E-Newsletter 12/26/13

WINE OF THE WEEK:

Any guesses as to what type of wine
we’ll choose as your Wine of the Week
for the final week of the year?

If you thought Bubbly, give yourself
a pat on the back.

We went ’round and ’round on this
selection. Should it be high end
Champagne? Inexpensive Cava or
Prosecco?

We’ve got lots of great options, of
course, but we eventually realized
it just had to be the Laetitia Brut Cuvee.

Due to our insistent pours and
recommendations, many of you have
become delightedly familiar with
this charming Central Coast Cuvee.

But if you’ve yet to try it, here’s a word
from the winemaker:

“This is a fresh, lively blending of our three
base wines. Our Chardonnay provides elegant
citrus and green apple flavors. Our Pinot Noir
exhibits subtle earthy black cherry, red fruit
nuances, and a kiss of our Pinot Blanc adds soft
melon traces which round out the palate.”

The result is an incredibly versatile food wine
that also works wonders as an aperitif or
celebratory quaffer.

Just $17.97 at NCWC.

TASTING EVENT FRIDAY, 12/27:

We have arrived, dear friend, at the very
end of 2013. Some of us may mourn the
year’s passing; others may cheer its demise.

Either way, it’s time to party!

Let’s start with this Friday, 12/27.
For your enjoyment we’ll put on a
Wine Tasting Event of “Staff Favorites,”
i.e. wines that made us smile extra big
smiles this year!

You’re good to go any time from 4-10,
and for $15 you get snacks plus these:

Argyle Brut Sparkling 2009, $19.97
-90 points Wine Spectator; Bill’s pick,
“Amazing bubbly for the price.”

Brokenwood Semillon 2011, $17.97
-90 points Wine Spectator; Jim’s pick,
“awesome example of a lesser-known white,
with incredible verve and complexity.”

Joseph Phelps FogDog Pinot Noir 2011, $26.97
-91 points Bill Tobin; Bill’s pick, “sublime
example of Sonoma Coast Pinot, somehow combining
rich Cali fruit with classic Pinot elegance.”

San Felice Pugnitello 2008, $39.97
-92 points Wine Spectator; Bill’s pick, “terrific
Super Tuscan, featuring a little-known grape
(Pugnitello means “little fist,” which is what
the grape clusters resemble) – just a quintessential
marriage of fruit and earth.”

Trinitas Petite Sirah 2010, $26.97
-90 points Jim Tobin; Jim’s pick, “Delicious
doesn’t even begin to describe this, with just
enough structure framing gushing fruit and spice.”

Hidden Ridge Reserve Cabernet 2007, $69.97
-95 points Wine Enthusiast; Jim’s pick,
“intensely concentrated, this small production
beauty hails from a steep vineyard on Spring
Mountain. It’s as amazing – and cellarable –
as any Cab out there.”

Now THOSE are some serious year-end fireworks!
Come toast the waning of 2013 and the approach
of 2014!!

HOLIDAY HOURS:

Thursday, 12/26, open 11-9
-glasses of wine half price all day

Friday, open 11-10
-2013 Retrospective Tasting, 4-10

Saturday, open 10-10
-6 for 6 tasting all day

Sunday, open 12-7
-6 for 6 tasting all day

Monday, open 11-9

Tuesday, New Year’s Eve, open 11-?
-New Year’s Eve Party