Pricing will be added once I actually have the wines in hand! They should run between $9 and $20 a bottle.
Vecchia Moderna Cleto Charli Sparkling Lambrusco – Italy NV – $17
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
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
OZV 2022 Estate Grown Zinfandel (Lodi) – $12.75 (sold out)
This wine is fresh and vibrant, with aromas of dark cherry, raspberry, clove, black tea, violet and notes of toasted vanilla. The flavors on the palate are red currant, strawberry and blood orange zest, that get layered with peach, allspice and key lime vanilla cream, all leading to a supple dry jammy finish. Pair with smoked brisket, BBQ sauce, coleslaw, porterhouse rolls. — Tonya Pitts 94 pts WE
Klinker Brick Brickmason Red Blend – California 2021 $14.50
Review of the 2020 vintage: “Best known for its old vine Zinfandel that is super ripe and intense, the winery also offers this change-of-pace red blend. The 2020 Brickmason consists of 80% Zinfandel, 10% Syrah and 5% each of Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon. It does capture some old vine velvety texture, but overall is a full flavored, gentle giant. It is loaded with ripe blackberry character along with some spice and a touch of licorice. With its well-integrated tannins and juicy fruit, it is big but ready to be enjoyed now with hearty dishes. Excellent value.”
90 Norm Roby
Tenuta Sallier de la Tour, Sicilia DOC (Sicily, Italy) Nero d’Avola 2021 – $12
This review is for the 2020 vintage: we have in stock 2021: Winemaker Mario Licari crafts an especially fresh and lively Nero d’Avola. This 2020 vintage is a great example with black cherry, berry fruit with light notes of a dried woody herb. The bright, lively acidity and ripe tannins add a refreshing, mouthwatering finish. Licari’s approach is aging 70 percent of the wine in stainless-steel tanks and the remaining 30 percent in second and third use French oak barrels. Enjoy it with tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. 92 pts WRO
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
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
Surrau, Vermentino di Gallura DOCG (Sardinia, Italy) “Limizzani” 2023 $14 (sold out)
Vermentino is a grape that yields an aromatic white wine that is known as Rolle in France, Favorita in Piedmont, and Pigato in Liguria, among other designations. Gallura is located on the north end of the island of Sardinia. Here, the granite-based soils, sea breezes and sunny days provide a special terroir in which the Vermentino grape thrives. Vermentino di Gallura has long been recognized as a distinctive and quality growing area, and was awarded DOCG status in 1996. Vigne Surrau was established by a Sardinian family with generations of winegrowing experience. Their 2023 Limizzani Vermentino di Gallura is a fresh and aromatic wine that exemplifies the best qualities of Vermentino. It is a luscious sensory experience for those new to this variety. Its rich aromas of linden flower, peach, ripe apple and tropical fruits are enhanced by herb and citrus peel hints. The flavors are exotic and appealing with the luscious apricot, peach and pineapple fruits backed by delicate floral, mint and citrus peel tones. It is a delicious example that invites another sip.
92 Wayne Belding
Dopff & Irion 2023 Cuvée René Dopff Pinot Blanc Pinot Blanc (Alsace) $15
Light, fresh, and floral, this Pinot Blanc is straightforward and direct with a nice zesty acidity. It’s uncomplicated but pleasant, offering clean notes of green apple and white blossom. — Aleks Zecevic 87 pts
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 $15 2024 on order
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
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.
Rio Madre rose – Spain 2024 – $10
And whatever else comes in this week!!
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.