STAFF PICKS
Things our staff "taste tested" this week. Tough job, but someone's gotta do it.
2017 City Limits “Where the Sidewalk Ends” Red Wine, WA - $20.99
54% Zinfandel, 35% Primitivo, 11% Petite Verdot
Crafted by Morgan Lee (winemaker of Two Vintners fame) this big, sassy and unapologetic Zinfandel based blend is his attempt to bring a delicious and affordable red blend to the public. Exotic woods on nose, followed by dense and rich (almost stewed) dark fruit on palate, silky tannins and a long peppery finish. His trick is to let the wine to reach intensity and depth by aging it in French oak barrels for nearly 2 years. Any food that requires big bold red wine will pairs well!
-Alexei V.
2017 Domaine Vaudoisey Bourgogne Pinot Noir - $29.99
Jean Vaudoisey is a 6th generation winemaker who, like many young Burgundian wine makers, employs a light touch. The fruit is all destemed, gently pressed and there's a judicious use of new wood. Sourced from the communes of Volnay and Pommard the basic red is a very complete wine.Seamless and silky throughout, it has plenty of classic Pinot characteristics. The nose and palate show ample dark cherry partnered with floral and tobacco overtones and hints of oak spice. The lushness of the mid palate and the length of the finish really stand out among it's peers. This is definitely a contender for top of the heap in the somewhat crowded and uneven Bourgogne rouge category.
-David Mathiason
2019 Matthiasson Village Chardonnnay Napa Valley - $23.99
Is your enjoyment of "natty hipster wines" breaking your budget? Do I have just the wine for you, Cool Kid! Matthiasson's Village Chardonnay is a biodynamic bombshell for under $25! This "table Chardonnay" is made from fruit harvested from multiple Matthiasson vineyards, and is also harvested at multiple points of ripeness - to balance the acidity and fruit characteristics perfectly. The end product is a lively chardonnay with refreshing notes of green apple and meyer lemon with a touch of minerality - light and bright!
-Katrina Bowers
2018 Vigna del Lauro Friuli Isonzo DOP Cabernet Franc - $17.99
With the good weather remaining, there is still time to chill some great red wine! The Italians may frown upon their brethren growing French varietals within their borders, but I'm sure Americans won't! This Cabernet Franc begins with some delicious red fruit characteristics and finishes with great earthy and herbaceous highlights. Enjoy this wine slightly chilled before we are hit with a long-lasting Winter!
-Samuel Phillips
2018 Domaine Nebout, Red, Saint Poucain - $18.99
There is a small ancient wine producing region in France virtually unknown to most Americans. It is Saint Poucain. Situated in the very center of France it is however a beautiful little wine island between Sancerre and the Loire Valley and Burgundy. Here we have juicy fresh Gamay, blended with the more sophisticated and elegant Pinot Noir. This is a similar tradition, but reversed in blend percentage, to the popular Passetoutgrain (literally meaning, "toss it all in.") in Burgundy. Domaine Nebout is a third generation family honoring the ancient wine making past of this region with their organic, approachable, berry rich, but structured blend of Gamay and Pinot Noir. This would be a rich and delicious match with Coq au Vin.
Enjoy something new and different!
-Patrick Dennison
2016 Francois Villard, 'Les Contours de Deponcins,' Viognier - $31.99
For those unfamiliar with the exotic viognier grape I highly recommend this lovely offering from Francois Villard. What is Viognier? If Chardonnay had an exotic cousin, viognier would be that cousin. Lush mouth feel with a heady bouquet of flowers and stone fruit. Dare I say curvaceous? Viognier's spiritual home is in Northern Rhone from the tiny appellation of Condrieu. Although the wine is classified as Vin De France, the grapes themselves are sourced from a declassified vineyard directly adjacent to the famous 'De Poncin Vineyard.' A true hidden gem!
Sweetness: This wine is dry
Body: This is a full bodied, luscious white wine.
Highly recommended for those who enjoy exotic bouquets and a plush mouthfeel.
-Mary K.
.. and now, the weekly wine haiku from Heidi.
2017 Famille Perrin, Cotes du Rhone Reserve - $
Dark fruit, limestone, spice.
Grenache, syrah, mourvedre.
Pairs with 4-leggeds.
-Heidi K.