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 Opening & Wine Tasting

August 29, 2023 · by ·

Stop by Friday September 1 from 5 until 8 to see the work of Meg Walsh and Nancy West. Other paintings by Lynne Lockhart, Kirk McBride, Linda Perry and Keith Whitelock are being shown.  tastingMeg Meg Walsh

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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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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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January Wines – Peirano Estate Vineyards, Heritage Collection Viognier (2020) & Peirano Estate Vineyards, Heritage Collection Old Vine Zinfandel (2019), California

January 6, 2023 · by ·

This month’s selection takes us back to California and to the Peirano Estate Vineyards. In 1992, Peirano Estate Vineyards began bottling and selling wine using their estate grown grapes. Until this point, Lance Randolph, fourth generation Peirano, produced wine simply for his enjoyment and that of his close family and friends. The rest of the grapes were sold to winemakers across the country. Their vineyards are located in the Central Valley in the Lodi region.

The white is Peirano Heritage Viognier (2020.) The red is Peirano Heritage Old Vine Zinfandel (2019.) The Viognier may remind you of a buttery Chardonnay. Even if you are not a buttery fan, you should enjoy this wine since it is lighter. Viognier grapes were first grown in France but now their are grown in many wine regions where weather and terrior give it different qualities. You will find the Zinfandel lush, all purpose wine for winter meals. If you remember the Terrilogio Primitivo pairs well with spicy Italian dishes, this Zinfandel will do as well.

Peirano Estate Vineyards, Heritage Collection Viognier (2020), California $14

This is a wine for poultry and fish that are mildly prepared. It has Aromas of honeysuckle, guava and butter are complemented by a hint of toasty brioche. On the palate, lush flavors of fresh ripe apricots, lychee, vanilla and floral are balanced by flavors of peaches and butter. For buttery Chardonnay lovers, this Viognier is for you. Alcohol: 14.8%

Peirano Estate Vineyards, Heritage Collection Old Vine Zinfandel (2019), California $14

This wine has a beautiful burgundy color. It has seductive aromas of spiced blackberry, plum, dried cherry and baking spices. On the palate, the initial sensation is that of luscious, juicy, freshly-picked ripe blackberries lightly spiced. The second sip explodes with moderate tannins and juicy acidity. Great with burgers and spicy dishes. Alcohol: 14.8%

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December Featured Wines – 2021 Garzon Albarino Reserva & 2020 Garzon Tannat Reserva, Uruguay

December 5, 2022 · by ·

The wine industry in Uruguay dates back to 1870. It was brought by immigrants from the Basque region of Spain, France and Italy. The first grape produced was Tannant. By the mid-1950’s Albarino was introduced. Today other common varietals are Merlot (10%), Chardonnay (7%), Cabernet Sauvignon (6%), Sauvignon blanc (6%), and Cabernet Franc (4%). There are two levels of classification, Vino de calidad preferente (VCP), a “quality wine” category and Vino común (VC), a “table wine” category. In the 1980’s the wine industry focused on quality and marketing to compete with Brazilian and Argentine wines.

The selected wines are produced by Bodegas Garzon. When Alejandro Bulgheroni and his wife, Bettina, discovered Garzón in 1999, they saw in it their “little Uruguayan Tuscany”, and they had a dream, a family dream that has come true today: Agroland. Thus, surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, they started to design Bodega Garzón. From energy efficiency to reduction in water consumption, from using low-emission local equipment to responsible construction waste management, from collecting rainwater to restoring biodiversity… These are some of the environmental strategies implemented in its design and construction.

2021 Garzon Albarino Reserva, Uruguay $14

This Albariño is of a pale yellow colour with greenish reflections and fruity aromas reminding of peach; balanced with citric notes. It is fresh and mineral with a marked acidity and a long and rounded aftertaste in mouth. Aromas of gooseberry, finger lime and ginger lead off in this refined but refreshing white, with saline-laced grapefruit and Meyer lemon at the core, followed by a clean finish Alcohol: 12.5%

2020 Garzon Tannat Reserva, Uruguay $14

This Tannat is deep purple in color. It has fresh aromas of red and black fruits – plums and raspberries with spice flavored aroma. It has features grippy tannins. On the palate it feels juicy with medium body. The most traditional combination is slowly cooked leg of lamb flavored with sage, mint, garlic and olive oil. It also pairs beautifully with blue cheese and toasted walnuts.
Alcohol: 14.0%

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October Featured Wines – OT Vins El Cep, Penedes, Spain & Maria Cruz Garcia, Tempranillo, Narvarra, Spain

October 2, 2022 · by ·

OT Vins El Cep, Penedes, Spain (2021) $12

This X-arel-lo has fragrant fresh pear and honeydew melon on the nose, along with a subtle floral nuance. On the palate it is silky showing good depth and a touch of waxiness to the ripe orchard and citrus fruit flavors. The melon note comes back on a smooth, persistent finish that features a refreshing bitter orange zest flourish. A lovely all around white. Alcohol: 12.5.%

Maria Cruz Garcia, Tempranillo, Narvarra, Spain (2019) $14

This is a a dark, plump and powerful Tempranillo with lots of intensity due to the blackberry and black plum fruit and accents of wild herb. The tannins are gentle and firm on the finish, amplifying the dark fruit flavors and making your mouth water for a big bite of lamb or steak.it is fermented and aged in steel tanks with no outside yeasts. Alcohol: 14.1%

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