Domaine des Riottes Savigny-les-Beaune Les Peuillets Rouge 1er Cru 2018

This is another spectacular deal normally highly allocated to restaurants, where you’d pay more like $100+. Wish we had more than the 21 cases or so! The 1er Cru Les Peuillets sits inside this expansive appellation divided between two main hills, one on the north and one on the south, with the former cut in two by a large alluvial fan with a lot of unsorted rock, sand and gravel. The north hill is packed with talented vineyards like Aux Vergelesses, Aux Fournaux, Aux Guettes, Aux Gravains and Aux Serpentières. The south hill is highlighted by Les Marconnets, Les Jarrons (also known as, and bottled under the name, La Dominode), Les Narbantons and finally, Les Peuillets.

Astoundingly good, with beautiful purple flowers, a whiff of smoky cocoa and cherry, beautifully integrated. Won’t last long!!

PAIRING IDEAS: Grilled salmon is perfect. We drizzle a bit of salsa verde (whatever herbs you have, EVOO, a bit of garlic, and lemon), and make sure the skin is nice and crispy!

MUSIC SUGGESTIONS: This might sound off the wall, but you know, the Grateful Dead picking away in the background is just the happy, easy, mellow scene we love to enjoy this with!