The Grapevine Gazette
February 1 - 28, 2012
February was named after februum, the Latin word that means purification. Interestingly, January and February were the last two months to be added to the Roman calendar, since the Romans originally considered that period in winter to be of no consequence. Obviously, they never had the holidays, hot cocoa and snow bound vacations to look forward to. Regardless, we're halfway through winter and its endless procession of rocky mountain high junkets for those who need their snowboard and ski fix, detours to warmer climates for those who are not so inclined, and romantic interludes for Valentine's Day. It's also a great time to indulge in those winter feasts that warm the cockles of our hearts as well as satiate our tummies. Of course, no meal would be complete without a wonderful wine pairing. As such, we offer the following suggestions from our wine staff that will hopefully satisfy your palate and keep at bay the chilly climes outside. And as always, enjoy, imbibe responsibly, and drink outside the box.
Margerum M5 Santa Barbara Proprietary Red
Reg $23.99 | Gazette Special $19.99
If you have ever visited our Westwood store and asked for a great red for around twenty dollars, chances are pretty good this wine ended up in your basket. It has been a "go-to" of mine for years. Even though production has increased and percentages of wine used and where the fruit comes from change year to year, the quality does not. This Rhone style blend (a la Chateauneuf-du-Pape using five grape varieties from twelve of the highest quality vineyards in Santa Barbara County) is silky smooth to start with a long lingering finish. Excellent for a romantic night or enjoy with cheeseburgers or even a romantic night with cheeseburgers.
Michael Contreras Wine Specialist Westwood
Villa Creek Mas De Maha Paso Robles Proprietary Red
Reg $31.99 | Gazette Special $26.99
Sort of Spain meets Rhone, made in California, and very well done. This amazing central coast blend of Tempranillo, Grenache and Carignan explodes on the nose with plums, cloves and all the spice of winter confections. The palette further entices with sweet cherries and the most velvet of tannins. This is truly an enjoyable pop and pour wine that pairs well with the spiciest of Latin cuisine and your favorite recipe for grilled red meats.
Teo Santocono Wine Specialist La Jolla
Louis Martini Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
Reg $29.99 | Gazette Special $26.99
Alexander Valley is a viticulture area just north of San Francisco in Northern Sonoma County. It borders the Russian River from just south of Healdsburg, north to the Sonoma-Mendocino County line. Louis M. Martini built his winery in 1933 in Napa Valley. Over the years the Martini family has nurtured his dream by developing some of the most prestigious vineyards in Napa and Sonoma Counties. This Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits aromas of ripe plum, berries and black cherry with undertones of anise and leather. Distinctive flavors of berry and black cherry unfold around firm tannins that ensure aging. This wine pairs well with big red meats, hearty stews and red sauced pasta dishes.
David Yaquinto Specialist Palm Desert
Joseph Phelps Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Reg $56.99 | Gazette Special $49.99
Lots of sweet spice and touches of smoke sit atop a good dose of well-ripened fruit in the nose and then again on the palate, and in each venue fruit lags a step or two behind ripeness and obvious oak. That said, the wine still has a fine sense of richness, and with a bit of time on the cork, it should both find a fruitier focus and shed a bit of toughness that its nominal tannins now bring to bear. With time this wine will reward the buyer with a great experience at this price point. It would also make a classy gift. If you can't resist trying it now, enjoy with one of our prime cuts of beef.
Michael Pagh Wine Specialist Rolling Hills
Chateau Branaire Ducru Saint Julien
Reg $59.99 | Gazette Special $49.99
The 2006 vintage offers complex aromas and nicely layered flavors of currants, cherries and stony soil, conveying a good sense of richness and depth. Offers inviting blueberry, dark chocolate, menthol and cedary oak with hints of pepper and herbs. Finishes with a lovely light touch and plenty of structure for a leisurely evolution in the bottle. 70% Cabernet Sauvignon; 22% Merlot; 5% Cabernet Franc; 3% Petit Verdot. 92 points Parkers Wine Advocate
Michael Cristillo Corp Wine & Spirits Buyer
Brown Estates Chaos Theory
Reg $39.99 | Gazette Special $34.99
Brown Estate is a family owned and operated winery tucked into the eastern hills of Napa Valley, a unique micro climate known as the Chiles Valley district. They focus on Zinfandel, but also make fabulous Cabernet. The Chaos Theory is a blend of the two, 60% Zinfandel and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine is delicious! Filled with aromas of boysenberry, blackberries, and subtle components of wild flowers, carrying on to the palate with a rich lush, mouth feel, followed by hints of pepper and one of my favorite things...BACON. That's right I said it and I meant it. Served with our prime filet wrapped in bacon or any soft blue veined cheese; you will not be disappointed.
Cheryl Dash Wine Specialist Manhattan Beach
Durigutti Mendoza Bonarda
Reg $11.99 | Gazette Special $8.99
The origins of Bonarda are still questionable. Most in Argentina say that it is a relative of the Dolcetto grape brought over from Piedmonte in the late 1800's. Others genetically link it to Charbono (also known as Corbeau) whose origins lie in Eastern France. Either way, it is the second most produced grape in Argentina behind the beloved Malbec and just as important to its more popular brother as Burgundy is to Bordeaux or Piedmonte wines to Tuscany. Durigutti's bottling offers up a nose of violets, lilacs and plums with a dusk embrace of leather. The nose carries over into the palate with the addition of pomegranate laced with bracing (not biting) tannins balanced with great acidity leaving an elongated minty finish. Perfect for winter braised dishes and most cuts of meats from pork, lamb, and chicken all the way to seafood stews into tomato based broths.
Teo Santocono Wine Specialist La Jolla
Bodegas Beronia Rioja Reserva
Reg $19.99 | Gazette Special $16.99
This consistent, big, inky red should be on every ones value buy list. It is mostly Tempranillo with small amounts of Mazuelo and Graciano. The wine offers intense aromas of currant, licorice and smoke, balanced by bright acidity and firm tannins for a complex lingering finish. This Spanish gem will enlighten and warm any occasion from cheese party to hearty stew lunch or marbled meat dinner.
Don Ziehm Wine Specialist Long Beach
Firriato Chiaramonte Nero d' Avola
Reg $16.99 | Gazette Special $14.99
Sicilian wines are often equated to being rather course and overbearing. Yet, they do lend themselves to simple cuisine and go together very well. Remember, Sicily produces a lot of wine, some say the most in Italy and Nero d' Avola is the most important Sicilian grape variety. The Firriato's, with the assistance of consultants from New Zealand, Australia and the United States, afford us some very compelling and complex wines. I almost feel the Chiaramonte is a second wine to their compelling and renowned Harmonium. If nothing else, it is considerably less expensive. However, they do not compromise in offering a very complex and enjoyable wine, with its aromas of light fresh berries and hints of earth and oak that subtly follows into the lingering taste. A wine that will enhance all meat, pasta and fowl cuisine.
Alex Brideau Wine Specialist Beverly West
Talbott Monterey Chardonnay Sleepy Hollow Vineyard
Reg $34.99 | Gazette Special $30.99
Robert Sharpe Talbott was born in Connecticut in 1948, but moved with his family to Carmel, California in 1950. There they started the Robert Talbott Tie Company (his Father's name was also Robert). At a young age Robert started in the business and was fortunate enough to accompany his parents on buying trips to Europe. It's there he developed his interest in the wines of Burgundy while visiting the south of France. The Sleepy Hollow grapes are hand-picked and the resulting wine is barrel aged for 12 months in French oak, 30% of which is new. This Chardonnay gives off hints of white peach, tangerine and grapefruit. It's full-bodied in the mouth with hints of toasted almond and oak on the finish. Try it with your favorite seafood or white sauced pasta and if you should happen to spill a little, it would be very classy if it landed on a Talbott shirt and tie. Enjoy!
Dick O'Connell Wine Specialist Newport Beach
Domaine Jessiaume Santenay Gravieres Blanc
Reg $42.99 | Gazette Special $36.99
Santenay is a village located in Burgundy and certainly does not receive the accolades that its neighbors like Chassagne do, but then they do not carry the often exorbitant prices of those elite appellations. Jessiaume was built in 1850 and comprises over 37 acres, with important holdings in the Premiers Crus vineyards of Auxey Duresses Les Ecusseaux and Volnay Les Brouillards. This 100% Chardonnay spent 12 months in oak barrels (30% new wood), followed by 5 months in stainless-steel tanks prior to bottling. It delivers a fresh bouquet with enhanced notes of citrus, green apple and almond. Elegant with a creamy texture, it opens up with vibrant minerality on the palate and a gorgeous finish. Serve with fine-textured seafood, poultry or goat cheeses.
Michael Cristillo Corp Wine & Spirits Buyer
ZD Carneros Pinot Noir
Reg $39.99 | Gazette Special $35.99
100% Pinot Noir, this wine was made exclusively from vineyards in the cool Carneros appellation. The primary clonal selection are 667 and Swan, both of which produce fruit with small berries. This gives high skin to juice ratios producing a wine with added color and depth. During fermentation the wine was barrel aged in 60 gallon French oak barrel for 10 months before bottling. The natural elegance of this pinot noir is enhanced with the toasty, spicy character of French oak barrels it which it was aged. This wine is currently showing a fantastic depth of fruit ranging from fresh cherries to ripe strawberries and will age beautifully developing a velvety elegance that only Pinot Noir can embody. Enjoy with grilled salmon, pork chop and wild mushroom risotto.
Jose Cortes Wine Specialist South Pasadena
Cht. Puynard Cotes de Bordeaux Blaye
Reg $11.99 | Gazette Special $9.99
While domestically we have grown weary watching the prices of Bordeaux escalate beyond our tolerances, there is still an ample base of wines that offer good value. It seems the Far East has found an affinity for Bordeaux, but luckily it is label specific, so if you aren't Lafite or Latour, you don't carry the same favor overseas. Enter the plethora of Petit Chateaux, an underrated and often underappreciated level of Bordeaux that is meant for early release and consumption. While they vary among styles, regions and producers, they can still offer true French flair at a very attractive price. The AOC Cotes de Bordeaux formerly consisted of 4 smaller Cotes (or slopes), but they agreed to consolidate under Cotes de Bordeaux with the exception of Cotes de Bourg, whom stubbornly resisted. The Puynard Blaye, one of the former Cotes, is approximately 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet, and is a bright, clean, well balanced red that is well suited to mildly seasoned dishes. Crunchy flavors of plum and cherry are carried by a delicate spice and cedar note, which linger in the pure, unmarred, silky finish. Wines of character without a heavy sweet oak presence are becoming more favorable these days. Very enjoyable without being cumbersome.
Geoff Nicoll Director Beer, Wine & Spirits
Pra Soave Classico
Reg $16.99 | Gazette Special $14.99
Pra's Soave Classico opens with gorgeous aromatics that lead to crisp, beautifully articulated fruit with a hint of nuttiness. The persistence, balance and clean, mineral finish add up to an absolutely delicious bottle of Soave. Needless to say, it is highly recommended and by far one of my favorite producers in Veneto and delivers considerable quality for the money. Pair this beauty with pasta with cream based sauces or just about any seafood dish.
Fernando Damasco Wine Specialist Hollywood
Farmers Sonoma County Chardonnay Reserve
Reg $11.99 | Gazette Special $9.99
This is one of the best damn bottles of chardonnay in this price range I have ever tasted. The juice for this chard was purchased from two elite wineries, one Sonoma, the other Napa Valley, who normally sell their chards in the mid $20 to high $40 range respectively. It bursts with ripe tropical fruit that is tantalizingly balanced with nice acidity, minerality and a mouth watering finish that goes on and on. One of our special Best Buys we've ever come across. And what makes it even more special is that a portion of the proceeds from its sales are pegged for Sonoma County farmers and their families who are in financial straights. Enjoy.
Michael Cristillo Corp Wine & Spirits Buyer
Mason Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc
Reg $14.99 | Gazette Special $11.99
Randy Mason has made his mark on, of all things, Sauvignon Blanc. Most well-known and established winemakers are known for Chardonnay or Cabernet, but some just get it right. Not that there's anything wrong with Chard or Cab, but there's just an awful lot of 'em, good bad or otherwise. Mason, however, is good. In fact, very good. The vineyard is located in Yountville, yes it is a single vineyard source, and is a wonderful change of pace with its tangy, lightly piquant, bracing acidity and cleansing aspect. Racy flavors of mixed citrus/grapefruit, white peach, honeydew and blossoms set the tone which lingers long into the refreshing finish. I have long admired Randy Mason's dedication to Sauvignon, which happens to be one of my personal favorite grapes. Great with any shellfish, white fleshed fish, goat cheese or with appetizers.
Geoff Nicoll Director Beer, Wine & Spirits
Matanzas Creek Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc
Reg $19.99 | Gazette Special $16.99
Clean, keyed on a mix of sweet citrus and only lightly graced by green melons, this engaging youngster teases with wispy notes of vaguely tropical fruit. It is medium-bodied and firmly balanced without being stiff, and, if arguably a bit herbaceous, it is a bright and lively look at sauvignon blanc that very much lends itself to super food friendly sipper that will pair well with clams, oysters, and goat cheese.
Michael Pagh Wine Specialist Rolling Hills
Zolo Mendoza Savignon Blanc
Reg $9.99 | Gazette Special $8.49
Casa Zolo is nestled in the vast Mendoza growing region of Argentina. Zolo Sauvignon Blanc is the result of carefully selected fruit coming from their prize winning high-elevation vineyards, producing tropical scents, passion fruit and fig. This refreshing white gem has bright, crisp acidity with flavors of lime, citrus, white floral and fresh herbs with orange blossom notes that persist through the finish. Pair this with crisp salads, white fish or enjoy as an aperitif.
Michael Gregory Wine Specialist Beverly West
Nobilo Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Reg $13.99 | Gazette Special $11.99
This New Zealand beauty is pale yellow with brilliant clarity. Very evident aromas of pineapple, passion fruit and melon. It possesses fresh, crisp, zesty flavors of ripe tropical fruits and zingy acidity. A beautifully balanced wine with great presence and mouth feel. Enjoyable on its own as a starter, or pairs well with any lighter seafood dish and lemon herbed chicken.
Brian Moore Wine Specialist Newport Beach
Domaine Bailly Quincy
Reg $16.99 | Gazette Special $14.99
Sylvain Bailly is a family run winery based in the heart of Sancerre. In 1995 they extended their vineyard holdings into the appellation of Quincy - not in the Loire Valley proper but on the same vast chalk bed made of fossilized sea shells that runs from the White Cliffs of Dover down through Champagne and Chablis. A series of small valleys cut through the chalk, each with their own soils and microclimate. The wine is pale and clear with aromas of white flowers and a hint of vanilla. The flavors are fruity and bright with a subtle mineral character. Honey and vanilla flavors linger on the finish. The wine goes well with salads and seafood, or it makes a very nice aperitif by itself.
Rob Hill Wine Specialist at Hollywood and Westchester
Coppola Sofia Blanc de Blancs
Reg $16.99 | Gazette Special $14.99
For Valentine's Day, I recommend this elegant and refreshing sparkler from Francis Ford Coppola. Aside from its amazing presentation, the taste of this sparkling wine, a blend of Pinot Blanc, Riesling, and Muscat, is surprisingly vibrant with flavors of honeyed apples and citrus. This unique blend is a love triangle offering a wondrous taste for appetizers and desserts for your romantic dinner.
William Buford Wine Specialist Westlake Village
Cessarini Sforza Tridentum Brut Rose
Reg $11.99 | Gazette Special $9.99
Quite frequently we stumble on an opportunity that's far too good to pass up. Then sometimes the timing is not as perfect as others. Like December of '11 when we bought a considerable chunk of an Italian Sparkler that we really think over-delivers for the price. A classic dry sparkling rose, atypical for Italy, that has a very French style and body. Most think of fizzy sweet like Asti Spumante and Moscato Frizzante, but Italy is very adept at making quality dry wines as well. The Tridentum Brut Rose is made from 100% Pinot Nero (or Pinot Noir) and is quite a serious bottle of bubbly. When I looked at the price, I thought the case price was for a 6 bottle case, but I was very wrong. Good to be wrong in this case. The wine was aged 36 months, good by Champagne standards, and is choc full of spiced red fruits, notes of toast and a complex clean, brisk finish. The wine is a natural with beef, pork, duck and roasted poultry. The wine originally sold for $19.99, but we negotiated down to an incredible $11.99. Well no good deed goes unpunished, so because it landed in our warehouse the week before New Years, it never made it out to the stores. So how about $9.99 for a crazy deal to share with your Valentine. My advice (as I will exercise), better buy a case.
Geoff Nicoll Director Beer, Wine & Spirits
Chateau D' Esclans Whispering Angel Provence Rose
Reg $19.99 | Gazette Special $16.99
Enjoying our great California winter weather, I could not help but open up a bottle of rose under this array of sunshine. For the winemaker Patrick Leon (formerly of Mouton Rothschild) and proprietor Sacha Lachine, this 'standard' is one of the best rose on the market. Its dry notes of fresh strawberries and minerals coupled with delicate herbs can be paired with Salmon Wellington.
William Buford Wine Specialist Westlake Village
Dr. Loosen Riesling Kabinett
Reg $20.99 | Gazette Special $17.99
Spring is in the air and Valentine's is just around the corner. Just the time to lighten things up with a refreshing thirst quencher that is ideal with salads, seafood, spicy dishes or just on its own with a good friend. It's time to re-visit an old wine district that was so popular in this country in the 1970s. German qualitatswein have been the most reliable for excellent, long lived distinctive wines for generations. This family owned winery has been involved in making wine for over 200 years and do not use chemical fertilization and their Erste Lage (Grand Cru) vines are over 120 years old. This Kabinett, the lightest and driest in the German classification system, has a wonderfully delicate floral nose and lively crisp flavors that will bring a smile to all who partake.
Alex Brideau Wine Specialist Beverly West
Gainey Santa Ynez Riesling
Reg $12.99 | Gazette Special $10.99
Nicely framed aromas redolent of ripe peach, hints of flowers and jasmine may take their time to open up but open they do and become quite pleasant in the process. The wine is slightly sweet on the palate and gains a bit of roundness as the result but it is also very well-balanced at every stop. It will be a happy mate to pan-fried fish and curried chicken dishes.
Michael Pagh Wine Specialist Rolling Hills
Schramsberg Napa Valley Blanc de Blancs
Reg $29.99 | Gazette Special $26.99
Blanc de Blancs (white from white) made from Chardonnay is the counterpart to Blanc de Noirs (white from black), made from Pinot Noir. Blanc de Blancs was the first wine Schramsberg produced in 1965 and was America's first commercially produced, Chardonnay-based brut sparkling wine. Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs gained international recognition in 1972 when then President Nixon served the wine at the historic "Toast to Peace" in Beijing, China. The Schramsberg style is dry and crisp. Small lots of malolactic- and barrel-fermented wines are added for complexity. The wine is aged on the yeast lees in the bottle for about two years prior to disgorgement. With its vibrant, fruitful and crisp nature, this sparkling wine will maintain its freshness, structure and refined finish for many years. While this wine can be enjoyed by itself as an aperitif, it is also perfect with fresh oysters and other shellfish, ceviche and grilled sea bass.
Jose Cortes Wine Specialist South Pasadena