French Wine Gift - Unique Wines from Independent French Growers

Wine of the Month: December 2004

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The descriptions found below are the ones our members will find with their monthly shipment of two bottles of fine wine from the French Wine Club.

Red: Cossart de Margaux 1999

The Margaux commune is part of Medoc, one of the most famous Bordeaux wine production areas. Over the past 20 years, the Regis Bernaleau family has added to their property by purchasing parcels of vineyards from other small growers in the region of Arsac. The name Cossart comes from a Roman word meaning small estate or house. This is an extremely limited production: only 500 cases produced.

The grape variety is 5% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc, 55% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is aged in oak barrels for 12 to 16 months, with renewal of 1/3 of the barrels annually. Cossart has an intense deep garnet color. The palate is extremely interesting, with notes of sage, flint licorice, and black cherries. It is full bodied, with dense fruit and silky tannin structure. It is great upon opening, but within several minutes of breathing, it will bloom.

This wine is luscious with lamb, and also a great match for grilled meats. Aging potential: 10 to 15 years.

To order, click here: Bottle ($14.75), Case ($141.60 - 20% off!).

White: Clos des Verdots Bergerac 2003

The Bergerac region is located East of Bordeaux along the Dordogne river. The amalgamation of geographical and climatic factors which make up the local "terroir" of Bergerac's wines are those of a great and long-established wine producing region. During the English occupation (1152 to 1453), local wine makers were exempt from taxes on wine in order to facilitate wine exports to England. Henry II of England was happy to hand out passes to ensure his private supply of barrels of Bergerac wine.

David Fourtout, the passionate winemaker and owner of the Clos des Verdots vineyards, unearthed a natural spring ("Les Verdots") which is now visible from his barrel room. This snappy, citrusy, dry white wine is a refreshingly aromatic blend of 75% Semillon, 10%Sauvignon Blanc, and 15% Muscadelle.

To be enjoyed now through 2006.

To order, click here: Bottle ($14.75), Case ($141.60 - 20% off!).

Previous 12 Wine of the Month Selections:

November 2004:
Red: Pelican 2003
White: Ballade en Straminer 2002

October 2004:
Red: Réserve Grand Veneur, Côtes du Rhône 2003
White: Domaine Trois Frères, Chardonnay 2002

September 2004:
Red: Merlot d’Hauterive 2002
White: Domaine des Cassagnoles, Cuvée Gros Manseng 2003

August 2004:
Red: Domaine du Sacré-Coeur, St-Chinian 2000
White: Domaine de la Bachellery, Vin de Pays d'Oc 2003

July 2004:
Red: Shiraz 2002 Laurent Miquel Nord-Sud
White: Viognier 2003 Laurent Miquel Nord-Sud

June 2004:
Red: Clos de L'Escandil 1999, Minervois La Livinière
White: Domaine Lalanne 2002, Vin de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne

May 2004:
Red: Les Domaines Paul Mas “Vignes de Nicole” - Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah 2001
White: Les Domaines Paul Mas “Vignes de Nicole” - Chardonnay-Viognier 2002

April 2004:
Red: Cuvée de Pena 2001
White: Vin de Pays de l'Aude: La Noble

March 2004:
Red: Côte Chalonnaise 1999
White: Domaine Schlumberger, Pinot Blanc 2002

February 2004:
Red: Château la Bastide, Cabardes, 1999
White: Domaine de Rieux 2002

January 2004:
Red: Julienas 2001
White: Domaine de Molines 1999, Vin de Pays du Gard

December 2003:
Red: Château Castegens, Côtes de Castillon 1998
White: Domaine de Molines 1999, Vin de Pays du Gard

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