When Robert Kacher walks into the room, the energy level rises a few notches. He talks faster than just about anyone we know. What he’s talking about is quality. This enthusiastic importer has a knack for finding small producers who turn out a small quantity of excellent, refined wines. They are some of the finest in the world. Lucky for all of us, he hasn’t let his success get the better of him. He keeps his prices low while maintaining high standards. That’s our friend Bobby on the right with André Brunel. Read on about Brunel’s wines and other Kacher selections in our Features section.

The Cotes du Rhone is home of the some of the world’s greatest wines and wine values and leading the way in this exceptional region is André Brunel. Domaine de la Becassonne is a small estate that is solely dedicated to producing white wine. This is unusual as ninety percent of this vast region’s output is red wine. Andre started this estate in 1978. He planted Becassonne with the best varietals of the appellation, Roussanne, Clairette Blanc and Grenache Blanc. The vines are pruned for low yields and fermentation is done in temperature controlled stainless steel to retain each varietals bright fruit tones. It is bottled early in March for freshness and vibrancy. Considered among the region’s finest Cotes du Rhone Blancs.


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André Brunel is highly respected as a winemaker throughout the Southern Rhone. His family’s estate, Domaine les Cailloux, is named for the large, smooth and rounded stones that make up the vineyard floor in this part Chateauneuf. The wines of Les Cailloux have become the standard to which others in the appellation are compared.

Super-ripe in the nose with sweet cherry, notes of raspberry jam, hints of stewed fruits and sweet herbs. This wine is deep and chewy with plenty of ripe tannins and layers and layers of seductive fruit. The finish is extremely long and concentrated.


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André Brunel, the renowned producer in Chateauneuf-du-Pape of Les Cailloux also owns this small Cotes du Rhone vineyard. The vineyard is located just outside of Chateauneuf-du-Pape and was planted in 1978. This wine is a blend of 90% Grenache, with 5% each of Syrah and Mourvedré. André destems 90% of the grapes to ensure the purity and roundness of the Grenache fruit. This wine is entirely made in stainless steel tank and no more than 1300 cases are produced, often less. Cuvee Sommelongue is always considered one of the best and most sought after Cotes du Rhones made. It is bottled unfiltered and fashioned in a supple and open style with a powerful core of fruit, earth and spice; this is an extremely textured wine.

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The soil of the Font de Michelle estate has long been considered one of the best of the Chateauneuf-du-Pape.The many amphoras and other pottery found on the site can attest to the fact that grapevines have been cultivated and nurtured here since Roman times. From 1866 to 1880, the vines suffered, infested with phylloxera and scrubland replaced the vineyards. In 1950, Etienne Gonnet created Font de Michelle, with 30 hectares of vineyard. Since 1975 his sons Jean and Michel have kept a watchful eye over the estate. Always striving for maximum quality, they produce rich, intense, elegant wines through wihich the soil can express all its subtleties. Michel and Jean work very hard in the vineyards, leaf-pulling and crop-thinning, to keep yields lower than the appellation allows. The hand-harvested fruit is handled with the utmost care, and the winery is completely gravity fed. The wine is bottled unfiltered.

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Claude Manciat has long been recognized as one of the finest producers in the Maconnais. The stunning level of quality at this domaine is due to the meticulous viticulture and vinification techniques practiced by Claude and his family. The small village of Charnay is connected to the famous town of Vergisson, which is part of the prestigious appellation of Pouilly-Fuissé. The old-vines Chardonnay used in this bottling comes from a vineyard that is protected on two sides by a small grove of oak trees – thus the name “Les Chênes”. Production from this two hectare site averages 30% below the allowable yields of the appellation.

The Manciats are among the few remaining vignerons in the region to continue harvesting by hand, allowing them to press whole clusters of fruit to extract maximum flavors. Made 100% in stainless steel tanks, the wine is vibrant, with a full, crisp palate of citrus fruit that finishes long and creamy. Our importer, Bobby Kacher has worked with Claude and Simone Manciat for over 25 years now, and we are proud to bring you these elegant and classic white Burgundies.


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