If you find yourself seeing pink upon entering our store, do not adjust your set! We have tons of fresh, new rosé from many corners of the globe stacking up high in the center display. We're going to have several of these open for our Saturday tasting. Friday's tasting shouldn't be overlooked either, with a guest pourer pouring many new and exciting wines.



Friday's Free Wine Tasting, 4:00-8:00
With Special Guest Laura from Small Lot Distributing
Miquel Pons Cava Brut, Spain -New!
Ca del Sarto Pinot Grigio, Friuli, Italy -New!
Flying Solo Rosé, France -New!
Chateau Bianca Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon
La Giareta Cabernet Franc, Veneto, Italy -New!
Two Mountain Merlot, Yakima Valley, Washington

Saturday:
Free Wine Tasting 3:00-7:00
We'll post the lineup to our Facebook page early Saturday Afternoon - featuring at least 3 New Rosés!

Robert Mondavi 50th Anniversary
Stay tuned for an upcoming event in our cellar!

New Arrivals & Deals

Great Values***************************************************

Bill Ward just did a cool article for the Star Tribune entitled "Tax Break" where he points out a dozen excellent value wines. We've got a bunch of them in stock:

Lagrimas de Maria Viura & Tempranillo Blanco 2015, Rioja, Spain, $11.99
"Spanish reds have provided killer value for years, and now the whites have joined in the fun. The Lagrimas De Maria Viura & Tempranillo Blanco is a vibrant, vivacious blend with a veritable fruit cocktail of flavors, smooth-as-silk texture and an everlastingly lovely finish. It's from an extraordinarily young (by Spanish standards) winery, dating to 2008. Pairing options: risottos (especially with seafood), omelets and frittatas, tagines."

Dupond "L'Agnostique Cinsault Rosé 2016, France, $12.99
"Twin Citians' relatively recent embrace of rosé continues apace, and while there are fab options from around the globe, many of the best, most affordable ones emanate from the motherland, southeastern France. The Pierre Dupond L'Agnostique Cinsault Rosé is fresh as a Provençal breeze, with signature cherry-berry gusto and a peppy, mouthwatering finish. Pairing options: tapenade and other salty appetizers, shrimp on the barbie, salads with chicken or salmon."

Tikves Special Selection Rkaciteli 2014, Macedonia, $13.99
"I can't pronounce the brand name of the Tikves Special Selection Rkaciteli, but I got a great tip on the grape: rhymes with "watch a telly." A multilayered nose, bone-dry opening with fruit leaping to the fore midpalate and a buoyant finish are hallmarks of this Macedonian jewel. Rkaciteli, an ancient white grape originating in Georgia (Europe's, not Dixie's), translates as "red stem." Pairing options: shrimp, sushi, Thai or Vietnamese dishes."

Laudun Chusclan Gard Reserve de la Saurine Rosé 2016, France, $9.99
"Spring is here, and wines with verve and energy are the order of the day. Especially when they're as persistent as the Laudun-Chusclan Gard Reserve de la Saurine Rosé, a harmonic convergence from nose to throat. This grenache-based pink wonder is also one of the best-smelling wines I've encountered in a good long while, and the flavors, texture and weight are simply spot-on, alone and together. Pairing options: soft cheeses, paella, bouillabaisse and other s eafood stews, Easter ham."

RJ Vinedos MDZ Malbec 2016, Mendoza, Argentina, $12.99
"One of the major reasons for malbec's never-ending popularity is how downright quaffable the best of these Argentinian wines are. That certainly applies to the RJ Viñedos MDZ Mendoza Malbec. There's just the right amount of oomph to go with the vivid dark-berry flavors, and it's commendably low in oak influence and alcohol (13 percent). Quaff away. Pairing options: grilled, peppery steaks, herby lamb chops, pasta with pesto."

Whites*********************************************************

Macrostie Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 2014, CA, $27.99
"Features a delicious core of vibrant grapefruit and lemon-laced tangerine and white peach notes. Those who value zesty acidity will love this, as the acidity keeps the flavors fresh and jumping." 90pts WS

St Cosme "Little James' Basket Press White", Rhone, France, $14.99
"A blend of two highly aromatic grapes creating a wine of depth and freshness. The Viognier offers ripe tropical fruit flavors while the Sauvignon Blanc adds bright acidity and gooseberry. A perfect wine for the coming patio season." DH

Ca' del Sarto Pinot Grigio 2015, Grave, Friuli, Italy, $11.99
"There are tons of Pinot Grigio in this price range from the marshlands around Venice, but finding one of this quality from one of the prime regions is a bit more of a challenge. This is fresh, with wonderfull citrus, melon and fig notes - a treat!" DM

Rosé***********************************************************
We have over 30 new 2016 rosés in stock! Here are some of the new arrivals this week:

Maculan "Costadolio" Rosato, Veneto, Italy, $13.99
100% Merlot

La Nevera Rosado 3L Box, Spain, $24.99
100% Garnacha

Blackbird "Arriviste" Rosé, CA, $29.99
Cabernet Franc/Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon

Alto Limay Pinot Noir Rosé, Patagonia, Argentina, $21.99
100% Pinot Noir

Villa des Anges Rosé, France, $13.99
100% Cinsault

Reds***********************************************************

La Rioja Alta "Vina Alberdi" Rioja Reserva 2010, Spain, $23.99
"Ripe and intense aromas of strawberries and blackberries with hints of black ink. Savory notes, too. Full-bodied, chewy and focused with linear fruit and character. Very finely crafted. Drink or hold." 95pts James Suckling

Palacios Remondo "Propiedad" Rioja 2010, Spain, Reg. $44.99, Sale $38.99
"The 2010 Propiedad is a pure Garnacha from 40- to 90-year-old vines from their own vineyards of Valviejo, Valmira and Las Mulgas and it is aged for 14 months in French oak. It has a well-defined bouquet with dark red cherries, strawberry, rosemary and pot pourri that is very expressive and inviting. The palate is medium-bodied with satin-textured tannins, good acidity and a sensual finish of wild strawberry, cassis and vanilla that is very seductive. Drink now-2018." 91pts WA, **only 6 bottles left for vintage!

St Clair Family Estate Pinot Noir 2013, Marlborough, New Zealand, $24.99
"Pale to medium ruby colored, the 2013 Pinot Noir is scented of raspberry leaves, crushed red currants and lavender with a touch of black pepper. Light to medium-bodied and elegantly fruited in the mouth, it has delicate red berry and earthy flavors supported by a light chew of tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing with good persistence." 89pts WA

Failla Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2014, CA, $44.99
"The 2014 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) is a fabulous wine at this level. Sweet spices, rose petal, mint and succulent cherry/plum notes all lift from the glass. Supple and beautifully layered throughout, the Sonoma Coast hits all the right notes. A final burst of fruit rushes across the palate on the refreshing, inviting wine. There is so much to like." 92pts V

Brunier "Le Pigeoulet" 2014, Provence, France, $19.99
"Deep ruby. Lively aromas of strawberry and blood orange, lifted and focused by a smoky mineral quality. Gently sweet bitter cherry and red berry flavors show good energy and take on subtle floral pastille and white pepper notes. Silky tannins shape the finish, where the red fruit and floral notes are repeated." 89pts V

Zuccardi "Q Series" Malbec 2014, Mendoza, Argentina, $25.99
"This is fresh with lots of white pepper and salt as well as pretty fruit. Full to medium body, fine tannins and a fruity finish. Lots of no wood (cement) treatment and 30% used barrel for 12 months of aging. Made from an equal blend of malbec from Paraje Altamira and Vista Flores. Drink now." 92pts James Suckling

La Giareta Cabernet Franc 2014, Veneto, Italy, $18.99
"This is a really fun take on this variety, showing black fruits, and chalky, dusty tannins. The telltale mint/dried herb (weedy?) notes so often found in cooler climate takes on Cab Franc are less pronounced here. I really enjoyed this." DM - come try it with us Friday!

ArPePe "Rocce Rosse Sassella Riserva" Valtellina Superiore 2002, Lombardy, Italy, $109.99
"There isn't enough space here to express the joy that this wine brought me. As a fan of Nebbiolo from both Barolo and Barbaresco, I was prepared to be underwhelmed by my first extensive tasting of Valtellina wines from the reputed star of the region - ArPePe. When I tasted the basic Valtellina Rosso (In stock, $41.99), I was pleasantly surprised. When I tasted the next several young "Cru" wines, I thought the wines had excellent potential, but I couldn't help repeatedly thinking 'I wish this wine had a decade of bottle age.' Then we got to this 14 year old, finely-polished gem; I almost wept! If you've never spent this kind of money on a bottle of wine before, I wouldn't suggest doing it here. This is cool climate (but perfect exposure) Nebbiolo that is defined by balance, secondary and tertiary notes and less by big fruit or bold structure. But if you've appreciated mature Barolo or especially Barbaresco in this price range before, this is a new plateau to explore. The Rocce Rosse (red rocks) of this single vineyard impart a iron-like minerality unmatched anywhere else." DM

Thanks for reading. We hope to see you soon.
 
Sincerely,

Lisa, Darrin, Tony, Patti, Amanda, Doug, Brad, Anna, and Mckinzie 

Key: WA=Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, WS=The Wine Spectator, IWC=Steven Tanzer's Old Publication, WE=Wine Enthusiast, V=Vinous (Galloni & Tanzer), North Loop Staff: LI=Lisa, TD=Tony, DM=Darrin, PG=Patti, DH=Doug

North Loop Wine and Spirits
612.338.5393
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401