Friday Sips


FRIDAY SIPS
Cabernet Blends
Today October 9 from 1:00 - 6:30
Drop by today to sample four Cabernet-based blends from around the world. Napa, Chile, Spain and France will be represented.


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2010 CELLER PARDAS PENEDES NEGRE
'NEGRE FRANC'
$19.99 BTL./$119.94 - SIX PACK

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.

A red wine that virtually speaks the Catalan language, this wine is made with two non-native varietals, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon along with a dollop of the native Sumoll grape. Aged in French barrel, 20% new with the other 80% being second and third use, fragrant, direct scents of black cherry and balsamico combine beautifully with milk chocolate, aromatic herbs and freshly ground pepper. Hearty flavors that expand, yet maintain smoothness reverberate into a multi-faceted finish that is undoubtedly rooted in Catalan soil and spirit. Delicious now and over the next 4-7 years with lamb or grilled pork.



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2012 J. BOUCHON 'CANTOSUR'
$12.99 BTL./$155.88 CASE

Lately when it comes to Chilean wines the quality is within the small producers who are utilizing vineyards that aren't on the valley floor and are more focused on quality versus large conglomerates who would rather build some sort of PR-drivel brand.

J. Bouchon is a recent eye-opener who produces lovely wines at extremely fair prices. Cantosur comes from the Maule Valley and is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Carmenere and 20% Merlot. Brazen blackberry, marionberry and touches of vanilla bean carry into a texture that is creamy, full-flavored and round with sufficient high tones in back that give lovely balance.



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2010 LAROSE DU GRUAUD
SAINT-JULIEN
$34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE

Larose du Gruaud is the second wine from famed Second Growth St-Julien Chateau Gruaud-Larose. This classic blend from younger vines of the estate has really come into its own over recent years and represents stunning Bordeaux value. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc & 5% Petit Verdot, 2010 is one of the mightiest Bordeaux vintages in the last 50 years and screams to holy hell with its quality and density.

This offering really goes towards the dark side of St-Julien possessing full-on aromas with penetrating depth and personality. Blackberry, cherry, violet, gravel and prominent cedarbox scents prevail. In the mouth, it is concentrated, layered, yet youthfully streamlined. With its full core of depth and fruit, this wine can be accessed but we recommend decanting about an hour before drinking. Packed, persistent and really impressive, sit down to a good meal and enjoy this Cab-based Bordeaux over the next 10-12 years.



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2013 RAMEY CLARET
NAPA VALLEY
$37.50 BTL./$450.00 CASE

What we love most about David Ramey's sterling wines is that this is a guy whose wines are built more to express balance, structure and richness more than just following the normal Napa trend of overripe flavor and 15+% alcohol. No shortage of intensity and depth here, this predominantly Cabernet-based blend really beams with Napa Valley character.

55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 4% Malbec, 3% Syrah, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, Cassis, black cherry jam, tinges of dusty earth, mint and anise gracefully float from the glass. Supple, luxurious and mouth coating; dry and owning a submerged muscular spine. Long and lingering, this wine has serious material to age nicely through to its 12th or so birthday, however there is a such a deep and lavish core of fruit that makes it alluring early-on, especially if one were to decant an hour before consuming.









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