IMPORTANT
ANNOUNCEMENT: After much encouragement from local capitol
constituents,The Wine Consultant has officially announced he will NOT
be a candidate for the October California gubernatorial recall
election. Eric Stumpf, owner of The Wine Consultant, stated that
consumer polls showed running for governor might compromise his
credibility as a buyer to critically sample taste before purchasing.
A press conference is scheduled for later this afternoon.
PLEASE NOTE: STORE
HOURS THIS WEEK HAVE BEEN MODIFIED. FRIDAY THE STORE WILL
CLOSE EARLY AT 5 PM. AND THIS SATURDAY, AUGUST 9TH., THE WINE
CONSULTANT WILL ONLY BE OPEN FROM 10 AM TO 1 PM. - WHY YOU ASK?
MY DAUGHTER ERIN NICOLE IS BEING MARRIED TO NICK THIS SATURDAY
AFTERNOON IN A SIERRA FOOTHILL VINEYARD!!! LET THE CHAMPAGNE FLOW!!!
One more week
to vote on your favorite restaurants. In no particular order, the
following are the updated results at this time:
Local -
Waterboy, Biba, The Firehouse
San
Francisco/Bay Area - Chez Panisse, Acquerello, Masa's
Wine Country -
French Laundry, La Toque, Terra
Runner ups -
Local - Slocum
House, The Kitchen
SF/Bay Area -
The Boulevard, Aqua's
Wine Country -
Mustard's, Bistro Don Giovanni's
Chateauneuf-du
Pape! Last December, when Guigal's 1999 Chateauneuf-du Pape
was named the Wine Spectator's #1 Wine for 2002 the phone ran
off the hook and to order the wine from TWC you had to pass a two part
written and blind tasting test successfully.......so many of you
learned more about this wine and region from the Southern Rhone Valley
than you expected!! NOW, the very successful 2001
vintage is trickling into the market place. A few weeks ago I
wrote....
You will want to stock
up on Chateauneuf-du Pape from the 2001 vintage! The
crop was excellent, but small. Yes, prices have edged upward because
of the strength of the Euro, but you were going to be required to pay
for the splendid quality regardless. This is a vintage that should
eventually equal the stunning wines produced in 1998. Also, there
will not be a 2002 vintage.....unless you want to purchase wine made
from grapes that were still submerged in up to 5 feet of water in mid
September. As a matter of warning, do not purchase ANY 2002 Southern
Rhone Valley wine, with the exception of some early harvested white
blends, without tasting first! The deluge that inundated this area
with over 24 inches of rain over September 8 & 9th. is now
legendary. However, l repeat, you will not be sorry if you invest in
even a few bottles of great 2001 Chateauneuf-du Pape; saturated black
and blue colors, powerful and chewy, concentrated and very age worthy.
Over the next few months I will offer a sampling of the best. Grab a
few while you can!
....and offered
the very limited Le Vieux Donjon that sold out immediately (a couple of
mags are still available at $109.95). The latest "trickle" is from a
very prominent "traditionalist" producer and not available from any
merchant north of the Bay Area. Personally, I have been a collector of
Paul Coulon's Chateauneuf-du Pape since the splendid
1998 vintage. His Chateauneuf-du Pape wines are better known, but
somewhat confusingly, as Domaine de Beaurenard and Domaine de
Beaurenard's Cuvee Boisrenard.
The 2001
"Beaurenard" is composed of 70% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, 10%
Cinsault. All of Paul Coulon's grapes are cluster selected, hand
picked and hand sorted at harvest. The grapes are completely destemmed
prior to a light crushing. All of his wines are fermented by the
natural yeasts found in the vineyard. The Beaurenard is matured for up
to 15 months in oak cask and barrique; gently racked and fined, but
remains unfiltered before bottling. Robert Parker describes the 2001
Beaurenard as "....a dense purple color....accompanied by aromas of
sweet black cassis, smoke, licorice, and a hint of chocolate...medium
to full-bodied...is impressively constituted, concentrated, generous,
pure and lush. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2014 #514-7585 - 89-91
points". I noted a pure and penetrating expression of kirsch on the
palate. The Wine Spectator rated this same wine 94 points.
About 1500 cases were imported in to the USA market.
The 2001
"Cuvee Boisrenard" is produced from only old 60 to 90 year old vines
planted in terroirs of great personality and complexity. Very low
yields of Grenache compose the majority of the blend, but the wine
usually includes all 13 varietals allow by law. The wine is matured
for at least 18 months in oak casks. Concentration and texture are
hallmarks for this Cuvee. Robert Parker feels the 2001 Cuvee
Boisrenard "boasts an inky black/purple color in addition to enormous
body, and thick, unctuously-textured flavors of cassis, licorice,
smoke, and meat. Exquisitely pure, ripe, concentrated, and promising,
with copious quantities of sweet, ripe tannin, it should be at its
finest between 2006-2018. - 93-95+ points. I was seduced by the wines
profound depth and alluring lush silkiness!! The Wine Spectator
has rated it 95 points. Only a few hundred cases were imported.
Order NOW to
secure these hedonistic wines! These wines are in limited supply so preference
will be given to orders that include quantities of both wines.
2001
Beaurenard is $35.95 a bottle.
2001 Cuvee
Boisrenard is $59.95 a bottle.
Sorry, but no
discounts.
** This week's priority email
membership # will win a bottle of 1999 Flora Springs Trilogy. Just
respond within 48 hours if you find your number.
Passionately yours about wine!
Eric Stumpf
The Wine Consultant
8039 Greenback Lane
Citrus Heights, CA 96510
(916) 721-WINE (9463)
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