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Upcoming Events
Free wine Tastings are held weekly on Fridays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., open-house
format. Click here for the wine line-up. |
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Wines
of the Month April / May 2009
For previous lists of Wines of the Month, please go here.
White
Wines
Man Vintners Chardonnay Stellenbosch, South Africa 2007
This winery started by three friends is actually named for their three wives, Marie, Anette and Nicky, as a way to pay tribute to them due to absence in building the business. Pretty Clever. Who are these men? For starters we have Charles Back, owner of Spice Route Wines and the man responsible for Goats Do Roam, and all around strange and funny guy. Next we have Jose Conde of Stark-Conde wines who makes small production boutique wines that are always released to praise and acclaim from the wine press and trade. Then finally we have Tyrrel Myburgh, who along with brother Philip and wife Anette run the Joostenberg winery just west of Paarl.
The land where they source their grapes is difficult and is referred to as “extreme terroir.” There are no fat, lazy bloated grapes on these lands. The old shale soils provide minerality and complexity. A commitment to hands off winemaking practices truly allows the uniqueness of Predeberg to shine through.
This Chardonnay was stainless steel fermented and then left on its lees for four months before being briefly passed through French and American oak. The aromas on the nose are of green papayas, unripe mango and citrus. The palate opens up with juicy Meyer lemon cream and fleshy cantaloupe with a soft dulce de leche-like finish.
$9.99
per bottle
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Salneval Albariño Rias Baixas, Spain 2007
 The Salneval winery is located Salnès, in the heart of the D.O. Rias Baixas in the province of Galicia. Considered the world over to be the most prestigious white-wine producing region of Spain today, D.O. Rias Baixas has produced wine for centuries; though its renaissance owes much to the modernization of winemaking that has taken place over the last 15 years.
The winery was founded in 1988 and is a cooperative of 362 grower/owners. It is equipped with the most advanced technological equipment available and is considered among the highest quality-producers in the D.O. While many indigenous varietals grow here, Albariño rules this region. Its aromatics and briny beauty have charmed the staunchest of naysayers, earning Albariño a place alongside the other noble white varietals of Europe.
Light straw in color, the nose of this Albariño is seductive with honey, pear and tropical fruit and a slight mineral component. It is racy and zesty with citrus and floral flavors in the mouth, yet is round and soft at the same time. It is the perfect match for fresh seafood and shellfish; is an ideal accompaniment to salty, spicy Asian cuisine; and is also great on its own as a cocktail wine. This may seem a bit out of the ordinary, but this wine is also great after a meal with a cheese course, or if you are feeling truly brave, try pairing it with sweet barbecued ribs.
$12.99 per bottle
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Château La Baronne Blanc Languedoc-Roussillon, France
2005
 The Famille Lignères estate is situated in the shadow of the Montagne d'Alaric just 40 km from the Mediterranean coast in the Languedoc between Narbonne and Carcassonne. André and Suzette have pampered it for 50 years and now the younger generation continues to be challenged with the old vines. Their passion and dedication is easily detected in all of their wines. With family ties to the wine industry that date back to the sixteenth century, how could they not?
The medical family with wine in their veins; André (a general practitioner) and Suzette (a pharmacist), are now able to take a back seat as their sons Jean (Doctor of the village of Moux like his father before him) and his wife Anne, Paul (a dentist) and Geneviève (a biologist) look after the estate. In 2002, they met with Richard Marlowe, an incredible wine-specialist as well as a faithful fan, organized a meeting with the renowned Tuscan wine consultant Stefano Chioccioli. He knew Stefano would understand the terroir and help them produce wines with more of everything, weight, aroma, dimension, focus, terroir to shine through in every cuvée.
This blend is a distinctive and appealing combination of Vermentino and Grenache Gris. The color is very light scented with white flowers and gentle minerality. Medium bodied with hints of citrus and anise, the taste is all about focused citrus. No malolactic fermentation and no wood aging, but the wine has an extremely round mouth-feel, due to weekly batonnage or lees-stirring. A great wine for fresh gulf coast seafood.
$12.99 per bottle |
Red Wines
Bodegas Alto Almanzora “Este” Tinto Valle de Almanzora, Lucar, Spain 2006
 In a region long since known for bulk wine and prolific land, the Bodegas Alto Almanzora is distinguished by its proven interest and commitment to the elaboration of wines under the strictest quality controls. In the middle of the 20th century, all the higher Almanzora was a sea of vineyards for table wines, called “uva de barco” (boat grapes) because they were used almost exclusively for export.
On entering the 21st century, the district, which had adapted to the times cultivating almonds and olives, began to replace the old roots with noble varieties such al Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah. Between the extraordinary grapes of the vintage and the technological application of all the latest oenological cannons, the result has been an elegant and excellent wine, suitable for the most demanding taste buds.
The wine boasts an enticing deep cherry color with purple undertones. Este is a combination of Monastrell, Tempranillo, Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Merlot. The nose is powerful and greets your senses with crushed blackberries and plum compote, followed by violets, lavendar and dried herbs with just a hint of toffee.
The palate is ample, juicy and well structured with neatly defined tannins. The same rich black fruit from the nose abounds with more pronounced notes of oaky spice and vanilla beans. Decadent and rich like a blackberry tart with crème anglaise. This is a terrific wine for grilled meats and sticky barbecue.
$10.99 per bottle
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Castello di Volpaia Borgianni Chianti 2006
The village of Volpaia sits on a hilltop just north of the town of Radda in Chianti. It sits at an impressive 2024 feet above the sea level, in the heart of the Chianti Classico region. Built in the 11th century as a fortified village on the border between Florence and Siena, Volpaia is a terra murata, a walled village unlike other Chianti-area castles. Although only part of the original protective walls and two of its six towers are still standing, the medieval layout and buildings within the village are still intact, making Volpaia one of the best-preserved villages of its period.
The first document that mentions the cultivation of vines in Volpaia dates back to 1172. In 1250, Volpaia was a founding member of the Lega del Chianti (Chianti League). The Florentine Republic formed the Lega by dividing its communities into three districts (Castellina, Radda, Giaole) and allotting each a certain amount of territory. Volpaia was included in the League’s Terziere di Radda.
Made from a selection of the best grapes produced on the hills of the Chianti Senesi area, the 2006 Borgianni is 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo. This wine sees absolutely no oak and as a result is fresh and lively. The color is an electric ruby red with the purple hints of youth. The nose is ripe with fresh berry aromas and soft notes of rosehips while the palate is rich with sweet ripe red fruit that linger on the palate.
$12.99 per bottle
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Château Guiraud-Cheval Blanc Cotes De Bourg, France 2005
 Don’t let the name fool you, there is absolutely no relation here to either of the famous Bordeaux Châteaux that share the same name. However, this is no marketing scam either, they have been producing wine from this Château for a long time! Châteaux with similar names occur all over Bordeaux. The words “Latour” and “Cheval” show up frequently, not unlike California wineries using the words “Ridge” or “Napa” in their names.
Located on the right bank of the Dordogne where it meets the Gironde, the Côtes de Bourg was initially a major port for the blossoming wine. Believing their wines to be of a singular identity, the governing body of the Côtes de Bourg, passed on joining in the group apellation of 2006 now known as the Côtes de Bordeaux. It was this step that they feel finally separated them from lesser wines grown to the north had long since been confusingly lumped into a category with them.
The Château Guiraud Cheval Blanc is an outstanding value from the stellar 2005 vintage and an exciting bench mark example of the quality potential in the Bourg. It has a rich black cherry hue with tight cherry aromas that open up into notes of crushed raspberries with minerals and steel. The tannins are sweet and refined with a firm structure. Good fruit and acid balance make this a fantastic partner with food. Opens up with time in the glass, showing more rich black black fruit and herbal notes of anise and tarragon, perfect with spring lamb and fresh cheeses. Grab a bottle and toast a great vintage for less than $15.
$13.99 per bottle
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