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2007 LA SLINA MONFERRATO BLANCO
Italy’s Piedmont region is known primarily
for the prestigious red wines from Barolo and Barbaresco. To the
southeast of the town of Asti, however, the hills are loaded with
delicious white wines. Gavi is the most famous white wine region
here, especially at the higher quality levels, but Monferrato
can produce exceptional values. This is a fun blend of two grapes,
Cortese (the favored grape of Gavi) and Chardonnay, built from
a collaboration of two winemaking friends. Each provided fruit
from their own estates, and, along with a little splash of Muller-Thurgau
for fun, the blend was created. Soft and fragrant citrus aromas
give the nose interest without overwhelming, and the refreshingly
grassy and clean flavors in the mouth are just what we’re
looking for as the weather gets warmer. This is ideal for lighter
seafood dishes or casual sipping all summer long.
Regular price $9.99, $8.49/case
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2006 DIDIER DESVIGNES MORGON 'LES CHARMES'
Beaujolais fans have never been happier than they have been over
the last few years. After a procession of mediocre vintages in
the 90s, 5 of the last 7 vintages have been very good to outstanding,
helping to inspire great praise from reviewers and renew interest
in the Cru designated wines. More and more importers are seeking
out the best small producers, so there are plenty of fine choices
to pick from. And while prices are moving up some due to the exchange
rate, they are not moving NEARLY as fast as in Burgundy. Many
people don’t think to even mention Beaujolais in the same
sentence as Burgundy, thinking everything there is like the oceans
of fruity and uninspiring Beaujolais Nouveau. But good Cru Beaujolais
like this has wonderful earthiness and softness, making it a worthy
substitution for an equally priced Bourgogne Rouge. Bright, high
toned aromas of strawberries, pepper, and an almost meaty spice
lift from the surprisingly deep color, and the fruit in the mouth
is impressively full for Beaujolais, but would never be labeled
as heavy. The fresh acidity gives the wine a long savory finish
that seems almost unlikely considering the delicate nature of
the wine. Ideal with cured meats and cheeses, and can even work
with a light chill to it during the warmer months.
Regular price $19.99, $16.99/case
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2004 CANTINA SANTADI GROTTA ROSSA CARIGNANO DEL SULCIS
Sardinian wines have followed a very similar increase in quality
to the wines of Spain over the last few decades. Much like Spain,
most Sardinian wines were made for bulk production, with very
little consideration for quality. During the 80s, several wineries
began making concerted efforts to modernize and improve the reputation
of their island, and as their reputation grew, more and more followed
suit. Cantina Santadi was one of the early pioneers, and is now
one of the most highly regarded co-operative producers in Italy.
The region of Sulcis occupies the Southwest corner of the island
just to the west of the city of Cagliari, and the Carignane grown
here is considered some of the best wine Sardinia has to offer.
Spicy red fruit aromas bear some similarity to wines of the Rhone,
but the classic Italian rustic earthiness shines through as well.
The fruit is surprisingly smooth and silky, as Carignan grown
in other parts of the world has a reputation for developing some
harsh edges. No evidence of that here, as this makes a perfect
accompaniment for all sorts of pastas in red sauce, cheeses, or
grilled foods.
Regular price $13.99, $11.89/case |
2006 LEO HILLINGER SECCO
Leo Hillinger is one of the more unique wine personalities in
Austria. Big, bold, and bombastic, Leo has a definitive presence
built from a passion for wine and a confident, modern flair (the
fact that he looks like a taller, more athletic Owen Wilson with
a much better nose doesn’t hurt, either). Everything we
have had the pleasure of tasting has been at the very least enjoyable
and ambitious, but more often than not very, very good. This is
a new and very unique offering, a sparkling wine purposely made
in the style of an Italian Prosecco. Pinot Noir based, the wine
bears a pale pink color, but we reassure you that it does not
mean the wine is sweet. Pouring with a pretty, elegant mousse,
the soft cherry and strawberry aromas are very fresh and clean,
and in no way cloying. Each sip has plenty of fizz and flavor,
keeping the fruit clean on the palate and even brings hints of
herbal complexity in on the finish. This is a great party wine
for warm weather, and being the consummate partier, Leo wouldn’t
have it any other way.
Regular price $15.99, $13.59/case
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2007 DOMAINE DE FONTSAINTE GRIS DE GRIS ROSE
How versatile is dry rose? So versatile that,
when we use them in our Select Six’s during the warmer months,
they can work as either a red OR a white selection. Domaine de
Fontsainte has been one of the long standing value favorites from
the Kermit Lynch import portfolio, and is generally regarded as
one of the top estates in Corbieres. The blend of traditional
Rhone varietals has a color that verges towards the salmon pink
hues of Provence roses, but has a fatter, juicier cherry fruit
more associated with Tavel or Lirac. Ripe raspberry and spicy
strawberry aromas combine with refreshing acidity and texture
in the mouth to provide an extremely well balanced and enjoyable
wine. According to the Kermit Lynch website, many growers in Southern
France are considering 2007 to be a great vintage for rose, and
this is great support for that prediction.
Regular price $15.99, $13.59/case |
2006 INDABA PINOTAGE
The Cape Indaba wines were among the first new brands to emerge
from South Africa after the end of Apartheid. Over the last 15+
vintages they have earned the reputation as one of the best value
brands going, producing solid quality across every varietal. Pinotage
has been a particular success, as they have been quite accomplished
at taming some of the grape’s more… unusual characteristics.
The grape came into being in South Africa as a crossing of Pinot
Noir and Cinsault, and has always had one of the more unique aromas,
especially in under-ripe wines. Some would say it’s wet
animal fur, some would say burning tires, but either way it has
the capability of being extremely off-putting. In the more successful
versions, the fruit is much riper and forward, and any sort of
funkiness is way off in the background. This vintage shows off
everything Pinotage is capable of, loaded with lip-smacking plum
and red fruits and an almost smoky complexity. The tannins are
fairly soft as well which makes it well suited for cocktails and
spicy meat dishes.
Regular price $9.99, $8.49/case
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