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imported by Charles Neal
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imported by Charles Neal |
| Sud-Ouest, the Southwest corner of France, is home to small appellations that make
diverse and distinctive wines. Come join us on Saturday as we pour a small tour of the
region. These are French Country Wines made by small producers very far removed
from corporate culture. They were assembled and imported by San Francisco based importer
Charles Neal. Check out his web site at:
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| Château la Colline, Bergerac, Blanc 2004: (80% Semillon, 20% Sauvignon Blanc) $12.20 |
| The appellation Bergerac takes its name from the main town in the Dordogne, located east of Bordeaux. The vineyards of Bergerac touch those of Bordeaux and, as the permitted grape varieties are the same, the wines of Bordeaux and Bergerac have a great deal in common. The Colline Blanc has a refreshing, medium body with touches of honey, white fruit and flowers and a clean, dry finish. |
| Clos Lapeyre, Jurancon, Sec 2005 (100% Gros Manseng) $14 |
| A gorgeous golden-amber-brown Amontillado. Dry and soft, with hints of wood and smoky raisins and a distinctive nutty bouquet. The Los Arcos got 90 pts from Parker who describes it as offering "good body as well as a heady personality." Delicious on their own they are equally an accompaniment to soups, especially light meat soups such as consomme. But they also go with so many other foods: seafood, game dishes and meat terrines. Amontillados should be served cool, but not too chilled. |
| Château la Coustarelle, Cahors |
| The Cahors appellation is located midway between the Dordogne and Toulouse in rolling hills that twist gently along with the River Lot. 70% of the wines in Cahors must be made with Malbec (a.k.a. Cot, Auxerrois). Once used as the backbone for many Bordeaux wines, this thick-skinned, late-ripening grape produces deeply colored wine. Malbec is grown widely in Argentina and in small quantities in California. Coustarelle makes two malbecs: |
| Cuvée Normale 2003 (80% Malbec, 20% Merlot) $11 |
| The cuvee Normale is deep ruby, with a powerful and concentrated nose of blackberry-scented fruit along with anis. Light tannins are well-integrated in the wine's medium to full-bodied texture. |
| Grand Cuvée Prestige 2003 (90% Malbec, 10% Tannat) $15 |
| The cuvee Prestige is deep purple with lots of vanilla dark fruit aromas and plenty of ripe blackberry fruit on the palate, along with a hint of licorice. Its fine tannin is extremely well-integrated on the finish. |
| Domaine Laffont, Madiran, Erigone 2003. (80% Tannat and 20% Cabernet Franc) $19.50 |
| Almost black in color with a pronounced bouquet of sweet raisins, the San Emilio is very rich, sweet, and viscous with flavors of dried raisins, walnuts, and treacle. This is a dessert wine consumed on its own or with rich, fruity puddings, or classically poured over vanilla ice cream. |