CSWS Collectors' Corner
Featured Specials from The Oak Room
February 20 - 25, 2012
Esporao Reserva Red 2007
Definitely the best known winery from Portugal's Alentejo wine region (east of Lisbon in Reguengos de Monsaraz), the history of "Herdade do Esporão"'s estate goes back 700 years....actually, the year was 1267 to be exact. The winery today boasts three historic monuments on its estate: a medieval Tower, the Bow and the Chapel (all declared national heritage monuments) and recently restored by Esporao's owners, Finagra. The tower is particularly impressive, built in 1457. The story of the winery is more recent, beginning in 1973 when Joaquim Bandeira and Dr. José Alfredo Parreira Holtreman Roquette bought the estate and began their ambitious winemaking venture, right in the middle of political transition in Portugal. The last 25 years have seen major investment, innovation and the launching of new products apart from wine such as high quality olive oils, cheese and vinegars. Winemaker David Baverstock is doing interesting work here. And although he’s been working in Portugal for 20 years, you could say that his Australian roots are evident in the style of some of his wines. Portugal’s Alentejo is a hot region, and coupled with Baverstock’s penchant for American oak, the resulting style is a ripe, spicy, accessible one. The exceptional conditions of light and the hot sun of Alentejo, together with the humid Atlantic breezes blowing from Northwest, combined with the unique schistous and vulcanic nature of the soil constitute the origin for the outstanding character of the wines from 'ESPORAO' state. The 2007 Reserve is deep red in color with aromas of complex ripe fruits and vanilla. The palate is rich is flavors of honey, cocoa, butterscotch, vanilla and dark fruits. A perfect blend of Aragones, Trincadeira, Cabernet Sauvignon and Alicante Bouschet, this is wine to be enjoyed to the fullest, with dark meats and rich savoury dishes.
$21.99, compare at $25
Frank Family Napa Valley Zinfandel 2009
Let's take a trip back in time at the Frank Family Vineyards. First constructed as the Larkmead Winery in 1884, the building was refinished with native sandstone from the nearby hills in 1906. It still stands tall today and is considered an archetype of California’s wine country, as it appears on the National Register of Historical Places and is listed as a Point of Historical Interest in the state of California. Owners Richard Frank and Connie Frank focus their energies on making superb still wines, including Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Sangiovese and, of course, several distinct outstanding Cabernet Sauvignons. The highly regarded Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, which is barrel aged for two and one-half years, is emerging as one of the most sought after wines in the valley and their Napa Carneros Vineyards produce some of the finest Chardonnay available. The Sangiovese, a rising star, is created entirely from grapes grown on Rich’s property and the Zinfandel comes from the Pope & Chiles Valley. Once owned by wine legend Hans Kornell, the winery originally secured its reputation with sparkling wines. Five sparkling wines are handcrafted today in the old building: Brut, Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs, occasionally the Rouge and Reserve. All of these are made in the traditional French methode champenoise style. While they're still known for producing buttery, rich Chardonnay, their Zinfandel is pretty stellar too. Blending in small amounts of Cab and Petite Sirah, and spending 18 months in French oak barrels, the 2009 Zinfandel is a structured, medium-bodied wine, redolent of plums and raspberries, with hints of white pepper, cookie spices and saddle leather. The tannins glide across the palate like a figure skater, and there's a juicy burst of acidity mid-palate to knit it all together. If you're a Frank Family fan, or even new to their wines, then you owe it to yourself (and your palate) to experience their Zinfandel.
$29.99, compare at $35
Hofer Gruner Veltliner 2008
Grüner Veltliner, (or Gruener Veltliner when spelled without the Umlaut) is an indigenous white grape from Austria and accounts for nearly 30% of the country's plantings, making it the most widely grown grape in the country. A beautiful varietal, is most commonly known as a bone-dry, highly acidic grape with distinct aromas and flavors of white pepper, green apple and citrus. While this is the typical flavor profile for young Grüner Veltliner wines, it is important to recognize that Grüner Veltliner is a very expressive grape and will show different dependent upon the region in which it is grown. Though many Grüner Veltliner wines are made for immediate consumption, they can have incredible aging potential and can often be compared with white Burgundy, especially given that they are grown at roughly the same latitude. Grüner Veltliner made for aging will likely be slightly higher in alcohol and contain later-harvested grapes. H.U.M. Hofer is a family owned, organically operated winery that makes a beautiful Gruener. Pale champagne in color, there's lots of frizzante, with wild tongue-stinging acidity that has a mouth-tickling effect. There plenty of pear and minerality, with hints of citrus, and the finish leaves ample honey and caramel to balance out the racy acidity. This is fun wine, a tasty wine and most importantly, a great wine for the money.
$18.99, compare at $22
The Four Graces Pinot Noir / Willamette Valley 2009
The Willamette Valley is on fire. Not literally, of course; but, in terms of producing one great Pinot Noir after another, they're one of the hottest regions in the world today. Four Graces is one of the wineries carrying that torch, and their 2009 release is hot. Sourced from the Black Family Estate Dundee Hills AVA, Doe Ridge Estate and Yamhill-Carlton AVA, this wine is earthy and elegant, fruit forward and expressive with smooth but lively tannins. It bears all the hallmarks of a great New World Burgundy. Redolent with raspberries, strawberries, plums, and Rainier cherries, it offers beautiful fruit as well as rugged terrior. Over 9 months in French oak has contributed a velvet softness to the mouthfeel without masking the lovely red to black fruit characteristics. The color is a deep garnet and the aromas are quintessential Oregon Pinot Noir. The Four Graces was recently named one of the top 15 most popular Pinot Noirs served in restaurants nationwide...we have it here at CSWS.
$26.99, compare at $30
Domaine William Fevre Chablis 2009
89 points Wine Spectator
Domaine William Fèvre is one of the most prestigious names in all Burgundy and the name William Fèvre is practically synonymous with Chablis, the driest and most distinctive of white Burgundy wines...behind that name stands 250 years of winemaking in Chablis. Fèvre’s father was one of the great winemakers of the post World War II era, and William Fèvre Jr. played an integral role in the recognition and resurrection of the Chablis appellation in the 1980s. In 1998, William Fèvre transferred ownership of his flagship estate to the capable hands of Henriot, the prestigious producer of Champagne Henriot. In 2010, Domaine William Fèvre was named to Wine Spectator’s list of Top 100 Wineries. Chablis possesses one of the world’s greatest terroirs for the cultivation of white grapes; the appellation (A.O.C.) sits upon what was once the floor of an ancient sea bed dating from the Second Jurassic Period (also known as Kimmeridgian) that now feeds the region’s Chardonnay vines. Because of this special terroir, Chablis yields unique, dry, mineral rich wines of considerable finesse and flavor. Consequently, most Chablis wines receive only minimal ageing in oak. The 2009 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis is classic Chablis in every sense. It offers a bright sunshine-colored robe, replete with a characteristic glint of green, a fresh complex nose, solid concentrated flavors, and a long textured finish. Rich and concentrated in flavor, this gorgeous Chardonnay fills the mouth with a myriad of flavors drawn from the soil as well as the sea: one can taste the limestone rich terroir of Chablis poke through the orchard scents and citrus twists to enliven the mouth. Chicken and simply prepared game birds, served in light sauces, as well as creamy cow’s milk cheeses offer splendid alternatives to seafood. Brie, Camembert, and other crusted cheeses offer superb accompaniments, too, and require very little preparation.
$24.99, compare at $30
Concha Y Toro Terrunyo Carmenere` 2006
94 points Wine Advocate & 92 points Wine Spectator
The Concha y Toro Vineyard was founded by Don Melchor de Santiago Concha y Toro and his wife, Emiliana Subercaseaux, in 1883. To start the winery, he brought grape varieties from the Bordeaux region in France. The grapes that he brought were: Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Merlot, and Carmenère. The vineyard was incorporated as a stock company in 1923 and shares were sold in the Santiago stock market. Concha y Toro began exporting wine in March 1933 to the port of Rotterdam, Holland In 1950, the winery began to acquire more vineyards and also began the process of adapting its business to new markets and meeting a higher demand. In 1971, Eduardo Guilisasti Tagle became Chairman of the Board, who succeeded in expanding the company and in 1987, after partnering with U.S. importer Banfi Vintners, the company started to incorporate more advanced technology in all of its production stages. In 1994, shares of Viña Concha started trading on the New York Stock Exchange. The 2006 Carmenere is a brilliant wine. Voted #69 in Wine Spectator's Top 100 wines of 2009, its depths are tremendous. The nose offers up spice box, mineral, plum, black cherry, and blueberry. This is followed by a round, mouth-filling plush wine with ripe underlying tannin, complex, spicy flavors, excellent density, and a long, fruit-filled finish. It is powerful, elegant and truly unforgettable. Enjoy it tonight with meats, aged cheeses and pastas, or, if you can wait, cellar for many years to come.
$39.99, compare at $43
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Prices valid through Saturday, February 25, 2012.
First come, first served. No rain checks. No further discounts on
sale items.
