Playlist

Montecucco region, Tuscany, Italy...100% Sangiovese. A relatively new DOC within the borders of Siena province and more within the Maremma, this particular offering is made by one of the prodigal small Brunello di Montalcino producers. Sage and violet-dominated scents with wild cherry fruit underneath. Luscious, round flavors are nicely buffered by a roasted coffee undertone. Quite a deep Tuscan wine with lots of serious underbelly for its price

Willamette Valley, Oregon...100% Pinot Noir. Over the last decade Marcus Goodfellow and his instinctual winemaking abilities along with impeccable farming has led us to some stunning wines. 2011 is gonna be one of our great vintages. Lazarus is an appealing, extremely well-crafted Pinot that performs mightily but never overacts. Stylish red and blackcurrant fruit permeates from the glass and is enhanced by intertwined cinnamon, violet and red earth which follows into a smooth, velvet-laden mouthfilling texture that seduces, lingers and calls you back for another glass.

Rhône Valley, France... 80% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, Carignan and actually some white grapes making up the rest. All of the fruit comes from 3 diverse CDR growing areas: the Vaucluse, the Gard (western bank of Rhone River) and the Drome (the Northern portion of the Rhône). Killer juice that shows aromatic and soulful cherry, soulful provençal earth tones, herbs, spices, almost a hint of peach skin and the tell-tale Grenache peppery aspect. Succulent, mouth-filling along with plenty of elevation, this is an excellent Côtes-du-Rhône that will pair well with numerous dishes both classic Southern French to Asian-inspired cuisine.

Uco Valley, Argentina...100% Malbec. Specific-site Malbec with stony vineyards situated at 900 meters. Sculpted, muscular and yet still maintaining debonair refinement, this wine is a huge uptick from their Clasico version. Blackberry, violet, briar and combining oak-spice with earth/mineral/spice. Rich, full-flavored and laden with vivacious red tones throughout and finishing with strawberry/balsamico aspects that fan out nicely. Very sultry and full of character, one sees why this is one of the premier addresses in Argentina!

Sicily, Italy, specifically the Cerasuolo di Vittoria region in the Southeast...70% Nero d'Avola, 30% Frappatto. Super-cool, super exciting wine from a superb producer in what is quickly becoming one of Sicily’s most prolific growing regions. We want you to have this fragrant, detonating in the mouth red wine in your glass! Full of vibrant, crunchy cherry fruit, smoke, pepper and underlying plum tones that follow through to a texture that tingles and fills the mouth without being tannic or heavy. Perfect for drinking over the next 3-5 years with fish and tomato dishes.

Bordeaux, France, 2km north of St-Estephe...30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 48% Merlot, 2% Petite Verdot. We save the best for last on this sampler and if this wine were made in St-Estephe and not just outside the border, it would be $62 and not $32!! From the first moment of tasting, the quality of this wine instantly seduces and will blow your socks off. Loaded with the engaging red fruits, smoke, engaging cooking herbs, potpourri-spice and dark chocolate tones. Rather succulent texture, comes in waves, really fills the mouth and has ample, underlying structure that will allow it to develop nicely. Decant about an hour in advance if you wish to open one now. Do have it with pan-roasted beef dish or soft-ripened cheese...or cellar it and enjoy it through 2020+.