French Wine Gift - Unique Wines from Independent French Growers

Wine of the Month: February 2005

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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: Chateau Rauzan Despagne 2003

Label Wine of the Month February 2005 Red The Bordeaux region is dominated by families that have cultivated wine generation after generation. This is why “new faces” from Bordeaux tend to come from the same families who are already entrenched in the local world of wine. Thibault Despagne is a young man with a mission. His aim is to show that the vineyards of the beautiful region known as the Entre-deux-mers can make great wines. Entre-deux-mers is known for the production of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle.

The Chateau Rauzan Despagne is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. It offers smoky espresso notes mixed with crËme de cassis and graphite in a powerful, concentrated, deep, chewy, loaded style. This vintage shows a lot of potential and can be compared to the best growths of the Bordeaux region.

Enjoy Chateau Rauzan Despagne with red meats grilled or in sauce. It will age well for 5 to 10 years.

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

White: Colombelle 2003

Label Wine of the Month February 2005 White The story begins in 1974 with Andre Dubosc, a native of the Gascony region, who wanted to improve the quality and reputation of its wines. On a visit to California, he noted the success of the French Colombard grape, which had originated in Gascony but had been abandoned there. On his return, he resolved to revive this variety, but in a modern style, using temperature control and cool fermentation to produce a light, aromatic and intensely flavorful white wine. The grapes are harvested by hand at optimum maturity, usually at the beginning of October.

Colombelle is a blend of French Colombard with another native variety, Ugny Blanc. It has a lovely lemon-lime bouquet with apple, peach and melon flavors. It works well as an aperitif or as an accompaniment to seafood pasta salads and light fare. Wine Spectator recently awarded Colombelle a Best Buy rating.

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

Previous 12 Wine of the Month Selections:

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

October 2004:
Red: Réserve Grand Veneur, Côtes du Rhône 2003
White: Domaine Trois Frères, Chardonnay 2002

September 2004:
Red: Merlot d’Hauterive 2002
White: Domaine des Cassagnoles, Cuvée Gros Manseng 2003

August 2004:
Red: Domaine du Sacré-Coeur, St-Chinian 2000
White: Domaine de la Bachellery, Vin de Pays d'Oc 2003

July 2004:
Red: Shiraz 2002 Laurent Miquel Nord-Sud
White: Viognier 2003 Laurent Miquel Nord-Sud

June 2004:
Red: Clos de L'Escandil 1999, Minervois La Livinière
White: Domaine Lalanne 2002, Vin de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne

May 2004:
Red: Les Domaines Paul Mas “Vignes de Nicole” - Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah 2001
White: Les Domaines Paul Mas “Vignes de Nicole” - Chardonnay-Viognier 2002

April 2004:
Red: Cuvée de Pena 2001
White: Vin de Pays de l'Aude: La Noble

March 2004:
Red: Côte Chalonnaise 1999
White: Domaine Schlumberger, Pinot Blanc 2002

February 2004:
Red: Château la Bastide, Cabardes, 1999
White: Domaine de Rieux 2002

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