Chardonnay
Anderson Valley
2875 Radio-Coteau “Savoy Vineyard”, Anderson Valley 2009 120
Russian River Valley and Sonoma Valley
The warm days and cool, misty evenings of the Russian River Valley are ideal for producing Chardonnays with aromas of citrus that are balanced by refreshing acidity.
Carneros
2882 Cuvaison, Carneros 2010 48
2884 Reata, Carneros 2010 45
Sonoma Coast and Mountain
2881 Chalk Hill, Sonoma Coast 2012 75
2910 Donelan Family Winery “Nancie”, Sonoma Coast 2011 108
Kistler
One of California’s quintessential producers of lush, balanced Chardonnays.
Kistler
If the Kistler Winery could be magically transported to the middle of Burgundy’s Côtes d’ Or, it would quickly gain a reputation as glorious as any producer of Burgundy grand crus.
2912 Kistler “Les Noisetiers”, Sonoma Mountain 2011 120 120
2911 Peter Michael “Cuvée Indigène”, Sonoma Coast 2007 225
2915 Peter Michael “Mon Plasir”, Sonoma Coast 2008 165
2914 Peter Michael “Mon Plasir”, Sonoma Coast 2011 180
Chardonnay
A Chardonnay is a Chardonnay…except when it’s not. Our Chardonnay selection is intended to introduce our guests to the many different expressions of Chardonnay being produced today. We have focused our list on small-production wines from the premier Chardonnay producing regions in California and France.
Chardonnay Cont’d
Central Coast
2916 Hobo Wine Co. “Ghostwriter” Santa Cruz Mountains 2011 66
Santa Rita Hills
Is a unique, ultra-cool region benefitting from the cold Pacific breezes funneled in by the Purisma and Santa Rosa Mountain range. The cool climate produces longer hang-time on the vines and more intense flavors.
A blend of two great vineyards in Santa Cruz--Aptos Creek and Woodruff Family both very small vineyards that produce well-balanced fruit. The vineyards are farmed organically but not certified. Production in 2011 was tiny but quality is definitely up. As always, only natural yeasts are used in the winemaking and minimal sulfites are added only in the bottling. This shows intense, complex layers of white and red fruit flavors, with excellent freshness and minerality. Gorgeous with good acid balance. Not many California producers make Chardonnay in this style.
Napa Valley and Carneros
2889 Cakebread, Napa Valley 2011 90
2886 Chateau Montelena, Napa Valley 2011 105
2877 Clos Blancheau “Green Island Vineyard” Napa Valley 2012 66
Brewer Clifton
At Brewer Clifton there is an utmost respect for nature. They believe that when working with a product of nature, it is necessary to always maintain an awareness of the elements and phenomena that are beyond our total understanding and control. They believe that the geographic, geologic and climatic uniqueness of the Sta. Rita Hills appellation provide an ideal place to grow chardonnay and pinot noir of intensity, complexity and specificity. Within the appellation, each vineyard carries its own imprint. Their mission and indeed their passion is to present wines that convey the characteristics inherent to each of these sites, with uncompromising quality.
This is the southernmost vineyard in the Napa AVA and sits right on the San Pablo Bay. The site is cool and windy and gives the wines a striking saline backbone. Named after two of Chablis' Grand Cru vineyards, Clos and Blanchots, this young winery explores the full potential of a small parcel of old vines contentedly planted in limestone. A dense, full-bodied expression of Chardonnay, with a texture reminescent of a Beaune, this is a great choice for those who enjoy Old World-style white wines. Filled with white flowers, fresh quince, and yellow plums on the nose and palate. Fermented in stainless steel and moved to older barrels to mature, Blancheau is inspired by Grand Cru Chablis and producers like Dauvissat and Raveneau. If you like Chablis this is a wine not to miss.
2888 Darioush, “Signature” Napa Valley 2011 100
Vintage after vintage, the cooler climates of Darioush's southern Napa Valley estate and historically renowned Chardonnay vineyards in Los Carneros produce wines with more progressive qualities of precision, richness and seamlessly integrated layers of vibrant citrus, stone fruits and delicate mineral tones.
2887 Kongsgaard “The Judge”, Tulocay, Napa Valley 2006 350
Kongsgaard is one of the widely acclaimed Chardonnay producers in the New World. John and Maggie Kongsgaard produce The Judge (very limited Chardonnay), Chardonnay, and a white blend of Viognier and Roussanne. The Judge gets rave reviews with every passing year, but it is not made in large quantities and thus many people have never tasted it.
2891 Ramey, Napa Valley 2009 125
Santa Rita Hills and Santa Barbara
Brewer-Clifton
Maison Bleue
The wines from this brilliant Washington State producer are still a bit under the radar, they are one of the best Chardonnay’s we have tasted this year. The beautiful Rhone blends they produce or not to be overlooked, this complex and masterfully restrained Chardonnay that has tremendous minerality complementing the notes of apple skin and pears on the nose. The palate is perfectly balanced with pure chardonnay flavors unmarked by the woody flavors of new oak; instead you get a snappy citrus blast with minerals and layers of flavor that are very long and complex. Simply delicious, a really outstanding "Chablis-style" chardonnay! This wine will pair well with an of Chef Oliva’s poultry, seafood, and cheeses.
Greg Brewer and Steve Clifton believe in allowing the unique terroir of the Santa Rita Hills to be expressed while producing “massive” flavors which are, nonetheless, incredibly well integrated.
2893 Brewer-Clifton, “Courtney’s Vineyard”, Santa Rita Hills 2007 140
2894 Diatom “Huber Vineyard”, Santa Rita Hills 2006 110
An American Chablis, unoaked, with citrus and mineral notes.
Santa Lucia Highlands
2876 Mer Soleil, “Silver” Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County 2011 66
Washington
2890 Maison Bleue “Au Contraire” Yakima Valley 2011 52
Southern Hemisphere
2880 Hamilton Russell Vineyards, Western Cape, South Africa 2013 64
2883 Luca, Valle De Uco, Mendoza, Argentina 2010 65
White Zinfandel
2895 Turley, Napa Valley 2012 40
Patrick Piuze
After running a wine bar in Montreal for two years, Patrick Piuze moved to Burgundy in 2000 and for his first autumn there he spent the harvest with Olivier Leflaive in Puligny-Montrachet. Shortly after, Piuze was entrusted with the vinification of Laflaive’s new Chablis project and Patrick spent four years there honing his skills as a winemaker. Next, he spent a year at Verget with Jean-Marie Guffens where he developed a passion for exploring the distinct terroirs of Chablis. At this point in his career, he was earning recognition for the high quality wines he was making and after just a year at Verget, Jean-Marc Brocard recruited him to be cellar master and head wine maker. During this period, Piuze realized there was much more he was capable of achieving and made the most important decision of his life: to set out on his own and bottle under his own name. Not one to ease into things slowly, his first vintage in 2008 consisted of 20 different bottlings, all Chablis except for one.
Piuze purchases all his fruit (never must or juice) and focuses on sourcing grapes from old-vines situated in prime locations. Interestingly, these vineyards are available because their location on the slopes makes them more difficult to work and impossible to machine harvest. This suits Piuze since he chooses to harvest every vineyard by hand anyway, even at the Petit Chablis and Village level! The approach in the cellar is hands-off; indigenous yeasts are used and nothing is added nor taken away. Piuze believes that Chardonnay is perfect for showcasing the expression of the various terroirs of Chablis, and each of his many bottlings captures a distinctive facet of the region. Despite doing nearly all the work himself, Piuze seems to have limitless energy and drive. He seems to be in a constant state of excitement and his incredible wines echo his liveliness and sincerity. He is barely into his third vintage and Piuze already has the makings of a legendary producer.
White Burgundy
Chablis
3032 Patrick Piuze “Terroir de Courgis”, Chablis 2012 55
The Terroir de Chablis is completely unoaked and vinified in stainless steel tanks. Therefore, the terroir is what dominates here with intense minerality and puckering acidity.
Beaujolais
3044 Jean Paul Burn “Beaujolais Blanc”, Beaujolais, Charnay, 2010 45
Côte de Chalonnaise
3025 Maison Leroy, Montagny 2006 140
Côte de Beaune
3027 Blain Gagnard, “La Boudriottte” Chass. Montrachet 1er Cru 2010 160
3029 Domaine Pierre Matrot, Mersault 2011 108
3034 Joseph Drouhin, “Marquis de Laguiche” Puligny-Montrachet ‘09 1500
3056 Olivier Leflaive, Bãtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2008 550
3028 Maison Leroy, Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Morgoet 2009 300
3048 Paul Pernot et Ses Fils Puligny- Montrachet 2012 110
Côte Mâconnaise
3030 Domain Henri Perrussett, Mâcon-Villages 2009 55
3031 Domain Valette, Mâcon-Chaintré, Vieilles, Vignes 2009 70
3026 Jean- Pierre et Michel Auvigue, “Solutre” Pouilly Fuisse 2011 51
A Beautiful Minerally Chardonnay, with lovely apple, pear, lime, and tropical fruit flavors. Solutre is a very specific and famous area in Pouilly Fuisse and produces some of the best wine from this area. This wine is no exception. Lite gold and clear, this Chardonnay wine has flavors of lemon, apple, honey and minerals. Lite oak, medium acidity and body make this a very pleasant apertif or match for chicken ala keene or halibut.
3045 Stella Rose, Viré-Clessé 2009 45
Refreshing with apricot flavors, nice full body.
Rosé
3046 Chateau Miraval, Cotes De Provence, Correns 2013 50
2954 Maison Bleue “La Famille” Yakima Valley 2011 48
3047 J.K. Carriere White Pinot “Glass”, Willamette Valley 2011 50
3043 Paul Hobbs Crossbarn, Sonoma Coast 2012 45
Chateau Miraval
This lovely Rosé may sound familiar for a couple of reasons. The gorgeous pre-Roman Chateaux Miraval estate, situated in Cote de Provence’s village of Correns, is home to none other than
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s famous brood. Pink Floyd also recorded a portion of their famed 1979 album The Wall at Miraval’s private studio. A blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah and white Rolle (aka Vermentino). Beautiful light pale
pink color. On the nose, fantastic bouquet with
delicate aromas of white fruits, just-picked strawberries and floral notes. The mouth is complex with raspberry and wild strawberry notes, wild herbs, citrus and wet stone flavors. It has a refreshing acidity, thanks to the altitude of the vineyards, and a round, long, vibrant finish. Miraval is a joint venture between Famille Perrin of Cheateau Beaucastel and Hollywood A-listers, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
Sauvignon Blanc
2956 Fumé Blanc Robert Mondavi “To-Kalon I Block”, Oakville 2007 160
3103 Aylin San Antonio Valley, Leyda, Chile 2010 45
2958 Palliser Estate, Martinborough, New Zealand 2012 45
2949 Peter Michael “L’Apres Midi”, Knights Valley, Sonoma Cnty ‘12 110
2950 Scholium Project “Prince in his Caves” Sonoma County 2011 90
2953 Stolpman, Santa Ynez Valley 2012 47
2959 Talis, Venezia Giulia, Italy 2011 40
Loire Valley
The Loire Valley wine region includes the several French wine regions situated along the river from the Muscadet region on the Atlantic coast to the regions of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé just southeast of the city of Orléans in north central France. Loire wines tend to exhibit a characteristic fruitiness with fresh, crisp flavors.
2948 Gerard Boulay “ Sancerre”, Chavignol 2012 64
2957 Laurent Craft, “Sec” Touraine, Vouvray 2010 45
Grüner 101
Austrian wine labels can be pretty confusing, so here’s a quick tip:
The terms “Smaragd”, “Federspiel”, and “Steinfelder” refer to the ripeness levels of the grapes when they are picked. Rule of thumb, Smaragd wines are usually the richest, Steinfelder the lightest, and Federspeil somewhere in between.
Grüner Veltliner
3131 Donabaum “Atzberg”, Wachau, Austria 2006 80
FX Pichler
In the hands of genius, Grüner Veltliner achieves its lofty potential. These are
Joh Jos Prüm
Average annual production is 13,000 cases. The harvest at J.J. Prüm is always extremely late. For example in 1981, the harvest was still not finished on November 9th. This involves great risk, but can also result in wines of superb quality. A 1955 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spätlese consumed in 1981 was still marvelously fresh and drinkable - one again demonstrating the longevity of fine Mosel Riesling. The 1949 Wehlener-Zeltinger Sonnenuhr TBA will last well beyond the year 2000. Obviously the wines of J.J. Prüm have earned a special place in the ranks of the world's greatest wines. They are currently one of only nine wine estates in Germany ranked five stars by Gault Millau, which is the European wine world's equivalent to the Michelin guide. Their Rieslings are renowned for their aging potential and are highly sought after by collectors.
wines with incredible intensity and weight, with the potential to age for decades. Fifth-generation winemakers, FX Pichler has been referred to as the Domaine de la Romanêe-Conti of the Wachau.
3148 FX Pichler “M” Smaragd, Wachau, Austria 2007 195
Riesling
3133 J.J Prüm, Graacher Himmelreich, “Spätlese” Mosel, Germany ‘11 62
Lemon, light white florals, smoke and the same minerality with flint and slate that you find in Kabinett. Truly delicious palate that offers beautiful purity and is superbly balanced with the acidity providing a vibrant framework. This is light on its feet but still has excellent depth and length.
3135 Weingut Bernhard Ott “Von Rotem Schotter”, Wagram Austria ‘11 58
3081 Zind-Humbrecht “Herrenweg”, Alsace, France 2005 78
3134 Domaine Weinbach, “Ste Cathrine” Schlossberg Cuvee, Alsace ‘11 86
Welschriesling
3145 Enjingi “Graševina”, Kutjevo, Croatia 2006 45
Pinot Gris
Pinot gris (also known as pinot grigio) is a white wine grape variety of the species Vitis vinifera. Thought to be a mutant clone of the Pinot noir grape, it normally has a grayish-blue fruit, accounting for its name (gris meaning "grey" in French) but the grape can have a brownish pink to black and even white appearance. The word pinot, which comes from the word meaning "pine cone" in French, could have been given to it because the grapes grow in small pine cone-shaped clusters. The wines produced from this grape also vary in colour from a deep golden yellow to copper and even a light shade of pink, and it is one of the more popular grapes for orange wine. The clone of Pinot gris grown in Italy is known as Pinot grigio.
Malvasia
3137 Bruno Trapan, “Ponente” Istria, Croatia, 2012 45
3136 Matoševi
“Alba”, Istria, Croatia 2008 60
Most varieties of Malvasia are closely related to Malvasia Bianca. One notable exception is the variety known as Malvasia di Candia which is a distinctly different sub-variety of Malvasia. Malvasia Bianca is grown widely throughout the world in places like Italy, Croatia, the San Joaquin Valley of California, the Greek Islands of Paros and Syros, the Canary Islands, Rioja and Navarra.
Pinot Gris
3080 Domaine Schlumberger “Les Princes Abbés”, Alsace 2010 45
3083 Hugel et Fils Pinot Gris Hommage a Jean Hugel, Alsace 1998 120
3082 Big Table Farm “Writz Vineyard”, Willamette Valley 2010 66
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Blanc is a white wine grape. It is a point genetic mutation of Pinot noir. Pinot noir is genetically unstable and will occasionally experience a point mutation in which a vine bears all black fruit except for one cane which produced white fruit Historically, Pinot blanc was used both in Burgundy and Champagne. It is still allowed in the Champagne blend and small amounts of Pinot blanc may in principle be blended into some Burgundy wines, but very small amounts are cultivated in either region. In the Champagne region, Pinot blanc is often called Blanc vrai.
Unless you have seen the actual Pinot gris fruit you wouldn’t guess that the grapes are a rosy grey (gris) color when ripe. The grapes were gently fermented on their skins for a brief time to add some color and texture to the wine, and then pressed and finished fermenting to dryness in neutral french oak barrels to soften and round out the wine. The results are a very complex wine that has characteristics of both a white and the striking tannins of a red. Orange peel, watermelon, greet you, the rich pallet of red fruit and spice is framed by firm tannins and balanced acidity. This wine, is definitely a food wine. Bone dry, malolactic complete and bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Pinot Blanc
3084 Anita & Hans Nittnaus, “Hideboden” Burgenland, Austria 2011 42
A single vineyard Pinot Blanc, shows remarkable complexity for its age, with aromas of white flower, tangerine, and green apple. Perfect with Artic Char.
3079 Hugel et Fils, “Cuvée Les Amours” Alsace 2011 51
Scarpetta
The Story…You would be hard pressed to find two people more Friuli-obsessed than Bobby Stuckey and Lachlan Patterson. Even within Friuli their true passion for the region elicits some curious head scratching and warm Italian chuckles from the humble winemakers and restaurateurs. Tuscany, sure. Rome of course. But to be a complete Friuliophile? Yet that is the title thet both wear proudly. After working together at the French Laundry, Bobby as Master Sommelier and Lachlan as a Chef de Partie, they moved to Boulder Colorado with a dream of opening a restaurant. One Fateful trip to Friuli, complete with carsickness from the winding roads of the Alps, Traditional Friuli, and lots of amazing local wine was enough to seal their fate. They came back to Boulder and opened Frasca Food and Wine, a restaurant dedicated to the cusine of Friuli. Always digging deeper for Friuli inspiration, Bobby and Lachlan travel to the region several times a year, even taking the entire staff along for a week of eating, wine tasting and general Friuli-worship every summer. When Bobby and Lachlan dreamt about starting their own wine label they looked to the beautiful wines of Friuli, and Scarpetta was born.
Pinot Grigio
3178 Scarpetta, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy 2012 45
Light straw color with just a hint of salmon. Aromas of white flowers, stone fruits such as apricots and peach and hints of minerality. On the palate, the wine is crisp and dry with medium high acidity and tastes of stone fruits, lavender, honey, pear, white flowers and minerals.
Marsanne/Roussanne/Viognier
3183 Rhône Blend, Tablas Creek “Esprit De Beaucastel”, Paso Robles ‘06 83
A blend of Roussanne and Grenache Blanc. Flavors of honey, candied
citrus and spices.
3184 Roussanne, Doyenne, Columbia Valley, Oregon 2007 81
3187 Viognier, Darioush, Napa Valley 2009 75
3091 Viognier, F. Villard “Terrasses du Palat”, Condrieu, FR 2005 135
Gewürztraminer
Assyrtiko
One of the finest noble white grapes of Europe, its origins come from the island of Santorini, where it has its greatest expression of character, due in large part to the influence of the island’s volcanic soil. It is naturally resistant to most diseases and another reason why it has become a popular grape, re-planted throughout Greece. Assyrtiko makes up 70% of the vineyards of Santorini. It has the unusual quality of maintaining high levels of alcohol and acidity at the same time, making it one of the few white grapes of the Mediterranean that also possess long aging potential. Assyrtiko produces dry, full-bodied white wines with citrus aromas combined with a pleasing mineral character derived from the volcanic soil it is grown in.
3190 Breggo, “Ferrington Vineyard” Anderson Valley 2010 58 58
The flower and spice aromatics of Gewürztraminer are always particularly intense in Ferrington Vineyard’s fruit. Exotic aromas of lemongrass, lychee, and freesia are complemented by more familiar notes of Granny Smith apple, lemon peel, and pear. Flavors of lemon, chamomile, and apple are carried by the refreshing acidity.
3189 Hugel et Fils, Alsace 2011 42
Greece
3186 Assyrtiko, Sigalas “Santorini” Santorini 2012 48
This seemingly gentle, young Sigalas became quite intense, the acidity taking charge, the wine still remaining rich and mouth coating. It is crisp and persistent, beautifully put together and impeccably balanced, mingling elegance with that fine structure.
Native Italian White Varieties
3195 Arneis, Prunotto, “Roero” Alto Adige 2011 45
Garganega
Garganega is a variety of white Italian wine grape widely grown in the Veneto region of North East Italy, particularly in the provinces of Verona and Vicenza. It is Italy's 6th most widely planted white grape. It forms the basis of Venetian white wine Soave and is also a major portion of the blend used to make Gambellara.DNA typing studies in 2003 and 2008 have confirmed that the Grecanico Dorato (Grecanio) grape of Sicily is identical to Garganega. Already before these studies, ampelographers believed the grapes to be related due to the similarities of clusters, berries and leaf characteristics. In the Soave region, Garganega is the primary grape and can compose anywhere from 70 to 100% of the blend with Trebbiano and Chardonnay being its usual blending partners.
3015 Garganega, Sartori “Fredi” Bianco Veronese, Italy 2009 50
3017 Terlano-Kellerei Terlaner Classico Trentino Alto Adige 2009 40
A light yellow blend of Pinot White, Chardonnay and Sauvignon with a lowery and fruity aroma with light yeasty notes, offering a harmonious and very persistent taste.
Croatia
3016 Roxanich, “Ines in White” Istria, Croatia, 2008 82
Cuvee of pinot blanc, pinot gris, sauvignon blanc, tocai friulano, prosecco, vermentino, riesling
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