Three Lush South-of-France Reds for your Easter Lamb & Three Sensational White Wines for your Easter Ham!
Easter Red Wines
Marine & Paul Charavin "Zouzou" 2023 Coteaux des Travers, Rhône Valley – $14.99
This just may be your next house red, an all-purpose south-of-France red wine made from Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Cinsaut. Marine and Paul Charavin, the couple who gave us our sensational and affordable Rasteau also produce this carefree south-of-France red wine made from Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Cinsaut. It's an easy-drinking, fun red wine that is a no-brainer for our Southern California outdoor lifestyle. I can imagine drinking it with all kinds of spring and summer fare. A great value, too.
Franck Balthazar 2024 Côtes du Rhône – $21.99
What a discovery! Cornas producer Balthazar takes Côtes du Rhône to a whole new level, blending 40% Grenache in with 60% of his ravishing northern Rhône Syrah. You are met with a gorgeous aroma, followed by luxuriously-textured, elegant super-premium fruit, with a quality Syrah finish. Only 100 cases for California, so we may not be able to get more after this shipment is gone. I strongly recommend this richly flavored red Rhône. This is a real treat; only 100 cases for California. Love, love, love it.
Domaine Rostaing 2023 Languedoc Rouge "Le Vassal" – $27.99
This is Côte-Rôtie legend René Rostaing's Languedoc project, blending 70% Syrah with 15% each of Mourvèdre and Grenache. Grown in limestone soil with a very low yield, this easy-drinking, richly satisfying wine exhibits a gorgeous deep ruby color, a classy aroma, and a very expressive, nearly sweet fruited flavor that reminds me of blackberry. With a luxuriously viscous texture, it is worth every penny. Rostaing's northern Rhône wines go for triple digits, so their Languedoc project is a bargain by comparison. Just 1,000 cases were made, and only 80 allocated to California. It won't be around too long.
Easter White Wines
Alain & Christophe Le Capitaine 2024 "Les Perrieres" Vouvray Sec, Loire Valley – $21.99
The 2024 vintage is a brilliant off-dry Chenin Blanc, with plenty of fruit that is reined in by impeccable acidity. Very pure this year, with clean flavors finishing with a snap. Almost chardonnay-like in body, but its character is all Vouvray. One of the best values in our store.
Dönnhoff 2024 Estate Riesling, Nahe, Germany – $23.99
The Dönnhoff family arrived in the Nahe region over 200 years ago, and their modest farm slowly evolved into a wine estate. This is great entry wine into the stunning Riesling wines of Dönnhoff. This off-dry Riesling is elegant and racy with the volcanic soils adding plenty of minerality to the playfully fruity wine. Peaches and green apples with a touch of flint.
Bruno by Karthauserhof 2018 Slate Riesling Spätlese, Mosel – $24.99
With a history going back to the 12th century, Karthauserhof offers an affordable, delightfully sweet, aged Riesling packed with juicy stone fruits and green apple and balanced by vibrant acidity and stony minerality. Located in the Rüwer tributary of the Mosel, Karthauserhof (named for the Carthusian abbey that owned this property until Napoleon took it) has been one of Germany's classic treasures. This estate Riesling is an entry-level Spätlese and a great value.