- Fontaleoni Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2013
Varietal:
100% Vernaccia
Classification:
Denominazione
di Origne Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) Vernaccia di San Gimignano
Production/Tasting Notes:
Organic certification in process; hand harvest; matured in steel tanks; yellow
straw color; nose: fruity, flowery, white peach, acacia flower; dry, fresh,
soft; medium-bodied
Food pairings: light salads,
seafood, as an aperitif
12% Alcohol; retails for about $15
2. Miraval 2014
Varietals:
Cinsault, Grenache, Rolle
(Vermentino), Syrah
Classification:
Appellation Côtes
de Provence Contrôlée
(A.O.C.)
Production/Tasting Notes: “Mis
en bouteille par Jolie-Pitt & Perrin” (yes,
Angelina & Brad); vinified in temperature-controlled stainless
steel vats (95%) and barrels (5%); pale pink
in color; pleasant floral nose of white flowers, soft roses, crushed
strawberries and ripe cherries; round and soft on the
palate; delicate structure that deepens on the palate;
fresh summer red fruit:strawberries, wild raspberries, red currant;
hint of lime;mineral notes with a slight saltiness and
fresh acidity; savory herbal edge
The
Wine
Advocate (91
pts) - "The
finest rosé yet from this estate (the wine is made by the top notch
team at Chateau Beaucastel), the light pink colored 2014 Cotes de
Provence Rose sports a fresh and lively bouquet of wild
strawberries, raspberries and white flowers to go with a supple,
lightly textured, silky and seamless feel on the palate. About as
gulp-able and hard to resist as they come, it's a killer rosé to
drink over the coming 6-8 months."
Food
pairings: fish (fresh coho
salmon, for example), poultry, vegetarian fare; also great as an
apéritif;
your favorite summertime
Provençal
fare
13%
alcohol; retails for about $30, but usually can be found on sale for $22-23
- Artazuri Garnacha 2010
Varietal: 100%
Garnacha (Grenache)
Classification:
Denominacion de Origen (DO):
Navarra, Spain
Production/Tasting
Notes: 4-6 Months in French
oak; heady aromas of forest berries, lavender, violet; good, natural
acidity; bold, powerful with distinctive flavors of strawberries,
raspberries, black pepper, mint; very approachable, everyday wine;
well balanced; medium bodied.
Food
pairings: pizza, burgers;
tapas; roast chicken
14% Alcohol; retails for about $12, at Total Wine
4.
Fore Family Vineyards Cabernet Lake county 2006
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
District of Origin: Lake County, California
Production/Tasting Notes: Dark ruby in color; initially closed, but
quickly opens to an array of aromas—cinnamon, black cherry, sweet oak and vanilla; aromas continue into the expansive flavors on
the palate; round and supple; fine, strong structure that will sustain this
wine for many years.
Food pairings: roasted meat; rib-eye steak; lamb; hard cheeses;
dark chocolate
15.5% Alcohol; retails for about $30, available only by club membership
