The big news is that the new interactive web site is up and running; check it out @ www.heightschateau.com! Upcoming tastings include French, German and Austrian wines with Savio Soares tomorrow, 4-7; Italian wines next Thursday, 5:30-8:30; and next Friday, 5:30-8:30, the spirits tasting offers Partida Tequila and Charbay Vodka. Then there's the dinner Tuesday night at Bacchus featuring wines from Alsace producer Agape.7 courses (some tapas-sized, with 5+ wines), prix fixe $65 ( includes tax but not tip). Space is limited so call the restaurant asap to reserve (718-852-1572). I'll run the current samplers after the new wines, but mine is a bit hobbled by lack of one of my red wines. Anyway, here goes for this week!
NEW WHITES:
Terrazzo 2007 Bianco @ $8.99
(back or new vintage, not sure) Nyakas 2006 Pinot Gris @ $10.99
Caposaldo 2007 Pinot Grigio @ $10.99
(new vintage) Pine Ridge 2007 Chenin Blanc/Ligonier @ $13.99
Shooting Star 2007 Aligote @ $13.99
Luquet Clos de Condemine 2007 Macon-Villages @ $15.99
Robert Oatley 2008 Sauvignon Blanc @ $15.99
Alma Rosa 2007 Chardonnay @ $16.99 (happy to have this lovely chard from old friend Richard Sanford)
Bichot 2006 Bourgogne @ $17.99
Pedro de Soutamaior 2007 Albarino @ $17.99
Robert Oatley 2007 Chardonnay @ $18.99
Chateau Graville Lacoste 2007 Graves @ $18.99
Marcel Deiss b2006 Pinot Blanc @ $26.99
Bailly 2007 Pouilly-Fume "Domaine des Vallees @ $28.99
Chateau La Nerthe 2007 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc @ $52.99
Terrazzo 2007 Bianco @ $8.99
(back or new vintage, not sure) Nyakas 2006 Pinot Gris @ $10.99
Caposaldo 2007 Pinot Grigio @ $10.99
(new vintage) Pine Ridge 2007 Chenin Blanc/Ligonier @ $13.99
Shooting Star 2007 Aligote @ $13.99
Luquet Clos de Condemine 2007 Macon-Villages @ $15.99
Robert Oatley 2008 Sauvignon Blanc @ $15.99
Alma Rosa 2007 Chardonnay @ $16.99 (happy to have this lovely chard from old friend Richard Sanford)
Bichot 2006 Bourgogne @ $17.99
Pedro de Soutamaior 2007 Albarino @ $17.99
Robert Oatley 2007 Chardonnay @ $18.99
Chateau Graville Lacoste 2007 Graves @ $18.99
Marcel Deiss b2006 Pinot Blanc @ $26.99
Bailly 2007 Pouilly-Fume "Domaine des Vallees @ $28.99
Chateau La Nerthe 2007 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc @ $52.99
NEW REDS:
Los Tinos Prensa Real @ $6.99
(new vintage) Simonassi 2007 Malbec @ $8.99
Cellers Unio 2007 Clos del Pinell @ $8.99
Camille Cayran 2007 Cotes-du-Rhone "Le Pas de la Beaume" @ $9.99
Black Pak 2007 Pinot Noir @ $9.99
(new vintage) Iche 2007 Les Heritiques @ $9.99
Delauze 2007 Cotes-du-Rhone-Villages "Val Bruyere" @ $10.99
(new vintage) Septima 2007 Malbec @ $10.99
Terrazzas 2007 Malbec @ $10.99
Hedges 2007 CMS Red @ $14.99
Robert Oatley 2007 Cabernet/Merlot @ $15.99
Domaine Saint-Andrieu 2005 Coteaux du Languedoc @ $16.99
Le. Pigeoulet en Provence 2007 Vin du Pays de Vauclose @ $16.99
Edmeades 2007 Zinfandel @ $17.99
Palacios Remondo 2005 Rioja La Montasa @ $17.99
Domaine des Vallettes 2006 Bourgueil @ $17.99
Juveniles 2006 Syrah @ $18.99
Robert Oatley 2007 Shiraz @ $18.99
Polkura 2006 Syrah @ $19.99
Mas Haut-Buis 2006 Les Carlines @ $19.99 (a new find from the Languedoc)
Chave 2006 Cotes-du-Rhone @ $21.99
Hedges 2006 Red Mountain Red @ $24.99
Simi 2005 Alexander Valley Cabernet @ $24.99
Chateau La Nerthe 2005 Chateauneuf-du-Pape @ $32.99
Simi 2004 Landslide Cabernet @ $32.99
Los Tinos Prensa Real @ $6.99
(new vintage) Simonassi 2007 Malbec @ $8.99
Cellers Unio 2007 Clos del Pinell @ $8.99
Camille Cayran 2007 Cotes-du-Rhone "Le Pas de la Beaume" @ $9.99
Black Pak 2007 Pinot Noir @ $9.99
(new vintage) Iche 2007 Les Heritiques @ $9.99
Delauze 2007 Cotes-du-Rhone-Villages "Val Bruyere" @ $10.99
(new vintage) Septima 2007 Malbec @ $10.99
Terrazzas 2007 Malbec @ $10.99
Hedges 2007 CMS Red @ $14.99
Robert Oatley 2007 Cabernet/Merlot @ $15.99
Domaine Saint-Andrieu 2005 Coteaux du Languedoc @ $16.99
Le. Pigeoulet en Provence 2007 Vin du Pays de Vauclose @ $16.99
Edmeades 2007 Zinfandel @ $17.99
Palacios Remondo 2005 Rioja La Montasa @ $17.99
Domaine des Vallettes 2006 Bourgueil @ $17.99
Juveniles 2006 Syrah @ $18.99
Robert Oatley 2007 Shiraz @ $18.99
Polkura 2006 Syrah @ $19.99
Mas Haut-Buis 2006 Les Carlines @ $19.99 (a new find from the Languedoc)
Chave 2006 Cotes-du-Rhone @ $21.99
Hedges 2006 Red Mountain Red @ $24.99
Simi 2005 Alexander Valley Cabernet @ $24.99
Chateau La Nerthe 2005 Chateauneuf-du-Pape @ $32.99
Simi 2004 Landslide Cabernet @ $32.99
Judy Rings in the New!
Ringing in the new year inspired me to ferret out three new wines to feature . . . A bit of a challenge, since we try our best not to complicate our lives by taking in new items during the holiday season. I did manage to fine a sampler's worth, though, so here goes!
Emerson Vineyards 2007 Pinot Gris
The father-son team of Tom and Elliott Johns own and tend 127 acres of vineyard in Oregon's Willamette Valley; here Elliott makes Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris from grapes grown on the estate and Syrah from grapes bought in from Lodi California. Elliott strives for the most elegant wines possible, a style that is clearly evident in his Pinot Gris: silvery and brilliant, it has flavors of pineapple and lime, with a crisp finish highlighting spice and minerality.
$16.99/btl;$169.90/cs
The father-son team of Tom and Elliott Johns own and tend 127 acres of vineyard in Oregon's Willamette Valley; here Elliott makes Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris from grapes grown on the estate and Syrah from grapes bought in from Lodi California. Elliott strives for the most elegant wines possible, a style that is clearly evident in his Pinot Gris: silvery and brilliant, it has flavors of pineapple and lime, with a crisp finish highlighting spice and minerality.
$16.99/btl;$169.90/cs
Belpoggio 2007 Rosso Piceno "Stupor Mundi"
The Belpoggio Estates are located in the heart of the Marches, on Italy's Adriatic coast, where the winegrowing tradition is thousands of years old. The growers here have jointly 500 acres in production, and all practice eco-compatible agriculture, paying the greatest attention to respecting the land and the environment. This Rosso Piceno is a judicious blend of Sangiovese and Montepulciano, made and matured entirely in stainless steel; an almost transparent ruby red, it has intense fruit flavors of ripe peach and plum. Why the name "stupor mundi," which is Latin for "wonder of the world"? The label features a portrait of Frederick II, who became Holy Roman Emperor at the age of three; his intelligence and talents were so formidable that he soon acquired the nickname "Stupor Mundi."
$11.99/btl;$119.90/cs
The Belpoggio Estates are located in the heart of the Marches, on Italy's Adriatic coast, where the winegrowing tradition is thousands of years old. The growers here have jointly 500 acres in production, and all practice eco-compatible agriculture, paying the greatest attention to respecting the land and the environment. This Rosso Piceno is a judicious blend of Sangiovese and Montepulciano, made and matured entirely in stainless steel; an almost transparent ruby red, it has intense fruit flavors of ripe peach and plum. Why the name "stupor mundi," which is Latin for "wonder of the world"? The label features a portrait of Frederick II, who became Holy Roman Emperor at the age of three; his intelligence and talents were so formidable that he soon acquired the nickname "Stupor Mundi."
$11.99/btl;$119.90/cs
Chateau Pesquié 2006 Terrasses
One of the leading estates in the Côtes du Ventoux appellation, Chateau Pesquié is a family venture now in the third generation, second generation Paul and Edith Chaudière having recently passed the baton to sons Alexandre and Frederic and their cousin Reynaud. The Chaudières named this wine in homage to the Provence countryside terraces their ancestors carved into carefully chosen sites and planted to olive groves and vines. A blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah, the wine is dark red with berry aromas, powerful on the palate but with elegant tannins and a spicy finish.
$14.99/btl;$149.90/cs
One of the leading estates in the Côtes du Ventoux appellation, Chateau Pesquié is a family venture now in the third generation, second generation Paul and Edith Chaudière having recently passed the baton to sons Alexandre and Frederic and their cousin Reynaud. The Chaudières named this wine in homage to the Provence countryside terraces their ancestors carved into carefully chosen sites and planted to olive groves and vines. A blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah, the wine is dark red with berry aromas, powerful on the palate but with elegant tannins and a spicy finish.
$14.99/btl;$149.90/cs
Samplers B, with 2 bottles of each wine: $73.25
Sampler D
Tara's Rebus of the Inauguration and All-American Celebration
$83.99
2 bottle of each
Gruet Brut Methode Champenoise $14.99
Crisp, and full-bodied sparkling wine, which has developed rich complexity and fine mousse. The allure of toasty finish from twenty-four months on tirage, is a complement to the sophisticated apple and citrus flavor. Winemaker's Note: Brilliant with ultra fine bubbles. A wonderful fine bouquet dominated by green apple and grapefruit flavors. A truly classic house style!
Candor NV Zinfandel $17.99
Zinfandel is California's signature grape, and a variety that has gone through more rough patches and glory days than most. Zinfandel in the glass can be thrilling, and it can be absolutely generic. Great Zinfandel grapes grow in pockets all over the state, and the Hope family have done their homework. This wine benefits from a combination of hardy, gnarly old vines, some of them over 50 years old, and exuberant new ones, all meticulously farmed. Blended together across vineyards and vintages, Candor Zinfandel has real panache—bright berry fruit, spice, and that undefinable zing that says it's really Zinfandel.
Liberty School 06 Cabernet Sauvignon $14.99
Liberty School's Cabernet Sauvignon comes primarily from the east side of Paso Robles, prime Cabernet country, with the added complexity of a few west side sources. Drawing on multiple vineyards—usually about a dozen each year—allows the winemaking team to take advantage of different soils, micro-climates, clones and rootstocks to create a harmonious, balanced, rounded final product.
$83.99 for two of each
Sampler D
Tara's Rebus of the Inauguration and All-American Celebration
$83.99
2 bottle of each
Gruet Brut Methode Champenoise $14.99
Crisp, and full-bodied sparkling wine, which has developed rich complexity and fine mousse. The allure of toasty finish from twenty-four months on tirage, is a complement to the sophisticated apple and citrus flavor. Winemaker's Note: Brilliant with ultra fine bubbles. A wonderful fine bouquet dominated by green apple and grapefruit flavors. A truly classic house style!
Candor NV Zinfandel $17.99
Zinfandel is California's signature grape, and a variety that has gone through more rough patches and glory days than most. Zinfandel in the glass can be thrilling, and it can be absolutely generic. Great Zinfandel grapes grow in pockets all over the state, and the Hope family have done their homework. This wine benefits from a combination of hardy, gnarly old vines, some of them over 50 years old, and exuberant new ones, all meticulously farmed. Blended together across vineyards and vintages, Candor Zinfandel has real panache—bright berry fruit, spice, and that undefinable zing that says it's really Zinfandel.
Liberty School 06 Cabernet Sauvignon $14.99
Liberty School's Cabernet Sauvignon comes primarily from the east side of Paso Robles, prime Cabernet country, with the added complexity of a few west side sources. Drawing on multiple vineyards—usually about a dozen each year—allows the winemaking team to take advantage of different soils, micro-climates, clones and rootstocks to create a harmonious, balanced, rounded final product.
$83.99 for two of each
Ariel's Lesson #1: ABC
As part of an on-going effort to educate myself, and other curious wine minds, this will be the first in a series of samplers that will not only highlight our latest and greatest wines but more specifically discuss a grape varietal or wine producing region of the world. Consider it a new years resolution or personal enrichment course that requires nothing more than checking in with us every few weeks and tasting with an open mind. Lesson #1: "ABC", in wine speak stands for "Anything But Chardonnay" but I thought I'd share my interest in a few grapes you may or may not already know that produce some particularly good wines in the store right now.
Domaine Marcillet 2007 Aligoté Bourgogne
A Chardonnay is often a risk – will it be light or full bodied, buttery and oaky or light and racy? It can be confusing, and sometimes disappointing. Aligoté is an easy go-to when you're looking for a light, crisp, high acid, minerally white wine to sip on with oysters or as a simple palate cleanser. Aligoté is possibly best known as a mixer that cuts through the sweetness of creme de cassis in a Kir - a time-honored brunch cocktail and very pleasant apertif. While the grape is heavily planted in Eastern Europe, we're most familiar with the wines it produces in Chablis and the Cote d'Or, where many give it second status as the step-sister, ugly duckling, or "other" white grape from Burgundy to its famed and fabulous star white varietal, Chardonnay. If there were ever a producer who didn't care what the rest of the world thinks it's the folks at Domain Marcillet. Nadine and Remi Marcillet are true vignerons who live far from anyone and everything in the Burgundian wilderness - no email, no internet, just wine and country. They live in a 300-year-old stone farmhouse where they produce traditional wines of great quality, and do wonders with Aligoté. This wine has natural great acidity balanced by a soft green apple creamy quality. It's medium bodied and all together a truly charming wine. Light enough to throw back on its own and distinguished enough to hold up to a white fish, shellfish and poultry. $15.99/btl;$159.90/cs
Casata Monticello 2005 Barbera d'Asti
I love Barbera for its fruity and floral nose, generous fruit and, perhaps most, for its acidity which keeps it fresh and vibrant. Barbera is grown all over Italy but its home is in northern Italy, in Piedmont. It is said to have been discovered in the Monferrato hills, where it is still produced, but the villages of Alba and Asti produce the bulk of what we taste in the US. Barbera from Alba produces wines that can be rich and smooth. In Asti the grape produces a brighter colored wine, tending to have feistier fruit and more present acidity. As is always the case, it's the oak presence or lack thereof that will have the greatest effect on the wine. Barbera can be a light and breezy quaffing wine or it can be complex and powerful. Casata Monticello falls into the first category, it goes down almost too easily. Plump cherry and plum fruit is held together by firm but not harsh acidity and even though the wine has some age on it, it's still very fresh. Casata Monticello is so easy and delicious to drink, and currently my first choice for a pizza wine – particularly with the Margherita pizza next door at La Pizetta! $11.99/btl;$119.90/cs
JP Private Selection 2002 Palmela
Our C grape, Castelao, is from Portugal and is perhaps better known to the US market as Periquita, "little parrot", a proprietary name acquired by the Cove de Periquita when it was first planted in the 1850s. Portugal remains one of the few remaining regions of the world where you can still find a good bargain, and the JP brand is one you can rely on for really good, really cheap wines - think Target (soft g, accent over the e please). However, the wine featured here is JP's Private Selection - think Commes des Garcons at H&M or Stella McCartney if you prefer. The Private Selection is only produced in spectacular growing seasons and then held another year in oak casks. The 2002 vintage is the latest one on the market. Ruby colored with a garnet hue, the wine has the nose of a great aged Rioja Reserva with sweet cherry jam like fruits, tobacco, and a tinge of French oak. It is medium bodied with black cherry fruit on the palate that is not rich or jammy, with leather, tobacco, and spice flavors to finish.† The wine is complex in a classic European style, it has an aged quality beyond its years and is drinking beautifully right now. Will pair well with a variety of chicken dishes, as well as lamb – a great choice if you're dining at one of the BYOB Middle Eastern restaurants close by. $11.99/btl; $119.90/cs
Domaine Marcillet 2007 Aligoté Bourgogne
A Chardonnay is often a risk – will it be light or full bodied, buttery and oaky or light and racy? It can be confusing, and sometimes disappointing. Aligoté is an easy go-to when you're looking for a light, crisp, high acid, minerally white wine to sip on with oysters or as a simple palate cleanser. Aligoté is possibly best known as a mixer that cuts through the sweetness of creme de cassis in a Kir - a time-honored brunch cocktail and very pleasant apertif. While the grape is heavily planted in Eastern Europe, we're most familiar with the wines it produces in Chablis and the Cote d'Or, where many give it second status as the step-sister, ugly duckling, or "other" white grape from Burgundy to its famed and fabulous star white varietal, Chardonnay. If there were ever a producer who didn't care what the rest of the world thinks it's the folks at Domain Marcillet. Nadine and Remi Marcillet are true vignerons who live far from anyone and everything in the Burgundian wilderness - no email, no internet, just wine and country. They live in a 300-year-old stone farmhouse where they produce traditional wines of great quality, and do wonders with Aligoté. This wine has natural great acidity balanced by a soft green apple creamy quality. It's medium bodied and all together a truly charming wine. Light enough to throw back on its own and distinguished enough to hold up to a white fish, shellfish and poultry. $15.99/btl;$159.90/cs
Casata Monticello 2005 Barbera d'Asti
I love Barbera for its fruity and floral nose, generous fruit and, perhaps most, for its acidity which keeps it fresh and vibrant. Barbera is grown all over Italy but its home is in northern Italy, in Piedmont. It is said to have been discovered in the Monferrato hills, where it is still produced, but the villages of Alba and Asti produce the bulk of what we taste in the US. Barbera from Alba produces wines that can be rich and smooth. In Asti the grape produces a brighter colored wine, tending to have feistier fruit and more present acidity. As is always the case, it's the oak presence or lack thereof that will have the greatest effect on the wine. Barbera can be a light and breezy quaffing wine or it can be complex and powerful. Casata Monticello falls into the first category, it goes down almost too easily. Plump cherry and plum fruit is held together by firm but not harsh acidity and even though the wine has some age on it, it's still very fresh. Casata Monticello is so easy and delicious to drink, and currently my first choice for a pizza wine – particularly with the Margherita pizza next door at La Pizetta! $11.99/btl;$119.90/cs
JP Private Selection 2002 Palmela
Our C grape, Castelao, is from Portugal and is perhaps better known to the US market as Periquita, "little parrot", a proprietary name acquired by the Cove de Periquita when it was first planted in the 1850s. Portugal remains one of the few remaining regions of the world where you can still find a good bargain, and the JP brand is one you can rely on for really good, really cheap wines - think Target (soft g, accent over the e please). However, the wine featured here is JP's Private Selection - think Commes des Garcons at H&M or Stella McCartney if you prefer. The Private Selection is only produced in spectacular growing seasons and then held another year in oak casks. The 2002 vintage is the latest one on the market. Ruby colored with a garnet hue, the wine has the nose of a great aged Rioja Reserva with sweet cherry jam like fruits, tobacco, and a tinge of French oak. It is medium bodied with black cherry fruit on the palate that is not rich or jammy, with leather, tobacco, and spice flavors to finish.† The wine is complex in a classic European style, it has an aged quality beyond its years and is drinking beautifully right now. Will pair well with a variety of chicken dishes, as well as lamb – a great choice if you're dining at one of the BYOB Middle Eastern restaurants close by. $11.99/btl; $119.90/cs
Sampler A with 2 bottles of each wine: $66.99
Sampler C
Lesson #2 : Rhone Reds
Lesson #2 : Rhone Reds
The Rhone river flows from Switzerland down to the Mediterranean, and the surrounding valley is the home of the Rhone wine region. The valley is split, North and South, and each produce wines with distinctly different characteristics. The cooler Northern half produces high quality wines from a single varietal (Syrah & Viognier), with very little blending. The warmer Southern half is where Grenache based blends dominate and a higher volume of wine is produced. The Cote du Rhone AOC covers 100,000 acres, not including the many other appellations from the same region (25+), which means there's a lot of variety in style and quality. We've selected three reds from the South to show off some of the better finds from the region. Look to future samplers to highlight several of the more renowned villages (Gigondas, Vacqueras, Chataneuf de Pape) and the Northern Rhone. These powerhouse wines are known to be some of the greatest wines in the world. In the meantime, take pleasure in these - they're sure to warm you up, calm you down or accent your meal today, tonight, or tomorrow…
Autard 2007 Cotes Du Rhone AOC
This wine represents the best of what the Rhone has to offer - it's tasteful, elegant, reasonably priced, easy to drink and a good match for a variety of foods. Jean Paul Autard is a master of the Southern Rhone, where he manages his plots of vines mindfully - no pesticides, no chemical anti-rot products, no fertilizer. He works the land by hand, carrying on the method "lutte raisonnee" set forth by his father in the 1970s. Made mostly from Grenache, the wine has good fruit flavor, and the addition of 15% Syrah & 5% Mourvedre gives it serious focus and a sturdy quality that holds up to heartier meat dishes. The current vintage is medium bodied with a nose of dark red fruits, tobacco and a bit of leather. On the palate, it is earth bound with black cherry fruit flavor balanced with relatively mild acidity and a dry finish. This wine is true to form - a classic Rhone red. $15.99/btl; $159.24/cs
This wine represents the best of what the Rhone has to offer - it's tasteful, elegant, reasonably priced, easy to drink and a good match for a variety of foods. Jean Paul Autard is a master of the Southern Rhone, where he manages his plots of vines mindfully - no pesticides, no chemical anti-rot products, no fertilizer. He works the land by hand, carrying on the method "lutte raisonnee" set forth by his father in the 1970s. Made mostly from Grenache, the wine has good fruit flavor, and the addition of 15% Syrah & 5% Mourvedre gives it serious focus and a sturdy quality that holds up to heartier meat dishes. The current vintage is medium bodied with a nose of dark red fruits, tobacco and a bit of leather. On the palate, it is earth bound with black cherry fruit flavor balanced with relatively mild acidity and a dry finish. This wine is true to form - a classic Rhone red. $15.99/btl; $159.24/cs
Fenouillet 2007 VDP Vaucluse
Domaine de Fenouillet is perhaps most well known for its sweet white wine made of Muscat in the village of Beaumes de Venise, but it has vineyards throughout the Rhone and produces wines of every creed - red, white, rose, dry and sweet. The family run business has worked its vines since 1902, but only in the past 20 years did the current generation hold on to their grapes instead of selling them to the local cooperative. A blend of Rhone varietals (Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvedre and Carignan) this is Domaine de Fenouillet's table wine and is meant for easy and early consumption. The wine is light to medium bodied with aromas of black fruit, spice and pepper. Fresh and fruity on the palate, this is a simple wine that satisfies.$10.99/btl; $109.44/cs
Domaine de Fenouillet is perhaps most well known for its sweet white wine made of Muscat in the village of Beaumes de Venise, but it has vineyards throughout the Rhone and produces wines of every creed - red, white, rose, dry and sweet. The family run business has worked its vines since 1902, but only in the past 20 years did the current generation hold on to their grapes instead of selling them to the local cooperative. A blend of Rhone varietals (Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvedre and Carignan) this is Domaine de Fenouillet's table wine and is meant for easy and early consumption. The wine is light to medium bodied with aromas of black fruit, spice and pepper. Fresh and fruity on the palate, this is a simple wine that satisfies.$10.99/btl; $109.44/cs
Mas du Fandan Rouge 2007 Cote du Ventoux AOC
Mas du Fandan comes from the Cote du Ventoux, a stretch of land that separates Provence from the Rhone valley and known for relatively easy drinking. Wines are typically light- to medium- bodied blends made from Grenache, Syrah, Carignan and Mouvedre. One thing that strikes me about this wine is the winemaker's explanation of the Domaine's name: "The fadan or fada is the name given to whoever has been touched by the fairies and lost their mind". (Mas = Farm...farm of freaks and fairies?) The man behind this intriguing explanation is David Feyet, a professional handballer who became a winemaker following a severe knee injury. Feyet's whimsical or mystical outlook is matched with a great pedigree for making wine. He relies on his goats to fertilize his soil, thereby avoiding any and all herbicides and producing an *organic* wine that has a distinct Syrah feel. Red fruits and black currant, with a hint of eucalyptus, are detected on the nose. It is medium bodied with medium tannins and red fruit flavors that give way to tobacco and spice on the palate. As the wine opens up, you will find its youthful complexity and affordability quite beguiling. $14.99/btl; $149.28/cs
Mas du Fandan comes from the Cote du Ventoux, a stretch of land that separates Provence from the Rhone valley and known for relatively easy drinking. Wines are typically light- to medium- bodied blends made from Grenache, Syrah, Carignan and Mouvedre. One thing that strikes me about this wine is the winemaker's explanation of the Domaine's name: "The fadan or fada is the name given to whoever has been touched by the fairies and lost their mind". (Mas = Farm...farm of freaks and fairies?) The man behind this intriguing explanation is David Feyet, a professional handballer who became a winemaker following a severe knee injury. Feyet's whimsical or mystical outlook is matched with a great pedigree for making wine. He relies on his goats to fertilize his soil, thereby avoiding any and all herbicides and producing an *organic* wine that has a distinct Syrah feel. Red fruits and black currant, with a hint of eucalyptus, are detected on the nose. It is medium bodied with medium tannins and red fruit flavors that give way to tobacco and spice on the palate. As the wine opens up, you will find its youthful complexity and affordability quite beguiling. $14.99/btl; $149.28/cs
Sampler C, with 2 of each bottle: $69.99
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