ATTLEBORO • NORWOOD • STURBRIDGE • SWANSEA
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We are always on the lookout for great value Bordeaux that has reached an optimum drinking age. It takes time for the subtle fruit to meld and form complex flavors that only patient aging can offer. This is, after all, why we have wine cellars to be rewarded by a long-suffering wait with a wine you can't buy off the shelf. Until now. I also might add that rarely does n aged wine come to us with enough inventory to be offered as a promotion. Until now. May I present Chateau Blaignan 2016 from the Medoc region of Bordeaux? A wine that was presented to our wine staff by one of our favorite salesmen who has a habit of thinking outside the box. Being a former sommelier, he also has a great palate that we have come to trust, so to bring us an older Bordeaux that we can sell for under $15 had our attentions peaked. So, to make a long story short, our staff loved the wine, and he had enough inventory, so I am offering it to you at an incredible price. Fair warning, we will sell out.
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Château Blaignan is one of the oldest winemaking estates in the Médoc region of Bordeaux. Documents dating back to the 15th century reveal that vineyards were planted in the hamlet of Blaignan for nearly 600 years. It is recognizable by its distinct tower, which is in the heart of the vineyard. The property was eventually sold in 2004 to Credit Agricole Group to be included in their 'Grand Cru' wine portfolio, which includes Château Grand Puy Ducasse, Pauillac, Château Meyney, St.-Estèphe, and Château de Santenay in Burgundy. The vineyards and winery were in some disrepair, so the new owners invested over 3 million euros (adjusted for inflation, that would be 4.71 million euros) in the vineyards and brand new 100% temperature-controlled cellars with small stainless steel vats for vinification by parcels, completed in 2010. The Credit Agricole Group is deeply committed to revitalizing Chateau Baignan as a world-class Bordeaux property.
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The vineyard is 215 acres and is composed of limestone soils, with the average age of the vines being 30 years. The vineyard goes through green harvest, leaf thinning, and grass growing between rows to lower the yields. It is also certified ecologically sensitive with no usage of pesticides or herbicides. During the harvest, the grapes are picked by plots and are vinified in 45 different size vats. After the fermentation, the wine is aged in stainless steel tanks and oak barrels for 15 months. With their all-star wine team headed by Anne Le Naour as head winemaker, managing director and Hubert de Bouard (winemaker and owner of Chateau Angelus) as consulting winemaker, they make wine that falls under the category of over-delivers for the price.
Another fun note is that this wine is awarded the Cru Bourgeois classification, a quality level that must be maintained every five years with tasting submissions, or you lose the classification—a much stricter quality designation than the 1855 classification that has never been re-examined for quality. The last Cru Bourgeois classification was in 2020, when only 179 estates were awarded Cru Bourgeois. The Cru Bourgeois classifications represent 25% of Bordeaux's top chateaus. Part of the fun of Cru Bourgeois is that they have a QR code on the label that brings you to the winery information page.
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After vinification, the wine is aged for 14 to 16 months in vats and barrels. The wine has a deep color and a very fruity nose, with pronounced notes of blackcurrants and black cherries, accompanied by a hint of spice. The palate is full-bodied, revealing good structure and silky tannins. This is a wine in a resolutely modern style that can be enjoyed young or cellared for three to ten years. "Our objective is to make Château Blaignan a good quality, reliable Cru Bourgeois, offering greater accessibility than our grands crus classés."
Ruby dark color. Fresh, soft, and sweet ripe nose of black currant followed by spicy notes of white pepper, fresh tobacco, and cedar. This medium-bodied wine shows elegant tannins. It is very approachable and matches perfectly with steaks, pork loin, poultry, pasta, hamburgers, and barbecue.
60% Cabernet-Sauvignon 40% Merlot
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Attractive violets and redcurrants with darker forest berries and graphite, too. The palate has a lithe and plush red-fruit core. Vibrant berries abound. Good wine. Try from 2022. James Suckling 92 pts
This generous wine comes from a 239-acre property. It has weight, layers of blackcurrant flavors balanced by rich tannins and juicy acidity. The fruitiness is intense, given essential freshness by the crisp aftertaste. Drink the wine from 2022. Wine Enthusiast 90 pts
The 2016 Château Blaignan is a well-built red that delivers nicely. This wine shines with aromas and flavors of black cherries and cassis, as well as hints of earth-savory spices and oak. Pair it with a grilled, well-marbled ribeye. Wine.com 90 pts
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This Week's Wine Insider Offer | |
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Chateau Blaignan 2016
Chateau Blaignan is an excellent example of what an investing group with more money than, well, everyone, can do to make a vineyard great. Crédit Agricole is France's number-one retail bank and a significant investor looking for long-term opportunities. Tim, Adam, and I tasted this wine again and were dutifully impressed, again. Have I mentioned there are parts of this job that I love? The wine has fragrant aromas of blackberry and currant, some spice, and cedar. On the palate, the fruit is there, balanced by some mineral and pencil shavings and hints of leather, and dusty tannins, with a long finish of dark cherry fruit. This is real wine at a really great price. We were only able to get 50 cases at this price, so it will soon be gone.
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*Sale Price is on six for more bottles
Wine is packed in a 12-bottle case
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*Wine pricing for these wine promotions are held for two weeks after the email offer.
We can hold wines in unpaid reserves for two weeks to allow you time to pick up your wine. If it takes you longer than that to pick up your wines, give us a call, and we can process your wine and move it to paid reserves.
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To order, simply send an email to your preferred Yankee Spirits superstore with one of the addresses to the right, along with:
Your Name
So we know who to hold the order for and your name is not always obvious by your email.
Desired Quantity
So we know how much to hold.
How'd you like to pay
Let us know what payment options you'd like...
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Unpaid Hold: We can hold orders as unpaid for the duration of this promotion, but cannot guarantee fulfillment on them.
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Credit Card: Please don't send credit card information via email.
All request are processed during business hours and in the order they are received. We'll confirm your order via email within 48 hours and when it is ready for pickup. Unless otherwise specified, promotional pricing ends two weeks from email send date.
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YANKEE SPIRITS
STORE LOCATIONS
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Pricing is subject to change without notice once this promotion ends in two weeks or when we run out of product. Whichever comes first. | |
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Place your order now with the store contacts above, while you've got all the information at your fingertips.
Cheers!
John Hannum,
Fine & Rare Wine Specialist
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Monday-Saturday
9AM to 9PM
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We reserve the right to limit quantities. You must be at least 21 years of age to purchase/consume alcohol. Please drink responsibly. Not responsible for typographical errors. Rebate quantities are subject to limitation by the manufacturer. These alcoholic beverages may be subject to payment of Connecticut or Rhode Island Alcoholic Beverage Tax and Connecticut Use Tax, and may be subject to seizure as contraband. | | | | |
