Only 3,000 cases are produced of this exquisite wine made from grapes grown on the steep vertiginous slopes of the Vorberg cru. Here, the evening temperature drops in significant contrast to the days' warmth, creating the ideal environment to produce ripe, concentrated grapes with bracing acidity. After fermentation in large casks, Vorberg is aged 12 months on the lees.

The aromatics of the Vorberg Pinot Bianco--wild flower, pear and honey--are reminiscent of Alsace. Layers of ripe pear, hazelnut, almond and smoke grace the palate and lead to a silky, creamy finish.

Suggested Pairing:  mild cheese and rich, spicy seafood.

Anthony Galloni calls the Vorberg a reference point for the region: 

"Cantina di Terlano is one of Italy's top estates, something made all the more remarkable considering it is a cooperative. The entry-level bottlings have been among my favorite house wines for many years. Fermented and aged in stainless steel, they offer much varietal character at reasonable prices. They are also a great introduction for readers who want to learn more about the unique wines of Alto Adige. In addition, the estate produces a set of single-vineyard whites and reds which are reference-point wines for the region. The single-vineyard wines typically spend longer on their lees and are aged partly or wholly in casks. The top-of-the-line selections (in fatter bottles) see a percentage of smaller barrels. The Sauvignon Quarz, Gewurztraminer Lunare and Nova Domus in particular represent some of the most intensely flavored, unique and age-worthy wines to come out of the region."-AG, Wine Advocate

This single vineyard is planted at 7,400 plants per hectare and a yield of 60 qt/hectare is obtained. Grapes are manually harvested and sorted twice, firstly when they arrive at the winery as bunches and then again after de-stemming, on a second table as berries. The whole berries are immediately put into stainless steel fermentation tanks or French oak fermenters.  The wine rests for 12 months in wood of which 6 are on the fine lees, 6 months in stainless and a further 6 months in bottle.

This is a sensual wine with notes of cherry fruit, tobacco, leather and hints of licorice and spice. The elegant tannins balance nicely with the fruit, all underlined by a fabulous stratum of acidity, making this a complex wine with incontestable structure and power. A long and satisfying finish confirms this sangiovese is true to its terroir.

75% Cab Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese and 5% Cab Franc

The grapes for this blend come from the estate's two vineyards, Montebello and San Giovanni, which are only 4 km apart.  The symbol on the label of the chalice and the serpent was taken from a 16th century painting in the church bordering the Montebello estate. Rutilio Manetti, a famous Tuscan artist, commemorated a story of two saints exchanging gifts; a tray of fruit from Saint Nicola Di Bari and a chalice of wine with a serpent from Saint Giovanni Evangelista. The House of Tolaini has named its wine after the Saints and for the symbolism of Manetti's painting: the fruit representing the richness of our soil and the serpent representing the passion of our labors.

Youthful, rich dark fruit, berry and cassis aromas meld with notable French oak spice. On the palate, Valdisanti is full-bodied with deep but reserved fruit flavors framed by rich oak. The excellent balance of fruit intensity with fine tannins indicates a cellar worthy wine.

"The estate's 2006 Valdisanti is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese and 5% Cabernet Franc. Here the fruit is marvelously rich and decadent, with layers of cherry preserves, roasted coffee beans, new leather and French oak all woven together in fabric of notable class. The sheer richness of the fruit should allow the Valdisanti to develop gracefully in bottle for a number of years. Dried flowers and mint linger on the long finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2024."-92 Points, AG, Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate

Grapes from 50 to 60 different crus, or growing areas, are used to produce the Veuve Cliquot Brut Yellow Label:

50 to 55% Pinot Noir ensures the structure
so typical of the House wines

28 to 33% Chardonnay provides the elegance and
sophistication essential to a perfectly balanced wine.

15 to 20% Pinot Meunier rounds out the blend.

A high proportion of priceless reserve wines (between 25% and 40%) ensures the continuity of the House style.

Veuve Clicquot

NV Rosé

Just three years following its foundation, the House of Clicquot began illustrating  its innovative spirit in 1775 by signing the very first bottle of rosé in the history of Champagne!

In 1818, the House broke away from other rosés produced by macerating black grapes in white wine, and created the Rosé Veuve Clicquot by blending red wines with white wines.

Elegant and fruity with dried berry and watermelon notes.  Lively and flavorful with surprising intensity.  

  Veuve Clicquot 1998 La Grande Dame

"The contrast of depth and brightness, or intensity and weightlessness creates a sense of harmonic resonance in this wine. All the aromatics are potent, from the scent of rising bread dough to the red skin of an apple, all the corresponding flavors rich yet refreshing. The firmness of the acidity seems to add briskness to the mousse, leaving a clean, chiseled impression of the chalk soils in which this grew. Once in a while, there is a young beauty who will age into a more profound older beauty; La Grande Dame is part of that rare breed."--95 points Wine & Spirit

The basic blend is made up of 64% Pinot Noir grapes from the Grands Crus at Ay, in the Grande Vallée de la Marne, and at Verzenay, Verzy, Ambonnay and Bouzy in the Montagne de Reims. The blend also includes 36% Chardonnay grapes from three Grands Crus: Avize, Oger and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger in the Côte des Blancs...

Invaluable vineyards purchased by Madame Clicquot, harvested by hand, pressed and vinified cru by cru, vineyard by vineyard. Aged for a minimum of 8 years in the chalk cellars.

Joel Gott

Riesling

Washington

HELLOOOOO...Riesling is not inherently sweet.  And further, anyone who thinks that they don't like riesling or "anything but riesling" needs to taste this wine and think again!

Joel Gott sources fruit from cool climate Washington sources and produces a dry and delicious food-friendly wine that is absolutely beautiful to enjoy.  The Joel Gott 2009 Riesling is rich with honeysuckle, jasmine, lychee, orange blossom, lime, mango and white peach notes.  The wine presents upfront richness with a lingering clean finish.

Here's what he has to say:

Joel Gott Wines 2009 Riesling, Notes and Pairings

Joel Gott

Unoaked 

Chardonnay,

Monterey 

From cool marine-influenced vineyards, the fruit enjoys a long hangtime on the vine, producing more flavor and crisp, natural acid.  Good fruit and stainless steel fermentation make for a clean, honest chardonnay.

The flavors are round and the mouthwatering, crisp acidity makes for a balanced finish.  Joel has worked with these vineyards for over a decade and his strong relationship with the growers generates consistency and quality from year to year.  

Joel Gott Wines 2009 Monterey Chardonnay

Joel Gott

"Pelkan Ranch" Cabernet Sauvignon

Pelkan Ranch is located in KnightsValley just north of NapaValley and is owned by Sarah Gott's father, John Pelkan. Sarah was able to hand-select all rootstock and clones for the vineyard.  The ranch sits at a high elevation on an east- facing mountainside-so each section of the vineyard ripens a bit differently-and the soils are volcanic and well-drained.  The vineyard was picked in small sections and each block was fermented separately.  Some of the blocks were fermened in oak barrels and others in Bordeaux style stainless tanks.  Finally, the winemakers carefully blended their favorite blocks together to handcraft this special blend.