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 3rd 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 2nd usage and 1/3 3rd usage (what all that means is that the wine is not oaky – the 1st 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 1st 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 (2nd, 3rd and 4th 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
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