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May Taster's Advantage
2 Bottles of red wine (tax & shipping not included) Aerena 2019 Rose Grape Variety: Carignan and Mourvedre Origin: San Francisco Bay With all the strangeness in the world as of late, the seasons continue to change, the sun still shines, the grapes still grow. So finding a particularly delicious rose such as this 2019 Aerena is like a cool ocean breeze hitting the desert: refreshing, welcome and, one might even say, needed! The nose is filled with scents of fresh fruits, peach and strawberry and other orchard fruits, with a streak of creamy lanolin, spring garden and sea air. In the mouth, the wine is lush and rich but uplifted by a good streak of acidity. Orchard fruits again revel: peach and pear in the lead with a touch of mango, sea salt and creamsicle on the lengthy, tasty finish. This is a beautiful rosé: impeccably balanced, refreshing and delicious. At 12.9% ABV, this wine is not too big for a little backyard daytime drinking as the sun starts to stretch out the days. Blackbird Vineyards’ winemaking duo, Aaron Pott and Kyle Mizuno, are the artisans behind Aerena and we have featured their wines before as they offer tons of value for the entry price and this rosé is no different. A blend of Carignan and Mourvèdre, this is a Vin Gris rosé where the juice is bled off the (dark) red wine grapes (similar to how they make blanc de noirs in Champagne), removing the grape skins from adding color or flavor compounds to the finished wine. Where the wine comes from is worth mentioning-- the del Barba vineyard is in the town of Oakley, within the San Francisco Bay AVA, an area that encompasses a historic California wine-growing region. Planted in the late 1800s in the sandy banks of the Bay Delta, Tom del Barba is the fourth-generation farmer who tends these organically-farmed 135-year-old Carignan and Mourvèdre vines. The climate is moderated by the cool evenings enjoyed by proximity to where the San Francisco Bay meets the Sacramento River Delta. According to Aaron Pott, the del Barba vineyard allows him to “fulfill all of his Rhône and southern Italian fantasies at the same time.” Bring on the heat, we'll ready the rose! Winery notes: "ARENA Wines' 2019 Rose is a youthful pale pink Vin Gris. Enticing aromas of white peach, orange zest, acacia flower and sugar cookies on the nose. Peach, melon, and guava delight the mid-palate with wonderfully bright acidity. A soft, silky finish of plum, brown sugar and melon." Wine Tip: It is almost summer. What a better time to enjoy some delicious rose. Bodegas Anadas 17 Care Garnacha Nativa Grape Variety: 100% Garnacha Origin: Spain Another incredible value from Spain that will pair well with late spring and early summer dining scenarios, quarantine snacks or simple solo sipping? But, of course! Wines from Spain often find their way into our cellars as there are so many differing dimensions to their existence. The country is big on tradition but willing to adapt and innovate for good reason (while not forgetting their history); they have a mostly Mediterranean climate, similar to ours in California, so offer wines to drink in our like temperatures; their food traditions and staples are amazing, making for out-of-this-world pairings; they offer world class bottlings at all price levels (some of the best bargains on our ‘ramp o’ value’ are from Spain). Care Garnacha Nativa checked all the boxes on its way to being featured this month. The nose offers up scents of ripe red berries, forest floor, dark spices and a touch of old growth forest. Upon tasting, the fresh fruits dominate again with some excellent backup structure and secondary traits. Red plum and raspberry lead the charge as the rich mouthfeel is tempered by ample tannins. Black pepper, earth and cherry cola join the sweet berries as a hint of smoke and cut wood linger in the finish. Simple but serious, this wine offers a lot for its entry price. 93 Points from James Suckling is a pretty impressive calling card, as well. As the weather warms and we start to thinking about grilling and chilling, especially as we’ll be at home for a while yet, it seems, and we want a good warm weather red wine, Care covers it all! JAMES SUCKLING 93 POINTS - "A juicy and delicious garnacha with crushed berry and chocolate character. Full-bodied yet tight and balanced with ripe tannins and flavor. Drink now or hold." Wine Tip: Garnacha is one of the most produced grape variety worldwide for a reason. The combination of low acidity and soft tannins makes the wines made of it very approachable. |
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1 Bottles of red wine and 1 bottle of white wine (tax & shipping not included) Aerena 2019 Rose Grape Variety: Carignan and Mourvedre Origin: San Francisco Bay With all the strangeness in the world as of late, the seasons continue to change, the sun still shines, the grapes still grow. So finding a particularly delicious rose such as this 2019 Aerena is like a cool ocean breeze hitting the desert: refreshing, welcome and, one might even say, needed! The nose is filled with scents of fresh fruits, peach and strawberry and other orchard fruits, with a streak of creamy lanolin, spring garden and sea air. In the mouth, the wine is lush and rich but uplifted by a good streak of acidity. Orchard fruits again revel: peach and pear in the lead with a touch of mango, sea salt and creamsicle on the lengthy, tasty finish. This is a beautiful rosé: impeccably balanced, refreshing and delicious. At 12.9% ABV, this wine is not too big for a little backyard daytime drinking as the sun starts to stretch out the days. Blackbird Vineyards’ winemaking duo, Aaron Pott and Kyle Mizuno, are the artisans behind Aerena and we have featured their wines before as they offer tons of value for the entry price and this rosé is no different. A blend of Carignan and Mourvèdre, this is a Vin Gris rosé where the juice is bled off the (dark) red wine grapes (similar to how they make blanc de noirs in Champagne), removing the grape skins from adding color or flavor compounds to the finished wine. Where the wine comes from is worth mentioning-- the del Barba vineyard is in the town of Oakley, within the San Francisco Bay AVA, an area that encompasses a historic California wine-growing region. Planted in the late 1800s in the sandy banks of the Bay Delta, Tom del Barba is the fourth-generation farmer who tends these organically-farmed 135-year-old Carignan and Mourvèdre vines. The climate is moderated by the cool evenings enjoyed by proximity to where the San Francisco Bay meets the Sacramento River Delta. According to Aaron Pott, the del Barba vineyard allows him to “fulfill all of his Rhône and southern Italian fantasies at the same time.” Bring on the heat, we'll ready the rose! Winery notes: "ARENA Wines' 2019 Rose is a youthful pale pink Vin Gris. Enticing aromas of white peach, orange zest, acacia flower and sugar cookies on the nose. Peach, melon, and guava delight the mid-palate with wonderfully bright acidity. A soft, silky finish of plum, brown sugar and melon." Wine Tip: It is almost summer. What a better time to enjoy some delicious rose. Allan Scott 19 Sauvignon Blanc Grape Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc Origin: Marlborough, New Zealand WINE SPECTATOR INSIDER 93 POINTS 'WINE OF THE WEEK' - "Stylish, generous and intense, featuring lemon curd, apricot and lime sherbet flavors that are vivid and mouthwatering, accented by details of matcha green tea, white pepper and passion fruit. Delivers terrific follow-through on the finish. Drink now." ABOUT THIS WINE: "Pioneering Marlborough winemaker Allan Scott helped plant some of the first wine grapes in Marlborough in the 1970s, and then established his eponymous brand as one of the first independent wineries in the region with his wife, Catherine, in 1990. Now their children are working in the family business, with son Josh as chief winemaker. The wines have never skipped a beat, and this wine is a stunning example of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, bursting with intense flavor and lingering long on the finish. Scott harvests and presses grapes in the cool of the night to preserve aromatics, and this wine shows the hallmark of a warmer 2019 vintage, with fruit flavors veering toward the tropical, with a hint of passion fruit." - Wine Spectator Wine Tip: A textbook example of what New-Zealand sauvignon blanc tastes like. A combination of tropical fruit and passion fruit with a great freshness and a touch of grassiness. |
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2 Bottles of red wine (tax & shipping not included) Gour de Chaule 2016 Gigondas Grape Variety: 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre Origin: Gigondas, France VINOUS 95 POINTS - "Vivid ruby. An exotically perfumed bouquet evokes ripe red and pit fruits, potpourri and garrigue, and an exotic spice note emerges in the glass. Stains the palate with sweet raspberry, cherry and lavender pastille flavors that steadily put on weight with air. Conveys a suave blend of power and finesse and finishes extremely long and floral, with fine-grained tannins lending discreet grip." WINE SPECTATOR 91 POINTS - "Fine depth of flavor and juicy cherry fruit mark this red. Licorice, plum, spice and stone notes complement the core of ripe cherry. Harmonious enough to enjoy now. Drink now through 2028." Wine Tip: I really enjoy a lot the wines from this winery. Gigondas is definitely the best cru after chateauneuf du pape in the southern rhone region. And Gour de Chaule is my favorite producer in this region. The wines combine finesse and power, the nose is just amazingly complex and elegant. The palate is refined but has some serious structure. Stephanie Fumoso the owner is a fantastic artist and this domaine keep surprising me year after year. We carry their rose as well, this is a food friendly rose that would be a perfect match with spicy food, tajines or barbecues. Chateau Marsau 2015 Cotes de Bordeaux Grape Variety: 100% Merlot Origin: Bordeaux region, France WINE ADVOCATE 90 POINTS - "The 2015 Marsau is medium to deep garnet-purple in color with a savory, meaty, earthy nose of smoked meats and scorched earth over a core of warm plums and blackberry pie plus a hint of pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, it has a firm, chewy structure and good concentration of muscular fruit, finishing savory/sweet." Wine Tip: 2015 was an excellent vintage in Bordeaux, especially if you like full bodied wines packed with dense fruit and fleshy tannins. A perfect wine to drink with your friends that “don’t like Merlot”. |
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1 Bottle of red wine and 1 bottle of white wine (tax & shipping not included) Gour de Chaule 2016 Gigondas Grape Variety: 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre Origin: Gigondas, France VINOUS 95 POINTS - "Vivid ruby. An exotically perfumed bouquet evokes ripe red and pit fruits, potpourri and garrigue, and an exotic spice note emerges in the glass. Stains the palate with sweet raspberry, cherry and lavender pastille flavors that steadily put on weight with air. Conveys a suave blend of power and finesse and finishes extremely long and floral, with fine-grained tannins lending discreet grip." WINE SPECTATOR 91 POINTS - "Fine depth of flavor and juicy cherry fruit mark this red. Licorice, plum, spice and stone notes complement the core of ripe cherry. Harmonious enough to enjoy now. Drink now through 2028." Wine Tip: I really enjoy a lot the wines from this winery. Gigondas is definitely the best cru after chateauneuf du pape in the southern rhone region. And Gour de Chaule is my favorite producer in this region. The wines combine finesse and power, the nose is just amazingly complex and elegant. The palate is refined but has some serious structure. Stephanie Fumoso the owner is a fantastic artist and this domaine keep surprising me year after year. We carry their rose as well, this is a food friendly rose that would be a perfect match with spicy food, tajines or barbecues. Clos Alivu Rose 2019 Patrimonio Grape Variety: 100% Niellucciu or Nieluccio Origin: Corsica, France Patrimonio is an appellation for white, red and rose wines from the southern end of the Cap Corse peninsula of Corsica, an island in the Mediterranean Sea between France and Italy. Nielluccio a dark-berried vine, is the most widely planted grape variety in Italy. Protected by the maritime influences of the Golfe de Saint-Florent, vines cultivated on the limestone soils of Patrimonio's hillsides rarely require treatments of any kind, so Eric's practices are essentially organic (though without certification). This rosé is composed of 100% Niellucciu and is a light salmon-pink color and exhibits a gorgeous perfume with floral and cherry nuances. Lovely fruit with a floral and citrus tinge is backed by a nice, crisp finish. It is a perfect accompaniment to just about any Mediterranean inspired fare. Wine Tip: You probably never heard about Nielluccio. This grape mostly planted in Corsica is a very close cousin of Sangiovese if not just a specific clone of sangiovese. The Corsican have developed their own identity and are far from being alike their Tuscans counterpart. |
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2 Bottles of white wine (tax & shipping not included) Allan Scott 19 Sauvignon Blanc Grape Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc Origin: Marlborough, New Zealand WINE SPECTATOR INSIDER 93 POINTS 'WINE OF THE WEEK' - "Stylish, generous and intense, featuring lemon curd, apricot and lime sherbet flavors that are vivid and mouthwatering, accented by details of matcha green tea, white pepper and passion fruit. Delivers terrific follow-through on the finish. Drink now." ABOUT THIS WINE: "Pioneering Marlborough winemaker Allan Scott helped plant some of the first wine grapes in Marlborough in the 1970s, and then established his eponymous brand as one of the first independent wineries in the region with his wife, Catherine, in 1990. Now their children are working in the family business, with son Josh as chief winemaker. The wines have never skipped a beat, and this wine is a stunning example of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, bursting with intense flavor and lingering long on the finish. Scott harvests and presses grapes in the cool of the night to preserve aromatics, and this wine shows the hallmark of a warmer 2019 vintage, with fruit flavors veering toward the tropical, with a hint of passion fruit." - Wine Spectator Wine Tip: A textbook example of what New-Zealand sauvignon blanc tastes like. A combination of tropical fruit and passion fruit with a great freshness and a touch of grassiness. Mastroberardino "Nova" 2017 Greco di Tufo Grape Variety: 100% Greco Origin: Campania, Italy WINE SPECTATOR 91 POINTS - "Fine and creamy, this elegant, light- to medium-bodied white leads with a waft of almond blossom that carries to the palate's baked nectarine, stony mineral, ground ginger and honey flavors. Offers a fresh, lingering finish." Established in 1750 by Pietro di Berardino (he adopted the title of Mastro, which eventually merged with Berardino) and officially registered in 1878 by Cavalier Angelo Mastroberardino, Campania’s Mastroberardino is one of Italy’s great winemaking estates. Wine Tip: Campania is the region in Italy where you can find the city of Napoli, The vesuvio volcano and many wonders. My mother was born in Campania and this is why this region have a special place in my heart. Mastroberardino is one of the best wineries from Campania. Treat yourself with an Italian dish like seafood pasta or some shrimp and this wine will shine. |
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1 Bottle of Champagne (tax & shipping not included) Forest-Marie 2008 1er Cru Brut Champagne Origin: montagne de Reims (1er cru) Grape Variety: 50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir Disgorgement Date: 08.01.2019 Dosage: 6.85g per liter The Forest-Marie Vintage 2008 is made up of a 50/50 blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This comes entirely from two south facing parcels Chaillots & Mont des Chrétiens of calcareous soils that have an average vine age of 67-80 years. The grapes were hand harvested and fermented in stainless steel for 20-30 days with spontaneous and cultured yeasts, malolactic was allowed to happen. After fermentation was finished, the wine was aged for 8 months with 29 mg/L of sulfur (this is low) before being bottled under crown cap on March 23, 2009. This bottle was disgorged to order on August 1, 2019 and finished with a dosage of 6.85 grams per liter. Wine Tip: Making a good Champagne is a very long process. Most of the flavors that you will taste in a high quality champagne comes from aging and the prolonged contact with the lees. This bottle has been bottled on 03.23.2009. More than 10 years to achieve the result that you are about to taste. 2008 is a very high quality vintage that will show wonderful texture, intensity and richness. |
