Spotlight

JANUARY NEW ARRIVALS

In order to keep our monthly newsletter at a manageable length, we are forced to omit many worthy new arrivals that we receive here at the shop. Here’s a peek at just a few new interesting items that we’ve picked up over the past week:
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-Ameztoi, Getariako Txakolina 2007: A delicious, lean and refreshing white from the Basque country in northern Spain. The Ameztoi family has been producing txakoli for over seven generations, their vineyards overlooking the picturesque city of San Sebastian. Minerally with a hint of brine, lime, and a slight spritz, this wine is a perfect thirst quencher or companion for seafood. $18.95
-Odoardi, Scavigna Bianco 2007: We’re excited to bring in this fantastic value from a relatively unheralded region of southern Italy, Calabria. To our knowledge, this is one of the few wines from the region currently being imported into Virginia. A blend of malvasia, greco, trebbiano and chardonnay, the Scavigna bianco is smooth on the palate, bright and rich, with a pleasing pop of acidity on the finish. $10.95
-Bodegas Nekeas, “Vega Sindoa” Navarra Chardonnay 2007: We seldom offer Chardonnay from Spain, as we have so many great options from Burgundy and California. However, we found the complexity and the smoothness of Vega Sindoa’s compelling enough to make an exception. Once again, another great value from Spain. $13.95
-Seghesio, Dolcetto d’Alba 2007: The red-headed stepchild of the Piedmontese red grapes, dolcetto never gets the respect that some of us often feel it deserves. More than just a place-holder or an innocuous quaff before moving on to more “serious” red wines, Seghesio’s dolcetto is brimming with bright red fruit and has a surprising level of complexity for “mere dolcetto.” $17.95
-Au Bon Climat, Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir 2007: The wines from Au Bon Climat tend to stand out amongst their California peers as being distinctly more old-world in style, although we’ll spare you the cliche of calling it “Burgundian”. While perhaps you won’t forget Burgundy altogether after tasting this wine, it certainly makes a strong case for reasonably-priced Cental Coast pinot. Their 2007 Santa Barbara pinot noir is understated and elegant, a testament to the adage, “less is more.” $24.95

January 13, 2009 4:12