by Jim Lannen
Our seasonal wine meeting just occurred, and the result is some great new wines to share with you! During these meetings, we typically review our current list and attempt to bring in new wines that are both amazing in taste and a value to our customers. This happens about twice a year, and it is a LOT of work tasting all these fantastic wines (wink, wink)!
The recent meeting required us to bring in some more "traditional" varietals. Our selection of cabernets and pinot noirs had grown a little thin. However, there are still a few that we stray from the traditional. With that, we are happy to introduce some different and exciting additions to our list.
Cheers!
#337 Elk Cove Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, Oregon - 13% ABV
This is a great pinot gris. Fresh apricot, comice pear and ginger generously introduce a full palate of luscious white peach and honeydew melon.
#338 Le Monde Pinot Grigio, Italy - 13% ABV
Both the nose and the palate display flowers and minerals – influenced by the stony profile of the vineyard. It has a good structure and is nicely textured.
#463 Argiolas Costamolino, Italy - 14% ABV
This is a bright, crisp white wine made from 95% Vermentino and 5% other Sardinian varietals. The grapes for this wine were vinified in stainless steel tanks to preserve their fresh, aromatic qualities.
#464 Mastroberardino Christi del Vesuvi, Italy - 12.5% ABV
Translates as "tears of Christ." Made from 100% Coda di Volpe grapes grown in volcanic soil, this wine is treated in stainless steel to preserve its unique profile. Straw-yellow in color, this wine contains hints of pineapple, white peach and licorice.
#554 Double Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington - 13.7% ABV
Full bodied red with mix of fresh ripe red and black plum, intermingled with hints of dried red cherry. The addition of Syrah leads to a full and rich texture on the mid-palate, further accented by luscious blackberry notes supplied by the Malbec and bright acidity from the Petit Verdot.
#555 Gravel Bar Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Washington - 14.5% ABV
Complex mocha and espresso nose. The palate expresses minerality, dark cranberry, stone and spicy leather. Not a fruity Cab. A well-thought of balance of berry and rock. Medium palate and medium to long finish.
#556 Tilia Bonarda, Mendoza, Argentina - 13% ABV
The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and very good weight. Bonarda is the 2nd most grown grape in Argentina. They consider it too good to share with the rest of the world.
#646 J. Bookwalter Foreshadow Merlot, Columbia Valley - 14.9% ABV
Deep ruby red-black color. Ripe rich fruit with showy inviting oak aromas. 92% Merlot, 5% Syrah, 3% Cabernet Franc. Great merlot. This was my favorite from the tasting.
#742 Mt. Beautiful Pinot Noir, New Zealand 13% ABV
It begins with sophisticated fragrances of black cherries and violets with a palate of ripe fruit and subtle tannins.
#743 Elouan Pinot Noir, Oregon - 13.7% ABV
This will be the next Meomi our wine guys say. It is a blending of the top Pinot Noir regions together for a richer, more complex style than what you could achieve by sourcing from one small area. In this instance, the grapes are grown in the great Oregon Valleys of Willamette, Umpqua and Rogue. The diversity of these cool climate areas elongates the growing season, developing intense structure, while maintaining a vibrant acidity to differentiate it from any California Pinot Noir.
#744 Leyda Pinot Noir, Chile - 14.5% ABV
An expressive and fruit driven, cold climate style of Pinot Noir, it showcases red acid fruit together with spiciness and floral notes. In the mouth, it is fruity, juicy and fresh with good acidity. The tannins are soft, sweet and well rounded.
#745 Martin Ray Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, California - 14.1% ABV
100% Pinot Noir aged for 9 months in French oak. This Russian River Valley red offers bright red cranberry, cherry and raspberry, sweet cream, vanilla, toffee and oak character with silky texture and a long finish.
#803 Catena Malbec, Argentina -13.5% ABV
Deep violet color, intense aromas, a soft texture and a concentrated flavor. Deep aromas of ripe red and dark fruits are joined by delicate violet and lavender notes with traces of vanilla and mocha.
#804 Marietta Old Vine Red Lot 62, California 13.5% ABV
Ripe, juicy fruit and a lush mouth feel are the hallmarks of Old Vine Red. Peppery spice and dusty earth add an extra level of richness. Moderate but focused tannins. This is a blend of Zinfandel, Carignane, Petite Sirah, Syrah and a few other varietals.
#805 Buenas Tempranillo, Spain - 13% ABV
Tempranillo displays rich, black cherry aromas and lush flavors of plum and spice on the palate with subtle vanilla notes from three months of oak aging. Medium-bodied with balanced acidity, with a smooth finish.
#806 Seghesio Zinfandel, Sonoma - 14.8% ABV
Every year, Seghesio brings in approximately 35 lots of Zinfandel averaging 25-30 years in age. The best of these lots are selected to make Sonoma Zinfandel. A small amount of Petite Sirah is blended in the wine for added complexity. The result is a tantalizing black raspberry red wine, full-bodied red.
#807 Perez Cruz Carmenere, Chile - 14% ABV
Aromatic and dark fruit, well balanced with a smooth finish. Carmenere is the most popular varietal in Chile and is known for having a dark crimson color with a medium to full body.
