Hi Again Fellow Tipplers,
Vintages has some fantastic and most interesting wines in this weekend’s release. 
California and Southern Italy were highlighted wine regions and some of the wines here are from those regions. We were very pleased to be able to taste new grape varietals that were really delicious.
On a spirited note, Vintages is releasing a calvados this weekend where the apple was grown en bouteille. Of course that makes for an interesting visual, but the taste is fantastic – apple-cinnamon brandy if you will. (271726 G.E. Massenz Apple Spirit Vieux Calvados $59.95)
White Wine
313460 VINA ROBLES WHITE 4 2010 (PASO ROBLES, CALIFORNIA) $18.95
This a lovely white which is a blend of Viognier, Verdelho, Sauvignon Blanc and Vermentino features flavors of peach, lime and apricot with some mineral, slightly sweet with an oily mouth feel and a generous finish.
303651 PASCAL RENAUD CUVÉE VIELLES VIGNES POUILLY-FUISSÉ 2011 (BURGUNDY) $26.95
This is a very handsome wine offering a good blend of fine fruit notes and a hint of wood. Typical Chardonnay notes of apple, pear, citrus and butter are there too.
Red Wine
313940 ENOTRIA CIRÒ ROSSO CLASSICO 2010 (CALABRIA, ITALY) $13.95
This wine is light & easy and made from a grape we had never tried before – Gaglioppo. Distinct plum and vanilla notes with residual of cherry & cranberry and a touch of vanilla.
211854 CARUSO & MININI SACHIA PERRICONE 2010 (SICILIA) $13.95
Wow we were so taken by this wine made from the Perricone grape (aka Pignatello), a lovely purple hue, opening up with a chocolate mint nose, brimming of chocolate cherry, pomegranate and red licorice flavors replaying nicely on the palate, accented by a slight seam of acidity and soft tannins . This medium bodied gem will have you coming back for more. Cellar for 3-4 years or drink now.
313791 PIÑOL LUDOVICUS TINTO 2010 (SPAIN) $13.95
This is a blend dominated by Garnacha, baked black plum and spice, dry with moderate tannins.
310110 FABIANO NEGRARO CORVINA 2010 (VENETO) $14.95 Appassimento
Medium bodied, ripe red fruit, chocolate, spice and smoke are featured in this easy going wine. Pair this with pizza.
222927 CAVE DE RASTEAU LA DOMELIÈRE RASTEAU 2010 (RHÔNE ) $15.95
2007 was definitely a better vintage for this wine – that we recommended 2 years ago. We are still recommending it today as the 2010 is quite pleasant for the price. It’s dry and Old World in nature with berries and figs on the palate, then a graphite finish.
120980 TERRELIADE NIRA NERO D’AVOLA 2010 (SICILIA) $17.95
Quite rustic – as one would expect coming from Sicily. Plums and black cherry stand out from an almost sugary undercurrent.
661819 DOÑA PAULA ESTATE MALBEC 2011 (UCO VALLEY, MENDOZA, ARGENTINA) $17.95
Blueberry, blackberry, dark plum, chocolate and spice held together by firm tannins. Put this down for 3-5 years and you will be rewarded.
317313 CASALE DELLO SPARVIERO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2009 (TUSCANY) $18.95
Meaty, oaky with smoky char notes. Dry and leathery with a bit of fruit coming through.
295899 ROLF BINDER MA I? HAVE THIS EVENING SHIRAZ/MATARO 2009 (BAROSSA VALLEY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA) $19.95
The label caught our eye - medium bodied, densely flavoured of dark berries, spice and notes of chocolate and vanilla enveloped by velvety smooth tannins and refreshing acidity and a lingering finish. A stunning wine and well priced. Score: 90 (Lisa Perrotti-Brown, erobertparker.com)
309328 CHÂTEAU DU TRIGNON LE BOSSU GIGONDAS 2007 (RHÔNE) $27.95
Well-balanced and very smooth. 2007 was a spectacular vintage here and lucky for us this one is still coming to market. Baked plums, dark currants, tannic-y tea notes and clever seam of acidity. Score: 91 (James Molesworth, winespectator.com)
246595 MOLLYDOOKER THE BOXER SHIRAZ 2010 (SOUTH AUSTRALIA) $29.95
Absolutely delicious Aussie gem here. All the berry notes you would expect from Downunder – but there is a distinct nose of bacon fat that pops up again on the finish. Look for licorice and spice. Score: 91 (Lisa Perrotti-Brown, erobertparker.com)
ALP
Rose & Karen
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