2/24/17 Friday Sips


FRIDAY SIPS
Chablis wines from Domaine Lavantureux
February 24 from 1:30 - 6:30
Originally this week was going to be Syrah but I scored some excellent pricing on an apex Chablis Domaine for those who attend today's tasting.
Come join us as we sample Lavantureux’s lineup ranging from Petit Chablis to Premier Cru, all from the fabulous 2014 vintage. The pricing is excellent so come before they disappear...There will also be a red wine selection for those who still are of the belief that Chablis comes in a gallon jug bottle.


Click to Order
2014 LAVANTUREUX PETIT CHABLIS
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
(special secret price revealed for those who taste today)

Located in the village of Lignorelles in the northern portion of Chablis, the stalwart, Domaine Lavantureux was founded in 1979. With higher elevation than around the village of the Chablis, this is prime terroir for Petit Chablis and Lavantureux excels in this category. The difference between Petit Chablis and Chablis isn't its size but its soil, P-Chablis is grown in Portlandian soil versus Kimmeridgian.

Unless you have been way off the grid or have been on a sweet Pinot Gris bender, you’ll know that 2014 is one of the most prolific vintages in Chablis...ever! Pure as hell, more mineral than most, and quite a step above in quality in comparison to most Petit Chablis that can often be mass produced. An underlay of floral and saline adds further complexity. Balances depth and nervosity and is very likable and easy to latch on to...at least for these 10 cases! Drink this excellent French Chardonnay now and with fresh crab, oysters or other fine fish dishes.



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2014 LAVANTUREUX CHABLIS
VIEILLES VIGNES
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
(special secret price revealed for those who drop by today)

Okay, so Lavantureux makes excellent Petit Chablis, but what they are most famous for are their excellent Chablis selections. We skipped past their classic Chablis and jumped over to their sterling old vine cuvee that often outperforms many a Premier Cru but is at an excellent special price at this moment. 60-year-old vines from 3 parcels and only 600-1000 cases produced.

Clean, pristine, and very regal. Serious steely, flinty qualities and with excellent posture. Pushes very deep; this is steps was above AC Chablis designation! Old vine intensity is present, but it is very classically delineated. Racy around the edges, super nerve and seashell character builds on the long, penetrating and snappy finish. A super-overachiever, this wine is a virtual trapeze artist. While accessible now, this steal of a Chablis will easily age for 5-7 more years without any problem.



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2014 LAVANTUREUX CHABLIS
PREMIER CRU 'FOURCHAUME'
SPECIAL - $39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE
(special secret price revealed for those who come in today)

Damn, I love great Chablis! Fourchaume is a Premier Cru site with a warm microclimate yet is one of the most highly touted of the Premiers Crus sites. South facing and rolling, when in adept hands, this site really over-performs. Clay and limestone over kimmeridgian soil, one sees and tastes not only Chablis but also the sunshine that aids in the wine’s depth which especially emerges as it comes from the famed subplot within Fourchaume known as L’Homme Mort.
The 2014 presents a very complete nose. Citrus fruit, but along with musk, serious crustaceans, crushed limestone and gunflint. Impressive warmth and depth from the site are amplified along with gentle mushroom and anise tones beneath the surface. Linear and very electric and nervy. Goes very deep, but is still quite the youngster. Serious oceanic flavors and possessing plenty of depth on the packed, lingering, bone dry finish. If you want to enjoy it now, make sure you have some sort of substantial fish dish but for those of us who love old Chablis, enjoy it from the end of 2018 through 2026.



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2015 ELIO GRASSO DOLCETTO D'ALBA
'DEI GRASSI'
$17.99 BTL./$107.94 - SIX PACK

Tucked away in the hills between Monforte d'Alba and Castiglione Faletto is the Cantina and vineyards of Elio Grasso. We have been ardent supporters of these wines for a while now, and it is very clear that the Gianluca Grasso is without a doubt one of the superstars of Barolo. We are very fortunate to have this excellent producer’s wines on a direct relationship in Portland, which definitely holds pricing down very nicely.

Not only does Gianluca kill it with Barolo, he also puts forth marvelous Dolcetto and Barbera as well. 2015 is a prime vintage for the Dolcetto grape and Grasso’s is bursting with classic flavors of crushed red cherries, violet, exotic spice and dark-chocolate covered roasted almond. This wine possesses a real purity of fruit with a deep brooding core of juicy cherry and perfumed blackberry. Beautifully structured with no rough edges and a finish that is long, fresh and uplifting. We know that we are not supposed to wax on about Dolcetto, but if ever there were one to crow about, this would be it. Very much a wine for the table and should be had with hearty winter fare such as baked macaroni and Fontina cheese laced with prosciutto and sage finished off with white truffle oil or a marinated pork tenderloin with a substantial mushroom prep. Buon apetito!