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…
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!
On Saturday, May 15, 2010, from 1PM – 4PM, Weygandt Wines welcomes you to a tasting of the wines of Bandol.
DOMAINE LA BASTIDE BLANCHE
In the early ’70s Michel and Louis Bronzo (the latter on the board of the INAO) acquired the property of the Bastide Blanche, with an eye to producing from appellation Bandol wines the equal of more famous appellations like Chateauneuf. Their painstaking efforts were rewarded in 1993 when vintage conditions created the benchmark year to put Bandol in general and Bastide-Blanche, in particular, on the map of top producers in France. They have various cuvees, depending on the vintage, but always about 75% Mourvedre as a minimum, up to 100% Mourvedre for the Cuvee Fontanieu from a parcel of that name near the Mediterranean. Also, common each year to their success are their very low yields, never more than 34 or 35 hl/ha, and simply impeccable cellar conditions and attention. This shows in the pure, well-delineated fruit, that has become a hallmark of Bastide-Blanche. They also make a delightful Rosé, from predominantly Mourvedre, with Grenache and Cinsault. And also produce another rosé from a separate property, Chateau des Baumelles. The Lineup:
Domaine La Bastide Blanche Bandol Blanc 2008, Regularly $26.99, On Sale $22.94/bottle – Provence, France – 45% Clairette, 35% Ugni Blanc, 15% Bourboulenc, 5% Sauvignon Blanc – 13% abv – Organic – A fruity style, with focused flavors of peach, Golden Delicious apple and pear. Medium-bodied, with a zesty, spice-filled finish that features touches of cream. Drink now. 25 cases imported. – Rated 88 Points, Wine Spectator
Chateau des Baumelles Bandol Rosé 2009, Regularly $22.99, On Sale $19.54/bottle – Provence, France – 36% Cinsault, 34% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre – 13.5% abv – Organic
Domaine La Bastide Blanche Bandol Rosé 2009, Regularly $22.99, On Sale $19.54/bottle – Provence, France – 70% Mourvedre, 22% Cinsault, 8% Grenache – 13.5% abv – Organic
Domaine La Bastide Blanche Bandol 2006, Regularly $22.99, On Sale $19.54/bottle – Provence, France – 74% Mourvedre, 22% Grenache, 3% Syrah, 1% Carignan – 14.5% abv – Organic - A powerful red, with intense red and dark fruit flavors, including fig, dark plum and raspberry. Formidable tannins and acidity support the finish, which is infused with notes of baker’s chocolate and black olive. Best from 2011 through 2015. 400 cases imported. – Rated 92 Points, Wine Spectator
Domaine La Bastide Blanche Bandol Cuvee Estagnol 2006, Regularly $29.99, On Sale $25.49/bottle – Provence, France – 94% Mourvedre, 6% Grenache – 14% abv – Organic - Plush and rich, with dense flavors of dark cherry, fig, licorice and dark chocolate. The powerful finish lingers with notes of mocha, smoke and roast beef. Needs time. Best from 2010 through 2014. 150 cases imported. – Rated 92 Points, Wine Spectator
Domaine La Bastide Blanche Bandol Cuvee Fontanieu 2005, Regularly $29.99, On Sale $25.49/bottle – Provence, France – 94% Mourvèdre, 6% Grenache – 13.5% abv – Organic - Powerful and complex nose spices, liquorice and chive mix with fruit notes of prunes and blackberries. The mouth is powerful, dense, developing finally spice notes. This wine will accompany well grilled or roasted meats and wild game.
Above Wines On Sale Through Saturday, May 15, 2010 or until supplies last.
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 all who made it by the shop on a beautiful early spring day this past Saturday to meet the wonderfully affable Micheal Gerin of Jean-Michel Gerin. (We know that technically winter did not succomb to spring until midnight Saturday, but the day was nice enough to take a pass on a technicality.) Next Saturday, we will have one of the undoubtedly great winemakers of the Priorat region of Spain in our shop to pour and talk about her wines. Sara Perez of Mas Martinet will be here, probably between 1 and 4 pm, but we’ll give you a definite schedule sometime in the next couple of days. Meanwhile, we’ll continue to pour our normal assortment of wines between 4 and 7 pm from Monday thru Friday. This week, we’ll offer two bottles under $11, a 90 point wine under $13 and a 91 point wine under $23. The lineup:
Chateau Font-Mars Picpoul de Pinet 2008, $10.99/btl – Languedoc, France – 100% Picpoul – 12.5% abv – Font-Mars – with its coat of arms flanked by dinosaurs, an allusion to fossilized eggs found on the property – once again offers a distinctively delicious wine with their 2008 Coteaux du Languedoc Picpoul de Pinet, smelling of honeydew melon and passion fruit; refreshing, sappy and stimulatingly bitter in its notes of green apple and melon rind, and guaranteed to improve the contents of any refrigerator over the next 6-9 months.
Weingut Trapl Gruner Veltliner 2008, $15.99/btl – Carnuntum, Austria – 100% Gruner Veltliner – 11.5% abv – White grapefruit that lingers for a considerable amount of time given the price point. Finishes with an abundance of mineral and a touch of chalk.
Domaine La Bastide Syrah Vin de Pays d’Hauterive Les Genets Vieilles Vignes 2007, $12.99/btl – Languedoc, France – 100% Syrah – 14.5% abv – The 2007 Syrah Vieilles Vignes came in at close to 15% alcohol, yet its wonderfully-concentrated, brown-spiced, sweetly-ripe cassis, black cherry, and purple plum retain a refreshing brightness and are not in the least marred by bitterness or heat. Anything this wine lacks in complexity it makes up for in seamlessness and generosity, not to mention ridiculously good value. Enjoy it over the next 2-3 years. – WA 90 points
Domaine Duseigneur Lirac Antares 2007, $22.99/btl – Rhone, France – 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre – 14.5% abv – 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. – WA 91 points
As the title indicates, we will be hosting an Organic Wine Tasting on Wednesday, April 7, from 6:30 pm til 8 pm. (This does mean that we will close our doors at 6:30 pm to the public. We will resume our normal hours of operation the next day.) If you would like to attend and have not registered for the event, please do so HERE. At $15/head, this is a bit of break from our normal way of doing things–giving you things for free–but we think that the cost of this event is justified. In addition to the wines which will be described further down, we’ll have food from Dino, cheese from Firefly Farms, as well as a raffle for prizes ranging from a $50 gift certificate to Founding Farmers Restaurant to an organic gift basket from Herban Lifestyle. And, more importantly, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to The DC Farm to School Network. So, all in all, good food, good drink and a good cause. Win, win, win. The Lineup (all featured wines are on sale for 20% off):
Domaine du Vissoux Cremant de Bourgogne NV – Beaujolais, France – 100% Chardonnay – 12% abv – A terrific alternative to pricey Champagne, this Blanc de Blanc made by star Beaujolais winemaker Pierre Chermette is made in the methode tradtionelle. Hand crafted and hand riddled, this 100% ORGANIC sparkling wine offers outstanding structure and weight, with notes of green apple and spiced pear, all in a crisp, well-balanced package. EVENT PRICE, $20.99/btl
Chateau de La Bonneliere Touraine Les Devants Cepage Sauvignon 2008 – Loire, France – 100% Sauvignon Blanc – 12.5% abv – Marc Plouzeau’s BIODYNAMIC bottling of his 2008 Touraine Sauvignon is redolent of citrus and herbs; lean and unusually bright on the palate even for its genre, and finishes with a combination of fresh lemon, salt, peppermint, and nettles that will leave your palate both scoured and invigorated! EVENT PRICE, $12.99/btl
Domaine Albert Mann Pinot Blanc 2008 - Alsace, France – 50% Pinot Blanc, 50% Auxerrois – 12.5% abv – Jacky and Maurice Barthelme’s BIODYNAMIC 2008 Pinot Blanc portrays their unique style consistently; beautiful delineation of flavors and precise textures, never heavy, clumsy or out of balance. A lovely mineral-scented nose is followed by palate coating pear, white peach and apricot. EVENT PRICE, $14.99/btl
Domaine David Clark Bourgogne Au Pelson 2006 – Burgundy, France – 100% Pinot Noir – 12.5% abv – Scottsman David Clark’s ORGANIC is firm and complex, with a mix of smoke, herb, dried currant and wild raspberry flavors that expand to ripe cherry and plum. Full-bodied and well-structured, gaining depth and picking up a nice fresh earthy edge. The finish is long and persistent. EVENT PRICE, $16.99/btl
Domaine Duseigneur Lirac Antares 2007 – Rhone, France – 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre – 14.5% abv – Jean and Frederic Duseigneur’s 2007 Lirac Antares is a big rich offering. 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 and smoky notes. This dense, medium to full-bodied, elegant as well as substantial BIODYNAMIC Lirac should drink well for 5-6 years. EVENT PRICE, $18.99/btl
Clos de L’Origine Cotes du Roussillon Villages Latour de France Les Quilles Libres Rouge 2007 - Roussillon, France – 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Carignan – Marc Barriot’s ORGANIC 2007 Les Quilles Libres is loaded with wood smoke, tobacco, brown spices, soy, peanuts, and ripe red fruits mingle in the nose. On a sappy, palpably extract-rich palate, lightly cooked red raspberry and strawberry are dusted with cardamom, cinnamon, and white pepper, and underlain with toasted praline and peanuts. EVENT PRICE, $23.99/btl
Thanks to Firefly Farms and everyone who made it into the shop over the weekend to taste the sublime combination of their creamy, elegant goat’s milk cheeses with our Loire Valley Sauvignon Blancs. This coming week is a bit light on the activities front, but as always, we’ll pour at least six different bottles at our bar. The Lineup:
L’Abbaye du Petit Quincy Bourgogne Tonnerre 2006, $19.99/btl – Burgundy, France – 100% Chardonnay – 12.5% abv
Domaine La Bastide Blanche Bandol Blanc 2008, $26.99/btl – Provence, France – 45% Clairette, 35% Ugni Blanc, 15% Bourboulenc, 5% Sauvignon Blanc – 13% abv – A fruity style, with focused flavors of peach, Golden Delicious apple and pear. Medium-bodied, with a zesty, spice-filled finish that features touches of cream. Drink now. 25 cases imported. – WS 88 points
Domaine de Fontenille Cotes du Luberon 2007, $14.99/btl – Rhone, France – 70% Grenache, 30% Syrah – 14% abv – Grippy for a Lubéron, with dark currant, roasted chestnut, maduro tobacco and roasted olive notes that pump through the muscular, slightly rugged finish. Drink now through 2010. 1,500 cases imported. – WS 89 points
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. – WA 88 points
Domaine de Poulvarel Costieres de Nimes Rouge 2007, $17.99/btl – Rhone, France – 50% Grenache, 50% Syrah – 14% abv – The two red wines include an equal part blend of Grenache and Syrah, the 2007 Costieres de Nimes, a richly textured effort that tastes more like a northern Rhone with the Syrah component dominating both the aromatics and flavors. Blackberry, licorice, and tar notes along with terrific fruit and medium to full body are found in this 2007. Its style is not terribly dissimilar from a St.-Joseph. Drink it over the next 4-5 years. – WA 89 points
Domaine de L’Ancienne Mercerie Faugeres les Petites Mains 2007, $27.99/btl - Languedoc, France – 30% Carignan, 30% Syrah, 25% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre – 15% abv – The 2007 Faugeres Les Petites Mains – a blend of Grenache, Carignan, Syrah, and slightly less Mourvedre – displays heady black fruit ripeness with overtones of smoke and fruit distillate. On the palate, plush, sweet, dense, yet exuberantly fresh black raspberry, boysenberry, and cassis are tinged with cardamom, clove, tonka bean, and rosemary. There is at most the slightest trace of heat and drying from its 15% alcohol, but this is delightful, rich red and an excellent value ready to enjoy today, yet probably worth following for at least 4-6 years. – WA 90 points
Yann Chave Crozes Hermitage 2007, $27.99/btl – Rhone, France – 100% Syrah – 13% abv – Bright and open, with tasty black cherry, currant and aged tobacco notes. Fresh finish. Drink now. 5,000 cases made. – WS 88 points
The Roussillon region has been described (by Hugh Johnson) as perhaps potentially the most impressive part of the Languedoc. The wines of young Jean Gardies confirm Mr. Johnson’s confidence. A few years ago he took over the family domaine and has gradually increased the amount of the production which he is releasing in bottle. There are “super cuvees” of Syrah pure (Les Falaises), Mourvedre (La Torre) and Grenache Vieilles Vignes (we can’t get these yet, because of private customer demand), which were considered the top wines produced in the Roussillon in vintage 2000 by the Revue du Vin de France. Yet even his cuvee Les Milleres, with no barrique aging, shows Gardies’ great gift for making structured, concentrated, yet elegant wines.
Today and Friday, along with Monday-Friday next week, we’ll pour 2 whites, 3 reds and one dessert to give you a good idea of the style and range of this tremendously talented winemaker/producer. (This Saturday, we’ll interupt this tasting for a brief trip to the Piedmont.) The Lineup:
Domaine Gardies Vin de Pays des Cotes Catalanes Mas Las Cabes 2008, $14.99/btl – Roussillon, France – 70% Muscat, 15% Macabeo, 15% Grenache Blanc – 13.5% abv – This has a fruity aroma, with bright flavors of peach, honeysuckle, beeswax and mineral notes. The lush finish is broad and spicy. Muscat, Grenache and Maccabeo. Drink now. 200 cases imported. – WS 87 points – WS 87 points
Domaine Gardies Cotes du Roussillon Les Glaciaires 2007, $19.99/btl – Roussillon, France – 40% Roussanne, 40% Grenache Blanc, 20% Macabeo – 13% abv – This rich, exotic white shows ripe tropical fruit flavors of mango and pineapple, with notes of baked peach. The finish is spicy, with plenty of firm acidity and a juicy freshness. Roussanne, Grenache Blanc and Macabeo. Drink now through 2012. 50 cases imported. – WS 88 points
From Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, and Macabeu vinified in year-old barrels, the Gardies 2007 Cotes du Roussillon Les Glaciaires smells of lime zest, peach, pungent, musky flowers, white pepper, resin, lanolin, and spicy oak. A saline and distinctly peppery, Roussanne-dominated palate leads to a bright finish, with a tactile impression of peach fuzz and pineapple tartness, and just a bit of heat and overt oakiness. Jean Gardies – whom I did not have a chance to visit with last December – farms his family’s holdings in the chalk-clay soils of Vingrau and the black schist Espira de l’Agly sector along the Agly just outside Perpignan. – WA 87 points
Domaine Gardies Cotes du Roussillon Mas Las Cabes Rouge 2008, $16.99/btl – Roussillon, France – 60% Syrah, 30% Grenache Noir, 10% Carignan – 13.5% abv
Domaine Gardies Cotes du Roussillon Villages Les Milleres 2007, $19.99/btl – Roussillon, France – 40% Grenache Noir, 35% Syrah, 20% Carignan, 5% Mourvedre – 13.5% abv – Full-bodied, with powerful dark fruit flavors, including kirsch, plum and dark cherry, followed by intense notes of cocoa powder and Asian spice on the muscular finish. Best from 2010 through 2013. 200 cases imported. – WS 90 points
A blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan with a smidgeon of Mourvedre, Gardies’ 2007 Cotes du Roussillon Villages Les Milleres smells of lightly cooked red raspberry, grenadine, walnut husk, juniper, and subtly integrated vanilla and spice from the half of this cuvee that spends time in used barrels. With a vividly sappy concentration of tart red fruit, resin, and tar, with accents of cardamom and black pepper, this coats the palate and lingers with invigorating tartness and pungency, if also a trace of heat. I would not let its abundant, fine-grained tannin stand in the way of enjoying this wine over the next several years, particularly with red meats. A recent pair of additions to the Gardies line-up is labeled for the Mas Las Cabes property in the Espira de l’Agly. Jean Gardies – whom I did not have a chance to visit with last December – farms his family’s holdings in the chalk-clay soils of Vingrau and the black schist Espira de l’Agly sector along the Agly just outside Perpignan. – WA 89 points
Domaine Gardies Cotes du Roussillon Villages Tautavel Vieilles Vignes 2006, $29.99/btl – Roussillon, France – 70% Grenache Noire, 20% Syrah, 10% Carignan – 14% abv – This intense, powerful red from the south of France is filled with concentrated flavors of kirsch, dark chocolate and plum pudding. The rich finish of Christmas cake and mocha features plenty of grip. Drink now through 2014. 100 cases imported. – WS 91 points
Gardies’ 2006 Cotes du Roussillon Villages Vieilles Vignes Tautavel – a barrel-matured cuvee of Grenache with smaller amounts of Syrah, Carignan, and Mourvedre – offers a captivating and penetrating aroma of grilled meats, pungent cinnamon and nutmeg, cedar, ester-rich notes of kirsch, black pepper, and vanilla. Palpably dense, firm in texture, and suffused with fine-gained tannins, this nicely balances spice and resin with high-toned distilled cherry and purple plum, an underlying depth of bitter dark chocolate and chalk becoming more prominent in its long finish. I would anticipate it being worth cellaring for at least 5-6 years. Jean Gardies – whom I did not have a chance to visit with last December – farms his family’s holdings in the chalk-clay soils of Vingrau and the black schist Espira de l’Agly sector along the Agly just outside Perpignan. – WA 90 points
Domaine Gardies Muscat de Rivesaltes 2006 500ml, $24.99/btl – Roussillon, France – 100% Muscat – 15.5% abv – A zesty honeyed dessert wine from Rivesaltes.
There’s just one week left in the year, and while we’re thankful to 2009 because it was our inaugural year, we’re happy to see 2010 coming down the line. To help us celebrate the New Year, we’ll be closed on Friday, January 1, 2010. To help you celebrate the New Year, we have a special sparkler at a special price. The lineup:
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
