Hi Everyone,
I hope you all have a joyous, safe, fun-filled holiday. And I hope all of your shopping is done! With the exception of visiting Bella Vino!!
I thought I would send next weeks “notes from the cellar” this week. I know how busy everyone will be next week. I just ordered 3 terrific wines at a great value. They are close out wines – just making room for the next vintage. One we have never had in the shop but it is so… good. 2004 Levendi Sweetwater Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley – normally selling for $57.99 now $45.99. I only have 6 bottles. 2005 Tintara Cabernet Sauvignon, McLaren Valley – normally retailing for $24.99 now $19.99 – great Cabernet Sauvignon for under $20.00 – 12 bottles. And a Merlot that everyone loved when we tasted it – Wente Nth Degree Merlot – normally $49.99 now $38.99 – 6 bottles.
We will have our weekly Thursday tasting – just a little earlier from 10 ish until 2:00. We also have 3 returning wines that a lot of you have been waiting for – Pezzi King Cabernet Sauvignon, Pezzi King Old Vine Zinfandel and Beaucanon Estate Trifecta.
Don’t forget about our wine tasting tomorrow (Saturday December 19) 4 great wines.
Next weeks hours – Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Thursday (Christmas Eve) 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Wednesday December 24 Wine Tasting – whenever you get here until 2:00
Champalou Vouvray Brut – Chenin Blanc – Loire, France - Floral on the nose, dry and clean as a whistle on the palate, this 100% chenin blanc sparkler is less austere and less effervescent than Champagne, but every bit as fun to drink and versatile with food. ($23.99)
2004 Bonnie Doon – Le Cigare Volant – 38 % Grenache, 35% Syrah, 12% Mourvedre, 8% Carignane, 7% Cinsault – Central Coast, California - Vibrant, fruity and floral notes contrasted against a denser, darker core. Mid weight red berry and sweet cherry flavors are given spine by gentle acidity and silky tannins. The fruit takes a turn on the finish, which leaves black raspberry and succulent herbs behind. ($32.99)
2007 Morgan Cotes du Crow’s – 55% Syrah, 45% Grenache – Monterey, California - The goal is to produce a wine that has the bold, spicy, rich flavors of the Southern Rhone with a dose of California sunshine. Medium-rich ruby red color with blue-black highlights. Nose and palate impressions of violets, blueberry jam, mint, pomegranate, strawberry, spice, and pepper. Medium-bodied, soft tannins. A versatile food wine, it walks the fine line between being a substantial wine and a wine that is easy to enjoy. ($19.99)
New Wine
“New Wine” 2004 Levendi Sweetwater Ranch – 100% Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley, California - This is an incredible wine that perfectly illustrates the best of what the Napa Valley and the 2004 vintage have to offer. On opening, the wine has a unique and very strong (and very pleasant) aromatics of dried sweet flowers, fresh cut bamboo, cherry syrup and sweet chocolate. After a few hours in the air and the aromas are nearly completely different. After it airs out the aromas change to become more soft, exhibiting fresh blueberry, gourmet chocolate, dusky currant and ripe red cherry – with a hint of fresh sweet flowers. Delicious and smoky with big fruit of cherry, blueberry, cassis and dark plum with dark chocolate and a hint of toasty oak at the end. ($45.99)
Returning Wines
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. ($19.99)
2004 Wente Nth Degree – 85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon – Livermore Valley, California - Plum, loads of dark fruit, leather. This wine has some serious structure and tannins, all balanced out with nice acidity. Earth notes show up for a few seconds followed by a long finish. ($38.99)
2003 Beaucanon Estate Trifecta – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc – Napa Valley, California - A swirl of this deep garnet wine relases elegant aromas of spicy berries and leather. 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. ($31.99)
2005 Pezzi King – 100% Cabernet Sauvignon – Sonoma, California - Dark ruby in color with inviting scents of cedar, black currant, rich plum and elegant, spicy oak. Supple texture, ripe tannins and a lush full-bodied finish. ($22.99)
2005 Pezzi King – 100% Old Vine Zinfandel – Dry Creek Valley, California - 2005 Pezzi King – 100% Cabernet Sauvignon – Sonoma, California - A classic Dry Creek Valley Old Vine Zinfandel. Deep in color with concentrated flavors this wine expresses raspberries and spice on the nose. The savory mouthfeel is full, with flavors of cinnamon and cherry. Subdued oak and soft tannins enhances the ripe varietal fruit character on the finish. ($22.99)
Until then – Cheers!
Paula