Friday Sips
FRIDAY SIPS
Drinking Is THE Ultimate Holiday Filter
Today December 11 from 2:30 - 6:30
Drinking Is THE Ultimate Holiday Filter
Today December 11 from 2:30 - 6:30
4 flavor-laden wines that are sure to help any wine lover get through the throes of holiday madness .
2012 GD VAJRA BARBERA D'ALBA
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Over the last decade-plus, Aldo Vajra’s traditionally styled wines have become quite the talk of Piedmont. Located in the commune of Barolo, specifically the village of Vergne, the highest elevated village of this zone, these wines have impeccable quality to back up their stalwart reputation and accolades. This statement is in accordance for all of their wines including this impeccably made Barbera D’Alba
Coming from three different villages (Barolo, Novello in Barolo as well as Sinio) from six different terroirs, this Barbera starts off a bit introverted but as it sits in the glass, this wine’s true, personable and warm attributes seem to come out without too much coaxing. Deep, soulful and confidentially Piemonte with fresh uplifting red cherry that is quickly joined by camphor and a deep dark earthy, dense clay characteristic that screams Alba. Spice, anisette, porcini and juicy blueberry join in the mouth creating a supple, round and giving glass of real wine. This is the perfect red for all occasions with aged mountain cheeses, grilled meat or mushroom pasta courses. Drinking well right now and will continue to please over the next 3 to 5 years.
Coming from three different villages (Barolo, Novello in Barolo as well as Sinio) from six different terroirs, this Barbera starts off a bit introverted but as it sits in the glass, this wine’s true, personable and warm attributes seem to come out without too much coaxing. Deep, soulful and confidentially Piemonte with fresh uplifting red cherry that is quickly joined by camphor and a deep dark earthy, dense clay characteristic that screams Alba. Spice, anisette, porcini and juicy blueberry join in the mouth creating a supple, round and giving glass of real wine. This is the perfect red for all occasions with aged mountain cheeses, grilled meat or mushroom pasta courses. Drinking well right now and will continue to please over the next 3 to 5 years.
2012 VOGE SAINT-JOSEPH
'LES VINSONNES'
$31.99 BTL./$383.88 CASE
'LES VINSONNES'
$31.99 BTL./$383.88 CASE
Super St-Joseph from one of the Grand Old Cornas kings. When Alain Voge took on Alberic Mazoyeres as a partner, Alberic brought along a little over 2 acres of St-Joseph from the classic portion of the appellation, one parcel in Mauves and the other in Glun, 2 of the original 6 St-Joseph villages. Aged in entirely in small French barriques, but none new, this is a sultry bottle of ageworthy Saint-Joe!
2012 is undoubtedly shaping up to be a sensational vintage for the Northern Rhone Valley’s outstanding and sought-after Syrah wines. We love to drink wine, but there is something about putting the glass to your nose and just smelling the beauty of a great wine. This is one of those special circumstances. The hard, granite soils play a role in the sheer majestic, velvety quality that this wine possesses. Perfumed, flamboyant nuances of plum, smoked meat, mineral, hints of violet and pepper penetrate the olfactory senses and really can create havoc with whatever other wine you may want to indulge in afterwards. The texture is sublime, pure and very seductive. Voge’s Saint-Jo always has such allure to them when they are young but they certainly age beautifully too.
2012 is undoubtedly shaping up to be a sensational vintage for the Northern Rhone Valley’s outstanding and sought-after Syrah wines. We love to drink wine, but there is something about putting the glass to your nose and just smelling the beauty of a great wine. This is one of those special circumstances. The hard, granite soils play a role in the sheer majestic, velvety quality that this wine possesses. Perfumed, flamboyant nuances of plum, smoked meat, mineral, hints of violet and pepper penetrate the olfactory senses and really can create havoc with whatever other wine you may want to indulge in afterwards. The texture is sublime, pure and very seductive. Voge’s Saint-Jo always has such allure to them when they are young but they certainly age beautifully too.
2011 CELLAR PARDAS XAREL.LO BLANC
$21.99 BTL./$131.94 - SIX PACK
$21.99 BTL./$131.94 - SIX PACK
One of the coolest and most fun white wines that I have tasted with this year!! Celler Penedes is a young operation in the Upper Penedes region located south of Barcelona. Founded in 1996 by Ramon Perera and Jordi Arnan, these guys are farming their 60+ acres on hillside terraces, making absolute authentic, organic wines that deliver ample quality and character for fair prices.
Xarel.lo is a native Catalan white grape and one that is utilized in both classic still wines as well as Cava. It is quite rare to see one that is 100% of the varietal and after tasting, it was quite the revelation. Intense aromas and flavors of melon, quince, ginger, acacia, white peach and mineral follow through to a texture that is expansive, diverse and with cool fruit that is seemingly suspended on a tight wire with burst. The finish here is lively, refreshing and quite complex with all components and aspects melding together making this wine ideal for richer seafood like halibut, lobster or scallops. Along with the Rose, it will create happiness at any paella party.
Xarel.lo is a native Catalan white grape and one that is utilized in both classic still wines as well as Cava. It is quite rare to see one that is 100% of the varietal and after tasting, it was quite the revelation. Intense aromas and flavors of melon, quince, ginger, acacia, white peach and mineral follow through to a texture that is expansive, diverse and with cool fruit that is seemingly suspended on a tight wire with burst. The finish here is lively, refreshing and quite complex with all components and aspects melding together making this wine ideal for richer seafood like halibut, lobster or scallops. Along with the Rose, it will create happiness at any paella party.
2012 RIDGE LYTTON SPRINGS
$37.50 BTL./$450.00 CASE
$37.50 BTL./$450.00 CASE
70% zinfandel, 21% petite sirah, 6% Carignane, 3% Mataro (Mourvedre). In 1972, Ridge made its first zinfandel from Sonoma's Lytton Springs vineyard from vine that were planted at the turn of the century. Ridge's acclaim is renowned for this wine, and the winery's love of the vineyard prompted them to purchase the entire site in 1990.
The 2012 is typical, large-scaled, mountain-sized, badass Lytton Springs! The decadent, bombastic nose instantly reveals that you are in for one hell-ride of a wine experience. Layered plum, coriander, a distinct minerality and plenty of briary spice. In the mouth, it is zin at its finest, but the blend of grapes allows for complexity, freshness and grace on the lasting, luxurious finish. Drink through 2025.
The 2012 is typical, large-scaled, mountain-sized, badass Lytton Springs! The decadent, bombastic nose instantly reveals that you are in for one hell-ride of a wine experience. Layered plum, coriander, a distinct minerality and plenty of briary spice. In the mouth, it is zin at its finest, but the blend of grapes allows for complexity, freshness and grace on the lasting, luxurious finish. Drink through 2025.
