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

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%

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

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%

 

 

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

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 %

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

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 %

 

July Featured Wines – 2017 Rustenberg Winery, Chenin Blanc, Western Cape, South Africa & 2017 Barista Pinotage, Western Cape, South Africa

 

2017 Rustenberg Winery, Chenin Blanc, Western Cape, South Africa  $11

This is the maiden vintage of Chenin Blanc produced by Rustenberg. While Chenin Blanc has not been planted on the estate since the late 1980’s there is an abundance of superb bush vine Chenin Blanc in Stellenbosch, which was discovered in sourcing fruit for Rustenberg’s  Straw Wine each vintage. Grapes were hand harvested from 4 different bush vine blocks, 20 to 35 years old, in the Bottelary sub-region of Stellenbosch. It is 100% Chenin Blanc grown in Alluvial Gravels and Clay. This wine is a Rustenberg take on a varietal synonymous with South Africa. It has aromas of pineapple and yellow pear which follow through to a crisp, textured palate complemented by characters of citrus 13.5%

 

2017 Barista Pinotage, Western Cape, South Africa $14

In the unique world of creating distinctive wines, winemaker Bertus Fourie is a legend. He earned the nickname ‘Starbucks’ for his exceptional skill in producing the coffee-flavored Barista Pinotage. Intense on the nose, with a bouquet of coffee, chocolate and cherry, with subtle savoury hints this Pinotage says deep black fruit with a sumptuous nose. The tannins are ripe, perfectly suiting the round and mouth-filling plum and mulberry fruit. Drink on its own or with red meat dishes or your favorite pizza. This is a wine that stands up to summer barbecue beef. Alcohol: 13.5%

June Featured Wines – 2016 Barnard Griffin Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, Washington & 2015 Barnard Griffin Cabernet Sauvignon. Columbia Valley, Washington

                                                 2016 Barnard Griffin Chardonnay,

                                                 Columbia Valley, Washington  $11

This Chardonnay has an intriguing combination of citrusy aromas, firm acidity and a very ripe flavor profile. It is 38% fermented in French oak. Pleasing aromas of flower, peach and melon lead to balanced, full-feeling fruit flavors in this wine. It delivers a lot of quality and value. This is a great accompaniment to a broad range of food choices. Alcohol: 13.4%

2015 Barnard Griffin Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Washington  $18

This is 79.4% Cabernet Sauvignon,15.8% Merlot,3% Syrah and 1.8% Malbec. Cherry, plum and cranberry flavors glide across the palate and delivers richness and concentration, nicely offset by a vibrant structure. A touch of mint and hints of dark chocolate and wood spice rise up on the long finish. This pairs well with barbecued food. Alcohol: 13.7%

May Featured Wines – 2017 Maris Rose, Pay D’Oc, France & 2016 Chateau Maris La Touge, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

2017 Maris Rose, Pay D’Oc, France, $16

2017 Maris Rose, Pay D’Oc, France is a blend of Cinsaut,Grenache and Syrah commonly grown and blended in southern France. This classic combination is used most commonly to make Provence’s famous rosé wines, which display crisp, aromatic flavors of berryfruit and spices. Syrah typically frames the wines with its structure and deep color. Dark fruit flavors such as blueberries and blackberries come from Syrah, while raspberries and earthy aromas come from the Grenache. Cinsaut, often used in the smallest proportion, lifts the aromatics of the wine with its soft, perfumed characteristics. This is a year-round dry wine for duck, seafood, other light meats. Alcohol: 13%

 

2016 Chateau Maris La Touge, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, $17

2016 Chateau Maris La Touge, Languedoc-Roussillon, France is a blend of Syrah and Grenache. It is dark red in color and medium in body with moderate tannins and refreshingly heightened acidity. It has powerful flavors of cherry liqueur, black pepper and intense clove. Overall it has a dry feel but the ripeness of the fruit makes it appear generous and hearty, Overall it has a dry feel but the ripeness of the fruit makes it appear generous and hearty. This is a nice pairing for beef, veal, pork or pasta. Alcohol: 14.5%

April Featured Wines – 2016 Goldschmidt Singing Tree Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, California & 2015 Goldschmidt Fidelity Red Blend, Alexander Valley Crazy Creek Estate, California

2016 Goldschmidt Singing Tree Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, California $20

2016 Goldschmidt Singing Tree Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, California is a well-crafted Chardonnay with notes of toast, apple and caramel. It is dry and bright, yet rich. There is a dash of French oak. This is an impressive buy from a higher priced Chardonnay market. Alcohol: 14.1%

 

2015 Goldschmidt Fidelity Red Blend, Alexander Valley Crazy Creek Estate, California $16

2015 Goldscmidt Fidelity Red Blend, Alexander Valley Crazy Creek Estate is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. It is a medium-garnet with red fruit aromas of cherry, strawberry, and jam. There are also touches of vanilla, black cherry and black raspberry flavors. This is a nicely balanced wine with medium weight on the palate due to soft, supple tannins. Alcohol: 14.3%

March Featured Wines – 2017 Good Hope Sauvignon Blanc Western Cape, South Africa & 2016 Good Hope Pinotage, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa

2017 Good Hope Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Western Cape, South Africa     $10

Good Hope Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Western Cape, South Africa is sourced from a 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes grown in the Western Cape region east of Cape Town. It typifies the Southern Hemisphere style with depth and crispness. This is a nice dry wine that goes with foods with distinctive seasoning or it may be enjoyed as an easy “sipper.” Alcohol: 12.5%

 

2016 Good Hope Vineyards Pinotage, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa    $10

Good Hope Vineyards Pinotage, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa is an easy drinking Pinotage, South Africa’s signature varietal. While many associate this grape with Pinot Noir, that is a misconception. Pinotage more closely resembles Syrah. It is deeply colored, high in tannins and has a decent amount of acidity which makes it perfect to pair with bold foods – Indian curry, spicy sausages. Alcohol: 14%

February Featured Wines – 2015 Lomas del Valle Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc & 2105 Lomas del Valle Quinteto Red Blend, Lower Casablanca Region, Chile

2015 Lomas del Valle, Valle de Casablanca Sauvignon Blanc, Lower Casablanca Region, Chile  $ 16

This wine is sourced from a single, cool climate vineyard in the lower Casablanca Valley, this site is less than fifteen miles from the Pacific Ocean. Optimum growing conditions with moderate temperatures allow for the slow ripening of the Sauvignon Blanc, ensuring bright aromas, good concentration, and crisp acidity. Aromas of fresh cut grapefruit, citrus, and lime zest are mirrored on the light-bodied but lively palate. Excellent balance between fruit notes and acidity, this is stylistically in the middle of a grassy New Zealand Sauvignon and the steel cut French version. Received 93 point from Wine & Spirits. Alcohol: 13%

 

2015 Lomas del Valle Quinteto Red Blend, Lower Casablanca Region, Chile $16

This red is a blend is 70% Cabernet Franc, 20% Syrah, 5% Malbec, 4% Merlot and 1% Pinot Noir. Each variety is separated, fermented and aged on the Loire style using stainless tanks. Aromas are of fresh fruits – blackcurrant and blackberry, violets and pepper. On the palate this blend is light and juicy, showing the typical cool climate that offers freshness.This is a bold and well balanced new world red wine that pairs well with game and red meat. Received 95 points from Decanter. Alcohol: 14.5%