Newsletter
November 15, 2017 – December 10, 2017
Nielson by Byron
2014 Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir (Nielson)
Sale Price $14.99 – $152.90 case of twelve
Santa Barbara County was once thought too cold to grow Pinot Noir, but today many splendid wines come from there. The Nielson (by Byron) is an excellent, earthy, dry Pinot Noir with subtle raspberry fruit.
Cairanne
2014 Côtes du Rhône Villages (Domaine Alary)
Sale Price $14.99 – $152.90 case of twelve
We have secured the last 40 cases of the Alary family’s 2014, a big yet balanced Côte du Rhône Villages. In the 2015 vintage this wine will have full appellation status as Cairanne. A worthy upgrade for this superior village.
Mama Zin
2014 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel ‘Mother Clone’ (Pedroncelli)
Sale Price $14.99 – $152.90 case of twelve
Viognier
2016 Viognier (Balthazar)
Sale Price $11.99 – $122.30 case of twelve
Secco Prosecco
Brut Prosecco (Valdo)
Sale Price $9.99 – $107.90 case of twelve
Verdicchio
2016 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi (Santa Barbara)
Sale Price $11.99 – $122.30 case of twelve
Verdicchio is the great white grape of the Adriatic province of Le Marche. The 2016 from Santa Barbara features prominent lemon and thyme flavors along with a crisp, dry finish. Great for a fish soup.
Vernaccia
2016 Vernaccia di San Gimignano (Casa alle Vacche)
Sale Price $10.99 – $112.10 case of twelve
Castore
2016 Lazio–IGT Bellone (Cincinnato)
Sale Price $11.99 – $122.30 case of twelve
Polluce
2016 Lazio–IGT Nero Buono di Cori (Cincinnato)
Sale Price $11.99 – $122.30 case of twelve
Spencer for Ale
Trappist Holiday Ale (Spencer)
Sale Price $10.99 – $59.35 case of twelve
Located in Spencer, MA, the jam-making Spencer monastery has branched out into the beer business. We like all their efforts, but are especially enamored of their dark, spicy holiday ale. This rich, elegant ale will grace the holiday table and match well with a cheese and fruit platter before or after.
Listed prices are honored through December 10th, 2017. We will not honor mistyped prices. Vol. 41, No. 12
If we were ever referred to as the ‘Cave de la Loire’ we would be flattered. Our love of the white grapes Muscadet and Chenin Blanc are undeniable. But you must know by now that we are totally nuts for Cabernet Franc. And who could not be amazed in light of the knowledge that this grape is the more ancient parent of Cabernet Sauvignon? And that Saumur-Champigny, Bourgueil, and Chinon are world-class values whose producers make wines that drink well young and have an incredible capacity to age? This month we have the juxtaposition of the 2015 vintage and two great producers. Château du Hureau’s Tuffe is a total charmer with its bright cherry and raspberry fruit, spicy tannins, and earthy, mushroomy finish. It’s the perfect weight for a grilled salmon or a roast fowl. 
The Chinon Grézeaux from Baudry is only made in warm, dry years. This vineyard is a perfect mid-slope with varied soils. The ample exposure to sun and the excellent drainage make this a supple early drinker and an excellent ager – and we recommend aging. After a few years this will be a dream with its truffled fruit, graphite earthiness, and weightless finish. The 2015 is a fabulous Grézeaux.
The excellence of wine producers in Piedmont means that even a ripe, young, generous Dolcetto from one producer will be different from their neighbor’s. Ettore Germano’s Lorenzino has lovely aromas of black cherry fruit framed on the palate by gentle tannins. The finish closes the circle with long, earthy, dry character. A good match with braised brisket.
Don’t drink Chardonnay? Try this Blanc de Blancs from the Grand Cru certified village of Mesnil. Other producers use the grapes of this village to produce wines with triple-digit price tags. Here is a modest cooperative that produces exceptional Champagne. Crisp, dry, lean, and long, this is an exceptional aperitif yet great for an oyster stew. 
We can’t resist this quotation from the Faber and Faber book Burgundy by Anthony Hanson (1982): “For years, at the time of vintage, Pierre Guillemot has sworn at his old vines in Aux Serpentières: ‘You disgust me with your miserable yield. I’ll pull you up.’ And then he tastes the wine they give.” 
By Burgundian standards Gevrey-Chambertin is a large appellation, yet the good wines are hard to find. The 2015 Les Champs Remy is a fine example of a blood-red, iron-rich Gevrey-Chambertin that gives a lot now and will reward more later. Its wild berry fruit and ripe tannins carry the day. 
As the leading goat cheese producer in the US after nearly 30 years in the business, Wisconsin’s Montchevre makes a variety of cheeses using fresh, local, and high quality goat’s milk. One of their newer specialty products is a creamy goat milk brie, attractively packaged in a decorative wooden box. This is a straightforward and delicious goat brie, with a bright, clean, and tangy flavor. The mild sweetness from the goat’s milk and a smooth velvety texture make this an enticing choice for holiday gatherings.
Piccolo with Truffle is a young sheep’s milk cheese made by Central Formaggi on the Italian island of Sardinia. Aged only 15-20 days and infused with Black Summer Truffle shavings, it is a balanced semi-firm cheese with a creamy mouthfeel and a subtle earthiness. It is less sharp and intense than Moliterno al Tartufo, an aged pecorino with rich veins of black truffle paste, also produced by Central Formaggi. The truffle flavor complements the creaminess of the young cheese without overpowering it, leaving a relatively mild finish. Enjoy by the slice and paired with olives, nuts, or cured meats.
2015 Tempranillo (Flaco) 
This Gigondas producer also makes a savory, delicious red from Mont Ventoux. The Grenache fruit comes through, but a peppery dry finish makes it a thoroughly Rhone red.