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Chateau Ferran is located in the Pessac Leognan., Graves.  This region is known for both red and white wines unlike most Bordeaux areas.  Most famous for being the home of Chateau Haut-Brion.  Being on the left bank, the predominant grape is Cabernet.

Chateau Ferran was a gift to me to sample.  I was not disappointed and will accept gifts as these any time. Thank You.  The nose emitted an air of old world mustiness.  Not in an off putting way though.  A typical aroma of wild ripe fruit that grows in the woods, berries of sorts, combined with an earthy truffle mushroom note.  Yea,  I know most of you are thinking WHAT? who would drink that, but believe me you will not be disappointed if you did.

The flavom hits you full force.  Front and center comes that earthiness immediately on its heels, the berries.  Rich and fruity.  Black berry, currant, cherry, a bit of coffee and chocolate are noted too, are all combined to make this an overwhelming mind blowing experience.  Slight hinders of cedar and smooth tannins with a long, long, long finish.   Very well structured with all the planes of flavor evenly spread.  A big dinner wine.

Enjoy

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You can almost taste the goodness from here.

On our BYOB night out this month we went to Zaccharias near Lansdale.  Specializing in Italian food, but also serving “American” fare, this cafe has built a reputation.  This evening I brought along 2 wines. Coquard Loison Fleurot Echezeaux, and Javillier Bourgogne des Forgets.

For starters we ordered elk sausage, chicken livers (yeppers, we are from the south) and butternut squash ravioli.  The sausage was excellent, the drawback was the red peppers served with them.  My God enough already.  The whole plate was filled with it, and yuck.  The chicken livers were perfection.  They were crisp and light with onions and cranberries, very delightful. The ravioli…..superb.  Homemade creamy goodness.

I decided to have the Delmonico, usually a good choice, and the wife had the short rib.  The short rib was so tender.  The meat just fell off and melted in your mouth.  The delmonico, not so wonderful.  I ordered med rare, which came as well.  Then it had this topping, umm, not quite sure what they were thinking, but think again. Onions and mushrooms, sounds great right, then add about a quart of balsamic vinegar.  WHAT, yea that’s what.  What could have been an interesting take actually turned into a blob of soggy yuck.  The steak, even over cooked, was flavorful, but add the goop and it turned into this sickly sweet I can’t really say.

The wines were not disappointing.  The Bourgogne des Forgets by Patrick Javillier and his daughter was amazing.  Light crisp and perfectly balanced.  So much flavor.  I remember visiting this winery.  Everything was in the cellar.  A true family operation.  The quality of the wines are so high.  The nose has aromas of honey, pear and apple.  The taste is superb.  Hints of orange, apple, pear and honey, coat the mouth.  My mouth is again watering just thinking about it.  Compliments to the winery.  Just awesome.

Echezeaux is a Grand Cru vineyard just in the Cote de Nuits in Burgundy.  Romanee-Conti of course comes to mind but this is not that.  (Though that is a bucket list item). When i visited there I was enthralled with the history. And I admit this is one of the bottles I bought paying just over 100 euro.  About 150.00 $ at that time.  Coquard Loison is a very very small- higher quality  winery.  Limited production gives greater control and it has paid off.

The nose is full of spice, dark cherry, cedar?, and earthiness.  Tasting the wine, oh what pleasure.  The rich ripe fruit bursts forth, followed by the spice and earthiness (a truffle might come to mind).  A smoky finish that is delightful.  A gorgeous- beautiful wine.  I want more,  guess I will have to visit again.  This is almost a perfect example of Burgundy.

If you can find either of these wines I suggest you try them. You will pay for them but you will absolutely enjoy them.

Enjoy

Look at the color of those wines, just art.  The appetizers were the best.

A line shack is where cowboys would spend time when thy were out on the vast openness tending cattle, fences and doing what cowboys do.  The Line Shack winery is named for one old “shack” found on the property when the Balentine family purchased the property in Monterey county California. This area produces some fine wines usually known for their very fruit forward style.

The winery is most known for it’s high quality Cabernet.  Tonight though I talk about the Petite Sirah.  Petite Sirah (also known as Durif in some circles) is of course a red wine grape.  Producing a dark, spicy, plum flavor that is usually very tannic.  Do not confuse Petite Sirah with Syrah (shiraz).

Line Shack lives up to the challenge.  The wine is dark almost black ink in color. The immense nose tantalizes with flavors to come. Dark rich fruit, raspberry, plum and cherry.

The flavor complements the nose.  The liquid coats the mouth with a softness that soothes and comforts.  Rest here for awhile it seems to say.  Then spice, cinnamon, white pepper tingle in the finish.  This wine is well balanced with lots of flavor depth.  A great addition to any home cellar, or better yet drink it now.

Enjoy

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Look at that “ink” in the glass. Yumm, I say yum.

 

wpid-wp-1448236052331.jpegAnother great wine from one of my favorite wine makers, Brigitte Rullier-Loussert.  Brigitte learned the business from her father Michele Rullier. The estate is set in one of the primo locations in bordeaux.  Nestled in between Pomerol and St. Emilion it invokes the best of both appelations.  The estate works to maintain sustainable – organic farming techniques.  The terrioir tells the story of the wine.  In her own words, ” My urge isn’t to produce muscly wines that have been excessively leached-out and whih are often, too woody, this is not what my vision of what wine should be.  Wine should offer both body and substance, without forgoing elegance symbolizes perfect harmony as far as I’m concerned.”  A great philosophy from a great wine maker.

Now to the wine.  The nose gives off aromas of cherry and spring flowers. The squid inky color is not disappointing, just a tease.  Oh, and when it hits your mouth the lovely, luscious, velvet coating that covers your tongue is a never ceasing stream of taste.  Licorice, dark berry, plum all cover your mouth and move gently down your throat.  Oh what a thrill.

I should also mention the earth tones that linger in the aftertaste.  Not a full barnyardy effect, but more of a dirt/mineral flavor.  Not off putting, just another depth of flavor.  Quality, and yes the terroir shows through. I believe Brigitte’s philosophy shows through in this wine.

Enjoy

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Overlooking the valley just behind the estate. One of the most beautiful scenes in France.

This elegant Rhone was a pleasing surprise.  I actually found this bottle mixed in a group of other Syrah.  When I asked about it I was informed it was the only one and they had just mixed it with some other forgotten bottles. 
Living up to the Rhone quality expectations, this nice red gives all your senses a pleasure bump. 
The color is  ruby. Not quite as dark as some Syrah, but giving you the knowledge you are about to try something  worth while.
Flowers, spice and cherry slowly rise from the bottle. Like a genie emerging  from centuries of sleep.
The oral pleasure is not subtle.  Exploding in your mouth like biting into a juicy fruit, your senses are attacked by flavor.  Immediate notes of cherry, currant, hints of licorice and lots of spice:cinnamon, pepper, just abound.  My mouth waters in reflection.  Structured and very balanced.
A more medium body but very fruity wine.  Well worth the $10 I paid.
Enjoy

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Look how pretty

Lovely, body, structure and flavor

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