Join Elena's Wine Club and receive a specially chosen wine every month for one year. Wines are personally selected by Elena and are available the first of every month. Club membership also makes an excellent twelve month gift. The cost is $175 (plus shipping if you cannot stop by the store). Past selections are listed below:
September 2008
Clayhouse 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, California
Wine of the Month -- This medium-bodied wine is driven by red fruit flavors (cherry and plum), complemented with dusty oak, coffee, and spice nuances. It is rich and soft in the mouth, with a toasty, dry finish of fine, smooth tannins. This is a well-balanced wine, with elegant textures and flavors that clearly express the varietal.
August 2008
Wine of the Month – August 2008, Falesco 2006 Vitiano Rosso, Umbria, Italy
This medium-bodied wine is a blend of equal parts of Merlot, Cabernet, and Sangiovese grapes. It is deep ruby in color, with a rich bouquet of luscious berry and spice aromas. It offers a wide range of flavors: including black cherry jam, fresh plum, licorice, and vanilla. The finish is smooth and satisfying. This versatile wine pairs well with a wide array of food including meat, tomato, and pasta dishes.
July 2008
Wine of the Month – July 2008, Castillo Labastida 2004 Crianza, Rioja, Spain
This medium-bodied wine is made with 100% Tempranillo grapes from the highly acclaimed 2004 vintage. It is vivid red in color, with abundant fresh red berry aromas. On the palate, the wine has ripe cherry flavors with touches of chocolate, creamy oak and spice. A good structured finish that keeps going. This smooth and supple wine pairs perfectly with roast lamb, risottos and tapas.
June 2008
Wine of the Month – June 2008, Huntington, Petite Sirah 2005, California
Smooth and supple, this wine shows you don’t have to pay a lot for quality. The aroma is smoky and blackberry like, with real definition and spice. On the palate the wine is full with an impressive silky texture; the dark berry fruit and spice continue in the mouth. The tannins are soft and refined; this terrific value wine ends with lovely sweet berry jam and spice. Serve with slow-cooked earthy dishes
May 2008
2006 La Posta Cocina Blend
Wine Advocate # 174 (Dec 2007)
Rating: 90
Drink 2007 - 2012
The 2006 Cocina Blend is 60% Malbec, 20% Bonarda, and 20% Syrah, was sourced from three regions of Mendoza, and aged for 10 months in 70% French and 30% American oak--20% of it new. Purple-colored, it offers notes of cedar, spice box, pencil lead, blueberry, and black cherry. On the palate, gamy notes emerge to accompany the sweet fruit. Easy-drinking and seamless, this tasty wine can be enjoyed over the next 5 years.
April 2008
Layer Cake, Primitivo 2006, Puglia, Italy
This wine is made with 100% Primitivo (Zinfandel) from the city of Salento (the “Heel of the Boot”) Italy. The fruit comes from old, head-trained vines (some exceeding 100 years) that are harvested in mid-September. The wine is opaque and purple-colored with a nose of jammy black cherry and blackberry fruit, truffles, and spice. It is warm and rich in the mouth; the ripe fruit is well supported by the depth of its structure.
March 2008
Cline Cellars, Ancient Vines Mourvédre 2006, Sonoma, California
Mourvédre is an exotic grape found in the Rhône and Provence regions of France, Spain and Australia. It is often blended as a component in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Once widely planted in California, today only a tiny amount exists, and Cline owns many of the historic ancient vines that remain. This wine is richly textured and voluptuous, with silky tannins and a fresh, underlying natural acidity. It offers rounded plum, dark sweet cherries, and chocolate flavors followed by soft spice and oak on the finish. It is delicious now and will age for well over a decade. A perfect complement to rack of lamb, grilled pork tenderloin or dark chocolate.
February 2008
Chateau Haut Nadeau, 2005 Bordeaux Superior
Produced from an older, lower yielding vineyard, it possesses an enticing bouquet that evolves to chocolate, smoke, and black fruits. On the palate, there is an elegant texture and definition. The wine is full-bodied and quite powerful with well-formed tannins that bode well for aging. An excellent value and a great introduction to the style of the acclaimed 2005 Bordeauxs.
January 2008
Bodega Catena Zapata, Malbec 2004, Mendoza (Argentina)
The Catenas are Argentina’s most famous winemaking family, and they produce a range of high quality wines at various price points. The grapes for this wine are sourced from several vineyard plots, the highest being at 5,000 feet above sea level. This Malbec is rich, with alluring fig, mocha and boysenberry flavors and sweet spice notes that glide along with creamy tannins. 90 Points. Wine Spectator, October 2007.
December 2007
Saurus, Patagonia Select, 2005 Malbec
Intense purple color with notes of spice, chocolate and black cherry on the nose. On the palate the wine is round and rich with cherry, plum, spice and vanilla flavors. The finish is smooth with soft tannins and moderate acidity. Pairs especially well with grilled beef.
November 2007
Viticcio, 2004 Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy
100% Sangiovese with pretty blackberry and cherry character, good supporting mineral flavors, and a hint of oak. Medium-bodied with well integrated tannins and a clean fruity finish.
Serve with light grilled meats and vegetables, as well as pasta with olive or fresh red sauces.
October 2007
Terra Noble, 2004 Grand Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, Maipo Valley, Chile
Full-bodied style with nice structure and intense fresh red berry aromas. Aged in French oak barrels. On the palate, the wine shows round tannins, cherry, chocolate, and toasted sensations.
Ends with a long, smooth finish. Serve with aged cheese or full-flavored dishes.
September 2007
Red: Enotria, 2002 Dolcetto, Mendocino County, California
Dolcetto (meaning "little sweet one") is a grape native to northwestern Italy, and it grows primarily in the hills of the Piedmonte region. In Mendocino, the wines are jam-packed with the essence of fresh fruit. This wine is medium-dark purple with inviting fruit flavors and aromas of blackberries, raspberries and dried cherries that mingle with undertones of sweet vanilla oak and earth.
The Enotria Dolcetto is a wine that can be enjoyed now but also has the depth and structure to age for several years. It is excellent when paired with roasted meats and wild mushrooms.
August 2007
Red:
Francis Coppola, Diamond Collection Zinfandel 2004, Napa Valley, California
This wine reveals a deep garnet color and a perfume of dark fruit, sweet spices, and toasty vanilla. Luscious flavors of black cherry, boysenberry, and cassis create a wine that is rich, round, and lasting on the palate. Enjoy this wine on its own or with roasted chicken or grilled beef.
July 2007
White:
Italy, Teruzzi & Puthod, 2005 Terre di Tufi
This Super Tuscan is a blend of Vernaccia, Chardonnay, Malvasia, and Vermentino. The wine is full-bodied, ripe, and exotic, with nice acidity. The complex aromas of peach, citrus, apples waft from the glass and vanilla, cream, and spice follow on the palate. It has a lush texture with a long satisfying finish.
June 2007
Red:
Portugal, Quinta do Coa, 2004 Vinho Tinto
A full-bodied blend of Touriga, Nacional, Touriga Franc, and Tinto Roriz grapes. Deeply colored, with rich aromas of blackberry and blueberry on the nose, and notes of blackberry, black currant, and vanilla on the palate. This smooth and elegant wine boasts a long, lush finish.
May 2007
Red:
Chile, Norton, 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva
A complex and balanced red wine with aromas and flavors of ripe cherries, currants and cassis, and with subtle hints of mint and eucalyptus. Full-bodied and spicy, it has excellent concentration and depth.
April 2007
Red:
Chateau Faget 2005 Bordeaux, Saint-Estephe, France
Blend of 40% Merlot and 60% Cabernet Sauvignon from the highly acclaimed 2005 vintage. The wine shows fresh, red, summer fruits on the nose and these flavors carry over to the palate. The finish is long, with full-bodied lingering flavors. Serve with beef dishes and aged cheeses.
White:
André Blanck, 2005 Rosenburg Pinot Blanc, Alsace, France
Textbook Pinot Blanc with a lovely nose showing hints of apples, pears,and lemongrass. On the palate, the fruit flavors persist, along with subtle mineral qualities and nice acidity. Ends with a soft round finish. Wine pairs well with baked ham or roasted chicken.
March 2007
2005 Graham Beck Gamekeeper’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, South Africa
Deep ruby color with aromas of blueberry, cedar, chocolate mint, and spicy plum. On the palate, it is dry and sweet centered with a lovely core of tannin, toasty oak and acidity for a perfect balance. Medium to full-bodied with a long finish. Pair with roast beef, lamb, and game.
February 2007
Guenoc Lake County, Petite Sirah, 2003.
One of California's most heralded red wines, the Guenoc Petite Sirah is a rich, tasty, rewarding effort; ripe and round with excellent concentration of dark fruit. This full-bodied wine has abundant flavors of ripe berries, plum, chocolate, and spice with hints of smoky oak and vanilla in the finish.
or
Allegrini, 2005 Soave, Veneto, Italy
This wine is a blend of 80% Garganega and 20% Chardonnay. It was aged in stainless tanks producing a clean crisp style. It is bright straw yellow in color; the nose has a fresh perfume scent with prominent flower notes. The wine is nicely structured wine; it has fruity citrus and apple characteristics along with a smooth satisfying finish. Pairs well with roasted chicken and complex seafood dishes.
January 2007
El Toqui Prestige Cabernet Sauvignon 2002, Cachapoal Valley, Chile
Red fruit and spice on the nose, with cherry, blackberry and plum flavors on the palate. Chocolate and toasty oak notes on a long lingering finish. Serve with aged cheeses and red meat dishes.
or
Hugh Hamilton, The Scallywag Unwooded Chardonnay 2005
Tropical aromas and flavors, with subtle melon and citrus overtones. Nicely balanced; full-flavored with good length and depth. This unoaked chardonnay pairs well with a wide array of chicken and seafood courses.
December 2006
2002 Saundra Lane Roza Syrah, Yakima Valley, Washington State
Dark complex fruit aromas of plum, black cherry and raspberry, with spice notes of cinnamon, clove and ginger. A well-balanced wine that finishes with subtle chocolate and light oak. Serve with hearty dishes.
November 2006
Rutz Cellars Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2000; Santa Rosa, CaliforniaRuby red color, with aromas of strawberry, Bing cherry, and cocoa powder. The flavors are rich and reminiscent of spiced cherries. Long finish with moderate tannins. Nice match for Thanksgiving Dinner.
or
Willm Gewürztraminer 2005; Alsace, FranceHighly distinctive, dry and spicy wine. The nose is perfumed and intense with rich aromas of exotic fruit (passion, pineapple and litchi,) flowers (roses) and spice (pepper and cinnamon). The fruit and spice are followed on the plate along with orange citrus creating a clean and refreshing drink. Good choice for a white alternative on turkey day.
October 2006
Falesco Merlot Pesano Umbria 2004; Tuscany, ItalyDeep ruby purple with scents of roasted coffee beans, blackberries and spice. Dense, soft fruit with a firm oak and mineral finish. Serve with: roasts, pasta, and aged cheeses. or Gruet Chardonnay 2003; Engle, New Mexico 100% Chardonnay, French White Burgundy style with bright fruit character. Light golden straw color; peach and apple aromas; with complex pear, citrus and apple flavors on a delicate oak finish. Serve with seafood or soft young cheeses.
September 2006
Layer Cake. 2005 Shiraz, South Australia. Retail $14.95
Or
Gini, 2005 Soave Classico, Italy. Retail $15.95
August 2006
Allegrini, 2004 Valpolicella, Italy. Retail $14.95
July 2006
Cline Ancient Vine, 2005 Zinfandel. Retail $14.95
June 2006
Steltzner, 2003 Claret (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, & Cabernet Franc). Retail $17.95
May 2006
Wynn's Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia. Retail $15.95
Or
King Estate, 2004 Pinot Gris, Oregon. Retail $17.95
April 2006
Chateau de la Terriere, 2004 Beaujolais-Villages. Retail $15.95
March 2006
Tomaiolo, 1995 Chianti Classico Reserva, Italy. Retail $14.95
Or
Clos La Chance, 2004 Chardonnay, California. Retail $17.95
February 2006
Clos de los Siete, 2004, Argentina (Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, & Merlot) Retail $15.95
Or
Weingut, 2004 Riesling-Spatelese. Retail $16.95
January 2006
Raymond Estate, 2002 Reserve Merlot (Napa). Retail $19.95
Or
Catena, 2004 Chardonnay, Argentina. Retail $16.95
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