Australian "Cote Rotie"?

A crowd pleaser for sure! Rock Gully Shiraz 95% and Viognier 5% 2005, is a magnificent wine that takes the French Rhone wine making technique and puts it in a new world style. When you approach the wine you get a very focused bouquet of earth, primarily herbs. A big rich combination of dark berry fruits, blackberry, blueberry, raspberry mingled with a touch of cola that finishes off pleasantly long and firm. If you tried to buy this wine from a winery out of France you'd probably pay three times as much, it's a fantastic bargain.

Bargain Alert

We've just come across a great bargain from Spain, a wine with all the character required.

GRAN FAMILIA

Gran Familia is a classic blend of Tempranillo 90% and Graciano 10%. 2004 was regarded as excellent by D.O. Rioja. A hot summer was followed by a very wet September. Harvest was held mid to late October ensuring ripeness of fruit.

I found this wine to have a remarkably deep quality for the price. It's lush, with dark cherry and blackberry fruit and it's structured with fine tannins and spice.

The wine maker Alfredo Gonzalez says:


DOMAIN

Known primarily for its reds Rioja D.O. is one of the five best-known and most prestigious wine-producing regions of the world. The Rioja’s principal soils are ideal for quality viticulture; they are well balanced in
structure (sand, limestone and clays), slightly alkaline, low in organic matter and have a moderate supply of water in the summer.

The Tempranillo grape gives Riojo wines their elegance, concentration of aromas and complexity of flavors. The low yielding, Graciano grape produces many of the most highly prized wines adding the necessary tannins that develop so superbly with aging. A red Rioja is typically well balanced in alcohol content, color and acidity, with well-compensated body and structure and a light, elegant flavor. Predominately fruity when young the wines become more velvety with ageing. These characteristics give Rioja wines enormous versatility for matching with different cuisines, one of the keys to their success. Rioja Gran Familia is an outstanding example of the changes in Spanish winemaking during the past decade which have shifted the emphasis from oak to fruit.

Ratings/Reviews

Rating by RobertParker.com
The Independent Consumer's Guide to Fine Wines

Rating: 89 points
Gran Familia, a blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano, is one of the best values I tasted for this Spanish report. It is medium to dark ruby in color with first class aromatics consisting of smoke, cedar, and leather. The wine has remarkable depth of flavor and length for its humble price. This is a super value in Rioja.
— Jay Miller (Feb 2007)


This wine will be available for the sale price of $8.99 from now until May 25, 2007.

Farmhouse Ales

Ever wonder what the hype is about farmhouse ales? I've noticed that they keep popping up in various breweries and I can't seem to ignore them (for good reason too!). They are also known as Saison or country ale. Typically easy drinking, mid-level alcohol strength beer that seems perfect after along day at work, particularly outside or....on a farm. Small batch brewing releases a bit of that fresh outdoorsy taste with wild grass and just a touch of spice.

Our most recent farmhouse ales available are the Refvindinge Private Stock Danish style farmhouse ale, brewed by Harpoon, Two Brothers Domanie du Page French stlye farmhouse ale, Hennepin Belgian-stlye saison by Ommegang and my favorite standby Foret Organic bottle-conditioned Saison Ale.

Contact us at richardswines.com for info about your favorite saison!

Kosher for passover

We have a great selection of wines for the upcoming holiday.


Gedeon Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
The grapes for this wonderful Cabernet Sauvignon hail from the foothills of the Judean Mountains, South and East of Jerusalem in Bet Shemesh. This wine features forward fruit along with toasted vanilla and tobacco notes from the French Oak Barrels. Excellent with pasta, grilled meat, pizza or curry dishes. Mevushal!
$16.99






Efron's Cave White 2004
100-percent Sauvignon Blanc, made in stainless - a crisp, angular wine with plenty of lemon, citrus, mineral notes and great acidity. The perfect wine for fish, white meat poultry and salads. Also Mevushal and O-U certified. From Israel's Dan Region - another great wine appellation from Central Israel. $16.99







You'll find more kosher wines in our shop or drop us an email for more information.

Pre-Sell Offer

Pine Ridge 2004 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon
Only the 4th year of production, this is a small production
wine and the 2004 vintage is high on quality but low
on quantity. The Oakville Cabernet has a rich history
of receiving great press and based on tasting the 2004,
history will repeat itself!

Origin: Home to some of Napa Valley’s premier vineyards, the
Oakville appellation is known for its world-famous Cabernet.
Balance, good fruit integration and flavors of bright cherry and red
berry fruit are hallmarks of wines produced in this appellation. The
estate-grown Oakville Cab is carefully blended in the Bordeaux style
with 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot.

Winemaking: The grapes were harvested from mid-September until mid-October 2004. The juice was pumped over traditionally and macerated on the skins for up to 40 days before being transferred to barrel for malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged in French oak barrels for 16 months before bottling in June 2006.

Tasting Notes: Initial aromas of cola, cherry and cigar box segue to hints of chocolate toffee, dried currant and allspice. Firm and silky upon entry, the 2004 Oakville Cabernet shines with layered flavors of bright cherry, currant, dried blueberry and milk chocolate. Firm, chewy tannins grip the fruit and reveal a long, persistent finish accented by tobacco, sugar and toffee.

Low Pre Sale Price $468 six bottle case. After offer price will be $540.

Click here to place your order.

Drink Now!

I tried the Monsanto Nemo 1997 last night and was very impressed with it. This Cabernet Sauvignon from Tuscany is drinking beautifully with it's dense core of fruits. It's tannins are very subtle and subdued making for a soft and luscious body. The warm bouquet gives way to a jammy concoction of black cherry, raspberry, cassis with hints of cocoa, mint and tobacco. It's a real jem. Try it with rotisserie beef tenderloin or rack of lamb. We've got just of few bottles left.

Need something for the wine cellar?

Visit our website for information about delivery!!

Pre-Sell Offer

Big savings if you order ahead!

92 Pts: Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine
STORYBOOK MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS
2004 ANTAEUS
Napa Valley
59% Zinfandel • 21% Cabernet Sauvignon • 15% Merlot • 5% Petit Verdot.
Although there are touches of chocolate to the deep, well defined and gracefully oaked aromas of this successful proprietary blend, there is nothing extreme about the wine’s ripeness at any point. Its juicy, deeply drawn, blackberry flavors are decked out with sweet oak and spice, and its ample fruit carries into a long, tannin-firmed finish. It is a wine meant to age despite its youthful appeals, and it promises to grow for five to ten years. – Stephen Tanzer
Price: $460 (12 per case)

To place your order please go to our website.

Looking for an investment?

This could be the perfect second career. I'll bet you thought they only made potatoes:

As of April 9, Idaho's Snake River Valley will take its place among 236 AVAs in the US, a third of which are in California. AVAs can encompass a large boundary covering hundreds of square miles or a land mass of just a few acres. The Snake River Valley is relatively large. At 21,400 square kilometers (8,263 square miles or 5.27 million acres), it is larger than Connecticut and Delaware combined and is just shy of being as large as New Jersey. The area extends along the Snake River, east to west, from the Twin Falls area into Oregon. The area's geologic history, elevations and surrounding mountains, cold continental climate and complexities of its boundary lines are listed among its unique viticultural characteristics. Air currents created by the Snake River are noted for helping to temper Idaho's extreme winter temperatures and summer heat.

I'll have to start looking for some wines from Idaho.

Order it Now and Save

Seps Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2003

"...a blast of intensity...Floral, black current scents and mineral, sparks of tannin...powerful, remarkably fresh..."

93 points - Best Cabernets - Wine & Spirits, April 2007

93 points - Jim Gordon, CaliforniaWineWeb.com, 2/07

"Pure, laid-back aromas of cassis, violet and licorice root. Juicy, pure and nicely delineated, with a penetrating cedary quality and firm underlying structure. Finishes with fine tannins and subtle persistence."

90 points - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

Presell Price: ^$400 (6 pack)

Regular Price: $450

Limited Quantities Available

Contact us at the orders section on our website by March 31.

Older Vintages

We have many older vintages and flights in our store, from classic California wines like Opus One 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 plus many others. We also have some older wines from Burgundy, one of which we tasted recently and it's been progressing very nicely over the years. The Domaine A.F. Gros Savigny-les-Beaune Clos des Guettes Premier Cru 1997 is at it's optimal drinking stage right now. Smooth and silky with dried cherry and plum fruit mingled with earthy spices. Let it sit for a half an hour or so before drinking.
In our Burgundy section for only $39.99.

Planeta

As mentioned yesterday I attended a wine tasting, hosted by Palm Bay Imports, that featured a few dozen wineries mainly from Europe and South America. I was not dissappointed that I went, there were many wines that were very impressive. Since we already feature a couple of the wines I sampled yesterday I'd like to talk about them.

Planeta, a winery in Sicily, Italy has this to say about themselves:

"Planeta is not just one wine but many wines. It is a journey through Sicily from the province of Agrigento in the west starting from Samuca di Sicilia and Menfi, towards the south-east through the provinces of Ragusa and Siracusa, and then heading northeast to Etna in the province of Catania. Each site showcases the extremely diverse terroirs found within Sicily. Three enthusiastic young Sicilians, Alessio, Francesca and Santi Planeta, began this wine-making venture in the middle of the 1980's focused on indigenous and international varietals and have been showered with praise ever since."


The Planeta La Segreta 2004 is produced predominately from Nero d'Avola with an addition of Merlot and Syrah. It is a very friendly red wine that is perfect for everyday use. It has intense aromas of fresh fruits and flavors of raspberry, prune, cherry, cocoa and a touch of toasted coffee. I would recommend the wine to anyone who is tired of the same old same old. We are offering it in our Italian section for $15.99.





The Planeta Cerasuolo 2005 should not be overlooked. If your a fan of elegant wine with finesse then look no further. This wine is packed with tons of berry fruit and spice, it has great depth and charm that will have you coming back for more. Starting off with vibrant flavors of strawberry, sweet cherry, raspberry and fig that finish out with a touch of ginger and fresh herbs. The finish is long and fresh. The perfect match with roast pork or lamb. We are offering it in our Italian section for $27.99.

The Wine World Has Lost a Pioneer

Ernest Gallo, who died today (03/06/07), helped put California winemaking on the map. He lived to the ripe old age of 97, surely from working hard and drinking good red wine regularly.

Tasted some great wines today

Palm Bay Imports has a great portfolio from Planeta in Sicily to Jean Luc Columbo in Rhone, with many others in between. We'll feature some of their wines here soon.

The winery that really stood out was Feudi di San Gregorio from the Campania region in Italy, especially the Serpico. We hope to have it in stock soon.

City Council Meetings Must Be Interesting

Only in Las Vegas could the mayor get away with this:


For the record, the mayor of Las Vegas, Oscar B. Goodman, likes his martinis made with a big cup of gin, on the rocks and a couple of garlic-stuffed olives. Vermouth need not apply, and don’t even talk to him about vodka.


Just imagine if the mayor of Boston was seen in public doing this, he'd be skewered by the Boston Herald. They'd have a field day with him.

Indeed, while politicians and pop stars spend time running to rehab, Mr. Goodman has made his love of drink a central element in a very successful public persona. A former criminal defense lawyer who made a fortune representing mobsters and their henchmen, Mr. Goodman is regularly seen at public events with a martini in hand, often flanked by a cadre of showgirls.


If you want to take up after the mayor we have all the supplies you need for the perfect martini.

Another Spanish Bargain

This sauvignon blanc from the La Macha region in Spain is a far cry from the ones you'll find from the more famous areas that the grape is known for. New Zealand, Loire and Bordeaux produce fabulous sauvignon blanc which are normally very bright and clean in style with firm acidity and citrus flavors. With it's more tropical fruit and less bracing acidity the Condesa de Leganza sauvignon blanc is a great white wine but it's a bit different in style , call it a laid back sauvignon. This wine would match perfectly with lighter dishes like antipasto, salads, baked white fish and poultry. It's a bargain for $7.99 a bottle.

Lagunitas Sweet Release

This brew really packs a punch, at 9.9% alcohol it rivals a bottle of wine (most domestic brews average around 4%). The Lagunitas Brown Shugga is a very tasty ale that's fermented with fresh brown sugar. You would think it would be too sweet but the alcohol balances it out making for a tasty brew to enjoy after dinner, with a short pour of some quality bourbon if you like, it's all you'll need for the day. The limited released Brown Shugga' is available now for $5.20 in the 22oz. bottle. We feature several of Lagunitas beers both in six packs and 22 oz. bottles, they're excellent.

Wishing for Balance

Often times when you think of Australian wines you think big, rich, full, sweet, berries, ripe and even sugar. Some of those characteristics are fine, but there are times when it can be too much. I find that in some of the wines from down under in the $8 to $15 range you find a lot of them over the top. The Wishing Tree isn’t one of them, that’s why we’ve recently added them to our collection of wines. The chardonnay is fresh and unoaked, delivering the taste of the grape with a zesty flavorful upside. The Shiraz is very nice, with ripe and juicy fruits but not overdone or hot (burnt flavors or caramelized from the sun). It has zippy pepper and spice finish that is nicely balanced with the plum like fruits. Try them out, we think you’ll really like them. They're both featured in our Australian section for $10.99.

Fantastic White

Following on the previous post I tried this wine again yesterday and was extremely impressed. We've had it in the store for a couple of months now and it's really evolved into something quite special. This white Cotes du Rhone is farmed bio dynamically and is organic, really an amazing wine for it's price. The Chateau de Bastet Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2005 has an incredible core of fruit that throws off wonderful pineapple, banana and peach flavors. These flavors are very, very subtle because they are layered with a stable mineral core that tastes like a wet stone, after a spring rain storm, would smell. Sounds strange but you must try it to believe it.

Biodynamic wine?

When it comes to biodynamic wines, it's easy to be confused. Is it organic? Is it earth-friendly? Why should I consider biodynamic? And does it really make a difference? When I first started to purchase organic/biodynamic fruits and vegetables I noticed it was always top quality . There was no excessive washing needed and the fruit just tasted better. So why wouldn't this apply to the fruit used to make my wine? If you start with fresh, delicious, and organic/biodynamic grapes then it will create an exceptional wine. Makes sense to me. And who needs added sulfites anyway?

Here is a short description of what biodynamic really is:

"This agricultural method was designed by Austrian scientist and philosopher Rudolph Steiner, who gave his famous “Agriculture Course” in 1924. Its basic premise is the interconnected or “dynamic” relationship between all things in our universe. The goal of biodynamic viticulture is to create a self-sustaining vineyard, a self-sufficient ecosystem that yields the highest possible quality grapes. This is achieved through certain unique methods and applications that take into account ecological, spiritual and energetic principles."

Here at Richard's Wine and Spirits, we have a strong interest for organic and biodynamic wines. We look for quality wines to showcase them throughout our store and to educate our customers about the options that are now available.

Here's a few great websites for those who want the farming facts.

The Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association

Demeter Biodynamics

Soft and Juicy

If you're looking for a wine that is easy drinking, doesn't have that bitter bite to it and is still full bodied, then look no further than the Big Red Monster. Made by the people who bring you Pepi wines, this wine is packed with berry fruits, most notably sweet raspberry, mingled with a touch of vanilla and oak. I'm not sure what grapes are blended together to make this, since they don't list it on the bottle, but I assume it's mainly Merlot blended with some Cabernet Franc. I also think some chaptalization was done at the end of the wine making process, adding unfermented juice to boost alcohol content and sweetness. It retails for $10.99 a bottle.

The Newest Vodka Flavor

I'm not usually a big fan of all those flavored vodkas out there. Why not just buy some flavoring like a fresh lemon or lime for it? But I must say the lastest flavor from Grey Goose is quite exceptional. Given that it isn't real easy to get the flavor of pear into a glass of vodka without making a sticky mess, it makes sense. It's perfect on the rocks with a twist of lemon or you could try some recipes if you like.

Shiraz with Balance

Australian shiraz is hot, literally. It comes from a very warm region where the climate is hot and dry and you can taste it in the wines. They are usually big, robust and packed with fruit, often times so much so that the wines are too sweet and/or heavy. I would define that as a hot wine and I usually try to steer people away from that style. There are many shiraz's that fall into this category but there are some real gems out there too. These are the wines that have all the qualities of a big wine with all the dark fruits and spice but also are balanced with some nice acidity and tannins. 2 Up qualifies as one, it's a few more dollars than the glut of 7 to 10 dollar ones out there but it's well worth the extra dough.

It comes from the great portfolio of wines from Peter Click Selections.

Wine you should be drinking

I gave this one another try again last night and was not disappointed. It was chosen for the Boston Globe's top 50 wines for less than $10 (although most stores sell if for $11). It's a fantastic wine for the price, very soft and easy to drink yet has copious amounts of quality fruit. If you like Syrah or Shiraz give it a try, it's blended with the varietal Carignan which is the most widely planted red wine grape in all of France.

Lagarde Winery of Argentina

At the Boston Wine Expo I found a great winery from Argentina. I’ve never been much of a fan of the wines coming to the United States from South America, they often seem over processed and seemed to have a character of fertilizer to them. Many never seemed to capture a particular character of the area to me. Lately I’ve had the opportunity to taste some wines newly available to us that are not like that at all, the Lagarde Winery is one of them.



The winery's brochure says:

“Lagarde Winery was founded in 1897 and is one of the oldest and most traditional wineries in Mendoza, Argentina. The outstanding quality of our wine is the result of the Pescarmona family tradition, a commitment to incessant improvement and our know how to extract the best possible quality from our terroirs in Mendoza. With more than 250 hectares of vineyards we ensure the quality of grapes, which are the single most important ingredient to make our wines.
Our ambition is to make the best wines we are capable of making. We have an objective to search incessantly for the best quality and to define our wines with a personal style, elegant, characteristic of Mendoza and independent from fashionable trends in winemaking. In addition we look to incorporate the wisdom and artistic hand of our owners and winemakers. Lagarde is managed today by the third generation of the Pescarmona family, represented by Sofia Pescarmona de Boschi.”


I tasted several of the wines and was particularly impressed with the Lagarde Atlas Cumbres line, here are some of my observations:

Atlas Cumbres Viognier 2005
This wasn’t the most impressive of the wines on the table, the reds were more solid, but it was still quite good. It had lots of fruit and good balance, fresh and powerful aromas of melon, peach and apricot. It deserves a second try which it will get in the near future.

Atlas Cumbres Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
This very impressive wine has an intense red color with clean, fresh and complex aromas of berries, plum, figs and pepper. The wine has a strong personality is in perfect balance with a medium body and a very pleasant finish.

Atlas Cumbres Malbec 2004
This wine is perfect for people who are looking for soft and easy drinking wines that pack a punch. Its intense color is red ruby and its voluminous flavors are of dark plum, black berry, most significantly are fresh flavors and fruits of the forest followed by a hint of chocolate. It is delicious, harmonic and complex.

Look for them at an in store wine tasting at Richards Wine and Spirits coming soon!!