Ferry Nice Magneau Double

Ferry Nice Magneau Double

Graves vineyards, near Podensac

Came home from the recent holiday in Bordeaux with a stash of wine. Nothing unusual about that! The advice that came it was to leave it rest for about three weeks after its travels. Could have done with three weeks rest myself!

Three weeks without touching the St Emilion and Sauternes could be fairly frustrating, I thought. On the day home though, I spotted (invented?) a solution in the wine shop on the Brittany Ferry Pont Aven. They had a well priced double, a 2011 red and white from Bordeaux’s Chateau Magneau. These are used to traveling, I thought, and so, with that flimsy excuse, the pair were the first to be opened.

I had made the acquaintance of the wines from this Graves chateau in the Maison des Vins de Graves on the outskirts of Podensac and had confidence in its quality. I drank an elder cousin of the rouge but hadn't tasted either of the 2011s. I wouldn't be disappointed! 

On board value, for wines in general, was pretty good too. Can’t find the receipt but the two bottles cost about £17.50 (about 25 euro). If you’re taking the ferry to France this year, keep an eye out for this and similar offers. Staying on dry land? Then, From Vineyards Direct have some interesting Graves here and so too have Curious Wines.

Chateau Magneau Graves rouge 2011

Grape variety here is 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc. It has spent 12 months in oak casks (1/3 new) for 12 months. It has rich aromas with hints of red fruits and it is full-bodied with an elegant mouthfeel. Tannins are well-blended and all in all it is a very pleasant wine indeed, a good complement for all red meats and cheese and likely to be even better in a year or two.

Chateau Magneau Graves blanc 2011

I do like a decent bit of Semillon in my Bordeaux whites and this, a local gold medal winner, has 40%. The other varieties, both traditional in the blend, are Sauvignon (45%) and Muscadelle (15). This, with complex aromas,  was probably the more satisfactory of the pair, well structured, elegant, fruity with a long lasting aftertaste, the perfect mix of full body and intensity.  A lovely aperitif and likely to be a good match with seafood and fish.

Mine is not the only stamp of approval! Magneau wines are produced under the method of cultivation known as Terra Vitis:  " the stamp of French vinegrower-winemakers who respect nature and Man and who craft wines to please the taste buds."

IMPRESSIVE WINE SHOW IN CRAWFORD

FROM VINEYARDS DIRECT


From Vineyards Direct brought a very impressive collection, curated by Stuart Smith, to the Crawford Art Gallery last evening, some minor and major masterpieces among the 30 or so wines up for tasting.

Missed some familiar faces in the crowd: there were two other wine events on in the city, one even in the Crawford Café up the hallway. But nice to see ex garda and author Jim Ryan (on escort duty), Ollie from Glanmire's Cream Café and Miriam from the Cork and Bottle Wine Club.

Some punters were very happy with the Torrebrava Manzanilla but I went for the Brut 1415 Moingeon Blanc de Blanc (€12.95) as my aperitif. This south of France sparkler was top notch and a great way to start a Christmas party.

There were at least two gems among the whites including Domaine de la Motte, Chablis Premier Cru Beauroy 2007 (17.95), a beautiful fresh minerally example of Chardonnay.

Perhaps the best of the New World offerings, of both colours, was the Stanley Estate Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2011 (€15.95), confirming to me once again that this area and neighboring Nelson are the places to go for reliable SB.

Those two whites would fit into the Christmas schedule without any problem as would two good value reds. For quality and value it would be hard to beat the Chateau Bauduc Bordeaux Rouge 2008 (€11.95) and, for two euro extra, the rich and spicy Mas Belle Eaux, les Coteaux, Languedoc 2008.

And for the special occasion, which Christmas is, you might consider splashing out on a top Bordeaux, the luscious and intense Chateau La Commanderie de Mazeyres, Pomerol 2001 (€31.95).

While in you are in the mood, why not try a sweet ending. Maybe not Yquem but Haut Charmes, Sauternes 2009, a good example of the famous dessert wine. A full bottle will cost you €35.95 while a half will set you back €18.95.

Maybe you don’t like them as sweet as that. There was a good alternative there last night, well balanced and warming: Churchills Reserve Port (€17.95).

A very satisfactory tour among the sculptures and drink for thought. For more info on the wines and to order contact From Vineyards Direct here

DUBLIN & CORK CHRISTMAS TASTINGS

FromVineyardsDirect.ie Christmas parties & tastings in Dublin and Cork


Dublin Christmas Tasting & Party
17th November 2011  
Royal Irish Automobile Club,
32 Dawson Street,Dublin 2
6.30-8.30pm  

Cork Christmas Party & Tasting
24th November 2011
Crawford Art Gallery
Emmet Place, Cork
6.30-8.30pm

There is still plenty of time to attend and to tempt you here is the list of wines that will be tasted:
1.    1415 Brut, Crémant De Bourgogne €12.95
2.    La Chapelle Blanc 2009, Cotes de Gascogne| SW France €8.95
3.    Torrebrava Manzanilla Sherry, Bodegas Orleans Borbon €9.95
4.    Château Bauduc Blanc 2009 | Bordeaux €10.50
5.    Stanley Estates Sauv. Blanc, Awatere Valley 2011 | Marlborough €15.95
6.    Soave Classico Pra 2010 | Veneto €12.95
7.    St Véran ‘Merloix’ 2009, Pierre Janny| Burgundy €13.95
8.    Mercurey 2005 , Pierre Olivier | Burgundy €15.95
9.    Chablis 1er Cru ‘Beauroy’, Dom De la Motte 2008| Burgundy €17.95
10. Meursault
11. Primitivo 2004, casa Catelli | €9.95
12. Cotes Du Rhône Villages ’Les Trois Soeurs’, Dom Des Grands Bois 2010 €10.95
13. Altos De Oliva Gran Reserva 2004 | Catalunya  €9.95
14. Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2009, Mark Haisma | Burgundy €17.95
15. Barbera D’Alba’Granera Alta’, Cascina Chicco 2009 | Piedmont €12.95
16. Crozes Hermitage ‘Nouvelere’ 2007, Jaboulet | Rhône €22.50
17. Ronan 2009 | Bordeaux €13.95
18. Virginie-Thunevin 2006 | Bordeaux Supérieur €14.50
19. Pauillac 2006, Pauillac | Bordeaux €23.95
20. Commanderie de Mazeyres 2001, Pomerol | Bordeaux €32.95
21. Château Haut-Charmes, 2009, Sauternes | Bordeaux €34.95
22. Churchill Graham, 10YO Tawny Port | Portugal €24.95
23. Churchill Graham Reserve Port | Portugal €18.95


If you would like to attend any of these tastings please call or email Gareth on gareth@fromvineyardsdirect.ie / 01 845 7645
  www.fromvineyardsdirect.ie

GARDEN OPERA AT BURREN HOUSE

From Vineyards Direct (www.fromvineyardsdirect.ie) are proud sponsors of these events:

“Charity events at Burren House with the London Garden Opera Company”
The events are on two days on 3^rd and 4^th Sept .

All proceeds are going to Marymount Hospice, Cork Simon and Local Schools.

These are the wines that will be available to buy, on 3^rd and 4^th September, at Burren House.  They will be available either by the bottle or by the glass:

Whites:
2009   Chateau Bauduc Blanc, Bordeaux      €15      €5 glass
2009   Saint-Véran “Merloix”, Burgundy        €15      €5 glass

Reds:
2009 Altos De Oliva Garnacha, Catalunya               €10      €4 Glass
2009 Barbera D’Alba: Cascina Chicco ‘Granera Alta’  €15      €5 glass
2007 Chateau Teyssier, St Emilion Grand Cru          €20     €5 glass



For a full programme please visit : the Burren House website website www.burrenhouse.net (Saturday 3^rd September full day, garden Opera and Picnic = tickets €69 Sunday 4^th September 7-9pm = € 35)

All in a good cause! So pass the word on!
For more information on any of these wines please visit: www.fromvineyardsdirect.ie
or phone Stuart, Dave or Gareth at: 01 8457645

FROM TUSCANY WITH LOVE, SPAIN TOO!

Tuscany

It may be summer time but "The Boys" at www.fromvineyardsdirect.ie are always on the lookout and  and they have come up with two mouth watering surprises whilst you wait for the Burren House Wine Tasting list:

I.            A SUPER TOSCAN AT A PRICE DEFYING ALL COMPETITION:

Pietro Catelli’s Casa Catelli / Rosso Di Toscana IGT 2008

The grape varieties used to produce this wine are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese.

Bolgheri, because of its closeness to the sea, has a more temperate microclimate than in the Tuscan hills, meaning that Bordeaux grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot thrive.  From the 60s onwards innovative producers such the Antinori family experimented with these grapes, in this region, and the “Super Tuscans” were born:  red wines that do not adhere to the traditional blending laws.  Today Pietro Catelli follows this modern tradition! 

Casa Catelli / Rosso Di Toscana IGT 2008  

Appelation: IGT Toscana Alcohol: 13.5%

1-2 Cases €143.40 / €11.95 per bottle

3+ Cases €131.40 / €10.95 per bottle

II.           AND THE FRESHEST AND MOST SOPHISTICATED OF ALBARIñOS:

Castro Baroña Albariño / Rias Baixas 2010 

 A fine example of Spain's top white grape variety made by Castro Baroña in the heart of Salnés, probably the best region for producing the extremely fashionable Albariño grapes. Albariño produces some of Spain’s most elegant and expensive whites and this is one of the best we've tasted.  This is a delightfully fresh wine, best drunk over the next couple of years whilst it is young. It pairs beautifully with goats cheese, or, as the Galicians do, with Gambas Pil-Pil and other shellfish. It is also delicious just on its own

Tasting Notes: Pale lemon colour, aromas of peaches and tropical white fruit.  Full, expressive with lush fruit aromas bursting from the glass and nicely balanced acidity. 

1-2 Cases €155.40 / €12.95 per bottle

3+ Cases €150.00 / €12.50 per bottle

EASTER WINES

EASTER WINES


The team at From Vineyards Direct have come up with really attractive offers to bring even more cheers to the Easter Weekend. Orders received prior to 1pm on Wednesday will be delivered prior to 6pm on Thursday, just in time for the weekend.........and don't forget, one can't buy any alcohol on Good Friday !!

 Dominique Geary is happy that  “our selection of five wines will suit all budgets and will  happily marry with traditional  Easter Fare”.

GRAND CRU SPECIAL

GRAND CRU SPECIAL 

Looking for something for a special occasion? Well, here is something From Vineyards Direct  for an occasion that is on the horizon or up to maybe twenty years away.

Chateau Teyssier Saint Emilion Grand Cru 2008 
Double Magnums :  "Abundant quantities of sweet black fruits, a natural, lush texture, ripe tannin, and a heady finish."  (Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate)

With aging potential of up to twenty

WINE BARGAINS - BUT HURRY!

CHECK THESE OUT NOW!   

Just got some sales info in from the folks at From Vineyards Direct , featuring mainly wines from France and Italy. They certainly have some excellent bottles on offer, including the Rocca di Tufo Orvieto Classico 2008.

You rarely go wrong with Burgundy whites and the Spectator Wine Club found nothing at all to complain when summing up the Roger Sauvestre Mercurey 2000: “A rich, deep yellow colour with aromas of passion fruit and butterscotch. Full bodied, viscous and delicious. It can be enjoyed with any rich seafood dish or simply on its own.”

This 100 percent Chardonnay can now be purchased for €13.95 instead of €15.95. But do hurry as there are only a limited number of cases left.  Stuart, Stephen or Dave can be contacted at: 01 845 7645.

WINE	CASES	RRP	OFFER
Roger Sauvestre Mercurey 2000	10	€15.95	€13.95
Domaine Eugenie  Carrion Chablis 2008	4	€14.95	€13.00
Domaine de Valensac Chardonnay 2009	5	€10.95	€10.00
Rocca di Tufo Orvieto Classico 2008	5	€12.95	€11.50
Marco Real Rosado 2007	8	€8.95	€8.00
Chateau Pontet Bagatelle Rubis 2000	3	€12.00	€10.00
Chateau Meaume Rose 2009	1	€9.95	€9.50
Les Mines Tinto 2007	3	€21.95	€20.25
Valpolicella Classico 2007	6	€12.95	€11.00
Chateau Pedesclaux 5th Growth Pauillac 2004	2	€28.95	€26.00
Clos de Portail Graves Superieur	2	€9.95	€7.95