Our Wine Wednesdays, include one *free sample from each of our hand selected fine wine features (up to four wines). This week we welcome Skip from Freedom Beverage & a bag full of wines from one of our favorite ( and oldest ) local wine importers, Philippe Bourgeois.

Domaine de Beausejour Les Grenettes Touraine Sauvignon Blanc
At the heart of the “King’s Valley”, country of the good life, an outstanding vineyard unfolds along the banks of the river Cher: Touraine. Here vinegrowers are noble-hearted men; their only truth: to preserve genuineness. At BEAUSEJOUR four generations of vinegrowers have built a legacy and have always wanted the vine and the wine to express themselves completely. Nowadays, Philippe & Valerie Trotignon are still working with the same will to respect tradition added to a permanent concern about quality. Nestled on the Cher hillsides, the vineyard stretches over 50 acres scattered on the rural districts of Noyers sur Cher and St Romain sur Cher. Philippe took over the estate as a whole in 2002, after having worked on it in GAEC with his parents (Jean-Paul and Colette) for 15 years. The color is bright, deep golden-yellow with a tinge of green. At slight whirling of the glass, you can smell a very fine bouquet of lily and box-wood, floral aromas of honeysuckle, peach and lychees. A deeper breath reveals all the subtleties of the grapes. On the palate it develops a velvety sensation in the whole mouth thanks to a beginning which is both lively and supple. The finish is long, fruity, round, full and luscious to the end.

Bellula Pinot Noir
This wine is a joint venture beetween Vianney Castan and JP Bourgeois. Vianney owns the Chateau St Jean d’Aumiere, neighbor of the Mas de Daumas Gassac in Gignac. The young vines for our Chardonnay come from the center of the Languedoc around the terroir of Beziers, in the Oc region. Bellula aims at expressing all the Languedoc has to share: Passion, Know-how, and Joy for Life. Handcrafted wines, to be enjoyed every day with or without food, for constant gratification at a very reasonable price! An intense red color and a nose packed with red fruits and spices for this wine, whose palate confirms the aromas revealed by the nose. The well-balanced mouth is fine and elegant and offers a nice freshness. Round, very fruit forward, this extreme value wine can be enjoyed with your everyday meals or by itself.

Châteaumar Cotes du Rhone Cuvee Vincent Syrah
Castel Mar (Chateaumar) estate dates back to the 11th century. For many generations the vines at Domaine de Chateaumar have been cultivated by father and son. Today it is Jean-Felix and Frederic Souret managing the vineyard, always maintaining the greatest respect for nature: vineyards run for generations without any pesticides or herbicides. The estate is located 9 km from Orange, in the heart of the AOP Cotes du Rhone. The vineyards include 25 acres in Cotes du Rhone, on stony clay-limestone soils, and 12 acres in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. The soil of this prestigious appellation is red clay and large round cobbles. The vineyard is naturally established from several noble varieties of the Southern Rhone, principally Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre. Farming is fully sustainable. The soil is turned several times during the year which allows the vines to draw a wonderful energy from deep down to create beautifully formed grapes. Once matured the grapes are hand-harvested, selected, and sorted. Cuvee Vincent is made from 50+ year old vines growing on two parcels bordering Chateauneuf-du-Pape. A rich and complex wine, with aromas of blackberries, blueberries, and dark spices. This wine will pair well with all your heartier dishes.

Mas des Etoiles Petite Etoile Cahors Malbec
Mas des Etoiles was born in 2007 from an association between two winemaker friends Arnaud Bladinieres and David Liorit. This winery, nested in the heart of the Cahors appellation, is divided into 2.5 acres of white wine and 12 acres of reds. This partnership really started in 1998, on the first day of school at the viticultural high school of Montagne in Saint Emilion where Arnaud and David met and became close friends during their entire “lycee.” In 2002, they lost touch while perfecting their winemaking skills with internships all across the globe (Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Australia). In 2005, Arnaud came back to work at his father’s estate, Chateau Bladinieres in Cahors. The rest is history…. Arnaud and David farm their estate sustainably, all by hand, to insure the best quality of grapes possible. Each cuvee is vinified and aged separately in tanks or oak barrels for the top Cuvees. An extracted nose of sweet fresh red and dark fruits. On the palate, the wine is round, very fruity, with a solid structure and very soft, well integrated tannins. A great modern Malbec from Cahors, that will pair well with all your meats and heartier dishes.

Chateau Lamothe Castera Bordeaux Cuvee
85% Cabernet Sauvignon 15% Merlot Chateau Lamothe-Castera, located in the village of Roquebrune in the Entre Deux Mers area, region of Bastides, 50 miles from Bordeaux, has been producing wine since the 15th century. Nowadays, Claire and Renaud Jean run this 190 acres winery in the Bordeaux and Bordeaux Superieur AOP. The vineyards, composed of 30 year old vines Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot are farmed sustainably.This wine made from old vines has a brilliant ruby color. The nose is marked by flavor of small ripe red fruits, spices, and of vanilla. A harmonious and smooth wine, with a good intensity, very pleasant on the palate. Enjoy over the next 5 years with all your meals or by itself.

 

 

 

 

 

*tasting free with purchase of $10 or more per guest