12/8/17 HOLIDAY CHEER FRIDAY SIPS


HOLIDAY CHEER FRIDAY SIPS
Today December 8, 2017 from 1:30 - 6:30
Drop by this Friday to enjoy tastes of Rioja, Rhone & more! Bring your friends...if I get a certain amount of visitors during the day, I'll open a big-boy Burgundy


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2010 LA RIOJA ALTA RIOJA RESERVA
'VINA ALBERDI'
[reg. $32.99]
SPECIAL - $23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

It is amazing just how many wonderful wines La Rioja Alta produces from top to bottom. The wines are for those who love traditionally-styled Rioja wines. Most important is this estate never wanders from their passion for the great tradition of the region merely to make wines to please critics.

Vina Alberdi is the essence of classic blending of vineyards and then aging for two years in barrel. Mellow aromas of mineral, savory roasted spice, graphite and herbs add to the fine strawberry, cherry and earth on the nose. This truly elegant and seamless, old-school Rioja is finesseful with a serious core of lovely ripe but dry red fruit flavors, the finish is long with soft tannins adding backbone and structure. Given that 2010 is a stupendous vintage, it has potential to continue to develop for at least another decade but even at this stage of the game; it has such elegant complexity that it wouldn't be a crime to open one with a rack of lamb, roasted rabbit or aged cheeses.



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2014 SAINT-JEAN DU BARROUX
VENTOUX ROUGE 'LA SOURCE'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Many of our friends have become smitten fans of Saint-Jean du Barroux’s Ventoux wines. For the first time I decided to bring in the gateway drug, I mean wine, that Philippe makes called La Source. In an abundant vintage only about 1800 cases are produced of this stylishly smooth Ventoux offering. Around 70% Grenache dominates this particular blend along with Carignan and Cinsault, this wine comes from sites that produce plumper grapes near a natural spring, hence La Source. These grapes are picked earlier and aged 18 months in tank, which allows superior freshness to go along with the dimension.

Almost instantly, the fresh red fruit of raspberries bounces on you and joins with some white pepper, black olive, a splash of fresh rosemary and wind-swept mineral. No question about it, the aromas correlate to run together with the texture and involuntarily grab the taster’s attention. Ethereal and spicy throughout then finishes up with pronounced strawberry, currant and thyme notes that coat and cleanse the palate. Enjoy this toothsome Red Rhone with grilled meats as well holiday turkey or ham.



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2016 JACQUES ROUZE QUINCY
'VIGNES D'ANTAN'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Located about an hour west of Sancerre, outside the city of Bourges, Quincy (pronounced can-see) is a white wine made with 100% Sauvignon Blanc and Domaine Rouze is without a doubt, the appellation's most important producer and his fierce and flavorful white wines however, are anything but difficult to understand.

Vignes d’Antan, meaning vines of yesteryear are from a little over 8-acre parcel of vines planted between 1920 and 1940. Since we were first introduced to this wine in 2006, we have consistently referred to it as The Sancerre Slayer, especially since many are now selling for north of $25 and this wine will smash so many of them. While Mother Nature decided to repossess many of the grapes for 2016 vintage early on, what remained on the vine proceeded to grow well and deliver sheer magnificence for this region. Probably even better than the 2014, this kicks serious ass once again and unfolds with mandarin, gooseberry, fine herbs and prominent, piercing smoke and powdery rock aromas. In the mouth, the old vines deliver depth and penetration while the minerality brings about spine-tingling nervosity and dimension. Moreover, did I mention the finish, yes; it seemingly goes for what seems an eternity. A beautiful match with grilled salmon or scallops, this wine also will cellar beautifully.



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2014 BERTANI VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

One of the grand old producers of the Veneto and Amarone, Bertani has put forth a Ripasso that goes off into tangents and places where many other 2014s from this region don’t exactly go. The main reason is integrity and the decision to put all of the grapes for their Amarone into this cuvee that is always superb.

Deep with pure notes of ripe cherry, raspberry, violet, cocoa powder and roasted earth carry over to a texture with savory red fruits and fine grip lending structure and backbone. Finishing quite long and having ample dimension, this Valpolicella Ripasso will make everything from roasted pork to mushroom risotto or a gorgonzola cheese dance on your palate. All this for a mere 20-note!