Time to Wine...
The wines just keep getting better. With recommendations
from our members, our wine collection is growing in variety like a good grape
vine should! We're excited to highlight a few of the gems we have lying down at
the store. The first is Villa Antinori, from Tuscany.Antinori has produced Chianti Classico, one of the most
widely known wines in the world, for centuries. This particular wine was
introduced in 1928 by Niccolo, Piero Antinori's father, as the first Chianti
produced specifically to improve with age.  Villa Antinori Riserva, which has
become the bench-mark for Chianti Classico Riserva, is only produced in good
vintage years. The wine's label, which had remained unchanged since 1928, was
slightly restyled with the 1990 vintage. Intense ruby red colour with purply
hues. The nice hints of red berries and vanilla aromas from the oak are
accompanied by good structure. The palate is complex and stylish with soft
tannins. 55% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 5% Syrah. And at
$19.95, it's a steal! From
California...we are proud to carry two different varietals from Beuna Vista
Winery. We don't normally carry large wineries which pump out thousands of
cases of wine a year. Where's the quality in something like that? Even though
Beuna Vista is the oldest winery in Napa (they made wine for the church during
prohibition) and used to be one of the largest producers, a few years ago
decided to change their efforts. Rather than producing 300,000 cases of wine a
year, they've scaled back to just 30,000 cases a year. They've focused their
energies toward once again making wine artistically and with respect to the
environment. Knowing that in the past they may have turned people off of their
wines by mass production, they've lowered their prices to reintroduce the brand
to people. These two wines are not only fantastic, but at their price point,
they're an incredible deal. The Beuna Vista
2006 Carneros Chardonnay shows aromas of fresh flowers and tropical mango and
pineapple fruit against a creamy, toasty background. In the mouth it shows
 intense apple, vibrant citrus, honeydew and pear notes through the creamy,
subtly toasty finish. Our price is $11.95 and are offered cold or un-chilled. The Beuna Vista 2006 Pinot Noir Carneros has aromas of bright
cherry, fresh ground nutmeg and earthy wild mushroom. In the mouth the wine
shows intense bright blackberry and plum fruit with undertones of sweet mocha
and clove. This is a wine of great depth with the long, supple finish
considered a hallmark of Carneros Pinot Noir. These are not lasting long at
$19.82, so make sure to stock up!! 
Another Napa winery, Flora
Springs, offers two unique wines at Lighthouse Liquors. The 2007 Flora Springs "Soliloquy" Oakville Sauvignon
Blanc is aA good, white
Bordeaux-style wine, rich, crisp and savory. It has dry, full-throttle flavors
of oak-inspired citrus, peach and spice, with a complex touch of green
gooseberry and honey." This  was one of the wines we offered at the last tasting
and it was a huge hit with everyone. We were worried that we would run out, but
fortunately the nice wine folks brought us some more!! It's only $14.50!! The other
from Flora Springs is their Merlot. Normally, Merlot is not a wine that gets a
lot of attention from us, but this one is something special. Flora Springs Napa Valley Merlot has
grapes from three of their vineyards in three distinct areas of the Valley were
used. Each vineyard, under the management of Proprietor/Vineyard Director Pat
Garvey, is farmed using sustainable and organic practices. And due to their
endless diversity of soil types, exposures, and 
elevations, each adds its own
individuality and personality to the blend. The Komes Ranch grapes add
intensity and structure, those from Oakville fill in with bouquet and flavors
of raspberries and red fruits and those from Pope Valley contribute deep color
and supple tannins. If it's been awhile since you tried a Merlot, give this one
a shot and at $20.95, it won't last long!! Finally, a
delicious red wine from Chile!! Maquis Lien is an interesting
Chilean blend of Syrah, Carmenere, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot, and Malbec.
However, very tight out of the bottle, it got better every hour it was opened,
even kicking some serious butt the second day. Inky black purple color. On the nose, youthful, medium intensity,
black cherry, plum, leather, spice, bell pepper, tar, wet tobacco, and damp
earth, with modest oak. On the palate, dry, medium intensity, plummy, leathery,
spice laden red blend that got better every sip. With medium tannins, medium acidity,
this wine was still kind of wound up and might take some time to reveal all
that it has to offer. Plus the label is cool... $19.95. 
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