December 2018 Newslwetter
December Tasting Events
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16th - 1:00 to 4:00pm
OUR 11th ANNUAL - often imitated, never equaled
Champagne and Sparkling Wine Tasting
Enjoy an eclectic selection and make purchases at a discount.
Join us on Wednesday 12/5 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm for a
HENRIQUES & HENRIQUES Madeira tutorial
With the renowned Jake Parrott from Haus Alpenz
WINE TASTING EVERY SATURDAY 2:00pm-6:00pm
“Whatever we feel like openingâ€
Please note that there will be NO “SHORT SIPS†Class in December. Short Sips will resume in January.
The Last Saturday Wine School THEME: – Sparkling wine
With the New Year upon us we’ll taste and learn about Champagne & sparkling wines like Cava and Prosecco. The last Saturday of the month changes from a “whatever we feel like drinking†tasting event to a mini wine school tasting. We’ll pick a topic, theme, etc. and taste with a purpose! The wines we taste will be offered as a package with a discount. This is very informal with no scheduled start or finish time. Each session will be about 10 minutes! Come anytime between 2 and 5 pm on Saturday, 12/29.
A SPECIAL OFFER: 2016 Famille Perrin Chateauneuf du Pape les Sinards, Rhone Valley France
From the Perrin Family, owners of Chateau Beaucastel, this is The Family’s other Châteauneuf! Les Sinards comes from the young vines at Beaucastel and from a neighboring vineyard farmed by the family just to the west of Beaucastel. Here is a review from Robert Parker:
2016 Famille Perrin Chateauneuf du Pape les Sinards, Rhone Valley France – (Grenache, Mourvèdre & Syrah), “Drawn from a number of parcels around the appellation and including young-vine fruit from Beaucastel, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape les Sinards is a fruit-forward, juicy, mouthwatering effort to enjoy over its first decade. Cherry and raspberry fruit come together easily in this full-bodied, plush, supple wine.â€239 (WA #239)
Note that the 2016 vintage in the Southern Rhone valley is considered almost perfect, both in terms of quality and quantity, thanks to idyllic weather conditions that protected the region from climatic accidents throughout the whole year! Regular price: $43.99, On sale in Dec.: $36.99 (no further discounts)
Our SPECIAL CHAMPAGNE OFFER: Roland Champion, Grand Cru Chouilly, Blanc de Blancs, Brut
A great deal on a delicious grower/maker, Grand Cru Champagne (farmer fizz!)
This grower/ maker (RM), founded 1929 by André Champion (the domaine took its current name, “Roland Champion” in 1951 and is currently owned by François Champion (great-grandson of founder André). It is 100% Chardonnay from the home Grand Cru vineyard in Chouilly, Côte des Blancs. The current cuvée is blended from 65% 2008, 20% 2007, and 15% 2006. 26 months aging average. Here is a review from Wine Spectator: “Spiced with ground anise and ginger accents, this offers notes of poached pear, lemon meringue pie, hazelnut and stony mineral. Very elegant and well-meshed throughout, with a silky finish. Drink now through 2018. 1,500 cases made.†(AN WS 11/30/12)
Champion is also a Member of the prestigious Club Trésor de Champagne (Special Club), 28-member consortium, with other well-known growers such as Paul Bara, Gimonnet, Gaston Chiquet, Lassalle, etc.!
Regular price $51.99 ON Sale in December: $39.99 (no further discounts)
NEW ARRIVALS – BALGERA
Elegant, bottle aged expressions of Nebbiolo from the foothills of the Italian Alps.
2005 Balgera Valtellina Superiore Sassella Riserva DOCG, Lombardy, Italy - From the second-most easterly of the five villages perched on the steep north face of Valtellina. More elegant than Grumello with notes of tar, wild flowers, dark red fruits & a touch of funk. Balanced & integrated, it finishes with a fine texture. $39.99
2001 Balgera Grumello Valtellina Superiore DOCG, Lombardy, Italy – Perhaps the most famous of the DOCG villages, the Grumello, while older than Sassella and very approachable, has more structure and tannins with aromas of maturedfruit, raisins, smokiness, anise, licorice and cured meats. $44.99
NEW ARRIVALS
An Old friend returns, as good as ever.
2015 Domaine Puig-Parahy “Georges†Cotes du Roussillon, France - “Always a good value, the 2015 Cotes du Roussillon Georges (45% Syrah, 30% Carignan and 25% Grenache) offers lots of ripe fruit, leather and chocolatey characteristics, as well as solid mid-palate depth and outstanding purity on the palate.†(WA #224) $16.99
From the K vintners, Sixto show the potential for Chardonnay in Washington State.
2014 Sixto Chardonnay Frenchman Hills Vineyard, Washington State – “Coming from volcanic soils and a north facing slope at 1,750 in elevation, the 2014 Chardonnay Frenchman Hills Vineyard offers terrific minerality as well as a Chablis-like style in its lemon curd and floral aromatics, medium-bodied mouthfeel, and vibrant, crisp acidity.†(WA #231) $39.99
What? Giacosa makes a sparkling wine? And it’s a bottle conditioned vintage?
2007 Bruno Giacosa Spumante Extra Brut Metodo Classico Pinot Nero- “Made entirely with Pinot Nero, this straw colored Metodo Classico opens with subdued aromas of nut and a whiff of bread crust. The palate is more expressive, offering white peach, citrus zest and pastry notes alongside a creamy mousse. An almond note closes the finish.†(WE) $42.99
A Burgundy to enjoy tonight!
2015 Domaine Frédéric Magnien Côte-de-Nuits-Villages Cœur de Roches – Always one of my favorite vintners, from the “court of the rocks. The great 2015 vintage yields a ripe approachable pinot noir with red fruits and lift from the deep rock and limestone soils. Open an hour or two before drinking. $36.99
MONTHLY SPECIALS
Dec 2018 | Usual | Case (cs.btl cost) |
|
---|---|---|---|
*2017 Avantis Evia White, Evia, Greece | $ 8.99 | $11.99 | $96 ( $8.00) |
*2016 Domaine du Coing Saint Fiacre Chardonnay "Cuvee Aurore", Loire, France | $ 8.99 | $10.99 | $96 ( $8.00) |
*2017 Castelluccio Sangiovese di Romagna Superiore "Le More", Italy | $ 9.99 | $14.99 | $108 ( $9.00) |
*2010 Chateau Pericou Rouge, Bordeaux, France (wood case) | $10.49 | $14.99 | $117 ($9.75) |
2015 Domaine de l'Arnesque Rouge, Cotes du Rhone, France | $10.99 | $14.99 | $120 ($10.00) |
N/V La Jara Pinot Grigio Rose, Veneto, Italy | $10.99 | $12.99 | $120 ($10.00) |
2017 Aia Vecchia Vermentino Toscana Bianco IGT, Tuscany, Italy | $11.99 | $14.99 | $132 ($11.00) |
2012 Calma Tinto, Rioja, Spain | $13.99 | $16.99 | $156 ($13.00) |
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