Robertson
Chenin Blanc 2020
Reg. Price $13.99
Sale Price: $10.99
White Wine of the Month
Chenin Blanc and Chenin Blanc style wines have been dominating the White Wine of the Month slot for a while so I just have one more before I shake things up! While Chenin Blanc is grown all over the world South Africa has staked their claim on Chenin Blanc and are making a richer, more textural, ripe style than their Loire Valley counterparts. Robertson Winery is located in the Western Cape of South Africa which covers most of the wine regions. The town of Robertson was founded in 1852 and was named after Dr. William Robertson, a Scottish minister. As the town grew the small stone church was no longer used for services but it made the perfect place to start a winery. The staff at Robertson oversee vines spread out over 40 farms in the area and believe in minimal intervention in winemaking. The Chenin Blanc is lightly pressed but gains incredible texture and depth. Apple, pear, beeswax, under ripe stone fruit and balanced minerality make up the palate on this medium bodied, refreshing wine.
Honoro Vera
Organic Monastrell 2020
Reg. Price $13.99
Sale Price: $8.99
Red Wine of the Month
I am keeping the Spanish reds going this month with this killer Monastrell that is perfect for these cold nights and comfort food dinners. I have said it once and I will say it again, Spanish wines are the perfect gateway European wine for California drinkers. Spanish wines have that riper, richer style but more terroir and earthiness than a lot of California wine at similar price points. I enjoyed a glass of this recently and when I gave it to Chris to try he guessed it was Cab and he isn’t far off! Monastrell from Spain has notes of dark plum, black and blueberries and spice notes just like Cali cabs. Honoro Vera is made by Gil Family Estates, a large group that has properties and makes wine all across Spain. The grapes for this Monastrell are all organic and come from Jumilla, a hot region on the coast of Spain known for these dense wines! The finished wine is bursting with notes of dark cherry, plum, blackberry and balanced spice notes. At a mere $8.99 this is probably the best red wine value in the store.
Hess Select
Chardonnay 2019
Reg. Price $18.99
Sale Price: $12.99
When the weather is colder and I still want to drink white wine I gravitate towards wines with a lot of texture or oak or both! I absolutely love Chardonnay in any style as long as it’s well done and Hess has been one of my go to’s for years. In 1978 Donald Hess decided to establish Hess Collection Winery at the site of one of the region’s oldest wineries on top of Mount Veeder. Few wineries at the time were growing vines at higher elevation and most instead opted to stay on the valley floor but Donald Hess was a pioneer. He was convinced that the combination of soil types and micro climates in the mountains would make elegant and complex wines. His bet paid off and today his family continues to make wine from the original winery on Mount Veeder. While the Hess Select line of wines doesn’t use Mount Veeder fruit the dedication to quality and terroir shows in all of the Hess wines. The fruit for the Hess Select Chard comes from Monterey where it enjoys cool, coastal breezes and fog which gives the fruit tropical notes and good acidity. Only 25% of the wine is aged in new French oak which gives the wine a kiss of oakiness. This wine does have oaky, buttery characteristics but it is done in such a beautiful, restrained way. Grilled pineapple, peaches and lemon zest round out this crowd friendly Chardonnay.
Amalaya
Malbec 2019
Reg. Price $21.99
Sale Price: $12.99
I have worked with the Amalaya Malbec practically the entire time I have been in the industry and I brought it into the store pretty quickly after I started. It has consistently been one of my best selling Malbecs and I think it is about time that I properly put a spotlight on it! Amalaya was started in 2010 in the high altitude plains of the Calchaqui Valley in Salta, Argentina by Larissa and Christoph Ehrbar who are successors to the Hess Family Winery. Like I talked about in my write up of Crios Malbec several months ago, more and more wineries are seeking out higher elevations for Malbec in particular to balance out the bold, jammy flavors it can develop. The vineyards for Amalaya have been farmed sustainable since day one and they are on the way to organic certification. The vineyards are located at 5,900 feet elevation, making it one of the highest vineyards in the world! That elevation keeps the grapes cooler especially at night so they retain more of their acidity and don’t get over ripe. 25% of the wine is aged in French oak for 8 months and the finished wine falls somewhere between a Pinot Noir and a Malbec stylistically. Notes of strawberries and raspberries collide with subtle baking spice notes, cracked pepper and dried flowers. Enjoy this with roasted vegetables, pastas and even grilled pork.
Non Alcoholic Beer
Castle Rock
Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2018
Reg. Price $26.99
Sale Price: $19.99
I have been featuring Castle Rock wines a lot lately in newsletters and tastings and I continue to find new wines of theirs to bring in. This Russian River Valley Pinot Noir was on a closeout list and I had to have it! Castle Rock already represents such a crazy value and with an ever deeper closeout price this is a must have! Castle Rock was founded in 1994 and instead of owning their own land they work with growers in the area to get their fruit. They have long standing contracts with about 40 different growers who are “all renowned for their expertise and consistency” which means well known growers who just have extra fruit. Since they don’t tell you who they are they can still charge $40 or whatever for their winery’s bottles and Castle Rock gets cheap fruit. It’s a win win kind of, other than for the people spending $60 for the same stuff that’s in this bottle. But that’s why you have me and I won’t let you do that! Castle Rock oversees all the farming for their fruit but doesn’t have to worry about the cost of land and overhead! Brilliant really. The Russian River Pinot is a bigger style of Pinot Noir with the classic notes of dark cherry, clove and baking spice notes and well integrated oak.
I can’t wait to explore these wines and more with you!
Pop into the store for all of your beverage needs and don’t forget about our in store tastings!
Beer Tasting Thursday 5 pm to 7 pm
Wine Tasting Friday 4 pm to 7 pm
