Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Best Vintage of Gourgonnier, 2010

 
We have been drinking this wine for 15+ years and we have to say the 2010 vintage, now in stock, is one of the best. There is a balance and appeal with this vintage that will drive you to want more.

2010 Mas de Gourgonnier Les Baux de Provence Rouge
Organic fruit. A saturated black ruby in the glass. Aromas suggest Provencal lavender, thyme and rosemary, with plums and black raspberries enlivened with a pinch of white pepper. The mouth delivers spiced cherries and plums, with hints of ginger and bass notes of dark chocolate. Deliciously complex. A Provencal style blend of Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Carignan; all tank made.
Our price: $19.99

Try a bottle for yourself and imagine you are here:


Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Rosso Wine Shop Testimonials

There are many reasons to support a local business.

It has been said that spending your hard-earned money in your own neighborhood guarantees at least 70% of that money stays in the neighborhood. And it supports things like the actual people that live in your community, rather than stockholders at a large company in some other place.

But maybe one of the best reasons to shop at a local business is that you become part of a community. And in that community, you get special treatment. You develop a relationship with that business. And in turn, you can be part something that is self-sustaining.

Read what some our favorite customers have said about Rosso Wine Shop.

“Since shopping at Rosso our ratio of successful wine picks has gone up dramatically.”

“Who needs a spiritual advisor when we have Jeff to be our wine advisor?”

“Rosso has become the social center of the neighborhood.”

“Rosso is the perfect the kind of neighborhood wine store.”

“My favorite wine store.”

“Great People. Great Wine Selection. Great Air Conditioning. Perfect Location.”

“I can’t think of a better way to end my week than at the Rosso wine bar and stocking up.”

“We fully support letting some other customers become as addicted to Rosso as we are!”

Rosso Wine Shop
3459 1/2 N Verdugo Road
Glendale, CA 91208
Ph: (818) 330-9130

Monday, July 2, 2012

Echezeaux at Drago Centro in Downtown

First, the food and service are excellent at Drago Centro (downtown L.A.). Spencer Cruse, their "newish" Wine Director, is great.

Much thanks to the Burgundy group that made this dinner possible and a special thanks to Michael for arranging, per usual, the superb flight and tasting menu. I look forward to the next one.

All the wines showed well overall. The first red flight to the second red flight were a major step up in quality, in my opinion. And not having tasted the Rouget wines before, I must say, I was impressed. Great class, balance and density with impeccable texture.

First flight, the Champagne warm-up with passed apps
1996 R.L. Legras Saint-Vincent
Excellent blanc de blanc, vibrant, tight, minerals, citrus, airy and fresh, excellent brightness and brisk feel, my preferred style.
1996 Henriot Cuvee des Enchanteleurs
Smooth, lemon vibilia, biscotti, toast, with nice bright fruit, some butterscotch, round body, plump but refined. Lush.

-Passed apps-
Swordfish, pistachio pesto
Caprese salad "pinwheels"
Veal sweet breads, caperberry gremolata

The White flight paired with the first course
1996 Domaine Leflaive Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Pucelles
A little sulfurous in the nose, great racey acidity, bright lemon, lime, chalk, slight caramel but very lively, still vibrant and nuanced. Good concentration and precision. My preferred wine.
1996 Domaine Caillot Batard Montrachet
Feels much more aged (but not pre-mox) creme caramel with a slight Madeira-like hint (in a good way), citrus fruit, restrained and opulent at the same time, young olives, dark color, opens more with time.

-1st course-
poached lobster salad, fava beans, fennel, holland white asparagus

The First Red flight paired with the second course
1999 Mugneret Gibourg Echezeaux
Tobacco, olive oil, mint, a little skunk (in a good way), medium weight, cherry fruit, great depth. Silky.
1995 Mongeard Mugneret Grand Echezeaux
A step up in quality from the others. Brighter fruit. Grapefruit, pomegranate, dark cherry fruits, roasted intensity but well balanced, currants, long finish. Excellent wine.
2001 Mongeard Mugneret Echezeaux
Shows some oak, bark notes, earth, bright cherry, excellent texture, some tannins but silky, lively, medium-to-light weight, great feel, developing spice, fresh.

-2nd course-
Seared foie gras, wild mushroom spaghetti

The Second Red flight paired with the third course
1996 Domaine Emmanuel Rouget Echezeaux
The home run wine for me. Loads of class. Silky texture. Classic. Expressive notes of red and black fruits. Detailed. Intense. Deeply impressive. Good acidity. Fresh and vinous. Rich. Plenty of upside.
1999 Domaine Emmanuel Rouget Echezeaux
Still a bit primary in a way. Some Asian spice, cinnamon and toast (but refined), good density. Pure red fruits. Full and brooding. Has many years ahead of it.
2000 Domaine Emmanuel Rouget Echezeaux
A little simpler in a way, nice to drink, excellent fruit, pure brightness, silken texture, good cherry and red fruits, complex aromas of earth and dark fruit.

-3rd course-
Duck breast, lentils, sunchoke puree, garlic scapes

Bonus wine
2004 Fevre Chablis Bougros Grand Cru Cote de Bouguerots
Young but lively. Great acidity. Perfect foil for the cheese course. Lemon, lime, citrus dense, lively, bracing fruit, full texture. Classic clean finish.

-4th course-
Il boschetto cheese, truffle honey, crostini

My favorite reds were 1995 Mongeard Mugneret Grand Echezeaux and the 1996 Domaine Emmanuel Rouget Echezeaux, with the '96 getting the top nod.

A great night.