Chateau de la Bonneliere

Join us on Friday evening May 27th, between 5PM and 7:30PM, then again on Saturday, May 28th, from 12PM to 4PM for our tasting and enjoy discounted prices on these special selections. The Lineup:

Domaine Plouzeau Touraine Sauvignon, List Price $12.99, Sale $10.99 – Touraine, Loire, France – 100% Sauvignon Blanc – 12.5% abv – Organic – From chalky, flinty soils along the Cher, Marc Plouzeau has crafted a 2010 Touraine Sauvignon redolent of white peach and passion fruit; lean and quite dense; but finishing with refreshing juiciness, a saline tang, and hints of cherry pit and pistachio.

Château de la Bonnelière Touraine Cepage Sauvignon Les Devants 2010, List Price $14.99, Sale $12.69 – Touraine, Loire, France – 100% Sauvignon Blanc – 12.5% abv – Organic – Pale yellow. Assertive bouquet of lime zest, lemongrass and wet stone. Dry, nervy, tightly wound citrus and green apple flavors are underscored by dusty minerality and expand on the back half. Leaves a trail of mineral and citrus notes behind on the nicely persistent finish. This is a very good value and can compete with plenty of Sancerres.

Château de la Bonnelière Chinon Rosé Rive Gauche 2010, List Price $13.99, Sale $11.89 – Chinon, Loire, France – 100% Cabernet Franc – 12.5% abv – Organic – Very pale, orange-tinged pink. Vibrant aromas of wild strawberry, redcurrant, cracked pepper and minerals, plus a gentle floral overtone. Racy, tightly wound red berry and blood orange flavors are refreshingly dry and well-focused. Pure, bracing and penetrating, with strong finishing minerality and excellent persistence. This would actually work with shellfish or fresh-to-moderately-aged goat cheeses.

Château de la Bonnelière Chinon Rive Gauche 2010, List Price $14.99, Sale $12.69 – Chinon, Loire, France – 100% Cabernet Franc – 12.5% abv – Organic – Very fresh, almost primal, with intense blackberry and cherry fruit coursing along, held together by chalk and tobacco notes that ripple underneath. There’s a nice bright finish. On the palate, the tannin is full and silky. The overall taste lasts and is harmonious. Try it slightly chilled with grilled meats.

Château de la Bonnelière Chinon Cornuelles 2009, List Price $18.99, Sale $15.99 – Chinon, Loire, France – 100% Cabernet Franc – 12.5% abv – Organic – Plouzeau’s new winery gives him the opportunity not only to make wines with the greatest care but also to ensure that they may keep. This Chinon wine is of a ruby-red color and exudes an aroma of merello cherries and redcurrant. Well-balanced with an excellent tannic quality. It has a fresh taste with a hint of liquorice. It will accompany well rich dishes served in sauces such as Coq au Vin.

Please join us

1.  Bonnet-Huteau Muscadet Sevre et Maine Sur Lie Cuvee La Levraudiere 2009, List Price $10.99, Sale $9.34 – Muscadet, Loire, France – 100% Melon de Bourgogne – 12% abv – Sustainable - Light, bright straw. Dusty minerals, quince and lemon zest on the nose, with a hint of white flowers adding complexity. Dry, sharply focused citrus and mineral flavors show a weightier aspect in the mid-palate and pick up a hint of musky herbs with air. Finishes clean and brisk. – International Wine Cellar

2.  Domaine Richard Leroy Anjou Blanc Le Clos des Rouliers 2007, List Price $26.99, Sale $17.99 – Anjou, Loire, France – 100% Chenin Blanc – 12.5% abv – Organic - Pale Gold. Lemon curd, dried pear, melon and vanilla bean on the nose. Fairly bright and lush and creamy, offering gently sweet and weighty citrus and pit fruit flavors and bracing saline notes. Pliant and broad on the finish, which repeats the lemon and pear notes and lingers with very good spicy intensity. – Rated 90 points, International Wine Cellar

3.  Pascal et Nicolas Reverdy Sancerre Rose Terre de Maimbray 2010, List Price $21.99, Sale $18.69 – Sancerre, Loire, France – 100% Pinot Noir – 13% abv – Organic - Offers juicy strawberry and mixed red fruit aromas, with a hint of yellow peach. Dry and refreshing.

4.  Gerard & Pierre Morin Sancerre Rouge 2008, List Price $24.99, Sale $21.24 – Bue, Loire, France – 100% Pinot Noir – 13% abv - Sustainable - This Pinot Noir is planted in different parcels all situated in the commune of Bue. The roots of the vines draw from two particular terroirs to imbue the wine with its unique characteristics: “Les Caillottes,” predominantly limestone, brings finess and fruits notes. “Les Marnes,” deeper and with more clay, gives the wine structure and excellent potential as a “vin de garde.” Morin’s manner of working the soil and natural weed-control enhances the effect of the two soils, particularly through their harvesting entirely by hand.

5.  Yannick Amirault, Pavillon du Grand Clos, St.-Nicolas de Bourgueil Les Malgagnes 2006, List Price $31.99, Sale $25.99 – St.-Nicolas de Bourgueil, Loire, France – 100% Cabernet Franc – 13.5% abv – Organic -  Produced from vines planted originally in 1936, with portions of the vineyard replanted in 1973 and 1994. Vinified in wooden vats and then aged in once-used oak demi-muids. Only 583 cases produced. With vibrant flavors of plum, cassis and black berry, tinged by coffee and bittersweet chocolate, and notes of game, minerals and olive, held together by bright acidity.

Please join us

The Loire is a region of diversity, both in terms of landscape, and varietal. This week, and again next, we will explore the length of the Loire Valley, sampling outstanding wines, different producers, and contrasting styles and tastes.

Domaine de Beauregard Muscadet Sevre et Maine Sur Lie 2009, List Price $11.99, Sale $9.99 – Muscadet, Loire, France – 100% Melon de Bourgogne – 12% abv – Sustainable - Laurent Gregoire’s 2009 Muscadet de Sevre et Maine Sur Lie from Domaine de Beauregard (a name that only figures on a neck label, but then, his own is even more hidden-away) delivers the sort of soft, generous satisfaction that was to be derived from his 2005. Suggestions of Persian melon, nut oils, and grapefruit are tinged with salt and herbs, and there is ample juicy refreshment in a finish with alkaline and saline accents. Enjoy it over the coming year. – The Wine Advocate

Domaine Serge Dagueneau et Filles Pouilly-Fumé Les Pentes 2009, List Price $24.99, Sale $19.99 – Pouilly-Fumé, Loire, France – 100% Sauvignon Blanc – 12.5% abv – Organic - Stylish, with straw and lemon curd notes carried by very fresh acidity. The long finish has nice precision, leaving a lingering verbena note. Drink now through 2012. 500 cases imported. – Rated 90 points, Wine Spectator

Pascal et Nicolas Reverdy Sancerre Vieilles Vignes Les Angeslots 2006, List Price $34.99, Sale $29.99 – Sancerre, Loire, France – 100% Sauvignon Blanc – 13.5% abv – Organic - Offers a hint of paraffin, along with honeysuckle, lemon verbena and shortbread notes that all linger gently on the elegant finish. Drink now. 75 cases imported. – Wine Spectator

La Source du Ruault Saumur Champigny 2008, List Price $18.99, Sale $15.99 – Saumur Champigny, Loire, France – 100% Cabernet Franc – 12.5% abv – Biodynamic - Fresh, with a brisk edge to the black cherry, tobacco leaf and iron hints. Slightly crisp finish. Drink now. 200 cases imported. – Wine Spectator

Yannick Amirault Pavillon du Grand Clos Bourgueil Le Grand Clos 2007, List Price $27.99, Sale $23.99 – Bourgueil, Loire, France – 100% Cabernet Franc – 12.5% abv – Organic - Still fresh, despite the mature hints of tea and cedar around the edges. A lively core of mulled red and black cherry fruit is backed by tobacco and olive hints, with a lovely, perfume- and mineral-filled finish. Drink now. 25 cases imported. – Rated 90 points, Wine Spectator; 90 points, Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar

Yannick Amirault Pavillon du Grand Clos Bourguiel Les Quartiers 2008, List Price $28.99, Sale $24.99 – Bourgueil, Loire, France – 100% Cabernet Franc – 13% abv – Organic - This has just started to soften, as an alluring black tea edge moves in on the core of damson plum, raspberry and black cherry flavors. Long and suave on the finish, offering perfumy spice, incense and sweet tobacco notes. Drink now through 2014. 50 cases imported. – Rated 91 points, Wine Spectator

In the last ten years, the wines of this Yannick Amirault’s Pavillon du Grand Clos, have appeared as the most complex and the most consistent of the appellations Bourgueil and St. Nicholas de Bourgueil. The wines of the domaine are characterized by body, cleaness, charm and in a great vintage, by aristocracy…. Amirault’s wines have a maturity of tannins that is rare. When the vintage accentuates this search for maturity, certain cuvées swing towards opulence, but still serve as a reference for the finesse des matieres. – Le Classement, Revue du Vin de France

Join us on Saturday, September 18th from 12PM – 4PM for what promises to be an excellent tasting. Like all of our Saturday, In-Store Tastings, this event is free and all are welcome (must be 21 years of age to sample wines). The Lineup:

Yannick Amirault Bourgueil “La Coudraye” 2008, Regular Price $20.99,  Sale Price $17.84 – Bourgueil, Loire, France – 100% Cabernet Franc – 13% abv – Organic - Solid, with dark currant and briar notes backed by flint and iron hints and a lingering maduro tobacco note on the gutsy finish. Drink now through 2011. – Rated 89 Points, Wine Spectator

Yannick Amirault St.-Nicolas de Bourgueil “La Mine” 2008, Regular Price $25.99, Sale Price $22.99 – St.-Nicolas de Bourgueil, Loire, France – 100% Cabernet Franc – 12.5% abv – Organic - Fresh and racy, with alluring black tea and olive notes weaving through the core of black cherry and plum fruit. The polished finish lets a tobacco edge linger nicely. Drink now through 2011. – Rated 90 Points, Wine Spectator

Yannick Amirault Bourgueil “Le Grand Clos” 2007, Regular Price $27.99,  Sale Price $23.79 – Bourgueil, Loire, France – 100% Cabernet Franc – 12.5% abv – Organic - Still fresh, despite the mature hints of tea and cedar around the edges. A lively core of mulled red and black cherry fruit is backed by tobacco and olive hints, with a lovely, perfume- and mineral-filled finish. Drink now. – Rated 90 Points, Wine Spectator

Deep, bright red. Vibrant aromas of black cherry, cassis, licorice and smoky minerals. At once dense and juicy, with a medicinal reserve and building minerality giving a serious mien to the sweet dark fruit flavors. Graceful and precise but has solid structure for the vintage. Finishes with silky tannins and very good spicy length. – Rated 90 Points, International Wine Cellar

Yannick Amirault Bourgueil “La Petite Cave” 2007, Regular Price $35.99,  Sale Price $30.59 – Bourgueil, Loire, Franc – 100% Cabernet France – 12.5% abv – Organic - This racy red is a chalky spine driving the black cherry and black currant fruit, all backed by liberal tobacco and bittersweet cocoa notes. Grippy but fresh on the lengthy finish. Rock-solid. Drink now through 2012. – Rated 91 Points, Wine Spectator

Yannick Amirault St.-Nicolas de Bourgueil “Les Malgagnes” 2008, Regular Price $31.99,  Sale Price $27.19 – St.-Nicolas de Bourgueil, Loire, France – 100% Cabernet Franc – 13% abv – Organic - Lively, with open-knit blackberry, blueberry and cherry fruit, laced with sweet tapenade and spice notes. A bouncy edge on the finish lets the gorgeous, pure fruit play out without losing focus, while a tobacco edge chimes in for added depth. Drink now through 2012. – Rated 91 Points, Wine Spectator

We’re featuring six of these wines this week at the shop, with special pricing. And join us this Saturday, July 17th, at Weygandt Wines from 1PM until 4PM as we host a tasting where you can try them all before you buy! The Lineup:

Domaine Alary La Grange Daniel Blanc 2009, Regular Price $14.99, Sale Price $11.99 – Rhone, France – 100% Roussanne – 14% abv – Sustainable - Honeysuckle, rose petal, and apricot notes emerge from this tank-fermented and aged white. It exhibits surprising body and flavor intensity along with beautiful richness and length. I wouldn’t age it beyond a year, but it is ideal for current drinking with intensely flavored shellfish and poultry dishes.

Domaine Albert Mann Auxerrois Vieilles Vignes 2009, Regular Price $19.99, Sale Price $15.99 – Alsace, France – 100% Auxerrois – 13% abv – Biodynamic - Pale color. Fresh, pure nose offers peach and flowers. Juicy, fresh and moderately dense, in a rather sweet style for Auxerrois at nine grams of residual sugar. Turns a bit dry and peppery on the end.

Gerard & Pierre Morin Sancerre Chene Marchand 2008, Regular Price $28.99, Sale Price, $22.99 – Loire, France – 100% Sauvignon Blanc – 13% abv – Sustainable - A gorgeous nose and subtly oily, lush, yet ultra-bright palate are dominated by hedge flowers, fresh orange, lime, and grapefruit. Chalk, iodine, and salt seem to cling indelibly even as this sensationally concentrated and supremely elegant Sancerre invigorates and refreshes. Here is that perfect paradox one encounters with Sauvignon: its most sublime manifestations are farthest from typicity, and those seeking gooseberry, passion fruit, or cassis will be disappointed by what they find here.

Domaine Servin Chablis Vieilles Vignes Selection Massale, Regular Price $25.99, Sale Price $19.99 – Burgundy, France – 100% Chardonnay – 12.5% abv – Sustainable - (50% tank and 50% older barrels) Bright yellow. Less fruity than the Pargues on the nose, showing a menthol element. Dense, ripe and minerally, with excellent lemony cut and serious acidity. Finishes with noteworthy persistence, and the structure to age. These 2008s have 4.7 to 4.8 grams per liter of acidity, according to Francois Servin. Rate 89 points, The International Wine Cellar

Chateau de La Bonneliere Chinon Rive Gauche 2009, Regular Price $14.99, Sale Price $11.99 – Loire, France – 100% Cabernet Franc – 12.5% abv – Organic - Brimming with tart but ripe cherry and blackberry tinged with baking spices and toasted nuts. Succulent and sappy on the palate, it finishes with bright black fruits and pungent spice and pepper. This would make an excellent, highly affordable introduction to Loire Cabernet Franc as well as a versatile tablemate over the next 12-18 months.

Pascal et Nicolas Reverdy Sancerre Rouge Terre de Maimbray 2008, Regular Price $28.99, Sale Price $22.99 – Loire, France – 100% Pinot Noir – 12.5% abv – Organic - This juicy offering boasts bitter-edged, black pepper-, salt- and cinnamon-tinged mulberry and cassis on an elegant palate and strikingly long finish. The effect of older barrels seems to detract marginally from the purity of fruit, and I would in any case plan to enjoy this over the next 12-18 months.

Beatrice & Pascal Lambert Chinon “Les Perruches” 2006, $18.39/btl, Regularly $22.99/btl – Loire, France – 100% Cabernet Franc – 13.5% abv – Organic - Rock-solid, with a briary undertow carrying the macerated plum and cherry fruit, all followed by sweet tapenade and aged tobacco notes on the long finish. Even better than the 2005. Drink now through 2011. 200 cases imported. – 90 points, Wine Spectator.

La Source du Ruault Saumur Champigny “Vieilles Vignes” 2006, $19.99/btl, Regularly $24.99/btl – Loire, France – 100% Cabernet Franc – 12.5% abv – Biodynamic - Jean-Noel Millon took over his family’s vineyards in 1998. His 2006 Saumur Champigny Vieilles Vignes boasts pure, ripe, tart blackberry fruit with sage oil and ginger pungency and saline, chalky mineral expressions. Smoky, toasted nut notes, carob, and brown spices emerge in a penetrating finish that will truly leave you licking (the residues from) your lips. This admirably concentrated, inevitably versatile Cabernet Franc will be worth following for at least 2-3 years.

Yannick Amirault Bourgueil “Les Quartiers” 2006, $23.99/btl, Regularly $29.99/btl – Loire, France – 100% Cabernet Franc – 13% abv – Organic - A dark, grippy red from France’s Loire Valley, with charcoal, mesquite, roasted fig, dark olive and mineral notes coursing through while a backdrop of plum sauce and toast waits in reserve. The structured, mouthfilling finish drips with fruit and olive notes. Best from 2009 through 2017. 821 cases made. – 92 points, Wine Spectator

Yannick Amirault St.-Nicolas de Bourgueil “Les Malgagnes” 2006, $25.69/btl, Regularly $31.99/btl – Loire, France – 100% Cabernet Franc – 13.5% abv – Organic - This offers the appellation’s telltale iron, briar and dark olive notes, with a rock-solid core of black currant fruit. It’s all given a lift by a layer of well-integrated cocoa and mocha-tinged toast.

Fill up your cellar or wine racks with any of these special Loire Valley reds at 20% off the regular retail price!

Markowitsch Gruner Veltliner Schanzacker 2008, $15.99/btl – Carnuntum, Austria – 100% Gruner Veltliner – 12% abv – There’s plenty of fresh herb and green peach notes in this light white. A refreshing minerality finishes this delightful sipper. Drink now.

Soellner Gruner Veltliner Danubio 1-Liter 2008, $16.99/btl – An herbal style, with straightforward fresh-cut apple flavors and a medium finish. A bit more bang for the buck considering the larger format bottle. Drink now. 500 cases imported.

Chateau de La Bonneliere Chinon 2007, $17.99/btl – Loire, France – 100% Cabernet Franc – 13% abv – This displays a satisfying amalgam of bitter-edged black fruits, toasted nuts, salt, and herbs with positively lip-smacking sappiness and a tart, but persistently invigorating finish. Plan on enjoying it over the next couple of years.

Markowitsch Blaufrankisch Carnuntum Spitzerberg 2007, $19.99/btl – Carnuntum, Austria – 100% Gruner Veltliner – 12% abv – Medium-bodied, with fresh and lively red berry and plum flavors that show an elegant side. Spicy finish features notes of beef and pepper. Drink now. – WS 88 points

Domaine de La Chapelle Saint Veran Madame Noly 2008, $25.99/btl – Burgundy, France – 100% Chardonnay – 13% abv – Very juicy, with a supple texture framing apricot, orange and mineral notes, which are more up front than on the back end, though this does linger.

Domaine du Vissoux Beaujolais Blanc Cepage Chardonnay 2008, $21.99/btl – Beaujolais, France – 100% Chardonnay – 12.5% abv – High-toned, ester-rich citrus and distilled pit fruit aromas; piquant nuttiness; and a soft, oily texture characterize Chermette’s 2008 Beaujolais Blanc. A lactic note jars with the juiciness of citrus in the finish, but there is a satisfying underlying chalkiness as well as excellent sheer length.

L’Arco Chianti 2007, $13.99/btl – Tuscany, Italy – 100% Sangiovese – 13.5% abv – With a bright ruby-garnet cast, this Chianti displays a spicy red currant and tobacco nose, plenty of zip and drive, abundant fruit, and a tonic acidity on the finish. A great pairing with pizza or pasta with red sauce.

Beatrice et Pascal Lambert Chinon Les Perruches 2006, $22.99/btl – Loire, France – 100% Cabernet Franc – 13.5% abv – Rock-solid, with a briary undertow carrying the macerated plum and cherry fruit, all followed by sweet tapenade and aged tobacco notes on the long finish. Even better than the 2005. Drink now through 2011. 200 cases imported. – WS 90 points

Hubert Clavelin et Fils Cremant du Jura Brut Comte Chardonnay Tete de Cuvee NV, $18.99/btl ($17.99/btl case price) – Jura, France – 100% Chardonnay – 12% abv – For over two decades, Hubert Clavelin and his importer have been promoting non-vintage Cremant du Jura Brut-Comte Chardonnay Tete de Cuvee, and this latest batch (lot number LBRC05, in tiny print on the back label) – based on the 2005 vintage, and having spent 36 months sur lattes – is as fine as any I can recall, and a wine that deserves to be taken seriously at the dinner table. A hint of Jura-typical pungency figures amid aromas of buckwheat, lime zest, and apple cider. With fine mousse and impressive vinosity, this coats the palate with zesty piquancy and saline, mineral-meaty savor of scallops and bacon. Both fascination and versatility are guaranteed for the coming year. – WA 90 points

Kurt Angerer Gruner Veltliner Kies 2008, $17.99/btl – Kamptal, Austria – 100% Gruner Veltliner – 12.5% abv – This has concentrated flavors of ripe peach, ruby grapefruit and pear. The long finish is spicy and intense, with hints of glazed citrus. Drink now through 2013. 500 cases imported. – WS 88 points

Domaine Pascal Bonhomme Vire-Clesse Recolte 2008, $21.99/btl – Burgundy, France – 100% Chardonnay – 13% abv – A medium bodied chardonnay from the Macon. A versatile food wine that goes well with anything from chicken to medium to high oil fish. A great place  to start for those who love white Burgundy.

Yannick Amirault Bourgueil La Coudraye 2007, $23.99/btl – Loire, France – 100% Cabernet Franc – 12.5% abv – This shows nice ripeness and weight for the vintage, with fresh dark berry fruit and sweet spice notes offset by fresh acidity, an herbal hint and a taut, minerally spine. Drink now through 2010. 150 cases imported. – WS 89 points

Chateau Castigno Saint-Chinian Secret des Dieux 2007, $25.99/btl -  Languedoc, France – 50% Syrah, 25% Grenache, 20% Carignan and 5% Mourvèdre – 13.5% abv – This red shows nice focus and concentration to its red berry flavors, which are accented by semi-sweet chocolate notes. The plush finish features red cherry and spice. Drink now through 2012. 400 cases imported. – WS 88 points

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.