We have 3 new wines in this week – all from critically acclaimed house Domaine Beau Mistral. “This estate’s wines continue to rise in quality. Their 2007s are superb (as are most Rasteaus in this vintage), but they have also produced outstanding 2006s.” – The Wine Advocate. The lineup and some reviews…

Domaine Beau Mistral Cotes du Rhone Villages Rasteau Vieilles Vignes 2007, Rhone, France – “The dense ruby/purple-hued 2007 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Rasteau Vieilles Vignes exhibits a big, sweet nose of melted chocolate, damp forest floor, black cherry jam, and black currants. Full-bodied, broad, powerful, and muscular with sweet tannin, this chewy wine’s impression is one of sumptuous texture as well as amazing depth. Consume it over the next 10-15 years.” – The Wine Advocate

Beau Mistral Cotes du Rhone Villages St. Martin 2007, Rhone, France – 55% Old Vine Syrah, 45% Old Vine Grenache – “The last released Beau Mistral 2007, the Cotes du Rhone Villages St. Martin, is a brilliant effort composed of 45% old vine Grenache and the rest old vine Syrah and a dollop of Mourvedre. Proprietor Jean-Marc Brun (who made the finest wines of his career in 2007) has fashioned a peppery, earthy, dense purple-colored, full-bodied, heady wine that captures the beautiful fragrance of the top reds from the southern Rhone and Provence. Revealing plenty of garrigue and black cherry notes along with hints of earth and truffles, this superbly concentrated, full-bodied 2007 possesses amazing staying power as well as length, and there is not a hard edge to be found. It should drink well for 5-6 years. – The Wine Advocate

Beau Mistral Cotes du Rhone Villages Rasteau Cuvee Florinaelle 2007, Rhone, France – “The prodigious 2007 Cotes du Rhone Villages Rasteau Cuvee Florianaelle is one of the finest wines from this village that I have ever tasted save for that of Domaine La Soumade. This brawny, big-boned, densely concentrated, inky/purple-colored 2007 offers up aromas of black cherry liqueur, licorice, truffles, graphite, and incense. Hugely fruity and exceptionally full-bodied with a boatload of velvety, well-integrated tannins, this stunning Rasteau should drink well for 12-15+ years.” – The Wine Advocate

On Friday, November 20, 2009, we will host a 2007 Burgundy Horizontal Tasting in our store. Check back for more information, but we are planning to open this event up to the public at 4 pm. The All-Star lineup is as follows:

Domaine Christian Serafin – “It seems fitting that the wines of Serafin – who trained as a carpenter – would be surrounded by new wood. For all of their intense fruit (heightened by a week’s pre-fermentative cold soaking), there is a certain stylistic stiffness which, taken together with the natural concentration and structure of the vintage, suggests one would do well to wait six or eight years before pulling any corks. Serafin – who likens them to more concentrated, corseted cousins of his 1999s – does not demur. He also seemed happy to note that he had managed to keep this year’s collection under 14% alcohol.” – The Wine Advocate

Domaine Remi Jobard – Remi Jobard is the “intelligent and dynamic son of Charles Jobard,” the brother of Francois, and this domaine, now being run by Remi “is truly a family run operation, with Remi’s mother doing all the bottling by hand”… that is indeed an “up-and-coming estate”. With the scores in the low 90s from The Wine Advocate, and up to 94 points in The Wine Spectator, and rave reviews in the French press, the secret is now definitely out on Remi Jobard. And why not, when he makes such delicious expressions from such great Meursault parcels that too often these days are not always producing the exciting wines that can potentially be made? In fact, when one starts tasting through his offerings, it is amazing just how great his Bourgogne is—it tastes like a really excellent Meursault. Then he makes three sensational and unique Meursaults from three different lieu dits: the Sous la Velle is rich, plump, and long with lovely balance; the En Luraule (a parcel adjoining Premier Cru Goutte D’Or and resembles that Cru)—very rich and golden buttery (thus Goutte D’Or)—while the Chevalieres from 55+ year old vines is very structured, firm, and complex, benefiting from extra time in bottle.

The three Premier Crus are also exceptional for their expressiveness, but add to this their weight and character. The Poruzots is the most opulent and forward, with a real wallop of unctuous, juicy Meursault fruit. The parcel they own is situated at the top, adjoining Genevrieres. The Genevrieres parcel of Jobard is very old vines and here Jobard makes his most minerally, terroir-filled Meursault; but never at the expense of richness and depth. Finally, the Charmes, presents a culmination, it seems, a synthesis of all the strong points of all his other wines in a package of near pure perfection. To capture all of the texture and nuance Remi now also bottles all of his wines without filtration sixteen months after vintage. There is no telling how great his domaine can become. – Le Classement 1999 Revue du Vin de France

“Less known than that of his brother Francois, the domaine of Charles Jobard, situated on the same terroirs, has seen during the last two years a formidable progression thanks to the new generation. Whereas before the wines tended to lack fatness and purity, they have regained, particularly in 1994 (put into commercialization in 1996) the allure which one expects in a great Meursault – with noble aromas of honey, citrus and nuts, as well as imposing body. An address to be followed.” – Pierre Rovani, The Wine Advocate

Domaine Dugat-Py – “In the top echelon of the world’s finest Pinot Noir producers.” – Pierre Rovani, The Wine Advocate, Issue III

“No offense to Peter Weygandt, this estate’s importer, but can anyone think of an easier job than having to sell Bernard Dugat’s wines? For the past decade, this 7.5 hectare (18.53 acre) domaine has consistently produced exceptional wines, a testimony to the relentless pursuit of quality exhibited by Dugat, his wife, and children. “Yes, it’s true that we live in the vineyards, working from morning to night, but the primary reasons we don’t have the same problems as many others in Burgundy is that we concentrate on having low yields and are fortunate enough to have old vines,” sais Bernard Dugat.” – The Wine Advocate

Along with The Domaine Leroy, Bernard Dugat makes the most vin de garde Pinot Noir in the world. It is truly a mistake to drink his Villages wines, on up through the Crus, before they have been in bottle five years after the vintage (the Bourgogne, maybe three). He and his charming wife, Jocelyne Py, thus Domaine Dugat-Py, work extremely hard in the vines (theirs are some of the most beautifully tended in all of Burgundy), cutting them back in order to lower yields and extract more from the soil. Bernard’s wines are so intense because they are so concentrated from the juice that goes into the wine. That Bernard is a genius in vinifying Pinot Noir doesn’t hurt either.

The Dugats live on the tiny Rue Planteligone, at the top of the village of Gevrey, not far from the church. (Their cave is cellar of a monastery dating back to the 11th century – before the crusades.) Just outside their back door are 50 year old vines that make the heart of the cuvee Coeur du Roi (if you will pardon the pun). Another third of this cuvee is from 90+ year old vines in a parcel called Combe Dessous, lying just below the Premier Cru Combes aux Moines. In 1997 and 1998 there was so little Premier Cru Petite Chapelle that Bernard could not make a barrel, so it too went into 1er Cru (as did the Clos Fonteny). It’s a big wine. So is the Lavaux St. Jacques, but it exists in such miniscule quantities as to be almost cruel. The Charmes vines are well situated across the path from Chambertin, and the charming quality of Charmes balances the super-masculine quality present in all of Bernard’s wines. A beauty. The vines in the Mazi parcel, are over 55 years of age. Mazi makes one of the most full-bodied of all the Grand Crus, and this has that quality, but also a marvelous character of ripe wild blueberries, spice, and forest-floor scents that makes it inimitable. Bernard has recently added a tiny parcel of Chambertin to complete his repertoire. A review of the 1998s can be found in Issue 129 of The Wine Advocate on page 36.

“This small artisan domaine has hoisted itself in the course of a few years to the very summit of the Burgundy hierarchy. All those who have had the good fortune to taste the sumptuous 1993′s and astonishing 1994′s, and the fabulous 1995′s and 1996′s know that this property has become without a doubt the most fascinating one in its commune. His simple cuvee Gevrey Chambertin Vieilles Vignes Coeur de Roi surpasses in intensity of matter and in the sensuality of its texture most Grands Crus (of other domaines). As to his other wines, one needs to drink them to believe them. Such profundity of color, such majesty of manner are only explained by exceptional grapes produced by the family’s fastidious selection of Pinot Noirs that would make technicians who had scorned them blush with shame. The very small volume produced as well as the still extremely reasonable prices, however, prohibits the domaine from taking on new customers. One needs to take one’s chance with a hopefully more abundant future vintage.” – Le Classement, 2000 Revue du Vin de France

“We were so dazzled by the last vintages of this domaine that we have accorded the third star more quickly than we are accustomed to do. How can one pass in silence by these wines, amongst the most sublime of our epoch, vinified in this small cellar by a vigneron in a class by himself, who comports himself modestly and is marvelously seconded by his wife. This type of Burgundy we have longed for over the last two exasperating decades of the 70’s and 80’s where for the most part the great vineyards had lost their sense of honor. These dream wines, Bernard Dugat has vinified for us all, in quantities incredibly miniscule but in sufficient amounts to leave their grand mark behind them. Their robe is indescribable; of a blue-black that resembles the great Hermitages; the amplitude of their flesh, their fabulous velvetiness of texture, recall wines from the legendary vintages of 1945, 1947 or 1959 without any of the defects of those vintages. Never in the past thirty years have we found an expression of terroirs of Gevrey so powerful, unless perhaps Chez Leroy which by chance is supplied regularly by Dugat. To arrive at this result, Bernard Dugat puts all of his efforts in the working of his vines, and those who would wish to one day equal him would do well to cast an eye over his vines, especially in the month of August when the grapes profit most from the sun”. – Le Classement, 2000 Revue du Vin de France

“This small artisan domaine has hoisted itself in the course of a few years to the very summit of the Burgundy hierarchy. All those who have had the good fortune to taste the sumptuous 1993’s and astonishing 1994’s, and the fabulous 1995’s and 1996’s know that this property has become without a doubt the most fascinating one in its commune. His simple cuvee Gevrey Chambertin Vieilles Vignes Coeur de Roi surpasses in intensity of matter and in the sensuality of its texture most Grands Crus (of other domaines). As to his other wines, one needs to drink them to believe them. Such profundity of color, such majesty of manner are only explained by exceptional grapes produced by the family’s fastidious selection of Pinot Noirs that would make technicians who had scorned them blush with shame. The very small volume produced as well as the still extremely reasonable prices, however, prohibits the domaine from taking on new customers. One needs to take one’s chance with a hopefully more abundant future vintage.” – Le Classement, 1999 Revue du Vin de France

Domaine du Clos des Lambrays – The Clos des Lambrays produced legendary wines in the 40’s. After its purchase in ’79 (elevation to Grand Cru status In 1981), the new owners, Saiers, did some replanting, but it was only about one-third of the vines, not the general replanting that some journalists have stated. Fully two-thirds on the vines are old, most in excess of 60 years.

What did happen in the late ‘80’s is that Saiers apparently chose to allow yields to increase, but they suffered the consequences of that approach in quality and they were forced to sell the domaine. While it was for sale, the court turned over all phases of growing and winemaking to the regisseur, Thierry Brouin. Under his impeccable guidance the transformation in quality has been sensational. The new owners, Freund, have retained Thierry.

The ’96 is deep, (yields of 28 hl/ha.) very (for want of a better word) masculine, wine. It is not easy now, but shows enormous potential, and the tannins are quite round and integrated. The 1997 is a marvel of seductive perfume and richness. In 1998 the Clos des Lambrays produced one of the great wines of the Cote D’Or, rated 91 to 94 points potential by Steven Tanzer in the International Wine Cellar. The 1999 looks to be every bit as promising with the delightful deep rich color and flavors that typify this vintage in the best domaines of Burgundy.

In the words of Michel Bettane, the Clos des Lambrays is an extraordinary terroir, capable of giving wines that, in generosity of savour and length rival the greatest. It is, as Brouin pointed out to me, and shows on the palate, the most “Morey” of all the Grand Crus of that appellation—the terroir really comes through.

In the vinification, too, Brouin captures this—a long fermentation, no de-stemming, and 50% new allier oak. The wines are unfined, only the last sixth of each barrel is then lightly filtered (the rest are unfiltered), and starting with ’94 our selection, completely unfined and unfiltered. In 1998, only about 65% of the production of the Clos des Lambrays went into the cuvee of Clos Grand Cru, the rest was sold as Morey Premier Cru—also a fantastic wine – evidencing the domaine’s commitment to utmost quality. Clos des Lambrays is back.

“The domaine has just changed owners but Thierry Brouin, the energetic director of the property stays on. The Clos des Lambrays is one of the best exposed and most individualized terroir of the Cotes de Nuits, capable of making wines with the power of Chambertin but with even more mellowness. In the complex bouquet developed with age by the wine, one easily recognizes an astonishing smoky note resembling that of the very young and astonishing Clos Jus a Givry or one of the best Graves de Pessac in Bordeaux. The next vintages should surpass even the excellent 1990 and 1995, indeed the selection process for the great wine will be even more severe. The domaine also produces a marvelous Puligny-Montrachet, Les Caillerets, in a style a little more oaked than that of Hubert de Montille.” – Le Classement, 1999 Revue du Vin de France

A special thanks to Lucas and Johanna Pichler and to everyone who made it out in the deluge that occurred on Saturday afternoon. It was truly a special event and was the epitome of what we are trying to accomplish at our store: give the customer a better understanding of our wines by introducing you to our producers and winemakers. As you can see from the above pictures, we had a very large turnout and we hope to only increase participation in our upcoming events. We’re here not only for advice, but to help educate as best we can. Thanks again and see you at the store!

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

Lucas Pichler from the legendary Austrian house F.X. Pichler will be in the store between 2 and 5 pm today. We validate for parking in the lot right in front of Weygandt Wines, so really, there’s no excuse to skip this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Lucas Pichler was one of the numerous growers to describe the relatively low alcohol and efficacious acidity of his 2007s as “classic,” even though at this address in particular, one can hardly consider that statistically correct. The finished wines remind me a bit of the superb Pichler 1999s which were lushly, at times even extravagantly fruity (not to mention intensely mineral) while remaining refreshing and moderate in alcohol. F.X. Pichler compares the best of this year’s Rieslings with his 1997s, and certainly in terms of sheer quality it is hard to argue with that assessment. The Pichlers have never favored hedging or leaf pulling, and think that the consequence this year was to protect the embryonic bunches from the searing heat and sun of July and to enhance ripening in the long autumn. Of course, the flip side of this could be the trapping of water and promotion of botyrtis. And Lucas Pichler relates that to achieve excellent Federspiel, it was necessary to laboriously cut out botrytized and otherwise imperfect portions from a substantial share of the clusters. For Pichlers (in contrast with Alzingers) – 2007 was more difficult in terms of botrytis and selection – than 2006, especially with Gruner Veltliner. In both Federspiel and Smaragd categories, they held off on picking Riesling, with (to say the least!) demonstrable success. – The Wine Advocate

Lucas will be available to discuss all of his wines and the process behind them and we will be pouring tastes of the following:

F.X. Pichler Gruner Veltliner Federspiel Loibner Frauenweingarten 2007, Austria – 100% Gruner Veltliner – “Picked at the beginning of harvest, mid-September, the 2007 Gruner Veltliner Federspiel Frauenweingarten highlights green bean and snap pea. Juicy and melony, this finishes with crisp vegetable notes, lip-smacking refreshment, and hints of chalk and crushed stone. It will be best enjoyed within the next 12-18 months.” – WA 88 points

F.X. Pichler Gruner Veltliner Federspiel Loibner Klostersatz 2007, Austria – 100% Gruner Veltliner – “The 2007 Gruner Veltliner Federspiel Klostersatz smells of lentils and lemon zest. An excellent combination of concentrated lentil and snap pea flavors and underlying extract with delicacy and lift (at 12.5% alcohol) make an excellent case for the concept of Federspiel, and this finishes with pungent herbal and fruit skin pungency and a crushed stone mineral suggestion. It should perform well for at least 2-3 years.” – WA 89 points

F.X. Pichler Riesling Federspiel Urgestein Terrassen 2007, Austria – 100% Riesling – “The Pichler 2007 Riesling Federspiel Urgestein Terrassen a bottling formerly known as “Von den Terrassen” is beautifully-scented with linden flower, mint, and lime; is refined in texture, infectiously juicy, and citric on the palate; and finishes with a vibrant, sappy amalgam of citrus, herb, pepper, and salt. A significant share of contract fruit from the Loibenberg helps give this its pronounced minerality.” – WA 90 points

The following is a report from Peter Weygandt on the 2009 vintage from Burgundy:

On September 15, I arrived in the Cote de Nuits. Domaine des Lambrays had already finished the day before, having started the 9th. Bernard Dugat finished the evening I arrived, have started the 10th. The lowest degree sugar/alcohol for Dugat and Lambrays was 13.0, with the Champeaux of Dugat coming in at 14.3% natural and the Mazoyeres 14%. The Grand Cru at Lambrays was 13.5% natural. The following were the results for Philippe Collotte in Marsannay:

Bourgogne Noble Souche—13.8%
Marsannay Champsalamon—14.4%
Marsannay Vieilles Vignes—14.1%
Marsannay Clos de Jeu – 13.9%
Fixin Crais de Chene –14%  etc.

At Christian Serafin, with whom we have the privilege to begin working commencing with his beautiful 2007s, Christian stated to me that the Morey 1er Cru Millandes and the Gevrey 1er Cru Corbeaux were both 14.5% natural at harvest, and all his parcels came in near or over 14%. Cecile Tremblay’s lowest degree was for a parcel of Bourgogne, at 12.5%. Everything else was over 13%, with Chapelle over 14%.

Even more amazing than these levels of ripeness, were the pHs in combination with this sugar: Bernard Dugat had a pH of 3.08 as a low to 3.33 as his highest reading, and all others I visited reported levels to me between 3.2 and 3.4. I think it is safe to say that this combination of ripeness and potential acidity has not been seen in a long, long time. Growers had to go back to their grandfathers to find anything similar – maybe 1959; maybe 1947 or 1949. Maybe never before.

It is not, however, all roses (or rather perfect Pinots). There was an enormous amount of rain in mid-July (and hail). Only growers who worked quickly and non-stop in mid to late July accomplished something great. For others there was mildew, and even worse, oidium. One could see parcels so attacked by oidium that there were no ripe grapes. After that that “battle” in July the weather turned perfect – nothing but sunshine and heat, sometimes very high, from mid-July to September 19 (when there was only a light shower). Thus even those who harvested late (but harvested healthy grapes) will make superb wines.

I picked grapes a couple days (by then harvest was almost over) and what I saw was indeed truly amazing. The proof of this all, though, was in the juice – never have I tasted unfermented juice so perfect – already one could taste, with the juice from each separately vinified parcel, beautiful ripe rich fruit, distinctive terroir already expressed from each lieu, and the whole sensation wrapped in a silky smooth envelope on the palate. It is the same sensation that I recall when tasting the 2007 Chateauneufs for the first time. – Peter Weygandt – October 3, 2009

Marof Zeleni Silvanec 2007,  Slovenia – 100% Sylvaner – “The Marof 2007 Zelini Silvanec is typically Sylvaner in its emphasis on flavors in the vegetable realm – raw potato, radish, green tomato – along with herbal inflections and an uncanny overall impression of “stone soup.” It manages to avoid the frequent pitfall with this variety, offer refreshment and definition rather than fattiness, and finishes with salinity, pungency, and crispness. Play around with it at table over the next 6-9 months and you’ll discover a wine with uncanny versatility.” – WA 87 points

Josef Schmid Grüner Veltliner Kremser Weingarten 2007, Kremstal, Austria – 100% Grüner Veltliner – “The Schmid bottling of diverse origins known as 2007 Grüner Veltliner Kremser Weingarten displays saline and alkaline mineral suggestions from the nose on, allied to lime, honeydew melon, and musky, narcissus-like floral perfume. A radish-like bite impinges on the lush melon and lime palate, and a deep note of beet root helps remind one of the grape variety in question. Less pungent than the Pfarrweingarten, this superb value boasts impressive concentration and persistence, and should be worth following for at least 3-4 years.” – WA 90 points

Domaine du Vissoux Brouilly  Pierreux 2007, Beaujolias, France – 100% Gamay – “The 2007 Brouilly Pierreux smells mouth-wateringly of tart blueberry and blackberry with a smoky, crushed-stone overtone. Intensely concentrated berries and smoked meat inform a dense, slightly grainy-textured palate, and the penetrating finish is palpably suffused with fruit skin and crushed stone. Give this another six months in the bottle and then enjoy over the subsequent 18-24 months.” – WA 90 points

Domaine La Berangeraie Cahors Cuvee Maurin, Sudouest, France – 100% Malbec – “The 2005 Cahors Cuvee Maurin (vinified in tank) represents the middle of their line-up. The effects of labor-intensive viticulture and gentle winemaking appear to be making themselves felt here, as neither fancy techniques nor barrels have proven necessary to making a complete, complex, and convincing statement. Ripe cassis and elderberry fill the nose and mouth, and juicy and expansive palate impression is supported by fine-grained tannins, and the finish delivers the real goods: deep bitterness-tinged black fruits, humus, black pepper, and iodine. The juxtaposition of generous, refreshing juiciness and a dark-hued, almost somber set of flavors is fascinating. Enjoy this now with grilled meats and let it step into other culinary roles with another 2-3 years in the bottle.” – WA 89 points

L’Oustal Blanc K8, Minervois, France – 100% Carignan – “A new release however is their K8. To the fruit of centenarian Carignan vines on which this cuvee is always based has been added a little old vines Cinsault, which does nothing to lift its official status above that of Vin de Table, but offers a prime display of varietal synergy while surpassing the quality of its predecessors in this numbered “K” series. A nose of kirsch distillate and fresh blackberries leads to a juicy, silken-textured palate where marzipan, vanilla, cherry pit, rosemary and mint join in. Here is a wonderful example of how to achieve formidable ripeness of flavor without superficial sweetness and a liqueur-like richness of texture while preserving fluidity, verve, and sheer refreshment. The exhilarating finish harbors distinctly, if ineffably, mineral traces as well. Enjoy this terrific value (priced as it is solely on account of the stupidity of appellation laws!) over the next 2-3 years.” – WA 90 points

Monte La Sarda Garnacha 2007, Bajo Aragon, Spain – 100% Garnacha (Grenache) – “The Garnacha is probably one of the eldest varietals grown in Spain. You may find it in many regions but the results of growing it in Bajo Aragon Are truly astonishing. We have used only old vines that are more than 45 years of age to make this wine. Some have survived over a century in these harsh lands of extreme sun and cool nights. The vines are mainly from the Peluda strain, local for the area around the Sardas (rocky hills) of Bajo Aragon, about 125 miles west of Barcelona on the eastern outskirts of Zaragoza. Yield is between just 1 and 1 1/2 tons to the acre, and this wine was bottled without filtration to preserve all of its unique aromas and flavors.”

Markowitsch Pinot Noir 2006, Carnuntum, Austria – 100% Pinot Noir – “For the Gault Millau Austrian edition each of the top growers in Austria was rated.  In a class by himself with a rating of 18 out of 20 is Gerhard Markowitsch.  Sixteen other growers were placed in the second category of 17 out of 20.   For red wines, Markowitsch is in a class by himself amongst Austrian producers.  His vineyards, in  Carnuntum are ideally situated on a slope approximately equi-distant from the Danube River on one side and the Neusiedlersee on the other.  He is equally famous for his rare cuvees of Pinot Noir, Rosenberg blend, and his ultimate Cuvee, labeled simply M  as he is for his value cuvees, Rubin Carnuntum and Carnuntum Cuvee.  The latter two are built around the varietal Zweigelt which is the workhorse and the best red wine varietal of Austria depending on soil, climate and yields. One of the greatest but not yet well known producers in Austria, and we hope to change that.”

Thanks to everyone who came by and/or wished us well on our grand opening. It was a lot of fun for us to meet so many that came from near and far and were so excited for our new store. Keep in mind, we’re still open five other days of the week, so don’t be shy. Drop by for a taste of something new and interesting (2005 Wengut Buchegger Blauer Zweigelt–say that ten times, real fast), a Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc with a beautiful honeysuckle nose (2006 Chateau de La Bonneliere Touraine) and a deliciously smokey 100% Syrah from the Northern Rhone (2007 Jean Michel Gerin Saint Joseph). If we’ve stopped pouring those, we’ll have plenty of others to try!

Ok, ok. If you’ve been following our blog (or anything else related to Weygandt Wines), you already knew that we swing our doors open to the public today. For us, it’s like kickoff on opening day in a new stadium, a premiere at the Met and the release of a long awaited album all rolled into one. So come by anytime between 10 am and 9 pm, Monday thru Saturday. And today for a few hours, Peter Weygandt will be in the store, to help guide you through your wine related questions.

We’re starting to get some local press as the Prince of Petworth stopped by for a chat. Just about 24 hours til we open the doors to the public and there seems to be a little bit of buzz about town. We don’t know about you, but if DC is half as excited about our opening as we are, then we’ll all be happy campers.