Weekly Wine Tastings

May 28th-29th, 2010

Please join us for our FREE Wine and Beer Tastings  - Friday from 3-7 pm and Saturday 1-6; this week we are tasting:

WINE 

Just in time for the Memorial Day weekend - our HUGELY popular "6 for $60" pack is back and as good as ever! As is always the case (or half case!) these are wines from all over the globe that are sure to please and make for some great summer drinking! These wines are available in the pack for the low, low price of $60 or separately for $10.99!

IMPORTANT NOTE: We will be closed on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31 and will reopen Tuesday morning at 10:30. Be sure to stock up Friday and Saturday.

2009 Macabeo, Yasa Blanco
Calatayud, Aragon, Spain
"Made from 92% old vines Macabeo (50 years of age or more) and 8% Garnacha Blanc. Light straw in color, it offers pleasant aromas of mineral and melon. On the palate it is light- to medium-bodied, round, and fruity. This is a wine to enjoy over the next 12 months"
87pts Wine Advocate

2009 Chenin Blanc "Old Vines," The Royal Steen
Swartland, South Africa
A lively, refreshing, dry white from South Africa made from 100% Chenin Blanc, it bares a stronger resemblance to French Vouvray then to New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc as is usually the case. A vivid, fruity nature to this wine with flavors of tropical fruit, green apple and citrus counterbalanced by refreshing, tangy acidity. It is just a terrific all-purpose white!

2009 Maipe Torrontes
Salta, Argentina
Offers up an alluring perfume of spring flowers, peach, apricot, and a hint of citrus. On the palate the wine is dry, smooth textured, layered, and succulent while retaining a sense of elegance. This nicely balanced wine features a lengthy, fruit-filled finish.

2009 "Ja-ja" de Jau, Chateau de Jau
Languedoc Roussillon, France
"Very good blend of 45% Syrah, 32% Mourvedre, 16% Grenache, 7% Carignan; a dark ruby/purple color, spicy, garrigue, herbes de Provence, and black fruit-scented nose, supple, medium-bodied, generously-endowed, not complicated, but mouth-filling, spicy, and attractive; drink over the next 1-2 years"88pts Wine Advocate

2009 Bodegas Tarima Tarima
Jumilla, Spain
"This is the first vintage of this wine; the 2009 Tarima is 100% Monastrell sourced from 25-35 year old vines and raised in stainless steel with lees stirring. Medium crimson-colored, the nose reveals fragrant blueberries and underbrush. Firm on the palate with plenty of savory fruit, it is meant for drinking over the next 3 years." 87pts Wine Advocate

2004 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Monti
Abruzzi, Italy
""A sophisticated, pure, polished, generously endowed offering, Monti's dense purple-colored Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (includes 5% Sangiovese in the blend) was aged in large oak foudres prior to bottling. It offers vivid blackberry, melted licorice, pepper, and herb characteristics along with a full-bodied, powerful yet pure, supple-textured style."90pts Wine Advocate

BEER

Lammin Kataja
Lammin Sahti Oy (Lammi, Finland)
Pekka Kaarianen who single-handedly revived the juniper-laced Sahti style in 1990 created this variation of the Lammin Sahti by replacing the Finnish Baker's yeast with a regular ale yeast. In addition, Lammin Kataja Ale is boiled in the brew kettle for some 60 minutes. Both adjustments have created a variation of the original Lammin Sahti with a very robust shelf life of over 12 months. Dark orange in color , with peachy, citrusy and lemony notes on the palate. Rather big body with a dry, almondy, tart cherry finish.
$8.99 12oz. 

Matilda
Goose Island (Chicago, Illinois)
Wild in character, with a slightly fruity aroma and a spicy yeast flavor that is as unique as it is satisfying - Matilda is an intriguing choice for beer and wine lovers alike. Dry and quenching, it's the perfect accompaniment at the dining table or for casually socializing on the patio.
$8.99 22oz. 

Vintage Ale 2008 (Come in Friday night for an opportunity to taste the 2004 alongside the 2008)
Fuller's (London, England)
The beer has a great depth to its color, deep amber with a slight orangey-brown note. On the aroma, spices, cloves and floral, grassy notes come through all deriving from the hops. The malt character has a rich caramel flavor. The citrus fruit of this beer is like the peel of an orange. The Vintage Ale is like an orange liqueur and these warming alcoholic notes provide syrup like sweetness to the beer. Upon tasting, the beer feels full in the mouth. The fruit notes come through onto the palate with cherries and pineapples noticeable. The hop notes found on the nose appear on the palate to give a spicy element to the beer. The citrus notes are present accompanied by caramel, coffee and biscuit notes from the malts. Vintage Ale is smooth in texture and in flavor. The balance of caramel, spicy and citrus hop flavors and the mellow warming effect of the alcohol help this beer to linger on the palate long after it has been savoured.
$7.99 16.9oz.

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