Avinyo Cava Brut Reserva 2013, Spain, $18.99
"It's good to have this old friend return to our shelves. Made from the traditional Cava grape varieties of Macabeu, Xarel-lo and Parellada, it shows a nice combination of bread and white fruits in the nose. The palate contiues this theme, but with the addition of baking spices and peach notes. It is dry, but with ample fruit." DM
Whites*********************************************************
Arantei Albarino 2014, Rias Baixas, Spain, Reg. $21.99 , Sale $12.99
"The smartest amoung you were certainly here last Friday to try this with us; but for those who missed it, it was a wow wine and we sold it all. The good news is we were able to get two more cases, the last available at this wonderful deal. The wine is still classic Albarino - zesty, tangy lime and pit fruit, dry, mineral-laden, with a touch of salinity. Get it while the gettin's good." DM
Mastroberardino Falanghina Sannio 2014, Campania, Italy, Reg. $24.99, Sale $16.99
"This is maybe even a better deal than the Albarino. If you aren't familiar with Falanghina, you should really get to know it. It is one of the signature whites of Southern Italy's Campania region and regarded by many in the know as one of the seriously under-appreciated whites of Europe. It is dry and medium-full with slatey peach, pear and floral notes. We had this open a few weeks back when Nikki was here and everyone loved it, but sales were just OK at the original price. We have this deal on the final 15 bottles of this vintage; it is so crazy-good for this price!" DM
Mondavi Fume Blanc 2014, Napa, CA, $17.99
"Juicy and crisp, with green papaya and lemon flavors that are bright and refreshing, highlighting fresh lemon thyme notes on the finish. Shows a good balance of intensity and restraint." 90pts WS
Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc Russian River 2015, Sonoma, CA, $47.99
"Supple and elegant up front, revealing layers of dried mango, honeysuckle, ripe melon and vivid peach flavors, all set on a creamy body, with plenty of pop from acidity. Finishes on an orange Creamsicle note." 93pts WS
Sixto Chardonnay "Frenchman Hills" 2013, Columbia Valley, Reg. $69.99, Sale $34.99
"Seeing 15 months in roughly 20% new puncheons, the 2013 Chardonnay Frenchman Hills Vineyard is absolutely smokin' Chardonnay that needs to be tasted to be believed. From a high elevation site and tiny yields, it offers fresh, lively and juicy notes of orchard fruits, citrus blossom, mineral, crème and sappy green herbs to go with a medium to full-bodied, elegant, beautifully layered style on the palate. I've struggled with Chardonnay from Washington in the past, but this goes a long way in convincing me that there's incredible potential for this variety in the state. I'd drink bottles over the coming 2-4 years, but wouldn't be surprised to see this evolve nicely for longer either." 94pts WA, only 6 bottles left at this HALF PRICE DEAL!
Rose***********************************************************
Malene Rose 2016, Santa Barbara/Paso Robles, CA, $19.99
This is the second vintage of this blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Vermentino, Mourvedre and Counoise from Crimson Wine Group (the folks behind Pine Ridge, Archery Summit, Seghesio...). It was one of our top picks for French-style California Rose from the 2015 vintage. This will likely be open for tasting on Saturday.
Reds***********************************************************
St Cosme Gigondas 2013, Rhone, France, Reg. $53.99, Sale $35.99
"Offers a solid, fleshy feel, with lots of crushed plum, warm raspberry and steeped black cherry fruit flavors rolled together. Notes of black tea, licorice root and alder fill in on the finish. Very well done for the vintage. Drink now through 2020." 91pts WS
St Cosme St Joseph 2012, Rhone, France, Reg. $39.99, Sale $33.99
"the 2012 St Joseph has a northern St Joseph style in its perfumed, elegant bouquet of violets, olive, smoked bacon and peppery dark raspberry-like fruit. It's medium-bodied, seamless and lightly textured, and will have upward of a decade of longevity." 90pts WA
St Cosme "Little James' Basket Press Red", Rhone, France, $14.99
"the NV Little Basket Press (all Grenache) offers good pepper, spice and herbs in a medium-bodied, easy drinking package. It's a solid, bistro-styled red to drink over the coming couple of years." WA
Howard Park Cab "Miamup" 2013, Margaret River, Australia, $26.99
"Appropriately restrained and even a bit austere, this is a firm, dusty-textured Cabernet. Vanilla, tobacco and cherry notes start things off and extend through the long finish. It offers at least a decade of aging potential at a very reasonable price." 91pts WE
Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino 2011, Tuscany, Italy, Reg. $94.99, Sale $79.99
"Il Poggione has done a terrific job with its 2011 Brunello di Montalcino. The wine is soft, yielding and charged with a velvety and smooth texture. It is deeply redolent of dark berry, black cherry, spice, leather and tobacco. The wine's sunny personality never feels flat or too dense. In fact, the wine offers a very tight and steely backbone that gives the wine stature and strength. This is one of my favorite Brunellos from the 2011 vintage." 95pts WA
Les Hexagonales Pinot Noir 2013, Loire Valley, France, $15.99
Taste it with us Friday!
Joao Portugal "Ramos Reserva" 2013, Alentejo, Portugal, $14.99
This vintage not yet rated, but here's Wine Spectator's take on the 2012: "Black olive, dark currant and dried plum flavors give this red plenty of power and lift. Quite minerally as well, featuring an intense and balanced finish that lingers with fig paste and raspberry ganache elements." 90pts
Librandi Ciro Rosso Classico "Duca San Felice" 2012, Calabria, Italy, $21.99
"Monica Larner of Wine Advocate refers to this wine as 'Calabria's Flagship' red, it's made from 100% Gagliopo and reflects the untamed terrain and warm climate it's grown in. It is a fascinating combination exotic berries, dried herbs and smokey cured meat notes. Try it with us Friday!" DM
Pecina Rioja Crianza 2012, Spain, $19.99
"I loved the textbook 2012 Señorío de P. Peciña Crianza, which has the usual house blend of Tempranillo with 3% Garnacha and 2% Graciano; it was fermented in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts and matured in used American oak barrels for some 24 months with hand racking every six months. It has a great balance between age and youth, modernity and tradition, fruit and spice, balsam and freshness. The palate feels polished, with resolved tannins and very god balance." 91+pts WA
Mondavi Maestro 2013, Napa Valley, CA, $52.99
"
Merlot leads the orchestra of aromas, flavors and textures in this deeply colored Bordeaux blend. Each varietal plays it part, yet all contribute to the harmonious crescendo of dark black fruit, dark plum, spicy cardamom, nutmeg, and dried herb flavors. The finished piece is mouth-filling with fine tannins and closes with luxuriously, long notes of rich dark berries and spice. 59% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec" -from the winery
Mt veeder cab 2014, Reg. $44.99 , Sale $35.99
This vintage not yet rated; previous vintage 92pts James Suckling and 91pts Vinous - try it with us Friday!
