The Wines of This Week's Tasting:
Discounted Prearrival Prices on Red Bordeaux and a Loire White
April 2, 2025
Deadline for orders: Saturday, April 5th. Arrival in two to three weeks
White
2023 Clos de Nouys Vouvray Sec
From one of the oldest vineyards in Vouvray, this impeccable and balanced Chenin Blanc is mild to the palate but has enough verve to make it very pleasant to sip or partner seafood or fowl. It’s great for the price.
Aroma: heady, relatively dense, herbal pear; Mouth: clean, full-fruited .medium-bodied and balanced, appetizing and very pleasant to drink; Very Good Plus $19.99; Case, $16.99
Red
2019 `Ch Fleur La Mothe, Medoc
Great Value. It has spice and intensity unusual in a wine at its low price.
Neal Martin “has retained the well-defined, focused bouquet of cedar-infused black fruit that gains intensity with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins and still that stony note infusing the black fruit. The "cool" finish lingers in the mouth. Excellent.
Color: medium dark opaque; Mouth: clean light elegant, rather fine herbal, intense, fine finish, fine tannins; Very Good Plus $22.99; Case, $17.99
2022 Ch. Caze Bellevue, St Emilion
A steady favorite here for over a decade.
Aroma: heady and intense, relatively complete, fat, very lifted, very fresh and intense, ripe fruit; Mouth: smooth, light clean, very forward, easy drinking; Very Good Plus $23.99; Case, $19.99
2018 Ch. Clos Junot, St. Emilion Grand Cru
Wine Advocate delivers notes of juicy black and red plums, baked blackberries and boysenberries with touches of star anise, cedar chest and charcoal. The medium to full-bodied palate offers a good concentration of ripe blackberry flavors with a chewy texture and just enough freshness, finishing savory.
Color: very dark opaque, right and some breadth clean, sweet intense, firm, light on the palate, lightly intense, a light firm; Very Good Plus $29.99; Case, $24.99
2017 Blason d'Issan, Margaux
Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the nose of the 2017 Blason d'Issan is spicy with earth and tobacco undertones and black and red currants, plus a waft of potpourri. Medium-bodied, it has a good fruit core, soft, plush tannins, and an earthy finish. Wine Advocate
Color: medium dark opaque; Aroma: heady and lightly spiced, fresh plummy notes, clean, lightly fragrant; Very Good - Excellent $45; Case, $38
2019 Petit Becot, St Emilion Grand Cru
The second wine of the esteemed premier grand cru Beausejour-Becot All merlot, it has depth, complexity, and aging potential with a harmonious balance of ripe fruit flavors, spice, and structured tannins—Decant before serving.
Aroma: fresh, fresh intense, heady, sweet and deep, firm; Mouth: clean, light, firm, very pretty, light over dark, fruit, smooth textured, light acidity; Very Good - Excellent $45; Case, $38
2020 Ch. Fonbadet, Pauillac
Neal Martin. This has a delightful, pure bouquet with blackberry and briary hints
of raspberry emerging with time flanked by cedar and tobacco. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins. Not the most complex Pauillac, yet displaying fine structure with a touch of pencil lead on the finish.
Aroma: heady and sweet, intense full, lifted some sweet fruit; Mouth: clean, light smooth, rather fine, fine tannins, authentic Pauillac, a lighter version, Very Good - Excellent $50; special Case, $40
2019 Ch de Sales, Pomerol
Neal Martin, an open-knit bouquet with red cherries and crushed strawberry fruit, not
Not as complex as its peers. The palate is medium-bodied, somewhat old school in style, with dry tannins and a structured finish. Fine backbone here, an impressive retro 2019! One of the best vintages in recent years
Aroma: heady and sweet, intense, lovely spice, Mouth, clean smooth, light and lifted with a firm structure under beautiful fruit; Very Good - Excellent $50; Case, $40
Pre-order any twelve or more at their case prices.
Order by phone at 617.367.8605, or reserve here: order@federalwine.com
Please pass this on to any friends who are wine enthusiasts!
- Len Rothenberg
FREE DELIVERY!
downtown on orders more than $75;
in Greater Boston on orders more than $199
