Joel Gott Zinfandel; 2012 California
The 2012 California Zinfandel has aromas of roasted plum and blackberry jam with hints of sweet spices. On the palate, the wine’s bright red fruit flavors and acidity are complemented by a soft, round mouth feel and a long finish.
Additional information on Red Zinfandels (Primitivo):
- Red Zinfandel tasting notes: Raspberry, black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, black currant, black plum, raisin, fig, apricot, cranberry jam, jammy / brambly fruit; with aromas of licorice, star anise, smoke, black pepper, black cardamom.
- Oak flavors include: vanilla, coconut, nutmeg, peach yogurt, mocha, burnt sugar, coffee, cinnamon, clove, tobacco, fresh sawdust.
- Medium to medium high tannin and acidity
- Similar varieties include: Grenache, Plavic Mali, Negroamaro, Blaufrankish (Lemberger), Sangiovese, Barbera, Counoise.
Catena Vista Flores Malbec; 2012 Mendoza, Argentina
The 2012 Catena Malbec Appellation Vista Flores shows a dark violet color with purple reflection. The nose offers ripe, concentrated dark and red fruit aromas with delicate floral notes of violets and roses along with traces of chalk-stone and mocca. The mouthfeel is rich and full, with notes of sweet spices and a touch of leather. The finish presents a soft and very well integrated tannis with bright, crisp acidity that gives the wine exceptional length.
Additional information on Malbecs:
- Malbec tasting notes: black cherry, pomegranate, plum, raspberry, blackberry, blueberry. With aromas of cocoa, milk chocolate, coffee, mocha, molasses, leather, black pepper, green stem, gravel, tobacco.
- ARGENTINA: The main fruit flavors in a glass of Argentine Malbec are blackberry, plum and black cherry. The nuanced flavors offer milk chocolate, cocoa powder, violet flowers, leather and, depending on the amount of oak aging, a sweet tobacco finish.
- Oak aging with vanilla, dill, coconut
- Medium tannin and acidity
- Similar varieties include Syrah, Merlot, Dolcetto, Touriga Nacional, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Lacrima, Nero d’Avola, Mourvedre
- Known for its plump dark fruit flavors and smoky finish, Malbec wine offers a great alternative to higher priced Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. However, there’s more to Malbec than just value. Learn the secrets of Malbec wine, some great Malbec food pairing tips and 4 amazing facts that will change the way you think about this ‘lowly’ wine grape.
- Food pairing: red meats and funky flavors like bleu cheese, beef brisket. Duck, Chicken Leg, Lamb, Beef, Ostrich, Buffalo, Pork Shoulder (Cuban Tacos, Lamb Lolli, Pork Chop); semi firm cow’s and goat’s milk cheese
Charles and Charles Rose; 2014 Columbia Valley, Washington
The 2014 Rose is quite simply the most awesomely complex and complete Rose we’ve made to date. The winemaking hasn’t changed a great deal over the years; so we attribute much of this complexity to the diversity of grape varieties and, even more, to the mix of vineyards that are increasingly on the very fringe of where these grapes can ripen. The color is similar to the 2013 with its vibrant pink, salmon and fuchsia edges. More than ever, the wild red fruit of strawberry, raspberry and Bing cherry are interwoven with Herbs de Provence and grass, a touch of citrus and an even greater presence of minerality. It was generally a lower acid year, but you wouldn’t know that from the natural acid in the wine and bright finish. To promote vibrant aromas, we used a few new experimental yeasts, which we liked a lot and, as ever, maintained lees contact to build up body until we blended for bottling. Syrah dominates the blend as it always has, but the co-star varieties play an increasingly important role. Blend: 72% Syrah, 8% Mourvedre, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Grenache, 3% Cinsault, 3% Counoise.
Additional information on roses:
- The DRY rose is the most common style produced today around the world. France and Spain lead the way in Rosé wine production and it’s typical to see a blend of 2-3 different grape varieties. Here are the most common dry Rosé wine varieties used either alone or in a blend: Grenache, Sangiovese, Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan, Cinsault, Pinot Noir.
- When a wine isn’t quite red, it’s rosé. Technically speaking, this pinkish beverage is produced differently than red wine but with the same grapes. For example, White Zinfandel is produced with the same grapes as Red Zinfandel but the two wines are stunningly different.
Additional Information on Grenache:
- Tasting notes: strawberry, black cherry, raspberry, anise, tobacco, citrus rind, cinnamon; usually medium oak aging
- Medium (-) tannin and medium acidity
Frei Brothers Reserve Merlot; 2012 Sonoma, CA
Our Frei Brothers Reserve Dry Creek Valley Merlot exudes blackberry and dark cherry flavors, layered with hints of fresh herbs. Barrel aging gave this well-structured wine its rich aromatics of cocoa, mocha and toasted oak. Blend: 91% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon
Additional information on Merlots:
- Merlot tasting notes: Black cherry, raspberry, plum, graphite, cedar, tobacco, vanilla, clove, mocha.
- Usually medium oak aging (8-12 months)
- Medium tannin and acidity
- Red fruits, easy tannins and a soft finish are the characteristics of Merlot wine. But there’s more to Merlot than being smooth. It’s actually a bit of a chameleon, partly because of how Merlot is vinified and mostly because of where it’s grown. Take a look at the range of Merlot wine taste based on region (cool climate vs. warm climate).
- Food pairings: chicken and other light meats as well as lightly-spiced dark meats. With medium tannin and not too much acidity you’ll find Merlot pairs well with many foods. Merlot doesn’t pair well with fish or leafy green vegetables unless they are braised or cooked a certain way. Also, spicy food will most likely overwhelm Merlot’s nuanced flavors.
Wheelhouse Cabernet 2013 Napa Valley, CA
Wheelhouse Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine of structure and finesse, with blackberry and cassis fruit aromas and flavors, backed by subtle notes of chocolate and anise.
Additional information on Cabernet Sauvignons:
- Cabernet tasting notes: black cherry, black currant, blackberry, black pepper, tobacco, licorice, vanilla, and violet.
- Usually oaked 9-18 months in French Oak; some American and Hungarian oak
- Medium (+) tannin and acidity
- Common synonyms: In France, Bordeaux wines often blend with Cab. In Italy, it’s commin to see Supertuscan wines containing Cab. In Spain, Priorat wines often us Cab. Other names (rare) include Bouchet, Bouche, Petit-Bouchet, Petit-Cabernet, Petit-Vidure, Vidure, Sauvignon Rouge.
- Since Cabernet Sauvignon is grown in a wide range of climates and regions throughout the world it has varied flavors.
- Fundamentally speaking, Cab is a full-bodied red wine with dark fruit flavors and savory tastes from black pepper to bell pepper.
- Food Pairing: high fat foods; hamburgers, steak, short ribs, mushrooms
Michele Chiarlo Barbera d’Asti; 2011 Piedmont, Italy
Garnet in color, the wine is medium bodied and robust with rich, ripe cherries and earth on the nose and an elegant palate.
Additional information on Barberas:
- Barbera tasting notes: dark cherry, dried strawberry, plum, blackberry, violet, lavender, dried leaves, incense, vanilla, nutmeg, anise.
- Oakes in large neutral oak casks
- Low tannin and high acidity
- Synonyms and regional names: Barbare, Barbera d’Alba, Barbera d’Aosta, Barbera Sarda, Barbera d’Asti, Barbera del Monferrato
- Barbera has long filled-in the low slopes and valleys of Northern Italy. It’s considered a lesser wine to Nebbiolo and, therefore, doesn’t earn the best grape-growing real estate (such as South-facing slopes on hills above the ‘nebbia’ or fog). Despite its lowly position, Barbera is the quintessential ‘wine of the people,’ it’s meant to be enjoyed young –and it’s cheap!
- Somehow Barbera wine tastes both rich and light-bodied. Why is that? Well, one reason is that it has dark staining pigments that dye the wine to near-black. However, the taste of Barbera has notes of strawberry and sour cherry: flavors synonymous with light-bodied wines. Light tannin and high acidity make it taste ‘Juicy’. Most of the Barbera you’ll find is from Italy which leans towards more herbaceous flavors, you can see the differences below.
- Food pairings: rich dark meats, mushrooms, herbs, herbaceous cheeses like blue cheese, higher tannin foods like root vegetables & braised greens.
Secco Italian Bubbles Pinot Noir Brut, 2013 Ponte di Piave, Vinetto, Italy
- Tasting Notes: Brilliant color, rich strawberry and Italian cherry with subtle biscotti and a hint of red vines and Necco Wafer....fine bubbles, highly drinkable!
- Blend: 100% Pinot Noir, Brut Spumante
- Vineyards: Tezze di Piave is located in the Piave Valley of Veneziano, and made up of alluvial soil, a mix of sand, fine rocks and stone.
- Serve cold and frequently, either on its own or as a component to a seductive Bellini or Mimosa base.
- Secco Italian Bubbles goes with everything from caviar to oysters to your favorite Chinese take-out.
Triapiche Oak Cask Chardonnay; 2013 Mendoza, Argentina
This Chardonnay exhibits crisp pear, lemon blossom, crème brulé, lemon pie and brioche flavors. Elegant and round wine with good acidity. (Our more buttery, oaky option)
Mezzacorona Moscato; 2013 Italy
Captures the lifted airy scents of Gardenia and flavors of apricot and passion fruit. Sweet fruity fragrance and soft texture. Additional information on Moscato wines:
In most cases Moscato wine is a sweet, slightly bubbly (aka frizz ante) white wine made from Muscat Blanc grapes often referred to more specifically as Moscato d’Asti. (see below for examples of more Mostcato styles). Though Moscato is often sweet, its low alcohol (5-7% ABV) and refreshing flavor profile makes Moscato more than just a dessert wine.
There are 3 major styles of Moscato wine: Sparkling Moscato d’Asti, Still Moscato, and Dessert Moscato (ours is a Sparkling Moscato d’Asti)
Moscato d’Asti: Made with Muscat Blanc. This style is most commonly found in Italy and it’s called Moscato d’Asti. This sweet frizzante bubbly wine is noted for its high aromatics and light alcohol level (close to 5-6% ABV). This style is produced primarily with white Muscat Blanc grapes.
Tasting notes of Moscato: apricot, peach, nectarine, meyer lemon, orange, honeysuckle, vanilla bean, rose, orange blossom, perfume, jasmine, caramel,
Sweet with medium acidity
Similar varities: Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Prosecco, Chenin Blanc, Muller-Thurgau, Malvasia