I can see it has a really bad medieval thing going on with the label – reminiscent of a middle-schooler’s Dungeons & Dragons artwork.  And it’s definitely got an earthy smell – dare I say the smell of the slow release fertilizer, otherwise known as manure.   But does it taste bad too?

Amazingly, it doesn’t.  It actually tastes pretty darn good! 

It’s 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah and for 10 smackers this Rhone red is not half bad!  The vibrant red berry flavors that mingle with fresh ground black pepper make this wine a solid value, even if you need a clothes pin over your nose in order to enjoy it!

3 Stars out of 4.  Air out before consumption.

($10)

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However, there was one in particular that stood out from the others.  It was the 2007 Chateau Beauchene Grand Reserve.  The tasting notes on the label of the 2007 Chateau Beauchene Grand Reserve describe this wine as “rounded and unctuous”.

Unctuous…huh? 

Unctuous – 1. (adj.) buttery, fulsome, oily, oleaginous, smarmy, soapy, unctuous
Unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating in manner or speech.
“buttery praise”; “gave him a fulsome introduction”; “an oily sycophantic press agent”; “oleaginous hypocrisy”; “smarmy self-importance”; “the unctuous Uriah Heep”; “soapy compliments” ~definitions.net 

I’m not sure I would want to drink something based on that definition, but in “wine-speak” it sounds much better:

“Rich, lush, intense wines with layers of concentrated, soft, velvety fruit are said to be unctuous.” ~erobertparker.com

Composed of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah grapes, the 2007 Chateau Beauchene Grand Reserve was thumping with vibrant and youthful red fruit, florally violet notes, and a punch of black pepper on the finish.  It was a naughty-good nightcap with some pita bread and a tub of roasted red pepper hummus.  I bet it would also be right at home with a variety of different meats and cheeses as well.

3 Stars out of 4.  The 2007 Chateau Beauchene Grand Reserve Cotes Du Rhone Red earned the right to call itself ‘unctuous’ or anything else in the dictionary that means, “really good”…and that’s not just buttery praise!

($11.99)

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The Languedoc is one of the most exciting wine regions in the entire wine world.  Why?  Because it’s a region that possesses hundreds of small producers making awesome wines ranging in all colors and styles.  But the really cool thing about wines from the Languedoc is that most of these tiny producers still make wine in the Old World way, which allows these wines to showcase their distinctive characteristics and gives them a true sense of home.  And the best of all – you can experience many of these unique and wonderful wines for less than 15 US dollars.

Here are a few Languedoc killer values that I’ve been just plain old gaga over since first tasting them a little while back.

2008 Le Jade Picpoul de Pinet (<$10 US) – This white wine gem wallops a dynamite grapefruit, lime and pineapple acidic charge from start to its glorious, zesty finish.  It’s extremely food-friendly and has the chops to stand up to anything from bacon-wrapped scallops over Southwestern seasoned mixed vegetables to a melted Manchego cheese and Italian Sopressata quesadilla!  I speak from experience on these two.

2008 Cave de Pomerols Picpoul de Pinet HB (<$10 US) – This is another white treasure from the Languedoc.  All I can tell you is that this or the Le Jade are normally sitting in my refrigerator at all times.  For less than 10 bucks a bottle (in most parts of the US), both of these wines are outstanding values.

 2004 Château La Clotte-Fontane “Cremailh” (<$13 US) – This is a new discovery for me.  This red wine consists of 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache grapes.  It has just the perfect amount of weight and richness to it at the very first sip and the prominent red fruit (raspberry) flavors are outstanding.  But the big draw for me about this wine is its spices.  It packs an awesome punch of interesting sweet and peppery notes from start to its long finish.  If that’s not enough to grab you, how about this – the owners of this winery enjoy bullfighting in their free time.  That’s reason enough to give this red a shot.

All three of these Languedoc offerings are tops in my value book and will go terrific with a variety of different types of food.  So don’t get hung up on what you may not understand on these and other French labels, and discover the great juice that’s inside!

To learn more about wines from the Languedoc, check out Ryan O’Connell’s website called Love That Languedoc.

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The first gift of 2010!  This outstanding little gem comes from Bordeaux, France.  The importer of this white wine is Monsieur Touton Selection LTD.  I mention this because the bottle does not indicate who the actual producer is of this wine.  Guillaume Touton aka “Monsieur Touton” is the man behind this wine importing company.  Mr. Touton works with several hundred producers from several countries and employs over 80 sales people whose offices are located in New York, Boston and Washington.  His company has earned a reputation as being one of the most prolific importers of French wine on the East Coast within the United States.

After tasting this particular 100% Sauvignon Blanc for the first time this past New Year’s weekend, I can see why his company has earned such a great reputation on the East Coast.

The  2008 Monsieur Touton Sauvignon Blanc possesses just the right amount of zesty sauvignon blanc flavors that let you know that it’s distinctively French, but the acidity that it delivers really pops nicely for an inexpensive white Bordeaux without the pucker up style of a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.  I think my wife summed up this wine perfectly when she said, “It’s pretty”.  I agree, for $10 dollars a bottle, there’s a whole lot to like about the 2008 Monsieur Touton Sauvignon Blanc – especially if you’re an everyday wine drinker looking for a great everyday white to go with dinner.

I award the 2008 Monsieur Touton Sauvignon Blanc 3 stars out 4.  You won’t mistake it for a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, but this classic and affordable French Sauvignon Blanc has just the right amount of zip on it!

WineLife365 Rating: 3-Star

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Is your white wine up to the Challenge?

Looking for that perfect crowd pleasing white wine to bring to a Christmas party?  Or, maybe just a great inexpensive wine to give to someone as a gift this holiday season?  Here’s the answer my friend to your holiday dilemma, and it’ll only cost you $10 bucks.  This little treasure comes from France – which of course means that you’ll be instantly greeted by a label in all of its French splendid glory, chock full of unfamiliar French words that will undoubtedly have your brain muttering the words of Mr. Grinch, “How-be Who-be What??” .  After a little label intimidation game, you’re then distracted by the look of the bottle.  It is long and slender and has a Grinch-looking body that by this point has you saying, “Pooh-pooh to the Whos!”, and has you heading back to your ‘ole familiar wine boundaries.  But wait, before you go running back to that safe haven in aisle 3, do yourself a favor and taste drive one of the most heavenly killer values on the planet right now for under 10 smackers.  Here’s all you need to know about this stunning wine before having your taste buds bustin’ loose under the mistletoe with excitement. 

Picpoul is the grape and Pinet is the village within the Languedoc region of France for which this wine calls home.

This white wine pops with gigantic acidic fruit flavors like grapefruit, lime and pineapple from start to its glorious zesty finish.  Not only is the Le Jade great on its own, but it’s also extremely food-friendly and has the chops to stand up to anything from say bacon-wrapped scallops over Southwestern seasoned mixed vegetables to a melted Manchego cheese and Italian Sopressata quesadilla (I speak from experience on these two).

My question to you and every white wine making winery out there is this:  Can your $20 or less white wine do that?  I personally believe that the Le Jade, at just under $10, might very well be the most exceptional and versatile inexpensive white wine on the market right now.  To this point, I’m making a challenge to all wineries around globe – If you think that your less than $20 white wine is better then this French beauty, then I’d like to hear about it!

As for the 2008 Le Jade, Picpoul de Pinet – It’s the tops in my book!  Pour it, enjoy it, or just get crunked (if that’s your thing) this holiday season – 4 Stars.

Cheers!

WineLife365 Rating: 4-Star

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