French Wine Gift - Unique Wines from Independent French Growers

Wines of the Month: December 2005

Warning: Please make sure first that the address where you would like your order delivered is in a State where such deliveries are legal. For the time being, we can only deliver in Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Washington DC, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. See our delivery map.

The descriptions found below are the ones our members will find with their monthly shipment of two bottles of fine wine from the French Wine Club.

Red: Domaine Bascou 2001, Languedoc

Guy Bascou is the owner of Domaine Bascou as well as a famous oenologist in Languedoc. He is also a professor in Montpellier who has taught many of the new Languedoc winemakers generation. His own Domaine is in Nezignan, a village close to Agde on the Mediterranean coast. His son Guilhem makes all the wines, but Guy is still actively involved.

This cuvée is made of 100% Cabernet sauvignon from the best and oldest vines of the Domaine. It is aged in new barrels, but for a relatively short time (4 months), which perhaps explains the relative restraint and elegance of the wine. Domaine Bascou is a dark wine, with smooth tannins. It is round in the mouth with a very nice finish showing the few years of aging. It will accompany roastbeef, lamb in sauce and refined cheeses.

To order, click here: Bottle ($14.75), Case ($141.60 - 20% off!).

White: Domaine Lalanne, Côtes de Gascogne 2004

Alain Lalanne is the owner of a 60-hectares vineyard in the Côtes de Gascogne. It is located within the Armagnac area of production, half-way between the Bordeaux area and the Pyrénées mountains.This nice landscape offers lush slopes under a temperate and sunny oceanic climate. The vineyard is planted on sandy and siliceous-clay soils. It is favorable to the expression of very ancient and local grapes used for the famous “Eau de vie”", but also for the production of delicious, crisp dry white wines.

Domaine Lalanne is a blend of 40% Ugni Blanc, 30% Gros Manseng, 30% Colombard. The Colombard produces a generous transparent aroma-filled juice which is combined with Gros-Manseng for its complexity, and with Ugni-Blanc for its freshness and delicacy. Domaine Lalanne is the expression of Gascony. It is fruity, crisp, lively with flavors of flowers, exotic fruits, and hazelnuts.

Domaine Lalanne is a wine to be drunk young. Drink it now!

To order, click here: Bottle ($14.75), Case ($141.60 - 20% off!).

Previous 12 Wine-of-the-Month Selections

(Important note: in general, only cases of past Wine-of-the-Month selections are available, and even so, we cannot guarantee that they will be accessible after a certain amount of time. Please call or e-mail us to check on availability before ordering.)

November 2005:
Red: Plume Bleue 2004, Vin de Pays d'Oc
White: Quincy 2003, Domaine Crotereau

October 2005:
Red: Chateau Ventenac 2002
White: Vin du Bugey, Jacquere 2004

September 2005:
Red: Domaine des Entrefaux Crozes-Hermitage 2002
White: Domaine de la Salette 2004

August 2005:
Red: Château Reignac de Tizac (Bordeaux) 2000
White: Château Hélène “Pénélope” 2004

July 2005:
Red: Domaine des Romarins, Côtes du Rhône 2002
White: Picpoul de Pinet, Domaine des Lauriers, Côteaux du Languedoc 2004

June 2005:
Red: Domaine de Coussergues, Mourvedre 2003
White: Domaine La Bastide, Viognier 2004

May 2005:
Red: Domaine La Millière 2003
White: Chardonnay du Bugey, Domaine Plantaz 2001

April 2005:
Red: Clos Bagatelle St Chinian 2002
White: Apremont 2003

March 2005:
Red: Domaine de Costebonne 2001, Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence
White: Vin de Pays des Côtes de Thau, Sauvignon Blanc “Hugues de Beauvignac”

February 2005:
Red: Château Rauzan Despagne 2003
White: Colombelle 2003

January 2005:
Red: Arrogant Frog 2003
White: Domaine de Valensac 2001

December 2004:
Red: Cossart de Margaux 1999
White: Clos des Verdots Bergerac 2003

November 2004:
Red: Pelican 2003
White: Ballade en Straminer 2002

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