Saturday as we’ll be popping some exciting wines both local and afar from winemakers who are stretching their wings. We have new bubbles from a Chianti master, a Washington Zinfandel from Oregon, Two local wines from boys inspired by French Terroir, and a very, very old school Rhône (about as old school as you can get), AND you can do your Christmas shopping at the same time.
Fèlsina, Brut Metodo Classico Spumante $26
60% Sangiovese, 20% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay
This classic Chianti producer branches out into bubbles with amazing success. The quality shows. The bouquet is emphatic floral and fruit notes of Golden Delicious apples and fresh-baked bread. The palate is crisp, full-flavored, and very well balanced with a fresh acidity hinting at aromatic tropical fruit.
2012 Maison Bleue, JaJa White $20
50% Marsanne, 23% Roussanne, 18% Grenache Blanc, 9% Picpoul Blanc
Maison Bleue focuses on Rhône varietals expressed in Washington terroir. They use traditional techniques, gentle handling and a modest use of French oak blending a European sensibility with New World opulence. The Jaja white has aromas of tangerine, ripe peach, grapefruit, and Meyer lemon along with flavors of nectarine, pine nuts, pineapple with a touch of minerality.
2011 Robert Ramsey, Mason Red $20
45% Syrah, 19% Cinsaut, 16% Cab Sauvignon, 15% Mourvedre, 5% Counoise
Bob likes to say he fell in love with a bottle of Cote Rotie when he was 21. His Mason’s red is a big wholloping blend of mostly Rhône varietals with lots of jammy fruit and dark lurking bass notes.
2011 Angel Vine, Columbia Valley Zinfandel $19
98% Zinfandel, 2% Petit Sirah
This Oregon winery branches out from its Pinot and into Washington Zinfandel sourced from Horse Heaven Hills and Wahluke Slope. The wine has good round blackberry fruit and a supple spicy body.
2010 Château de Montfaucon, Vin de M. le Baron $50
Château de Montfaucon occupies an old 11th century tower just across the river from from Château Neuf du Pape. In 1995, after making wine for Henschke in Barossa and Vieux Telegraphe in Châteauneuf du Pape, Rodolphe de Pins took over the family estate and rebuilt the winery. The vines of the estate are up to 90 years old with an average age of 40 years. The wineis an homage to his great, great, grandfather, Baron Eugene de Montfaucon. It is made from 15 varietals – 9 red: Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Carignan, Mourvèdre, Counoise, Alicante, Tempranillo, red Muscat, and 6 white: Viognier, Marsanne, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Picpoul, and Aubin. The grapes are picked in 2 groups, 1 week apart, and co-fermented, then racked straight into barrels after fermentation “as they did in the old days.” The wine, unique in its style, is all in finesse, fruit, flower and elegance with a big lush texture, long finish. The wine is a piece of history reincarnated in the modern day. It is not to be missed.
We’re open everyday between now and Christmas Day
so stop in and round out that Holiday Cheer.