W.E.T.C.O.W.

The O’Keeffes hosted this event where they presented four wines suitable for Spring sipping.

The Wines:

Foucher Lebrun le mont Sancerre Sauvignon blanc 2010 – $18.00. This is a special cuvée of 2500 cases made by Jean Mounard.  The wine is incredibly fresh and mineral, and stands in contrast to this vintage which tends toward richer, heavier wines often with residual sugar.  It has good depth, lovely, citrusy fruit, and a classic flintiness on the nose and palate.  The wine comes from the villages of Sancerre, Chavignol and d’Amigny.  The wine was aged on its lees in stainless steel for 10 months before bottling…  A négociant, Fourcher-Lebrun was founded by Paulin Lebrun in the 1920’s, selling non-bottled wines to cafés and restaurants. Son in law Raymond Foucher came aboard in the 50’s. It wasn’t until 2009 that a new partner, rare wine broker Jean Mounard, started sourcing from highly select plots in the Loire, that they started producing lip-smackingly steely Sancerres like le Mont.

Domaine Ragotiere Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine – $14.00 .  Built by the noble Loré de la Ragotiere family in the fourteenth century, Château de la Ragotière was purchased in 1979 by the Couillaud brothers. After acquiring the property, Bernard, François and Michel discovered an old cellar in the chapel housing vintages dating back to 1947. The Couillaud brothers strive to carry on the tradition of making high quality, long-lasting Muscadets. The Sèvre and Maine rivers converge and flow into the Loire river just before it meets the sea at the border of Brittany, creating the richest vineyard land in Muscadet. Ragotière’s holdings consist of 55 hectares including 25 hectars of the finest Muscadet vineyards in the Appellation Muscadet de Sevre et Maine, with the vines averaging over 25 years of age. Whereas most Muscadets are left on the lees only a short time, Ragotière is bottled “sur lie.” The wines are not racked after fermentation, but are drawn directly off the lees and bottled immediately, leaving in the wine some of the carbon dioxide created by the fermentation. Ragotière bottles no earlier than April allowing time for the lees to nourish the wine and define its character.

Faiveley Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2008 – $22.00. Founded in 1825, the Bourgogne Faiveley Domaine has been passed down from father to son for over 180 years. Situated in the heart of Nuits-Saint-Georges, the family has worked throughout the years to strategically expand into other appellations and prestigious cru vineyards. Today 80% of the grapes are sourced from their family vineyards, while the remainder originates from select vineyards whose growers are under long term contracts with the family.100% Pinot Noir. Spent 12-14 months in the winery’s Nuit-Saint-Georges cellars; 80% in vats and 20% in oak barrels. No new oak is used. Ruby red with shades of garnet, bright and clear. Fresh and expressive. Aromas of spices and Provencal herbs, delicately mixed with red fruit notes. A fine and elegant wine, with a solid tannic structure and balance marked by freshness.

Derencourt chateau d’arsac Bordeaux 2008 – $32.00. One of the oldest wine estates in the Medoc, Chateau d’Arsac has a rich and eventful history that can be traced back over 900 years; in the 16th century it was owned by Thomas de Montaigne, brother of the famous philosopher. Since 1986 it has been owned by Philippe Raoux, under whose direction it has rediscovered its wine-producing vocation as well as the “Margaux” appellation for half of its vineyards.  Intense garnet-red in colour with a toasty, smoky nose, opening up to reveal a generous bouquet of red fruits. Silky and seductive palate, structured but rounded, with a concentrated middle and a flourish of vanilla and blackcurrant on the finish.

SCORING RESULTS : Seasonal (springtime) wines  5/4/2012