Château La Mascaronne, Quat Saisons Rose 2017 – Château La Mascaronne is owned by Tom Bove. He was born and grew up in Indiana, USA. The 72-year-old American engineer and businessman–turned–wine producer continues to buy and restore neglected Provence wine estates such as this Chateau.
Bove has a rare touch. In 1993, he convinced his family to buy Provence’s historic Château Miraval, where he renovated miles of antique drystone terraces and the majestic 18th-century manor, replanted vineyards, converted to organic farming, and brought back winemaking. In 2012, he sold the 1,000-acre package for $60 million to Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. With $60 mm in the bank, Tom turned his attention, efforts, and passion to the acquisition and renaissance Chateau La Mascaronne.
Kevin’s Notes: The wine is primarily made from the grape Cinsault. In my personal opinion, Cinsault makes the best Provence roses and this is an example of what I am referring. This is THE BEST rose in the store. Six months ago, I committed to buying 75 cases of other roses thinking, “That should do me for the season”, but then I tasted this wine two weeks ago. I then found myself saying, “I must buy this wine for me, and my customers because it is incredible!” You’ll know exactly mean what I mean this weekend. Cooper’s Price $22.99
Bodegas San Valero Castillo Ducay; Carinena, Spain – Bodegas San Valero is a cooperative in the DO of Cariñena. It was founded in 1944 by 60 growers, and it now consists of 700 members. They are committed to tradition and innovation, striking the perfect balance of traditional practices and state of the art technology.
Founded in 1932, the DO (Domaine of Origin) of Cariñena is one of the oldest designated growing regions in Spain. It is located the region of Aragon, towards the northeastern part of the country. Although the DO was established in the 1930’s, winemaking in this region dates back to the 3rd century. This wine is 70% Garnacha, 20% Tempranillo, and 10% Cabernet.
Taste: This tinto starts off with flavors of ripe cherry and raspberry fruit with hints of violet, fennel and spice in the background. The wine is juicy and lively in the mouth with a persistent finish. There is more complexity than one may expect from a wine at this price. Come see how much $10 will get you!!!! Cooper’s Price $9.99
Parlange & Illouz Wine of France “La Piece” 2015 – Winemaker Paul Parlange, and oenologist Jérémie Illouz, first studied together and then chose to produce their wines, respectively in Bordeaux and Cahors.
Jérémie Illouz cultivates 5.5 hectares (12 acres) on the heights of Cahors using only natural products to help the vine to fight against the pests. Tillage is carried out so as not to disturb the microbial life and the surrounding fauna. All the plots are harvested manually, the fermentations are made thanks to the native yeasts. A low dose of sulfur may be added before the wines are bottled.
Jérémie Illouz states, he wants to go beyond certification, he wants to go further and produce “a natural wine”. “We wish to go well beyond the constraints imposed by organic. I want to let nature do it, we do not add anything and I refuse to be exposed to pesticides.”
This wine is 100% Old Vine Malbec aged 15 months in used oak barrels. The wine is made in Cahors. Cahors makes the world’s BEST Malbec!
Kevin’s Notes: Holy Cow – the wines from this producer are absolutely stunning. They are vibrant, funky reds with an extraordinary silky texture and very long finish. They are low alcohol making them terrific reds for food or by themselves. The Argentinians brought Malbec from Cahors, but this is NOT to be, and nor will it be confused as a Malbec from Argentina. If you love this wine (and I know will), then please ask us about the blend these guys make! Cooper’s Price $16.99
Rocca di Frassinello Poggio alla Guardia Maremma Toscana 2013– Looking to expand beyond the heavily saturated Chianti Classico area, Castellare turned to the natural outlet of Maremma. What started as a small expansion plan took on a new dimension, as a unique joint venture between Castellare Winery and Domaines Barons de Rothschild-Lafite, the first partnership of its kind. The project couples Castellare’s experience in the growing and vinification of Sangioveto with Lafite’s experience in classic French varietals. Extensive research led to a site selection in the hills formed by the two sides of the old Aurelia in Monteregio di Massa Marittima. The first vineyards were planted on 17 acres in 2000; however, today, this successful project oversees almost 200 acres of vineyards in an unrivalled microclimate for native varietals.
This wine is 45% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Sangiovese.
Kevin’s Notes: Back in the early 1970’s several Tuscan Italian winemakers realized the quality of Bordeaux and its main varietals; Merlot and Cabernet. Basically, they admitted Bordeaux was producing far higher quality wines so they said, “Why don’t we blend our Sangiovese with Cabernet and Merlot?”, and so they did. This is what we now refer to as Super Tuscans. This wine is very unique as it is a joint venture with two of the greatest and most influential wineries in the world – Baron Rothschild-Lafite of Bordeaux and Castellare di Castellin of Tuscany. Cooper’s Price $16.99
