I Could Use Some #VAWINE Help

This is not related to a Virginia Wine, instead I need help finding a Virginia Wine importer. Several years ago I fell in love with a wine from the great Luc Theinpont called Confidence.

The grapes in Confidence are sourced from a vineyard Theinpont owns that is literally on the other side of the wall from Château Margaux. This is a fantastic everyday wine, the 50/50 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot provides good fruit and structure which makes the wine approachable, but also able to stand up to the hardiest steak.

Unfortunately, the wine is not available in the United States. So, I save one of my BottleWise Duos to bring back two bottles of this wine.

I would really like to send home a case of this wine, but because of Virginia's still antiquated shipping laws I can't have them ship the wine directly to my house. So, I am looking for a wine importer (ideally) in Nothern Virginia or DC who I can have them ship the wine to, and I can pick it up. I will happily cover the cost of any taxes or fees incurred and I am willing to pay for your time, but I need someone who is willing to do it.

So, if you know of any wine importers, or you are a wine importer and can help me out, please email me! And thank you!

Chateau Brane-Cantenac to Host Eric Boissenot Exhibit During En Primeur

Each year during En Primeur week in Bordeaux Henri Lurton, of Chateau Brane-Cantenac, hosts an exhibit entitled 'Brane seen through the eye and lens of ...'. This year, the photographer chosen is Eric Boissenot:

Many people consider Eric Boissenot as the Oenologist advisor of reference on the left bank of the Garonne and more particularly for the Medoc's properties. He was recently included in the ranking of the 100 most influent persons of the Wine World in France established by the "Revue du Vin de France".

Eric Boissenot started his career in winemaking with his father Jacques when he was 15 years old in the family property. This passion drove him naturally into the faculty of oenology in Bordeaux, where, while he was studying, started his job of oenologist/consultant with his dad. He obtained his Doctorate of oenology in 1997 after 5 years studies on the soil of the Medoc area.

Today his full time job is wine consultant with more than 90% of his clients issued from the Great Chateaux of the Médoc: Latour, Lafite-Rothschild, Margaux, Mouton-Rothschild, Palmer, Pichon Comtesse, Pichon Baron, Ducru-Beaucaillou, Léoville Barton, Léoville La Cazes, Gruaud-Larose, Brane-Cantenac and now chateau d’Arsac.

What most people don't realize is that Eric Boissenot is also a very talented photographer. Many people will get to see his work, when his black and white photos (images provided by Brane-Cantenac) will be on display April 4th with a big kickoff part during Primeurs.

Last year's event was fabulous, I think we get so used to looking at images on a computer or tablet screen that we often forget how powerful real photographs can be, this is an opportunity to see some great art work close up. If you can't make the April 4th launch, the photos will be on display in the Brane-Cantenac tasting room until March of 2013.

More information from the press release:

Every year, Henri Lurton selects a photographer for the annual exhibit 'Brane seen through the eye and lens of ...' . In 2012, Eric Boissenot's work will be on display in the big tasting room of the chateau until March 2013. Eric's photos are a step back into a world of refinement, contrasts and delicacy. Far remote from photoshop retouching and fakeness, his work is deeply moving and filled with extreme sensitivity. The finesse of each detail is reminiscent of graphite pencil drawings and ink sketches. His vision of Brane-Cantenac is that of a drawing artist rather than an impressionist painter. Brane is seen through the eye of ... a very talented photographer!

Revisiting 2009 Chateau Brane-Cantenac

Even as excitement builds for the 2011 En Primeur campaign, there is a lot of buzz surrounding the newly released 2009 vintage. 2009 was an incredible year for Bordeaux wines in general, but wines from the Margaux region really shined and it is becoming obvious to many critics that Chateau Brane-Cantenac is one of the standout wines from that region.

Here is what the usually harsh James Suckling had to say a few days ago, when he rated the wine a 93:

Beautiful aromas of crushed blueberries and flowers follow through to a full body, with earth, sliced mushroom and dried strawberries. Lemon rind character. Slightly earthy on the finish. Best after 2018.

Chris Kissack (aka the Wine Doctor) is also a fan, here is what he had to say during a visit in October of 2011:

It remains very harmonious and reserved on the palate, and then in the finish there is a sudden wave of exotic fruits and spices, and a flourish of ripe tannins too. Very nicely balanced. Really long and fresh despite the flesh of the vintage. More energy here than in the middle. More substance too. Tasted during a visit to Brane-Cantenac.

Robert Parker also rates the wine highly, giving it a range of 93-95:

A dense plum/purple color is followed by a lovely perfume of flowers, boysenberries, black cherries, and black currants. Seamless in the mouth with stunning concentration, a seductive style, an exquisite Margaux delicacy, and levels of richness and intensity I have never before seen in Brane Cantenac, it should drink effortlessly for 30+ years.

During last month's UGCB tasting in New York several writers mentioned the wine as one of best wines of the event. Even during the tasting a couple of people I knew pulled me aside to ask if I had tried it yet. You really can't beat that kind of buzz.

Here is what I had to say about the vintage during the 2009 En Primeur:

Chateau Brane-Cantenac: This was an all-around elegant wine. It started with very refined green pepper and plum aromas. Then soft, lingering tannins, that slowly worked their way to the back of the mouth and lingered. Incredible body, a wine that feels like it will age extremely well.

My tasting notes from last month:

A masterful combination of elegance and power. The wine greets with aromas of blackberry, violet and black currant. Concentrated fruit and strong tannins blend seamlessly and lead to a long finish that ends with earthy notes.

Breaux Viognier Named One of Oz Clarke's 250 Best in 2012: Why It Is Important

Oz Clarke has released the 2012 version of his well-regarded 250 Best Wines series and Breaux Vineyards' Viognier made the list!

I reached out to a very excited Jennifer Breaux who told me, "We are honored and elated to have been chosen as one of Oz Clarke's "Top 250 Wines in 2012". To be recognized by someone whose palate and opinions are held in such high regard is truly humbling. As our State's signature grape, we hope that this accolade helps bring recognition to Viognier as being synonymous with Virginia."

Obviously, this is a great honor, but it is also a rarity. To be blunt, Oz Clarke is not a fan of most American wine. In 2009 there were only 6 wines from the United States included on his 250 Best Wines list and in 2010 there were only 3 wines from the United States.

Given the dearth of wines from the United States on the list, the fact that a Virginia wine was included is a vey impressive accomplishment. Oz Clarke has a great deal of influence in the UK, and throughout Europe, so being included on this list will continue to raise the profile of Virginia wine.