Crush Wine Co. Names 2004 Clos Roche Blanche Cabernet The Wine of the Year For Immediate Release Crush Wine Co., the critically acclaimed new wine shop in midtown New York, has officially declared the Clos Roche Blanche Cabernet 2004 as The Wine of the Year. In a statement e-mailed to the press, Wine Director Lyle Fass said: "When national publications name their wines of the year, they are limited by one important factor: widespread availability. This leaves an ocean of small-production wines ineligible for grand awards. When choosing the Crush Wine of the Year, I used a different set of criteria. The quality must be exceptional for the price; the wine must be a perfect expression of "terroir" (that’s to say the place and time the grapes were grown); the producer must work with respect for the grapes and the land, creating the best wine possible with the least amount of manipulation; and finally, the wine must give us that feeling of "je ne sais quoi" – one that makes our toes curl with delight – from the first sip to the last. The Clos Roche Blanche 2004 Cabernet absolutely blew me away and is my choice for "Wine of the Year." While I have always loved their....estate in France's Loire Valley, the character and balance of this particular wine completely stunned me. It may not have the prestige of '02 La Tache or '82 Ramonet Montrachet, but the experience of drinking it is still sublime. And since its production is so small, it wouldn't be eligible for an award from a national publication; however, I believe it deserves accolades. Made from Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon grown in Touraine, it is rich, ripe, minerally, extremely concentrated, very complex and extraordinarily balanced. But don’t expect a gloppy highly-rated Aussie Shiraz that kills you with its gobby intensity. Rather, the Clos Roche Blance Cabernet seduces you with its purity and soul. It is the definitive expression of perfectly ripe Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon from conscientious winemakers in Touraine. The Clos Roche Blanche Cabernet 2004 was also recently cited as one of the great wines of the 21st Century by The Loire Schnauzer. In other Wine of the Year News, The Wine Spectator has declared Philips Insignia their Wine of the Year. According to reliable sources, it is very difficult to drink an entire glass of the stuff. |
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