new wines 2.13.14

New Wines February 2014

1.Justin Sauvignon Blanc à Little James Basket Press Viognier/Sauvignon Blanc

Little James Basket Press, Languedoc, France

• 55% Viognier, 45% Sauvignon Blanc
• Viognier was close to extinction in the 1970’s, but due to a recent cult following this grape has become very popular.
• Viognier is marked by its rich mouthfeel, lush aromatics, exotic spice, and apricot notes.
• Viognier is typically low in acid, however it is blended with the naturally acidic sauvignon blanc, which makes for a balanced wine
• Langquedoc is a region in Southern France, close to Spain.
• Tasting Notes: Medium bodied wine with zesty acidity, abundant fruit & floral notes, and a lively nose. This richly aromatic wine boasts notes of elderflower, apricot, lemon, and balancing undertone of stony minerality.

 

 

2. Dom. Richou Chenin Blanc à Chat. Arromans Semillon

Chateau Les Arromans, Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc, Entre-Deux-Mers, Bordeaux, France

• 50% Semillon, 50% Sauvignon Blanc
• Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc are two of the main white grapes of Bordeaux. Semillon is a full-bodied white grape. On its own, Semillon can be flabby and unstructured. Sauvignon Blanc has naturally high acid, which cuts through the fattiness of Semillon, creating a well-balanced wine.
• Entre-Deux-Mers is an area within the prestigious Bordeaux region of France that is known for producing quality dry white wines.
• Tasting Notes: This wine has the body of Semillon and the nose of Sauvignon Blanc.  This a full-bodied, aromatic wine with notes of overripe peach, honey, and almond. It has a luscious mouthfeel and a lingering finish.

3. Mauro Molino Dolcetto à Allegrini Valpolicella

Allegrini, Corvino/ Rondinella/ Molinara, Valpolicella, Italy

• 65% Corvina, 30% Rondinella, 5% Molinara
• Valpolicella is one of the most important wine regions in Italy. It is located within the Veneto region of Northeast Italy. It is mostly known for amarone wines (rich wines made using raisinated grapes.) This Valpolicella is done the style of easy-going, every day wine drunk in the region.
• This is a very fresh, easy-to-drink wine that is extremely food friendly and pairs excellently with charcuterie and lighter pasta dishes.
• Tasting Notes: Youthful, fresh, aromatic wine with a medium-light body. Notes of ripe cherries, red fruit, pepper, and herbs dominate both the nose and the palate.
   

4. Avante Mencia à Rio Madre Graciano

Rio Madre, Graciano, Rioja Baja, Spain

• 100% Graciano
• Graciano is typically a blending grape rarely found outside of Rioja, Spain.  It is prized for its deep color, high tannins, high acid, aromatics, and potential to age.
• This is a very unique expression of a Rioja wine. Wines from Rioja typically feature Tempranillo. Many wine producers even stopped growing Graciano because it is a finicky grape that gives low yields of fruit.
• The wine makers worked on this 100% Graciano wine for years. They understood the potential and the beauty of the grape despite its difficult to produce.
• Rioja Baja is a subregion of Rioja and is hotter than its two sister subregions.
• Tasting Notes: This is a deeply colored, full-bodied wine that is high in tannins.  Aromatic nose of red fruit, spice, earth, and purple flowers that carry through onto the palate.