White

 

Kellerei Bolzano 2013 Müller Thurgau Eisacktaler—Last February, we hosted Klaus Sparer for an in store tasting of the wines of Cantina Bolzano, located in Alto Adige. It was fascinating to talk to him about the region, how the grapes are grown, where they are grown, local food, the cool alpine climate. The wines produced by this coop representing over 200 growers are of great quality and a great value. Müller Thurgau was developed in the Swiss Canton of Thurgau by Hermann Müller in 1882 as a crossing of Riesling and Madeleine Royale. The idea was to get the quality and aromatics of the former and the ease of growth and production of the latter. In the end, it's not quite Riesling, but a very tasty and food friendly wine. After harvest in mid September to October, the grapes are pressed and fermented in stainless steel. Aging also occurs in stainless to preserve the freshness and crispness of the wine. In the glass, look for a straw yellow color hints of green- the telltale sign of a cooler growing climate. Floral aromatics, with spice, tropical fruit, and citrus. These continue to the palate, with a dry, crisp medium body touched by minerality. All in, this is a great food friendly wine, a perfect accompaniment to vegetables and lighter fare. $25.98

 

Héritiers du Comte Lafon 2014 Mâcon-Villages—Dominique Lafon is one of the finest producers in France, and leads the charge in Burgundy with his amazing Meursault and Montrachet wines.  In 1999 Dominique took the opportunity to purchase 14 hectare of land in the Mâconnais.  With limited access to additional vineyard land in Beaune, this project created more wine from the cellars of Lafon at a reasonable price point. These Mâcon vines have been farmed according to biodynamic principles, with low yields, dense plantings, and attention to detail.  The results have been wines with great complexity, vibrant fruit, mineral character, and stunning length.  The Héritiers wines get better and better every vintage and have developed into serious Chardonnay wines that demonstrate the potential of the Mâconnais region.  The 2014 vintage offers outstanding quality with the White Burgundy showcasing concentration and precision.  Awesome value wines! $36.98

 

Venica & Venica 2014 Malvasia 'Petris’—Located in Fruili, Italy, this estate has been family owned since 1930. The vineyards are a patchwork in the surrounding hills, surrounded by forest and co-planted amidst fruit trees to create a organic, integrated, and sustainable take on agriculture.  This wine is 100% Malvasia Istriana, and the earliest record of this vine in the Istrian peninsula dates back to 1300.  The grapes are macerated at cool temperatures for 24 hours before pressing and fermentation, and 50% of the wine is fermented in large oak casks to add depth and complexity.  Fresh cut fruit and flowers dominate the aromatics and palate, with an added spice, orange jam, and a savory, earthy character on the finish.  Malvasia is an awesome but little known grape with a long history of making great wine! $47.98

 

 

 

Red

 

Ogier 2012 Syrah d'Ogier—Stephane Ogier is one of the finest producers in France right now, making wines from the Northern Rhône, and more specifically, Côte Rôtie. While this wine is not exactly Côte Rôtie, it is made with the same care and in the same facility as the top wines of this Domaine. Stephane is a young man who spends all day in the vineyards, and for those who have not visited the area we are talking about slopes that can exceed a 60% gradient. The Ogier red wines are based on the Syrah Grape, and offer amazing depth, polish, and balance. Syrah from the Northern Rhône is one of my favorite wines to suggest to customers who like Pinot Noir. These wines share a similar finesse to the wines of Burgundy and pair beautifully with grilled meats. $31.98

 

Anton Iby 2011 Blaufränkisch Hochäcker—In the middle of the red wine village of Horitschon lies Iby winery. Since the introduction of the appellation Mittelburgenland DAC they have places importance on a natural and organic vineyard management program, because quality starts in the soil and the vines.  For their incomparable wines, management without herbicides and synthetic chemicals, as well as no application of artificial fertilizers. Instead, organic treatments are used to combat disease, and insects are kept at bay with the application of pheromones. When needed, nutrients are supplied by a high-quality cattle dung compost. In the glass, look for a dark ruby garnet with a violet rim, dark core, and 'teardrops' which cling to the sides of the glass with a swirl, which are evidence of a high degree of ripeness and a high extract.   Very clean, clear fruit with pronounced aromas of fully ripe Morello cherries and shades of dark berries.  Dry with a mild acidity, very ripe tannin, very full-bodied and rich. Harmonious and long departure with a pleasant, lingering finish. This is a typical and traditional Blaufränkisch of the highest quality. $35.98

 

Flood 2013 Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir Black Label—After the Burgundy Festival in 2013, our owner, Master Sommelier Brett Zimmerman, spoke with Raj Parr about the idea of helping him produce a Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara.  Raj graciously helped to assemble a few barrels of Pinot Noir with the help of Sashi Moorman.  Similar in style the the  Sandhi wines, this ‘Black Label’ wine of Flood is a combination of four Sta. Rita Hills vineyard sources: Bent Rock, Rita’s Crown, Mount Carmel, and Wenzlau. The wine is fermented with 25% whole cluster for aromatics and elegance and then matured in 2-3 year old French Oak barrels for 12 months for added flavor and complexity.  Look for bright cherry, raspberry, and a touch of earth on the nose and a richer mouthfeel on the palate.  There were only 50 cases produced, so don’t miss this one! $45.98