Welcome to Eli Zabar's world of wines

Guillaume Gilles is convinced that Cornas is at its best when made in the most traditional way. He rarely de-stems, works his vineyards by hand, ages his wine in old demi-muids and bottles without fining or filtering. His wines are made using indigenous yeast. The vines for this cuvee are on the higher slopes of the Chaillot vineyard. There is a mixture of soil types and expositions. This wine is brawny, sometimes austere, profound and sauvage, the way Cornas should be.

"Corsicans are proud defenders of their traditions and environment, and with Abbatucci they indulge guilt-free. His wines are certified biodynamic, and he believes in following even the most far-out biodynamic practices to the letter. On his large estate south of Ajaccio he keeps a pristine poly-culture ecosystem in place, complete with herds of sheep foraging through his vines, groves of olive trees on ancient terraces, and large swaths of untouched forests. The Collection wines all come from a single parcel planted in the early 1960's. At the time, several villages farmed old vines of indigenous varieties that were left abandoned as the population left. To save these varieties from extinction, Abbatucci took cuttings of each threatened vineyard he came across and planted the cuttings on his estate near Ajaccio, in a single plot of granite soil. Racy and fresh, with lemon curd, honeysuckle, white peach and shortbread notes backed by lemon pulp and citrus oil hints on the finish. 25% Carcajolu Biancu, 25% Paga Debbiti, 20% Riminese, 15% Rossola Brandica, 10% Biancone, 5% Vermentinu." --importer Kermit Lynch

Abbatuci's wines are certified biodynamic. On his large estate south of Ajaccio he keeps a pristine poly-culture ecosystem in place, complete with herds of sheep foraging through his vines, groves of olive trees on ancient terraces, and large swaths of untouched forests. Named for a leading military figure under Napoleon Bonaparte’s Premier Empire, and then became a prominent consul under Napoleon III. The grapes are crushed by foot and macerate for 15 days then the wine is aged in old demi-muids.

Domaine du Pelican is Volnay producer Marquis D'Angerville's property in the Jura, composed of vineyards inherited from retired legend Jacques Puffeney.

One of the greatest names in all of Piemonte, Cantine Giacomo Conterno was formed in 1908. Conterno's uncompromising commitment to quality does not stop with Barolo, as their Barbera is one of the most age-worthy and brilliant examples of this grape to be found in Piemonte. Like all of Conterno's wines, this Barbera under went extended maceration in large casks, aging for 21 months in large Slovanian barrels. Dark ruby red in color. It offers a delightful nose of red berries, black cherries, roses, anise, leather and mineral notes.

"'Serradenari is a cru within the La Morra cru of Barolo, and is the highest point in the Barolo zone. It is also the name of Giulia's family estate, which she was just entrusted with in 2014 at the age of 24. Upon Giulia’s arrival at the helm of the estate, the modest cellar was filled with small Burgundian barriques. After tasting all around the Langhe and learning from some of Barolo’s most distinguished growers, it quickly became clear that large casks were key to preserving Nebbiolo’s tension and mystical energy. With the goal of maximizing an honest expression of terroir, she has gradually replaced the smaller barrels with botti grandi. Her artisanal approach and espousal of traditional production methods extends to sustainable viticulture, eschewal of commercial yeasts and other additives, harvesting by hand, minimizing filtration, and long but gentle macerations in the cellar. "La Tartufaia" is a blend of 80% La Morra Serradenari and 20% Brunate crus, Aged 24 months in 25hl Slavonian oak barrels, named after the truffle fields Giulia's grandfather planted on the property before her father replaced them with vineyards." --importer Kermit Lynch