Palm Beach connoisseurs are seeking the 'crème de la crème' of wines

Palm Beach is a paradise for lovers of the world’s most-revered wines.

Merchants throughout the island have racks and stacks of wooden crates filled with highly prized Burgundies, Bordeaux, Champagnes and Super Tuscans, plus selections of an array of mind-boggling temptations.

“Right after COVID, I noticed a change in my customer base,” said Joseph Azalino, owner of Scotties Wines and Liquors. “They were younger, between 30 and 50, knowledgeable, well-traveled, and they wanted the crème de la crème when it came to wines and liquors.”

Azalino discovered, like other wine merchants in town, that the demand was greater than the supply. Customers wanted only classified Burgundy, Bordeaux, Champagne, Super Tuscan and Amarone. Sourcing became a full-time quest, and money was no object.

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Another post-COVID trend is the new popularity of the intimate dinner party.

“We worked in the finest New York restaurants and understand the desires of our Palm Beach clientele,” said Maximillian Catucci of Hamptons Palm Beach. “Some of our customers want much sought-after wines to drink during season or give as gifts. Others, as the mean age of island residents is getting younger, want to buy wines to stock their cellars. Yacht provisioning has also become an important part of our business.”

Making great wines

What makes a great wine may have a subjective answer. But painter Salvador Dali observed, “To make a great wine one needs a madman to grow the vines, a wise man to watch over it, a lucid poet to make the wine and a lover to drink it.”

The French have the historical edge when it comes to making great wines. They have been at it ever since the Romans planted vines in Gaul. Geography, climate, geology, the grapes, meticulous wine-making techniques and record keeping have created centuries of legendary wines. They have also managed to protect their legacy with strict oversight.

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This pattern has been duplicated by the Italians, especially when it comes to Super Tuscan wines, a term used to describe red wines that may include nonindigenous grapes, especially Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.

A great wine is the most complex of all the world’s liquids. Aside from what is on the label, wines should still be alive and developing after bottling. A period of bottle aging develops most of the bouquet and particular nuances in character. Great wines improve and mature in the bottle for 30 years or more.

Wine 'treasures'

Our local wine merchants go to great lengths to ensure that the wines they sell are in pristine condition. They have identified some of their rarest "treasures":.

Virginia Philip Spirits & Academy

From Burgundy: Jacques Prieur “le Montrachet” Grand Cru, 2019 ($1,600); Georges Roumier “Bonnes-Mares” Grand Cru, 2002 ($4,000); and Domaine Jacques-Frederic Mugnier, “Le Musigny” Grand Cru, 1996 ($3,425).

From Bordeaux: Chateau Lafite Rothschild, First Growth, Pauillac, 2009 ($1,700); Chateau Mouton Rothschild, First Growth, 2010 ($1,300); Chateau Ausone, Premier Grand Cru Classe A, St. Emillion, 1998 ($1,350); and Chateau Margaux, 2009, First Growth, Margaux ($1,200).

From Champagne: Salon, Cuvee “S” Le Mesnil, Blanc de Blancs Brut, Grand Cru, Le Mesnil Sur Oger, 1996 ($2,000); and Charles Heidsieck – Champagne Charlie NV ($850).

Scotties Wines and Liquors:

From Bordeaux: Chateau Haut-Brion, 2018 ($1,175); 2012 Chateau Lafite Rothschild ($1,550); Chateau Margaux, 2012 ($950); 2014 Chateau La Tour ($1,040); and Chateau d'Yquem, 2015 ($879).

Burgundies: Louis Latour Puligny-Montrachet, 2019, Sous Puits ($154); Blain Gagnard, Batard Montrachet, Grand Cru, 2019 ($438); Louis Latour, Corton-Charlemage, Grand Cru, 2018 ($280); Louis Latour, Beaune, Vignes Franches, 2017 ($111); Louis Latour, Nuits St. Georges, 2017 ($113); and Louis Latour, Aloxe-Corton, 2018, Domaine Latour ($86).

Bordeaux Magnums: Chateau Beychevelle, 2018 ($325); Chateau Beycheville, 2014 ($197); Lynch-Bages, 2014 ($235); and Chateau Talbot, 2015 ($129).

Hamptons Palm Beach

From Burgundy: Armand Rousseau Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru “Lavaux St. Jacques”, 2019 ($999.99); Domaine Raphet Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru, “Les Combottes”, 2019 ($499.99); Domaine Ponsat “Clos de Vougeot”, 2018 ($699.99); Domaines des Comtes Lafond, 1er Cru Volnay-Santenots, 2018 ($249.99); Domaine J.F. Mugnier Nuits St. George 1er Cru, Clos de la Marechale, 2019 ($199.99); Domaine Leflaive Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru, 2017 ($1,999.99); and Domaine Leflaive Puigny-Montrachet 1er Cru, Clavoillon, 2017 ($499.99).

From Bordeaux: Pavillon Blanc du Chateau Margaux, 2018 ($349.99), Chateau Margaux 2005/2009 ($1,999.99 - $2,499.99); Chateau Latour “Les Forts de Latour” 2015 ($499.99), Chateau Latour 1995/2005, ($,2499.99 - $1,999.99); Chateau Lafite 1996/2015 ($1,999.99); Le Clarence de Haute-Brion, 2010 $249.99; Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases, 2009 ($499.99); and a vertical tasting Chateau d’Yquem, 2006, 2010, 2011 ($1,299.99).

From Champagne: Perrier Jouet “Belle Epoque” Rose, 2013 ($399.99); Dom Perignon Rose, 2008 ($599.99); Louis Roederer Cristal Rose, 2013 ($699,000); Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blanc, 2011 ($249.99) and Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Rose, 2008 ($399.99).

Amici Market: Maurizio Ciminella, owner of Amici Market, knows what his customers want. He stocks an inventory of the most sought-after Italian wines and specialized in Super Tuscans.

“My clients want high-end wines in half bottles, even if it is, ounce per ounce, it is more expensive,” said Ciminella. “Half bottles of Gaja Barbaresco are $149.99 and Sassicaia are $225.99. I sell it by the case when I can get it.”

Other exceptional wines include Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Riserva 2011, Brunello de Montalcino, sold only in a six-pack case ($2,898.99); a vertical tasting Dal Forno Romano Amarone della Valpolicella, 2006, 2008, 2009 ($1,450).

French Wine Merchant: Maurice Amiel of The French Wine Merchant carries a well-curated selection of French wines from small producers plus a selection of wines recently acquired from a private estate. Prices vary and quantities are limited.

Assouline: The store has published a duo of wine books for all the oenophiles on your list: ''The Impossible Collection of Wine'' and the newly published ''The Impossible Collection of Champagne,'' each curated by world-famous sommelier by Enrico Bernardo ($995). Books come with complimentary white gloves and a signature canvas tote bag.

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IF YOU GO

Scotties Wines and Liquors

369 S. County Road

561-655-5480

Hamptons Palm Beach

254 Royal Poinciana Way

561-833-8368

Virginia Philip

340 Royal Poinciana Plaza

561-721-6000

Amici Market

155 N. County Road

561-832-0201

The French Wine Merchant

139 N. County Road

561-833-7712

Assouline

340 Royal Poinciana Way

561-791-6051

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Palm Beach customers' desires shift with the pandemic