Friday Sips
FRIDAY SIPS
The "Last Chance Summer Rose Lap Dance" Tasting
Today August 12 from 1:30 - 6:30
The "Last Chance Summer Rose Lap Dance" Tasting
Today August 12 from 1:30 - 6:30
The last full-on Pink Parade of 2016 and we've saved the best for last. Come in today to taste 4 slamming dry pink wines that exude summer and will carry over into the fall. Of course there will be a red for those who are possessed by pink paranoia.
2015 TERRE NERE ETNA ROSE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
One of Italy’s most fashionable wine regions is Etna, which runs through the valleys and hills from the sea to Mt. Etna and is often referred to as a Mediterranean Burgundy. Many outsiders from Tuscany and other regions of Italy are buying land here due to the burgeoning reputation and early signs of impeccable quality. One such outsider is famed Italian Wine Broker Marco de Grazia and almost instantly, recognition came due to the estate's impeccable quality.
The most amazing thing about this Rose, made since 2007, is that the grapes for this wine are specified to be Rose and are from 55-year-old vines. 100% Nerello Mascalese and 100% delicious, this wine from volcanic soils succeeds where so many non-traditional Italian pink wines fail to do, which is to provide pleasure yet provide ample detail with varietal presence. This rose absolutely builds as it unfolds in the glass. Pliant, bright and teeming with cherry pit, blueberries and plenty of smoky and savory aspects from Etna’s volcanic soils. Lovely presence on the palate, this wine stretches out nicely on the palate and bursts into being vivacious and mouthwatering on the home stretch. Flavorful and fun yet with no shortage of sophistication this Rose will pair well with mussels, grilled shrimp, roasted or grilled chicken with Italian herb. Also is quite an enchanting drink on its own.
The most amazing thing about this Rose, made since 2007, is that the grapes for this wine are specified to be Rose and are from 55-year-old vines. 100% Nerello Mascalese and 100% delicious, this wine from volcanic soils succeeds where so many non-traditional Italian pink wines fail to do, which is to provide pleasure yet provide ample detail with varietal presence. This rose absolutely builds as it unfolds in the glass. Pliant, bright and teeming with cherry pit, blueberries and plenty of smoky and savory aspects from Etna’s volcanic soils. Lovely presence on the palate, this wine stretches out nicely on the palate and bursts into being vivacious and mouthwatering on the home stretch. Flavorful and fun yet with no shortage of sophistication this Rose will pair well with mussels, grilled shrimp, roasted or grilled chicken with Italian herb. Also is quite an enchanting drink on its own.
2015 DOMAINE LAFOND TAVEL ROSE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Drinking Tavel It is sort of like listening to The Stooges seminal album ‘Funhouse’, thrills and chills will result when you slam it back! For years, we have been very happy with Pascal Lafond's results. Tavel always has loads of depth and color, although Lafond's version always maintains its underbelly of briskness. After visiting the Domaine as well as the beautiful village of Tavel last year, I garnered newfound respect and knowledge for this appellation that is solely Rose. The limestone vineyards is what drives these wines and if I had my dithers, I would be serving you all 2014 today instead of 2015.
However, I digress and move on to the description of the very fine 2015. Red cherry, wind-swept herbs, citrus and plenty of violet aromas shout out for you to take a big swig. Completely dry, generous and mouth filling, but so invigorating, zesty and bursting from front to back. Brilliant ripeness, but brilliantly balanced, this Rosé is another winner from one of our favorite Provençal Domaines. If you love rose, you want some of this, it is terrific, full of flavor and intensity and is what Tavel is all about, une rose pour le repas. Enjoy this fantastic wine with halibut and serve the fish over a bed of green veggies, perhaps in its juices and with a string of saffron. Also fantastic with white meats and soft ripened cheeses.
However, I digress and move on to the description of the very fine 2015. Red cherry, wind-swept herbs, citrus and plenty of violet aromas shout out for you to take a big swig. Completely dry, generous and mouth filling, but so invigorating, zesty and bursting from front to back. Brilliant ripeness, but brilliantly balanced, this Rosé is another winner from one of our favorite Provençal Domaines. If you love rose, you want some of this, it is terrific, full of flavor and intensity and is what Tavel is all about, une rose pour le repas. Enjoy this fantastic wine with halibut and serve the fish over a bed of green veggies, perhaps in its juices and with a string of saffron. Also fantastic with white meats and soft ripened cheeses.
2015 ROCCA DI MONTEGROSSI
TOSCANA ROSE
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
TOSCANA ROSE
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
There is no more succinct way to put it: Marco Ricasoli is a badass - and his wines are, too! We have been working with this cat's Chianti wines for over 15 years and have yet to be disappointed. Based in Gaiole in Chianti, Marco produces wines from his small estate that are exhilarating from top to bottom.
Something riveting is Rocca di Montegrossi’s Toscana Rose. Honestly, this wine should be called Chianti Classico Riserva Rosato since the grapes all come from the specific single vineyard of San Marcellino within the Classico zone. Alas, there is no such designation but nonetheless, it is flavorful, distinguished and full of pleasure. 90% Sangiovese 10% Canaiolo, made partially utilizing direct press, and the remaining portion done via the salasso technique. Only about 800 cases produced for the world, Montegrossi’s Rose is consistently hailed as one of Italy's finest pink wines. Ample aromas of bing cherry, savory herbs, lilac and spiced earth. Superb intensity yet very luminating and brisk with wonderful extension; enjoyable now and over the next 12-18 months. Fine now with grilled prawns, grilled salmon without a board, an intense pecorino cheese or hold it until Thanksgiving and drink it with your turkey. Mamma Mia!!
Something riveting is Rocca di Montegrossi’s Toscana Rose. Honestly, this wine should be called Chianti Classico Riserva Rosato since the grapes all come from the specific single vineyard of San Marcellino within the Classico zone. Alas, there is no such designation but nonetheless, it is flavorful, distinguished and full of pleasure. 90% Sangiovese 10% Canaiolo, made partially utilizing direct press, and the remaining portion done via the salasso technique. Only about 800 cases produced for the world, Montegrossi’s Rose is consistently hailed as one of Italy's finest pink wines. Ample aromas of bing cherry, savory herbs, lilac and spiced earth. Superb intensity yet very luminating and brisk with wonderful extension; enjoyable now and over the next 12-18 months. Fine now with grilled prawns, grilled salmon without a board, an intense pecorino cheese or hold it until Thanksgiving and drink it with your turkey. Mamma Mia!!
2015 CHATEAU PESQUIE
VENTOUX ROSE 'LES TERRASSES'
SPECIAL - $10.99 BTL./$131.88 CASE
VENTOUX ROSE 'LES TERRASSES'
SPECIAL - $10.99 BTL./$131.88 CASE
The wine world has known for years that Château Pesquie's Ventoux Rouge is one of the planet's greatest values. We're going to let you in on a little secret, this estate also happens to make one of Provence's most delightful dry rose wines, too.
50% Cinsault, 40% Grenache, 10% Syrah and directly pressed after a few hours on the skins. Instantly, the wine reveals not only a shocking pink color, but also jolting scents of red fruits, hawthorn, herbes-de-provence and an underlying minerality. Excellent depth and persistence with loads of thrust and briskness, a multi-faceted and seriously yummy rose that is high on the pleasure factor and exactly what the Brits would refer to as ‘jolly good’. From start to finish, this wine is refreshing and invigorating stuff that cries out for you to slam it, and then pour another glass or six. An excellent grilled seafood wine; it may also be enjoyed on the deck with a bunch of wine guzzling friends. This one is on quite the special deal at the moment and there is a bit left. We’ll pour it today until it runs out.
50% Cinsault, 40% Grenache, 10% Syrah and directly pressed after a few hours on the skins. Instantly, the wine reveals not only a shocking pink color, but also jolting scents of red fruits, hawthorn, herbes-de-provence and an underlying minerality. Excellent depth and persistence with loads of thrust and briskness, a multi-faceted and seriously yummy rose that is high on the pleasure factor and exactly what the Brits would refer to as ‘jolly good’. From start to finish, this wine is refreshing and invigorating stuff that cries out for you to slam it, and then pour another glass or six. An excellent grilled seafood wine; it may also be enjoyed on the deck with a bunch of wine guzzling friends. This one is on quite the special deal at the moment and there is a bit left. We’ll pour it today until it runs out.
