Wine of the Week 04/11 – 4/17

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Luna Pinot Grigio 2006 $11.95
Overview: Pale yellow-gold color. Slightly yeasty aromas of yellow plum, pear and tropical fruits. Fresh and fruit-driven, with lively acidity giving the middle palate a firmness. I find the saline minerality and subtle florality here to be quite intriguing. Finishes firm-edged, almost tannic, but without bitterness. 90 pts. Stephen Tanzer

Grapes: Pinot Grigio
Region: Napa Valley – California

Col De Vents 2007 $8.95
Overview: This lush blend of Carignan, Grenache and Syrah is filled with notes of blueberry, plum and spice. A delicious example of Corbieres, whose vineyards are cooled by the night breezes off the hills, giving balance and richness to the Rhone-style wines. {Elegant, Blueberry, Red fruit, Medium-bodied}

Grapes: 35% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 50% Carignan
Region: Corbieres – France

Wine of the Week 04/04 – 4/10

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Chateau Bonnet Entre-Deux-Mers 2008 $11.95
Overview: The vast 300-acre estate of Château Bonnet in the heart of the Entre-deux-Mers produces a deliciously reliable, good value wine every year. This brand-new 2008 shows some lively yellow fruits as well as a strong citrus element. It has vibrantly fresh, pure fruit and is ready to drink now, but can age for a year.. 88 pts. Wine Enthusiast

Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Mascadelle
Region: Bordeaux – France

Miracoli Montepulciano D’Abruzzo 2008 $9.95
Overview: Pink-crimson color. Lovely nose is imbued with fresh strawberry, pomegranate and almond aromas. Fresh and juicy on the palate, with flavors similar to the aromas and lots of bright acidity to keep it brisk and long on the lightweight finish. The perfect complement with Italian spaghetti, grilled meats, and seasoned cheeses.

Grapes: 100% Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Region: Abruzzo – Italy

Wine of the Week 03/28 – 04/03

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Taliano Birbet NV Brachetto d’Acqui $14.95
Overview: Similar to Bracchetto, this is a pinkish-red slightly sparkling wine that’s sweet, but in this case, the sugar is capably balanced by a sense of minerality. Slightly floral and earthy, with flavors of dust-covered black cherries. 88 pts. Wine Enthusiast

Grapes: 100% Brachetto
Region: Piedmont – Italy

Marcato Lessini Brut NV Sparkling $12.95
Overview: Straw yellow colour. unique sparkling of the delicates yeasty, bready notes. flavors of yellow fruits and hints of vanilla. At the palate present medium body and roundness with a delicious freshness on the finish. .

Grapes: 85% Durello, 10% Chardonnay, 5% Pinot Noir
Region: Alpone Valley – Italy

Wine of the Week 03/21 – 03/27

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Anciano Tempranillo Reserva 2003 $10.95
 Overview: Old world style label and wine from Valdepenas. Very rustic colored, comes in a little golden cage! The scent is of cassis, earth, a cask aroma. With a toasty, light-cedary flavor with cherry and vanilla on the finish. A classic.

Grapes: 100% Tempranillo
Region: Valdepenas – Spain

Dom Delorme Pouilly-Fuisse ‘Sur la Roche’ 2006 $11.95
 Overview: This one’s all minerally and dry with a touch of fruit, rounded and very balanced in the acidity department. You’ll also find it to be a little stony with a touch of apple core on the finish.

GRAPES: 100% Chardonnay
REGION: Burgundy – France

Wine of the Week 03/14 – 03/20

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Viejo Isaias Bonarda Classico 2008 $9.95
Overview: At the hearing, is characterized by a palette of deep reds, purples and blacks. Appear primarily in the nose and intense, red fruit, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, cherries. The small grants through oak aromas of vanilla and snuff, very slightly, giving complexity to it. Flavor is presented with great body, fleshy tannins still present, with flavors reminiscent of red berries and black, with long lingering finish.

Grapes: Bonarda
Region: Mendoza – Argentina

Pirie South Pinot Gris 2007 $9.95
Overview: A mildly exotic fruit discreetly impresses upon.the palate but never dominates. Subtle spice notes compliment these more overt notes resulting in a gently poised, elegant dry wine.

Grapes: Pinot Gris
Region: Tasmania – Australia

Wine of the Week 03/07 – 03/13

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Glory Days Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 $9.95
Overview: Aromas of black cherry with underlying notes of toasted warm coffee and cassis. A touch of cedar folds seamlessly into a rich opulent black fruit core; layers of oak with a velvety long finish.

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Lodi Appellation – California


Caves De L’Angevine Rose D’Anjou 2008 $9.95
Overview: Gorgeous salmon pink color and fresh, enticing aromas of raspberries and strawberries. The palate is packed with ultra-ripe fruit – Summer berries, cherry, white peach – and there’s a subtle hint of sweetness that makes this oh-so-easy to drink! Perfect apéritif or seafood partner.

Grapes: Grolleau Noir, Grolleau Gris, and Cabernet Franc
Region: Loire Valley – France

Wine of the Week 02/28 – 03/06

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Van Ruiten Vineyards ‘Old Vine’ Zinfandel 2007 $16.95

Overview: After years of playing second fiddle to the so called “King” Cabernet, Zinfandel has finally become trendy, and in Lodi is the undisputed champion among champions. This Zinfandel fruit was hand selected from the first vineyard John Van Ruiten planted over 50 years ago and is among the families most prized grapes. Our 2007 Old Vine Zinfandel is packed full of blackberry, cherry and blueberry jam with barrel flavors contributing aromas of coffee, cedar, and finishing with anise.

Grapes: Zinfandel
Region: Lodi Appellation – California

Leitz ‘Eins Zwei Dry’ Riesling Trocken 2008 $14.95

Overview: This bottling comes from the Rosenberg vineyard in neighboring Geisenheim, long famed for its rose-scented Rieslings. In recent years, this site just hasn’t had a great grower working it. Johannes has leased a winery just below the vineyard to give him more space to work, and with the winery came old vines on the steepest section of this vineyard. In years to come we may once again hail the Rosenberg for the great site it is! A wonderfully dry but not mouth searing style of Riesling for those who love the delicate attributes of the noble riesling varietal but aren’t keen on any residual sugar.

Grapes: Riesling
Region: Rheingau – Germany

Wine of the Week 02/21 – 02/27

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Domaine Mathieu Chateauneuf du Pape 2001 $14.95
Overview: The 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape exhibits classic kirsch liqueur and licorice aromas in a sexy, round, medium to full-bodied style with no hard edges. Plump and plush, it will provide pleasure over the next 8-10 years.

Domaine Mathieu is one of the few producers that use all 13 grape varieties for their wines with the philosophy of Grenache and Cinsault for sweetness, warmth and mellowness. Mourvèdre, Syrah, Muscardin and Camarèse for robustness, maturity, colour and a thirst-quenching taste. Counoise and Picpoul for vinosity, charm and a special bouquet. Clairette and Bourboulenc for finesse, fire and brilliance.
88 Points – Robert Parker

Grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Muscardin, Cournoise, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Picpoul, Roussanne, Terret Noir, Picardan, Vaccarese
Region: Rhone Valley – France

Paul Dolan Chardonnay 2007 $9.95
Overview: Old vine Chardonnay? The vineyards that provided grapes for this wine were planted in the early 1970s, with low-yielding older varietal clones. A cool-site vineyard north of Lake Mendocino, and a warmer-site vineyard near the Russian River in Hopland, combined to make this elegant wine. Pear and winter citrus fruit character is complemented by creamy vanilla spice.

Grapes: 100% Chardonnay
Region: Mendocino County – California

Wine of the Week 02/14 – 02/20

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Buzzard Tree Petite Sirah 2005 $13.95

Overview: An enticing wine with brambly notes of blackberry raspberry, and spicy overtones of pepper and cinnamon. Medium-bodied, it has intense black-fruit flavors and a creamy, chocolaty finish. Serve with spicy red meat entrees such as rack of lamb or steak au poivre. Enjoy now or cellar age until 2012.

Grapes: 83% Petite Sirah, 17% Mourvedre
Region: Paso Robles – California

Alta Vista Premium Torrontes 2006 $10.95

Overview: This Premium Torrontes comes from Alta Vista’s winery in the northern Argentinean region of Salta. The region of Cafayate in Salta is particularly famous for its unique microclimate, high altitude and excellent soil drainage and is confirmed as the best place in the world to grow Torrontes. Alta Vista was one of the first to invest in Torrontes vineyards in this now famous area.

After a brief maceration on the skins, Alta Vista Premium Torrontes is fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks and does not undergo malolactic fermentation or oak aging. With a bright yellow color and delicate floral aromas, the wine is fresh and lively with excellent balance and vibrant acidity.

GRAPES: 100% Torrontes

REGION: Salta – Argentina

Wine of the Week 02/7 – 02/13

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Trattoria Busa Alla Torre Da Lele 2008 $7.95

Overview: A Venetian favorite! It is crisp and dry, rich and spicy with hints of peach and honey…perfect with salads, pasta, chicken and fish! Musaragno is an organic wine estate near Venice, Italy.

Grapes: 100% Pinot Grigio
Region: Lison Pramaggiore – Italy

Reserve Grand Veneur Cotes Du Rhone 2008 $11.95

Overview: Purple-tinged garnet color. Aromas of fresh berries (wild raspberry, blackcurrant, blackberry) and spices. The palate is full-flavored, with silky-smooth tannins. The finish offers notes of licorice and pepper.

Grapes: 80% Grenache, 20% Syrah
Region: Rhone Valley, Bordeaux – France