It’s back! The “Six for $120,” my brand new sampler that offers six exciting wine values for $120.
In May I introduced this new sampler to all you out their in e–mail land. The feedback has been really great, and I’m excited to keep it going with some new finds.

As with the “Six for $60,” sampler, this is a tremendous way to learn about wine you may not normally pick off the shelf. Order your “Six for $120” today by simply telling me “hey Craig, really hook me up.”
All of these wines are also available by the bottle or case, but for maximum pleasure you should be trying the whole sampler. As always, I am willing to sub something out if you really can’t stand it, but c’mon, how do you know you don’t like it if you didn’t try it?

For maximum wine learning print out the descriptions below, and keep it with your wine. You will have a mini–wine lesson on your hands every month.

These are in stock and ready to go!

Have a great weekend,
Craig

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2007 DOMAINE GAUBY CÔTES DU ROUSILLON “LES CALCINAIRES”
The most inspirational award goes to Rousillon producer Gerard Gauby of Domaine Gauby!

Handing out my post trip awards is somewhat of a difficult task. I don’t really like saying the word best, and favorite can also be troublesome. Each of the 40 producers that I visited last month in France, Italy and Spain offered a unique and interesting perspective on winegrowing in their region.

Yet, a few things really stood out.

Without a doubt my visit with Gerard Gauby in the Rousillon region of Southern France had me pondering several things.

The best sites of the Rousillon – are clearly the highest elevation sites that offer some coolness in what is a hot region. Most of these sites also offer schist and chalk in the soil. Gauby is located on the outskirts of Calce in the hills of the Rousillon, and own parcels with these attributes.

Work in the vineyard – Over the years Gauby has worked hard to find out what grapes and practices help produce elegant wines, his fundamental goal. Farming biodynamically and organically helps develop the root structure so that while some other producers vines shut down from the extreme heat, Gauby’s vines ripen more even resulting in lower overall phenolic ripeness. Gerard also talked a bit about looking to the past to discover the right way to grow grapes. His red vines are interspersed with white vines. If disease comes to the vineyard, the interspersing of vines acts as a stop–gap of sorts and avoids the potential catastrophe that can happen when farming naturally. This is not a new idea, they have done this for hundreds of years in the area.

Pricing – is something we often talk about in terms of something being too expensive or not worth it. But as consumers do we really know what the costs are in the production of wine? Gerard Gauby made a decision to make the best wines he can regardless of price. Make no mistakes, the man is not rolling with an entourage, and I didn’t see a bunch of luxury vehicles outside the winery. When you pay $26+ for his first wine, and over $100 for his top wines, there are several factors. Yields are tiny in the Rousillon. Reinvestment in the winery, through different types of barrels and tanks, experimentation with grapes, happens every year. Last but definitely not least, it takes a nation, or seemingly so to constantly tend to the vineyards. Biodynamic means hard work. Spraying and treating vineyards like crap was created for the sole purpose of make money and working less. Sure Gauby could go that route considering he has built a reputation, but he is more inspired today to work even harder in the vineyard than ever before. This is something as consumers we should support.

I don’t want to make this Tolstoy’s War and Peace, so I will wrap it up by saying that for this month’s sampler it was pertinent that I introduce you to the ‘07 “Les Calcinaire.” A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, and Mourvèdre, aged and vinified in a mixture of tank and big old barrels.

Look for notes of dark berry fruit, plum, herbs, and lots of the trademark mineral note. I’m looking forward to having this with a nice grilled steak.
$26.00 BTL. / $312.00 CASE

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2009 QUINTA DO CRASTO BRANCO
How does a wine region that is over 250 years old get better? The answer lies in the Douro region of Portugal. One could argue that this is the most historically important wine region in the world given that it was the first, way back in 1756.

Long known for the fortified wine Port, it has now taken an even bigger step forward by also focusing on dry wines. Red grapes, may seem as more of a natural for this region given its history with Port. Yet white varietals also are very exciting, and can show the minerality of the schist soil.

Quinta do Crasto is one of the top wineries in Portugal when it comes to dry wines. The Quinta sits in the center of the Douro, along the river midway between Pêso da Régua and Pinhão. Owned by the Roquette family for over a hundred years, 70 of the 130 hectare estate is devoted to vines.

The highest elevation vineyards are often left for the production of white wines. Local varieties are used, as their ability to stand up to the extreme heat has been proven over the years. This wine s a blend of Gouveio, Roupeiro and Rabigato. The vine age average is a healthy twenty years, with the vineyards facing both east and south.

The vinification is pretty straightforward, with gently pressing, cool fermentation in tank, and aging in stainless steel vats.

The results are really impressive. Bright notes of orange and lemon citrus on the nose. Rich with good depth on the palate. Tropical fruits interplay with mineral undertones. A great food wine, with the ability to stand up to oily fishes, and yes, my favorite animal, pig.
$16.00 BTL. / $192.00 CASE

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2008 DOMAINE PIRON–LAMELOISE CHÉNAS “QUARTZ”
Consumers are slowly but surely getting over their fear of Beaujolais. They realize that there is a big difference between the unexciting tradition of Beaujolais Nouveau, the over–cropped crappy large scale producers found on the shelves of supermarkets, and the sometimes brilliant examples of Beaujolais coming from the various Cru’s of the region.

To help keep the positive vibes going, I offer a incredibly delicious and yes, complex bottle from the smallest Cru of Beaujolais, Chénas.

The man behind the wine is none other than the irreverent Dominique Piron, someone I have had the pleasure of visiting in a previous trip to France. This man knows Beaujolais, farming several appellations in the region.

Just a few years back he acquired ten hectares of continues vines in Chénas. This impressive vineyard sits on granite based clay with streaks of quartz running through it. That quartz not only gives this wine its name, but it shows its terroir in the aromas and flavors of the wine. Chénas, is located on the northwest border of Moulin–à–Vent, and just south of Juliénas. It is the highest elevation Cru in Beaujolais.

Part of the reason Dominique was so excited to get this vineyard is its rarity to have that size of a continuous vineyard, and the fact that the vines here have an average age of over 35 years.

Patience is a virtue, and it has paid off, as his ‘08 Chénas “Quartz” is one of the most delicious Beaujolais I have tried this year. Yes this wine has great minerality, but it also offers beautifully defined notes of wild strawberry, raspberry, and citrus zest.

A perfect summer red, to have with grilled salmon or smoke–roasted chicken.
$20.00 BTL. / $240.00 CASE

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2009 DOMAINE GUIBERTEAU SAUMUR BLANC
I’m very excited to include a beautiful dry Chenin Blanc in this month’s sampler.
Romain Guiberteau is one of the rising stars in the Loire Valley of France. A small producer, about 30,000 bottles annually, his focus is on Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc from the appellation of Saumur.

Romain didn’t grow up in a wine making family, his father is a well–known doctor. Romain went to university to study law, and about mid way through he had a change of heart. He was caught by the wine bug, and in 1996 began working with vineyards that were purchased by his grandfather, who produced wine from these vines up until the mid ’70’s. His grandfather was a shrewd vigneron, buying up some of the top vineyard sites in Saumur.

Today, Romain is benefiting from those insights working with the same plots of exceptional vines. One big change since the old days of vineyard practices is Romain’s insistence on being organic. He began the vineyard conversion to organics in 1999, and has been certified since 2002. His friends, the Foucault brothers of Clos Rougeard fame, helped convince him that the only way to make truly great wine is by treating the vines in this manner.

Romain makes some brilliant white wines, and his Domaine white comes from vines between 3 and 50 years old. The wine is aged on its lees in Inox for six months.

Slightly muted nose with hints at orchard fruit and orange zest. In the mouth it offers medium to full weight with some of the same suggestions of fruit, and a very good snap of acidity on the finish. Don’t serve this ice cold, and give it a little air in a big glass or in a decanter.

Another very flexible food wine with its ability to match with bold flavored foods, not to mention poultry and meat.
$17.00 BTL. / $204.00 CASE

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2009 KELLER RIESLANER SPÅTLESE
Much has been written on these pages about the great wines of Klaus–Peter and Julia Keller in the Rheinhessen of Germany. This is one of the five greatest estates of Germany.

Klaus–Peter produces a staggering amount of wines, and even for my wine brain, I have a hard time keeping up with the variety. At Perman Wines I have often featured his great Pinot Noir’s and focused on his dry Rieslings. But yet there is more, and this recent discovery has me very excited.

Rieslaner is a rare and slowly dying grape varietal in Germany. A cross–bred varietal it comes from the Silvaner and Riesling grapes. It is a late–ripening grape, and often is seen more as an Auslese or dessert wine.

Keller has produced a really fascinating and amazing example of Rieslaner in 2009, a much heralded vintage. I could smell this all day! Aromas of grapefruit, pear, talc and lime zest. On the palate this absolutely dances with more lime, grapefruit, and hints at wild strawberry on the finish. This finishes with bright and well–balanced acidity, and really it is hard to believe this has any residual sugar at all. Amazing clarity, and very long.

Let’s put all the wine geeky–ness aside here. This just tastes damn good! Since I’m always thinking about food, this could work with so many things. Whether it be the most delicate fish dishes, fatty foods like pork belly (and I mean fatty in the positive sense), or really spicy Asian inspired dishes. Very few other wines are more refreshing!
$23.00 BTL. / $276.00 CASE

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2006 MAS MARTINET “MENUT” PRIORAT
Perhaps one of the most visually stunning wine regions in the world is that of Priorat in the province of Tarragona and the department of Catalunya. While this is no Napa Valley in terms of its ability to host tourism, it is a must for any of you going to Barcelona to make the drive down to the region of Priorat.

The city of Tarragona alongside the Mediterranean Sea was an important Roman city. Their local wine supply came from high up in the hills to the west, where varietals like Carignan and Grenache thrive.

In just a little over the last twenty years an explosion of activity has taken place in Priorat and neighboring Montsant. Old vineyards have been resurrected, and mountains have been terraced and transformed into spectacular vineyards.

One of the original families that is credited with helping resurrect the appellation is the Perez family. Josep Lluís Perez, was among the first group to re–discover the region and begin the process of planting and producing wine from existing and new grapes.

Today, his daughter Sarah has become the face of Clos Martinet, and continues to achieve the great success of her father.

A recent addition to the line–up of wines at Clos Martinet is this value wine called “Menut. ” This wine is a blend of 50% Garnacha, 30% Merlot, and 20% Syrah. Much of it is young vine fruit from a vineyard planted across the road from the winery. The Merlot comes from a bit older vines, and finds its way into this wine because the family doesn’t use the grape for their more expensive wines.

“Menut” is aged in 3, 4, and 5th use barrels for 15 months before being moved to tank. It offers really pretty aromatics of dark cherry, blackberry, cocoa, and mineral. Medium bodied, but very silky with well–defined fruit, and subtle spice. It remains very fresh and easy to drink.

The wines of Priorat are almost never inexpensive, and that is why I was shocked at the quality of this wine given its price. This is a must try for folks that love the bolder side of Spanish reds. I don’t think there is any Priorat out there right now that offers as good of a value.
$18.00 BTL. / $216.00 CASE

I’m back in action here at Perman Wine Selections, and this week I tasted lots and lots of wine. Of course there was lots of good and lots of bad.

Yet since I’m a glass half–full kind of guy I like to focus on the positive and each week I bring you a Friday Feature that offers one or more of the true highlights.

This weeks Friday Feature is entitled “Everybody love Joe, ” which refers to Joe Dressner, an importer of some of the most delicious and eccentric wines of France. Two excellent values stood out in my tasting of some of the Dressner portfolio.

These are wines that are very unique from what you might normally drink, but that is why you should try them! As the world of wine becomes more homogenous, it is nice to offer wines that truly speak of their terroir!

Have a great weekend,
Craig

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2008 CLOS TUE–BOEUF TOURAINE GAMAY “LA BUTTE”
Brothers, Jean–Marie and Thierry Puzelet own the historic property of Clos Tue–Boeuf in the Touraine, the heart of the Loire Valley.

As prominent figures in the natural winemaking scene of France, they are somewhat controversial among the old–guard. It is difficult to define natural wine exactly, but you can expect some of the ideas practiced to include low levels of sulphur in the wine, no fining, organic and bio–dynamic viticulture, and an overall principle of minimal interference in the winemaking.

There is always a level of authenticity in the Clos Tue–Boeuf wines, and their Gamay “La Butte” is no exception. This is pure Gamay Noir from the estate’s vineyards.

Very pretty aromatics combining raspberry, cranberry, herbs, and mineral. On the palate this offers a really high–toned refreshing red berry and sour apple quality. A wine that can be slightly chilled an enjoyed with a really wine range of foods. People are always coming to see me for pairings with spicy Thai foods and I think this is an excellent candidate because of the acidity levels and bright fruit.

A truly unique wine that also happens to be an excellent value.
$15.99 BTL. / $191.88 CASE

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2009 DOMAINE BERNARD BAUDRY CHINON BLANC
This very limited production white wine comes from a producer that is one of the most well–revered and sought after of the Chinon appellation of the central Loire.

Chinon is deservedly famous for its production of the red grape varietal Cabernet Franc, yet there is some Chenin Blanc planted in various plots. Bernard Baudry recently planted Chenin Blanc in a vineyard with clay–limestone soil. In just a few vintages this has become a real reference point for the obscure Chinon Blanc.

So what should you expect from this wine? A very unique and intense stony, mineral nose really leaps out of the glass. You will also find lots of floral and lime zest notes on both the nose and the palate. This has surprising richness for young vine fruit, and really coats the palate with intense fruit. It will be interesting to see this with a couple years of bottle age on it, although I think it is really singing now.

A great foil for anything seafood especially if you are doing an outdoor clambake or grilling some oysters.

This is in very limited supply so hurry and grab some to try today!
$17.99 BTL. / $215.88 CASE – ONLY THREE CASES AVAILABLE

Today’s newsletter features some upcoming new releases that should excite any wine fan.

As I am always getting new customers, it is worth noting to everyone reading this that many of the wines you see on the following newsletter are not in stock at the time of me sending this out. Some of these may never make it to the shelves of the store because my entire business model is built on bringing in wines based on your orders. If you want any of the wines that follow, simply reply back to the e-mail and give me your order. I will then order it from the distributor and e-mail you when it arrives.

By using this business model it helps me offer a wider selection over the course of the year. It also helps me avoid the normal wine retail business model which loads up on wine then pushes it out the door to customers regardless of their personal preferences.

It is always important to keep in mind that I have hundreds of thousands of wines available to purchase, they just all aren’t in the store. Think of me as your personal wine buyer, and when you are looking to load up for a party, stock the cellar, or just have an enjoyable bottle at your house, send me a note. I promise to give you the best advice, and find the right wine for your palate.

Enjoy the newsletter, and as always let me know if you are looking for anything in particular?

Cheers,
Craig

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2005 TALENTI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO
Fans of Brunello di Montalcino – you do not want to miss out on the new and very limited release from one of the greats of the region, Talenti.

With 20–hectare of vineyards, this is not the most widely known estate. Established by Pierluigi Talenti in 1980, it is certainly not the oldest. Yet one fact remains as confirmed by my tastings of the greats of the region over the years is that Talenti is in the small handful of the top producers, and without question offers the best value with respect to quality.

One of the key elements to the success of Talenti is the family’s work at the founding of the estate, choosing the proper clones for the vineyards. The vines are planted at a relatively high density, trained with the spurred cord method.

In the winery, a mixture of Slavonian and French oak is used, with no barrique, instead various sizes of larger barrels. Talenti is one of the best in Montalcino at integrating the oak regimen with the high quality fruit.

Stylistically the ’05 Talenti Brunello is a wine that can be enjoyed by virtually any fan of the wines of the region. This is not something I say very often, but I feel strongly that any Brunello fan is going to love this!

Only 5 cases of this are coming to Chicago this week, and it will sell out very soon. Secure yours today!

“The 2005 Brunello di Montalcino is simply fabulous. Minerals, spices, flowers and layered, perfumed fruit emerge from this sublime, beautifully crafted Brunello. Rich and expansive on the palate, the wine reveals outstanding harmony and an impeccable, silky finish. The warmth of these southerly vineyards (60% Sant’Angelo in Colle, 40% Castelnuovo dell’Abate) comes through in spades. This is one of the few 2005 Brunellos that can be enjoyed today or cellared. Anticipated maturity: 2010–2020+. 92+ Points, Antonio Galloni, The Wine Advocate.”
$54.99 BTL. / $659.88 CASE

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2007 TALENTI ROSSO DI MONTALCINO
For more everyday drinking, this Rosso di Montalcino offers amazing value.

Talenti uses their younger vine Sangiovese fruit for the Rosso, but gives it the same care and treatment as the rest of the wines at the estate.

This is simply an outstanding value, that is super complex and easy to drink. It still could use a half hour in the decanter before drinking, but really opens up. A red meat kind of wine, this would be outstanding with grilled squab or t–bone steaks.

“Light–medium ruby. Initially closed nose suggests real depth, opening with aeration to reveal ripe black cherry, dried herbs (thyme, rosemary), pastrami and minerals. Then sweet and fleshy on the palate, with an appealingly smooth texture to the ripe red and black cherry flavors. This is a very well balanced, creamy and wholly satisfying mouthful of Rosso, with a long, saline, refreshing finish. A lot of wine for the price, and very much like a Brunello in style. 90 Points, Ian d’Agata, International Wine Cellar.”
$26.99 BTL. / $323.88 CASE

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2007 KIRÁLYUDVAR FURMINT SEC
Since its first vintage in 2005, this dry white wine from Hungary has been a personal and customer favorite here at Perman Wine Selections.

Since I have written about it so many times in the past, I will try and give a brief argument for this wines necessity to be consumed by you!

Királyudvar is the sister winery, to one of the Loire Valley of France’s most famous estates, Domaine Huet. Both owned by American businessman, Anthony Hwang, Noël Pinguet of Huët assisted in putting everything in place to resurrect this great estate. The estate for a long time had supplied the royal court of the Hapsburgs with their wine, and believe me, they always had the best on their table.

Hungary is famous for its Aszú dessert wines, but the realization that the region can produce great dry wines has led to the production of this wine. It is made from 80% Furmint, with the remainder coming from Hárslevelü. The wine is fermented in Hungarian oak and aged for six months in large Hungarian barrels.

The 2007 is probably the best vintage of this wine yet. Beautiful, citrus, flowers, stone fruits and mineral all really shine in this refreshing, dry white wine. It is an amazing food wine, as its medium body gives it the texture to stand up to a wide range of foods including grilled fish, poultry and pork.

The best news yet, is that this has taken a dramatic drop in price, as the winery moved to a new importer and distributor. I used to sell this wine at $27, and now it is $18.99, making this something that is approachable on a daily basis for many.

One quick note, for those sparkling wine fanatics, I will be receiving one of the 200 cases produced of Pezsgö “Henye,” the unique sparkling wine from Királyudvar! Both wines will arrive later this week.
$18.99 BTL. / $227.88 CASE

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2009 DOMAINE LA TOUR VIEILLE COLLIOURE BLANC “LES CANADELLS”
Since I’ve returned from my wine trip, customers have been asking about some of my finds. While I did taste many upcoming vintages, as well as wines that will arrive in winter, a few excellent wines such as this white wine have arrived at the store.

Domaine La Tour Vieille is a very special producer located in the appellation of Collioure. The beautiful seaside village, famous for its fresh sardines, lends the name to this appellation in the Roussillon, just north of the Pyrénées mountains that separate Spain and France.

I met with Christine Campadieu and Vincent Cantié (two of three partners that own the winery), who so graciously spent time showing me their full range of wines. Whether it is their delicious rosé (which I have in the store now), this beautiful white wine, their delicious reds, or their amazing dessert wines, the quality across the board is top–notch.

The terraced, cliff–like vineyards of the region are really a sight to be seen. Many of them contain lots or at least traces of schist soil, which impart unique minerality into the flavors of the wine.

Making a white wine in this warm region is quite a challenge especially when trying to keep the freshness. Christine and Vincent definitely succeed at this. Their white wine is a blend of Grenache Blanc and Gris, Roussanne, Vermentino, and Macabeu. The Grenache Gris is pressed immediately, but some of the other white varietals are macerated with their skin. Part of the wine is fermented in oak barrels, but one would never guess this upon tasting.

The wine is rich, layered and complex with hints of citrus peel, garrigue, and lots of minerality. Despite its body, its freshness is what keeps it balanced, and makes it a versatile food wine. Drink it with fresh grilled squid or slow roasted chicken seasoned with fresh herbs.
$22.99 BTL. / $275.88 CASE

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2006 PARDAS “NEGRE FRANC”
Another winery that I visited on my journey was that of Pardas in the Alt Penèdes, southwest of Barcelona. This was one of my most memorable visits of the trip, as the dedication and amazing connection of the owners with the terroir was really moving.

We met with one of the owners, Ramon Parera who upon greeting us grabbed a bottle of his white blend Rupestris, and loaded us into his car for a visit to the nearby vineyards. With a light drizzle of rain coming down on us we walked through the vineyards with our glass of wine, coming to the top of a hill overlooking his prized grape growing areas.

Over a few hours we would hear about the organic nurturing of the vineyards, the careful restoration of his beautiful Masía (farmhouse), and all that goes into making his fantastic wines.

Several varietals both white and red are grown at Pardas, which has been growing grapes since 1990. 1996 marked the start of the winery, with the first bottles coming from the 2004 vintage.

In the area that Ramon calls home, Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc grow particularly well. Located alongside of a river, one can understand the reasoning for growing these Bordeaux varietals.
The Negre Franc red is a blend of 60% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon plus 5% each of Sumoll and Merlot. The wines are vinified in epoxy–lined concrete vats, and the wine is aged in a very small percentage of new French oak barrels.

This expressive and delicious red wine should be tried by any fan of Bordeaux varieties. It offers really pretty aromatics of wild herbs, black fruits, and mineral. Medium bodied, with a silky texture and a long, fresh finish. A great compliment to food, this would work well with grilled duck or leg of lamb.
$27.99 BTL. / $167.94 SIX–PACK CASE

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2007 DOMAINE DU MOULIN GAILLAC
Hello friends of rustic French country reds, its time to drink Gaillac.

Not much wine from this region in Southwest France makes it to the tables of the United States. Every once in a while someone takes a chance at bringing one in, and people like me get excited.

Historically this was a very important wine growing region, but like the story goes with many other areas, Phylloxera hit the area hard. It has slowly recovered over the years, and today not only are producers working with the local grapes of Braucol and Duras, they have introduced other grapes like Syrah and the familiar red Bordeaux varieties.

As in Bordeaux, a river plays an important role for some of the producers of the region. For Domaine du Moulin they source equal parts of Duras and Syrah from vineyards on both sides of the river to produce this wine.

The varietals are vinified separately and then assembled before bottling. The wine sees no intrusion of oak, only tank. The result is a fresh and juicy red full of red fruits, mineral, and soft spice tones. At only 12.5% alcohol it is easy to consume even on warm summer days.

This is a really good value to drink alongside simply prepared grilled meats or bring this to Ravinia alongside a charcuterie and cheese basket.
$12.99 BTL. / $155.88 CASE

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HEY COLLECTOR’S

A few bottles of some well know names – get them while they last!

2007 Comtes Lafon Meursault Blanc – $89.99 btl. (three bottles available)

2007 Comtes Lafon Volnay – $67.99 btl. (three bottles available)

2007 Masseto from Tenuta dell’Ornellaia – $379.99 btl. (three bottles available)

As many of you know, this past January I went back to Oregon, visiting a few wineries and also a few friends. I’m a Duck, having attended the University of Oregon, and lived in Portland for six years after that.

Starting my wine career in Oregon was a fabulous experience as not only did I learn a lot about wines from all over the world, but also had access to local wineries and saw many winemakers on a daily basis.

When I traveled to Oregon this January, I tasted many of the truly outstanding 2008 vintage Pinot Noir’s. This very complete vintage is going to be enjoyed by a broad range of Oregon wine fans, and just Pinot Noir fans in general.

At the time I promised some of my fun finds would make their way to Illinois, and today on my Friday Feature, you will be the only ones in Chicago to have access to the wonderful Willamette Valley release from a small, artisan producer, Marcus Goodfellow of Matello.

This wine is sold out at the winery, and it was my long–time relationship with Marcus that allowed me to source the only 10 cases coming into Illinois.

This is a terrific value Pinot Noir, so get some while it lasts! For those who are drinking more white wine this summer, I have also included a couple of Marcus’ delicious white wines.

Cheers,
Craig

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MATELLO – A SMALL PRODUCTION OREGON WINERY YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT!
Marcus Goodfellow, is the young, dynamic winemaker behind the wines at Matello. 2002 was his first year of production, making his first wines at Westrey Winery. Today, Marcus makes his wine at Adea, a winery located outside of Gaston at the end of North Valley Road. Adea rents space to 4 other winemakers, which allows small producers to use equipment that they would normally not have access to.

As everyone knows, the majority of a wines quality starts in the vineyard. Marcus’ focus is on having relationships with family owned and operated vineyards. He feels that there is more personality in the fruit this way. Two of Matello’s primary vineyard sources and long term relationships are with the Winters Hill Vineyard in the Dundee Hills AVA, and Whistling Ridge in the Ribbon Ridge AVA. He also sources fruit from Bishop Creek and the Fir Crest Vineyard.

All these vineyards provide fruit to match Marcus’ philosophy of balanced wines, with good natural acidity, which above all are fun to drink.

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2008 MATELLO PINOT NOIR, WILLAMETTE VALLEY
Four vineyards provide the fruit for this excellent ’08 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir: Whistling Ridge, Winters Hill, Bishop Creek and Cherry Grove. Marcus hand sorts, doesn’t do cold soak and allows the wines to start their journey very naturally. He does use some stems, 20–60%, most recently he has been using 40–50% in the wine. The fermentation is in barrel, he only uses French oak, and in this case about 25% of it is new.

An aromatically complex wine with a savory nose of dark cherry, mineral, and anise. Silky, and well framed with acidity on the palate. This offers a mixture of dark and red berries, baking spices and a long, elegant finish.

I’m sure Marcus will be happy with the following statement: this is an Oregon Pinot Noir that Burgundy fans can enjoy, as well as those who love the great wines of Oregon.

This wine was just trucked into Chicago, and probably could use a week or two to settle down. After that point you can drink it now through 2014+.

This is an exceptional value for a Willamette Valley Pinot Noir!
$23.99 BTL. / $287.88 CASE

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2009 MATELLO PINOT GRIS, WILLAMETTE VALLEY
I always say that Pinot Gris comes in all shapes and sizes. You can have a really lean and clean version, or one that has big body, spice and ripeness. When I spoke to Marcus about his version of Pinot Gris he mentioned that you almost have to pick a side when it comes to growing and vinifying the grape varietal. His preference is for a style that is bone–dry with freshness. He works with vineyards from sedimentary soil to ensure this style.

The fruit for the ’09 Pinot Gris all comes from the Whistling Ridge vineyard in which Marcus has a sharecropping type arrangement with. Marcus calls Whistling Ridge a cooler site, and it does produce beautiful Pinot Noir and Gris. Marcus harvests the fruit at good ripeness, but not over–ripeness, and leaves the wine on its lees for seven months. The wine is vinified and aged in flex tank, which gives the wine air, but no oak flavors.

Bright, focused and packed full of ripe pear notes, mineral, and citrus notes. Very fresh and easy to drink this is really excellent Oregon Pinot Gris, at a steal of a price.
$16.99 BTL. / $203.88 CASE

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NV MATELLO “CAPRICE”
Marcus really shows off some white wine skills with “Caprice,” a slightly off–dry white blend made from 80% Pinot Blanc and 20% Pinot Gris that is co–fermented.

Yes this is NV, a blend of the 2008 which was aged for 18 months on its lees and a slightly drier ’09 blend. The wonderfully ripe and vibrant fruit for this wine comes from the Fir Crest Vineyard.
Bright notes of tropical fruits like papaya and mango, a great underlying minerality, a kiss of sweetness and terrific acidity help make it supremely balanced.

I can’t understate how outstanding of a food wine this is. I was discussing with Marcus a couple of food pairings that he has had with it. It is diverse enough to go with a berry and Chèvre cheese salad, or something with spice, like one of my favorite dishes from the defunct Taqueria Nueve in Portland, Pulpo cocktail. It is able to handle spice, and even hard to pair ingredients like tomatoes.

If you eat foods with spice, which are always difficult to match, you should stock up on this excellent value!
$14.99 BTL. / $179.88 CASE

I know you miss me, but never fear, I will be returning this coming Tuesday, June 29th. I’m excited to get back and share my stories with you!

In the meantime a reminder that the store is open today from 4 to 7 PM. Tomorrow, Saturday, June 26th, Candid Wines will be in the house from noon till 6 PM to watch the store. As a special treat they will be pouring the delicious new Sangiovese blend from Cosimo Maria Masini – and it is a fabulous value!

Now, back to business. It is the last Friday of the month, and most of you out there in e–land know what that means! It is “six for $60” time! Don’t know what that means? It is pretty simple, a monthly sampler featuring six recently tasted and Craig approved wine values. Together these six individual bottles cost only $60 (excluding tax).

The “six for $60” is highly recommend 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!” All of the wines are available by the bottle or case, but for total jubilation just do the whole sampler. Some people are challenged by some of the wines that I put in to my sampler. If you do not drink Lagrein because it reminds you of your college days, Tannat is too hard for you to pronounce, or you just simply hate something I am offering, I 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!

Have a great weekend,
Craig

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2009 DOGA DELLE CLAVULE VERMENTINO
Earlier this month I had a white wine tasting in the store entitled “A White Wine Tasting: Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc you aren’t invited!”

Yes, it is true that there are other white varietals besides these two and the other usual suspect Pinot Grigio. The world is filled with obscure varietals, and often times they may fit into your palate profile. In fact, you will often get better value for your money by buying wines from varietals that are less known.

Italy is home to hundreds of local and obscure varietals. Today’s “six for $60” offers a Vermentino to try. This grape varietal is actually pretty widely planted around Italy, especially in Tuscany.
Doga delle Clavule is located in the Maremma, or more specifically within the appellation of Morellino di Scansano. Farming is the prominent occupation in the region, and the vine has been there for hundreds of years.

Vermentino in the Maremma is often an early ripening varietal that is vinified into a fresh, crisp style of white. The 2009 from Doga delle Clavule is really delicious juice, with notes of lemon, peach, and white flowers. The acidity levels are refreshing, yet not so high that this can’t be enjoyed with white meat like pork or chicken. Personally, I can drink it on its own by the bucket–load.

Get out of your white wine rut and try a Vermentino today!
$12.00 BTL. / $144.00 CASE

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2008 DOMAINE MONTE DE LUZ TANNAT
Table for three please. What once was a South American table for two has expanded to add another party. For some time, Chile and Argentina have been the only proverbial wine countries at this table, but now Uruguay is making a strong push for their seat.

I’m going to have to admit that I am no expert when it comes to Uruguay or it’s wine. I do know that Montevideo is the capital, I do know that Manhattan’s are not a popular drink, and oh, I also know that Tannat is a pretty prominent grape varietal.

Tannat may not be on your wine radar screen, but it is thought to have originated in Southwest France, where today it is most famous in the appellation of Madiran. Grape historians feel that it may have been brought to Uruguay by those in the French Basque country, where it grows along the Pyrenees Mountains.

It is now a heavily consumed grape varietal, and after all the Uruguayan’s like to party (second largest wine consumption in South America).

This Tannat comes from the San José appellation of Uruguay. Monte de Luz is owned by the Lesgourgues family, who is the owner of Château Laubade, the famous Bas Armagnac producer. The winery was founded in 2000, and has established itself as a high quality domaine.

This Tannat doesn’t see any oak treatment and is really meant as a fresh, juicy expression of the varietal. I like it for its dark cherry, pepper and mineral notes. It is a really good BBQ wine, perfect for your summer outdoor parties!

Bolivia, Brazil, Peru: who is next at the table?
$8.50 BTL. / $102.00 CASE

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2009 MAIPE TORRONTÉS
“You wine people really talk strange!” Yep, I hear it a lot from consumers, and well, they are kind of right. What prompts this response from many people is the verbiage that us wine geeks use when describing wine. Balsamic, wild strawberry, white pepper, hay, and flowers, I mean come on does that really exist in our wines?

The answer to this question is yes! Aromas and flavors change all the time, and there is certainly no right or wrong in all of this, but sometimes varietals really do have strong aromatic or flavor characteristics. Take Torrontés for example. This varietal, almost always emits a very strong floral aroma. Maybe it is not the extreme rose smell of Gewürtztraminer, but it is really there!

So take the “sniffer challenge” and pour yourself a glass of this delicious Torrontés from the Mendoza producer, Maipe. You will see, that we all aren’t whack–jobs!

Seriously though, when you have floral characteristics, it takes a deft winemaker and enologist’s touch to get the balance right. Maipe, does a good job at making a well balanced example of the varietal. And since it is from Argentina, you know you are going to get a really great value!

This is 100% Torrontés from the Salta region, and it really sings with well balanced acidity, melon, peach, and yes, floral notes. A delicious aperitif, or really good with whole grilled fish.
$9.00 BTL. / $108.00 CASE

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2008 CANTINA ANDRIAN LAGREIN ROSÉ
It’s just not fair – poor rosé! I know that as I get older, I get just a little more popular. Yet rosé has a negative connotation the older it gets.

It’s true that you don’t want to have a cellar full of pink stuff, but sometimes, a year in bottle does wonders for rosé.

Here is the perfect example of a rosé that I have liked since my first taste of it, but you know, it is actually drinking even better right now!

Lagrein is a really interesting and delicious varietal that you find throughout Northeast Italy. As a red wine, it is plump and juicy, with really interesting spice and mineral notes. There are simple examples, and then those that can age really well. It is not surprising that it makes for a really interesting rosé.

This example hails from Alto Adige’s oldest cooperative, Cantina Andrian. This is a relatively new arrival to the American market, and truthfully, it wasn’t until Cantina Terlan’s recent involvement in enology and winemaking operations that quality has soared.

This is a very different style rosé than I have offered on previous samplers. This is a nod to the full–bodied style, with dark berry fruit, good weight, and a nice spice driven character. Have this rosé with some grilled red meats, you will see the wide range of food that pink stuff can go with!

Enough of this old–age rosé prejudice, it’s time for some enlightenment!
$9.00 BTL. / $108.00 CASE

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2008 LOOSEN BROS. “DR. L” RIESLING
Speaking of prejudice, no wine provokes more bias then my friend, Riesling! It can be dry, it can be sweet, it can really vary depending on location, producer style, climate, and much more. So how then do we consistently make sweeping statements about the varietal?

Whatever the case, it is my job on the Six for $60 to get you give certain wines a second chance. Keep in mind, this is inexpensive, you can afford to give it a try.

My guess is that once you taste what amounts to a really lightly sweet Riesling from the Mosel, you will apologize profusely to me. Really you should direct your apology to Riesling though.

Ernie Loosen is super–proud of this wine. Not because it is his most complex or longest aging wine, but rather he is proud of the great quality for the price of this 100% delicious Riesling.

This is an old, historic domaine with vineyards in the heart of the Mosel Valley. Unfortunately the estate’s prized vineyards can’t fit budget wise into the “Dr. L” category. But never fear the Loosen brothers work with long–term contract growers, to provide top quality fruit for this wine.

While Mosel Valley Riesling can age and age, this wine is meant to drink fresh. It’s got a screw top, it’s the type of wine you can drink in 2.2 seconds, and it is really delineated and refined for a Riesling in its price point.

You owe it to yourself to try this wine. Have it on a warm day, or better yet, match it with spicy Thai food. It works together like no other.
$10.00 BTL. / $120.00 CASE

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2006 ROCCA DEI MORI “BRIACÒ” PRIMITIVO
What is it about Southern Italian reds that makes me think summertime? I often find myself reaching for reds wines like Primitivo from Puglia during the warm months. I have found that this stems from the fact that I think they pair well with summer foods. BBQ, tomatoes, more savory and aromatic herbs – these are all natural pairings for wines such as this one from Rocca dei Mori.

This wine is made by the folks at Apollonio, based in Lecce in the southern tip of the heel of the boot of Italy. This historic company can trace its roots back to the late 1800’s, and the company is still going strong today with a wide array of wines from the different appellations in Puglia.

“Briacò” is an IGT made from 100% Primitivo grown in the chalky–clay soil of Salento. The grapes go through a traditional soaking of 30–45 days followed by a temperature–controlled fermentation. The wine is aged in American oak barrels for a year, followed by another year in bottle.

This is a whole lot of wine for the money. And some of you will be reminded of an American Zinfadel upon tasting this wine. You can think of it that way when you match this up with hearty fare, like BBQ, roasted lamb, or braised goat tacos! My recommendation is to decant this for about a half hour. This will be a big hit at your next party!
$11.50 BTL. / $138.00 CASE

Hope you are getting ready for a fun holiday weekend! I know I am – and as a result, I will be closed this Monday, May 31st for Memorial Day. I will return to my regular schedule on Tuesday.

Also as a reminder, this coming week will be my last full week in the shop for some time as I get prepared to take a work trip that will last from Sunday, June 6th to Monday, June 28th. The store will have limited hours during that time. Next week I will send an e-mail with my hours of operation while I am gone.

Now, back to business. It is the last Friday of the month, and most of you out there in e–land know what that means! It is “six for $60” time! Don’t know what that means? It is pretty simple, a monthly sampler featuring six recently tasted and Craig approved wine values. Together these six individual bottles cost only $60 (excluding tax).

The “six for $60” is highly recommend 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!” All of the wines are available by the bottle or case, but for total jubilation just do the whole sampler. Some people are challenged by some of the wines that I put in to my sampler. If you do not drink Bianchello during June, Ugni Blanc brings back bad memories, or you just simply hate something I am offering, I 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!

Have a great weekend,
Craig

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2009 EL COTO RIOJA ROSADO
Who doesn’t drink pink? Seemingly every wine region in the world makes rosé, and that includes one of my favorite Spanish wine regions, Rioja.

Remember, the Rioja region grows more than just the Tempranillo varietal. Red grapes like Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo are all present, and some times dominant in certain areas like Rioja Baja.

So it shouldn’t surprise you then when I tell you that this delicious Rosado is a blend of equal part of Tempranillo and Garnacha from the Rioja Alavesa sub–region. Two days of skin maceration follow harvest, then on to clarification and fermentation in stainless steel tanks.

Quite simply this is a remarkably refreshing Rosado that strikes a great balance between fruity and rich. Very dominant red berry notes like strawberry and raspberry are joined with light pepper spice and floral notes. This will definitely get the party started!
$10.50 BTL. / $126.00 CASE

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2007 DOMAINE DE PIAUGIER “LES RAMIÈRES” VDP DE VAUCLUSE
This was one of the easiest decisions ever for inclusion in the sampler!
I love the wines of Domaine de Piaugier, who many of you know for their work in the village of Sablet in the Southern Rhône Valley. Jean–Marc Autran is a fourth generation wine grower, and a very talented one to boot.

While the winery is based in the village of Sablet, on the foothills of the Dentelles de Montmirail, his vineyards come from many areas within the Vaucluse. As most of you know by know, quite a bit of Merlot is grown in the South of France, and many good producers are able to use it for their Vin de Pays.

The 2007 “Les Ramières” is a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Merlot. Some of these vines are 45 years–old. This has been hand–picked, completely destemmed and aged in cement vat.

What a fun wine with plenty of briary red and black fruits, the typical herbs and garrigue that you find from the wines of the South, and a long, somewhat spicy finish. What a wine for the grill. It is soft enough tannin wise to pair with grilled birds like quail, and flavorful enough to handle grilled lamb chops. Delicious!
$10.00 BTL. / $120.00 CASE

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2008 ROSSINI BIANCHELLO DEL METAURO
The Gumbo went to the Marche and discovered Bianchello! Ok, so many of you don’t know who The Gumbo is, but he is a friend of mine who knows quite a bit about the wines of Italy. On his recent trip to Italy he came back excited about Bianchello del Metauro. My reaction – Bian–what?

That is what I love about Italian wine, there is always something new to learn! Bianchello del Metauro it turns out is a DOC in the northern part of the Le Marche region surrounding the town of Pesaro. While Verdicchio is the most talked about white varietal in Le Marche, the 18 communes in the Metauro river basin, grow Bianchello and pretty much consume most of it locally.

Bianchello also goes by the name Biancame and it is thought that this is related to the very common Trebbiano grape. Regardless where it comes from it makes for a very fresh, aromatic style of white wine that is a perfect sipper on a warm day.

Rossini is a cooperative in the Metauro river basin. Their interpretation of Bianchello is crisp, delicious, and so easy to drink. Lots of bright citrus notes, along with some hints of pear, almonds and flowers. A good wine to drink on its own or with mussels on the grill.
$11.50 BTL. / $138.00 CASE

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2007 CASTELLO DELLE REGINE “POGGIO DELLE REGINE”
For those of you with siblings out there, maybe you can relate to Umbria’s “family rivalry” situation. The central Italian wine region sits right next to its brother Tuscany. Yet for some reason it doesn’t get as much attention as it deserves.
As an optimist, I tend to believe that the due respect will come in time. In the meantime it is my job to show you some examples of why you should drink wines from Umbria!

Castello delle Regine is a very important estate in the hillsides between the small towns of Narni and Amelia. This is a big estate, 400 hectares, planted to vines and olive trees, teeming with cattle and wildlife. It is owned by a lawyer from Milan named Paolo Nodari. He has really transformed this estate into one of the gems of the region with the help of notable enologist Franco Bernabei and cellar master, Fabio Bussetti.

“Poggio delle Regine” is a simple but delicious red wine made from 85% Sangiovese and 15% each Syrah and Merlot. It’s fermentation is done in stainless steel tanks, and it is aged for a short time in larger oak barrels. It has elegant red and dark berry fruit tones, with soft spice notes, and a hint of tannin.

You can really imagine this being enjoyed at the Regine estate in Umbria with a grilled steak from their private cattle stock. Maybe you don’t have cows at your house, but you can always head down to Gepperth’s Meat Market and grab a big t–bone steak to grill!
$11.00 BTL. / $132.00 CASE

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2009 COLOMBELLE VDP DES CÔTES DE GASCOGNE
One of the tricky parts of putting the “Six for $60” together is finding that extra inexpensive wine to throw in to help defray some of the more expensive bottles. When I’m searching for a wine in the $8 price category I know I can only go safely to a few places. Gascogny in Southwest France is one of them.

If you have had Armagnac before, then you have had an adult beverage from the region. In the early 1980’s, producers in the region started to produce dry white wines from the local grapes Colombard and Ugni Blanc. These are the same grapes that went into their spirit, so it made a lot of sense to also vinify wine from them.

With the relatively flat farmland, mechanization can be used in the vineyards. Yields also can be relatively high and still make for tasty wine. So all is in place to make easy drinking, simple wine at very low price point.

This example comes from the winery Producteurs Plaimont. A cooperative of growers in several southwestern appellations that are producing local varieties true to their roots. These are clearly farmers first judging from the horrible packaging of the bottle. But the goods deliver, with a very glugable quality, bright citrus notes, and a hint at herbs to keep it interesting.

The screwtop suggests easy access for picnics and bbq’s in the park. No need to drink this with anything in particular, it will work on its own or with simple salads and seafood prepartions.
$7.50 BTL. / $90.00 CASE

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2008 ALBERTO FURQUE MALBEC
It has been a little while since I’ve thrown a Malbec in the sampler. A lot of recent tastings have revealed super fruity, almost candied styles that may taste good coming out of a Jello mold, but not my wine glass.

Recently I tasted this very delicious Malbec from Alberto Furque in Mendoza. Savory is the word I used, as its quintessential Malbec fruit is complimented by a savory quality that makes it easy to drink and fun to have at a dinner table.

Alberto Furque established his winery in the Uco Valley in 1995. Located in the village of La Consulta, Carolina Furque is in charge of the 74 hectares of vineyards. Carolina is a late–harvester, and leaves the grapes on its skins for 15 to 20 days before being aged in concrete tanks. That could have something to do with the fact that this Malbec has some really nice structure.

Look for notes of dark cherry, black currant, plenty of spice, and a nice balanced attack on the back of the palate. Two words – red meat!
$9.50 BTL. / $114.00 CASE

I was very excited to get this newsletter out today, as there are lots of great new releases and fun finds from all of my recent tastings.

First a bit of events calendar news. This Friday is the most fun event of the year here at Perman Wine Selections.

It’s Basque Night!

I’m turning my wine store into my version of a Basque style Pintxos bar. Pintxos are what the Basque people call their tapas. On an average Friday night in places like San Sebastián, one goes from bar to bar, sampling different Pintxos, washing it all down with the local wine Txakoli and local hard cider.

To celebrate the new release of the ’09 Txakoli’s, I’m throwing a party. Here is how this works – sign up in advance, stop in any time between 6 –9 pm, grab a glass to drink some Txakoli and Sidra, and snack on some specially prepared Pintxos from X–Marx. The price is $35 per person.

This will be a fun event to integrate into your Friday night plans, so let me know today if you can make it!

Enjoy the newsletters, and as always let me know if you are looking for anything in particular?

Cheers,
Craig

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2007 THIERRY MATROT BOURGOGNE BLANC
Not all Bourgogne Blanc’s are created equally! If you love White Burgundy, then you know that this category which can feature grapes harvested from all through the large Bourgogne appellation, vary greatly in complexity and flavor.

A good start to looking for any good Bourgogne Blanc is by finding one from a great producer. The Matrot family is a well–respected Meursault producer that believes in balanced, fresh wines.

I met with Thierry Matrot a couple weeks ago at the store and tasted through the full range of his terrific whites and red wines. For those searching for value, his Bourgogne Blanc is easily one of the best values in White Burgundy that I have tasted this year.

Very delicate with hints at pear, green apple, flowers and spice on the nose and palate. It simply doesn’t get much better for the price.
$18.99 BTL. / $227.88 CASE

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2007 LEONETTI CELLAR CABERNET SAUVIGNON, WALLA WALLA
Any serious fan of full–throttle–styled American Cabernet Sauvignon is not going want to pass up this limited offer from one of the cult producers of Washington State.

Leonetti Cellars is one of the fine wine pioneers in Washington State, started by Gary and Nancy Figgins in 1977. The Figgins home base in Walla Walla is exceptionally suited to growing powerful Cabernet Sauvignon. Its protection from the Cascade Mountain range ensures that there is long, dry and warm Summer and Fall. It is no wonder then that despite the Figgins being one of the first successful producers of the area, there are now over 100 producers in the AVA.

2007 is a particularly exciting vintage in Eastern Washington. A warm vintage that provided for a perfect long and even growing season. All the accolades are pouring in from the wine press, and it is not surprising having had a chance to taste many wines from this vintage.

The Figgins blend this wine using 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 4% Carmenère and 3% Malbec. It was aged for 22 months in new and neutral French and American oak barrels.

I would highly advise getting this while it is here now, because once the major publications give their reviews, it will disappear.
$95.99 BTL. / ONLY SIX BOTTLES AVAILABLE

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2008 CHATEAU PESQUIÉ “QUINTESSENCE BLANC”
I often get asked if I have any white Châteauneuf–du–Pape in stock? When I do have it, let’s just say it is not an everyday type of white wine. $50–$70 is a typical price point for a wine from this area. Looking for Beaucastel Roussanne “Vieilles Vignes,” try well over $100.

All of these are great wines mind you, but sometimes you just want a glass out on the porch. Well, last week I tasted what I think is one of the most delicious white Rhône wines I have had in some time irrespective of region and price.

Château Pesquié has found its way into my monthly sampler for its everyday red called “Terrasses.” They also make a red and white under the “Quintessence” label, kind of their version of a reserve wine.

The Quintessence blanc is a blend of 80% Roussanne and 20% Clairette. The grapes are fermented separately, since they are quite individual. The Roussanne spends some time on its skin before pressing, while the Clairette is immediately cold pressed. The malolactic fermentation on the wine is blocked, and no new oak is used in its aging.

Just an exceptionally fresh and rich white wine with hints at stone fruits like apricot, tropical notes of pineapple, flowers, and spice. The key to any Rhône wine, let alone this is that it finishes with good acidity and balance.

Grilled fish, white meats like pork and chicken, and even truffles are all recommended pairings from the Chaudière family. With what you save on this being such an exceptional value you can go out and get those truffles!
$23.99 BTL. / $287.88 CASE

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2006 DOMAINE HAUVETTE LES BAUX DE PROVENCE “LE ROUCAS”
Ah, Provence! Many of you have traveled there. How do I know?

Many of my customers after their beautiful stay in Provence always come back asking for the wine. For good reason too, because the wines have so much soul, and are great reminders of the actual place.

With the demand, I went ahead and brought in a case of Domaine Hauvette “Le Roucas.” Hauvette is a very sought after estate, which is difficult to meet demand because it is so small with 14 hectares of vines in total.

Dominique Hauvette formed her domaine over twenty years ago, and works the vineyards organically and with great care. She is part of the small but strong natural winemaker movement, part of the reason why Joe Dressner was able to convince her to let him import the wines.

“Le Roucas” is a blend of approximately 50% Grenache, with the rest Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. The ’06 is an elegant, red fruit dominated wine, with pretty garrigue notes and just a little of that Provence funk. This is one that goes down mighty easy.
$27.99 BTL. / ONE CASE AVAILABLE

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2001 ALESSANDRO E GIAN NATALE FANTINO BAROLO “VIGNA DEI DARDI”
Last call! Only a few more cases of this absolutely great value Barolo are left at the distributor and the wine is so tasty that I had to give a last call.

This tiny estate is headed by Alessandro and brother Gian Natale in the village of Monforte d’Alba. Alessandro was winemaker at Bartolo Mascarello for ten years, before starting the winery.

The brothers work with the excellent Dardi vineyard, which they farm organically and vinify in their tiny cellar in Monforte.

For those that have forgotten, 2001 was an exceptional vintage, and this wine is starting to really open up after being closed for its initial time in bottle. It will undoubtedly age through 2020, but I say crack a few bottles now and save a few for later. This is truly an exceptional Barolo value, so stock up!

More proof that Barolo is the world’s greatest red wine – yeah, I said it!
$48.99 BTL. / $587.88 CASE

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2007 TENUTA DELL’ORNELLAIA “ORNELLAIA”
It’s almost here! What is one of the greatest vintages to date of one of Italy’s most famous red wines, the 2007 Ornellaia.

Bolgheri, the DOCG on the Tuscan coast has proven itself to have a unique micro–climate that produces special examples of Bordeaux varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.

My recent tasting of the 2006 and 2007 vintage of these wines reaffirmed my belief in how truly exceptional they are. I must admit though, that while the 2006 is very good, the new 2007 is about as perfect of a wine from the estate that I have tasted. I was told that August was relatively cool for them, and that a perfect September really brought in grapes of great ripeness, but not over–ripeness.

You could tell this in tasting the wine. It was exceptionally detailed and classically spice driven. The structure from the Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, the fruit from the Merlot, and the spice of the Cabernet Franc all acted as a chorus of flavors. This is truly perfect harmony in a glass.

This is undoubtedly an expensive wine, but it is one of the greats in Italy, and a truly special experience. I don’t think those that know it need convincing, and I do think those willing to give it a try will be well rewarded.

Ornellaia never tastes too young to me. You can drink this now by decanting it an hour or two. It will age beautifully drinking best from my palates perspective from 2014–2025.
$168.99 BTL. / $1013.94 SIX–PACK CASE – PRE-ARRIVAL OFFER – ALSO AVAILABLE IN DIFFERENT SIZED FORMATS

Earlier this week I had one of the really great experiences in recent memory, having lunch with Giampiero Bea of the legendary Italian estate, Paolo Bea.

While not widely known in the wine world, Paolo Bea is one of Italy’s most revered producers, and the gem of the Umbrian wine scene. The 15 hectare estate is traditional in every sense of the word. Only 5 of those hectares are vineyards with the rest used for the Bea farm where they produce, olives, vegetables, fruit and raise cattle. The Bea’s produce almost entirely what goes on their table to eat and drink. The namesake of the winery, Paolo Bea is still involved in the winery, while his sons Giuseppe (the oenologist) and Giampiero (vinification and commercial) have assumed leading roles.

Sagrantino is the great grape of the Montefalco DOCG, but Sangiovese and Montepulciano play major roles in the reds. Aside from their reds are two exceptional, world–class whites that will challenge the way you think about the white wines of the region. One can also not fail to mention the Passito, this is one of the most spectacular dessert wines I have ever had. Very difficult to make, it is something that anyone who loves sweet wines should try once in their life.

The quality and consistency of these wines is amazing. So much so that I decided to offer almost everything we tasted on today’s newsletter.

These wines have so much soul, that if you are a lover of Italian red wines no matter where they come from, you need to have some of these for drinking and cellaring.

Have a great weekend,
Craig

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2007 “SANTA CHIARA, ” UMBRIA BIANCO
Santa Chiara is a blend of local varietals like Grechetto and Malvasia, along with Garganega, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. The grapes sit on their skins for a long time, which gives the wine its deep golden color. This is about as full–bodied as any white wine will get without the use of oak.

This will rock your white wine world. Wildly complex with notes of citrus peel, almonds, apricot, and herbs on the nose and palate. But really tasting notes are irrelevant because you have to taste this for yourself. A wine pairing dream, as the body and richness will work with grilled fish, poultry, veal or many pork preparations.
$48.99 BTL. / $587.77 CASE

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2006 “ARBOREUS” TREBBIANO SPOLETINO, UMBRIA BIANCO
If I were to put together a mixed case of Italian white wines to take to a desert island, “Arboreus” would for sure make the cut. 100% Trebbiano Spoletino, this is fermented on its skin for three weeks! It is then aged in stainless steel for two years.

An absolutely brilliant white wine, that has a bit more delicacy than the “Santa Chiara. ” I would pair this with very simply prepared grilled white fish with vegetables. Only 3300 bottles produced.

$65.99 BTL. / $791.88 CASE – ONLY ONE CASE AVAILABLE

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2006 “SAN VALENTINO, ” UMBRIA ROSSO
Nobody said that the people who run the appellation systems in Italy are geniuses. In their all–knowing wisdom (to be read in a very sarcastic voice), they tasted the ’06 and said it lacked color and had a light oxidative quality. So Giampiero was forced to slap on an IGT label instead, and mocked them on the top of the label.

’06 was a balanced and good vintage at Bea, and this wine is absolutely delicious. It is a blend of 60% Sangiovese with 30% Sagrantino and 10% Montepulciano. 40 days of fermentation and maceration with the skins. The ’06 has an amazingly fragrant herbal element to go with very delicate and seductive red fruits.
A great wine to match with roasted leg of lamb.
$33.99 BTL. / $407.88 CASE

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2004 MONTEFALCO ROSSO “SAN VALENTINO”
From the San Valentino vineyard this is a blend of mostly Sangiovese with smaller chunks of Montepulciano and Sagrantino. 30 day fermentation and maceration on its skins, then aged for 3 years in steel and 4 months in bottle.

Elegance in a glass, this could be called the Burgundy of Umbria. It is drinking so well now and will continue to drink well over the next five years. Break out the little birds with this one, preferably my favorite little bird of all time, roasted squab with sage.
$61.99 BTL. / $743.88 CASE

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2005 “ROSSO DE VÉO, ” UMBRIA ROSSO
Want immediate gratification? Then drink a bottle of “Rosso de Véo” now! This wine is a blend of the young vine fruit from Pagliaro and Cerrete (a future single cru wine). There is often a negative connotation with young vine fruit, but for me this wine proves that young vine fruit can make incredibly complex wine.

46 days fermented and macerated on skins, 12 months in steel, 2 years in big old oak barrels, before being aged in bottle for 1 year. This tows the line with both red and dark fruits, wild herbs, and a transcendent earthy aroma. A perfect wine to match with whole roasted beef tenderloin.
$61.99 BTL. / $743.88 CASE

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2005 MONTEFALCO ROSSO RISERVA “VIGNA PIPPARELLO”
The seventh vintage produced for this single cru Riserva. 60% Sangiovese with the remainder, Sagrantino and Montepulciano. 42 days of fermentation and maceration, with 12 months in steel, 2 years in large oak barrels and 1 year in bottle.

A real wow wine! This is one of two Riserva’s produced at Bea, and is softer, and more elegant than the following with from Pagliaro. This can be drunk now, but will evolve through 2020+. A wine of great complexity.
$69.99 BTL. / $839.88 CASE

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2005 MONTEFALCO SAGRANTINO SECCO “VIGNA PAGLIARO”
Quite simply the best expression of the Sagrantino grape in Italy. Pagilaro is a single sight that produces a rich, and complex style of the grape. This sees 46 days of fermentation and maceration with the skins, 1 year in steel tank aging, then 24 months in large Slavonian oak, and 9 months in bottle before being released.

No Italian red wine enthusiast should be without “Vigna Pagliaro” in their wine life! The ’05 is an exceptionally beautiful wine that can be drunk with decanting now but will have no problem aging through 2020+.
$89.99 BTL. / $1079.88 CASE

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2003 MONTEFALCO PASSITO
Since I first tasted this wine, I simply can’t stop thinking about it. Quite simply one of the best dessert wines I have ever had!

100% Sagrantino that was harvested in mid–October, and then placed on mats to dry and age for 4 months. After the drying process the grapes and skins are separated, and the wine is fermented for 36 days. The wine is aged in stainless steel containers for 50 months.

This laborious process coupled with low yields and great loss of wine during the process, results in a truly special wine. It starts off sweet in the mouth with notes of dried figs, golden raisins, coffee, and then brightens with blackberry notes, soft tannins, and almost dry finish. The length is absolutely amazing.

Giampiero mentioned that 2003 was one of the greatest Passito vintages that they could have imagined and feels that this wine will evolve for 10–15 years. But really, when a wine is this delicious, just have it on a very special occasion!
$109.99 PER 375 ML BOTTLE / $659.94 SIX–PACK CASE

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2008 PAOLO BEA OLIVE OIL
If you are a true believer in the Mediterranean diet than you know that olive oil is the perfect finisher to most dishes. We had a dish at lunch that needed a little extra oomph, and out came the Bea Olive Oil. Absolutely magical stuff.

Most notable about this olive oil is its rich, almost buttery texture, with just a hint of bitterness on the finish. Believe or not I have been to an olive oil estate, tasted many oils in my life, and this is up there with one of the best. Like all the Bea wines, an oil of great character and sense of place.
$46.99 PER LITER BOTTLE

If you haven’t heard of the “six for $60” it is about time you did! It is pretty simple, a monthly sampler featuring six recently tasted and Craig approved wine values.

Together these six individual bottles cost only $60 (excluding tax).

The “six for $60” is highly recommend 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!” All of the wines are available by the bottle or case, but for total jubilation just do the whole sampler. Some people are challenged by some of the wines that I put in to my sampler. If Grenache makes you tremble, Grechetto causes memory loss, or you just simply hate something I am offering, I 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!

Have a great weekend,
Craig

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N.V. CASAL GARCIA VINHO VERDE ROSÉ
There is refreshing wine – and then there is wine that you want to swim in because it is so thirst quenching. This rosé falls into the latter category!

The Vinho Verde region is in the northernmost part of Portugal, straddling the Spanish border. It is well known for the grape varietal Alvarinho that often produces a wine carrying some residual carbonic gas and, thus, a little spritz. It is one of the world’s most thirst–quenching white wines.

Within the last year, Portugal’s largest Vinho Verde producer, Aveleda, stepped it up a notch by introducing a rosé under their brand called Casal Garcia. Never seen a Vinho Verde rosé? Neither had I.

I must admit, I have fallen in love with this thirst–quenching bottle of slightly fizzy pink stuff made from Vinh ão, red Azal and Barraçal. Bright notes of strawberry and cherries on the nose and palate, with fresh vibrant acidity and a hint of the sparkly goodness.

Rosé works with a wide range of foods, don’t over–think it on this one. Have it with fish, chicken, sandwiches, a bag of Doritos – whatever your heart desires!
$8.00 BTL. / $96.00 CASE

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2007 NOVAIA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO
As the weather warms up, wine drinkers have a tendency to reach for red wines that are a little lower in alcohol and not so heavy with tannins. For many people, the first varietal they think of is Pinot Noir. While that is definitely a nice choice, it is worth pointing out other wines that meet the warm–weather–red criteria.

In the region of Verona, the appellation of Valpolicella has become synonymous with great table red wines. Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella are varietals that are blended into Valpolicella. As with any region, quality can vary greatly.

It is of great importance to Cesare and Gian Paolo Vaona, owners of Novaia, that their yields are low and that their grapes have good physiological ripeness. Everything starts in the vineyard – and for the Vaona’s, their prime sites in the Alta Valpolicella, coupled with obsessive farming, ensure for high quality wines.

The 2007 Valpolicella Classico is a blend of the classic varietals. It is fermented in temperature–controlled stainless steel tanks and aged there as well. The result, is a fresh, fruit driven style of Valpolicella with hints of flowers, classic cherry, and some baking spices. This will be very easy to drink all by itself, but it can also work with grilled salmon or chicken.

$11.50 BTL. / $138.00 CASE

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2009 VALLEY VINEYARDS WINE CO. “THE ROYAL” CHENIN BLANC

If you are a soccer fan, you are probably starting to get very excited for the start of World Cup, hosted by South Africa. As one of the world’s biggest sporting events, the local economy gets a huge boost as people learn more about the hosting countries’ natural goods.

The wines of South Africa still move relatively slowly through retail stores here in the United States. This summer should change that, as it is expected that more people will be trying South African wines than ever before.

For the average wine consumer, the Chenin Blanc of this beautiful country is perhaps the easiest of the wines to fall in love with. A variety of styles are made, but as with this example, most are incredibly vibrant and fresh. “The Royal” is produced by Riebeek Cellars, an old producer located in Riebeek Kasteel, on the western coast of the Cape Province. With rocky soils and a Mediterranean climate, Chenin Blanc grows very well in the area.

A vibrant and easy–to–drink Chenin Blanc, this offers both tropical and citrus aromas and flavors, along with fresh acidity. I’m always suggesting food pairings, and believe me there are plenty that would go with this, but it is also a great aperitif to start out the evening right.
$7.00 BTL. / $84.00 CASE

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2006 BAY FOGG CABERNET SAUVIGNON
It’s a miracle – well, not exactly – but it IS rare that I offer wines from California on this sampler, let alone fruit from Napa Valley. Yet, I was able to swing a deal to bring this classic example of Napa Cab on to the sampler for this month.

Am I a magician? How did I get a Napa Cabernet of this quality on the sampler? The credit shouldn’t go to me, rather to X Winery who helps makes different private label wines, as well as their own range of wines from fruit sourced from local, small growers.

This delicious Napa red is made of fruit from three distinct areas in Napa: 41% is from the Spring Mountain District, 41% from Yountville, and 18% from Los Carneros. There also happens to be about 14% of Merlot in the wine, which gives it an extra lift of fruit.

This offers notes of black cherry, pepper and nutmeg on the rich nose. On the palate, it offers a nice balance between dark fruit, tannin, and spice. A really delicious Cabernet that will work great with a grilled steak.
$12.50 BTL. / $150.00 CASE

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2008 PALAZZONE “DUBINI BIANCO”
Giovanni Dubini is the man when it comes to producing wines in the appellation of Orvieto. The region takes its name from the city that was famous during the days of the Etruscans. This is primarily white wine territory, although reds do exist in small quantities.

Procanico is the local name for Trebbiano Toscano, and it is often blended with Grechetto to produce fresh and citrusy whites that sometimes can be both simple quaffers and intense, complex bottles.

Dubini Bianco is an IGT , and the entry–level wine in the range of Palazzone. It has for a long time been one of my favorite “cheapie” white wines. The ’08 is a blend of 60% Procanico and 40% Grechetto.

It offers lots of citrus notes like lemon peel and orange, with some mineral and hints at nuts. Very simply prepared white fish like halibut is a great match for this wine, and it also makes an excellent aperitif.
$8.50 BTL. / $102.00 CASE

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2008 CHÂTEAU PESQUIÉ CÔTES DU VENTOUX “TERRASSES”
It’s back! I try not to make too many repeats on the sampler, but recently the new and very tasty vintage from Château Pesquié was released and I just had to include it!

If you haven’t heard of Pesquié, this is one of the most dynamic producers in the Ventoux, which takes its name from Mount Ventoux, in the Southern Rhône Valley. It offers an affordable alternative to your average Côtes du Rhône.

The Chaudière family creates this terrific value from 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah. “Terrasses” is a reference to the vineyards of Ventoux which find themselves tucked away on the hillsides of the various valleys. Because of the extremity of the slopes, terraces are often built for the vines to avoid constant erosion.

Pesquié does a traditional vinification for Terrasses, with around 15 days of skin maceration, resting the wine and then aging a portion of it in old oak barrels and large oak tanks.

This is always one of my favorite wines for BBQ and grilled meats bcause the spice, ripe red fruits and fresh acidity pair perfectly with intense flavors. One sip of this and you will understand why it needs an encore on the sampler!

$12.50 BTL. / $150.00 CASE

People are always asking me during the Spring, “when are your new rosé’s coming in? ” Many of the ’09’s have just started to trickle in, including today’s feature.

Keep in mind that rosé’s come in all shapes and sizes. Varietals, production styles and most importantly geography can make a huge difference in the way your rosé tastes. Also keep in mind that not all rosé needs to be drunk practically straight out of the vat. Many taste good with a little bottle age, while some, like today’s offering, you want to drink fresh.

With distributors these days holding smaller inventories, most rosé are brought in based on pre–orders by retailers. The distributor doesn’t want to be “stuck” with extra rosé when it cools down in the Fall. So these days when purchasing rosé, the consumer must act quick before it disappears.

Such is the case with today’s rosé. The majority of it has been swallowed up by retail, and my fear is that this will be out of consumers reach long before that 90–degree weather gets here.

So act fast, because this is one rosé that you are not going to want to miss. It is really fantastic!

Cheers,
Craig

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2009 CHÂTEAU MOURGUES DU GRES ROSÉ “FLEUR D’EGLANTINE”
The South of France is home to some of the most famous dry rosé in the world. Rhône varieties such as Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Carignan all contribute to the making of the pink stuff.

As I mentioned previously, with the wide range of styles these grapes can give you, some producers make several cuvée’s of rosé.

Château Mougues de Gres, a very well respected producer in the Costières–de–Nîmes appellation, makes three very different style of rosé.

Their least expensive, and my personal favorite is called “Fleur d’Eglantine. ” This is a very delicate, fruit driven style of rosé that is made with a blend of Mourvèdre, Syrah, Grenache and Carignan. This is made using the saignée method, which involves bleeding of the vat.

I tasted this rosé earlier this week and almost instantly inserted a straw in the bottle to suck it down. This stuff is dangerously easy to drink! I would put it in the light–bodied style of rosé. The aromatics are gorgeous with hints at white peach, grapefruit, and strawberry. This will make a nice match for all kinds of grilled fish, or try it with meats like chicken and pork.

This wine has pretty much sold out at the distributor level, so if you crave a fresh, light style of dry rosé, get it while it is here!

$13.99 BTL. / $167.88 CASE – 7 CASES AVAILABLE