I write this newsletter with an eye on The Weather Channel as Jim Cantore paints a projected path for Irene straight for the coast of North Carolina.   Let's hope Irene takes a slight turn eastward and spares that region the devastation a major hurricane can bring. It's times like these that we can be grateful we're high and dry. Maybe next week the American Red Cross North Carolina relief effort will be the recipient of proceeds of our $5 tasting fee, but for this week again, we'll donate to the Avery County Humane Society, which has a big capital fund drive underway.

            Saturday, the theme is French, and we have a line-up of excellent wines. The star of the show is the 2004 Domaine Coursodon "L'Olivae " ($44.99), a Syrah from the northern Rhône appellation of Saint-Joseph.   Having sampled this wine recently, we can say it is drinking beautifully now. Steve Tanzer 90 points: "Light ruby-red. Pungent floral aromas of fresh rose, magnolia and dried violet. Nicely textured wine, with a sweet, juicy tone to the red berry and tangy mineral flavors. Silky, concentrated and long, with sexy oak spices adding to the impression of sweetness."

            We'll also have the 2009 Château la Barde from the Bordeaux appellation of Côtes de Bourg ($11.99). If you follow Bordeaux vintages, you know that 2009 has been proclaimed the vintage of the decade. Just as was 2000, 2003, 2005 and 2010. But they were really serious about 2009, which was rich and accessible, even for Bordeaux, which is normally closed and harsh early in life. The quality of the vintage was fantastic across all Bordeaux regions, even the lowly appellation of the Côtes de Bourg down the Gironde River from Pomerol. Fortunately, the prices of these right bank wines stayed low, unlike the prices of the prestigious wines from the Medoc and other star appellations. Wines from these satellite regions are enjoyable now, inexpensive and should be snapped up by the case.

            We'll also have the 2010 Domaine de la Janasse Rosé ($15.99), a Côte de Rhône blend of Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Cinsault and Mourvedre. Domaine de la Janasse has quickly become one of the superstar estates of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Led by the dynamic Christophe Sabon, the estate combines the best of both traditional and modern techniques to craft a collection of truly riveting wines from "simple" value-priced VDP's to benchmark Châteauneufs. We're pleased to be able to offer you their rosé offering, one of the best we've tasted from this region. Not surprisingly.

            Finally, we have two delicious wines from Gascony. Some of the greatest and most character-filled wine bargains are emerging from Gascony just south of Bordeaux. First up is the 2010 Moulin de Toulot rouge ($9.99). Moulin de Toulot has crafted a hearty, soulful wine that fuses the wild, rustic Tannat grape with the luscious and refined Merlot. The result is magnificent! Opaque black-plum in the glass, Moulin de Toulot Vin de Pays offers deep aromas of bay leaf, blackberries, vanilla bean and plums. Brisk and invigorating on the palate, the wine's brilliant acidity buoys its full-bodied black fruit core with nuances of tobacco, leather, tar and menthol, adding complexity and character far beyond the wine's modest price tag. Did we say the price is $9.99??

            We also have the 2010 Moulin de Toulot blanc ($9.99. This wine is a blend of the Colombard and Ugni Blanc (the French Trebbiano), a fairly typical blend from Gasconuy, and is light on its feet and elegant with bright melon fruit and plenty of texture. Look for honeydew, apricot, apple and lemon meringue. Really, really good. Did we say only $9.99??