Spring Wine Sale!

Awesome Spring Deals

Pine State Distributors has some great sale prices going on many wines and we are passing along the prices to you!

Here is the entire list…..it is also on my website.

If you want any of these, please e-mail your hopes, desires, requests to me at efullagar@gmail.com.

Thanks,

Eric

The Wines

White Wines

California

Honig Sauvignon Blanc 2009 (CA) Reg. $14.99, Sale $12.99 - This is a tasty, smooth-drinking wine – has a touch of Semillon (5%) that adds a little body and softness to the wine’s texture. Light-to-medium-bodied. Aromas of lemon grass, melons, & minerals ….flavors of citrus and Sauvignon Blanc’s quintessential grassiness (think lemon grass). Sustainable Farming. Food pairing - An excellent Sauvignon Blanc – perfect with lobsters, many oysters, mussels & other seafood; spicy Asian food; rosemary & garlic dishes. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 88 points; Wine Spectator, 88 points

Tortoise Creek Chardonnay 2008 (California) Reg. $11.99, Sale $8.99 – The man who makes the Tortoise Creek wines was here on Tuesday and we tasted the Chardonnay and the Pinot Noir with him and we really enjoyed the wines. He’s had Pine State put them on sale because he wants to move through the current inventory so that Pine State can bring in the bottles with the new label on them. This is a delicious Chardonnay – and at this price you can’t pass this up! It’s unoaked so it is really clean and fresh. Aromas and flavors of citrus, pears, apples and white flowers. It has a creamy texture (40% of the wine goes through malolactic fermentation). Food pairing – softer cheeses, cream-based pastas, poultry and salads.

New Zealand

Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2009 (New Zealand) Reg. $19.99, Sale $16.99 - Truly one of the best New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs made! This is a fresh, lively, fun to drink wine. Great lime, grapefruit, passion fruit, melon, green apple flavors & aromas in this classic New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Great depth of fruit. A subtle touch of pepper spice & lemon grass. Stainless steel fermentation. Food pairing - Enjoy with seafood, lobster, grilled tuna, spicy chicken or spicy Asian food. Wine Spectator, 89 points

Red Wines

Argentina

Altos las Hormigas Mendoza Malbec 2009 (Argentina) Reg. $13.99, Sale $10.99 - We just tasted this…it’s marvelous! I had it with 20 people with venison stew – huge hit! Dark, deep purple color. Great aromas of dark & black berries & cherries, a touch of earthiness and spice. Lots of depth in the flavors – dark & red berries, touch of peppery spice, mocha & vanilla. Well-balanced acidity. Nice tannins on the finish. Medium-to-full-bodied. Food pairing - Excellent choice with grilled meats, rich stews, and other flavorful food. Drinks well on its own! Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 88 points; Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, 88 points

Salentein Reserve Malbec 2009 (Argentina) Reg. $19.99, Sale $15.99 – Big, rich mouthful of wine! Aromas of plums, cherries and spices with just a touch of cured tobacco. Flavors of red berries, smoked meat, vanilla & licorice. The tannins are well-integrated. Long, smooth finish. 100% Malbec. Hand-harvested grapes. Aged 12-14 months in 1st use, 2nd use and 3rd use French oak barrels. Bottle aged for 6 months. Food pairing – great with steak, lamb, beef, stews.

California

Sebastiani Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County 2007 (CA) Reg. $19.99, Sale $13.99 – We just tasted this again on Thursday and it reminded me just how well made this is! This is a wonderful wine and a GREAT value in a California Cabernet! Tasty. Well-balanced. Ripe, bright Cabernet fruit aromas and flavors (plums, currants and black cherries with notes of cedar, coffee and oak. This is a real pleasure to drink right now & will drink well through 2012. Blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 5% Petite Sirah, 3% Syrah, 1% Malbec and 1% Petite Verdot. Aged 15 ½ months in French and American oak (25% new). Food pairing - Great choice for a steak, lamb, stews & roasted meats. Drinks great by itself.

Joel Gott “815” Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 (California) Reg. $17.99, Sale $14.99 - This is a delicious, beautifully smooth Cab from California! Aromas pop with blueberries, cola, cherries, dark chocolate and vanilla. Flavors of violets, cherries, currants, baking spices, dark chocolate and cedar. Soft, ripe tannins with a long, velvety finish. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in American oak (25% new). “815” is the birthdate of Joel Gott’s daughter. Food pairing – Goes well with grilled meats, flavorful cheese, traditional Latin American dishes.

France

Chateau de Paraza Cuvée Spéciale Minervois 2008 (France) Reg. $11.99, Sale $10.99 - This is a good little red wine – drinks well! Aromatic, soft, touch of peppery spice. Aromas and flavors of blueberries, blacberries, cherries, spices and pepper. Soft tannins. Blend of 45% Syrah, 35% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre. 3,000 cases imported. Drink now – 2014. Food pairing - Goes well with roast duck, grilled or roast pork, and flavorful cheeses. Wine Spectator, 88 points

Tortoise Creek Pinot Noir 2008 (France) Reg. $11.99, Sale $9.99 - The man who makes the Tortoise Creek wines was here on Tuesday and we tasted the Chardonnay and the Pinot Noir with him and we really enjoyed the wines. He’s had Pine State put them on sale because he wants to move through the current inventory so that Pine State can bring in the bottles with the new label on them. The Pinot Noir is soft, has great cherry fruit and is a real gem! It’s rare to find Pinot that tastes like Pinot in this price range. This has nice earth and cherry fruit in the aromas and flavors. About 30% of the wine spends 3-4 months in oak barrels, so this just has subtle hints of oak. Nice wine!

Italy

Sella & Mosca Cannonau di Sardegna DOC Riserva 2006 (Sardinia, Italy) Reg. $14.99, Sale $11.99 - Huge hit at several recent tastings! One of our favorite red wines! Rich, complex, enjoyable. Beautiful, pale, translucent color. Rich aromas of violets, red berries and more. Good fruit (cherries, red berries). Good spice. Medium-bodied. Nice long finish. Can’t say enough about this wine! We had a great halibut dish & a rich seafood stew (spicy Italian version of bouillabaisse). Cannonau is Sardinia’s primary red grape – in France it is Grenache. Food pairing - Goes great with rich foods, red meats and flavorful cheeses. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 89 points

Spain

Finca Luzon Mourvèdre/Syrah 2008 (Spain) Reg $9.99, Sale $8.99 - We first had this with family friends from North Carolina and a huge plate of baby-back ribs! Hmmmm....GOOD! This is awesome! It’s hard to imagine more bang for the buck. Deep ruby/purple color. Aromas of dark berries, black currants, spice, leather & earth. Big flavors of dark berries with hints of spice & earth. Well-balanced acidity. Blend of 70% Mourvèdre & 30% Syrah. While Jumilla is in a hot part of Spain, the vineyards are at 2,000+ feet - this climate adds to the wine's freshness. Food pairing - grilled pork, grilled chicken, grilled veggies and more. Drinks well on its own! Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, 89 points

Anciano Tempranillo Riserva 2004 (Spain) Reg $11.99, Sale $8.99 – This is a great, great value and it tastes awesome! Aromas of balsamic, mocha, wet earth, licorice with cooked dark fruit. Flavors that are easy-going and smooth. Lots of dark fruit that leads to a long, smooth finish. This is aged at least 5 years before it is released. 100% Tempranillo. Aged at least 1 year in French and American oak barriques (small barrels) and then aged at least 4 years in the bottle before the winery releases it. This will drink well through 2016. 30-year-old vines. Food pairing - grilled pork, grilled chicken, grilled veggies and more. Drinks well on its own! Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 88 points

Garnacha de Fuego 2009 (Spain) Reg. $9.99, Sale $7.99 - This is an unbelievably good wine and a GREAT value at this price! Aromas of raspberry, red cherry, baking spices and earth. Rich flavors of red berries and wild cherries. Soft tannins. Unoaked. 100% Grenache from 60-80 year-old high altitude vines. This will drink well for 2-3 years, but why wait!!! Food pairing - grilled meats, salmon, roasted meats, lasagna, etc. Drinks well on its own! Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, 91 points

French Wine Special and Rosé Sale

Château de Flaugergues Côteaux de Languedoc, La Méjanelle Vineyard 2007 (France) $17.99 - One of our favorites!!! Outstanding! Unfortunately, Wine Spectator found this & awarded this a whopping score a few years ago. Why is this unfortunate? B/C people who care more about “points” than wine, now know this wine. Not many cases are made. Deep ruby color. Blend of Mourvèdre, Grenache & Syrah. Wonderful berry fruit in the nose. Nice balance between the tannins and fruit. Well balanced. Nice white pepper on the finish. This wine is worth getting a case or two – it’ll age well for 3-5 years, but it is drinking GREAT right now! Food pairing - Goes well with hearty meals, grilled meats & just on its own! Wine Spectator, 91 points, #50 Top 100 Wines, 2010

The Rosés

I learned that National Distributors had some rosés from 2009 and 2008 in their warehouse and that they planned to do a clearance sale on the wines in May (give or take a week). I talked them into moving the date up to now and we tasted a bunch of them on Wednesday with Art.

Rosés are similar to Beaujolais Nouveau – they drink best when young.

All of these wines are tasting great right now. The ones we chose have long been among our favorite rosés. The Campuget was our best-selling rosé last summer. We passed on all of the 2008 ones because we thought they weren’t fresh.

A big reason they are still fresh is that none of them are closed with synthetic corks (those things do not seal bottles well) – 2 are natural corks and 2 are the modern screwcap.

We have limited quantities of these available.

Librandi DOC Cirò Rosato 2009 (Italy) Reg. $13.99, Sale $8.99 - This is a GREAT Italian rosé! Aromas of flowers and spice….loads of cherries, herbs and figs in the flavors and aromas. Dry rosé. Great acidity….LONG finish…..this will just SHINE with grilled tuna or similar fish. This is a “weighty” rosé. 100% Gaglioppo (ancient Greek grape), this is the most important red wine grape in Calabria (the tip of the boot). 12 hours of skin contact turns this wine a deep coral color. Food pairing – perfect with grilled fish, spicy sauces, antipasti of meat and cheese, etc. 24 bottles.

Château de Campuget Costières de Nîmes Rosé 2009 (France) Reg. $11.99, Sale $8.99 - Delicious rosé from France! Flavors and aromas of raspberries and red currants. Long finish that is crisp, dry AND fruity. 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache. Stainless steel fermentation. Bottled young and fresh and meant to be drunk that way! Food pairing – salads, grilled chicken, Thanksgiving Dinner, roast pork. Great with roasted red peppers which are drizzled with good olive oil. 55 bottles.

Torres Sangre de Toro Rosé 2009 (Spain) Reg. $13.99, Sale $7.99 - Beautiful Spanish rosé that is a good bit darker than most Provencal ones. Aromas of cherries, red currant and apples. Flavors of red cherries, red currants, other red berries and a little spice. Dry rosé. Great acidity. LONG finish…..a “weighty” rosé. Blend of 65% Grenache and 35% Carinena. Unoaked. “Sangre de Toro” means “son of the bull.” The name is in honor of Bacchus, who was often called “the son of the bull.” Food pairing – grilled poultry, grilled pork tenderloin, grilled fish, fish stews, spicy sauces, antipasti of meat and cheese, etc. 36 bottles.

Francis Ford Coppola Sofia Rosé 2009 (California) Reg. $17.99, Sale $11.99 - This is a delicious, pretty wine! It has a beautiful magenta color. Aromas and flavors of strawberries, tea leaves, violets, cherries, raspberries and baking spices. This has nice fruit and a soft texture. We also bought this because the bottle is just beautiful. The wine tastes really good. That’s the most important thing. I’m saving a couple of these bottles to store olive oil and herbed vinegar near the stove after I finish drinking the wine! Blend of Grenache and Syrah. Stainless steel fermentation and aging. Food Pairing – savory appetizers, salmon, grilled chicken and salads. Drinks well without food! 12 bottles.

Terry Theise Wine Tasting

Terry Theise Selections

German & Austrian Wines

& Grower-Champagne

Wine Tasting

Tuesday, March 22^nd

4:30 – 7:00pm

10% savings on all wine tasting wines!

We WILL taste great wines from this portfolio!

Yes….some of them will be “sweet.” If you don’t think these are good wines, I have to question your judgment about wine. Sweet is not a bad thing. Sweet without acidity is a bad thing. You might not like this style, but, you can not say these are not good wines. Terry Theise wines have acidity and character. Terry Theise wines are GOOD wines……Terry Theise on the label means more than “Wine Spectator,” in terms of good wine….Wine Spectator means more in terms of advertising and people spending too much for a bottle of wine.

Terry is the best importer going in terms of German and Austrian wines and grower Champagne (Veuve Cliquot is NOT grower Champagne – it tastes good, but, the grapes are not estate-grown).

Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate calls Terry, “one of the Most Influential Wine Personalities of the Last 20 Years.” Wine & Spirits named Terry its “Man of the Year.”

Here is the REALLY COOL PART!

“Food & Wine” named Terry its “Importer of the Year,” and had this to say about him, “No one man introduced more Americans to more great wines they didn’t know they wanted than Terry Theise of Terry Theise Estate Selections….He made his name 20 years ago by discovering one of the least fashionable wine regions (the Rheinpfalz) in one of the least fashionable wine-producing countries (Germany) and discovering….extraordinary producers.

In 1994, Terry became one of the first Americans to import Austrian wines.

Here are the wines:

The Sparkling

Gimmonet 1^er Cru Blanc de Blanc Champagne NV (France) $51.99 - We also have this wonderful Champagne is half-bottles (splits) for $31.99. This is AWESOME Champagne……you rarely find “grower-Champagne in this price range at this quality! Fresh bread, crisp acidity, apple fruit, bright, fresh and vibrant. You can’t go wrong! 90 points, Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Celler

The Whites

Schloss Gobelsburg Gobelsberger Grüner Veltliner 2009 (Austria) $15.99 – This is fantastic Grüner Veltliner! It delivers GV’s characteristic refreshing fruit while also packing in wonderful aromas of pepper and a pleasing saltiness. Grüner Veltliner is the most widely planted grape in Austria (about 1/3 of all vineyard acreage in Austria is planted with GV). Some people joke that Grüner is what Pinot Grigio wants to be when it grows up – spicy, floral, peppery, minerally, aromas of red fruit with bracing acidity and flavors that mirror the aromas.

Gernot Gysler Silvaner Halbtrocken 2009 (Germany) $15.99 – Alex Gysler took over the family estate from his late father, who passed away unexpectedly. It’s about 30 acres of vineyards. Alex has converted the entire estate to organic farming. He also makes his wines as naturally as possible – with little or no fining or filtering and each wine is one its lees until 3 days before bottling. This is a LITER bottle of wine, so it is 33% more wine than a normal bottle. This bright, fresh and aromatic. This was a ripe vintage and this wine shows those characteristics. It almost has strawberries in the nose. This is a nice balance of fruit, sweetness and acidity. The wine has a creamy feel to it. This is from the Rheinhessen in Germany, the “Land of a 1,000 hills.” Organic and biodynamic.

Selbach-Oster Kabinett Riesling 2009 (Germany) $19.99 – This has great aromas of baked apples and pineapple. It’s softly creamy and it’s delicate. This is 9% alcohol, so it has sweetness, but it is well-balanced with acidity. This is refreshingly juicy. It has a touch of wet stones minerality. This should drink well for another 6-8 years (yes, Rieslings age exceptionally well.

The Reds

Schloss Gobelsburg Gobelsberger Zweigelt 2009 (Austria) $15.99 – this is fabulous red wine! This has a wonderfully complex combination of aromas and flavors of red fruit, ripe cherries, leather, wood smoke, almost bacon fat and more. There is almost a slight grainy note to the texture. Zweigelt is the most widely planted grape in Austria. It is a crossing of Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent, our next two wines.

Paul Lehrner Blaufränkisch Ried Gfanger 2008 (Austria) $19.99 – This has aromas of dark wheat bread, grains, roasting duck, plums, blueberries, baking spices and more. The aromas are fairly heady and intense. The wine just pops with fruit, but it is still lively and fresh with no sweetness or woodiness. Enjoy over the next 3-5 years. This grape is also known as Blue Franc or Lemberger. It is planted all across Central Europe. In the US, Washington State is the one area with sizable plantings of it.

Sattler St. Laurent 2009 (Burgenland, Austria) $19.99 – As soon as you open this and put it in a glass, you can smell the cherries. Med/light body. Spiciness. This has a beautiful silky, velvety texture. It’s almost creamy. The fruit is dry. If you look at Burgundy prices today and just sigh and shake your head, try this! Erich Sattler is a 4^th generation winemaker. "We make wine as my grandfather did," he says, "only with better machines." Saint Laurent is an offspring of the Pinot Noir grape. The winery is in eastern Austria just a few miles from the Hungarian border. Nearby Lake Neusiedl influences the weather – cooling the vineyards in the summer and warming them in the winter. This area is the hottest in Austria in the summer. Food pairing – pork chops, grilled chicken, pork tenderloin, duck, salmon. Black truffle burgers.

The Dessert

Still figuring this one out.

Greek and Lebanese Wine Tasting

Wine Tasting

Friday, March 18^th

3:30 – 7:30pm

10% savings on all wine tasting wines!

We'll have Ned Swain from Devenish Wines here with a bunch of wines that are brand new to Maine! The wines are from Greece and Lebanon and Ned and I are really excited about these wines.

Ned will also have Lebanese olive oil here to taste and for sale.

Here are the wines:

The Whites

Honas Dry Muscat 2009 (Limnos, Greece) $11.99 - The Honas winery is located on the isolated Island of Lemnos in northeastern Greece. Limnos is one of the northernmost of the Aegean islands. Founded in 1994 by the brothers Petros and Alekos, the winery uses modern stainless steel tanks and cold fermentation to preserve the bright, aromatic qualities of the Muscat. Made from organically-grown grapes.

Clos St. Thomas Les Gourmet Blanc 2008 (Bekaa Valley, Lebanon) $12.99 – This is an unusual blend of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. These two common white grapes are rarely blended together. Here they make a rich, lushly textured white with just enough citrus from the Sauvignon Blanc up front. This is a crisp, delicious white wine. Tropical fruit. Sauvignon Blanc acidity and crispness up front and at the end. The mid-part is all Chardonnay – fuller, rounder, green apple and pear. Unoaked. Clean. Fresh. Vibrant. Food pairing – shellfish, seafood, salads, lighter pasta dishes.

Hatzidakis Santorini Assyrtiko 2007 (Santorini, Greece) $16.99 - Harridimos Hatzidakis farms a tiny 3 hectare vineyard biodynamically on the windswept sides of the island of Santorini. The soil is all volcanic rock and sand, so the vines actually grow in small pits to protect them from the wind. This is a true labor of love and it shows in the gorgeous, full complexity of this wine. Assyrtiko is the noble grape of Santorini and it produces the best white wines from Greece. This is akin to a good Grand Cru Burgundy. It is dry, firm and flinty. It’s fresh with a steely, minerally-influenced character. Food pairing – seafood!

The Reds

Nikiforou Cellars Agiorgitiko 2009 (Peloponnese, Greece) $11.99 - Nikiforou is located on the west side of the Greek Peloponnese. Unusually, this is a blend of 80% Agiorgitiko and 20% Grenache. This is a classic red table wine, medium bodied, a nice earthy touch with bright fruit up front.

Tetramythos Mavrokalavryta 2009 (Achaia, Greece) $14.99 - Mount Helmnos, at the southern tip of the Peloponnese is the site for Tetramythos' 14 hectares of vineyards. The vineyards are at between 1500 and 3300 feet above sea level, making them exceptionally cool and resulting in aromatic, complex wines. The vineyards have been certified organic since 1997 and also benefit from steady breezes off the Gulf of Corinth. Mavro Kalavryta is an indigenous and little-grown variety that is dark and earthy, slightly like Aglianico, from Italy’s Campania region. This has aromas and flavors of chrries, violets, spices and leather. Long finish.

Clos St. Thomas

This is a family-owned winery in the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon. The Bekaa Valley is an exceptionally fertile growing area. The Romans built a temple to Bacchus in the Bekaa Valley. Wine has been made in the area since long before the Romans conquered it. Said Touma and his family have been making wine here for over 100 years.

Many of you have heard me praise the wines of Chateau Musar in Lebanon. These wines rival Musar in quality.

Clos St. Thomas Les Gourmet Rouge 2007 (Bekaa Valley, Lebanon) $12.99 - Made a huge splash at a recent tasting! This is a delicious wine from a French family in the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon. This has that great combination of fruit and earth! A little spice. A little earth. Very Mediterranean. Ripe cherry fruit. A little dried fruit to the wine! I love this! Blend of Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Cinsault! The vineyard is 3,000 feet above sea-level. Food pairing – pasta dishes, roasted or grilled chicken, lamb, etc.

Clos St. Thomas Les Emirs 2007 (Bekaa Valley, Lebanon) $19.99 – this is a cuvée of older vine grapes. This is a bigger, structured wine than “Les Gourmet.” It has more earthy forest aromas to it. Tannins are soft and subtle. This has nice vanilla and spice notes to the wine. Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Cinsault and Carignan. Aged in new French oak for a few months. Food pairing – roasted meats, game, hearty meals.

Clos St. Thomas Chateau St. Thomas 2006 (Bekaa Valley, Lebanon) $33.99 – Chateau St. Thomas is made from the best grapes from its best vineyard parcels. This is a multi-layered, very deep wine that is a bit Bordeaux like in structure, but deeper and spicier. Aromas and flavors of violets, blackberries and currants. Round and soft tannins. Great length on the finish. Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot. Food pairing – steak, game, red meat dishes.

The Dessert

Samos Muscat 'Vin Doux' 2007 (Greece) $16.99 – And, bookending the tasting we have a more traditional representation of Muscat after starting you with a dry version. This is a sweet, but not cloying, extremely floral wine. The aromas of honey, apricot, honeysuckle and vibernum flowers leap out of the glass.

Samos is a tiny volcanic isle off the coast of Greece in the Aegean Sea. The grapes are grown on mountain slopes that give the grapes more sunshine and better drainage. The influences of the ocean keep the vineyards from getting too warm (this is CRITICAL). A classic old world Muscat! This is a beautiful lighter dessert wine.

Italian Wines

10% off all these Italian wines!

Here are the wines:

The Sparkling:

Bisol Jeio Prosecco Brut Italy $14.99 - This is a tasty sparkling wine and a great value! Fine, soft bubbles. Starts soft and refreshing. With a touch of flowers and almonds as well as subtle acidity. Flavors of apples and pears. A nice, delicate, lingering finish. Food pairing - Great as an aperitivo or with antipasto, seafood or lighter white meat dishes. Goes great with smoked salmon or trout. This will go great with spicy food, especially Thai and Pacific cuisines. Excellent as a sparkling wine for a party!

The Whites:

Castelvero Cortese 2009 (Piedmont, Italy) $9.99 - Excellent $10 wine! Crisp and floral. This has a lovely roundness to its feel and is just a well-balanced, excellent tasting wine. 100% Cortese, which is the grape used to make Gavi di Gavi. Unoaked. Drinking well through 2012. Food pairing – seafood and fish. Shellfish. Drinking as a cocktail wine. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 87 points; “…wines from Castelvero deliver incredible quality for the money.”

Terredora Di Paolo Greco di Tufo 2008 (Campania, Italy) Reg. $23.99, Sale $19.99 - This is such a great white wine! Medium-to-full body that is soft and well-balanced with vibrant acidity. Aromas of peaches, apricots, apples, citrus and minerals. Flavors of honey, minerals, lemon and apples. Wonderful, pleasing crisp finish. This is from the Vesuvius area – and the volcanic soil really shows in the minerality of this wine. Stainless steel fermentation and aging. This is aged on lees to add body. Food pairing – shellfish, grilled fish, chicken. Fresh goat cheese. Mozzarella. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 91 points; Wine Spectator, 90 points

Colosi Grillo 2009 (Sicily, Italy) $14.99 - Impressive wine, especially for the money! Rich and full-bodied. Aromas of apples and tropical fruit. This is clean and well-balanced. Flavors of apricots and peaches. 100% Grillo, which is one of Sicily main white grapes. Unoaked. Drinking well through 2012. Food pairing – seafood and fish. Shellfish. Lighter cheeses. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 88 points; “Colosi is an excellent source for fabulous values from Sicily. Year after year these are some of the most delicious wines I run across under $20 a bottle.”

The Reds:

Capestrano Rosso Piceno Superiore 2007 (Marche, Italy) $9.99 - Delicious red that packs a lot of wine into a small price! Loads of dark berry fruit, plum, spice and rich earth in the nose. Big, jammy fruit flavors, nice smooth feel, well-balanced acidity. A touch of spice and earth in the finish…plus dark berries. 50% Sangiovese and 50% Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. Aged 6 months in large oak barrels and stainless steel. Food pairing - pizza, pasta with red sauce and eggplant parmigiana. In addition, it will stand up to burgers, most beef dishes, grilled meats, grilled veggies and cheeses!

Terredora Di Paolo Lacryma Christi del Vesuvius 2008 (Campania, Italy) Reg. $23.99, Sale $19.99 - An excellent wine! Aromas and flavors of cherries, plums, smoke, licorice, coffee, cracked black pepper and leather – these are all typical of this grape. It’s soft and elegant. 100% Piedirosso, which is one of Campania’s indigenous grapes. Aged 8 months in French oak barriques. Drinking well through 2014. Food pairing – Italian dishes with meat sauces, poultry, lamb, beef, aged cheeses and hot spicy cheeses. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 91 points

Colosi Nero D’Avola 2009 (Sicily, Italy) Reg. $14.99, Sale $12.99 - Great tasting! Great value! Intense cherry aromas. Dry, full-bodied. Silky texture. Upfront, juicy style of wine that drinks so easily. Bright fresh fruit. 100% Nero d’Avola, which is Sicily’s most important red grape. Aged 5 months in stainless steel. Drinking well through 2013. Food pairing – red meats cooked any style, pasta with tomato sauce and aged cheese. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 89 points; “Colosi is an excellent source for fabulous values from Sicily. Year after year these are some of the most delicious wines I run across under $20 a bottle.”

Damilano Nebbiolo d’Alba D.O.C. 2008 (Piedmont, Italy) $18.99 - Nebbiolo is the great grape used to make Barolo and Barbaresco. This has great aromas and flavors of red berries, black cherries, earth, minerals & violets. Medium-bodied. This is dry & has a nice spiciness to it. Firm tannins. Aged in oak barriques for 16 months. The Nebbiolo grapes come from Diano d’Alba & Montforte d’Alba. This winery dates to the end of the 1800’s, when the great-grandfather, Giuseppe Borgogno, planted vines & made wines in the Langhe part of Piedmont. Food pairing – hearty stews, red meat dishes, mushroom dishes.

Damilano Barolo Lecinquevigne 2004 (Piedmont, Italy) $39.99 - Excellent Barolo! It’s rare to find a Barolo this good in this price range! Beautiful aromas of cherries, plums, dark chocolate, mushrooms and meat. Flavors that match the aromas. Full-bodied. Velvety, big chewy tannins. Good length on the finish. 100% Nebbiolo. 2004 is an excellent vintage (not as great as 2000 or 1997, but equal to ’98 and ’99). From 5 vineyards – “Lecinquevigne.” This will age well. Best after 2011. Wine Spectator, “Damilano is one of 10 Italian wineries to watch,” Oct. 31, 2008

March Wines of the Month

March Wines of the Month

.Tier One

($8-$15/bottle)

We just tasted some new organic wines from Chile. We really liked them.

Rafael and José Guilisasti were visionaries in the late 1990s when they converted their traditional, conventional Chilean winery to one that is 100% organic and biodynamic. They have an interesting interactive function on their website that shows how they use hens to control insects, cover crops to eliminate erosion and add nitrogen to the soil and more.

They also make really good wines!

The White

Emiliana Natura Sauvignon Blanc (Chile) $10.99 – This is a light, clear white wine that is refreshing and bright. Aromas of herbs, limes and grapefruit. The flavors are grapefruit and herbs. It’s crisp and clean. Well-balanced acidity. Organic, sustainable farming. Food pairing – seafood, salads, shellfish, goat cheese.

The Red

Emiliana Natura Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (Chile) $10.99 – This is a tasty, soft, smooth Cabernet. Aromas of ripe strawberries, raspberries, blackberries with a touch of toast, vanilla and baking spices. This is full-bodied, but still quite smooth. Long, silky finish. Organic, sustainable farming. 20% of the wine is aged 6 months in French oak barrels. Food pairing – grilled steak, grilled pork chops or pork tenderloin, baby back ribs.

Tier Two

($15-$25/bottle)

We’ve been tasting A LOT of Austrian wines lately and we just tasted these 2 on Wednesday. We loved them!

Both of these wines are brought to the US by Terry Theise. Terry is the best importer going in terms of German and Austrian wines.

Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate calls Terry, “one of the Most Influential Wine Personalities of the Last 20 Years.” Wine & Spirits named Terry its “Man of the Year.”

“Food & Wine” named Terry its “Importer of the Year,” and had this to say about him, “No one man introduced Americans to more great wines they know they wanted than Terry Theise of Terry Theise Estate Selections….He made his name 20 years ago by coming one of the least fashionable wine regions (the Rheinpfalz) in one of the least fashionable wine-producing countries (Germany) and discovering….extraordinary producers.

In 1994, Terry became one of the first Americans to import Austrian wines.

The White

Schloss Gobelsburg Riesling “Gobelsburger” 2009 (Kamptal, Austria) $19.99 – This is a bone-dry Riesling. This is just a perfect combination of minerals, fruit and acidity. This has aromas of mint, limes and minerals. It’s juicy and almost bittersweet. This has salty notes to the minerals. Terry Theise considers this the best vintage yet from this producer. Michael "Michi" Moosbrugger breathed new life into an old monastic estate. The wines are excellent VALUES while consolidates his reputation. They won’t always be so moderately priced. This castle is first mentioned in a contract from 1074 AD. Kamptal is in northeastern Austrian near the Czech Republic. Food pairing – scallops, shellfish, poultry, ham. Wine & Spirits, “Top 100 Wineries, 2010”

The Red

Sattler St. Laurent 2009 (Burgenland, Austria) $19.99 – As soon as you open this and put it in a glass, you can smell the cherries. Med/light body. Spiciness. This has a beautiful silky, velvety texture. It’s almost creamy. The fruit is dry. If you look at Burgundy prices today and just sigh and shake your head, try this! Erich Sattler is a 4^th generation winemaker. "We make wine as my grandfather did," he says, "only with better machines." Saint Laurent is an offspring of the Pinot Noir grape. The winery is in eastern Austria just a few miles from the Hungarian border. Nearby Lake Neusiedl influences the weather – cooling the vineyards in the summer and warming them in the winter. This area is the hottest in Austria in the summer. Food pairing – pork chops, grilled chicken, pork tenderloin, duck, salmon. Black truffle burgers.

Tier Three

($25-$50/bottle)

The White

Back in November, I was lucky enough to have dinner at Havana South with Doug and Cat from SOPO, famed importer Bobby Kacher and a whole bunch of good customers. It was a great evening – excellent food, killer wines, great company.

This white was the hit of the evening!

Xavier Monnot Meursault Le Limozin Meursault 2007 (France) $49.99 – This has beautiful aromas of baked pears, pineapple, minerals, baking spices and a hint of smoke. Flavors of baked pears, baking spices, minerals and more. This has a great rich texture and weight in the mouth. “Le Limozin” comes from a single hectare (2.58 acres) vineyard that is adjacent to “Les Charmes” and “Les Poruzots.” Only 12 bottles came into Maine and I have them. Food pairing – roasted chicken, duck, fish.

The Red

This is one BIG, blockbuster wine!

Hess Collection Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (California) Reg. $48.99, Sale $39.99 – This is a big, flavorful Cab! Aromas and flavors of mocha, dark chocolate, brown sugar and blackberries. Fine-grained, soft tannins. Great length on the finish. 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot and 2% Malbec. Aged 21 months in 55% new French oak. Food pairing – grilled and roasted meats. Robust meals such as stews. Decanter Magazine, 3 stars

Huge Wine Sale!

The “Final” Cuts

Sale

Hello,

I’m LOWERING the prices on a ton of wines!

If you buy a case (full or mixed) of these wines, take an additional 10% off these great prices!

We are done with “Stage 1” of our renovation. Everything is in place and organized and neat and clean.

In moving things around so much, we found, lost, found again and again some wines….many of these are from the great deals we were getting in January and February, many of these are the last case or 2 of French and Italian wines I bought directly from the importers at great prices last summer and fall.

I need all of this to move so we can bring in some new wines!

Please help us out and come buy some of these.

Quantities for some of these wines are extremely limited.

If you want any of these, please e-mail your hopes, desires and/or requests to me at efullagar@gmail.com.

We are open each day……most days 10-6 and Sundays from 12-5. I’ll be open until 7 this Friday and Saturday.

The wines are also listed here.

Thanks,

Eric

The Wines

White Wines

California

Flora Springs Sauvignon Blanc Soliloquy Vineyard 2007 (California) Reg. $24.99, was $15.99, NOW $12.99 – This is a single vineyard wine from Oakville. Rounded, rich and fuller bodied than many SB’s. This has bright, fresh fruit, acidity and minerality. Aromas and flavors of citrus, peaches, gooseberries with a little honey and spice. Long, silky smooth finish with hints of figs and fennel. Organically farmed. Solar-powered winery. 100% Sauvignon Blanc from 2 distinct clones – 70% Sauvignon Musqué and 30% Proprietary Soliloquy Clone. Fermented in stainless steel tanks and concrete vats. Aged sur lees for 8 months in 60-year-old upright oak barrels. This aging softens the wine without adding any oaky flavors or aromas. Drink now through 2012. Food pairing – roasted chicken, spicy foods, scallops, lobster.

Sbragia Sauvignon Blanc Home Ranch 2008 (California) Reg. $22.99, was $11.99, NOW $8.99 – This is a single vineyard wine from Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma. Ed Sbragia made wine for Beringer for years and started his own winery, Sbragia Family Vineyards. This is a juicy, delicious Sauvignon Blanc! Aromas of pears, pineapples, grapefruit and more. Flavors of citrus peel, honeysuckle, tropical fruit and green apples. Long, zippy finish. 100% Sauvignon Blanc from a single vineyard, Home Ranch. The grapes were all hand-harvested on one day. 1,200 cases made. Stainless steel fermentation. Aged in 3^rd use oak barrels, so this isn’t oaky at all. The bottle is closed with a cool glass stopper – the Vino-Seal. It’s worth saving the bottle and stopper to use to bottle vinegar at home. Food pairing – seafood, Asian food, lighter chicken dishes. Drinking. Wine Spectator, 89 points; Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, 88 points

Vinum Cellars VIO Viognier 2007 (California) Reg. $29.99, was $19.99, NOW $16.99 - A big, bold wine with subtlety to it! Aromas of honeydew melon, white flowers & vanilla. Flavors of lemons, pears, peaches, tart apples & baking spices (nutmeg & cloves). Long finish of fresh, ripe pears & minerals. Grapes are hand-picked, whole-cluster pressed & cold-fermented. Same vineyards as some of the famed William Selyem wines. Aged "sur lies" for 9 months in small French oak (50% are 2-year old barrels & 50% are 3-year-old barrels). Only 10% undergoes malolactic fermentation. Food pairing – poultry, lobster, etc.

Flora Springs Chardonnay 2007 (California) Reg. $16.99, Sale $11.99 – We sold out of the 2006 and National sent us 5 cases of the 2007! This has really nice toasty aromas of pineapple, pears and peaches. The wine does not go through malolactic fermentation so it has a lot of bright, fresh acidity. The wine does have the weight, texture and heft of a buttery, creamy Chardonnay due to its aging on lees for months. This is a well-balanced Chardonnay. This is not overly oaked. Balanced, balanced Chardonnay. Organically farmed. Solar-powered winery. 50% aged in French oak that is 1/3 new barrels, 1/3 2^nd usage and 1/3 3^rd usage (what all that means is that the wine is not oaky – the 1^st time you use an oak barrel, you leech out 80% of the oaky flavors and aromas). Food pairing – roasted chicken, lobster, scallops.

France

Philippe Colin Chassagne-Montrachet 2006 (Burgundy, France) Reg. 69.99, Sale $35.99 – This is such a classic Burgundy! Aromas of white peaches and white apricots and honey. Great acidity that levels out the fruit and the wines depth and richness. Great floral aromas as well. This is supple and lush. At the same time it has this verve and élan and a cut to the flavors that makes it pair well with rich seafood and dishes with cream sauces. 13% alcohol. Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, 90 points

La Chaume Prima Donna Chardonnay – Pinot Noir 2009 (Vendee Valley, France) Reg. $31.99, was $24.99, NOW $19.99 – This is a DELICIOUS white wine…..it’s just been a tough idea for a lot of people to grasp – a Chardonnay/Pinot Noir blend. Christian Chabriand planted this vineyard in 1997. It sits on a hill in the Vendee Valley that used to be an island in the sea. From this hill you can see Mont Saint Michel on the horizon in the Atlantic Ocean. This is a blend of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir. The Pinot Noir grapes see no skin contact, so this is a white wine….much like Blanc de Noir Champagne is a white wine made from red-skinned grapes. Grapes had never been grown on this site before Chabriand planted his vineyard.

Italy

Falesco Ferentano 2006 (Lazio, Italy) Reg. $29.99, was $16.99, NOW $14.99 – This is one of my favorite white wines. Much like a very good white Burgundy. Definitely a "red wine lover's" white wine! A great, unusual white wine! Aromas and flavors of pineapples, bananas, fresh herbs, vanilla, minerals & more. Rich & full-bodied. Long finish that is just complex as can be! From a rare grape unique to Umbria - 100% estate-grown Roscetto, a red grape that makes a full-bodied white wine. Aged 3 months in 2-year-old French oak barriques. Bottled unfined & unfiltered. Aged 1 month in the bottle before release. 1,000 cases made. Organic farming. Food pairing - This white wine screams for "big" meats dishes. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 88 points (I respect Robert Parker, but he is severely undergrading this wine)

Terre Margaritelli Pietramala IGT 2009 (Umbria, Italy) Reg. $22.99, Was $19.99, NOW $16.99 - This is a delicious, crisp white from Central Italy. It has aromas of freshy mown grass, Tuscan herbs and lemons. Clean flavors of lemons and limes with a little spice. Blend of 85% Trebbiano and 15% Grechetto. This winery is in Torgiano, a small hill town in the heart of Umbria, which is to the south of Tuscany. Food pairing - poultry, soups, lighter pastas, creamy pasta dishes.

Cantina Girlan Gewürztraminer Aimé 2008 (Italy) Reg. $24.99, was $11.99, NOW $9.99 – This is a dry Gewürz. Nice wine with an excellent spiciness! This is from the Alto Adige in Northeastern Italy, an area renowned for excellent white wines. This is one of them. This area is also known as the Sudtirol and it is birthplace of this grape varietal. This has a deep, golden color. Aromas of flowers, honey and lychee nuts. The wine is soft and smooth in the glass – really viscous. Medium-bodied. It’s spicy – anise and pepper. Tropical fruit and stone fruit flavors. It needs to breathe a bit after opening. 100% Gewurztraminer. Stainless steel fermentation and aging. Food pairing – fish, sausages, ham, Thai food. Wine Enthusiast, 89 points

Cantina Girlan Pinot Bianco San Martino 2006 (Italy) Reg. $17.99, was $8.99, NOW $6.99 - We just tasted this two weeks ago with Art from National and we really liked it. It has a depth and complexity that comes to good white wines after a couple of years in the bottle. This is from the Alto Adige in Northeastern Italy, an area renowned for excellent white wines. This is one of them. This area is also known as the Sudtirol. This has aromas of apples, flowers, citrus, tropical fruit and peaches. The wine has a rich, soft texture to it and a smooth finish. 100% Pinot Blanc. Stainless steel fermentation and aging. Food pairing – Pinot Biancos are extremely versatile wines when it comes to food. Pair with fish, Thai food, Sunday brunch, shellfish, creamy soups, etc.

Masciarelli Trebbiano D’Abruzzo Castello di Semivicoli 2004 (Italy) Reg. $41.99, Sale $24.99 – Prior to his untimely death in 2008, Gianni Masciarelli (52had turned heads worldwide and proven that world-class whites and reds could be produced in Abruzzi.

Yes, Trebbiano can age well. This wine definitely proves it!

Gianni created Italy’s largest organically-farmed wine estate (over 1,000 acres).

This wine is Unoaked. On the vine, they only permit 2 bunches per plant to maximize the quality of the wine. This is the 1^st vintage made available to the public. The vineyard is 40-years-old. They harvest in October to ensure the grapes are ripe.

It’s spicy, rich with a dry finish. It shows no sign of age in the color, aromas or fruit. Pale straw color.

This BLEW us away. Gambero Rosso 2007 (Italy’s highest regarded wine publication) - 2 Glasses.

Portugal

Lagoalva Espirito Branco 2008 (Portugal) Reg. $14.99, was $7.99, NOW $5.99 – This estate was owned by the Order of Santiago de Espada (Military Order of Saint James of the Sword). It’s in the Ribatejo region along the south bank of the Tagus River For centuries, grapes, olives, cork, sheep, bulls, heifers and horses have been raised on this land. In 1991, Isabel Juliana Campilho bought the property (over 12,000 acres) and founded the winery. Today, it has 113 acres devoted to grapes. Blend of 25% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Alvarinho, 20% Verdelho, 20% Fernao Pires and 15% Arinto. This has bright acidity and aromas and flavors of peaches, melons and kiwi. Nice minerality on the finish. Crisp and clean. Aged and fermented in stainless steel. Food pairing – seafood, lighter dishes and as a cocktail wine.

Red Wines

California

TAZ Pinot Noir 2007 (Santa Barbara, California) Reg. $24.99, was $12.99, NOW $9.99 – I first tasted this wine about 4-6 months ago. I liked it a lot. At the same time, in this economy, I was thinking, “What am I going to do with an unknown $25 Pinot?” Well, it’s no longer $25 and it is still unknown and it still tastes good! Aromas of strawberries, black tea, black cherries and baking spices. Flavors of vanilla, baking spices, red cherries, dark berries and a bit of earth. The founder, Bob Steinhauer, is nicknamed the “Tasmanian Devil.” 100% Pinot Noir from 2 distinctly different vineyard areas. One is in the Santa Maria Valley and these grapes add a silky, soft texture with red fruit and floral notes. The second is the Fiddlestix Vineyard and that is a weightier Pinot with more dark fruit. Each lot of grapes is vinified separately and aged in French oak (40% new) for 9 months. Food pairing – roasted or grilled poultry, salmon, leg of lamb, lamb chops.

Klassen Calaveras County Merlot 2006 (California) Reg. $17.99, was $14.99, NOW $10.99 - Wonderful! This is a big AND smooth Merlot! Grown at 2,100 feet and allowed to properly ripen, this wine shows what Merlot can do in the right hands! Mostly Merlot with a touch of Petite Verdot. This is drinking well right now!

Chile

Baron Philippe de Rothshild Almaviva 2002 (Chile) Reg. $99.99, was $59.99, NOW $44.99 – If you like California-style big reds, you’ll love this Franco-Chilean blend featuring 3 noble Bordeaux grapes! This is concentrated, robust with aromas of dark, dark fruits, baking spices and toasty vanilla and new oak. The flavors are loaded with blackberries, cassis, black cherries and vanilla. This is medium-to-full bodied. The tannins are ripe and well-integrated. This has a super long finish. While Almaviva has a Hispanic ring to the name, the wine is named after Count Almaviva, the hero of “The Marriage of Figaro.” This wine is the result of a joint venture between Mouton Rothschild and Concha y Toro. Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine (67% Cabernet, 29% Carménère and the rest is 4% Cabernet Franc). Aged 18 months in new French oak. Drink now through 2016. Food pairing – while this would pair up well with steak, lamb and other robust meals, I think this is a sit and sip wine after dinner. While you may buy a bottle of this, if you buy 6 of them, you get the nice wood box that comes with it. Wine Spectator, 93 points; Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 93 points. 7 bottles left.

France

Cru Beaujolais are among the greatest values in the wine world and great food wines. We have 1 of them left from a great producer from Côte de Brouilly. Cru Beaujolais is more akin to good Pinot Noir than it is to Beaujolais Nouveau or Villages.

Château Thivin Côte de Brouilly 2006 (France) Reg. $26.99, was $15.99, NOW $12.99 – This is a fabulous wine from a great winery. Aromas of toasted nuts, smoke, cranberries, cherries, earth and more. Flavors of nuts, cranberries, saline, roasted tomatoes, black fruit and more. This is substantial and weighty. Really nice wine. Long finish that has bright, fresh fruit. Food pairing – roasted chicken, duck, salmon, cold cuts, paté. 9 bottles left.

Chateau de Villeneuve Saumur Champigny Cabernet Franc 2008 (Loire Valley, France) Reg. $19.99, was $15.99, NOW $12.99 – Chateau de Villeneuve is one of the best producers in this wine-making area in the Loire Valley. This property certainly isn’t as well-known as Clos Rougeard, which is run by the esteemed Frères Foucault, but the wines aren’t as expensive, either! I love Cabernet Franc and I really love this wine! This has great aromas of red berries, pepper and a gamey hint. The texture is smooth, with softness to it. This has ripe, concentrated fruit flavors. The tannins are well-balanced. Food pairing – game, red meat, ham, pork, pasta dishes with tomato-sauce. A plate of blue cheese, walnuts and ripe pears.

Chateau Moulin Galhaud Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2004 (Bordeaux, France) Reg. $47.99, was $37.99, NOW $31.99 – This is a deep, dark Bordeaux. Aromas and flavors of blank currants, dark berries, cedar and toasty oak. Well-integrated tannins. Blend of mostly Merlot. Aged in oak barrels for 12 months. Food pairing – steak, lamb, etc.

Château Liversan Haut-Médoc 2007 (France) Reg. $29.99, was $22.99, NOW $19.99 – This is a delicious Bordeaux at a great price! The wine is elegant, intense and pretty. Aromas and flavors of blackberries, raspberries, red currants, licorice and a little smoke and oak. Blend of 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in oak barrels for 12 months. The Haut-Médoc is groundzero for great values from Left Bank Bordeaux. Food pairing – poultry, lamb, red meats, aged cheeses.

Italy

Tuttobene Toscano Rosso IGT 2006 (Italy) Reg. $14.99, was $7.99, NOW $5.99 – Blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Canaiolo from the highly acclaimed Tuscan winery Tenimenti Angelini. This winery is a Tre Bicchieri winner producing wines in the 3 major areas of Tuscany: Chianti, Montalcino and Montepulciano. Tuttobene means “All is well.” This has that classic Sangiovese red brick color. It’s medium-bodied with soft tannins. The Sangiovese brings that red fruit characteristic and the Merlot adds a soft roundness to the wine. Aromas and flavors of red currants, raspberries, plums and Tuscan herbs. Crisp acidity. Food pairing – lighter dishes, roast chicken, pasta, pizza, Pecorino Toscano or Manchego.

De Tarczal Cabernet Franc DOC 2007 (Trentino, Italy) Reg. $22.99, Was $19.99, NOW $16.99 - Robust, full-flavored wine with a deep, dark color. Lots of flavor and depth while still having some subtly and elegance. Aromas and flavors of freshly cut hay, red and dark berries, vanilla and pepper. Pepperiness is a classic aroma and flavor of Cabernet Franc. Aged over 2 years in huge, older oak casks before it is bottled. 40 acre farm near Vallagarina that the family has owned for over 100 years. The Pragiara and Carpene vineyards face south-east overlooking the Adige River. Food pairing - roasted meats, game.

Palamà "Arcangelo" Primitivo IGT 2009 (Puglia, Italy) Reg. $17.99, Was $15.99, NOW $13.99 - Named for the winemaker's father, Arcangelo. The grape is Primitivo. In the USA, we know the grape as Zinfandel. Primitivo and Zinfandel are NOT the same grape. This estate is on a tiny speck of land in Puglia. The winery's goal is to make great everyday wines.....bright, fresh fruit.....power....fun....taste! They are succeeding! Food pairing - crostini with olive tepenade, steak, venison.

Terre Margaritelli Roccascossa IGT 2008 (Umbria, Italy) Reg. $16.99, Was $14.99, NOW $12.99 - This a great texture that is soft and round. The aromas are what we should smell in Sangiovese - roses, a little dusty earth and red cherries. This has great acidity without being overly tart or biting. The flavors are tart red cherries, cranberries, herbs and a touch of dusty earth. It's medium-bodied and well balanced. It leaves you wanting to take another sip! Blend of 70% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Canaiolo. Terre Margaritelli is in a small Umbrian hill town. Food pairing - if you're eating Italian food, this will go nicely! A go-to pizza or lasagna wine!

Perazzeta "Erio" IGT 2008 (Tuscany, Italy) Reg. $21.99, Was $19.99, NOW $16.99 - This "Super Tuscan" packs a lot of flavor into the bottle! It's delicious! This is a bold, powerful red with flavors and aromas of ripe cherries, plums, cooked prunes and a heartier fruit (figs, maybe?). Long, long finish with lots going on! Blend of 50% Sangiovese, 20% Syrah, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot. Erio is named for the father of the winery's founder. Aged 8 months in oak barriques and 6 months in the bottle. 150 cases made. The winery is located in the Maremma part of Tuscany (SW, near the sea). This winery consists of Alessandro and Rita Bocci and their daughter, Sara. Alessandro says they discard twice as many grapes as they use each year. Food pairing - red meats, game, mushroom dishes.

Poderi Elia Barbera d'Alba 2006 (Piedmont, Italy) Reg. $24.99, Was $19.99, NOW $16.99 - Soft, full-bodied. This is juicy, bright and popping with aromas and flavors of cherries, tart cranberries and a little earth. As with all of Federico Stella's wines, the tannins are soft, fine-grained and well-integrated into the wine - making for a soft, smooth-tasting wine! Aged 18 months in French oak barriques (60% new). Food pairing - salmon (grilled, poached, however), duck, mushroom risotto, lamb chops.

Tola Syrah 2008 (Sicily, Italy) Reg. $11.99, Was $8.99, NOW $6.99 – The Tola family has grown grapes and made wine for over 150 years on their farm 10 miles west of Palermo. Mimmo Tola is the son of the estate’s owners. They encouraged him to purse a degree in wine-making. He did. He returned to the estate and set about improving vineyard practices and winemaking. He also planted grapes such as Syrah. This is one of his wines. It is spicy with great dark and red fruit and softer tannins. Food pairing – meat dishes, grilled meat, game.

Imperiale Chianti DOCG 2008 (Italy) Reg. $12.99, Sale $9.99 – This is a good, rich, dry Chianti with that classic combination of red berries, dusty tannins and a dry finish. Has a pleasing earthiness to it. Food pairing – mushroom dishes, pasta dishes with tomato sauces and meat sauces, grilled meats.

New Zealand

Giesen South Island Pinot Noir 2008 (New Zealand) Reg. $16.99, was $9.99, NOW $7.99 - Wonderful, juicy Pinot Noir! Aromas and flavors of ripe, fresh blackberries and cherries with hints of mushrooms and bramble and some spice! Medium-bodied. Just shows a hint of oak. The tannins are soft and the wine is silky! Nice, refreshing finish. 100% Pinot Noir. Aged 8 months in oak barriques (15% new & the balance in older barrels). Food pairing – spicy dishes, mushroom dishes, grilled or roasted meats.

Oregon

R. Stuart & Co. "Autograph" Pinot Noir 2007 (Oregon) Reg. $39.99, Sale $21.99 - This is the wine Rob considers his best and his signature wine. He says of the 2007, that is "made him feel like an Oregon summer." This is just drinking so well right now! It's from 4 vineyards - Weber and Winderlea in the Dundee Hills and Temperance Hill and Daffodil Hill in Eola Hills. It has great red fruit, floral and spice notes from the Dundee grapes. The Eola Hills grapes bring in blue fruit, mushrooms, earth, forest floor and add structure. This is aged 10 months in new to 7-year-old French oak barrels so it is not oaky. 1,657 cases made. Organic, sustainable and/or biodynamic practices in the 4 vineyards.

Portugal

Lagoalva Espirito Tinto 2005 (Portugal) Reg. $14.99, was $7.99, NOW $5.99 – This estate was owned by the Order of Santiago de Espada (Military Order of Saint James of the Sword). It’s in the Ribatejo region along the south bank of the Tagus River For centuries, grapes, olives, cork, sheep, bulls, heifers and horses have been raised on this land. In 1991, Isabel Juliana Campilho bought the property (over 12,000 acres) and founded the winery. Today, it has 113 acres devoted to grapes. This is a blend of 50% Touriga Nacional (one of the most important grapes for Port) and 50% Castelao. This has aromas and flavors of dark berries, raspberries, cola, a little earth. Fine-grained, soft, soft tannins. Good length on the finish that is not drying….rather it is refreshing and has good length. Aged 6 months in French oak (2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th use) and another 6 months in the bottle before release. Food pairing – robust vegetarian dishes, spicy tomato sauce dishes, lots of meat dishes, aged cheeses.

Spain

Raimat Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 (Spain) Reg. $12.99, was $6.99, NOW $5.99 – This is a solid Cabernet that is holding up surprisingly well for a moderately priced wine. We cracked one open on Monday after it arrived and really liked it. It’s more of a medium-bodied wine. This has aromas and flavors of cooked, stewed dark fruit, a little earthiness, dark chocolate, vanilla and spice. It’s good….it’s not great….certainly a good bottle to crack open on a Tuesday night. 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot. Aged 24 months in American oak and 6 months in the bottle before release. Food pairing – lamb or beef stew, chili, comfort food dishes.

Dehesa de Rubiales Alaia 2006 (Spain) Reg. $11.99, was $8.99, NOW $6.99 - This is a wonderful red....perfect for summer days! Aromas of dark berries, blueberries, currants, minerals and smoke. Flavors that are rich with lots of dark and red fruit. Juicy texture. Great value. Drink over the next 1-2 years. Blend of 50% Prieto Picudo, 45% Tempranillo and 5% Merlot. Food pairing – grilled meats, harder cheeses, mushroom dishes, etc. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, Great values under $25…”

Finca Allende Rioja 2004 (Spain) Reg. $32.99, was $26.99, NOW $23.99 - Rich, elegant, and medium-bodied. Pure fruit flavors of blackberry and blueberry, accented by vanilla from oak. Good,crisp acidity. Well-proportioned and well-integrated. The modern side of Rioja. Winemaker Miguel de Gregorio and his sister Mercedes produce this Rioja from 100 percent Tempranillo grown on the estate's 60 acres of terraced vineyards along the Ebro River. Aged for 13 months in a combination of new and old French and American oak prior to bottling. Unfiltered. 3,000 cases imported. Will drink well through 2020. Food pairing - Especially good with roasts, barbecue, grilled meats, hearty food. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 92 points; Wine Spectator, 90 points; Stephen Tanzer, Int’l Wine Cellar, 90 points