tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118029732024-03-13T19:14:36.470-07:00Millesime Vins Fins3430 4th Ave. S Seattle, WA 98134 T) 206.624.1701 info@millesimevinsfins.com
WA wholesale and out of state pricing on request. Interested members of the public in western WA should request our wines from their habitual retailer.Dylan Bealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14397786006944247578noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11802973.post-31348488860335306012011-05-04T10:42:00.000-07:002011-05-05T10:26:18.062-07:00Vincent Girault<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrA-BoU9mZgLfwjh8xfO3jt2Ur7VB-toWQkijpKmm-V8vKb-zclGdPB6_yurnQSzT77BhyphenhyphenpTuyflgY7mN77LN53zDw1hffX90JDjBBn8ooWoArwSTxTesf6FLYrvI3YKLQkA-QA/s1600-h/vincent+philosophe_p.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322359687359938738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrA-BoU9mZgLfwjh8xfO3jt2Ur7VB-toWQkijpKmm-V8vKb-zclGdPB6_yurnQSzT77BhyphenhyphenpTuyflgY7mN77LN53zDw1hffX90JDjBBn8ooWoArwSTxTesf6FLYrvI3YKLQkA-QA/s400/vincent+philosophe_p.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 167px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 250px;" /></a><br />
Vincent Girault is a true pioneer of biodynamic viticulture, practicing this system long before it was either fashionable or really practical. In 1992, well before the new global warming paradigm that we are familiar with today, just having a decent vintage was anything but sure. MILLESIME is proud to represent Vincent's wines some of the most delightful (and affordable) biodynamic examples available!<br />
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Here is a translation from Vincent's website, where he explains his history and philosophy:<br />
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THE WINE PYRAMID<br />
To me, wine is a pyramid. it comprises four sides: the terroir (soil and sub-soil), the climate, the varietals and the agriculture; the vigneron is the grand architect of this wine pyramid. In truth, the four sides are not equal and the terroir remains the most important in its relation to the planted varietal. No great wine without great terroir. No good wine without a good agriculture. <br />
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A VIGNERON FAMILY<br />
My family has been in the vines and the wine business since 1854. More than 150 years between the vines, the négoce, brokerage, cooperage: the family genes are impregnated with tastes and flavors, but also gestures and the feeling of the harvest … In 1971 my parents stopped their négoce of Loire wines to devote themselves entirely to their original 10 ha domaine, the Clos de la Briderie, clay-limestone terroir.<br />
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Personally, with the help of my parents, I got involved in 1978 by buying the original 14 ha of the Chateau Gaillard property. I was 18 years old and I started out by removing all of the vines that were too mixed in terms of varietals, non-aligned, and those that had suffered enough from the three dormant years that preceded my taking over the domaine. The 8 hectares of old gamay that remained produced Touraine-Mesland rouge that won a gold medal at the Concours Général Agricole de Paris.<br />
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CHATEAU GAILLARD<br />
I finished my oenological and viticultural studies before returning to live definitively at Chateau Gaillard in 1982. The domaine is situated on Miocene sands, where the gamay excels in red with its peppery and spicy notes, and in rose with its notes of berries and candy. After regrouping the parcels, purchasing additional vineyards, and replanting, the domaine reached its current size of 30 ha in 1991. Many things were also improved in the cellar in terms of equipment over those years.<br />
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THE GRAPE, THE TERROIR: THE BASIS OF GOOD WINE<br />
Basically, like good cooking, the wine that pleases us all always comes from good ripe grapes. All basic, nothing but and it's still quite a lot. On this adequacy which is simple but far from being simplistic, I turned first to the specialists of terroirs in France. My method was to plant the cepages of my appellation where they would do best on my terroirs in Mesland. After a study of my terroirs made in 1990, I replanted 17 ha with all of the cepages of my AOC on the best terroirs that I had purchased and assembled from about thirty different owners. <br />
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MY CHOICE OF BIODYNAMIC VITICULTURE<br />
It was also at the end of 1990 that I oriented myself toward biodynamic viticulture. Why? I had a "flash" during a visit to Egypt and the comprehension of the lost knowledge from the time of the pharoahs, in addition to the explanations of my late Father-in-law regarding the rhythms of the animal and vegetable worlds, and finally meeting one of the first biodynamists in France, Mr. François Bouchet. It has been twenty years since I began to practice this powerful agriculture, based on the understanding of nature, and it is for me very satisfying. Many consumers also have been happy to purchase our biodynamic wines and to discover their flavors, their digestible quality, and the "food-pleasure force" that they provide. <br />
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In 1994 my parents converted the 10 ha of the Clos de la Briderie to biodynamism and I work the property since 2000 when my parents took their well-earned retirement. I propose these wines to my private customers, the local restaurateurs, and also to foreign importers who also sell to nice restaurants.<br />
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MY NEW DOMAINES<br />
In 2007, I bought the Cailloux vineyard in Onzain, situated on a flinty terroir and I have begun the work of restructuring and replanting, going from 14 to 20 ha. This property is in biodynamic conversion since the spring of 2008.<br />
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Then in 2008, a chance discovery, I crossed the Loire went down the river and found 4 ha in AOC Montlouis, reputed Chenin blanc terroir. in biodynamic conversion since the spring of 2008.<br />
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Here Vincent describes biodynamism at length:<br />
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BIODYNAMIC GROWING IS ABOVE ALL PROTECTING THE SOIL<br />
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Balance has to be assured while creating harmonious conditions between the earth, the plant and the environment. For the past dozen years, the number of domaines that are converting to biodynamic practice are in constant growth.<br />
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A FAD? A PASSING FANCY? NO, A REAL AWAKENING FOR THOSE WHO LOVE THEIR EARTH<br />
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Conventional agriculture, marked by its course toward so-called profitability and the constant requirement of ever-increasing productivity, has proven to be a huge consumer of substances that are dangerous for plants and animals. The use of chemical herbicides, insecticides, acaricides, systemic poisons (penetrating into the circulatory system of the plant) completely destroys the balance of the soil and the environment. By killing the insects, one also wipes out their natural predators. With herbicides, the soil dies and compacts, the roots thus stay close the the surface leaving the plant among other things more sensitive to the climate and isolating it from the terroir. Synthetic chemical fertilizers contribute to the salinity of the soil, sterilizing it and inducing vigor and a level of production that is contrary to quality. In addition, these substances pollute the water tables... <br />
Biodynamic winegrowers have made this choice because they have understood that the use of all of these products ends up wrecking the balance of their vineyards' ecosystems and harming the fertility of their land. These "peasants" who were the first to refuse to mistreat their land are no longer seen as extraterrestrials. Soon, they will cease to be seen as marginal, for the results are there to see.<br />
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BIODYNAMISM, A CULTURE THAT GOES BEYOND<br />
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Among "organic" practices, biodynamism is unique in its consideration of astral influences and the rhythm of nature, and by the use of homeopathic-type vegetal preparations whose purpose is to restore balance and to revitalize the vegetation rather than to treating it when it gets sick.<br />
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Proposed in 1924 in response to the worries of farmers who already saw the dangers to their land, biodynamism is a growing method that goes far beyond simply excluding the use of synthetic chemical products. <br />
The principles were defined in 1924 by Rudolf Steiner. They can be resumed in the following three points:<br />
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- Valorization of the soil and the plant in its natural environment with preparations derived from animal, vegetable and mineral matter;<br />
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- The application of these preparations at precise moments during the yearly cycle: this is the "dynamic" part. It recognizes that the earth, in its largest sense (bedrock, workable soil and aerial environment), is an entire organism. Nature thus behaves like a doctor who chooses, to treat its patients, specific treatments which unleash the life forces;<br />
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- The working of the soil by plowing.<br />
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These steps support:<br />
- the improvement of the quality of the soil by the presence of a large variety of bacteria;<br />
- better rooting for the plant, with longer and denser roots;<br />
- better development of the leaves and the flowers providing the necessary energy for a harmonious fruiting.<br />
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BIODYNAMISM IN VITICULTURE<br />
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The wine domaine, as with any agricultural domaine is considered to be a living organism. The cultivated soil is not simply a support for the vine but also a living space, it is a source of energy for the plant like the aerial environment.<br />
Thus the vine - the organism in the middle - creates and nourishes its terroir in the inhabited, living milieu that surrounds the roots. The exchanges between the the biology of the soil, the root system and the leaf system permit the expression of the terroir in the grapes, where the terroir's flavors are sublimated.<br />
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The viticultural practice needs to be very elaborate to compensate for the inherent risk of this monoculture.<br />
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BIODYNAMIC PREPARATIONS<br />
They come from transformed animal, vegetable and mineral matter.<br />
- Dung compost supports and reinforces the process of decomposition of the earth. It contains all of the elements that help the formation of the clay-humic complex. A large number and variety of bacteria are found in it.<br />
- Preparation 500, horn dung (cow dung packed in a cow horn and buried over a winter) acts on the plant. It reinforces the subterranean life. Its effectiveness has been confirmed by numerous experiments: the roots are longer, denser, and more spread out.<br />
- Preparation 501, horn silica (ground quartz crystals mixed with rain water and packed in a cow horn, buried in spring and dug up in the fall) helps the development of the leaves, the balance of the flowers and the necessary energy for a good and full fruiting.<br />
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These 3 must be 'dynamized' (a process where the preparation is spun in water first in one direction, then the other - creating 'chaos' in the mixture) before application.<br />
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Other preparations, made of yarrow, chamomile, nettle, oak bark, dandelion and valerian have all undergone transformations - fermentations in the presence of animal organs for some - increasing their powers and transforming them into humus with specific qualities.<br />
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These preparations are indispensable, they help the penetration of the composts and orient the fermentations for the balance and harmony of the soil and the plant. <br />
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TERRESTRIAL AND LUNAR RHYTHMS<br />
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Solar rhythms, day and night or the seasons as well as lunar rhythms are familiar to us. For 10 years, the experiments conducted by Maria Thun have enabled us to see cosmic influences on the growth of plants. These seem connected to the positions of the moon, the sun, and the planets in relation to the constellations.<br />
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A calendar, tied to these observations was created. The effectiveness of labors and treatments of the vine can be maximized by the choice of the dates of intervention. It should be said that for thousands of years, every good farmer has paid attention to to the solar and lunar rhythms!<br />
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Here at MILLESIME we currently have these wines from Vincent in stock:<br />
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2010 Touraine Sauvignon blanc<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">2009 Touraine-Mesland Blanc</div><div><br />
</div>2009 Touraine-Mesland rouge<br />
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NV Crémant de Loire "Clémence Guéry"Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11802973.post-40501869753815249632011-01-31T13:06:00.000-08:002011-04-28T15:38:29.065-07:00New Arrivals - France<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 100%;">Available now!<br />
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</span><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span">CLOS CHATEAU GAILLARD</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 100%;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 100%;">Vincent Girault was a biodynamic pioneer, certified in 1992 - long before it was fashionable (or viable) Global warming has been a boon to this region and the bar of quality keeps getting higher. Some of you may remember the Sparkling Touraine "Charlette Voyante". Vincent has made the commendable decision to discontinue the Charlette, and instead focus on making much less of a much better Cremant de Loire. This Cremant is the equal in quality and complexity to many champagnes that cost 2x+<br />
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The domaine has more certifications than you can shake a stick at: AB, Demeter, Biodyvin, USDA NOP ... Has to be some kind of record for that kind of thing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXZxdgvh_L3_gWvxp8C3nuRutGPJ59I_j8ZLgmMDb7nwf51AnWOnPc_1TOqxm_hcBhyphenhyphenmKJzEWbxAgszZcByxnHWp6Z6PNAmTOA3tq8voYSZ9nhDzQaqgmuUV0T5eTz8f4zstSTg/s1600/Gaillard+Mesland+Rouge.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587748212028520034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXZxdgvh_L3_gWvxp8C3nuRutGPJ59I_j8ZLgmMDb7nwf51AnWOnPc_1TOqxm_hcBhyphenhyphenmKJzEWbxAgszZcByxnHWp6Z6PNAmTOA3tq8voYSZ9nhDzQaqgmuUV0T5eTz8f4zstSTg/s400/Gaillard+Mesland+Rouge.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 211px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></span><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 100%;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 100%;">2010 Sauvignon Blanc (available this time only at PCC, next time I'll try to get enough for everybody. Rather than competing with the likes of Oisly, Vincent's new lower-production sauv blanc competes with not only Reuilly and Quincy, but also Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé.<br />
2009 Touraine-Mesland Blanc (Chenin/Chard) (available at Wine World)<br />
2009 Touraine-Mesland Rouge (Cab Franc, Cot, Gamay) available at PCC<br />
NV Cremant de Loire "Clémence Guéry" (Chenin/Chard)</span><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 100%;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span">CHATEAU MERCIER</span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size: 100%;">The Chetys have owned this property for 13 generations. They consistently produce superb "bargain Bordeaux" in the Cotes de Bourg.</span></div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5efj22pD0FITwPfCroIhDnl77MIJA2aAJmXU8UMHeevOrdyRo7N1Z7AjQwaC-WTW6URz_61-L2w4vPYao8LzrbLG58HqnJGV2jyD3F1g2LtwpyLbk8EzMO2Qt2n8KOBrKN2Ybkw/s1600/ChMercier02.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592593512942336658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5efj22pD0FITwPfCroIhDnl77MIJA2aAJmXU8UMHeevOrdyRo7N1Z7AjQwaC-WTW6URz_61-L2w4vPYao8LzrbLG58HqnJGV2jyD3F1g2LtwpyLbk8EzMO2Qt2n8KOBrKN2Ybkw/s400/ChMercier02.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 293px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size: 100%;">2008 Cotes de Bourg Rouge</span></div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"> 45% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Malbec<br />
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</span></div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span">DOMAINE DU PRINCE</span></span></div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Solid source of rich, complex Costieres de Nimes.</span></span></span></i></b></span></div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span></i></b></span></div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span">2009 Costieres de Nimes Blanc </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne </span></span></span></i></b></span></div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span">2007 Costieres de Nimes Rouge</span></span></span></i></b></span></div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></span></span></i></b></span></div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span></i></b></span></div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"></span></span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span">DOMAINE MARTIN</span></i></b></div><div>Superb go-to source for top quality old school Rhones at giveaway prices!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcL8ELeFHHEb_T3awbfNNq2d2aSOGDOfsZS5M3lR_MQ1gpyjwYaMoNqNGELwApwwok6Fg5bCWtaKVxGrxPB6EriP_3YSaR1Q643GYQ8Qy6AleNlBrviwRsL_fJe6CIwvd6OB2Jcw/s1600/PDD+2005.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592604029870353826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcL8ELeFHHEb_T3awbfNNq2d2aSOGDOfsZS5M3lR_MQ1gpyjwYaMoNqNGELwApwwok6Fg5bCWtaKVxGrxPB6EriP_3YSaR1Q643GYQ8Qy6AleNlBrviwRsL_fJe6CIwvd6OB2Jcw/s400/PDD+2005.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 362px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">2010 Vin de Pays de Vaucluse Rouge </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">2009 Cotes du Rhone Rouge</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">2008 Cotes du Rhone Villages Plan de Dieu Rouge</span></div><div><br />
</div><div>TBC</div></span></span></i></b></span></div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></i></b></span></div>Dylan Bealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14397786006944247578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11802973.post-30691681007190561422010-11-01T21:32:00.000-07:002010-11-01T22:44:19.158-07:00Wines with Turkey and Ham<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ11YE01Z-a0p9H_tX78HJDLFbtp-EyqJFosyBUK5sa1DXS5ksIwPOJB1k95_v8tl5StcB7R4J9vI-_v-gTz-JrwnQPI7LfIca4U_bZu0NifYlRDT9H5JBTj0Lh60FHxdorcgyDA/s1600/roast_turkey.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 155px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ11YE01Z-a0p9H_tX78HJDLFbtp-EyqJFosyBUK5sa1DXS5ksIwPOJB1k95_v8tl5StcB7R4J9vI-_v-gTz-JrwnQPI7LfIca4U_bZu0NifYlRDT9H5JBTj0Lh60FHxdorcgyDA/s200/roast_turkey.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534819318142601282" /></a> Last Thursday I did an experimental tasting with Bruce Kinsey at QFC Factoria. Bruce was looking for 'something new' in the way of wines for Thanksgiving. Bruce had the brilliant idea of running over to the deli and getting a piece of turkey and a piece of ham, so that we could get scientific instead of speculative. Everybody knows the classic matches, gewurztraminer or riesling for the whites, Beaujolais or Pinot for reds. I freely admit that there were some real surprises - some wines I was sure were going to be great were just OK and others came out of left field as amazing matches. Interestingly, there were even a couple of wines that performed well with both meats - no small feat! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJfjOH2PNB0HwG4Kin-lXlz49jlNSlVUDATaRHEUc5g8RKDnLr0r-IRshIn3dzsNdtUfirmtenHUCEQYcM42kb8kdcMCHokoEEr0WOAn_ckJm9abwArrkOv-1CWJ6CUrD8mfSWmg/s1600/ham_with_cider_glaze_lg.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 172px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJfjOH2PNB0HwG4Kin-lXlz49jlNSlVUDATaRHEUc5g8RKDnLr0r-IRshIn3dzsNdtUfirmtenHUCEQYcM42kb8kdcMCHokoEEr0WOAn_ckJm9abwArrkOv-1CWJ6CUrD8mfSWmg/s200/ham_with_cider_glaze_lg.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534819545408077442" /></a><br />These were the winners:<br /><br />BEST OVERALL<br />The overall winner was also the least expensive wine - the Domaine du Prince Costieres de Nimes Blanc. It was a great match with both meats, really doing well with both. <br /><br />BEST WITH TURKEY<br />Another great match with the Turkey was the Domaine des Forges Anjou Blanc. A fairly atypical Anjou (weightier than most and with a light touch of botrytis) It was a seamless match that surprised us both. The Cote Roannaise (gamay) from Lapandery was also a good match with the turkey.<br /><br />BEST WITH HAM<br />This was another big surprise - the Lapandery was not a great match with ham so we didn't expect much from the Coteaux du Giennois Rouge from Domaine Poupat as it is also a medium-bodied, fairly acidic red. This wine, 60% gamay and 40% pinot noir was revelatory - it blew away all of the other wines as a match for the ham, and was good with the Turkey too.<br /><br />These wines are all available at QFC Factoria if you are in that neighborhood, otherwise call your habitual retailer to special order.Dylan Bealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14397786006944247578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11802973.post-63736847395798707272010-10-26T11:04:00.000-07:002010-10-26T12:28:56.208-07:00LARGE FORMAT COTES DU RHONE<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PWUfUGWTquw8kKI08VmoV9d0UWjBeNX8zI8XWiWaGNfSlrhwMykvK2To6GooOkPtu6gB_wECVBBP7hNlEYOlTnifM4kerCVhxNNruVt1dZv6BxRLlcRhFJdTc5W4T5XRFOyWqA/s1600/DSC01966.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PWUfUGWTquw8kKI08VmoV9d0UWjBeNX8zI8XWiWaGNfSlrhwMykvK2To6GooOkPtu6gB_wECVBBP7hNlEYOlTnifM4kerCVhxNNruVt1dZv6BxRLlcRhFJdTc5W4T5XRFOyWqA/s400/DSC01966.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532428034537555586" border="0" /></a><br />Now this something you don't often see...<br /><br />I presold these to a large and influential retailer who canceled their entire order because a fair percentage were leaking and/or had damaged capsules. The economy went south right around that time so I was left holding a fair number of these rarities.<br /><br />from an earlier post:<br /><br />"I was sceptical about this domaine. I do a lot of Rhones and I asked myself, "do I really need another expensive Cotes du Rhone?" That they had no Village wines was also not exactly a point in their favor (they now have one Village wine - a Plan de Dieu). After tasting the 2004 CDR "Prestige des Garrigues" (a coup de coeur in Hachette), I realized that it made more sense to view this wine as a cheap (and GOOD) Chateauneuf rather than an expensive CDR. Seriously, you could really embarass some people by bringing a Prestige des Garrigues to a brown bag Chateauneuf tasting."<br /><br />The domaine is located halfway between Chateauneuf and Gigondas on what must be some of the best non-village land available, 2km to the north of Courthezon and 2km to the east of Beaucastel.<br /><br />OK, what would does one have to pay for large formats of this excellent CDP-alike? Much less than you think, I'm pretty sure. These have all been tasted numerous times and will not disappoint or fail to impress. If you have holiday parties coming up, or are looking for a unique gift, here you go.<br /><br />available:<br /><br />1999 Prestige des Garrigues 1.5L<br />1999 Prestige des Garrigues 3L<br />2000 Prestige des Garrigues 3L<br />2001 Prestige des Garrigues 5LUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11802973.post-50812115632026829952010-10-23T16:23:00.000-07:002010-10-24T17:39:29.267-07:00Sweet Loires<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNNKTvIR53OKnOJGqj5eCuE17tFoIiETN2z5NNGc6Nq85OgdL90Rg3sXP18eiflBnS7nrDLN8v9zlM-LV-gCSnrXc6d_vFpbBPU322E12bRDoG46MzNCb5DLD13Nzbbz_i7yLzg/s1600/DSC01941.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNNKTvIR53OKnOJGqj5eCuE17tFoIiETN2z5NNGc6Nq85OgdL90Rg3sXP18eiflBnS7nrDLN8v9zlM-LV-gCSnrXc6d_vFpbBPU322E12bRDoG46MzNCb5DLD13Nzbbz_i7yLzg/s400/DSC01941.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531733746178193250" /></a><br /><br />With the Alcoholidays upon us, it's time to revisit the amazing late harvest chenins available at Millesime:<br /><br />DOMAINE LES GRANDES VIGNES<br />2003 Coteaux du Layon SGN 500 ml - Amazing 'entry-level SGN' - a great way to see what the fuss is about at a bargain price.<br />2002 Bonnezeaux SGN 500 ml - Very serious complexity, still very very young and showing plenty of 'baby fat'.<br /><br />DOMAINE DES FORGES<br />2005 Coteaux du Layon "Les Onnis" - the 'Poor Man's Quart de Chaume', from a parcel adjacent to QdC. This particular wine is the peer of many QdC.<br /><br />2005 Quarts de Chaume - A quarter of the production of this vineyard was always given as tribute to the Lord of the land in pre-Revolutionary times. Not hard to see why, the wine is absolutely packed with goodies, and a 750ml bottle costs much less than an inferior 375 of Huet...<br /><br />2001 Coteaux du Layon Saint-Aubin SGN 500ml - The best of the best. 5hl/ha yields. The finish is about 5 minutes - insane!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZoS2dzLP02Co29G8Iv2OR0NzxtXV96yMRtk9bHwv2-BNg-hoYWPTt_-oMS2SkrP0BMaF81QtQz70dLTZ-ytefDdN6-_BkH4A5y7R6qfDzMn1eVAsKUTK5WJonFL-b9ethpPaHQ/s1600/cotegmoelleux.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 122px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZoS2dzLP02Co29G8Iv2OR0NzxtXV96yMRtk9bHwv2-BNg-hoYWPTt_-oMS2SkrP0BMaF81QtQz70dLTZ-ytefDdN6-_BkH4A5y7R6qfDzMn1eVAsKUTK5WJonFL-b9ethpPaHQ/s320/cotegmoelleux.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531738576235544402" /></a><br />I've never been able to understand how one can say that they are into wine, and yet have no experience of these sublime nectars. The "Grand Bob" himself either doesn't know what they are or doesn't care - hard to say which is worse. Chenin is similar to riesling in that wines made from it can range from bone dry to toothachingly sweet, always with a level of acid that ensures both pleasure in drinking at all stages of development and great longevity in the cellar - it is no exaggeration to claim that these 5 wines will outlive us all.<br /><br />These two estates are masters of the dry (sec), late-harvest (moelleux), and super late harvest TBA style (liquoreux) styles, which may or may not be botrytised. These 5 wines are all in the liquoreux style and exhibit a plethora of heady aromas and flavors of candied fruits, honey, nougat and an incredible richness. The high acidity of the wines invites another taste, never fatiguing the palate. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheShYYg9rUZf9aaP9zmj9ns7XFPcsfiHWXhNCzY_DeOHSUxGnWz2AUka9__i00t8687sw4TLUL91mynCt3AejXJE3JpSC7sheGyRLt-5DFstg9FCvGLI9ZczguHEo-gsCWixZ_HA/s1600/cotegliquoreux.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 123px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheShYYg9rUZf9aaP9zmj9ns7XFPcsfiHWXhNCzY_DeOHSUxGnWz2AUka9__i00t8687sw4TLUL91mynCt3AejXJE3JpSC7sheGyRLt-5DFstg9FCvGLI9ZczguHEo-gsCWixZ_HA/s320/cotegliquoreux.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531744115497430946" /></a><br />Fans of botrytis, or "pourriture noble" need look no further than the 3 SGNs that I have available for your delectation. There are precious few grape varieties that are improved by botrytis, and chenin is clearly right there with riesling in producing absolutely stunning and ethereal wines. The good news is that a great "grains nobles" from the Loire is much, much less expensive than comparable German riesling Trockenbeerenauslesen, or one of the classified Sauternes. Another point in the Loire's favor, at least to my taste is that like the German TBA and unlike Sauternes, the wines show little if any wood.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11802973.post-81302617571469738512010-09-20T09:47:00.000-07:002010-09-20T10:09:28.835-07:00Alicante wines are coming to PCC<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjhonLl3u5RyO-mKo6f5jolPiszTitVI9M0Kx4cX1SDsyJGjrpi7XbGOcsB8B7gXmGX0H-3n24nR26_nQpN6p38FayNE45gh88nS5RifMxwHMGl1ryh6f3WCvSouK-5cEfFCUlA/s1600/fotos+botellas+ALCANTA+copia.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 170px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjhonLl3u5RyO-mKo6f5jolPiszTitVI9M0Kx4cX1SDsyJGjrpi7XbGOcsB8B7gXmGX0H-3n24nR26_nQpN6p38FayNE45gh88nS5RifMxwHMGl1ryh6f3WCvSouK-5cEfFCUlA/s200/fotos+botellas+ALCANTA+copia.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519038788721399458" /></a><br /><br />This is a delightful range of affordable wines from Alicante, situated between Valencia and Cartagena on the Mediterrannean coast of Spain. They will be available at your local PCC store by the end of September.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11802973.post-71172478196452041272010-09-14T11:58:00.000-07:002010-09-14T12:07:12.765-07:00Loire TastingThe Loire tasting yesterday was well-attended, not as much as last year's. I had 31 'unique visits'. Lots of enthusiasts but few buyers. A huge percentage of attendees were from Portland and it seems to me this event would be a lot more successful were it to be held in Portland instead of Seattle.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11802973.post-9463616235326754702010-09-09T13:29:00.000-07:002010-09-09T13:35:31.733-07:00Loire Valley Wine Tasting is just days away!This coming Monday 9/13 is the Loire Valley Wine Bureau tasting at the Palace Ballroom in Seattle. If you are looking for the most decadent sweet Chenins, look no further than my table! Coteaux du Layon, Layon Chaume, Layon St-Aubin, Quarts de Chaume, Bonnezeaux... Whether you are a connoisseur or an amateur, an incredible experience is assured.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11802973.post-53723018928984833372010-07-09T10:08:00.000-07:002010-07-09T10:27:15.591-07:00NEW ARRIVALS - FRANCENew and exciting wines From AOC Costières de Nîmes are on their way to Millésime. Of the many cooperatives in the region, The Cave de Générac produces outstanding quality for the money, and I've been proud to represent them since 2003. The prices have gone up somewhat over the years but these wines are still cheap for what they are - very solid Southern Rhone style wines. They are scheduled to arrive in Seattle the first week of August, 2010. Bargains that they are, these will go fast so please feel free to reserve some today!<br /><br />DOMAINE DU PRINCE<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBmgoPlHQ2m0UsY1YPFt7-FiOkNu5SS_WZZU6_PaHNhd3zuSfTTSJwbcOOl0xSzWfc-SZQX1bVz2O_otn5JqgboU8IXeIPZd1wh1IU7T7QyUDABwQ8PDDkzxB_vFKKxwtmEUlVA/s1600/Domaine+du+Prince.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 336px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBmgoPlHQ2m0UsY1YPFt7-FiOkNu5SS_WZZU6_PaHNhd3zuSfTTSJwbcOOl0xSzWfc-SZQX1bVz2O_otn5JqgboU8IXeIPZd1wh1IU7T7QyUDABwQ8PDDkzxB_vFKKxwtmEUlVA/s400/Domaine+du+Prince.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491955821284333458" /></a><br /><br />2008 Costières de Nîmes Blanc<br />A blend of Grenache Blanc and Clairette, it has nice floral notes with some beeswax, rich with good acidity. Awesome shellfish wine.<br /><br />2009 Costières de Nîmes Rosé<br />A blend of 75% syrah and 25% grenache. Fairly deep color for this somewhat muscular rosé, bone dry with gobs of fruit.<br /><br />2006 Costières de Nîmes Rouge<br />A blend of 75% syrah and 25% grenache. Inky purple color, dense dark fruits with chocolatey notes. Very smooth tannins.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11802973.post-54162587724727459052009-08-11T12:36:00.000-07:002009-08-17T10:21:15.992-07:00September ArrivalsIt's been a while, but we finally have some new wines coming in From France. Some old favorites as always, and a number of new and exciting wines never before seen on our shores. The can should be delivered to our warehouse sometime in the 1st week of September. Recession busting at its finest.<br /><br />LOIRE<br /><br />CAVE DE SAUMUR<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigz7iYPvCJe6xjMC3UVNdOkkEu_a28YYIp-Ujz0QrSsTRMBVJTQH5oz0olXYEwjfNhoXKmtfY3jMyGsf7fG1y6i5xOoji61iPzjpWNlo4kX9Zw0Lk50Rg7hKyt3XaadlVfKWaHmQ/s1600-h/saumurblanc.gif"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 217px; height: 169px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigz7iYPvCJe6xjMC3UVNdOkkEu_a28YYIp-Ujz0QrSsTRMBVJTQH5oz0olXYEwjfNhoXKmtfY3jMyGsf7fG1y6i5xOoji61iPzjpWNlo4kX9Zw0Lk50Rg7hKyt3XaadlVfKWaHmQ/s400/saumurblanc.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368824775840044114" /></a><br /><br />The Cave de Saumur is reknowned for quality, regularity, and value. The latest vintages are some of the best that we've brought in. 2008 is a quasi-perfect vintage in all colors. I prefer it to 2005 because I think the ripeness is in better balance with the rest of the wine's attributes. One of the best white Saumurs I've seen at a small fraction of the high-end's price. 2007 produced juicy well-colored reds with friendly tannins for immediate to mid-term enjoyment.<br /><br />2008 SAUMUR BLANC "RESERVE DES VIGNERONS"<br />Ripe, juicy, melony, citrusy flowery goodness!<br /><br />2007 SAUMUR ROUGE "RESERVE DES VIGNERONS"<br />Deeply purple, with gobs of dark fruit. Excellent acid and warm, friendly tannins.<br /><br />2007 SAUMUR-CHAMPIGNY "LES POYEUX"<br />Deeply purple, layers of dark fruits and dusty spices. A very consistent performer over the years.<br /><br />DOMAINE DE LA ROCHETTE<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0yLqPMcG4bXv4vwOVCFWPF_Xmhiky3D0Fhp7TqHH5heKadWJft_hhk2OG5WKdQTAo6trABh6k67KX-cfphZj1k9qlhQm7TKCc6G-krEiK07F1dXWz6MVCc6STqGem7lFYXFHiQ/s1600-h/leclairSB.gif"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0yLqPMcG4bXv4vwOVCFWPF_Xmhiky3D0Fhp7TqHH5heKadWJft_hhk2OG5WKdQTAo6trABh6k67KX-cfphZj1k9qlhQm7TKCc6G-krEiK07F1dXWz6MVCc6STqGem7lFYXFHiQ/s400/leclairSB.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369155731380428594" /></a><br /><br />François Leclair has proven to be an excellent source for a wide range of wines from TOURAINE that are exceptional bargains. Quality is always good, but in vintages like 2008 it approaches superb for a risible price.<br /><br />2008 TOURAINE SAUVIGNON BLANC<br />Very pale, nice aromatic intensity, good weight and plenty of zip.<br />2008 TOURAINE PINEAU D'AUNIS<br />Gorgeous, electric gris color. Explosive nose, perfect texture. Exuberant, yet very sophisticated rosé. Que demande le peuple?<br />2008 TOURAINE PINOT NOIR<br />Surprisingly deep color. Excellent fruity, spicy and earthy nose. Firm friendly tannins with good zip.<br />2007 TOURAINE PRESTIGE DU VIGNERON" (Cabernet Franc/Côt)<br />Very deep opaque purple, with a medley of red and dark fruits with spice.<br /><br />DOMAINE SEBASTIEN RIFFAULT<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMZB-HFMHgq9KxZiiOTLdMQcSEyAYj2MAZ-eNkXOIGb8JvQ8oGhdv6xOGZ9YC7jHXlqabEUudDVzxid69mHyCsS6exko50jAN3nhTJ5hLPIgoxkCsHKlvSkZEcErKTernxbSYMA/s1600-h/Riffault-Skeveldra.gif"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 284px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMZB-HFMHgq9KxZiiOTLdMQcSEyAYj2MAZ-eNkXOIGb8JvQ8oGhdv6xOGZ9YC7jHXlqabEUudDVzxid69mHyCsS6exko50jAN3nhTJ5hLPIgoxkCsHKlvSkZEcErKTernxbSYMA/s400/Riffault-Skeveldra.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369160744617019074" /></a><br /><br />Something about me wants to hate these wines, and I would if they weren't so completely seductive. I was for some reason naturally hostile and skeptical to the concept of strictly non-interventionist 'natural winemaking' where the wine is literally allowed to make it itself. I was basically dared to taste them by a colleague in France and found my prejudices and preconceptions swept away by the extremely seductive character of these wines, which overwhelms even their strangeness. You won't need to leave your points of reference at the door, they'll be rendered meaningless all by themselves. To me these wines are revelatory. The wines all contain some solids. Don't be afraid of them, they are just part of the deal.<br /><br />2007 SANCERRE BLANC "AKMENINE" <br />The name means "Made of Stones" in Lithuanian. 6-9 months in very old (10+) Burgundy barrels. Very bright yellow color. Bonbon anglais, nutty, lightly oxidized. Voluminous, sumptuous and exotic. Incredible length.<br /><br />2007 SANCERRE BLANC "AUKSINIS" <br />The name means 'Golden', and that's a fair assessment of the color. 18 months in very old casks. Oxidized, candied nose. Mature, candied fruits. See above x 1.5<br /><br />2007 SANCERRE BLANC "SKEVELDRA" <br />The name means "Fragment", and refers to the flinty soils that produce the fruit. About a year in old casks. Bright yellow with a vivid orange-ish edge. Quasi Sherry-like nose. Flavors are quite complex and pretty bizarre but most importantly absolutely and irresistibly delicious. The wine gives so much pleasure that you don't want to swallow it, you just want it to live in your mouth! One usually has to pay a lot more than this for that attribute...<br /><br />2007 SANCERRE ROUGE "RAUDONAS" <br />The name means "Red". 18 months in old casks. Deep bricky color. Very ripe, candied, stewed fruit. Tiny prickles, bracing acids. Good volume, if bizarre.<br /><br /><br />LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON<br /><br />LES COTEAUX DU RIEUTORT<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisCDd5n3wK8gU8MRIxTBGNz-Es0JYAF08-HkebPQXWnkFe-X-cTYXrTnYMJ-IPH1M2jQwILXyTfoOsqdXDccpHws8Rqy0bb1jnxInYVcysJlLvjd9Hd1oDA65WrQTZCJ0MjHgjHw/s1600-h/schistes.gif"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 193px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisCDd5n3wK8gU8MRIxTBGNz-Es0JYAF08-HkebPQXWnkFe-X-cTYXrTnYMJ-IPH1M2jQwILXyTfoOsqdXDccpHws8Rqy0bb1jnxInYVcysJlLvjd9Hd1oDA65WrQTZCJ0MjHgjHw/s400/schistes.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369203964091656994" /></a><br /><br />A fairly recent cooperative, founded in 1996. 1250ha of vines are worked by 250 vignerons, providing a rich and varied palette of material going into the wines. From textbook VDPs to Millésime's first Saint-Chinian wine, I am very pleased to have discovered this source.<br /><br />2008 VDP D'OC "LES GRANJOTS" VIOGNIER<br />Pale color, this is a really attactive, textbook stainless steel Viognier. Rich and intense with plenty of interest.<br /><br />2008 VDP D'OC "LES GRANJOTS" GRENACHE ROSE<br />Delicate salmony color. Explosive fruit, bone dry.<br /><br />2007 SAINT-CHINIAN ROUGE "LES SCHISTES"<br />Syrah, Grenache, Carignan. Carbonic for the Syrah. Deep and brilliant, this wine is explosive, intense, lush, silky and way underpriced. Best QPR red out of literally hundreds I tasted in France several months ago.<br /><br /><br />CHATEAU PLANERES<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitpKna_xtC8FT8glPWGrxtTbSqGjetTit4TBmCeu9p90B-sdR7ud1jwi0QOGn2phvhmhngStNCnTe1OZ4hVClrlhmnq449oXqj9YO1RfFN5fFuCTPJs4aDLDfj0NBrnEh22PsQ-g/s1600-h/planerescoume.gif"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 175px; height: 372px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitpKna_xtC8FT8glPWGrxtTbSqGjetTit4TBmCeu9p90B-sdR7ud1jwi0QOGn2phvhmhngStNCnTe1OZ4hVClrlhmnq449oXqj9YO1RfFN5fFuCTPJs4aDLDfj0NBrnEh22PsQ-g/s400/planerescoume.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369179533064008194" /></a><br /><br /><br />2007 COTES DU ROUSSILLON BLANC "PRESTIGE"<br />Tourbat/Rolle/Grenache Blanc. Tourbat is also known as 'Roussillon Malvasia' and was once widely planted in the area. Nowadays it is very very rare. It is a very noble, but late maturing and low-yielding varietal. Gilles Jaubert is a big believer in this grape, which he reintroduced at the the domaine in 1980. A revelation in 'southern whites'<br /><br />2007 COTES DU ROUSSILLON ROSE "PRESTIGE"<br />Syrah/Cinsault/Grenache. Dark, meaty, 'structured' rosé that stands up to most foods.<br /><br />2006 COTES DU ROUSSILLON ROUGE "CHANTAIL" 1L<br />Syrah/Grenache/Carignan. The Syrah and Carignan are vinified by carbonic maceration. Dark, soft, and juicy but with a decent tannic backbone. It is a great BBQ and paella red.<br /><br />2006 COTES DU ROUSSILLON ROUGE "PRESTIGE"<br />Syrah/Mourvedre/Grenache. Deep and brilliant garnet with brambly, plummy and chocolatey fruit. Superb QPR.<br /><br />2006 COTES DU ROUSSILLON LES ASPRES ROUGE "LA COUME D'ARS"<br />50% 100 year old Carignan, 30% 45 yo Grenache & Syrah. - This single-vineyard wine is earthy, juicy, big and powerful with attractive dark fruit background and firm tannins. Way undervalued, brownbag this to your next tasting group and blow some minds.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11802973.post-27879498301782638062009-05-11T13:15:00.000-07:002009-05-20T11:19:54.650-07:00Back from FENAVIN<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSZ9K52hyphenhyphenMKn3H98Tpp6n0RgkyXLw-ADXNpv8ms-PasakfkciFuhYflhEdAf6urGH3Lvy19sfNC98qtEkbf7DAtI9bwh2HIXuJ9Suv-IttYabPCTUh9IidthaUS1LFa2jqwfrdg/s1600-h/CIMG0565.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSZ9K52hyphenhyphenMKn3H98Tpp6n0RgkyXLw-ADXNpv8ms-PasakfkciFuhYflhEdAf6urGH3Lvy19sfNC98qtEkbf7DAtI9bwh2HIXuJ9Suv-IttYabPCTUh9IidthaUS1LFa2jqwfrdg/s400/CIMG0565.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334683488051321826" /></a><br />Made it back from FENAVIN - the traveling was gruesome, but the show was great. I found lots of really great wines - more than I can possibly take, which is a good problem to have. As expected, plenty of really great deals. A pleasant surprise was the restraint of many of the wines, I was subjected to very few of the brutally furry examples that are alas all-too-common these days in France (but I'm sure they were there). The show was just about the perfect size, you really didn't need to plan a route through the pavillions, everything was close enough not to sweat it, unlike at the big international 'monster shows' the scale, at 'only' 1000 exhibitors is rather more human than 2500 like at Vinexpo or Vinitaly, or (gasp) 3200 at Prowein. Lots of really excellent, well-balanced wines, even from some of the more 'desirable' DOs like Ribera del Duero, Toro, Priorat...<br /><br />Everything was represented, from the most garish sickness imaginable: <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI640WFVGR5zpQY2LC2NyAlAuM5QoPx_fLYgZ1gc7-BQHhyphenhyphenHbwarFfoTXAhA6ZfagRxo7FpFc7TA6bW_SkXcKjx-ClwjCsTAddsm4w6mdBQT0mhctIXPNKeLJLBdj7FZCD-AOKfg/s1600-h/CIMG0564.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI640WFVGR5zpQY2LC2NyAlAuM5QoPx_fLYgZ1gc7-BQHhyphenhyphenHbwarFfoTXAhA6ZfagRxo7FpFc7TA6bW_SkXcKjx-ClwjCsTAddsm4w6mdBQT0mhctIXPNKeLJLBdj7FZCD-AOKfg/s400/CIMG0564.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337946870686109266" /></a> This picture doesn't really do the 'sickness' justice. Avril Lavigne on the video screens is a hint, but there were also painted bimbo 'hostesses' - all in an effort to flog 'wines' in tallboy aluminum cans.<br /><br />Other booths were much classier, appointed in 'rich Corinthian leather' : <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemDMNTYMGq8BsI9avnVvj0PTUZ-IyauBQh_oXalA7mgnSh26XOmThjm2gQJ4sXZtTfNWiGptBI9x7jNm_HxpG1JajUuEw9VF6cb97aA64VXj72Efxk01-2RdiQqBdU2uJAvPhUw/s1600-h/CIMG0567.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemDMNTYMGq8BsI9avnVvj0PTUZ-IyauBQh_oXalA7mgnSh26XOmThjm2gQJ4sXZtTfNWiGptBI9x7jNm_HxpG1JajUuEw9VF6cb97aA64VXj72Efxk01-2RdiQqBdU2uJAvPhUw/s400/CIMG0567.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337947901060985714" /></a> In comparison to the disco cans, very classy and understated.<br /><br />Here is the self-service tasting area, upstairs in the largest hall: <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdKZY1QdPh0tnOQDzY575bi1a-9iPQ_rGwWCBZTm0sPxotL1rlmHfb_ny8_YnPi7tieo_WHwywBnynj2E8PeRysmnGO8x3jLpolF-Cb71TBSpxqGbSWXNOxB0-dUTGe8bN44-rA/s1600-h/CIMG0603.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdKZY1QdPh0tnOQDzY575bi1a-9iPQ_rGwWCBZTm0sPxotL1rlmHfb_ny8_YnPi7tieo_WHwywBnynj2E8PeRysmnGO8x3jLpolF-Cb71TBSpxqGbSWXNOxB0-dUTGe8bN44-rA/s400/CIMG0603.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337954133326108018" /></a> yes, it really is as far as the eye can see! The only drawback was that if you didn't go first thing in the morning it started to get pretty warm up there, which didn't exactly help a lot of the reds to show their best. 'Room temperature' is indeed a relative term.<br /><br />Wretched excess: <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3EUotg8lhvqqPRG1mcuUoC2gGPVhXOVEzcgBBWyk-hNdelZFO7atlSfvCnWlKmwgdyUEfQNQDO8FbMQLZ0GdD62xKIjVbL05bsrNl79_ibQDiSLPtWvdS4U_Jlz-jMjulycwDA/s1600-h/CIMG0606.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3EUotg8lhvqqPRG1mcuUoC2gGPVhXOVEzcgBBWyk-hNdelZFO7atlSfvCnWlKmwgdyUEfQNQDO8FbMQLZ0GdD62xKIjVbL05bsrNl79_ibQDiSLPtWvdS4U_Jlz-jMjulycwDA/s400/CIMG0606.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337954412738619042" /></a> Thousands and thousands of glasses were soiled daily.<br /><br />And finally, there were facilities for those who had a bit too much: <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZ6Nl4P1lCQFHCgLYYrW1kL2jFWHbWC5-hN82JKYfih8ICV2Vb-5FJ_GXV8Mcw6RIHM2YqgppBlw4MfXpoGr0LQou2SeMtMcZEIrarnqm6xWDerTMH8zP8ars_LNcJPRLmJai_Q/s1600-h/CIMG0605.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZ6Nl4P1lCQFHCgLYYrW1kL2jFWHbWC5-hN82JKYfih8ICV2Vb-5FJ_GXV8Mcw6RIHM2YqgppBlw4MfXpoGr0LQou2SeMtMcZEIrarnqm6xWDerTMH8zP8ars_LNcJPRLmJai_Q/s400/CIMG0605.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337954667740061666" /></a> It looked like they had enough gear in there to handle all but the most serious of cases. Made it convenient to get back to the show after coming to!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11802973.post-25014042972550248082009-04-15T12:24:00.000-07:002009-04-15T13:07:57.317-07:00FENAVIN<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgQSEnuQ4GqSGbBa7MYJpcNgRJU09q85MpLYLaPNipQn73ES0L-1TckGi1ry3oSTTGB6wo2yzGMlgsn9XlzrFEaYEiUw2NrPwf3twYzBajYdmw45CYfqBsMRgb-GxqKYesINyZg/s1600-h/fenavin%5B1%5D.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 373px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgQSEnuQ4GqSGbBa7MYJpcNgRJU09q85MpLYLaPNipQn73ES0L-1TckGi1ry3oSTTGB6wo2yzGMlgsn9XlzrFEaYEiUw2NrPwf3twYzBajYdmw45CYfqBsMRgb-GxqKYesINyZg/s400/fenavin%5B1%5D.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325001659772246162" /></a><br />FENAVIN stands for FEria NAcional del VINo which is the largest trade show in Spain - over 1000 exhibitors from all over the country will be showing their wines. I've always been a big believer in Spanish wines and I think they are probably best values in the business, Euro for Euro. This is an exciting event for me because it is the first time that I will be exposed to so many different Spanish wines - I should be plowing through 100+ per day in my quest to find new and exciting wines to bring in. It will be interesting to discover producers who are making authentic wines of character, hopefully I won't have to suffer through too many examples of the overblown and overdone ones that are sadly very fashionable these days...<br /><br />TBCUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11802973.post-86620751669093811562009-02-23T21:05:00.001-08:002009-02-24T10:51:41.989-08:00"Corkscrewed" book signing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwy3QJm41Mcs_3kCqfpb80s0rk-KHOqaIiJDU8lcIRGnefdFua6Kke1gF_klCbZoz-G8xzq8hUgEzJ8-thiG802bbi4AUUFMk_PhpcMRnpH2mEPxqLMyhAEfFriFiokjiw-XTCTw/s1600-h/CIMG0208.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwy3QJm41Mcs_3kCqfpb80s0rk-KHOqaIiJDU8lcIRGnefdFua6Kke1gF_klCbZoz-G8xzq8hUgEzJ8-thiG802bbi4AUUFMk_PhpcMRnpH2mEPxqLMyhAEfFriFiokjiw-XTCTw/s320/CIMG0208.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306438354729678786" /></a><br />Tuesday the 17th of February there was a book signing/tasting at the Local Vine in Belltown with Robert Camuto, author of "Corkscrewed". We had a couple of suppliers featured in the book, which I would recommend to winos everywhere even if none of 'my' suppliers were in it. Turnout was strong and I'm happy to say that the wines were very well received. Most of these wines are still in stock if anyone is interested:<br /><br />2006 Côtes du Roussillon Rouge "Tradition", Ch. Mossé<br />2005 Côtes du Roussillon Rouge "Temporis", Ch. Mossé <br />2004 Côte-Rôtie, J-M Stephan<br />2004 Côte-Rôtie "Vielles Vignes en Côteaux", J-M StephanUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11802973.post-43440792316236422252009-02-23T21:04:00.001-08:002009-02-24T18:22:00.381-08:00Languedoc/LoireI spent a couple of weeks in France recently, where I attended a number of Trade Shows as well as some grueling tastings set up by the CIVL (Conseil Interprofessionel des Vins du Languedoc). The first week was spent in and around Montpellier and I tasted 120-150 wines per day from AOCs from all over the region: Corbières, Saint-Chinian, Côteaux du Languedoc Grès de Montpellier, Pezenas, Béziers, Picpoul. It would not be an exaggeration to say that it was a 'costly' education in terms of wear and tear on my body - just be happy that there are people who can do this for you! Sadly, a common thread was the familiar over-extracted, overblown, overwooded, ferociously tannic wines that are still considered fashionable in some circles. Here is a tasting table (one of 15) to give you an idea of the scope of some of these tastings:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfPSMf6katCyhwCnP-EHhl9PwB0S-KT5emDE0KS-iJra3JeOfVoDFvrvpPW5AASNElLlDdXdcBYxBSSyx4VvCcH8Uisw4IhVSDJzrQpQbxMzKFi9gM0_s1BKvGgty1AlnjCypzXg/s1600-h/CIMG0046.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfPSMf6katCyhwCnP-EHhl9PwB0S-KT5emDE0KS-iJra3JeOfVoDFvrvpPW5AASNElLlDdXdcBYxBSSyx4VvCcH8Uisw4IhVSDJzrQpQbxMzKFi9gM0_s1BKvGgty1AlnjCypzXg/s320/CIMG0046.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306442622347124946" /></a><br /><br />It got to the point where in order to spare myself the abuse, I would quickly scan the pricelists to tell by the price which "Q-vay" I was going to skip - when there was a doubt, I would ask to taste only the 'non-boisé' wines. They were always much cheaper and almost always way more enjoyable. <br /><br />After that week it was a pleasure to head up to Angers for the Salon des Vins de Loire, easily one of my favorite shows to attend. As a group, Loire wines are eminently more 'civilized' as was the mostly self-directed pace of tasting. Were there some highlights from the first week Absolutely yes, but the sheer number of brutally tannic overblown wines that one had to fight through to discover them was most daunting.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11802973.post-39232781126089311482008-10-15T10:39:00.000-07:002008-10-20T09:51:05.808-07:00October Arrivals - FRANCE / GERMANYMore goodies are arriving from France, as always it is a very exciting group. There is also a new and exciting German estate!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">DOMAINE DES GRAVES D'ARDONNEAU<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyILU49Pf-OQVpBAgaLTG4Azm0DdGHU2jVQsywFghvZl4XTiCWrUk_YEVV9dxQDcB9uo2_smXYKAvygk1z0Y40WTvCWTvxNEFKgnJUFzTZEwUIuf_auONiQKkJChqczrlFWhLwWA/s1600-h/DGAprest.gif"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyILU49Pf-OQVpBAgaLTG4Azm0DdGHU2jVQsywFghvZl4XTiCWrUk_YEVV9dxQDcB9uo2_smXYKAvygk1z0Y40WTvCWTvxNEFKgnJUFzTZEwUIuf_auONiQKkJChqczrlFWhLwWA/s400/DGAprest.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257438121940241186" /></a> I am always happy to get wines this good back in stock. Looking for "2005 Bordeaux"? We've got a "sleeper of the vintage" right here, ridiculously priced in your favor. You need "name" Châteaux to beat this, of course you will pay double or more for those.<br /><br />2006 PREMIERES COTES DE BLAYE BLANC "PRESTIGE"<br />2005 PREMIERES COTES DE BLAYE ROUGE "PRESTIGE"<br />2005 PREMIERES COTES DE BLAYE ROUGE "PRESTIGE" MAGNUMS<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">DOMAINE MATIGNON<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJ3K4ga__2LQnp1cFpRc_3cHVUA3JxqbmGx87bDJRQX85VAghU51ANSHPvfoP7OjnQjkf4ioa6dPyfU8S1Difgk7tg_0aw1d99uv9vUo7e5IWukE-XTTNRYYCiHVexwIv2oeKZg/s1600-h/matignonanjou.gif"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJ3K4ga__2LQnp1cFpRc_3cHVUA3JxqbmGx87bDJRQX85VAghU51ANSHPvfoP7OjnQjkf4ioa6dPyfU8S1Difgk7tg_0aw1d99uv9vUo7e5IWukE-XTTNRYYCiHVexwIv2oeKZg/s400/matignonanjou.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257454593438495074" /></a> Fans of this Domaine will be happy to get their mitts on these wines - those out of the loop will find themselves easily convinced. In addition to an award-winning Anjou rouge and possibly the best Coteaux du Layon for the money, we are pleased to introduce Matignon's superb Saumur Brut for those of you interested in a superb, esoteric sparkler of Chenin and Chardonnay.<br /><br />2006 ANJOU ROUGE<br />2007 COTEAUX DU LAYON<br />NV SAUMUR BRUT<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">DOMAINE LA ROULETIERE<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxYDtLwIoXNL5AplgRYZxFNbO6EbzSF6xcFmEvrYfUzyk8RBA5-rXceVawmijKx7_5odhMovtYviTyrptK4LoDHYcWdFfx4JCJxIDxgw58QoAphPmNVhjADYxSvvSnTSEU9FGTA/s1600-h/Rouletiere-Sec.gif"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxYDtLwIoXNL5AplgRYZxFNbO6EbzSF6xcFmEvrYfUzyk8RBA5-rXceVawmijKx7_5odhMovtYviTyrptK4LoDHYcWdFfx4JCJxIDxgw58QoAphPmNVhjADYxSvvSnTSEU9FGTA/s400/Rouletiere-Sec.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257458477561342802" /></a> Superb and complex example of dry Vouvray at a laughable price.<br /><br />2005 VOUVRAY SEC<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">DOMAINE DES FORGES</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2DPRB8rSbnyxGaXXFFdIQry99CkpM4XTPxbV-qRCY9k6671OZEDJ0V5VrwndEPG7PKn4wdaKNc5ImbK1Dy8Xrt7_iWf6mzImtJDJBV7XzWhXIU9wmodjc58rAJztWzOlI3pgTZw/s1600-h/anjou-blanc.gif"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2DPRB8rSbnyxGaXXFFdIQry99CkpM4XTPxbV-qRCY9k6671OZEDJ0V5VrwndEPG7PKn4wdaKNc5ImbK1Dy8Xrt7_iWf6mzImtJDJBV7XzWhXIU9wmodjc58rAJztWzOlI3pgTZw/s400/anjou-blanc.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257459844789238434" /></a> More excellent Anjou Blanc, and a couple of firsts - An award-winning Anjou Rouge and a SUBLIME Coteaux du Layon Saint-Aubin SGN, that is CRAZY good. Don't waste it on dessert - drink it all by itself.<br /><br />2006 ANJOU BLANC<br />2007 ANJOU ROUGE<br />2001 COTEAUX DU LAYON SAINT-AUBIN "SGN" 500ML<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">CHRISTOPHE COURTINAT</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkAApMbC0kFQGKT_M8uqhJCjMQTomCdUPcuTGABS-PRucniQzr1i0pfm7mKVLt5h6HbCo4yW9xiA1OqQfZrktqcJphuQNuOtS9g9XIY-ky0n4hOdOsn9c_idt2l1ZUv5MjAukj8A/s1600-h/ROUGE-PINOT-2005.gif"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkAApMbC0kFQGKT_M8uqhJCjMQTomCdUPcuTGABS-PRucniQzr1i0pfm7mKVLt5h6HbCo4yW9xiA1OqQfZrktqcJphuQNuOtS9g9XIY-ky0n4hOdOsn9c_idt2l1ZUv5MjAukj8A/s400/ROUGE-PINOT-2005.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257496826254191538" /></a> I was not indifferent to the sample of white from Mr. Courtinat; in fact the bottle practically drank itself. An intriguing blend of chardonnay and the obscure, local varietal tressallier which gives extra minerality and zip. All wine, no wood.<br /><br />2006 SAINT-POURCAIN BLANC<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">DOMAINE POUPAT<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDFh4AwsfLYiEbz5OtPyQA95fCFQjX1u2-pGPXryMRVJnlbvZo5NRTM6GU_C_lv72Nu8PzF3f3D82sawRe2lGRqIEegE0rbwjIomqo6yx3buuTAZWXynWfhyphenhyphennn4_RKBcIryNrtw/s1600-h/le-trocadero.gif"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDFh4AwsfLYiEbz5OtPyQA95fCFQjX1u2-pGPXryMRVJnlbvZo5NRTM6GU_C_lv72Nu8PzF3f3D82sawRe2lGRqIEegE0rbwjIomqo6yx3buuTAZWXynWfhyphenhyphennn4_RKBcIryNrtw/s400/le-trocadero.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257500402301886690" /></a> Coteaux du Giennois is an obscure AOC in the 'deep south' of the centre Loire region. An intriguing blend of 3/4 gamay and 1/4 pinot noir with major minerality and serious geek factor. I live to import wines like this - some of you will like it - a lot.<br /><br />2006 COTEAUX DU GIENNOIS ROUGE "LE TROCADERO"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">DOMAINE LAPANDERY</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfAEA_6GaM2QAY4oq1RITqCqRtJXP_sSn29hON768OAzvBgtqmqdW1FOqFs4d1tzcf5nUW-I_14v3WxzAc5pOROzhxcwoJxY37Ua7-oHGwZxj4F-sd11JpKMDsG28AExEnAcSDQ/s1600-h/lapandery-roannaise.gif"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfAEA_6GaM2QAY4oq1RITqCqRtJXP_sSn29hON768OAzvBgtqmqdW1FOqFs4d1tzcf5nUW-I_14v3WxzAc5pOROzhxcwoJxY37Ua7-oHGwZxj4F-sd11JpKMDsG28AExEnAcSDQ/s400/lapandery-roannaise.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257828833298848706" /></a> A wonderful assortment of wines young and old from Francisque Lapandéry. The antitdote to the syrupy overblown creature wines of today. 12% alcohol, exquisite balance. See our earlier post for more ample information.<br /><br />2005 COTE ROANNAISE "LA ROUSELLIERE"<br />2006 VDP D'URFE ROUGE "PINOT NOIR"<br /><br />MAGNUMS:<br />2005 COTE ROANNAISE "LA ROUSELLIERE"<br />2003 COTE ROANNAISE "LA ROUSELLIERE"<br />2000 COTE ROANNAISE "LA ROUSELLIERE"<br />1999 COTE ROANNAISE "LA ROUSELLIERE"<br />1997 COTE ROANNAISE "LA ROUSELLIERE"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">DOMAINE VIRELY-ROUGEOT<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFP1B1C_Y4fz9f45qU1bhKpERGeQe_nF5SZoQuGMmZy-UsYViUf25gIIGbPF5GmP0XE6f0Gnr1CrBBtTY5L9u_SeON-BdJUSOxrwswjwh9xKJPWBVJzvqNYT75xAjYQzDEDAbJw/s1600-h/Pommard1er.gif"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFP1B1C_Y4fz9f45qU1bhKpERGeQe_nF5SZoQuGMmZy-UsYViUf25gIIGbPF5GmP0XE6f0Gnr1CrBBtTY5L9u_SeON-BdJUSOxrwswjwh9xKJPWBVJzvqNYT75xAjYQzDEDAbJw/s400/Pommard1er.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257830176512501810" /></a> The last of the 2005s from this superb domaine. Prices are up a touch from the previous absurd levels, but still represent Excellent value.<br /><br />2005 BOURGOGNE ROUGE<br />2005 POMMARD 1ER CRU "CLOS DES ARVELETS"<br />2005 POMMARD 1ER CRU "LES CHANLINS<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">DOMAINE ERELL NINOT<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwoWFAyEer_JpV0M0kcyGD5Sk5y6_5dtk57mSjwTPvPEKkV1dksu4wFP46eCcjOhxzOYTi6PaX93ToSJhHr3XL6m9AgCWxqM2to6rqtE5S0PEyfKbRsWf5a_Jwwe-k7JFeSN7MA/s1600-h/Mercurey-1er-cru.gif"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwoWFAyEer_JpV0M0kcyGD5Sk5y6_5dtk57mSjwTPvPEKkV1dksu4wFP46eCcjOhxzOYTi6PaX93ToSJhHr3XL6m9AgCWxqM2to6rqtE5S0PEyfKbRsWf5a_Jwwe-k7JFeSN7MA/s400/Mercurey-1er-cru.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257831919658363026" /></a> Erell Ninot is one of the many 20-something French winemakers who are blowing minds worldwide. A name to watch until the prices catch up.<br /><br />2005 MERCUREY ROUGE "VV"<br />2005 MERCUREY ROUGE 1ER CRU "LES CRETS"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">OTTO GOERGEN</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihM0_gSkyQZbM9Ksp1h9Huoqi3YUIEpvkVHqk2Ua8AYwDteDRx63SesV9Dl_UiRW84sggS9RxLJF_5a5gtT4jgPtGsl2I6J83Z9Yant2yIUmGBZPnJf6wDeKZYga8-ahqtJgC7Cg/s1600-h/otto-spatlese.gif"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihM0_gSkyQZbM9Ksp1h9Huoqi3YUIEpvkVHqk2Ua8AYwDteDRx63SesV9Dl_UiRW84sggS9RxLJF_5a5gtT4jgPtGsl2I6J83Z9Yant2yIUmGBZPnJf6wDeKZYga8-ahqtJgC7Cg/s400/otto-spatlese.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258204774818076034" /></a> Here is something new for Millesime - German wine. I was real hesitant about doing anything with German wine, but Weingut Görgen was too good to pass up. Again here is a case of a 20-something winemaker, Matthias Görgen who thanks to global warming has been making superb wines in the heretofore unsung Mittelmosel. The prices are ridiculous on this group of Rieslings - enjoy!<br /><br />2007 BEILSTEINER SCHLOSSBERG RIESLING HOCHGEWAECHS QUALITAETSWEIN TROCKEN<br />2007 BEILSTEINER SILBERBERG RIESLING SPAETLESE FEINHERB<br />2007 BRIEDERNER RUEBERBERGER DOMHERRENBERG RIESLING SPAETLESE<br />2007 BRIEDERNER RUEBERBERGER DOMHERRENBERG RIESLING AUSLESE<br />2006 BRIEDERNER RUEBERBERGER DOMHERRENBERG RIESLING AUSLESE "LANGKAPSEL" 500MLUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11802973.post-46048005961451804162008-09-04T11:24:00.000-07:002008-09-08T14:13:21.384-07:00Domaine RIGOT<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldR1EveBXzl6b7OnvyYxDVT7u_dwsWLPizMsIoBgmFapxBafqkOHXQp0B9dSKV8ByTlHu8zRMOWthBa8vmm9pJgVKNKOwDXlFCccfCiMAuaPRaTNH6V7GPJESIJKQLvmHou-MDg/s1600-h/GAR05_ok.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldR1EveBXzl6b7OnvyYxDVT7u_dwsWLPizMsIoBgmFapxBafqkOHXQp0B9dSKV8ByTlHu8zRMOWthBa8vmm9pJgVKNKOwDXlFCccfCiMAuaPRaTNH6V7GPJESIJKQLvmHou-MDg/s400/GAR05_ok.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243761577313925138" /></a><br />As I mentioned in an earlier post, I was sceptical about this domaine. I do a lot of Rhones and I asked myself, "do I really need another expensive Cotes du Rhone?" That they had no Village wines was also not exactly a point in their favor (they now have one Village wine - a Plan de Dieu). After tasting the 2004 CDR "Prestige des Garrigues" (a coup de coeur in Hachette), I realized that it made more sense to view this wine as a cheap (and GOOD) Chateauneuf rather than an expensive CDR. Seriously, you could really embarass some people by bringing a Prestige des Garrigues to a brown bag Chateauneuf tasting<br /><br />The domaine is located halfway between Chateauneuf and Gigondas on what must be some of the best non-village land available. An excellent VDP rouge is produced, a veritable Cotes du Rhone-alike that is way better than its humble price would suggest - we have it available in 750ml bottles and 5 litre BIBs.<br /><br />Speaking of BIBs, we have also Rigot's midrange CDR, the cuvee Jean-Baptiste in 5L BIB. Millesime was and is a real pioneer in Seattle in offering quality BIBs from France and Spain, and Rigot's are easily the best available in this market. Whenever I pour a glass for someone at a tasting, the response is generally "wow" followed by "I can't believe it's a box."<br /><br />While these wines are great, the one truly of note is the flagship of the domaine, the Prestige des Garrigues. 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, it resembles a CDP in more ways than just the blend. The superb 2005 is available in 750ml bottles, and we have a few older vintages available in large formats - I'm not just talking about mags here, but also jeroboams and even imperiales!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11802973.post-83288685674043448792008-06-15T17:41:00.000-07:002008-07-10T15:22:10.059-07:00July arrivals - FRANCEIt wasn't pretty, but I was able to book passage for 2 more containers worth of French wines, which will arrive in Seattle mid-Julyish. Better late than never!<br /><br />LOIRE:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">CAVE DE SAUMUR<br /></span><span style="font-weight:bold;">2006 Saumur Blanc Sec "Reserve des Vignerons"</span> - this is the last batch of the 2006 which is a rather lovely and classic example.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2007 Cabernet de Saumur Rosé "Reserve des Vignerons"</span> - "Cabernet" rosés are the dryest examples in Anjou- the Cabernet is of course the Franc.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2006 Saumur Rouge "Reserve des Vignerons"</span> - Even coming after the opulent 2005, the 2006 is no disappointment, good color and plenty of fruit.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">CLOS CHATEAU GAILLARD</span> - Biodynamic "demeter" since 1992 - way before it was 'cool'.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">N/V Touraine Sparkling white "Charlette Voyant"</span> - Chenin and Chardonnay create a superb sparkler at this price range.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">N/V Touraine Gamay</span> - in litre bottles, this 'multivintage' cuvee is meant to be a nonpretentious biodynamic foodstuff at your table with friends.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2006 Touraine Sauvignon Blanc</span> - I had more positive response on this wine, it really redefined what Touraine Sauvignon could mean for a lot of people.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2007 Touraine-Mesland Blanc</span> - a unique blend of 70% Chenin and 30% Chardonnay<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2007 Touraine-Mesland Rosé</span> - 100% gamay and oh, so juicy!<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2006 Touraine Mesland Rouge</span> - Gamay, Cabernet Franc and Malbec combine to offer excellent fruit, structure and value.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">CLOS SAINT FIACRE</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2006 Orléans-Cléry Rouge</span> (90% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon *** Coup de Coeur Guide Hachette. This is serious wine-geek wine.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">LANGUEDOC<br /><br />VIGNERONS DE CASCASTEL<br /></span> -Here is a great source for excellent Corbieres at prices that remain ridiculously low.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2007 Corbières Blanc "Jean de Cascastel"</span> - 85% Macabeu 15% Grenache Blanc<br /></span> <span style="font-weight:bold;">2007 Corbières Rosé "Jean de Cascastel"</span> - 65% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 10% Cinsault<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2005 Corbières Rouge "Jean de Cascastel"</span> - 45% Grenache, 45% Carignan, 10% Syrah<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">DOMAINE DE LA REYNARDIERE</span> - I dealt with these guys back in the 90s and this just proves that in some cases, the 'old' ways are indeed best - or at least the best deal! I tasted these wines at Vinisud with one of Seattle's major buyers and we had to do a double take when Monsieur Megé told us the prices...<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2007 VDP Coteaux de Murviel Rosé</span> Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, this is possibly the best rosé I have EVER seen at this price.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2006 VDP Coteaux de Murviel Rouge</span><br /></span>TBC - 65% Merlot, 35% Carignan - delightfully uncomplicated easy drinker.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">RHONE</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">DOMAINE RIGOT</span> - returned from a long absence, Rigot's CDP-esque CDRs really deliver the goods.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2007 VDP Principauté d'Orange Rouge</span> - Everybody's favorite Cotes du Rhone alike is available both in 750ml and 5L BIBs!<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2006 Cotes du Rhone Rouge "Jean-Baptiste Rigot"</span> 5L BIB<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2005 Cotes du Rhone Rouge "Prestige des Garrigues"</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2007 Grenache Grape Juice</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">DOMAINE MARTIN</span> - multiple gold medals yearly from Eric Martin!<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2007 VDP Vaucluse Rouge<br />2005 Côtes du Rhône Villages Rouge Plan de Dieu<br />2005 Côtes du Rhône Villages Rouge Cairanne<br />2006 Côtes du Rhône Villages Rouge Rasteau<br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">DOMAINE LA ROCALIERE</span> Severine Lemoine is a talented young (<30) winemaker who has taken dad's journeyman style to a new level of elegance<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2007 Lirac Blanc</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2007 Tavel<br /></span><span style="font-weight:bold;">2005 Lirac Rouge</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11802973.post-73895734866062437252008-04-08T11:56:00.000-07:002008-06-27T09:45:21.741-07:00NEW Arrivals - "June"I put quotes around "June" because we are once again victims to the labor union commies in France. Longshoremen in all French ports have been on strike since late April. This container is being forced to leave from a non-French port, and the closest available port while containers pile up even in Antwerp is Rotterdam. Vessels from R'dam only go as far as Oakland on the west coast, and this container could very well spend a couple of weeks there, waiting for its transport to be "arranged." While workers in America can only dream of the cradle to grave benefits and union power enjoyed by their French counterparts, we will have to content ourselves with supplying another group of superb French wines for the thirsty masses!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">ETIENNE BOILEAU<br /></span>I met Etienne Boileau in February and we tasted a number of incredible wines. Here is what's coming:<br />2007 Chablis<br />2006 Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons<br />2006 Chablis 1er Cru Montmains<br />2006 Chablis 1er Cru Mont de Milieu<br />2006 Chablis Grand Cru Bougros<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">CLAUDE NOUVEAU<br /></span>2005 Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Beaune Rouge<br />Santenay Rouge "Les Charmes Dessus"<br />Santenay Rouge 1er Cru "Grand Clos Rousseau"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">CH. PEYBONHOMME DES TOURS</span><br />2005 Premières Côtes de Blaye Rouge "Classique" ECOCERT<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">CH. LE GROLET</span><br />2005 Côtes de Bourg "Classique" Biodynamic "Demeter"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">CLOS DADY</span><br />For the same price as negoce swill, the Tour delivers! The Dady is really the real deal.<br />2006 Sauternes, Ch. La Tour des Remparts 375ml<br />2006 Sauternes, Clos Dady 375ml<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">DOMAINE DE MENARD</span><br />Bold, intense Gascon white has it all going on - at 11.5% alcohol!<br />2007 VDP Gascogne Blanc Colombard/Sauvignon Blanc<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">CH. LES BERTRANDS</span><br />2005 Premières Côtes de Blaye Rouge "Tradition"<br />2005 Premières Côtes de Blaye Rouge "Prestige"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">DOMAINE DE MONTINE</span><br />2007 Coteaux du Tricastin Blanc "Gourmandise"<br />2007 Coteaux du Tricastin Rose "Gourmandise"<br />2006 Coteaux du Tricastin Rouge "Gourmandise"<br />2006 Coteaux du Tricastin Rouge "Séduction"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">DOMAINE LA FOURMENTE</span><br />2007 CDRV Visan Blanc<br />2006 CDRV Visan Rouge "Grand Gibard"<br />Essence Lavandin 50ml<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">COSTIERES ET SOLEIL</span><br />2007 Costières de Nîmes Blanc, Domaine du Prince<br />2006 Costières de Nîmes Rouge, Domaine du Prince<br /><br />TBCUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11802973.post-55267832023038183252008-03-28T11:53:00.000-07:002008-04-02T11:44:32.529-07:00Paul Lapandéry et FilsUPDATE: On a whim I opened a mag of 1980 that was a slight leaker (probably due to a high fill as it was very high in the neck) and it was absolutely drop-dead gorgeous. I actually preferred it to the the 1990 that we tried here earlier! Show me any gamay based wine, or even a Burgundy from this admittedly awful vintage that has aged as gracefully, as effortlessly as this and I will eat my hat! WOW!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQuGRTz6-61eey06kQteSo3eQdkBDvALFO8Z_5lGcJ3drxnETwsJptNTnm0Waw31YjpTdAqpYRt2PuEV6jnNGESmtyMqz1XOOHRAXRlFjdpHeAVWEofYFAnMvaGt4BS5bxy43yg/s1600-h/Lapanderys.gif"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQuGRTz6-61eey06kQteSo3eQdkBDvALFO8Z_5lGcJ3drxnETwsJptNTnm0Waw31YjpTdAqpYRt2PuEV6jnNGESmtyMqz1XOOHRAXRlFjdpHeAVWEofYFAnMvaGt4BS5bxy43yg/s320/Lapanderys.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182870413211561698" /></a><br /><br />There was a trade tasting here at MILLESIME last Monday and one of the highlights in terms of quality, rarity, eccentricy, etc. were 2 wines from Domaine Paul Lapandéry. My experience with this domaine goes back to the early nineties when I met them at the Salon de l'agriculture de Paris to pick up some homemade saucissons they had under the counter for my boss. I had tasted current vintages in bottle but at the Salon was privileged to taste several vintages from the 70s from magnum and was simply amazed by the exquisite longevity achieved by these medium bodied high toned wines, all with a whopping 12% alcohol! <br /><br />A lowly AOVDQS then, Paul Lapandéry was the driving force behind AOC status for Côte Roannaise. The wine, known as "La Rousselière" was then a blend of about 90% Gamay and 10% Pinot Noir. His ungrateful neighbors possessed no Pinot vines, let alone venerable ones like Lapandéry, and proceeded to conspire with the INAO to get them to declare the AOC Côte Roannaise to be 100% Gamay. He lobbied also unsuccessfully to have his "La Rousselière" classified as an AOC unto itself like Chateau Grillet, as the situation of the vineyard and the granitic terroir were themselves unique, but to no avail. Lapandéry was forced to either declassify to "Vin de Table" or discontinue the blending, calling the Gamay AOC Côte Roannaise, and the Pinot Noir Vin de Pays d'Urfé... When Paul died soon after, his son Francisque took over the domaine and in spite of his education at the Lycée Viticole de Beaune, has chosen to use the same ancestral methods, with superb results in the bottle. The geographic situation of the vineyard protects it naturally from fogs and all manner of extreme weather. Rot and mildew are therefore unknown and no treatments are necessary. Everything has to be done entirely by hand due to the vineyard's steepness (72 degrees in places) as well as the fact the the family uses the spaces between the vines for all manner of food crops for their consumption! As an additional particularity, the wines have always been destemmed. The wines are vinified in concrete and aged in venerable old barrels for 12-18 months and they really, truly and uncannily improve in bottle.<br /><br />The happy ending to this sad tale is that the truth of the matter is that the ancient granite Gamay was always the secret to the character and longevity of this wine and not the Pinot Noir anyway! Don't get me wrong, the monocépage Pinot Noir is really a superb and complete example, at a price that really is a joke give the state of the $. The 2005 Gamay displays the same 'kirschy' fruit and finesse as the wines from the 70s! 'Purists' or nostalgists such as myself were delighted to see the continuity of the 2005 and the 1990 from magnum that we tasted on Monday. More than simply 'alive' after 18 years, the 1990 was easily the most interesting wine of the tasting... In a world of rotofermented flash-cooked brutally tannic "creature wines", these 12% alcohol examples of exquisite finesse and effortless longevity are indeed an antidote. While supplies last, we have the following wines available:<br /><br />750ML:<br />2005 Côte Roannaise "La Rousselière"<br />2005 VDP d'Urfé Pinot Noir<br /><br />MAGNUM:<br />2005 Côte Roannaise "La Rousselière"<br />1998 Côte Roannaise "La Rousselière"<br />1996 Côte Roannaise AOVDQS "La Rousselière"<br />1990 Côte Roannaise AOVDQS "La Rousselière"<br />1980 Côte Roannaise AOVDQS "La Rousselière"Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11802973.post-74523229032586950612008-02-28T13:25:00.000-08:002008-03-28T13:30:26.358-07:00VinisudVinisud was awesome this year - tons of spectacular wineries all looking for distribution and a real look at the class system: Here is Chapoutier's 'booth':<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFWnx0qGdPeaxmrZkF8VRy7MNaEy48MoCdstYNEGGbuaJzSpBR25Yf_f8y9SkCEaC7LgROrxmXgvICqykl4YMFw8-TCZEEc4jezzhNu53R8FAxh7e4Jk8VlU9VHJ5npgWOWdt7g/s1600-h/18-02-08_1258.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFWnx0qGdPeaxmrZkF8VRy7MNaEy48MoCdstYNEGGbuaJzSpBR25Yf_f8y9SkCEaC7LgROrxmXgvICqykl4YMFw8-TCZEEc4jezzhNu53R8FAxh7e4Jk8VlU9VHJ5npgWOWdt7g/s320/18-02-08_1258.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172146481466448546" /></a><br /><br />more flash:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqynWD-PsNgwouVIO4JedAywGqzps1G2RfkAyVKRpYN2hXMmYNTMhyP3xx3x3GFd9Ec8jXsJx5Bc1Lc38Ehy6vjvq5CxjS_d64BfGQ0URdIUPerH684xxwYUjSz7MTt3Wl4iR3g/s1600-h/20-02-08_1051.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqynWD-PsNgwouVIO4JedAywGqzps1G2RfkAyVKRpYN2hXMmYNTMhyP3xx3x3GFd9Ec8jXsJx5Bc1Lc38Ehy6vjvq5CxjS_d64BfGQ0URdIUPerH684xxwYUjSz7MTt3Wl4iR3g/s320/20-02-08_1051.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172147353344809650" /></a><br /><br />and the here's sonebody's bright (and expensive) idea for marketing to the anglo-saxons:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORLPvu8iuY2MMwdS5X22IiXSvFiWnDBL-D2Twi14Jpb3IirkwEci-Vj-XTIffbFhrfHRWb7WSaheTADa_0aLMgaaadglMukgVrT8VI_-O2uMaxzM34xvjlRitgtBMRkr_8mtMPQ/s1600-h/20-02-08_1327.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORLPvu8iuY2MMwdS5X22IiXSvFiWnDBL-D2Twi14Jpb3IirkwEci-Vj-XTIffbFhrfHRWb7WSaheTADa_0aLMgaaadglMukgVrT8VI_-O2uMaxzM34xvjlRitgtBMRkr_8mtMPQ/s320/20-02-08_1327.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172148263877876418" /></a> Just thinking of the paycheck somebody received for this effort is beyond galling. Somebody should remind these fools that the only chance they have is to create something authentic, not a contrived travesty such as this. the good news is that just past this atrocity to the left was the group "Vins Femmes Rhône" where wines of a very different sort were offered to the world's buyers.<br /><br />The good news really is that beyond all the glitz, there are lots of producers making authentic, superb wines and MILLESIME has ordered a number of them - coming soon!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11802973.post-64051306139449899162008-02-23T07:11:00.000-08:002008-02-27T13:15:03.018-08:00Overblown, overdone!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuj-IswsNzCagzkzi0cdUWR0-efHEWHA8Z09mQW77ys-guEa3JJIEh3YrU9ah1VP5VGZ75zjQJyTt7Da3CEKA20_LH9KAoAdMH9Yc-9eSzeMjONylSCmwh5AwpVD_Uo2d_Ozr7Pg/s1600-h/0215081908-00.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuj-IswsNzCagzkzi0cdUWR0-efHEWHA8Z09mQW77ys-guEa3JJIEh3YrU9ah1VP5VGZ75zjQJyTt7Da3CEKA20_LH9KAoAdMH9Yc-9eSzeMjONylSCmwh5AwpVD_Uo2d_Ozr7Pg/s320/0215081908-00.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170197343703145106" /></a><br />Just got back from a week and a half in France, spent bludgeoning my palate so that you hopefully won't have to. No, my teeth don't usually look like that! Somebody needs to do a study on this, but I think excessive consumption of over-extracted, excessively tannic wines is probably not that great for the health - really 'too much of a good thing'. When you are tasting 100s of these things every day, there are some strange side effects that are worth noting. The first few do a good job of stripping the protective mucus from the tissues, the subsequent dozens are absorbed all the more. The cocktail of chemical compounds plus the OD of tannins leaves one not drunk, but rather "toxed" and it makes it hard to get to sleep.<br />ICK!<br /><br />TBCUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11802973.post-28373197466913775532008-01-16T12:34:00.000-08:002008-01-18T14:00:16.638-08:00January ArrivalsOur latest container from France arrived at our warehouse yesterday, and there are all kinds of goodies for <span style="font-style:italic;">amateurs</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11802973.post-35556476225236039282007-12-10T13:06:00.000-08:002007-12-28T09:35:52.959-08:002008?My recent trip to the Salon des Vignerons Independants was an eye-opener in many, many ways. Interesting on one level to experience the social-politico divide in France, but more importantly as a glimpse into who will survive in 2008. It is not news to anyone that the dollar is tanking, with a long way left to fall. Once the 1.50 barrier is crossed, there really is absolutely nothing to stop it before we are at 1.60 or even a number I have heard bandied about: €1=$1.75! When that happens, I predict that there will be a serious readjustment, if not a rude awakening in the market.<br /><br />It's going to be more than difficult for those name-brand "national importers" to get away with with what they've been getting away with for so many years. What may have been the 'best' in the past is at the very least no longer the best deal. Maybe that's the kind of game you can play with a $1.20 Euro but those days are over. Don't get me wrong, I prefer to have durable relationships with my suppliers, but when they raise the prices excessively, reduce allocations, and produce wines that are inferior and overpriced compared to the new guy down the street who has something to prove - well it's hard to be too sentimental under such conditions. European producers have understood that they need to compete on several levels, not just one, and that they are competing against the whole world now.<br />The scene is a lot more fluid nowadays and things move a lot faster. It is simply no longer sufficient in the wine business to rest on your laurels, because those laurels are changing hands yearly. Every year or so it seems old and inflexible growers are dying off and being replaced by young people who literally revitalize the domaines - some of France's biggest star vignerons and vigneronnes are only in their 20s. In other cases the kids, uninterested, are happy to sell to outsiders who often bring new ideas and an obsession with quality to bear on production.<br />TBCUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11802973.post-975321293394759042007-12-09T23:16:00.000-08:002007-12-13T10:48:08.597-08:00Salon de ParisBraved the latest and possibly last public transit strikes to attend the Salon des Vignerons Independants de France (ex Caves Particulieres), a show I'd not attended for some years. Relations were strengthened, and discoveries were made. It was nice being back in France, apres tout. Having 1200 growers from all corners of France under one roof including some of the biggest names is instructive to say the least. You can really get a good idea of vintages (2006s are better than expected) but more importantly a better idea of value when you can compare the pricing on the spot. Attendance on Thursday and Friday was way down from previous years due to the transport strikes so it was easier to keep moving and sample the maximum of wines than it would have been. It was nice to see that there are still plenty of surprises and discoveries to be made out there. The atmosphere is quite different from professionals only trade shows. It's a lot more crowded and especially on the weekends large numbers of 'tasters' get their money's worth. Invitations are sent in huge numbers by the growers to those on their mailing lists but even if you don't have an invitation it's only 6€ to get in and get the glass that enables you to consume vast quantities of Champagnes, still wines, and brandies. One of the days I rode the Metro almost the whole way with a group of 5 Italian guys who all had invitations. I saw them again numerous times inside the fair over the course of the day, and it was pretty obvious what they were there to do. While spit buckets (crachoirs) are provided, they were rarely used. The big plus with a non-professional show though is that you can just thrust your glass forward and point at the bottle and say 'some of that please," and just keep moving if it's a no, without having to give your life story. Just smile and say "Merci" as you leave.<br /><br />A couple of days I tasted with one of America's leading retailers and we both remarked the persistence of a phenomenon that we call the Qvée which is Cuvée with a thick Jersey accent. In the 90s I worked for a Broker out of France who even then lamented these over-ripe, over-extracted, over-oaked creature wines that many growers insist on making against all reason.<br />Once I asked him if he wanted samples of some grower's Qvée and his response was as economical as it was unequivocal: "F*ck Qvées - they're bullsh*t." Anyway, my colleague and I had a laugh over the story, and found that those words are every bit as relevant today. What makes French wines so great is the diversity, right? Anyway, these stupid wines - already expensive - are now ridiculously so and cannot out-Australia Australia in any event.<br /><br />It was very interesting to taste a number of wines that are traded by 'national' importers (I have another name for them but I am trying to be polite). Ample proofs that the wine scene is one that is constantly evolving, and what may have been the best 5-15 years ago isn't necessarily still the best... more on that in a later rant.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUAn3v0hRhnq7phnqJ3G5tHsE-OIfQu7AL_ERikQFV5RGjUrbCRnt5Eb8Ax2kfGN4ROh9rDt8YxMAJgPqCA4kotpqlJoNeA3uCrTmK11ThzJDN-dqB5fuWRJKx_BR4gSHI1MQ_7Q/s1600-h/1123070622-00.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUAn3v0hRhnq7phnqJ3G5tHsE-OIfQu7AL_ERikQFV5RGjUrbCRnt5Eb8Ax2kfGN4ROh9rDt8YxMAJgPqCA4kotpqlJoNeA3uCrTmK11ThzJDN-dqB5fuWRJKx_BR4gSHI1MQ_7Q/s320/1123070622-00.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142240610194128514" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4DyWk8OH1J-gR8FAll2ql5JIqORpm1yBdUSLFM_9BAebqppY76zIyEw9sYYHUp69IWl_nEQQmKvraz409513RwgKglU3nnr5yL4YKapodH2laV582ulMlUwZPqtUaW8H9FZ3Gg/s1600-h/1125071335-00.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4DyWk8OH1J-gR8FAll2ql5JIqORpm1yBdUSLFM_9BAebqppY76zIyEw9sYYHUp69IWl_nEQQmKvraz409513RwgKglU3nnr5yL4YKapodH2laV582ulMlUwZPqtUaW8H9FZ3Gg/s320/1125071335-00.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142240610194128530" /></a><br /><br />Serious teeth staining after a long day (10-7) of Salon-ing! The good news is that it does come off!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDUXIzhSTaR12gffoWKI46anaIoy_k0QZEP-Us-sS7YD6Xqte3dGvGtbyCgpUdp0Id6TvtgebxCNFC7A-klJragXtoUwRCkdpc2VgBY3fbylYNdAFBacaw5jgVMyKvovj8X138Q/s1600-h/1125072027-00.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDUXIzhSTaR12gffoWKI46anaIoy_k0QZEP-Us-sS7YD6Xqte3dGvGtbyCgpUdp0Id6TvtgebxCNFC7A-klJragXtoUwRCkdpc2VgBY3fbylYNdAFBacaw5jgVMyKvovj8X138Q/s320/1125072027-00.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142240610194128546" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11802973.post-42415146080601952012007-10-19T13:40:00.000-07:002007-10-31T14:12:48.974-07:00AlcoholidaysIt's that time of year, the Alcoholidays are upon us! MILLESIME is fully equipped to provide for your sparkling wine needs. Some old favorites vie with new additions for your attention. Even with the dollar in the tank, our philosophy of direct-importation gives us all something to celebrate as MILLESIME will always have a better price than those passing through multiple distribution channels.<br /><br />CAVAS HILL<br /><br />This artisanal House in Moja, Penedes produces rich, toasty and elegant Cavas that are incredible values! If they were French they would probably cost double. <br />N/V Reserva Oro Brut Nature <br />N/V Brut Rosado <br />2004 Reserva Artesania Brut de Brut <br /><br /><br />CLOS CHATEAU GAILLARD (Biodynamic!)<br />These amazing biodynamic Loire Sparklers simply crush all competitors! Millésime USA Exclusive.<br />N/V Touraine Effervescent Blanc “Charlette Voyant” <br />N/V Touraine Effervescent Rosé “Charlette Voyant” <br /><br /><br />CHAMPAGNE BARON-FUENTE<br />This small négoce House in the Aisne is a regular in the Winners’ Circles. Ridiculously good values.<br />N/V Grande Reserve Extra Brut (3g/l dosage) <br />N/V Grande Reserve Brut 12/375ml <br />N/V Brut Rosé Dolorès <br />2000 Vintage Brut “Grand Millesime” <br /><br /><br />CHAMPAGNE DUMENIL<br />Duménil is the best value in Montagne de Reims grower champagne that I’ve seen in years. ! Millésime USA Exclusive.<br />N/V Brut Premier Cru <br />N/V Brut Rosé <br />2000 Vintage BrutUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0