Dear Wine Aficionado,

This week we have added 2 more estates to our Bordeaux Primeurs, Chateau L'Arrosee from St Emilion and Chateau Cantemerle 5th Growth Haut Medoc. We are also offering Bindi's new releases and quantities are limited so it is first in best dressed. This week our 6 Pack Offer looks to Greece. In the past Greek wines conjures up images of retsina in flagons and thin insipid reds. Because of this association, Greek wines in general suffered from a bad reputation because the majority of wine production was geared towards mass production techniques and overcropped vines. However in the last 15 years that a new wave winemakers have started to change the way wine was made in Greece, a vision to make wines to produce high quality fine wine for the international market but with a distinctive Greek identity. Our six pack offer contains three reds and three whites from this region where the prices are very affordable for the quality. The wines are by two of the leading producers in the new wave of Greek wines, GAIA and Kir Yianni.

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 Greek 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

view newsletter online

view newsletter as pdf
 

---

Bordeaux 2009 #4

---

"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

download order form

2009 Chateau L’Arrosée St Emilion
Single bottle price - $82.00
Full Case/ per bottle - $948.00 / $79.00
"This outstanding l’Arrosee is consistent with the Burgundian style that this terroir routinely produces. Never massive, at its best it offers intense flavors of kirsch, raspberry, crushed rock, and spice box. The full-bodied flavors are ethereal in their delicacy. Full, but stylish, precise, intense, and never heavy, this beauty can be drunk early or cellared for two decades or more. (Tasted three times.)" 92-94 points Robert Parker
"Silky and very pretty with cedar and chocolate aromas and flavors. Medium- to full-bodied, with fine tannins and a clean finish." 89-92 points James Suckling Wine Spectator

2009 Chateau Cantemerle Cinquièmes Cru Haut Medoc
Single bottle price - $59.00
Full Case/ per bottle - $672.00 / $56.00
"This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with the Cabernet dominating, looks to be the best they have ever produced, even eclipsing the 2005. Dense purple in color, with extraordinarily elegant floral notes intermixed with raspberry, black currant, cherry, and spice box, it is medium to full-bodied, not massive, but again, very seamless, with beautiful precision, sweet tannins, and an endearing fleshiness and depth of flavor that are neither heavy nor fatiguing. This wine will be relatively approachable in 3-5 years and drink well for 25-30. (Tasted two times.)" 92-94* points Robert Parker
"Very pretty and aromatic on the nose, with currant and flowers. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a clean finish" 88-91 points James Suckling Wine Spectator

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 - $52.00
Full Case/ per bottle - $588.00 / $49.00
"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
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

download order form

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

download order form

---

Bindi New Releases

---

“One of the icons of Macedon. The Chardonnay is top shelf, the Pinot Noir as remarkable (albeit in a very different idiom) as Bass Phillip, Giaconda or any of the other tiny production icon wines. The addition of Heathcote-sourced Shiraz under the Pyrette label confirms Bindi as one of the greatest small producers in Australia.” James Halliday

download order form

We are very pleased to be able to offer out Bindi's new releases, these wines are available for delivery except for the Original Vineyard Pinot Noir which will be released sometime mid-October this year. Quantities are limited so orders are proccessed first in best dressed.

2009 Bindi Composition Pinot Noir Shelf Price $65.00 Offer Price $58.50
“The alluring nose is vibrant and layered and offers red and dark small berries, spice and earth.  The palate is intense and particularly pure. There is complex red berry fruit and a creamy mid palate that then becomes firmer. A long driven finish.  This really is a very seductive Pinot Noir.  Given three to four years it will become even more delicious and should drink beautifully for a decade.” Michael Dhillon 

2009 Bindi Original Vineyard Pinot Noir Shelf Price $84.00 Offer Price $75.60          
“The 2009 Original Vineyard is ripe and fleshy with beautiful strawberry, red and dark cherry aromas. It is complex with spice and creamy dimensions.  The palate is silky and smooth with mineral and acid elements helping to drive the fruit on towards a delicious flourish on the finish.  This wine will age well for a decade.” Michael Dhillon

2009 Bindi Pyrette Heathcote Shiraz Shelf Price $40.00 Offer Price $36.00
“This is the most fragrant and pure, and perhaps the most complex, of the nine vintages we have made from this excellent vineyard.  The nose is bright in red fruits, creamy, earthy and has some darker fruit and exotic spice elements lurking.  The palate is youthful, vigourous and has delicious creamy elements with excellent weight, balance and length.  It will improve further with four to five years cellaring although the balance is such that it is approachable now.” Michael Dhillon  

---

Greek 6-Pack Offer

---

Greece has a wine making history of over 6500 years and is home to over 300 indigenous grape varieties. It is only recently that Greek wines have penetrated into the fine wine market with a new wave of producers that have sparked off a quality driven renaissance in the Greek wine world.

GAIA Estate was founded in 1994 by Leon Karatsalos and Yiannis Paraskevopoulos with a commitment to producing quality wine from the unique indigenous grapes of their native Greece. Both owners have degrees in agronomy from the University of Thessaloniki and Paraskevopoulos also received a Ph.D in Oenology from the University of Bordeaux II. Based in the Pelopponese in Nemea, GAIA produces stunning examples of the indigenous Agiorgitiko grapes, where it produces soft elegant reds, and another estate in Santorini where they produce minerally - bone dry whites made from the Assyrtiko grape.

Kir-Yianni was established in 1997 by Yiannis Boutari, a member of the famous Boutari wine family, with the aim of making top quality wine. They are based in Naoussa in the northern province of Macedonia where they are best known for their red wines made from Xinomavro. Xinomavro loosely translates into "acid-black" and like its name produces wines with high levels of acidity and tannins.

This 6 pack offer is to an excellent selection of some of the best Greek wine examples in the market today. The quality is evident in these wines and they have propelled the perception of greek wines into the domaine of international wine standards.

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

Shelf Price for 6 Pack $188.00 OFFER PRICE $159.95!

download order form

Whites
2009 Gaia Notios White Shelf Price $24.00
This wine is a blend of two traditional Greek grape varieties; Moschofilero and Roditis. Moschofilero is a pink skined relative of the grape German Gerwutztraminer, harvested from the Arcadian plateau, contributes a vibrant, floral flavour. The Roditis portion of this wine is grown on the Corinthian slopes and it provides a smooth lemony character.

2007 Kir Yianni Petra White Shelf Price $27.00
100% Roditis, The vineyard lies at an altitude of 700 meters on sandy soils within the viticultural zone of Agios Panteleimon, in the Amyndeon Appelation in Northwestern Greece. The vineyard’s mean yield does not exceed 40 hl/ha. The wine is left on skins for a short period before it is fermented and left in tank for four months on lees.

2007 Gaia Estate Thalasitis Santorini Shelf Price $43.00
From the island of Santorini, the native Assyrtiko grape is grown on vines trained into basket shapes instead of to a stake or wire. This is to maintain moisture and shade on an island where either in a rarity, the islands exposed volcanic slopes at the mercy of the Mediterranean sun. Thalassitis is produced by Gaia, one of our favorite and most popular Greek producers. 
"bone-dry wine with a delicate honeysuckle aroma and a crisp finish… a white wine of a strong personality" Producer's notes

Reds
2008 Gaia Notios Red Shelf Price $24.00
Agiorgitiko is one of two red grapes (the other being Xynomavro) on which the hopes of many Greek
winemakers rest. It is a naturally heat resistant variety that has character and plenty of structure. It performs
best at high altitude. 45 days in 225 litre French oak casks (Nevers & Allier) with medium-plus toasting

2008 Argiorgitiko by Gaia Shelf Price $32.00
This wine is made from fruit sourced from a selection of sites on the upper slopes of Nemea at elevations of between 450 and 650 meters. Aged in French oak barrels, this wine fits in between Gaia’s other Agiorgitiko’s; the Estate which is produced to be aged long term and the Notios which is made to be consumed at release.

2006 Kir Yianni Ramnista Shelf Price $38.00
Kir-Yianni own 50 hectares of vineyard planted with indigenous and international varieties on the eastern and western slopes of Mt Vermio. This wine is made from Xinomavro from selected south east facing vineyard blocks at around 300m above sea level on the Yianakohori estate. Four-day cold soak followed by cool fermentation and aged 12 months in French and American oak, some new, some 500 litre

download order form

---

Wine Bar News

---

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; Spaghetti with Lamb Ragu $16.00; Chicken Cacciatore $17.00

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

Tasting Flight #1 Greek Whites $5.00

2009 Gaia Notios White

2007 Kir Yianni Petra White

2007 Gaia Estate Thalasitis Santorini

Tasting Flight #2 Greek Reds $5.00

2008 Gaia Notios Red

2008 Argiorgitiko by Gaia

2006 Kir Yianni Ramnista

---

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. If you do not wish to receive further newsletters or special offers from Europa Cellars in the future, please advise by emailing wine@europacellars.com.au . Alternatively, if you subscribed via our website you may visit the following link to unsubscribe the same way. http://ethreemail.com/e3ds/u.php?g=a1fc2f1a

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