Tag Archives: Staff Pick

Wine of the Day: Weninger Balf Kekburgundi, Sopron, Hungary 2011 4-29-16

Weingut Weninger Balf Kekburgundi, Sopron, Hungary 2011 750ML ($19.95) Buy Now: $16 special

Why we love it: Because as a Hungarian-American (albeit third-generation), I don’t get to recommend wine from the homeland all that much. Spicy red fruit with an edgy earth-laden quality is balanced out with nice acidity and a mellow finish. Screwtop and all, this is going to be one of my spring-summer go-to’s. – Tyler

Winery notes: “The Sopron wine region is our passion. Since 1997 we work in this area. The Sopron cuvée pays tribute to it, representing the wideness of the Little Hungarian Plane (Kisalföld) and the strength of nature in the Ferto-Hanság National Park: a fruity and vivid wine. Selective hand harvest. Native yeast fermentation in stainless steel.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: A&G Natale Fantino ‘Vigna dei Dardi’, Barolo DOCG 2010 4-28-16

Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino ‘Cascina Dardi’, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) Buy Now: $46 special

Case-6 Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino ‘Cascina Dardi’, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($579.95) Buy Now: $469 special

Case-12 Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino ‘Cascina Dardi’, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($319.95) Buy Now: $249 special

Why we love the Fantino Dardi: Value and depth. I’ve had a few “wow! wines” from Fantino recently, and though this particular bottling may be in its early stages, it’s still beautiful. Aromatically stunning and steeply, fantastically deep in flavor. By all accounts, will age with grace. – Tyler

Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2010 Barolo Cascina Dardi Bussia hits all the right marks with a beautiful sense of elegance and grace that is immediately apparent.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Goodfellow Family Cellars Richard’s Cuvee Chardonnay 2013 4-27-16

Goodfellow Family Cellars Richard’s Cuvee Chardonnay 2013 750ML ($37.95) Buy Now: $33 special

Tasted blind in a flight with four white Burgundies, the Goodfellow Richard’s Cuvee Chardonnay held its own. It showed a moderately restrained nose with notes of fresh cream, toasted barley and autumn leaves with a little something else that is hard to define. The savory character showed on the palate as well, with notes of toasted nuts and dried ginger. There was ample acidity that was balanced – suggesting it would make a good wine to drink with food. It offers excellent value and, though distinctive, it certainly gave the Burgundies a run for their money.

Once bottled under the Matello label, the Richard’s Cuvee is all dry-farmed grapes from the Whistling Ridge Vineyard. … Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Aubry de Humbert Premier Cru Champagne 2006 4-25-16

Aubry Cuvee ‘Aubry de Humbert’ Premier Cru Millesime Classique, Champagne 2006 750ML ($89.95) Buy Now: $69 special

Why we love Aubry’s ‘Aubry de Humbert’ Cuvee: Richness. Toast and citrus mingle beautifully with this bottle of bubbles, with a finish as tasty as the wine itself. – Tyler

Stephen Tanzer 91 points “(made from roughly equal parts Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier and aged for over more than five years on its lees; disgorged June, 2012): Pale gold. Fresh citrus zest, strawberry and quince aromas are deepened by notes of anise, vanilla and musky herbs. Dusty, gripping lemon rind and blood orange flavors give way to deeper red berries in the mid-palate, picking up a hint of chalky minerality on the back half. … Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Produttori del Barbaresco Normale 2011 4-24-16

Produttori del Barbaresco Normale ‘Barbaresco DOCG’, Piedmont 2011 750ML ($37.95) Buy Now: $29 special

Produttori del Barbaresco Normale ‘Barbaresco DOCG’, Piedmont 2011 1.5L ($69.95) Buy Now: $59 special

Two of us from the shop opened this 2011 Barbaresco from Produttori del Barbaresco on Thanksgiving eve, pouring little tastes as we mapped out what would become a lovely dinner with all sorts of dishes, new friends, and a wide array of wines. This one was truly one of the standouts, so much so that we had to hide the bottle so as to not drink it all before the dinner even came to fruition.

As cooking began and thirsts resurfaced, this humble bottle from the legendary Produttori estate came back to reward our efforts.… Read the rest