This Saturday we’re pouring French wines from small producers, mostly organic, all hand harvested, from low yield vineyards, using mostly indigenous yeast with minimal intervention in the winemaking.  All things that make a difference when the wine hits the glass.  Come taste for yourself.

Domaine Rosier, Blanquette de Limoux “Cuvée Jean Philippe” Brut $15
90% Mauzac, 10% Chardonnay
Domaine Rosier is located in the upper Limoux Valley in the foothills of the Pyrénées.  Clay and chalk dominate the vineyard’s terraces, which are situated on steep slopes. The Blanquette has a subtle bead-of-light bubbles that carry delicate floral aromas and scents of acacia and green apple. The flavor is pleasant and fruity showing peach notes and a rich texture.

2012 Pouchaud Larquey Entre deux Mers $14
60% Sauvignon Blanc, 40% Semillion
This domaine has been farmed organically since 1961, making it one of the first organic domaines in Bordeaux.   Traditional, meticulous pruning restricts yields far below the allowed tonnage for the region. The vines are hand harvested and indigenous yeasts start the fermentation.  This Entre-Deux-Mers is a pure expression of finely-etched minerality supported by rich, deep fruit flavors, touch of smoke and refreshing herbaceousness.

2010 Pierre Chauvin Anjou Rouge “Les Tournailles’ $14
75% Cabernet Franc, 25% Grolleau
From organic, 30 year old vines, the Tournailles distinctive notes of pickling spices and cigar box cedar on the nose. On the palate pencil led and green pepper are enticingly present with an underlayer of minerality drawn from the stony clay laden soils of Anjou.

2010 Domaine Aubai Mema, Liverna $12
70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Grenache Noir, 10% Merlot
The Domaine Aubaï Mema is located in Aubais, a midieval village just south of Nimes, in the Languedoc. In the past, the villagers were proud to say that they were from Aubais itself (Aubaï Mema in Provençal), not just the surrounding county.  The Liverna has aromas of cocoa and ripe red fruit. In the mouth it is round and full and melted, fine-textured, anchored by bracing tannins. 

2010 Domine les Clos de Caveau, Vacqueyras, Carmin Brillant $32
70% Syrah, 30%Grenache
The red clay, limestone, and the famous galets roulés, or rounded stones, impart a terrific intensity and depth to the wines of Clos de Caveau.  Given the aridity of the soil, the vines here are naturally prone to lower yields, giving the wine its concentration and power.  The Carmin is macerated for nearly three months.  Its impressively perfumed nose offers a suave bouquet of red berries, garrigue, anise and fruit cake. Opulent, sweet, expansive and mouth-filling, the lush red berry fruit builds in intensity before coating the entire palate. These flavors are enlivened by baking spices, herbs and gentle tannins.  “This Vacqueyras Carmin Brillant, is among the most concentrated wines I tasted from this vintage. A singular effort that must be admired, with extracts and density levels off the charts.” –-Robert Parker