This Week:

Wednesday

Montes Limited Series Sauvignon Blanc Leyda Valley, Chile

Sebastiani Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir California, USA

Geyser Peak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon California, USA

Thursday

Geyser Peak River Ranches Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley, California

Santi Valpolicella, Italy

Grayson Cellars Merlot California, USA

Friday

Cloudy Bay Chardonnay Marlborough, New Zealand

Bonterra Merlot California, USA

Bell Sonnette Blend Napa Valley, California, USA

Saturday

Scharffenberger Brut California, USA

Pascual Toso Reserve Malbec Mendoza, Argentina

Marques de Grinon Caliza Red Blend, Dominio de Valdepusa, Spain

Tuesday

The Greentini Cocktail

Tamas Double-decker Red Blend, California

Glazebrook Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand

Cheers!

Chris Calvert

On tonight’s sample bar we tasted:

Santa Carolina Reserva Sauvignon Blanc Leyda Valley 2009

Aromas of white pepper and grapefruit envelope the subtler peach and apricot.    Zesty on the palate with pleasant acidity.  Not quite as tropical or citrus driven as some Sauvignon Blancs.  This one is more lean, crisp, and fresh.

Hedges CMS White Unoaked Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Marsanne Blend  Columbia Valley 2006

Intense aromas of peach, pear, and honeysuckle.  These are ideally weighted on the palate due to the blending used.  Hard to see why more producers aren’t creating more of these.  This really is the kind of white wine that you could have with almost anything.

Vina Arganza La Mano Mencia Roble Bierzo Spain 2007

OK,  here we have a relative newcomer to the scene, even among Spanish wines.  In Bierzo we find the grape Mencia growing on schist soils in hillside plots.  The area Bierzo has an especially high concentration of old vine Mencia, many vines are well over a century old.    This particular example is Syrah-like, offering aromas and flavors of dark fruit like plum and blackberry as well as lots of smoky spice.  The tannins are pretty mild and when the wine has decanted a bit, it takes on a bit of a smoked meat aroma.

Enjoy the notes and see you at the Sample Bar!

Chris Calvert

Wednesday 3/9

Eola Hills Reserve Chardonnay , Oregon

Eola Hills Reserve Pinot Noir, Oregon

Hunoldt Pinot Gris, Alsace, France

Thursday 3/10

Nobilissima Pinot Grigio, Italy

Grand Cassagne Red, Costieres des Nimes, France

Avery Brewing Company New World Porter 6 pack

Friday 3/11

 Vina Zaco Red Rioja, Spain

Kenwood Russian River Pinot Noir, California

Matanzas Creek Sauvignon Blanc, California

Saturday 3/12

Botani Moscatel, Spain

Greg Norman Shiraz,  Australia

Grayson Cellars Pinot Noir, California

Tuesday 3/15

Silver Mine Cocktails!

Grayson Cellars Chardonnay, California

Francis Coppola Claret, California

See you at the Sample Bar

Wednesday

Falesco Vitiano Verdicchio/ Vermentino Blend Italy

Falesco Vitiano Cabernet Sauvignon / Sangiovese / Merlot Blend Italy

Stag’s Leap Winery Petite Syrah Napa Valley

Thursday

Vina Esmeralda Gewurtztraminer/ Moscatel Blend Spain

Francis Coppola Cabernet Sauvignon California

Joseph James Alpine Wit Belgian Style White Ale 6-pack

Friday

Milbrandt Riesling Columbia Valley, Washington

MacMurray Ranch Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast, California

Los Rocas Garnacha Spain

Saturday

Pierre Boniface Apremont France

Gnarly Head Pinot Noir California

Graham’s 10 year old Tawny Port Portugal

Tuesday

Cayalla Red Table Wine Washington

Neil Ellis Sauvignon Blanc “Sincerely” South Africa

Joseph James Red Fox Russian-style Imperial Stout 6-pack

See you at the Sample Bar!

Howdy everyone,

A few new wines have come into the state lately that are now in the store and will soon be featured on the World Famous Colonial Sample Bar.  They tend to get good ratings if you are into that, but besides that they are great wines at a very affordable price.  Here are my notes:

Grayson Cellars

Chardonnay 2008 Lot 11

Delicate and pear aromas that continue on the palate with a touch of minerality.  This Chard has a lovely mouthfeel, a bit creamy with acidity on the finish.

Pinot Noir 2008 Lot 5

Nice aroma of mixed berries and spice.  Burgundian in style, light body with a long finish. 

Merlot 2008 Lot 6

Plum aromas with a bit of leather and spice.  The tannins are firm but not aggressive.  The dark fruit on the palate is of cassis, plum, and black cherry.

Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Lot 10

Lots of herby fruit on the nose (like cherry and raspberry compote with rosemary and thyme) with a great integration of fruit and oak flavors on the palate.  The acidity of this Cab makes it a great food partner, and not just for steaks.  I would have it with gyro, but you can really get creative with this one.

Montecillo Rioja Reserva 2001

Aromas of baked raspberry and cherry.  On the palate are more flavors of fruit and cedar.  Medium-bodied and versatile with food.

Bargemone Coteaux d’ Aix en Provence blanc 2007

A really intersting blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Ugni Blanc, Grenache Blanc.  This wine smells a bit like a really young Fino Sherry with it’s bready-yeasty aroma.  On the palate is some lean, acid-driven Sauvignon Blanc minerality.  If you fancy yourself a Sancerre lover or fan of Sauv. Blanc in general, then it is a must try.