Le Caveau - November 26th, 2011 - Small Business Saturday Tasting

1) 2009 Provenza “Lugana” Lugana DOC $ 14.99
100% Trebbiano di Lugana
This white wine displays a subtle straw color with green highlights. The delicate bouquet of almonds is enhanced by a slightly salty, semi-sweet, flavor of citrus and almond butter.
Trebbiano is the second most planted grape in Italy, and this sub variety is grown in clay soil around Lake Garda. (aka the largest lake in Italy)

2) 2009 Laurent Miquel Père et Fils Chardonnay Pays d'Oc $ 9.99
100% Chardonnay
This is early-picked (for the Languedoc) unoaked Chardonnay showing nice citrus acidity, clean white fruit and a hint of aniseed. It’s crisp and fresh with a long bright finish.
Since 1791, eight generations of the Miquel family have worked the vines of their estate high in the Lanauedoc hills. To Pay tribute to his ancestries, he named this range “Père et Fils” (Father and Son) and by looking at the label you’ll see a vine with on its roots all the first names of each of Laurent’s forbearers.

3) 2007 Domaine Duseigneur “Antàres” Lirac AOC $17.99
60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 20% Mouvedre
A garnet-coloured robe is draped over spice, licorice and black cherry fruit. With a long, lingering finish that presents hints of raisin, smoke, and garrigue (aka: Herbs from Provence - lavender, etc).
This biodynamically-farmed vineyard is located on the West bank of the Rhône Valley, near the picturesque village of Saint-Laurent-des-Arbres, and in view of the slopes of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. On old alluvial terraces the soil is made up of red clay and pebbles on top of a layer of sand. The vine grows through this seemingly uncultivatable soil, the farming of which requires great belief, patience and tenacity.

4) 2009 Chateau Richard “Cuvée Natural” Bergerac AOC $ 17.99
90% Merlot, 10%, Cabernet Franc
This organic Bergerac (near Bordeaux) has pretty cassis, berry fruit aromas and a pleasant supple palate with good acidity and freshness. An everyday red and an excellent value, particularly for a wine made without added sulfites.
This winery is Ecocert organic certified and no sulphur dioxide added to the wine.

5) 2006 Château Garderose “Cuvée Saint-Vincent” Lalande de Pomerol AOC $16.99
80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
This red Bordeaux has a crazy complex nose of dark plum, leather, rich black fruits with light oak and tobacco notes. The palate shows firm, but mature tannins and nice balancing acidity with a subtle earthy finish.
The region of Lalande-de-Pomerol is considered a lesser-known “satellite” of the more famous Pomerol appellation, although it actually covers more acreage. Merlot is the dominant grape in the region, accounting for over 80% of the vines planted. (Cabernet Franc is a distant second.) The wines of Lalande-de-Pomerol wine is often compared to the more famous Pomerol appellation, but is sold at a fraction of the price.
I thought it smelled of fresh butter and cranberries
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Interesting people today: Leslie McCain of Total Wine was at this tasting.