Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  5/22/2008 (link)

  (GRAND VIN Ardonneau) Bordeaux Dear Friends, ...I feel the feeding frenzy about to ensue, or better said, this one deserves a frenzy. This is a treasure trove of wonderful wine (priced right) so take note. This group of Bordeaux remains on a select list of the most requested re-order items of the past 5-6 years. It's been tough to obtain a second or third parcel from this winery but this is a deal that I've been working on for the past four months and we finally have some results (by the way, whenever a retailer says they've been working on a deal for "four months" or "the past half year" it means they've been working on it for about two hours...don't believe the BS. Hmmm....don't I say that frequently? Wait a minute...). In this case, I really have been working on this for a while and it's come to fruition this morning. I wasn't expecting the 2005's on this shipment but it's an extra bonus. I'm about to depart for Vancouver and some very exciting news on the horizon for Garagiste (more on that later - no, we're not opening a store in Canada) - in the meantime, there are scads of reviews out there from people that have actually tried these (not critics) and I'm sure you can do your own research on the winery. All told, these are crazy bargains from one of Bordeaux's most inspired up and comers. You can't go wrong with any of these and the magnum prices are almost laughable for estate grown and fastidiously bottled Bordeaux.... ALL ARE DIRECTLY FROM THE DOMAINE CELLAR WITH PERFECT PROVENANCE: 2005 Domaine des Graves d'Ardonneau 1eres Cotes de Blaye "Prestige" This is simply a crazy price on a wine that many of us could drink everyday. Many of you loved the 2003 version of this wine and just imagine how ramped up 2005 is? This is a gorgeous dose of the vintage and a wine that begs for quantity to have on hand...(if we run out, Compass should have some for the same price) And a few magnums... 2001 Domaine des Graves d'Ardonneau 1eres Cotes de Blaye "Prestige" 1.5lt Very rare magnum of the 2001 that is drinking like magic Bordeaux elixir right now. Elegance personified and a wine I've only seen a few times (never in magnum). Another testament to how great 2001 is in Bordeaux (don't even get me started on 2001 Burgundy, one of my favorite vintages of the last decade). 2003 Domaine des Graves d'Ardonneau 1eres Cotes de Blaye "Prestige" 1.5lt This wine was the most requested re-order wine of 2006 (from 750ml) and for good reason. It has a satiny, feminine presence and all the atmospheric delight of a tobacco-laced, low-alcohol example that would be a terrific wine for a dinner party where the guests do not wish to be overwhelmed by the wine. Not a bruiser but a beautifully made wine that leaves a lasting impression. Another crazy price for a magnum that is ageing into a colorful butterfly. 2005 Domaine des Graves d'Ardonneau 1eres Cotes de Blaye "Prestige" 1.5lt Magnum version of the first wine above. Bargain for a magnum of estate grown 2005? In the Blaye, it's still possible. 2005 Domaine des Graves d'Ardonneau 1eres Cotes de Blaye "Grand Vin" 1.5lt This one goes without saying - their very best expression in a vintage that will make this price seem like a very good investment for a magnum in a few years. Lots of life ahead in this format, maybe up to 20 years or more. Please limit requests to 6/each wine Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Bord7110 Bord7120 Bord7130 Bord7140 Bord7150

• By Jon Rimmerman
  8/16/2007 (link)

  (Graves d'Ardonneau Grand Vin) 2005 Bordeaux Dear Friends, Call me an optimist, but is there any way this could be bad? If there was going to be vintage where our friends at Les Bertrands (the “little Chateau that could”) would shine, it’s 2005. We’ve had many successes from them in the past...but this price for 2005 Bordeaux? The story on this is simple, due to your support of the wines over the past five years or so, we asked for a price on the 2005 that was downright uncalled for...and they agreed. I can see a deal on the 2006 but the 2005? Loyalty does have its rewards and this is a gift from them. Chateau Les Bertrands (in all their mid-weight, weedy, green splendor) seems to uphold the spirit of old-style, 12.0% cold-climate Bordeaux where the fashion of the moment keeps applying pressure to change (and raise alcohol levels). A property like Bertrands (one that is completely local and basically unknown outside of France) is what makes Bordeaux tick and as evidence to the appeal of this style, the sister wine to this (the 2005 Bertrands Tradition VV) won the Gold Medal at the Paris Concours earlier in the year (against a host of other 2005s). The version of the Tradition we offer today had not yet been bottled (so it was not submitted) but my guess is that the pedigree will show itself to be similar. Should be one of the steals of the vintage. ONE SHIPMENT ONLY at this price - what should be the lowest price in the world. This parcel arrives directly form the winery cellar with perfect provenance: 2005 Chateau Les Bertrands “Cuvee Tradition” 1er Cotes de Blaye ...On another note, we also have a few cases of 750ml of the 2005 Domaine des Graves d’Ardonneau Grand Vin (1er Cotes du Blaye). This is the wine we had bottled and sold only in magnum earlier in the winter as it was one of my wines of the vintage. Many of you asked for 750ml bottles of this so you could sample it while your magnums lay in waiting. I’ve tried to secure a parcel of this for a while but they are very hard to come by. That being said, we finally have a small amount but only 20 cases of this wine in 750ml for the entire US including our few cases (I’m not kidding). This wine may be the ultimate bridge between the Left Bank and Right Bank in 2005 and now in bottle, it has has power and massive ripeness on the scale of 2005 Canon-la-Gaffeliere but maintains its St. Julien-like silk and red fruit center with grace. There is nothing shy about this wine but it is not a purple, gritty tooth stainer like the Aux Trois Freres – it is masculine cashmere with a baby Las Cases spirit and sultry tannins. I opened a 750ml a few nights ago and it was alcoholic and undrinkable (like many of the 2005 Right Bank wines) and took a full 24 hours to settle into its slinky, heady ways. Once it did, all I can say is “wow”. Give this wine a few years in the cellar and watch the fireworks begin: 2005 Domaine des Graves d’Ardonneau “Grand Vin” 1er Cotes du Blaye (750ml) Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Bord7990 Bord7980