2006 Dolium Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina) & 2007 Domaine la Blaque Coteaux de Pierrevert, France

Dear Rene, It's hard to believe that 10 bucks still buys a wine this good, but I had to travel over 5,000 miles to find it. There's no sacrifice great enough in pursuit of a delicious 10 dollar red! If you like a smooth, juicy, easy-drinking "new world" red that is guaranteed to blow away any California cabernet, Australian shiraz or Chilean carminere at the same price, then here you are. I had the pleasure of visiting with Ricardo Giadorou, owner of Dolium, earlier this month while in Mendoza. I tasted many, many malbecs during my stay and the 2006 Dolium was a clear winner. I know you will enjoy it. It's an outstanding bargain from a winery that Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar says "turns out some of Argentina's most impressive red wines." Despite the critical praise, the list price of this wine has not increased in five years. How many European or California wines can you say that about? Our e-mail price on the 2006 Dolium Malbec is $2 per bottle LOWER than the list price of the 2001 vintage and the quality is far superior; 2006 is Robert Parker's highest rated vintage in Argentina ever. This wine is great with food, and equally good alone! Order your case today, you'll be glad you did. Supplies are limited and a bargain like this won't last for long. You still have time to take advantage of another outstanding bargain, the 2007 La Blaque Coteaux de Pierrevert. This is a presale of this delicious red blend that will arrive in November. When the Wine Advocate review hit, calling it a sensational value, I knew I couldn't wait to place my order. Reserve yours now! Please come by this weekend. We have a lot going on here: Friday wine and cheese tastings; Saturday two wine tastings, a beer tasting and a cheese tasting! And of course, Perry has great deli and cheese specials. I hope to see you. Doug Rosen 2006 Dolium Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina) 2006 Dolium Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina) Reg. $11.99 per bottle Case Special (12 or more bottles): $9.99 per bottle How did we find this bargain? By going where the bargains are! That's why both Doug and Jim have been to Argentina this year. By going to the source we can select the best wines before they are picked over internationally. It also allows us to make deals to bring them to you at the lowest prices. Why Argentina? A dollar buys more there. Dolium is a unique and special winery in the Agrelo section of Lujan de Cuyo, one of the very best wine growing areas in all of Argentina. The winery, visible in the background in this picture, is the first underground winery in Argentina. It was established by engineer Mario Giadorou and has been advised by famed winemaker Paul Hobbs. Mario's son Ricardo now heads the winery and is pushing the level of quality even higher while keeping the prices of the wines remarkably affordable. Nothing is left to chance. For this 2006 Malbec, grapes were selected from the best areas of Mendoza (Lunlunta and Perdriel in Lujan de Cuyo). The grapes are hand picked at optimal ripeness and then moved to the winery where they are vinified by winemaker Nicolas Raby using the best, gentlest, modern equipment. The delicate treatment of the fruit ensures that the full flavors of the excellent grapes are retained in the wine. Here's how it tastes: The color is bright ruby with a deep blue-purple core. The aromas are complex, rich, and inviting, reminiscent of blueberries, blackberries, violets and licorice. The palate is deep and intense with blue and black fruit supported by subtle hints of spice, tobacco, and minerals. The finish is long, satisfying and pure. The intensity, purity, and complexity here are two steps above other wines in this price range. To order, please call 703.525.0990. We need your Visa or MasterCard information, including expiration date. Wine arrives tomorrow, Friday, September 26th. 2007 Domaine la Blaque Coteaux de Pierrevert Presale 2007 Domaine la Blaque Coteaux de Pierrevert, FranceRegular Price $14.99 6 Bottle Presale Price $12.99 each 12 Bottle Presale Price $11.99 each This delicious blend (55%syrah, 35% grenache,10% mourvèdre ) is from Coteaux de Pierrevert, Pays des Alpes de Haute Provence. I first introduced you to this domaine's charming viognier and rosé in August as part of my "Addicted to Quality Series." Mike Feeney and I discovered Domaine La Blaque with wine broker Thomas Calder at ViniSud in Montpellier last winter and we were floored by the quality. All of the wines were delicious. I was so impressed that I insisted on visiting the Domaine after the show to get a closer look at why these wines were so good. It was well worth the drive. Little did I know that this Domaine would be written up in the latest Wine Advocate by David Schildknecht. After the article hit, calling the Rouge a sensational value, I decided not to wait as all the attention generated by his review will make the Rouge from La Blaque disappear in short order. Review by David Schildknecht Wine Advocate # 178 (Aug 2008) "Rating: 90 Drink 2008 - 2010 Cost: $15" "The La Blaque 2007 Coteaux de Pierrevert represents most of the production of the estate, and that is great news, because it offers striking personality and sensational value. Vividly recalling Cornas ..., this displays mouth-filling fruit as befits wine made by a variation of carbonic maceration, yet there is a pleasant graininess as well. Black tea, cocoa powder, iodine, and savory shrimp shell notes are revealed as the wine opens up, culminating in a finish of remarkable richness and grip for a tank-rendered wine of its price. Enjoy it over the next two years. Situated in the Alpes de Haute Provence, the obscure appellation of Coteaux de Pierrevert is capable of generating some striking, remarkably late-harvested results with Syrah. Thomas Calder Selections" To order, please call 703.525.0990. We need your Visa or MasterCard information including expiration date. Wine will arrive in mid-November.