Newsletter
November 14, 2016 – December 9, 2016
Mont Rouge
2013 Ventoux ‘Terrasses’ (Chàteau Pesquié ‘Terrasses’ Ventoux)
Sale Price $11.99 – $122.30 case of twelve
Bourgogne Bargain
2015 Bourgogne Pinot Noir (Closerie des Alisiers)
Sale Price $14.99 – $152.90 case of twelve
Closerie des Alisiers has delivered a ripe, zesty red Burgundy at a truly affordable price. The cherry-berry fruit is pure and fresh, and gentle tannins frame a dry finish. This medium-weight Pinot Noir is a good match for broiled salmon or roasted fow.
Everyday Saison
Table Beer ‘Everyday Saison’ (Mystic Brewery)
Sale Price $6.95 per 750ml – $79.25 case of twelve
Talkin’ Turkey
Thanksgiving Ale (Mayflower Brewing Company)
Sale Price $6.45 per 22oz – $73.55 case of twelve
Dac-Dão
2014 Dão ‘DAC’ (Alvaro Castro)
Sale Price $13.99 – $142.70 case of twelve
From the Dão region of Portugal hails this fresh red blend of organically grown Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo) and other native grapes. Flavors of red plums and black cherries draw out to a spicy finish. One year of barrel aging silkens the texture to make a versatile red that goes with anything from pasta and pizza to pork chops.
Following the Monks’ Plan
2014 Còtes du Rhòne Villages ‘Le Pré des Suves’ (Le Plan des Moines)
Sale Price $12.99 – $132.50 case of twelve
Utilizing old vines originally planted by monks, Claude Serra has created a hearty full-throttle Còtes du Rhòne Villages at an incredible price. Spicy, deep, and long, this is a fine match with a roast leg of lamb.
Albariño
2015 Rias Baixas Albariño (Condes de Albarei)
Sale Price $11.99 – $122.30 case of twelve
The Gushin’ Russian
2015 Russian River Chardonnay (Martin Ray)
Sale Price $14.99 – $152.90 case of twelve
Auslese is Cool
2015 Niersteiner Hipping Riesling Auslese (Georg Albrecht Schneider)
Sale Price $9.99 per 375ml – $101.90 case of twelve
Spätlese Trocken
2014 Oppenheimer Riesling Spätlese Trocken
(Dr. Heyden)
Sale Price $11.99 – $122.30 case of twelve
Monsieur Muscadet
2015 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine (La Louvetrie)
Sale Price $11.99 – $122.30 case of twelve
Listed prices are honored through December 9th, 2016. We will not honor mistyped prices. Vol. 40, No. 12
Paestum is an ancient Greek city with three well preserved temples that date back to 600 BC. Today it is also a vineyard area in Campania along the coast south of Salerno, Italy.
Luigi Maffini is the owner/winemaker of 11 hectares of organic vineyards that produce 8,000 cases of wine per year. He grows the traditional old Greek grape varieties, Fiano and Aglianico.
Interestingly, ‘Kratos’ meaning power is the name for his white Fiano, and what a rich, full flavored white it is. ‘Kleos’ meaning glory is his red Aglianico,
and it is full and spicy as well. The Kratos is perfect for a whole roasted Branzini. The Kleos is a great match for a slow roasted leg of lamb with grilled peppers. 
While Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, isn’t cheap it might be the best value in Tuscan red wine. Consider that the 2012 Gracciano Riserva costs less than a Rosso di Montalcino from not too far away. Although the locals call it Prugnolo Gentile, this is Sangiovese with its signature bright cherry fruit, spicy tannins, and crisp finish. Terrific with a mushroom lasagna and a fine slab of pecorino.
The Odderos made some incredible Barolos in the 2010 and 2011 vintages, three of which are still in our inventory. For example the 2011 Barolo Village is a classic for $39.99. Not far off is this 2013 Langhe Nebbiolo which is made from the Odderos’ younger vines (15 to 20 years), all in the Barolo zone. Technically it’s too young to be a Barolo and they feel it won’t age well enough to be a Barolo, but it’s delicious today. It starts with lovely garnet color and moves into spicy fruit and fine-grained Nebbiolo tannins. Have this with braised short ribs and polenta.
The name is apt as maritime fossils like the ones on the label are embedded in the Kimmeridgian limestone and clay soil of the Marques’ organic vineyards, only 8 km away from the ocean. Consisting of a third each of Arinto, Gouveio, and Fernão Pires, this unoaked, full-bodied white has a beautiful golden color that belies the freshness of its herbal aromas. Along with subtle flavors of pear, lemons, and almonds, there is a distinct saltiness to this wine. A great partner for salt cod with cream sauce. Not into seafood? This will also go well with the Big Dinner this month.
Much further inland in eastern Portugal is the region of Estremoz, where the Cabaços started making wine to supply their nationally renowned restaurant, São Rosas. Their 2009 is a deep, dark, smoky, and savory red that sees no oak and yet has the smooth, dense texture of one that has. Dominated by Alicante Bouschet and Touriga Nacional, this blend also contains some Aragonez (Tempranillo). Particularly delicious with beef cheeks stewed in wine and tomatoes, this will also complement roasts such as a pork loin with mushrooms.
When Bedrock says Old Vine they back it up. The old, mainly Sonoma Zinfandel vineyards used in this blend were planted in 1888, 1896, and 1905. The 2014 also includes some old vine fruit such as Petite Sirah, Alicante Bouschet, Grenache, Carignan, Mataro, and others. The result is a fruity, powerful red history of California wine and a seriously good Zinfandel for a Thanksgiving feast.
With resorts like Chambery, Aix-les-Bains, and Lake Annecy, it is not surprising that most Savoie wine is consumed within the region, so we are lucky to get what little trickles out. One of the best whites comes from the cru village of Chignin and is made from the Roussanne grape. The 2014 Les Cantates is an excellent version with its fresh-as-mountain-air aroma and its crackling crisp fruit and mineral flavors. While it is highly recommended for cheese fondue, it is equally good with a roast turkey or a flash-sautéed haddock. 
Winemakers the world over are making every grape they come into contact with into sparkling wine, and why not? There is always some new fizz to discover. The Plageoles family put Gaillac on the French wine map, and their bone-dry Mauzac is the mirthful essence of apple fruit with a weightless, crisp, long finish. This is an excellent food wine for a fish stew and mushrooms.
São João is our first foray into a fizzy Portuguese rosé made from Baga and Touriga Nacional grapes. We normally associate these grapes with very full-bodied red wines. This rosé is very dry, with delicate berry fruit and surprising, zesty tannins. This is a fine match with a pork stew. 
This amazing cheese comes from Caseificio dell’Alta Langa, a dairy in Piedmont, Italy well known for their mixed milk cheeses such as La Tur, Rocchetta, and Robiola Bosina. A pasteurized three milk truffle cheese (cow, goat, and sheep), slightly ripened and soft. Rich creamy milk balances the earthy truffle flavors, perfect for this time of year! 
A Swedish raw cow’s milk farmstead cheese with major umami. Produced and aged 14 months at Almnäs Bruk in central Sweden, it’s unique in flavor, combining qualities of cooked curd Alpine cheeses and high-acid lowland cheeses like cheddar. Steeped in Swedish history, this cheese has been served at events as far back as 1896. 
Tramonto $21.99 per lb. 
2015 Chardonnay ‘Crevoglio’ (Borgo Maragliano) 
The Henriques family of Mas de la Garrigue produce this Grenache-based red from Roussillon. It starts out rustic but smooths out into a delicious French country red for a cold night meal of meatloaf and mashed potatoes.
The Southern Italian region of Puglia can be relied upon to produce dark and rich reds. The 2013 Salice from Cantele is 100% Negroamaro and a full-bodied yet balanced red for spicy pastas and hearty roasts.