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2011 ZENATO PINOT GRIGIO $10.99 BTL./$131.88 CASE

Often the calling card of a great Northern Italian winery can be their inexpensive pinot grigio even if their forte happens to be world class Amarone. It is for this reason, we feel, that the Zenato family takes this delicious white very seriously from the vineyard to the winery. They take nothing for granted, are meticulous at every stage of the process and that shows in this white. Round pear and ripe citrus fruit rule the day in the fleshy, crisp and incredibly refreshing mouthfeel. Zenato's Grigio makes a wonderful aperitivo and will pair beautifully with anything from the sea or lake as it is grown very close to Lake Garda and those seashore aromas are captured in the wine giving it a wonderful level of minerality and unmistakable freshness.

SINGLE CRU BARBARESCO FOR 30 BUCKS!
Mind-blowing Specials from one of Barbaresco's best-kept secrets - Single Cru Barbaresco at these prices from outtsanding vintages don't come along too often, take advantage!! 2006 UGO LEQUIO BARBARESCO GALLINA [reg. $49.99] SPECIAL PRICE - $29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE

Currently, Neive-based Ugo Lequio is probably the best-kept secret when it comes fine Barbaresco Both of these Single Vineyard offerings are top-drawer for $50 but are obscenely magical for $30! Gallina is always a site that brings forth much class and dimension, however, don't be misled, as is consistent with the finest siters of Nieve, there is a powerful left hook lurking beneath all of the sophistication. Both 2006 and the 2004 vintages below are traditional in style and have greatness slathered all over them. 2006 is reminiscent of a blend of 2001 and 1999 due its potential for longevity along with a fine core of dark fruit. Fresh and lively black licorice dominates the nose while ripe, generous raspberry fruit comes through on the palate. There's plenty of vivacity and tannic structure indicating its need to be cellared for a few years. The finish is expansive and packed with loads of potential. A true-to-life Single Cru Barbaresco experience with super price/quality rapport. Drink 2014 – 2023+.

2009 J-M RAFFAULT CHINON
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

Remarkably juicy, textured, versatile with food, and immensely age-worthy, the Cabernet Franc wines of Bourgueil, Chinon, Saumur and St.-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil are a traditional staple on the Paris bistro/wine bar scene. Chief among the most up-and coming Chinon winemakers is Rodolphe Raffault.
The village of Chinon is known for its castle and its most famous resident, 15th century writer and clergyman, Francois Rabelais. One such philosophy that we live by around here, and one that Rabelais once wrote, "When I drink, I think; and when I think, I drink." This basically sums up the attitude of Chinon's 9000 or so citizens. One visit there and you will see, it is food and wine hedonism at its finest. This wine is all about pleasure and even though it is made with Cabernet Franc, serve it in a Burgundy glass as it has more in common with wines like Burgundy that are all about aromatics. Stylish, elegant and very food-friendly. Laced with scents of currant, mushroom, cinnamon, sandalwood and pepper. Refined and compelling with an elegant, seductive texture. Finishes dry and lively which makes it the perfect picnic wine with charcuterie and cheese.

2009 CHÂTEAU CAMPUGUET COSTIERES DE NIMES "CUVÉE 1753"
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

This red wine is a WOW wine because once you pour it for your guests they will say, "Wow" when they like it. Once they toss back several bottles, tell them the price and they'll say "Wow" again :-) Costieres de Nimes is a growing region around the city of Nimes, and is the tail end of the Rhone Valley, and the gateway to Languedoc. Château Campuget, dating back to the 1600s, is one of the region's leaders. Cuvee "1753" is made from 100% Syrah and aged sans oak. Complex, pure scents of violet, cassis, tapenade, ground pepper and cocoa seduce from the instant the wine is poured into the glass. Texturally, it is dry, food-friendly and with plenty of depth, harmony and persistence. Have it over the next 2-3 years with grilled pork chops or a mushroom pasta dish.

2010 PAUL PERNOT PULIGNY MONTRACHET PREMIER CRU "LES FOLATIÈRES"
$95.00 BTL.

PULIGNY-MONTRACHET IS CHARDONNAY, BUT CHARDONNAY IS NOT PULIGNY-MONTRACHET!!! This curmudgeonly producer sells most of his grapes and juice to the likes of Drouhin and Girardin all while keeping the finest bits to be labeled under his own name. Pernot quickly gained recognition in the eighties after his sons convinced him to bottle some of his own wine which promptly garnered recognition and attained "sought-after" status due to the limited production and insane quality. One of the larger holders of the Premier Cru Folatières Vineyard, most of this fruit is sold to Drouhin to make their bottling. Sustained excellence since 1986, Pernot has been making something that is Grand cru in all but name. Sporting killer wet stone, and flinty scents that are wrapped around aromatic white peach and lemon, this white Burgundy lets you know that it is profound from the first moment its poured into the glass. Youthful, finesseful and having an underlay of decadent intensity and nervosity which rolls into a finish that is whoppingly long, seductive, and powerfully expansive. Simply put, it finishes with Energizer Bunny qualities meaning it just keeps on going and going and going. As U2 once said in their famous song - If Bono and the boys still haven't found what they're looking for, then they should just open a bottle of this wine, and I bet that they will have found it! Optimum drinking from 2014 - 2022+.