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

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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%

December’s Featured Wines – 2014 Vinum Cellars Chardonnay & 2014 Vinum Cellars Pinot Noir, Monterey, California

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2014 Vinum Cellars Chardonnay, Monterey, California $15

2014 Vinum Cellars Chardonnay is rich and layered wine that relies on the natural acidity from the acidity of the Santa Lucia Highland fruit. This Chardonnay has a medium straw color with aromas of lemon custard, rich vanilla, cream and toasted oak notes. The palate is generous with it’s layered tropical notes of mango, papaya and pineapple which then transitions into silky rich custard and caramel toffee notes and does so in an integrated fashion.This wine pairs well with lobster or crab served with drawn butter and lemon. Try it with grilled wild King Salmon, wilted greens and roasted fingerling potatoes.

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2014 Vinum Cellars Pinot Noir, Monterey, California  $15

2014 Vinum Pinot Noir is a vibrant, medium garnet in color. It has aromas of black and rainier cherries with slight earth and black pepper notes. The palate is full with ripe cranberry, sweet and sour cherry flavors and is wrapped in exotic spice flavors such as star anise and cinnamon and fold into a blanket of integrated French oak, vanilla finish. This wine pairs well with many entrees but try it with duck or pork where the cooking method uses lots of black pepper.

March Featured Wines – 2012 DeLoach Chardonnay & 2012 DeLoach Zinfandel, Russian River Valley, California

Deloach Chard

2012 DeLoach Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, California       $19

Chardonnay fans will love this California style version of the variety. It’s wonderfully fruity, with ripe pineapples, tangerines and papayas, and a rich, sweet taste, like bananas sautéed in butter and drizzled with honey. The acidity is perfect. This is a fruity, smooth Chardonnay that received 91 from Wine Enthusiast. Alcohol: 14.5%

 

 

 

Deloach Zin2012 DeLoach Zinfandel, Russian River Valley, California             $19

This wine opens aromatically with enticing notes full of boysenberry and blackberry accentuated with hints of dust and violet. Dark red, almost purplish, this wine is medium to full-bodied with excellent balance and great structure. True to its varietal, DeLoach’s  Russian River Valley Zinfandel has nice acidity, just a touch of toast on the palate and is ready to be enjoyed upon release.  Wine & Spirits gives this big and bold Zinfandel a 93. Alcohol:  15%

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

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%

 

Wines of the Month – St. Kilda Chardonnay & Coriole Vineyards Sangiovese/Shiraz

Featured Wines for January – 2011 St. Kilda Chardonnay, Southeast Australia & 2010 Coriole Sangiovese/Shiraz, McLaren Valley, Australia

Label on Australian wine by St. Kilda

2011 St. Kilda Chardonnay, Southeast Australia    $10

St Kilda Chardonnay is named after a beachside suburb of Melbourne, Australia. St Kilda’s Chardonnay is crisp and fruity. This is not a California style Chardonnay (buttery and heavy.) The St. Kilda Chardonnay drinks well above the price point.  This wine is light and tangy with notes of apple, lime, and apricot. It  has a nice minerality, which follows closely with the nose.  The finish is long for an inexpensive wine with a nice acidity. The St. Kilda Chardonnay pairs nicely with food, particularly chicken or game birds. Alcohol: 12.5%

 

 

Bottle of 2010 Coriole Sangiovese/Shiraz

2010 Coriole Vineyards Sangiovese/Shiraz, McLaren Valley, Australia    $14

Coriole Vineyards was established by the Lloyd Family in 1967. The earliest vineyards date from 1919, in the “Seaview” sub-region of the McLaren Vale Wine Region in South Australia. The main variety is Shiraz, followed by Sangiovese and Chenin Blanc. In this this popular blend Shiraz adds an attractive warmth and richness to the leanness of Sangiovese. Both the Sangiovese and Shiraz for this wine are sourced from Coriole’s estate vineyards. This is a wine that shows the best characteristics of both varieties. Some richness and lushness comes from the Shiraz with the Sangiovese imparting a savory, structural edge. The nose shows red currant, cherry, dark chocolate and earthiness. Hints of licorice and spice lead into a medium bodied, juicy palate that displays dark berry and red fruit. This is a great wine for hearty pastas and other rich Italian dishes. Alcohol: 14%