Wolfe’s Wine Shoppe is Hiring One Special Individual

If you fit these pre-reqs please send resume to Jeffrey@wolfeswines.com

Retail Wine Shoppe Assistant

*Applicant must have food and beverage experience
*Be able to lift over 45lbs
*Must be available on the weekends
*Candidate must have strong computer skills; publisher, excel, word & constant contact
*Detail-oriented, flexible, energetic, self-motivated with outstanding customer
service skills, a professional appearance and an ability to maintain a positive attitude while
multi-tasking.

* Wine experience not necessary-we will teach you all you need to know

Turkey Day Wines Free Friday Nov. 19th 7-9pm

Join us for a free tasting Friday Night from 7-9 of wines for the Holiday Table:

Arnaud Ente Aligote 2007- With its lovely, pure Aligoté nose, this is a racy and exciting wine. Old vines and meticulous work in both the vineyard and the cellar are responsible for the high level of quality. Bright lemon and pungent lemon zest mingle with chalky, saline minerality in this Aligote from 70 year old vines. This is tart, but ultra-refreshing and invigorating.

JJ Christoffel Urziger Wurzgarten Kabinet Riesling 2008- Wurzgarten means “spice garden,” to give you an idea of what to expect here. Christoffel is one of Mosel’s great producers, and doesn’t disappoint here. Smell and taste thyme, fresh lemon/lime, red currants, sassafrass and lots of classic Mosel slate. OFF-DRY.

Zind Humbrecht Pinot Gris Rotenberg 2008 -This Pinot Gris has some weight to it, but seems lighter for the clean-cut acidity that defines the wine. Hints of licorice and white pepper spice up the white peach and lemon zest flavors, with smoke and brine on the finish Indice 1 $47btl

Domaine Dupeuble Beaujolais Nouveau 2010- This is how Nouveau is supposed to be, but very very very rarely is! This new wine naturally settled in the cave as the winter chill circulated through open windows for months, then it was bottled unfined, unfiltered, and unsulfured and shipped by plane in mid-November. The wine was made with natural yeasts only and was not chaptalized. You are getting wine in its most natural state possible. You don’t want to know what most people do to stabilize their Nouveau. But this Domaine doesn’t worry, because their wine is drunk up so quickly. Besides, the Dupeubles know what they are doing; their family has been making wine here since 1512

Domaine Lapierre Morgon 2008  - This incredibly natural, velvety Beaujolais made of 100% Gamay is perhaps the purest expression of this region’s wines we have ever tasted. Made by a father and son team, Domaine Lapierre Morgon is made from meticulously hand harvested grapes, with gentle and natural winemaking methods, and oak aging in Burgundy barrels from Domaine Prieure-Roch in Vosne Romanee. 3rd generation farmer Marcel Lapierre had been farming with biodynamic methods for close to 30 years and eschewing full carbonic maceration. With his tragic passing earlier this month at the age of 60, his son Mathieu will take full charge of the winemaking and continue his father’s legacy, hopefully for many, many vintages to come…

Elyse Petite Sirah, Napa Valley 2007- is deep plum colored with exotic aromas of clove, espresso, violets, cola and blackberry compote. On the palate big flavors of strawberries, wild plums, cinnamon, blackberry, blueberry and hints of coffee and spice lead to a broad mouthfeel with smooth, yet firm tannins. This wine is loaded with big fruit and spice flavors, has fine texture, great structure and a strong backbone making it a great candidate for ageing.  Go ahead and order that 22 ounce Porterhouse! Or bring out the wild game, lamb shank or some strong cheeses. Use your imagination, this wine is versatile!

Neyers Zinfandel Pato Ranch Contra Coasta County 2008- When this vineyard was being planted, William Jennings Bryan was being nominated as the Democratic candidate for president. Now, more than 110 years later, the vines are still producing a small crop. The wine we make from it has been hailed as one of the most respected bottlings of Zinfandel to come out of the state. We’re aware that many winemakers would succeed with the fruit from this unique vineyard; we feel fortunate to be the temporary beneficiaries of a rare treasure. We refrigerate the grapes as they are harvested, meticulously inspect every cluster twice before crushing it, and do a skin contact maceration for 45-60 days before the tank is drained and pressed. The finished wine is then aged in 60-gallon French oak barrels for 10 months before our customary unfiltered bottling

Seghesio Old Vine Zinfandel, Sonoma County 2007- Beautiful nose of crushed rose petals and red raspberry. Flavors of ripe black cherry, raspberry and spiced fruit with tones of French oak. Finishes with a lush velvety mouthfeel. Although Old Vine is often loosely interpreted in the wine industry, Seghesio’s benchmark is fifty years. The average age of the vines producing this wine nears 90 years!

Robert Biale Zinfandel “Black Chicken” Napa 2008-Another in a line of big, bruiser, powerful yet gloriously drinkable Zins from Robert Biale. This blackish purple wine shows currant, blackberry, dried fruit, molasses, berry jam and vanilla flavors on its luscious mid-palate. Supple, young tannins emerge on the rich and jammy finish. 91 points Wine Spectator: “Dense yet sleek, with blackberry and cracked pepper aromas and complex, layered flavors of plum, licorice and roasted sage, finishing with firm, loamy tannins

SAVE THE TA-TAS ALL WOMEN WINEMAKER TASTING TO BENFIT MAMMOGRAPHY

SAVE THE TATAS!

ALL WOMEN WINEMAKER TASTING

AT WOLFE’S WINE SHOPPE

TO BENEFIT MAMMOGRAPHY FOR THOSE WHO CAN’T AFFORD SCREENING

 

FRIDAY OCTOBER 29  7-9PM

$20 w/RSVP $30 at the Door!

In Conjunction with Wellness Community of Miami

RSVP TO Jeffrey@wolfeswines.com or go “Old School” and Call 305-445-4567 or tweet @wolfeswines

WINES TO BE TASTED:

Patty Green Cellars, Domaine Lafage, Honig, Cote Bonneville, Peay, Domaine Marcoux Paolo Scavino

 

Punta Crena-Paolo Ruffino & Villa di Geggiano-Andrea Boscu at Wolfe’s

 

WINEMAKERS PAOLO RUFFINO OF PUNTA CRENA &

ANDREA BOSCU FROM VILLA di GEGGIANO

 

AT WOLFE’S WINE SHOPPE

FRIDAY OCTOBER 15th 7-9PM

Wolfe’s Wine Shoppe has been a long time supporter of the imports of Kermit Lynch.  Much of my love came from my first “kiss the dirt visit” to France to meet many of his growers with the National Sales Director Bruce Neyers back in 1996.  Having lunch with Lulu Peryaud, Kermit himself, Bruce and about 10 other wine professional from around the country at Domaine Tempier was the nail in the coffin for me.  I was sold, a cult follower, I took all his medicine and my tongue danced with anticipation anytime a new release was offered or he picked up a new grower.  Names like Daniel Brunier, Aubert Villaine, Marcel Lapierrre, Olivier Humbrecht and Lucien Peryaud became household names at Wolfe’s.  So over the years Kermit was not only focusing on French winemakers, but an affinity with Italy arose and he has amassed a steller group of growers that are developing names just like their idols in France.  However, the Itlaian portfolio was a pariah of sorts in South Florida and for years distributors were gun-shy to pick up the wines…why you ask?, because you know that when you see a Kermit Lynch Imports on the back of a bottle you know the wine will be great no matter what part of France it’s from.  The simple answer is that it takes work to penetrate the market with new wines, especially esoteric wines and regions that wine drinkers are not familiar with…so out of fear & laziness the wines have not been here…..that’s until now.   Florida Wine Company took on the challenge and is doing a great job with the wines.  Of course Wolfe’s Wine Shoppe was there from the beginning so it is with great pleasure that we welcome two growers from Kermit’s Italian Portfolio this Friday.

  WINES TO BE TASTED:

Punta Crena Wines

Pettirosso 2009 Ca da Rena Pigato 2008 Vermentino 2008 Reine Mataossu 2008 Cruvin 2009 Rossese 2008

Villa di Gegginao Wines

Brandinello, IGT 2007 Chianti Classico 2007 Chianti Classico Reserva 2006

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT GEGGIANO:

Villa di Geggiano is located in Pianella, just a few miles outside of Siena. Originally built in the 13^th century and renovated in 1780, Villa di Geggiano has been home to the Bianchi Bandinelli family since 1527. Now run by two brothers, Andrea handles the administrative affairs of the domaine, and Alessandro works in the cellar, but they make the most important vinification decisions together. They began to bottle their wine under their own label in 1989.

The domaine has about 6 hectares, planted with 80% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. On average, the vines are 16 years old. There is also 1 hectare planted with 25-year-old vines of both Ciliegiolo and Malvasia Nera. The domaine bottles about 2100 cases of Chianti a year, selling off the balance of their grapes to negociants.

Villa di Geggiano produces 2 Chianti, Chianti Classico and Chianti Classico “Riserva”, 95-97% Sangiovese, 3-5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Fermentation for both wines is about 2 weeks in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks, with periodic rain-like pumping over the must. After 14 to16 months in Allier oak barrels, the wines are blended and the Classico is bottled. The Classico “Riserva” then spends another year in barrel before bottling.

The Bianchi Bandinelli brothers also bottle a third cuvée, the Fattoria di Geggianello Rossa di Toscana IGT. This wine is comprised of 90% Sangiovese, and 10% Ciliegiolo and Malvasia

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT PUNTA CRENA:

Punta Crena is in the tiny town of Varigotti, Italy, right on the ocean in the wine-producing region of Liguria. The Ruffino family is famous in their hometown but little known elsewhere, even in Italy. They’ve been making wine in Varigotti since 1500! From the first sniff I was hooked on their delicious wines, made traditionally from indigenous grapes, wines with typicity and character but without a hint of pretension. These are exactly the kind of wines you’ve been seeking for a long time, country quaffers from the Ligurian coast. You might have wondered what “Punta Crena” means. In Italian, Punta means “point.” In this case, it refers to the “point” that is a landform-a peninsula.  Crena is simply a name and has no meaning in Italian or the local Ligurian dialect. 

A

CALERA PINOT NOIRS w/ JOSH JENSEN

In 1971 Josh Jensen found an old limestone quarry high in the Gavilan Mountains on the side of a peak named Mount Harlan, about 30 miles south of the town of Hollister. He bought 324 acres, and planted a few acres of Pinot Noir, before he had electricity, running water, or even a proper road to the property. He named his winery Calera, Spanish for lime kiln, the remains of which he found on the property, and eventually restored. The first few years were hard going, but eventually, in 1978, Jensen harvested his first couple of barrels of Pinot Noir and has never looked back.

Over the past three decades, few winemakers in California could possibly compete with Jensen for fidelity to an original vision of what kind of wine they wanted to make. In those three decades, the only concession to modernity that Jensen has allowed is the addition of a mechanical crusher-destemmer to his operation. Apart from that he continues to make Pinot Noir the way he learned to in Burgundy: perfectly ripe, meticulously farmed grapes; whole cluster fermentation with native yeasts in small vats, punched down by hand; aging for at least 16 months, in French oak (of which only about 30% is new) and then bottling without any filtration.

In 1990 Jensen’s patch of limestone (and about 7000 acres surrounding it) were granted the status of being an American Viticultural Area, but by then most people who cared about California Pinot Noir already had heard of the winemaker up on the mountain who was making some of the best Pinot Noir to be found outside of Burgundy.

Remarkably, that is still true today. Calera’s single vineyard Pinot Noirs are some of the best around, yet more so than any other wine of their caliber, they are reasonably easy to find, and priced within the reach of mere mortals — something to do with the fact that they don’t have the words Sonoma or Napa anywhere on the label.

Before the 2007’s arrive and are gobbled up based on the press here are two 2006’s that will please you in the short term or for the cellar.  Both the wines received great praise from Allen Medows 92pts.

Calera Mills 2006-An ultra pure, airy and cool nose of extract of red pinot fruit trimmed in overt floral nuances a hint of vegetal that, like the Ryan, adds depth rather than any sense of greenness. The purity of the nose continues onto the detailed, intense and delicious yet entirely serious medium-bodied flavors that possess fine depth and excellent length. This is an impeccably balanced wine of elegance and understatement that is classically styled.                                  

Calera Jensen 2006-This required several hours of aeration to reluctantly emerge from its youthful shell but when it did the elegant and very pure aromas of floral, red berry and spice hints formed the perfect complement to the intense, detailed, complex and refined medium-bodied flavors that possess lovely precision and excellent inner mouth perfume that lingers and lingers. Moreover, this appears to be allowing only glimpses as to the ultimate quality as this is very much a baby. Great potential

Only 1750btls & 66 Magnums Arnaud Ente’s Volnay Les Santenots 2006

I have had a personal connection with this grower since I fell in love with wine.  It was 1997 and I was on my first “kiss the dirt” & “schmooze with the farmers” tour with Kermit Lynch Imports, more specifically w/ Bruce Neyers.  We were in Beaune and had the most amazing dinner at Ma Cuisine (the place to eat and drink and rub elbows with the famous in Burgundy), Bruce and the elders retired to their hotel room and left (at that time) the young guns behind with Arnaud and his wife.  Arnaud invited us back to his house for a tasting in the cellar, which was at the time no bigger than my single car garage. The 4 of us along with Arnaud and his wife all picked a barrel to straddle and sit atop, funny thing that I still remember was the TINY amount of wine…we were “Riding” 6 barrels and there may have been maybe another 10 in the tiny cellar.  That night we passed the wine thief around and Drank 4 whites and 2 reds out of the barrel till the sun came up.  When the rooster sounded, myself and one other who could get to his feet left with Arnaud and went to La Goutte d’Or his most prized Premier Cru vineyard to this day.  He has two rows which drunkenly we help him with “Ecolage”(yes its French but the only word I know) the training of the shoot of the vines through the wires and breaking the cane at a point so the canopy fills in around the fruit zone. Yes, I think I was 29 and I was having the best time ever and have never forgotten my time in Beaune or his wines.

Arnaud Ente is a perfectionist. He works his vineyards meticulously (en bio, but not officially certified), yields are low. His aim is to make pure, mineral wines. He gained experience working with no other than Coche-Dury. In 1992 he began his own Domaine, renting vineyards from his father-in-law. Today he belongs, as far as I’m concerned, to the Big Four of Meursault (the others being the usual suspects Comtes Lafon, Coche-Dury and Roulot), even though the domaine is quite small (a little over 4 hectares) and Ente doesn’t have a lot of premier cru’s in his line-up.

Ente is better known for his Puligny-Montrachet Les Referts and his various Meursault bottlings, but this is flat-out gorgeous red Burgundy. Light to medium garnet color (always a good sign for me, suggesting no heavy extraction); the bouquet is just so lovely – ripe cherries, inflected with subtle notes of pine and sea salt; the palate is one of fleshy red cherry fruit, underpinned by a solid mineral core and kept fresh by bright acids; the lovely inner-mouth perfume is the clincher. This is Volnay!

Arnaud Ente describes 2006 as “one of those vintages where the maturities arrived late but very fast. Sugars were high, in fact, we had the best sugars since 1999. I started picking very early by the standard of the ban de vendange [officially mandated harvest date, which was declared on the 18th], which is to say on the 13th of September as I asked for, and received, a permit to begin early. I have relatively precocious terroirs and I didn’t want too much alcohol for no good reason. I did a rather soft vinification for the reds, which in this case meant that I did a relatively long cuvaison but with no punching down at all. There was also no chaptalization, which is the first time that this has ever happened to me.” A gentle touch of wood frames much more elegant red berry fruit aromas that are cool, pure and detailed and this sense of reserve continues onto the mineral-infused and serious flavors that possess integrated tannins.

Wolfe’s Wine Shoppe Homage to International Grenache Day Friday Sept. 24th

ALL HAIL GRENACHE AT WOLFE’S WINE SHOPPE   Friday, September 24th  7-9pm   At a recent international symposium held in the south of France, the participants decided to designate one day to promote the greatness of Grenache — “G Day”– to occur around the world. Grenache is a red grape used widely in producing red wine throughout Spain and France, as well as in other parts of the world. It is somewhat sweet, and its primary use in wine is as a blending grape, rather than being used on its own. In Spain, Grenache is known as Garnacha, where it is the single-most planted grape in the country. There are two varieties, known as Garnacha Tinta and Garnacha Blanca, with the red variety Tinta being by far the more popular. We are doing our part in this global movement to put Grenache in its rightful place on the wine map and hope you will join us.   $10 to all Wolfe Pack who go old school and call (305) 445-4567 or E-mail with an RSVP to jeffrey@wolfeswines.com or send us a tweet @wolfeswines, otherwise it’s $20 at the door.   Wines to be tasted:   Les Brugueres, Scala Dei, Priorat 2008 Altovinum “Evodia” Old Vines Garnacha, Calatayud 2008 Artazuri Garnacha, Navara 2009 Le Pigeoulet en Provence, 2008 Maxime Francois Laurent “Pourpre” Cotes du Rhone 2008 Domaine Pallieres Gigondas 2006 Domaine le Sang de Cailloux Vacqueyras Cuvee Floureto 2007 Paisajes VII Rioja 2006 Capcanes Cabrida, Montsant 2008

Happy 5771 L’Shana Tova

The Kosher Wine Rub from Wolfe’s Wine Shoppe just in time for and for Rosh Hashana & Yom Kipper   

What is it exactly that makes a wine kosher? A kosher wine is one handled only by Sabbath-observant Jews-those individuals who observe kosher dietary laws. In addition, kosher winemakers are forbidden to use any products, such as unauthorized yeasts or animal-based fining agents, that might fall outside the parameters of kosher convention and thus compromise the ritual essence of the wine.

Yet aside from the individuals who are permitted to come in contact with the wine or grape juice, there is no difference between the techniques used to make a kosher wine and a non-kosher wine. That is unless the kosher wine is designated mevushal, perhaps the most misunderstood term in the kosher wine tradition.

Literally speaking, “mevushal” means “boiled.” However, mevushal wines are not boiled in the literal sense of the word. They are heated to a temperature that meets the requirements of an overseeing rabbi, which admittedly is pretty high. The modern technique of making wine Mevushal is to run the “must” quickly through a heat flash pasteurizing unit where the wine is quickly heated to at least 185 degrees Fahrenheit.                                              

For Sabbath-observant Jews, kosher wine is holy in nature. But after a kosher wine has been ritually heated to become mevushal, it is less sensitive to ritual exclusions. A mevushal wine can be handled (or poured) by a non-kosher Jew or even a non-Jew and still retain its kosher integrity. As a result, mevushal wines are far more practical to serve in kosher dining establishments where non-kosher staff may attend to kosher dinner guests.

By contrast, a non-mevushal-or non-heated-kosher wine remains highly sensitive to religious custom in both the production stage and after bottling. A bottle of non-mevushal wine may not be opened or served to Sabbath-observant Jews by anyone other than equally observant Jewish individuals.

The rub for me with mevushal wines, it’s that heating a wine to a high temperature does not usually improve its sensory qualities. Under such conditions, heated wines can take on a sweet, maderized taste or even a burned, rubbery edge.

So here are our selectionso of un-heated non mevushal wines for the holiday’s

Teperberg Family Estate Meritage, Judean Hills, 2007                                                                                                                                                      The Meritage from the Teperberg Reserve series is an exceptional wine, blended in the “noble” Bordeaux traditional style, using the Ella Valley grapes. This Meritage is a blend of the classic Bordeaux varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet France and Petit Verdot. While most wines are named after a single varietal, Meritage wines represent the highest form of the winemaker’s art of blending. This Meritage has a rich fruity character of cherry and blackberry with overtones of oak and is full bodied with a well balanced structure.

Teperberg Family Estate Reserve Cabernet, Judean Hills 2006                                                                                                        Dark toward inky-garnet, full-bodied, reflecting its 15 months in oak with gentle spices and a hint of smoke, with once firm tannins now settling in and fine balance with wood and fruits. On the nose and palate an appealing array of spicy currant, blackberry, cedar and mineral notes, those light hints of anise and cigar tobacco on the long and generous finish.

Binyanina Yogev Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2007        The Yogev label (Yogev means “worker of the land”, farmer), which reflects the contribution of dedicated winegrowers, toilers of the soil, to the quality wine that is the outcome of a process that begins in the vineyards.  Cabernet Sauvignon (50%) from the vineyard of Eli Heyman in Karmei Yosef.   Merlot (50%) from the vineyard of Dror Eliraz in Moshav Lachish (both Samson Area). The wine reveals typical fruit aromas with hints of red fruit scents, is slightly jammy and seasoned with a pinch evergreen. A medium bodied, complex and richly flavored wine that is ready to drink now.

 

Barkan Altitude Series Cabernet Sauvignon 720 2007                                                                                                                                                      This regal purple and black Cabernet Sauvignon from the Altitude series is derived from the vineyard on Mt. Godrim on the Lebanese border (720 meters above sea level) to achieve its cool climate aroma of eucalyptus, mint, and coffee, with tastes of cherries, cassis, herbs, and a hint of tobacco. Aged for twelve months in French oak casks. Cabernet Sauvignon 720 displays a powerful and elegant finish.

YatirCabernet/Shiraz/Merlot 2006                                                                                                                                                                                                  A blend of 35% Merlot, 24% Shiraz, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec, 8% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. Typically, this wine has three principal grapes, listed in order, and some supporting characters. The order tends to change from year to year. This year’s version is rather light in the mid-palate, but well focused and rather suave with ripe tannins providing some grip on the finish. It has a sunny demeanor and a sort of sweet ‘n’ herbal medley of flavors.

 

 

Capcanes Peraj Haabib Petita, Montsant 2007-                                                                                                                                                                    Medium ruby with flucks of violet; fresh, seductive aromas of red berries and cherry; loads of red fruits in taste; crispy and ripe, concentrated and well balanced but not over-powered; very Garnacha in character and mineral in taste. Medium finish with crispy but soft tannins Rich and powerful fruit of very old indigenous Garnacha bush vines coupled with the structure of black, muscular Carinena and deeply concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon makes this an amazingly full bodied and unique wine.

Capanes Peraj Haabib, Montsant 2008                                                                                                                                                                                          Our most amazing kosher wine, at least that’s what the Wolfepack feels.  The wine is incredibly dark in color with a fabulous black cherry, chocolate and floral nose. In the mouth, the Peraj Ha’abib showed medium fine tannins, fresh acidity and a round mouthfeel, ebbing to a long, lush dark spice and red fruit finish. Definitely a fun wine, and worthy of all the accolades.

7 requirements that must be followed in order to produce a Kosher wine.

1. According to the practice known as orla, the grapes of new vines cannot be used for winemaking until the fourth year of planting.
2. No other fruits or vegetables may be grown in between the rows of the vines (kalai hakerem)
3. After the first harvest, the field must lie fallow every seventh year. Each of these sabbatical years is known as shnat shmita.
4. From the onset of the harvest, only kosher tools and storage facilities may be used in the winemaking process, and all of the winemaking equipment must be cleaned [sometimes up to 7 times with hot water] to be certain that no foreign objects remain in the equipment or vats.
5. From the moment the grapes reach the winery, only Sabbath observant [male] Jews are allowed to come in contact with the wine.
6. All of the materials (e.g. yeasts) used in the production and clarification of the wines must be certified as kosher.
7. A symbolic amount of wine, representing the tithe (truma vama’aser) once paid to the Temple in Jerusalem must be poured away from the tanks or barrels in which the wine is being made.

Play like Monty Hall from the Price is Right This Week at Wolfe’s Wine Shoppe

WOLFE’S WINE SHOPPE

LABOR DAY DEAL 

LABOR DAY WINE DEALS ON END OF BIN WINES. 

The wines listed below will have a price next to them and an amount of bottles in stock.  Make Jeffrey an offer with a $ amount to take some or all the inventory of a specific wine and see where it goes…. he will entertain any and all offers… …..there are some amazing wines on this list that will not last long.  You have to be present to make the offer and we will not hold the wines for later payment and all sales are final…..check this out..!  The “Price is Right” will last from Tuesday till the Holiday on Monday or till the product is gone which ever comes first.  Grab some of these beauties while they are still here.

Whites:

Lurton Pinot Gris Valle de Uco, Argentina 2009 $12.00  3btls available

Tapiz Sauvignon Blanc Valle de Uco Vineyard, Argentina 2008 $14.50  13btls available

F. Giachino Vin de Savoie Abymes Tradition 2006 $13.00  4btls available

Sitios de Bodega “Con Class” Verdejo, Rueda 2007 $14.00  6btls available

Jardin Chardonnay, Stellenbosh 2008 $21.00  3btls available

Kuentz-Bas Alsace Blanc 2006  $14.00 3btls available

Chehalem Dry Riesling Reserve, Willamette Valley 2007  $21.50  8btls available

Melville “Clone 76 Inox” Chardonnay, Sta Rita Hills 2008  $42  7btls available

Cote Bonneville “Dubrul Vineyard” Chardonnay Yakima Valley 2006  $57  28btls available

Booker “White” Paso Robles 2008  $50.00  7btls available

Francois Villard “Les Terrasses du Palat” Condrieu 2007  $53  5btls available

Francois Villard “Le Grand Vallon” Condrieu 2007  $57 5btls available

Domaine Zind Humbrecht Pinot Gris Rotenberg 2006  $57  22btls available

Domaine Zind Humbrecht Pinot Gris Clos St. Urbain Rangen De Thann 2006  $80 16btls avail.

Reds:

Radford Dale Gravity, Stellenbosch 2006  $48.00  2btls available

Telmo Rodriguez Al Muvedre, Alicante 2007  $21.50  7btls available

Chateau Chateau Grenache Columns, Greenock Barossa Valley 2007  $67  3btls available

Chateau Chateau Grenache David & Goliath McLaren Vale 2007 $67  2btls available

Chateau Chateau Grenache Leaf Turner Barossa Valley 2007 $67  4btls available

Chateau Chateau Grenache South Austraila 2007  $55  4btls available

Betz Family Winery Clos de Betz, Columbia Valley 2007  $60 7btls available

Domaine de la Janasse CDP VV 2004 $99.99 1btl available

Domaine de la Janasse CDP VV 2006 $115.00 2btls available

Two Hands Ares Shiraz, Barossa Valley 2005  $164  6btls available

El Nido, Jumilla 2006$139  3btls available

Aquilon Garnacha, Campo de Borja 2007 $170 4btls available

Elio Altare Barolo Arborina 2005 $134  6btls available

Mas Doix Costers de Vinyes Velles, Poboleda 2005  $135  6btls available

Domaine de la Janasse CDP VV 2006 (en Magnum) 1btl available

Mas D’en Compte Priorat (Porrera) 2006 at Wolfe’s Wine Shoppe

One of the oldest grape-growing families in the Priorat, the Sangenis family had historically sold the entirety of their production to the local coop until 1995 when they formed a new company, Mas d’en Compte, to bottle wine under their own name. Now, young Joan Sangenis manages the estate and makes the wines and has converted the entire estate away from chemical pesticides and herbicides.

In a region where almost everyone has a few vines over 50 years old, the Sangenis family’s entire vineyard is practically this old, with several small parcels of 100+ year old vines of Grenache and Carignan. Also, they are one of the few holders of extremely old vine white Grenache, a varietal that many properties have ripped out. This old vine material means that yields are extremely low and concentration quite high.

50% garnacha, 40% carinena and 10% cabernet sauvignon) Bright ruby. Vibrant raspberry and cherry aromas are energized by blood orange and baking spices. Fresh red fruit flavors are complicated by an exotic lavender pastille quality and given lift by juicy acidity. An elegant, precise wine that finishes with excellent tangy cut and persistence. Nothing overdone here.  It was aged for 14 months in new French and American oak. It reveals a bouquet of toasty oak, pencil lead, lavender, spice box, and black cherry. Firm and structured on the palate, it is very tasty in a straightforward manner. It can be enjoyed over the next eight years.