VVW News - October 2014

Transcription

1 VVW News - October 2014 CAL AVE CONSTRUCTION SALE 15% OFF on 3 or more bottles Last month was brutal for our business. The California Avenue construction project hit our block hard, and traffic was way, way down. City Hall (who pushed this beautification project through in spite of merchant s concerns) is doing nothing to mitigate the loss of business. Cal Ave has long been a special part of Palo Alto, a haven for locals, and if you are one of our fans, October will be a good time to turn out and support Cal Ave businesses. Have breakfast at Joanie s, get some running shoes and coffee at Zombie Runner, find something nice at Leaf and Petal, grab lunch at Mediterranean Wraps, select some new specs at Palo Alto Eyeworks, get something healthy at Country Sun, come to a tasting and take home some bottles from VVW, then stay for dinner at Terun, Pastis, or La Bodequita. Here is our enticement. Every purchase of 3 or more bottles of a single wine during October will be 15 percent off. In addition, every tasting at the tasting bar in October will feature a 15 percent discount on purchases of 3 or more bottles from that tasting. Our Construction Sale will be on from 10/1 through 10/31. TWO GREAT RESTAURANT VINTAGES A restaurant vintage is a great buying opportunity, a chance to get your hands on early-drinking wines at bargain prices. The term does not mean a poor or inferior vintage. It means a vintage whose wines are delicious young, and don t need long-term cellaring. And since collectors tend to stay on the sidelines, prices are reasonable. We are promoting two restaurant vintages this month 2009 Barolos and Barbarescos and 2011 Châteauneuf-du-Papes. Each show gorgeous fruit and depth without the formidable structures these wines typically possess. You can and should enjoy them young. We have October discounts of 20 percent off on purchases of three or more bottles for both. See inside for details and tasting dates. WHITE WINE BARGAIN OF THE MONTH 2014 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough (Cairnbrae) The price of this wine is ridiculous. Cairnbrae makes one of the very best New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs, but it is half the price of its peers. This just arrived 2014 is a superb white regardless of its price bright, pure Sauvignon fruit, crisp acidity, zesty minerality, no oakiness, and a dry, tingling finish. Many Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs are bold and boisterous. This one is refined and beautifully composed. And its price is ridiculous Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough (Cairnbrae) $12.50 HALF-CASE SPECIAL 15 Percent Off $64.00 ($64.00/6 bottles = $10.67/bottle) FABULOUS LANGUEDOC RED 2012 Pays d Oc (Mas Champart) This unique Languedoc red has been a favorite here at VVW for a long time, and the newly-arrived 2012 is as good as its ever been. A one-of-a-kind blend of 70 percent Cabernet Franc and 30 percent Syrah, Champart crafts the two varietals into a singularly delicious sort of deep, dark, richly-flavored red that somehow remains light on its feet from start to finish. It has bright, spicy fruit flavors buttressed with terroir-driven minerality, followed by a long, sleek, substantial finish. It feels structured but not tannic, and just exudes finesse and class. All in all it delivers an awful lot of enjoyment for $20, and the bottle empties very quickly Pays d Oc (Mas Champart) $20.00 HALF-CASE SPECIAL 15 Percent Off $ ($102.00/6 bottles = $17.00/bottle) SUPPLE TASTY RHONE RED 2010 Beaumes de Venise (Chateau Redortier) This is a late release from the superb 2010 vintage. Beaumes de Venise is adjacent to Gigondas in the southern Rhone Valley, sharing with it the highlands of the Dentelles de Montmirail. Chateau Redortier s Beaumes de Venise comes from rocky, terraced vineyards of Grenache, Syrah, and Counoise high up in the Dentelles. Many Rhone reds are fiery and harsh in their youth, but since Redortier held this one back its structure is now silky smooth, letting its gorgeous Rhone fruit flavors dominate Beaumes de Venise (Chateau Redortier) $24.00 HALF-CASE SPECIAL 20 Percent Off $ ($115.50/6 bottles = $19.25/bottle)

2 2 A SELECTION OF THE BEST OF THE VINTAGE 2011 Cote de Beaune Red Burgundies OCTOBER SPECIAL - 15 PERCENT OFF on purchases of six or more bottles of 2011 Red Burgundies Regular 15% Off Price Price 2011 Pernand-Vergelesses Les Vergelesses (Mongeard-Mugneret)... $ $ Beaune Les Montrevenots (Dubreuil-Fontaine)... $ $ A pretty, fresh and agreeably complex nose features a mix of various dark berry scents that display top notes of spice and floral hints. There is good volume to the moderately austere and serious middle weight flavors that possess a cool and firm mouth feel before terminating in a compact, rustic and lingering finish. This is distinctly old school and while it won't wow you with charm, there is plenty of character though note that patience will be required (90/100) - Allen Meadows, Burghound.com 2011 Beaune Clos des Mouches (Nicolas Rossignol)... $ $ An impressively pure nose displays very fresh wild red berries, smoked meat and exotic black tea scents. There is a sophisticated mouth feel to the solidly complex medium-bodied flavors that terminate in a firm, mildly austere and well-balanced finish. This is lovely (91/100) - Allen Meadows, Burghound.com 2011 Volnay Les Santenots (Nicolas Rossignol)... $ $ There is a hint of green tea and crushed herb to the beautifully well-layered nose of primarily red berry fruit aromas that are laced with both earth and spice hints. The powerful, concentrated and quite serious medium weight flavors also exude a fine minerality before terminating in an equally complex, driving and very firm finish (92/100) - Allen Meadows, Burghound.com 2011 Aloxe-Corton La Toppe au Vert (Liger-Belair)... $ $ Bright, deep red. Aromatic nose offers scents of wild strawberry, raspberry, spices, smoke and game. Not a thick style but intensely flavored and fruity, with excellent thrust and a light touch to its wild red berry flavors. Finishes with a distinctly rocky, saline quality, firm tannins and sneaky length. (88-91/100) - Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 2011 Corton Les Perrières (Dubreuil-Fontaine)... $ $ A fresh, cool and very serious, even brooding nose of intensely sauvage combination of wild red berries, earth, wet stone and floral notes. There is good detail and energy to the round, supple and mineral-inflected flavors that culminate in a moderately austere, balanced and highly persistent finish (91/100) - Allen Meadows, Burghound.com 2011 Volnay Les Taillepieds (de Montille)... $ $ There is enough reduction present to mask the nuances of the nose though the floral character does sneak past the funk. There is a wonderfully silky texture to the intense mineral and soilinflected medium-bodied flavors that display really lovely delineation on the moderately austere and very firmly structured finish that delivers outstanding depth and length. This should improve for years to come and this is really most impressive (91-94/100) - Allen Meadows, Burghound.com Aged French Dessert Wines: 40% Off Sale Regular 40% Off Price Price 2002 Vouvray Moelleux Clos Naudin (Foreau)... $ $ Quarts de Chaume (Chateau de Suronde)...500ml $ $ Quarts de Chaume (Chateau de Suronde)... $ $ Vouvray Trie de Vendage (Champalou)...500ml $ $ Gewürztraminer Vendage Tardive Furstentum (Weinbach)... $ $ Gewürztraminer Vendage Tardive Mambourg (Weinbach)... $ $ Gewürztraminer Vendage Tardive Rangen (Zind-Humbrecht)...$ $ Pinot Gris Selection des Grains Nobles Rangen (Zind-Humbrecht)... $ $ Sauternes (Chateau d Yquem) $ $

3 2011 Northern Rhône Superstars OCTOBER SPECIAL - 15 PERCENT OFF on purchases of three or more bottles of 2011 Northern Rhône reds Regular 15% Off Price Price 2011 Cornas Renaissance (Auguste Clape)... $ $ The 2011 Cornas Renaissance displays extraordinary purity and opulence along with notes of grilled meats, bouquet garni, blueberries, blackberries, cassis and spring flowers. The tannins are sweet and the wine is fleshy. (92-94/100) 2011 Hermitage (Marc Sorrel)... $ $ Hermitage La Pierrelle (Louis Barruol)... $ $ Inky ruby. Deeply scented black and blue fruit aromas are complicated by notes of bacon fat, licorice and smoky Indian spices. At once rich and lively, offering powerful bitter cherry and cassis flavors and a subtle floral nuance that builds in the glass. A jolt of minerality adds lift to the long, penetrating finish, which is firmed by youthfully chewy tannins. (92/100) 2011 Saint Joseph (Domaine Jean-Louis Chave)... $ $ Inky ruby. Spicy blackberry and blueberry scents are complicated by smoky minerals and candied violet. Elegant, focused and penetrating, offering floral black and blue fruit flavors and a suave, silky texture. The long, expansive finish repeats the floral and spice notes and features velvety, slow-building tannins. This wine can stand up to many wines from Hermitage from this vintage and is a fantastic value, relatively speaking. (92/100) The brilliant 2011 St.-Joseph possesses gorgeous purity along with abundant notes of cranberries, black cherries, black currants, crushed rocks and spring flowers. (90-94/100) 2011 Cornas Chaillot (Thierry Allemand)... $ $ Inky purple. Sexy, mineral-laced black and blue fruit aromas are complemented by notes of licorice, violet and black tea. Juicy and precise, offering intense boysenberry and bitter cherry flavors and a touch of spicecake that gains strength with aeration. The floral note comes back strong on the strikingly persistent finish, which is firmed by dusty, fine-grained tannins (93/100) 2011 Cornas Reynard (Thierry Allemand)... $ $ Opaque purple. Spicy, highly perfumed aromas of cassis, blueberry, candied violet and smoky minerals. Densely packed, fresh and delineated, offering energetic flavors of black and blue fruits and floral pastilles. Shows a restrained sweetness on the finish, which features slowbuilding tannins and a strong echo of minerality. (93-94/100) 2011 L Hermitage (Jean-Louis Chave)... $ $ This wine was still broken out into five different pre-blended components when I visited in November. #1: Intense red fruit and floral qualities, with a bright mineral underpinning. #2: Wilder and spicier, with zesty red fruit and star anise nuances and a touch of smokiness. #3: More dark and brooding, showing powerful bitter cherry and cassis qualities and strong backend power. #4: Distinctly mineral-driven, precise red fruit and floral pastille aromas and flavors, with a deeper note of cola in the background. #5: Powerful cassis and bitter cherry aromas and flavors pick up spiciness and floral character with a little air. The most densely packed of these samples but showing surprising finishing vivacity and cut. Jean-Louis thinks that this wine "will be a little strict" for a while after bottling and hopes that people don't jump too quickly into it simply because 2011 is perceived as an easy vintage. (94-95/100) The 2011 Hermitage stood out as one of the most brilliant, singular wines of the vintage. Every cuvee was special, going from the elegance, delicacy and finesse of Peleat and Les Beaumes to the extraordinary minerality, graphite, iodine and power of l Ermite, to the blockbuster fruit and intensity of Le Meal and Les Bessards. Les Bessards provides the tremendous substance, backbone and intensity to this extraordinary wine, which looks to be another impressive wine from a vintage that rarely achieved this level of quality. Resembling the 1991 Hermitage, only better, it should evolve for years. (95-98/100) 3

4 Barolo & Barbaresco Overall, this is a fairly average vintage with many good wines, a few superstars, and a bevy of Barolos that will drink well right out of the gate. The finest 2009 Barolos are gorgeous wines to drink while some of the more classic vintages age. - Antonio Galloni, The Wine Advocate OCTOBER SPECIAL - 20 PERCENT OFF on purchases of three or more bottles of 2009 Barolos & Barbarescos Regular Price 20% Off Price 2009 Barolo (Giuliano Corino)... $ $ Corino's 2009 Barolo is soft, round and accessible. Dark cherries, plums, mocha and cloves flesh out in this generous, inviting Barolo. The 2009 is already quite soft and polished. It should drink well pretty much upon release. The estate's Barolo is made from two vineyards in the Annunziata district of La Morra (89/100) - Antonio Galloni, Vinousmedia.com 2009 Barolo (Renato Corino)... $ $ Renato Corino's 2009 Barolo emerges from the glass with sweet dried cherries, crushed flowers, licorice, spices and tobacco. A relatively soft, accessible Barolo, the 2009 has good balance and length. Sweet floral notes add lift on the finish. The firm 2009 tannins are present, but they soften up with time in the glass as the wine gains brightness and definition. Corino's straight Barolo has one of the rare qualities found in the 2009s; you want to drink the entire bottle. The Barolo was made predominantly from vineyards in La Morra, with a little bit of Serralunga fruit (90/100) - Antonio Galloni, Vinousmedia.com 2009 Barolo Giachini (Giuliano Corino)... $ $ Tar, smoke, licorice and asphalt emerge from the 2009 Barolo Giachini, one of the rare wines in this vintage that maintains all of its classic aromas`, flavors and overall expressiveness. The 2009 is a bit smaller in scale than other previous years, but its balance is impeccable. Ripe, silky tannins frame the refined finish. This is a fabulous showing and a great effort for the year Sweet floral and spice notes reappear to frame the finish (93/100) - Antonio Galloni, Vinousmedia.com 2009 Barolo (Elio Altare)... $ $ The 2009 Barolo has serious depth and power. The aromatics and fruit have the radiance and openness of the warm year, but then the young Nebbiolo tannins kick in. As appealing as the 2009 is, readers are best served cellaring the wine for at least a few years. A sensual, floralinfused finish rounds things out nicely. The Barolo is made principally from vineyards in Castiglione Falletto and Serralunga (92/100) - Antonio Galloni, Vinousmedia.com 2009 Barolo Arborina (Giuliano Corino)... $ $ The 2009 Barolo Arborina offers up freshly cut flowers, mint, sweet red berries and cloves. In this vintage, the Arborina shows more energy and drive than the Giachini, but a touch less overall sensuality and finesse. The higher percentage of sand in this vineyard gives the Arborina its characteristic high-toned aromatics. Firm, but nicely integrated tannins support the expressive, floral-infused finish (93/100) - Antonio Galloni, Vinousmedia.com 2009 Barolo Arborina (Renato Corino)... $ $ A firm core of racy red fruit runs through the 2009 Barolo Vigneto Arborina. Sweet floral notes appear later, adding freshness. Arborina is a vineyard where the separate elements (fruit, acidity, structure) are often quite distinct, but in the 2009 all the elements are beautifully woven together from start to finish. Fleshy, radiant and expressive, the 2009 Arborina impresses for its poise and sense of harmony. It should drink well with another few years of bottle age, once the firm Arborina tannins begin to soften a bit. This is a terrific showing (93/100) - Antonio Galloni, Vinousmedia.com 2009 Barbaresco Cole (Moccagatta)... $ $ Moccagatta's 2009 Barbaresco Cole comes across as quite inward, as it often does at this stage in its life. At the same time, it is surprisingly medium in body, with less of the power and sheer depth than is often the case. Hints of overripe fruit and a generally forward character linger on an intense, dark finish layered with black fruit, menthol, spices and licorice (91/100) - Antonio Galloni, Vinousmedia.com

5 2011 Châteauneuf-du-Papes Following the general hype for the 2010 vintage in the southern Rhone, the good to very good 2011s had an impossible act to follow. And that's a shame, because fans of fruit-forward, accessible wines will find plenty to like from 2011, which looks to be an ideal candidate for restaurants as well as for wine lovers who lack the facilities or patience for long-term storage. I was very pleasantly surprised by the vivacity of many of the 2011s I tasted during my cellar visits. OCTOBER SPECIAL - 20 PERCENT OFF on purchases of three or more bottles of 2011 Châteauneuf-du-Papes Regular 20% Off Price Price 2011 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes (Clos Saint Jean)... $ $ The superb 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is 85% Grenache and the rest Mourvedre and Syrah. It boasts exceptional concentration for a 2011, with lots of blackberry and black cherry fruit intermixed with licorice, lavender, incense and notions of tree bark as well as underbrush. This full-throttle, expansive, ripe 2011 offers sweet tannin and decent acidity. It should drink well for years, an uncommonly long time for a (92-94/100) 2011 Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Chateau Sixtine)... $ $ Bright purple. Intensely perfumed red and dark berry aromas are complicated by subtle smoke and floral qualities. Sweet raspberry and blackberry preserve flavors show impressive depth and pick up a licorice nuance with air. Closes on an attractively sweet note, with excellent clarity and lingering smokiness. (90-92/100) 2011 Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau (Vieux Télégraphe)... $ $ Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau (Vieux Télégraphe)...375ml $ $ Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau (Vieux Télégraphe)...1.5L$ $ The 2011 Vieux Telegraphe is a blend of 65% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre and 5% Cinsault and other grapes, from vines that average 65-years of age. This beautifully made 2011 offers immediate drinkability, which is unusual for Vieux Telegraphe. A deep ruby color is accompanied by notes of pepper, roasted meats, Provencal herbs, black cherries, black currants, tapenade, seaweed and salty sea breezes. This complex, delicious, full throttle Chateauneuf du Pape should drink well for years. (90-93/100) (65% grenache, 15% syrah and 15% mourvedre): Bright ruby-red. Black raspberry, cherry compote, potpourri and Asian spices on the highly perfumed nose. Juicy red and dark berry flavors stain the palate, showing terrific clarity and spicy lift. The spicy quality comes back strong on the finish, which is framed by silky, harmonious tannins. In a graceful, almost weightless style, with zero excess fat but noteworthy flavor intensity. I underestimated this wine last year. (93/100) 2011 Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Vieux Donjon)... $ $ Bright ruby. A heady bouquet presents candied red fruits, garrigue, woodsmoke and cured meat, with an exotic Asian spice quality gaining strength with air. Sappy, penetrating and seamless, offering sweet, concentrated red and dark berry flavors and a touch of licorice. The smoke and spice notes come back strong on the clinging finish, which is framed by silky, nicely woven tannins. This already shows terrific complexity. (93/100) 2011 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Chante Le Merle (Bosquet des Papes)... $ $ Vivid ruby. Vibrant aromas of redcurrant and cherry are lifted by floral and Asian spice topnotes. Juicy and penetrating, with flavors of ripe red fruits and candied flowers. Spicy, focused and appealingly sweet, picking up zesty minerality with air and finishing with harmonious tannins and very good length. (91-93/100) 2011 Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Beaucastel)... $ $ Deep ruby. Dark berries, dried cherry, anise and lavender on the highly perfumed nose. Offers intense cassis and bitter cherry flavors with sexy floral pastille and spicecake nuances. Aeration brings out a smoky quality that carries through the long, smooth, gently tannic finish. There's 40% mourvedre here but I wouldn't have guessed it based on this wine's forward, voluptuous character. (92/100) 5

6 6 TASTING BAR SCHEDULE - OCTOBER 2014 For more complete information, please visit and click Tasting Bar. AGED POMMARDS THURSDAY 10/2 Let s taste some aged Red Burgundies. Here are seven Pommards, one villages wine and six Premier Crus, from 2004, 2005, and 2006, featuring wines from three of our favorite Cote de Beaune producers de Montille, Vincent Girardin, and Nicolas Rossignol Pommard Les Grands Epenots (Girardin); 2005 Pommard (Nicolas Rossignol); 2004 Pommard Les Pezerolles (de Montille); 2004 Pommard Les Grands Epenots (de Montille); 2006 Pommard Les Pezerolles (de Montille); 2006 Pommard Les Rugiens (de Montille); 2005 Pommard Les Rugiens (Girardin). FRANCOIS CARILLON S 2012 WHITE BURGUNDIES FRIDAY 10/3 & SATURDAY 10/4 Based on the early arrivals we ve poured the last few months (e.g. Jean-Marc Boillot, Vincent Morey, Etienne Sauzet), 2012 is proving to be a very exciting vintage for White Burgundies. The product of a difficult vintage with very low yields, the best producers were able to deal with the weather hazards and turn out vivacious wines with impressive depth. This tasting showcases our selections from Francois Carillon of Puligny-Montrachet Bourgogne Blanc (Francois Carillon); 2012 Saint Aubin Les Charmois (Francois Carillon); 2012 Puligny- Montrachet (Francois Carillon); 2012 Puligny-Montrachet Les Folatières (Francois Carillon); 2012 Puligny- Montrachet Les Combettes (Francois Carillon); 2012 Puligny-Montrachet Les Perrieres (Francois Carillon) SOUTHERN RHONE REDS TUESDAY 10/7 & WEDNESDAY 10/ is without peer among recent vintages in the southern Rhone Valley, the greatest vintage of this generation. This flight showcases eight well-priced southern Rhone 2010s, starting with Catherine Le Goeuil s lovely inexpensive Cairanne and two exciting late releases from Chateau Redortier. Les Pallières two 2010 Gigondas and three Châteauneuf-du-Papes anchor the flight Cairanne (Catherine Le Goeuil); 2010 Beaumes de Venise (Redortier); 2010 Gigondas (Redortier); 2010 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Télégramme (Vieux Télégraphe); 2010 Gigondas Les Racines (Les Pallières); 2010 Gigondas Terrasse du Diable (Les Pallières); 2010 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Alexis Establet (Grand Tinel); 2010 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Safres (Clos du Caillou). DRY GERMAN RIESLINGS: GROSSES GEWACHS THURSDAY 10/9 Grosses Gewächs, fully dry Rieslings from Grand Cru vineyard sites, are the hottest wines in Germany nowadays. The best have a dryness, mouthfeel, and minerality similar to high-end Chablis, with striking complexity and length. This flight includes three recently released 2012s, along with four from earlier vintages Riesling Grosses Gewächs Wisselbrunnen (Spreitzer); 2009 Riesling Grosses Gewächs Bockstein (von Othegraven); 2011 Riesling Grosses Gewächs Felsenberg (Dönnhoff); 2012 Riesling Grosses Gewächs Felsenberg (Dönnhoff); 2009 Riesling Grosses Gewächs Hofberg (A.J. Adam); 2012 Riesling Grosses Gewächs Hemannshöhle (Dönnhoff); 2010 Riesling Grosses Gewächs Bergberg (Diel) BAROLO AND BARBARESCO: 20% OFF SALE FRIDAY 10/10 & SATURDAY 10/11 We did our homework, and were very selective in choosing our 2009s. Here are six gorgeous Barolos and one Barbaresco that you can take home and enjoy now and over the next few years. Purchases of three or more bottles get 20 percent off Barolo (Giuliano Corino); 2009 Barolo (Renato Corino); 2009 Barolo Giachini (Giuliano Corino); 2009 Barolo (Elio Altare); 2009 Barolo Arborina (Giuliano Corino); 2009 Barolo Arborina (Renato Corino); 2009 Barbaresco Cole (Moccagatta) CHABLIS TUESDAY 10/14 & WEDNESDAY 10/15 Allen Meadows of Burghound.com stresses the importance of being selective when choosing 2011 Chablis, and lists the vintages best producers, in rough order, as Francois Raveneau, William Fèvre, and Vincent Dauvissat. We were very picky in our 2011 selections, which we showcase in this flight of seven superb bottlings, anchored by five wines from, you guessed it, Raveneau, Fèvre, and Dauvissat Petit Chablis (Roland Lavantureux); 2011 Chablis Les Pargues (Romain Collet); 2011 Chablis Vaillons (William Fèvre); 2011 Chablis Vaulorent (William Fèvre); 2011 Chablis La Forest (Dauvissat); 2011 Chablis Vaudesir (William Fèvre); 2011 Chablis Montée de Tonnerre (Raveneau) COTE DE NUITS RED BURGUNDIES THURSDAY 10/16 This flight features the last of our 2011 Red Burgundy selections to debut at the tasting bar three Meo-Camuzet bottlings from the northern Cote de Nuits. We ve added Mongeard s always lovely Fixin to compare with the Meo wines, along with two villages wines from Chambolle and Premier Crus from Vougeot and Vosne Bourgogne Rouge (Meo-Camuzet); 2011 Fixin (Mongeard-Mugneret); 2011 Marsannay (Meo-Camuzet); 2011 Fixin (Meo-Camuzet); 2011 Chambolle-Musigny (Arlaud); 2011 Chambolle-Musigny (Joseph Drouhin); 2011 Vougeot Les Cras (Mongeard-Mugneret); 2011 Vosne-Romanée Les Suchots (Bouchard).

7 2011 CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPES: 20% OFF SALE FRIDAY 10/17 & SATURDAY 10/18 Despite their charms the 2011 Châteauneuf-du-Papes faced a difficult market situation following the epic 2010s. We were extremely strict in our selections, and here present six superb 2011s that will provide great enjoyment now and over the next several years, at bargain prices. Purchases of three or more bottles get 20 percent off Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes (Clos Saint Jean); 2011 Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Chateau Sixtine); 2011 Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau (Vieux Télégraphe); 2011 Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Vieux Donjon); 2011 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Chante Le Merle (Bosquet des Papes); 2011 Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Beaucastel). TUSCAN REDS TUESDAY 10/21 & WEDNESDAY 10/22 This Tuscan tasting showcases five exciting new arrivals, two expressive Lucca reds from Fubbiano, and three Montepulciano reds from Poliziano and Il Macchione. We round out the flight with two in-house favorites, one at either end Lohsa s delicious, bargain-priced Morellino di Scansano (our best selling Tuscan Sangiovese this year) and Caprili s muscular, classic 2008 Brunello Morellino di Scansano (Lohsa); 2011 Colline Lucchesi San Gennaro (Fubbiano); 2011 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (Poliziano); 2009 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (Il Macchione); 2011 Toscana Rosso I Pampini (Fubbiano); 2008 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva (Il Macchione); 2008 Brunello di Montalcino (Caprili). FRENCH DESSERT WINES SALE: 40% OFF THURSDAY 10/23 Tastes change over time. We no longer sell near the volume of dessert wines we did fifteen and twenty years ago. So we are putting some well-aged selections on clearance sale this month at 40 percent off. Included are three from the Loire Valley, four from Alsace, and one Sauternes (Chateau d Yquem of course). Even if you are not motivated to acquire dessert wines, these will be most interesting to taste Vouvray Moelleux Clos Naudin (Foreau); 2001 Quarts de Chaume (Chateau de Suronde); 2003 Vouvray- Trie de Vendage (Champalou); 2001 Gewürztraminer VT Furstentum (Weinbach); 2001 Gewürztraminer VT Mambourg (Weinbach); 2001 Gewürztraminer VT Rangen (Zind-Humbrecht); 1989 Pinot Gris Selection des Grains Nobles Rangen (Zind-Humbrecht); 1983 Sauternes (Chateau d Yquem) NORTHERN RHONE SUPERSTARS FRIDAY 10/24 & SATURDAY 10/25 Here is the highlight of our tasting schedule for October, the one tasting not to miss. The first three wines set the table August Clape s young vines Cornas and two reasonably-priced Hermitage bottlings from Marc Sorrel and Louis Barruol. Then the main event, two wines each from Thierry Allemand and Jean-Louis Chave, without argument the two finest artisanal producers working in the Northern Rhone today. This is Syrah at its finest Cornas Renaissance (Auguste Clape); 2011 Hermitage (Marc Sorrel); 2011 Hermitage La Pierrelle (Louis Barruol); 2011 Saint Joseph (Jean-Louis Chave); 2011 Cornas Chaillot (Thierry Allemand); 2011 Cornas Reynard (Thierry Allemand); 2011 L Hermitage (Jean-Louis Chave). CALIFORNIA PINOT NOIR STARS TUESDAY 10/28 & WEDNESDAY 10/29 Here we line up wines from seven of our favorite producers of California Pinot Noir, featuring wines from Sonoma, Santa Lucia Highlands, and Santa Rita Hills. It will be a great chance to compare and contrast the styles of these talented Pinot Noir specialists Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills (Rusack); 2012 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast (Peay); 2009 Pinot Noir Russian River (Scherrer); 2009 Pinot Noir Mount Carmel (Brewer-Clifton); 2012 Pinot Noir Rosella s (Loring); 2011 Pinot Noir Rancho La Vina (Samsara); 2012 Pinot Noir Block M (Melville) DRY AUSTRIAN RIESLINGS THURSDAY 10/ is a classic vintage for dry Austrian Rieslings. The wines are beautifully proportioned, with vibrant fruit flavors, mouthwatering acidity, and prominent minerality. This flight showcases selections ranging from $30 to $70. Not yet a Riesling fan? Check these out to see what the excitement is about Riesling Zobing (Hirsch); 2012 Riesling Dornleiten (Nigl); 2012 Riesling Federspiel Durnsteiner (Alzinger); 2012 Riesling Gaisberg (Schloss Gobelsburg); 2012 Riesling Heiligenstein (Brundlmayer); 2012 Riesling Gaisberg (Hirsch); 2012 Riesling Smaragd Hohereck (Alzinger); 2012 Riesling Hochacker (Nigl) COTE DE BEAUNE RED STARS FRIDAY 10/31 & SATURDAY 11/1 The best 2011s have everything that one might want in a vintage that is built for mid-term cellaring, including good transparency, freshness, solid concentration and vibrancy plus they are utterly delicious. - Allen Meadows, Burghound.com Here are eight 2011s representing a range of styles and prices. Most are drinking well already, and the potential of those that need a little age is pretty obvious as well Pernand-Vergelesses Les Vergelesses (Mongeard-Mugneret); 2011 Beaune Les Montrevenots (Dubreuil- Fontaine); 2011 Beaune Clos des Mouches (Nicolas Rossignol); 2011 Volnay Les Santenots (Nicolas Rossignol); 2011 Aloxe-Corton La Toppe au Vert (Liger-Belair); 2011 Corton Les Perrieres (Dubreuil- Fontaine); 2011 Volnay Les Taillepieds (de Montille); 2011 Corton Les Renardes (Liger-Belair). 7

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