WINE CLUB MEMBERS GET EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOK!
Back in April, Carpe Vino was fortunate enough to have Gwenael Laroche (co-owner of Domaine Laroche the greatest Chablis houses in all of France) join us for an intimate evening in Carpe Vino’s wine mine. The night consisted of tasting five Laroche wines accompanied by several dishes prepared by Chef Alexander and his team. Gwenael was here to promote her winery throughout Northern California but her specific stopping point was the annual “Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival.” Gwenael definitely at her share of outstanding bites during her stay so the greatest compliment we received came via email on her return to France. Gwenael wrote, “The chef did such a good job. I really did appreciate what he made/work on. It was stunning! I was in SF last night having dinner at Luce talking about your place with Keith -the sommelier- told him it was the best food this week!!”
When promoting the Laroche event, the subject line read: Once-A-Decade Tasting Opportunity – Evening with Gwenael Laroche direct from France!!! Thing is, we did such a great job that evening that the importer (who represents Laroche) decided it would be a great venue to host another French winery when stateside. So, this week we found out that on Thursday, August 3rd, Nicole Rolet (co-owner) of Chene Bleu from the Rhone Valley will be visiting the Sacramento market and wanted to partner with Carpe Vino in an event like Domaine Laroche. UM…YES PLEASE!!! Nicole will be tasting through the current vintage on all four wines they produced. Again…this event will be limited to ONLY 20 TICKETS (which several have been pre-purchased…so click here to reserve tickets now).
The Night –
Starts @6pm Sharp! Taste all four wines produced by Chene Bleu which three have been rated 93+ Points by The Wine Advocate. All wines will be paired with family style appetizers excellently created by Chef Eric Alexander! Wines included:
• Chene Bleu Rose of Grenache/Syrah 2016 – $24.95/btl (Not Yet Rated – 2015 rated 91pts – WA)
• Chene Bleu “Aliot Blanc” (Rousanne/Grenache Blanc/Marsanne) 2011 – $89.95/btl (93pts – WA / 92pts – WS)
• Chene Bleu “Abelard” Red Wine (Grenache/Syrah) 2009 – $105/btl (95pts – WA / 91pts – WS)
•Chene Bleu “Heloise” Red Wine (Syrah/Grenache/Viognier) 2009 – $105/btl (94pts – WA 92pts – WS)
What makes this event so special is the limited quantities of wine being produced and/or imported to the United States. In regard to the 2011 Aliot Blanc – there were only 250 CASES PRODUCED!!! For both the Abelard & Heloise red blends, only 250 cases were imported into the United States. With most of these wines going directly to restaurants – you would be one of only a handful of lucky souls to place Chene Bleu in your personal cellar!!!
We just tasted these wines last night and sent the rest of the bottles home with Chef Alexander so he could “lock down” another round of stunning dishes to compliment these beautiful Rhone wines. I don’t have a menu to share yet but I am sure you know that the ingredients, preparation, parings and execution will be nothing short of spectacular. As Gwenal Laroche said, “The Chefs food that night was Laroche” and we expect the same for Chene Bleu!
For this event we’re using a “ticket” system to prepay for reservations: $85/person, includes event cost, tax and tip inclusive. Seating is very limited, so click here to sign up today!
Please Note:
• You must make reservations online by clicking on the “Reserve Now” button.
• Tables are not reserved; seating is open.
• Because this is a “ticketed” event, cancellations will not be refunded.
Who is Nicole Rolet?
Nicole Rolet’s mother was a food critic and her father collected wine so she grew up with a keen palate, but ultimately, she caught a virulent case of the wine bug from her husband, abandoned her rewarding career in international politics, finance and think tanks, and trained at the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and UC Davis. She is determined to make this wine her Magnum Opus and manages many aspects of the company, including international sales and marketing of Chêne Bleu and educational development at La Verrière, which now hosts wine-related exchanges, seminars and academic workshops, such as the “Extreme Wine” course that is held each year. She is cofounder of the International Grenache Symposium and Association, and hosted the first world Summit of Grenache in 2010.
About Chene Blue Winery
Chêne Bleu is named for an aged oak tree preserved on this isolated estate high on the slopes of the Dentelles de Montmirail. Here in the foothills of Mont Ventoux, where the boundaries of Gigondas, Côtes du Ventoux, Côtes du Rhône and Séguret come together, the Rolet family discovered an abandoned property with a unique terroir. Dating back to the early Middle Ages, the estate had once been a priory of the Knights Templar. Restoration of the ancient monastery spanned more than a decade. The vineyards had long been neglected but were growing on complex mineral and limestone soils. Reclamation of the vineyards led to excavation for a gravity-flow winery, which led to exceptional, estate-grown Rhône varietal wines. Organic and biodynamic practices are followed to maintain this pristine environment.
Cheers,
Drew, gary & The CV Crew