Bubbles********************************************************
Marchesi di Barolo "Zagara" Moscato d'Asti 2015, Piedmont, Italy, $19.99
"Chopped herb, white spring flower and yellow stone fruit aromas jump out of the glass. The rich, frothy palate offers candied nectarine zest, apricot and lemon drop set against a soft, foaming perlage." 88pts WE
Whites*********************************************************
Sepp Moser Gruner Veltliner "Sepp" (Organic) 2015, Austria, Reg. $14.99, Sale $11.99
"The nose is lime and other citrus. The palate is clean and mildly peppery. The structure is firm and refreshing on the palate." -from the importer
Marchesi di Barolo Roero Arneis 2015, Piedmont, Italy, $37.99
"This was the true highlight of a recent tasting of outstanding Piedmont wines that we recently attended. If you're looking for a very special white that's a little outside the box. This is the ticket. It shows a nice mix of citrus and pit fruits and the classic minerality that defines this variety. Throw in just a hint of salinity, and this perfect all by itself on a warm night, or with any variety of seafood." DM
Joao Portugal Ramos Vinho Verde Loureiro 2015, Portugal, $10.99
This is part of the new wave of single-varietal Vinho Verdes; try it with us Friday!
Quinta de Gomariz Vinho Verde Loureiro 2016, Portugal, $16.99
Lafage "Cote Est" 2015, Cotes Catalanes, France, $12.99
Checking in as a blend of 50% Grenache Blanc, 30% Chardonnay and 20% Roussanne that spent four months in tank, on lees, the smoking good 2015 IGP Cotes Catalanes Cote d'Est comes from vineyards located right up against the Mediterranean Sea. This medium-bodied, juicy and deliciously fresh white is almost overflowing with notes of orange blossom, peach, salty sea breeze and honey on the nose. It's a terrific value that should be bought by the case and enjoyed over the coming year." 90pts WA
Lafage "Centenaire" 2015, Roussillon, France, $15.99
"The 2015 Cotes du Roussillon Centenaire is a racy, medium-bodied blend of mostly Grenache Blanc (and Gris), with 20% Roussanne. Crushed rocks, mint, lime and citrus blossom are some of the nuances here, and it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, beautiful purity of fruit and a clean, dry finish. It's certainly an outstanding white to enjoy over the coming 2-3 years." 90-92pts WA
Cantina Terlano "Quarz" Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Alto Adige, Italy, $73.99
"The 2014 Alto Adige Terlano Sauvignon Quarz is a fantastic white wine that defeats the odds of a challenging vintage. The wine shows Sauvignon Blanc intensity with yellow rose, candied fruit, mountain herb and passion fruit. No doubt, the structure and general intensity of this wine is much deeper and more elaborate compared to its many peers. Despite its many attributes, this vintage is better suited for near or medium-term consumption (2016-2022)." 91pts WA
Rosé***********************************************************
Chateau Trinquevedel Tavel 2016, Rhone, France, $22.99
This is one of the top roses in the world every year. This vintage not yet rated; previous 3 vintages each rated 90-91pts Tanzer/Vinous. Try it with us Friday!
Petite Cassagne 2016, Costieres de Nimes, France, $11.99
40% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, 30% Syrah; A direct press rosé
Mas Carlot "Tradition" 2016, Costieres de Nimes, France, $11.99
50% Grenache, 40% Syrah, Mourvèdre 10%; Saignée method.
D'Or et de Gueules "Le Cimels" 2016, Costieres de Nimes, France, $13.99
40% Mourvèdre, 40% Cinsault, 10% Syrah, 10% Grenache; Grapes fermented at low temperatures separately in four individual tanks used to control color and separate the fruit. Maceration occurs for 24 hours before racking. This is made from "direct press" of Cinsault and Grenache and "saignée" for Syrah.
Reds***********************************************************
Alejandro Fernandez "Pesquera" Ribera del Duero 2013, Spain, $32.99
This vintage not yet rated; previous vintage 92pts V. Try it with us Friday!
G.D. Vajra Barolo "Albe" 2012, Piedmont, Italy, $42.99
"Saturated with cherry, raspberry, floral and tobacco flavors, this red is solid and expressive. Bright acidity and dense tannins offer support, while the fruit, mineral, earth and spice elements linger. Best from 2018 through 2030." 92pts WS
G.D. Vajra Barolo "Bricco delle Viole" 2005, Piedmont, Italy, $83.99
"The 2005 Barolo Bricco delle Viole is insanely beautiful. A sweet, inviting bouquet leads to roses, cherries, raspberries, flowers and spices. The wine possesses gorgeous inner perfume and wonderful depth as it hovers on the palate with a Burgundian sense of weightlessness. This is an emotionally moving, delicate wine of the highest level. The 2005 Bricco delle Viole is quite approachable today, but it is likely to close down a bit in bottle, so readers will want to taste it upon release and then forget about any remaining bottles for a while. There is purity to the fruit that recalls Giacomo Conterno's Barolo Cascina Francia without that wine's heft. In 2005 the growing season was a bit warmer than in 2004, and this high-altitude vineyard is one of a handful of sites that did better in 2005 than in 2004. Simply put, this is a marvelous bottle of Barolo! Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030." 95pts WA
We tasted through the complete lineup from
Alexander Valley Vineyards (AVV) a couple weeks ago, and it must be noted that these are really solid wines. Our staff had differing opinions as to which were the stars, but there wasn't a dud in the group, especially considering what fine values they are:
AVV Zin "Temptation" Zinfandel 2013, CA, $14.99
Pure and straightforward, but with nice bramble and spice, this is summer bar-b-que wine. Little splashes of Grenache, Petite Sirah and Syrah add depth to the pallate.
AVV "Sin Zin" 2012, Alexander Valley, CA, Reg. $19.99, Sale $13.99
This is a step up in complexity, starting to show what makes the Alexander Valley region the go-to spot for many reds. The body and tannic grip are more serious, but it is still big on spicy red fruits and a touch alcohol warmth - more for after the bar-b-que while enjoying the fire when the sun goes down. **Only 22 bottles left at this crazy sale price!!
AVV Zin Redemption 2013, Dry Creek, CA, Reg. $22.99, Sale $18.99
This one is for the more serious Zin afficionados, with more grip and pepper notes in a super-savory package that rounds out nicely with some oaky notes. **Only 14 bottles left at the sale price!
AVV "Cyrus" 2012, Alexander Valley, CA, $54.99
"A blend of predominately Cabernet Sauvignon (76%) and Merlot (12%) with some Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec, the 2012 Cyrus has a deep garnet color and slowly evolving nose of crème de cassis, plum preserves and cedar box with hints of underbrush, pencil lead, cloves and charcoal, plus a waft of bay leaves. The medium-bodied palate delivers tons of muscular fruit with a firm frame of grainy tannins and lively acid, finishing long with plenty of berry preserves, herb and earth layers." 93pts WA
