​Von Kisel Grüner Veltliner ($13.50)
Röschitz, Austria
From the producer:

TBD
​
From me:
Grüner Veltliner mostly comes from Austria, and is a great alternative to either Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. This one is very dry with green apple on the nose and stony lemon on the palate, undercut by white floral notes. It is a zesty and refreshing wine that is perfect as an aperitif. This wine was formerly branded as Von Donabaum, so this is the new vintage of the same wine, with new packaging.

Vignoble Francois Boyer Costières de Nîmes Rosé ($13.99)
Rhône Valley, France
From the producer:
"The origins of this estate can be traced back to the 13th Century, when the Cistercian monks of the Franquevaux Abbey discovered this ideal terroir in the French countryside and proceeded to clear the forest for planting vines and olive trees.

Francois Boyer and his sister Fanny represent the 4th generation of their family to run the winery and the vineyards, continuing the family tradition of making high quality wines and growing of the legacy of this great estate.

In 2009, François began converting the 51 Ha vineyard to organic farming. They are a certified organic estate dedicated to preserving the beauty and health of this unique terroir. They also use vegan winemaking practices and minimal sulfur in producing the wines.

60% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 10% Cinsault

Clear pale pink in color with a fine nose of peach, raspberries, red currants and pomelo. Lively and full on the palate with aromas of fresh red berries.
Refreshing and expressive with a clean finish."

From me:
This wine is more complex than many of the Provençal wines that have a similar blend of grapes and light pink hue, and it has a really elegant mouthfeel with a crisp finish. Light, but with a solid flavor profile that makes this less of a porch-pounder and more of a "sipper with a light meal." But I'm not going to tell you how to live your life. Just enjoy this wine!  

Poderi Vaiot "Franco" Arneis ($17.99)
Piedmont, Italy
From the producer:
"In 2001 after years of learning the family secrets from their father, Franco, Daniele and Walter Casetta began forging their own path in the wine world using their father’s vision as a guide. By studying, experimenting and combining passion with innovation, they have found a unique and distinctive style.

The vineyards and hills of the Roero where Poderi Vaiot is located stretch out as far as the eye can see, alternating with picturesque ravines, castles and old villages. This historic region of Piedmont straddles the provinces of Cuneo, Asti and Torino, and was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2014. 

The history of this area is inextricably linked to the important role played in its past by its namesake, the House of Roero, a noble family renowned as early as the XII century for its enterprise and power. The twenty-four small towns and villages which compose the region have remained almost unchanged and continue to live side-by-side, just as they did under the Roero family centuries ago.

Safeguarding this historic land and environment is important to Poderi Vaiot, where winegrowing traditions have always sought to establish equilibrium between man and nature. Treatments in the vineyard are limited as much as possible and carried out with the utmost care and attention. Most of the work is done by hand to preserve the land’s natural biodiversity. Many wild herbs grow in Poderi Vaiot’s estate vineyards. They are beneficial to the ecosystem and to health, and the intention is to protect them, rediscovering their uses and properties.

Fresh and delicate with fragrant chamomile and white peach on the nose. The palate follows through with flavors of lemon curd and pear balanced by vibrant acidity.

Grapes: 100% Arneis
Fermentation: Spontaneous fermentation with ambient yeasts in stainless steel tanks
Aging: 6 months on the lees in stainless steel and 2 months in bottle
Production: 30,000 bottles per year

Appearance: deep straw yellow with green hues.
Nose: fresh, delicate and tempting with a well-balanced fragrance of chamomile and white flesh fruit, an indelible remembrance of this kind of grape.
Palate: smooth and pronounced, slightly sharp for a fresh and lingering wine.
Gastronomic matching: it is excellent with the typical Piedmontese starters, cooked with white meat too. However, it also accompanies fish and first dishes, prepared with vegetable sauces, very well."

From me:
Arneis is the Italian white that i never knew I needed until I tasted it. This is the second indigenous grape that I'm introducing to the store this summer, and I hope that you love it as much as I do. It's both elegant and refreshing, fruity and floral.

Tenute Rubino Negroamaro Rosato ($11.99)
Brindisi, Puglia, Italy
From the producer:
"Our heritage is made of the historical local varieties from Salento: Negroamaro, Primitivo and Susumaniello among black grapes, Malvasia between white ones (beside other international and ltalian varieties such as Chardonnay and Vermentino). Tenute Rubino has always cultivated its lands with respect towards the environmental sustainability. Nowadays Tenute Rubino is a company which deals with careful customers, aware of the values expressed by our brand in the production of quality wines from Salento. A single range of wines with many different approaches.

ALCOHOL LEVEL 12,5%
VINEYARDS LOCATION Brindisi
ALTITUDE OF VINEYARDS At sea level
AGEING 5-6 months in steel tanks
COLOUR Clear, intense and brilliant pink.
BOUQUET Pink and red flowers and fruits, roses to violets, cherries and blueberries.
TASTE Fresh, sapid, soft and pleasant.
CHARACTERISTICS Its attractive colour is validated by a soft, fresh taste and rounded off by a long and persistent finish.
FOOD MATCHES Focaccia and pink sauce canapés, friselle, pizza margherita, tomato-based first courses. It goes very well with stuffed squid, stewed octopus, roast veal and white meats."

From me:
I am a huge fan of this winery. Many of you have enjoyed their Oltreme Susumaniello, which is made from another indigenous grape. I admire their commitment to working with native varietals, so I'm thrilled to have this wine in the shop for the season. Negroamaro produces a rosato that is refreshing and drinkable, but that stands up to more substantial dishes. This might become your new favorite!

Domaine les Evigneaux Rasteau 2016 ($22.99)
Southern Rhône Valley, France
From the producer:
"Origin:
Benoit and Frederic Lavau have always been fans of Rasteau which became a cru in 2010, and they have been making it for many years. Because of their special fondness for these vineyards whose outstanding exposure they recognize and which they consider to be 'atypical,' they decided to acquire 10 ha in the appellation in 2014. their 12 plots are located in Rasteau’s most emblematic terroirs. these are ideal vineyards for their plans to create a wine capable of delivering all the complexity and power of this extraordinary AOC.

Terroirs:
The Syrah vines are planted in the gravel and clay soil of the Quaternary terraces of Bellerive. Located in the south of the appellation, these are sunny and early ripening, providing the vines with perfect growing conditions. The Grenaches are planted to the north in cooler soil, accentuating the variance between day and night time temperatures and thereby enhancing the colour and aromatic intensity of the varietal. the pebble and gravel soil mixed with complex clay allows constant, even drainage and water supply.

'The nose is complex and of great depth, a mixture of blackcurrant, raspberry and vanilla extract. The palate is meaty and develops its intensity and power across the entire length of the wine. The tannins are robust and well integrated, promising a spectacular result after 3 to 5 years’ cellar ageing (if you can wait that long!).'"

Blend: Grenache 50% Syrah 30% Carignan 10% Mourvèdre 5% Cinsault 5%

Ageing: 12 months in new 228L barrels"

From me:
I've never met a Southern Rhône wine that I didn't like, and if pressed I admit that the region is, globally, my favorite. Rasteau is an appellation with which I was unfamiliar, so I was eager to try this wine. The blend of grapes is typical to the larger region, but the soil and exposure lend unique traits. This Rasteau shows some boldness of flavor, but its complexity makes it compelling. It's a wine to contemplate for a bit as you taste it. You can certainly enjoy it now, but do consider buying a bottle to lay down for a couple of years.

​Domaine la Rocalière Classic Tavel ($19.99)
Rhône Valley, France
From the producer:
"Tavel, Lirac. The only two South Rhône wines located on the right bank.

Welcome to our home, in this tiny square where we have not yet found limits: the size of these terroirs, their richness, their beauty, the immense pleasure that we find there to design our wines and our desire to do the best. 

Welcome to Domaine la Rocalière, a family house of about 40 hectares established since 1995 in the heart of the Tavellois vineyards.

We cultivate season after season our commitment to organic farming, our commitment to our vineyards, the love of a job well done and passion for wine.

Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Mourvèdre:  The grapes have been vinified separately with great care, they each bring their typicality: Grenache brings bold and fruity; Cinsault finesse and length; Syrah and Mourvèdre finally, besides a beautiful color and flavors of red berries give slowly developing a long life to the wine.


In summer, our Tavel is enjoyed fresh as an aperitif. It goes well with white meats and fresh cheeses and particularly highlights the Provençal specialties (Brandade, tapenade, etc.), Provençal and Asian cuisine."

From me: 
The first thing you will notice is that this wine is very dark. There is a misunderstanding that dark roses are sweeter, but in fact it has nothing to do with sugar content, and everything to do with the kinds of grapes in the wine, and the length of skin contact during maceration. This wine is robust enough to pair with a variety of foods, but has enough character to savor it on its own. 

Awestruck "Lovestruck" Coconut Rosé Cider ($14.99)
Sidney, New York
From the producer:
"We are fanatical about crafting transcendent, awe-inspiring liquid. That's why we put it right on our labels. Each and every apple in our blends specifically loves you, and they’ve all come together to help improve your day.

We are a group of young people who believe in good work, good times and good cider. We are devoted to crafting complex, delicious hard ciders by blending fresh-pressed New York State apples with natural herbs, spices and ingenuity. At Awestruck we strive for innovation and creativity in crafting our ciders."

From me:
I don't usually like sweeter ciders, but this one had me at the first sip. Awestruck is great at making seemingly weird flavor combinations really work. In this case, there is a floral note (hibiscus) that offsets the sweetness of the cider, and the coconut is just strong enough to be really summery and delicious, but not too overpowering. I'm really impressed with this!

​Benoit Gautier "Argilex" Dry Vouvray ($15.99)
Loire Valley
From the producer:
"Sustainable viticulture.
Temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel vats.
Use of indigenous yeast.
Ageing in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats.

APPEARANCE : Straw yellow colour.
NOSE : Fresh, fruity, hawthorn blossom aromas, quince aromas.
PALATE : Mineral
AGING : Ageing from 2017 to 2023
FOOD MATCHES : For the aperitif, Crab, Scallop carpaccio, Fish with cream"

From me:
People often assume that Vouvray will be semi-sweet or sweet, but this is not always the case. This is Vouvray Sec, which means that it is dry. The residual sugar is at about .4%, which isn't the driest of white wines, but isn't close to off-dry (1% RS). What you do get is a lot of juicy fruit in this wine: pear, apple, and quince. The minerality and acidity keep the wine bright on the palate. This pairs well with seafood, especially oysters and sushi. It can also be enjoyed as an aperitif.

Botromagno Rosé di Lulu ($15.99)
Puglia, Italy
From the producer:
"I chose to dedicate this wine to my daughter Lucia Pia, whom her young cousins affectionately call Lulù. A very old vineyard, located at 700 metres’ elevation at the highest point in the Gravina area. A very distinctive terroir, consisting of sandy soils of extremely low fertility; the vines must suffer to survive here, and they yield clusters that are few but extraordinarily rich. Rosé di Lulu, a deep pink in appearance, is firmly structured and with an unmistakable personality, one of the iconic wines of Puglia, the region that was first to achieve international success for this difficult to make wine style.

Appearance: A luminous, light pink.
Bouquet: Complex and full fruited, with nuances of liqueur cherries and mulberries.
Palate: Rich, alluring, multi-layered.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Salami, medium-aged cheeses, lamb stews."

From me:
This rosé (rosato) is round and smooth, and its beautiful packaging mirrors the wine's elegance. It's made from 100% Nero di Troia (Uva di Troia), and the bolder flavor profile gives it strength to stand up to slightly heavier dishes than the ubiquitous light French rosés. 

Broadley Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2017 ($24.99)
Willamette Valley, Oregon
From the producer:
"The 1st phase of the estate vineyard was planted in 1981. Our family has been hand crafting wines since 1986.  Craig & Claudia were the founders of the winery, and their son, Morgan and his wife Jessica are the 2nd generation continuing with their passion in the wine business.  

Our estate vineyard is farmed using sustainable farming practices including using sheep to mow our vineyard's ground cover & weeds when appropriate. We also use organic material to promote healthy growth in our vines.  Sustainability is a part of our daily life and we believe it is essential for our future. 

Our goal is to consistently produce dynamic and outstanding wines that are true expressions of the place where they are grown. We want to make wines that make you stop and think. 

We believe that good wine is first made in the vineyard. At Broadley, Pinot Noir grapes are harvested from several designated blocks on the estate vineyard including, Claudia's Choice, Marcile Lorraine & the Jessica block. More Pinot Noir (and occasionally Chardonnay grapes) are sourced from hand selected vineyards that also use meticulous farming methods in order to harvest the healthiest fruit the vintage can bring.

Wooden fermenters impart unique qualities to our wine. When wine is fermented in wood, it gives a richer and deeper complexity to the finished wine. We also use whole clusters in fermentation when the vintage ripens the fruit's stems and the flavor and intensity of the fruit is there. This adds structure and character to the wine."

From me:
New to the store! This is Broadley's entry-level Pinot, but it really shines at this price point. It is both elegant and structured, a little spicy on the nose with just a hint of cedar on the palate to underscore the ripe red fruit. Organic farming practices and the use of indigenous yeast. 

Casinova di Neri Irrosso ($21.99)
Tuscany, Italy
From the producer:
"We believe that wines are the fruit of the vineyard and of man's labour.
The care and passion in working the land has to take into account the characteristics of the land, the microclimate and the variety so as to produce a unique distinct wine able to express its territory. For over forty years our evolution has been marked by careful targeted choices that have distinguished our estate and the wines we produce creating their own style.
A constant search for particular soils that exalt the quality and uniqueness of our wines and farming practices that respect the land and the vines are followed by attentive care in the making of the wine. Our wines are the fruit of exceptional combinations of soils and microclimates together with passionate and meticulous work enabling us to obtain constant results and to enhance the distinct features of the grapes throughout the different vintages.

This wine is born from the grapes of the 'Cetine' vineyards to the south of Montalcino where our Brunello Tenuta Nuova and our Rosso di Montalcino come from. It is obtained from Sangiovese Grosso and Colorino grapes (the plants are reproductions of old varieties that we found in our oldest vineyards). We tried to produce a wine typical of our land and closely linked to it but with the style and characteristics of Casanova di Neri wines. It can be drunk at once or kept for some years giving even greater satisfaction.

Vinification: selection table for bunches, de-stemming, selection table for individual grapes. Vats filled by gravity. Fermentation without use of yeast additives and maceration in open conical vats at controlled temperatures for ¾ weeks Aged in oak barrels for around 15 months and 6 months in bottle.

Tasting notes: Intense ruby red, hints of wild cherry, violets and red fruits ample and easy to drink with excellent persistence. Serve at a temperature of 16° - 17° opening the bottle a few hours previously or decant delicately.

Accompaniments: Tuscan cold cuts, pasta with tomato sauce, roast white meats."

From me:
Brunello di Montalcino is considered one of the top Italian wines, but even a "bargain" bottle will cost you upwards of $30. This is in part because the production area allowed is small, and because Brunellos must comply with a longer aging requirement. The other two Montalicino wines produced from Sangiovese demand less aging (Rosso di Montalcino) or can be both younger and blended with other grapes (Sant'Antimo). Irrosso is a fine example of the latter, though it has quite a bit of barrel age on it. This one is a very good alternative to higher priced wine from the area, and it still gives you an idea of the style and terroir of Montalcino.

Ransom Dry Gin ($28.99)
Oregon
From the producer:
"Fashioned after Holland’s renowned malt wine genevers, Ransom Dry Gin combines the maltiness and hop aromas of the style with a decidedly more intense botanical infusion. The selection of botanicals for this gin was done with tradition in mind, but we also sought to capture the essence of our terroir with the inclusion of the iconic Oregon Marionberry and local hops. The result is a highly aromatic gin with the most compelling attributes of both genever and dry gin styles. We believe speaks meaningfully to its Dutch heritage as well as its Oregon provenance. Excellent for sipping neat, or mixed in a Collins, Improved Holland Gin, Bramble, or Kopstoot.

Ransom Dry Gin begins with a base wort of malted barley and rye, which we mash and ferment at our distillery, and an infusion of botanicals in corn based spirits. We source the finest sustainably farmed botanicals in their natural form for the infusion. The gin is distilled using a direct fired alambic pot still in order to preserve the maximum amount of aromatics, flavor and
body. Only the "heart of the hearts" (the very best portion of distillate) is retained for this bottling.

Botanicals: Juniper berries*, lemon peel*, coriander seed*, angelica root*, caraway seed*, star anise*, marionberries, orris root, hops, cardamom pods*, and orange peel*.
* = Certified Organic botanical.

Ransom Dry Gin opens with ethereal aromatics of hops and white flowers, set off by bass notes from fresh marionberry and juniper berries. The palate is rich and silky, with malt flavors punctuated by citrus and exotic spice piquancy from cardamom and coriander. The gin finishes with suppleness and power, with the viscosity and richness of malt carrying clean, focused botanicals."

From me:
This Gin is unique in style and definitely reflects its place of origin in the flavor profile. The mash bill lends nice viscosity, while the botanicals keep it bright and refreshing.

Fabriquero Sotol ($61.99)
Durango, Mexico
From the producer:
"WHAT IS SOTOL?
It is a plant from the lily family called Dasylirion, known as the desert spoon or Sotol that grows in the desert in the north of Mexico. The Sotol has a Denomination of Origin that comprises the states of Chihuahua, Coahuila and Durango and must use be distilled from 100% of Sotol.

With the experience of a liftetime, Don Hector Jimenez produces this sotol in the vinata or distillery that is mere meters away from the house that he was raised in.  After a brief pause in the distillery from the original producer Domingo Sariñana, Don Hector and his son Gamaliel, have brought back to life this legendary distillery preserving the tradition that this legendary distillery has had for over 100 years.

This distillery, or vinata that is common term, located in the north of Durango has a history of over 100 years producing this wonderful spirit where this site is known to produce the best sotol.  This sotol is made in the traditional manner harvesting only mature plants, cooking the sotols in lava rock lined underground oven, crushing by hand, fermenting with natural airborne yeasts, and double distilling in a small copper alembic still.

This meaty sotol is cooked underground using mesquite and acacia, that gives this herbaceous sotol some pronounced smokey notes that balances perfectly the fruity tones, has a very long finish."

From me:
This is not Tequila. This is not Mezcal. This is not made from Agave. Sotol is its own unique spirit that is earthy, grassy, funky, and a little smoky, and you almost never see it in restaurants or shops. The flavor is completely unusual as is its production: The sotol plant must mature to about 15 years before harvesting, and each plant makes about one bottle of spirit. The price reflects this process. I think Sotol is delicious, but it is a bit polarizing, so try some and see what you think!

​Cantina Frentana Cococciola ($14.99)
Abruzzo
From the producer:
"Many arms and many minds have allowed Cantina Frentana to be what it is. What we now know as Banca dei vigneti (Vineyards bank) was created from many years of shared knowledge: it’s an extraordinary resource thanks to which the cellar directly manages part of the vineyards, using organic techniques, in view of converting the whole production to organic cultivation with the passing of time. It’s a concrete commitment in defence of the greatest heritage of a cooperative company: those precious vineyards at risk of being abandoned because of the lack of generational turnover within farming families. Preserving the territory and the landscape, offering an occupational perspective to young people who want to stay in the countryside, but have little land at their disposal: Banca dei vigneti supports all of these activities.

Production and wine making:
A careful combination of the autochthonous Cococciola vine varieties, coming from selected vineyards on Frentana hills, allow us to obtain a slightly fizzy and scented wine. The winemaking is made by performing a controlled fermentation on early harvested grapes to better enhance the freshness and liveliness of this wine.

Features of the wine:
It is a rare autochthonous grape variety of the Frentana area in Abruzzo. Cococciola is cultivated using the Abruzzo pergola technique. The winemaking requires a soft pressing, fermentation and ageing on stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature. The color is pale straw yellow, with scents of white flowers, citrus and light spicy notes; on the palate it has a vibrant acidity and freshness, fruity notes with a delicate almond final aroma. It is a quaffable wine. To be served at 9-11°, highly recommended as aperitif wine and to start a lunch; it goes well with delicate fish dishes and fried vegetables."

From me:
This summer you will see a number of new Italian whites in the shop, and this is the first to arrive. As you might know, love giving attention to indigenous (autochthonous) grapes, and this one is a standout. Try it if you like Pinot Grigio or if you like the Soave that I sell. It's a bit savory, but so drinkable!

Goretti L'Arringatore ($39.99)
Umbria
From the producer:
"60% Sangiovese, 30% Merlot and 10% Ciliegiolo 

MATURATION: about 14/16 months in barrique
REFINING: about 12/14 months in bottle
AGEING POTENTIAL: 10 or more years depending on the vintage 

COLOUR: intense ruby red with violet hues
BOUQUET: complex and very intense, with notes of mature, exotic fruit and honey
TASTE: aromatic, elegant with fine notes, long and lingering
SERVE WITH: roast and grilled meats, excellent with mature cheeses and pasta dishes with tomato sauce.​"

From me:
I'm very excited to have another Umbrian wine to offer. L'Arringatore is bold and rich, though not really full-bodied. There's quite a bit of dark fruit balanced by firm tannins. I think a California Cab drinker will be especially drawn to this. It's best if opened two hours before drinking.

​Trimbach Pinot Blanc ($12.99)
Alsace, France
From the producer:
"The Trimbach’s have a purist vision. For three centuries and across 13
generations, the family has produced wines that are structured, longlived, fruity, elegant and balanced: the celebrated Trimbach style. The
family personally looks after each operation, from planting to harvests
and from vinification to bottling.

The viticultural origin of the Trimbach family dates back to 1626, when Jean Trimbach, was recognized as a citizen of Riquewihr. From then on, the Trimbach’s were renowned for their wine-growing. Maison Trimbach’s vineyards are all situated around Ribeauville (Ribeauville, Hunawihr, Bergheim, Rorschwihr, Riquewihr and Mittlewihr). They benefit from the unique Alsatian microclimate, thanks to the Vosges Mountains protection, which preserves the plain from the rain. The vineyards were planted on the Ribeauville’s fault line that fractured 50 million years ago between the Vosges Mountain range and the Black Forest offering a mosaic of terroirs including the complex calcareous limestone and bio-degraded seashell fossils called “Muschelkalk”.

VARIETAL COMPOSITION
75% Pinot Auxerrois, 25% Pinot Blanc

WINEMAKING & VINTAGE NOTES
Grapes are from Trimbach’s own vineyards and about 120 growers whom the family has long-term relationships, harvested in late September/early October and vinified at the Trimbach’s winery. Fermentation occurs in temperature controlled stainless steel and concrete vats and the wine does not undergo malolactic fermentation.

AGEING
The wines are released after two years of cellar ageing, when they
have the perfect balance of fruit and acidity.

TASTING NOTES
Pale yellow with green reflections and rich concentrated aromas of
white flower and apricot notes. Smooth, medium bodied with good
fruit acidity. Pairs well with light meals such as salads, chicken, roast
pork and seafood."

Madfish Cabernet Sauvignon ($13.99)
Western Australia
From the producer:
"Picturesque Madfish Bay is located in the remote southern corner of Western Australia. The bay's tranquility is broken when two tides meet. According to local folklore, the fish, confused by this natural phenomenon, can be observed leaping in the air as if in a state of complete madness. The MadFish wine range and label, first released in 1992, was named as an homage to this unique geographical occurrence. The superb climate of South West Australia has always been conducive to the cultivation of healthy wine grapes with attractive and vibrant fruit flavors.

Madfish Cabernet Sauvignon is crafted to produce a wine with a complete palate profile. After crushing, the grapes are fermented in stainless tanks with traditional pump over to help extract colour, tannin and flavour. Maturation in French oak barriques for 8 months produces a wine packed full of ripe fruit flavours and savoury oak tannins.

Tasting Notes
The color is a rich deep ruby and leads you to an enticing nose brimming with succulent dark berry fruits supported by hints of raspberry, mocha, savoury spice and rosemary. The palate offers great vibrancy and depth of flavour – black and blue berries, redcurrants, plum compote and roasted chestnuts mingle with alluring coffee and cocoa and a minty earthiness. Supple tannins allow this wide array of flavours to enliven and excite the mid palate and then linger on the finish. A wine of eminent approachability, with great integration and structure.

Food Pairing
Cabernet Sauvignon from South West Australia, with its bright fruit flavors, soft tannins, and rich body, complement meat based dishes representing many styles and cuisines. This wine is also great with hard cheeses."

​Domaine la Terre de Lune Côtes du Rhône Rosé ($11.99)
Rhône Valley, France
From the producer:
"Vine growing : the vines are planted with a density of 4000 per hectare. The number of treatments is limited to a minimum and depends on the weather. Limited amounts of fertilizers are used, only to maintain a balance in the soil, and when required by the vines. This is based on soil and leaf analysis. The yield is kept at a low level in order to have a high quality of grape. This is done by hedging, leaf-thinning and green harvesting.

40% Cinsault  30% Grenache  20% Syrah  10% Mourvedre 

A rosé wine with a light and bright pink colour. A fruity nose of red berries and a fleshy character of peach. Elegant in the mouth with a pleasant freshness and final notes of red currants."

From me:
The high Cinsault content of this wine really sets it apart from others in the region, which contain mostly Grenache. In this case the result is a little more delicate floral note to set off the fruit. If you usually drink rosés from Provence, do try this one; there's a little more elegance and character present, and it pairs really well with ham, pasta, salads, tuna, salmon, and spicier foods.

​Dominio de Punctum Vaiven Blanc de Noir Tempranillo ($15.99)
Castilla-La Mancha, Spain
From the producer:
"Vaiven Blanc de Noir is made from organically grown grapes in our Estate. We harvest our grapes at night for optimal temperature before pressing. Vaiven is produced by quickly removing the skins from the juice after the grapes have been pressed.

Vino de la Tierra de Castilla, organic and biodynamic wine. 
Bright yellow color with pearly iridescence at first sight. Fresh and floral bouquet mixed with red berries aromas. Good acidity, gentle, tasty and full body.

Pairings: salads, all white meat such as chicken with garlic, pork, etc."

From me:
Tempranillo is usually vinified as a red wine (if you've had Rioja, you've had Tempranillo), but here we have a unique Blanc de Noir that keeps some of the red fruit notes while also exhibiting floral overtones. It is full-bodied, with just enough acidity to create good balance. This is one of the more unique wines you'll find.

Tzora Vineyards Judean Hills Red 2014 ($33.50)
Judean Hills, Israel
From the producer:
"The Judean Hills rise sharply from the coastal plain, and exhibit ideal growing conditions for growing wine grapes. Man made terraces cling to this rugged area in a multitude of directions as they follow the contours of the steep slopes. Cold winters, sharp temperature drop during the short summer nights and early morning summer mists, as well as variations in soils from rocky limestone outcrops to ones rich in minerals, all contribute to the character, the balance and the great longevity of the wines.

This wine is made from selected plots of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petit Verdot and Merlot grown on old terraces with top-soil of limestone rich in minerals.

Aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, this wine has wonderful texture and complex aromatic profile of black fruit and hint of earthiness. The finish is fine and fairly long."

From me:
Kosher wine has a bit of a bad rap, but there are many fine examples, of which this is one. Israel has some stunningly good areas for wine growing, and Tzora takes advantage of their geography to create really beautiful products. This is their entry-level wine, and it is an excellent example from the region. The vintage I'm selling is 2014, so it should be at peak right now.

​Von Donabaum Grüner Veltliner ($13.50)
Röschitz, Austria
From the producer:
"Volker Donabaum, the founder of Volker Wines, has been in the wine industry practically since birth. He grew up on the Donabaum family estate in the Wachau in Austria, where the family has been making wine since 1833. Volker worked several harvests in Austria before working as an assistant winemaker in California, France, Italy, New Zealand, Australia, Oregon and Canada. In 2012, Volker moved to New York City, where he imports and distributes wines from around the world, including his Volker Wines.

Grüner Veltliner von Donabaum 2016 comes from a 25 year-old single vineyard in the Austrian village of Röschitz, which is located about 1 hour north of Vienna. The hand-picked and hand-sorted grapes are destemmed before crushing, and, after a cool fermentation in stainless steel, the wine rests for 3 months on its fine lees." 

From me:
Grüner Veltliner mostly comes from Austria, and is a great alternative to either Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. This one is very dry with green apple on the nose and stony lemon on the palate, undercut by white floral notes. It is a zesty and refreshing wine that is perfect as an aperitif. I was lucky enough to meet Volker, whose wine I am pleased to support.

Tenute Rubino Negroamaro Rosato ($11.99)
Brindisi, Puglia, Italy
From the producer:
"Our heritage is made of the historical local varieties from Salento: Negroamaro, Primitivo and Susumaniello among black grapes, Malvasia between white ones (beside other international and ltalian varieties such as Chardonnay and Vermentino). Tenute Rubino has always cultivated its lands with respect towards the environmental sustainability. Nowadays Tenute Rubino is a company which deals with careful customers, aware of the values expressed by our brand in the production of quality wines from Salento. A single range of wines with many different approaches.

ALCOHOL LEVEL 12,5%
VINEYARDS LOCATION Brindisi
ALTITUDE OF VINEYARDS At sea level
AGEING 5-6 months in steel tanks
COLOUR Clear, intense and brilliant pink.
BOUQUET Pink and red flowers and fruits, roses to violets, cherries and blueberries.
TASTE Fresh, sapid, soft and pleasant.
CHARACTERISTICS Its attractive colour is validated by a soft, fresh taste and rounded off by a long and persistent finish.
FOOD MATCHES Focaccia and pink sauce canapés, friselle, pizza margherita, tomato-based first courses. It goes very well with stuffed squid, stewed octopus, roast veal and white meats."

From me:
I am a huge fan of this winery. Many of you have enjoyed their Oltreme Susumaniello, which is made from another indigenous grape. I admire their commitment to working with native varietals, so I'm thrilled to have this wine in the shop for the season. Negroamaro produces a rosato that is refreshing and drinkable, but that stands up to more substantial dishes. This might become your new favorite!

Domaine les Evigneaux Rasteau 2016 ($22.99)
Southern Rhône Valley, France
From the producer:
"Origin:
Benoit and Frederic Lavau have always been fans of Rasteau which became a cru in 2010, and they have been making it for many years. Because of their special fondness for these vineyards whose outstanding exposure they recognize and which they consider to be 'atypical,' they decided to acquire 10 ha in the appellation in 2014. their 12 plots are located in Rasteau’s most emblematic terroirs. these are ideal vineyards for their plans to create a wine capable of delivering all the complexity and power of this extraordinary AOC.

Terroirs:
The Syrah vines are planted in the gravel and clay soil of the Quaternary terraces of Bellerive. Located in the south of the appellation, these are sunny and early ripening, providing the vines with perfect growing conditions. The Grenaches are planted to the north in cooler soil, accentuating the variance between day and night time temperatures and thereby enhancing the colour and aromatic intensity of the varietal. the pebble and gravel soil mixed with complex clay allows constant, even drainage and water supply.

'The nose is complex and of great depth, a mixture of blackcurrant, raspberry and vanilla extract. The palate is meaty and develops its intensity and power across the entire length of the wine. The tannins are robust and well integrated, promising a spectacular result after 3 to 5 years’ cellar ageing (if you can wait that long!).'"

Blend: Grenache 50% Syrah 30% Carignan 10% Mourvèdre 5% Cinsault 5%

Ageing: 12 months in new 228L barrels"

From me:
I've never met a Southern Rhône wine that I didn't like, and if pressed I admit that the region is, globally, my favorite. Rasteau is an appellation with which I was unfamiliar, so I was eager to try this wine. The blend of grapes is typical to the larger region, but the soil and exposure lend unique traits. This Rasteau shows some boldness of flavor, but its complexity makes it compelling. It's a wine to contemplate for a bit as you taste it. You can certainly enjoy it now, but do consider buying a bottle to lay down for a couple of years.

JB Neufeld "Two Blondes" Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 ($57.99)
Yakima Valley, Washington
From the producer:
"JB Neufeld produced its first vintage in 2008. The winery is the only of its kind in Washington, focusing exclusively on Cabernet Sauvignon within the Yakima Valley AVA. The winery was created by the husband and wife team, Justin and Brooke Neufeld. The goal of the brand is to not only showcase the diversity of the terroir found in the valley through its vineyard designate bottlings, but to use that diversity to build a more complex and balanced Cabernet Sauvignon by blending sites as well.

The Yakima Valley AVA has the most diverse terroir of all the AVAs in Washington.  All the vineyards are located on south facing slopes created by a series of ridges that are oriented West to East, which is a geological anomaly unique to eastern Washington.  

JB Neufeld's focus is to preserve not only the qualities of the wine, but also the place and time from which they were made. They aim to build a Cabernet Sauvignon that possesses multiple layers of complexity that reveal themselves as the wine opens up in the glass. JB Neufeld achieves this by having a winemaking style that is dedicated, thoughtful and precise to the terroir of their valley.

Elegant and floral on the nose while also showing rich fruit on the palate. Flavors suggest dried figs, cranberry, and sage. Focused and nuanced, this wine is a superb expression of it’s terroir.
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Fermentation: cold soaking with daily punching down and pumping over and macro aeration.
Aging: 22 months in 50% new French oak and 50% in neutral French oak Production: 1,220 bottles per year"

From me:
I'd had some good Washington Cab before tasting these wines, but JB Neufeld is in another league entirely. This wine is as bold as a Napa Cab with its own profile that, to me, makes it more compelling. The winemaker, Justin, has visited my shop, and he was a joy to talk to about his technique and his approach to wine. This is their single-vineyard Cabernet, so you get a great sense of terroir (and it's delicious). Especially if you aren't familiar with Washington Cabs, try this!

Scarbolo Campo del Viotto 2015 ($43.99)
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
​From the producer:
"An intense deep ruby red color with pomegranate hues. Ripe notes of marasca cherries, sweet tobacco, dark chocolate and ripe wild berries.
Intense on the palate, with soft sweet tannins and spiced persistent finish.

Grapes: 100% Merlot

Fermentation: The first whole clusters harvested are dried out for about 20  days, then the fermentation occurs in small Oak Barrels. After the
fermentation, barrels are sealed and the wine remains in contact with the skins until mid December.

Aging: 2 Years in small Oak barriques; then 6
Months in the bottle prior to release
Production: 850 Cases"

From me:
Another wine from Scarbolo that flips the script. Hate Merlot? Think it's an unimpressive varietal? Try this wine. From the partial raisinating of the grapes to the long aging, this takes Merlot to the next level. Elegant and rich. This is the new vintage, and while it drinks beautifully now, it should be STUNNING in a year or two. Buy one for the cellar!