2/10/127 BORDEAUX BLITZ FRIDAY SIPS


FRIDAY SIPS
Bordeaux Blitz
Today February 10 from 1:30 - 6:30
Chad will arrive at 3:30...wines will be ready for tasting at 1:30
Drop by today to sample some new arrivals and old faves from Chad Zimmerman's Animaux du Vin portfolio. Chad will be onhand to discuss and pour wines from St-Emilion and more.


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2012 CHATEAU GAILLARD
SAINT-EMILION GRAND CRU
$27.99 BTL./$335.88 CASE

Call this new release of one of our favorite St-Emilion Grand Cru wines a celebration of the stronger dollar. Last year and last vintage we had to sell this wine at $33 but with the strength of the currency, this wine is extremely attractive; and the quality is at its usual top-level. Catherine Papon-Nouvel is very meticulous with all of her wines and the flagship wine amazes year-in and year-out. Situated on the lower half of the slope below the historic village of Saint-Emilion, Chateau Gaillard possesses 20 hectares of vines and is neighbors with Chateau Canon-Gaffeliere.

Upon visiting and tasting last year, Catherine’s 2012 showed itself to be indicative of this highly underrated vintage. With this wine, think of listening to U2’s ‘With or Without You’, it is a slow seductive, but mighty build. Surging, pristine aromas that are streamlined and very sultry are on display as soon as it is poured. Quite flirtatious as it unfolds. Chocolate, blueberry with ample undertones of turned earth. Generous, very poised and personable, picking up classic structure and stoutness on the middle and back end. Well-integrated spice and coffee bean tones from thoughtfully placed oak but planes out into more mineral and has serious persistence. Accessible now with lamb chops or a nice filet of beef in a sauce but no problem for this to age well through 2026.



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2012 CHATEAU BEAUSEJOUR FRONSAC
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

Located in close proximity to Pomerol and Saint-Emilion, the tiny and picturesque region of Fronsac is home to some real gems like this offering. Chateau Beausejour is one that I have been pining to work with for the last two years since initially tasting it in France. Those desires have now come to fruition and after a visit to the Chateau back in May, I came away even more impressed.

Made with the usual Bordeaux suspects and dating back to the 19th century, this red wine announces itself with frontal scents of blue fruits, subtle cocoa, mineral and mulled spices that carry over into a satisfying texture, chock full of flavor and with complexity usually reserved for its neighbors in more famous appellations. Black currants and earth tones come out on the succulent and archetypal right bank Bordeaux finish that has lace and elegance. A beautiful drop for 12 bucks, this wine is excellent to pair with duck, rib-eye steak slathered with shallots slow cooked in butter, mushroom pasta or a nicely ripened Camembert.



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2014 CHATEAU HAUT-RIAN
COTES-DE-BORDEAUX ROUGE 'PRESTIGE'
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE

It’s hard to believe, but our friend Michel Dietrich seems to dial it in even better year after year when it comes to his delectable red wines. The new 2014 Cuvee Prestige has just landed and after re-tasting it again, it confirmed our excitement for the wine when we tasted it back in May at Chateau Haut-Rian.

True to its Bordeaux spirit, this smokin’ good red wine is almost St-Emilion-like in its stature and quality, and best yet, it’s 15 bucks! The slight change to the vinification of the 2014 and going further is that one-fourth is aged in stainless steel with the other 75% being in barrique. Combining blackberry with cranberry scents along with espresso, dark chocolate and smoky tones riding shotgun, there is ample soul to go along with the sterling core of fruit. So much to love, there is succulence and soul throughout with a finish that shows Cabernet spice and depth. Old vines rule the day! Youthful yet very intriguing and lovable. Have this over the next 6-8 years with a grilled rib-eye with shallots sweated in butter, roasted duck or rack of lamb.



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2011 CHATEAU CHARMAIL
HAUT-MEDOC ROUGE
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE

A smaller Chateau located a mere 2 kilometers north of Saint-Estephe, 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.

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.