LeDom selection of the month: Dom's unsual Dozen, 12 of some of my favorite wines (under $15)

Dom’s Unusual Dozen
(12 of some of my favorite wines under $15)

Over my 18 years career as wine buyer, I realized many times that there is nothing more attractive for my customers than an already prepared mixed case of white and red wines, especially when at discounted price. It usually easier for them because they don't have to make a choice and for me because I can, in that case (literally and physically), easily promote wines that normally do not trigger their primary interest or thoughts.

So here is a selection of 12 of some of favorites wines (under $15) that you can get at the store at an already discounted price of $120 (before tax) instead of the regular price of $152 (before tax) at the store (www.HeightsChateau.com, a reminder for those of you who didn't realize yet that I'm the Wine Buyer and Store manager of Heights Chateau, Brooklyn, NY).

New Year, new resolutions! Why not try some “out of the beaten path” expressive wines, made with rather unusual grape varietals from lesser known appellations. They will trigger your interest and open your palate to new tasting frontiers.


2008 Carrel Jongieux Savoie France
Suggested retail price $10-$13
Imported/Distributed by Martin Scott in NYC

Made from 100% Jacquere, an ancient local grape planted in the mountainous Alpine region of Savoie, this joyful, crisp and refreshing white is light, cleansing and loaded with minerals. Citrus peel, white blossom and white fruit with minerals almost add a sense of purity to this really appealing little Savoyard.


2008 Uby Colombard-Ugny Blanc Southwest of France
Suggested retail price $9-$11
Imported/Distributed by Baron Francois in NYC

Light-bodied with crisp, fruity sensations, it is a very fresh blend of 75% Colombard and 25% Ugni Blanc that are also the traditional grapes for Armagnac. Vivid in the palate, it bursts flavors of lemon, citrus peel and white peach enhanced by a great acidity leading into the food friendly and inviting finish, which makes it perfect for salads, grilled fish and white meat.


2006 Chamarre Viognier Grande Reserve France
Suggested retail price $10-$13
Imported/Distributed by Monsieur Touton in NYC

Usually very floral, fragrant, quite viscous and mineral, Viognier is the perfect white for winter and mid-seasons. The “Grande Reserve” combines Viognier grapes selected from Northern Rhone and parts of Languedoc where it excels under ideal conditions resulting in a fruity, balanced and gently toasted wine. Pair it with roasted garlic chicken.


2007 Monmousseau Vouvray Sec Loire France
Suggested retail price $11-$14
Impoted/Distributed by Maximilien Selections thru Fruit of the Vines in NYC

Quite versatile and docile, Chenin Blanc produces some of the most vibrant, complex and delicate whites of the Loire valley. Bordering on off-dry, this aromatic Vouvray offers aromas of citrus and honeysuckle along with ripe apple and almonds. Residual sugars are balanced by racy acidity into a fresh, clean finish. Pair it with poultry or shellfish in rich creamy sauces.


2008 Zaleo Pardina Ribera del Guardiana Spain
Suggested retail price $8-$10
Imported/Distributed by Blue Decanter (Justin Berlin) thru Brix Brands in NYC

Made with the rather unknown Pardina grape, indigenous from the Spanish region Extramudra, this little, friendly and refreshing white is a surprising versatile value. Soft and balanced with citrus, white peach flavors and good minerality, it also possesses great structure and length for the price. Enjoy is as an aperitif or with light salad, cold white meat and fish.


2008 Terres Falmet Cinsault Languedoc France
Suggested retail price $11-$14
Imported/Distributed by David Bowler in NYC

Finding a 100% Cinsault is a rare thing. Usually used in a blend, Cinsault produces rather light, earthy, slightly rustic wines, but this unoaked and neither fined nor filtered example features chewy red fruits and ample notes of wet stone and earth. Made from 40 years old vines, it has fruity attack and a crisp, juicy finish with great acidity and integrated structure.


2006 De Bortoli Petit Verdot Vat 4 Southeastern Australia
Suggested retail price $12-$15
Imported/Distributed by Opici in NYC

Normally blended with Cabernet or Merlot like in Bordeaux, this Australian Petit Verdot is a fine example of what this grape offers on its own. Exhibiting aromas of violets, concentrated plum and blackberry with spicy oaky notes, it is a delightful wine, balanced and rich, yet with good acidity, aged for 12 months in American oak barrels. Pair it with quail, veal and smoke meats.


2007 Miolo Pinot Noir Brazil
Suggested retail price $11-$14
Imported/Distributed by ...

This 100% Pinot Noir, from Bento Goncalves - Vale dos Vinhedos, is really well made, somewhat a cross between a Burgundy and a Languedoc Pinot Noir, but earthier and rustic yet juicy with lovely fruit texture and structure. Light to medium bodied, with great acidity, it is a great example of Pinot Noir from Brazil that shouldn't be overlooked.


2006 Perelada 3 Fincas Red Emporda Spain
Suggested retail price $10-$13
Imported/Distributed By Vision Wine Brand in NYC

3 Fincas is a juicy, earthy and dry blend of Carignan, Grenache, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from the north-east of Spain. Spicy and ripe fruit aromas translate well onto the palate, complemented by notes of cedar and rosemary. Deeply structured, moderate acidity runs through the mid-palate, fading into a lingering finish. Enjoy with cured meats and cheeses.


2005 La Roque Pic Saint Loup Coteaux du Languedoc France
Suggested retail price $16-$19
Imported/Distributed by Kermit Lynch thru Ibanez Pleven in NYC

One of the leading wineries of the Pic St. Loup region, La Roque is a beautifully maintained 41 hectare estate, with a distinctive lilac-shuttered Château. A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, the 2005 shows ripe flavors on the nose, with earthy and spicy notes. Terroir oriented, the palate is quite savory and warm on the palate with good density and structure.


2007 Marcato La Giareta Rosso Veneto Italy
Suggested retail price $11-$14
Imported/Distributed by Noble House Wines in NYC

100% Cabernet Franc from La Giareta estate in Veneto, this approachable red offers fruity cherry aromas with a touch of oak. Aged ten months in both oak and stainless steel, clean fruit flavors explode on the midpalate, supported by silky tannins and nice acidiy into a nice cherry finish. A versatile pairing wine, this works well with everything from chicken to lighter meats to creamy cheeses.


2008 Kanonkop Kadette Stellenbosch South-Africa
Suggested retail price $11-$14
Imported/Distributed by Lauber in NYC

Kanonkop’s Bordeaux-like style, blend and structure greatly appeal to most palates. Kadette presents very enjoyable fruit, a generous palate and a lovely balance. A blend of 45% Pinotage, South Africa’s pride, blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, this wine was matured in Bordeaux barrels for up to 16 months. It offers rich, structured and juicy ripe red and dark berry flavors with hints of oak, spices and earth.


I hope that you will like this little selection. I'm open to comments so feel free to let me know what you think about it.

Enjoy!

LeDom du Vin

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Selection of the Month: 2000 Calabretta Etna rosso V.Q.P.R.D. Sicily

How do I choose my "LeDom du Vin: Selection of the Month"

Every month, amongst all the wines that I taste, I'm desperately searching and trying to find that rare gem. That, somewhat, unusual Jewell lost among many imitations, semi-duplicates and other "faux", due to the fact that they are only so few of them in this world, lost in an ocean of passable wines and other fermented grape juices. That inestimable treasure that will blow my mind, and thus will become my selection of the month.

That wine, worthy of becoming my Wine Selection of the Month, usually refers to a wine that delivers rare and unprecedented features and extraordinary appeal, from the attractive color aspect to the expressive nose and finally the balanced and harmonious palate.

Compare to other wines, it possesses more elegance, finesse, subtlety, balance, harmony, length, depth and especially complexity in every way. It also offers mountains of layers of aromas and flavors, and is especially characteristic (or sometime uncharacteristic) from the Terroir, the varietal, the region or the unique style of a specific area.

In most cases, these few incredible wines trigger only one reaction, every time I taste them: "WOW! What a Wine! This is really good! Can I have another glass? Please?"

This month, once again, I found one that deserve the rewarding title. Therefore, here is my selection for April 2009:

2000 Calabretta Etna Rosso V.Q.P.R.D. Sicily
Suggested retail price $24-$28
Distributed by Polaner Selections in NYC

From the north-eastern part of Sicily, this wine was made from vines literally planted, between 300 and 900 meters above sea level, on the slopes of the active Mount Etna Volcano.

Calabretta winery was born by the desire of Massimo and his son Massimiliano Calabretta to carry on the family's three generation tradition in Sicilian grapes growing. In 1900, Gaetano Calabretta and his wife Grazia bought the first vines on the slopes of Mount Etna and started to sell in the North of Italy. After the Second World War, their son Salvatore and his wife Concetta extended the winery and bought new vines. In 1997, Massimo and his son Massimiliano, the third generation, re-organized the winery and began to sell worldwide.

Massimiliano Calabretta, a part-time college professor at the University of Genova (or Geona), is an old-style-traditionalist winemaker. He is carefully following the same steps as his forefather, being the third generation of a winegrower and winemaker family that has been crafting wine in this region and the same cellar since 1900. Given that most Sicilian wines are pretty much made in a rather modern style, finding a more traditional-style wine from this region made with indigenous grapes, is quite exciting.

More over, to add even more interest and uniqueness to this wine, most the vines are 70-80 years old, with a good portion ungrafted. They are organically farmed and the resulting wines are certified organic.

The indigenous Nerello Mascalese grape variety, primarily blended with a bit Nerello Cappuccio, constitutes the secret ingredients of this unique wine. The soil types, which also bring minerality, richness and complexity to this wine, are a combination of black volcanic ash and sand (which are fine and almost silty), intermingled with lots of lava and rocks (which offer very good drainage).This Etna Rosso was aged for 6-7 years in large Botti (Slavonian large oak barrels) before being bottled. The slopes of the Etna, mostly facing south, offer fantastic exposure for the vines to obtain full ripeness, topping the richness and complexity from the soils.


2000 Calabretta Etna Rosso V.Q.P.R.D. is the current vintage from this winery. Already in the nose, this wine is incredible. I could spend a great deal of time just to inspire my brain with its exquisite wild dark berry, earthy, spicy, floral bouquet. It almost as an old Tempranillo-Syrah-Nebbiolo-like attitude and profile, quite difficult to define, but attractive. The nose develops aromas of dried dark cherries, blackberry, floral, tar, licorice, smoke and hints of ashy/volcanic soil, earthy tones. Given the high elevation and big diurnal temperature shifts, the wines retain a great freshness that nicely carries the fruit and the mineral, earthy notes through out the juicy, earthy, meaty, smoky and lovely textured finish. This wine has definitely a good grip in the finish with present yet integrated, almost grainy tannins. What a wine! Full of character, depth and personality!

It is not everyday that you can taste a wine aged-at-the-winery (except may be for most Rioja's Gran Reserva and Reserva Especial, a few Ribera del Duero like "Vega Sicilia", may be a few Barolos and a few super-Tuscan, etc...), perfectly ready to drink, grown and crafted from volcanic soil, at this price. This unique, aged wine is a terrific value, especially under $30 (compared to some of its "pairs" from other regions in Italy, Spain or even France).

Enjoy!

LeDom du Vin

FYI: Polaner also have the 1999 vintage in stock, which is apparently quite too. I'll let you know soon after I have tasted it.

Info partly taken from the distributor: www.polanerselections.com and from the winery: www.calabretta.net

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LeDom's Selection of the Month: November 2008, Bodegas Estefania 2001 "Tilenus" Mencia Bierzo Spain

Despite the fact that this wine has been on the market for quite some times now, I thought that it will be a good idea to talk about it and put it back in your mind. 

2001 Bodegas Estefania "Tilenus" Pagos de Posada Mencia Bierzo Spain

Suggested retail price $42-46

Distributed / Imported by  Ibanez Pleven in NYC 

The winery Bodegas Estefania is located in Bierzo, between the village of Dehesas and Posada del Bierzo, roughly 6 km west of the main town Ponferrada. 

Situated west of Rias Biaxas, less than 100 km from the northeastern corner of Portugal (northwestern part of Spain), Bierzo is a wine region, part of the province of Leon (Castilla y Leon), which has been officially recognized as a DO (Denominacion de Origen) in 1989.

Nestled in the middle of a mountainous area, Bierzo benefits from a special climate and diverse micro-climates influenced by three important factors: the high altitude with steep slopes; the proximity with the humid, oceanic climate of Galicia and on the other side the proximity with hot, dry climate of Castilla. These factors complement each other and create an ideal climate with enough rain fall and hours of sunshine per year for growing healthy robust vines and achieve great ripeness.  

The mountain soils consist of a few feet of humid, dark earth on top of layers of quartz, schist and slates of the Licorella type (similar to the Priorat region). It is the perfect soil and climate to enable the indigenous red grape variety "Mencia" to flourish and ripen evenly on these high altitudes, somewhat cool climate, steep slopes planted vineyards. 

Mencia represents 70% of the red grape planted in Bierzo and taste a bit like a Cabernet Franc. It seems to have some of the same aromas and flavors characteristics. Some vineyards are between 50 to 100 years old. Nearly forgotten and practically instinct until the 70's, a few producers revived it and in the same time put Bierzo back on the map. 

Bierzo produces mainly red wines predominantly with the Mencia grape and a bit with Garnacha Tintorera too. It also produces some white made with the Galician grape Dona Blanca, Godello and Palomino, and sold more locally some rose.

Fairly unknown with only a few labels available in the US market, the red wines of Bierzo gained a bit more recognition over the last few years and Tilenus surely helped to convince consumers of the high quality of this appellation. Bierzo wine prices range from low $10 up to $60+, the former tend to be light, smooth, well rounded and the later are complex, rich, earthy, with a good tannic structure and balance which confer them ageing potential. 

Bodegas Estefania produces some of the most sought-after wines in the area, mainly as a result of their spectacular vine holdings that have been in the family for many years. these holdings include 36 hectares of vineyards, the majority of which are over 70 years old, and are planted on pure schist. Despite the richness and the complexity brought by the age of their Mencia vines, they still have to lower the yield and need to harvest at full ripeness to avoid the green notes, hints of bitterness and high acidity (which are some of the particularities of the grape).   

2001 Bodegas Estefania "Tilenus" Pagos de Posada Mencia Bierzo is a medium bodied yet rich and well rounded wine with good acidity and ripe raspberry notes, great for Fall season. It was produced with grapes from 80-100 years old vines. The fermentation occurred partly in stainless steel tanks and partly in oak barrels. It was then aged for 18 months in 70% new French oak barrels, and 30% older barrels. 

On the nose, fragrant aromas of raspberry, cherry fruit and red currant intermingled with hints of black pepper, spice and floral notes. The palate, somewhat rustic and earthy yet enjoyable and balanced, exposes great minerality as well as soft tannins and touches of bitter chocolate and mocha. It combines the structure of a Cabernet Franc, the soft, bright texture of a Pinot Noir and some of the spicy character of a Syrah.  

It will be ideal with a rack of lamb cooked with herbs and garlic and served with wild mushrooms and green beans. 

Enjoy!

LeDom (du Vin) 

Info partly taken from  www.europeancellars.com , www.ipowine.com and www.bodegasestefania.com (see also www.tilenus.com)

 

LeDom Selection of the month: October 2008

LeDom's Selection of the Month

October 2008

2005 Domaine D'Ardhuy Clos des Langres Monopole AOC Cote de Nuits Villages Burgundy France
Suggested retail price $40-$50


This wine was a great discovery for me when I tasted it last spring at a Wineberry Tasting with Eric Plumet, the Winemaker and Technical Director of Domaine d'Ardhuy. They also had some red Corton that were out of this world. I love the all line (nearly 30 wines that day) and despite the fact that some of the 2005 were very good, the 2006 vintage were (in my opinion) even better, more balanced with bright acidity, juicier fruit and more integrated tannins.

Amongst all the wine produced by Domaine D'Ardhuy, Clos des Langres Monopole seemed (to me) the best price point value of the all portfolio. They have a lot of wines starting around $30 going up to more than $100 a bottles, but in the $40-$50 trench, Clos des Langres was my favorite, offering body, structure, earthiness, balance and length. I loved and I love it. A bit tight, it definitely needs to be decanted or at least breath for half an hour. I tried it again about a week ago, and the more it opened up the better it was. After nearly 2 hours, it was fantastic.

I could tell you a bit more about the Domaine itself but they have a great website with very informative technical sheets about their wines. Check it out at www.ardhuy.com


2000 Senorio de San Vicente San Vicente Rioja Tempranillo Spain
Suggested retail price $40-$50

The Rioja wine region is a beautiful hilly valley following the Ebro river, protected by two mountain chains, the majestic Sierra Cantabria to the north and the Sierra de la Demanda to the south. Rioja stretches from the south of Basque country to Navarra.

Senorio de San Vicente is nestled in the heart of San Vicente de la Sonsierra, a gorgeous hill-top XII century village of the Rioja region, surrounded by vineyards on slopes and overlooking the Ebro river. It is where the Ebro river and the Sierra Cantabria mountains meet, creating very favorable micro climates that contribute to the harmony and quality of the fruit and the Terroir. The diversity in soil and climate has led to a sub-division of this wine region into 3 distinct areas: Rioja Alta, Rioja Baja and Rioja Alavesa.

Since 1870, from father to son, the Eguren family has been devoted to their vines and to the elaboration and ageing of their Rioja wines. These winemaking traditions and knowledge that can only be inherited from generation to generation, have been maintain, preserve and adapted to the latest technologies. Their passion and devotion for the art of wine making involve a constant desire for improvement with continuous attention to each steps: from finding great vineyards with the most ideal conditions to using modern tools in a clean and respectful environment and especially aged their wines until ready to fully satisfy the consumers.

For Senorio de San Vicente, it all started in 1985 when the Eguren family, bought a vineyard of 18 hectares (44.5 acres) called "Finca de la Canoca" near the village of San Vicente. They planted a nearly instinct, rare variety of Tempranillo called Tempranillo Peludo (also known as Furry Tempranillo).

Coming from one grape variety, one vineyard, one wine and one winery, the resulting wine is really charming, rich, complex and long. Aged for at least for 14 months in new oak barrels and aged further in the bottle in their cellar prior released for another 2 years, it is a very good wine that combines all the component of a great Rioja: ripeness, very good concentration, balance, freshness, elegance and a tremendous ageing potential with a very good tannic structure. It exhibits dark berry, red cherry and delicate floral aromas with profound dark chocolate, mocha, leather notes and hints of spice. The palate is dense and pack with present yet refined integrated tannins. It will definitely benefit a good hour of decantation.

LeDom du Vin