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These wines are excellent value for the price. Customers favourably compare them to wines they would pay $20 and more for at the liquor store. The wines are New World style, also known as fruit bombs. This means the flavours explode in the mouth. I can't think of one of them that wouldn't be a must for our own wine cellar. There is a $45.00 equipment fee to make the wines in our store. |
Pinot Noir 2012
Bella Sonoma Vineyard - Sonoma Coast - California
The Sonoma Coast is California's "hottest" Pinot Noir region because it is Calironia's coolest temperature area where soils are generally demanding, with high rock, gravel and clay content. These conditions result in low crop yields and wines which are concentrated, complex and elegant with ageing and a rush of new plantings within the region. The Bella Sonoma Vineyard has rocky, shallow soil and was planted 15-16 years ago with a variety of Dijon Pinot Noir clones. It is heavily influenced by marine fogs which flows freely inland, keeping temperatures low for ideal flavour development.
This bright, ruby red wine is medium-bodied with classic aromatics dominated by bright cherry, fresh raspberry, elegant spice and subtle notes from medium toast Hungarian oak. The palate show more cherry, a suggestion of black fruits and licorice with a balance of vibrant coastal acidity and fine tannins.
Sensory refinement and elegance will begin to develop after 12 months and should continue through the third or fourth years of cellaring to become a very special Pinot Noir.
With moderate tannins and bright coastal acidity the wine will compliment a wide range of foods - from white fish, shell fish to beef steaks and most dishes inbetween. Of course, it is also the first choice as a red, social sipper for special guests. Don't fuss, just serve it.
January Release Date $162.99
Nebbiolo 2012
Erickson Farm - Madera - California
This is just the opposite from a Pinot Noir. Here we are going from one of the more genteel wines to one of the most powerful. Nebbiolo is most famous for being the primary varietal for Italian Barolo and Barbaresco wines. It has also been slowly making inroads in California.
This wine captures the classic profile of Barolo and Barbaresco. It is indeed a very BIG wine, with deep, brooding red colour, dense and traditional in style with highly extracted ripe fruit and dark spice, tobacco notes, high alcohol and very pointed tannins that give power and majesty. The secret that enabled Cellar Craft to achieve this lofty profile was found when they introduced some rich Syrah juice from Rattlesnake Valley Vineyard in Yakima Valley, and blended Syrah and Nebbiolo skins into the crushed grape pack.
The assertive tannins do demand that this wine be aged at least 12 months. After a year, the cherry fruit aromas and flavours begin to show balanced integration with the spice notes, oak, maturing tannins and elevated alcohol level. Even further ageing will pay extra rewards, but the wine will still retain its signature chewy, dry texture.
A BIG wine demands big foods as pairing. Think game meats, braised beef and lamb, cured meats, truffles and mushrooms, heavy tomato-saused pasta, rich risottos, or break the bank and serve with foigras. Appropriate cheeses would include Pecorino Romano and blue cheese.
.February Release Date $162.99
Sauvignon Blanc / Semillon /Chardonnay
Lake Country, California / Yakima Valley, Washington
This wine without borders looks to 3 grapes originally from 3 French areas, Bordeaux, Burgundy and the Loire Valley and uniquely blends them together in a new world fashion. The result is a fabulous wine that still can't be produced in their important French Homeland. This exclusive blend is 37% Sauvignon Blanc from Lake Country, California, 35% California Semillon and 28% Chardonnay from California and Washington State.
Sauvignon Blanc from cooler climate Lake Country establishes a base with gooseberry, citrus and grassy notes and a bright framework. Semillon adds lushness, softness and fullness to the mouth feel. Chardonnay contributes apple, pear, melon and more structure. A flavour reserve of Chenin Blanc is included for recommended, but optional use. You can also decide to add American toasted oak.
This wine drinks well after 2 or 3 months, and is best enjoyed at 18 months.
The wine is a great social sipper and cries out for goat cheese as appetizers or in salads. It pairs nicely with fish, scallops, chicken, pork, veal pasta and vegetable dishes. Serve slightly chilled.
March Release Date $162.99
Red Mountain Trio
Sunset Ridge Vineyard, Red Mountain, Washington
In North America, Red Mountain is the place to go to find some of the best wines around. Nancy and I have visited the area, tasted the wines and paid over $50 a bottle and felt we got a great deal. A lot of customers have already experienced the power and high value of these wines in either the regular Cellar Craft Show Case kits or as varietals in limited edtion wines.
Red Mountain Cabernet has been awarded more gold medals than any other Cabernets in recent competitions and both the Syrah and Merlot have shown similar success, While these 3 great grapes continue to receive acclaim as single varietals, Red Mountain has also been developing an identity and solid reputation for unique blends combing all three, as is being done here by Cellar Craft, which mirrors Sunset Ridge's most successful blend: 50% Cabernet, 35% Syrah and 15% Merlot. Both juices and grape skins share this proportion. Of particular note, the Syrah stock will contian combinations of the Cotie Rotie and Hermitage clones, which have proven to be particularly well suited to Red Mountain. The wine will be truly special and unique on several levels!
The power of RM Cabernet, with its black currant, unique notes of orange essence and notable minerality and chalk, will drive the blend. Syrah will add brightness, black fruit and peppery spice while Merlot helps integrate and soften the whole, resulting in earlier approachability. Two-stage Hungarian oak treatment will add its distinctive nuances and provide the structure upon which the fruit will build.
Cellar the wine at least a year and up to 3 or 4 years for maximum benifit.
Great food pairings would be your favourite beef, lamb, game and pork dishes as well as hearty pastas, fowl, pizza, or whenever you would be reaching for a red wine and want to make the meal more special.
April Release Date $162.99