Local Wine Events

Event Details

Wine OR Wine & Food

Thursday, Feburary 11, 2010, 6 – 8 P.M

Winehouse welcomes Patrick Wills form Ex Cellars and presents the following wines:

Domaine Talmard

Talmard’s vineyard is located just outside the eponymous village of Chardonnay.  Situated on land which has been devoted to Chardonnay production for more than a thousand years; Talmard controls just under 20 hectares, and every single vine is devoted to their Mâcon-Chardonnay.  It’s rare to see that kind of focus these days, but in this case, it’s Talmard’s absolute commitment to their Chardonnay that makes this wine so compelling.

2008 Domaine Talmard Macon-Chardonnay 

Domaine des Baumard

The domaine was established in 1634, and at that time Florent Baumard's ancestors were busy cultivating the vine. This was interrupted, however, by the arrival of phylloxera, and when France began to recover from that disaster the family turned their attention to nursery work - raising vines for sale - rather than viticulture. It was Jean Baumard, a graduate of both Dijon and Bordeaux Universities, taking control in 1955, who steered the family business back towards making wine. He was responsible for the purchase of plots in the Quarts de Chaume appellation in 1957 and Savennières in 1968; these are stalwarts of the Baumard portfolio. Jean Baumard pulled the domaine from obscurity to the forefront of Loire winemaking, and it is no wonder that he came to be so highly regarded by so many, both his peers and by those who bought and drank his wines. His impact was enormous. But time marches on, and in the early 1990s his son, Florent Baumard, took control. There has been no blip in quality; this domaine continues, under Florent Baumard's control, to turn out some fabulous wines. In fact, Florent seems to me to be a thoughtful and insightful winemaker, who will not only steer this domaine towards continued greatness, he will not shy away from innovation either. In 2006 he surprised the press by unveiling some of his top wines, including the Savennières Clos du Papillon 2003 and Quarts de Chaume 2004 under Stelvin screwcap. Florent announced that in future, all his wines will bottled using this closure technique.

2005 Domaines des Baumard Val De Loires Savennieres

90 points from Wine Spectator

This is still two wines, with some up-front quince and pear flavors followed by reserved mineral and chalk dust notes. Hints of green melon, sweet butter and lime candy add complexity. More cellaring will bring this into full focus. Drink now through 2013. 1,500 cases imported. –JM

2005 Domaines des Baumard Clos du Papillon Savennieres

91 points from Wine Spectator

Plump up front, with melon, quince and pear flavors. Also has lots of buried minerality waiting in reserve, with notes of quartz and lime flickering through the medium-weight finish. Approachable, but should gain better definition with cellaring. Drink now through 2013. 500 cases imported. –JM

E Guigal

The Guigal domain was founded in 1946 by Etienne Guigal in the ancient village of Ampuis, home of the wines of the Côte-Rôtie. In these vineyards that are over 2400 years old, you can still see the small terraced walls characteristic of the Roman period. Etienne Guigal arrived in this region in 1923 at the age of 14. He made wine for over 67 vintages and, at the beginning of his career, participated in the development of the Vidal-Fleury establishment.

Despite his young age, Marcel Guigal took over from his father in 1961 when the latter was victim to a brutal illness rendering him blind. Marcel's hard work and perseverance enabled the Guigals to buy out Vidal-Fleury in 1984, although the establishment retains its own identity and commercial autonomy. In 2000, the Guigals purchased the Jean-Louis Grippat estate in Saint-Joseph and Hermitage, as well as the Domaine de Vallouit in Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, Saint-Joseph and Crozes-Hermitage.

2007 E Guigal Cotes du Rhone Blanc

90 points from Wine Advocate

The beautiful 2007 Cotes du Rhone Blanc, a blend of 50% Viognier and the rest Roussanne, Marsanne, Clairette, and Bourboulenc, is the finest he has yet produced. Amazing aromatics, fresh citrus fruits, and a hint of minerality are presented in a medium-bodied, delicious style that most consumers will love.

2006 E Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rouge

2005 E Guigal Gigondas

(91 – 93 from wine Advocate)

His 2005 Gigondas is better than 80% of those produced by the vignerons with estates in the village. Its deep ruby color is followed by aromas and flavors of minerals and peppery black currants, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, and noticeable, but sweet tannin.

2005 E Guigal Chateauneuf du Papes

93 points from Wine Advocate

The 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape is a must buy. It boasts a deep plum/ruby color as well as a rich bouquet of blackberries, kirsch, spice box, pepper, grilled herbs, and meat juices. With supple tannins, full body, and beautiful texture and depth, it should drink nicely for 10-15 years.

2005 E Guigal Chateau d’Ampuis Cote Rotie

(94 -96 points from Wine Advocate)

…the 2005 Cote Rotie Chateau d’Ampuis is a macho, masculine-styled effort. Dense, concentrated, and powerful, with gamy black currant, spice box, bacon fat, and herb notes, this chewy, tannic, enormously promising requires 3-4 years of cellaring, and should drink well over the following two decades or more.