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You may have noticed the disappearance of my yearly vintage report last year. Ah yes, I had to make my decision on whether to go to Bordeaux to taste the 2008 vintage in late February, early March of 2009. As you may remember, the financial markets were going through some pretty crazy gyrations at the time. Discretion being the better part of valor, I decided to stay home and buy very few 2008 vintage Bordeaux for Green’s. It was just too scary out there to contemplate sinking hundreds of thousands of dollars in fine wine at the time.
Things have changed somewhat this year, not that the economy has healed but, at least, I think there will be an economy. There are some downright positives this
year too. For whatever reason, the dollar is relatively strong against the Euro as I write this piece. Go figure. This gives me hope that one could pick up the 2009’s at a reasonable exchange rate, and thus, a reasonable price. Now as to the quality of Bordeaux 2009, my tastings in early April in Bordeaux revealed some superb wines. I’ll leave the technical details such as weather conditions and harvest dates to others,
Michael Bishop
Green’s Senior Wine Buyer
For 2009 Bordeaux Info, call
404-321-6232 x 310
but quality wise, 2009 is at least on a par with the other great vintage of the decade, 2005. Stylistically, it is quite different.
The best 2009’s have more supple, opulent fruit than the 05’s. They also have great balance, displaying a very refreshing nuance of acidity in their aftertastes. Moreover, there is plenty of tannin, necessary for long cellaring, but the ripe fruit masks its presence at the moment. The wines are absolutely delicious to drink NOW! Will they close up and become tough a year or so after bottling as most vintages do, I am not so sure. There are no easy benchmarks in the past to compare this year’s wine against. At each property I visited (about 14) I would ask, “What past vintage does the 2009 remind you of?” I got about 5 different answers!
I do have my own personal theory on how the wines of this vintage might develop. Except for the bottle shock all wine goes through immediately after bottling, these wines may never really close up. They may drink deliciously upon release and evolve, in the case of the best wines, for decades, changing character, but never going through a dumb stage. It will be exciting to find out!
By the way, the petit chateaux, those wines that bear no exalted Grand Cru status, and thus are less expensive (usually $10-$20 per bottle), can be absolutely stunning in 2009. Pull the car up and buy the best ones by the case! Be careful though, there is more variation in quality at this level, so get good advice. I have listed many wines in this category below.
Please note that I have listed the wines I recommend based on what I sampled. I was able to taste a rather wide range of wines, 238 to be exact. Just because a wine is not listed, however, does not mean the wine was omitted
Chateau Pichon Baron
because it was inferior. It may mean a sample of the wine did not come my way. But, as with any vintage, no matter how good, some properties made better wines than others. Those listed below are the cream of the crop in its class of the ones I had the opportunity to sample. They are arranged by area.
Written by Michael Bishop
Green’s Senior Wine Buyer
April 17th, 2010
P.S. - Green’s will sell 2009 Bordeaux on a “futures” basis later on in the spring. Stay tuned for email notices! If you are not currentlly not on our email list, please send us your email address. - Michael Bishop
MARGAUX: As usual, the wines of Margaux are the most variable in quality of all the major “left bank” districts. That said, some of the top wines I tasted came from there. Follow the recommended wines below and you can’t go wrong.
Recommended Wines:
(52% of Total Wines Sample)
Tour de Mons, Mongravey, Monbrison, du Tertre, Giscours, Brane Cantenac, d’Issan, Malescot St. Exupery, Lascombes, Palmer, d’ Angludet
Total Wines Tasted From This Commune: 21
ST. JULIEN
St. Julien, along with Pauillac, as is so often the case, is the very center of consistent quality wines in 2009. Naturally, some are better than others. You will find my recommendations below.
Recommended Wines: (89% of Total Wines Sampled)
Gloria, Talbot, Lagrange, Beychevelle, Branaire Ducru, St. Pierre, Leoville Poyferre, Leoville Barton
Total Wines Tasted From This Commune: 9
PAUILLAC
Home to Lafite, Latour, and Mouton-need I say more? Like St. Julien, it was difficult to find underachievers, but there were a few.
Recommended Wines: (71% of Total Wines Tasted) Haut Batailley, D’Armailhac, Clerc Milon, Grand Puy Lacoste, Pichon Lalande, Pichon Baron, Pontet Canet, Duhart Milon, Lafite Rothschild, Lynch Bages, Latour, Haut Bages Liberal
Total Wines Tasted From This Commune: 17
ST. ESTEPHE
2009 was very kind to the top wines of St. Estephe. For many, gone are the toughness and rusticity that were often found in past vintages here. In its place, one finds unusual succulence and forward fruit flavors to balance the firmness of the tannins. But there was a lot of variation. The wines were either really good or really not.
Recommended Wines: (43% of Total Wines Tasted) Serilhan, Meyney, Phelan Segur, Calon Segur, Montrose. Les Ormes de Pez
Total Wines Tasted From This Commune: 14
PESSAC-LEOGNAN/GRAVES
2009 produced an unusually consistent result for this area, partially because the Cabernet Franc, which is planted in larger proportion here than its northern Medoc neighbor, ripened perfectly in 2009. My personal favorite wine of the vintage, Haut Brion, is located here.
Recommended Wines: (78% of Total Wines Tasted) Pape Clement, Haut Brion, La Mission Haut Brion, Grand Enclos, Domaine de Chevalier, Malartic Lagraviere, Fieuzal
Total Wines Tasted From This Area: 9
MEDOC & HAUT MEDOC
If the aristocrats of Margaux, St. Julien, Pauillac, and St. Estephe are too pricey for you, consider the “Bourgeoisie” (plus two Grand Cru) of these two districts. In the main, they are priced far below the Grand Cru and offer a lot of pleasure in the 2009 vintage. Be careful though, the quality of the wines in this class is all over the place. Stick with the recommendations below.
Recommended Wines: (48% of Total Wines Tasted) Bellvue, Cambon La Pelouse, St. Paul, La Tour Carnet, Lanessan, Poujeaux, Beaumont, Cantemerle, de Gironville, Lamothe Bergeron, Larrivaux, Maucaillou, Caronne Ste. Gemme
Total Wines Tasted From This Area: 27
ST. EMILION & POMEROL
Generally speaking, the wines of Pomerol are stronger than those in St. Emilion. At least they are more consistent. However, there are great wines in St. Emilion that should not be missed.
Recommended Wines: (68% of Total Wines Tasted) Lucia, La Confession, La Pointe, Petit Villages, Gazin, La Conseillante, Bellevue Mondot, Pavie Decesse, Pavie, Clinet, Moulinet, Canon, Clos Fourtet, La Dominique, Clos des Menuts, Couspaude, St Hubert
Total Wines Tasted From This Area: 25
“SECOND WINES”
For value, this category may be the best bet of the 2009 vintage. These wines are made from fruit that didn’t quite make the final blend for the chateaux’s primary wine for one reason or another. Since 2009 produced, for the most part, very good quality grapes, the quality of the wine made here is very good and at a fraction of the price of the “Grand Vin.”
Recommended Wines: (67% of Total Wines Tasted)
Les Fiefs de Lagrange, Forts de Latour, Echo d’Lynch Bages, Connetable de Talbot, Carruades des Lafite, Alter Ego de Palmer
Total Wines Tasted From This Category: 9
PETIT CHATEAUX
There are the “little guys.” They are sourced from lesser known appellations from all over Bordeaux. They are the “Rodney Dangerfields”, they get no respect. Even in a great vintage like 2009, you find bad wine in this category. However, Green’s has sorted the wheat from the chaff and come up with some beauties. Even better, many will start appearing in our stores this year, offering you an opportunity to taste a wine from this superb vintage early on.
Recommended Wines: (59% of Total Wines Tasted)
Croix Mouton, Domaine d’La A, Cap de Faugeres, Clos Lunelles, Piochet, D’Argadens, Robin, Montfort de Larmevaille, Roc de Minvielle, de Lavagnac, Haut Piquat, Fleur St. Antoine, Lagrave St. Antoine, Messile Aubert. Jean de Gue, Puygueraud, Birot, Mont Perat, Fleur St. Antoine
Total Wines Tasted From This Area: 32
Dry White Bordeaux
Rich, ripe, supple fruit with good balancing acidity. They are enjoyable now, but the best will cellar very well. An excellent vintage.
Recommended Wines: (100% of Total Wines Tasted)
Pape Clement Blanc, Monbousquet Blanc, Blanc de Lynch Bages, La Mission Haut Brion Blanc, Carbonnieux Blanc, Fieuzal Blanc, Grand Enclos Blanc, Domaine de Chevalier Blanc, Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc
Total Wines Tasted In This Category: 10
SAUTERNES & BARSAC
Sorry, I just slap ran out of time and could not taste many Sauternes. So, for me, judgment reserved. The Bordelaise, however, are very excited about the 2009 vintage for Sauternes. Extreme ripeness is balanced by acidity, they claim. Sounds familiar, one could have said the same for the red wines.
(Please note, not all the wines recommended above will be available for sale at Green’s. These are simply my recommendations based on what I sampled. I will, however, endeavor to acquire and offer as many of these as possible to Green’s customers.- Michael Bishop)
“First, and most importantly, for some Medocs and Graves, 2009 may turn out to be the finest vintage I have tasted in 32 years of covering Bordeaux.’
- Robert Parker
“The 2009s have the same juicy fruit and rich, round tannins as the 1982s, but are simply much better made. It's a new world with the top names of Bordeaux.”
- The Wine Spectator
My tastings in early April in Bordeaux revealed some superb wines. Quality wise, 2009 is at least on a par with the other great vintage of the decade, 2005. Stylistically, it is quite different.
The best 2009’s have more supple, opulent fruit than the 05’s. They also have great balance, displaying a very refreshing nuance of acidity in their aftertastes. Moreover, there is plenty of tannin, necessary for long cellaring, but the ripe fruit masks its presence at the moment. Some wines are absolutely delicious to drink NOW! Will they close up and become tough a year or so after bottling as most vintages do? I am not so sure. There are no easy benchmarks in the past against which to compare this year’s wine.
Michael Bishop
Green’s Senior Wine Buyer
For 2009 Bordeaux Info, call
404-321-6232 x 310
Written by Michael Bishop
Green’s Senior Wine Buyer
A morning's tasting of 2009 Bordeaux for our Wine Director...work...work...work...work!
2009 Vintage Bordeaux Futures Terms:
1.
No pre-payment.
2.
You must pick up and pay for these wines within 30 days of notification of arrival. If you move and leave no forwarding address with us, we are not responsible for notifying you. Wines not collected within 30 days of notification may be sold to someone else. Expect your order to arrive in late 2011 or sometime in 2012.
3.
Please note the following minimum purchase requirements: 750 ml or 375ml size purchases in 6 bottle or case lots .This is the minimum per type except for wines that sell for over $100 per bottle. These may be reserved in single bottle or more increments.
4.
Any New federal, state, or local taxes will be added on to the purchase price at the time of delivery. We compute listed sale prices based on current federal, state, and city tax structure.
5.
Green’s reserves the right to limit purchases.
6.
Green’s is not responsible for supplier errors in shipment.
7.
Add local sales tax to listed sales price to compute total retail cost.
8.
Prices are listed as “Cash Prices.”
Offer Good While Supplies Last.
To reserve these wines call Michael Bishop at 404-321-6232, ext. 310 or email me at greenwine@bellsouth.net
(Do not hit the reply button to respond.)
Not Responsible for Typographical errors.
For Value, please look at our Remaining Wines
from the Part 1 & 2 Offers emailed in June: From Green’s Bordeaux 2009 Offer #2:
ST. JULIEN
Lagrange St. Julien 2009 Green’s Cash Price: $61.98
“Intense aromas of blackberry and smoke. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and long finish. Solid and tight. As it should be. Score range: 91-94.”-The Wine Spectator
PAULLIAC
Haut Bages Liberal Paulliac 2009 Green’s Cash Price: $41.98
“Currant and mint, with hints of fresh herbs. Lovely complex nose already. Full-bodied, with supersilky tannins and a long, racy finish. Solid core of beautiful fruit…91-94 points.”-The Wine Spectator
“This may be the finest d’Armailhac I have ever tasted. Made in a textured, full-bodied, sumptuous style… It exhibits…floral, red and black currant, cedar, and spice characteristics. Deep, medium to full-bodied, and impressively pure as well as long…90-93 points.”-Robert Parker
ST. ESTEPHE
Phelan Segur St. Estephe 2009 Green’s Cash Price: $38.98
“Deep aromas of crushed blackberries and fresh herbs. Full-bodied, with round and soft tannins and a polished texture on the finish. Rich and structured. Could be best ever from here…90-93 points.”-The Wine Spectator
“…proprietor Alexandre Bonnie has hit the proverbial home runs in 2009…The best Malartic Lagraviere I have ever tasted…an unctuous texture, extraordinary elegance, lots of licorice, graphite, blueberry, black raspberry, and cherry characteristics, full body, terrific purity and length, and good acidity…93-95 points.”-Robert Parker
"SECOND WINES"
Alter Ego de Palmer Margaux 2009
(2nd Wine of Chateau Palmer) Green’s Cash Price: $56.98
“Black red, superb, velvety almost exotic nose, rich and polished fruit with lots of ripe tannins, will open up early but has terrific length and concentration…4 stars.”-Decanter Magazine
From Green’s Bordeaux 2009 Offer #1:
ST. EMILION La Couspade St. Emilion 2009 Green’s Cash Sale Price: $49.98
“Blackberry and blueberry, with Indian spices. Full-bodied, with vanilla and berry fruit. Long and beautiful. Juicy and gorgeous…91-94 points.”-The Wine Spectator
“SECOND WINES”
Les Pagodes des Cos St. Estephe 2009
(Second Wine of Cos d’Estournel) Green’s Cash Sale Price: $59.98
“…a remarkable offering…better than most Cos d’Estournel vintages produced in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. It is a full-bodied, opulently concentrated wine of amazing richness, density, and intensity…This wine possesses this vintage’s classic characteristics of enormous power, massive fruit, and extraordinary freshness and precision - largely unprecedented…91-94 points.”-Robert Parker
SAUTERNES & BARSAC
Chat. De Myrat Barsac 2009
750ml Size- Green’s Cash Sale Price: $32.98
“Dried apricot and citrus fruit aromas follow through to a full body, with a very sweet and intense palate. Finishes with lots of fruit and spicy nutmeg character…94-97 points.”-The Wine Spectator
“Shows lots of lemon pie and almond spice, with hints of bitter lemon. Full-bodied, with a nutmeg and honey finish. Racy…92-95 points.”-The Wine Spectator
“…it unfurls seductively with subtle, perfumed aromas of lime leaf, white peach, fresh apricot and touches of white flowers: very pretty and well defined. The palate is beautifully balanced, so pure and succinct with wonderful precision towards the vibrant, white peach and apricot finish. This is a wonderful Sauternes and one of their best wines in recent years….94-96 points.”-The Wine Advocate
“…the palate is well balanced with fine minerality, bright citrus fruit, orange zest, a touch of white peach and apricot, good tension towards the finish with a dash of lemongrass on the aftertaste. There is very good weight and botrytis on this Lafaurie Peyraguey that linger seductively…92-94 points.”-The Wine Advocate
La Tour Blanche Sauternes 2009
750ml Size- Green’s Cash Sale Price: $62.98
"...on the nose with grapefruit, nectarine and apricot aromas…Touches of fresh apricot, a hint of nougat, lime zest and white peach. Well balanced, linear at the front palate but voluminous and expanding across the mouth in every direction on the viscous, mineral-rich finish. There is so much potential here. Superb…94-96 points.”-The Wine Advocate
Chateau Pichon Baron
Offer Good While Supplies Last.
To reserve these wines call Michael Bishop at 404-321-6232, ext. 310 or email me at greenwine@bellsouth.net
That’s right; it’s baaaack…but sourced from a different section of Napa Valley and available in Merlot as well Cabernet Sauvignon. The good news is that the Cab costs only $14.99, down from $19.99 that its Stag’s Leap predecessor sold for.
As a condition of purchase, I can’t tell you the name of the winery from which this Cabernet Sauvignon comes. The winery doesn’t want you to know how cheaply we’re selling it, because it’s a fraction of the regular retail price. The largest portion of this wine would retail just under $50 at the winery. They are stuck with excess juice because the demand for premium wine has slackened, and they want to move the 2007’s out (a great vintage in Napa by the way) to make room for the 2008’s and 2009’s. They don’t want to cheapen the brand image by slashing the price far below regular retail, but they are willing to sell this delicious wine very cheaply under a fake label, as long as you don’t know what it is. They want to have their cake and eat it too!
I CAN tell you the following. The wine is made up of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon from northern Napa Valley, in and around Calistoga, 5.5% Malbec from Paso Robles, 6% Petit Verdot, split between the Yountville and Stag’s Leap appellations, and it’s blended with 12.5% Merlot from the Stag’s Leap area.
Cassis bouquet, this wine has excellent fruit concentration with hints of oak, cinnamon, and lavender on the palate. You can drink it now or hold for 4-5 years.
We have 56 cases of this wine split between our Buford Highway and Ponce de Leon locations. First come, first serve.- Michael Bishop, Green’s Senior Wine Buyer
Angel’s Landing Merlot
Napa Valley 2007 Green’s Cash Price: $12.99
Almost the same story as the above, but this is Merlot and it’s sourced from a different district than the Cabernet. The fruit is grown just off the Silverado Trail from…oops…I almost said it. Again, like the Cabernet Sauvignon, I can’t tell you what winery produced this wine. The Merlot here is normally used to blend with a Cabernet Sauvignon that retails for over $70 at the winery.
Mint and cassis in the aroma, there is a soft fruit entry that gives way to chocolate and a touch of oak in the mid-palate and finish. Delicious and only $12.99!-Michael Bishop, Green’s Senior Wine Buyer
Of the 2007 southern Rhone vintage, The Wine Spectator said: Ripe, rich, powerful reds thanks to long Indian summer at harvesttime. Grenache is heady and rich, so Mourvèdre and Cinsault key for balance. Best wines are classic hedonistic delights…”
“…the young Alexander Favier appears to be doing everything right.” - Robert Parker
It was my great pleasure, this past winter, to visit with Alexander Favier of the renowned Chante Cigale estate in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Tasting his wines was an experience and I immediately wanted to place an order for as many cases as I could get allocated. Sadly, due to some prior commercial commitments, this turned out to be impossible. However, M.Favier had a plan B.
He created three cuvees for us under the label Reserve des Oliviers.
This is not the real name of the estate, but like some of the great offers you’ve had recently from Green’s under fictitious labels, (Angel’s Landing comes to mind for example), it is a superb value. Unfortunately I can’t tell you where it is from as a condition of sale. I think I happened to be in the right place at the right time, as I got the impression he wanted to move out the last of some 2007’s in stock and transition into the 2008’s. Whatever the reason, you’re the winner.
– Michael Bishop, Green’s Senior Wine Buyer
.
Alexander Favier and Michael Bishop
plotting the secret cuvee in Chateauneuf-du Pape.
Reserve des Oliviers Chateauneuf-du Pape Tradition 2007 *(Average Internet Price You Would Pay for the “Real Name" - $36.65) Green’s Cash Sale Price: $25.99
A blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, and 5% Cinsault, this wine has a bouquet of Provencal herbs, with licorice and black fruit aromas. The flavor is quite intense, with rich ripe fruit and an explosively long finish. This will age over the medium term but it is absolutely delicious for drinking now.-Green’ Wine Buyer (10% Case Discount - Mixed or Solid)
*Average price computed with data from Wine-Searcher.com. The world's number one search engine of wine stores, winery, and wine auction, price lists and catalogues….with 3,669,833 offers from the price lists of 17,344 wine merchants…
To reserve or to ask for further information: At Buford Highway: 404-321-6232 Ext.1 and ask for Julia Basin or James Nichols.
At Ponce de Leon: 404-872-1109 and ask for Leonard Irish
Or email Michael Bishop at greenwine@bellsouth.net
“Imported rosé is hitting a confluence of consumer trends: an increase in drinking moderately priced ($10 to $20) wines and a thirst for dry, light wines “-The Wine Spectator
“There's nothing better on a sultry day than a wonderful bottle of dry rosé.” - Robert Parker
Memorial Day weekend is near; it is officially Rosé season!
For years, almost alone in Atlanta, Green’s has beaten the drum for dry Rosé. It is the perfect summertime wine. Cool and refreshing, and usually moderately priced, Rosé is meant to be consumed without pretense. It is “just” a fun wine that will match well with almost any food.
We are the only retailer in these parts with long experience in selecting these wines. The Green’s cardinal rule on Rosé is to drink only the most recent vintage available. That means 2009. Any vintage preceding this would likely be too old. If a wine shop tries to pawn off one of those elderly years on you they are trying to get rid of old inventory. At Green’s we sell our Rosé one way-fresh. You will find only 2009 vintage at our stores.
Most years our selections are all from France and so it is with this one. Maybe that’s because the French have the most experience in making Rosé. I trekked there this past January to find the very best. Find I did, from the Rhone and Loire Valleys as well as Provence. By the way, 2009 was a magnificent vintage in all three of these areas, as it seemed to be all over France. My picks for the summer are below.-Michael Bishop, Green’s Wine Buyer
Rhone Valley: Cave de Tavel
If there was a Grand Cru system ranking Rosé in France, Tavel would be a First Growth. Bearing the unofficial title of “King of Rosé”, it was the favorite wine of several Kings of France as well as the Avignon Popes. It was one of the first areas to be granted an official appellation (A.O.C.) in 1936, at the same time as it more famous neighbor, Chateauneuf-du-Pape. It is also a unique appellation in France, as it is allowed to make only Rosé. As this is all that they can do, who else can claim to have more experience making fine Rosé?
Tavel Wine Region in the Rhone Valley
There are three types of soil here that have a strong effect on the character of the wine. West of town is dominated by limestone and slate. Here low-yielding vines grow, giving deep and aromatic wines. Another type is the flat sandy rocky fields, easy to cultivate and good for ripening. The third is dominated by galéts roules, the smooth round stones also found in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. This soil is located east of the town in the direction of Châteauneuf. You find the most intensely flavored Tavels here.
The producer of the wines below is the Cave de Tavel, a co-op that owns approximatel half of the total of the entire appellation of Tavel! Each one of these Tavels expresses the unique charcter of the soil that the vineyards are located on.
Home of Cave de Tavel, owner of half the appellation.
Les Acanthes Tavel Rosé 2009 Green’s Cash Price: $11.99
Produced from vineyards in mostly sandy soil, this elegant dry Rosé displays a fine balance of ripe red fruit and acidity. A beautiful wine, it is quite refreshing on the palate as well.-Green’s Wine Buyer
Les Lauzeraies Tavel Rosé 2009 Green’s Cash Price: $11.99
Sourced from vineyards located on limestone soil, it is made from a blend of Grenache (50%), Cinsault (20%), Syrah (20%) , and Mourvèdre (10%). A combination of mineral and red fruit in the bouquet, this dry Rosé displays crispness to blend with its rich red fruit character. There is a nice long refreshing finish here, just lovely.-Green’s Wine Buyer
The terroir of the vineyard of these wines is galéts roules, the same large smooth pepples found in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. These stones reflect the heat toward the fruit during the day, and retain, and slowly release, heat throughout the night. The fruit gets unually ripe here.
Made from Grenache (50%), Clairette (11%),Cinsault (20%),
Syrah and Carignan (9%), and Picpoul and Bourboulenc (10%), this Tavel is the richest and most powerful of the three. Ripe cherry in the bouquet, the wine possesses rich fruit concentration and a spicy quality in the taste. This could overpower some red wines!-Green’s Wine Buyer
Victor-Costieres de Nimes Rosé 2009
Green’s Cash Price: $9.99
Green’s has been proud to sell many Rosés from the Costieres de Nimes district over the years, but Victor is a new property for us. This area is located at the very southern end of the Rhone Valley, just west of Provence. The Roséstyle here is between these two.
This is a blend of 50% Grenache, 25% Syrah, and 25% Mourvedre, it has a brilliant light to medium pink color and outstanding bouquet of strawberries and raspberries. The dry flavor shows a ripe red fruit quality, but on the elegant side, with crisp acidity for balance.-Green’s Wine Buyer
Domaine de Paris Rosé Cotes de Provence 2009
Green’s Cash Price: $9.99
OK, you’re sitting out by the pool. It’s hot. You want something to slake a thirst. You open a bottle of this lovely Rosé with its beautiful light brilliant pink color and crisp raspberry/strawberry flavor. It’s cool and refreshing and soooooo…. elegant on the palate.
I’m not saying you’ll be instantly transported back to the wine’s source, Cote de Provence, but you’ll understand why you might want to be there. -Green’s Wine Buyer
La Cabriole Cabernet de Saumur Rosé 2009 Green’s Cash Price: $9.99
Made from Cabernet Franc, this delicious Rosé from the Loire Valley has a refreshing red fruit flavor. Cabernet Franc is the highest quality red wine producing grape of the area, it makes a dynamite Rosé as well.-Green’s Wine Buyer
10% Case Discount (Mixed or Solid) on all Rosé items above!
Summer is one the best times to drink white Burgundy. They are Chardonnay, but made in a style that offers a different spin than California Chardonnay. Generally lighter, with a more refreshing finish, they are delicious wines to drink alone or with light summer fare.
The Green’s tasting team found some good values here. All sell for under $20 and meet our standards for excellent white Burgundy. Try one and you’ll see what I mean.
Refreshing apple-like flavor, this unoaked Chardonnay is perfect for warm weather drinking. Medium-bodied with a hint of mineral, this is a delightful quaffer and a fine match for fish or chicken.-Green’s Wine Buyer
Renaud Pouilly Fuisse Vielles Vignes Green’s Cash Price: $16.99
Peaches and vanilla in the bouquet, there is excellent smooth ripe fruit in the taste. Smooth and rich. Made from 45 year old vines which lend extra concentration to the wine.-Green’s Wine Buyer
William Fevre Chablis Royaux 2008 Green’s Cash Price: $18.99
“High-pitched aromas of lime oil and spearmint. At once supple and juicy, with enticing fruit intensity and good fat and cut. Finishes ripe, tasty and persistent. A very good village..89 points.”-International Wine Cellar
Made by a famous producer of Pouilly Fuisse, this wine is from vineyards located outside that area in Southern Burgundy near Macon. Yellow fruits, honey, and a hint of smoke in the bouquet, there is a lively refreshing flavor with a nuance of oak. A lot of complexity for this low price.-Green’s Wine Buyer
Each summer for the past 15 years, Green’s has selected a special white wine;one that we thought was the perfect foil for the hot climate of Atlanta. In the past, we have selected Domaine de Pouy and Le Jade Picpoul de Pinet. However, we have found a new white wine for the summer of 2010 to carry on the tradition.
Made in very much the same style and from the same area as the Domaine de Pouy of previous years, we like this wine better. A blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Colombard, Ugni Blanc, Chardonnay, Gros Manseng, and Petit Manseng, it has an attractive floral, white fruit, and herb aroma, with fresh fruit and acidity on the palate, this lively dry white wine is a delightful quaff alone, or with mild fish and chicken dishes. It’s also very easy on the budget at $7.99! -Green’s Wine Buyer
The Loire River is the cradle of the French Nation. It is where the cultures of north and south meet. Charles Martel stopped the Saracen invasion of Europe at Tours in 731 AD. Joan of Arc met the Dauphin at Chinon in 1429 and convinced him to fight the English. In the 16th century, kings and nobles built their great chateaux in the Loire Valley, preferring it to all other parts of France. Called “garden of France” and the “cradle of the French language”, I have been to France over a dozen times and have found it to be the most beautful region of the country. It also produces some of the best wines, though many are not widely known in the United States.
In my quest to find new and intersting wines for Green’s customers, I spent 4 days in the Loire this past January tasting,primarily, the newly made wines of the superb 2009 vintage. The general style of the dry table wines of this region is light, with plenty of acidity in the finish to balance the fruit. To quench a hot summer thirst, here in the south, I can’t imagine a more appropriate wine-producing region to buy wines from. – Michael Bishop, Green’s Wine Buyer
White Wines
Les Orfèvres Sauvignon Blanc Touraine 2009
Green’s Cash Sale Price: $9.99
The Loire Valley is famous for its Sauvignon Blanc based wine-ever heard of Sancerre boys and girls! While not from Sancerre, this fresh, 2009 vintage, Sauvignon Blanc from the Touraine possesses that perfect tension between fruit and acidity, with nuances of herb in the bouquet and flavor. Light, crisp, and refreshing, this is a delight and sells for half the price of its more famous neighbor.-Green’s Wine Buyer
La Cabriole Saumur Blanc 2009
Green’s Cash Price: $9.99
Nowhere else in the world does the Chenin Blanc grape reach the quality level that it achieves in the Loire. White fruit and citrus aromatics, there is plenty of mid-palate fruit to buffer the acidity in the aftertaste. Very refreshing.-Green’s Wine Buyer
Dom. de L’Auriere Muscadet Sevre et Maine Sur Lie 2008
Green’s Cash Price: $9.99
Along with Vouvray, Muscadet is one of the few Loire Valley wines that one can readily find in the U.S. Let me explain the nomenclature on the label. “Sevre et Maine” is the best wine producing area, taking its name from the two rivers which define the district. “Sur Lie” indicates that the wine has been left on its lees for up to 6 months, over the winter, to give the wines extra body and complexity.
Made from the Melon de Bourgogne grape, this wine is crisp and relatively light, though the “Sur Lie” process adds a little richness. I can’t think of a better wine to pair with shellfish, mild fish or seafood dishes. It’s great to serve alone as an aperitif too. –Green’s Wine Buyer
100% Chenin Blanc, Vouvray is one of the best known wines of the Loire. This is the classic style, made with just a touch of sweetness; I would classify it as medium-dry. It has a ripe fruit aroma and displays mouth filling fruit in the taste. A delicious thirst-quencher, serve alone or with fruit and cheeses. Excellent with oriental cuisine, it is particularly good with spicy Thai dishes.-Green’s Wine Buyer
If there is a benchmark for Sauvignon Blanc, it is Sancerre. Flinty and minerally, it possesses rich gooseberry-like fruit qualities that combine with racy acidity. It is a wine best enjoyed in its youth, while fresh and exuberant.
There is only one bad thing about Sancerre. It is too popular, which has pushed its price up over the years, usually averaging around $25-$30 today. I can’t tell you how delighted I was to find a quality, domaine-bottled example of this wine for under $20. It’s an absolute steal!-Green’s Wine Buyer
Red Wines
The Loire gets little attention for its reds in the U.S. That is a shame; the Cabernet Franc based wines here are excellent.
Château de Rivière Chinon 2009
Green’s Cash Price: $10.99
Amazingly forward and ready-to-drink for such a young red wine, the Cabernet Franc really struts its stuff here with it’s minerally, concentrated fruit flavor. I would decant this in a carafe and cool it in the fridge for 20 minutes before serving. Serve 62-65F.-Green’s Wine Buyer
This is our most popular feature. The Green’s wine tasting team scours the world to find what we believe are the best wines around for under $10. We found selections from France, Italy, California, Argentina, Australia, Portugal, Germany, Spain, and Greece. There are a lot of different flavors and styles to enjoy, and all are very good quality. -Michael Bishop, Green’s Wine Buyer
10% Case Discount (Mixed or Solid)
RED WINES
Les Acanthes Merlot VDP Oc 2009
Green’s Cash Price: $6.99
Just pure supple, soft fruit and a touch of that Merlot chocolate-this is an amazing Merlot for $6.99. Very well-balanced, it remains refreshing in the aftertaste.-Green’s Wine Buyer
The two grape varietals in this wine, Merlot and Tannat (southwest’s France’s powerful native grape variety), complement one another perfectly. One gives the soft, round character of Merlot to tame the big structure and flavor of the Tannat. Berry fruit, with hints of cocoa in the bouquet, the flavor is smooth, with supple ripe fruit on the palate.
I’d serve this at cool room temperature, around 65F.-Green’s Wine Buyer
Stella Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2006
Green’s Cash Sale Price: $6.99
“…plump style with plenty of dark cherry tobacco and herb flavors. This accessible, easy going red is an excellent choice for casual drinking as well as a terrific value…87 points.”-The Wine Advocate
Ravenswood “Zen of Zin” Old Vine Zinfandel 2007
Green’s Cash Price: $7.49
Sourced predominantly from Sonoma County, with a selection of fruit brought in from several other premium California winegrowing regions, the wine has a complex, tar, balsamic, and berry bouquet. Spicy on the palate, integrated with concentrated black fruit flavors, I can’t believe this is a $7.49 bottle of Zinfandel. Amazing!-Green’s Wine Buyer
This area is located at the very southern end of the Rhone Valley, just west of Provence. A blend of 50% Syrah, 30% Mourvèdre, and 20% Grenache, it has a peppery, black fruit bouquet. On the palate, it is spicy with soft fruit flavors and a persistent finish. Delicious to drink now with beef, lamb chops, sausages, and flavorful cheeses. –Green’s Wine Buyer
“Rather plush, with a toasty edge to the fig, currant preserve and melted licorice snap notes. Nice streak of roasted mesquite weaves in as well, lengthening the full-bodied finish….88 points.”-The Wine Spectator
Georges Duboeuf Regnie “Flower Label” 2008
Green’s Cash Price: $9.99
Regnie was upgraded to cru status in 1988, and is located on sloping hillside vineyards immersed between Morgon to the north and Brouilly to the south. This 2008 displays bright cherry red color with hints of violet; aromas of redcurrants and ripe raspberries and flowers. Full-bodied and supple with light tannins. It is fresh, fruity and has a particularly long finish.-Green’s Wine Buyer
Arenberg The Stump Jump Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvedre 2008
Green’s Cash Price: $8.99
“Light in texture and fragrant with floral, berry and beet aromas, this plays its fresh flavors against refined tannins, lingering effortlessly. Grenache…90 points.”-The Wine Spectator
Les Acanthes Cotes du Rhone 2009
Green’s Cash Price: $9.99
Be the first on your block to taste a 2009 vintage of Cotes du Rhone. The Wine Spectator reviewed this vintage by saying, “…a scintillating harvest...” I can tell you from my own experience from tasting southern Rhones this past January that 2009 is going to give the recent great years, 2007 and 2005, a run for their money.
This wine has a pretty strawberry/ cherry bouquet. It’s a flavorful wine, but not heavy, delicious for drinking even at this early stage.-Green’s Wine Buyer
Clante Chianti 2007
Green’s Cash Price: $9.99
A Chianti with soft forward fruit. Dark cherries in its bouquet, there is a lot of supple red fruit character in the taste with a hint of licorice.-Green’s Wine Buyer
WHITE WINES
Les Acanthes Viognier VDP Oc 2009
Green’s Cash Price: $7.99
Tasty Viognier for only $7.99! Flowers and white fruits in the bouquet, very aromatic, it has that soft rich flavor and texture that this varietal is renowned for. It’s the perfect summer quaff and a great match with fish or chicken.-Green’s Wine Buyer
Bogle Sauvignon Blanc California 2009
Green’s Cash Price: $7.99
Bogle has consistently won “best buy” accolades with this wine in the past several vintages, and the 2009 is cut from the same mold. Fresh white fruit and a hint of herb in the bouquet, this juicy “in your face” enjoyable Sauvignon Blanc is a perfect match for summer parties and foods.-Green’s Wine Buyer
This delightful thirst-quencher from Portugal is light and crisp on the palate with just a bare hint of spritz in the finish. A great fish or shellfish accompaniment, it is a delight to drink by itself. - Green’s Wine Buyer
Grayson Chardonnay California Lot 13 2008
Green’s Cash Price: $8.99
"Elegant honeysuckle, orange blossom, and tropical fruit aromas are followed by a nicely-textured, medium-bodied Chardonnay displaying outstanding purity, freshness, and overall equilibrium…88 points.” - Robert Parker
One sees little Rhone Valley white wine in the U.S., but boy-they can be delicious. This wine is made from 60% Roussanne, 20% Viognier, and 20% Grenache Blanc. The aromatics are primarily taken for the Roussanne and Viognier, giving them a strong floral and fruity character. Dry, refreshing, and medium to full bodied on the palate, this refreshing white wine is a great match with fish, chicken, and veal. Great alone as an aperitif too.- Green’s Wine Buyer
Selected as one of The Wine Spectator’s Top 100 wines for 2009, their review said, “Sleek and tangy, showing apricot, lime and mango flavors matched to a lively structure. There's good harmony and persistence through the finish…90 points.”
Domaine de la Hallopière Chardonnay VDP Jardin 2009
Green’s Cash Price: $7.99
When offered this wine, and before tasting it, I frankly was unenthusiastic. Thinking, oh boy...Chardonnay from the Loire Valley- why? There are so many other places that do so well with this malleable grape, why don’t they concentrate on the wonderful native grape varieties they are renowned for. Further, it is made by a Muscadet producer, how is that going to work?
It works quite well, thank you very much! Bursting with ripe white fruit character with just a hint of vanilla, this fresh, balanced Chardonnay is a great value at this low price.-Green’s Wine Buyer
“Ripe and languid, with tasty pear, buttered almond and fig notes that glide through the toasty, medium-weight finish.”-The Wine Spectator
Ipsum Rueda 2009
Green’s Cash Price: $9.99
There no oak aging here, just pure unadulterated fruit flavor. Juicy, with citrus and mineral characteristics on the palate, its fresh dry taste is sure to please. From Spain.-Green’s Wine Buyer
Veronique Barthe, owner of Château La Freynelle, inherited the estate at the age of 22. This property has been in the Barthe family since 1789 and Ms. Barthe is the first woman winemaker in 7 generations of family ownership.
This is a mid-sized estate in the heart of the Entre-Deux-Mers region next to Château Bonnet, producing award-winning red and white Bordeaux wines. La Freynelle’s wines represent unbelievable value. Be the first to experience Bordeaux from the fabulous 2009 vintage!-Green’s Wine Buyer
Skouras -Roditis /Moscofilero VDP de Péloponnèse 2008
Green’s Cash Price:$9.99
This Greek wine is a blend of two native grape varieties, 70% Roditis and 30% Moscofilero. Ripe, exotic fruit aromas, there is a hint of CO2 on the palate. Clean and dry white wine, it is refreshing with a crisp finish. This is the perfect seafood accompaniment.- Green’s Wine Buyer
Seaglass Sauvignon Blanc Santa Barbara Co. 2009
Green’s Cash Price: $9.99
Somewhat unusual for a California Sauvignon Blanc, this one is sourced from Santa Barabara County. This light to medium-bodied wine possesses lively citrus and fruit flavors, balanced with refreshing acidity in the aftertaste. The perfect match with fish.-Green’s Wine Buyer
ROSÉ WINE
Les Acanthes Rosé VDP Oc 2009
Green’s Cash Price: $6.99
This superb value is made by the Cave de Tavel from vineyards located just over the boundary from the appellation Tavel. A blend of Grenache (58%) Syrah (22%), and Carignan (20%), it displays many of the same characteristics as its more famous (and expensive) neighbor. Delicious dry red fruits flavor and aromatic bouquet.-Green’s Wine Buyer
Les Orfevres Touraine Touraine Rosé 2009
Green’s Cash Price: $7.99
A blend of 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Gamay, this Rosé presents a delightful, almost candied, raspberry fruit aroma. Dry on the palate, its bursting with fresh strawberry-like flavors.
By the way, this wine is sourced from an area near two of the most beautiful castles in France, Chambord and Chenonceau. See accompanying pictures.-Green’s Wine Buyer
Domaine de Pellehaut Gascogne Rosé 2009
Green’s Cash Price: $7.99
Brach’s watermelon candy-like aroma, this dry tasting Rosé has an elegant, crisp red fruit flavor. Refreshing, balanced, and clean in the aftertaste, this is one heck of a thirst-quencher and a match for almost any food.- Green’s Wine Buyer
It has been a wonderful year for close-outs. We recently were offered another list of these wines from a wholesaler, marked down on average 50%! I have carefully researched all of the items below, as well as tasted most of the ones selected. These are the crème de crème of the offering.
Hurry though; many are available in very limited quantities.
- Michael Bishop, Green’s Wine Buyer
(As many of these items are available in small quantities, we will take no phone reservations. It is the only fair way we can think of to allocate these wines. Be here and it is yours! If you wish to check on availability before coming, call:
Buford Highway at 404-321-6232 Ext. 1- Ask for Julia
Ponce de Leon at 404-872-1109 - Ask for James Nichols
Do not ask them to reserve anything. They would get in trouble if they agreed.)
“Plump, with peach, nectarine, lemon and grapefruit notes. Has good cut, keeping it fresh and resonant through the finish…89 points.”
- The Wine Spectator
Pavillon Blanc de Margaux 2005 Regular Price: $125.99 Green’s Cash Sale Price: $65.99
“Intense citrus and tropical fruit aromas of warm grapefruit, lemon curd, pineapple and a fair amount of cedar. The rich, full bodied palate provides refreshing medium to high acidity balancing the concentrated toasted almond and lemon pie flavours. Long finish with a pleasant touch phenolic grip from the new oak. Just starting to be approachable. Drink now to 2020+…93 points.”
- Robert Parker
(Available at Buford Highway Store Only)
Red Wines:
Ch Les Tuileries “Sense 5” Bordeaux Rouge 2005 Regular Price: $12.99 Green’s Cash Sale Price: $5.99
This wine is a classic case of an ugly label being sold at a ridiculously expensive price ($12.99.) Branded for another retailer as “Sense 5”, whatever that means, it is really the product of a very reputable Bordeaux property named Chat. Les Tuileries. It is from a great Bordeaux vintage too, 2005.
Whether it was their high sale price ($12.99) or the abysmal label, or both, the original retailer couldn’t sell it, and the back stock languished in the wholesaler’s warehouse. Green’s has now acquired it and, though we could do nothing about the label, “right sized” the price to $5.99.
The wine tastes delicious, particularly for something priced so modestly! A blend of 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc, it has a clean cherry-like rich fruit flavor on the palate with hints of herb and mint. This wine is very smooth and ready to drink now. - Green’s Wine Buyer
Lafond Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills 2005 Regular Price: $23.99 Green’s Cash Sale Price: $12.99
“…one of the Santa Rita Hills oldest wineries, established in 1972…The aromas start out with barnyard and hay changing with time to a more mysterious composition of dark red fruits and anise. Sweet Jolly Rancher fruit dominates with cinnamon and chocolate notes. Elegant in style and readily appealing.”-princeofpinot.com
Clos Triguedina Cahors “The Black Wine” 2005 Regular Price: $64.99 Green’s Cash Sale Price: $34.99
“A stylish Malbec, with luscious red cherry, huckleberry and dark plum flavors. Has a firm structure, with plenty of unctuous spice, mineral and dark chocolate notes that fill the long finish. Drink now through 2014. 100 cases imported…93 points.”-The Wine Spectator
Green’s Wine Buyer note: This is the finest, most complex Malbec I have ever tasted. From Cahors in France, the motherland of this grape variety, Argentina produces nothing quite like this wine. Its name, “The Black Wine,” dates back to the Middle Ages when the local wine-producers heated some of the grape bunches or the "musts" to produce the so-called "black wines" of Cahors.
Clos Triguedina makes this cuvee the same old fashioned way. There were only 100 cases of this rare wine imported into the U.S. Green’s owns 27% of the entire lot. Truly a rare experience and a steal too!
(Available at Buford Highway store only)
Ch. Quinault L’Enclos St. Emlion 2001
Regular Price: $99.99 Green's Cash Sale Price: $49.99
“This blend…owes much of its extraordinary quality to the impeccable perfectionist efforts of Quinault’s owners, Dr. Alain Raynaud and his wife, Francoise. The 37-acre vineyard, situated within the Libourne city limits, includes some of the appellation’s oldest vines…The 2001 is a worthy rival to the 2000…this vibrant red boasts a gorgeous bouquet of striking minerality intermixed with raspberries, blackberries, and hints of blueberries, espresso roast, and oak. Medium-bodied, elegant, and pure, with an intense mid-palate as well as a long finish…92 points.”-Robert Parker (Available at the Buford Highway store only)
Ch Troplong Mondot St. Emlion Grand Cru Classe 1995
Regular Price: $149.99
Green’s Cash Sale Price: $65.99
“…exhibits a reticent but intriguing nose of underbrush, jammy black fruits, minerals, and vanillin. Deep, rich, and medium to full-bodied, with outstanding extract and purity, the wine possesses a seamless personality with sweeter, more integrated tannin than in the 1996…It is not far off the splendid level of quality achieved in both 1989 and 1990…92 points.”- Robert Parker (Available at the Buford Highway store only)
Dessert Wine :
Delaforce Vintage Port 2003
Regular Price for 375ml Size: $34.99
Green’s Cash Sale Price: $17.99 Regular Price for 750ml Size: $64.99 Green’s Cash Sale Price: $34.99
“A fabulous nose of cassis and berries, with hints of licorice. Full-bodied and lightly sweet, with supersexy tannins and a long, long finish. Very classy…95 points.”-The Wine Spectator (Available at the Buford Highway store only)
Our Green’s Wine Consultants have years of experience in helping customers with wine and food combinations and figuring out the quantity of wine and other beverages needed to supply a party.
Please don’t hesitate to use our expertise.
For help call:
BUFORD HIGHWAY STORE:
404-321-6232 extension 312
Ask for Julia Basin or James Nichols
PONCE DE LEON STORE:
404-872-1109
Ask for Leonard Irish
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