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.  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.

Tement’s expansion has not stopped at the Slovenian border, and in 2006 he acquired the neighboring holdings of the Carmelites – where his father long worked as winemaker – and since replanted their 90 year old patchwork of vine varieties to insure more Zieregg Sauvignon for the future. Tement has begun using glass stoppers on his wines in lieu of corks. Given the extent of his offerings and given that I travel to Styria only every other year, I cannot pretend to have tasted Tement’s entire 2005 and 2006 collections, but only the subset (perhaps half) that he chose to show me in the time we had available. Tement is modifying his approach with Sauvignon – especially in the top sites – having decided that lower yields and the consequent ability to harvest somewhat earlier are more advantageous (not to mention less risky) than the long hang time he has traditionally practiced with this variety. – David Schildknecht, The Wine Advocate

Please join us on Saturday, September 25, from 1 pm to 4 pm, for an in-store tasting and sale of our line of Manfred Tement’s outstanding Styrian white wines. The Lineup:

Manfred Tement Gelber Muskateller Steirische Klassik 2006, List Price $22.99, Sale Price $19.54 – Styria, Austria – 100% Muscat – 11.5% abv – Organic - Pale green-yellow. Aromas of fragrant elder blossom, grapefruit and ripe Golden Delicious apple. Crisp and dry, with a strong mineral character giving the finish an appetizing quality. Makes an ideal aperitif.

Manfred Tement Weissburgunder Steirische Klassik 2007, List Price $19.99, Sale Price $16.99 – Styria, Austria – 100% Pinot Blanc – 12% abv – Organic - Pale green-yellow. Fresh pear, walnut and lemon verbena on the nose. Medium-bodied, with elegant, harmonious acid giving this charming and food-friendly pinot blanc an attractively light touch. Yellow apple and cool wet rock flavors in the mouth and on the aftertaste. Drink now to 2012. – Rated 89 points, International Wine Cellar

Manfred Tement Sauvignon Blanc Steirische Klassik 2008, List Price $24.99, Sale Price $18.74 – Styria, Austria – 100% Sauvignon Blanc – 12.5% abv – Organic – Pale green-yellow. Intense grapefruit zest, bell pepper and fresh-cut grass on the nose. Light to medium in body and nicely balanced, with refreshing gooseberry flavor lifted by juicy acidity. Wet rock, lemon and elderflower linger on the moderately long finish. Drink now through 2014. – Rated 89 points, International Wine Cellar

Manfred Tement Sauvignon Blanc Grassnitzberg 2007, List Price $39.99, Sale Price $33.99 – Styria, Austria – 100% Sauvignon Blanc – 13% abv – Organic – Pale yellow-green. Inviting aromas of gooseberry, cassis, grapefruit zest and fresh herbs. Concentrated blackcurrant and gooseberry flavors are given definition and a distinctly elegant quality by crisp, refreshing acidity, which extends the wine’s finish. Very nicely balanced and appetizing sauvignon blanc, for drinking through 2012. – Rated 90 points, International Wine Cellar

Manfred Tement Sauvignon Blanc Zieregg 2005, List Price $49.99, Sale Price $42.49 – Styria, Austria – 100% Sauvignon Blanc – 14% abv – Organic – Medium green-yellow. The broad spectrum of aromas and flavors includes cassis, lichee, green mango, red bell pepper and vanilla. Concentrated and creamy, with near-perfect balancing acidity. Very long finish features grapefruit, gooseberry and paprika. Offers excellent potential for further development in the bottle. Drink 2007 to 2015. – Rated 90 points, International Wine Cellar

Manfred Tement Sauvignon Blanc Zieregg 2006, List Price $49.99, Sale Price $42.49 – Styria, Austria – 100% Sauvignon Blanc – 14% abv – Organic – Medium green-yellow. Compellingly complex aromas of gooseberry, orange, cassis and lichee joined by intense, smoky flint and leafy nuances. At once powerful and light on its feet thanks to a filigree acid structure. The abundant, mineral-tinged fruit flavors of orange and grapefruit linger impressively on the vibrant, rich finish. A sauvignon with excellent potential for further development in bottle. Drink now to 2016. – Rated 93 points, International Wine Cellar

Georg Mosbacher Forster Elster Riesling Kabinett Trocken 2007,  Regular Price $26.99, Sale Price $19.99 – Pfalz, Germany – 100% Riesling – 12% abv – Organic - “Rich, round and spicy, offering grapefruit, nutmeg and white pepper aromas and flavors, with a savory aftertaste. Nicely balanced and long. Drink now through 2015. 50 cases imported.” – Rated 90 Points, Wine Spectator.

Tement Sauvignon Blanc Steirische Klassik 2007, Regular Price $24.99, Sale Price $18.99 – Sytria, Austria – 100% Sauvignon Blanc – 12.5% abv – Organic - Southern Styria is a traditional production area which enjoys excellent growing conditions, especially for white grapes. For this reason, 95% of the vineyard area is devoted to white varieties and 5% to red wine grapes (Blauer Zweigelt). The Tement Estate lies on a narrow plateau, into which the slope of the Zieregg cru gently flattens. Tement’s ‘classic’ Sauvignon Blanc shows ripe tropical fruit flavors with sweet herbs in the finish.

Chateau Castigno Saint-Chinian Blanc 2007, Regular Price $25.99, Sale Price $19.99 – Languedoc, France – 90% Grenache Blanc, 10% Roussanne – 14% abv – Organic - With an average of 25 years for the vines, these grapes are grown on clay and limestone soils. Vinification is in 100% new oak barrels. The color is golden-yellow. The nose is of exotic fruits and an and impression of candied citrus. The palate is strong, round, well-balanced by firm acidity.

Domaine du Vissoux Beaujolais Rosé “Les Griottes” 2009, Regular Price $16.99, Sale Price $13.99 – Beaujolais, France – 100% Gamay – 12.5% abv – Organic - A light-bodied, cherry-scented rosé made from 100% Gamay. Domaine du Vissoux may just be the most perfect expression in my whole portfolio of what I seek, for the very ability to be natural and great, at once.

Giovanna Ciacci Rosso di Montalcino 2005, Regular Price $26.99, Sale price $22.99 – Tuscany, Italy – 100% Sangiovese – 14% abv – Organic - The Ciacci family has been growers in the area of Sant’Antimo for centuries. The estate dates back 800 years and once totaled 700 hectares (nearly 1700 acres) in size. It has been divided over the generations (there are several producers named Ciacci, now). Giovanna markets most of her production under another label, through another importer and the style there is fairly modern. But Giovanna is at heart a traditionalist and produces, under the name Giovanna Ciacci, a limited quantity of traditionally crafted wines. A perfect fit for us. The Rosso is younger vines, less ideally situated parcels of Brunello di Montalcino. The 2005 is beautifully balanced and long, and a value.

Chateau Castigno “Secret des Dieux” Saint-Chinian 2007, Regular Price $25.99, Sale price $19.99 – Languedoc, France – 50% Syrah, 30% Carignan, 25% Grenache, 5% Mourvedre – 13.5% abv – Organic - Secret des Dieux is grown on clay and limestone soils (mainly limestone for the Grenache). The average age of the vines here is 25 years (but for the Carignan the vines are 100 years old). Deeply saturated dark red color. The nose gives refined impressions of red fruit and garigue. The palate is rich and generous with well-integrated tannins.

Sale prices last through July 31st. No other offers may be applied.

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.

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.

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

Tement Sauvignon Blanc Grassnitzberg 2007, $39.99/btl – Styria, Austria – 100% Sauvignon Blanc – 13% abv – Fermented in tank and matured in larger barrels, Tement’s 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Grassnitzberg is cooling and minty in personality yet with a glossy texture and lovely cling. Another year in bottle may bring more complexity, but this very proportional and refreshing Sauvignon should be worth following for 2-3 years. – WA 87 points

Chateau Mourgues du Gres Vin de Pays du Gard Blanc Terre d’Argence 2007, $15.99/btl – Rhone, France – 50% Viognier, 50% Roussanne – A blend of equal parts Viognier and Roussanne, a small percentage fermented in new wood, the very good 2007 Terre d’Argence blanc is surprisingly restrained compared to the Galets Dores. It offers abundant amounts of white currant, honeysuckle, and apricot notes in a medium-bodied, dry, refreshing style. – WA 87 points

Chateau Pont de Brion Graves Rouge 2005, $20.99/btl – Bordeaux, France – 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot – 12% abv – Classic Left Bank Bordeaux from a classic vintage. Dark fruit and cedar with a long, balanced finish.

Clos Marie Coteaux du Languedoc L’Olivette Pic Saint Loup 2008, $26.99/btl – Languedoc, France – Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault – 13.5% abv – Displaying aromas not only of ripe black fruits but of spiced apple cider such as one would more expect in a white wine, and a soothingly-textured and fruit-forward palate, this also hints at the sort of saline, iodine, and stony mineral dimensions that help make Clos Marie’s wines so fascinating as a group.