JUNE 2010 NEWSLETTER

Our JUNE 2010 tastings:

Please join us as we welcome:
Fabio Oberto from
Azienda Agricola ANDREA OBERTO
For a tasting of Barbara, Barolo and other wines of the Piedmont
Friday June 18th, 5:30pm to 7:30pm at our store on Grove Ave.
A list of wines will be posted in the store and there will be special pricing for purchases made during the tasting.

and
WINES OF OREGON
THURSDAY JUNE 10th with John Paul Cheski of FREE RUN WINE MERCHANTS
5:30pm to 7:30pm at our store on Grove Ave.
A list of wines will be posted in the store and there will be special pricing for purchases made during the tasting.

and

A BEER TASTING
Wednesday, June 23rd
Mat Nordwell from Legend Brewing Co.
5:30pm to 7:30pm

FATHER’S DAY GIFT SUGGESTIONS

For pure “wow factor” nothing beats a magnum or larger format bottle and Dad’s favorite wine in a larger format makes a unique Father’s day gift. Here are a few choices, many of which are rarer then hen’s teeth:
Magnums (2 bottles)
2006 Conterno Barbara d’Alba Magnum – $104.95
2005 Marchesi Di Gresy “Martinenga” Barbaresco Magnum – $112.95
2000 Chateau D’ Issan Margaux Magnum - $249.95
1998 Chateau Margaux Magnum – $649.95
2007 Ridge Lytton Springs - $84.95
2000 Clos Erasmus, Priorat, Spain - $499.95
3 Liter (4 bottles)
2005 Isole e Olena “Cepparello”, Toscana IGT, Italy - $399.95
2004 Cantina Del Pino “Ovello” Barbaresco - $264.95
2005 Duckhorn Merlot – $329.95
5 liter (6.5 bottles)
2008 Patrica Green Estate Ribbon Ridge Pinot Noir - $299.95
Note that many of the above come with a presentation wood case and we have many more options then we can list here.

2002 KLEIN aux VIEUX Remparts Crémant D’Alsace

Located in the middle of Alsace, in the village of St Hippolyte, this very small production winery produces a variety of wines but the vintage Crémant captured our attention. Made from organically grown 100% Chardonnay this sparkling wine has a fine rich mousse and wonderful floral and honeyed fruit aromas. It’s rich and supple in the mouth and the finish is lip smacking good and not piercingly acidic. One interesting note – it is disgorged to order – thus the 2002 has rested on the lees for 8 years. $24.95

2009 BORDEAUX FUTURES

Everyone now seems to agree that 2009 will be an outstanding vintage surpassing 2000 and the equal of the 2005. We are offering participation in selected 2009 futures for delivery around September 2011. These are NOT first growths but rather smaller Chateau’s at AOC and village levels that will range from $140 to $400 per CASE. If you are interested stop in or call to discuss.

FUN WITH WINE - Our Education “Short Sips” Series

In June we will start a series of FREE one hour educational programs, limited to eight people and held in our fine wine room (we are making changes to accommodate). There will be one about every two weeks and we’ll start each session with a tasting that relates to the topic covered
We intend to hold these on Fridays from 6:30pm to 7:30pm The themes for the first two:
June 11th – Chardonnay: France vs. USA (4 wines no time limit)- We’ll open 2 great examples of white Burgundy and 2 Classic example of California Chardonnay and compare and contrast.
June 25th – How to taste wine or Everything you ever wanted to know about spitting.
As you can see the idea is to have a little fun with each topic. Availability is on a first come first serve basis but you can call and reserve spaces at anytime. (A great idea for your group as a prelude to dinner.) If you are a newsletter e-mail subscriber you’ll get more information delivered to your electronic mailbox.

NEW ARRIVALS

GEMSTONE
Here are two new, very small production,  opulent arrivals from Napa Valley’s Gemstone Vineyard - 
2007 Gemstone “Facets Of Gemstone” Napa, California –“The dense ruby/purple-tinged 2007 Facets (48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot) offers abundant amounts of sweet black cherry and black currant fruit intertwined with soil and underbrush undertones. It also reveals the opulence and fleshiness of this vintage. Enjoy it over the next 10-15 years.” Wine Advocate # 186 $84.95
2007 Gemstone, Napa, California – “The superb 2006 Gemstone Proprietary Red (an 890-case blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot) is from the cooler Oakville / Yountville sector of Napa. It exhibits a dense ruby/purple color as well as a beautiful bouquet of subtle new oak interwoven with black currants, smoke, licorice, and a hint of spring flowers. The wine is full-bodied, with excellent density, admirable balance, and fine purity, a hallmark of this estate. It should drink nicely for two decades.” Wine Advocate # 180 $169.95
ACHAVAL FERRER
2005 Achaval Ferrer Finca Mirador,  Medrano Mendoza-  From Robert Parker: “Founded only in 1998, Achaval-Ferrer is already established as one of Argentina’s benchmark wineries. They specialize in single vineyard Malbecs from prime Mendoza sites. Finca Mirador is located in Medrano, 34 miles to the southeast of the city of Mendoza at 2400 feet above sea level, with 12 acres of densely planted Malbec vines averaging 40+ years of age. The winery uses predominantly French oak and bottles without fining or filtration.” Here is a review from Stephen Tanzer: “Blackberry, violet, bitter chocolate and musky oak on the nose, with exotic hints of honeysuckle and jasmine. Sweet and succulent on the palate, but with a firm spine of acidity and a suggestion of citrus peel giving this creamy wine superb inner-palate energy. Complicated by an exotic suggestion of dried fruits. Finishes juicy and quite dry. With extended time in the recorked bottle, this showed a lush, broad texture and great sex appeal without any loss of shape. This and the Altamira impress with their elegance.”  $134.95

MONTHLY SPECIALS