September 2024 Newsletter

September Tasting Events

                                                          Rhône tasting    
                                                  With Importer David Milligan
                                                  of David Milligan Selections
                                              Wed. Sept. 11th from 5:30-7:00pm.
                                                      Discounts on all wines tasted.

                                                                Join us on
                                                Tuesday, Sept 24th 6:00-7:30 pm
                                                            as we welcome
                                                        Angela Biagiotti
                                                                  from
                                                      Uccelliera/Voliero
                                                Wines from Montalcino
                                                      Discounts on all wines tasted

“UNCORKED” WINE EDUCATION SEPTEMBER CLASSES

2 offerings on Tuesdays and Thursdays!

Uncorked is an exciting and fun educational series!
It is a sit down class lasting 90 minutes focused on particular wine regions.
SEPTEMBER CLASS OFFERINGS! - TWO OPTIONS
Sign up for both classes and get 10% off!
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1. Chinon and Bourgueil: Understanding Cabernet Franc.
This is our 5th class in the “Meandering up the Loire” series.  Enjoy 8 wines, cheese plates, and more while learning why Loire Valley Cabernet Franc is one of the most food-friendly reds!
TWO DATES:
TUESDAY, September 17th from 5:30pm-7:00pm $75
THURSDAY, September 19th from 5:30 -7:00pm   $75

                          Call 804-285-8011 to sign up!
Payment due at sign-up.
or ask an associate to sign up or email us with your name and PHONE NUMBER at:

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2. The RED wines of the Veneto, Italy with Ellen Simpson (WSET 3).
The 4th class in our DISCOVERING ITALY series. Enjoy 8 wines, cheese plates, and more while getting a fun lesson on the “classics” such as Valpolicella, Bardolino, and Amarone!! 

TWO DATES:
TUESDAY, September 24th from 5:30pm-7:00pm $55
THURSDAY, September 26th from 5:30 -7:00pm   $55

Call 804-285-8011 to sign up!
Payment due at sign-up.
or ask an associate to sign up or email us with your name and PHONE NUMBER at:
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And in Early October: The Somm Series:
Tasting like a Somm
with level 3 Advanced Sommelier and Buckhead’s Wine Director Sam Stronach
Oct.7- 5:30-7pm - $55/person
CallNOW at 804-285-8011 to sign up!
Payment due at sign-up.
or ask an associate to sign up or email us with your name and PHONE NUMBER at:

SEPTEMBER SPECIAL OFFER- FROM THE CELLAR! – No further discounts / Quantities are limited!

2011 Mas de Guiot Grenache – Syrah IGP Gard, France - It seems that the Mas de Guiot line (name used for their vin de pays offerings) is no longer made by Chateau Guiot in the Costieres de Nimes. Here is a review from Robert Parker in 2012:  “The 2011 Mas de Guiot Syrah-Grenache (60% Syrah and 40% Grenache, aged completely in tank) is a sleeper of the vintage. Beautiful strawberry and cherry fruit with hints of plum, sandy/loamy soil notes and some subtle Provencal herbs are present in this richly fruity, consumer-friendly and accessible style of wine, which begs for consumption over the next several years.” So how is it tasting today? Thanks to the screwcap enclosure it has aged very nicely with black olive and herb notes on a savory umami finish. There is still a touch of youthful tannins and good acidity. Reg. price $12.99 / On Sale in Sept: $7.99
2011 Old World Winery 1929 Block Carignane Dry Creek Valley, USA – (80% Carignane, 20% Zinfandel) – A project of Derek Trowbridge, Old World winery specializes in dry farmed organic wines and this Carignane is from vineyard blocks in Sonoma’s Dry Creek Valley planted in 1929.  Tobacco, pepper and herbs with hints of red and black fruit, finishing with very refined tannins but a surprising amount of puckering acidity. Carignane (Carginan in France) is a late ripening, thick skinned dark grape that brings color and structure to Rhone blends. It is utterly fascinating to try this natural California grown version with 13 years of bottle age!  Pair with burgers or lamb!        Regular price $25.99 / On Sale in September: $17.99
2013 Pali Wine Co. Charm Acres Chardonnay Sonoma Coast, USA – We have always enjoyed the Pali wines since their founding in 2005. Pali’s focus is Chardonnay and Pinot Noir mostly from the Sta. Rita Hills area but the Charm Acres wines focuses on their connection to vineyards in the southeastern Sonoma Coast. The intent was to make a crispy, more Chablis like interpretation and the 2013 retains some of that zest, thanks to the Stelvin (screwcap) enclosure. There are some white peach and orange peel notes and the wine remains smooth and balanced with a very fresh finish. Try with Salmon and a creamy pesto sauce.
                                                          Regular price $25.99 / On Sale in September: $14.99

SEPTEMBER SPECIAL OFFER- WHITE BURGUNDY– no further discounts!

2017 Lucien & Fanny Rocault Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Beaune Blanc - We love White Burgundy and are always on the lookout for something wonderful and affordable. For 18 generations, the Rocault family has vinified vineyards from south of the Côte de Beaune passing through Pommard, Saint-Romain & Saint-Aubin and they converted to organic farming and minimal intervention in 2009. The 2017 opens with aromas of stone fruits with a touch of vanilla and is rich and balanced on the palate with a nice clean finish. Here is your perfect pairing for Lobster tail or seared Scallops!  Reg. price $51.99 / On Sale in Sept.: $39.99

NEW ARRIVALS- PIEDMONT

With cooler weather on the Horizon we have new selections of Nebbiolo!

2020 Indigenous Nebbiolo D’Alba DOC, Piedmont, Italy– This 100% Nebbiolo from Giorgio Rivetti of La Spinetta is fermented in stainless steel and aged 12 months in medium-toasted used French oak. Notes of ripe cherries, black currant and rose petal finishing with polished tannins. An affordable, drinkable southern Piedmont Nebbiolo. $21.99
2022 Sottimano Langhe Nebbiolo Piedmont, Italy -“The 2022 Langhe Nebbiolo is Barbaresco in all but name Barbaresco because of its slightly earlier release. Crushed flowers, spice, tobacco, cedar and bright Nebbiolo acids are nicely delineated. In 2022, the Langhe Nebbiolo has a bit more mid-palate richness than in most years, but that is not a bad thing for a wine meant to be enjoyed over the near and medium term.” (Vinous, Galloni 9/23) $32.99

The cooler climate of the Northern Piedmont produces some extremely elegant Nebbiolo!
2018 Vignaioli Boniperti ‘Barton’ Fara, Piedmont, Italy – (70% Nebbiolo and 30% Vespolina) Fara is the southernmost DOC in the Alto Piemonte and it is not uncommon to blend some Vespolina with the required Nebbiolo. With cherry, blackberry, cassis and savory spice notes it is medium bodied and lighter in color. Fresh with nice acidity and very refined but still Nebbiolo-like tannins. In some way it reminds one of an aged Piedmont wine (color not withstanding) but this is a Nebbiolo you can enjoy NOW! $39.99
2018 Paride Iaretti Gattinara, Vigna Valferana DOCG Piedmont, Italy – (100% Nebbiolo) From a Cru vineyard with a unique volcanic soil mixed with iron crystals. There are notes of red currants, Morello cherries, dried herbs and balsamic nuances. Elegant, but young, with good acidity and structured tannins. Easier on the palate than young Barolo, but a wine that should be decanted to reveal its best self. $69.99

MONTHLY SPECIALS