Featured Wines - March 2015

With the skillful fermentation of each plot of Tannat and the philosophy that less is often more in making fine wine, Artesana has fashioned the quintessential Tannat. The 2013 Artesana Tannat is a beautiful, robust, potentially long-lived Tannat that opens up with a heady bouquet of ripe black fruits, cedar and spice tempered by subtle earth tones. Although delightfully scented and intriguing in aroma, the 2013 Artesana Tannat truly comes...

Not only is the 2013 Emile Beyer Tradition Pinot Blanc yet another tasty, easy to drink white wine from one of Alsace’s consummate producers, it has the ability to turn a mid-week evening meal into something special. And thanks to Christian Beyer’s sensible pricing, you won’t have to max out your credit card. As always, Beyer’s Pinot Blanc exudes charm, flavor, and a delicate ethereal quality that makes it easy to drink, and ever so quickly...

Losada Vinos de Finca has hit another homerun with the winery’s deeply colored 2013 El Pájaro Rojo Mencia, a pure, sophisticated 100% Mencia wine from old vines that manages to captivate all of the senses. The wine’s deep ruby and indigo tinged robe sets the stage for the pure savory scents and flavors that follow. Born of organic viticulture, the 2013 is redolent in bouquet with the scents of ripe woodland berries dusted with subtle touches...

Domaine Vigneau-Chevreau’s 2012 Vouvray Sec provides the quintessential introduction to Vouvray and the mercurial Chenin Blanc varietal. It offers a beautiful lemon-tinged color and a heady bouquet that offers the taster seductive scents of acacia flower, green apple and quince. Although this Vouvray’s striking aroma may lead one to believe that it will taste sweet and exit with some residual sugar, Domaine Vigneau-Chevreau’s 2012 Vouvray Sec...

Donati’s 2011 Ezio Cabernet Sauvignon reigns as Donati’s flagship Bordeaux blend. Named for Ezio Donati, the first Donati born in the New World, this 75% Cabernet Sauvignon 25% Merlot blend hails from Matt Donati’s most prized grapes and selected barrels of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. It could easily be mistaken for Classified Bordeaux, which will positively delight those looking for complexity, flavor and balance in their Cabernet.

The 2012 vintage in the Russian River enjoyed ideal conditions. In 2012, both the quality and quantity were superb and all one has to do is take a taste of the 2012 Benovia Russian River Chardonnay to appreciate the perfect balance and ripeness that the vintage bestowed upon the Russian River. Sourced primarily from Benovia’s Martaella Ranch Vineyard planted with heirloom clones of Chardonnay, the 2012 Benovia Russian River Valley Chardonnay...

Simply stated, the 2007 Valenciso Reserva may well be the finest Rioja produced in the 2007 vintage, further testimony to the acumen of Luis and Carmen’s ability to fashion flawlessly balanced wines, in spite of the vagaries of vintage. The 2007 Valenciso Rioja Reserva captivates and inspires with a harmonious bouquet and a wealth of deep down flavors. Produced from 100% Tempranillo, the wine tantalizes the nose with savory scents of red and...