Friday Sips
RED RHONE FRIDAY SIPS
New Selections from Animaux du Vin
Today October 21 from 1:30 - 6:30
New Selections from Animaux du Vin
Today October 21 from 1:30 - 6:30
Drop by today to taste four recent releases from the Southern Rhone Valley that will surely transport you to Provence's Vaucluse region. Our good friend, the always entertaining and ever informative Animaux Du Vin, Chad Zimmerman will be on hand from 3:30 to pour and discuss the wines...The wines will be open at 1:30 for those who wish to pop in earlier.
2014 BEAURENARD RASTEAU
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
There’s the old joke that says that if you are in a party from heaven, the English greet you, the French feed you, the Italians entertain you and the Germans organize the party. Now a party from hell is when the French greet you, the English feed you, the Germans entertain you and the Italians organize the party. When it comes to coffee and greetings (especially at a train station), you sure as hell don’t want the French doing it, but when it comes to Rasteau, the Chateauneuf-based Coulon family stands above all others.
A nose full of reglise and rock. Ample Grenache peppery tones along with grenadine and raspberry. Lacy, vibrant and possessing fresh and energetic flavors that have prominent penetration and creaminess. Very harmonious, layered yet retains charm and purity with a superb, long, snap-back licorice whip finish. Utterly delicious right now but this wine ages impeccably. Drink it over the next 6-9 years and probably beyond. Damn sexy Rasteau indeed.
A nose full of reglise and rock. Ample Grenache peppery tones along with grenadine and raspberry. Lacy, vibrant and possessing fresh and energetic flavors that have prominent penetration and creaminess. Very harmonious, layered yet retains charm and purity with a superb, long, snap-back licorice whip finish. Utterly delicious right now but this wine ages impeccably. Drink it over the next 6-9 years and probably beyond. Damn sexy Rasteau indeed.
2013 PESQUIER GIGONDAS
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
Earlier this year we made a visit to the Rhone Valley and perhaps the biggest revelation is just how spectacular Domaine du Pesquier’s wines have become. The Boutiere family’s wines are now firmly being done by a new generation. This Gigondas is the big dog, specialty at the estate. Mathieu Boutiere has taken these wonderful offerings to new heights and they are now amongst the elite of the region. Best of all is that their prices are mighty fine given the quality!
Mineral and licorice, camphor and dusty herbs (lavender, anise, thyme). Starts introverted but penetrated very deeply. Pekoe combined red and black fruit; raspberry and plum. Youthful in mouth, all in mid palate at the moment but ample old vine depth and richness. Smoky, very sneaky, long, vibrant, peppery finish. Could use another year in the bottle but if decanted can be enjoyed with hearty beef or lamb dishes with a tomato base. Drink through 2026+.
Mineral and licorice, camphor and dusty herbs (lavender, anise, thyme). Starts introverted but penetrated very deeply. Pekoe combined red and black fruit; raspberry and plum. Youthful in mouth, all in mid palate at the moment but ample old vine depth and richness. Smoky, very sneaky, long, vibrant, peppery finish. Could use another year in the bottle but if decanted can be enjoyed with hearty beef or lamb dishes with a tomato base. Drink through 2026+.
2013 PESQUIER COTES-DU-RHONE
$12.99 BTL./$155.88 CASE
$12.99 BTL./$155.88 CASE
Grower Cotes-du-Rhone. Hell if Champagne advocates can promote Grower Champagne, why not exalt the Rhone Valley farmers who lovingly tend their own vines and are making exquisite wines that are limited only by the land they own. In other words, small production (in this instance, 500 cases) not a million cases from a lack of quality control done by jagoff negociants who care more about quantity than quality.
Made from fruit hailing from the Côtes-Du-Rhône village of Sablet, there is more substance and depth than one might expect in a wine at this price. Creme de fraise (strawberry), fine herbes de provence, rosemary and rose petal, prominent licorice and smoke. Mouth filling, quite Grenache in stature today. Backbone of 30% Mourvedre presents itself on the broad but lifting texture. Snappy finish offsets the blue fruits that arrive at end. Saline and spine. Loads of persistence, a big over achiever and is really showing Mathieu Boutiere’s deft touch now that he is working solo with papa Guy in retirement.
Made from fruit hailing from the Côtes-Du-Rhône village of Sablet, there is more substance and depth than one might expect in a wine at this price. Creme de fraise (strawberry), fine herbes de provence, rosemary and rose petal, prominent licorice and smoke. Mouth filling, quite Grenache in stature today. Backbone of 30% Mourvedre presents itself on the broad but lifting texture. Snappy finish offsets the blue fruits that arrive at end. Saline and spine. Loads of persistence, a big over achiever and is really showing Mathieu Boutiere’s deft touch now that he is working solo with papa Guy in retirement.
2005 GALET-DES-PAPES
CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE TRADITION
$44.99 BTL./$269.94 - SIX PACK
CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE TRADITION
$44.99 BTL./$269.94 - SIX PACK
After an aborted go at this wine seven weeks ago due to Bryan being overly enthusiastic over its arrival and opening while still shaken up from travel, we decided to uncork it again because now it is truly open for business!
This wine should never be referred as the Vieilles Vignes little brother because there are vintages where it is the equal of the VV and some years where it will actually surpass it in quality. The main reason and difference that it is called Cuvee Tradition is the classic use of 80% Grenache instead of 60%. The vines here are also 50+ and the wine is a very different but equally delicious version that fans of mature wines will adore. 2005 is quite a renowned vintage and is certainly one of structure. We sold the 2005 Vieilles Vignes a few years back and after recently trying one, it is still quite young. This is due to all of the Mourvedre in the blend.
In contrast, the 2005 Cuvee Tradition is symphonic. Very powerful, traditional aromas of perfumed strawberry, grenadine and sandalwood scents. Seemingly jacked with aromatic lavender and rosemary along with North African spices and white pepper, this wine has depth, personality and certainly the backbone that is indicative of the 2005 vintage. As it airs, it continues to open, unfold and expand, especially on the finish that is now showing tertiary aspects of spice, hot rock and succulent fruit. Galet wines are chameleons when it comes to food. The Cuvee Tradition drinks beautifully now and will continue onward for another 6-8 more years. Enjoy with grilled or braised lamb, rib eye, a sausage/lentil casserole or finish with a dense cheese. ABOUT 12 SIX PACKS REMAIN AND THEY WILL GO QUICKLY!
In contrast, the 2005 Cuvee Tradition is symphonic. Very powerful, traditional aromas of perfumed strawberry, grenadine and sandalwood scents. Seemingly jacked with aromatic lavender and rosemary along with North African spices and white pepper, this wine has depth, personality and certainly the backbone that is indicative of the 2005 vintage. As it airs, it continues to open, unfold and expand, especially on the finish that is now showing tertiary aspects of spice, hot rock and succulent fruit. Galet wines are chameleons when it comes to food. The Cuvee Tradition drinks beautifully now and will continue onward for another 6-8 more years. Enjoy with grilled or braised lamb, rib eye, a sausage/lentil casserole or finish with a dense cheese. ABOUT 12 SIX PACKS REMAIN AND THEY WILL GO QUICKLY!
