Wine Club
A gift for yourself, A Special Someone, Or Both…
Each month, these selections are sure to bring a smile to both the aficionado and novice.
Why? Because nobody is more qualified than the Wise Buyers at Hi-Time Wine Cellars who have been scouring the globe to seek out wine treasures for more than 50 years.
No long-term commitment: Simply choose the program and let us know when you want to stop and we'll take care of the rest. We'll send an announcement to the gift recipient along with background information and tantalizing tasting notes on each wine.
Gold Selection Plan 1 - 29.95
2 Bottles of Red Wine (tax & shipping not included)
Moulin de Ferrand 2019 Bordeaux Superior
Grape Varietal: Merlot 50%, Cabernet Sauvignon 30%, Cabernet Franc 15%, Malbec 5%
Origin: Bordeaux, France
WINE ENTHUSIAST 90 POINTS
"Owned by the consultant Boissenneau family, the wine is an exemplary blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Generous tannins are balanced by the juicy black-currant acidity of the fruit."
JAMES SUCKLING 90 POINTS
"Notes of ripe dark and blue fruit, tobacco, leather and wet earth. Some leafiness, too. Medium body. Firm and viscous tannin structure, a velvety mouth-feel and a savory finish. Merlot and cabernet sauvignon. From organically grown grapes."
The nose exudes red and dark berries with a streak of midnight floral, currants, dark cherries and plum along with hints of spice, citrus and earth. Fruit fills the palate as well, with gorgeous reductions of cherries and plums that are kept fresh with excellent body-the well-integrated tannins and acidity make this one a natural for spring/summer grilling. Fruit leather, a touch of mineral, forest floor and dark spices add some background complexity-- but the fruit is the star of the show here!
We've been fortunate in the last year or two in that we've been able to offer some fantastic sleepers from Bordeaux Superieur that really deliver the goods. This is another one of those gems!
50% Merlot 30% Cabernet Sauvignon 15% Cabernet Franc 5% Malbec.
Filliatreau 2020 Saumur Rouge Chateau Fouquet
Grape Varietal: 100% Cabernet Franc
Origin: Saumur, Loire, France
ORGANIC AND BIODYNAMIC
A fresh and smooth wine that matches perfectly with everything!
A wine of unique freshness and smoothness. Very consensual in terms of agreement with all culinary cultures. It will pair well with sauteed veggies and even fish
Fresh, elegant and silky wine, fine tannins and lots of fruit (ripe red and black fruits). Lots of roundness, this is a typical style of Loire reds. To drink in its youth. To be served lightly chilled (around 54°F)
The 30-year-old vines of Château Fouquet are located in Brézé, about 10 kilometers east of Saumur, on a chalky clay land. They have been worked according to the rules of organic agriculture since 1998 and in biodynamics since 2017.
Exclusively hand-picked, the grapes are then destemmed above the tanks and then macerated for 15 days.
Wine Tip
A hedonistic and thirst quenching example of reds from the Loire region. The perfect wine to open when you want something easy and comforting.
Gold Selection Plan 2 - 29.95
1 Bottle of Red Wine and 1 bottle of White Wine (tax & shipping not included)
Moulin de Ferrand 2019 Bordeaux Superior
Grape Varietal: Merlot 50%, Cabernet Sauvignon 30%, Cabernet Franc 15%, Malbec 5%
Origin: Bordeaux, France
WINE ENTHUSIAST 90 POINTS
"Owned by the consultant Boissenneau family, the wine is an exemplary blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Generous tannins are balanced by the juicy black-currant acidity of the fruit."
JAMES SUCKLING 90 POINTS
"Notes of ripe dark and blue fruit, tobacco, leather and wet earth. Some leafiness, too. Medium body. Firm and viscous tannin structure, a velvety mouth-feel and a savory finish. Merlot and cabernet sauvignon. From organically grown grapes."
The nose exudes red and dark berries with a streak of midnight floral, currants, dark cherries and plum along with hints of spice, citrus and earth. Fruit fills the palate as well, with gorgeous reductions of cherries and plums that are kept fresh with excellent body-the well-integrated tannins and acidity make this one a natural for spring/summer grilling. Fruit leather, a touch of mineral, forest floor and dark spices add some background complexity-- but the fruit is the star of the show here!
We've been fortunate in the last year or two in that we've been able to offer some fantastic sleepers from Bordeaux Superieur that really deliver the goods. This is another one of those gems!
50% Merlot 30% Cabernet Sauvignon 15% Cabernet Franc 5% Malbec.
Hugel 2021 Gentil
Grape Varietal: 33% Gewurztraminer, 30% Sylvaner, 17% Pinot Blanc, 7% Pinot Gris, 7% Riesling, 6% Muscat
Origin: Alsace, France
The perfect introduction to Alsace wines as it combines the qualities of all our white varietals. This wine revives an ancient Alsace tradition that wines assembled from noble grape varieties were called "Gentil". Gentil "Hugel" allies the suave, spicy flavour of Gewurztraminer, the body of Pinot Gris, the finesse of Riesling, the grape characteristic of Muscat and the refreshing character of Pinot Blanc and Sylvaner.
THE VINTAGE - If proof needs be of climate change, 2022 is once again an earliest vintage in history in Alsace. But one not to rush into starting the picking. Once again winter was mild and budbreak as early as April 5th in Riquewihr, luckily making the episode of frost of April 3rd painless across most of the region. The hot conditions of May and June (26 to 32° all along) made for most of the earliness of the vintage with blooming May 23rd and especially drought conditions across all of France until harvest making for a very healthy crop. Acidity levels are low, and ripeness levels very high. Quality is extra across the board and the wines dense and concentrated. Hugel started picking 8 days after the rest of Alsace on September 12th and rightly did so, and finished in just over 3 weeks, a record speed. 2022 will be a benchmark vintage for Pinot Noirs especially.
IN THE VINEYARD - A kaleidoscope of grape varieties produced exclusively from hand harvested grapes in predominantly clay and limestone vineyards, from a dozen of the most favored localities in and around Riquewihr. A cool and long growing season gives this unique dry wine great finesse and unequalled drinkability.
Platinum Selection 1 - 49.95
Penavayre 19 Fronton Tot Co Que Cal
Grape Varietal: 100% Negrette
Origin: Fronton, South West, France
Organic
Driving force of the Frontonnais revival for more than twenty years, Marc Penavayre gives an identity interpretation of the local grape variety, Négrette. Certified in organic since 2011, he was then joined by his son Thibaut. The profile of the wines remains juicy and pleasant, the vintages with names that are sometimes unpronounceable without the help of an Occitan dictionary define the identity of Fronton. Constantly evolving and worked without inputs, the range will allow everyone to find the wine that corresponds to their tasting style.
“Tot Co Que Cal” (everything that is necessary) is a pure negrette juice concentrated as hell with a hint of spices and quite brilliant floral touches. The concentration at the end reveals a more delicious tannin.
Wine Tip
Fronton was a very large wine region before the phylloxera crisis. Marc Penavayre a highly trained oenologist has been working hard for decades to put Fronton back on the map. Please enjoy the work of his dedication. 5000 bottles produced per year.
Kewin Descombes 2020 Morgon
Grape Varietal: 100% Gamay
Origin: Morgon, Beaujolais, France
Organically Farmed
Kewin descombes is the son of Georges Descombes, a renowned natural Wine marker in Morgon. Kewin started a decade ago in 2013 with just a few acres and steadily increased the surface. He farms vineyards in Morgon, in Beaujolais and in beaujolais village.
Everything except plowing is done by hand.
Kewin’s wines are delicious, precise, refreshing, red fruited and soft. It is a beautiful example of what Morgon can offer.
Wine Tip
Since Kewin rents some vineyard, he is not certified organic but his farming follows the organic methods.
Platinum Selection 2 - 49.95
1 Bottle of Red Wine and 1 Bottle of White Wine (tax & shipping not included)
Penavayre 19 Fronton Tot Co Que Cal
Grape Varietal: 100% Negrette
Origin: Fronton, South West, France
Organic
Driving force of the Frontonnais revival for more than twenty years, Marc Penavayre gives an identity interpretation of the local grape variety, Négrette. Certified in organic since 2011, he was then joined by his son Thibaut. The profile of the wines remains juicy and pleasant, the vintages with names that are sometimes unpronounceable without the help of an Occitan dictionary define the identity of Fronton. Constantly evolving and worked without inputs, the range will allow everyone to find the wine that corresponds to their tasting style.
“Tot Co Que Cal” (everything that is necessary) is a pure negrette juice concentrated as hell with a hint of spices and quite brilliant floral touches. The concentration at the end reveals a more delicious tannin.
Wine Tip
Fronton was a very large wine region before the phylloxera crisis. Marc Penavayre a highly trained oenologist has been working hard for decades to put Fronton back on the map. Please enjoy the work of his dedication. 5000 bottles produced per year.
Ana beyrut Bianca 2023 White Blend
Grape Varietal: 60% Ugni Blanc, 20% Clairette, 12% Sauvignon blanc, 8% Chardonnay
Origin: Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
A very elegant and refreshing wine from Lebanon, the light and fairly neutral Ugni blanc is blended with more fragrant grape to build layers of delicate flowers and light fruits notes.
This lovely white wine impressed us. It is clean, crisp yet full of refreshing fruit flavors. Made in Lebanon's Bekka Valley this is a blend of 60% Ugni Blanc; 20% Clairette; 12% Sauvignon Blanc; and 8% unoaked Chardonnay.
It will pair well with shrimp tacos, roasted chicken, seared scallops and pasta with a pesto sauce.
The Bekaa Valley in Lebanon has a strong wine heritage and has been producing mediterranean style wines for centuries.
Winery note: “Given its capital joie de vivre, it thus comes as no surprise that the country history is intertwined with winemaking. Phoenician wine is known to us from ancient texts, and it was spread across the Mediterranean basin by this people maritime trading culture, alongside their land ancestral species of wine grapes, knowledge of viticulture and winemaking, and the alphabet. They inspired and influenced early winemakers such as the Romans and Ancient Greeks. And till this day, their Lebanese descendants live by these principles of sharing knowledge and their love of life.”
All White Selection - No more than $49.95
2 Bottles of White Wine (tax & shipping not included)
Ana beyrut Bianca 2023 White Blend
Grape Varietal: 60% Ugni Blanc, 20% Clairette, 12% Sauvignon blanc, 8% Chardonnay
Origin: Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
A very elegant and refreshing wine from Lebanon, the light and fairly neutral Ugni blanc is blended with more fragrant grape to build layers of delicate flowers and light fruits notes.
This lovely white wine impressed us. It is clean, crisp yet full of refreshing fruit flavors. Made in Lebanon's Bekka Valley this is a blend of 60% Ugni Blanc; 20% Clairette; 12% Sauvignon Blanc; and 8% unoaked Chardonnay.
It will pair well with shrimp tacos, roasted chicken, seared scallops and pasta with a pesto sauce.
The Bekaa Valley in Lebanon has a strong wine heritage and has been producing mediterranean style wines for centuries.
Winery note: “Given its capital joie de vivre, it thus comes as no surprise that the country history is intertwined with winemaking. Phoenician wine is known to us from ancient texts, and it was spread across the Mediterranean basin by this people maritime trading culture, alongside their land ancestral species of wine grapes, knowledge of viticulture and winemaking, and the alphabet. They inspired and influenced early winemakers such as the Romans and Ancient Greeks. And till this day, their Lebanese descendants live by these principles of sharing knowledge and their love of life.”
Domaine Maestracci 2022 Les marottes d’Anais
Grape Varietal: 50% Bianco Gentile, 50% Vermentino
Origin: Calvi, Corse, France
Camille Anaïs Raoust, 31, is responsible for the thirty hectares of the Domaine Maestracci on the Reginu plain. The young woman is the fifth generation in charge of this vineyard! “In 2015, when I found myself in charge of the property, I knew I wanted to bring something new to it and I immediately understood the amount of work to be done! “With a degree in engineering (and oenology, earned in Montpellier in 2009), Camille Anaïs has a desire to put her skills to good service in biodynamic research.
“We have always worked with the utmost respect for the land and its natural cycle. I have once more reduced the amount of chemicals in vine cultivation – although these chemicals are authorised – specifically copper and sulphur. But biodynamics goes even further with regards to the knowledge of one’s terroir and the development of unique techniques. This is what I aspire to today! ”
“Les Marottes d’Anaïs” is her newest blanc, a result of curiosity and experimentation—a blend of Biancu Gentile and Vermentinu, named after the French word for hobby, marotte. The bottle harnesses the superpowers of both varieties: exceptionally perfumed with exotic fruits and a rush of fresh salinity, all evolving as the bottle unwinds. As it warms up in the glass, the wine finds its weight, and the aromas shake loose from the cold with a delicious newfound intensity. Camille’s strength is making quintessential Mediterranean food wines and, as is the case with this micro-cuvée, some that are so delightful they need no accompaniment but good company.
Champagne Selection - No more than $49.95
1 Bottle of Champagne (tax & shipping not included)
J-M Seleque Solessence Extra Brut
Grape Varietal: 50% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Meunier, 10% Pinot Noir
Origin: South of Epernay, Marne Valley, Cotes de blancs
Disgorgement Date: 01/2023
Dosage: Extra Brut 2 grams per liter
At the heart of the range is Solessence. It is a bit like the treble clef of Sélèque wines: the one with which it all begins, and towards which all leads. Solessence is a faithful representation of all the estate’s vineyards, a condensed and balanced expression of the different terroirs and the different grapes. Composed of around 50% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Meunier and 10% Pinot Noir, and aged partly in vats, partly in barrels (around 30%), it offers an expressive, sensual and playful rendition of the diversity of the Coteaux Sud d’Epernay. The Solessence cuvée, a wine for sharing par excellence, is available in an Extra-Brut, Rosé version, and a version with prolonged aging which allows for a Brut Nature.