Category Archives: 6 for $120-Something

Hello and Happy Friday!

My holiday gift to you is the single best 6 for $120-Something Sampler I have ever released.

It’s the end of the year and that means there are a few deals to be had.  One of my strengths as a taster and buyer is to sort through list of wines that are available, often at ridiculous prices. I wouldn’t touch the majority of closeouts, but at times like today, I’m able to find some gems.

This 6 for $120-Something Sampler features some really exciting new arrivals as well as some of those delicious and incredibly-priced wines.

For those unfamiliar, the concept is simple; in the course of my tastings each month, I put together a mix of what I think are the best wines I’ve tasted in that $20-ish range.  It is true that I used to simply call this the “6 for $120,” but in the interest of me having more flexibility, I’ve decided to not be so exact.

All of these wines are available by the bottle as well as the case, but the idea here is to give you a selection of wines that you will want to have stocked in your wine rack at home!

So email me to order your sampler, and pick it up at your convenience. They are in stock and ready to go!

Happy Holidays!

Craig

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As a reminder, because of the holiday rush, I will be open for the next two Mondays. My full holiday hours are as follows:

Friday, December 21st: 12 to 8 pm

Saturday, December 22nd – 10am to 7 pm

Sunday, December 23rd – CLOSED

Monday, December 24th – 11am to 5pm

Tuesday, December 25th – CLOSED

Wednesday, December 26th – 12pm to 8 pm

Thursday, December 27th – 12pm to 8 pm

Friday, December 28th – 12pm to 8 pm

Saturday, December 29th – 11am to 7pm

Sunday, December 30th – CLOSED

Monday, December 31st – 11 am to 5 pm

Tuesday, January 1st – CLOSED

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2008 Hudelot-Noellat Bourgogne Rouge
Stop what you are doing!

Fans of Red Burgundy always struggle with the fact that they crave the stuff, but don’t want to open a $50-$100 bottle on a Tuesday night. It doesn’t happen often, but I’ve got a solution for you – Alain Hudelot-Noellat’s Bourgogne Rouge!

Yes, this was surprisingly collecting some dust in a warehouse and now it is headed straight to your Burgundy-loving stomach!

This terrific Chambolle-Musigny-based producer also holds vineyards in Vosne-Romanée, Nuits-St-Georges, and Vougeot. This is a hard-working family domaine that is now in the hands of Charles van Canneyt (Alain’s grandson) and enologist Vincent Meunier.

Great attention to detail can be seen and then tasted with this domaine. Only natural yeasts are used, some pre-fermentation cold maceration is practiced and the appropriate amount of oak is used as well.

This great value Bourgogne Rouge offers the bright, black cherry notes that can be found in so many of his 2008’s, with a soft texture, pure fruit, and nice freshness.  This won’t change your life or make you talk about terroir, but it will provide plenty of “yums” and as my friend Bill says, “happys.”

I only received 15 cases of this and it won’t last – so stock up today!
Please inquire

2009 Celler Pardas “Negre Franc”
There is a reason why I go to great lengths to direct import Celler Pardas. Ramon Parrera and his wife Monti represent all that is good with the Spanish wine scene. Impassioned, resolute in their mission and proud of where they come from.

They were fortunate enough to purchase a very special piece of the Penèdes region in their estate called Finca Can Comas. Over the first few years, they have developed a reputation as the leader in quality with the white grape Xarel.lo, which in the region, is  typically blended into Cava. In the hands of Ramon and partner Jordi Arnan, it becomes a world-class white wine, on par with the best wines of Spain.

Yet, this old river valley also provides the base to grow Cabernet Franc and Sumoll of excellent quality. When I visited in September, Monti picked me up from the train station in Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, epicenter of the Cava trade. A quick drive to the winery allowed us to catch up. Upon arrival, we headed to the winery where Ramon was working hard, receiving Cabernet Franc from the 2012 harvest. A quick hello was followed by a change of t-shirts and promptly, I was helping sort Cabernet Franc on the sorting table.  Very little had to be tossed out, a result of hard work and selection in the vineyard.

Eventually, our work was done and we headed to lunch in their home, first tasting through the new vintages of wine. It was there that I got a chance to taste the new vintage of one of their flagship wines, “Negre Franc.”

The 2009 is a blend of 66% Cabernet Franc, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Sumoll sourced from 5 different vineyards. It is fermented in a mixture of concrete tanks and barrels, then aged in French oak of different sizes and ages.

Truly gorgeous, with young aromatics of cherries, currants, and licorice spice. Medium-bodied yet wonderfully balanced, with a dark and red fruits on the palate and Mediterranean spices and herbs. A truly complex bottle that keeps getting better sip after sip.

Do not miss this truly special Spanish red! Only 180 bottles imported into the US and only at Perman Wine Selections.
$24.00 BTL. / $144.00 SIX-PACK

2011 Palacios de Fefiñanes Albariño
I’m picky when it comes to Albariño!

Of all the Spanish white grape varietals, Albariño has probably become the most well-known. Unfortunately most of the examples that you see by the glass at restaurants throughout the US might as well be lighter fluid.

The department of Galicia in the Northwest of Spain is home to the varietal.  At its best, it is an aromatic grape varietal, whose fruit profile range from citrus to tropical notes. It can develop an amazing mineral component depending on the producers’ vineyard holdings. At its lighter-fluid-worst, it can be overcropped, insipid, and basically devoid of anything interesting to say. That’s what happens when a varietal becomes popular and corporations take over the winemaking duty.

Luckily, there are producers like Palacio de Fefiñanes, who care about representing the best of Galicia, the best of Rías Baixas, and their own heritage which dates back to 1904. Since there aren’t many large estate vineyards, producers like Fefiñanes must purchase fruit, and in their case, from growers that they have had long term contracts with.

This Albariño is fermented and aged on its lees in stainless steel tanks. It offers a fresh and vibrant look at the grape. This is textbook Albariño and has been praised by virtually every major wine publication, and for good reason.

“Ripe orange, pear and nectarine aromas are complicated by notes of white pepper, herbs and honeysuckle. Pliant, expansive orchard and citrus fruit flavors show very good depth and energy, with a late note of bitter quinine adding grip. Finishes firm and long, with lingering spiciness and tangy minerality. 92 Points, Josh Raynolds, International Wine Cellar.”

Fans of Albariño, do not miss this!
$23.00 BTL. / $276.00 CASE

2005 Domaine de Piaugier Sablet “Les Briguières”
First I almost fainted, then I did a back flip over the fact that this beautiful wine was still available, and at a reduced price?!

Jean-Marc Autran is one of the truly great producers of the Southern Rhône, and his work in the Sablet appellation is admired by virtually everyone that loves great Rhône wines. Sablet is such a special terroir, offering wines that combine power and finesse.

Since I’ve offered many wines from the Autran family before on these pages, I’ll focus my energy on explaining what makes this particular wine so special.

“Les Briguières” is one of the top wines of the estate, from 45+ year-old vines in Sablet.  The soil is diverse with clay, limestone and sand.  This is a blend of Grenache and Mourvèdre, destemmed, fermented in tank and aged in small French oak barrels of different ages.

Going back in time, 2005 was a terrific vintage in the Southern Rhône Valley, and this wine is showing superbly, definitely at its peak. Spiced red berries, cracked pepper, red licorice, and other earthy aromatics and flavors, make this an incredibly complex wine.

Rhône-heads, please buy some of this and pair it with your favorite recipe of roasted beef tenderloin or leg of lamb. A flat out steal!
Please inquire

NV Fournier Crémant de Bourgogne “Cuvée F”
Another absolute “gift” of an offering on this 6 for $120-Something.

There are many regions in France outside of Champagne that produce excellent quality sparkling wines. For instance, Alsace with their Pinot Blanc-based sparkling called Crémant d’Alsace. The Loire Valley is the second largest producing region outside of Champagne with their Crémant de Loire, often based on Chenin Blanc. Then, there is Burgundy.  Working with 2 of the 3 major Champagne grapes, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, this region and its Crémant de Bourgogne may offer the most similarity to Champagne.

Thierry and Muriel Fournier know how to make great sparkling wine!  Hailing from the Champagne region, they own 11 hectares of vines near Epernay. As expansion within the Champagne region is often difficult for small producers because of the incredible expense in purchasing vineyard, the Fournier’s decided to expand their sparkling wine production to outside of the appellation.

They expanded to the Southern part of Burgundy, purchasing grapes namely in Rully, Mercurey, Volnay and Pommard. From these vines they make “Cuvée F,” a blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay from 40+ year-old vines.  Fermented in tank using natural yeasts, it undergoes malolactic fermentation, and the secondary dosage is 6 g/l, leaving a dry, mineral and citrus-laden sparkling.

This is a spectacular deal on a great bottle of Crémant, as it normally retails for $19 a bottle.  A great option for large holiday gatherings!
Please inquire

2007 Gorelli “Le Potazzine” Rosso di Montalcino
Tuscany produces a lot of Sangiovese of varying quality levels. Even within appellations such as Chianti Classico and Montalcino, there are poor to mediocre producers. That is where I come in, to introduce you to some of the top producers of their respective region.

A couple months ago, I featured an amazing Rosso di Montalcino from the estate Poderi Salicutti. This time I get to introduce you to a rising star in the region, Giuseppe Gorelli of “Le Pottazine.”  This isn’t the oldest estate in Montalcino, producing its first vintage in 1988, yet in just over 20 years it has emerged as a star. Two vineyards in Montalcino, one at high elevation produce ripe grapes, with good balance and acidity. The wines are fermented using indigenous yeasts and only larger barrels are used.

2007 was an excellent vintage for Montalcino and this Rosso is absolutely singing right now. Check out the glowing review from Ian D’Agata of the International Wine Cellar.  After you’ve checked it out, make sure you stock up on some. I only received 132 bottles and they should go quick— especially since this is normally at $30 retail.

“Bright medium ruby. Ripe, scented nose is redolent of red cherry, raspberry syrup, sandalwood and sweet spice. Dense and juicy, this alluringly ripe, fruity midweight tastes sweet and lush but has excellent flavor definition thanks to bright acids that lift its red berry, cherry and mineral flavors. Finishes almost fat, with sophisticated tannins and a creamy quality to its lingering aftertaste. Absolutely superb Rosso. Though they could make as many as 38,000 bottles of Brunello, this estate prefers to declassify part of its Brunello in order to make this excellent Rosso. Incidentally, the Gorelli family also runs the Le Potazzine restaurant/wine bar and wine shop in downtown Montalcino, where wine lovers can taste virtually every Rosso and Brunello made in the area. 91 points”

Please inquire

Hello and Happy Friday!

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

It is the second-to-last Friday of the month and that means it’s time for the latest iteration of the “6 for $120-Something” Sampler.

For those unfamiliar with the sampler, each month I choose 6 individual bottles that are standouts from my monthly tastings.  I group them together in an exciting sampler pack, complete with descriptions of each.

All selections are typically available by the bottle, but for maximum pleasure you should get the whole sampler.

During this season of gift-giving, this makes an excellent gift to a loved one, valued employee or yourself!

I’m in the store until 7pm tonight, and will resume normal hours tomorrow.

Have a great weekend,

Craig

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2010 Domaine Roche Cairanne “La Bousquette” Côtes du Rhône Villages
A very special and limited offering to start this month’s sampler.

30-year-old Romain Roche is a rising star in the appellation of Cairanne, located a stone’s throw from the more well-known Châteauneuf-du-Pape.  He recently took over from his parents and was fortunate to take over some amazing vineyards with very old vines. Previously, the grapes were sold off to a famous négociant.

Roche makes a range of wines, but towards the top of the range is this wine named after the family home at the top of the vineyards. Anyone who follows Southern Rhône wines will know how special a vintage 2010 is.

I was fortunate to be allocated 48 bottles of this wine, as with the following review, it has virtually disappeared from around the United States. I’m making two cases available for purchase outside of the sampler, the other 24 bottles will be first offered to those who buy the sampler. Don’t miss this!

“Let me begin with what is probably the most remarkable Cairanne I have ever tasted, Domaine Roche’s 2010 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Cairanne La Bousquette. This amazing wine was cropped at 25 hectoliters per hectare, and was fashioned from a parcel of old vine Grenache planted in 1870, just after the phylloxera crisis began to destroy vineyards throughout western Europe. It is one of the most extraordinary Cotes du Rhone-Villages one could ever taste. It is a tank-aged blend of 85% Grenache and 15% old Carignan (also from the same time period). Proprietor Roman Roche has hit pay dirt with this full-bodied, majestic 2010. It possesses lavish quantities of kirsch, black raspberries, blackberries, licorice, pepper and Provencal garrigue. A crushed rock-like minerality is interwoven into this full-bodied, astonishingly concentrated wine that should age beautifully for 10-15+ years, if you can resist it now. 95 Points, Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate.”

$25.00 BTL. / ONLY 48 BOTTLES AVAILABLE, 24 OF WHICH ARE AVAILABLE OUTSIDE OF THOSE THAT PURCHASE THE SAMPLER

2010 Clos Marie “Manon” Languedoc Blanc
Staying in the south of France, I am offering the newest vintage of the white wine from the great cult producer, Clos Marie. Based in the Eastern Languedoc in the appellation of Pic St. Loup, Christophe Peyrus is a noted practitioner of biodynamics, and similar to the Roche story, took over from his family who had previously sold off the fruit to the cooperative. Peyrus is well-studied and has learned from some of the great names in French wine such as the late Didier Dagueneau and the Foucault brothers of Clos Rougeard.

I’m excited to introduce the absolutely fantastic new vintage of the white cuvée called “Manon.”  A blend of Rhône varietals, it is an incredibly exotic, complex and food-friendly wine that I would pair with simply prepared crab or langoustines.

“Tasted in its final assemblage, and due to be bottled in late May, the Clos Marie 2010 Coteaux du Languedoc Manon – blending Rolle and Roussanne, with diminishing amounts of Macabeu, Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Carignan Blanc and Clairette – offers a perfumed profusion of iris, narcissus, and lily-of-the-valley accompanied by ripe pear and fresh lime that follow on a bright, polished palate, finishing with the sort of intriguingly zesty, invigorating, and seemingly mineral impingement that I associate in particular with Grenache Gris and Carignan Blanc. This should prove delightfully versatile for at least 3-4 years. 90-91 Points, David Schildknecht, The Wine Advocate.”

$27.00 BTL. / ONLY AVAILABLE WITH THE SAMPLER, ANY LEFTOVER WINE WILL BE SOLD TO THOSE WHO REQUEST IT

2010 Montepeloso “A Quo” Toscana I.G.T.
I love the wines of Fabio Chiarelotto of Agricola Montepeloso.  The only problem is, they are not only difficult to get, but also luxuriously-priced.  His wines “Gabbro” and “Nardo” sell for between $100-$200 a bottle, far from everyday drinking for me.

Good thing that in the 2008 vintage Chiarelotto introduced the wine “A Quo,” a blended wine that shows off the terroir of the Maremma of coastal Tuscany.

Located right next door to Tua Rita in Suvereto, the Montepeloso vineyards are situated on hillsides with a chalky gravel and clay terroir.  An exceptional site that produces really delicious and complex wines.  While impossible to compare “A Quo” to the top wines “Gabbro” and “Nardo,” it does offer incredible value, so much so that if you love the wines of coastal Tuscany it would be silly not to stock up on this!

“The 2010 A Quo is insanely beautiful. It boasts gorgeous, well-delineated aromatics and tons of energy. The vibrancy of the fruit is impossible not to admire. Red plums, raspberries, berries and graphite give the wine a cool intensity and minerality that are striking. Layers of fruit build to the vinous yet structured finish. This is a great wine that captures the full personality of the 2010 vintage in Tuscany. It also happens to be a steal. In 2010 the blend is 30% Montepulciano, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese, 10% Marselan and 10% Alicante Bouschet. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2022. 92 Points, Antonio Galloni, The Wine Advocate.”

$22.00 BTL. / $264.00 CASE – SUPER-TUSCAN FANS, BUY THIS BY THE CASE

2009 Johanneshof Reinisch St. Laurent
In my continuing effort to introduce each an every one of my customers to the brilliance of the wines of Austria, I have included not one but two wines from the country on this sampler. While many of you know the great white wines of the country, the red wines are incredibly exciting, unique and fun to drink.

The Thermenregion located a half hour drive south of Vienna is well-known for its red wine production.  The name of the appellation comes from the geothermal hot springs that flow underground, through many of the vineyards. Pinot Noir and local varietals such as Zweigelt and St. Laurent are all planted with great success.

Johanneshof Reinisch is one of the great producers of the region, run by three brothers, the fourth generation to preside.  They make wonderfully pure wines that have such great drinkability.

St. Laurent is one of the specialities. No one knows quite where this varietal comes from, but the Austrians have made it their own.  This is textbook, juicy St. Laurent.

Such great aromatics!  Bright brambly red berry fruit, wild strawberry and pepper spice.  Wonderfully pure on the palate with juicy red and dark fruit, mineral and the perfect balance of mouthfeel and acidity. This feels lightweight and glides across the palate.  Pinot drinkers will be delighted with this as an alternative.

Roasted duck or squab would be a great match!
$19.00 BTL. / $228.00 CASE

2011 Brandl Grüner Veltliner, Kamptal
You will never see Gunther Brandl in the United States. Possibly the nicest man in the world, it’s not that he doesn’t want to meet, greet and talk about his wines.  He simply won’t leave his utopia, the village of Zöbing in the Kamptal region of Austria. Here is a man so proud of where he comes from, the work he does with the earth and so close to his family that he just isn’t going to get on that plane.

You don’t need to meet Gunther Brandl to know him. You simply need to drink one of his wines, because that is who he is.

Brandl is a very small producer, making only 60,000 bottles per year, and selling most of it locally. His top wines come from Kogelberg, Heiligenstein and Pfaffenberg in the Kamptal.

This wine from various estate vineyard sources is an excellent introduction into the Brandl range.  The 2011 is absolutely wonderful!  Zesty citrus notes, including hints of pea shoots and herbs, it finishes long and wonderfully refreshing.  There is a surprising richness to this wine that goes beyond its price point.

This is a truly wonderful Grüner Veltliner that works great with a wide range of foods, from simple preparations of fish, to spicier Chinese food.  A killer value!
$18.00 BTL. / $216.00 CASE

2009 Los Maquis “Viña Maquis” Cabernet Sauvignon
Strength to strength – Viña Maquis is one of those producers that makes excellent wine across the board. Located in the Colchagua Valley of Chile, some of you may recognize the name as I’ve featured their Syrah blend “Lien” and Bordeaux-varietal blend “Calcu” on previous samplers.

The Hurtado family that owns Viña Maquis has owned the property for more than a century, but just a decade ago started to produce their own wines. They have built a state-of-the-art gravity flow winery, and brought in famed consultant Xavier Choné to help with the vineyards.

This is the first ever release of their estate Cabernet Sauvignon.  The grapes come from a vineyard bock located on the estate between the Chimbarongo Creek and Tinguiririca River.  Alluvial soil with 25% clay is the perfect platform for Cabernet Sauvignon.

This excellent Cabernet Sauvignon value offer notes of dark fruits and spice on the nose. Rich and silky up front, finishing with a gently coating of tannins and complex spice notes.

Enjoy this with a grilled New York strip or a grilled hamburger.
$17.00 BTL. / $204.00 CASE

Hello and Happy Friday!

It’s an exciting time to be in the wine business.  From early October through November, tens of thousands of new wines pour into Chicago from all over the world.

What that means to you is that one can expect lots of new and exciting arrivals, as well as some good deals as distributors look to make room for new inventory by slashing prices on previous vintages.

Today’s 6 for $120-Something Sampler highlights this trend.  Some exciting new arrivals, as well as some wines that I have featured in the store in the past, but am now offering at a reduced price.  This is an exciting group of wines!

If you aren’t familiar with the 6 for $120-Something Sampler, let me explain.

Each month I put together two different monthly samplers at Perman Wine Selections.

I began with the 6 for $60-Something Sampler which offers six different bottles of wine from around the world, that cost average right around $10 a bottle.  The scope of these wines can be limiting due to simple fact that it can be difficult to source great wines at this particular price point.

To address this, I created the 6 for $120-Something Sampler as an answer.  This sampler, six different bottles cost averaging at around a $20, offers more limited production wines, and to be quite honest, wines that have a higher degree of complexity than those on the less expensive sampler.

Keep in mind the 6 for $120-Something Sampler is an excellent gift, whether it be for clients, as a hostess gift, or just to say thank you. If you are giving it as a gift, give me some notice and I’ll print out some gift-formatted descriptions to include with it.

Without further ado, I give you this month’s 6 for $120-Something Sampler!

Have a great weekend,

Craig

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2010 Graci Etna Rosso
Are you bored of Sangiovese and Nebbiolo?

These are certainly two of Italy’s most noble red grapes, yet there is a whole world of interesting and unique grapes in the large landscape of Italian varietals.

Sicily has gained much notoriety in the last few years, and in particular the Etna region has emerged with some of Italy’s most interesting and unique red and white wines.  This was highlighted in February of this year when Eric Asimov wrote an in depth article about Etna.

I’ve seen a serious student of the Etna wines for several years now, and have had a chance to taste a broad range of producers.

Among the best producers that I have experienced is that of the Graci estate.  Owned by Alberto Graci, and started in 2004, the three vineyards of Graci are based around the area of Passopisciaro.

Nerello Mascalese is the main red grape of the area although Nerello Cappuccio is often used for blending.  What makes Etna so special is that it has the sunshine of Sicily yet with moderating weather from the elevation.  The volcanic soil is also an important factor in the aroma and flavor of the wine.  You can also add to the list that much of the vines are on their original rootstock, creating wines that are deep and complex.

The 2010 Graci Etna Rosso is made entirely of the Nerello Mascalese grape, fermented and rested in stainless steel tank.  It is aromatically-explosive with big red berry notes, and lots of herbs and earth overtones.  A silky and soft texture, glides cross the palate, with a repetition of red fruits and herbs.  This is not a “lollipop”-style of Etna, rather blending elegance with earth with the distinct terroir of the region.

Definitely not a cocktail wine, meant to be enjoyed with food, preferably dishes like porchetta or herb crusted rack of lamb.  A fascinating and delicious wine!
$27.00 BTL. / $324.00 CASE

2008 Olivier Hillaire Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Those of you who follow and drink wines from the Southern Rhône may have already put an asterisk next to the 2008 vintage.

This was an unusual growing season for this notably warm climate.  Rain and cooler weather were consistent through the Spring and Summer. There was a very slow maturation period, and lots of crop had to be dropped.  It never really warmed up to a great degree, but also wasn’t a disaster at the end as the winds from the mistral worked their magic.

Overall, when you talk to producers, they mention that while it was a lot of work to make good wine in this vintage, they were able to make good drinking wines.  They may not be long-aging, and may not have the usual intensity, but most were happy with the work they did.

The wine press was having none of it.  The majority panned the vintage and as a result, wineries, importers and wholesalers got aggressive to move the wines through the market.

The good news in all of this is that you, as a consumer, is the beneficiary of a wine press that loves to overgeneralize.

Olivier Hillaire is a very good producer of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.  If you have never heard of him that may have to do with the fact that he only works 5 hectares of vines, and that his domaine didn’t exist till 2006.  It was then that he was able to rent the vines from his retiring ex-father-in-law.

He makes two different Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this bottling is a blend of primarily Grenache, with a little Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault rounding out the blend.

This is a very good bottle of wine, with classic notes of kirsch, tea leaf, and spice.  While it is lightly colored, it does have good impact on the palate, and finishes with a long, bright and complex finish.

It is getting to be Cassoulet season, and this is a great wine to pair with that classic, hearty dish!

Half the price of what it normally retails for, if you are a fan of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this is a really smart buy.
$23.00 BTL. / $276.00 CASE – NORMALLY $47.00 / BTL.

2008 Cappellano Dolcetto d’Alba “Gabutti”
Minchia!  Cappellano is THE cult Piemonte producer that you may or may not heard of.  If you rely on scores or reviews to purchase wine, then you will definitely not know the producer because the late, great Teobaldo Cappellano refused to sample journalists as he thought numerical scores did a great disservice to the understanding of wine.

If you have heard of Cappellano that is because you may know they own some of the greatest terroir of the region. They own part of the famed Gabutti vineyard in Serralunga d’Alba, and from it make a Dolcetto, Barbera, and a couple of Baroli.  They are also very famous for their great Barolo Chinato, of which they were the creators of the style.

When you have a great Barolo vineyard such as Gabutti, it is impossible to just make simple Dolcetto.  This is elevated stuff!  Sure it is the table grape of Piemonte, and yes it is meant to drink for the most part in its earlier stages, but that doesn’t mean this baby ain’t complex!

I love the 2008 version from Cappellano.  It is classic stuff, with bright cherry notes mingling with earthy, licorice and spice notes.  The reason why it is a table grape is that it works so well with most of the classic Piemonte dishes, such as carne cruda, pastas, and braises.

As this recently changed importers, it is being offered at a ridiculously low price.  I only got enough to offer in the sampler, so I will take requests for extra but only fill those orders if there is leftover after the sampler is finished.
$16.00 BTL. / NORMALLY $25.00 / BTL., ONLY AVAILABLE THROUGH SAMPLER

2009 Domaine La Madura “Grand Vin” Blanc
If you met Cyril and Nadia Bourgne, then you would know that this is the type of producer that you would want to support!

After years of being cellar master at Château de Fieuzal in Pessac-Léognan, Cyril and his wife Nadia returned to his roots in the Languedoc region of the South of France.  They purchased an estate that had vineyards planted with local Rhône varietals, but also Sauvignon Blanc, which is not native to the region.  With Cyril having worked for so many years with the grape in Bordeaux, and his belief that these were very good Sauvignon Blanc vines, he continued to make two white wine from these grapes.

He makes an unoaked version labelled “Classic” and this version, which is fermented and aged in small French oak barrels, 50% new, and 50% second use.

This is a really beautiful wine that truly out-Bordeaux’s most White Bordeaux.  It has continued to get better since I first began carrying it over a year ago.  It offers really pretty aromatics of citrus, pineapple skin, and spice.  There is a sense of weight on the palate that never feels too heavy, but gives it presence.  It finishes long and continues to get more complex with each day.

A wine like this has particular serving suggestions.  First, make sure you don’t serve it too cold.  If refrigerating, make sure you give it 15-20 minutes to come back to temperature.  I also believe that decanting for that period of time is helpful.  You also want to make sure you match it with the right food.  It can handle richness such as cow’s milk cheeses and even foie gras torchon.  It also works with oilier fishes such as mackerel.  If going with meat, veal is an excellent match.

This is not going to be like 99% of the Sauvignon Blancs you’ve tried in the past, but that is what is so great about it.  You can drink this now, or hold on to it for 2-4 more years.  I’ve lowered the price by a couple dollars so that I could offer it in this sampler.  You need to try this!
$25.00 BTL. / $150.00 SIX-PACK CASE – NORMALLY $28.00 / BTL.

2007 Laffitte-Teston Madiran “Vieilles Vignes”
Yes, there is a very French feel to this month’s sampler.  Maybe it’s the rain that makes me think of Paris, or maybe it’s the change in temperature that makes me crave classic French bistro fare.

It doesn’t get any more French than this wine from Southern Gascony in the Southwest corner of France.  I have a theory that this wine is what all French wine tasted like 40 years ago.

This super-classic bistro wine is made from the humble Tannat grape variety.  You don’t find that varietal in too many places in the world, although some of you Perman  Wine Selections devotees might have seen it come from Uruguay.

Classic Madiran such as this is made from the relatively rustic, thick skinned Tannat.  Historically it sees a long maceration period and is meant to have a few years of bottle age on it before consumption.

This example comes from one of the best Madiran producers, a producer I’ve worked with for many years named Laffitte-Teston.  For this cuvée, Jean-Marc Laffitte uses 70 year-old Tannat vines from limestone and clay vineyards along the left back of the River Adour.  A 21-day maceration gives the wine great structure and longevity.  Aging in oak, helps give it the oxygen it needs.

With a little bottle age on it, this wine is beginning to show great, although I would give it a little time in a decanter or big glasses if possible.  Brooding, dark fruits, pepper and tobacco spice can be found on the nose and palate.  Structured, with medium-body and a dusting of tannins this is not the type of wine you just have a glass of while watching television.

Dust off your favorite Julia cookbook or one of my all-time favorite books called “Country Cooking of France” by Anne Willan and make a soulful, rustic French country dish and uncork a bottle of this Madiran!

Get in the DeLorean because your going to be transported back 40 years ago to France!
$18.00 BTL. / $216.00 CASE

2008 Viña Sastre “Flavus” Vino de Mesa
Thought you had tried everything from Viña Sastre?  Yes, it’s true, ever since I got back from my trip to Spain in September, and my visit with Jesus Sastre, I’ve been spreading the gospel about his wines.

On my visit, we had a chance to walk through some of the vineyards.  In one of the vineyards, interspersed between the old-vine Tempranillo are 70 year-old Jaén vines.  Never heard of this grape, neither had I. Sastre believes it is related to the Palomino grape found in Southern Spain in Jerez.

Jesus had never really done anything with the old-vines as he was a red wine producer, and what was he going to do with this tiny amount of white grapes?  His friend, Gerardo Mendez, one of Spain’s greatest Albariño producers, offered assistance in order to make Flavus.  Being that Jaén is not a permitted varietal in Ribera del Duero, the wine is simply labelled Vino de Mesa.

When I returned from my trip, I realized that there may still be some of the 2008 Flavus at the local distributor.  It seemed to me in my tastings in Spain, that an extra year in bottle would bring out a lot of complexity.  So I gave the 2008 a try for the first time in more than a year.

All I can say is wow! This is a super-cool (a scientific term) white wine!  It has still retained many of the citrus qualities that had made it oh so refreshing before, but also is loaded with subtle mineral nuances, herbs and a long, almost briny finish.  This is a wine that has clearly evolved in a good way, and will most likely continue to do so.  But why wait?

Time to shuck some oysters, and grab a glass of Flavus!
$15.00 BTL. / $180.00 case – NORMALLY $20.00 / BTL.

Hello and Happy Friday!

I’m excited to announce the release of the newest “6 for $120-Something” Sampler! The concept is simple; in the course of my tastings each month, I put together a mix of what I think are the best wines I’ve tasted in that $20-ish range.  It is true that I used to simply call this the “6 for $120,” but in the interest of me having more flexibility, I’ve decided to not be so exact.

All of these wines are available by the bottle as well as the case, but the idea here is to give you a selection of wines that you will want to have stocked in your wine rack at home!

So email me to order your sampler, and pick it up at your convenience.  They are in stock and ready to go!

Have a great weekend,

Craig

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2010 Viña Sastre Ribera del Duero Tinto
It’s true – I came back from my recent trip to
Spain with a sun tan.  That’s not because I was laying by a pool, rather it was from my many visits to vineyards over the two weeks.

Some of the most impressive vineyards that I visited were that of Jesus Sastre, owner and winemaker at Viña Sastre.  If you recognize this name, that is because I’ve been a huge advocate of the wines in the past.

My visit not only confirmed my admiration for this winery, it made me realize that from top to bottom, Viña Sastre is the greatest producer in the appellation of Ribera del Duero today.  Yeah, I said it!

Sastre produces a great range of wine, starting with this value wine simply called “Tinto,” all the way up to the ultra-expensive, and life-changing Pesus.

I’m excited to announce the new release of the 2010 Tinto.  100% Tempranillo from the Sastre vineyards in the La Horra area of Ribera del Duero.  Jesus is known as one of the great farmers in Spain, and the purity of his fruit shines through in each wine.  In the Tinto, you have a wine that shows pure fruit, as aging is only for seven months in second-use American oak barrels.

Here is a recent review of the wine from Josh Raynolds of the International Wine Cellar:

“Sexy, spice-accented aromas of black raspberry, mocha and cola, with intense floral and mineral accents adding lift.  Juicy, penetrating red and dark berry flavors show very good intensity and focus, taking on weight and gaining sweetness with air.  Fine-grained tannins build on the lingering finish.  Pretty impressive for an entry-level wine, but this promises to be a top vintage in the region. 91 points.”

Do not miss this delicious and exceptional value from Ribera del Duero!
$18.00 BTL. / $216.00 CASE

2011 Deltetto Langhe Favorita “Servaj”
Piedmont is well-known for its red wines from the appellations of Barolo and Barbaresco.  Travel to the Roero hills and you are now in white wine country.  Local grapes like Arneis and Favorita dot the hillsides, and provide the locals with a thirst quenching drink when full-bodied reds aren’t going to cut it.

Deltetto is one of the great names to know in the Roero landscape.  Located in Canale, the winery was established in 1953 by Carlo Deltetto.  The winery makes great wines across the board, including sparkling, red and white.  It is their work with the Favorita grape that really excites.

The Favorita varietal has been genetically linked to Vermentino and Pigato which can be found close by in the region of Liguria.  Favorita has been a popular varietal for table grapes as it offers large berries.  In the last few decades, the varietal has seen a decline in plantings in favor of other grapes such as Chardonnay and Arneis.  Since this will be the first time many of you have tried Favorita, it is perfect that you get to try one of the best, first.  “Servaj” is a single vineyard in the Roero hills near the village of Castellinaldo.  Deltetto ferments and ages the Favorita in stainless steel tanks, before bottling.

Fresh, aromatic and crisp, it offers notes of pears and orange, with a floral and mineral back bone to it.  It is a wonderful wine to sip on its own, but also pairs really well with shellfish.
$17.00 BTL. / $204.00 CASE

2010 Errazuriz “Single Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon
Founded in 1870, Viña Errazuriz is recognized as one of the best producers of Chilean wine. If you’re a regular at Perman Wine Selections, you’ll likely recognize this producer since I commonly stock their delicious Wild Ferment Chardonnay as well as their Carmenère. However, this month, I’ve decided to feature their Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.

Made from hand-picked grapes from the Don Maximiano Estate (prestigious vineyard named after the founder of the winery) in the Aconcagua Valley, the warm summer days and cool afternoons and nights slows the ripening, thus encouraging the development of more intense flavors.

This bright ruby wine is aged for 12 months in 90% French and 10% American oak barrels. Laden with a ripe berry, spice and cocoa, the welcomed acidity provides complexity and a well-structured finish.

It will be hard to find such a delicious and crowd-pleasing Cabernet Sauvignon, especially at this price point.
$18.00 BTL. /  $216.00 CASE

2011 Tami Frappato
The Tami wines made by Arianna Ochippinti, have been one of the great wine contributions from Sicily in the last several years.  Let me explain further.

Sicily can produce amazing wines.  There is a great deal of “terroir” on the island, with several different climates, soils and elevations in the vineyard.  Yet as someone who regularly tastes Sicilian wine, I am often unimpressed with what I taste, particularly in the value range.  This category often features wines that are overripe and seemingly “tweaked,” whether that be through acidification or the addition of enzymes.

The three wines produced by Tami are special not because they are the most complex wines made in Sicily, rather because they are varietally correct, easy to drink and most importantly, delicious.  All of this at a great price.  That isn’t something you can say very often.

Frappato is one of the most interesting grape varietals in Sicily.  Like any varietal, it can come in a range of styles.  The Tami Frappato is a light in scale, ethereal style of Frappato.  The grapes come from a young vineyard in Contrada.  The style of vinification emphasizes freshness and fruit, with a short maceration and short aging in stainless steel tanks.

I adore this wine for its ability to seemingly work with almost any type of food.  Try it with fish, try it with meat, or try it with difficult to pair vegetables – it goes with almost everything.  It is low alcohol, fun to drink and a red that you can even put a slight chill on.  Simply glug-able!
$16.00 BTL. / $192.00 CASE

2010 Boekenhoutskloof  ”The Chocolate Block”
One reason I enjoy bringing you the Six for $120-Something sampler is that it allows me to “force” you to try wines you would not normally pick off a shelf.

When was the last time you asked where the South African wine section was?  Crickets – that’s what I thought.

Always good to start your search with the best, and such is the reputation of Boekenhoutskoof.  Named by the Platter’s South African Wine Guide as the 2012 Winery of The Year, the history of the winery goes way back to 1776 when it was founded in the Franschoek Valley.  The modern history has a lot to do with the dedication of winemaker  Marc Kent.  He presides over a fabulous property, some 20 hectares of vines, with varying soil types ranging from alluvial to iron ridge clay to decomposed granite.

One of the truly impressive wines that Boekenhoutskoof has become well-known for is that of “The Chocolate Block.”  Blending across appellations, Kent uses vineyard sources in Swartland, Citrusdal, Wellington, as well as his own organically-farmed estate vineyards.

The 2010 vintage brings a blend of 72% Syrah, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Grenache, 6% Cinsault, and 2% Viognier.  Aged in a mixture of different size barrels, second and third use.

This has an explosive nose of ripe raspberry, strawberry, woodsmoke and baking spices.  Rich but silky on the palate, with a continuation of red fruits.  This finish with notes of cocoa powder and plum, and it lasts and lasts.

Enjoy this with rare meats such as venison or beef.  A terrific value.
$28.00 BTL. / $168.00 SIX-PACK CASE

2010 Owen Roe Syrah “Ex Umbris”
Inspired by a wild fire that struck surrounding vineyards in 2002, cult winemaker David O’Reilly and co-owner Jerry Owen intended only to introduce a one-time bottling of Ex Umbris (latin for ‘out of the shadows’) made with smoke-tainted Syrah. To keep the memory alive, they have kept producing this bold Syrah by blending fruit (albeit not tainted) from six different vineyards in the Columbia Valley.

‘Ex Umbris’ is deep red in color, is composed of 100% Syrah and spends 16 months in barrel (about 1% two-year old and 99% neutral French oak). With predominantly black fruit and peppery spice on the nose and on the palate, this elegant wine is rounded out by a long and bright finish. Perfect for grilled meats, no Syrah fan should miss out on enjoying this truly delicious wine.
$26.00 BTL. / $312.00 CASE

Hello and Happy Friday!

I’m excited to announce the release of the newest “6 for $120-Something” Sampler! The concept is simple; in the course of my tastings each month, I put together a mix of what I think are the best wines I’ve tasted in that $20-ish range. It is true that I used to simply call this the “6 for $120,” but in the interest of me having more flexibility, I’ve decided to not be so exact.

All of these wines are available by the bottle as well as the case, but the idea here is to give you a selection of wines that you will want to have stocked in your wine rack at home!

So email me to order your sampler, and pick it up at your convenience. They are in stock and ready to go!

Have a great weekend,
Craig

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6 for $120-Something

NV LINI LAMBRUSCO ROSÉ “IN CORREGGIO”
The ultimate summer wine is back! There are very few things more refreshing than this dry Lambrusco from superstar producer, Lini!

Lambrusco is nothing new, look at the Lini family who has been producing since 1910 from their base of Coreggio, Emilia-Romagna. Dry Lambrusco is all the fashion in Emilia-Romagna, and it is starting to catch on throughout the world.

This Lambrusco Rosé is a wine that I have to special order, as it isn’t mass produced and not normally stocked in Chicago. It was well worth the wait!

A blend of Lambrusco Salamino with Lambrusco di Sorbara, vinified with the Charmat method, it is kept near freezing in pressurized tanks until bottling. You want to drink Lambrusco fresh, and Lini who is a big advocate of the traceability of their wines uses a lot number on the back so you know it was bottled this year.

While this is great as an apértif, it is a great wine to bring to your favorite BYOB Sushi restaurant! I only got 5 cases of this, so grab some today!
$19.00 BTL. / $228.00 CASE – ONLY 5 CASES AVAILABLE

2010 DOMAINE ETXEGARAYA IROULEGUY ROUGE
Pays Basque is my slice of heaven. My favorite wine trip took me to this rarely visited place a couple years ago. I stayed in the village of Saint Étienne de Baïgorry at the Hotel Arcé. Nestled at the base of the Pyrénées Mountains, close to the village and appellation of Irouléguy. This is one of France’s smallest appellations with just a handful of producers estate bottling, and a few growers that sell to the local co-op. I was able to get a chance to visit a couple of producers, and taste most of the rest of the wines from the appellation at lunches and dinners.

Domaine Etxegaraya is one of the top producers of the appellation, owned by the Hillau family. This red wine is a perfect introduction into the region. It is a blend of 60% Tannat and 40% Cabernet Franc. The Tannat vines are aroudn 150 years-old.

A delicious Irouléguy such as this really brings me back to that time and place. It is such a singular wine, as the sandstone, mica, silica, iron oxide and dolomite soil of the region gives the wines a distinct, nuanced minerality .

Wines of this region are meant to go with food. Try grilled duck breast with fresh porcini mushrooms, a combination I had one day while I sipped on a delicious bottle of Irouléguy.
$25.00 BTL. / $300.00 CASE – ONLY 24 BOTTLES AVAILABLE

2011 THOMAS-LABAILLE SANCERRE “l’AUTHENTIQUE”
Sancerre earned its reputation as one of, if not the great appellation of the world for Sauvignon Blanc. So much so that many people that drink Sancerre don’t even know it is Sauvignon Blanc, they simply know that they love it and must drink it!

With the popularity of Sancerre and the costs associated with the land and producing such a delicate grape, the prices have moved beyond “every day” consumption. Yet there are those rare exceptions, such as this brand new arrival from one of my favorite names in Sancerre, Thomas-Labaille.

Jean-Paul Labaille, took over from his father-in-law Claude Thomas, keeping much of the traditions of the past. The vineyards are what makes these wines so special. Their vineyard holdings include many prize sites located Chavignol, one of the best areas in the Sancerre appellation.

“L”Authentique” is the entry level wine of the state, but it is anything but “entry level” in the world of Sancerre. Come from the rocky limestone soils of Chavignol, 20 year-old vines, hand harvested, using only indigenous yeasts.

The 2011 just arrived, and is a beautiful, classic interpretation of a Sancerre. Lovely citrus fruits and fine herbs, with long lasting flavors and hints of mineral. Grab a little wheel of Crottin de Chavignol, and enjoy a great pairing!
$22.00 BTL. / $264.00 CASE

2010 MCKINLAY VINEYARDS PINOT NOIR, WILLAMETTE VALLEY
I’m very excited to announce the arrival of the new vintage of McKinlay Vineyards Pinot Noir from Oregon.

Matt Kinne may not be well-known around these parts, but in Oregon he has a loyal legion of fans that know when they pop a bottle of one of his wines, they will get to taste a very elegantly styled bottle of Pinot Noir.

Matt trained at legendary Sonoma County producer Hanzell, before embarking on his own venture. His 20+ years in the Oregon wine biz has given him the time to finely tune his skills and knowledge of the fruit that he sources from the Chehalem Moutain AVA in the Willamette Valley. In my mind, he does everything right – using only native yeasts, a minimal amount of new oak, and bottling unfined and unfiltered.

The 2010 is gorgeous and true to Matt’s style. Beautiful cherry and wild strawberry notes with nicely framed acidity and an ethereal quality that keeps you coming back for more. If you are tired of 14.5% Oregon Pinot’s, don’t miss this! Only 12.5%
$20.00 BTL. / $240.00 CASE

2011 BODEGAS MUSTIGUILLO “MESTÍS” BLANCO
I always love finding wines that would stump even the biggest wine geek. Tell any friend that fits in this category that you were just sipping on a Merseguera blend from near Valencia and see what they say!

Bodegas Mustiguillo is a prominent producer near Valencia whose focus is on the indigenous red varietal Bobal. Their relentless pursuit for quality has paid off having been awarded Vino de Pago status in 2010 for Terrerazo.

Mustiguillo is also an advocate for an indigenous varietal called Merseguera, which they use in this blend called Mestís Blanco. 20% Malvasía and 5% Viognier are blended with 75% Merseguera. Vinified and aged in tank, it is a fresh, crisp and delicious white, with a mixture of tropical and citrus notes. This has enough texture to pair with richer shellfish dishes, but it also tastes great on its on. It is a fabulous value!
$14.00 BTL. / $168.00 CASE

2010 DORIGO RIBOLLA GIALLA
I’m having a bit of a Paul Revere moment when it comes to the recent arrivals of the Dorigo wines from Friuli. I simply want to let the whole world know that they are here!

Girolamo Dorigo has an amazing line-up of white and red wines from his small estate in Butrio, northeast of Venice. The estate was founded in 1966 based on two vineyards that were purchased, Ronc di Juri and Montsclapade.

Today’s featured wine is one of the most delicious examples of Ribolla Gialla you will ever try. Ribolla Gialla is a native vine to the region, and many interpretations can be found. Dorigo is aiming to show off the aromatic complexity that comes from a fresher style.

They go so far as to blanket the grapes immediately after harvest with a blanket of carbon dioxide “snow” to prevent any aromatic evaporation. In the winery malolactic fermentation is blocked and only stainless tank is used in vinification and aging.

Mineral, citrus, and utterly refreshing a phenomenal wine to pair with shellfish.
$21.00 BTL. / $252.00 CASE

Hello and Happy Friday!

**BREAKING NEWS**

Impromptu/informal tasting featuring Jules Dressner (Louis / Dressner Selections) at the store. This Monday (May 21st) $25pp. 7:30-9:00pm. Sign up now!

For more info, visit the SPECIAL EVENTS section at https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ASP/home.asp?studioid=26380

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I’m excited to announce the release of the newest “6 for $120-Something” Sampler! The concept is simple; in the course of my tastings each month, I put together a mix of what I think are the best wines I’ve tasted in that $20-ish range.  It is true that I used to simply call this the “6 for $120,” but in the interest of me having more flexibility, I’ve decided to not be so exact.

All of these wines are available by the bottle as well as the case, but the idea here is to give you a selection of wines that you will want to have stocked in your wine rack at home!

So email me to order your sampler, and pick it up at your convenience.  They are in stock and ready to go!

In other news – I am getting read to travel to Italy at month’s end.  Huge will be in the house to assist while I’m gone.

The store will still remain open (abbreviated hours) while I’m in Italy (May 27-June 7). The times are as follows:

Tuesday, May 29: Closed
Saturday, June 2: 11am to 7pm
Weekdays from May 30 to June 7: 1pm to 7pm

Regular business hours will resume on Friday, June 8th.

Have a great weekend,

Craig

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2011 LES PALLIÈRES “AU PETIT BONHEUR” GIGONDAS ROSÉ

Rosé fans are going to freak over this new arrival from the Brunier family, owners of the esteemed Domaine Les Pallières and Vieux Télégraphe!

Spring and Summer means rosé-time for a lot of folks, including myself.  Some of the world’s best examples come from the south of France.  This rosé comes from young-vine fruit in the estate vineyards of Les Pallières in the Southern Rhône appellation of Gigondas.

It is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Clairette grapes, pressed immediately after picking and fermented together in 650-liter demi-muids (old-oak barrels).

It is rare to see this rosé as they only produce about 6,000 bottles annually!

It is a delicate, vibrant style of rosé, ideal as an apéritif, with salads or simple fish dishes.  I received only 5 cases and it will be gone before the heat really cranks up!
$21.00 BTL. / $252.00 CASE

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2011 CASA SILVA “COOL COAST” SAUVIGNON BLANC
Every year I do a tasting in the store called “France vs. the Rest of the World.”  It pits a great example of a classic French varietal against that from another country.  This Sauvignon Blanc from Casa Silva is my answer to the question of whether another country can make a wine to rival Sancerre.

Casa Silva is a historic producer in the Colchagua Valley of Chile.  I often feature their value-driven wines in my “6 for $60-Something Sampler.”  Just a few years ago they began a project that many in the country saw as risky.  The Paredones Estate, which produces the grapes for this wine, is a small vineyard located just 5.5 miles from the sea.  This is one of, if not the, closest vineyard in Chile to the Pacific Ocean.  The vineyard has sandy-clay soil which is perfect for root development and drainage.  The temperature at this vineyard never gets above 77 degrees F in the summer or below 48 degrees F in the winter.  The climate is perfect for grapes such as Sauvignon Blanc, that enjoy the cooling breezes of the ocean and the moderate temperatures.

The result is one of Chile’s greatest examples of Sauvignon Blanc, and a real competitor to many of the delicious Sancerres that I taste.

Extremely aromatic notes of grapefruit and lemon, fine herbs, and sea spray.  Flamboyant fruit on the palate that never tastes candied, rather just vibrant and focused.  This dances on the palate, and makes you want to come back sip after sip.

Grab some oysters, get some goat cheese, or drink this all by itself.
$24.00 BTL. / $288.00 CASE

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2006 SALICUTTI ROSSO DI MONTALCINO
I’ll make it simple – this is probably the best deal on Rosso di Montalcino that I’ve ever offered!  If you love Sangiovese, whether it be from Montalcino, Chianti Classico or Chianti Ruffina, you should not miss this.

Those buying this sampler will be treated to this beautiful wine from Poderi Salicutti.  With only 4 hectares of vines, this is a small property owned by Frencesco Leanza.  His attention to detail in the vineyards through organic farming are admirable and lead to truly detailed wines.

I keep using words like detailed, elegant, and beautiful when it comes to Salicutti because while their is a common thought that Montalcino is about power, the truth is that Sangiovese, even those that come from this area, is a grape that offers great finesse.

The 2006 vintage of this Rosso is drinking exceptionally well, and will continue to do so for a few years to come.  It offers classic red fruit notes of cherry and strawberry, with hints at leather, sage and spice.  It never conveys a sense of heaviness, but does have quite a bit of depth and length.

Enjoy this with red-sauced pastas, grilled meats such as lamb and beef, or with some simple hard cheeses.  This is being offered at quite an exceptional price as it normally goes for around $27.  So taste it, and if you like it, stock up on some while it lasts!
$19.00 BTL. / $228.00 CASE

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2009 DOMAINE PETITOT CÔTE DE NUITS-VILLAGES “TERRES BURGONDES”
Red Burgundy may be one of the most well-liked, but least-drunk wines known to man.  I field lots of inquires for some of the great names from Premier and Grand Cru vineyards.  These wines meant for the cellar will give the drinker great pleasure once the wines have been aged.  Many of these bottles are priced routinely between $50-$300 per bottle, not your everyday stuff for most.

As a wine lover, you can and should drink Burgundy much more frequently.  There are lots of lovely wines like the one I’m featuring today that offer great pleasure young, and are much more affordable – you know, for everyday drinking!

Domaine Petitot is a great recent discovery of mine.  A small 9 hectare estate run by the husband and wife team of Hervé and Nathalie Petitot.  Their family has been growing grapes for three generations in the villages of Corgoloin, Premeaux-Prissey, Nuits-St.-Georges, Ladoix and Pommard.

This producer does things the right way, hand harvesting, low-yields, careful selection of the grapes, and and eye towards elegant, but structured wines.

This Côte de Nuits-Villages “Terres Burgondes” is a terrific wine that is just starting to drink well now.  The grapes come from the village of Corgoloin, with soil composed of marls and chalky clay.

It has lovely Pinot Noir aromas of raspberry and black currants. This isn’t an overly soft style of Pinot; it has lovely depth and richness.  It has great length and balance, and as I’ve tasted this since its release late last year, it is continuing to improve in bottle.  You can enjoy it now with smoke-roasted chicken or squab.  Terrific “everyday” Burgundy.
$25.00 BTL. / $300.00 CASE

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2010 GLATZER GRÜNER VELTLINER “DORNENVOGEL”
Through the Six for $120-Something sampler I get a chance to “force” you to try something you might not normally pick off a shelf if you were walking through a store.  Over my almost 5 years here at Perman Wine Selections, I’ve converted many of you into big time Austrian wine fans.

The work continues, and I offer you a truly delicious and complex Grüner Veltliner from the Carnuntum region of Austria.  Walter Glatzer is a revered winemaker in this region, which sits southeast of Vienna.  The region is historically significant going back to Roman times, as Carnuntum was the capital city of the Upper Pannonia province.

Today, it is a hilly, agricultural region that produces both white and red grapes.  Among those grapes is the Austrian original – Grüner Veltliner.

This is the top Grüner Veltliner from Walter Glatzer.  It is a selection of their very best Veltliner grapes, harvested in the middle of October.  It is fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks.

One of the reasons why I love Austrian white wines in general is that they are very flexible at the dinner table.  A wine such as this, can easily pair with simple sashimi, but since it has weight and texture, it can go with more Austrian-centric dishes based around the pig.
$15.00 BTL. / DUE TO LIMITED AVAILABILITY, ONLY OFFERED WITH THIS MONTH’S SAMPLER

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2009 MERLIN MÂCON-LA ROCHE-VINEUSE
This is a fantastic White Burgundy value!  I love the wines of Olivier and Corinne Merlin.

In 1987, Olivier Merlin purchased an old estate called Vieux Saint-Sorlin and went about to restore it. Through the years he slowly added land and purchased the Touziers winery.

As a graduate of the Lycée Viticole in Beaune, he has a Burgundian approach to vineyard management and winemaking. Plots are all vinified separately, lees are stirred once a week to keep them in suspension and malolactic fermentation is encouraged.

The 2009 Mâcon-La Roche-Vineuse is an outstanding, rich vintage for this wine.  The grapes come from a plot composed of clay-limestone soil, and it undergoes alcoholic fermentation in a mixture of stainless steel and 15% oak barrels.  It is aged for 18 months before bottling.

Break out the Coquilles St. Jacques!  This is a great wine paired with richer shellfish dishes, and of course that lovely presentation of scallops!  This wine won’t be around for long!
$17.00 BTL. / $204.00 CASE