Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Italian Wine Tasting!!

Taste the best of Italy!
February 20th, 2010

11am-8pm


Plus FREE King Cake all day!


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We've got a pretty selection of Italian wines to show you this weekend but before we get to that, can we be honest? You've probably noticed that we don't talk much about Robert Parker in Winestore. It's nothing against Robert Parker; he's brilliant, has a remarkable memory, and an astonishingly comprehensive understanding of the world of wine. But (and you knew the word "but" was about to surface) I disagree with him about a lot of wines. He likes wines that are so big they burst at the seams: I think balance is far more charming than weight.


The disagreement extends to the meaning of the descriptors I just utilized: I'm sure my "so big" seems more like "balance" to Parker, and perhaps my "balance" is less charming to him than boring. Here's the most important thing: nobody's right and nobody's wrong in this matter. We each have different sensory experiences because we each have slightly differing abilities to receive the hundreds of thousands of flavors and aromas that the human body can detect. And our past experiences feed into this as well: if you grew up eating ramen noodles with ginger and coconut milk, well, you get the idea…


So we don't like points and numbers, because points and numbers suggest that everyone's experience will be the same and can be easily pinpointed on a scale 50-100. Ridiculous.


However, I still read Parker and often seek out wines that he thinks are great. There are lots of people who like the same wines he likes, and if he finds a bargain, it's probably going to please even more people. For instance, Parker likes the 2007 Bastianich Batali La Mozza Morellino di Scansano, a Sangiovese with a bit of Syrah and Colorino in it. The Bastianich wines are always well-made, and Morellino has long been the go-to region for Sangiovese lovers eager for crazy value.


Then there's the 2005 Il Molina di Grace Chianti Classico. It got five stars from Decanter Magazine. While most people haven't read Decanter, that's to their detriment. Decanter has been the world's best wine magazine for ages and if they say something gets five stars, everybody should pay attention. Even those who don't read Decanter.


Among wine writers, Paolo Scavino is considered to be one of the great traditionalists; the reviews have always been laudatory. Scavino's Rosso 2007, a blend of Barbera, Nebbiolo and Cabernet Sauvignon, is one of the critics' favorites, year after year, and we happen to agree with them.

But if you want divide the critics, then mention producers such as Movia. 2004 Movia Veliko Bianco brings together the grapes Ribolla Gialla, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc for a three to three and a half year sojourn in French oak, and much of that time, the wine is on its lees. That's a bit crazy and so is the wine. Trust me.


On the other hand, nobody has to tell you to like 2008 Quattro Mani Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. We've been following that label for years and it's fun, juicy, rich and balanced. Okay, somebody else might call that boring, but to me, it's balanced.


Oh, yes, one last wine: Donna Laura Chianti Classico Bramosia 2006, a pretty Sangiovese with a jot of Merlot. Bramosia means "desire" in Italian - this could be a perfect "date night" wine.

We'll also have some other amazing treats - just wait until you try the 2004 Poggio Scalette Il Carbonaione.

Cheers,

Doug Frost MS MW
Master Sommelier & Master of Wine

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Taste 2007 Clos Erasmus!

Taste 2007 Clos Erasmus!
One of the most sought after wines in the world!

Saturday February 13th, 2010
11am-8pm


http://www.europeancellars.com/webmedia/Clos%20Erasmus%20Label1.jpghttp://www.europeancellars.com/webmedia/Laurel%20Label.jpg

Featuring:
2007 Clos Erasmus (made by Charlotte resident Daphne Glorian-Solomon)
2007 Clos Erasmus "Laurel"
2007 Marge
2007 Black Slate "Gratallops"
2007 Black Slate "Porrera"

Roughly speaking, when you try to explain wine to people, you just make simple comparisons and contrasts. Oregon Pinot Gris, if you haven't had it, seems like a simple, friendly kind of Italian Pinot Grigio, only without the minerally dustiness. It's not at all like French Pinot Gris, with its pungent nose, richness, fat, earth and occasional residual sugar.

Of course, this only works if people know the wines to which you refer: if they don't know Italian Pinot Grigio or Alsace Pinot Gris, well, then it's not much help. I'd add that their lives are demonstrably impoverished as well, but that's just me. I'm trying to drink everything, as quickly as I can.

But some wines defy description: maybe Alsace Pinot Gris is one of those. Old Aussie Semillon would be another, along with some other vinous oddities from around the world, like my neighboring vine, the Norton. So while I like to describe Priorat as "dry Port", I'm not sure that really explains exactly the power, richness, intensity, fruit, earth, flora and perhaps even fauna of great Priorat. With a young Port, you can get a hefty dose of most of those, along with some sugar. Priorat is, in contrast, bone dry, hence "dry Port."

But that's not exactly it. So how about this one: think of the most intense Barossa Valley Shiraz, and then remove the sugar (okay, only a few of Barossa Shiraz have some residual sugar) and the excessive American oak, coconut-to-sawdust notes and add some dried leaves and flowers and then, most importantly, add tart fruits in the finish. You see, while Priorat is a uber-ripe bomb, unlike the uber-ripe wines of the New World, there is something under-ripe about it too. I guess you could say it's similar to Amarone in that, except it's not really like Amarone.

And to make matters worse, Priorats vary from estate to estate: some are earthier than others, some are built with more Carinena than others, others eschew the grape altogether for the more noble Garnacha, some use only French oak and so on. Along that continuum, Clos Erasmus is amongst the most intense wines the region offers. But Erasmus owner Daphne Glorian crafts wines of unabashed vibrancy and generosity, with impeccable balance.

Charlotte residents are lucky that Daphne makes her home here and so they get more than their fair share of these dynamos. The 2007 we're tasting this weekend should offer the best possible explanation of what the region does that is so incomparable and indescribable.


Happy Tasting and we'll see you Saturday!

Doug Frost, MS MW
Master Sommelier & Master of Wine

Thursday, February 4, 2010

90% of the Value at 50% of the Price

Second Label Tasting!
Saturday February 6th, 2010
11am - 8pm


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Sometimes the greatest of the great wines are just simply out of our reach. That being said, you may not know that most of the worlds most expensive wines produce second label "sibling" wines, often times with the excess juice that went into the $100 cuvees. It is a rare opportunity to be able to taste the flagship wine right next to its second label offering, but that is exactly what we are doing for you this weekend. Find out if the $100 Napa Cab is better than the $35 second offering - perhaps the $75 estate wine really isn't worth it for you compared right next to the $25 second label Cabernet from the same producer. One of the estates we will be featuring this weekend is Napa Valley legend Pahlmeyer. Jayson Pahlmeyer summed up his second label "Jayson", by saying “The Jayson goes into the same brand new French oak barrels [as the main label, Pahlmeyer], has the same barrel-aging regimen, same blending, same care and dedication from my winemaker,” Pahlmeyer explains. “It’s 90 percent of the quality at 50 percent of the price.”

"90% of the quality at 50% of the price" - now that is an equation we are ready to get on board with! We think you'll be astounded how close these second labels taste to the real thing! Come in this Saturday and see for yourself.

Wineries featured include:


Pahlmeyer Winery
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2005 Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red
2005 Pahlmeyer "Jayson" Red



Darioush Winery

http://winelibrary.com/images/31287.jpghttp://www.tophatwines.com/images/DarioushCabernet.jpg
2006 Darioush Cabernet
2007 Darioush "Caravan" Cabernet



Bennett Lane Winery
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2005 Bennett Lane Cabernet
2007 Bennett Lane "Turn 4" Cabernet



Klinker Brick Winery
http://www.kenswineguide.com/images_wine/Klinker%20Brick%202005%20Old%20Ghost%20Zinfandel.gifhttp://www.kysela.com/usa/klinker_OVZin.jpg
2005 Klinker Brick "Old Ghost" Zinfandel
2007 Klinker Brick Zinfandel



Chateau de Beaucastel
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2007 Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape
2007 Coudoulet de Beaucastel Cotes du Rhone

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Sip of the Week

Sip of the Week!

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Charlotte Observer wine writer Catherine Rabb has picked out a great wine for this this week - and it just happens to come from Winestore! We've had the 2007 Atalaya for some time now but apparently word is just now getting out! Here is what she had to say:

From
Charlotte Obersever.com

Oh man, this is one yummy one. I'm talking "lick your lips, make a detour to check out the label and pour another glass" good. Mostly monastrell with a bit of cabernet sauvignon, garnacha and probably some other grapes tossed in for good measure, the blend isn't important. If you are a lover of big, fruity, silky wines, this one's for you. This is one of Jorge Ordonez's selections, and he's widely known for his ability to choose a winner. I hope my friends at Winestore have plenty. I think folks who try this once are going to come back for a case, especially at this price. - Catherine Rabb


2005 Venta la Ossa

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Regular Price: $24.99
Winestore Price: $14.99 (Save 40%)
Save an addition 5% on 6 bottles or 10% on 12
Only 20 cases available!

Speaking of Spanish wine, many of you may remember the 2004 vintage of this wine from last year. We bought all the distributor had and it blew out the door. Well, this year is a lot of the same - we're able to offer you all of this wine that came into NC for 40% off. Enjoy!