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INSIDER'S PICK: 2010 BODEGAS IZADI RIOJA RESERVA (Wine Advocate 92points) $19.99

10/29/2015

If the name and label look slightly familiar, it's because we have used their Rioja Bianco in the past for the Select Six and Insider's Pick. It is a good sign of quality within a producer when we pick from them across the board instead of just sniping single bottlings. This is a moderately large producer for Rioja, but included in their holdings is well over 100 acres of vines pushing above the 70 year old mark, allowing them plenty of high quality raw materials. Add to that the exceptionally high quality overall for the 2010 vintage in Rioja, and you have the makings of an epic value like this one.
A bit of a modern style at first, with fairly dark fruit and cassis aromas and some noticable sweet American oak on the nose, a little bit of time open quickly gets to some more savory background earth and dried spice tones that provide a constantly evolving nose that brings you back for hours. On the palate the texture is deep with a bit of grit from both the tannins and the unfiltered character, which meshes right in with the dark intensive black fruits, touches of coffee, and a bit of grapeskin and tannin on the finish. This delivers a lot of bang for your buck and is in a nice place to ejnjoy now, but also has the stuff to hide for another 4-6 years easily to get more refinement out of it.

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INSIDER'S PICK: 2014 DOMAINE FAURY SYRAH I.G.P. COLLINES RHODANIENNES $21.99

10/22/2015

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Syrah from the Northern Rhone is unlike Syrah from anywhere else in the world. For many people their experience is largely from Australian, Southern Californian or other warm climate region wines that possess a rich, forward fruit that is strong and almost sweet in style. And there is nothing wrong with that. At all. But the cooler climate of the Northern Rhone, where the vineyards often hang from impossibly steep terraces along the river in the famous areas of Cote-Rotie, Hermitage and St Joseph, creates wines that in many ways have more in common with the Pinot Noirs from Burgundy just to the North. The weight, lower alcohol levels, and even many of the vinification processes result in wines of finesse and elegance instead of raw power. Unfortunately, the steep vineyards make it nearly mandatory to do everything by hand, which makes it very difficult to find any inexpensive wines to learn the style. There is 'value' to be had, especially from great artisan producers like Faury, who have been part of the famous Kermit Lynch import portfolio for almost as long as they have been in existence. This bottling comes from a single parcel of younger vines on the granite plateau just outside the St Joseph appellation, and with the exception of barrel aging sees the same vinification as their higher end wines; hand harvesting, partial de-stemming, and traditional fermentation methods.

Youthful in color, the first aromas are all violets and dark dried fruits that get deeper and more into the blue fruits as it opens up. Nothing sugary or overpowering at all, more cool and savory. On the palate it is quintessential Northern Rhone flavor and texture, full of blueberry skin, currants and dark herbs on a moderate body with fine tannins and acidity that leaves a long mouthwatering finish. The use of stems in the winemaking is noticeable in the texture as it brings out the peppery notes of the fruits and limits some of the sweeter aromatics. This is a classic example of a traditional Syrah without any modern trappings, and fans of the style will be thrilled with what the get for the price.

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INSIDER'S PICK: A TRIO OF WINES FROM IMPORTER DIEGO DeCORTE

10/15/2015

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(NOTE: Cote-Rotie food truck unfortunately will not be here today due to a pressing engagement. They will be missed today but will be back again soon)

Over the past several years, we have built both a professional and personal relationship with local Italian win importer Diego DeCorte and the wineries he represents. In the same way the more famous importers like Kermit Lynch, Louis Dressner, and Neil Rosenthal began, Diego only works with wineries he feels represents his passion. Primarily small artisan producers, often with little or no previous American representation, yet with great history and connection to the vineyards they farm. His wines are such a certainty for quality that we have rarely passed on any winery we have tasted, it's just a matter of 'how many bottlings?' For both today and tomorrow we will also have the pleasure of Diego's company in the store during much of the tasting, giving you a chance to share in his passion and knowledge of his wines, which for the best Italian wines is a major part of the appeal.

On deck for the tasting are a trio of wines, all of which will take the 10% discount by the bottle we feature in the Insider's Pick. First up is a great example of how it IS in fact possible to find wines from an artisan, eco-conscious producer that are still incredible values.The 2014 Agriverde Trebbiano d'Abruzzo 'Piane di Maggio ($9.99)comes from a winery that is organic in the vineyards and has won awards for both its Bioarchitecture and Biotechnique in the winery and vineyard management. The fresh, clean character provides a crisp and slightly savory side in a price range where most everything else is fruity and soft, as well as a texture that shows more than enough body to hold up to flavorful seafood and pastas. Next up will be the 2013 Guado al Melo 'Bacco in Toscana' Rosso ($17.99), a fun and innovative Tuscan red from the award winning (and recent Charlottesville visitor) Michele Scienza. As a viticulture professor with a large library dedicated to Italian winemaking, Michele's knowledge of Italy's past is unparalleled, and he brings that to balance the very modern and forward thinking wines from the Bolgheri region. This tank aged blend of Sangiovese and Syrah has been our most consistent wine from Diego, and while the combination may seem odd at first look, the taste is undeniably Tuscan and delivers great character and value. Finally we have the2012 Ortaglia Rosoo Toscana 'Tignolo' ($17.99), the 'basic' bottling from this Vino Nobile di Montepulciano producer. Built with much less oak to create a more approachable style, yet retains much of the traditional character in the use of blending grape Canaiolo and even the white grape Malvasia Bianca, this is full of red fruit with fine tannin throughout, and the Malvasia brings out a lovely citrus aromatic. A lot of fun to be had here with these wines; come on by and give them a try!

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INSIDER'S PICK: 2014 DOMAINE DELORME POUILLY-FUISSE 'SUR LA ROCHE' $21.99

10/8/2015

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In Burgundy probably more than any other wine growing area, it's all about location, location, location. Walking 50 yards in any direction within the vineyards can bring about noticeable soil changes, and crossing from one plot to another can find you in parcels whose reputations for quality provide wines that cost 2X-3X of their neighbors. In Pouilly-Fuisse, the sweet spot is at the base of the Roche de Vergisson, the fossilized coral formation that thrusts high above the vineyards. The rock is one of the cradles of prehistoric civilization and has been studied for centuries by paleontologist along with the nearby Roche de Soultre. For wine, being along its base means the soils contain large amounts of the fossilized rock that have fell during centuries of erosion, infusing more minerality and subtlety into the naturally rich Chardonnay. In pictured from the Sur La Roche vineyards one can see only a few parcels sitting between it and the tree line at the base of Vergisson, so we know it's a premium plat.

Bright straw in the glass, the nose is full of fresh pulpy fruit with a touch of mineral and sweet apple in the background. No sign of any oak here, which is often over-used with Pouilly-Fuisse to emphasize the richness; the quality of the fruit here is plenty rich on it's own, and doesn't need enhancement. On the palate the texture is juicy and plush at first, then slowly builds the fine minerality, pricking up the apple tones behind the white fruit. Nothing profound here, which is just fine because it is successful without trying too hard, and is immensely enjoyable on its own or with a meal.

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INSIDER'S PICK: 2012 LOVINGSTON WINERY MERLOT 'JOSIE'S KNOLL' $19.99(WINE ENTHUSIAST 91pts)

10/1/2015

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Making wine in Virginia is often a thankless pursuit, determined as much by luck as skill in many years. This stretch of rainy days we are in is a prime example; anything not harvested before the rains started, whether it was ready or not, is now deer and bird food. Fortunately much of the season up to this point has encouraged a fairly early ripening, but any stragglers will be waterlogged and/or rotten messes. Lovingston saw exceptionally good luck a few weeks back when the powerful storm that damaged the Lockn' festival and canceled their first day bypassed them by less than a mile and left them completely unscathed. All wine-growing regions have their risks, but Virginia's can be particularly unpredictable and cruel.

It is with this in mind that we want to honor a wine where all the good breaks happened and a wine of uniquely high quality was produced. Plenty of skill involved here as well, of course, but the seasons were much kinder to the winemakers to allow the raw material to do what they wanted. Lush dark color and deep currant aromas in the glass immediately show the intensity of the vintage, and some swirls in the glass gradually pulls out some spice and red fruits. On the palate the texture is silky and polished as a Merlot should be, but does not lack for character, showing lots of energy behind the dark fruit flavors and fine tannins. This is one of those Merlots that has layers of complexity, an indication of 'seriousness' to it that is many times lost in Virginia wines, and one that could even do well for at least another 3-5 years in the cellar.

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INSIDER'S PICK: 2010 BODEGAS IZADI RIOJA RESERVA (Wine Advocate 92points) $19.99

INSIDER'S PICK: 2014 DOMAINE FAURY SYRAH I.G.P. COLLINES RHODANIENNES $21.99

INSIDER'S PICK: A TRIO OF WINES FROM IMPORTER DIEGO DeCORTE

INSIDER'S PICK: 2014 DOMAINE DELORME POUILLY-FUISSE 'SUR LA ROCHE' $21.99

INSIDER'S PICK: 2012 LOVINGSTON WINERY MERLOT 'JOSIE'S KNOLL' $19.99(WINE ENTHUSIAST 91pts)

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INSIDER'S PICK: 2010 BODEGAS IZADI RIOJA RESERVA (Wine Advocate 92points) $19.99

INSIDER'S PICK: 2014 DOMAINE FAURY SYRAH I.G.P. COLLINES RHODANIENNES $21.99

INSIDER'S PICK: A TRIO OF WINES FROM IMPORTER DIEGO DeCORTE

INSIDER'S PICK: 2014 DOMAINE DELORME POUILLY-FUISSE 'SUR LA ROCHE' $21.99

INSIDER'S PICK: 2012 LOVINGSTON WINERY MERLOT 'JOSIE'S KNOLL' $19.99﻿(WINE ENTHUSIAST 91pts)

The Best of the Best.

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INSIDER'S PICK: 2012 LOVINGSTON WINERY MERLOT 'JOSIE'S KNOLL' $19.99(WINE ENTHUSIAST 91pts)