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La Rioja Alta Vina Ardanza

Reserva Especial 2001

 $34.99

“Who among us would not like the opportunity to drink aged wines without paying a fortune or waiting them out?”

-New York Times, April 9th

Established in 1890, La Rioja Alta is one of the foundation stones of Rioja’s reputation as one of the great wines of the world.  We are pleased to offer the opportunity to pre-order the remarkable Reserva Especial from the exceptional 2001 vintage.

“La Rioja Alta, thought so highly of this wine that it called it Reserva Especial, only the third time one of its wines has earned that designation, along with 1964 and 1973.”

-New York Times, April 9th

The last available stock of the Vina Ardanza will be arriving in the city at the end of May.

“The current release is the 2001 Reserva Especial, a deeply colored wine with a lovely perfume of cinnamon, lavender, incense, balsamic, and black cherry. Medium-bodied, velvety-textured, and already complex, it will continue to evolve for another 5-10 years and offer a drinking window extending from 2016 to 2036. For those seeking immediate gratification, it has the virtue of being approachable now.”

-The Wine Advocate

Due to high praise, sterling reputation and superb quality, we do not expect the Vina Ardanza to be available for long.

Meinhard Forstreiter

Gruner Veltliner

Tabor Vineyard

2009

$34.99

The Oldest Vines in Austria   

The Tabor Vineyard, on the southern bank of the Danube, was planted in 1857.  To give some context, when these vines were planted, Austria and France were still ruled by an Emperor.  Italy was not yet a unified country and the American Civil War was 4 years away.  Most houses were lit by oil lamp and the U.S. only had 31 states.  

Unlike most other European vineyards, which were destroyed by phylloxera (a tiny pest which attacks the root of grapes vines) in the late 19th century, the Tabor Vineyard survived because of the sandy soil which protected the roots.  Vines, like people, grow deeper as they get older.  The yields lessen, resulting in high levels of natural concentration in the finished wine.  The roots dig far down (7 meters in the case of Tabor) struggling to bring up old nutrients which adds a potent minerality.  And there is also the intangible magic of vines which have outlived empires and seen 155 summers.  Deep in the heart of the wine, there is an old soul almost tangible on the palate.

Meinhard Forstreiter’s family has been making Gruner Veltliner in the Kremptal since 1868 (13 years after the Tabor Vineyard was planted).  The Forstreiter’s have always been traditionalists but Meinhard has elevated the family estate to the A-List of Austria.  His Gruner emphasizes structure, minerality, focused fruit and austere grace.  

I am pleased to offer his Tabor Vineyard Gruner Veltliner.  With only 3,000 bottles made, it is extremely limited but an exceptional example why Austrian Gruner Veltliner should be placed in the pantheon of great white wines of the world.

The nose is focused green apple, honeydew and hints of Garfunkel spices (rosemary, thyme) and even a dash of cinnamon.  The palate is restrained yet bursting with hidden depth.  Wet stone and fresh oranges sit atop an intriguing undergrowth of ripe pineapple, lemon grass and apricots.  The finish is alight with minerality, so much so it practically sparkles.  While it is an absolute treat right now, this will improve over the next ten years the same way as high-level White Burgundy.  

Le Du’s Wines & Alain

Junguenet Selections

presents

The 2010

Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Barrel Sample Tasting

Saturday, April 7th

4-7 PM

Free!

This is our 4^th year hosting this event and it is always one of the highlights of our year. While we have been lucky to showcase some superb vintages in years past (’07 and ‘09 come immediately to mind), the 2010 might outshine them all.  Without the spikes in temperature that are a hallmark of  both 03 and 09, 2010 was characterized by a cool and dry Summer. Yields were much smaller than usual at 27hl/ha. Quantities are very small but quality is off the charts. This is the Chateauneuf vintage I’ve been waiting for! 

The wines are large-framed as can be expected but they have a freshness, vivacity and balance which is truly exceptional.

“Some producers think 2010 eclipses 2007 because of the wines’ vivid freshness and focus. Throughout the southern Rhône, the hallmarks of the vintage are very dense purple, sometimes even blue/black colors as well as higher acid levels that have not been seen since 2004 and 2001. In fact, 2010’s paradox is that I can’t remember a vintage so concentrated, powerful and rich that also has such zesty acidity.”–Robert Parker

“The acidity levels are high in the ’10s but the fruit is ripe, almost like 2007 or even 2003 in some cases.  But there’s no roasted character.  When those two elements are in harmony the wines are classic, classic Chateauneuf.”–Chistophe Sabon of Domaine de la Janasse

“The 2010’s are devoid of puppy fat and are better at expressing terroir.”–Jancis Robinson

We’ll be offering over 25 different Chateauneuf and other Southern Rhone wines for your consideration, edification and enjoyment.  Most of these wines are not yet in the country so this is a unique and exciting opportunity to get a handle on a classic vintage before its bottles hit our shores.

Wines

Domaine Albin Jacumin Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Bosquet Des Papes Cotes-du-Rhone

Bosquet Des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Bosquet Des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape A la Gloire de Mon Grand-Pere 

Bosquet Des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Chante le Merle 

Domaine de la Charbonniere Vacqueyras

Domaine de la Charbonniere Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Domaine de la Charbonniere Chateauneuf-du-Pape Mourre des Perdrix

Domaine de la Charbonniere Chateauneuf-du-Pape Hautes Brusquieres 

Domaine de la Cotes de L’Ange Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Domaine Moulin-Tacussel Chateauneuf-du-Pape Tradition

Domaine Pontifical Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Domaine Olivier Hillaire Cotes-du-Rhone

Domaine Olivier Hillaire Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Classique

Domaine Tour Saint Michel Cotes-du-Rhone

Domaine Tour Saint Michel Chateauneuf-du-Pape 

Domaine Tour Saint Michel Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee des Deux Soeurs 

Domaine Tour Saint Michel Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee du Lion 

Domaine Tour Saint Michel Chateauneuf-du-Pape Feminessance

Domaine Tour Saint Michel Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc

Domaine de la Cosonniere Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Domaine Pierre Usseglio Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Domaine Bertrand Stehelin Gigondas  

Domaine Bertrand Stehelin Sablet Cotes-du-Rhone Villages 

Domaine Bertrand Stehelin Sablet Cotes-du-Rhone Villages Blanc 

Cros de Romet Cairanne Cotes-du-Rhone Villages

and more to TBA

Last week, we had a guest in the store by the name of Darek Trowbridge.  Darek is the grandson of Lino Martenelli, founder of the famed Martenelli Winery in California.  After growing up in the vineyards with his Father and Grandfather, Darek has struck out on his own.

It is so exciting to see the California wineworld mature.  While 4th generation winemakers are common in France and Italy, the wine scene in America is still young so when you meet someone like Darek, whose family has been amongst the grapes since the early 20th century, it’s a real thrill.

Like many of the best winemakers around the planet, Darek practices a natural style of vineyard management.  Here is an excerpt from his philosophy:

“There are two approaches to growing a plant:  Pest Negative and Plant Positive.  The conventional approach is Pest Negative, in which the pest is killed or removed.  The Plant Positive approach supports the health and natural immune-response of the plant by using the appropriate soil amendment, fertlizer, and/or foliar nutrient.  The Biodynamic Preparations, Sea Kelp, Fish Emulsion, and Compost are some of the appropriate natural means we use to support the plant’s health.  A healthy plant produces compounds that naturally help it evade outbreaks of insects and diseas;  these compounds are also those found to help the human heart.  Healthy plants produce pure, disease free fruit which we believe tastes better.”

With firm roots in Sonoma County, much of Darek’s fruit comes from cooler climate areas (Sonoma Coast, Russian River, Dry Creek Valley) which makes for exquisite balance but his extreme care in the vineyard also lends his wine a typically California ripeness.

With less than 5,000 cases produced annually, Old World Winery is still flying well below the radar but I think it’s only a matter of time before the press gets a hold of  these wines and blows the lid off what is for now a delicious secret. 

  Our entire philosophy at Le Du’s is to find wines and winemakers we can believe in.  Thank you for allowing me to tell you about Darek and what he’s doing.

Feel free to e-mail me at jt@leduwines.com with any questions or requests. 

Old World Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Bei du Rocchi Ranch 2005

$26.99

This has everything going on.  It’s from the very cool Sonoma Coast, which is mostly planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, imparting harmony and length but Darek lets the grapes hang a bit longer than normal, resulting in powerful richness.  Loads of cherry chocolate fruit with hints of mint and tamarind in the mid-palate followed by a long warm finish.  Only 315 cases are made so we were more than excited to snag some.

Old World Winery Fulton Folderol Red 2008

$26.99

Weird & Delicious?  I’m in!  Darek’s Fulton Folderol is an even blend between Zinfandel from Dry Creek Valley and an EXTREMELY obscure grape called Abouriou.  Abouriou is planted here and there in the South of France but there are only 2 acres planted in California and Darek owns them all.  The Zin starts it out with some Va-Va-Voom velvety blackberry cobbler fruit but the Abouriou lends it some earth, thyme and black pepper in the mid-palate before a surprising zing of acidity on the backend.  Less than 200 cases made of this completely unique bottling.