Friday Sips
FRIDAY SIPS
New Arrivals Part One
Today January 22 from 1:30 - 6:30
New Arrivals Part One
Today January 22 from 1:30 - 6:30
Drop by to sample the first part of an assortment of wines that have recently arrived. Spain, France, Italy & Oregon are on display.
Part Two will go down on February 5 and will be highlighted by the arrival of the library selection, 2001 Galet des Papes Tradition Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Part Two will go down on February 5 and will be highlighted by the arrival of the library selection, 2001 Galet des Papes Tradition Chateauneuf-du-Pape
2012 PAOLO PETRILLI
C'ACCE MMITA DI LUCERA 'AGRAMENTE
$17.99 BTL./$107.94 - SIX PACK
C'ACCE MMITA DI LUCERA 'AGRAMENTE
$17.99 BTL./$107.94 - SIX PACK
Paolo Petrilli is our favorite producer from Italy’s Puglia region. Just landed is the new vintage of his ever popular and delicious Agramente. Forget your preconceived notions of Puglia wines, this one is from the northern reaches in the region of C’acce Mmita di Lucera based around the Nero di Troia grape and possesses both maritime and continental influences. Unlike the wines from Southern Puglia that are made from Primitivo and Negroamaro and are overtly jammy and alcoholic, this organically produced wine is always beautifully poised, complex and never sacrifices its flavor and dimension.
We quite enjoyed the 2011 but the 2012 tells a different and an even more compelling story. Broad stokes of smoked plums are present which come from Nero di Troia and Montepulciano grapes while cherry pit, fine herbs, mineral and vibrancy come from the addition of Sangiovese and Bombino. Seductively textured, this bountiful red spreads out beautifully on the palate, extends, and lingers in a most pleasant manner. Aged without the use of oak barrels, this wine is very diverse when it comes to pairing with food. Enjoy it with hearty fish slathered in tomatoes and capers, roasted lamb or a penne pasta done with sausage, fennel and tomatoes.
We quite enjoyed the 2011 but the 2012 tells a different and an even more compelling story. Broad stokes of smoked plums are present which come from Nero di Troia and Montepulciano grapes while cherry pit, fine herbs, mineral and vibrancy come from the addition of Sangiovese and Bombino. Seductively textured, this bountiful red spreads out beautifully on the palate, extends, and lingers in a most pleasant manner. Aged without the use of oak barrels, this wine is very diverse when it comes to pairing with food. Enjoy it with hearty fish slathered in tomatoes and capers, roasted lamb or a penne pasta done with sausage, fennel and tomatoes.
2013 MAS DES CHIMERES LANGUEDOC
TERRASSES DU LARZAC 'NUIT GRAVE'
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
TERRASSES DU LARZAC 'NUIT GRAVE'
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
Mas des Chimeres and Guilhem Darde have been producing wines under their own label since 1993 and have become one of Languedoc’s most respected and revered producers. Located in the western portion of the Coteaux du Languedoc in the step terroir of Terrasses du Larzac, 2013 is the final year that the name Coteaux du Languecod will be present because this area was upgraded to its own appellation status commencing with vintage 2014.
Syrah based along with percentages of Grenache and Mourvedre, this wine shows dark and debonair at the same time. The terroir for this wine is black basalt rock and the energy that it brings certainly is on display. The 2013 is a prototype Southern French red that is chock full of plum, garrigue, tealeaf and plenty of freshly ground pepper scents. Flavorful, generous and packed with spice from the fruit-forward start to the wild and unbridled finish. Absolutely gorgeous juice that screams for a bunch of grilled meats and vegetables.
Syrah based along with percentages of Grenache and Mourvedre, this wine shows dark and debonair at the same time. The terroir for this wine is black basalt rock and the energy that it brings certainly is on display. The 2013 is a prototype Southern French red that is chock full of plum, garrigue, tealeaf and plenty of freshly ground pepper scents. Flavorful, generous and packed with spice from the fruit-forward start to the wild and unbridled finish. Absolutely gorgeous juice that screams for a bunch of grilled meats and vegetables.
2013 ALVARO PALACIOS PRIORAT
'LES TERRASSES'
[reg. $44.99]
SPECIAL! $31.99 BTL./$383.88 CASE
'LES TERRASSES'
[reg. $44.99]
SPECIAL! $31.99 BTL./$383.88 CASE
Alvaro Palacios's Les Terrasses Priorat is one of the best values in this high-priced and Catalan wine region. Given who is behind the wine and at this price, it is a ridiculous bargain. Commencing in 2007, Alvaro culled the young vines out of this cuvee, created a new cuvee and added the Velles Vinyes (old vines) moniker to this superstar wine. This wine always has had good components, but these days, there is even more to love about this prolific Mediterranean red.
55% Grenache & 45% Carignan, from the first moment this wine is wonderfully dramatic and sophisticated. Persistence and character with driving spicy, mulled cherry, grenadine, slate, wind-swept lavender and plenty of tangy red licorice aspects seemingly glow from the glass. So damn impressive, it carries over into a palate that is extroverted, ripe and mouth coating and these days, Alvaro has been constructing this wine to maintain poise over sheer power. Natural minerality shines from the slate soils and there is plenty of backbone and submerged grip. The back end seemingly lasts forever and is class from the get-go. Amazingly one can uncork a bottle but there is no doubt that this wine will easily age for 7-10 more years as well. If you need to be reassured with a score, The Wine Advocate scored it 93.
55% Grenache & 45% Carignan, from the first moment this wine is wonderfully dramatic and sophisticated. Persistence and character with driving spicy, mulled cherry, grenadine, slate, wind-swept lavender and plenty of tangy red licorice aspects seemingly glow from the glass. So damn impressive, it carries over into a palate that is extroverted, ripe and mouth coating and these days, Alvaro has been constructing this wine to maintain poise over sheer power. Natural minerality shines from the slate soils and there is plenty of backbone and submerged grip. The back end seemingly lasts forever and is class from the get-go. Amazingly one can uncork a bottle but there is no doubt that this wine will easily age for 7-10 more years as well. If you need to be reassured with a score, The Wine Advocate scored it 93.
2013 LOVE & SQUALOR RIESLING
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
Love & Squalor’s first vintage was 2007 but owner/winemaker Matt Berson has worked in various Oregon cellars since 2003 including the likes of Patty Green and J. Christopher as well as in New Zealand and Germany. It would be too easy to refer to Love & Squalor as Riesling specialists and if were the only wine that were produced, it would still garner a remarkable reputation. Don’t be misled, not only is Riesling focused on but there are others made here including some damn fine Pinot Noirs.
Get over your fears of Riesling and stop the bullmerde stereotyping, Riesling can be produced into various levels of dryness including all the way to some of the grandest dessert wines in the world. Crucial, ferocious and thoroughly dry, this Riesling definitely has teeth and certainly is not the old blue-hair versions from Chateau Benoit from back in the day! Sourced from older vineyards it is a real "sense-tantalizer" with tactile, savory aspects throughout the entire experience. Fragrant peach, hints of grapefruit, talc and smoke tones lead into a blazing texture invigorates and entices all the way through to the livewire finish. A perfect wine for mussels, smoked fish or grilled bratwurst. PS – this also scored 93 points from Wine Enthusiast Magazine.
Get over your fears of Riesling and stop the bullmerde stereotyping, Riesling can be produced into various levels of dryness including all the way to some of the grandest dessert wines in the world. Crucial, ferocious and thoroughly dry, this Riesling definitely has teeth and certainly is not the old blue-hair versions from Chateau Benoit from back in the day! Sourced from older vineyards it is a real "sense-tantalizer" with tactile, savory aspects throughout the entire experience. Fragrant peach, hints of grapefruit, talc and smoke tones lead into a blazing texture invigorates and entices all the way through to the livewire finish. A perfect wine for mussels, smoked fish or grilled bratwurst. PS – this also scored 93 points from Wine Enthusiast Magazine.
