April Wines of the Month

April Wines of the Month!

Hello, It's time for the "Wines of the Month."

1 - all the wines are in-stock;

2 - if you are a member of the "Wines of the Month" club; you receive 10% off ALL your wine purchases, even when you stop in for a single bottle.

The Wines

The descriptions are on my website.

Tier 1 ($8-$15/bottle)

The White

Pala "Crabilis" Vermentino 2008 (Sardinia, Italy) $13.99 - "Crabilis" means "goat shelter" in Sardinia. To me this wine means a great wine with shellfish and seafood. Pala is a family-owned property that is in its 2nd generation. The vineyards are heavily influenced by marine breezes. The wine has a hint of fresh salty air (not Maine "mudflat" air)....aromas are floral and spicy. Nice spice and minerality in the flavors....dry finish.....it has a soft, round feel in the mouth......this is just yummy! Food pairing - Great wine with shellfish, seafood, lighter dishes, soups and broths that are lightly seasoned.

The Red

Agua de Piedra Gran Reserva Malbec 2008 (Argentina) Reg. $13.99, Sale $12.99 - Not your run-of-the mill Malbec! This is a full-bodied, elegant Malbec. It's loaded with boysenberry and blackberry aromas and flavors with a little earthiness and spice. The tannins are softer and integrated. It has bright, zippy acidity. Food pairing - roasted or grilled meats. Pasta dishes with meat and/or tomatoes. Grilled chicken with a thick tomato sauce.

Tier 2 ($15-$25/bottle)

The White

Domaine Cherrier et Fils Sancerre 2008 (France) $22.99 - This 3rd generation winemaker produces delicious Sancerre! This is tangy & zesty with aromas and flavors of lemons, pears, minerals (wet rocks and chalky - which are classic Sancerre notes), orange zest, smoky flint and more! This is juicy and spicy. The finish has good length and depth. 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Fermented in enameled cement vats and bottled young to preserve the flavors and aromas. Food pairing - seafood, especially lobster, crab or shellfish. Chicken or duck. Creamy pasta dishes. Goat cheese. Wine Review Online, 92 points; Wine Spectator, 89 points

The Red

Michele Satta Bolgheri Rosso 2007 (Italy) Reg. $26.99, Sale $19.99 - This is a fresh, bright and delicious red! This has those classic Tuscan flavors of ripe cherries and raspberries with Provencal/Tuscan herbs and spices. The tannins are well-integrated and have softened with the barrel and bottle aging. Michele Satta is a family-owned winery that is neighbors with such Super Tuscan legends as Sassicaia and Ornellaia; earlier in his winemaking career, Michele Satta was a winemaker at Ornellaia. Blend of 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot, 10% Syrah, 10% Teroldego (this last one is a grape that originally was grown in NE Italy). Aged in oak barriques for 12 months and then in the bottle for 6 months before release. This will drink well through 2012. 5,500 cases made. Food pairing - lamb, steak, mushroom risotto and more. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 88 points

Tier 3 ($35+/bottle)

The White

Chateau Montelena Chardonnay 2007 (California) $46.99 - This has a pretty golden color. Aromas of peaches, citrus rind, pineapples, toasted nuts, smoke and apples. The flavors are clean and fresh. The wine starts softly and then builds with layers of tropical fruit, apples, citrus and nectarines. The long finish has subtle hints of vanilla and baking spices. Montelena is the iconic California winery that set the wine world on its ear in 1976 when its 1973 vintage walked away with first place at the "Battle of Paris" Contest (this what the movie "Bottle Shock" is about). 10,500 cases made. 64% of the grapes are whole-cluster pressed (this preserves the fruit characteristics of the grapes) and 36% are destemmed - the destemming tears the skins and opens up more aromas. Aged 8-9 months in oak; this wine sees no malolactic fermentation, so it is not buttery/creamy. Food pairing - Shellfish and fish. Creamy pasta dishes. Roasted chicken. Cheese such as Gruyere, Appenzeller, milder Cheddar. Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, 91 points; Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 90 points

The Red

Storybook Mountain Vineyards Zinfandel Napa Estate Mayacamas Range 2007 (California) $38.99 - This is loaded with that dark, peppery fruit that typifies California Zin! Storybook makes wines with power and elegance. Bright, ripe, fresh boysenberry and blackberry fruits in the aromas and flavors at the start. As the wine opens, you'll get more raspberry flavors and aromas. Then the pepperiness will kick in. Great length and structure to the wine - this has nice tannins at the back-end. 100% Zinfandel. 100% estate-grown, organically-grown fruit. Zinfandel has been grown in this part of Napa Valley since the 1880's. This is a Zinfandel that will age well for 7-15 years; but, it is drinking well today. Food pairings - braised, grilled or roasted beef, lamb, pork and venison. Ribs or chicken with a spicy barbecue sauce. Dishes with eggplants, mushrooms, olives and tomatoes. Cheeses such as Manchego, Piave Vecchio or Parmesan. Wine & Spirits Magazine, 92 points

The Other

Charles & Charles Syrah Rosé 2009 (Washington) $11.99 - the 2009 rosés are arriving! A runaway favorite in 2008 (it sold out EARLY), we love this rosé! Imagine a little sage, peaches, rose petal and watermelon Jolly Ranchers thrown into the mix! Well, that's the aroma and flavor profile in this fun drinking rosé! 100% Syrah from the Talcott Vineyard. Charles & Charles, a Charles Smith (K Vintners and House Wine) and Charles Bieler (Chateau Routas and more) production! Food pairing - grilled chicken, grilled fish, salad nicoise, salads, etc. Drinking on a warm day with friends! Those are the wines. Again, they are also described on the website. If you want any, please let us know.