Table Club Selections

December 2013

Monteagrelo Syrah

Intense red color. Spicy aromas, coffee and cinnamon notes. Delicate and well balanced. Good concentration, ample in the mouth, elegant flavors, harmonious and a long finish.

Caldora Montepulciano

Ruby red with garnet reflections, intense and persistent fragrance, fruity with vanilla essence. Well-bodied, tannic and well-balanced, ready to drink.

The Curator

Shows range, with juicy Jonagold apple, white ginger, heather, honeysuckle and green almond notes, backed by an unadorned, juicy finish. Solid. Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Sémillon blend.

DMZ Rose

This crowdpleasing rosé displays alluring aromas and juicy flavors of pomegranate, watermelon and strawberries, accented with delicate floral and spice hints.

November 2013 Wine Club Features

Ara Single Estate Pinot Gris 2011

Ara’s first release of Single Estate Pinot Gris 2011 won Champion Pinot Gris at the inaugural Marlborough Wine Show. Small parcels of fruit were selected for their structure and weight as well as their aromatics then hand harvested and gently whole bunch pressed. The result is a highly aromatic wine with a concentration of flavors distinctive of Ara’s Single Estate Wines, balanced with a wonderful minerality and crisp citrus acidity.

Cameron Hughes Lot 324 Chardonnay 2010

Orange blossom, lemon curd, and toasted almond aromatics underpinned with spicy pear and apple aromas. Sourced from the Atlas Peak AVA in California.

Cameron Hughes Lot 254 Meritage 2008

This Bordeaux blend is 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, 12% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 4% Malbec that are sourced from vineyards and a winery in the Happy Canyon AVA which is located inside the Santa Ynez Valley AVA.  The color is ruby red with black highlights. The nose is strawberry and raspberry, cinnamon spice drops, a little cedar plank, some soft vanilla and a faint whiff of brewing coffee. There is a silky mouthfeel that contrasts nicely with a spicy mid palate. It starts with blueberries, cassis, French vanilla, cola, and curry spice. The mid palate adds Christmas spice, fresh juicy plum, orange zest and custard. The tannins are silky, the structure holds the flavors and textures together. The finish is complex and lengthy, it fades quickly, but never really goes away.

El Pajaro Rojo Mencia 2011

A rich and unctuous Mencía, this has a fluency in the mouth, deploying its ripeness, completely covering the palate with caramelized and voluptuous flavors. Great with grilled meats.  90 Points, Year's Best, Best Buy, 100 Best Values of the Year Wine & Spirits, Oct 1, 2012

Barone Fini Wine Dinner October 23

Barone Fini Wine Dinner

Menu

October 23, 7pm

$75pp plus tax & gratuity

Passed Hors D'Oeuvres

Fresh popped popcorn, drizzled with a white truffle butter & fleur de sel

Fresh baked flatbread topped with ricotta, peaches, & sweet basil drizzled with a balsamic reduction

Goat cheese thumbprints with a cherry puree

Paired with Enza Prosecco

Course 1

Mesclun salad tossed in a citrus vinaigrette with de-hydrated cranberries, julienned granny smith apples, walnuts, & crumbled goat cheese

Paired with Barone Fini Pinot Grigio

Course 2

Roasted crab stuffed mushrooms in a pinot grigio fumet over allumette vegetables

Paired with Barone Fini Alto Adige Pinot Grigio

Course 3

Linguine tossed with crispy pancetta & wilted arugula served with grated parmigiano reggiano

Paired with Barone Fini Merlot

Course 4

Grilled tenderloin drizzled with marchand de vin on a celeriac turnip puree with roasted brussel sprouts

Paired with Girard Artistry

Dessert

Creme brulee with a berry puree

Paired with Villa Pozzi Moscato

All wines served at the dinner will be available for purchase

October Wine Club

It's an all Sean Minor month!

October Wine Club features all come from the 4 Bears lineup from Sean Minor.  We are featuring the Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Charadonnay, and Sauvignaon Blanc.

Details can be found here.

http://www.seanminorwines.com/four-bears-brand-wines.html

After spending October with the 4 Bears line, a representative from Sean Minor will be here in November to showcase some of their higher end wines!

September 2013 Wine Club

Las Perdices Torrontes 2011

Mendoza, Argentina

This wine, which is a light gold color, has a bouquet of flowers on the nose including jasmine, white roses and orange blossom, as well as notes of lychee and white peach. On the palate can be found flavors of white peach, with a dry minerality at the end.  This is a good wine to pair with various Asian dishes.

Hidden Crush Chardonnay 2012

Central Coast, California

The nose of this wine contains notes of lime, lemon blossom, green apple, pineapple, and white peach. The palate contains some of the same bright tropical fruit flavors, but includes mango, with a light touch of oak. This wine pairs well with Fettuccini Alfredo, three-cheese pizza, or a Cuban sandwich.

Split Creek Farms Merlot 2010

Monterey, California

This merlot’s aroma is dominated by notes of wild blueberry and blackberry, but hints of violet, truffle, earth and coffee can also be found on the nose. The wine is smooth with broad fruit flavors, including currant, plum and black cherry. Also includes notes of smoke, olive and bell pepper.

Barnard Griffin Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Columbia Valley, Washington

This wine displays a deep dark cherry fruit, with subtle blueberry and bittersweet chocolate emerging at the finish. This could be paired with lamb chops with a black cherry relish, or a grilled porterhouse steak with mashed potatoes and balsamic vinegar reduction.

August Wine Club Features

Pacific Rim White Flowers

A sparkling riesling that presents beautiful floral aromatics and a clean finish, this dry sparkling wine is aged sur lie for a balanced and textured profile. White Flowers is a refreshing change from other sparkling wines.

Araldica Gavi

This white wine is pale straw in color with scents of citrus fruits (think lemons & limes). It isn’t an overly fruity wine, but has a hint of minerality and mild acidic tartness. If you are a Pinot Grigio fan, give this a try and you may have a new favorite. It’s aged in stainless steel tanks which lends itself to a refreshingly smooth lemony taste.

Tarima Monastrell

The wine begins with nice fragrant aromas of dark fruit (blackberry and blueberry) along with some excellent floral notes. It smells delicious. The wine tastes smooth with a silky texture, juicy fruit, bright acidity and lots of mineral notes including some lightly chalky tannins. It ends dry with good length and more dark fruit and minerality.

Finca La Higuera Red Blend

A big, meaty cab blend from the Maule Valley in Chile.  This wine begs to be accompanied by a steak!

July 2013 Wine Club Features

Corazon Verde Albarino ~ Rias Biaxas, Spain

An intense nose displays hints of rich citrus fruits and pear, somewhat full-bodied mouth feel, and a long citrusy finish.  Pairs perfectly with poultry, mild cheeses and seafood.

Bressia Monteagrelo Chardonnay ~ Mendoza, Argentina

A greenish-yellow color with good intensity.  Aromas typical of chardonnay, with a touch of oak.  Fresh and floral on the palate.

Red X Winemaker's Blend ~ California

Dark ruby color with a nose full of wild cherry, cinnamon toast, cashew, cranberry, and a hint of blueberry.  Notes of coconut come out in the finish which has the perfect length.

Matiz Roble ~ Ribera del Duero, Spain

Deep, black raspberry and cassis aromas.  Sappy, sweet, dark fruit flavors.  Finishes with a note of white pepper.

New Store Hours and Other Announcements

New Store Hours
Tuesday-Saturday
11am-7pm (ish)We will stay open later if we have a crowd!

No corkage fee for the month of July!
Come in and buy a bottle to enjoy in the store for regular retail price.  Plenty of chilled wines are available to beat the summer heat.

New munchies are on the way!We've ordered cheese, sausage, and as always, great treats from Simply Decadent Bakery.

Feedback needed

We tried something new this month.  The wine club wines were available to taste for a week rather than only one night.  Did you like having more tasting days? Please leave feedback below.

June 2013 Wine Club Features

It's going to be another difficult choice this month.  We have 4 wines that are sure to please.

Quinta do Correio White, Portugal

Named after the old postal station in the foothill vineyards of the Serra da Estrella mountains, at the heart of the melon and citrus flavors is captivating aroma, soft fruit and crisp acidity.

Blend: Encruzado, Malvasia Fina, Bical and Cerceal

Stolpman Sauvignon Blanc

The lowest yielding Sauvignon Blanc to date after frost damage in April of 2011.  The wine exudes citrus intensity and richness with a beautiful chalky texture.  100% stainless steel, sur lie, no secondary fermentation.

Mount Langi Billi Billi Shiraz 

A rich and exciting Shiraz from one of Victoria's most respected Shiraz makers. Deep, dense purple Boysenberry and blackberry fruits, layered with spice and liquorice cool climate characters.  Fine tannins are supported by bright berry fruit and delicate spice characters, medium bodied with a good length of palate.

Beyond Cabernet Sauvignon

Peppery redcurrant and menthol on the slightly reduced nose. This juicy, medium-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon offers bright flavors of black currant and plum, with gentle licorice and herbal notes.

Blend: 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Pinotage, 1% Petit Verdot

May Wine Club Features

May Wine Club Tasting,  Thursday, May 2, 5pm-7pm

NOTE:  I'm so sorry for the short notice.  I try really hard to accomplish everything I need to accomplish as a mom, wife, and business owner.  Sometimes it works.  Sometimes it doesn't.  I know most of you really like coming in for the tastings.  I hope you can make it tomorrow, and again, I'm really sorry this is such short notice.

Cusumano's Insolia, Sicily

Pale straw color, and pineapple and citrus fruit on the nose. Somewhat acidic, slightly tart, and a nice finish.

Mas Amor Rosado, Spain

Light, elegant complex and dry with vibrant freshness in the glass and a powerful fruity, herby nose. In the mouth there is subtle minerality with a refreshing finish.

Independent Producers Merlot, Washington

Sourced from sustainably farmed Bacchus Vineyard, in Columbia Valley, this 100% Merlot exhibits red and bramble fruit aromas and flavors, with accents of warm earth, spicy licorice, and espresso.

 Urban Maule Red Blend, Chile

Bordeaux-style blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot and 5% Carignan. Sweet spice notes in a ripe and fruity body, flavors of plum, black raspberry, red licorice and toasty oak.

A New Philanthropic Endeavor

I am honored to have joined a group of community minded wine and food enthusiasts to establish the High Plains Chapter of The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas.


The Foundation has been in existence for almost 30 years, providing numerous scholarships for culinary arts, wine education, and community programs.  With this new chapter, a great majority of the money we raise will stay in our community, first providing funding for South Plains Food Bank.  As the chapter grows, we hope to also fund research and student scholarships in the viticulture, enology, and wine research programs at Texas Tech.

Please consider looking at the link below and joining the organization.  It will be a fun group of people who will gather regularly to enjoy wine and food and raise money for great causes.


https://www.winefoodfoundation.org/highplains/