Weingut Hexamer Sauvignon Blanc
Nahe, Germany Trocken (Dry) 2015
Weingut Hexamer is a family-owned and run winery in Meddersheim in the Nahe region. The vineyard area totals 23 hectares (58 acres) in Meddersheim, Schlossböckelheim and Sobernheim. The family name dates back centuries in Germany and has a history of winemaking; however, it was not until the late 1990’s when the Hexamer family began producing commercially when Harald Hexamer and his wife Petra took over.
Hexamer’s meticulous work in the vineyard is marked by pruning to control yields (“often six to eight bunches per wine”) and hand-harvesting. The grapes are picked exclusively by hand and fermented very cold (below 12 degrees celsius) with cooling utilized only when necessary – “but we often pick so late we bring naturally cold fruit — below 10 degrees — back to the winery.”
Kevin’s Notes – This is some wine geeky Sauvignon Blanc. It is most found in small restaurants attended by Master Sommeliers so I thought I would be fun to turn my Cooper Comrades on a one-of-a-kind German Sauvignon!
Cooper’s Price $19.99
Mas Carlot Rose
Costières de Nîmes, France
A blend of Grenache 50%, Syrah 40%, 10% Mourvedre
This wine comes from the western edge of the Rhone Valley, in the Costières de Nîmes appellation. The appellation is an ancient winemaking region that has been producing for over two millennia. Its foundations date back to the 17th century, with extensive renovations made in the 19th century, yet the presence of ancient Roman ruins suggests that this land was also being farmed at least 2000 years ago.
In 1986 it was given AOC status in the Languedoc region, but was later attached to the Rhone region instead since the wines were characteristically more similar.
Mas Carlot is run by winemaker Nathalie Blanc-Marès, who succeeded her father in 1998. Her father sold their famous family restaurant in Paris in 1986 to buy Mas Carlot because of its incredible terrior and charm.
Kevin’s Notes – This is the third rose we’ve tasted in the last month and there will probably about eight to come. The Mas Carlot is too cheap. The aromatics of strawberry and watermelon will instantly make your mouth! You’ll see exactly what I mean, and then you’ll say Kevin, you’re right!
This is a fantastic wine for $10.99
Bodegas y Viñedos Luminis
Allamand Valle de Uco, Argentina, Malbec 2014
This wine is the heart of Bodegas y Viñedos Luminis line of wines from the Valle de Uco region. It is a 100% malbec that comes from three different vineyards planted in Valle de Uco. Located at more than 3,000 ft above sea level, and being at the foot of the Andes range, the Valle de Uco region is the land of the most refined and elegant Malbecs in Argentina. This is one of our “appellation” driven wines and through it, we at Bodegas y Viñedos Luminis are trying to capture what Malbec from the Uco Valley is about: Malbec’s of deep purple color, lots of violets in the nose, and natural great acidity. Fermented in stainless steel. Aged mostly in stainless, with 5% aged in first and second year French oak barrique.
Kevin’s Notes – Quite simply, this is one of the Top Three Malbec’s I have tasted since opeing the store and the other two were French at twice the price! It is rich, stunning and persistent, like my wife, Sharon. It is incredible!
Great Buy $13.99
Tronquoy de Sainte-Anne St. Estephe
Bordeaux 2010 – Critics Review:
This wine is stunning. The little brother of Tronquoy-Lalande and owned by the Montrose people, this wine is packed with fruit–lots of cassis on the palate. Smooth and sweet and delicious. More structure than the 2009–great for the cellar. Robert Parker praised this wine while reviewing Tronquoy-Lalande, He said” Tronquoy Lalande’s second wine, the Tronquoy de Sainte-Anne, is also worth considering. Usually a blend of two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and one-third Merlot from younger vines, the 2008 is good and the 2010 is slightly better.”
Kevin’s Notes: In the past, we have sold the 2006 and 2009 of Ch. Tronqouy-Lalande and received outstanding reviews from our customers. It was $34.99, but this is the little sister St Anne. Three months ago, I tasted this wine and quickly ordered 5 cases as the wine is truly stunning. It’s the best $25 red blend in the store, but I was only shipped 30 bottles. We may be able to get more, but as these older vintages are re-released they go up in price and 2010 is regarded to be perhaps the greatest vintage ever. Trust me, get a ribeye and let the steak and the wine become one have a party in your mouth!
Cooper’s Price $24.99 – Very Limited Supply
