May Featured Wines – 2015 Mitolo “Jester” Vermentino & 2014 Mitolo “Jester” Cabernet Sauvignon, McLaren Vale, South Australia

May 1, 2017 · by ·

2015 Mitolo “Jester” Vermentino, McLaren Vale, South Australia       $14

Mitolo Jester Vermentino is the perfect wine to share over a casual seafood lunch or at an outdoor summer celebration. The wine aromatics are all about freshness and purity with powerful pithy, lemon citrus characters and more subtle tropical notes of melon and pungent papaya. The palate is clean, grapefruit citrus flavors dominate with tropical undertones of melon. The palate is bright and fresh with a savoury, saline edge yet still a lovely soft, mouth filling quality and the faintest dusting of chalky structure that makes it the perfect wine to compliment salty seafood dishes. Alcohol: 12.5%

 

2014 Mitolo “Jester” Cabernet Sauvignon, McLaren Vale, South Australia       $18

The Jester Cabernet comprises 20% Amarone fruit, dried for approximately 7-8 weeks, following the Italian appassimento technique of drying grapes on racks. This is a bright, fresh signature Cabernet Sauvignon with characteristics of red capsicum, menthol, violet and mixed herbs. It is full bodied and mouth filling with juicy red cherry, blackcurrant and cassis, intertwined with savoury dark chocolate and tobacco. The Amarone component adds to a textured finish with great length and savoury tannins. This is a great pairing for grilled or richly prepared beef  and lamb veal. Alcohol: 14.5%

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March Featured Wines – 2014 Emerald Bay Chardonnay & 2012 Emerald Bay Cabernet Sauvignon, California

March 1, 2016 · by ·

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2014 Emerald Bay Chardonnay, Central Coast California  $11

2014 Emerald Bay Chardonnay is 100% Chardonnay grapes that are stainless steel and barrel fermented. The nose is fresh cut pineapple, peaches and pears. On the palate this Chardonnay is light and clean with a vibrant refreshing finish. As you would with lighter Chardonnays, pair this with buttery dishes or just enjoy as an aperitif. Alcohol: 13.5%

 

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2012 Emerald Bay Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast California, $11

2012 Emerald Bay Cabernet Sauvignon is 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and is barrel fermented. The nose carries black cherry and currants. On the palate flavors are spice, chocolate and berries. As we get our grills ready for warmer weather think about pairing this with juicy steaks or dressed up burgers. Alcohol: 13.5%

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Wines of the Month – 2013 Santa Carolina Chardonnay & 2011 Santa Carolina Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile

November 1, 2014 · by ·

Santa Carolina Chardonnay

2013 Santa Carolina Chardonnay Reserva, Casablanca Valley, Chile          $11

Santa Carolina Chardonnay Reserva has a bright gold/yellow color. It features an intense combination of fruity aromas of pear, figs, pineapple and bananas. On the palate, this fruity, fresh and well-balanced wine features ripe tropical fruit and a soft, mild buttery texture, with hints of vanilla and toffee. This wine is aged in oak but the effect is pleasant to make this a well-balanced, medium to full bodied wine. It is a great wine to serve with scallops, salmon, a seafood bisque or leftover turkey! Alcohol: 13.5%

 

Santa Carolina Cabernet Saauvignon

2011 Santa Carolina Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva, Valle del Maipo, Chile      $20

This Cabernet Sauvignon has a bright vivid ruby red color. It features ripe cherry and black currant with chocolate and pepper aromas, enhanced by sweet spices, vanilla and cinnamon notes. On the palate, this dry and full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon offers a perfect balance between fruit and oak, ripe and soft tannins and a lingering finish. Wine Enthusiast  gives this 91 and says “This Cabernet delivers a complete package at an incredibly attractive price. Aromas of mocha, graphite and vanilla play nicely with core berry scents. Baked berry, vanilla and pastry flavors settle softly, with mellow tannins. Drink through 2018.” This is a perfect smooth and supple wine for richly roasted beef and lamb. Alcohol: 14.5%

 

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Wines of the Month – 2011 Dry Creek Vineyards Chenin Blanc & 2008 Dry Creek Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

February 1, 2013 · by ·

Featured Wines for February – 2011 Dry Creek Vineyards Chenin Blanc, Clarksburg, CA & 2009 Dry Creek Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek Valley, CA

Label for Dry Creek Vineyards 2011 Chenin Blanc

2011 Dry Creek Vineyards Chenin Blanc, Clarksburg, California     $12

Dry Creek Vineyard is one of the few remaining family owned wineries left in California. With more than 40 years of grape growing and winemaking experience, the Stare family efforts continue to focus on the quality of wine in the bottle. Dry Creek’s Chenin Blanc consistently receives “best buy” and exceptional reviews. In 2012 this wine  was in the Top 10 of the Pacific Coast Oyster Wine Competition. Winemaker Comments:  ” The 2011 vintage perfectly represents our love for this wonderful grape variety.   Fragrant aromas of pineapple, white peach, melon and citrus leap from the glass.  A few swirls reveal an underlying minerality, even some chalky notes, which are an ode to the variety’s Loire Valley roots.  The palate expresses soft apple characters, zesty citrus and a wonderful sense of balance and freshness.”  This is certainly a lovely crisp, dry wine for warmer weather, but I find this the perfect wine for winter’s salty seaside oysters – raw, roasted, fried or stewed. Alcohol: 12.5%

 

2008 Dry Creek Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek Valley, California                         $25

Dry Creek produces a Bordeaux style blend that receives solid reviews from Wine Enthusiast– the 2007 received a 90 and the 2008 a 91. The blend is  79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 4% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc – all produced from the Dry Creek Valley region. Winemaker Comments: “The 2008 Dry Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon displays elegant aromas of raspberry, sage and dried flowers. On the palate, the flavors intermingle with black cherry and chocolate creating a mouthful of silky, well-integrated tannins. With some airing, the wine fleshes out even more providing dimension, depth and length. The finish lingers on for more than a minute with fine tannins that are very elegant and structured. Simply delicious!” As a Baltimore Ravens fan I hope to let this wine breathe and enjoy it on Super Bowl Sunday. This is a wine for a special winter day! Alcohol: 14.5%

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