Perman Wine Selections Chicago

6 for $60-Something – January 27th, 2012

Craig Perman — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:54:46 +0000

Hello and Happy Friday!

It’s the last Friday of the month and time to introduce the brand new “Six for $60-something” wine sampler!

Six wines, hand selected by me, that represent a range of styles – all hovering around the $10 price point. Each wine is available by the bottle or case, but as I often say, for maximum pleasure you should take the whole sampler.

The “Six for $60-something” is highly recommended to those learning about wines, trying to stock their wine rack with affordable and tasty adult beverages, or wanting to bring a gift to someone hosting a party.

So how does this work? To order simply e-mail me back and say “Hey Craig, hook me up.” To join the devoted legions of fans who receive them every month you can just say “and keep ‘em coming!” All of the wines are available by the bottle or case, but for total jubilation just do the whole sampler. Some people are challenged by some of the wines that I put in to my sampler. If Bergerac gives you the chills, Rhône varietals make you hyperventilate, or any other interesting reason why you can not drink one of the following wines, then I will substitute and try to get the sampler as close to $60 as possible.

A suggestion to those folks trying to learn from this as well as get a buzz – print out a copy of the newsletter to keep with your sampler. That way when you are in the mood for a bottle you have your own mini wine lesson on hand. So what are you waiting for? Order yours today!

The sampler is in stock and ready to be picked up any time in the coming month!
Thanks again for all your support!

Have a great weekend,
Craig

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2009 CASA SILVA MERLOT RESERVA

Oh no you didn’t! Oh yes I did!

That’s right people, even those that live in the city can drink Merlot! Scorned by millions of wine consumers after it became “un-cool” to drink the varietal, it is worth going back for another look.

The facts about Merlot are simple. It is an early ripening varietal that typically offers a plushness of fruit and soft tannins. It, like most other grapes, is very terroir specific, adapting to places such as Saint-Émilion, Chile, Friuli, and the Napa Valley.

I’ve made it my mission this year to re-introduce the varietal to you, and so lets start with a really fantastic value from one of my favorite producers in Chile, Casa Silva. Located in the Colchagua Valley, the Silva family began to estate bottle their wines in 1997. Like many wineries in Chile the origins of the family are from Bordeaux, at it is no coincidence that varietals like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carménère found their way here.

Quality across the board is really impressive at Casa Silva, yet their Reserva line offers truly amazing bargains. The 2009 Merlot is going to make you think twice about the varietal, as it offers up notes of bright strawberry, cocoa, and herbs. It is texturally very silky, but avoids overt fruitiness, and finishes with great balance and length. The softness of Merlot is what makes it such a great food wine, and you can drink this with spiced chicken thighs or a beef stew.

$10.50 BTL. / $126.00 CASE

2008 FINCA TORREMILANOS “MONTE CASTRILLO” RIBERA DEL DUEROIt is almost unheard of to find a quality wine from the Ribera del Duero region in Spain at the under $15 price point!

The region is home to Spain’s most famous grape varietal, Tempranillo, which is locally called Tinto Fino. The most famous winery in the region is Vega Sicilia, which dates back to 1864, but the explosion of wineries didn’t start happening till the early ’90s.

Today, there is a wide range of producers and quite a bit of diversity in respect to its terroirs and styles of winemaking.

Finca Torremilanos is owned by the Peñalba López family who expanded this old estate to its current 200-hectare size. With such a large scale of land holdings, it is impressive that the quality is high throughout the large portfolio of wines. “Monte Castrillo” is an “everyday” type of red, a blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Most of the juice undergoes malolactic fermentation in tank, with a small percentage in oak. The wine is aged for 7 months in oak before bottling.

This has nicely balanced notes of cherries, oak spice, and savory herbs. It is a very easy drinking wine on its own, but is also nicely paired with grilled red meats. A terrific value.

$10.50 BTL. / $126.00 CASE

2007 DOMAINE L’ANCIENNE CURE BERGERAC “JOUR DE FRUIT”

Ahhhh Bergerac – any region that is primarily known for wine and tobacco is good by me!

Bergerac is both a region and a town located in Southwest France, famous for Cyrano de Bergerac. Truth be told, he never really lived in Bergerac. But the city and region still embraces him, and why the heck not when you have easy access to a pack of smokes and a good bottle of wine?

Getting back to business, there are some really good wines coming out of the Bergerac appellation today. With a strong local tradition of cooperatives, the Roche family previously sold to the local co-op, but with the new generation comes new hope and the idea to estate bottle and raise the level of quality even further.

“Jour de Fruit” is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. In an effort to raise the awareness that all Merlot doesn’t taste the same, I bring you this very charming, and very rustic wine. What is a rustic wine you may ask? It is a wine that doesn’t smell like a lollipop. It is going to take you out of your comfort zone, and expand your horizons. Basically it is going to change your life!

Aromatically speaking this wine is wild! It smells like coffee grounds, mineral, and yes – tobacco leaf! On the palate it has the softness that is typical to Merlot, with baked fruit, spice and a really nice, lingering finish. Certainly not a cocktail wine, rather a good wine to pair with paté and cheese. This benefits from a little air in a decanter.

$11.50 BTL. / $138.00 CASE

2009 CHÂTEAU DE SÉGRIÈS CÔTES DU RHÔNE ROUGE

If someone ever gives you an average bottle of Côtes du Rhône from a bad producer, simply just shake your head at them! Let me tell you, I’m no genius for finding good bottles of red from the Côtes du Rhône appellation in the South of France. There are many, many good producers.

Château de Ségriès is a rising star in the appellation of Lirac, which sits across the river from Châteauneuf-du-Pape. This estate was purchased in 1994 by Henri de Lanzac, who spent much time and effort resurrecting the estate into a quality producer. With almost 45 hectares of land spread out in different villages, this is considered a medium-sized producer in the region.

His 2009 Côtes du Rhône is a blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 10% Cinsault and 10% Carignan. It is fermented in temperature-controlled vats and aged primarily in tank. Last month I offered another Côtes du Rhône from Domaine Brusset on my sampler, but I think you will notice that this month’s is a completely different animal. This has a little more elegance to it, and the inclusion of 30% Syrah lends to a more pronounced white pepper spice.

A great wine for winter foods such as a mushroom and herb-laden chicken fricassée.

$11.50 BTL. / $138.00 CASE

2010 DOMAINE DE PELLEHAUT “HARMONIE DE GASCOGNE”

The Côtes de Gascogne is my go to place for a “Sauvignon Blanc-ish” style white wines at bargain prices. The appellation is located in Southwest France, and is home to one of my favorite spirits in the world, Armagnac. Distilled primarily from the grape Ugni Blanc, the same grape has become important today for white wine production.

This rural, agricultural land is home to the Domaine de Pellehaut, a property that covers 520 hectares of land— 180 hectares of those are vineyards, with the rest going to cereal crops and cattle. This working farm that dates back to the 18th century offers a variety of soil types, which allows for various varietals to be farmed.

Their inexpensive white “Harmonie de Gascogne” is a blend of Ugin Blanc, Colombard, Gros Manseng, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Folle Blanche. It is a fresh and very aromatic white wine with notes at passion fruit, citrus, and green pepper.

This is such an easy drinking white that it is an ideal wine to drink as you cook, and is a fun pairing with a seafood ceviche.

$9.00 BTL. / $108.00 CASE

2009 “LES HÉRÉTIQUES” VIN DE PAYS DE L’HÉRAULT”

This terrific value should be the mascot of the Western Languedoc region in the South of France. With a rich and at times disturbing history, Minervois is home to some of the Languedoc’s most delicious wines. This wine is made by Château d’Oupia, and is an hommage to the massacre that happened in Minerve in 1208. At that time the members of the Cathari religious order were hunted down and killed during the Crusades led by the Roman Catholic Church, who called them “heretics.”

The late Andre Iché dedicated this bottling to that massacre, and even though it is 900 years later, those times are still remembered in the region today. Aside from the history lesson, I have for a long time used this in my arsenal of incredible under $10 bottles. This is not incredible in the sense that it will be the best wine you’ve ever tasted, rather, it is a wine that transports the drinker to that region, sitting at a local café, eating a hearty bowl of Cassoulet.

It is a blend composed primarily of old-vine Carignan with a splash of Syrah. The wine fermented half in the traditional method and half using carbonic maceration. This gives it a brightness of fruit that you want when eating heartier stews and meats. So if you can’t travel to this region any time soon, this bottle and some regional cooking will take you there.

$9.50 BTL. / $114.00 CASE

Perman Wine Selections Friday Feature – January 13th, 2012

Craig Perman — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 19:00:59 +0000

Hello and Happy Friday,

It officially feels like winter in Chicago, and that has many of us looking to hunker down with a good bottle of red and a delicious home-cooked meal. With that thought in mind, I bring you this great value red from Portuguese producer, Quinta do Infantado. It’s Perman-tasted and Perman-approved!

On another note, this past Wednesday I released my calendar of events for January through March. There are some great tastings at the store on the list and even a special winemaker dinner. If you didn’t get that email you can check out the events listing on the website by clicking here.

Hope you have a great weekend,

Craig

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Friday Feature

2008 QUINTA DO INFANTADO DOURO VINHO TINTO
Portugal has always produced still wines, but never at the quality level that is going on today. Port houses from the Douro region have gained notoriety for their dry red and white wines, and rightfully so.

Today’s friday feature focuses on what I think is a great value red wine from the Douro region and famous Port house, Quinta do Infantado. This is not one of the large scale Port producers, rather a family estate headed by João Roseira. There is a nice write up of the history of Quinta do Infantado if you click here.

I am a big fan of the recently released 2008 Vinho Tinto. Like most Douro red wines it is a blend of local grapes, and Infantado is unique in crushing and fermenting in traditional lagares, large barrels that are meant for foot treading of the grapes. Infantado uses local rather than laboratory-made yeasts, and ages this wine in a combination of tank and oak barrels.

What I like about this wine is that it smells and tastes authentic in the every way. It has the mineral component that you would expect from those soils. Its spice driven, savory, with a little tongue-coating tannin. There is a little fruit behind this, but it never smells or tastes candied. It is just a delicious bottle of wine, at a very nice price point that is perfect for winter foods like roasts and beef stews.

$24.99 BTL. / $299.88 CASE

Perman News & Events Calendar – January 11th, 2012

Craig Perman — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:08:18 +0000

Hello and Happy New Year!

I wanted to begin this New Year by thanking each and every one of you for being a great supporter.

This year brings lots of exciting changes in the way Perman Wine Selections does business.

First, I am excited to introduce Huge Galdones, who will be working with me on a part-time basis. Huge is a Food & Lifestyle photographer with a background in the food business going back to his Montreal roots. When not behind the camera, he will be helping Perman Wine Selections with marketing, operations, photography, social media and more.

This year also marks changes in the way you will be receiving information from Perman Wine Selections. While all of the details need to be finalized, you can expect to see a brand new website offering information on a wider array of wines. For those interested in the latest pre-arrival offers, the newest tasted and Perman-approved wines, this will be something you will want to check out on a regular basis.

For those that get their information from different social media applications, I will be also be using these platforms to offer more current and detailed information. Remember to “Like” my page on Facebook and follow @permanwine on Twitter.

Perman Wine Selections is a shop for all types of wine enthusiasts. Some of the highlights of include:

Budget friendly wines to fill your wine rack from both my monthly “Six for $60-Something” and “Six for $120-Something” wine samplers.
If you’re looking for the best of the best to drink now or for cellaring, Perman Wine Selections offers its customers access to rare wines from every corner of the globe.
Avid BYOB’ers and home cooks should know that there is no better place to help pair wine and food than right here at Perman Wine Selections.
You learn about wine by tasting it, and Perman Wine Selections offers monthly tastings focused on an array of topics.
Convenient shopping. Busy professionals can count on Perman Wine Selections to make their wine buying as easy as setting up an account, ordering via email, and then it’s ready for pick up. If that doesn’t work, did you know Perman Wine Selections also delivers?

Thanks again to everyone for your support. I appreciate all the referrals that I have received in the past, and ask that you keep them coming! Please forward this email to any wine-loving friends that you may have.

Without further ado, I am excited to present my tastings calendar through March. Many of these tastings fill up quickly, so reserve your spot today!

Sincerely,

Craig Perman

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Events Calendar

Indigenous Italy
Thursday, January 26th
7:15 – 9:00 PM
$45 per person

14 spots available – RSVP with Craig via e-mail or phone

A strict 72-hour cancellation policy will be enforced – payment is due at sign-up

Italy is one of the world’s most exciting wine countries. The tremendous diversity of indigenous varietals grown fuels this excitement and while it makes it more confusing for the average wine consumer, it also makes it more rewarding and interesting.
Come taste 9 different varietals, many of which may be new to you and taste what I know – Italian wines offer the most diversity out of any wine country in the world!

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Tempranillo – Spain’s Most Famously Confusing Grape
Wednesday, February 8th
7:15 PM – 9:00 PM
$55 per person

14 spots available – RSVP with Craig via e-mail or phone

A strict 72-hour cancellation policy will be enforced – payment is due at sign-up

Tempranillo is one of the world’s most noble grape varieties. Yet when someone asks me for a good recommendation for one, I have to counter with a question – “in what shape or form?” Tempranillo may be most famous from appellations like Rioja and Ribera del Duero, but it grows all over the country. Within the aforementioned appellations it also varies based on location and producer style. This tasting will explore the wide world of Tempranillo – we will look for its thumbprint, show how producer style and their terroir affect how it smells and tastes.

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Save the date! – World-famous Barolo producer Franco Massolino is coming to town!
Monday, February 20th
Details to follow

If you love the wines of Piedmont and in particular the region of Barolo, then you will be excited to know that one of it’s greatest producers is coming to town. I am planning a small, intimate yet informal dinner with Franco Massolino. This will be a rare opportunity to sit down with Franco, taste some of his latest releases and enjoy a great meal.

This will be a magical evening!

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Evolution of Wine – Cellar Selections vs. Their Younger Brother
Friday, February 24th
7:15 PM – 9:00 PM
$75 per person

14 spots available – RSVP with Craig via e-mail or phone

A strict 72-hour cancellation policy will be enforced – payment is due at sign-up

Learning about wine includes understanding what happens to wine as it evolves in bottle. To demonstrate this evolution I thought it would be interesting if I paired, for example, a 2009 dry Riesling vs. a 2004 dry Riesling. The idea is to see how different grapes mature aromatically, flavor and texture wise. A total of 8 wines will be poured and both white and red wine will be featured.

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An Exploration of Bordeaux Varietals from Around the World
Thursday, March 8th
7:15 PM – 9:00 PM
$50 per person

14 spots available – RSVP with Craig via e-mail or phone

A strict 72-hour cancellation policy will be enforced – payment is due at sign-up

Every corner of the world grows Bordeaux varietals. Yet Cabernet Franc from Napa Valley tastes very different than if it came from the Loire Valley of France. Merlot from St. Emillion is a world apart than Washington State Merlot. Let’s sit down and taste 8-10 wines from all over the world and see how grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon differ according to their terroir. The focus is on red wines, but I can’t forget about White Bordeaux!

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3rd Annual What Happens When Red Burgundy Gets Old?
Wednesday, March 14th
7:15 PM – 9:00 PM
$90 per person

14 spots available – RSVP with Craig via e-mail or phone

A strict 72-hour cancellation policy will be enforced – payment is due at sign-up

The day before the real March Madness starts, I will be hosting a little Red Burgundy Madness at the store. For the 3rd year in a row, I will be highlighting bottles of Red Burgundy that have some bottle age on them. Wondering how a ’96 Nuits-St.-Georges from Henri Gouges is tasting? This is your rare opportunity to join in what is always a great event. Burgundy is truly magical when it has time in a cellar to unwind. This is my chance to show you why it is important to buy current releases and keep your hands of them so you can see what they are like at their 5th and 10th birthdays! No Pinot Noir fan should miss this!

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Friend of Mine – Friend of Ours Tasting
Thursday, March 29th
7:15 PM – 9:00 PM
$45 per person

14 spots available – RSVP with Craig via e-mail or phone

A strict 72-hour cancellation policy will be enforced – payment is due at sign-up

I channeled my inner Donnie Brasco to come up with this tasting, and you can come whether you are a made guy or not. This tasting is quite literal – focused on wineries that I’ve visited over the years and become great friends with. Visiting wineries helps you learn the tiny differences that make one winery different than the next.
I look forward to sharing my experiences with you – after this you will be a friend of ours!

Perman Wine Selections Friday Feature – 12/23/11

Craig Perman — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 18:51:14 +0000

Happy Friday and Happy Holidays!

I’ve been “off the air” for a bit due to extra work from the holidays. It may be a week early but, this Friday I am introducing my brand new 6 for $60-Something Sampler!

For all my new customers, the “6 for $60-Something” is the best wine sampler in the City of Chicago! Six wines, hand selected by me, that represent a range of styles – all hovering around the $10 price point. Each wine is available by the bottle or case, but as I often say, for maximum pleasure you should try the whole sampler.

The “Six for $60-something” is highly recommend to those learning about wines, trying to stock their wine rack with affordable and tasty adult beverages, or wanting to bring a gift to someone hosting a party.

So how does this work? To order simply e-mail me back and say “Hey Craig, hook me up.” To join the devoted legions of fans who receive them every month you can just say “and keep ‘em coming!” All of the wines are available by the bottle or case, but for total jubilation just do the whole sampler. Some people are challenged by some of the wines that I put in to my sampler. If you find that Cabernet Franc gives you the blues, Monastrell gives you road rage or any other interesting reason why you can not drink one of the following wines, then I will substitute and try to get the sampler as close to $60 as possible.

The sampler is in stock and ready to be picked up any time in the coming month!

Please note the following holiday hours:
Friday, December 23rd – 11 am till 8 PM
Saturday, December 24th – 11 am till 4:30 PM
Sunday, December 25th – Closed
Monday, December 26th – Closed
Tuesday, December 27th – Noon till 7 PM
Wednesday, December 28th – Noon till 8 PM
Thursday, December 29th – Noon till 8 PM
Friday, December 30th – Noon till 8 PM
Saturday, December 31st – 11 AM till 5:30 PM
Sunday, January 1st – Closed
Monday, January 2nd – Closed

Cheers,
Craig

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2010 DOMAINE BRUSSET CÔTES DU RHÔNE “LAURENT B.”
Get ready Rhône fans – 2012 is going to be the year of the Southern Rhône wine! That is when many of the 2010′s will be released. If you’re in to vintage hype, then 2010 is a vintage you will want to pay attention to. The hype is warranted though, because many of the 2010 Southern Rhône reds from appellations like Châteauneuf-du-Pape are spectacular.

Here is a good way to test drive the vintage, with the perennially delicious Côtes du Rhône from my main man, Laurent Brusset. Based in the village of Cairainne, Laurent runs his exciting domaine with great care. He is well-known for his excellent Gigondas, but his everyday Côtes du Rhône is an amazing value.

This is a blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% each of Carignan and Mourvèdre. It is fermented in vat, and the Syrah and Mourvèdre are aged in large barrels before blending. True to the Brusset style, this is a lot of wine for not a lot of money. Sumptuous ripe red berry notes, and pepper spice overtones coat the palate. Give this a little oxygen in a decanter or big glasses and glug away alongside a whole host of meats and cheeses.
$12.00 BTL. / $144.00 CASE

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2008 CHÂTEAU PESQUIÉ “QUINTESSENCE” VENTOUX BLANC
Let me dispel the mystery of the wine closeout. Wine is like any other product – distributors need to make room for new product and sometimes they make room by cutting something at a loss. This doesn’t mean the product is bad, it just means that at its regular price it would take too long to move. I see this all the time in the wine business, and often take advantage of deals in order to pass them along to my customers.

Consider this your Christmas gift. Here is a wine that I “waxed poetic” about in the past. An outstanding white wine from Côtes du Ventoux producer Château Pesquié. They make a few great wines, and this is the top white wine of the house. It is a blend of 80% Roussanne and 20% Clairette. The grapes are fermented separately, with the Roussanne spending some time on its skins. The malolactic fermentation is blocked, to retain the freshness of the acidity.

At its normal price of $24 it is an OUTSTANDING value, a White Rhône that is truly complex and delicious. For this sampler, I’ve scored a deal that allows me to put this into your hands for a steal. Enjoy it now – it is drinking perfectly. Pair it with pork or simple roast chicken. I will let you know who to send the thank you notes to!
$11.00 BTL. / $132.00 CASE

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2009 VINJULI CABERNET FRANC
Bordeaux varietals in Italy – if I asked you where they typically come from, what would your answer be? Bolgheri, that appellation along the Tyrrhenian Sea, would be a good guess. The answer I was looking for was the appellation of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. This Northeastern Italian region is home to some of Italy’s best examples of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. It is an area that more Italian wine fans should explore.

To help you do so I wanted to offer you a typical, easy-drinking style of Cabernet Franc from Marco Furlan, owner of the Castelcosa estate in Friuli. His labeled called “Vinjuli” offers “everyday” type of wines that are typical of the region.

The 2009 Cabernet Franc offers surprising richness while at the same time not compromising on the classic spicy character of the varietal. Dark berry, peppercorn, and mineral are all in balance, and make for a very easy drink. Pair this with lamb tagine.
$10.50 BTL. / $126.00 CASE

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2010 SAN SILVESTRO DOLCETTO “ANSELMO”
The San Silvestro wines are almost too good to be true. They have appeared on the sampler before and for good reason. For around $10 in Piedmont, it is hard to find wines of this quality that are so easy to drink.

Located in Novello, the Sartirano family’s winery produces this delicious Dolcetto from the Monferrato hills. To produce an easy-drinking style of Dolcetto, the grapes are fermented in tank, with a short maceration on their skins. The wine goes through malolactic fermentation and is matured in stainless steel before being bottled and released.

This should be your go to red with a variety of Italian-inspired foods. Its freshness and fruit work so well with cured meats and cheeses. Don’t miss this!
$9.50 BTL. / $114.00 CASE

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2007 LE PETIT CHAMBORD COUR-CHEVERNY
Francois Cazin is a leader in quality in the Cheverny appellation of the Loire Valley, France. Located just southwest of the city of Orléans, the Cheverny appellation thrives on the Sauvignon Blanc grape.

While I am a big fan of Cazin’s Cheverny, it is his work with the Romorantin grape that is really exciting. This local grape variety is what you find in the wines from the appellation of Cour-Cheverny.

As a champion of quality, Cazin proudly states on his labels “Vendanges Mannuelles” or hand harvesting. His Romorantin vines are over 40 years-old. He ferments this wine in concrete tanks, and ages it on its lees for 4 months in barrel then ages the wine for another year back in concrete tank.

This is another “Christmas gift,” a wine normally retailing for around $18, that is being moved for a very special price. It is really drinking well now, showing off its distinctly mineral personality. Drink this with some oysters or shellfish for a sublime paring.
$10.00 BTL. / $120.00 CASE

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2008 BODEGAS CASTAÑO MONASTRELL “HÉCULA”
Looking for a great Spanish red value? Look no further than this delicious example of Monastrell from Yecla producer, Castaño.

The Castaño family are long-time growers in the province of Murcia. They own a whopping 500 hectares of land in the Northern part of the region. The specialty of the winery is the Monastrell variety. A synonym for the grape Mourvèdre that you see in the south of France, this dark thick-skinned varietal, can withstand the climactic extremes of the region.

“Hecula” is made entirely of Monastrell from 35 year-old vines in the Las Gruesas and Pozuelo vineyards. It undergoes a cool fermentation in tank and sees no oak aging.

The result is a vibrant, pure example of Monastrell with both red and dark berry fruit, hints at licorice and fresh cracked pepper. Perfect with a beef stews.
$11.50 BTL. / $138.00 CASE

Perman Wine Selections Friday Feature – 12/2/11

Craig Perman — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 18:51:27 +0000

Hello and Happy Friday!

This very special Friday Feature focuses on my annual pick for the Sparkling Wine Value of the Year!
Only this time, there is not one, but three choices – a necessary decision given the incredible quality of these bottles of bubbles!

I often say that Champagne is the greatest example of sparkling wine in the world. I began thinking about that statement, and realized that maybe it isn’t entirely true. Maybe over the 14 years that I’ve been in the business, my palate has been trained to think this way?

The reality is, other parts of the world are making sparkling wine at an incredibly high level. The three wines featured today prove that even if it doesn’t say Champagne, it can still be “serious” and complex.
In the world of sparkling wine, you get what you pay for. You may find less, and more, expensive sparkling wines to choose from, yet these qualify as the best sparkling wines I tasted this year. They are exceptional bargains given their quality.

Without further ado, my three selections that no sparkling wine fan should be without. Consider these for all your holiday sparkling wine needs!

One final note – Perman Wine Selections will be closed this coming Tuesday, December 6th for a private event. Sorry for the inconvenience!

Cheers,
Craig

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N.V. CLOTILDE DAVENNE CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE
An outstanding sparkling wine from winemaker, Clotilde Davenne!

Independent vigneron Clotilde Davenne has built a new 8.5-hectare domaine in the Yonne, parcel by parcel over the last eight years, while simultaneously working as the chef oenologue for the prestigious Chablis house of Jean-Marc Brocard. Her dream had always been to have her “hands on” all aspects of the production and as a grower she is now fully integrated into the life of each of her wines, from bud break to bottle. The results are soulful, expressively vibrant wines that uniquely speak of the particularity of their origin.

This is one of two Crémant’s she produces. It is a blend of 2/3 Chardonnay and 1/3 Pinot Noir. The Chardonnay comes specifically from vineyards around Préhy, a village that sits just south and a little west of the town of Chablis. The famed Kimmeridgien soil of this area lends a distinct minerality to the grapes that grow in it.

This Crémant de Bourgogne is produced in the traditional method, with secondary fermentation in bottle. It is aged on its lees for 18 months before being disgorged. After disgorgement no “liqueur d’expedition” or secondary dosage is added.

The result of all of these nuances is an incredibly vibrant, refreshing, terroir-driven style of sparkling wine. An expressive nose combines notes of lemon and orange citrus, with hints of mineral. On the palate it is laser beam-like, with focused, precise bubbles, and a very dry and mineral finish.
You certainly won’t find a more refreshing style of sparkling wine than this. An easy choice for one of the Sparkling Wine Values of the Year!
$21.99 BTL. /$263.88 CASE

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2010 SILVANO FOLLADOR VALDOBBIADENE SUPERIORE DI CARTIZZE BRUT
In just a little over a decade of being in business, Silvano Follador has emerged as one of the top sparkling wine estates in all of Italy!

The two wines featured here are going to challenge everything you know about the Prosecco grape. Yes Prosecco, the most misunderstood wine and grape known to man.

In the hillsides north of Treviso, in Northeast Italy, the Prosecco grape is grown in various styles and quality levels. Travel through the region and there are billboards devoted to the stuff, yes, it is that big of a business, with about 150 million bottles produced a year!

Prosecco is made in the Charmat method, with secondary fermentation in tank, usually very large tanks. Because of this style of production, it often yields simple, fruity sparkling wine. Dosage, or the addition of sugar mixed with wine, is a huge factor in the sweetness level of Prosecco. Many consumers relate Prosecco to sweet, which is understandable but unfortunate, given that the most complex styles are dry.

Which leads to Silvano Follador. They are anything but the large-scale producer of Prosecco. For one, they are located in an area known as Cartizze, a hillside that sits at 1,000 feet above sea level, and has only 107 hectares, divided among 140 growers. Want to buy one of those hectares, it will cost you somewhere in the neighborhood of 1.5 million Euros!

Silvano and Alberta Follador were fortunate to inherit a tiny parcel in Cartizze, specifically near Follo, from their grandfather. With the goal of making the best sparkling wine possible, they created a magnificent winery that produces only 30,000 bottles a year. The vineyards are farmed organically and according to biodynamic principles.

The modern winery features small stainless steel tanks, which help the Cartizze Prosecco gain complexity since Follador leaves it on its lees for 9 months before bottling. The Cartizze Prosecco has a secondary dosage, but it sees very little sugar, making this a bone-dry style, and one that shows off the purity of the fruit.

It is an exceptional Cartizze Prosecco, the best I’ve ever tasted. Only 6600 bottles were produced, and you will find it nowhere else in Chicago. Italian sparkling wine fans, you must taste this!
$28.99 BTL. /$173.94 SIX-PACK CASE

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2009 SILVANO FOLLADOR “METODO CLASSICO – DOSAGGIO ZERO”
There is no secret at this estate, the Follador’s would like to eventually do away with the Charmat method in favor of Metodo Classico. While it is much more labor intensive, the classic method of secondary fermentation in bottle, results in different aromas and flavors, those that they ultimately prefer.

How much do they believe in Metodo Classico, so much so that one of their flagship wines, their most expensive wine is simply labeled a Vino Spumante di Qualità. By producing a sparkling wine in this manner they are not eligible to earn the label of the DOCG.

The same level of care for the grapes employed for the Cartizze go into those for the Metodo Classico. The difference between the two sparkling wines, is that this one does undergo that secondary fermentation in bottle and it sits on its lees for 16 months. There is also no sugar added on the secondary dosage – thus the title “Dosaggio Zero.”

The aromas and flavors that result are subtler, less fruity, and closer to Champagne in style. It is a superb and complex sparkling wine, one of the best I’ve ever tasted from Italy.
Only 3500 bottles of this wine were produced, an extremely rare treat for any sparkling wine fan!
$31.99 BTL. / $191.94 SIX-PACK CASE

Perman Wine Selections Friday Feature – 11/4/11

Craig Perman — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 19:16:36 +0000

Hello and Happy Friday!

The Champagne value of the year is here!

It’s that time of year when we get together and celebrate the holidays with friends, family, and clients. What is better to celebrate with than Champagne?

Each year I spend a lot of time researching, drinking, and wheeling and dealing to bring you my pick for the best value in Champagne.

We all know that the Champagne region of France produces the best examples of sparkling wine in the world. Yet not everyone understands the amazing diversity of styles within the region due to its many intricacies.

This year is a lesson in the Aube, which is part of the Champagne region, and includes the prime growing region called the Côte des Bar. There is a hotbed of activity happening in the Aube, and in particular among the small artisan grower Champagne houses. This past July, wine writer Eric Asimov of the New York Times wrote a nice article about the region entitled “Champagne’s Servants Join the Masters.” I posted the link to my business Facebook page, and you should check it.
Since the Aube is gaining in notoriety, and since I just happen to love the featured Champagne, how could I not give this the top Perman Wine award – “The Champagne Value of the Year!”

I went to great lengths to bring this Champagne to our market, and am carrying it exclusively in the State of Illinois. Only 240 bottles are available, and I expect to sell out by years end.

Whether you are celebrating with friends or family or giving client gifts, this Champagne deserves a place in your holiday celebrations!

Cheers,
Craig

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N.V. CHAMPAGNE PIERRE BRIGANDAT BRUT TRADITION
Winemaker Bertrand Brigandat produces a small range of Champagne from 7.5 hectares of vineyards in the Aube region. Producing around 55,000 bottles annually, the focus of the estate is naturally on the Pinot Noir varietal.

The winery is located in the village of Channes, occupying an old farmhouse. Brigandat is looking for an expressive and lively style of Pinot Noir and his Champagnes are fermented and aged in enameled steel tanks.

In the vineyard, Bertrand has played a major role on focusing on natural viticulture. While not certified organic or biodynamic, cover crops are planted in the vineyard, and the lunar calendar is followed for racking and bottling.

The N.V. Brut Tradition is made entirely of Pinot Noir from the villages of Les Riceys, Channes and Buxeuil. As with most small growers, 3/4 of the Champagne is made from a single vintage, with the rest coming from reserve wine.

The Pierre Brigandat Brut Tradition has a pure and expansive nose featuring black cherry and mineral notes. Dry and crisp with a continuation of red fruits, hints at citrus, and a long, vibrant finish. There is a sneaky concentration to this Champagne, and while it is a fun and fresh style, there is plenty of complexity.

You won’t want to miss this delicious Champagne – a truly exceptional value!
$37.99 BTL. / $455.88 CASE – ALSO AVAILABLE IN MAGNUMS, $79.99 PER MAG

Perman Wine Selections Friday Feature – 10/28/11

Craig Perman — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:30:48 +0000

Hello and Happy Friday!

It’s the last Friday of the month and time to introduce the brand new “Six for $60-something” wine sampler!

So how does this work? To order simply e-mail me back and say “Hey Craig, hook me up.” To join the devoted legions of fans who receive them every month you can just say “and keep ‘em coming!” All of the wines are available by the bottle or case, but for total jubilation just do the whole sampler. Some people are challenged by some of the wines that I put in to my sampler. If you find Torrontés to be too spooky, Rhône varietals turn you white as a ghost, or any other interesting reason why you can not drink one of the following wines, then I will substitute and try to get the sampler as close to $60 as possible.

Have a great weekend,
Craig

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2008 DEVOIS DE PERRET COTEAUX DU LANGUEDOC
A “Six for $60-something” almost always includes a Rhône varietal wine or two. This month I scored two excellent examples from different regions in the South of France. It will be a fun exercise to compare and contrast the two.

I am very excited to introduce this delicious red blend produced by the Vignerons du Pic, the local cooperative of Pic St. Loup. Most of the fruit for this wine comes from in and around that region, which is located north of Montpellier.
This area is a great growing climate for Syrah, and this wine includes 40% of the aforementioned varietal, along with 30% each of Grenache and Mourvèdre.
Really bright strawberry and white pepper aromatics on the nose, lead into a medium-bodied and delicious mouthful of red fruits, herbs and soft tannins. This is just calling out for roasted lamb. A fantastic value!
$12.00 BTL. / $144.00 CASE

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2010 GOUGUENHEIM TORRONTÉS
I do take requests – one of which was including a Torrrontés from Argentina on the sampler. So your wish is granted with this excellent example from Bodegas Gouguenheim.

Argentina wasn’t the first wine country to plant Torrontés, they have just made it famous. By embracing it as their own, it is often the first white grape varietal thought about when talking about the wines of the country.

As with any grape varietal, there are always various styles based on how the producer chooses to grow it, where, and how they vinify it. I was really impressed with this example from Gouguenheim.

They are located in the Tupungato Valley, which is an hours drive away from Mendoza. This is a great climate for grapes to grow in, as it is a high desert plain, with 320 days of sunshine a year. Due to this fact, the vineyards are irrigated with water from the Andes Mountains.

With this Torrontés, Gouguenheim presents the expressive, fruit focused side of the varietal. It is cold fermented in steel, aged on its lees for a short period, and then bottled and shipped.

Very pretty aromatics of white flowers, citrus and melon, lead into a vibrant, citrus focused palate. This is a delicious drink all by itself, and will also work with goat cheese or white fish such as cod.
$9.50 BTL. / $114.00 CASE

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2009 LAVIÑA TEMPRANILLO
I have featured plenty of different Tempranillo’s on my sampler before, but yet this is still a first.

Tempranillo grows all throughout Spain, although often under different alias’. In La Mancha – call it Cencibel. Standing in Toro – Tinta de Toro. Or you could be in today’s featured region for Tempranillo, where it is called Ull de Llebre or “Eye of the Hare.” That region is Catalunya. It is most known for its Cava in the Penedès region, and Rhône varietals in appellations like Priorat and Montsant. Yet, Tempranillo is a very important grape in Penedès, grown in both zones the Alt Penedès and the Baix Penedès.

This is a very tasty interpretation from Vallformosa, the largest family owned Cava house in Penedès. The grapes are sourced from various vineyards throughout Catalunya. It undergoes semi-carbonic maceration at cool temperatures, helping promote aromatics and preserve fruit.

I really like this for its freshness and drinkability. It is a simple, easy-going style of Tempranillo with lots of bright red and black berry notes, along with hints of herbs and spices. That tannins are very soft, giving it more flexibility at the table.
$9.50 BTL. / $114.00 CASE

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2008 DOMAINE LAFAGE “CUVÉE NICOLAS” GRENACHE NOIR
This name should seem mighty familiar as just this past July, I included a wine produced by Jean-Marc Lafage called “Cote Sud” in my sampler. That wine was a blend with Grenache, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon.

On this sampler, I wanted you to try his bold and rich interpretation of pure Grenache. As a refresher, Lafage is located in the Catalan part of France. His landholdings are quite vast, and he produces a wide range of wines.

This wine is named after Jean-Marc’s son, and comes from a very specific part of the Rousillon, with south/southeast facing vines. The vine-age here is very old at over 70-years, thus the yields are very low at 2.5 tons per hectare.

Jean-Marc gives the grapes a cold maceration for a week prior to alcoholic fermentation. They employ “pigeage” a word meaning to plunge down the cap of the wine. Maceration last three weeks, and then the wine is aged in barrels on its lees for six months.

A really intense rich wine with super-ripe aromas of blackberry and raspberry jam. The palate is rich and mouth coating, and the finish is long. You can have a glass of this on its own, but it will pair well with venison or other full-flavored meat dishes.
$11.00 BTL. / $132.00 CASE

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2009 MONTE DE LUZ TANNAT
When was the last time that you walked into a restaurant and asked to see their list of Tannat’s? Probably never, but you may learned to love it after trying this delicious example from Monte de Luz, a producer in Uruguay.

If you are having flashbacks, that is because this wine has appeared (albeit a different vintage) in a previous sampler. South America is always a place I look to for value, although typically I’m looking to Argentina or Chile.

Tannat may not be on your wine radar screen, but it is thought to have originated in Southwest France, where today it is most famous in the appellation of Madiran. Grape historians feel that it may have been brought to Uruguay by those in the French Basque country, where it grows along the Pyrenees Mountains.

It is now a heavily consumed grape varietal, and after all the Uruguayan’s like to party (second largest wine consumption in South America).

This Tannat comes from the San José appellation of Uruguay. Monte de Luz is owned by the Lesgourgues family, who is the owner of Château Laubade, the famous Bas Armagnac producer. The winery was founded in 2000, and has established itself as a high quality domaine.

This Tannat doesn’t see any oak treatment and is really meant as a fresh, juicy expression of the varietal. I like it for its dark cherry, pepper and mineral notes. It is a really good match for steak.
$9.00 BTL. / $108.00 CASE

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2009 CHÂTEAU HAUT-RIAN BORDEAUX SEC
Here is another name you longtime Perman Wine fans may recognize as this too makes a second appearance on the sampler.

Over the years I have consumed countless bottles of different vintages of Château Haut-Rian Bordeaux Sec. This is the crisp, aperitif side of White Bordeaux, a blend of 60% Sémillon and 40% Sauvignon Blanc, vinified and aged only in stainless steel tank.

The grapes come from hillside vineyards in Rions. Primarily limestone soil with gravel, you can understand why these varietals thrive here. Michel and Isabelle Dietrich do an amazing job at producing such a quaffable and fun white wine.

Super bright and fresh notes of grapefruit, lemon, and herbs on the nose and palate. Very long and totally refreshing, I have always loved having copious amounts of really fresh oysters with this.
$10.00 BTL. / $120.00 CASE

Perman Wine Selections Newsletter – 10/25/11

Craig Perman — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 17:10:45 +0000

Hello,

Today’s newsletter is intended for fans of German wines. I recently brought in small quantities of some of the terrific 2010 vintage wines from some of the finest producers in the Mosel and Nahe regions. All of these wines come from one of the top importers of German wine, Terry Thiese. I have included his unique brand of tasting notes along the way (all quotes come from Thiese).

There are some wines featured that can be drunk now, but many of these are intended for collector’s of the finest German wines. I’ve said it before, so bear with me, but as someone who tastes wine each and every day, I’m of the opinion that many off-dry Rieslings can be considered among the fines wines of the world. If you judge wines based on balance, complexity and sheer drinkability, these could even be said to be at the top of the list.
So German wine fans, don’t miss some of these excellent 2010′s! Many of them will sell out.
Oh, and for those with a 2010er at home (baby born in 2010), there are some wines on this list that will make perfect gifts for his/her 21st birthday!

Cheers,
Craig

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DÕNNHOFF
I am offering 5 exceptional Rieslings from arguably Germany’s best producer. Helmut Dönnhoff has put the Nahe region of Germany on the map. He owns the best vineyards in the Nahe. These are some of the most “pure” wines you will ever taste. They never feel heavy, and they always have supreme clarity.

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2010 DÕNNHOFF ESTATE RIESLING TROCKEN
The one dry wine on this offering – and boy is it good!

“This was just the palate-cleaner to lead us into the serious wines, but wait – this is awfully good! It’s a lovely murmuringly smooth wine with length, a hint of fennel and a low note of stone. Best if you drink it good and cool, but not ice cold.”
$20.99 BTL. / ONLY 12 BOTTLES AVAILABLE

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2010 DÕNNHOFF “OBERHÅUSER BRÜCKE” RIESLING SPÅTLESE
The Brücke vineyard is noted for its gray slate and loess soil. A very mineral driven wine.

“It seems drier but it isn’t. It’s explosively mineral yet its true depth is only glimpsed through a translucent mass of vinosity. Yet there’s also a buoyant lift and yet again a sort of gravitas, like a monk who likes flying kites. Part of this wine sleeps the sleep of the untroubled heart. And part of it is awake for hours, troubled by the pain of the world.”
$49.99 BTL. / ONLY 12 BOTTLES AVAILABLE

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2010 DÕNNHOFF “NIEDERHÅUSER HERMANNSHÖHLE” RIESLING SPÅTLESE
The soil of Hermannshöhle is pure grey slate. It combines fruit with mineral and loads of complexity. Among the greatest vineyards in the world for Riesling.

“What, really, is left to say? All the images have been spent, the cupboard of adjectives is bare. In 2010 the slate is more prominent, the tones go less to scarlet and raspberry and more to limes and leaves and a surmise of licorice; the focus is arresting; the wine bores into you. Spit all you want, it won’t leave your mouth.”
$57.99 BTL. / ONLY 12 BOTTLES AVAILABLE

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2010 DÕNNHOFF “OBERHÅUSER BRÜCKE” RIESLING AUSLESE GOLDKAPSEL
A Goldkapsel designates a special selection for the winery. Both of these Goldkapsel will be wines for the ages!

Again, no blatant botrytis, no candy or syrup, just a deepening of the Spat, a strange and haunting meld of peacefulness and energy, a glowy endorphin calm, a salt-plum wash, deliberate rivulets down the sides of the tongue; a wine that’s both in the zone and also constitutes the zone, with a suavity that isn’t cocky.
$43.99 HALF-BOTTLE / ONLY 6 HALF-BOTTLES AVAILABLE

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2010 DÕNNHOFF “NIEDERHÅUSER HERMANNSHÖHLE” RIESLING AUSLESE GOLDKAPSEL
One of the best Riesling made in Germany in 2010.

“Micro-chiseled, neurosurgical detail, implacable length, cherries and raspberries, a little phenolic scratchiness – lost for words, or rather, tired of them.”
$46.99 HALF-BOTTLE / ONLY 6 HALF-BOTTLES AVAILABLE

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SELBACH-OSTER
One of the greats in the Mosel, based in Zeltingen. Johannes Selbach makes wines that are sheer fun to drink. These are classic Mosel wines, and always at the top of their game.

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2010 SELBACH-OSTER “ZELTINGER SONNENUHR” RIESLING KABINETT
Here is a wine you can drink now – and oh what a value!

“It’s amazingly generous of Johannes to even make this wine for us. It’s his top single-site, and no way is it remotely a ‘Kabinett,’ yet he gets it to work almost spring-y; sharp-chiseled site aromas sing blazing clear from the glass. As expressive, deep and brilliant as many vintage’s Späts; all Fuder, 50% sponti; silky and murmuringly soul-deep.
$25.99 BTL. / ONLY 12 BOTTLES AVAILABLE

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2010 SELBACH-OSTER “ZELTINGER SCHLOSSBERG” RIESLING SPÅTLESE
Schlossberg is one of the least known of the great “Grand Cru” sites of the Mosel. A mineral bomb with pure apple flavors.

“It smells like Rotlay does in many vintages. Perfect, pure, rich, bottomless, classic Mosel aromas – all sponti. I don’t claim this is the ultimate degree of intricacy or complexity. It is just the purest sublimity of its type. Clear, expressive, serenely energetic and long.

This is the taste I fell crazily in love with back in 1978, and came to understand as “Mosel.” Back then there were very few primary-fruit driven, stainless steel wines made. I like that style, but it’s explicable and it adds up; it’s linear. This kind of wine is mysterious and haunting. It’s like trying to describe why you think your lover is beautiful. You don’t enumerate her features and draw a diagram of how they’re positioned on her face. She’s just beautiful. And the way you feel when you look at her is a welling from your hidden heart. I feel something like it, when I taste a wine like this.”
$28.99 BTL. / ONLY 12 BOTTLES AVAILABLE

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2010 SELBACH-OSTER “WEHLENER SONNENUHR” AUSLESE **
Doesn’t get much more famous than this vineyard. A wine of finesse, that really grows old gracefully.

Another scintillating masterpiece to follow the amazing ’09. Jo’s in the zone with this vineyard lately. Somehow this still conveys a silky clarity given its richness, as if it grows taller but not thicker. All Fuder; all gorgeous.
$36.99 BTL. / ONLY 12 BOTTLES AVAILABLE

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2010 SELBACH-OSTER “ZELTINGER SONNENUHR” RIESLING “ROTLAY”
Johannes Selbach makes a collection of “micro-parcel” wines. These are selections from top “Grand Cru” sites. Rather than drinking wine made from grapes harvested in several passes, here you get the true identity of the vineyard, all single harvest.

“This is a relative giant. It will take years to exhale its deep held breath, as if it comes from the belly of a blue whale. Picked en bloc with 145-degrees Oechsle – I mean, come on! You don’t cut it with a knife and fork, you take a jackhammer to it.
$53.99 BTL. / ONLY 4 BOTTLES AVAILABLE

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2010 SELBACH-OSTER “ZELTINGER SCHLOSSBERG” RIESLING “SCHMITT”
This was the first wine that Selbach produced a “micro-parcel” of in 2004. Again this is a wine to cellar for some time.

“I seem to have been channeling Dr Seuss when I tasted this wine. “Shatter and shimmer and gleam and glimmer, deep and crisp and weep and lisp – (etc)” Nothing rhymes with brilliance except consilience, but when flavor is mentioned, this has millions.”
$56.99 BTL. / ONLY 4 BOTTLES AVAILABLE

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MERKELBACH
Yes, it is true, I always have a Merkelbach wine in the store. Which is impressive given that they are a tiny producer, with annual production of around 1700 cases.

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2010 MERKELBACH “ÜRZIGER WÜRZGARTEN” RIESLING SPÅTLESE
This wine is insanely good for the money, and from a very special vineyard site at that.

“not a ton of it – just two Fuders, so about 220 cases. This may be the most profound wine they have ever made. It is primordial Ürz-Würz, a Mt Rushmore that ought to have their two faces on it. Have I ever tasted a more powerfully elegiac Mosel wine?”
$22.99 BTL. / ONLY 12 BOTTLES AVAILABLE

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JOH. JOS. CHRISTOFFEL
Another legendary estate, and also a proud owner in the Würzgarten vineyard. Annual production is small, around 3200 cases.

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JOH. JOS. CHRISTOFFEL “ÜRZIGER WÜRZGARTEN” RIESLING AUSLESE ***
Hans Leo Christoffel feels this may be his best vintage ever. This wine needs time – and will be a gem in 10-years, 20-years, 30, well you get the point!

“Botrytis shows but doesn’t obtrude. 2010 was some kind of electric charge here in Ürzig/Erden, as if the stone itself were zapped. This amazing wine is almost gauzy but incandescent with spice and fruit, and with an elegant restraint that conveys a kind of melting, a swoon of fennel and lavender. Truly a vino di meditazione.”
$56.99 BTL. / ONLY 3 BOTTLES AVAILABLE

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WILLI SCHAEFER
I love pretty much everything about the Willi Schaefer wines. Like Donnhoff this wines are so linear, so clear, they just hit you with layer after layer of complexity. This is a really small estate, they only make 2900 cases per year.

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2010 WILLI SCHAEFER “GRAACHER DOMPROBST” RIESLING KABINETT
I had to offer this “Kabinett.” I put that in quotes, because this has more richness than the usual Kabinett.

“As always, more starched and at-attention; overtly slatey and stony and with the clearest green apple; some wines show outside size but this shows inside size, it’s like free-run apple juice with semi-precious stones dissolved in it; the wine starts out assertive and palpably seems to melt, dissolve and soften, the way you feel if you see your beloved across a crowded room.”
$25.99 BTL. / ONLY 12 BOTTLES AVAILABLE

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2010 WILLI SCHAEFER “GRAACHER DOMPROBST” RIESLING SPÅTLESE
A Domprobst Spätlese is most always a wine for the ages. This vintage is no different.

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SCHMITT-WAGNER/CARL LOEWEN
Changes have take place at the Mosel estate Schmitt-Wagner. Carl Loewen has taken over winemaking duties for Bruno Schmitt. I had an opportunity to purchase an older case direct from the winery, and I couldn’t resist.

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2007 SCHMITT-WAGNER “LONGUICHER MAXIMINER HERRENBERG” RIESLING KABINETT
Longuicher Maximiner Herrenberg is a very special vineyard. Ungrafted vines that were planted in 1896. There is an inherent spice tone that comes from the grapes of this vineyard. It is a beautiful wine, especially coming from the excellent 2007 vintage.

“High-toned and sleek, more overtly salty, lacier and precise; an articulate wine of elegant diction, girlish, a gamine of piquancy and mischief; spearminty and flinty – could almost be a Bernkasteler; in all another archetypal Mosel of the old school, the fine handsome old school; blessings on it. May it never die. Drinking like a dream right now.”
$18.99 BTL. / ONLY 12 BOTTLES AVAILABLE

Perman Wine Selections Friday Feature – 10/21/11

Craig Perman — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 16:36:04 +0000

Hello and Happy Friday!
It’s back! The Six for $120 sampler has arrived with yet another month full of fantastic values.
This sampler, aims to bring you some of the best wines I’ve recently tasted in and around the $20 range. All of these are available by the bottle or case, but for maximum pleasure you should take the whole sampler!

It wasn’t intentional – but this month has a heavy focus on French wines. From Bordeaux to the Loire to the Northern Rhône then to the Languedoc, you will really be taken on an adventure for the senses. This month I did also include an incredible Spanish sparkling wine and a wine I sourced from my trip in May to Austria, the incredible value 2010 Schloss Gobelsburg Grüner Veltliner! This is a great mix of wines this month!

Remember with all the samplers, they are available for pick up anytime at the store, so if you can’t make it this weekend, you can pick one up anytime in the coming month.
Have a great weekend!

Cheers,
Craig

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2009 ALAIN GRAILLOT CROZES-HERMITAGE
He is the king of Crozes-Hermitage, and his name is Alain Graillot. A quarter of a century is not a long time in the wine world, but it is enough time to have an impact on the quality level of a region. Alain Graillot set up shop in his beloved Crozes-Hermitage in 1985. This Northern Rhône appellation didn’t have the “street cred” that places like Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie did back then.

Today, thanks in part to Alain, Syrah enthusiasts, and those that seek out the best in the Northern Rhône know his wines to be a trusted source. Crozes-Hermitage surrounds the more famous hill of Hermitage. The soil structure is very different, more alluvial with sand and gravel. Yet with a healthy vine-age of 30-years, and a dedication to organically farmed vineyards, and hand harvested fruit, these are grapes that provide the basis for beautifully expressive Syrah.

Graillot likes to vinify using whole cluster fermentation, and he ferments the red Crozes in lined concrete vats. The wine is aged in a mixture of 1-3 year-old oak barrels.

2009 is yet another great vintage for this wine, with some wine writers proclaiming it to be the best in almost two decades. There is an extra-level of dimension and richness to the 2009. Bright red and black berry notes, classic white pepper spice and a wonderfully, pure, and long finish. The great thing about this wine is you can enjoy it today, but it will certainly age for several more years.

I scooped a wonderful price on this as it normally retails for about $30, so Northern Rhône enthusiasts will want to grab some while it lasts!
$24.00 BTL. / $288.00 CASE – ONLY 3 CASES AVAILABLE

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2009 CHÂTEAU PUECH-HAUT COTEAUX DU LANGUEDOC “PRESTIGE”
The Languedoc is France’s most underrated and underappreciated wine region.

The Languedoc is also a huge geographical district. So much so that it can be very difficult to generalize about climate or soil. What you can generalize about is that it offers some of the best examples of Rhône varietals not just in France, but in the world.

Château Puech-Haut is an excellent producer located in Saint-Drézéry, Northeast of Montpellier. Owned and operated by Gerard Bru, over the years it has had several consultants come in and consult on farming and winemaking. The most recent enologist to assist is Philippe Cambie. I have carried several of his wines in the store in the past, and he is noted for really knowing the different faces of Rhône varietals.

What a great value for a wine of this caliber. Robert Parker agrees.

“From a bio-dynamically farmed estate, this 2009 is a blend of 55% Grenache (from 60- to 75-year-old vines) and 45% Syrah (from 40-year-old vines), all planted in limestone soils, and aged completely in concrete tanks. This remarkable offering is a naked expression of the vivid terroir and excellent fruit found in this region. The incredible aromatics consist of forest floor, spring flowers, sweet black currants, raspberries, licorice, and incense. With a pure, velvety, seamless, full-bodied texture and a finish that lasts 30+ seconds, this wine possesses a stunning integration of acidity, tannin, and alcohol, suggesting this 2009 will age nicely for 3-5 years, possibly as long as a decade. However, it will be hard to resist given its current performance. Bravo! 93 Points, Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate.”

This would make a very nice match with roasted leg of lamb.
$19.00 BTL. / $228.00 CASE

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2010 SCHLOSS GOBELSBURG “GOBELSBURGER” GRÜNER VELTLINER
My trip this past May to Austria was an eye opening experience.

Without a doubt one of the best values I tasted on the trip comes from the historic estate of Schloss Gobelsburg. Visiting this estate was like getting into a DeLorean and going back in time several hundred years. After all, this monastery was producing wine in 1171. Located in the Kamptal , they own parcels of several of the top vineyards of the region. Michael Moosbrugger, their winemaker, is incredibly talented and thoughtful.

Schloss Gobelsburg makes a second label for their wines called Gobelsburg. This is typically younger vine-fruit (under 20 years) from their vineyards in the Kamptal. The 2010 Gobelsburg Grüner Veltliner is about as good of a value as you will find in the category.

Its importer Terry Theise writes “there should be some Nobel-like prize for the humanity of caring so much about the customer who doesn’t spend much on wine, who won’t post on internet bulletin boards, won’t give you 97 ‘points,’ won’t put your name in lights – won’t feed your ego, in other words. And what does Michi Moosbrugger do for this person? Give him three times the quality he had any right to anticipate.”

This wine may not change your life, but it will give you loads of Grüner Veltliner pleasure! As I often say, Grüner goes with practically everything on your table, so do stock up on this before it disappears!
$17.00 BTL. / $204.00 CASE

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2009 DOMAINE GIRARD SANCERRE ROUGE “LA GARENNE”
A last minute addition to the “Six for $120″ that I just had to include this month.
Most of you out there in “e-mail land” love and seek out the famed Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire appellation called Sancerre. What some of you may not know is that there is a red Sancerre based on the Pinot Noir varietal. This grape is a “Vin de Terroir” really showing off where it comes from with every sip. Sancerre Rouge is one of the most expressive versions of Pinot Noir, often taking on the mineral personality of the region.

This is an outstanding version of Sancerre rouge, and a really ridiculous value given its quality. Domaine Girard is located in the village of Chaudoux, just a few miles northwest of the town of Sancerre. They own 12-hectares of vines, only some of which goes into the two domaine bottlings. The “simple” stuff goes to négociants, while the top wine goes into this red and their white.

La Garenne is the beautiful east-facing, sloping vineyard that has a very rocky limestone soil. It is the source for both Sauvignon Blanc and the Pinot Noir that goes into this wine. This is a vat fermented Pinot Noir, that doesn’t have any oak influence.

I was really impressed when I tasted this the other day! A very pretty red fruit dominated nose, with perfect hints of mineral and spice on the nose and palate. This has the perfect level of ripeness, enough to give it some fruit, but not too much so that it is candied. A Pinot Noir that is very reflective of its soil, this is a versatile food wine, and can be enjoyed with fish, cheese, or poultry.
$23.00 CASE / $276.00 CASE

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2006 CHÂTEAU BRULESÉCAILLE CÔTES DE BOURG
I a huge fan of this Côtes de Bourg estate. For those of you looking for value Bordeaux, you are not going to find if from places like Pauillac or Margaux. But if you look across the river from Margaux, you will find the appellation of Côtes de Bourg, which is capable of producing excellent “daily drinking” wine.

Château Brulesécaille is a 26-hectare estate that has existed since the late 1800′s. The vineyards sit on a clay limestone outcrop overlooking the Dordogne Valley. The Rodet family is currently in charge, and they make about 11,000 cases of wine among three different wines.
Their flagship wine is this, the Château Brulesécaille Côtes de Bourg – made from equal parts of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. It was aged in French oak for a year before bottling, then aged in bottle before its release.

In my opinion, this is classic Bordeaux table wine, with an extra bit of complexity. Bright black cherry, cassis, tobacco and mineral notes emerge on the nose and palate. There are some chewy tannins in the mid-palate, but they are nicely framed by fruit and acid.

This deserves to be paired with a classic French bistro dish like Steak au Poivre.
$17.00 BTL. / $204.00 CASE

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NV AVINYÓ CAVA BRUT NATURE RESERVA
Simply put, this is one of the best Cava’s I’ve tasted in some time.

Cava is Spain’s version of sparkling wine. It comes from the region of Penèdes just southwest of Barcelona. Three traditional varieties go into Cava production – Xarel-lo, Macabeo, and Parellada. Some producers also blend the French varieties of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay into their Cava.

One of the keys to more complex Cava is the amount of time a producer has left it on its lees (dead yeast cells developed in the bottle). If you look closely on your bottle of Cava you will see different colored labels, which speak to how long the wine was left on its lees. For a Reserva Cava such as this, the minimum is 18 months.

Avinyó is one of my favorite Cava producers, as it is an artisan cellar dedicated to quality over quantity. While some of you may have tasted their Brut Reserva in top restaurants, their Brut Nature featured today is brand new to our market. What is Brut Nature? It is the designate for a sparkling wine where no secondary dosage is added. A bone dry sparkling wine, that really features its fruit and mineral.

This Brut Nature is a blend of the three aforementioned traditional varieties, from vines that range from 15-50 years-old. The lees aging goes beyond the requirement, and is done for a full two years.

This is a really complex bottle of sparkling wine! Drink it as an aperitif, or with oysters and shellfish. A really amazing value for this level of complexity!
$20.00 BTL. / $240.00 CASE

Perman Wine Selections Friday Feature – 10/14/11

Craig Perman — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:41:10 +0000

Hello and Happy Friday!

This week I was handed an offering for several top notch 2009 Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s. This region is one of the great places in the world to seek out Rhône varietal reds.

There were plenty of great wines on this offering, most of which ranged in the $600 to $1200 a case range. I’m not saying that these wines aren’t worth the tariff, but it made me think about how other parts of France and the world are making top-notch Rhône varietal reds at a fraction of the price.

Today’s Friday Feature focuses on an outstanding Rhône varietal red from the Spanish region of Montsant.

I highly encourage any of my Rhône fans to stock up on this fantastic wine!

Have a great weekend,
Craig

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2008 CELLER VENDRELL RIVED “L’ALLEU” VINYES VELLES
Josep María Vendrell Rived is one of the young, exciting winemakers that in part has helped put Spanish wine into the forefront of the wine world in recent years.

His tiny estate is located near the village of Marçà, in the Montsant region of Southern Catalunya. Josep and his father have been growing grapes for some time, selling off the younger vines, and keep many of the older vines for production of two red wines.

This is a tiny winery, with only 15,000 – 20,000 bottles produced annually. Having visited the winery on a few occasions, I am always struck with how small and bare bones the winery is. A quick tour reveals a few stainless steel tanks on the main level, and a small room of barrels downstairs. Tasting at the estate isn’t done in any fancy room, perched on a hill, rather, usually standing up among cases of wine that are being prepared to ship out to a customer.

Everything starts in the vineyard for Josep. He owns three different vineyards, each with its own terroir. He grows only two types of grapes, Grenache and Carignan. While most of you are very familiar with Grenache, Carignan is a noble variety grown in places like Montsant and Priorat. Good quality Carignan comes from old-vines, and Josep is blessed with many old-vines in his vineyards.

L’Alleu is the flagship wine of Celler Vendrell Rived. Josep blends 60% Grenache with 40% Carignan from vines that range in age from 40 to 80+ years-old. The grapes are gently pressed and the juice is macerated for 3 to 4 weeks depending on the variety.

Malolactic fermentation is in barrel, and the wine is aged for 10 months in French oak barrels of various ages.

Give this a little air and the nose begins to explode out of the glass with notes of dark berry fruits and black cherry. On the palate the wine is medium-bodied with intense but not candied red fruits, white pepper and clove notes.

I paired this with a grilled quail dish prepared by X-Marx at my recent Wine-O’s In the Woods event and it was a giant success. A definite meat wine!

Don’t miss this delicious Rhône varietal red from Spain! Only 4600 bottles were produced, and it won’t be around forever.
$23.99 BTL. / $287.88 CASE