Friday Sips

The special price and the quality of this wine will certainly make you want to shake your ass and wave your arms!! Situated just beneath the picturesque, Provençal village of Seguret, Domaine de Cabasse's roots date back to the 14th century. Along with having a fine hotel and restaurant, superb wines also come from this 33-acre estate that possesses land in three southern Rhone villages. This particular offering is from the estate's small 6-acre holdings in the Gigondas appellation, specifically from high elevation vineyards in the Dentelles de Montmirial.

Made with 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah, this is the epitome of smoothly elegant, yet superbly rich Gigondas. Refined and aromatic scents of lilac, Italian plum, white pepper along with prominent rosemary and turned earth flow beautifully from the glass. Full, yet silky and not about being some sort of dramatic caricature of itself. Fine equilibrium throughout; excellent depth and vinous aspects, quite agile and with lots of Provençal personality on the wine's persistent, drawn-out finish. Very accessible now, especially with a tomato-based dish or braised lamb shank. No problem to age it for another decade and really watch it unfurl with goodness. Only six cases available!

Since 1990, Christophe Sabon has become one the kings of Grenache in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and along the way has received many mighty accolades. Christophe's Cotes-du-Rhone Reserve cuvee is from old vines and comes from the wrong side of the tracks. Well the freeways to be exact. These vines lie within the village of Courthezon and sit across from Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

50% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, 10% Carignan, 10% Cinsault, warm and classically flavored, but with the refinement, polish and sophistication that Christophe Sabon is known for throughout his range of wines. Ripe and packed full of raspberry and strawberry jam, lavender, smoke, and classic Rhone spiciness as well. In the mouth, it is a poised and full glass of red wine chock full of Provencal flair. A cerebral and versatile offering that will please a bunch of palates and pair with a plethora of dishes and of course those with a Mediterranean twist to them as well.

The wines from one of the pinnacle Cairanne producers, Oratoire St-Martin, are among the best of the Southern Rhone Valley. The quality and vine age at this estate is one of the most profound in the Rhone Valley, but one must imagine what the Alary family could do if they had land in Châteauneuf-du-Pape or Gigondas. François Alary is the 10th generation and he studied his craft in Burgundy, so there is smoothness and class to these wines but don't be fooled, these are 100%, top-notch Rhone wines that age beautifully yet can be consumed early. Ancient vines dominate this 300-year-old, 60-acre estate. Even with 60 acres, low yields and sensible farming produce a scant 7000 case total production for the world. A healthy portion of old-vine Mourvedre is planted among the Grenache and Syrah which is why we lovingly refer to this property as "the Beaucastel of Cairanne". Note that like the Domaine, we are only notating them as Cairanne. Even though they are Cotes-du-Rhone Villages Cairanne appellation, the Alarys legally are required to notate it, and they do it on the back label, these wines are something way beyond CDRV.

One of three Reserve selections, the Reserve les Seigneurs Cuvee is the so-called "young vines" of the lot. 50-year-old vines comprised of 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah this deep Rhone red is a sexy beast, emitting scents of intertwined cassis, blueberry, savory earth, tea-leaf, spiced cocoa and white pepper. Exquisite intensity and complexity carries over into the texture, which is one that you can almost cut with a knife. Overflowing with dark, full voluptuous fruit along with compact spiciness glide into a smooth, stopwatch-breaking finish that picks up mineral and cherry pit aspects to go along with all of the haunting components on the nose and entry. Like many other 2012 Rhone wines, this has gorgeous appeal now, and is a perfect match for a grilled steak, grilled lamb, or for you veggie-only folks, grilled portobello mushrooms. It also has excellent propensity to age. Enjoy it through 2022.

For many years, we've touted the sweet Muscat Beaumes-de-Venise from this vastly underrated Domaine. Given the quality of that particular offering, it would make perfect sense that the Soard brothers would make excellent red wines and this wine is the ideal, throwback bistro wine of Provence.

Lively and teeming with violets, herbes de provence and strawberries, this Rhone Valley cuvee of 75% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 5% Carignan is made from a blend of wines produced from vineyards in the Ventoux appellation that are in very close proximity to Beaumes-de-Venise. Very direct and unpretentious, this lip smacking red wine is the perfect accomplice for grilled fare, charcuterie and not so strong cheeses. For those of you who wish a little fresh air with your wine, take this gem to a favorite picnic spot, throw down a blanket, pop the cork, unwrap the goods and enjoy the afternoon unfold. This wine even shows well just sitting on the beach watching the sun descend into the horizon. Trust us, it works very well!!