The three Premier Crus are also exceptional for their expressiveness, but add to this their weight and character. The Poruzots is the most opulent and forward, with a real wallop of unctuous, juicy Meursault fruit. The parcel they own is situated at the top, adjoining Genevrieres. The Genevrieres parcel of Jobard is very old vines and here Jobard makes his most minerally, terroir-filled Meursault; but never at the expense of richness and depth. Finally, the Charmes, presents a culmination, it seems, a synthesis of all the strong points of all his other wines in a package of near pure perfection. To capture all of the texture and nuance Remi now also bottles all of his wines without filtration sixteen months after vintage. There is no telling how great his domaine can become. – Peter Weygandt

On the 2007 vintage. Rémi Jobard said that he began picking his pinot on September 2nd, noting that the crop was relatively clean except for a bit of botrytis in Santenots. As to the style of the wines, he compares his ’07s to his ’04s, observing that they have the same underlying tension and that they will probably evolve the same way. (BH)

On Jobard-Chabloz. Rémi Jobard (see Domaine Rémi Jobard above) started a small négoce in 2002 with one wine, expanded it in 2003 to 600 cases, grew it again in 2004 but cut back in 2005. In 2006 he expanded it considerably and then continued this scale in 2007. All of the wines are purchased in grapes or must and Jobard treats these exactly as he treats the domaine wines. In particular I call your attention to the villages level wines from Meursault as they offer excellent quality at an attractive price. (BH)

Come join us this Saturday, August 21st, from 12PM until 4PM to sample these exquisite white Burgundies and pick some up at exceptional prices. The Lineup:

Jobard-Chabloz Auxey Duresses 2007, List Price $39.99, Sale Price $26.99 – Burgundy, France – 100% Chardonnay – 13% abv – Sustainable - A very fresh and mildly rustic nose of green fruit and earth tones leads to citrusy middle weight flavors that possess reasonably good detail and a pretty touch of minerality that adds to the appeal of the delicious, round and tension-filled finish. While not an elegant wine, it’s very Auxey in character. – Rated 87 Points, Burghound

Jobard-Chabloz Meursault Le Limozin 2007, List Price $49.99, Sale Price $36.99 – Burgundy, France – 100% Chardonnay – 13.4% abv – Sustainable - A nose of classic Meursault aromas that include hazelnut and ripe orchard fruit aromas plus a hint of honeysuckle that moves into richer, fuller and more generous middle weight flavors blessed with a touch of minerality on the intense, driving and palate staining finish. Terrific quality at this level and highly recommended. – Rated 91 Points, Burghound

Domaine Remi Jobard Meursault En Luraule 2007, List Price $68.99, Sale Price $48.99 – Burgundy, France – 100% Chardonnay – 13% abv – Sustainable - A slightly more elegant nose that is airy, layered and a bit more complex as well with good ripeness to the mostly orchard fruit aromas that slide gracefully into detailed, precise and impressively intense flavors that have enough dry extract to stain the palate on the persistent finish. Very solid quality for villages level juice and worth a look. – Rated 89 Points, Burghound

Jobard-Chabloz Meursault Clos du Cromin 2007, List price $46.99, Sale Price $33.99 – Burgundy, France – 100% Chardonnay – 13% abv – Sustainable - This is ever-so-slightly riper with a delicate application of wood toast framing green fruit, white flower and a note of roasted nuts serving as an interesting introduction to the textured, round and relatively generous flavors that possess a citrusy and intense finish that is impressively long for a villages level wine. Recommended. – Rated 90 Points, Burghound

Domaine Remi Jobard Meursault 1er Cru Les Poruzots Dessus 2007, List Price $74.99, Sale Price $59.99 – Burgundy, France – 100% Chardonnay – 13.4% abv – Sustainable - A slightly riper nose of green fruit and soil tones trimmed in a discreet touch of wood flows seamlessly into rich, full, powerful and tautly muscled broad-shouldered flavors that possess fine intensity and this is very Poruzots in character in that it offers excellent flavor authority if not necessarily great elegance, all wrapped in a sappy, indeed almost chewy finish of admirable length. This should age very well. – Rated 91 Points, Burghound

Jobard-Chabloz Puligny-Montrachet Les Nosroyes 2007, List price $54.99, Sale Price $41.00 – Burgundy, France – 100% Chardonnay – 13% abv – Sustainable - From a little-known site below Puligny Perrieres, Jobard-Chabloz’s 2007 Puligny-Montrachet Les Nosroyes smells lusciously of peach, apricot, and fresh lime. Alkaline and chalky elements as well as a hint of cherry pit lend a certain attractive bit of austerity to balance the wine’s juicy primary fruit, and an animal fat-like sense of richness and mysterious meatiness add to an already fascinating and delicious finish. This strikes me as probably best enjoyed over the next 3-5 years. I tasted several of Remi Jobard’s 2007s from barrel very early on; then tasted through most of his range very recently in his absence, and without the benefit of his commentary on the finished wines. He began picking September 1, so that the issue of preserving vivacity that so concerned him in 2006 was certainly moot, but this collection displays a dominance of mineral characteristics that – taken along with its bright citricity and “cool” herbal notes – is bound to strike some tasters as too lean, and downright austere. For my taste, the fascination and grip on exhibit here is more than compensatory for any restraint in overt ripeness, and in any case, concerning the admirable concentration and craftsmanship exhibited here I believe there can be no question. - Rated 90 Points, The Wine Advocate

Sale prices last through Saturday, August 21, 2010.

Saint-Damien Cotes du Rhone “La Bouveau” 2008, List Price $14.99, Sale Price $12.69 – Rhone, France – Syrah, Cinsault – 14% abv – Sustainable - The 2008 Cotes du Rhone Le Bouveau (a blend of Syrah and Cinsault) offers a vibrant assortment of black fruit, herb, and earthy aromas and flavors in a medium-bodied, silky package.

Domaine de Fontenille Cotes du Luberon 2007, List Price $14.99, Sale Price $12.69 – Provence, France – 70% Grenache, 30% Syrah – 14% abv – Sustainable - “This has been a consistent winner from importer Peter Weygandt since he first brought the Domaine du Fontenille to the attention of American wine consumers in the early nineties. A blend of 70% Grenache (50- to 60-year-old vines) and 30% Syrah, yields are kept modest, and the wine is aged in concrete tanks for over a year prior to being bottled without filtration. A super-aromatic example of the vintage, the 2007 exhibits loads of pepper, earth, black cherry, and dusty, loamy soil notes. The wine’s fruit, earthiness, and spiciness are all classic characteristics of Provence. Seriously endowed and medium to full-bodied with excellent purity and depth, this Cotes du Luberon should drink well for 2-3 years. ” Rated 88 Points, The Wine Advocate

Les Aphillanthes Vin de Pays de Vaucluse 2007, List Price $13.99, Sale Price $11.89 – Rhone, France – 40% Merlot, 30% Syrah, 30% Grenache – 14% abv – Biodynamic - “A blend of Syrah, Merlot, and Grenache, the 2007 Vin de Pays possesses straightforward, crunchy, chunky, juicy notes of kirsch, black currants, licorice, and loamy soil undertones. This fresh, lively, bistro-styled red sells for a song.” Rated 87 Points, The Wine Advocate

Domaine Font Sarade Ventoux 2009, List Price $13.99, Sale Price $11.89 – Vaucluse, Rhone, France – 60% Syrah, 40% Grenache – 14.5% abv – Sustainable - From the heart of the Vaucluse, inviting aromas of red fruit intertwined with Provencal herbs and subtle spice, with a supple texture. Excellent value here, cleanly made with no rusticity.

Domaine Alary La Grange Daniel 2007, List Price $14.99, Sale Price $12.69 – Rhone, France – Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvedre, Cabernet Sauvignon, Counoise – 14% abv – Sustainable - It is a classic Mediterranean-styled red revealing loads of lavender, roasted Provencal herbs, licorice, and sweet blackberry and black currant fruit. The greatness of the vintage, even at this low pedigree and bargain-basement price point, comes through brilliantly with the purity, freshness, and deep kirsch, blackberry, and cherry flavors. This is a seamless, medium to full-bodied, beautifully pure, character-filled vin de pays.” Rated 89 Points, The Wine Advocate

Domaine Gardies Mas Las Cabes Cotes du Roussillon 2008, List Price $16.99, Sale Price $13.99 – Roussillon, France – 60% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 10% Carignan – 13.5% abv – Organic - Fermented in cement tanks and older barriques. Loads of focused, juicy red raspberry and cherry fruit aromas, along with hints of chocolate and cedar, and the region’s distinctive spice character greet the palate. An excellent all-around table wine.

“François Servin, along with his Australian brother-in-law Mark Cameron, direct the operations of this 30 ha domaine. Cameron’s succinct take on 2008 was that while 2008 has ‘turned out very well, had in not been for the cool and dry weather coupled with a good north wind in September, we might have been looking at a very different outcome. We began picking on the 29th of September and brought in very clean fruit with relatively thick skins, which was also courtesy of the wind. Potential alcohols averaged around 12.5% but we did have a few wines come in close to 13%. The alcoholics [alcoholic fermentations] were relatively long and I attribute this to the fact that the harvest weather was quite cool so naturally the grapes, and therefore the must, were also quite cool. We stirred the lees for longer than usual to try and add flesh to the wines because the acidity, even post-malo, is on the high side. The interesting thing is that from a tasting perspective, even with the high acidity the concentration is such that you don’t really notice the structure. I think the ’08s will be great in time as it’s an old style vintage but the acid is ripe.’ As I have reported in the past, Cameron has been an advocate for decreasing the amount of wood used and he has been successful in this regard as it is considerably less than in the past and this trend continued in 2008 as both the Preuses and the Blanchots were raised in 100% stainless. By contrast, the Les Clos and Bougros are 100% raised in oak though not necessarily new wood.” – Burghound

Please join us this Saturday, August 7th, at Weygandt Wines, from 1PM until 4PM to meet winemaker Francois Servin, taste stunning Chablis, and take some home with you at special pricing! The Lineup:

Domaine Servin Petit Chablis 2008, Regular Price $22.99, Sale Price $19.54 – Chablis, Burgundy, France – 100% Chardonnay – 12.5% abv – Sustainable - “This is on the ripe side for the appellation as there are hints of exotic fruit on the otherwise very fresh nose that leads to lemon-suffused flavors that possess good energy on the clean and bright finish. This offers very solid quality for its level and is worth a look.” - Rated 87 Points, Burghound

Domaine Servin Chablis Premiere Cuvee Les Pargues 2008, Regular Price $24.99, Sale Price $21.24 – Chablis, Burgundy, France – 100% Chardonnay – 12.5% abv – Sustainable - “. . . offering up notes of white orchard fruit and oyster shell notes that carry over to the delicious, intense and sappy middle weight flavors that culminate in a citrusy and lingering finish.” – Rated 87-89 Points, Burghound

Domaine Servin Chablis Vieilles Vignes Selection Massale 2008, Regular Price $25.99, Sale Price $22.09 – Chablis, Burgundy, France – 100% Chardonnay – 12.5% abv – Sustainable - “A discreet if not invisible touch of wood sets off fresh, intense and layered aromas of green fruit, sea breeze and wet stone that introduce concentrated and quite serious medium-bodied flavors that culminate in a balanced, linear, precise and intensely mineral-driven finish. This is very much fashioned in the old school style of Chablis made in the 1980s. Recommended.” – Rated 88-91 Points, Burghound

Domaine Servin Chablis 1er Cru Butteaux 2008, Regular Price $33.99, Sale Price $28.89 – Chablis, Burgundy, France – 100% Chardonnay – 12.5% abv – Sustainable - “Classic Chablis aromas of iodine, green fruit and sea weed precede the powerful and well-muscled if not elegant flavors brimming with dry extract that do a fine job of buffering the firm acid spine that underpins the driving and bone dry finish.” – Rated 90-92 Points, Burghound

Domaine Servin Chablis 1er Cru Montee de Tonnerre 2008, Regular Price $33.99, Sale Price $28.89 – Chablis, Burgundy, France – 100% Chardonnay – 12.5% abv – Sustainable - “A deft touch of wood allows the citrus and floral aromas liberally laced with seashore nuances to gracefully introduce powerful yet elegant and beautifully focused flavors brimming with extract and a very fine minerality that stain the palate on the balanced, pure and vibrant finish. Lovely.” – Rated 91-93 Points, Burghound

Domaine Servin Chablis Grand Cru Bougerots 2008, Regular Price $65.99, Sale Price $56.09 – Chablis, Burgundy, France – 100% Chardonnay – 12.5% abv – Sustainable - “Like the Butteaux, this offers terrific character and complexity if limited elegance and finesse on the orchard fruit, lemon and orange zest plus tidal pool hints that continue on the big, rich and impressively powerful large-scaled flavors that possess a seductively textured mouth feel on the equally long but actually deeper finish. Though not as pretty, this is presently every bit as interesting as the Blanchots.” – Rated 91-94 Points, Burghound

Domaine Servin Chablis Grand Cru Blanchot 2008, Regular Price $66.99, Sale Price $56.94 – Chablis, Burgundy, France – 100% Chardonnay – 12.5% abv – Sustainable - “A similar nose of white flower and citrus nuances is enhanced by white peach and spiced pear notes that are in perfect keeping with the extremely rich and full-bodied flavors blessed with buckets of extract that renders the firm core of ripe acidity almost invisible yet the long finish remains focused and vibrant.” – Rated 91-94 Points, Burghound

Domaine Servin Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos 2008, Regular Price $71.99, Sale Price $61.19 – Chablis, Burgundy, France – 100% Chardonnay – 12.5% abv – Sustainable - “It’s not a complete surprise that this is the most elegant and refined wine in the range in 2008 as the ultra pure, airy and lacy white flower, citrus, salt water and stony aromas complement to perfection the extremely fresh and silky textured flavors blessed with ample amounts of acid-buffering dry extract that culminate in a poised, harmonious and utterly classy finale. An impressive effort by any standard.” – Rated 92-95 Points, Burghound

*Wine that will be offered for tasting on Saturday

Special sale prices last through Saturday, August 7th. No other offers may be applied.

Georg Mosbacher Forster Elster Riesling Kabinett Trocken 2007,  Regular Price $26.99, Sale Price $19.99 – Pfalz, Germany – 100% Riesling – 12% abv – Organic - “Rich, round and spicy, offering grapefruit, nutmeg and white pepper aromas and flavors, with a savory aftertaste. Nicely balanced and long. Drink now through 2015. 50 cases imported.” – Rated 90 Points, Wine Spectator.

Tement Sauvignon Blanc Steirische Klassik 2007, Regular Price $24.99, Sale Price $18.99 – Sytria, Austria – 100% Sauvignon Blanc – 12.5% abv – Organic - Southern Styria is a traditional production area which enjoys excellent growing conditions, especially for white grapes. For this reason, 95% of the vineyard area is devoted to white varieties and 5% to red wine grapes (Blauer Zweigelt). The Tement Estate lies on a narrow plateau, into which the slope of the Zieregg cru gently flattens. Tement’s ‘classic’ Sauvignon Blanc shows ripe tropical fruit flavors with sweet herbs in the finish.

Chateau Castigno Saint-Chinian Blanc 2007, Regular Price $25.99, Sale Price $19.99 – Languedoc, France – 90% Grenache Blanc, 10% Roussanne – 14% abv – Organic - With an average of 25 years for the vines, these grapes are grown on clay and limestone soils. Vinification is in 100% new oak barrels. The color is golden-yellow. The nose is of exotic fruits and an and impression of candied citrus. The palate is strong, round, well-balanced by firm acidity.

Domaine du Vissoux Beaujolais Rosé “Les Griottes” 2009, Regular Price $16.99, Sale Price $13.99 – Beaujolais, France – 100% Gamay – 12.5% abv – Organic - A light-bodied, cherry-scented rosé made from 100% Gamay. Domaine du Vissoux may just be the most perfect expression in my whole portfolio of what I seek, for the very ability to be natural and great, at once.

Giovanna Ciacci Rosso di Montalcino 2005, Regular Price $26.99, Sale price $22.99 – Tuscany, Italy – 100% Sangiovese – 14% abv – Organic - The Ciacci family has been growers in the area of Sant’Antimo for centuries. The estate dates back 800 years and once totaled 700 hectares (nearly 1700 acres) in size. It has been divided over the generations (there are several producers named Ciacci, now). Giovanna markets most of her production under another label, through another importer and the style there is fairly modern. But Giovanna is at heart a traditionalist and produces, under the name Giovanna Ciacci, a limited quantity of traditionally crafted wines. A perfect fit for us. The Rosso is younger vines, less ideally situated parcels of Brunello di Montalcino. The 2005 is beautifully balanced and long, and a value.

Chateau Castigno “Secret des Dieux” Saint-Chinian 2007, Regular Price $25.99, Sale price $19.99 – Languedoc, France – 50% Syrah, 30% Carignan, 25% Grenache, 5% Mourvedre – 13.5% abv – Organic - Secret des Dieux is grown on clay and limestone soils (mainly limestone for the Grenache). The average age of the vines here is 25 years (but for the Carignan the vines are 100 years old). Deeply saturated dark red color. The nose gives refined impressions of red fruit and garigue. The palate is rich and generous with well-integrated tannins.

Sale prices last through July 31st. No other offers may be applied.

Please join us on Saturday, July 24, from 1-4pm for an in-store tasting and sale on 6 terrific wines at equally outstanding prices. The Lineup:

Verace Pinot Grigio 2009,  Regular Price $11.99, Sale Price $9.99 – Veneto, Italy – 100% Pinot Grigio – 12.5% abv – Sustainable - Crisp green apple is at the core of this delicious, refreshing white with good definition, focus and clarity. This tasty Pinot Grigio offers good length and balance.

Strele Soave 2007, Regular Price $19.99, Sale Price $15.99 – Veneto, Italy – 100% Garganega – 12.5% abv – Sustainable - There’s a touch of gold in the color, with ripe, citrus and honey notes. Medium-bodied, with good clean fruit, turning to fresh lemon and almond on the finish.

Chateau Mourgues du Gres Les Galets Roses 2009, Regular Price $15.99, Sale Price $12.99 – Rhone, France – 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 10% Carignan, 10% Syrah – 13.5% abv – Sustainable - Silver-pink. More floral than the Rose Fleur, displaying scents of yellow rose, Lily of the Valley and raspberry, with building spiciness. Despite its punchy depth of red fruit flavor, this comes off almost weightless. The spiciness carries assertively through the long, focused finish. – Rated 90 points, International Wine Cellar

Domaine du Vissoux Beaujolais Pierre Chermette, Regular Price $16.99, Sale Price $13.59 – Beaujolais, France – 100% Gamay – 12% abv – Sustainable - The basic bottling (incorporating purchased fruit), 2008 Beaujolais Pierre Chermette could be mistaken for a Pinot Noir given its bright cherry fruit and almond extract high tones; chalky, salty, smoky mineral inflections; and a subtly silken texture that beautifully complements the fresh, slightly piquant edge to its fruit. It is an exuberant wine to drink within a year or two – as always – but one that will change the opinions of Beaujolais among those who taste it for the first time. – David Schildknecht, The Wine Advocate

Monte La Sarda Garnacha Viñas Viejos, Regular Price $10.99, Sale price $9.99 – Bajo Aragon, Spain – 100% Grenache – 14.5% abv – Sustainable - This supple, medium-bodied red offers sweet blackberry and dark chocolate flavors, with modest tannins and lively acidity.

Simone Scaletta Barbera d’Alba Sarsera DOC, Regular Price $26.99, Sale price $19.99 – Piedmont, Italy – 100% Nebbiolo – 14% abv – Organic -A rather intense nose which is flowery and fruity at the same time, with nice light overtones of spices and vanilla and a certain freshness. Round and delicate, it gives harmony to the typical complexity of Barbera. The flavour is full, persistent, nicely dry and velvety as well as strong bodied. Further time in bottle will define its peculiar taste and complexity for approx. 10 years. Simone Scaletta’s vines are all situated in Monforte d’Alba, home of some the greatest domaine names in Barolo. He tends all of his vines himself–he only has 4 hectares total, including 1 hectare of Barbera, single vineyard Sarsera. Aging of this Barbera was all done in older foudres and barriques. A full, complex Barbera, well worth its regular price. Decanting recommended.

Sale prices last through July 24th. No other offers may be applied.

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.

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! – David Schildknecht, The Wine Advocate

Daniel Bouland is perhaps the greatest producer of old-fashioned Morgon existant. Forget “perhaps” – he is top in my view. From less than 4 hectares of old vines in the Douby, Cote de Py, and Delys, lieu dits of Morgon, he makes wines that can age 20 years, and are more comparable to fine Cote de Nuits Burgundies. – Peter Weygandt

The Lineup:

Daniel Bouland Morgon Delys 2009, $23.99 – Beaujolais, France – 100% Gamay – 13.5% abv – Sustainable

Daniel Bouland Morgon Vieilles Vignes Corcelette 2009, $22.99 – Beaujolais, France – 100% Gamay – 13.5% abv – Sustainable

Daniel Bouland Cote de Brouilly Cuvee Melanie 2009, $21.99 – Beaujolais, France – 100% Gamay – 13.5% abv – Sustainable

Daniel Bouland Chiroubles, $21.99 – Beaujolais, France – 100% Gamay – 13.5% abv – Sustainable

Prices for individual bottles of Bouland Cru Beaujolais are listed above. For mixed or matched case-quantity purchases take off 15%.

You may not have heard of this domaine before, but it won’t be a secret much longer. Chave is making superb wines. – James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

Yann, in his late 30s, has taken over from his father, Bernard Chave, and in 2001 the name of the Domaine became Yann Chave. It consists of 14.77 hectares (35.4 acres) of Crozes-Hermitage Rouge, 1.20 hectares (2.8 acres) of Hermitage, and 0.76 hectares (1.8 acres) of Crozes-Hermitage Blanc.

Chave HermiageThe Crozes-Hermiage “Classique” is a selection of vines all situated in the secteur “Chassis,” ranging from 18 to 40 years old. Elevage is 20% in two-year demi-muids and 80% in tank with micro-oxygenation. The “Le Rouvre” is a single parcel in Chassis, his best parcel of Crozes, lying on “caillouteux” (large rounded stones) and the vines average 50 years-old. It is pure “vin de goutte” and is aged entirely in one- and two-year old demi-muids. The Hermitage is from two parcels, one in Baumes (next to Le Méal) and the other in “Péléat,” with vines averaging 25 years of age. The wine is aged in 100% new demi-muids.

Pumping over is done twice a day but Yann does very little punching down (pigeage)- only two times altogether during the 3 weeks of vinification. He works hard in the vineyards – low yields, harvesting later at optimum phenolic maturity, natural viticulture, indigenous yeasts and no filtering – if you like loads of Syrah fruit and lots of texture on the palate, these are wines for you.

Through June 19, 2010, all Yann Chave wines will be discounted 25% off their regular retail price for single bottles (no further discount by the case). In addition, we are extending the special pricing across the range of our northern Rhone wines. SALE ENDS 8PM JUNE 19, 2010. The Lineup:

Yann Chave Crozes-Hermitage Classique 2007, Regular Price $27.99, Sale Price $20.99 – Rhone, France – 100% Syrah – 13% abv – Sustainable - Bright and open, with tasty black cherry, currant and aged tobacco notes. Fresh finish. Drink now. 5,000 cases made. - Rated 88 Points, Wine Spectator

Yann Chave Crozes-Hermitage Le Rouvre 2007, Regular Price $35.99, Sale Price $26.99 – Rhone, France – 100% Syrah – 13.5% abv – Sustainable - Dark and winey, with crushed currant, fig and boysenberry fruit laid over a strong graphite note. Additional tobacco, plum sauce and coffee notes fill in the briary finish. Best from 2010 through 2013. 2,080 cases made. – Rated 91 Points, Wine Spectator

Yann Chave Hermitage 2005, Regular Price $109.99, Sale Price $82.49 – Rhone, France – 100% Syrah – 13.5% abv – Sustainable - Packed with black currant, fig and black cherry fruit, this is also very refined, with incense, graphite, mineral and spice notes helping to extend the long, silky finish. Has power and grace and should age beautifully. Best from 2008 through 2022. 540 cases made. – Rated 93 Points, Wine Spectator

Yann Chave Hermitage 2006, Regular Price $79.99, Sale Price $59.99 – Rhone, France – 100% Syrah – 13.5% abv – Sustainable - Really inviting, with crushed currant and blackberry fruit mingling with cassis bush, iron and mineral notes. Has a supple, lingering, violet-tinged finish. Silky. Drink now through 2020. 50 cases imported. – Rated 93 Points, Wine Spectator

And on Saturday, June 12, from 1-4 pm, please join our importer, Peter Weygandt, in the shop to taste some of the perfect hot weather wines. All of these wines will be discounted 15% off their regular retail price for a single bottle and 20% off a mixed or matched case. In addition to the sale on the bottles that we are pouring tastes of, we are extending the special pricing to any of the wines of the producers that we are featuring. The entire portfolios of Bonnet-Huteau, Marof, Birgit Eichinger, Clos de l’Origine and Pascal et Nicolas Reverdy will be on sale. So stop by and taste some great summer sippers with Peter Weygandt! The Lineup:

Bonnet-Huteau Muscadet de Sevre et Maine Sur Lie La Levaudiere 2009, Regular Price $12.99, Sale Price $11.04 – Loire, France – 100% Muscadet – 12% abv – Biodynamic - Light, bright straw. Dusty minerals, quince and lemon zest on the nose, with a hint of white flowers adding complexity. Dry, sharply focused citrus and mineral flavors show a weightier aspect in the mid-palate and pick up a hint of musky herbs with air. Finishes clean and brisk. – Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar

Marof Renski Rizling, Regular Price $18.99, Sale Price $16.14 – Mackovci, Slovenia – 100% Riesling – 12% abv – Sustainable - Marof’s 2007 Renski Riesling is simply one of the ten or dozen finest Riesling wines I can recall tasting from outside of the greater Rhine basin or Austria. A gorgeous aromatic display of smoke-tinged apricot, Meyer lemon, apple blossom, and rowan leads to a silken-textured, infectiously juicy palate that makes a virtue of its relative looseness by conveying an airy elegance. Apricot kernel, lime zest, and an amazingly savory underlying sense of meat broth add complexity, and the interchange of flavors with which this wine finishes is positively vibratory. I suspect it will be best relished over the next 12-18 months, but there’s really no way of knowing absent any track record. – Rated 91 points, David Schildknecht, The Wine Advocate

Birgit Eichinger Grüner Veltliner Qualitätswein Trocken Kamptal Wechselberg 2008, Regular Price $22.99, Sale Price $19.54 – Kamptal, Austria – 100% Gruner Veltliner – 12.5% abv – Organic - Powerful, with concentrated grapefruit, Asian pear and gooseberry flavors that are supported by plenty of crisp acidity. Very vibrant and rich on the buttercream- and spice-filled finish. Drink now through 2015. 50 cases imported. – Rated 90 points, Kim Marcus, Wine Spectator

Clos de l’Origine Les Quilles Libres Vin de Pays des Cotes Catalanes Blanc 2007, Regular Price $23.99, Sale Price $20.39 – Roussillon, France – 80% Grenache Gris, 20% Grenache Blanc – 13% abv – Organic - The l’Origine 2007 Les Quilles Libres white is from Grenache Gris in both schist and chalk-clay terroirs of Maury (plus whatever bit of Grenache blanc may have been unavoidably harvested along with it), and was fermented for two months and aged in used barriques. An overlay of barrel-engendered lanolin and coconut in the nose segues into toasted nuts and grain and musky, narcissus-like scents. Firm and refreshing on the palate, it displays toasted nut, coconut, lanolin, lemon zest and brine, finishing long on piquant nuttiness, invigorating zest, but without the clarity or depth of the l’Original cuvee, and with an aura of oxidative evolution that some tasters may find slightly off-putting. This will demand careful pairing and I would advise exploring the options within the coming year. Inexperienced as I am with this estate I could easily end up being fooled by this wine’s potential. But given its low sulfur, it definitely requires vigilant, cool care. – Rated 88 points, David Schildknecht, The Wine Advocate

Pascal et Nicolas Reverdy Sancerre Terre de Maimbray Rose 2009, Regular Price $24.99, Sale Price $21.24 – Burgundy, France – 100% Pinot Noir – 13% abv – Organic - Medium red color. Mineral-driven aromas of redcurrant, strawberry and rose, with notes of orange peel and herbs adding complexity. Dry, focused and pure, with tangy red fruit flavors and good mineral bite. Impressive for its elegance and understatement; the finish is brisk and focused but just a touch dry. – Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar