August Featured Wines – Muscadet Sevre et Maine Sur Lies (2019) Loire Valley, France & Beaujolais Villages, Marine Descombe (2020) Brouilly, Burgundy, France

July 31, 2022 · by ·

This month we are offering 2 great wines for summer sipping. Once again our red selection is from Mary Taylor Wines” White Label Series. She describes this label as “thinking outside the grape.” Previously we have had 9 nine wines in this series and the reception has been very positive. The white we are offering is produced by Gadais Pere et Fils in the Loire Valley appellation Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine.

Muscadet Sevre et Maine Sur Lies (2019) Loire Valley is produced by the Gadais family who have been in the wine business since the 1950s. The name Navineaux Amphibolite attached to this wine refers to the terroir of the vineyard in the Loire Valley. Muscadet is made from 100% Melon de Bourgogne grapes. This a new varietal for the wine club and a perfect one for summer enjoyment. I have had Muscadet in my inventory by request from 3 customers who find this a perfect compliment to seafood – particularly oysters.

Mary Taylor Wines’ Beaujolais Villages, Marine Descombe (2020) Brouilly, Burgundy is different from what many know as Nouveau Beaujolais. Beaujolais Villages and Nouveau Beaujolais are both made from Gamay grapes. The Nouveau is quickly vinified using CO2 to remove oxygen to speed up fermentation. These are young wines to be consumed young, Beaujolais Villages is produced using the Bordeaux style of winemaking. These wines have a much longer shelf life.

Muscadet Sevre et Maine Sur Lies (2019) Loire Valley, France $16

This Muscadet offers a bright and complex nose of lemon, green apple, wet stone minerality, dried flowers and a lovely touch of gentle nuttiness. On the palate the wine is deep, focused and full-bodied, with lovely balance and grip, a fine core, impressive mineral undertow and a long, zesty and complex finish. It is described as “green and flinty.” Alcohol: 12.%

Beaujolais Villages, Marine Descombe (2020) Brouilly, Burgundy, France $15

This vintage offers deeply concentrated black fruit aromas, and beautiful substance on the palate, with melted tannins and long finish. It is considered a textbook blue stone Brouilly-style Beaujolais-Villages It has a beautiful purity of Gamay Noir fruit showcasing the unique expression of a Beaujolais that can be enjoyed for many years. As it ages, tannins soften. Alcohol: 14%
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February Featured Wines – 2017 Marcel Dubois Vouvray & 2016 Bourgueil Alouettes Cabernet Franc, Loire Valley, France

February 1, 2019 · by ·

February’s wines come from the Loire Valley. We have featured wines from this region before but we like to offer varietals produced by different winemakers from different parts of the region. The Loire Valley wine region is divided into 3 parts – Upper, Middle and Lower. In each section different varietals dominate. Both of February’s wines come from the Upper Region where Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc are dominant grapes. 2017 Marcel Dubois Vouvray is 100% Chenin Blanc. 2016 Bourgueil Alouette produced by Domaine de las Chanteleuserie is 100% Cabernet Franc. These wines are grown in vineyards within 30 miles in the Upper Region along the Loire River.

Marcel Dubois Vouvray ($14) is 100% Chenin Blanc which makes it a light yellow straw color. It is medium bodied with aromas of fresh apples and pears. This is well-balanced with good acidity and a crisp finish. Serve with chicken, pork, salmon or a simple mushroom risotto for a great pairing. Alcohol: 11.5%
Bourgueil Alouettes Cabernet Franc ($15) uses “Cuvée Alouettes,” to refer to the name of the domaine where sandier soil tends to soften the tannins and defines the wine as fresh, supple, fruity. Wild berries with a twist of pepper make this is a red wine that is ready to be drunk young. Alcohol: 13%
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Featured Wines in September – Joseph Drouhin 2014 LaForet Bourgogne Chardonnay, Burgundy, France & Eric Chevalier 2013 Domaine de L’Aujardiere Cabernet Franc, Loire Valley, France

September 1, 2016 · by ·

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2014 LaForet Bourgogne Chardonnay, Burgundy, France $15

The Joseph Drouhin Domaine founded in  Burgundy in 1880 is now run by the fourth generation which offers a fascinating array of Burgundy terroirs in all their authenticity and subtle variations. 2014 LaForêt Bourgogne Chardonnay is an entry level wine that provides the simple pleasures of a classic white Burgundy. It has a bouquet of citrus aromas that trail with honey and vanilla. There is a delightful lively texture with some spicy minerality that shines through on the finish. This is an easy wine as an aperitif or a complement to simply prepared fish and fresh vegetables.Alcohol: 13%

 

Eric Chevalier Cab Franc

2013 Domaine de L’Aujardiere Cabernet Franc, Loire Valley, France $18

Eric Chevalier produces wine in the Loire Valley just to the west of Burgundy.  2014 Domaine de L’Aujardière Cabernet Franc is imported by Kermit Lynch which gives it a strong recommendation for a quality wine at a good price. Cabernet Franc grapes are lighter than Cabernet Sauvignon. The color is clear, reddish with a light rim and the aromas are woody with ripe raspberries. This wine has a smooth mouth-feel, a slightly peppery taste and a medium long dry finish that ends on a light note. This wine is  an all-purpose red for pork and poultry. Keep this in mind for Thanksgiving turkey. Alcohol: 12%

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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.

 

Kermit Lynch cotes du rhone 12

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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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 ·

Muscadet

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%

 

Chateau Tour d'Auron2009 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%

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

October 1, 2013 · by ·

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

label on Pichot Vouvray

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.

label on 2011 red blend Terrasses du Frigoulet featured at Bishop's Stock

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.

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

September 5, 2012 · by ·

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

label for 2010 La Porte de L'Abbaye Pouilly-Fume Sauvignon Blanc

“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

Label from a bottle of 2009 La Grand Ribe CentenaireLa 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

 

 

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