Ardbeg and Glenmorangie legend Bill Lumsden, created an American whiskey with the finish and grace of a Japanese whisky.

Here’s how they did it:

Using MGP Indiana-distilled rye whiskey with a heavy malted barley component, the resulting blend of barrels is finished in Pedro Ximenez Sherry butts for an exquisitely smooth finish. The mash bill of SirDavis comes in at 51% rye and 49% malted barley, combining the two preferred grains of American and Japanese distillation history.

Perhaps the biggest accomplishment of SirDavis, however, is that it’s a distinctly American rye whiskey that should please a far wider drinking demographic with its intricate flavor and easy-drinking character. The sweetness of the Sherry rounds out the palate without masking the inherent flavors of the grains. Beyoncé knows she can’t rely simply on whiskey geeks to make SirDavis a success: she needed a whiskey the whole world could enjoy.

And we think she’s very much accomplished that here.

SirDavis Whisky $79.95 (limited time offer)

Leopold Bros New Aperitivo Bianco

Todd Leopold isn’t just one of America’s godfathers of craft whiskey. He’s also one of the most amazing innovators in the entire spirits industry, with a dizzying range of elixirs from absinthe to fruit eaux-de-vie, to abstract liqueurs, and more!

In what seems like a never-ending series of amazing new concoctions (seeing they just put out one of the best new Bourbons of 2024 a few months ago), the Leopold Bros are back again with a limited new Aperitivo Bianco created almost specifically for white Negroni cocktails.

Following the success of their Aperitivo Classico, one of the only Campari-like red bitters in the world that doesn’t use artificial flavors or dyes, Todd created the perfect counterpart using individual distillations of marigolds, chamomile, and lemongrass, before adding gentian root for bitterness and a bit of cane sugar for sweetness.

The result is a spirit that can make a dynamic cocktail with just simple soda water, but brings out the gusto in its true intention: the white Negroni. All you need is gin and some bianco vermouth (not dry vermouth) and you’ve got everything you need for the perfect mix.

Due to the immense popularity of the Aperitivo Bianco at the distillery store in Denver, Leopold Bros hasn’t been able to produce enough for national distribution at this point, so supplies have been limited as a result. We managed to snag 60 bottles for today’s email, but it may be a while before we can order more.

We tried mixing it with their incredible Orange Blossom Cordial, as that spirit can stand alone at 40% ABV, and it was utterly divine. Bravo to Todd Leopold and team!

Irlandés Tequila Arrives

You’re probably wondering what Ireland has to do with Tequila, to the point that a brand called Irlandes Tequila even exists!

For those of you who prefer email text, Irlandés Tequila pays homage to the brave soldiers of the Irish San Patricios Battalion who traveled to Mexico in 1847 to find alongside the courageous Mexican soldiers in their fight for freedom.

There’s more to Irlandés than just history, however. Part of the story involves one of the dying Irish soldiers gifting a Mexican priest a bottle of holy water he had brought over with him during the battle. As it turns out, that water was from the same sacred well that Irlandés uses to proof down its Tequila expressions.

Sacred Irish water + authentic, additive-free Mexican Tequila from NOM 1588 and you’ve got a fantastic story, but the Tequila holds its own as well. Irlandés founder Colm O’Faolain is a proud Irishman, but he’s also a Tequila fanatic who knows good juice.

Working with Tequilas El Mexicano distillery in Arandas every step of the way, he has crafted one of the most unique Tequila brands on the market today, and one truly born of an integral passion. Using autoclaves for cooking, natural French yeast for fermentation, and both Mexican well water for cooking and Irish well water for proofing, this unique process was born out of a serious passion.

For those who appreciate fine sipping Tequila, we’re thrilled to introduce you to this very tasty passion project that we’re very happy to support.

Irlandés Blanco Tequila $48.99

Crafted from perfectly ripe Blue Weber Agave, this expression offers a rich tapestry of texture and tantalizing purity. The nose entices with the fragrance of sun-warmed almonds and subtle earthiness, paving the way for luxurious layers of slow-cooked agave. A burst of citrus freshness dances across the mid-palate, leading to a succulent, lingering finish. Created not just to sip, but to savor—an invitation to share and celebrate the artistry within each nuanced sip.

Irlandés Reposado Tequila $58.99

Irlandés Reposado greets you with dazzling hues of honey. Opening notes of vanilla specks and just baked pan dulce bloom into aromas of dried apple and Los Altos agave rested in toasted American oak. The finish is gently laced with the satisfying comfort of stone ground cocoa beans and warm, delicate spices. This tequila sets the stage to persuade our senses to slow down and savor every moment.

Perfectly-Aged Brunello For A Great Price

While there are many wine retailers across the nation who will sell you their best red wines before they’re ready-to-drink (putting the onus on you to cellar them for 5-10 years), that’s never been our strong suit at Mission.

While we appreciate the sensibility of a well-aged wine, we also know that it’s possible to find deals on ready-aged wines, especially in the current market where supplies have been sitting in warehouses for years in search of a home.

In order to keep their commitments, American importers typically bring hundreds if not thousands of cases of individual wines over the Atlantic from Europe, aging their stocks in temperature-controlled warehouses until they’re ready for distribution. At Mission, we’ve developed a knack for locating those parcels of ready-to-drink gems for prices below the standard market cost.

Take today’s email as a perfect example: the outstanding 2018 Camigliano Brunello for just $45.95, compared to other stores at $55+.

In the world of Italian Brunello, Camigliano holds a special place. As Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate pointed out in its detailed review, the estate “occupies a unique position within the appellation,” including 92 hectares of vines that “are spread over varied microclimates and soil types, adding more variables to the final blending program.”

With Sangiovese vineyards in different climates that can ultimately be blended to perfection in the production room, Camigliano is able to temper itself against warm and cool vintages and create stellar Brunello expressions in just about any harvest. If you need proof, look at the litany of outstanding reviews below.

Outstanding press, historic producer, great vintage, fantastic wine, already aged for you, ready to drink, under $50, and $10 under the standard MSRP. Just what you need to get the week started off on the right foot!

2018 Camigliano Brunello di Montalcino $45.95

94 POINTS: WINE ENTHUSIAST - The nose offers cherries, vanilla and toasted coconut over aromas of leather, flint and currants. On the palate, blackberries and dried cranberries emphasize more cherries, while dusty tannins swim in a thick undertow of chocolate and sambuca. Vibrant acidity sets up a long, warm finish.

92 POINTS: WINE SPECTATOR - Ripe and opulent, boasting macerated cherry, plum, eucalyptus and iron flavors matched to a muscular structure. Shows beefy tannins that take over on the finish, yet this feels balanced, with a beam of cherry persisting through the conclusion.

92 POINTS: JAMES SUCKLING - A ripe and full-bodied Brunello with intense notes of cassis, stewed plums and kalamata olives. Some grilled herbs, too. Broad and creamy tannins with plenty of rich fruit. A little one-dimensional but concentrated and flavorful. From organically grown grapes. Drink after 2023.

91 POINTS: ROBERT PARKER’S WINE ADVOCATE - A certified organic wine, the Camigliano 2018 Brunello di Montalcino is medium dark in appearance with round and ripe aromas of cherry confit, blackberry tart, black rose and balsam herb. The wine is textured and rich; however, the alcohol is too high at 15%. That power takes away from the long-term potential of delicate Sangiovese and places the grape into a near or medium-term drinking window instead. The wine aged in large oak casks for 24 months, resulting in a generous production of 190,000 bottles. Camigliano occupies a unique position within the appellation. **The estate's 92 hectares of vines are spread over varied microclimates and soil types, adding more variables to the final blending program. These differences also help to mitigate climate change because the Ghezzi family can prioritize one parcel over another, and there is plenty of fruit to go around, considering these more generous production numbers.

91 POINTS: VINOUS - There’s an almost-candied quality to the bouquet of the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino, as sweet rose and medicinal cherry give way to nuances of shaved cedar and pine. This is a mid-weight and gracious Sangiovese, with bright acidity that adds an almost-juicy character within. Hints of strawberry and minty herbs resonate, as this finishes only lightly structured, yet with admirable length.

The Best Champagne Not Called Champagne?

Chateau de Lavernette is far from a household name in Burgundy where it’s made, let alone the United States, which is why we’re here to introduce you to one of the most fascinating and delicious sparkling wines we’ve tasted in years (yes, literally, years).

Champagne and Burgundy have always been closely linked, due to their close proximity to one another and the fact that both use Chardonnay and Pinot Noir predominantly. Beaujolais, while technically a part of Burgundy, has always been its own little offshoot, making Gamay-based wines that have become a hipster haven over the last decade for those looking to eschew the insane prices of Corton and other communes.

Chateau de Lavernette’s Granit sparkling wine (called Crémant in France) raises a very interesting question and then immediately answers it: what if someone were to make sparkling Gamay in the style of Champagne, while growing it in a similar mineral-rich soil just outside the famed region? The answer, as it turns out, is simply incredible.

There are a dozen very compelling aspects about Lavernette outside of its Granit Crémant, like the fact that winemaking at the estate dates back to 1565 and every grape is farmed biodynamically for full freshness. But, for the sake of brevity, let’s get back to the granite-farmed Gamay.

Prior to WWII, as much as 40% of Champagne’s Aube region was planted to Gamay, so clearly there was a precedent for sparkling Gamay in the area. After traveling to Champagne and consulting with famed producer Egly-Ouriet, Lavernette selected its granite soil Gamay vines specifically for sparkling wine, hoping it would replicate the flavors of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grown in similar conditions. Just like Champagne, it’s fermented in the bottle where it spends 18 months aging on the lees before disgorgement.

With its fresh acidity, fine bubbles, gorgeous flavors, and delicate texture, we think this is a sparkling wine worth going deep on. There isn’t much of it being made, but we’ve secured as much as we can for the time being. Trust us on this one.

Chateau de Lavernette Reserve “Granit” $27.99