Europa Cellars Newsletter, 29 September 2009
		(03) 9417 7220

	Introduction Wine of the Week - Durban Muscat de Beaumes de Venise Loire Valley: Vouvray - Domaine Pichot, Bourgeuil - Yannick Amirault Last two ten packs of Tempier Bandol Upcoming Events

Dear Wine Aficionado, The Touraine region of the Loire Valley produces some excellent wines. The principal white grape in this part of the wine world is Chenin Blanc and the principal red grape is Cabernet Franc. This week we are offering wines from leading producers, Domaine Pichot in Vouvray (Chenin Blanc), and Yannick Amirault in Bourgueil (Cabernet Franc). Pichot is not as well known as perhaps Huet and Clos Naudin but equally praiseworthy. Yannick Amirault is considered by some to be the top producer in Bourgeuil. Next weeks in store tasting will feature a selection of aromatic wines from Austria, Germany and the Alsace region of France. We will look at examples of Gewurztraminer, Gruner Veltliner and Riesling, from top producers including JB Becker (Rheingau), Brundlmayer (Kremstal), Joh Jos Christoffel Erben (Mosel), Louis Sipp (Alsace), and Undhof Salomon (Kremstal) Australian Shiraz - European Style This Evening, 6 to 8 pm, In-Store, $10.00 By Farr, Cape D'Estaing, Head Wines, Izway, Jamsheed, Shelmerdine, Sutton Grange, Syrahmi, Vinea Marson Please note that the store opening hours are midday to 8pm 7 days a week. For phone inquiries to 03 9417 7220 please ring during these times The Europa Cellars team, John, Brian, Nick, and Sam view newsletter online Wine of the Week 2006 Durban Muscat de Beaumes de Venise 375ml Shelf Price $30.00 Offer Price $25.00 The vineyards and winery of the Domaine de Durban are situated on the ridge above the village of Beaumes de Venise east of the city of Orange in the southern Rhone. It is owned by the Leydier family and produces the Muscat de Beaumes Venise for which it is famous. Robert Parker rates Durban as an outstanding producer. Tom Stevenson has Durban as his personal favourite (Sothebys Wine Encyclopaedia). This wine is made from100% Muscat à Petits Grains from 25 year old vines. It is pale gold in colour; has spectaular aromas with notes of candied apricots, peach and lemon grass; the palate shows delicate fruit flavours with notes of pear and apricot; unctuously-textured without cloying. Great with desserts or as an aperitif especially with foie gras download order form Loire Valley: Vouvray and Bourgeuil Domaine Pichot The Pichot family is one of the oldest in Vouvray with origins as viticulturists and restaurateurs going back to 1739. Their vineyard holdings are located mostly in the prime sites of Le Montand Haut Lieu at the top of the village, with several other holdings scattered throughout the appellation. All harvesting is done by hand and yields are kept low at an average 25 hl/ha. Domaine Pichot is an amalgamation of the properties of the father (Jean-Claude) ‘Coteau de la Biche’ and the son (Christophe) ‘Peu de la Moriette’, hence the different labels bearing the name Pichot. The Pichot’s are well known for the brilliant quality of the stunning sweet wines, although their dry and demi-sec wines are also superb. These are remarkably good value wines that will also provide great satisfaction from a young age. 2004 Domaine Pichot Vouvray Brut 100% Chenin Blanc. Freshly disgorged for each shipment, this wine has spent four years on lees. It has a fine bead, complex and flavoursome palate; very fresh with excellent acidity. Shelf Price $33.00 Offer Price $28.00 2008 Domaine Pichot Vouvray Sec ‘Coteau de la Biche’ 100% Chenin Blanc. This is an excellent example of dry Vouvray. It has apple and spice aromas, a smooth full flavoured palate with balancing acidity. Shelf Price $36.00 Offer Price $31.00 2007 Vouvray Demi-Sec ‘Peu de la Moriette’ 100% Chenin Blanc. Off-dry, with enticing fig and quince flavors. Good definition from start to spicy finish. Shelf Price $36.00 Offer Price $31.00 2005 Vouvray Moelleux 750ml 100% Chenin Blanc. 80 g/l residual sugar for this excellent sweet wine. Shows typical Vouvray characters of apple and honey. Great value. Shelf Price $48.00 Offer Price $41.00 Yannick Amirault The reference book for French wines and producers, Classement, rates Amirault as the best producer in Bourgueil awarding him 2 stars “Producer of very great wines, in the best crus of France.” He is described as follows. "In the last ten years, the wines of this domaine have appeared as the most complex and the most consistent of the appellations Bourgueil and St.Nicolas de Bourgueil. The wines of the domaine are characterized by body, cleanness, charm and in a great vintage, by aristocracy." 2007 Bourgeuil ‘La Coudraye’ Rouge 100% Cabernet Franc. From 25 to 35 years old vines on sandy slopes situated closer to the Loire River. Two thirds of this cuvee are aged in large specially designed wooden tanks, the rest in stainless steel tanks. This wine is notable for its freshness and perfume and has very fine tannins well covered with admirable flesh coming from fully ripe fruit. Shelf Price $38.00 Offer Price $32.00 2006 Saint Nicolas de Bourgeuil ‘La Mine’ Rouge Made from 100% Cabernet Franc, this is regarded as one of the classic examples of this appellation. St Nicolas de Bourgueil’s typically show more perfume and flesh than the more structured wines from Bourgueil. Richness and depth from 40 year old vines apparent here. Shelf Price $45.00 Offer Price $38.00 2006 Bourgeuil ‘La Petite Cave’ Rouge 100% Cabernet Franc.  From very old vines around the middle of the slope. Wonderful old-vine intensity Shelf Price $66.00 Offer Price $56.00 download order form Domaine Tempier Bandol Pre Arrival Offer We have just two ten packs available. This estate is one of the leading producers of Bandol and with its small production and emphasis on quality has achieved a cult status amongst its followers. download order form Domaine Tempier Bandol 10 pack Full price $760.00 Offer price $646.00 Wines available in October. 10 bottle pack - amazingly a few packs left - one per person • 6 bottles Domaine Tempier Bandol Rosé 2008 • 2 bottles Domaine Tempier Bandol Classique 2006 • 1 bottle Domaine Tempier Bandol Cuvée Migoua 2006 • 1 bottle Domaine Tempier Bandol La Tourtine 2006 2008 Domaine Tempier Bandol Rosé “Bright orange-pink. Strikingly complex aromas of peach skin, nectarine, redcurrant, dried flowers, garrigue and smoky minerals. Juicy red berry and pit fruit flavours are firmed by zesty minerals and deepened by a note of cherry skin. Dry, focused and chewy, with strong finishing punch and lingering notes of talc-y minerals. More graceful than the 2007 version, but lacking that wine's power, which isn't a bad thing.” 92 points Josh Reynolds Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - June '09 “Very elegant, with unctuous flavours of dried berry, cherry and melon. This has a pretty salmon colour, with a long, lush, richly spiced finish.” 90 points Kim Marcus, Wine Spectator - September 2009 Domaine Tempier Bandol Cuvée Classique 2006 “Aromas and flavours of mocha, kirsch and dark plum are pure and powerful. A finely crafted red, with a mineral-rich finish loaded with dark chocolate notes. Drink now through 2013.” 90 points Kim Marcus, Wine Spectator - 31 May 2009 Domaine Tempier Bandol Cuvée Migoua 2006 A pure and powerful red, finely polished and structured, with a broad swath of red plum, raspberry and cherry flavours. There's concentrated cedar and cigar box on the finish. Tempting now. 93 points Kim Marcus, Wine Spectator - 31 May 2009 Domaine Tempier Bandol Cuvée La Tourtine 2006 “Very beefy and rich, with good cut to the red plum, dried berry and kirschlike flavours. The intense and concentrated finish is dominated by vibrant mineral and spice notes. A good candidate for the cellar.” 93 points Kim Marcus, Wine Spectator - May 31 2009 Upcoming Events Alsace to Austria - aromatic whites Tuesday 6th October , 6 to 8 pm, In-store, $10.00 Gewurztraminer, Gruner Veltliner and Riesling, from top producers including JB Becker (Rheingau), Brundlmayer (Kamptal), Joh Jos Christoffel Erben (Mosel), Louis Sipp (Alsace), and Undhof Salomon (Kremstal) On Saturday 10 April 2004, new Australian Federal Government legislation came into force that requires that no unsolicited emails be sent without the permission of the recipient.  Europa Cellars has an email database and sends out periodic newsletters or special offers to especially interested clients. 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	Europa Cellars 150 Wellington Parade East Melbourne VIC Australia 3002 p. +61 (3) 9417 7220 f.+61(3) 9417 7223 e. wine @europacellars .com.au ABN 78 102 566 781 License no. 32053562