Wine Tasting, High-end Wines, August 25th - changes to some wines

Wine Tasting

Thursday, August 25th

6:00 – 8:00pm

We are asking that you RSVP if you want to attend this tasting. We will be limiting the number of attendees to make this a more intimate tasting – one in which you can truly enjoy the wines and learn about them. We will be closing the store during the tasting so that we are not interrupted.

10% discount on any of the tasting wines you purchase.

If we run out of any wines (we have a lot of wine for the tasting – don’t worry about that), we will have them in the store on Friday, August 26th. If we’ve run out of wines, and you want a case (mixed or full), I’ll deliver it to your home or office.

We’ve had to make some changes in the wines because of stock issues or vintage changes. I just learned of these changes late Tuesday and have been rewriting this ever since. I apologize for the changes at the last minute. Regardless, these are still GREAT wines that most of us rarely get to taste. The changes are noted below. The changes:

1. Shafer Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay is now the 2009 vintage and not the 2008. You will likely be the first in Maine to try the new vintage as it arrives on Thursday the 25th.
2. Bell Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2007 is replacing the Ladera Cabernet Sauvignon.
3. Mollydooker Blue Eyed Boy Shiraz 2009 is replacing the Two Hands Lily’s Garden Shiraz. The Mollydooker wines have been in Maine for about a month.
4. Montepeloso “Eneo” Super Tuscan 2008 is replacing the Tomasso Bussola Amarone Classico. On paper this appears to be the biggest change – a Super Tuscan for an Amarone. The reason we’d picked the Tomasso Bussola Amarone is that it is quite balanced and nuanced; the “Eneo” is as well.

Without further ado – the tasting wines in the order WE THINK we will be tasting them. We might make adjustments during the tasting as the wines open and develop.

The Wines

The Sparkling:

L. Aubry Fils Champagne Brut Rosé (France) $56.99 – This is a “grower Champagne” brought to the USA by the best Champagne importer going, Terry Theise. Terry is the man who introduced Americans to “grower Champagnes.” What is a “grower Champagne?” The grapes are grown by the people making the wine.

This is a serious wine with tremendous focus and power and structure and charm. This wine has minerality running throughout it. Aromas and flavors of wild strawberries, apples, limes and more. This is a wine well-suited to the dinner table. It’s a blend of roughly 60% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Meunier and 25% Pinot Noir. The Aubry Rose Brut is always from a single vintage, although that is not shown on the label. The Aubry family has been growing grapes in this part of Champagne for over 200 years. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 91 points

The Whites:

VINTAGE CHANGE from previous e-mail!

Shafer Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay 2009 (California) $47.99 – We thought we were doing the 2008; from the time we made the list to now, the 2008 sold out. We are tasting the 2009. Aromas and flavors of pears, tropical fruit, melons, apricots, pineapple, minerals and honeysuckle. Medium-bodied. Still that rich, bright, fresh Shafer-style for Chardonnay! This vineyard in Carneros is named for the red-shouldered hawks that patrol the vineyard and contain the gopher population (gophers and other rodents damage the roots of the vines). 100% Chardonnay from this vineyard. 75% barrel-fermented & aged and 25% stainless steel fermented and aged. 14 months in new French oak barrels (Allier and Vosage). Aged on lees (with weekly stirring) for 14 months to add a creamy richness to the wine. Drink now through 2013. Sustainable agriculture. Shafer has been one of the Pioneers for sustainable agriculture in Napa Valley and California viticulture. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, “An argument could be made that Shafer is turning out the finest non-malolactic Chardonnay in California.”

Michel & Stéphane Ogier Condrieu 2009 (France) $93.99 – Condreiu is one of the smallest appellations in France and all the producers in Condreiu make just a few thousand cases of wine combined. The entire area is just about 350 acres of vineyard. It is exclusively Viognier. In fact, the Viognier grape may have originated from here. Viticulture in this part of the Rhone Valley dates to at least the Romans and maybe earlier. The Avignonese Papacy (1305-1377) brought fame to the wines of this area. Michel is the father and Stéphane is the son. They began as growers and became winemakers in the late 1980’s. Their entire estate is less than 15 acres of vineyards and 6 of those acres are in the Côte Rôtie. The wine is classic Condrieu – it has a grippy, full texture that is more robust than most white wines. It’s explosively rich and lush. Aromas and flavors of ripe tropical fruits, spicy herbs, minerals and more. It’s round and silky. Lively and fresh!

The Reds:

Cristom Jessie’s Vineyard Pinot Noir 2007 (Oregon) $47.99 – What makes Cristom so great is a combination of location and talent. The talent is consistent – the same winemaking team with Steve Doerner has been at the helm forever! Jessie’s Vineyard shows darker fruit than some of the Cristom Pinots. This has classic Oregon Pinot aromas and flavors of dark cherries, baking spices, black earth, minerals and black raspberries. This has the structure and ripe tannins to continue to evolve well through 2019. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 90 points

Felsina Chianti Classico Rancia Reserva 2006 (Italy) $42.99 - This is SUPERB Chianti that will just get better and better over the next decade and more! Not only that, but the price/value that the Felsina wines have is rare for wines these good! This is fresh, vibrant, assertive and great! Great length and balance. Aromas and flavors of dark fruit, minerals and flowers. Aged 16 months in French oak (60% new). Hand harvested. De-stemmed. Sustainable agriculture. Drink now through 2026. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 95 points

Shafer Merlot 2007 (California) $47.99 – Without a doubt, one of California’s best Merlots! And, before you say, “I don’t drink Merlot anymore,” you should try this one! This is lush, smooth, full and delicious. Aromas and flavors of rich, ripe berries and dark chocolate. 2007 is a GREAT vintage! 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged 20 months in 60-gallon French oak barrels (75% new). The fruit is from the Stags Leap District and Yountville. Drink now through 2018. Sustainable agriculture. Shafer has been one of the Pioneers for sustainable agriculture in Napa Valley and California viticulture. Food pairing – poultry, pork and beef dishes with a fruit- or wine-reduction sauce go great with this. Also, a dish of carmelized onions, garlic and mushrooms. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 90 points

WINE CHANGE below from previous e-mail! This is a substitute for the Ladera Cabernet Sauvignon.

Bell Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2007 (California) $41.99 – A GREAT wine from a leading & MOST INNOVATIVE winemaker. Anthony Bell restored Cabernet Sauvignon Clone #6 - one of the world’s legendary grapes – to prominence in California. 2007 is a GREAT Napa Valley vintage and this wine is made by a GREAT winemaker! Bell is located near Yountville in the heart of Napa Valley. In many ways, Bell Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is like a good St. Julien.

The wine is a deep, ruby red color. This has ripe cherry, black currant, brambly dark berry, dusty earth (that Rutherford fruit), green olive and more to the flavors and aromas. The tannins are soft and there are notes of oak in the wine. Has pepper and spice in the wine. Full-bodied. Long finish. GREAT WINE!

This is a Bordeaux-blend style Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 4% Malbec, 4% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. The Cabernet Sauvignon is 28% Clone 4, 23% Clone 337, 21% Clone 6 and 10% Clone 7). The Cabernet Sauvignon comes from vineyards in Carneros (Truchard Vineyard), Atlas Peak, Yountville, Oakville, Rutherford (Beckstoffer Georges II Vineyard) and Diamond Mountain.

Not all Cabernet Sauvignon is the same. Anthony Bell is one of the world’s leading experts on Cabernet Sauvignon Clones. He helped restore Clone 6 while he was at Beaulieu Vineyards (BV), working with Napa legend André Tchelistcheff. Anthony Bell is a native South African and has worked at vineyards in South Africa (Stellenbosch), Spain, France (Haut-Médoc) and California (15 years at BV).

In many ways, Anthony Bell helped DEFINE Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon. Because of Bell, it’s a layered, complex wine with assertive tannins that don’t bite. Anthony Bell is obviously a winemaker who demonstrates that great wine is made in the vineyard moreso than in the winery.

Aged 22 months in 56% new oak barrels. The barrels are 84% French and 16% American. 1,715 cases made. Food pairing – steak, lamb, rich stews, venison, etc. Decanter Magazine, 4 Stars; Connoisseur’s Guide to California Wines, 90 points

WINE CHANGE below from previous e-mail! This is a substitute for the Two Hands Lily’s Garden Shiraz.

Mollydooker Blue Eyed Boy Shiraz 2009 (Australia) $49.99 – Mollydooker Wines are in Maine! Sparky and Sarah Marquis have a mission statement that says, “We make wines that make people go WOW!”

They were the founders of the famed Marquis Phillips wines from Australia. The importer did something rude, wrong and immoral and appropriated the name several years ago. Sparky and Sarah had the vineyards, the contracts for “sourced” grapes and the winemaking know-how and expertise. So, they started making wines under a new name – Mollydooker. These wines are superb!

People have been asking me for these for a long while and they are now in Maine!

This is a deep, dark purple. Glass-coating. Big, rich, ripe aromas of blueberries, black cherries with hints of dark chocolate, eucalyptus, mint and dark earth. Full-bodied. Ripe, RIPE fruit flavors. Firm tannins and good acidity. Long, lingering finish. Blend of 80% McLaren Vale and 20% Langhorne Creek. Aged in 71% new and 29% used American oak. Drink now through 2017+. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 92 points

WINE CHANGE below from previous e-mail! This is a substitute for the Amarone.

Montepeloso “Eneo” Super Tuscan 2008 (Italy) $44.99 – Montepeloso is one of the emerging stars of the Tuscan coast. This is one of Tuscany’s best wineries and it’s one of the gems that The Rare Wine Company ferrets out – one of the great things about this importer is they discover wineries before most of the world has – before the prices go nuts. This has deep, dark berry flavors and aromas. It’s quite concentrated and intense, but the vibrant acidity helps add elegance to the power and fullness. Bright, refreshing acidity. Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Montepulciano, Sangiovese, Marselan and Alicante Bouschet. Aged in 2nd and 3rd use oak barrels. Best from 2012-2020. 2,000 cases imported. Wine Spectator, 92 points

Descendientes de José Palacios Corullón 2007 (Spain) $43.99 – Alvaro Palacios is one of the famed Spanish winemakers who put Priorat on the map in terms of world-class, outstanding wines. He’s doing it as well with Bierzo and its indigenous grape, Mencia. This area, Bierzo, is relatively new to the United States. We’ve seen some wines from it over the last 3-4 years, but it is still gaining steam and public awareness. This has great aromas of minerals, smoke, black fruits and lavender. It’s full-bodied, lush, rich and complex. 100% Mencia. Vineyards are 60-100 years old. Aged in 80% new French oak. Bottled unfiltered and unfined. Drink now through 2019. Organic, biodynamic farming. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 92 points

August Wine Sale #2

Sale!

The one good aspect of the slow economy is the wine distributors keep offering deals! Quantities are limited.

If you want any of these, please e-mail your hopes, desires and requests to me at efullagar@gmail.com. In-stock quantities are limited (we pay COD for wine and beer per Maine law, so on any given day we have to keep inventory tight). When these are gone, these wines go back to regular prices.

If you want a FULL case (12 bottles) of any of these wines, take 15% off the sale price.

If you want to put together a mixed case (12 bottles) combining any of these wines, take 10% off the sale price.

Thanks,

Eric

The Wines

White Wines

California

Joel Gott Sauvignon Blanc 2009 (California) Reg. $17.99, Sale $11.99 - Summer is the PERFECT time for Sauvignon Blanc! Lobster. Oysters. Mussels. Warm decks and patios! Salads. This is an outstanding Sauvignon Blanc! Aromas just busting with tropical fruit….lime, lemons, mango, pineapple and more……bright, fresh flavors that are balanced with good acidity to tone down the fruit. Lone finish. Food pairing – Maine seafood, lobster, shellfish, sipping on a warm deck or patio with friends! Fresh goat cheese. 3 cases.

DeLoach Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2008 (California) Reg. $14.99, Sale $7.99 – Aromas of apple pie, citrus fruit and a touch of oak. This has bright acidity and flavors of cinnamon and baking spices, pears and a refreshing note of orange and tangerine. It’s medium-bodied. Food pairing – grilled or roasted chicken, grilled salmon. Lobster and artichokes with butter. 19 bottles.

France

Hugel Pinot Blanc “Cuvee Les Amours” 2007 (Alsace, France) Reg. $16.99, Sale $8.99 – This is a delicious Pinot Blanc from one of Alsace’s foremost producers. It has a slightly creamy feel to the wine with nice aromas of apples and orange. The wine has flavors of anise, lemons, orange, smoke and minerals. It has a nice acidity to it that lends a crispness to the finish. Pinot Blancs are quite food friendly. Food pairing – smoked fish, salads, asparagus, ham, pork dishes, seafood, roasted chicken. 36 bottles.

Germany

Clean Slate Mosel Riesling 2009 (Germany) Reg. $12.99, Sale $9.99 - Good tasting and a good value! A little sweet with a clean finish! Aromas of peaches, limes, minerals and a little peppery spice. The flavors are similar – zesty lemon/lime acidity, peaches and nice minerality. Starts a little sweet (not dessert sweet) and finishes fresh and clean because of its nice acidity. Food pairing – like most Rieslings, this is food friendly! Asian dishes, spicy foods such as Thai or curry, sushi, fish, poultry, pork and ham! Drinks well on its own! 3 cases.

Italy

Perazzeta Sara White DOC 2010 (Tuscany, Italy) Reg. $15.99, Sale $13.99 - 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. Less than 3 cases left.

New Zealand

Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2010 (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. 3 cases.

Spain

Les Valles Viura - Chardonnay 2009 (Spain) Reg. $11.99, Sale $6.99 – This is a delicious white from Carinena in Spain. We tasted this and its red sibling on the same day and just loved both. We really loved the price. A couple of days later we learned the real price and decided to buy more. This has nice aromas of citrus fruit, tropical fruit such as pineapple and wild flowers. It’s dry and refreshing. Crisp. A steal at this price! Blend of 90% Viura and 10% Chardonnay. Stainless steel fermentation and aging. This area is just south and west of the Pyrenees before you reach the Ibericos Mountains. It’s in the Ebro River Valley. The vineyards are high-altitude (2,500 feet) which provides the vines with the needed temperature swings from day to night to help the grapes develop best. Food pairing – great as a cocktail wine and with light dishes, particularly seafood and white meat poultry.

Red Wines

Argentina

Ruta 22 Patagonia Malbec 2009 (Argentina) Reg. $14.99, Sale $11.99 - This is wonderful! Aromas of dark fruit – plums, blueberries, blackberries, licorice, mint & black pepper. Smooth feeling in the mouth. Flavors similar to the aromas. Subtle hints of mocha & anise. Soft tannins. Nice, long velvety finish. Fermented in stainless steel. 30% of the wine is aged in oak barrels for 1 year. Hand-harvested grapes. Patagonia is in southern Argentina. Ruta 22 is the major east-west highway in Argentina. Food pairing – roasts, steaks, grilled meats, stews, mushroom dishes, etc. Aged cheeses. Drinks well on its own! Wine & Spirits, 91 points, “Best Buy.” 10 cases.

France

Georges DuBœuf Beaujolais-Villages 2009 (France) Reg. $10.99 Sale $8.99 - This is a really good wine…easy-to-drink…food-friendly…fun quaffing! Aromas and flavors of fresh cherries, cranberries, black pepper and a touch of white pepper. Deeply colored. Soft mouth-feel. Soft tannins. Lots of fruit! 100% Gamay. Hand-harvested grapes. Food pairing - Goes well with lots of foods – roasted or grilled chicken or pork, salmon, pizza, lasagna, etc. 4 cases.

Hob Nob Pinot Noir 2009 (France) Reg. $11.99, Sale $8.99 - Think CHERRIES! Nice, medium-bodied fruity Pinot with a little hint of baking spices, soft and smooth and a hint of oak. Fruity, bright, lingering finish… classic European-style. Excellent to sip on its own, or with friends! This is a great ready-to-drink Pinot Noir that won’t kill your budget either! Food pairing - Light enough for the summer berry desserts or rich enough for a crispy Long Island duck breast. 5 cases.

Italy

Palamà "Arcangelo" Primitivo IGT 2009 (Puglia, Italy) Reg. $17.99, Sale $14.99 - 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 style of wine. 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. Less than 3 cases.

Piazzo Barbera 2009 (Italy) Reg. $11.99, Sale $8.99 - The RUNAWAY hit at a recent tasting! A smash! This has aromas of roses, blackberries and a hint of oak. The flavors show baking spices and red and dark tannins. This has firm tannins that are not dominating. This Barbera is 50% from Alba and 50% from Asti – so, it is generally a greater value than most Barberas from either area! The winery only produces this wine in better years100% Barbera. Aged 6 months in small oak barrels with another 6 months of bottle aging. 1,500 cases made. Food pairing – hearty dishes, aged cheeses. 6 cases.

Spain

Les Valles Tempranillo – Garnacha - Syrah 2009 (Spain) Reg. $11.99, Sale $6.99 – Wonderful red from Carinena in Spain. We tasted this and its white sibling on the same day and just loved both. We really loved the price. A couple of days later we learned the real price and decided to buy more. Aromas and flavors of blackberries, blueberries and currants. This has a slightly peppery finish and really bright fresh fruit in the flavors. A steal at this price! Blend of 50% Tempranillo, 40% Garnacha and 10% Syrah. Stainless steel fermentation and aging. This area is just south and west of the Pyrenees before you reach the Ibericos Mountains. It’s in the Ebro River Valley. The vineyards are high-altitude (2,500 feet) which provides the vines with the needed temperature swings from day to night to help the grapes develop best. Food pairing – milder cheeses, a simple pizza, pasta or red/white meat dish and more

That's the list.

August Wines of the Month

August Wines of the Month

The focus this month is on wines that are perfect for the summer!

Tier One

($8-$15/bottle)

The White

La Salette Côtes de Gascogne 2010 (France) $11.99 – A perfect summertime white from Gascony! The aromas and flavors are lemon zest, grapefruit and herbs. It’s crisp and clean. Well-balanced acidity. Medium-bodied. We are in Gascony, so the grape varietals are going to be ones that are not grown in many other places. 80% Colombard, 10% Ugni Blanc and 10% Gros Manseng. Stainless steel fermentation. Food pairing – seafood, salads, shellfish, goat cheese, grilled fish.

The Red

Perazzeta Sangiovese Sara 2009 (Italy) Reg. $15.99, Sale $12.99 - This just pops with aromas and flavors of macerated strawberries. It’s delicious! Big hit at a recent tasting. Blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Ciliegiolo. Ciliegiolo is a close relative of Sangiovese. It means “cherry.” Stainless steel fermentation. This winery is in Maremma in southwestern Tuscany. Alessandro Bocci is the winemaker. Recently, his daughter joined him in working at the winery. Organic & Sustainable Farming. Food pairing - poultry, grilled meats, duck.

Tier Two

($15-$25/bottle)

The White

Argyros Atlantis White 2010 (Greece) $16.99 - This is a great-tasting, beautiful wine! Wonderful aromas and flavors of honeysuckle and lemon/lime citrus and minerals. The relatively high acidity of the Assyrtiko grape gives this its crisp freshness. Long finish. 90% Assyrtiko, 5% Athiri and 5% Aidani. Santorini is a volcanic island with incredibly minerally soil and it is very dry. Assyrtiko is a grape that has the ability to age well. To see how the vines are cultivated on the island of Santorini, please click here. Third generation winemaker. Yiannis Argyros is widely considered Greece’s best white wine vintner. Stainless steel fermentation and aging. 3,300 cases made. Food pairing – seafood, grilled fish, lighter poultry dishes, Thai food. Wine & Spirits, World’s Top 100 Wineries, 2005 & 2006

The Red

Tre Donne "d'Arc Rosso" 2008 (Piedmont, Italy) Reg. $24.99, Sale $21.99 – Truly one of the best wines I’ve had at this price! Antonella, Rosanna and Daniela Lequio are 3 sisters who run this wonderful Piedmontese winery. They took over the running of the winery from their somewhat chauvinistic father who wasn't that sure about women as winemakers and he had no son! Turns out the 3 sisters are great at this! This is a great blend from Piedmont that definitely expresses the phrase, "the sum is greater than the parts," and the parts are pretty darn good! It's a blend of mostly Barbera and Pinot Noir with 20% Dolcetto with 10% Friesa, a native Langhe white wine. The Friesa adds freshness and a zippy acidity as well as nice floral aromas (frequently, Chateauneuf-du-Pape producers add white wine to the red blends). The tannins are soft and the blend adds a lot of complexity to the wine! Aromas and flavors of dark cherries, baking spices, roses, peaches, almonds and more. It has a really smooth and soft texture. Notes of mocha on the finish. Food pairing – grilled and roasted meats, mushrooms, truffle dishes.

Tier Three

($25-$50/bottle)

Mollydooker Wines are in Maine!

Sparky and Sarah Marquis have a mission statement that says, “We make wines that make people go WOW!”

They were the founders of the famed Marquis Phillips wines from Australia. The importer did something rude and wrong and appropriated the name several years ago.

Sparky and Sarah had the vineyards, the contracts for “sourced” grapes and the winemaking know-how and expertise. So, they started making wines under a new name – Mollydooker. These wines are superb!

People have been asking me for these for a long while and they are now in Maine!

The White

Mollydooker “The Violinist” Verdelho 2010 (Australia) $25.99 – This is a BIG white wine! Rich, ripe and full! Aromas of lemons, white pepper, cilantro and white grapefruit. Spicy citrus flavors with apples and pears showing on the finish. Blend of grapes from McClaren Vale (2/3) and Adelaide Hills (1/3). About 1/3 of this wine ages in oak barrels, but it isn’t oaky. The aging on lees in the barrels adds a creaminess to the wine. Drink now through 2013. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 90 points

The Red

Mollydooker Blue Eyed Boy Shiraz 2009 (Australia) $49.99 – This is a deep, dark purple. Glass-coating. Big, rich, ripe aromas of blueberries, black cherries with hints of dark chocolate, eucalyptus, mint and dark earth. Full-bodied. Ripe, RIPE fruit flavors. Firm tannins and good acidity. Long, lingering finish. Blend of 80% McLaren Vale and 20% Langhorne Creek. Aged in 71% new and 29% used American oak. Drink now through 2017+. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 92 points

High-end Wine Tasting, August 25th

Wine Tasting

Thursday, August 25th

6:00 – 8:00pm

We are asking that you RSVP if you want to attend this tasting. We will be limiting the number of attendees to make this a more intimate tasting – one in which you can truly enjoy the wines and learn about them. We will be closing the store during the tasting so that we are not interrupted.

10% discount on any of the tasting wines you purchase. If we run out of any wines, we will have them in the store on Friday, August 26^th.

The Wines

The Sparkling:

L. Aubry Fils Champagne Brut Rosé (France) $56.99 – This is a “grower Champagne” brought to the USA by the best Champagne importer going, Terry Theise. Terry is the man who introduced Americans to “grower Champagnes.” What is a “grower Champagne?” The grapes are grown by the people making the wine.

This is a serious wine with tremendous focus and power and structure and charm. This wine has minerality running throughout it. Aromas and flavors of wild strawberries, apples, limes and more. This is a wine well-suited to the dinner table. It’s a blend of roughly 60% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Meunier and 25% Pinot Noir. The Aubry Rose Brut is always from a single vintage, although that is not shown on the label. The Aubry family has been growing grapes in this part of Champagne for over 200 years. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 91 points

The Whites:

Shafer Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay 2008 (California) $47.99 – One of the leaders of the class in 2008! Aromas and flavors of oranges, peaches, pears and honeysuckle. This is medium-bodied and loaded to the hilt with flavors and aromas. It is lively and fresh. This vineyard in Carneros is named for the red-shouldered hawks that patrol the vineyard and contain the gopher population (gophers and other rodents damage the roots of the vines). 100% Chardonnay from this vineyard. 75% barrel-fermented & aged and 25% stainless steel fermented and aged. 30% of the barrels are American oak to add a little spiciness to the wine. Half of the barrels are new and half are 2^nd use barrels. Aged on lees (with weekly stirring) for 15 months to add a creamy richness to the wine. Drink now through 2013. Sustainable agriculture. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 92 points

Michel & Stéphane Ogier Condrieu 2009 (France) $93.99 – Condreiu is one of the smallest appellations in France and all the producers in Condreiu make just a few thousand cases of wine combined. The entire area is just about 350 acres of vineyard. It is exclusively Viognier. In fact, the Viognier grape may have originated from here. Viticulture in this part of the Rhone Valley dates to at least the Romans and maybe earlier. The Avignonese Papacy (1305-1377) brought fame to the wines of this area. Michel is the father and Stéphane is the son. They began as growers and became winemakers in the late 1980’s. Their entire estate is less than 15 acres of vineyards and 6 of those acres are in the Côte Rôtie. The wine is classic Condrieu – it has a grippy, full texture that is more robust than most white wines. It’s explosively rich and lush. Aromas and flavors of ripe tropical fruits, spicy herbs, minerals and more. It’s round and silky. Lively and fresh!

The Reds:

Cristom Jessie’s Vineyard Pinot Noir 2007 (Oregon) $47.99 – What makes Cristom so great is a combination of location and talent. The talent is consistent – the same winemaking team with Steve Doerner has been at the helm forever! Jessie’s Vineyard shows darker fruit than some of the Cristom Pinots. This has classic Oregon Pinot aromas and flavors of dark cherries, baking spices, black earth, minerals and black raspberries. This has the structure and ripe tannins to continue to evolve well through 2019. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 90 points

Descendientes de José Palacios Corullón 2007 (Spain) $43.99 – Alvaro Palacios is one of the famed Spanish winemakers who put Priorat on the map in terms of world-class, outstanding wines. He’s doing it as well with Bierzo and its indigenous grape, Mencia. This area, Bierzo, is relatively new to the United States. We’ve seen some wines from it over the last 3-4 years, but it is still gaining steam and public awareness. This has great aromas of minerals, smoke, black fruits and lavender. It’s full-bodied, lush, rich and complex. 100% Mencia. Vineyards are 60-100 years old. Aged in 80% new French oak. Bottled unfiltered and unfined. Drink now through 2019. Organic, biodynamic farming. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 92 points

Shafer Merlot 2007 (California) $47.99 – Without a doubt, one of California’s best Merlots! And, before you say, “I don’t drink Merlot anymore,” you should try this one! This is lush, smooth, full and delicious. Aromas and flavors of rich, ripe berries and dark chocolate. 2007 is a GREAT vintage! 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged 20 months in 60-gallon French oak barrels (75% new). The fruit is from the Stags Leap District and Yountville. Drink now through 2018. Sustainable agriculture. Food pairing – poultry, pork and beef dishes with a fruit- or wine-reduction sauce go great with this. Also, a dish of carmelized onions, garlic and mushrooms. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 90 points

Felsina Chianti Classico Rancia Reserva 2006 (Italy) $42.99 - This is SUPERB Chianti that will just get better and better over the next decade and more! Not only that, but the price/value that the Felsina wines have is rare for wines these good! This is fresh, vibrant, assertive and great! Great length and balance. Aromas and flavors of dark fruit, minerals and flowers. Aged 16 months in French oak (60% new). Hand harvested. De-stemmed. Sustainable agriculture. Drink now through 2026. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 95 points

Ladera Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 (California) $39.99 – This is a GREAT Cab from a GREAT vintage. This is drinking well TODAY and will age well for at least another 10 years. Wines that cost 2-3 times the price wish they were this good! Aromas of blackberry, cocoa, anise, cola, licorice, toasted oak and vanilla. Flavors of dark plums, blackberries, currants and more. This has silky tannins and a soft, smooth, rich texture. Blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec. The fruit is from Howell Mountain (57%) and Lone Canyon (43%), which is along the flanks of Mt. Veeder. Barrel aged in 39% new French oak. Karen Culler is the winemaker for Ladera. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 90 points

Tomasso Bussola Amarone della Valpollicella Classico 2003 (Italy) $61.99 - The 2003 Amarone took nearly 5 years to finish fermenting! This is an exotic Amarone that is both powerful and light on its feet. Lots of dark fruit, minerals and flowers in this wine. Even with its richness and ripeness, this Amarone is medium-bodied and drinking well today! That said, it’ll age well until at least 2020. Aged 24 months in 25% new Slovenian and 25% new American and 50% 2^nd passage French oak barrels. Sustainable agriculture. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 91 points

Two Hands “Lily’s Garden” Shiraz 2008 (Australia) $61.99 – Each year, the blockbuster Two Hands wines win acclaim and fame and sell-out. Each year, the Wine Spectator puts one of the Two Hands wines on its Top 100 list and people clamor for it. By the time the list comes out, that wine has already sold-out. We’ll see if that happens in 2011. Regardless, this wine is delicious and is McLaren Vale Shiraz at its best. Aromas and flavors of dark berries and baking spices. This is more about complexity and depth of flavors than it is pure power. Oh, it’s still powerful! Best from 2011-2018. 1,500 cases made. Wine Spectator, 92 points

August Wine Tasting, Friday the 19th

Wine Tasting

Friday, August 19th

3:30 – 7:30pm

10% off on all wine tasting wines!

It’s still summer and the focus for this tasting are wines that are great for the wonderfully beautiful days we’ve been having this summer……wines for picnics, grilled foods, seafood, one the boat, at the beach, relaxing in the backyard and more!

Sigrid Coffin of Easterly Wines will be here. We will also taste one of the Vermouths that are new to Maine this summer. I wrote about the Vermouths in an earlier e-mail. We hope to see you on Friday!

The Wines

Sparkling:

Montsarra Cava (Spain) $16.99 - This is just yummy! One of our FAVORITE wines! Great value! Truly wonderful! Crisp, dry, clean tasting, wonderful fruit…lighter than most Champagnes…refreshing…low in alcohol…crisp finish…bubbles last forever because it is Méthode Champénoise. Blend of 3 grapes – roughly 60-70% Macabeo, 15-20% Xarello and 15-20% Parellada. The Parallada adds the rich aromas to the wine. The wine is cellared for a minimum of 18-24 months. The Montsarra vineyard is in the Alt Penedes region of Spain, in eastern Catalonia. This is the part of Spain near the Mediterranean and the French border. The vineyards are at about 800-1,000 feet. 90 points, Wine & Spirits

Whites:

Broadbent Grüner Veltliner 2009 (Austria) $14.99 - This is a beautiful, elegant, delicious, juicy Grüner! Aromas and flavors of limes, peaches and green apples. Stainless steel fermentation. Aged on the lees for 3 months. For decades, Bartholomew Broadbent has imported excellent wines from family-owned wineries. This is a wine he makes himself partnering with one of the winemakers he works with at that family-owned estate. Food pairing – shellfish, seafood, spicy dishes, salads, white meat dishes, smoked fish.

Domaine Saint-Peyre Picpoul de Pinet 2009 (France) $11.99 - This is one of our favorite white wines! Has HUGE wow factor for a $12 wine! Refreshing! Floral & fruity nose…if you didn’t know any better, you might think this is a sweet wine because of the vibrant fresh fruit aromas and flavors. It’s dry and fruity. Melon, lemon, & grapefruit flavors. Food pairing - Terrific drinking on its own! All shellfish & seafood – from simple steamed mussels to a tomato-infused fish stew, plus flavorful white-meat dishes, cheeses & cured meats. One of the best values in the store! The name is poetic – “Picpoul de Pinet.”

Domaine Henri Bourgeois Sauvignon Blanc “Petit Bourgeois” 2010 (Loire, France) $14.99 - Beautiful, beautiful TASTY wine! This is as good as Sauvignon Blanc gets! Think of this as a “baby” Sancerre & with Sancerre prices sky-rocketing, you must try this! It's a touch softer & lighter than Sancerre, but, it is oh-so-close! Dry, crisp, good citrus nose & fruit. Nice finish. Nice minerality. Just a well-balanced, enjoyable wine to drink. 100% Sauvignon Blanc from old vines & fermented in stainless steel. Food pairing - Perfect with lobster, as well as most seafood and lighter dishes. Great with fresh goat cheese!

Rosé:

Château la Moutète Côtes de Provence Rosé 2010 (France) $16.99 - This wine takes us back to our very first wine tasting – we tasted an earlier vintage of this in October of 2004. At that point, we almost had to harangue people to get them to try PINK wines. Thankfully, those days are over! This is a lovely, dry, crisp rosé with nuance and strength. Strawberry and raspberry aromas meet peach and apricot in the flavors. Blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvèdre. Aged in stainless steel for 4 month on fine lees. In the ‘80’s, the Duffort family, from Domaine de l’Hermitage in Bandol, bought and began resurrecting this wonderful property in the heart of the Côtes de Provence’s Golden Triangle. They farm organically and make wines naturally. Food pairing - Great with grilled chicken, roasted poultry, salad nicoise, light seafood dishes including soups, duck, etc.

Reds:

Aresti Estate Selection Pinot Noir 2009 (Chile) Reg. $13.99, Sale $11.99 – Great tasting, great value Pinot! Aresti has been growing grapes since 1951. In the '90's they started making wine.....and they've been making excellent wines with great values! The Aresti Pinot Noir has vibrant strawberry jam aromas with anise and cinnamon. This has a nice amount of good “earthiness.” The aromas carrying over to the flavors, easy-drinking and yet complex, with a nice, long finish. 100% Pinot Noir. Barrel aged after fermentation. Food pairing - grilled meats, mushroom risotto.

Warwick Estates First Lady Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 (South Africa) $14.99 – Aromas of red berries and black currants with hints of chocolate, oak, dried herbs and vanilla. This has ripe, round tannins. Balanced acidity with the fruit in the flavors. Full-bodied and smooth. Nice length on the finish. 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot. Aged 15 months in 2nd and 3rd fill oak barrels. Racked 3 times in the barrel and bottle unfiltered after a light fining. Warwick Estates was known as the farm “Good Success” from 1791 until 1902. After the Boer War, Colonel Alexander Gordon of the Warwickshire regiment bought the farm and renamed it. In 1964, Stan and Norma Ratcliffe bought the farm and soon after they planted Cabernet Sauvignon. At first, they were growers. In 1984, Norma Ratcliffe made their first wine and became South Africa’s 1st female winemaker. Today, their son is the managing director and 3 generations of Ratcliffes work at this family-owned winery. Sustainable agriculture. Food pairing – steaks, grilled meats, mushroom dishes.

Domaine de la Maurelle Côtes-du-Rhône 2009 (France) Reg. $16.99, Sale $14.99 - This is an outstanding wine! The fruity, spicy red is a steal! Juicy, with dark cherry herb and mineral notes that linger nicely on the finish. Light- to medium-bodied, an excellent table wine. Darkly colored with a gorgeous nose and flavors of black and red cherries, flowers, plums, stony minerals and Provencal herbs (the French call this garrigue). 55% Grenache, 40% Syrah & 5% Mourvèdre. Sustainable agriculture. Less than 8,000 cases made. Food pairing - Good with steak and other grilled meat, roast pork and lamb, other hearty entrees. Drinks well on its own.

Spann Vineyards Classic Four 2008 (California) $21.99 – Since we opened 7 years ago, we’ve loved the wines of Peter and Betsy Spann – the Mo Zin, Mo Jo, Betsy’s Backacre Red, Betsy’s Backare Bottle Blond, Recovery Red and more! This is their newest wine to us. Like most Spann wines, this has that velvety smoothness that is loaded with rich, dark fruit! It’s a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (for currant flavors), Merlot (for red cherries and the soft, baby’s bottom smoothness that only Merlot adds to reds), Malbec (for the dark cherries and dark color and weight) and Petit Verdot for added structure and oomph. 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc & 6% Petit Verdot. 1,500 cases made.

Vermouth

Dolin Vermouth

The French House of Dolin has been in continuous operation since 1821. It is credited with the invention of Blanc Vermouth, later adding Dry and Rouge. In 1932 it won the only Appellation d’Origine for Vermouth in France. It is the last remaining House to produce Vermouth de Chambéry. Vermouth de Chambéry is its own appellation.

All of Dolin’s Vermouths are made from the white wines of Chambéry, including the Rouge. The Rouge gains its color from the infusion of plants and dark, carmelized sugar used in its production. Most of the wine comes from the Armagnac vineyards of the Gers.

Dolin Vermouths are lighter, more dry and less pungent than most mass-produced Vermouths. The plants used to infuse the Dolin vermouths are also from Chambéry, giving these Vermouths even more of a sense of terroir.

Dolin’s exact recipes are a closely guarded secret, but they include as many as 54 different plants, including wormwood, chamomile, hyssop, rose petals, chincona bark and more. The finished product is 75-80% wine, much more than mass-produced varieties.

Each Dolin Vermouth offers a fresh, restrained and elegant nose, with a subtle, complex bittersweet taste. Even the Blanc and Rouge retain great balance, with the sugar never cloyingly sweet and just enough bitterness to whet the appetite.

Each can be enjoyed as an aperitif on ice with a twist of citrus, or in a broad array of cocktails.

This is the Vermouth we will be sampling. We also have the Dry and the Blanc available for sale.

Dolin Vermouth de Chambéry Rouge - $14.99 for a 750ml bottle, $10.99 for a half bottle. This has more pronounced herbal flavors than the Dry or the Blanc. It’s both weightier and softer than the Dry or the Blanc.

Persephone Cocktail

Ice, 1 ounce applejack, ¾ ounce Dolin Rouge Vermouth, ½ ounce Plymouth Sloe Gin, ½ ounce fresh lemon juice, ½ ounce simple syrup. Fill a pint glass with ice. Add the remaining ingredients and stir until chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass and serve.

Dolin Vermouth de Chambéry Dry - $14.99 for a 750ml bottle, $10.99 for a half bottle. Refreshing, complex…..makes a great martini and drinks wonderfully over ice with a twist.

Dolin Vermouth de Chambéry Blanc - $14.99 for a 750ml bottle, $10.99 for a half bottle. This has a wonderfully light and refreshing taste. It’s hugely complex and is more herbal than anything else. It tastes like a meadow full of wildflowers smells – refreshing and pure. This has a touch of sweetness that the Dry Vermouth doesn’t have.

Wine Sale

It’s time for a sale!

At the end of July, some great pricing on many wines was ending – so, I bought a bunch. Quantities are limited.

If you want any of these, please e-mail your hopes, desires and requests to me at efullagar@gmail.com. In-stock quantities are limited (we pay COD for wine and beer per Maine law, so on any given day we have to keep inventory tight). When these are gone, these wines go back to regular prices.

· If you want a FULL case (12 bottles) of any of these wines, take 15% off the sale price.

· If you want to put together a mixed case (12 bottles) combining any of these wines, take 10% off the sale price.

Thanks,

Eric

The Wines

White Wines

California

Dry Creek Dry Chenin Blanc 2010 (California) Reg. $14.99, Sale $10.99 - YUM! This TASTES like summer! A PERFECT SUMMER WINE! That’s what we have to say about this wine! Aromas of lemon, orange, pear & pineapple that carry through to the flavors. Clean, crisp, well-balanced and easy-to-drink. This is soft and smooth! Great wine for warm days and a picnic/party! Food pairing - Great choice for shellfish, seafood, pasta salad, chicken and drinking! Perfect with curry dishes. Awesome with oysters! Food & Wine, “Great Bargain – Terrific Wine Under $15;” Wine & Spirits, “Best Buy.” 6 cases.

Joel Gott Sauvignon Blanc 2009 (California) Reg. $17.99, Sale $11.99 - Summer is the PERFECT time for Sauvignon Blanc! Lobster. Oysters. Mussels. Warm decks and patios! Salads. This is an outstanding Sauvignon Blanc! Aromas just busting with tropical fruit….lime, lemons, mango, pineapple and more……bright, fresh flavors that are balanced with good acidity to tone down the fruit. Lone finish. Food pairing – Maine seafood, lobster, shellfish, sipping on a warm deck or patio with friends! Fresh goat cheese. 3 cases.

Germany

Clean Slate Mosel Riesling 2009 (Germany) Reg. $12.99, Sale $9.99 - Good tasting and a good value! A little sweet with a clean finish! Aromas of peaches, limes, minerals and a little peppery spice. The flavors are similar – zesty lemon/lime acidity, peaches and nice minerality. Starts a little sweet (not dessert sweet) and finishes fresh and clean because of its nice acidity. Food pairing – like most Rieslings, this is food friendly! Asian dishes, spicy foods such as Thai or curry, sushi, fish, poultry, pork and ham! Drinks well on its own! 3 cases.

New Zealand

Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2010 (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. 3 cases.

Red Wines

Argentina

Ruta 22 Patagonia Malbec 2009 (Argentina) Reg. $14.99, Sale $11.99 - This is wonderful! Aromas of dark fruit – plums, blueberries, blackberries, licorice, mint & black pepper. Smooth feeling in the mouth. Flavors similar to the aromas. Subtle hints of mocha & anise. Soft tannins. Nice, long velvety finish. Fermented in stainless steel. 30% of the wine is aged in oak barrels for 1 year. Hand-harvested grapes. Patagonia is in southern Argentina. Ruta 22 is the major east-west highway in Argentina. Food pairing – roasts, steaks, grilled meats, stews, mushroom dishes, etc. Aged cheeses. Drinks well on its own! Wine & Spirits, 91 points, “Best Buy.” 10 cases.

California

Chalone Vineyard Monterey County Pinot Noir 2008 (CA) Reg. $19.99, Sale $13.99 - This is a delicious, rich Pinot from the Central Coast area! Excellent aromas of ripe black cherries, roses, curing tobacco and a nice earthiness. Soft and silky texture. Juicy! Flavors of raspberries, black cherries and baking spices. Soft tannins. Pleasing finish. 100% Pinot Noir. Food pairing – salmon, chicken, duck, turkey, pork and lamb. Mushroom dishes.

Chile

Llai Llai Pinot Noir 2010 (Chile) Reg. $14.99, Sale $11.99 - This is a delicious, juicy, ripe Pinot that we really like! This has aromas and flavors of earth, dark cherries, smoke and herbs. Moderate tannins. It’s really at the alcohol level that Pinot should be – 13%. This can easily pass for a good village wine from the Côte de Nuits. Hand-harvested, cold-fermented and partially aged in 1-year old French oak. Llai Llai (“Lie-Lie”) means wind in the indigenous Mapuche language. Food pairing – salmon, duck, roasted chicken. 1 case.

France

Georges DuBœuf Beaujolais-Villages 2009 (France) Reg. $10.99 Sale $8.99 - This is a really good wine…easy-to-drink…food-friendly…fun quaffing! Aromas and flavors of fresh cherries, cranberries, black pepper and a touch of white pepper. Deeply colored. Soft mouth-feel. Soft tannins. Lots of fruit! 100% Gamay. Hand-harvested grapes. Food pairing - Goes well with lots of foods – roasted or grilled chicken or pork, salmon, pizza, lasagna, etc. 4 cases.

Hob Nob Pinot Noir 2009 (France) Reg. $11.99, Sale $8.99 - Think CHERRIES! Nice, medium-bodied fruity Pinot with a little hint of baking spices, soft and smooth and a hint of oak. Fruity, bright, lingering finish… classic European-style. Excellent to sip on its own, or with friends! This is a great ready-to-drink Pinot Noir that won’t kill your budget either! Food pairing - Light enough for the summer berry desserts or rich enough for a crispy Long Island duck breast. 5 cases.

Italy

Piazzo Barbera 2009 (Italy) Reg. $11.99, Sale $8.99 - The RUNAWAY hit at a recent tasting! A smash! This has aromas of roses, blackberries and a hint of oak. The flavors show baking spices and red and dark tannins. This has firm tannins that are not dominating. This Barbera is 50% from Alba and 50% from Asti – so, it is generally a greater value than most Barberas from either area! The winery only produces this wine in better years100% Barbera. Aged 6 months in small oak barrels with another 6 months of bottle aging. 1,500 cases made. Food pairing – hearty dishes, aged cheeses. 6 cases.