FEBRUARY VALENTINE DAY

CITISCAPES ARTICLE FEBRUARY 2012

February — being the frigid, impartial month that she is — also has a great portfolio of birthdays and holidays that call for a celebration or two. Groundhog Day on the second can be celebrated with the impressive Chardonnay from Chandon, while the births of Dickens, Elmo and a couple of our presidents are perfect for the Stotesbery family’s Cabernet which is grown and produced on Howell Mountain. Of course, there is also Valentine’s Day that shares the date with Ferris Wheel Day. These definitely call for the Rose of Malbec from the Reginato family or Terra Valentine’s Spring Mountain Cabernet. Any one of these events is a great reason to break open an amazing bottle of wine and celebrate with family and friends.

REGINATO N/V “CELESTINA” SPARKLING ROSE OF MALBEC MENDOZA - $17.99 – Malbec seems an unlikely hero for a sparkling wine grape, but when you want your rose’ to show some real color and character, then Malbec is your guy. The Reginato family manages the vineyards, selects the grapes, harvests at the optimal time, makes the base wine and then initiates secondary fermentation to produce a crisp, dry mouthfeel reminiscent of classic Champagne. Toasty-yeasty aromas meet delicious homemade strawberry rhubarb pie flavors. Yummm! Yummm! 89WE

TERRA VALENTINE 2002 CABERNET SAUVINGNON SPRING MOUNTAIN DISTRICT NAPA - $ 33.24 - Aromas of black bramble, boysenberry, spicy clove and vanilla bean balanced with subtle cocoa and rich, earthy espresso notes. A blend of 95% Cabernet and 5% Cabernet Franc acknowledges the importance of hillside soil to this mountain wine. Smooth and rich, this muscular yet elegant red is packed with dark juicy fruit that fills the palate and finishes long, accented by creamy French oak.

DOMAINE CHANDON 2008 CHARDONNAY CARNEROS -$23.99 – Rich and luscious, this Chardonnay produced at a sparkling wine facility, expresses layered aromas of dried apricot, green apple and brioche accented by nutmeg and a hint of minerality characteristic of the Carneros region. Tropical melon flavors meld with rich apple on the broadly textured palate leading to a pleasant vanilla cream finish. Great balance of acidity and lingering flavors will allow this wine to pair with a wide range of foods and occasions. WS88

LADERA 2007 CABERNET SAUVIGNON NAPA VALLEY - $29.99 – From high atop Howell Mountain the Stotesbery family are proudly producing several amazing Cab-drinker’s Cabs. This distinctive Napa Valley Cabernet is one of the best bargains in our market. The wine attacks the palate softly with dark bold fruit flavors of plum and bramble berry which leads to a full yet soft and lush finish. This impressive effort is the type of Cabernet Sauvignon that normally costs 2-3 times the price. RP 90

Who really needs a reason or special occasion to open some delicious vino and call a few friends in from the cold for a great celebration? Any one of these wines can be a new favorite in your portfolio of must drink wines. If not, I have over 3,000 other selections from which to choose. I can be found at County Line Tuesday through Saturday for any of your wine or entertaining questions.

Enjoy!
Mark Hatwig
mark@slausa.com
479.750.7500