2010 Neveu Sancerre, Chavignol, Silex, $22.99/Sale $19.99: Chavignol is the village (also famed for goat cheese) and Silix is the soil (flint). This is a racy wine, made from Sauvignon Blanc, naturally. So, there are hints of gooseberry and citrus. It would be killer with a disk of “crotin de Chavignol” cheese. And what an outrageously low price.
2009 Domaine Peres l’Eglise Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc, $42.99/Sale $37.99: If you have yet to experience white Chateauneuf this would be a choice one to start with. We believe it to have a heavy dollop of Rousanne. A magical mix of grapes is allowed. Brimming with body and flavors. Drink it now and you will feel like you are in the “Pope’s castle.”
2009 Domaine des Espiers Gigondas, $28.99/Sale $23.99: This could duel with the very finest from Gigondas. Made from 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah. With hints of “garrigue” and “herbs de Provence,” it has grit and style. Pick up some lamb or goat and fire up your grill.
2009 Domaine Fennouillet Beaumes de Venise, $21.99/$19.99: There is a reason that Beaumes de Venise was elevated from just Cotes du Rhone Villages to its own personal appellation like Gigondas and Chateauneuf-du-Pape. The wines have a certain suave style. We would guess it is the singular soil. Whatever, this is a pleasure to drink and has more depth and finesse than the usual Cotes du Rhone.
2009 Perrin Cotes-du-Rhone Villages, $14.99/Sale $10.99: “Mon Dieu quelle bon marche!” A round and fine Rhone that we believe is impossible to beat for the price. Get this for daily drinking … it will go with many different red meat dishes.
2008 Dom. St. Martin de Garrigue, Languedoc, $17.99/Sale $14.99: “Garrigue” refers to the small hills and plateaus in the southern Rhone Valley and Provence that are covered with scrub-brush and herb outcroppings. It has now become a descriptor for wines which reflect that terroir in their aromas and flavors. This blend of 50% Cab, 40% Merlot and 10% Syrah definitely does so … it’s very intriguing.
2009 Puech-Haut Prestige, Languedoc, $22.99/Sale $19.99: An outstanding red wine composed of 55% Syrah and 45% Grenache. Well-integrated with beautiful flavors of black currant, blackberry and licorice. 93 Points and a “Bravo!” from Robert Parker and our Courtesy Clerks.
2009 Chateau du Basty Beaujolais, $14.99/Sale $13.99: A Beaujolais with all the sateen seduction one could dream of. A wine of fruit fantasy. It would be a pretty good set-up for a turkey based dinner or in the morning with a breakfast quiche.
2007 Domaine Thenard Givry, Clos Saint-Pierre, Premier Cru, $26.99/Sale $24.99: Givry was the favorite wine of King Henri IV. This one will show you why. It has succulent cherry fruit aspects, along with some structure. Givry provides some of Burgundy’s best value reds.
2006 Clos La Madeleine, St. Emilion, $53.99/Sale $48.99: If you want something that is very close to Chateau Ausone, at a tenth the price, this is your baby. You see, the vineyards of Clos La Madeleine are next door to Ausone. Drinking well now with a soft feel, but has years ahead to unfold its pleasures.
2007 Chateau Labastide Dauzac, Margaux, $43.99/Sale $38.99: When you smell this wine, you know you’re drinking Bordeaux. And the flavors confirm it. The dark cherry fruit is more subdued than that of its Californian brethren and is framed with a bit of earth, tobacco and cedar. An elegant wine that is worthy of its Margaux appellation.
Wine score legend:
ST: Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar
WA: Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
WE: Wine Enthusiast
W&S: Wine & Spirits
WS: Wine Spectator
