We at European Vine Selections love good value everyday drinking wines, but as the days get shorter and sunsets arrive at 4pm, we start to crave something just a bit more special. Fortunately, this coincides with the holiday season. When there is always a good excuse or two to pull a cork on a hearty red and chase away the winter gloom. Join us this Saturday when we’ll do just that. We have a line up of Bordeaux from local importer Chateau St. Martin that will raise the holiday spirit. These wines are all from the great 2005 vintage. Catlin Lusher from will be on hand to tell you more.

2005 Emillio $9.00

This vibrant, plush and approachable merlot is reasonably priced. Well-balanced and supple, it is sure to please. From the Union de Producteurs de Saint-Émilion, the Emillio is a good everyday drinking wine and perfect for parties.

2005 Presidial, Bordeaux , $16

70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc
Presidial is the entry level wine from the founder of the Garagiste movement in Saint-Émilion, Jean-Luc Thunevin. It doesn’t carry the St. Emilion appellation and is made to be drinkable young, which is great for us. The quality of the 2005 vintage makes this lower pedigree wine a winner. Even Robert Parker liked it.

2005 Vieux Chateau Chambeau, Lussac Saint-Émilion $18

80% Merlot, 20%Cabernet Sauvignon
A top seller in France, the Vieux Chateau Chambeau possesses a lot of ripe fruit on the nose and is full-bodied on the palate with blackcurrant, vanilla and spices. The finish is long and delicious – full of licorice and vanilla, with elegant notes of soft fruits.

2005 Le Chene du Puynard, Premieres Cotes de Blaye, $20

70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
Le Chêne de Puynard has a very expressive bouquet of ripe fruit with spicy vanilla overtones. The wine is thick, rich and complex with an elegant hint of oak that underlines its powerful, velvety tannins. It is drinking fine now and will improve with a little age.

2005 Chateau Jean-Faure St Emilion Grand Cru $50

54% Cabernet Franc, 40% Merlot and 6% Malbec
One of the often asked questions at the wine shop is “How much difference is there between a $20 wine and a $50 wine.” Come find out for yourself. This chateau was recently bought by Olivier Decelle who outbid the owners of Château Petrus. The neighboring properties are L’Evangile, Dominique and Cheval Blanc. Not bad company! Stephen Tanzer describes the 2005 as “Good full medium ruby. Very ripe but lively aromas of currant, dark cherry and tobacco. This is fat with fruit and silky in texture, delivering musky, very ripe and rich flavors of plum, dark chocolate, smoke and minerals. Finishes lush, broad and long. Very impressive, and hardly your typical Saint-Émilion. At its release price, this was a steal for the quality (91-92 pts).” Get a fire going, pick up a couple of steaks, and pop a bottle of the Jean-Faure and you won’t care how rainy December is.