Friday Sips
WEDNESDAY SIPS
The Last Offficial Sips of 2015!! Drop by to taste Red wines & Bubbles
Today December 30
1:30 - 5:45-ish
The Last Offficial Sips of 2015!! Drop by to taste Red wines & Bubbles
Today December 30
1:30 - 5:45-ish
We're throwing a shoe at 2015 today with the final 'offical' Sips Tasting of the year (although unoffically if one is to stop by tomorrow, we may be sipping).
4 wines, reds and bubbles, along with other surprises that will undoubtedly be uncorked!
4 wines, reds and bubbles, along with other surprises that will undoubtedly be uncorked!
2012 HAUT-RIAN
COTES-DE-BORDEAUX ROUGE
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
COTES-DE-BORDEAUX ROUGE
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
It’s apropos to conclude the year with one of our favorite flavors as well as to tease Michel’s next visit in March.
We know that Chateau Haut-Rian owner/winemaker Michel Dietrich is proficient in White and Rose wine but he is equally skilled with his superbly priced, exemplary red wines. A spectacular value, this classic Bordeaux blend comes from various sites along the slopes of the Garonne River, which encompass limestone, clay and gravelly soils. More and more as we look at vintage 2012 in Bordeaux, we are recognizing that it is VERY good indeed.
Instantaneous blueberry, roasted coffee, rose petal and mineral tones surround smoke, subtle cigar box and underlying licorice, all which take excellent form and present themselves in a deceptively deep manner. Lacy, silky texture with a classic firm Bordeaux middle that builds and flows judiciously into a finish that takes off, especially given its price point. Very versatile with food pairings. Drink over the next 3-5 years with chicken, rib-eye steak, grilled pork, bratwurst, hearty fish dishes and even pizza.
We know that Chateau Haut-Rian owner/winemaker Michel Dietrich is proficient in White and Rose wine but he is equally skilled with his superbly priced, exemplary red wines. A spectacular value, this classic Bordeaux blend comes from various sites along the slopes of the Garonne River, which encompass limestone, clay and gravelly soils. More and more as we look at vintage 2012 in Bordeaux, we are recognizing that it is VERY good indeed.
Instantaneous blueberry, roasted coffee, rose petal and mineral tones surround smoke, subtle cigar box and underlying licorice, all which take excellent form and present themselves in a deceptively deep manner. Lacy, silky texture with a classic firm Bordeaux middle that builds and flows judiciously into a finish that takes off, especially given its price point. Very versatile with food pairings. Drink over the next 3-5 years with chicken, rib-eye steak, grilled pork, bratwurst, hearty fish dishes and even pizza.
2013 ANTIDOTO RIBERA DEL DUERO
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
Something of a rarity in a very high rent neighborhood is this bomb of a Tempranillo from quite an influential figure. Frenchman Bertrand Sourdais singlehandedly put the far eastern, high elevation portion of Ribera del Duero on the map by making the wines at Atauta. When the global economic downturn occurred in 2009, Bertrand went back to France but the sirens of this area always had been beckoning and thus became the genesis of Antidoto.
Continuing his exploration of the area, Bertrand is focusing on a single varietal (Tempranillo) and site, specifically utilizing pre-phyloxerra vines as this area with its proliferation of sandy soils has an abundance of ancient vines. The other beauty of this wine is that there is absolutely no aging in new barrels; it is all about neutrality and sense of place. Cool climate prevails here and the virtual fragrance and complexity of Rioja seemingly inspires this wine but is backed up beautifully with the fullness, power and depth of Ribera Del Duero. The natural stanchness of the fruit is massaged into a structure that seduces the palate, caressing the tongue with an almost velvet-like texture. The presence of coolness is important for the wines reflection of their NE Ribera sector terroir. Fresh-cut flowers, mineral, creamy marionberry permeate from the glass following to a savory texture and is chock full of earth and spice. Refined and scrumptious now, it will easily develop for 4-5 years as well.
Continuing his exploration of the area, Bertrand is focusing on a single varietal (Tempranillo) and site, specifically utilizing pre-phyloxerra vines as this area with its proliferation of sandy soils has an abundance of ancient vines. The other beauty of this wine is that there is absolutely no aging in new barrels; it is all about neutrality and sense of place. Cool climate prevails here and the virtual fragrance and complexity of Rioja seemingly inspires this wine but is backed up beautifully with the fullness, power and depth of Ribera Del Duero. The natural stanchness of the fruit is massaged into a structure that seduces the palate, caressing the tongue with an almost velvet-like texture. The presence of coolness is important for the wines reflection of their NE Ribera sector terroir. Fresh-cut flowers, mineral, creamy marionberry permeate from the glass following to a savory texture and is chock full of earth and spice. Refined and scrumptious now, it will easily develop for 4-5 years as well.
ORIOL-ROSSELL CAVA
BRUT ROSE
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
BRUT ROSE
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
Many feel very superstitious as we approach a new year. Around here, we are quite superstitious because we feel that if you drink rubbish for New Year's, then you are destined to drink rubbish for the next 365 days as well. Being the black-cat fearing folks that we are, we refuse to ever let things like Gallo, Barefoot and 98% of Chilean wines ever cross our lips during the week between Christmas and New Year's.
Located smack dab in the Penedes region, Oriol Rossell are Cava specialists and this sparkler is designed to not break the bank. The one in their magnificent range that always entices us is this Cava Rose. Made in the Champagne method with extended lees aging, this pink fizz is made from the ever-popular Trepat grape that actually produces excellent Rose wines both still and sparkling. The color is hot pink that looks and tastes stunning once it is poured. The mousse is a delicate foam that cascades over one's tongue. The finish is all-together refined and elegant. The wine is dry showing lots of juicy red currants and fresh strawberries touched by rose petals and ginger. A wonderful value for rounding out 2015, it is also a great revelation on January 1st for recovering from a bit too much revelry from the night before!
Located smack dab in the Penedes region, Oriol Rossell are Cava specialists and this sparkler is designed to not break the bank. The one in their magnificent range that always entices us is this Cava Rose. Made in the Champagne method with extended lees aging, this pink fizz is made from the ever-popular Trepat grape that actually produces excellent Rose wines both still and sparkling. The color is hot pink that looks and tastes stunning once it is poured. The mousse is a delicate foam that cascades over one's tongue. The finish is all-together refined and elegant. The wine is dry showing lots of juicy red currants and fresh strawberries touched by rose petals and ginger. A wonderful value for rounding out 2015, it is also a great revelation on January 1st for recovering from a bit too much revelry from the night before!
LOUIS ROEDERER BRUT PREMIER
SPECIAL! $46.99 BTL./$281.94 - SIX PACK
SPECIAL! $46.99 BTL./$281.94 - SIX PACK
Champagne Roederer makes a wide range of cuvees in all price ranges and is one of the historic houses of the region with history going back to 1765. Roederer is a large landholder in the area, and is able to produce around 80% of its grape requirements and the house's multi-vintage Brut Premier is a perennial winner and, as usual, is on world-beating form!
This year's release is as seductively rich as it has ever been with sophisticated, pear-ginger-vanilla tinged fruit that is well into its creamy, full stage and just beginning to pick up its alluring biscuit quality along with impeccable brisk nervosity. A fantastic special price, this is one that will surely please any Champagne lover. Get it on this deal now, it all ends by closing time tomorrow after that it reverts to its higher price.
This year's release is as seductively rich as it has ever been with sophisticated, pear-ginger-vanilla tinged fruit that is well into its creamy, full stage and just beginning to pick up its alluring biscuit quality along with impeccable brisk nervosity. A fantastic special price, this is one that will surely please any Champagne lover. Get it on this deal now, it all ends by closing time tomorrow after that it reverts to its higher price.
