December Featured Wines – 2016 Sartarelli Verdicchio Classico dei Castelli di Jesi, Marche, Italy & 2016 Valle Reale Montepulciano D’Abbruzzo, Abbruzzo, Italy

December 1, 2017 · by ·

2016 Sartarelli Verdicchio Classico dei Castelli di Jesi, Marche, Italy $15

This Verdicchio is light sunshine in a glass. It is a succulent wine with beautifully balance minerality and notes of citrus and mint. As typical with Verdicchio grapes there is a satisfying bitter almond finish. This wine is a perfect pairing for antipasti and creamy seafood pasta. Alcohol: 13%

 

2016 Valle Reale Montepulciano D’Abbruzzo, Abbruzzo, Italy  $14

This Montepulciano wine is bright ruby-red in color. This youthful red offers explosive aromas of blueberries, cherries, licorice, and sweet spices. On the palate, it is medium-bodied with plentiful acidity and a pleasant finish. This wine can be served before a meal, but it pairs well with meatballs, tomato sauces, eggplant parmigiana, and mushroom risotto. Alcohol: 13%

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November Featured Wines – 2015 Montinore Estate Almost Dry Riesling & 2015 Montinore Estate “Red Cap” Pinot Noir, Oregon

November 1, 2017 · by ·

2015 Montinore Almost Dry Riesling, Oregon                                          $14

This is fresh and flavorful Riesling.  It has tropical aromas of starfruit and mango that blend with notes of honeydew. On the palette are flavors of tangerine and key lime with some herbal notes and earthiness. The beauty of this wine is it really is almost dry making it a perfect wine with turkey. It also complements salads and spicy foods. This is a very versatile wine for the holiday. Alcohol: 11.3%

 

 

2015 Montinore Estate “Red Cap” Pinot Noir, Oregon                           $18

This is a  Pinot that greets you with aromatics of black cherry, hints of smoke cinnamon, clove and earthy undertones. Sweet fruit of juicy raspberry and red cherry are balance with both cranberry and herbal notes. Savory, gentle coating tannins lead to a round clear finish. This is a versatile wine for your Thanksgiving menu. Alcohol: 13.9%

 

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October’s Featured Wines – 2016 Blu Giovello Pinot Grigio, Friuli, Italy & 2014 Villa Pillo Borgoforte, Tuscany, Italy

October 1, 2017 · by ·

2016 Blu Giovelll Pinot Grigio, Friuli, Italy                                 $12

This wine is produced in Friuli, Italy. This white has a crisp acidity in the mouth with an almond-like finish. Before you taste, catch peach, apricot, melon and pineapple for a fruity sweetness on the nose. This is a dry wine that is light and crisp. It is a great pairing for creamed vegetable soups that are a nice fall menu item. Plus the unique blue bottle is easy to find on our shelves! Alcohol: 12%

 

2014 Villa Pillo Borgoforte, Tuscany, Italy                                   $18

Borgoforte is a classic Tuscan wine. Each year Villa Pillo adds selected wines – Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot – to blend for a subtle complexity and richness. Considered a “Super Tuscan,” this has aromas of violet, black currant and rosemary accented by licorice and tobacco flavors. Grapes picked at optimum ripeness ensure a wine which expresses itself in its ripe black fruit components and full body. For smooth body and elegance, the wine is aged in small oak barrels. Wine Spectator named this as #25 in their Top 100 wines of 2016. This is a great wine with pasta, red meats and game of any kind. Alcohol: 13.5%

 

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September Featured Wines – 2016 Dio Fili Xinomavro Rose, Macedonia, Greece & 2016 Ktima Mitravelas “Red on Black,” Peloponnese, Greece

September 1, 2017 · by ·

2016 Dio Fili Xinomavro Rose, Macedonia, Greece                              $10

We are offering 2016 Dio Fili Xinomavro Rose, a rose made from Xinomavro and Moschomavro. This is among the top 10 most highly rated Macedonia – Greece wines (based on critic scores.) It is a rich and fruity wine that that has a touch of red currant and cranberry. The palate is fruit forward with subtle shades of berry and citrus. The finish is refreshing and berry laden. This is a nice “end of summer” wine. Alcohol:  12.5%

 

2016 Ktima Mitravelas “Red on Black,” Peloponnese, Greece       $13

2016 Ktima Mitravelas “Red on Black” from Nemea, Peloponnese is this month’s red selection This is made from 100% Agiorgitiko grapes. The vineyards are situated in the middle Nemea where the soil structure is a mixture of Clay, limestone and sandy soils. This wine has a fruity upfront palate and soft in the middle. It will benefit with a slight chill especially in the summer months. Drink on its own or with food. Alcohol:  1

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August Featured Wines – 2016 Seaside Cellars Sauvignon Blanc, Coastal South Island New Zealand & 2014 Seaside Cellars Pinot Noir, Coastal South Island, New Zealand

August 1, 2017 · by ·

2016 Seaside Cellars Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand                      $14

The Sauvignon Blanc grapes for this wine are used from Coastal vineyards on the South Island. This wine has fresh flavorful style and a clean crisp palate with ripe tropical fruits. It has mouth-watering acidity and hints of mineral taste. Wine Spectator gave this Sauvignon Blanc 87. Serve well chilled for a refreshing summer white wine. Alcohol: 13%

 

2014 Seaside Cellars Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand                             $14

For this Pinot Noir grapes are used from a number of South Island coastal vineyards.This wine is elegant  and cool with savory characteristics, bittersweet chocolate and notes of dark cherries and strawberries. It is fragrant, soft and flavorful with hints of earthiness. This vintage received 90 from Wine Spectator as a Top Value Elegant Wine. This a a medium weight wine perfect for summer foods. Alcohol: 12.5%

 

 

 

 

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July Featured Wines -2015 Maison Nicolas Sauvignon Blanc & 2015 Maison Nicolas Merlot, Languedoc Roussillon, France

July 1, 2017 · by ·

2015 Maison Nicolas Sauvignon Blanc, Cotes de Gascogne, France                                         $10

This French white has a wonderful smooth balance with crisp acidity that is characteristic of Sauvignon Blanc grapes grown in this region of France. Ripe peach, pear and apple are predominant flavors in this dry wine. Serve icy cold with summer seafood and you will understand why this wine is a great buy from Cotes de Gascogne.Alcohol: 11.5%

 

2015 Maison Nicolas Merlot, Pays d’Oc, France                                                                               $10

This Merlot is a well-balanced single varietal wine that comes from the Vin de Pays d’Oc appellation. It has a rich color and  is packed full of jammy flavors with notes of plum and currant.  This is a round and supple wine with smooth tannins. Consider this wine for  simple summer picnics with chicken and lighter meats.  Alcohol: 12.5%

 

This month we are offering wines produced by Maison Nicolas in Languedoc-Rousillon, France. We have had other wines from this region but they have been classic blends. July’s selections are single varietals – Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot.

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June Featured Wines – 2016 Mapreco Vinho Verde Rose, Minho, Portugal & 2014 Quinta da Alorna, Cardal Red, Tejo, Portugal

June 1, 2017 · by ·

2016 Mapreco Vinho Verde Rose, Minho, Portugal                              $11

2016 Mapreco Vinho Verde Rose may confuse your understanding of Vinho Verde or “green” wines from the cool and damp Minho Region in the north west above Porto. We have featured another Mapreco Vinho Verde that is a white blend. The 2016 Mapreco Rose is made from dark skinned Espadeiro grapes which are primarily used for “green” wines. This is a lovely blush wine with aromas and tastes of red currant and  fresh fruits with some acidity and a finish with a refreshing effervescence. Slight sweetness  is balanced by the wine’s acidity. This is an excellent pairing for lobster and shellfish. Alcohol: 10.5%

 

2014 Quinta da Alorna, Cardal Vino Tinto, Tejo, Portugal                  $10

2014 Quinta da Alorna, Cardal Red comes from from the Teho Region which is just east of Lisbon. This is a warm, dry region that to the Portuguese  means the land of vineyards, olive groves, cork forests, Mertolengo cattle, and the famous Lusitano horses. This wine is made from Touriga Nacional, Castelão, and Trincadeira grapes. Ripe red fruit aromas such as plums and floral hints come from the Touriga. This is a full-bodied wine with soft tannins. I suggest letting it breathe to open the fullness. Consider this as a great pairing for grilled meat. Alcohol: 13%

 

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May Featured Wines – 2015 Mitolo “Jester” Vermentino & 2014 Mitolo “Jester” Cabernet Sauvignon, McLaren Vale, South Australia

May 1, 2017 · by ·

2015 Mitolo “Jester” Vermentino, McLaren Vale, South Australia       $14

Mitolo Jester Vermentino is the perfect wine to share over a casual seafood lunch or at an outdoor summer celebration. The wine aromatics are all about freshness and purity with powerful pithy, lemon citrus characters and more subtle tropical notes of melon and pungent papaya. The palate is clean, grapefruit citrus flavors dominate with tropical undertones of melon. The palate is bright and fresh with a savoury, saline edge yet still a lovely soft, mouth filling quality and the faintest dusting of chalky structure that makes it the perfect wine to compliment salty seafood dishes. Alcohol: 12.5%

 

2014 Mitolo “Jester” Cabernet Sauvignon, McLaren Vale, South Australia       $18

The Jester Cabernet comprises 20% Amarone fruit, dried for approximately 7-8 weeks, following the Italian appassimento technique of drying grapes on racks. This is a bright, fresh signature Cabernet Sauvignon with characteristics of red capsicum, menthol, violet and mixed herbs. It is full bodied and mouth filling with juicy red cherry, blackcurrant and cassis, intertwined with savoury dark chocolate and tobacco. The Amarone component adds to a textured finish with great length and savoury tannins. This is a great pairing for grilled or richly prepared beef  and lamb veal. Alcohol: 14.5%

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April Featured Wines – 2015 Herencia Altes Garnatxa Blanca & 2015 Herencia Altes, Terra Alta Garnatxa Negra, Catalonia, Spain

April 1, 2017 · by ·

2015 Herencia Altes Garnatxa Blanca, Terra Alta, Catalonia, Spain $12

Terra Alta is not yet a well-known Spanish wine region – tucked away in the south eastern corner of Catalonia it borders Aragon and Valencia. Terra Alta is one of the largest areas in Catalonia under vine with plenty of old Garnatxa bush vines. Herencia Altes wines are known for quality and authenticity.

Made from Grenache Blanc grapes, this is a very aromatic white wine with notes of melon and white fruits on nose. On the palate it is balanced with a medium body and a nice crisp freshness. This pairs well with tapas and grilled seafood – scallops or shrimp. Alcohol: 13.5%

 

2015  Herencia Altes Terra Alta Garnatxa Negra, Catalonia, Spain $12

The grape used in this wine is what the Spanish winemakers call Garnatxa – a Spanish Grenache. The color is intense and lively with a core of garnet with a bright ruby rim. It has a stony minerality overlay black fruits and spice on the nose. On the palate, the wine is full bodied with luscious sweet fruit and soft tannins. Fresh berry fruit and toasty notes enrich the structure and natural complexity of the old vines. The winemaker says this is “A full and round sensation, to be enjoyed with grilled meat of all sorts.” Alcohol: 14.5%

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March Featured Wines – 2016 Sposato Family Vineyards Chardonnay & 2015 Sposato Family Vineyards Bonarda, Mendoza, Argentina

March 1, 2017 · by ·

2016 Sposato Family Vineyards Chardonnay, Mendoza, Argentina

Our third Sposato wine we have featured this is a wine with a fruit focus and attractive color along with aromas of tropical fruit, apples and peaches. The Chardonnay grapes are carefully selected from their own vineyard. Located at 1000 meters above sea level, the combination of warm, sunny days and cold nights make our vineyard ideal for creating wines with excellent maturity and perfect balance.

 

2015 Sposato Family Vineyards Bonarda, Mendoza, Argentina

This is likely a new varietal for you. It is an Old World  grape that is now unique in Argentina where it is widely grown.  On the nose this red shows an intense fruit flavor – strawberry, cherry and blackberry. On the palate it has soft tannins, great volume and concentration. This wine is elegant with a smooth and delicate balance. The Bonarda has a lighter body than Malbec but full of fruit.

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