Hi, wine tasters.
We all know a little something about wine. Yes, the ancient Greeks filled their amphorae with wine, and yes it made its way with Greek slaves to what is now Italy, where it was refined and finessed and it evolved into something new and complex. Then the Romans took grapevines with them and planted them anyplace recently conquered. And it’s spread out across the globe, to be sure. You can get wine from India, and from Brazil, and from Virginia. But there’s something special about Bordeaux. The wines are uniquely expressive of place, elegant, pretty, and earthy but clean. Napa is for wine drinkers, but Bordeaux is for wine thinkers. This month, Mike Galkin from Action Wine and Spirits joins us with a satchel full of Bordeaux, both red and white. The tasting is Sunday, June 30th, at 3:30, and for $30, you’ll find tastes of these six wines, some education and snacks and a pleasant afternoon. Call us at 326-9363 to hold your spot.
Bordeaux
2011 Château Des Perligues Graves Blanc $14.00
The clay-gravel soil over deep stony subsoil is what makes the vineyards of the Graves region of Bordeaux so unique. Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc do particularly well planted there. At Chateau des Perligues the vineyards have 75 acres of white wine grapes. The white wine is a blend of 70% Semillon, 25% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Muscadelle. Fermentation is in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks with a very modern approach. No oak barrel aging but the fruit and expression of the soil shines through with refreshing crispness. It has a beautiful pale color with golden hints. The nose shows floral and wet stone scents. The palate shows citrus, jasmine flowers, melon and wet gravel.
2012 Pezat Blanc Bordeaux $20.00
Malolactic fermentation is not allowed and the wine is left on its lees for four months whilst receiving bâttonage. Bottling then takes place immediately to ensure maximum crispness. A light yellow robe, a crisp, fruity nose; a full-flavored zesty white wine with depth and complexity leading to a long, aromatic finish.
2011 Château Blouin $12.00
Beautiful ruby color, this wine from Graves de Vayres region offers a complex and fine bouquet where little red fruits aromas, chocolate and menthol flavors are harmoniously mixed. On the palate, the tannins are present, supple and persistent.
2010 Pezat Bordeaux Superieur $21.00
From Robert Parker: POINTS 86-88 – An excellent effort from Jonathan Maltus, this value-priced, lower-level Bordeaux is normally a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. The 2010 is exactly what one expects from an inexpensive but well-made Bordeaux. Soft tannins, deep berry fruit, a nice, medium-bodied, fleshy texture, and clean finish all make for a delicious wine to drink in its first 3-4 years of life. Drink: 2011/15.
2010 Château Teyssier, Saint Emilion Grand Cru $41.00
Again, from Robert Parker: Points 92: An over-achieving estate for a number of years now, this dense purple wine exhibits oodles of creme de cassis and licorice, hints of subtle barbecue smoke and toast, terrific texture and a long, succulent, fleshy finish. It is not all that dissimilar from the 2009 in terms of its flamboyance and drinkability, although I suspect that analytically the pH is slightly lower and the tannins a bit higher than those of its older sibling. Drink it over the next 10-15 years. From the home estate of Englishman Jonathan Maltus, the 2010 Teyssier is showing better out of bottle than it did out of barrel.
2010 Château Laforge Sant Emilion Grand Cru $74.00
The Laforge, usually composed of approximately 92% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc, is intended to be a blend of the three major terroirs in St.-Emilion – the gravel, sand, and hard limestone hillsides. The 2010 exhibits sweet black currant fruit, powdered limestone and toasty oak in a full-bodied, rich, dense style.