Minervois Madness!

MINERVOIS MADNESS!  Pat, Susan and I recently tasted through a lineup ofinsanely delicious Minervois reds with Jeff and Debra from one of our smaller wine suppliers - Lanterna.   I know when I see Jeff Sarfino walk through the door with a wine bag we're gonna taste the good shit!  He doesn't waste our time - ever - with mediocre wines of which I have no interest. Minervois is my new favorite wine region for big, gutsy reds that you want to drink in the Fall and Winter months.  This area which is part of Languedoc - Roussillon is located in the countryside west of Montpellier.  To enter this wine country choose to drive through the beautiful fortified town of Carcassonne.  Going north you will feel like as if you were in Tuscany with wide open landscapes filled with olive trees and vines in a limestone soil. The winery is Chateau Sainte Eulalie located near the Canal du Midi.  Here the sun, exposure, climate and soil types have come together to give life to these unique wines.   Minervois red wines are deep and rich.  Most of the time Syrah prevails, but when old Carignan are found there they can be the prominent grape.  Blended with Grenache and Mourvèdre, a light barrel aging will let them soften their tannins. If you like licorice you will enjoy Minervois wines. I like to say that they remind me of those black sticks that I loved as a kid.  I think it's so cool when you can put your nose into a glass and childhood memories shoot into your head! Chateau Sainte Eulalie 2012  Minervois Rouge Plaisir Regularly Priced at $19.99 $14.99 with 6pack Sampler Purchase!   Terroir Pebbled top soil, with a high percentage of clay and limestone, rich in manganese.  Exceptional "terroir" due to the nature of its soils and its exposure (terraced vineyard at 600' in altitude, facing south and sheltered from northwinds). Grape Varieties 30% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 40% Carignan Vinification Maturing in tank for 18 months Tasting Notes Beautiful color, deep and honest. Nose straight and precise, with notes of black fruit and licorice. The palate is dense with silky smooth tannins. Elegant with notes of black licorice and slightly spicy. Cellaring Potential 3 to 5 years FranksWine MINERVOIS 6pack Sampler Case! You Get 2 Bottles of Each Wine for Only $179.99!! You Save $69.95... That's 28% Off!!!   Chateau Sainte Eulalie 2011  Minervois Rouge Cantilene Regularly Priced at $34.99 $24.99 with 6pack Sampler Purchase! Grape Varieties 55% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 25% Carignan Vinification Long maceration of 15 days then maturing in new oak barrels for 12 months Tasting A beautiful intense and deep color.  Delicately oaky with ripe fruits and toasted nose.  A fat attack that evolves a fine and powerful tannins, full-bodied.  Lingering finish... full, rich and fleshy. Cellaring Potential 8 to 10 years FranksWine MINERVOIS 6pack Sampler Case! You Get 2 Bottles of Each Wine for Only $179.99!! You Save $69.95... That's 28% Off!!!   Chateau Sainte Eulalie 2011  Minervois Rouge Grand Vin Regularly Priced at $69.99 $49.99 with 6pack Sampler Purchase! Grape Varieties Cuvée from old vines (80-100 years) Carignan 40%, with 35% Syrah and 25% Grenache Vinification 20 days of fermentation, bottling in the Spring to preserve the flavor of the fruit.  Aging in barrel for 18 months then in the bottles for 12 months. Tasting Notes Beautiful dress with purple highlights. Explosive nose of black fruit (blackberry, black cherry) and spices. Great mouthfeel with silky tannins and warm. Good persistence on the finish.  Racy wine, very harmonious of  black licorice and slightly spicy. Cellaring Potential 12 to 15 years FranksWine MINERVOIS 6pack Sampler Case! You Get 2 Bottles of Each Wine for Only $179.99!! You Save $69.95... That's 28% Off!!!   CHEERS! Frank Pagliaro FranksWine Frank@FranksWine.com 1-800-AT-FRANKs