July’s Featured Wines – La Villa de Maison Vialade White & Red, Pays D’Oc, France

July 1, 2019 · by ·

2018 Villa De Maison Vialade White ($10) is a blend of Marsanne and Roussanne with 10% Sauvignon Blanc. The vineyard is perched on the terraces bordering the Mediterranean coastline in the Minervois region. The temperate Mediterraean climate helps make this an aromatic wine. It is moderately “fat” on the palate and is very delicate. This is a great summer wine as an aperitif or served with grilled fish. Alcohol: 12.5%

2017 Villa De Maison Vialade Red ($10) is 100% Marselan which is a cross of Grenache Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. It has intense purple hues. On the nose it is jammy with red and black fruit. This has soft tannins with good aromatic intensity. This is a great summer red for grilled meat. Alcohol: 13%

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged:

Opening Reception for Lois Engberg & Carole Boggemann Peirson

May 31, 2019 · by ·

 

Our featured artists for June are Lois Engberg and Carole Boggemann Peirson. The opening reception is June 7 from 5 until 8. There will also be a book signing with Bryan Coates and his recently published short story in Ghostlight. We will be tasting Spanish wines.

Filed Under: · Tagged: , , , , ,

April Featured Wines – Marisco Vineyards 2018 The Ned Pinot Gris & Marisco Vineyards 2016 The Ned Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand

April 1, 2019 · by ·

2018 The Ned Pinot Gris ($14) is instantly recognizable with its skin-contact giving a delicate salmon pink color. The highly fragranced nose bursts with aromas of apples, lychees, lime blossoms and a touch of honey. The acidity on the palate is crisp but not searing and is balanced by a dry, chalky-textured mouthfeel that finishes with a zing of lime zest. This Pinot Gris can become your best friend when enjoyed on its own, but it also pairs well with your favorite fish dish accompanied with a fresh watermelon salad. Alcohol: 14%

2016 The Ned Pinot Noir ($20) is a classic New Zealand Pinot Noir and has less acidity. It is a balanced wine. It is deep red cherry in color, with a herbaceous nose and red fruits aromas. This wine is light bodied, offering rich notes of red cherries, red currants and cranberries. This is a crowd-pleasing Pinot Noir. It is light and dry to enjoy it on its own or paired with ham, pork or white meats. Easily this is a food-friendly wine. Alcohol: 13.5%

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: , , , , ,

March Featured Wines – 2017 Sula Vineyards, Sauvignon Blanc Estate Bottled ($14) & 2017 Sula Vineyards, Shiraz Estate Bottled ($15), Maharashtra, India

March 1, 2019 · by ·

Sula Vineyards, Sauvignon Blanc Estate Bottled is herbaceous, crisp and dry, with aromas of bell peppers, freshly cut green grass and refreshing acidity on the palate. Notes of white peach barely prepares the taste buds for full-on citrus flavors of lemon, grapefruit and orange peel. It is bright and zesty on the palate, and the finish offers an unexpected but pleasant jolt of eucalyptus.This pairs well with spicy Indian food, especially coastal and Southern coconut-based curries and dishes flavored with coriander. Also pairs well with spicy Oriental food. Alcohol: 13%

Sula Vineyards, Shiraz Estate Bottled is 85% Shiraz and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and has a deep purple core and a full body with soft, ripe and rounded tannins. It has medium intense aromas of red fruits, cinnamon, blackberries, cacao and spice.This wine is richly structured with lively jammy flavors of red fruits and herbs mixed with pepper and hints of vanilla spice. It finishes in a long length. Pairs well with spicy foods – especially with Indian dishes such as Chicken Tikka Masala or Mexican food and Italian red pastas Alcohol: 13%

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: , ,

January Featured Wines – 2017 Livon, Collio Pinot Grigio Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy & 2017 Piazzo, Piemonte Barbera Piedmont, Italy

January 1, 2019 · by ·

Livon, Collio Pinot Grigio 2017 ($16) from Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy is straw yellow colored with slight ash grey reflections. It has a fragrant bouquet, recalling vanilla and lime flowers. On the palate it is strong with a long finish. This well-balanced wine is an enjoyable Pinot Grigio perfect for all seafood and rich creamy preparations. Alcohol: 12%

Piazzo, Piemonte Barbera 2017 ($12) from Piedmont, Italy is an intense, ruby red with garnet reflections. The nose blends with a combination of roses, jam, blackberries, and a touch of oak. On the palate it is well-rounded with red and dark fruits and a jammy cinnamon note and firm tannins. Serve with savory, hearty dishes. Alcohol: 14%

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: , , , , ,

December Featured Wines – Truchard Vineyards 2017 Sauvignon Blanc “The Shepherd,” Caneros, Napa Valley & Donati Family Vineyard 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paicines, Central Coast, CA

December 1, 2018 · by ·

Truchard Vineyards 2017 Sauvignon Blanc “The Shepherd,” Caneros, Napa Valley $15

Truchard Vineyards 2017 “The Shepherd” Sauvignon Blanc, Caneros, Napa Valley comes from much improved weather with rains bringing relief from drought before severe wild fires near the end of harvest made this a memorable vintage. Fortunately all of Truchard Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc was harvested before the fires broke out. The wines are intense, but elegant with nice acidity and balance. The mouth is crisp and clean with bright flavors of Meyer lemon, guava, and lychee. This wine can be enjoyed on its own, or accompanying baked seafood, roasted vegetable salads, and even Thai food. This is a small production wine so enjoy it while you can. Alcohol: 13.9%

 

 

Donati Family Vineyard 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paicines, Central Coast, CA $15

Donati Family Vineyard 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paicines, Central Coast, CA shows the qualities of a cool climate Cabernet Sauvignon grown in the Central Coast region. The aroma says this very well – herbs and leather.On the palate, this Cabernet shows an interesting medley of cranberry, pepper, and leather. It has rich tannins and a crisp finish. The delicate blend of the 4 grapes shows great balance. This is a bold wine that compliments a holiday prime rib roast or roasted beef tenderloin. If you are looking for a gift for your host, this Cabernet is a good choice at a great price. Alcohol: 13.8%

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: , , ,

November Featured Wines – 2017 Aranjuez Duo Torrontes/Moscatel de Alejandria & 2016 Aranjuez Duo Tannat/Merlot, La Nueva Santa Anna, Bolivia

November 1, 2018 · by ·

2017 Aranjuez Duo Torrontes/Moscatel de Alejandria, La Nueva Santa Anna, Bolivia        $14

This blend is 50% Torrontes and | 50% Moscatel which becomes a unique blend of dry and sweet. This is a light, refreshing, balanced white. On the nose the aromas are white flowers and stone fruit. This is a nice and tart white with great acidity and a mineral finish. It is a great pairing for pork, salmon and spicy dishes. Alcohol: 12.8%

 

2017 Aranjuez Duo Tannat/Merlot, La Nueva Santa Anna, Bolivia         $14

This is a 50/50 blend of the two wines. The color is purple crimson with a reddish rim. On the nose one gets raspberry, cherry and black raspberry. This wine has medium tannins that are very velvety and medium acidity with blueberry , cherry and raspberry on the palate. This is a very easy red for many food options. Alcohol: 12.6%

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: , , ,

October Featured Wines – 2016 Bodegas Avancia, Valdeorras Cuvée de O Godello, Galicia, Spain & 2013 Casa Los Frailes, Monastrell-Garnacha, Valencia, Spain

October 1, 2018 · by ·

2016 Bodegas Avancia, Valdeorras Cuvee de O Godello, Galicia, Spain                $18

This is 100% Godello grapes. It is a rich white that offers a thick, polished texture, with bright flavors of peach, tangerine and tarragon. Firm acidity is well-integrated, giving way to peach and mineral notes on the finish. This wine is from Jorge Ordonez Selections Drink now through 2024. A great seafood pairing. Alcohol: 13%

  2013 Casa Los Frailes, Monastrell-Garnacha, Valencia, Spain                                        $12

This Spanish red blends two indigenous grapes with very different profiles complementing each other to provide a very balance wine, pure expression of Mediterranean character. Monastrell is straight, fluid and long lasting, on the other side Garnacha variety is round, volume and sweet. The ageing of both grapes provides a great integration and complexity. Alcohol: 13.5%

 

 

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: , , ,

September Featured Wines – 2017 Santa Julia Pinot Grigio Plus, Mendoza, Argentina & 2015 Dralion Malbec/Syrah, Mendoza, Argentina

September 1, 2018 · by ·

2017 Santa Julia Pinot Grigio Plus, Mendoza, Argentina                              $11

This Pinot Grigio has nice overall clarity and balance with delightful, ripe fruit aromas of pears, apple, melon, and some tropical notes of pineapple and banana. It has good balance, nice acidity, and a long, fresh finish. The yellow color has green tones. It is very delicate but has good balance and nice acidity with a long and fresh finish. Pair with shellfish, vegetarian dishes, lean fish and mushrooms. his is a perfect aperitif. Alcohol: 12.5%

 

2015 Dralion Malbec/Syrah Bodega Estancia, Mendoza Argentina           $10

This blend is 55% Malbec  and 45% Syrah. The appearance is bright, deep red with violet hues. On the nose you get complex and intense aromas of fresh red and black fruits, interlaced with notes of vanilla, leather and chocolate that come from a long rest in oak. On the palate this wine is expressive and elegant and structured and with a very good balance between fruit and wood. Intense and concentrated tannins make for a long and notable finish. Alcohol: 13.3 %

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: , , , ,

August Featured Wines – 2017 Donnafugata Lighea & 2017 Donnafugata Nero d’Avola, Sicily

August 1, 2018 · by ·

2017 Donnafugata Lighea, Sicily    $18

 

Zibibbo is a varietal also called Muscat of Alexandria which is originally from North Africa and was spread around the Mediterranean basin. With intense cultivation in the territories conquered by the Arabs it became as a table grape.This wine has a brilliant straw yellow color with greenish reflections. The nose offers a rich and fragrant bouquet with classic notes of orange blossom combined with citrus scents and nuances of Mediterranean pine. The nose is perfectly reflected on the palate, enlivened by a fresh mineral vein. Donnafugata suggests serving this with all types of oily fish, baked pasta in white sauce, fried fish. This is also a great summer aperitif. Alcohol: 12.5%

 

2017 Donnafugata Sherazade, Nero d’Avola, Sicily,   $19

This classic Sicilian wine  has a brilliant ruby red color with violet reflections. The nose offers a pleasantly fruity bouquet with fragrant notes of red plum and cherry, combined with light spicy scents. The palate is fleshy and perfectly reflects the bouquet revealing an extraordinary freshness. The well-integrated tannin, completes this fragrant and pleasant wine. The producer suggests serving it with fish soup, pizza or classic tomato spaghetti. This is a red you don’t expect, which is ideal as an aperitif. Alcohol: 13 %

 

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: , , , , ,
« Older Posts
Newer Posts »