The Wines of This Week's Tasting:
Carpe Vinum Up to Half Off
February 14, 2018
White
2015 Domaine Fouassier Sancerre Les Chasseignes
Was $33 , now 19.99 Net
Organic and biodynamic, the Fouassier estate makes softly seductive and richly styled wines that are easy to drink and full in the mouth. Les Chasseignes is a single vineyard, soft and rich.
2015 Drouhin Pouilly-Fuisse
Was $32, now 24.99; Mixed Case, 22.49 Special 19.99 by the case
Drouhin is one of the finest negociants in Burgundy, renowned for their ability to express the naunce of site. One of the most popular of their 2015 whites at our dinner in November was their Pouilly Vinzelles . When we had a chnce to get its big brother last week and offer it at almost the same price, we took all we could get , but that it is only 7 cases. It will go quickly.
2014 Robert Weill Riesling Trocken (Dry)
Was $21, Now 15.99; Mixed Case, 14.39; Case, 13.59
Robert Weill makes some of the costliest and most sought after Rieslings in Germany's Rheingau. Their wines' breadth and depth exceed that of most of their neighbors. Even this 'basic' dry riesling would happily grace the top of many another producer's range.
Stephen Reinhardt Wine Advocate, "very clear, precise and aromatic white peach aroma that is already quite upfront. The wine is intense and racy on the palate, with power and juiciness but also a coolish soul on both nose and palate. This is small, dry Spätlese ... its racy acidity is well buffered by the mineral extract. Impressive and already enjoyable."
Rose
2016 Alphonse Mellot Sancerre Moussiere Rose
Was 27.99; Now 19.99; Mixed Case, 17.99; Case, 16.99
Everybody knows you have to drink rose young. The better the rose, the more everybody is wrong. Case in point, this fine poised Pinot Noir rose from an excellent vintage with lots of stuffing and drive. It is just as good now as it was last year when I made the notes below and with its Loire Valley minerality will age like a lighter Pinot red. It will drink better this year than last and is good for at least another couple of years
Color: very pale orange pink; Aroma: light fresh clean , very pretty fine, finely elegant rather rich; Mouth: subdued ripe notes, rather full, pretty & fine, satisfying ripe dark fruit, foccussed structure; Very Good Plus
Red
2012 Windracer Pinot Noir Russian River
Was $45, Now 24.99; Mixed Case, 22.49; Case, 21.24 5 cases only
Aroma: dense heady, plummy deep black fruit, an acid spice edge; Mouth: plummy fullish, black fruit, very full in the front of the mouth, , clean finish, some length, fine tannins on the end; Very Good Plus 24.99; Mixed Case, 22.49; Case, 21.24
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate "charcuterie, roasted herbs and rosemary jam. It is a spicy yet fresh style of Pinot Noir to drink [now]."
2014 Clos Saint Jean Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes
Was $60, now 39.99 Net five cases only
The Maurrel Brothers are famous for their monumental Deus Ex Machina and Combe des Fous Chateauneuf du Papes. in 2014 they opted to put the grapes from those cuvees into their regular bottling, It is a sturdy wine, with their hallmark linear spice.
Jeb Dunnock, Wine Advocate"Richer, darker and also slightly more polished [than the basic botting], the 2014 Châteauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is another beautiful wine and is one of the few gems in the vintage to seek out. Licorice, dried earth, black cherries, raspberries and spice are just some of the nuances here, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, impressive balance and ripe tannin. It will have a decade of overall longevity, and that’s saying something in 2014."
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- Len Rothenberg
