ANDELUNA MALBEC 2009 MENDOZA, ARGENTINA
$9.95 [#380877]
If you’re reading this newsletter, there’s a
good chance you’ve heard the buzz about
Argentina and the luscious Malbecs of
Mendoza. We’ve fallen hard for these wines,
but the with explosion of Argentine wines
we’ve tasted so many good ones, our
standards have grown higher and higher.
Forgive us, but sometimes we find ourselves
saying, “Meh, another tasty Malbec for ten
bucks, but where are we going to put it...?"
This Andeluna Malbec is a real stand-out in
a category crowded with good wines and it
made our decision easy. Andeluna definitely
has that core of sumptuous and silky fruit
that is essential in a Malbec—long, richly
textured, yet enlivened by bright acidity
and lavish baking-spices. The flavor profile
is a pitch perfect balance between black
fruit and red fruit (for “black fruit” think
flavors like blackberry, mulberry and
currant; for “red fruit” think soft and
pretty Pinot-like flavors of raspberry,
strawberry and pomegranate). The Andeluna
Malbec is bold and beautiful enough to make
us fall in love again. Your teeth may be
black after enjoying a bottle, but we’re
sure you’ll be smiling.
Yalumba
One of Australia's Finest...
...At Hi-Time
we’ve made Yalumba a cornerstone of our
Australia wine selection for many years. The
Hill Smith family produces excellent wines
at all price points—from the tasty “Y
Series” for everyday pleasure, to more
serious wines from the “Barossa” range like
Eden Valley Viognier and Barossa Shiraz-Viognier,
and collectibles like “Signature”
Cabernet-Shiraz and “Octavius” Shiraz. All
the diverse pieces of the story—from the
nursery and the cooperage to the old vines
and deep stewardship of the land—have made
Yalumba a truly great winery.
North America DUMOL
2007 CHARDONNAY RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
The fruit for the Russian River bottling
comes from 6 prized vineyards, including
Dutton Ranch, Heintz, Ritchie, and Hyde.
Yields were a lowly 2 to 3.5 tons per acre,
with vines in the 13 to 39-year range (wow,
that’s old!). The grapes were whole cluster
pressed, barrel fermented with native
yeasts, with only a small portion going
through malolactic fermentation.
ROBERT PARKER 90-93
POINTS
-
“A blend of
different vineyards, their 2007 Chardonnay
Russian River might turn out to be one of
the best Chardonnays they have made under
this moniker. Crisp acids, beautiful lemon
butter notes intermixed with brioche and
orange/nectarine notes are all present in
this full-bodied wine, with the oak pushed
well into the background. This is a beauty
that should drink nicely for 3-4 years.”
World Wines -
Spain Barbadillo palomino fino
JEREZ
Barbadillo is a family-owned business in the
Upper Jerez region in Spain and the largest
producer of Manzanilla in the whole of the Jerez
region. They own 500 hectares of vineyards, have
a rich tradition dating back centuries and,
judging by the outstanding quality of this
little Palomino, have an even brighter future.
Palomino Fino is a grape used mostly in the
production of Sherry. But, it can make an
enjoyable un-fortified wine with the right
touch. What touch is that, you may ask? Aye,
there's the rub. The grape is generally low in
both acidity and sugar, which doesn't affect its
use in Sherry but can make it tricky for making
standard wine from it. The Barbadillo version,
however, stands out. The nose starts with a
light minerality and straw notes and a
beautiful, refined cellared stone fruit essence.
The palate begins crisp with a rush of brisk
acidity balanced with upfront fruit and a light
sweetness in the background. Flavors of Asian
pear blend with a mélange of stone/orchard
fruits. The mouthfeel is rounded but not fat.
All in all, a very tasty, versatile white at a
great price that will work wonders solo or pair
with clean, simple dishes (cheeses, white meats,
pork, fish, etc.).
France -
Laissez les bons
vins continuent! DOMAINE FONTSAINTE
2009 CORBIERES ROSÉ
GRIS DE GRIS
A crystalline salmon
color with superb
amethyst tints. Fine
separate legs run
slowly down the
glass. Nose:
Expressive and
particularly tonic,
the wine immediately
gives off notes of
raspberry, cherry
and freshly picked
strawberries -
followed by exotic
aromas such as
pineapple and mango.
Palate: A direct and
considerable
freshness - the
density and richness
of the fruit mingle
with the superb acid
vitality giving a
wine with a frisson
and a magnificent
persistency. In
summary: Stunningly
balanced, this is an
extremely appetent
wine! Ideal as an
aperitif with toast
and crushed olives,
or with wok-fried
vegetables and
garlic mayonnaise,
grilled fish, lamb
tajine, finely
roasted guinea-fowl
with rosemary...
Champagne & Sparkling Wine LE
MESNIL BRUT BLANC DE BLANCS GRAND CRU
We introduced this co-op-produced Champagne
from the famed Côte des Blancs village of
Mesnil-sur-Oger about 18 months ago and
quickly sold it out. That Champagne was
fashioned entirely from 2002 Chardonnay
juice, while this successor is mostly drawn
from the 2004 and 2005 vintages. If
anything, this sequel surpasses the 2002 as
it represents a richer, more mouth-filling
expression of Le Mesnil’s noble terroir. One
of the unique aspects of Le Mesnil
Champagnes is that the vineyards of the
village are planted with a special clone of
Chardonnay that is noted for its pronounced
apple-like varietal flavor and for its
penetrating perfume. This Blanc de Blancs
honors its noble origins by offering up
billowing aromas of wisteria and apple
blossoms followed by vibrant tastes of
pippin apples and bosc pears interlaced with
inflections of chalk and lemon meringue. A
deliciously authoritative aperitif that
works well with or without food.
World Wines
- Italy BRESSAN MASTRI VINAI 2003 VERDUZZO FRIULANO
Closely-related
to the Verduzzo Giallo used in Friuli’s great
sweet wine, Ramandolo, this wine, from Verduzzo
Friulano, is completely dry. Offering up an
incredibly complex bouquet of apricots,
paraffin, citrus zest, lanolin, sea-salt and
oyster shell supported by a nuanced touch of
almond oil and sandalwood from a little time in
old Slavonian casks, this is a white vin de
garde that will actually improve for another
10-15 years in the bottle. Quite unlike the
squeaky-clean, stainless-steel fermented whites
that Friuli has become known for, this is a
monumental example of the old-style approach.
Try it with a dish of sautéed scallops or a few
slices of Prosciutto di San Daniele. Limited.
$21.98750ml [380049]
Click HERE for more World
Wines!
Called the Cognac of rums, Rhum Barbancourt
Estate Reserve is made directly from
hand-cut, locally grown, fresh-pressed sugar
cane juice and then aged 15 years. Selected
from the family’s private stock, only a
limited quantity is released each year.
Leading aromas of straw, cane syrup, tea,
honey, caramel, dried peaches, almond and
oak are elegant and inviting. The palate
reveals toasty oak, toffee, macadamia nut
and cinnamon in an oily, smooth divulgence
that lingers to reveal stewed fruits. The
finish is a soft, mellow and recherche
display of all of these flavors. This Rhum
is unbelievably good, have it neat.
To plump up the palate and body of this
lovely sake Chikurin adds a small percentage
of aged sake (called Koshu) in-- with
fantastic results. The name, Fukamari, means
‘depth’ and that name is completely
appropriate. The supple aromas begin with
luscious creamy rice, delicate tones of
apricot and fruit blossoms. These pleasant
scents are lithe and inviting. The flavors
are relaxed and soft leading with rice milk
and evolving to imply peaches, plum and wild
strawberries. This sake is so versatile,
serve it cool or warm, as a perfect
compliment to dry cheeses, salami or grilled
meat.
De Proef
Brewmaster's Collection Monstre Rogue 750ml $15.96
In 1996 highly regarded brewing engineer and professor, Dirk
Naudts, created De Proef Brouwerij in the village of Lochristi,
near the historic city of Gent, Belgium. The ultra-scientific
brewery blends modern equipment and technologies with
traditional brewing methods. Each beer is crafted in an 11
hectolitre (9 U.S. barrel) brewhouse that Michael Jackson once
described as "the ultimate toy for the aspiring homebrewer."
The flexible nature of the brewery enables Naudts to create an
impressive range of traditional and not so traditional ales. His
ability to design and brew unique products is showcased in the
De Proef Brewmaster's Collection.
Click
HERE to see the brews from De Proef Brouwerij
