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

March 1, 2018 · by BishopsStock ·

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%

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: Featured wine, Good Hope Vineyards, Pinotage, Sauvignon Blanc, South Africa, Stellenbosch, Western Cape

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 BishopsStock ·

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%

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: Featured wine, New Zealand, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Seaside Cellars

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

July 1, 2017 · by BishopsStock ·

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.

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: Featured wine, France, Languedoc-Rousillon, Maison Nicolas, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc

October Featured Wines – 2014 Sposato Sauvignon Blanc & 2014 Sposato Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina

October 1, 2015 · by BishopsStock ·

Sposato Family Vineyards

After six years of researching, studying and visiting the area, the Sposato Family purchased land in the heart of Argentina’s Wine Country. They sought this opportunity based on their 23 years of working with land, soil, irrigation and plant material while running their top rated landscape company, Sposato Landscape Co., Inc. in Milton, Delaware.

The farm was purchased in 2012 as virgin ground. A new irrigation system, electric and other improvements have been installed, with more to come as the winery becomes fully operational. The Sposato Family Vineyard is located in Mendoza, Argentina at the foothills of the Andes Mountains. It is located between two notable wineries, with others just minutes away. Although the Sposato’s have planted 185 acres of their vineyards, harvest is still in the future. At this point their winemaker sources grapes from various estates for each of their wines.

2014 Sposato Sauvignon Blanc, Mendoza, Argentina $12

This wine is true to Sauvignon Blancs grown in the high elevation vineyards in the Mendoza region. It has aromas of grapefruit, passion fruit, herbs and spices. It has notes of orange blossom that are persistent through the finish. A perfect white for fall recipes such as chicken roasted with lemons and thyme. Alcohol: 13.1%

2014 Sposato Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina $12

The grapes used in this Malbec were selected from estate vineyards at various altitudes. It has a great Malbec concentration. The wine was aged in oak barrels for 6 months, revealing high intensity of black fruits, raspberries and violets. Slow roast a pork loin with dried fruit and garlic then pop the cork on this Malbec. Alcohol: 13.8%

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: Argentina, Featured wine, Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc, Sposato Family Vineyards

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 Angeline Sauvignon Blanc & 2011 Baileyana Firepeak Pinot Noir

November 1, 2013 · by BishopsStock ·

2012 Angeline Sauvignon Blanc, Russina River Valley, California $13

Angeline 2012 Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc is produced from three different Russian River Valley vineyards: Dempel, Herrick and Ricioli. The Russian River Valley is known for a coastal influence that often brings fog to the area. One vineyard is located in a slightly warmer part of the appellation which offers rich, ripe fruit character. The other vineyard is in a cooler area which brings nice acidity and a really intense varietal character to the wine. Angeline has a track record for producing savory, delicious Sauvignon Blanc at an inexpensive price. The wine is dry, but rich in honey, papaya and gooseberry flavors, brightened by brisk acidity. This wine received 89 points from Wine Enthusiast. We paired this with halibut baked with light garlic cream for a delicious combination. Alcohol: 13.9%

2011 Baileyana Firepeak Pinot Noir, Edna Valley, California $22

This is a story about how a family’s involvement in the wine industry has grown over the years. Jack Nivens founded Paragon Vineyard, the family wine business, in the 1970’s in the Edna Valley. His wife Catharine caught the bug from him, and planted a few acres in their front yard. Her project grew into what is now Baileyana Winery. Her sons bought more acreage for their Firepeak Vineyard. The wine being featured is a perfect example of Grand Firepeak Cuvee. This is a medium-bodied Pinot Noir with loads of flavor with aromas of dark chocolate, raspberry, dark cherry, blueberry, root beer and a touch of anise following straight through to the palate. Hints of white pepper and spice round it out nicely. The finish is long and filled with bright red fruits. The yield for this 2011 vintage was light but the rich quality of the grapes make this a lovely wine. This is a great holiday wine since it pairs with everything – turkey, salmon, pork. Alcohol: 14.5%

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: California, Edna Valley, Featured wine, Pinot Noir, Russian River, Sauvignon Blanc