Brew Hops & Wine Stops

This is one of the very first 2014 wines, after Beaujolais Nouveau and couple of Provence rosés, already available. The wine exhibits aromas and flavors of white flowers, ripe citrus and sweet apple, and all the freshness, perfect balance and pure, long finish expected from this best-selling and favorite organic wine!

Château Petit Roubié is family-owned by Floriane and Olivier Azan since 1981 and organically farmed since 1985. The winery is located in the small town of Pinet (population 1,300), which would have been totally unknown to the wine world if it wasn't for the great white wine produced there from the Picpoul grape.

Olivier Azan is a firm believer in organic farming; his Picpoul vineyards have been free of chemicals and synthetic fertilizers for over 26 years. These happy vines are planted on a high plateau overlooking the Mediterranean; happy vines = good wine.

The Picpoul de Pinet from Château Petit Roubié is a pure, honest, well-crafted and exciting wine that gives great pleasure when consumed as aperitif and will enhance any seafood dish, particularly raw oysters. In fact, this area is also famous for some of France's best oysters.

This great wine is an incredible bargain offered at $10.99.

Atanas Nechkov, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits wine supervisor

Follow me on Twitter @abcwineatanas

Last week, wine fans in the Naples area enjoyed a special treat when Bordeaux chateau owner Jean-Bernard Grenié dropped by our North Naples store. Monsieur Grenié, proprieteur of Chateau Daugay in Saint-Emilion, poured and featured multiple vintages of his signature wine. 

Jean-Bernard is recognized throughout the wine world as part-owner of Chateau Angelus, the prestigious Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé “A” (Hubert de Bouard is his partner).  Back in 2006, he and his wife Hélène de Bouard were charged with the management of Chateau Daugay. It contains roughly 14 acres of vineyards planted to Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Enthusiastic guests at the tasting had an opportunity to sample 2010 Chateau Daugay ($37), 2011 Chateau Daugay ($27) and 2012 Chateau Daugay ($27); all excellent grand vins produced at the chateau.  Monsieur Grenié was delighted with the reception, and attendees were excited that they had an opportunity to purchase the wines.  The ever-affable Jean-Bernard signed every bottle.

Additionally, ABCFWS wine staff also featured selections from two other notable Bordeaux properties including two vintages of Chateau Hortevie (2011, 2012), a Saint Julien AOP owned by the Borie family of Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou and Chateau Martinon ($12) and Bordeaux Blanc from the Entre-Deux-Mers appellation.

Special thanks to store wine consultants Stephen Simms and Brenton Rankine for a successful event. 

Jim Greeley, Wine Supervisor, SW Florida

Follow me on Twitter @abcwinejimg

Say “hello!”  to one of the newest wines we will be carrying at ABC…OS 16^th St Bridge. Very excited about this one because, honestly, who could say no to a Cab Franc predominant wine for under $20? I know I can’t! Cabernet Franc is one of my favorite “underdog” grapes.  I say that because in France it’s used in Bordeaux blending but doesn’t ever get a chance to stand on its own. Now, take that same underrated grape, plant it in Washington State, and watch the beauty flourish!  Lucky for me, OS Winery has taken this blending grape and run with it.  The latest incarnation for my adored Cabernet Franc is OS 16^th St Bridge, Columbia Valley, Washington, and it makes me VERY happy.  All the things I love about Cab Franc come out in OS’ signature style. Cab Franc is very particular in smell, almost like a spicy perfume as it opens, with flavors of Bing cherry, and -I‘ve got to say it- pink peppercorn.  If you ever have a chance to bite into a singular kernel of the pink stuff you’ll realize it’s softer than black pepper, and has a similar feel to a solo grape.  

Here’s what Great Northwest Wines had to say about it:

“Rob Sullivan and his daughter, Peggy, recently launched this label as a tribute to the historic South Park Bridge that was closed for several years. This release is devoted to Cabernet Franc (79%) and supported by Cabernet Sauvignon (11%) and Merlot from acclaimed vineyards such as Champoux, Elephant Mountain, Sheridan and Two Blondes. Cab Francophiles will embrace this for its aromas and flavors of Bing cherry, red currant, bell pepper, oregano and thyme. It carries a lighter body with graphite-like tannin and violets in the finish, and the responsible profile of lower alcohol lends this to suggested servings with Italian-themed pastas, Cajun dishes, grilled chicken, roasted pork and white cheeses.”

They (Great Northwest Wines) gave this wine an excellent rating and so do I. My favorite expression of this wine came straight from the website:

“With great acid and tannins for structure, the Bridge spans across your palette with dark cherry flavors, then opens in the mid-palette to bright red fruit and smokiness, finishing of raspberry and vanilla complete the journey, yearning for another trip across the Bridge.”

I think it’s time you took your trip! 

Kathleen Anderson, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits North/West Florida Wine Supervisor 

Follow me on Twitter @ABCwinekat

Traveling the world and being part of the process of finding great wines to bring to our ABC stores here in Florida is a fascinating, rewarding and occasionally humbling way of life. Fascinating because if you have an enthusiasm for it, you can’t help become involved not only with the excellent wines you encounter, but also with the passion and skill of the grape growers, winemakers, owners and everyone involved. Rewarding because it gives you pleasure to know that you’ve introduced a wine that is somehow unique to a whole new audience. And humbling because you want every choice to be a home run and know it should be a home run, but with so many choices out there you have to accept that it may not be.

I have no such worries about these wines.

While attending a trade show and series of seminars in Adelaide a while back, I discovered the wines of Serafino, a family-owned estate, with 300 acres of prime vineyards located in the wine region of McLaren Vale in South Australia. There were literally thousands of wines to try over the few days of this show and believe me, Australia was putting its best foot forward with wines of stunning quality. With so much to offer it took something very special to top this endless array of amazing wine. Serafino did that for me.

But first a little history. Serafino (Steve) Maglieri emigrated to Australia from Campobasso, Italy, in 1964 with a single suitcase, very little English and about $20 in his pocket. He soon found work in the vineyards and wineries of McLaren Vale, and drawing on his passion for wine and the skills he inherited from Italy, Steve established Maglieri Wines in 1972, which developed into Serafino wines in 2000. With Steve’s daughter Maria now at the helm, Serafino produces not only all the classic McLaren Vale varieties but also many very interesting and exciting Italian varietals as well. Which works perfectly because McLaren Vale, nestled between sea and hills, has a moderate ‘Mediterranean’ climate.

But let’s look at the wines that ABC is now offering –

Serafino Shiraz 2012: This tantalizing wine was awarded 95 points from James Halliday in his Australian Wine Companion and also received Double Gold at the CWSA. Halliday writes, “Blackberry and Satsuma plum play tag with each other, fine tannins and cedary oak providing the boundary lines for the tag-team.”

Serafino GSM 2012: Awarded 94 points by James Halliday who writes, “Its unusual depth lifts it onto another plane altogether.” This stunning wine is a blend of 75% Grenache, 20% Shiraz and 5% Mataro (aka Mourvèdre).

Tawny Fortified Wine: A delicious Port-style wine that is also a blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro. The winemaker’s notes: “Multiple layers of finesse and complexity combined mature fruit, aged oak, spice and rancio characters. Initial raisin fruit with toffee and walnut balanced with spirit dryness and a long persistent palate.” Australia, of course has a long history of making excellent and highly rated dessert wines, but this one truly stands out. Alcohol 19%.

Now is the time for America to rediscover Australia’s quality wines. Serafino is a great place to start. Enjoy!

Bill Stobbs, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits wine supervisor

Follow me on Twitter @abcwinebills

The 2010 L’Esprit de Chevalier Rouge and the 2010 L’Esprit de Chevalier Blanc are in short supply in our warehouse and will soon be gone. They are not to be missed by any serious wine enthusiast! Especially in this 2010 vintage. They can be enjoyed now, after a good hour of decanting or cellared for up to 15 years.

L’Esprit de Chevalier red and white are the second wines from Domaine de Chevalier in Pessac-Léognan, first created after the extensive new plantings at the domain in 1986.

In fact, the vineyard at Domaine de Chevalier is a single block of 42 hectares (37 for red and five for white), of which the younger vines, less than 40-years of age, make most of the second wines.

Domaine de Chevalier is renowned for its ability to produce great wines even in lesser vintages thanks to its superior terroir and a draconian selection in the vineyard and the celler. The single vineyard is surrounded on three sides by a dense forest which not only acts as a barrier against bad weather, but also creates an unique micro-climate by accentuating the thermal contrasts, creating a greenhouse effect in the summer which promotes even ripening.

l’Esprit de Chevalier red and white wines represent an outstanding value! They are complex, well-balanced, well-structured and elegant wines, true to Chevalier’s image, presenting many of the same qualities as the Grand Vin. The second wines mature faster and can be enjoyed sooner than the Grand Vin.

l’Esprit de Chevalier White 2010 – Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France ($33)

A blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Sémillon, l’Esprit de Chevalier is one of the best second wines from Bordeaux, especially at this price. Light straw color leads to aromas of white flowers with a touch of vanilla followed by medium body and tropical stone fruit flavors and a hint of sweetness from the Sémillon.  The refreshing acidity makes it a foil for shellfish, grilled fish and pasta with cream sauces.

l’Esprit de Chevalier Red 2010 – Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France ($33)

This full-bodied, full-intensity, opulent wine is perfectly balanced and silky-textured with aromas and flavors of black currant, blackberry, tobacco leaf and vanilla bean. It represents around 40% of the total production and shows well the essence of the Grand Vin, which was exceptional in 2010. Pair with grilled red meats.

Atanas Nechkov, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits wine supervisor

Follow me on Twitter @abcwineatanas

In 1989, a successful négociant carrier in Bordeaux, Jean-Luc Thunevin and his wife Murielle Andraud, bought a 0.6 hectares (1.5 acres) plot in Saint-Émilion between Pavie-Macquin and La Clotte, and a former garage to be used as a winery.

That's when Château Valandraud was born.

The name is as much geographic (Val: Vallon de Fongaban) as it is sentimental (Andraud: Murielle’s family name).

The first vintage was released in 1991: 1,500 bottles, priced at less than $20. 

Exemplified as a typical "micro-château," Valandraud was given 96 points for the 2009 vintage and 97+ points for the 2010 by The Wine Advocate, and its price approaches $400.

Château Valandraud was promoted 1st Grand Cru Classé in the 2012 ranking of the great wines of Saint Émilion, just 20 years after its first vintage! Unprecedented! And even more importantly, with Valandraud, a new appellation of origin "un”-controlled was born: the “Garage Wine!”

This kind of success and ultimate achievement would have been enough for most people, but not for the true artist. The true artist does not work for fortune or fame, but for the love of what they create. For that reason they are never satisfied and always innovating, breaking the boundaries, pushing the limits.

And that is the nature of Jean-Luc; the restless “bad boy” of Saint Émilion has looked beyond his native Bordeaux into the ancient, but newly re-discovered, wine region of Roussillon in Southwestern France.

The new Thunevin-Calvet winery is located in Maury, the first building at the entrance of the town. The ruins of the mysterious Cathar castles (Quéribus and Peyrepertuse) close by, with their thousand years of history, add to the majesty of this outstanding, unspoiled natural environment.

The town of Maury gave its name to the appellation for sweet fortified wine, but Maury is today just one of many outstanding wines produced here and the only sweet one. The focus is on full-bodied, dry reds from old vines Grenache Noir and Carignan and high-altitude Syrah, as well as crisp whites from Grenache Blanc and Macabeu.

The following five outstanding wines from domain Thunevin-Calvet are now available at ABC Fine Wine & Spirits:

Thunevin-Calvet Maury 2007 and 2008

Thunevin-Calvet Cuvée Hugo 2008

Thunevin-Calvet Les Dentelles 2008

Thunevin-Calvet Cuvée Constance 2010

Read more about the Thunevin-Calvet winery in the upcoming edition of the Wine Journal, in stores March!

Atanas Nechkov, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits wine supervisor

Follow me on Twitter @abcwineatanas 

With another year safely in the books I wanted to take a quick look ahead and wonder what the new year may have in store. I was trying to remember some of the things I wrote last year at this time, as far as wines I wanted to drink more of in 2014. The place I most thought I should drink more wine from was Chile…so I did. Boy, am I glad I did! What I discovered, like many of you also did, were some incredible wines for a terrific price.

The first such wines to catch my attention were the wines from Casas del Bosque. This winery was founded in 1993 and their winemaking philosophy is simply to produce high quality wine. Well, I suppose that would be the hope of many wineries around the world, but certainly is not always attained. At Casas del Bosque it absolutely is achieved and in many cases surpassed…get it, many cases! Their production of wines that ABC carries include Chardonnay ($16.99), Sauvignon Blanc ($12.99) (which is really delicious), Pinot Noir ($14.99), Cabernet Sauvignon ($16.99) and a stellar Carmenere ($12.99); they also make a Riesling and Syrah. The Carmenere from Casas del Bosque renewed my faith in this grape variety the first time I tasted it. Wonderful aromas of cherry, cedar and a touch of lavender with flavors of ripe black cherry, tobacco and spice combined with a balanced, long finish. I hadn’t tasted (or wanted to taste) a Carmenere for quite a while, but this wine has me looking forward to finding another one as good as this.

My other new favorite wine from Chile is the Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from Santa Isle ($15.99). This has to be one of the best buys in Cabernet Sauvignon to come along in a very long time. A muscular, full-bodied Cabernet that is the perfect wine to partner with a grilled steak of your choice or when you’re just in the mood for a great big glass of red. 

My wine hopes for 2014 came true in flying colors. Now what to do about 2015? I am lucky enough to have been invited to take a tour through wine country in South Africa in a few weeks--so for 2015 I think I will start there. Like Chile, I don’t really spend enough time or energy seeking out the wines of South Africa, so this will be one of my 2015 resolutions: to better understand and appreciate the wines of Stellenbosch, Paarl and the other wine regions in South Africa. I will let you know how it is going, as I look ahead to the next great wine discovery! 

Ken Amendola, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits wine supervisor

Follow me on Twitter @abcwinekena 

ABC is happy to add two great South African wines to our portfolio from A.A. Badenhorst Family Wines:  Secateurs Chenin Blanc and Secateurs Red. Winemaker and co-owner Adi Badenhorst, who trained in Bordeaux, the northern Rhone and New Zealand before becoming winemaker for nine years at Rustenberg, purchased 60 hectares in the Swartland in 2008 and set about making natural wine in the traditional manner.

Once something of an ignored area in South Africa’s Western Cape, the Swartland has grown in stature over the past decade and has become one of its most interesting appellations. A beautiful but sometimes wild, sometimes forbidding area it is now the home of The Swartland Revolution (‘We came, we saw, we revolted’) of which Adi Badenhorst is a founding member. The idea of the Revolution is to showcase the wines of the area. Despite whatever stylistic or philosophic differences the winemakers of the Swartland may have, all will agree that it offers a true sense of place which can be enjoyed and detected in the wines.

Old bush vines

Most vines in the area are bush vines, which is the original and most natural way of planting. With no trellis support, only pruning, the vines flourish in the wilderness and produce wines that have great character and depth, wines that are meant for enjoyment even more than idolization. When asked what he likes most in wine Adi replies, “Just that it quenches your thirst. Wine that you can drink and that can last and change in the glass. You must feel nourished after drinking wine. You mustn’t feel confused by wine.” Pretentious is the last thing that Adi Badenhorst is.

Secateurs Chenin Blanc is beautifully simple and delicious. Crisp and vibrant with pleasant citrus aromas and a dry finish, it is the perfect white wine for our Florida weather.

Secateurs Red is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Cinsault and Grenache. Badenhorst’s vines are unirrigated, biologically farmed as much as possible and fermented in traditional concrete tanks. The 2011 Secateurs Red was awarded 91 points by Wine Advocate. (Though when asked his view on wine scoring Adi replied, “I don’t know. I’m no good at maths so it doesn’t work for me. If it’s more than 10, I get a bit nervous!”)

Breakfast with Adi Badenhorst

I had the pleasure of staying at Adi Badenhorst’s Kalmoesfontein farm in the Swartland a while back, along with our ABC Director of Wines Brad Lewis and a small group of wine specialists. It was, as you might expect, a very happy and laid-back time, with the emphasis on enjoying the wines in good company, in pleasant surroundings and with great home-cooked food. Somehow it seemed wrong to discuss the wines too deeply, as wonderful as they were. The farm was a real ‘home’ – with Adi and his beautiful family making us perfectly at ease, and neighbors stopping by to join the festivities (and to watch the rugby game). But my prime memory was after everyone else had gone to bed, sitting up until late at night with Adi, drinking that delicious South African Rooibos tea and talking about – not wine so much – but good books, life philosophies, the pleasure of collecting vinyl records and our mutual affection for Hergé’s Adventures of Tintin.

I don’t think I need to say more about the wines. Try them. Enjoy them. Oh, and “Long live the Revolution!” 

Kalmoesfontein Farm

Bill Stobbs, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits wine supervisor

Follow me on Twitter @abcwinebills