This Saturday we’ve collected a group of French wines that put a smile on our face and we think will put a smile on yours. Stop by and try these great wines from Alsace, the Loire, Bordeaux, Languedoc, and Madiran.

It’s a tour in a glass.

2011 Domaine Le Fay d’ Homme Muscadet Sêvre et Maine $12
For five generations the Caillé family has been making Muscadet in Monnières. The wine ages “Sur lie” (on its sediment) for several months which adds body and mouthfeel. The La Fay is a fuller Muscadet, dry and focused with notes of white flowers. It’s the perfect wine for shellfish of all sorts.

Michel Fonné, Cremant d’ Alsace $18
70% Pinot Blanc, 30% Pinot Noir
Michel Fonné studied winemaking in Dijon and Champagne where he learnt about sparkling wines. IN 1089 he returned to Alsace manage the Barthe René estate for his retiring uncle. In 1997 he took over the vineyards of his father, and merged them with those of Barth René for a total of 12 hectares some of which are designated Grand Cru. About 10% of the plantings are dedicated to his Crémant d`Alsace, an above average sparkler with beautiful white peach tones, mineral nuance and hints of citrus skin that resolves into a long, dry finish.

2011 Domaine Galtier, Garrica, IGP Pays d’Hérault Côteaux de Murviel $10
The Domaine Galtier is a typical Languedoc farm (mas) surrounded by garrigue (scrubland) with its square tower and its bread oven built in the middle of the 17th century. The vineyard covers 25 hectares located near the small village of Murviel lès Béziers. The owners, Lise and Jean Carbonne are both from wine-growing families back two generations (her father and his mother). The Garrica is a light and herby Languedoc red — Great with food or just sipping by itself.

2010 Chateau La Haie, Bordeaux $17
80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet
François Decombe’s uncle owned a tiny vineyard and a few cows producing milk. After two years working with his uncle François rented his own vineyard and became a self taught winemaker. The vineyards are Certified Organic and farmed bio-dynamically. François barely touches his wines, he focuses on a hard work in the vineyard and an impeccable hygiene in the cellar, then he only has to listen to them singing and bottle them when he thinks they are ready. François smiles saying that the vines talk to him, thank him and give him beautiful fruit, every year. The wine has very enticing nose intermixing ripe blackcurrant and pleasant smoky mineral undertones. 

2010 Domaine Labranche Laffont, Madiran $16
2/3 Tannat, 1/3 Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon
When she took over her family’s vineyards in 1993, Christine Dupuy was the youngest winemaker in Madiran(and a girl to boot). Her Madiran is produced from 10 acres of clay loam soil Gravettes. The wine ages 18 months before being bottled. It has a complex nose of red fruits and spices, fat, round tannins and a full finish.

This Sunday we will be tasting two lovely wines from the Columbia Valley of Washington State. The Columbia Valley AVA is Washington’s all-encompassing region with some 11 million acres of land in all and is geographically defined by mountain ranges which border it on the west and north, and by the Columbia River on the south until it turns north at the Wallula Gap. Here the appellation continues east, following the state line and then dipping down into Oregon to include the southern part of the Walla Walla Valley AVA. The Columbia Valley’s eastern border is loosely defined by the land surrounding the Columbia River as it jogs north, and the Snake River as it runs east. Come explore with us…

2012 Parejas Cellars Band of Sisters Wysling ($15)
55% Marsanne, 34% Roussanne, 11% Grencahe Blanc
Columbia Valley
This local Rhône style white blend is dry full-bodied wine with perfumed aromas of spiced herbal tea, spring blossoms, Asian pears, greengages (European plums), and honeysuckle.

2011 Ridge Crest Cabernet Sauvignon    ($10)
90% Cabernet, 10% Merlot
Columbia Valley
Ridge Crest is the second label for Claar Cellars. Aged 18 months in oak, this wine has a dark cherry, plum fruit aroma with hints of tobacco and cedar. On the palate the wine is soft with a dark fruit explosion that expresses the cherry and slight currant berry flavors. The tannins are soft and add structure to the lengthy and jammy fruit finish.

Outside of Turin in the very North of Piedmont sits the Val de Susa.  In this long high altitude valley grow some traditional grapes that you don’t see elsewhere.  Val de Susa is a tiny, tiny, tiny DOC with only 11 hectares under vine split between 11 wineries.  To say that these wines are of limited production is an understatement.  The oldest winery in the region is Casa Ronsil.  The property has been in the Ronsil Family since 1250.  Today the winery is run by Pierino Ronsil with his son-in-law Franck Thollet.  They focus on traditional varietals Baratuciat, Serella, Becuet and Avana with vines that range from 50 to 90 years old.  The vineyards are tended to organically with no sulfur used during vinification, and very little at bottling. All the wines are fermented in stainless steel and aged in large neutral barrels so you can experience the grapes.

Come by on Saturday as we taste these rare and delicious wines.

2010 Maestro, Valsusa Bianco  $20
Equal parts Gros Blanc, Baratuciat, Serella
Crisp lemony mouth feel, mountain flowers delicate  but long finish.

2011 L’Enfant Terrible, Valsusa Rosso  $17 
100% young vine Avana
The bad child has flavors of bright and snappy blueberries, and darker fruit.

2009 Camilo, Valsusa Rosso  $20
60% Avana 30% Becuet, 10% Dolcetto
The Camilo, named after Pierino ‘s father is from 70 year old vines in the La Voùte vineyard.  The wine is full of dark earthy plum fruit and Christmas cookie spices.

2009 Saint Bartolomeo, Valsusa Rosso  $22
60% Avana, 20% Becuet, 20% Neretta Cuneese
The Saint Bartolommeo comes from their oldest vineyards of 90 year old vines.  It is fuller and more intense than its younger brothers.  The Neretta Cuneese makes all the difference.  A fascinating old world wine.

2007 1555 Pasito  $20 — 500ml
100% Avana
A beautiful pink color, the Pasito is full on the mouth and persistent with intense aromatics qualities obtained from the red grapes (usually Passiti is made with white grapes). The harvest starts in October and the grapes are dried during the winter before being pressed slowly.  It is aged in oak barriques for 12 months.

This Sunday we will be tasting two lovely wine from wine importer (and now blender) Kermit Lynch.

Kermit Lynch was born and raised in California. From his youth he remembers that his father and uncle worked for a winery, but he has no memory of anyone in his family drinking wine. The Lynch family was rich in preachers, too, but at communion they served Welch’s grape juice, even though, as Kermit points out, Jesus turned water into wine, not grape juice.

In 1972 he opened a retail wine shop and later began importing and distributing nationally. In 2000 he was named Wine Professional of the Year by the James Beard Foundation, in 1998 the French government presented him with the Ordre de Mérite Agricole award, and in 2005 named him Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur. In 1988 he planted his little terraced hillside near Bandol with Mourvèdre vines. The juice now goes into Domaine Tempier’s famous La Migoua cuvée. In 1998 he purchased the historic Domaine Les Pallières in Gigondas in partnership with his friends the Bruniers of Vieux Télégraphe.

2012 Kermit Lynch Vin de Pays de Vaucluse Blanc        ($12)
50% Chardonnay, 50% Viognier
Made by Domaine Durban and blended by Kermit the Blanc is full and tasty and non traditional. Round-bodied texture, yet tart, stony crispness and a knockout aroma of pear, sun-baked apples, and spicy hints of anise.-Limited production.

2012 Kermit Lynch Vaucluse                        ($11)
55% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 15% Merlot, 10% Marselan
With this VDP, Kermit steps out of his importer role and takes on blending his own cuvee. The wine is made by Domaine de Durban, harvested by hand and ferment by carbonic maceration, then aged for 8 months before being bottled unfiltered. In the blending Kermit goes wild breaking all the rules, but comes up with a tasty wine.

As much as we love the complexity and tradition of the wines from France and Italy, it is nice to find tasty wine a little closer to home. This Saturday we’ll be pouring wines from four Washington wine makers who don’t get as much attention as they deserve. These winers are winners. Stop in and get a taste of local flavor.

2010 Upland, Sauvignon Blanc $13
Upland vineyard in Snipes Mountain is the reclaimed site of Washington’s first winery east of the cascades (Bridgeman). Their food-friendly Sauvignon Blanc is barrel fermented in neutral oak barrels and aged sur lees for 7 months. The wine is lush up front, loaded with tropical fruit, hints of citrus, lemon grass and fig that is balanced around bright acidity and a crisp dry finish. 

2010 Sun River, Chenin Blanc $13
A relatively new kids on the block, Sun River Vintners in Kennewick is making some interesting and reasonably priced wines like this Columbia Valley Chenin. Chenin Blanc usually goes one way or another – sweet or dry – and this Chenin took the dry route which meant it would not be just a summer wine. In fact, this lemon, citrus inspired flavor profile is the perfect partner for the sea. 

2009 Corfini Cellars, Cabernet Sauvignon $12
Corfini is best known for their delivery trucks that run all over town every day distributing gourmet meats and cheeses to local restaurants. This great value Cab was made for them by an unnamed Washington wine maker on Waluke Slope   

2008 Cedergreen, Thuja $21
80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon 
A smooth and supple Bordeaux blend put together from some prestigious vineyard sources (Conner Lee, Klipsun, Chandler Reach, & Clifton Hills). Deep, dark, and luscious with black cherry, clove and peppery pizzazz! The aroma of this blend entices the nose, deep and unctuous on the palate with a lifting finish that demands another glass.

2009 Uplands, Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon $30
Planted in 1973 on the south slopes of Snipes Mountain by Alfred Newhouse, the fruit from this Cabernet Sauvignon block has the refined but definite tannins. The wine was aged in new American oak for 22 months. The Cabernet Sauvignon shows dried berry fruits, herbal spice and chocolate caramel. Its refined tannins are backed by well integrated oak flavors that build around its depth, concentration and full bodied finish. Only 96 cases were produced and only a few of those are left before it rolls into 2010.

This Sunday we will be tasting two lovely Washington wines. A moderately priced Walla Walla rosé and Columbia Valley Tempranillo.

The Hence cellars winery is located on the south side of Walla Walla on shared grounds with the Orchards personal residence. The estate vineyards provide the landscape between the two. Current production sits plus or minus 1,200 cases a year, with 90% of the fruit grown and managed Henderson, and my father Willis “Papa” Orchard. The focus is on quality control, from the grape to the “Juice”. We take the fruit and extracts a concentrated delightful blend of fruit with 100% new oak, which is a mix of French, American, and a “sprinkle” of Hungarian Oak. The process is not one of speed, considering the wines avg. 24-28 months in barrel, which is critical in order to get that balance of fruit and barrel flavors.

2012 Hence Cellars Walla Walla Rosé        ($11)
40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Mourvedre, 15% Merlot, 15% Syrah, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec
Another wheat farmer turned wine maker, Hence Cellars producers small lot estate wine from their Wall Walla properties.  This on has a little bit of the whole vineyard in it.  It is bold and fruity, but has enough acid to hold it all togeher.

Kana is a native word for the spirit or the fire within a mountain, in reference to the perceived supernatural power of volcanic activity. The Yakima and Columbia Valleys are awash with volcanic soil influences, providing terroir from the millennia of “Kana” escaping from nearby volcanic mountains, to lay resting as soil for our world-class vineyards.

2008 Kana Tempranillo($15)
Sourced from Stone Tree (60%) and Elephant Mountain (40%) Vineyards and aged 3 years in French and American oak, 1/3 new, Kana’s Tempranillo shows beautifully intense aromatics and flavors of black cherry, raspberry and caramel almonds wrapped with chalky tannins and finishes long with a compact fruit finish and balanced acids.

We start tasting at 11am until the bottles run out – stop by early to make sure you get to taste these two lovelies.

As August runs itself out into Labor Day weekend, everyone deserves a last break.  So this Saturday we corralled a few discount deals that will see you into September.  We have three crisp wines from the Loire and two expansive Spanish reds that should fill out the holiday weekend.  Come wet your whistle.

Paul Buisse, Prestige, Tourane Brut Rosé  $15
Pineau  d’Aunis
A crisp and lightly fruity Rosé sparkler. 
Was $20 now $15

2012 Paul Buisse, Les Domaniales  $9
Cabernet Franc, Gamay, and Pineau d’Anuis
A very crisp Rosé with aromas of fresh strawberries, raspberries and a slight herbal note.
Was $12 now $9

2012 Couronne & Lions, Sancerre Blanc  $15
Sauvignon Blanc
More grassy and citrus heavy than mineral packed, but a good deal at the price which puts it down where it can out preform NZ.  
Was $20 now $15

2008 Almanseñas, La Huella de Adaras  $9
60% Garnacha , 30% Monastrell, 10% Syrah
From the town of Almansa in south east Spain.  The La Huella is from 30 year old vines fermented in stainless. “An enticing nose of smoke, underbrush, and blue fruits leading to a supple, mouth-filling, savory wine with excellent depth and length”  WA —
Was $12 now $9

2011 Casa Castaño, Monastrell  $10
From Yecla, just south of Almansa, Castano makes this Monestrell from 31 year old vines.  A full, ripe red fruited Monastrell that has a lot of concentration for the price.  Silky mouth with a good structure, balanced.
Was $12 now $10

This Sunday we will be tasting two lovely Italian wines.

2010 Botromagno Gravina    ($11)

60% Grecco, 40% Malvasia
Gravina is one of the oldest viticultural zones in Puglia; that the Botromagno co-op is the only producer in this long-recognized DOC is testament to the quality of their wines. Botromagno Gravina is a dry, delicate white composed of 60% Greco and 40% Malvasia. Abundant aromas of peach, white currant, and fresh wildflowers introduce a similarly generous palate. Enjoy with oysters, shellfish, and a wide array of Asian cuisines.

2011 Erste + Nueu Kaltereresee Leuchternburg    ($13)
Schiava (Vernatch)
A light bodied red with lots of cherry flavors and soft tannins from the german speaking part of the Tyrolian Alps.
This is a single vineyard wine made from Venatsch (Schiava) the smaller berried cousin to the Edelvenatch.

This Saturday we’re pouring some wines from the sunny French countryside that fit perfectly with our lingering summer.  The wines are fresh and expansive and are quite suitable to the other seasons as well.  Come have a taste. 

2012 Joseph Drouhin, Macon Villages  $12
Chardonnay
Joseph Drouhin is so renowned for their Cru Burgundies that it is easy to forget that they make some delicious everyday wines as well.  The Macon Village is lightly floral and fruity.  “Very straightforward and direct on the palate, as if biting into a grape. Fresh and light, with a very pleasant aftertaste”.

2012 D’or et de Gueules Les Cimels Rosé $13 
34% Cinsaut, 33% Grenache, 33% Mourvedre
From the South of France, the Les Cimels is a dry and elegantly full blend with flavors of strawberry, mineral, and sweet herbs.  It is complex enough to drink year round.

2010 Joseph Drouhin Beaujolais Villages  $12
Gamay
A truly convivial wine, with great charm, owing to the careful blending of various terroirs. The nose is both refined and intense, with notes of violet, peony and red fruit syrup. As you drink it, it feels fresh and silky. Both freshness and fruit remain for quite a long time on the palate”.

2010 Domaine de Piaugier, Sablet $15
75% Grenache, 25% Syrah 
Domaine de Piaugier is located in the village of Sablet, in the southern Rhône valley. Jean-Marc Autran, whose father and grandfather before him were wine growers, and his wife, Sophie, cultivate 30 hectares of vines. The wine has lots of dark fruit, notes of smoked meats and herbs and a good tannic finish.

2009 Lyonnat Lussac Saint-Emilion $24
85% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc. 
A long standing family estate in this satellite of St. Emillion Lyonnat is a classic right bank Bordeaux.  It has a nose of spice cake, licorice and red fruit.  The palate is powerful and smooth, with very elegant and blended tannins.