Join us this weekend for a complimentary wine tasting, hosted by Juliet & Kelly!
We have a majority of single-varietal wines this week, exploring everything from a Slovenian skin-contact Pinot Grigio to a Virginia Chardonnay, a South African Cinsault, and a Barossa Valley Shiraz. Join us as we travel around the world through these delicious wines!
Tastings begin at 11:30am on Saturday and Sunday, and all wines are available for purchase at 10% off retail price.
Find a printable PDF of this week’s tasting notes here.
Pelle Menetou-Salon Morogues Blanc 2017
Origin: France
Retail: $25.95 | Sale: $23.35
Domaine Pellé is a fourth-generation estate run by the talented and hard-working Paul-Henry Pellé. The winery was officially started in the 1950s, though earlier generations of the Pellé family had produced wine even before then, selling barrels to local Brasseries as far as Brouges in the early 20th century. Coming from the far eastern end of the Loire Valley from the under-the-radar appellation Menetou-Salon, this is a mineral-laden Sauvignon Blanc with aromas of white flowers and citrus fruits. The palate is racy, followed by a saline/mineral finish that gives this wine a beautiful clarity and precision.
Sauvignon Blanc
Organic.
Pullus Stajerska Pinot Grigio 2017
Origin: Slovenia
Retail: $16.95 | Sale: $15.25
Coming from the oldest winery in Slovenia, this is not your average Pinot Grigio. Ptujska Klet is located in the steep, winegrowing hills surrounding the city of Ptu, the oldest town in Slovenia. When fully ripe, the skin of Pinot Grigio has a dark pink, almost purple, color. The skins are left to macerate in the pressed juice for 72 hours, giving this wine the copper hued, rosé-like color that is its defining characteristic. Notes of fresh lime and pear are complemented by a textured mouthfeel and minerality that comes from the extended skin contact. It’s clean, crisp, and refreshing, yet still complex. It’s lovely enough to enjoy on its own or pair with pasta, white meat, or young cheeses.
Pinot Grigio
White Hall Chardonnay 2017
Origin: Monticello
Retail: $19.95 | Sale: $17.95
Established in 1992, White Hall has grown from 6 acres planted to over 48 acres currently under vine. The Champ family has taken great pride over the years in being stewards of the land and creating wines that are unique to the beauty and richness of the terroir. This is a well-balanced Chardonnay with flavors of apples, pears, hints of lemon citrus, nutmeg and a crisp, spicy finish. Fermented and aged in stainless steel with a small amount in neutral oak barrels, this Chardonnay the perfect balance of fruit and acidity. Pair this with Virginia’s abundant seafood, including crab, clams, and oysters, as well as any soft or
semi-soft cow’s milk cheese.
Chardonnay
Christian Lauverjat Sancerre Rose 2018
Origin: France
Retail: $24.95 | Sale: $22.45
Christiana and Katrine Lauverjat have a 12 hectare estate in Sur-en-Vaux of the Loire Valley. The pebbly, limestone soils here give the wines their fresh, light minerality. Made from 100% Pinot Noir, this elegant Sancerre rosé has a delicate essence of rose petals and red berries on the nose. The palate is crisp and lean, but the flavors are quite persistent with cherry, black currant, apricot, and red currant. With a mineral-laden yet creamy palate, this wine is superbly balanced and consistently delicious year after year.
Pinot Noir
Natte Valleij Cinsault South Africa 2017
Origin: South Africa
Retail: $17.95 | Sale $16.15
The father to South Africa’s national varietal Pinotage, Cinsault has since fallen into obscurity. Affectionately still called Hermitage by the many old timers, it creates superbly drinkable wines with red fruits, spice and surprising structure to age gracefully. This tribute to South Africa’s wine-making past was hand-crafted from selected parcels of old bush vines spread across the Cape. The nose is floral, with red cherry, herbs and spice. The palate is plump and juicy with moderate acidity and soft tannins, the finish still managing to be relatively savory.
Cinsault
Zenato Alanera Rosso Veronese 2015
Origin: Italy
Retail: $18.95 | Sale: $17.05
Alanera translates to "black wing," a reference to the raven, "corvo" in Italian, and an homage to the Valpolicella region's treasured indigenous grape, "Corvina". Half of the grapes harvested to produce this wine are partially dried for 45-60 days, which adds an unusual complex spectrum of aromas and flavors to this baby Amarone. Fresh and dried cherries mingle with sweet spice and hints of coffee on the nose. The palate is full-bodied with elegant and velvety tannins. Vibrant acidity brings balance and freshness, and supports a long and harmonious finish.
55 Corvina | 25 Rondinella | 10 Corvinone
5 Merlot | 5 Cabernet Sauvignon
Torbreck Woodcutter's Shiraz 2017
Origin: Australia
Retail: $28.95 | Sale: $26.05
Torbreck Vintners was founded by David Powell in 1994 when he was inspired to create his own label after discovering an abandoned section of old-vines in the Barossa Valley. Aromatic and stylish, it opens with violet and white pepper. The core gushes with wild blueberry, revealing shades of rosemary and apricot. The tannins are smooth and plush on the finish.
Shiraz