What We're Tasting This Week (March 8-12)

Beaujolais, Burgundy, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Chianti, Chinon, France, Italy, Loire, Red Wine, Sangiovese, Tasting, Tuscany, White Wine No Responses »
Mar 082010

Ahhhh, sunshine. It’s always a good thing to look outside and see something other than gray skies and black snow. As many of our regulars have noticed and taken full advantage of, we’ve been trying to clear some space by way of our Winter Clearance Sale. While that is pretty much over, save for some tremendous wines from the Mosel, the sale did serve its intended purpose. So with our doors wide open and our moods lifted, we introduce four new wines to the shop. The two Chardonnays are a refreshing change from what many have come to expect from this noble grape and we would especially like to encourage all who have written off this varietal because of bad experiences with the domestic breed. The Chianti is about as good as this region gets. If you’ve never tasted a wine from Chinon, there is no better example than this Cabernet Franc. And if you have, be prepared for a mini-explosion in your mind. The Lineup:

Domaine de La Chapelle Saint Veran Madame Noly 2008, $25.99/btl – Burgundy, France – 100% Chardonnay – 13% abv – Very juicy, with a supple texture framing apricot, orange and mineral notes, which are more up front than on the back end, though this does linger.

Domaine du Vissoux Beaujolais Blanc Cepage Chardonnay 2008, $21.99/btl – Beaujolais, France – 100% Chardonnay – 12.5% abv – High-toned, ester-rich citrus and distilled pit fruit aromas; piquant nuttiness; and a soft, oily texture characterize Chermette’s 2008 Beaujolais Blanc. A lactic note jars with the juiciness of citrus in the finish, but there is a satisfying underlying chalkiness as well as excellent sheer length.

L’Arco Chianti 2007, $13.99/btl – Tuscany, Italy – 100% Sangiovese – 13.5% abv – With a bright ruby-garnet cast, this Chianti displays a spicy red currant and tobacco nose, plenty of zip and drive, abundant fruit, and a tonic acidity on the finish. A great pairing with pizza or pasta with red sauce.

Beatrice et Pascal Lambert Chinon Les Perruches 2006, $22.99/btl – Loire, France – 100% Cabernet Franc – 13.5% abv – Rock-solid, with a briary undertow carrying the macerated plum and cherry fruit, all followed by sweet tapenade and aged tobacco notes on the long finish. Even better than the 2005. Drink now through 2011. 200 cases imported. – WS 90 points

Posted by Weygandt Wines at 7:46 pm

What We're Tasting This Week (March 1-5)

Austria, Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, France, Graves, Grenache, Languedoc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Red Wine, Rhône, Roussanne, Sauvignon Blanc, Styria, Syrah, Tasting, Viognier, White Wine No Responses »
Mar 012010

What to taste, what to taste? Here at the shop, we often hear the question, “How do you decide which wines to use for your tastings?” And like many questions , there are many right answers (unless you’re a mathematician). Some of the wines we choose are new to the shop, so we want to try them out ourselves. Some have been requested by our regulars (yes, we do listen). Some have been collecting dust because we have been neglectful. And others just seem right at the time. Whatever the reason, we try and open new wines every week, and this week is no exception. The Lineup:

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.

Posted by Weygandt Wines at 8:54 pm
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