Wines By the Glass Flashcards
Lambrusco
Cantina Sociale di Gualtieri Reggiano- Lambrusco, Italy NV
Reggiano Region
This is the largest of the five Lambrusco-based regions, and is responsible for an impressive quantity of the sparkling wines exported every year, mostly to the US and northern Europe.
Classic Lambrusco, a mixture of the various Lambrusco grape varieties, is a sparkling red wine which varies in sweetness from off-dry to semi-sweet.
The sweeter styles are generally made in a lightly sparkling frizzante, while the dry wines are darker in color and fuller bodied. A bianco spumante(foaming white wine) is also produced, made from must fermented without stalks and skins. The rosato (rose) style is made by permitting limited skin contact to allow a little pigment to leach out into the juice.
Reggiano is particularly known for its sweet amabile and dolce versions, which contain up to 15% partially fermented Ancellotta grapes (which give it its natural sweetness); the remaining 85% is made up of Maestri, Marani, Monstericco and Salamino Lambrusco in any combination.
Chenin Blanc/Chardonnay
Obvious Wines “French and Bubbly” - Cremant de Loire, France NV
Cabernet Franc Cremant
Pierre and Bertrand Rose - Cremant de Loire, France NV
Alvarinho Blend
Uivo Pet Nat Branco, Alto-Douro (North East), Portugal
40% Alvarinho, 15% Moscatel Galego, 25% Rabigato, 10% Bical, 10% Arinto
It’s refreshing, light, and lively on the palate, with aromas of green apple and grapefruit. Perfect summertime bubbly to enjoy outdoors.
From 2 hectares of 10-35 year old vines planted on schist and granite soils, the grapes are hand-harvested at the beginning of September, undergo vineyard sorting and whole cluster pressing with no time on skins. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel (6500L) with wild yeasts for roughly four weeks with temperature control. Bottled after first fermentation. Disgorged February 2019; no dosage. Not fined or filtered.
Alto-Douro Map
Pet Nat
Pétillant Naturel (Peet-eeyohn) Natural Sparkling
What’s light, natural, and fizzy all over? That’s right, we’re talking Pétillant Naturel, or Pét-Nat, for short. Despite its recent surge in popularity, Pét-Nat is actually far from being the new kid on the block. In fact, this spritzy sparkler dates back pre-Champagne, making it the OG way to produce sparkling wine. So how exactly is it made?
Pét-Nat is produced in the méthode ancestral, otherwise known as “rurale,” “artisanale,” or “gaillacoise.” Long story short, the wine is bottled prior to fully completing its first fermentation, allowing carbon dioxide to be produced by the natural sugars found in the grapes. The méthode ancestrale was originally used in Limoux in the south of France in the early 16th century by winemaking monks. This production method is contrary to the méthode champenoise, the way in which Champagne is produced, where the base wine is fully fermented, then undergoes a secondary fermentation in bottle with the addition of yeast and sugar (otherwise known as liqueur de tirage.) Unlike Champagne, Pét-Nat is not disgorged, and may or may not be filtered on completion of fermentation.
So what do they taste like? Pét-Nats have a light and fizzy mouthfeel and are generally low in alcohol. They are usually slightly sweet, though dry examples do exist. The wines can benefit from a couple of years in bottle, though do not develop with further aging. The bottles are often cloudy, due to remaining lees presence and lack of filtration. Pét-Nat production is extremely variable and can be hard to control and therefore requires a level of expertise on the winemaker’s part. The end result is a raw, rustic, and lively wine, extremely reflective of the terroir from which it came. Look to Limoux and Gaillac in the south of France for white Pét-Nats comprised of fun and fizzy Mauzac, or more north, to the Loire Valley, for examples of both crisp whites and fresh, funky reds.
Still Rose
Grenache Gris - Sud de France
Sciaccarellu - Corsica, France
Mourvedre - Santa Barbara, CA
Corsica
It’s been part of France since 1768, but retains a distinct Italian culture.
A mountainous Mediterranean island, presents a mix of stylish coastal towns, dense forest and craggy peaks (Monte Cinto is the highest).
Nearly half the island falls within a park whose hiking trails include the challenging GR 20. Its beaches range from busy Pietracorbara to remote Saleccia and Rondinara.
Sciacarellu Grape
Sciacarellu is a red Italian wine grape variety that is grown primarily in Corsica.
It is most noted for the wines that come from Ajaccio which tend to be highly perfumed.
It is also associated with wines from Calvi, and in the Sartène region around Propriano
Grenache Gris
2018 La Domitienne - Sud de France
Aroma: Terrific notes of peach, strawberry and orange blossom on the nose.
Mouth Feel: Fresh and light, showing a floral edge to the brisk core of peach pit on the attack, medium-bodied, layered and elegant, with a full-mid-palate, integrated acidity and a great crispy finish.
Cabernet Franc from New York
Channing Daughters, Long Island, New York 2018
Crisp, medium-bodied… Light; Very Pale Pink in color.
Beautiful floral notes, raspberry, watermelon, currant, saline minerality, yellow plum, red and citrus.
raw bar (Oysters), shellfish (Spot Prawns), sushi(Krudo), ceviches, fresh cheeses and fried foods. Moderate, balanced alcohol.
Field Blend
Patrick Sullivan ‘Haggis’ Orange Wine, Yarra Valley, Australia 2018
Pretty serious fruit now. All organically grown by Bill Downie and Patrick Sullivan on vineyards they manage in the Gippsland. It’s a blend of every red and white grape they grow, which is too many to mention. Seriously drinkable, as it traditionally is.
Field Blend
Orange wines have been described as robust and bold, with honeyed aromas of jackfruit (a fleshy tropical fruit), hazelnut, brazil nut, bruised apple, wood varnish, linseed oil, juniper, sourdough, and dried orange rind.
On the palate, they’re big, dry, and even have tannin like a red wine with a sourness similar to fruit beer. Often they’re so intense that you might want to make sure you’re sitting down when you taste your first orange wine.
Melon
Lieu Dit - Santa Maria Valley, CA, 2017
Full of fresh acidity and aromas with some floral character; flavors are of green pear, lemon and honeysuckle.
The 2017 Melon de Bourgogne is bracing and bright, perfect when sipped alongside oysters (as the label may evidently convey!) As we like to say, lieudicious, nutritious, delicious.
Founded by longtime friends Eric Railsback and Justin Willett, Lieu Dit seeks to highlight the unique microclimates and soils of Santa Barbara, focusing on grape varieties of the Loire Valley.
Pinot Grigio
Barone Fini - Valdadige, Italy
Aromas of subtle floral notes and lemon mist. Round fruit fills the mouth with ripe, juicy flavors of honeydew melon and ripe apples. Bright acidity balanced with warm minerality creates a lingering, crisp finish.
Albariño
Bodegas Zarate, Rias Baixas (Bike-Sus), Spain 2018
Zarate Albarino is a fresh, balanced and elegant wine. Its minerality and natural acidity are the key to its beautiful balance. The Zarate vineyards have an average age of 35 years.
Winemaking Notes: Grapes are manually harvested and sorted in the vineyard.
Fermentation occurs naturally with native yeast in stainless steel tanks. The wine spends 6 months on its fine lees.
About 10-25% goes through malolactic fermentation. Malolactic (when it occurs) is spontaneous. The addition of sulphites is low.
Rias Baixas Map
Zarate Vineyards
Leader in biodynamic viticulture and one of the first adopters in Rias Baixas.
Ancient vines - many pre-phyloxera and pie franco.
Beyond Albarino, Zarate also makes several red wines from local varieties and is working on restoring many lost vineyards.
Sauvignon Blanc New World
Mount Beautiful - North Canterbury, New Zealand 2018
MB has great aromatic power with aromas of violet, fresh pear, and white stone fruits.
This wine is generous and full-bodied w/ lush stone and passion fruits. Creamy mouthfeel balanced by a crisp citrus acid and great length of flavor.
Canterbury/Waipara Region: Further south from Marlborough, the Sauvignon Blanc is citrusy with more minerality, acidity and dryness.
Marlborough Region: The main growing area in all of New Zealand delivers the benchmark style Sauvignon Blanc. Wines have intense aromatics of passion fruit, gooseberry, along with grassy-lemongrass flavors.
Grillo/Catarratto
Centropassi Giato - Sicily, Italy 2018
Rare White Blend
Lilies and hints of earth tones on the nose.
Good acidity and freshness, overall a lovely wine in a great price range.
Gruner Veltliner
Nigl Kremstal - Austria 2018
Crisp and refreshing with plenty of lively acidity.
Grüner Veltliner is marked by telltale notes of white pepper, citrus, peach, herbs and a bright minerality.
Pairs well with light meals such as salads, chicken, roast pork and seafood.
While most are fresh and ready to drink early, there are a few styles to be found. Many high caliber single vineyard bottlings can benefit from cellar aging but the straightforward and easily quaffable Grüners often come in one liter size bottles—a convenient size!
Nigl Winery
Martin practices sustainable farming, never using herbicides or insecticides, plants cover crops of legumes and herbs, and avoids copper, a mainstay in the biodynamic arsenal, but which he considers detrimental to his vines’ vitality, and harmful to the soil.
In the cellar, Nigl works almost exclusively in stainless steel, never de-stems, uses only ambient yeasts, settles musts by gravity only, racks twice and never fines before bottling. The resulting wines are some of the most crystalline, transcendent bottlings in the portfolio.
Kremstal
The region of considerable geologic diversity and microclimates, Kremstal extends virtually without border east from Wachau along the Danube River.
After Krems, the vineyards become excessively steep upstream around Senftenberg where Riesling and Grüner Veltlinerthrive. Grüner Veltliner does best from here east where the soils become a mix of sand, gravel and loess.
Grüner Veltliner and Riesling together comprise two thirds of all of the Kremstal vineyards; the region itself represents about five percent of Austria’s total vineyard area.
Chenin Blanc New World
Medium Body
Kloofstreet - Swartland, South Africa 2017
Pale straw in color
Has a nose of sun ripened pears and wet granite.
Vibrant acidity balanced by a soft round texture.
The wine has a fresh, mineral finish.
Pinot Blanc
Trimbach - Alsace, France 2017
Pale yellow with green reflections and rich concentrated aromas of white flower and apricot notes. Smooth, medium bodied with good fruit acidity.
Pinot Blanc is typically a full-bodied wine and expresses pleasing aromas of crisp pear, peach, lemon zest, crushed gravel and white flowers. The finest examples can possess a stony minerality and with age can develop intriguing notes of honey, vanilla and almond.
Approachable, aromatic and pleasantly plush on the palate, Pinot blanc is a white grape variety born out of a mutation of pink-skinned Pinot gris (which was born out of a mutation of Pinot noir) and is perhaps most associated with the Alsace region of France.
Chardonnay from France
Domaine Barat - Chablis, France 2016
Bright nose of pretty floral notes overlaying the classic Chablis minerality.
Good minerality and delicious concentration.
Vineyard on the famous kimmeridgien clay-calcareous soil, it has a fresh and lively taste.
Sauvignon Blanc Old World
Pierre Riffault 7 Hommes - Sancerre, France 2018
The classic Sancerre wine is white, bracingly acidic, and has pungent aromas of gooseberries, grass, nettles, and a hint of stony minerality.
Sancerre is a small wine district in central France, famous for its crisp, aromatic white wines made from Sauvignon Blanc.
Chardonnay California Light
Land of Saints - Santa Maria Valley, CA 2016
Barrel fermented, raised in stainless. Mersault-style, 30% new French barrique
Aged in 30% new French barriques there is a perfectly balanced textural tone through the wine, with plenty of mineral cut to back it up.
Riesling
Donhoff - Nahe, Germany 2018
Relatively low alcohol, high acidity, steely minerality and stone fruit, spice, citrus and floral notes.
At its ripest, it leans towards juicy peach, nectarine and pineapple, while cooler climes produce Rieslings redolent of meyer lemon, lime and green apple. With age, Riesling can become truly revelatory, developing unique, complex aromatics, often with a hint of petrol.
The geology of the middle Nahe is notably shaped by its eons-old clay slate formations and rich volcanic soils. The concentration of porphyry and melaphyre stone in and around the old Oberhausen vineyards – Kieselberg and Felsenberg, help provide the perfect berry base for Gutsriesling.
Oregon Chardonnay
Trisaetum - Willamette Valley, Oregon 2017
White - Buttery and Complex
Estate-grown grapes
Tangy wine with hints of lemon verbena
Green apple, melon and lime.
Well-focused wine whose pleasantly tart, lightly green flavors finish with a light touch of butterscotch.
Napa Chardonnay
Cakebread - Napa Valley, CA 2017
This wine has a pretty, floral nose with fresh citrus, orange blossom and white peach, but the real treat is in the mouth. The viscosity coats the palate; it is weighty on the tongue yet well balanced with acidity. The finish is clean with a nice zing and lingering minerality intertwined with pear and apple lemon.
CARRICANTE
Valenti Enrico IV - Etna Bianco, Sicily, Italy 2015
Delicate scents of white flower, flint and white stone fruit slowly emerge on this crisp white. The linear, refreshing palate offers unripe peach, citrus and mineral alongside vibrant acidity.
Vineyard on Active Volcano… Videos this past June of eruption!
Carricante has a racy streak of minerality and, at their best, bear resemblance to their respective red and white Burgundies
Made from Carricante grapes; vine age – planted 2004, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015; grown on soils of black volcanic and tan volcanic. Fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. Aged in stainless steel and in the bottle. Aged for 8 months in the stainless steel and 3 months in the bottle.
VERMENTINO
Ryme ‘Hers’ - Las Brisas Vineyard - Carneros, California 2017
The 2017 ‘Hers’ Vermentino is mouthwatering and refreshing. It is lovely with aromatics of jasmine, and lemon zest. It is reminiscent of California’s salty ocean air. The palate is stimulating with a bracing gingery snap and rounds out with depth and texture.
A fantastic, aromatic white grape whose best wines come from a northeastern corner of Sardinia in a region called Gallura.
Common flavors associated with this wine include pear, white peach, grapefruit, lime zest, fresh almond and crushed rocks. It is dry but fruity with a bright finish. Sardinian producers like to pick early to retain lively acidity but a fuller style has also become popular.
CHARDONNAY
Dumol Charles Heintz Vineyard ‘Isobel’ - Sonoma Coast, California 2015
Opens with gregarious honeydew melon, ripe peaches and pink grapefruit notes with touches of allspice, jasmine and mandarin peel.
Full-bodied with a decadent oiliness to the texture, it has a racy backbone lifting the opulent fruit and a very long finish.
Barrel Aging
12 MONTHS IN 35% NEW FRENCH OAK BARRELS FROM TONNELLERIE ACF BEFORE SIX MONTHS SETTLING IN TANK
Semi Carbonic Malbec
Le Croizillon - Cahors, France 2017
The grapes used to create this latest batch of wine from Cahors were sourced from several of our vineyard’s different terroirs, allowing Malbec’s fruity and easily digestible qualities come to the forefront. 30% of the wine is produced with carbonic maceration, providing great freshness and drinkability
Sonoma County Pinot Noir
Banshee - Sonoma County CA 2017
Red - Savory and Classic
An exciting, yet friendly wine, bursting at the seams with aromas of macerated wild berries and an elegant, soft earth undertone. The flavors combine both sweet and tart, reminiscent of Santa Rosa plums and wild blackberries that grow so commonly in Sonoma Wine Country. The finish is bright, slightly herbal, and savory making this an excellent food wine, as well as a charming drinking experience by itself.
Gamay
Chateau de Jacques Morgon - Beaujolais France 2016
With a deep red cherry color, with walnut and little red fruits aromas, this wine has silky tannins that will help it to age.
Morgon is one of the 10 Crus’ of the Beaujolais. The Côte du Py is situated on the slopes over the village of Villié Morgon and is made of granite and schist.
It will be a perfect partner for « charcuteries », Italian foods, red and white meats when young. Getting older, it will be perfect with game meat. This wine will be perfect drunk young but will also be able to age 5-10 years in perfect conditions of temperature and humidity.
Santa Barbara Pinot Noir
Chanin “ Sanford and Benedict Vineyard” - Santa Barbara Ca 2013
Dark ruby in color, this wine is extremely complex with nuances of black cherry, tobacco leaf and dried earth. The palate is fleshy, with structured tannins and dense, dark fruit on the finish.
Oregon Pinot Noir
L’angolo Estate - Dundee Hills, Oregon 2016
A blend of all four Pinot Noir clones planted in our estate vineyard. A perfect fit to add to your table.
Argentina Malbec
Matías Riccitelli “Hey Malbec!” - Mendoza, Argentina 2017
Juicy black fruits combine with violets and black pepper, with soft and ripe tannins leading a soft and opulent finish. Lovely on its own or with juicy red meat.
A meticulous hand made selection is performed prior to vinification.
70% of this wine matures inside small concrete tanks, 30% remaining inside French used oak barrels.
Cabernet Franc Red
The subtler and more delicate of the Cabernets, Cabernet Franc is a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. While both are important grapes in modern day, high quality Bordeaux, interestingly, Cabernet Franc most likely originated from the Basque region of France sometime during the middle 1600’s. Today Cabernet Franc produces outstanding single varietal wines across the wine producing world, with some of its most classic examples from France’s Loire Valley, in the regions of Chinon, Bourgueil and Saumur-Champigny. Outside of France, Cabernet Franc performs quite well in parts of California, New York and Virginia. It is also a great blending grape.
In the Glass
Cabernet Franc typically tastes of red raspberries, cherries and herbs, with a stunning perfume of violets, tobacco and spice.
Perfect Pairings
Mouthwatering acidity makes Cabernet Franc an incredibly food-friendly wine, helping to cut through the richness of fatty meat dishes. It especially shines in tandem with lamb, and its affinity for the spice cabinet allows it to pair perfectly with Chinese dishes prepared with Szechuan pepper and five-spice.
Sommelier Secret
One of California’s best-kept secrets is the Happy Canyon appellation of Santa Barbara. Here Cabernet Franc shines as a single varietal wine or in blends, expressing sumptuous fruit, savory aromas and polished tannins.
Cabernet Franc
ABOUT CABERNET FRANC
Cabernet Franc is a red grape best known in France, where it is most commonly associated with Bordeaux’s right bank and the Loire Valley. Cabernet Franc is a parent, alongside Sauvignon Blanc, of the Cabernet Sauvignon grape, as well as a parent grape to Merlot and Carmenère. There are a large number of synonyms for Cabernet Franc, including Bouchy, Breton and Cabernet Frank.
In comparison to the bolder Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc wines tend to be of light or medium body, and are lighter in both color and tannin. The wines generally mature earlier. Cabernet Franc is sometimes associated with a herbaceous, almost green aroma, and possesses an outward expression of fruit.
The red wines tend to be light in color saturation, well-structured and highly perfumed, with aromas of raspberries and red fruits. These are wines intended for early to medium-term drinking, and some of the best examples come from Anjou-Villages, Bourgueil, Chinon and Saumur-Champigny.
Though mostly a blending grape in Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc plays a starring role in the Loire Valley. Its single-variety red wines are highly regarded, and the grape also features in rosé wines, like Rosé de Loire and Rosé d’Anjou. The region’s sparkling wine, Crémant de Loire, can also be made in part or entirely from Cabernet Franc grapes.
In Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc is most significant on the right bank, particularly in Saint-Émilion. Here, it is used as a blending component alongside the dominant Merlot grape, usually in preference to Cabernet Sauvignon. Some producers favor Cabernet Franc over Merlot, and produce their wines primarily with Cabernet Franc.
Elsewhere in the region, Cabernet Franc plays a smaller role and makes up only a small proportion of overall vineyard plantings in the Médoc and Graves regions. The grape ripens more easily than Cabernet Sauvignon, so many producers look at it as a sort of insurance policy against the kind of inclement weather that can cause problems for Cabernet Sauvignon.
Beyond Bordeaux and the Loire Valley, Cabernet Franc is also cultivated in the southwest of France, including Bergerac and Madiran. Other significant plantings of Cabernet Franc can be found in Italy, notably in the Veneto and Bolgheri regions. Hungary’s Villány region produces some excellent single varietal Cabernet Franc, too.
New world regions cultivating Cabernet Franc include California, New York, Washington State, Argentina and Chile. Canadian producers in the Niagara Peninsula produce premium ice wine from the grape.
Cabernet Franc Red
Gaspard Touraine - Loire, France 2015
Vinification Method: Grapes are hand harvested destemmed. The juice remains in contact with the skins for 5-6 weeks. Elevage takes place in cement tanks for a gentle introduction of oxygen to soften the wine. The wine is bottled lightly filtered with a small addition of sulfur.
Super Tuscan
Qerciabella “Mongrana” - Tuscany, Italy 2015
Like the wild, untamed coastline that borders our vineyards in Maremma, Mongrana is lively, fruity, and intense. With lifted aromatics and high drinkability, it is a perfect companion to the making of memories. Blend: 50% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot.
Proprietary Blend
Whitehall Lane “Tre Leoni” - Napa Valley, Ca 2016
This blend has amazing depth, balance, and big flavors. The nose evokes candied black fruit, red currants, stewed black plums, licorice, and dried sage. On the palate, it bursts with fresh blackberries, crème de cassis, dark chocolate, and mixed berry jam. This wine has great texture that ultimately finishes with round, silky smooth tannins. Enjoy Tre Leoni with your next barbeque and when gathering with family or friends.
Rhone Blend from France
Domane Duseigneur “Antares” Lirac (Lee-hawk), France 2012
This dense, medium to full-bodied, elegant as well as substantial, Lirac, possesses plenty of freshness and ripeness, in addition to deep, black raspberry and black cherry fruit, liquorice, smoke and garrique notes.
his wonderful wine is Biodynamic and Organic certified! Domaine Duseigneur is located in the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The 70-acre Estate straddles appellations of Châteauneuf du Pape, Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Laudun and Lirac.
Old vines. Blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre vinified separately after 3 to 4 weeks of maceration in concrete tanks.
No oak aging.
Rhone Blend from Santa Barbara
Feminist Party - Santa Barbara, Ca 2017 $72
This is a luscious red wine blend showcasing premiere Santa Barbara County vineyards from all of our distinct growing regions. 40% Grenache from John Sebastiano and Portico vineyards, 20% Syrah from Tierra Alta vineyard, 20% Mourvèdre from Curtis Vineyard, plus a secret weapon of 20% Graciano from Portico.
Fun Fact: the Graciano was initially planted as a Monastrell clone of Mourvèdre until the discovery in spring of 2018 that the Mourvèdre everyone thought they planted turned out to be a totally different grape called Graciano. A wonderful surprise as this grape is amazing.
Mourvedre/Syrah Blend
Elephant 7 “Cosmic Reflection” - Walla Walla Valley, Washington 2017
Bold & Structured
60/40 Mourverde/Syrah
The two varieties are natural blendmates – Syrah is strong and spicy, while Mourvedre is deeply colored and aromatic. Both contribute tannin and structure to the wine, and Mourvedre – Syrah wines tend to be full bodied and richly textured, with flavor characters that include damson plum, blackcurrant, leather, dried herbs and pepper.
Mourvedre – Syrah is a common blend in southern France, Australia and South Africa, where both varieties have strong traditions. Syrahis the crown jewel of the northern Rhone Valley
Zinfandel
Unapologetically bold, spice-driven and jammy, Zinfandel is often thought of as California’s flagship grape.
And it fact it owns this title by having the ability to adapt to the states’ many microclimates and landscapes, producing unique expressions of the grape throughout. Zinfandel thrives in California’s Central Coast, as well throughout Sonoma County, parts of Napa Valley, the Sierra Foothills, Lodi and Paso Robles.
In the Glass
Zinfandel commonly expresses powerful notes of dark plum, blackberry, sweet spice, dark chocolate and licorice. Very ripe examples may express a hint of dried fruit like raisin, fig or prune. But Zinfandel grown in cooler, coastal zones often expresses red fruit, black pepper and fresh herbal characteristics of juniper and menthol.
Perfect Pairings
Zinfandel is a powerfully flavored wine, mingling happily with bold food like brisket, lamb shanks, pork ribs or anything barbecued. More delicate Zins work with pork, lamb curry and even Ceasar Salad or Salad Nicoise.
Sommelier Secret
Thanks to its popularity both for home winemaking and as communion wine, many Zinfandel vines were able to survive prohibition, leading to the abundance of “old vine” Zinfandels. These low-yielding, ancient vines tend to produce wine that is deeply concentrated, delicately perfumed and decidedly complex.
Zinfandel
Preston Family Organic Farms “Dry Creek” - Sonoma, Ca 2016
Our Zinfandel grows along West Dry Creek Road on bench vineyards of red clay and gravel soils.
76% Zinfandel, 16% Mourvedre, 8% Carignane
14.2% Alcohol
TA: 7.4 gm/L
pH: 3.29
Aged 14 months in neutral barrels
Nebbiolo
Nino Negri “le tense” - Lombardia, Italy 2013
Le Tense shows the elegant, feminine style of Chiavennasca (Nebbiolo). A bright, medium ruby color is followed by a nose of bright fruit, earth and exotic spice. The wine is medium bodied on the palate with layers of fruit, and a firm, dry finish.
North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon
Silvia Cellars - North Coast, Ca 2017
The exceptional 2017 vintage started with buds pushing a little early after a very dry winter. The beautiful growing season resulted in truly exceptional wines full of ripe flavors, developed in the sunshine, and balanced by natural acidity. This wine is a blend of the best Cabernet Sauvignons in our North Coast vineyards coming from our growers of Mendocino Valley, Alexander Valley and Suisun Valley.
Syrah
Groundwork by Sans Liege - Santa Barbara, Ca 2017
Grilled cherries, tobacco, steak, grilled peaches, evergreen forest, strawberry hard candies, mocha, cherry cola, and raspberry.
Ages the wine for 18 months in a mix of new and neutral French oak
Petite Verdot
Cerro - Napa Valley, Ca 2014
Just the second release from owner and winemaker, Derek Beitler, who gets the fruit from Rutherford. Aged for three years in 33% new French oak, this Petit Verdot is not for the shy or faint-hearted: big, bold, smoky, spicy, dark, oaky, tannic, and intense – although floral aromas of violets and irises give the wine finesse and grace. As we say in California, “Go big, or go home.”
Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford
William Harrison Rutherford - Napa Valley, CA 2015
Rutherford, Napa, CA- Possessing vivid dark-fruit aromas: hints of black cherry and huckleberry mingle with nuances of cassis. Exceptionally concentrated, its rich mouth-filling style finishes on long-lasting and balanced flavors.
Tempranillo
Senorio de Cuzcurrita - Rioja, Spain 2013
12 months in French oak barrels and 24 months in bottle.
Alcohol:14.0%
Mature red wine, with personality and very round. Like every vintage, it is aged just enough to show its full character. Aromas of ripe red fruit on the nose with elegant roasted notes of its ageing. In the mouth, it is silky, ample and very long.
It’s made 100% from Tempranillo grapes from old vineyards, half of which are grown organically and the other half of which are grown using integrated farming methods. After the harvest, which is carried out by hand, the grapes are selected on the sorting table and then ferment alcoholically. The wine is then put into fine grain French oak barrels where the malolactic fermentation takes place and where the wine ages on its lees for 12 months. It then refines in the bottle for 24 months before going on sale.
Petite Sirah
Aaron - Paso Robles, Ca 2015
Aaron Jackson’s Flagship Wine
Deep aromatics of cherry liqueur, cassis, licorice, and smoked meats complement a huge palate of dark fruits, pepper, spice, and floral notes.
In total, the blend is made up of 5 different vineyards in the Willow Creek, Adelaida, and Templeton Gap Districts, all of which bring a different element to the blend.
Bright purple. Smoke-tinged cherry and blueberry compote aromas show excellent clarity, and a mocha element sneaks in as the wine stretches out. Sweet and pliant in the mouth, offering densely packed yet lively red and blue fruit and floral pastille flavors and a hint of five-spice powder. Shows impressive energy on the broad, chewy finish, which is firmed by building tannins and sharpened by a late jolt of juicy acidity.
Montagne-Saint-Emilion Bordeaux Blend
Cote du Bonde - Bordeaux, France 2015
70% Merlot + 30% Cabernet Franc / Dry Red / 12.5% Vol / AOC / 75cl
Ripe and jammy, this is a rounded, Merlot-dominated wine. Full of juicy blackberry fruits, it is lightly structured, relying more on its density allied to acidity for its aging. It is almost there, and will be ready to drink from 2020.
Medoc Bordeaux Blend
Chateau Malmaison Moulis - Medoc, France 2011
Deep crimson color. The nose is expressive and intense, with fresh fruit (black currant and plum) aromas, a touch of menthol, and delicate hints of oak. The wine starts out rich and full-bodied, going on to show considerable elegance and a fine balance between well-focused, velvety tannin and acidity that contributes freshness and length.
Cabernet Sauvignon from Santa Cruz
Domaine Eden - Santa Cruz Mountains, Ca 2015
While the Estate is a singular voice, the Domaine is a chorus. Complex, given the five varieties in the cepage, this Cabernet has aromas of briary currant, sage, mint and sweet oak. Less tannins and acidity on the palate than is evident in the Estate, there is an earlier window of enjoyable drinking.
16% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Teeter Totter by Fait Main - Napa Valley Ca 2016
Deep, full-bodied, and powerful
75% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced throughout the valley, this beauty boasts a saturated purple color as well as a classic bouquet of crème de cassis, licorice, toasted spices, and tobacco.
75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Syrah, 6% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot, 3% Zinfandel, and 2% Petit Verdot.
Born in Lyon, France winemaker Benoit Touquette holds a Master of Science of Chemistry and one of Enology from University of Bordeaux. He has worked at several Bordeaux wineries including Chateau La Louviere and Chateau Couhins-Lurton. Teeter-Totter is Benoit’s fun, sure value, and well-crafted wines representing Napa Valley.
Mourvedre
Liquid Farm “Vogelzang Vineyard” - Santa Barbara, CA
Bottled after only 5 months of aging, expect this wine to be crisp, clean, and refreshing. Bright acid, combined with a lower alcohol makes this the perfect wine for warm weather relief!
The regions of Bandol and Provence are the inspiration behind this Rosé. It is a combination of 95% Mourvédre and 5% Grenache sourced from the Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA. The grapes are pressed as soon as they arrive to the winery and are barrel-fermented in neutral oak.
Trebbiano
Bocale - Umbria, Italy 2017
White Wine Green Flinty Floral
Trebbiano Spoletino is a white grape variety grown only in Umbria, particularly in and around the townships of Spoleto – which in 2011 gained its own DOC status
Sciaccarellu
Terre Nostra - Corsica France
Terra Nostra! Made from the indigenous Sciaccarellu grape this Rose has one of our most beloved traits of Corsican wines, the briny taste of the sea that surrounds the tiny island. Fresh cut summer melon being sliced at the ocean. Yum!
Alvarinho
J. Portugal Ramos Vinho Verde Portugal 2017
João Portugal Ramos is Portugal’s most famous winemaker.
A cheerful, translucid, lemon-yellow and slightly pétillant white wine, Vinho Verde literally means ‘green wine’ and is named after the northwest Portugese region from which it originates. The ‘green’ in the name refers to the youthful state in which the wines are customarily released and consumed, not the color of the wine.
Chenin Blanc Old World
Domain de la Taille aux Loups - Loire, France
The Remus combines remarkable density and richness with focus deriving from the wine’s minerality and fruity acidity. It can be enjoyed young for the accessible fruit– especially if decanted – or aged for many years which will bring out the nuances of a great dry Chenin Blanc.
Viognier
Alban - Central Coast, CA 2017
Viognier is prized for its aromas and flavors of stone fruits, d’Anjou pears and white flowers
Relatively challenging to cultivate, this white grape’s plantings were long limited to two appellations in the Northern Rhône - Condrieu, the better known of the two, and Château-Grillet - but its recent gains in popularity inspired plantings in the Languedoc-Roussillon, across California
Pinot Gris
“The Marigny” 2018 Willamette Valley
Future award winner and a tangerine dream dipped in the finest sea salt, our Carbonic Pinot Gris is an orange wine built for everyone. Serve with tapas, spring days, summer nights and second line parades in your backyard.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignion
Revana “Terroir Selection” Napa Valley Cabernet
Fragrances of cinnamon, bing cherries, vanilla, black tea, sage and a unique cocoa aroma. On the palate, ripe cherry and plum, followed by baking spices and a wet stone minerality hinting of pencil lead.
Critical Acclaim
WS94
Wine Spectator
Elegantly styled, rich and creamy, with a pure mix of dark berry, licorice, cedary oak, mocha and dried herb. A mix of grace, finesse and density, ending with a dash of espresso. Drink now through 2025. 1,500 cases made.
