Tag Archives: red wine

Wine of the Day: Byrrh Grand Quinquina NV 5-8-2016

Byrrh Grand Quinquina, Languedoc-Roussillon NV ($23.95) Buy Now: $19 special

“The Byrrh is a rarity in many ways. It is a quinquina (which uses chinchona bark for the bittering agent) that is red-wine based, whereas many red aperitifs are colored with caramel. Despite wide popularity before Prohibition, it is not typically imported into the US anymore, so we are excited to present it. It was originally created in 1866 in the Roussillon from Carignan and Grenache grapes. It shows rich notes of dried plums and cinnamon and has a full body and lush sweetness.” -Suzanne

Importer note: “Byrrh Grand Quinquina is made to the original late 19th century recipe that earned fame both in France and overseas. Its long legacy is also documented by a half century of magnificent poster art. This aperitif brings together cinchona (quinine), exotic spices and botanicals onto a base of mistilles and local Grenache, then rested in large oak barrels. Byrrh Grand Quinquina offers a lucious balance of ripe fruit and subtle spice. Delicious alone, or try in some of the old classic Byrrh drinks.”

Wine of the Day: Michel Gahier Arbois Trousseau Le Clousot, Jura 2014 5-6-16

Michel Gahier Arbois Trousseau Le Clousot, Jura 2014 750ML ($31.95) Buy Now: $28 special

Why we love it: Purity. Trousseau is such a great palate-expander; when I’m getting a little tired of overdoing it with Gamay, Pinot, Cab Franc, or any of my other obsessions, I like to spice it up with a unique red such as this one. Freshness comes through with the fruit and acid alike, with an attention-grabbing swash of black pepper and baking spice which lends a real versatility to the wine. Serve chilled and pour generously. – Tyler

Vinopolnote: From younger vines. Hand-harvested and destemmed; made with the intention of having a lighter, fresher interpretation of the grape.20

Wine of the Day: Antoniolo ‘Osso San Grato’, Gattinara DOCG 2008 5-5-16

Antoniolo ‘Osso San Grato’, Gattinara DOCG 2008 750ML ($79.95) Buy Now: $69 special

Why we love it: An all-around goldmine. Aromas, flavor, body, the whole bit. Such pretty, surprising fruit with an enduring freshness. The ‘08s from Gattinara are in a really wonderful place right now. Please buy all of these so that I don’t have to! – Tyler

Antonio Galloni 94 points “Another wine that has developed beautifully over the last year, the 2008 Gattinara Osso San Grato impresses for its layered, inviting personality. Sweet tobacco, herbs, menthol, coffee and plums meld together nicely in the glass. This is a surprisingly textured, voluptuous Osso San Grato with terrific potential for the future, although it is quite beautiful, even today. The aromatics and tannins show some elements of development, but the wine is still a bit fresher on the palate.” AG

Wine of the Day: Weninger Balf Kekburgundi, Sopron, Hungary 2011 4-29-16

Weingut Weninger Balf Kekburgundi, Sopron, Hungary 2011 750ML ($19.95) Buy Now: $16 special

Why we love it: Because as a Hungarian-American (albeit third-generation), I don’t get to recommend wine from the homeland all that much. Spicy red fruit with an edgy earth-laden quality is balanced out with nice acidity and a mellow finish. Screwtop and all, this is going to be one of my spring-summer go-to’s. – Tyler

Winery notes: “The Sopron wine region is our passion. Since 1997 we work in this area. The Sopron cuvée pays tribute to it, representing the wideness of the Little Hungarian Plane (Kisalföld) and the strength of nature in the Ferto-Hanság National Park: a fruity and vivid wine. Selective hand harvest. Native yeast fermentation in stainless steel. Natural malolactic fermentation and 12 months ageing in wooden tanks.”

Wine of the Day: A&G Natale Fantino ‘Vigna dei Dardi’, Barolo DOCG 2010 4-28-16

Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino ‘Cascina Dardi’, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) Buy Now: $46 special

Case-6 Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino ‘Cascina Dardi’, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($579.95) Buy Now: $469 special

Case-12 Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino ‘Cascina Dardi’, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($319.95) Buy Now: $249 special

Why we love the Fantino Dardi: Value and depth. I’ve had a few “wow! wines” from Fantino recently, and though this particular bottling may be in its early stages, it’s still beautiful. Aromatically stunning and steeply, fantastically deep in flavor. By all accounts, will age with grace. – Tyler

Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2010 Barolo Cascina Dardi Bussia hits all the right marks with a beautiful sense of elegance and grace that is immediately apparent. The aromas dangle in front of you, delicately and seductively, with ethereal layers of spice, blue flower, almond paste, anisette and dried cherry or wild berry. The workmanship here reflects an attention to the minute details offered by Nebbiolo. The tannins are silky and long with deeply polished texture. Barolo Cascina Dardi Bussia is a fine, poised and super-confident expression. Drink: 2016-2026.” WA

Antonio Galloni – Vinous 93 points “Dark, rich and ample, the 2010 Barolo Cascina Dardi-Bussia boasts superb depth and pure texture. Sweet, mentholated and spiced notes typical of Dardi open up beautifully in the glass, followed by intense layers of fruit that totally saturate the palate. Smoke, tobacco, cedar and dried flowers add the final nuances of complexity in this super-classic Barolo. A virile, masculine finish rounds things out. The 2010 was aged in cask for 18 months, then 6 months in steel.”