Greetings, all! Two of our Christmas samplers are up and running (see below) with more to come next week. Join us tomorrow for our tasting with one of our favorite distributors, Domaine Select. Now here are this week's new arrivals!
NEW WHITES:
Balestri Valda 2006 Soave @ $14.99 (the best Soave in some time)
Moss Wood 2007 Sauvignon/Semillon @ $19.99
Buty 2007 white (Sauvignon, Semillon, Muscadelle) @ $26.99
Balestri Valda 2006 Soave @ $14.99 (the best Soave in some time)
Moss Wood 2007 Sauvignon/Semillon @ $19.99
Buty 2007 white (Sauvignon, Semillon, Muscadelle) @ $26.99
NEW REDS:
(new vintage) Almira 2007 Los Dos @ $8.99
Smoking Loon 2006 Merlot @ $9.99
(new vintage) Menguante 2007 Garnacha @ $9.99
Nieto Sentiner 2007 Malbec @ $10.99
Frescobaldi 2005 Remole @ $10.99
Mellot 2006 Chinon @ $10.99
Bacalhoa 2006 Tinto de Anfora @ $11.99
(back) Mara 2006 Syrage @ $12.99
(new vintage) Toro de Piedra 2006 Cabernet @ $12.99
(back) Dante Robino 2006 Malbec @ $12.99
Domaine de la Bastide 2007 Cotes-du-Rhone @ $13.99
(back) Odoardi 2004 Savuto @ $15.99 (a wild blend of about 6 different grapes from southern Italy that I love)
(new vintage) Guidobono 2006 Barbera d'Alba @ $16.99
(new vintage) Guidobono 2007 Langhe Nebbiolo @ $16.99
(new vintage) Wyatt 2007 Pinot Noir @ $17.99
Joguet 2005 Chinon Cuvee Terroir @ $18.99
Argiano 2006 Rosso Toscano Non Confunditur @ $21.99
Cantina Sant' Agata 2007 Ruche "Na Vota" @ $24.99
Lignier-Michelot 2006 Bourgogne @ $25.99
Argiano 2006 Rosso di Montepulciano @ $27.99
Fort Ross 2006 Pinot Noir Symposium @ $34.99
Cascina Crosa 2003 Barbaresco @ $37.99
Guidobono 2004 Barolo @ $43.99
Flowers 2007 Pinot Noir @ $54.99
Vieux Donjon 2006 Chateauneuf-du-Pape @ $69.99
(new vintage) Almira 2007 Los Dos @ $8.99
Smoking Loon 2006 Merlot @ $9.99
(new vintage) Menguante 2007 Garnacha @ $9.99
Nieto Sentiner 2007 Malbec @ $10.99
Frescobaldi 2005 Remole @ $10.99
Mellot 2006 Chinon @ $10.99
Bacalhoa 2006 Tinto de Anfora @ $11.99
(back) Mara 2006 Syrage @ $12.99
(new vintage) Toro de Piedra 2006 Cabernet @ $12.99
(back) Dante Robino 2006 Malbec @ $12.99
Domaine de la Bastide 2007 Cotes-du-Rhone @ $13.99
(back) Odoardi 2004 Savuto @ $15.99 (a wild blend of about 6 different grapes from southern Italy that I love)
(new vintage) Guidobono 2006 Barbera d'Alba @ $16.99
(new vintage) Guidobono 2007 Langhe Nebbiolo @ $16.99
(new vintage) Wyatt 2007 Pinot Noir @ $17.99
Joguet 2005 Chinon Cuvee Terroir @ $18.99
Argiano 2006 Rosso Toscano Non Confunditur @ $21.99
Cantina Sant' Agata 2007 Ruche "Na Vota" @ $24.99
Lignier-Michelot 2006 Bourgogne @ $25.99
Argiano 2006 Rosso di Montepulciano @ $27.99
Fort Ross 2006 Pinot Noir Symposium @ $34.99
Cascina Crosa 2003 Barbaresco @ $37.99
Guidobono 2004 Barolo @ $43.99
Flowers 2007 Pinot Noir @ $54.99
Vieux Donjon 2006 Chateauneuf-du-Pape @ $69.99
Ode to Agapē
Agapē (/ægəpi/[1]) (Gk. αγάπη [aɣa.pi]) - one of several Greek words translated into English as love.
Domaine Agapē is the story of a match made in wine lover's heaven. Isabel Boxler & Vincent Sipp both hail from traditional families in Alsace, each with a fascinating history of wine and war that goes back hundreds of years. Together, they produce stunning wines that are lively, elegant, and truly delicious, and it is our pleasure to introduce them to you.
In 2007 Vincent bought a small winery in Riquewihr, the heart of the Alsatian wine growing region. Since then the couple has expanded their plot to include 20 acres of land in three villages: Riquewihr, Hunawihr and Ribeauvillé. Alsace is a blessing to the consumer in that varietals are printed in big bold letters on every bottle but murderous because there's no telling if the wine is going to be vinified dry or intensely rich with residual sweetness. HINT: all of these wines, still and sparkling, are flavorful but not sweet - they are intensely pure, and yes, DRY.
One third of the winery is classified as Grand Cru, with the average age of a vine no less than 25 years. Each plot has distinctive soil qualities and grapes are tended carefully by hand, producing wines that are intensely aromatic and expressive. Isabel and Vincent continue a tradition of organic farming set forth by their families, using compost and natural insecticides, and focus their efforts on producing a smaller crop and thus supremely concentrated grapes. Production is limited to just 5,000 cases per year.
When or how should you drink an Agapē wine this holiday season?
Oh let me count the ways.... try the Muscat one afternoon cuddled up with a good book or while visiting with a friend, pop open the Cremant when welcoming guests, and there's no better time than NOW to taste the Riesling. Trust me, it will rock the world of a true Riesling fanatic and woo the heart of those who poo poo the grape all together.
Raise a glass of Agapē wine and toast to the moment. Why? Why not is more like it!
Agapē Muscat
Muscat produces wines that are aromatic and easy on the palate with flavors of peaches, apricots, oranges. Agapē is as lovely as can be, like candy without the sweetness - note this wine is still and dry, do not confuse it with Moscato d'Asti a semi-sweet Italian sparkler. Ideal as an apertif, pleasant to sip just about anytime, anywhere. $22.99/btl, $228.96/cs
Muscat produces wines that are aromatic and easy on the palate with flavors of peaches, apricots, oranges. Agapē is as lovely as can be, like candy without the sweetness - note this wine is still and dry, do not confuse it with Moscato d'Asti a semi-sweet Italian sparkler. Ideal as an apertif, pleasant to sip just about anytime, anywhere. $22.99/btl, $228.96/cs
Agapē NV Brut Cremant D'Alsace Emotion
A blend of Muller Thurgau and Pinot Blanc - subtle, light, stony and earthy on the palate, bedazzling with persistent beads that shoot up from the cradle of the glass, sure to impress and enchant imbibers and on-lookers alike. $18.99/btl, $216.48/cs
A blend of Muller Thurgau and Pinot Blanc - subtle, light, stony and earthy on the palate, bedazzling with persistent beads that shoot up from the cradle of the glass, sure to impress and enchant imbibers and on-lookers alike. $18.99/btl, $216.48/cs
Agapē 2007 Riesling Osterberg Grand Cru
Superbly balanced, this lean and light Riesling tastes of baby white peaches and apricots. The wine's fruit and acid are sandwiched by a solid and firm stony quality that makes this baby more Mosel than Alsace - every aspect of the wine is streamlined, it's brilliant, and oh so tasty! $31.99/btl, $318.60/cs
Superbly balanced, this lean and light Riesling tastes of baby white peaches and apricots. The wine's fruit and acid are sandwiched by a solid and firm stony quality that makes this baby more Mosel than Alsace - every aspect of the wine is streamlined, it's brilliant, and oh so tasty! $31.99/btl, $318.60/cs
Sampler A with 1 of each bottle : $63.99
Judy's Picks for What to Take to the Party
During the holiday season we are frequently asked for "party wine" suggestions, for both party-givers and party-goers. In both cases the rules are roughly the same. This is not the time to haul out the precious gems from your cellar, or even to just come out with something you've been dying to try. Chances are nobody's going to get very serious about the wine, and if you're bring the bottle as a hostess gift, it may not even get opened while you're present. You want wines that are crowd pleaser, that are easy on the palate and the wallet. Here are three of my choices that fit the bill.
Rock Point NV River Rock White
Rock Point is in Oregon's Rogue Valley, on the north bank of the Rogue river. The winery does make a Pinot Noir but has made a big splash in the market with its no vintage red and white blends. The white, featured here, is a unique combination of 62% Early Muscat and 38% Viognier, both tank-fermented with no oak contact to retain crisp acidity. The wine has ripe aromas of orange and honeysuckle with concentrated flavors of dried apricots and pears. Yes, there is a bit of residual sugar here (a hair over 1%), but that's exactly what contributes to its crowd-pleasing nature.
$10.99/btl;$109.90/cs
Rock Point is in Oregon's Rogue Valley, on the north bank of the Rogue river. The winery does make a Pinot Noir but has made a big splash in the market with its no vintage red and white blends. The white, featured here, is a unique combination of 62% Early Muscat and 38% Viognier, both tank-fermented with no oak contact to retain crisp acidity. The wine has ripe aromas of orange and honeysuckle with concentrated flavors of dried apricots and pears. Yes, there is a bit of residual sugar here (a hair over 1%), but that's exactly what contributes to its crowd-pleasing nature.
$10.99/btl;$109.90/cs
Laurel Glen 2006 Reds
Laurel Glen has three personae: as a producer of prestige Cabernet in Sonoma, of old-vine Cabernet and Malbec in Argentina (Terra Rossa), and (our favorite) Reds, a zippy field blend from California's central valley, affectionately dubbed by Laurel Glen owner and winemaker Patrick Campbell a "wine for the people." Usually predominantly Zinfandel, in this vintage the Zin is balanced equally with Petite Syrah and Carignane; the result is a rich spicy blend of dark raspberry fruit, exotic white pepper, with deep color and black pepper flavors. Complexity and heft at an extremely modest price point!
$8.99/btl;$89.90/cs
Laurel Glen has three personae: as a producer of prestige Cabernet in Sonoma, of old-vine Cabernet and Malbec in Argentina (Terra Rossa), and (our favorite) Reds, a zippy field blend from California's central valley, affectionately dubbed by Laurel Glen owner and winemaker Patrick Campbell a "wine for the people." Usually predominantly Zinfandel, in this vintage the Zin is balanced equally with Petite Syrah and Carignane; the result is a rich spicy blend of dark raspberry fruit, exotic white pepper, with deep color and black pepper flavors. Complexity and heft at an extremely modest price point!
$8.99/btl;$89.90/cs
Cantine Due Palme 2005 Salento Primitivo "Le Sciare"
This large cooperative deep in the heart of Apulia dates from 1989; it now comprises some 400 growers, all carefully chosen on the basis of their ownership of old vines in prestigious locations. They offer a comprehensive lineup of classic regional wines at a consistent quality level, vintage after vintage. Their Primitivo pulls down medals and awards vintage after vintage: round, ripe, and packed with lush berry fruit, this wine delivers at way more than its modest price point.
$8.99/btl;$89.90/cs
This large cooperative deep in the heart of Apulia dates from 1989; it now comprises some 400 growers, all carefully chosen on the basis of their ownership of old vines in prestigious locations. They offer a comprehensive lineup of classic regional wines at a consistent quality level, vintage after vintage. Their Primitivo pulls down medals and awards vintage after vintage: round, ripe, and packed with lush berry fruit, this wine delivers at way more than its modest price point.
$8.99/btl;$89.90/cs
Sampler B, with 2 bottles of each wine: $48.99