JUNE 2014 Newsletter

June Tasting Events

For many years the Sicilian wines of Alcesti have been a staple in our store so please join us on:
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25th from 5:30 to 7:30pm
as we welcome:
Gianfranco Palladino - Owner and Winemaker
ALCESTI

A Tasting with Patrick Eagan from
EARLY MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS
Madison Virginia
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18th from 5:30 to 7:30pm

TASTING EVERY SATURDAY 2 - 7:30pm
“WHATEVER WE FEEL LIKE OPENING”

JUNE SHORT SIPS CLASS – WINE SMELLS

Wine Aromas, a primer. We’ll use a wine aroma kit to help identify some common wine characteristics.

A one hour educational program, limited to eight people and held in our fine wine room. There is a $5 per person class fee.  The class will be held twice in JUNE–FRIDAY & SATURDAY, JUNE 27th and 28th,  5:30 to 6:30pm –– There is a $5 class fee per person and 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.)

2011 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti – THE ULTIMATE FATHER’S DAY GIFT

Romanee-Conti produces, in tiny quantities, the finest Pinot Noir in the world. They are THE benchmark and, while the wines are ridiculously expensive, if you have more then a passing interest in wine, this is a Domaine you should enjoy, at the very least, once in your lifetime. Here are the remaining wines from this years allocation (we have older vintages available as well):
2011Grands Echézeaux Grand Cru – “A brooding and still exceptionally primary nose with a wide variety of floral elements on the cassis, plum liqueur scents that display anise, clove and once again sandalwood hints. There is imposing power to the large-scaled but not massive flavors that possess fine mid-palate density as well as an abundance of palate soaking dry extract before culminating in an explosively long finish. I like the balance as well as the notable depth of material though it will require plenty of time for it to reveal its full potential. Drink: 2028+” (BH Issue: 53) (price upon request)
2011 Echézeaux Grand Cru – “A discreet touch of wood sets off the gorgeously floral, ripe and wonderfully spicy nose of red currant, menthol, black cherry and cassis aromas. There is impressive volume and richness to the naturally sweet, silky and mouth coating medium weight flavors that are shaped by fine-grained tannins on the firm, complex, balanced and strikingly persistent finale that really fans out as it lingers on the palate. This wine continues to make really impressive progress.” (BH Issue: 53) (price upon request)

NEW ARRIVALS and UNIQUE FATHERS DAY GIFTS

Galardi produces just one wine from a tiny vineyard on the slopes of the Roccamonfina volcano in Campania.
2011 Fattoria Galardi Terra di Lavoro Roccamonfina Rosso-   “(a blend of aglianico and piedirosso):  Good full ruby.  Ripe red cherry, dark plum, licorice, coffee and spicy oak on the nose.  Sweet, plush and very ripe, with plum, truffle and milk chocolate flavors framed by adequate acidity.  Complex wine with youthfully chewy, building tannins and excellent breadth.  In a riper style than some past vintages.” (IWC 3/4 14) $71.95

The visionary husband and wife team of John Wetlaufer & Helen Turley have created, at Marcassin, a largely unprecedented legacy of extraordinary quality that is unsurpassed by anyone else in Northern California.
2010 Marcassin Chardonnay Marcassin Vineyard Sonoma Coast, CA – “Flirting with perfection, the 2010 Chardonnay Marcassin Estate exhibits a serious liqueur of stones along with a greenish hue to its straw color, fabulous density, richness and full-bodied power, but zesty acids and notes of quince, white currants, subtle peach, brioche and apricot marmalade are all present in this multi-dimensional, complex, stunning Chardonnay that will be released in 2014. It should easily last for 10-15 years.” (WA 210) $249.95

Failla is the personal project of Ehren Jordan, who was the long-time apprentice at Turley Cellars.
2012 Failla Chardonnay Estate Sonoma Coast, California – “The 2012 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast exhibits lots of pear, caramelized lemon and apple blossom notes in a medium-bodied, intense yet finesse style with good acidity, purity and texture. Drink it over the next 3-4 years.”  (WA #210) $37.95

2011 DO FERREIRO ALBARINO

A Perfect Summer White Wine

We love the wines from Do Ferreiro; their Flagship Albarino, “Cepas Vellas”, from 200 year old vines is the finest Albarino we have ever tasted and the “regular” Albarino is a close second.
2011 Do Ferreiro Albarino Rias Baixas –“ Light, bright yellow.  Vibrant, mineral-inflected aromas of citrus zest, quince and agave, with a floral topnote.  Bright and taut on entry, then fleshier in the mid-palate, presenting intense orchard and citrus fruit flavors and a deeper nectarine quality.  Closes with impressive energy and lift, leaving a candied ginger note in its wake.” (IWC Sep 12)
Regular price $27.95   NOW: $22.95 (Limit two bottles per person & no further discounts.)

SAKE

We have recently begun to carry, in our cooler, a small selection of Sake.

Yuri Masamune Honjozo – (Honjozo is a style of saké made with the addition of a small amount of distilled alcohol which brings out additional aromatics and flavors and rounds out a saké.)This sake is mellow & rustic & has a firm structure, which makes it enjoyable at a range of temperatures, from chilled to warm. Its nutty & earthy notes are balanced by an underlying fruitiness & it complements grilled meats, stews & fish. $21.95
Hana Hou Hou Sparkling Rosé - This sparkling sake is bottle fermented, like Champagne, and is the highest quality sparkling sake imported into the USA. Infused with rose hips and hibiscus, this rose sake has tea-like phenolics, herbal quality, rosy red fruit and an extra drying sensation on the palate. $17.95
Joto Junmai -Junmai literally means “pure rice,” and refers to a family of saké as well as a grade of saké within that family. Junmai or pure rice saké is made using water, rice, yeast and koji with no distilled alcohol. This junmai is soft, relaxed and mellow, with notes of peaches and strawberries.  $12.95

MONTHLY SPECIALS