Winemaker Loren Gill - at the Bodegas Juan Gill
It was a great week even with the snow storm or perhaps especially because of the snow storm. There were those lucky people that found a table at Brie & Bleu and settled into a beautiful night of candle light and a cozy wine drinking. For those of you that made it out during the storm - we salute you. Thanks very much for coming out.
• Also a word of thanks to our friends at Niza Boutique & Renewal Medical Day Spa - for hosting a night of fashion and fun. A tremendous turn out made it fun for all.
• A special note of thanks to Henry & Carol Mann - for being gracious hosts and for opening their cellar to us - Bottle after bottle of luscious vintage Bordeaux. Thank you - we do not take it for granted.
Wine Tasting Please Join Us
Friday February 29 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge.
1 - J.J. Vincent Bourgogne Blanc 2004 $15
The firm of Marcel Vincent & Fils, producer of Chateau Fuisse, was founded in 1864. The current winemaker Jean-Jacques Vincent, great-grandson of the founder, is as alert to modern innovations as he is loyal to proven traditional methods. Experts have described him as "one of the most brilliant makers of white Burgundy". The artisanal "Selections" that bear his name are made with fruit (never juice) purchased from a small number of growers with whom he has long-term relationships. This Bourgogne Blanc, although inexpensive, still represents one of the great winemaking hands of burgundy. Careful employment of malolactic fermentation and judicious use of oak have created a wine of distinction. This is True Burgundy at only $15 a bottle.
2 - Domaine de la Chanteleuserie Cuvee Alouettes Bourgueil $15
For a wine importer Mr. Kermitt Lynch sets an important standard - the quality of his wines is undeniable - They are very often the best examples of their type. This particular wine comes from the Loire Valley in France - It is made from the Cabernet Franc grape, wine that is often described being an acquired taste - because of the mineral qualities it has. Have you ever read a review where the person describing the wine refers to "Lead Pencil" and "Earth?" - And you think to yourself - "what the hell are they talking about?" - This is the wine to try, it is a great example of those characteristics. This is a wine made for food - not for sipping alone.
This is what our own Jim Morrison says: "If you drink wine long enough, you find yourself drinking Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley. These wines are definitely an acquired taste as they are replete with what we call "non-fruit flavors". The smell of wet stones, and river bank brambles. The smell of a freshly ridden horse and the wood of an old barn door. As strange as that sounds, that is the smell of Bourgueil France. And this is the wine that will help you understand that geography is more important than varietal, and that drinking wine is about the smell of standing on freshly tilled dirt with your dog, after rain has just fallen, all in a single sip."
Well, what can I say - he gets carried away sometimes. But try this wine on Friday and see for yourself what flavors you can discover.
3 - Domaine Roger Perrin Cotes du Rhone Cuvee Prestige 2006 $20
This is another Kermitt Lynch selection. It is always rated in the "90's" by Tanzer & Robert Parker - S.Tanzer: "Dark red. Pungent bouquet evokes raspberry and cherry, with a suave floral quality building with air. Pliant red berry flavors offer good depth and sweetness, picking up anise and mocha qualities on the close. Finishes with gentle grip and very good length. This should drink well young." J.Morrison: "Expensive for a Cotes du Rhone for sure, but I guarantee this wine will outshine Vacqueyras, Gigondas, even Chateauneuf du Pape from many other producers. Principally Granache, it is the Counoise and Vaccarese that give this wine it's distinctly southern Rhone character." Hand harvested from 45 year old vines, the fruit goes through a meticulous selection and a long maceration. The wine is big and spiced,with intense fruit and stoney earth from the galets roules (round pebbles) of the southern Rhone. Absolutely perfect with lamb or other rich dishes. Please try it on Friday night.
4 - Bodegas El Nido Clio 2005 $50 - Jumilla Spain
If you follow the scores given to wines by retired California lawyers like Robert Parker, follow this: Clio 2002 93pts, Clio 2003 96pts, Clio 2004 97pts. Parker has not yet rated this wine for 2005. Stephan Tanzer gave the 2005 Clio 93pts and he is not one for hyperbole or flights of fancy. He tends to be extremely cautious with +90 pt scores, and historically he scores everything a few points lower than Parker.
Jumilla Spain is located about 90 minutes South West from Valencia. Here is a photo of the fruit that was used to make this wine. We had the privilege of sampling the grapes from the first wagon load coming in from the fields - the winemaker himself said they were the best grapes he had tasted in ten years. Take a close look. This is where the wine is made. It is not a factory, this is a family operation with a small group of people taking the time to make a very special product. You can taste the pride they have in every sip. Please try this wine on Friday night - it is the real thing.
Grapes for the 2005 Clio
Other photos here: http://thames-river-wine-spirits.com/wine/photos.html
We received less than half of last year's allocation, and this is it until the 2006.
JM: "I can see it now, the Wine Spectator's top 100 wines comes out in December and Clio 2005 is way up at the top, everyone comes in the store, list in hand, but they can't get the wine, it's been sold out for months - Meanwhile, in a comfy leather chair in front a fireplace somewhere, a happy couple sips Clio and offers up a toast and a knowing laugh to the people of Jumilla."
10 six packs in stock, 10% discount on a six bottle case.
Thanks for all of the comments and suggestions - and especially for your support - we appreciate it.
Please join us - It's fun, informal, and a great way to start the weekend.
AAA.
No comments:
Post a Comment