Wine of the Week

2008

July 1st -
Beckmen
“Cuvee Le Bec” 2006 . . . . . 14.99
90/100 - Our score.
Possibly the best Cuvee Le Bec ever. The 2006 marks the first vintage that Beckmen has been exclusively using biodynamic practices in the production of their wines. The Cuvee Le Bec is a blend of 50% Grenache, 28% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre and 7% Counoise. Always a Wine Discount Center favorite, we consider it to be like an internationally styled Chateauneuf du Pape. Nose of raspberry and strawberry. The flavors are of darker fruits, black cherry and black raspberry along with a touch of anise and pepper. Finishes smooth and silky. (California)

June 24th -
Willow Crest
Estate Viognier 2006 . . . . . 13.99
88/100 - Our score.
From young vines planted in 2002, this agreeable Viognier displays varietally correct flavors with honeysuckle and peach aromatics. Fresh, clean and spicy in the mouth with citrus and appley flavors, it’s a pleasant drinker with moderate alcohol levels. (Washington)

Willow Crest
Yakima Valley Syrah 2005 . . . . . 16.99
91/100 - Our score.
There are wineries sourcing grapes from Willow Crest’s premium vineyards in the Yakima Valley that are selling their Syrah for over $30 a bottle. Fortunately for us, Willow Crest retains a small amount of grapes for their own label, and at only $17 a bottle it has to be one of Washington’s top Syrah values. The 2005 Willow Crest will blow you away with its liquid blueberry and black raspberry flavors. There is a touch of smoke for complexity. This is luscious Syrah with great depth and balance of fruit, tannin and alcohol. The finish is long and satiny. (Washington)

June 17th -
Chateau St. Martin de la Garrigue
“Bronzinelle” Coteaux du Languedoc 2006 . . . . . 13.99
90/100 - Our score.
We have been big time supporters of this wine for about eight years now. The 2006 is a blend of 30% Syrah, 25% Grenache , 25% Carignan and 20% Mourvedre. This wine is imported by Kermit Lynch and here is what he has to say about the winemaker, Jean-Claude Zabalia... “Here is a guy who gets it. He knows that we all look for perfume, flavor and flesh.... and he knows that it can be done without going too far, knows that the goal is not to score points but to make a wine we like to swallow at the table.” We have agreed with this philosophy for years now. The 2006 shows rich black fruits and kirsch liqueur flavors, with more extraction than in past vintages. Mouthfilling, with ripeness, a hint of herbaceousness and a tannic backbone that smooths out in the end. Finishes with balance and acidity and at the halfway point of 2008 this would get heavy consideration for wine value of the year. (France)

June 10th -
Cartlidge & Browne
“Snow’s Lake Vineyard”
Red Hills Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 . . . . . 18.99
91/100 - Our score.
The way we have touted some of the Cabernet values from the Red Hills AVA in Lake County over the past year and a half, one might think we have a stake in Lake County. That, unfortunately, is not the case. The simple truth is that some of the most tasty and complex $20 Cabernets coming from the state of California are from the Red Hills. This Cartlidge & Browne from a single vineyard, Snow’s Lake, is the latest, and probably the greatest value from the AVA. Take a sip, and black cherry and blackberry flavors with a preserve-like intensity will coat your mouth, but that’s not all. On the finish, the berry fruit flavors, earthy minerality and great acidity seamlessly wash away the firm but not overpowering tannins. This is seriously delicious, food-friendly Cabernet with grip. (California)

June 3rd -
Château de Ségriès
“Lirac” Cuvée Réservée 2006 . . . . . 13.99
92/100 - Our score.
Customers have been crying for months since we ran out of the 2005 Segries Lirac. Well cry no more, the 2006 is now released and it rocks. The 2006 southern Rhone vintage has set new benchmarks for color and tannin structure, reaching levels rarely seen. While not as ripe as the 2005’s, the acidity levels are excellent and the tannic structure is stellar as compared to the more coarse 2005 vintage. A blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 10% Cinsault, and 5% each Mourvedre and Carignan, the 2006 Segries Lirac has beautifully pure blackberry fruit, hints of garrigue (lavender, rosemary and earth) and fine grained tannins. It’s a beauty dripping with blackberries, spice and a velvet-like mouthfeel. Lush and loaded with finesse, this one should not be missed. We have sold this wine for ten straight years and it continues to get better with every vintage. (France)

May 27th -
Acustic
Montsant 2006 . . . . . 17.99
90/100 - Wine Advocate. “The 2006 Acustic is a notable value composed of 55% Samso and 45% Garnacha aged for 10 months in French oak. Dark ruby/purple, it exhibits a fragrant bouquet of cedar, spice box, mineral, and black cherry. This leads to a smooth-textured, elegant, sweetly-fruited wine already revealing considerable complexity. There is some silky tannin lurking in the background which will allow this tasty effort to drink well through 2020.” (Spain)

May 20th -
Filippo Gallino
Barbera d’Alba 2006 . . . . . 12.99
89/100 - Our score.
This is an absolutely great Barbera. Here’s what the latest issue of Gambero Rosso had to say about the winery... “Gallino is synonymous with the essence of winemaking. There is something immutable, indeed almost ancestral, in the production philosophy of this small, authentic Roero family winery. The passage of time, so insidious elsewhere, has not tarnished its stylistic discipline or its fascinatingly humble approach to its raw material.” Exuding classic aromas and flavors of spicy cherry and raspberry, seasoned with just a hint of black pepper in the finish, this great Barbera is as dry, crisp and refreshing as they come. (Italy)

May 13th -
Baileyana
“Grand Firepeak Cuvée”
Edna Valley Pinot Noir 2006 . . . . . 22.99
90/100 - Our score.
Here’s a less fruit-driven style of Pinot fashioned by Burgundy-born winemaker Christian Roguenant. The new vintage offers pretty aromas of strawberry, raspberry and black cherry set against a firm background of biscuity oak. Smooth and concentrated berry fruit flavors meld with spice, oak and underbrush, dovetailing into a lingering, elegant finish. (California)

May 6th -
Héritiers du Comte Lafon
“Clos de la Crochette”
Macon-Chardonnay 2005 . . . . . 23.99
90/100 - Burghound. “Slightly more evident wood frames riper orchard fruit and a pretty hint of lime that leads to rich, full and sweet flavors that possess excellent volume and plenty of vibrancy on the deliciously sappy finish that is bone dry. This is a lacy and detailed wine of finesse and understatement yet with no lack of power.” (France)

April 29th -
Kris
Pinot Nero 2006 . . . . . 10.99
88/100 - Our score.
As Pinot Noir remains the red hot grape variety, it seems that many drinkers don’t mind much where it comes from, as long as long as the quality is there. Alois Lageder’s bottling was a standout in our March flyer, and we now follow it up with a great Italian from Kris. This is from the Franz Haas estate in Alto Adige. This, their first release, offers ripe Pinot fruit flavors of black cherry and cassis. It’s unashamedly fruit-driven, but is by no means tutti-frutti. Gutsy, with good structure, it finishes with lingering fine tannins.

April 22nd -
DeFalco
Falanghina 2005 . . . . . 11.99
89/100 - Our score.
Gabriele DeFalco left his position as vineyard manager at Feudi di San Gregorio to pursue his own authentic winemaking style. His Falanghina from the region of Campania offers a deliciously pure and concentrated palate of apples, peaches and pineapple. The rich and honeyed texture builds to a pretty, dry and clean finish. (Italy)

Le Goeuil
“Cuvée Lea Flesch” Cairanne 2006 . . . . . 14.99
91/100 - Our score.
The village of Cairanne, in the heart of the southern Rhone, is famous for its heavy-duty, full-bodied reds. This example is from 40+ year old organically-grown vines and is a blend of 50% Grenache, and 10% each Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise. With a generous dollop of black raspberry and blueberry aromas and flavors, it’s fleshy and intense with lots of pepper, spice and a touch of earth. There’s an abundance of tannins, but they are surrounded by fruit and palate-cleansing acidity. This would be the perfect wine to wash down a hearty bowl of cassoulet de Castelnaudary. (France)

April 15th -
Couly-Dutheil
“La Baronnie Madeleine” Chinon 2005 . . . . . 16.99
92/100 - Wine Spectator. “A rock-solid, with ripe, structured layers of plum, black currant and black cherry offset by sweet olive tapenade, mineral and aged tobacco. The long, iron-filled finish shows impressive depth. Should age nicely. Drink now through 2010.” (France)

April 8th -
Clos de los Siete
2006 . . . . . 15.79
92/100 - Wine Advocate. “Clos de los Siete is a project of Michel Rolland. The 2006 Clos de los Siete is a slightly different blend with 50% Malbec, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Syrah. Opaque purple-colored, it has a similar expressive nose including fragrant plum, blueberry, and black cherry. Ripe, sweet, and seamless, it admirably hides its tannin under all the fruit. It will evolve for several years but who will have the willpower to defer gratification? It is an awesome value.” (Argentina)

April 1st -
Mas Que Viños
“Ercavio”
Roble Tinto 2006 . . . . . 9.99
91/100 - Wine Advocate.
91/100 - Our score.
This is the most drinkable upon release of the four Ercavio vintages to date. All have been rated 90+ points and the 2006 continues the winning streak. This 100% Tempranillo bursts with strawberry and black raspberry fruit flavors. In addition, there’s spice, cinnamon, clove and a touch of meatiness. It’s pretty and floral with unbelievable grip and structure for a wine at this price. (Spain)

March 25th -
Chateau de Santenay
“Clos de la Chaise Dieu”
Hautes Côtes de Beaune Bourgogne 2005 . . . . . 15.99
89/100 - Our score.
The vineyards for the Clos de la Chaise Dieu are located in the village of Saint-Aubin on a beautiful south-southwest hillside between Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet. When you combine primo real estate with a primo vintage you get a phenomenal white Burgundy value. This is one of those pleasurable wines where everything is in complete harmony. There is a vinous bouquet of white flowers, spice, mineral and moderate oak. Pretty fruit and spiced wood flavors in the mouth with a great balance of alcohol and acidity. The finish is all lemon and caramel. This wine would be a great buy at $30, but at $15.99 it is the white Burgundy steal of the year! (France)

March 18th -
Great with Ham!
Brandborg
“OR Blanc” Oregon White 2006 . . . . . 10.99
88/100 - Our score.
A handful of producers in Alsace make a traditional blend bottled as Gentil or Gentil d’Aslace. These are terrific wines that showcase the grape varieties of the appellation. Oregon’s Brandborg Winery has fashioned a white wine in homage to these Alsatian blends. It consists of 37% Gewurztraminer, 32% Riesling and 31% Pinot Gris. The nose is very floral with citrusy hints of orange zest. Very rich in the mouth with flavors of apple and melon. The wine finishes with bright acidity and a very long finish. There is a touch of sweetness, 0.8% residual sugar to be exact. That is in the off-dry range and only about 0.1%-0.2% higher than many of the popular California Chardonnays in the market. (Oregon)

Great with Ham or Lamb!
Hahn
Monterey Pinot Noir 2006 . . . . . 16.99
90/100 - Our score.
There’s no mistaking this for anything but full-throttle Monterey Pinot Noir. You won’t mistake it for Burgundy or for Willamette Valley, but what a mouthful of Pinot it is! Strawberry and spice is the order of the day. It is rich and smooth with great structure and depth of flavor. It’ll be hard to find a better Pinot Noir for under $20. (California)

March 11th -
Tormaresca
“Neprica” Puglia 2006 . . . . . 8.99
90/100 - Our score.
Named after the three grapes in the blend (40% Nero d’Avola, 30% Primitivo and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon), this is a sweet deal for any fan of Italian reds. Deep ruby red in color with tangy, spice-laden black cherry fruit flavors, this beauty is soft, fleshy and deep. Finishes with savory tannins and a wonderful acid balance. (Italy)

March 4th -
Bodegas Maudros
“Prima” Toro 2005 . . . . . 15.99
90/100 - International Wine Cellar. “95% Tempranillo and 5% Garnacha. Youthful purple. Spicy cherry and dark chocolate aromas are underscored by zesty minerals and orange zest. Sweet raspberry and kirsch flavors are impressively pure and deep, showing an energetic personality. Gains sweetness on the long, spicy finish. This outstanding value offers the complexity of wines costing much more.” (Spain)

February 26th -
Waterbrook
Columbia Valley Reserve
Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 . . . . . 17.99
90/100 - Our score.
Waterbrook keeps on turning out wonderful Cabernet values. Loaded with blackberry, cassis and the characteristic Columbia Valley damp earth, this Cabernet is more lean and muscular than overly ripe. It’s polished and smooth with a perfect tannin level and a very long finish. (Washington)