Friday Sips

2014 CHATEAU PEY-MARTIN
MEDOC ROUGE
$15.99 BTL./$191.88 CASE

We constantly hear from our different sales folk, "Tell me a 'insert wine here' that is better than this one is for this price." Truthfully, if we hear this one more time, we might have to resume the beatings. Chateau Pey Martin is in the Northern part of the Medoc vineyard with the Gironde Estuary directly to the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. This friendly geographical location; surrounded by water, protects the wines and moderates the climate and the soil a mix of gravel and clayey limestone.

Cabernet Sauvignon (50%, with 40% Merlot & 10% Cab Franc) shows itself immediately. Cassis and blackberry, very engaging. Underlying mineral and plum with just a kiss of oak. Lush entry, some marine aspects, finesse and smoothed out. This is the perfect bistro Bordeaux! Drink over the next 3-5 years...or 3-5 hours since it goes down so easily.

2016 GIOVANNI ALMONDO ARNEIS
'BRICCO CILIEGIE'
$19.99 BTL./$119.94 - SIX PACK

We have heard that there have been many troubled wine drinking souls out there. In response, the Reverend Du Vin has set up a help line with a direct contact to the Arneis Lord Almighty Himself, Domenico Almondo. Since we are the self-proclaimed moral compasses of troubled wine drinking souls, we know that both the saved and the heathens could use a little spiritual guidance (and a corkscrew). Indeed, a bottle or six of this offering will certainly lead to the path of salvation! Oh yes, Visa and MasterCard are accepted.

There is Arneis then there is Almondo Arneis. Sometimes one visits a wine region and tastes many great wines but there are always eye-opening, tuning fork moments. This was one of them from my visit to Piedmont back in May and one that I have been impatiently waiting to share with yinz all. All of the property is within the village of Monta and is at the highest point of the Roero. Bricco Ciliegie is a site that has sand but what makes it very individual is the presence of limestone with some clay. Blitzing mineral and energy present with underlying scents of lemon and apricot and gentle touches of saline. The entry is round and expansive then picking up nerve and livewire character that lifts the wine and fills the mouth with joy. Kisses of honey and fennel beam on the finish, but what really sets it off is the stoniness and brilliant persistence. Again, I cannot say enough just how excited I am to feature and pour this wine today. Dungeness crab is coming (albeit late) and it will work with scallops or seabass. For the adventurous cook, try with a seafood risotto with asparagus.

2015 BUCCI VERDICCHIO
DI CASTELLI DEI JESI
SPECIAL - $17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE

Around here, we never show restraint when it comes to us having great affinity towards Verdicchio from the Le Marches region of Italy. Some things remain very consistent throughout life. Death, taxes, Big 10 football programs lack of speed, the horror of Portland drivers when there is a dusting of snow, and in this case (and most importantly) the high quality of Bucci’s Verdicchio and whenever we have a chance to have some on a special we jump!

It is always human nature to have comparisons but in this case, we would say Bucci’s classic version betters so many others Riserva bottlings. This small, mighty and influential producer makes a mere 8000 cases spread over three different wines with the Classico taking the role of the driver. Ravishing aromas of mineral, crustaceans, lemongrass, underlying yellow flowers, anise and limestone show off from the moment it is poured into the glass. In the mouth it presents laser-beam focus, terroir-specific, energetic and revealing plenty of old-vine depth and character all in a precise package. Normally $25, at $18 this is a perfect steal for any seafood feed.

PLUS A ROTATING RED WINE SELECTION

Could be Burgundy, Barolo, Chianti...all depends on our holiday whims and attitudes
PRICE

COMING NEXT FRIDAY
December 21

Bring Your Friends & Family To Friday Sips
New Arrivals from France
Four New Arrivals from our friend Chad Zimmerman, the Animaux du Vin.