Vina Chocalan

Our first container of wines from Vina Chocalan in San Antonio Valley, Chile is on it's way and should arrive by the first week of April 2011. I previously wrote about my visit at the winery in chile. The make very interesting wines and I believed in the work of their wine maker.
I just received an e-mail from the winery yesterday telling me that during a dinner of President Barak Obama and the President of Chile that the wines of Vina Chocalan were served.





Viña Chocalán was present at the dinner with Barack Obama
On Monday the 21st of March, a dinner took place in Santiago de Chile, in the government palace, La Moneda, in honor of United States President, Barack Obama.
Viña Chocalán was selected with two of its wines, to pair with the four course meal prepared by the prestigious cater Sofía Jottar.
Both presidents, Chilean and U.S., had the chance to taste the 2009 Pinot Noir Gran Reserva, from Viña Chocalán, Maipo Valley. It is a delicate wine, with high varietal tipicity and elegance. Fresh, silky, with soft tannins and ripe black cherry framed by delicate species and toasty notes, due to its ageing in French oak barrels.
The second wine chosen was the 2009 Chardonnay Chocalán Malvilla. The vineyard is located just 4 km from the Pacific Ocean; this Terroir gives to the wines its particular essence.
The cool climate, the breeze coming from the sea, the roots growing in soils with presence of shells and marine fossils made this Chardonnay to be known as one of the best in Chile.
Discover in each glass the real harmony between fruity notes, minerals, smoky and crunchy freshness. A mouth well structured, showing complexity and velvety tones; great character and refinement.
The Malvilla Chocalan wines are the perfect paring for delicious seafood coming from the Chilean coast.

Visiting Wine Makers

Aaahhh - some sunshine and the snow has already melted.
February 28th through March 3rd 2001 we will host Sue and Terry Brandborg from Brandborg wineries of Umpqua Valley Oregon. It's been a while since my wife Patty and I visited their winery in Elkton OR.

While here in Indianapolis Sue and Terry will present their wines during one tasting at Crown Wine & Spirits, 150 N Delaware, Indianapolis (Tuesday March 1st from 5-7 pm) and also at TASTINGS at the Conrad Hotel on March 2nd. There will be two seating at Tastings (6.30 and 8.30) -cost is a mere $ 25 and 5 wines are matched with food by Chef Stephen. Let me tell you from experience that Stephen is extremely talented pairing food and wines.

The Brandborg produce 3 Pinot Noirs, Riesling, Pinot Bland, Pinot Gris, Gewuerztraminer and Hurrah Syrah Dessert wine.
Please join us at one of the events and meet Sue & Terry and taste some of their wonderful wines

Welcome 2011 - News!

2011 has started with a bang! Steve LeFebvre offered me a partnership in vino LeFebvre.

Here are our goals for this year; Grow, grow and grow more. with that, we also need to add more items to our portfolio.

First, we placed the order at Vina Chocalan in San Antonio Valley in Chile - remember, I went visiting down there last May and did some serious tasting with GM Aida Toro H. and wine maker Fernando Espina. Later in the year Carlos Briones (Sales Manager for USA) came to visit us in Ft.Wayne and wee tasted more of their beautiful wines. So we should introduce in our market here in Indiana the beautful wines of Vina Chocalan by the end of February. There will be delicious Sauvignon blanc, Malvilla chardonnay from there vineyard that is 4 km from the Pacific Coast, Viognier, Riesling, Carmenere and the Family Grand Reserve Blend.

The next news are:

visit of Terri and Sue Brandborg from Brandborg winery in Umpqua Valley, OR

Terri and sue are coming to Indianapolis, arriving around February 28th. We are planning a wonderful tasting with their wines at TASTINGS at the Conrad Hotel on Wednesday March 3, 2001.
Please join us for this tasting....Sue and Terri will sign their bottles.

The next news are:

more wines from Oregon at vINo Lefebvre. We just agreed with Phelps Creeks winery to distribute their wines in the State of Indiana. These are serious wines that come from Hood Valley, on the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge. I drove so many time by there on my way up to Mt. Hood (always remembering Jack Nicholson in the "Shining" when he drove up to the Hotel (which was actually Timber-lake Lounge up on Mt. Hood).
We will receive several of their fantastic Pinot Noirs and also Gewuerztraminers and wines from their Mt. Defiance Division.

Please note that we are focusing on the other AVA's in Oregon: Hood Vally and Umpquay. We at vINo LeFebvre do want to be a bit different than other distributors in Indiana.








Last not least: I just returned from the Key West food & Wine Festival. It was the 2nd annual event this years. Grand Tasting at the Truman's Little White House and Saturdays event was"Duval Street Uncorked". I don't need to say that I had a wonderful time and just returned in time to prepare our self's for the major ice storm that is going to hit us.

Arrival of two new highly rated wines

Just in time for the holiday season we received two more wines from Europe. the come from Madiran - southwest France near Gascogne. Chateau Peyros (AOC Madiran) is affiliated with chateau Laubade - our producer of finest BAS Armagnac in France.
The first wine is the Chateau Peyros Tannat-Cabernet 2005. It caught me off guard, because it is actually 60% Tannat and 40% Cabernet Franc. In the wine there is a solid amount of wood, but also plenty of fruit. the tannins are dark, brooding in character, but they also support ripe and juice fruits. with it's dusty texture, this wine could certainly be aged for several years. It was rated 91 points by the Wine Enthusiast and ranks # 16 of the top 100 Best Buys.

The second wine is the Chateau Peyros Vielles Vignes 2005- Madiran - a blend of 80% Tannat and 20% Cabernet Franc. It is a delicious wine whose richness is matched by great texture and big, juicy fruits. it has plenty of tannins, but they meld easily into the rich ripe fruits, leaving a wine with a structure that offers considerable potential. the wine was rated 92 points by Wine enthusiast and became a TopShelf - Cellar Selection.

Look for these wines at R-Bistro and St.Elmo's very soon. They will be available in retail stores (Jonah's Market) next week - Price range between $14-$ 16 per Bottle

Baptise Cuvelier coming to town again

Bonjour....Baptiste Cuvelier is coming to town again. This time he is here to introduce his newest wine of the Cuvelier family to Indiana. His wine is called Cuve del Maule and is from the Cauquenes in the Maule area of Chile. Baptiste had worked with some friends of his on this project for a very long time.
The grapes a all grown organically and are "fair trade" . They are setting up long-term relationships with their grape suppliers. They were all selected because of their organic methods. no chemicals whatsoever were sprayed in their vineyards. They also are advising them on pruning and green works to maintain low yields and goo sanitary conditions.
The wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Merlot, Chinsault and Pais it's called an Earthquake Blend - because the Earthquake in Chile almost destroyed the winery and they had to completely reorganize all the barrels in storage.

The wine has a powerful and complex nose of black currant, raspberry and blueberry enriched with tones of anis and white mint. In the mouth, tannins are soft and thin. You will also enjoy its structure, complexity, roundness, balance, and acidity which bring an amazing lengt h with a final note of spices and coffey.



Well Indy...we will be out and about with this new wine and are looking forward to meet with you.

JIGAR wines arrived in Indiana

JIGAR wines are produced by Jigar Patel an Alumni of Purdue University.

The 2009 Chardoanny from the Russian River Valley is very complex, boasting flavors of pineapple, lively acidity full mouth feel and a long, lingering finish. It should drink well now through the next 5-7 years. Enjoy this wine with smoked salmon, artisan cheeses or a fresh spinach salad.Aged in French Oak of which 25% was new.

The 2008 Zinfandel from Dry Creek Valley comes from the old "mother" clone and is full of big bold black fruit, clove, and earth, round juicy blackberry and currant palate, long mocha finish with ample tannin. It boasts a full 16 % Alcohol

2008 Cabernet Sauvignon from Dry Creek Valley has an aroma of Cherry and pepper nose, black cherry palate, long finish with hints of mocha and clove. Full, rich and round with excellent tannin. 14.7 % Alcohol

Jigar wines are currently available and Crown Wine & Spirits in Indianapolis IN

Giacomo Vico visiting Indiana

Our friend Giacomo Vico from Piedmont/Italy is visiting Indiana again.

During his visit there will be two events;
On October 5th Giacomo will host a wine dinner at Matteo's Ristorante in Nobelsville IN.
Cost is $ 65 per person (excl. tax & gratuity).
Please make reservation at 317-774-9771 - seating is limited.

On Wednesday Giacomo will present his wines at a wine tasting at the Ft.Wayne Country Club in Ft.Wayne IN in the early evening

New arrivals for fall

I am very happy to report that we received new wines to get ready for fall. From Cantina Parusso in Monforte d'Alba/Piemont we received 2006 Barolo DOCG as well as the Barolo Le Coste Mosconi - a wine that Parker gave 95 points. Here is what Mr. Parker said about this wine:
"Parusso's 2006 Barolo Lecoste-Mosconi is simply superb. the late harvest in 2006 yeilded a wine blessed with georgous, articulate aromatics, beautifully ripe fruit and finessed tannins, all of which add tons of class to what is essentially a full-throttle, fruit-driven Barolo. A vein of minerality runs through the wine from start to finish, adding a degree of freshness that is unusual for such a big Barolo. the textural richness and balance here are drop-dead gorgeous"

From France we received more wine from the Cuvelier Family. As you know we already have the Malbec's from Cuvelier los Andes and Baptiste's Cuvee de Colossus from Languedoc. this time she shipment came from the left-bank of Bordeaux where the Cuvelier family own chateau Leoville-Poyferre ( a 2nd growth Bordeaux). classified Bordeaux are not controlled and are usually sold as futures. however, we received from the "Pavillon de Poyferre 2005" and "Moulin-Riche 2006" - second and third lables from St.Julien. From St.Estephe we got their "Chateau LaCroix 06" and "Chateau LeCrock 06" - and for fun we added their "Gulliver AOC" 2008 Bordeaux to our portfolio.

New arrivals at Vino LeFebvre

Just in time for summer time Vino LeFebvre has received wonderful, refreshing wines from Brandborg Vineyards in Umpqua Valley Oregon. Sue and Terry Brandborg work hands-on at their vineyards near Elkton, OR.
Their 92 point (WE) Gewuerztraminer has been a real hit here in the Indianaq market, followed by their delicious, dry riesling, Pinot Gris as well as Benchland and Love Puppets Pinot Noirs. Look for the Gewuerztraminer and riesling at Vine and Table's pick 24 for the month of July and also at the Grapevine Cottage over at Zionsville, IN.

Also from France we received a delicious, refreshing Sparkling new wine from Chateau Moncontour in the Loire Valley, France: Cremant de Loire - a fantastic "spritzy" refreshing sparkling wine made from 90% Cabernet Franc and 10% Chenin Blanc - you will find this wine for a great price here in Indiana.

Last....and a first for us: We brought in Armagnac from south western France:
Chateau Labaude, an old traditional Armagnac house that produces first class Armagnacs. We currently have the VSOP (Very old special pale) and XO (extra old) as well as vintages 1980, 1970, 1952 and 1947.

From the same Company we also added more to our Uruguayan portfolio:
Monte de Luz, Tannat-Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Reserva - a fantastic wine that is very nicely done in balance ....stayed on my palate forever. Just in time to drink because Uruguay made it to the last 8 teams in the world cup. So go ahead, get your self a bottle, open it and enjoy the game against Ghana.