2006 DOMAINE LA HITAIRE “LES TOURS” - Gasgogne, France
The grapes are picked early morning with bins lined with dry ice to keep the fruit cold and protect against oxidation. The fruit is then macerated cold between 6-10 hours to extract flavors from the skins. Wines are made completely in stainless steel tank. These extra details insure the awesome quality that we have all come to expect from the Grassa family. “Les Tours” is a cuvée made from 65% Ugni Blanc, 30% Colombard and 5% Gros Mensang. All of the vines used in this cuvée are 50+ years old. This is a delicious, forward wine with intense orchard fruit scents and flavors. Tiny amount was shipped to the U.S.    10.00

2005 DOMAINE EHRHART PINOT-AUXERROIS
This grape is considered the finest clone of Pinot Blanc due to natural low yields and smaller size berries. The vineyard is at the mouth of the Valley of St. Gregory on top of the slope, which is the perfect growing environment for Auxerrois. The fruit is pressed immediately after picking to extract the maximum aromatics and retain the bright fruit qualities. Fermentation is in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. This wine offers up intense scents of apple and peach blossoms, and then in the mouth is round and slightly off-dry, with juicy fresh red apple fruit. Bright and delicious with a long lingering finish, this is a terrific Alsace wine value.    16.00

2005 CA’TUILLIO PINOT GRIGIO - Friuli, Italy
The sweet and intense perfumes are characteristic of the variety: ripe citrus, pineapple, peach and spring flowers – very aromatic! On the palate the wine is intense and balanced, with a pleasantly fresh and a long full-bodied finish with excellent mineral characteristics. Another great value!    10.00

2005 JOSEPH CARR CHARDONNAY - Napa
Only 1,500 cases were produced. This smooth, well-balanced wine opens with a very pleasant and inviting bouquet. On the palate, the wine is round, well balanced, and has a very smooth mouth feel. The wine has good fruit flavors. The finish is slightly dry. A terrific food wine!    17.00

2005 CHÂTEAU DE VALCOMBE, CUVEE PRESTIGE, COSTIERES DE NIMES - France
Located on a rocky plateau at the western edge of the Rhône River, the first vines were planted here in 1750. After five generations in the same family, the Ricomes are producing very fine wine. Everything here is done by hand and the selection is severe. The Prestige cuvée (Appellation Costières de Nîmes Contrôlée) is made from primarily the finest old-vine Syrah on the property blended with up to 30% Grenache, depending on vintage. Aged in oak barrels (new/1&2 years) for one year and left unfiltered. This wine is one of the treasures of Nîmes, displaying deep blue and red fruits, spice with a jammy texture and rich finish. 18.00

2006 PIERRE-MARIE CHERMETTE BEAUJOLAIS VIEILLES VIGNES - France
The Domaine du Vissoux is produced in a very traditional style. Pierre-Marie Chermette is a pioneer with sustainable viticulture in the region. This includes severe pruning and handpicking to improve ripeness as well as natural fermentation and no filtering to allow the flavors of the terroir to come through. This is a wine that is an authentic and individual style of Beaujolais.    16.00

2005 CHEHALEM 3 VINEYARD PINOT NOIR  - Willamette Valley, Oregon
What happens in the vineyard is almost everything with Pinot noir, a cool climate is critical, vineyard site and vintage almost equal in impact. No grape reflects how it is grown and treated more than Pinot noir. These are exceptional vineyard sites. The focus is in helping the vines reach perfect balance on each site, seeking uniform growth and yields that fully reflect the complexity and lush beauty that is Pinot noir. In the winery the style is restrained, intervening as little and as gently as possible. They believe in fully ripe fruit and a moderately extractive style, finished with only a moderate amount of new oak. They use our own fruit exclusively, harvest to taste and balance in the vineyard. A classic, old style Oregon vintage, the 2005 is smoky, dark, and filled with firm, tightly packed fruit in a leaner style, with strong raspberry and plum flavors gently firmed by soft tannins, good acid structure, and a suppleness that finishes moderately long with a touch of earthiness.    30.00