This Week's News
FREE WINE TASTING - SATURDAY JULY 31
2009 LA SPINETTA VERMENTINO
2008 SANDRONE DOLCETTO D'ALBA
2007 SANDRONE BARBERA D'ALBA
2007 SANDRONE NEBBIOLO D'ALBA VALMAGGIORE
11:00 - 5:00 AT BOTH SHOPS
2009 LA SPINETTA VERMENTINO
Giorgio Rivetti of La Spinetta is one of Piemonte's superstars. Think of the the rhino label! After all the great Barbaresco La Spinetta has made over the past decade, we are pleased to introduce their first commercially released Tuscan coast white, the 2009 La Spinetta Vermentino. For those of you who have been purchasing Antinori's Guado al Tasso Vermentino these last few years, you simply must try Rivetti's version.
The 2009 La Spinetta Vermentino has a light straw gold color, a complex aroma with scents of rosemary and pine. It is a perfect example of what Vermentino should be, bursting with fruit and floral notes, and a mineral-driven flavor. Medium-bodied with fresh apricot and peach notes, crisp acidity, and a long finish-this is a lot of wine for $20.
2009 Casanova della Spinetta Vermentino Toscana 20.00 16.60VS
LUCIANO SANDRONE
One of the finest wines we've ever tasted is Luciano Sandrone's 1990 Barolo "Cannubi Boschis". Aromatics of rose, lilac, and violet precede the seamless, silky elegance and balance of this wine that defines perfection for the Nebbiolo grape. Because of strong worldwide demand, Sandrone wines have always been very limited in availability.
When we visited Luciano and his daughter Barbara at their spectacular new winery just outside the town of Barolo, our eyes widened and our jaws dropped. The combination of traditional methodology at this ultra-modern, state-of-the-art facility were a wonder to behold. Equally impressive was how it was impossible to purchase Sandrone wines in local enotecas (wines shops) and restaurants. We saw the wines of Conterno, Gaja and La Spinetta for sale. When we asked why there was no Sandrone to purchase, we were told you had to be a very special customer to get any. You had to be on "The List." We have been able to procure a limited amount of these stellar wines.
2008 Sandrone Dolcetto d'Alba 22.00 18.26VS
2007 Sandrone Barbera d'Alba 36.00 29.88VS
2007 Sandrone Nebbiolo d'Alba 'Valmaggiore' 43.00 35.69VS
Taste the above wines on Saturday July 31 at both shops from 11AM-5PM.
Also available for sale, but not part of Saturday's tasting:
2005 Sandrone Barolo 'Le Vigne' 135.00 112.05VS
2005 Sandrone Barolo 'Cannubi Boschis' 145.00 120.35VS
Also in Weekly News but not Part of Saturday's Tasting:
2008 DELILLE CHALEUR ESTATE BLANC - 23.95 NET
2009 DELILLE DOYENNE ROSE
2008 DeLille Chaleur Estate Blanc Columbia Valley 23.95 net
At a recent dinner at Emmer and Rye (great restaurant!), we bought a bottle of 2008 Chaleur Estate Blanc for $33 off of their Wednesday night "half price wine list". We normally retail it here in the shops for $35, so we thought this was a very good deal. Our wine knowlegeable out-of-town dinner guest went slightly nuts over it and proclaimed it one of the finest whites he had ever had from the United States. We tend to agree, as we consider it the finest Sauvignon/Semillon made in the US, and when tasted side by side with the best from white Bordeaux, it doesn't miss a beat.
When our friends at DeLille Cellars told us they were putting the last little bit on sale before the release of the 2009 vintage in August, we knew we needed to send this email.
The 2008 vintage of Chaleur Estate Blanc is a blend of 62% Sauvignon Blanc and 38% Semillon. It has citrus aromas of gooseberry, orange blossom and a bit of straw, with complex hints of grilled brioche and toasted almonds. The wine is rich and unctuous on the palate, complemented by a spring citrus note of ruby grapefruit, supported by Semillon-inspired notes of honey, fig, creme brulee, grilled nuts, and subtle tropical fruits. Vineyard sources include Boushey, Sagemoor and Klipsun.
"Sexy aromas of orange blossom and almond, plus a whiff of Rainier cherry. Sweet, concentrated and fat, with a subtle honeyed quality to the sexy fruit and smoke flavors. A leesy complexity adds to the wine's appeal. This boasts terrific intensity for Washington State white wine and finishes with superb persistence. The percentage of new oak used for this cuvee has declined steadily from 100% in 2005 to 60% in this 2008, and I applaud this strategy." - 93 points Tanzer
2009 DeLille Doyenne Rose 24.00 19.92VS
DeLille has also crafted a delicious rose, a blend of 49% Grenache, 39% Mourvèdre, and 12% Cinsault from Ciel du Cheval and Boushey fruit. This second vintage of Doyenne rose shows a nose of fresh strawberries, marionberries, strawberry leaf, cherry blossom and candied orange peel, and smells like summer in a glass. On the palate it expresses blackberries and earthy tones indicating the influence of Mourvedre. The red berries and a slight note of fresh tarragon hint at the Grenache, along with a pleasant juiciness suggesting Cinsault. The mouthfeel is silky and full bodied, reinforcing the high quality of fruit blended to create this refreshing rose.
2007 MCCARTHY & SCHIERING CABERNET SAUVIGNON
This is one of our favorite wines to sell each year, and clearly you agree, as it manages to sell out in a matter of weeks. Contractually we can't tell you who makes it, but if you knew, we could probably sell it all in matter of days, not weeks! Consider buying it by the case, or multiple cases. Amaze your friends with the quality. Stash a supply for parties, or to give away as corporate gifts during the December holiday season later this year.
2007 McCarthy & Schiering Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 22.95 net
The 2007 McCarthy & Schiering Cabernet Sauvignon has arrived in the shops. Produced for the fifth consecutive year by the Palette Wine Company of Snohomish, Washington, this Cabernet Sauvignon is a bold expression of Washington fruit from some of the state's best vineyards. Without question, the 2007 is the best of the five vintages. A total of 360 cases were made, and while this may sound like a lot, it will sell quickly. Last year's version sold out in 5 weeks! Since this wine arrived in the shops ten days ago, we have sold 215 cases, 60% of the entire supply for this year!