Ledgewood Creek GSM

The first Ledgewood Creek GSM is the essence of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre. It is highly flavorful yet very approachable. The unique character of Grenache and lush flavors of Syrah are balanced by straight-forward fruit from the Mourvedre. The wine was aged for fifteen months in predominantly French oak. It has moderate acid levels with soft, balanced tannins. Its mouth-filling flavors lead to a strong lingering finish. This wine has distinct red cherry and plum characteristics. It is immediately pleasing and highly adaptable as a complement to virtually all food. 

Doamine de la Terre Rouge Tete-a-Tete

According to Robert Parker: "The 2004 GSM Tete-a-Tete is a southern France Cotes du Rhone look-alike made from Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre. Attractive loamy soil, pepper, resin, and black cherry notes are found in this ripe, medium-bodied, bargain-priced red. Enjoy it over the next 1-3 years."

Quota 29 Primitivo

Quota 29‘s vineyard rises 29 meters above the Mediterranean Sea to catch the warm summer sunshine and fresh sea air. This vineyard produces a Primitivo that is big and juicy on the nose with smoky blackberry flavors on the long full finish. This is a fat and ripe red wine that delivers the warm Italian sea shore to your dinner table.

2006 PicniQue Sauvignon Blanc

2006 was hailed as an exceptionally fine vintage in Northern California. Grape complexity develops with time on the vine. Suisun Valley experienced an unusually long growing season in 2006 that was ideal for extended development of aromas and flavors. Warm temperatures in February and March pushed the vines toward an early bud-break which was later followed by cool, rainy conditions which retarded growth and lasted through mid-June. This early cool pattern was followed by an equally cool summer with only one spike of hot weather in August. The hallmark of the season was the long and warm harvest period which allowed wine grapes to reach full maturity and develop distinct varietal character. Optimal conditions in the Suisun Valley contributed to a generous crop for most varieties and fruit of outstanding quality.

2005 Paraiso Chardonnay

Trademark top-flight Monterey County Chardonnay: rich tropical fruit allied to a creamy mouthfeel and toasty oak and vanilla nuances - all balanced by refreshing acidity. Excellent with richly-sauced poultry and seafood dishes. Gold Medal - West Coast Wine Competition.

Livon Pinot Grigio

Already having achieved a great reputation, Tonino and Valneo Livon continued to search for a higher quality wine. After observations and studies throughout Italy, Germany, France and the United States, combined with studies at the University of Udine, they decided to completely alter part of the vineyards their father had created. As you can imagine, people thought they were crazy. Years of testing were required to determine the effects of different soils, elevations, pruning techniques and a multitude of variables on the grapes and ultimately on the wine. Ancient traditions were not forgotten, as they were used to determine the clones of varietals to be used. They went so far as to even reintroduce indigenous vegetation, long gone, next to the vineyards. The result is a line of wines which are of excellent quality and structure.

Small Vineyards Have Arrived!!!

Small Vineyards' wines represent the anti-corporate model and are great works of art.  They use their  vineyards to create their finest pieces of art with their name on the bottle.  You may ask why they do it?  They do it to empower wine drinkers of all levels to enjoy classic Italian wines that demonstrate the true Italian terroir and beauty.  This week's mega email special encompasses one of these wines (Giuseppe Lonardi Valpolicella Classico 2006) and the rest must be experienced!!

Giuseppe Lonardi-Valpolicella Classico

-Mega email special price-$9.99 (thru 4/12)

1100 CASES PRODUCED; Even though they are Veneto’s three most important red varietals, few outside of
Europe have ever heard of the outstanding Corvina, Rondinella, or Molinara grapes. Classically, they are a
delightfully “dusty” palate of dried strawberries, cranberries, even the bittersweet of rhubarb. Glycerin levels
are modest, giving the wine a refreshing composition that is perfect for spicy, warm-weather foods. An
everyday favorite in and around Venice, it is great with seafood, as well.

Fattoria Capannacce-Rosso della Maremma (Super Tuscan)

-Sale $15.99 (while quantities last)

2000 CASES PRODUCED; The Maremma region is THE hot region in Tuscany, and this Rosso della
Maremma is a perfect example of why it’s so respected. The New York Times boasted it as a great buy, and
we couldn’t agree more. This Supertuscan from Capannacce is aged 14 months in French barriques, and is
made with an unprecedented, beautiful blend featuring Sangiovese, Syrah, and Grenache! Beautifully
balanced, excellent fruit, slightly dry finish with ample mid-palate. Very popular wine.

Forte Canto-Rosato

-Sale $9.99 (while quantities last)

1700 CASES PRODUCED; A robust rosato, almost a chiaretto, this dark, lushly pink wine tickles the nose
with strawberries, rose water and cassis. Because it is made from the the powerful, highly pigmented
Negromaro grape from Puglia, this is a medium-bodied off-white wine that retains a lovely, staunch acidity
that does not ever fully give in to sweetness. An ideal glass for those who miss their red wines on a hot
summer day, or for those who love a full white wine flavor, but enjoy a beautiful whisp of color.

Fattoria Bibbiani-Poggio Vignoso Chianti D.O.C.G.

-Sale $10.99 (while quantities last)

2800 CASES PRODUCED; Bibbiani's "wine of the people". Poggio Vignoso is a simple, delightful food wine
that can be enjoyed with virtually anything. A remarkable value! Surprisingly firm, and admirably balanced,
with intense dried cherries and floral notes. A best seller.

Ronco della Rocca-Rocca Pinot Grigio IGT

-Sale $11.99 (while quantities last)

4000 CASES PRODUCED; When at its very best, Pinot Grigio can absolutely delight the palate, giving the
sensation of sipping lively citrus and white blossoms through crushed granite. Rocca’s Pinot Grigio, made by
local icon Gianni Maccari, offers a clean slate of minerals only possible in the Colli Orientali zone of Friuli --
perhaps the best place on the planet for Pinot Grigio. Emboldened by very dense vine plantings and the
passion of a hands-on family that picks every grape by hand, Rocca Pinot Grigio is a beautiful expression of
Italy’s most famous white wine, and a remarkable value for Friuli.

Antonio Sanguineti-Nessun Dorma (Super Tuscan)

-Sale $14.99 (while quantities last)

2000 CASES PRODUCED; “Nessun Dorma” is the favorite aria of “Il Maestro” Antonio Sanguineti, and this
wine is one of our favorite accessible, friendly blends. With vines carefully selected from all around Toscana,
including Sangiovese from Capraia e Limite (Montalbano), Merlot from Gavorrano (Grosseto), and Syrah from
Suvereto (Livorno), the Maestro has made a true “Super Tuscan”. The Merlot is intensely floral and elegant,
while the Sangiovese is fresh and bright. The Syrah adds depth and body, offering a bold expression of
forest-floor truffle, ripe cherry and blackberry preserves.

Casa do Valle Arinto

This 100% Arinto wine is light and crisp with lemon and lime notes and a mineral finish. A perfect accompaniment to seafood dishes such as ceviche and those with some spice.

Domaine du Tremblay Quincy

Domaine du Tremblay Quincy is a beautiful expression of the wonderful sauvignon blanc wines of this mid-Loire appellation. This is a particularly fine example with restrained fruit and acidity but deep, mouth-filling flavor that lingers long on the palate. While Quincy may not be as famous as Sancerre, there are some very smart wines produced here which sell at lower prices than their better known cousins.

Horse Play Rollicking Red

Inspired by the free-spirited playfulness of wild horses – among the world’s most magnificent and noble creatures – they engaged in a little horseplay in the winery to create Rollicking Red, an artful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. Robust, yet graceful, exuberant, yet elegant, its rich, smooth flavors run free and easy.

El Malbec de Ricardo Santos

This exceptional wine is from the single vineyard La Madras, on the slopes of the Andes Mountains in Argentina at an altitude of 2,800 feet, allowing for a temperate Continental climate.

Automoto Cabernet Sauvignon

This plushly upholstered California Cabernet was assembled from a blend of choice North and Central Coast grapes. Dark, smoky fruit tones, with fragrant coffee and mocha scents, strap you in; rich blackberry and blackcurrant fruit flavors transport you; and a long, supple finish brings you home in style.

Chateau Bianca 2007 Riesling

This wine offers vibrant aromas of apricots, tangerines, and finally peaches. There is lightness to the wine that is very refreshing. Strong acidity combined with a slightly sweet undertone would help to make this an ideal food partner. The citrus aromas and flavors dominate the wine and compel the taster to want to take a second sip. Destined to become a personal and crowd favorite.