Lyeth Showcase

            Saturday we feature the wines of Lyeth Estate. This winery, established by Chip Lyeth in 1981, was one of the first wineries in California to pursue the unique complexity and composition achieved by the marriage of Cabernet Sauvignon and the other traditional Bordeaux varieties. Wines of this style, known as "Meritage", have become some of the world's most highly-rated wines. The word Meritage (pronounced like "heritage") is a combination of the words merit and heritage. Lyeth, one of the founding members of the Meritage Association founded in 1988, has played an integral role in helping to define this unique style of winemaking. Today, Lyeth continues its legacy of blending family and tradition in its Sonoma County wines, winning praise from critics and consumers worldwide.

            2009 Fleur de Lyeth Proprietary Red Wine (California, $14.99). Fleur de Lyeth is a sophisticated California wine that achieves Lyeth's mission of blending style, family, tradition and value. The proprietary blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec is crafted in the winemaking tradition of unifying the best characteristics of multiple grape varieties to produce a harmonious wine with balanced complexity. The elegant Fleur de Lyeth reflects its winery's heritage in this silky, voluptuous red blend.

            2009 L. de Lyeth Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma County, $11.99).   The fruit for this wine. comes from Sonoma Valley. Rich and concentrated with layers of juicy plum, black currant and coffee nuances, this is a gorgeous, medium-bodied wine that finishes with polished tannins allowing the ripe fruit flavors to show through.

            2009 L. de Lyeth Chardonnay (Sonoma County, $11.99). Floral and fruit aromas burst from the glass with bright, fruit forward flavors of pear and melon with a hint of Granny Smith apple. This is a crisp, bright wine with great texture, a balanced acid and creamy traces of vanilla that lead to a buttery smooth finish.

            We'll also be pouring the 2010 Huntington Sauvignon Blanc (Sonoma, $11.99). Vibrant flavors of pineapple, white peach and pear combine with crisp acidity before leading to a pure, clean finish.

            We continue to support the Avery County Humane Society, and proceeds from the $5 tasting fee for our featured wine will be contributed to this wonderful organization. The featured wine this week is 2007 Lachini Vineyards Pinot Noir, Lachini Family Estate, (Oregon, $44.99).Wine Advocate 90 points: "The dark ruby-colored 2007 Pinot Noir Lachini Family Estate offers up an enticing bouquet of cedar, spice box, black cherry, and black raspberry. On the palate it is medium-bodied, elegant, and potentially complex. Sweetly-fruited, lively, and well-balanced, it will drink well through 2017."

SPECIAL UPCOMING EVENTS

            Erick's will offer the following wine classes through Labor Day. The "tuition" for each class is $25 per person, and if you enroll in two or more classes, you will receive a tuition credit of 10% on every class you take after the first. The classes will be seated presentations in our Tasting Room next door and will include generous tastings of the subject wines, cheeses and hors d'oeuvres/tapas and written materials. Reservations: (828) 898-9424.           

            Sunday, August 21, 5:30-6:30 -- Sherry. Sherry in its many styles is alive and well and making a comeback, and not only in Spanish tapas bars, kitchens and old ladies' cupboards. Now is the opportunity to explore the many faces of Sherry - from shimmering Manzanilla and Fino to nutty Amontillado and rich Olorosso.   Sherry is a wine rich in culture and history that unfortunately not many folks understand. Come with us to learn about the many styles and taste the unique beverage from the southern tip of Spain.

            Sunday, September 4, 5:30-6:30 -- Port and Madeira.   As with Sherry, there's no simple Port or Madeira but a multitude of styles, from dry to sweet, from bottle-aged to cask-aged, from young to old and on and on. In this class, we'll explore the various types of Port (ruby, tawny, colheita, vintage, late-bottled vintage, etc.) and the obscure (and almost obsolete but fascinating) Madeira made from the four noble grapes of the island.

DESTINY DUDLEY TO POUR WINES FROM

WALNUT CITY WINEWORKS

            Join Destiny Dudley in our Tasting Room at 6:30 on Thursday, August 25 as she pours the wines of Walnut City Wine Works, the winery for which she is now national sales manager. If you like Oregonian-styled Pinot Noir, this event is not to be missed. In addition, to Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris will be poured. Reservations are required and the cost to attend is $15, with the tasting fee credited to purchases of six bottles or more.

Here is a chance for you long time customers to catch up on what Destiny has been up to since she left Erick's three years ago and ventured west to the Oregon wine country. Also, get her perspective on the Oregon wine industry.

ENJOY A GLASS OF WINE ON OUR PATIO

            Of course you can buy bottles to take with you, but we're now offering you a glass of your favorite to enjoy on the patio everyday.  We feature one white wine and one red wine daily prices vary from $6 to $8. Add a cheese and enjoy the afternoon with us!

SUMMER HOURS

Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend:

Monday - Wednesday:  10:00 to 6:00

Thursday - Saturday:  10:00 to 7:00

Sunday: 1:00 - 5:00