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750ml - Case of 12
Bottle:
$28.36
Perfumed black cherry and raspberry aromas mingle with darker scents of leather, wild herbs, and smokiness....
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle:
$24.40
Perfumed black cherry and raspberry aromas mingle with darker scents of leather, wild herbs, and smokiness....
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle:
$25.28
Cherry red color with violet reflections. The bouquet is rich and complex, with aromas of red fruit, blackberry,...
750ml
Bottle:
$21.93
$22.80
12 bottles:
$21.49
A bit reductive for now, hopefully to be addressed during élevage. Lifted, flinty fruit give a tight and upright...
750ml
Bottle:
$34.94
12 bottles:
$34.24
If you find it hard to imagine how Southern Rhone wines can smell of Mediterranean herbs then you need to try this...
750ml
Bottle:
$44.94
$46.39
12 bottles:
$44.04
Charming and deliciously drinkable now; so focused and precise. Does it have the depth to age? Time will tell....
750ml
Bottle:
$24.00
12 bottles:
$23.52
Bright red, some blue and black highlights. Aromas of blackberry, “garrigue”, rosemary, and hints of violet. On...
750ml
Bottle:
$22.20
12 bottles:
$21.76
Impressive nose of dried Mediterranean herbs, savory and old balsamic vinegar. Generous and moderate in acidity for...
750ml
Bottle:
$39.90
$42.79
(92-94) A 50-50 blend of Grenache and Syrah, the 2017 Vacqueyras le Clos offers up peppery, spicy aromas, plenty of...
Pre-Arrival
Chateau Des Tours Vacqueyras 2009
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle:
$296.95
(80% grenache and 20% syrah): Deep ruby. Extremely primary, pungent aromas of dark berry skin, cherry, licorice and...
Pre-Arrival
Chateau Des Tours Vacqueyras 2010
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle:
$300.58
Bright red. Heady aromas of candied red fruits, cherry pit and anise, with a suave floral note emerging with...
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle:
$40.36
Bright raspberry and redcurrant characters. A bit more fruit and generosity than this producer's Azalais, but the...
Mavrodaphne Red Rhone Blend France Rhone Valley Vacqueyras
In the Archaea region, high in the Northern Peloponnese mountains, the predominant grape varietal grown is the prized Mavrodaphne. Meaning 'Black Laurel', the Mavrodaphne grapes have extremely dark skins, and ripen slowly under the Greek sunshine, helped by the mineral rich soils the vines thrive in. This grape varietal is mostly used to produce the opaque, inky fortified wine of the same name, which is popular all over Greece and elsewhere in the world. This fortified wine allows the grapes to really show off their complex and fascinating flavors, which range from a rich marzipan to flavors of bitter chocolate, sweet coffee, dried figs and prunes, as well as plenty of jammy fruit notes.
Mavrodaphne is produced in a traditional method which involves leaving the grape juice exposed to the sun in large vats, before having its fermentation halted by the addition of various distillates taken from previous successful vintages. This mixture contains plenty of residual sugar, which gives the end result its characteristic sticky sweetness, and also helps with the next fermentation process, which typically takes place in large underground cellars. The final product is a heady drink, absolutely bursting with unusual, rich and sweet flavors and carried in a dark and slightly viscous Port-like liquid.
Mavrodaphne grapes are also used for the production of still red wines, but are generally blended with varietals such as Agiorgitiko or imported grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon. Mavrodaphne grapes are excellent for mellowing more acidic varieties, and producing deliciously rounded wines, which have taken the international market by storm in recent decades.
Additional Information on Greek Wines
Greek Wines
Ancient Greek Wines – A Brief History of Wine in Greece
The Myth of Dionysus, Greek God of Wine
What is Retsina?
Year in, year out, France enjoys its prestigious reputation as the producer of the finest wines in the world. With a wine making history which spans several thousand years and owes its expertise to the Romans, it comes as little surprise that this most highly esteemed of the Old World wine countries continues to impress and enchant both novices and experts to this day. Despite the rise in quality of wines from neighboring European countries, not to mention the New World, the French wine industry continues to boom, with up to eight billion bottles being produced in recent years. However, France prides itself on always putting quality before quantity, and the wide range in fine produce is a testament to the dedication and knowledge of the wineries across the country. Indeed, from rich and complex reds to light and aromatic white wines, French wines are as varied and interesting as they are enjoyable to drink, making this country a firm favorite for wine lovers across the globe.
The Rhone Valley of southern France is a particularly fascinating wine region, with a history that stretches back to at least six hundred BCE, when the ancient Greeks first began cultivating vines there. The region itself is split into two distinct sub-regions, with the northern sub-region being famed for its production of exceptional Syrah, Marsanne, Roussane and Viognier wines, packed full of interesting character and expressing the terroir found there. The southern sub-region is home to an enormous variety of grapes, and produces red, white and rosé wines, and some of the world's most famous and adored blended wines. The continental climate of the region is ideal for growing grapes, and the winds which blow from the Central Massif help temper the heat in the vineyards, leading to very ripe fruits holding plenty of flavor.