Featured Wines - June 2014

Like its namesake, the 2010 Thomas Alexander Le Tigre is an endangered species: only 175 cases of the 2010 Le Tigre was produced. “Rare but beautiful” is how one tasting panel member described this wine. “California Châteauneuf-du-Pape,” added another. Needless to say, we liked this wine a lot, but we were equally impressed by Thomas Pitchon, Le Tigre’s animated, down to earth winemaker and proprietor of Thomas Alexander wines.

The tiny production of 2012 Château La Croix de Queynac’s Bordeaux Blanc is a classic full-flavored blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon. Vinified in stainless steel for maximum freshness, it offers the taster a delightful draft of traditional Bordeaux Blanc. The preponderance of Sauvignon Blanc gives the wine its attractive aromatic profile while the Semillon provides body and a smooth lengthy mid-palate and finish.

Unlike some Nero d’Avola based wines from Sicily and nearby Puglia, there’s nothing complicated or foreboding about Cellaro’s 2012 Luma Nero d’Avola. Luma’s Nero d’Avola wears a friendly purple robe and elicits a smile from the moment it’s poured. For starters, a reassuring aroma complete with the scents of fresh berries, earth, and herbs, seeps from the glass to delight the nose. And in the mouth, Luma’s round, balanced mélange of fruit...

Displaying a brilliant crystalline color and a delightful array of floral and fruit tones to tantalize the nose, the 2012 Château Beauregard Ducasse Cuvée Albertine Peyri immediately ingratiates itself to the thirsty palate. Dry, yet rich in flavor from the preponderance of Semillon, along with a strong supporting role from ripe Sauvignon Blanc, this Cuvée Albertine Peyri captures the inherent beauty of white Graves: delicacy and minerality

If first impressions matter, the 2012 Herdade de Gambia Peninsula de Setubal gets off to a great start. Not only is Herdade de Gambia’s label both beautiful and unique, the first draught of this deep ruby, eye catching concoction should be enough to seal the deal. Concentrated aromas of wild blackberry and mulberry, exotic spices, and vanilla caress the nose. However, it is on the palate that Herdade de Gambia works its real, magic.

The 2012 Condesa Eylo Verdejo cuts a fine portrait with a bright shiny robe that reflects the brilliance of the Castilian sun. Awarded Gold at Europe’s prestigious Concours Mondiale in Brussels, the 2012 Condesa Eylo offers plenty of palate pleasure with scents and savors of fresh picked apples, pears, and spring flowers – all of which makes this Verdejo hard to resist. Fleshy, elegant and impeccably balanced, the 2012 Condesa Eylo offers...

The 2011 Molnar Family Poseidon’s Vineyard Pinot Noir is one suave, sophisticated Pinot Noir. Seductive in the nose, it offers enticing scents of crushed strawberries, cherry and plum along with a seductive hint of exotic spice. Dressed in a silky smooth body, the wine’s caressing aromatics happily follow through on the palate and mingle with hints of forest woodlands, herbs, and a cachet of Asian spices. Smooth, textured, and expansive in...