Friday Sips

2010 PETRILLI C'ACCE MMITA DI LUCERA
'FERRAU'
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE

We don’t even try to butcher the name of C’Acce Mmita di Lucera, we just call the outstanding red wines from Paolo Petrilli by their proprietary names, this one is called Ferrau. Named after the Italian painter Ferrau Fenzoni, is a blend of 60% Nero di Troia, 15% Sangiovese, 15% Bombino and 10% Montepulciano. This red is the essence of balance and smoothness. You must remember when it comes to Puglia, there are two separate growing areas. The northern portion near the city of Daunia consist sof small growers who focus on finesse and sense of place while the majority of wines from Southern Puglia can often be industrial, prune-soaked alcohol bombs made from Primitivo or Negroamaro grapes.

Open-armed, warm and inviting like other S. Italian red wines, a unique and pleasant smokiness permeates throughout this delicious blend. Crushed berry, licorice and spicy earth compliment the smokiness nicely and carry over into a texture that possesses plenty of generosity along with spirited tanginess that is so very Italian. Seemingly, the denizens of Northern Puglia pair this wine with spicy, tomato-based lamb served over orrechiete pasta and you should do the same. Drink this beauty over the next decade.

2012 PILLOT POMMARD TAVANNES
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE

Many Cellar Door friends will recognize Laurent Pillot's name from their purchases of his exquisite white wines and recently we have been equally as excited over Laurent's top-drawer red wines as well. Through marriage, Laurent has scored red wine vineyards from several grand villages within the Cotes-de-Beaune.

Tavannes is a single vineyard within Pommard, of which a portion is Premier Cru. Pillot owns a little under 1½ acres of relatively old Pinot Noir vines and this wine is quite remarkable given its price. Sexy, soil-action nose with ironstone riding shotgun alongside ripe currant on top of blackberry, cep and semi-exotic spice. Fanning out and seducing the palate yet having plenty of structure, spine and depth all without being old-fashioned virile, hard-nosed Pommard due to Laurent being one of a group of young producers who are re-defining the image of this famous appellation. Chewy, lingering red-tones shine on the nicely formed finish. A super value for red Burgundy that will drink and develop for 10-12 years.

2011 GRAMONA CAVA BRUT 'LA CUVEE'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

As many of you know, Karen and I have Champagne fetishes. We also know that many of you have this same secret dark skeleton. Being the Champagne addicts that we are, we often will turn our noses up at anything produced outside of the Champagne region. Fighting against the machine-harvest Cava menace, Gramona comes to cleanse our minds, souls and our palates with yet another spectacular sparkling wine. This is a fizz that we have absolutely no problem drinking, and you shouldn’t either, especially since it won’t bust the piggy bank like Champagne is doing right now.

The biggest difference in this wine versus the industrially produced versions of Cava is the aging, 3½ years opposed to a year or less for many others, and the more prominent use of the top xarel.lo grape. Instantly, one look and smell indicates that this is a much more serious expression. Marzipan, flowers, peach-pit, and an almost cherry scent calmly and gently waft. One can see that Gramona, inspired by the greats of Champagne with its outstanding finesse, both aromatically and in flavor. Creamy, fine bubbles are enhanced by energetic and lemony briskness that is very apparent on the mouth-watering, palate-cleansing, thrusting finish. Again, a bit more serious, but still great for sipping and it will nicely stand up to cod, salmon, shrimp or something drowned in a romesco sauce.