Wine & Words

 
Founded in Gironde sur Dropt in 1897 by Aristide Mau, the Yvon Mau (EE-von MOE) wine-trading company has joined the very select club of companies that are over one hundred years old. At the beginning of the 20th century, Yvon, the son of the founder, used to make his way around the Entre-Deux-Mers region perched on his bicycle in search of new wines. Thus was born the “Bordeaux discoverer,” the logo you see above. Notice that these people are not grape-growers or winemakers. They’re not even what the French call nègociants, who buy grapes and wine that they put out under their own name. These “Bordeaux discoverers” are true brokers. They find wine from Chateaux all over Bordeaux and put together the export and distribution deals.

     In 2001 Yvon Mau merged with the Freixenet Group in Catalonia, Spain. Freixenet is the largest sparkling Cava producer in the world. Together the group is now the 9th largest wine purveyor in the world.

We access the Yvon Mau list through our local North Carolina distributors, Tryon. This is now the second year that they have brought us the opportunity to participate in a “pre-sale” of these great Bordeaux wines. We tasted and ordered these wines late last winter for delivery now. That method of pre-selling allows the Yvon Mau people to know just how much wine to bring into the U.S. This saves them (and us) on distribution costs. Because that savings is already built into the the pre-sale price, we won’t be doing our usual Featured wines discount on these. But I think you’ll agree that the prices are very good for top quality French wines. We’ll be offering some samples, but you should act now. There’s no re-ordering on this kind of deal, so when they’re gone, there won’t be any more until next year.
Below is a brief description of each of the wines that are coming in. I hope it piques your interest and you’ll come by and get in on the fun.
 

Chateau Coustaut La Grangeotte Blanc 2010 (Bordeaux Sauvignon) $12.85
Most white Bordeaux wines are a combination of Sauvignon Blanc with Semillon. This one doesn’t need to be blended. It is 100% Sauvignon Blanc and goes down with a crisp, dry mineral note that will make it pair very well with oysters and crab.
Seigneurs de Bergerac Rosé 2010 (Bergerac) $10.95
This dry rosé is a blend of 50% Merlot/ 40% Cabernet Sauvignon/ 10% Cabernet Franc. Bergerac is not actually in the Bordeauz region, but it is right next store. Here we have the classic grapes of Bordeaux red wine, made in a lighter style. This one will go fast. If you don’t buy it, Mary and I will definitely drink it.

Tasting notes on bottle: “This light, fresh Rosé from the heart of Bergerac has a charming mix of strawberry and spice in the nose. It is well balanced and fruity on the palate, and has the good acidity that leads to a crisp, clean finish. This will be a great spring and summertime pleasure, with light cuisine, or by itself.”

Chateau Laurensanne 2008 (Côtes de Bourg)  $12.85
Côtes de Bourg is in the northern part of Bordeaux, along the right bank of the Gironde River. The first wine grapes were planted there by the Romans. The area is known particularly for the Merlot that gives the wines of the area a good dose of ready-to-drink fruit. This is a 50/50 Cab/Merlot blend, and our tasting note said, “soft & delicious.” The  wine will pair very well with lighter summertime fare...and it will be gone long before the summer fades. So get some now.

Château la Croix Blanche 2009 (Montagne St. Èmilion) $19.25
Bordeaux mapWe’ve always liked the Bordeaux from the Right Bank of the Gironde River (St. Èmilion, Pomerol, Fronsac). The wines are predominantly Merlot and thus are drinkable earlier than their Left Bank cousins. The region of Montagne St. Èmilion is between the river bank St. Èmilion Grand Crus and the higher Lussac-St. Èmilion. 2009 has been designated “a spectacular vintage” for Bordeaux wines. Most of them have a price tag to go with that designation. Here we’ve got textbook 2009 Bordeaux at an amazing price.
Claude Guimberteau's family have run Château La Croix Blanche for five generations. Their 50-year-old Merlot and Cabernet Franc vines have never yielded such concentrated grapes and Claude has never made such a powerful yet perfectly balanced example of what the Brits call “claret.” This is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. It’s got a deep richness with lots of fruit and the structure to hold up to bold flavored foods.
 
 
Chateau du Perier 2008 (Médoc) $22.85
Médoc is the most northerly Bordeaux region on the Left Bank of the Gironde. Médoc comes from the Latin in medio aquæ, which means "in the middle of the water". That’s because it’s on the tip of a peninsula,Medoc map with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Gironde river on the other. This gives it a gentle and temperate climate. The soils are terraces of alluvial gravel deposits separated by tiny streams that form an excellent natural draining system. These light soils are very appropriate for growing Cabernet Sauvignon, which is thought to originate from this region. Merlot, on the other hand, prefers the deep clay soils located between the gravely terraces. This wine is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot. It is a very good respresentative of the Bordeaux style at an extremely good price. Mary’s comment at the tasting was that the wine has everything “from nose to finish.”
Chateau LaFaurie 2007 (St. Croix du Mont) $16.50
We finish with a dessert wine made, like the great wines of Sauternes and Barsac, of a blend of Semillon (80%) and Sauvignon Blanc (20%). This one is also made sweet in the classic French way of letting the vines get the botrytis mold or “noble rot” as the French call it. This furry fungus intensifies the flavors of the grapes (flavors of raisin, fig, acacia, honeysuckle, pineapple, apricot and peach). Sainte Croix du Mont has limestone soils above a layer of fossilized oyster beds, a terroir that gives the wine its particular style. The wines of Sainte Croix du Mont are not as full-bodied and intense as the best Sauternes and Barsacs but are fresher, more airy and livelier. They are powerful, complex and intense with a long finish. l. This is a natural for people who always like a little sweetness with their wine. But it will also be a revelation if you think you don’t like sweet wine at all. A well-made, chilled white dessert wine like this one makes a wonderful end to a dinner party (where you’ve served the big reds with the main course). Come by and give it a try.