Côtes du Rhône » Weygandt Wines

This branch of the Alary family has been growers for 11 generations. One of their sites is on the choicest parcel of Cairanne, known as the Font D’Estevenas. Here, the latest in this long line of vignerons, Denis Alary, fashions the lineup that has earned him the notation by Robert Parker as “one of the stars of the Cotes du Rhone Village of Cairanne”.

Starting with his Vin de Pays, called La Grange Daniel Rouge, Denis fashions a blend of Grenache, Syrah with a little Cinsault and about 15% 40 year old vines Cabernet Sauvignon. As Robert Parker says it has “the pepper, spice, herb characteristics found in a good Southern Rhone”. The Alary Cotes du Rhone is a blend of Grenache and Syrah in a more full-bodied style exhibiting “classic Southern Rhone character”. The Cairanne is approximately an 85% Grenache, 15% Syrah blend of a “excellent concentration” and classic character of that village appellation. The Cairanne Brunotte is a blend a Grenache and Mourvedre and as the name would suggest is built more for evolving over five to six years. The Font D’Estevanas site in Cairanne gives its name to two of Denis’ top wines. The red is a blend of 60% Syrah planted by Daniel Alary some 40 years ago from cuttings he brought from Hermitage, blended with Grenache and Counoise, some of the Grenache vines being over 100 years old. This is an exotic, richly flavored wine that reminds both of Cote Rotie and of fine Chateauneuf all at once. The Font D’Estevanas Blanc is a blend of 65% Roussanne, 10% Marsanne and 25% Viognier. While lush and very eromatic, is also beautifully balanced and elegant. Starting in 1998 the Alary family kept aside grapes from a parcel, the family purchased in 1860 from a man named Jean de Verde and had thus always been referred to as “La Jean de Verde”. These are 70 plus years old Grenache vines with yield of about a ton and a half per acre, producing an exquisite, sumptuous delicacy weighing in at over 14% natural ripeness. The domaine is also included in the Revue du Vin de France Le Classement as one of the top domaines in France.

Please join us on Saturday, January 29th, from 12pm until 4pm to sample these classic expressions of southern Cotes du Rhone regional wines . . .

Many observers feel that Domaine Alary is the top estate in the village of Cairanne. I agree that they are one of the most reliable. A partial look at their just released wines includes two Vin de Pays cuvees, both excellent values. Readers should keep in mind that 2008 in the southern Rhone is a good vintage that is on a very fast evolutionary track. – Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

Domaine Alary Vin de Pays de la Principauté d’Orange La Grange Daniel Roussanne 2009, List Price $14.99/btl, Sale $12.99 – Cairanne, Rhone, France – 100% Roussanne – 14% abv – Sustainable - An amazing bargain for a wine made from 100% hand-harvested Roussanne. Orange and waxy honeysuckle aromas jump from the glass of this medium-bodied, richly fruit white that smells and tastes like Roussanne. Most Roussannes at this level of quality sell for 2 to 3 times the price. Consume it over the next year.

Domaine Alary Côtes du Rhône-Villages Cairanne La Font d’Estévenas Blanc 2008, List Price $21.99/btl, Sale $18.99 – Cairanne, Rhone, France – 90% Clairette, 10% Roussanne – 13% abv – Sustainable - The 2008 Font d’Estevanas blanc (a blend of 90% Clairette and 10% Roussanne) comes across like a Chablis from the Southern Rhone. Crisp minerality intermixed with flower, white currant, nectarine, and grapefruit notes are present in this medium-bodied, elegant, delicious white. This tank-fermented and aged 2008 should be consumed during its first year of life to take advantage of its tremendous aromatic character. – Rated 90 points, The Wine Advocate; 90 points, Wine Spectator

Domaine Alary Vin de Pays de la Principauté d’Orange La Grange Daniel 2009, List Price $14.99/btl, Sale $12.99 – Cairanne, Rhone, France – 20% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 20% Cinsault, 20% Counoise, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon – 14% abv – Sustainable - A combination of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Counoise, and Cabernet Sauvignon, all planted just outside the domain’s home of Cairanne. Spicy cherries intermixed with saddle leather, resiny pine forest notes, and pepper are present in this full-bodied, chunky, but surprisingly flavorful and well-made wine. Drink it over the next 1-2 years.

Domaine Alary Côtes du Rhône La Gerbaude 2008, List Price $13.99/btl, Sale $11.99 – Cairanne, Rhone, France – 85% Grenache, 15% Syrah – 13.5% abv – Sustainable - A terrific bargain from this vintage. This is the estate’s declassified wine from their home village of Cairanne–this blend of 85% Grenache and 15% old vine Carignan is outstanding. Notes of black cherries, garrigue, loamy soil, spice, and new saddle leather emerge from this richly fruity, medium-bodied, elegant, complex red. It is ideal for drinking over the next 2-3 years.

Domaine Alary Côtes du Rhône-Villages Cairanne 2008, List price $19.99/btl, Sale $16.99 – Cairanne, Rhone, France – 70% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Carignan – 13.5% abv – Sustainable - Ripe and friendly, featuring a forward core of cherry and dark spice notes. A whiff of black tea checks in on the juicy finish, with a nice mineral hint, too. Drink now.

Domaine Alary Côtes du Rhône-Villages Cairanne La Font d’Estévenas 2008, List Price $24.99, Sale $21.99 – Cairanne, Rhone, France – 50% Grenache, 50% Syrah – 14% abv – Sustainable - Always one of Alary’s finest efforts, the outstanding 2008 Font d’Estevanas comes from old parcels of Grenache (50%) and Syrah (50%, all aged in neutral wood). The wine’s dense plum/garnet color is followed by an evolved bouquet of flowers, black raspberries, and roasted Provencal herbs, medium to full-bodied, fleshy flavors, and an irresistible, endearing finish. Enjoy this sexy 2008 over the next 2-3 years. – Rated 91 points, The Wine Advocate

Over-Achieving Cotes-du-Rhone Reds from Domaine Les Aphillanthes - Saturday, Jan 8, 2011 - 12-4 pm

Biodynamic, Côtes du Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Events, France, Grenache, Grower, Merlot, Mourvedre, Producer, Red Wine, Rhône, Sale, Syrah, Tasting, Vaucluse No Responses »

Jan 052011

Please join us this Saturday, January 8th, from 12PM until 4PM for a tasting of highly-rated and exceptional Cotes-du-Rhones featuring the wines of Domaine Les Aphillanthes.

This estate, located in the village of Travaillan, and run by perfectionist Daniel Boulle, has quickly emerged as one of the most serious Cotes du Rhone producers. – Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Finding this secluded chais (and the glorious wines inside) is one of the great discoveries of my career as an importer. As Robert Parker stated in Issue 131 of The Wine Advocate, the wines of Daniel Boulle “may be the richest Cotes du Rhone I have tasted”. Certainly for me they are. Daniel had, prior to the 1999 vintage, sold virtually his entire production to the cooperative, but urged on by friends and family, he experimented with vinification and bottling for the first time that vintage. The results were very promising, to say the least. What makes Daniel Boulle so special, in my opinion, is his absolute perfection in growing. His yields are minute and the fruit is perfect.

One cuvee of Cotes du Rhone Villages called Cuvee des Galets, 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 20% Mourvedre, from yields of only 20-22 hl/ha (less than half of what he is allowed to produce), possesses a physiological ripeness, concentration and texture unlike any other Cotes du Rhone I have experienced. And that is the least ambitious of his cuvees. He makes another, called Cuvee 3 Cepage of equal parts Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre where all the grapes are harvested at the same time, in October, the time for harvesting Mourvedre. This made the Grenache and Syrah super ripe, and the blend is nearly 15% natural. In discussing it with Daniel Boulle it is clear that this cuvee is very dear to him, being the most difficult to achieve. A third cuvee called Le Cros is 100% Syrah from yields of 17-18 hl/ha. Aged in barrique and demi-muids, much in the fashion of a great Northern Rhone, but with the ripeness and character of the Southern Rhone. The evolution of this wine should be fabulous. His fourth cuvee, in minuscule quantities, is of Mouvedre pur, yields of 15-16 hl/ha and ripeness of over 14.5% (virtually unheard of for Mourvedre in France). – Peter Weygandt

The Lineup:

Domaine Les Aphillanthes Vin de Pays de Vaucluse 2009, List Price $12.99/btl, Sale Price $10.99 – Travaillan, Rhone, France – 30% Grenache, 25% Merlot, 25% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre – 14% abv – Biodynamic - Composed of nearly equal parts Merlot, Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre, the 2009 Vin de Pays is dominated by its berry fruit, but it also offers notions of earth, spice box, and tobacco leaf. Drink it over the next year.

Domaine Les Aphillanthes Cotes-du-Rhone 2009, List Price $17.99, Sale Price $14.99 – Travaillan, Rhone, France – 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre – 14.5% abv – Biodynamic - The impressively endowed 2009 Cotes du Rhones fashioned by proprietor Daniel Boulle from his bio-dynamically farmed vineyard will be hitting the market this fall. The generic 2009 Cotes du Rhone (80% Grenache and the rest Mourvedre and Carignan) achieved nearly 15% natural alcohol. Its dark ruby hue is followed by abundant aromas of berry fruit, earth, cherries, and herbs. Very Provencal/Mediterranean in style, this gutsy, slightly rustic wine is perfect for bistros and wine bars. Consume it over the next 1-2 years. – Rated 89 Points, The Wine Advocate

Domaine Les Aphillanthes Cotes-du-Rhone Villages Le Cros 2007, List Price $25.99/btl, Sale Price $21.99 – Travaillan, Rhone, France – 100% Syrah – 14.5% abv – Biodynamic - The 2007 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Le Cros (100% Syrah) reveals complex notes of creme de cassis, road tar, gamey meat, licorice, and flowers. In the mouth, the wine is pure fruit, with loads of glycerin, sweet tannin, and adequate acidity. While not a classic example of Provence, it is a very successful, mono-cepage offering. Enjoy it over the next 4-5 years. As I have written in the past, this biodynamically farmed estate is a treasure-trove of excellent as well as value-priced wines. Proprietor Daniel Boulle offers a multitude of cuvees, and his 2007s seem to hit all the sweet spots on the palate. – Rated 90 Points, The Wine Advocate.

Domaine Les Aphillanthes Cotes-du-Rhone Villages Vieilles Vignes 2007, List Price $28.99/btl, Sale Price $23.99 – Travaillan, Rhone, France – 100% Grenache – 14.5% abv – Biodynamic - Bold and very ripe, with delicious, almost gushing layers of blackberry, fig compote and boysenberry, all held together by a strong minerally spine and a long, racy graphite finish. Rock-solid and very impressive for the appellation. Drink now through 2011. 500 cases made. - Rated 92 Points, Wine Spectator; 92 Points, The Wine Advocate

Sale prices are net, no further discount may apply.

Syrah - Pure and Powerful - Saturday, Oct. 6, 12-4 pm

Biodynamic, Carignan, Corbieres, Costieres de Nimes, Côtes du Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Crozes-Hermitage, Events, France, Grenache, Languedoc, Red Wine, Rhône, Sale, Sustainable, Syrah, Tasting No Responses »

Oct 062010

Whether known as Syrah throughout most of the world, or as Shiraz in Australia and in South Africa, this dark-skinned grape has become one of the most popular varietals for wine.

A grape born and bred in the northern Rhone region of France (the offspring of two nearly extinct local grapes: Dureza from the Ardèche, and Mondeuse Blanche) Syrah is both bottled as a varietal wine, such as in the famous Cote Rotie and Hermitage, and blended in with other varietals as in such famous wines as Chateauneuf du Pape, and many other wines throughout France’s Mediterranean region.

Please join us this Saturday, October 9th, from 12PM to 4PM for a tasting of Syrah in which we will explore it’s pure form, with six wines from the northern Rhone, southern Rhone and the Languedoc. The Lineup:

Jean Michel Gerin Syrah Collines Rhodaniennes 2007, List Price $19.99, Sale Price $16.99 – Rhone, France – 100% Syrah – 13% abv – Sustainable - This displays incense, crushed cherry, violet and mineral notes to glide through the iron-tinged finish. Drink now. 1,415 cases made. – Rated 88 Points, Wine Spectator

Domaine La Bastide Syrah Les Genets Vieilles Vignes Vin de Pays d’Hauterive 2008, List Price $12.99, Sale Price $10.99 – Corbieres, Languedoc, France – 100% Syrah – 14% abv – Sustainable - From vines averaging 30 years old planted in soil composed of clay and fine gravel. The color is a dark, saturated red, with violet highlights. The nose is of intense red fruits, spices and smoke. Supple, and silky textured with very ripe tannins and a long finish.

Yann Chave Crozes-Hermitage Le Rouvre 2008, List Price $35.99, Sale Price $29.99 – Rhone, France – 100% Syrah – 13% abv – Sustainable - The cuvée “Le Rouvre” is from a parcel of terroir in “Les Chassis” situated at the Pont de l’Isère. Here you’ll find our oldest vines (of more than 40 years) with a soil containing lots of big rounded rocks called “galets roulés”. There is no press juice used for Le Rouvre (the press juice is saved for Chave’s Crozes Hermitage Classique), only the vin de goutte, which is then aged in one-wine or two-wine-Hermitage 600 liter demi-muids. The finished wine displays pungent notes of cassis, and shows superlative balance between fruit and tannin.

Domaine de Ferrand La Ferrande Côtes du Rhône 2006, List Price $19.99, Sale Price $16.99 – Rhone, France – 100% Syrah – 14% abv – Sustainable - As remarkable as 2007 is, there are 2006s that should not be forgotten. Domaine Ferrand (an excellent producer of Chateauneuf du Pape) has turned out a 100% Syrah cuvee, the 2006 Cotes du Rhone La Ferrande. Its opaque ruby/purple hue is followed by aromas of pepper, blackberries, licorice, incense, and earth. Dense and rich with surprising complexity and character for a southern Syrah, it should drink nicely for 2-3 years. – Rated 90 Points, The Wine Advocate

Chateau Mourgues du Gres Les Capitelles 2008, List Price $22.99, Sale Price $19.49 - Costieres de Nimes, Languedoc, France – 85% Syrah, 10% Carignan, 5% Grenache – 14.5% abv – Sustainable - The outstanding, dark ruby/purple-tinged 2008 Capitelles du Mourgues is a blend of 85% Syrah and the rest Carignan and Grenache. It offers up abundant aromas of blackberries, licorice, camphor, and forest floor as well as a lush, dense, chewy style. The richest of these reds, it is capable of lasting for 3-4 years. – Rated 90 Points, The Wine Advocate

Domaine Les Aphillanthes Le Cros Côtes du Rhône Villages 2007, List Price $25.99, Sale Price $21.99 – Rhone, France – 100% Syrah – 14.5% abv – Biodynamic - The 2007 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Les Cros reveals complex notes of creme de cassis, road tar, gamey meat, licorice, and flowers. In the mouth, the wine is pure fruit, with loads of glycerin, sweet tannin, and adequate acidity. While not a classic example of Provence, it is a very successful, mono-cepage offering. Enjoy it over the next 4-5 years. – Rated 90 Points, The Wine Advocate

According to that resource for all knowledge that does not need to be fact-checked, Wikipedia, the origin of the word barbecue, at least according to folk etymology, “is derived from the French language. The story goes that French visitors to the Caribbean saw a pig being cooked whole and described the method as barbe à queue, meaning from beard to tail. The French word for barbecue is also barbecue, . . .” but whatever the origin of the word, the French, like us, certainly do enjoy a good barbecue, and when they do, they often reach for a gutsy bottle of red from one of the Mediterranean regions to wash down their grilled beast. With Labor Day fast approaching we thought it would be a good time to show off some well-priced reds from France that will pair nicely with a variety of food off the grill. Come join us this Saturday, August 14th, from 12PM until 4PM to sample these tasty values and pick some up at discounted prices. The Lineup:

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.

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…

Jun 032010

Our 3WC (Weygandt Wines Wine Club) June Backyard BBQ Pack is now available for shipping or pickup in the store. If you have any questions about our Wine Club, please click HERE or call the shop at (202) 362-9463 and ask for Tim. The Lineup:

Classic Wine Club:

Domaine Les Grand Bois Cotes du Rhone Viognier 2009 – Rhone, France – 100% Viognier – Sustainable - Classic Viognier aromas of white peach, apricot and violet with gentle mineral notes adding energy. An exotic papaya quality lingers on the juicy finish. This is perfect as an aperitif or with freshly grilled halibut or rockfish.

Domaine Duseigneur Lirac Antares 2007 – Rhone, France – 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre – 14.5% abv – Biodynamic - A bigger, richer offering, the 2007 Lirac Antares is a blend of 60% Grenache and equal parts Mourvedre and Syrah. The Grenache is aged in tank, and the other two varietals are kept in barrel. 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, smoke, and garrigue notes. This dense, medium to full-bodied, elegant as well as substantial Lirac should drink well for 5-6 years. This biodynamically-farmed vineyard, which has Philippe Cambie as its consultant, is a sleeper selection for value and high quality. – Rated 91 points, The Wine Avocate

Regular Price $38.98, 3WC Price $29.99 – A 23% Savings!

Gourmet Wine Club

Bodega Pedralonga Albariño Rias Baixas 2007 – Rias Baixas, Spain – 100% Albarino – 13% abv – Sustainable - A very full-bodied nose with notes of grapefruit, apple and floral hints. Structured and robust on the palate with prominent minerality, lactic hints and slight, fruity acidity. Quite a bit richer and fuller than your average Albariño, serve this with a nice, oily fish such as mackerel or fresh sardines.

Yann Chave Crozes Hermitage Le Rouvre 2007 – Rhone, France – 100% Syrah – 12.5% 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

Regular Price $63.98, 3WC Price $49.99 – A 22% Savings!

Deluxe Wine Club

Domaine Remi Jobard Meursault Le Chevalieres 2007 – Burgundy, France – 100% Chardonnay – Organic - The most elegant, and most complex, aromas to this point with citrus blossom, anise, delicate pain grille notes and a background hint of orange peel marries into very pure and stony flavors that are chiseled and gorgeously intense, all wrapped in a dry and mouth coating finish that again offers excellent length for a wine of this level. As it usually is, this is the best of this fine group of villages wines. Recommended. – Rated 90 points, Burghound

La Campana Brunello di Montalcino – Tuscany, Italy – 100% Sangiovese Grosso – 14% abv – Sustainable - Medium-deep red. Ripe red cherry, plum, marjoram, cinnamon and smoke on the nose and palate. Creamy and sweet, this Rosso offers lovely texture and intensity to its flavors, with fresh acidity giving it a penetrating quality. Though it starts off rather sweet and lush, it finishes with substantial tongue-coating tannins that leave you scrambling for something to eat.

Regular Price $125.98, 3WC Price $99.99 – A 24% Savings!

May 052010

On Saturday, May 8th, 2010, from 12PM – 4PM, Weygandt Wines welcomes you to a tasting of a selection of our recent rosé wine arrivals.

Rosé is one of those everything sort of wines . . . that is to say, that it goes well with nearly everything! With the aromas of juicy red fruit and the texture and dryness of a fresh white, Rosés are the perfect go-to warm weather wines to accompany anything from light fair to grilled meats . . . If you’re not a convert yet, come in on Saturday for our free tasting and we are sure that we’ll change your mind! And besides, the world always looks a little better through rosé colored glasses!

Our In-Stock Rosé Selections
Domaine Les Aphillanthes Cotes-du-Rhone Rosé 2009, 60% Cinsault, 20% Grenache, 15% Cunoise, 5% Mourvedre. $13.99 by the bottle

Rive Gauche Chinon Rosé 2009, 100% Cabernet Franc. $15.99 by the bottle

Domaine les Grands Bois Cotes du Rhone “Cuvee les Trois Soeurs” Rosé 2009, 75% Grenache, 15% Carignan, 5% Syrah. $13.99 by the bottle

Buchegger Pinot Noir Niederosterreich Rosé 2009, Austria. 100% Pinot Noir. $16.99 by the bottle

Chateau Mourgues du Gres Fleur d’Eglantine Costieres de Nimes Rosé 2009, 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah, 10% Carignan. $13.99 by the bottle

Chateau Mourgues du Gres Les Galets Roses Costieres de Nimes Rosé 2009, 60% Syrah, 40% Grenache. $15.99 by the bottle

Pierre-Marie Chermette Les Griottes Beaujolais Rosé 2009, 100% Gamay. $16.99 by the bottle

Chateau de Manissy Tavel “Cuvee des Lys” Rosé 2009, 60% Grenache, 30% Clairette, 10% Syrah. $18.99 by the bottle

Domaine Duseigneur Lirac Rosé 2009, 50% Cinsault, 37% Mourvedre, 7% Clairette, 3% Grenache, 3% Syrah. $16.99 by the bottle

Domaine La Bastide Blanche Bandol Rosé 2009, 70% Mourvedre, 8% Grenache, 22% Cinsault. $22.99 by the bottle*

Chateau de Baumelles Bandol Rosé 2009, 30% Mourvedre, 36% Cinsault, 34% Grenache. $22.99 by the bottle*

Domaine Charvin Cotes du Rhone Rosé 2009, 80% Grenache, 20% Bourboulenc. $18.99 by the bottle*

*arriving at the shop late this week

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Thanks to all who participated in our tasting with the incomparable Thierry Brouin on Saturday. His wines from his “quasi-monopole” (his words–he owns 99.5% of the vineyards) are both forward and elegant, silky and powerful. This was a real treat to taste his wines and even more so to get to know such a dedicated winemaker and kind man. But enough groveling–we have business to attend to. This week’s forecast is calling for beautiful heat. Not the oppressive, mid-summer pea soup kind, but the mid-8os bright sunshine type. The perfect weather for something cold and pink. So, along with a crisp Gruner Veltliner and an outstanding Gigondas, we’ll pour a couple of rosés so that you can enjoy the few gorgeous days that this are offers to us each spring. The Lineup:

Nothnagl Gruner Veltliner Ried Steinborz Federspiel 2007, $16.99/btl – Wachau, Austria – 100% Gruner Veltliner – 12% abv – Sustainable - Medium-bodied, with pear and green peach flavors. Finishes with plenty of vanilla and spice.

Domaine Collotte Marsannay Rosé 2009, $18.99/btl – Burgundy, France – 100% Pinot Noir – 13% abv – Sustainable - With a beautiful red current hue and a concentrated nose of peach nectar, this rosé is soft and fruity, backed by good strength and liveliness. The perfect accompaniment to charcuterie!

Domaine Les Grand Bois Cotes du Rhone Cuvee Les Trois Soeurs Rosé 2009, $13.99/btl – Burgundy, France – 75% Grenache, 15% Carignan, 5% Syrah -14.5 % abv – Sustainable - Black cherry and bright strawberry highlight this blend with a finish that belies it’s fresh and intense, dry, long-lasting finish. Try it as an aperitif or with almost all foods. Great with Asian spices.

Domaine St.-Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes 2006, $27.99/btl – Rhone, France – 90% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre and Carignan – 14.5% abv – Sustainable - The well-made 2006 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes’ deep ruby/purple hue is followed by aromas of black cherries, raspberries, spring flowers, earth, and spice. Not as extravagantly rich as the 2007, it is a medium-bodied, well-balanced wine to consume over the next 7-8 years. Proprietor Joel Saurel’s goal is to produce Gigondas as fine as those fashioned by the appellation’s two superstars, Domaine Santa Duc and Chateau St.-Cosme. An estate to watch, Saint-Damien produces three sensational cuvees of Gigondas as well as two stunning, value-priced Cotes du Rhones, which readers should be buying by the trunkful. As one might expect, the 2007 Gigondas look very strong, but Saurel also succeeded in 2006, a difficult vintage in Gigondas. – WA 90 points

Thanks to everyone who stopped by on Saturday to help us welcome Cecile Tremblay to the store. It was a good opportunity to taste some really special wines from Burgundy. Keep checking in as we hope to have regular visits by our winemakers which means more great wines to try. For free.

As for this week, we have another special event scheduled for Saturday (details to come), so this week’s lineup applies to Monday thru Friday, and as always, 4-7 pm:

Chateau Mourgues du Gres Costieres de Nimes Les Galtes Dores 2008, $14.99/btl – Rhone, France – 30% Grenache Blanc, 30% Roussanne, 30% Vermentino, 7% Marsanne,3% Clairette – 13% abv – The elegant white wine offering, the 2008 Les Galets Dores (nearly equal parts Grenache, Roussanne, Rolle, and tiny amounts of Marsanne and Clairette), offers notes of honeyed grapefruit and buttery citrus along with fresh acidity, medium body, plenty of flavor, and a dry, crisp finish. It should be drunk over the next year. – WA 88 points

Weingut Heymann-Lowenstein Riesling Schieferterrassen 2006, $19.99/btl – Mosel, Germany – 100% Riesling – There’s appealing flavors of peach, spice and slate, yet this seems a little slack, lacking the core of acidity to give all the components verve and snap. Drink now through 2012. 50 cases imported. – WS 88 points

Memo Sangiovese 2008, $10.99/btl – Tuscany, Italy – 100% Sangiovese – 13% abv – Strong ruby red color in the glass, with an intense and persistent nose. This fruity Tuscan wine has notes of cherries, prunes and vanilla. Medium bodied, slightly tannic, balanced and ready to drink. Cheap and cheerful!

Domaine La Bastide Syrah Les Genets Vieilles Vignes 2007, $12.99/btl – Languedoc, France – 100% Syrah – Medium-bodied, with dense red fruit flavors and tobacco leaf notes. There’s pepper and graphite on the finish. Drink now through 2012. 2,000 cases imported. – WS 86 points

Domaine de Ferrand Cotes du Rhone La Ferrande 2006, $21.99/btl – Rhone, France – 100% Syrah – 14% abv – As remarkable as 2007 is, there are 2006s that should not be forgotten. Domaine Ferrand (an excellent producer of Chateauneuf du Pape) has turned out a 100% Syrah cuvee, the 2006 Cotes du Rhone La Ferrand. Its opaque ruby/purple hue is followed by aromas of pepper, blackberries, licorice, incense, and earth. Dense and rich with surprising complexity and character for a southern Syrah, it should drink nicely for 2-3 years. – WA 90 points

Domaine la Berangeraie Les Caminoles Cahors Malbec 2007, $14.99/btl – Sudouest, France – 100% Malbec – 13% abv – In 1971 Andre Berenger came to Cahors from Provence with his wife Sylvie, who is originally from Champagne, and planted their vineyard near Grezels, on the red clay/iron stone soil known as Grezes. Their two children, Maurin and Juline not only joined them in the family business but so too have their respective spouses. Thus the three couples all work together and do everything in this twelve hectare domaine themselves – the pruning, the treatments of the all-organic vines and the harvesting all by hand (a disappearing practice in Cahors where harvesting is now done almost exclusively by machine). This is a lighter bodied Malbec from where the grape was originally grown. Malbec lovers should try this as a nice alternative to their standard powerhouses from Argentina.

We know, we know. We tend to oscillate a bit on our tasting policies, but with the upcoming holidays, we’ve gotten a bit anxious to try some new wines. That being said, we’ve changed the early week lineup. For the whites, we still are pouring Tement Temento Green 2008, George Reisling Rüdesheimer Berg Rottland Trocken 2007 and Bodegas Pedralonga Albariño 2007, but the reds have called in a few pinch hitters. The original tasting notes can be found in this post. As for the current red lineup, we’re still pouring the Jean-Michel Gerin Syrah Vin de Pays 2007, but the Chateau La Bastide Corbieres 2007 and Boeri Barbera d’Asti D.O.C. 2005 are on the DL (until we get more in on Monday). Taking their places are the following:

Domaine Les Grand Bois Côtes du Rhône Cuvée Les Trois Soeurs, Rhône, France – 65% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 20% Carignan, 14.5% abv – “The 2007 Cotes du Rhone Trois Soeurs is a blend of 65% Grenache and the rest Syrah and Carignan, one-third of which is aged in older barrels for four months, and two-thirds in tank. It hit 14.5% natural alcohol. A big, full-bodied style reveals delicious black currant and black cherry fruit along with hints of licorice, pepper, and spice box. This opulent Cotes du Rhone should drink nicely for 3-4 years.” – WA 90 points

Domaine Plouzeau Chinon Rouge Rive Gauche 2008, Loire, France – 100% Cabernet Franc, 12.5% abv – The nose has a stony minerality with some barnyard must, which quickly dissappears on the palate, when bright cherry notes end with a delicate softness. A family Domaine situated on the “rive gauche” of Chinon and around Ligré and la Roche-Clermault since 1846. Marc Plouzeau took over the estate in 1988 and in 1999 began the conversion to “agriculture biologique” and the vineyards are now all certified as such by ECOCERT. Low yields, predominantly hand- harvested at ideal physiological ripeness, and vinification directed towards emphasizing fruit and not extracting tannins. At our request, our shipments were bottled without filtration.

Daniel Bouland Morgon Vieilles Vignes 2008, Beaujolais, France – 100% Gamay, 13% abv – “The Bouland 2008 Morgon Vieilles Vignes exhibits a focus and grip rare in Beaujolais from this or for that matter any vintage. Concentrated, brightly fresh blackberry and blueberry tinged with salt, chalk, and citrus oil, and underlain by deep, smoky roast meatiness characterize this wine of palpable extract. While seamlessly, richly ripe and 13% in natural alcohol, it nevertheless comes off as lithe and lively, with a peony-like floral perfume wafting all the way through to a gloriously persistent, lip-smacking, soul-satisfying finish. Expect this cuvee (lightly fined but unfiltered, incidentally, an approach he first took at the behest of importer Peter Weygandt) to be worth following for close to a decade, perhaps even longer. 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 93 points

Domaine Vial-Magneres Tradition 4 Year Banyuls, Roussillon, France – 65% Grenache Noir, 15% Grenache Gris, 11% Grenache Blanc, 3% Syrah and 6% old-vine Carignan, 16.5% abv – This is a terrific fortified wine for those who are looking for an affordable port. With many of the same characteristics of a good tawny port, come in and try this Banyuls as a fun alternative for a digestif. A family property for three generations, the estate consists of 10 hectares of vines spread out in small parcels across the best plots of the appellation, the terraced vineyards are cultivated entirely by hand. All of their vines are grown along the coastline. The soils are made up of metamorphosed Cambrian rocks composed essentially of decaying chloric and sericitic schist. The vines are 40 to 50 years old on average; they amount to 60,000 plants, of which between 1,000 and 1,200 are renewed annually.

Domaine Alary Tasting and Sale - Sat, Jan 29, 12-4 pm

Over-Achieving Cotes-du-Rhone Reds from Domaine Les Aphillanthes - Saturday, Jan 8, 2011 - 12-4 pm

Syrah - Pure and Powerful - Saturday, Oct. 6, 12-4 pm

The French Word for Barbecue is, um, Barbecue - Saturday Tasting and Sale - August 14, 2010

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3WC June Backyard BBQ Pack

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What We're Tasting This Week (April 5-9)

What We’re Tasting This Week (Dec. 14-18)

What We're Tasting Today (Sat., Nov. 14)

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