Grapevine Gazette October 2009
September 30th - November 3rd
Glorious October (named after the Roman emperor, Octavius) is upon us and heralds in the seasonal, social and cultural changes that makes Fall so special. Cool, crisp evenings harbor in the joyously scary All Hallows Eve, better known as Halloween to our children or those adults who never really grew up. This all American holiday is the bridge to those approaching months of family merriment, festivities and reunions, when we have a sense of hope that all is fine and right in the world. And as mentioned earlier, it gives us adults the perfect reason to regain some of our youthful spirit and joie de vivre. As such, we offer a bevy of unique choices that echo this celebratory climate, be they to share with family over a Fall stew, scare up some frightfully good yarns, nudge you into wearing that Halloween costume you swore you’d never wear again, or simply to warm your soul on a brisk night. We may age gracefully as adults, but it doesn’t mean we can’t act like children every so often.

Ken Forrester Chenin Blanc
Reg $13.99 Gazette Special $11.99
In the heart of South Africa's most famous wine region, Stellenbosch, is situated the chenin blanc vineyards (called ‘Steen” in that country) of Helderberg Mountain. Forrester makes some of the best white wines of South Africa, a region rich in both history and vineyard cultivation, and this particular gem is no exception. This dry white offers wonderful aromas of lemon, lime, and honey that give way to supple, rich citrus and melon flavors. When looking for something a little different to serve at your upcoming holiday feast, this one will be a pleasant and delectable surprise.
88 points Wine Spectator
Michael Cristillo-Corp Wine & Spirits Buyer

Sant Elena Pinot Grigio
Reg $17.99 Gazette Special $14.99
Produced in the picturesque Venezia Giulia region of North-Eastern Italy, where the climate and soil are ideal for whites, Sant’ Elena pinot grigio is a great success story. Made from 100% organically farmed grapes, this white is a real joy to drink. Yielding only one bottle per plant, it is dry, crisp and full of delicious aromas and minerality. Soft and rich on the palate, it displays a well-integrated acidity, making it ideal with appetizers, poultry, veal and seafood – or enjoy as an aperitif.
Constantin Zaharia-Wine Specialist Rolling Hills Estates

Arnaldo Caprai Grecante Grechetto
Reg $17.99 Gazette Special $14.99
The Caprai’s make their grechetto in the classic regional tradition, fuller and rounder in depth of flavor concentration, lending itself beautifully to richer foods. This winery has been consistently well rated by the Italian wine publication, Gambero Rosso, for their outstanding wines since their first grechetto bottling in 1989 - and in 2005 they were designated the winery of the year! This wine pairs nicely with all seafood and poultry dishes. However, I have savored this wine many a time just on it’s own to garner a smile at the end of the day. Chin-chin!
Alex Brideau-Wine Specialist Beverly West

Castle Rock Lake County Sauvignon Blanc
Reg $9.99 Gazette Special $7.99
Indian summer is known to be “those last vestiges of summer”, and in October you have the ideal sunny days and cool evenings. Castle Rock sources its grapes for this wine from Lake County in Northern California where the soil types and microclimate provide ideal growing conditions for sauvignon blanc grapes. This elegant medium-bodied wine is crisp and refreshing, with hints of citrus, apple, honey and melon flavors blending into a smooth, silky finish. It pairs well with seafood, chicken, salads and vegetable dishes.
David Yaquinto-Wine Specialist Palm Desert

Nobilo Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Reg $12.99 Gazette Special $10.99
Light yellow in color, this wine has a distinctive Marlborough bouquet of ripe tropical and citrus fruit. The palate is crisp and zesty, with flavors of lemon, passion fruit and melon. Pair this with seafood kebabs or various cheese selections from our outstanding Cheese Department.
Brian Moore-Wine Specialist Newport Beach

Croze Sauvignon Blanc Monte Lago Vineyard
Reg $19.99 Gazette Special $17.99
Gary Wooton sources the grapes for this sauvignon blanc from the Monte Lago Vineyard in the hills overlooking Clear Lake, California. The yields are kept low to intensify the bright crisp flavors. The grapes are hand-picked, crushed and fermented in small lots to preserve their wonderful fruit character. The fermentation is long and cool and completed in steel tanks to help preserve the bouquet and flavors of the grapes. During the ageing in the steel tanks the lees are gently stirred every day. This produces a wine that develops a wonderfully soft texture to go with a bouquet of lime and mineral balanced by the flavors of citrus and honeydew. Enjoy this great sauvignon blanc with fish, poultry, and lighter style pasta dishes.
Dick O’Connell-Wine Specialist Newport Beach

Trefethen Oak Knoll Chardonnay
Reg $29.99 Gazette Special $26.99
In 1979, the Trefethen 1976 chardonnay was named “Best Chardonnay in the World” at the Gault Millau World Wine Olympics in France. This started a 30 year trend of excellent estate grown chardonnays. One key to their success is sustainable farming of the vineyards located in the Oak Knoll District of Napa. The Trefethen family has been committed to sustainability since 1968 and in 2006 the vineyard and winery were certified "Napa Green". The present vintage is a bright and juicy wine with rich, balanced flavors of lemon cream, pear and honeysuckle. The oak is present but not overpowering giving the wine a tasty hint of vanilla, toast and butterscotch. The balance of grape acidity and toasty oak will delight any creamy dishes such as risotto or chicken alfredo.
Cheryl Dash-Wine Specialist Manhattan Beach

Gunderloch Jean Baptiste Riesling Kabinett
Reg $19.99 Gazette Special $16.99
In 1890 Carl Gunderloch founded the estate by investing in the best vineyard sites of the ‘Rote Hang” (“red slope”) in Germany’s Rheinhessen appellation. The 5th generation offspring, Fritz and Agnes Hasselbach, have elevated the estate to world class status by earning Wine Spectator 100 point scores for their TBA dessert wines from 1992, 1996 and 2001. Aromas of juicy peach, pear, raspberry and lime with a sprinkling of dried herbs abound. On the palate one finds grapefruit, tangerine, lime and white-pepper, all well-proportioned with a long mineral texture finishing with lime and almond paste. It is most versatile with light to medium weight dishes, such as creamy pasta, pork and poultry.
Jose Cortes-Wine Specialist South Pasadena

Marques De Caceras Rioja Rosé
Reg $8.99 Gazette Special $6.99
I have enjoyed the last several vintages of this wine and this present vintage does not disappoint. Dry, with a nice mouth feel, juicy, generous fruit flavors of cherry, strawberry with gentle spice notes. Light acidity gives it a tangy, crisp character. Chill one to go with paella, shrimp, red fleshed fish, burgers or most any picnic or Holiday dish you can create.
Jim Harris-Wine Specialist La Jolla

Mas de Gourgonnier Les Baux de Provence Rose
Reg $19.99 Gazette Special $16.99
Even though Summer is officially over, the warm days and temperate evenings continue for another month or so. While this is the best time to be sipping a vibrant, racy, zesty rose, this wine works with cuisine well into the Holiday season. The grapes for this gem are organically grown, and have been since the early 70’s, and the estate is one of the last of the family owned in the region. The wine is somewhat terroir driven with its dried spice, garrigue and mineral notes to the lively zippy strawberry, current, citrus note in the lingering, cleansing finish. Great with the fall flavors of including roasted turkey, grilled pork loin and ideal with traditional Holiday fare.
Geoff Nicoll-Director Beer, Wine and Spirits

Borsao Primizia Campo de Borja
Reg $8.99 Gazette Special $7.99
This stainless steel-fermented, deep ruby-hued effort displays plenty of sweet black cherry, strawberry, and raspberry fruit, a hint of black currants, medium body, silky tannin, and wonderful ripeness. Put the money you save on this great value toward a nice rib eye and you can usher in the fall season with style and still have some money left for college football tickets.
Don Ziehm-Wine Specialist Newport Beach

Vale do Bomfim Douro Reserva Red
Reg $12.99 Gazette Special $9.99
Looking for something different, delicious and affordable? Portugal boasts mature vineyards of the Upper Douro valley, representing the region’s wealth of grape varieties. The grapes used in this bottle of Vale Do Bomfim are grown in vineyards that traditionally supply the house of Dow with its great Port wines. Whether harvested for Ports or for this dry, powerful red blend, these grapes are from one of the best growing regions in the world. The medium body and elegant structure of this wine offers assertive spice aromas, dark chocolate notes and delicious wild berry flavors. Pairs perfectly with grilled meats, vegetables and casseroles, red sauced pasta dishes and soft ripened cheeses.
88 points Wine Enthusiast 2007
Matt Hopkins-Wine Specialist Valencia

Abadia Retuerta Rivola Sardon de Duero
Reg $14.99 Gazette Special $12.99
Located in the town of Sardon de Duero (just outside the Ribera del Duero DOC in Castilla y León) lies the Abadía Retuerta estate. Originally established as the monastery and vineyards of Abadía de Santa María de Retuerta in 1146, its name comes from the combination of two words that define and describe the territory: Rívula (river bank) and Torta (twisting, winding). The very modern Abadía Retuerta covers 510 acres of vineyards divided into 54 blocks identified by soil composition and mesoclimate. Soil composition varies from sand, clay and gravel near the river to limestone, aggregate boulders and stone on the upper hillside. The climate is extreme continental and semi-desert, with hot summers and cold winters. Rívola is a blend of 60% tempranillo and 40% cabernet sauvignon from various plots on the estate and has just about everything I like in a red wine. The color is a brilliant ruby, the aromas are fresh and generous with impressions of red berries, and complexities of jasmine, spice and mint. In the mouth the wine is mellow, fresh and succulent and ends in a silky, elegant finish. Another astounding value from Spain!
Rob Hill-Wine Specialist Hollywood

Capiaux Chimera Sonoma County Pinot Noir
Reg $29.99 Gazette Special $25.99
Lovers of red burgundies take heart, there are some California pinots that will amuse your pallet and evoke a fond smile, with its subtle notes of earthiness to tame the richness of ripe cherry flavors and the ever soft hint of tobacco on the nose. Assembled at the O’Shaughnessy Winery, this pinot is an exceptional and memorable offering for most Holiday fare.
Alex Brideau-Wine Specialist Beverly West

J. Lohr Los Osos Paso Robles Merlot
Reg $13.99 Gazette Special $11.99
J. Lohr continues to showcase quality wines from the Paso Robles AVA. Their merlot (yes, they grow merlot in Paso!) receives a bit of malbec, petit verdot, and cabernet sauvignon to give this a Bordeaux-style structure and fruit profile. After aging for 11 months in American oak, this bottling showcases floral aromas and mouth-coating flavors of blueberries, currants, and notes of cranberries that are balanced with soft tannins and a bright finish. Pair this with your favorite pork roast or with one of our roasted chickens from the deli department.
Mario Salas-Wine Specialist Palm Desert

Swanson Napa Valley Merlot
Reg $25.99 Gazette Special $21.99
Swanson is a family winery founded on a passion for evolving the existing standards of wine and food. In the 1950s, long before founding Swanson Vineyards in 1985, the Swanson family introduced their first lifestyle product, Swanson frozen dinners. After crafting what was arguably America’s first lifestyle brand, the family continues to expand the simple and sensual pleasures of life through Swanson Vineyards. This wine is an intense expression of merlot. Black cherry, blackberry, smoke and espresso are prominent on the nose and palate. Powerful, satiny tannins provide the stunning texture for which this wine is known. Pair this silky gem with red pasta, veal dishes and hard aged cheeses.
Michael Gregory-Wine Specialist Beverly West

Jim Barry Cover Drive Cabernet Sauvignon
Reg $18.99 Gazette Special $15.99
On the southern boundary of Coonawarra in South Australia is the old Penola cricket ground, which first saw a ball bowled in anger and the flashing cover drives of the local champions in 1950. Soon after the ground closed in 1996, Jim Barry, a pioneer in the local Australian wine industry, purchased the 30 acre property and planted a cabernet sauvignon vineyard. The wine produced is deep ruby in color with a purple tint. The nose shows intensely complex characteristics of spices like rosemary and mint along with notes of coffee, vanilla and raspberry. This is followed up on the palate by an eruption of muscular black fruits including black cherry, blackberry and black currants with hints of mocha and dried herb. The tannins are fine grained and supple and the wine has a long integrated finish. Highly recommended at this price point. Superb with all lamb dishes.
Michael Pagh-Wine Specialist Redondo Beach

Justin Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon
Reg $27.99 Gazette Special $24.99
I always say, sometimes you just can’t get enough of Justin! This Paso Robles cabernet displays the traditional Justin balance with beautiful garnet color and a pungent floral nose with hints of anise and tobacco. This medium-bodied wine has a luscious mid-palate with ripe cherries and chocolate. The tannins are nicely polished, lending a structured mouth feel to the wine. The finish lingers gently and is moderate in length. This is a wine one can enjoy now, but it will also last a minimum of 10 years with good cellaring. At this price the Justin represents an excellent value for both an everyday cab, and with some time in the cellar, a worthy special occasion wine.
James Johnston-Wine Specialist Valencia

Laure de Noves Gigondas
Reg $21.99 Gazette Special $17.99
The southern Rhone Valley is best known for Chateauneuf du Pape. Considered the king of the Rhone, and named for the Popes New Castle, it became synonymous with the region. But there are many other superb appellations in the immediate area, Gigondas being of prominence. As early as 1894, wines from Gigondas won awards and acclaim and were often used to prop up some of the more watery wines of Burgundy. While never really gaining the notoriety, the wines are truly charming, distinct and interesting, and produce almost a third of the volume of the more famous cousin. Comprised mainly of grenache, this spicy, peppery, slightly smoky offering makes a fantastic compliment to well seasoned foods such as pork, marinated beef, or any game meats. Also great with your Holiday turkey.
Geoff Nicoll-Director Beer, Wine and Spirits

Domaine du Terme Vacqueyras
Reg $19.99 Gazette Special $17.99
The sturdy, robust wines hailing from the Southern Rhone appellation of Vacqueyras (the new kid on the block, having only become an appellation in 1990) were once referred to simply as Cotes-du-Rhone Villages. Crafted by legendary Gigondas producer Anne Marie Gaudin and made in the classic Southern Rhone style, grenache (80%) dominates the blend with syrah (20%) rounding out the mix; all hand picked from 80 year old vines. Explosive flavors of raspberries, cherries and plum are beautifully balanced with terroir-driven nuances of violets, wild herbs, smoked game and pepper. Pair this baby with your favorite cut of prime beef from our outstanding meat department or rich, full flavored cheeses.
Fernando Damasco-Wine Specialist Hollywood

Sean Thackery Pleiades RTW
Reg $24.99 Gazette Special $20.99
A blend of syrah, sangiovese, petite sirah, barbera and countless other varietals added strictly by taste, Pleiades is a rare treat to both the palette and pairs with nearly anything suitable for red wine. Starts with an initial nose of raspberries, cranberries menthol/eucalyptus, clove and brown spices. Taste the cherry, menthol, mushrooms and petrol tones of this medium to light bodied reddish amber effort. Finally, enjoy a dense lingering finish that can be counted in minutes, and decant for another hour or more. Suddenly new tones of boysenberry and thyme show through on both the nose and palate in this ever-changing perfect accompaniment to most Italian dishes, veal, lamb and sausages of all sorts.
Teo Santocono-Wine Specialist La Jolla

Jelly Roll Santa Ynez Syrah
Reg $37.99 Gazette Special $33.99
Syrah, for some oddball reason, has hibernated from the palate consciousness of the consumer. Well, its time it came out of the closet and back into the limelight. And this particular one you do not want to pass up on due to its amazing concentration, intensity and balance of elegance and firmness. An equal blend of two great Central Coast vineyards, Larner and Stolpman, this beauty reveals a dense, rich bouquet and flavors of blackberries, plums, black cherries and pepper with sweet, firm tannins and a plush finish. Winemaker and proprietor, Jim Knight consistently produces a wine for both serious connoisseur and neophyte looking for a consumer-friendly red. Give it time to open up or decant and your palate will thank you.
2007 awarded 93 points Parkers Wine Advocate
Michael Cristillo-Corp Wine & Spirits Buyer

Orin Swift The Prisoner Proprietary Red
Reg $35.99 Gazette Special $31.99
Dave Phinney, one of the most talented winemakers in Napa, has hit another home run with this years Prisoner. The man simply has a true knack for making world class wines. The Prisoner boasts no varietal on the label due to its creative blend of zinfandel, cabernet and syrah with a dollop of petite sirah and charbono. The wine is simply a joy to savor, with its brooding spicy, chocolaty black fruits, with cherry, vanilla and slightly toasty finish. This wine had achieved cult status years ago, and only gains momentum. Kudos to Dave for another outstanding alternative to the same old boring red. Well suited to short ribs, beef, lamb and our Santa Barbara sirloin.
Geoff Nicoll-Director Beer, Wine and Spirits

Dancing Bull California Zinfandel
Reg $9.99 Gazette Special $7.99
Dancing Bull has always delivered a solid zinfandel for its price point. Outsourcing from various appellations in California (including my uncle's ranch on the outskirts of Lodi) helps to give this wine layers of flavors. Ripe flavors of crushed berries, and notes of cherries are balanced out with lush tannins and notes of pepper spice that carries onto its lengthy finish. Enjoy this with peppered tri-tip, braised short ribs, or a hearty plate of lasagna.
Mario Salas-Wine Specialist Palm Desert

Cruz Garcia Real Sangria
Reg $7.99 Gazette Special $5.99
Don’t start putting away your shorts & tank tops just yet. Remember, we live in Southern California where Summer never seems to end. And because of our Indian Summers, we continue to enjoy Cruz Garcia Real Sangria. Imported from Spain, the regions finest red wine and regional fresh fruit juices are combined all in one bottle. The only thing you will need is a large cup of ice and a long straw. Enjoy this delightful drink all Summer and Winter long.
Michael Contreras-Wine Specialist Westwood

Larresingle Armagnac VSOP
Reg $58.99 Gazette Special $51.99
Armagnac was one of the first areas in France to begin distilling spirits, long before Cognac. The idea came from the Middle East, where distillation was mainly used in the production of perfumes. In the 14th century monks in Armagnac were making their brandy for medicinal purposes. There is an ancient list prescribing forty tribulations it would cure, including “…enlivens the spirit, recalls the past to memory, renders men joyous, preserves youth and retards senility. And when retained in the mouth, it loosens the tongue and emboldens the wit, if someone timid from time to time himself permits.” The other good reason to have this excellent liquid in your cabinet is for the wonderful things that happen when you use it in your cooking. Mix it with sugar and brush it on your cakes, deglaze your roasting pan with it for a flavorful sauce, soak dried fruit in it. Or just have a glass after dinner. It is guaranteed to enliven your spirit.
Rob Hill-Wine Specialist Hollywood and Westchester

Lagavulin 16 year Scotch Whisky
Reg $89.99 Gazette Special $79.99
Fall is here forcing an early retreat indoors. It’s cocktail hour and the cool tropical refreshers are now out of place. The Lagavulin 16 year Scotch Whisky is a down blanket masquerading as a cocktail. Rich velvety flavor accented with hints of peat and moss coalesce to make a warm drinking experience without any unnecessary heat. This Scotch is an elegant companion to drink just prior to dinner, and once shelved it will make for that very special cocktail with loved ones, neighbors, and family as we begin the holiday season this month.
Sean Ryan-Wine Specialist Westchester