With our pallets of wines that arrived at the shop this week, we received quite a few new vintages from some of our old friends (like Denis Alary pictured above). . .

We’re featuring six of these wines this week at the shop, with special pricing. And join us this Saturday, July 17th, at Weygandt Wines from 1PM until 4PM as we host a tasting where you can try them all before you buy! The Lineup:

Domaine Alary La Grange Daniel Blanc 2009, Regular Price $14.99, Sale Price $11.99 – Rhone, France – 100% Roussanne – 14% abv – Sustainable - Honeysuckle, rose petal, and apricot notes emerge from this tank-fermented and aged white. It exhibits surprising body and flavor intensity along with beautiful richness and length. I wouldn’t age it beyond a year, but it is ideal for current drinking with intensely flavored shellfish and poultry dishes.

Domaine Albert Mann Auxerrois Vieilles Vignes 2009, Regular Price $19.99, Sale Price $15.99 – Alsace, France – 100% Auxerrois – 13% abv – Biodynamic - Pale color. Fresh, pure nose offers peach and flowers. Juicy, fresh and moderately dense, in a rather sweet style for Auxerrois at nine grams of residual sugar. Turns a bit dry and peppery on the end.

Gerard & Pierre Morin Sancerre Chene Marchand 2008, Regular Price $28.99, Sale Price, $22.99 – Loire, France – 100% Sauvignon Blanc – 13% abv – Sustainable - A gorgeous nose and subtly oily, lush, yet ultra-bright palate are dominated by hedge flowers, fresh orange, lime, and grapefruit. Chalk, iodine, and salt seem to cling indelibly even as this sensationally concentrated and supremely elegant Sancerre invigorates and refreshes. Here is that perfect paradox one encounters with Sauvignon: its most sublime manifestations are farthest from typicity, and those seeking gooseberry, passion fruit, or cassis will be disappointed by what they find here.

Domaine Servin Chablis Vieilles Vignes Selection Massale, Regular Price $25.99, Sale Price $19.99 – Burgundy, France – 100% Chardonnay – 12.5% abv – Sustainable - (50% tank and 50% older barrels) Bright yellow. Less fruity than the Pargues on the nose, showing a menthol element. Dense, ripe and minerally, with excellent lemony cut and serious acidity. Finishes with noteworthy persistence, and the structure to age. These 2008s have 4.7 to 4.8 grams per liter of acidity, according to Francois Servin. Rate 89 points, The International Wine Cellar

Chateau de La Bonneliere Chinon Rive Gauche 2009, Regular Price $14.99, Sale Price $11.99 – Loire, France – 100% Cabernet Franc – 12.5% abv – Organic - Brimming with tart but ripe cherry and blackberry tinged with baking spices and toasted nuts. Succulent and sappy on the palate, it finishes with bright black fruits and pungent spice and pepper. This would make an excellent, highly affordable introduction to Loire Cabernet Franc as well as a versatile tablemate over the next 12-18 months.

Pascal et Nicolas Reverdy Sancerre Rouge Terre de Maimbray 2008, Regular Price $28.99, Sale Price $22.99 – Loire, France – 100% Pinot Noir – 12.5% abv – Organic - This juicy offering boasts bitter-edged, black pepper-, salt- and cinnamon-tinged mulberry and cassis on an elegant palate and strikingly long finish. The effect of older barrels seems to detract marginally from the purity of fruit, and I would in any case plan to enjoy this over the next 12-18 months.

On Saturday, May 1, 2010, from 1PM – 4PM, Weygandt Wines welcomes Maurice Barthelme of legendary Alsatian Domaine Albert Mann, as we host an in-store wine tasting and sale at Weygandt Wines. What makes Alsace truly remarkable is the broad spectrum of flavors and styles that its many grape varieties offer; from Auxerrois, to Pinot Blanc, to Pinot Gris, Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Noir. And it is a region that offers wines that may be paired with virtually any type of cuisine.

The Barthelme brothers, two giants in physical stature, benefit from the ideal micro-climate of Colmar, producing wines that are rich, onctuous, endowed with significant residual sugar but well integrated in concentration as is typical of Hengst and Furstentum. – Le Classement, 1999 Revue du Vin de France

The Barthelme brothers, winemaker Jacky and viticulturist Maurice, have now attained the recognition they deserve. Rated by The Wine Advocate, Robert Parker placed them in the top tier of Alsace producers and they have a One Star Rating in The Classement by Revue du Vin de France. From the Pinot Auxerrois, through all their expressive Grand Crus, to their rich, Selection Grains Noble, they portray their unique style consistently; beautiful delineation of flavors and precise textures, never heavy, clumsy or out of balance.

Please visit our Domaine Albert Mann producer page at the link above to view all Mann wines, prices and reviews. The Lineup:

Domaine Albert Mann Cremant d’Alsace Non Vintage,$23.99 $19.99/btl – Alsace, France – 60% Pinot Blanc, 40% Auxerrois – 12.5% abv – Biodynamic - Based on the same varietal blend as their Pinot Blanc, the Barthelme’s non-vintage Cremant d’Alsace (the lot under review is L34) offers citrus zest and floral aromas, delicate mousse, and a salty, chalky, wet stone-inflected and subtly bitter finish. Enjoy this admirably clear, pure traditional sparkling wine over the next 6-9 months. Compared with it, most Alsace Cremant is sadly lacking in concentration or personality. – 88 point, The Wine Advocate

Domaine Albert Mann Pinot Blanc 2008,$17.99 $15.29/btl – Alsace, France – 60% Pinot Blanc, 40% Auxerrois – 12.5% abv – Biodynamic - Soft, fuzzy yellow fruit flavors with strong minerality. Suprisingly rich for a Pinot Blanc, it has a creaminess that belies this often lean varietal. (This has something to do with the blend of almost half Auxerrois.) Great as an aperitif or with hors d’oeuvres, but equally at home paired with fish and chicken or similarly light fare.

Domaine Albert Mann Pinot Gris Grand Cru Hengst 2007, $34.99 $29.74/btl – Alsace, France – 100% Pinot Gris – 13.5% abv – Biodynamic - Yellow golden colour with clear glints of beautiful intensity. The frank, pleasant nose, of beautiful intensity, shows a fruity dominance, fruit with white flesh and quince, very complex. The airing unveils pear and a slightly earthy character but shows a nice aromatic concentration. First contact is ample, mellow, and heady; there’s a beautiful freshness. It develops to a fine vivacity where flavors reveal quince fruit and smoke. The finish shows beautiful length and a frank vivacity. This wine goes very well with grilled veal chop and chanterelle mushroom.

Domaine Albert Mann Riesling Grand Cru Furstentum 2007, $44.99 $38.24/btl – Alsace, France – 100% Riesling – 12.5% abv – Biodynamic - A black licorice note wraps around ripe flavors of apple, yellow peach and pineapple in this rich white, which is just off-dry and juicy, with a honeyed, lightly smoky finish. Drink now through 2019. 160 cases made. – 91 points, Wine Spectator

Domaine Albert Mann Gewurztraminer Grand Cru Steingrubler 2007, $34.99 $29.74/btl – Alsace, France – 100% Gewurztraminer – 12.5% abv – Biodynamic – Yellow straw golden colour, of beautiful intensity with clear glints. The nose is frank and racyand it unveils dominant fruity aromas–citrus fruit, grapefruit, floral perfume, rose, laurel, litchi, spices. The airing intensifies the floral character, rose, revealing a fine smoky touch, flint, mineral. The nose shows a beautiful maturity of the grape in an exuberant and sensual style, very pleasant. The first contact is both rich and soft and the wine develops to a frank vivacity and the aromatic scale reveals the candied, exotic, floral note, litchi, as well as secondary perfumes. It finishes with a beautiful length and a fine, refreshing vivacity. The structure is rich, fleshy, tasty; the subjacent vivacity refreshes well the richness of the wine, beautiful aromatic purity. Reserve it for tasty, rich dishes, as a crab gratin with ginger and citrus fruit, soft cheeses with rind or simply drink it for itself with good friends.

Domaine Albert Mann Pinot Noir Clos de la Faille 2006, $46.99 $39.94/btl – Alsace, France – 60% Pinot Blanc, 40% Auxerrois – 12.5% abv – Biodynamic - Cherry red colour with purplish glints with a beautiful intensity; the disk is brilliant, limpid, transparent. Pleasant nose unveiling fine flavours of ripe fruit, red fruit, red currant, blackcurrant, cherry as well as a slight woody touch. The airing intensifies the fruity character, blackberries, fruit of the forest as well as a slight animal and spicy character, including cinnamon. The nose is remarkably deep and precise. It’s ample and fleshy and the alcohol is well balanced though a tense vivacity develops. The range of flavours is delicate with a dominance of red fruit, blackberry, blackcurrant,  blueberry, fruit of the forest and a delicately woody note. Tannins are soft, ripe and delicately astringent. The finish shows a beautiful medium length, extraction is perfect and the aromatic range pure. It’s a natural match with a lamb loin.

Sale Ends at Closing on Saturday, May 1, 2010.

As stated previously, we have an alliance with Soupergirl. For more info, visit her website or click here for info from our blog. Instead of dangling a carrot in front of you with next week’s selections, we thought that it makes a bit more sense to let you know what’s available this week. At the risk of repeating ourselves, here’s this week’s Souper Lineup:

Rave on Mulligatawny Soup – Ingredients (in no particular order): lentils, chickpeas, tomato, curry, cumin, coriander, cayenne pepper, coconut milk, agave, basmati rice, cilantro, garlic, carrots, onions, olive oil, homemade vegetable stock goodness.

Paired with…

Bernard et Robert Schoffit Gewurztraminer Cuvee Caroline, SG Price $19.99/btl,, Regularly $26.99 – Alsace, France – 100% Gewurztraminer – 13.8% abv – Organic – Aromas of celeriac and celery seed, clove and rose petal. A touch sweet on the palate this wine’s caramel and mocha-coffee tones lend a sense of low-toned richness s and it finishes with persistent rose perfume, and dominant sweetness. Gewurz and spicey foods are like peas and carrots.

Let the Bright Orange Shine In Soup – Ingredients (in no particular order): sweet potatoes, carrots, cardamom, turmeric, ginger, red pepper flakes, cinnamon, touch of cayenne, onion, canola oil, salt, pepper, homemade vegetable stock goodness.

Paired with…

Richard Leroy Anjou Le Clos des Rouliers 2006, SG Price $16.49/btl, Regularly $26.99 – Loire, France – 100% Chenin Blanc – 12.5% abv – Organic - A tangy, stony style, with yellow apple, lemon verbena and chamomile notes pushed by a melon- and lime-filled background. There’s nice length and purity.

Starting this week, we team up with one of the true superheroes of DC: the protector of porridge, the star of spice, the conqueror of the cauldron. That’s right folks, the one, the only…Soupergirl! The Caped Cook and Weygandt Wines combine to make a Dynamic Duo of palate pleasing pairings. Every week, we’ll let you know what she’s creating and what will be the best wine from our shop to go with that selection. In addition, make sure to come by the shop and whisper the password, “Soupergirl,” and you’ll receive anywhere from 25%-45% off the regular retail price of the selected wines. Also, Soupergirl flew by the shop and left some postcards with info about her base of operations with a special treat: enter the word “Weygandt” at checkout in the Discount Codes box and receive 10% off your first order from Soupergirl. This week’s Souper Lineup:

Rave on Mulligatawny Soup – Ingredients (in no particular order): lentils, chickpeas, tomato, curry, cumin, coriander, cayenne pepper, coconut milk, agave, basmati rice, cilantro, garlic, carrots, onions, olive oil, homemade vegetable stock goodness.

Paired with…

Bernard et Robert Schoffit Gewurztraminer Cuvee Caroline, SG Price $19.99/btl,, Regularly $26.99 – Alsace, France – 100% Gewurztraminer – 13.8% abv – Aromas of celeriac and celery seed, clove and rose petal. A touch sweet on the palate this wine’s caramel and mocha-coffee tones lend a sense of low-toned richness s and it finishes with persistent rose perfume, and dominant sweetness. Gewurz and spicey foods are like peas and carrots.

Let the Bright Orange Shine In Soup – Ingredients (in no particular order): sweet potatoes, carrots, cardamom, turmeric, ginger, red pepper flakes, cinnamon, touch of cayenne, onion, canola oil, salt, pepper, homemade vegetable stock goodness.

Paired with…

Richard Leroy Anjou Le Clos des Rouliers 2006, SG Price $16.49/btl, Regularly $26.99 – Loire, France – 100% Chenin Blanc – 12.5% abv – A tangy, stony style, with yellow apple, lemon verbena and chamomile notes pushed by a melon- and lime-filled background. There’s nice length and purity.

More information about her soups can be found here.

As the title indicates, we will be hosting an Organic Wine Tasting on Wednesday, April 7, from 6:30 pm til 8 pm. (This does mean that we will close our doors at 6:30 pm to the public. We will resume our normal hours of operation the next day.) If you would like to attend and have not registered for the event, please do so HERE. At $15/head, this is a bit of break from our normal way of doing things–giving you things for free–but we think that the cost of this event is justified. In addition to the wines which will be described further down, we’ll have food from Dino, cheese from Firefly Farms, as well as a raffle for prizes ranging from a $50 gift certificate to Founding Farmers Restaurant to an organic gift basket from Herban Lifestyle. And, more importantly, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to The DC Farm to School Network. So, all in all, good food, good drink and a good cause. Win, win, win. The Lineup (all featured wines are on sale for 20% off):

Domaine du Vissoux Cremant de Bourgogne NV – Beaujolais, France – 100% Chardonnay – 12% abv – A terrific alternative to pricey Champagne, this Blanc de Blanc  made by star Beaujolais winemaker Pierre Chermette is made in the methode tradtionelle. Hand crafted and hand riddled, this 100% ORGANIC sparkling wine offers outstanding structure and weight, with notes of green apple and spiced pear, all in a crisp, well-balanced package. EVENT PRICE, $20.99/btl

Chateau de La Bonneliere Touraine Les Devants Cepage Sauvignon 2008 – Loire, France – 100% Sauvignon Blanc – 12.5% abv – Marc Plouzeau’s BIODYNAMIC bottling of his 2008 Touraine Sauvignon is redolent of citrus and herbs; lean and unusually bright on the palate even for its genre, and finishes with a combination of fresh lemon, salt, peppermint, and nettles that will leave your palate both scoured and invigorated! EVENT PRICE, $12.99/btl

Domaine Albert Mann Pinot Blanc 2008 - Alsace, France – 50% Pinot Blanc, 50% Auxerrois – 12.5% abv – Jacky and Maurice Barthelme’s BIODYNAMIC 2008 Pinot Blanc portrays their unique style consistently; beautiful delineation of flavors and precise textures, never heavy, clumsy or out of balance. A lovely mineral-scented nose is followed by palate coating pear, white peach and apricot. EVENT PRICE, $14.99/btl

Domaine David Clark Bourgogne Au Pelson 2006 – Burgundy, France – 100% Pinot Noir – 12.5% abv – Scottsman David Clark’s ORGANIC is firm and complex, with a mix of smoke, herb, dried currant and wild raspberry flavors that expand to ripe cherry and plum. Full-bodied and well-structured, gaining depth and picking up a nice fresh earthy edge. The finish is long and persistent. EVENT PRICE, $16.99/btl

Domaine Duseigneur Lirac Antares 2007 – Rhone, France – 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre – 14.5% abv – Jean and Frederic Duseigneur’s 2007 Lirac Antares is a big rich offering. In keeping with the style of this vintage, it possesses plenty of freshness and ripeness in addition to deep black raspberry and black cherry fruit, licorice and smoky notes. This dense, medium to full-bodied, elegant as well as substantial BIODYNAMIC Lirac should drink well for 5-6 years. EVENT PRICE, $18.99/btl

Clos de L’Origine Cotes du Roussillon Villages Latour de France Les Quilles Libres Rouge 2007 - Roussillon, France – 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Carignan – Marc Barriot’s ORGANIC 2007 Les Quilles Libres is loaded with wood smoke, tobacco, brown spices, soy, peanuts, and ripe red fruits mingle in the nose. On a sappy, palpably extract-rich palate, lightly cooked red raspberry and strawberry are dusted with cardamom, cinnamon, and white pepper, and underlain with toasted praline and peanuts. EVENT PRICE, $23.99/btl

Please excuse us as we catch our collective breaths after a very busy last week that included snow removal, a 45% off sale, a second visit and tasting from our cheesemaking friends at Firefly Farms, a meet and greet with Peter Martin of Martin & Keegan Tours and a stirring USA victory over Canada in ice hockey. While the last bit might not have anything to do with what happens in our shop, it does let you know we do something other than pour, drink and talk about wine…we watch TV. Even though it wasn’t in HD. Just saying. We hope that this week will return to business as usual, starting with a tasting of  six very unique bottles of wine, two of which are almost 50% off the regular retail price. The Lineup:

Domaine Remi Jobard Bourgogne Blanc 2006, SALE $18.14/btl, Regularly $32.99 – Burgundy, France – 100% Chardonnay – 13% abv – The 2006 Bourgogne (which receives essentially the same upbringing as his Meursault) offers aromas of orange blossom, honeysuckle, lemon oil, and toasted nuts. Grapefruit, lemon, orange, and nuts make for a bright and piquant palate, but with a sense of textural richness and chalky buffering acting as a foil to the penetrating citricity. This well-concentrated Bourgogne should be worth following for several years. Remi Jobard began harvesting September 25 – two days later than even Francois and Antoine Jobard – yet the two collections are dramatically different. These wines – which display uniformly prominent acidity – came out of barrel (generally 12-15% new) after a year, and were then given six months in tank (whence I tasted them) to permit stabilization and some evolution and, in Jobard’s words, “to preserve aromatic freshness and vivacity.” There are hints of botrytis here and there, but Jobard insists it was at a level of around 5%, in his opinion obviating any need to remove it. – WA (87-88) points

Domaine Schoffit Pinot Gris Colmar Tradition 2007, $24.99/btl – Alsace, France – 100% Pinot Gris – 13.8% abv – This inviting Pinot Gris has a lively golden hue and an open-knit texture. The round mouthfeel holds flavors of Gala apple and apricot, underscored by a light smoky minerality. Delicious. Drink now through 2012. 50 cases imported. – WS 89 points

Tement Gelber Muskateller Steirische Klassik 2006, $22.99/btl – Styria, Austria – 100% Muscat – 11.5% abv – Tement’s expansion has not stopped at the Slovenian border, and in 2006 he acquired the neighboring holdings of the Carmelites – where his father long worked as winemaker – and since replanted their 90 year old patchwork of vine varieties to insure more Zieregg Sauvignon for the future. Tement has begun using glass stoppers on his wines in lieu of corks. Given the extent of his offerings and given that I travel to Styria only every other year, I cannot pretend to have tasted Tement’s entire 2005 and 2006 collections, but only the subset (perhaps half) that he chose to show me in the time we had available. Tement is modifying his approach with Sauvignon – especially in the top sites – having decided that lower yields and the consequent ability to harvest somewhat earlier are more advantageous (not to mention less risky) than the long hang time he has traditionally practiced with this variety.

Domaine Bertagna Bourgogne Les Croix Blanches 2006, $22.99/btl – Burgundy, France – 100% Pinot Noir – 13% abv – Sweet spice notes add interest to the tart cherry flavor in this red. Firm but fresh, with a lingering finish. Drink now. 175 cases imported.

Vial-Magneres Collioure Les Espades 2007, $27.99/btl – Roussillon, France – Cuvee Les Esperades is a dry red wine, warm and potent, which should be saved for roasts and game but goes well with flavourful Mediterranean fish too.

Domaine Gardies Cotes du Roussillon Villages La Torre 2006, SALE $27.49, Regularly $49.99 – Roussillon, France – 70% Mourvedre, 20% Grenache, 10% Carignan – Luscious, rich and ripe, with concentrated flavors of dark plum, blackberry and kirsch that are supported by fine-grained tannins and powerful structure. The long finish is filled with dark chocolate and mocha. 20 cases imported. – WS 93 points

We, here at the shop, have had just about enough of this white-powdery-turned-black-icy-roadblock-stuff. Supposedly, we have but one more little storm left tomorrow night, and that may mark the end of what one of our outstanding customers called thundersnowpocalypse fluricane precipageddon 2010. Whatever the case, we’ve got a business to run because we know that regardless of what Mother Nature decides to use us as, most of us need some something to warm our spirits.

On Saturday, February 13, between noon and 5 pm, Bailey Kasten from Double Premium Confections will be in the shop to offer tastes of her exquisite chocolates. And to make your Valentine’s Day that much more special, we’ll be offering tastes of six of our fabulous sparkling wines from France and Italy, along with a special surprise that will be unveiled at the event.

We’re not going to sit back and try to tell you what the perfect gift is for Valentine’s Day. To the contrary, if you need advice from us, you’re probably in pretty bad shape to begin with. However, we will tell you that be it Valentine’s Day or Arbor Day or Groundhog Day, sumptuous sparkling wines and captivating chocolates are a match made in gastronomic heaven. And they make a pretty good Valentine’s Day gift…The Lineup:

Boeri Moscato d’Asti Ribota 2008, $17.99/btl – Piedmont, Italy – 100% Moscato – 5.5% abv – Clean and crisp, with lemony character. Medium-bodied and lightly sweet, with a simple finish. There’s lots of melon and lemon on the palate. Drink now. 250 cases imported.

San Giovanni Prosecco Brut, $18.99/btl – Veneto, Italy – 90% Prosecco, 10% Chardonnay – 11.5% abv – Sparklingly clean, pleasantly fruity fragrance of apple and slightly reminiscent of roses. Thanks to its soft and harmonious taste, it is suitable as an aperitif, with fish and cheese snacks, but fits perfectly with chocolate!

Hubert Clavelin et Fils Cremant du Jura Brut Comte Chardonnay Tete de Cuvee NV, $20.99/btl – Jura, France – 100% Chardonnay – 12% abv – For over two decades, Hubert Clavelin and his importer have been promoting non-vintage Cremant du Jura Brut-Comte Chardonnay Tete de Cuvee, and this latest batch (lot number LBRC05, in tiny print on the back label) – based on the 2005 vintage, and having spent 36 months sur lattes – is as fine as any I can recall, and a wine that deserves to be taken seriously at the dinner table. A hint of Jura-typical pungency figures amid aromas of buckwheat, lime zest, and apple cider. With fine mousse and impressive vinosity, this coats the palate with zesty piquancy and saline, mineral-meaty savor of scallops and bacon. Both fascination and versatility are guaranteed for the coming year. – WA 90 points

Domaine des Aubuisieres Vouvray Brut Methode Traditionnelle NV, $20.99/btl - Loire, France – 100% Chenin Blanc – 13% abv – The latest rendition of Aubuisieres Non-Vintage Vouvray Brut Methode Traditionelle smells of ripe melons and narcissus, with a whiff of snuffed candle wick. Pineapple and lime join the melons on a juicy, delicate palate, with hints of salt as well as pungent citrus zest and smoke adding to the invigoration conveyed by a fine stream of bubbles. I was surprised to find the finish entirely satisfying and fruit-filled despite there being a mere 2 grams of residual sugar. The latest installment of what is surely the consistently best value in its appellation. – WA 89 points

Domaine Albert Mann Cremant d’Alsace NV, $23.99/btl – Alsace, France – 60% Pinot Blanc, 40% Auxerrois – 12.5% – Based on the same varietal blend as their Pinot Blanc, the Barthelme’s non-vintage Cremant d’Alsace (the lot under review is L34) offers citrus zest and floral aromas, delicate mousse, and a salty, chalky, wet stone-inflected and subtly bitter finish. Enjoy this admirably clear, pure traditional sparkling wine over the next 6-9 months. Compared with it, most Alsace Cremant is sadly lacking in concentration or personality. – WA 88 points

Domaine de La Chapelle Cremant de Bourgogne 2007, $26.99/btl – Burgundy, France – 100% Chardonnay – 12.5% abv – New to the shop, a deliciously fruit forward sparkler!

Thanks to Uwe Schiefer and all who stopped by to talk about and taste this tremendously talented winemaker’s goods. We had a very good showing and had a lot of fun meeting all of the Austrian wine enthusiasts in the area.

Stay tuned for details of this coming Saturday’s Sancerre and Firefly Farms Goat Cheese Tasting. Other than Champagne and caviar or white Burgundy and lobster, we can’t think of a more classic combination than Sancerre with cheese made from goat’s milk. We’ll let you know exactly what we’re pouring and spreading as soon as we get details.

As for this shortened work week (for some of you), we’ll pour a couple of surprising whites and 4 reds we think most of you have not tried as of yet. (Two of which are rated 90 points or higher from The Wine Advocate!) The lineup:

Josef Schmid Riesling Vom Urgestein Bergterrassen 2007, 24.99/btl – Kremstal, Austria – 100% Riesling – 13% abv – Offers a floral, spicy aroma, with intense Granny Smith apple, peach and pear flavors. Slate and pepper flavors fill the finish. Drink now through 2012. 833 cases made. – WS 89 points

Domaine Schoffit Chasselas Vieilles Vignes 2008, $23.99/btl – Alsace, France – 100% Chasselas – 13% abv – Originating in Colmar, the historic cave is still situated in the city – the domaine owns lovely parcels in Harth, situated right outside the city. In 1986 the domaine purchased the Clos St. Theobald in the famous Rangen de Thann, and more recently a parcel in (Grand Cru) Sommerberg. The domaine is then divided into three relatively distant terroirs – with gravel of the Harth, the granite of Grand Cru Sommerberg and the volcanic in Rangen de Thann … with the opulent v.t.’s and s.g.n.’s of anthology, the immense notoriety of Rangen tends to eclipse the other terroirs. The other wines though are more accessible with, in particular, a lovely range of Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois, always well balanced. More rare the Chasselas Caroline presents a density little found in this varietal. The Riesling Sommerberg shows great promise. – Le Classement, 2003 Revue du Vin de France

Weingut Trapl St. Laurent 2007, $21.99/btl – Carnuntum, Austria – 100% St. Laurent – 13% abv – Young Johannes Trapl – who took over his family’s property (supplemented by rental acreage) and constructed a winery in 2000 – is one of four growers serious about Blaufrankisch in the Spitzerberg (for more about which, see my reports on Muhr-Niepoort in this issue and in issue 177). On my first visit, I did not attempt to canvass Trapl’s entire line, which includes also St. Laurent, Zweigelt, and even a bit of the Bordelaise varieties. Clearly, he is on a steep learning curve. Early in its evolution, a basic 2007 Blaufrankisch from young vines in the Spitzerberg and nearer the winery tasted promising, even if tartness of fruit and notes from barrel were somewhat at odds, and a dedicated 2007 bottling from some impressive Blaufrankisch grown in Stixneusiedel was also envisioned. – David Schildknecht, The Wine Advocate

Domaine La Berangeraie Cahors Malbec Les Traversets 2007, $16.99/btl – Cahors, France – 100% Malbec – 13% abv – This has spicy and fruity aromas, with dense, ripe flavors of blackberry, dark plum and chocolate. The short, tannic finish features spiced cherry notes. Drink now through 2012. 50 cases imported. – WS 87 points

Domaine L’Oustal Blanc Naick 6 Rouge 2006, $20.99/btl – Languedoc, France – 100% 60% Cinsault, 20% Carignan, 20% Syrah and Grenache.- 14% abv – Aromas of nutmeg, sandalwood, pungent herbs, and ripe cherry distinguish the 2006 vintage Naick 6. Bitter hints of cherry pit, black tea, and herbs, along with an undertone of wet stone mark this wine’s palate personality as cooler, more aloof than its year-younger counterpart. But there is a similarly impressive sheer persistence of fresh fruit and herbs, and this should give a whole lot of pleasure for at least a couple more years. – WA 90 points

Chateau Mourgues du Gres Capitelles des Mourgues 2007, $24.99/btl – Rhone, France – 83% Syrah, 17% Carignan and Grenache – 14.5% abv – A sensational red wine is the 2007 Capitelles du Mourgues, a Cote Rotie look-alike from the treasure-trove of values, Costieres de Nimes. A combination of 83% Syrah and the rest Carignan and Grenache, all aged in 600 liter demi-muids, it boasts an opaque purple color as well as an extraordinary nose of blackberries, creme de cassis, licorice, and spring flowers. Sensational purity, full-bodied richness, good underlying freshness and vibrancy, and an amazingly long finish suggest a wine that costs 2-3 times as much. This exceptional effort should evolve for a decade. – WA 92 points

This looks to be a busy, busy week here at Weygandt Wines. We’re creeping closer to Thanksgiving, so we’ll start tasting turkey friendly wines. And on Friday, we have our 2007 Horizontal Burgundy tasting between noon and 7 pm. We’re really trying to squeeze in as much fun before the great American tradition of cramming your mouth with as much food and drink as possible, so drop by and see what we have to offer: Todd’s thoughts on what to serve with a turducken, Tim’s pairing with an oyster stuffing and Matt’s idea of what to do when there’s no more space in the gullet…

While the lineup may change a couple of times this week, this is what we’re starting off with (all sale items are good for this week only or while supplies last):

Domaine Albert Mann Pinot Blanc 2008 – Regular Price $17.99, Sale Price $14.99 – Alsace, France – 100% Pinot Blanc, 12.5% abv – The Barthelme brothers, winemaker Jacky and vitiiculturist Maurice, have now attained the recognition they deserve. Rated by Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate as in the top tier of Alsace producers, and One Star Rating in The Classement by Revue du Vin de France. From the Pinot Auxerrois, through all their expressive Grand Crus, to their rich, Selection Grains Noble, they portray their unique style consistently; beautiful delineation of flavors and precise textures, never heavy, clumsy or out of balance.

A bit of history. Maurice Barthelme married Albert Mann’s daughter, Marie-Claire, and gradually took over the domaine. He brought his brother Jacky into the operation In 1990. From Mann, there were Grand Cru Vineyards, Hengst, Steingrubler, Pfersigberg (for Tokay VV) and the wonderful Rosenberg Vineyard. From their mother (a member of the Blanck Family of Kaysersberg) they inherited the Schlossberg and Furstentum Vineyards (as well as the Altenbourg, adjoining the Furstentum).

Beginning in 1993, the Barthelme’s started a string of dazzling successes. The 1998′s continue this tradition, adding the character of the 1998 vintage to the Barthelme style: even more brilliant delineation from a more challenging, but in turn, rewarding “vintage of the vigneron.”

“The Barthelme brothers, two giants in physical stature, benefit from the ideal micro-climate of Colmar, producing wines that are rich, onctuous, endowed with significant residual sugar but well integrated in concentration as is typical of Hengst and Furstentum.” – Le Classement, 1999 Revue du Vin de France

Domaine de Poulvarel Costieres de Nimes Rose 2008 – Regular Price $12.99, Sale Price $10.99 – Rhone, France – 90% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 13% abv – Round and floral, this rose has hints of currant and strawberry fruit finish.

A single domaine Kir Royale consisting of:

Domaine du Vissoux Cremant de Bourgogne Brut Blanc de Blancs – Regular Price $25.99, Sale Price $21.99 – Burgundy, France – 100% Chardonnay, 12% abv – This sparkler is straw-yellow with golden tints. The bubbles are fine and form a delicate pearls around the rim of the glass. Citrus, floral and mineral aromas and flavors are partnered by a fresh elegant mouth feel, making a perfect balance between the strength of the aromas and the lightness required of this celebration drink. The limestone-clay soil the vines grow in is perfectly adapted to the Chardonnay grape variety.

and

Domaine du Vissoux Creme de Cassis – Regular Price $18.99, Sale Price $15.99 – Burgundy, France – 100% Black Currants, 19.85% abv – This cassis liqueur is home-made in a totally natural way from Pierre Chermette’s own plot of blackcurrants. On it’s own, the best Creme de Cassis we’ve ever tasted. With a nice sparkler, as good a Kir Royale as you can find.

Daniel Bouland Chiroubles 2008 – Regular Price $20.99, Sale Price $17.99 – Beaujolais, France – 100% Gamay, 13% abv – “The 2008 Chiroubles shows what a difference terroir can make: even though Bouland’s parcel of Chiroubles is immediately adjacent to his Morgon, soil and exposure are different, and the result is a bright, exuberant, white wine-like, terrifically vivacious tonic of salt- and citrus zest-tinged red raspberry and purple plum. This light, lithe wine is palate-staining in its concentration, but I would be inclined to enjoy it over the next couple of years.

“This year, not just one wine but an entire family of Daniel Bouland’s as yet still little-known wines is coming to the U.S., and they should not be missed!” – WA 91 points

Domaine Collotte Bourgogne Cuvee de Noble Souche 2007 – Regular Price $19.99, Sale Price $16.99 – Burgundy, France – 100% Pinot Noir, 12.5% abv – “It was at the 2005 Grand Jours de Bourgogne. I was looking for excellent Burgundies at equally excellent value. Marsannay came to mind as a good candidate, but aside from a couple of well-known producers, I was disappointed in the quality of many. That is until I came upon Philippe Collotte. A tall, quiet man, looking a bit like Gary Cooper, but with a lot of passion to make superb wines just waiting to be unleashed. His 2004′s were good, especially the Marsannay Champsalomon, but his 2005′s are special. And it is not just the vintage that explians it. One can see lower yields, more selection before and at harvest, and for us he bottled everything unfiltered. The Marsannay Clos de Jeu 2005 is the top Marsannay I have ever tasted – I put 6 magnums into my personal cellar.

“As I alluded to above, 2005 is no fluke – Philippe’s were some of the best 2006′s I tasted in February 2007 and when you taste his 2006 Rosé de Marsannay, it will be hard to argue that one who got that much fruit in his Marsannay Rosé, must have done something special that vintage.

“On the technical sheets we will be more specific but with special note is his Bourgogne parcel, planted in 1947 (bottled unfiltered for us) and there are 4 parcels of 50 + year vines in his super-value Marsannay VV. It is fun to find people like Philippe Collotte.” – Peter Weygandt

Domaine des Soulanes Maury 2006 – Regular Price $24.99, Sale Price $21.99 – Roussillon, France – 100% Grenache Noir, 16% abv – Pipe tobacco and plummy dark fruits make up the aromatic profile of the 2006 Maury. Broad, softly-textured, and sweet, it reveals a personality that is redolent with chocolate-covered raspberries, plums, and cherries. This medium to full-bodied wine is produced entirely from Grenache Noir and was aged for five years in 600-liter barrels before being bottled unfiltered. This beauty should be drunk after a meal on its own or with dark fruit-based desserts or dark chocolate.