Champanes Wine Cellar & International Marketplace
Champane's June  2008 Newsletter
Tasting Notes

2004 JOH. JOS. PRUM GRAACHER HIMMELREICH REISLING AUSLESE.... from one of Germany's premier producers, this liquid gold is worth panning for high return on your wine dollar. Pale gold in color, with loads of fruit (apricot and peach), with a nice minerality and concentrated flavors that coat the palate. It may be sweet but it is not the first thing that registers to the senses. It's the racy flavor and seductive characters that last long after its delicious sip. A juicy nugget to savor for many years to come.
 
 2007 CROSSROADS SAUVIGNON BLANC....Another stellar effort from the Kiwi's of New Zealand. Dense citrus fruit , grapefruit, lime and fresh cut grass with a cold steely edge that is well balanced and not over the top. I must admit, I would tend to lean serving this wine with appetizers of fruit, cheese and dips rather than with courses of fish, chicken or pork as it may slightly overpower a main entree. Yet, it is super refreshing quaff that will become a new favorite to those who like their Sauvignon Blanc's in the Kiwi style.
 
2004 Lan RIOJA LIMITED EDITION....highly rated by the wine rags, it's too bad that there is not more of this wine to go around. Very limited in quantity, there are just a few bottles to be had. But for those savvy enough to grab when the gettin's good, you'll be truly rewarded with a wine of extraordinary character. Plum, cassis, and heavy dark mountain fruit is interlaced with espresso, tobacco, tar and a pepper earthiness that is lush, muscular, and super elegant. This wine will have you chanting Ole, Ariba, and Muy Bien from start to finish.   
Did you know...
....that the best way to preserve an open bottle of champagne is with a "bouchon". Bouchon, which is  French . for stopper, is a metal cap, that when clamped down on the bottle neck, will not let gas escape any further, helping to preserve your favorite bubbly for up to a week. 
 
                                                         Wine Trivia
 
 
Which wine was used to celebrate Duke Ellington's 70th. birthday? It was Perrier Jouet "flower bottle" champagne, a prestige cuvee bottling inlaid with enamel arabesques and white anemones. Originally designed by Emile Galle in 1902 to honor the Belle Epoque era, this Art Nouveau bottle was first reproduced in 1964 in Paris at the Alacazar restaurant where guests gathered to honor the legendary jazz great.
 BEST VALUE UNDER $ 20.00                                             
 
Ted Lindsay Red Cabernet Sauvignon  '05  $10.99                
 
Sketchbook Pinot Noir '06  $ 14.99                                        
 
Jarhead Red  '06  $ 9.99                                                         
 
Columbia Crest Grand Chardonnay  '06 $ 9.99                       
 
Peachy Canyon Chardonnay  '05  $10.99                                                                                                                             
 

  BEST VALUE OVER $ 20.00
 
Migration Pinot Noir  '06 $ 29.99

Robert Mondavi Stags Leap Cab. Sauv. '96 $ 73.99 
 
Match Napa Cab. Sauv. '02 $ 64.99
Tresor Ferrari Carano Red '04 $ 39.99
 

Cakebread Napa Chardonnay '06 $ 29.99
Spottswoode Sauv. Blanc '06 $ 29.99
 

 Jordan Russian River Chardonnay '05 $ 24.99
 
GREAT VALUES
 
Gaja Costa Russi '03 $ 299.99
Termanthia '04 $ 166.99
Hundred Acre Ark Cabernet Sauvignon '05 $ 199.99
Silver Oak Alex Valley Cabernet Sauvignon '03 $ 79.99
Dominus Napa Estate Red '03 $ 99.99
Kosta Brown Russian River Pinot Noir '06 $ 129.99
NEW ARRIVALS
 
Sonoma Vineyards Chardonnay '06  $ 8.99
Edizone Pennino Napa Zinfandel '05 $ 27.99
Piccolo CRU '05 $ 14.99
Chateau Lichine Margaux '05 $ 72.99
Chateau Quinault Saint Emilion Grand '05 $ 59.99