Friday Wine Tasting 6.9.17

We have an all California lineup this week. Come taste some delicious wines from the Golden State! Today from 3-7 pm!

THE 75 WINE CO. SAUVIGNON BLANC
Sourcing the fruit from throughout the state of allows winemakers to compose a complex, intense and balanced wine. A true reflection of Sauvignon Blanc, this wine offers a concentrated nose of honeydew and lemon curd. The palate is equally rich with peach cobbler and candied citrus peel finishing with a refreshing acidity and clean wet stone minerality.

A.P. VIN KANZLER VINEYARD PINOT NOIR
A renowned producer of small batch Pinot Noir, A.P. Vin sources this wine exclusively from the Kanzler Vineyard in the Sonoma Coast. Graceful and lively, this bottle offers notes of rich dried red fruits, delicate flowers and damp forest floor. Silky and supple with moderate body and fine tannins, this wine will continue to age gracefully for the next several years.

CULT CABERNET SAUVIGNON
This is a classic Napa Valley Cabernet presenting a soft, dense mouth-feel, well integrated tannins and a long, lingering finish. The nose is bold with fragrances of black and purple fruits and hints of oak spice. Juicy, jammy fruit continues on the palate along with hints of leather and tobacco creating a complex experience that begs for roasted red meat.

VALRAVN OLD VINE ZINFANDEL
A small batch project by the people behind Banshee Wines, these dry farmed vines ranging in age from 50-105, produce concentrated, intense fruit. Rich and complex, hints of mocha, violets and licorice wrap around a core of pure wile strawberry, raspberry and blackberry fruit. A fresh acidity and peppery finish keep this wine feeling lively and refreshing.

Friday Wine Tasting 5.26.17

Come join us before you begin you Memorial Day celebrations! Here’s what we’ll be pouring from 3-7 pm.

RIO DO CACHACA LIME &
RIO DO CACHACA PASSION
Cachaca, often called Brazilian rum, is the third fastest growing spirit category. Distilled directly from fresh pressed Brazilian sugar cane juice, cachaca is used in the national cocktail of Brazil, the Caipirinha- a refreshing blend of cachaca, limes, sugar and ice. These flavored versions offer an exciting twist

ROSSO DI CA’MOMI
This is a proprietary red blend of grapes sourced from throughout Napa Valley. The nose is bold with caramel and fig aromas, along with notes of coffee and chocolate. Lush and medium bodied on the palate, ripe red fruit flavors mingle nicely with cedar and coffee notes. Powerful grip and balanced acidity carry you into a pleasing and long finish.

PORTLANDIA PINOT NOIR
This Oregon Pinot Noir sourced from the Willamette and Rogue Valleys, is a youthful, lively example of the grape. The nose is bright with red cherry and hints of pipe tobacco. The palate is vibrantly acidic and spicy, with red berry and plum notes and a clean underlying minerality.

Friday Wine Tasting 5.19.17

Here’s this week’s wine tasting line up. Come by for a taste!

KLINKER BRICK BRICKS & ROSES
This classic Rhone style blend rose is a brilliant salmon hue with a bright nose of citrus and white flowers. Dry, but fruity, this wine offers a pleasant palate of ripe strawberries, watermelon and grapefruit. This wine finishes light with a vibrant acidity making it a refreshing companion on any warm sunny day.

DOG POINT SAUVIGNON BLANC
New Zealand has become synonymous with great Sauvignon Blanc. A bright yellow/green, this wine offers classic Sauvignon Blanc aromas of lemon and grapefruit with hints of a smokey, flinty minerality. Typically a high acid grape, this wine does an excellent job of balancing that bracing acidity with juicy fruit flavors. Pure citrus notes mingle with hints of elderflower that linger refreshingly on the palate.

KLINKER BRICK OLD VINE ZINFANDEL
Klinker Brick classifies any vine over the age of 50 as “old vine”, but this Zinfandel comes from vineyards that average 85 years in age. Dark, sweet berries and warm spice dominate the nose leading into a full, juicy palate of plum, blackberry and a hint of black pepper.

NORTON PRIVADA
This Argentinian blend of Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon is a deep, inky wine. The depth of color mirrors the depth of aroma and flavor yet to come. The nose is rich and cloying with candied grape and pomegranate aromas. The palate is thick and almost syrupy in its richness. Jammy blackberry and baked plum are bolstered by chewy tannins and a bold, lingering finish.

Friday Wine Tasting 5.12.17

Prepare for Mother’s Day by trying some new, delicious wines! Today from 3-7 pm. Hope to see you there!

RIVA ROSE BRUT
This beautiful sparkling rose from Provence, France offers an amiable nose of cherry, raspberry and strawberry. The palate is clean and delicate with a fine, mouth-filling mousse and persistent flavors of red berries and a hint of spice.

LOCA LINDA MALBEC
These grapes came from low yield vineyards in the Uco Calley, Mendoza. The warm climate of this valley is ideal for developing aromas and structure. Medium bodied with easy tannins, the palate expresses plentiful black cherry and raspberry fruit with hints of violets and toasted vanilla on the finish.

TIKAL PATRIOTA
From acclaimed Argentinian producer Ernesto Catena, this is a full, ripe and juicy Malbec. A deep purplish red, this wine presents a bold nose of ripe mixed berries and tart red cherries. The palate is full-bodied with flavors of blackberry, plum, dark chocolate and hints of savory herbs and spices. Silky and smooth, this is a large and generous wine balanced by structured tannins and refreshing acidity.

STAND OUT RED
This California red wine from Slo Down Wines is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Rich and deeply colored it has a playful nose of cherry cola, vanilla and spice. The palate is round and juicy with firm tannins and explosive berry flavors. Enjoy this lush and versatile wine by itself or with boldly flavored foods.

Friday Wine Tasting 5.5.17

Join us from 3-7 pm today and try some delicious wines!
CAVE DE TAIN PREMIERE NOTE MARSANNE
Typically part of a white Rhone style blend, when you can find Marsanne bottled varietally GRAB IT UP! Bright straw color with greenish highlights, this wine offers fresh and vibrant notes of citrus blossom, lemon, grapefruit. Gentle acidity and aging on lees lends this wine a lush richness that makes it an ideal companion to anything from salads to grilled white meat to spicy seafood dishes.

GEORGES DEBOEUF BEAUJOLAIS-VILLAGES
Beaujolais-Villages takes its name from the 38 villages from which it can source its fruit and can be an approachable introduction to the more prestigious Cru Beaujolais. Produced by one of the most recognizable names in Beaujolais, this wine offers bright cherry and blackberry flavors with smooth, easy tannins. Incredibly versatile with food pairings, this wine can be served room temperature or slightly chilled.

PLAN PEGAU
This Southern Rhone blend serves as a approachable echo of Domaine du Pegau’s Chateauneuf du Pape. Medium-bodied with hefty cherry fruit, spicy white pepper and dried herbs, this rich and bold wine pairs easily with roasted and grilled meats. Make it a staple at your summer barbecues.

DOMAINE CABIRAU MAURY SEC
A blend of old vine Grenache, Syrah and Carignan, this wine offers bright, easy going fruit, intense spice and pepper and a clean mineral backbone. Black berries, Kirsch, violets and dried herbs abound on the silky, complex palate supported by fine, grippy tannins. This subtle layered will continue to evolve and impress you as you drink.

Friday Wine Tasting 4.28.17

Join us today for our weekly free wine tasting! Here’s what we’ll be trying:

COTE DES ROSES ROSÉ
This bottle is so recognizable and beautiful, it makes me excited to drink it before I’ve even opened it. From the Languedoc regions of France, this wine is begging to refresh you during the summer heat. The nose is forward and playful with notes of stone fruit and red currant. The palate is fresh and full with hints of grapefruit and white flowers. The finish is balanced and persistent with lingering notes of strawberry candy.

COLOSI BIANCO
Southern Italy and Sicily are some of my favorite regions to look at for high quality, delicious value driven wines. And Colosi never disappoints. This white blend of the indigenous Sicilian grapes: Inzolia, Catarratto and Grillo. The nose opens with delicate aromas of white flowers and citrus zest. The palate is vibrant and effortlessly sip-able with flavors of stone fruit, lime and a cleansing saline minerality.

DOMAINE DURIEU COTES DU RHONE VILLAGES PLAN DE DIEU CUVEE
Cotes du Rhone is a Southern Rhone blend, featuring primarily Grenache with Syrah, Mourvedre and Carginan blended in (this specific example excludes the Syrah). This wine is big, juicy and rich. The nose is vibrant and bright with red fruit aromas and hints of dark earth. The palate is lush, overflowing with flavors of blueberry, cherry, raspberry and sweet baking spice.

WICKERSHAM RANCH MERLOT
The cool, foggy mornings and warm, sunny afternoons of Sonoma allow for ripe fruit with the ideal balance of sugar and acidity. This deeply, purple wine offers a spicy nose of red fruit and freshly sharpened pencils. The palate is lush and vibrant with ripe flavors of black berry, blue berry and peppery spice.

Kendall Jackson Wine Event

APPELLATION COLLECTION (FEATURED AT THE EVENT)
Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay, 2014
“…this wine from the cool Santa Maria Valley oers up plenty of wet gravel, unbuttered popcorn, tangerine and nectarine notes along with some pineapple and lychee.” – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Oct. 2016

Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, 2015
“The 2015 Pinot Noir Jackson Estate (Anderson Valley) is one of the most distinctive wines in the Kendall-Jackson lineup. Bright red cherry, blood orange, mint, white pepper and spices are all woven together in a pretty, expressive Pinot that hits all the right notes.” – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous, March 2017

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013
“The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Jackson Estate Series is a small cuvee of 7,000 cases and a really impressive wine. The mountain vineyards seem to dominate the wine’s character, with moderately high but sweet tannin, briary blackberry and cassis fruit, and a crushed rock minerality present.” – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Oct. 2015

“The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Jackson Estate is terric. A host of mocha, black cherry, gravel, smoke, dark raspberry jam and dark spice meld together in the glass. The 2013 is dark, imposing and structured, with fabulous depth and intensity.” – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous, Feb. 2016

VINEYARD COLLECTION
Camelot Highlands Chardonnay, 2015
“The 2015 Chardonnay Jackson Estate Camelot Highlands shows the richer side of Santa Barbara County, especially next to the appellation wine. Tropical fruit, pineapple, butter and sweet French oak give the 2015 much of its racy personality.” – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous, March 2017

Hawkeye Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012
“…a well-built, structured, deep and potentially complex wine that has plenty of upside. Dense ruby/purple, full-bodied… impressive texture, depth and quality.” – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Dec. 2014

“The flavors are bold, ripe and pungent with plenty of mountain character…this is a very pretty wine with a lot to recommend.” – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous, Jan. 2015

Friday Wine Tasting 4.21.17

Here’s what we’ll be tasting today from 3-7 pm:

WESTSIDE CROSSING CHARDONNAY
The Russian River produces stellar vibrant and balanced Chardonnays and this wine is no exception. Sourced from vineyards next door to acclaimed Sonoma Cutrer and La Crema, this wine offers aromas of green apple, pineapple and brioche. The palate is creamy and juicy with hints of vanilla, nutmeg and clove.

MI SUENO LOS CARNEROS PINOT NOIR
This 100% Pinot Noir from Los Carneros is aged for 10 months in French oak. This aging regimen and temperate growing season produces a wine that is bright, bold and complex. The nose is forward and welcoming with notes of cherry, pomegranate and vanilla. The palate is round and balanced with gentle structure and flavors of cranberry, raspberry, pepper and wet earth. Enjoy this with a mushroom risotto or grilled salmon.

BLACK DIAMOND ZINFANDEL
This elegant California wine is a blend of Zinfandel and Primitivo (an Italian Clone of Zinfandel). It shuns the common style of hot, overly intense, heavy Zinfandel and delivers instead a balanced and versatile experience. Delicate floral notes give way to ripe cherries and blueberries all wrapped in a sweet, milk chocolate finish.

BLACK DIAMOND MERLOT
From the Washington Walla Walla Valley, this Merlot is full-bodied and deeply colored. Notes of ripe red and black fruits dominate with flavors of dark chocolate, toffee and dried mint develop on the back palate.

Friday Wine Tasting 4.14.17

Join us this today for a free wine tasting from 3-7 pm. We hope to see you there! Here’s what we’ll be pouring:

GRUET BRUT ROSE
This graceful, elegant sparkling wine comes to you all the way from… New Mexico? Founded by acclaimed Champagne house Gruet et Fils, the high elevation and sandy loam soils produce fruit that is exceptionally suited to the classic French Champagne methods. The result: wines like this 100% Pinot Noir with a fine mousse, full body and rich floral and fruit flavors. Cherry, raspberry and wild strawberry notes round out the palate ending in a zesty finish.

FILON GARNACHA
Garnacha (Grenache) from Spain can often be one of the best values in a wine shop. Big, bold, juicy and fruity, these wines rarely carry a price tag matched to their size. From Calatayud, a warmer area in Spain, this wine offers explosive black fruit and dark chocolate notes. Fleshy texture and a hint of smokiness beg for a BBQ sauce smothered food pairing.

VINA TARAPACA GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Carmenere may be the signature red grape of Chile, but Cabernet Sauvignon is actually #1 in production, export and quality. A bold crimson with purple highlights, this wine has an earthy nose with aromas of tobacco leaves, dried mint and mushrooms. The palate is rich and soft with firm tannins, a juice acidity and flavors of blackberries, licorice and warm oak spice.

VINA TARAPACA GRAN RESERVA RED BLEND
This blend is sourced from estate vineyards within Chile’s Maipo Valley, creating a mix of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Carmenere. Bold aromatics of ripe black and purple fruit, warm spice and wild violets, usher you into a full, robust palate. Raspberry, cherry and black plum mingle harmoniously with fine tannins and a flinty, white pepper finish.