February 2023 Newsletter

Tasting events

Sat. 2/11 – 2:00-5:00 pm -
Winter Weight Reds for Valentine’s Day

and

Fat Tues. 2/21 5:30pm -7:00pm –
The Montefalco wines of Antonelli with Filippo Antonelli.

FEBRUARY SPECIAL OFFERS – WINTER WEIGHT REDS

A fabulous winter weight Rhone red!
2016 Chateau de Segries Lirac ‘Secret de la Grange’ Rhone, France - “The estate’s top wine is the 2016 Lirac Secret de la Grange, a 90-10 blend of Grenache and Syrah that never sees oak. This full-bodied blend is fabulously concentrated and lush, with ripe fruit flavors of raspberries and stone fruits, an intriguing hint of almond paste and a rich, long finish tinged with licorice. It should drink well for up to a decade.” (WA 233)                      Regular price: $54.99, On sale in February: $44.99 (no further discounts)

Trus is an acronym for T-tierra (soil), R-roble (oak), U-uva (grape) and S-sol (sun)
2018 Bodegas Trus Crianza Ribera del Duero, Spain -  “This concentrated, graceful red offers a thread of graphite and loamy earth that weaves through the blackberry, currant and anise notes, with details of espresso and spice carrying through the velvety finish. Drink now through 2036. 6,000 cases made, 500 cases imported.” (WS9/21)                Regular price: $32.99, On sale in February: $25.99 (no further discounts)

One of our favorite Stellenbosch Cabs with a touch (11%) of Cabernet Franc.
2018 Keermont Vineyards, Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon, Western Cape, South Africa- “The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is well defined on the nose, scents of blackberry, mint and touches of fennel all gaining intensity with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with a softer opening than I expected. There’s mainly red fruit at play here, fleshy and generous, with a touch of pepperiness on the finish.” (Vinous 10/21)
Regular price: $42.99, On sale in February: $29.99 (no further discounts)

One of the best cabs of 2020!
2020 Matthews Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Washington –“The aromas are thoroughly captivating, with notes of scorched earth, cocoa, black currant, graphite and bittersweet chocolate. Plush, polished, seamless fruit flavors follow. There’s a sophistication and intensity to it all that is mesmerizing.” (WE)                            Regular price: $36.99, On sale in February: $24.99 (no further discounts)

Vinsobres AOC is the northernmost southern cru of the Côtes-du-Rhône!
2019 Louis & Cherry Barruol Vinsobres Château de Rouanne, Rhône Valley, France - “Delivers a nice saturated feel without being heavy, letting cherry and plum paste notes unfurl slowly, along with violet, licorice root and warm humus accents, which all blossom steadily through the savory finish. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2027. 6,800 cases made, 1,250 cases imported.” (WS)
Regular price: $34.99, On sale in February: $22.99 (no further discounts)

FEBRUARY SPECIAL OFFER - From the Cellar!

2005 San Fabiano Calcinaia Chianti Classico DOCG Tuscany, Italy – Not the best vintage but this simple wine has held up well.  Here is a review from ’07: “Medium-bodied, with plum and black cherry fruit, fine tannins and a medium, mineral finish. Drink now. 7,500 cases made, 1,000 cases imported.”
Regular price: $24.99, On sale in February: $17.99 (no further discounts / limit one per customer.)

NEW ARRIVALS

Something delicious and different from the island of Ischia
2021 Casa D’Ambra Forastera, Ischia DOC, Campania Italy –  “Glossy and luminous in appearance, the Casa d’Ambra 2021 Ischia Forastera is made with an early-ripening variety pretty much only found on the islands of Procida and Ischia (where this blessed wintery is located). The vines are about 20 years old, but the mysterious Forastera (thought to be named after the word “foreign”) has existed on the island for 200 years. Made only in stainless steel, it offers sweet peach, honeydew melon and ripe apple. Salty tones of sea breeze also appear in this wine. Production is 21,000 bottles.” (WA 10/22) $28.99
If you enjoy Sauvignon Blanc this is a ‘must try’.
2021 Laberinto Sauvignon Blanc ‘Cenizas’, Maule Valley, Chile – “The 2021 Sauvignon Blanc from Colbun, Maule is unfiltered. Dull yellow in color. The nose presents notes of lemon, lime, and grass against a faint backdrop of rue. Broad with good fat in the mouth; the heightened acidity lends malic tension before the lime finish. A thirst quenching white of notable freshness.” (Vinous) $23.99
One of our favorite organic Chiantis, bottled in the traditional straw fiasco!
2021 Podere Giocoli Diamine Chianti DOCG, Italy– (80% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo, 5% Colorino, 5% Malvasia, 5% Trebbiano) Notes of juicy red cherries and raspberries all wrapped in a fresh, smooth finish with minimal tannins and red sauce friendly acidity.  $27.99
If you want to understand how Red Burgundy ages this is a great example.
1999 Domaine Maillard Pere et Fils Beaune Cote de Beaune, France- The 1999 vintage is considered among the best Beaune vintages in a generation. This wine is fully matured with all the elements we love in older Burgundy with heady noted of mushrooms, herbs with good balance and mild tannins. $110.00

MONTHLY SPECIALS