APRIL 2013 Newsletter

APRIL TASTING EVENTS

TASTING, THURSDAY, APRIL18th.  5:30-7:30pm
Travis Vernon From
The Spanish Wine Importers

JOIN US ON THURSDAY, APRIL 25th Doug Banks and the wines of
Sandhi - Delicious california Chardonnay and Pinot Noir & 
Leviathan - Andy Erickson’s Iconic Red Napa Blend  
5:30 - 7:30pm at our store on Grove Ave.
Discounts will be offered on all wines tasted.

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

APRIL “SHORT SIPS” CLASS

SOUTH AFRICA – Brief wine history and a tasting of representative wines

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 April–FRIDAY & SATURDAY, APRIL 12th and 13h   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.)

2009 CLOS CRISTAL Hospices De Samur, Samur Champigny (Cabernet Franc)

Since 1928, Saumur Hospital has owned the 10 hectares (25 acres) of vineyard growing Cabernet Franc grapes bequeathed by Antoine Cristal. The Clos Cristal is historically symbolic for Saumur wine growers, not only because its creator was the first to develop red wines in Saumur, but also because in about 1900, he conceived of an ingenious project. He built three kilometers (2 miles) of walls along which, and through which, the vines grow. Close to he walls, the vine takes advantage of the heat accumulated by the stone, which enables a greater level of ripeness in the fruit. This 100% Cabernet Franc from the Loire River Valley is a richer, more expressive Cabernet Franc than Chinon, but still evocative of the Lorie Valley with crushed stone, violets and a bit of funky sauvage. Oh yes – it’s good! Reg. Price $24.95 now $16.95

CHASSAGNE-MONTROCHET ROUGE

The Burgundy village appellation of Chassagne-Montrachet is best known for its white wines made from the Chardonnay grape. But this was not always the case, the red wines made from the Pinot Noir grape were once as easy to find (and drink) as the whites. Now you will rarely, very rarely, find red Chassagne anywhere.  But we carry Chassgane rouge from two Domaines, different vintages, different styles, but both excellent and renowned Burgundy producers. Once each of these wines would make for a great tasting and drinking experience at a small party. – This month buy one each and save 10%
2003 Domaine Château de Maltroye Chassagne-Montrachet “Clos du Château” 1er Cru Red – “Almost always Cournut’s best red and so it is again as this displays an aromatic profile of dark fruit and intense earth aromas that harmonize beautifully with the intense, dense, concentrated and wonderfully sappy flavors that possess flat out superb length and depth. This is a really impressive effort and highly recommended. Comments: Outstanding Top value” (Burghound)  $62.95
2010 Domaine Ramonet Chassagne- Montachet - The bouquet offers lovely crisp fruit with red cherries and strawberries – interlinked with a quite filigree stony minerality. It’s very forward and expressive. On the palete good concentration with a delightful balance. The fruit is cool and crisp-a joyful glass of pinot.” $39.95

NEW ARRIVALS

2010 Mendel Malbec Mendoza, Argentina –“The 2010 Mendel Malbec comes from un-grafted 82-year-old vines in Mayor Drummond and Perdriel that undergoes a tripartite aging in new, second and third year oak (Taransaud). It has an expressive bouquet with scents of blackberry, raspberry and dark plum infused with thyme and touches of wild mint. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp, beautifully defined tannins. This is a very natural Malbec, imbued with finesse and poise, with an almost effervescent freshness and vitality on the finish. It encapsulates everything great about Mendoza Malbec. Drink now-2020+.”  WA #203  $29.95
2010 Domaine Nicolas Rossignol Pernand-Vergelesses “Fichots” 1er Cru Red – “An intensely earthy nose of notably ripe dark berry fruit and black cherry aromas slides into energetic, full-bodied and delicious flavors that are quite firmly structured on the almost painfully intense finish. This is an explosive if not refined wine that offers terrific depth and length and about the only nit is a barely visible touch of backend warmth. Definitely worth considering for a value appellation built in an ageworthy style. Comments: Sweet spot Outstanding.” (Burghound #46) $52.95
2011 Reichstrat VON BUHL PINOT NOIR ROSE. - It’s almost time for Rose Season (although many would argue that you can and should drink rose ANY season) and here is a German Pinot Noir teaser to get you in a Rose frame of mind. Great aromatics with a lovely red fruit nose of strawberry and watermelon; nice light salmon color, organic, with a touch of minerality and lively acidity; finishes bone dry, really floral and pretty too. $19.95

VALUE WINES

We love us some world class Virginia Viognier but for sheer value to taste ratio it is hard to beat the 2011 Laurent Miquel Nord Sud Viognier -  From grapes grown in a north south orientation for optimum sun exposure (hence the Nord Sud title) the wine is partially fermented in oak and has typical Viognier aromatics of white flowers, apricot and honeysuckle. This is a wine that delivers above it’s price point. $14.95
California Merlot has not gotten much love over the last few years but the 2010 Wilson Daniels Central Coast Merlot is anther overachiever. Made predominantly from Paso Robles grapes, the wine is full-bodied and silky yet robust, with aromas of black cherry and plum and a palate of blackberry, raspberry and blueberry jam laced with vanilla and toast. $12.95

MONTHLY SPECIALS