Dear Rene, This note is about an estate making the prettiest red Burgundy at the best price, completely blowing away other Burgundies as well as pinots from California, Oregon, or New Zealand for value. The red Burgundies of Domaine Bart in Marsannay are just amazing. We've quietly been receiving and selling some of the wines of this estate for several years, but there has been so little wine available that a few customers and staff members have grabbed it all. We're getting more this year than ever before and I'm thrilled to be able to let more people know about this estate. In an excellent article for The Wine News Magazine called "Best-Value Red Burgundy Producers," Master of Wine and renowned author Clive Coates discussed dozens of domaines and appellations that are consistently, well, the best value red Burgundy producers. The very first "best value" Domaine he chose to mention was Domaine Bart in Marsannay. Proprietor Martin Bart is a grandchild of the Clair family of Clair Dau fame (one of the most prestigious names in Burgundy) and he has everything a red Burgundy fan could want-- from the best single vineyard red Burgundies of the Marsannay appellation (at incredible prices) to top Grand Cru Cote de Nuits vineyards (like Clos de Beze and Bonnes Mares inherited from the Dau Domaine); he even has a dry Marsannay 100% Pinot Noir Rosé, one of the best around, that is in stock at Arrowine at just $14.99 per bottle ($13.49 by the case--the lowest price in the USA). The focus of today's e-mail feature, though, is his biggest bargain of all, the silky-soft, complex, and outstanding 2007 Bourgogne Rouge (100% pinot noir). I've visited Domaine Bart four times in recent trips to Burgundy. Having tasted this in Burgundy and then back here in Arlington, I'm convinced there just isn't a better pinot noir on the planet for the ridiculous price as low as $13.99 per bottle. This is such a bargain, we wanted to order 100 cases, but we were only able to get 40. This will sell out quickly, don't delay in ordering. And, as always, we have a lot going on here this weekend (we'll be closed the 4th): wine tastings, cheese tastings, beer tasting and marvelous cheese and charcuterie specials (look out for our July Cheese and Charcuterie Newsletter going out later today). Please come by. Doug Rosen
 2007 Domaine Bart Bourgogne Rouge Reg. $17.99 Six bottle price: $15.99 each Case (12 + bottles) price: Just $13.99 per bottle This is a truly beautiful wine. Martin Bart, pictured below, crafts some of the prettiest pinot noirs of any winemaker I know and he sells them for far less than comparable wines from other Burgundy producers. This Bourgogne is precise, terroir-driven, expressive, delicate and, above all, delicious. If you love honest, pure, pinot noir, not over-extracted or overoaked, or if you just love a great deal, order a case today. Martin Bart began Domaine Bart in the 1980s when Domaine Clair Dau (Bruno Clair) was divided between members of the family. He is one of the top growers and winemakers in Marsannay and has some of the top vineyards in the entire area. Dedicated, high-quality vineyard work is the foremost precept at Domaine Bart. Hisorganic vineyard practices, hand pruning, hand picking, working of the soil, and green harvesting lead to low yields and assure that Martin brings in the highest quality, cleanest grapes. In the 2007 vintage, the quality is truly outstanding. Simply put, Martin Bart grows better grapes than many of his neighbors and that is what allows him to make better wine.  In the cellar, grapes are sorted by hand and vinified separately, vineyard by vineyard, lot by lot, depending on the specific parcel from which the grapes came.Fermentation is done slowly at a cool temperature to allow his high quality grapes to express their fullest character. Martin understands his different parcels and treats each lot of grapes differently to bring out the best of the unique fruit. Domaine Bart's wines are made with extreme care, and in a manner that is absolutely first class. His style is about expressive aromatics, terroir-driven flavors, and delicate silken texture, rather than about sheer weight, extraction, or oak tannin. Here's how this tastes: This pale garnet red Burgundy has an exquisite perfume more reminiscent of Chambolle than of regional Burgundy. The high toned aromas bring to mind red berries and cherries with floral accents and a touch of stone. The palate is pure and delicate with notes of wild strawberries, cherries, and herbs fusing into into pure silk. The finish is bright, classy, dry, and luscious. This is pretty and utterly charming as well as one of the best bargains I've experienced from anywhere in the region. To order please call 703.525.0990. We need your Visa or MasterCard information including expiration date. Wine arrives tomorrow, Friday July 2nd. |
Thursday, July 1, 2010
2007 Domaine Bart Bourgogne Rouge
Friday, April 30, 2010
2008 Epifanio Ribera del Duero, Spain & 2009 Serge Batard "Hého Le Blanc", Loire Valley, France
Dear Rene, Arrowine is THE place to be this weekend! In addition to great tastings (details below), we have a DOUBLE Door Buster Sale featuring: 1. 2008 "Epifanio" Ribera del Duero, Spain: This is unequivocally the best Ribera del Duero we've had for the money! It was also the #1 top value recommendation in this week's Washington Post Wine article on tempranillo, the diverse and excellent signature red wine grape of Spain. Epifanio has been an Arrowine customer favorite since we introduced it with the 2005 vintage, but we've never sold a bottle for less than we will this weekend! The Post called it "Excellent" and a "Great Value" at $14.99per bottle. This weekend, while supplies last, it's as low as $10.99 at Arrowine. This is the fourth year we've worked with this outstanding red. We've never sold a bottle for less and we've never even seen a lower price ANYWHERE for this fine Spanish red. 2. 2009 Serge Batard "Hého Le Blanc", Loire Valley, France: This is a delicious summertime white, perfect for parties, beach trips, or refreshing sipping. It's a bargain at the regular price of $10.99. This weekend, due to popular demand, it is back at our Door Buster price as low as $7.99 per bottle. It comes from the premier grower in his famous French wine growing area and it is estate-bottled and grown carefully without the use of chemical fertilizers and weed killers. Load up for the hot weather that's coming! REMINDER: This is a "Door-Buster Sale" which means these special prices are available only today (Friday, April 30th) and tomorrow (Saturday, May 1st). 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. Jim Cutts
 2008 Epifanio Ribera del Duero, Spain Reg. $14.99 Door Buster Sale: Buy a case (12+ bottles) at just $10.99 per bottle (6 bottle price: $12.99 per bottle)
This has been a customer favorite since we introduced it to the region with the 2005 vintage. The only problem has been that so many people want it, we frequently can't keep it in stock. We've arranged for a big shipment and today we have it at an amazing price that matches our best e-mail sale price ever! Epifanio is knockout Ribera del Duero at a price that you won't believe once you've tried the wine. Made from 100% tempranillo, Spain's signature red grape, this would be a fine value at double the price. This is made by the same winery and comes from the same vineyard as Erial (another great value), but it spends less time in oak and the price is considerably lower. The vineyards are perfectly situated in the heart of the Pesquera de Duero, right next to the famous (and famously expensive) Pingus. The outstanding wine spends just a few months in oak barrels, enough to smooth the wine, soften the tannins, and enhance the mouthfeel, but not enough to add oaky flavors. It is a made by famous winemaker Epifanio Rivera from a unique and special clone of Tinta Fina (Tempranillo) that was grafted from ancient pre-phyloxera vines. Some of the vines are over 80 years old. You have to try this. The character and complexity will amaze you. The Washington Post recommended it, rated it "Excellent" (2 stars out of 3) and awarded it their sought-after "Great Value" symbol at a price of $15 per bottle. The other three "Excellent" (2-star) wines were priced at $38, $19, and $23 per bottle. Here's what the Post's Dave McIntyre wrote about the 2008 Epifanio: There's a lot going on in the glass: minerally, stony character, and cherry and blackberry fruit perfumed with herbs such as mint. This is a very restless wine right now; I would expect it to calm down somewhat in a few months without losing its excitement. GREAT VALUE. 2 Stars "Excellent". $15. Again the best Ribera del Duero we've ever tasted at the price. It is the Post's best value among their recommended wines. It is one of our most popular Spanish wines ever. And it's the lowest price we've ever seen. Thank you for reading and we look forward to seeing you at the store!
 2009 Serge Batard "Hého Le Blanc", Loire Valley, France Reg. $10.99 per bottle DOOR BUSTER SALE: Buy a case at just $7.99 per bottle (Save $3.00 per bottle!)
This impressive white wine is made from 95% grolleau gris, an aromatic and refreshing white grape. 5% melon (the Muscadet grape) is added. The 15 year old vines grow inoutstanding sandy loam and limestone soils and are worked by hand without any chemical fertilizers or weed killers. Harvest is done entirely by hand before the aromatic and refreshing grapes are gently pressed and fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. This clean and cheerful white has aromas of green apples, yellow roses, and white pepper. The ripe citrus and green apple flavors are exhilarating and intense and lead to a long and zingy finish with nuances of white pepper and limestone minerality. Whether you serve this solo, with olives and fresh cheeses, or with your favorite shrimp dish you'll be thrilled with the refreshing quality of this 12% abv wine and amazed with the price. Take a case to the beach for a super-flavorful but not heavy sipper, or serve it nice and cold at any outdoor warm weather event. Come in and get this special white wine bargain for only $7.99 per bottle by the case while supplies last. Thank you for reading. Jim Cutts | ||||||
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
2007 Domaine du Grand Arc "Cuvee des Quarante," Corbieres
Dear Rene, In a recent "Value Report" edition, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate called this wine from my friend Bruno Schenck of Domaine du Grand Arc, pictured below, "highly recommended" and wrote "This is going to prove immensely versatile and satisfying to anyone smart enough to acquire some." I'm thrilled to see the press is starting to catch on to what Arrowine's customers have known for years! Arrowine introduced "Cuvee des Quarante" to the United States seven vintages ago and our customers have raved about it ever since. It, somehow, keeps getting better with each vintage. The 2007, from the best growing season in memory for southern France, is simply one of the best wines I have ever found for the money. Word is getting out, though. La Revue du Vin de France (a top French wine journal) wrote that the wines of Grand Arc are "among the best Corbieres" and Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate has featured this wine as a top value for two years running. This Corbieres has concentration you won't believe at this price; it is the deepest and fullest Grand Arc "Quarante" yet with more weight and more length than any previous vintage. The aromas are full and expressive. The mouthfeel is powerful yet elegant. The flavors are incredibly complex showing rich black fruit, spicy garrigue, great mineral quality, and excellent freshness and purity. The quality is the best yet and the number of cases available is down from past years since the press is catching on and people around the world are now seeking out Grand Arc's wines. Still, I've refused to raise our price. It's still as low as $13.99 per bottle, a price that has not gone up for four straight vintages. This won't last long,call soon. Doug Rosen
 2007 Domaine du Grand Arc "Cuvee des Quarante," Corbieres Reg. $17.99 Buy 6 bottles or more at $14.99 per bottle Buy a case (12 bottles) at just $13.99 per bottle Arrives tomorrow March 24th Only 65 cases available I was introduced to this wine and this estate by my good friend and one of the top palates in France, Thomas Calder. It was fantastic then and it's even better today. I have introduced many of my own friends to it in the seven vintages I've bought and sold. This 2007, though, hits a whole new level of depth and concentration. The immense flavors in this wine are why so many in France, and now in this area, love this wine and why many others are eager to try it after reading about it in top reviews. Another reason we love it is the terrific price. The wine is significantly better than past vintages (that have been excellent) but we've been able to keep the same low sale price for four straight vintages.  About the wine:
Here's how it tastes: There is very deep crimson purple color, nearly black. The nose is rich and intense withblackberry cream, red plums, minerals, spicy garrigue (rosemary and thyme) and licorice. The palate is full of flavor, dry yet rich and bursting with berries, plums, cinnamon spice and a subtle stone dust minerality. The finish is long, powerful, refreshing and satisfying. The wood regime is completely transparent and wonderfully integrated, adding creamy mouthfeel to the dry, long, complex flavors of the finish.This is a wonderfully deep, satisfying, and complex bottle of wine. I would consider it a fine value at $25. That it can be had for only $13.99 makes it no mystery why this is so popular and why it is becoming recognized as a "top value," especially from a great year like 2007. To order, please phone us at (703) 525-0990. We will need your name, phone number, and Visa or MasterCard information with expiration date. This arrives tomorrow, Wednesday, March 24th. Thank you for your support of Arrowine and the work that we do. Doug Rosen | ||||
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