Wines to Get You In the "H..." Mood

It's been a two year love affair between me & this wine.
I've had the good fortune to drink a bottle every few months, and no lie: it just gets better & better. "La Severita di Bruto" translates to "The Severity of Brutus." That's Brutus Caesar, slayer of Julius Caesar. Time has mellowed Brutus.He will not take up arms against palate, but will invigorate it!
Scholium Project is the winery of nimble-minded Abe Schoener. With skill, imagination and passion he makes wines as unique and original as anyone in the United States. All are good, most are very good, some are special. That's my lead-in for "La Severita di Bruto."
This is 100% Sauvignon Blanc from the rocky slopes of "Farina Vineyard" on Sonoma Mountain. Please release your doubts that a 2006 Sauvignon Blanc can be fresh and alive. "LSB," as we call it, is full of citrus zest, stone fruits (apricots, nectarines), mouth-watering acidity and the chalky/stony aftertaste Sancerre lovers seek in fine Sauvignon Blanc.
No oak influence (fermented and aged in half steel barrels, half neutral French barrels), no butter nor caramel here. Pair with lighter cheeses, most fishes (lean or fatty: both work. Smoked fish too).
Only 125 cases made.

DARIOUSH Viognier Napa Valley 2008 $44

A glass of Darioush Viognier will turn any frown updside down. I'm very critical of Viognier as it's so easy to for them to sacrifice grace for power. The wine needs both, and its a fine line to balance the two. Alcohol, oak and overripe flavors are Viognier no-no's.
Darioush makes an exceptional Napa Valley Viognier. Apricots, peach nectar, honeysuckle and Granny Smith apple flavors join in delicious unison. It's lush, intense, balanced, refreshing. Dishes using fruit as a condiment-chutneys, salsas, compotes and such-work well. Heck, I could bathe in this Viognier quite happily (a pretty pricey bath!).

PAUL MATHEW
Pinot Noir
Russian River Valley 2007 $32

Is it OK to say I don't always want to recommend the biggest, richest, most KER-POW wines I can think of? Not that there's anything wrong with that. I just like to make room for all styles, including the Paul Mathew Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, an excellent representation of the grape and its place. This fruit-forward, seductive, lush, oh-so-tasty artisan Pinot Noir from this artisan producer is wonderful dinner companion. Smell & taste dark raspberries, strawberries and Bing cherries with a little cinnamon toast, rosewater and baby powder (last two are just smells).
Drink this elegant and full-flavored Pinot (indeed, elegance doesn't mean it's light) with most any white meat, salmon or trout, or squash ravioli in sage butter...I see this on restaurant menus a lot these days.
277 cases made.

J. WILKES Pinot Noir "Solomon Hills"
Santa Maria Valley 2007 $39
If you, like me, believe Pinot Noir is the best food wine there is, then I hope I've made your day by featuring two. The J. Wilkes is a good follow-up to the Paul Mathew because, where the Paul Mathew is a classic Russian River reprensentation, the Wilkes captures the essence of Burgundy to me. "Solomon Hills" is ocean-side in Santa Barbara County's Santa Maria Valley. It's just about as cool a vineyard as there is in California. The vineyard faces west. directly into the afternoon/early evening sun. It's the only way the grapes could reach perfect ripeness and make this exhilarating Pinot Noir. Intense wild red fruits, rosewater, Indian spice, great texture, refined & intense. A Pinot lover's dream! This is a food & wine pairing just waiting to happen. The perfect pairing? Once you order, we'll discuss.

MIXED CASE
2 each of the whites, 4 each of the Pinots
$415 (includes 10% discount)

HALF CASE

1 each of the whites, 2 each of the Pinots
$220 (includes 5% discount)

3 ways to order: Call Toll-Free at 877-322-2576,
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