People think of us as a fine wine shop, and we like to think of ourselves the same way. But as we were working on displays and lighting this week we came across a surprising fact,
We Stock 35 Single Malts, 26 Brands of Vodka, 23 Bourbon and Ryes, and 18 Rums. Sure, you know we stock Dujac, Barthod, Arnoux, Paolo Bea, Chateau D'Yquem, Gaja, Shafer Hillside Select, Chateau Valandraud, and Domaine Ott in Magnums, but don't forget we have an incredible selection of spirits too. Take a peek the next time you visit the store. Or call to find that special bottle you have been looking for. 8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 9 4 6 3
1 - Astica Torrontes 2007 $6
The Torrontes grape is, along with Malbec, the emblematic grape of Argentina. This wine is fresh and young with floral and citrus aromas. Ideal as an aperitif, with seafood or spicy cuisine.
Jean-Marc is an adroit winemaker with a recognized gift for using new oak "juste comme il faut", that is to say, "just enough". The pinot noir is completely destemmed before being sent into open top tanks where they undergo a "maceration à froid" (cold maceration) of 5 days at less than 10 C. Jean-Marc uses both a gentle "remontage" and a "pigeage" three times a day for his reds.
He is an advocate of "finale à chaud" and warms the must at the end of fermentation. According to Jean-Marc, this fixes the color in the wine. A beautifully crafted Burgundy from the famed 2005 vintage at a very reasonable price.
3 -Montevertine Le Pergole Torte 2004 $110
Montevertine is situated in the heart of the Chianti district about halfway between Florence and Siena and lying specifically about 3 kilometers distance from the village of Radda in Chianti. The Montevertine estate was first developed in the 11th century and was purchased by Sergio Manetti in 1967.
The first vintage of Montevertine produced and bottled under the supervision of Signor Manetti was 1971. By 1981, due to Signor Manetti’s devotion to the Sangiovese grape, Montevertine left the Chianti Classico consortium, forgoing the Chianti Classico denomination in order to compose wines almost entirely of Sangiovese. The Montevertine estate is now in the hands of Martino Manetti, son of Sergio, who remains dedicated to the style and philosophy of his father.
4 -Dominus 2005 $150
Wine Advocate - Robert Parker - December 2007
Rating: 96 Points
"The 2005 Dominus...has come of age, and is one of the strongest efforts they’ve made. It is possibly the best Dominus since the 2001, and perhaps even the 1997 or 1991. A beautiful, sweet nose of roasted coffee interwoven with kirsch, black currant, cedar, and spice box emerges from this deep ruby/purple-colored wine.
The wine has fabulous intensity, a layered, opulent, full-bodied mouthfeel, well-integrated acidity, and a stunningly long finish. The layering of this wine as it builds incrementally on the palate is something to behold. An outstanding, sexy, ageworthy Dominus, it will benefit from 2-3 years of cellaring, and last for at least 25 or 30 years."
G R E A T
C O L L E C T I O N S
#1 La Dolce Vita Inama Soave Foscarino
Costozza Veneto Rosso
Vitanza Rosso di Montalcino
Fratelli Alessandria Barbera d'Alba
$108
CHEESE: Pairs well with Cacio de Roma, and Taleggio Caravaggio
#2 Que Aproveche! Martinsancho Verdejo
Juan Gil Monastrell
Sierra Cantabria Rioja Gran Reserva
Baron De Ley Finca Monasterio Rioja
$121
CHEESE: Pairs well with Manchego, Valdeon and Mahon
CHEESE: Pairs well with Morbier, Fourme d' Ambert and Saint Andre
#4 Terra Del Sol Crios Torrontes
Clos de los Siete
Luigi Bosca D.O.C. Malbec
Manso de Velasco
$95
Pairs well with: Cured Meats
#5 Off The Beaten Path M. Hofer Gruner Veltliner
Clos des Briords Muscadet Sevre & Maine
Castro Ventosa Mencia
Vale do Bomfim Douro Reserva
Domaine Monpertuis Cuvee Counoise
Puzelat KO " In Cot We Trust"
$92
This is a perfect sampling of wine for those looking to step outside the box
#6 For The Collector Beaux Freres Pinot Noir
Paolo Bea Sagrantino di Montefalco
Dalmau Rioja
Chateau Beaucastel Chateauneuf-Du-Paoe
$420
Extremely limited supply of these wines, Other wines of this caliber always available.
#7 Cognac Collection J.Normandin-Mercier
Jean Fillioux Tres Vieux
Tesseron X.O. lot no. 53 (1953)
$287
#8 Bourbon Collection Old Weller Antique
Michter's Small Batch
Blanton's Single Barrel
$121
#9 Scotch Collection Springbank Single Malt 15 year
Lagavulin Single Malt 16 year
Ardbeg 1990 Single Malt
$285
#10 Vodka Collection Ciroc, French, from grapes
Cold River, Maine, from potatoes
Boru, Ireland, from grain
$100
#11 Calvados Collection Pommeau de Normandie
Coeur de lion Selection
R. Giard Calvados du Pays d'Auge
$120
Domaine Chanson Clos Des Mouches 1er cru
$90
#08689107452
2002
Louis Latour Volnay En Chevret 1er Cru
$45
# 02686112389
for those of you who missed the last "Vintage of the Century" just a few short years ago.
Burgundy
2005 White
Crafted from 100% Chardonnay, the white wines of Burgundy are often imitated but seldom matched. From the northern vineyards of Chablis through to the Cote Chalonnaise, the white wines of Burgundy are among the grandest and most charming whites in all the world. From a simple village wine to a rare and glorious Grand Cru, these wines offer remarkable quality, grace and longevity
Domaine Ferret " Les Sceles" Pouilly-Fuisse
$35
#l 1052
The central part of the Côte de Beaune comprises an area predestined to produce great white wines, and Puligny-Montrachet is certainly one of its most glorious examples. The clay and chalky soil, which is very stony, has good drainage and warms through easily.
Although the wines are very pleasant when young, they can usually be kept for a long time, 6 to 8 years in a normal vintage, up to 15 years for a great vintage. Due to the refinement of their bouquet and the elegance of their flavours, these great white wines are unquestionably destined to accompany haute cuisine : shellfish cooked in a light wine sauce (court-bouillon) or any delicate fish (such as Dover sole) prepared grilled or poached. The wine should be served no colder than 13°C (57°F).
$55
# 01208635301
Joseph Drouhin Chassagne-Montrachet
Joseph Drouhin Chassagne-Montrachet
hardonnay was the favourite grape of Charlemagne. He granted land and Roman cellars in Burgundy to the monks with the stipulation that they expand plantings of this marvellous vine. During the Renaissance, the Dukes of Burgundy claimed these vineyards and cellars for themselves, the best of which are to-day part of the vast Drouhin family estate.
The grapes are picked by hand in small crates, then carefully brought to Joseph Drouhin winery in Beaune. After a slow and gentle pressing, the juice ferments in 228 litre oak barrels.
Chassagne-Montrachet has a lovely gold green colour. The nose is elegant, with pear, vanilla and apple as the dominant flavours. The wine is well balanced and round with a nice fruity finish. Very long and complex, this is a superb example of a great Chardonnay from Burgundy.
$54
# 01208635101
Joseph Drouhin Chablis-Vaudesir Grand Cru
$86
# 2422547
Newton Unfiltered Chardonnay 2005
$60 #08175380182
From Winemaker Tom Rinaldi - Formerly of Duckhorn Vineyards
Hewitt Estate Cabernet 2003 - $75
Hewitt Estate Cabernet 2003 - $75
"What makes this wine special is that I get to select the rows I want from this spectacular vineyard," says winemaker Tom Rinaldi. "We select only the best fruit from the vineyard to go into the Hewitt bottling."
01813855502
WINE SPECTATOR - 93 - POINTS
Condrieu "La doriane" 2005 $85
"Concentrated, with focused almond, acacia, mango and dried pineapple flavors. Nice cut to the finish, with lingering anise notes that really open up in the glass. Only - 1500 cases made" - J.M. Wine Spectator
Brilliant clear pale golden color, aromas of white flowers, apricot, peaches. Intensely powerful and elegant . Freshness, round, rich and full-bodied. Great finesse and freshness. A pleasant light acidity is well balanced with round fleshy fruitiness
This is real magic in a bottle - A store favorite - And perfect for Valentine's Day.
The Chateau de Beaucastel
White “Vieilles Vignes” - 2003 - $155
Listen here to Marc Perrin talk about this wine:
Karen McNeil author of The Wine Bible says this:
"If ever there was a wine that you'd like to smell for eternity, this is it. The wine is so good it defies description".
The Perrin family who own the Chateau drink this with another southern Rhone masterpiece:
Perfectly scrambled eggs cooked with the local black truffles.
