Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  8/22/2008 (link)

  (RAQUILLET Combins) Bounty Dear Friends, This week's send-off list is a doozy - the quality is off the wall on all of the wines below and the prices should be equally enticing to boot (the Hannah's Swing price is a joke). All below have impeccable provenance and are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for their genre and/or price. The Gratien is especially mesmerizing wine... Have a great weekend everyone - - Jon Rimmerman *************************** Friday Focus: Hannah 2004 Fox Gordon Hannah's Swing Shiraz (JH94) STRICT LIMIT 6/person This is Fox Gordon's highest-end wine, sort of their Seven Acres or Creek Block before the invention of the Roennfeldt Road (many would argue that the Seven Acres and Creek Block are still the best wines from Greenock Creek). An insane price on a perfect parcel: ******************************** Other choices of equal note... 2006 Vieux Telegraphe CdP "La Crau" Blanc Why stop with the 2004 and 2005 - we may as well empty their cellars of CdP Blanc. I'm repeating myself but this has to represent one of the superlative, unheralded examples of top-drawer white wine in Europe and they are consistently recognized for this achievement. The 2006 is another outstanding wine, similar in youth to the 1986 on release: 2005 Schloss Schonborn Pfaffenberger "Graflich Schoenborn'scher Eigenbau" In certain vintages, Schonborn produces this homage to their past and it is amazing wine. This anniversary elixir is painfully difficult to obtain and the winery really doesn't want it commercially sold. Auslese pradikat that is like a laser beam of precision and intensity with an almost Spatlese-like personality that will wow the most curmudgeonly of nay-sayers. Crazy wine and you are almost guaranteed to be the only one of your block (or state) to have a bottle. EXTREMELY LIMITED - only 5 cases for the US. 2006 Raquillet Mercurey "Les Combins" EXTREMELY LIMITED Absolutely gorgeous red Burgundy - this wine oozes minerality and terroir from its naturally produced red fruit shell. Better than the 2005 and one of the best 2006 wines at this price level - only 10 cases for the entire US market (120 bottles). Raquillet is making major waves in Burgundy and the prices are heading up quickly. 2005 Standish "The Standish" Shiraz See previous...(this is "The Standish" 2005, not the lower priced 2005 Relic). Expect big things for the 2005 Standish. 2006 Standish "The Relic" Shiraz See previous. After a down 2005 Relic, expect big things for the 2006... NV Alfred Gratien Champagne "Cuvee Paradis" 1.5lt (the magnum stock has not been rated) Not only is the bottle beautiful but this wine is magical - culled from old vintage material, the magnums contain 1991, 1996 and 1999 stock along with some blended 2001/2002 and then given the Gratien treatment. Like crushed ginger and lime, this wine has the most gorgeous feminine style and presence that should age into something even more spectacular - truly great and a divine, cutting, complex drinking experience that should be savored on the most special of occasions (with your 20 closest friends) - will improve and last for another two decades in this format. One of the finest efforts Gratien has produced - the magnums are more special than the regular 750's and the 750ml's are darn fine on their own: From Gratien: "A remarkable cuvee with a delightful colour, exclusively produced from tetes de-cuvee and grand-cru wines. Very fine, extremely long-lasting mousse, a delicate bouquet of honey, nuts and subtle hints of white fruits, complex palate of sweet white fruits building up to a gingerbread finale, fresh lingering finish. Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Aus6001 Aus6002 Aus6003 Germ9440 Burg7412 Champ6200