October 2018 Monthly newsletter

October Tasting Events

Saturday October 27, 2018 from 2:00 – 6:00 pm
World’s Scariest Wines
A selection of unusual grapes, unusual places and unusual colors.
But there is nothing to be afraid of…Ha, ha, ha, haaaa.

Please join us
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19th
  from 5:30-7:30 pm
Our Favorite Virginia Wines.
October is Virginia wine month!
Discounts on all VA wines during the Tasting!

OCTOBER “SHORT SIPS” CLASS – ZOMBIE Wines.

It’s almost Halloween and we’ll have some fun talking about, and tasting, wines that almost “died”
and are now coming “back to life”. This is a one hour educational program, limited to eight people and held in our fine wine room. The class is held twice in OCTOBER – FRIDAY the 12th and SATURDAY the 13th from 6:00 to 7:00pm. –– Class fee is $8 per person. Call or e-mail us for reservations.

TIME TO PRE-ORDER 2018 BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU and SAVE!!

As the harbinger of the vintage, it's a worthy tradition!

Slightly lower alcohol, ripe fruit flavors, food friendly acidity and mild tannins make this
the PERFECT THANKSGIVING WINE and the 2018 harvest looks to be a good one!
Call us at (804) 285-8011 or e-mail us at to place your order!
This year we have, once again, selected a villages level of Nouveau, Domaine Manoir du Carra Beaujolais Villages, (a better quality level than basic Beaujolais) The 2018 Regular price is $12.99.  BUT order before 11/7 and the price is: $10.99 per bottle or save even more and order a case at $112.99 ($9.42/btl.) per case (no additional discounts).
The wine is delivered the third Thursday in November (11/15).

On sale in October

2016 Domaine Guillemot-Michel Viré-Clessé Quintaine, Mâconnais, Burgundy, France
This seven-hectare estate in the hamlet of Quintaine is one of the best producers in the Mâconnais and deserves to be much better known.”-  William Kelly, Wine advocate.
This is one of our favorite white Burgundies from a Biodynamic farm in the Lieu-dit of Quintaine. Here is a review from the Wine Advocate: “Notes of Acacia honey, musky peach, beeswax, fresh apricot and dried white flowers introduce the 2016 Viré-Clessé, a silky, medium to full-bodied wine with exceptional concentration, textural elegance and length on the finish. Despite its ripeness and subtly botrytis-inflected character, it’s underpinned by tangy acids and remains beautifully balanced and integrated. This is well worth seeking out.” (WA #238) Regular price $37.99 - On SALE in October for $31.99

SALE: 2012 Sobreño Finca Sobreño Reserva Selección Especial Toro, Spain
Toro lies in the Castilla y León reion in western Spain. Finca Sobreno reserve is 100% Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo) from old vines ( 35 years minimum) and aged in bottle and barrel for 26 months before release. It drinks like reserve rioja. We offered a sale on the 2010 vintage a few years ago and are very happy to offer a great price on the 2012. Here is a review from the wine advocate:
“Cleaner than the 2011, the 2012 Finca Sobreño Reserva Selección Especial had more toasty notes, hints of smoke and sweet spices over a core of ripe berry fruit. The house style is for soft tannins, looking for elegance and drinkability, because power is already a given in the region. This is a good example of it. 90,000 bottles produced.” (WA 229)  Regular price $29.99 - On SALE in October for $21.99

NEW ARRIVALS – PlumpJack

2015 PlumpJack Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, Oakville, Napa Valley, CA. -“Plumpjack’s Cabernet Sauv. Estate is fabulous. Super-ripe red cherry, plum, lavender, spice and menthol are all beautifully knit together in this lush, voluptuous Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon. Winemaker Aaron Miller has done a tremendous job retaining a good bit of freshness here. Rich, sensual and enveloping, the 2015 is an absolutely stellar wine in this vintage. Don’t miss it. This is a superb example of the year at its best.” (Vinous AG 3/18) $149.99
2016 PlumpJack Syrah, Napa Valley, CA -“The 2016 Syrah packs a serious punch. Inky and explosive on the palate, the 2016 is shaping up to be another real gem from winemaker Aaron Miller. Even with all of its intensity, the 2016 has a good bit of freshness and structure woven into its intense, dark-fleshed fruit. Scents of lavender, licorice and blueberry pie add to the wine’s considerable appeal.” (Vinous AG 3/18)  $74.99

NEW ARRIVALS of special note.

2015 Chateau Fonplégade, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Boardeaux, France - “Even better from bottle than it was from barrel, the 2015 Fonplégade is absolutely gorgeous. Rich and sumptuous, but superbly refined, the 2015 exudes class. The dark cherry, plum, espresso, rose petal and blood orange notes open up effortlessly. Time in the glass brings out the wine’s underlying brightness, tension and energy. Everything about the 2015 speaks to balance. This is a superb showing from proprietors Stephen and Denise Adams and their team, which includes both Stéphane Derenoncourt and Michel Rolland.” (Antonio Galloni Vinous 2/18)  $54.99

Here is the big brother to the Tuscan Rosso on sale in our monthly case.
2015 Il Molino di Grace Chianti Classico, Italy – “… a classic expression from a great vintage. The wine delivers balanced and steady aromas with bright cherry, pressed blackberry, violets and moist earth. It is true to the taste profile you should expect from this historic Sangiovese-based appellation in Central Italy. The finish reveals bright acidity and accessible primary fruit. This is a mid-weight effort with a long and polished finish. With 80,000 bottles produced, this is an excellent value option.” (WA 223)  $21.99
2017 Gérard Boulay Sancerre à Chavignol Blanc, Loire Valley, France - Our favorite Sancerre sourced from various parcels in the village of Chavignol all on a base of Kimmeridgean limestone. Medium bodied and racy with stone fruits and citrus notes with a wonderful crispy finish $31.99
Here is a customer favorite and staff pick (Check out the staff picks at the front of the store!
2016 Quadrigato Falanghina Del Sannio, Campania, Italy - From a 12 hectare estate that lies in the medieval town of Guardia Sanframondi in the middle of Campania. 100% Falanghina with a rich ripe palate of apples and melons and a long crisp finish. $15.99

MONTHLY SPECIALS