This week we added a couple of new sparklers. Visiting opposite ends of the price spectrum, we picked up the Moët et Chandon Brut Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon as well as the “Spago” version of Foss Marai’s Prosecco.
We added the Laetitia Estate Chardonnay from the Arroyo Grande Valley. Laetitia is a small volume producer with low-yielding vineyards. Even though we’re burned out on Chardonnay from any provenance, we do appreciate the Laetitia’s typical California stylings inclusive of oakiness on the palate (but not over done) with interesting appley notes on the finish. It offers good quality for being under $20.
Heading an hour south down the coast, we come to the Daniel Gehr winery in Los Olivos California. We tasted and added the Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon, which tastes excellent for the low, budget-conscious price point. This 2006 example is composed of 95% Cab Sauvignon and 5% Cab Franc, with fruit originating from two cool-climate vineyards (and thankfully this cab is only 13.9% alcohol and more food-friendly than cabs from warmer climes).
We’ve also picked up his Daniel Gehr’s Riesling, though we’ve not tasted it. The Riesling carries a Monterey appellation, is sourced from a single vineyard, and is from an allotment of only 254 cases made for the 2008 vintage. We’re generally skeptical of North American Riesling, but as this bottling promises to be a “rare balance of sweetness, acidity, and minerality seldom achieved in California,” we may have to crack open a bottle sooner rather than later. Residual sugar is just 2%.
Beringer White Merlot in magnum is now available at Lowcountry Wine and Spirits. Maybe if we get a white shiraz we can hold a blind “Judgement of Pink” tasting for the public.
Besides wine, we’ve picked up Ke Ke Beach key lime cream liqueur after a couple of requests for this item. We also added the Tom Collins 1% alcohol mixer from Master of Mixes, in the 1L size.
