VVW News - April 2016

Transcription

1 VVW News - April 2016 RED WINE VALUE OF THE MONTH 2013 La Tierra de Castilla Codice (Eguren) Tempranillo honesty at its most everyday version. Rich, fresh and plenty of fruit - Marcos Eguren, Winemaker The Eguren family is renowned for their high quality Spanish reds from Rioja (Sierra Cantabria, San Vicente, Paganos) and Toro (Teso La Monja). This impressive bargain comes from central Spain, south of Madrid. Pure Tempranillo, tank-fermented and barrel-aged, it is remarkable for a wine under $10. Vivid purple. Lively dark be rry, anise and white pepper scents, with a hint of underbrush emerging slowly. Juicy and focused on the palate, offering bitter cherry and cassis flavors that sweeten up slowly with aeration. Shows a refreshingly bitter cherry pit note on a nicely persistent finish framed by sneaky, fine-grained tannins. (89/100) - Josh Raynolds, Vinousmedia.com 2013 La Tierra de Castilla Codice (Dominio de Eguren) $9.95 HALF-CASE SPECIAL 20 Percent Off $47.50 ($47.50/6 bottles = $7.92/bottle) SPANISH WHITE BARGAIN 2014 Rioja Blanco (Muga) Rioja is famous for its red wines, but Bodegas Muga has long excelled with white wine as well. Theirs is a blend of Viura and Malvasia, and the 2014 is a superb wine at a bargain price. Green-tinged gold. Displays heady aromas of ripe citrus and orchard fruits, along with suggestions of honey, dried fig and toasty lees. Sappy, energetic and sharply focused, offering concentrated tangerine and pear skin flavors that are braced by juicy acidity and a strong jolt of smoky minerality. Combines power and finesse gracefully and finishes very long and stony, with an emphatic echo of dusty minerals and ripe citrus fruits. (91/100) - Josh Raynolds, Vinousmedia.com 2014 Rioja Blanco (Muga) $18.00 HALF-CASE SPECIAL 15 Percent Off $91.50 ($91.50/6 bottles = $15.25/bottle) RACY, ZESTY CHARDONNAY 2014 Chablis Les Pargues (Romain Collet) Chablis is unique, because its terroir is unique the far northern climate and the Kimmeridgian clay soil laced with marine fossils. Chardonnay from anywhere else just doesn t taste the same. We Chablis fans are always looking for classic, moderately-priced bottlings, and here is our latest find, the 2014 villages-level Les Pargues from young Romain Collet. You know it is Chablis as soon as you smell it, the austere lemony fruit and the telltale minerality. On the palate, it is vibrant and pure, with generous fruit for a Chablis. Its finish lingers with hints of sourness and oyster shell earthiness, uniquely Chablis. Its acidity, while obvious, is gentle rather than sharp. An easy-drinking sort of Chablis, it is a tremendous value with our half-case special Chablis Les Pargues (Romain Collet) $25.00 HALF-CASE SPECIAL 15 Percent Off $ ($127.50/6 bottles = $21.25/bottle) DELICIOUS TUSCAN RED 2013 Rosso di Montalcino (Ciacci Piccolomini) Pure, ripe Sangiovese from the southwest corner of Montalcino, near the ancient abbey of Sant Antimo. The 2013 Rosso di Montalcino is a gorgeous wine to drink now and over the next handful of years. Silky, gracious and expressive on the palate, the 2013 stands out for its overall balance and harmony. Sweet red cherry, mint and spice notes linger on the open-knit finish. (90/100) - Antonio Galloni, Vinousmedia.com 2013 Rosso di Montalcino (Ciacci Piccolomini) $28.00 HALF-CASE SPECIAL 15 Percent Off $ ($142.50/6 bottles = $23.75/bottle)

2 White Burgundies Domaine Vincent Morey APRIL SPECIAL - 15 PERCENT OFF on purchases of six or more bottles of 2014 White Burgundies Regular 15% Off Price Price 2014 Bourgogne Blanc (Vincent Morey)... $ $ Saint Aubin Les Charmois (Vincent Morey)... $ $ Chassagne-Montrachet Les Embrazées (Vincent Morey)... $ $ Chassagne-Montrachet Les Caillerets (Vincent Morey)... $ $ Puligny-Montrachet La Truffière (Vincent Morey)... $ $ Note: These 2014s will be featured at our tasting bar on April 5 and 6. Chablis: Villages and Premier Cru APRIL SPECIAL - 15 PERCENT OFF on purchases of six or more bottles of Chablis Regular 15% Off Price Price 2014 Chablis Les Pargues (Romain Collet)... $ $ Chablis Les Forêts (Romain Collet)... $ $ Chablis (Laurent Tribut)... $ $ A ripe and expressive nose features notes of yellow orchard fruit that is liberally laced with citrus and classic Chablis elements. The attractively rich and relatively full-bodied flavors possess good punch as the lemon-tinged acidity keeps the balance on the clean and agreeably dry finale. This should drink well both young and with a few years of cellar time (88-90/100) 2012 Chablis Montée de Tonnerre (Romain Collet)... $ $ Chablis Montmains (William Fèvre)... $ $ A fresh and airy nose offers up a pretty mélange of floral, citrus and ocean water, fresh and complex with a clear Chablis character. There is fine intensity to the solidly concentrated and vibrant medium-bodied flavors that possess ample dry extract on the mineral-driven finish that is presently somewhat youthfully austere. Lovely (89-92/100) 2012 Chablis Montmains (William Fèvre)... $ $ An airy, elegant and very pure nose offers up notes of ocean breeze, algae, green fruit and floral scents. There is excellent concentration but also fine vibrancy to the well-detailed medium weight flavors that ooze an appealing minerality on the tautly muscular and dry but not especially austere finish. This is a beauty (90-92/100) 2014 Chablis Beauroy (Laurent Tribut)... $ $ There is good freshness and energy to the medium-bodied flavors that are tighter than usual, all wrapped in a citrusy, focused and very clean finish. This is not a wine of finesse but I like the frank and direct character. Note that this too should drink reasonably well young but also reward mid-term cellaring (89-92/100) 2013 Chablis Montée de Tonnerre (William Fèvre)... $ $ A ripe, elegant and strikingly layered nose features notes of dried flower, citrus, mineral reduction and a smoky hint. There is really lovely detail and intensity to the beautifully mineral-inflected medium weight plus flavors that possess excellent richness before terminating in a complex, balanced, long and markedly dry finish. A moderately firm acid spine shapes the flavor profile. As it usually is this is a wine of class and grace (91-94/100) Note: These Chablis will be featured at our tasting bar on April 22 and 23.

3 2013 Red Burgundies APRIL SPECIAL - 15 PERCENT OFF on purchases of six or more bottles of 2013 Red Burgundies Regular 15% Off DOMAINE DUBREUIL-FONTAINE PERNAND-VERGELESSES Price Price 2013 Pernand-Vergelesses Clos Berthet (Dubreuil-Fontaine)... $ $ A high-toned and very expressive nose offers up notes of raspberry and strawberry that precede energetic and nicely detailed flavors that are on the lighter side but no less interesting for it as this is quite refreshing and should drink well almost immediately (87/100) 2013 Beaune Les Montrevenots (Dubreuil-Fontaine)... $ $ An essence of red pinot fruit nose is appealingly fresh with a hint of spice that can also be found on the delicious, energetic and detailed middle weight flavors that exude a fine bead of minerality on the firm, muscular and mildly rustic finish that delivers good depth and persistence (88/100) 2013 Aloxe-Corton Les Vercots (Dubreuil-Fontaine)... $ $ The deeply pitched and overtly sauvage inflected nose is comprised primarily by red currant, dark pinot and plenty of earth character. There is good volume and muscle to the relatively bigbodied flavors that possess a supple mid-palate where the finish then tightens up quickly. As is typically the case this is not an elegant wine but I like the frank and direct delivery (89/100) 2013 Corton Clos du Roi (Dubreuil-Fontaine)... $ $ There is just enough wood to warrant noting though it is sufficiently subtle that the expressive aromas of earth, game, smoke, forest floor and dark berry fruit aromas have no trouble being appreciated. There is excellent size, weight and power to the full-bodied flavors that possess excellent punch and ample minerality on the balanced, complex and solidly persistent finish. Note that this will require patience (92/100) DOMAINE DE MONTILLE VOLNAY 2013 Beaune Les Sizies (de Montille)... $ $ An expressive and deeply pitched nose is composed by notes of dark currant, earth, violets and forest floor. There is solid density and intensity to the vibrant, detailed and lightly mineralinflected medium weight flavors that exhibit only a touch of austerity on the finish. The tannins are angular but ripe and this should reward mid-term cellaring (89-91/100) 2013 Nuits-Saint-Georges Aux Saints Juliens (de Montille)... $ $ A subtle application of wood frames the attractively floral suffused nose of earth, sauvage and plum aromas. There is fine mid-palate concentration to the delicious and robust middle weight flavors where the supporting tannins are mildly rustic, all wrapped in a long, serious and balanced finish. This is a relatively big Nuits villages that should amply reward up to a decade of cellaring (88-91/100) 2013 Nuits-Saint-Georges Aux Thorey (de Montille)... $ $ There is a touch of the sauvage to the fresh and cool red and dark berry fruit aromas that are freely interlaced with earth and forest floor elements. Like many of the wines in the range there is a really lovely palate feel to the vibrant and lightly mineral-inflected medium-bodied flavors that deliver fine complexity and solid length on the balanced finale. There is some youthful austerity present but it should pass with a few years of bottle age (90-92/100) 2013 Volnay Les Champans (de Montille)... $ $ A ripe, spicy and elegant nose presents notes of plum, cassis and warm earth. There is both good volume along with fine detail to the delicious and nicely concentrated medium-bodied flavors that also exude a fine bead of minerality before culminating in a dusty, cool and refined finale. Though there is some youthful austerity present there is no dryness and thus the overall sense of balance is complete (89-92/100) 2013 Corton Clos du Roi (de Montille)... $ $ Vosne-Romanée Les Malconsorts (de Montille)... $ $

4 BaroloS The 2010 vintage in Barolo is shaping up to be a modern-day classic. The cool growing season produced transparent, vibrant Barolos that pulsate with tension, crystalline purity and site-specific nuance. They have all of the attributes of a cool, late-ripening vintage: expressive aromatics, chiseled fruit, plenty of sitespecificity and the potential to develop beautifully for years and decades in bottle. At the same time, the wines have gorgeous depth and richness. A number of growers mentioned that the berry size was small in 2010, which explains why the wines have the tannic presence they do. It is a year that will appeal to classicists, as the wines are translucent and incredibly expressive. Stylistically, the 2010s remind me of the 2004s, but with more mid-palate pliancy and overall depth. Simply put, 2010 is the greatest young Barolo vintage I have tasted in 18 years of visiting the region and a lifetime of buying, cellaring and drinking these wines. - Antonio Galloni, The Wine Advocate APRIL SPECIAL - 15 PERCENT OFF on purchases of three or more bottles of 2010 Barolos Regular 15% Off Price Price 2010 Barolo Bussia (Ruggeri Corsini)... $ $ Barolo (Renato Corino)... $ $ The 2010 Barolo is drop-dead gorgeous. Sweet red cherries, mint, licorice and spices jump from the glass in an expressive, beautifully delineated Barolo. The 2010 impresses for its energy, class and nuance, all of which are those of a wine that should sit higher up in the hierarchy. The purity of the fruit here is striking. Readers who want to discover the joys of the 2010 vintage in Barolo without spending a fortune should start here (91+/100) - Antonio Galloni, Vinousmedia.com 2010 Barolo Margheria (Luigi Piara)... $ $ The 2010 Barolo Margheria is terrific. Sage, mint, lavender, black cherries and melted road tar blossom in a dark, savory Barolo loaded with personality. Iron, smoke, graphite and dark red plums develop in the glass. It is distinct, incisive and full of character. The typically firm tannins of Margheria are present, but they are nearly covered by the purity of the fruit. This is a gorgeous Barolo with plenty of Serralunga mystique. The Margheria was aged entirely in cask (94+/100) - Antonio Galloni, Vinousmedia.com 2010 Barolo Brunate (Mario Marengo)... $ $ Dark red cherries, plums, smoke, licorice and violets burst from the glass in the 2010 Barolo Brunate. Translucent, transparent, yet powerful, the Brunate shows all the signatures of this great site. Here, too, the wine clearly needs time, but the balance is unquestionably quite fine. In particular, the wine's inner sweetness and pure perfume will thrill readers who like aromatically expressive Barolos (94/100) - Antonio Galloni, Vinousmedia.com 2010 Barolo Arborina (Renato Corino)... $ $ Dark red cherries, mocha, licorice, new leather and menthol flesh out in the 2010 Barolo Arborina. Renato Corino has done a fabulous job taming the slightly angular tannins that are typical of the site. Mint, pine and savory herbs all add an attractive aromatic register on the finish. The 2010 is dark, rich, mysterious and totally seductive. Rarely has a young Corino Barolo been so translucent yet deep (94/100) - Antonio Galloni, Vinousmedia.com 2010 Barolo Marenca (Luigi Pira)... $ $ A dark, full throttle wine, the 2010 Marenca shows off all of its typical richness and intensity. Here it is the wine's texture and volume that speak most clearly. Today, the Marenca is remarkable primary, with virtually nothing in the way of flavor development. Readers need to be patient, but the 2010 has more than enough structure to develop well in bottle for many years (94+/100) - Antonio Galloni, Vinousmedia.com 2010 Barolo (Elio Altare)... $ $ The 2010 Barolo wraps around the palate with plums, mocha, smoke, menthol, spices and new leather. This is an unusually dark, muscular style for a straight Barolo. The shoulders are broad, but at the same time, there is more than enough richness to balance the tannins. The 2010 should drink well pretty much upon release, as it is packed with fruit, supple in personality and full of near-term appeal. Altare sources fruit from La Morra, Castiglione Falletto and Serralunga for his Barolo (92/100) - Antonio Galloni, Vinousmedia.com Note: These Baroli will be featured at our tasting bar on April 15 and 16.

5 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Papes APRIL SPECIAL - 20 PERCENT OFF on purchases of three or more bottles of 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Papes Regular 20% Off Price Price 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Clos des Brusquieres)... $ $ Bright ruby-red. Aromas of fresh red berries, cherry compote, lavender and Asian spices, with a mineral element adding vivacity. Juicy and sharply focused, offering sweet raspberry and floral pastille flavors that deepen and become spicier with air. Round, seamless Châteauneuf with excellent finishing power and length and a whisper of fine-grained tannins. (93/100) - Josh Raynolds, Vinousmedia.com 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Pierre Usseglio)... $ $ Bright ruby. Perfumed aromas of fresh dark berries, peppery spices and potpourri, with woodsmoke and mineral nuances adding complexity. Supple, expansive and gently sweet, offering concentrated raspberry liqueur and floral pastille flavors and an allspice quality that builds on the back half. Finishes pure, sappy and persistent, with firming fine-grained tannins. (91/100) - Josh Raynolds, Vinousmedia.com 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes (Clos Saint Jean)... $ $ Inky ruby. Heady, mineral-accented aromas of blueberry, cherry compote, lavender and cola, with a smoky nuance building in the glass. Palate-staining dark berry flavors pick up notes of white pepper and licorice as the wine opens in the glass. This powerful yet nimble Châteauneuf finishes with very good clarity and silky tannins that add gentle grip. (91/100) - Josh Raynolds, Vinousmedia.com 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Chateau Sixtine)... $ $ Bright ruby. A complex, highly perfumed bouquet evokes red and dark berry preserves, smoky minerals and Asian spices, along with hints of cola and fresh flowers. On the palate, finely etched raspberry and lavender pastille flavors are given lift and spine by tangy acidity. Pure and balanced wine with supple tannins coming up slowly and adding finishing grip and structure. This graceful Châteauneuf should enjoy a long life based on its balance. (92/100) - Josh Raynolds, Vinousmedia.com 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau (Vieux Télégraphe)... $ $ Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau (Vieux Télégraphe)...375ml $ $ Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau (Vieux Télégraphe)...1.5L$ $ Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau (Vieux Télégraphe)...3L $ $ Opaque ruby. An intensely perfumed bouquet evokes spicy dark berries and potpourri, with zesty mineral and incense qualities adding complexity. Pliant boysenberry and candied lavender flavors are impressively fresh and focused, with a hint of licorice adding depth. Closes sweet, supple and broad, with resonating spiciness and gentle tannins that add shape and grip. (93/100) - Josh Raynolds, Vinousmedia.com 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Vieux Donjon)... $ $ Vivid ruby. Exotic, expansive aromas of fresh red and dark berries, incense, anise and garrigue. Deep, sappy black raspberry and boysenberry flavors show excellent clarity, with a hint of spicecake building in the glass. Nicely balances power and finesse and shows outstanding vivacity. A smoky mineral note adds lift and cut to the long, fruit-driven finish, which shows just a hint of silky tannins. (94/100) - Josh Raynolds, Vinousmedia.com 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Quet (Mas de Boislauzon)... $ $ Easily one of the top wines in the vintage, the incredible 2012 Cuvee du Quet comes from the northern part of the appellation and is made from 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvedre. Full-bodied, decadent and layered, with fabulous mid-palate depth and building tannin and structure, it knocks it out of the park with it ripe black raspberry, roasted meats, chocolate, licorice and toasted spice aromas and flavors. It s an awesome wine that will have years of longevity (96/100) - Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Combe des Fous (Clos Saint Jean)... $ $ The smoking good 2012 La Combe des Fous (60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and the rest Muscardin, Vaccarese and Cinsault) is a structured, serious wine that gives up notions of blackberry, currants, melted licorice and assorted meaty nuances that flow to a full-bodied, seamless wine that has terrific fruit intensity, masses of fine tannin and a blockbuster finish. Give it 3-4 years in the cellar and drink it through (95-97/100) - Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate 5

6 6 TASTING BAR SCHEDULE - APRIL 2016 For more complete information, please visit and click Tasting Bar CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPES FRIDAY 4/1 & SATURDAY 4/ is a quite classic vintage, in a way like 2010 but with easier tannins and the fruit to the front, which makes them easy to drink already. - Claude Courtil, Clos des Brusquieres In the freshness of the fruit, its balance, and its integration of serious tannic structure, the 2012 vintage is simply phenomenal. - Daniel Brunier, Vieux Télégraphe This tasting starts off with an excellent 2012 from nearby Gigondas, followed by seven superb Châteauneuf-du- Papes. All 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Papes are available at 20 percent off on purchases of three or more bottles this month Gigondas Les Racines (Les Pallières); 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Clos des Brusquieres); 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Pierre Usseglio); 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes (Clos Saint Jean); 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Chateau Sixtine); 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau (Vieux Télégraphe); 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Vieux Donjon); 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Quet (Mas de Boislauzon). VINCENT MOREY WHITE BURGUNDIES: 2014 & 2013 TUESDAY 4/5 & WEDNESDAY 4/6 The highly-regarded 2014 White Burgundies are starting to arrive. This tasting showcases our five selections from Vincent Morey, including three exciting Premier Crus from Chassagne-Montrachet and Puligny-Montrachet. For comparison, we ll also include two of Morey s 2013s. Come in and enjoy some delicious White Burgundy, and get an early fix on the 2014 vintage Bourgogne Blanc (Vincent Morey); 2014 Saint Aubin Les Charmois (Vincent Morey); 2013 Saint Aubin Les Charmois (Vincent Morey); 2014 Chassagne-Montrachet Les Embrazées (Vincent Morey); 2014 Chassagne-Montrachet Les Caillerets (Vincent Morey); 2013 Chassagne-Montrachet Les Caillerets (Vincent Morey); 2014 Puligny-Montrachet La Truffière (Vincent Morey) BAROLOS & BARBARESCOS THURSDAY 4/7 This is a tuneup flight, a prelude to our big 2010 Barolo tasting on April 15 and is the vintage for Barolo and Barbaresco collectors right now. The next serious rival in the pipeline is 2015, which won t come on the market until 2018 for Barbaresco and 2019 for Barolo. The flight showcases four villages level bottlings, one Barbaresco and three Barolos, and two higher-end vineyard-designated Barbarescos. All are available at 15 percent off on purchases of three or more bottles this month Barbaresco Vincenziana (Silvio Giamello); 2010 Barolo (Giuliano Corino); 2010 Barolo (Luigi Pira); 2010 Barolo (Mario Marengo); 2010 Barbaresco Bric Balin (Moccagatta); 2010 Barbaresco Pajore (Sottimano) RED BURGUNDIES: FRIDAY 4/8 & SATURDAY 4/9 DE MONTILLE AND DUBREUIL-FONTAINE This flight of newly-arrived Red Burgundies features wines from two of our favorite Red Burgundy producers. For Domaine de Montille, 2013 is the twenty-fifth vintage since we started with their very impressive 1989s. Domaine Dubreuil-Fontaine is a much more recent addition to our portfolio, this being the fourth vintage since we started with their 2010s. Both Etienne de Montille and Christine Dubreuil are at the top of their games. This flight includes four beautiful reds from each Pernand-Vergelesses Clos Berthet (Dubreuil-Fontaine); 2013 Beaune Les Montrevenots (Dubreuil- Fontaine); 2013 Aloxe-Corton Les Vercots (Dubreuil-Fontaine); 2013 Beaune Les Sizies (de Montille); 2013 Nuits-Saint-Georges Aux Saints Juliens (de Montille); 2013 Corton Clos du Roi (Dubreuil-Fontaine); 2013 Nuits-Saint-Georges Aux Thorey (de Montille); 2013 Volnay Les Champans (de Montille). Also Open: 2013 Vosne-Romanée Les Malconsorts (de Montille) TUSCAN REDS: MONTALCINO TUESDAY 4/12 & WEDNESDAY 4/13 Montalcino continues to be the shining star of the Tuscan wine scene. This tasting starts off with four excellent, well-priced Rossos, all 2013s, all pure Sangiovese, all perfect for casual meals. The second half of the flight includes Uccelliera s expressive Sangiovese-Cabernet blend, followed by Brunellos from 2010, 2008, and Sant Antimo Rosso (Casanova di Neri); 2013 Rosso de Montalcino (Brizio); 2013 Rosso di Montalcino (Ciacci Piccolomini); 2013 Rosso de Montalcino (Uccelliera); 2013 Toscana Rosso Rapace (Uccelliera); 2010 Brunello di Montalcino (Caprili); 2008 Brunello di Montalcino (Voliero); 2007 Brunello di Montalcino (Brizio). WHITE BURGUNDIES: MEURSAULT THURSDAY 4/14 This Meursault tasting looks back a couple of vintages, featuring six 2012s and one 2011, classic White Burgundies with enough bottle age to really show their stuff Meursault Les Chevalières (Thierry Matrot); 2012 Meursault Les Charrons (Jean-Marc Boillot); 2012 Meursault Les Narvaux (Vincent Girardin); 2012 Meursault Les Charmes-Dessus (Vincent Girardin); 2011 Meursault Les Charmes-Dessus (Vincent Girardin); 2012 Meursault Les Perrieres (Vincent Girardin); 2012 Meursault (Arnaud Ente).

7 2010 BAROLOS FRIDAY 4/15 & SATURDAY 4/16 The 2010 vintage in Barolo is shaping up to be a modern-day classic. It is a year that will appeal to classicists, as the wines are translucent and incredibly expressive. Simply put, 2010 is the greatest young Barolo vintage I have tasted in 18 years of visiting the region and a lifetime of buying, cellaring and drinking these wines. - Antonio Galloni, The Wine Advocate Here are seven spectacular 2010 Barolos. All are available at 15 percent off on purchases of three or more bottles Barolo Bussia (Ruggeri Corsini); 2010 Barolo (Renato Corino); 2010 Barolo Margheria (Luigi Pira); 2010 Barolo Brunate (Mario Marengo); 2010 Barolo Arborina (Renato Corino); 2010 Barolo Marenca (Luigi Pira); 2010 Barolo (Elio Altare) AUSTRIAN RIESLINGS TUESDAY 4/19 & WEDNESDAY 4/20 No reason to be coy. For Riesling 2013 is a classic vintage, a serious candidate for Greatness, and the best young crop I ve tasted since the 1999s. This is a year to talk about in terms of How much 2013 Austrian did you buy? You will only demur if you lay high emphasis on a vintage being monumental doesn t froth and spume. It is lilting and lively, mischievous and delightful; its gravitas is lyrical. - Terry Theise, Importer Remember, Austrian Rieslings are always dry. Here are eight delicious 2013s Riesling Dornleiten (Nigl); 2013 Riesling Steinmassel (Brundlmayer); 2013 Riesling Gaisberg (Hiedler); 2013 Riesling Federspiel Vom Stein (Nikolaihof); 2013 Riesling Heiligenstein (Brundlmayer); 2013 Riesling Heiligenstein (Hiedler); 2013 Riesling Gaisberg (Hirsch); 2013 Riesling Hochäcker (Nigl). AGED COTE DE NUITS PREMIER CRUS THURSDAY 4/21 Here are seven Premier Crus from Nuits-Saint-Georges and Gevrey-Chambertin, one 2008, three 2007s, and three 2006s, wines that show off the benefits of ageing Red Burgundies from less-hyped vintages Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Vaucrains (Robert Chevillon); 2007 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Cazetiers (Vincent Girardin); 2007 Gevrey-Chambertin Lavaux-Saint-Jacques (Maume); 2007 Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Saint Georges (Henri Gouges); 2006 Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Chenes Carteaux (Henri Gouges); 2006 Gevrey- Chambertin Lavaux-Saint-Jacques (Maume); 2006 Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Vaucrains (Henri Gouges). CHABLIS: VILLAGES & PREMIER CRUS FRIDAY 4/22 & SATURDAY 4/23 Chablis is made with the world s favourite grape variety and yet no wine in the world tastes like Chablis. There are many New World Chardonnays that can manage a passable imitation of Meursault; almost none even attempts to understudy Chablis. It smells of smoke and stone and winter air; it tastes as quick and fresh as a chill, pebbly stream tumbling off a dark, rain-draped mountain. Do you doubt the influence of soil on wine flavour? If you do, buy yourself a bottle of Chablis. - Andrew Jeffords, The New France Here are eight racy, vibrant, recent vintage Chablis perfect for springtime enjoyment Chablis Les Pargues (Romain Collet); 2013 Chablis Les Forêts (Romain Collet); 2014 Chablis (Laurent Tribut); 2012 Chablis Montée de Tonnerre (Romain Collet); 2013 Chablis Montmains (William Fèvre); 2012 Chablis Montmains (William Fèvre); 2014 Chablis Beauroy (Laurent Tribut); 2013 Chablis Montée de Tonnerre (William Fèvre). BARBERA TUESDAY 4/26 & WEDNESDAY 4/27 While Nebbiolo produces Piedmont s greatest reds, Barbera produces its most delicious. Here are our recent vintage selections, from 2011, 2012, and 2013, along with an impressive version from Sonoma Barbera d Alba (Ruggeri Corsini); 2013 Barbera d Alba Il Ciotto (Bovio); 2012 Barbera d Alba Regiaveja (Bovio); 2011 Barbera d Alba Superiore Armujan (Ruggeri Corsini); 2013 Barbera Dry Creek (Unti); 2011 Barbera d Alba Gallina (La Spinetta); 2012 Langhe Rosso Larigi (Elio Altare). CALIFORNIA CHARDONNAYS VS. WHITE BURGUNDY THURSDAY 4/28 These tastings can be great fun. While they often reinforce existing biases, sometimes they break them. Here are three of California s best 2013 Chardonnays against three equivalently priced 2013 Burgundian Chardonnays Chardonnay Napa Valley (Forman); 2013 Meursault Vieilles Vignes (Vincent Girardin); 2013 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast Estate (Peay); 2013 Chassagne-Montrachet Les Embrazées (Vincent Morey); 2013 Chardonnay Mount Carmel (Mail Road); 2013 Puligny-Montrachet (Etienne Sauzet) RED BURGUNDIES FRIDAY 4/29 & SATURDAY 4/ is this century s best vintage so far for Red Burgundies. Our inventory is dwindling, but not yet depleted. Included are four wines each from the Cote de Beaune and Cote de Nuits Santenay Grand Clos Rousseau (Thomas Morey); 2010 Pernand-Vergelesses Les Vergelesses (Mongeard- Mugneret); 2010 Pernand-Vergelesses Ile de Vergelesses (Chandon de Briailles); 2010 Gevrey-Chambertin (Drouhin); 2010 Morey-Saint-Denis Les Millandes (Arlaud); 2010 Nuits-Saint-Georges Clos des Porrets (Gouges); 2010 Corton Bressandes (Chandon de Briailles); 2010 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Cazetiers (Girardin). 7

8 APRIL BARGAINS: Castilla Tempranillo Rioja Blanco Chablis Rosso di Montalcino!"#$%&'()$$&*)"( +,$,&-.$%)/0 -)"1 -)(.&)(%.2&') -0#*"%&3.,&456 Return Service Requested APRIL NEW ARRIVALS: 2014 White Burgundies Vincent Morey 2013 Red Burgundies de Montille Dubreuil-Fontaine APRIL SPECIALS: Chablis: Villages & 1er Cru 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Papes 2010 Red Burgundies 2010 Barolos DIRECTIONS: From I Exit at Page Mill Road and head east on Page Mill into Palo Alto. Turn left (north) on El Camino Real. Turn right at the first traffic light on El Camino, which will be S. California Avenue. We will be on your right about halfway down the first block. From US Exit at Oregon Expressway, and head west on Oregon Expressway into Palo Alto. Turn right (north) on El Camino Real. Turn right at the first traffic light on El Camino, which will be S. California Avenue. We will be on your right about halfway down the first block. PARKING: Free parking along S. California Avenue, in the Palo Alto Public Parking Garage on Cambridge Avenue, and in the Palo Alto Public Parking Lot on Sherman Avenue. HOURS: Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 11 am - 7 pm 11 am - 7 pm 11 am - 7 pm 11 am - 8 pm 11 am - 7 pm VVW News April info@vinvinowine.com (650) FAX: (650)