Champagne and Sparkling Wine Tasting at Wine Watch Friday February 10th 7pm
For a while we had trouble trying to get the sound of a champagne cork exploding out of the bottle. I solved the problem by sticking my finger in my mouth and popping it out.
Lawrence Welk
Can you think of a better way to start this Valentine's weekend than a tasting featuring close to 30 different types of tiny bubbles and this year we have also included Pinot Noir in the Valentines mix. We will focus on the rose style of Champagnes and sparkling wines as these are the perfect color for the occasion but we will be featuring a wide range of method champenoise style sparkling wines that are sure to get you off to a good start with your significant other on this special evening.
We will be setting up stations in the outside courtyard at Progresso Plaza and all of the Champagne and Sparkling wine that we feature at this event will be price at 20% off our normal list price- for this evening only. Wine Watch Catering’s Toni Lampasone will be making a few tasty treats to accompany the tiny bubbles, the fee for this event is $45 + tax and we are limited to 50 tasters this evening, for reservations call 954-523-9463.
Pre-Valentine’s Day Champagne Tasting at Wine Watch
Friday, February 10, 2012
7:00 PM
Selected Brands
Ca' Del Bosco Brut "Prestige" NV
Price :$36 Sale $31.68 Case $368
Ca’ del Bosco’s NV Franciacorta Cuvee Prestige Brut offers up an attractive core of honeyed fruit intermingled with floral and spice notes in a finely sculpted, nuanced style. The wine reveals lovely length on the palate and excellent balance at this level. The Cuvee Prestige is the house’s new entry-level bottling. It is a shame Ca’ del Bosco felt the need to blatantly copy the packaging of Roederer’s Cristal for this bottling, This is Lot 07331-01, disgorged Fall 2007. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2011. (89 points) Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, October 2008
Ca' Del Bosco Brut Rose "Prestige" NV
Price :$56.25 Sale $49.50 Case $574
The NV Cuvee Prestige Rose is a surprisingly rich, textured wine. It reveals gorgeous depth in its expansive fruit and a striking personality. The finish shows quite a bit of vinosity and weight. This is a terrific effort from Ca’ del Bosco, but readers should recognize the Rose is far from an easygoing aperitif wine. This is Lot: L09350D01, disgorged Fall 2009. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2015. (90 Points) Wine Advocate #193, Feb 2011
Ca' Del Bosco Brut "Millesimato" 2003
Price :$60 Sale $52.80 Case $612
Louis De Sacy "Grand Cru" Brut NV
Price :$48 Sale $42.24 Case $490
More Pinot Noir in the blend but similar to the Nue Brut the vineyards a neighbors to the VC Grande dame vineyard sites and around 7 grams per liter residual here. Green apple, lemon citrus and notes of white flowers and some almond notes. A fine and creamy mousse on the tongue with good freshness and green apple fruit a hint of bitter almond with chalk like mineral notes. Finish 40+ Excellent
Louis De Sacy "Grand Cru" Brut Rose NV
Price :$57 Sale $50.16 Case $581
Assertive aromas and flavors of dried cherry, autumn woods and ginger highlight this vinous Champagne. Beautifully balanced, with complexity and a dry finish echoing fruit and spice. Drink now through 2016. 2,000 cases made. –BS (93 Points) Wine Spectator Issue: Web Only - 2009
Louis De Grenelle Saumur Rose NV
Price :$18 Sale $15.84 Case $184
Soft up-front, with nice cherry, dried strawberry and watermelon flavors backed by a fine mousse. A mineral hint extends the finish. Drink now. 10,000 cases made. –JM (85 Points) Wine Spectator Issue: Web Only - 2010
Champalou Vouvray Brut NV
Price :$24.75 Sale $21.78 Case $252.45
A plump and juicy sparkler, with pear, brioche and fig notes, followed by a rounded but subtly persistent finish, thanks to a lingering mineral edge. Drink now. –JM (89 Points) Wine Spectator Issue: Nov 30, 2011
Republic National Distributing
Piper Heidsieck Cuvée Brut Champagne NV
Price :$39.50 Sale $34.76 Case $403
A bit of a mustard seed note on the nose this wine is a blend of 55% Pinot Noir, 45% Pinot Meunier and 15% Chardonnay, has a fresh and floral nose with notes of orange peel and toasted nuts, base wines for this cuvee are 2007 and then they use 10% reserve wines. Nice and creamy mouse on the tongue with nice freshness and 10-11 grams of sugar per liter, notes of toasted nuts and fresh biscuit on the finish. Finish 40+ Excellent
Piper Heidsieck Rose Sauvage Champagne NV
Price : $39.50 Sale $34.76 Case $403
Blended for the first time in 2002, revolutionary and intense, a blend of 55% Pinot Noir, 25% Pinot Meunier and 15% Chardonnay, 20% red wine from the south of Champagne, there are 319 different communes in champagne and they source from 210 of them. A nice toasty note to the red cherry and rose petal floral nuance, red fruits, blood orange and peppery spice on the nose. A big wine on the palate with some tannins showing on the finish, orange peel and big but still balanced it has tannins on the finish but has elegance- imagine Tavel in style. Finish 45+ Excellent +
Charles Heidsieck Brut Champagne NV
Price :$52.50 Sale $46.20 Case $535.50
Has a bit more dosage here but the wine actually appears dryer on the palate. The average age is 8-10 years for this wine, a good amount of biscuit, almond and ginger spice on the nose very rich and decadent bouquet. Charles is known for its complexity and freshness we would compare Piper's fruit to that of a fresh granny smith apple and Charles is more like a juicy peach. Very fresh and full of peach and red delicious apple fruit with a good amount of bubbles along with notes of ginger spice and tangerine citrus on the finish. Finish 40+ Excellent +
Charles Heidsieck Rose Brut Champagne NV
Price :$90 Sale $79.20 Case $918
Raspberry and quince like fruit on the nose with notes of flowers , released for the first time in 2008 1/3 of each varietal, 20% reserve wines and 6-8% red wine. Lovely creamy texture, light and elegant style with plum and raspberry fruit, pastry notes, strawberry tart, with a nice savory note on the finish. Finish 40+ Excellent +
Row 11 Santa Maria Valley 2007
Price: $27 Sale $23.76 Case $275
Ripe and rich red cherry berry fruit on the nose with fresh flowers and exotic spices on the nose. Rich and fruity on the tongue, a big Pinot Noir with lots of ripe black cherry liqueur like fruit, smooth and velvety on the tongue with nice freshness on the finish, a big and seductive Pinot Noir that still has elegance and finesse a bit of heat on the finish, but still has balance and even more important it smells and tastes like Pinot Noir. Finish 45+ Excellent +
Row 11 Pinot Noir Russian River 2007
Price : $38.25 Sale $33.66 Case $390
Red cherries, lighter smoke and hints of bacon with all the finesse and elegance expected in Russian River Pinot Noirs. This wine is ready to drink now, or can be enjoyed for many more years.
Southern Wine & Spirits
Gerard Bertrand Cremant De Limoux Brut 2009
Price: $23.25 Sale $20.46 Case $238
The wine has a pale straw color with hints of green that reflect at the edge of the glass. The bubbles are tiny and very elegant. Its aromas are very fruity with a hint of biscuits, hazelnuts and flowers. This wine is elegantly balanced, complex and well-structured with a long and crisp mineral finish.
Gosset Rose Brut Champagne NV
Price: $82.50 Sale $72.60 Case $841
(90 Points) A fresh, lively rosé, with a light grain to the texture and notes of juicy white cherry and raspberry fruit mixing with hints of almond, smoke and spice. Citrusy acidity leads to the lightly chalky finish. Drink now through 2018. 1,000 cases made. –AN Wine Spectator Issue: Dec 31, 2011
PJ Blaison Rose Brut Champagne NV
Price: $90 Sale $79.20 Sale $918
(91 Points) Soft and creamy in texture, this is fresh and focused, with smoke, black cherry, almond paste and white raspberry flavors that show a hint of lemon zest. Refined and elegant, with a subtle finish. Drink now. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 1,000 cases imported. –AN Wine Spectator Issue: Nov 30, 2011
Llai Llai Pinot Noir Bio Bio Valley 2010
Price: $13.50 Sale $11.88 Case $138
Llai means windy, when you repeat it twice that means very windy. A fair amount of fresh earth and barnyard nuance to the nose with a light red color but a nice amount of red cherry and raspberry fruit as well. A well balanced wine on the palate with a smooth and silky texture, tangy berry fruit and a good amount of earth and spice, nice complexity for a wine at this price. Finish 35+ Very Good
Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County 2009
Price: $25.25 Sale $22.22 Case $258
Pretty black cherry fruit on the nose with a touch of all-spice and black earth, very inviting aromas. A real crowd pleaser style with a note of cinnamon spice and fresh flowers, bright and focused acidity through the finish making the wine scream drink me, from a California style vintage. Finish 40+ Excellent
Erath Prince Hill 115 Pinot Noir Dundee Hills 2008
Price: $45 Sale $39.60 Case $459
(93 points) Bright and lively, with dark fruit flavors of currant and plum playing against hints of licorice, smoke and black pepper as the finish sails on beautifully. Wine Spectator
Sanford Rinconada Pinot Noir 2008
Price: $66.75 Sale $58.74 Case $681
The 2008 La Rinconada Pinot Noir is exclusively sourced from the estate vineyard in the esteemed Santa Rita Hills AVA. Dijon clones 667, 777 and 115 growing on the hill east of the winery gives it great intensity and complexity. The wine is deep ruby red in color and is exploding with spicy cherry and earthy raspberry aromas, with a hint of anise and white pepper. The palate delivers flavors of black cherry framed nicely by bright acidity and ripe mouth coating tannins.
Dutton Goldfield Pinot Noir “Devils Gulch” 2009
Price: $60 Sale $52.80 Case $612
Wines that are truly affecting are the ones most difficult to write about, and the 2007 Devil's Gulch is a prime example. Its combination of density, complexity, lively brightness, and at the same time brooding depth, defies normal product sheet verbiage. One's first look at this wine in the glass portends the story: While absurdly deep in color for Pinot it is also vibrant and almost crimson in hue. In the nose, the defining wild berry and touch of peat that declare Devil's Gulch jump out, but each sniff brings different nuances: from cardamom to wild cherry to violets. In the mouth, the freshness that comes from great acid balance and moderate alcohol carries the dense wild blackberry fruit and sweetly resolved tannins through the long supple finish. This is a wine that will complement foods from simple cheese plates to complex rabbit, mushroom and risotto dishes. No doubt this special offering has a long life ahead of it, if one has the willpower (or stash) to hold on to some. 325 cases produced
Pali Wine Co.
2009 Pali Pinot Noir Riviera Sonoma Coast
Price: $21.00 Sale $18.48 Case $214
Black raspberry and cherry fruit with notes of oriental spice, light floral nuance and a touch of fresh earth. A smooth and silky wine on the palate with bright raspberry fruit and a nice touch of spice and pretty floral notes on the finish. A bit more stuffing here than the Alphabets. Finish 40+ Excellent
2010 Pali Pinot Noir Summit Santa Rita Hills
Price: $31.50 Sale $27.72 Case $321
Wild strawberry and raspberry coulis like fruit on the nose with pretty floral notes with a touch of spice very well endowed bouquet. A rhubarb and cherry liqueur like fruit jammy on the tongue with silky smooth velvety tannins very big but has lots of everything, a very well endowed Pinot Noir with lots of sweet fruit a big hand of alcohol and is still fresh on the finish. Finish 40+ Excellent
2010 Pali Pinot Noir Windsor Oaks Vineyard Russian River Valley
Price: $52.50 Sale $46.20 Case $536
This is a new vineyard source for Pali with raspberry coulis like fruit very ripe and forward with fresh rose petal floral notes with light toasted oak nuance. A very floral wine on the palate also with again a lot of forward fruit and a bit hot but still has nice balance and a touch of spice. Finish 40+ Excellent +
2008 The Central Late Harvest Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley
Price: $27 Sale $23.76 Case $275
A lovely honeyed quality and ripe peach very ripe and forward with exotic spices very pretty nose. A very rich and decadent wine on the tongue with layers of sweet creamy fruit hints of butterscotch, the fruit for this comes from the old Sierra Madre vineyard from Byron. Lovely sweetness with a long and balanced finish. Finish 40 Excellent +
Transatlantic
NV Lucien Albrecht Rose Cremant Alsace
Price: $19.50 Sale $17.16 Case $199
This is a methode Champenoise style sparkling wine from Alsace made with 100% Pinot Noir and one of the best values in the sparkling rose category that we have in the store! Light raspberry and strawberry like fruit on the nose, very forward and pleasant aromas. Fresh light red berry fruit on the tongue with smooth creamy bubbles leaving the tongue fresh and clean on the finish, a real crowd pleaser style. Finish 35+ EXCELLENT
Sharffenberger Rose Brut Anderson Valley
Price: $26.25 Sale $23.10 Case $268
Scharffenberger Rosé is made by the traditional méthode champenoise process, whereby the wines are individually bottle-fermented before being riddled and disgorged. Most of the base wines underwent malolactic fermentation, which softens and rounds out the blend. The grapes are sourced from our vineyards in the Anderson Valley as well as other premium quality vineyards in Mendocino County with whom we have long term contracts. This type of vineyard selection allows us to choose from the best vineyards in the area, which enables us to produce our trademark cuvée.
NV Roederer Estate Brut Mendocino
Price: $20.25 Sale $17.82 Case $206
Rich and youthful, with delicate aromas of green apple and lime that lead to full flavors of baked pear and toasty anise, laced with cinnamon. The finish is clean and crisp, with a hint of mineral. Drink now. 80,000 cases made. –TF (89 Points) Wine Spectator Issue: Nov 30, 2011
Roederer Estate Rose Sparkling Wine Anderson Valley NV
Price: $26.25 Sale $23.10 Case $268
The Roederer Estate Brut Rosé is full and round with smooth flavors and fine persistent bubbles. The extra measure of Chardonnay contributes elegance and austerity, which balance nicely with the delicate fruitiness of the Pinot Noir.
NV Henriot Souverain Brut Champagne
Price: $42.75 Sale $35
Toasty smokey notes to the bouquet very complex and rich with hazelnut and light ginger spice. Around 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir usually 20% reserve wines going back as far as 4-5 years. Lovely richness on the tongue with a fresh dough and nutty quality coming through on the finish, with pear and apple fruit lemon citrus and a smoky character on the finish. Finish 40+ Excellent +
NV Henriot Rose Brut Champagne
Price: $65.00 Sale $49
Strawberry and red cherry fruit on the nose with notes of red plum and red licorice spice along with rose petal floral notes. Light red cherry wild strawberry fruit with lovely creamy mousee very elegant and rich with lovely freshness 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay the pinot Noir is red and then blended into the Chardonnay to maintain a consistent color. Finish 45+ Most Excellent
Lanson Rose Brut Champagne
Price :$52.50 Sale $46.20 Case $535.50
In 2006 purchased by Bruno Paillard, there is 6-7% of Bouzy Pinot Noir Rouge in the blend and only 7-10 grams of sugar. Light smoky notes on the nose, along with a host of light strawberry, raspberry and plum like fruit and light rose petal floral nuance. A fresh and fruity wine on the palate, tart raspberry like fruit, smooth creamy texture along with a light salty nuance and light floral notes through the finish. Finish 40+ Excellent +
Domaines Ott Chateau de Selle Cotes de Provence Rose 2010
Price: $42.75 Sale $37.62 Case $436
The wine has a fine pale peach color with crystalline shimmers of pink-gold. The expressive, fine, delicate nose gives off aromas of peach, citrus fruit and white flowers such as hawthorn. A rich and full-bodied structure follows a lively and firm attack. There is a subtle balance of aromas between hints of fresh fruit (apricot and nectarine) and the smooth, floral notes of lilac. The finish is full-bodied and smooth enhanced by mild spices. This elegant and harmonious wine can be an aperitif or accompany Provencale cuisine.
2008 Chanson Bourgogne Pinot Noir
Price: $15 Sale $13.20 Case $153
A bit of funk on the nose fresh plowed earth and barnyard nuance to the black cherry berry fruit. A light and tangy style of Bourgogne rough but with some sense of place, a bit lean which is typical of this vintage but this is actually very nice stuff. Finish 35+ Good +
2009 Flowers Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
Price: $50.75 Sale $44.66 Case $518
Some of the core fruit for the Sonoma Coast is coming from Sea View Vineyard along with purchased fruit with the same vineyards they use for the Chardonnay, Gap's Crown, Peterson, and Vine Hill Ranch. Fully destemmed, they also use a cold soak. Black raspberry, red cherry, pomegranate and cranberry fruit with some nice floral and some spice. Very elegantly fashioned Pinot Noir with smooth silky tannins and juicy red cherry and pomegranate like fruit very zesty finish with hints of spice and pretty floral nuance through the finish. Finish 40+ Excellent
Menu
Kobe Sliders with Gruyere Cheese & Truffled Mushroom Aioli
Crispy Vegetable Spring Rolls offered with Sweet & Spicy Chili-Honey Dipping Sauce
Pork & Shrimp Shu Mai drizzled with Black Vinegar-Sweet Soy Glaze
Chicken & Smoked Sharp Cheddar Quesadilla with Cool Avocado-Lime Butter
Tomato-Champagne Bisque Shot with Sharp Cheddar Grilled Cheese Toast Point
What I Drank Yesterday:
Another visit from the folks from Terlato with some more familiar labels, this is the second or third visit already this year and it is really nice to get to see all the current releases from one of the U.S.’s top wine importers.
2010 Hanna Sauvignon Blanc Russian River
Price: $19.25
A bit of fresh cut grass to the melon and white grapefruit citrus along with some white pepper spice. Fresh and racy on the tongue with a nice savoryness to the finish with fresh cut grass with a touch of saltiness on the finish. Finish 35+ Very Good
2010 Hanna Chardonnay Russian River
Price: $23.75
Ripe red delicious apple/pineapple tropical fruit on the nose with a touch of butterscotch and crème brulee vanilla but nice balance. Ripe and delicious fruit on the tongue with just the right touch of fresh buttered toast and a hint of vanilla spice. Finish 35+ Very Good +
2008 Chanson Bourgogne Pinot Noir
Price: $15
A bit of funk on the nose fresh plowed earth and barnyard nuance to the black cherry berry fruit. A light and tangy style of Bourgogne rough but with some sense of place, a bit lean which is typical of this vintage but this is actually very nice stuff. Finish 35+ Good + A really nice value!
2009 Tangley Oaks Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
Price: $20.25
Raspberry berry fruit on the nose with hints of fresh earth and minty spice. Light red berry fruit on the tongue with some nice spice and earth notes, a nice light easy drinking pinot noir. Finish 35+ Good +
2008 Mazzoni Sangiovese Merlot Toscana Rosso
Price: $22.50
A joint venture between terlato and the Il Poggioni people a 75/25 joint venture, a distinctly earthy bouquet of black spice tar and some fine herbs sage and red plum and cherry fruit on the nose. The merlot really rounds out the palate with the Sangiovese brightening up things on the finish very fresh and fine tannins, notes of sausage and fine herbs on the finish. Finish 35+ Very Good +
2010 Rust en Vrede Merlot Stellenbosch
Price: $21.75
A nice hand of black pepper spice to the black plum and fresh plowed black earth a bit of black soy very exotic menthol changing as it opens. A big style of Merlot with lots of dark berry fruit and firm acidity with nice spice and minerality showing through the finish, black spice and tobacco. Finish 40+ Very Good +
2009 Ernie Els Big Easy South Africa
Price: $22.50
A blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon , Mourvedre, grenache, Viognier in business with Engelbrecht initially but they are independent today. A nice amount of ripe black plum and dark cherry fruit with hints of dried tobacco spice hints of underbrush, dried mushroom. A smooth and easy drinking wine lacking a bit of definition with this mix of varietals. Finish 30+ Good
A short visit from Freddy Constant with a new wine entitled Claret but this is really the same fruit that went into the Cabernet Sauvignon along with some of the new vineyard plantings that have some on line. He really created this wine to have something a bit less expensive for the restaurant business as they sell most of their wines direct to collectors. We have been following Freddy’s handy work since the beginning and it is nice to see that he has included us on the list of people that carry these outstanding Diamond Mountain wines retail. I have a vertical collection of the Constant wines and have been working on Fred so that the next time he comes to town we can host a dinner with this Napa Valley cult wine that is still under the radar.
2007 Constant Claret Napa Sonoma
Price: $99
Freddy is making two wines now and because they are on the boarder of Napa and Sonoma up on Diamond Mountain he decided to further differentiate this wine from the Cabernet Sauvignon he would make the designation Napa/Sonoma for this wine. Aromas of cigar box spice, lots of minerality, fresh earth, currant and cassis berry fruit. This wine is mostly from vines planted in 1997 on Sonoma and Paul Hobbs is still the winemaker here. There are only 300 cases produced of this Claret a big wine on the palate but very smooth with ripe tannins and the minerality is really showing on the finish. Very fine and polished this 2007 vintage is very elegant and classic in style, a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Merlot. Finish 45+ Excellent +
A very average line-up of wines from this large supplier but that is what we expect at this price point. Thank god we do not get up in the morning to drink this stuff! Hey- I don’t want to seem like a wine snob here but these wines were just average for the most part. Well the last two were the highlights of the tasting but it took a lot of average stuff to make it to the good wine.
2009 Covey Run Chardonnay Columbia Valley
Price: $7.50
Very light but pleasant bouquet pear and apple fruit. A bit on the fruity side simple but pleasant enough. Finish 25+ Very Fine
2010 1805 Chardonnay Columbia Valley
Price: $11.25
This was the year that Lewis and Clarke found Washington, fresh apple and pear with fresh flowers. Another light and fruity wine with a short and pleasant finish. Finish 25+ Fine
2010 1805 Riesling Columbia Valley
Price: $9.75
Fresh pear and with citrus lime and a note of chalk and mineral. A good amount of sweetness here but some tangy acidity to match like wine with training wheels. Finish 20+ Very Fine
2009 Columbia Winery Riesling cellarmaster's Columbia Valley
Price: $9.75
A note of petrol and pear and lime citrus classic Riesling nose with a touch of quinine. A nice amount of white peach fruit with notes of white peach and light acidity keeping things fresh and politically correct. Finish 25+ Vine Fine
2010 Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc California
Price: $12.50
White grapefruit and lemon citrus fruit on the nose with hints of green peppercorn. Light and easy drinking fruit cocktail style. Finish 25+ Very Fine
2009 1805 Caberent Sauvignon Columbia Valley
Price: $13.50
Fruity black currant and black cherry fruit with notes of cigar box spice and some fresh earth a fine amount of varietal character. A smooth and easy drinking wine with varietal distinction and a short but pleasant finish. Finish 25+ Good +
2009 1805 Merlot Columbia Valley
Price: $13.50
A touch of light smoke and tobacco spice to the black plum and dark cherry fruit. Light black cherry and plum like fruit with a touch of dark coco and spice with a clean and fresh finish, a real crowd pleaser style. Finish 35+ Good +
