Welcome to the sweet spot of spring. Ole man winter is dead and gone, and he’s left us with wonderful things like picnics, softball games, and barbeques. Yes, it’s grillin’ season! So when you’re on your way to that potluck bbq, tell ‘em you’ve got the wine covered, and stop on by The Wine House for the May 2009 Dirty Dozen!
Reorder Special !!! 20% off 6 bottles or more of any one regularly priced Dirty Dozen wine! Or 10%/Net Wines – 5%/ Sale Wines
Click here to purchase the Dirty Dozen for $109.
2008 Pinot Grigio, Inacayal – $13.99, $11.19 reorder
Part I of a brace of Argentine wines, here is an all tank fermented Pinot Grigio that’s rich, round and viscous. Grown at elevations of 3000 feet, the grapes get both proper ripeness and zippy acidity. It’s fruity, it’s floral, and even gives off hints of fennel. Really? Yeah, really. This is the kind of wine you want to have handy for those grilled prawns!
2004 Chardonnay, Gournier – $4.95 sale price, $4.70 reorder
Play a game with this one. Pop a bottle at your next gathering and just leave it where people can access it. Watch them taste it, then quiz them as to how much it costs. You’ll be amazed at the range. Perfect with fried chicken.
2006 Gewurztraminer Tradition, Rene Mure – $18.99, $15.19 reorder
Plenty of spicy, rich, rose petal-like fruit with a twist of chalky mineral, Mure’s Gewurz Tradition is a great example of what Alsatian Gewurz is all about. Oh what do they know about making wine? They’re only on their 12th generation winemaker there. The 13th may still be a little young, but no doubt will get the torch. Try it with red beans and rice.
NV Touraine Rose, Domaine d’Orfeuilles – $14.98 net price, $13.48 reorder
From the Loire Valley, made mostly from Cot, which is what the locals call Malbec, this sparkling Rose is just the bomb when it comes to value! It was featured in a past email write-up due to the fact that no one on the staff spat when they sampled it. Dusty minerals and raspberry are alive and well; this will be the big hit at brunch!
2007 Greco di Tufo, Torricino – $17.99, $14.39 reorder
If you like bone dry, lipsmacking whites that show hints of dried apricots, honey, and toasted almonds, then this wine is for you! Part of our ever-growing Italian section, this is the wine to serve along side a steamy bowl of mussels.
2007 Les Tours, Domaine la Hitaire – $ 9.99, $7.99 reorder
Wow! The hits just keep coming! It must be springtime, as this newly released white from Gascogne suits the warmer weather perfectly. This could be the ultimate picnic wine, as it is dry, reveals vibrant white fruit, and conveniently comes in screwcap. Most of our allocation was snapped up by a wholesale account, but we saved six cases for the DD!
2006 Zweigelt Liter, Ecker – $10.98 net price, $9.88 reorder
From Austria comes the herbaceous Zweigelt. If you haven’t tried this wine before, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. It’s got plummy fruit, and in spite of being tank fermented, has a spicy profile. Oh yeah, check out the liter bottle.
2004 Cabernet/Syrah, Domaine des Cantarelles – $13.99, $11.19 reorder
We just love these Cab/Syrah blends from the south of France. Spicy Cabernet fruit mingles with the smoky Syrah, and off they walk hand in hand like a romantic couple down the lane. The bonus here is that the folks at Cantarelles have a penchant for making earthy, Bordeaux-like wines. So fear not, pop this baby with that juicy, grilled rib-eye.
2004 Merlot, Domain de St. Antoine – $5.95 sale price, $5.65 reorder
Another visit to the “Are they kidding? …They’re practically giving the stuff away” section of the shop. 2004 was yet another rock solid vintage in the south, and this wine is your proof. It’s got fruit, it’s got earth, and a pinch of herbs de Provence. A versatile wine, it can be served with practically any grilled meat, even chicken, or try it with pizza.
2006 3 Cepas, Alberto Furque – $15.99, $12.79 reorder
Part II of our Argentine duo, this blend of Tempranillo, Syrah, and Malbec is short on price, huge on flavor. From the Uco Valley, which is considered to be the sweet spot of the Mendoza, these vines are also planted at 3000 feet in the foothills of the Andes Mountains. The blend is big, bold, spicy, and won’t back down. Not even to leg of lamb.
2004 Cotes du Rhone Cuvee Sabrine, Domaine Andre Brunel – $9.95 sale price, $9.45 reorder
Here we are with that Brunel character again. And here we are with another crazy sale wine! Again, 2004 was, ho hum, another great vintage in the Southern Rhone. Brunel makes several cuvees, and this one is the most robust, with hints of earth and spice to go with all that fruit. Serve it up next to spaghetti & meatballs and fuhggetaboutit!
2006 Grenache Noir, Gournier – $9.99, $7.99 reorder
Cherries and spice, cherries and spice. So, so friendly, fruity; it doesn’t need a big meal to put a smile on your face. The fruit is in the forefront, the tannins are present, yet stay in the back of the bus. Makes it perfect for parties. Or picnics. Yes indeed, it has a screwcap, so take it on out wherever you’re going and make ‘em smile.
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Reorder Special !!! 20% off 6 bottles or more of any regularly priced Dirty Dozen wine! Or 10%/Net Wines 5%/ Sale Wines
Tags: Mixed Case Sampler, The Dirty Dozen, wine clubs, value wines, french wines
