Tonight is....Open Bottle Thursday!

May 29, 2014
4:00 - Close

 

 

 

TOURNON

"MATHILDA"

 

Shiraz

2011

Victoria Australia

 

 No this is not a repeat but the baby brother to the Lady"s Lane Vineyard we did last week. We are very fortunate to be able to offer this highly sought after bottling!

 

 94 Points The Wine Advocate, Robert Parker

 

 This unique Syrah tastes extremely close to Northern Rhône Syrah. The Mathilda is extraordinarily similar to a Crozes-Hermitage or Saint-Joseph! It is the first time I’ve experienced this. Unlike too-heavy Aussie Shiraz, this elegant wine weighs in at only 13% alcohol, a level also close to Rhône Syrah’s – versus 15-16% for many Aussie Shiraz. Like the great Northern Rhônes, the color is on the lighter ruby side, rather than deep purple.

 

The complex nose boasts the expected varietally correct smoke, black pepper, blue and black berry aromas. The palate is full of peppery cherry, cranberry and blueberry fruit as well as hits of bramble. It just keeps opening up with air and time, gaining flesh and weight which leads me to believe the Mathilda will cellar well.

 

“History will record that Michel Chapoutier is a revolutionary. Michel Chapoutier was among the first in France to embrace the radical biodynamic agricultural teachings, for which he was initially criticized, but is now praised. What he has accomplished over the last two decades or more is one of the great wine stories of the modern era.

 

Michel Chapoutier has proven through his genius, the faith of his convictions and backbreaking attention to detail in his vineyards and in the winery, that a once moribund negociant (yet with significant vineyard holdings) could become a beacon of inspiration and quality for the entire world. In short, every wine consumer in the world should admire his accomplishments.” RP

 

The wine is named after Chapoutier’s daughter Mathilde who is identical in name to an Australian icon and the unofficial national anthem of Australia (the ‘Mathilda’ or satchel from the song “Waltzing Mathilda”). A catchy tune but the song, like this wine, is a bit dark and deep in meaning,

read more about Waltzing Mathilda here.

 

 

One sip and you will be carefree as a “Jolly Swagman” and You"ll come a Waltzing Matilda with me…….or whoever is nearby! 

 

 

Technical Data…

Grape variety 100% Shiraz

 Soils are composed of red ferruginous shales covering of clay and podzolic layer

 Harvesting, Grapes are harvested at maturity, avoiding over maturation

 Vinification, grapes are destemmed and then they ferment in concrete or stainless steel tanks. Maceration lasts from 2 to 3 weeks in order to allow the tannins extraction that provides a good ageing potential to the wine.

 Maturing, the wine is entirely aged in concrete or stainless steel tanks and it is bottled 12 months later.

 

 

 Regularly $20.99

Special Sale Price Tonight Only 

$16.00 a bottle 

 

6 or more 

 $14.50

 

Don’t want to miss the sale?

Can’t make it Thursday?

Call us on this one as we were awarded just a few cases, 

or click here

so first come first served

703-668-WINE (9463)

 

 

 

 

About Michel Chapoutier........ 

Michel Chapoutier started his love-affair with wine at 26. A self-taught enthusiast and a curious visionary he brings to the winery a new approach and a powerful ambition. An idea of wine that soon became all-embracing. “Wine-grower, wine-maker and wine lover”. The choices he made marked a break with past principles and prejudices. A question of audacity  and conviction, convictions he shares with his young team. An essential, emblematic choice too: he decided to change   the taste associated with Maison M. Chapoutier, to avoid cultivating “a signature taste”, focusing instead on bringing out the difference and specific features of each terroir.

 

Terroir lover

From his childhood Michel has retained fragrances and smells from the terroirs that fuelled  his inspiration and passion. Scents also brought back from his journeys and encounters, from other countries and  different cultures. This was  a process of initiation, learning to appreciate the full diversity, richness and subtlety of wine. One essential idea emerged, the importance of terroir and its expression in wine. Being true to the earth, which gives its signature flavour to each wine. And ideas lead to   commitment, defending the Appellation Controlee (AoC) system, a key battle.

.

Braille

The expression of an assertive, confident personality, Braille has been present since 1996 on all Michel Chapoutier labels. Far from being anecdotic, this symbol draws its origin from the very history of the Hermitage vineyard. Maurice Monier de La Sizeranne, owner of the plot of the Hermitage, la Sizeranne, is also the inventor of the first version of abbreviated Braille. The trademark pays tribute to this man but also expresses the desire to reach out to and include all people with sight-impairments, lovers of good wines. 

 

The Winery Tournon

Seeking excellence in the land Down Under, in 2009 Michel Chapoutier bought two new vineyards (Shays Flat Estate and Landsborough Valley Estate) in the Victorian Pyrenees to set up the fully owned Domaine Tournon. Michel recognized two unique terroirs that would allow him to make distinctive wines utilizing the Syrah/Shiraz grape that originates in his homeland. A southern extension of the Great Dividing Range, The Pyrenees foothills and ranges create a remarkable diversity of microclimates and soils .

 

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Friday Evening

Terrapin Brewing Co. from Athens, Georgia!  

and

 Margaux & Co.

5:00-8:00 PM

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We have a special guest at The Wine Cabinet THIS FRIDAY from 5-8pm, 

 

Here"s the line-up:?

 

• Terrapin Oaked Big Hoppy Monster
• Terrapin Hopzilla Double IPA
• Terrapin Moonray Chocolate Orange Weizenbock
• Terrapin Mosaic Red Rye IPA
• Terrapin Maggie"s Peach Saison

The Wines!!

 

 Terres de Saint Louis Rose  2013  

 70% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, and 10% Syrah. The soil of Provence is characterized by parcels of wild vines which are between 600 to 1800 feet in elevation.  With the alternation of high  temperatures and cool nights, the grape maturity is longer, and  better preserves the aromas.  Wine is a pale, crystal clear pink. A sweetly elegant nose, with aromas of citrus, red fruits and  apricot. On the palate, it"s dry with a long-lasting and acidic crispness at the end, reminiscent of grapefruit.

  

J Fritsch Grand Cru Schlossberg 2012

 100% Riesling, semi sweet.  The soil is granitic and has southern exposure in Region of Alsace. This wine has a pale yellow color with intense notes of citrus fruit dominated by lime and balanced by an incredible freshness.   On the palate, there is more citrus fruit flavor and minerality.   J. Fritsch uses sustainable practices in vineyard management. The harvest is exclusively handpicked and the harvest dates are decided from grape samplings to ensure the peak of ripeness and the  best quality wines.

  

Chateau Lestrille Entre Deux Mers 2012

Sauvignon Blanc, some Muscadelle, White Bordeaux. Aged in stainless steel vats for 3 months. This is a fresh wine with lovely citrus and white peach flavors, well-balanced.  Best enjoyed in 1 year. The pale yellow color with tints of golden is clear and vibrant. On the nose, a combination of white flower and citrus fruit. Very flattering on the palate, voluptuous, smooth and very fruity.?

  

Domaine Desperrier Moulin a Vent  2009

100% Black Gamay,  Located on a shallow granite terroir in the southern end of Burgundy, made from are old vines with a Southeast exposure. Nose of red berries.  Medium in body.   On the palate, the wine shows generous plumy flavors at the center.  The finish has soft tannin and nice extended bright fruit flavor.

 Hand-picked.  Aged 10 months, 1/3 of the volume in French Oak.

 

 

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