Friday Sips
FRIDAY SIPS
Seamless & Themeless Fabulous Frogwater
Pre-Holiday Tasting Today, August 31 from 1:30 - 6:30
Seamless & Themeless Fabulous Frogwater
Pre-Holiday Tasting Today, August 31 from 1:30 - 6:30
For those of yinz who are around today we encourage you to drop by for this tasting. As we always do before a holiday weekend, we're uncorking the good stuff. We’ll start with the wines listed below but as usual with Seamless & Themeless Tastings, one never knows the magical road that will be taken.
2016 DOMAINE CHARVIN
COTES-DU-RHONE 'LE POUTET'
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
COTES-DU-RHONE 'LE POUTET'
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
One of the real treasures of the Southern Rhône Valley, big-league Châteauneuf-du-Pape superstar Laurent Charvin's Côtes-du-Rhône is always outstanding. The blend is 80% Grenache and a 20% mix of Syrah, Mourvèdre and Vaccarèse from 16 hectares of vines which are just outside the border of Châteauneuf and "only" entitled to Côtes-du-Rhône status. I often refer to these wines as CDR-en plus due to their dignified and exclusive location.
Old vines are utilized and the wine really shows depth along with Charvin's signature smoothness and class. Poised and precise; stacked but never fat, vintage 2016's seamless aspects are marked all over this wine. Upscale fragrances of hot-rock, lavender, fennel and raspberry Structured and very provençal; seemingly fragrant in the mouth as well as lengthy, cerebral and ethereal. Drink over the next 6-9 years. If you're your budget won't allow for you to have a go at Charvin's high-end Châteauneuf, the Côtes-du-Rhône Poutet is well worth having!! As usual this is limited and always sells out quickly.
Old vines are utilized and the wine really shows depth along with Charvin's signature smoothness and class. Poised and precise; stacked but never fat, vintage 2016's seamless aspects are marked all over this wine. Upscale fragrances of hot-rock, lavender, fennel and raspberry Structured and very provençal; seemingly fragrant in the mouth as well as lengthy, cerebral and ethereal. Drink over the next 6-9 years. If you're your budget won't allow for you to have a go at Charvin's high-end Châteauneuf, the Côtes-du-Rhône Poutet is well worth having!! As usual this is limited and always sells out quickly.
2016 DOMAINE CHAPUIS
BOURGOGNE CHARDONNAY
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
BOURGOGNE CHARDONNAY
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
Domaine Chapuis is a small White (and red) Burgundy producer located at the Northern end of Macon in the southern portion of the Burgundy region. Having moved to sustainable farming in 1997, these wines have been amongst our best French Chardonnay values over the last several years.
Yellow plum and apple scents virtually glide from the glass along with a gentle touch of spice, smoke and mineral. Lacy entry and superb depth and movement from the 35-55 year old vines. A virtual electric pillow with its combination of depth of fruit and electric mineral acidity, this white stretches out across the entire palate and finishes very long indeed. Drink this lovely white Burgundy over the next 3-4 years with some of the usual fare like scallops, sole in a sauce or a roasted chicken. Don’t be afraid to go outside the borders with a Latino shrimp preparation as well.
Yellow plum and apple scents virtually glide from the glass along with a gentle touch of spice, smoke and mineral. Lacy entry and superb depth and movement from the 35-55 year old vines. A virtual electric pillow with its combination of depth of fruit and electric mineral acidity, this white stretches out across the entire palate and finishes very long indeed. Drink this lovely white Burgundy over the next 3-4 years with some of the usual fare like scallops, sole in a sauce or a roasted chicken. Don’t be afraid to go outside the borders with a Latino shrimp preparation as well.
2014 ROSTAING 'VASSAL'
COTEAUX-DU-LANGUEDOC
[reg. $31.99]
SPECIAL - $23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
COTEAUX-DU-LANGUEDOC
[reg. $31.99]
SPECIAL - $23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
We have been extolling the Languedoc region for quite some time now and for this selection, we are going to one made by of the pillars of Cote-Rotie. It’s not a coincidence that the vast Languedoc region obtained more notoriety when Rene Rostaing bought land there. It was the terroir and Syrah that immediately attracted him to the region and he hasn’t looked back in becoming one of the leaders and influences.
Our distributor offered an excellent special for the remainder of their stock. Mostly Syrah (80+ %) with dollops of Grenache and Mourvedre, this wine exudes shapeliness and handsomeness. Located just outside of Nimes at significant altitude, it is deftly structured with graham-like spice that is reminiscent of the fine wines of Cote Rotie. The nose is alluring and thought provoking with white flowers, ripe berries, savory warm spice, white pepper, black olives and roasted meat. This wine is high toned and intellectual in the mouth yet it has prime depth of flavor and impeccable balance. Very attractive now and over the next 5-6 years. Drink with osso bucco, game, stews or grilled fowl.
Our distributor offered an excellent special for the remainder of their stock. Mostly Syrah (80+ %) with dollops of Grenache and Mourvedre, this wine exudes shapeliness and handsomeness. Located just outside of Nimes at significant altitude, it is deftly structured with graham-like spice that is reminiscent of the fine wines of Cote Rotie. The nose is alluring and thought provoking with white flowers, ripe berries, savory warm spice, white pepper, black olives and roasted meat. This wine is high toned and intellectual in the mouth yet it has prime depth of flavor and impeccable balance. Very attractive now and over the next 5-6 years. Drink with osso bucco, game, stews or grilled fowl.
2004 GALET-DES-PAPES
CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE
'VIEILLES VIGNES'
$49.99 BTL.
CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE
'VIEILLES VIGNES'
$49.99 BTL.
A library selection from a favorite old school Chateauneuf producer and one that is drinking oh so well.
2004 was one of the big sleeper vintages of the past decade. The Vieilles Vignes cuvee is a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah from vines ranging from 60-100+ year old vines. Old vine magic aromas are omni-present and present complex, secondary aspects. Quasi Barolo/Bandol influences lie beneath the Grenache overlay of ardent strawberry, virtual Chinese 5-spice, truffle, white pepper and rhubarb. Complex scents of violet, pekoe and camphor also ride shotgun. In the mouth it is drinking exquisitely. Smoothly textured, impressive mid-palate presence and really fanning out on the energetic, spice-laden, drawn-out finish that seemingly lasts and lasts. Drink this with a myriad of food selections. Try with game meats like venison or elk but it will also do quite well with duck, a hearty daube de boeuf (a provencal stew) or soft-ripened cheeses.
2004 was one of the big sleeper vintages of the past decade. The Vieilles Vignes cuvee is a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah from vines ranging from 60-100+ year old vines. Old vine magic aromas are omni-present and present complex, secondary aspects. Quasi Barolo/Bandol influences lie beneath the Grenache overlay of ardent strawberry, virtual Chinese 5-spice, truffle, white pepper and rhubarb. Complex scents of violet, pekoe and camphor also ride shotgun. In the mouth it is drinking exquisitely. Smoothly textured, impressive mid-palate presence and really fanning out on the energetic, spice-laden, drawn-out finish that seemingly lasts and lasts. Drink this with a myriad of food selections. Try with game meats like venison or elk but it will also do quite well with duck, a hearty daube de boeuf (a provencal stew) or soft-ripened cheeses.
