It’s hard to believe that yet another year has passed us by and that Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. However, here we are in 2010 and I have some great new ideas for bubbles for your baby, pink bubbles at that! I have ventured out of my sparkling comfort zone to bring you a new Champagne from France as well as a new sparkling Rose of Malbec from Argentina. Don’t worry I haven’t completely left my roots, Terre Valentine’s Napa Cabernet still managed to make my Cupid’s Day list. No matter what you pick, you can be sure that you will be enjoying a great bottle with that special someone! Enjoy!
REGINATO “CELESTINA” 2007 ROSE OF MALBEC, SPARKLING WINE – MENDOZA, ARGENTINA – $17.99 – CJR are the initials of Celestina and Jose Reginato, the matriarch and patriarch of the highly regarded Reginato winemaking family. Jose and his son, Pepe, have been making sparkling wines since 1986. They craft some of Mendoza’s most sought after limited production, boutique bubbly. The “Celestina” Rose of Malbec is a special tribute to the late matriarch Celestina Reginato, whose name means “matchmaker in Spanish. Its deep rose hue is typical of the rich Malbec grape. It will give you a good reason to match sparkling wine with your main course. May it add some sparkle to your romantic evenings and to the celebrations of everyday life.
NICOLAS FEUILLATTE NV BRUT ROSE CHOUILLY, FRANCE – $47.25 - The nose on this Champagne is a real festival of red fruits, with flavors of blackberries, raspberries and strawberries, that delicately linger and give off a feeling of lightness. A blend of 65% Pinot Noir, 10% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Meunier gives this sparkler the strength it needs to stand up to others in the region at twice the price. The Pinot Noir is strong, round and well structured while the Pinot Meunier is balanced, smooth and elegant. This Champagne will charm the finest palates of the evening.
AQUA PUMPKIN 2007 SANTA BARBARA COUNTY PINOT NOIR – $17.09 – Aqua Pumpkin was the brainchild of former Wild Horse employee, Tom Williams. During the crush of 1986, a very sleep-deprived Tom Williams fell asleep at the employee break room table. He awoke holding an aqua and pumpkin crayon. Finding the thought of an “aqua pumpkin” amusing, Tom drew a picture and wrote text to his creation – Aqua Pumpkin was born. Harvested from vineyards of the old Byron estate this Santa Barbara Pinot Noir has bright cherries, with a hint of cola, with a long silky smooth finish. A wonderful value for this pumpkin free wine.
TERRA VALENTINE 2002 NAPA CABERNET SAUVIGNON- $33.24 – This beautiful Cabernet is from high atop the Spring Mountain District overlooking the Napa Valley. Lush, elegant and silky soft tannins on the entry followed by flavors of dark plum, juicy blackberry and hints of subtle anise supplement this wine. Traces of freshly roasted coffee interlaced with spices such as clove and nutmeg carry this wine to its finish. The mountain fruit shows elegance and restraint on the palate. Not a wine for the faint of heart.
BELL WINE CELLARS 2006 MASSE RANCH, YOUNTVILLE UNFILTERED SYRAH – $17.99 What an incredible value from another huge wine from Anthony Bell’s wide spectrum of a portfolio. This wine is usually reserved for visitors of the winery and wine club members. We twisted a few cases out of Anthony on his last run through Arkansas. The Reserve Syrah is produced from grapes grown on the Massa Ranch in the cool climate Yountville appellation. This wine is deep in color, with rich concentrated fruit flavors and firm supple tannins. This Syrah is accentuated by aging in French and American oak barrels and was not fined or filtered before bottling so buyers beware, this is a huge wine that will stain most anything in its path. One of the biggest Syrahs that I have tasted to date or for that matter, ever.
I hope you can find a wine or two for that special holiday celebration between two people or at home with a large group of friends and family. Riedel Cristal is also available this month at a 25% discount on all stemware in stock. Watch for our in store specials at countylineliquors.com as well as wine related articles. Follow zurmoligist on twitter for everyday wine notes on tastings with winemakers and winery representatives. I can be found at County Line, Tuesday thru Saturday for any of your wine or entertaining questions.
Enjoy!
Mark Hatwig
479.750.7575
