Monthly Playlist for OCTOBER
An exciting new feature that is replacing the now retired 6 for 60 something sampler. A slightly different look and irreverent format with better choices that are important to us: wine, food, music, washing your car, etc.
The Monthly Playlist will take you on a wine trip and will always be in or around $75-$85 and feature at least 6 wines.
Ordering is easy, just click on the link at the bottom.
If you want to sign up to receive it monthly without having to respond, just drop an e-mail and say "Hook Me up, Bryan!"
This sampler also makes a great gift and we can do it for a recipient over any length of time you'd like, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months or a year. Read further and fascinate your wine minds!!
SIX WINE PLAYLIST - $77.00
Easy to order - just click on the link at the bottom...as always - all selections are available separately or by the case, too
2010 DOMAINE LABARTHE GAILLAC
If this wine were a movie setting it would be the epic western, The Wild Bunch. Made without the household name grapes but several gunslingers that have what I refer to is ‘a real taste of France'.
Where It's From: SW France's Gaillac region
Grape(s): Bracoul, Duras and Syrah.
Aromas and Flavors: Spices and wild little red fruits. Mineral, sanguine and licorice. Supple, round and amply brisk indeed.
Food Choices: Duck, pork belly, soft-ripened cheese, smooth pate, pretty much anything that's bad for the blood sugar but good for the soul.
Music Choices: 'Adieu Mon Coeur' from Edith Piaf because like the tortured chanteuse, this wine really grows on you. 'Da Funk' by Daft Punk. The French robots made electronica very user-friendly and this wine combines accessibility and tasty groove-alicious funk.
2013 RENEGADE WINE COLUMBIA VALLEY RED
Made by Sleight of Hand Cellars this one doesn't declare itself to ever be something that it isn't but still over-performs in comparison to many WA blends that fetch more money. A Bordeaux Grape Varietal denominations are represented.
Where It's From: Washington
Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot & Malbec.
Aromas and Flavors: Black cherry, blue tones, plenty of Washington dusty earth. More upscale depth than it ever should have for its price.
Food Choices: A big fat juicy burger with a side of tortilla chips and spicy salsa.
Music Choices: 'Run To The Hills' by Iron Maiden or Anthrax's 'Indians'. Sleight of Hand winemaker Trey Busch has been known to spin a heavy metal record or six and most likely ban smooth jazz at his Walla Walla-based winery and tasting room.
2013 PETRUCCO FRIULANO
Mouth-watering, clean, unoaked dry white wine made with one of the Friuli region's spiritual grapes.
Where It's From: NE Italy right at the border of Slovenia. Italian can be a 2nd language in this area.
Grape(s): Friulano or Tocai Friulano as it used to be known as before they won the rights to the name in the EU's steel cage wrestling match.
Aromas and Flavors: Peach, mineral, lemon, more mineral. Ultra-vivid, bone-dry, plenty of lift and sneaky depth.
Food Choices: Proscuitto di San Daniele or Proscuitto di Parma if you can't find San Daniele, the body and luminosity works beautifully with the salt and fat of the ham. Also fine with crustaceans like scallops or prawns.
Music Choices: 'Thin Lizzy's Black Rose: A Rock Legend'. Combines traditional Irish tunes with blazing guitars while being a brilliant, white hot mess in the most classic form. Probably their last great album.
2012 CHATEAU CADENETTE COSTIERES-DE-NIMES
A wine that may walk casually and smooth but also one that has a big voice.
Where It's From: Southern France, traipsing the border of Languedoc and the Rhone Valley.
Grape(s): Syrah & Grenache.
Aromas and Flavors: White pepper, black pepper, Szechuan pepper and then some plums and fine herbs. Warm, full, ever-pleasing but with a slight bit of attitude to let you know the spirit of the defining land.
Food Choices: Lamb, ratatouille, a wood-fired pizza.
Music Choices: Neko Case's 'The Tigers Have Spoken' or 'Middle Cyclone'. Hell, the mighty-voiced and beautiful Neko is so awesome she can sing the damn phone book and it would be perfect with this one.
2012 ANTICA ENOTRIA PUGLIA ROSSO
How can a full red wine from a warm growing area be a mere 12.5% alcohol and possess this much personality? Try one and find out!
Where It's From: Southern Italy on the Adriatic Coast, specifically Northern Puglia.
Grape(s): Montepulciano & Sangiovese.
Aromas and Flavors: Violets, forest spice, tangy herbs and earth. Bold, confident, bordering on cocky. Dry, hearty and with plenty of palate coverage.
Food Choices: Italian sausages, a plate of late-season tomatoes and mozzarella or a pasta with a lamb sugo jacked with chili peppers.
Music Choices: 'I Want You (She's So Heavy)' by The Beatles. Only 14 words are used. Sometimes that's all that needs to be said and this wine won't cut you off at the 7:44 minute mark.
2013 EMILIO MORO RIBERA DEL DUERO "RESALSO"
A swashbuckling selection from a very high-class, respectable neighborhood that doesn't break the bank or sacrifice any quality or character.
Where It's From: Ribera Del Duero region of Spain and for better or worse, home of many of Spain's greatest and sometimes most overpriced producers.
Grape(s): Todo Tempranillo.
Aromas and Flavors: Flamboyant and fragrant with flowers, Morello cherry, vanilla and licorice. Flavorful and intensely flavored and with plenty of vibrancy to back it up.
Food Choices: Grilled or seared pork chops with fennel or for the vegetarians a melange of roasted beet, fennel and hearty squashes.
Music Choices: 'I Want It All' by Queen. Like Freddy Mercury, Emilio Moro's wines are badass and never about subtlety.
Order the Playlist!
