Wooden Boxes

Bargain Bordeaux continues this weekend with a pair from Château de Costis.  Not only is it good wine at a price that reminds us of 10 years ago, but for the first folks who order it, it comes in a wood box.  How old school can you get?  Both the Blanc and Rouge are $11 a bottle, but $9 a bottle if you buy a case.  Buy a case and the box can be yours! 
 
Château de Costis sits in the heart of the Entre-Deux-Mers region, in the township of Targon. The soil composition is clay and limestone, with most plantings on Southern slopes. Yes…a “hilly” property in a “low rent” district! Laurent Mazeau runs this familial property with his two children who are now in their 30’s.  It is a single, organically farmed estate.  This is not a chemical-farmed/mass-produced Bordeaux. 
 
2019 Château de Costis Blanc
100% Sauvignon Blanc
This is a zesty staple everyday wine for gulping with gusto through the Fall!.  It has a bright nose, with citrus aromas, typical for the Sauvignon Blanc varietal. Well balanced on the palate with a lot of freshness.
 
2017 Château de Costis Bordeaux Rouge
Fine, dusty tannins give this wine a warm feel. Its rich structure is matched by the ripe blackberry fruits and given a lift by acidity.
 
Still More Mystery
And if you want another type of box wine we still have some Mystery 6 packs at $52  Give your Labor Day weekend some suspense.

It is Labor Day weekend, and what better thing to do than to contemplate the value of these hard working Reds from Bordeaux.  There are worst ways to spend a holiday.  Here is some of our current stock.

2016 Château Andriet Élevé en Fût de Chêne  $12
88% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon
A great entry level Bordeaux hits all the right buttons at a great price.
Was $15 now $12

2018 Château Platon Bordeaux Rouge  $13
65% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec
The vineyard lies on a plateau which is one of the highest points in the Entre-deux-Mers and has an excellent exposition.  The average age of the vines is 40 years and the plant density is 5,000 per hectare.   A classic entry Bordeaux.

2016 Sichel Sirius Bordeaux  $15
60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon
Seriously, the Sirius has toasted notes and jammy fruit.  Ample-bodied  and  succulent,  it  offers  outstanding  balance  with  elegant  tannins,  abundant,  delicious  fruit  and creamily smooth extract with a lingering finish.

2016 Saint-Jacques de Siran, Bordeaux Supérieur   $15
Château Siran dates back to 1428.  At one point in time, it was owned the grandparents of the famous French painter,  Toulouse Lautrec. Their Saint-Jacques cuvée is sourced from a plot adjacent to their Margaux holdings, but outside that appellation and hence much more affordable. This wine is smooth, rich, and beautifully structured.

2016 Château Argadens Bordeaux Superieur  $17
63% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc
The complex and expressive bouquet is a harmonious mixture of dark red fruits aromas and very elegant oaky notes. It is a crisp and sappy wine which offers sweetness and richness on the palate.

2014 Château Lagrange Lussac St. Emilion  $17
The nose is expressive, fresh, with notes of fruit and wood. The mouth is full, structured, on persistent woody notes.

2014 Château Lalande de Gravelong, Médoc  $17
50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc
The vineyards of Lalande de Gravelong are made up of 30-year-old vines planted on it gravel clay soil. The wine has aromas of ripe red fruits, plum and black cherry. Deep and fresh flavors of ripe plum, fruitcake, and black cherries are highlighted by notes of cedar and spice that accent its rich texture and well-integrated tannins.

2009 Château Castegens Grand Bordeaux  $16
80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc
A good everyday Bordeaux with some age on it.  The Château overlooks the Dordogne valley above the village of Castillon-la-Bataille, adjacent to its prestigious neighbor Saint Emilion, only 8 km away.  Notes of ripe fruit and berries (cherries, red and black currants), supplemented with mineral nuances, shades of sweet spices (licorice, cinnamon) and subtle smoky intonations.  Well balanced, juicy, soft fruit flavor with a pleasant hint of vanilla and a long spicy finish.

2007 Chateau Carignan, Cotes De Bordeaux   $18
65% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc
This aged Bordeaux makes a comeback and take a final bow.  A chance to get a developed Bordeaux at a good price.  Was $21 now $18

2015 Château De Roques Puysseguin St Emilion  $19
70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc
Château de Roques remains under the ownership of the Sublett family after 200 years. This wine was released from the cellars deep beneath the Château and its already drinking beautifully – the elegance and complexity are evident, delivering rich red berry fruit integrated with the perfect amount of oak influence.

Current Hours

Wednesday to Sunday
Noon to 4PM

Today we are featuring our selection of wines from Greece.  Often overlooked, these wines offer great value and the surprising difference from these ancient grape varietals.   Here is what we currently stock.

2018 Douloufakis Vidiano   $16
On the Greek island of Crete, Douloufakis’s estate vineyards span over 70 acres. The Cretan variety Vidiano was neglected and almost had become extinct but now is coming back to front stage. The wine has unique tropical fruit and apricot aromas and a palate of creamy tropical fruit and minerals.  Organic

2018 Lyrarakis Legacy White  $15
75% Muscat of Spina, 25% Vidiano
Bright and lively pale yellow color. Mature aromas of grapefruit and stone fruit with a presence of rose petals. Finely balanced with good acidity and plushy finish.

2017 Thymiopoulos Apostolos Alma White  $19
70% Xinomavro, 30% Malagouzia
A very different white made from a red grape (Xinomavro) and a white one (Malagouzia).  The wine has lovely floral notes of Malagouzia but also “something different” as a result of the Xinomavro. The wine is medium bodied with medium to high acidity and a lingering finish.  Biodynamic

2018 Alexakis Assyrtiko  $18
From Crete this Assyrtiko’s bouquet displays aromas of passion fruit, mango and citrus. It has a balanced taste with crispy acidity and a characteristic minerality around the palate and a long and lasting finish.

2018 Santo Santorini  $27
Assyrtiko
The island of Santorini has a 3,500 year tradition in vine cultivation. Santos Assyritiko shows its varietal character, which embraces white flowers, citrus fruits aromas and intense minerality. It is vivid, with full, well-balanced body and distinctive long after taste.

2016 Lyrarakis Legacy Red  $15
50% Kotsifali, 30% Syrah, 20% Mandilari
Ruby red color. Delicate balance highlighted by blueberries, sweet spices and fresh herbs. Rich and soft with fruity flavors, elegant tannins and piquant aftertaste.

2017 Douloufakis Liatiko  $17
From Crete, the Liatiko is a delicious rarity. Medium-bodied and soft but with a tangy cherry edge and a spicy, dried roses and lavender streak, the wine has notes of pleasant potpourri with cinnamon sticks.  Organic

2018 Thymiopoulos Naoussa  Xinomavro
 $17
Complex, typical bouquet of red small fruits, cherry, blackberry, plum. Full mouth, rounded tannins, balanced acidity. Long and pleasant aftertaste. The vineyards are located at Trilofos and Fytia, at southern tip of the appellation of Naoussa.  Biodynamic

Current Hours:

Wednesday to Sunday
Noon to 4PM

We have plenty to choose from–different grapes and different places.  Where do you want to go today?  The back porch in the sunshine.
 
2019 Fratelli Cozza Figlia Della Notte Ramato  $11
Pinot Grigio
Ramato (Italian for “auburn” or “copper”) wines are produced by macerating Pinot Grigio grape must with its skins. The skins’ pink hue give the wines color.  Look for aromas baking spice, dried fruit, tropical fruit and herbs with good structure and tannin.
 
2018 Domaine de la Prébende Beaujolais Rosé  $12
Gamay
From clay and limestone soils this this Beaujolais Rosé from Kermit Lynch is crisp and refresing as well as organic.

2019 Jean-Luc Colombo Cape Bleue Rosé  $13
67% Syrah, 33% Mourvèdre
Soft, delicate pink. Subtle hints of peach, rose petal and pepper on the nose. Dry and complex, with intriguing notes of raspberries, fresh cherry, black olive, and fennel.  A great Rose to enjoy on its own or with a wide range of appetizers, fish, poultry dishes and vegetarian fare
 
2019 Vetriccie Corse Rose  $13
50% Niellucciu, 35% Sciaccarellu, 15% Grenache
The wine jumps out of the glass with aromas of red berries, melon and pomegranate kissed with a touch of wet stone. This rosé is deliciously delicate and washes over the palate with wave after wave of energetic fresh fruit flavors. Perfectly balanced, this wine exhibits a beautiful marriage of fine minerality and elegant acidity.
 
2019 Cantarelle Madam Côtes de Provence Rosé  $15
Grenache, Cinsault
Reveals itself in a glass of light rosé with delicate violet reflections, revealing a floral bouquet with aromas of citrus fruits such as grapefruit, some lime and delicate hints of orange blossom.
 
2019 Jean Orliac Le Loup dans la Bergerie Rosé  $15
60% Syrah, 40% Cinsault
A new Languedoc pink from the Orliac family to round out the Le Loup trio. With crunchy red fruit aromas and an energetic palate, this Southern French rose is as value you can’t turn down.
 
2019 Commanderie de la Bargemone Coteaux d’Aix en Provence  $17
40% Grenache, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah, 10% Cinsault, 5% Rolle
Aromas of wild strawberries and red currants, with a light, floral character and a crisp, bone-dry palate with a complex long finish.
 
2019 La Spinetta Il Rosé di Casanova  $20
Sangiovese
Aromas of sliced peaches, flowers, stones and chalk very complex with full body and round yet agile and dynamic intensity, salty, linear, energetic backbone of acidity, great structure and lovely finish.

Our Current Hours

Wednesday to Sunday
Noon to 4PM

This time of year, some rosés start running out but new ones arrive to replace them.  Here’s a few new arrivals on our shelves.

2019 Fattoria Svetoni, Felice Rosé  $13
Sangiovese
A Tuscan Rosé with an intense bouquet, hints of rose and white violet. Fresh, mineral, round, sapid. Good structure. Persistent finish.

2019 Cantarelle, Madam Côtes de Provence Rosé  $15
Reveals itself in a glass of light rosé with delicate violet reflections, revealing a floral bouquet with aromas of citrus fruits such as grapefruit, some lime and delicate hints of orange blossom.

2019 Zoe, Tree of Life Rosé  $14
70% Agiorghitikiom, 30% Moscofilero
Vibrant and clear on the nose, with aromas of ripe cherries, raspberries, hints of flowers, and rose petal notes. On the palate it has a medium body, moderately high acidity and the slightest suggestion of very ripe tannins. Flavors are consistent with the aromas, with a light sensation of sweet grass and bubble gum.

2019 Illahe, Tempranillo Rosé  $17
The 2019 Illahe Tempranillo Rosé offers fresh aromas of lemon zest, spruce tip, rhubarb, and fleshy watermelon rind. A fresh, bright, and crisp harmonious pallet rounds into juicy honeydew melon and Oregon strawberry finish. Pair with sunshine.  Organic

2019 Cave de la Bouquette, Sancerre Rosé  $22
Pinot Noir
A classic  crisp Sancerre Rosé with layers of citrus, strawberry and rose petal.  Fresh and delicious.

2019 Domaine Tempier, Bandol Rosé  $50
The Bandol Tempier Rosé offers a unique blend of complexity and freshness. It has a fine structure, with no tannin. The high-quality care given to the vines and the diversity of the terroirs produce a flavorful intensity and a strong typicity.

Our Current Hours:

Wednesday-Sunday
Noon-4PM

It is going to get toasty this weekend, but we’re ready.  We have the shop stocked with a bunch of White, Rosé and Bubbles to keep you cool.  We can’t list them all here but if you need a few suggestions, try some of these.
 
Crisp Whites
 
2019 Rezabal. Txakoli Blanco  $15
100% Hondarrabi Zuri
Rezabal is a family-owned winery located in the Basque country of Spain with a vineyard of 22 hectares planted in a traditional high trellis system. Hondarribi Zuri, a white grape variety, displays very bright, refreshing and fruity aromas and benefits from the consistent see breeze blowing in the vineyard daily, bringing great freshness, salinity and acidity to those wines. Naturally fizzy, the wine has aromas of intense fresh citrus fruits and green apple, bright acidity and low alcohol. 10.5% alcohol by volume

2017 Weingut Rudolf May, Trocken Silvaner  $17
Made from young vines from great sites, this is a forward charmer with yellow fruit, some salty mineral flavors and a fresh finish.  Organic  12% alcohol by volume
 
2019 Berticot, Le Petit Berticot  $12
100% Suavignon Blanc
From the Bordeaux Region, this little SB has notes of white flowers nose, minerality, citrus, smooth palate.    12% alcohol by volume
 
Classy Rosé
 
2019 Cave de la Bouquette, Sancerre Rosé  $22
100% Pinot Noir
A classic  crisp Sancerre Rosé with layers of citrus, strawberry and rose petal.  Fresh and delicious.  13.2% alcohol by volume
 
Lighter Reds that are Good with a Slight Chill
 
2016 San Pietro, Schiava  $11
95% Schiava, 5% Lagrein
Simple but appealing on the nose and palate, it offers a lightly spicy raspberry and cranberry scent and tart red-fruit flavor shaped by crisp, food-friendly acidity. It doesn’t seem tannic at first, but some astringency becomes more apparent with subtle red berries and a hint of stony minerality in the long, clean finish. Was $15 now $11  12.5% alcohol by volume
 
2019 Valle Iscaro, Schiava Also Adige  $14
A lighter northen Italian red that is perfect for summer.  Pleasant, fruity aromas characteristic of Schiava.  The flavor is harmonious with light scent of almond.  12.5% alcohol by volume
 
2019 Domaine Fond Croze, Médierranée Red  $25
Grenache, Merlot, Syrah, Caladoc, and Cabernet Sauvigon
A very quaffabvle red blend from a Rhone producer.  Medium-bodied with  well balanced, aromas of black fruit like Morello cherry and blackcurrant, followed by hints of pepper, bell pepper, and rosemary.  3 Liter BIB

2018 FUSO 21, CALX Primitvo $16
From Puglia, this is lighter bodied and fresh. It is ORGANIC, NATURAL, and aged in stainless steel for the truest expression of the grape.   Aromas of cherry, leather, and raspberry give way to fresh violet, plum and blackberry on the tongue. Light enough to enjoy with an ever so slight chill on its own, but firm enough on the finish to make it dreamy for pairings.  Organic  12.5% alcohol by volume

Our current hours:

Wednesday to Sunday
Noon to 4PM

A couple of weeks ago we emailed about some of our new Champagnes (there are a few left if you want them) but you can’t drink Champagne every day.  Here are some more everyday bubbles priced to pop whenever the mood strikes.  Some are new to us, some are old favorites.  All delicious.

2016 Domaine Rosier, Jean Philippe Blanquette de Limoux  $15
Mauzac, Chardonnay, Chenin
Intense perfume of Williams pears and honeysuckle. Lively and full-bodied, as it reaches the mouth, it releases a taste of toasted bread with a hint of honey. All together it is remarkably well balanced, smooth and fresh. Was $20 now $15

Delmas, Cuvée Séduction Brut Rosé  $14
LimouxChardonnay and Chenin juices blended with Pinot Noir aged in barrels eight months.  This Cuvée Séduction – Crémant Rosé will know how to seduce you. Its thin bubbles will highlight its delicately fruity and delicious aromas. With freshness and lightness, its both subtitle and pronounced taste will delight your senses and underscore all the originality of this exceptional Crémant Rosé.
Was $18 now $14

2018 Kir-Yianni, Akakies Sparkling Rose Amyndeon  $15
Xinomavro
The grapes are sourced from the viticultural zone of Agios Panteleimon within the Amyndeon appellation in Florina, Northwestern Greece. The high altitude (600m) and the poor sandy soils of the area lead to the production of wines displaying finesse and a rare aromatic character.  Deep bright rose color. Overabundant bubbles pointing out the wonderful smells of Xinomavro.
Was $20 now $15

Proa Cava Brut Méthode Traditionell  $13
40% Macabeo, 30% Xarel-lo, 30% Parellada
Translucent pale yellow with foamy head effervescence. Nice composition with a quite dry profile, well-balanced and with a rather long refined taste. Pair with shellfish, appetizers and snacks, lean fish, cured meats, or just as an aperitif. 11.5% alcohol by volume

Moutard Pet Mout  $14
Chardonnay
Petillant Naturel, aka “Pet Nat,” is a traditional method of producing sparkling wine where the wine is bottled prior to the completion of primary fermentation.  The bubble is fine, the aromas of citrus fruits, floral and mineral go very well with freshness and elegance in mouth in addition to an acidity which allows balance between aromatic power and softness.  Fun summer wine.

Domaine Saint Vincent Brut  $13
80% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir
Made by Gruet,  the Domain Saint Vincent Brut is a soft yellow-gold, crisp and lively, with a nose of green apple and citrus mineral notes. This well balanced food-friendly sparkler offers bright, crisp acidity complemented by a touch of yeast on the delightfully long finish.

Saint Just Crémant de Loire Brut  $22
80% Chenin, 20% Chardonnay
A rich Cremant with a  fruity nose followed by almond, quince, and pear on the palate. This finish has an elegant creamy texture with long flavors.

Antica Fratta Brut Franciacorta DOCG  $25
90% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Nero
Franciacorta is to Italy what Champagne is to France. The calcareous soils producing complex mineraled wines. The Antica Fratta is blended out of a library of base wines and then aged 2 years in bottle. It is an elegantly fresh, vivacious and full wine characterized by pleasing aromas of fresh fruit, wild blossoms and subtle bread crust.

Our Current Hours:

Wednesday to Sunday
Noon to 4PM

White wines from the Rhône Valley in France make up only a small percentage of the total production and are overshadowed by their red counterparts.  But while production is small the flavor and the quality is great.  Here are a few of the wines we currently have in stock along with a few homages from local wine makers.

2019 Vignobles Des Doms, Côtes du Rhône Blanc  $13
60% Grenache Blanc, 40% Viognier
A balanced CDR Blanc has light floral aromas paired with citrus and white peach.  It’s medium body is kept fresh with come fresh acidity.

2016 Sparkman Cellars,  Apparition $13
75% Roussanne, 12% Grenache Blanc and 13% Marsanne.
This wine is mostly Roussanne (70%), with the balance equal parts Marsanne and Grenache Blanc, with the fruit coming from Olsen and Boushey vineyards. Lemon verbena, grape-nut, peach and apple aromas lead to broad stone-fruit flavors.

2014 Famille Brechet, Plateau Des Chênes, Lirac Blanc  $15
Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Clairette
Plateau des Chênes is the property that Laurent Brechet owns in Lirac (across the river from Château Nuef du Pape) where he makes a range of reds as well as a stunning example of Lirac Blanc. A blend of Grenache Blanc, Roussanne and Clairette, it is an expressively floral and complex wine proving that Lirac is far from the little sister of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.  Was $20 now $15

2017 Jean-Luc Colombo, La Belle du Mai Saint Peray  $20
60% Rousanne, 40% Marsanne
A full Rhone white.  An intense floral and fruity nose with notes of iris, candied fruit and fresh hazelnuts. Full-bodied palate with rich, concentrated flavors of quince, vanilla, and a slight lemon zest.

2018 Domaine de Pentelines, Clara  $22
20% Clairette, 20% Marsanne, 20% Rousanne, 20% Grenache, 20% Ugni Blanc
A Rhone white that rivals many CNDP Blancs.  Savory notes of beer hops, fresh tarragon, and green peaches lift from the glass. The palate offers a creamy mouthfeel and flavors of apricots, grilled apples, and whipped cream that linger through on the long finish.

2017 Tranche, Pape Blanc  $25
32% Viognier, 19% Grenache Blanc, 15% Roussanne, 15% Marsanne, 15% Picpoul, 4% Clarette
Vibrant aromas of white peach and nectarine are complimented by notes of citrus, white flowers, fresh cream and baking spice. The wine is full-bodied and textured on the palate showing a complex evolution of flavors, from cantaloupe, apricot and stone fruit, to honey, macadamia and toasted brioche.

2012 Jaboulet, Ermitage  $39
100% Roussanne
Powerful scents of nectarine, pear nectar and Meyer lemon pick up vanilla, honey and smoky mineral nuances with air. Broad and fleshy on the palate, offering powerful, mineral-laced orchard and pit fruit flavors and refreshingly bitter suggestions of quinine and citrus pith. Minerally and nervy on the penetrating, extremely persistent finish, which leaves behind suave vanilla and pear liqueur notes. This a rare example of a white Hermitage being made exclusively with Roussanne.
Was $80 now $39, only 2 bottles left.

Our reduced hours:

Wednesday to Sunday
Noon to 4PM

There is always a reason to celebrate, sometimes it is a birthday or anniversary, sometimes it is just Thursday.  We have picked up a few good deals on Champagne recently.  Now that is a reason to celebrate.  Check them out.

Liebart Régnier Les Sols Bruns  $36
60% Pinot Meunier, 20% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay
Cellar aged for 3 years with a subtle nose with a predominance of apricot and yellow peach. Delicate menthol, biscuity fragrances add richness with a lively tension from the citrus, predominantly pomelo flavors, this full-bodied wine has a delicate tartness to get your juices flowing. It is multi-layered and full of character.  The dominance of Pinot Meunier means that its fruitiness is already enjoyable, pushing attractive citrus and fresh pineapple flavors forward.
Was $44 now $36
Good availability.

Barnaut Blanc de Noirs Brut Grand Cru  $45
Pinot Noir
Powerful raspberry and tangerine aromas are complicated by gingery spices and fresh flowers, with a suave overlay of chalky minerality. Creamy red berry and orchard fruit flavors show very good depth and are braced by zesty acidity. A weighty but lively Champagne with a long, spicy finish that repeats the floral note.
Was $60 now $45
22 bottles available

Coquillette Carte d’ Ort Brut 1er  $40
66% Pinot Noir, 34% Chardonnay
This fresh and creamy Champagne offers notes of honey graham cracker dust, toast, tangerine blossom, orange, lemon drop and crisp apple. The extremely fine bubbles give it a delicacy and elegant taste.
Was $55 now $40
12 bottles available

Philippe Gonet Extra Brut 3210  $45
Chardonnay
Bright gold. Dried pear, marzipan, honey and lemon pith on the pungent nose. Dry and chewy in texture, offering poached pear and buttered toast flavors braced by a smoky mineral nuance. Shows good power and focus on the persistent, mineral-accented finish, with the butter and honey notes repeating. The blend of richness and energy here will make this a very flexible Champagne at the table.
Was $64 now $45
3 bottles available

2011 Michel Gonet Grand Cru Mesnil Sur Oger  $40
Chardonnay
Opening in the glass with a youthfully reserved bouquet of white currants, citrus oil, warm bread and wet stones, Gonet’s 2011 Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru is full-bodied, deep and tensile, with a racy spine of acidity, a fleshy core and a long, saline finish. Mineral and elegantly austere, this is nonetheless beautifully balanced.
Was $55 Now $40
3 bottles available

Current hours:
Wednesday to Sunday, Noon to 4PM