Staff Suggestions - May 2008
Check out the wines that our staff is enjoying this month!
2006 Envy Sauvignon Blanc - $24.95 This delicious (new producer) Sauvignon Blanc has so much flavor and drama it is sort of hard to believe you are drinking Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc. It a powerful nose of sliced pear that is followed by powerful tropical fruit flavors, with hints of jasmine and peach cobbler. Nothing shy about this wine. A little bit high-priced for a Sauvignon Blanc ($24.95), this wine is worth the extra expense. Would be a show stopper of a picnic wine and an elegant accompaniment to any dinner where you might otherwise choose Chardonnay. [Email Denise] |
Erba Cabernet 2004 Deeply ripe and vividly focused, the aromas of this gutsy, but already engaging Cab are a sweet-natured mix of dark cherry, blackberry,pomegranate syrup, cinnamon, allspice, vanilla and forest bark scents. The same gorgeous sweet-savory contrasts continue on the palate and through a lingering finish, for the plush fruit never falters in either intensity or clarity. The tannins are firm, but polished and at all times subordinate to the fruit, so the delicious and lasting impressions are of berries, cherries, vanilla, baking spices and earth. Expect two or three years of development, but don't be afraid to take advantage of this wines enormous current appeal. 500 cases produced. [Email Don] |
2007 Quivira Sauvignon Blanc Fig Tree Vineyard - $19.95 Very intense and multi-layered notes of honeysuckle, light grapefruit notes with a hint of lime notes in the nose. Rich zesty and round on the palate with slight mineral notes and a full rich intensity of this Sauvignon Blanc. The vineyard designate Sauvignon Blanc is 100% stainless steel aging for 6 months. This aging process gives the wine more depth and richnes and exudes the great varietal character of this wine with out implementing the use of oak. This would make a great summer sipper with oysters or a light pasta dish with grilled roasted shrimp. [Email James] |
Tamber Bey Chardonnay - $39.95 Looking for a creamy, smooth, soft, full-flavored, delicious, YUMMY Chardonnay to enjoy this summer? Then consider giving this bottle a try. It's got a wonderful buttery/oakiness... rich, but not over-the-top. For me, pears are the primary fruit flavor, but also a bit of kiwi, and then a loooooong finish highlighted by a hint of mandarin orange zest. This is terrific both as a sipper alone, and as an accompaniment to food. Personally, I like to enjoy it almost at room temperature... it brings out the flavors delightfully. But a stiff chill in the cooler would accent the zestiness, and make it a refreshing wine for a hot day. Either way, you're sure to enjoy! [Email Zoe] |
Goldeneye Anderson Valley - $54.95 The good thing about Pinot Noir: You don't have to spend too much to find a great one and it goes with so many kinds of dishes. I had Goldeneye, which is the recent Pinot project of Duckhorn, launched after a decade of research, planning and experimentation which started in 1997. This well-balanced, elegant, and rich Pinot has a complex aroma of dark fruit and some spices like cinnamon and clove, and it offers some smokiness on the palate with a long finish. I had this full-bodied Pinot with a red meat dish. It went really well with a pork dish with sauteed vegetables with dark sauce. It was just delicious and I recommend to give this wine more than 3 hours 'air time' if you can. I offered this wine at the wine tasting event in Japan, and it opened up some closed images about california wine for some Japanese who usually drink French wine. [Email Midori] |