DOMAINE ALFRED 2006 “GOSS CREEK”
CENTRAL COAST CHARDONNAY
$7.99 [#216000]
(ORIGINAL PRICE $17.99)
We
were going to top our list of “Summer
Whites” with this beauty, as it was a nice
buy at $17.99. However, when the price
dropped to $7.99, it was a complete
“no-brainer” and we just couldn’t deny its
rightful place as July’s Wine of the Month!
Everybody from each department agrees that
this wine has something for everybody!
Domaine
Alfred’s vineyards were some of the oldest
in Central California’s Edna Valley. The
vineyard was replanted in the 1990s and
these wines have not skipped a beat. Their
wines have even been placed on Wine
Spectator’s
Top 100 list! The 2006 vintage produced
clusters with low natural yields, coupled
with slow, consistent ripening, resulting in
fruit with great intensity, showing both
brilliant freshness and exceptional balance.
This Chardonnay was fermented in both
stainless steel and in barrel, with only 30%
of the juice going through malolactic
fermentation.
What
you get is an elegant wine with a lovely
straw-gold color, and aromas of flowers,
almond, apple blossoms, white peaches and a
whiff of oak. One sip, and you’ll see that
these aromas follow through and are joined
by flavors of pear, melon, a hint of
tropical fruit and a touch of butter cream,
balanced by lovely acidity. This wine
performs a balancing act with California on
one side, and Burgundy on the other…and it
doesn’t even need a net! It’s rich enough to
drink on its own, yet vibrant enough to pair
with fish, chicken, soups and other foods.
In short, it’s delicious; drink it!
CHEESE of the Month
Bellweather Farms “Carmody”
Cow’s milk
Bellweather Farms is a family-owned and
-operated “Artisan-Creamery” located in
Sonoma, California. They make cheeses from
their own “Estate” pastures in which no
pesticides or artificial fertilizers are
used. Health and happiness for their goats,
cows and sheep is stressed in order to
promote richer milk for optimum cheese
making. Carmody, named for the road running
adjacent to the farm, is a cheese designed
to showcase the buttery flavors of Jersey
milk. It serves as an alternative to young
jacks and cheddar that dominate the market.
This recipe was derived from an Italian
Pecorino recipe, mild and creamy yet still
has a great deal of fresh milk flavors.
Winery
of the Month
Summer Whites - White
Wines for Warm Weather Happy
July! Generally the warmest month in the
Northern Hemisphere, July is a great month
for relaxation, poolside lounging,
vacations, staycations and backyard
barbecues. And when the warm weather hits,
white wines come into their own as they
can cool us down, pair well with summer
foods and generally liven up just about
any social gathering or private affair. We
decided to do another communal cover with
all of our various wine departments coming
together to highlight their favorite wines
with a range of grapes, flavors and
prices. This approach lets us blend our
voices into a chorus, singing the praises
(in tune, we hope!) of each region's
varietals and varieties. We invite you to
partake!
Orange County Fair
Gold Medal Wines
It's that time of year again, when the
Orange County Fair Commercial Wine
Competition takes center stage. It's
the largest competition in the world
solely for California wines and each year
we see a bounty of great wines from both
familiar names and newcomers to the Fair.
In any case, this is a clarion call to
announce: "Summer's Here!"
North America AU BON CLIMAT 2007 SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
CHARDONNAY WINE SPECTATOR 91 POINTS
-
“Crisp and tightly wound, with sleek
pineapple, melon and green apple notes that are
firm, focused and full-bodied. This is most
impressive on the finish, where the flavors are
juicy.”
California opulence meets classical
structure; yes clichéd as it sounds, this is the
best of both worlds. With buttery notes over
tropical fruit with restraint and elegance, this
is a bargain that cannot be ignored.
We challenge you to find California
Chardonnay this good, at this price.
France - Vintage Report CôTES DU RHôNE 2007 “CUVéE GABRIELLE” DOMAINE
GRAND BOIS
Yet another “hot and heavy” Côtes du Rhône from
the landmark 2007 vintage has arrived. “Cuvée
Gabrielle” prefaces a dark palate of ripe plum
and black cherry with a scintillating nose of
allspice, violets and floral potpourri. It’s
simply amazing how much wine is here for the
price. This captivating little number possesses
unlimited potential for a “house red” that’s
suitable for backyard grilling and BBQ as well
as enjoyable quaffing with friends and
neighbors.
France - Champagne of
the Month
THE MIND BOGGLING CHAMPAGNES
OF ANDRE BEAUFORT
“Here
is a grower out of the
ordinary! With Beaufort you
get not neutrality but an
exalted, aromatic Pinot
Noir, whether from Ambonnay
or the l’Aube. The natural
expression of his wines will
remind older fans of the
incomparable Champagne that
prevailed before the
adoption of industrial
agriculture…”
–Le
Grand Guide des Vins de
France
After many years seeking out
the best that Champagne has
to offer, we thought that we
knew all the region’s
quality super stars, that
is, until we tasted these
gems from Jacques Beaufort.
The individuality and flavor
excitement of these Andre
Beaufort Champagnes is
simply unsurpassed by
anything in our experience.
These cuvees are not mere
“discoveries” but are rather
“revelations” of the heights
that artisinal Champagne can
achieve. It so happens that
Beaufort is a recluse with
little interest in
self-promotion so his
creations have remained
unknown in this country
until this past May when
Antonio Galloni, of the
Wine Advocate, gave the
lineup an in depth and
highly positive review....
World Wines - Germany &
Txakoli/na HEXAMER 2007 SPÄTLESE *** “MEDDERSHEIMER RHEINGRAFENBERG” “Floral,
peach and tangerine flavors are vivid and long,
thanks to the vibrant structure. A little more
racy and concentrated than the 2-star and
greater potential in the long run. Best from
2010 through 2027.” (WS93)
$39.95
[328006]
GORRONDONA 2008
TINTO, DO BIZKAIKO TXAKOLINA
A very rare red Txakoli made from 100%
Hondarribi Beltza, the Gorrondona Tinto is a
distinctive wine with aromas of peppers, spices
and red fruit. The palate displays flavors of
crushed minerals with medium tannins that yield
a bright and refreshing finish. Best served with
cheese, grilled sausages, lamb or beef dishes.
Spirits
CLEMENT VSOP RHUM Clément
VSOP Rhum Agricole begins as fresh sugar
cane juice which is fermented, masterfully
distilled, rested and then aged for over a
year in small, new French oak Barrels--
only to be moved into Bourbon Barrels for
more than 3 years of additional extensive
aging-- the results are amazing. The
scents include: baked banana, chocolate
milk, grilled pineapple, cryptic spice,
creamy coconut and nuts with dried
tropical fruit. The flavor follows suit
but in a more focused manner. It has a
medium body replete with delicate
restatements of exotic fruits baked into
flaky pastries, crowned with
créme anglaise with
temerarious peppery piquance to keep the
palate spirited. It ends with a honied,
dynamic dalliance that intrigues over and
over again. Enjoy neat or in an
exceptional drink.
Gift Baskets Tequila Basket!
All the fixings you need for the next perfect
margarita! Milagro Silver Tequila, Milagro
Agave Nectar, Stirrings Rimmer, Snakebite
Salsa, Have'A corn chips, Cocktail Napkins,
Organic Dark Chocolate, Recipe for Milagro
Margarita. Available in-store or online!
Deep amber copper color. Buttery
peanut brittle, orange blossom tea aromas follow
through to a rich chewy and fruity full body
with nice notes of caramel drizzled dried
apricot and roasted grains and spice. Finishes
with a long, tangy grilled grapefruit and
chocolate fade. Double Dead Guy Ale is an
evolution of Dead Guy Ale, the award winning
maibock that has won 25 awards for product and
packaging since its introduction in 1993.
After many years seeking out
the best that Champagne has
to offer, we thought that we
knew all the region’s
quality super stars, that
is, until we tasted these
gems from Jacques Beaufort.
The individuality and flavor
excitement of these Andre
Beaufort Champagnes is
simply unsurpassed by
anything in our experience.
These cuvees are not mere
“discoveries” but are rather
“revelations” of the heights
that artisinal Champagne can
achieve. It so happens that
Beaufort is a recluse with
little interest in
self-promotion so his
creations have remained
unknown in this country
until this past May when
Antonio Galloni, of the
Wine Advocate, gave the
lineup an in depth and
highly positive review....
Tequila Basket!
