Friday Sips
Friday Sips Tasting
Today from 1:30 - 6:30
Today from 1:30 - 6:30
We're Celebrating the Solstice, Winding down the Season and New Arrivals from France with Special Guest Chad Zimmerman, the Animaux du Vin. (Chad will arrive at 3:30, wines will be ready for tasting at 1:30).
Drop by today with friends, family, pets, etc. and join in on what is always a fun wine fiesta!
Drop by today with friends, family, pets, etc. and join in on what is always a fun wine fiesta!
2015 MAS D'AMILE MONTPEYROUX
$22.99 BTL./$137.94 - SIX PACK
$22.99 BTL./$137.94 - SIX PACK
Located a mere 30 minutes from the city of Montpellier, if I were to tell you to visit an area of France, this would be it because it is utterly beautiful here. Montpeyroux is a tiny village and one whose wines were made famous by Domaine D’Aupilhac. The exuberant Amélie d'Hurlaborde is a cousin of the Fadat family and her wines are exactly what I have been shouting about when it comes to Languedoc quality. Many of the same grapes used here are in the Rhone Valley but undiscovered terroirs are to the forefront, we now know that these wines are very different due to this area of Languedoc having different soils, elevation and very cool evenings.
The newly arrived 2015 is class with power. Grenache, Syrah and Carignan. Penetrating violet, strawberry licorice, ground pepper and late arriving marine-like scents virtually gleam from the glass. Layered and stylish upon entry, this red spreads out on the palate revealing vibrancy from both the area’s elevation and its Grenache. Extending on the finish and then revealing a surprising second wave that lasts and lasts. Ample structure and depth throughout, this wine has nice early appeal but will also age well for another decade.
The newly arrived 2015 is class with power. Grenache, Syrah and Carignan. Penetrating violet, strawberry licorice, ground pepper and late arriving marine-like scents virtually gleam from the glass. Layered and stylish upon entry, this red spreads out on the palate revealing vibrancy from both the area’s elevation and its Grenache. Extending on the finish and then revealing a surprising second wave that lasts and lasts. Ample structure and depth throughout, this wine has nice early appeal but will also age well for another decade.
2015 MAS D'AMILE VIEUX CARIGNAN
$22.99 BTL./$137.94 - SIX PACK
$22.99 BTL./$137.94 - SIX PACK
Ahhhh, French decadence indeed. Back in 2017 when Chad and I visited Montpeyroux, we were both fighting digestive issues, most likely brought upon by a bunch of foie gras and Cote-de-Boeuf at lunch the day before with the winemaker from Chateau Fieuzal in Bordeaux. We visited the estate, it was probably about 95 degrees and let me tell you something, when one has a good case of crise de foie, even looking up the sun tends to be painful. One thing though is that this wine certainly did not bring about any pain. From ancient 70-80 year old vines and from a mere 2 acres, this wine soars revealing both the Carignan grape as well as its Southern French soul.
Wind-swept kirsch, lavender and thyme notes arrive first followed black licorice and Indian spices. Vinous, solidly built, old vine depth and with excellent attack, there is prominent succulence and distance. Very exciting on the finish that has lots of lift and length. Like the Montpeyroux, this wine has lovely appeal and can age well for a decade, too.
Wind-swept kirsch, lavender and thyme notes arrive first followed black licorice and Indian spices. Vinous, solidly built, old vine depth and with excellent attack, there is prominent succulence and distance. Very exciting on the finish that has lots of lift and length. Like the Montpeyroux, this wine has lovely appeal and can age well for a decade, too.
2016 DOMAINE DE CABASSE
GIGONDAS 'JUCUNDITAS'
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
GIGONDAS 'JUCUNDITAS'
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
Over the last 18 months or so, many of our friends have shared our enthusiasm over Domaine Cabasse, an on-the-rise Seguret based estate. Not only is this an excellent source of good wine from Sablet, Seguret, Cotes-du-Rhone and Gigondas, it is also a very nice place to visit and stay with its hotel and welcoming host/owner Benoit Baudry. It has been a while since we have featured the Gigondas but with 2016 upon us, the timing is perfect after showing the Sablet and Seguret earlier this year.
From six acres in the Dentelles de Montmirail, this award winning, traditionally produced Gigondas is 80% Grenache with Syrah and Mourvedre. A complex array of aromas accentuated with herbes-des-provence, white pepper, red plum and blackberry undertones, this Gigondas epitomizes its suave and sultry side without ever sacrificing its warmth, backbone, depth or detail. Loads of depth and material, plenty of persistence and structure. Screams for a leg of lamb but Benoit suggests having it with a piece of spicy chocolate. Enjoy this stunning Cru Rhone wine over the next 15 years.
From six acres in the Dentelles de Montmirail, this award winning, traditionally produced Gigondas is 80% Grenache with Syrah and Mourvedre. A complex array of aromas accentuated with herbes-des-provence, white pepper, red plum and blackberry undertones, this Gigondas epitomizes its suave and sultry side without ever sacrificing its warmth, backbone, depth or detail. Loads of depth and material, plenty of persistence and structure. Screams for a leg of lamb but Benoit suggests having it with a piece of spicy chocolate. Enjoy this stunning Cru Rhone wine over the next 15 years.
2017 FEUILLARDE MACON-CHARNAY
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
Many of you are familiar with Domaine Feuillarde and their apex Saint-Veran wines. Along with these great wines, the Thomas family produces a couple wines outside of the appellation. There is Macon, Macon-Villages and then Macon-followed by the name of a specific village. The latter of the three tends to be where some of the world’s most exciting white wine values. Located west of the small city of Macon, Charnay is one of the smaller, named villages of the Maconnais.
100% UNOAKED Chardonnay, this wine screams of France! Clean, fresh and incredibly vibrant with magical notes of tangerine, lemon and most obviously, interlaced with exquisite minerality. The palate is zesty and pure with nervosity, thrust and sophistication of stoniness that follows from the nose. Balanced with lively fruit and detail, this versatile non-oaked wine will give wine drinkers a new insight into this chameleon of a varietal. A terrific selection for roasted poultry, mushroom or simply prepared fish dishes and an impressive one to sip on its own.
100% UNOAKED Chardonnay, this wine screams of France! Clean, fresh and incredibly vibrant with magical notes of tangerine, lemon and most obviously, interlaced with exquisite minerality. The palate is zesty and pure with nervosity, thrust and sophistication of stoniness that follows from the nose. Balanced with lively fruit and detail, this versatile non-oaked wine will give wine drinkers a new insight into this chameleon of a varietal. A terrific selection for roasted poultry, mushroom or simply prepared fish dishes and an impressive one to sip on its own.
