March 2024 Newletter

March Tasting Events

Join us on
FRIDAY, March 15th from 5:30 to 7:00pm

THE

WINES
OF MARCH
A tasting of wines from the Roman region of Lazio.

WINE TASTING EVERY SATURDAY   2:00pm-6:00pm
‘Whatever we feel like opening”

PLUS – Last Saturday WINE SCHOOL – 3/30/24

MARCH SPECIAL OFFER – From the cellar: A pair of 15’s!

A pair of perfectly aged Pinot Noir’s, one from California and one from Oregon, same vintage, same ABV.

2015 Chanin Los Alamos Vineyard Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County, USA – More Burgundy than California, here is a review: “The 2015 Pinot Noir Los Alamos Vineyard is exquisitely beautiful. Rose petal, mint sweet red cherry and dried flowers lift from the glass in this delicate, wonderfully nuanced Pinot Noir from Cavin Chanin. All the elements are simply in the right place. A dollop of whole clusters (15%) adds aromatic complexity. The Los Alamos is not a big or obvious wine, but is (a) very, very pretty one, made in an especially floral/savory style.” (Vinous Galloni 2/17)                  Regular price: $52.99, On sale in MARCH: $29.99
2015 Freja Cellars Chehalem Mountains Estate Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, USA- Rarely does the entire staff agree on a wine but everyone was all in for this estate grown Pinot in its prime drinking window!  This is a nicely balanced wine with plenty of primary fruit like crushed cranberries and dried bing cherries; plus a touch of baking spice and evergreen forest floor. It finishes with pinot acid in perfect harmony with the relaxed tannins. A great example of Willamette Pinot noir.                    Regular price: $25.99, On sale in MARCH: $19.99
It was quite interesting (and fun) to open these two side by side, offering a chance to compare well grown and well vinted California and Oregon Pinot noir from the same vintage.  So we want to offer:
The CALORE Pinot two pack (1 each of the above wines) for only $39.99!

MARCH SPECIAL OFFER- BOLD NEW WORLD REDS!

With warmer weather coming this is a good opportunity to offer some specials on some well-regarded
New World Bordeaux Blends at great discounts!
2021 Vina Cobos Cocodrilo Corte Mendoza, Argentina –“The 2021 Blend Cocodrilo is 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Cabernet Franc and 15% Malbec, 56% from the Uco Valley and 44% from Lujan de Cuyo. Aged 15 months in 14% new French oak and the rest in used barrels. It’s purple with a garnet sheen. The ripe nose features blackberry, cassis plum and jam against a spicy, ashy backdrop before roasted bell pepper aromas appear late. It’s plush and indulgent, with a velvety, full body that rounds out a potent, lasting character. A vibrant hint of ripe cassis resonates at the back of the throat.” (Vinous 5/23) 
                                                                Regular price: $34.99, On sale in MARCH: $26.99
2020 Marques de Casa Concha Heritage, Puente Alto, Chile – “The 2021 Marques de Casa Concha Heritage is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with 24% Cabernet Franc from El Mariscal Vineyard in Puente Alta, Maipo Valley, and was aged for 16 months in oak barrels. Dark garnet-red in color. The fruit forward nose features redcurrant and blackberry notes as well as bay leaf against a cedar backdrop. Featuring the polished tannins typical of the Puente Alto area, the flow is broad and gently channeled, enlivened by a juicy acidity that delivers lasting juicy flavor. A crystal clear, terroir driven wine.” (Vinous 3/23)
Regular price: $54.99, On sale in MARCH: $37.99
2016 Blackbird Vineyards Paramour, Napa Valley, USA – “The 2016 Paramour is one of the best wines I have tasted from Blackbird. Dark, succulent and inviting, the 2016 possesses terrific depth and nuance. Chocolate, black cherry, spice, new leather and menthol build in this racy Cabernet Franc-based blend. Most of the fruit is sourced from Stagecoach, Hudson and Crocker Starr.” (Vinous, Galloni 10/18)
Regular price: $144.99, On sale in MARCH: $95.99

NEW ARRIVALS – Wines from Bulgaria!

Bulgaria is one of the oldest winemaking countries in the world. Try some different grapes! Great wines and great values!

2021 Georgiev & Milkov Rubin, Thracian Valley, Bulgaria – Hand pressed, very small production with each bottle hand numbered. The grape Rubin is a cross of Nebbiolo and Syrah developed in Bulgaria in 1944. Elegant and medium bodied it reminds one of a cross between the Piedmont and Beaujolais. Black cherry, dark chocolate and spices finishing with refined tannins. $28.99
2022 Georgiev & Milkov ‘Why Not’ Red Misket, Thracian Valley, Bulgaria – (100% Red Misket) Red Misket is a white wine grape with a pinkish skin color. It is an old local variety in the Sub-Balken Bulgarian wine regions. Light and fresh with floral aromas complemented by lime zest, grapefruit and citrus notes. $23.99
2020 Bononia Estate Gamza, Danubian Plains, Bulgaria - Cadarca or Kadarka or Gamza is a dark-skinned variety of red wine grape. It has a long history and is popular in Romania and Bulgaria. The wines from the Gamza grape are usually light, easy-drinking and elegant, broadly comparable to Pinot Noir. This has very muted aromas of black cherries. Juicy and well balanced, it is a very straightforward and enjoyable wine.  $28.99

NEW ARRIVALS – RIESLING!

2 Rieslings from iconic vineyard sites – an Alsatian Grand Cru and a Piesporter Goldtröpfchen

2018 Nik Weis St.-Urbans-Hof Riesling Kabinett Mosel Goldtröpfchen, Germany – “Very seductive, featuring currant and passion fruit flavors, while notes of cardamom glide along the edges. Very well-balanced and complex, with juicy acidity that brings out the mineral-infused finish. Drink now through 2028. 700 cases made, 300 cases imported.” (WS) $27.99
2015 Domaine Riefle Riesling Steinert Alsace Grand Cru, France – “The 2015 Riesling Grand Cru Steinert is very clear, intense and pure on the nose, where ripe and concentrated fruit flavors are intermixed with stony and remarkably prominent floral flavors. Intense and powerful but also pure and elegant on the palate, this is a lean, tightly woven, very mineral and persistently salty Riesling. It has enormous length and tension. This is gorgeous. Jean-Claude is more on the blend in this Alsatian climate. However, I find this a fascinating dry Riesling.” (WA) $44.99

MONTHLY SPECIALS