february 2016
February 2016 Delivery
The Valentine’s Day Edition
LOW ROAD
Gruner, Austria $
Light, like! Don’t let the tall bottle fool you; it’s not a sweet wine. It’s a crisp, well-crafted white made from the Gruner Vetliner grape. This is Austria’s signature and most famous white wine grape and this particular bottle is styled to start your evening.
Roses blanc,
A dozen of these “Rose” wines may be preferred to flowers (the red is in this shipment too). Happy wife, happy life.
2013 Lime Rock "Kota" Pinot Noir, $16.67
New Zealand is exporting more Pinot Noir each year because of their excellent reputation for quality and value. We bought into this wine to a tune of a few extra cases to get an even more affordable price. That means, we have extra… just in case.
Roses,
This is the sister wine of the white wine above. Our new French neighbor, Fabien, spotted the (empty) bottle at our house and remarked that it was one of his favorites from home. He recently picked it up for $20 at a local wine store, so when we told him that our Club members were paying $15; he ordered a case and joined the Club. Welcome to the Club neighbor!
HIGH ROAD
2013 St. Michael Eppan Sanct Valentin Sauvignon
Although many of our high road members have elected to receive a red-only delivery, we think this could change you mind. As one of Italy’s most awarded whites, this sauvignon blanc
2013 Chateau Lamothe-Boucaut Bordeaux Blanc
This elegant wine is perfect for the high road white fans. It’s 50% Semillon and 50% Savignon. Interesting fact: This winemaker is the brother of Sonoma’s newcomer Trinite Estate Acaibo who left his brother’s winery in France to grow here locally.
2011 St Michael Eppan Sanct Valentin Pinot Nero
This producer’s low road Pinot Nero is our most reordered wine to date. This is the older, more refined big brother and we’re happy to give the high roaders a chance to experience this Northern Italian gem. Jeff puts this up against comparably priced Pinot from Burgundy and Calfornia for the win. It’s earthly, well-structured and will hold up to cellaring.
2011 Chateau Lamothe-Boucaut Pessac- Leognan Bordeaux
This red Bordeaux hails from a 12th century chateau purchased by the family who used to own part of Chateau Margaux. If that doesn’t impress you, enjoy it as a fantastic, affordable example of a traditional Bordeaux blend – 60% cabernet, 40% merlot, 100% delicious.
LOW ROAD ADD-ONS
2012 Haut-Monplaisir Cahors Malbec $13.75
One of our most popular wines last shipment was a Cahors (a region of France known for Malbec). This one is also big and meaty, just like last shipment, but with a lower price tag. At this price, we predict that this will be a popular Club wine.
2014 Sylvaine & Alain Normand Macon La Roche Vineuse $15
This white Burgundy (Chardonnay) proclaims "This is what Chardonnay should be" right on the label and we agree! The girls from Santa Ray ladies wine night tested and approved it too.
2011 St Michael Eppan Lagrein $19.12
The same producer as the popular Pinot Nero from the last shipment also makes this Lagrein (we’d never heard of it either). It’s a dark grape from Alto Adige (think Austrian influence) and is an incredibly crowd-pleasing red.
HIGH ROAD ADD-ONS
2011 Domaine Cauhape Jurancon (375ml), $20
This after dinner “sweetheart” is a perfect Valentine’s Day or Mother's Day gift.) Wine Enthusiast gave this Petite Manseng 95 points and ranked it #6 of their top 100 wines of 2015. We have 18 bottles left, after that, we are out and so is the distributor. Buy a half bottle (or two – they’re small!) and save it for a special occasion or gift.
2013 St Michael Eppan "Schulthauser" Pinot Bianco $20.25
Recognize the winemaker? Yep, the Pinot Nero folks again. We tasted 19 wines in one night for Club members’ Toff and Kristen’s upcoming wedding. Toff said this was his favorite white wine of the night. Wine Spectator agreed and gave this vintage 90 points. Add this on and enjoy.
2013 Tiezzi Enzo Rosso Di Montalcino $21.38
Known as "Baby Brunello," Rosso Di Montalcino is the way to get a great Sangiovese without the big price tag. We weren't looking for this wine when Blaine from Siena Imports poured it, but we scooped up a case for ourselves.
VALUE ADD-ONS
By piggybacking on the school crab feed and a Club wedding order (Congratulations Toff & Kristin!), we had the opportunity to get some excellent deals for Club members. If it’s time to stock up on your everyday wines, we’ve stamped this with our approval. Or, buy all five for $50 and taste them yourselves.
2014 Domaine de La Coche Sauvignon, $10.75
This dry, refreshing Sauvignon Blanc is heavier than your typical sauv with an interesting nose. Sarah likes it as a chardonnay substitute.
2014 La Closerie des Lys, Les Fruitieres, $9.00
An equal blend of Chardonnay, Vermentino, and Sauvignon Blanc. We love the mix… and the price.
2013 Chateau L'Ermitage Costieres de Nimes, $10.50
If you like a white with a little more body, this blend of Roussanne, Grenache, and Viognier are Sarah’s new favorite musketeers.
2011 Chateau Tenein Bordeaux Superieur, $11.25
Introducing our new everyday red, this classic Bordeaux Blend boasts 55% merlot, 25% Cab, 20% Cab Franc.
2014 Antigniano Sangiovese, $10.00
This crowd-pleasing Sangiovese sells for $13 at Whole Foods and Andronico's. It’s time to stock up.