MARCH 2009 NEWSLETTER

2006 DOMAINE LEROY

The Domaine’s own Bourgogne Aligote

Burgundy’s “other” white grape (Chardonnay’s the first) it is usually not considered to produce the complexity or consistency of Chardonnay but this wine is spectacular. It is from Leroy’s own vineyards and her bio-dynaimcic practices and extraordinary low yields yield a wine with a wonderful aroma of flowers, cream and citrus. It has a smooth buttermilk feel in the mouth and wonderful minerality. Leroy is arguably the greatest of all Burgundy producers but her Domaine wines are almost never under $100 dollars a bottle. This is priced at $34.95 which is about the lowest price I have seen anywhere. Please pass up the usual California Chardonnay just this once and treat yourself.

INTERESTING NEW ARRIVALS

Cabernet Sauvignon from California’s Oakville AVA

2005 Ghost Block Cabernet Sauvignon Single Vineyard Oakville, Napa, North Coast – “Sweet licorice, roasted herb, graphite, and creme de cassis aromas soar from the glass of this full-bodied, inky/ruby/purple-colored Cabernet. Its velvety tannins, layered, full-bodied mouthfeel, and complex, smooth, sumptuous style suggest it can be consumed now and over the next 10-12+ years.” 93 pts. (WA # 180) $129.95
2006 Plumpjack Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Oakville, Napa, North Coast, California, USA – “A beautiful inky/ruby/purple color is followed by concentrated creme de cassis fruit intermixed with graphite, charcoal, and spicy new oak notes. This medium to full-bodied, long, structured, muscular Cabernet needs 2-3 years of cellaring, and should drink well for two decades.  These are consistently brilliant wines thanks to the efforts of winemaker Tony Biagia. 91pts.” (WA# 180) $108.95

VALUE WINES (& A Value Case)

Wines we love that are not necessarily the least expensive but offer a great cost to taste ratio.

Here is an expanded list of choices (with brief, stream of consciousness notes from Matt) for those that want to stop drinking factory wines but don’t want to put a huge dent in the wallet/pocketbook. If you want a mixed case of the wines below we’ll offer a 15% discount.
CONO SUR MERLOT 2008 - $10.95: Chilean Merlot that merits a try.
BERONIA RIOJA CRIANZA 2005 – $14.95: Classic Rioja that won’t break the bank.
CAN BLAU MONTSANT 2007 - $16.95: Next door to Priorat and delicious.
LONARDI RIPASSO 2005 - $19.95: Amarone too expensive? Drink Ripasso!
ALAN ROY GIVRY 2005 - $23.95: All Pinot Noir and a relative bargain for AOC Village Burgundy.
VIETTI PERBACCO 2006 - $29.95 Declassified Barolo.
SEGRIES COTE DU RHONE 2007 – $9.95: Estate bottled CDR from a great vintage for under $10
BOSSARD “GNIESS” MUSCADET 2006 –$14.95: One of the very BEST producers for under $15
TEXIER COTE DU RHONE “BREZEME” 2006 - $19.95: Smokin’ N. Rhone for under $20
RICHTER “ZEPPELIN” RIESLING 2007 - $12.95: Great Mosel, great label
STONE MOUNTAIN CHARDONNAY 2007 - $15.95: Affordable and tasty Virginia Chardonnay
COOPER VINEYARDS “COOPERTAGE BLANC” 2006 - $15.95: VA Chardonnay/Viognier blend

WINE STORES AND STORAGE

We, and other wine stores, keep our bottles stored on their side (or upside down if they are in a case). The reason is to keep the cork moist with contact from the wine. When we do present a wine upright we make sure that it is for a short period of time. We also have strict policies in warm weather about receiving wine only in the morning (unless the trucks are refrigerated) and once received the wines are immediately stored properly in our store at 63°. Grocery stores, by design, are not able to do this. They receive wines at all times of the day and occasionally the wines sit in trucks or in lightly or un-air conditioned areas for hours. Once on the shelf the majority of wines are stored upright. This is fine for a month or so, especially if the temperature and humidity are well controlled; but the conditions in most big box stores are much less then ideal and thus the risk of taint from oxidation increases the longer the bottle remains upright. Wines that “turnover” quickly should never be a problem but how do you know what moves and what doesn’t?

SATURDAY WINE TASTING

Every Saturday between 2pm and closing we will offer two wines to taste and enjoy while shopping. Check out our web site on Friday to find out what we will be opening!

OUR VERY SPECIAL MARCH TASTING

Please join us and winemaker Spencer Graham for a tasting of wines from Elizabeth Spencer, on Tuesday, March 17th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at our Store on Grove Ave. A list of wines will be available in the store and special pricing will be available for purchases made during the tasting.

MONTHLY SPECIALS