Hi there, Feastlings.
It turns out that while there are a cool half a dozen of us who can help you navigate your way through the wine list, there are three of us who ultimately make the decisions about what we offer here, whether it’s in the shop or on the wine list. And between the three of us, we taste an easy eighty wines a week. While this might sound like a treat to you, the shine fades from that apple after a couple of months- we feel like punching bags by the end of the day, even spitting our tastes- but every now and then a wine comes along that reminds you how delicious wine can be. This week, the three of us (Megan, Kevin and Doug) have each selected two of our faves to share with you. While they are by no means our only favorite wines on the list, each wine is special to one (or more) of us for one reason or another, and this Sunday at 3:30 pm, we’ll tell you why, and you’ll get to taste some delicious food that’s been specifically paired with each wine. Web and email reservations won’t hold you a place, so please call us at 326-9363 and we’ll make a reservation for you. Hope you can join us.
Staff Picks
2013 Domaine de Sainte Croix “La Croix Gratiot” Picpoul de Pinet $14.00
Bright yellow with green highlights, La Croix Gratiot offers up fleshy white pear with a hint of citrus. Rich, round mid-palate with saline coastal influences.
2013 Klein Constantia Sauvignon Blanc, Estate, WO Constantia $24.00
Crisp green notes on the nose are complimented by delectable tropical flavours of sweet melon, gooseberries and Kiwi fruit. Fresh acidity on the palate, together with great fruit intensity and classic Constantia minerality create a bold wine that is made to be enjoyed with food.
2012 Failla Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast $39.00
From Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate: 90 points. “The least expensive red (from Failla) is the 2012 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast, which offers soft, round berry fruit, pomegranate, plum and spice notes, a seductive, medium-bodied mouthfeel and decent acidity. Made from younger vines from numerous sources, it is a pretty Pinot to drink over the next 3-4 years. This is the personal project of Ehren Jordan, who was the long-time apprentice at Turley Cellars. These are all elegant, cool climate, finesse-styled wines that were obviously influenced by European rather than New World models. Jordan owns estate vineyards in the Fort Ross-Seaview AVA and purchased fruit from some of the top growers in that region. (RP)”
2012 Fratelli Revello Dolcetto d’Alba DOC $19.00
From the Wine Spectator: “Raspberry and blackberry flavors form the core of this juicy red, accented by iron and violet notes. Bright and focused, with a lingering finish. Drink now through 2018. 833 cases made. Score: 89. – Bruce Sanderson, March 31, 2014.”
2010 Gérard Bertrand “Château L’Hospitalet” Coteaux de Languedoc $22.00
Situated on the coast, Château de l’Hospitalet looks down on the Mediterranean from a height of a hundred metres. Having a semi-arid Mediterranean climate with mild winters, the vineyard enjoys exceptional climatic conditions: the quantity of sunshine and the heat stored during the day by the limestone and released to the grapes at night, and the effect of the Mediterranean which reduces temperature differences and the altitude which counteracts the summer heat.
Two types of soil contribute to the generosity, aromatic complexity and liveliness and freshness of this cuvée: the Gargasian marl-limestone at the foot of the cliff is rich in fossils and provides water to the vine stocks all through summer in spite of the absence of summer rain; and the red Mediterranean soil from the Barremian period, formed on compact grey-blue limestone and reclaimed from the garrigue, enables the production of rich and concentrated wines. The grapes are cultivated using sustainable methods that respect the Terra Vitis procedure, guaranteeing the traceability of growing practices which are verified by an independent body.
2010 San Felice Pugnitello, Toscana $59.00
Again, from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate: “90 points. The 2010 Pugnitello da San Felice is the latest edition of what I think is one of Tuscany’s most interesting wines. Not many producers can boast a 100% expression of this little-known grape. Pugnitello is fermented on its skins, followed by 18 months in French oak. The results are earthy and spicy with veins of dark prune and plum followed by wet terracotta, grilled herb and tangy spice. (RP)