50% Grenache Blanc and Gris, 30% Chardonnay and 20% Marsanne, cote Est (literally "Eastern slopes") is from an estate nestled between the Mediterranean sea on one side and the mountains of the Pyrenees on the other on the Spanish border in Western Languedoc. One of the Wine Advocate's "World's Greatest Wine Values". 13% abv.
"Jean-Marc Lafage and Eric Solomon continue to render truly mind-boggling values. ...their 2007 Cote d'Est -- a blend very different from last year's, with Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, and Chardonnay as well as a small amount of Marsanne -- strains credibility even further. Pungently redolent of toasted grain, citrus oil, pineapple, almond extract, and narcissus, it is rich and honeyed on the palate, with persistently wafting floral notes and pungent counterpoint but no bitterness. It finishes with haunting smokiness and honeyed length as well as a generous measure of sheer refreshment. Enjoy it over the coming year. 90 points."~~ David Schildknecht, Wine Advocate #178, 31 August 2008[$9.34 mixed-case discount ($12 release) from The Spirit Shoppe in South Egremont, MA (clicky click).]
From a small negociant owned by Jean-Louis Chave, scion of one of the great names of the Rhone (one only has to read on the neck label "Vignerons de Pere en Fils dupis 1481" or "vine growers from father to son since 1481" to understand what real tradition means), Mon Coeur (or "My Heart") is said to reflect his enduring love of the Rhone Valley. This 100% biodynamic wine (buried horns full of bull manure and all!) is a blend made from Syrah and Grenache grapes produced in four separated vineyards, Visan, Buisson, Vinsobres and Estezargues. 14.5% abv.
"Smart Buys: Alluring, with dark cocoa, game, braised fig and roasted plum notes laced with hints of iron and garrigue. The nice solid, muscular finish lets a loamy edge echo on. Drink now through 2010. 6000 cases made. 91 points."~~James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 31 May 2009"Component #1: Fresh strawberry and raspberry on the nose. Silky red fruits, with no obvious tannins and a long, sweet finish. Component #2: Deeper cherry and blackberry aromas and flavors. Weighty, chewy and powerful. Component #3: Intensely spiced red berry aromas. Zesty raspberry and red cherry flavors are tightly wound but sweet, with good finishing thrust. 'There's some old-vine carignane in here,' Chave told me. 88-91 points."~~Josh Raynolds, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Jan/Feb 2008[$16.99 mixed-case discount ($23 release) from The Spirit Shoppe in South Egremont, MA (clicky click).]
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