French Wine Gift - Unique Wines from Independent French Growers

Wine of the Month: July 2004

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

Red: Shiraz 2002 Laurent Miquel Nord-Sud

Shiraz is an alternate name used in Australia for the Syrah grape variety. Surprisingly enough, it made its way to France! Laurent Miquel produces his signature Syrah from mature, naturally low yield vines at his family estate high in the hills of the Languedoc, South of France. This limited edition wine is produced from selected blocks planted with the optimum North-South orientation where the grapes are exposed to the gentle warmth of the morning and evening rays, but remain protected from the harsh burning impact of the midday sun.

The 2002 vintage was unusual, with inclement weather forcing harvest to a be stopped in mid-September. Luckily, the dry northern winds that followed ensured that the harvest consisted of fruits with optimum maturity and impeccable balance. This resulted in wines with elegance and restraint coupled with fresh varietal character. Aged in new French oak barrels, this Syrah is full-bodied yet elegant, with a dark purple robe, black cherry, cappuccino and thyme flavors on the palate, and a peppery note on the generous finish. This Syrah 2002 will age 5 to 7 years in the right conditions.

To order, click here: Bottle ($14.75), Case ($141.60).

White: Viognier 2003 Laurent Miquel Nord-Sud

Laurent Miquel specializes in the production of opulent Viognier wines on his family estate in the Languedoc, South of France. This limited edition wine is produced from selected blocks planted with the optimum North-South orientation, which means that the grapes are exposed to the gentle warmth of the morning and the evening rays, but remain protected from the harsh burning impact of the midday sun.

The 2003 vintage faced very high temperatures for six weeks, as late as the end of August. In general, these whites were harvested one week earlier than usual. Both factors resulted in wines with huge aromatics and ripe, well-developed varietal character. Partially fermented in French oak barrels, this Viognier has a heady fragrance of honeysuckle and delicate flavors of apricot and pear.

To order, click here: Bottle ($14.75), Case ($141.60).

Previous Wine of the Month Selections:

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

November 2003:
Red: Moulin d'Eole Costières de Nîmes 2001 (Languedoc-Roussillon)
White: Vouvray 1999, Domaine du Clos de l’Epinay, Cuvée Marcus (Loire Valley)

October 2003:
Red: Domaine du Vieux Chêne, Cuvée des Capucines, Côtes du Rhone 2001
White: Ile La Forge, Viognier 2002, Languedoc-Roussillon

September 2003:
Red: Château Reysson 1998, Cru Bourgeois Haut-Médoc
White: Château les Tuileries 2002

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