Hi Everyone,

What a great, warm Memorial day we had. I hope everyone had a chance to enjoy it. Although I tend to drink more red than white wine – I had a wonderful Sauvignon Blanc yesterday that paired perfectly with the sunny day. I guess you don’t always have to pair food and wine!

We look forward to our tasting on Thursday. Although it is the end of the month – 2 of our wines will be May’s wines of the month.

Thursdays Wine Tasting – Dee from Southern Wine and Spirits

2007 Lake Sonoma Winery – Chardonnay – Russian River Valley, California - Ripe flavors of Bosc pears and green apples are integrated with hints of vanilla from French oak. ($19.99 WotM $18.00)    

2004 Lake Sonoma Winery - Zinfandel – Dry Creek Valley, California -  Plum, blackberry and cherry mingle with an elegant mid-palate of creamy vanilla. Light oak and a medley of spice lengthen the finish. ($23.99 WotM $21.60)

“New Wine” 2006 Don David- Malbec – Cafayate, Argentina – Very well balanced with sweet and soft tannins. Fruity – full of plum and chocolate notes with a pleasant finish. ($16.99)   

“New Wine” 2005 Tintara – Cabernet Sauvignon – McLaren Valley, Australia - 90 Pts. WS - Medium- to full-bodied with flavors of ripe forest fruits, spice and hints of cocoa are followed by a long, bold finish. ($24.99) 

Additional New Wines

“New Wine” 2007 Phillippe Raimbault Sancerre – Sauvignon Blanc – Loire Region, France - Lovely peachy notes, stone fruit & flinty minerality. Enjoy the lusciously long finish. ($28.99) 

“New Wine” 2007 Calera – Chardonnay – Central Coast, California - Aromas of ripe pineapple, apple and lime zest. At first, the taste is reminiscent of vanilla custard and lemon chiffon, at the same time possessing a soft, fun citrus zing. A touch of toasty oak and a full, round texture. ($11.99/375 ml) 

Saturdays Wine Tasting – 2 Great French Wines

2005 Chateau La Nerthe – White Chateauneuf-du-Pape – 40% White Grenache, 40% Rousanne, 12% Clairette, 8% Bourboulenc – Rhone Valley, France - 92 Pts. WA – Classic rose petal nose. Honeysuckle & lemon oil with crisp acidity. Full-bodied but delicate & concentrated. ($39.99) 

2004 Chateau La Nerthe – Red Chateauneuf-du-Pape – 76% Grenache, 12% Syrah, 3% Cinsault, 2% other – Rhone Valley, France - Medium-bodied with rich, lush fruit flavors. Notes of leather and anise, ripe tannins and a long finish. ($39.99) 

Our wine tasting on Thursday is from 4:30 to 7:00 and on Saturday from 1:00 to 4:00.

Until then – Cheers!

Paula

Hi Everyone,

I hope you’re looking forward to some beautiful weather. I have the door to the shop open today hoping the warm breeze will warm up the wine cellar!

Memorial day is Monday and I would like to thank all the men and women who have served our country and those who are currently serving. Thank you for your dedication.

If you get a minute check out our new and improved Bella Vino web site. Not totally different but a somewhat different look. 

Thursdays Wine Tasting – Megan from Crush Distributers

“New Wine” 2007 Alondra – Unoaked Chardonnay – Mendocino County, California – Aromatics of pear blossom with a tropical fruit interplay of mango, guava and pineapple. The flavors follow through with the silky fruit showing textural ripeness on the long, clean finish. ($18.99)

New Wine” 2007 Napa Station – Chardonnay – Napa Valley, California - Aged on the lees in stainless steel tanks and small French oak barrels. The wine underwent partial malolactic fermentation to add richness without overpowering the fruit. Aromas of ripe peach, pear and citrus, with crisp green apple and hints of tropical fruit on the palate. The finish is long and clean with fresh acidity. ($17.99)   

“New Wine” 2005 D-Cubed - Zinfandel – Napa, California -  Bright cherry, raspberry fruit and some nice spice. This medium bodied wine has rich tannins that are smooth and supple, with balanced acidity. ($29.99/750ml – $15.99/375ml)   

2006 Core Red – 49% Syrah, 33% Grenache, 18% Mourvedre – Central Coast, California - Small production, only 770 cases produced, sustainable agriculture. Medium bodied red purple wine, very polished and smooth. Blueberry and strawberries on the nose, the same on the palate with a gentle pepper bite, firm tannins with a medium finish. Creaminess and smoothness on the back-end. ($23.99)

Additional New Wine

“New Wine – Sheila Pick” 2003 Beaucanon Estate Trifecta- 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc, 16% Merlot – Napa Valley, California - 92 Pts WE – Aromas of spicy berries, leather and sweet alcohol. The palate is bright with youthful acidity, highlighting flavors of blackberry, black cherry, cocoa with a generous amount of toasted coconut contributed by the American and French oak. Tannins are grippy and the finish is amazing. ($29.99) 

Our wine tasting on Thursday is from 4:30 to 7:00.

Until then – Cheers!

Paula

Hi Everyone,

I hope Mothers day was great for all who were celebrating! I know I enjoyed time with my family and the beautiful weather. 

Another week of tasting some great wines!! Always something to look forward to. 

Thursdays Wine Tasting – Ambra from F & F Wine Imports

2005 Tremani – Pinot Gris – Russian River Valley, California – 80% of the juice from the Pinot Gris grapes are tank fermented and 20% barrel fermented. All of the wine was “sur lie” aged. The result is a rich, crisp, fruit-forward Alsatian style wine. Flavors include lime, peach, ginger, green apple, flint and spice. ($18.99)   

2007 Banyon – Gewurztraminer – Montery County, California - Rose petals, honeysuckle, peaches and cloves make for a very aromatic wine. Firm acid and slighty sweet, a great combination with spicy foods. ($14.99)   

“New Wine” 2007 Midslope – (Rhone Blend) 70% Grenache, 25 % Syrah, 5% Mourvedre – Rasteau, Rhone Valley, France - Midslope is the sister project of the wildly successful Upslope Syrah from Thompson Vineyard in Santa Barbara. Once known only for its sweet and fortified wines, Rasteau is rapidly becoming recognized for its outstanding Grenache. Many believe that the best wines from Rasteau resemble a well made Chateauneuf du Pape. Midslope represents terroir in a bottle. ($18.99)   

“New Wine” 2005 Trace Wines – Cabernet Sauvignon – Nice, California - Fragrances of plum, blackberry and dark chocolate will envelop your senses as bold and silky flavors trace across your palate. Enjoy with hearty dishes, roasted meals or your favorite hard cheeses. ($13.99)    

Saturday’s Wine Tasting

“New Wine” 2007 Pierre Cheremette – Gamay – Beaujolis Region, France – 89 Pts WA - Fresh red currant and red raspberry mingled with scents of violets lead to a ripe yet tart refreshing palate with a berry skin-tinged finish. ($16.99)

“New Wine and Customer Pick” 2007 McManis – Zinfandel – Mainly Lodi, California - 87 Pts, Good Value, Connoisseurs’ Guide – The ‘07 McManis Zinfandel is insistently fruity with berries to spare and is made in a style that steers toward easy drinkability. ($14.99)    

Additional New Wine

“New Wine” 2007 Coturri Testa Vineyards – Carignane – Mendocino County, California - The Testa Vineyard Carignane is soft and fragrant with a rich and forward fruit, and a bright well balanced acidity. Aromas of ripe ruby red grapefruit peel, strawberry, violet, and leather with flavors of cherry plum and Asian spice. It lingers on the palate. This is a delicious organic wine. ($22.99) 

Our wine tasting on Thursday is from 4:30 to 7:00 and on Saturday from 1:00 to 4:00.

Until then – Cheers!

Paula

Hi Everyone,

I hope you enjoyed last weeks wonderful weather. We won’t be so lucky this week but what better way to chase away the rainy day blues than 2 fabulous wine tastings. Thursday Jill from Perfecta will be pouring and on Saturday Patrick will be here for our Annual Mothers Day event. Not only will Patrick be pouring some unbelievable wines but we will have breads from “The Good Loaf” and an assortment of cheeses from Cabot Cheese.

And if you’re looking for the perfect Mother’s Day gift – we’re here to help with lots of great wines and unique gift ideas. 

Thursdays Wine Tasting – Jill from Perfecta

“New Wine” 2008 Manu – Sauvignon Blanc – Marlborough, New Zealand - Citrus, tropical and herbal aromas make way for a palate impression of gooseberry, sweet herb and passionfruit. ($15.99)   

2006 Peter Paul – Chardonnay – Russian River Valley, California - A lovely marriage of fruit and floral character framed in subtle, toasty oak. The finish gives way to a clean minerality that echoes the vineyard’s terroir. ($22.99)   

“New Wine” 2005 Seabiscuit Ranch Trifecta – (Bordeaux Blend) 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc – Mendocino County, California - The legend of the famous race horse “Seabiscuit” lives within this wine. Hand-harvested grapes, deep purple color with concentrated ripe fruit aromas and flavors of ripe plums, cherries and blackberries. A medium to robust body with soft tannins that is ideal for drinking now, yet will benefit from further bottle aging. ($28.99)   

2005 Carol Shelton Wild Thing – Old Vine Zinfandel - Mendocino County, California - 92 Pts Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine - An itensely jammy, black raspberry fruit, vibrant and alive in both nose and mouth, nice hit of black pepper. Smoothly textured in mouth, creamy vanilla oak and the finish is long and lushly jammy fruit—dangerously good! Certified CCOF Organically Grown. ($32.99)    

Saturday’s Wine Tasting – Patrick from Dunn Wine Brokers (an all red line-up)

“New Wine” 2005 Donum Estate – Pinot Noir – Carneros, California - 91 Pts Robert Parker, 92 Pts WS, 94 Pts Pinot Report, 94 Pts Vinfolio - Complex nose of ripe strawberries, leather, cherry liqueur, fresh split cedar, smoke, blackberries, sea salt and carbon. Rounded and broad mouth feel of seamless sweet black fruit, red currant and earth. This is a big pinot noir without being over the top. ($69.99)

“New Wine” 2004 White Oak – 89% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa, California - 91 Pts Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine, 92 Pts W&S , Rated as one of the top 12 Merlot’s of 2006 - Dark, rich and chocolaty, with layers of mouth-coating mocha, currant, blackberry and coffee grounds, revealing extra dimensions of depth and complexity. Sharply foused, long and intense, with well-integrated tannins. ($27.99)    

2004 Robert Young Estate Winery Scion – 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 4.5% Cabernet Franc, 2.5% Petit Verdot – Alexander Valley, California - 94 Pts Robert Parker, 90 Pts WS - Aromas of blackberry, plum and cherry fruit along with hints of roses and spice. Hearty mocha and plentiful toasty oak aromas. A very rich, full-bodied taste filled with berry pie and chocolate flavors. Substantial round-edged tannins and dark fruit provide this wine with a very long and lingering finish. ($58.99)   

2005 Bellegraves “Les Charmes” – 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc – Pauillac, Bordeaux Region, France - Rich, dense, with an inky core and a fruit/vegetal nose. A long pleasing finish. 90 points – Jim Beauregard ($51.99) 

2003 La Zola Barolo – Nebbiolo – Piedmont Region, Italy - Very perfumed on the nose with wonderful red fruits, a little hint of leather and nice tannins cap off this terrific value. 90 points – Jim Beauregard ($34.99)

 Our wine tasting on Thursday and Friday is from 4:30 to 7:00 and on Saturday from 1:00 to 4:00.

Until then – Cheers!

Paula