“What, no winemaker coming into town? You’re not pouring Grand Cru Burgundy? No Barolo tasting? Oh, you’re pouring tastes from one of the great wine regions in the world, from the greatest vintage of the past two decades? I guess that will have to do…”
Our apologies for our fabricated monologue–we know that you the customer could never be so jaded as to expect that which was suggested, regardless of what we’ve offered in the past. However, we at the shop do expect a certain level of pure awesomeness, so that’s why, with nothing scheduled this coming weekend, we decided to make sure that we put together an event worthy of our excellent customers.
With that out of the way, we would like to invite you to the shop between 1 pm and 4 pm on Saturday, April 10, to (re-)explore the legendary 2007 vintage from the Southern Rhone. Big, ripe, and lusty, these wines also have enough tannins to survive a bit of time–even the lower end cuvees. All five of our selections were rated 90 points or better and Robert Parker had this to say about the 2007 Rhone vintage:
“Throughout the southern Rhone, 2007 is the greatest vintage I have tasted in my thirty years working in that region…Moreover, the vintage is remarkably consistent from top to bottom.”
So join us and judge for yourself. These wines will go great with grilled meats and with this summer-like weather, what else are you having for dinner? The Lineup:
Chateau de Manissy Lirac 2007, $17.99/btl – Rhone, France – 60% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 15% Cinsault – 14% abv – Sustainable - A big, juicy version, delivering an ample core of melted fig and macerated currant fruit layered with tobacco, dark earth and bitter licorice notes. The solid, grippy finish really stretches out nicely. Drink now through 2010. 400 cases imported. – WS 90 points
Domaine Les Aphillanthes Cotes du Rhone-Villages Cairanne 2007, $25.99/btl – Rhone, France – 90% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre – 14.5% abv – Biodynamic - Dense but pure, with alluring black tea and mesquite aromas up front, followed by dark, macerated currant, fig and plum fruit. Hints of ganache and espresso frame the finish, which is supple and lengthy. Grenache and Mourvedre. Drink now through 2011. 400 cases made. – WS 91 points
Chateau des Roques Vacqueyras Hameau des Roques 2007, $20.99/btl – Rhone, France – 70% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre – 14.5% abv – Sustainable - Juicy and racy, with a stylish beam of raspberry fruit laced liberally with enticing spice, black tea and melted red licorice notes. The finish is long and lively. Drink now through 2011. 800 cases imported. – WS 90 points
Domaine de Poulvarel Costieres de Nimes Les Perrottes 2007, $21.99/btl – Rhone, France – 70% Grenache, 30% Syrah – 14.5% abv – Sustainable - More backward is the 2007 Costieres de Nimes Les Perrottes, an unfiltered blend of 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache in equal parts tank and small barrels. This is a strikingly cerebral wine with lots of floral, and black and blue fruit nuances. Medium to full-bodied, with good structure, the wood influence provides a more backward, ageworthy style. It should hit its peak in 12 months and last for a decade. – WA 90 points
Domaine Jean Royer Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Tradition 2007, $43.99 – Rhone, France – 90% Grenache, 5% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre – 15% abv – Sustainable - The most drinkable and precocious of the 2007s is the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape, made from essentially the same blend as the Hommage a Mon Pere, but from slightly younger vines (only 40 years old!). Kirsch and floral notes dominate this ruby/purple-tinged effort. Almost Burgundian in its freshness and vivacity, this full-bodied, rich, elegant, gorgeously textured, approachable wine should evolve for 10-15 years. – WA 90 points
