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Barolo Steal, Cotes-du-Rhone, Beaux Freres Pinot Noir, One Of My Favorite Spanish reds & more




2010 SAN VINCENTI CHIANTI CLASSICO
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE


Based in the steep hills around Gaiole in Chianti, Roberto Pucci delivers a full-flavored wine on the straight Classico level that exceeds its humble 15 buck price point. A perennial favorite, we are pleased to have the 2010 ready to roll.

A brilliant ruby red color with an ample nose of violets, iris and sage followed by deep layers of red and black cherry fruit on the palate. Dry and flavorful with hints of spice and a touch of tobacco, this is a wine with impressive concentration, spine and yet maintaining a velvety feel and lingering finish. Drink it now through 2016.



2007 CASA E. DI MIRAFIORE BAROLO
$34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE


Mirafiore was an internationally-renowned Barolo name that first appeared in 1870. Unfortunately by the 1930s the estate had fallen into financial ruin then totally was sent into exile until recently when the name/vineyards/wines were resurrected and brought back to life by two Piemontese and one Tuscan investor. From the upper slopes of Serralunga D'Alba, this gateway into this producer's wines is quite the Barolo!

"The 2007 Barolo is a sexy, radiant wine that captures the essence of the year. Soft and inviting through to the finish, the Barolo possesses tremendous class and balance. Succulent red cherries, licorice, rose petals and spices round out the supple finish. This is another overachieving wine. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022. – 92 POINTS – THE WINE ADVOCATE"



2012 J. CHRISTOPHER "NO OAK-NO MALO" CHARDONNAY "CUVÉE LUNATIQUE"
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE


More often than not, when presented with Chardonnay grown in the US, we can be grumpy, even downright ornery at times (just ask any slick marketing idiot who comes in here talking about California "terroir"). Truly, nothing stirs the pot for us like poorly-made new-world chardonnay, so every time we taste J. Christopher's Cuvée Lunatique Chardonnay, we are impressed on many levels. Not only does Jay Somers excel with Pinot Noir, he is quite a white wine tactician as well. No oak, no malo, the pleasure here stems solely from the complexity and depth that high quality sites, farming and winemaking can bring.

Cuvée Lunatique is intense, vibrant and possessing deep aromas of kaffir lime, bosc pear, ripe peach and tangerine flesh around precise minerality beautifully. The mouth is full and crisp with creamy luscious pear, spice and palate cleansing minerality following from the nose. A real expression of where it is grown, this shows what a beautiful blank canvas chardonnay can be as it really takes on the qualities of the vintage and the site impeccably. This chard will make many different palates happy, those who enjoy crisp whites and also enjoy the broad and interesting flavors of the varietal. Albacore tuna is beautiful right now and this'll work very well as will a mushroom risotto or a delicate white fish such as sole with a browned-butter sauce.



2011 D. VENTURA RIBERA SACRA "PENA DO LOBO"
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE


The Galicia region of Ribera Sacra (sacred banks) is home to some of Spain's most exciting and unique wines. A leading producer in the area and one that is ridiculously undervalued is Ramon Losada's D. Ventura estate. Three different cuvees of red wine are produced from the slopes above the Sil and Mino Rivers. Working this land is extremely difficult with the terraces in some parts so steep that all the grapes have to be brought down on dumb waiters. All farming is done by hand and Ramon, and with the help of Gerardo Mendez of Do Ferreiro, the King of all Albariño, in the production of the wines, magical things do occur.

Pena Do Lobo is slightly less steep than the other sites and a bit inland from the Sil river. 100% Mencia, 80+ year old vines in slate/granite soils then completely fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel with the resulting wine displaying personality traits that seemingly are the essence of "guttural sensuality". Gushing aromatics nose of plum, minerals, dried flowers and licorice flow through to a texture that reveals sultriness along with admirable energy and flow. The well-focused, pure finish features a deeper cherry-pit quality and outstanding length. One of my absolute favorite Spanish producers, drink this delicious and adventurous offering through 2018 and pair it with a bevy of pork dishes.



2010 DOMAINE DE LA GUICHARDE CÔTES-DU-RHÔNE VILLAGES MASSIF D'UCHAUX "CUVÉE GENESTS"
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE


You're never alone with a Côtes-Du-Rhône, and this one is a heist beyond belief! Upgraded after the 2005 vintage to Côtes-Du-Rhône Villages status, the area known as Massif D'Uchaux has long been a sleeper, but recently growers such as Arnaud Guicharde have put forth extra effort and are making exquisite wines which really reflect their sand, quartz and chalky terroir.

Organically farmed, this 2010 merits all of the accolades that this superb vintage has been receiving, and then some! 60% Grenache, 40% Syrah. commanding, yet very diplomatic and harmonious. The extra level of intensity from the vintage is immediately noticeable. An array of complex perfumed aromas of with spice, lavender, ground pepper, violet and raspberry dominate the nose. In the mouth, the flavors speak a dialect that is pure provençal! Penetrating and inviting density, the slightly cooler temperatures and higher elevation bring forth nice lift and freshness, especially on the minerally, exotic spice-laden, drawn-out finish.



2010 JURTSCHITSCH GRÜNER VELTLINER "LOISERBERG" ERSTE LAGE
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE


Top-notch Grüner Veltliner is always a wine that intrigues and pleases at the same time that one investigates a bottle. One must remember that even though there is a commonality of language, Austrian wines differ quite a bit from their German neighbors. More often than not, and especially Grüner Veltliner, these wines are fermented dry and have a fuller presence about them, yet with no shortage of zest or mineral. Jurtschitsch is a producer who has followed suit with the youth movement in Austria that has allowed this nation to really excel with their wines on all levels.

From the Erste Lage (Premier Cru), cool-climate, high-elevation Loiserberg vineyard, vintage 2010 is stupendous, especially for those who like dry white wine decadence. Revved up, multi-faceted scents of powdered lime, peppermint, crushed rock and an undertone of melon build from the glass. Commencing with full, expansive fruit in the mouth, the wine's lightning-bolt crisp, zesty mineral characteristics dominate the substantial, clean, firm middle and gushing finish. One with immense potential. Drink over the next 6-7 years with seafood like sea bass or halibut dressed with greens, Indian cuisine based around curry or mild cheeses.



2010 BEAUX FRERES PINOT NOIR "ESTATE"
$69.99 BTL./$419.94 – SIX PACK CASE


We're coming down to the final curtain call for the stunning 2010 Beaux Freres Estate Pinot Noir so if you collect and love Oregon Pinot, this is a must, especially from this formidable vintage and producer.

"Bright violet color. Explosively perfumed aromas of red and dark berry preserves, Asian spices and potpourri, with cola and vanilla accents building in the glass. Sappy, broad and appealingly sweet, offering lively, spicy dark berry flavors with nuances of soy and candied flowers. Shows plenty of upfront appeal and intense fruit, finishing smooth, spicy and very long." – 94 POINTS FROM THE CONSERVATIVE-SCORING INTERNATIONAL WINE CELLAR



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