THANKSGIVING

As Thanksgiving approaches, we give abundant thanks for a successful year in these challenging economic times when many business neighbors struggled or failed.  For our success and healthy condition, we are very thankful indeed for our many loyal customers and friends, both in the High Country and far away. 

BEAUJOLAIS

'Tis the season for Beaujolais nouveau, and Erick's has the best - not the wimpy stuff case-stacked in grocery stores that tastes like banana Kool Aid but real adult wine.  Of all we've ever tasted, this is the best by far.

TASTING TODAY THURSDAY 11/18/10

IT IS VERY GOOD!!!!!

2010 Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Beaujolais "Primeur" and 2010 "Cuvée Vieille Vignes" ($16.99 each) are nouveaux in name only.  Both are substantial wines in their own right capable of short-term aging and enjoyment with real adult food. Domaine du Vissoux produces wines that are natural and great.  How's this: Pierre Chermette's yields are so low and the grapes so naturally ripe that he does not chaptalize, or add sugar, as most other Beaujolais producers do   He uses only indigenous yeasts -- no "banana yeast" culture, à la Duboeuf (there, I've said it!).   Then, the wine is bottled with no filtration, and without adding any sulfites.  It is as natural a Beaujolais as one could have had in a café in Lyon in the 40's. 

We also have some of his other (non-nouveau) Beaujolais, which are worth your consideration.

2008 Domaine du Vissoux Vieille Vignes "Traditionalle" ($18.99).  Wine Advocate 89 points:  "Chermette's 2008 Beaujolais Vieilles Vignes Cuvee Traditionelle - vinified, like his other estate wines, without chaptalization or yeasting and with a minimum of added sulfur - is as usual light in body (at 11.5% alcohol) but full of flavor and underlying extract, this year displaying a darker fruit shading than usual. Underlying nut oils, chalk dust, and strong pit fruit notes give the finish a more serious and slightly less exuberant tone than in some years, but make no mistake about this being a wine of class, complexity, and generosity. Enjoy this over the next 2-3 years."

2008 Chermette Beaujolais "Pierre Chermette" ($16.99).  Wine Advocate 88 points:  "The basic bottling (incorporating purchased fruit), 2008 Beaujolais Pierre Chermette could be mistaken for a Pinot Noir given its bright cherry fruit and almond extract high tones; chalky, salty, smoky mineral inflections; and a subtly silken texture that beautifully complements the fresh, slightly piquant edge to its fruit. It is an exuberant wine to drink within a year or two - as always - but one that will change the opinions of Beaujolais among those who taste it for the first time."

Plus, Chermette owns vineyards in several of the prestigious "cru" locations and the wines from these sites are a notch above -

2008 Domaine du Vissoux Beaujolais Brouilly "Pierreux"  ($28.99).  Wine Advocate 90 points:  "There are fascinating mineral nuances and a striking degree of lift in the finish. In its third year now, Chermette's 2008 Brouilly Pierreux brims with cassis and blueberry, underlain by nutty richness and hints of wet stone. Medium-bodied, it nevertheless evinces a good sense of lift and refreshment, tart fruit skin and almost horseradish like pungency lending striking invigoration to the finish. Enjoy this over the next 2-3 years."

Domaine du Vissoux Beaujolais Fleurie "Poncie" ($28.99).  Wine Advocate 91 points:  "The Vissoux 2008 Fleurie Poncie offers palate-staining black fruits and serious grip, with iodine and peat, rose hip and cherry pit; and as usual for this site, salt and stone lending intriguing complexity. The sheer lip-smacking juiciness on display here can draw your attention from its complexity. Cellar it for at least 4-5 years."

SUPER SUPER-TUSCAN

We've also just re-stocked one of the best values in a "Super Tuscan" we've seen - the 2008 Brancaia Tre (Tuscany, $22.99).  Wine Advocate 90 points:  "The 2008 Tre is an attractive mid-weight red laced with dried cherries, dried flowers and spices.... excellent balance in an approachable, mid-weight style. This looks to be an early drinking wine from Brancaia. Tre is 80% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the estate's three wineries, all in Tuscany. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2013."

Erick's got the last two cases in NC