Wine Sale - December 14th....'til???

Wine Sale

Limited Quantities of all

Sparkling:

Italy

Bortolomiol is a family-owned Prosecco producer in Italy’s famed Valdobbiadene, the best Prosecco producing area. Today, the founder’s four daughters run the winery under the watchful eye of their mother.

Bortolomiol Prosecco Prior Brut (Italy) Reg. $19.99, Sale $12.99 – Aromas and flavors of stone fruits and white flowers. This is pleasingly crisp with vibrant bubbles. It’s definitely refreshing and a great choice for serving at the start of a party. Why not? Who doesn’t want a glass of bubbly to kick things off?! A great choice for serving with lighter poultry dishes and seafood.

Bortolomiol Prosecco Bandarossa Extra Dry (Italy) Reg. $24.99, Sale $14.99 – This is a classic Prosecco from the Valdobbiadene. It’s named “Banda Rossa” because Giuliano would use a red mark to distinguish special bottles for his close friends. Today, “Bandarossa” is the Bortolmiol selection of the best Prosecco of the year. Fine and persistent bubbles. Smooth, silky finish. Pleasantly fruity and very aromatic. Aromas and flavors of stone fruits, a little smoke and tropical fruit.

The Whites:

France

Paul Jaboulet Aîné

First, if you are not up-to-date on Paul Jaboulet, the Frey Family bought this property a few years ago (January 2006) and started the process of returning it to greatness. Unfortunately, Paul Jaboulet had descended from its greatness after the death of Gerard Jaboulet. The Frey Family owns Chateau La Lagune in Bordeaux and they are the majority stockholders of the superb Champagne producer, Billecart-Salmon. They have the resources and the skill to restore this famed estate and are doing so.

Part of what they’ve done is sell off or close the negociant part of the Jaboulet portfolio and focus purely on estate-grown wines. Jaboulet owns some of the best acreage in the Rhone, especially in the northern parts. The 2007 vintage is the first over which the Frey family has had complete control. 2007 is also a great vintage in southern France. If you bought some Jaboulet wines from previous vintages and weren’t as thrilled with them as you were many years ago, now is a great time to revisit this estate. The property is farmed sustainably.

Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage Le Chevalier de Stérimberg 2007 (France) Reg. $94.99, Sale $54.99 – This is a big, rich Rhone white! It has that weighty, honey-like texture that I associate with many Rhone whites. It’ll easily age another 3-5 years and maybe longer. Aromas and flavors of green apples, tropical fruit, something tart like citrus or quince, caramel, baked goods. Blend of 65% Marsanne and 35% Roussanne. The wine is aged on its lees for 10-12 months. The vineyard is named after the knight Gaspard de Stérimberg, who established his hermitage on this hill after being wounded in a crusade. 6-bottle wooden box (which is yours if you buy 6). Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 90 points

Italy

San Quirico Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2010 (Italy) Reg. $17.99, Sale $11.99 - This is a tasty, crisp, dry white. It has a spicy, floral aroma. It’s smooth, medium-bodied & has almond notes in the finish – which is crisp and clean. Michelangelo once described Vernaccia as a wine that, “tickles, licks, bites and stings…” Stainless steel fermentation. Organically grown grapes & produced wine. Food pairing - Goes well with fish, shellfish, grilled and roasted poultry, veal dishes. and antipasti dishes. Drinks well on its own, but this is better as a food wine!

The Reds:

California

Eberle Zinfandel 2007 Reg. $29.99, Sale $16.99 – Delicious wines. This Zin is from two of Paso Robles finest Zinfandel vineyards, the reputable Steinbeck Vineyard and the Wine-Bush Vineyard. The Steinbeck Vineyard contributes layers of sweet briar fruit with hints of earth and minerality, while the Wine-Bush Vineyard contributes depth of color and jammy flavors of ripe blackberry, red raspberry with a peppery finish. The grapes are hand-picked and destemmed. The wine goes through full malolactic fermentation and is then transferred to American oak barrels (20% new) for 16 months. 2,881 cases made. Food pairings - hamburgers, grilled meats, spare ribs, meats with rich sauces. 26 bottles.

PreVail “West Face” 2006 (California) Reg. $49.99, Sale $29.99 – We’ve done this at a couple of tastings and it’s been a big hit at each! This is one huge, mouthful of wine…..it’s a monster! It’s a deep, dark wine. Big flavors, big aromas and a long, long finish. Flavors and aromas of dark chocolate, licorice, dark cherries and more. This is a newer project for Dan Carano, who wanted to make special wines from mountain-grown grapes. The Cabernet and Syrah are grown on Look Out Mountain in Alexander Valley on a western-facing slope. Volcanic soils. The location and soil contribute to these grapes ripening slowly – this really intensifies the flavors and aromas! 64% Cabernet Sauvignon and 36% Syrah.

Mount Veeder Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 (California) Reg. $39.99, Sale $23.99 – This is an inky, dark wine. This winery has its vineyards at 1,000 – 1,600 feet on the steep slopes of Mt. Veeder. This puts the grapes above the fogline. The grapes see a long growing season due to the cool nights. Grapes grown on the mountain slopes are quite different from the ones grown on the valley floor. This results in ripe, full grapes with balanced tannins and excellent fruit. They farm sustainably. The wine is rich with ripe, finer grained tannins. Aromas and flavors of black plum, dark cherries, baking spices, bay leaf, vanilla and more. Notes of dark chocolate. It’s big, but approachable with a long, soft finish. Blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Syrah. Aged 20 months in predominantly French oak (70% new). This will definitely aged well for anther 2-8 years. Decant when you open it to get the wine to “open up.”

Chile

Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Reg. $79.99, Sale $49.99 – This is a deep, dark, extracted wine. Many consider this Chile’s iconic wine. If this was made in Napa Valley, the price would be much, much more. It’s 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s a muscular, masculine wine with aromas and flavors of dark berries, black currants, figs, dark chocolate, dark ,dry earth, curing tobacco and more. It has a long, full finish. It’s layered and complex. It should age well for another 20 years if you choose. You can also drink it now. 6-bottle wooden box (which is yours if you buy 6). Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 95 points; Wine Spectator, 94 points

France

Joseph Drouhin Pommard 2007 (France) Reg. $54.99, Sale $29.99 – This is just beginning to come into its peak years. The black cherry, spice and leather notes in the aromas and flavors have come to the fore. When I tasted this a couple of years ago, it was a bit tight. When I tasted it in the late spring of this year, it had started to open and evolve nicely. It’s developed a nice finish. The tannins are balancing out and getting finer and softer. This is a really nice Burgundy that will benefit from another 2-5 years in the bottle. Aged 14-18 months in 20% new French oak. 420 cases imported.

Paul Jaboulet Aîné

First, if you are not up-to-date on Paul Jaboulet, the Frey Family bought this property a few years ago (January 2006) and started the process of returning it to greatness. Unfortunately, Paul Jaboulet had descended from its greatness after the death of Gerard Jaboulet. The Frey Family owns Chateau La Lagune in Bordeaux and they are the majority stockholders of the superb Champagne producer, Billecart-Salmon. They have the resources and the skill to restore this famed estate and are doing so.

Part of what they’ve done is sell off or close the negociant part of the Jaboulet portfolio and focus purely on estate-grown wines. Jaboulet owns some of the best acreage in the Rhone, especially in the northern parts. The 2007 vintage is the first over which the Frey family has had complete control. 2007 is also a great vintage in southern France. If you bought some Jaboulet wines from previous vintages and weren’t as thrilled with them as you were many years ago, now is a great time to revisit this estate. The property is farmed sustainably.

Paul Jaboulet Aîné Côte Rôtie Les Jumelles 2007 (France) Reg. $99.99, Sale $57.99 – This not only tastes great, it has a wonderful feel to it in the mouth. Aromas of raspberries, violets and smoky meats. Bright flavors of red cherries, minerals and spice.This is drinking well today and is well-balanced. It will also age nicely. Côte Rôtie is the most famed and northernmost of all the Rhone appellations. The reds are about the world’s most prized Syrahs. Les Jumilles is sourced from a 5 acre hillside set on a terraced, steep hillside. The wine is aged for 12 months in oak barrels, 20% of which is new. 100% Syrah. 6-bottle wooden box (which is yours if you buy 6). Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, 91points; Wine Spectator, 91 points

Paul Jaboulet Aîné Crozes Hermitage Les Jalets 2007 (France) Reg. $28.99, Sale $17.99 – Aromas of smoke, plums, black olives, black pepper and dark and red fruit. A touch of licorice to the aromas and flavors. Raspberry and dark cherry flavors with a nice touch of minerals. Dusty tannins on the long finish. Has a nice mouthwatering note to it. Drink now through 2017.

Italy

La Braccesca Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2005 (Italy) Reg. $23.99, Sale $16.99 - This wine is drinking exceptionally well. Deep, violet color. Rich, pretty aromas – smoky, leather, vanilla, cherries, earth and currants and spice. Lots of flavor carrying over from the nose. This has a nice, soft texture. 90% Prugnolo Gentile (Sangiovese) and 10% Merlot. Barrel aged for 12 months in oaks barrels of many different sizes; only a small amount is aged in barrique. The wine is then blended and bottle aged for 12 months.

Nino Negre “5 Stella Sfursat 2005 (Lombardy, Italy) Reg. $89.99, Sale $54.99 – We tasted this out at a wine tasting in April. It was a HUGE hit, even at $90. Think of this as an Amarone-style Barolo. Comes in a 6-bottle wooden case which is yours if you buy 6.

“Nino Negri has confirmed itself a star of first magnitude.” – Gambero Rosso (Italy’s highest wine authority).

This is Nino Negri’s flagship wine and it is only produced in the best years. It’s made from their finest parcels of Chiavennasca (Nebbiolo). This is from the best vineyards at the higher elevations sitting over 1,200 feet in height. The vineyards face south-east. The vines are densely planted to reduce yields. Only the best 25% of the grapes are harvested for this wine. After harvest, the grapes are sorted into wooden crates where they dry until December 12^th. The grapes are then crushed and the wine is aged in Allier oak for 16 months.

This is full-bodied with solid, fruit-coated tannins and a fresh, firm, fruity finish. Big, brooding. This has dried Nebbiolo character – so, it will remind you some ways of a Barolo or a Barbaresco, but, not completely. Leather, dark ripe fruit, tar, smoke, licorice, toasted oak and more round out the flavors and aromas. This has an impressive richness and vibrancy. Gambero Rosso, “Due Bicchieri,” 2 glasses; Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 91 points; Wine Spectator, 90 points

Oregon

We have 3 Pinot Noirs from a small, family-owned winery, Maysara, in McMinnville. The McMinnville AVA (American Viticultural Area) is one of the many AVA’s in the Willamette Valley. The winery is owned and operated by the Momtazi family, Mom and Dad and their 3 daughters. Since the winery’s foundation they have farmed organically and biodynamically. The Momtazi family immigrated to the United States from Iran in 1982. The father is a civil engineer. The mother is the accountant for the winery. The daughters run the winery. Their Pinot Noirs are made from Pommard and Dijon clones.

Maysara Pinot Noir “Asha” 2007 (Oregon) Reg. $39.99, Sale $19.99 – “Asha” is an ancient Persian word for one who has a clean conscience for good thoughts, deeds and words. It’s a pretty good word for a wine from an organic, biodynamic winery. This has nice aromas of raspberries, dark cherries and anise. Nice acidity and fine-grained tannins. Flavors of cranberries, pomegranate and dark chocolate. Aged in 45% new French oak. Grapes are de-stemmed before crushing. Wine Spectator, 89 points

Maysara Pinot Noir “Jamsheed” 2007 (Oregon) Reg. $24.99, Sale $16.99 – According to Persian legend, King Jamsheed could observe his entire realm by peering into a full wine goblet. Given that this wine is from all the parcels of Pinot Noir that Maysara grows, the name is fitting. The wine is a beautiful cherry color. It has soft, round tannins. Flavors and aromas of dark cherries, raspberries, blackberries, red licorice, white pepper and baking spices. Mouthwatering acidity and nice fruit combine to make a tasty wine! Aged 11 months in 14% new French oak. Filtered. Grapes are destemmed before crushing. Wine Spectator, 90 points

Maysara Pinot Noir “3º” 2008 (Oregon) Reg. $19.99, Sale $12.99 – “Three Degrees” is the wine project of the Momtazi daughters. The fruit is from the family-owned vineyards. This is a dark cherry color. It has soft, round tannins. Aromas of dark cherries, blackberries, raspberries, red licorice and baking spices. Flavors that show a little white pepper early and red cherries throughout. Grapes are destemmed before crushing. Aged 11 months in neutral French oak.

Washington

Cadaretta Syrah 2007 (Washington) Reg. $36.99, Sale $19.99 – This is a big, beautiful Syrah! Aromas and flavors of dark cherries, smoked meats and pleasing dark earth. Silky tannins and a long finish. Blend of 87% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre, 4.5% Sangiovese, 2.5% Counoise and 1% Grenache. Aged 19 months in 35% new oak (90% French, 8% American and 2% Slovenian).

Cadaretta Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 (Washington) Reg. $44.99, Sale $26.99 – Ruby, red color. This is soft and supple with a long, smooth finish. Dark plum, raspberries, currant, cherry, bay leaf and dark chocolate aromas. Flavors of currants, plums, cranberries and earth. Well-integrated oak. Blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Aged 19 months in 35% new French oak. Just under 1,000 cases made. Wine Spectator, 91 points; Seattle Times “Top 100 Wines,” 2010

Novelty Hill Syrah 2005 (Washington) Reg. $25.99, Sale $14.99 – This is a rich, ripe Syrah that is in its peak years. Black cherry, raspberry, mocha, a little smoke, herbs and baking spices in the aromas. Flavors of blackberries, black cherries, black olives, coffee and a touch of licorice. Nice length on the finish. This was fairly tannic in its youth and its come around nicely. Excellent New World Syrah!