WTN: Good satellite Right Banker (and BioD to boot!)

Betsy hadn't seen David in 3 weeks, so we had a family dinner on the patio last night. Latest Food and Wine has an article on Mario Batali and Gwyneth Palthrow (sp/?) doing a show on Spain. Had a Batali recipe for little lamb chops with rosemary and lavender (Betsy didn't have lavender, went with herbes de provence). Suggested Rioja, but my only Riojas were either 25 years + or would require moving many cases to get to. So I figured lamb and Bordeaux.

Wine was the 2002 Ch. la Grolet Tete de Cuvee (Cotes de Bourg). Pretty sure this is a biodynamic wine. It certainly is a tasty wine for $15. Medium bodied, rich cassis and black plum fruit balanced by fresh acidity and easy ripe tannins. There's just a hint of vanilla cream, but an accent to the dark fruit, not dominant. Some lead pencil and a hint of cigarbox with time. Pretty classic Right Bank Bordeaux. Unfortunately, when I check the CSW site, now sold out. Damn that sale! I have one more, will hold a bit to see how it progresses. B+

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.
 

Actually, you're my kind of taster.

Dale,

I am very surprised to see that a wine like this makes it to New York!

I discovered La Grolet during a "Portes Ouvertes" in the Côtes de Bourg a couple of years ago. In contradiction with my usual policy, I bought a full case of it, feeling that it was superb value for money.
The label's kind of haunting too..

The château is beautiful, and nestled in a little valley near the charming town of St. Ciers de Cannesse.

The owners are a dedicated, friendly, sort of new age couple.

They were moving towards biodynamic or organic viticulture (forget which), but the change will have been quite recent if it has occurred.

Best regards,
Alex R.

I was just home for a second and checked, the 2002 has both Ecocert and Demeter seals.

That's odd. Mine doesn't!

I'm not contradicting you. Just relating what I was told.

All the best,
Alex

On mine on front label, will see if I can remember to take picture before tomorrow (recycling day).
Is yours the Tete de Cuvee?

La Grolet's been around in the US for many years.

I distinctly recall ordering many cases for several years as part of a direct import selection of petite chateaux (Bourg, Blaye, Fronsac, Cote de Fronsac, etc.) for my Texas retail chain. Grloet was at the time one of my favorites and one of the better bargains. Sold quite well. And that was back in the 1980s.

Good to hear it's doing well these days.