Newsletter
February 15, 2017 – March 14, 2017
Montsant
2014 Montsant (Mas Donis)
Sale Price $11.99 – $122.30 case of twelve
Mistral
2015 Côtes-du-Rhône ‘Mistral’ (Domaine de Ferrand)
Sale Price $15.99 – $163.10 case of twelve
Mistral is Domaine de Ferrand’s charming entry-level Côtes-du-Rhône. The 2015 is a lively fresh red with raspberry fruit and an iron-like earthiness. Instead of a hot wind, this wine is more like a cool breeze and not too heavy to serve with a broiled salmon and a bowl of steaming lentils.
Cairanne
2014 Côtes-du-Rhône Villages ‘1692’ (Domaine Alary)
Sale Price $15.99 – $163.10 case of twelve
Cuvée Romaine
2014 Côtes-du-Rhône ‘Cuvée Romaine’ (Domaine la Garrigue)
Sale Price $16.99 – $173.30 case of twelve
Mourre du Tendre
2014 Côtes-du-Rhône ‘Cuvée Paul’ (Château du Mourre du Tendre) Sale Price $17.99 – $183.50 case of twelve
Gigondas
2012 Gigondas ‘Cuvée Tradition’ (Domaine du Gour de Chaulé)
Sale Price $29.99 – $305.90 case of twelve
Listed prices are honored through March 14th, 2017. We will not honor mistyped prices. Vol. 41, No. 3
Apparently Primitivo is indeed Zinfandel, but before that it was Tribidrag, an old Croatian variety. There is a lot less Primitivo in Puglia now than there was late in the last century, and today’s vines are more often prized as a pure varietal rather than a booster blend ingredient. I Muri captures the ripe spirit of the Mediterranean with this full-bodied yet nicely structured Primitivo. This is the type of wine that pairs well with the sweet, spicy, and bitter flavors of the fabulous Puglian dish of sausage, broccoli rabe, and orecchietti. 
There is almost too much to tell about these wines from the Radikon family in Italy’s far northeast district of Friuli. Firstly, these two technically white (but actually orange) wines are made in the old Slovenian style which leaves the white grapes to macerate on the skins for thirty days. After fermentation the wine is aged in large oak barrels for three years. No sulfur is used at any stage of production because the Radikons’ experience is that the long maceration eliminates the need for it. The two wines here are made from the ancient Ribolla Gialla, which is native to Italy and Slovenia, and the Tokaj or Jakot, what was once called Tocai Friulano. The 2009 vintage is the current release of these marvels. The Ribolla Gialla is wildly scented with an ever-changing fresh tropical fruitiness and an incredible finish. The Jakot is the thicker, more intense, less fruity, more nutty wine, with depth that spans fathoms. When we tasted these wines our thoughts led to pairing them with oily, flavorful fish like boquerones or sardines or something involving bacalao. Of course cheese would be an extremely good match. A note on the size: these 500 ml bottles are a design of the Radikon family. Amusingly, they suggest that one bottle is intended for one person per meal. We suggest buying both, gathering six to eight people, and sampling with a variety of delicious tapas-style dishes. If you need a larger size and are as avid as we hope you will be, we have a small quantity of liters.
This newsletter is packed with big, bold red wines (it is winter after all), but this Paso Robles Zinfandel is the biggest, boldest of them all. Yet the folks at Peachy Canyon succeed in creating big Zinfandel that is nimble and lively. The 2014 has a nice layer of oaky flavor strapped to the ripe blueberry and blackberry fruit, with just enough tannin and a splash of crispness to maintain the balance. This is an excellent red for a spicy rice and beans dish or with a long-braised brisket.
One of our favorite West Coast white wines is Oregon Pinot Gris. And one of the best values comes from Erath. Their 2015 is an unoaked white with pristine aromas of apple blossom, good fruit and body on the palate, and a smooth, clean finish. It’s easy to recommend with salmon, but does equally well with challengingly spiced Thai food.
This did not go on the Front Page because we couldn’t get a lot of it and it’s insanely good. The Northern Rhone is where the Syrah grape is stern and serious in the appellations of Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie, but gets frisky and playful in places like Crozes-Hermitage, Cornas, and Saint-Joseph. Vincent Paris makes mostly Cornas, but his 2015 Saint-Joseph Les Côtes is a violet-scented beauty with inky dark fruit and a finish that combines tannins and minerality in a wild and original way. Got game (as in boar, venison…)?
For several vintages this has been a staple French Chardonnay at the Wine Cask. The 2015 vintage is a strikingly good version at a gentle price. Ripe aromatic fruit of peaches and pears combines with toasty grains and a minerally finish.
Sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Andes mountain range to the east, Chile has a temperate climate suited for making fresh, vibrant wines. The good folks at Leyda were the first to plant vines in the Leyda Valley, a coastal region west of Santiago. Their experience comes to life in this Pinot Noir, a fragrant, floral version showcasing raspberry and cranberry notes and energetic acidity. Serve with grilled salmon.
For a long time Carmenere in Chile was mistaken for Merlot. However, it’s actually more closely related to Cabernet Franc, as perfectly evidenced in this expression with its cracked black pepper aromas opening into a wave of ripe blackberry, plum, and cherry fruit. Soft, round tannins provide the backbone. Sublime with creamy and spicy pasta dishes.
This creamy concoction in the style of the French St. Marcellin is the first 100 percent pasteurized cow’s milk and Non-GMO certified cheese from Vermont Creamery. Named after the St. Albans Cooperative Creamery in northern Vermont, which supplies all of their cow’s milk. Each cheese is hand-shaped and aged for eleven days and packaged in tiny ceramic crocks which you can bake and serve fondue style. The wrinkled rind continues to age after packing, becoming softer and more full bodied.
2015 Côtes de Gascogne (Domaine de Millet) 
2015 Ventoux (Grange des Dames) 
2014 Red Blend (Los Cardos)