November Featured Wines – 2014 Bila-Haut Blanc & 2013 Bila Haut Rouge, Roussillon, France

November 1, 2015 · by BishopsStock ·

Les Vignes de Bila-Haut by Michel Chapoutier

This month our featured wines are from the south of France. The region has long been called Languedoc-Roussillon but recently each of these wine producing areas are being given individual attention. This month’s wines are from Roussillon which is the most southern region along the Mediterranean Sea with Spain as a neighbor. The producer of the selected wines is Michel Chapoutier, a well-regarded Rhone Valley winemaker. Chapoutier became intrigued by the old vineyards, the mountain slopes, the cool winters and very hot summers with little rain as a wonderful combination for the wines he excels at growing. Both of the wines are produced following the same principles Chapoutier uses with his Rhone blends maximizing the best qualities of the terrior. His vineyard, Domaine Bila-Haut, comprises 185 acres of land cultivated under bio-dynamic farming techniques. The grape varieties that are grown are Grenache, Carignan and Syrah.

2014 Bila-Haut Blanc, Roussillon, France $15

The 2014 Les Vignes de Bila Haut Blanc is a blend of Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris and Macabeu. The wine is pale yellow with green tints and has citrus aromas with smoky notes. The palate is round with great acidity and a fresh finish with the minerality. The 2014 was recommended with an 88 score in the latest Wine Spectator (November 30) in an article on the Roussillon region As I often recommend with Rhone white wines, the Bila Haut is a good choice for entertaining when you need an appertif and a wine with food.

2013 Bila-Haut Rouge, Roussillon, France $15

The 2013 Les Vignes de Bila Haut Rouge is a blend of Syrah (40%), Grenache (40%) and Carignan (20%.) It is a deep garnet with aromas of black cherry, pepper and minerality. On the palate the wine is smooth and supple with a bold richness. Robert Parker gave this a 91 with 3-4 years of drinkablity. Just as with the white Bila Haut, the red is a great option for entertaining since it is a nice rounded wine.

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: Featured wine, France, Michel Chapoutier, Roussillon

June Featured Wines – 2014 Chateau La Graviere, Entre-Deux-Mers, France & 2013 Bouchard Aine & Fils Pinot Noir, Beaune, France

June 1, 2015 · by BishopsStock ·

2014 Chateau La Graviere, Entre-Deux-Mers, France $11

The region’s name, which means “between two seas,” refers to its location between the Dordogne and Garonne rivers. Entre-Deux-Mers is best known for inexpensive dry white wines. This is a medium dry white wine with Semillion used to soften Sauvignon Blanc. This wine is fruity with a great nose. While not a huge white Bordeaux this is a very pleasant wine for summer entertaining. Drink without food but this is a good food wine with summer’s fresh vegetables and seafood. Alcohol: 12.5%

2013 Bouchard Aine & Fils Pinot Noir, South of France $11

This is a deliciously fruit-forward Pinot Noir from the South of France produced by the Bouchard family – one of France’s great wine merchant families. This wine is characterized by its aromatic complexity and mild tannins. It is brilliant cherry red and has red fruit aromas, cherry, kirsch with notes of lime and mint. There is a lot of fruit and a delicate note of wood. This is a well balanced wine that can be served with lighter summer meals from the grill. Alcohol: 13%

Both of these wines are examples of the quality and value Bishop’s Stock offers. Neither wine is a “heavy hitter” but each show good quality for the varietals.

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: Featured wine, France, Pinot Noir, Sauvingnon Blanc, Semillon

December Featured Wines – Toad Hollow Risque French Sparkling Wine, Languedoc, France & 2012 Boneshaker Red Blend, Lodi, California

December 1, 2014 · by BishopsStock ·

Toad Hollow Winery Risque French Sparkling Wine, Langue Doc, France $17

The white selection for the month is Toad Hollow’s Risqué French Sparkling Wine. While Toad Hollow is a California producer, they like adding wines not from California to their portfolio. This sparkling wine uses Mauzac grapes from Languedoc, France. It is made with the Methode Ancestrale style which is different from most sparkling wines since there is no second fermentation. The wine is bottled before the first fermentation is completed. This is a softer sparkling wine with less bubbles and just 6% alcohol. It is just slightly sweet with tastes of apricots and pears. Consider this an appetif or an after dinner sipper. Great packaging!

2012 Boneshaker Red Blend, Lodi, California $17

The red selection is a new wine produced by California’s Hahn Family Wines under their Boneshaker label. 2012 Boneshaker Red Blend uses 43% Zinfandel for which they are known but adds 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% petite Sirah to give a rich blend of dark fruit with dark chocolate and espresso. This wine is smooth on the palate and may make you think of blackberry cobbler. As you settle into rich chili for the New Year football games, pull out this wine.

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: Boneshaker Red Blend, California, Featured wine, France, Risque French Sparkling Wine, Toad Hollow

Wines of the Month – 2013 Chateau de la Chesnaie Muscadet Sevre et Maine, Loire Valley, 2009 Chateau Tour d’Auron, Bourdeaux

August 1, 2014 · by BishopsStock ·

2013 Chateau de la Chesnaie Muscadet Sevre et Maine, Pomerol, Loire Valley $12

This long name actually places the wine in an appellation in the Loire Valley. The grape is Melon de Bourgogne and it produces a pale silver wine with a slightly yellow tint, and aromas of grapefruit, lemon oil, cut hay and flowers. The palate was very citrusy and dry, with high toned acidity and mineral tones prevailing over fruit. This is a wonderful wine for summer seafood. Alcohol: 12%

2009 Chateau Tour d’Auron, Bordeaux $12

This wine has been on our shelves for a year and we have customers who buy it regularly. The 2009 vintage is truly one in which a Bordeaux Supérieur like Château Tour d’Auron shines. It is 75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet SAuvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc. The fruit is luscious, the palate is seductive, and the finish is ripe but elegant. It is medium to full-bodied with structured tannins. If you want an easy red for grilled summer menus, this works. Alcohol: 13%

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: Bourdeaux, Chateau de la Chesnaie, Chateau Tour d'Auron, Featured wine, France, Loire Valley, Muscadet

Wines of the Month – 2012 Henry Fessy Sous La Roche Pouilly Fuisse, Burgundy, France & 2009 Petite Sirene Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux France

January 1, 2014 · by BishopsStock ·

2012 Henry Fessy Sous La Roche Pouilly Fuisse, Burgundy France $17

2012 Henry Fessy Sous la Roche Pouilly Fuisse from Southern Burgundy. Pouilly Fuisse is exclusively Chardonnay. The pruned and trained vines on the Fessey vineyards are 33 years old. The grapes produce a full-bodied and elegant wine. This Pouilly-Fuissé has beautiful pale green highlights. The bouquet reveals aromas of pear, followed by delicate notes of almond. This is a great wine for oyster stew or a simple fish or chicken dish.

2009 Petite Sirene Bordeaux, Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux, France $12

This is 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2009 and 2010 Bordeaux production has been hailed as great vintages – worth buying and enjoying now in 2014. This wine can be decanted to enhance the nose cherry, black currant and buttered toast nose. It is a dark ruby red baked black cherry and plum flavors wrapped around traces of toasted bread crust. Although a medium bodied wine there is a nice spicy finish. All in all this is a lovely velvety, easy drinking wine which may be enjoyed alone or with any meal that needs a red wine.

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: Featured wine, France

Wines of the Month – 2012 Domaine Pichot Vouvray, Loire Valley & 2011 Terrassess du Frigoulet, Languedoc-Roussillon

October 1, 2013 · by BishopsStock ·

Featured Wines for October – 2012 Domaine Pichot Vouvray, Loire Valley & 2011 Terrasses du Frigoulet, Languedoc-Rousillon

2012 Domaine Pichot Vouvray, Loire Valley $17

Vouvray wines are unique and have quite unparalleled qualities. In fact, very few appellations in the world are made from a single, quite rare grape variety as is the case here with the Chenin Blanc grape also referred to as Pineau de la Loire. This 2012 Vouvray is known as Le Peu de la Moriette. This is a semi-dry wine with perfect balance between dry and sweet which makes this a perfect choice for seafood or poultry prepared with creamy or citrus sauces. It combines freshness and roundness on the palate so it works well as a appertif then carries all the way through a meal. Expect prices on Vouvray to rise due to summer storm damage in the region. Hail storms destroyed this year’s grapes and did a great deal of damage to vines.

2011 Terrasses du Frigoulet, Languedoc-Rousillon $11

Terrasses du Frigoulet is a blend made from hand harvested, de-stemmed fruit. The blend for the 2011 vintage is 35% Carignan, 30% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 15% Mourvedre from 100% estate bottled fruit. Wine Spectator gave this wine a 90 and describes it as a big powerful red with concentrated mulberry, dark plum, blackberry and baked cherry flavors. The finish offers a taste of chocolate. This is a “country style” wine that is great with stews, hearty soups and roasted meats.

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: Doamine Pichot, Featured wine, France, Languedoc-Rousillon, Loire Valley, Terrasses du Frigoulet, Vouvray

Wines of the Month – 2012 Mont Gravet Cotes de Gascogne & 2011 Tortoise Creek “Les Oliviers” Pinot Noir

June 1, 2013 · by BishopsStock ·

Featured Wines for June – 2012 Mont Gravet Cotes de Gascogne, France & 2011 Tortoise Creek “Les Oliviers” Pinot Noir, France

2012 Mont Gravet Cotes de Gascogne, Gascony, France $10

Mont Gravet is a delicious dry, fruit forward wine made from Colombard grapes. It has beautiful fragrant aromas of fresh pears and peaches. The wine comes from superb vineyard sites in the Gascony region, near the city of Toulouse. The name refers to the beautiful rocky hillside vineyards where the grapes are grown. Chilled to 50 degrees this wine is perfect as a summer aperitif or as a pairing with summer’s fresh seafood. Alcohol: 11.5%

2011 Tortoise Creek “Les Oliviers” Pinot Noir, Limoux, France $14

This is a charming and elegant Pinot Noir that comes from the cooler wine region of Limoux, close to the Pyrenean Mountains in southwest France. It is deep in color and soft with lovely aromas of raspberries and cherries. This is less “jammy” than its Californian cousins. It is more Burgundian and delicate and is a gorgeous food wine. Works well with roast meats, tuna, salmon and cheeses. Alcohol: 13%

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: Colombard, Featured wine, France, Mont Gravet, Pinot Noir, Tortoise Creek

Wines of the Month – Dr. L Sparking Riesling & Made by G Sparkling Gamay

December 1, 2012 · by BishopsStock ·

Featured Wines for December – Dr. L Sparkling Riesling from Mosel, Germany & Made by G Sparkling Gamay, from Beaujolais, France

Dr. L Sparkling Riesling, Mosel, Germany $18

Dr. L Sparkling Riesling is 100% pure Riesling. It is made using the Charmat method, where the second fermentation is done in a pressurized tank to keep the bubbles in the wine. This method produces bright, clean sparkling wines in a more affordable way. As is usual with Riesling — especially from a cool climate like Germany’s — a juicy touch of sweetness was left in the wine to balance the naturally brisk acidity. What you end up with is a refreshing, fruit-driven sparkler that’s a pleasure to drink any time. Sparklers are always a great choice for sushi but this one is especially nice. Alcohol: 12.0%

Made by G Sparkling Gamay, Beaujolais, France $23

December’s red selection is Made by G, a sparkling Gamay from Beaujolais, France. This wine was produced from 25 year old Gamay vines. The color is very rich. While this wine is just a little off-dry, it has a natural sweetness that comes from the grapes being picked at top ripeness. There is no residual sugar. The nose is fresh and fruity with aromas of fresh grape. On the palate this sparkling bursts with startlingly bright, succulent, strawberry-like fruit. I was hesitant to select this for the wine club but after I tried it my mouth said “yes”! We served it as an aperitif at Thanksgiving and will likely serve it again at Christmas – if the supply lasts. The distributor gets an allocation of the wine so it is not always available.

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: Beaujolais, Domaine Des Nuges, Dr. L, Featured wine, France, Germany, Made by G, Mosel, Sparkling Gamay, Sparkling Riesling

Wines of the Month— 2010 La Porte de L’Abbaye Pouilly-Fume Sauvignon Blanc & 2009 La Grand Ribe Centenaire

September 5, 2012 · by bishopsstockgallery ·

Featured wines for September are 2010 La Porte de L’Abbaye Pouilly-Fume Sauvignon Blanc and 2009 La Grand Ribe Centenaire

La Porte de L’Abbaye Pouilly-Fume Sauvignon Blanc, Loire Valley, France 2010

“The 2010 vintage produced racy, fresh, delineated wines that rely on mouthwatering acidity and pure fruit . . . it’s a vintage that should let the Loire show what it does best. They are ideal food wines best for matching with spring and summer fare.” -James Molesworth of Wine Spectator

A more elegant, restrained expression of Sauvignon Blanc, the Porte de l’Abbaye opens with aromas of fresh lemon, white flowers, and Pouilly Fume’s signature flintiness.

Henri Bourgeois Pouilly-Fumé “La Porte de L’Abbaye” 2010 was meant to be enjoyed young, and enjoy it you will, as it is a “textbook Pouilly-Fumé.” The wine received 91 points from Wine Spectator. $20.00

La Grand Ribe Centenaire, Rhône, France 2009

La Grande Ribe, Rhone red blend from Cotes du Rhone Villages Centenaire is a true value wine.

Dominated by Grenache with a small amount of Syrah included in the blend, the wine possesses great intensity, a terrific texture, full-bodied power, and wonderful purity and Provencal typicity. This sensational effort is filled with red and black fruit, roasted herb, barbecue smoke, meat juice and bouquet garni characteristics. Enjoy it over the next 7-8 years or longer.$13.00

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: Featured wine, France, Grenache, Henri Bourgeois, Loire Valley, Pouilly Fume, Rhone, Sauvingnon Blanc, Syrah