October Wines of the Month

October Wines of the Month

We’ve been tasting wines this fall with the focus really being on food-friendly wines, particularly with the heartier foods we are eating as the weather cools and the days shorten.

Tier One

($8-$15/bottle)

We wanted to go to Italy for Tier One because the Italians truly do think about food when they are making their wine. If you are having an Italian wine and it just isn’t working for you, find some food. Salami works great with Italian reds.

The White

Zenato Lugana San Benedetto 2010 (Italy) $14.99 – We flat out LOVE this! This has crisp acidity and a soft, supple feel to its texture. Aromas and flavors of peach, citrus, bananas and herbs. The wine is soft and round and has a wonderfully long, savory finish. Made from an indigenous grape, Trebbiano di Lugana. This is a unique clone of Trebbiano that is highly regarded for its distinctly flavorful characteristics. The grapes are from estate vineyards in San Benedetto, a village just south of Lake Garda. Fermented in stainless steel and aged in stainless steel for 6 months. Aged in the bottle for 2 months before release. Food pairing – Thanksgiving Dinner, roasted chicken, scallops, lobster, duck breast, etc.!

The Red

Tedeschi Valpolicella Classico Lucchine 2010 (Italy) $14.99 – LThis is well-balanced and nuanced. It has vibrant, lively acidity. Aromas and flavors of cherries and red currants. Nice finish that carries through the fruit. Lucchine is the vineyard that produces the grapes. The vineyard is in the heart of the Valipolicella. Hand-harvested. Blend of 25% Corvina, 25% Corvinone, 30% Rondinella, 10% Molinara, and 10% Rossignola, Oseleta, Negrara & Dindarella. That’s a mouthful and a truckload of grape varietals! Stainless steel fermentation and aging. Food pairing – Thanksgiving Dinner, pasta, white meat dishes and lighter meals. Serve at 57 degrees.

Tier Two

($15-$25/bottle)

For this tier, we’ve turned to a friend of ours, Warren Frasor. Warren managed the Italian portfolio for an importer, T. Edward, in Manhattan. We’ve enjoyed and sold a ton of the wines from T. Edward over the years. We buy those wines from the inimitable Ned Swain of Devenish Wines.

Warren started a new wine importing company this year, Peter Warren Selections. Ned and I are really excited about these wines and Warren’s new venture.

Warren was also the sommelier at Mario Batali’s famed New York restaurant, Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca. Warren’s a fantastic guy with a great nose for fine wine.

These wines are brand new to Maine!

Comelli is a small winery in the northeastern part of Italy.

Daniela and Pierluigi Comelli had a home and vineyards. Originally, they sold all the grapes they grew. Looking to make something interesting and great for their two sons, they decided to build a winery and increase some vineyard holdings. They are in northern part of the Collio Orientali DOC, which is hillier than the southern part. This helps give the wines a little more brightness in the fruit department. They produce about 6,000 cases per vintages. Very sweet folks; all the family is involved in the company. They make very focused and delicious wines.

The location is protected by the Alps to the north and is open to sea breezes from the south. This area is an ancient sea floor, so the soil is laced with limestone. This adds great minerality to the wines.

Colli Orientali del Friuli is a wine area that is unfamiliar to most Americans. It is near Slovenia. Friuli is primarily known for their lovely aromatic white wines, but they produce some exciting high elevation reds as well.

The White

Comelli Friulano Colli Orientali del Friuli 2009 (Italy) $21.99 – This is a delicious wine that typifies white wine styles from Friuli. Dry, nicely balanced, it has a pleasing yellow-straw colour with golden reflections. It has well-balanced, fruity bouquet with notes of almond, wildflower and white peach. The aromas carry through to a taste that is fresh, fruity and inviting.

Fruilano is the relatively new name for the grape. It used to be called Tocai or Tocai Friulano in Friuli and Slovenia. The Hungarians successfully lobbied the European Union to only permit the name Tokay, and its derivatives, to be used with the famous golden dessert wine of northeast Hungary.

So, Tocai Friulano is now abbreviated to Friulano. The grape is a close relative of Sauvignon Blanc.

Food pairing – prosciutto, soup, fish appetizers, white meat terrines, Thanksgiving Dinner.

The Red

Comelli Soffumbergo Rosso delle Venezie 2008 (Italy) $21.99 – This has a brooding, dark, elegant aroma that is very warming. It has aromas of cedar, bacon fat, black cherry, cigar box and freshly ground coffee. This has a sleek and refined texture. It’s really hard to not just chug this one down it is so good. The wine has bright, fresh acidity and the fruit is alive! Lush and layered. Dark cherries with baking spices and cassis. It’s velvety and smooth. Medium-bodied and an excellent autumn wine! This combines the power and intensity of Cabernet Sauvignon with the earthy smokiness of Refosco and the soft, supple lushness of Merlot. Blend of Refosco, Pignolo, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Food pairing – grilled and roasted meats, mushrooms, truffle dishes.

Tier Three

($25-$50/bottle)

The White

Billecart-Salmon Brut Réserve Champagne NV (France) $59.99 – This winery was established in 1818 with a marriage uniting 2 Champagne producers. The blend for this cuvée has not changed much for almost 50 years. Blend of 40% Pinot Meunier, 30% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay. This is medium-bodied and has beautiful, fine bubbles and plenty of length. It finishes crisp and refreshing. Straw-colored. Aromas and flavors of ripe pears, peaches and freshly mown hay. Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, 90 points.

The Red

Podere San Cristoforo “Carandelle” Sangiovese Super Tuscan (Italy) $28.99 – Lorenzo Zonin comes from a wine making family. They produce excellent Prosecco. He decided to branch out and chart his own course. So, he established a winery in the wild west of Tuscany, in southerm Maremma. He purchased an old winery/vineyard with spectacular terroir. He farms biodynamically. These wines are beautiful and intense. When Warren was discussing these wines with him at VinItaly last year, Lorenzo said, Wait until I get my dirt healthy.” He’s serious. Much of the farm is fallow, planted with various grasses and herbs to correct deficiencies in the soil.

Lorenzo is focused on making elegant, rich wines. The Carandelle is made from grapes grown in cuttings of Sangiovese Grosso that Lorenze obtained from a friend in Montalcino. He grafted these cuttings onto old-vine rootstock. He makes about 3,500 cases of wine total each vintage and plans to grow slowly.

The wine – This is smooth, rich and elegant. Aromas and flavors of dark cherries, flowers, spices and minerals. This wine truly showcases the nuances that are Maremma – fresh raspberries, macerated strawberries, mint, lightly dusty, violet-like, with minerals and baking spices….even rhubarb. This has an opulence and fullness in the mouth. The tannins are well balanced. Aged 12 months in French oak. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 91 points

November Wines of the Month

November Wines of the Month

The focus this month is on wines for Thanksgiving, as well as for the Fall. Consequently, this is an "All-American" line-up.....but, not from places you'd expect!

Tier One

($8-$15/bottle)

The White

Urbanite Cellars Caliberico 2010 (California) $14.99 – This is VERY aromatic and has a lovely nose! It’s a pretty wine. In the mouth it has rich fruit and pops with nice acidity. It has a pleasing note of honey to the flavors. Excellent wine! Because the wine is from California and the grape varietals are from Spain/Portugal, the wine is named for California and the Iberian Peninsula!

The grapes are from the Lodi American Viticultural Area (AVA). Lodi is about 60 miles east of Napa and ENE of San Francisco and about 45 miles south of Sacramento. Most of us probably heard of Lodi when listening to Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR).

It’s an early center of grape-growing and cattle ranching in California. Many early immigrants brought grape vine cuttings with them, so the grapes in and around Lodi are a diverse lot. Lodi is the “Zinfandel capital of the world.”

Urbanite’s grapes are all from certified sustainable vineyards. They pick the grapes early to ensure alcohol and acidity levels similar to those found in wines from Galicia and Vinho Verde. It’s only 12.6% alcohol, making this perfect for a long day of eating and drinking such as Thanksgiving Day! Blend of 47% Verdelho, 35% Albarinho and 18% Torrontes. The varietals are fermented separately in stainless steel (80%) and neutral French oak (20%). The wine is then blended and aged in 90% stainless steel and 10% neutral French oak. Food pairing – Drinks well with or without food! Shellfish, seafood, lighter pasta dishes, grilled chicken or pork.

The Red

Urbanite Cellars Redart 2010 (California) $14.99 – While Urbanite mostly specializes in grape varietals that originated in the Iberian Peninsula, they do make wines from varietals we more closely associate with California. This is one. It’s delicious! This is juicy with nice red and dark fruit and a pleasing mocha note to it. It’s not hugely tannic. It’s wll-balanced and easy-drinking! Blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Syrah, 20% Zinfandel & 10% other reds. Each varietal is aged 4-9 months in neutral French oak before blending. Food pairing - poultry, grilled meats, duck.

Tier Two

($15-$25/bottle)

We recently tasted several wines from Virginia. Yes, Virginia, wines from Virginia. As many know, Thomas Jefferson was passionate about wine. He even tried to start a winery near Charlottesville. He wasn’t successful, but, one needs to remember that while Jefferson was a brilliant man, he wasn’t as good of a businessman or farmer as George Washington was. Well, in the 20^th century, many people have proven that Virginia can produce good, even great, wines.

These are some of them! They are from an estate called Barboursville Vineyards. No less an authority than the esteemed Michael Broadbent of Decanter Magazine glows about Barboursville Vineyards.

http://barboursvillewine.net/pdf/Decanter.pdf

Jefferson himself designed the grand home at Barboursville for his good friends. Unfortunately, that home burned in the 1880’s. Gianni Zonin, a member of a 6-generation wine family from the Veneto in Italy (they make great Prosecco, among other things), bought the estate in 1976. Against the advice of bankers, locals, farmers and governmental officials, he planted grapes rather than tobacco. Today, the region is home to more than 100 wineries. Barboursville Vineyards makes OUTSTANDING wine!

The White

Barboursville Vineyards Viognier Reserve 2009 (Virginia) $24.99 – Delicious, rich white wine! Aromas and flavors of ripe, juicy pears, tropical fruit and citrus with a suggestive herbal note. Ripe and luscious. 2009 was a cool growing season and this helped lengthen the growing season, concentrating and heightening the aromatics even beyond the landmark 2008 vintage. 100% Viognier. Aged and fermented in stainless steel for 12-14 months. Sees no malolactic fermentation (so, it is not buttery/creamy). It is rich and weighty because it is aged on its lees. 13.7% alcohol. This is drinking well now and will age well for another 4-5 years. Food pairing – crab cakes, veal or venison scaloppini, scallops au gratin, rich seafood, duck, heftier chicken dishes.

The Red

Barboursville Vineyards Cabernet Franc Reserve 2008 (Virginia) $24.99 – This is a beautiful, layered, complex and elegant Cab. Franc. It’s a dark garnet color in the glass. Aromas and flavors of figs, cherries, plums and ripe red berries. It has soft, lasting tannins and is beautifully soft feeling. 100% Cabernet Franc from 4 Bordeaux clones and 1 Loire Valley clone. Aged 14 months in new and French oak barriques. The oak staves are air-dried at least 3 years before coopering. It’s the House Red at The Inn at Little Washington. Food pairing – Braised veal roast served with baby vegetables, pasta with breast of duck ragù, roasted lamb with rosemary and garlic over soft polenta.

Tier Three

($25-$50/bottle)

The White

Westport Rivers Brut Cuvée RJR Sparkling Wine (Massachusetts) $25.99 - Excellent Champagne-style sparkling wine! We were at a wine tasting that SOPO hosted at a wonderful restaurant on Portland's Munjoy Hill, BarLola (great food)....the first wine we had at this tasting was this sparkling wine! We both loved it! From Massachusetts - who would have thunk! Blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Aromas of apples, pears, minerals. Just a subtle hint of toast. Feels nice and soft & rich in the mouth. Nice bubbles! Finishes soft & creamy with a hint of citrus! Tasty wine!

The Red

Barboursville Vineyards “Octagon” 2006 (Virginia) $42.99 – This has classic Boreaux characteristics – and it should given that it consists of Bordeaux’s 3 primary grapes. Aromas and flavors of mocha, mint, cassis, roasted coffee, cocoa powder, plums and more. This is full-bodied and silky. It’s just coming into its prime. Dusty tannins. Blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Aged 12-14 months in new French oak barriques. The wood was air-dried for at least 3 years before coopering. Food pairing - Osso buco, chicken braised in good red wine and black olives, sage and walnut-crusted lamb chop in rosemary jus.

The wine is named for the Octagon that was part of Jefferson’s design for the Barbours home. The design for the 1^st floor of the home is on the front label of the wine.

Read an interesting article about a blind tasting showcasing French, Napa and Virginia wines. The sommeliers and retailers at the tasting ranked the Octagon right up with an esteemed Napa Cab and an excellent Bordeaux.

Beverage Tasting Institute, “Exceptional,” Gold Medal, “Best Red Wine 2009”

Italian Wine Tasting

Wine Tasting

A Taste of Italy

Friday, Nov. 4^th

4:00 – 7:30pm

10% off on all wine tasting wines!

Tomorrow we will have Ned Swain of Devenish Wines and Warren Frasor of Peter Warren Selections here for a tasting of Italian wines that are brand new to Maine!

Warren started a new wine importing company this year, Peter Warren Selections. Ned and I are really excited about these wines and Warren’s new venture. Warren KNOWS the people making these wines. He’s not buying them from a broker. He’s on the ground in Italy at times finding great little wineries.

Ned just recently added these wines to his portfolio. I remember first tasting many of these last Spring at Ned’s trade show. They really captured our attention with their authenticity. Something about them; they just taste very honest, very Italian, very authentic. And they're from a lot of very small producers in off the beaten path places: lots of central Italy. This will be good fun and very educational.

Warren is a guy I’ve known for about 6 years. Great guy. Great knowledge about wine, especially from Italy. Plus, Warren, Ned and my daughter, Kelley, all share Feb. 24^th as a birthday.

Warren managed the Italian portfolio for an importer, T. Edward, in Manhattan. We’ve enjoyed and sold a ton of the wines from T. Edward over the years. We buy those wines from the inimitable Ned Swain of Devenish Wines. http://pwselections.com/contact

Warren was also the sommelier at Mario Batali’s famed New York restaurant, Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca. Warren’s a fantastic guy with a great nose for fine wine. http://www.mariobatali.com/restaurants_babbo.cfm

These wines are brand new to Maine!

The White

http://www.comelli.it/?lang=en

Comelli is a small winery in the northeastern part of Italy.

Daniela and Pierluigi Comelli had a home and vineyards. Originally, they sold all the grapes they grew. Looking to make something interesting and great for their two sons, they decided to build a winery and increase some vineyard holdings. They are in northern part of the Collio Orientali DOC, which is hillier than the southern part. This helps give the wines a little more brightness in the fruit department. They produce about 6,000 cases per vintages. Very sweet folks; all the family is involved in the company. They make very focused and delicious wines.

The location is protected by the Alps to the north and is open to sea breezes from the south. This area is an ancient sea floor, so the soil is laced with limestone. This adds great minerality to the wines.

Colli Orientali del Friuli is a wine area that is unfamiliar to most Americans. It is near Slovenia. Friuli is primarily known for their lovely aromatic white wines, but they produce some exciting high elevation reds as well.

Comelli Sauvignon Blanc Colli Orientali del Friuli 2010 (Friuli, Italy) $19.99 – This is a delicious wine that typifies white wine styles from Friuli. Absolutely beautiful wine with great aromatics and fruit flavors. Aromatics of sage, green pepper, hazelnuts and white peaches. Flavors of tropical fruit, mint and pepper. Hand-harvested. Destemmed before crushing. Stainless steel fermentation. Food pairing – Thanksgiving Dinner, vegetarian soups, lighter seafood soups, seafood and fish, omelettes, asparagus.

The Reds

Comelli Soffumbergo Rosso delle Venezie 2008 (Friuli, Italy) $21.99 – This has a brooding, dark, elegant aroma that is very warming. It has aromas of cedar, bacon fat, black cherry, cigar box and freshly ground coffee. This has a sleek and refined texture. It’s really hard to not just chug this one down it is so good. The wine has bright, fresh acidity and the fruit is alive! Lush and layered. Dark cherries with baking spices and cassis. It’s velvety and smooth. Medium-bodied and an excellent autumn wine! This combines the power and intensity of Cabernet Sauvignon with the earthy smokiness of Refosco and the soft, supple lushness of Merlot. Blend of Refosco, Pignolo, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Food pairing – grilled and roasted meats, mushrooms, truffle dishes.

Fiarano Sangiovese “Fiarano” 2009 (Marche, Italy) $18.99 – Paolo Beretta is an intense fellow, very passionate. He ahd his wife retired to her home area in the Marche from Milano. They decided to create a winery based on organic principles. Consulting with oenological experts from several University wine programs, they strove to find the perfect selection of clones for the ecosystems in their vineyards. They have a complete farm with gardens, vineyards, orchards and animals. It is certified organic and is almost self-sustaining. The vineyards are grass covered all year and fertilized by leguminous cover crops. They make about 3,000 cases per vintage. Hand-picked grapes. Stainless steel fermentation and aged in steel for 7 months. Bottle aged for 4 months. Low sulfites. Paolo makes intense, flavorful wines with great character.

This wine is a beautiful ruby red color. It has ripe red berry (raspberry and strawberry) aromas. The flavors are red berries and a touch of caramel. It has a nice touch of acidity that makes the wine very pleasing. This might be my choice for Thanksgiving Dinner.

Podere San Cristoforo “Carandelle” Sangiovese Super Tuscan (Tuscany, Italy) $28.99 – Lorenzo Zonin comes from a wine making family. They produce excellent Prosecco. He decided to branch out and chart his own course. So, he established a winery in the wild west of Tuscany, in southerm Maremma. He purchased an old winery/vineyard with spectacular terroir. He farms biodynamically. These wines are beautiful and intense. When Warren was discussing these wines with him at VinItaly last year, Lorenzo said, Wait until I get my dirt healthy.” He’s serious. Much of the farm is fallow, planted with various grasses and herbs to correct deficiencies in the soil.

Lorenzo is focused on making elegant, rich wines. The Carandelle is made from grapes grown in cuttings of Sangiovese Grosso that Lorenze obtained from a friend in Montalcino. He grafted these cuttings onto old-vine rootstock. He makes about 3,500 cases of wine total each vintage and plans to grow slowly.

The wine – This is smooth, rich and elegant. Aromas and flavors of dark cherries, flowers, spices and minerals. This wine truly showcases the nuances that are Maremma – fresh raspberries, macerated strawberries, mint, lightly dusty, violet-like, with minerals and baking spices….even rhubarb. This has an opulence and fullness in the mouth. The tannins are well balanced. Aged 12 months in French oak. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 91 points

Piantate Lunghe Rosso Conero D.O.C. 2007 (Marche, Italy) $21.99 - Three friends living near the Monte Conero/Ancona area with small plots of vineyards decided to pool all their resources/vineyards and created Piantate Lunghe. They produce only Montepulciano as they feel that it is the superior grape in that area. I think that they are just great gents, making tasty little wines, about 2,000 cases each vintage. Their Montepulciano wowed me because while big they shows very elegantly, gentle giants!

These are Ned’s notes about the wine:

“I don't really know how to introduce this wine. It's currently one of my favorites and I think I've opened at least four bottles in the two weeks that I've had it. Rosso Conero is a small, little-known, but very respected (in Italy) DOC in the Marche region of central Italy.

Aroma: Intense. It smells like what I want my kitchen to smell like on a Sunday afternoon in January; namely, baking spices, cinnamon, raspberry, blueberry (both fresh and cooked), hints of smoke, charred meat, and hints of baking chocolate.

Palate: Richly textured and with dark fruit, this is a lush and very authentically Italian tasting wine. The mouthfeel is smooth and refined while the flavors are dense blueberry, pepper, and hints of smoke. It's not a super complex wine, but very well balanced, approachable, and utterly delicious.

Food pairing - I've had this wine with all manner of food, including Indian creamed spinach and a tomato chickpea dish. I have yet to find a food that this wine can't handle, but it is ideal with stewed meats or pasta in a meat sauce. Sometimes you don't want a wine that totally grabs and dominates your attention; sometimes you just want one that's honestly delicious and that's what this wine is to me.

It's also the best wine made from Montepulciano I've ever had.”

I Balzini Red Label Super Tuscan 2005 (Tuscany, Italy) $19.99 – These are Warren’s notes: “Located just north of Poggibonsi in the heart of Toscana, right in the middle of Chianti making area. Antonella d’Isanto is an imposing and almost frightening woman…until she smiles at you and offers you a seat at the table. Then the most amazingly gracious woman is sitting across from you sharing an unbelievable passion for her wines. They are graceful and elegant just as she is. And I have not met anyone with the humble pride and love for their wines as she has. Making four wines all based around the Sangiovese grape but eschewing the easier name recognition of Chianti, Antonella works meticulously in the vineyards on the “balze” (the local word for the terraces from which the name I Balzini is derived) ensuring that the quality of each bunch is spectacular. The vines and wines are treated organically. Each wine sees a different assemblage and molding. The Red Label 60/40 Sangiovese/Cabernet Sauvignon is aged 4 years in 4th use barrel. A stunning and elegant number! I owe my good friend Erika Ribaldi for this introduction!”

The wine is a deep, ruby red color. It has loads of berries and black cherries with spicy notes in the aromas along with baking spices, mint and anise. Well-structured wine with a lot of depth and complex tannins and an elegance to it. Very balanced. Long finish.

Giacomo Vico Roero 2007 (Piedmont, Italy) $34.99 – If Barolo and Barbaresco prices are driving you nuts, you need to look at this wine! It’s 100% Nebbiolo. It’s aged 12 months in oak barrels – 1^st, 2^nd and 35r use. It’s bottle-aged for 2 years before release. It’s delicious!

Warren can’t remember who told him to look up these 2 brothers, telling him that he would loved their Roero-based wines. He wishes he could so that he could thank them! The winery is named for the brothers’ great-grandfather. The brothers re-started the winery in 1992. The brothers are simply fun and talented! Making delicious and very pleasing wines of clean and pure varietal character from the Roero. They produce around 10,000 cases of wine total, with most of it being Arneis and Barbera d’Alba. Farming as naturally as possible all their wines have a very attractive savory character to them, an herbal note that differs wine to wine. And they are damn fun to hang out with.

The wine is a ruby red with a bit of garnet to it. It has a spicy, fragrant nose with notes of strawberries, cherries, chocolate and licorice. Well-structured and balanced. Dry with just the right amount of tannins that have been softened by the aging. Long, full finish.

Wine Tasting, Friday, Oct. 21st

Wine Tasting

Friday, October 21^st

3:30 – 7:30pm

The Wines

The Whites:

Giocato Pinot Grigio 2009 (Primorska, Slovenia) $12.99 - We love this! Fresh, bright, lively and fun to drink! This is crisp and fresh with beautiful tropical fruit and a light kiss of lime/lemon. Great for just sipping! PERFECT label for Halloween! Made by CULT Winemaker Aleks Simcic, perhaps Eastern Europe’s best! Italian – “Giocare” – to play; gamble; deceive; trick. Food pairing – lobster, seafood, lighter chicken dishes, salads. Organic Farming.

Marchetti Verdicchio Dei Castelli di Jesi Classico 2009 (Marche, Italy) $13.99 - This is one of the best Mediterranean whites under $15 I've ever tasted! Wonderful citrus & mineral flavors & aromas. This also has notes of green apples & tropical fruits. Vibrant acidity and loads of minerality throughout the wine. Has a little nuttiness (almonds?) on the finish. Long, crisp finish! Maurizio Marchetti, the winemaker, only uses the best grapes (most years he gets no more than 1/2 a bottle from a single vine). 900 cases made. Organic Farming. Food pairing - seafood, shellfish, swordfish, etc. Great with poultry.

Betts and Scholl Chardonnay 2009 (California) $14.99 – Richard Betts is a master sommelier. He believes that “wine should be a grocery, not a luxury.” So, he created a set of wines that are high quality, but priced well below $20. He is a négociant – buying wines from outstanding wineries and blending it to create his wines. The 2009 Chardonnay is sourced from the cool and crisp Monterey area. This wine has a nice balance between the over-oaked style and the austere stainless steel style. This is intense, with nice notes of nectarines and peaches. Clean, rich finish.

The Reds:

Pietra Santa Winery Sacred Stone Master’s Red Blend Cask #6 (California) $10.99 – Delicious. Smooth! Rich! Soft! Juicy! Loads of ripe plums and cherries. Dark and lush! Crisp acidity and a rich, soft finish! Blend of Merlot, Sangiovese, Zinfandel and Dolcetto. 18,088 cases made. 24 months in French and American oak. Food pairing – great wine for a party – your guests will thank you for serving this! Drinks well with or without food. Grilled foods! Barbecue. Pizza. Pasta. Poultry. Mushrooms. Etc.

Palamà "Arcangelo" Primitivo IGT 2009 (Puglia, Italy) Reg. $17.99, Sale $14.99 - This is a delicious, smooth, rich red! The winery's goal is to make great everyday wines.....bright, fresh fruit.....power....fun....taste! They are succeeding! 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. Food pairing - crostini with olive tapenade, steak, venison. Organic & Sustainable Farming.

Tre Donne Joan d’Arc 2008 (Italy) Reg. $24.99, Sale $21.99 - 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, Châteauneuf-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. Organic & Sustainable Farming.

Podere Ciona Sangiovese Montegrossoli 2008 (Italy) Reg. $24.99, Sale $14.99 – We’ve gotten to know winemaker Lorenzo Gatteschi over the years with his work with a fabulous importing company, Small Vineyards. This is his wine. I love his wines (we also carry his Chianti Classico Riserva – the family on makes 800 cases of wine total!). This has nice red fruit, soft tannins…soft, subtle dusty tannins…classic Sangiovese from the heart of the Chianti Classico area! We first tasted this at a small tasting with Lorenzo in September. This is a wonderful wine and a great value. Sustainable farming. Food pairing - meats, roasts, mushrooms, pasta dishes.

Summers Charbono 2007 (California) Reg. $25.99, Sale $19.99 – Only 85 acres of Charbono are planted in California. Summers has most of it. Charbono is a rare grape. It is believed that it comes from the southeastern France or Piedmont in Italy. This is an estate-grown wine. Wonderful aromas of dusty flowers, raspberries and blueberries This is ripe and full-bodied. Aged 11 months in 80% American and 20% French oak (50% new). Food pairing – rack of lamb, grilled steak.

Truchard Zinfandel 2008 (California) $27.99 – This is the only Napa Valley Zin to come from only Carneros fruit. This is a ripe, jammy Zin with aromas of cherries, cranberries, cassis, cedar and mint. The flavors are rich and full – plums, wild berries and vanilla. Good acidty. Only 4 acres of vineyards. The vines are 11-18 years. 60% French and 40% American oak (35% new). 735 cases made.

October's Fancy Tasting

Wine Tasting

Thursday, October 13th

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.

We are also going to ask you to pick a time to come. The times are 6:00, 6:30, 7:00 and 7:30. We will have a finite number of people at each time slot. We will also have 2 tables for the wines. That way, if you are starting at 6:30, the people that started at 6:00 will either be done or they will be at the 2^nd table and you will be at the 1^st table.

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, Oct. 14^th. If we’ve run out of wines, and you want a case (mixed or full), I’ll deliver it to your home or office.

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 Whites:

Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2007 (France) $78.99 – This offers floral aromas that are similar to Viognier – which is a bit odd because it doesn’t have any Viognier in it. Aromas of flowers, honey, limes and white fruit. Nice minerality. It’s medium- to full-bodied. This just feels beautiful and refined. Vibrant acidity. The Vieux Telégraphe Blanc represents 7% of this estate’s CNP production. It’s a relatively unusual blend of 40% Clairette, 30% Grenache Blanc and the rest is evenly divided between Roussanne and Bourboulenc. 40% sees oak barrels, but the wine isn’t “oaky.” Aged 9 months before bottling. 35 year-old vines. Hand-harvested grapes. Sustainable agriculture. 2000 cases made. Wine Spectator, 93 points; Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 90 points

Joseph Drouhin Chassagne-Montrachet 2009 (France) $56.99 – This is a golden color that is typical for this appellation. Aromas of pears, vanilla and almonds. It’s long and complex with flavors of yellow stone fruits. Rich and voluptuous. Hand-picked grapes. Naturall yeast fermentation – no yeast is added to the barrels. Fermented in oak barrels and aged sur-lie for 9-10 months in small oak barriques (no more than 40% are new). Sustainable farming. Food pairing – poultry dishes, particularly white meat, veal, fish with delicate sauces.

Kistler Chardonnay Vine Hill 2007 (California) $89.99 – This vineyard Is immediately in front of the winery. This is a big, powerful, masculine Chardonnay. It’s dense. Aromas of peaches and spice, tropical fruit. The texture is also smooth and silky. Excellent minerality. 2007 was a relatively cool growing season – this helped produce crisp acidity. Yields were low in 2007, but the grapes were excellent. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 93-95 points; Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, 92 points

The Reds:

Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir 2008 (Oregon) $44.99 – After a couple of Oregon Pinot Noirs showed well in wine competitions, the Drouhin family went to Oregon to see what was happening. They liked the area so much; they bought land and created Domaine Drouhin in the Dundee Hills. In 1988, they produced their first wine from its vineyards. This is a beautiful Pinot with aromas of baking spices, black cherry, cedar, dark berries and more. It’s ripe, spicy, well-balanced. Elegant with a long finish. 2008 was a great vintage in Oregon. Aged in 20% new French oak. Sustainable agriculture. Hand-harvested. This will age well. Drink from 2012 through 2020. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 91 points; Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, 91 points

Prunotto Barbaresco 2006 (Italy) $49.99 – The 2006 Barbaresco is a pretty wine. It’s medium-bodied. It has a floral aroma that I love in Nebbiolo. The aromas move on to include smoke, mocha, red fruits and garrigue. It has strong acidity. The tannins are still lively. This has plenty of fruit in its youthful innocence. The fruit will come more to the fore as it ages. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 90 points; Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, 90+ points

Marina Cvetic Merlot 2007 (Abruzzo, Italy) Reg. $42.99, Sale $32.99 – The 2006 was THE HIT at our high-end Italian tasting in April! The new vintage is rich & elegant, with both power and finesse! This smells like Abruzzo (according to the winemaker who was here a several months back). Fine tannins and a velvety feel (which, Merlot should have. It has aromas & flavors of dark chocolate, dark berries & a peppery spiciness midway. It’s a deep dark color. 100% Merlot. Aged one year in French oak. Drink 2013-2019. Food pairing – lamb, grilled meat, aged cheeses, game. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 90 points

Licinia Vina de Madrid 2008 (Spain) $57.99 – Brand new to Maine! I first tasted in September at a tasting with the owners of Olé Importers, a fabulous importer of Spanish wines. This is a beautiful wine that impressed everyone at the tasting. Located in the Vinos de Madrid. The winery is in the town of Morata, called “Licinia” during Roman times. In a blind tasting of 200 wines held in early 2009 by a panel of 50 distinguished winemakers, Licinia was named the best red wine in Spain. The 3 proprietors focus on one wine. This is no grand winery with fancy gardens, buildings or tasting rooms. They farm biodynamically. 1,000 cases made. 150 cases imported. I have 2 of them.

This has a wonderful red fruit, black cherry and herbal combination with notes of graphite, smoke, exotic spices and flowers. It’s juicy, almost chewy, and is easy to drink. It’s well-balanced. Some nice spiciness in the flavors to go with savory fruit. This should drink well through 2020 after maturing for another 2-3 years.

Blend of 40% Syrah, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Tempranillo. Biodynamic farming. The grapes are hand-harvested and transported in small boxes by refrigerated vans to avoid oxidation. The grapes are kept refrigerated for 48 hours to increase their fresh aromas. Then the best clusters and berries are selected. Fermentation is done at cool temperatures in stainless steel. Then the wine goes into 225-liter barrels where it undergoes malolactic fermentation. Aged for 12 months in 50% new and 50% one-use oak barrels (95% French and 5% American). Batonnage, or stirring of the lees, occurs every during aging. The wine is racked every 3 months. Food pairing – grilled beef, steak, burgers, Indian curry, Tex-Mex. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 90 points; Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, 92 points; “Best Red Wine of Spain,” Twice, by Enoforum.

Altesino Brunello 2006 (Italy) $76.99 – One of the first winemakers I met after opening the store was Guido from Altesino. Wonderful guy and great wines. I have standing invite to visit – gotta take him up on that! This is an impressive wine – fresh, balanced and nuanced. Aromas of red cherries, raspberries, flowers, graphite, mocha and dark chocolate. Medium-weight. Flavors of red raspberry, leather, minerals and black cherries. Long finish. This is aged for 36-42 months in large Slovenian oak barrels before bottling. Aged another 6 months in the bottle before release. 100% Sangiovese Grosso. This will drink well through 2020. It might need another year or so of aging. Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, 94 points; Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 90 points; Wine Spectator, 91 points

Treana Red Blend 2008 (Paso Robles, California) Reg. $49.99, Sale $42.99 – This is a full-throated red with finesse. The Hope Family has been growing grapes in the Paso area since 1978. This Cabernet-based red is their flagship. The 2008 is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Syrah. It’s aged 10-14 months in French oak (50% new). This has aromas of red cherries, pomegranates and plums. The flavors cover the gamut from figs, chocolate, baking spices, pepper, licorice and black fruit. It’s smooth and long.

Galardi Terra di Lavoro 2008 (Campania, Italy) $89.99 – This is beautiful, big, dark wine. It’s rich and ripe. Aromas and flavors of dark fruit, luxurious leather, minerals, spice, licorice and more. This wine is still quite young. If you age this, you will be rewarded. Terra di Lavoro, first made in 1994, quickly established itself as one of Italy’s cult wines. The Celantano family owns and runs this winery. Famed oenologist Riccardo Cotarella planted the vines for their vineyards ion 1991. The grapes are strictly harvested by ripeness rather than by varietal. This means that sometimes the Aglianico and the Piedirosso are picked and vinified together. This is 80% Aglianico and 20% Piedirosso. Anticipated maturity: The wine is aged on lees for several months in French oak. Cotarella says that Aglianico is a hard grape to take through malolactic fermentation, so the final blend is made before malo. Then the wine goes through a very slow malo, with 80-90% of the wine in stainless steel. After malo, the wine returns to French oak. Without a doubt, the malolactic fermentation in stainless steel contributes to this wines significant freshness and aging potential. 2018-2038. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 97+ points

Wilbur's Chocolate, Etc. Tasting

Wilbur’s Tasting

October 6^th, 2011

Any of these wines that you purchase from Freeport Cheese & Wine will be 10% off!

The Wines

The White Wines:

Chateau Cabezac Cuvée Alice 2010 (France) $14.99 - Fabulous, crisp, clean white! This has great aromas of peaches, pears, tropical fruit and limes! Flavors of white peaches and green apples. Nice minerals and hints of sea salt on the finish. 80% Grenache Blanc and 20% Maccabeu. Stainless steel fermentation and aging 600 cases made. Food pairing – seafood, lobster, grilled scallops, mussels and more. Drinks well without food.

Casa de Campo Chardonnay 2009 (Argentina) Reg. $10.99, Sale $8.99 - Delicious little white wine from Argentina! This has a bright yellow color. Aromas of tropical fruit such as pineapple and banana. This is smooth and well-balanced. It has a full, soft texture. Just a soft, soft hint of oak. This only sees a touch of oak aging – most of it is fermented and aged in stainless steel. Food pairing – poultry, pasta and fish.

The Red Wines:

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, blackpepper and a touch of whitepepper. 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.

Le Vin de l’Uncle Charles Cabernet Sauvignon – Merlot Nonvintage (France) $11.99 - From one of our favorite wineries, Chateau de Flaugergues! This is a nice blend of 60% Cabernet and 40% Merlot. Aromas and flavors of ripe red and dark fruit and some notes of chocolate. This is a tasty, solid red that’s perfect for a party or just cracking open with a meal. Food pairing – grilled meats, pasta dishes, stews and more.

The Dessert Wine:

Chocovine Espresso Chocolate Liqueur $12.99 - If you like Kahlua, give this a shot! Tastes like a White Russian! Rich, mocha and chocolaty. Drink over ice or use it to make mixed drinks! Or, come up with your own drink with it!