Dear Rene, How is this even possible? The rare 100% syrah 2009 Saint Cosme Cotes-du-Rhone was so good that theWine Spectator named it to their Top 100 Wines of the Year List (Ranked #88 on the 2010 List). It was only $18 per bottle and it earned an "outstanding" rating. It was even named a "Smart Buy" pick for their November buyers guide. Now the surprising part... The 2010 is even better-- Saint Cosme's famous winemaker, Louis Barruol himself said "it is purely my best Cotes du Rhone since 2007, without a doubt. The quality of the fruit is superb, the wine is profound, round, with a deep colour." We've tasted it twice and can confirm all this-- the 2010 is a thrilling, outstanding wine--noticably better than the 2009. This is great syrah from great vineyards crafted into wine by a great winemaker. And then it gets completely crazy... The 2009 was super successful and a top value at $18 per bottle. The 2010 is better and the dollar is weaker (since last June, a Euro has gone from $1.20 to $1.45). All these factors suggest the price should go up. But it didn't go up. In fact, at Arrowine it went down. Way down. Instead of $18 per bottle, you can get it for as little as $11.99 per bottle. $11.99 isn't just lower than the 2009, it's lower than the 1999 was! I repeat... how is this even possible? And be sure to take a look at what Perry is featuring in the Tuesday Boucher. Jim Cutts
 2010 Saint Cosme Cotes-du-Rhone Reg. $15.99 Buy 6 bottles at $13.99 per bottle Buy 12 or more bottles at $11.99 each This impressive 100% syrah Cotes-du-Rhone is the work of one of the Rhone's most exciting winemaking superstar talents: Louis Barruol. Here's just a little of what's been said about Barruol (pictured below) and Saint Cosme: Robert Parker, whose Wine Advocate newsletter is considered the world's most influential wine journal, wrote: "If you have not yet tried the wines of St.-Cosme, you're missing the boat." He also wrote: "...there is no more passionate and talented proprietor than Louis Barruol." And also "The young Louis Barruol has quickly emerged as one of the southern Rhone's most talented young winemakers." Andrew Jefford's, author of "The New France" (which Parker called "Exceptional...a must buy and read." and "My book of the year...") wrote: "The ambitious and articulate Louis Barruol is one of the new stars of the southern Rhone - and of the northern Rhone too.... Grace, purity, and singing fruit are three of the Barruol hallmarks..." James Turnbull's "The Great Wines of France" says "So pure and authentic are Barruol's wines that Saint Cosme is destined to become one of the great names of the Southern Rhone... A magnificent triumph of old vines and non-interventionism!" Whether you are a serious Rhone wine collector or just someone who enjoys a good glass of red wine and doesn't want to pay too much, we know you'll enjoy this beauty. And our special email pricing makes getting some easy.  Every year this is among the highest rated, and best, Cotes-du-Rhones. In 2010, Barruol crafted one of his finest Cotes-du-Rhones yet. Here's what he had to say about his 2010: "I only use the nicest sources to make this wine: the terroir of Vinsobres and the 'galets roulés' (rolling stones) by the Rhone river, very similar to the best places in Chateauneuf. We are talking about extraordinary quality potential. Watch out for 2010: this is purely my best Cotes du Rhone since 2007, without a doubt. The quality of the fruit is superb, the wine is profound, round with a deep colour. Its texture brings a lot of pleasure and anybody can understand and enjoy it.... I am simply very happy to be able to deal with such a vintage...Wonderful. Graphite, strawberry compote, licorice, lilacs." Though the quality and texture on the 2010 are notably better than the 2009, the style is similar. To give you an idea of the style, here is the review of the 2009 (the 2010 hasn't been reviewed yet): "A lovely floral violet aroma leads the way, followed by dark berry, tobacco and charcoal notes, with a dash of tarry grip on the finish. Pure and solid. 90 points. Smart Buy (at $18). Top 100 of 2010 (Rank: 88)." James Molesworth, The Wine Spectator, Nov. 15, 2010. To order please call 703.525.0990. We need your Visa or MasterCard information including expiration date. Wine arrives tomorrow, Wednesday May 11th. Thank you for reading. Jim Cutts |
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
2010 Saint Cosme Cotes-du-Rhone
Friday, April 29, 2011
2010 Entrada Malbec, Argentina
Dear Rene, The 2010 Entrada Malbec from Argentina is absolutely delicious. It's open for tasting so you can see for yourself, and our Door Buster Sale means it's as low as$5.99 per bottle this weekend at Arrowine (while supplies last). Other than that, there isn't much to say. We searched and searched and couldn't find a single rating or review in the press. We couldn't even find a website for the producer, so we have no details on exactly what part of Argentina it comes from or how it is made. What we know is this... It's an absolutely delicious Malbec. A group of wine professionals tasted it alongside several popular brands and well-rated Malbecs that sell from $10-$15. Entrada didn't just hold its own, it flat out beat some famous Malbecs with big names and (considerably) higher price tags. REMINDER: This is a "Door-Buster Sale" which means this special price is available only today (Friday, April 29th) and tomorrow (Saturday, April 30th). This sale price is for in-store sales only and while supplies last only. Sorry, no phone or e-mail orders and no combining with other offers. We also have excellent tastings this weekend, so be sure to stop in. Tasting details are below. Jim Cutts
 2010 Entrada Malbec, Argentina Reg. $7.99 DOOR BUSTER Case special: $5.99 per bottle by the case
This delicious malbec will go great with just about any kind of food, from cheese and charcuterie, to grilled chicken, to pizza, to burgers, to steak. Even with no food at all it's absolutely delicious. It's a great buy at our regular price of $7.99, but once you try it you'll want a case (or maybe more) and you'll love being able to get it at just $5.99. It might just turn into your new house wine! It's smooth and lush and friendly, with none of the harsh tannins that show up in many malbecs. As it says right on the bottle: "Entrada Malbec is a full bodied, yet easy to drink example of what Argentinean winemaking is best known for. The wine has typical Malbec characteristics of berries and plums, mingling with a hint of warm spice flavors." REMINDER: This is a "Door-Buster" Sale which means this special price is available only today and tomorrow. This sale price is for in-store sales only and only while supplies last. Sorry, no phone or e-mail orders, and no combining with other offers. Thank you for reading. Jim Cutts | ||||
Thursday, April 28, 2011
2009 Chateau Les Grands Maréchaux, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux
Dear Rene, Though less than 1/4th of the 2009 Bordeaux reds have been released, one thing is becoming very clear from our tastings of these wines... The critics are right,there is something very very special about thisvintage. And have we got a 2009 Bordeaux find for you: the 2009 Chateau Les Grands Maréchaux, a full yet focused and pure wine from the Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux (hills of Bordeaux) that is already showing beautiful silky texture and soft tannins. Wine Spectator rated this up to 92 points, everyone at Arrowine loves it, and the price is amazing, as low as $16. In addition to the rating up to 92 points in the Wine Spectator, this estate-bottled, hand-harvested Bordeaux has also been a favorite of Robert Parker who has featured it in "Parker's Wine Bargains- The World's Best Wine Values Under $25" calling it"sensational" and writing that the wine is "Medium to full bodied, velvety textured, sumptuous, and long...". He's called Stephane Derenoncourt (who consults at the estate) "brilliant" and the estate was classified as "excellent". So, just how great is the 2009 vintage? "The finest vintage I have tasted in 32 years of covering Bordeaux!!!" - Robert M. Parker Jr. "In France's most famous wine region, Bordeaux, some people are touting the 2009 vintage as the mother of great modern vintages." - James Suckling, Wine Spectator Other critics have echoed his enthusiasm, and many are calling it THE Vintage of a Lifetime. And though it seems as if every 4 or 5 years there's another "greatest" vintage (remember 2005 and 2000?), it's clear that there is something truly special about the 2009s that was lacking in 2005 and 2000. All three vintages have great depth and concentration and delicious fruit. The tannic structure of the 2000s and 2005s, though, was very firm. The 2009s possess an element of freshness and lithesome texture that make them far more appealing to drink at a young age. And that's exactly what wines like the Chateau Les Grands Maréchaux are for-- they're perfect for drinking now and over the next 3-4 years (while your classified growths are aging). As the Washington Post's wine columnist Dave McIntyre wrote, these are "meant for the dinner table rather than the trophy case." We've tasted dozens of wines from this vintage and it is clear that this vintage truly has it all. It has concentration and ripeness and balance. In addition to our regular beer tasting this evening and Friday and Saturday wine tastings, we are having a very special wine tasting this evening from 5:30 - 7:45 p.m. with Kevin O'Connor, co-founder, owner, and winemaker of Lioco Wines, a high quality Califonia winery specializing in small lots of single vineyard and regional wines. Don't miss this special no-cost event and be sure to inform your wine-loving friends. Jim Cutts
 2009 Chateau Les Grands Maréchaux, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux Regular: $19.99 SALE: 6+ Bottle Price: $17.99 per bottle 12+ Bottle (Case) Price: $15.99 per bottle We can't argue with the critics on this one bit; it isabsolutely delicious and one of the most gorgeously textured Bordeaux reds we've seen from incredible 2009 vintage. Of all the great 2009 Bordeaux we've tried to date, this is among the most focused and pure, while still having palate-caressing tannins that give the wine sensual texture. Already extremely enjoyable, this will continue to drink well until it is 5-7 years old. The importer provides the following information about the estate and the wine: Etienne Barre and Christophe Reboul-Salze bought this exceptional vineyard near the village of Gainiquet in 1997. The mature vines are planted in clay, limestone, and sandy soils. With the help of famed consultant Stephane Derenoncourt, pitcurd below, they've pushed the quality of the estate's wines to among the best of the Blaye area. The hand-harvested, hand-selected fruit (50% cabernet sauvignon and 50% merlot) is fermented as whole berries in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks with a long, slow 30-day maceration. The wine is then racked into French oak barrels (25% new) for aging before the wine is estate bottled. 2,500 cases were produced.  Here's the tasting note from the Wine Spectator's barrel tasting: "Licorice and tar on the nose. Full-bodied, with a lovely core of fruit and silky tannins. Focused and clear. Could be best ever from here. Score range: 89-92 points." -James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, 2010 If you've been waiting to try the 2009 Bordeaux reds, don't wait any longer. This is remarkably gorgeous wine that is already a joy to drink and promises to remain a favorite for several years to come. Fans of the Wine Spectator and those that like to predict which wines will make theirannual Top 100 list will note that a score up to 92 points for a Bordeaux under $25 is extremely rare. In fact, only one red Bordeaux made the the Top 100 list for 2010. It was rated 90 points and had a listed price of $30. Since the Wine Spectator considers both quality and value when making selections for their Top 100 list, the $20 (or less)2009 Chateau Les Grands Maréchaux with a score up to 92 points is a strong contender for the 2011 list (lower price and higher quality than last year's Bordeaux selection). Of course by the time the list is released, this wine will likely be sold out or far more expensive. Don't wait to get your supply. To order please call 703.525.0990. We need your Visa or MasterCard information including expiration date. The wine arrives tomorrow, Friday April 29th. Thank you for reading. Jim Cutts |
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