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…

Back by popular demand, we welcome Bailey Kasten. Double Premium Confections is a new artisan chocolate shop in Washington, DC, offering fresh, natural and homemade chocolates, caramels and other treats. All the chocolates are made in small batches with the best chocolate and the best ingredients – real fruit, fresh spices, real ingredients – not flavors. They are made with absolutely nothing that is artificial, and chocolates are sold within days, not weeks, of being made.

To go along with her treats, we have three unique wines – two from France and one from California.The first two, from France, are fortified wines:

Domaine des Soulanes Maury Hors d’Age,$41.99/btl - A tawny port-like wine made in the traditional style of Southern France. Nutty, with notes of winter spice and fruitcake.

Domaine Grain Nicolet Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau, $29.99/btl – A nose of kirsch, chocolate and spice with cherry compote flavors to round it out.

And the one from California is a surprisingly old world Zinfandel. We almost gave up on California producing such a thing…:

Henderlong Nalle Henderlong Ranch Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2006, $39.99/btl – An elegant, very balanced wine with an amazingly low 13.9% abv considering the varietal and the place where this is made.

We have 3 new wines in this week – all from critically acclaimed house Domaine Beau Mistral. “This estate’s wines continue to rise in quality. Their 2007s are superb (as are most Rasteaus in this vintage), but they have also produced outstanding 2006s.” – The Wine Advocate. The lineup and some reviews…

Domaine Beau Mistral Cotes du Rhone Villages Rasteau Vieilles Vignes 2007, Rhone, France – “The dense ruby/purple-hued 2007 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Rasteau Vieilles Vignes exhibits a big, sweet nose of melted chocolate, damp forest floor, black cherry jam, and black currants. Full-bodied, broad, powerful, and muscular with sweet tannin, this chewy wine’s impression is one of sumptuous texture as well as amazing depth. Consume it over the next 10-15 years.” – The Wine Advocate

Beau Mistral Cotes du Rhone Villages St. Martin 2007, Rhone, France – 55% Old Vine Syrah, 45% Old Vine Grenache – “The last released Beau Mistral 2007, the Cotes du Rhone Villages St. Martin, is a brilliant effort composed of 45% old vine Grenache and the rest old vine Syrah and a dollop of Mourvedre. Proprietor Jean-Marc Brun (who made the finest wines of his career in 2007) has fashioned a peppery, earthy, dense purple-colored, full-bodied, heady wine that captures the beautiful fragrance of the top reds from the southern Rhone and Provence. Revealing plenty of garrigue and black cherry notes along with hints of earth and truffles, this superbly concentrated, full-bodied 2007 possesses amazing staying power as well as length, and there is not a hard edge to be found. It should drink well for 5-6 years. – The Wine Advocate

Beau Mistral Cotes du Rhone Villages Rasteau Cuvee Florinaelle 2007, Rhone, France – “The prodigious 2007 Cotes du Rhone Villages Rasteau Cuvee Florianaelle is one of the finest wines from this village that I have ever tasted save for that of Domaine La Soumade. This brawny, big-boned, densely concentrated, inky/purple-colored 2007 offers up aromas of black cherry liqueur, licorice, truffles, graphite, and incense. Hugely fruity and exceptionally full-bodied with a boatload of velvety, well-integrated tannins, this stunning Rasteau should drink well for 12-15+ years.” – The Wine Advocate