Monthly Archives: January 2016

Allegrini 2010 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

160

Wine Enthusiast
95 Points
Cellar Selection
Boasting an enviable combination of opulence and finesse, this opens with aromas of black plum, vanilla, baking spices and grilled herbs. The rich palate doles out plum cake, black cherry, black pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg alongside smooth, velvety tannins. Gripping intensity holds on through the long finish. Drink through 2025.
-Kerin O’Keefe

Wine Spectator
Score: 93
An elegant red that seamlessly integrates supple tannins and mouthwatering acidity with a core of plump cherry, fig paste, dried thyme and melted licorice flavors. The long, spiced finish shows a streak of smoky mineral. Drink now through 2030. 1,000 cases imported.
–AN

SweetWater Dank Tank Pulled Porter…

SWB-DT-PulledPorter-Bottle-151119-12

…is in the shop now.  Amy and I tried it last night, very yummy.  Dark, full, smokey, hints of dark chocolate, and maybe the crispiest parts of a well cooked piece of bacon, here’s a really interesting article about the making of this beer…

This from the www.craftbrewingbusiness.com website:
SweetWater Brewing Co.’s Dank Tank Series is the Atlanta-based brewery’s brand of sinister laboratory experiments. It’s a series of rare release beers that showcase the diabolical creativity of SweetWater’s brewers — bold beers like the big fat black double IPA Some Strange and the racy red wheat wine ale 16 So Fine. These one hitters are only released a few times a year and are in very short supply. The newest addition to the Dank Tank Series is its boldest yet — Pulled Porter: Bacon Smoked Porter — a beer brewed with bacon-smoked malt. ”
Read the whole article here:
https://www.craftbrewingbusiness.com/ingredients-supplies/bacon-beer-pornography-sweetwater-releases-pulled-porter/

January 2016 WINE CLUB Selections

“The first rule of WINE CLUB is… ALWAYS talk about  WINE CLUB!”

The Wine buyers pick two wines each month for you that we love, one white (or rose, or bubbly) and one red each the total value of which will exceed $40
If you sign up by before the end of the month, you can start with our January 2016 selections!
Come by the shop to sign up, or give us a call at 803.279.9522

3 months $40/month = $120 and you get a Riedel glass
6 months $36/month = $216 and you get two Riedel glasses
12 months $32/month = $384 and you get four Riedel glasses
(these totals are pre-tax)

Jan_2016_WINECLUB

Our January selections:

Refugio Ranch Petite Sirah 2012 Santa Ynez Valley
When we tasted this big, dark, soulful powerhouse of a wine, Dale and I decided would be a a great value at the $25 price point and bought some for the shop.   It had the fruit, complexity, and balance, to age well, but is drinking very well now, a serious wine!
After doing some research we found that this is a small production wine released at $34, the winery is on to the next vintage, but we still have some.   Here’s what The Wine Enthusiast says:
91 POINTS The nose lures one in with very approachable aromas of black pepper, bacon fat, blackberry, anise and toasted chia seeds. The licorice quality powers the palate as well, further made delicious by black cherries, blueberries and game. The tannic grip is a bit firm right now, so wait until mid-2016.  PRICE $34

Meurgey-Croses Macon Uchizy 2014
This is an Un-Oaked Chardonnay from Burgundy, a great value for the $20 we sell it for in the shop. (as you’ll see in the article below, the release price was $32) We’re big fans of Chardonnay in this style.and loved this wine when we tasted it!   This is a Jean Pierre Chambas selection, imported by our distributor Aleph.  Some of you may know him from the seminars he’s done at Wine World over the years.  I’ve since done a little research and found this article about the wine in Montecristo Magazine:
“Uchizy is a small town in the Mâcon area of Burgundy. Minerality and aromatics are broadly applied characteristics of the chardonnay produced in this region, and the Meurgey-Croses Macon-Uchizy ($32) is a prime example. Pierre Meurgey makes this wine, both fermenting and aging, in stainless steel tanks. He says it emphasizes the natural freshness of the wine, and the appeal of its fruit, mostly pineapple and pear with a hint of lime, really bursts from the glass. Exceptional.
Having said that, the wine is generous, well-structured, almost personifying balance with its fruit and acidity. It is not a shy wine, with a certain viscosity that belies it being chardonnay. Meurgey himself comes from a line of Burgundian estate managers, oenologists, and winemakers, and he has added his mother’s family name, Croses, to his relatively new winemaking venture. At this price, you get real Burgundy character without taking out a loan. You might even want to try a similarly priced chardonnay or two from the Okanagan and Australia, just to see how things can be so different between regions. It’s a great way to learn which way your own palate is leaning, as well.”

Sign up before the end of the month to get the above selections

Steele Wines Seminar with Quincy Steele Fri. Jan 29th 7pm

Quincy Steele began working as winemaker with his father Jed Steele a number of years ago. Based in Lake County, California (north of Sonoma & Napa), Steele produces several tiers of very nice wines: Steele, Shooting Star, Writer’s Block and Stymie. Quincy is also a part of Winemakers Anonymous who produce Calvino Jones wines. Quincy will tell us about this exciting project, and about the history and wine making at Steele Wines. This is a “don’t miss” tasting. Reserve now!
QuincySteele
We’ll have yummy snacks halfway through, and there will be a big discount on the featured wines.

Reserve your place now, only $20
sign up at Wine World, or call us at 803-279-9522

Steele Shooting Star Aligote

Steele Cuvee Chardonnay

Steele Carneros Pinot Noir

Callvino Jones (Winemakers Anonymous) Pinot Noir

Writer’s Block Cabernet Franc

Writer’s Block Malbec

Steele Pacini Zinfandel

Steele Red Hill Cabernet Sauvignon

Calvino Jones (Winemakers Anonymous) Mountain Elaboration

Steele Stymie Merlot

Third Thursday Wine Tasting Jan. 21st 5-8pm

Drop-in anytime between 5 and 8pm this Thursday and Taste Some Wine With Us!
$5 we taste 3 whites and 3 reds
you get a $3 rebate if you buy a bottle of any of the featured wines

Wine World Wines Jan. 21st 2016

Ch Beau Soleil Brut NV $14.99
Graceful with delicate bubbles. A complex, aromatic wine with a clean, dry palate and crisp acidity. Ideal as an aperitif.Great with light hors d’oeuvres and fish entrées or as a complement to pastry.

Kris, Pinot Grigio, Tipica, Italy, 2014 $13.49
Brilliant lemon-green in color, offers enticing aromas of acacia flowers, citrus, tangerine, and hints of almonds. Serve with risotto, salads, homemade pasta, grilled white meats or salmon.

Four Vines, Naked Chardonnay, St Barbara, Calif, 2013 $11.99 $13.99
Pineapple, butterscotch and a touch of honey on the nose; crisp and fruity with lively, clean apple and pear flavor. Pair with grilled shrimp, oysters, roast chicken and drink Naked.

Steele, Writers Block Grenache. Lake County, California, 2010 $14.99
Strawberry and raspberry fruit are predominant with some slight spiciness, tobacco, orange peel and subtle minerality. Grilled pork chop, fresh green salad.

Haraszthy, OV Zinfandel, Lodi, California, 2012 $12.99
Medium bodied, beautifully balanced and displaying noteworthy red and black fruit aromas. Flavors of blackberry, raspberry and cherry. Grilled Beef Ribs,

Gatekeeper, Shiraz, South Australia, 2013 $14.99
Luscious sweet berry fruit, peppery spices, lingering vanilla. Plum & cherry flavours.

Second Friday Wine Tasting Jan. 8th 5-pm

What? SECOND Friday?  As First Friday happened to occur on New Years Day, we’ll be having our January First Friday tasting on the Second Friday, and it will be a good one! (yum)

That said, here’s the list of wines…

Trivento, Amado Sur, Mendoza, Argentina, 2013, $12.99
Torrontés delivers fresh, perfumed wine. Viognier confer citrus notes and sweet finish , a dash of Chardonnay emphasizes its elegance. Asparagus, Spring Rolls, Seafood Salad.

Spellbound, Chardonnay, Napa, California, 2013, $13.99
Bright and lush tropical fruit flavors pineapple, banana, guava, and kiwi, balanced with notes of vanilla and crème brûlée. Enjoy this wine on its own or with a variety of cuisine from the Pacific Rim to the fiery Southwest. Grilled Pork Tenderloin.

Fairview, Goats do Roam Rosé, Western Cape, S. Africa, 2015 $12.49
Bright salmon-pink wine offers fresh strawberry and rose notes. Red berries on the palate lead to an elegant, fresh finish. Pairs with tapenade, grilled chicken, fish or lamb with herbs.

Oakridge, Old Soul Pinot Noir, Lodi, California, 2014, $13.99
Big fruit and ample richness. Floral tones, cherry, raspberry and hints of blackberry. The blackberry notes, from the blended Zinfandel. The palate is soft and round, yet still maintains the gentle acidity. Crispy Pork Belly with Blood Orange, Roasted Duck.

Oakridge, Maggio Petite Sirah, Lodi, California, 2012, $11.99
Hints of fig, fine cocoa, and licorice, this wine has a rich color with dark berry flavors and a lingering finish. Enjoy with Beef Stroganoff, German Spätzle, Beef or Venison Stew.

St Francis, Red Splash, Sonoma, California, $11.99
Blend of Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah, Cab Franc, & Zin. Ripe fruit flavors, spicy aromas on the nose. Pairs well Pizza, grilled red meat and game.