Tag Archives: red wine

Wine of the Day: Michel Sarrazin Givry 1er Cru Vieilles Vignes 5-21-2016

Michel Sarrazin et Fils Givry Premier Cru Les Vieilles Vignes, Cote Chalonnaise 2013 750ML ($39.95) Buy Now: $33 special

The Sarrazin ‘Givry Rouge VV’ is really punching above its weight here. Old vine Givry – a blend of two premier cru plots, is deceptively complex with a silky and suave display of licorice, black fruit, and a hint of smoke. It’s light on its feet but still quite concentrated; Guy & Jean-Yves are very capable in taking over their father Michel’s estate. Grapes are fermented from native yeasts in temperature-controlled, stainless-steel tanks before being raised in a combination of new and old oak barrels. Finally, the wines are bottle unfined and unfiltered. A very worthwhile producer to consider! – Tyler… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Brick House Vineyards Gamay Noir 2014 5-20-2016

Brick House Vineyards Gamay Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2014 ($31.95) Buy Now: $26.60 special

Our hometown take on Beaujolais – bright and peppy, with wild floral elements, strawberry-laced fruit flavors, and a touch of licorice and spice. As seductive as Morgon, aromatic as Fleurie, and structured yet mysterious as Moulin-a-Vent. Brick House are the real deal, and their ‘Gamay Noir au Jus Blanc’ is a picture-perfect postcard from beautiful vineyard a mere 25 miles from our shop. – Tyler

Grapelive 92+ points “….I think my favorite Brick House was the new 2014 Gamay Noir, it really stood out and reminds me of 2009 Cru Beaujolais, it has a Cote de Brouilly feel and wonderful structure to go with expressive and ripe dark fruits… The pure Gamay Noir character shines through on the nose and palate with blackberry, a mix of floral and spice, cherry, strawberry and succulent currant as well as a hint of flinty stones, minty herb, walnut oil and plum/peach flesh.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Bergstrom Le Pre du Col 2014 5-17-2016

Bergstrom Le Pre du Col, Ribbon Ridge Pinot Noir 2014 750ML ($69.95) Buy Now: $59 pre-arrival special, ETA Friday, May 27th

The Le Pre du Col (or ‘meadow on the mountain’) is a bright and fresh Pinot with plenty of body and acidity to spare. It opens with a bright zesty note of spice and herbs. The palate shows notes of purple flowers and red cherries with hints of iron and tobacco. I would give this a few years in bottle before opening or, if need be, 4-5 hours in a decanter before serving.

Le Pre du Col is planted to marine sedimentary soils in the Ribbon Ridge AVA. The winery describes the AVA as offering Pinots sweet cinnamon spice and ripe Oregon strawberry and cherry aromas.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Bergstrom Silice Pinot Noir 2014 5-15-2016

Bergstrom Wines Silice, Chehelam Mountains Pinot Noir 2014 750ML ($69.95) Buy Now: $59 pre-arrival special, ETA Friday, May 27th

This Bergstrom bottling takes a turn toward the dark side: the dark berry side. Not unlike the 2013 release, the 2014 Silice is decidedly richer and lusher than the Le Pre du Col bottling. There are aromas of ripe blackberries and Italian plums with ample mouthfeel and a luxurious silkiness. A subtle spiciness on the finish lingers around for a while.

The Silice Vineyard (once named the de Lancellotti Vineyard) is planted on an ancient seabed thrust up by ancient volcanos. The soil is sandy over layers of shale and sandstone, rich in reflective silica. It is a hot, arid vineyard where roots dig deep for scare water.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Byrrh Grand Quinquina NV 5-8-2016

Byrrh Grand Quinquina, Languedoc-Roussillon NV ($23.95) Buy Now: $19 special

“The Byrrh is a rarity in many ways. It is a quinquina (which uses chinchona bark for the bittering agent) that is red-wine based, whereas many red aperitifs are colored with caramel. Despite wide popularity before Prohibition, it is not typically imported into the US anymore, so we are excited to present it. It was originally created in 1866 in the Roussillon from Carignan and Grenache grapes. It shows rich notes of dried plums and cinnamon and has a full body and lush sweetness.” -Suzanne

Importer note: “Byrrh Grand Quinquina is made to the original late 19th century recipe that earned fame both in France and overseas. Its long legacy is also documented by a half century of magnificent poster art.… Read the rest