Category Archives: Friday Features/Newsletters

Friday Feature 5/17/13: What To Drink When You Are Sitting Around Pretending To Be French

By Shebnem Ince | Published May 17, 2013
Hello and Happy Friday!Craig is definitely enjoying running around Portugal with Abe & Adrienne of Fat Rice Restaurant and I am sure they are tasting a million great wines and getting inspired by the local dishes and products. As a result, Routier will be on strike tonight, but our two featured wines this week are so very French that you could pick up a bottle or 2 of each and have your very own personal Routier right at home.

 

Another reminder, we will be closed next Monday May 20th, as Craig continues his Portuguese sojourn.

 

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Years ago, there was an ad on television that depicted a rather harried lady, several thoughts circling her head (muddy dogs running on a clean white carpet, a crying baby, an older child spilling milk and an ambivalent husband slinging a bag of golf clubs over his shoulder yelling that he’ll be back in eight hours). Clearly at her breaking point, she would  finally yell, “Calgon take me away!” and within minutes find herself in a foamy, luxurious bath tub far away from all her worldly hassles.

 

Times have changed. We need something stronger. We do. I imagine the French, with their je ne sais quoi attitudes, trim figures and chillax gesticulations never get to the point where they need to immerse themselves in a perfumed bubble bath. They are never reduced to yelling “Calgon, sortez-moi de là!” Why?  Because they are perpetually bathed in wine, lots of glorious, interesting wine, relaxing them and fortifying their souls. They sit outside when they drink this wine, surrounded by larkspur and hyacinths, or sup inside upon hearth roasted chicken and lamb, atop a hand-made pear wood table, a glorious wind cascading through the tiled entryway.

 

So, whether you have a small porch, or a yard teeming with a rhizomatous, noxious perennial called the Canada Thistle (thanks friends to the north!) or even just a wobbly Ikea table, here are two wonderful wines that will transport you to a better, more lavish, and very French place, if only for a little while.

 

Have a great weekend,

Craig & Sheb

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Friday Feature 5/17/13:
What To Drink When You’re Sitting Around Pretending To Be French

  Fie

 

2010 Domaine de l’Aujardière Fié Gris Loire Valley, France

This is an inspiring story. Eric Chevalier inherited this 61 acre domaine from his Father who operated strictly as a grower, selling all his grapes to a large negociant in the Touraine.

 

The domaine is located in the Pays Nantais, in the sub-region of Côtes de Grandlieu. While most of the vineyards are planted to Melon de Brougogne for Muscadet production, there is a 6 acre plot of 20 year old Sauvignon Gris, also known as Fié Gris and this is a white wine worth getting excited about. Fié is a mutation of Sauvignon Blanc, and has more color to its skin. It also presents, at least in the case of Eric Chevalier’s offering, a less grassy and aggressive alternative to the Sauvignon Blancs we are used to.

 

In tasting there was an expected citric component, but more orange rather than grapefruit, dominant minerality (It’s the Loire, of course!) and a tender herbal nuance, reminiscent of lamb’s lettuce or borage.

$24.95 BTL- 299.40 CASE OF 12

 

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Lirac

 

2010 Domaine du Joncier Lirac Rouge Southern Rhone Valley, France

The village of Lirac is found on the west bank of the Rhone River right across from the more famous village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. They share some of the same attributes: large stones (called galets roulés), alluvial soils, and a warm Mediterranean climate.

 

Lirac produces a softer, style of wine, however, although it utilizes some of the same varieties. In the case of the Joncier Rouge, the wine is composed of 30% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre and a little Cinsualt & Carignan. The domaine is  now run by Marine Roussel, having joined her Father in 1989. Her contributions to the land have been a transition to organic farming and Marine plans to take her commitment to sustainability one step further by converting the vineyards to a biodynamic status.

 

 

There is a supple beauty to this wine, a great feel in the palate, not to weighty, but enough to make one feel sated. It bears the simplicity of a wine that can be drunk from a small jelly jar, but really deserves a nice stem.

$23.95 BTL- $287.40 CASE OF 12
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Friday Feature 5/10/13: A Return To California Wine

By Shebnem Ince | Published May 10, 2013

Hello and Happy Friday!

 

Just a reminder that we are back with another edition of Routier tonight!  Stop in any time between 5 and 8 pm to try a flight of three wines along with a nibble of cheese and crackers for only $25 per person.

 

Tonight’s theme focuses on white wines for springtime weather. Inspired by a warming in the weather (finally!!!), we will pour three white wines that will slake your spring thirst and make you hopeful for sunny days to come.

 

2012 Gorronda Txakoli Basque Country, Spain

2010 Ottella Lugana ‘Le Creete’ Veneto, Italy

2011 T. Labaille Sancerre ‘L’Authentique’ Loire Valley, France

 

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In other news,  Craig will be leaving for Portugal this Sundayand Sheb will be again “holding down the fort”. We will be keeping regular hours EXCEPT for Monday May 13th & Monday May 20th. We will be closed on both those Mondays.

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Get your smelling salts at the ready, because today’s FridayFeature focuses on California Wines. (We will give you time here to pass out, then revive yourselves with the aforementioned smelling salts). It’s no secret that we here at PWS have a great affinity for the old world; it is what we buy and drink for ourselves. But sometimes it is easy to get tunnel vision and we must remind ourselves to drink with open hearts and wide awake eyes.

The 1980s and 1990s were a time of big hair, big Cabs and big scores and as a result,  the California wine industry slumped into a boring period of homogeneity. If there was a time to be turned off of California wine, this was it. Hyper efficient yeasts designed around Robert Parker’s monolithic palate, lots of new oak barrels, and ultra ripe fruit dominated the wine scene. Many of us in search for something ethereal, light or nuanced were forced out of our own country, because there was no wine being made in this manner.

The times they are a changing though, and today we feature one new Napa Valley winemaker and two venerable estates in the Santa Cruz Mountains. All three producers give us hope for the future of American wine, and cause us to remember that a great terroir and singular vision of quality can transcend through the years.

Have a great weekend,

Craig & Sheb

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Friday Feature

Steve Matthiasson, Napa Valley California

Steve Matthiason makes his living as a vineyard manager in Napa Valley and is in charge of making the day to day viticultural decisions for such luminaries at Stag’s Leap, Araujo & Chapellet. A trip in 2006 to Friuli inspired him to start his own label, under which he produces three wines; a Chardonnay, Bordeaux Blend and Italian White blend. We were taken with the Chardonnay and Bordeaux blend, both of which are now sold out at the winery. 

 A1

2011 Matthiasson Chardonnay ‘Linda Vista Vineyard’ 

 

The most fascinating aspect of this wine is the delicious contrast between its richness and tingly acidity. The vineyard is located out the back of the Matthiassons’ house in West Oak Knoll, and still supports vines planted in the 1960s.

 

Steve does not allow the wine to go through malolactic conversion, and indeed the total acidity of the end wine reads more like a Sauvignon Blanc than most Chardonnays. Yeast is all natural and the grapes are pressed in whole clusters.

 

Lastly, to maintain freshness, it is finished in stainless steel and neutral barrels.

 

$25.99 BTL/ $311.88 CASE OF 12- ONLY 3 CASES AVAILABLE

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2008 Matthiasson Red Wine

Steve describes this wine as “Old school… with finesse but with guts.”.

 

It is a blend of 67% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet France, 5% Malbec & 2% Petit Verdot.

 

The Merlot comes from a vineyard called Red Hen. This is a very old block of Merlot, planted in the 1940s, yielding very little fruit (less than 1 ton per acre). However, the quality of the fruit is intense and concentrated.

 

The Cabernet comes from a vineyard called Meadowbrook at the foot of Mount Veeder. The rest of the grapes come from Steve’s vineyard clients.

 

We wish more Bordeaux tasted as delicious, and was as well made as this.

$73.99 BTL. / $887.88 CASE of 12 – LIMITED AVAILABILITY.

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Ridge Monte Bello & Mount Eden Estate in the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA
A few years ago I conducted a blind tasting of California wines from the critically acclaimed 1997 vintage. All the big Napa names were there: Silver Oak, Phelps Insignia etc. And out of all those Cabs, the first and second highest rated wines of the night were not from Napa at all, but rather from an AVA called the Santa Cruz Mountain Range. The Mount Eden Estate Cabernet and Ridge’s Monte Bello absolutely crushed the competition, and sang with a structure, freshness and vibrancy that their Napa neighbors couldn’t fathom.

So why did these two wines blow away the competition? There are three main factors that set these wines apart: climate, altitude and vine age.

 A2

2009 RIDGE CABERNET SAUVIGNON MONTE BELLO

Ridge’s Monte Bello vineyard is located 2300 feet above sea level, perched just 15 miles from the Pacific Coast line that plunges below.

In 1976, the ’71 Monte Bello Cabernet placed 2nd in the now infamous “Judgement of Paris” tasting. The wine is made, as it was back then, by Paul Draper.

The original vines were plated in 1885, and the first vintage under this label was 1962.  The farming has always been organic, Draper has always employed natural yeasts and exhibited a very light touch in his winemaking. What’s old is new again!

 

The Wine Advocate awarded this wine 98 points and describes it as “yet another, utterly magnificent, towering masterpiece from Ridge”

$154.99 BTL. / $929.94 SIX PACK CASE – ONLY SIX BOTTLES AVAILABLE

 
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A3

2008 Mount Eden Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

 

A similar history can be divined at Mount Eden Estate.

 

The Estate Cabernet is grown on a selection  cuttings that originally came from Chateau Margaux in Bordeaux. Martin Ray, the original owner of the site, planted the Cabernet vineyards with these heritage vines, obtained from another vineyard called ‘La Cresta’.

 

 Mount Eden continues to replant with a selection massale from these orginal vines, a difficult task to say the least. The vineyard is located 2000 feet above sea level, and like the Monte Bello above, enjoys a cool, temperate growing season due to its close proximity to the Pacific Coast.

 

The wine is composed mainly of Cabernet Sauvignon, with a little Merlot & Cabernet Franc in the blend. It spends 22 months aged in oak barrels before release.

 

In our opinion, there is not another California Cabernet on the market in possession of balance, age-worthiness and drinking pleasure to be had at this price.

 

$55.99 BTL. / $671.88 CASE OF 12- LIMITED AVAILABILITY
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Friday Feature 5-3-13: Portugal Delivers!

By Shebnem Ince | Published May 3, 2013

Hello and Happy Friday!

 

Just a reminder that we are back with another edition of Routier tonight!  Stop in any time between 5 and 8 pm to try a flight of three wines along with a nibble of cheese and crackers for only $25 per person.

 

Tonight’s theme focuses on Spring reds.  Inspired by a warming in the weather (and now a little cooling!), we will pour three reds that offer a transition from those cold weather, big reds.  The bounty of spring veggies and its inspired food also makes us want to drink the following line-up for tonight:

 

Cuvée XI M. Lapierre Raisins Gaulois Vin de France

2011 Elio Grasso Dolcetto D’Alba ‘Dei Grassi’ Piemonte, Italy

2010 Ravailles Frères Ermitage du Pic Saint Loup Rouge Cuvée Sainte Agnès

 

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In other news, yesterday we released a new schedule for our “Wine Wednesday’s” tastings.  Remember you can always check out our calendar of events here.

 

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Today’s Friday Feature focuses on a country that Craig is eagerly anticipating visiting in just over a week.  On Sunday, May 12th, Craig will embark on a two week journey to Portugal.  He will visit seven different regions in this diverse wine country.

 

Of course no discussion of Portuguese wine would be complete without talking about the Douro region.  One of the world’s most historic regions, it has been given the status of a UNESCO World Heritage site.  While the history of Port production is hundreds of years old, the dry table wines of the Douro have less than two decades of history.

 

In that short time, the region is now home to some of Europe’s greatest red wines.

 

To prove this bold statement, this Friday Feature focuses on what is one of the true great producers of the region, Quinta do Crasto.  Yesterday I met with Miguel Roquette and tasted through his incredible line-up of wines.  From white, to red to fortified wine, rarely do you taste a group of wines that is so good from the bottom to top.

 

On this Friday Feature, there is a little something for everyone, including two great values, and one of the top wines of the Crasto estate, a wine that is always considered one of the greatest wines of Portugal.

 

We really encourage each and every one of you to try the wines of Quinta do Crasto.  Some of these are very limited, so secure yours today!

 

Have a great weekend,

Craig & Sheb

—Friday Feature

2010 Quinta do Crasto Douro TintoOne of the great values in Portuguese wine is that of Quinta do Crasto Tinto.  This is a lot of wine for the money!

 

A glimpse into the traditional Port varieties, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional.  The fruit comes from 20+ year-old vines facing South and East.

 

This is a perfect introductory to these varietals, as it is fermented in tank, and bottled.  The lack of oak influence gives a perspective into the unadulterated forms of these varietals, and also provides a truly drinkable style of red.

 

Bright red and dark berry fruit, mineral, and Syrah-like roasted spice notes can be found on the nose and palate.  The finish is long, perfectly balanced and best of all finishes fresh, so that you want to come back for another sip.

 

A simple grilled steak and a glass of the Crasto Tinto will bring a smile to your face.

 

$15.99 BTL. / $191.88 CASE

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2008 Quinta do Crasto Douro Superior 

 

The Douro region is divided into three sub-regions: Baixo Corgo, Cima Corgo and Douro Superior.

 

The Crasto winery is located in the Cima Corgo subzone. They have also invested into the Douro Superior or Upper Douro as it is also known, by purchasing the Quinta da Cabreira.  The vineyard is 114 hectares, planted with the traditional Douro grapes.  The Upper Douro has an extreme dry climate, with dramatic temperature swings between day and night.

 

This wine offers a glimpse into the amazing potential in the Douro Superior.  It is a blend  of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinto Roriz and Sousão.  It is fermented in open top plunging tanks, basket pressed, and aged for one year in French oak barrels.

 

Again, this is another amazing value, a wine that delivers insane quality for a shockingly low price.

 

Beautiful aromatics that hint at wild strawberry, baking spices and mineral.  Intense, rich fruit that coats the palate, but does so in a way that doesn’t feel heavy.  There is some solid structure here in the mid palate, with nice acidity and freshness.

 

A gorgeous wine that has the ability to age, but is irresistible right now!  Go beyond the classic steak and potatoes pairing, and try it with a curry, it will knock your socks off.

 

$25.99 BTL. / $155.94 SIX-PACK CASE – ONLY 3 SIX-PACKS AVAILABLE

===2009 Quinta do Crasto Touriga Nacional

 

Quinta do Crasto was the first producer in the Douro to varietally bottle the grape varietal Touriga Nacional.  The feeling among those that work at Crasto is that Touriga is a noble variety, one with great character, although quite difficult to produce at the highest level.

 

That is why, only in the best years, Quinta do Crasto produces a pure Touriga Nacional from their estate vines.  The 2009 marks the follow up to the 2006 vintage.

 

The fruit is sourced from the best plots, with vines ranging in age from 25 years and older.  Hand picked, rigorously selected, they are foot trodden in a “lagar,” a traditional stone tank.  The wine is transferred to stainless steel tanks where it undergoes fermentation, and then aged for 16 months in 225-liter French oak barrels.  Not just any French oak barrels, rather, because of the Roquette’s relationship with Jean-Michel Cazes in Bordeaux, they have access to the same oak barrels as the First Growth estates in Bordeaux.  A mere 1600 Euros per barrel, which shows the spare no expense attitude of make great wine at Crasto!

 

The 2009 offers a beautiful nose full of black berry, cocoa and oak spice.  Full-bodied with a firm tannic spine, that is softened by the generous amount of fruit, the length on this wine is truly impressive.  This is only just now beginning to show what it will in the future.

 

If you want to taste the best wines of Portugal, then this is a must buy.  If drinking now, decant 4-5 hours ahead of time.  It will enjoy a nice evolution in bottle through 2025+.

 

$78.99 BTL. / $236.97 THREE-PACK CASE – ONLY THREE BOTTLES AVAILABLE
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Friday Feature: 6 for $60 Something 4-26-13. Spanish Immersion Therapy.

By Shebnem Ince | Published April 26, 2013

Hello and Happy Friday!

Craig is currently on a flight back from his trip to France. He will regale us with stories of Muscadet and Grower Champagne when he returns to the shop tomorrow morning.  Meanwhile…
Routier is on strike this Friday, April 26th.
We will return with a new Routier next Friday.
To keep updated on all events, you can check the Perman Wine calendar here.

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It is the last Friday of the month at that means it is time for the Six for $60-Something sampler.  Only this time we are doing what has never been done before!

This months sampler features wines only from Spain!

We love them, you love them and there is no better way to learn about the wines of a country than to jump in head first!

In case you never have heard of our Six for $60-Something sampler, let us explain:

Six wines, hand-selected by us, that represent a range of styles – all hovering around the $10 price point. Each wine is available by the bottle or case, but as we often say, for maximum pleasure you should take the whole sampler.

The “6 for $60-Something” is highly recommended to those learning about wines, trying to stock their wine rack with affordable and tasty adult beverages, or wanting to bring a gift to someone hosting a party.

So how does this work? To order, simply e-mail me back and say “Hey Craig, hook me up.” To join the devoted legions of fans who receive them every month you can just say “and keep ‘em coming!”

Some people are challenged by some of the wines that we put in to my sampler. If Sherry makes you blind, or Tempranillo from Utie-Requena gives you scary dreams, then we will substitute and try to get the sampler as close to $60 as possible.

A suggestion to those folks trying to learn from this as well as get a buzz – print out a copy of the newsletter to keep with your sampler. That way, when you are in the mood for a bottle, you have your own mini-wine lesson on hand.  So what are you waiting for?  Order yours today!

The “6 for $60-Something” is in stock and ready to be picked up any time!

Cheers,

Craig & Sheb

a1top

6 for $60-Something 

2012 Avinyó “Vi d’Agulla” Petillant, Penedès

Absolutely nothing says Spring and Summer like this wine, which I count as one of the most refreshing wines on Planet Earth!

Avinyó is one of the top purveyors of artisanal Cava, the sparkling wine of Spain.  From their home called Can Fontanals in the Alt Penedès region of Catalonia, the Esteve Nadal family not only focus on traditional Cava.  They also produce this fun wine, meant for Sunday lunches, picnics and virtually any outdoor activity.

Made from 80% Petit Grain Muscat and 20% Macabeu, the wine undergoes a secondary fermentation in tank which gives it that light spritz.

It jumps out of the glass with enticing aromas of melon, white peach and flowers.  Bright and super refreshing citrus notes on the palate are framed nicely by just the right amount of spritz.

If there ever was a wine for a picnic or pool party, this would be it!

 

$13.00 BTL. / $156.00 CASE

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2012 Ostatu Rosado, Rioja

The story of Ostatu is an inspiring one.

Located in the village of Samaniego, in a mountainous and somewhat remote part of the sub-region of Alavesa, Historically, the wines made by the family were made in a fresh style for local consumption only.

A famous Bordeaux producer on holiday, who saw the estate, the exposition and knew immediately how great the site was, convinced the family that their vineyards could be capable producing world-class Rioja.

This is the second vintage of Rosado for the estate. The grapes used are older vines (60-70 years old) grown  at a relatively high altitude (600 meters above sea level). It is a blend of Tempranillo, Grenache & Viura.

Fresh, clean, and in possession of a beautiful salmon hue, we are excited to offer this as one of first Rosés of 2013.

We can guarantee you that it will be sold out by the time it gets really hot, so stock up now!

$13.00 BTL. / $156.00 CASE – ONLY 20 CASES AVAILABLE

 

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2010 Ríos de Tinta Ribera del Duero

You didn’t think we would leave Tempranillo out of an all Spanish sampler did you?

Tempranillo is perhaps Spain’s most important grape.  It is grown in several different appellations where it takes on different characteristics.

Ribera del Duero has gained in notoriety over the last three decades.  Heck, Wine Enthusiast Magazine named it the region of the year in 2012.  The region would like to thank the academy, friends and family, and of course Baachus, the God of Wine.

On a more serious note, Ribera del Duero has proven itself to be an elite region for Tempranillo, with may of its finest examples priced well into the triple digits.  It wasn’t until the last few years, that we started to see more value wines coming from the appellation.

Ríos de Tinta is an excellent introduction to the region of Ribera del Duero.  It is produced by one of the region’s most esteemed winemakers, Isaac Fernandez.  He is sourcing younger vine fruit from three different vineyards.  The grapes are crushed and fermented in tank at a cool temperature to preserve aromatic freshness.

Overall this is an outstanding value, full of juicy dark and red berry notes, along with a hint of spice and good freshness on the finish.  An excellent wine to pair with grilled meats.

 

$10.00 BTL. / $120.00 CASE

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La Cigarrera Manzanilla, Sanlúcar de Barrameda

Here’s the thing: if you have not gotten on board the Sherry train yet, it is high time you do. This is the first time we have ever offered a Sherry in our 6 for $60 something program, and we are convinced many of you will be new fans.

A quick sherry primer: Sherry is a fortified wine produced in the small region of Jerez de la Frontera in Southwestern Spain. Due to the specific wind patterns, humidity, and soils of the region, in some cases, once the wine has been fortified, a natural, biological ‘veil’ of yeast (called ‘flor’ forms on top of the wine and prevents oxidation. The flor also imparts an autolytic nuance of baking bread or a pastry shop. This rich flavor, coupled with the amandine raciness of the wine provides an unearthly drinking experience.

Manzanilla is the most delicate tasting of all flor affected sherries. It has a fragility and tenderness, reminiscent of butterflies and other balmy, late-summer fliers.

We already know that some of you are going to try and refuse buying this as part of the sampler.  You Sir or Madam are going to get a talking to.  Just like Peace, please give Sherry a chance.  What has it done to you?  You can’t like it till you try it!  Thanks – The Management

 

$11.00 BTL. (375 ML BOTTLE) / $132.00 CASE

 

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2010 Espelt Garnacha, Empordà

At the border, where Spain meets France underneath Banyuls, is the wine region of Empordà. Wine production mirrors that of the French side: dry reds based upon Carignan and Grenache and heady, port-like dessert wines. So we are going to call this a ‘Franish’ wine, even though this month’s sampler is an all Spanish one.

More simply, this is an excellent rendition of old vines Grenache, clean winemaking, a hint of oak aging, and a pleasant, fruity silkiness. With a slight chill this is a patio crusher, but it is also capable of being a pairing buddy to a roast chicken or pork loin.

$11.00 BTL. / $132.00 CASE

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2008 “Ardilla” Tempranillo, Utiel-Requena

The squirrel is back!  Everyone’s favorite fuzzy friend is apparently the local mascot of Romeral Vinicola, a medium-sized producer in the region of Utiel-Requena.

If you have never heard of Utiel-Requena that is because we very rarely see wines from this appellation in the United States.  Located in the province of Valencia, the region finds itself as a transition between the Mediterranean coast and the plateau of La Mancha.  It is very hot in the summer in Utiel-Requena, and often sees problems of frost in the winter.

Despite the hardships, some very nice table wine is made in the region, and this wine is a good example.  Made entirely of Tempranillo, machine harvested, fermented and rested in tank, it offers bright red berry aromas and flavors with hints at herbs and olive notes.  Its a pretty versatile wine for food, working with chicken dishes and grilled beef.

 

$7.00 BTL. / $42.00 SIX-PACK CASE  
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Friday Feature- 6 for $120 Something 4/19/13

By Shebnem Ince | Published April 19, 2013

Hello and Happy Friday!

Craig has landed in France, and is currently exploring the wonderful world of Muscadet with Fred Niger Van Herck of Domaine de l’Ecu.

Sheb is “manning the fort” and will keep regular store hours through the weekend.

Keep in mind that Perman Wine Selections will be closed on Monday, April 22nd.

Normal business hours will be maintained through the rest of the week.

Also of note, Routier is on strike today, Friday, April 19th.

It will resume on Friday, May 3rd.

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It’s the second to last Friday of the month, and that is when we introduce the latest “6 for $120-Something” sampler.

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

Most 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 & Sheb
6 for $120-Something 

2011 Forlorn Hope “Sihaya” Ribolla Gialla

About a year ago, I was in Napa Valley for my birthday and very, very ‘Cabernet-ed’ out. I mean really, it was just a sea of Cabs and I was thirsty for something clean, white and complex. Enter Matthew Rorick and Forlorn Hope, and this wonderful Ribolla Gialla that he calls “Sihaya.” Even though Matthew makes only 27 cases of this, we still get to have a little in Chicago. Lucky us!

Ribolla Gialla is a white, Italian variety that we usually see coming out of Friuli, where it is concentrated in Collio, and from Slovenia & Croatia. It produces light-bodied wines with lively acidity. The only other place it is planted is Napa Valley, in the Vare Vineyard, owned by Elsa & the late George Vare.

George must have been nuts to rip up prime Cabernet vines at the foot of Mount Veeder, on the Oak Knoll AVA, but he did. Only three producers make wine from these plantings of which Forlorn Hope is one (Matthiasson and Arnot-Roberts also use Ribolla from Vare).

Clocking in at a respectable 12.10%, this is definitely part of the ‘new wave’ of California producers making balanced, interesting wines that have us taking notice.

George Vare just recently passed, so please tip out a little on his behalf.  We appreciate his dedication to the wine world!

$24.00 BOTTLE / $288.00 CASE

 

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2010 Pasquale Pelissero “Pasqualin” Langhe Nebbiolo

Langhe Nebbiolo is a long-time sommelier secret and a way to enjoy Nebbiolo on an everyday basis without having to commit infanticide on the Baroli and Barbarescos you may be cellaring.

 

The Langhe is a large wine zone with very little restriction that covers most of the Cuneo province. It is a place where Piemontese winemakers can experiment a bit with accessory grapes and make wines priced for everyday.

Pelissero is a tiny Barbaresco producer in Neive whose first vintage was in 1971. Their annual output is about 1250 cases total. Their steel aged Langhe Nebbiolo is fresh and luscious, with fruit grown on steep hillsides with soils of limestone and clay.

$18.00 BTL. / $216.00 CASE

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2012 Benovia Rosé of Pinot Noir

California has come a long way from Beringer White Zinfandel, and happily we have all come a long way too, in our embracing of dry, heady rosé’s! It seems the world has gone absolutely crackers for rosé’s, even Brad and Angelina are making one after all!

We admire the quality and restraint used at Benovia; they make a spate of fine Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. And then, in very limited production, they make this delicious Rosé.

Rosè’s made from Pinot Noir are a personal favorite, as they exude a grace and gossamer quality that is very appealing. Who doesn’t want a glassful of alpine strawberries? Pure bliss!

 

$24.00 BOTTLE / $288.00 CASE

 

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2010 A. Semedo Bairrada Tinto 

 

When most of think of Portugal, we go immediately to dessert wines: Madeira and Port.

But Portugal offers a wealth of delicious dry (mainly) red wines that are worth seeking out.

We will do the work for you on this one.

Semedo’s Tinto from the Bairrada region (part of the larger Beiras zone, on the western coast) is composed of 50% Touriga Nacional ( a robust, tannic dark-skinned, indigenous variety) and 50% Baga, a demanding varietal that is capable of producing very exotic, full-bodied wines.

The result is a full-throttle, complex and rather savage wine. This is definitely in the dark fruit camp, but there is a beguiling array of vinous notes like green olive, smoke, violet and meat (raw, mainly) that will have you going back for more.

 

$19.00 BTL. / $228.00 CASE

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 2011 Sergio Mottura Grechetto “Poggio della Costa”

 

There are many reasons why I think that Italy is presently making the greatest white wines in the world, and one of them is this amazing wine from Sergio Mottura of Lazio.

Located in the hills near Civitella d’Agliano, the estates history goes back to 1933.  The 1960′s became a time of experimentation, researching the best methods for farming. Those results can be tasted today.

The vineyards are composed largely of volcanic soil, and planted there are a variety of grapes, of which the Mottura family is most proud of their Grechetto.  That local variety shines bright in “Poggio della Costa,” a wine made entirely of Grechetto from the single vineyard of that name.  Extremely low yields, strict selection of the best grapes, and an emphasis on retention of fruit and soil characteristic all should be, and are, lauded.

This is a tank fermented wine that is aged on its lees till the end of March.  The aromas and flavors are so clear and so bright that this is truly a wine you can’t stop drinking.  Flowers, mineral, citrus peel, they all explode from the glass.

For the fourth year in a row this wine has been giving the prestigious Tre Bicchieri award from Italy’s wine journal the Gambero Rosso.  A truly remarkable accomplishment given its modest price point.  Bravo!

$20.00 BTL. / $240.00 CASE

 

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 2010 Ermitage du Pic Saint Loup Rouge “Cuvée Sainte Agnés”

 

The wine region of Pic Saint Loup is named for an imposing limestone peak that dominates the region. These are stony, poor soils; difficult for agriculture but a viticultural dream. As go many of the stories  now in the Languedoc, generations of co-op driven grape growing was ended by a shift into organic farming and a spirit of real artisan production.

 

Sainte Agnès is a single sight with limestone soils and planted to 50 year old vines of Grenache, Syrah & Mourvèdre. The wine offers tingly aromatics (courtesy of limestone) and real depth (courtesy of vine age). No commercial yeasts are employed and aging is in used foudre & barrique.

 

This is the kind of marvelous little discovery that makes you feel the place from where it comes, a walk underneath a battalion of cypress trees, boots kicking up arid dust, the scent of rosemary and lavender all around you.

 

$20.00 BTL. / $240.00 CASE 
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Friday Feature 4/12/13-Pre Arrival Offer from Massolino!

By Shebnem Ince | Published April 12, 2013

Hello and Happy Friday!

 

Springtime means busy time in the wine business as many new discoveries are hitting our shores.

 

One such example is the focus of today’s Friday Feature.  A pre-arrival offering on special single-vineyard wines from famed Barolo producer Massolino.

 

Springtime also means that Craig will be traveling a bit, and on Friday’s we will announce any updated changes to our store hours.

 

This Saturday, April 13th, the store will close one hour earlier, so stop by any time between 11 am and 6 pm for all your wine needs.

 

The store will be closed for business on Monday, April 22nd.  

 

Craig will be traveling in France visiting with producers in the Loire and Champagne.  Sheb will keep normal store hours except for the 22nd.

 

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Who’s coming to Routier tonight?!  This week’s Routier is focused on one of our favorite wine regions in France, the Loire.  The “Garden of France” is home to some of France’s best white and red wines, and today we will have one white and two reds to sample.  So stop by any time between 5 and 8 pm for a flight of three wines, and a nibble of cheese and crackers.

 

Tonight’s line-up features the following:

 

2010 Pépière “Clisson” Muscadet Sèvre et Maine

 

2011 Rocher des Violettes Côt “Vieilles Vignes”

 

2010 Baudry Chinon “La Croix Boisée” Rouge

 

Routier will be on strike while Craig travels, so no Routier on the 19th or 26.  Last Routier of April = you have to come tonight!

 

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For the last six months Craig has been desperately pursuing the wines that we are featuring on the Friday Feature today.

 

Those long time Perman devotees will recognize the Massolino names as one of the greatest producers in Piedmont as well as Italy as a whole.  The family offers a tremendous range of Baroli from some of the regions greatest vineyard sites.

 

Craig visited with Franco Massolino last June and tasted through the line-up that we are featuring today.  The 2008′s are spectacular, and the 2006 Riserva is beyond spectacular, one of the greatest young Barolo that Craig has ever tried.

 

Lovers of Nebbiolo, Piedmont, and the great wines of Italy, please do not miss this.

 

Have a great weekend,

Craig & Sheb

 

—

Friday Feature

Massolino

  

While it is true that there are a lot of great producers of Italy’s famed red wine Barolo, the greatest terroir of the region is limited.

The appellation of Barolo is made up of 11 communes (villages).  It wasn’t always this way, as the original classification and zoning of 1896 was initially made up of five: Barolo, La Morra, Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga d’Alba and part of Monforte d’Alba.  These original five communes, have what is considered the greatest terroir, and 85+% of Barolo today comes from these zones.

The region is often talked about as two sections: The Serralunga Valley and the Central Valley.

In the Serralunga Valley you find the communes of Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga d’Alba and Monforte d’Alba.  To generalize there is more sand, limestone, iron, phosphorus and potassium in this area, and produces more structured wines, with very long aging potentials in the finest sites.

The Central Valley has higher levels of clay, manganese and magnesium oxide, giving more aroma in their youth as well as a more round, generous mouthfeel.

Of course these are generalizations, but what isn’t a generalization is that within both these valleys there are special vineyard sites referred to as Cru’s.  There has been much study and dedication devoted to recognizing the best Cru’s, and while there is no official classification, people like Veronelli and Renato Ratti set forth a generally accepted mapping of what the finest Cru’s are.

The reason for my detailed explanation about the importance of terroir and the finest sites, is because the Massolino family is privileged to own parcels in many of the greatest vineyards sites in Barolo.

The family winery is located in the heart of Serralunga d’Alba, which is one of only two communes to have all of its vineyards in the DOCG Barolo appellation.  From the Massolino winery, you can look out and see some of these truly great vineyards including Margheria, Parafada, and Vigna Rionda within Serralunga d’Alba and Parussi in Castiglione Falletto.

These names might not mean much to you, but to someone who is here to direct you towards the best of the best, these are truly the pinnacle.

I won’t go into great detail about the winery or history of the family since there is some great information on their website here.

Below is a pre-arrival offering of the 2008 “normale,” 2008 “Cru’s” and 2006 Riserva.  These wines will not arrive till mid to late May.  The Cru’s and Riserva are very limited, and chances are if you don’t order from this pre-arrival you won’t have the opportunity to purchase them later in the year.  I’ve also worked closely with the local distributor and importer to offer pretty amazing prices on these Cru Baroli, even more of a reason to buy now.

To those that collect and cellar wine, and love the greatest wines of Barolo, you ought not to miss these.

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 w1

2008 Massolino Barolo

 

You won’t find many other Baroli of this quality for this price. The best part is, it is a really open-knit Barolo that is drinkable from day one!

Massolino selects their younger vine fruit for this wine, from 10 to 40 years-old. All the fruit comes from Serralunga d’Alba. It is fermented in stainless steel, and aged in large old barrel for 2 and a half years before resting in bottle for an additional year. 38,000 bottles were produced.

$53.99 BTL. / $647.88 CASE

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 w2

2008 Massolino Barolo ‘Parussi’

The second release of this fantastic vineyard in the commune of Castiglione Falletto. It is a vineyard known for producing Barolo with great tannic structure.

Fermented in stainless steel, it rests a little over two years in large old oak barrels, then a year in bottle before being released. Around 5,00 bottles were produced.

 

$72.99 BTL. / $875.88 CASE

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w3

2008 Massolino Barolo ‘Margheria’

A superb vineyard site, known for its chalk and shale soil, with a small percentage of sand. It is this sandy soil that gives it its more feminine, red fruit character.  A very Burgundian offering from Massolino.

Fermented in stainless steel with two and a half years in old oak barrels and a year in bottle before release. Ultimately this wine benefits with a little bottle age, and it will really sing from 2016-2024+. 5500 bottles were produced.

$72.99 BTL. / $875.88 CASE

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 w4

2008 Massolino Barolo ‘Parafada’

Aside from the Vigna Rionda, the Parafada vineyard produces some of Massolino’s longest living Baroli. Massolino owns a fantastic parcel planted with 60 year-old vines on a compacted chalk and shale soil.

Fermented in stainless steel, the power of the fruit melds well to the two year aging in a combination of Allier French oak barrique and large botte, then a year resting in bottle. This is one I insist that you age, and drink from 2016-2030. Only 4500 bottles produced.

$72.99 BOTTLE/ $875.88 CASE

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 w5

2006 Massolino Barolo Riserva ‘Vigna Rionda’

There is no doubt that Vigna Rionda is one of the greatest vineyard sites in all of Barolo. I had the opportunity to walk the vineyard, touch the soil and of course eat cherries from the cherry tree.

A Barolo producer will produce a Riserva only in the best vintages.  Because the wine is to be aged in barrel for a longer period of time than the other wines, the producer will choose a vineyard which offers the structure to hold it through the years.  For the Massolino family that vineyard is Vigna Rionda.

They ferment the wine for a month in temperature-controlled cement, then age it for 3 ½ years in large oak barrels, before resting for two years in bottle. While the wine has already been aged for a longer period for you, it does need to be decanted if drunk now, and ultimately will sing from 2018-2035+. 8400 bottles produced.

Truly one of the most stunning young Barolo I have tried.  If you have a cellar, and you don’t have at least six bottles of this for the future, you are missing out!

$105.99 BTL. / $1271.88 CASE
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Friday Feature-4/5/13: A Sicilian Wunderkind and Ligurian Sea Monkeys

By Shebnem Ince | Published April 8, 2013
Hello and Happy Friday! 

Recently we’ve received many inquiries into upcoming tastings.

 

In the next couple weeks we should have a new events calendar out, including a save the date for Txakoholika, our annual celebration of the Basque wine Txakoli and the tradition of Pintxos bars.  Get ready!

 

In case you are new to the newsletter, or the earth in general, every Friday we have a tasting here at Perman Wine Selections called Routier.

 

Stop in any time between 5 and 8 pm, try a flight of wine, nibble on a small snack of a featured cheese and salted almonds, all for only $25.  This is the perfect send off to your weekend, so stop by after work or before heading out for dinner.

 

Tonight’s focus is on Biodynamic wines from the Languedoc.  Here is what is being poured:

 

2011 Maxime Magnon Corbieres Blanc ‘La Bégou’

 

2011 Château de la Liquière Faugeres Rouge ‘Les Amandiers’

 

2008 Clos Marie Pic Saint Loup Rouge ‘Simon’

 

Hope to see you there!

 

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Now on to your regularly scheduled newsletter!

 

This week we focus on two very limited in production new releases from Italy:

 

A superb Nero d’Avola from Sicilian cult-producer Arianna Occhipinti.

 

&

 

One of the world’s most original sparkling wines from Piero Lugano of Bisson.

 

Let us begin the temptation!

 

Have a great weekend,

Craig & Sheb


a1top

Friday Feature 

W1

2010 Occhipinti “Siccagno” Nero d’Avola

 

The wines of Arianna Occhipinti are some of the most sought after wines that come to my store.  When I receive 1 or 2 cases of her various new releases they are quickly snapped up.

 

How did this happen?

 

Arianna Occhipinti caught the wine bug from her Uncle Giusto Occhipinti, one of the founders of COS winery in the Cerasuolo di Vittoria appellation of Southeastern Sicily.

 

She launched her own wine label in 2004 starting with just one hectare of vines.  The estate has now grown to 10 hectares of vines, all organically farmed, with a focus on the Frappato and Nero d’Avola grapes that dominate the landscape.

 

What I love about the style of Arianna’s wines are their ability to remain true to the varietal, while at the same time maintaining a sense of harmony.

 

Her 2010 Nero d’Avola is truly a memorable wine.  Produced from 35 year-old, high-density planted vines.  Only natural yeasts are employed in fermentation, and aging takes place for 16 months in large 25 hectoliter Slovenian oak casks.

 

This exudes such aromatic complexity, with notes of dark cherry, wild herbs and licorice.  Wonderfully silky and medium-bodied with a rustic, wild character to it.  It remains, fresh and easy to drink, but one can also sense that this will evolve nicely in bottle over the next 6-8 years.

 

It would be an excellent compliment to grilled leg of lamb.

 

$35.99 BTL. / ONLY 24 BOTTLES AVAILABLE

 

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W2

2010 Bisson “Abissi” Spumante Metodo Classico

 

The “underwater wine” is back!

 

Last year I received a tiny three bottle allocation of the second vintage ever of Bisson “Abissi.”  This year I was able to secure 6 bottles of this truly unique and delicious sparkling wine.

 

You should check out this great New York Time article about the wine.  It gives a detailed description behind the philosophy of aging a sparkling wine at the bottom the sea.

 

You can read it here!

 

Like last year, with such a limited supply of this wine available and many people clamoring to try it, those six bottles won’t last long!

 

Whether you are looking for a gift for someone that has “everything,” or gifting to yourself, this is a must-buy.

 

Free barnacles and sea monkeys with every purchase!

 

$98.99 BTL. / ONLY 6 BOTTLES AVAILABLE
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Friday Feature-6 for $120 Something 3/22/13

By Shebnem Ince | Published March 22, 2013

Hello and Happy Friday!

Wondering when the next tasting at Perman Wine is?

It’s tonight and every Friday night!  Routier, French for truck stop is our way of inviting you to the store each Friday to try a flight of wine, linked by a common theme.

Tonight’s Routier is called “Young Americans.”

Listen. There’s a revolution going on in California, a movement away from those large, oak laden, tongue numbing, points garnering wines of the 1980s & 1990s. Tonight we are featuring 3 young winemakers who are turning California into an exciting place for wine again.  Alternative varieties, site specific farming, and non-interventionist winemaking is what we are going to show you tonight!

We will be tasting the following wines:

2010 Matthiasson Winery Chardonnay ‘Linda Vista Vineyard’ Napa Valley 

2011 Forlorn Hope ‘Sogni della Speccia’ Suisun Valley

2009 Broc Cellars Mourvedre ‘Luna Matta’ Paso Robles 

No need to reserve, you can stop in any time between 5 and 8 pm.  $25 per person.

Hope to see you here!

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It’s the second to last Friday of the month, and that is when we introduce the latest “6 for $120-Something” sampler.

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

Most 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 & Sheb

—a1top

6 for $120-Something 

W1

2009 Celler Pardas Xarel.lo

 

At this time of year, many of us are rooting for our favorite mascot.  Mine of course, is the Ducks of Oregon who just happened to take down those higher-seeded Cowboys.

There are a handful of wines in my store that are my “wine mascots.”  One such wine comes from Celler Pardas, a winery located Southwest of Barcelona in the Alt Penedès region.

Pardas Xarel.lo is a wine I’m proud to represent in my store.  Not just because I’m the only store in the city that has it, but rather because it represents so well what the younger generation of Spanish winemakers is trying to achieve.  Take some of Spain’s greatest natural resources, their indigenous varietals, and produce it in a fashion that is respectful of where it comes from.

So much of Spanish wine reaching the US market is driven by marketing, labels, and produced in such a style to meet what a certain importer thinks to be our “palate.”

Celler Pardas produces authentic wine.  They speak of a place, and most importantly they are unique and delicious.

The flagship grape varietal of the winery is Xarel.lo, a grape commonly used as part of a blend to produce Cava, Spain’s sparkling wine.

Winemaker Ramón Parera and vineyard manager Jordi Aman believe that Xarel.lo is a noble variety, with the ability to make complex and age-worthy STILL wines.  Indeed they have proven it with this truly fantastic white wine.

Xarel.lo has it all, richness, freshness, mineral notes as well as the many distinctive aromas and flavors that speak of a Mediterranean climate.

In the hands of Celler Pardas, they produce a Xarel.lo that reminds me of Spain’s version of White Burgundy.

Go Pardas Xarel.lo!

$27.00 BTL. / ONLY 28 BOTTLES AVAILABLE

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W2

2010 Quinta do Infantado Douro Tinto

This year Craig is about to embark on a fact finding mission in Portugal for two weeks.

Portuguese wines are largely under represented on the wine store shelves, restaurant lists and consumers wine racks of the United States.

If you are a Perman Wine customer, you will soon be more knowledgeable on the subject of Portuguese wines than 99% of the wine trade.  Our mission will be to learn alongside you about the varied terroir that the different wine regions provide.

The easiest wines to access now are those of the Douro, as the famed region that produces Port, has always been a large exporter of wines.  Traditionally those were the sweet, fortified wines of the region, but in the past two decades we have slowly seen an increase in high quality red table wine.

Our journey begins with a red wine from the Roseira family, who traces their Port production back to the late 1800′s.  Their winery is located in the Pinhão subdistrict of Gontelho, right along the Douro river.

Here the terraced, schist soils are worked by hand, producing fruit with richness and a distinct underlying minerality.  Many Portuguese wines are blends, and this is no different, comprising Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz.

The 2010 Douro Tinto is an excellent value,with intense fruit aromas of boysenberry, cocoa and spice.  Soft and silky with a bright, long, mineral and spice finish.  The freshness of this wine keeps you coming back for glass after glass.

 

$17.00 BTL. / $204.00 CASE

 

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W3

2008 Frédéric Esmonin Hautes Côtes de Nuits Rouge

 

Burgundian labeling is trying at best and this ‘Hautes Cotes de Nuits’ designation doesn’t help matters.

But, let’s simplify.

We have delicious Pinot Noir here, planted in the large swatch of eastern facing hills that flank some of Burgundy’s most important villages: Chambolle-Musigny, Vougeot, Vosne Romaneé & Nuits-St.-Georges.

Frédéric Esmonin does a nice job of handling these grapes with care and restraint, and the wine offers a lovely fullness and the cherry-tinged trademark we have come to expect from good, cool-climate Pinot Noir.

 

$25.00 BTL. / ONLY 35 BOTTLES AVAILABLE

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W4

2007 Fattoria Cabanon Bonarda “Boisée”

 

Aside from the sparkling wine region of Franciacorta, Lombardy is largely ignored by Italian wine enthusiasts in the United States.

Big mistake.

Here is one of  my all-time favorite reds of the region made by Fattoria Cabanon, a winery founded in the early 1900′s and brought to prominence by Giovanni Mercandelli.  His daughter Elena began as the winemaker in her early teen’s, not only was she one of the first female Italian winemakers, but also one of the youngest.

Cabanon makes a very wide range of wine and grappa, with all their grapes certified organic.  I haven’t tasted every wine from Cabanon, but have enjoyed all that I’ve tasted.

In particular, my favorite is a Reserve wine made from 85% Bonarda (which is locally referred to as Croatina) and 15% Uva Rara.  These are late harvested grapes, low-yielding, fermented in oak with natural yeasts.

It yields an exotic, rich, and silky red with many aromas and flavors that will remind many of Barbera.  This is what I like to call my “Twizzler wine” as the aromas and flavors evoke red licorice like no other.  It finishes with structure, complexity and length, and really over delivers from a quality to price ratio.

Don’t miss this insanely delicious Italian red!

$20.00 BTL. / $240.00 CASE

 

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 W5

2009 Belle Pente Pinot Gris

While it is inarguable that Willamette Valley’s potential for making great Pinot Gris exists, the reality is that Pinot Gris from this area can vary wildly in quality.

 

Sometimes the experience is brilliant, and satisfying, and other times it feels dilute, flat and uninspired.

Belle Pente’s 2009 release happily  falls in column A. Most of the fruit for the wine comes from the estate in Yamhill Carlton, and a a vineyard called ‘Rivenwood’ which is contiguous to their property and farmed by owners Brian & Jill O’Donnell.

I was struck by the surprising richness in flavor & texture when we tried this in the shop. It seems as if the O’Donnells tried a late harvest experiment that didn’t turn out as it should have, so 6% of the Pinot Gris for 2009 was picked much later and more ripe than the rest of the grapes.

The result is a more-luscious-than-usual offering, an small homage to Alsace’s style of PG. However, the wine still maintains an honorable crispness and acidity.

A perfect wine to match with everything pork.  It makes us want to get our Choucroute on!

$19.00 BTL. / ONLY 48 BOTTLES AVAILABLE

 

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 W6

2009 Santa Lucia Castel del Monte ‘”Vigna del Melograno”

Castel del Monte is one of the more important wine zones of Puglia, situated in the hilly part of Puglia (southern Italy, the heel of the boot) where the grapes are granted a bit more protection from the relentless, Mediterranean sun.

 

The variety that makes this wine is called Nero de Troia, a dark-skinned flavorful red grape that unfortunately has been supplanted by more recognizable varieties such as Aglianico & Montepulciano.

 

This is a lot of wine for the money; and the the kind of  voluptuous, bone-warming red you sometimes desire. The vines here are 18 years old which is quite mature for the region and this adds to the depth and quality level.

$15.00 BTL. / $180.00 CASE
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Friday Feature- One Darn Fine Riesling

By Shebnem Ince | Published March 15, 2013
Hello and Happy Friday,

 

With the addition of Sheb to the Perman Wine Selections team, we are slowly gearing up to bring you more information on new wines than ever before.

 

About a year ago I introduced “The Wine Wire” concept to my website.

 

In an effort to offer you more selections throughout the course of the year, while at the same time not bombarding you with daily emails, I decided to post more information on a link on my website called “The Wine Wire.”

 

I didn’t do a great job last year with constantly updating or promoting The Wine Wire.  This year, with Sheb’s help, we are focusing more on this and trying to update daily.

 

So remember, another great way to shop at Perman Wine is to check in daily with The Wine Wire! http://www.permanwine.com/category/thewinewire/

 

Also, follow me on Twitter: @permanwine

 

This will keep you updated on new posts and information.

 

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Another direct result of Sheb’s addition to the store is our weekly Friday tasting called Routier.

 

Every Friday, stop in any time between 5 and 8 pm to sample a flight of three wines based on a theme.  We will serve a little “snack” of cheese, almonds and crackers with it.  $25 per person

 

This Friday, with the “warm” weather we are having in Chicago, we are craving a nice glass of crisp, white wine.  So what better Routier topic could we focus on than “The Bavarian Hinterlands: A focus on the Dry Rieslings of Austria.”

 

We have some seriously “baller” wines to taste tonight:

 

2010 Brandl Riesling “Kogelberg” Reserve

 

2010 Alzinger Riesling “Steinertal” Smaragd

 

1999 Nikolaihof Riesling “Steinriesler”

 

These very rare wines almost never get opened for tasting, and believe me this is well worth the $25 investment.

 

We are limiting tonight’s Routier to the first 20 customers that attend.

 

Hope to see you!

 

Have a great weekend,

Craig & Sheb

—

a1top

Friday Feature 

W1

 

2008 Koehler-Ruprecht Kallastadter Saumagen Riesling Spätlese Trocken

 

For hardcore Dry Riesling fans, today’s Friday Feature brings you one of the finest examples of the variety in the world.

 

For two years I’ve been attempting to land some of this magnificent wine to my store, and finally my wish came true.

Koehler-Ruprecht is a legendary producer in the Pfalz region of Germany.  The Pfalz is the largest and sunniest wine region in Germany, producing wines that have more in common with nearby Alsace in France than other well-known German regions like the Mosel and Nahe.

 

Koehler-Ruprecht owns 10.5 hectares of spectacular vineyard sites located around the village of Kallstadt.

 

It is the Saumagen vineyard, located on the Western edge of Kallstadt that is the most prestigious site of Koehler-Ruprecht, and known as one of the best vineyard sites of the region and Germany as a whole.  I recently asked winemaker Dominik Sona what makes the site so special?

 

“The Saumagen vineyard is a south facing slope with a limestone soil. The vineyard is high in elevation and sheltered by the forest from the west winds, which gives the grapes the chance to ripe slow. Even in warm years, we are able to pick late, due to those conditions.  The vineyard was established by the Romans. It used to be a limestone quarry in their time and after not longer using it, they planted vines on the slope or terraces.”

 

Koehler-Ruprecht makes a wide range of wines from the Saumagen vineyard, based on different ripeness levels.  Only in the very finest years do they make a goldkapsel wine labeled as “R.”  This wine was first introduced in the late 80′s, with the idea of producing it only when there is the right complexity and potential to age.

 

Regarding the 2008 vintage Dominik told me “2008 was a fantastic vintage for Pfalz.  The year was quite moderate, with a cool fall. nice TA (total acidity), complex flavors and wines. Clean grapes. But, always tough to make he decision to hold back and wait until picking the best stuff.  Patience was rule number one in this vintage!”

 

The quantity produced of “R” always differs, and with the 2008 vintage Koehler-Ruprecht produced a total of only 1500 bottles.

 

Incredible aromatics, that are just beginning to emerge.  Ripe notes of fig, honey, lime zest and peach jump from the glass.  Medium weight, with incredibly opulent citrus notes of blood orange and grapefruit peel, and bright acidity.  The finish of this wine lasts forever, and really give the perfect impression of balanced fruit and mineral notes.

 

This is off the charts amazing and one of the greatest young Dry Rieslings I have ever tasted.  Needless to say it is limited, and needless to say that any serious fan of European white wines, Dry Riesling, or anything that just tastes great should get their hands on a few bottles!

 

$82.99 BTL. / ONLY 24 BOTTLES AVAILABLE
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Friday Feature- Good Times in the Loire.

By Shebnem Ince | Published March 8, 2013
Hello and Happy Friday!

 

Don’t miss tonight’s Routier tasting at the store.  Stop in any time between 5 and 8 pm and try a flight that explores the ancient variety Gouais Blanc.  That little sucker was busy, as he had a bunch of babies, some of the names you may know include Riesling, Furmint and Blaufränkisch.

 

Confused?

 

Don’t be, just stop by for a drink today, it’s $25 and it’s fun.

 

Tonight’s tasting features the following three wines: 2010 Dönnhoff Riesling, 2009 Szepsy Furmint, and 2007 Iby Blaufränkisch “Chevalier.”

 

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Today’s Friday Feature showcases wines that are near and dear to our heart.  For well over a decade we have been selling and consuming the wines of two rockstar Loire Valley producers named Bernard Baudry and Domaine de la Pépière.

 

Through the years we have always been able to afford these wines on our limited budgets.

 

Let us tell you a little secret – the Loire Valley is home to France’s greatest white and red wine values.  Luckily for all of us wine nerds, cool climate wines typically don’t fetch as high of a price as those from sun-tanned vignerons.

 

On top of their great prices, the top examples from the best vineyards in the Loire have the ability to age for some time and gain in complexity.  This bucks the common thought that Loire wines are all inexpensive bistro wines meant to consumer in their first year in a Parisian bistro.

 

Loire wine fans must not miss today’s offerings!

 

Have a great weekend,

Craig & Sheb

 

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a1top

Friday Feature 

W1

 

2010 Domaine de la Pépière “Granite de Clisson” Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine

 

Muscadet is the most underrated white wine in the world.

 

Maybe it’s the name that confuses people.

 

No this isn’t Muscat and it’s not sweet.  It is actually a grape called Melon de Bourgogne, which is a cousin to the Chardonnay grape.

 

Muscadet comes from the Western edge of the Loire Valley of France, near the city of Nantes.  85% of Muscadet comes from the Sèvre-et-Maine appellation which hosts a variety of soil types and expositions.

 

Marc Ollivier of Domaine de la Pépière is one of the leaders of the region in quality.  He farms 28 hectares of vines, making a wide range of Muscadet, red and even a Pétillant.  Ollivier keeps his yields low, practices organic viticulture and employes natural yeasts for fermentation.

 

At the top of his range is this wine, one of two Muscadet that come from a specific commune.  The first vintage I tasted of Granite de Clisson, and the last to make its way to our market was the 1997 vintage.  This wine was another example of the excellence that could be achieved  in the region.

 

Three years later, the newest vintage, 2010, has finally arrived to my doorstep, and I’m quite excited to introduce it to you.  Bright notes of lemon and mineral on the nose lead into bright, citrus-driven flavors that are multi-dimensional and finish with hints of anise and mineral.  This super-racy and fresh white wine really lasts on the palate.

 

Best of all this is a wine to drink over the course of several years.  Drink it now, drink it ten years from now.  As an example I had another cuvée from Pépière last night with dinner, it was from the 2004 vintage, and was showing fabulously.

 

What other $23 bottle of white wine from France brings this level of complexity, aging capacity and sheer pleasure?

 

Believe it or not, this wine was allocated, and will sell out quickly.  I’ve accessed several bottle sizes, as many, including myself enjoy the large format bottles for aging and sharing with friends.

 

$22.99 BTL. / 45 BOTTLES AVAILABLE

 

$47.99 PER MAGNUM (1.5ML) – ONLY 4 MAGNUMS AVAILABLE

 

$131.99 PER JEROBOAM (3.0L) – ONLY 2 AVAILABLE

 

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W2

2010 Bernard Baudry Chinon “Le Clos Guillot”

 

I really care about what you drink!

 

For example, if you are going to drink the great reds of Chinon, then you must buy the wines of Bernard and Matthieu Baudry.  And if you buy the wines of Baudry, it is worth the extra dollars to buy the two top reds of the domaine, “Le Clos Guillot,” and “La Croix Boissée.”

 

Yet this wasn’t a given.  These are smaller production wines, and as such they are usually available to our market only via special order.  For the fabulous 2010 vintage, I was the only account in the State of Illinois to special order these for my customers – so you see, I care!

 

Chinon is one of the great red wine appellations of the Loire Valley, with reds based on the Cabernet Franc varietal.  Vineyard sites with their variance in exposition and soil determine the style and flavors of these wines.  The Baudry family happens to work with some truly excellent parcels within Chinon.

 

“Le Clos Guillot” comes from a 4-hectare vineyard planted on clay-limestone soil.  It spends a year in barrel.

 

Of the two reds I’m offering the “Le Clos Guillot” is much more accessible in its youth.  In fact, I find it to be the “Burgundian offering” within the Baudry range, as reds fruits shine, and the aromas really come through with aeration and aging.  Drink now through 2018.

 

$26.99 BLT. /  ONLY 15 BOTTLES AVAILABLE

 

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W3

2010 Bernard Baudry Chinon “La Croix Boissée” Rouge

 

If there ever was a time to listen up, now would be that time.

 

If you enjoy Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley, and age wines for later consumption you would be absolutely off your rocker if you missed this insanely great wine.

 

This is one of the stars of the appellation of Chinon.  From the single-vineyard “La Croix Boissée,” 30 year-old vines planted on chalk and clay over white limestone, and aged in barrel for 18 months.  The vineyard sits on the hillsides of Cravant, and faces southward taking in a good amount of sunshine.

 

The 2010 vintage is stunning.  Complex aromas of dark berry fruit, sandalwood, pepper spice with an underlying meaty quality.  Rich, with a great core of fruit, firm tannins and bright acidity that keeps it fresh.  The finish goes on and on, but there is a realization that this has so much more to give.  Drink from 2016-2025.

 

This is the way Bordeaux used to be priced 35 years ago, when you didn’t have to be in the top 1% to afford one of the best wines of the appellation.  In the Loire you can enjoy some of the best wines, without having to sell your house first.

 

Don’t miss this!

 

$36.99 BTL. / 27 BOTTLES AVAILABLE
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