May Featured Wines – Castellani Vermentino & Castellani Chianti Classico Reserva, Italy

May 7, 2024 · by ·

We are back to Italian wines in May. The Castellani Family has a history of winemaking for over 150 years. They continue to perfect the varietals that flourish in Tuscany. The Castellani Vermentino vineyards are close to the Mediterrean Coast where the grape is perfectly acclimated to the sea breezes and sunlight. 2022 Castellani Vermentino is our selection. There are few white grapes that do well in this part of Tuscany. The red is 2017 Castellani Chianti Classico Reserva from the Chianti region of inland Tuscany. To be considered a Chianti, wines produced in this region have to meet certain conditions which are mandated by law. All Chiantis must have at least 70% Sangiovese. To be a Chianti Classico the wine must have 80% Sangiovese. Reserva means it has been aged for 24 months.

2022 Castellani Vermentino, Tuscany, Italy $16

In color this wine is straw yellow with light golden hues. The bouquet is complex with floral notes, white flowers, with stone and Mediterranean spices, sage, rosemary and mint. It is a full bodied and well-balanced wine. An easy white to pair with seafood and poultry. Alcohol: 12.5%

2017 Castellani Chianti Classico Reserva, Italy $16

This is a clear, medium ruby wine. There are notes of tart red cherry, raspberry, and red currant along with savory dried thyme, and earth. There are also notes of baking spices, and perhaps some cedar.This is a good wine with medium complexity of aromas and flavors.Of course, perfect of Italian food. Alcohol: 13%

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Featured Wines for November – EA Branco & EA Tinto, Alentejo, Portugal

October 31, 2023 · by ·

This month we return to one of my favorite wine countries, Portugal, specifically the Alentejo wine region. This region is located in Portugal’s south central and eastern part of the country, bordering Spain, and covering more than 30% of the country. The area was initially known for cork production before the European Union in the 1980’s provided funding to Alentejo wine cooperatives to produce high-quality wines. This financial boost has now created the largest wine producing region in Portugal. There are 8 subregions. This month’s wines are from Evora, a lovely UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been shaped by 20 centuries of history of occupation by the Celts, Romans and Moors. Having withstood a 1755 eathquake that destroyed many towns in Portugal, today Alentejo is an architectural gem with many architectural elements of those who controlled the region through a long history – particularly religious history. The November wines are produced by Cartuxa Winery. The family behind this winery has an amaging history and mission. To read about of the family and the Eugenio de Almeida Foundation, the owner of the winery, go to their website. This is a remarkable story.

Now the wines – 2022 EA Branco and 2020 EA Tinto. As with most Portugese wines, both are blends of indigenious varietals only produced in Portugal. The white varietals are Antão Vaz + Arinto + Roupeiro. The red varietals are Aragonez, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet and Syrah which we have tasted in previouslly offered Portugese wines. With both wines priced at $15, you will find them easy to drink and drinkable now. And, of course, the bottles are corked!

2022 EA Branco, Alentejo, Portugal $15

This blend is clear, brilliant straw to golden yellow color. Mid-intense aromas of white and yellow fruits and flowers, notes of melon, pear, green apple, minerals. Medium-bodied with nice, fresh acidity and alcohol. The finish is lively, smooth, a bit dry and persistent. Perfect pairing: pasta filled with Brie cheese Alcohol: 13.5%

2020 EA Tinto, Alentejo, Portugal $15

This wine has floral fragrances such as nutmeg, cherry, plum and rose. The palate brings a silky mouthfeel with ripe fruit and spice flavors such as cherry, plum, red raspberry, white pepper and baking spices. Vibrant acidity adds a brightness to the fruit. Medium-bodied makes it very food friendly. A great pairing with poultry or lean pork. Alcohol: 14%

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Featured Wines for October – 2022 Maggio Sauvignon Blanc & 2021 Maggio Cabernet Sauvignon Lodi, California

October 1, 2023 · by ·

For five generations the Maggio family has been growing wine grapes in Lodi, California, providing winemakers with superb fruit to make their wines. In 2002, the family started making their own wine using the same estate grown fruit they sold for so many years. They now produce wines under the family name, Maggio Family Vineyards by the Oak Ridge Winery.

October’s white selection 2022 Maggio Sauvignon Blanc will bring a California Sauvignon Blanc to our shelves. The red selection is 2021 Maggio Cabernet Sauvignon. Both are sustainably grown in the Maggio vineyards. At $11 these wines come from their most affordable Maggio line. Their expensive labels are Maggio Estates, but for the price, this month’s wines are versatile and enjoyable, not $35-$40. If you attended any performances at the Freeman Stage this year and purchased wine, you were drinking Maggio Family Vineyards. Tastings will be against another California Cabernet Sauvignon and a Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa.

2021 Maggio Sauvignon Blanc, Lodi, California $11

This unoaked wine has a smooth and refreshing mouthfeel and exhibits an array of citrus aromas. With white stone fruit accents and its softer lingering finish this wine offers a lighter alternative to white wines such as Chardonnay.This wine is perfect with light appetizers, grilled poultry, pizza, pork chops. Alcohol: 12%

2021 Maggio Cabernet Sauvignon, Lodi California $11

This Lodi Cabernet has rich berry fruit with oak and vanilla notes. With hints of baking spices, it reminds one of a mouthwatering berry pie, tasty crust and all. It has a medium body and gentle tannins making for very pleasurable wine drinking. This is a go-to wine for food pairing flexibility with grilled or roasted meats. Alcohol: 13.5%

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September Featured Wines -Terres Des Treize Vents, Picpoul de Pinet, Languedouc, France & Terres Des Treize Vents Pays d’Oc Rouge, France

August 29, 2023 · by ·

The white selection is 2020 Terres Des Treize Vents, Picpoul de Pinet. Picpoul de Pinet is an AOC appellation within southern France’s Languedoc region. It specializes in crisp, well-textured citrus-scented white wines exclusively from Picpoul grapes. In March we featured a California Picpoul by Bonny Doon. You may remember this as a crisp, green wine with minerality due to a dry climate. For this wine those characteristics come from the Mediterranean Sea climate.

The red is 2020 Terre Des Treize, Pays d’Oc Rouge. This blend carries the IGP classification consistent with the varietals used in the region. It is a blend of 50% Petit-Verdot & 50% Syrah. After a great deal of searching I have found little information on this wine, so I am just going with my sales reps recommendation! This is how we explore wines of the world! I am taking a bottle home to taste tonight. My review is below!

2020 Terres Des Treize Vents, Picpoul de Pinet, Languedouc, France $13

This wine is very dry, crisp and fresh; You catch apple and citrus flavors with a clean nice clean finish. Picpoul de Pinet can often be overly plain & simple, but this has a lovely, subtly fruity quality. Drink the youngest vintage available – it’s best when it’s freshest. Great with fresh seafood…Alcohol: 13%

2020 Terres Des Treize Vents Pays d’Oc Rouge, France $11

It is a nice 50/50 blend – medium body without a lot of tannins expected with Petit-Verdot. The lighter Syrah tannins balance the heavy Petit-Verdot tannins. This is a good pairing for charcuterie or spicy meat dishes. Very drinkable – especially for the price. Alcohol: 12.5%

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Featured Wines for August – Mary Taylor Gaillac Perle (Nathalie Larroque) & Mary Taylor Buzet (Christophe Avi), Southwest France

July 29, 2023 · by ·

We have featured many Mary Taylor White Label Wines but there a few more on our list. August wines are from 2 small appellations in the Garonne subregion in Southwwest, France – Gaillac and Buzet. Gaillac, believed to be the oldest vineyards in France, is northwest of Toulouse. Buzet is northwest from Gaillac on the left south bank of the Garonne River. If you follow Mary Taylor Wine, you know she searches for producers who grow and process indigenous grapes. Both of these appellations are only now becoming better known in the wine world.

2020 Mary Taylor Gaillac Perle (Nathalie Larroque), Southwest France, $16

This wine is rich and slightly honeyed with a nose of extreme minerals and earth and a balance of raciness and richness on the palate. The word “Perlé” indicates a slight prickle of nearly imperceptible bubbles in the wine. Enjoy on its own as an aperitif. Pair with rich and spicy foods; Indian Vindaloo, Korean spicy pork, mapo tofu, or Thai curries.Alcohol: 13%

This bold and structured wine is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. It displays rich red berry fruit, coffee beans, and tobacco. The unoaked palate is silky and graceful.The wine has ripe tannins and a generous texture that offers a good mix of black fruits and acidity. This a a wine to pair with summer grilled meats. Alcohol: 13.5%

2019 Mary Taylor Buzet (Christophe Avi), Southwest France $17

This bold and structured wine is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. It displays rich red berry fruit, coffee beans, and tobacco. The unoaked palate is silky and graceful. The wine has ripe tannins and a generous texture that offers a good mix of black fruits and acidity. This a a wine to pair with summer grilled meats. Alcohol: 13.5%

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Featured Wines for July – 2018 Coto de Imaz Reserva Blanco & 2021 El Coto Estate-Grown Rosado, Rioja, Spain

July 3, 2023 · by ·

Each year I like to introduce a rose wine when I think such a change will be enjoyed. Summer is a perfect time although the French drink roses all year since they are such good “food” wines. I also attempt to find roses made in different regions and from different varietals.This month’s wines are produced by El Coto Winery in Rioja, Spain.

2018 Coto de Imaz Reserva Blanco, Rioja, Spain $18

This is a light to medium wine with defined body and fine balance. It has a zesty freshness of pineapple and lemon but a softening with creamy structure and a light nutty finish. This vintage has received high marks and is considered a great pairing for hors d’euvres and charcuterie as well as fish and chicken. Alcohol: 12.5%

2021 El Coto Estate-Grown Rosado, Rioja, Spain $11

This salmon colored rose has aromas of tangerine, raspberry and sage. It has a pleasant feel in the mouth with flavors of lemon curd, strawberry, vanilla and lavender. There is light floral finish. This favorably rated rose is a perfect compliment to salads, chicken and fresh from the dock seafood. Alcohol: 13.5%

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June Featured Wines – Cline Family Cellars Chardonnay & Cline Family Cellars Pinot Noir, California

June 1, 2023 · by ·

Cline Family Cellars was started in 1982 by Fred and Nancy Cline in Oakley, California, Fred was one of the original Rhone Rangers and began planting vineyards dedicated to Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne. Some of his first vintages were from original plantings of Mourvèdre, Zinfandel, and Carignane, dating back to the 1880s. Since those first plantings, the family has continued to plant vineyards throughout Sonoma County, expanding to include more classic varieties like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This is still a family operation which has brought in some of the best winemakers from other parts of the wine world. It is a certified sustainable winery.

2021 Cline Family Cellars Chardonnay, California $16

This is a bright wine with plentiful tropical and stone fruit flavors balanced with oak and vanilla complexity that leads to a long and luscious finish. It is delicious wine mixture of oak and stainless fermentation with just the right amount of secondary fermentation. It has flavors of stone fruits and melon adding wonderful accents of fresh-baked bread Alcohol: 14.5%

2020 Cline Family Cellars Pinot Noir, California $20

Cline Pinot Noir has sumptuous flavors of raspberry, lilacs and dark chocolate, with subtle hints of vanilla and toasted oak. Bright red fruit characteristics emerge along with deep, color, lush body, touches of vanilla and spearmint followed by delicate strawberry flavor. Red fruit greet you on the nose and on the palate richness making this a superb drinking experience . Alcohol: 14.0%

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May Featured Wines – 2022 San Felice Perolla Vermentino & 2020 San Felice Chianti Classico DOCG, Tuscany, Italy

April 29, 2023 · by ·

Agricola San Felice is recognized as an innovative Italian estate, partly because of its ability to spot trends before they develop and partly because of its intense research and experimentation. At the same time, however, its production style accentuates the uniqueness and typical character of its territory by retaining a close attachment to tradition. The estate is situated in the municipality of Castelnuovo Berardenga, near Siena, in other words, right in the heart of Tuscany’s Chianti Classico territory. This is the type of producer we like to offer wine club members.

The white selection, Agricola San Felice Perolla Vermentino (2021), is grown southwest of Siena in Maremma on the coast of Tuscany. A traditional grape in the Maremma, Vermentino ripens to perfection on the hills of the Perolla estate, thanks in part to the moderating influence of the moderating influence of the nearby Mediterranean.

The red selection, Agricola San Felice Chianti Classico DOCG (2020) is the first Chianti we have carried in a long time. Wine Spectator scored this as #24 on the best price list. This Chianti, mostly Sangiovese with 10% of each Colorino and Pugnitello has received rave reviews from buyers.

2022 San Felice Perolla Vermentino, Maremma, Tuscany $15

This is a dry, yet smooth white wine with a rich fragrance. On the nose, scents of grapefruit citrus emerge, along with spring blossoms and newly-mown hay. The palate shows a refreshing crispness, with subtle citrus in the background. Alcohol: 13.0%

2020 San Felice Chianti Classico DOCG, Tuscany $19

This is an example of a light and classic Chianti. Ruby red in color with the typical orangish, brick red hues of Sangiovese. It has complex notes of tart cherries, herbs like oregano, leather, tobacco, Italian salami. Light bodied, soft tannins, medium acid, and a medium long dry savory finish. Alcohol: 13.0%

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March Featured Artists – Maureen Farrell & Karen Kinser

March 3, 2023 · by ·

Our March show welcomes true spring with the art of two very talented women. The show, titled Drawing from Within, has Maureen Farrell returning and introduces Karen Kinser. As you can see from the work shown on their websites – Maureen Farrell and Karen Kinser – both address what they feel with their contemporary paintings. Maureen shares her emotions with her figurative acrylic paintings which start with journaling and sketching. Karen takes a similar approach to her drawing and oil paintings by incorporating her background in graphic design. Her primary interest is color. Both artists let their emotions drive what they paint. Maureen uses a process and Karen uses color and shapes. All of the paintings are in albums on our Facebook page. Below is a selection of some of the paintings in the show.

Maureen Farrell

Karen Kinser

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Featured Wines for February – 2021 Colimoro Pinot Grigio, & 2020 Colimoro Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Italy

January 31, 2023 · by ·

Wines for February are new to our shelves. From time to time we like to replace old “standards” with wines from different producers. The February wines are Italian and carry a Colimoro label. Colimoro is a collaboration between the Opici family and some of Italy’s oldest producers. Together, they are creating wines that reflect the character of the region from which they derive. Opici Family Distributing, is one of our distributors.

Opici considers these 2 wines to be easy-drinking, approachable wines intended for every day consumption. 2020 Colimoro Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is made from grapes sourced from the hillsides of Abruzzo, located east of Rome. The distinct microclimate between the Apennine Mountains and the Adriatic Sea, characterized by moderate temperatures and low humidity, provides excellent growing conditions for this varietal. 2021 Colimoro Pinot Grigio is produced in the northeastern Italian region of Alto Adige – the premier location for the cultivation of this varietal

2021 Colimoro Pinot Grigio, Italy $15

This Pinot Grigio has flavors of white peach, honeysuckle, and ripe melon perfectly pair with the refreshing acidity. It is full-bodied with great balance, length, and a sliced green apple finish. Pour this wine for all occasions, especially whilst enjoying salads, seafood, creamy pasta dishes, and, of course, amongst friends. Serve well chilled. Alcohol: 12.5%

2020 Colimoro Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Italy $15

This Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is bursting with aromas of dried cherries accented by a hint of spice. Medium in body, this is a fruit-forward wine balanced by moderate acidity and soft tannins. Aged in large Slavonian oak casks for 6 months, this is an easy-drinking wine best enjoyed young with everyday meals Alcohol: 12.5%

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