February 5 - Vintages

DOMAINE LE GRAND RETOUR
PLAN DE DIEU
CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2009
AC
In 2010, this wine won Gold Medals at both
the Concours Général Agricole in Paris and the
Concours des Vins in Orange.
TASTING NOTE: Winemaking has been going on
in the Côtes du Rhone region since pre-Roman
times. This Grenache blend is a beguiling, inky
red that brims with aromas and flavours of
blueberry, blackberry, chocolate, licorice, cedar
spice, and herbes de Provence. A medium- to
full-bodied Rhône red that’s ready to enjoy with
ginger chicken or shepherd’s pie. (VINTAGES
panel, April 2010)
127167 (XD) 750 mL $13.95 2
LES GRANDES SERRES
PRESTIGE DES GRANDES SERRE 2009
AC Côtes du Rhône-Villages, Rasteau
This wine won a Gold Medal at the Concours
des Vins in Orange, in 2010.
TASTING NOTE: Recently, Rasteau received a
long-awaited approval to begin selling dry red
wines under its own appellation name, separate
from Côtes du Rhône-Villages. This red has a
plum-and-spice nose, and flavours of black plum,
blackberry, mince tart, honey and white pepper
that all recur nicely on the palate to a warm, spicy
finish. A well-made wine, with a medium body and
good length. An excellent choice for grilled red
snapper or ratatouille. (VINTAGES panel, April 2010)
194944 (XD) 750 mL $16.95 1
MONTIRIUS GARRIGUES
VACQUEYRAS 2009
AC
(Saurel et Seignour)
TASTING NOTE: The 2009 Vacqueyras Les
Garrigues (70% Grenache and 30% Syrah)
exhibits notes of roasted meats, beef blood,
crushed Provencal herbs, lavender, black cherries
and black currants. Medium to full-bodied with
silky tannins and a plump, succulent mouthfeel,
it is a delicious Vacqueyras for drinking over the
next 5-7 years. Score: 87-90 (Robert Parker Jr.,
www.erobertparker.com, Oct. 2010)
108779 (XD) 750 mL $23.95 2
DISCOVER OUR LATEST • SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2011
FRANCE – ROSÉ WINE
BORDEAUX
DOMAINE DE CHEVALIER
ROSÉ DE CHEVALIER 2009
AC Pessac-Léognan
TASTING NOTE: Medium pink in the glass with
immediate and intense fruity notes on the nose. An
abundance of wild strawberry, maraschino cherry,
and pink grapefruit with pear and watermelon. Dry,
soft and fruity on the palate with a balanced and
bright acidity. Elegant and pretty with red fruit and
touch of minerality on the medium finish. Enjoy with
stuffed pork tenderloin. (VINTAGES panel, Dec. 2010)
209734 (D) 750 mL $18.95 1
Featured in Fine Wine for your Valentine
GERMANY – WHITE WINE
BADEN
KÖNIGSCHAFFHAUSER PINOT GRIS
TROCKEN 2009
QbA Baden, Vulkanfelsen
When most of us think of German wines we tend
to think of Riesling. However, in the southern
Baden region, the Pinot grapes – Pinots Noir,
Blanc and Gris – also play a starring role. The
Germans have proven to be masters of these
varieties, and the Kaiserstuhl sub-region (across
the border from Alsace), where the grapes for this
wine were sourced, is considered to be the best
production area in Baden. As an added bonus,
this wine’s name is a great one to keep in your
back pocket for Scrabble nights.
597500 (D) 750 mL $13.95 1
PFALZ
PFEFFINGEN SCHEUREBE
SPÄTLESE 2008
QmP, Ungsteiner Herrenberg
TASTING NOTE: ... Cooling mint and sage, honeydew
melon and pineapple soothe both in the nose
and on a silken-textured palate, where 53 grams
of residual sugar are beautifully incorporated
without depriving the finish of vivacity and juicy
refreshment. This will remain a delight for at
least the next 12-15 years. Score: 91 (David
Schildknecht, www.erobertparker.com, Feb. 2010)
014837 (MS) 750 mL $19.95 2
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2011 VINTAGES 41