Where fine wine, good company, and commercial real estate intersect.
All,
Whether you’re a friend, client, business associate, trusted vendor, or professional partner, you’ve likely come to appreciate JM Zell’s love of wine, food, and real estate through your experiences over the years. Some of you may have even joined us at one of our tastings or dinners.
We thought—what better way to maintain that sense of community as roles evolve and times move forward than by creating a wine newsletter that JM Zell will publish periodically. Through this newsletter, you’ll receive invitations to upcoming tastings, events, notes, and recommendations on some of our favorite bottles, food, and restaurants.
We recently had dinner at Corto in Hoboken, NJ, and it’s easy to see why this casual Italian spot is a favorite among wine lovers. The atmosphere is relaxed, the service attentive, and the BYOB policy makes it an ideal place to share a few bottles over a great meal.
2014 Les Forts de Latour (Pauillac, Bordeaux):
A rare release from one of Bordeaux’s most secretive estates, Les Forts de Latour is produced only from rigorously selected parcels of the Latour vineyards—some of which once went into the Grand Vin itself. Since 2012, Château Latour has withdrawn from the En Primeur system, meaning every vintage is held until perfectly mature, and 2014 was unveiled only after nearly a decade of quiet cellaring. This cassis-driven, graphite-lined Pauillac is precision and pedigree incarnate, offering First Growth depth without the formality of its elder sibling.
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti needs no introduction—each bottling is an event, produced from vines so revered that their total annual yield can be measured in barrels, not cases. The 2014 Échézeaux, drawn from ancient parcels in Vosne-Romanée, shows the Domaine’s trademark perfume of rose petals, sandalwood, and cherry in breathtaking precision. With only a few thousand bottles released worldwide and allocations tightly guarded, it’s among the most elusive expressions of Pinot Noir ever made—a silken whisper of Burgundy’s soul.
2018 Marie et Pierre Benetire Côte-Rôtie (Northern Rhône):
Born on impossibly steep, hand-terraced slopes above the Rhône River, Côte-Rôtie wines are labors of love and balance—where each vine clings to schist and granite. This benchmark family estate, founded in the 1970s, farms some of the appellation’s most coveted parcels in both Côte Brune and Côte Blonde, crafting Syrah of haunting purity and lift. The 2018 vintage brims with dark fruit, black olive, and violets, framed by pepper and smoked meat in a velvet structure. With production rarely exceeding a few hundred cases, it remains one of the most sought-after expressions of northern Rhône Syrah—elegance carved from hardship and stone.
2013 Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva (Tuscany):
Produced only in the rarest vintages—historically fewer than one in five—the Riserva is the crown jewel of Biondi-Santi, the estate that invented Brunello itself in the 19th century. The 2013 marks their 40th Riserva since 1888, crafted from the oldest, most prized vines of the Greppo estate and aged over six years before release. Ethereal aromas of wild cherry, dried rose, and tobacco unfold into a long, stately finish. Each bottle is individually numbered, fiercely allocated, and built for half a century of evolution—the embodiment of Italian winemaking nobility.
A reference-point Syrah from the masters of Côte-Rôtie. The 2020 shows pure dark fruit, black olive, and smoked herb notes, carried by vibrant acidity and fine tannins. Classic whole-cluster fermentation lends lift and structure, yielding a wine that’s both elegant and ageworthy. VIEW WINE DETAILS ≫
NV Bérêche et Fils Brut Réserve (Champagne)
A grower Champagne that balances precision and depth, blending Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Meunier from Premier and Grand Cru sites. Fermented in oak and aged on the lees, it offers layered notes of orchard fruit, brioche, and chalky minerality. Vibrant yet textured, this cuvée embodies the elegance and craftsmanship that define Bérêche et Fils. VIEW WINE DETAILS ≫
NEW PRODUCTS, PURVEYORS, & RESTAURANTS
The JM Zell team attended an intimate fall wine dinner at Mallard in D.C., featuring a four-course tasting menu by Chef Hamilton Johnson paired with wines from FX Dauré of Domaine Lampyres. Each course highlighted the season’s best flavors—from kabocha squash panna cotta to braised Shenandoah lamb—beautifully complemented by Dauré’s expressive, organically farmed wines from Roussillon. The evening offered a perfect balance of warmth, creativity, and craftsmanship in both the kitchen and the vineyard.
STAY CONNECTED WITH JM ZELL
This newsletter is created for JM Zell’s friends, clients, business
associates, trusted vendors, and professional partners, Please enjoy
JM Zell is offering its opinions only in this newsletter and is not a representative or advocate for any of the wine, restaurants or growers discussed in this newsletter. JM Zell receives no remuneration for its recommendations.
