Millie’s Picks – APRIL 2010

Under $15.00

2008 Aveleda “Fonte” Vinho Verde – Vinho Verde, Portugal
The careful temperature control during the winemaking process produces a wine that is slightly citrine in color, clear and bright. It's a well balanced wine with a fresh and fruity aroma and a soft, silky finish. Aveleda selected the Loureiro, Trajadura and Arinto grapes from the best vineyards in the region.

2008 Le Jade Picpoul Pinet – Languedoc, France
Picpoul is the grape and Pinet is the village within the Languedoc region of France for which this wine calls home. This white wine pops with gigantic acidic fruit flavors like grapefruit, lime and pineapple from start to its glorious zesty finish. Not only is the Le Jade great on its own, but it’s also extremely food-friendly and has the chops to stand up to anything from say bacon-wrapped scallops over Southwestern seasoned mixed vegetables to a melted Manchego cheese and Italian Sopressata quesadilla.

2008 Freie Weingartner “Wachau” Gruner Veltliner – Wachau, Austria
An almost clear light straw yellow in color. Yellow apple and pear fruit on the nose with faint nuances of lentils, asparagus, and tobacco. A straight-line Gruner with grapefruit and white pepper spice on a light-to-medium bodied frame with lively acidity. 100% Gruner Veltliner: a small portion from terraced vineyards but the majority from select vineyards in plaines areas adjacent to the Danube with gravel, clay and loess base soils. Destemmed and fermented with cultivated yeasts in stainless steel. Aged: majority in stainless steel but a small portion in large wood casks. Total Annual Production: 3500 cases.

2007 Almansenas La Huella de Adaras – Almansa, Spain
Cherry red in color with violet streaks and a very dark robe. In the nose it is potent with an explosion of fresh red fruit and smoky, mineral overtones. With time, it develops riper fruit aromas in addition to Mediterranean undergrowth, spices and black berries. In the mouth it is initially attractive, giving way to well developed tannins, clear acidity and tasty fruitiness. It has hints of black liquorice, with graphite and spices - complex on the whole, which illustrates the personality of the Almansa terroir.

2007 Espelt Saulo – Catalonia, Spain
The 2007 Saulo is composed of 50% Garnacha and 50% Carinena aged 4-6 months in barrel. Dark ruby-colored, it has a fragrant bouquet of licorice, black cherry, and blueberry. This leads to a succulent, ripe wine with loads of pure fruit, a seamless texture, and excellent length. Drink this crowd-pleaser over the next four years."

Under $20.00

2006 Creta Roble - Ribera del Duero, Spain
90 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
"The 2006 Roble is sourced from a single vineyard at 850 meters of elevation, the highest vineyard in Ribera del Duero. The wine was aged for 4 to 5 months in French and American oak. Purple/black in color, the nose reveals cedar, mineral, damp earth, and assorted black fruits. Powerful on the palate, this tannic, structured effort has superb depth and grip and should evolve for 3-4 years."

2008 Pazo de Senorans Albarino – Rias Biaxas, Spain
91 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
A lovely mouth-feel from start to finish: firm, seamless and well-structured on a good base, thanks to the work put in during the harvest and the subsequent, regular stirring of the fine lees. The wine shows great harmony throughout the whole of the tasting that’s rounded off with a pleasant, fleshy sensation that contains refreshing acidity. A full, clean finish, with powerful, lingering varietal flavours, reminding us of freshly-picked Albariño grapes.

2008 Terradora Dipaolo Falanghina – Campania, Italy
Grape Variety: 100 % Falanghina. Tasting notes: Medium yellow colour with greenish reflections, it has rich and intense bouquet with hints of apple, pineapple and citrus fruits. It is fresh and clean in the mouth with excellent acidity and good structure. Food pairings: A wine for the whole meal equally at home with hors d'oeuvres, soups, fish dishes, cold dishes, buffalo mozzarella and fresh cheeses.

2008 Honig Sauvignon Blanc
Tasting Notes: Perfectly balanced grapefruit and melon aromas and flavors are accented by lime and mango. A round mid-palate is followed by a vibrant, crisp, lingering finish. Fruit: 99% Sauvignon Blanc and 1% Semillon. Vineyard: The fruit for this wine comes from our sustainably farmed vineyard in Rutherford, as well as other nearby vineyards. Winemaking: The Sauvignon blanc is processed using two different methods. To preserve the delicate tropical fruit flavors, a portion of the fruit goes directly into the press as whole clusters. The remaining fruit is de-stemmed and left in contact with the skins for several hours before pressing, enhancing the grapefruit/citrus components. All of the juice is fermented cold (55 degrees F) in stainless steel tanks.

2007 Mapema Malbec – Mendoza, Argentina
91 Points Robert Parker
Intense purple color with shades of violet. Heady aromas of kirsch, cocoa, mint and exotic woods make you want to keep inhaling deeply. Red & black cherry flavors coat the palate, and the oak tannins frame the intense fruit flavors, keeping them from taking over the place! This Malbec is as good on the second day as it is on the first - if you can avoid finishing it! It is a great example of 'cool weather' Malbec - it has all the spicy/fruity character of the grape, but it also has a deeper, more serious side. Best with meats such as pork (grilled or roasted loin), grilled hamburgers or steaks, and lamb prepared any way you like. Good with goat, too.

Under $25.00

2006 Tikal Patriota – Mendoza, Argentina
92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
“The 2006 Patriota is composed of 60% Bonarda and 40% Malbec. It has greater depth and a longer finish than its 2005 counterpart. Tikal is owned by Ernesto Catena of the renowned Argentine wine family." (12/07) Smoky dark fruit on the nose, with cedared and wood smoke notes, leads to a big, palate expansive wine, chock full of blue and dark berried fruits. With air the wine shows increasing lift and freshness.


2007 Felsina Berardenga Chianti Classico – DOCG Chianti Classico
89 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
"The 2007 Chianti Classico is a sweet, super-ripe wine with an enticing core of fruit. The heat of the vintage has filled out the wine nicely. Although the acidity is still relatively high, this doesn’t look to be an especially long-lived wine. That should hardly matter, though, as you will have a hard time keeping your hands off this gem. In 2007 the Chianti Classico is a selection of fruit from eleven different vineyards harvested between the end of September and early October. The wine was mostly aged in cask, with about 10% seeing smaller neutral French oak barrels. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2015.


2006 Auselssa Tephra Cabernet/Syrah/Zinfandel Blend – Sonoma, CA
Audelssa Estate Winery is proud to produce wines with exceptional quality and character. Our estate Mountain Terraces Vineyard, high on the slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains is truly Extreme Viticulture! The severe terrain naturally limits berry size, yielding fruit with extraordinary concentration, structure and complexity. Our wines are made employing minimalist winemaking techniques, allowing the vineyard to be expressed in the wine. We hope you enjoy these wines in the same way they were made, with family and friends.


2007 Saracina Atrea “The Choir” White Wine
The hugely aromatic nose of apricot, honeysuckle, orange blossoms and jasmine has become the hallmark of The Choir. The palate carries similar flavors with emphasis on pitted fruits. It sports richness without excess weight. Wine can be powerful and vibrant simultaneously when made well, as The Choir demonstrates. This wine will appeal to the "ABC" (anything but chardonnay) crowd.

2005 Saracina Artea “Old Soul” Red Wine
This unique blend of Mendocino County’s iconic grapes has deep and well defined aromas of boysenberry, blackberry and creamy oak. The palate is fully ripe and well fleshed out, sporting plumy black fruit and supple, soft tannins. It is structured enough to hold well in bottle for years, but the fruit is so appealing that I would start drinking it now.
 

Must Try’s at Any Price

2007 Qupe Marsanne/Roussane – Santa Ynez Valley, California
91 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
This is a classic example of our Marsanne— flinty, minerally, and with just a hint of green pear and orange rind. The wine has refreshing acidity, impeccable balance and all at 12.6% alcohol. Marsanne with balance like this is very age worthy. Drink this as a refreshing aperitif or with seafood and lighter fare over the next year or so - or put it down for at least 10 years for a complex, honey-nut experience.

2007 Lincourt Chardonnay – Santa Rita Hills, California
91 Points – Wine Spectator
Medium straw gold in color, our Rancho Santa Rosa Chardonnay has a very concentrated nose. Aromas of Granny Smith apples, ripe golden pear, lemon and vanilla caramels predominate, with a slight flinty undertone. Flavors of green apples and pears, Meyer lemons, nectarines and sweet cream are balanced with crisp acidity and a silky mouth feel. The finish lingers with notes of vanilla, praline cookies and baked apple. The rich texture and vivid acidity of the 2007 Chardonnay make it easy to pair with many cuisines. Try sautéed or grilled halibut, steamed clams, gnocchi with butter and sage, and roast chicken with lemon and herbs.

2006 Arcadian Syrah – Santa Ynez Valley, California
90 Points – California Connoisseurs Guide
Inspired by the great traditions of Burgundian winemaking, Joseph Davis has been making Arcadian Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah in California's Central Coast region since 1996. Using French artisan methods and hands-on vineyard management, Joe's Arcadian label consistently receives high marks from the world's most respected wine writers. Inky ruby. intensely perfumed aromas of vibrant cherry and blackberry brightened by zesty minerality and a subtle cola quality. Lively red fruits on the palate, with black olive and licorice nuances emerging with air. A deep, sweet, pure syrah, finishing with excellent persistence and a late-arriving wave of youthful tannins.

2007 Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir – Sonoma, California
92 points - Wine Enthusiast
"Shows spectacularly ripe berries, cherries, anise, bacon, sandalwood and spices, wrapped into smooth, ultra-fine tannins. For all the richness, it finishes dry. A big wine, but balanced and nuanced. Now-2011." (12/09) Sometimes a little wine goes a long way. That's surely the case with this little bottle of Patz & Hall's Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, the perfect size for two. Pure Sonoma Coast character, this wine is fresh and fun with cool-climate strawberry and cherry aromas that repeat on the palate. The red fruit is complemented by cinnamon and clove spice, resolved tannins for easy-drinking and mouthwatering acidity that makes it a lovely accompaniment to tonight's dinner.

2006 Ladera Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley, California
90 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
The Ladera Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of the two excellent estate vineyards of Ladera. The Lone Canyon Vineyard is located in mid Napa Valley in the western hills on the flank of Mt Veeder. The wine has aromas of blackberry and raspberry fruit; rose pedals, mint and white pepper with toasty and vanilla highlights. Dark plum and bramble berry flavors fill the mouth. The tannin structure is full and highly extracted, but soft and lush. This makes the wine enjoyable now, and should also age well for another 8-10 years.