Catalog

Young and passionate winegrower, Alexandre Delétraz created the Cave des Amandiers in 2008 on the small steep terraces of Fully overlooking the Swiss Rhone Valley, between 400 and 900 m of altitude. This is an ideal terroir for the expression of Petite Arvine (a magnificent white grape variety native to the Valais) and Syrah (as in the French Northern Rhône Valley). "A heroic viticulture. The wines have gained in precision consecrating the estate among the stars of the region" for the Revue du Vin de France.

The two facets of Petite Arvine: crystalline and tense on the granitic terroir of Seyes, rounder and deeper on the Rhone alluvium of the Saillon terroir, down below.

In 20 years, Ms Chappaz has become Switzerland's emblematic winemaker, following the example of Ms Bize-Leroy in Burgundy. In her 10-hectare vineyard on the south-facing slopes of Fully, she strives to give full expression to the typicity and authenticity of each grape variety through ultra-careful viticulture (biodynamic since 2003).

In 20 years, Ms Chappaz has become Switzerland's emblematic winemaker, following the example of Ms Bize-Leroy in Burgundy. In her 10-hectare vineyard on the south-facing slopes of Fully, she strives to give full expression to the typicity and authenticity of each grape variety through ultra-careful viticulture (biodynamic since 2003).

In 20 years (first vintage in 1988), Mrs. Chappaz has become the emblematic winemaker of Switzerland, following the example of Mrs. Bize-Leroy in Burgundy. In her 10 ha vineyard on the southern slopes of Fully, she tries to express the typicity and authenticity of each grape variety by an ultra careful viticulture (biodynamic since 2003).

Fendant Côteau de Plamont: parcel wine in Fully, 100% chasselas on "red earth" (loess on granite)

In 20 years, Ms Chappaz has become Switzerland's emblematic winemaker, following the example of Ms Bize-Leroy in Burgundy. In her 10-hectare vineyard on the south-facing slopes of Fully, she strives to give full expression to the typicity and authenticity of each grape variety through ultra-careful viticulture (biodynamic since 2003).

In 20 years, Mrs Chappaz has become the emblematic winemaker of Switzerland, like Mrs Bize-Leroy in Burgundy. In its 10 ha vineyard on the south-facing slopes of Fully, it seeks to express as well as possible the typicity and authenticity of each grape variety through ultra attentive viticulture (biodynamic since 2003).

Grain Arvine : Several plots, 100% small arvine aged 15 years, matured in vats.

In 20 years (first vintage in 1988), Mrs Chappaz has become the emblematic winemaker of Switzerland, like Mrs Bize-Leroy in Burgundy. In its 10 ha vineyard on the south-facing slopes of Fully, it seeks to express as well as possible the typicity and authenticity of each grape variety through ultra attentive viticulture (biodynamic since 2003).

Grain Cinq : blend of marsanne, petite arvine, savagnin, pinot blanc and sylvaner from 5 to 40 years old, aged in amphora and barrel.

In 20 years, Ms Chappaz has become Switzerland's emblematic winemaker, following the example of Ms Bize-Leroy in Burgundy. In her 10-hectare vineyard on the south-facing slopes of Fully, she strives to give full expression to the typicity and authenticity of each grape variety through ultra-careful viticulture (biodynamic since 2003).

Ermitage Président Troillet (100% Marsanne) is an exceptionally full-bodied and persistent wine, made from vines that are almost a hundred years old (very small berries, very low yields). A great dry white for gastronomy.

En 20 ans (premier millésime en 1988), Mme Chappaz est devenue la vigneronne emblématique de Suisse, à l'instar de Mme Bize-Leroy en Bourgogne. Dans son vignoble de 10 ha sur les coteaux plein sud de Fully, elle cherche à exprimer au mieux la typicité et l'authenticité de chaque cépage par une viticulture ultra attentive (en biodynamie depuis 2003).

Dôle La Liaudisaz : assemblage de pinot noir (90%) et gamay (10%) âgés de 20 à 40 ans, élevé en cuve inox. « Nez friand, toucher pulpeux et frais. Idéal pour découvrir les rouges du Valais » wrote la Revue du Vin de France.

En 20 ans (premier millésime en 1988), Mme Chappaz est devenue la vigneronne emblématique de Suisse, à l'instar de Mme Bize-Leroy en Bourgogne. Dans son vignoble de 10 ha sur les coteaux plein sud de Fully, elle cherche à exprimer au mieux la typicité et l'authenticité de chaque cépage par une viticulture ultra attentive (en biodynamie depuis 2003).

Dôle La Liaudisaz : assemblage de pinot noir (90%) et gamay (10%) âgés de 20 à 40 ans, élevé en cuve inox. « Nez friand, toucher pulpeux et frais. Idéal pour découvrir les rouges du Valais » wrote la Revue du Vin de France.

In 20 years, Ms Chappaz has become Switzerland's emblematic winemaker, following the example of Ms Bize-Leroy in Burgundy. In her 10-hectare vineyard on the south-facing slopes of Fully, she strives to give full expression to the typicity and authenticity of each grape variety through ultra-careful viticulture (biodynamic since 2003).

La Petite Grange is a blend of 100% Helvetian red grape varieties, very typical and full-bodied: diolinoir, galotta and gamaret.

In 20 years (first vintage in 1988), Mrs Chappaz has become the emblematic winemaker of Switzerland, like Mrs Bize-Leroy in Burgundy. In its 10 ha vineyard on the south-facing slopes of Fully, it seeks to express as well as possible the typicity and authenticity of each grape variety through ultra attentive viticulture (biodynamic since 2003).

Grain Gamay Vieilles Vignes: parcel wine, 100% pinot noir 25 years old, aged 12 months in barrel 100% new oak.

In 20 years, Ms Chappaz has become Switzerland's emblematic winemaker, following the example of Ms Bize-Leroy in Burgundy. In her 10-hectare vineyard on the south-facing slopes of Fully, she strives to give full expression to the typicity and authenticity of each grape variety through ultra-careful viticulture (biodynamic since 2003).

In 20 years, Ms Chappaz has become Switzerland's emblematic winemaker, following the example of Ms Bize-Leroy in Burgundy. In her 10-hectare vineyard on the south-facing slopes of Fully, she strives to give full expression to the typicity and authenticity of each grape variety through ultra-careful viticulture (biodynamic since 2003).

In 20 years (first vintage in 1988), Mrs Chappaz has become the emblematic winemaker of Switzerland, like Mrs Bize-Leroy in Burgundy. In its 10 ha vineyard on the south-facing slopes of Fully, it seeks to express as well as possible the typicity and authenticity of each grape variety through ultra attentive viticulture (biodynamic since 2003).

Grain Pinot: parcel wines, 100% pinots noirs aged from 25 to 40 years, on limestone soil, aged 12 months in 100% new barrels. Chamoson, with its southern exposure, is the most appealing, while Charrat et Champ Dury, with their northern exposure (on the left bank of the Rhone), are fresher, more linear and tense.

In 20 years (first vintage in 1988), Mrs Chappaz has become the emblematic winemaker of Switzerland, like Mrs Bize-Leroy in Burgundy. In its 10 ha vineyard on the south-facing slopes of Fully, it seeks to express as well as possible the typicity and authenticity of each grape variety through ultra attentive viticulture (biodynamic since 2003).

Grain Pinot: parcel wines, 100% pinots noirs aged from 25 to 40 years, on limestone soil, aged 12 months in 100% new barrels. Chamoson, with its southern exposure, is the most appealing, while Charrat et Champ Dury, with their northern exposure (on the left bank of the Rhone), are fresher, more linear and tense.

In 20 years (first vintage in 1988), Mrs Chappaz has become the emblematic winemaker of Switzerland, like Mrs Bize-Leroy in Burgundy. In its 10 ha vineyard on the south-facing slopes of Fully, it seeks to express as well as possible the typicity and authenticity of each grape variety through ultra attentive viticulture (biodynamic since 2003).

Grain Pinot: parcel wines, 100% pinots noirs aged from 25 to 40 years, on limestone soil, aged 12 months in 100% new barrels. Chamoson, with its southern exposure, is the most appealing, while Charrat et Champ Dury, with their northern exposure (on the left bank of the Rhone), are fresher, more linear and tense.

In 20 years (first vintage in 1988), Mrs Chappaz has become the emblematic winemaker of Switzerland, like Mrs Bize-Leroy in Burgundy. In its 10 ha vineyard on the south-facing slopes of Fully, it seeks to express as well as possible the typicity and authenticity of each grape variety through ultra attentive viticulture (biodynamic since 2003).

Grain Pinot: parcel wines, 100% pinots noirs aged from 25 to 40 years, on limestone soil, aged 12 months in 100% new barrels. Chamoson, with its southern exposure, is the most appealing, while Charrat et Champ Dury, with their northern exposure (on the left bank of the Rhone), are fresher, more linear and tense.

Apart from its Spanish vineyards, Vega Sicilia is also a producer in Hungary in Tokaj. Mandelàs, named after the hill where the vines are located, is their dry white wine, 100% furmint aged 25 years, with aromas of grapefruit, apricot, mango and vanilla (fermented in new barrels), underpinned by a refreshing acidity. Like a crossing of Condrieu (on the nose) and Chablis (on the palate).

In the very north of Alsace, close to the Franco-German border, Domaine Becker is paradoxically renowned, not for its Rieslings, but for its Pinot Noirs. Sheltered from the Atlantic storms by the northern Vosges mountains and on a subsoil of shell limestone, the region around Wissembourg offers an excellent terroir for Pinot, made even more favourable by global warming. Domaine Becker wines have the depth, richness and aromatic distinction of perfectly ripe Pinots, while remaining elegant. At the same price, they can stand up to comparison with the 1st growths of the Côte d'Or.

This cuvée Pinot Noir is a blend of the young vines (20 to 40 years old, not so young), juicy on the palate (fresh cherry), fresh and elegant with a hint of vivacity on the finish, like a Volnay village.

In the very north ofAlsace, close to the Franco-German border, Domaine Becker is paradoxically renowned, not for its Rieslings, but for its Pinot Noirs. Sheltered from the Atlantic storms by the northern Vosges mountains and on a subsoil of shell limestone, the region around Wissembourg offers an excellent terroir for Pinot, made even more favourable by global warming. Domaine Becker wines have the depth, richness and aromatic distinction of perfectly ripe Pinots, while remaining elegant. At the same price, they can stand up to comparison with the 1st growths of the Côte d'Or.

Cuvée Kammerberg, made from Pinots planted in 1967, is the flagship of the Becker range. Opaque in colour, it is fruity, powerful and complex without being exuberant. The density is reminiscent of Pommard, while the structure is reminiscent of Gevrey-Chambertin. Bluffing!

Vayots Dzor may not be Armenia's largest wine-growing region, but it is undoubtedly its most prestigious, with a history dating back to the very origins of viticulture: the first known wine-making cellar can be found here, dating back to the 4th millennium BC. This high-altitude vineyard (1400m to 1650m), isolated from the rest of the world by its steep slopes, was spared phylloxera and is still entirely planted with ungrafted autochthonous grape varieties.

Karasi follows in the tradition of these ancient wines: 100% aréni noir (one of the oldest known grape varieties), organic viticulture, indigenous yeast fermentation, ageing in traditional amphorae (Karas)... A full-bodied, fleshy wine with aromas of blackcurrant, graphite and pepper.

Alberto Nanclares, an economist in Madrid in his previous life, fell in love in 1992 with albariño, a wonderful small grape variety that produces, in an Atlantic climate, eminently fresh dry white wines of great aromatic complexity (close to that of Viognier: honeysuckle, apricot, quince...). Today he produces in Galicia no less than 11 (!) micro-cuvées, all dedicated to albariño, fermented with indigenous yeasts, without settling, fining or filtration. His rise in quality is proportional to the minerality and aromatic persistence of the wines.

Tempus Vivendi, even if it is its entry level product, is a great albariño.

Alberto Nanclares, an economist in Madrid in his previous life, fell in love in 1992 with albariño, a wonderful small grape variety that produces, in an Atlantic climate, eminently fresh dry white wines of great aromatic complexity (close to that of Viognier: honeysuckle, apricot, quince...). Today he produces in Galicia no less than 11 (!) micro-cuvées, all dedicated to albariño, fermented with indigenous yeasts, without settling, fining or filtration. His rise in quality is proportional to the minerality and aromatic persistence of the wines.

Alberto Nanclares, an economist in Madrid in his first life, fell in love in 1992 with albariño, a wonderful small-grain variety that produces eminently fresh and complex dry white wines in the Atlantic climate (aromatic palette of viognier: honeysuckle, apricot, quince, etc.). Today, it produces no less than 8 (!) micro-vats dedicated to albariño in Galicia.

Paraje Mina (only 600 bottles), the most mineral, was rated 92/100 by Wine Advocate.

PSI (Peter Sisseck Initiative?) is the wine of a group of producers brought together by Mr. Sisseck according to precise specifications: tempranillo plots at least 30 years old, necessarily biodynamically grown, gentle extractions, long macerations and maturing practically without wood. A superior fruity wine, fine and with a great tannic softness.

Priorat is, since 1954, one of the only two "qualified" designations of origin ( with Rioja). However, world fame for this terroir only came about in the 1990s, under the impetus of Álvaro Palacios and René Barbier (Clos Mogador). With its very steep terrain, schist and slate soils and a climate full of contrasts due to its altitude (300 m to 1000 m), Priorat is a land of predilection for grenache (the flesh) and carignan (the bones).

In addition to the usual quality standards (very old vines, low yields, manual harvesting, etc.), what is most striking about Álvaro Palacios is his modern vision of Priorat with, from top to bottom of his range, wines that harmoniously combine minerality, richness, elegance and sweetness. If Ermita has rightly become a cult wine that is sought after worldwide, it is the harmony of its range, down to the "small" Camins del Priorat, that commands admiration.

The range of Álvaro Palacios is built around Grenache (as in Rayas), whose proportion in the blend increases with the quality of the wine. In addition, each cuvée contains a small amount (1% to 2%) of white grapes (white grenache, macabeu...) for added freshness.

Finca Dofì is the benchmark wine of Álvaro Palacios, which has contributed at least as much to its fame as L'Ermita. A 10 ha vineyard, 85% Grenache, 15% Carignan, the most voluptuous wine of the range, deep, generous and with perfectly coated tannins. Like a sensual Châteauneuf-du-Pape.  

Priorat is, since 1954, one of the only two "qualified" designations of origin ( with Rioja). However, world fame for this terroir only came about in the 1990s, under the impetus of Álvaro Palacios and René Barbier (Clos Mogador). With its very steep terrain, schist and slate soils and a climate full of contrasts due to its altitude (300 m to 1000 m), Priorat is a land of predilection for grenache (the flesh) and carignan (the bones).

In addition to the usual quality standards (very old vines, low yields, manual harvesting, etc.), what is most striking about Álvaro Palacios is his modern vision of Priorat with, from top to bottom of his range, wines that harmoniously combine minerality, richness, elegance and sweetness. If Ermita has rightly become a cult wine that is sought after worldwide, it is the harmony of its range, down to the "small" Camins del Priorat, that commands admiration.

The range of Álvaro Palacios is built around Grenache (as in Rayas), whose proportion in the blend increases with the quality of the wine. In addition, each cuvée contains a small amount (1% to 2%) of white grapes (white grenache, macabeu...) for added freshness.

La Baixada, a new cuvée created in 2018, parcel selection from 3 locations within the Finca Dofi vineyard, 100% grenache. Graceful, powerful and delicate on a taffeta texture, the combination of power and elegance of this wine is dazzling. La Baixada is in some ways the twin sister of the great L'Ermita vintage, but at a quarter of the price!

Flag bearer of the new Spanish viticulture, Alvaro Palacios has built its reputation with its Priorat wines, including the flagship Ermita. In 2000, he returned to take care of the family property located east of the Rioja appellation. Over 100 hectares, the vineyard has been divided equally between grenache and tempranillo in organic conversion since 2015.

Vendimia is, as announced on its colourful label, a fruit can barely aged in barrels (4 months).

Flag bearer of the new Spanish viticulture, Alvaro Palacios has built its reputation with its Priorat wines, including the flagship Ermita. In 2000, he returned to take care of the family property located east of the Rioja appellation. Over 100 hectares, the vineyard has been divided equally between grenache and tempranillo in organic conversion since 2015.

La Montesa is the Domaine's main cuvée, sweet, velvety and aged in barrels for 12 months. One of the most popular wines in Spain.