Philly Wine Finder

Basque Lamb Stew and Christian Moueix Bordeaux

Il Vino Nobile recently reported that wild boar was available at Wegman's, so we went there in search of some. Unfortunately they were out of it, so we had to substitute boneless leg of lamb and made Basque Lamb Stew.

The stew was incredible, and although the Christian Moueix Bordeaux was perfectly drinkable, it just wasn't on the stew's level. For the leftovers we're going to try Rioja.

Christian Moueix Medoc 2005
Vintage: 2005
Size: 750 ML
Item Code: 12894

Type    Red
Producer    Christian Moueix
Variety    Red Bordeaux Blend
Country    France
Region    Bordeaux
SubRegion    Médoc
Appellation    Médoc

 

Chateau Tour de Rodet Graves 2009

 We had this a while ago and remember it as being pretty good. Someone at the table commented, "the French know how to handle Merlot." Comments on PAWineTalk were more varied.

The map says there are still 469 bottles at Ardmore if you want to try it.

Chateau Tour de Rodet Graves 2009
Chairman's Selection^TM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32016
Size: 750ML
Price: $11.99
Compare to prices on wine-searcher.com:
Availability in Pennsylvania:

In Wine & Spirits stores

 Region:    France > Bordeaux > Graves
Grape Varieties:     Merlot 65%
Cabernet Sauvignon 35%
Alcohol Content:    13%

PAWineTalk

Chateau du Bousquet Cotes de Bourg 2006

Sauvignon Blanc might have been a better match for this classic Indian dish--Cauliflower, Green Peas, and Potatoes in Spicy Herb Sauce (receipe in October 2011 Yoga Journal and in Julie Sahni's Classic Indian Cooking)--but the Phillywinefinder house was in revolt and demanded red after the recent nights of Pinot Grigio.

This Bordeaux did not disappoint. Even though we broke the cork, lush aromas of ripe cherry immediately filled the room and followed through on the palate. Rich tannins capped off by a pleasant finish with a hint of mint. Just gorgeous and delicious, an outstanding buy for $10.99.

Wine Spectator rated it 87 and even said it has "Indian spices." Maybe it's a good pairing after all? Yes why not. 

This is a good example of the high quality wine (38,665 cases made) made available at the lowest prices in the country (compare on winesearcher) by the Chairman's Selection program of the PLCB.  

Wine Spectator Score: 87
"Rich and ripe aromas of crushed berries, earth and Indian spices. Medium- to full-bodied, with fine tannins and a clean, fresh finish. Very refined and clean wine. Best from 2010 through 2013. 38,665 cases made." –JS

"A ripe wine, with good red jelly fruits, sweet tannins and some new wood vanilla flavors. An attractive wine, fruity, with the acidity adding freshness. The dry core is there to hold it all together, but never dominant."
*88 points Wine Enthusiast, December 1, 2009

Chateau du Bousquet Cotes de Bourg 2006
Chairman's Selection^TM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32245
Size: 750ML
Price: $10.99
Compare to prices on wine-searcher.com:  (Avg $16, Min $12, Max $23)
Availability in Pennsylvania:

In Wine & Spirits stores

Region:    France > Bordeaux > Côtes de Bourg
Grape Varieties:     Merlot 60%
Cabernet Sauvignon 40%
Alcohol Content:    13%

PAWineTalk 

 

Chateau Barreyres Haut-Medoc 2006

 

Over time, wine drinkers are supposed to become more able to make subtle observations and fine distinctions about wine. The opposite seems to be happening to us. Recently we have been caring less about sniffing out hints of leather and more interested in just drinking and enjoying.

In that vein, here are our tasting notes on this wine: YUM!

Chateau Barreyres Haut-Medoc 2006
Chairman's Selection
PLCB Code: 32246
Size: 750ML
Price: $12.99 ($16.60 in NJ)

Region:    France > Bordeaux > Médoc > Haut-Médoc
Grape Varieties:     Cabernet Sauvignon 50%
Merlot 50%
Alcohol Content:    12.5%

PAWineTalk

 

 

Christian Moueix: Not Just For Snobs

Christian Moueix would seem to be the quintessential  French wine aristocrat: son of wine maker Jean-Pierre Moueix and owner of Château Pétrus as well as other prestigious wineries that produce astronomically expensive wine. At leat that is the impression one could get from Eric Asimov's recent piece on Moueix (check out the classic wine-snob pic).

Yet Moueix (Moo-iks) also puts his name on wines for lesser mortals with thinner wallets, like this 2005 Bordeaux blend from Médoc, still available from PLCB for $12.99. The freshness in this wine really came through, as well as the classic Bordeaux taste profile.

From the Asimov article, Moueix says:

"I’ve been a producer of red wines for 42 years,” he said, as the wines for the tasting were poured. “I don’t intend to become a producer of black wines.” Maintaining freshness — a lively, thirst-quenching character — is a prime goal. “Our whole objective is to produce wines that go with food,” he said."

We agree, and thanks for making some that everyone can afford. We bought this back in January and it had no problems rubbing shoulders with this delicious cheese burger. There is still some available in PA according to the FWAGS web site. You'll have to hunt it down though.

Christian Moueix Medoc 2005
Vintage: 2005
Size: 750 ML
Item Code: 12894

Type    Red
Producer    Christian Moueix
Variety    Red Bordeaux Blend
Country    France
Region    Bordeaux
SubRegion    Médoc
Appellation    Médoc

 

Chateau Plince Pomerol 2006 and Beef Tenderloin

We really liked beef tenderloin last time we made it, but once again we had no merlot in the house.

Is it possible to find good merlot in the PLCB system on short notice? Yes, but it takes a bit of luck. We went to PAWineTalk--Wines--Wines Sorted By Variety and clicked on merlot. We found Chateau Plince Pomerol, with some available at 12th and Chestnut and at Garces Trading Company. We made it to 12th and Chestnut, found the wine, but it was so warm in the store that the bottles were warm to the touch, and that scares us.  We went over to Garces Trading Company at 11th and Locust, went into the climate controlled specialty wine shop, and got there just in time to grab the last bottle.  

The Plince Pomerol was more than we usually spend, but the price matched the spendy cut of tenderloin we had from Giunta's Prime Meats in Reading Terminal Market. The wine did not disappoint. Plummy flavors on the nose, fresh tasting dark fruit, earthy woodsy notes and a long finish paired perfectly with the tenderloin and parsnips.

We were delighted to find that not only is the recipe for the tenderloin and parsnips delicious, but it comes from Cooking Light, meaning that the fat content is not too bad. See for yourself: Beef Tenderloin with Parsnip-Mushroom Ragout.

This recipe and wine pairing would be good for a special occasion, so keep your eyes open for left bank bordeaux and stock up when it's available.

If you want to try this one, as of now there are about 50 units available at Store 4602 in Ardmore.

Chateau Plince Pomerol 2006
Chairman's Selection
PLCB Code: 13109
Size: 750ML
Price: $29.99

PAWineTalk

Region:    France > Bordeaux > Libournais > Pomerol
Grape Varieties:     Merlot 72%
Cabernet Franc 23%
Cabernet Sauvignon 5%
Alcohol Content:    13.5%

 

Christian Moueix Merlot Encore Bordeaux - A Little Funky But Got Soul

We had this wine in October and urged people to run out and buy it for $5.99.  If you did so, we now urge you to drink it.  You may find yourself as captivated by its deceptive charms as we were again last night.

If you drink it immediately upon opening without food you may make a face and want to pour it down the sink.  Don't.  Give it some time and drink it with dinner.  For us, what seemed to be flaws now came into balance and gave way to intriguing notes that we were powerless to resist.

By dessert we found this French Bordeaux had somehow matched itself up with the reggae group Toots and the Maytals.  Upon reflection, maybe this isn't so surpising: they are both rough around the edges, a little funky, and have a whole lot of soul.  

This wine is sold out.

Christian Moueix Merlot Encore Bordeaux 2005
Chairman's Selection
PLCB Code: 12869
Size: 750ML
Price: $5.99

PAWineTalk

CellarTracker

Christian Moueix Merlot Encore Bordeaux 2005

Stop what you are doing, go down to 2429 South Street, and buy some of this wine.  It is a fantastic deal at $5.99.   Although panned on CellarTracker, we let this air out for about 2 hours and got dark cherry on the nose and smooth round tannins on the palate.  It has an almost creamy mouthfeel.  We've had Bordeaux that was more expensive but not nearly as good. 

The Moueix family is responsible for the famous Chateau Petrus in Pomerol and this style of Merlot.  Although Merlot was denigrated in the movie Sideways, it was a 1961 Chateau Cheval Blanc that Miles ironically winds up drinking in the end, which contains a large percentage of Merlot.

Love this wine, and if we weren't out of of storage space we'd be buying more.  

Christian Moueix Merlot Encore Bordeaux 2005
Chairman's Selection
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 12869
Size: 750ML
Price: $5.99

PAWineTalk
CellarTracker
WineSearcher  $10-$17
Wine Spectator 86