Friday Sips
FRIDAY SIPS
French Wine Friday
Today May 20 from 3:30 - 6:00 (note different hours!)
French Wine Friday
Today May 20 from 3:30 - 6:00 (note different hours!)
Come by this today to sample three delightful wines from France that are immensely pleasurable and will go well on just about any summer table, indoors or outdoors.
2014 FONTSAINTE CORBIERES
$12.99 BTL./$155.88 CASE
$12.99 BTL./$155.88 CASE
Fans of value-oriented, mouth-filling red wines should always look to the Languedoc region of Corbieres in Languedoc to find exemplary wine for not a lot of money. The separate terroir of Boutenac within Corbieres is widely regarded as the region's finest and Domaine Fontsainte was one of the first producers to export their delicious wine to the US.
A real head-scratcher, because we are always perplexed that we can sell something this good at this price. 60% Carignan, 20% Grenache, 10% Syrah from clay-limestone soil with plenty of gravel and large stones, the color stands out like a blackberry stain on white linen! Sustained, generous scents of black cherry quickly jump into licorice and cocoa tones with engaging nuances of cracked pepper and roasted earth. The attack is round, concentrated and luscious with tannins that are delicate and smooth. Everything showcases the fruit, which follows up with a long finish. Demonstrative of the entire Fontsainte personality, this very expressive wine is a harmonious reflection of authenticity and fruit. Ideal with a mushroom tart, grilled fish or braised pork loin.
A real head-scratcher, because we are always perplexed that we can sell something this good at this price. 60% Carignan, 20% Grenache, 10% Syrah from clay-limestone soil with plenty of gravel and large stones, the color stands out like a blackberry stain on white linen! Sustained, generous scents of black cherry quickly jump into licorice and cocoa tones with engaging nuances of cracked pepper and roasted earth. The attack is round, concentrated and luscious with tannins that are delicate and smooth. Everything showcases the fruit, which follows up with a long finish. Demonstrative of the entire Fontsainte personality, this very expressive wine is a harmonious reflection of authenticity and fruit. Ideal with a mushroom tart, grilled fish or braised pork loin.
2014 LAVANTAREUX CHABLIS
$22.99 BTL./$275.88 CASE
$22.99 BTL./$275.88 CASE
Located in the village of Lignorelles in the northern portion of Chablis, Domaine Lavantureux was founded in 1979 and with the higher elevation than around the village of the Chablis this estate produces magnificent Chablis from top to bottom. Even though the family produces some Premiers and a Grand Cru, the real treasures of this estate are their AC Chablis and Petit Chablis wines.
2014 is a great vintage in this area and this wine is drinking extremely well. I enjoyed a bottle of this particular wine recently and it is pure as hell, more mineral than most, and quite a step above in quality. An underlay of floral and saline adds further complexity. Balances depth and nervosity and is very likable and easy to latch on to! Drink this excellent French Chardonnay now and with fresh crab, oysters or other fine fish dishes. I had mine with halibut cooked on its skin and served over a mousse of green lentils and green peas, a mighty combination!
2014 is a great vintage in this area and this wine is drinking extremely well. I enjoyed a bottle of this particular wine recently and it is pure as hell, more mineral than most, and quite a step above in quality. An underlay of floral and saline adds further complexity. Balances depth and nervosity and is very likable and easy to latch on to! Drink this excellent French Chardonnay now and with fresh crab, oysters or other fine fish dishes. I had mine with halibut cooked on its skin and served over a mousse of green lentils and green peas, a mighty combination!
2013 GALET DES PAPES CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 'TRADITION'
$34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE
$34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE
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 also ages stupendously.
From the vastly underrated 2013 vintage, Galet-des-Pape’s Cuvee Tradition is simply captivating. More dimension than usual at such a youthful stage, this wine shows multiple levels of aromas and flavors of ripe strawberry, tea leaf, Thai spice, licorice and blackberry. Generous and full-textured with plenty of layers and density as well as a spicy finish that kicks into high gear a few seconds after the wine is swallowed. Very fascinating now and with its deceptive structure and verticality, will continue to drink and develop through 2023 and probably longer.
From the vastly underrated 2013 vintage, Galet-des-Pape’s Cuvee Tradition is simply captivating. More dimension than usual at such a youthful stage, this wine shows multiple levels of aromas and flavors of ripe strawberry, tea leaf, Thai spice, licorice and blackberry. Generous and full-textured with plenty of layers and density as well as a spicy finish that kicks into high gear a few seconds after the wine is swallowed. Very fascinating now and with its deceptive structure and verticality, will continue to drink and develop through 2023 and probably longer.
NO FRIDAY SIPS NEXT FRIDAY
MAY 27
We will be celebrating a long weekend and won’t be pouring wine as usual next week. We will all be back in the shop on June 3rd for a grand scale Friday Sips to be announced
MAY 27
We will be celebrating a long weekend and won’t be pouring wine as usual next week. We will all be back in the shop on June 3rd for a grand scale Friday Sips to be announced
