Dehesa de Rubiales Alaia Verdejo Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y Leon 2011 – 10.57 – Spring 2011 was very rainy & rather cold, followed by a very hot & dry summer which favored the health of the grapes while ripening in ideal conditions. This resulted in a healthy harvest & a naturally balanced acidity. The nose is intense with hints of apples, ripe tropical fruits & white flowers. In the palate the texture is pretty rich, the finish is long & elegant with a good balance between the fruits & acidity. Very fresh and pure with a crisp acidity.

Emina Tinto Fino Roble Ribera del Duero 2009 – 13.57 – Made from 100% Tempranillo grapes from Ribera del Duero, Matarromera produces wine in Emina winery, in Valbuena de Duero. Deep cherry color, clean and bright. Big, with a lot of black fruit. On the nose it is very complex, excellent harmony in its aromas: ripe fruit, toasts, coffee… On the palate, it is powerful, round & well structured. Licorice & bacon, blackberry, oak. Sweet polished tannins perfectly balanced with clean wood. Smooth & lingering finish. First vintage.

Bodegas del Aguila Seis Circles Tinto Red 2010 – 13.97 – From high altitude vineyards due south of the Pyrenees. This delightful Spanish red offers spice & pepper notes on the nose, along with aromas of ripe berry, black cherry & currant, blueberries, all of which is reprised on the smooth, fruity palate, which is soft, generous and lightly spicy. The supple texture, ripe fruit & hints of pepper make this a great all-purpose red that will match a wide variety of menu items, though it is soft enough to be enjoyed by itself..

BONUS – CIDER – Trabanco Cosecha Propia Sidra de Asturias 2011 – 10.57 – This cider is unique among those produced in Asturias. It is made from estate grown apples of numerous native apple varietals that have been approved by the Asturian Association of Cider Apple Growers. The juice is fermented with indigenous yeasts and in accordance to the guidelines for “Naturally Fermented Quality Cider” producing a low alcohol cider that is tart and without carbonation. This poured a very cloudy yellow color, some initial natural fizz from the bottle and has an acidic apple aroma. Acidic/tangy, sour, citric/lemon and then the dryness takes over to give it a lovely finish. Minor oak feel in the aftertaste, some bitterness & it ends much smoother than when it started. This is yet again a very acquired taste and you seriously need to love the acidic/sour/citric feel.

BonHomie Wines – La Reine Juliette Picpoul de Pinet 2012 -12.97- Citrus flavors of lemon and lime. Clean, lean palate with mineral, limestone, earth. Picpoul de Pinet is considered the Muscadet of the South. This wine is grown from the oyster beds of the Bassin de Thau. Picpoul means ‘lip stinger’ which refers to the high acidity of its must. This wine is fermented in stainless steel… It is crisp, but quite long and full with nice floral and mineral notes. Bracing acidity, and a lovely clean finish… Apple, lemon, honeysuckle.

Integrity Wines – Ampelidae Marigny Neuf Sauvignon Blanc 2011 – 14.57 – Organic / Vegan – Ampelidae is in Marigny-Brizay, about an hour’s drive southwest of Tours, near the ancient city of Poitiers (Loire Valley). Low-yielding, (45hl/ha)(2.4 tons/acre) organically grown Sauvignon Blanc vines over 25 years of age give wine with uncommonly intense concentration and structure, and very sophisticated aromatics. Lemon zest flavor, complemented with hints of gooseberry, earthy limestone, dust and smoky flint.  The high acidity offers slightly pungent flavor that is appealing.

Integrity Wines – Ampelidae Marigny Neuf Pinot Noir 2011- 14.57 – Organic / Vegan – A very good example of Pinot Noir at its best. Subtle flavors of kirsch and nuts develop to reveal smoky, floral notes. Bright and fresh aromas of cherry and strawberry, this wine has a well-balanced acidity with harmonious fruity flavor. Offering soft tannins, this light-bodied wine allows the subtle smoky and nutty tastes to unfold. Great price for tasty Pinot Noir.

Jenny & Francois – Clos Siguier Cahors 2009- 14.57 – Practicing Organic – A juicy, medium-bodied Malbec from southwest France, this is a fantastic option for those seeking to branch out from the Argentine examples of this grape. Dark fruit, spice, a hint of earth, and ripe, warm flavors. Giles Bley’s efforts at Clos Siguier have a bit more in common with the Malbec grown in Argentina’s Mendoza. This is a surprisingly bright and youthful Cahors with depth of red and black fruit, subtle terroir and silken tannins. Clos Siguier is a lighter styled, readily accessible Cahors with its roots firmly planted in organic winemaking traditions. Natural, chocolatey, nice dusty grip, with 5% Tannat.

Askari OH LLC  –

Friday, July 7, 4pm – 8pm

Cava Francesc Ricart Cava Brut 2011 – 14.97 – Floral, citrusy (tangerine), clean & pretty. Fresh, softer acid. Like it. Friendly. Traditional method, aged in bottle for 14 months before release. From Almansa, Spain, with Xarello, Macabeo, Parellada. Light color, floral nose, great balance. Floral & honey hints on the nose / fresh, balanced, fruity / fine mousse.

Spanish White Guerrilla Verdejo 2011 – 12.57 – Racy lemon and quince aromas, along with floral and mineral nuances. Vibrant citrus fruit flavors are braced by a note of tangy acidity. Single-varietal white wine of verdejo, originally presented and which is expressive, fruity and pleasant. Francesc Ricart – “This is a Verdejo, and as such, it is a smooth easy-drinking wine, and not for being an extremely flowery Verdejo, but because it has a very fruity character.”

Spanish White Guerrilla Albarino 2010 – 15.57 –  The first Albariño produced in the geographical boundaries of the Autonomous Community of La Rioja, a white balanced, smooth and pleasant fruity notes. Perfect for fish and seafood. This wine is part of the collection by Spanish White Guerrilla Maetierra. On the nose, it is a sound and intense wine with several aromas of white fruit such as melon and pear. It leaves notes of acidic apple and some acidic fruit, and the mineral properties of the soil this variety is grown on are also present. On the palate, it is an explosive wine with a smooth attack, leaving a fresh and alive aftertaste thanks to its acidity and acidic apple notes.

Lopez de Haro Rioja Crianza 2008 – 13.57 – Wine for Normal People – “This had some power. Licorice, with lots of spice from the oak — like nutmeg and allspice and Christmas-time. And black fruit — black cherries, black plums. Yum. Just like it smelled — licorice, plums, cherries, spice, with vanilla. And fresh from the acidity. I loved the complexity of flavor and the fact that it had a lot going on but was still light. Great wine.” – Elizabeth.