Tag Archives: France

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 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 1/30 – 2/5

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Mackenzie Chardonnay 2009 $10.95
This Sonoma County Chardonnay is fermented in stainless steel tanks and exposed to minimal oak contact after fermentation. This approach retains the bright, clean citrus and apple flavors, and makes this a particularly refreshing (not to mention value-packed) Chardonnay.

Grapes: Chardonnay
Region: Sonoma, California

Château de Ségriès, Côtes du Rhône Rouge 2009 $10.95
The wine is ripe, rich and round, with black raspberry, white pepper and spice flavors. True Cotes du Rhone in a Bistro style.

Grapes:50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 10% Cinsault, 10% Carignan
Region: Rhone Valley, France

Wine of the Week 10/10 – 10/16

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Gouguenheim Syrah 2006 $6.95
An expensive-tasting Syrah that owes its chocolate-rich, plummy fruit to an impeccable upbringing in optimally-sited Argentinian vineyards. Funded by his Cognac-selling father, and steered by leading South American wine consultants Susana Balbo and Pedro Marchevsky, Patricio Gouguenhem put down roots in Tupungato’s ‘Valle Escondido’ (‘Hidden Valley’), an hour’s drive from Mendoza. Susana revels in the fruit quality, making strapping reds like this. Wine for gaucho grills.

Grapes: Syrah
Region: Mendoza – Argentina

Helfrich Riesling 2007 $7.95
Not quite completely bone dry, with a hint of florality and sweetness to the apple/peach fruit. Elements of minerality and just enough cut at the finish, this is a pleasing and versatile effort for the genre with some actual fruit and character. Easy to like.

Grapes: Riesling
Region: Alsace – France

Wine of the Week 04/11 – 4/17

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Luna Pinot Grigio 2006 $11.95
Overview: Pale yellow-gold color. Slightly yeasty aromas of yellow plum, pear and tropical fruits. Fresh and fruit-driven, with lively acidity giving the middle palate a firmness. I find the saline minerality and subtle florality here to be quite intriguing. Finishes firm-edged, almost tannic, but without bitterness. 90 pts. Stephen Tanzer

Grapes: Pinot Grigio
Region: Napa Valley – California

Col De Vents 2007 $8.95
Overview: This lush blend of Carignan, Grenache and Syrah is filled with notes of blueberry, plum and spice. A delicious example of Corbieres, whose vineyards are cooled by the night breezes off the hills, giving balance and richness to the Rhone-style wines. {Elegant, Blueberry, Red fruit, Medium-bodied}

Grapes: 35% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 50% Carignan
Region: Corbieres – France

Wine of the Week 04/04 – 4/10

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Chateau Bonnet Entre-Deux-Mers 2008 $11.95
Overview: The vast 300-acre estate of Château Bonnet in the heart of the Entre-deux-Mers produces a deliciously reliable, good value wine every year. This brand-new 2008 shows some lively yellow fruits as well as a strong citrus element. It has vibrantly fresh, pure fruit and is ready to drink now, but can age for a year.. 88 pts. Wine Enthusiast

Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Mascadelle
Region: Bordeaux – France

Miracoli Montepulciano D’Abruzzo 2008 $9.95
Overview: Pink-crimson color. Lovely nose is imbued with fresh strawberry, pomegranate and almond aromas. Fresh and juicy on the palate, with flavors similar to the aromas and lots of bright acidity to keep it brisk and long on the lightweight finish. The perfect complement with Italian spaghetti, grilled meats, and seasoned cheeses.

Grapes: 100% Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Region: Abruzzo – Italy

Wine of the Week 03/07 – 03/13

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Glory Days Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 $9.95
Overview: Aromas of black cherry with underlying notes of toasted warm coffee and cassis. A touch of cedar folds seamlessly into a rich opulent black fruit core; layers of oak with a velvety long finish.

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Lodi Appellation – California


Caves De L’Angevine Rose D’Anjou 2008 $9.95
Overview: Gorgeous salmon pink color and fresh, enticing aromas of raspberries and strawberries. The palate is packed with ultra-ripe fruit – Summer berries, cherry, white peach – and there’s a subtle hint of sweetness that makes this oh-so-easy to drink! Perfect apéritif or seafood partner.

Grapes: Grolleau Noir, Grolleau Gris, and Cabernet Franc
Region: Loire Valley – France

Wine of the Week 02/21 – 02/27

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Domaine Mathieu Chateauneuf du Pape 2001 $14.95
Overview: The 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape exhibits classic kirsch liqueur and licorice aromas in a sexy, round, medium to full-bodied style with no hard edges. Plump and plush, it will provide pleasure over the next 8-10 years.

Domaine Mathieu is one of the few producers that use all 13 grape varieties for their wines with the philosophy of Grenache and Cinsault for sweetness, warmth and mellowness. Mourvèdre, Syrah, Muscardin and Camarèse for robustness, maturity, colour and a thirst-quenching taste. Counoise and Picpoul for vinosity, charm and a special bouquet. Clairette and Bourboulenc for finesse, fire and brilliance.
88 Points – Robert Parker

Grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Muscardin, Cournoise, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Picpoul, Roussanne, Terret Noir, Picardan, Vaccarese
Region: Rhone Valley – France

Paul Dolan Chardonnay 2007 $9.95
Overview: Old vine Chardonnay? The vineyards that provided grapes for this wine were planted in the early 1970s, with low-yielding older varietal clones. A cool-site vineyard north of Lake Mendocino, and a warmer-site vineyard near the Russian River in Hopland, combined to make this elegant wine. Pear and winter citrus fruit character is complemented by creamy vanilla spice.

Grapes: 100% Chardonnay
Region: Mendocino County – California

Wine of the Week 02/7 – 02/13

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Trattoria Busa Alla Torre Da Lele 2008 $7.95

Overview: A Venetian favorite! It is crisp and dry, rich and spicy with hints of peach and honey…perfect with salads, pasta, chicken and fish! Musaragno is an organic wine estate near Venice, Italy.

Grapes: 100% Pinot Grigio
Region: Lison Pramaggiore – Italy

Reserve Grand Veneur Cotes Du Rhone 2008 $11.95

Overview: Purple-tinged garnet color. Aromas of fresh berries (wild raspberry, blackcurrant, blackberry) and spices. The palate is full-flavored, with silky-smooth tannins. The finish offers notes of licorice and pepper.

Grapes: 80% Grenache, 20% Syrah
Region: Rhone Valley, Bordeaux – France