November Wine Tasting

November Wine Tasting

10% discount on all tasting wines bought at the tasting! Or, within the week.

The Wines:

We have 2 distributors dueling it out! Geoff Sturgis of Nappi Distributors VS. Tabitha Blake of Crush Wines

Geoff’s Wines:

The Whites:

Sigura Vidas Brut Riserva Cava (Spain) $9.99 – one of the BEST value sparkling wines anywhere! Brut Reserva is a cuvée of Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel-lo grapes grown in the renowned Penedès region of Spain. The wine is vinified according to méthode champenoise technique and is aged in the bottle for up to 2 years. This fine cuvée is fairly crisp with an interesting floral note and mouth-pleasing sensation of creaminess. Blend of 50% Macabeo, 35% Parellada & 15% Xarello.

Cave de Turckheim Vin d’Alsace Pinot Blanc 2007 (France) Reg. $16.99 Sale $14.99 - I like this a lot! Pinot Blanc is a close relative of Pinot Gris (Pinot Grigio), which in turn is a close relative of Pinot Noir! Pinot Blancs have subtle aromas - they are not boldly aromatic. Subtle aromas of apples, pears and minerals. The flavors in this wine tend more to the minerally side with subtle fruit notes (apples and pears) and a hint of nuts (maybe almonds). Lively acidity. Crisp, zippy finish! Food pairing - smoked fish, shellfish, ham, Thanksgiving Dinner, poultry, etc.

Casa Lisa Verdicchio “Tufo” 2008 (Italy) $13.99 - One of Italy’s greatest white wines, this magnificent Verdicchio has been created by the renowned Zaccagnini family in small quantities from their hillside vineyard above the medieval town of Staffolo. It is superb in its youth and grows more flavorful as it ages. Displaying intense straw-yellow colors with gleaming emerald hues, it has a stunning and elegant bouquet of apricots, acacia, and wild flowers. Food pairing – great as a cocktail wine, it accompanies seafood, shellfish, white meats, risottos and salads.

Montinore Estate Pinot Gris Williamette Valley 2008 (OR) $14.99 - Lovely wine at a great price! This is very refreshing and crisp! Aromas of pears, apples, lemons and floral/herbal notes. Flavors of tropical fruit and apples & pears. The finish is dry and crisp with hints of tart apples and minerals. 100% Pinot Gris. Stainless steel fermentation. 7,176 cases made. This winery began farming in a sustainable way in 2001, moved to organic farming and has recently been certified biodynamic. Food pairing – halibut, roasted chicken and sipping on its own.

The Reds:

Domaine des Remparts Côtes d’Auxerre Bourgogne Rouge 2005 (France) $19.99 - A GREAT, GREAT value and a bargain Burgundy that tastes like Burgundy! What an oddity! We love this! Aromas and flavors of red and black berries, cherries, red currants, leather and baking spices and a little earth. The tannins are soft. 100% Pinot Noir. Aged in large oak foudres for 9 months before bottling. This family has made wine for 19 generations! This will age well for at least another 5 years, and it is drinking great right now! Food pairing – poultry, beef, lamb, stews, many cheeses. Thanksgiving Dinner!

Montinore Pinot Noir 2007 (Oregon) $19.99 - Very aromatic with notes of raspberry, Bing cherry, cranberry and baking spices with hints of rhubarb and mocha. This is fresh and ripe with more cherry, raspberry and spice and subtle notes of earth and mocha in the flavors. Nice long finish. This is drinking well now and will age nicely for 3-4 years. This winery began farming in a sustainable way in 2001, moved to organic farming and has recently been certified biodynamic.

Cave de Bonnieux Les Safres Luberon 2007 (France) $11.99 - One of the best values in the store! When Geoff brought this by, we flipped over it! From a GREAT, GREAT vintage in Southern France. Classic Rhone flavors and aromas of wild berry fruits (raspberry, strawberry, blackberry), currants and Provencal herbs. This has a little of what the French call “garrigues” (that herbal scent that fills the air in Southern France). 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah. Stainless steel fermentation and aging. Food pairing – lighter meats, cold cuts, charcuterie, salads. Thanksgiving Dinner. Grilled chicken. Tuna. Salmon. Mushrooms and rosemary.

Klinker Brick Winery Zinfandel 2006 (California) $19.99 – Geoff and I first tasted this Zin a couple of years ago at a trade tasting….I ran into Geoff when I arrived and said, “What should I try?” He pointed at this wine! Big and ripe, with great fruit and balance, this has berry pie aromas and soft, spicy cherry and blackberry flavors. 20,000 cases made.

Tabitha’s Wines:

The Whites:

Fattoria Il Gambero Mercuzio Chardonnay (Italy) $16.99 – this is 100% Chardonnay and it has a little frizzante to it – a little effervescence! That means it is a little sparkling! I know nothing about it! It’s new! Tabitha wanted to taste it!

Le Brujo Macabeo Calatayud 2008 (Spain) $12.99 - Bewitchingly good! If you have guests, buy 2 bottles….they’ll disappear like magic! Just a wonderful wine to drink! Medium-bodied, crisp, zesty, clean and fresh! Great aromas of citrus and tropical fruit and a little minerals. Unoaked…well-balanced fruit and acidity. Long, pleasing, juicy finish. 100% Macabeo – this is one of the grapes used to make Spanish Cava. The grapes are grown high in the mountains. Stainless steel fermentation and aging. Biodynamic farming. Food pairing - Great with grilled or broiled fish, chicken, cheese and as a party wine! Drinks great with or without food!

Napa Station Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (California) $14.99 - The Sauvignon Blanc is lively, crisp, clean and bursting with citrus notes along with honeydew and nectarines. Sustainable farming. 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Semillon. 2,010 cases made. Stainless steel fermentation on the lees (not stirred). Food pairing - perfect as an aperitif, served with grilled seafood, Thanksgiving Dinner, chicken or light pasta, as well as spicy Asian and Latin dishes.

Skylark “Alondra” Chardonnay 2008 (California) $16.99 – This is Chardonnay the way I like it! Clean, fresh, refreshing. This sees no oak and no malolactic fermentation – so this is lighter, cleaner and more food-friendly than most California Chardonnay. Aromas and flavors of pears, tropical fruit (pineapple, mango and guava). This is silky smooth and has a nice long finish. Organic farming. Food pairing – Thanksgiving Dinner, seafood, lobster.

The Reds:

Le Brujo Garnacha Calatayud D.O. 2008 (Spain) $11.99 - Smooth, spicy and easy! This will cast a spell on you! Wonderful berry fruit flavors and aromas with a nice hit of peppery spice. Soft tannins. Nice fruit. Clean and smooth finish! 100% Grenache. Old vine grapes (50 years). Stainless steel fermentation and aging. 7,500 cases made. Biodynamic farming. Food pairing – Grilled chicken or pork. Pizza. Tomato sauce dishes! Drinks great with or without food! Organic Farming

Latitude 34 Malbec 2008 (Argentina) $12.99 - This is a great bargain! Aromas of wild dark berries, and flavors of blackberry, blueberry and spices. It's a perfect example of a South American wine that's powerful, rich, and bargain priced.

Slingshot Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (California) $24.99 – Winemaker Stephen Test used to be the winemaker at Merryvale. Slingshot Winery Cabernet Sauvignon is 100% Napa from three different esteemed vineyards. Primarily from the Julianna Vineyard in Pope Valley, this expressive Cab delivers the rich, upfront fruit of the northern Napa vineyard with the darker tones of the two more southerly mountain vineyards (yes, the vineyards make up a large component of another wine in our portfolio that is four times the cost – hint hint). Flavors and aromas of berries, black cherries, vanilla, coffee and dark chocolate and caramel. Aged for 22 months in French barrels, 30% new.