World Wine

POUILLY FUMÈ 2005 “CHAMPS DE CRI” MARC DESCHAMPS $21.95 [#309996]  
It’s 2005! It was a great year for France’s Loire Valley! And with that we welcome back one of our favorite white wines! We love this cuvee from Marc Deschamps and buy it regularly! The 2005 is a complete success in delivering nervy, brightly acidic Sauvignon Blanc perfect for seafood or shellfish dishes of any kind as well as grilled chicken or pork. Fermented stainless steel (100%) with just a touch of used oak, the wine is crisp and clean with superb delineation of fruit that captures nice nuances of wet stone, herbed butter, chervil and lemon grass. Oysters on the half shell anyone?

CONO SUR 2007 “VISION SERIES” VIOGNIER (CHILE) $11.99 [#380121]  
Building upon the success of last year’s edition, Cono Sur is back on the shelves again with a knock-out Viognier that’s perfect for outdoor patio and poolside dining. This very well-done Viognier provides a fruit bowl of mixed yellow peach, dried apricot and nectarine essence to the palate nuanced with hints of mango, tangelo and spice. Despite all of its fruit lushness, Cono Sur exhibits remarkable restraint and balance in the glass with an under swelling of refreshing acidity that keep you coming back for more.

COTES DE VENTOUX BLANC 2006 DOMAINE FENOUILLET $12.95 [#309995]  
This wine was kind of a revelation for us in that it’s the first white wine from CÙtes de Ventoux that we’ve ever encountered. Blended, predominantly, from Grenache Blanc, this, too, is fermented in stainless steel to impart a crisp cut that captures sundry flavors of tropical melon, Granny Smith apple, white pear and quince accented deftly with hints of lime, gravel and salty stone. Perfectly refreshing as a delightful aperitif, this wine shows great potential as a light appetizer wine perfect for shrimp or snackies of any kind.

ALBARINO 2006 “LICIA” RIAS BAIXAS (SPAIN) $13.95 [#380441]  
People are definitely discovering Albarino as it has become an increasingly popular staple of our Spanish wine section. This particular rendition comes from a new estate we’ve added to our shelves and it should make friends and influence people at this price point. The wine leads off with an exotic nose of mixed floral followed by a pastel fruit pastiche of white peach, papaya and cactus flower. Sundry nuances of white pear and mixed tropical provide additional subtle complexity to this amazing gem that finishes with a succinct minerality and refreshing, lively acidity.

CHATEAU MARTINON 2006 ENTRE-DEUX-MERS $10.95 [#308880]  
The task of finding good white Bordeaux is a difficult one in that there’s a veritable ocean of Bordeaux Blanc out there, most of which can only be best described as wet and white. So when we were able to taste this superb bargain from Entre-Deux-Mers, we jumped all over it! Martinon delivers a superb delineation of Sauvignon fruit accenting lemon-lime, wet stone and fresh rain. Crisp, clean and delightfully delicious, we can’t recommend highly enough this value-priced gem that delivers way beyond its price point!

PALAZZONE 2206 ORVIETO “TERRE VINEATE” $9.98 [#301625]  
There are only a few great producers of Orvieto and Giovanni Dubini of Palazzone is one of them. This well-priced gem is a blend of the classic white varietals of the zone and offers fresh aromas of minerals, hazelnut and white flowers and a medium-bodied palate with a fresh crisp finish. We recommend pairing this with lighter pasta and rice dishes or with white meats and fish. Here’s a serious value white that definitely outshines its price point.

CAVALCHINA 2006 BIANCO DI CUSTOZA $15.98 [#302775]  
Bianco di Custoza is produced in near Lake Garda in Italy’s Veneto region and is most likely named after the battle of Custoza (1866) which was part of the War of Independence of the 19th Century. It’s our opinion that Cavalchina is one of the top producers here and their wonderful regional white is often overlooked or simply unknown to many. The wine is produced from Trebbiano, Garganega and Fernanda grapes that make a wonderfully crisp and refreshing quaff with delicious notes of green apple, melon and mineral. This is a versatile white that is especially good when chilled and served on a hot afternoon or at your next picnic or backyard barbecue.

WEINGUT NIKLAS 2006 KERNER $19.98 [#301183]  
Kerner is not well known here in the US but it has become a very successful white varietal in Italy’s Alto Adige region. Winemaker Dieter Solva has established himself of late among the better young winemakers of the region and produces one of the very best examples of Kerner. This classy white was recently described as vivid and minerally with a delightful herbal quality and blessed with impressive acidity and freshness. It offers a medium palate weight and is intriguing from start to finish. A sleeper that’s sure to please those looking for an excellent new find or anyone who appreciates outstanding regional white wines.

ETTORE GERMANO 2006 RIESLING $26.98 [#302759] 
World class Riesling from Italy? That’s what we remarked when first offered this impressive new release. Several years ago Sergio Germano planted Riesling vines on a parcel in the Alta Langhe (southernmost section of Piemonte) that he rented from a local farmer and the result is this rare gem. At first whiff, the wine reminded us of the best Clare Valley (Australia) Rieslings yet we were blown away by the palate. This is a dry Riesling with a stunning mid-palate punch of intense lime and mineral flavors and a long, zesty finish thanks to some ample acidity. Fans of German wines will especially not want to miss this one. A real treat from Italia.

Spain

Vinos Sin-Ley GRA-2 Graciano 2006 Rioja $12.95 [#380412]   
This limited offering is not to be missed. A 100% Graciano from Rioja that's under 15 dollars? Are you kidding me? The wine made by the talented David Sampedro from old-vine Graciano (a grape normally used for blending or for high dollar bottlings) is opaque purple in color. Blueberry, blackberry, ripe and pure yet backed by refreshing acidity, this mineral- and spice-infused wine has amazing depth and concentration for the price. This wine is made for grilled meats so dust off the BBQ and pop the cork. Very limited. Parker 90 Points.

Vinos Sin-Ley m5 2006 Yecla $13.95 [#380418]   
This wine is 100% Monestrell from the D.O. Yecla. This region can be summed up in two words: high and dry. The vineyards are at 2,300 ft in altitude and receive only about 13 inches of rain per year resulting in very low yields (4lbs per vine). The wine itself is has a dark ruby color to it with a nose of smoke, kirsch, blueberry and minerals. There is a lot of fruit here, but it has a freshness to it that keeps it balanced and honest. The finish is long and complete. Limited bottling! Parker 90 points.

Barrahonda Monestrell 2006 Yecla $11.99 [#380428]    
100% Monestrell from vines ranging 20-120 years in age!! This wine is the true expression of Monestrell from Spain. Today a Bandol will rip about 35 dollars from your wallet so to say this is a value is a major understatement. The wine itself is dark ruby-colored with sweet fruit full of blueberry and mineral flavors. The wine is raised in stainless steel so there are no hard edges here at all, just pure fruit flavors and complete enjoyment at a great price. Case price: $10.99 per bottle.

Torremoron 2006 Ribera del Duero $10.99 [#377771]   
This has been a staff favorite since we brought it in a few years ago. The wine is a true expression of Ribera del Duero. The grapes (100% Tempranillo) come from these gnarly looking, low-trained, head-pruned, old vines that are 60 to 120 years in age. These are the kind of grapes that usually find their way into some of the top wines in the region. The wine is ruby red in color with wild berry, raspberry, cherry and an amazing exotic perfume. There is some great concentration here as well and a along juicy finish. Parker 90 Points.

Dingus Bodegas Vina Magana 2004 Navarra $14.95 [#380427]   
The 2004 Dingus is made from 50% Tempranillo, 25% Merlot and 25% Cabernet aged in 50% new French oak for 12 months. Magana has been making wine since the 1970s and is considered the quality winemaking pioneer of Navarra. The vineyards are estate-owned and planted with old vines that are rich in minerals and deep-rooted, which is expressed in the wine's depth. This is a modern style of Spanish wine, yet it displays a grace and elegance that is hard to find these days. The finish is silky smooth. This wine is an excellent value and will go head-to-head with any 30-dollar California Cabernet.

JOSE PALACIOS 2006 PETALOS $19.99 [#380113]    
Alvaro Palacios, who has achieved worldwide fame with “L’Ermita” and “Finca Dofi,” believes in the distinctive terroirs, incredibly steep hillsides and, most importantly, ancient vineyards of Mencia. He wanted pioneer making great Mencia from this new DO Bierzo. The 2006 Petalos has achieved that, coming from 60- to 100-year-old Mencia vines. Fragarant aromas of violet, lavender, mulberry and blueberry lead to a palate rife with rich supple fruit that shows great structure due to the cool climate of Bierzo. It's beautifully crafted with only a few weeks in new French oak, followed by 6-10 months in 2nd and 3rd passage barrels. Parker 91 Points.

ViZcarra Roble 2006 Ribera del Duero $15.99 [#378628]   
Juan Carlos Viscarra started bodegas Viscarra in 1991. This is a small production garage winery in the town of Mambrilla the vineyards are at an altitude of 2,785 ft and range between 15-80 years of age. The 2006 Roble was aged for 6 months in French oak. The wine is dark ruby/ purple in color and it just coats your glass like ink. Flavors of vanilla, smoke, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur coat your mouth The Viscarra Roble is rich and satisfying with a fantastic finish for a wine at this price. Parker 90 Points. Case price: $14.99 per bottle.

Bodegas ROBERT Naia 2006 Las Brisas $8.99 [#302256]   
Importer Jorge Ordonez likes to call this a "first class cocktail" but we think it’s even better. Las Brisas is a crisp, flavorful blend of 50% Verdejo and a 50% blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Viura that delivers beyond its modest price point. This is a light-bodied, clean white with hints of grapefruit and orange zest. Crisp acidity makes this a fantastic, spring-through-summer white wine.

Finca Sandoval 2005 Manchuela $36.99 [#377260]   
This estate-bottled blend of 76% Syrah,13% MourvÀdre and 11% Bobal is a traditionally-produced Rhone-style mind-blower with a twist: Bobal is a native variety to this area which adds to the aromatic complexity. This means a rich, full-bodied wine with intense concentration of flavor, including blue and black fruit and ripe tannins, yet beautifully balanced acidity with floral and mineral notes on the super-long finish. This wine is very limited so grab it while it lasts! Highly recommended with grilled meats, especially game and steak with mushroom sauces or strong cheeses. Parker 94; Tanzer 93.

Alonso del Yerro 2005 Ribera del Duero $34.95 [#377029]   
This incredible Tempranillo is made by one of Bordeaux’s most famous winemakers, Stephane Derenoncourt. Derenoncourt's style leans toward big fruit and a velvety-textured mouthfeel while respecting terroir to express the origin of the wine. The grapes for this wine come from four individual plots with an elevation of 2,500 feet at a very high density, meaning very low yields, in rich clay and limestone soil. Strict selection of only perfectly healthy, ripe grapes on the vines before hand-harvesting and hand-sorting and aging in French oak yields a silky-yet-showy wine dominated by black flavors such as licorice, espresso, dark chocolate and blackberry. Young and fabulous and ready to pair up with grilled meats! Parker 94 points.

RARIFIED RHEINGAU!
One of our wholesale suppliers recently entered our store with a treasure trove of unsold 2005 Germans! We immediately made a significant commitment to any number of wines from this vintage of vintages that stands today as one of the greatest in the history of this central European country.

RUEDESHEIMER BERG ROTTLAND 2005 SPATLESE WEINGUT JOHANNISHOF $24.95 [#368742]  
This superb production delivers tons of nicely delineated Riesling richness encompassing any number of orchard stone fruit flavors including white peach, dried apricot and nectarine. Sassy hints of lemon/lime course throughout providing this superb Rheingau with the requisite vim and vigor to go the distance!

ERBACHER STEINMORGEN 2005 SPATLESE BARON KNYPHAUSEN $29.95 [#368746]    
Here’s another outstanding Rheingau that delivers tons of classic Rheingau richness. The wine, in fact, borders on Auslese quality and speaks fully to the glory of 2005 in Teutonic spheres. Try this superb production with spicy Thai, Szechwan or Vietnamese food.

SANTA CAROLINA 2006 RESERVA CHARDONNAY $8.99 [#380420]   
This Chardonnay is sourced from estate vineyards in the Casablanca Valley, specifically from their Santa Isabel Estate. Its pale yellow color and beautiful golden hue segue into a nose ripe with tropical fruits (guayaba, citrus and peach notes). This is a medium-bodied Chardonnay with perfect balance between its natural acidity and the sweetness from the fruit and a nice touch of oak (a range of barrels from new to 2 years old are used to perserve the fresh fruit characteristics of this varietal). It has medium complexity and a fresh finish medium to long on the palate.

SANTA CAROLINA 2006 RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON $8.99 [#380421]   
This Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from estate vineyards in the Colchagua Valley at the food of the Andes Mountains. This reserva is a bright ruby color with gorgeous aromas of cherries and black fruits on the nose combined with hints of chocolate and tobacco; additional sweet notes of vanilla and cinnamon can be detected, as well. On the palate this wine is full-bodied yet contains an elegant chiaroscura between fruit and oak, measured with soft tannins and a long finish. This is a beautiful, complex and elegant wine with aging potential at a fantastic price.

STERHUIS 2003 stellenbosch Merlot $14.99 [#379861]    
   This ultra boutique family-owned winery bought in 1980 (its first vintage was released in 2002) is one of the top up-and-coming wineries in South Africa. This Merlot, with time (like any 'old world' Merlot ) has yet again proven why Johan received the “Young Winemaker of the Year” from Diner’s International in 2005.
   The vineyard, western slope facing, an average altitude of 320 metres above sea level, has French and Italian Merlot clones. These clones produce very small berries with complex flavor profiles and pronounced color. The wine is classic in style with serious yet very accessible flavors with plums, mulberries, chocolate and coffee on the nose. The palate is rich in ripe black fruits with integrated oak flavors and a velvety soft tannin finish. Take a bottle home, decant it and watch your friends and family express how delightful and impressive this wine is as they enjoy it with a cheese platter and/or grilled hamburgers/steaks!
   This bottling will prove to you why Merlot is one of the best grape varietals in the world! 500 case production!

Morgenhof Estate 2003 Stellenbosch "Fantail" Vineyards Red $9.99 [#380425]    
   Established in 1692 and bought by Mrs. Anne Cointreau in 1983, Morgenhof Estate is one of the hottest wineries in Simonsberg, Stellenbosch. Fantail’s original label had a peacock; however, the South African government told Morgenhof it could not have an actual peacock on the label so they did the next best thing - an imaginary bird that looks like a peacock. And ‘Yes’ there are peacocks that wonder the grounds of Morgenhof!
   Fantail is well balanced with black fruit concentrations, cigarbox, licorice and velvety tannis that round out this exceptional bottling. This wine appeals to the masses due to the elegance on the palate with subtle complexity in the finish. Fantail Vineyards Red blend is comprised of 33% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Pinotage, 9% Malbec, 5% Pinot Noir and 5% Cabernet Franc.  It's perfect at just about any occasion and a well known barbecue favourite!
   Wine Magazine – Best Value Award in 2006

MORGENHOF ESTATE 2005 Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc $11.99 [#308207]    
   This Chenin Blanc vineyard is 37 YEARS OLD planted on West facing slopes at an altitude of 300 to 330 meters above sea-level! The wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks and then aged in French Oak for eight months. This wine has a lovely greenish-yellow color with honey blossoms, dried apricots, peaches and lime integrated with wood on the nose. After sniffing the elegant aromas, you will be stunned by this full-bodied, wonderfully complex, well balanced wine with nice acidity! Every flavor on the nose follows through very well on to the palate.
   This wine goes well with curries, salads, fish, poultry and red meat. You could even enjoy this as a pre-dinner warm-up with fruits and cheeses! 800 case production!

TERENZUOLA 2006 TOSCANA ROSSO “MARCIAFERRO” $12.98 [#302624]    
In 1993, owner Ivan Giuliani traded his University economics studies for viticulture and began a winery in Tuscany. Today, he not only produces better known varietals like Sangiovese, but also he is the only one in his area committed to the cultivation of Tintoretto and Merla, two native grapes. “Marciaferro” is his unoaked value red that consists of equal parts Sangiovese, Merlot, Merla and Tintoretto. Aged entirely in stainless steel tanks, this outstanding rosso offers bright red cherry fruit with fresh acidity and mild tannins and is a classic Tuscan table red. It’s definitely a reflection of both thoughtful winemaking and site specific terrior as it’s quite a lot of wine for the price. Customers are always asking us for outstanding, value priced Tuscan reds so here’s your chance to try one of the better ones to hit our cellar floor recently.

RENATO RATTI 2005 NEBBIOLO D’ALBA “OCHETTI” $15.98 [#302663]    
Those of you who recently purchased and enjoyed the outstanding Cascina Ca’Rossa Nebbiolo 2004, will not want to miss this tremendous new release from the Ratti family. We tasted this last year during a visit with Pietro Ratti and couldn’t wait to sell the wine. Like the Ca’Rossa it’s 100% Roero fruit yet it’s a fuller, rounder style more similar to Barolo rather than Barbaresco. The fruit is rich and flavorful, the tannins soft and ripe and the acidity nicely balanced making this a wonderful wine to drink now with roasts, red or white meat dishes, heavier pastas or hard cheeses. If you don’t want to shell out the extra bucks for a Barolo, here’s the perfect wine.Outstanding!!

CAVALLOTTO 2004 BARBERA D’ALBA “VIGNA DEL CUCULO” $23.98 [#301222]    
The Cavallottos are well known for their outstanding Barolos but their Barbera d’Alba often goes virtually unnoticed by many. We, on the other hand, are quick to take our annual allocation and grateful to offer this wonderful wine to our customers.”Cuculo” is produced from 38 year old Barbera vines from the Cavallottos Bricco Boschis vineyards and aged in large used casks for two years prior to release. The 2004 offers fragrant notes of cherry and cranberry with hints of cinnamon and cloves along with a balanced, full-bodied palate with good intensity and finish. It’s an incredibly versatile wine that especially shines with meat dishes, pastas with red sauce and aged cheeses. A class wine from start to finish.

CASTELLO DI FARNATELLA 2004 “POGGIO GRANONI” $35.98 [#302508]    
For the past several years we’ve been selling the very popular Castello di Farnatella Chianti Colli Senesi, the second Tuscan property of Giuseppe Mazzocolin, owner of Felsina. Many, however, are unaware that this property also produces their own version of a “Super Tuscan” wine. Poggio Granoni consists mostly of Sangiovese with small amounts of Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah blended in for structure, texture and spice. It’s unmistakably Tuscan and is just what many customers are constantly asking for.

SAN FELICE 2001 CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA “POGGIO ROSSO” $35.98 [#376165]    
One wine we can always count on from vintage to vintage is San Felice’s Poggio Rosso Riserva. Although the winery has added a few modern touches (using French oak) in recent years, the wine has retained its signature fruit and remained among Tuscany’s great Chianti Riservas. Their 2001 is the best since the amazing 1995, as it offers richly concentrated and layered fruit, ample structure and great overall complexity and ageability. Put this one in the cellar for a year or two or give it lots of air prior to consuming it if you should open it in the near future.

BIONDI 2003 ETNA ROSSO “OUTIS” $30.98 [#301386]    
Ciro Biondi is among a handful of outstanding producers on Sicily’s Mt.Etna that are crafting some of the finest wines in Southern Italy. Until recently, the perception of Southern Italian wines was not very favorable. That has changed dramatically thanks to producers like Biondi. His wine is made primarily of Nerello Mascalese with a smaller amount of Nerello Capuccio blended in. The result is a fragrant red brimming with an enticing combination of red and black fruit laced with notes of balsamic and spice. It offers a Burgundian-like elegance and a very flavorful medium-weight palate with long lasting fruit and deceptive tannins. A fabulous wine that is simply heavenly with lamb chops but will more than suffice with your favorite meats and cheeses. A Hi-Time staff favorite!

ELIO GRASSO 2003 BAROLO “GINESTRA CASA MATE” $49.98 [#301301]    
This is the bigger of the two Grassos and it is endowed with powerful, ripe dark berry fruit along with heady aromas and flavors of camphor, mineral and spices. As with the Gavarini, this delicious Barolo drinks nicely now and is probably best consumed over the next 3-4 years as the fruit appears riper and less structured than its counterpart. Simply delicious.
Robert Parker 91 points.

Zolo 2005 Bonarda $9.95 [#380249]
The Zolo Bonarda with its ultra-aromatic complexity is made for those special occasions when one needs a wine to “knock your hat off.” Argentina’s most planted varietal, the Argentine Bonarda, like the Malbec , is on fire in the U.S.. This wine highlights the grape’s characteristically raspberry aromas and strawberry jam. Smooth with soft sweet tannins, finishing with toasty barrel notes.

Gascon 2006 Malbec $9.99 [#377458]
Since 1884, the wines of Don Miguel Gascon have been recognized for the rich, smooth flavors that come from Argentina’s Mendoza wine region. High altitude vineyards situated along the Cordillera of the Andes Mountain produce full mature grapes for this classic Malbec. It is full bodied and elegant with soft, round tannins, layered with flavors of blackberry, blueberry, dark cherry, and a hint of mocha.