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Wine of the Week: Clos Saint Jean Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes 2008
December 29th, 2010
After 2007 in the Southern Rhone, which has been called “the vintage of a lifetime”, how could anything be better? The truth is that it can only be different. Every vintage has a different profile and it is the great producers that are able to fully express what the vintage has to offer. Clos Saint Jean is one of those producers.
From the Wine Advocate
This beautiful Chateauneuf du Pape possesses abundant amounts of kirsch liqueur, licorice, and sandal/balsam wood notes, a big, full-bodied mouthfeel, and the best depth and richness of any 2008 I tasted.
It possesses remarkable intensity and depth for a 2008, and has some tannins to be resolved, but it offers a voluptuous, broad swath of blackberry and black cherry fruit intermixed with hints of licorice, garrigue and jus de viande. Drink this stunning effort over the next 12-15+ years.
Wine of the Week: Marc Sorrel Hermitage Blanc “Les Rocoules” 2007
December 22nd, 2010Every once in a while you get a chance to taste a wine that truly is an experience. I was very fortunate to have had that chance last winter at the Cave of Marc Sorrel. The Hermitage Blanc “Les Rocoules” 2007 is one of those wines.
To quote Josh Raynolds from the International Wine Cellar:
“Light yellow-gold. Deep, smoky pit fruit aromas give way to spicy lemon and white peach scents with air, along with notes of green almond and spicecake. Round, fleshy nectarine and peach flavors stain the palate and are underscored by lively talc and citrus zest notes, with good mineral snap on the back. The almond quality repeats on the finish, which is broad, sappy and extremely long.”
All I can add is that this is one wine I want to share with everyone over the holidays. Unfortunately, very little of this wine makes it to the US. A wine that is not to be missed.
Wine of the Week: Rouvre Saint Leger Blanc 2009
December 15th, 2010
From Laudin, a little known village near Tavel, this expression of Viognier from 25 year old vines is a beautiful, pale yellow color with green glints. A bouquet of apricot, lychee and orange rind. This wine is fresh and creamy on the palate, with hints of exotic flavored candy.
Adrian Borrelly is the twelfth generation at this domaine. This wine comes from a small parcel, 3 ha of the family holdings that he and his partner, Didier Dumont Murzillis are focused on to bring the best expression of the appellation.
Wine of the Week : Domaine Richard Rottiers Moulin à Vent “Climat Champ de Cour” 2008
December 9th, 2010
With all the talk about the 2009 vintage in Beaujolais, which is very well deserved, we had to highlight this 2008 from Richard Rottiers. It is by far the most amazing expression of Moulin a Vent that I have ever tasted. This unique wine comes from 0.80 ha of old vines, which are located in the heart of the renowned ‘Champ de Cour’ terroir. It is surprisingly crisp and complex; it went through a partial CO2 maceration process during 12-15 days, a ten-month aging process in barrels, and is not filtered.
We only imported 25 cases, so and try and get this very limited wine while we still have some.
Wine of the Week: Domaine Testut Chablis “Rive Droit” 2009
December 1st, 2010
Chablis “Rive Droite,” meaning the right side of the Serein river, is actually situated in front of Grand Cru Blanchots and on the side of Premier Cru Montée de Tonnerre. This exposition is known to give riper and more powerful wines. The wine is closer to Premier Cru in quality, with a large majority of Massale vines that are over 45 years old. A complex wine with excellent mineral structure permits it to maintain its typical dry mineral and white fruit aromas for a number of years.