Dear Wine Aficionado,

The Bordeaux Primeur campaign continues with some new releases including the right bank appellations of Pomerol, Lalande de Pomerol and Lussac-St Emilion. The Sud-Ouest/South-West region of France is south east of Bordeaux and is home to some interesting grape varieties, in particular Tannat and Malbec for reds; Petit Manseng and Gros Manseng for whites. Our six pack offer contains three reds and three whites from this region where the prices are very affordable for the quality.

For news about what is happening in the wine bar/bistro - current wine flights and menus - look at the Wine Bar News section at the foot of the newsletter. The Sud-Ouest 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, Aidan, Nick, Brian, Boon, Micah and Sam

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Bordeaux 2009 #3

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"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.

Bordeaux Rouge

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2009 Courlat Lussac-St Emillion
Single bottle price - $22.00
Full Case/ per bottle - $228.00 / $19.00
"This well-made, low level wine possesses attractive elegance, sweet black cherry and plum-like fruit, hints of incense and underbrush, and a dark ruby/purple color. It should drink nicely for 4-5 years. (Tasted once.)" 86-87 points Robert Parker

2009 Courlat Cuvee "Jean Baptiste" Lussac-St Emillion
Single bottle price - $28.00
Full Case/ per bottle - $300.00 / $25.00
"Medium-bodied, with chewy tannins and a medium finish. Straightforward." 89-91 Points James Suckling Wine Spectator

2009 Senejac Haut Medoc *
Single bottle price - $32.00
Full Case/ per bottle - $348.00 / $29.00
"Run by the Cordier family, with the vineyard managed by Alfred Tesseron’s team at Pontet-Canet, this is the first vintage from their biodynamically farmed estate, and it is certainly the best wine I have ever tasted from Senejac. A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, oodles of black currant fruit are intermixed with some licorice, underbrush, and foresty notes. Great fruit, a sumptuous, fleshy texture, and plenty of succulence and length make for a big, rich, nicely textured wine to drink over the next decade. (Tasted two times.)" 89-91 points Robert Parker
"Berry and earthy, spicy character. Toasted oak. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins..." 87-90 Points James Suckling Wine Spectator

2009 Hauts Conseillants Lalande de Pomerol
Single bottle price - $32.00
Full Case/ per bottle - $348.00 / $29.00
"A delicious, fruit-forward, plump wine with loads of raspberry and black cherry fruit intertwined with hints of underbrush and licorice, this medium-bodied, fat, fleshy 2009 should drink well for 5-7 years. (Tasted once.)" 87-89 points Robert Parker
"A fruity red, with some polished tannins and ripe fruit. Full and ripe..." 86-89 points James Suckling Wines Spectator

2009 Monregard La Croix Pomerol
Single bottle price - $39.00
Full Case/ per bottle - $432.00 / $36.00
"Very grapey, with fresh flowers and sandalwood on the nose. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and a fruity finish. Subtle and attractive." 89-92 James Suckling Wine Spectator

2009 Bonalgue Pomerol
Single bottle price - $32.00
Full Case/ per bottle - $588.00 / $29.00
"This is another sleeper of the vintage from this terrific Pomerol that always offers tremendous pleasure, a succulent texture, and in 2009, more fruit, body, and glycerin than normal. Silky smooth and attention getting, it is loaded with mocha, black cherry, and a caramelized confiture fruit style. Luscious, heady, and hedonistic with class as well as personality, this beautiful Pomerol should drink well for 10-12 years. (Tasted two times.)" 89-91 points Robert Parker
"Blueberry and licorice aromas, with hints of violet. Full-bodied, with a pretty core of fruit and milk chocolate and a finely textured finish" 89-92 points James Suckling Wines Spectator

2009 Clos du Clocher Pomerol
Single bottle price - $65.00
Full Case/ per bottle - $348.00 / $62.00
"The 2009 Clos du Clocher may turn out to be a superb Pomerol. It possesses an opaque ruby/purple hue, lots of jammy plum, black currant, and black cherry fruit intermixed with hints of caramel and mocha, a full-bodied, opulent style, good freshness in spite of the wine’s size and richness, and 10-15 years of life ahead of it. (Tasted two times.)" 89-91 points Robert Parker
"A little lean for the vintage, but there's some attractive berry and cappuccino aromas and flavors, with a medium finish." 88-91 points James Suckling Wine Spectator

2009 Chateau Belle Vue Haut-Medoc SOLD OUT
Single bottle price - SOLD OUT
Full Case/ per bottle - SOLD OUT
"Not to be confused with St.-Emilion’s Bellevue, this has been one of the most consistent Medoc cru bourgeois over a number of years, and the 2009 may reach new quality heights. A big-time sleeper of the vintage, this blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 20% Petit Verdot boasts a dense purple color as well as notes of creme de cassis and spring flowers, terrific fruit, sweet but noticeable tannin, and medium to full body. It can be drunk young or cellared for 8-10 years. (Tasted once)" 90-92* points Robert Parker
88-91 points James Suckling Wine Spectator

2009 Chateau Lanessan Haut-Medoc
Single bottle price - $30.00
Full Case/ per bottle - $324.00 / $27.00
"Generally a St.-Julien/Pauillac-like offering, the 2009 Lanessan seems more explosive and concentrated than prior vintages. I’m not sure it is the finest I have ever tasted, but it boasts a dense purple color as well as copious creme de cassis, cedar wood, underbrush, and spice notes. Beautiful opulence, silky tannins, and a long finish suggest this sleeper of the vintage will drink well for 2-3 decades. (Tasted once.)" 90-92 points Robert Parker
86-89 points James Suckling Wine Spectator

2009 La Tour des Mons Margaux SOLD OUT
Single bottle price - SOLD OUT
Full Case/ per bottle - SOLD OUT
92-95 points James Suckling Wine Spectator


Sauternes and Barsac

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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) SOLD OUT 
Single bottle price - SOLD OUT
Full Case/ per bottle -SOLD OUT
"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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Sud-Ouest 6-Pack Offer

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Sud-Ouest or South-West of France is a wine region located to the South of Bordeaux, and stretches to the Pyrenees. Due to its proximity to Bordeaux, most of the appellations that lie next to Bordeaux produces both red and white wines using similiar blends of grapes to that of Bordeaux. The other appellations further South produces red wines that are similar in style to Bordeaux but uses different grape varieties such as Tannat. The whites produced in the Pyrennees corner of the South-West are made using a blend of Petit Manseng, Gros Manseng and Courbu grapes that produces wines that have an almost grapefruit and pineapple flavor, however it is the dessert wines made from the same varietals that more sought after.


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

Shelf Price for 6 Pack $216.00 OFFER PRICE $185.00!

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Whites
2008 Tour des Gendres Bergerac Blanc Shelf Price $33.00
70% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Semillon. The fruit is hand harvested and destemmed and crushed, the juice is then allowed to settle to remove solids. It is then fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. The lees is stirred to add complexity to the wine, it is bottled with minimum filtration.
"Pale golden hue, aromas of fresh tangerine, pink grapefruit on the nose and carries through to the palate with crunchy acidity and good fruit intensity" EC

2007 Chateau du Jurque Jurancon Sec Shelf Price $32.00
50% Petit Manseng, 50% Gros Manseng. A really pretty intensity of fruit on the palate; tropical with a slight herbal twist. Creamy texture and vivid acidity" Natasha Hughes, Decanter  

2007 Laplace Pacherenc du Vic Bilh Sec Shelf Price $37.00
60% Petit Manseng, 40% Gros Manseng from 25-30 year old vineyards. Fruit is hand harvested and gently pressed. The juice goes through a settling period of 10-15 days to remove sediments. The juice is fermented in both old oak barrels and in temperature controlled stainless steel vats with regular lees stiring. The wine is then aged for 7 months before bottling.  
"Bright golden colour, the nose is powerful and complex with aromas of lemon and grapefruit that coexist harmoniously with vanilla and a little honey. On the palate the wine is very soft but backed by a lively freshness. The finish is long and aromatic with hints of bitter almonds." Producer's notes

Reds
2005 Plaimont Cotes du Saint Mont Rouge Shelf Price $28.00
60% Tannat , 20% Pinenc , remaining 20% Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
"Vibrant ruby with bright hints, on the nose there are ripe black fruit and hints of tabacco which carries through to the palate. Vibrant acidity and smooth tannins, extremely easy to enjoy." EC

2005 Clos Triguedina Cahors Shelf Price $42.00
80% Malbec, 15% Merlot, 5% Tannat from vineyards with a density of 5000 vines/hectare. Fruit is entirely hand harvested and manually sorted. Fermentation occurs in open top vats for 10-15 days where it is then aged in French oak barrels for 18 months (1/3 new oak).
" Ruby red with purple hints. On the nose it has black and red fruits that are reinforced with peppermint notes. It is well balanced and concentrated with ripe and supple tannins" Producer's notes

2005 Chateau d'Aydie Madiran Shelf Price $44.00
100% Tannat from 30 year old vines. Hand harvested, it goes through cold maceration for 5 days before fermentation wooden vates that are temperature controled. The wines are left to macerate for 20-25 days and the cap is punched down for maximum extraction. The wines is then aged in oak barrels for 12- 15 months.
"Deep and intense purple with a ruby red tint. Fine nose, elegant and complex, mingling aromas of black fruit and coffee. On the palate it is full bodied but has an elegant acidity followed by a flavours of ripe black fruit and silky tannins." Producer's notes

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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; Antipasto Plate $14.00; Penne with Lamb Ragu $16.00; Chicken Cacciatore $17.00

This week we will be looking at the wines from Spain. For more information on the wines, please refer to the Spain 6-Pack offer above.

Tasting Flight #1 Sud-Ouest Blanc $5.00

2008 Tour des Gendres Bergerac Blanc

2007 Chateau du Jurque Jurancon Sec

2007 Laplace Pacherenc du Vic Bilh Sec

Tasting Flight #2 Sud-Ouest Rouge $5.00

2005 Plaimont Cotes du Saint Mont Rouge

2005 Clos Triguedina Cahors

2005 Chateau d'Aydie Madiran

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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
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