Wine of the Week: Landrat-Guyollot Pouilly Fume ” La Rambarde” 2008

Sophie Guyollot represents the latest of many generations of her family to have worked the soils of Les Berthiers, a tiny hamlet situated towards the north of the appellation. Sophie returned to run the family domaine prior to her father, René, retiring.

Pale appearance with a green tinge. The nose is delicate and very feminine with notes of greengage and gunflint. The palate is more open and expressive and clearly bone dry on entry, with good structure and length. Taut to the finish with a good zip of lemony acidity. Drinking well now, but this will age and evolve over the next two to three years.

Wine of the Week: Domaine Grosbois La Cuisine de la Mere 2009

Nicolas Grosbois comes from a family of winemakers. He took over the family estate in 1996 and is producing great expressions of Chinon.

“Wine is like cooking, all about simplicity. This is the way my mother raised me, in her kitchen with friends of the family, good vegetables and nice recipes… In this bottle there are just grapes, will and lots of love like in my mom’s kitchen.” Nicolas Grosbois

Worked soil – no chemicals/pesticides – hand picked

Wine of the Week: Belle Pente Yamhill-Carlton District Pinot Noir 2008

All the grapes for this bottling come from the Belle Pente estate vineyard. (the same one that produces the Belle Pente Vineyard and Estate Reserve wines) The selections that go into this wine tend to be from the higher yielding, younger parts of the vineyard that are generally harvested first. The intention with this wine is a lighter, very accessible, uncomplicated style that is ready to drink upon release. After the article in the New York Times, these wines are selling out fast. We only got a small amount for California. This is one Pinot not to be missed.

Wine of the Week: Domaine Trapadis Rasteau Les Andres 2007

“Wine is a photograph of the environment, the climate and the soil, at a given time, when man’s intellect and labor determine the quality of the harvest.”

Helen Durand

From an estate that dates back four generations, the Trapadis Rasteu Les Andres is that picture of Rasteau. A blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Carignan and 10% Mourvèdre. Big, expressive nose with lots of dark fruits, black cherry, blackberry and licorice. Powerful sweet tannins on the finish make this an extraordinary wine that should not be missed.

Wine of the Week: Borie la Vitarèle Les Terres Blanches 2009

Continuing on my trip, leaving Perpignan and going up to Montpellier to go to the Millésime Bio show, I did make sure to stop at the table of Borie La Vitarèle to taste all the new releases. One of the wines we already have here in California is Les Terres Blanches 2009. A blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, this wine reveals the tastes of vines grown in harsh soils of limestone and clay. Full bodied with elegant tannins, rich raspberry flavors and an astonishing lingering finish.

Wine of the Week: Domaine Gardiés Mas Las Cabes Blanc 2008

After spending three days in Perpignan this last week at the 4th les Rencontres Méditerranénnes du Muscat and tasting a great number of Muscat Sec and lots of sweet Muscat wines, my favorite expression of Muscat Sec is the Gardiés Mas Las Cabes. This is not 100% Muscat, but a blend of 70% Muscat, with 15% Grenache Blanc and 15% Macabeo. This makes for a wine that has the floral nose of Muscat with a richness and depth that cannot be found in a pure Muscat Sec. A very food friendly wine that is sure to bring delight.

Wine of the Week: Domaine Rolet Cote du Jura Blanc 2006

One of the oldest estates in Jura, Domaine Rolet was founded in the 1940’s.

The 2006 Cote du Jura Blanc reveals the best of Chardonnay from this unique appellation.

Clear and brilliant color reflecting pale green glints, which denote the freshness of the vintage. White flower and apple aromas. The mouth balances fullness with acidity, and the palate confirms what the nose predicts. Finally, the wine clings to the mouth for a full finish. It pairs well with appetizers and fish entrees.

Belle Pente Rated #1 New York Times review of Oregon Pinot Noir

follow the link to read the full article

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/19/dining/reviews/19wine.html?_r=1&hpw

Wine of the Week: Chateau Bizard Grangette 2009

From the little known appellation of Coteaux du Tricastin, an area known more for its black truffles than wine. Bizard is the patronmic name of the 16^th century proprietors for whom the area is named. The vines were first planted in 1862 and his son and  grandson continued their passion.

In 2003, a new generation of Bizard winemakers harvested our first grapes. We believe in the unifying power of winemaking. It opens dialogue, inspires giving, listening, seeing, feeling, smelling, and tasting.

Ruby red with violet glints, fluid, clear, brilliant. Expressive yet simple, with blackcurrant, raspberry, morello cherry, scrub vegetation, white pepper aromas.

Intense retro-olfaction.

Wine of the Week: Mas Bruguiere L’ Arbouse 2008

Made from 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache, this expression of Pic Saint Loup comes from a family that is now in it’s seventh generation farming this land. Organic and biodynamic, strict use of indigenous yeasts, as little sulphites as possible, this wine has a freshness and minerality that defines all that is Pic Saint Loup. Ready for immediate drinking, it has a nose that is reminiscent of fresh, black fruits blackberries, black currants with fine smoky elements