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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 June / July 2009
For previous lists of Wines of the Month, please go here.
White
Wines
Wine for Good Good White Paarl. South Africa 2007
The Good Red & Good White labels are bottled under the brand, “Wine for Good.” Wine For Good was created with the simple goal of providing Good wines at a Good price for a Good cause. The Good Red was the first wine in the WFG series in 2005 and 2007 marks the inaugural vintage of Good White, a delicious blend of grapes sourced from the California Central Coast.
Wine for Good is donating 50¢ a bottle to the Children's Health Fund which provides health care to the nation’s most medically underserved children.
Sourced predominantly from the Paso Robles area, this wine is a blend of four varietals, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Chardonnay and Muscat Canelli. Each varietal is fermented separately in stainless steel except the Chardonnay which is held in seasoned French barrique for one year. The wine is then blended, bottled and ready for quaffing.
Pale straw in color the wine has a nose of mandarin oranges and lychee fruit. The palate is juicy with flavors of white grapefruit and peaches. The rich mid-palate and crisp finish balance this off dry white. It is ideal for chesses and spicy foods as well as any patio or poolside activity you had in mind.
$9.99
per bottle
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Chalone Sauvignon Blanc Monterey County California 2008
 Chalone Vineyards have long since been recognized as pioneers in Monterey County as well as being the first bonded winery in Monterey. The micro-climate here is so unique that they also boast the fact that they are the only winery in the Chalone appellation. Better to say the distinctness of the site dictated the necessity for its own appellation. Conceived by Dick Graff in the late 60’s, the idea was to make great Chardonnay with a Burgundian edge; and with his inaugural vintage he created what would become a benchmark for California Chardonnay. Thus, the legendary wines of Chalone were born. While Chardonay is still the focus, small amounts of Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Syrah and the newly released Sauvignon Blanc are also produced. The newest edition to the Chalone lineup is Sauvignon Blanc. The grapes for this wine are sourced from vineyards in the Salinas Valley. The cool climate and morning fog of this northern Monterey location create a bright, mouth-watering Sauvignon Blanc. On the nose aromas of lemongrass combine with tropical notes of pineapple and papaya. Guava and passion fruit mingle on the palate with delicate herbal notes with a hint of lemon zest and grapefruit. This wine expresses delicate complexity with a bright clean finish that make it the perfect warm weather companion for any occasion.
$10.99 per bottle
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Gruet Chardonnay New Mexico 2007
 In 1983, the Gruet family of Champagne notoriety, was traveling through the Southwestern part of the United States. While in New Mexico, they met a group of European winemakers who had successfully planted vineyards in Engle, 170 miles south of Albuquerque. The land was inexpensive and the opportunity golden. In 1984, Gilbert Gruet, whose Champagne house, Gruet et Fils has produced fine Champagne in Bethon, France, since 1952, made the decision to plant an experimental vineyard, exclusively of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. His children, winemaker Laurent and daughter Nathalie, and family friend Farid Himeur relocated to New Mexico to begin their American wine making adventure.
At 4300 ft. the vineyards are some of the highest in the United States, so regardless of how hot the days might be, the temperature at night can drop as much as thirty degrees, cooling the fruit and slowing down the maturation process in an otherwise short growing season. Soils of sand and loam along with a lack of humidity, produce a consistency of fruit year in and year out. The sparkling wines were the natural first step which later led to the production of still wines and they now boast a production that goes to 47 states and growing still. That’s right New Mexico wines!
This chardonnay is certainly one of restraint and elegance. Pale straw in color, the fruit shines through and opens up with white peach and golden delicious apple aromas. A fascinating balance between fruit and mineral tones. The wine has a firm structure that reveals unbelievable freshness. This wine is calling out for grilled shrimp or scallops with a tropical fruit salsa.
$11.99 per bottle
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Red Wines
Independent Producers Merlot Red Mountain Columbia Valley Washington 2007
 An Anonymous Vintners Production under the direction of Christophe Hedges, the son of Tom and Ann Marie Hedges who founded and own Hedges Family Estate. Many years ago they took a chance on some acreage in a little known place called Red Mountain. and now boast one of Washington States largest wineries. The House of Independent Producers is a single varietal project aimed at capturing the unique unpretentious terroir of the Columbia Valley AVA. The House of IP is a “catch all” title to classify the independent family growers and winemaking House of the Anonymous Vintners. They prefer for people not to know who makes the wine because they want to eliminate all preconceived notions put forth by the winemaker’s image. This in turn will focus the attention of the buyer on the terroir and the quality. With anonymity secured, there is no image margin built into the price of the wine. Brilliant.
Merlot has never fallen out of favor here, and this is a serious wine of surprising complexity. The wine is a deep, inky reddish purple that hangs on to the glass. Aromas of wild raspberries and freshly baked blackberry tart mingle with just the slightest notion of pie spice. The palate is juicy, fresh and expressive. Dark berry and plum flavors dominate up front, but give way to soft earthy notes and the delicate tannin of a lightly brewed tea. From hamburgers to grilled lamb or duck, the quality of his wine easily plays the spectrum while still being suitable for a casual weeknight dinner.
$12.99 per bottle
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Marietta Cellars Old Vine Red Lot 48 Dry Creek Valley California
Marietta Cellars is located just outside the little town of Geyserville in Sonoma County. Owner and winemaker Chris Bilbro initially founded Marietta Cellars in 1979 in an abandoned cow barn in Dry Creek Valley. Over the past 28 years, Chris has developed a consistent product both in quality and price with relatively complete anonymity. The initial case production for both Marietta Cellars' Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon was about 3,000 cases. Today, total case production is over 30,000 with Cabernet, Zinfandel and Petite Syrah.
The grapes are primarily sourced from Sonoma and Mendocino County and grown in older, dryfarmed vineyards with limited production per acre. These are grapes that produce wines with the maximum concentration of fruit and complex flavors, a hallmark of Marietta’s wines. The wines of Marietta Cellars are a personification of Chris Bilbro's personality, outlook on life, and lifestyle. Chris believes that good wine is the perfect complement to good food and good friends.
Old Vine Red Lot 48 is a proprietary red wine that is noted for its balance, approachability, and consistency. Predominantly Zinfandel, with Petite Syrah and Carignan, it boasts a rich and spicy nose with gobs of ripe blackberries and spice. The use of both French and American oak both make for a complex palate with luscious wild berries and black plums that are balanced by peppery spice and baking cocoa. A great match for BBQ ribs, chicken or a spicy coconut Thai curry!
$13.99 per bottle
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Maryhill Winemaker’s Red Columbia Valley 2007
 In 1999, Craig and Vicki Leuthold established Maryhill Winery and set out to produce premier wines on the land adjacent to where the original property owner sought to fulfill his dream over 75 years earlier. Originally from Spokane, WA, Craig and Vicki cashed in their corporate careers and followed their dream of starting a winery to Goldendale, WA. Located at the Southern tip of the Columbia Valley appellation, its warm climate, Walla Walla silt loam soil resting on remnants of the Missoula flood. Steady breezes make it an ideal site for growing wine grapes.
In 2000, the Leutholds began construction on their winery just west of Maryhill Museum on a bluff overlooking Gunkle Vineyard, one of the state’s oldest and most established vineyard sites. The Gunkle family has farmed the fertile lands surrounding Maryhill for four generations, growing world-class wine grapes used by the Leutholds and many other Washington state wine producers today.
In May 2001, Maryhill Winery opened its doors. With a lot of hard work and determination, the Leutholds achieved their dream of creating a true destination winery with a 3,000-square-foot tasting room, a beautiful covered arbor, picnic grounds and a 4,000 seat amphitheater.
The 2007 Winemaker’s Red is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc. The wine is a luminescent strawberry red with aromas of wild berries and spice box. The palate is medium in texture with flavors of barely ripe cherries and creamy chocolate. The quality here far exceeds the cost, making this a great find.
$13.99 per bottle
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