Friday, June 10, 2011

HOT OFF THE VINE!!!!           
INTRODUCING…………

El Burro “Kick Ass” Garnacha

                               


EL BURRO, KICK ASS GARNACHA, CARIÑENA, SPAIN     $7.75
winemaker: Norrel Robertson, Jorge Navascues
winery/vineyard: bodegas pago de ayles
tasting notes: 100% Garnacha grown @ Bodegas Pago de Ayles Vivid purple with bright red rim. Raspberry, cherry fruit with earthy notes of spice, leather, vanilla and mocha. Full bodied with fine, soft tannins and well balanced acidity. Raspberry and wild berry fruits give way to a long, smooth, spicy finish.

·        does your wine list or shelf best represent you???
·        don’t be paralyzed by ghetto wine sales tactics!!!
·        ATBO!!!! anything but ordinary!! 
·        set your wine sales on fire.
·        reap the rewards of hot, trendsetting wines.
·        make your mark! shoot for the stars!
·        schedule a wine tasting appt today!
·        toll free: 877-554-9463



Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Hot off the Vine 3 8 11

Buttonwood farm winery


39-acre vineyard sits on an ancient riverbank high above the alamo pintado creek bed in the heart of the santa ynez valley american viticultural appellation (ava), which is distinct due to its transverse orientation.  warm air flows over the nearby san rafael range to the east to meet cool pacific breezes from the west, providing an ideal climate for our bordeaux and rhone varietals. warm days and bright sunshine provide a perfect environment during the growing season, and the large diurnal shift to cold temperatures at night helps maintain the grapes’ natural acidity. because of the unique soils, aquifer and climate of this area, a petition has been submitted to designate our local region as a sub-ava of the santa ynez valley which, if approved, will be named the los olivos district. sustainable vineyard practices
what is a buttonwood?
a buttonwood is a sycamore, or a london plane tree, and one of the two trees native to santa barbara county. a distinctive feature is the brown, ball-like seed clusters, which hang from the branches on long stems. these balls, or "buttons", are visible in the winter when the trees lose their leaves.

what does that squiggle on the label mean?
well, to begin with, we call it "the brush stroke", which seems a little more dignified than "the squiggle". it is the creation of betty"s daughter, and resident artist, seyburn zorthian. much of seyburn"s work, including the label, is influenced by her experience in japan studying with a sumi (abstract brush stroke) master. and what does it mean? well, that depends on whom you talk to. some think it is an abstract image of a grape vine, while others just see it as a strong dynamic movement. seyburn isn't saying either way!

buttonwood p.o.s.h. 375ml $19.50
tasting notes as urban legend has it, the initials p.o.s.h. stand for “port out, starboard home,” a term that denotes the best (away from the sun) cabin position for british passengers sailing between home and india.  it was a posh way to travel, you see, because only the wealthy could afford the arrangement.  whether or not this word origin is genuine or a legend, posh has undeniably come to mean sumptuous and luxurious- which perfectly describes this decadently rich dessert wine.  from gorgeous dark garnet hues to its velvety texture and anise/framboise/dried berry flavors, p.o.s.h. exudes richness and elegance.  and the warm lingering finish just goes on and on and on… 
buttonwood cabernet sauvignon syrah 750ml $24
buttonwood mgb (marsanne & grenache blanc) white blend 750ml $18
buttonwood sangiovese 750ml $22

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Wine Memo 2 21 11

HOT OFF THE VINE!!!!


ROJO MOJO


What’s not to like about spanish wines????? They are every bit as delicious as the imagination can evoke. I have this very surreal portrait of the entire Spanish gastro experience. What better way to enjoy a perfectly prepared meal then to pair it with wine from a country that embraces the food & wine experience as an apex for the day!! Beautiful forward fruit culminates in every bite, sip & splash. The experience is nothing short of chasmic & why wouldn’t it be given the paradise backdrop of a country steeped in lore, romance & intrigue. Sip, swirl, saver till your hearts content,
you will not be disappointed!!

Bodegas Lozano, a fouth generation family winery is located in Villarroble
Vineyard Location: Finca La Carasca

ROJO MOJO SHIRAZ, LA MANCHA, SPAIN $7.75
la mancha is spain’s largest denomination of origin and the world’s largest wine producing area. despite low yields, la mancha is known as ideal vineyard country due to the quality of the fruit, the ripening cycle, long sun drenched days and the health of the vines. although this is a large area, the flat geography and the soil is remarkably consistent – red-brown sandy clay, average organic content yet rich in limestone and chalk. limestone outcroppings are frequent and must be broken up to allow the roots of the vines to prosper. la mancha’s plains, sitting at an average of some 2,100 feet have an archetypal continental climate: icy winters.
intense stewed cherry and blackberry fruit character followed by smokey, exotic cinnamon, black pepper and clove. a full-bodied expansive wine providing a big fruit blast with firm yet friendly tannin. the finish is pleasant and satisfying, juicy & delicious. she is certainly a crowd pleaser!!

ROJO MOJO TEMPRANILLO, LA MANCHA, SPAIN $7.75
garnet red in color with a light purple hue, red fruit, strawberries and raspberries signal the nose, as it warms up the palate for the fruity, dark chocolate drizzled mouth. medium body, round & balanced, finishing with a satiny cheek to cheek satisfaction.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Wine Memo 2 14 11

HOT OFF THE VINE!!!!           
INTRODUCING…………         

BARREL 27


I have to gush I am gaga over the barrel 27 wines. Young, playful, engaging, yet serious, thought provoking & profound. There is no better way to delight a palate then to savor the delicacies these wines deliver. Rhone rangers is an under statement. Russell from is a rhone warrior, leaving nothing to question in his path of producing wines to rival even the most skilled French producer. He crafts with authenticity, taste complexity & sheer mouth mesmerizing. It is a chasmic whimsy experience that I have completely fallen in love with.

BARREL 27 SITTIN' PRETTY VIOGNIER
100% viognier. gorgeous scents of honeyed tangerine, white grapefruit, candied lemon zest and fresh cut sugar cane leap from the glass, followed by secondary notions of white peach, orange marmalade, orange blossom and hints of browned butter and petrol. completely dry on the palate, with flavors of honeycomb, sweet grass, sugar snap peas and wet limestone, the wine's excellent acidity keeps the body crisp and refreshing, while allowing the layers of aromas and flavors to continuously unfold.

BARREL 27 BULL BY THE HORNS
RED BLEND
this powerhouse petite verdot, syrah, tempranillo blend has a seductive nose of red and black currants powdered with cocoa, blueberry and black plum liqueur undercurrents set off by wild spice notes of star anise, rose petal, licorice and fennel. on the palate, this freight train of a wine delivers loads of spiced plum and dark berry fruit, supported by layers of mexican chocolate, chinese black tea, and blood orange all framed in spice notes of caraway, toasted vanilla, cigar box and sweet black pepper. the pure, powerful finish
stretches on to the horizon supported by great acidity and well developed tannins. and still possibly the world's best steak wine.

·        does your wine list or shelf best represent you??? don’t be paralyzed by ghetto wine sales tactics!!! ATBO!!!! anything but ordinary!! set your wine sales on fire & reap the rewards of hot, trendsetting wines. make your mark! shoot for the stars! schedule a wine tasting appt today!
·        toll free: 877-554-9463