Tag Archives: chateau

Clos du Caillou

4-18-2019

clos du caillou bottlesIf you don’t have a case of Clos du Caillou in your cellar, you are seriously missing out on the best values in Chateauneuf and Cotes du Rhone in the shop. Sure, there’s plenty of highly lauded 2016 CDPs in the $100+++ range. But isn’t it more fun to find an epic estate that doesn’t command those prices?

Enter Clos du Caillou.

They’ve flown unnoticed by buyers (though certainly not by the reviewers!) while the big names just got pricier. Perhaps because the terroir-driven estate is so hard to find in the national market. The estate is one of the favorites of reviewers for the region, yet can be had for under $50 a bottle. What’s not to love?

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Chateau Simone Palette Rose Provence 2014 – April 2016

Chateau Simone Palette 2014Chateau Simone Palette Rose, Provence 2014 750ML ($79.95) Buy Now: $59 special

Importer note “This magical and ancient estate in the hills just south of Aix-en-Provence produces a Rosé from the Palette appellation that is outside of category. It is a wine that belies the notion that rosés are simple wines to be drunk up young. We have indulged ourselves with 10-year old Château Simone Rosé and have marveled at the tenacity, vibrancy and complexity of this very serious wine. Expensive yes … but a special experience. A blend identical to the rouge: 45% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, 5% Cinsault, 20% Syrah, Castet, Manosquin, Carignan, Muscat Noir & Blanc. The mineral backbone of this wine is augmented by the flavors and bouquets sourced from the magnificent pines that surround this estate.”… Read the rest

Chateau Margaux Bordeaux 2009

Chateau Margaux, Margaux, Bordeaux 2009 750ML ($1,199.95) Buy Now: $999 special

Chateau Margaux 2009Robert Parker 99 points “A brilliant offering from the Mentzelopoulos family, once again their gifted manager, Paul Pontallier, has produced an uncommonly concentrated, powerful 2009 Chateau Margaux made from 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest primarily Merlot with small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. As with most Medocs, the alcohol here is actually lower (a modest 13.3%) than most of its siblings-. Abundant blueberry, cassis and acacia flower as well as hints of charcoal and forest floor aromas that are almost Burgundian in their complexity are followed by a wine displaying sweet, well-integrated tannins as well as a certain ethereal lightness despite the wine’s overall size. Rich, round, generous and unusually approachable for such a young Margaux, this 2009 should drink well for 30-35+ years.”… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Chateau Auney L’Hermitage Rouge 2011 4-17-16

Chateau Auney L'Hermitage RougeChateau Auney L’Hermitage ‘L’Hermitage Rouge’, Graves 2011 ($27.95) Buy Now: $24 special

Why we love it: Just enough earthiness and rusticity to keep you engaged but not so much to overwhelm. With a nice beef stew, this would really shine. More medium-bodied and restrained than I’m used to, with a very intriguing cranberry-licorice-tobacco-mint flavor composite. – Tyler

Importer note: “Known as Chateau Le Chec until 2012, when its long-time owners changed the name to Auney l’Hermitage, the estate is run by Sylvie and Christien Auney. 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec.  Aged for 15 months in a mix of new and old oak.”… Read the rest