Taste the wines of Philippe Cambie

The Wines of Philippe Cambie
Saturday March 31st, 2012
11am -8pm

Featuring:
2009 Halos de Jupiter Cotes du Rhone
2010 Puech Haut "Prestige"
2009 Philippe Cambie "Calendal"
2009 Capcanes "Mas Donis"
2008 Capcanes "Costers del Gravet"
2010 Domaine La Garrigue "Cuvee Romaine"
2004 Bodegas Mas Alta "Artigas"
2009 Clos St. Jean "Vieilles Vignes"

There are lots of smart people working in the wine industry who operate far under the radar. One such is Rick Jones, a long time California wine consultant (though his reach has spread to many other countries at times) but you haven’t heard of him. That’s okay. This column isn’t even about Rick; it’s just an example of how winemakers and winegrowers are constantly seeking out new ideas and skilled practitioners to improve their products, grapes or wine. Some of the most important of these consultants rarely receive the acclaim they are due, though most of this ilk I have met insist that they are simply consultants and that they deserve nothing in the way of notoriety. Simply put, they have ideas and experiences that may help others to make better wines; in this, they often see themselves as supporting players. But winemaking is an inherently collaborative process. While no one person deserves the entire credit (or blame) for any wine, certain individuals’ ideas have sometimes influenced an entire generation (say, Emile Peynaud or Robert Parker) or entire region – that would be Philippe Cambie in the southern Rhone.

Cambie hails from outside the region (Herault in the old Midi; close by but a world away in French wine industry terms) but he has had increasing impact upon the Grenache based wines of the Rhone Valley since his arrival in the area in 1998. And while the two influential folks mentioned above have had a much wider reach in their influence, there has been a common complaint applied by some to the impact of their ideas: that wines too much taste the same these days because of the ideas these two gentlemen promulgated.

I don’t think anyone would accuse Cambie of this sinister crime, if it is indeed a crime. The best wines of the southern Rhone seem more and more different under his influence. At the least it could be stated that the styles of the many wines he has assisted have remained distinctive even as they have improved over the last decade or so. That’s the sort of statement that any winemaker or consultant would, I think, feel great pride in hearing applied to their legacy.

Cambie’s work continues on: amongst the many estates he has assisted or assists are estates we have helped to promote here at winestore: in Spain, Mas Alta in Priorat and the venerable Celler Capcanes in Montsant; in France, Domaine Puech Haut, Clos Saint Jean, Feraud Brunel, le Vieux Donjon, Domaine la Garrigue, Domaine Boisson, Bosquet des Papes, Grand Tinel, Senechaux, Mont Olivet, and finally Tardieu Laurent. One of Tardieu Laurent’s wines went down for me very nicely tonight. It was ripe and delicious but unlike some in the region, it was never overripe and for that I am grateful to anyone responsible, including Monsieur Cambie.

Enjoy these wonderful wines and we'll see you Saturday!

Cheers,

Doug Frost, MS MW
Master Sommelier & Master of Wine

Wente Chardonnay 31% Off!

Wente Chardonnay 6 Pack Special!


2010 Wente "Morning Fog" Chardonnay
Regular Price: $12.99 per bottle
6 Pack Special: $8.99 per bottle
SAVE 31%

SALE Runs Wednesday March 28th - Sunday April 1st, 2012

It's that time again - time to run one of the most popular (if not the most popular) deals that we can offer; and this time at an even lower price! Wente Morning Fog has got everything we love about California Chardonnay - a few buttery notes, some toasted oak - but nothing too over the top. It's refreshing right out of the fridge (or the cooler) and at $8.99 a bottle it's a steal.

So if you're looking for some good Tuesday night wine, some dinner party wine, or just looking for a great deal - your ship has come in. A great six pack for only $53.94 when it used to be $78. Take that extra $24 and get yourself some Mega Millions tickets :)

To order you can:

Swing on by!

Call SOUTHPARK @ 704-442-4024

Call BLAKENEY @ 704-443-2944

Sweet Sixteen Wine Tasting All Day Saturday!

Sweet Sixteen Wine Tasting!

Saturday March 24th
ALL DAY LONG

In the spirit of "March Madness", it is time for our 2nd Annual sweet sixteen tournament tasting this weekend! Four different countries will each get four entry wines into the tournament. We will have brackets filled out representing all of the matchups. Your job is to taste through the wines on the machine and pick your favorites in each round. Each "pick" for a wine to go to the next round is the same as a vote for that wine - the wine with the most votes will advance. Once we tally the votes over the weekend, we will announce the "Final Four" and we will taste those wines for FREE next Thursday. Here is the kicker, the bracket from this Saturday (at each store) with the most correct choices will be deemed the winner. The grand prize? The winner will be able to choose six bottles from any round of the tasting and take them home absolutely FREE.

There are the #1 seeds (Domaine Charvin Chateauneuf at $57 could be a strong contender!) and then the #16 seeds (could Villa Sparina Barbera at $14 take down the venerated powerhouse Conterno Barbera?).

It's really not as complicated as it sounds - and last year proved it to be a ton of fun. If you are at all confused just plan on coming in this Saturday in between your favorite teams playing, taste some great wine with friends, and have a great time.

The entries into the tournament are:

UNITED STATES:
2010 Belle Glos "Meiomi" Pinot Noir
2008 T Solomon Wellborn Pinot Noir
2010 Jeff Runquist "1448"
2008 Rockus Bockus Red Blend

ITALY:
2007 Vietti Barolo "Castiglione"
2010 Quattro Mani
2009 Conterno Barbera D'Alba "Cerretta Vineyard"
2010 Villa Sparina Barbera

FRANCE:
2010 Perrin Cotes du Rhone Villages
2010 Domaine la Garrigue "Cuvee Romaine"
2009 Clos Saint Jean Chateauneuf du Pape
2009 Domaine Charvin Chateauneuf du Pape

SPAIN:
2008 Planetes de Nin Priorat
2004 Mas Alta "Artigas" Priorat
2006 Finca Villacreces Tempranillo
2008 Borsao "Berola" Red Blend

Wind Gap, Meiomi and Conundrum Deals!

2009 Wind Gap "Orra"



Winery Price: $29.99
Winestore Price: $24.99
Six Pack Price: $19.99

SAVE 33%

Lowest Price in the USA

Pax Mahle makes some of the most coveted Grenache and Syrah based wines in the United States. He also produces one of the most outstanding white wines I have tasted in a long time (more on that once it arrives :) That said, you have to know we were delighted when we were offered the ability to buy about 3.5% of the entire worldwide production of the new Wind Gap "Orra" at a great price (3.5% comes to a whopping 10 cases). This blend of Grenache, Mourvedre, and Counoise is SCREAMING for some spring time sipping on the back porch (preferably with a slight chill). So invite your best friends over for a cookout, pop a couple of bottles, and have a wonderful evening!

To order you can:

Call SOUTHPARK @ 704-442-4024

Call BLAKENEY @ 704-443-2944

Sorry - no online orders due to the super tiny quantities!

ALSO

2010 Belle Glos "Meiomi" and 2010 Conundrum



Winestore Price: $17.99
SALE Price: IN STORE ONLY

Because we just can't end with one great deal, we just want to let you know we are running some CRAZY specials on 2010 Conundrum and 2010 Belle Glos "Meiomi". These prices are "IN STORE" only prices so you're gonna need to swing on by to see what the talk is all about!

As always, THANK YOU for your business - we sincerely appreciate it and we hope to see you soon!

Jeff Runquist Tasting Featuring 1448!

Jeff Runquist Tasting Featuring 1448! Plus a NEW wine from Esther Nin! Saturday March 17th, 2012 11am - 8pm Featuring: 2010 Jeff Runquist "1448" Red Blend - $17.99 2009 Jeff Runquist Petite Sirah - $29.99 2010 Jeff Runquist Amador Barbera - $24.99 2009 Jeff Runquist Sangiovese - $24.99 2009 Jeff Runquist Massoni Ranch Zinfandel - $24.99 2010 Jeff Runquist Petit Verdot - $24.99 (Brand New Wine!) You heard the scuttle; Runquist 1448 is back in stock. This wine may be THE most popular wine under $20 that we carry, and nothing goes better with St. Patty's Day and March Madness than full throttle exciting wines from Jeff Runquist. Heck, we even have a BRAND NEW wine from Runquist - the 2010 Petit Verdot! Jeff Runquist makes great wine. His wines are the ultimate crowd pleasers - the type of wines you can pour for your friends and people will be talking about them for days. Last year we had at least 200 people come in and say "I had 1448 at a dinner party with so and so and I want a case!" Do you love a wine that over-delivers for the price? 1448 is your new "go to"....Love Petite Sirah? Try to find one better than Runquist....Love Sangiovese? Nobody does it better in California...Love Zinfandel? This may even be better than Klinker Brick :) How about Barbera? It is going to blow you away... So come on in this weekend and let's taste some great juice! As always, THANK YOU for your business and we hope to see you this weekend! and now - a NEW wine from Esther Nin! 2008 Esther Nin "Planetes de Nin" Release Price: $45.00 Winestore Price: $34.99 (net) Lowest Price in the USA! Only 10 six packs available Esther Nin is not a household name. That is probably because she makes wine in MINISCULE quantities. Her flagship wine, Nit de Nin, has a production of just 3 barrels...for the whole planet. She is also the right hand woman of winemaking phenom and Charlotte resident Daphne Glorian at Clos Erasmus. To make a long story short, she is on track to become one of the best winemakers on the planet. Here you are able to purchase the inaugural vintage of her entry level wine, Planetes de Nin. Inexpensive? No. Absolutely stunning wine? Yes. To Order you can: Order ONLINE by clicking HERE Call SOUTHPARK @ 704-442-4024 Call BLAKENEY @ 704-443-2944

An Amazing Value from Eric Solomon!

2010 Puech-Haut Prestige Rouge 2010 Puech-Haut Prestige Winestore Price: $19.99 per bottle Only 15 cases available  The hottest wine of 2011 is back in stock with a new blockbuster vintage. It should be said right now that ignoring the 2010 Rhone wines crafted by Eric Solomon and Philippe Cambie would be a mistake. They have put together some of the most insane values on the planet, and Puech Haut Prestige is one of those values. You may remember that wine critic Robert Parker had this to say about the 2009 Puech Haut Prestige: "Had this yesterday at a tasting of value wines from the south of France- Chateau Puech Haut Prestige-Coteaux du Languedoc-have been familiar with this estate for a number of years and always liked the wines....Michel Rolland was their first consultant and then Claude Gros....as of 2009, it is Philippe Cambie..so three of the most talented oenologists in France have worked here...this new cuvee is an astonishing wine...a blend of 55% grenache from 60-75 year old vines and 45% syrah from 40 year old vines(all planted on limestone soils), the wine is fermented and aged in cement-so a naked wine with no cosmetic make-up...oodles of forest floor flora, raspberry, kirsch, and plum are present in both aromatics and flavors...medium to full-bodied, silky tannins, and already very complex and drinkable..in fact I would recommend consuming it over the next 2-4 years...from European Cellars-Eric Solomon....the dreadful economy..the strong dollar, and a producer trying to make inroads in our market has resulted in this low price....one caveat-this is a custom cuvee only available in the USA...fashioned by Cambie and Solomon....I intend to buy several cases....just amazing what is available from this region....and of course they have had two superlative vintages of late...2007 and 2009..." - Robert Parker So ignore the continued hype if you want...but this is pretty special stuff for less than $20 per bottle. To order you can: Order ONLINE by clicking HERE Call SOUTHPARK @ 704-442-4024 Call BLAKENEY @ 704-443-2944 Swing on by!

It's Back!!

2010 Jeff Runquist 1448 Winestore Price: $17.99 (net) per bottle Wine arrives tomorrow! 58% Petite Sirah 16% Barbera 10% Petit Verdot, 5% Zinfandel 5% Syrah 3% Carignane, and 1% each of Souzao, Cabernet Franc, and Touriga Not sure what all needs to be said about this wine...demand is flat out off the charts! This may be the most popular wine in Charlotte right now, and we just found out that our first drop of 65 cases arrive tomorrow. It's first come, first served - and as always, thank you for your business! To order you can: Call SOUTHPARK @ 704-442-4024 Call BLAKENEY @ 704-443-2944

Taste Caymus Cabernet Blind vs. $25 Rivals!

Taste Caymus Blind vs. $25 Rivals! Saturday March 10th, 2012 11am-8pm All Day Long!! Featuring 2009 Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Our Silver Oak blind tasting back in January was our biggest hit so far this year, and now it is that time again - time for our 5th AnnualCaymus Cabernet Blind Tasting. Our blind tasting back in January produced a superstar winner in the 2008 Rockus Bockus Red Blend - a $12.99 epic value that beat out competition at an average bottle price of $33. It almost seems unfair to all the big boy Cabs out there; I mean a Maserati is supposed to go faster than a Kia, and a $60 wine is supposed to taste better than a $25 one. Right? Well, maybe not. A wine's success isn't measured in MpH, it's measured in the taste that is transferred from the glass to your mouth. If you don't know the price, can't see the label, and can't hear someone waxing poetic in your ear about the wine's "score," then all that is left is the juice and your taste buds. It's a scary proposition for any winemaker. That's why you have marketing departments that design catchy labels, create campaigns to build a wine's image, and spend all of their time and energy essentially trying to convince consumers that a wine is great. The problem is that you can't out "market" a blind tasting. Which is why we're playing "Find the Caymus Cabernet" this Saturday. It's simple really. The wines will all be tasted blind on our tasting machines. One of them will be 2009 Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet and the others will be an assortment of wines at every price point from a number of different regions. All you have to do is taste and pick your favorite. Yes, that's right, your favorite. If that's the Caymus, then great, if not, well that's OK too. You may be surprised as to what your favorites actually are. We hope to see you Saturday - these are always fun events!

Crazy Eric Solomon Value for $9.99!

2009 Capcanes Mas Donis Regular Price: $12.99 SALE Price: $9.99 (net) SAVE 23% Lowest Price in the USA SALE Runs Wednesday March 7th - Sunday March 11th 2012! We all know Charlotte based wine importer Eric Solomon has a knack for bringing some of the most outstanding value wines in the world to the US, and the 2009 Mas Donis Barrica is no exception. I'm nuts about these guys' wines. Capcanes is unquestionably the best co-op on the planet, and that statement doesn't do justice to their greatness. Consider this amazing daily drinker one piece of evidence. Mas Donis is a full throttle blend of Grenache and Syrah and will undoubtedly make you wonder why you have not been drinking this for years! We're super pumped to be able to offer this gem to you at the lowest price in the US - but we only have 25 cases available at this price! We hope you enjoy it as much as we do! To order you can: Order ONLINE for in store pickup or shipping by clicking HERE Call SOUTHPARK @ 704-442-4024 Call BLAKENEY @ 704-443-2944

Lowest Price in the USA on this Spanish Gem!

2006 Finca Villacreces Crianza Wine.com Price: $39.99 (Click HERE to see) Winestore Price: $24.99 (net) SAVE 37% Lowest Price in the USA Only 10 cases available Drinkers of delicious Spanish wine, listen up! Villacreces is a first-rate, listen to me, FIRST-RATE, Ribera del Duero producer. Yeah, that means I’m comparing it to Pesquera (better), Vega Sicilia (better priced),  and Aalto (now you've gone too far).  Their wines are Tempranillo (yes, they call it Tinto Fino here) at its elegant pinnacle, but their Crianza bottling is more exuberant than the rest, as it is Tempranillo laced with a bit of Cabernet and Merlot. For all you folks interested in such things, Villacreces also sits on some pretty amazing land. There is written evidence that the first vines were planted on the property in the 13th Century (yes, you read that correctly), and their next door neighbor is wine legend Vega Sicilia (priced at a lofty $300 per bottle). So there you have it. Serious Spanish value at the lowest price in the USA. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do! To order you can: Order ONLINE by clicking HERE Call SOUTHPARK @ 704-442-4024 Call BLAKENEY @ 704-443-2944 Swing on by!