MAY 2015 Newsletter

MAY Tasting Events

ON SUNDAY MAY 17th anytime between 1:30pm & 4:30pm you will be attending ROSÉ-A-PALOOZA an often imitated but never equaled event with food & all the great pink wines plus discounts. Thank-you.

Join us on Wednesday, May 6th from 5:30 to 7:30pm as we welcome
Iacopo Pambufetti, owner
Azienda Scacciadiavoli Montefalco, Italy
Tasty Umbrian Wines.

Wednesday, May 13th. 5:30 to 7:30pm
A Tasting of California wines from Ian Brand – P’tit Paysan and La Marea
Chardonnay, Rhone Blends and Petite Sirah

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

PLEASE NOTE RE: ROSE WINES
We are expanding the Rosé section in anticipation of Rosé-a-Palozza and this year, as a public service, we will recommend that you continue to drink these wines year round and not just in the summer. Thank-you.

ABYMES – THE $12.95 SUMMER WHITE WINE YOU SHOULD BE DRINKING.

The 2014 Dom. Labbe Savoie Abymes made from the Jacquère grape in the alpine region of France not far from the Swiss border is a fresh, juicy and bright. This unadorned white is like drinking bottled mountain air.

MAY “SHORT SIPS” CLASS

FACTORY vs NATURAL Blind Tasting

We have had so much fine with our blind wine tastings that we are continuing the series with a blind tasting comparing factory made with more naturally made wines. Let’s see if we can tell the difference! A one hour educational program, limited to eight people and held in our fine wine room. Offered twice on FRIDAY or SATURDAY, MAY 29th and 30th from   5:30 to 6:30pm. There is a $5 class fee and availability is on a first come first serve basis. Call 285-8011 to reserve space. 

2010 LODALI BAROLO “BRICCO AMBROGIO”

The Lodali Estate is located in Piemonte, the famous region for Barolo, Italy’s “King of Wines.” Walter
Lodali, just 27 years old, the winemaker is following in his father’s and grandfather’s wine making tradition. The hillside cru vineyards of Bricco Ambrogio produce elegant, yet powerful, wines and 2010 is one the very best vintages in recent memory. Expressive on the nose with a touch of roses, ripe red fruits and tar, this is a structured wine with firm Barolo tannins that resolve nicely after some time in the decanter. Drink it now with a decant or wait a few years.
The regular price is $34.94 but during May we offer the wine for $27.95 (no further discounts).

2012 TALBOTT CHARDONNAY

Robert Talbott stops by the store (plus Peter-Blair and Beecroft and Bull)) occasionally if he is motorcycling around as visiting all these customers’ makes the trip a tax “write off”. We have always had a soft spot for his wines and thus we are pleased to offer a bit of a deal on the Sleepy Hollow Chardonnay.
2012 Talbott Vineyards Chardonnay Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands – “(30% new French oak): Pale gold. Poached pear, Meyer lemon, buttered toast and white flowers on the deeply perfumed nose. Smooth, open-knit orchard fruit and orange flavors stain the palate, picking up a smoky nuance with aeration. Shows excellent clarity and punch on the mineral-tinged finish, which leaves suave floral and citrus fruit notes behind.” (Vinous 11/14) Regular price: $42.95. On Sale in MAY: $33.95 (no further discounts)

NEW ARRIVALS

NEW ARRIVALS -UCCELLIERA and CASATO 1 VOLIERO
Unsurpassed value in Brunello and Rosso di Montelcino
We are huge fans of Uccelliera and Casato 1 is Andrea Cortonesi’s (Uccelliera) second estate in the northern part of the appellation where he plays with Sangiovese grown in a slightly warmer climate and on thicker soils. Considering the quality of these wines, at these prices they are a STEAL!
2013 Casato 1 Rosso di Montalcino Voliero Tuscany, Italy – “… a gorgeous expression that I happily recommend to anyone looking for a solid Rosso to pair with their steak dinner. The wine shows a great sense of restraint, with richness and opulence that never goes over the top. You’ll also love the way it feels on the palate. It caresses the senses with soft layers of cherry and blackberry fruit. At the end, you get a playful touch of oak spice - with toasted almond and vanilla - that comes thanks to 10 months in barrel. This is the ultimate food-friendly Rosso.” (eRobertParker.com #217) $24.95
2010 Casato 1 Brunello di Montalcino Voliero Tuscany, Italy –“The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Voliero is a gorgeous wine that hits all the right buttons, takes a little pause, and then hits them once again. This is a wine that does not hold back, and it graciously delivers all sorts of dark fruit, spice, licorice and grilled herb intensity. In the mouth, the tannins are exceedingly silky and smooth and the wine imparts a very long finish. What I like best is its power and personality that never goes over the top. It remains within the strict confines of elegance. This wine should hold well for 15 years.”  (eRobertParker.com #217) $59.95
2010 Uccelliera Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany, Italy -  “This is a Brunello of profound beauty, intensity and complexity. At this young stage in the wine’s life you get a generous dose of primary fruit focused on cherry and blackberry. You also get so-called secondary aromas from the oak that recall spice, cinnamon and dark smoke. These lead to the promise of beautiful tertiary aromas as the wine continues its slow evolution over the course of time. This wine is like a long-distance runner who explodes from the starting line and keeps a steady pace throughout the race. Dark penetration and rich aromas wrap generously over the palate. Endnotes of spice, cured meat and barbecue smoke add extra layers to the finish. I am a huge fan of Uccelliera’s Brunello and the 2010 is absolutely unforgettable.” (eRobertParker.com #217) $69.95

NEW ARRIVALS – 2012 PLUMPJACK CABERNET ESTATE
2012 Plumpjack Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, Napa Valley  –“The full sensuality of 2012 comes through in Plumpjack’s 2012 Cabernet. Rich, layered and sumptuous in the glass, the 2012 is absolutely striking. Espresso, mocha, rose petals and spices wrap around the radiant finish. This is such a gorgeous example of the year and one of the truly great sites in Napa Valley. The Reserve gets most of the attention at Plumpjack, but in the 2012, the straight Cabernet Sauvignon is nearly as stellar.” (Antonio Galloni Vinous) $119.95

MONTHLY SPECIALS