Friday Wine Tasting 11.18.16

Join us for one final wine tasting before the Thanksgiving holiday! Come by and pick out your dinner wines!

LUCIEN ALBRECHT CRÉMANT D’ALSACE BRUT
Crémant is the term used for French traditional method sparkling wines made outside the Champagne region. This brut (dry) wine is made from Pinot Blanc and offers a clean, light nose of citrus and yeasty bread notes. The palate is vibrant with delicate beading, ripe tropical fruit notes and a gentle creamy texture. A perfect accompaniment to your Thanksgiving appetizers.

WHISPERING ANGEL ROSÉ
A blend of primarily Grenache, the pale pink color is as ethereal as its name. The nose is fresh and vibrant, leading into a palate of ripe raspberries and wild strawberries. Classically Provencal in its style, the full and juicy ripeness of the fruit carries into a finish that is bone dry and refreshing.

ARGYLE WILLAMETTE PINOT NOIR
Willamette Valley has a solid reputation of producing bright, vibrant and balanced Pinot Noirs and Argyle is often recognized as one of the premier producers. This wine offer a mix of red and dark fruit, underscored by rich notes of forest floor and black tea. A graceful palate offers a lively acidity and silky, lingering tannins.

DOMAIN SAINTE EUGENIE CORBIÈRES
The Corbières AOC is located in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France. A blend of Old Vine Carignan, Grenache and Syrah this rich, purple wine has a fragrant nose of cherries, baking spice and a hint of dried flowers. Full-bodied with round tannins, the palate is complex with red fruit notes, sweet oak and candied orange peel. Enjoy this with braised and roasted meats or powerfully flavored cheeses.

Beast Feast Dinner by Chef Brother Luck

beast-feast
Chef Brother Luck is to be featured as a competing chef in the Food Network’s CHOPPED episode entitled Beast Feast.
Chef will be hosting a private viewing party and pop-up wine dinner during the airing of his episode
November 22nd at 8:00 pm.
Dinner will be held at:
Elevations
Cheyenne Mountain Resort
3225 Broadmoor Valley Rd
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
The evening will start with a reception and the last few courses will be presented during the Beast Feast episode.
All six courses will feature ingredients that Chef was required to use during the Beast Feast episode.
Sommelier Steve Kander will pair wine with each course.
Guests will have the opportunity to ask Chef questions and learn about his experience on the show.
“CHOPPED surprises chefs with specific ingredients for each course on the show, and we must create a dish that highlights them.
These ingredients are not always the most intuitive, but often lead to the most surprising and unique dishes.”
– Chef Brother Luck
Tickets cost $95 and can be purchased on
beastfeastedited

Friday Wine Tasting 10.27.16

This week, we have exciting wines from France and Spain! Come by and join us for a tasting. Hope to see you there!

CHATEAU FONTANILLE BLANC, ENTRE-DEUX-MERS
The Entre-Deux-Mers area of Bordeaux lies between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers. This area offers more fertile soil than the outside banks, so struggles to produce the complex, concentrated reds so lauded in Bordeaux. What it does excel at is producing vibrant, crisp, mineral driven whites. A blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, this wine offers rich stone fruit and citrus flavors with underlying honeyed notes. Enjoy this wine with some grilled white fish or goat cheese crostini.

CHATEAU LAPLAGNOTTE BELLEVUE, SAINT-EMILION GRAND CRU
Saint-Emilion is on the Right Bank of Bordeaux, making it a Merlot based blend. Rich yet easy going, this wine offers great depth and texture in the palate. Classic cherry and black currant flavors balance spicy black licorice, while pencil lead and sweet oak notes develop in the finish. Medium bodied with present but fine tannins, this is a wine to enjoy for years to come.

LUZON RED, JUMILLA
This Monastrell (Mourvedre) and Syrah blend is from the Jumilla region in Southeastern Spain. A rich, deep purple color, this wine offers a bold bouquet of ripe red and black fruits. The palate is soft and smooth with mature tannins, balanced acidity and hefty amounts of rich, jammy fruit. This is a wine for the colder weather, and would pair effortlessly with stews and braised meats.

TORRE GOLBAN, RIBERO DEL DUERO
The Ribero del Duero region is located just slightly northward in central Spain, along the Duero River. This area of the country has a challenging climate with extremely hot summers, very cold winters and a lack of rain fall due to mountains in the north. What this region does benefit from is high altitude vineyard areas, which give grapes maximum sun exposure allowing for full ripening. Wines from this area are required to be at least 75% Tempranillo, with this example being 100%. Aromas of bright cherry and warm vanilla usher you into a vibrant palate of red and black fruit, toasted oak and warm baking spice. Tannins are firm and polished, lingering into the long, grippy finish.

Friday Wine Tasting 10.21.16

We look forward to seeing you for our FREE tasting tomorrow! Check out what we’ll be pouring:

CALERA CHARDONNAY
This is a beautiful Chardonnay from California’s Central Coast. A Wine Enthusiast Editor’s Choice, this wine opens with lively tropical aromas of tangerine, pineapple and hibiscus. The palate is mineral driven with just a touch of oak influence. Enjoy flavors of red apple, lemon curd and citrus zest with a lush mouthfeel and a balanced buttery finish.

FORTNIGHT CABERNET SAUVIGNON
This Napa Valley Cabernet has a forward and complex nose. Aromas of licorice, blueberry and sweet vanilla mingle with notes of dried mint and sage. The palate is focused and well structured, offering flavors of black fruit, cassis and mocha.

FREAKSHOW RED
One of acclaimed Michael David Winery’s big hits, this Lodi blend pairs the wild, untamed muscle of Syrah with the refined, polished structure of Petite Sirah. Aromas of baked berry cobble, espresso and roasted nuts rise aggressively from the glass. The palate is full bodied and velvety with rich flavors of jam, toffee, dark chocolate and warm tobacco on the finish. A big, gregarious wine and an excellent value.

AR GUENTOTA MALBEC
A rich and dense Malbec from Belasco de Baquedano Winery in Mendoza, this wine is a brilliant, deep ruby red. The nose is intense and complex with aromas of ripe berry fruit. The palate is smooth with lively acidity, rich flavors of balsamic and vanilla spice all underscored by a flinty minerality. Balanced and flavor dense.

Friday Wine Tasting 10.14.16

Don’t forget to join us for our free wine tasting! Come by for a pour of the following:

JJ VINCENT BOURGOGNE BLANC
This white Burgundy, or Chardonnay, is a pale yellow with brilliant green accents. The nose is bright and assertive with ripe stone fruit notes along with hints of brioche. The palate is full and rich, offering flavors of peach cobbler and crème brulee. The rich decadence of flavor is balanced by a fresh, balanced acidity and clean finish. Positively delicious!

BODEGAS MONTECILLO RIOJA RESERVA
From one of the greatest Estates in Rioja, this wine offers a complex nose of sweet earth and juicy black fruit. The palate is smooth and balanced with the rustic elegance of the Old World. Black cherry, vanilla and dried herb flavors are supported by supple tannins and a juicy acidity. Enjoy this with braised meat in front of a roaring fire.

SAND POINT MERLOT
Sand Point Family Vineyards is located along a river basin in the heart of California’s Lodi Appellation. Paying exceptional attention to the careful stewardship and cultivation of the land, this wine is crafted to be a fruit forward, easy drinking wine. Bright cherry and raspberry fruit dominate the opening with notes of baking spice, warm chocolate and tasted oak adding depth. A lush palate and soft tannins ensure this is an easy going, enjoyable wine.

FAUST CABERNET SAUVIGNON
A tribute to Goethe’s famous masterpiece, Faust is the result of a renewed passion for winemaker Agustin Huneeus. Breaking from his doctrine that wines are a tribute to a great vineyard, Huneeus has made Faust to be a tribute to the Cabernet of Napa Valley, in all its ripe and powerful glory. Smooth and velvety, this wine showcases lush black cherry, plum and cassis fruit while sandalwood and cocoa notes develop on the long and lingering finish.

Friday Wine Tasting 10.7.16

Close out the week with a visit to our free wine tasting, Friday from 3-7pm. Here’s what we’ll be tasting:

FRANK FAMILY CHARDONNAY
Fresh tropical fruit, marzipan and honeysuckle aromas jump from the glass. The palate is generous and creamy with notes of sweet vanilla, pear and Meyer lemon. The finish is long and balanced developing crisp green apple and ripe citrus zest flavors.

DAUVERGNE RANVIER COTES DU RHONE
A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre offers classic Rhone aromas of red fruits and spicy black pepper. A brilliant garnet red, this wine offers solid, yet approachable structure, red and black fruits and hints of spice. The clay-limestone soil of the vineyards provides a cleansing minerality that lingers into the finish.

LA POSTA MALBEC PIZZELLA
This beautiful reddish purple wine offers aromas of black fruits, dark chocolate and warm baking spice. The palate is full bodied with firm but elegant structure. Flavors of black plum, berries and sandalwood keep you coming back again and again. A lively acidity makes this wine an excellent food companion.

FREAKSHOW RED
One of acclaimed Michael David Winery’s big hits, this Lodi blend pairs the wild, untamed muscle of Syrah with the refined, polished structure of Petite Sirah. Aromas of baked berry cobble, espresso and roasted nuts rise aggressively from the glass. The palate is full bodied and velvety with rich flavors of jam, toffee, dark chocolate and warm tobacco on the finish. A big, gregarious wine and an excellent value.

Friday Wine Tasting 9.30.16

Here is what is in store for you at tomorrow’s tasting. Hope to see you there!

LEFT COAST CELLARS “THE ORCHARD” PINOT GRIS
This Oregon Pinot Gris offers elegant, balanced ripe fruit and vibrant acidity. Aromas of green apple and brown sugar waft from the glass, while flavors of grapefruit and melon dominate the lush palate. The perfect companion for an outdoor picnic, this wine finishes with a crisp minerality that begs for rich cheese, smoked salmon or fresh seafood.

LEFT COAST CELLARS “CALI’S CUVEE” PINOT NOIR
Versatile and food friendly, this Pinot Noir is intended for immediate and effortless enjoyment. Its nose is rich and earthy with aromas of damp forest floor and tobacco. The palate is silky and lively with fine tannins, juicy blackberry and plum and a flinty mineral finish.

TIEFENBRUNNER TURMHOF LAGREIN
Lagrein is a grape indigenous to the Alto Adige region of Northern Italy. Also known as Südtirol, this region shares a border with Austria and is significantly influenced by Austrian culture. Hence the less than Italian sounding winery: Tiefenbrunner. Lagrein is known for producing deeply colored, highly acidic and tannic wines. This wine has an attractively delicate nose of cherry and violets. Oak aging offers toasted vanilla notes to accompany ripe, round black and red fruit flavors.

CELLAR CAL PLA MAS D’EN COMPTE
This Spanish wine is a blend of Garnacha (Garnatxa Negra), Carignan (Carinyena) and Cabernet Sauvignon. The nose is welcoming and intense with aromas of toast, blueberries and black cherries. The palate offers the structure and muscular expression expected from Priorat wines, with brooding dark fruit, fleshy texture and powerful lingering finish.

Friday Wine Tasting 9.23.16

Don’t forget to join us tomorrow for a free wine tasting. Here are the wines we will be enjoying:

CHARM ACRES CHARDONNAY
This Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is a brilliant straw gold color. The nose is bold and forward with aromas of honeysuckle, lemon peel and crème brulée. Minimally oaked, the palate offers hints of toasted vanilla underlying abundant stone fruit, limestone and a clean, saline minerality.

TENDU CALIFORNIA WHITE
This white blend by wine maker Stephen Matthiasson is made from 100% Vermentino, a traditional Italian varietal. Light, zesty and refreshing, this wine offers flavors of bright citrus, ripe pear and hints of fresh herbs.

LE NEZ PINOT NOIR
This Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is made in a light, fruit forward style. The nose is a delightful combination of wild strawberries and milk chocolate. The palate medium bodied with flavors of cherry cola and red berries. The tannins are soft and silky, but linger into the long finish.

TENDU CALIFORNIA RED
Another California blend of traditional Italian grapes, this wine is composed of Aglianico, Montepulciano and Barbera. Fermentation in stainless steel and then aging in neutral oak ensures that the purity of the fruit character is maintained. Fresh, ripe fruit notes of cherries and cranberries are accompanied by warm anise spice. Light bodied but with balanced structure and acidity, this is an easy drinking red sure to complement a wide range of foods.

Hope to see you there!