Wines of the Week
Each week, we select a few wines from our shop for a 10% discount and some spotlight as to why we think they're so great!
2022 Pouilly-Fume 'Les Debuts,' Francis Blanchet, Loire, France - The communes of Sancerre and Pouilly Fume both claim to produce the finest Sauvignon Blanc and Francis Blanchet certainly stands out as one the top producers, focusing on natural production and expressing the terroir of his hillside and plateau vineyards. The best sites in both villages contain bands of flint-rich soils, or silex, giving the wines an aroma of struck gunflint, hence the name fume, French for smoky. Pouilly is short for Pouilly-sur-Loire, the village the wines come from. Les Debuts (the beginnings) references a style that Pouilly-sur-Loire winemakers used to traditionally make, combining fruit from all their various terroirs to craft a single wine. It is sourced from estate holdings, with single plots containing: Kimmeridgian (chalky)marl, clay and flint stone, and a mix of limestone with fossil-rich marl. The vines are at least 25 years old, hand harvested, farmed sustainably and pressed full cluster, resulting in aromas of white flowers, crushed seashells, lemon rind, white fruit, and hints of river stone, followed by a fresh and clean palate with flavors of white
fruits and citrus. A great accompaniment to baked white fish, spicy Thai preparations, and fresh goat cheese.
2018 Sancerre Rouge 'Vieillles Vignes,' Jerome Godon, Loire, France - Sancerre is best known for producing world-renowned Sauvignon Blanc, but about 20% of the appellation's production is to red and rose wine made from Pinot Noir. The vineyards in Sancerre surround the eponymous town,which sits atop a bean-shaped hill overlooking the river Loire. Sancerre is located at the very eastern edge of Loire Valley's main vineyard area, with vineyards found mostly on the hills with a favorable south facing slope at altitudes between 200 to 400 meters, and a total of 2820 hectares. Jerome Godon can trace his domaine back ten generations, covering 14 hectares, farming sustainably, producing white, red, and rose wines. The Old Vines Rouge is sourced from limestone vineyards and, macerated for 3 months in steel before aging in used oak barrels. The wine shows a nose of ripe black berries, with hints of toast, followed by an unctuous palate with velvety tannins and vibrant acidity, finishing with red berry notes. It pairs well with grilled sausages, pasta with mushrooms and red sauce, and rustic semi-soft farm cheeses.
2016 Listrac-Medoc, Chateau Mayne Lalande Reserve, Bordeaux, France - Listrac-Medoc is an appellation for red wine in the Haut-Medoc district of Bordeaux, covering approximately 420 hectares, and providing some of the best value-driven wines in the Medoc. The Lartigue family has been settled in Listrac and Moulis for more than six generations, with Bernard Lartigue creating Chateau Mayne Lalande in 1982, covering 15 hectares in the western part of the appellation. The wine is made from 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot, showing a deep violet color with aromas of candied fruit, notably red berries and black currant, and cloves, followed by a fruity and generous palate with density and structure with well integrated tannins, finishing with dark fruits and hints of licorice. A great accompaniment to fried duck, roasted game, creamy pasta dishes, and brie or Camembert cheeses.