Wines of Bobby Kacher

Robert Kacher Selections

We recently went to a portfolio tasting of Robert Kacher wines and we picked out some of the greatest values in his portfolio. There are so many great wines available to us now, but the trick is to find the wines that over deliver quality for their price and are true to their style. We feel these are some of the best values in the Bobby Kacher portfolio and I think you will agree with us if you give them a try. We picked great wines from some classic French areas like Rhone, Burgundy and Loire. The wines we chose really show great character for their area and great value for their area. I really enjoyed the rare Bourgueil from Loire (100% Caberent Franc), we have carried wines from Bourgeuil in the past, but it has been awhile.

Here are the wines:

2006 Domaine Gournier Grenache Noir...$10.99
100% Grenache from Costières de Nîmes
This is an amazing fruit forward Grenache (the main grape of Chateauneuf du Pape). Talk about perfect summer and fall red. It will go well with a wide variety of foods from chicken on the grill, picnic fare like ham sandwiches and I think it would also be a great match with Thanksgiving dinner!

"Domaine de Gournier is located in the Cévennes region, above the Mediterranean Sea, between the cities of Avignon and Nimes. The area’s terroir is characterized by low limestone hills studded with calcareous rock and sparse clumps of wind-beaten vegetation. The domaine is owned by Maurice Barnouin. This Grenache cuvée was first released in 2004. The fruit is hand-harvested and vinified 100% in stainless steel tanks to focus on the freshness and purity of the Grenache fruit. The wine displays round and textured cherry flavors with a brilliant spice factor throughout. The tannins here are well behind the fruit which makes this a wonderful wine for everyday dining and parties. The Gournier Grenache Noir is a true crowd pleaser and great value." -- Robert Kacher

2006 Château de Minière Bourgeuil...$17.99

100% Cabernet Franc from Loire

"Le Château de Minière was built at the end of the 16th century, and is located in the heart of the Bourgueil appellation, in the town of Restigné. The estate was handed down through a line of women for 2 centuries. Today it is run by Evelyne de Mascarel. The vineyards spread over 22 hectares in 3 of the 7 districts in the Bourgueil appellation, therefore allowing a diversity of terroirs. The yields vary from 45 to 55 h/ha, and the vines average 35 years of age. The family practices “lutte raisonnée”, or sustainable agriculture. This 100% Cabernet Franc is grown on gravel on clay, limestone and silica terraces, from a small vineyard located on the hillsides along the Loire River. This is a shiny wine, with an intense red berry color. On the nose it displays a complex blend of black fruit aromas with spicy notes of liquorice. This Bourgueil is very round and velvety on the palate, it is well-structured and shows very well-integrated tannins." -- Robert Kacher

2008 Le Bois Martin Touraine....$14.99
Producer: Thierry Delaunay
100% Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire
"Domaine Joël Delaunay is located on the bank of the Cher River, about 30 miles east of the city of Tours. There are 24 hectares of vineyards in the same family for 5 generations now. Thierry Delaunay took over the estate in 2002 and obtained the “Terra Vitis” certification that same year guaranteeing the respect of nature, “using ecologically sustainable methods in view to preserve the environment and human health” (excerpt from www.TerrasVitis.com website). Domaine Joël Delaunay is the perfect combination of modern technique and long-lived traditions. Made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc, this very fruity wine is vinified from carefully selected musts. After temperature-controlled fermentation, the wine rests on its fine lees to maximize the development of its unique characteristics. It is best paired with fish and seafood, or enjoyed by itself as an
apéritif." -- Robert Kacher

2008 Cote Jardin Côtes du Rhône...$11.99

Producer: Thierry & Véronique Boudinaud

Variety: 55% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre

"Thierry and Véronique Boudinaud own Vignobles Boudinaud, located in the tiny commune of Fournès, on the right bank of the Rhône River. They also own Domaine Grange des Rouquette. The Boudinaud’s have been winegrowers and winemakers in the western Rhône Valley for five generations. Thierry traveled extensively in his quest for knowledge about winemaking, working in California, New Zealand and Bordeaux. They now own about 25 hectares of vineyards within the Côtes du Rhône appellation, and farm an additional 25 hectares. Planted on the plateau between the villages of St.-Hilaire, Estézargues and Montfrin are old-vine Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Cunoise. This particular Côtes du Rhône is named Côté Jardin (which means “garden side”), because it is ideal for a “garden” party, or should we say, a picnic with friends! The grapes are carefully chosen from different parcels surrounding Fournès, and picked from vines averaging 35-years of age. This blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre offers a smooth, full and jammy texture. It is round and spicy, with lots of character. Perfect for a picnic in your “jardin”! -- Robert Kacher

Domaine Bertrand Ambroise Bourgogne Rouge

"The domaine of Bertrand Ambroise was established in the late 18th century in the village of Prémeaux-Prissey, just north of Nuits-Saint-Georges. Today the estate has expanded to 42 acres which are worked diligently by Bertrand and his family. Bertrand produces some of the finest examples of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in Burgundy. He often works with 10%-30% lower yields than are allowed. His genuine passion only to produce wines from absolutely ripe grapes demands a severe green harvest and an additional inspection or sorting of the fruit prior to fermentation. All of this detail work has created a worldwide demand for his wines." -- Robert Kacher

Domaine Bertand Ambroise: Their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay were unbelievable for the money. It is hard to find this quality Burgundy for such a low price. If you shop for Burgundy, you will not find quality like this for under $30.

2007 Domaine Bertrand Ambroise Bourgogne Rouge....$19.99

100% Pinot Noir

"The style of Bertrand’s wines can be characterized as ripe, deeply extracted, full bodied wines. This Bourgogne bottling is vinified 2/3 in tank while the remainder is completed in 2 and 3 year old barrels to add dimension."-- Robert Kacher

2006 Domaine Bertarnd Amborise Bourgogne Blanc...$22.99

100% Chardonnay

"This Bourgogne bottling is vinified in stainless steel and shows crisp apple, pear flavors as well as classic mineral tones. "-- Robert Kacher

2008 Domaine du Tariquet Cotes de Gascogne....$8.49

70% Ugni Blanc, 30% Colombard

Producer: Yves Grassa

"Since 1912 Château du Tariquet has been home to the Grassa family. They first gained notoriety for Hélène and Pierre Grassa’s Armagnac, which is still produced today. In the 1980’s their children, Maïté and Yves, broke all the rules by producing their first still wines, a blend of Ugni Blanc and Colombard. A few years later, they heavily planted and created untraditional blends such as Sauvignon-Chardonnay and Chenin-Chardonnay and word of mouth is how the Tariquet taste and fashion was born! The first of many awards received by Yves and his family include a Gold Medal in Montpellier and “Winemaker of the Year” by the International Wine Challenge in London. Wine production is strictly controlled within the Domaine from viticulture to bottling and adheres to sustainable agriculture. To prevent oxidation the grapes are taken directly from the vines to the vats in isothermal tanks. The estate features a water treatment facility and they recycle and reuse all materials. The innovative “bottling to order” at Domaine du Tariquet guarantees consistent quality and freshness. The result of this meticulous process is a delicious, light and refreshing wine. With floral aromas, it displays citrus flavors with a touch of exotic fruit. This is a very easy-drinking wine, perfect as an apéritif and with shellfish." -- Robert Kacher