Let Summer Begin!

Notes From the Cellar….. The kids are finally done paying for all this winter's snow, so summer can really being for families! Join us Fri & Sat from 3-6 to sample some great new wines that are perfect for the summer months! Special Event- Saturday 4:30-6:00- Sweet Sound Oysters will be here sucking some delicious, fresh Duxbury Oysters to go with some extra wines we will crack for the evening! ’14 Domaine de la Fouquette Cuvée Rosée d’Aurore, Côtes de Provence, FR- (Grenche, Cinsault, Rolle) Provence has become synonymous with great rosé and does indeed produce consistently outstanding rosé. This pale colored organically farmed wine has a vibrant, fruity and intense nose with luscious flavors of mandarin orange, red and black berries, followed by a vibrant grapefruit finish. $19.99 '12 Vavasour Sauvignon Blanc, Awatere Valley, Marlborough, NZ- The Awatere Valley is a sub-appellation of Marlborough with low fertile soils of stones & pebbles created by ancient glaciers compacting in the valley. The Vavasour family traces it heritage back to the Norman invasion of England, settling in New Zealand in 1890 and pioneering vineyards in Awatere a century later. Winemaking follows sustainable practices and grapes are harvested at night to preserve flavor and freshness of the wine. Fragrant and aromatic, it shows layered expressions of the tropical fruits- grapefruit, melon & citrus, backed up with the mouthwatering acidity one expects from a quality New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. $15.99 ’12 Bodegas Volver Single Vineyard Tempranillo, La Mancha, ESP- From the wide open expanses of La Mancha, south of Madrid comes this 100% old vine Tempranillo grown at high elevations in soils primarily of limestone. With 18 months in new French oak, this is an intense wine with dark fruit, cigar tobacco & licorice notes. Medium bodied with ripe tannins and fresh acidity this is a big drinking wine that delivers with a long, dry finish. Another one of Jorge Ordoñez's collaborations in Spain that offers great quality! $19.99 Andegavia Boxed Wines- Russian River Pinot Noir and Napa Valley Merlot! Boxed wines are continuing to increase in quality and here is another great example with well made wines that will last up to a month in the high quality & fully recyclable packaging. $54 (equivalent of 4 bottles) And as always take 10% off any 3 wines we are tasting. On the beer front we have recent additions from Stone, Firestone Walker, Dark Horse,Cambridge Brewing, Rogue & Avery. Also new in are Fishers Island Spiked Lemonade and a limited Gin release from Privateer Distillers of Ipswich, MA!

Cheers!

Wines for the Weekend!

Notes From the Cellar…..

Join us Fri & Sat from 3-6 to sample some great new wines that may surprise!

Picture yourself on a beautiful summer afternoon on the Mediterranean in the south of France, sitting at a sidewalk café in St. Tropez relaxing after a day on Pampelonne Beach. The beautiful blue waters frame the small sailboats; you people watch as you wait for your meals and sip delicious rosé... this is what you were drinking! '14 Mas de Pampelonne, Côtes de Provence, France $21.99

Pinot Grigio! No, not that fruity, watery stuff- this is wine with character grown in the far northeast region of Italy by the Slovenian border in Fruili, specifically Collio which has a long standing tradition of producing excellent whites. With a small amount of this Pinot Grigio seeing some oak, it exudes texture & nuance- orchard fruits, citrus, walnuts & hay. '13 Branko Pinot Grigio, Collio, Italy $23.99

Like a dense Spanish red full of rich, intense fruit? Of course you do- who doesn't have a soft spot for lavishly rich wines? :) This Garnacha is from just south of Rioja in Calatayud, grown in high elevations vineyards of 60+ year old gnarled vine and spends close to 2 years in old French oak casks. It's got it all- rich, concentrated dark fruit, inky licorice and peppery spice; with the acidity and chalky tannins to balance it all out. See you at the table! '11 Bodegas Breca Old Vine Garnacha $19.99

Cheers!

Hot Weekend- Refreshing Wines!

Notes From the Cellar….. It looks like the seasonable weather is back and we can all settle into a well deserved summer! Perfect for the season are a few new wines that we are pouring Fri & Sat from 3-6 that are great matches for backyard entertaining. On the beer front we have recent additions from Cambridge Brewing, Rogue, Avery, Cisco, Jack’s Abby, Two Roads, Weyerbacher and Great Divide. Also new in are Fishers Island Spiked Lemonade and a limited Gin release from Privateer Distillers of Ipswich, MA! And as always take 10% off any 3 wines we are tasting. ’14 Union Wine Co., Underwood Rosé, OR- The winemakers at the Union Wine Company's goal is to create easily approachable, handmade wines that showcase the vineyards of Willamette Valley and Oregon. Makers of the fantastic King’s Ridge Pinot Gris & Pinot Noir that we have shown some time, their latest release comes with the Underwood Rosé- a juicy & enjoyable blend of Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir & Syrah. Unpretentious and easy drinking, this rosé is full of strawberry, melon, peaches and lip smacking acidity. This wine is perfect for enjoying in the sun before dinner or with your appetizers. $14.99 ’14 Adegas Gran Vinum Nessa Albariño, Rías Baixas, SP- In the northwestern corner of Spain, Rías Baixas is located along the Atlantic coast with its many inlets (‘rías’) that characterize the landscape. Here where rainfall and fog is frequent, the Atlantic Ocean plays a major role in influencing the climate and moderating temperatures. The Albariño grape is particularly suited to these cool, wet conditions that play a key part in the wines developing their crisp, mouthwatering acidity; the Nessa Albariño comes from the sub-region of Val do Salnes- the coolest & wettest of the 5 zones known for producing some of the finest Albariños of the region. With floral aromatics & ripe orchard fruits like apricot and green apple, the Nessa shows great fruit presence, citrus and the trademark salinity of these grapes grown on vineyards so close to the ocean. Dry with bright acidity it has a lingering, mouthwatering finish. An excellent aperitif, it pairs perfectly with a variety of seafood dishes including raw shellfish, summer salads and creamy cheese. $17.99 ’13 Dry Creek Vineyards Heritage Vines Zinfandel, Sonoma County, CA- Located in the northern end of Sonoma County, Dry Creek Vineyards is one of the original vineyards of the region, started in the 1970’s by local MIT product David Stare, whose family still runs the winery. The upper hills of the valley attracted 19th century Italian settlers to plant the rot-prone Zinfandel above the fog lines and farm them without irrigation, earning the region a reputation for producing some of the finest examples of the grape. The Heritage Zin is a rich blend of Zinfandel and 21% Petit Syrah; full of ripe fruits of black raspberry, black cherry and the added density of cocoa and licorice. This is a dense, juicy wine with pepper and spices; ripe, gritty tannins and lively acidity to maintain its balance and drinkability. Pairs wonderfully with savory pork dishes, Asian food and barbecue. $19.99

Cheers!

Graduation Weekend Winetasting!

Notes From the Cellar….. Congratulations to all the graduates and their families! While this weekend is a bit of a reset of the recent summer temperatures, it still makes for great conditions to get out side and celebrate with family & friends. Join us Fri & Sat from 3-6 as we sample a few exciting wines! This weekend one of our favorite rosés from Provence, a crisp Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley and a rich, textured Pinot Noir from Patagonia. On the beer front we have recent additions from Avery, Cisco, Jack’s Abby, Two Roads, Weyerbacher, Great Divide and Coronado. Also new in are Fishers Island Spiked Lemonade! And as always take 10% off any 3 wines we are tasting. '14 Domaine La Blaque Perrevert Rosé, Provence, France- Located in the small AOC of Coteaux de Pierrevery in north-western Provence, Domaine la Blaque is one of a handful of growers in the high altitude hills of the region that benefit from ample sunshine as well as wide day/night temperature variations. Vineyards are composed of limestone & clay, harvest by hand and certified organic. A blend of Cinsault-direct pressing, Grenache, Syrah & Vermentino, this lovely pale rose colored rosé displays soft aromatics of roses, melon and cherries with a palate that remains delicate & full of watermelon, apricots and lively acidity. Drinks perfectly on its own as an apéritif or with a range of dishes from summer salads and shellfish to lighter grilled meats. $16.99 '14 Justin Monmousseau Sauvignon Blanc, Touraine, France- The Touraine AOC covers the central part of the Loire Valley and is primarily known for its Chenin Blancs of Vouvray and Cabernet Franc of Chinon & Bourgueil. Widely planted and producing wines of great quality and value is Sauvignon Blanc as well. These grapes are sourced from vineyards of clay, chalk & flint which impart lively acidity and minerality. Light straw in color, this Sauvignon shows the aromas and flavors of grapefruit, pineapple and citrus without the strong grassiness common with New Zealand offerings. With a touch of smoke and mouthwatering acidity and a lip-smacking finish, it is a great summer wine that pairs with seafood- fried or seared, shellfish and goat cheese salads. $13.99 '14 Familia Schroeder Alpataco Pinot Noir, Patagonia, Argentina- In the far south of Argentina, Patagonia offers wonderful conditions for growing wine with rocky soils, plentiful sunshine & ice melt coupled with a rigorous Artic-influenced environment that keep temperatures down and harsh winds that keep vine disease at bay. The wines of this region have their own character of bright, intense fruit and chewy texture. Aged in oak for 6 months, this Pinot Noir has deeply perfumed aromas with floral notes, black cherry and redcurrant fruit. With additional flavors of cocoa and touch of spice, it has a silky texture, soft tannins and balanced acidity. Pairs with BBQ pork, and leaner cuts of meat. $16.99

Cheers!

Wines We're Tasting!

Notes From the Cellar….. A beautiful May is pretty much in the books and we can now look forward for the summer to begin in earnest! This weekend we will be sampling a few new offerings that are great for warmer weather and entertaining with friends. This week an organic rosé from the Loire Valley, a Pinot Noir from California and a Malbec from Argentina. Join us Fri & Sat from 3-6 as we sample these tasty new wines! On the beer front we have recent additions from Cisco, Jack’s Abby, Two Roads, Great Divide and Coronado. Also new in are Fishers Island Spiked Lemonade! And as always take 10% off any 3 wines we are tasting. ’14 Chinon ‘Messanges Rosé’, Domaine de Pallus, Loire Valley, France - Another stunning 2014 rosé selection made from 100% organically farmed Cabernet Franc in the Chinon appellation. Winemaker Bertrand Sourdais was trained at the University of Bordeaux and then served as an understudy at Mouton-Rothchild and Alvaro Palacios in Priorat before retuning home to Chinon in the early 2000’s to take over the family’s vineyards. The wine is wonderfully aromatic, with tart fruit elements balanced with mineral and stone fruit tones; finishing clean with 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. ’11 Mahoney Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir, Carneros, CA- Mahoney Estates were founded over 40 years ago and are responsible for pushing for Carneros to be recognized as its own AVA. Most of their Pinot Noir clones are vinifed in small, distinct lots so the winemaking team can make the crucial blending decisions. This Pinot from their Sonoma and Napa vineyards shows darker raspberry and strawberry fruits, a touch of oak and a little spice on the finish; with fresh acidity and moderated tannins, this Pinot is extremely drinkable on its own or with food- pairs nicely with roasted salmon, seared tuna and pasta dishes. ’11 Finca Pioneer Reseva Malbec, Uco Valley, Medoza, AR- Located about an hour south of the city of Mendoza, the Uco Valley is generally recognized as the top wine growing region of Mendoza due to its higher elevations, excellent climate, soils & natural source of irrigation from the Andes Mountains. The primary benefits of its higher elevations are its large day/night temperature variations that allow for fruit ripening and the development of balancing acidity, as well as the ability of tannins to develop on the vine. The wine is aged for 9 months in used French & American barrels, which imparts a hint of oak and vanilla to the violet aromas, ripe berry fruit and rich cocoa. With supple tannins and balancing acidity, this is a great pairing for grilled meats and BBQ ribs.

Cheers!

Memorial Day Wine Tasting!

Notes From the Cellar….. Happy Memorial Day weekend and the official kick-off to summer! Hopefully everyone has dusted those grills off and given them a few practice runs to get the rust off those grilling skills because this is the weekend to bring your A-game!! Perfect for this weekend and the warmer days ahead we are tasting more new wines- a refreshing rosé and a couple delicious Italian wines from Piedmont! We'll be pouring Fri & Sat from 3-6- we look forward to seeing you. On the beer front we have recent additions from Ballast Point, Weihenstephaner, Two Roads, Cisco, Founders & Anderson Valley! Our ‘bar’ is always open with a great selection of craft spirits and cocktail ideas. We are fully stocked with Ripe Bar Juice Mixers and new in we have Fishers Island Lemonade (the adult kind)! And as always take 10% off any 3 wines we are tasting. '14 Chateau St. Eulalie Minervois "Printemps d'Eulalie, Languedoc, France- Located in western appellation of Minervois in the west of Languedoc-Roussillion, the estate’s vineyards are located on the terraced hills above the town of La Liviniere; the official Gran Cru of the Minervois. Since its purchase in 1996 the vineyards have been farmed organically and are currently certified sustainable. A blend of syrah, cinsault, carignan & grenache, it is medium pink in color with tart strawberry & raspberry flavors, refreshing acidity and a dry finish. Perfect for sunny afternoons, shellfish and salads. $15.99 '14 Guidobono Roero Arneis, Piedmont, Italy- Though known for its reds, Piedmont also produces some interesting white wine, notably those made from the Arneis grape. The vineyards lie just outside of Monforte in Roero with soils of predominately limestone & 30-40 years old vines. Aromas of peach & apricot give way to melon fruit, lemon and a luscious mouthfeel with a mouthwatering finish. A great summer wine, Arneis pairs well with a variety of seafood, poultry and pasta dishes. $15.99 '13 Casino Ballerina 'Cino' Langhe Rosso, Piedmont, Italy- In Northwest Italy, Piedmont is well known for producing a range of excellent red wines, most notably the long-lived & complex Nebbiolo grapes as well as the dynamic & easy drinking Barbera and Dolcetto. These grapes typically display lively bouquets of fruit & flowers, and the all-important higher acid levels that make them consistently great matches for food. The “Cino” is a blend of these 3 grapes, handpicked from 40+ year old vines. It is aged in stainless steel to further preserve its lively fruit character. The Cino is bright ruby red colored with an intense nose red berries and cherry fruit and floral notes. Medium bodied and smooth on the palate, its lush fruity character is complemented by savory spice, vibrant acidity and medium tannins. This is a great everyday wine that pairs well with a variety of meats, pasta dishes, antipasto and cheese, particularly ones with a saltier finish. $14.99

Cheers!

Italian Wines- You Know You Want Them!

Notes From the Cellar….. With nothing but sunshine ahead and Memorial Day coming there’s nothing that can deflate anyone’s spirits anymore! Our rosé shelf is in full bloom and all the fixings for great summertime entertaining is flowing in. Join us Fri & Sat from 3-6 as we sample a couple Italian wines new to the collection that are sure to be great additions as summertime go-to wines! We’ve got a full bodied, aromatic white- Falanghina from Southern Italy and from the North a delicious, layered blend that will keep you going back for another sip! On the beer front we have new additions from SixPoint, Dark Horse, Ballast Point, Cisco, Anderson Valley, Coronado Brewing & Jack’s Abby. And as always take 10% off any 3 wines we are tasting. '13 Aia dei Colombi Falanghina del Sannio, Campania, Italy- From the hills of Sannio, just east of Naples in Southern Italy comes this Falanghina- a local grape that can trace its history back to the Roman times (known as Falernian) when it was held in great renown for its higher alcohol and ability to age; although the style then would have been a more oxidized one that undergoes heat ‘maderisation’. More recently the wines are seeing a revival as more small wineries are drawing on traditional practices while striving for quality. The Colombi winery was founded by 2 brothers, Marcello & Gaetano Pascale, who follow the traditions of their father who was a founding member of the local cooperative. The 8 hectares are located on hilly slopes above the humid valley floor, which is important for allowing the grapes to build acidity. This Falanghina is delicately pressed to release the grape’s juices for fermentation and then aged in stainless steel tanks for 5 months before bottling. It is medium-full bodied while maintaining wonderful freshness and minerality. With charming aromas of white flowers, peaches and golden apple, it adds flavors of lime and peach, fresh acidity and a lingering, dry finish. A fantastic wine for hot days and warm nights, it pairs with seafood, cheeses and vegetable courses. $15.99 Ottella Gemei Rosso Alto Mincio, Veneto, Italy- This exciting new wine from the Verona region of Veneto in Italy’s Northeast has a deep crimson red color and luscious fruit character reminiscent of one of Verona’s star red wines- Valpolicella but with a little added structure. This is a blend of 40% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon & 40% Corvina, Molinara & Rondinella. Located at the southern end of Lake Garda, the vineyard is owned and run by the Montresor family, winegrowers for many generations. The grapes are all hand harvested and come from their estate- with vineyard soils composed of cancerous sediment and red clay. The wine aged for 5 months in large oak barrels with a portion spending time in used barriques, allowing the fruit character to shine through. Deeply colored, it is remarkably soft in the mouth with aromas of dark cherry and black fruits that jump out of the glass. The rich, bright cherry fruit and dark berries are framed by above average acidity and medium tannins and a touch of brambly spice. The Gemei is a wonderfully layered wine that is versatile with food or immensely enjoyable alone! Pair with antipasti, roasted vegetables, pasta dishes with meat and a variety of meats. $16.99

Cheers!