We believe we should start this column with a statement of our intent and purpose. We write about wine for this publication and many more around the country. Our objective is to inform our readers of the wines that are available in the marketplace, their quality and their price. Most of the wines we write about are nationally available, but occasionally, we goof.
Wine distribution is a three-tier system, leftover from the prohibition era. According to Wikipedia, the three-tier system represents producers, distributors and retailers. Producers may only sell their products to licensed wholesale distributors, who in turn can only sell to licensed retailers and then on to consumers.
Our reason for this long-winded dissertation is to inform our readers that if a wine we write about is not on a dealer's shelf, ask him or her to get it for you. They almost often can and will, even in a supermarket. If, however, they say they cannot get it and attempt to sell you another brand or something that tastes similar, it’s time to find yourself a new vendor.
Mouton Cadet is produced by the foremost winery in the Bordeaux area of France, the winery of Baron Philippe de Rothschild. Mouton Cadet is not a cheap knockoff or a wine trading on a great name, it is a wine crafted by master winemakers to sell at a reasonable price while still showcasing the style of the Bordeaux region.
Baron Philippe de Rothschild 2012 Mouton Cadet Rouge ($11)The regal elegance of this wine is highlighted by its deep ruby color and floral, fruity aroma. The aroma draws its properties from the wine's makeup of 80 percent merlot, 12 percent cabernet savignon and 8 percent cabernet franc. The merlot imparts the aromas of cherries and raspberries. The cabernet savignon adds body and depth, as well as the aroma of blackberries, while the cabernet franc introduces softness and velvet smoothness. The flavor is characterized by a melding of blackberry and blueberry flavors, which carry over to the finish where they reside on the palate for a very long time. This is a wine that lives up to its regal name and does credit to its makers.
Baron Philippe de Rothschild 2013 Mouton Cadet Blanc ($11) This wine displays a straw golden color and a great clarity. The aroma is a compendium of all of the possible citrus flavors with a suggestion of tropical fruits in the background. The flavor accents tropical fruits, papaya, mango, fresh apricot and citrus. These all carry over to the finish, which is rather long for a wine in this price category. Summing up, the Baron Philippe de Rothschild 2013 Mouton Cadet Blanc is a well-made wine that is the perfect accompaniment to light summer foods.
Baron Philippe de Rothschild 2013 Mouton Rose ($11)A bright salmon-pink color greets the eye, announcing a fresh red currant flavor and aroma. While rose wines are not the usual fare of Bordeaux, this selection may just change all of that. This is an enjoyable and exciting wine that is perfect for summertime meals, barbecues or just plain quaffing. We do recommend you seek this wine out and try it. The wine will reward your efforts many times over.
Baron Philippe de Rothschild 2013 Sauvignon Blanc ($11)New to market, this wine is a standout. Grapefruit zest and honeyed pear aromas combine with mineral and almond highlights in this distinctively French savignon blanc. Rich flavors of honeydew melon and peach abound alongside a refreshing streak of citrus and the variety's signature herbaceous (fresh cut grass) aroma and flavor. All of these manage to show up in the finish, which is long and luscious.
Nixa resident Bennet Bodenstein is a wine columnist and manages ArticlesOnWine.com. He can be reached at frojhe1@att.net.
