White

 

Cantina Tramin 2014 Pinot Bianco "Moriz”—Cantina Tramin embodies the typical features of Alto Adige, in north eastern Italy: the charm of nature and its ability to engage the senses, a creative and precise approach to consistent, quality production, and the ability to create a system based on cooperation. Among the oldest and most traditional wineries in Südtirol - Alto Adige, Cantina Tramin is based in Termeno on the Strada del Vino. The owners of the winery are the 300 growers who farm vineyards in the sub-zones of Termeno, Ora, Montagna and Egna. The winery produces an average of 1.8 million bottles per year; approximately 75% of production is for the Italian market, and the remaining 25% is for export. The wines have been awarded the prestigious Tre Bicchieri twenty times, becoming a 2 star winery (less then 30 in all over Italy), and Cantina Tramin is consistently cited by international food and wine guides as one of Italy’s top quality wineries. Cantina Tramin operates along the entire value chain: production, vinification and distribution are handled internally by a professional, passionate staff. Pinot Bianco is part of the Burgundian Pinot family and is related to Pinot Grigio and the principal grape of Pinot family, Pinot Noir. As a wine, Pinot Blanc feels fresh and rich yet dry. It has a greenish yellow to light yellow color and light scents of green apple and yellow fruit. The wine also shows a complex nutty flavor and hints of green leaves. On the palate, it is balanced between richness of texture and bright acidity. $33.98

 

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

 

Lieu Dit 2013 Sauvignon Blanc—Lieu Dit is a partnership of longtime friends Eric Railsback and Justin Willett. The two met in Santa Barbara while Eric was finishing college and Justin was just beginning his career in winemaking. The two were among a small group of young winemakers and restaurateurs in Santa Barbara unified by a common interest in wine and all its mysteries. After countless bottles shared together and many trips to France, Railsback and Willett decided to found Lieu Dit in 2011 and focus it solely in the varieties indigenous to the Loire Valley, now grown in Santa Barbara County. The varied micro-climates and marine based soils of Santa Barbara County are ideally suited to this set of grapes. Lieu Dit centers on Sauvignon Blanc and more limited bottlings of Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc and Rose and produces around 2500 cases annually. Each vintage, the quest for purity, elegance, and balance in every wine is paramount. On the nose and palate find bright, lemony stones, tea, freshly cut grass and gooseberries, the hallmarks of a cooler climate Sauvignon.  There is real tension in the elemental make up of this wine, with a touch of creaminess in the finish.  I've quickly become a fan of Lieu Dit, and will continue to seek out their wines.
Price: $38.98

 

 

Red

 

Meritxell Pallejà 2012'Nita' Priorat—Located in Catalonia in north eastern Spain, Priorat came to international attention the mid-1990's for their powerful red wines based on Grenache. The region is characterized by the unique terroir of black slate and quartz, know locally as llicorella. It is one of only two regions in Spain to qualify as DOCa, the highest level of wine region according to Spanish regulations. On the nose and palate, this wine is definitively Spanish. While Grenache of similar character is grown in other places, most notably the southern Rhone valley in France, Spanish examples always seem to have a place to them. Underneath the abundance of cherry, red fruit, spice, and fennel find the warm dusty baked earth present in so many Spanish Garnachas. On the palate find a continuance of the fruit, spice, and earth of the nose with a juicy food friendly acidity. $33.98

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

Guglierame 2012 Ormeasco di Pornassio—The AA Guglierame Winery, currently run by brothers and sister, Raffaele, Agostino and Elisa Guglierame, comprises approximately 2.5 hectares of vineyards, passed down from generation to generation, by the Marquises of Clavesana. The cultivation of the Ormeasco vine was introduced in 1299 with the Statute of the Gestores Universitatis Pornaxi drafted by the Notary Gandalini. Ormeasco wine has received recognition by being accorded its own D.O.C status, called Ormeasco di Pornassio. Ormeasco wine has a dry, slightly bitter taste which, combined with its aroma, makes it extremely pleasant. It is still today produced in the ancient wine cellars of the Mediaeval Castle of Pornassio, using traditional methods and aged in oak barrels of medium capacity to improve its quality, which is optimised with ageing. With a ruby red colour, vinous aroma and dry, pleasant and slightly bitter flavour, fairly full-bodied, it is a wine that goes well, served at room temperature, with game, roasts and meat in general. $46.98