With the holidays behind us and the onslaught of frigid temperatures in front of us, I have picked a couple of reds that are sure to warm your insides and keep Jack Frost in your pocket. The A’pic from Washington State, the “Knotty Vine” Zin and Anthony Bells 06 Cab are sure to do just that. Whether it is cuddling in front of the fire, escaping Old Man Winter’s best or out huddled together for a sled ride down the neighborhood hill. These wines are sure to appeal to the beefiest of the beefy wine lovers.
BUNNELL FAMILY VINEYARDS, 2005 “A’PIC” STONETREE VINEYARD, WAHLUKE SLOPE, WASHINGTON - $28.49 – This amazing Southern Rhone inspired red from Washington is a huge homerun from Ron Bunnell formerly of Chateau Ste. Michelle acclaim. Wine Spectator gave this bad boy Rhone Ranger 91 points. Rich and savory. A mouthful of roasted meat, blackberry, dried blueberry and black pepper flavors, lingering on the spicy, focused finish. Not a big, fat wine, but sharply focused to show off its distinctive flavors. Syrah, Grenache, Mouvedre and Cinsault all come together to rival the best that Chateau Neuf du Pape has to offer.
RODNEY STRONG, 2005 ESTATE “KNOTTY VINES” ZINFANDEL, SONOMA COAST - $19.67 – Another excellent offering from winemaker Rick Sayer. Truly one of the best winemakers Sonoma County has to offer. This wine is bright and ruby in color, with immediate appealing blueberry, raspberry, cherry and red rose. Licorice, boysenberry and cherry fruit linger with the mocha finish with a nice lift of violet and mint. The amazing oak component gives this Zin a vanilla layer that is fine and well integrated into the tannins that linger well after the initial drink.
BELL WINE CELLARS, 2006 NAPA VALLEY, CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $24.28 - Drawing on his experience with Cabernet Sauvignon clones and his intimate knowledge of sub-appellations within the region, Anthony Bell has created a wine that builds upon the unique terroir of Napa Valley. Our 2006 vintage is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (33% Clone 4, 21% Clone 6, and 30% Clone 337). This amazing Cab is a blend of (84%), Petit Verdot (7%), Merlot (5%), Cabernet franc (3%), and Malbec (1%), from vineyards in Carneros, Rutherford, Oakville, and Yountville. An amazing lesson about Napa Cabs straight from the bottle to ones mouth.
STONELEIGH, 2009 SAUVIGNON BLANC, MARLBOROUGH, NEW ZEALAND - $12.99 - Located on the northern side of the Wairau Valley, in close proximity to Marlborough’s main river, the Wairau, the vineyards are on shallow rock and gravel-exposed soils. The wine is light straw in color with green highlights. This wine displays vibrant fruit intensity. Ripe grapefruit, citrus and passion fruit flavors dominate, and to layer over this is an added mineral complexity. The palate shows balance, both ripe flavors and fresh acidity. 90 Points from Wine Spectator.
I can be found at County Line, Tuesday thru Saturday for any of your wine or entertaining questions that you might have during the long nights of winter. All of our Riedel Stemware is on sale for 25% off during the month of January. Come explore our inventory reduction wall of wines. Up to 45% off.
Enjoy!
Mark Hatwig
Friday, January 7, 2011
This month’s wine picks are my favorites from the year in review. The Ladera wines that have so impressed me with their fruit integration and balance of flavors are high atop my list of Christmas wines. The Ridge, Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay for that old school butter and wood that is still lingering on my palate. The Dierberg Pinot is a consistent favorite amongst my customers for that special dinner or romantic evening. The Fench Corbieres that I selected is a monster of a red from Robert Katcher that is perfect for the foodie in all of us.
Ladera, 2006 Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon - $29.99 – What an impressive bottle of wine at such a great price. This Howell Mountain property is at an elevation of 1600 to 1800 feet giving the hillside fruit used in this incredible Cabernet longer sun exposure to intensify flavors. The nose on this wine is floral and smoky with rich blackberry aromas. Elegant and soft, with flavors of dark cherries, blueberry, cocoa, and spiced plum. The palate is layered with well structured tannins which lead to a long and complex finish of dark currant. A perfect wine to impress your friends or family gathered around the dinner table.
Ridge, 2007 Santa Cruz Mtns. Estate Chardonnay $40.49 – Normally known for their Zinfandels and a couple of Cabs, Ridge’s amazing Chardonnay from the Santa Cruz Mountains combines richness with an elegant yet delicate mouth feel, showing deep layers of ripe fig and green pear, honeydew melon and smoky oak. Balanced, focused, pure and lingering are all the attributes any wine needs and this one has it in spades. A little on the high end as far as price but well worth the leap to share with that special someone around the fire waiting for Santa to show.
Dierberg , 2007 Santa Maria Valley, Pinot Noir - $41.46 – Year in and year out Nick de Luca produces one of the finest Pinot Noirs in the Central Valley that is a huge hit with a lot of my customers and restaurants. Intense aromas of blackberry, Herbs de Provence and wet flagstone are in the forefront of thought when describing this wine. Flavors of coffee and pure blackberry are lifted by vibrant acidity and culminate in a firm blanket of tannins.
Domaine Sainte – Eugenie 2007 Recolte La Reserve, Corbieres $16.20 – A great Reserve red from the Languedoc Region of France in the appellation of Corbieres. This wine is a classic Rhone Ranger with Syrah and Carignane blended to perfection. The nose has pronounced dark fruits with hints of cotton candy. Complex and rich texture, this Frenchie bursts from the glass leaving a touch of leather and sweet oak on the finish.
Come see me at County Line, Citiscapes People’s Choice for Best Wine Selection for Northwest Arkansas. You are sure to find that perfect hard to find wine to give to your customers, bosses or associates. I am here Tuesday thru Saturday for any of your wine or entertaining questions.
Enjoy!
Mark Hatwig
mark@slausa.com
479.750.7575
Ladera, 2006 Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon - $29.99 – What an impressive bottle of wine at such a great price. This Howell Mountain property is at an elevation of 1600 to 1800 feet giving the hillside fruit used in this incredible Cabernet longer sun exposure to intensify flavors. The nose on this wine is floral and smoky with rich blackberry aromas. Elegant and soft, with flavors of dark cherries, blueberry, cocoa, and spiced plum. The palate is layered with well structured tannins which lead to a long and complex finish of dark currant. A perfect wine to impress your friends or family gathered around the dinner table.
Ridge, 2007 Santa Cruz Mtns. Estate Chardonnay $40.49 – Normally known for their Zinfandels and a couple of Cabs, Ridge’s amazing Chardonnay from the Santa Cruz Mountains combines richness with an elegant yet delicate mouth feel, showing deep layers of ripe fig and green pear, honeydew melon and smoky oak. Balanced, focused, pure and lingering are all the attributes any wine needs and this one has it in spades. A little on the high end as far as price but well worth the leap to share with that special someone around the fire waiting for Santa to show.
Dierberg , 2007 Santa Maria Valley, Pinot Noir - $41.46 – Year in and year out Nick de Luca produces one of the finest Pinot Noirs in the Central Valley that is a huge hit with a lot of my customers and restaurants. Intense aromas of blackberry, Herbs de Provence and wet flagstone are in the forefront of thought when describing this wine. Flavors of coffee and pure blackberry are lifted by vibrant acidity and culminate in a firm blanket of tannins.
Domaine Sainte – Eugenie 2007 Recolte La Reserve, Corbieres $16.20 – A great Reserve red from the Languedoc Region of France in the appellation of Corbieres. This wine is a classic Rhone Ranger with Syrah and Carignane blended to perfection. The nose has pronounced dark fruits with hints of cotton candy. Complex and rich texture, this Frenchie bursts from the glass leaving a touch of leather and sweet oak on the finish.
Come see me at County Line, Citiscapes People’s Choice for Best Wine Selection for Northwest Arkansas. You are sure to find that perfect hard to find wine to give to your customers, bosses or associates. I am here Tuesday thru Saturday for any of your wine or entertaining questions.
Enjoy!
Mark Hatwig
mark@slausa.com
479.750.7575
NOVEMBER 2010
It’s hard to believe that the holiday’s are on top of us once again. I have put together a group of wines with Thanksgiving in mind, to help you on your way to a successful Thanksgiving dinner, whether it be with friends or with family. I have picked a super Cabernet that is sure to please even the most discerning relative that will grace your table and while not breaking the bank. Also a kicking Pinot Noir that is County Lines Pinot of the month that is simply amazing. I have also chosen a couple of whites that are austere as well as approachable and sure to please a wide range of guests.
THREE SAINTS, 2006 SANTA YNEZ VALLEY, CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $19.76 – This is one of my favorite cab drinkers cab’s at a reasonable price. This big boy Cab was $27.99; but now for the holidays down to under $20. Extraordinary complex aromas of pipe tobacco, sandalwood and wild briar brush are freshened by Santa Cruz blackberry and violet notes. This wine is firm, fresh and striking. Framed by fine grained tannins and a cleansing finish, this Cabernet can be enjoyed with any beef or veggie dish for the holidays.
ARTESA, 2006 CARNEROS, RESERVE PINOT NOIR - $24.99 – Another great holiday bargain from our friends at Artesa. These guys have a long history of making wine going back some 500 years in Spain. The original Cordorniu family has a gem of a winery in Napa that is producing amazingly concentrated and approachable wines. Aromas and flavors of cherry, raspberry and red currant with beautiful subtle notes of nutmeg, cinnamon, leather, cedar chest and smoke makes this a perfect holiday wine. Pair with braised beef, duck, goose, pheasant and lamb. Perfect for any Thanksgiving table.
INACAYAL VINEYARDS, 2009 MENDOZA PINOT GRIGIO - $13.98 – Another great wine brought to us courtesy of Bobby Katcher. Brilliant white color with delicate green undertones. It has a rich, round and delicious mouth feel. Fresh and floral with citrus notes mixed with white fruits and delicate traces of licorice. The apple-pear flavors lead to a semi-fruity long finish. Our number one selling Pinot Grigio. A great arrival wine while waiting for the dinner table.
PIERRE SPARR, 2008 ALSACIAN PINOT GRIS - $15.81 - Pinot Grigio is one of the world's most popular wines. Also known under the French moniker "Pinot Gris. Pinot Grigio is a chameleon of a grape. It is produced in a range of styles, from the light fruity Italian style that has gained popularity, to a more mineral, flinty rich wine favored by Pierre Sparr from Alsace. A perfect match for many side items such as sweet potatoes, scalloped potatoes and cream corn with Poblano peppers.
We at County line would like to thank each and everyone of our customers for their business and loyalty through out the years. Let’s all give thanks for the things we are blessed with and the patience to master the things that challange us on any given day. I can be found at County Line Tuesday thru Saturday to answer any of your wine or entertaining questions. NWA Uncorked’s next event is a Champagne tasting November 00 on the square in Fayetteville coinciding with the lighting of the square. Contact me at nwauncorked@sbcglobal.net or call 479.790.WINE for info.
Enjoy !
Mark Hatwig
mark@slausa.com
479.750.7575
THREE SAINTS, 2006 SANTA YNEZ VALLEY, CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $19.76 – This is one of my favorite cab drinkers cab’s at a reasonable price. This big boy Cab was $27.99; but now for the holidays down to under $20. Extraordinary complex aromas of pipe tobacco, sandalwood and wild briar brush are freshened by Santa Cruz blackberry and violet notes. This wine is firm, fresh and striking. Framed by fine grained tannins and a cleansing finish, this Cabernet can be enjoyed with any beef or veggie dish for the holidays.
ARTESA, 2006 CARNEROS, RESERVE PINOT NOIR - $24.99 – Another great holiday bargain from our friends at Artesa. These guys have a long history of making wine going back some 500 years in Spain. The original Cordorniu family has a gem of a winery in Napa that is producing amazingly concentrated and approachable wines. Aromas and flavors of cherry, raspberry and red currant with beautiful subtle notes of nutmeg, cinnamon, leather, cedar chest and smoke makes this a perfect holiday wine. Pair with braised beef, duck, goose, pheasant and lamb. Perfect for any Thanksgiving table.
INACAYAL VINEYARDS, 2009 MENDOZA PINOT GRIGIO - $13.98 – Another great wine brought to us courtesy of Bobby Katcher. Brilliant white color with delicate green undertones. It has a rich, round and delicious mouth feel. Fresh and floral with citrus notes mixed with white fruits and delicate traces of licorice. The apple-pear flavors lead to a semi-fruity long finish. Our number one selling Pinot Grigio. A great arrival wine while waiting for the dinner table.
PIERRE SPARR, 2008 ALSACIAN PINOT GRIS - $15.81 - Pinot Grigio is one of the world's most popular wines. Also known under the French moniker "Pinot Gris. Pinot Grigio is a chameleon of a grape. It is produced in a range of styles, from the light fruity Italian style that has gained popularity, to a more mineral, flinty rich wine favored by Pierre Sparr from Alsace. A perfect match for many side items such as sweet potatoes, scalloped potatoes and cream corn with Poblano peppers.
We at County line would like to thank each and everyone of our customers for their business and loyalty through out the years. Let’s all give thanks for the things we are blessed with and the patience to master the things that challange us on any given day. I can be found at County Line Tuesday thru Saturday to answer any of your wine or entertaining questions. NWA Uncorked’s next event is a Champagne tasting November 00 on the square in Fayetteville coinciding with the lighting of the square. Contact me at nwauncorked@sbcglobal.net or call 479.790.WINE for info.
Enjoy !
Mark Hatwig
mark@slausa.com
479.750.7575
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