If you’ve followed this blog as closely as I have, you probably noticed the different format that we’re going to try on for size. Instead of a different group of wines each day, we’re going to give our customers a little bit more time to get a chance to come in a taste what we’re pouring. Unfortunately, not all of our patrons can pop in anytime they want, so we’re going to stretch our timeline for each wine we pour. In addition, we’re going to offer a 15% discount on any single bottle of wine from this list. All in all, we think it’s win(e)/win(e). Arghhh, sorry about that. Stop by this week and we promise we won’t make any (more) bad jokes…

Chateau Font-Mars Picpoul de Pinet 2008, Languedoc, France – 100% Picpoul de Pinet – “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.” – WA 87 points

Domaine Albert Mann Riesling Cuvee Albert 2008, Alsace, France – 100% Riesling – Soft yellow stone fruit and firm acidity. A beautiful, nicely balanced Riesling.

“In the nearly two decades since this domaine was consolidated, the Barthelme brothers – Jacky and Maurice – have maintained their position near the forefront of Alsace viticulture, farming a range of relatively far-flung and outstanding vineyards, as well as offering excellent value virtually throughout their range. The Barthelmes are especially enthusiastic about their 2004s – and with good reason – wines whose honeyed richness and generosity of fruit sometimes make for vintage character more recognizable than that of the grape variety. The brothers believe that the strength of 2005 lies in nobly sweet wines (not all of which I have yet tasted). But when asked about what it was like to optimize these vintages, Maurice Barthelme gestured to his increasingly bald head! The brothers are very conscious of the need to promote ripeness while inhibiting sugar-retention and hard at work experimenting with ways (including certain bio-dynamic practices) they think might solve this arguably definitive wine growing dilemma of our time. (Inexplicably, Barthelmes did not sample me on their Riesling from the Rosenberg, and I apologize for having realized this omission too late to remedy it.) The Barthelme brothers have continued a serious passion for Pinot Noir, their parcels in the Hengst having been joined by a tiny plot of forty year old vines in Eguisheim’s Pfersigberg and one recent planting elsewhere. Wines from both of these new plots were promisingly concentrated and fresh-fruited in 2005, although somewhat over-burdened (at least at this early stage) by their respective loads of wood.” – The Wine Advocate

Domaine Duseigneur Antares 2007, Rhone, France – 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre – Domaine Duseigneur is the collaboration of three – the family Duseigneur (Frederic and Bernard), their oenologist, the greatly talented Philippe Cambie and Philippe Faure-Brac, Best Sommelier of the World 1992. Because of the family’s long tradition of respect of nature, the wines have always been cultivated following biodynamic principles. Yields are low, the grapes are harvested entirely by hand and the wine has been bottled unfiltered – a deposit may form; advised to carafe an hour.

Domaine Grand Nicolet Rasteau Villes Vignes 2007, Rhone, France – 80% Grenache (70 years old), 20% Syrah (50 years old) – “Chocolate, creme de cassis, graphite, and pen ink characteristics can be found in the inky/purple-colored 2007 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Rasteau Vieilles Vignes. Old vine Grenache dominates this full-bodied, powerful, tannic, brawny, muscular wine. Think of it as a nose tackle in professional football, it’s that big. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2020+.

“These fairly priced as well as exceptionally high quality efforts are made under the guidance of winemaking consultant Philippe Cambie, who has quickly brought Domaine Grand Nicolet to the top.” – WA 91-93 points

Domaine Constant-Duquesnoy Vinsobres 2007, Rhone, France – 65% Grenache, 35% Syrah – “Another terrific discovery in the southern Rhone, this blend of 65% Grenache and 35% Syrah from the cool-climate village of Vinsobres possesses an inky/ruby/purple color as well as black cherry, black currant, underbrush, forest floor, and crushed rock-like aromas and flavors. It is medium to full-bodied and pure with good acidity and a long finish. Enjoy it over the next 5-7 years.” – WA 90-92 points

Domaine du Vissoux Fleurie Poncie 2008, Beaujolais, Burgundy, France – 100% Gamay – “The Vissoux 2008 Fleurie Poncie offers palate-staining black fruits and serious grip, with iodine and peat, rose hip and cherry pit; and as usual for this site, salt and stone lending intriguing complexity. The sheer lip-smacking juiciness on display here can draw your attention from its complexity. Cellar it for at least 4-5 years.

“Pierre Chermette has successfully expanded from his base in southern Beaujolais without quality in any way suffering; on the contrary his mastery of the northern Beaujolais crus is now also a fait accompli. With the new generation coming on and with lots of new plans, following these wines – which, of course, includes in your own cellar – is going to continue to be exciting. Prices have crept upward, but given the quality – not to mention the labors needed to achieve it – one can hardly complain. Yields were very low in 2008, a condition, Chermette opines, for achieving genuine and complete ripeness. (Note that since Chermette’s label now features his name writ large and “Vissoux” in tiny letters, I have listed his wines accordingly.)” – WA 91 points