le premier pas, Domaine Pas de l'Escalette.  This magical domaine is the labor of love of Julien Zernott and Dephine Rousseau.  This young couple had been looking for a small property in the south of France for several years when they happened upon this magical spot where the Larzac region meets the Mediterranean flats (Herault).  Delphine has been in the public relations field, concentrating on wine-marketing for several years while Julien has been the head wine-maker and vineyard manager at Domaine Henry Pellé in Menetou-Salon since the mid 1990s.  Because of our relationship with this latter domaine, we've been apprised of the developement of this project since the beginning.  The result is no less than stunning.  Their first wines, marked by the extreme nature of the 2003 vintage showed great promise.  Now, with the arrival of their first 2004, Le Grand Pas, they are poised to make their mark on the Languedoc region's fast-moving winemaking scene.

Their work in the vineyard is minimalist and they reject chemical treatments whenever possible.  All harvesting is done by hand in small cases.  Fermentation of the reds takes place in upright wood ovals while aging is done in large puncheons and small cooperage.

2005 Syrah, Vin de Pays, Cave de Chante Perdrix.  Another early drinking 2005 red that will confirm what people are saying about the vintage.  From vines just outside of the St. Joseph appellation, 300 cases are produced and 250 of them have just arrived in California.  Ripe, crunchy syrah fruit with just enough pepper and spice in the nose.  Unctuous blue-tinged dark fruit.  Great value!

2005 St. Joseph Rouge.  Too good to be true.  Amazing wine again from Verzier.

2005 St. Joseph La Madone.  And this one is even better!  This vintage was an absolute success for Verzier.

2006 Monsant, Sere.  Josep-Maria Vendrell's second wine has become quite a hit and this new vintage shows us why.  Rich and racy, but with fine mineral definition and good balance.  No new oak here, so just the fruit and soil come through. 

2004 Montsant, Alleu.  Josep-Maria Vendrell does everything here.  His winery is built to be run by one person, and he wouldn't have it any other way.  This 2004 is very exciting.  He's backed off of the oak a bit and results are stunning.  Rich, dark and brooding, but enough fruit and tension to carry it through.  Organically farmed.

Albariño, Rias Baixas, Carballal.  Very few small producer albariños make it this way from Galicia in northwest Spain.  Most are overcropped, overoaked and/or overripe.  Finally we found one to fit with what we're doing.  Crisp, bracing acidity backs up extremely concentrated fruit with just a hint of the exotic fruit which can so overpower other wines from this region.  Drink this with fish or shellfish and you'll be sold!

2005 Château de Puligny-Montrachet.   This much awaited vintage will begin arriving with the whites in September and the reds in October 2007.  A stellar vintage that was exceptional for both colors.  Yields were low, so get your order in soon.

Domaine de Trévallon.  A fabulous vintage, the rouge 2004 is big wine with tremendous fruit and plenty of structure. 

Trévallon Extra Virgin Olive Oil

The oils of Les Baux de Provence are among the most prized in the world.  Intense, fruity and very smooth, they are the backbone of classic provençale cooking.  We tasted this last year after the domaine had already sold out and immediately signed up for the 2006 harvest.

Guihelm Blanc & Rouge

Mas de Daumas Gassac, the flagship property of the Guibert family near Aniane in the Herault region of Southern France needs no introduction.  They're rightly considered the pioneers of a region that we all take for granted as being one of the most exciting for new wine finds in France.  For several years, they have been producing wines with a group of winemakers near Sête who farm their vineyards and vinify their wines to the high specifications required by the Guiberts.  25-50 year old vines.  Organically farmed vineyards.  Very reasonably priced wines.  What more do you want?