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Domaine di Colette Morgon Beaujolais 2009

Morgon is an what is called a "Cru Beaujolais." This means it is from an area that is known to produce a very high quality and terroir specific type of Beaujolais. While conventional wisdom is that Beaujolais does not age well, this is not true of the ten Crus. Morgon is particularly ageworthy, sometimes requiring three to five years to attain its potential. This wine has rounded out a bit and has a nice cherry character with a hint of earth. Easy to drink now but will still improve for several years.

$19.00

Les Vins Contes O. Lemasson “R 10” Loire Valley 2010

This beauty from the Loire Valley was made by a sommelier from Paris who renounced city life and moved to the country to make natural, unmessed-with wine. The R 10 is his idea of quaffable, thirst-quenching wine. Oh, to have his thirst. A dizzying array of just about every red grape grown in the Loire Valley. Light and delicate but satisfyingly earthy. Soft enough to be downed on its own. Enough muscle to pair with hearty dishes. Lovers of subtlety, rejoice. - Kyle

$20.00

Thevenin Pinot Noir Bourgogne 2009

The thing about Bourgogne Rouge is that you never quite know what you are going to get. It might be sour. It might be bitter. It might be "OK for Bourgogne Rouge." It seems like you just have to pay through the nose for Burgundy. But then, a wine like this comes along to quash your negative vibe. Clean and bright with a hint of earth. Dry but not sour. Firm but not bitter. Baby Bear's wine. -George

$16.75

Domaine Robert Chevillon Nuits St. Georges Vieilles Vignes Burgundy 2009

The 2009 vintage has the rare combination of potential and accessibility. The Chevillon wines are classic, probably benchmark, examples of what Nuits St. George is all about. They can take time to come around but are worth the wait. This wine, however, is pretty easy to enjoy right now with the right food pairing and a little air. If you like a some gaminess in your wines there is a touch of that here, as well as a structured underpinning of dark fruits.
We have the straight 2009 Bourgogne rouge in stock which is also well worth picking up. -George

$62.50

Borie la Vitarele "Les Terres Blanches" VDP du Gard Languedoc 2010


If I were British, I would declare this wine, "Brilliant!" The biodynamically farmed Borie la Vitarele produces Les Terres Blanches every year and it is never less than very good. In special years it is even better than that. Robust, to be sure, but not a kandy koated berry bomb. Powered by Grenache and super-charged with 20% Syrah, this 2010 model delivers dark, mouth filling flavors with moderate tannin and mild acidity. Perfect with roasts and stews. - George

$16.00

Olivier Merlin Moulin-A-Vent Beaujolais 2009


Olivier Merlin makes serious Beaujolais. I have found these interesting in the past, but just not enjoyable. Why, because this is Beaujolais that usually needs at least a couple of years to open up. Luckily, 2009 is a very forward year, so along with the dark fruit and slightly earthy aspects, there is a supple, inviting mouthfeel. Mind you, this will still age if you like, but it can easily be drunk now. As in, right now. What are you waiting for? -George

$27.50

Patrick Piuze Chablis Terroir de Chablis Burgundy 2009


Patrick Piuze is a rising star in the new generation of negociants. In the past, wines from negociants (or basically, people who buy other grower's grapes or wine) were most likely to buy other people's wine and bottle it under their name. In the past few decades people like Ente, Guffens and the Bret Brothers, to name a few, have brought a new level of respectability to this label. Piuze worked with the aforementioned Guffens before setting out on his own.
The "Terroir de Chablis" has a classic, briny quality that is often found in Chablis, coupled with a soft, almost peachy, aspect. You can drink this now with no guilt. Don't serve it too cold or you will be missing something. - George

$28.50

Chateau Haute Mayne Bordeaux Graves 2009

Affordable. A word most definitely NOT synonymous with Red Bordeaux that tastes like this. Haute Mayne, 40% Cabernet Franc 30% Cabernet Sauvignon 30% Merlot, has all the hallmark characteristics of a fine French Claret, BELIEVE IT! -Randy

$19.00

Andrieux & Fils Chateaunuef-du-Pape"Cuvee Jean" Rhone 2009

This wine is a fine example of CDP from the very successful 2009 vintage. Lots of dark berry fruits with a hint of black olive. Only 400 cases of this cuvee are available in the U.S.

$37.00

Julien Labet "Metis" Jura 2010

For those of you who have a fascination with the Jura/Savoie region, here is an exciting newcomer. A blend of Poulsard, Pinot Noir and Trousseau. In the style of the region, the wine is light in body with a subtle interplay or red fruit aromas, a bit of cracked pepper and dried herbs.

$29.00

Yves Cuilleron St. Joseph Blanc St. Pierre Rhone 2010

100% Roussanne aged in small oak barrels. The texture is creamy with good acid on the finish and the flavors and aromas are reminiscent of stone fruits, melon and citrus blossoms. You will eke out more of the subtleties by decanting this and serving it at around 55 degrees.

$55.25

Domaine du Bel Air "les Vingt lieux dits" Loire 2009


Let's start with the label. in parentheses, in large red letters, phrase: "les Vingt lieux dits." A lieu dit is basically a vineyard named or the name given to a part of a vineyard. This is a good phrase to remember, as wine guys throw it around a lot. it is often used to describe a vineyard that has no special status to the AOC, but it's important to the winemaker. So in this case, a wine made from 20 different parcels within the domain. A good deal of these are older vines, that are farmed organically. This style is traditional, with most of the wines aged in large, wooden demi-muids. Have this with food and give it a little air. -George

$16.50

Domaine Gavoty "Cuvee Clarendon" Cotes de Provence 2008


Best small estate in the Cotes de Provence. Put me on a panel and I will make the case. Family owned and operated since 1806. Rosslyn Gavoty, who Rages Against the Machine with the best of 'em, makes personally sure that quality and precision never ceases, only increases. Fresh Herbs, Pear, Melon and Silky Pride. Provence at its Finest. - Randy

$22.50

Comtesse Bernard de Cherisey Puligny-Montrachet "LesChalumeaux"
1er Cru Burgundy 2008


There has been a good deal of excitement regarding the 2009 vintage in Burgundy. However, good wines from 2008 will, perhaps, please the traditionalists in the Burgundy camp. Showing just a bit of oak at the moment, this wine has all the elements to integrate nicely with a bit of time. That said, this can also be enjoyed now with an hour or so in a decanter. A fine example of focus and precision. -George

$65.25