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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 2008
For previous lists of Wines of the Month, please go here.
White
Wines
Château de Crain Entre-Deux-Mers 2007
Château de Crain is situated right at the heart of the Bordeaux wine-growing region, in the Entre-Deux-Mers picturesque area, bordered-as its name implies-by two waterways, the Northern Dordogne and the Southern Garonne. Four generations of the Fougère family have worked this family vineyard of 89 acres that produces fine dry white Entre-Deux-Mers, red Bordeaux and Bordeaux Superieur wines. The vineyard yearly production is 1900 hectolitres, of which one third is white wine and two-thirds red wine
A f ine clay-chalk soil, coupled with a highly favorable climate and eagle scrutiny of the family proprietors ensure that every bottle of wine leaving Château de Crain fully lives up to its Appellation Controlée label, and guarantee the authenticity and the quality of the wine.
The white Entre-Deux-Mers is golden in color with green tints, fresh nose with lemon and grapefruit tones and supple texture. There is a good balance between acidity and alcohol giving rise to fullness and roundness, long finish. Ideal with well-chilled fish, shellfish, goat's cheese, or as an aperitif.
$10.99
per bottle
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Murphy-Goode Sauvignon Blanc The Fumé
2007
Situated in the heart of Sonoma County's Alexander Valley, the Murphy-Goode Winery has been making high quality Fumé Blanc, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon since Tim Murphy, Dale Goode and Dave Ready founded their three-family partnership in 1985. Murphy-Goode was launched with two wines: Estate Grown Fumé Blanc and Chardonnay. In the beginning, only the Murphy family ranch and the Murphy-Goode Vineyard, a joint venture between Tim and Dale, provided the grapes. Today the winery produces red wines as well, all of which have received much acclaim. At the heart of all of their success is a benchmark wine, considered by many to be the classic example of Alexander Valley Fumé Blanc.
Inside the glass you will encounter ripe tropical flavors of mangoes and pineapples being supported by undercurrents of mandarin oranges and currant leaf. The palate is round and full with flavors of cantaloupes and lemon peel. Barrel fermentation allows this dry white a texture that is delightful with food or without.
$10.99 per bottle
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Mcpherson Cellars Rosè of Syrah and Grenache
2006
Inspired by the work of his pioneer father, (who happened to be the first to plant vinifera in Texas) Kim McPherson studied viticulture and enology at UC Davis as well as food science at Texas Tech. His first winery job in Texas was with Llano Estacado Winery, which his father co-founded with Texas Tech horticulturist Bob Reed.
McPherson's winemaking curiosity eventually led him back to California. After wine making stints in the Central Coast and Temecula he returned to Lubbock. Then in 1990 he became winemaker for Cap Rock winery, which he recently left to focus his attention on his own winery. The wines he makes under his own label, McPherson Cellars, focuses on Rhône and Spanish varietals, as well as some Malbec and Sangiovese.
Mcpherson has been very cautious from the beginning about choosing grapes that are genetically predissposed to handling the heat. His current release of Rosè is an excellent example of the potential these varietals have in Texas. Rich flavors of cranberries, raspberries and red delicious apples play off eachother with the slightest touch of game. They come together on the palate in a frenzy of red berries with a deep dry finish.
$11.99 per bottle
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Red Wines
Michele Chiarlo Barbera D’Asti
“Le Orme”
2005
 The wine-producing firm of Michele Chiarlo was founded in 1956 by the sole and present owners, Michele and Giuseppina Chiarlo. Son of over seven generations of esteemed wine growers, Mr. Chiarlo is one of the most respected producers of the fine wines of Piedmont and a leading figure in its viticultural industry. Michele Chiarlo selects his Barbera d’Asti from the best vineyards and older vines that are harvested at peak maturity. Vinified at the Chiarlo cellars in Calamandrana, the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation and is then aged a least one year in oak.
A brilliant ruby-red, with an intense vinous bouquet that smells of dried flowers, red plums and cherries. The palate is fresh, with a vibrant acidity and flavors of blood oranges and dried strawberries. This is an incredible warm weather red that makes a great alternative to old stand-bys like Pinot Noir.
$11.99 per bottle
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Bodega Luigi Bosca Bonarda Finca la Linda
2006
The Arizus take pride in a tradition that was born more than a hundred years ago; years in which the family worked towards improving their technique and the observation and understanding of nature, thus giving rise to their approach to wine-making. Luigi Bosca Winery’s future is challenging and always thinking ahead, its present is focused on the combination of daily work with the creation of new ideas. This is Bodega Luigi Bosca, this is how the Arizu family was created and this is how their history begins everyday, because their past is always a prologue to their future.
The Finca La Linda Bonarda is a a doorway into the future and where the wines of Argentina are headed. Ruby red in color, it displays red fruit and fig aromas along with a hint of oak provided by its ageing in American oak for 6 months. Full bodied, round and velvety, its soft and ripe tannins, along with its acidity, give this wine with a distinguished personality.
$12.99 per bottle
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Shannon Ridge Wrangler Red
2006
 The vineyards hug the mountain rims along the south-east edge of High Valley AVA. Surrounded by dramatic landscapes and pristine wilderness, the story of High Valley is clearly visible. At 2,200 feet, on top of the Terre Vermeille vineyard look to your south, you'll see the deep blue waters of Clear Lake, that provide cooling winds throughout long summer days. Turn to the west, and you can distinguish where the lava flows give way to the alluvial fan of the ancient lake bed on the valley floor. From the north you can feel the cold night winds from Snow Mountain and the peaks of the Mendocino National Forest. This dynamic landscape has been producing world class wines since long before prohibition.
The grapes used to produce the 2006 Shannon Ridge Lake County Wrangler Red were harvested from the Family’s vineyards in the High Valley appellation in Lake County, California. Wrangler Red is blended to make the best representation of the 2006 vintage. It is predominantly Cabernet along with Syrah, Zinfandel, Mourvèdre and Tempranillo thrown into the mix. The nose on this wine is all warm raspberry tart with crème anglaise. The palate is luscious and full of baked boysenberries, blackberries and a vanilla bean finish. A serious lip smacker.
$14.99 per bottle
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Note: For our current Sample Cases, go ere.
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