French Wine Imported by Bourgeois Family Selections

French Wine Imported by Bourgeois Family Selections

This week we will sample a variety of French wine imported by Jean-Philippe Bourgeois of Bourgeois Family Selections. I’m sure that many of you are familiar with Philippe’s portfolio- we’ve represented his wines for several years now due to their accessibility, approachability, quality for the money, small-production, and artisinal, traditional styles. Altogether there will be one rose, two whites and four reds from various regions of France including the Rhone Valley, Southwest France (Cotes de Gascogne), Southern France (Vin de Pays de Mediterranee, Vin de Pays d’Oc, and the Languedoc).

Taken from their website: “Bourgeois Family Selections is a highly specialized importing company that puts the focus on the greatest wine nation in the world, France. The heart and soul of France are the small estates which are the very pulse of its lifeblood, “le vin”. We put the spotlight where it belongs, on the terroir that generations of the same family have toiled, the handpicked grapes, wine lovingly made with the knowledge handed down father to son, since time immemorial. Jean-Philippe is a sixth generation legacy in the beer, wine and spirits industry in his native country. He has spent years traveling the wine regions and countless time scouring the back roads of Gaul for unique, hand selected, organic wines. Our goal is to bring you what only a Frenchman can; the most exciting undiscovered gems of the old world; beautiful, passionately hand made wines, never before available in the US market.

 

Our mission is straightforward: to empower our small estate producers from emerging regions as well as ancestral regions, which we feel represent the absolute best of the best, to market these wines with diligence and honor within the US and abroad and to make our wines approachable and great values to the American consumer. The company is owned and managed by the Bourgeois family. As a native of France, Jean-Philippe is personally and professionally committed to empowering the small estate producers by achieving the highest possible level of quality distribution, awareness, and image in the US market and abroad. We endeavor to recognize and represent innovative, progressive and unique winemakers and their vineyards from both ancestrally recognized areas as well as regions that are considered to be newly emerging within the US market but have been known for their wine making prowess since antiquity.”

 

“The project Elicio is the newest and most value-driven line from Raphael [Trouiller] under the structure of Caravinserail. The name comes from a little play on the word Caravanserail, a resting place for a Caravan but also a meeting place, a place to exchange experiences, cultures…. to mix. Here it is expressed with wines. Caravinserail indeed produces with the partnership of talented winemakers, wines of pleasure form the Southern Rhone valley, primarily the Ventoux region.”

Elicio Rose 2012
Ventoux, Southern Rhone Valley, France. A blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Cinsault. “A blend of Grenache and Cinsault from younger vines growing on terraced hillside vineyards in the foothills of the Mont Ventoux. Aged in stainless steel tanks for 5 months before bottling. Made from young vines. A bright pink color and a nose packed with fresh red raspberry notes, the palate confirms the aromas revealed by the creamy nose. Very fruit-forward, this extreme value wine can be enjoyed with you everyday meal or by itself.” $8.99

 

“Domaine de Ballade is located in the heart of Gascony, the birthplace of d’Artagnan, the famed hero of the Three Musketeers. Gascony is located at the border of the Lot and Garonne and the Gers. Hidden away in the heart of the AOC Armagnac, Gascony has been called the “new Tuscany”. Thanks to the light soils and amicable oceanic climate, the different grapes can reach their full flavorful potential for your pleasurable enjoyment.”

Domaine de Ballade Cotes de Gascogne 2011
Gascony, Southwest France. A blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Colombard. “A fresh and lively dry white wine with an incredible balance between minerality and acidity. The nose is fresh with fragrances of lemon curd and white flowers, and its flavor profile is dominated by shimmering creamy citrus notes, crisp acidity and a cleansing finish.” $10.99

 

Le Drunk Rooster
“A custom project from the Bourgeois Family- The state bird of France is the rooster and our Le Drunk Rooster [label]….is aptly named for our revered symbol of national pride, Le Coq. One of the national emblems of France, the Coq Gaulois (the Gallic Rooster) decorated French flags during the Revolution. It is the symbol of the French people because of the play on words of the Latin gallus meaning Gaul and gallus meaning coq, or rooster.”

Chardonnay
“The domaine is comprised of older Chardonnay vines (20+ yrs old) and Pinot Noir. These are lovingly planted in a terroir of silty sand and chalk and beneficiate from the Mediterranean climate. The vines are trained in the Guyot fashion and have yields of 18hl/acre. The harvest is de-stemmed and the juice is drained and pressed using a pneumatic press, it is racked at 39°F. Selected yeasts are used to induce the fermentation which occurs over three weeks at a controlled temperature (64°F) to extract the maximum amount of aromatic material (Chardonnay only).”

Le Drunk Rooster Chardonnay 2011
Vin de Pays d’Oc, Languedoc, France. “The rooster wakes up your palate with a combination of fruit and great acidity. Lots of green and citrus aromas, including pineapple and lemon on the nose, with a hint of spice. Medium-bodied and balanced, it has straightforward, juicy tropical and citrus flavors and, a clean, refreshing finish. Great with lighter cuisine or for sipping. Best served chilled or around 50°F with sauced fish, Indian/Chinese cuisine, or fresh goat cheese. This wine marries perfectly with duck breast cooked with green apples and accentuates the bond between the rich and lively green flavors. Aged in stainless steel tank for 8 months including 3 months on its fine lees. 100% Chardonnay unoaked.” $9.99

 

Grenache-Syrah
“A custom project made with Nicolas Baptiste (Domaine de la Serre). Domaine de la Serre lies at the foot of the Corbières Mountains, near the village of Maury, within the ancient domain of the Cathar castle Queribus. The vineyard was purchased in 2002 by the Vera family, local wine-growers, in partnership with Bordeaux producers Arnaud Delaire and Nicolas Baptiste. The estate covers about 30 hectares. Three varietals are produced at Domaine de la Serre, 75% of Grenache, 15% of Carignan, and 15% of Syrah. Sustainable Farming [is practiced]. Winemaker [of] Grenache-Syrah: Nicolas Baptiste”

Le Drunk Rooster Grenache-Syrah 2011
Vin de Pays de Mediterranee, Ventoux Southern Rhone Valley, France. A blend of 65% Grenache (40+ years old) and 35% Syrah (15 years old) “from vines growing on chalky-clay, granite and schist soils from vineyards located at the bottom of the Queribus castle on the most prestigious terroir of the Roussillon, Maury. Yields are about 20 hl/ha. Aged in stainless steel tank for 8 months. This bolder Rooster is packed with ripe strawberry, red berries and spice on the opulent nose. It is an intense wine with a smooth, full-mouth feel and a soft, spicy lingering finish. This wine will marry perfectly with all your grilled meat and heartier foods. A lot of wine for the money!” $9.99

 

“A custom project from the Bourgeois Family made in partnership with some of our small family estates. The Cuvee Stephi, inspired by Stephanie [Bourgeois], reflects the purity of and delicacy of the grapes from the Languedoc and Roussillon and is aged in stainless steel tanks only.”

Cuvee Stephi Pinot Noir 2010
Languedoc, France. “Pinot Noir made from a careful selection of older vines growing on sandy and chalky sild in the region of Beziers on the Languedoc. Aged in stainless steel tanks for 8 months, this very limited production Pinot Noir with only 440 cases is a very aromatic wine with a beautiful nose of berries and a touch of pepper. Very crisp and jammy mouth feel with a nice smooth, spicy finish. This Pinot is best served slightly chilled with grilled meats, Indian or Cajun foods, or simply amongst friends.” $14.99

 

Domaine de Chateaumar
“For many generations the vines at Domaine de Chateaumar have been cultivated by father and son. Today it is Jean-Felix and Frederic Souret who manage the vineyard, always maintaining the greatest respect for nature: vineyards run for generations without any chemical weedkillers. The family estate is located some 9 km from orange, on the D72 departmental road, in the heart of the production area for AOC Cotes du Rhone.

The vineyards of the estate include:

• 25 acres of AOC Cotes du Rhone, on stony clay-limestone soil.
• 12 acres AOC Chateauneuf du Pape. The soil of this prestigious appellation being red clay and large round cobbles.

 

Wine varieties: The vineyard is naturally established from several noble varieties, principally Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre.

Farming: Absolutely no herbicide is used here. The soil is turned several times during the year – providing aeration and suppleness – this allows the vine stocks to draw a wonderful energy from deep down to create beautifully formed grapes. Sustainable Farming Estate

 

Harvest: Once fully matured the grapes are hand-picked; selected and sorted with great care.

 

Traditional vinification: The vinification is carried out in our “wine-house” over more than 15 days. The grapes give us powerful wine with pepper and spice highlights, and the aroma of ripe red fruits.

 

Aging: The wines are stored with great care. They are aged over 12 to 18 months before bottling at the Estate (Domaine).

 

Winemaker: Frédéric Souret

Domaine de Chateaumar Grenache ‘Cuvee Bastien’ 2011
Cotes du Rhone, France. 100% Grenache. “A custom cuvee for Bourgeois Family Selections. 100% single vineyard old vine Grenache on hillside vineyard facing south. Soil: Chalky and clay with smooth Chateauneuf du Pape rocks. A true declassified Chateauneuf du Pape, the wine is a deep, nearly opaque purple, bringing confident aromas of raspberry, strawberry and blackberry to the nose, with eucalyptus, black pepper, licorice and floral notes. Touches of cinnamon and spice follow onto the medium to full-bodied juicy palate. The tannins are firm, ripe, and well integrated.” $13.99

*Bonus Wine* Domaine de Chateaumar Chateauneuf du Pape Secret de nos Vignes 2011
Chateauneuf du Pape, Rhone Valley, France. A blend of 85% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 5% Mourvedre. “A very limited production with only 220 cases made, this wine is made from very old vines on the prestigious terroir of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Aged for 6 months in French oak barrels and a few more months in tank. A rich and robust wine with a bright red, purple hue, a nose rich in ripe black fruit, toasted notes, and hints of Garrigue spices. On the palate, it is rich, round, with a gorgeous structure and soft tannins, and a long, persistent finish. Worth aging or decant for over 1 hour.”