2007 Domaine Amido Lirac

Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  12/2/2008, (See more on Garagiste...)

  (AMIDO Lirac) UPDATE: Big Brother In the month of December, many of us look to help the less fortunate but I must ask: Why is it that many of us are too busy during eleven months of the year to think in a charitable sense? Charity does not necessarily mean money - it can be time spent or a variety of volunteer efforts as well. My instinct is that it's better to be charitable for one month than not at all so this is not a rant - it's more of a question as we look in the mirror. The easiest answer is that we are just too busy with our modern lives but we know that is no excuse - it must be something more. Does December bring an extended feeling of goodwill that carries with it a sense of urgency in regard to helping others? I am just as guilty as many of you for overlooking charity during many months of the year but I've pledged to change that by "forcing" myself with a dedication to giving back through our donation program at Garagiste (something I emailed about several months ago - that a portion of all customer purchases throughout the year would automatically go toward a charitable cause selected by our customer base). I didn't want to make a big deal about it when first announced and I'm not going to now, but, if you haven't already, please email Melisa your charitable suggestions and/or where you would like to see the Garagiste Donation for 2008 end up: melisa@garagistewine.com Please email all suggestions by December 20th, 2008 - we will post our choices on Dec 31st, 2008, picked from the myriad of suggestions submitted (please remember, if we do not pick your cause, it was more a matter of having so many suggestions, not because it lacked merit). ...which brings me to a story of where our part of our society is at the present moment. In my charitable mood, I decided to help enroll less fortunate and impoverished inner-city children raised in a single parent household (without elder siblings) in the Big Brother/Big Sister program. This program typically unites volunteer male/female role models with a young boy or girl in need of help. In addition to my own donation of time, I set a goal of signing up 100 kids this year and giving them a better chance at success by time spent with a Big Brother (or Big Sister). Much to my dismay, when I went to the head office to reveal my intentions, I was told "Due to the economy and loss of funding, we are only accepting youth candidates under the age of twelve that fit two of the following four criteria: 1) Parent in prison 2) Parent died in 911 terror attacks 3) Court order that the child needs mentoring 4) Immigrant child that does not speak English as a first language trying to assimilate into US culture They went on to say, "Please submit proof with each potential candidate that two of the above four criteria have been met and we will respond within the next 30 days". This is what it's come to? To gain access to a volunteer's time, you need a parent in prison or a court order and they won't let you know for a month? Some of these kids don't have a month. Maybe I'm old fashioned but that seems extreme to me and I already know where a portion of our charity donation will go this year - it will go to my selection, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America. - Jon Rimmerman **************************** 2007 Rhone Dear Friends, I continue to be amazed by the quality of the 2007 harvest in the Southern Rhone and with the new exchange rate, there are some fabulous bargains that have not been seen for quite a while. When Nathalie and Amandine took over after the tragic death of the patriarch of the Domaine (Christian Amido) it was obvious right away the direction they were headed - the Marcoux of Tavel/Lirac. Woman-owned and committed to the utmost quality, they've bestowed a decided slant toward feminine grace and a velveteen style to their wine (instead of the course rusticity that can come at this level) and the wine of Domaine Amido is now a joy to taste. Not only is their sense of detail obvious, their pro-consumer pricing is also commendable. The 2007 Lirac is an explosive example - from the bright red color that seems to self-charge as it sits in the glass to the very long finish, this is money well spent indeed. Satiny old-vine Grenache (50-60 years) mingles with the extractive character of 2007 to bring you an almost Chambolle meets Avignon bargain of the highest order. Red fruit drips from this silken treat but the key is the buried fine-grained layer of tannin that coats the wine. While it appears round, it is actually quite structured (from the small addition of Mouvedre and the increased use of Syrah). This wine is raised only in old foudre and steel with no wood influence of any kind. There are no notes of torrefaction to cover the flaws and, in 2007, flaws are hard to find. If you enjoy a mÄlange of cherry and kirsch with a light steak of crushed spice and forest floor, this is your wine to open for any occasion without pretense (it gets even better with 2-4 hours of air). Another "proof is in the pudding" example of the 2007 vintage and a certain house wine for a large number of you. ONE SHIPMENT ONLY with perfect provenance: 2007 Domaine Amido Lirac Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Rhone9987