September Featured Wines – 2013 Casa Ferreirinha Planalto White Reserva & 2013 Quinto do Casto Douro Red, Douro, Portugal

September 1, 2015 · by ·

Planato

2013 Casa Ferreirinha Planato White Reserva, Douro Portugal  $14

This white Portuguese whit wine is produced from Viosinho, Malvesia Fina, Gouveio, Codega and Arinto grapes. It is bright lemon in color and has a very intense and complex bouquet, with a prevalence of white fruits, fresh vegetable notes of green shrubs and some mineral notes. This wine has a long and balanced finish perfect for that first roasted chicken this fall.

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2013 Quinto do Casto Douro Red, Douro, Portugal  $15

This red blend is made from traditional Douro red grape varieties: Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barroca and Touriga Franca. It has ripe red fruit aromas and is very fruity on the palate, with good structure and light tannins which make it a very pleasant wine. Unoaked, it is produced to be a fresh, fruity, easy-to-drink wine that pairs wells with pork roasted with fruit.

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Wine Down Saturday – August 29

July 23, 2015 · by ·

wine rack viewThe best time to buy wine is the last Saturday each month. Mixed cases are discounted 20% and tastings of the featured wine are offered.

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August Featured Wines – 2014 Cune Monopole Viura & 2011 Cune Rioja Crianza, Rioja, Spain.

August 1, 2015 · by ·

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2014 Cune Monopole Viura, Rioja, Spain                            $15

The 2013 Monopole received a 90 rating from Wine Spectator and was ranked 64 in their 2014 Top 100 Wines so the prospects for the   latest vintage is very positive. This is a focused white which shows bright, juicy flavors of white peach and Meyer lemon, with herbal and mineral accents. The texture is quite rich, but crisp, citrusy acidity keeps this lively. This is a wine for sipping or can be a wonderful pairing with summer seafood.

Cune crianza

 2011 Cune Rioja Crianza, Rioja, Spain                              $15

2011 Cune Rioja Crianza is a smooth and supple Tempranillo. Crianza means it has been aged 2 years     with  at least 6 months in oak. This wine is clean and bright, with fresh red fruits, a hint of spice, lively acidity, balanced structure and a lingering finish. When I tasted this wine I had forgotten how delightful a good Crianza can be. This one would be great pairing for pulled pork or ribs.

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July Featured Wines – 2014 Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc & 2013 Southern Right Pinotage, South Africa

July 1, 2015 · by ·

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2014 Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc, Walker Bay, South Africa      $14

This Sauvignon Blanc is produced by Hamilton Russell Vineyards, one of the most southerly wine Estates in Africa and one of the closest to the sea in South Africa. It is a crisp, dry and juicy Sauvignon Blanc  with generous tropical fruit and racy acidity. This fresh, bright and lively wine has good depth and nice length. This is a great summer wine for shellfish, fish or light chicken dishes. Alcohol: 13%

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2013 Southern Right Pinotage, Hemel-En-Aarde Valley, South Africa        $24

Wine Spectator gives this vintage 90 points due to the ripe and stylish presentation of the varietal with a blend of 92.2 % Pinotage, 4.4% Malbec, 2.3% Syrah and Petit Verdot 1.1%  With this vintage Southern Right is re-defining Pinotage as a intense classically styled, clay-grown wine, packed with complex berry fruit, beautiful tannins and subtle wood spice. This wine has full ripeness and the longer hang-time afforded by cooler sites, combined with the complex, more classic fruit aromas and structure resulting from clay-rich soil, make this wine a highly individual expression of South Africa’s unique grape variety. Yes, this is a great summer wine to uncork for grilled barbecued ribs and hamburgers.  Alcohol: 14%

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Wine Down Saturday – June 27

May 31, 2015 · by ·

wine rack view

The best time to buy wine is the last Saturday each month. Mixed cases are discounted 20% and tastings of the featured wine are offered.

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June Featured Wines – 2014 Chateau La Graviere, Entre-Deux-Mers, France & 2013 Bouchard Aine & Fils Pinot Noir, Beaune, France

June 1, 2015 · by ·

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2014 Chateau La Graviere, Entre-Deux-Mers, France                 $11

The region’s name, which means “between two seas,” refers to its location between the Dordogne and Garonne rivers. Entre-Deux-Mers is best known for inexpensive dry white wines.  This is a medium dry white wine with Semillion used to soften Sauvignon Blanc. This wine is fruity with a great nose. While not a huge white Bordeaux this is a very pleasant wine for summer entertaining. Drink without food but this is a good food wine with summer’s fresh vegetables and seafood. Alcohol: 12.5%

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 2013 Bouchard Aine & Fils Pinot Noir, South of France           $11

This is a deliciously fruit-forward Pinot Noir from the South of France produced by the Bouchard family –   one of France’s great wine merchant families.  This wine is characterized by its aromatic complexity and mild tannins. It is brilliant cherry red and has red fruit aromas, cherry, kirsch with notes of lime and mint. There is a lot of fruit and a delicate note of wood. This is a well balanced wine that can be served with lighter summer meals from the grill. Alcohol: 13%

Both of these wines are examples of the quality and value Bishop’s Stock offers. Neither wine is a “heavy hitter” but each show good quality for the varietals.

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May Featured Wines – 2013 Ox-Eye Riesling & 2012 Ox-Eye Cabernet Franc, Shenandoah Valley, Virginia

May 1, 2015 · by ·

Ox-Eye

Ox-Eye Vineyards, Shenandoah Valley, Virginia

Ox-Eye Vineyards (the actual vineyard) is located near Staunton in Augusta County, but has a tasting room in downtown Staunton. The 100-acre farm was purchased by John and Susan Kiers in 1996 with the main intention of growing wine grapes in Augusta County. This particular site was chosen because of the unique climate of the Shenandoah Valley, hot temperatures during the day and much cooler temperatures across the valley at night. Other factors were the low rainfall as well as the deep limestone soils. These conditions, we were told, allow the grapes to ripen and intensify the sugar content while maintaining the acidity in late summer and early fall. The vineyard was named Ox-Eye after the ox-eye daisies that are strewn throughout the vineyard. The Kiers planted their first two acres of grape vines in 1999 and, eventually, expanded the planting to around twenty acres.

The original venture was to sell grapes to local vineyards, but after 10 years and some deliberation between the couple they decided to build their own winery. They did just that in 2010 and began selling their own Estate Bottled wines. Not long after, the Kiers purchased and renovated an old coal and lumber office building which was built in 1903. This would come to be their main tasting room location. The building was completely renovated and its doors were opened to the public for the first time in the spring of 2011. The exterior brick is painted an eye-catching yellow to match that of the ox-eye flowers that grow on the Vineyard property, while the interior glimmers from the refinished pine floors, windows, and tasting bar.

2013 Ox-Eye Riesling                       $18

This is a perfect off-dry Riesling. The Kiers have found a niche for German-style wines. Being off- dry means the sweetness of the grape does not overwhelm. There is a nice blend of citrus and a hint of honey. This is a light-bodied wine that is a perfect compliment to many foods.  Perfect with shellfish and wonderful with Asian foods.  Alcohol: 11.8%

2012 Ox-Eye Cabernet Franc        $20

Cabernet Franc is a medium bodied red lighter in color and tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon. Ox-Eye is dry with ripe plum and raspberry perfumes. Citrus aromas mesh with bright acidity, adding a touch of minerality mid palate, while maintaining a semi-sweet but not puckering finish. This pairs with red meats and full flavored cheeses.A good wine for grilled meals. Alcohol: 13.2%

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Wine Down Saturday

March 28, 2015 · by ·

wine rack view

The best time to restock your wine inventory – or taste our featured wines – is the last Saturday each month. Mixed cases are discounted 20%

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April Featured Wines – 2013 Falesco Est! Est! Est! di Montefiascone, Umbria, Italy & 2009 Monti Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC, Abruzzo, Italy

April 1, 2015 · by ·

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2013 Falesco Est! Est!, Est! di Montefiascone, Umbria, Italy            $11

The legend goes that in the 12th century, a wine-loving bishop was traveling through the Italian countryside on his way to see the coronation of the Pope. As he traveled, he would send a scout ahead of the convoy to let him know the wine of the area was good by marking “Est” (“It is”) above an inn’s door. As the scout traveled ahead to Montefiascone, the wine was apparently so good, that the scout marked that location with “Est! Est!! Est!!!” Montefiascone remains an excellent wine today, particularly so when crafted by Cotarella, who blends 50% Trebbiano, 30% Malvasia, and 20% Roscetto together for legendary results. This wine is  delicate straw-yellow in color, the nose offers playful aromas of citrus, apple, and white flowers. On the palate, its crisp acidity is balanced with soft flavors of pear and melon which make for an easy-to-drink, refreshing wine. Drink this wine on its own, or pair it with grilled fish, velouté sauces, chicken satay, or oysters Rockefeller. Alcohol: 12%

 

Monti

2009 Monti Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC, Abruzzo, Italy        $15

This small, family-owned winery even involves the family dog on the bottle. “Baffo,” meaning “mustached” in Italian, is the name of Monti’s Spinone breed that appears on each bottle. The Spinone are famed as being versatile hunting dogs of ancient heritage with origins in northern Italy. The wine is  unfined and unfiltered to preserve all its fleshy, fruit flavors. It  has a dark, inky, red color and intense aromas of ripe blackberries, cherries, and herbs with undertones of licorice, black pepper, and smoke. It is generous, yet pure on the palate and is ripe with round tannins and delicate acidity. This offers an excellent overall structure. Pair this wine with sausages, tomato sauces, barbecue, and ancho chile-based dishes. Alcohol: 14.5%

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

March 1, 2015 · by ·

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%

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