Current Picks...
Domestic
2006 Edmunds St. John “Bone Jolly” Rosé,
Gamay Noir, Witters Vineyard, Eldorado
More often than not, domestic rosé wines
are a byproduct of red wine production.
Winemakers bleed off juice for added
concentration in cooler vintages or to
lower the potential alcohol (the bled
off juice being replaced by water) in
overly warm ones. Although the
resulting wine is often pleasant, it is
rarely at the quality level of a Rosé
destined to be so before harvest and
thus made from the entire crop.
This dry Rosé from Steve Edmunds happens
to be just that. Gamay grapes earmarked
for pink wine production not just at
harvest but before bud-break. The
result is a focused vibrant and juicy
wine with wild strawberries, ripe peach
skin, pepper spice, and hints of smoke.
As appealing as it is on it’s own, the
acidity that supports this wine begs it
to be served with food. Suggested
retail $18.99.
France
2005 Domaine Menard Colombard/Sauvignon
Blanc, Vin de Pays des Cotes de Gascogne.
Located in the heart of Gascogny and
Armagnac country, Domaine Menard is
50%/50% blend of Colombard and Sauvignon
Blanc. Fresh and vibrant mouthfeel with
flavors and aromas of tropical fruits
complemented by the crisp acidity and
citrusy notes from the Sauvignon Blanc.
A perfect summer selection, this is
lovely as an apéritif or pair it with
fish/lighter foods. Domaine Menard
received the “Best choice Coup de Couer,
Guide Hachette 2005”, the prestigious
French wine Journal. It is a terrific
value at $9.99 suggested retail price.
Italy
2006 Palazzone Dubini Bianco, Umria IGT
When we say this is our favorite summer
cooking wine, please understand that the
wine rarely makes it into the pan. This
is the wine we have in our glass while
we grill or sauté in anticipation of the
meal to come. Clean, crisp, and lively
with aromas of white flowers and flavors
of lemon-lime zest, green apples, and
tangerine pith. Dubini Bianco has
always been one of the greater value
whites in our portfolio and the 2006 is
the best effort yet. The Dubini family
proudly puts their name on this wine and
we are proud to be able to offer it to
you at an $8.99 suggested retail price.
Spain
2005 Martin Sarmiento “Cuatro Pasos”
Mencia, Bierzo DO
Are you getting tired of hearing about
great valued reds out of Spain? Well
we’re not. This wine from the red hot
Bierzo region is made with 100% Mencia
grapes from 80 year old vineyards. Aged
only 3 months in French and American
oak, this purple meaty wine will match
well with any of your favorite outdoor
grilled items. This wines reveals
characteristics of stewed black
cherries, raspberry, and red plums with
a dash of vanilla, coconut and mild
undertones of star anise and cinnamon.
Suggested retail $12.99.
Australia
2006 Torbreck Juveniles, Barossa, South
Australia
This Southern Rhone blend was originally
designed for the famous Parisian wine
bar of the same name. The goal was to
create a wine using some of Barossa
Valley’s finest fruit sources and have a
finished product that would pair well
with the subtle French cuisine. The
result is a wine that not only fits that
profile but a wine that complements a
wide breadth of cuisines including
grilled and barbequed meats.
This unoaked blend of Grenache (60%),
Shiraz (20%), and Mataro (20%) from 40
to 150 year old vines shows a sense of
purity and subtlety seldom if ever seen
from Australia much less Barossa
Valley. Almost Provencal in style with
notes of sweet red cherries, blackberry,
and current accented with white pepper
and quince, this wine has the
appropriate weight that prevents it from
being too heavy even on the hottest
summer evenings. Suggested retail
$19.99.
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