 Even though we will not be doing the public tasting portion of the Insider's Pick until further notice, we will still be offering the wine for purchase with the usual 10% discount. The wines will still be ones we highly recommend, and the tasting notes will still be our own. We will be returning to doing just the one wine on Thursdays and Fridays until further notice. We hope you are able to come by and get some wines to enjoy.
An ideal wine for Memorial Day (and a reminder we will be closed on Memorial Day, so get your beverage purchasing done early!), good Rose is a perfect way to mark the lead in to Summer. But the shelves of most retailers are chocked full of very, very similar things so it can be an extra pleasure when you get a hold of something a little different. Bardolino sits on the Western end of the Veneto on the shores of Lake Garda, sharing the same grape varieties as its neighbors in Valpolicella, but historically making a lighter style wine due to the cooling aspects of the lake. Chiaretto is the local name for Rose made on either side of the lake (a historical boundary line between the Lombardy and Veneto regions) ,and it is especially nice to see one from the 'Classico' designation, meaning the vineyards are from the original Bardolino boundaries closest to the lake. A blend of the classic red grape trilogy for the region -Corvina, Rodinella, and Molinara- the aromas are lovely wild strawberry and strawberry leaf, unique to the grapes used and the cooler climate that brings out the pretty savory tones. Juicy quenching strawberry and watermelon tones on the palate and a tingle of fresh acidity that isn't bracing or edgy, just pretty and enjoyable. Great with a chill for light snacks and a cool salmon salad, and definitely not what everyone else will have in their Rose glass.
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INSIDER'S PICK: 2019 ALFARO FAMILY VINEYARDS CHARDONNAY TROUT GULCH SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS $24.995/20/2021  Even though we will not be doing the public tasting portion of the Insider's Pick until further notice, we will still be offering the wine for purchase with the usual 10% discount. The wines will still be ones we highly recommend, and the tasting notes will still be our own. We will be returning to doing just the one wine on Thursdays and Fridays until further notice. We hope you are able to come by and get some wines to enjoy.
The term 'unicorn wine' is usually reserved for limited production and very expensive items. We like to use the term for wines like this that deliver quality so far above the price point, even when there is every reason for them to be more expensive. And this is the second vintage in a row we've been able to offer this wine at this price, so I guess we are doing a good job of keeping it a secret (but still, shhhh!!). The Alfaro family are custodians of the Trout Gulch Vineyard which sits high up in the fog line of the Santa Cruz Mountains, renowned for producing great Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for culty cool climate specialist wineries like Ceritas, Arnot-Roberts and Kutch. They keep a share to make their own wines, and with no lesser fruit are making wines that are literally half the price of the other producers. Decidedly NOT an oak and butter bomb, this wine revels in its cool climate breeding, even weighing in this vintage under 13%abv. Racy citrus fruits and melon on the nose, cooling and minerally with just a touch of buttery tones in the background. The palate is nicely rounded and full but so vibrant at the same time, natural and distinct to allow all the subtle vineyard character to show through on the palate. This is about as good of a single vineyard Chardonnay experience you will have from California for the money. Just don't tell too many friends about it....  Even though we will not be doing the public tasting portion of the Insider's Pick until further notice, we will still be offering the wine for purchase with the usual 10% discount. The wines will still be ones we highly recommend, and the tasting notes will still be our own. We will be returning to doing just the one wine on Thursdays and Fridays until further notice. We hope you are able to come by and get some wines to enjoy.
A great wine returning after a long absence, and with a lovely backstory to boot. Owner/winemaker Kenny Likitprakong started Hobo Wine Co. nearly 20 years ago as one of the very few people of Thai descent on the production side of the Californian wine industry. Under the umbrella of the negociant company they have several different labels, representing a focus on different regions of the state (Hobo, Camp) or levels of experimentation (Folk Machine, Banyan). The Banyn lineup was created to construct wines that he felt best complimented Thai or Southeast Asian cuisine, and at one point had several wines to it. Gewurztraminer was always the biggest favorite and continues the name now as a solo act. Even though the vineyards have changed once or twice over the years, it remains a single site wine which helps the winery control the character of the grapes and makes it easier to create exactly what they want. Those wary of a sugary Gewurztraminer need not worry, as this hits off-dry at most, reminiscent of the Alsatian style. The aromas are classic, full of white flowers and tropical fruit, but not overpowering or heady, leaving room for some cooler notes of mint and citrus in the background. The palate is also floral and juicy, but that nice spice comes in with the acidity giving the flavors some extra zip and a cleaner texture to the finish. This absolutely confirms the concept it was built for, perfect for everything from spring rolls and lighter vegetable dishes to meatier dishes with some heat, just hugely versatile.  Even though we will not be doing the public tasting portion of the Insider's Pick until further notice, we will still be offering the wine for purchase with the usual 10% discount. The wines will still be ones we highly recommend, and the tasting notes will still be our own. We will be returning to doing just the one wine on Thursdays and Fridays until further notice. We hope you are able to come by and get some wines to enjoy.
New vintage of an old favorite, and another opportunity to help customers get over outdated stereotypes (which we LOVE to do). The Soave region was a moderate sized and well regarded wine region outside Verona until the late 1960s, when the appellation's boundaries were 'encouraged' to be expanded almost tenfold by larger corporate wineries. While the name Soave became more known, it was for being a very nondescript wine of little quality made from undetermined grapes, which is a far cry from the identity of real Soave. In recent years the region has sought to reclaim its identity by re-emphasizing the signature Garganega grape even in the expanded Soave region. The Soave Classico DOC marks the original borders, and while they aren't required to the traditionalists like Inama choose to do 100% Garganega in their wines, which makes them so distinct. Bright red apple and stony pear fruits on the nose with a touch of grass and straw, very fresh and clean on every whiff, fairly emblematic of Spring. On the palate the white fleshed fruits really show through with a lot of bright minerality, and a nice lengthy finish for a white of this price point that signifies it can handle some foods with richer ingredients. Think seafood pasta or risotto. |
The Best of the Best.We offering free tastings on these wines in the store every Thursday and Friday, and a 10% discount off the retail price through the duration of the day. Come on by and give them a try! Archives
February 2025
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