Rhone
Opportunity! We just got a little crazy on the Rhone this week as we had the opportunity to try 24 different Rhone wines and made some purchases with you in mind! Why did we have you in mind? Because you like beautiful wines at a stunning price and we enjoy finding them for you! Take advantage of these opportunities to buy the end of the vintage! If it matters, yes, you also get the usual case discounts on these wines! Chaume-Arnaud Vinsobres '05 Regularly $22 Until It's Gone $15.90 Until 1999, this family owned winery sold all their crop to a co-op, which means they didn't make wine at all, just grew grapes. At that time, their daughter & her husband decided they had enough experience to make wine. And we agree! And for their 10th anniversary their winery was certified biodynamic!
This wine is primarily made of Grenache with a blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan with a dollop of Cinsault and aged in large certamic tanks for
at least a year.
To understand the wine, we have to learn the region...Vinsobres is at a higher  altitude and therefore, is a cooler climate. It's rocky and sandy on its hillsides with alluvial soils on its terraces, (think Chateauneuf-du-Pape). It is also protected from the damaging winds thanks to the nearby mountains. They harvest all the grapes by hand, which are then de-stemmed and fermented with natural yeasts.
My tasting notes simply say "pretty". There's a lot more to say, but it generally sums it up. Pair it with your next round of rack of lamb on the grill.
(Did I tell you we also have rack of lamb for sale?
Yup, and at a darn good price too. $19/lb! Let us know if you would like some!) Amouriers Vacqueyras Signature '05 Regularly $24 Until It's Gone $15.90
Amouriers Vacqueyras les Genestes '04
Regularly $30 Until It's Gone $19.90 The family (now in the hands of the 3rd generation) named the Domaine (winery) "Amouriers" as it is the Provencal word for mulberry, referring to the trees growing in the fields of the domaine.
Both wines are made up of about 2/3 Grenache and 1/3 Syrah and are aged in cement tanks for about 18 months.  On the '04, the color is still amazing,
with very little change from age.
The nose is all there, it dwells on earthy black plum & currant flavors that gave way to really enjoyable spice. The wine was approachable and rounded, ready for appetizers or dinner. I am thinking whole slow roasted chicken on the grill and some farm fresh veggies. Tourade Gigondas Font des Aieux '05 Regularly $35 Until It's Gone $24.90
A 4th generation owned winery, this wine is blends 80% Grenache and 10% Syrah and 10% Mouvedre. It was suggested that due to its vintage it's already underpriced and that piqued my interest more. 
My notes say that it's still BIG and bold, but hasn't evolved or plummeted due to age. With big and bold meaty, dark berry flavors, it's definitely more round than the '06 vintage and is really ready to drink without all the crazy decanting. Just open, swirl, sniff and sip! | 
