2007, Stratageme Basalte, Red Blend, Coteaux de Languedoc
This wine is produced under the umbrella of Le Prieure Saint Sever by negotiant and winemaker Thierry Rodriguez. Stratageme is a collection of closely guarded proprietary blends intended to capture the essence of place more than expression of fruit. It is likely the blend includes some amounts of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and/or Cinsault. The translation [...]
2008, Chemin des Papes, Red Blend, Cotes du Rhone
Talking points: Chemin des Papes is an everyday red based on 60% Grenache with 40% Syrah. Grenache and Syrah, in that order, are the two most important grapes in all red wines from the Southern Rhone. Tasting notes: This medium-bodied wine shows aromas of pomegranate and cherry which carry through on the palate with light [...]
2005, Les Granges de Gazin, Red Blend, Pessac-Leognan, Graves
Talking points: Les Granges de Gazin is produced by Chateau Gazin-Rocquencort. The property was purchased in 2006 by the Bonnie family, of Chateau Malartic-Lagraviere fame. Michel Rolland is one of two consulting winemakers overseeing the winemaking process. Tasting notes: This wine shows aromas and flavors of crushed blackberry, raspberry and currant with toasty oak notes. [...]
2005 La Closerie de Camensac, Red Blend, Haute-Medoc, Bordeaux
Talking points: This is the “second wine” of Chateau Camensac. Chateau Camensac (the first wine) is a Fifth Growth of the 1855 Classification. The property which is owned by the Forner family, borders on the Saint-Julien appellation. Of interest, the Forner family is best known for the modern-style wines made at their winery called Marques [...]
2002 Chateau Lanbersac, Puisseguin Saint-Emilion
Talking points: Francoise and Philippe Lannoye, owners of Chateau Ambe Tour Pourret, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru; Chateau Lanbersac, Puisseguin Saint-Emilion; and Chateau Lamour, Cotes de Castillon and Chateau Moulin de Clotte. The winemaker is Francois Despagne. The owners’ and winemakers’ intent is to produce wines that “express the soul of their terroir”. Chateau Lanbersac was the [...]
2008 Chateau Bellevue Bordeaux Superieur, Rouge
Talking points: The appellation Bordeaux Superieur applies to wines from the Bordeaux district containing 1% more alcohol than the requirement for the appellation of Bordeaux. What this means is the wine will be slightly more full-bodied as a result of the increased alcohol level. The teaching point here goes back to the formula for making [...]
2008 Stratageme, Argile, White Blend, Coteaux Du Languedoc
Talking points: This wine is produced under the umbrella of Le Prieure Saint Sever by negotiant and winemaker Thierry Rodriguez. Stratageme is a collection of closely guarded proprietary blends intended to capture the essence of place more than expression of fruit. In this white, the Argile refers to the clay soils and resultant terroir. Calcareous [...]
NV Claudio Sangria, France
Talking points: Sangria is a traditional beverage most closely associated with Spain and Spanish restaurants. Sangria can be based on either red or white wine. The Claudio is based on red wine. Tasting notes: This juicy red Sangria is light, fruity and refreshing with a touch of sweetness. Serving suggestions: Although refreshing right out of [...]
NV Glimmerglass Proprietary Red Cuvee, California
Talking points: See NV Glimmerglass Proprietary White above for background. Tasting notes: A blend of 50% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Syrah. This medium-bodied red is soft and lush with the red fruit characters of Merlot in the lead finishing with cassis like qualities from the Cabernet Sauvignon and a touch of spice from [...]
2008 Block 7, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
Talking points: For Block 7, fruit was used from the super-premium Deerfield Ranch Vineyards to produce the limited quantity of 360 cases exclusively for Wine World. Tasting notes: This wine is exceptionally balanced, pure, and fresh showing pleasant plum and cherry aromas and flavors. Serving suggestions: Richer seafood, poultry and white meat dishes as well [...]
NV Glimmerglass Proprietary White Cuvee
Talking points: We have featured this wine previously and it is one of our early Wine World Direct products. In summary, however, this wine was actually made by Markham of Napa Valley. Originally intended to be sold exclusively on Amazon.com’s startup wine club, the Glimmerglass Proprietary White and Red Cuvees fortuitously fell to us when [...]
2007 Stratageme Galets, Coteaux du Languedoc
Talking points: This wine is produced under the umbrella of Le Prieure Saint Sever by negotiant and winemaker Thierry Rodriguez. Stratageme is a collection of closely guarded proprietary blends intended to capture the essence of place more than expression of fruit. It is likely the blend includes some amounts of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and/or Cinsault. [...]
2005 Chateau Moulin de Clotte, Cotes de Castillon
Talking points: Francoise and Philippe Lannoye, owners of Chateau Ambe Tour Pourret, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru; Chateau Lanbersac, Puisseguin Saint-Emilion; and Chateau Lamour, Cotes de Castillon; also own Chateau Moulin de Clotte. The winemaker is Francois Despagne. The owners and winemakers’ intent is to produce wines that “express the soul of their terroir”. Castillon is located [...]
2008 Lasting Fancy, Pinot Noir
Appellation: Vin de Pays de L’Ile de Beaute Talking points: This wine, which is from Corsica (thus the translation of L’Ile de Beaute being Isle of Beauty), is made in quality level of the ever popular Rare Bird Pinot Noir from southern France. This wine is an incredible value which will out perform most Pinots [...]
2009 Calvet, Rose d’Anjou
Talking points: Anjou is the appellation or place and this wine is a blend of Grolleau, Cabernet Franc and Gamay grown in the clay and schist soils of the Loire Valley. A former Wine and Spirits Magazine Top 100 Value Wines of the Year. Tasting notes: Soft and fruity with notes of cherry, strawberry and [...]
08 Superbe Chardonnay
Appellation: Vin de Pays d’OC Talking points: This wonderful Chardonnay has become a Wine World staple. This is essentially the exact same wine we once carried under the label of Novellum. Of interest, a few years back the world’s most respected wine critic, Robert Parker, deemed this wine (the Novellum) as the best Chardonnay in [...]
08 Guy Saget, Vouvray
Talking points: Vouvray is the appellation or place and the permitted grape is Chenin Blanc. Chenin Blanc is one of the world’s least known and underappreciated great white wine grapes. France’s Loire Valley and more specifically Vouvray, is the origin of Chenin Blanc. Chenin Blanc has spread around the globe and is used for virtually [...]
2009 Chateau Bellevue Blanc
Appellation: Entre-Deux-Mers Talking points: Entre-Deux-Mers (pronounced “Ahn-Truh-Duh Merr”) is the largest sub-district in Bordeaux. The literal translation of Entre-Duex-Mers is Between-Two-Seas and actually refers to the fact that this wine growing region sits between two major rivers, the Garonne on the left and Dordogne on the right. The Entre-Deux-Mers AC applies only to white wines [...]
