All posts by John Boyer

VC tasting 1-31-13

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La Cappuccina Soave 2011 $7.95
Bright straw yloow in color. Delicate on the nose, with notes of flowers and almonds. Dry, well-structured and delicately fruity, with hints of bitter almonds on the finish that is typical of Garganega-based wines.

Mars and Venus Chardonnay 2011 $5.95
A very nice value Chardonnay that comfortably over-delivers vs. its modest price tag. No oak here, just bushels of clean, crisp, Chardonnay apple and stone fruit with a hint of caramelized pineapple. Juicy and clean, this is a mid-weight white that’s just perfect for parties or weeknight sipping.

Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 2012 $3.95
Bright and tangy, offering a classic banana note on the nose, with flavors of raspberry, wild strawberry and light spice. Modest finish.

Finca del Castillo Tempranillo 2011 $4.95
Rooty, spicy and baked on the nose, with aromas that lean towards raisin. The palate is more gritty and acidic, with raisin, cola, and spic flavors. Darkens up on the finish, which is long and peppery, with adequate juiciness and a final note of tomato.

Bartenura Moscato Italy 2010 $4.95
The inviting apricot preserves, honey, butter, and roasted almond aromas of this semi-sparkler pull you right in. It’s on the sweet side, with stone-fruit flavors kept alive by decent acidity. The palate bubbles and tingles and maintains its balance. Fine as an aperitif or with dessert.


VC tasting 1-24-12

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Encostas do Lima Vinho Verde 2012 $4.95
Pale golden silver color. Bright floral aromas of peaches, raspberry and honeysuckle with a soft, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a crisp, tart citrus and talc accented finish. A delightful sipper that is sure to please.

Maipe Sauvignon Blanc 2011 $7.95
Yellow color with green hints. Expressive wine, fresh, very aromatic. This Sauvignon Blanc displays grapefruit flavors, with hints of melon and honey. It finishes with bracing acidity and fresh mouth feels that make it a terrific aperitif and an excellent accompaniment to virtually all seafood, especially shellfish.

Coreto Tinto 2010 $6.95
Despite its light touch, this is fruity and full, with its blackberry fruit dominating the warm spice note and acidity. Soft tannins keep the wine together.

Montes Alpha Syrah 2009 $7.95
Blackberry and cola aromas are cool and collected. The palate has weight and texture to accompany berry, mint, herb and peppery flavors. Turns more herbal and roasted as it unwinds. Pepper and spice lead the finish.

Opera Prima Sweet Red 2010 $4.95
Doesn’t try to hide its warm-climate terroir, with a soft texture framing jammy-sweet black raspberry, cherry, red currant, root beer and sweet tea. Drink now.

Wine of the week 1/22 – 1/28

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The Gaucho Club Torrontes 2009 $8.95
This Torrontes has a very intense nose of lychee, apricot and violets. The balanced acidity with flavors of lychee fruit and peaches linger. Torrontes is a native grape to Argentina that has the nose similar to Gewurztraminer.

Food Pairings: Pairs well with pork, chicken, roasted vegetables, bbq or fruit salad.

Grapes: 100% Torrontes

Region: Cafayate, Argentina

Into Zin 2008 $7.95

This is a crisp, red wine with plum, blackberry and black cherry influences.  Its spiciness is just the right amount to balance the fruit, so it isn’t too sweet or too dry.  Pairing suggestions include steaks, lamb, hamburgers and chicken marsala.

Grapes: 100% Zinfandel

Region: Lodi, California

Wine of the week 4/25 – 4/30

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Famega Vinho Verde $8.95
Refreshing, crisp with a tingly sparkle taste of apple tartness from the cool lucious Vinho Verde DOC region of North Western Portugal. Fâmega Vinho Verde has a delicate citrus flavor like the fragrance of a summer garden.

Pleasant and mellow, this young white wine will be the perfect accompaniment to all kinds of seafood, salads, mild cheeses, as an aperitif, or just by itself.

The alcohol content of Fâmega is 9.5% which makes it the ideal natural, low calorie white wine.

Grapes: Avesso, Azal and Pedernã
Region: Vinho Verde, Portugal

Trentadue Old Patch Red 2009 $11.95
Alexander Valley Estate Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carignane and Sangiovese. Nuances of brown sugar, maple and plums are showing with slight dose of oak and vanilla. On the mouth the wine is fresh and juicy with youthful brightness, finishing long and fruity. GOLD MEDAL 2011 SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE TASTING.

Grapes: 77% Zinfandel, 11% Petite Sirah, 11% Carignane, and 1% Sangiovese
Region: Sonoma, California

Wine of the week 4/17 – 4/23

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Jean Sablenay Touraine Sauvignon Blanc 2009 $9.95
This is an expressive Sauvignon Blanc with delicate floral and citrus notes on the nose. These carry through to the palate which is fresh with vibrant acidity and a long satisfying finish.

Grapes: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Loire Valley, France

Quinta de Cabriz Colheita Seleccionada Dao 2008 $9.95
90 points Wine Spectator Advance: “A well-structured, muscular red, with a touch of Asian spice to the wild plum and dried raspberry flavors. Beef and mineral notes mark the finish. Distinctive, with a very sauvage allure. Drink now through 2015.” (January 31st, 2011) Composed of indigenous varieties such as Alfrocheiro, Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz, this lovely wine has spicy, ripe huckleberry aromas which lead to a palate of very pure, spicy, mineral, and most important of all, balanced, fruit. This is excellent wine for the money.

Grapes: Alfrocheiro, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Nacional
Region: Doa, Portugal

Wine of the week 4/10 – 4/16

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Oveja Negra Chardonnay/Viognier 2009 $9.95
A light straw color in color. Rich fruity nose of apricot, banana and green apple with subtle mineral notes. Tropical fruits, apricot and green apple flavors with a medium body and soft, elegant finish. Pair with Thai food, seafood dishes and white sauce pastas

Grapes: 85% Chardonnay – 15% Viognier
Region: Central Valley, Chile

Santa Barbara Winery ZCS 2009 $15.95
In this synergistic blend, the Zinfandel from 50 year old vines lends the jammy fruit quality to the wine, the Carignane adds density and finish, and the Sangiovese shows off cherry aromatics and flavors. Oak aging takes place in neutral puncheons so as not to disturb the full fruit quality of ZCS. This is a very versatile, food friendly wine made to match a wide range of occasions and meals

Grapes: 70% Zinfandel, 21% Carignane, 9% Sangiovese
Region: Santa Barbara, California

Wine of the week 4/3 – 4/9

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Thorn Clark Eden Valley Riesling 2009 $9.95
 The wine is pale straw in colour. The nose is bright and lifted with lime juice, perfumed floral notes and honeysuckle characters. The palate is crisp, clean with vibrant, zingy lemon zest flavours combined with a hint of lime leaf. There is good mouthfeel, balanced with citrus fruits and natural acidity.

Grapes: 100% Riesling
Region: Barossa, Australia

Nuna Bonarda Reserve 2009 $11.95
The wine is aged for 12 months in French oak barrels to fully reveal the character of the Andean terroir.
Purple-colored Bonarda offers a fruity, fresh nose featuring plums, mulberries and violets. Fruity, forward and easy-going, Bonarda is the perfect match to Argentine bistro cuisine.

Grapes: 100% Bonarda
Region: Mendoza, Argentina

Wine of the week 3/27 – 4/2

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Domaine de la Condemine Macon Peronne “Le Clou” 2008 $11.95
A light golden hue, floral aromas. Intense, clean and fresh on the palate. Citrus notes, bold acidity. Excellent match to seafood with butter or cream sauces or rich blue cheeses.

Grapes: 100% Chardonnay
Region: Burgundy, France

Lesse-Fitch Pinot Noir 2008 $9.95
With deep plum color, this 2008 Pinot Noir has an exotic nose of strawberry and raspberry jam with notes of fresh oregano and wild game. The palate starts with tart cherry fruit and then develops into layers of dried fruit; strawberry and figs, herbs; oregano and thyme, and earth; wild mushrooms. The acidity makes this wine very food friendly.

This wine would pair well with grilled flank steak with chimichurri and stir fried green beans with a black bean sauce, sautéed Salmon with creamed spinach and roasted parsnips, or roasted beet salad with fresh chevre, thinly sliced red onion, and arugula.

Grapes: 90% Pinot Noir, 5% Grenache, 5% Ruby Cab
Region: California

Wine of the Week 3/20 – 3/26

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Shoofly Viognier 2008 $9.95
Fragrant citrus blossom, classic apricot and fresh fennel on the nose. The palate is rich yet refreshingly crisp. Lovely ripe cantaloupe melds seamlessly with citrus peel and zingy acidity. A red drinkers white with a twist of orange pekoe tannin on the finish.

Grapes: 100% Viognier
Region: Australia

Terra d’Oro Syrah 2006 $8.95
The 2006 Terra d’Oro Syrah is a great example of the delicious Syrah that grows on our Burke Ranch. The wine has a deep, nearly black color and the nose teases with aromas of tobacco, eucalyptus, and toasty oak, with hints of dark ripe plum. The wine is a powerhouse of flavor and aroma, with a spine of minerality that holds the whole package together; truly an iron fist in a velvet glove. Try pairing the Syrah with roasted meats and hearty cheeses for a medieval feast.

Grapes: 100% Syrah
Region: Amador County, California

Wine of the Week 2/27 – 3/5

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Pieter Cruythoff Chenin Blanc 2010 $5.95
Chenin Blanc is the perfect every day wine that offers uncomplicated quality for the novice and connoisseur alike. Packed with upfront melon fruit, the nose charms with an abundance of guava and gooseberries as well as the signature hint of honey. The palate follows through with fruit flavors balanced by a crisp acid to ensure a fresh and fruity style of wine.
Enjoy well-chilled as a lovely crisp glass on its own but ideal for al fresco dining and with light summer fare. Beautiful with salads, anti pasti and seafood.

Grapes: 100% Chenin Blanc
Region: South Africa

Resonata Nero d’Avola 2009 $6.95
Dense ruby red with violet reflections.
Lush and ripe bouquet full of mulberries, blackberries and spice. Harmonious and well balanced with good berry fruit in a spicy background.
Food paring: Excellent with lamb, grilled and barbecued meats, dishes with olives or capers and seasoned cheeses.

Grapes: 100% Nero d’Avola
Region: Sicilia, Italy