Quality Bordeaux Value
February 20, 2008
|
|
EUREKA! QUALITY BORDEAUX
VALUE-
2003 Chateau Faizeau Montagne
Saint-Emilion
| |
| 2003 Chateau Faizeau Vieille Vignes
- Montagne Saint-Emilion,
Bordeaux |
| This outstanding
value is a bargain at $24.95!
Order
NOW at $22.49 a
bottle.
RP 89
points
WS 88
points
Our Price:
$22.49
List
Price: $24.95
CASE
PRICE: $18.79 a
bottle
| |
|
|
The 2003
Chateau Faizeau will be available to sample this
Saturday at the Tasting Bar from Noon to
4pm. |
|
.. |
.. | |
|
Dear
Eric,
WHO? Chateau
Faizeau that's who! Attention s'il vous
plait! This is what we have all been waiting
for.... a true VALUE in fine quality Bordeaux that
is sure to please the most discriminating palate. The
proof is in the bottle. Don't worry or question this
wine's low price. I found 50+ cases that have
flown undetected under the Euro exchange radar
system. Chateau Faizeau is one of those rare feel
good values; a smart buy! You will be smiling all
the way to the bank....and the cellar. We are
buying a case for our personal consumption!
Briefly, Chateau Faizeau's 25 acre estate
vineyard is located just north of St. Emilion on
a plateau of sandy clay covered limestone.
This is the same viticulture family who produces the prized
Pomerol wines of Chateau La Croix de Gay, and La Fleur de
Gay. Produced entirely from
vieilles vignes or "old vines", the
original vineyard block was planted to
Merlot in 1904. Yes, this is REAL Merlot
country and no wimps are allowed!
The cuvee is composed of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc,
and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Traditionally fermented
in cement tank, the wine's components are then aged for
18 to 24 months in a combination of 50% new
French barrique barrels, and 1-2 year old used French
barrique from the two forementioned wineries. About
2,500 cases are produced
annually.
The bottle of 2003 Chateau
Faizeau we experienced over last weekend was
very dark in color. With a little airing, complex
black fruit aromas emerged indicating an evolving
bottle bouquet. On the palate, the wine was
assertive, and plump, with well ripened black
plum and undertones
of earthiness, and chocolate. Firm, but
never offensive tannins still grip the back end of
the wine and last into the finish. Prime
Rib is the remedy. Most appealing for its
slightly brawny
charm.
"This
top-flight estate....may be the finest vineyard in
Montagne-St.-Emilion....The 2003 reveals figs, overripe black
cherries, black fruits, scorched earth, and smoke
characteristics along with marvelous fat and density. It is an
up-front, in-your-face style of wine to drink over the next
5-8 years." 89 points - Robert Parker, Wine
Advocate
"Beautiful plum and berry aromas here,
verging on jammy. Full, soft yet chewy. Lots going on here.
Big wine and slightly rustic. Best after 2009.." - 88
points (JS) - Wine Spectator
DO NOT DELAY! THIS IS A
OPPORTUNITY YOU CAN NOT AFFORD TO MISS!
Our
Price: $22.49
List Price: $24.95
CASE PRICE: $18.79 a
bottle
Valid while stock is
available. Offer expires February 29th, 2008
| |
|
|
Two other discoveries I have
been meaning to divulge:
FOLSOM
BISTRO
On the local front, we have been
following the growth of our new little neighborhood bistro in
Folsom since it opened last December. It has been a
work in progress, but Chef-owner Matthew Newton and his wife
Atasha, have successfully transformed a former
"hole-in-the-wall" Mexican restaurant into a cozy,
charming dining venue. Matt, a former sous chef at Bistro
Jeanty in Yountville, and chef de cuisine at Bistro
Jeanty's Jacks in San Francisco, is turning out some of the
best duck confit and shortribs I have had anywhere! His
pomme frites rival the best I've had in France, and when
served alongside the flavorful hanger steak with hand whisked
bearnaise sauce and fresh picked arugula.....I am
transported to a memorable Parisan
neighborhood haunt. Oh don't forget the mussels,
beet salad, or fried smelt. The chef is full of the
unexpected, and last Saturday evening blew us away
with a decadent "intermezzo snack" of butter poached
lobster claw meat, a seared thin slice of foie gras,
and small coins of monk fish with shaved black
truffles. I understand you can special order cassoulet
with advanced notice. Check out Folsom Bistro at 6608
Folsom-Auburn Rd. in Folsom. Telephone (916)
990-0630. Go to www.FolsomBistro.com for more details..
BOURBON AND BRANCH
Yes, there is an
"underground" speakeasy bar scene in San Francisco that is fun
to explore for pre or after dinner drinks, but you will
need to make a reservation and memorize the password for
entry in the main bar. Bourbon and Branch is just a
little more daring with its lack of signage, and location
within the "tenderloin" at Jones and O' Farrell, but once
safely inside your only concern will be what to select from
the amazing list of difficult to find spirits,
ultra premium liquors, or the mixed concoctions
those dudes in black hats behind the bar have so skillfully
conceived and artfully mastered. Do forget to ask
to see the "library". You will be escorted to
a secret, hidden bar room in the back. I still
don't know how that wall moved??? The ambiance and
drinks combine to create a great aura that will continue
with you throughout the rest of your evening. Food
is elsewhere. Go to www.BourbonandBranch.com
to register and for more information.
|
Yes, the 2003 Chateau
Faizeau will be included in this Saturday's Tasting Bar
roster. The complete lineup is posted at the
Virtual Tasting Bar page. www.thewineconsultant.com/tastingbar
And of course, I don't
write an e-mail about every selection on inventory. So
stay up-to-date, and don't miss out on a wine you have
been waiting to hear about from me, but did not if know
it had already arrived! www.thewineconsultant.com/new
Remember, just click on
the specific wine with the bottle cursor for
more background, specific information, and tasting
notes.
Eric Stumpf
and Renee Kroeger
The Wine
Consultant
(916) 721-WINE
(9463)
| | |
|
|
|
The Wine Consultant | 8039
Greenback Lane | Citrus Heights | CA |
95610 |
View the Archives |
|
