Picks of the Week!  

Join us Fri/Sat April 25/26 from 3-6pm as we sample some gems on the tasting table.  Also, check out our latest selection of seasonal craft brews from Mystic, Anderson Valley, 21^st Amendment, Dogfish Head, and Mayflower.

’11 Burgogne Blanc ‘Vieilles Vignes,’ Maison Roche de Bellene, Burgundy, France – This is a superb entry level Chardonnay from one of Burgundy’s finest winemakers, Nicolas Potel.  The grapes are sustainably harvested from 65 year old vines in the Côte de Beaune and Côte Chalonnaise regions.  The wine shows aromas of tropical fruit, light oak, and a hint of almond, with a creamy texture and remarkable freshness.  This is an excellent wine to pair with a variety of cheeses and crustaceans.  $19.99

’12 Pali ‘Huntington’ Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County, California – Pali Wine Company was started in 2005, the height of the US Pinot Noir craze, and is committed to producing quality Pinot and Chardonnay from the finest districts in California and Oregon.  The Huntington Pinot Noir displays aromas of wild berries, white pepper, violets, and a touch of oak, followed by a luscious palate of sweet black cherry, cinnamon, and cocoa.  This is a nice match with roasted salmon or various duck preparations.  $26.99

’09 Three Rivers Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Washington – Here is another stunner from Washington!  Sourced from choice vineyards in Columbia Valley, the ’09 Three Rivers Cabernet Sauvignon shows a bouquet of blueberry, cherry, chocolate, currant, and smoked meat.  The palate is rich, luscious, and supple.  This is a good pairing with barbecued meat and blue cheeses.  $19.99

Easter Wine Pairings

Easter Wines – Join us Fri. & Sat. April 18,19 as we sample wines to accompany traditional Easter feasts. These 4 wines are suggested pairings with baked ham or roasted lamb in mind.

’11 Oppenheimer Sackträger Riesling Spätlese, Dr. Heyden, Rheinhessen, Germany– A delicious Riesling from the Rheinhessen region, Spätlese refers to the fully ripe harvest level, while Oppenheimer Sackträge refer to the village and vineyard site. This wine displays dried herb and light spice aromas with a luscious mouthfeel full of flavors of tropical fruit, lemon acidity, and dark mineral. The finish is remarkably dry. These types of Riesling are excellent with baked ham or as a starting wine for a lamb dinner. $16.99

’11 Chénas, Pascal Aufranc, Beaujolais, France – Chénas is one of the ten cru Beaujolais designates, which are the very best sites in the region, producing wines that are age-worthy, fuller bodied, and have more concentrated flavors than Beaujolais-Villages and barely resemble the well known Beaujolais Nouveau wine. This wine is made from 80 year old organically farmed vines, producing a aromas of spice, red fruit, and some floral hints. Not only is this a perfect wine for baked ham, but also red meat, charcuterie, and goat cheese. $17.99

’11 Bordeaux Supérieur, Château Beaulieu ‘Comtes de Tastes,’ Bordeaux, France – Bordeaux contains some of the most famous and sought after wines in the world and also some of the priciest. However, there are many great wines from the large Bordeaux Supérieur appellation and incredible value can be found. Here we have a sumptuous blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc displaying aromas of violet, cassis, and clay followed by candied red fruit, vanilla, and light tannins on the palate. Red Bordeaux and lamb are a historic match, and who are we to argue with history. $16.99

’11 Saint Estèphe, Château Lilian Ladouys, Bordeaux, France – Saint Estèphe is one of the finest appellations in the Médoc, producing the finest Cabernet Sauvignon based wines in the world. While still showing signs of youth, this wine shows dark berry fruit, firm tannins, and a spicy wood character. Opening well in advance and decanting will be rewarded, as will serving this with braised lamb. $33.99

• Drag

Cheers!

Flavors of Italy

Think Spring! Rosés Are In!!

Join us Friday & Saturday April 11&12 from 3-6 as we taste our way around Italy, ranging from Piedmont to Abruzzo.

’13 Roero Arneis, Valdinera, Piedmont – Though known for its reds, Piedmont also produces some interesting white wine, notably those made from the Arneis grape. This wine is made at the Valdinera estate near the city of Alba using sustainable farming practices. Aromas of peaches and honey give way to a luscious mouthfeel with a vibrant finish. Arneis pairs well with a variety of seafood dishes. $17.99

’12 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Gran Sasso, Abruzzo – Montepulciano can be a delicious fruit forward style grape, usually providing tremendous value though the quality can vary. The Gran Sasso displays a ripe and spicy nose with a perfume of red berries and chocolate, followed by smooth, supple tannins and ripe blackberry flavor. This is a great wine for bbq and grilling. $8.99

’07 Barbera d’Asti ‘Boschetto Vecchio, Guasti Clemente and Figli, Piedmont –Barbera has long been overshadowed by the noble Nebbiolo grape, used to produce the great wines of Barolo and Barbaresco. In recent years it has been given greater attention as an expressive varietal, with better vineyard sites and more attention to the winemaking. This mature Barbera is bright and fruity with hints of rose and a touch of earth on the nose. On the palate, it shows typical Barbera acidity, tempered by a neutral oak aging. These are great food wines pairing well with grilled meats and pasta dishes, particularly with heavy tomato based sauces. $19.99

Rosé

Come check out some of our 2013 rosé wines that have started to come in. We have 6 new ones and the collection will only be growing!

• Drag

Cheers!

Friday & Saturday April 4/5

The World of Pinot Noir - Pinot Noir is perhaps the most expressive grape in the world, displaying a broad range of styles and characteristics while showing a true sense of its terroir, when produced from skilled hands.  No other grape can display such a high degree of elegance and subtlety or intensity and power.  Join us from 3-6 as we taste our way around the globe, exploring 4 distinct expressions of this sublime grape.

NV Cremant d'Alsace Brut Rosé, Lucien Albrecht, Alsace, France - A beautiful crisp, clean sparkler from Alsace, made from 100% Pinot Noir.  Displaying aromas of strawberries and a hint of toast, this is a great pre dinner wine or a great match with shellfish.  $19.99

'13 Fleur Pinot Noir Rosé, North Coast, California - The 2013 rosé wines are arriving, which means warm weather is not far away!  This balanced rosé shows fruit and floral aromas, giving way to a mouthful of fresh strawberry and honeysuckle, finishing refreshing and palate cleansing.  A good pairing with oysters or baked salmon.  $15.99

'10 Stoneburn Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand - New Zealand Pinot can be somewhat inconsistent and underwhelming, but we have certainly found a winner here, and at an unbelievable value.  A soft, rich nose of raspberry is framed by silky tannins and balanced acidity.  Pair this wine with fleshy fish, such as grouper, chicken, or pork and soft, pungent cheeses.  $13.99

'11 Bourgogne Rouge 'Vieilles Vignes,' Maison Roche de Bellene, Burgundy, France - Burgundy is unquestionably home to the greatest Pinot Noir in the world, with some of the wines from the Grand Cru vineyards being the most sought after and fetching the highest auction prices.  Here we have a fantastic entry level Pinot from organically farmed old vines and the talented hands of Nicolas Potel, whose family has been highly regarded for generations.  This is a lighter bodied wine with an elegant fragrance of berries and bramble fruit, with notes of bing cherry and bright acidity on the palate.  Pair with a variety of cuisines, including Asian influenced dishes.  $19.99