Our Wine Wednesdays, include one *free sample from each of our hand selected fine wine features (up to four wines). This week we feature some new wines from Asheville’s own wine importer, Jean-Philippe.

Domaine de Châteaumar CÔTES DU RHÔNE Perle de Rosé
90% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre. 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. Rose petal color, a nose of fresh red and yellow fruits (strawberries, raspberries, peaches). On the palate, the wine is soft, round, with elegant sweetness from the fruits noted on the nose, a good minerality, and a fresh lingering finish.

Chateau des Annibals Cuvee des Annibals Rosé
70% Cinsault, 10% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 5% Rolle, 5% Ugni Blanc. Located in the heart of the Provence verte region, on the southern side of a valley near the La Loube mountains, the Chateau des Annibals, founded in 1772, spreads over 30 hectares of vines (75 acres). Most of the vineyards fall under the Coteaux Varois en Provence AOP. Chateau des Annibals is one of the pillar estates of the region to the point where the AOP Coteaux Varois en Provence was actually signed at the winery. Nathalie Coquelle, owner and winemaker, has dedicated herself to sustainability. The estate is fully farmed organically and run using 100% of renewable energy sources. A bright and elegant pink hue, this dry and fruity wine offers aromas of peach with notes of fresh ripe white fruits and pineapple. Very clear, refreshing, and mineral. Enjoy this wine by itself, or with an assortment of light fare.

Gönc Winery Pinot Noir
Gönc winery is a family tradition going back to the year 1936 when Peter Gene’s great grandfather built their first wine cellar and planted the vineyard around it in the small town of Dobrovnik in Slovenia. After World War II his grandfather moved to the city Ptuj where he started working in the Ptujska Klet – Ptuj wine cellar as a cellar cleaner and worked his way up to head winemaker and CEO of the oldest winery in Slovenia now know as Pullus. Peter’s father also worked at the same winery but on the side, he also planted 24 acres of vineyards to keep up the family tradition (now 28 acres total). When Peter came of age they built a new cellar in Ptuj and started Gönc again. Peter is the 4th generation of winemakers and winegrowers in the family. Fun fact, Gönc is actually a name for a barrel that they produce in Hungary of 136 liters volume and there are 136 dots on each bottle of their wines with each dot representing 1 Liter…Bright ruby hue, great extraction and concen­tration, with aromas of bright confit cherry, red berries, and soft dark spices. On the palate the wine is juicy, round, and harmonious, with notes pronounced on the nose. Long lingering finish.

Chateau Lamothe Castera
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