As we wind down from February's cold, and get into the meat of the spring semester (and prepare for Easter and Passover!), I thought it would be a good idea to buy a couple of different roses, and get the Spring Break feeling going a little early this year!  Both are roses we've worked with before, the Domaine Houchart, and Susanna Balbo's Crios.  In addition to these roses, we've picked a number of red wines to highlight, including a couple of super Pinot Noirs from the west coast.

To get you ready for the St.Patrick's Day celebrations, there are a number of seasonal beer packages to chose from, in addition to the usual Irish Whiskey choices, all at some great prices.  So, come in and see us!

WINE SPECIALS

Domaine Houchart Rose 2009 (Provence, FR) - Made by the Quiot family, who also make the Trignon Gigondas that we carry, this rose is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Cab. Sauv and Mourvedre.  Their facility has been completely renovated over the past three years to incorporate temperature control, and use of CO2 gas to preserve freshness of fruit during fermentation and bottling.  The result is this easy sipping, dry, delicate salmon colored rose, perfect on it's own, or with light fare such as sushi or cold salmon.  Reg $9.99 SALE $7.99

Crios (de Susanna Balbo) Rose of Malbec 2009 (Mendoza, AR) - Susanna Balbo makes this roses using the saignee method of bleeding off some of the old vine Malbec juice after a very short time of skin contact, leaving a brilliant red/purple color, and then fermenting like a white wine.  The Malbec grapes give a spicier, fuller bodied style of rose than others, enabling it to pair well with stronger flavors (ready to get that grill out yet?). Reg $10.99  SALE  $8.79 

 Martin Codax ERGO Tempranillo 2007 (Rioja SP)  While better known for his Albarino, Martin Codax has nevertheless produced this intriguing value with lots of spice and fruit notes. The wine is dark, robust and chewy. Reg $9.99  Sale $7.99

JAW DROPPING NAPA CAB DEAL!
Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2006(Napa, CA)  This is one of those deals we can hardly believe ourselves! It was recently rated 90 points by Mr. Parker and is one of our favorite Napa Cabs. Sweert blue and red fruits intertwined with hints of loamy soil. VERY SPECIAL SALE PRICE $16.99 (Check out what this sells for elsewhere!)

Layer Cake Primitivo 2007 (Puglia, IT) - Initially known for their Shiraz bottling from Australia, the team behind Layer Cake (Pure Love Wines) have extended their reach into Italy for this bottling of Primitivo, a grape grown widely in the Puglia area of Italy (that's down the heel of the boot). Primitivo is genetically related to American Zinfandel, although in practice the wines taste fairly different.  I brought this in at several customer's behest, and now we are offering it to you at a great discount ! Reg  $15.99 SALE $12.79

Vietti "Perbacco" Nebbiolo 2006 (Piedmonte, IT) - Vietti does probably the best job getting Nebbiolo, the great grape of Barolo and Barbaresco, to taste close to these great areas for a much more attractive price.  The wine is often, in fact, declassified wines from Barolo, perhaps from younger vines, or a lesser vintage.  It certainly shares the soaring aromas of violets and cherry roses, and while dry on the palate, manages to avoid the harsh astringency that some of the great Nebbiolos are saddled with in their youth.  A marvelous achievement!  $16.99 - a new low price.

Talley Pinot Noir 2006 (Arroyo Grande, CA) - This delicious Pinot Noir is made entirely from estate vineyards owned by the Talley family: Rincon, and Rosemary's Vineyard, in San Luis Obispo.  I had the good fortune to taste this at our wholesalers big fall event last year, and was compelled to bring in a few bottles (litterally).  My customers had been complaining to me about not having any nice high-end Pinot Noirs, so: here you go! Reg  $43.99  SALE $35.19

Lioco Pinot Noir  Michaud Vineyard 2007 (Monterey, CA) - Easily the class of the Pinot field at the same tasing as the above Talley, and the best wine from Lioco as well.  Michaud is located at the fairly high elevation of 1600 ft, at the base of an extinct volcano. "Aroma: pressed red flowers, dried red fruit, orange pekoe tea;  flavor: sour red cherry candy, sweet rhubarb."  This is a quote from the bottle, modified by yours truly to reflect my take on this very complex, amazing Pinot Noir.  $50.99 SALE $40.79

Prices valid until March 31st, 2010. some items may be limited. Not responsible for typographical errors.