From bone dry to syrupy sweet, Sherry is fortified wine made from the grapes Palomino Fino & Pedro Ximenez in southern Spain. Sherries are aged using a unique system called a solera. A solera consists of a series of wines of different ages. At bottling only a portion of each barrel of the oldest stock is drawn off, blended with other solera stock. The barrels are then topped from the barrels of the next oldest, which in turn are filled from the next oldest until they reach the youngest barrels which are filled with new wine. These new blends with time take on the characteristics or the older wine. The number of levels in a solera varies with each producer and style. This Thursday we are sampling some of the Solera Reserva Sherries of Lustau, one of the important sherry houses. We’ll have tapas on hand to accompany the wines. It should be a fun and tasty tasting.

 
Light Manzanilla “Papirusa” $15 — 375ml $9
The Papirusa is bone dry, light and fresh, very tangy, clean and crisp with just a hint of saltiness. Served chilled, Manzanilla is great as an aperitif, or with oysters, Manchego cheese, or other appetizers.
 
Dry Amontillado “Los Arcos” $15 — 375ml $9
The Arcos is dry and soft, with hints of wood and smoky raisins and a distinctive nutty bouquet. It’s delicious on its own or can accompany a wide variety of dishes from light meat soups to seafood, game dishes and meat terrines. Amontillados should be served cool, but not too chilled.
 
Palo Cortado “Peninsula”   $25
The Peninsula combines the finesse and delicacy of an Amontillado bouquet with the richness of an Oloroso. It is dry with rich flavors of light chocolate, coffee, figs and toffee. Served slightly cooled with cheeses and very rich meats such as venison and smoked game.
 
Oloroso “Don Nuño” $25
Aged for 12 years in American oak casks through the traditional method of “solera and criaderas”, the Don Nuño has penetrating smoky aromas, and is reminiscent of dark chocolate and walnuts in the mouth. It has an intense and concentrated finish, lightened by a tangy acidity. The wine goes good with game, Osso Bucco and other meats as well as a digestif.
 
Old East India Solera $25 — 375ml $13
In the past, casks of sherry that were lashed to ships sailing for the Indies as ballast were found to develop an extraordinary smoothness and complexity. Lustau revives this style in the East India Sherry. A blend of soleras averaging 15-20 years of age, this wine has a dark amber, red and caramel hue, and flavors of raisins, candied peel and nuts.

“Like Columbus who sought a trade route to Asia, Randall Grahm set sail in 1979 for the Great American Pinot Noir, foundered on the shoals of astringency and finesselessness and ended up running aground in the utterly unexpected New World of Rhône and Italian grape varieties.”

As you can see, Randall Grahm, owner and winemaker at Bonny Doon Vineyards has a way with words, and after tasting some of his portfolio you will find he has a way with wine as well. We had the pleasure of a visit from Randall last year to personally flog his wines. He is as fun in person as he is on paper.

2009 Muscat Ca del Solo $17
98% Moscato Giallo, 2% Loureiro
Pale yellow color with light gold highlights; bright floral notes of honeysuckle, lilac, and orange blossom bring to mind a perfumed spring garden at dusk. Ripe peach, melon, and yellow apple combine with citrus zest and spearmint on the palate. A brilliant and refreshing apéritif and a superb complement to seafood, poultry, charcuterie and cheeses, and Asian cuisine.

2009 Contra $16
55% Carignan, 15% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, 7% Petite Syrah, 5% Zinfandel, 3% Syrah
A contrarian blend of mostly old-fangled grape varieties from older vineyards, located in Contra Costa County with aromas of cherries and licorice, flavorful cassis, blackberries and silky tannins.

2010 Clos de Gilroy $20
75% Grenache, 13% Cinsault, 12% Syrah
The strawberry-rhubarbity of grenache is complemented by a delicate note of kirsch from cinsault and the spicy catch of syrah’s white pepper. Brilliant rubescent pink with a fuchsia rim, the wine is intensely aromatic, with notes of strawberry, raspberry, pepper, and wild herbs. Supple and medium-bodied, the dominant flavors on the palate are of red fruits: strawberry, red currant, kirsch, and strawberry-rhubarb. Fruity and spicy but fully dry, this wine is the perfect foil for all manner of grilled meat or vegetables, roasted poultry, the aïoli platter (naturellement), and anything prepared al fresco-especially when anointed with olive oil.

2007 Cigare Volant $38
44% Syrah, 44% Grenache, 11% Cinsault, 1% Mourvèdre
Randal Graham was one of the first California winemakers to create a Châteauneuf-du Pape style wine from California grapes. Le Cigare Volant has been his flagship wine for over two decades. Drink now or lay down for years. And who wouldn’t want to drink a wine whose name translates to The Flying Cigar, the literal French translation for spaceship.

“Like Columbus who sought a trade route to Asia, Randall Grahm set sail in 1979 for the Great American Pinot Noir, foundered on the shoals of astringency and finesselessness and ended up running aground in the utterly unexpected New World of Rhône and Italian grape varieties.”

As you can see, Randall Grahm, owner and winemaker at Bonny Doon Vineyards has a way with words, and after tasting some of his portfolio you will find he has a way with wine as well. We had the pleasure of a visit from Randall last year to personally flog his wines. He is as fun in person as he is on paper.

2009 Muscat Ca del Solo $17
98% Moscato Giallo, 2% Loureiro
Pale yellow color with light gold highlights; bright floral notes of honeysuckle, lilac, and orange blossom bring to mind a perfumed spring garden at dusk. Ripe peach, melon, and yellow apple combine with citrus zest and spearmint on the palate. A brilliant and refreshing apéritif and a superb complement to seafood, poultry, charcuterie and cheeses, and Asian cuisine.

2009 Contra $16
55% Carignan, 15% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, 7% Petite Syrah, 5% Zinfandel, 3% Syrah
A contrarian blend of mostly old-fangled grape varieties from older vineyards, located in Contra Costa County with aromas of cherries and licorice, flavorful cassis, blackberries and silky tannins.

2010 Clos de Gilroy $20
75% Grenache, 13% Cinsault, 12% Syrah
The strawberry-rhubarbity of grenache is complemented by a delicate note of kirsch from cinsault and the spicy catch of syrah’s white pepper. Brilliant rubescent pink with a fuchsia rim, the wine is intensely aromatic, with notes of strawberry, raspberry, pepper, and wild herbs. Supple and medium-bodied, the dominant flavors on the palate are of red fruits: strawberry, red currant, kirsch, and strawberry-rhubarb. Fruity and spicy but fully dry, this wine is the perfect foil for all manner of grilled meat or vegetables, roasted poultry, the aïoli platter (naturellement), and anything prepared al fresco-especially when anointed with olive oil.

2007 Cigare Volant $38
44% Syrah, 44% Grenache, 11% Cinsault, 1% Mourvèdre
Randal Graham was one of the first California winemakers to create a Châteauneuf-du Pape style wine from California grapes. Le Cigare Volant has been his flagship wine for over two decades. Drink now or lay down for years. And who wouldn’t want to drink a wine whose name translates to The Flying Cigar, the literal French translation for spaceship.

Mark and Jim with Winemaker and Bonny Doon owner, Randall Grahm at the shop last fall. Unfortunately he will NOT be able to join us for the tasting.

To start the year off right, this Saturday we’ve pulled together a fine tasting of wines from Burgundy that won’t break the bank. Burgundies can be some of the most complex and layered wines in the world, but these aren’t them. They are however very tasty wines with a lot of nuance that you can drink every day.
 
2011 Albert Bichot C’est La Vie $11
60% Chardonnay, 40% Sauvignon Blanc
Albert Bichot is a large family run winery that owns 4 large estates in Burgundy and buys grapes from many others. But besides their prestigious cuvees they make this tasty table wine that blends the full fruit if the Chardonnay with the crisp fruit of the Sauvignon Blanc. It’s the life.

2011 Albert Bichot, Bourgogne Rouge, Vieilles Vignes $17
Pinot Noir
This is the new vintage of a stalwart favorite of the shop. Blended from different vineyards in Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits with 25 to 35 year old vines, this Pinot has a fair bit of depth and complexity. The wine shows aromas of red currant, plum, and cherry. The flavor is full with a balanced acidity and a pleasant finish.
 
2009 P. Ferraud et Fils, Moulin à Vent “L’Eolienne” $ 15
Gamay
Ferraud et Fills has passed from father to son for five generations. They make a range of Burgundies but are best known for their Beaujolais where Gamay is the dominate grape. The Moulin à Vent, a Cru or Village wine, has bright smooth fruit and lots of mineral due to the granite soils of the vineyards. The flavors are of Dark Raspberry, strawberry and black pepper. Originally $22, now just $15.
 
2009 Domaine Ferraud, Morgon “Les Charmes” $16
Gamay
This single vineyard wine from a Beaujolais Cru is another exceptional deal from Ferraud. From the Hatchett Guide: Its superb range of aromas reveals astonishing complexity with hints of overripe black fruit, grape marc, plum and licorice evolving to the core. The attack is smooth and silky which then blossoms into a powerful and harmonious palate that leaves a final impression of richness and smoothness. Showing excellent ripeness, this magnificent representative of terroir will evolve for four to five years. Score: 3 (out of 3). Was $20 now $16

New Years is about time. And time has a big influence on wine. Saturday we’ll be pouring a few things old (a couple of Bordeaux with some age) to reflect on and a few things new (bubbles just in to the shop) to look forward to. Drop by and contemplate times passage or just pass the time on Saturday afternoon.

Valdo Prosecco Brut DOC $12
Glera (Prosecco)
For something new try this well-balanced Italian bubbly. “Fresh, with a spicy thread of ground ginger, cardamom and balsamic weaving through tropical notes of pineapple, tangerine, white peach and vanilla bean. Balanced, with a lightly frothy mousse and a floral finish.”–Wine Spectator
 
Champagne Julien Chopin, Carte d’ Or, Blanc de Blanc– Holiday Special Price $40 Chardonnay,
Julien Chopin 6 ha vineyard located in Epernay produces this full “Grower” Blanc de Blanc.    The wine contains 30% of 6 year old reserve wine blended with the younger wine to balance freshness with complexity. The Carte d’ Or has notes of butter, honey, and grapefruit along with a bit of brulee and mineral and a long lingering finish. Toast the New Year in right.
 
2004 Chateau Villars, Fronsac $20
69% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
An organic vineyard in Fronsac with 35 year old vines. Chateau Villars has been run by the Gaudrie family many gererations. They keep the best fruit for their wine, selling the rest to brokers. The Hatchett Guide 2008 described the 2004 as “aromas of leather and underwood in perfect harmony with the fruit. The round, smooth, ripe tannins wrapped in intense wood notes are of high quality and demand to mature.” Four years later its time has come. Limited to stock on hand.
 
2005 Chateau Marsau, Cotes de Francs $18
Another Bordeaux with some age that is drinking great right now, the Marsau is a powerful wine that is starting to show its stuff. This beautiful Merlot-dominated Cotes de Franc exhibits a deep ruby/purple color as well as a sweet perfume of black raspberries, cherries, and currants, good freshness, ripe tannin, and a medium-bodied, pure mid-palate as well as finish. A sleeper of the vintage, it is ideal for drinking during its first 10-12 years of life.-Robert Parker

As we move into day two of our four day marathon tasting it’s time to put those running shoes back on and trot down to Madrona Wine Merchants for today’s ALL-DAY (11-7pm) tasting.

What’s on tap that would draw me away from that warm fire?

2011 Esporao Alandra                        ($8)
Antão Vaz, Perrum and Arinto
Fragrant and elegant with floral as well as lime and other citrus aromas and full dry fruit. A lovely little wine from Portugal.

2010 Duvernay Côtes du Rhône Vieilles Vignes        ($13)
Grencahe, Mouvedre, Syrah
A big and rich old vine Rhone that packs a lot into a very small price. “Very beautiful steady and dark dress, in the reflections garnet. Nose of black fruits, very mature cherries, with aromas of licorice, ‘zan’ and spices (cloves and nutmeg). The mouth is dense with silky tannins and a beautifull minerality.”

2010 Terre del Barolo Nebbiolo d’Alba            ($15)
A full structured Nebbiolo that drinks above its price. Chewy tannins mixed with red cherries and floral notes.

And a special treat not yet released by the winery, but a pre-release sample:

2010 Baer Winery Ursa
42% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Franc, 10% Malbec, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon
Columbia Valley

As we move into day two of our four day marathon tasting it’s time to put those running shoes back on and trot down to Madrona Wine Merchants for today’s ALL-DAY (11-5pm) tasting.

What’s on tap that would draw me away from that warm fire?

2011 Salvard Cheverny    ($15)
85% Sauvignon Blanc, 15% Chardonnay
A good crisp Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire that is rounded out by the Chardonnay. Nice grassy and citrus notes.

2010 Vietti Barbera d’Asti Tre Vigne    ($18)
Piedmont
A classic bright red cherry Barbera with integrated acidity and smooth tannins.

2009 Ransom Pinot Noir    ($20)
Light and snappy, with a tangy edge to the red berry and currant flavors, sliding through the finish on a bed of fine tannins. Drink now through 2017. Wine Spectator
Organic

2009 Animale Petite Sirah    ($26)
Yakima Valley
Washington State
Medium-bodied with flavors of ripe plum, berries and dark chocolate.
Unfined and Unfiltered

As we move into day two of our four day marathon tasting it’s time to put those running shoes back on and trot down to Madrona Wine Merchants for today’s ALL-DAY (11-7pm) tasting.

What’s on tap that would draw me away from that warm fire?

NV Alvise Lancieri Prosecco    ($14)
A very crisp Prosecco with good body.
Please note: we will be opening the Prosecco at 2PM so the bubbles don’t de-bubble throughout the day

2009 Kestral Red Table Wine    ($16)
36% Merlot, 24% Syrah, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc and 8% Mourvedre
Ripe dark fruit along with notes of tobacco, dried herbs, cedar, and vanilla.
Normally $22 but on deal for a short while.

2009 Borgo Scopeto Borgonero    ($20)
60% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah
A reserve wine aged for 18-24 months in cask and 8 months in bottle. Very intense, broad, refined and captivating, with notes of leather and tobacco.
Was $34 Now $20

2001 Viña Santurina Gran Reserva    ($30)
90% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano
A still youthful Gran Reserva with lots of well-developed fruit.