Join us this weekend for a complimentary wine tasting, hosted by Juliet + Kelly! We are featuring a beautiful French bubbly rosé, a Virginia Cabernet Franc, an organic Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, and a 15-year sherry with a “truly unforgettable” finish. Tastings begin at 11:30am on Saturday and Sunday, and all wines are available for purchase at 10% off retail price. Scroll down to learn more!
Find a printable PDF of this week’s tasting notes here.
Charles Duret Crémant de Bourgogne Rosé NV
Origin: France
Retail: $18.95 | Sale: $17.05
This sparking rosé from Burgundy has delicate, long-lasting bubbles that are proof of its traditional, bottle-fermented quality. With a medium-pink salmon color in the glass, this crémant offers ripe strawberries on the nose as well as the mouth with lemon and tangy orange-zest flavors. It is lush, balanced, and has a nice rich, mousse texture. The perfect wine to serve as an aperitif this weekend!
Pinot Noir
Nicosia Vulka Etna Blanco 2017
Origin: Italy
Retail: $22.95 | Sale: $20.65
Vulkà Etna Bianco is a blend of indigenous varietals that give an authentic expression of the terroir of Etna, and it is distinguished by its extraordinary freshness and elegance. The volcanic origin and the altitude of the vineyards give this wine a great minerality and unique character. Delicately scented, this blend offers subtle aromas of yellow wildflower, orchard fruit and wild herb. Mirroring the nose, the crisp, linear palate offers yellow apple, Bartlett pear and a light salty note alongside bright acidity.
60 Carricante | 40 Catarratto
Bastgen Paulinshofberg Spätlese Riesling 2017
Origin: Germany
Retail: $23.95 | Sale: $21.55
The Weingut Bastgen Estate was founded in 1850 and is located in the tiny settlement of Monzel, located in the middle of the Mosel region. They are an active member of the elite wine producers group called the Bernkasteler Ring - founded in 1899, with only 36 members. This Spätlese is clean with crisp notes of white peach, lime, crushed mint, and beautiful minerality. Its medium-bodied has incredible purity of fruit, a seamless texture, and bright, integrated acidity that shines on the finish. This is a wonderful, lower-alcohol wine for those warm summer afternoons.
Riesling
Ox-Eye Cabernet Franc 2016
Origin: Virginia
Retail: $20.95 | Sale: $18.85
Ox-Eye Vineyards was the first vinifera vineyard in Augusta County. They began planting vines in 1999 and have sold grapes to numerous wineries in Virginia since that time. In 2010 they built their own winery and opened a tasting room in a restored historic building in the wharf district in downtown Staunton. This estate grown Cabernet Franc is feminine in style with great acidity that finishes with heightened notes of cherry. It's summertime in a glass.
100 Cabernet Franc
Le Clos des Cazaux “Cuvée des Templiers” Vacqueyras 2013
Origin: France
Retail: $25.95 | Sale $23.35
The Archimbaud-Vache family - owners of Clos des Cazaux - is one of the oldest families in Vacqueyras, with roots dating back to 1791. From vines planted in 1934, this is an atypically spicy blend with peppery, blackberry fruit, and garrigue notes. Deeply pitched black and blue fruit are enlivened by smoky mineral and peppery spice accents. The balanced and lasting tannins of this wine make it an excellent accompaniment to grilled meats and vegetables.
50 Syrah | 50 Grenache
La Quercia Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva 2015
Origin: Italy
Retail: $25.95 | Sale: $23.35
Made by winemaker Antonio Lamona, the result is one of the best quality, most expressive and balanced Montepulcianos around. Full-bodied, smooth, and packed with notes of blackberry, wild cherry, and spice, this is a flavorful and versatile wine that will pair with anything you put on the table. It has a fun combination of fruit and earthy, meaty rusticity.
Montepulciano
Organic.
Lustau East India Solera NV
Origin: Spain
Retail: $28.95 | Sale: $26.05
Lustau’s East India sherry is an appealing deep tawny brown with a complex, mature nose of burnt sugar, spices, raisins, chocolate, walnuts, and orange peel. It is sweet and full-bodied, with a smooth, almost treacle-like consistency, but good balancing acidity. There is a faint 'rancio' character that adds complexity and a fresh, everlasting finish.
96 points, Wine Advocate