Waiting for this value to return!
May 03, 2007
We are small potatoes to the mega wine
merchants vying for your attention on the internet; so two years ago
last April, when we sold 1400 bottles of this relatively unknown
French wine within a few weeks, your response thrilled us.....and we
knew you liked it too! Hopefully, you were one of those who
purchased a bottle of the 2003 Grand Veneur "Les
Champauvins", a single vineyard source from the
Southern Rhone Valley of France. If you are lucky to have any left, try a
bottle and be amazed at how the wine has evolved to a level of complexity and
texture I doubt you could have imagined. Since the vineyard is planted
only twenty feet outside the Chateauneuf-du-Pape boundary line, it
must legally be considered and labeled as a Cotes-du-Rhone Villages.
Probably a good thing for all of us, as the price would escalate dramatically
with this preferred pedigree. NOW comes the 2005
rendition! I can assure you with the utmost confidence, that this
wine drinks with the verve of a very fine Chateauneuf-du-Pape. No
little whimpy or light weight Cotes-du-Rhone. Composed primarily of
Grenache (naive consumers continue to believe this varietal can not make serious
wine??), with the balance 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre, the 2005 Grand Veneur "Les
Champauvins" is a deeply colored, dense, full-bodied wine
from another excellent vintage that grows in the glass to express sappy
ripe raspberry/plum aromas, matching flavors, and a supple
texture. As
enjoyable as it is to consume now, integrated tannins and balancing acidity will
prolong development. This wine is just a big bud waiting to blossom
fully.
If you need Robert Parker's encouragement, like the 2003 "Les
Champauvin", he also rates the 2005 at 90 points. Check out his
review from The Wine Advocate issue #169 (Feb 2007) -
"Consistently one of the best values and sleeper selections from the southern
Rhone is Grand Veneur's Cotes du Rhone-Villages Les Champauvins. This wine is
consistently outstanding, seemingly regardless of vintage conditions, and 2005
is another knock-out offering. Full-bodied with a deep ruby/purple color, hints
of licorice, kirsch liqueur, raspberries, and loads of fruit in a full-bodied
luscious style, it should drink well for 4-5 years. Readers have to distinguish
between the negociant wines of Alain Jaume, which are under the label "Alain
Jaume," and his estate wines, which appear under the "Grand Veneur" label. In
both cases the quality is extremely high and unlike many estates where prices
have dramatically soared over recent vintages, Grand Veneur's proprietor, Alain
Jaume, continues to offer very fair value for the quality." - 90
points With the growing strength of the
Euro, it is amazing the price remains relatively unchanged
at $17.95 a
bottle. However, ORDER
NOW from The Wine Consultant for $15.95 for six bottles or $14.75 for 12 or more
bottles!!.... and this wine becomes
a down right steal of a deal. Just reply directly to this email!
Speaking
of Robert Parker.....for obvious conflict of interest reasons, he never reviews
his Willamette Valley Beaux Freres Pinot Noir (his
brother-in-law is the managing partner). So when the Wine
Spectator consistently reviews these Pinots with 90+ points, one must sit
up and take notice. Highly allocated, I only have about two cases
remaining of the 2005 "The Vineyard" - $74.95 a
bottle.
"Firm in texture at first,
but then blossoms into a panorama of flavors, fanning out its raspberry cream
flavors and hinting at floral, mineral, green tea, and Asian spice notes as the
finish picks up steam. Not a big wine, but has many layers to
explore. Best from 2009 through 2015." - 93 points, Wine Spectator (May 31,
2007)
My chef
Renee has just posted two spectacular new springtime
scallop recipes at
the webstore. Trust me, these recipes will make you
swoon! A great Mother's Day brunch idea too!
By tomorrow, the wine pairing suggestions will
be back in stock. We hope you find the time to enjoy the recipes
and the wines!! Just click on this link > http://www.thewineconsultant.com/recipes
Finally, from the lost and found dept. -
discovered in the corner of a Bay Area warehouse (who is performing these
inventory counts?).....about 20 six pack cases of the 2003
Achaval Ferrer "Quimera" from Mendoza, Argentina. We had the
opportunity to barrel taste with Santiago Achaval on our trip in January, and
all of his wines are outstanding, but this back-vintage is a magnificent,
mind boggling "value".
"Really juicy red, with raspberry, red currant and boysenberry
fruit flavors mixed with racy mineral, briar and floral notes. Long,
mouthwatering finish brings you back for more. Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon,
Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2008." - 92
points, Wine
Spectator (Sept
2005)
- $43.95 a bottle or order a six pack at $39.95
a bottle.
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