This Week's Tasting.....

Saturday October 10th

WINES:

The Alsatian Wines of Albert Mann

A free tasting with a representative of the winery

SPIRITS:

The Guatemalan Rums of Ron Botran

12pm - 4pm

THE WINES:

Albert Mann Cremant d'Alsace

A Proprietary Blend Dry White Sparkling wine from Wettolsheim,

Haut Rhin, Alsace, France

$21.99 a bottle

eRobertParker.com # 188, Apr 2010

David Schildknecht 90 points

The Barthelme's Cremant d'Alsace incorporates a bit of Pinot Noir in addition to the usual Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois base of their sparkling cuvees. Lightly-toasted wheat, tangerine zest, and fresh apple in the nose lead to a subtly creamy yet vividly fresh-fruited palate with a fine mousse and a finish with a delightful interplay of rich nut oils, fresh apple and citrus, toasted grain, and fruit pit. Add Mann Cremant - if you have not already - to that short list of traditional-method sparklers from around the world genuinely worth seeking out and appreciating as wine, most of which also happen to constitute excellent value.

2009 Domaine Albert Mann Pinot Blanc

$16.99 a bottle

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Nov/Dec 2010

87 points

Straw-yellow. Musky soft citrus fruits, hazelnut and spring flowers on the nose. Fat, supple and slightly sweet, but with good shape to its creamy stone fruit and spice flavors. A persistent, easygoing midweight with modest complexity

2009 Domaine Albert Mann Riesling Cuvee Albert

$23.99 a bottle

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Nov/Dec 10

88 points

Bright light-medium yellow. Aromas of yellow peach, ginger and smoke, with a spicy component building with air. Moderately sweet (9 g/l r.s.) but with a sound, nicely buffered spine of acidity lending support. Shows the fruity side of the variety and finishes off-dry, with good dusty persistence.

2009 Domaine Albert Mann Gewurztraminer

$22.99 a bottle

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Nov/Dec 10

88 points

Pale, green-tinged yellow. Varietally expressive aromas of lichee, smoked meat, brown spices and rose petal. Silky-smooth and sweet, with spice and meat flavors similar to the aromas. An easygoing and open-knit wine of good but not outstanding clarity and intensity, finishing with a light dusting of tannins and alcohol under control.

2008 Domaine Albert Mann Pinot Gris Hengst

$32.99 a bottle

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Nov/Dec 10

92 points

Tangy aromas of orange, butter, toast, honey and macadamia; some evidence of botrytis here. Very sweet and thick but with excellent inner-mouth energy. Finishes smooth, sweet, honeyed and very long. Fatter and sweeter than the Pinot Gris Furstentum, and more open to inspection today. I'm not sure how to serve a wine like this. Marie-Therese Barthelme suggests a carre de veau with mushroom risotto or a supreme de volaille with caramelized mushrooms.

2007 Domaine Albert Mann Riesling Schlossberg Vendanges Tardives

$44.99 a 500ml bottle

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Nov/Dec 08

93 (+?) points

Pale, bright yellow. Highly nuanced nose combines pear, cherry, mirabelle, crushed stone, botanical herbs and peppermint. Like liquid silk on entry, then sappy and sharply focused in the mid-palate, with flavors of crystallized mandarin orange, underripe pineapple and ruby grapefruit all lifted by bright acidity. Finishes very long and pure, with terrific juicy cut. A wonderful example of clean botrytis here: I could drink a wine like this forever.

ABOUT DOMAINE ALBERT MANN:

"The Barthelme brothers, two giants in physical stature, benefit from the ideal micro-climate of Colmar, producing wines that are rich, onctuous, endowed with significant residual sugar but well integrated in concentration as is typical of Hengst and Furstentum." - Le Classement, 1999 Revue du Vin de France

The Barthelme brothers, winemaker Jacky and vitiiculturist Maurice, have now attained the recognition they deserve. Rated by The Wine Advocate Robert Parker in the top tier of Alsace producers, and One Star Rating in The Classement by Revue du Vin de France. From the Pinot Auxerrois, through all their expressive Grand Crus, to their rich, Selection Grains Noble, they portray their unique style consistently; beautiful delineation of flavors and precise textures, never heavy, clumsy or out of balance.

A bit of history. Maurice Barthelme married Albert Mann's daughter, Marie-Claire, and gradually took over the domaine. He brought his brother Jacky into the operation In 1990. From Mann, there were Grand Cru Vineyards, Hengst, Steingrubler, Pfersigberg (for Tokay VV) and the wonderful Rosenberg Vineyard. From their mother (a member of the Blanck Family of Kaysersberg) they inherited the Schlossberg and Furstentum Vineyards (as well as the Altenbourg, adjoining the Furstentum).

Beginning in 1993, the Barthelme's started a string of dazzling successes. The 1998's continue this tradition, adding the character of the 1998 vintage to the Barthelme style: even more brilliant delineation from a more challenging, but in turn, rewarding "vintage of the vigneron."

SAVE THE DATE FOR THESE UPCOMING TASTINGS!

Wednesday, October 5th

A Free Tasting - 6-8PM

Domaine Servin Chablis Tasting

Friday, October 7th

A Free Tasting - 5-8PM

Zafra Rum

Saturday, October 8th

A free tasting - 12-4PM

Hahn Family Wines

St-Germaine Elderflower Liquor

Thursday, October 13th

A free tasting - 6-8PM

Compass Box Scotch Whiskey

Saturday, October 15th

A free tasting - 12-4PM

New Releases from Itally

Ron Atlantico Rum

Giangrandi Olive Oils

Thursday, October 27th

6-8PM

A free tasting

Walk - around Rum Tasting