Dear Wine Aficionado,

This week we offer the second of our 2009 Bordeaux Primeurs campaign - we are offering 2 new Barsacs to our offer; the prestigious Chateau Coutet - touted to be the Sauternes of the vintage by James Suckling of Wine Spectator, and Chateau Nairac, which Jancis Robinson loved particularly. The 2009 vintage in Bordeaux is being touted as the equal of the 2005 with some commentators claiming that 2009 eclipses the exceptional 2005.

For news about what is happening in the wine bar - current wine flights and menus - look at the Wine Bar News section at the foot of the newsletter. The Southern Rhone Six Pack Offer is based on the tasting flights available in the Wine Bar this week.

Please note that the wine 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, Francisco, Nick, Brian, Boon, Micah and Sam

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2009 Bordeaux En Primeur Barsac/Sauternes - 6 to choose from

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"And now we have 2009.....perhaps, just perhaps, the greatest vintage of them all (for Sauternes and Barsac)." Chris Kissac thewinedoctor.com

"First, and most importantly, for some Médocs and Graves, 2009 may turn out to be the finest vintage I have tasted in 32 years of covering Bordeaux. From top to bottom, 2009 is not as consistent as 2005, but the peaks of quality in 2009 may turn out to be historic." Robert Parker  

"A number of Bordeaux vintners say that their wines are already so fantastic that they are enjoying them straight from the vat. The year (2009) started with wet weather for most of winter and spring. Some areas were hard hit by hail in the spring. Yet summer weather was impeccably warm, dry and sunny. The water table in the soil was high enough to offset the dry summer, and a little rain in September revived the vines completely, helping the fruit mature to near perfection." James Suckling

"Left Bank that provides the most pleasure,... Do not dismiss the Right Bank, in particular a clutch of breathtaking Cabernet Franc based Pomerols and Saint Emilions" Neal Martin Wine Advocate

"I have never given so many really high scores when tasting en primeur anywhere." Jancis Robinson

"Yesterday I had the enormous pleasure of tasting 25 Sauternes 2009 blind at Ch Coutet and by and large they were fantastic. And so much more difficult to make than the red wines that get so much attention. Lots of richness and botrytis. I loved particularly Ch Suduiraut, Guiraud, Nairac, La Tour Blanche and Doisy-Daëne." Jancis Robinson

The 2009s seem to have a 'togetherness' that will make them at once approachable in their youth but also probably, as for the 1929s, unexpectedly long-lived." Bill Blatch Vintex Bordeaux Negociant on Jancis Robinson's Purple Pages

2009 is definitely the vintage that every wine critic has been drumming on about and we are proud to present you our first offer of our 2009 Bordeaux Primeurs. Prices for these wines are all inclusive of Australian duties and taxes and we are offering 2 prices for the wines; by the full case (12 bottles) and by the single bottle in a split case. Prices for single bottles are charged an extra $3.00 for handling split cases. Please note that these wines are expected to arrive in mid 2012.

NB: * indicates wines where Robert Parker has noted the best aging potential.

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2009 Chateau Nairac Deuxiemme Cru Classe Sauternes (Barsac) 
Single bottle price - $113.00
Full Case/ per bottle - $1320.00 / $110.00
"Nicolas Tari has certainly improved this estate in recent years. His 2009 has a well defined nose with apple-blossom, lime leaf, apricot and orange peel. Opens nicely the longer it remains in the glass. The palate is well balanced, very good weight on the entry with a citric thread of acidity interwoven through the pure honeyed fruit with a hint of ginger on the aftertaste. Nothing extravagant here, but supremely well crafted and succinct." 93-95 points Neal Martin Wine Advocate
"Full-bodied and sweet, with lots of sliced citrus fruit and spicy bitter almond and honey on the finish. Powerful." 92-95 points James Suckling Wine Spectator
"Heady, concentrated pear juice on the nose. Then lift and excitement. A little bit of fungus but a very impressive wine. Just a bit of heat on the end. Very luscious. Very opulent but with quite enough freshness to keep it in check." 18 Jancis Robinson

2009 Chateau Coutet Premier Cru Classe Sauternes (Barsac) 
Single bottle price - $130.00
Full Case/ per bottle -$1524.00 / $127.00
"The Coutet 2009 is a sensational effort from Philippe Baly and his team. It has a fragrant nose of honey, vervain tea, pineapple, frangipane and apple-blossom, well defined if needing a little more vigour at the moment. The palate is vibrant on the entry, informed by touches of apricot and orange peel, very focused and tensile towards the long, sensuous, viscous finish. It has the same minerality exuded by Doisy-Daene and reminds me of a stellar ’62 tasted just a few weeks previously. A magnificent Coutet." 96-98 points Neal Martin Wine Advocate
"Lemon custard, with honey and apple pie aromas. Full-bodied, with wonderful intensity and a spicy dried lemon and mineral finish. Very powerful, with lots of botrytis. Could be the Sauternes of the year. " 95-98 points James Suckling Wine Spectator
"Rather simple, floral, barley-sugar aromas. Sweet? Certainly. Interesting? A bit more debatable. Hot finish." 16 Jancis Robinson

2009 Chateau Doisy Daene Deuxièmes Cru Classe Sauternes (Barsac)
Single bottle price - $74.00
Full Case/ per bottle - $852.00 / $71.00
"Denis Dubourdieu has provided one of the genuine stars of the vintage with the Chateau Doisy-Daene, two, if you count his Extravagance. This has a very fragrant nose with apple blossom, lime leaf and a touch of honey. Very fresh and lifted...spring-like. The palate is very well balanced, not a powerful Sauternes but ethereally poised and focused, skipping blithely to an animated pear, honeysuckle and apricot finish. Very pretty, very complete and very outstanding." 96-98 points Robert Parker
"Intense aromas of dried citrus fruit and honey follow through to a full body. Medium sweet, thick and layered, with sliced cooked apple notes and a delicate spicy finish" 90-93 points James Suckling Wine Spectator
"Streak of green to the pale gold. Rich, lip-smacking and satisfying on the nose. Very big and bold, like pear juice fermented by a wizard. Lovely stuff. Lots of bracing structure as well as all the richness. Very long." 18 Jancis Robinson

2009 Chateau Filhot Deuxièmes Cru Classe Sauternes
Single bottle price - $46.00
Full Case/ per bottle - $516.00 / $43.00
"Shows some botrytis spice and dried fruit character on the nose. Full-bodied, very sweet and thick, with a dense, almost syrupy finish. Excellent for Filhot." 89-92 points James Suckling Wine Spectator
"A slightly green streak in the gold. Nice tingle. Sweet, somehow 'liquid gold' nose. Very big and bold. But without much definition and finesse at the moment. Still, it should please people, and may not need that long to do so. Molten. Just a bit of jagged acidity at the moment." 16.5 Jancis Robinson

2009 Chateau La Tour Blanche Premier Cru Classe Sauternes
Single bottle price - $109.00
Full Case/ per bottle - $1272.00 / $106.00
"The 2009 La Tour Blanche is very primal on the nose with grapefruit, nectarine and apricot aromas. The palate is very well balanced, just a little oaky at the moment but with a very fine thread of acidity. Touches of fresh apricot, a hint of nougat, lime zest and white peach. Well balanced, linear at the front palate but voluminous and expanding across the mouth in every direction on the viscous, mineral-rich finish. There is so much potential here. Superb." 94-96 points Neal Martin Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
"Dense and very rich on the palate. Medium sweet, with lemon pie and meringue notes and a textured finish."
91-94 points James Suckling Wine Spectator
"Tang and interest on the nose. Big, weighty. But with good acidity and definition and it's awfully difficult to spit! Long and rich, a bit hot on the end? Still a bit chewy." 18 Jancis Robinson

2009 Chateau Rieussec Premier Cru Classe Sauternes
Single bottle price - $152.00
Full Case/ per bottle - $1788.00 / $149.00
"The minerality and stoniness really comes through on the nose of this Rieussec, more than the 2007. The palate is very well balanced with superb acidity, real tension, steely with great precision with notes of apricot, white peach and honey on the beautifully defined finish. Probably the best Rieussec since the astounding 2001." 95-97 points Robert Parker
"Lemon peel and pear tart on the nose. Full-bodied and medium sweet, with good acidity, lemon meringue flavors and a spicy finish." 92-95 points James Suckling Wine Spectator.
"Heavy and rich and wonderfully sumptuous. Great richness. Density and breadth. Still very chewy but there is lots here. Very rewarding." 18 Jancis Robinson

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Southern Rhone 6-Pack Offer

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The Southern Rhone produces some of France's most drinker friendly wines. Its mediterranean climate allows for riper fruit compared with the wines from the Northern Rhone. The most famous appellation of the Southern Rhone is Chateauneuf du Pape, where the red wines are allowed to contain a blend of 13 different grape varieties. Generally the red wines of Southern Rhone are usually warm, rich and spicy wines that are predominantly a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mouvedre. It was only with the technological advances in temperature controlled fermentation that whites from the Southern Rhone are now widely beginning to become available.

The 6 pack includes 1 bottle each of the wines listed below  

Shelf Price for 6 Pack $280.00 OFFER PRICE $238.00!

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2009 Mont Redon Cotes du Rhone Blanc
Shelf Price $24.00
Grenache Blanc 65%, 20% Bourboulenc, 15% Roussane. The fruit is lightly pressed in pneumatic presses and is then clarified by cold sedimentation (0 - 12°) and a light fining. Fermentation happens at low and constant temperature (between 14 and 16°C) and lasts around four weeks. This wine does not go through malolactic fermentation to keep its natural acidity and freshness of the aromas. The wine is then bottled after an elevage on its fine lees.

2006 Citadelle Cotes du Luberon Artemes Blanc
Shelf Price $38.00
Roussane 30% Grenache blanc 30% Clairette 30% Rolle 10% The grapes always come from the same three parcels of land. The fruit is harvested in cases, macerated on its skins and fermented in stainless steel. The wine is matured in tank on its lees. Both delicate and rich it is an ideal food wine. It is drinking well now - we can vouch for that - but will keep until 2011/12

2004 Citadelle VdP Gouvernor Blanc St Auban
Shelf Price $50.00
40% Viognier, 40% Roussane, 20% Chardonnay. Harvested manually, followed by a period of skin maceration, then pneumatic pressing. The wine is then barrel fermented (25% new) and aged on lees with regular stirring for 9 months. This wine is showing remarkable freshness and is drinking superbly now.

2007 Domaine Charvin Cotes du Rhone "le Poutet" Rouge
Shelf Price $37.00
"As usual, Charvin's 2007 Cotes du Rhone Le Poutet, a 500 case blend of 85% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 5% Carignan, is one of the more attractive wines of this broad appellation. It exhibits an elegant black cherry, spring flower, loamy soil, garrigue, and spice scnented wine that should drink well for 3-4 years." 88-89 points Robert Parker

2007 Mont Redon Lirac
Shelf Price $35.00
70% Grenache, 20 % Cinsault, 10 % Syrah. The fruit is handpicked and then destemmed and crushed. Fermentation continues with regular punch downs of the cap to ensure maximum extraction of tannins and colour. Once malolactic fermentation is complete, a third of the wine is aged in burgundian oak barrels, the rest in vats for 18 months where they are blended into a single cuvee. The wine is then bottled aged for a further 4 months before release.

2006 Clos St Jean Chateauneuf du Papes Rouge
Shelf Price $94.00
75% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 4% Mouvedre, 3% Cinsault, 2% Vaccarese and 1% Muscardin. Clos St Jean is a medium sized domaine at 44ha and it has some exceptionally old vines, including 12 ha that were planted in 1905. Vincent and Pascal Maurel took over from their parents in recent times, and starting over a decade ago have been making inprovements across the board.
"The 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape exhibits garrigue, pepper, incense, and meaty black cherry notes interwoven with heady levels of glycerin, abundant sex appeal, and a full-bodied, fleshy finish. It should provide superb drinking over the next 10-15 years.....To reiterate, as mind-blowing as the 2007s are, I believe that along with Clos des Papes and a handful of other domaines, Clos St.-Jean’s 2006s are the wines of the vintage." 90 points Robert Parker
"Deep red. Fresh red and dark berry aromas are complemented by cracked pepper and pungent herbs. Sweet raspberry and kirsch flavors are braced by zesty acidity and framed by gentle tannins. The finish is nicely focused and tangy, with very good snap and a lingering floral quality. This is the European cuvee and there is an awful lot of it to go around." 89 points Josh Raynolds Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

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Schott Zwiesel Wine Glasses

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Schott Zwiesel (a brand of Zwiesel Kristallglas, AG) has a 130 year history of innovation and success, including such break through developments as the first machine made stemware and the first lead-free crystal glass. With the introduction of the proprietary Tritan® Crystal technique (the result of special additives such as titanium with a unique tempering process) Zwiesel has once again revolutionized the industry. Rigorous laboratory testing proves the brilliance, dishwasher safety, and break resistance of Tritan. Highly resistant to chipping and breaking even at its most sensitive areas - the rim and at the points where the stem joins the bowl and the foot. The glasses stand up to daily use and thousands of cycles in your dishwasher, without any blemishes or loss of brilliance.

Tritan® titanium crystal which is lead and barium free, with superior clarity, brilliance, durability and dishwasher-resistance.  The glass rims are laser-cut and laser-polished. The glasses are also flame-polished and heat-tempered to enhance break- and chip-resistance. Many of the champagne flutes have laser-etched effervescence points to improve presentation and sustain fiz.

These are our favourite crystal glassware at Europa as they are just so durable and more importantly affordable.

These glassware are only sold as a set of 6 stems. Delivery charges apply.

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Vina Champagne Flute 227ml - 110 488 - Set of 6 $60.00

Vina Burgundy Glass 404ml - 110 458 - Set of 6 $60.00

Vina Burgundy Claret Glass 732ml - 110 499 - Set of 6 $60.00

Vina Bordeaux Claret Goblet 626ml - 110 496 - Set of 6 $60.00

Congresso Water Glass 455ml - 112 945 - Set of 6 $42.00

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Wine Bar News

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Europa Cellars wine bar is open between 12pm and 8pm 7 days a week. Wines are available by the glass and tasting flights available enoteca style. The tasting flights consist of 3-5 wines at 25ml pours designed to allow the taster a journey into the particular wine styles of that region. You will be able to select any bottle of wine from the wine store to drink in the wine bar for a corkage fee.

The Wine Bar menu is available from midday until 8pm each day. The current menu comprises: Warmed Olives $6.00; Pickled Vegetables $10.00; Chicken Terrine $10.00; Tarte Alsacienne $12.00; Antipasto Plate $14.00; Spaghetti with Veal Ragu $14.00; Beef Lasagna $17.00.

This week we will be looking at the wines from Southern Rhone, France. For more information on the wines, please refer to the Southern Rhone 6-Pack offer above with the exception of the Vieux Chene Seigneurs Blanc below.

Tasting Flight #1 Southern Rhone Blanc $7.00

2009 Mont Redon Cotes du Rhone Blanc

2003 Domaine Vieux Chene Cuvee Seigneurs CdRhone Blanc

2004 Citadelle VdP Gouverner Blanc St Auban

Tasting Flight #2 Southern Rhone Rouge $7.00

2007 Domaine Charvin Cotes du Rhone Le Poutet

2007 Mont Redon Lirac Rouge

2006 Clos St Jean Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge

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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