Georg Mosbacher Riesling Spatlese Forster Elster 2007, List Price $34.99, Sale $29.99 – Pfalz, Germany – 100% Riesling  – 10% abv – Organic - Plenty of tangy grapefruit, clove and white pepper notes match a bright structure, making this harmonious and tasty. It could use a little time to integrate more fully. Best from 2010 through 2020. 30 cases imported. – Rated 90 Points, Wine Spectator

Buchegger Gruner Veltliner Pfarrweingarten 2007, List Price $29.99, Sale $24.99 – Kremstal, Austria – 100% Gruner Veltliner – 13.5% abv – Sustainable - This is buttery-tasting, like a fruity hot toddy. The supple finish is very ripe, with touches of cream. Drink now through 2012. – Wine Spectator

Domaine L’Oustal Blanc Naick 7, List Price $34.99, Sale $29.99 – Minervois, France – 95% Grenache Gris, 5% Macabeu – 14% abv – Sustainable - The white Naick 7 of 2007 (this qualifying only as vin de table, no vintage date is permitted on the label) displays a richness of fruit, a body, and meaty, chewy, texture that I am sure would have led me to say “red wine,” if served from a jet-black glass. It’s as though a lot of veal bones and lobster shells had been cooked down to a demi-glace essence. Not that this wine is lacking for brightness, lift, or refreshment, though: there is a citrus streak enlivening its stock pot reduction of bones, marrow, and shells, almost as if this were Chablis. The finish won’t quit, and I imagine the wine will show stamina if cellared, too. Since this was just bottled when I tasted, and Fonquerle elected to filter for safety’s sake, it should prove yet more intensely expressive and more organized when you read this. - Rated 92+ Points, The Wine Advocate

Domaine David Clark Morey-Saint-Denis Les Porroux 2007, List Price $59.99, Sale $49.99 – Burgundy, France – 100% Pinot Noir – 13% abv – Organic - ONE BARREL ONLY of this lovely, classic Morey for the WORLD! Harvested at 22 hectoliters per hectare, and the fruit sorted bunch by bunch. Roughly translated, that means that David Clark’s 0.25-acre Morey-Saint-Denis parcel, named “Les Porroux,” produced only 60 gallons of juice! Or one barrel full! Aged for 18 months in a one-year-old Damy barrel. Malolactic fermentation finished on September 2008, then bottled on March 28, 2009, direct from the barrel. All of the vineyards at Domaine David Clark are farmed organically: All vineyard work is done by hand with the exception of ploughing which is done by tractor or by horse. Low yields; ploughing and mowing to control weeds – never any herbicides; extreme rigour in all aspects of hand-tending the vines; hand de-leafing to promote grape ripeness and color; organic certified spray program to control diseases and pests; minimal use of heavy machinery in order to reduce soic compaction and thus respect the native flora dn fauna. “…builds nicely towards the more harmonious finish with smooth raspberry and cherry. Very fine.” - Neal Martin “…cool yet moderately earthy red berry fruit aromas that complement well the rich, full and detailed middle weight plus flavors that possess solid depth and punch on the energetic, tangy and sappy finish that is impeccably well balanced.” - Allen Meadows

Clos Marie L’Olivette Pic Saint Loup 2009, List Price $21.99, Sale $18.69 – Languedoc, France – 40% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre and Cinsault (from vines 15 to 50 years of age) – 13.5% abv – Biodynamic - The vines are worked according to the principles of the biodynamy and the grape harvest is always by hand. The aging is carried out out of barrels. Tasting notes of winemaker Christophe Peyrus: ‘The bottling was carried out three weeks ago. 2009 made rich and concentrated wines. A vintage for aging, even on Olivette, which one will need to wait 3 or 4 years for the wine to reach it’s peak. Olivette is a wine very ‘charged’ right now, but it will gain purity and smoothness with time. It has a discrete nose right now, but an a more generous palate, and decanting will be needed absolutely because I always leave carbonic gas (as a way of protecting the wine). The tannins are thick with beautiful spices and sweetness in the finish.”

Clos de l’Origine Les Quilles Libres Cotes-du-Roussillon 2007, List Price $28.99, Sale $23.99 – Roussillon, France – 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Carignan – Organic - 14.5% abv – Barriot’s 2007 Cotes du Roussillon Villages Latour de France Les Quilles Libres is according to his own account overwhelmingly Grenache (including some white grapes), so how it qualified for its appellation is a mystery to me. 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, and there is no hint of finishing heat or roughness from the wine’s nearly 15% alcohol, but rather a sense of exuberant brightness that brings you back for the next sip. I can imagine this evolving fascinatingly for at least 3-5 years, but only in a proper cellar. - Rated 91 Points, The Wine Advocate

Sale prices last through Saturday, June 4th. No further discounts may apply.

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.

Join us on Friday evening May 20th, between 5PM and 7:30PM, then again on Saturday, May 21st, from 12PM to 4PM for our tasting and enjoy discounted prices on our special selections. The Lineup:

Domaine du Vissoux/Pierre-Marie Chermette Beaujolais Rosé Les Griottes, List Price $15.99, Sale $13.59 – Beaujolais, France – 100% Gamay – 12% abv – Sustainable - Pale pink. Light floral and fruity aromas on the nose. Lip-smacking and round, notes of wild strawberry, blackberry, raspberry and loganberry ending with a touch of star anise. Open with any variety of salads, grilled meats, barbecue, seafood, savoury pastries and fish. Ideal with exotic cuisines including West Indian and Asian, desserts and fruit sorbets. Recommended for the hottest days of the year!

Domaine Charvin Vin de Pays Principauté d’Orange à Côté 2008, List Price $14.99, Sale $9.99 – Rhône, France – 58% Merlot, 42% Grenache – 13.5% abv – Sustainable - Rustic red exhibiting red and black fruit characteristics intermixed with notions of herbs and earth. There is good structure to this very enjoyable table wine. Drink it over the next 1-2 years.

Jean-Michel Gerin Cote Rotie Champin Le Seigneur 2006, List Price $59.99, Sale $49.99 – Côtes Rotie, Rhône, France – 100% Syrah – 13% abv – Sustainable - Vibrant and racy, with good drive to the red licorice, red currant and damson plum notes, backed by hints of fruitcake, roasted vanilla and iron. The long, silky finish is finely tuned. Drink now through 2016. 3,750 cases made. – Rated 91 points, Wine Spectator

Domaine Les Grands Bois Côtes du Rhône-Villages Rasteau Cuvée Marc 2008, List Price $22.99, Sale $19.54 – Rasteau, Rhône, France – 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 10% Carignan – 14.5% abv – Sustainable - Ripe and fleshy, with a mix of damson plum, blueberry and red cherry fruit laced with lightly firm tannins and a lingering, violet- and pastis-tinged finish. Drink now through 2011. 50 cases imported.

Weingut Georg Mosbacher Riesling Auslese Pfalz Forster Ungeheuer 2007 , List Price $39.99, Sale $33.99 – Pfalz, Germany – 100% Riesling – 10% abv -  Organic - Very pure, exhibiting vivid passion fruit, ruby grapefruit and stone flavors. A lighter style of auslese that’s balanced and ideal for Asian dishes that have some heat. Drink now through 2030. 15 cases imported. – Rated 92 points, Wine Spectator

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Domaine Raymond Usseglio Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Impériale 2005, List Price $69.99, Sale $59.99 – Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France – 90% Grenache, 5% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre – 14% abv – Sustainable - The dark ruby/purple-tinged 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Imperiale, is powerful and full-bodied, with moderately high tannins, enticing, lush, intense texture, and hints of black cherry, roasted herbs, meat, and resiny, loamy soil notes. This is a very pure, structured, high tannin wine with good acidity that should be given 3-4 years of bottle-age and drunk over the following two decades. There are two superb Usseglio estates in Chateauneuf du Pape, and this one, although somewhat in the shadow of the recent efforts of the Domaine Pierre Usseglio, should never to be discounted as the wines from Raymond Usseglio are top-notch and classic in style. Both 2006 and 2005 are strong vintages for this estate. – Rated 92 points, The Wine Advocate

Concentrated but silky, with a core of raspberry and blackberry fruit woven with dark toast, licorice and plum sauce notes. The long finish shows nice depth. Has more grip than the Girard, but it’s not as fresh. Drink now through 2020. 80 cases imported. – Rated 92 points, Wine Spectator

Domaine Raymond Usseglio Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2007, List Price $44.99, Sale $37.99 – Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France – 40% Grenache Blanc, 20% Roussanne, 20% Clairette, 20% Bourboulenc – 14% abv – Sustainable - A bright, stony style, offering lime, green apple, floral and acacia notes backed by a lively, mineral-tinged finish. A crisp, fresh, medium-bodied Rhône white. 130 cases made.

1.  Domaine de L’Aigle à Deux Têtes Côtes du Jura En Griffez Vieilles Vignes 2007, List Price $23.99, Sale $19.99 – Jura, France – 100% Chardonnay – 11.5% abv – Organic – A very firm white, with impressive structure to the lemon curd and green apple flavors that also feature intense notes of sea salt and hints of iodine. This is a powerful and distinctive style. Needs time in the cellar to fully develop. Best from 2013 through 2020. 75 cases imported. – Rated 91 points, Wine Spectator

2.  Weingut Buchegger Grüner Veltliner Pfarrweingarten 2007, List Price $29.99, Sale $24.99 – Kremstal, Austria – 100% Grüner Veltliner – 13.5% abv – Sustainable - Buttery and full of wild flowers and caramel-like notes–like a fruity hot toddy. The supple finish is ripe, with touches of cream.

3.  Château Mourgues du Grès Costières de Nîmes Rosé Fleur d’Eglantine 2009, List Price $11.99, Sale $9.99 – Costières de Nîmes, Rhône, France – 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, 10% Carignan – 13.5% abv – Sustainable - Very pale pink. High-pitched aromas of red currant, blood orange and rhubarb, plus a strong kick of white pepper. Dry and nervy in the mouth, offering zesty red berry flavors and incisive acidity. An emphatically dry, slightly austere wine. – Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar

4.  Markowitsch Pinot Noir Qualitätswein Trocken Carnuntum 2006, List Price $25.99, Sale $19.99 – Carnuntum, Austria – 100% Pinot Noir – 13% abv – Sustainable - Light- to medium-bodied, with delicate cherry and Santa Rosa plum flavors and plenty of bright spicy notes. The finish is crisp and juicy. Drink now. 150 cases imported – Wine Spectator

5.  Domaine Gardies Côtes du Roussillon Mas Las Cabes 2008, List Price $16.99, Sale $13.99 – Roussillon, France – 60% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 10% Carignan – 13.5% abv – Organic - Red raspberry, cherry, mocha, vanilla, and toasted pecan rise from the glass of the 2008 Cotes du Roussillon Mas Las Cabes Rouge, a blend vinified in cement and older barriques. Marjoram and cedar as well as a subtle smokiness and a refreshing note of salinity join the red fruits on a rather firm palate which barely suggests the sweeter, nuttier notes in the nose. A bright, savory, red fruit- and herb-filled finish hints also at anchovy, calling forth the next sip and promising a versatile performance at table for at least the next couple of years.

6.  Simone Scaletta Barolo Chirlet 2004, List Price $58.99, Sale $49.99 - Piedmont, Italy – 100% Nebbiolo – 14% abv – Organic - Pretty. floral, elegant and quite complete. Well-balanced and fine. Ripe fruits with a dry finish. Drink from 2009. – Decanter

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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.

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1.  Chateau de la Bonneliere Touraine “Cepage Sauvignon – Les Devants” 2008, 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. – Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar

2.  Domaine Pascal Bonhomme Vire-Clesse Vieilles Vignes 2009, List Price $23.99, Sale $19.99 – Macon, Burgundy, France – 100% Chardonnay – 13% abv – Sustainable - A throw back to classic and artisanal wine making, we are very excited to have recently found this treasure in southern Burgundy. Pascal Bonhomme has some of the best situated sites in Vire-Clesse and he makes every effort in his vines to convey that in the bottle. Similar to vignerons in the Cot D’Or, Pascal harvests completely by hand and vinifies meticulously using pneumatic pressing. The estate is 2.5 hecates in size with most of it’s production being sold cellar door and, now, to the U.S. 60 year old vines; vinification is 20% in oak barrels and 80% in stainless steel tanks, 100% malolactic fermentation.

3.  Domaine Mourgues du Gres Terre d’Argence Blanc Vin de Pays du Gard 2008, List Price $17.99, Sale $14.99 – Costieres de Nimes, Rhone, France – 50% Viognier, 30% Roussanne, Marsanne, Grenache Blanc – 12% abv – Sustainable - Slightly fuller, with undeniable minerality as well as a more exotic character. . . . Approximately one-fourth of this cuvee is aged in French oak, and the rest in vat. More honeysuckle, white peach, and currant notes make an appearance in this medium-bodied, elegant, authoritatively fruity, stylish wine. Drink it over the next year. – The Wine Advocate

4.  Domaine Serafin Pere & Fils Gevrey-Chambertin 2007, List Price $54.99, Sale $46.99 -Burgundy, France – 100% Pinot Noir – 13% abv – Organic -  A hint of wood spice frames moderately sauvage, earthy and layered currant and dark pinot fruit aromas that merge into rich, full and serious medium weight flavors underpinned by ripe tannins and a balanced, intense and persistent finish. A classic Gevrey with fine quality for a villages wine. – Burghound

5.  Domaine des Soulanes “Cuvee Jean Pull” Vin de Pays de Cotes Catalanes 2007, List Price $18.99, Sale $15.99 – Roussillon, France – 60% Grenache, 40% Carignan – 14.5% abv – Organic - Intense kirsch, red plum and raspberry flavors give this southern French red real character and power. The finish is spicy, with plenty of finesse to the black licorice notes. Grenache and Carignane. Drink now through 2012. – Wine Spectator

6.  Domaine Georges Vernay Cote-Rotie “Blonde du Seigneur” 2006, List Price $69.99, Sale $49.99 – Northern Rhone, France – 100% Syrah – 12.5% abv – Sustainable - Bright ruby-red. Finely etched red and dark berry, floral, herbal and mineral aromas, plus a slow-building anise quality. Tangy and focused, offering sweet raspberry and blueberry flavors and showing no obvious tannins. Finishes lush and creamy, but with a jolt of zesty minerals adding vivacity and cut. Extremely fresh and delicious right now. These vines are planted entirely in the Cote Blonde, at Lancement and Coteaux des Semons. Incidentally, Paul Amsellem describes 2006 as a “subtle, smooth and classic vintage for red wines,” adding that they will be best in their youth, like the ’04s. “The 2007s, though, are agers.” – Rated 91 Points, Wine Spectator; 91 points, Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar

Sale pricing for selected wines lasts through the end of Saturday, April 2, 2011. No other discounts may apply.

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

Malbec is commonly known as a blending grape in Bordeaux, where it was used to add color and tannin to those wines. And since the 1990s, Argentine Malbec has taken the U.S. wine market by storm. Yet, the original home of Malbec is France’s southwest region, specifically Cahors (where it is also known as “Cot”), that the grape reaches its full potential creating distinctive, full-bodied wines that are able to mature. They are known as the “black wine of France.” Strongly made but delicious.

Mourvedre is a native to Spain. There it’s called Monastrell. Mourvedre is used as an important blending grape throughout Mediterranean France and Spain, as well as in the GS”M” wines of Australia. Strong, richly tannic, and with buttressing acidity, Mourvedre is distinct and delicious in its own right. And in Bandol, in France’s Provence region, it is the primary grape variety.

La Bastide Blanche Bandol Blanc 2008, List Price $26.99, Sale $21.99 – Bandol, 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. – Wine Spectator

Domaine La Berangeraie Cahors Malbec Les Caminoles 2007, List Price $14.99, Sale $12.69 – Cahors, Sudouest, France – 100% Malbec – 13% abv – Organic - Juicy, with rustically spicy flavors. Medium-bodied, with plum and berry notes. The finish features pepper and tobacco leaf notes.

Domaine  La Berangeraie Cahors Les Quatre Chambrees 2008, List Price $22.99, Sale $18.99 – Cahors, Sudouest, France – 100% Malbec – 13.5% abv – Organic - A dense red, with plenty of tannins behind the ripe plum and currant flavors. The finish shows mineral and olive notes. Drink now. 50 cases imported. – Wine Spectator

La Bastide Blanche Bandol Cuvee Estagnol 2006, List Price $29.99, Sale $24.99 – Bandol, 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

La Bastide Blanche Bandol Cuvee Fontaneou 2007, List Price $29.99, Sale $24.99 – Bandol, Provence, France – 91% Mourvedre, 9% Grenache – 14.5% abv – Organic - Powerful, with a meaty essence to the dark fruit flavors. Very firm in the midpalate, delivering notes of cocoa and spice on the minerally finish. Drink now through 2015. – Wine Spectator

Sale pricing for selected wines lasts through the end of Saturday, March 19th, 2011. No other discounts may apply.

Jean-Louis Tribouley stands amongst some of his ancient Grenache vines

Please join us on Saturday, March 12th, from 12pm until 4pm to sample a grab bag of staff picks. “Grab bag” could not give the wines selected any sort of justice. But no matter how we label the tasting the diverse selections are all unique and utterly delicious. We look forward to seeing you Saturday at Weygandt Wines. The Lineup:

Domaine Albert Mann Cremant d’Alsace Brut 2008, List Price $22.99, Sale $18.99 – Wettolsheim, Alsace, France – 60% Auxerrois, 40% Pinot Blanc – 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. – The Wine Advocate

Heymann-Lowenstein Riesling Winningen Rottgen 2006, List Price $29.99, Sale $24.99 – Winnigen, Mosel, Germany – 100% Riesling – 13% abv – Organic - Dry and spicy, with more saline and savory flavor elements than fruit. There are hints of peach, grapefruit and yellow plum, but more smoke and a firm, chalklike sensation. Fine length. Drink now through 2016. 20 cases imported. - Rated 90 Points, Wine Spectator

Jobard-Chabloz Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2007, List Price $129.99, Sale $79.99 – Meursault, Burgundy, France – 13% abv – Sustainable – A relatively high-toned nose of green apple, rose petal and a hint of spice leads to very fresh, cool and reserved big-bodied flavors that brim with a fine minerality and excellent linearity and drive on the palate staining finish. This is not a massive example as it doesn’t have better than average concentration but the focus and energy are impressive. This should be quite good in time. – Rated 92 points, Burghound, 92 points, The Wine Advocate

Domaine Chevillon-Chezeaux Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Aux Champs-Perdrix 2006, List Price $48.99, Sale $39.99 – Nuits-Saint-George, Burgundy, France – 13% abv – Sustainable - Philippe Chezeaux is related to Jérôme Chezeaux and his father-in-law is the cousin of Robert Chevillon. Philippe’s style is rather unique in that he is adamant about finding the balance between fruit, acidity, and terroir in his wines, especially in an appellation that is more commonly associated with wines that trade on power first. The 2006 Aux Champs-Perdrix, sourced from a tiny, highly perched, southeast facing vineyard on the Vosne-Romanee side of Nuits-Saint-George, displays very pronounced red Pinot Noir fruit – cherries, red currant, mineral. Fine-grained tannins and lively acidity, and a lingering spiciness in the finish. – Todd Ross, Weygandt Wines

Jean-Michel Gerin Saint-Joseph 2008, List Price $29.99, Sale $24.99 – Saint-Joseph, Rhone, France – 100% Syrah – 12.5% abv – Sustainable - A piercing iron note runs through the mix of red cherry, currant and pomegranate fruit flavors in this red, keeping it all lively and fresh. Drink now through 2011. 100 cases imported. – Wine Spectator

Jean-Louis Tribouley Orchis Vin de Pays de Cotes Catalanes 2008, List Price $29.99, Sale $24.99 – Roussillon, France – 80% Grenache, 10% Carignan, 5% Cinsault, 3% Grenache Gris, 2% Grenache Gris – 14.5% abv – Biodynamic - The following are the tasting notes for the 2007 Orchis by David Schildknecht in The Wine Advocate (there are no independent tasting notes as yet for the 2008). The main difference between the two vintages is that the 2008 shows an even more vibrant focus and perhaps “bluer” fruit. – Tasted assembled from tank Tribouley’s 2007 Orchis is the latest vintage of what was formerly called “Serrat den Franc.” Its explosive nose of black raspberry and blueberry confiture incorporates overtones of almond extract, prunelle eau de vie, wood smoke and cocoa powder. Liqueur-like and loaded with distilled berry inner-mouth esters, this nevertheless retains clarity and purity, avoiding even the slightest temptation toward superficial sweetness or confectionary stickiness. Deep roasted meat and wet stone flavors emerge in a long, smoke-tinged finish founded on a veritable ocean of concentrated blue and black fruit. Despite offering abundant immediate gratification, their well-covered tannins encourage the belief (absent any track record to which I can point) that the amazing Tribouley trio under present consideration possess enough structure and stamina for mid-term cellaring. Unfortunately, I have yet to track down a bottle of the 2006 Orchis; Tribouley indicated that he had sold them all.

Tribouley – an outsider who understudied with Gauby and then began his own estate in 2002 – farms roughly 30 acres (biodynamically) and sells no grapes. That statistic shocked me when I entered his cramped and tiny cellar. Where in the world does he find room there for wine from 30 acres? The solution to this seeming mystery is that he has all the room he requires given his pathetically low yields. In a quantitatively good vintage, he bottles 1,700 cases. But it is fruit from his 10 acres near Maury (variously on reddish Marne chalk, and quartzite-rich schist and sandstone) that are the focus for the two cuvees (both matured in older barrels, favoring demi-muids) that are sold in the U.S. Both his parcels in the Les Bacs just east of Maury and in the Coume du Roi (the basis for his Orchis) are around 75:25 Grenache-to-Carignan; northwestern in exposure; and, he says, almost perpetually windy. (I had to crouch down like a head-pruned vine just to walk against the gusts in Les Bacs on a December afternoon.) 2007 – Rated 93-94 points, The Wine Advocate

Sale pricing for selected wines lasts through the end of Saturday, March 12th, 2011. No other discounts may apply.