December is here and we hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving. With the Holidays approaching we figured it was time to start bringing out some nicer wines perfect for gifts, parties, or to have on the dinner table. Local Wyoming celebrity, Britt from Tramonte will be behind the bar with us to talk about these wines. From a unique white varietal coming from a historic Napa Valley property to three notable reds that will just knock your socks off.
Come on by to sample the flight for $10!
Featured Wines:
Priest Ranch Grenache Blanc 2017
Napa Valley, California; $19.99
This is a ridiculously good white wines that people just need a chance to try. Priest Ranch is a historic property established in 1869 by James Joshua Priest in the far eastern hills of Napa Valley. The first vineyards weren't planted for nearly 100 years in the early 1970s. Today Priest Ranch is now part of the Somerston Estate which have combined to form a 1600 acre estate with about 215 acres of planted vineyards. The Grenache Blanc, along with all of their other wines come from estate grown fruit. It is produced in stainless steel to retain tons of freshness. It is super aromatic with lots of white peach, melon and honeysuckle. Juicy stone fruit, Asian pear and lots of citrus fill your palate. - Sample $2.00
Crooked Path “The Wanderer” Red Blend 2016
Paso Robles, California; $29.99
The Wanderer is a blend of Syrah, Grenache and Petite Sirah all hand picked fruit from the Sextant Estate Vineyard in the El Pomar district of Paso Robles. Aged 18 months in a combination of French, Hungarian and American oak barrels. Dusty sweet Marachino cherries, blackberry, kirsch, with a hint of vanilla and toasty oak on the nose. Medium bodied with lush tannins and flavors of bright black cherry and blackberry. A nice long smooth finish with some sweet vanilla from the barrels coming through. - Sample $2.50
Zolo Reserva Malbec 2015
Mendoza, Argentina; $21.99
Zolo is one of the most technologically advanced wineries in Argentina. Since their founding in 2004 they have lead the way focusing on estate grown and sustainably farmed fruit, They have an incredible team both in the cellar and in the vineyard including winemaker Claude Berrouet formerly of Petrus. The Reserva Malbec has received numerous 90+ scores and has appeared on Wine Spectator's Top 100 list. Most importantly it is just good. The grapes come from their E Jarrillal vineyard planted at nearly 3500ft elevation. Aged 14 months in mainly French oak after a long, cold and slow fermentation. The wine shows dense black fruit with some graphite and spicy oak. - Sample $2.00
Runquist Three Way Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Paso Robles, California; $37.99
After spending 15 years in the cellars of Montevina and J. Lohr, Jeff Runquist produced his first vintage under his own label. This past fall he crushed his 25th vintage of grapes under that now iconic label. Runquist has been named “California Winery of the Year” and received countless medals for his wines. The 2016 Three Way Cabernet Sauvignon is classic Paso Robles with a more dense briary blackberry and dark cherry. Eighteen months in barrel provides this wine with a smoky deeply roasted almost charred oak character to the bouquet. Savory concentrated blueberry and blackberry flavors ride upon a silky texture with mature tannins that add richness without chewy aggressive astringency. In addition to the bouquet the time spent in oak barrels add a creamy richness to the mid-palate of this wine leading to a finish that lingers well with notes of juniper, cedar, and oak. - Sample $3.50