Deux Chevaux

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• bestdamncab says:

  3/16/2024 4:01:00 AM - Love the photo of Renault or Citroen?

• Deux Chevaux says:

  3/30/2021 2:27:00 PM - Hi PSPatrick, These days (and for the last many years) we can't imagine only one wine with dinner! And yes we also agree that wine exploration is a dynamic evolution. Every year, even now, we explore anew. Recently we've become very interested in German (and even, to a lesser degree, Swiss). Our visit to the Mosel valley was cancelled in Sept 2020, but we will do that as soon as possible. -- Jake

• PSPatrick says:

  3/30/2021 5:00:00 AM - Thank you again for your recommendation. I also appreciate your detailed profile, which helps putting it into perspective. What you describe sounds a lot like my wife and me: Started with fuller reds and aromatic whites in our early days, gradually moved to more and more refined, only that our journey to Pinot Noir and Rioja went via Bordeaux. And (at least) two different wines with dinner, of course...

• COWineLover says:

  1/8/2021 10:34:00 PM - Happy 2021 Deux. I hope you are doing well with all the crazy COVID in CA. I really appreciate your notes (especially November 2020) about the 2016 Pascale Matrot Blagny. Added some to my backlog of wines to ship in the Spring. Take care, and thanks as always for the valued notes. Cheers, Kelly

• The taste athlete says:

  11/10/2020 11:13:00 PM - Hey Two horse man, Love your info, and can relate to it! What's your favourite Jura at the moment?

• Deux Chevaux says:

  10/23/2020 2:12:00 PM - Hi srh, Thanks for your comment about my profile text -- and that made me go back and update it a bit, in order to, among other things, mention our interest in Rioja. That's a nice thing about wine -- it's a constant exploration . . . .

• srh says:

  10/12/2020 12:18:00 PM - "We have very few zinfandels anymore, or much of anything from ritzy and overdone Napa;" I *so* hear ya'! Compared to many moons ago, isn't it SAD what *both* those categories have become? :( [BTW, *GREAT* profile article!] :)

• amateur62 says:

  7/6/2020 11:50:00 AM - Jake, it seems that after many visits to French Jura, I have still some deficits, next time when we go to Jura, I will have a look for Domaine de l'Aigle à deux Têtes wines. There are a lot of unknown jewels to be discovered, last time, just before the lock down beginning of March, we visited Aviet near Arbois and I was quit impressed on there wines. And thanks for the book tip.

• Deux Chevaux says:

  7/5/2020 1:36:00 PM - Hi again amateur62/ Andreas -- ahh, Jura. We love it, and have visited three times in recent years. Do you have Wink Lorch's book, "Jura Wine"? (And her newest book focuses on the French Alps.) Vin jaune and the other oxidative style Jura wines can be an acquired taste -- but fortunately for me, my very accommodating wife has decided she loves these odd fellows! On the dry/ fresher side, we like the wines of Dom. de l'Aigle a Deux Tetes. Re Kandersteg: We were there four nights in early/mid-Sept -- it rained and snowed. But the hiking the day after that was all the more special. From there we spent two days hiking the vineyards above and north of Vevey. Sadly, we can't readily find those lovely Dezalay whites in California . . . .

• amateur62 says:

  7/5/2020 12:52:00 PM - Hi Jake, yes, I've been several times at Solutré and enjoyed to stay in La Courtille but I have never visited the museum, I preferred to walk to the rock and visiting the wineries. The other area I am a fan of is the Jura with their unique wines and this was the reason I had to look to your profile and was happy to see that I am not the only one that likes these wines (for my wife they are too odd). And yes, it would be hard without cheese ... We could have crossed each other last September without knowing as we stayed near Kandersteg in a small cottage. Andreas

• Deux Chevaux says:

  5/24/2020 11:57:00 AM - Hi Mark/ guitar & noir: And similarly back to you. We relate to and appreciate your enthusiasm for Drew. If you've not already, try to visit the very isolated winery and home farm -- depicted on the label -- some day if you are in the Mendocino coast area. It's closed to public but they allowed us to drop by and pick up once. Nice public tasting room down the mountain road (you dive past Valenti vineyard) in Philo, too. Given that you've noticed my old world leanings, I suppose you'd understand that I'll have to pronounce your neat moniker by swallowing both "r"s! -- Jake

• air guitar & pinot noir says:

  5/22/2020 7:36:00 AM - Jake, Thanks for allowing me to be a fan and returning the favor. We seem to share a great affinity for Drew, with good reason. Jason continues to up his game. Appreciate your thoughtful insights and your old world expertise. Certainly an area for me to further delve into. Cheers and continued vinous enjoyment. Air Guitar & Pinot Noir (Mark)

• Deux Chevaux says:

  10/26/2019 8:04:00 AM - Hi Stanrocks, For us, the answer is Drew -- all 6 or so single vineyard bottlings, all Anderson Valley. Pricing is similar to Anthill, which we enjoy very much. The wine profiles are generally similar as well: Cool climate, leaning toward mineral and savory, always in balance, with lively acidity and avoiding excess. The two Drew blends are good, too. And Jason Drew makes two fine vineyard designated syrahs as well. Other than Drew, we also like Rhys (Anderson Valley, Santa Cruz, and San Mateo bottlings), albeit at generally/ nearly double the price. -- Jake

• Stanrocks says:

  10/24/2019 1:49:00 PM - Hi there 2CV, can you help me out a bit, we are looking for some off the map Pinot, mainly Cal, but could anywhere US, we loved the anthill, so that s where it all started, can u advise me some of that kind, we figured out sea smoke, Kota Browne, obviously Selyem ... any idea please ? Anthill price was great too... :)

• MTC2 says:

  7/24/2019 5:06:00 PM - Just read your profile and I want to know what I have to do to get an invitation to one of your dinners! Jokes aside, I've been appreciative of wine for far less time than you, but my tastes coincide with yours. I try to visit Sonoma annually from my base in SoCal, but I'm spending more and more time researching, purchasing and appreciating what Europe and especially France have to offer. Lower alcohol, more complex flavors, dry Rieslings from Alsace and earthy Rioja wines. I do prefer CdP to Northern Rhone, but otherwise, please feel free to share your cellar with me any time.

• jeagle says:

  7/18/2019 2:31:00 PM - Well, in fiction or cinema, post-apocalyptic refers to the setting which is after some cataclysmic event. Typically, the landscape is a barren wasteland, scorched earth, etc. The landscape of this bottle struck me in the same way.

• srh says:

  6/1/2019 10:22:00 AM - ENJOYED reading your profile! :) "Overdone" Napa: For a 1 word descriptor that about sums it up, huh? :(

• westopherguy says:

  3/3/2019 7:02:00 PM - We have similar tastes, and a similar path. 100% with you on Jura; haven't had a disappointment yet. Had any Les Matheny? And with you too on northern Rhone and white Rioja. Thanks for the great tasting notes.

• cigar52 says:

  4/8/2018 10:42:00 AM - Thanks Deux for the comment on the Drew Family Pinot. I am happy to hear the estate wines are less extracted. This is my first Drew wine having found Drew from the Morning Dew Ranch owned by Bert Williams. I have truly enjoyed the MDR wines from Williams Selyem and look forward to many Drew wines.

• Deux Chevaux says:

  1/21/2018 10:49:00 AM - Hi FrasS, Not only am I a fan of your profile and notes, but we also have a small connection: I lived many years ago, for one year each, just outside Arnhem (in Oosterbeek) and then Den Haag (Marlot)-- and I have fond memories of the Netherlands. -- Jake

• FransS says:

  1/21/2018 9:22:00 AM - Hi Deux Chevaux, I'm honored to have you as a fan! Greeting, FransS

• Deux Chevaux says:

  8/19/2017 10:08:00 AM - Hi ohne/ Vince, Thanks so much for this. As it happens, my wife saved for me Eric Asimov's Aug 16 NYT article on Rioja whites, and your note in combination with that just sent me to K & L's site to get a few of those fellows. PS, thanks also for your other note on the Dugois vin jaune thread. Re that, I tried to post a response, but the system ate it up. The gist was (1) great quote (but I'd add wine and cheese); and (2) in addition to th Jura sous voile style whites, you may also enjoy Jura "ouille" whites. These are topped up, non-oxidative creatures (contrasted with sous voile wines), but still usually full of Jura character. I've posted reviews of many, and our favorites include the wines of Henri Le Roy, Domaine de l'Aigle a Deux Tetes (the two-headed Eagle) -- look for his savagnins, especially his estate "Les Clous" -- it's another direct import by K&L, hence a decent price. The 2014 "Les Clous" is almost gone -- this morning I took 2 more, leaving one in stock, but the 15s should be released soon, I assume. -- Jake

• ohne_musik says:

  8/19/2017 8:59:00 AM - Jake - given your love for the Jura whites, I'd encourage you to try some white Riojas, particularly if you can find the traditional aged ones from Lopez de Heredia (Gravonia and Tondonia). Also, the Chateau Musar blanc, which is an aged white from Lebanon. All are very special wines that may very well be in your wheelhouse! Cheers. Vince

• Deux Chevaux says:

  7/16/2017 11:18:00 AM - Hi Kelly, good move, and I hope to year around the end of the year that it hits the spot for you and your guests. -- Jake

• COWineLover says:

  7/16/2017 9:23:00 AM - Hi Jake - Thanks for the note about the 2004 Nairac. Purchased some today. I am guessing it will be a great holiday apero. Cheers. Kelly

• Deux Chevaux says:

  7/7/2017 8:52:00 AM - Hi CO/Kelly, thanks for notes, and altho my bins are nearly full I just bought various 2014 Domaine Aurelien Verdets (the Vosne was sold out by the time I acted -- tant pis). By the way, re deals -- look at the 2004 Chateau Nairac (Barsac, 750ml) -- a super wine and a great buy (insider advantage) -- it should close out quite quickly if those who like this lovely stuff take note. We treat it as an apero -- small pours before dinner -- and it can last many days, corked in the fridge (altho for us it never seems to last belond day 6 or so!) -- Jake

• COWineLover says:

  7/5/2017 9:58:00 PM - K&L had a number of Aurelien wines including a Villages from Vosne, Morey St. Denis, Nuits St. Georges, and Gevrey, for mid-30's. They also have a number of Mongeard Mugneret wines (which I have enjoyed from other vintages in SLB). Haven't tried it yet as I wait for better shipping weather, but certainly intrigued and purchased across a number of locations. Also purchased some of the Aurelien 1er's from Nuits St. Georges.

• Deux Chevaux says:

  7/1/2017 2:19:00 PM - Hi CO/ Kelly, Thanks for the note, good summer to you as well. Do you have any particular recommendations for the village and 1ers at K&L now? -- Jake

• COWineLover says:

  6/25/2017 7:36:00 PM - Cheers Deux. I hope you are enjoying your summer so far. While enjoying a 2010 Chandon Briailles SLB this evening, I was thinking in light of our shared love of Burgundy, I wanted to pass along that K&L has a lot of 2014 and 2015 Burgundy wines in good quantities. Though I don't expect to drink them soon, I was impressed by the choices. It looks like Village level wines from these vintages will offer good value and early pleasure while the 1er's and Grand Cru's may take some time at a higher cost. Have been accumulating at Village and up levels. Cheers. Kelly

• Deux Chevaux says:

  8/20/2016 2:40:00 PM - Salut wondersofwine -- don't own, just an admirer of these odd, fun and surprisingly versatile creatures. When my family lived in Europe in the late 60s, we called these "first-grader cars" -- because the looked like they'd been designed by one. The wonderful corrugated ragtop specimen in the my photo is, I think, from the mid-1950s. I took the picture in Auxerre, right next to the Yonne river, in 2007.

• wondersofwine says:

  8/18/2016 11:51:00 AM - Your tag caught my attention (along with your review of the Littorai Pinot Noir The Pivot Vineyard.) On a trip to Normandy in 2011, our tour included an excursion in a convoy of about a dozen Deux Chevaux. My sister and I rode in the back seat with another couple up front. What fun! Do you own one of these cars?

• H2OMansLibrary says:

  5/18/2016 8:55:00 PM - Thanks for that. I've been waiting to see what would surface. FYI, I'll be at WOW tomorrow if you're attending.

• H2OMansLibrary says:

  3/21/2016 12:59:00 PM - Thanks for the tip. Will see what's available. Understood on the editing. It's software. Bugs exist. :)

• Deux Chevaux says:

  3/21/2016 9:40:00 AM - Ask for John M. at K & L. But note, they have few vin jaunes or even sous voile savagnins, in stock right now; you have to wait for them and pounce! PS, re editing function -- I've managed before and was trying within only three mins; it just didn't work, for some reason.

• H2OMansLibrary says:

  3/21/2016 9:29:00 AM - Interesting. I'll give it a try. Stopping by K&L later this week to pick up something, so I'll grab a bottle and pop it on the weekend. Thanks for the tip. :) BTW, the edit function on the public messages times out after 15 minutes or something...

• Deux Chevaux says:

  3/20/2016 3:35:00 PM - PS, Make that "sous voile" -- meaning, under the veil (of yeast). (Editing function does not seem to be working.)

• Deux Chevaux says:

  3/20/2016 3:33:00 PM - "What's it like": It's a completely different animal, and the style is a continuum. Savagnin is a Jura varietal, and whether made in a fresh/ topped up manner, or "tradional'/ sups voile, it's likely to have a strongly acidic backbone. Take a look at some of my reviews of vin jaune/ Chateau Chalon, the ultimate expression of savagnin. There you will find caramel, old walnuts, curry, bruised apples, and exotic savory spices, all framed by shockingly bracing acidity. It is a wine that you either love or hate. Apart from that, more "regular" Jura blancs -- be they savagnin, chardonnay, or a blend of the two, are also very distinctive. And then there are the rouges -- deceptively light, often tart, and distinctive in their own way. See Wink Lorch's 2014 book, Jura Wine, for more. -- Jake

• H2OMansLibrary says:

  3/20/2016 2:47:00 PM - Hey DC. I've had a Jura cremant, and vin de savoie, but not any savagnin. what's it like?

• Deux Chevaux says:

  3/19/2016 4:38:00 PM - Hi H2oman, Thanks for all of this, and yes, we've been thinking of attending a West event, some day we will. PS, what about Jura? We've recently fallen for it in a big way -- mostly the blancs, and both (1) the fresh/ ouille/ topped up and (2 oxidative/ sous voile styles . . . . And on top of distinctive wines, the area and people are very friendly -- we've visited twice since Sept. K & L in SF is getting some interesting stuff in the coming months, I hear . . . .

• H2OMansLibrary says:

  3/18/2016 5:39:00 PM - Hey DC, was just chilling and reading your profile. I agree on the Zins, however, I recently had a bottle of Williams Selyem Zinfandel and it's a whole different ball game. If you're not on allocation, sign up and get a bottle. It's kind of like the love child of Pinot and Zinfandel. Like you, I am all French, or West Sonoma. BTW, the West Sonoma "West of West" event is May 19 in the Presidio. The URL is here (http://www.westsonomacoast.com) and there will be a lot of great West Sonoma wine to taste. Restrained and balanced. Best.

• COWineLover says:

  1/21/2016 8:39:00 PM - Cheers Deux - I also wanted to pass along that my wine specialist at JJ Buckley put together an impressive array of choices for me on their 2010 Brunello's. I purchased a mixed case Wednesday, with preferred client's getting additional pricing discounts. Roland Hankerson is his name and I like his service and the pricing options are appreciated. Happy New Year.

• Deux Chevaux says:

  1/11/2016 1:21:00 PM - Hi CoWL, Thanks and Happy New Year to you. On your rec, I'm getting some of the Brunello from K&L.

• COWineLover says:

  1/10/2016 6:57:00 PM - Happy New Year to you Deux. I hope your year is off to a good start. As for New Year's resolutions, you may want to consider some 2010 La Velona Brunello. This is a pre-arrival, and I have some on order from K&L. They price it fairly ($35) for a Brunello. I tend to drink my Brunello's when they have 8 years of age on them in bigger vintages. Look for the 2010 Spanish wines right now. JJ Buckley has a 2010 Rioja Reserva available now for $16 (Tercera). I purchased a case, though I am waiting to ship. Cheers.

• Deux Chevaux says:

  7/17/2015 2:03:00 PM - Hi Co, And if there are Italian (or Spanish) wines on the K&L list that you think I should make sure to try, please advise. I barely have any Italian or Spanish wines in our cellar, and that's a shame.

• COWineLover says:

  7/11/2015 9:08:00 AM - Very valuable input Deux. Thanks for sharing. Cheers.

• Deux Chevaux says:

  7/11/2015 8:05:00 AM - Salut CO, we purchased one, and you saw the note. We did not buy another. But in the same price range, even lower, on the same insider advantage program, we purchase 5 of the Chorey, and have three left. Nice middle of week stuff. More later, maybe. Ps, the Chorey started at 30. We bought no more. Then it went to 22. We bought two more. Then it went to 16, we got two more. And it's still available, I think.

• COWineLover says:

  7/11/2015 7:26:00 AM - Greetings Deux, I see you have a tasting note on the 2012 Champy Cote de Beaune Villages. It is currently available at K&L ($17.99) and hoped you could share your opinion if this wine is worth considering. Thanks and have a great weekend.

• COWineLover says:

  6/28/2015 1:24:00 PM - You are quite right there are still gems from the Golden State that can be found. A few favorites include St. Jean Cinq Cepages (a 1996 a few years ago was incredible), Laird cab, and I have very much enjoyed some York Creek 2007 cab. I'm glad someone shares the enjoyment that comes from sharing wine with others. I enjoy giving wine to people at work who don't know what Viognier is, or how words don't do justice to a fine Burgundy. My favorite reaction was watching my father tell me he didn't drink white wine. I poured him a glass of Chablis from magnum and he said it was a great wine and he was glad it wasn't Chardonnay. When I poured him a second glass and he asked what wine that was, he was shocked when I told him it was the same wine. That is why experimentation is so enjoyable! Cheers!

• Deux Chevaux says:

  6/28/2015 12:12:00 PM - Salut COwinelover, Thanks for your note. Our early experience with wine began as slight owners on a small local (northern California) winery, where we picked, crushed, and bottled, etc. -- focusing on zin, and so probably because of that we developed a rather parochial view in our wine selections. But eventually, our tastes changed. There are of course some far from boring and formulaic wines being made in California -- (have you see Bon Bonee's book, "New California Wine"?) -- but yes, far too many of then still fit that supermarket style. Now (and I like this in your profile as well), we are often sharing our new and distinctive discoveries with friends and family -- sometimes successfully. (We have even opened eyes and tastebuds to our new favorites -- Jura sous voile blancs). My wife sometimes says that we should not share our better Bourgogne with folks who won't appreciate them . . . but that's another subject.

• COWineLover says:

  6/28/2015 8:34:00 AM - I appreciated reading your profile about evolving tastes and old world preferences. I believe many wines from California are boring and formulaic. With almost 90 percent of our collection being old world (60%+ French), we share your cool climate preference for wines with acidity and great potential to change over time. Cheers.