It was late June that Weygandt Wines hosted a dinner at Dino to showcase Domaine Servin’s excellent 2008 vintage Chablis. Just by chance, Francois is coming to America and we’ve arranged to have him in our wine shop on Saturday, August 7th, to pour a selection of his wines and to answer your questions.

“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.

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…

Please join us at Weygandt Wines on Saturday, June 19th as we present the wines of rising star Yann Chave, from 1PM-4PM.

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

Weygandt Wines invites you to explore and compare the styles of the Maconnais region of France with a tasting featuring the wines of Pascal Rollet and Domaine de la Chapelle Saturday, May 29, 2010, from 1-4 pm. The Lineup:

Cremant de Bourgogne Brut 2007, Regular Price $26.99, On Sale $22.89/bottle – Macon, Burgundy, France – 100% Chardonnay – 12.5% abv – Organic

Macon Solutré Pouilly 2008, Regular Price $19.99, On Sale $16.99/bottle – Macon, Burgundy, France – 100% Chardonnay – 13% abv – Organic

Saint-Veran “Madame Noly” 2008, Regular Price $25.99, On Sale $22.09/bottle – Macon, Burgundy, France – 100% Chardonnay – 13% abv – Organic

Pouilly-Fuissé “Les Grands Climats” 2007, Regular Price $29.99, On Sale $25.49/bottle – Macon, Burgundy, France – 100% Chardonnay – 13.5% abv – Organic

Pouilly-Fuissé “Vieilles Vignes” 2007, Regular Price $33.99, On Sale $28.89/bottle – Macon, Burgundy, France – 100% Chardonnay – 13.5% abv – Organic

Pouilly-Fuissé “Clos de la Chapelle” 2006, $49.99, On Sale $42.49/bottle – Macon, Burgundy, France – 100% Chardonnay – 13.5% abv – Organic

All Macon regional wines at Weygandt Wines on sale through Saturday, May 29, 2010, 15% off the normal retail price. No further discounts may apply.

“What helped a lot was wine,” he said. “As food grew scarcer, we drank more and more of it. Occasionally on Saturday evenings, we would buy ten or twelve bottles of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Hermitage, Mercury, Moulin-a-Vent, Julienas, Chambertin, Bonnes Mares or Musigny and have an evening of drinking and singing.” – Varian Fry, quoted in Wine & War, p. 115

It has been some time since Beaujolais was mentioned in the same company as Burgundy grands crus such as Bonnes Mares, Chambertin and Musigny . . . But over little more than the last decade, there has been rise to a number of profound producers in Beaujolais. Among the very best, is Pierre-Marie Chermette of Domaine du Vissoux.
“I search out wines as naturally made as possible; but only if this contributes to the wine being better. Domaine du Vissoux may just be the most perfect expression in my whole portfolio of what I seek, for this very ability to be natural and great, at once.” – Peter Weygandt

“Pierre Chermette has successfully expanded from his base in southern Beaujolais without quality in any way suffering; on the contrary his mastery of the northern Beaujolais crus is now also a fait accompli. . . . Prices have crept upward, but given the quality – not to mention the labors needed to achieve it – one can hardly complain. Yields were very low in 2008, a condition, Chermette opines, for achieving genuine and complete ripeness.” – David Schildknecht, The Wine Advocate

On Saturday, May 22, 2010, from 1PM – 4PM, Weygandt Wines welcomes you to a free tasting of the Domaine du Vissoux range of wines. And as a plus . . . we’re offering special pricing on Vissoux wines through that Saturday! Come, taste and enjoy, and stock up for summer and beyond! The Vissoux Lineup:

Beaujolais Blanc Cépage Chardonnay 2008, Regularly $21.99, On Sale $18.69/bottle – Beaujolais, France – 100% Chardonnay – 12.5% abv – Organic

Beaujolias Cuvée Traditionnelle Vieilles Vignes 2008, Regularly $17.99, On Sale $15.29/bottle – Beaujolais, France – 100% Gamay – 12% abv – Organic - “Chermette’s 2008 Beaujolais Vieilles Vignes Cuvee Traditionelle – vinified, like his other estate wines, without chaptalization or yeasting and with a minimum of added sulfur – is as usual light in body (at 11.5% alcohol) but full of flavor and underlying extract, this year displaying a darker fruit shading than usual. Underlying nut oils, chalk dust, and strong pit fruit notes give the finish a more serious and slightly less exuberant tone than in some years, but make no mistake about this being a wine of class, complexity, and generosity. Enjoy this over the next 2-3 years.” – Rated 89 Points, The Wine Advocate

Brouilly Pierreux 2007, Regularly $25.99, On Sale $22.09/bottle – Beaujolais, France – 100% Gamay – 12.5% abv – Organic - “There are fascinating mineral nuances and a striking degree of lift in the finish. In its third year now, Chermette’s 2008 Brouilly Pierreux brims with cassis and blueberry, underlain by nutty richness and hints of wet stone. Medium-bodied, it nevertheless evinces a good sense of lift and refreshment, tart fruit skin and almost horseradish like pungency lending striking invigoration to the finish. Enjoy this over the next 2-3 years.” – Rated 90 Points, The Wine Advocate

Fleurie Poncié 2008, Regularly $26.99, On Sale $22.94/bottle – Beaujolais, France – 100% Gamay – 12.5% abv – Organic - “The Vissoux 2008 Fleurie Poncie offers palate-staining black fruits and serious grip, with iodine and peat, rose hip and cherry pit; and as usual for this site, salt and stone lending intriguing complexity. The sheer lip-smacking juiciness on display here can draw your attention from its complexity. Cellar it for at least 4-5 years.” – Rated 91 Points, The Wine Advocate

Fleurie Les Garants 2008, Regularly $27.99, On Sale $23.79/bottle – Beaujolais, France – 100% Gamay – 12.5% abv – Organic - “From similarly middle-aged vines on decomposed granite, Chermette’s 2008 Fleurie Les Garants – from some of the highest elevations in its appellation, and like the Couderts’ Clos de la Roilette, classified as Moulin-a-Vent until 1927 – evinces a smoky, alkaline overlay to its panoply of ripe yet tart fruits. Reflecting its late harvest, there is a spicy intensity and abundance of inner-mouth esters yet as always from this site, an energy and brightness – in this instance of cherry and rhubarb – but this year an especially serious sense of grip, and a less treble, high-toned personality than the Poncie. Here too, 4-5 years’ bottle potential seems a conservative estimate.” – Rated 91 Points, The Wine Advocate

Moulin-a-Vent Les Trois Roches 2008, Regularly $28.99, On Sale $24.64/bottle  – Beaujolais, France – 100% Gamay – 12.5% abv – Organic - “The Vissoux 2007 Moulin-a-Vent Les Trois Roches was assembled in tank when I tasted it. Aromas of cedar and cinnamon accent its blackberry fruit, which comes onto the palate with a tart leading edge, making for a saliva-inducing brightness even as the wine displays profound depth of fruit, meat and mineral matter, palpable extract, and sheer grip. Fine-grained tannins reinforce the impression of a wine that will relish a half dozen years in the cellar.” – Rated 91-92 Points, The Wine Advocate

Above Wines On Sale Through Saturday, May 22, 2010.

On Saturday, May 1, 2010, from 1PM – 4PM, Weygandt Wines welcomes Maurice Barthelme of legendary Alsatian Domaine Albert Mann, as we host an in-store wine tasting and sale at Weygandt Wines. What makes Alsace truly remarkable is the broad spectrum of flavors and styles that its many grape varieties offer; from Auxerrois, to Pinot Blanc, to Pinot Gris, Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Noir. And it is a region that offers wines that may be paired with virtually any type of cuisine.

The Barthelme brothers, two giants in physical stature, benefit from the ideal micro-climate of Colmar, producing wines that are rich, onctuous, endowed with significant residual sugar but well integrated in concentration as is typical of Hengst and Furstentum. – Le Classement, 1999 Revue du Vin de France

The Barthelme brothers, winemaker Jacky and viticulturist Maurice, have now attained the recognition they deserve. Rated by The Wine Advocate, Robert Parker placed them in the top tier of Alsace producers and they have a One Star Rating in The Classement by Revue du Vin de France. From the Pinot Auxerrois, through all their expressive Grand Crus, to their rich, Selection Grains Noble, they portray their unique style consistently; beautiful delineation of flavors and precise textures, never heavy, clumsy or out of balance.

Please visit our Domaine Albert Mann producer page at the link above to view all Mann wines, prices and reviews. The Lineup:

Domaine Albert Mann Cremant d’Alsace Non Vintage,$23.99 $19.99/btl – Alsace, France – 60% Pinot Blanc, 40% Auxerrois – 12.5% abv – Biodynamic - Based on the same varietal blend as their Pinot Blanc, the Barthelme’s non-vintage Cremant d’Alsace (the lot under review is L34) offers citrus zest and floral aromas, delicate mousse, and a salty, chalky, wet stone-inflected and subtly bitter finish. Enjoy this admirably clear, pure traditional sparkling wine over the next 6-9 months. Compared with it, most Alsace Cremant is sadly lacking in concentration or personality. – 88 point, The Wine Advocate

Domaine Albert Mann Pinot Blanc 2008,$17.99 $15.29/btl – Alsace, France – 60% Pinot Blanc, 40% Auxerrois – 12.5% abv – Biodynamic - Soft, fuzzy yellow fruit flavors with strong minerality. Suprisingly rich for a Pinot Blanc, it has a creaminess that belies this often lean varietal. (This has something to do with the blend of almost half Auxerrois.) Great as an aperitif or with hors d’oeuvres, but equally at home paired with fish and chicken or similarly light fare.

Domaine Albert Mann Pinot Gris Grand Cru Hengst 2007, $34.99 $29.74/btl – Alsace, France – 100% Pinot Gris – 13.5% abv – Biodynamic - Yellow golden colour with clear glints of beautiful intensity. The frank, pleasant nose, of beautiful intensity, shows a fruity dominance, fruit with white flesh and quince, very complex. The airing unveils pear and a slightly earthy character but shows a nice aromatic concentration. First contact is ample, mellow, and heady; there’s a beautiful freshness. It develops to a fine vivacity where flavors reveal quince fruit and smoke. The finish shows beautiful length and a frank vivacity. This wine goes very well with grilled veal chop and chanterelle mushroom.

Domaine Albert Mann Riesling Grand Cru Furstentum 2007, $44.99 $38.24/btl – Alsace, France – 100% Riesling – 12.5% abv – Biodynamic - A black licorice note wraps around ripe flavors of apple, yellow peach and pineapple in this rich white, which is just off-dry and juicy, with a honeyed, lightly smoky finish. Drink now through 2019. 160 cases made. – 91 points, Wine Spectator

Domaine Albert Mann Gewurztraminer Grand Cru Steingrubler 2007, $34.99 $29.74/btl – Alsace, France – 100% Gewurztraminer – 12.5% abv – Biodynamic – Yellow straw golden colour, of beautiful intensity with clear glints. The nose is frank and racyand it unveils dominant fruity aromas–citrus fruit, grapefruit, floral perfume, rose, laurel, litchi, spices. The airing intensifies the floral character, rose, revealing a fine smoky touch, flint, mineral. The nose shows a beautiful maturity of the grape in an exuberant and sensual style, very pleasant. The first contact is both rich and soft and the wine develops to a frank vivacity and the aromatic scale reveals the candied, exotic, floral note, litchi, as well as secondary perfumes. It finishes with a beautiful length and a fine, refreshing vivacity. The structure is rich, fleshy, tasty; the subjacent vivacity refreshes well the richness of the wine, beautiful aromatic purity. Reserve it for tasty, rich dishes, as a crab gratin with ginger and citrus fruit, soft cheeses with rind or simply drink it for itself with good friends.

Domaine Albert Mann Pinot Noir Clos de la Faille 2006, $46.99 $39.94/btl – Alsace, France – 60% Pinot Blanc, 40% Auxerrois – 12.5% abv – Biodynamic - Cherry red colour with purplish glints with a beautiful intensity; the disk is brilliant, limpid, transparent. Pleasant nose unveiling fine flavours of ripe fruit, red fruit, red currant, blackcurrant, cherry as well as a slight woody touch. The airing intensifies the fruity character, blackberries, fruit of the forest as well as a slight animal and spicy character, including cinnamon. The nose is remarkably deep and precise. It’s ample and fleshy and the alcohol is well balanced though a tense vivacity develops. The range of flavours is delicate with a dominance of red fruit, blackberry, blackcurrant,  blueberry, fruit of the forest and a delicately woody note. Tannins are soft, ripe and delicately astringent. The finish shows a beautiful medium length, extraction is perfect and the aromatic range pure. It’s a natural match with a lamb loin.

Sale Ends at Closing on Saturday, May 1, 2010.

Not much to say here other than we’re opening Grand Cru Burgundy for our tasting today with Thierry Brouin of Domaine des Lambrays. From 1-4 pm, Thierry will be in the shop to pour/talk about his world-class organic wines. The Lineup:

Domaine des Lambrays Premier Cru Clos du Cailleret 2006, $108.99/btl – Burgundy, France – 100% Chardonnay – 13.5% abv – Organic – The floral and citrus-infused nose is fresher and with slightly better integration of the wood treatment that introduces pretty and intense medium weight flavors that possess good if not great delineation and an underlying mineral streak on the moderately long finish that also evidences a bit of wood. This is certainly a perfectly good effort; moreover it’s extremely forward and could easily be drunk now with pleasure. – BH 89 points

Domaine des Lambrays Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru Les Folatieres 2007, $108.99/btl – Burgundy, France – 100% Chardonnay – 13.5% abv – Organic – A modest wood treatment sets off cool white flower and citrus zest aromas that merge into round, soft and nicely voluminous flavors that possess an attractive hint of minerality on the delicious and acceptably precise finish. Best drunk young. – BH 89 points

Domaine des Lambrays Morey-St.-Denis 2007, $59.99/btl – Burgundy, France – 100% Pinot Noir – 13.5% abv – Organic – A somber yet expressive nose of red berry with herbal, underbrush and earth undertones leads to rich, full and relatively supple middle weight flavors that possess good depth and a gentle hint of finishing minerality. While this could be drunk now with pleasure, I would suggest holding if for a few years first. – BH 88 points

Domaine des Lambrays Morey-St.-Denis Premier Cru Les Loups 2007, $89.99/btl – Organic – A complex nose of flowers, spice and wild berries complements the silky texture in this deep, complex red. It’s pure and focused, with grace and a lingering aftertaste of licorice and mineral. Best from 2012 through 2022. 25 cases imported. – WS 92 points

Domaine des Lambrays Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru 2007, $139.99/btl – Burgundy, France – 100% Pinot Noir – 13.5% abv – Organic – Spice, floral and wild berry aromas lead to raspberry, cherry and mineral flavors in this stylish red. This is firmly structured, with the requisite sweet fruit to match its tannins. Excellent length. Best from 2012 through 2024. 100 cases imported. – WS 93 points

Everyone is invited to visit Weygandt Wines on Saturday, April 3, from 1PM-4PM for an extraordinary wine tasting with Peter Weygandt and Thierry Brouin, longtime regisseur of the famous Domaine des Lambrays in Burgundy’s Morey-Saint-Denis. M. Brouin will lead us through samples of the Domaine’s rare Puligny-Montrachets, Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Les Loup and Grand Cru Clos des Lambrays. In the words of Michel Bettane, one of France’s most influential wine critics, “…the Clos des Lambrays is an extraordinary terroir, capable of giving wines that, in generosity of savour and length rival the greatest…”

This is a great opportunity for anyone who is a fan of Burgundy, or who is interested in learning about this legendary wine-growing region. For further information about Domaine des Lambrays and theirs wines, please visit their producer page on our website HERE. Stay tuned for the Lineup and more info…

On Saturday, March 27th, Weygandt Wines is proud to welcome Sara Pérez of Mas Martinet in Spain’s Tarragona region, as she visits our retail shop for a special in-store tasting event of some of Spain’s greatest wines.

“In ancient times, Tarragona  was a major Roman colony, and the capital city from which the province takes its name is filled with significant Roman ruins, including a seaside amphitheater. The Romans, and prior to their tenure the Greeks, made wine here, but the “modern” winemaking history of the region dates to the 12th century and the Carthusian monastery, or priory (priorat in Catalan), from which the Priorat area takes its name. The Scala Dei (Ladder to God) winery was founded in 1973 on the grounds of the once-magnificent monastery. For nearly two decades, its rustic but palatable wines were the only ones from the region known to the outside world.

“What has happened in the province of Tarragona over a short span of years is nothing short of mind-boggling. Rather than mere change, there has been upheaval every bit as dramatic as the ancient geological events that created the region’s strikingly beautiful landscape.

“The surge in quality can be credited largely to five once-fledgling producers whose names are now well known, with some approaching cult status – René Barbier (Clos Mogador), Carles Pastrana (Clos de L’Obac), Josep Lluís Pérez (Mas Martinet), Daphne Glorian (Clos Erasmus) and Alvaro Palacios (L’Ermita). They descended upon Priorat in 1989 to make wine together. Their exceptional achievements caused a ripple effect that spurred the momentum.” - Gerry Dawes, The Wine News, Tarragona’s Powerful New-Age Reds

The wines of Priorat are today Spain’s finest reds, and the equal of the best that the French Mediterranean and all of Italy produces. It is a wild region, of steep, terraced vineyards that date to Roman times. The typical terroir is composed mainly of ragged and broken slate (schist, or llicorella in the Catalan dialect), lending a distinct character and finesse to the region’s best wines.

Wine making at Mas Martinet is at once simple and brilliant as described by Drew Matich from Pulling the Cork, August 2009: “. . . the bottom line is this: Sara’s wines faithfully reflect the grapes of the vineyard in any given year. There are no winemaker games played to optimize or equalize the wine across different vintages. The grapes are blended, fermented, and aged as they come out of the vineyard. And from our tastings, the results were amazing.”

Depending on our available quantities, we’ll open up at least 4 of the following, if not more. The Lineup:

Mas Martinet Menut 2006, $19.99/btl – Priorat, Spain – 50% Garnatxa, 30% Merlot, 20% Syrah – 14% abv – An incredible value, Menut is a blend of Martinet’s younger vines, and parcels not used for their five single-vineyard cuvees, along with a good chunk of Merlot. Aged 15 months in 3,4,5-year French barriques. Then tank.

Mas Martinet Bru 2007, $32.99/btl – Priorat, Spain – 40% Garnatxa, 25% Syrah, remaining 35% Carignan, Cabernet and (tiny amount) Merlot – 14.5% abv – Martinet Bru is From a single parcel at the southwest corner of the caudron. Unique climate here. Aged 17 months; half in 300 liter second and third year French oak, and half in large wooden tank (3 years old).

Mas Martinet Degustacio No. 1 2004, $46.99/btl – Priorat, Spain – Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache – 15.5% abv

Mas Martinet Els Escurcons 2006, $71.99/btl – Priorat, Spain – 80% Garnatxa, 20% Syrah – 14.5 % abv – This has an expressive nose of roasted mineral, damp earth, mushroom, blueberry, and black cherry. Forward, sweetly-fruited, and succulent, it can be enjoyed over the next 8-10 years. – 92 points, The Wine Advocate

Mas Martinet Clos Martinet 2006, $71.99/btl – Priorat, Spain – 68% Garnatxa, 20% Caranyana, 12% Syrah – 14.5% abv – The flagship 2006 Clos Martinet (a single-vineyard). Aged 20 months in 300 liter French barrels – 25% new and 75% from two- to 6-year-old barrels] is a saturated purple color with an alluring bouquet of liquid mineral, lavender, cigar box, truffle, black cherry, and black raspberry. Fruit-forward, elegant, and smooth textured, this harmonious effort can be enjoyed over the next decade although it will continue to blossom for several more years. – 94 Points, The Wine Advocate

Mas Martinet Cami Pesseroles 2006, $92.99/btl – Priorat, Spain – 60% Caranyana, 40% Garnatxa – 14.5% abv – The purple-colored 2006 Cami Pesseroles has earth, mineral, spice box, and black cherry aromas that give way to a suave, structured wine with savory fruit, plenty of spice notes, and a lengthy finish. It will benefit from several more years in the bottle and will deliver optimum drinking from 2012 to 2026.” – 93 Points, The Wine Spectator; 92 Points, The Wine Advocate

Background for this special event can be found here. Other than telling you Uwe Schiefer will be in the shop today and is a truly nice and interesting man (along with being a star winemaker), we’ll just cut to the chase and let you know what we’re pouring. The lineup:

Schiefer Gruner Veltliner Tschaterberg 2008, $18.99

Schiefer Blaufrankisch Konigsberg 2007, $24.99

Schiefer Blaufrankisch Eisenberg 2007, $26.99

Schiefer Blaufrankisch Pala 2007, $27.99

Schiefer Blaufrankisch Reihburg 2006, $66.99

We expect Uwe Schiefer to get into the store just after noon, so we’re planning a 1 pm to 4 pm tasting.