october 2019 Newletter

October Tasting Events

Saturday October 26, 2018 from 2:00 – 6:00pm
          2nd Annual 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 Wednesday, OCTOBER 9th from 5:30-7:30 pm
  Our Favorite Virginia Wines.tasting - featuring Governor cup winners
    October is Virginia wine month!

WINE TASTING EVERY SATURDAY   2:00pm-6:00pm
“Whatever we feel like opening”

    Discounts on all VA wines during the Tasting!

TIME TO PRE-ORDER 2019 BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU and SAVE!!

As the harbinger of the vintage, it’s a worthy tradition and the price is the same as last year!
Slightly lower alcohol, ripe fruit flavors, food friendly acidity and mild tannins make this
the PERFECT THANKSGIVING WINE!
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 2019 Regular price is $12.99.  BUT order before 11/14 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 (11/21).

OCTOBER “SHORT SIPS” CLASS – Wines from Campania.

“Campania, like many Italian regions, is home an impressive array of grape varieties, some of which are found almost nowhere else on earth.” 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 18th and SATURDAY the 19th from 6:00 to 7:00pm. –– Class fee is $8 per person. Call or e-mail us for reservations.

OCTOBER SALE WINES -

This month it’s all about the new world in 2015, baby!

SALE:  2015 Fess Parker “Ashley’s Chardonnay, Sta. Rita Hills, California –  From a vineyard site originally planted by Fess Parker and named after his daughter, who now runs the winery. The hillside site is only 12 miles from the ocean in the “sideways” valley. Here is a review from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate:
“The 2015 Chardonnay Ashley’s Vineyard opens with lemon curd, white grapefruit and yuzu scents over suggestions of allspice, croissant and honeysuckle. The elegant, medium-bodied palate offers plenty of zesty citrus and spice layers, with a nice touch of silkiness and good length.”
                                Regular price $36.99 - On SALE in October for $25.99 (while supplies last).
SALE: 2015 Bodega Bressia Syrah “Monteagrelo”, Mendoza, Argentina -Walter Bressia, an Argentine wine legend who recently finished a term as the leader of Bodegas De Argentina, a consortium that brings together more than 250 Argentine wineries, has been making wine for over thirty years. The vineyards for this Syrah are located in Vista Flores, a wine-growing area in the Uco Valley of Mendoza, Argentina. Here is a review from Stephen Tanzer /Vinous 7/18: “Good dark red. Strong torrefaction oak notes sweeten the aromas of black raspberry, black pepper and licorice. Rich, plush and sweet, displaying a slightly reductive animal quality to its deep flavors of smoky black raspberry and pepper. A very fine-grained, slightly wild wine with real Syrah character. Boasts lovely depth and finishes even sweeter than the excellent ‘14, with its broad, dusty tannins in harmony with its fruit.”  Reg. price $24.99 - On SALE in Oct. for $20.99 (while supplies last).
SALE: 2015 Luca “Beso de Dante”, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina- Luca wines are Laura Catena’s wines (daughter of Argentine wine pioneer Nicolás Catena) focused on top vineyards in the Uco Valley…most notably in the highest altitudes near Gualtallary and the new appelation of Paraje Altamira. The winemaker is Estela Perinetti whose family is originally from the Piemonte in Italy and has been making wine in Mendoza since the late 1800s. This is a classic, old-school, high altitude Argentine red blend. Here is a review from Stephan Tanzer/Vinous 7/17: “Bright ruby-red. Very pure aromas of blackberry, licorice, violet and menthol. Juicy, spicy and firmly built, offering lovely intensity to its black fruit and spice flavors. Hints of dried tobacco and cedar add interest, but there’s nothing green about this wine. The Cabernet component comes through in the wine’s solid structure. Finishes with a smooth dusting of tannins and lingering notes of dried fruits and flowers.”          Regular price $37.99 - On SALE in October for $27.99 (while supplies last).

NEW ARRIVALS and staff Picks!

FROM JOSH: 2018 Marcel Giraudon Bourgogne “Chitry” Burgundy, France - Red Burgundy for under $20?... And it’s not the abysmal, heat pasteurized garbage from the grocery store? This is thoughtful small production red Burgundy from a real wine grower from a real place. Giraudon’s Pinot Noir is grown on chilly hillside vineyards of Kimmeridgian chalky marl, the same stuff you find in Grand Cru Chablis. In fact Chitry (shee-tree) used to be labeled as Chablis back in the day and is one of the most northern and coldest areas for grape growing. Clean, precise and pure. Picture chiseled black berry fruit frolicking in a moss covered meadow, throw in the fragrance of a nearby campfire. Beautifully balanced, drink it with pot-au-feu, roast chicken, fresh water fish in a sauce, or pretty much anything. Thanks Pangaea! $15.99 (!!!!)
FROM PETER: Jean Bourdy 2018 Cotes du Jura Rouge, France - One of the oldest wine estates in the Jura region of eastern France, Caves Bourdy was established in the late 16th century and has been continuously operated by the Bourdy family for fifteen generations in the village of Arlay.  While best known for its exceptionally long lived white wines, it was the mesmerizing Cotes du Jura Rouge that I was most familiar with.  For a decade or so, the wines from this historic estate had not been available in the Richmond market and so when I heard that a newer vintage of the wine would be arriving, I immediately ordered a case without even tasting it beforehand.  Needless to say, the 2018 offering does not disappoint. Made from roughly a third each of Pinot Noir, Trousseau and Poulsard, this wine has an alpine sensibility with wet stone elements meshing with currant and tart cherry impressions. It has some grip on the finish and should be decanted an hour or two before serving.  It’s a fantastic match with aged cheeses and charcuterie and should appeal to fans of cru Beaujolais and northern Rhone reds not to mention Burgundy. Certified organic and biodynamic, this wine sells for $33.99 per bottle.

MONTHLY SPECIALS