Rhone Steals, RRWC Exclusive

Yesterday afternoon we spent some quality time with Kenny Likitprakong, his wife Lynn, and their lovely baby daughter Ida Mae. Kenny is the owner of Hobo/Banyan wines, as well as Moshin's winemaker.

He now is also collaborating with Sebastien Latour of the tiny Rhone winery Domaine de la Damase, bringing these wines into the USA for the first time. These are fantastic values on food and wallet friendly reds. There were only about 100 cases produced of each. We thought they were tasty as heck. We are also proud to mention we are the only shop in Northern California with these wines.

2006 Domaine de la Damase Vin de Pays de Vacluse

30% Syrah/30% Cinsault/30% Merlot/10% Grenache

$141/case, $11.75/bottle

Pleasingly vivid aromas of pepper, flint, violets and graham cracker. Pretty flavors of cocoa, raspberry and dried cherry. A velvety texture runs throughout, and lightly gripping tannins bode well for some bottle age.

2006 Domaine de la Damase Cotes du Rhone

60% Grenache/20% Carignane/20% Syrah

$192/case, $16/bottle

Smooth and rich, with an appealing earthiness, gobs of bramble, dark chocolate, coffee, and baking spice. This is the kind of wine I'll buy in a shop on a whim, open up on a Wednesday night, and kick my self later for not grabbing a case.

2005 Le Clochard

$252/case, $21/bottle

A winemaking collaboration between Sebastien and Kenny, this is a beautiful wine composed of 90% Mourvedre from 75 year old vines, 5% Syrah, and 5% Grenache; aged in 2nd fill barrels bought from Chateau Lafite.

This blend was just too "complicated" for the AOC, so it's "officially" a non-vintage Vin du Table. The rooster on the label (Chinese calendar, year of the rooster, 2005-shhh, don't tell the French government) is the clue to its vintage. This wine is smoky, spicy, meaty, juicy, complex, flavorful and intensely aromatic. It should age well for 10 years or so.