Hi all,
We have another allergy in the house for Thanksgiving, mustard. Kitty's sister, Penny, has a pretty serious reaction to mustard in all forms, so please refrain from any hidden use. Please make sure I know if anything has any mustard in it and I'll make sure to keep it away from Penny. Thanks.
Looking for something beyond the ordinary California Sauvignon Blanc? Look to France and some of the greats, like Sancerre and Quincy. The Haute Victoire Quincy from Henri Bourgeois is a winner and it's around $15.00. I got this bottle from Andronico's market in Walnut Creek, CA. I belive I also have gotten it at Paul Marcus Wines in Rockridge.
It has huge floral and grapefruit aromas and has plenty of body. Great with food. Could you ask for more?
Those who are unfamiliar with the name Dominique Laurent, take note. He's known in the wine world as a "garagiste," a Garage winemaker. He often releases 10s of burgundies a year, all in small batches, such as Echezeaux, Charmes Chambertin Vieilles Vignes or Chambolle Musigny les Charmes Vieilles Vignes. These command $60 to $180 on the shelves of PremierCru but this bottle, his vin ordinaire, is only $10.99 and it's a steal.
Every year, he makes a good quantity of his ordinary Bourgogne, this vintage, 2002, was labeled "Pinot Noir" but I don't remember the 2001 having that called out.
If you're looking for a huge burst of flavor and a long finish, seek out one of his special bottlings, but for everyday drinking with salmon or a little steak, this is a wonderful value. And 2002 was an excellent year in Burgundy.
The body is light, the color is purple around the edges.
A great perfume and flavor -- full of bright fruit, cherries, blueberries, and blackberries. Great balance and a short, but clean finish. A real surprise value.
Repeat purchase? Definitely. I see from the French websites that his 2003 is out and I've seen it for as much as 11 Euros, so I would expect this to be in the $20 range when it hits the States.
This year's Wine and Spirits' Value Brand Report 2005 I found really well laid out, and a very good reference for a good place to start when looking for values. They list specific wines and vintages but I want this to be a quick reference that I keep going back to. Maybe if I ever get a web enabled phone, I could use this blog when I'm roaming the aisle's at BevMo looking for something affordable and reliable. I'm going to go ahead and list the Winery and best varietals. I hope you all find this helpful and refer to this part of the blog often.
USA
Bogle
Chateau La Paws (This was very highly rated. I haven't tried, but will...despite the tacky puns)
Chateau Ste. Michelle
Covey Run
Forest Glen ( stay clear of the oak-bomb chardonnay)
Forestville
Dr. Konstantin Frank
Gallo of Sonoma (dunno. Give it a chance?)
Handley
Hogue
Kendall-Jackson (No way, man. )
Montpellier
Pedroncelli
Rancho Zabaco
Redwood Creek
Snoqualamie
Silvan Ridge
Sterling (stay far away from the chardonnay.)
Talomas
Washington Hills
