September 2015 Monthly Newsletter

September Tasting Events

        Thursday September 17th, 5:30 - 7:30pm
          CHAMPAGNE LALLIER TASTING
        Extraordinary Grand Cru Champagne from Aÿ.

                Thursday, Sept. 24th, 5:30 -7:30pm
              A portfolio tasting with Sonny Brown from:
                    MICHAEL SKURNIK WINE                               
          Importers of the finest estate bottled wine from around the world.
                                     

AN OFFER ON 2013 QUPÉ MARSANNE

Bob Lindquist has been making wine from Rhone grape varietals in Santa Barbara County since 1982. He was an early adopter of organic farming and that, combined with minimal intervention in the winery, makes for wines that more accurately reflect place.  His Marsanne (with a touch of Roussanne) is a chance to drink White Châteauneuf-du-Pape at a fraction of the cost.
2013 Qupé Marsanne Santa Barbara County – “Light yellow. Sexy, high-pitched aromas of lemon curd, pear, white peach and jasmine, along with a minerally nuance.  Juicy and precise on the palate, offering bitter pear skin and pit fruit flavors that expand and deepen with air.  Clings impressively on the incisive, pear-inflected finish.’ (Vinous Dec ’14) Regular price: $22.95 NOW $18.95/btl. (No further discounts.)

2011 PROPRIETÀ SPERINO UVAGGIO

This is one of my favorite wines. The father and son team Paolo and Luca De Marchi at Proprietà Sperino. (also owners of Isole e Olena) make a Nebbiolo for the rest of us. Elegant and approachable these wines show just how expressive this grape can be in these tiny appellations in the north of Piedmont.
2011 Proprietà Sperino Uvaggio, Piedmont, Italy -  “Tobacco, dried herbs, hard candy, leather, rose petal, earthiness and spices are all laced together in the 2011 Uvaggio. In this vintage, the Uvaggio is dark, rich and textured, with a little more amplitude than normal and a little less freshness, both of which make me think it is best enjoyed sooner rather than later. Over the last year, the 2011 has put on considerable depth, which, along with the natural richness of the year, results in an Uvaggio that is unusually generous. What a gorgeous wine this is. The 2011 is 80% Nebbiolo and 20% Vespolina, with a dollop of Croatina in the blend. The Nebbiolo is aged in 15HL casks and tonneaux, while the Vespolina is aged in barrique.” (AG Vinous, July 2015)
Regular price: $36.95 NOW $29.95 (No further discounts)

2012 JOSEPH PHELPS INSIGNIA

2012 Joseph Phelps Insignia Proprietary Red Wine Napa, California - Joseph Phelps’ flagship wines include the incredibly ageworthy Insignia. The 2012 Insignia Proprietary Red is composed of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 10% Merlot, 3% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc, all aged 24 months in 100% new French oak. The vintage was of such high quality and quantity that 17,500 cases were produced. A magnificent Insignia that will be bottled in several months, it boasts an opaque purple color as well as fabulous notes of graphite, blackberries, blackcurrant liqueur, camphor, barbecue smoke and spice box. Rich, full-bodied and opulent with plenty of tannin and structure lurking beneath the extravagant generosity of fruit, this stunning 2012 should drink well for 25-30+ years. This venerable winery continues to turn out a bevy of impressive wines in both 2012 and 2013.” ( eRobertParker.com #215)
Bottle: $259.95 or 6 bottle case in wood presentation case: $1399.95

2006 CHÂTEAU SAINTE-ANNE BANDOL ROUGE

Bandol has a specific place among the Provence wines. The proximity of the sea, the windy atmosphere between the steep hills there, have created a micro climate which made it possible to plant and grow on terraces in spite of the punishing summer heat. And Mourvèdre, a variety which has elsewhere difficulty to ripe properly, has found its home here. 2006 Château Sainte-Anne Bandol Rouge –  a blend Mourvèdre 60%, Grenache 20%, Cinsault 20% is strikingly aromatic with dark cherry fruit, eucalyptus and Bandol animal funk. It’s solid and gripping yet still rounded on the palate finishing with more relaxed tannins. This is a beautiful well balanced effort for only $39.95

NEW ARRIVALS

2010 Meyney St Estephe, Bordeaux, France – “It is good to see this well-situated estate in St.-Estephe get back on track. The 2010 has loads of beef blood, charcuterie and smoked game along with black currant fruit. Some underlying graphite notes are also present in this full-bodied, meaty, fleshy wine, which has outstanding concentration & the potential to last for 15 or more years. It is a major sleeper of the vintage.” (WA #205) $55.95
2011 Ambra COCG Carmignano Santa Cristina in Pilli, Tuscany, Italy – Mostly Sangiovese with a bit of Cabernet and other grapes this is a great under the radar Tuscan estate. “Sweet red berries, flowers, cloves and Mediterranean herbs meld together in the 2011 Carmignano Santa Cristina in Pilli. A bit fresher than the Montefortini, (this) is another tasty wine to enjoy over the next handful of years.” (WA#201) $20.95
2012 Crowley “Entre Nous” Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, Oregon – From the great 2012 vintage this is Crowley’s flagship wine blended from four vineyard plots captivates.  Aromas of black cherries, black raspberries, cinnamon and wood spice with layers of cherry and black raspberry fruit, dried orange peel and loamy earth. Fine tannins lead to a long, rich and satisfying finish. $36.95 (A bargain considering only 575 cases were made.)

Get over your Riesling-Phobia – This is the Picpoul killer!
2014 Klemens Weber Riesling halbtrocken, Pfalz, Germany – This is one liter of lip-smacking friendly white wine. All peaches & pear, along with floral and subtly herbaceous aromas, this is a medium-weight Riesling with lovely fruit that finishes with crisp acidity and behaves like a dry wine. Intensely food-friendly, you can pair this winner with pork, salmon or spicy food. A bargain at $12.95 for 1 liter!

MONTHLY SPECIALS