Spring Wines for Sunny Days!

Notes From the Cellar….. Warmer days are at hand as it looks like we will actually get spring this year! With an eye towards the warmer weather- barbecues and sitting outside, we are excited to introduce a new Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero to the lineup as well welcome back at long last our favorite Viognier from the Rhone! Join us Fri & Sat from 3-6 as we sample these tasty wines! On the beer front, we have newly added brews from Maine Beer Co., 21st Amendment, Laugunitas, Mayflower and Founders. Also our 'bar' is always open to sample many of our craft spirits that might be new to you. Event Reminder- Tonight we will be taking part in the "Escape to the Tropics" event being held at the DBMS. Featuring a great summer cocktail, wine & beer tasting! Tickets available at the DBMS to support the Duxbury Sailing Team. As always take 10% off any 3 wines from our tasting table. '14 Château du Trignon Viognier, Côtes du Rhône, France- The Quiot family has been making wine all over the Rhône since the 1700's, notably in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas & Vacqueyras among other appellations. In 2006 they bought the Château du Trignon where they focus on single varietal whites which are wonderfully expressive examples of the chosen grape. This 100% Viognier comes from 50 year-old vines planted in soils of gravel and limestone. Displaying complex aromas of flowers, peach and apricot/mango, it gives way to a fleshy medium to full bodied mouthfeel, framed by balanced acidity on the finish. Viognier is best paired with a variety of fish preparations, mushroom risotto or duck à l'orange. $16.50 '12 Creta Roble, Ribera del Duero- Just in, this partnership of Eric Solomon & winemaker Rafael de Hann features pure Tempranillo from 70 year-old vines sustainably grown at high elevations (850 meters) on chalky soils (Creta). The wine is aged in neutral French & American oak- allowing its rich fruit character to shine while still providing some toasty notes and tannic structure. Full of ripe, dark berries, it shows violet notes and cocoa. Medium bodied and cut by juicy acidity and minerality from its chalky soils, it is smoothly textured with a lingering finish. This will pair nicely with pork, sausages & grilled meats and pasta dishes. $16.99

Cheers!

Easter Weekend Wine Tasting!

Notes From the Cellar….. We have a beautiful weekend ahead of us- perfect for airing out the house, getting outside and celebrating with family & friends! This weekend we will be tasting some wines new to the lineup and perfect for Easter dinner: a Riesling from the Rheingau, Pinot Noir from Burgundy, Syrah from Northern Rhone and a Bordeaux! Join us Fri. & Sat. from 3-6 as we sample out these great selections. Oh, and rosés are starting to trickle in! Currently we have one of last year's great finds- Le Poussin by Sasha Lichine as well as the Underwood from Willamette Valley! On the beer front, we have newly added brews from Maine Beer Co., 21st Amendment, Laugunitas, Mayflower and Founders. Also our 'bar' is always open to sample many of our craft spirits that might be new to you. Event Reminder- We will be taking part in the "Escape to the Tropics" event being held at the DBMS April 10th. Featuring a great summer cocktail, wine & beer tasting! Tickets available at the DBMS to support the Duxbury Sailing Team. As always take 10% off any 3 wines from our tasting table. '13 Leitz Dragonstone Riesling, Rheingau, Germany- The Leitz family can trace it winemaking roots back to the 1700's, with Johannes Leitz's grandfather rebuilding the winery after WWII bombing raids. His are vineyards located in the westernmost part of the Rheingau along the Rhein River, and with mostly grand cry vineyards and a fanatic attention to specific parcels for their distinct terrors, he has dramatically elevated the estate's standing and been recognized as winemaker of the year in 2011. The Dragonstone Vineyard- so named for the fossil impressions of dinosaur tracks found in the quartz & slate soils that make up this vineyard is an example of his attention to terroir. With a lovely perfumed nose & aromas of peaches and lemon with a touch of salinity, it possesses amazing minerality and acidity that balance out this medium sweet wine; allowing it to come off as barely off-dry! This will pair excellently with a baked ham, blue cheese or as a starter for a lamb dinner. $22.99 '11 Maison Ambroise Bourgogne Rouge, Burgundy, France- The Domaine Ambroise origins go back to the 18th century in Nuits-St. Georges in the northern part of Burgundy. Bertrand & his wife (and now children) have been farming the land since 1987; organically growing both Pinot Noir & Chardonnay. With old vine vineyards that border the prestigious village of Vosne-Romanée, his Pinot Noir exhibits the richer color & earthiness typical of Nuits- St. Georges. In addition to the ripe cherry and dark raspberry fruits, it exhibits earthy notes of mushroom & violet perfumes. A richer styled pinot, it is balanced by good acidity and soft, firm tannins. Very food friendly, this can be paired both with ham as well as red meat. $24.99 '13 Vincent Paris Sélection Crozes Hermitage, France- The Northern Rhone is known for its steep, unforgiving hills of stoney granite that rise quickly from the Rhone River. Compounding this rugged terrain are the frequent strong, cold winds that help keep alcohol levels in check while preserving fresh acidity. These tough conditions impart a true sense of place into the 100% Syrah wines of Cornas, St. Joseph and Hermitage, among others, that produce these intense, often rustic, wines of power, finesse and longevity. Vincent Paris comes from a long line of winemakers and has quickly risen to stardom within the appellation. He farms his vineyards organically/biodynamically & keeps yields low to concentrate fruit. This Syrah has a very clean style with aromas of blackcurrant, dark berries & violets. Medium to full bodied, it has firm tannins balanced by fresh acidity and that tell-tale black pepper spice. This is a great pairing for roasted lamb, any grilled meat or farmhouse chedder cheese. $20.99 '09 Château la Cardonne, Médoc, France- Wine has been produced at the Château Cardonne dating back to the 17th Century, with ownership by the Lafite-Rothchilds in the 1980's before being sold to the Charloux family in the 1990's- who completely modernized the facilities. With vineyards at high elevations in the Médoc, they follow sustainable farming practices and grow almost equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with about 5% Cabernet Franc as well. Wines spend over a year in French oak before bottling. A wonderful growing season, this vintage is deeply colored and in a very fruit forward style with ripe blackcurrant, plum and tobacco leaf notes. Full bodied with chewy tannins, it is a big wine with a long finish that will definitely benefit from time to breathe. A traditional pairing of lamb as well as hard cheeses. $21.99

Cheers!

These Wines Will Keep You Warm!

Notes From the Cellar….. Looks like the winter weather is having a tough time saying goodbye, but no worries- spring will come one way or another! In the meantime we have a couple new wines to taste that should take the edge off this weekend. Just in we have a Pinot Gris from Alsace for the white wine drinkers and a big, chewy Bordeaux for the hearty red lover. Join us Fri & Sat from 3-6 as we sample these new additions. On the beer front, we have new additions from Founders, Two Roads, Boulevard & Leffe, as well as recent ones from SixPoint, Victory, Lagunitas, Firestone Walker, Brewmaster Jack & Lost Abbey. Our "bar" is always open to sample our craft spirits as well- newly added is a great Rye Whiskey from Mad River Distillers in Vermont; all New England farmed and distilled! As always, take 10% a purchase of 3 bottles of wine from our tasting table. '13 Willm Pinot Gris Réserve, Alsace, France- Pinot Gris, one of the four noble grapes of Alsace, gets it name for its gray/blue skins- though it produces a fuller white wine. In Alsace, the grapes benefit from a long, cool growing season that allow the grapes to ripen and fully develop their flavors. The wines produced here are markedly different in style than the Italian clone- pinot grigio, that are usually picked earlier so as to produce a lighter, more acidic wine. These vineyards of granite and calcareous clay are located in the northern region of Barr. The Réserve Pinot Gris is fermented in stainless steel and sees 3 months on its lees before spending another 8-10 months in tank before bottling. The wine displays rich orchard fruit aromas of apricot and peach as well as a honeyed sweetness that is well balanced by its acidity, giving the wine a medium to full body and round texture in the mouth. Pairs with a richer fish, white meats and mushroom risotto. Also stands up quite well to spicy foods. $14.99 '10 Château les Grandes Mottes, Blaye- Côtes de Bordeaux, France- The village of Blaye is located on the right side of the Gironde River- the same side as the renowned communes of Saint- ´Emillion and Pomerol. One of 8 appellations grouped under the Côte de Bordeaux sub-region, its hilly vineyards are usually clay over limestone and produce a Merlot-heavy blend with Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot in this case. 2010 was another great year for Bordeaux following the perfectly ripened 2009 vintage. This vintage had periods of high heat and drought that built sugars and then a cooler fall that built higher acidity into the grapes. This wine is certainly robust with strong, chewy tannins and high acidity. Rich with flavors of black currant, dark cherry and plum, the Grande Mottes has a perfumed scent, a subtle earthy character and a touch of spice. Pairs with lamb and fatty cuts of beef. $14.99

Cheers!

More Great Deals!

Notes From the Cellar….. We can finally see the ground again (well in some places) and the balmy over-30 degree temperatures are making it seem like spring is in the air! Join us Fri & Sat from 3-6 as we taste out a couple more great finds that are sure to please. This week's selections are a couple easy drinking reds- a medium bodied Nero d'Avola from Sicily and an earthy Grenache from Southern Rhone. On the beer front, we have recent additions from SixPoint, Victory, Lagunitas, Firestone Walker, Brewmaster Jack, Lost Abbey, and Dogfish. Our "bar" is always open to sample our craft spirits as well- newly added is a great Rye Whiskey from Mad River Distillers in Vermont; all New England farmed and distilled! If you're heading North for some great spring skiing, don't forget to stop in first for your favorite craft wine, beer & spirits that aren't always readily available in the mountains. As always, take 10% a purchase of 3 bottles of wine from our tasting table. '11 Bacaro Nero d'Avola "Terre Siciliane", Sicily, Italy- After a long period of stagnation & over-production, Sicily is becoming a much more vital and serious wine region as they have become more concerned with quality over quantity. Founded in the 1970's, the Cantina Cellaro winery is located near the south-west coast of the island with vineyards at altitudes over 300 meters above sea level. Sicily's most popular grape, Nero d'Avola performs well in its hot, dry climate producing dark colored wines with dark fruit characteristics. These vineyards are located in a slightly cooler microclimate that helps building acidity in the wine. With ripe blackberry fruits, prunes and a little note of liquorice and pepper, this wine has a juicy character while retaining richness. With firm tannins and medium acidity, this wine can be enjoyed on its own or with food. Pairs with grilled meats & vegetables or roasted game birds. $10.99 '11 Domaine André Brunel Vin de Pays de Vaucluse Grenache- The Brunel family has been making wine in Châteauneuf-de-Pape region since the 17th century; André has been running the domaine since 1971 and now his son has joined the team. The vineyards for his Vin de Pays are mainly in the commune of Travaillon, just east of Gigondas and northeast of Vacqueyras. This 100% Grenache comes from 40 year old vines planted in sandy soils. Yields are kept low to allow for concentration of fruit and sustainable farming practices are followed. This wine is easy drinking with primary notes of dark berries, cherry and some earthiness. Medium to full bodied with a little peppery spice, it has soft tannins and fresh acidity. Pairs well with stews, roasted vegetables and meats. $12.99

Cheers!

Great Everyday Wines!

Notes From the Cellar….. It looks like we're finally going to warm up after this weekend and its a sign that spring coming and these snow banks can finally melt! This Fri & Sat from 3-6 we have a couple new reds to try- an Argentinian Malbec blended with a little Syrah that adds some weight and spice as well as a rich, full bodied Bordeaux; we think these will impress as go-to choices. On the beer front, we have new offerings from SixPoint & Victory as well as recent additions from Lagunitas, Firestone Walker, Brewmaster Jack, Lost Abbey, Otter Creek, Long Trail, and Dogfish. Our "bar" is always open to sample our craft spirits as well. If you're heading North to ski country, don't forget to stop in first for your favorite craft wine, beer & spirits that aren't always readily available in the mountains. As always, take 10% a purchase of 3 bottles of wine from our tasting table. '13 Bodegas Diamandes "Perlita" Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina- In 1999 Michel Rolland along with 6 other Bordeaux winemakers founded the Clos de los Siete group, which another Bordeaux family- the Bonnies joined in 2005. Their vineyards are located in the Unco Valley, just south of the Mendoza City, with soils of clay, sand & pebbles. The Perlita is a blend of 80% Malbec & 20% Syrah and is aged for 10 months in French Oak. The ripe fruits of blackberry & cherry are balanced by the richness and peppery spice of the Syrah along with notes of vanilla. The Perlita is medium to full bodied with fresh acidity and grainy tannins. Pairs well with charcuterie and roasted or barbecued meats. $14.99 '09 Château du Courneau Médoc, Bourdeaux, France- The small Lamoliere family estate of 36 hectares lays on a gravely knoll in the north of the Médoc, in the village of Lesparre Médoc. A long and favorable growing year allowed the grapes to fully ripen, resulting in rich, ripe fruit characteristics and slightly higher alcohol given the sugar content of the grapes. This typical blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Petit Verdot is rich and opulent in the mouth with flavors of blackcurrant, plum, vanilla and complementing aromas of cedar and tobacco. Full bodied with chewy tannins and balanced acidity, this wine is a friend of meat dishes. Pair with lamb dishes, rib-eye steaks, roasted vegetables, BBQ & hard cheeses. $15.99

Cheers!

Food Friendly Wines for Dinner!

Notes From the Cellar….. February is mercifully coming to an end and we're that much closer to spring! On the table this Friday & Saturday from 3-6 we will be featuring a couple new wines just in- a lively Chardonnay from Santa Barbara Country as well as a rich Barbera d'Asti from Piedmont that is a great complement to many meals. On the beer front, we have new offerings from Lagunitas, Firestone Walker as well as recent additions from SixPoint, Brewmaster Jack, Lost Abbey, Otter Creek, Long Trail, Dogfish and the Stone "Enjoy By" is back! . Our "bar" is always open to sample our craft spirits as well. If you're heading North to ski country, don't forget to stop in first for your favorite craft wine, beer & spirits that aren't always readily available in the mountains. As always, take 10% a purchase of 3 bottles of wine from our tasting table. '09 Falcone Family Vineyards Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County, CA- The Falcone family started their own farm and winery in 2002 after a couple decades of winemaking in the Napa Valley. Their small 8 acre farm produces Cabernet Sauvignon & Syrah, while they source the Chardonnay grapes from the Santa Maria Valley- a remarkably cool climate but with a long growing season that allows flavors to develop while maintaining bright acidity. Their Chardonnay spends 9 months in mostly old French oak barrels which impart a slight hint of vanilla and caramel without the oak overwhelming the fruit. Ripe orchard fruits of peach and apple are well balanced by lemon citrus notes and a refreshing minerality- all with a bright acidity that lingers on the palate and keeps this full bodied wine bright and lively. A great restaurant wine, this pairs well with risotto and other rich sauces, Asian dishes and creamy cheeses. $19.99 '12 Vietti Barbera d'Asti "Tre Vigne" DOCG, Piedmont, Italy- The Vietti family traces its winemaking history back to the 19th century in the Barolo commune of Castiglione Falletto renowned for its powerful and long lived Barolos. The town of Asti is located just to the northeast and has established itself as a premier region for the very food friendly Barbera grape. Grapes are sourced from their old vine "La Crena" single vineyard as well as other adjacent vineyards. The wine sees 14 months in either French oak barrels or Slovenian oak casks which add a little gripping tannin to a normally low tannin grape. Richly colored with aromas of red cherry, blackberry and a touch of vanilla, it is medium bodied, dry and balanced by Barbera's trademark acidity. Pairs effortlessly with Italian dishes, grilled vegetables and chicken, pork and veal. $19.99

Cheers!

Champagne & Oysters for Valentine's Day!

Notes From the Cellar….. Champagne & Oysters... just one of those matches made in heaven. Swing by Valentine's Day (Saturday) from 3-6 to sample some delicious local oysters provided by Sweet Sound Oysters, wash them down with some with some wonderful grower champagnes & bring a bottle home to enjoy with that special someone! Valentine's Days Special- take 10% off any sparkling wine! Come on in and stock up for a few days off as we kick off the President's Week and (I hate to say it) prepare for what looks like another possible Nor'easter coming in Saturday night into Sunday. The tasting plan for Friday and Saturday: Friday 3-6: Wines of Willamette Valley '13 Kings Ridge Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley– As with most Oregon Pinot Gris, this offering is made from the Alsatian style clones, as opposed to the Italian clones (known as Pinot Grigio), resulting in a medium bodied white with aromas of ripe pear, nectarine, and melon. The wine shows a rich palate with great intensity and a long, lingering finish. This is great wine to serve with mild, soft cheeses and many fish dishes. $15.99 '13 Sass Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley- This Pinot Noir comes from a small family operation that makes 1500 cases of Pinot Noir from vineyards and practices organic farming. The Pinot vines are all French clones planted in volcanic and sedimentary soils. This Pinot shows aromas of blackberry and dark raspberry typical of the region with some earthy tones and balanced with fresh acidity. Tannins are smooth and accented by a peppery bite. This is a versatile wine that can pair with chicken, pork and meaty fish like salmon or tuna. $24.99 Saturday- Valentine's Day 3-6 Oysters from Sweet Sound Oysters & Champagne! NV Moutard Père et Fils Champagne Blanc de Noirs Grand Cuvée, Côte des Bar, Champagne, France- The Moutard Diligent Family has been growing grapes in the clay and Kimmeridgian limestone soil of Buxeuil since 1642. In 1927, Francois Diligent began producing Champagne and that production has continued to this day with grandchildren Agnes, Veronique, and Francois Moutard. The 100% Pinot Noir grapes are hand harvested, sorted, and cool fermented in steel. Aged 3 years on its lees. A fine, rich, fresh nose shows aromas of berries, butter, almond and brioche with an elegant, balanced and generous palate. $36.99 NV Godmé Père et Fils Premier Cru Brut-Réserve, Reims, Champagne, France- 5th generation winemakers & growers. Vineyards are farmed organically/biodynamically & display great expressions of terroir and complexity. A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir & Pinot Meaner, this is a refined wine full of rich aromas of fruitcake, lemon & smokey mineral with bright citrus acidity framed by a lithe & bright finish with a hint of spice. $52-full/$29.99-half (Discounts do not combine with any other promotion)

Cheers!