Introducing winestore. Lake Norman!
Opening Day
Thursday, November 1st, 2012
11am
It has been a long time in the making and we are pleased to announce
that our third location, winestore. Lake Norman, will open for business
tomorrow morning, November 1st, at 11am. We are located at 19400 Jetton Road Suite 204 right next to Brooklyn South
(at the corner of Jetton Road and W Catawba Ave in Cornelius). What to
expect - the lowest prices in North Carolina (and in many cases the
nation), the same great customer service (headed by the one and only Ian
Coyne), the same wonderful tasting machines (this time with awesome
touch screens), and of course all of the exact same wonderful wines that
are hand selected for you by Master Sommelier and Master of Wine Doug
Frost.
So go ahead and reply all to that company wide e-mail, alert all your
friends in the neighborhood and come visit us at our new location.
Driving directions can be found below - and you can also call us with
any questions @ 704-892-5662.
Lastly, a major THANK YOU to you (yes, you reading
this e-mail), for all your wonderful support over the last 6 1/2 years.
The fun is only really getting started. Without you, our customers, we
would not have any business at all, so we just want you to know we are
very thankful to serve you.
We hope to see you this weekend at the Lake!
Cheers,
The Team @ winestore.
2010 Garrigue "Cuvee Hostellerie"
Release Price: $25.00
Winestore SALE Price: $19.99 (net)
SAVE 20%
The Rhone Valley has made utterly
delicious wines in the last several decades, and Domaine la Garrigue is
at the forefront of quality and value coming out of the region. "Cuvee
Hostellerie" is the house wine at Les Florets, a scrumptious restaurant
in Gigondas owned by the Bernard family, co-proprietors behind Domaine
la Garrigue with US based importer Eric Solomon.
Having never tasted this little guy before, we took a chance
on the 2009 vintage of this cuvee earlier this year and snapped up 28
cases. They were gone before we could even get an e-mail out! So here is
the 2010 version of this wine, and it is every bit as luxurious as the
2009 and for $19.99 represents one of the best values in the Rhone
Valley.
We only have 28 cases to go around, so get while the gettin' is good!
This could be the perfect pairing with your Zombie costume this year!
To order you can:
Order ONLINE by clicking HERE
Call SOUTHPARK @ 704-442-4024
Call BLAKENEY @ 704-443-2944
FREE Tasting this Saturday!
Saturday October 27th, 2012
2pm - until the wine runs out!
What are we tasting?
2005 Bordeaux Blend from Paso Robles (93% Cabernet)
Winery Release Price: $25.00 per bottle
Winestore Price: $14.99 per bottle
SAVE 40% or $10.01 per bottle!
Another out of control deal for all you
California Cabernet lovers - and last time this wine came in our 56
cases sold out in 48 hours...before we could even do a Mystery Tasting!
Per the usual, we're not allowed to publicly tell you what the wine is
going to be (you're going to have to come into the store and see for
yourself!), but what we can tell you is that the savings are monumental,
the vintage is awesome, and the juice is outstanding. If that is not
enough to get you excited, know this gem is now just $14.99 per bottle
and an additional 10% off mixed in a case.
So yes, this Saturday we are tasting a mystery wine - and for one of
the first times ever it is priced in the "everyday drinker" category.
Any time we can buy a horse like Secretariat for the price of a mini
horse we jump all over it...
Swing in this Saturday around 2pm, drink some amazing juice, maybe buy a bottle to share with your honey on Saturday night and above all else, have a great time.
2010 Finca Terrerazo
Release Price: $44.99
Winestore Price: $24.99
SAVE 45%
Lowest Price in the USA!
Earlier this year, we received an e-mail saying that we could bring one
of our favorite wines, Finca Terrerazo, into NC exclusively at a very
fun price. Finca Terrerazo is a 100% Bobal wine from vines planted in
1947 (yes, 1947). Made by Mustiguillo (the same fine chaps behind
customer favorite, Mestis), we're pretty sure after one sip you are
going to wonder why you have not been drinking this stuff for years.
Most people have no idea how important Bobal could be to their lives, if
only they would try it. Mustiguillo has almost single-handedly proven
how great the grape can be and Finca Terrerazo is one of the crown
jewels in their portfolio.
Inexpensive it is not, but $24.99 is better than $44.99 any day of the
week if you ask us! We have it on the machine to taste so swing on by,
say hello, and have a sip of some awesome wine!
To Order you can:
Order ONLINE by clicking HERE
Call SOUTHPARK @ 704-442-4024
Call BLAKENEY @ 704-443-2944
Swing on by!
Big Announcement!
We've got some pretty big news coming
your way next week...but this picture is a little sneak peak for
you...oh, and our new address is listed below :)
Look for an e-mail next week!!
California vs. Spain!
Saturday October 20th, 2012
11am - 8pm
Representing California:
2008 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet
2009 Jeff Runquist Petite Sirah
2008 Rockus Bockus Red Blend
2005 Analog Red Wine
Representing Spain:
2010 Mustiguillo Finca Terrerazo
2009 Closa Batllet "Artai" Priorat
2009 Casa Castillo Monastrell
2010 Clos Erasmus "Laurel"
One of my iterations is running a wine
competition called the Jefferson Cup Invitational. It features American
wines from around the country, wines made from vinifera vines such as
Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, as well as wines made from hybrids
such as Seyval Blanc and Chambourcin.
These wines come from around the country: California, Washington, and
Oregon, of course, but also New York, Michigan, Arizona, Missouri,
Texas, Virginia and, North Carolina, for instance. Among the six hundred
seventy five wines that comprised this year’s competition, only
thirteen wines were chosen for the top award: the Jefferson Cup.
In years past, the Jefferson Cup winners have been more or less equally
divided between wines from California and the other states. But lately
California has accounted for a large percentage of award winners, and of
that percentage many are red wines.
My experience with the Jefferson Cup (and other similar tastings)
indicates that the other states offer competitive white wines and
sparkling wines, and those wines on any given day can outscore and
outnumber California’s best. Moreover, I would argue that America’s best
dessert wines are more likely to come from hybrid vines grown far from
the Left Coast than from vinifera vines growing in California,
Washington or Oregon.
But America’s best red wines, at least in terms of volume, come from
California. I’d argue that Oregon easily outstrips California in its
percentage of excellent Pinot Noir, but there’s a lot more California
Pinot Noir than Oregon Pinot Noir. Washington State makes America’s best
Merlots, probably its best Syrahs, and some intriguing Cabernets.
But the Napa Valley produces the same volume as the entire state of
Washington, and Napa Valley isn’t the most important wine producing
region of California, not by a long shot. California’s Central Valley,
as well as myriad regions from Mendocino to Santa Cruz to San Diego,
produces far more wine.
The state not only makes a greater amount of wine, it can easily be
argued that California makes more excellent wine. The red wines, and
particularly the Cabernets there, have traditionally ranked among the
best in the world. And based upon the state’s historical head start on
quality Cab production, there’s far more great Cab in California than
any place else.
Despite being a fan of Washington State, and of wines from so many other
spots around the U.S., I have to admit that there is something about
many of California’s new and traditional wine regions that guarantee
California’s excellence with Cabernet. Even twenty years from now, when
those other states may have had plenty of opportunities to show their
stuff, California very likely may still show primacy with Cabernet
Sauvignon.
Happy Tasting and we'll see you Saturday!!
Cheers,
Doug Frost MS MW
Master Sommelier & Master of Wine
2009 Lafage Tessellae
Winestore Price: $12.99
Only 27 cases available
As we have told you many times before, Jean
Marc Lafage is a master of the inexpensive, amazing wine. He makes
Novellum Chardonnay, Cote Est white, Cote Sud red, Chimeres red blend
and a host of other sub $15 blockbusters. The wine press continues to
heap praise on Lafage, commenting that his wines have:
- "improbable price-quality rapport"
- "taken on an aura of unreality when one sees the price!"
- "mind-boggling value"
Tessellae is a new wine to North Carolina (but not to the world) and
this little beauty is 100% Carignan from half century and older vines.
Rich, complex and smooth, this wine is bound to impress you for only $12
bones. If you don't believe us, we'll have it on the machine for you to
taste!
As always, THANK YOU for your business!
To order you can:
Order ONLINE by clicking HERE
Call SOUTHPARK @ 704-442-4024
Call BLAKENEY @ 704-443-2944
2010 Ventana Pinot Noir
.
Winery Price: $32.00 (Click HERE to see)
Winestore Price: $16.99
SAVE 47%
The French and Spanish wine deals have been flowing lately, but it's
time to bring things back to the good 'ole USA. Ventana Vineyards has
been making vino since the 1970s and aside from making some darn good
wine for themselves, they also make some wine for superstars such as
Joseph Phelps. This 100% Pinot Noir from the Arroyo Seco region in
southern California is not only a new addition to the store, it is a new
staple in our home wine racks.
So if you're gonna be watching some football tonight (or the VP
debate), some nice Pinot Noir to pair with the chilly weather may just
be in order. We hope you enjoy it as much as we have and as always,
THANK YOU for your business!
To order you can:
Order ONLINE by clicking HERE
Call SOUTHPARK @ 704-442-4024
Call BLAKENEY @ 704-443-2944
Taste 2010 Clos Erasmus!
Saturday October 13th, 2012
11am-8pm
Featuring:
2010 Clos Erasmus
2010 Clos Erasmus "Laurel"
(Both wines made by Charlotte resident Daphne Glorian)
(Just to begin - how cool is it that one of the most influential female winemakers on the planet lives right here in Charlotte!)
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 an 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 2010
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
To order you can:
Order ONLINE by clicking HERE
Call SOUTHPARK @ 704-442-4024
Call BLAKENEY @ 704-443-2944
Eric Solomon Selections Tasting!
Saturday October 6th, 2012
11am - 8pm
FEATURING:
2011 Herencia Altes Garnacha
2008 Benjamin Romeo Predicador
2010 Lafage Cuvee Nicolas
2009 D'Andezon La Granacha
2010 Mustiguillo Finca Terrerazo
2009 Closa Batllet "Artai" Priorat
2009 Mustiguillo Mestis
2010 Lafage Cote Est
2011 Herencia Altes Blanca
and many more!
We show Charlotte based importer Eric
Solomon Selections some serious love here at winestore., but there is
very good reason. There are lots of folks who import wines; and Solomon
is one of the most revered and influential wine importers in the
business today. His wine portfolio from Spain and France is scary good,
especially if you are an importer trying to compete with him. His
amazing stable of wines includes Marcoux, Benjamin Romeo, Clos Erasmus,
Mustiguillo, Janasse, Herencia Altes, Mas Doix, Garrigue, Closa Batllet,
Chateau Tirecul, Lafage ...and the list goes on and on. These
properties are all the rage at the moment among the critics, and
for good reason. They make utterly lush and delicious wines, and yet
they are not wines that have sold their souls (ya know, with high
alcohol, over-extraction, too much oak and the like) in order to get
blessedly high scores from he-who-must-not-be-named. These wines are rich and impressive but they not only retain their souls, they HAVE soul. Character. Personality. Whatever.
Solomon's book is an embarrassment of riches. We are
delighted that he lives in Charlotte and that we have the opportunity to
offer so many of his fabulous wines. And we are even more excited to
show you the breadth and depth of his portfolio this weekend. The wines
will be up on the machine all day Saturday (and a few are already up!).
We hope to see you!!
Just some of the SPECIAL DEALS:
2009 Closa Batllet "Artai" Gratallops Priorat
Release Price: $28.00
Winestore Price: $24.99
WEEKEND SALE Price: $19.99 (net)
SAVE 28%
This may just be our wine of the year....you read it here first. This wine is insane for the money!
2009 D'Andezon "La Granacha"
Release Price: $15.99
Winestore Price: $11.99 (net)
SAVE 25%
This brilliant organically farmed 100% Grenache is very much a WOW wine
for under $15. Enjoy with friends over dinner tonight, or even hang on
to a few because this is only getting better over the next several
years!
2010 Mustiguillo Finca Terrerazo
Release Price: $44.99
SALE Price: $24.99
SAVE 45%
Epic Bobal from our friends at Mustiguillo...if you don't know Bobal you need to get to know it....like asap.
2008 Benjamin Romeo Predicador
Regular Price: $34.99
Winestore Price: $24.99
SAVE 29%
A fascinating vintage in Rioja, and a
select Rioja made by the winemaker some knowledgeable Spanish critics
think is one of the top two or three producers in this legendary area.
2005 Analog Proprietary Red
.
Winery Price: $35.00
Winestore Price: $24.99 (net)
SAVE 29%
Only 40 cases of our original 112 remain!
Our weeknight drinking wines range usually in the $8-$12 arena. You
know, the stuff that pairs well with some baked ziti and an episode of
Shark Tank. Then on the weekends, we usually like to have something a
little nicer, say in the $25 range, to celebrate another week of busting
our rumps. This is where Analog comes in.
We picked this wine up exclusively in NC (and outside of CA for that
matter) a few weeks ago and you all have been loving this stuff! It's a
blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Sangiovese from the epic 2005 vintage in
Napa. We know what you are thinking..."I don't like Merlot"...well,
forget everything you've been told and taste this little gem and we
think you may have found your new $25 "go to wine"
Analog is poured at some of the best restaurants in Northern California
including Michael Mina, Masa, Redd, L'Auberge, Cyrus etc., and we are
proud to be the only retail outlet to be able to offer this to you!
We hope you enjoy it as much as we do and as always, THANK YOU for your business!
To order you can:
Order ONLINE by clicking HERE
Call SOUTHPARK @ 704-442-4024
Call BLAKENEY @ 704-443-2944
