In addition to having open bottles of Dolcetto and Barbera, and hosting an exquisite chocolate tasting, we have about 65 open bottles of assorted Rhone wines that were left over from Peter Weygandt’s tasting with Robert Parker yesterday. A few ’07s, a handful of ’08s and a bunch of the much ballyhooed ’09 Southern Rhone wines will be available for tasting. If you made it into the shop for our Burgundy Bonanza, this is the Rhone equivalent. Only bigger. Yann Chave, Chateau Mourgues du Gres, Domaine Font Sarade, Domaine Alary, Domaine Charvin, Domaine de Cristia, Chateau de Manissy, La Ferme Du Mont, Jean Michel-Gerin, Domaine Les Aphillanthes, Domaine Beau Mistral, Domaine Constant-Duquesnoy, La Tour Coste and Domaine Les Grand Bois. So maybe come in with a game plan, because the above picture doesn’t even show the white wines that are open…

On Saturday, March 20, from 1 pm to 4 pm, please help us welcome Micheal Gerin of the great house, Jean-Michel Gerin, to the shop. He will pouring his very well reviewed wines that are written about as some of the very best from the Northern Rhone. The whites are all Viognier and the reds are all Syrah; one can see from the picture above the amount of care and work that must go into tending grapes that are grown on these rocky, mineral-rich, mountainside vineyards. Rare and outstanding wines, this is another great opportunity to taste some cuvees that you just don’t open up for general consumption. Unless you’re us. Which we are. All bottles will be priced 15% off the normal retail price, with a 20% discount to be applied by the case. The Lineup:

Jean-Michel Gerin Condrieu Coteau de La Loye 2007, SALE $42.49/btl, Regularly $49.99 – Rhone, France – 100% Viognier – 14.5% abv – Quite ripe, but with excellent precision, as a clear minerally streak and crunchy acidity runs through the peach, mango and anise flavors. Long, bright finish lets the anise and mineral notes stretch out nicely. Drink now through 2010. 1,165 cases made. – WS 91 points

The superb 2007 Condrieu La Loyes is a bigger, bolder white with more crushed rock and minerality accompanying its white peach, apricot, and lychee nut characteristics. – WA 91 points

Jean-Michel Gerin Syrah Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes 2007, SALE $16.99, Regularly $19.99/btl – Rhone, France – 100% Syrah – 13% abv – A hint of reduction blows off quickly, leaving incense, crushed cherry, violet and mineral notes to glide through the iron-tinged finish. Drink now. 1,415 cases made. – WS 88 points

Jean-Michel Gerin St. Joseph 2007, SALE $25.49/btl, Regularly $29.99 – Rhone, France – 100% Syrah – 12.5% abv – Shows the bright, crunchy acidity of the vintage, with hints of violet, pastis, black cherry and incense gliding through the fresh, lengthy finish. Drink now through 2011. 1,665 cases made. – WS 91 points

Jean-Michel Gerin Cote Rotie Champin Le Seigneur 2006, SALE $50.99/btl, Regularly $59.99 – Rhone, France – 100% Syrah – 13% abv – 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. 3,750 cases made. – WS 91 points

Jean-Michel Gerin Cote Rotie Les Grandes Places 2006, SALE $84.99/btl, Regularly $99.99 – Rhone, France – 100% Syrah – 13% abv – Still a bit taut, with briary tannins framing the red currant, black cherry, licorice and iron notes. Firm, with the licorice edge winning out on the slightly tangy, olive- and mineral-filled finish. This needs cellaring to flesh out fully. Best from 2010 through 2020. 625 cases made. – WS 93 points

It’s been an action-packed first 3 months for us, here at Weygandt Wines. We’ve poured beautiful Burgundies, astonishing Austrians, sensational Sancerres, and breathtaking Barolos to name a few. Alliteration aside, on Saturday, January 30, from 12 to 4 pm, we’ll pour some of the most misunderstood wines of the old world: Northern Rhones. The spotlight is on Georges Vernay, more specifically, his daughter Christine who, “has been running this estate for a number of years, and has not only built on the highly successful white wines of her father, but has also dramatically increased the quality of the reds.” – Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

Northern Rhone Viognier pairs very well with rich cheeses, fish with sauces such as a beurre blanc, guinea fowl and other lighter poultry. The Syrahs are a natural match with duck, game birds, venison and richer meats.

All of the wines from Georges Vernay will be on sale for 25-50% off the regular retail price. For those of you who haven’t tasted Viognier and/or Syrah from the steep-sloped, shale and granite soils of this region, this is an excellent opportunity to try these elegant and complex wines. The Lineup:

Georges Vernay Viognier Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes Le Pied de Samson 2007, Sale $19.99/btl, Regularly $32.99/btl – Rhone, France – 100% Viognier – 12.8% abv – Fresh, tangy mix of peach, anise and mineral notes, that all stay bright and pure on the finish. Drink now. 1,080 cases made. – WS 88 points

Georges Vernay Condrieu Les Terrasses de L’Empire 2007, Sale $34.99/btl, Regularly $52.99/btl – Rhone, France – 100% Viognier – 14% abv – Really bright and superracy, with a tightly coiled core of orange blossom, honeysuckle, green fig, yellow apple and chamomile notes waiting to gush forth. Taut acidity holds this back for now, so cellar to let it round into form. Best from 2009 through 2012. 1,665 cases made. – WS 92 points

Georges Vernay Cote Rotie Blonde du Seigneur 2005, Sale $49.99/btl, Regularly $74.99/btl – Rhone, France – 100% Syrah – 12.5% abv – Bright and pure, with racy acidity carrying a strong floral note, along with hints of licorice, iron and cassis. Graphite edge really stretches out the finish. Best from 2009 through 2016. 415 cases made. – WS 92 points

The outstanding 2005 Cote Rotie Blonde de Seigneur exhibits the beautifully sexy, seductive notes from the Cote Blonde, with raspberry, kirsch, smoke, and flowers, followed by an elegantly wrought wine with supple tannins, beautiful black and red fruits, and a savory mouthfeel. It is rich, but not over the top. – WA 92 points

Georges Vernay Cote Rotie Blonde du Seigneur 2006, Sale $39.99/btl, Regularly $62.99/btl – Rhone, France – 100% Syrah – 12.5% abv – A juicy, ripe style, with lots of briar, red and black currant, sweet tapenade and aged tobacco notes, backed by a vibrant minerality. Long, alluring finish. Drink now through 2018. 665 cases made. – WS 91 points

Georges Vernay Cote Rotie Maison Rouge 2004, Sale $69.99/btl, Regularly $109.99 – Rhone, France – 100% Syrah – 12.5% abv – Shows a mix of sweet tea, black olive, currant, sanguine and mineral notes, with a long, supple finish. The fresh acidity lets the herb and mineral notes linger nicely. Drink now through 2015. 415 cases made. – WS 91 points

Georges Vernay Cote Rotie Maison Rouge 2005, Sale $79.99/btl, Regularly $119.99/btl – Rhone, France – 100% Syrah – 12.5% abv – Gorgeous aromas of Turkish coffee, warm fig bread and dark cocoa lead the way for a lushly layered palate of fig, boysenberry and black currant paste notes. Very alluring, with ample structure buried on the finish. Don’t overlook the reds at this Condrieu-based domaine; they’ve really improved in the last few vintages. Best from 2010 through 2025. 415 cases made. – WS 94 points

The 2005 Cote Rotie Maison Rouge is dark ruby in color but totally dominated by new oak. The wine has some serious weight to it and excellent freshness, but the wood is overwhelming at present, which surprised me. Judgment reserved. – WA 88 points