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March Wine Recommendations

Nyetimber Brut Rosé (Multi Vintage), England
With their first vines planted in 1988 to greensand and chalk soils, the team at Nyetimber has truly finessed Methode Champenoise in south England & has been instrumental in putting the country on the map for world class wine. Fruit for this rose (the “holy trinity” being Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier) hails from West Sussex and Hampshire. Their masterful result is sophisticated and manifests fresh raspberry, cherry blossom, & shortbread; pairs with crab cakes, smoked Alaska Coho salmon, and a hot tub soak. $63.99
2018 Boundary Breaks Gewurtztraminer, Finger Lakes, New York
A light and demure expression of Gewurtztraminer coming from the cool-climate of eastern Lake Seneca that proves an easy Springtime sipper. Dry yet spicy, pairs beautifully with Indian butter chicken (Makhani) or asparagus brie soup
475 cases made
$18.99
2017 Azores Wine Co. Isabella a Proibida, Pico-Portugal
Portuguese winemaker-mover-&-shaker Antonio Macanita has rescued an old plot of bush vine Isabella (a vinifera-lambrusca disease-resistant hybrid) on the volcanic island of Pico 1,000 miles off the coast of mainland Portugal. These old vines are very low-yielding & elevage is done in stainless steel resulting in fruit with massive personality, remarkable saltiness, umami, & earthy red fruit. Demands roasted foraged mushrooms and unagi.
166 cases made.
$35.99
2018 Gramenon L’Emouvante, Rhone-France
This is one of the rarest wines from cult icon Gramenon and we are so thrilled Michele made it in 2018! It is 100% Syrah from Montbrison sur Lez in the Southern Rhone made using natural practices while designated Demeter Certified Biodynamic. All labels are original art by winemaker Michele Aubery Laurent.
It emanates serious black fruit, funky earth & garrigue; a glass of Gramenon will only ever smell and taste like Gramenon and no other wine on the planet.
Pair with Kalamata olive tapenade or Peking duck.
12 cases imported into the United States.
$54.99

Sophie’s January Wine Recommendations

2018 Louis-Antoine Luyt Pet-Nat Pais Rose, Bio Bio Valley, Chile $35.99
A light & lovely naturally sparkling rose of País from Southern Chile; it is delicate, floral, & pink-fruited inspiring an amalgam of potential food companions. Think early Springtime. Super cravable with foods such as chili-lime fruta fresca, persimmons with goat cheese, & sashimi.
2018 Radikon Sivi, Friuli, Italy $42.99
Organic, Orange, Oslavia! 100% Pinot Grigio that undergoes skin-contact for 10-14 days then aged a year in old large Slavonian oak. Unfined and unfiltered, Radikon is the criterion for masterful natural wine. Pair with crispy brown butter trout, curried cauliflower, or roasted lion’s mane mushroom.
2017 Pearl Morissette Metis Rouge, Niagara Peninsula, Canada $34.99
Small-production funky fresh Cabernet Franc made by Francois Morissette -an extremely talented winemaker classically trained in Burgundy under the tutelage of icons Frédéric Mugnier and Jean-Marc Roulot. Metis Rouge proves that Pearl Morissette is redefining Ontario wine. Pair with a charcuterie board, tapenade, & beet tartare with truffle aioli.

New Year, New Wine

I want to start off the year by thanking all of you for your continued support and enthusiasm for our business.  You all are in our hearts during these difficult times, thank you.

For all you Bronco and Elway fans this bottle of wine will help you with the winter blues without any playoffs for the Bronco’s.  This wine is made in collaboration with consulting wine maker Rob Mondavi Jr. and John Elway’s 7 Cellar’s.  The 2017 Elway Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits aromas of ripe blackberry and boysenberry with hints of dark chocolate and sweet oak.  The palate holds bold notes of dark fruits and hints of spiciness, balanced by fresh acidity and lush tannins. This can be enjoyed with a prime rib or filet mignon.

How about something with a bit more class and punch! This is a different type of treat it is a Madeira.  A what?   Here is a quick story.  The island of Madeira has been home to one of the world’s most distinctive and widely drank fortified wines for centuries. Several hundred years ago the island of Madeira was a key port off the coast of Africa and also proved to be a region great for planting vineyards.  So the Portuguese planted grape varietals such as Malvasia and Sercial. These hand-harvest grapes and fortified to an abv of 18-20%.  The fortification was a process to allow the wine differing in styles and bring out different flavors by adding brandy or cognac.

Now specifically the Broadbent Single Cask Sercial Madeira 1997.  This baby gets better with age and the year of 1997 is no lie.  Sercial is smooth with subtle flavors of nuts, especially hazelnuts and almonds, orange peel and exotic spice.  The wine has very gentle overtones of wood and a nice sweetness for a Sercial. Very high acidity while showing a great fruity style. Incredibly long and dry finish.

Thank You,

Ivars Spons

 

       

 

Mousse Fils Ratafia “La Vie en Meunier!”

Mousse Fils Ratafia “La Vie en Meunier!”

  • Mousse Fils is an organic Champagne house in Cuiles making this fantastic & unique vin de liqueur from the pomace of Meunier grapes.
  • An incredible alternative to after dinner Ports, Sherries, & Madeiras, Ratafias are a more delicate and versatile choice.
Dream Pairing: an adventurous cheese board featuring a country pate and honeycomb

$45.99

2015 Dunn Napa Valley

2015 Dunn Napa Valley

  • A blend of their legendary Howell Mountain fruit with some purchased valley floor fruit.
  • Shows deep cassis and profound woodsiness reminiscent of the 150 year old fir trees surrounding the property atop Howell Mountain.

Dream Pairing: classic, cozy braised short ribs over truffle mashed potatoes

$104.99

2019 Sadie Family Wines Pofadder

2019 Sadie Family Wines Pofadder
 
“These are cerebral wines built to age.” -Neal Martin
 
  • Old vine Cinsault from Swartland, South Africa
  • A rare icon that makes a collectible gift for someone unbelievably patient.
  • High toned red fruit minerality…a must-try for a Burgundy lover!

Dream Pairing: Cassoulet

$80.99

2015 Chartogne-Taillet Extra Brut “Les Orizeaux”

2015 Chartogne-Taillet Extra Brut “Les Orizeaux“: 

  • 100% Pinot Noir by grower-producer Alexandre Chartogne.
  • Minimal intervention winemaking influenced by Anselme Selosse
  • Vinified & aged in oak barrels with zero dosage
  • Full-bodied, spicy, rich, intense

“These three single vineyard, mono varietal cuvees are hard to find but if you manage to locate a bottle, grab it, pay and run.” –thevinguard.com

Dream Pairing: Lobster Mac & Cheese

$104.99

Season Change of Winter

As the season changes from fall to winter and the leaves begin to disappear into the neighbor’s lawn we can be thankful for all the wonderful things this world has given us.  Although these times have been difficult we are stronger and we will survive.

Here are couple of facts about the Brooklyn Blue Door and No.14.  They are both Junmai meaning these sakes made with nothing other than rice, water, yeast and koji.  The rice is milled or polished at a minimum of 40% are the preferred service temperature is room temperature or chilled.

Brooklyn Blue Door is bright and fruit forward without being sweet. It’s like jelly beans and wild flowers, honeydew melon and juicy ruby grapefruit.

Brooklyn No.14 is incredibly aromatic, fruit forward and clean Sake with notes of white flowers, ripe apple and tropical fruit. Keep refrigerated and enjoy with all light, fresh foods.

La Colombera Derthona, Timorasso 2018

I cannot believe I am doing this again because it is just that awesome.  It’s back and even better than ever.  Just a refresher course for this varietal. This grape was nearly extinct during the 1970’s but has come back and made a strong resurgence.  Timorasso is the grape variety that best represents the hills around Tortona (Dertona is the old name for city), as this white grape was born here. It can be considered as a noble or ancient variety, which has similar characteristics to a Chenin Blanc or Savennieres and has the tendency to botrytize (noble rot) which can give the wine a slight mandarin note to accompany the full, minerally, fleshy flavors.  This wine is structured and elegant, capable of aging for a surprisingly long time in bottle.

This opens with a fruity peach fragrance, acacia and earthy rose bud blossoms that is accentuated by a scent of honey.  As this wine matures in three or four years the hidden minerality will begin to appear on the nose and palate for wonderfully surprising change.  Hold on to your britches, we have a limited availability (less than 24 bottles) of this wine but if you had the chance of tasting last year this baby is even bigger with just a touch less acid than the 2017.  Therefore, I can hardly wait to lay another two bottles down and drinking them in the coming years.

Thank You,

Ivars Spons