January 2013 Newsletter

January Tasting Events

JOIN US ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 25th
FOR A
NO WINES BARRED TASTING OF STAFF SELECTIONS
5:30 - 7:30pm at our store on Grove Ave.
We’ll taste five of our favorite wines with a list available in the store and online.
Discounts will be offered on all wines tasted.

WINE TASTING EVERY SATURDAY
“Whatever we feel like opening”
2:00pm-7:00pm

JANUARY “SHORT SIPS” CLASS

The AUTHENTIC SOUTH WEST – Frances' best wine values

A FREE one hour educational program, limited to eight people and held in our fine wine room. Because the demand has been so great we are doing the class twice in January – FRIDAY & SATURDAY , JANUARY 19th and 20th   5:30 to 6:30pm ––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.)

NEW ARRIVALS

Open this wine at the end of the meal with, perhaps, some blue cheese and the evening is perfect.
1989 Ch. Gilette Sauternes Crème de Tête- “Quite ripe and showy, this is turning to the drier edge now as it matures, with date, green tea, green almond, dried blood orange and green plum notes laced with marzipan and mango purée. The long, exotic finish sails on, offering waves of dried tropical fruit and lightly roasted nut notes. Distinctive and thoroughly gorgeous. Drink 2012-2020. 400 cases made.” (WS 4/30/11) $149.95 (375ml)

NEW ARRIVALS- BORDEAUX
The hearty, yet elegant, wines of Bordeaux are perfect with grilled meats. What else would you serve with lamb?
2008 La Croix de Beaucaillou St Julien, Bordeaux, France– “An outstanding wine and a great sleeper of the vintage, this second wine exhibits a denser purple color along with a sweet kiss of creme de cassis, licorice, incense and graphite. Fruity and medium to full-bodied , with an impressive texture and supple tannins, this wine should drink well for 10-15 years.” (WA #194) $59.95
2008 La Fleur de Bouard -Lalande de Pomerol, Bordeaux, France- “A sleeper of the vintage, the slightly oaky 2008 exhibits sweet, fleshy raspberry and black currant fruit intermixed with hints of flowers, caramel, coffee and chocolate. Consume it over the next 6-8 years.” (WA #194) $42.95
2009 Chateau Brown Pessac-Léognan – “Very tight, delivering espresso, iron and kirsch notes wound up at the core, covered for now with bay leaf, tar and roasted mesquite flavors. The long finish has nicely buried racy acidity. This is more lean muscle than overt power, and should age nicely. 2013-21.” (WS 3/31/12) $39.95
2009 L’Étoile de Bergey Pessac-Léognan - “Blueberry and spices on the nose. Full-bodied, with super well-integrated tannins and a berry, spice and dark cherry aftertaste. Really polished.” (WS Web ’10) $25.95

O. FOURNIER

Delicious Tempranillo and Malbec blends from one of Mendoza’s best producers.

2011 Bodegas Y Vinedos O Fournier Urban Uco Tempranillo Malbec Mendoza, Argentina- “a blend of 50% Tempranillo and 50% Malbec that spent 3 months in oak. Deep purple in color, with an inviting bouquet of smoke, blackberry, and blueberry, on the palate it is loaded with flavor, depth, and length. This stunning overachiever may be the finest value in my Argentina tastings. Buy it by the case.”  (WA #198)  $11.95
2008 Bodegas Y Vinedos O Fournier B Crux Mendoza, Argentina –“60% Tempranillo, 30% Malbec, and 10% Merlot aged for 12 months in 50% new French and American oak and bottled without filtration. Expressive aromas of wood smoke, violets, mineral, black cherry, and blackberry inform the nose of a layered, ripe, concentrated wine with impeccable balance and length.” (WA #198) $26.95

MONTEVERTINE

                “…one of the reference point producers in Tuscany for ageworthy, traditionally made wines.”(WA#201)
Located in the Chianti DOCG, they could have been world class Chianti but instead Sergio Manetti and now his son Martino Manetti opted to make great wines that reflect the best of Tuscany and the best of Tuscan tradition. Pian del Ciampolo is their delicious entry level wine. - 2010 Montevertine IGT Pian del Ciampolo –“The 2010 Pian del Ciampolo impresses for its density. Sweet dark cherries, flowers, mint and licorice are some of the many notes that emerge from the glass. There is a purity and beauty to the 2010 that I admire. This is a gorgeous entry-level wine from Montevertine. As always Pian del Ciampolo is mostly Sangiovese with a dollop of Colorino and Canaiolo. I tasted the wine from cement one week prior to bottling. Drink: 2012-2020’.” (WA #201) $28.95

OUR 2013 WINE AND BEER WISH LIST

1) More rock-star wines, fewer rock-star winemakers
  2) Even more people drinking Riesling
  3) Better quality wine-in-a-box (Sancerre in a box, anyone?)
  4) No more wines with groan-worthy, cringe-inducing names like “Ball Buster” & “Sex”.
  5) Continuing support for distinctive and excellent Virginia craft ciders.
  6) More consumers recognizing the tremendous value of well-aged, traditional Crianzas and Reservas
    from Rioja that are ready to drink upon release.
  7) Increased attention on rapidly-changing wine regions such as Sicily, Galicia, and Jerez that are
    shedding their antiquated images and producing better wines than ever before
  8) California winemakers continuing to move away from excess oak and extraction.
  9) Restaurateurs offering more interesting, high-quality wines by-the-glass instead of defaulting to a
    stultifyingly mundane lineup of boring Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Malbec –take some risks!
10) The trend towards continuously dry-hopped, mocha-infused, Bourbon-barrel aged, Double Imperial    
    IPAs will wane as classic beer styles come back into vogue

MONTHLY SPECIALS