Wines for the Barbecue!

Notes From the Cellar….. This wonderful spring weather keeps getting better and really puts this tough winter out of memory. It's perfect condition for getting the gardens ready and most importantly- getting the grills tuned up for the summer! We have a couple great new wines on the table this weekend that we think will be great additions to your 'go-to' list for BBQ night! Join us Fri. & Sat. From 3-6 as we sample a wonderfully fresh and aromatic Verdejo from Spain and a deep, dark Negroamaro from southern Italy. Both are wonderfully expressive local grapes that won't put a strain budgets already dented by the snowplow bills! '13 Hijos de Alberto Gutierrez Perla Maris Verdejo, Rueda, Spain- Located just west of Ribera del Duero along the Duero River that runs into Portugal, Rueda makes some of Castilla y Leon's most famous whites- notably Verdejo. The proximity to the Duero River gives vineyards fertile alluvial soils high in lime content. Although the Rueda DO requires that only 50% Verdejo is used, the Perla Maris (pearl of the sea) is made of 100% organically farmed Verdejo. Grapes are harvested at night to preserve freshness & acidity while preventing oxidation. The winery is gravity fed and the wine spends 10 months in stainless steel before bottling. The resulting wine is wonderfully fresh and lively with good weight in the mouth. A very aromatic nose of white fruits and flowers gives way to a nicely textured wine that adds citrus notes of lemon and lime to the fruit flavors and lively acidity. Clean and crisp, this medium bodied wine pairs nicely with seafood, shellfish and chicken dishes. $11.99 '12 Luccarelli Negroamaro, Puglia, Italy- From the Salento Peninsula of Puglia- or the "heel" of Italy's boot comes this deep and darkly colored wine from the Negroamaro grape. In the hot, dry summer conditions and planted in iron-rich red clay soils, Negroamaro has thrived for centuries. The old vines averaging 80 years old have the incredibly extensive root structures necessary to finding water and contribute to producing grapes of great concentration of fruit. The naturally low yielding vines are farmed sustainably and are harvested by hand. This wine is extremely dark colored and shows of its ripe, dark fruits of black currant, dark cherry and black pepper spice. With added richness of bittersweet chocolate and a little savory herbs, it maintains fresh acidity, gritty tannins and a medium-full body. Go get the grill fired up- it's clear what this wine begs for once it's been opened! $11.99

Cheers!

April Showers Bring May Flowers!

Notes From the Cellar….. It looks like Spring has sprung and we are looking at a textbook season like we all remember- and most importantly need! The weather looks like it has turned so its time to get outside, get some yard work done, plant some flowers and dust off those backyard grilles! With that in mind we have a couple wines to help take you away to your special place, sipping on refreshing wines outside with family and friends. Join us this Fri & Sat from 3-6 as we sample a couple great new wines- a light, fresh white wine from Spain & a smooth, textured Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley! On the beer front, we have a great new Gluten-free beer from Brunehaut of Belgium as well as recently 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. As always take 10% off any 3 wines from our tasting table. '13 Bohigas Xarel-lo, Catalunya, Spain- Fermí Bohigas is a family-owned winery that has roots dating back to the 13th century. The estate is located in the town of Òdena in the River Anoia valley, about 45 minutes west of Barcelona and encompasses 300 hectares which are split between two vineyard properties that they farm organically. Most famous for their Xarel-lo vines, a principal grape in Cava wines, Bohigas also focuses on the other historical and indigenous varieties of Macabeo and Parellada for whites and Trepat for red. The vineyards of clay & limestone are southeast facing and are very well situated to grow white varieties as they get lots of sunshine, but the evenings are very cool- retaining the freshness in the wines. Fermented in stainless steel and bottled immediately afterwards, this is a very fresh and vibrantly styled wine. This light to medium bodied dry wine is wonderfully refreshing; it displays citrus and orchard fruit aromas with fresh acidity, green apple and lemon flavors and a crisp, elegant finish. Pair this wine with seafood and lightly spicy dishes. $12.99 '11 Cherry Hill Winery Dijon Cuvée Estate Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon- Cherry Hill is located in one of Willamette Valley's most exciting sub-appellations of Eola-Amity Hills. At the same latitude as Burgundy, and with similarly difficult climates of cooler and cloudier summers, Willamette Valley has demonstrated itself able to produce outstanding Pinot Noirs with body and finesse. The Cherry Hill Winery is planted on 90 acres of south and southwest slopes- allowing it to soak up as much of the day's sun as possible. A small family run winery, they follow sustainable farming practices and produce about 7,000 cases of their estate grown Pinot Noir a year. The cool climate and rich soils of primarily well-drained clay combine to create Pinot Noir fruit of deep color and concentrated flavors. With rich raspberry and cherry aromas complemented by chocolate and a little spice, it is nicely textured with fine, lingering tannins on the finish and balancing acidity. Pairs great with roasted salmon, tuna and a variety of meats. $21.99

Cheers!

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!