Barossa Langmeil SMG Have you been doing the SMGs? The SMG craze originated at the famed...

Barossa Langmeil SMGHave you been doing the SMGs?

The SMG craze originated at the famed Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Chateau of the Pope). In 1308, Pope

Clement V, former Archbishop of Bordeaux, relocated the papacy to the city of Avignon. He and

subsequent “Avignon Popes" were said to be great lovers of wine and did much to promote it

during the seventy-year duration of the Avignon Papacy.

A masterful blend of three grapes, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache, has become quite the modern day

cult in recent years. Maryland wine critic Robert Parker has taken to touting the lore of

Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Winemakers wherever these three varietals grow try to outdo each other

with the best blend.

This rich, full-bodied red from Barossa is a bright, jazzy blend that delivers a lively mouthful of cherry,

mulberry and spice flavors, with hints of a floral note as the finish lingers.

The appearance is crimson with purple hues. Aromas of fresh, bright blue fruits and raspberries mingle

with subtle chocolate and creamy notes. Lovely, juicy blue fruits and raspberries dominate the

medium bodied palate with complex characters of briary spice and white pepper which morph into

a dark chocolate and cherry finish.

You simply can’t explore wine without Australia in there somewhere and we’re excited to have this wine

as our first Aussie selection. Langmeil Winery, in the Barossa wine region, owns what is believed

to be the world’s oldest surviving Shiraz vineyard circa 1843.

Rated 89 by Wine Spectator, this Shiraz, Mourvèdre, Grenache blend pairs nicely with braised lamb

shanks, pasta and pizza.

Find this wine at Little Washington Winery and the Wine Loves Chocolate Tasting Room, Washington Virginia

Trim Cabernet Sauvignon

Great Cabernet Value from California

Finding great value combined with great price can be very challenging in California. The high

cost of land combined with the “boutique” ethos in the state often results in delicious, but

expensive wines that the typical wine lover cannot afford to drink on a daily basis. Trim

Cabernet Sauvignon is an exception to that rule in the sense that it comes from great

vineyard sites and the winemaking is handled by a veteran, highly noted individual.

Ray Signorello was born into the California wine industry. Now a second generation winemaker,

Signorello owns an estate along Napa’s famed Silverado Trail, and his Cabs typically run

in the $50 to $60 range. He is the man responsible for Trim. In 2011, Ray started the

TRIM project with a few vintner friends to offer a well-crafted good value California

Cabernet Sauvignon to the market. Made mostly from Mendocino County fruit, this is a

really good value in a Cabernet.

This wine is soft, richly fruited and packed with flavor. It’s dry, tart and grippy in tannins, and

savory in blackberry, blueberry, espresso and cedar flavors. It’s a great Spring & Summer

Cab for enjoying with a grilled burger, steak or barbecued chicken. Wine Enthusiast has

rated this one 86 points.


Anarkos PrimitivoPrimitivo DNA Test in the American History Museum

Love Zinfandel? DNA analysis has recently revealed Zinfandel is the exact same grape as Primitivo!

Anarkos is a label from the Accademia dei Racemi in Pugl. Primitivo is the Italian name for Zinfandel, and

this bottling presents an excellent opportunity to sample this varietal from its Mediterranean home.

Anarkos includes fruit from vineyards that are over 50 years old, and it is made with a reverence

for the history of the region and the farmers that tend the old vineyards.

Gorgeous black berry, cassis, and spice with medium acid and soft tannin. This wine completely

surprised us at Andrews Wine Vetting Taste-off. It came in with a landslide as the number one

selection by Dirt Road club tasters. So, now its your turn to enjoy this delightful discovery.

We love the story behind the name “Anarkos”. Yep, anarchy is definitely happening on the Italian wine

scene. Five years ago the next generation of passionate viticulturists, agronomists and wine

makers came together with the common goal of promoting the production of quality wines and

began an ambitious project of revaluating the local Apulian grapes. In just five years Accademia

dei Racemi has significantly contributed to the enological dignity of Apulia - a region with one of

the most ancient enological traditions of Italy - and thanks to specific researches and remarkable

efforts, it contributed to the revaluation of local varieties, including the now famous Primitivo. Old

world vintners and winemakers are watching skeptically as the new wave of winemakers hit the

scene using all kinds of new ideas. Anarchy is definitely prevailing in Italy.

Pairing ideas for this one - all the light Italian fare - pizza, mushroom risotto, red sauce pasta, laughter

and a little anarchy!


Savuto

Find this wine at Little Washington Winery, Washington Virginia

A Rare Blend of Rare Varietals

Savuto is the epitome of an old world style wine. This wine is a blend of rare varietals:

45% Gaglioppo, 15% Greco Nero, 15% Nerello Cappuccio, 15% Magliocco

Canino and 10% Sangiovese. The Dirt Road Wine Club discovered Savuto in the

last batch that Andrew brought over for the club to taste and rate. As we tasted

through 23 new wines, all of the Dirt Road Club members rated this one a 10.

In the words of Robert Parker - “Odoardi’s 2006 Savuto is beautiful in this vintage. This

plump, juicy red impresses for the integrity of its fruit. Tobacco, mint, truffles and

smoke add further layers of complexity. This is a gorgeous effort from Odoardi.

Anticipated maturity: 2010-2014.”

It’s different. This wine has a long history of being the life of the party. Roman nobles

drank Savuto wines at feasts two thousand years ago, so you’re in good

company.

Pair a glass of this blend with grilled pork tenderloin, pine nuts, grilled eggplant, grilled

octopus marinated in wine and oregano, Sausage or hamburgers.

Falanghina


A Rare Grape on its own Rootstock

When we recently came up with a random list of 10 offbeat wine-grape varieties that we thought

were particularly meritorious, we knew it wouldn’t be long before an eleventh strong

competitor poked up its head. Andrew introduced us to Falanghina in a recent club taste-

off, and the crowd went wild - it garnered a rating of “10” from club members.

The Falanghina grape varietal is amongst the oldest cultivated in Italy. It is believed that

Falanghina vines were first brought to Italy by Greek settlers as early as the 7th century

B.C. Wine authorities say Falanghina may have been the grape used in Falernum, one of

the most highly regarded wines of the Roman Empire.

The appellation of this wine is a bit unfamiliar even to many Italian-wine fanatics. Falanghina

thrives in the volcanic areas of Sannio, a hilly region of Campania, north of Naples. The

flavor, which derives from the grapes themselves, rather than from finishing in oak barrels,

is evocative of apples, subtle spices, and a pleasant vanilla finish.

This grape was almost entirely wiped out by phylloxera. However, in 1970 it was discovered that

a few ancient stumps of the grape had escaped destruction. The time-consuming process

of regenerating the strain brought the grape back from near extinction.

Its richness suggests a pairing of poultry or pork; it went very well with chicken braised with

fresh herbs and butter and orzo pasta.

Whole Cluster Riesling


1 of the Top 10 Wines in America

Move over California – here comes Michigan! This Whole Cluster Riesling was

included in Food & Wine Magazine’s Editor Picks for Best Wine and beer.

In the article, wine editors Ray Isle and Megan Krigbaum selected ten

wines as most exceptional of the year. This wine was selected as one of

the top ten.

Grape clusters are pressed whole without destemming or crushing. Then

undergo a very cool fermentation process to bring out the fruitiness. The

wine offers rich, ripe green and red apple flavors and aromas underscored

with a note of lime and a hint of mineral, all on a somewhat-more-than

medium bodied frame.

Michigan’s Chateau Grand Traverse has produced wine on the Old Mission

Peninsula since 1974 and is now in its 2nd generation of leadership. The

winery is noted internationally for its excellent Riesling wines and has won

several international competitions.

Texas Viognier Takes Gold in LA


Oops – only 325 Cases Produced

Good things do come in very small packages. Only 325 cases of the 2011

McPherson Vineyards Les Copains was produced. Then it took Gold in

the Los Angeles International Wine competition and Silver in the San

Francisco International Wine competition.

Les Copains, French for “the buddies,” is a Rhone style blend of Grenache

Blanc, Viognier and Roussanne. This slightly dry white gives the taste

buds an experience of white fruits, pear and peach with melon and a

touch of lemon to finish. Les Copains pairs best with cheeses, fruits, raw

vegetables, and dishes that involve heavy cream sauces.

The McPhersons have been a pioneering family in grape growing and wine

making in Texas for over 40 years. Owner “Doc” McPherson is one of the

“Fathers” of the modern Texas wine industry. In 1976 he founded the first

post-Prohibition Texas winery.

Bedell White


Imagine Marilyn Monroe enjoying this Summer Sipper

This refreshing white blend is truly unique to Long Island. Its incredible acidity complements the

flavors of citrus, stone fruit and lime zest, which quickly whet the appetite. Tropical

aromas entice you at the first sip and saline minerality rounds out the lengthy finish.

This wine is a featherweight at 11.5% alcohol and is faithful to the style of the North Fork in

every way. Estate grown Sauvignon Blanc forms the backbone and Viognier,

Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer and Riesling were also part of the blend. All of the fruit was

hand harvested, whole cluster pressed, fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged in

stainless steel.

2011 is considered one of the most unusual vintages on the North Fork, infamous for having an

earthquake and a hurricane in the same week. Nevertheless the vineyard persevered and

produced some of the best fruit we’ve ever seen. The summer was one of the warmest on

record yet temperatures were rarely extreme. Yields were low, one to two tons per acre,

so the crop ripened quickly, well before the late October rains. By late September, the

turbulent conditions ended and Long Island settled into a dry weather pattern. Sugar

levels are lower than last year leaving balanced wines with moderate alcohol and thirst-

quenching acidity.

Bedell Taste Red


Long Island Wine Madness

Here’s one wine you will never find again. Highest rated wine ever from Long Island, and we

have the few remaining bottles of this 500 case batch. 90 points, James Suckling, Former

Editor of Wine Spectator; 90 points, Wine Spectator; 90 points, Wine Enthusiast.

Keep your fingers crossed that someone wrote down the exact recipe and for another good

year. We can’t get enough of this wine.

With the extraordinary 2010 vintage, Bedell has truly perfected the art of blending in this opulent

and juicy red. Produced entirely from estate grown Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Cabernet

Franc and Malbec, this supple fruit driven wine showcases the diversity and beauty of the

North Fork terroir.

Aged 12 months in a mixture of new and older French oak. Indigenous aromas of blueberry,

brambles, violets and beach plums wrap around flavors of blackberry, black cherries,

cedar, and coastal forest floor. Like a velvet bowl full of dark juicy berries, the tannins are

ripe and soft, yet deep, well structured, and mouthwatering. Powerful yet completely

delicious, this wine enjoyable now and age–worthy for at least the next 10 years.

The 2010 vintage was completely extraordinary and is unlike any other vintage in the 35 year

history of Long Island winemaking. An incredible vintage that is already being considered

Long Island’s finest.

Colorado Meritage


Possibly the Highest Vineyard in North America

Guy Drew Vineyards is located in McElmo Canyon, Colorado. It was founded in 1998 by Guy Drew and

his wife Ruth, after ending their corporate careers in Denver. What began as a Hay Farm in

McElmo Canyon, then gradually transformed into one of today’s most acclaimed Colorado

Vineyards. Guy’s vineyards are located at approximately 5800 feet making these some of the

highest vineyards in North America.

Although many have overlooked McElmo Canyon’s promise over the years, it continually proves to be

one of the greatest places for wine in Colorado. Guy Drew Vineyards grows its’ wine in Colorado’s

scenic McElmo Canyon. Located next to the southwest arm of Montezuma Valley on the Colorado

Plateau and west of the Rocky Mountains. This area was an ancient Anasazi trade route and

historical fruit-growing region in Colorado. Just south of the winery the Ute Reservation and

legendary volcanic Sleeping Ute Mountain rises to nearly 10,000 feet.

The Guy Drew Meritage blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc and 22% Petit Verdot

was barrel aged in two and three year old French oak for twelve months, then four months in new

French oak.

The Merlot in this Meritage contributes bright berry and mocha flavors with firm tannins for structure. The

Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc offer soft cherry and acidity to the front palate and

balance the mouth feel for a smooth finish. Dark plum and black cherry notes plus espresso,

toasted almond and vanilla spice; full-bodied with a crimson velvet texture. Steak please!

Chenin Blanc from Vouvray


A Treat From the Loire Valley

The Chenin Blanc grape achieves greatness in the Loire Valley,

where its intensely aromatic and zippy personality is often

balanced with a touch of sweetness.

No matter how its vinified, the grape always makes for luscious,

interesting wines that often can stand the test of time. First

impression - very tangy and full. Loaded with minerals and

aromas of white and yellow acacia flowers, apricots, and pears.

This refreshing Summer sipper has the flavors of sweet elements

but the feel of eating a lemon or a grapefruit. My mouth felt very

strange and sort of peppery after this wine. A great aperitif or

lovely with white fish or blue veined cheeses.

Skyline Red from Idaho


We want to go to this Blending Party

Talk about a brew ... this Red Blend from Idaho showcases totally unique rich plum and cherry

fruit layered with earthy and spice notes.

Aged 18 months in 30% new American oak, the blend in this wine consists of no fewer than

eight varietals, including 60% Cabernet Sauvignon., 14% Merlot, 11% Tempranillo, 7%

Petite Sirah, 4% Petite Verdot, 1% Malbec, 1% Syrah, 2% Grenache. We would definitely

love to be at this blending party. They took it down to the nitty gritty with 1 and 2 percent

varietals to put finishing touches on the perfect mix.

It opens with aromas of cordial cherries, white strawberries and dark plum that lead to

hedonistic flavors of plum and black currant jam. A beautiful long fruit finish is supported

by a well balanced tannin structure. This wine won a gold medal at last year’s Idaho Wine

Competition.

On October 15th, Wine columnist Dave McIntyre, Washington Post, recommended this wine

with an “excellent” rating to cure the fall chill. He states: ”I’m a big fan of this winery for its

outstanding Riesling, delightful chardonnay and succulent syrah. The juicy Skyline Red

blend defies any paradigm of a red blend from anywhere around the world by combining

Bordeaux, Spain, California and the Rhone in one. It’s a wine that could be found nowhere

else but America, and it shows a sense of adventure that comes through in the glass.”

Lora Tempranillo/Syrah


A Blend from La Mancha

Lora Wines come from an astonishing place: the region of Cuenca, in the

eastern end of La Mancha. Here, the high plateau that dominates the

center of Spain, is at its highest altitude, the soils are rocky and the

weather turns cold. Pine and holm trees start to climb towards the near

mountains and the vines struggle to survive between the warm sunny

days and the desert cold nights.

Bright ruby-coloured, this wine has an excellent nose of violets, black cherry

and earth notes. Its ageing in oak barrels gives the wine spicy aromas

such as vanilla, pepper and toasty notes. On the palate it is soft and silky,

delicate and round, with great balance between fruit, oak and spiciness. A

perfect match to a wide range of food, such as grilled lamb and veal, a

nice warming casserole, some good Spanish Tapas, all kinds of cheeses

or just a glass on its own.

A little secret? Try it with dark chocolate!

Juan Benegas Malbec


Mendoza Malbec – the Darling of America wine

Once every decade or so a wine grape comes along that transcends region, winery, or even

common sense to become a brand unto itself. Remember five years ago, when Pinot Noir

was all the rage? And prior to that, when Shiraz from Australia logged time as America’s

darling red wine? And even before that, when California Merlot was the big thing?

Malbec has now joined that illustrious club of brand unto-itself varietals. Nowadays, the hottest

wine in this country is Argentinean Malbec. Dense and dark, with full-bodied richness that

few other grapes besides maybe Cabernet Sauvignon, warm-climate Syrah and

Tempranillo can mimic. Diverse, rich and perfect for savoring slowly, Argentinean Malbec

is America’s current go-to red.

Malbec is an old grape varietal from France, where it was grown throughout the country but was

particularly common in Bordeaux. The phylloxera epidemic of the late 1800s started a

precipitous decline in popularity due to Malbec’s susceptibility to pests, frost, and mildew.

French wine makers were fed-up with the fragile vine and most plantings were replaced

with hardier grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Our Malbec pick is the Juan Benegas from Mendoza. Pair this one with roasted or stewed beef,

duck, crockpot lamb shanks, sausage, mushrooms, and spice-laden sauces.

Gruner Veltliner


A Biodynamic Wine from Austria

Meinklang Burgenland white is a blend from the Burgenland region in Austria. The hot summer

days in southern Austria and the long cool evenings allow for wonderful ripening of the

grapes and produce this powerful wine. 20% of the vineyards in Austria are organic. That

is the largest percentage of any European country.

This organic wine is from a family farm dedicated to the art of biodynamic winemaking. For

those who for those who aren’t familiar with biodynamics, it is an approach to farming that

incorporates organic techniques and then goes beyond with crop rotation, biodiversity and

other holistic farming methods. It also can be a little on the new age side with farming

activities based on the moon cycle and practitioners doing things like burying cow horns

filled with manure and ground quartz in the vineyards. The approach considers that there

are astronomical influences on soil and plant development. Biodynamics sees an entire

farm as a single organism, with something that they call a life force.

This wine is a ripe basket full of fruit on the nose, with exciting aromatics like peach, lemon,

pineapple and apple. It seems to evolve to new aromas with every sniff. The palate

brings a bit of light effervescence and an ever-so-slight touch of sweetness with delicious

peach and apple flavors, drizzled with citrus. The finish is looooong, with tangy peach

flavors lingering for a near eternity. One taste and you will become a biodynamic fan. This

is Delicious. Enjoy this one with salads, seafood, light pastas and appetizers.

Cherry Wine


Sangria, Wassail, Mulled Wine, Glühwein or Glögg

Whether you call it Wassail, Mulled Wine, Glühwein or Glögg, this delicious concoction of fruit and spices

makes a perfect drink for the holiday season and stretches all the way through the winter months.

Served warm, it takes the chill out of any wintry evening.

Wine was first recorded as spiced and heated in First Century Rome. The Romans traveled all across

Europe, conquering much of it and trading with the rest. The legions brought wine and viticulture

with them up to the Rhine and Danube Rivers and to the Scottish border bringing their recipes.

Glühwein (“glow-wine,” from the hot irons once used for mulling) is popular in German-speaking countries

and in the region of Alsace in France. The oldest documented Glühwein tankard is attributed to

Count John IV of Katzenelnbogen, a German nobleman who was the first grower of Riesling

grapes. This gold-plated lockable silver tankard is dated to c. 1420.

Glühwein is usually prepared from red wine, heated and spiced with cinnamon sticks, cloves, star

aniseed, citrus, sugar and at times vanilla pods. It is sometimes drunk mit Schuss (with a shot),

which means that rum or some other liquor has been added.

Glögg is the term used for mulled wine in Nordic countries. They like it with a shot of vodka or brandy.

For the perfect Summer Sangria – Pour the wine into a pitcher and add I lemon, ½ lime and 1 orange

quartered. Refrigerate for 3 hours, no longer or the rinds will start to make it taste bitter. Viola, you

have the perfect sangria!

Cover Drive Cabernet Sauvignon


From the Cigar Strip of South Australia

From the reknowned Coonawarra Terra rossa “cigar strip” of South Australia, this

Cabernet Sauvignon is now planted on the old Penola cricket ground, which first

saw a ball bowled in anger and the flashing cover drives of the local champions

in 1950. Sadly, the ground closed in 1996. Soon after Jim Barry purchased the

30 acre property and planted a Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard.

We very much enjoyed this wine. It’s one of those wines that makes you think of all

kinds of one word descriptors, beside fruit, for all those enhancing

characteristics. You can tell this is Cabernet with some typical black licorce,

graphite, herbal, and slightly vegative aromas and flavors. Rich dark red color.

Penetrating nose of cassis, fennel, blackberry, black cherry, flowers, cedar.

Fresh and lively as it enters the palate, this one is complex enough to break the 90

point glass ceiling. Slow down and enjoy the nose. After you have discovered it

alone, pair it with a little slice of Brie and watch it totally change again. This is a

Cab Sauv that will hold it’s own with the buttery potato and fatty steak on the grill,

or surprise you with a less fatty cut of meat.

Niel Santofimia


We’re not telling who really made this!

A stunning red from the Spanish wine region of Almansa in La Mancha, Niel Santofimia is a ripe,

juicy, knockout. A blend of Garnacha Tinta and Merlot, this will be your new go-to red for

the chilly Fall days. A can’t miss selection, the Niel Santofimia really highlights what our

Dirt Road Wine Club is all about, outstanding value!

The secret goes that a certain famed Spanish winemaker had a hand in this one though it is not

allowed to be mentioned out loud or the price would skyrocket. Whatever happened here,

the result was a very nice wine. The Garnacha Tinta varietal is enjoying a new lease of life

thanks to modern viticultural and winemaking practices, which enhance its dark fruit and

chocolate characters.

Opaque ruby. Black and blue fruits on the highly fragrant, smoke-accented nose. Juicy,

penetrating blueberry and bitter cherry flavors display very good clarity and pick up

sweetness and spiciness with air. Fine-grained tannins give shape and grip to the long,

spicy finish.

Carl & I fell in love with this wine when we tried it. See if you get the cherry and smokey peppery

finish Carl gets or the vanilla bean finish I was getting. This is an excellent BBQ wine. Oh,

also try it with pork ribs, venison, duck, cream cheese stuffed bacon wrapped jalapeños

and grilled veggies. Superb value. Rated 90 Points.

Kellerei Kaltern LaGrein


Knocked it out of the ballpark with this one!

Have a special event you’re attending for which you want to wow everyone with your vino prowess? Just

call us! One of our club members needed a wine that would knock everyone’s socks off at a

Northern Italy gourmet event he was attending. He challenged us to choose the perfect bottle.

Andrew selected this wine for him and man, did that ever work out! The chef came bursting out of

the kitchen to shake hands with Ron, declaring that that was the best pairing of food and wine he

had ever experienced.

Lagrein is sort of the Dolcetto of Alto Adige, the bold but flexible everyday red that pairs perfectly with

cheese, sausage and savory main courses. This one’s a beauty, ripe and dark and loaded with

earthy cherry and plum fruit and bitter chocolate notes. The texture is generous and round -

making it a nice sipper - the surprisingly bright acidity and fine tannins really let it shine at the

table.

Kellerei Kaltern - Caldaro is one of the most important wine producers in Italy. Kaltern is a wine village in

Northern Italy, near Verona, above Lake Kaltern, the warmest lake in the Alps. Wine-growing

around Lake Kaltern is structured on an extremely small scale. Most of the more than 440 wine

growers in this area possess less than one hectare ( 2 acres). The vineyards are almost entirely

worked by hand, For these small wine growers it is practically impossible to make wine from their

own grapes and then market it. The creation of producer co-operatives was an economic

necessity, offering vintners access to the knowledge of experienced cellar masters and the use of

the technical infrastructures necessary for the production of high-quality wines.

Pair this wine up with game, darker meats, hard cheeses.

Stone Hill Vignole


Oldest Operating Winery in the U.S.

Established in 1847, Stone Hill Vineyards in Herman Missouri grew to be the second largest

winery in the United States. The wines were world renowned, winning gold medals in eight

world's fairs, including Vienna in 1873 and Philadelphia in 1876. "Unfortunately, the

advent of Prohibition in 1920 destroyed the wine industry in Missouri, and the winery's

spectacular arched, underground cellars (the largest series of vaulted cellars in America)

were used for growing mushrooms.“

Vignoles (veen-yole) is Missouri’s premier white grape varietal. This wine is in the rich full

bodied category of whites, displaying lovely varietal aromas of pineapple, strawberry and

lime. Although this wine contains a hint of sweetness, it’s natural vibrant acidity gives it a

delightful dry palate impression, making it the perfect wine to enjoy as an aperitif or paired

with flavorful foods that might overwhelm a more delicate white.

Try this wine with anything a chef would bring out with a lemon (crab cakes, trout, oysters,

salmon, shellfish, salad) and you’ll have a perfect match. And try it with creamy sauces,

ham, turkey, fennel, ginger, almonds oily fishes. Oh, and this one is a perfect pairing with

the Little Washington Winery Tasting Room deck.

Frisk Prickly Riesling


Did you know there is a Snow-capped Alpine Region in Australia?

This zippy Riesling is a “good for any situation” kind of wine. Why? Because this wine has a little

“party in a bottle” action going on. (aka…the Prickly.) Floral and weighted, with notes of

lime sorbet, rose petals and a hint of fennel. But more on that in a minute.

The Frisk Prickly Riesling from Australia is getting all the attention of the wine writers these

days. Spectator, Enthusiast, you name it, they’re talking about this one. 89% Riesling and

11% Muscat Gordo makes it a wine that Riesling fans will enjoy as well as Moscato

lovers.

It pours more like a Pinot Grigio with virtually no color, but the aroma makes you remember why

it is a Riesling. With smells of ripe citrus fruits and floral the nose gets you ready for a light

bodied mouth feel with flavors of orange, peach, lemon and lime, with a slight mineral

finish.

Our favorite part is the little fizz. So it is like sparkling wine light (in taste and profile) and perfect

for a hot summer day. Because of its profile it would be an awesome match for Thai or

Asian Food. And it’s low alcohol level means you can drink a bottle (or two) and not end

up feeling too bad the next day. Honestly, this is an awesome summer wine and should

appeal on some level to about everyone who drinks it – even us die hard red wine fans.

Rated 88 by Wine Spectator.

Don Tiburcio Bordeaux Style Blend


Bordeaux Style Blend from Mendoza

Stop reading this and go open this wine right now.

All winemakers like to try their hand at crafting the perfect Bordeaux style blend. This

one is from Argentina, king of the big Malbecs, so it is Malbec heavy with all the

usual Bordeaux varietals - Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot

and Merlot.

Deep purple in the glass with a hint of smoke and tobacco on the nose at first that

fades after a bit of swirl and turns into crushed fruit aromas from the Malbec.

Dark cherry flavors that just barely hit you in the back of the jaw with just the right

amount of tannins before moving into a smooth finish. You’d never believe that

this wine has 14.5% alcohol/volume.

This wine is the perfect drag out the grill for the season wine. Pair it with a steak on

the grill and the combination of the red meat and the flavors from the wine are

amazing. We’re pretty sure you could pair the Don Tiburcio with just about

anything (or nothing at all), but something bold in flavor itself is called for with this

blend of flavors. The slight tannic finish will pair well with red meat, pastas, and

BBQ.

Mano-a-Mano from LaMancha


Our Manly Man Favorite

Mano a Mano is 100% tempranillo, fermented in stainless steel and aged in

new French oak for seven months. A sister (or should we say brother)

product of our favorite Spanish tempranillo, Venta la Ossa, this one has

also been discovered, garnering an impressive 89 Points from

International Wine Cellar.

Take a good look at this wine in the glass. Bright violet color, and, yes - it does

have gorgeous legs. Smoky blackberry and cassis on the nose and in the

mouth, with a hint of cracked pepper adding spiciness and vivacity.

Velvety, smooth wine, with solid but harmonious tannins adding grip to the

smoke-accented finish.

It’s a little bit of a hot wine (14.5% alcohol) so it will warm your chest nicely.

Tempranillo is an especially good pairing with classic Spanish cuisine like tapas

and paella, as well as strong flavors and roasted meats.

Begali Valpolicella


An Amarone Ripasso Wine

Situated in the charming Valpolicella region of Italy between Piemonte and the hills of

Castelrotto, near Verona. Since the early 1900s, the Begali family has passed their

winemaking tradition and a passion for working the family’s land from generation to

generation. The vineyards are set amongst cherry orchards which are spread out over

hills and slopes.

This wine is the best ever version of Tigiolo, a blend of yet another wonderful wine grape from

Italy - Corvina, blended with Rondinella and slightly dried Cabernet grapes. The grapes

are left to dry during the months of September and October before processing. The wine

is aged in oak barrels for 24 months before being bottled.

The initial impact is bewitching, and then the highly drinkable palate develops intriguingly into an

excellent rapport between powerful extract and elegance. Tasting Deep red, intense

aromas, spicy, dry and well-rounded.

Receiving 89/100 points by reviewers and retailing for $39, this is the Dirt Road Wine Club Deal

of the year. The start of your year sets the tone for the entire year. Open this bottle and

enjoy!

Pairing ideas - roast pork tenderloin, roasted beets, Italian sausage & wild mushroom risotto or

red sauce pasta.

Ten Sisters Sauvignon Blanc


Ten Sisters (and a Brother) – See him in There?

We like to refer to this special find as a Virginian’s wine from New Zealand!

Well, one of the sisters lives in Charlottesville so we can claim it, right?!

Taste and commit this wine to your memory as the base line for what a good

Sauvignon Blanc should taste like. Marlborough has ideal growing

conditions for Sauvignon Blanc, and the Ten Sisters rendition of the wine

is classic.

This wine was rated 89 by Wine Spectator. Ten Sisters Sauvignon Blanc also

took the Bronze medal in the Old Ebbitt’s Grill Oyster pairing competition.

This is a very crispy, bright, acidic wine with elegant layers of intense fruit,

balanced by a long well-rounded finish. It’s the perfect pairing for all of

those dishes a chef squeezes lemon over when he serves them ...

crabcakes, shellfish, white flaky fishes like trout, as well as goat cheese,

garlic, chicken.

Conde Valdemar Rioja Reserva


A Masterpiece of Wine

In Europe, France has Bordeaux, Italy has 2000 rare varietals and

Spain has the Rioja blend, considered to be one of the world’s

best masterpieces of wine.

This blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Mazuelo was aged for 17

months in barrels and 24 months in the bottle before being

released. Dark crimson-colored, it reveals an alluring nose of

cedar, spice box, tobacco, black cherry, and blackberry. On the

palate it displays considerable finesse, a silky texture, and

excellent balance.

Rated 90 by Robert Parker, this bottle will offer prime drinking from

2012 to 2021. Pair it with stew, red meats and sausage.

The grape varietal Andrew wants us to grow

Baco Noir (pronounced BA-koh NWAHR) is a hybrid red grape produced from a

cross of Folle Blanche, a French wine grape, and an unknown variety of

riparia indigenous to North America. You know, the kind of grapes that

grow wild in the Blue Ridge mountains behind Little Washington winery.

Girardet pioneered the grape to the west coast and when a WS writer

discovered it, he announced, “the best red wine in Oregon is Baco Noir”.

So, here is an interesting marriage of a red and a white varietal. Go figure, the

result is a very nice full bodied red wine.

Baco Noir produces a deeply tinted, acidic red wine that is fruit forward and

often carries aromas of juicy blackberries, caramel and dark roasted

coffee. Debut flavors of plum and blueberry finish with toasted vanilla and

chocolate. Aging potential is 5–8 years.

A very unique and intriguing varietal, for most it is love at first sip!

Girardet Baco Noir


I Sassi Aglianico


“ahl-YAH-nee-koe”

Bring out your list of varietals you’ve never tried … Aglianico is a black grape

grown in the Basilicata region of Italy. In early Roman times, it was the

principal grape of the famous Falernian wine. Sassi is a small family-

owned boutique winery located in the township of Neive, named one of

“the most beautiful villages in Italy”.

This wine is almost shiny … the deep purple color throws a tiny bit of sediment

in the glass as you swirl, a sign of the wine being unfiltered (which we like

here).

The nose has a bit of Zinfandel style blackberry jam but goes beyond that, with

notes of pepper, dusty clay, cocoa powder, and cedar.

In the mouth the flavors hit lots of cassis and cocoa tones with chewy, slightly

gritty tannins similar to Mourvedre or the deeper Malbecs.

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