Tag: Merlot

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3 Outstanding Producers in ‘Tuscany of the Gironde’: Fronsac’s Exceptional Terroir in St-Émilion-Pomerol Backyard. (9-Bottle Pack $286, All Included)

When arguing political ideologues, it’s wise to remember that the left wing and the right wing are part of the same bird; likewise, in Bordeaux, the Left Bank and the Right Bank refer to the same river system. In southwest France, about forty miles from the Atlantic, the Dordogne and Garonne rivers join to form the Gironde estuary; land below the confluence, between the two rivers, is known as Entre-Deux-Mers. Appellations on the west side of this system constitute the Left Bank, and contain perhaps Bordeaux’s most famous châteaux, those of the Médoc, Graves and Sauternes. Topsoil in this region is generally gravelly with a layer of limestone below and Cabernet Sauvignon is the dominant variety, producing age-demanding reds with big tannic infrastructures. The Right Bank covers the region to the north and east of the Gironde, where terroir contains less gravel and more clay. This allows Merlot to realize its purest potential, generally producing softer, richer and less tannic wines.

The Right Bank itself boasts a number of exalted châteaux, of course, especially within Saint-Émilion and Pomerol. But it also contains phenomenal, lesser-known ‘satellite’ appellations which—in part by existing within the fame-shadow of Right Bank superstars like Château Angélus and Cheval Blanc—produce excellent wine whose prices are more in accord with content. One such example is Fronsac, known as ‘the Tuscany of the Gironde’ for its spectacular hillside vineyards overlooking the gentle Dordogne and the river Isle. The wines of Fronsac are exclusively red, usually Merlot-based and grown in ‘molasse du Fronsadais’—a subsoil composed of clay and more consistent limestone than neighboring St. Émilion. There are around a hundred winemakers currently at work throughout Fronsac’s two thousand vinous acres, and a renaissance in technique and focus throughout the region has raised the quality level of Fronsac wines to a level to which pricing has not yet caught up.

Three Fronsac producers stand out in the production of strikingly consistent wines; examples not only of Fronsac but of Right Bank wines in general. This 9-Bottle Pack ($286, All Included) contains three bottles of each, for cellaring or enjoying today.

 

Château La Vieille Cure

Foreign ownership is by no means rare in Fronsac; fully 13% of the châteaux are owned by Chinese investors—a higher percentage than any other Bordeaux wine appellation. Although La Vieille Cure has been producing wine since the 17th century, it was purchased by Americans Colin Ferenbach and Peter Sachs in 1986, and renovations began at once, including replanting a large portion of the 60 acres, all contained within a single plot. Those vines (75% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon) are now in full maturity along with the estate’s older vine rows, where some of the Merlot vines are nearly a century old. This attention to detail and tradition shows, especially in this grand vin, making it one of the most prominent names in Fronsac. Under the direction of winemaker Jean Luc Thunevin, of the famed gem Château Valandraud, since 2013, the 2017 Château La Vieille Cure ($36)—a vintage many thought was lost due to a late-April frost—is a beautiful, balanced wine filled with ripe cherry, violets, licorice and vanilla, proving that the resilience of experience that can seize victory from the jaws of defeat.

 

Château Villars

Through two centuries and seven generations of vignerons, a single family has seen this estate through the thick of mid-18th century (when the wines of Fronsac rivaled those from nearby Saint-Émilion and Pomerol in both price and reputation) to the thin of the phylloxera plague of 1850 – 1870 which saw many of the hillside vineyards abandoned or neglected. Octave Trocard, at the helm of Villars at the turn of the 20th century, having won a gold medal at the 1907 World’s Fair in Antwerp, perished in World War I and left the property to his two daughters. It was their tutor who looked after the estate until the girls came of age, and in 1934, the eldest daughter married Jean-Jacques Gaudrie, who set about a quest to recapture the château’s impressive past. That involved purchasing neighboring vineyards with old vines and, after 1978, oak aging to the specifications of Bordeaux’s Classified Growths. 2015 was a fine vintage with none of the late-season frost that dogged 2017, and 2015 Château Villars ($25) shows a plush core of sweet mulberry, a complex mid-palate with red fruit and flowers and a slight tinge of clove on the finish.

 

Château de La Dauphine

Nestled in the heart of the fiefdom where Charlemagne once built fortresses, the history of Château de La Dauphine is as saturated as it wines. It takes its name from Maria Josepha of Saxony, the Dauphine of France and the mother of Louis XVI, who stayed at the château shortly after its completion in 1750.  In 1985, the last descendant of the original owners sold the property to the Moueix family of Pétrus, Château Trotanoy and Magdeleine fame. In 2000, it was acquired by the Halley family and then, in 2015, by the Labrunes; in the meantime, major renovations have been made to both the estate and the winemaking facilities, and with the assistance of the winemaker Michel Rolland, to ensure that the glory days of the past are recreated in the present. 2015 Château de La Dauphine ($29) displays cassis and violet on the nose, velvet-rich plum jam in the body, and well integrated tannins throughout a long, supple finish.

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Merlot Glory: The Bounty of Bordeaux’s Backcountry (6-Bottle Pack for $195, or 12-Bottle Pack for $365, All Included)

A grape variety born in Bordeaux, Merlot often gets a bad rap due to the glut of simple, fruity wines that bear its name lined up on party store shelves. But when the soils and climate are ideal, and production is focused on quality, the variety is capable of making some of the most expressive wines in the world. Situated on the north side of the Dordogne River near the city of Libourne, the soils of mainly clay and limestone that cover the “Right Bank” Bordeaux appellations of Pomerol and Saint Émilion are capable of producing wines that reveal the complete range of the Merlot variety and are the reference points for the rest of the world.

While many of the wines of Pomerol and Saint Émilion are out of reach for the typical consumer, the entire area known as the Right Bank offers excellent quality and value through the important satellite appellations surrounding them. These often overlooked appellations produce wines with similar characteristics as the big two, with many of the top producer’s efforts surpassing expectations. We’re pleased to offer this boxful of wines illustrating the sublime characteristics of Merlot from its birthplace terroir.

Included in Merlot Glory: The Bounty of Bordeaux’s Backcountry 6-Bottle Package are one each of the following wines, two bottles of each wine (and a deeper discount) will be included in the 12-bottle package:

The discounted price includes tax and delivery. We will also honor a 10% discount on any bottles you might wish to add to the package.

Lalande de Pomerol

Lalande de Pomerol produces reds that, at their best, mimic Pomerol’s robust, earthy flavors at a fraction of the price. While there is more variation in terroir within the two appellations than between them, Lalande tends to have more gravel and sand compared to Pomerol’s heavier clay soils. Château Les Cruzelles 2016 (Regular $45) is an ample wine from perfectionist proprietor Denis Durantou, who is known for his celebrated Pomerol estate Château l’Eglise Clinet that is less than a mile away. A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, it’s a hearty wine full of black raspberries, dark and juicy plums, and hints of cocoa and floral accents.

Castillon – Côtes de Bordeaux

Next-door neighbor Saint-Émilion has had a huge influence on Castillon. Saint-Émilion growers and chateau owners have taken advantage of lower-vineyard prices in Castillion to produce serious Saint-Émilion-style wines for a fraction of Saint-Émilion prices. Another beautiful bottle from star winemaker Denis Durantou of Château l’Eglise Clinet is Château Montlandrie 2016 (Regular $42). A blend of 65% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, from terroir of clay and limestone soils on the plateau of Cotes de Castillon. Fresh herbs, dark cherry and floral notes precede cherry liqueur, licorice, and spice that meld well with its ripe, elegant style.

Francs – Côtes de Bordeaux

Closer to Bergerac than the city of Bordeaux, Francs is a small jewel located next to Castillon. It is the smallest and most rural region at a little over 1,000 acres. 100% Merlot, Château Marsau 2016 (Regular $35) comes from vineyards with a terroir of clay, limestone and sandy soils. The vineyard is well situated on a slope that is close to the peak of the appellation’s plateau with an elevation of over 300 feet. The vines are on average 35 years of age. The wines are aged in 30% new, French oak barrels for 12 months before bottling to produce a wine of depth, tannin, roundness and plenty of ripe, smoky black cherries and plummy fruit from start to finish.

Fronsac

The appellation of Fronsac is another of Bordeaux’s lesser known winemaking regions. It is an area of back-country roads and tiny vineyards a stone’s throw from Pomerol and Saint-Émilion. Indeed, Fronsac is five times smaller than Saint-Émilion, with a more homogenous terroir of limestone and clay — “Fronsac molasses” it’s sometimes called by the grape farmers that toil its vineyards. In the right hands, wines made in Fronsac can be as good as many of the wines from its big-name neighbors. Château Clos du Roy 2018 (Regular $25) is one of them. 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in 30% new, French oak barrels for 12 months produce a balanced wine full of fresh fruit, juicy acidity, and muscular tannin.

Montagne Saint-Émilion

Montagne-Saint-Émilion is the largest of the Saint Émilion satellite villages, and many consider it the best. It is also the location of one of France’s top viticultural research colleges. Clos de Boüard is the newest project for Coralie de Boüard, owner of La Fleur de Boüard in the Lalande de Pomerol appellation, and daughter of Hubert de Boüard of the famous Château Angelus. The estate’s vines are an average of 35 years old. They also have very old vines that range from 60 to 70 years of age. Château Clos de Boüard “Dame de Boüard” 2018 (Regular $24) is the second wine of Clos de Boüard and a blend of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Fresh, bright fruits, chocolate and licorice work together perfectly in this forward, open, and easy to drink wine.

Blaye – Côtes de Bordeaux

Blaye was an important river port in Roman times, and today, the Citadel of Blaye is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a source of lovely and accessible red wines, driven by fresh fruit. Biodynamically cultivated since 2008 by nature-loving winemaker, Bruno Martin, Château Roland La Garde “Tradition” 2016 (Regular $23) is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon from vines 20 years old grown in clay and limestone soils. Two-thirds of the wine ages in barrels while one-third ages in vat for 12 months. It is a wine with finesse and harmony, good balance, and a tannic structure that highlight the aromas of red fruits.

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$210 “The Ausonius” Wine-Aid Package — 6 Bottles Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Second Wines (All Included and Delivered)

“What colour are they now, thy quiet waters?
The evening star has brought the evening light,
And filled the river with the green hillside;
The hill-tops waver in the rippling water,
Trembles the absent vine and swells the grape
In thy clear crystal.”

— Decimus Magnus Ausonius from Mosella

Introducing The Ausonius, a $210 Wine-Aid package that includes six bottles of wine from some of the finest producers in Saint-Émilion. The price includes tax and delivery, as well as a deep discount. We will also honor a 10% discount on any bottles you might wish to add to the Wine-Aid package. 

Along with its neighbor, Pomerol, Saint-Émilion is one of the world’s benchmark appellations for Merlot-based wine. It is one of the oldest active wine producing appellations in the Bordeaux region with a history that dates back to ancient Romans. It was the home of the famous Roman poet and wine lover, Decimus Magnus Ausonius, who served as the inspiration for the name of the now famous Château Ausone. 

Not merely leftovers, Second Wines have always offered incredible value, but as the selection process for the First Wine or “Grand Vin” of these distinguished estates has gotten stricter, today the best Second Wines offer an even greater value than in the past. It’s important to note that Second Wines are always produced by the same winemaking team that produces the First Wine. Generally, the biggest differences are that Second wines see less new oak during maturation and are meant to be enjoyed closer to release than the First Wine.

Included in The Ausonius Wine-Aid Package are two bottles each:

 

Château Valandraud “3 de Valandraud” (Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2016) Regular Price $44

This estate led by Jean-Luc Thunevin is recognized as giving birth to the “Garage Wine” movement. Their debut vintage produced a scant 100 cases of wine and was vinified in a borrowed space. Today they own their cellars and cultivate almost 25 acres of vineyards using a combination of traditional and modern technique. “3 de Valandraud” is produced from declassified fruit from Valandraud and Virginie de Valandraud. The wine is very representative of Thunevin’s signature style: lush and opulent fruit, with a silken, smooth tannic structure.

 

Château Rol Valentin “Les Valentines” (Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2016) Regular Price $37

About 40% of Château Rol Valentin’s vines are placed on sandy soils, north of Château La Gomerie on the way to Château Cheval Blanc. The remaining 60% are planted in the cooler, clay and limestone soils near Château Faugères. Most of the vines on this 18 acre estate are older, averaging close to 43 years of age. The vineyard is managed using sustainable farming techniques. The 2016 vintage of “Les Valentines” shows good balance with dark red fruit on the nose and palate and a touch of chocolate on the finish.

 

Château Monbousquet “Angélique de Monbousquet” (Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2015) Regular Price $29

Château Monbousquet traces its history all the way back to 1540 but its modern era began with a jump in quality in 1993 when it was purchased by Gérard Perse of Château Pavie fame. The entire 79 acre vineyard was analyzed and drained and the winemaking facilities rebuilt. Today, the 40 year old vines see less water during prolonged wet spells. Perse gets the most he can out of sand, clay and gravel soils. Blackberries, earth, and herbs rise above a medium-bodied sip of sappy and fresh fruit. 

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$225 “The Montaigne” Wine-Aid Package – 12 Bottles of Bordeaux from Château Petit-Freylon (All Included and Delivered)

“Let us give Nature a chance; she knows her business better than we do.” — Michel de Montaigne

Introducing The Montaigne, a $225 Wine-Aid package that includes 12 bottles of Bordeaux (8 bottles red, 4 bottles white) from Château Petit-Freylon. The price includes tax and delivery, as well as a deep discount. We will also honor a 10% discount on any bottles you might wish to add to the Wine-Aid package. 

Michel de Montaigne, the man who pioneered the essay as a literary genre, was born Michel Eyquem, in Bordeaux in 1533. The family name and estate survive to this day in the name of Château d’Yquem — a name you may recognize as perhaps the greatest of all French sweet wines. He penned some of the most enduring, influential essays in history. They explore subjects like fear, friendship, government, the imagination, and other intersections of the seemingly mundane and the profoundly existential.

Philosopher Jacques Rancière has recently argued that modernism began with the opening up of the mundane, private, and ordinary to artistic treatment. If Rancière is right, it could be said that Montaigne’s Essays may have actually invented modernism in the late 16th century.

Included in The Montaigne Wine-Aid box are four bottles each from the estate of Château Petit-Freylon.

Château Petit-Freylon is located in the tiny Aquitaine village of Saint-Genis-du-Bois. Since 2011, the estate owners have invested heavily in the château’s wine-making facilities, installing such improvements as new tanks, barrels, and thermo-vinification systems. Vineyards cover 75 acres, some of which are within the Bordeaux Supérieur appellation. 30 year old vines grow from clay and limestone soils. 

In an effort to reduce environmental impact, Château Petit-Freylon is heavily invested in numerous conservation initiatives, such as recycling waste, improving biodiversity, reworking vineyard management, efficient use of resources, and counteracting all forms of pollution. 

 

“Cuvée Leah Grande Cuvée” (Bordeaux Supérieur 2016) Regular Price $22

Red Bordeaux blend 100% matured in oak barrels. Petit-Freylon’s top wine is a full-bodied, textured drink filled with ripe black fruits and sporting aromas of cassis and kirsch. 

 

“Cuvée Sarah” (Bordeaux Supérieur 2016) Regular Price $17

A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot. A complex bouquet of dark fruit and spices precede blackberry and plum on the palate. A generous character makes it a standout for grilling. 

 

“Cuvée Izzy” (Bordeaux Blanc 2016) Regular Price $19

Sauvignon Blanc provides the base for this crisp and citrusy bottle of white perfect for summer drinking.

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$175 “The Salvador Dali” Wine-Aid Package – 6 Bottles Spanish Red Wine (All Included and Delivered)

Spanish Surrealist artist Salvador Dalí believed that “a real connoisseur does not drink wine but tastes of its secrets.”

Introducing The Salvador Dali, a $175 Wine-Aid package that includes six bottles of very real Spanish red wine illustrating the lushness and balance that can be found from the Mediterranean Sea to the lower slopes of the Pyrenees. The price includes tax and delivery, as well as a 10% discount. We will also honor the 10% discount on any bottles you might wish to add to the Wine-Aid package. 

Dali’s paean to wine, The Wines of Gala, was first published in 1976 as a follow-up to his cult 1973 cookbook Les Dîners de Gala. The book explores the pleasures of the fermented grape in text as well as sensuous and subversive visual works by the artist. Dali categorizes the wines “according to the sensations they create in our very depths” and this Wine-Aid selection might very well fall under what he would consider “Wines of Joy.”

Included in The Salvador Dali Wine-Aid box is two bottles of each:

1) Mas l’Altet “Avi” (Valencia, 2011) Regular Price $35

The husband-and-wife team of Alfredo Esteve and Nina Coolsaet are the heart and soul behind Bodega Mas l’Altet. The couple’s five acre vineyard is situated in the southern portion of the DO Valencia in a microclimate that benefits both from the cooling effect of high elevation and the warmth of the nearby Mediterranean Sea. “Avi” is a blend of mainly Syrah with a large portion of Cabernet Sauvignon and a touch of Garnacha and Merlot. Deeply aromatic and bountiful with ripe fruit, the fitness of the vineyards are evident in each rich, concentrated glassful. As you might suspect, with only five acres, yield is miniscule. Only a few hundred cases are produced each vintage. 

2) Domaines Lupier “El Terroir” (Navarra 2014) Regular Price $34

Domaines Lupier have been garnering international accolades from their first vintage in 2008. They produce 100% Garnacha wine from 27 separate plots, with vines ranging from 68 to over 100 years old (the oldest vineyard planted in 1903), at elevations up to 2,500 feet. This is the northern region of Navarra, more specifically, the cool and mountainous sub-zone of Baja Montaña, where wines can show harmony of ripeness and freshness with all the precision of an oceanic climate. “El Terroir” is aromatically complex with layers of floral, cherry, and spice. A sip is superbly balanced and practically begs another in short measure. It puts to mind Château Rayas – another 100% old-vines, Grenache-based wine from the legendary producer in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

3) Artuke “Pies Negros” (Rioja, 2017) Regular Price $24

One of the most exciting producers in Rioja right now, Artuke is brothers Arturo and Kike de Miguel Blanco, third generation viticulturalists. With less than 55 total acres of vineyards distributed over 32 different plots these two young men have completely refocused the family winery to cultivate small vineyard plots in and around their village of Ábalos in the high elevation foothills of the Cantabrian Mountains. “Pies Negros” is a blend of mostly Tempranillo with a small amount of Graciano from vines as old as 95 years. The wine is especially pretty on the nose with a heady floral scent wrapped around candied fruit and cinnamon. A medium-bodied sip is generous and swells through the midpalate to finish with a touch of earth.

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$240 “The Baudelaire” Wine-Aid Package – 9 Bottles Red Bordeaux, 3 Bottles White Bordeaux (All Included and Delivered)

You have to be always drunk. That’s all there is to it—it’s the only way. So as not to feel the horrible burden of time that breaks your back and bends you to the earth, you have to be continually drunk.

But on what? Wine, poetry or virtue, as you wish. But be drunk.

And if sometimes, on the steps of a palace or the green grass of a ditch, in the mournful solitude of your room, you wake again, drunkenness already diminishing or gone, ask the wind, the wave, the star, the bird, the clock, everything that is flying, everything that is groaning, everything that is rolling, everything that is singing, everything that is speaking…ask what time it is and wind, wave, star, bird, clock will answer you: ‘It is time to be drunk! So as not to be the martyred slaves of time, be drunk, be continually drunk! On wine, on poetry or on virtue as you wish.’  – Charles Baudelaire

Introducing The Baudelaire, a $240 Wine-Aid package that includes a mix of nine bottles of red Bordeaux and three bottles of white Bordeaux. The price includes tax and delivery, as well as a 10% discount. We will also honor the 10% discount on any bottles you might wish to add to the Wine-Aid package. 

Charles Baudelaire was a French poet and essayist, and one of the major innovators in French Literature. We thought Baudelaire would be a nice contrast to our 6-pack Wine-Aid “The Brillat-Savarin” as Baudelaire once criticized Brillat-Savarin’s famous food book The Physiology of Taste because he felt there simply was not enough attention paid to the wine.

So we doubled the amount of bottles in this Wine-Aid package in Baudelaire’s honor. 

Included in The Baudelaire Wine-Aid box is three bottles of each:

 

1) Château Peyrabon (Haut-Médoc 2015) Regular Price $25

Château Peyrabon is a Cru Bourgeois property owned by Patrick Bernard, who is related to Olivier Bernard of Domaine de Chevalier. It is somewhat of an unusual estate due to having vineyards in both Pauillac and Haut Médoc. Since its purchase in 1998, Peyrabon has both increased in size and improved in quality. A blend of around half Cabernet Sauvignon with the remainder split between Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the wine is laden with scents of blackberry, raspberry, and cold wet stone. A medium-bodied palate with tensile tannin and a fine freshness makes this a versatile red for pretty much any meal. 

 

Château le Temple Médoc 2015 | Wine Info2) Château Le Temple (Médoc 2015) Regular Price $21

Third generation winemaker Denis Bergey’s 37 acre Château Le Temple estate is full of that Garonne gravel. The average age of his vines are around 35 to 40 years old. Older vines along with a focus on sustainable viticulture and the highest quality of fruit are the keys to producing this fresh and delightful wine. Ripe red cherry and cranberry fruit are the driving aromatics with just a hint of cedar and tobacco. On the palate it is harmonious with a medium-body, fine tannin, and a crisp acidity. Just right to pair with a burger. 

 

Vignoble Millaire Château La Hase Bordeaux | Wine Info3) Château La Hase (Bordeaux 2015) Regular Price $15

Christine & Jean-Yves Millaire use organic and biodynamic methods to farm their vineyards on the right bank of the Dordogne river near Fronsac. Millaire had previously worked for Patrick Moulinet at Château Haut-Brisson in St-Émilion. The parcel named “La Hase” (a female hare) is done so in honor of Millare’s grandfather, who taught him the art of hunting. This Merlot-based wine is fresh, fruity, and poundable. It’s a fantastic wine to pair with a makeshift dinner of cold cuts and cheese. 

 

4) Clarendelle Blanc (Bordeaux 2018) Regular Price $23

Clarendelle hails from the properties of Domaine Clarence Dillon, owners of the renowned estates Château Haut-Brion and Château La Mission Haut-Brion. Although made more for everyday drinking, the production of Clarendelle is attended to with the same care as the domaine’s more famous bottles. The 2018 is composed of one-third each of Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle. The nose features attractive floral aromas as well as tropical nuances of peach and pineapple. The rich, spicy Sémillon and Muscadelle add minerality and body. 

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$150 “The Brillat-Savarin” Wine-Aid Package – 6 Bottles of Red Bordeaux (All Included and Delivered)

“A meal without wine is like a day without sun.” — Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin

Introducing The Brillat-Savarin, a $150 Wine-Aid package that includes a mix of six bottles of red Bordeaux from three different producers. All wines are from the “Left Bank” of the Gironde Estuary and take advantage of Bordeaux’s famous Garonne gravel. The price includes tax and delivery, as well as a 10% discount. We will also honor the 10% discount on any bottles you might wish to add to the Wine-Aid package.

Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin was the French philosopher of the kitchen who effectively founded the whole genre of the gastronomic essay. His book, The Physiology of Taste, is the most famous book about food ever written and has been continuously in print since 1825. These wine selections are as classic and civilized as Brillat-Savarin’s prose. 

Included in The Brillat-Savarin Wine-Aid box is two bottles of each:

 

1) Château Anthonic (Moulis-en-Médoc 2015) Regular Price $33

Château Anthonic is one of the oldest estates of Moulis-en-Médoc, the Left-Bank appellation adjoining Margaux. Today the Château’s organically cultivated vineyards span over 74 acres and are mostly planted on the clay-limestone soils of the Moulis plateau. These soils are complemented by parcels of sandy-clay and Garonne gravel which add complexity to this unique terroir. A blend of 70% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Cabernet Franc, the wine is matured for 12 months in oak barrels, of which 25 to 33% is new. Blackberry and woodland scents highlight this intense and elegant wine. 

 

2) Château Peyrabon (Haut-Médoc 2015) Regular Price $25

Château Peyrabon is a Cru Bourgeois property owned by Patrick Bernard, who is related to Olivier Bernard of Domaine de Chevalier. It is somewhat of an unusual estate due to having vineyards in both Pauillac and Haut Médoc. Since its purchase in 1998, Peyrabon has both increased in size and improved in quality. A blend of around half Cabernet Sauvignon with the remainder split between Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the wine is laden with scents of blackberry, raspberry, and cold wet stone. A medium-bodied palate with tensile tannin and a fine freshness makes this a versatile red for pretty much any meal. 

 

Château le Temple Médoc 2015 | Wine Info3) Château Le Temple (Médoc 2015) Regular Price $21

Third generation winemaker Denis Bergey’s 37 acre Château Le Temple estate is full of that Garonne gravel. The average age of his vines are around 35 to 40 years old. Older vines along with a focus on sustainable viticulture and the highest quality of fruit are the keys to producing this fresh and delightful wine. Ripe red cherry and cranberry fruit are the driving aromatics with just a hint of cedar and tobacco. On the palate it is harmonious with a medium-body, fine tannin, and a crisp acidity. Just right to pair with a burger or a cheese plate. 

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New Vintage of Right-Bank Bordeaux Project from Jacques Thienpont, Maker of Le Pin

L’Hêtre (Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2017)
Special Price: $173/6-pack (~$29/bottle)

It has been almost exactly one year since we brought in the very first vintage (2016) of L’Hêtre. Given the quality, the price, and the fact that we weren’t able to get much, the wines sold out rather quickly. We are pleased to offer the recently released 2017 vintage at the exact same prices as last time. Everyday Bordeaux doesn’t get much better than this.

Indeed, one of the simplest ways to find these types of value wines is to mine the lower-priced bottlings from producers that have a solid reputation for making some of the world’s greatest wines. Jacques Thienpont‘s tiny Pomerol estate of Le Pin produces one of the most sought after wines today. It is in such high demand that even current vintages can fetch upwards of $5,000 per bottle. While Jacques Thienpont’s newly acquired Castillon property is no Le Pin, you can expect that he is just as dedicated to elaborating the best possible wine the terroir is capable of producing.

The 25 acre estate is situated at about 300 feet in elevation at the end of the Saint Philippe d’Aiguilhe plateau that runs eastwards from Saint-Émilion and is the highest point in the region. Given his affection for trees – Jacques’ other wineries are Le Pin (pine) and L’If (yew) – the Château Goubau was renamed L’Hêtre (beech tree) and immediately converted to organic cultivation. Jacques’ nephew, Maxime Thienpont, was tapped to manage the estate. The vineyards enjoy good southeasterly exposure and a continuous gentle breeze. The soil types are mixed, with the parcels on the plateau being limestone, while the slopes are a mixture of clay, limestone, and chalk.

L’Hêtre 2017 is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. Vinification is done in oak and concrete vats with temperature control and the wine is aged for around 15 months in oak barrels (50% new, 50% one-year). The wine comes from the parcels situated on the limestone plateau of the domain, from 40-year-old vines which are farmed organically and certified by Ecocert. The result is a wine that is fresh and ripe, expressing lovely blackcurrant fruit and smoky spice. A sip is both rich and firm. It’s a downright steal at half of one percent the cost of Le Pin.

The Second Wine of L’Hêtre

La Raison d’Hêtre (Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2017)
Special Price: $119/6-pack (~$20/bottle) OUT OF STOCK

La Raison d’Hêtre is 100% Merlot produced from vines around 20 years of age on the lower slopes of the plateau. Vinification takes place in temperature controlled concrete vats and the wine is aged for about 15 months in oak barrels (50% one-year, 50% two-year). Raison d’Hêtre is lighter in body, as you would expect of a second wine. The fruit leans a little more red and bright, suggesting this wine might be a perfect partner to pizza and general merrymaking — its raison d’être, if you will.