Cave Taureau Wines

Stopped by while visiting Durham and the proprietor could not have been more helpful. The wine he recommended was perfect. Thank you!

The ~10 times I’ve come in here, the people working have been really great and helpful. They are knowledgeable without being snobbish — which, if you’re not a connoisseur but want to expand your knowledge of wine, is really nice. I also noticed a nice range of regions and price points.
What I really appreciate about this place, though, is their willingness to help solve puzzles often presented by wine pairings. One time I had a dessert consisting exclusively of cheese (don’t ask) and $ 20 to spend — no problem, they found the perfect Riesling to go with it. Another time, my friend was making cassoulet but is allergic to red wine (tragedy!) — again, the good people at Cave Taureau totally came through and helped her find a delicious Muscadet.
They’re exactly what you want in a neighborhood wine store!

I very much wanted to like this shop as it is one of very few small wine shops in the triangle area. However, I think they may have gotten too big for their britches.
I know a lot about wine, but don’t think it is something to feel superior about. I own one vineyard and a large stake in another. I’ve done my homework but I believe that wine should be loved and accessible to all. I didn’t get that feeling at Cave Taureau.
The shop does have some good bottles that you can not get elsewhere, it is a pleasant atmosphere, but a large part of being a small shop in this part of the world (ie not the center of viticulture or consumption) would be graciously educating or assisting clients interested in learning more about wine culture.
I went in specifically asking about South American wines. This is a category that is growing in popularity in the US and more so in Europe at the moment and that is highly underrated, but starting to be recognized as a source of truly excellent wines. Take my advice… look South, the new «hot» wine regions are already in the Southern Hemisphere.
My question was answered, by the owner (after the very pleasant shop keeper asked for his input) with a snooty comment that I could try «Total wines, but really the supermarket». My response was that for some varietals the best examples today truly do come from South America. Case in point: Carmenere. I left it at that because I don’t care to argue over arrogance, but the shop lost the clientele of someone who spends far more on wine monthly than most Durham area clients, and some source connections. The comments were not polite, or educated, and I hope that the owner will attempt to get some much needed education in the future.
Wineries to try: Altair (Chile), Santa Rita (Chile), Eleodoro Acicar (Argentina), Catena Zapata (Argentina), Casa LaPostolle (Chile), Achaval Ferrer (Argentina), Chacra (Argentina) Helen Garcin (Argentina)
These are interesting wines. Sadly, I won’t be able to support a local business in my shopping and will need to continue to order for shipping and smuggle back in suitcases.

Great selection of wines, and a very helpful staff. I love the location. I’m happy that there is a business that’s not a restaurant or bakery or whatever downtown. I do wish that someone would open a cheese shop in that area though. Good prices on the wine too, I never feel like I’m overpaying. I can go there and get a cheap bottle or a special occasion selection. But, of course, you should expect nothing less from a Food and Wine best new wine store.

I am a regular downtown person, and I stumbled across this spot having a Wine tasting… The staff was definitely knowledgeable and this is definitely a nice spot right here in downtown that fits nicely with Toast, Beyu and Dame’s…we are fortunate to have some real cool spots downtown… and yes they do represent a variety of styles of wine…

On my recent trips to familiarize myself with downtown Durham, especially their Five Points area, I came across Cave Taureau after brunch on Sunday. Always one to take a look around a wine shop to see what I can discover, this shop drew me in.
Cave Taureau is a quaint small wine shop, bright and cheerfully colored. Lots of wood shelves and tables inside the little shop are full of various wine selections to look over and discover. Different countries and regional choices are grouped for convenience, and with the large chalkboard signs around the shop, are easy to discover. Nice options all through the shop are easy to give the once-​over to as it is not a massive shop. It is an intimate setting, very quiet as well. Noticeably quiet… maybe too quiet. There are some open or empty spaces I noticed my day there, maybe stock was low from the just previous holiday season. I love the intimate feel but maybe some quietly played background music could help, with the empty spaces the extreme silence makes them stick out more… VERY minor item though.
The gentleman there during my visit was very helpful and quick to ask if I needed any assistance. When I asked about chardonnays for a friend knowing she likes crisp and dry wines only, he made sure my selection met my needs. He also educated me about the Basilicata region of southern Italy known for their specific type of wine as I mentioned I had a great white Basilicata wine recently (which I found out was a rarity as most are reds from there). Knowledgable and helpful, thumbs up on service here.
Bottom line: I like this quaint little wine shop. Small size shop but nice selections to choose from. Staff made sure I had the chardonnay I needed for my friend’s taste and was very helpful about wines in general. Very very quiet setting, maybe a bit too quiet. I will probably be back again to check on new choices. Thumbs up!

Small Shop with Inspired Collection of Wines
Visit: December 1
After making the Unilocal pledge to support local, small businesses, my merry group of friends met in downtown Durham to explore the various shopping destinations. One friend mentioned that we should stop by Cave Taureau.
Our short conversation:
Me: What do they sell at Cave Taureau?
Friend: Wine.
Me: Wine? I love wine. Let’s go to Cave Taureau now.
When we arrived at Cave Taurea, which is located a few doors down from Toast and Beyu Café, we were greeted with warm cheer. The shop is petite but full of wines carefully selected by the majority partner and store manager, Noël. I really like these intimate wine shops because the owners select each and every wine in the store and they can describe and give details about each one. It’s really impressive as well as extremely helpful. My one friend asked specifically for recommendations for wines with a price tag of less than $ 20 that would be good presents for those with more experience and knowledge of wine. Noël and his wife, Marie, were very happy to help. They are unpretentious and I got the impression that they would give you the same attention if you were interested in spending $ 10 or a $ 100 on a bottle of wine. Marie walked around the store pointing out bottles describing their attributes and providing interesting little anecdotes about the wines. My friend left with a half a case of wine and a big smile on her face.
The wines are organized by region and there is a section just for specialty and sparkling wines. I discovered a bottle of sparkling wine from Loire Valley which I have already enjoyed and I can’t wait to get more. I also found a bottle of Vin Santo. Wow! I’ve been searching for vin santo for about 2 years and now I know where to find this elusive Italian dessert wine. Marie mentioned that she visited the winery and the vin santo was some of the best she has tasted. Score! I’m looking forward to sipping it. BTW, vin santo is excellent served with biscotti but is also the secret ingredient in really good tiramisu.
Cave Taureau was hosting a free wine tasting on that Saturday afternoon. I’m not sure it’s a regular deal but you can check out their Twitter feed or Facebook page. I will definitely be visiting Cave Taureau again.

I am moving to downtown Durham from Arizona. I recently stayed in Provence, France and tasted spectacular wine! I wandered into this establishment and they were so knowledgeable and knew exactly what I was asking about and had the type wine from Provence that I craved. As well as everywhere else! It was incredible wine. Costs are good and the people that work there are really great. They have a customer for a loooooong time! Go there!