Friday Sips

SPECIAL PRE-HOLIDAY TUESDAY SIPS

Today, December 23, 3:00 - 6:00

Right down to the end indeed!! Drop by to taste Brunello & Chablis today...and if I get a certain amount of visitors between 3 and 6, I'll open a big-boy Cameron Abbey Ridge Pinot Noir!!!

If you're in town and/or have family and friends, do drop in!!!

2008 COL D'ORCIA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO
$44.99 BTL./$539.88 CASE

94 POINTS – THE WINE ADVOCATE For 45 bucks, this is a Brunello that is an unmitigated heist and perfect for those who collect and love these wines! Here's a case where a top producer makes a top tine in every vintage and in fact, this is a 2008 that towers over both 2006 and 2007. "…rich, lush and layered, yet also remarkably light on its feet, the 2008 Brunello di Montalcino dazzles from start to finish. Sweet roses, red berries, flowers, mint and orange peel all take an appearance in this utterly impeccable polished Brunello. I imagine the 2008 will still be a special wine at age 30. The aromas are naturally still quite primary, so some cellaring is advisable. The brutal August hailstorm took with it a full 40% of the production, but left behind a strikingly beautiful Brunello endowed with seemingly endless layers of fruit and fabulous overall balance. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2038.

When all is said and done, Col d'Orcia might have produced not just one of the wines of the 2008 vintage, but possibly two. Proprietor Francesco Marone Cinzano and his team, led by long-time estate manager Edoardo Virano, have done a magnificent job with these wines, the Brunellos in particular. Like many estates in this part of the region, Col d'Orcia was hammered by the August 15 hailstorm. Yields were down by a whopping 40%. What the estate lost in production is compensated with the superb quality of the wines… - 94 POINTS – THE WINE ADVOCATE".

2012 LUCIEN BEAU PETIT CHABLIS
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Earlier this year on my visit to France I had a chance to visit this Domaine which is also known as Domaine Laventureaux. Located in the village of Lignorelles in the northern portion of Chablis, this estate, founded in 1979 and with higher elevation than around the village of the Chablis, is prime terroir for Petit Chablis. The Lavantureux family excels in this category. The difference between Petit Chablis and Chablis isn't its size but its soil, Petit Chablis is grown in Portlandian soil versus Kimmeridgian.

Lucien Beau, named after young brothers David & Arnaud Laventureaux's uncle, is a terrific new addition to our 20-buck white Burgundy lineup. Pure as hell, this is Petit Chablis with stunning depth and detail. Perfumed flint, floral and with stylish underlying fruit. Excellent palate coverage is present in the mouth and deftly balances richness with brisk minerality. More stony aspects arrive as it opens and follows into a finish with persistence and character. Very likable and easy to latch on to. Quite a step up from many in this category, enjoy this white with oysters, mussels and especially fresh crab.

...plus anything else that may be uncorked!!!

If enough of you all bring friends and family by today, I'll open a big-boy Cameron Abbey Ridge Pinot Noir. Nice incentive to drop by!!