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  • August 03, 2021

    August 2021 Rosé Club Wine

    By Santo Roman
    Well folks do I have a treat for you this month.  On a side note, I'm sitting outside in my inner front courtyard and man do I need to clean the roof and gutters!  Pine needs are collection like my roof is going all natural...kinda like this little rosé...naturally awesome!
    Here are the notes from Anthony Lynch-
    They say great wine is evocative of place. With Tempier rosé, all it takes is one sniff to be carried back to Provence, conceiving a dreamy fantasy of sunshine and ice-cold pink wine. Suddenly we are in the shade of a massive umbrella pine tree at Domaine Tempier, refreshed by a soothing breeze and generous sips of rosé. The cigales chirp buzzingly in the background, while the sound of laughter complements their constant hum. Your glass of Bandol, evocative of rosemary, ripe peaches, and citrus, is the perfect elixir to wash down the assortment of snacks that has spontaneously materialized: garlic-rubbed toasts with cured anchovies, olives marinated in herb-infused oil, and slices of salty saucisson. This is what Tempier rosé is all about—celebration, gaiety, and delicious simplicity.
    I was able to crack a bottle and my only bottle of 2020 rosé a week or so ago while getting eaten alive by mosquitoes.  I grilled up some filets and steamed up some brown rice while I was letting the bugs suck my blood out.  Funny thing is...while the DDT I sprayed on me was doing its job...I didn't mind the buzzing sounds of bugs buzzing my ears as the rosé was doing it's job.  
    The major benefit of being part of the rosé club is when I can secure and hold bottles like this for you all.  I mean let's face it...any wine shop that doesn't secure and hold one of the most sought after rosé in the world for the club that is all about rosé, is just stupid.  Enjoy this with whatever you want or hold it for a few years.  I'm glad I opened it as it was great and pleasure to drink out in the woods.
    Santo
  • July 01, 2021

    July 2021 Champagne Club Release

    By Santo Roman

     

    This is 100% Chardonnay from Chouilly and Cuis, from vines planted in 1964. It's composed of a blend of Grand Cru and Premier Cru. A delicate and feminine Champagne that has fine bubbles with a creamy mouth feel. This cuvée is perfect for connoisseurs. It's a Champagne of thirst, perfect for apéritif and with fish, thanks to its lemony taste. We like the fresh finish that it leaves.

    Stéphane Coquillette is a fourth-generation winemaker in Champagne. His father, Christian, has been running the Saint Chamant Champagne house since 1950, and he lovingly sent his son out to start his own estate when Stéphane was 25. Though mentored by his father, Stéphane developed a very different style of expression at his own house, creating leaner, drier Champagnes, primarily from Chouilly (Grand Cru), Cuis (1er Cru 99%) for Chardonnay, and d’Aÿ (Grand Cru) and Mareuil/Aÿ (1er Cru 99%) for Pinot Noir.Meticulously committed to organic practices, Stéphane avoids herbicides at all costs. Everything is done by hand, including trellising and pruning, which helps avoid disease and allows for a healthy crop. With more than 10 different parcels, he produces several single-vintage and single-vineyard Champagnes — a rarity in this region — and all his wines are small-production. Stéphane Coquillette Champagnes are characteristically precise, fresh and lively.

    A robust and dramatic chardonnay Champagne carrying the essence of limestone through a long finish, this has a bold complexity that doesn’t let up. A hint of apple skin tannin lends it grip, emphasizing the austere, dry style of the wine. Suited to several years in the cellar.

     

  • June 13, 2021

    Arpepe Riserva is in!

    By Santo Roman
    Arpepe Riserva wines have landed!
  • June 01, 2021

    Spanish Wines You Need To Drink!

    By Santo Roman
    Wines from Casa Ventura Imports with Basilio Rodriguez & Katie
    On Friday Katie came in with Basilio from Casa Ventura Imports...wines from Spain.  They were on point!  We have the Marques de la Concordia Brut Rosé Nature in the shop...love it.
    Here are the rest that will be coming in on Thursday the 3rd. 

    2018 Bodegas Edetaria "Via Terra" Garnacha Blanca Terra Alta Catalonia $16

    Notes:  Yellow, straw-colored, clean and bright. Fresh fruit, specially bouquet of apricot, melon, pear on syrup and cinnamon. Strong mouth entrance with a big fruit explosion. In the mouth is sweet-toothed. Highly fresh, very integrated acidity and a very especial end that brings up to the mouth a long and persistent finish.

    Excellent with seafood, alive oysters, grilled prawns, as well as rice and grilled fish.

    2019 Finca os Cabatos Godello $19

    Notes:  A highly aromatic wine showing zesty citrus aromas combined with ripe stone fruits, a mineral sensation and hint of white pepper. Dry with a refreshing crisp palate of pineapple, tropical fruits and a delicious, dry, citrus finish.

     2018 Finca Torremilanos Monte Castrillo Rosado $16

    Notes:  This rosé shows the color and structure of a light red, delivering cherry, leafy, ginger and earthy flavors, backed by firm acidity and light, firm tannins. Old-school and made for food.

    2019 Bodegas Edetaria Via Terra Negra Garnatxa $17

    Notes:  Via Terra Garnacha is a medium body red wine, with great minerality and pleasant red fruit flavors running from strawberries to red currants to sweet cranberries.

    2018 Finca os Cabatos Mencia $15

    Notes:  One of the oldest vineyards in the area, the estate is planted to the regions signature varieties: Godello for white and Mencía for red. This wine shines with the grape's signature freshness and tell-tale herbaceous hints. This Mencía is softer than those from Bierzo; it has juicy acidity and a light frame--almost reminiscent of Beaujolais. The nose shows strawberry, red fruit, and forest.

    2016 Finca Torremilanos Torrre Albeniz Reserva $37

    Notes:  The 2016 Torremilanos Reserva combines the signature perfume notes of the Ribera de Duero region with the structure and minerality from 86 years old vines in Finca Torremilanos. Notes of plums and ripe red fruits in the nose of this rich Tempranillo. The palate is full-bodied with abundant fine-grained tannins and a velvety juicy texture.

     

    As I said, all wines will be in the shop as of Thursday the 3rd!

  • May 31, 2021

    2017 G.D. Vajra & Luigi Baudana Barolo Pre-Sale

    By Santo Roman

    2017 G.D. Vajra & Luigi Baudana Barolo Pre-Sale

     

     

    2017 G.D. Vajra Barolo Pre-Sale

    The Vajra family produced a bevy of stellar wines from both their estates, G.D. Vajra in Barolo and Baudana in Serralunga. The 2017s are deep, fleshy and impeccably balanced.

    "Most of our work in the vineyard is done by June," Aldo Vajra told me. "What vines don't like are sudden changes, so we try to do most of our work early. It's not just the heat that is an issue, but also direct sunlight on the berries. In 2017 we left a little more fruit on the vine in order to maintain freshness and delay harvest as much as possible."

    Antonio Galloni, Vinous “2017 Barolo: Here We Go Again” (Feb. 2021)

     

    G.D. Vajra Barolo “Albe” $40

    Notes: Red berry, rose and camphor aromas waft out of the glass. Tangy and delicious, the smooth, full-bodied palate doles out ripe Marasca cherry, fleshy raspberry and hints of ground baking spice framed in taut, polished tannins. It’s already accessible but also has good midterm aging potential.” 93 Points Wine Enthusiast  84 cases coming in.

    G.D. Vajra Barolo “Coste di Rose $65

    Notes:  Red berry, rose and camphor aromas waft out of the glass. Tangy and delicious, the smooth, full-bodied palate doles out ripe Marasca cherry, fleshy raspberry and hints of ground baking spice framed in taut, polished tannins. It’s already accessible but also has good midterm aging potential.”  96 Points Wine Enthusiast. 23 cases coming in.

    G.D. Vajra Barolo “Ravera” $90

    Notes:  From the township of Novello and from what is now widely recognized as one of the denomination’s top vineyard sites, this is just stunning, offering intense aromas of wild berries, new leather, floral notes, camphor and grilled herb. The delicious, structured palate shows finesse and power, featuring ripe red cherry, blood orange, cedar, licorice and mineral notes suggesting tangy iron. Noble tannins provide support. Reflecting the vintage, this won’t need years to come around but will also age well for at least another decade. 97 Points Wine Enthusiast. 35 cases coming in.

    G.D. Vajra Barolo “Bricco delle Viole” $90

    Notes:  Aromas of underbrush, pine forest, woodland berries and cedar form the enticing nose. Full bodied and savory, the structured palate delivers ripe Morello cherry, raspberry compote, star anise and cinnamon before closing on pipe tobacco notes. Tightly knit but refined tannins provide the backbone, while surprisingly fresh acidity for the hot vintage keeps it balanced.”  96 Points Wine Enthusiasts. 45 cases coming in.

     

    2017 Luigi Baudana Barolo Pre-Sale

    Luigi Baudana Barolo “Serralunga d’Alba” $60

    Notes:  The 2017 Barolo del Comune di Serralunga d'Alba may very well turn out to be one of the best wines of the year in its peer group. Dark and wonderfully expressive, yet also light on its feet for a Serralunga Barolo, the 2017 has so much going on. Black cherry, plum, spice, gravel, cured meats, lavender and sage all meld together in this dark yet translucent Barolo.   93 Points Vinous.   10 cases coming in.

    Luigi Baudana Barolo “Baudana” $90

    Notes:  The 2017 Barolo Baudana is such a gorgeous wine. It, too conveys the power of Serralunga, but with a bit less heft than is typically the case. Sweet dark cherry, iron, cedar, rose petal, mint and white pepper give the 2017 its effusive, inviting personality. This is such a tremendous showing.  95 Points Vinous.  10 cases coming in.

    Luigi Baudana Barolo “Cerretta” $90

    Notes:  A dark, somber wine, the 2017 Barolo Cerretta shows the more potent, brooding side of Serralunga. Black cherry, gravel, smoke, cured meats, cloves and menthol add to an impression of virile intensity and pure power. Readers will have to be patient here, but there is certainly a ton to look forward to. This is another impressive showing from Baudana and the Vajra family.  95 Points Vinous.  10 cases coming in.

     

    These wines are due to arrive around July or August.  Please contact me with what you'd like.  At this point I'm just asking for people to give me the quantity of the 2017's you'd like.  Once the wines arrive I'll send you an invoice to be paid. 

     santo@raincitywines.com

     

     

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