11/1/19 Friday Sips Tasting
FRIDAY SIPS
French Wines for Stews, Porridge, Gruel & more
Today Fri Nov. 1 from 1:30 - 6:30
French Wines for Stews, Porridge, Gruel & more
Today Fri Nov. 1 from 1:30 - 6:30
As we have moved on from Rose season to a bit more dark, damp and cool weather, eating habits change from more grilling to hearty and comforting. Drop in this Friday to sample red wines that are perfect for whatever you would toss into the slow cooker, instant pot, stockpot or cauldron.
2015 CHARBONNIERE VACQUEYRAS
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
Domaine de la Charbonniere is an outstanding Chateauneuf-du-Pape producer who happens to delightfully dabble in Vacqueyras. Owning 8 acres in the "upper garrigue" sector, near the village of Sarrians on the road to Carpentras, sisters Veronique and Caroline Maret put forth an outstanding version that contains 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah.
This wine is lavishly powerful while remaining well suited to the finesseful palate because of its supple mouthfeel. Serious garrigue notes of lavender, tea smoke, roasted blackberry and pronounced rosemary notes. Voluptuous but velvety upon entry with lots of kirsch flavors in the mouth with plenty of spine. Telltale Vacqueyras dimension here with its backbone and almost wind-blown qualities. Brilliantly focused, generous finish that is laden with white pepper. Drink it through 2026 especially with a classic daube de boeuf stew that is prototype of Provence.
This wine is lavishly powerful while remaining well suited to the finesseful palate because of its supple mouthfeel. Serious garrigue notes of lavender, tea smoke, roasted blackberry and pronounced rosemary notes. Voluptuous but velvety upon entry with lots of kirsch flavors in the mouth with plenty of spine. Telltale Vacqueyras dimension here with its backbone and almost wind-blown qualities. Brilliantly focused, generous finish that is laden with white pepper. Drink it through 2026 especially with a classic daube de boeuf stew that is prototype of Provence.
2016 ELIAN DA ROS
COTES-DU-MARMANDAIS ROUGE
'LE VIN EST UNE FETE'
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
COTES-DU-MARMANDAIS ROUGE
'LE VIN EST UNE FETE'
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
I got lots to say about this wine so start reading!! Drive east from Bordeaux, past Haut-Rian, Sauternes and the Entre-Deux-Mers and pass over the border from the Gironde department into the Lot-et-Garonne department; the first commune you arrive at is Marmande. The Cotes-de-Marmandais is actually famed for its tomato production. Now not to confuse you, but the wines made here won’t exactly pair well with your tangy tomato sauce because of their varietals, which are extensions from Bordeaux. Cabernet, Merlot, etc. Gamay, Syrah and Fer Servidou also are planted. There there is also another grape known as Arbouriou that holds influence as well, especially chez Elian Da Ros. It is these last four, which allow the wines to be themselves rather than lazily be called mere extensions of Bordeaux.
Before Elian da Ros arrived back in his home region in 1998, all of the wines made from Cotes-du-Marmandais were from the Cave du Marmandais co-op. After five years working in Alsace, Elain became the first Domaine in the appellation. Several others have followed suit, and now there are lovely wines emerging. Yet it is Elian whose stunning wines lead the way. Le Vin Est Une Fete or the wine is a party, is made from 40% Arbouriou, 40% Cabernet Franc and 20% Merlot. Think of the Loire colliding into Bordeaux followed by St-Joseph showing up with some brass knuckles and pepper spray. Maybe you would then have Marmandais! This uniquely, individual wine will always elicit comparisons due to human nature; however, I find that it speaks its own language very well. A very forward and rather rich wine with notes of plums and cherries on the nose; in the mouth it is lush with smooth tannins along with an excellent mix of blackberry fruit, a touch of herbs, and refreshing acidity. Overall, the best way to articulate this wine is that it is a unique taste of France. A perfect combo with duck and do not be afraid to use a little bit of Chinese five-spice into a duck stew with potatoes.
Before Elian da Ros arrived back in his home region in 1998, all of the wines made from Cotes-du-Marmandais were from the Cave du Marmandais co-op. After five years working in Alsace, Elain became the first Domaine in the appellation. Several others have followed suit, and now there are lovely wines emerging. Yet it is Elian whose stunning wines lead the way. Le Vin Est Une Fete or the wine is a party, is made from 40% Arbouriou, 40% Cabernet Franc and 20% Merlot. Think of the Loire colliding into Bordeaux followed by St-Joseph showing up with some brass knuckles and pepper spray. Maybe you would then have Marmandais! This uniquely, individual wine will always elicit comparisons due to human nature; however, I find that it speaks its own language very well. A very forward and rather rich wine with notes of plums and cherries on the nose; in the mouth it is lush with smooth tannins along with an excellent mix of blackberry fruit, a touch of herbs, and refreshing acidity. Overall, the best way to articulate this wine is that it is a unique taste of France. A perfect combo with duck and do not be afraid to use a little bit of Chinese five-spice into a duck stew with potatoes.
2017 TERRIERE BROUILLY
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Since taking leadership of his family’s estate, Gregory Barbet and Chateau de la Terriere have been on quite a roll. This estate produces fabulous wines in Moulin-A-Vent as well as Regnie but if there were a specialty of the house, it would have to be Brouilly. 2017 for Cru Beaujolais is a small quantity but epic quality vintage that possesses broad fruit that is balanced by detail, mineral and ample structure.
Supreme sensuality is evident as soon as the wine is poured into the glass. Creamy raspberry fruit shines along with nutmeg and graham from the granitic soils. As it unfurls, mineral, peat and pepper arrive. A very mouth filling, chewy core that is very poised and succulent with engaging red earth on the layered, lifting, long finish. Beautiful now but will develop well for another six-7 years. A favorite with coq au vin or beef bourgignon.
Supreme sensuality is evident as soon as the wine is poured into the glass. Creamy raspberry fruit shines along with nutmeg and graham from the granitic soils. As it unfurls, mineral, peat and pepper arrive. A very mouth filling, chewy core that is very poised and succulent with engaging red earth on the layered, lifting, long finish. Beautiful now but will develop well for another six-7 years. A favorite with coq au vin or beef bourgignon.
2017 COMBEL-LE-SERRE CAHORS
'CHATEAU COMBEL'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
'CHATEAU COMBEL'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Lately wading through the various styles of Cahors is like having three dogs and then wading through the landmines that they have left in your front yard. Many changes have occurred, some not so good like trying to emulate Argentina Malbec and having the wine suffer in swaths of new oak. The good and it is very good, is the emergence of a new generation who are refusing to add in Merlot or Tannat and allowing this beautiful chalky soil to enhance the Malbec grape versus battling the grape.
100% Auxerrois (the local name for Malbec), this wine is more dry than versions from Washington or Argentina. Formidable with wild scents of red and blue berries, plum, sandalwood, exotic spice and dried mushrooms pour from the glass and into the mouth where it is full and generous with a thoroughly likeable lively twist from not being blasted with a bunch of new oak or inner stave. Even though there is a toe in this century, this is Cahors and the flavors of this rich land permeate the pure aromas and flavors found this ancient region. The finish is long, lasting and palate staining. This is a whole lotta wine for 20 bucks! Drink this wine now and over the next 4-5 years with hearty fare. It is easy to drink with Cassoulet but I have found it to go well with a white bean and chicken chili as well as a classic, old school, grandma’s beef stew.
100% Auxerrois (the local name for Malbec), this wine is more dry than versions from Washington or Argentina. Formidable with wild scents of red and blue berries, plum, sandalwood, exotic spice and dried mushrooms pour from the glass and into the mouth where it is full and generous with a thoroughly likeable lively twist from not being blasted with a bunch of new oak or inner stave. Even though there is a toe in this century, this is Cahors and the flavors of this rich land permeate the pure aromas and flavors found this ancient region. The finish is long, lasting and palate staining. This is a whole lotta wine for 20 bucks! Drink this wine now and over the next 4-5 years with hearty fare. It is easy to drink with Cassoulet but I have found it to go well with a white bean and chicken chili as well as a classic, old school, grandma’s beef stew.
