|
|
Chartogne Taillet,
Cuvee St Anne
 |
| |
 |
With Chartogne-Taillet one appreciates
the significance of terroir. Theirs is
an example of just how wonderful wines
can be simply because of how talented
and conscientious they are. They have
overachievers making some silky, swank
fizz articulated with careful diction,
“easy” drinking and forthright. This is
a racy, spicy Champagne, so luscious, so
brioche-y and creamy. Lovers of
old-style Champagnes are encouraged to
look closely at the Chartogne Taillet,
Cuvee St Anne. The wine is usually
marked by sautéed apples and butter, but
this time it’s all braised beef,
shiitakes and honey-mushroom; the palate
starts to conform to type, silky and
tangy and more apple now; as stylish and
reliable as always. It’s a very good
intro to farmer-fizz; its flavors are
close enough to the mainstream but very
few negoçiant Champagnes have this
clarity, specificity and articulation.
Essentially 50-50 Pinot Noir and
Chardonnay “with the rest Meunier!” as
Chartognes put it.
|
 |
|
Price $56 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Armida Antidote Pinot Gris 2007 (375ml)
|
| |
 |
The perfect wine to complement the
Poizin, the 2007 Armida Antidote Pinot
Gris is very crisp and clean, with
flavors of pear and blossoms. In the
mouth, the bright acidity is accompanied
with more pear flavors as well as
citrus, and honeysuckle. The finish is
refreshing, leaving hints of tropical
fruits to linger on the palate. |
|
|
|
Price $10/(375ml) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Portalupi Bianco, 2007
|
| |
 |
In an effort to not be a “J.A.W.” (just
another winery), Portalupi gives you “Bianco”.
White wine, what a novel concept, and
hey, not another Chardonnay, Sauvignon
Blanc or Riesling, but a wine with its
own soul! Comprised of three different
grapes, the Bianco is about crisp, clean
floral fruit. The idea behind Bianco is
no barrel aging, no dairy-like
malolactic and no waiting for the latest
vintage. The wine is bottled
approximately 30-60 days after the final
blend. The entire process from grape to
bottle is achieved in approximately 4
months. The result is a fresh, vibrant
white wine. 900 cases produced.
|
|
|
|
Price $19 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Benessere Pinot Grigio,
2007
|
| |
 |
Pinot Grigio, when young, exhibits
elements of grapefruit zest and
minerality. Within a few months, these
characteristics are overshadowed by
tropical aromas and flavors of
pineapple, white peach and mango. Fresh
fruit characteristics give way to a
mouth-coating finish marked by ripeness
and balance. The 2007 Benessere Pinot
Grigio has a clean, crisp taste, which
lends itself well to pairing with a
range of foods from fresh artisan
cheeses and sourdough bread, to
crab-cakes, halibut and chicken breast
sandwiches as well as tuna nicoise
salads. It is the perfect wine for
year-round enjoyment! |
|
|
|
Price $28 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Waterbrook Riesling 2006
|
| |
 |
The perfect wine for a summer day – Waterbrook 2006 Riesling!
Coming to us from the lovely Walla Walla Valley in Washington,
this refreshing and tantalizing wine is perfect for a hot day and for
the light dishes and fruits of the summer.
Jasmine and marigold floral notes and hints of Clementine aromas
greet you. Juicy nectarines and
honeysuckle lead to a clean finish with balanced fruit flavors and
acidity. |
|
|
|
Price $16 |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
| |
Burgans Albarino 2007
|
| |
 |
The 2007 Burgans Albarino has an attractive straw-greenish yellow color, with ripe
lemon nuances. It stands out for its special intensity and elegance, its
aroma reminiscent of damp, dewy fresh herbs with a perfume of semi-ripe
apples. Persistent, full-bodied and tasty, in terms of
bang for the buck, it has no challenger. The 2007 Burgans Albarino is
light gold-colored with a sprightly nose of mineral, spring flowers, and
lemon peel. Ripe, balanced, and concentrated, this is an ideal match for
flaky fish courses.
|
|
|
|
Price $20 |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
| |
Bollinger La Grand Annee 1999
|
| |
 |
Founded in 1829 and still owned and managed by the Bollinger family,
this is a truly great winery!
The grapes for the 1999 La Grand Annee come exclusively from Grands and
Premiers Crus. 17 villages have entered in the 1999 blend, 82% from
Grands Crus and 18% from Premiers Crus. The blend of La Grande Année
1999 is composed of 63% Pinot Noir and 37% Chardonnay.
La Grande Année is the Prestige Cuvée of Champagne Bollinger. It
is only produced when exceptional quality harvests occur, and is the
expression of Bollinger’s know-how. More than the illustration of the
vintage particularity, La Grande Année is the result of the Bollinger
style, of its exceptional “terroir” and traditional wine making
techniques. La Grande Année develops a beautiful rounded structure and
combines rich, complex and intense aromas, the expression of which
changes according to the characteristics of the vintage. Sale price $133.00 (was $160.00)
|
|
|
|
Price $133 |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
| |
Monte Volpe Tocai Friulano 2007
|
| |
 |
A summer refresher and a pleasant change from the usual Chardonnays and
Sauvignon Blancs – The 2007 Monte Volpe Tocai Friulano!
Tocai is native to and the most widely planted grape variety in
the Friuli Province of Northeastern Italy. The Tocai Friulano name is
said to be derived from the local word for the small juice glass used to
serve wine in taverns and restaurants. The Friulan’s call the grape “the
brother of the sauvignon” because of the growing characteristics of the
vines; however that is where all similarity ends. The grape has no
connection to Tokaji or France’s Tokay d’Alsace. In Mendocino County,
this grape produces wines that are richly honeyed and floral.
This wine is rich and intensely fruity. It greets you with aromas
of grapefruit, allspice and honeysuckle and unveils a subtle complexity
of toasty, creamy oak. Balanced acidity and a lingering finish makes
this wine a benchmark for all other Tocai’s to pursue.
|
|
|
|
Price $16 |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
| |
Torii Mor Pinot Blanc 2006
|
| |
 |
The fruit for the 2006 Torii Mor Pinot Blanc blend came
from 3 vineyards: 32.35% from Quail Run Vineyard in the Rogue Valley,
28.87% from Larkin Vineyard and 14.22% from David Hill Vineyard, both in
the Willamette Valley. A
delightful alternative to Chardonnay, this rich, expressive Pinot Blanc
offers a floral aroma with citrus notes, tropical fruits and a note of
grassiness. The flavors have ripe apple, tropical fruits, light toasty
vanilla oak note and herb spices. A creamy texture and the right acidity
make this Pinot Blanc a perfect companion to shellfish – Thai flavored
steamed mussels come to mind!
|
|
|
|
Price $24 |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
| |
Cambria Tepusquet Vineyard Viognier 2007
|
| |
 |
We have been able to get a small amount of the 2007
Cambria Tepusquet Vineyard Viognier.
Normally, this is only sold at the winery through the tasting
room, but even they are sold out!
The Tepusquet Vineyard is located at the eastern-most portion of
the estate on a downward slope which shelters the vines from Santa
Maria’s infamously strong winds. The soil, once a prehistoric river bed,
is sandy, porous and exceptionally well-draining—resulting in fruit with
dense, concentrated flavors. Seventeen miles to the west, the Pacific
Ocean fosters a cool marine layer which encourages the fruit to develop
optimal acid balance and distinct varietal characteristics.
The 2007 vintage displays bright citrus blossoms and pink
grapefruit in the nose. On the palate, rich tangerine, lemon-lime, and
subtle peach flavors complement a nicely textured mid-palate. A crisp
and lingering finish ends with well-balanced citrus and vanilla flavors.
Extremely limited!
|
|
|
|
Price $20 |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
| |
Keller Estate Pinot Gris 2007
|
| |
 |
At Keller Estate, they are very excited about the inaugural release of
their 2007 Pinot Gris! Winemaker, Michael McNeill, suggested budding
over a couple of acres to a variety he had fallen in love with while
working in Oregon, and this lovely wine is the result.
This is a rich, Alsatian style Pinot Gris. Classic aromas of
white flowers and peaches are complimented by mineral and fennel notes.
Powerful flavors and rich mouthfeel are beautifully proportioned and
followed by a long dry finish. This is a fantastic, versatile food wine
which would pair nicely with foods ranging from lighter summer fair such
as nicoise salad or poached fish to heartier fair like stuffed pork
chops or even French onion soup.
329 cases produced.
|
|
|
|
Price $28 |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
| |
Peltier Station Viognier 2007
|
| |
 |
This very different Viognier has a bright platinum color
and exhibits luscious floral, rich fruity aromas and flavors that
suggest fried banana and a tropical tone-down at the finish.
Delightfully full-bodied, but with perfectly balanced acid structure,
making it accessible to a wide spectrum of palates, this is a wine for
all seasons! This Viognier, with its floral notes, seems to blend best
with aged cow or goats milk cheese, but you can take this versatile wine
anywhere from aperitif to dessert. Being seafood’s dream, this wine also
has enough delicacy not to overpower subtly flavored chicken dishes,
enough robustness to stand up to pork or lamb, and is even perfect for
that holiday brunch.
|
|
|
|
Price $22 |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
Hawley Viognier 2007, California
|
| |
 |
This 100% Viognier shows its typical peach and
jasmine-like flavors, along with citrus and spice notes. Its complex
flavors mingle honeysuckle, pineapple, peach, apricot and orange
blossoms, with a wonderfully light, clean fruity aroma. The mouth feel
is luscious with moderate acidity, and a long fruity finish. Served
slightly chilled, this wine is excellent as an aperitif or an
accompaniment to pasta, seafood and poultry. It's great with spicy Asian
cuisine!
|
|
|
|
Price $29 |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
Tablas Creek Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc 2007, Paso Robles
|
| |
 |
The Tablas Creek Vineyard Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc
2007 is a blend of three estate-grown varietals – Rousanne, Grenache
Blanc and Picpoul Blanc, propagated from budwood cuttings from the
Château de Beaucastel estate. The 2007 Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc is a
vibrant expression of the terroir of Tablas Creek. It shows aromas of
honeysuckle, mint, lemon peel and spice, with rich Roussanne flavors of
honey, rose petals, pear, petrol and white flowers, excellent breadth,
cleansing acidity and great length. It should drink well when young but
will also reward time in bottle; we expect it to show beautifully for at
least the next 5-7 years. Try it with grilled salmon and fruit salsa –
fantastic! |
|
|
|
Price $49 |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
Adelsheim Pinot Blanc 2007, Willamette Valley, Oregon
|
| |
 |
Esteemed in Collio and Alto Adige, tolerated in Alsace,
abused in California, Pinot blanc has found an important home in Oregon.
The same climate and soils, which have made Oregon Pinot noir and Pinot
gris famous, also work well for Pinot blanc, giving us wines that are
racy yet bold in character. This 2007 begins with peach, citrus zest,
melon and floral aromas. On the palate, find meyer lemon and casaba
melon flavors and refreshing acidity. It is a suberb accompaniment to a
wide range of foods–from shellfish, to quiche to mildly spicy Asian
food–or is simply wonderful on its own as an apéritif.
|
|
|
|
Price $23 |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
