Tag Archives: wine specials

Wine of the Day: Antoine Arena ‘BG’ Bianco Gentile, Corsica 2012 6-7-16

Domaine Antoine Arena ‘BG’ Bianco Gentile, Corsica 2012 750ML ($49.95) Buy Now: $21.90 special

arenaBGAntoine Arena makes arguably the greatest wines of Corsica. His vineyards are dramatic, with rocky terrain and fast-rising slopes rising from the fertile island. Some of the land was once olive groves, while others were long-lost vineyards which had lain unused and unseen because of their rugged and remote situation. As operations grew, Arena blasted out rocky plots and planted new vines to supplement their 60-year-old plantings.

From a miniscule, half-hectare vineyard of clay and limestone soils planted in the late-90’s. Bianco Gentile is an ancient varietal which Arena had discovered and had genetically tested; the wine is rich, complex, tangy, and broad. Salty sea air and peach fruit qualities make for great concentration and a long, lingering finish – this would be fantastic with rich seafood dishes!… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Chateau d’Arcole Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2009 5-28-16


Chateau d’Arcole, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2009 750ML ($34.95) Buy Now: $29 special

My palate exercised by a cellar-worthy 2010 Sociando-Mallet, I relaxed with the first sip of 2009 Château d’Arcole. The former Bordeaux, a deep Cabernet, was still quite young; the latter, a soft Merlot, drank smoothly till all was gone. Both years were outstanding, but sometimes life calls for a fleshy, rounded St. Emilion, full of plum and spice, like Château d’Arcole.

The name comes from a Napoleonic battle, the grapes (70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon) from the château’s 300-year-old vineyard, which has never been bombarded by synthetic chemicals. The wine, certified organic, receives the dignified attention of Château d’Arcole’s Grand Cru status: Rotating stainless fermentation vats, gravity pumping, no filtration, not too much new oak.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Wind Gap Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2014 5-27-16

WindGapSonomaPinotWind Gap Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, California 2014 750ML ($49.95) Buy Now: $39 special

Wind Gap provides a crucial new perspective on Californian Pinot Noir. With the ’14 Sonoma Coast, a fantastic concoction of wild flowers, savory herbs, and a gentle spread of red fruit make for a hyper-balanced wine of great complexity and character.

Their website likely says it best: “Wind Gap is not about making the “perfect wine” it is about making honest, authentic and compelling wine from special vineyard sites.”

As with other recent releases, the Wind Gap wines are truly special wines, brimming with energy and character. A must-try.

– Tyler

Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2014 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) is deep, pliant and incredibly inviting, with a fabulous combination of pliant fruit, expressive aromatics and superb persistence.… Read the rest