Number 102 July 30, 2010
Lots of New Items
Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2006 $40.00 As we said in Email 97, we got a little bit more, 3 cases. One case has already been sold. As of today, we have 21 bottles left and then that’s all, no more, done. In case you missed it in Email 97, here’s the review: Wine Spectator 94 A rich, dense, concentrated style, this is full-bodied, focused and pure, with hints of mocha and black licorice rounding out the core currant, plum and black cherry flavors. Focused and persistent, with a long finish. Drink now through 2017. June 2010
Duche de Longueville Sparkling Cider (France) $11.00 Not reviewed 2% alcohol content. Yep, 2%. It’s great. I’m sure many of you have had Martinelli’s that you can get in the grocery stores. It’s really good, but not even close to this. Picnics, sitting on the deck watching the kids in the pool, just terrific.
New vintage d’Arenberg Stump Jump Red 2008 (Australia) $14.00 Wine Spectator 90 Light in texture and fragrant with floral, berry and beet aromas, this plays its fresh flavors against refined tannins, lingering effortlessly. Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2013. February 2010
Justin Monmousseau There are no reviews on any of these. All from the Loire Valley in France. Really good and great values. Cheverny 2009 $14.00 70% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Chardonnay. The Chardonnay gives it a little richness that it wouldn’t have otherwise. Would be good with almost any fish or roasted chicken. Sancerre 2008 $24.00 100% Sauvignon Blanc from the Sancerre area. Sancerre always has a mineral taste that other Sauvignon Blancs don’t typically have. Shellfish, oysters, crab. Rose’ d’Anjou 2009 $13.00 The red grape of the Loire Valley is Cabernet Franc so that’s the primary grape used for this rose’. What makes this a little different is that it’s got a lot of body which now makes this my favorite rose’. Anything grilled, including salmon or tuna, or just a BBQ sandwich from the Commissary.
Trinitas A lot of people know Trinitas from their tasting room at The Meritage Resort & Spa in the city of Napa. A medium-sized producer making high quality wines at an affordable price. Trinitas Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 2007 $16.00 Wine Spectator 86 Lemon-lime, guava and green apple notes are juicy and intense. Medium-bodied, with zingy acidity and pleasant grassy notes on the finish. Drink now. 1,900 cases made.
Trinitas Chardonnay Carneros 2008 $25.00 Wine Spectator 89 Offers a complex mix of tropical fruit, with pineapple, guava, peach and nectarine flavors that are pure and clean, ending with a sour pineapple edge. Drink now through 2014. 1,600 cases made. July 2010 Much better than an 89. There’s a lot going on with this one including toast, vanilla, pear and a little butter. Really elegant.
Trinitas Pinot Noir Carneros 2008 $25.00 Not reviewed From the back label on the bottle – “Aromatics of candied red fruit, vanilla, mocha, and campfire. It boasts flavors of baked red apples covered in butter and cinnamon with a rich entry and broad mid-palate. The weight of the fore- and mid-palate over shadow the delicate dark chocolate finish which will lengthen with age.” Well, the “baked red apples covered in butter and cinnamon” may be a little much but the “vanilla, mocha, and campfire” isn’t. A really good pinot for $25.00. Really good.
Trinitas Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Oakville 2006 $40.00 Wine Enthusiast 89 Lush, dry and delicious, with firm but finely ground tannins framing black currant, cassis, mocha and cedar flavors. Feels soft and plush, and should improve through 2011. March 2009 Again, much better than this. As good as a $40.00 cabernet can get. Delicious.
Thanks Latham