With 16 months of no Friday night tastings it is so easy to select the wines. Lots of additions to the store and no chance to sample them yet! Covid has also brought a lot of changes including a number of new sales reps that will start helping us behind the bar. This week please give a warm welcome to Denaire who some may recognize from a few of our high end tastings in the past. This weeks lineup includes two new favorites from California and two classic styles from France.
Grab your flight for only $5!
Featured Wines:
1) Martin Ray Chardonnay 2017
Sonoma Coast, California; $14.99
Originally named the Twin Fir Winery, it is the oldest continuously operating winery in Sonoma County and one of the oldest in California releasing their first vintage in 1881. They were even able to stay in operation during prohibition by selling sacramental wines. The The winery was run for five generations by the Martini family one of the iconic Italian wine families alongside the Sebastiani's, the Foppiano's, the Pedroncelli's and the Seghesio's. The Chardonnay is a blend of fruit from Cartan Vineyard and Mill Station Vineyard with just a kiss of oak.
“A deep and layered white with cooked-apple, pineapple and banana aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, firm and very tight with lovely brightness and clarity. Stone and mineral undertones.” 93pts James Suckling - Sample $1.50
2) Clos la Coutale Malbec Rose 2020
Lot, France; $12.99
Records at the estate list their first vintages known in 1895, but parts of the cellar date back to the late 1700’s. They continue to manage nearly 250 acres of vines predominately Malbec, known as Cot in the region. This fuller bodied grape makes a much more fruit forward and flavorful style of rose. Juicy red fruit, peaches and a bit of spice. - Sample $1.00
3) Georges Duboeuf Pinot Noir 2017
Aude, France; $12.99
A wine empire started in the 1960s. Duboeuf played a major role in the growth of Beaujolais and its arrival in the United States. He now owns numerous acres of vineyards throughout Burgundy, Beaujolais, and southern France, and works along side nearly 300 other winemakers to craft and distribute some of the most iconic wines of those regions. His Pay d’Oc Pinot here comes from the Aube region just southeast of Paris. It is, in a word, beautiful. This is what I want in classic Pinot Noir. Light, but flavorful. Not just fruity, some floral and baking spice flavors adding a lot of complexity. - Sample $1.00
4) Durant & Booth Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Napa Valley, California; $24.99
Named after Frederick Durant and Joseph and Willis Booth who formed a partnership in 1897 and took over the Oakville General Store. This Cabernet paying homage to an iconic Napa landmark is fitting. It is a new production from the team at Raymond Vineyards and is a perfect representation of great valley floor Napa reds. A blend of fruit from Calistoga, St. Helena and Rutherford aged almost two years. Smooth and velvety with blackberry jam, lilacs, chocolate, vanilla and spice. - Sample $2.50