A "Shockingly Good" White (90 points) and a
Delicious Red (91 points) for Under $15
Michel Gassier Cercius Côtes du Rhône-Villages Rouge 2009 and Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2009
(Southern Rhône, France)
On the southern edge of the Rhône Valley near the ancient city of Nimes the legendary mistral winds of Provence sweep over the vines and out to the Mediterranean Sea. The Latin name for these north-northwest winds is CERCIUS – the defining feature for partners Michel Gassier, oenologist Philippe Cambie, and importer Eric Solomon who just launched these two new wines.
Gassier Vineyards |
Both of these wines are naked -- i.e., not masked by oak or other cosmetic refineries.
Just pure expression of fruit.
The wines are so good pouring them for friends will make you seem like a wine professional even if you hardly know anything about wine. Plus, if you purchase either of them in a mixed case of wine you can own them for just $11.99/bottle!
Michel Gassier Cercius Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2009
(Southern Rhone, France)
This new white wine is most unusual. We've never seen a blend quite like this one, and certainly not one emerging from the Southern Rhône. This gutsy white wine combines the richness and fullness of Grenache Blanc with a smaller amount of the aromatic and crisp Sauvignon Blanc. It is unoaked, which allows the freshness of the wine to soar.
"The SHOCKINGLY GOOD white wines include the 2009 Cercius Blanc, a blend of 70% Grenache Blanc and 30% Sauvignon Blanc, all aged in concrete prior to bottling. Light straw-colored with a greenish hue, it exhibits attractive freshness along with plenty of melony fruit intermixed with honeyed citrus, white currants, and flowers.
Medium-bodied and long, with some underlying minerality intertwined with its delightful fruit character, it should provide plenty of pleasure over the next 12-18 months." (Wine Advocate)
Wine Advocate: 90 points
$14.99/bottle or just $11.99/bottle in a mixed case of wine.
Michel Gassier Cercius Visan Côtes du Rhône-Villages 2009
(Southern Rhone, France)
This is a step up in the appellation system (or AOC) from your basic Côtes du Rhône and to be honest a 91 point Côtes du Rhône-Villages for under $15 is not all that easy to find. Even more difficult is finding one which is balanced from the challenging and hot 2009 vintage which produced a lot of overly alcoholic wines.
So, what does Cercius have in store for you?
Ripe berries and milk chocolate in the glass.
"The 2009 Cercius red, a Visan Côtes du Rhônes-Villages, is composed of 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah. It represents a naked expression of Côtes du Rhône as it is aged completely in concrete prior to bottling. This medium to full-bodied wine possesses a deep ruby/purple color in addition to copious black currant and black cherry fruit interwoven with graphite, crushed rocks, and spice, excellent fruit intensity, a full-bodied mouthfeel, good acidity, and light tannins. It should drink nicely for 3-4 years." (Wine Advocate)
Wine Advocate: 91 points
$14.99/bottle or just $11.99/bottle in a mixed case of wine.
Both of these wines are excellent for their humble price, and the two together make an excellent gift.
P.S. Oyster lovers rejoice! We have a new white wine which is an oyster pairing made in heaven. Tintero Grangia from Piemonte, Italy is a very dry white wine in the frizzante style (slightly sparkling). Clean and clear, with tiny bubbles, this may be one of the most delicious and unusual wines you will ever taste with oysters. At $9.99/bottle or just $7.99/bottle in a mixed case of wine, this may be one of the best values to emerge from importer Kermit Lynch.
P.P.S. Why tolerate disappointing and inferior wines sold by people who don't know their Brunello di Montalcino from their Vino Nobile di Montepulciano? Let us take the guess work out of wine buying. Whether you're looking for one good bottle or you want to fill the wine cellar of your dreams, our professionally certified wine buyers are here to help!
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