1/12/18 FRIDAY SIPS - Syrah, Malbec & Matelica


FRIDAY SIPS
Syrah, Malbec & Matelica
Today January 12 from 1:30 – 6:30
Syrah from California and France along with a Malbec Special. We’re tossing in a heavy metal kick-start with a favorite Italian white wine from the Matelica region of Le Marches. Drop by for fun wine for sure!


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2013 BONNY DOON SYRAH
'LE POUSSEUR'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

It’s a real pleasure to see Randall Graham’s whimsical wines back in people’s minds and in our market again. One of the original Rhone Rangers, Randall’s wines have evolved yet have never lost their spirit. In fact, they may be even more true to what the Rhone grape movement in California desired at the beginning.

Le Pousseur, or ‘the pusher, is 100% Syrah produced from three different sites in the cool climate Santa Maria Valley north of Santa Barbara. Coastal coolness allows Syrah to thrive nicely. Flavorful and forward with notes of raspberry, cassis and white pepper. Nice generosity and suppleness all backed up nicely by brisk strawberry and earth notes, this luscious Syrah is a remarkable value that is very different from what is done in France or in Washington. A versatile, crowd-pleasing red to bring to friends' homes for any occasion, especially when you are not sure what they will be serving for dinner.



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2014 ALTOS LAS HORMIGAS
MALBEC 'TERROIRS'
[reg. $19.99] $13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

A distribution change has led to close out pricing on the remaining stock of this magical Malbec. In existence since the 90s and operated by five Italian producers, Altos las Hormigas made the change to produce Malbecs that are no longer oozing, alcoholic oak bombs and now are wines that have balance and reflect their origins.

The 2014 Terroirs is all from Mendoza and its sub-region of the Valle de Uco and even more specifically, Vista Flores and Tupungato. Aged in concrete tanks, stainless steel tanks and a bit in large oak barrels, this wine comes from very stony vineyards. Sculpted, mouth filling and yet still maintaining debonair refinement, this wine is a huge uptick from many expressions in this price range. Blackberry, violet, briar and combining peppery spice with more prevalent earth tones and finishing with strawberry/balsamico aspects that fan out nicely. Very sultry and full of character, one sees why this is one of the premier addresses in Argentina!



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2016 BISCI VERDICCHIO DI MATELICA
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE

Everyone’s favorite heavy metal Verdicchio from the Le Marches region of Matelica. Unlike the more well known Castelli dei Jesi area, Matelica sits at a very high elevation and is sheer limestone rock beneath a thin topsoil surface resulting in wines of mighty minerality.

2016 is a legitimate, classic, steely white wine vintage for most of Italy. This seafood magnet is a zesty and vivid flavored wine that can best be described as Italian dynamite. Teeming aromas of flint, earth, hints of lemon-peel and smoke lead into a tense, bone-dry texture that is well delineated and firm. If you like unoaked, crisp, flavorful white wines you will love it! This wine is a perfect foil for oysters and especially crab, and can be enjoyed by anyone who listens to punk, R & B, classical, or jazz...and of course, Metallica.



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2013 VOGE CORNAS 'LES CHAILLES'NE
$46.99 BTL. - LIMITED!

It isn’t very often that we open something of this pedigree on a Friday in January but after doing year-end inventory, I discovered some bottles and said, what the hell, let’s uncork one or two. Along with Clape, Domaine Voge is one of the two grand old producers in Cornas, a small Syrah appellation that is finally getting recognition for its greatness and deservedly so, these are collectible wines which age impeccably.

Les Chailles is a cuvee coming from parcels that have vines with an average age of 30 years and planted granitic terraces bordering a calcareous hill. This proximity gave particular siliceous rock called “Les Chailles” which bring about a very special terroir aspect. 2013 is a very classic, old school Northern Rhone vintage. A true and alluring expression Syrah, this wine presents fragrant aromas of spice, tar and a suggestion of smoke which surround black and blueberry fruit. The mouth-feel is layered and full of depth and pepper with fine, ripe and integrated tannins. A layer of earth and savory meatiness comes forth as well as a lingering, drawn out finish of fruitcake spices add to the mystique of this stunning red. Still hiding beneath itself, this wine could use a little bit of cellar time, but the youthful raw material is profound.