If I do nothing else in this lifetime, it will be convincing people that Rose’ is not White Zinfandel. So go turn your nose back down to where it belongs and take a deep, healthy sniff of Rose’ and prepare to be amazed. Some of the most amazing food matches and times with friends have had a Rose’ attached to it whether it was in the Willamette Valley or right here at home on the front porch. This month’s discussion will include Pouilly-Fume and Pinot Blanc for these hot, hot, hot days of summer. Oh, I can’t forget the newest addition to Arkansas’ Cabernet portfolio, Burly Cab from Simpskins Vineyard in Coomsville (soon to be the next California AVA for great Cabs). We welcome Hank and Bernice to this quirky but loving market.
CHARLES AND CHARLES, 2010 ROSE’ OF SYRAH, COLUMBIA VALLEY, WASHINGTON -$10.78 – Yes you can drink Rose’ and still be a bad A##! This is not a White Zin. I repeat this is not a Blush or a White Zinfandel. Wild strawberries and raspberries with some sage, rose petals and a bucket full of watermelon Jolly Ranchers thrown in. Young, lively and spry. A super summer refresher that is going to please everyone involved. Perfect for these sultry, unbelievably warm days with an assortment of fine cheeses and fresh seafood that match perfectly with this Rose’.
PASCAL JOLIVET, 2009 POUILLY FUME, POUILLY FUME, FRANCE - $25.19 – With the heat being what it is I will always splurge a little for a great Loire Valley white to take the edge off. In this case the wine comes from across the river (east bank) in Pouilly Fume’. The house of Jolivet is the youngest winery in the Loire and Pouilly Fume. Their ability to get the most amazing expression from the fruit is their claim to fame for me. Explosive minerality balanced with perfect acidity gives this bottle top marks in my cellar.
BURLY 2007 CABERNET SAUVIGNON, NAPA VALLEY, CA - $58.48 – For us die hard Cabernet fans I have to mention the newest Napa Cab to the Arkansas market despite the heat. A striking balance of fruit purity, layered flavors and a thick viscous mouth fell, this Napa Cab will provide years of enjoyment. Complex aromas of currants, blackberries and cassis arrive on the nose, accompanied by a silky palate that delivers dense blackberry concentration balanced by well-rounded and sweet oak tannins. Layered, complex and lingering, it is truly a wine drinking experience!
TRIMBACH, 2004 PINOT BLANC, ALSACE, FRANCE - $15.43 -The Trimbach’s settled in Alsace and founded the family wine business in 1626. Today, they continue the centuries-old dedication to wine with beautiful pure fruit, precise, fine flavors and astonishing longevity. Their Pinot Blanc is fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks, and has a beautiful fruitiness. It is elegant and easy to understand. This beautiful white is fresh and clean, medium-bodied with good fruit acidity, with a smooth finish. Seafood weeps for this beautiful white as well as most shell fish.
We can only pray for these blistering days of summer to come to an end soon. Everyone have a happy and safe Fourth of July. I can be found at County Line, Tuesday through Saturday for any of your wine or entertaining questions. Remember friends don’t let friend’s drink White Zinfandel!
Enjoy!
Mark Hatwig
mark@slausa.com
Friday, October 28, 2011
NOVEMBER WINES
Gobble! Gobble! Gobble! Ready or not, the holidays are quickly approaching with thoughts of holiday dinners with family and friends. I have made four selections that will match perfectly with just about any holiday fare you can imagine for your Thanksgiving table. A big red from Howell Mountain right in the heart of Napa and a Russian River Pinot Noir from a well know producer. Willamette Valley and Mclaren Vale hold our two whites that are great crowd pleasers. If these are not to your taste, we have 3000 others to choose from in our inventory awaiting your approval.
BRAVANTE VINEYARDS, 2005 “TRIO” RED WINE, HOWELL MOUNTAIN, NAPA, CA - $39.99 – The Howell Mountain appellation is one of California’s most sought after ultra premium wine growing regions. This ruby red wine opens with a mild black cherry bouquet, a subtle hint of currant and vanilla. A medium bodied wine that is round and juicy with dried berry and a slight tart black cherry flavor. A modern day Bordeaux blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc with an explosive yet elegant flavor profile. Wine and Spirits 90 pts.
LEFT COAST CELLARS, 2008 “THE ORCHARDS” PINOT GRIS, WILLAMETTE VALLEY, OR - $14.99 – Left Coast Cellars is situated directly on the 45th parallel. Their sustainably farmed 100 acres of Estate vineyards are planted on fractured stone soils with varying slopes, orientations and elevations. These variations of microclimates bring subtleties and complexities to all the wines that they produce. This Pinot Gris is bursting with full, robust flavors with an explosion of apple and pear fruit with a light yeastiness. WE90.
SONOMA CUTRER, 2007 PINOT NOIR, RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY, CA -$33.75-This wine is not shy. Aromas of black cherry and currants leap from the glass, quickly followed by notes of cedar and allspice. A strong floral component marries the fruit bouquet while leaving room for the subtle influence of the new French oak. In the mouth the first impression is berries, berries, berries, with raspberry, blueberry and blackberry all enjoying a turn. Perfect for any holiday fare that one might throw its way.
d’ARENBERG, 2008 “THE MONEY SPIDER” ROUSSANNE, MCLAREN VALE, AUS-$21.77 – The first crop of Roussanne from their 2000 vintage was found to be covered in a sea of tiny “Money Spiders”. Popular belief is that kindness to these active little creatures will bring good luck. The nose is floral and expressive with orange blossoms and honeysuckle alongside exotic tropical flavors of fig with a hint of gingerbread in the background. Fresh and tight with lemon and lime that opens up into ripe apple and white nectarine. WS 90.
My mouth is already watering trying to decide which of these wines to match with oyster dressing, pumpkin tiramisu and chocolate pecan pie. The Bravante Wine dinner is on November 4th at Ruth’s Chris in Rogers. George Bravante will be at the helm to help guide us through his portfolio of wines from prestigious Howell Mountain.
Set the perfect table this Holiday season with crystal from Riedel. We have 23 selections of glassware to go with all varietals or blends. I can be found at County Line Tuesday through Saturday for any of your wine needs or questions.
Mark Hatwig
mark@slausa.com
479.750.7575
BRAVANTE VINEYARDS, 2005 “TRIO” RED WINE, HOWELL MOUNTAIN, NAPA, CA - $39.99 – The Howell Mountain appellation is one of California’s most sought after ultra premium wine growing regions. This ruby red wine opens with a mild black cherry bouquet, a subtle hint of currant and vanilla. A medium bodied wine that is round and juicy with dried berry and a slight tart black cherry flavor. A modern day Bordeaux blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc with an explosive yet elegant flavor profile. Wine and Spirits 90 pts.
LEFT COAST CELLARS, 2008 “THE ORCHARDS” PINOT GRIS, WILLAMETTE VALLEY, OR - $14.99 – Left Coast Cellars is situated directly on the 45th parallel. Their sustainably farmed 100 acres of Estate vineyards are planted on fractured stone soils with varying slopes, orientations and elevations. These variations of microclimates bring subtleties and complexities to all the wines that they produce. This Pinot Gris is bursting with full, robust flavors with an explosion of apple and pear fruit with a light yeastiness. WE90.
SONOMA CUTRER, 2007 PINOT NOIR, RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY, CA -$33.75-This wine is not shy. Aromas of black cherry and currants leap from the glass, quickly followed by notes of cedar and allspice. A strong floral component marries the fruit bouquet while leaving room for the subtle influence of the new French oak. In the mouth the first impression is berries, berries, berries, with raspberry, blueberry and blackberry all enjoying a turn. Perfect for any holiday fare that one might throw its way.
d’ARENBERG, 2008 “THE MONEY SPIDER” ROUSSANNE, MCLAREN VALE, AUS-$21.77 – The first crop of Roussanne from their 2000 vintage was found to be covered in a sea of tiny “Money Spiders”. Popular belief is that kindness to these active little creatures will bring good luck. The nose is floral and expressive with orange blossoms and honeysuckle alongside exotic tropical flavors of fig with a hint of gingerbread in the background. Fresh and tight with lemon and lime that opens up into ripe apple and white nectarine. WS 90.
My mouth is already watering trying to decide which of these wines to match with oyster dressing, pumpkin tiramisu and chocolate pecan pie. The Bravante Wine dinner is on November 4th at Ruth’s Chris in Rogers. George Bravante will be at the helm to help guide us through his portfolio of wines from prestigious Howell Mountain.
Set the perfect table this Holiday season with crystal from Riedel. We have 23 selections of glassware to go with all varietals or blends. I can be found at County Line Tuesday through Saturday for any of your wine needs or questions.
Mark Hatwig
mark@slausa.com
479.750.7575
OCTOBER WINES
There are a plethora of reasons for drinking red wine this month with Breast Cancer Awareness and Cline’s Cashmere red blend, Hog Football rooted on with Rodney Strong’s Reserve Cabernet, fall colors enjoyed with Keenan Cab Franc and of course Halloween and an amazing 2004 Elevage’ from Chimney Rock. We can always find a reason to crack open a great red. Another way to enhance the enjoyment of these wonderful reds is in a specialty Riedel Crystal wine glass. We have the largest selection of Riedel stemware and “O” series in the state with some 36 different glasses for each varietal and blend. What better way to make a perfect wine even more of an adventure than with the proper crystal vessel to enhance each and every nuance of these crafted wines.
CLINE CELLARS, 2010 GSM “CASHMERE” RED BLEND, CONTRA COSTA, CA- $12.99 - GSM – (Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre) An all time favorite blend of varietals first originating in the Rhone Valley and duplicated in the Contra Costa County of California. Cashmere injects huge bing cherries, raspberry and chocolate notes with hints of cracked black pepper and plum. One of the most versatile red blends on the market today matching well with salmon, pork roast or glazed duckling. Cline Cellars proudly supports “Living Beyond Breast Cancer”.
RODNEY STRONG 2007 RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON, ALEXANDER VALLEY - $54.21 - Direct from the “Winery within a Winery” at the RS facility in the Alexander Valley. This “micro-winery” designates small blocks of fruit within the existing blocks of grapes or as Rick Sayer refers to it as the “sweet spot” within the blocks. This amazing 100% Cab is full bodied and richly textured with intense aromas and flavors of black currant, sandalwood, and cocoa with a smooth, lingering finish. Absolutely amazing pairing with an espresso coffee ground encrusted filet.
KEENAN, 2007 CABERNET FRANC, SPRING MOUNTAIN DISTRICT, CA - $56.99 - 94 Points – Robert Parker. A wine that admirably demonstrates the heights to which Cabernet Franc can climb and this one will jump straight out of your glass for you to take notice. A brilliant effort, it boasts elegant blue, red and black fruit notes intermixed with abundant spring flower and forest floor aromas. Intense, yet light on its feet. This beautiful red is carefully cultivated high above the fog line atop Spring Mountain. Freakishly good.
CHIMNEY ROCK, 2004 ELEVAGE, RED WINE BLEND, STAGS LEAP DISTRICT NAPA VALLEY - $69.99 – A Red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot from the Stag’s Leap District of Napa Valley. This 04 is showing so incredibly well right now it excites me to sell it to anyone out of the honey hole. Spice, black currant, fresh earth, herb and cedar aromas are elegant and refined on the palate, ending with ripe, integrated tannins and nice lingering finish. Perfect accompaniment to a bone-in Cowboy ribeye.
With all these incredible reds to choose from one can’t go wrong with any of these selections. The heat being a thing of the past, more Hog football games in our future and the opening of Crystal Bridges American Art Museum, we have many reasons to celebrate with a Riedel glass full of red wine. We will host a winemaker’s dinner with George Bravante owner of Howell Mountain’s Bravante Vineyards at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse on November 4th. I can be found at County Line for any of your wine, entertaining or tailgating needs.
Enjoy!
Mark Hatwig
mark@slausa.com
CLINE CELLARS, 2010 GSM “CASHMERE” RED BLEND, CONTRA COSTA, CA- $12.99 - GSM – (Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre) An all time favorite blend of varietals first originating in the Rhone Valley and duplicated in the Contra Costa County of California. Cashmere injects huge bing cherries, raspberry and chocolate notes with hints of cracked black pepper and plum. One of the most versatile red blends on the market today matching well with salmon, pork roast or glazed duckling. Cline Cellars proudly supports “Living Beyond Breast Cancer”.
RODNEY STRONG 2007 RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON, ALEXANDER VALLEY - $54.21 - Direct from the “Winery within a Winery” at the RS facility in the Alexander Valley. This “micro-winery” designates small blocks of fruit within the existing blocks of grapes or as Rick Sayer refers to it as the “sweet spot” within the blocks. This amazing 100% Cab is full bodied and richly textured with intense aromas and flavors of black currant, sandalwood, and cocoa with a smooth, lingering finish. Absolutely amazing pairing with an espresso coffee ground encrusted filet.
KEENAN, 2007 CABERNET FRANC, SPRING MOUNTAIN DISTRICT, CA - $56.99 - 94 Points – Robert Parker. A wine that admirably demonstrates the heights to which Cabernet Franc can climb and this one will jump straight out of your glass for you to take notice. A brilliant effort, it boasts elegant blue, red and black fruit notes intermixed with abundant spring flower and forest floor aromas. Intense, yet light on its feet. This beautiful red is carefully cultivated high above the fog line atop Spring Mountain. Freakishly good.
CHIMNEY ROCK, 2004 ELEVAGE, RED WINE BLEND, STAGS LEAP DISTRICT NAPA VALLEY - $69.99 – A Red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot from the Stag’s Leap District of Napa Valley. This 04 is showing so incredibly well right now it excites me to sell it to anyone out of the honey hole. Spice, black currant, fresh earth, herb and cedar aromas are elegant and refined on the palate, ending with ripe, integrated tannins and nice lingering finish. Perfect accompaniment to a bone-in Cowboy ribeye.
With all these incredible reds to choose from one can’t go wrong with any of these selections. The heat being a thing of the past, more Hog football games in our future and the opening of Crystal Bridges American Art Museum, we have many reasons to celebrate with a Riedel glass full of red wine. We will host a winemaker’s dinner with George Bravante owner of Howell Mountain’s Bravante Vineyards at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse on November 4th. I can be found at County Line for any of your wine, entertaining or tailgating needs.
Enjoy!
Mark Hatwig
mark@slausa.com
SEPTEMBER WINES
With the focus around here on keeping cool and refreshed, it’s no surprise that I am on an Australian Dry Riesling and Alsatian Pinot Gris kick. Both of these guys can be wonderfully brisk and clean, the perfect wines for summer scorchers, but they are also superbly food-friendly with the fare you might turn to during these summer days, namely take-out. I’m thinking spicy Thai, Chinese or sushi to avoid heating up the kitchen. Of course, you can also opt to ‘cook’ as well, say a nice chicken salad, or some shellfish with a kicking Dijonaise dressing over greens or even with a colorful, juicy heirloom tomato salad. Now that sounds both cooling and freaking delicious.
PIERRE SPARR, 2006 PINOT GRIS, ALSACE, FRANCE - $13.99 – Alsatian Pinot Gris are medium to full bodied wines with a rich, somewhat floral bouquet. They tend to be spicy in comparisons with Pinot Gris from Oregon and have a great aging ability. The nose on this beautiful white is clean with good intensity followed by tropical fruits and floral notes ending with flavors of peach, lychee and rose water. Crack me open a Dungeness crab or a Rock Lobster and I am ready for a fulfilling lighter dinner. I’m not talking the B-52’s either.
JACOB’S CREEK RESERVE, 2007 SHIRAZ and 2007 RIESLING, BAROSSA, AUS - $10.99 – These are two stellar wines from the Barossa Valley of Australia, both landing ratings of 89 and 90 from Wine Spectator and Enthusiast. The Dry Riesling is a perfect selection with its zesty natural acidity, floral fruit and rich citrus flavors to accompany the lighter style foods we tend to lean towards this time of year. But in contrast the big beefy Shiraz shows dark berries and plums and velvety tannins with a lingering spice finish for those beefy steaks that we large Americans can’t do without.
DRYLANDS, 2009 SAUVIGNON BLANC, MARLBOROUGH, NZ - $14.99 – Rich, ripe tropical fruit and citrus flavors accompanied by an aromatic bouquet of gooseberry, balanced by ripe aromas of pineapple and passion fruit exemplify this tasty wine. Small batches of juice were fermented and inoculated by native yeasts to enhance aromas and flavors of certain vineyard blocks giving this wine an exquisite velvety mouth feel. These small lots were later blended ensuring a wine best representing the flavors of New Zealand and Marlborough.
BODEGA SEPTIMA, 2006 GRAN RESERVA MALBEC RED BLEND, MENDOZA, ARGENTINA - $19.99 - Septima was founded by the Codorníu Family in 1999 with the purchase of 470 acres in the Luján de Cuyo area of Mendoza at a stunning altitude of 3400 feet. The “high and dry” climate is the key to the success of this winery. Big swings in day and night temperatures make for excellent color and flavor development. A blend of 58% Malbec, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Tannat makes this wine simply amazing.
Light and refreshing wines are the order of the day but for all of you die hard red fans, these two reds should be able to satisfy any red wine craving that might incur during these few days before our season opener against Missouri State. Go Hogs GO! I can be found at County Line Tuesday through Saturday for all of your tailgating or wine needs.
Enjoy!
Mark Hatwig
mark@slausa.com
479.750.7575
PIERRE SPARR, 2006 PINOT GRIS, ALSACE, FRANCE - $13.99 – Alsatian Pinot Gris are medium to full bodied wines with a rich, somewhat floral bouquet. They tend to be spicy in comparisons with Pinot Gris from Oregon and have a great aging ability. The nose on this beautiful white is clean with good intensity followed by tropical fruits and floral notes ending with flavors of peach, lychee and rose water. Crack me open a Dungeness crab or a Rock Lobster and I am ready for a fulfilling lighter dinner. I’m not talking the B-52’s either.
JACOB’S CREEK RESERVE, 2007 SHIRAZ and 2007 RIESLING, BAROSSA, AUS - $10.99 – These are two stellar wines from the Barossa Valley of Australia, both landing ratings of 89 and 90 from Wine Spectator and Enthusiast. The Dry Riesling is a perfect selection with its zesty natural acidity, floral fruit and rich citrus flavors to accompany the lighter style foods we tend to lean towards this time of year. But in contrast the big beefy Shiraz shows dark berries and plums and velvety tannins with a lingering spice finish for those beefy steaks that we large Americans can’t do without.
DRYLANDS, 2009 SAUVIGNON BLANC, MARLBOROUGH, NZ - $14.99 – Rich, ripe tropical fruit and citrus flavors accompanied by an aromatic bouquet of gooseberry, balanced by ripe aromas of pineapple and passion fruit exemplify this tasty wine. Small batches of juice were fermented and inoculated by native yeasts to enhance aromas and flavors of certain vineyard blocks giving this wine an exquisite velvety mouth feel. These small lots were later blended ensuring a wine best representing the flavors of New Zealand and Marlborough.
BODEGA SEPTIMA, 2006 GRAN RESERVA MALBEC RED BLEND, MENDOZA, ARGENTINA - $19.99 - Septima was founded by the Codorníu Family in 1999 with the purchase of 470 acres in the Luján de Cuyo area of Mendoza at a stunning altitude of 3400 feet. The “high and dry” climate is the key to the success of this winery. Big swings in day and night temperatures make for excellent color and flavor development. A blend of 58% Malbec, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Tannat makes this wine simply amazing.
Light and refreshing wines are the order of the day but for all of you die hard red fans, these two reds should be able to satisfy any red wine craving that might incur during these few days before our season opener against Missouri State. Go Hogs GO! I can be found at County Line Tuesday through Saturday for all of your tailgating or wine needs.
Enjoy!
Mark Hatwig
mark@slausa.com
479.750.7575
AUGUST WINES
I have put together a few wines for this month’s article that are sure to beat the heat and take you away if only for a few minutes to a cool, grassy knoll, far on a hill with gentle winds blowing through your hair. OK, not really but we can always wish. These wines are wide and varied. We start with Rolando Herrera, who was hired at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars in 1985 to build a stone wall at the home of Warren Winiarski. Look at the boy now! Rolando now makes wine for Paul Hobbs, Spotted Owl among several other prestigious wineries. Next are a couple of whites that are untouched by wood, adding purity of fruit expression and crisp clean elegance. Lastly we’ll feature a standby leader in my portfolio of wines using a Chardonnay from the Los Carneros region of California. This white is simply amazing as are all of these wines for the unrelenting heat.
SPOTTED OWL VINEYARDS, 2008 MOUNTAIN CUVEE, NAPA VALLEY - $34.99 – Jill and Michael Gishzky established this winery with daughter Alexandria to experience how nature, science, art and business come together to make a positive impact. With the help of Rolando Herrera’s masterful blending capabilities, this 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Syrah from high atop Mt. Veeder straddling the Napa/Sonoma County line, is a jammy, earthy festival in your mouth. Unbelievable for such a young wine composed of grapes with high volcanic influences.
DOMAINE CHANDON, 2008 CHARDONNAY, CARNEROS - $13.40 – Primarily known as a Sparkling Wine house owned by Moet and Chandon, this is one of my top ten wines picks of 2011. Rich and luscious, this supple white expresses layered aromas of dried apricot, green apple and brioche. Accented by nutmeg and a hint of minerality that is characteristically the trade mark of Los Carneros. Tropical melon flavors mingle with ripe apple leading to an expressive yet subtle vanilla finish. Yumm! Yumm!
MER SOLEIL, 2008 SULVER LABEL “UNOAKED”, SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS - $17.99 - “Silver Label” unites the crisp mineral essence of the classic Chablis style with the tropical elements found in Chardonnay from the Pacific coastline. This Chard has a mineral driven nose and palate from start to finish with a citrus core. This summer white is soft and round with an acidic backbone revealing the coastal influence on grapes grown in a cooler climate. Lemons, gooseberry and grapefruit round out the mid palate. Perfect for most grilled fish.
CHARLES DUPUY, 2008 SAUVIGNON BLANC, VIN d’ PAYS du VAL de LOIRE - $13.49 – By far my favorite wine for summer. An absolute home run in the glass, this wine is paramount in matching well with most any summertime fare that you can throw at this charming white. Full of mineral expressive fruit that is crisp with citrus and tropical fruit flavors with aromas of green chilies, grass, herbs, asparagus and gooseberries. Un-oaked whites allow the fruit to shine through highlighting what Sauvignon Blanc should be.
Hopefully you can find a wine or two here that will help you escape the summer heat and monotony of this Northwest Arkansas heat wave. If not, there are 3000 different selections at County Line from which to choose. I can be found at County Line Liquor Tuesday through Saturday for any of your entertaining or wine related questions. Riedel Stemware is on sale with a 25% discount off our already low prices
Enjoy!
Mark Hatwig
479.750.7575
mark@slausa.com
SPOTTED OWL VINEYARDS, 2008 MOUNTAIN CUVEE, NAPA VALLEY - $34.99 – Jill and Michael Gishzky established this winery with daughter Alexandria to experience how nature, science, art and business come together to make a positive impact. With the help of Rolando Herrera’s masterful blending capabilities, this 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Syrah from high atop Mt. Veeder straddling the Napa/Sonoma County line, is a jammy, earthy festival in your mouth. Unbelievable for such a young wine composed of grapes with high volcanic influences.
DOMAINE CHANDON, 2008 CHARDONNAY, CARNEROS - $13.40 – Primarily known as a Sparkling Wine house owned by Moet and Chandon, this is one of my top ten wines picks of 2011. Rich and luscious, this supple white expresses layered aromas of dried apricot, green apple and brioche. Accented by nutmeg and a hint of minerality that is characteristically the trade mark of Los Carneros. Tropical melon flavors mingle with ripe apple leading to an expressive yet subtle vanilla finish. Yumm! Yumm!
MER SOLEIL, 2008 SULVER LABEL “UNOAKED”, SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS - $17.99 - “Silver Label” unites the crisp mineral essence of the classic Chablis style with the tropical elements found in Chardonnay from the Pacific coastline. This Chard has a mineral driven nose and palate from start to finish with a citrus core. This summer white is soft and round with an acidic backbone revealing the coastal influence on grapes grown in a cooler climate. Lemons, gooseberry and grapefruit round out the mid palate. Perfect for most grilled fish.
CHARLES DUPUY, 2008 SAUVIGNON BLANC, VIN d’ PAYS du VAL de LOIRE - $13.49 – By far my favorite wine for summer. An absolute home run in the glass, this wine is paramount in matching well with most any summertime fare that you can throw at this charming white. Full of mineral expressive fruit that is crisp with citrus and tropical fruit flavors with aromas of green chilies, grass, herbs, asparagus and gooseberries. Un-oaked whites allow the fruit to shine through highlighting what Sauvignon Blanc should be.
Hopefully you can find a wine or two here that will help you escape the summer heat and monotony of this Northwest Arkansas heat wave. If not, there are 3000 different selections at County Line from which to choose. I can be found at County Line Liquor Tuesday through Saturday for any of your entertaining or wine related questions. Riedel Stemware is on sale with a 25% discount off our already low prices
Enjoy!
Mark Hatwig
479.750.7575
mark@slausa.com
JULY WINES
If I do nothing else in this lifetime, it will be convincing people that Rose’ is not White Zinfandel. So go turn your nose back down to where it belongs and take a deep, healthy sniff of Rose’ and prepare to be amazed. Some of the most amazing food matches and times with friends have had a Rose’ attached to it whether it was in the Willamette Valley or right here at home on the front porch. This month’s discussion will include Pouilly-Fume and Pinot Blanc for these hot, hot, hot days of summer. Oh, I can’t forget the newest addition to Arkansas’ Cabernet portfolio, Burly Cab from Simpskins Vineyard in Coomsville (soon to be the next California AVA for great Cabs). We welcome Hank and Bernice to this quirky but loving market.
CHARLES AND CHARLES, 2010 ROSE’ OF SYRAH, COLUMBIA VALLEY, WASHINGTON -$10.78 – Yes you can drink Rose’ and still be a bad A##! This is not a White Zin. I repeat this is not a Blush or a White Zinfandel. Wild strawberries and raspberries with some sage, rose petals and a bucket full of watermelon Jolly Ranchers thrown in. Young, lively and spry. A super summer refresher that is going to please everyone involved. Perfect for these sultry, unbelievably warm days with an assortment of fine cheeses and fresh seafood that match perfectly with this Rose’.
PASCAL JOLIVET, 2009 POUILLY FUME, POUILLY FUME, FRANCE - $25.19 – With the heat being what it is I will always splurge a little for a great Loire Valley white to take the edge off. In this case the wine comes from across the river (east bank) in Pouilly Fume’. The house of Jolivet is the youngest winery in the Loire and Pouilly Fume. Their ability to get the most amazing expression from the fruit is their claim to fame for me. Explosive minerality balanced with perfect acidity gives this bottle top marks in my cellar.
BURLY 2007 CABERNET SAUVIGNON, NAPA VALLEY, CA - $58.48 – For us die hard Cabernet fans I have to mention the newest Napa Cab to the Arkansas market despite the heat. A striking balance of fruit purity, layered flavors and a thick viscous mouth fell, this Napa Cab will provide years of enjoyment. Complex aromas of currants, blackberries and cassis arrive on the nose, accompanied by a silky palate that delivers dense blackberry concentration balanced by well-rounded and sweet oak tannins. Layered, complex and lingering, it is truly a wine drinking experience!
TRIMBACH, 2004 PINOT BLANC, ALSACE, FRANCE - $15.43 -The Trimbach’s settled in Alsace and founded the family wine business in 1626. Today, they continue the centuries-old dedication to wine with beautiful pure fruit, precise, fine flavors and astonishing longevity. Their Pinot Blanc is fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks, and has a beautiful fruitiness. It is elegant and easy to understand. This beautiful white is fresh and clean, medium-bodied with good fruit acidity, with a smooth finish. Seafood weeps for this beautiful white as well as most shell fish.
We can only pray for these blistering days of summer to come to an end soon. Everyone have a happy and safe Fourth of July. I can be found at County Line, Tuesday through Saturday for any of your wine or entertaining questions. Remember friends don’t let friend’s drink White Zinfandel!
Enjoy!
Mark Hatwig
mark@slausa.com
CHARLES AND CHARLES, 2010 ROSE’ OF SYRAH, COLUMBIA VALLEY, WASHINGTON -$10.78 – Yes you can drink Rose’ and still be a bad A##! This is not a White Zin. I repeat this is not a Blush or a White Zinfandel. Wild strawberries and raspberries with some sage, rose petals and a bucket full of watermelon Jolly Ranchers thrown in. Young, lively and spry. A super summer refresher that is going to please everyone involved. Perfect for these sultry, unbelievably warm days with an assortment of fine cheeses and fresh seafood that match perfectly with this Rose’.
PASCAL JOLIVET, 2009 POUILLY FUME, POUILLY FUME, FRANCE - $25.19 – With the heat being what it is I will always splurge a little for a great Loire Valley white to take the edge off. In this case the wine comes from across the river (east bank) in Pouilly Fume’. The house of Jolivet is the youngest winery in the Loire and Pouilly Fume. Their ability to get the most amazing expression from the fruit is their claim to fame for me. Explosive minerality balanced with perfect acidity gives this bottle top marks in my cellar.
BURLY 2007 CABERNET SAUVIGNON, NAPA VALLEY, CA - $58.48 – For us die hard Cabernet fans I have to mention the newest Napa Cab to the Arkansas market despite the heat. A striking balance of fruit purity, layered flavors and a thick viscous mouth fell, this Napa Cab will provide years of enjoyment. Complex aromas of currants, blackberries and cassis arrive on the nose, accompanied by a silky palate that delivers dense blackberry concentration balanced by well-rounded and sweet oak tannins. Layered, complex and lingering, it is truly a wine drinking experience!
TRIMBACH, 2004 PINOT BLANC, ALSACE, FRANCE - $15.43 -The Trimbach’s settled in Alsace and founded the family wine business in 1626. Today, they continue the centuries-old dedication to wine with beautiful pure fruit, precise, fine flavors and astonishing longevity. Their Pinot Blanc is fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks, and has a beautiful fruitiness. It is elegant and easy to understand. This beautiful white is fresh and clean, medium-bodied with good fruit acidity, with a smooth finish. Seafood weeps for this beautiful white as well as most shell fish.
We can only pray for these blistering days of summer to come to an end soon. Everyone have a happy and safe Fourth of July. I can be found at County Line, Tuesday through Saturday for any of your wine or entertaining questions. Remember friends don’t let friend’s drink White Zinfandel!
Enjoy!
Mark Hatwig
mark@slausa.com
JUNE WINES
Keeping with the “The Thrill of the Grill” theme I have selected some amazing wines that match perfectly and quite excitedly to grilling fare. These wine matches are ones that I have used to great success in the past. Tariquet’s beautiful salmon colored Rose’ wine is a wonderful accompaniment to a grilled Sea Bass as is Rodney Strong’s Pinot from the Russian River Valley adjacent a Cowboy Ribeye both create strong contenders for best grill meal of the summer. Grilled pears with marscapone and fresh blue berries are a perfect match to the Marco Negri’s Moscato di Asti and a grilled Double Chocolate Cake with Mount Langi’s Sparkling Shiraz is sure to blow the neighborhood up with aromas of fresh raspberries, orange and fudge.
TARIQUET’S, 2010 ROSE’ de PRESSIE, GASCONY, BAS-ARMAGNAC – $12.93 – This Rose’ is not your typical Rose’ coming from the Armagnac region of France. The blend of 40% Merlot, 40% Syrah, 20% Tannat is an extraordinary experience for anyone’s palette. Delightful raspberries and flower petals mingled with spicy notes. The fruit is the treat as the wines intensity retains an ethereal quality, leaving a trace of rich flavors and salty spiciness on the finish. This baby will jump straight from your glass onto the grill with no hesitation. What a perfect match to a grilled Amberjack or Sea Bass with wild spring onion risotto.
RODNEY STRONG ESTATE, 2009 RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY, PINOT NOIR - $18.99 – Rodney Strong was one of the first pioneers to plant Pinot in the Russian River Valley. He planted vines in 1968 at the River East Vineyard in the alluvial clay-loam soils adjacent to the winery in Healdsburg. Supple in texture, with rose petal and red fruit aromas, this lively, medium bodied wine is aged entirely in small French oak barrels, which adds a subtle, toasty vanilla character along with a hint of spice. Copper River Salmon grilled to perfection with a Tarragon butter sauce over wild rice is slap your Momma good.
MARCO NEGRI, 2010 “MARSILLIO”, MOSCATO DI ASTI, D.O.C.G. - $18.37 - A wine of soft yellow color and a rich, fruity bouquet with aromatic herbal flavors. Found somewhere between elegant and rich, the fruity bouquet and a taste of this wine is beautifully balanced between sweetness and acidity. Located in the heart of the Asti region of Piedmont, Negri produced its first sparkling wine in 1993. There are 15 hectares total, with 11 hectares planted to the Moscato grape, known for its grapey, musky aroma. Grilled pears with Madagascar vanilla bean infused mascarpone are just the thing for a lighter dessert.
MOUNT LANGI GHIRAN, CLIFF EDGE NV, SPARKLING SHIRAZ - $35.99 -The vineyards of Mount Langi Ghiran are nestled between two dramatically beautiful mountain ranges on the southern edge of the Great Dividing Range in Western Victoria, Australia. Deep color; serious bottle-fermented style with some lees age; is neither oaky nor sweet; good length and finish. A perfect accompaniment to an old Boy Scout grilling item I learned way back. Grilled Chocolate Cake baked over the fire in hollowed out oranges. Strange, right? No. Genius! What a perfect match with the fresh raspberry flavors of the Shiraz.
I hope I have ignited a few palates with these grilling ideas and wine matches for the summer season. Innovation and experimentation are the keys to the grill and the wines from which to match them. Hopefully you can find one of these wines to suit your palate with the summer heat looming in the near future. If not, I have several thousand others from which to choose for that perfect picnic or backyard BBQ. I can be found at County Line Tuesday through Saturday for any of your grilling, wine or entertaining questions.
Enjoy!
Mark Hatwig
mark@slausa.com
479.750.7575
TARIQUET’S, 2010 ROSE’ de PRESSIE, GASCONY, BAS-ARMAGNAC – $12.93 – This Rose’ is not your typical Rose’ coming from the Armagnac region of France. The blend of 40% Merlot, 40% Syrah, 20% Tannat is an extraordinary experience for anyone’s palette. Delightful raspberries and flower petals mingled with spicy notes. The fruit is the treat as the wines intensity retains an ethereal quality, leaving a trace of rich flavors and salty spiciness on the finish. This baby will jump straight from your glass onto the grill with no hesitation. What a perfect match to a grilled Amberjack or Sea Bass with wild spring onion risotto.
RODNEY STRONG ESTATE, 2009 RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY, PINOT NOIR - $18.99 – Rodney Strong was one of the first pioneers to plant Pinot in the Russian River Valley. He planted vines in 1968 at the River East Vineyard in the alluvial clay-loam soils adjacent to the winery in Healdsburg. Supple in texture, with rose petal and red fruit aromas, this lively, medium bodied wine is aged entirely in small French oak barrels, which adds a subtle, toasty vanilla character along with a hint of spice. Copper River Salmon grilled to perfection with a Tarragon butter sauce over wild rice is slap your Momma good.
MARCO NEGRI, 2010 “MARSILLIO”, MOSCATO DI ASTI, D.O.C.G. - $18.37 - A wine of soft yellow color and a rich, fruity bouquet with aromatic herbal flavors. Found somewhere between elegant and rich, the fruity bouquet and a taste of this wine is beautifully balanced between sweetness and acidity. Located in the heart of the Asti region of Piedmont, Negri produced its first sparkling wine in 1993. There are 15 hectares total, with 11 hectares planted to the Moscato grape, known for its grapey, musky aroma. Grilled pears with Madagascar vanilla bean infused mascarpone are just the thing for a lighter dessert.
MOUNT LANGI GHIRAN, CLIFF EDGE NV, SPARKLING SHIRAZ - $35.99 -The vineyards of Mount Langi Ghiran are nestled between two dramatically beautiful mountain ranges on the southern edge of the Great Dividing Range in Western Victoria, Australia. Deep color; serious bottle-fermented style with some lees age; is neither oaky nor sweet; good length and finish. A perfect accompaniment to an old Boy Scout grilling item I learned way back. Grilled Chocolate Cake baked over the fire in hollowed out oranges. Strange, right? No. Genius! What a perfect match with the fresh raspberry flavors of the Shiraz.
I hope I have ignited a few palates with these grilling ideas and wine matches for the summer season. Innovation and experimentation are the keys to the grill and the wines from which to match them. Hopefully you can find one of these wines to suit your palate with the summer heat looming in the near future. If not, I have several thousand others from which to choose for that perfect picnic or backyard BBQ. I can be found at County Line Tuesday through Saturday for any of your grilling, wine or entertaining questions.
Enjoy!
Mark Hatwig
mark@slausa.com
479.750.7575
MAY WINES
The rites of spring abound in this month’s wine picks with a German May Wine from Leonard Kreusch that is perfect for front porch swinging, swilling and swirling. The Zinfandel from Paso Robles that I have picked is the perfect grilling wine for the diehard backyard chefs that will put anything that will stand still long enough into a smoker. A new twist on our old favorite Pinot Noi, is a Pinotage from South Africa with its smokey influences. Finally one of my favorite white wines for the onslaught of summer is a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc that will not overwhelm one with too much grapefruit but enough acidity to dance on the tongue. If none of these are to your taste please come see me at County Line. I have 3011 more choices for you to choose from.
LEONARD KRUSCH, 2011 MAY-WINE, MOSEL, GERMANY $ 8.28 – May Wine is a German rite of spring, with its annual appearance on May Day, a holiday enthusiastically observed by both younger and older Europeans alike, where villagers would erect a tall trunk of a pine tree decorated with ribbons then dance and sing to celebrate the new season. This coincides with the blooming of Waldmeister or Sweet Woodruff, a forest plant that is traditionally dried and steeped in white wine overnight imparting a festive herbal fragrance and a hint of vanilla to the wine.
VAN RUITEN, 2008 OLD VINE ZINFANDEL, PASO ROBLES, CA - $13.45 – 86% Zinfandel and 14% Petite Sirah is the blend that makes up this not so little Zinfandel from Lodi. A perfect place for growing Zinfandel and Petite Sirah due to the even sun exposure and long warm nights. The grapes for this Zin were hand-selected from the first vineyard John Van Ruitten planted in 1952. Packed full of blackberry, cherry and blueberry jam flavors which lead into barrel aromas of coffee and cedar rounding out this amazing Zinfandel’s flavor profile.
SOUTHERN RIGHT, 2007 PINOTAGE, WALKER BAY, SOUTH AFRICA - $19.99 - Southern Right is redefining Pinotage with this intense classically styled, clay-grown wine, packed with complex berry fruit, beautiful tannins and subtle wood spice. Full ripeness and the longer hang-time afforded by cooler sites, combined with the complex, more classic fruit aromas and structure resulting from clay-rich soil, make this wine a highly individual expression of South Africa's unique grape variety. Smokey and fleshy, but with good aromatics and vibrancy lead to black currant, fig, roasted sage and bramble notes. WS 90
STARBOROUGH, 2008 MARLBOROUGH, SAUVIGNON BLANC - $14.46 -The Marlborough district of New Zealand’s South Island has set the world standard for crisp Sauvignon Blanc wines. Marlborough is on the east coast of the island, with a ridge of mountains to the west, which limits rainfall and helps make it one of the sunniest areas of New Zealand. The long, cool growing season helps the wines of this region to develop rich layers of flavor with a distinctive, refreshing character of citrus and ripe tropical fruit with some herbal notes. WS 88
These wines and many more can be found at County Line. Your “Citiscapes Magazine” Award Winning Wine Selection for 2010. I can be found here Tuesday through Saturday for any of your entertaining and wine related questions. Let me help you put together the perfect wedding, rehearsal dinner, reception or bachelor/bachelorette party. This is what we do and we do it well.
Enjoy!
Mark Hatwig
mark@slausa.com
479.750.7575
LEONARD KRUSCH, 2011 MAY-WINE, MOSEL, GERMANY $ 8.28 – May Wine is a German rite of spring, with its annual appearance on May Day, a holiday enthusiastically observed by both younger and older Europeans alike, where villagers would erect a tall trunk of a pine tree decorated with ribbons then dance and sing to celebrate the new season. This coincides with the blooming of Waldmeister or Sweet Woodruff, a forest plant that is traditionally dried and steeped in white wine overnight imparting a festive herbal fragrance and a hint of vanilla to the wine.
VAN RUITEN, 2008 OLD VINE ZINFANDEL, PASO ROBLES, CA - $13.45 – 86% Zinfandel and 14% Petite Sirah is the blend that makes up this not so little Zinfandel from Lodi. A perfect place for growing Zinfandel and Petite Sirah due to the even sun exposure and long warm nights. The grapes for this Zin were hand-selected from the first vineyard John Van Ruitten planted in 1952. Packed full of blackberry, cherry and blueberry jam flavors which lead into barrel aromas of coffee and cedar rounding out this amazing Zinfandel’s flavor profile.
SOUTHERN RIGHT, 2007 PINOTAGE, WALKER BAY, SOUTH AFRICA - $19.99 - Southern Right is redefining Pinotage with this intense classically styled, clay-grown wine, packed with complex berry fruit, beautiful tannins and subtle wood spice. Full ripeness and the longer hang-time afforded by cooler sites, combined with the complex, more classic fruit aromas and structure resulting from clay-rich soil, make this wine a highly individual expression of South Africa's unique grape variety. Smokey and fleshy, but with good aromatics and vibrancy lead to black currant, fig, roasted sage and bramble notes. WS 90
STARBOROUGH, 2008 MARLBOROUGH, SAUVIGNON BLANC - $14.46 -The Marlborough district of New Zealand’s South Island has set the world standard for crisp Sauvignon Blanc wines. Marlborough is on the east coast of the island, with a ridge of mountains to the west, which limits rainfall and helps make it one of the sunniest areas of New Zealand. The long, cool growing season helps the wines of this region to develop rich layers of flavor with a distinctive, refreshing character of citrus and ripe tropical fruit with some herbal notes. WS 88
These wines and many more can be found at County Line. Your “Citiscapes Magazine” Award Winning Wine Selection for 2010. I can be found here Tuesday through Saturday for any of your entertaining and wine related questions. Let me help you put together the perfect wedding, rehearsal dinner, reception or bachelor/bachelorette party. This is what we do and we do it well.
Enjoy!
Mark Hatwig
mark@slausa.com
479.750.7575
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