Posts belonging to Category Cotes de Beaune

Minerve in the Languedoc

What a wonderful eclectic selection of wines we have for you! We cover the territory tBoW likes to traverse. From Southern France to Burgundy we have found values. And they are currently available if you hunt now. So put on your Sherlock Holmes hat and get on the Internet! Or if you live in LA drive to your local wine vendor or straight to Palate Wine. Bring cash! (more…)

Burgundy Gran Cru

Harmony and beauty. Pinot Noir is to vinifera what monks are to the institutional church [ed. Holy Bordeaux?]. Alone, isolated, ascetic, monastic. No wonder Pinot Noir can become something divine as wine. My basic expectations from Pinot Noir wine include delicate balance even if “delicate” runs the gamut from Natalie Portman to Dita von Teese; tender fruit like a butterfly lighting on a flower in Spring (choices here include strawberry, cherry, beets and stinky-poo forest floor); and on infrequent occasions mystery and magic like the “subject” experiences in the 1950s LSD video tripping for the first time. (more…)

Nothing quite like popping the cork on a First Growth Bordeaux to liven up the meal. The appearance of a member from this class of pedigreed wines is both rare and notable. Pull a cork on 1996 Barolo or a Chambolle-Musigny from any vintage – both of equal breed – it is a simple fact that more people will recognize the Bordeaux as the extra special wine that turns heads with its arrival. The President of the USA versus the richest man in Russia. Extra rare generic versus extra rare “who dat”. (more…)

Here’s a story with a switcheroo, reversal of fortune and an unexpected ending. Could’ve been penned by O. Henry. It’s the bumbling retailer, and the little producer from Burgundy going up against a couple of big fellas ending all turned upside down.

The story begins when tBoW tasted the 2008 Hauts-Cote des Nuits from Anne Gros and was knocked out. I called my retailer – who shall remain unnamed – and asked for half a case of that specific wine. When I went to pick it up I realized there was only bottle of what I had requested and five other Anne Gros Bourgogne wines; the lesser “Pinot Noir” labels. What to do? I took them! How bad could they be? The retailer had not checked the box and did not realize there was a switch. tBoW likes this retailer a lot so it was good form to accept the mistaken wines. Besides what better way to go to school on Anne Gros wines for what amounts to the cheapest tuition. (more…)

Holidays are here. tBoW is getting ready for a big Xmas day party. Touring local wineries today. Here is my holiday bling collection courtesy of a Downtown LA vendor. Have to make a shopping stop there next week. Here are the wines bringing holiday cheer.
2005 Fitou Bel Armant Chateau Champ des Souers $15: This may be the third time tBoW has reviewed this wonderful little Languedoc/Corbieres wine from Beck Wasserman. Toffee nose, soft, vanilla, fruity. Balanced well. Blends Grenache, Carignan and Mourv√®dre. Just very pleasant and completely enjoyable. 13.5% (more…)