Cider

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C Squared Cider ‘Ella’ Denver, Colorado $7.75

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C-Squared Cider coming out of Denver is an unstoppable force of impressive quality

ciders. Ella is a refreshing style of IPA cider, a dry hopped flavor similar to the style used with beer production.  Using Ella hops (from Australia) and Azacca hops (from the United States), this cider has a very interesting and complex palate. Ella gives off

fantastic floral and spice notes on the nose, whereas Azacca brings out more of a citrus and mango essence in the cider. 500ml

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Rosé

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2014 Domaine Comte Abbatucci “Faustine” Vieilles Vignes Rosé, Corsica $56.98

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In the colorful, picturesque city of Ajaccio, capital of Corsica, you can’t get very far without seeing the name Abbatucci. There are streets, monuments and plazas that carry the name, which is normal given that General Jean-Charles Abbatucci from Ajaccio was a hero of the French Revolution and comrade in arms of another local hero, Napoléon Bonaparte. Step into a wine bar or a restaurant there, chances are these days they’ll pour you a glass of Domaine Abbatucci. The domaine is run by Jean-Charles Abbatucci, a direct descendant of the General, who has now become a local hero of another kind—for providing the local populace with its most sought-after libation.

 

Farmed Biodynamically, Cuvee Faustine Rose is made from 100% Sciaccarello, a grape native to Tuscany and known there as Mammolo.  18 hectares with an average age of 20 year old vines, the grapes are lightly pressed, vinified in stainless steel, and aged for 6 months on its lees.  Red fruits and rose petals waft from the glass with fresh notes of peach, apricot and white flower on the palate.  

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White

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2013 Domaine Ciringa, ‘Fosilni Breg’ Sauvignon Blanc, Slovenia $28.98

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In 2009, the Tement family, a 3rd generation farming and winemaking family synonymous with great Austrian wine, had the opportunity to purchase a vineyard site bordering their famed Zierrig vineyard on their Austrian estate across the border in Slovenia.  From this acquisition, Domaine Ciringa was born. 

Located on a large steep hill, once a massive coral reef under the ocean, the 20 hectare, single vineyard Fosilni Breg (fossil mountain), is an exceptional plot planted to Sauvignon Blanc.  The fossil depicted on the Ciringa label is a photograph of a fossil found in the vineyard and represents the importance of the coral shell and limestone soil in crafting terroir driven mineral rich wines. 

 

Committed to biodynamic farming practices, winemaker Armin Tement, creates a Sauvignon Blanc speaking less of fruit and more of its sea inspired minerality. Flinty on the nose with a puristic chalky minerality on the palate, this youthful, bright, crisp wine exhibits aromas of peaches, dog rose, herb, and pepper with light grapefruit, orange and lemon shining through on the palate.

 

2014 Ingrid Groiss, Dorflagen Gemischter Satz, Austria $31.98

 

Ingrid Groiss is a young, vivacious female winemaker, living in the Weinviertel, the oldest wine-growing district in Austria. Her relationship with the Weinviertel runs deep, as her parents and grandmother owned vineyards for many years, making wine for their local country wine tavern, traditionally known as a Heuriger. It took Ingrid some time before returning to her roots and taking on the life of a winemaker, whereby she had to blaze her own trail within the family business. Wines of expressive terroir have come to symbolize Ingrid’s craft technique, and deservedly, a dedicated following has ensued. The indigenous vineyard hare, gracing her labels, is symbolic of her dedication to harmony with nature and her connection to this delightful creature that flourishes in her gardens.

 

The Dorflagen Gemischter Satz is a wine crafted from a single vineyard of 50 year old grapes vines planted to 17 different grape varietals ranging from well-known varieties, Chardonnay, Riesling, Gruner Veltliner, Pinot Blanc etc. to lesser-known, ancient varieties.  The combination of these 17 varietals creates an elegant, characterful and complex wine displaying a multi-layered bouquet of quince, yellow plum, peaches, citrus, and fresh herbs.  Similar fruit purity travels to the palate with a touch of apricot and generous mineral tones.

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2014 Domaine Vacheron, Sancerre, Loire Valley, France $51.98

 

An elite property and an exceptional winemaking family, Domaine Vacheron was established in 1900 and produces both white and red wines exclusively farmed using biodynamic principles.  With some of the most coveted parcels in Sancerre, Domaine Vacheron has recently adopted a more Burgundian approach with parcels being vinified separately and blends varying from year to year.  However, soil structure is really what separates this estate apart from the rest. Unlike most of Sancerre, which lies on chalk soils, Domaine Vacheron is planted on silex, flint over a clay and limestone base. The silex soil, once covered by the ocean, contains millions of tiny oceanic fossils producing wines remarkable minerality and acidity and trademark smoky aromas.

 

The 2014 Sancerre is made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc with vines aged 30 to 50 years old.  The grapes are hand-harvested, fermented on indigenous yeasts and bottled unfined and unfiltered.  The wine has aromas of grapefruit and gunflint with flavors of lemons and limes, sea salt and a variety of different pears.  A perfect pairing for dishes with fresh green veggies, herbs, and goat cheese!

 

Red

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2014 La Font du Loup, Cotes du Rhone, Rhone Valley, France  $27.98

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Château de la Font du Loup literally translates as “Fountain of the Wolf”. The name, according to local folklore, dates back to a time when wolves drank from the various springs located on the property. Château de la Font du Loup came into being when it was purchased by the Melia family in 1942, however, it took until 1979 before the first estate-bottled wines appeared.

 

Château de la Font du Loup owns 19.5 hectares of vines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape: One hectare is devoted to the production of white wine while the remaining 18.5 hectares are used for planting grapes suited for red Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine. This includes a 4-hectare parcel of old vine Grenache that was purchased in 1992. The vineyards are organically farmed.

 

Produced from 50 year old vines, this Cotes du Rhone is a blend of 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah.  Red and black fruit aromas along with lavender floral notes give way to a medium-bodied, fresh wine with silky smooth tannins. Black cherry liqueur, ripe black plum black raspberry and hints of savory spice linger on the palate that exhibits considerable elegance and finesse. 

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2014 Bellus, Scopello Frappato, Sicily $36.98

 

Bellus Wines, founded by Jordan Salcito (then sommelier at Eleven Madison Park; now Beverage Director at Momofuku) is a socially and environmentally conscious wine company that makes organically grown, terroir driven wines in collaboration with partner wineries around the globe.

 

Often featured at the Boulder Wine Merchant, Jordan’s wines are of superb quality and outstanding value.

 

The 2014 Scopello (a name that references rock formations off the coast) is made from 100% Frappato grapes grown organically in Vittoria, in southern Sicily. In addition to being a delicious representation of Frappato, a percentage of Scopello proceeds are donated to Nomogaia, an NGO that pushes multi-national corporations to respect human rights.

Bellus Frappato is a complex, mineral driven, bright red wine whose palate is rife with cherry, fresh strawberry, dried rose petals, fresh herbs and limestone. 

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2010 Remelluri Rioja Reserva, Spain $64.98

 

Tracing its roots back to the 14th century, Remelluri was established in 1967 devoting itself to reclaiming and restoring the original vineyards to their former glory. Using organic and sustainable farming methods, the producer crafts wines that begin in the vineyards. The grapes are hand picked, fermented with indigenous yeasts, and aged for 17 months in new and used oak barrels of various sizes. These methods yield a clean yet traditional take on Rioja. Tart cherry, raspberry, vanilla, leather, and red flowers dance forth on the aroma and palate. Lower alcohol and higher acidity serve to make this a very food friendly wine.