Featured Wine for July – La Solitude Cotes du Rhone Blanc & Rouge, Rhone Valley, France

July 1, 2020 · by ·

2019 La Solitude Cotes du Rhone Blanc $16

This is a sustainable blend of Grenache Blanc (10%), Clairette (60%), and Viognier (30%.) This is a rounded and open blend with friendly peach and honeysuckle notes. It has a breezy, almond-accented finish. This is a great pairing for sushi and Asian-style food. It is also a great appertif. Alcohol: 14.5%

2017 La Solitude Cotes du Rhone Rouge $16

This is a blend of Grenache (50%), Syrah (40%) and Mourvedre (10%) that is sustainable. It is medium-bodied wine is fresh with clean fruit and elegant tannins. This Cotes du Rhone pairs well with grilled and roasted meats. It is also a great appertif. Alcohol: 14.5%

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Featured Wines for December – 2015 E. Guigal Cotes du Rhone Blanc & 2013 E. Guigal Crozes-Hermitage Rouge, Cotes du Rhone, France

December 1, 2016 · by ·

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2015 E. Guigal Cotes du Rhone Blanc, Cotes du Rhone, France                     $14

This blend from Northern Cotes du Rhone is 65% Viognier, 15% Roussanne, 8% Marsanne, 8% Clairette, 2% Bourboulenc, 2% white Grenache.  The full bodied Viognier  and Roussanne carry this blend but the other grapes provide fruit and depth typical in Rhone blends. This is a bright, clear yellow wine with a fresh nose marked by the distinctive aromas of the Viognier – white flowers, apricot, acacia and white peach. The richness and body make this a well-rounded wine with elegance, strength and balance that is an easy aperitif that can carry guests through a holiday menu.

 

crozes_hermitage-nouv_10_vignette2013 E. Guigal Crozes-Hermitage Rouge, Cotes du Rhone, France                   $20

E. Guigal uses 100% Syrah in this full-bodied wine. For the holidays this wine gives guests who prefer red wine a nice option to complement a cocktail buffet or a full dinner. This is a dark red wine that has a nose of red fruits, cherry and strawberry with delicate oak. Due to long oak ageing this red and black fruit rich wine has remarkable freshness and refined tannins. According to Robert Parker, now is the time to uncork this wine and enjoy!

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February Featured Wines – 2014 Willm Pinot Gris Reserve, Alsace & 2011 Philippine de Saint Cyrille Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone Valley

February 1, 2016 · by ·

Willm

2014 Willm Pinot Gris Reserve, Alsace                 $14

This month’s selection is 2014 Willm Pinot Gris Reserve. This is a full-bodied wine with a flavorful bouquet of lime, meyer lemon, green apple, pear, and white peach. It has great structure with a round feel in the mouth and long on the finish. Be sure to serve well chilled with rich fish – salmon and tuna – and mature hard cheeses. Alcohol: 12.5%

 

Philippine de Saint-Cyrille

2011 Philippine de Saint Cyrille Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone                     $23

The producer, Philippine de Saint-Cyrille, is well-known for selecting grapes from among the best wines of Chateauneuf-du-Pape Appellation d’Origine Contrôlé (AOC.) The Rhone blend, Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache, is full-bodied and well-balanced. This is a great pairing for hearty roasts and a variety of cheeses. Wine Spectator gave this very affordable Chateauneuf-du-Pape a 91.

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January Featured Wines – 2013 Domaine du Salvard Cheverny, Loire Valley, France & 2012 Kermit Lynch Cotes du Rhone, Southern Rhone, France

January 1, 2015 · by ·

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2013 Domaine du Salvard Cheverny, Loire Valley, France $17

2013 Domaine du Salvard Cheverny is imported from the Loire Valley by Kermit Lynch. The Delaille brothers produce this great value in Cheverny Sauvignon Blanc. This is a blend of 85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Chardonnay. The Sauvignon Blanc offers zest on the nose and on the palate with the Chardonnay providing roundness and richness on the palate. This is a wine that will not “knock off your socks” but that is exactly what the Delailles intend. They produce and present the best of the terrior just as Old World wines are meant to do. This is a lovely wine as a appertif or an accompaniment to simple roasted fish or poultry.

 

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2012 Kermit Lynch Cotes du Rhone, Beaumes-de-Venise, France  $17

2012 Kermit Lynch Cotes du Rhone in produced in the Southern Rhone area of Beaumes-de-Venise. This wine is made by Jean-François Pasturel at Terres d’Avignon. Typical for Cotes du Rhone blends the varietals in the 2012 vintage are Grenache (66%), Syrah (25%), Carignan (7%), Cinsualt (1%) and Mourvedre (1%.) On the nose it shows violet, rose petal, oak, smoke, mushroom, game, toast, tar, dust, dark fruit, vanilla, tobacco, red fruit, spice box, and cedar. On the palate there is lots of cherry, strawberry, raspberry, licorice, anise, vanilla, musk, black currant, blackberry, dust, leather, currant, and blueberry. Again, this is an Old World wine that is not the “star of the show.” It plays a supporting role by complimenting simple bistro food.

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