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.