Single Bottle Wine Club - October 2012
Learn the finer points to many of the wines we offer each month. Our club wines are expertly researched and selected for quality, value and uniqueness and every one has an interesting history. Here are some of the wines we are offering this month:
Monseigneur de Comty - France
2011 Bordeaux Rouge
Wine has been grown in Bordeaux for two thousand years. Most probably vines grew there before the arrival of the Romans in 56 BC. But unlike most of the other French wine regions, wine in Bordeaux was developed by merchants (instead of Monks). At the beginning of the second millennium the Bordeaux region was under English domination. Hundreds of boats loaded with barrels of "Claret" left for England. The "Claret" was a light red wine which Englishmen loved, the word is still used to refer to Red Bordeaux. During the 17th and 18th century, merchants from England, the Netherlands and Germany controlled most of the wines produced in the whole Bordeaux region. At that time, wineries sold their wine in barrel and cask just after they made them. Merchants bought barrels and casks, sometimes bottled the wines and matured them. In 1855, these merchants created a ranking to distinguish the finest Bordeaux wines. The classification still exists and is known as Grands Crus Classés (Great Growths). Of course this Monseigneur de Comty offering is nothing close to a Grand Cru but its QPR (Quality-Price Ratio) can be considered exceptional. This predominantly Merlot based blend (with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc) pours a light ruby red in the glass. The wine’s bouquet is quite intense with a spicy nose of red berries, cinnamon, pepper and a touch licorice. Medium-bodied and soft on the palate with flavors of cocoa, red fruits and a touch of oak. It has a great finish with silky tannins. The wine is ready now and will keep through 2015. Decant for a few minutes and serve at room temperature with lamb, spicy dishes or strongly flavored cheeses.
Les Caves Fleury - France
2010 Leo Vinis Bordeaux Sauvignon
Residing in Bordeaux for several generations, the Fleury family finds its roots in the 15th century through its Dutch ancestor, who settled on the banks of the Chartrons in Bordeaux to start a wine business with his home country. Today, Les Caves Fleury is co-managed by Marie-Bertrande Fleury, who heads the Administrative and Financial Department, and her son Xavier, who, after a rewarding experience in the USA, returned to the company in 2006 as the Export Manager and took over the operational management in 2009. The company headquarters in the Chateau Grand Chemin in Cérons, 15 minutes from Bordeaux, is right in the heart of the Graves and Sauternes vineyards. An additional production unit is situated in the 19th century Chai in Barsac, surrounded by vineyards where the delicate blends are grown, processed and bottled. Bordeaux is most noted for the red wines of exceptional quality that it produces but fantastic white wines are also produced. Based on the centuries of grape growing and winemaking history in the region, the local regulations allow only three grape varieties to be used in the production of white wine. You can actually grow whatever you want, but only the 3 authorized white grapes can be used and labeled 'Bordeaux'. They are: Sémillon (just 8% of Bordeaux production), Sauvignon Blanc (only 4% of Bordeaux production), and Muscadelle (only 2% Bordeaux production). The Leo Vinis Sauvignon is sourced from 100% Sauvignon Blanc. The wine's aromatic intensity expresses the typical characteristics of a fine Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc. Rigorous fruit selection results in an extensive array of aromas, ranging from a hint of box, through a rich palette of citrus fruits, finishing on delicate, tropical notes reminiscent of passion fruit. This concentration of aromas is underpinned on the palate by the magnificent harmony of the wine's fleshy character and refreshing liveliness and acidity. Pair with pork, seafood, white sauce pasta dishes, meat-based salads and roasted turkey or chicken.
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