Please join us

Domaine Raymond Usseglio Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Impériale 2005, List Price $69.99, Sale $59.99 – Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France – 90% Grenache, 5% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre – 14% abv – Sustainable - The dark ruby/purple-tinged 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Imperiale, is powerful and full-bodied, with moderately high tannins, enticing, lush, intense texture, and hints of black cherry, roasted herbs, meat, and resiny, loamy soil notes. This is a very pure, structured, high tannin wine with good acidity that should be given 3-4 years of bottle-age and drunk over the following two decades. There are two superb Usseglio estates in Chateauneuf du Pape, and this one, although somewhat in the shadow of the recent efforts of the Domaine Pierre Usseglio, should never to be discounted as the wines from Raymond Usseglio are top-notch and classic in style. Both 2006 and 2005 are strong vintages for this estate. – Rated 92 points, The Wine Advocate

Concentrated but silky, with a core of raspberry and blackberry fruit woven with dark toast, licorice and plum sauce notes. The long finish shows nice depth. Has more grip than the Girard, but it’s not as fresh. Drink now through 2020. 80 cases imported. – Rated 92 points, Wine Spectator

Domaine Raymond Usseglio Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2007, List Price $44.99, Sale $37.99 – Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France – 40% Grenache Blanc, 20% Roussanne, 20% Clairette, 20% Bourboulenc – 14% abv – Sustainable - A bright, stony style, offering lime, green apple, floral and acacia notes backed by a lively, mineral-tinged finish. A crisp, fresh, medium-bodied Rhône white. 130 cases made.

Richard Leroy Anjou Les Noëls de Montbenault 2007, List Price $29.99, Sale $19.99 – Anjou, Loire, France – 100% Chenin Blanc – 12.5% abv – Organic – Vivid yellow-gold. Honeydew melon, peach and nectarine on the nose, with exotic notes of gingerbread and musky herbs coming up with air. Initially pliant, gently sweet melon and pit fruit flavors turn firmer in the mid-palate and offer excellent palate coverage and strong spice character. Finishes with impressive length and lingering spiciness. Lots going on here but this still seems young. – Rated 91 points, Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar; 90 points, Wine Spectator

Domaine Remi Jobard Meursault En Luraule 2007, List Price $68.99, Sale $42.99 – Burgundy, France – 100% Chardonnay – 13% abv – Sustainable – Lime and crushed stone aromas along with a bit of biscuity reduction. Then juicy and sweet, with enticing flavors of lime and spices. This broad, sweet village wine offers excellent energy and finishes with very good grip. There are five different plantings that go into this cuvee: Jobard bought these vines when they were “very young,” just before the 1994 harvest. – Rated 90 points, Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar

Domaine Sérafin Père & Fils Morey St.-Denis 1er Cru Les Millandes 2007, List Price $104.99, Sale Price $88.99 – Côte-de Nuits, Burgundy, France – 100% Pinot Noir – 13% abv – Organic - A floral red berry and earth inflected nose serves as a relatively elegant introduction to the pure, detailed and lightly mineral suffused medium full flavors that possess good power, focus and intensity on the long and palate staining finish. This is lovely and understated. – Rated 90 points, Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar; 90 points, Wine Spectator; 89-92 points, Burghound

Domaine Dugat-Py Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 2006, List Price $99.99, Sale $74.99 – Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France – 100% Pinot Noir – 13% abv – Organic - The Dugat-Py 2006 Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes offers considerable depth of ripe black fruits and toasted meat on a palate so fine-grained it is able to sooth and seduce all the way to a succulently long finish. En route, cocoa powder, sage, iodine, and black pepper add interest and invigoration. It could be enjoyed young but will doubtless hold well for 6-8 years, given the track record at this estate. – Rated 90 points, The Wine Advocate; 90 points, Wine Spectator; 88-90 points, Burghound

Domaine Jean Royer Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Tradition 2007, List Price $43.99, Sale $36.99 – Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 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. This small estate (just over 12 acres) is run by the Royer family, who can trace its origins in Chateauneuf du Pape back to the 1800′s. However, they have only been estate bottling their wines since the mid-eighties. As the following notes indicate, these are very high quality, artisanal wines made with assistance from consultant Philippe Cambie. All of the vineyards are located in the southern sectors of Chateauneuf du Pape known as Bois de la Ville and Les Grandes Serres, the latter being one of the sources for the superb wines from Isabel Ferrando’s St.-Prefert Chateauneuf du Papes. – Rated 91 points, Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar; 90 points, The Wine Advocate; 90 points, Wine Spectator

Domaine Clos St-Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes 2005, List Price $69.99, Sale $42.99 – Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France – 75% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 4% Mourvedre, 3% Cinsault, 2% Vaccarese, 1% Muscardin – 14.5% abv – Sustainable - The 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes has a dark saturated ruby/purple color and a gorgeous nose of camphor, beef blood, roasted meat, pepper, lavender, spring flowers, and assorted red and black fruits such as kirsch and blackberry. The wine is very Provencal, extremely deep, full-bodied, and ideal for drinking over the next 12-15 years. The tannins are there, but they are nearly obliterated by the wine’s concentration and richness. – Rated 93 points, The Wine Advocate; 93 points, Wine Spectator; 91 points, Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar

Sale pricing for selected wines lasts through the end of Saturday, February 19th, 2011. No other discounts may apply.

Gerard Charvin and his son, Laurent, represent the quintessence of the small domaine/father and son team. They have only 8 ha. of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and half of that they sell off to negociants, keeping only the best lots for the Châteauneuf of Domaine Charvin. What goes into their Châteauneuf is about 82% Grenache and the rest Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Vaccarèse from their vines averaging about 50 years of age (the oldest being 70 years). Together they combine the experience and patience of Gerard with the wine making brilliance of Laurent, now regarded as one of the top wine-makers in the appellation by Guy Julien, famous owner of the restaurant Beaugraviere in Mondragon and assembler of its unequalled Rhône list.

Words that come to mind in describing the style of Charvin’s wine would include at the top, silky, velvety, and smooth. There are no harsh or dry tannins and they are always impeccably balanced. Descriptors that Robert Parker uses also include seductive, sexy, smoky, blackberry, cherry, hedonistic, flamboyant and blockbuster. These are indeed some of the best examples of the appellation and represent a very unique and extraordinary style that is immediately recognizable, and thus literally an artistic expression.

One of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s young turks is Laurent Charvin, who represents the sixth generation of the family to run this estate (which was founded in 1851). Prior to 1990, the entire production was sold to negociants, but the estate-bottled production has gradually risen as consumers have recognized the quality in the bottle (which to me has always come close to what was produced at Chateau Rayas under the late Jacques Reynaud). It is a small estate, with a production of approximately 2,500 cases from their 20 acres of vines, all located in the northern tier of the appellation, next to the grand estate of Maucoil. – The Wine Advocate #185, Oct. 2009

The Lineup:

Domaine Charvin Chateauneuf du Pape 2001, List Price $110.99, Tasting Price $74.99 – Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France – 82% Grenache, 8% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre, 5% Vaccarèse – 14.5% abv – Sustainable - Dark and dense, this very powerful Chateauneuf oozes dark chocolate, black currant, tar, mineral, grilled beef and roasted chestnut flavors that just won’t quit. Yet despite its exotic range of flavors, it has a pure, silky core of fruit that remains steadfast through the extremely long finish. An awesome young wine. Best from 2006 through 2024. 2,350 cases made. – Rated 96 points, Wine Spectator; 95 points, The Wine Advocate; 94 points, International Wine Cellar

Domaine Charvin Chateauneuf du Pape 2003, List Price $103.99, Tasting Price $69.99 – Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France – 82% Grenache, 8% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre, 5% Vaccarèse – 14.5% abv – Sustainable - Terrific example of the vintage – this is loaded with the pepper, garrigue, grilled herb and briary tannins, all backed by powerful layers of dark currant, plum and blackberry fruit. Lingering hint of dried orange peel adds further dimension. Best from 2007 through 2030. 2,730 cases made. – Wine Spectator 96 Points, 94 points, International Wine Cellar; 93 points, The Wine Advocate

Domaine Charvin Chateauneuf du Pape 2004, List Price $65.99, Tasting Price $48.99 – Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France – 82% Grenache, 8% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre, 5% Vaccarèse – 14.5% abv – Sustainable - Bright red. Complex nose displays ripe red berries, cherry skin, tobacco, potpourri and smoky minerals. Fleshy but focused, with pure, juicy red berry and cherry preserve flavors, supple texture and completely hidden tannins. Sweet and silky enough to drink now, but this wine’s balance and freshness will allow for a slow and positive development. I scored this at 94 points on release and will stick with that. – Rated 93 Points, International Wine Cellar; 92 points, Wine Spectator; 90 points, The Wine Advocate

Domaine Charvin Chateauneuf du Pape 2005, List Price $85.99, Tasting Price $46.99 – Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France – 82% Grenache, 8% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre, 5% Vaccarèse – 14.5% abv – Sustainable - Forward and lush for the vintage, with dark currant and fig paste flavors backed by licorice, coffee, garrigue and braised beef notes. The long, smoky finish has a lingering touch of mesquite. The profile is black fruit, but the structure is remarkably elegant for the vintage, with lovely poise. Drink now through 2023. – Rated 94 points, Wine Spectator; 94 points, International Wine Cellar; 93 points, The Wine Advocate

Domaine Charvin Chateauneuf du Pape 2008, List Price $42.99, Tasting Price $35.99 – Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France – 85% Grenache, 5% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre, 5% Vaccarèse – 14.5% abv – Sustainable - The 2008 Chateauneuf du Pape is a sexy, medium to full-bodied effort with far more depth, richness and seductive powers than most Chateauneuf du Papes in this vintage. A classic blend of 85% Grenache and the rest equal parts Mourvedre, Syrah and Vaccarese has resulted in a deep plum/ruby-hued 2008 displaying loads of kirsch, pepper and licorice notes. The fruit is sweet, the tannins silky and the wine very seductive and evolved. Drink it over the next 7-8 years. – Rated 90 points, The Wine Advocate; 90 points, International Wine Cellar

Please join us this Saturday, November 20th, from 12PM to 4PM for a tasting of staff picks and new arrivals (below), and the outstanding Pierre Chermette Beaujolais Primeur 2010! The Lineup:

Domaine de l’Aigle a Deux Tetes, En Griffez Vieilles Vignes Chardonnay (Cotes du Jura) 2007, List Price $23.99, Sale Price $19.99 – The name of this wine is a mouthful (it translates to Eagle with Two Heads), and the wine itself is too! From old, high-density plantings of Chardonnay, this wine is reminiscent of great Chablis. 

Domaine Gauby Vieilles Vignes Blanc (Vin de pays des Cotes Catalanes) 2005, List Price $44.99, Sale Price $37.99 – “A blend of Macabeo, Grenache Blanc, Chardonnay, Grenache Gris and Carignan Blanc. Pale lemon yellow colour. Toasted almonds, creamy oatmeal, warm peaches, golden delicious apple and white pepper on the nose. Great backbone of crisp acidity and a nice silky texture. Tons of minerals. Medium to full body and a very long finish. Drink now to 2015.” Rated 92 Points, The Wine Advocate

Domaine Raymond Usseglio Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc 2007, List Price $44.99, Sale Price $37.99 – “Crisp, fresh, and medium-bodied with notes of flowers and white currants.” Rated 88 Points, The Wine Advocate

Domaine Henri Gallet Cote-Rotie 2006, List Price $59.99, Sale Price $49.99 – “Shows a pungent macerated olive aroma, before giving way to a core of coffee, sweet tapenade, roasted plum, smoked bacon and mesquite. The long, dark finish is filled with fig and iron. An old-school style. Best from 2009 through 2018. 60 cases imported.” Rated 92 Points, Wine Spectator

Domaine Jean-Michel Gerin Cote-Rotie Champin le Seigneur 2006, List Price $59.99, Sale Price $49.99 – “Vibrant and racy, with good drive to the red licorice, red currant and damson plum notes, backed by hints of fruitcake, roasted vanilla and iron. The long, silky finish is finely tuned. Drink now through 2016.” Rated 91 Points, Wine Spectator

And don’t forget our special pricing: 15% off our entire selection of Alsatian and German wines lasts through Saturday, November 24th, 2010, In-Store Only. (Closed Thanksgiving Day)

1. We have two great Chateauneuf du Pape producers that we are selling for a terrific deal at $39.99 and one at $49.99, while supplies last. All three are from the 2006 vintage that, while not reviewed as well as the ’07 vintage, scored 92 or 93 points in the Wine Advocate. The lineup is as follows:

Clos Saint-Jean Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes 2006 – $39.99 – “The 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes’ dark opaque color is accompanied by a gorgeous nose of incense, licorice, spice box, creme de cassis, cherries, and smoked meats. Notions of soy and fig are also apparent in this full-bodied, concentrated, sexy wine. Enjoy it over the next 12-15+ years.” – WA 93 pts

Domaine Gerard Charvin Chateauneuf du Pape 2006 – $49.99 – “Charvin’s 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape has turned out to be one of the vintage’s top efforts. Lovely sweet notes of glove leather, roasted meats, spice box, ground pepper, kirsch, and raspberries are present in this deep, full-bodied 2006. More evolved than the 2007, with copious concentration, elegance, and a Burgundy grand cru-like complexity as well as freshness, it should be enjoyed over the next 12-15+ years.” – WA 93 pts

Domaine de Ferrand Chateauneuf du Pape 2006 – $39.99 – “Bravay has also turned in a beautiful 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape displaying the classic, complex aromatic profile that he seems to achieve routinely. Aromas of black fruits, scorched earth, incense, licorice, pepper, and roasted Provencal herbs are followed by a full-bodied, rich, deep, long, concentrated wine with impressive layers of black cherries and black currants. Drink it over the next 10-15 years.” – WA 92 pts

This is a very good opportunity to try three of the bigger names from the Southern Rhone for a very, very reasonable price.

2. With Thanksgiving looming, please come in next week and taste some of our holiday selections. We’re still filling out our lineup card, but we’ll have a few sparklers, some alsatian whites, some Cru Beajolais, maybe a Bourgogne Rouge and a couple of dessert wines available to taste. In addition, try our Domaine du Vissoux Kir Royale. Made from their Cremant de Bourgogne and Creme de Cassis, it’s a delicious cocktail that’s perfect for the upcoming holidays.

3. Speaking of Thanksgiving, the much anticipated and highly touted 2009 Beaujolais Nouveaus will be arriving next week and we are offering Domaine du Vissoux for $12.99 a bottle. Regularly $18.49, another great deal for those that love Beaujolais Nouveau or those who were turned off previously by poorly crafted wines. This is the Beaujolis Nouveau that will be featured at Willi’s Wine Bar in Paris and it is one of number of wines that we think pair perfectly with turkey.

4. A reminder that next Friday, November 20, we are hosting a not-to-be-missed 2007 Horizontal Burgundy Tasting with Domaine des Lambrays, Domaine Christian Serafin, Domaine Remi Jobard and Domaine Dugat-Py. Four of the best in the business and wines we do not usually open, so be here between 4-7 pm to taste a real treat.

Thanks, and be sure to ask us what wine will go with whatever you’re cooking for dinner. With a couple of former chefs in the shop and the co-proprietor, Todd Ross, who knows all of our wines, inside and out, we’re sure to be able to suggest a perfect wine pairing for you.

“Vintage of a lifetime…Throughout the southern Rhône, 2007 is the greatest vintage I have tasted in my thirty years working in that region.” – Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate

“It seems the Southern Rhône Valley can do no wrong. Fine weather plus skilled vintners equals great wines year after year. Every vintage from 1998 through 2004 was outstanding (rated 90 points or higher on Wine Spectator ‘s 100-point scale), with the sole exception of rain-drenched 2002 – and 2005 earned a classic score.” – James Molesworth, July 15, 2008, Wine Spectator

That being said, we have but a single bottle of Domaine Raymond Usseglio Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Girard Non Filtré 2007 available to taste in the store today. This is a great opportunity to taste a terrific wine from an outstanding winemaker from an incredible vintage.

“Importer Peter Weygandt-s 2007 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Girard has a deeper ruby/purple hue and a slightly more fleshy texture, but otherwise is similar to the regular cuvee. With plenty of Provencal herb, lavender, smoke, meat juice, black cherry, and black currant characteristics, this rich, pure, sultry, opulent wine should drink well for 10-15 years.

“The name Usseglio is well-known in Chateauneuf du Pape as the Usseglio family immigrated from Italy during the Great Depression. There are two top domaines named Usseglio, that of Raymond and Pierre Usseglio. The Raymond Usseglio estate is now being run by Stephane Usseglio, who has introduced a new Mourvedre-based cuvee called La Parte des Anges (reviewed here and called Reserve des Anges in last year-s report). The 2008s are very good for the vintage, but the 2007s are the finest wines I have tasted at Raymond Usseglio since their 1998s, and these may even eclipse them.” – WA 92 points

So come in and ask for it and if we have any left in the bottle, we’ll pour you a special taste…

On September 15, I arrived in Burgundy and for a few days witnessed and participated in a very beautiful harvest there. The morning of September 16th, I heard on the weather news that the night before in Chateauneuf it had rained. I arrived in there mid-day on Friday the 18th. It had rained a little that morning and then it rained again that afternoon. On Saturday the 19th,it rained a little, over an area that stretched from Courthezon to Chateanueuf, but missed the northwest section of the appellation entirely. All told, the rains together totaled about 70-75 mm over 4 days, with the biggest coming the night of the 15th (around 60 mm).

Prior to this time there had not been any rain in Chateauneuf since mid-June (and then very little). July and especially August had been very hot. By late August some vines were showing stress. September turned cooler, which helped. Many growers started to pick around the 10th. In fact, many got their entire harvest of Chateauneuf in before the night of the 14th, when the first rain in 3 months came. These producers, depending on how much they had worked, produced, in many cases, wines of exceptional promise–great concentration and intense flavors that I tasted from the juice. The key was how much they had worked the soil, which had helped the vines mature and minimized any stress. For those who picked just because the grapes had high alcohol, their wines might not be successful (but I did not visit any domaine such as this). On the other hand, for those who had maturity (those who practice “bio” culture and who work the soil), the “First” harvest of 2009 should be exceptional.

Then comes the Second harvest: post September 15. Here there are two possibilities—those who started to pick right away the following Monday, and those who waited till the week of September 28. The week was significant because not only did it not rain for the rest of the month, but the weather was perfect–sunny days, cool nights, and starting the 21st, a week of mistral.

In this group I can report, from my own knowledge, Clos St. Jean, Stephane Usseglio, and Baptiste Grangeon for his Grenache in sandy soils (sand drains especially well). They did not start until the week of the 28th. These producers could possibly make extraordinary wines for several reasons–the skins on the grapes were very thick and hard when the rains came, so the skins never swelled (plus the vines were so starved for water that even the quantity that fell was not too much). The additional two weeks
enabled the vines to fully complete their maturation, boosted by re-started photosynthesis, and complete the softening of tannins. Finally, there was mistral and cool nights the last two weeks, to further concentrate the grapes, while preserving acidity.

Whereas Burgundy, Beaujolais, and the northern Rhône are unquestionably potentially great (and easy) harvests, 2009 has presented a fascinating scenario in Chateauneuf for comparisons that will surely go on for years–the Tale of Two Harvests of 2009.
– Peter Weygandt – October 1, 2009