Authentique Vin Bordeaux Tasting
Friday, March 3rd
5:30 - 7:00
This Friday we are excited to feature a selection of wines from one of our favorite importers - Authentique Vin. Based in Carrboro, Authentique Vin is owned and operated by Thomas Meunier, who is as charming as he is knowledgable, and he brings us wines of character and terroir from small family estates.
In Thomas' words:
""Authenticity", a simple and humble word that sums up my conception of wine and life because, to me, both are so closely linked. As sales manager at a winery in the Loire Valley for 6 years, I had the chance to live in the heart of a family that has made wine for four generations. Thanks to them, I realized that behind a wine and our sometimes subjective, personal appreciation there underlies a family tradition, the force of the experience, the expression of a single personality that makes each wine different with its quality and defaults. In the end, all this makes it unique... I have kept this understanding first while building my selection; finding true winegrowers that make no concessions, with distinctive personalities that are reflected in their wine. Authentic people that make authentic wine in a sustainable way which reveal the identity of a soil, a grape and a climate- the notion of Terroir."
We will be joined tonight by one of the best winemakers in the portfolio - Lionel Latorse of Bordeaux, whose wines are an exceptional deal when you look at the quality to price ratio. We will taste four of Lionel's tremendous wines, one Blanc and three Rouge, really giving a great look at the wines he cultivates.
Château Gabaron Sauvignon Blanc
Bordeaux, France, 2014
Château Gabaron Cabernet Sauvignon
Bordeaux, France, 2014
Château L'Ombrière
Bordeaux Supérieur, France, 2014
Clos Saint-Vincent 'Signature'
Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France, 2011
In Thomas' words:
""Authenticity", a simple and humble word that sums up my conception of wine and life because, to me, both are so closely linked. As sales manager at a winery in the Loire Valley for 6 years, I had the chance to live in the heart of a family that has made wine for four generations. Thanks to them, I realized that behind a wine and our sometimes subjective, personal appreciation there underlies a family tradition, the force of the experience, the expression of a single personality that makes each wine different with its quality and defaults. In the end, all this makes it unique... I have kept this understanding first while building my selection; finding true winegrowers that make no concessions, with distinctive personalities that are reflected in their wine. Authentic people that make authentic wine in a sustainable way which reveal the identity of a soil, a grape and a climate- the notion of Terroir."
We will be joined tonight by one of the best winemakers in the portfolio - Lionel Latorse of Bordeaux, whose wines are an exceptional deal when you look at the quality to price ratio. We will taste four of Lionel's tremendous wines, one Blanc and three Rouge, really giving a great look at the wines he cultivates.
Château Gabaron Sauvignon Blanc
Bordeaux, France, 2014
Château Gabaron Cabernet Sauvignon
Bordeaux, France, 2014
Château L'Ombrière
Bordeaux Supérieur, France, 2014
Clos Saint-Vincent 'Signature'
Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France, 2011
Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting
Saturday, March 4th
4:30 - 7:00
We recently focused our attention for our weekly tasting on Merlot, and it seemed only fair to make sure that we took a good hard look at Merlot's big 'sibling' if you will, the king of reds - Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Sauvignon is probably the most famous red wine grape variety on Earth. It is rivaled in this regard only by its Bordeaux stablemate Merlot, and its opposite number in Burgundy, Pinot Noir. From its origins in Bordeaux, Cabernet has successfully spread to almost every winegrowing country in the world. It is now the key grape variety in many first-rate New World wine regions, such as California, Chile and Australia. Wherever they come from, Cabernet Sauvignon wines always seem to demonstrate a handful of common character traits: deep color, good tannin structure, moderate acidity and aromas of blackcurrant, tomato leaf, dark spices and cedarwood. DNA profiling carried out in California in 1997 confirmed that Cabernet Sauvignon is the product of a natural genetic crossing between key Bordeaux grape varieties Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. Most wine experts agree tat this corssing happened only within the past few centuries, making the variety's global fame and dominance all the more impressive! Since it is one of the parent grapes, and since we want to be sure our white wine customers have at least one option to taste, we will include one Sauvignon Blanc into the selections on Saturday to taste. For Cabernet Sauvignon itself, we will sample four examples from four different areas around the globe - Argentina, France, Chile and Napa Valley. We hope to see you there!
Peju Sauvignon Blanc
Napa Valley, California, 2014
Gérard Bertrand 'Réserve Spéciale' Cabernet Sauvignon
Pays d'Oc IGP, France, 2015
Bodega Septima Cabernet Sauvignon
Mendoza, Argentina, 2013
Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon
Colchagua Valley, Chile, 2013
Edge Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California, 2013
Peju Sauvignon Blanc
Napa Valley, California, 2014
Gérard Bertrand 'Réserve Spéciale' Cabernet Sauvignon
Pays d'Oc IGP, France, 2015
Bodega Septima Cabernet Sauvignon
Mendoza, Argentina, 2013
Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon
Colchagua Valley, Chile, 2013
Edge Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California, 2013