Well... apparently, I need more caffeine... the offer below was meant to be for the Syrah... why I typed Cabernet, I have no idea... fixing and resending... Too Early for Wine of the Year? Okay, yes, it is waaaay too early for a Wine of the Year! And yet… you may recall, I offered out the Cabernet version of this wine in December, and offered it up as my candidate for Wine of the Year. I won’t rehash everything I said – you can re-read on the website if you like – so let me summarize.
Basically, for me, a "Wine of the Year" should represent an incredible bang for buck. A wine that over-delivers for the price. Something in supply enough to satisfy nearly everyone who wants to buy it. And something affordable enough to be enjoyed by a huge range of customers. I dunno what that $ value is... maybe $10, $15, $20, $25... but certainly not $100, like last year’s Wine Spectator choice.
Well, after the incredible response to the Cabernet, we were delighted to discover the Syrah. Some among us like it even better!
Columbia Crest SYRAH Grand Estates 2014
Buy 6 or more pay $8.99 – save 25%!!!
All else on sale $9.99
regularly $11.99
90 pts Wine Spectator
Like the Cabernet, this is a product of the excellent 2014 vintage. One of the warmest seasons in decades extended harvest well into the fall, where cool nights boosted acidity, allowing for perfect fruit throughout the state of Washington. A rising tide lifts all boats, right? Sure does!
To the deliciously dark, ripe Syrah, winemaker Juan Muñoz-Oca adds 4% Viognier, a la Côte-Rôtie. The Viognier brightens the nose, lending a whiff of apricot, and enhances the palate. I know – 4% doesn’t seem like much – how could it affect the heavier Syrah? Think of it like salt… make a tomato sauce without salt and… well… yeah… just a few pinches go a long way! Same thing here. The Viognier brings out the complexity of the Syrah, accentuating the blackberry and plum flavors. A hint of pepper on the finish plays nicely with the oak influence, resulting in a long, smooth finish. “Supple, ripe and rich, with blackberry, plum and coffee flavors, hinting at pepper as the finish plays against polished tannins. Drink now through 2020.”
Foods? Well, you can always just throw just about any old protein on the grill – the smoky notes from the grill play nicely with Syrah, and the relative medium-plus body of this wine gives it the gravitas for steak without overpowering chicken. Better still, a roasted leg of lamb. Yum! Or, best of all, get spicy! Not heat spicy, but exotic spicy – I’m thinking Indian and Middle Eastern dishes like shawarma, rogan josh, etc.
Or reply.
Valentine’s Bubbles and Sweets Thursday, February 9th 2017, 5-7pm – Chapel Hill
Bisol Prosecco Jeio NV Brut - Sale $13.49 - 90 pts Vinous - While labeled as “Brut”, this is on the cusp of “Extra-Dry”, which, despite the indication, is actually sweeter than Brut. Anyway, this is the full, fruit-forward style of Prosecco that you know and love! Brilliant straw yellow color; perlage extremely fine and lively. Intense and fresh nose of citrus fruits and saline sensations. Fruit-forward, refreshing sip. “Bright pale straw. Green apples, pears and freshly cut flowers on the nose and palate, with complicating hints of powdered stone and ginger. Offers beautiful balance and a soft fruity mouth-feel while remaining energetic and focused on the long and creamy finish. This is deeper and more complex than the Crede but lacks that wine’s utterly beguiling charm.” - Vinous
Bisol Prosecco Superiore Valdobbiadene Crede NV Brut (2015 base) - Sale $21.99 - 91 pts Vinous - Much drier and more “serious”… if there is such a thing for Prosecco. The color is a brilliant, light straw yellow with nuances of green. The bouquet of wildflowers is perfectly fresh and elegant, emanating an extremely agreeable fruitiness. The flavor reflects the fruity bouquet with its scents of apples and pears. “Crisp aromas and flavors of green apple, nectarine and jasmine have a noteworthy mineral edge. Finishes long and bright, with memorable focus and purity. Delightful Prosecco Brut; I have long believed Crede to be one of the best Brut Proseccos made by anyone. Interestingly it is not 100% Glera but mixes in a touch of Pinot Bianco and of Perera.” - Vinous
Chateau Tirecul-la-Graviere les Pins (Monbazillac, France) 2015 - Sale $15.99 net (500 ml bottle) - save 36% off the regular price of $24.99! - This chateau’s vineyards lay in the top terroir in the Monbazillac, whose wines several hundred years ago sold for higher prices than those of Barsac and Sauternes! Unfortunately, selling these wines is a difficult endeavor, as dessert wines are a very small market, and most customers gravitate to the more familiar Sauternes moniker. Luckily for you, importer Eric Solomon has convinced the estate to “declassify” their wines to a lower price point in order to gain some traction in the market. This cuvee, les Pins, is what used to be their basic cuvee at twice the price! Monbazillac is unique in its higher proportion use of the Muscadelle grape, in this case 20% versus a more typical 3% in Sauternes. This gives the wine a more pronounced floral character and a certain brightness to help balance the sweetness. Honeyed orange and pineapple notes back up gorgeously sweet nectarine marmalade all balanced by vibrant acidity. Delicious now, it will age for 15-20 years effortlessly!
Lustau NV East India Solera Sherry (Jerez) – Sale 27.99 / Reg $34.99, Save 20% - 92 pts Wine and Spirits, 90 pts Wine Enthusiast - “This traditional wine from Lustau is made in the Cream style. It's dark and beautiful, with PX-ish prune and caramel aromas. It's not as viscous as Pedro Ximénez, and thus isn't syrupy. But it's certainly rich and full of cookie, molasses, maple and brown sugar flavors. For anyone who likes a sweet Sherry that's balanced, this is a good place to go.” – Wine Enthusiast
Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage Roseé 2008 - $69.99 net - 94+ pts Vinous Media, 93 pts James Suckling, 92+ Wine Advocate, 92 pts Wine Enthusiast - Make their hearts flutter! “Moët's 2008 Grand Vintage Rosé is fabulous. Light on its feet and gracious, the 2008 impresses with exceptional balance and crystalline purity. There is a translucence to the 2008 that is impossible to miss. Sweet rose petal, autumn leaves, tobacco, mint and licorice are woven together in an intricate fabric of aromas and textures. Wiry and sculpted in the style of the year, the 2008 Grand Vintage Rosé is fabulous. Light on its feet and gracious, the 2008 impresses with exceptional balance and is probably the single most impressive young Champagne I have tasted from Moët in some time. The 2008 is 46% Pinot Noir (of which 20% red wine), 32% Chardonnay, 225 Pinot Meunier. Dosage is 5 grams per liter.” – Vinous
FREE Fridays in Hillsborough! This Friday, Feb. 10th from 5-6:30pm, Argentina!
Tapiz Malbec Alta Collection 2013 – Sale $18.99 / Reg. $23.99 – 95 pts James Suckling – “A soft and silky red with violet, berry and dark fruits on the nose and palate. Full body, fine tannins and a flavorful finish. Extremely well craft with elegance and style. Made from high vineyards in Uco Valley with consulting enologist from Bordeaux Jean-Claude Berrouet. Drink or hold.”
Zolo Signature White NV – Sale $12.79 / Reg. $15.99 – 70% Torrontés, 15% Sauvignon Blanc, 15% Chardonnay. This blend of Mendoza's signature white grapes features friendly flavors of tropical fruits with hints of grapefruit and jasmine. Its naturally sweet and slightly effervescent palate makes it a refreshing choice for any occasion.
Zolo Signature Red 2015 - Sale $12.79 / Reg. $15.99 - A blend of Mendoza's signature red grapes (Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bonarda, & Merlot). This blend of Mendoza's signature red grapes features intense and fresh red fruit aromas and a lush, long mouthfeel.
Altocedro Cabernet Sauvignon Año Cero 2013 - $23.99 – 93 pts James Suckling – “Aromas of blueberry, stone and concrete. Full body, firm tannins and a fresh finish. Very pretty and racy. Better in 2019.”
Hillsborough Wine Station - Below is a look at what is on tap in Hillsborough. 1, 2 and 4 oz tastes of some pretty awesome stuff! |