Feb.06 - Southern France and South Africa

Yee gods, seems like yesterday we were celebrating the New Year and already another month is gone! The first release of February brings us 2 features – Southern France and South Africa. Both are somewhat underappreciated regions which should be a good thing for your wallet. If the Vintages buyers are on the ball we should have some tasty well priced bargains.  Key word in both these statements is ‘should’. Here we go.

WHITES

LOIRE

PIERRE-LUC BOUCHAUD MUSCADET SÈVRE ET MAINE 2014   336 cases of 12 $14.95 – At a tasting last year I was sure this was a far more expensive white Burgundy. Shame on me! It turned out to be a Loire Muscadet Sèvre et Maine produced from 100% melon de bourgogne grapes. It’s an excellent option if you’re looking for a well priced daily drinker to replace more expensive chardonnays. Terrific on its own or with some grilled shrimp, and even better with fresh water pickerel or bass.

SOUTH AFRICA - Whites

KEN FORRESTER OLD VINE RESERVE CHENIN BLANC 2015   300 cases of 12 $17.95 – Good, new world, chenin blanc. (There’s a Cali alternative for $1 more that you also might want to try this week).

SOUTH AFRICA - REDS

Three Cabs/ Bordeaux blends from South Africa. All are very good.

RUPERT & ROTHSCHILD CLASSIQUE 2012 A 12 503 cases of 12 $22.95 

RUSTENBERG RM NICHOLSON 2013   299 cases of 12 $19.95 

GRAHAM BECK THE GAME RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013   250 cases of 12 $18.95  

MIDI 

CAVE DE ROQUEBRUN LA GRANGE DES COMBES SAINT-CHINIAN  277 cases of 12 $18.95 – Consistent, quality  wine.

 HECHT & BANNIER MINERVOIS 2013   279 cases of 12   $19.95   I tend to think of Minervois reds as the  equivalents of a lower cru Cotes du Rhone Villages. H and B are excellent producers.

RHÔNE

FONCALIEU RÉSERVE DU CROUZAU ST. GERVAIS CÔTES DU RHONE VILLAGES 2012-  599 cases of 12 $16.95 – From the named village of St. Gervais, this is a well priced option and from a better year for Grenache (better than 2013 for sure) in the Southern Rhone.

DOMAINE DE LA COLLINE ST-JEAN VACQUEYRAS 2012 300 cases of 12  $24.95

GREECE

BOUTARI NAOUSSA XINOMAVRO 2013 450 cases of 12 $13.95 – Grill something to accompany this well priced quality wine and be comfortable serving your guests xinomavro instead of Cab Sauv, Malbec or Shiraz. Roughly translated to acid black, that about sums this one up.

AUSTRALIA

SISTERS RUN CALVARY HILL SHIRAZ 2013 - $15.95 – Well made, slightly less ostentatious (that is to say, fewer medals on the bottle) shiraz.
THE BLACK CHOOK SHIRAZ/VIOGNIER 2014   1063 cases of 12 $17.95 – Festooned with enough medals to sink a super freighter, this wine is a good if somewhat old school shiraz.

TUSCANY

CASTELLI DEL GREVEPESA CLEMENTE VII CHIANTI CLASSICO 2010  599 cases of 12 $20.95  - 2010 was a wonderful year in Tuscany, and this should be in its prime.

WASHINGTON STATE

COLUMBIA CREST H3 LES CHEVAUX RED BLEND 2012   335 cases of 12  $19.95  - A  crowd pleasing blend  for parties and BBQs. I’ve found the Columbia Crest wines a little heavy on the oak lately but YMMV.

4 Bubblies for Valentine’s Day from well known producers

GÉRARD BERTRAND CUVÉE THOMAS JEFFERSON BRUT CRÉMANT DE LIMOUX 2014  499 cases of 6 $19.95 – Something a little different from Gerard Bertrand. Could be time for a Cremant fest! This nice blend of Chenin and Chard is perfect to say Cheers while playing Ch-Ch-Changes at your next Bowie themed house party.

NINO FRANCO BRUT VALDOBBIADENE PROSECCO SUPERIORE   400 cases of 12 $21.95  - Worth searching out.

PIERRE SPARR BRUT ROSÉ CRÉMANT D'ALSACE 330 cases of 12  $18.95  - Well known Alsace producer, high quality  in both still and sparklers. Butted up against Germany and Switzerland, Alsace produces some terrific cool climate wines.

SOUTH AFRICA - GRAHAM BECK BRUT ROSÉ   499 cases of 6 $19.95 – One more well known producer, this time from South Africa.

BIG BUCKS and ‘EXCLUSIVES’

ROCCA DELLE MACÌE RISERVA DI FIZZANO SINGLE VINEYARD 2011  117 cases of 12 $32.95 – This single vineyard wine meets all the requirements to be a Gran Selezione and should be terrific. Not necessarily a contemplation (or is that meditation?) wine, this’ll be wonderful with any Tuscan cuisine.

Secret des Schistes 2011 – This wine, made from 100% syrah grapes, gets a wonderful score from Jeb Dunnuck. Does it live up to it? Maybe, but the wine is new to me and with Crozes Hermitages and St. Joseph’s available for less, I'll have a hard time spending this much. 

BURROWING OWL MERLOT 2012 167  cases of 12 $39.95  

SAN GIACOMO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2010   111 cases of 12  $49.95 – Well scored by all, and from the 2010 vintage (broken record time, I know!) this’ll be ready now with a good decant but superb in a couple of years.

CHÂTEAU LA NERTHE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2012   99 cases of 12 $49.95 – Expensive for the quality you’ll get. It’s tough to decide if you should spend the $50 on a Brunello instead.