Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Tasting Sheet for the Week of March 16, 2016

White Wines

2015 Chat Peuch Haut Rose’
From France, this sensational Rose is very pale in color and made of Grenache and Cinsault in the Languedoc region.  It’s rich and lush but also shows the minerality of the clay and limestone soils.   Elegant.  RP $20

2014 Pomelo Sauvignon Blanc
This is a neat little wine produced by Mason Cellars, and it scored in as #40 on the Spectator Top 100 of 2015. Long stainless fermentation, this wine has the typical grapefruit nose, but it explodes with exotic flavors of guava and lime peel.  Mouthwatering.  RP $12

2015 Little James Basket Press
This wine from St. Cosme is 75% Viognier and 25% Sauvignon, a bit of an unconventional blend, and shows deep tropical fruit flavors and has a long finish.  It’s a solid value that is truly a wine for everyone.   RP $12

2013 Roblar Chardonnay
An easy drinking California Chard that was raised up in stainless steel but you’d think it was oaked, it is so juicy. It’s medium bodied with a nice core of apples and pears; Lodi.  RP $12

Red Wines

2013 Hope Estate Shiraz Basalt Block
From Hunter Valley in New South Wales, these guys use a combination of fermentations to yield a medium bodied, spicy and earthy Shiraz that is complex and satisfying.  RP $18

2013 Primus “The Blend”
This wine is produced by Agustin Huneeus, whose wines include Quintessa & Faust from Napa, 3-digit price tags.  This 20 buck bottle from his Chilean property (he’s Chilean) is full bodied, the texture is layered with flavors and it finishes with a lasting swirl. 

2013 Root 1 Cabernet Sauvignon
Staying with the theme of “the blend”, and offering you a chance to side by side taste, here’s a value Cabernet that’s full bodied and has good fruit flavors, with some mocha, smooth tannins and a long finish.  RP $12

2012 Marietta Christo
Full bodied red from California, this wine is opaque.  It’s almost black, smells like fresh berries and lavender, is ripe and full flavored with a long finish.  This deep, chewy wine is killer, friends!  RP $22

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Tasting Sheet for Week of March 9, 2015

White Wines

2014 Matteo Correggia Arneis
Arneis means rascal in Italian; perhaps this grape was so named because it fit.  Nevertheless, it has a pale sunshine color, it’s a tad floral, light and crisp on the palate with good acidity.  Elegant.  RP $18

2014 Pomelo Sauvignon Blanc
This is a neat little wine produced by Mason Cellars, and it scored in as #40 on the Spectator Top 100 of 2015. Long stainless fermentation, this wine has the typical grapefruit nose, but it explodes with exotic flavors of guava and lime peel.  Mouthwatering.  RP $12

2014 Mayu Pedro Ximenez
Only wine geeks know Pedro.   PX is mostly used to make sherries, but in Chile they use it to make a nifty little white wine.  It’s totally refreshing with an interesting tartness that just isn’t found elsewhere.   RP $14

2013 Chateau de Fontenille Blanc
And right here is an aromatic white from a small but splendid property in Entre-Deux-Mers.  Made with 4 white grapes, it’s all peaches, baby, on the nose and the palate.  RP $12

Red Wines

2013 Hope Estate Shiraz Basalt Block
From Hunter Valley in New South Wales, these guys use a combination of fermentations to yield a medium bodied, spicy and earthy Shiraz that is complex and satisfying.  RP $18

2013 Primus “The Blend”
This wine is produced by Agustin Huneeus, whose wines include Quintessa & Faust from Napa, 3-digit price tags.  This 20 buck bottle from his Chilean property (he’s Chilean) is full bodied, the texture is layered with flavors and it finishes with a lasting swirl. 

2013 Root 1 Cabernet Sauvignon
Staying with the theme of “the blend”, and offering you a chance to side by side taste, here’s a value Cabernet that’s full bodied and has good fruit flavors, with some mocha, smooth tannins and a long finish.  RP $12

2013 Peirano Petite Sirah
Full bodied red from Lodi, this wine has received some pretty impressive scores.  But you be the judge.  It’s almost black, smells like fresh baked pie, and has this mysteriously seductive palate…….. RP $15


Tuesday, March 8, 2016

In Case You Just Found Us

Usually every few months we post what the Grotto is doing, since we have new folks come in weekly, having just moved here or discovered Florence has this type place.

So we're a wine bar and a retail shop combined, every day we're open you can come in, do a wine flight, have some cheese and charcuterie with your vino if you'd like.  Usually we have good stock on the wines you'll taste and you can take one or some with you.

It's relaxed, and we do our best to make you feel welcomed.
Many of the wines you'll see aren't the same as you'll see elsewhere - same with the cheeses & meats.  Folks who come in are looking for different things to try.  

We're in our 4th year as our second act of the Grotto (we committed to three, but are keeping on), in our retirement years, so we're open Wednesday thru Friday, beginning at 4:30 pm.

If you'd like to get email from us, (we have sales) send us a mail at grottofinewine@gmail.com.

Hope to see you soon !  Cheers !