Wines of the Month – 2013 Chateau de la Chesnaie Muscadet Sevre et Maine, Loire Valley, 2009 Chateau Tour d’Auron, Bourdeaux

August 1, 2014 · by BishopsStock ·

2013 Chateau de la Chesnaie Muscadet Sevre et Maine, Pomerol, Loire Valley $12

This long name actually places the wine in an appellation in the Loire Valley. The grape is Melon de Bourgogne and it produces a pale silver wine with a slightly yellow tint, and aromas of grapefruit, lemon oil, cut hay and flowers. The palate was very citrusy and dry, with high toned acidity and mineral tones prevailing over fruit. This is a wonderful wine for summer seafood. Alcohol: 12%

2009 Chateau Tour d’Auron, Bordeaux $12

This wine has been on our shelves for a year and we have customers who buy it regularly. The 2009 vintage is truly one in which a Bordeaux Supérieur like Château Tour d’Auron shines. It is 75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet SAuvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc. The fruit is luscious, the palate is seductive, and the finish is ripe but elegant. It is medium to full-bodied with structured tannins. If you want an easy red for grilled summer menus, this works. Alcohol: 13%

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: Bourdeaux, Chateau de la Chesnaie, Chateau Tour d'Auron, Featured wine, France, Loire Valley, Muscadet

Wine Down Saturday – July 26

June 27, 2014 · by BishopsStock ·

Wine Down Saturday – July 28

The best time to try new wines and restock your inventory is the last Saturday each month. Mixed cases are discounted 20%. Come taste the featured wines of the month while enjoying featured artwork.

Filed Under: · Tagged: 20% Discount, Eastern Shore, Featured wine, Wine Down Saturday

Wines of the Month – 2012 Damilano Langhe Arneis and 2011 Tommasi Rompicollo, Italy

July 1, 2014 · by BishopsStock ·

2011 Damilano Langhe Arneis, Piedmont, Italy $21

This wine is 100% Arneis, a grape often referred to as “white Barolo” because it is grown close to some of the most famous areas of Barolo and has a similar richness. It is fresh with bright acidity, vibrant peach and passion fruit flavors and an a delightful hint of almond on the finish. There is a nutty edge, structured with a hint of tannin. On the nose there is a bit of cut grass. This is an un-oaked wine suitable for appetizers, fish courses and white meats. Alcohol: 13%

2011 Tommasi Rompicollo, Maremmma, Tuscany, Italy $15

The 2011 Rompicollo is a 60-40 blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. Its name, roughly translated as “neck-breaking” in English, was inspired by the backbreaking labor required to farm in the Tufo-rich soils of the area. Sweet cherry and blackberry aromas are followed by a mild mouthfeel. There is initial plushness here but the wine’s texture is compact and streamlined overall. This is a great blend for something as simple as gorgonzola with hearty bread or a tradtional as a lamb shank. It is considered a smart buy receiving a 92 from Wine Spectator. Alcohol: 13%

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: Damilano, Featured wine, Italy, Maremma, piedmont, Tommasi, Tuscany

Wines of the Month – 2013 Frenzy Sauvignon Blanc, South Island & 2011 Mohua Pinot Noir, Central Otago New Zealand

June 1, 2014 · by BishopsStock ·

2013 Frenzy Sauvignon Blanc, South Island, New Zealand $12

2013 Frenzy Sauvignon Blanc is produced by Wilson Daniels, Ltd., from various vineyards on the South Island including the Marlborough region. This wine is intensely aromatic and lively, bursting with flavors of passion fruit, dried herbs, gooseberry and citrus. This is a great value wine that has been on our shelves since we began selling wine. There are quite a few fans. Enjoy chilled as an apéritif or match with fresh seafood. Alcohol: 13%

2011 Mohua Pinot Noir, Central Otago, New Zealand $21

2011 Mohua Pinot Noir is produced by Peregrine Wines in Central Otago. It is sourced from vineyards in 3 different sub-regions. This is a soft textured, full flavored Pinot Noir with red fruit flavor – raspberry, cherry and currant. There is a subtle flavor of oak and Asian spice. This very “juicy” wine is perfect with summer foods – grilled salmon or lamb stand out in my mind.

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: Central Otago, Featured wine, Marborough, New Zealand, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc

Wines of the Month – 2012 Villa Wolf Pinot Noir Rose, Germany & 2011 Sledgehammer Zinfandel, California

May 1, 2014 · by BishopsStock ·

2012 Villa Wolf Pinot Noir Rose, Pfalz, Germany $12

The Villa Wolf Rosé de Pinot Noir is a true rosé, made with a brief maceration before pressing to extract a lovely salmon color. It is light and refreshing, with bright berry and fruit flavors and a clean, zippy finish. This is a lovely wine for sipping as the weather warms plus it is a great wine to pair with the season’s fresh seafood. Alcohol 11.5%

2011 Sledgehammer Zinfandel, California North Coast $13

This is a big, bold, spicy and as the producer says “loud” wine. It pairs perfectly with grilled beef and all hearty meats hot off the grill. It has an abundance of raspberry and sweet baking spices, chocolate and espresso aromas lead to a secondary layer of fruit – blueberry and black cherry with vanilla. The palate reflects the nose – it supplies generous fruit, has a supple texture and fine cocoa tannins lingering on the finish. Alcohol: 14.5%

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: California, Featured wine, Germany, Pinot Noir Rose, Sledgehammer, Villa Wolf, Zinfandel

Wines of the Month – 2011 Riondo Excelsa Soave, Verona, Italy & 2011 Fausti Fausto Rosso Piceno, Marches, Italy

April 1, 2014 · by BishopsStock ·

2011 Riondo Excelsa Soave, Verona, Italy $11

2011 Riondo Excelsa Soave produced in the Soave DOC just north of Verona. It is made from 100% Garganega grapes
This wine is a new style of Soave. It has a generous floral nose with apricot and pear hitting the palate with zesty acidity and lingering mineral finish. This is a great wine for grilled fish or spicy seafood curry.

2011 Fausti Fausto Rosso Piceno, Marches, Italy $12

Rosso Piceno is a blend of Montepulciano and Sangiovese. These are concentrated reds but with 12 month barrel aging they soften. Our selection is 2011 Fausti “Fausto” Rosso Piceno. It is 60% Montepulciano and 40% Sangiovese made from organic grapes. This is a deep purple wine with scents of violets and wild cherry. On the palate it is clean with crisp cherry flavors and a hint of oak. This is a great pasta wine but consider pairing it with grilled sausages or hearty grilled chicken.

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: Fausti, Featured wine, Italy, Marches, Riondo, Rosso Piceno, Soave, Veneto

Wines of the Month – 2011 Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc & 2010 Mulderbosch “Faithful Hound” Red Blend, Stellenbosch, South Africah

March 1, 2014 · by BishopsStock ·

2011 Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch, South Africa $13

Stellenbosch, South Africa’s most famous wine region, is home to Mulderbosch Vineyards founded in 1989 just before Nelson Mandela opened the South African wine industry to the world. Mulderbosch is now owned by Terrior Capital, a California investment company lead by Charles Black, a well known wine investor who sees great value in South African wines.

The white selection is Mulderbosch 2011 Chenin Blanc. This is a light, crisp white with a powerful nose of guava, lime and pear. It has a very soft, round feel mid-palate even with such definitive fruit-forward first taste. The finish has a hint of spice so this is an all around great food wine. Partner it with shellfish, grilled tuna, herb roasted chicken, or vegetable stews. Alcohol: 13.5%

2010 Mulderbosch “Faithful Hound” Red Blend, Stellenbosch, South Africa $22

Mulderbosch 2010 “Faithful Hound.” This is a 5 varietal blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot created as a tribute to Boes, the loyal dog who kept watch over the Mulderbosch farm for nearly three years after his owner’s death. With almost 50% Cabernet Sauvignon the medium body of this wine brings well-developed fruit to the forefront. It has a clean, dark cherry and cassis-scented bouquet with just a hint of espresso. On the palate it is medium-bodied but has distinct tannins on the entry. This is a great pairing for beef or duck. Alcohol: 14%

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: Chenin Blanc, Featured wine, Mulderbosch, Red Blend, South Africa, Stellenbosch

Wines of the Month – 2012 La Miranda de Secastilla Garnacha Blanca & 2012 Honoro Vera Merlot

February 1, 2014 · by BishopsStock ·

2012 La Miranda de Secastilla Garnacha Blanca, Somontano, Spain $15

This month the white we are offering, 2012 La Miranda de Secastilla Garnacha Blanca, is produced in Somontano in Northern Spain by Vinas Del Vero. This is a unique wine since the Garnacha Blanca is only cultivated in Spain and is not widely known. It is an aromatic wine with apple and citrus notes. On the palate this is a soft wine with a moderate, balanced acidity. It is a food friendly wine and an excellent pairing for spicy foods or simple grilled fish. Alcohol: 13.5%

2012 Honoro Vera Merlot, Jumilla, Spain $11

This wine is produced by Bodegas Juan Gil. We have offered several wines from this producer and find all to have great quality and value. Merlot is not a native grape in Spain but growing conditions in the Jumilla region are very favorable for the varietal. This 100% Merlot is an intense, juicy mouthful of red berry and blackberry. It has some spice and a smoky finish. This is also a versatile wine that pairs with pastas, soups and roasted or grilled meats. Alcohol: 15%

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: Bodegas Juan Gil, Featured wine, Garnacha Blanca, Jumilla, Merlot, Somantano, Spain, Vinas Del Vero

Wines of the Month – 2012 Henry Fessy Sous La Roche Pouilly Fuisse, Burgundy, France & 2009 Petite Sirene Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux France

January 1, 2014 · by BishopsStock ·

2012 Henry Fessy Sous La Roche Pouilly Fuisse, Burgundy France $17

2012 Henry Fessy Sous la Roche Pouilly Fuisse from Southern Burgundy. Pouilly Fuisse is exclusively Chardonnay. The pruned and trained vines on the Fessey vineyards are 33 years old. The grapes produce a full-bodied and elegant wine. This Pouilly-Fuissé has beautiful pale green highlights. The bouquet reveals aromas of pear, followed by delicate notes of almond. This is a great wine for oyster stew or a simple fish or chicken dish.

2009 Petite Sirene Bordeaux, Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux, France $12

This is 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2009 and 2010 Bordeaux production has been hailed as great vintages – worth buying and enjoying now in 2014. This wine can be decanted to enhance the nose cherry, black currant and buttered toast nose. It is a dark ruby red baked black cherry and plum flavors wrapped around traces of toasted bread crust. Although a medium bodied wine there is a nice spicy finish. All in all this is a lovely velvety, easy drinking wine which may be enjoyed alone or with any meal that needs a red wine.

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: Featured wine, France

Wines of the Month – 2012 Quady Essensia Orange Muscat, California & NVTrentadue Chocolate Amore, CaliforniaCalifornia

December 1, 2013 · by BishopsStock ·

2012 Quady Essensia Orange Muscat, California $17

To celebrate the holiday season Bishop’s Stock has selected dessert wines as our features. Essensia may accompany dessert or be a dessert on its own. It is made from 100% Orange Muscat, a grape variety that is little known. Essensia has an aroma reminiscent of orange blossom and apricot. The wine is lightly fortified to about 15% alcohol and aged for 3 months in French Oak. On the palate Essensia tastes like fresh fruit with a nice balance. This is a great pairing for chocolate and desserts with almonds, peaches, apples or apricots. Add to sparkling wine to make Essensia Royale. Alcohol: 15%

NV Trentadue Chocolate Amore, California $22

This is a Merlot-based, port-styled chocolate flavored dessert wine. Using traditions for port making, neutral grape spirits are used to stop fermentation to trap a percentage of sugar in the wine. Once Chocolate Amore is finished aging and is ready for bottling and a tiny amount of natural chocolate extract is infused to the final blend. This creates the perfect marriage to pair with something as simple as vanilla ice cream or as a stand-alone dessert. Alcohol: 18.5%

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: California, dessert, Featured wine, Merlot, port