We search the world to fine great wines at good prices!! Well no, actually we search our distributor’s catalogs to find delicious little beauties. This Saturday we’ll be pouring a lineup of just such things. None are from here. All are from there (Veneto) and there (Mendoza), and there (Marche) and there (Gascony). It’s a bit short on theme, but long on flavor. Come join us.
 
2010 Tenuta Santa Maria Alla Pieve Soave Lepia        $15
Garganega
Tenuta Santa Maria is Bertani ‘s (of Amarone fame) private project. The Lepia is full and rich with flavors and aromas of pears and peaches with a hint of almond and nice minerality.
 
2005 Cantina Valdadige, Terra Dei Forti, Enantio        $13
Terra dei forti DOC is a small area between Veneto and Trenton, in a valley shaped by the glaciers of the Quaternary and carved by the river Adige. Enantio is an indigenous grape that was found growing abandoned in the forests of Veneto, then recued and replanted in the sandy soils of the local vineyards where Philoxera doesn’t affect the vines. The grapes are picked at a level of slight super-maturation and left on the skins for an extended period and then left to age in barrels for 15 to 18 months. The wine is ripe, dark and complex with wild berry flavors and a noted spiciness and a smoky note.

2010 Plaimont La coURtine Côtes de Gascogne        $10
60% Tannat, 40% Merlot
From a cooperative in the Southwest of France that has a very odd idea of what makes an attractive label. But inside the bottle is a dark and leathery wine with the Merlot smoothing out the edges of the Tannat.

2009 Melipal, Malbec                           $13
Melipal is a modern family run winery in Argentina producing high quality wines. Their Malbec comes from a blend of their estate organic vineyards and Las Nazarenas a vineyard with 80 year old vines. All the grapes are sustainably farmed and fermented with natural yeasts. The Melipal has lots of dark fruit and spiciness and stands out above others at this price.
Was $16, Now $13

2010 Marotti Campi Rubico Lacrima di Morro d’Alba     $20
Lacrima is a little known red variety frown in the Marche on Italy’s Adriatic coast. Morro d’Alba is the name of the village which grows the approximately 150 acres of the grape. The wine is very floral with rose and violet notes along with its bright fruit. The palate is a smooth, velvety, dry and pleasantly tannic.