Bouvet-Ladubay Brut – $15.00
Bouvet-Ladubay, owned by Taittinger, makes some of France’s most consistent sparkling wines (although its “France” appellation suggests that it is now sourcing at least some of its grapes from outside the Loire Valley region)
Vecchia Moderna Cleto Charli Sparkling Lambrusco – Italy NV – $17 and the Rose is here too!
Dry Lambruscos can be nice sipping wines – as this one is – but they really are meant to be consumed with rich foods such as juicy pork. This one has a primary aroma recalling cherry jelly that might scare you a bit if you aren’t familiar with the category. However, the flavors lean more toward light strawberries and grapes accented by pleasant herbal notes and stony minerality leading to a clean finish.
90 Roger Morris
I am a fan of Cleto Chiarli’s wide array of Lambrusco wines, but this well-priced bubbly has little of the typical hyper-fruitiness of those wines, although the grapes are mainly Lambrusco grapes with 15% Pinot Nero. Rather, it is a very nice middle-of-the-road Italian sparkling wine that doesn’t bring to mind the characteristics of its Bolognese brethren. The flavors are of ripe strawberries, mild cherries and hints of candied fruit in the finish with a richness of bubbles that both delight and cleanse the palate.
90 Roger Morris
Casteller Cava – Spain – $13.50
“Offering a persistent column of bubbles and a bouquet of lemon, honeydew melon and rising pizza dough, this wine opens on the palate with bright citrus-fruit flavors. Notes of brioche, vanilla and slivered almond settle in among a pleasing sense of effervescence that goes the distance”. — Mike DeSimone 92 pts WE
Pasaeli Wines, Aegean (Turkey) “House Red” 2023 ($15)
(This review is for the 2022 vintage, but we tried a bottle and this is spot on):
Yep, from Turkey! Pasaeli was founded in 2000 by Seyit Karagozoglu, a wine importer turned winemaker. From his winery located in Denizli, Turkey, he works mostly with endemic varieties and has revived several ancient grape varieties. His 2022 House Red blend is Karasakız (60%), Cabernet Sauvignon (30%), and Çalkarası (10%). The varieties are fermented separately by native yeasts. This blend is garnet in color and has an aroma of dark cherries and light baking spices. Medium-bodied and well-balanced, it is smooth and savory on the palate with juicy black fruit flavors along with light tannins. Ready to drink now, and quite versatile as a bistro style wine.
90 Norm Roby
Peter Zemmer 2022 Pinot Grigio Pinot Grigio (Alto Adige) – $17 (3 bottles available)
Roasted apples, lemon peel and yeasty aromas lift from the glass of this classic mountain Pinot Grigio. Flavors of green pears and flint define the creamy palate that pops with tangy acidity on the finish. — 92 pts WE
Zeni, Bardolino DOC (Veneto, Italy) “Mr. Lake” 2023 $9
Bardolino DOC wines are my exciting find in 2024. Bardolino is located along Lake Garda in the Veneto Region of Italy. Zeni’s “Mr. Lake” is light in body with notes recalling tart pomegranate, wild strawberries, rose petal perfume, and lots of minerality including wet concrete and crushed rocks. Bardolino wines are modest in weight, but their natural acidity and sharp flavors keep me coming back.
91 Vince Simmon
Lupo Meraviglia, Puglia IGT (Italy) 2023 $13.50
Don’t let the squat packaging fool you — this is a big bomber of a wine from the heel of the boot in southern Italy, with alluring raisin box character on the nose, supple tannins and easy oak tones carrying dark berry fruit through a long finish. This is lush and delicious from beginning to end, and it delivers quality way above its price point. Lupo Meraviglia’s Tre di Tre is a blend of Negroamaro, Aglianico and Primitivo. (this review is of the 2020 vintage)
Winemakers notes on the 2022: “Intense red color. On the nose the wine has scents of red fruit and jam which merge with the sweet and spicy notes of wood. On the palate it shows a great structure and persistence with a pleasant tannic finish.
92 Rich Cook Nov 14, 2023
Souleil, Vin de France Picpoul “Vine de Bonté Le Blanc” 2024 $13.50
Fresh and a little tangy – light-bodied, but with full green fruit flavors. The Picpoul here performs like a Sauvignon Blanc in terms of palate weight and similarly also in flavor profile.
89 Roger Morris
Inama, Soave Classico (Veneto, Italy) 2023 $14
The name of Soave has been diminished over the years as high volume production from lesser vineyard sites has dominated the appellation. The best Soaves from the Classico district retain the vibrant and distinctive style that made the village famous. The Inama family has been making high quality wines for decades. Their vineyards are on steep slopes with dark basalt-based soils below Monte Foscarino. Inama’s 2023 Soave Classico enhances the family’s quality tradition. This is a pure and exuberant white wine, with lovely scents of apple, peach, lemon, lily, and subtle herbs. The flavors are refreshing and complex, with layers of citrus, apple and peach nuances enhanced by elements of marjoram and lemon zest. This is impressive Soave that might change your impression of what the wine can be. Drink it with your favorite seafood or roasted fowl recipe.
93 Wayne Belding
Les Lauzeraies – Tavel 2023/24 $15
Les Lauzeraies Tavel is the “Original Rosé”, before rosé was cool. Tavel is the Rhône Valley’s rosé-only appellation. These wines have nice grip and body so they can be drunk year-round and even benefiting from aging. Make no mistake however, this is still Rosé, meant to be chilled and enjoyed with a wide range of meals; it’s a great pick for Thanksgiving! A Grenache dominant blend of numerous grapes (including the white varieties Clairette and Picpoul), this wine undergoes a longer maceration than most rosé, up to 48 hours, which brings out that deeper character and color. Displaying a generous mouthfeel, excellent purity, lovely florals (violets, roses) and a light spice note, Les Lauzeraies shows great versatility and range. From the Distributor
“Rosé lovers who seek full-bodied versions can look to Tavel for satisfaction. Les Lauzeraies is a brand of the Vignerons de Tavel & Lirac, a growers’ cooperative winery in this small southern Rhône area. Their 2024 Tavel Rosé is a Grenache-dominant blend with several other grape varieties, both red and white. The wine shows lovely freshness and concentration. It has a deep pink color with a bouquet of ripe strawberry, raspberry and red cherry fruits followed by hints of flowers, aromatic herbs and white peppery spice. The flavors are juicy and enticing, with layers of pure, ripe strawberry and cherry enhanced by herbal and floral nuances. Tavel is an unusual appellation because only rosé wines are sold under its auspices, and the 2024 Les Lauzeraies Tavel exhibits a classic style.”
90 Wayne Belding
Garofoli, Marche IGT (Italy) Montepulciano “Kòmaros” Rosato 2024 $14.50
Rosés, like babies, are almost all beautiful, but this one from the Montepulciano vineyards of Marche is especially lovely with its apricot hue. The wine ain’t bad, either – refreshingly tart flavors of peach but mainly peach skins that linger in a good way. The structure is lean but not emaciated, and the light tannins and a hint of bitters give it a pleasant finish.
91 Roger Morris
The following wines will also be available for purchase:
Pomelo Sauvignon Blanc – $10
Dark Horse Rose and Sauvignon Blanc – $10
Enate 2024 Rose of Cabernet – Spain – $13.50
Young rosé wine from Somontano. Varietal Cabernet Sauvignon vinified in stainless steel tanks.
Champagne!
Chateau de Bligny Grand Brut $34
“A blend of half and half Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, this Champagne is ripe and mature. It is a finely balanced wine, rich while keeping a fresh aftertaste. Drink now”. — Roger Voss WE 91pts
Charles de Cazanove Brut NV 750 – $38
“Ethereal” is the word that floated into my head with the first sip of this Champagne. With its delicate floral and mineral aromas and flavors, its harmonious chords of fresh fruit and toasted brioche, its perfect little bubbles and fine finish, it is a beauty. The blend is 10% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Meunier and 60% Pinot Noir. In addition to being a perfect aperitif, this Champagne is complex enough to be a good partner for certain foods: caviar, obviously, but also other lightly salty fare such as smoked salmon, prosciutto and other such classics, and of course robust cheeses such as Parmigiano. Try it also with lobster risotto and — trust me on this — fried chicken (go on, put that Air Fryer you got for Christmas to work).
94 Marguerite Thomas Jan 12, 2021
Ayala, Champagne “Majeur” Brut NV – $62
Disgorged 10/2020
Jeb Dunnuck – November 8, 2022 “The NV Champagne Majeur Brut is inviting, with ripe aromas of lemon balm, pear, and fresh baked bread. The mousse fills the palate and cleans up with pithy orange, parmesan, and dusty chalk. I like this for its lightly savory touch and a bit more concentration.” -A.F 11/22
Marc Hebrart Champagne Brut Selection NV – $68
Disgorged March 2022 65% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay
“The NV Champagne Selection Brut is 65% Pinot Noir and the remainder Chardonnay, with 70% is coming from the 2018 vintage, 25% from 2016, and the rest from 2015. The aromas are more rounded and have a bit more orchard fruit and berries, with ripe peach, raspberry, and almond flour. The palate is characteristically fresh and fruity with red cherry, a fair bit of density, salinity, and a broader approach. Drink over the next 15 years. Best after 2022.” Jeb Dunnick 91pts
Pantry Items available:
- King Arthur Sir Galahad Flour – $6.75 5# bag
- Instant dry yeast – 2 oz/$2
- KBM classic pie dough – enough for a 10 inch pie shell – $6 per disc (FYI, this pastry is currently made with all butter) (comes frozen)
- Maldon flaky sea salt – $1.50 per oz. (about 1/4 cup)
- Bel Aria capers – in salt – $2.50 per oz (about 1/4 cup)
- Shrimp – $14.75lb – 16/20 IQF
- Pecorino Romano – $20 lb (Italy)
Information:
While we have changed our focus lately, concentrating on in-house luncheons, we also do small carry-out catering jobs as well, such as small dinner or cocktail parties, supplies for picnics and boat rides, tailgate specialties or sides for the crab feast, special orders don’t upset us! A week’s notice is preferred but you never know about last minute either.
Call or email for more ideas and to book your event.