March 2015 Monthly Newsletter

March Tasting events

Wednesday, March. 4th   from 5:30 – 7:30 pm
ESPORAO
Portuguese wines of distinction: 
with Pedro Vieira , National Sales Manager

                  Slight of Hand Cellars
  SATURDAY, MARCH 7TH FROM 2:00PM TO 4:00PM
              Trey Busch – winemaker
    “Simply Magical Wines” from WASHINGTON STATE

Please join us on Wednesday, March 18th from 5:30-7:30pm
  as we welcome
winemaker PATRICIA GREEN
for a tasting
of Oregon Pinot Noir from
PATRICIA GREEN CELLARS
  An event you will not want to miss!

MARCH. “SHORT SIPS” CLASS

SYRAH (see-rah, sa-rah and she-razz)

We’re going through a Northern Rhone phase so let’s blind taste Syrah from around the world and see if we can discern the different terriors. A one hour educational program, limited to eight people and held in our fine wine room. Offered twice on FRIDAY or SATURDAY, March 13th and 14th from   5:30 to 6:30pm –– There is a $5 class fee. Call 285-8011 to make reservations for the class.

2009 CONTINO “Nero e Nero” ETNA Rosso

Mount Etna, in northeastern Sicily, is an active, fearsome volcano and the region seems an unlikely site for producing quality wines. But the higher elevation and rich volcanic soils are perfect for the native regional grapes. Winemakers are scrambling to purchase vineyards in the area as the wines gain in popularity. We’ve reduced the price on one of our “go to” Etna Rossos’ as an inducement to try the wine. This Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio blend is sourced from old-growth vines on volcanic soils, fermented in stainless steel then aged for eight months in French oak barrels. Garnet Barolo color with spicy aromas and red berry flavors balanced by food friendly acidity and firm tannins.
Our usual price is $21.95; ON SALE in March for $17.49 (no further discounts)

DOMAINE MICHEL MAGNIEN- Burgundy, France

The Demand is so great that Premier and Grand Cru Burgundy NEVER go on sale but here is an interesting offer on Premier Cru and Grand Cru Burgundy from a respected Domaine where Fredric Magnien, (Michel’s son & one of our favorite Burgundy winemakers), is now in charge.
2011 Domaine Michel Magnien Chambolle-Musigny 1er Sentiers -“Deep ruby-red. Slightly liqueur-like cherry on the nose. A rich, sweet, spicy fruit bomb on the palate. Finishes very long and perfumed, with sweet tannins and good grip.” (IWC Jan. ’13) REGULAR PRICE: $110.95, NOW: 89.95 (Save almost 20%)
And now an offer on a Grand Cru Sampler Pack - 3 different climats located very close to each other, same vintage, an incredible opportunity to test the theory of terrior – or just to drink great Pinot Noir.
2011 Dom. Michel Magnien Charmes-Chambertin – “Aromas of strawberry liqueur, dried flowers, earth and musky brown spices, plus a whiff of nutty oak. Broad, musky and a bit reduced, with strawberry & dark raspberry fruit flavors complicated by exotic flowers and a hint of chocolate. Finishes w/ a broad dusting of ripe tannins & sneaky smoky persistence. In a very ripe style.” (IWC 3/14)  Regular price: $215.95 Sale:$179.95
2011 Dom.Michel Magnien Clos de la Roche- “Bright, dark red-ruby. Perfumed, pure nose offers terrific lift to the aromas of red cherry, blackberry, red licorice, violet and brown spices. Not quite as opulent as the 2012 version but juicy, spicy and penetrating, boasting terrific definition to its intense flavors of raspberry, pepper and brown spices. With its harmonious acidity and classy tannins, it’s possible that this wine will never go through a sullen stage in bottle. More saline &less sweet than the 2012 but an outstanding & very long 2011.” (IWC 3/14)  Regular price: $215.95 Sale: $179.95
2011 Dom.Michel Magnien Clos-Saint-Denis- “Good deep red. Black raspberry, strawberry, iron and a whiff of meat on the reduced, exotic nose. Large-scaled, rich and broad, with very good density and peppery lift to the flavors of wild strawberry, cola, anise and sweet oak. Finishes with excellent texture and length, but not quite the floral lift of Magnien’s Clos de la Roche.” (IWC 3/14) Regular price: $215.95 Sale:$179.95
Buy a 3 bottle sampler (one bottle of each of the above) for $499.95 ($166.33/btl.) a savings of over 23% (if purchased separately at the regular price).

NEW ARRIVALS / Great Values!

Tasted the Heron lineup last week w/ Leely Heron, namesake and wine maker, and loved this Pinot Noir.
2013 Heron Wines Pinot Noir Monterey, CA – “Slightly riper with more red cherry and currant fruit as well as hints of cloves, fruitcake and spice box, is the medium-bodied, deep ruby-hued 2013 Pinot Noir Monterey County. This is a 5,000-case cuvée of 100% Pinot Noir with soft tannins and 1-2 years of drinkability. These are all excellent values. The fruit sources are from all over California, including Mendocino in the north. (eRobertParker.com #Special Interim Issue Report) $19.95
One of the oldest, if not the oldest, Rioja wineries.
2011 Bodegas Riojanas “Puerta Vieja” Crianza Rioja – “(100% tempranillo; aged in American oak for 18 months): Deep ruby. Highly fragrant scents of candied red berries, incense and cola, with a smoky overtone. Plush and open-knit, offering lively redcurrant and cherry-vanilla flavors and a hint of cracked pepper. Finishes with good breadth and cling and silky tannins, leaving bitter cherry and spice notes behind.” (Josh Raynolds, Vinous Sep 2014)  $16.95
I’ll always have a soft spot for Buehler wines and the ‘12 is drinking well this year.
2012 Buehler Chardonnay, Russian River Valley Ca. – “An excellent value the 2012 Chardonnay, a 20,000-case cuvee reveals loads of pineapple and pear fruit intermixed with a hint of honey, medium body, good purity and freshness, and a moderately intense mouthfeel. Drink it over the next year. (WA #208) $18.95

NEW ARRIVAL – 2011 Montervertine “La Pergole Torte”

Le Pergole Torte isn’t a great Tuscan or Italian wine. It is simply one of the world’s elite wines. - Antonio Galloni WA

100% Sangiovese from the estate’s best fruit across all of the estate’s vineyards vinified in cement and aged in French Oak it is a delicate and refined expression of Sangiovese with aging potential of 30+ years.
2011 Montevertine Le Pergole Torte, IGT Toscana, Italy – “The 2011 Le Pergole Torte is a stunning expression from the heart of Tuscany and a worldwide ambassador for the Sangiovese (called Sangioveto on the label) grape. Brilliant in ruby color and buoyant in aromatic intensity, the wine is brimming with inner energy and verve. It speaks in high decibels with pristine cherry, anise seed, cola, balsam herb and almond paste. There’s a touch of softness buried within what is otherwise a tightly textured tapestry of flavors. In terms of texture, the wine is infinitely silky & long. Be patient for five years more at least.” (WA #215) $120.95

MONTHLY SPECIALS