Wines of the Month
These are wines that are hand-selected by the staff every month, typically one lighter in style and one fuller in body, that pair with the time of the year. Always outstanding, sometimes great deals, never disappointing.
November 2019
Wines of the Month for November 2019
Thanksgiving
Wines
2018 Clos de Caveau Louis d’Or Vacqueyras Blanc
80% Grenache Blanc & 20% Clairette
Vacqueyras, Rhône Valley, France
This full-bodied wine balances the richness of Grenache Blanc with the freshness of Clairette. Yellow-apple and apricot flavors are ripe but restrained, accented by hints of spice and vanilla from vinification in French oak. It’s a rich, rounded sip with a slightly warming finish. Enjoy with any cream sauce, roasted birds, or soft cheeses. Enjoy now-2022.
14% ABV
2015 Lou Dumont Passe-tout-Grains
80% Pinot Noir & 20% Gamay
Nuits-St-Georges, Bourgogne Passetoutgrains AOC, France
Pneumatic press, no yeast added, 3-5 days of cold maceration. Approximately 15 days of cuvasion, alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel. Racking at 50°F, malolactic fermentation done 12 to 16 months after the alcoholic fermentation. 17 months in 20% new French oak barrels (Nevers). No filtration before bottling. Ripe cherries followed by a mouthwatering acidity envelop your palate in this light, yet complex red. Pairs well with soft cheeses, roasted turkey, and beef tartare.
12.5% ABV
October 2019
Wines of the Month for October 2019
2018 Paul Thomas Sancerre Rosé
100% Pinot Noir
Chavignol AOC, Sancerre, Loire Valley, France
Fermentation at low temperature and short aging on fine lees. The rosé is then racked in order to preserve its youth and the freshness of its aromatics. Right before bottling, the temperature of the wines is lowered so the tartrates drop out and the acidity is lowered. Light red fruit and minerality make for a refined, delicate rosé. The wine is ideal as an aperitif or with seafood.
13% ABV
2016 Dessimis Vie di Romans Pinot Grigio
100% Pinot Grigio
Friuli DOC, Italy
The 2016 Friuli Isonzo Rive Alte Pinot Grigio Dessimis is classified as a white, but it is really a ramato, or copper in color, reflecting the real color of this grape's skins. Slightly reductive in nature, it brings out notes of cranberry and bright cassis with some white cherry as well. It was fermented in steel and aged on the lees in barrique. This is a very interesting wine that would make a good pairing with sliced porchetta.
14.5% ABV
September 2019
Wines of the Month for September 2019
2017 Fess Parker’s Rodney’s Vineyard Viognier
100% Viognier
Santa Barbara County, California
Characteristically perfumed aromas of apricot, honeysuckle and peach as well as a deep golden color provide Viognier with a distinctive profile that one would be hard pressed not to notice. Especially when full ripeness has been achieved, it is not uncommon for wine drinkers to perceive it as sweet even when bone dry due to its highly aromatic, fruity character and generally higher levels of alcohol.
14.2% ABV
2012 Laely Cabernet Sauvignon
90% Cabernet Sauvignon & 10% Petit Verdot
Napa Valley, California
A Bordeaux-inspired red with depth, over-the-top oak notes, a balanced profile at release that is age worthy, and an approachable tannin structure. This medium plum, dark brick color is evidence alone of the wine’s extraction and maturity. Cassis expresses the base of the aroma followed by both ripe and dried cherries with some pencil lead scents, and subtle cigar box notes. The palate is very supple and ripe with cherry vanilla, sweet black cherry, leather and light allspice followed again by cassis. The finish is long and the wine responds very well to decanting and develops right in the glass.
13.5% ABV
August 2019
Wines of the Month for August 2019
2017 Domaine de la Chapelle Santenay Blanc
100% Chardonnay
Santenay, Burgundy, France
Bright wine of a pale golden yellow. Fresh-toasted nose with citrus notes. The mouth is delicate and greedy with a lot of finesse and precision. Nice minerality. Aged 12 months in French barriques. Good now through 2022.
13% ABV
2017 Illahe “Bon Sauvage” Estate Pinot Noir
100% Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley, Oregon
The 2017 Bon Sauvage presents clear but not overwhelming notes of oak. The grapes from this vintage were taken from the lower part of our hill which were lighter and less influenced by the hot summer sun. The combination of 25% new oak and lighter fruit produced a very Burgundian wine. It opens with strong aromas of cedar chest and fresh plum. Red flavors of raspberry and strawberry, paired with dark flavors of black cherry and blackberry give this blend a strong backbone and bold palate. The smooth tannins and strong structure give the newest Bon Sauvage what it needs to survive in the bottle for years to come.
14% ABV
Cheers!
