STAFF PICKS
Things our staff "taste tested" this week. Tough job, but someone's gotta do it.
2018 Arnot-Roberts, Barsotti Vineyard, Gamay Noir, El Dorado - $32.99
We are heading into what many wine lovers think of as Beaujolais season! Beaujolais is the spiritual home of Gamay. Gamay is known for its fresh red fruit tones as well as purple flowers. Genetically related to Pinot Noir this is a great alternative wine to try for Pinot Noir lovers. This particular wine is from California (not Beaujolais). Silky on the palate with beautiful macerated strawberry and raspberry notes. Aromas of wilted purple flowers enchantingly waft out of the glass. For those unfamiliar with Arnot-Roberts I highly recommend seeking out all their wines. They consistently produce beautiful expressive wines.
-Mary K.
2019 Division Wine Co, 'Gamine', Grenache Rosé Pet Nat, Applegate Valley OR - $32.99
Amongst our vast collection of elegant sparkling wines lives 'Gamine' - a funk filled ruckus of a bubbles. This Petillant (Pet Nat) is as natural, unfiltered, and as nouveau as it gets! Division wines hail from Portland, and this wine checks every hipster box you could ask for: organic, biodynamic, sustainably farmed, no dosage or added sulfur, and of course it has undergone spontaneous fermentation from indigenous yeasts. 'Gamine' is a delicious blend of orchard fruits, herbaceous and savory notes, all balanced with a bright acidity and a touch of salinity; it's a uniquely delicious juice! The cherry on top? This bottle has a real beeswax seal that smells divine and gives you an indication of the natural wine experience you're about to have!
-Katrina B.
2010 Cantina Sociale Cooperativa, Copertino Reserva - $17.99
Founded in the 1930s, this Cooperative of winemakers in Puglia, Italy have been honoring the native Negroamaro grape every since. The Coop is up to 300 farmer growers, now. Their winemaker harvests only the best years and then sits on them for years in the cellar. No oak is used so, it is all about mellowed fruit from the Negroamaro, which is a bit of a beast when too young. This 2010 vintage is their latest release. 10 years and it is under $18! This is an amazing opportunity to enjoy the soft leather, dry but supple earth, and cherry of this unique wine with wild game or a robust meat plate.
-Patrick D.
J. Carver Apple Brandy - $39.99
J. Carver - located in Waconia, MN - has long been known for their award-winning, grain-to-glass whiskies. Lesser-known, and just as ambitious, are their brandies. The team at J. Carver spares no expense and cuts no corners in bringing their take on Minnesota's first Calvados-style apple brandy to market, employing Minnesota-developed & grown apple varietals, as well as barrels coopered in Minnesota to complete the aging process. Terroir in spirits is much more difficult to express than in wine, but this brandy pulls it off. The nose is reminiscent of walking through apple orchards as the leaves start to turn, while the palate brings distinct caramel, clove, cinnamon, and (most importantly) baked & spiced apples to the table. All in all, this brandy tastes like the nostalgia of fall in Minnesota in a glass.
-Nick S.
Y. Rousseau 'Pepe' Merlot, Mount Veeder $59.99
This may be a cellar selection or at least a splurge wine for some readers, especially since it features the dreaded Merlot grape but, hold on to your hat, this could be your wine of the year. It is a blockbuster. It's simply loaded with opulent plum and cherry fruit but the wine is not monolithic. It is fresh as a cool breeze and has delicate spice and floral accents that stand out even amidst the riot of fruit. The fine structure and freshness suggest a long life in the cellar but the wine is so appealing now, there's no reason to wait. I have tasted this vintage several times over the last year or two and it never fails to steal the show. Once sampled, you will not forget this wine.
-David M.
2015 Marotti Campi, Orgiolo, Lacrima di Morro d’Alba Superiore - $22.99
Lacrima is an ancient grape wich was at risk of extinction until 1985, with only 7 Ha of vines remaining. Marotti family took on this very challenging varietal and with high-tech yet low-intervention technics came up with a rare 100% Lacrima wine. It’s perfect for cooler fall nights with enticing and warming aromas of violet, rose, musky spices and stewed fruits; on the palate you’ll get a lush blackberry followed by a fireworks of baking spices - rosemary, thyme, juniper, pink peppercorn, liquorish - and end with a never-ending peppery finish. An excelent sipper on its own this medium body wine is a great accompaniment with a roasted lamb, grilled pork or, my favorite, a berry pie.
-Alexei V.
