Friday Sips
FRIDAY SIPS
Bryan’s Belated 50th Celebration Tasting & Party
Bryan’s Belated 50th Celebration Tasting & Party
Drop by today to celebrate Bryan’s birthday that ends in a zero featuring some of his favorites. There will be cake and plenty of tall tales to be had along with excellent wine.
Since the holiday weekend occurred for the actual day, we’re pouring the good stuff today so come on in, taste some great wine and raise a toast!
2005 GALET DES PAPES
CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 'TRADITION'
$44.99 BTL./$269.94 - SIX PACK
CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 'TRADITION'
$44.99 BTL./$269.94 - SIX PACK
Hey kids, it’s library time! Once again, Jean-Luc Mayard has allowed us to pilfer an older version from the annals of his cellar. Back in May, Karen, Michael and I visited the Domaine and had the chance to experience this particular wine, which was absolutely stunning. This wine should never be referred as the Vieilles Vignes little brother because there are vintages where it is the equal of the VV and some years where it will actually surpass it in quality. The main reason and difference that it is called Cuvee Tradition is the classic use of 80% Grenache instead of 60%. The vines here are also 50+ and the wine is a very different but equally delicious version that fans of mature wines will adore.
2005 is quite a renowned vintage and is certainly one of structure. We sold the 2005 Vieilles Vignes a few years back and after recently trying one, it is still really young. This is due to all of the Mourvedre in the blend. In contrast, the 2005 Cuvee Tradition is symphonic. Very powerful, traditional aromas of perfumed strawberry, grenadine and sandalwood scents. Seemingly jacked with aromatic lavender and rosemary along with North African spices and white pepper, this wine has depth, personality and certainly the backbone that is indicative of the 2005 vintage. As it airs, it continues to open, unfold and expand, especially on the finish that is now showing tertiary aspects of spice, hot rock and succulent fruit. Galet wines are chameleons when it comes to food. The Cuvee Tradition drinks beautifully now and will continue onward for another 6-8 more years. Enjoy with grilled or braised lamb, rib eye, a sausage/lentil casserole or finish with a dense cheese. ONLY 20 SIX PACKS ARE AVAILABLE AND THEY WILL GO QUICKLY!
2005 is quite a renowned vintage and is certainly one of structure. We sold the 2005 Vieilles Vignes a few years back and after recently trying one, it is still really young. This is due to all of the Mourvedre in the blend. In contrast, the 2005 Cuvee Tradition is symphonic. Very powerful, traditional aromas of perfumed strawberry, grenadine and sandalwood scents. Seemingly jacked with aromatic lavender and rosemary along with North African spices and white pepper, this wine has depth, personality and certainly the backbone that is indicative of the 2005 vintage. As it airs, it continues to open, unfold and expand, especially on the finish that is now showing tertiary aspects of spice, hot rock and succulent fruit. Galet wines are chameleons when it comes to food. The Cuvee Tradition drinks beautifully now and will continue onward for another 6-8 more years. Enjoy with grilled or braised lamb, rib eye, a sausage/lentil casserole or finish with a dense cheese. ONLY 20 SIX PACKS ARE AVAILABLE AND THEY WILL GO QUICKLY!
2014 KELLEY FOX
PINOT NOIR 'MIRABAI'
$31.99 BTL./$383.88 CASE
PINOT NOIR 'MIRABAI'
$31.99 BTL./$383.88 CASE
Kelley Fox is a bit of an Oregon icon whose wines are highly sought-after due to numerous accolades and limited production. Along with working as winemaker at Scott Paul wines, Kelley makes bits of her own wine from two hallowed sites. Intense, poetic, charming, full of fury. These words describe the woman and are words to describe these limited wines. A mere 388 cases of this Pinot were produced, 14 barrels of fruit from Maresh Vineyard (plots planted in 1978, 1974 and 1970) then augmented with two barrels of Momtazi Vineyard fruit that was planted in 1999. Kelley’s touch between gentleness and intensity are prominent on this top-level 2014.
Tasting notes from Kelley: ‘This one reminds me of being in a field of sun-warmed Hood strawberries after a June rain. The field in its wholeness. The mouth has the classic, enduring Maresh silk with a lovely weight without the heaviness. It has more of a powdery soft minerality than the typical wet stone kind of Momtazi. There is a slight salinity. An ocean-y feeling not unlike when the heavy rainclouds roll into the vineyard from the Pacific bring the smell and taste of fresh sea air. The 2014 is as fresh-feeling as that, with lots of beautiful energy and the knowing that comes from old vines. It is long and sits with you even as it moves.’
Tasting notes from Kelley: ‘This one reminds me of being in a field of sun-warmed Hood strawberries after a June rain. The field in its wholeness. The mouth has the classic, enduring Maresh silk with a lovely weight without the heaviness. It has more of a powdery soft minerality than the typical wet stone kind of Momtazi. There is a slight salinity. An ocean-y feeling not unlike when the heavy rainclouds roll into the vineyard from the Pacific bring the smell and taste of fresh sea air. The 2014 is as fresh-feeling as that, with lots of beautiful energy and the knowing that comes from old vines. It is long and sits with you even as it moves.’
2015 GIOVANNI ALMONDO ARNEIS
'BRICCO CILIEGIE'
$19.99 BTL./$119.94 - SIX PACK
'BRICCO CILIEGIE'
$19.99 BTL./$119.94 - SIX PACK
The Almondo family has been farming this land for three centuries but Giovanni Almondo was the first to make wine. His son Domenico started producing wine in 1980 from grapes that his papa used to sell off in bulk. By 1984, he was selling to the US, Switzerland and others and the reputation of the estate soared. Now joined by his two sons, Domenico’s wines continue to impress. Based in Monta in Piedmont’s Roero region, these are some of the finest white wines emerging from this famed region. One of the prized jewels in the Almondo lineup is the Bricco delle Ciliegie. 11 acres of vines encompass a hill that up until 70 years ago was farmed with cherries (hence the name Ciliegie). Spread out over several parcels, the soils at this site change like an obstacle course and they all play a vital role within the wine.
Gorgeously ripe and stunningly balanced with a flood of blood orange, lemongrass, starfruit, and mineral on the nose. In the mouth it is dazzling, dry and brisk, but with no shortage of depth and flavor. Fantastic white for roasted, barbequed or deep fried bird or with seafood especially seared tuna in an Asian prep or fried calamari.
Gorgeously ripe and stunningly balanced with a flood of blood orange, lemongrass, starfruit, and mineral on the nose. In the mouth it is dazzling, dry and brisk, but with no shortage of depth and flavor. Fantastic white for roasted, barbequed or deep fried bird or with seafood especially seared tuna in an Asian prep or fried calamari.
CHAMPAGNE DEUTZ
BRUT CLASSIC
$39.99 BTL./$239.94 - SIX PACK
BRUT CLASSIC
$39.99 BTL./$239.94 - SIX PACK
A sneak preview of our holiday Champagne selection! Roederer bought Champagne Deutz in 1993 and while this house has always been a strong performer, the infusion of energy and cash from a larger Champagne house has brought this Äy-based to incredible prominence in a short period.
Deutz is left to stand on its own merits and not be ‘Roederer, Jr’. The one influence of Roederer is their philosophy of extended aging on the non-vintage Brut that carried over to Deutz. This cuvee is aged 36 months on its lees before disgorgement and the result is a bubbly of significance and finesse! Roughly, one-third each of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier allow beautiful qualities of seductively rich, creamy, green apple-marmalade fruit to shine on the nose. In the mouth, the bubbles are creamy and refined and show tightly focused breadth of flavor. The finish is long, drawn out and calls you back for another glass!
Deutz is left to stand on its own merits and not be ‘Roederer, Jr’. The one influence of Roederer is their philosophy of extended aging on the non-vintage Brut that carried over to Deutz. This cuvee is aged 36 months on its lees before disgorgement and the result is a bubbly of significance and finesse! Roughly, one-third each of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier allow beautiful qualities of seductively rich, creamy, green apple-marmalade fruit to shine on the nose. In the mouth, the bubbles are creamy and refined and show tightly focused breadth of flavor. The finish is long, drawn out and calls you back for another glass!
