Notes From the Cellar……..

Here we are with another beautiful weekend upon us, giving us another reason to think about great food, wine and seasonal cocktails.  Join us Fri/Sat July 18&19 from 3-6 as we sample an assortment of wines and spirits on the tasting table.

’13 Kato Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand – New Zealand has perhaps become most recognized for its unique signature style of Sauvignon Blanc, delivering fresh, zippy, wines with explosions of citrus flavor.  Kato, meaning “harvest” in Maori, is produced from vineyards in the Awatere Valley, within the famous Marlborough region.  The 2013 is tangy and refreshing, showing clean, crisp flavors and aromas of lime blossom, passion fruit and pink grapefruit.  In general, NZ Sauvignon makes a great accompaniment to all kinds of shellfish and as a patio sipper on its own.  $11.99

’13 Sean Minor Vin Gris Pinot Noir Rosé, Carneros, California – Sean Minor has created a well-deserved reputation providing top quality yet well priced wines from major growing areas in and around Napa Valley.  This Carneros Rosé displays remarkable restraint and subtle notes from an area where Pinot Noir can often border on over ripeness and poor acidity.  This vibrant, salmon colored wine shows aromas of cherry, strawberry, and watermelon, giving way to flavors of strawberry, raspberry and hints of spice.  Try this rosé with smoked salmon, salads and goat cheese.  $15.99

’11 Château de Francs ‘Les Cerisiers,’ Francs Côtes de Bordeaux, France – The Francs area within the broad Côtes de Bordeaux appellation can produce stunning “sleeper” values in the right vintage, from the right producer.  This wine is a Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon blend displaying a nose of plums and blackberries, with hints of tobacco leaf.  The palate is full and balanced with hints of red fruits and eucalyptus and tobacco.  Still in its youth, this wine will rapidly evolve in the glass.  Pair this wine with red meats, grilled or roasted.  $20.99

Nahmias et Fils Mahia – This is a unique spirit from a small distiller in New York based on an ancient recipe from Morocco.  It is essentially an eau du vie  distilled with figs and anise.  Surprisingly versatile, it is very complex as a sipping spirit, for the brandy or grappa aficionado, or as a base for an array of cocktails.  We have the Mahia available to try on its own or in our unique twist on the margarita, we have dubbed the “Mahiarita.”

Notes From the Cellar….

Join us Fri & Sat 7/11/12 from 3-6 as we celebrate this perfect weather with some seasonal selections.  From the vine, we have an outstanding Sicilian white, a sublime rosé from Loire Valley and a sumptuous Pinot Noir from Oregon.  We also have an eye popping gluten free IPA from Millers Falls, Mass.

Also come and sample our full range of spirits including Tanteo Tequila, Privateer Rum, Ryan and Wood Distillery, and much more!

As always purchases of 3 Bottles of wine from the Tasting Table get 10% off.

’13 Etna Bianco, Murgo, Sicily, Italy – This is truly a surprisingly elegant, complex white blend from the volcanic sands of Mt. Etna.  It is blended from local varietals Catarratto and Caricante resulting in aromas of flowers, green fruit, mineral and river stone.  The palate is harmonious, persistent with delicate nuances developing throughout the finish.  Try this wine with lobster or fleshy fish such as grouper, and dishes with goat cheese.  $13.99

’13 Chinon ‘Messanges Rosé’, Domaine de Pallus, Loire Valley, France -  We’ve added another stunning 2013 rosé to the selection, made from 100% organically farmed Cabernet Franc in the Chinon appellation.  The wine shows wonderful tangy, tart fruit elements, balanced with mineral and stone fruit tones.  The finish is clean and crisp with subtle fruit flavor and crisp acidity.  Truly a wine for all occasions – sip on its own or pair with grilled fish, raw fish and shellfish, or soft, pungent cheeses.  $14.99

2012 Kings Ridge Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley – Another fine small production selection from Kings Ridge, the ’12 Pinot Noir is aged for 10 months partially in steel and partially in neutral oak barrels. Aromas of fresh blackberry, cherry and hints of chocolate, give way to full berry flavors with a balanced acidity and fine tannins. Try this with seared salmon or even barbecued pork ribs. $19.99

Element Brewing Company ‘Plasma’ Sake-IPA, Millers Falls, MA – This is a unique brew from brown rice, malted millet, malted buckwheat and Aramis hops.  The result is a strong, hoppy IPA style beer with a different twist and naturally gluten free.  $13.99/750ml bottle

Cheers!

Notes From the Cellar….. The 4th of July is almost upon us! Join us Fri & Sat June 27/28) from 3-6 as we sample some delicious seasonal selections that match perfectly with grilling and barbecue. We also have a selection of whiskies, rum, and gin available for sampling. As always purchases of 3 Bottles of wine from the Tasting Table get 10% off. Christian Drouin Pear Cider – This is a serious cider from Normandy, France, a region famous for its apples and pears. This effort is light and elegant with fine bubbles, crisp acidity and a hint of sweetness. Enjoy this as an aperitif or with shellfish, salads, and steamed fish. $15.50 750ml bottle ’12 La Val Albariño, Rias Baixas, Spain – This is among the finest Albariños we have tasted! It’s a very bright wine with a silky texture and full of aromas of exotic white fruit, apple, lime and citrus and hints of herbs and mineral. It is a versatile wine, matching well with most seafood, even grilled. $14.99 ’12 Artazuri Garnacha, Navarra, Spain – Made from old vines in the foothills of the Pyrenees, this Garnacha is yet another incredible value from Spain. It shows heady aromas of forest berries, lavender, and violet, with a well-balanced, medium bodied finish. This is a great pairing with barbecued meats. $13.99 ’12 Llama Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina – Exceptional value made from almost 100 year vines, displaying a nose of blackberries and light plum with a touch of spice, with soft tannins and a touch of oak on the finish. A perfect wine for grilling on the patio. $12.99 For the beer aficionados – We have some new seasonal selections including Dogfish 75 minute IPA, Dogfish Festina Peche, Baxter Black IPA brewed with oysters, Narragansett Summer, and Otter Creek fresh Slice. We have a great selection of award winning gluten free beers from Omission, St. Pete's and Element (Available next week)

Cheers!

Tasting at Cellar d'Or! June 20/21

Notes From the Cellar….. Join us Fri & Sat June 20/21 from 3-6 as we sample some exciting new selections from Austria, Portugal, and Italy, as well as an artisan infused tequila. We also have a selection of whiskies, rum, and gin available for sampling. As always purchases of 3 Bottles of wine from the Tasting Table get 10% off. ’13 Hermann Moser Grüner Veltliner ‘Karmeliterberg,’ Kremstal, Austria – Martin Moser produces stunning Grüner and Riesling from his 19 hectares of vineyards near the Danube river. This is textbook Grüner – stone fruits on the nose, hints of apple and pear, and a distinct white peppery spice. Try this wine with light appetizers, salads, cured meats and bacon. $16.99 NV Cavalo Barão, Estremadura, Portugal – Along with Spain, Portugal has rapidly become a world leader in high quality, great value table wine, almost to the point where it is difficult to find a bad wine. This multi vintage blend is made from a slew of different local grape varietals, resulting in a medium bodied red with aromas of berries, clove and cocoa, followed by a juicy mouthfeel, soft tannins and a fresh, fruity, slightly smoky finish. This is a great accompaniment to grilled foods. $11.99 for 1 Liter bottle ’12 Valpolicella Classico, Cantine Buglioni, Veneto, Italy – Valpolicella is a delicious style of wine often referred to as “baby Amarone,” a reference to the famous great wine of the region. These are younger wines that don’t go through the extended aging processes of Amarone. The 2012 Buglioni is blended from Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, and Croatina grapes, indigenous to the region. The resulting wine has a nose of cherries and wild berry, followed by a freshness in the mouth with balanced acidity. A versatile food wine, try it with savory pasta or rice dishes, and grilled fish. $21.99 Tanteo Jalapeño Infused Tequila - Tanteo produces delicious hand bottled infused tequilas using all fresh and natural ingredients. We made a killer Jalapeño Margarita featuring Ripe Bar Juice Agave Margarita mix for sampling.

Cheers!

Father's Day Wine Tasting!

Notes From the Cellar….. It’s Father’s Day weekend and the start of the World Cup! Join us Fri & Sat June 13/14 from 3-6 as we sample some unique selections including a nice crisp, dry white from Hungary, a rich Graciano from Spain, a Columbia Valley “cab for dad,” and our perfect recipe for Caipirinha, Brazil’s national cocktail, courtesy of Marshall McGlynn of Drink, Boston. We also have a selection of whiskies, rum, and gin available for sampling. As always purchases of 3 Bottles of wine from the Tasting Table get 10% off. Caipirinha – Sample our recipe using Avuá Cachaça. Cachaça is essentially a Brazilian style rum, distilled from sugar cane, often used to create this refreshing, easy to make, summery cocktail. 2 oz Avuá Cachaça ½ lime, quartered 1 tsp unbleached cane sugar Vigorously shake the ingredients without ice, then add ice and shake again. Pour into heavy bottomed old fashioned glass. Drink as is or top with crushed ice. For mellower flavor, top with club soda. ’13 Evolúció Furmint, Tokaj, Hungary – Although not a household name, this is a wonderfully seasonal wine. The Furmint grape is used to produce the famous sweet wines of Tokaji, but can also be perfectly dry. Aromas of green apple lead to a crisp, clean mineral characteristic, followed by rich acidity and vibrant fruitiness. Pair this wine with soft, mild cheeses, and raw shellfish. $12.99 ’12 Viña Zorzal Graciano, Navarra, Spain – Another off the beaten path wine, Graciano is an indigenous Spanish grape that has been revived by this small sustainably farmed estate, though it is sometimes found blended in Rioja. The wine is aged in French oak and displays rich, luscious red and dark fruit aromas and flavors, framed by good acidity and hints of vanilla and earth. It is a good pairing with robust Asian influenced dishes with spice. $13.99 ’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

Cheers!

For the Collectors...

We have gotten our mitts on a limited number of collectible wines- some with some age on them already and some that are younger; all of which would make a nice addition to any collection.

Bordeaux

2011 St. Estèphe, Château Lilian Ladouys

2000 St. Estèphe, Château Cos d’Estournel (2^nd Growth)

2010 Pauillac, Château Tour Sieujean

2011 Pauillac, Château d’Armailhac (5^th Growth)

2011 St. Julien, Croix de Beaucaillou

2011 St. Julien, Sarget de Gruaud Larose

2000 St. Julien, Château Beychevelle (4^th Growth)

2000 Margaux, Château Palmer (3^rd Growth)

2011 Margaux, Château Prieuré Lichine (4^th Growth)

2011 Pessac-Léognan, Clémentin de Pap Clément

2004 St. Emillion, Château Simard

2009 St. Emillion, Château La Dominique (Grand Cru Classé)

2005 St. Emillion, Château Larcis Ducasse (Grand Cru Classé)

1996 St. Emillion, Château Troplong Mondot (Grand Cru Classé)

2009 Lussac-St. Emillion, Château Lyonnat

2011 Pomerol, Nenin Château Nenin

2011 Côtes de Bordeaux, Château de Francs “Les Cerisiers”

Burgundy

2008 Chassagne-Montrachet ‘Les Verger’ 1er cru, Jean-Marc Pillot

2004 Puligny-Montrachet ‘Les Enseignères’, Domaine Hubert Chavy

2003 Nuits-St. Georges ‘Les Vaucrains’ 1er cru, Domaine Henri Gouges

2011 Savigny-les-Beaune ‘Les Lavières’ 1er cru, Domaine Pavelot

Italy

2001 Brunello di Montalcino, Valdicava

2004 Tenuta di Trinoro, Rosso Toscana (Super Tuscan)

2006 Barolo, Damilano “Cerequio” (1.5ltr)

2008 Barolo, Damilano “Cannubi”

California

2001 Napa Valley, Bond “Matriarch’ (Harlan Estate)

2008 Napa Valley, Spring Mountain Vineyard “Elivette”

Dessert & Champagne

1985 Dow’s Vintage Porto

1986 Sauternes-Barsac, Château Climens 1er Cru

1988 Champagne Krug

Notes From the Cellar…….

Join us Fri & Sat June 6-7 as we taste some perfectly seasonal selections from across the globe.  As the weather transitions into summer, we are finding ideal wines for pairing with fresh seafood, grilling and BBQ, or sipping on the patio with friends and family.

’13 Artazuri Rosado, Navarra, Spain – This rosé is made from young and old vine Garnacha, ranging from 5 to 90 years at elevation on the lower slopes of the Pyrenees.  The nose displays aromas of red currants, raspberries, and strawberries with a hint of flowers and almond.  The crisp, dry finish lingers with flavors of red berry.  This wine is a good match with an array of foods ranging from oysters to BBQ. $11.99

’11 Greenlip Sauvignon blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand – New Zealand has become synonymous with bright, grapefruit, gooseberry, and citrus flavored Sauvignon Blanc, sometimes overwhelmingly acidic.  The Greenlip, named for a local species of mussel, displays bright flavors of passion fruit, grapefruit, and lime, but with a substantial, fruity palate and balanced, pleasantly textured finish. This is a great wine with all shellfish, cooked or raw.  $18

’11 Dolcetto d’Alba, Marcarini ‘Fontanazza,’ Piedmont, Italy – From a renowned producer of Barolo, Manuel Marchetti also focuses on top notch Dolcetto from ideal sites in Alba.  This wine is not oak aged displaying pure and clean floral and red fruit aromas with a lively palate, medium-full body, and crisp finish.  Pair with grilled meats  or fish.  $18.99

Cheers!