September 2014 Monthly Newsletter
September Tasting Events
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9th 5:30-7:30pm
JOHN BRUNO Owner
PORTOVINO
Importers of heroic Italian wines from high altitudes and everyday Italian drinkers with cut.
Wednesday, Sept 24th
5:30 to 7:30pm
WHEN AUTUMN MEETS ALSACE – OUR FIRST ANNUAL:
FALLSACE
A collaboration among distributors to bring you the best wines from the Alsatian region of France.
AND Every Saturday from 2-7:00pm we taste:
“WHATEVER WE FEEL LIKE OPENING”
SEPTEMBER SHORT SIPS CLASS
RED WINES FROM THE SOUTHWEST OF FRANCE
Delicious and eclectic red wines that are perfect for the fall. A one hour educational program, limited to eight people and held in our fine wine room. The class will be held twice in SEPTEMBER–FRIDAY & SATURDAY, September 19th and 20th, 5:30 to 6:30pm ––There is a $5 per person fee for this class & availability is on a first come first serve basis but you can call and reserve spaces at anytime.
CHATEAU SAINT- SATURNIN MEDOC BORDEAUX
I'll do it my way, Thank-you.
Adrien Tramier, owner of Château St-Saturnin in Medoc is unusual in so many ways. He uses no oak from choice. He still has wine in tank (yes, that’s right, in tank) from 1975. And while most of his neighbors harvest by the end of September, he rarely picks before the end of October. He then keeps the fermenting juice on the skins for months rather than days or weeks, exposing the young wine outside to the cold of winter and the warmth of summer. Tramier does not bottle every vintage “Some vintages I keep, others I bottle. There are no rules here”. The local wine authorities told him, ‘Monsieur Tramier, there are 900 growers here. There is only one that disturbs us: you.”
1986 Château Saint Saturnin Médoc Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon- Notes of menthol, eucalyptus and dried fruit. Fleshy and intense mouthfeel with a fresh complex finish and integrated mature tannins. $81.95
1990 Château Saint Saturnin Médoc - Hot plum nose, soaring sweet spices and dried flowers. Generous, fruity and fleshy. The finish is fresh with a lovely purity of fruit and fine tannins. $69.95
2000 Château St Saturnin Médoc- Nose of underbrush and cocoa, pot-pourri. Complex and ample with flavors of sweet spice and cocoa finishing with silky tannins. $39.95
THE MIND OF MENCIA – a grape from Spain’s Bierzo and Ribeira Sacra regions.
You will find outstanding quality at all levels so, why are you not drinking more of these delicious red wines?
2010 Bodegas Y Vinedos Luna Beberide Finca la Cuesta Bierzo, Spain – “The 2010 Finca La Cuesta (meaning the slope vineyard) is pure Mencia aged for 12 months in French oak barrels and bottled unfiltered. It starts off with a dark-ink, licorice and peat nose, but then the palate reveals fresher red-fruit notes, with an overall sensation of an austere, cerebral wine. It should age gracefully, as it has the stuffing and balance to do so. Drink 2014-2029.” (eRP#208) $22.95
2009 Dominio Do Bibei Lalama Ribeira Sacra, Spain - (a blend of 90% mencia, 7% garnacha and 3% mouraton): Bright red. Powerful, mineral-laced aromas of red berry preserves, Asian spices and potpourri. Racy and finely etched, offering crackling redcurrant and strawberry flavors that gain sweetness with air. Shows excellent clarity on the gently tannic finish, which lingers with suave, spicy persistence.” (IWCSep/Oct 13) $36.95
2009 Dominio Do Bibei Lacima Ribeira Sacra, Spain - (a blend of 85% mencia and 15% brancellao): “Vivid red. More deeply pitched than the Lalama, offering fresh cherry and black raspberry scents with hints of smoky minerals, violet and licorice. Zesty mineral and peppery spice notes add bite to sweet dark fruit flavors, which pick up a blood orange nuance with air. Closes sappy, spicy and long, leaving a sexy floral note behind.” (IWC 9/10 2013) $64.95
2006 Benenti Barolo Monforte d’Alba, Piedmont, Italy
2006 was interesting year in the Piedmont. A hot July, damp August, rain and sun in September; it was a vintage where vineyard management was paramount. The rewards were big, age worthy wines and while some communes fared better the others, the vintage belonged to Monforte d’Alba. We think Barolo is best drunk with bottle age and that is why we were pleased to find this reasonably priced 2006 that you can enjoy tonight. Classic garnet Nebbiolo color with dried fruits, licorice and leather. Refined tannins and food friendly acidity. You can decant this, briefly, for more pronounced fruit. $39.95
NEW ARRIVALS
2010 Shingleback Shingleback The Davey Estate Shiraz McLaren Vale, South Australia- “Deep purple-black colored, the 2010 Shingleback The Davey Estate Shiraz has pronounced notes of warm blackberries and blueberries over cedar, violets and fertile loam plus subtle hints of Mediterranean herbs and game. The palate reveals a good concentration of ripe blackberry flavors with enlivening acid and a medium-firm level of fine grained tannins, finishing long. Approachable now, it should drink well to 2018+”. (WA #198)
2012 Domaine Philippe Milan et Fils Maranges, Burgundy Fr. – Maranges is the most southern village appellation of the Côte d’Or and Milan is located in the hamlet of Valotte in Chassey-Le-Camp (20 kms NW of Chalon-sur-Saone). 90% of the production is sold in France, while export only represent 10%. The 2012 shows nice ripe fruit, and rich and strong flavors. Elegant with some well integrated oak. Some say the wine is reminiscent of a Marsannay Rouge, which is THE northernmost appellation in the Côte d’Or. $23.95 (Say, wouldn’t it be fun to try one from each place? Pick up a bottle of Maranges AND a bottle of Latour ’10 Marsanney also $23.95
2012 Domaine Chavy-Chouet Puligny-Montrachet “Enseignères “ Burgundy, France - Although not a 1er Cru, Chavy-Chouet has always been an insider’s wine as it lies directly beneath the Grand Cru Bienvenues-Batard Montrachet and shares much of the same power, richness and style at a fraction of the price. The 2012 offers power and freshness and great balance, with floral notes a hint of honeysuckle pear with Puligny minerality. While this wine can be enjoyed now; it will improve with time. $51.95.
MONTHLY SPECIALS
Sep 2014 | Usual | Case (cs.btl cost) |
|
---|---|---|---|
*2013 VinEcol Santa Irene Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina | $7.49 | $ 8.95 | $87 ($7.25) |
*N/V Cricova Sparkling Brut, Moldova | $7.49 | $10.95 | $87 ($7.25) |
*2012 Bodegas Niel “Santofimia”, D.O. Almansa, Spain | $9.95 | $11.95 | $108 ($9.00) |
*2013 “La Galope” Sauvignon Blanc, Côtes de Gascogne IGP, France | $10.95 | $12.95 | $120 ($10.00) |
2013 Folk Machine Tokai Friulano, Mendicino, CA. | $12.95 | $14.95 | $132 ($11.00) |
2013 Mazzolino Chardonnay "Camara' ", Provincia di Pavia IGP, Italy | $12.95 | $14.95 | $132 ($11.00) |
2011 Zonta Merlot, D.O.C. Breganze, Italy | $15.49 | $17.95 | $174 ($14.50) |
2011 Pheasant's Tears Kakheti Saperavi, Caucasus Georgia | $15.49 | $18.95 | $174 ($14.50) |
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