November 16, 2009

news of the week

sorry to be a bit late again, but taking last weekend off meant having to pay big time by having to deal with twice the number of wines! Anyway, here goes with the wines, and at the end you will find a listing of a few of our upcoming special events.
 
NEW WHITES:
Gran Solbeira 2008 Ribeiro @ $8.99
 
a blend of Treixadura and Torrontes, light to medium in weight, with aromas and flavors of  flowers and citrus fruits
Jelu 2009 Torrontes @ $10.99
 A Torrontes that shows delicate floral notes and white peach, honeysuckle blossom, and layers of  litchi, all balanced with good acidity
(new vintage) Drouhin 2007 Mac on-Villages @ $10.99
Crisp and with lean acidity, a flowery, fruity wine with a clear and brilliant hue
(back) Chateau Vignol 2007 Entre-Deux-Mers @ $11.99
 a blend of three white grapes — mainly Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon with a bit of Muscadelle —   with rich flavors and a crisp finish
Camas 2008 Sauvignon Blanc @ $11.99
 From high-altitude vineyards in France's Aude valley, a bright herbaceous Sauvignon
Three Families 2007 Chardonnay @ $12.99
 Stainless steel Chardonnay from Mendocino, bright and crisp, only 392 cases made
(new vintage) Dante Robino 2007 Chardonnay @ $12.99
 only a touch of oak, rich and elegant, brightly colored, with tropical fruits and apple notes
Bourgeois Family Cuvée Stephi 2008 Chardonnay @ $13.99
 Unoaked Chardonnay from the Languedoc, very rich and long on the palate with a refreshing  finish
Spiropoulos 2008 Mantinia @ $13.99
 made 100% from the native grape Moschofiler. intense but elegant, with classic varietal aromas  of rose petals, apple, peach, and pear
Kuentz-Bas @007 Riesling Cuvee Tradition @ $14.99
 classic Alsace Riesling, dry, racy, and acidic yet with floral notes and hints of apple, pear, and  citrus
Gentilini 2008 Robola @ $16.99
 Made from a varietal native to the island of Cephalonia, complex, balanced, and dry, with a fruity  nose and long finish
(new vintage) Beckmen 2008 Sauvignon Blanc @ $16.99
 From the Santa Ynez valley, a Sauvignon Blanc with great focus and intensity, with ripe fruit tones  and mineral accents
Bichot 2007 Bourgogne @ $17.99
 Rich and supple, light in style, with a slight mineral finish
Sebastiani 2007 Chardonnay @ $18.99
 Unoaked, with nice minerality and citrus notes
Amayna 2008 Sauvignon Blanc @ $19.99
 From Chile's San Antonio-Leyda valley, a Sauvignon Blanc that is full and ripe with aromas of  honeydew melon and grapefruit
Ostertag 2007 Sylvaner Les Vielles Vignes @ $19.99
 lots of pear, nutmeg, and floral aromas, with a pleasant minerally base
Forefront 2008 Sauvignon Blanc @ $19.99
 A new second label from Pine Ridge, a Sauvignon Blanc that is racy and bright yet rich
Ettore Germano 2008 Chardonnay @ $19.99
 From Italy's Piedmont region, a classy Chardonnay with great minerality and acidity
Fess Parker 2008 Chardonnay @ $19.99
 Rich and round with bright fruit, good texture, some tropical depth
Stuhlmuller 2008 Chardonnay @ $24.99
 Round, deep, and creamy, 8 months in oak
Keenan 2007 Chardonnay @ $26.99
 a crisp, zesty wine with underlying richness and complexity, a touch of oak on the finish, and a  hint of minerality
Capture 2008 Sauvignon Blanc @ $34.99
 A blend of grapes from two vineyards with lots of brightness and minerality, ripe citrus and floral  notes, only 550 cases made
 
NEW REDS:
(back) Pena de Pato 2005 Alentejo @ $8.99
 Made with the Periquita grape, soft and round with plum and cherry flavors
L'Agnet 2007 Priorat @ $9.99
 A blend of Grenache and Carignane with ripe berry fruit and tarry spicy complexity
(new vintage) La Puerta 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $9.99
 Dark berry fruit and tobacco leaf with hints of well integrated oak
Cycles Gladiator 2006 Merlot @ $9.99
 Richly colored, with an aromatic nose of berries and cedar
Folie a Deux 2008 Menage a Trois @ $10.99
 A blend of Zinfandel, Merlot, and Cab that is fruit-forward, spicy, and soft
Carro 2008 Tinto @ $10.99
              An unoaked blend of Monastrell, Syrah, Tempranillo and Merlot, with floral and blackberry scents and a beefy note on the palate
Camas 2008 Pinot Noir @ $11.99
 From the Limoux region of southern France, a juicy, bright Pinot that is a great value
Grayson Cellars 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $11.99
 A Paso Robles Cab with notes of cherries, blackberries, and hints of black pepper
Accuro 2008 Malbec @ $11.99
 Sweet cherry fruit with hints of cedar and oak and a long smooth finish
St. Jean de la Gineste 2007 "Au Gre du Vent" @ $11.99
 aromas of cherries, cocoa, and coffee with lots of dark red fruits on the palate
Four Vines 2007 Zinfandel @ $11.99
 An old-vines cuvee with silky berry fruit and spice and a lingering finish
Pinol 2007 Ludovicus @ $12.99
 A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Tempranillo and Cabernet, vibrant, open, and full of black and red fruits
Richard 1er 2005 Cotes du Marmandais @ $12.99
 A blend of Merlot, Cab, Malbec and Abouriou from southwestern France, lightly spicy with supple  fruit on the palate
Calcu 2006 Red @ $12.99
 A blend of Cab, Carmenere, and Cab Franc, earthy, rich and round with a soft easy finish
(new vintage) Dante Robino 2007 Malbec @ $12.99
 produced with fruit from high altitude vineyards, offering flavors of plums and blackberries, with  soft hints of vanilla from barrel aging
Jelu 2007 Pinot Noir @ $12.99
 Made with grapes from vineyards in Patagonia, a juicy Pinot with fruit flavors balanced by bright  acidity
St. Jean de la Gineste 2007 Corbieres @ $12.99
 A classic Corbieres, powerful, generous and spicy
Jelu 2007 Malbec @ $12.99
 Rich and inviting, with fragrant aromas of black plums
Parker Station 2008 Pinot Noir @ $12.99
 Medium body, spicy nose, round and deep finish
(back) Burle 2007 Cotes du Rhone @ $12.99
 Grenache-dominated, with lots of flavor, intensity, and character
Vinos sin Ley 2007 Puntazo @ $13.99
 100% Garnacha from 75-year-old vines, bright color and aromas
The Crusher 2008 Petite Sirah @ $13.99
 Rich, complex, with aromas of blueberries and cassis and a hint of spearmint
Gai'a Notios Red @ $13.99
 an easygoing wine meant to show off the fruit and the softness of the varietal, Agiorgitiko
Hanging Vines 2007 Merlot @ $13.99
 Sourced from several different parcels, ripe round and plummy
Navarro Correas 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $13.99
 A full-bodied Cab with notes of black currants and black olives, supple tannins
Jan Kris 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $13.99
 A lovely bargain Cab with deep black fruit, spicy depth, and soft tannins
Spiropoulos 2008 Red Stag @ $13.99
 Agiorgitiko, vinified in a traditional Bordeaux style
Puerta Vieja 2006 Rioja Crianza @ $13.99
 a new-style Rioja, harmonious, full of fruit and vanilla aromas
Casnati 2006 Malbec @ $14.99
Spicy, earthy , with good texture and acidity
Lavinsobraises 2006 Vinsobre @ $14.99
 Earthy, easygoing, with dark ripe berries, chocolate, and spice
Vistalba 2005 C Corte @ $15.99
 An elegant Malbec with 15% Merlot in the mix, berry aromas, creamy on the palate
Calma 2007 Rioja @ $15.99
 Spicy cherry and cigar box on the nose, with berry fruit and dusty earth on the palate
(new vintage) Chateau Soucherie 2008 Anjou @ $15.99
 A bright, light and lively Cab Franc from the Loire valley
La Cartuja 2007 Priorat @ $15.99
 A blend of Grenache, Mazuelo, Cabernet and Syrah with a medium body and a silky texture
(new vintage) Zaccagnini 2006 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo @ $16.99
 An oak-aged riserva showing ripe berries, dried herbs, and a touch of vanilla leading to a long,  supple finish
Zull 2007 Lust & Laune Blauer Portuguese @ $16.99
 a fresh, red-fruit flavored wine, all light acidity and soft strawberry jam flavors
Argyros 2006 Atlantis Red @ $16.99
 a blend of two native grapes, Mandilaria and Mavrotragano that shows lots of red fruit with a  delicate tannic structure and an exotic sweet-and-sour balance
Bichot 2007 Bourgogne @ $16.99
 Juicy fruit, an elegant mouth feel, and nicely balanced acidity
Three Trees 2008 Syrah @ $17.99
 A bright spicy Syrah from southwestern France
(back) Can Blau 2007 Montsant @ $17.99
 A great blend of Mazuelo, Syrah, and Grenache,robust yet elegant with great depth
Pago del Vicario 2005 50-50 @ $18.99
 a 50-50 blend of Tempranillo and Cabernet, stunning ruby-red in color, with aromas of mature  red fruits, strawberry and red currant, with coffee, smoke and chalk tones
Chateau Grand Traverse 2005 Gamay Noir @ $18.99
 From Michigan, a light and versatile red, aromatic and fruity
Hauner 2007 Hiera @ $20.99
 An unusual blend of Calabrese, Alicante and Noceta with deep black fruit and full rich flavors
Ramirez de la Piscina 2001 Rioja Reserva @ $20.99
 A medium-bodied Rioja with good fruit, depth, and concentration
Cave du Tain 2006 St. Joseph @ $21.99
 Syrah from the steep granite terraces of the northern Rhone, with notes of plum, black cherry,  cassis, tobacco and coffee
Hedges 2006 Red Mountain @ $23.99
 A blend of Merlot, Cab, Cab Franc and Syrah from the Columbia valley, flavorful with cedar and  cherry edges
Ronco Malo 2007 Barbera @ $24.99
 Classic Barbera with pure red fruit, deeper earth and nut tones
Starmont 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $24.99
 From Merryvale Wines, a complex, subtle Cab made from sustainably-farmed grapes
Argiano 2007 Rosso di Montalcino @ $27.99
 Rich, vibrant, and ultra-fresh, with punchy red cherries and a hint of chocolate
Elio Grasso 2007 Langhe Nebbiolo @ $27.99
 Grasso's entry-level red, unoaked, with bright fruit and a hint of almonds
Casa Maschito 2004 Aglianico @ $33.99
 Spicy and complex, with tart cherry flavors
Silverado 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $39.99
 Ripe plum and cherry flavors and firm tannins, needs some time
Pine Ridge 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $44.99
 a powerful, youthful wine with intense aromas and flavors
Domus Aurea 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $46.99
 From one of the finest vineyards in Chile's Maipo valley, a dark, concentrated Cabernet with a  long, well-structured finish
Keenan 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $47.99
 Estate-grown Cabernet with complex aromas, deep concentration and structure
Licinia 2006 Red @ $56.99
 Elegant and precise, with both power and delicacy and a finish of fresh minerality
Keenan 2005 Mernet @ $94.99
 a seamless 50-50 blend of Merlot and Cabernet with an emphasis on high-toned fruit with an  almost hidden depth and structure to allow for indefinite aging
 
Upcoming events:
 
Nov 17
Scott's Selection Scotch Seminar
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Join Brian, the kilt-wearing Chicagoan representative for Scott's Selections, as he pours our new Top Ten. Please call #718.330.0963 or email us to sign-up or for more information. Space is limited. Tickets are $40.

Nov 17 #2 Scott's Selections Seminar
8:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Join Brian, the kilt-wearing Chicagoan representative for Scott's Selections, as he pours our new Top Ten. Please call #718.330.0963 or
email us to sign-up or for more information. Space is limited. Tickets are $40.

Nov 18 Port Seminar with Rachel Devine + Justine of NuNu Chocolates
At Heights Chateau

6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Join Rachel from Broadbent Selections and Justine from Nunu Chocolates as we explore the perfect combination for chocolate: Port + Madeira! Space is limited. Please call #718.330.0963 or
email us to sign-up or for more information. $25

Nov 18 #2 Port Seminar with Rachel Devine + Justine of NuNu Chocolates
At Heights Chateau

7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Join Rachel from Broadbent Selections and Justine from Nunu Chocolates as we explore the perfect combination for chocolate: Port + Madeira! Space is limited. Please call #718.330.0963 or 
email us to sign-up or for more information. $25

Nov 19 Heights Chateau's "Reclaim Beaujolais Day!
At Heights Chateau

5:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Meet our Heights Chateau newbie, Cathy Garrard, as she pours some of our favorite Beaujolais Crus. Come say HELLO and find out why we're crazy about Beaujolais!

Nov 20 Heights Chateau Barrel Release Party
At Heights Chateau

5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Join us as we celebrate the arrival of our personally selected 10 year old barrel from Eagle Rare. Eagle Rare is a brand of bourbon whiskey distilled and distributed by the Buffalo Trace Distillery. Our
barrel (#084) seduced us with its smooth body, fairly light oak treatment, and nice tobacco spice. It won over our palates over the 12+ barrel samples we tried, including Sazerac, Blanton's and Buffalo Trace. Sample our barrel, enter to win bourbon giveaways, a tasting seminar on Eagle Rare Bourbon, and more.