Friday Sips
FRIDAY SIPS
New Arrivals From Bordeaux plus White Burgundy
Today November 4 from 1:30 - 6:30
New Arrivals From Bordeaux plus White Burgundy
Today November 4 from 1:30 - 6:30
Bordeaux’s excitement these days is not with the 2% that are the grand classified growths that seemingly are now only traded like commodities, probably will never be consumed and are stupid expensive these days. The other 98% is what’s going down. More and more the smaller, unclassified Chateaux are producing formidable wine that is the result of excellent farming and attention to detail which we have been lovingly referring to as the new wave of Bordeaux. It is high time to revisit Bordeaux and experience the values that can drink well early on and age extremely well within this profound region. Drop in today to expereince three selections along with a flavorful White Burgundy.
2012 CHATEAU BRUILLEAU
PESSAC-LEOGNAN (GRAVES)
$22.99 BTL./$275.88 CASE
PESSAC-LEOGNAN (GRAVES)
$22.99 BTL./$275.88 CASE
One of the smaller properties in the Pessac area of Graves and only 12 miles south of famed Chateau Haut-Brion, this Chateau literally sits within the suburbs of the city of Bordeaux. Interesting enough and due to the warmth of the buildings and proximity to the city itself, this is actually a warm microclimate. My suspicion is that when these famed Chateaux were built in the 18th and 19th centuries, they weren’t exactly bustling portions of the city nor were they ever thinking they were going to be!
Prominent gravelly soil and a blend of about half each Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot both of which are the driving force of this smashing red wine. A full nose of adobe, gravel, serious Morello cherry and rose scents mixed with mulled spice, savory earth and herbs lead into a very proper and poised texture. The delivery of the higher-toned Cabernet are highlighted initially with smoke, wild spices and blueberry arrive along with peat/gravel scents then switch back to the cherry and tobacco. Silky, stylish and quite complex for this level of Bordeaux especially on the detailed, precise, mineral-laden finish that has fine extension. Gorgeous and flavorful now but can also age nicely for another decade.
Prominent gravelly soil and a blend of about half each Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot both of which are the driving force of this smashing red wine. A full nose of adobe, gravel, serious Morello cherry and rose scents mixed with mulled spice, savory earth and herbs lead into a very proper and poised texture. The delivery of the higher-toned Cabernet are highlighted initially with smoke, wild spices and blueberry arrive along with peat/gravel scents then switch back to the cherry and tobacco. Silky, stylish and quite complex for this level of Bordeaux especially on the detailed, precise, mineral-laden finish that has fine extension. Gorgeous and flavorful now but can also age nicely for another decade.
2011 CHATEAU CHARMAIL
HAUT-MEDOC CRU BOURGEOIS
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
HAUT-MEDOC CRU BOURGEOIS
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
Chateau Charmail is regarded as one of the leading Haut Medoc estates and after drinking these wines, it's easy to realize that these would be $75, not $30 if they were 2 kilometers south in St-Estephe.
A smaller Chateau, Charmail's vineyards planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petite Verdot are contiguous around the Chateau. What makes these wines possess good distinction is the virtual mosaic of terroirs (gravel, clay, sand and limestone) that bring ultimate dimension and depth. In just about all vintages of Charmail, these are well structured Bordeaux. Not only to name-check just St-Estephe, one could throw a baseball and it would land in the vineyards of the famed Chateau Sociando-Mallet who also happens to make quite renowned Bordeaux.
One of the great sleeper vintages that many wine insiders have figured out is the sneaky-fine 2011. Still no shortage of classic Bordeaux grip, the cool qualities of 2011 show up quite well, Laden with inviting cassis and red berry, smoke, engaging cooking herbs, potpourri and dark chocolate tones. Rather succulently textured and arriving in waves, the wine fills the mouth and has ample, underlying structure that will allow it to develop nicely.
A smaller Chateau, Charmail's vineyards planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petite Verdot are contiguous around the Chateau. What makes these wines possess good distinction is the virtual mosaic of terroirs (gravel, clay, sand and limestone) that bring ultimate dimension and depth. In just about all vintages of Charmail, these are well structured Bordeaux. Not only to name-check just St-Estephe, one could throw a baseball and it would land in the vineyards of the famed Chateau Sociando-Mallet who also happens to make quite renowned Bordeaux.
One of the great sleeper vintages that many wine insiders have figured out is the sneaky-fine 2011. Still no shortage of classic Bordeaux grip, the cool qualities of 2011 show up quite well, Laden with inviting cassis and red berry, smoke, engaging cooking herbs, potpourri and dark chocolate tones. Rather succulently textured and arriving in waves, the wine fills the mouth and has ample, underlying structure that will allow it to develop nicely.
2010 CHATEAU DU GLANA
SAINT-JULIEN
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE
SAINT-JULIEN
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE
Located between the towns of Beychevelle and St-Julien, just opposite famed 2nd Growth Ducru-Beaucaillou, Chateau Du Glana has a distinguished history. Founded in 1870 with the original 12 acres being from 4th Growth Chateau Saint-Pierre, Gabriel Meffre acquired the estate in 1961 and enlarged it to 112 acres with the acquisition of plots from 3rd Growth Chateau Lagrange. I have been experiencing and consuming Du Glana's wares since my old Pittsburgh days, cutting my teeth with the 1982 vintage.
Just beneath 10,000 cases were produced in 2010 and what is in the bottle is very formidable indeed! 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot aged in 40% new oak and coming from the region's famed gravelly soils, this wine kills it and oozes serious class for 40 bucks! Textbook southern St-Julien cabernet notes ride out front with crushed black cherry, gravel, toasty, vanilla-bean character all leading into a succulent texture with excellent volume, definition, and a delicious core of fruit that fills the mouth and adds penetration to the fine tannin structure. Structured, firm and while dense enough to enjoy now, is the one that has the most potential. We'll definitely be decanting it today but no problem at all for this wine to age for another 15 (and probably more) years.
Just beneath 10,000 cases were produced in 2010 and what is in the bottle is very formidable indeed! 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot aged in 40% new oak and coming from the region's famed gravelly soils, this wine kills it and oozes serious class for 40 bucks! Textbook southern St-Julien cabernet notes ride out front with crushed black cherry, gravel, toasty, vanilla-bean character all leading into a succulent texture with excellent volume, definition, and a delicious core of fruit that fills the mouth and adds penetration to the fine tannin structure. Structured, firm and while dense enough to enjoy now, is the one that has the most potential. We'll definitely be decanting it today but no problem at all for this wine to age for another 15 (and probably more) years.
2015 FEUILLARDE MACON-CHARNAY
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
Currently, the Macon region in Southern Burgundy is home to some of the most exciting White Burgundy values. Forget about the large Beaune-based bull-merde negociants who mostly buy juice from these regions; instead focus on the micro, small growers who actually reside there, farm their own sites and deliver handcrafted wines that express site over signature.
Located west of the small city of Macon, Charnay is one of the smaller, named villages of the Maconnais. The beauty of this unoaked wine is the South-Southwest exposure on the hillside with excellent clay-dominated with tinges of chalk soils. Crystalline, bright and wafting scents of pure apple-lemon fruit with just a touch of exotic floral aspects followed by a rush of minerality. Round upon entry then fanning out throughout the palate and finishing up with bursting, crisp mineral that persists on very well indeed. This delightful White Burgundy is a perfect match for seafood such as steamed mussels jacked with Pernod or cod in a sauce but there is also sufficient stuffing and depth here for it to pair well with the holiday turkey.
Located west of the small city of Macon, Charnay is one of the smaller, named villages of the Maconnais. The beauty of this unoaked wine is the South-Southwest exposure on the hillside with excellent clay-dominated with tinges of chalk soils. Crystalline, bright and wafting scents of pure apple-lemon fruit with just a touch of exotic floral aspects followed by a rush of minerality. Round upon entry then fanning out throughout the palate and finishing up with bursting, crisp mineral that persists on very well indeed. This delightful White Burgundy is a perfect match for seafood such as steamed mussels jacked with Pernod or cod in a sauce but there is also sufficient stuffing and depth here for it to pair well with the holiday turkey.
