Summer Whites Part 1

Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc - Viognier 2014 California Pine Ridge founder Gary Andrus, inspired by the illustrious wines of Bordeaux, believed in the Napa Valley's potential to produce wines of similar stature. He planted the property's original namesake vineyard on a steeply terraced hillside flanked by a dramatic ridgeline of pine trees in the Stags Leap District. Gary's pioneering efforts with this first vineyard were met with tremendous success as the Bordeaux varietals he planted - Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot - thrived and produced wines of great distinction. In the following years, Pine Ridge continued to acquire exceptional vineyard sites across the region. The newest release of our intriguing blend delights the nose with a charming bouquet of enticing aromas of fresh Meyer lemon, fuzzy peach, ripe honeydew melon and yellow plum, mingled with touches of citrus blossom and white tea. The clean, vibrant palate enters with juicy pomelo, sweet lychee and honeyed tangerine fruits, balanced by vibrant acidity and hints of yellow apple and key lime pie that last through the crisp and refreshing finish. A consistent, big-time winner in the value sweepstakes, the 2014 Chenin Blanc / Viognier is a blend of 80% Chenin Blanc and 20% is aged totally in stainless steel, has malolactic blocked, and offers what consumers love - big, flowery, fresh honeysuckle and tropical fruit, a light to medium-bodied mouthfeel, beautiful purity, texture and a long finish.  90  Poinst eRobertParker.com Issue 220

Martin Codax Albarino 2014 Spain Bodegas Martín Códax was founded in 1986 and was named after the most known Galician troubadour whose medieval poems, the oldest of Galician-Portuguese language, are preserved. In the poems, the troubadour sings to love and to the sea of our coastline. Since it's founding, Bodegas Martín Códax has grown and developed; always supporting its people, its land and its culture.  The culture is promoted in more than 40 countries over the world. A project that started with the dream and efforts of a group ofwinegrowers is now a reality and it is this reality which has let Bodegas Martín Códax become a symbol of Galician wines inside or outside of our borders/country. Yellow apple, pear, green almond play against the bright acid. Excellent value. 89 Points The Tasting Panel Magazine, June 2016

Masseria Li Veli ASKOS Verdeca 2015 Italy At the beginning of the XX century Masseria Li Veli was a cellar built on the ruins of a late Medieval structure, traces of which can still be seen in the present building. The estate is situated just outside Cellino San Marco, half way between Brindisi and Lecce, a land with a long and fascinating history which started more than 2500 years ago. The Messapi were an ancient Italic population of the "Messapia", the name given by Greek historians to this "land between two seas", the Ionic and the Adriatic, which comprises the provinces of southern Apulia: Lecce, Brindisi and part of Taranto. First indications of the Messapian civilization date back to the VIII century B.C. After 272 B.C. they became part of the territory of Rome, while partly preserving their own identity. Nowadays manytraces of that ancient civilization are still visible: the remains of walls, tomb stones, terracotta objects, gold and silver artefacts. ASKOS is the name of our project of rediscovery and selection of ancient Apulian grape varieties that are almost disappearing. Wines are produced by using exclusively these indigenous varietals, cultivated in their most suitableterroirs according to the traditional method. We have chosen a Greek "Askos" (=wine jar) as a symbol of the wine making, a practice that in Puglia was started by the ancient Greeks. Bright yellow color with green shades. Intense fruity on the nose, with scent of tropical fruit, citrus, pear and fresh spices. On the palate it is full, well balanced with a good acidity. Fruity, mineral and mildly spicy aftertaste.

Pura 8 Pinot Noir Grand Reserve 2010 Rapel Valley, Chile

Chile Wines Copa America Centenario

Our winery began its history in 1970 as a family vineyard. In 1994, with more than 20 years of experience, we decided to focus the production on making fine wines in each category through the investment in cutting-edge technology and high quality standards. Located 87 miles from Chile's capital city of Santiago, the family has its own estate in the Rapel Valley in the village of Rosario (Apalta) and Las Cabras. Many of the vines are more than 30 years old and 100% of our wines come from our vineyards. The name Pura comes from the Mapudungun, "voice of the earth" language of the Mapuche tribe in Chile. Its meaning is the number 8, which the ancient Mapuche tribe believed to be a very auspicious number to agriculture and well-being of the land. Today, our wine making heritage continues to mirror the dedication of the Mapuche people of Chile in preserving our mother earth's treasures.

Pura 8 Pinot Noir Grand Reserve 2010 Rapel Valley, Chile Ruby red color, with floral and black fruit aromas. Light-bodied with raspberry, cherries, plum and herbal notes. A great pairing with Tuna, Salmon and Sushi.

Fattoria Sardi Colline Lucchesi Vermentino 2015

"My goal is to always make the land that my family for generations have safeguarded more and more sustainable. Hence the decision to offer our consumers the terroir wines produced with organic and certified biodynamic grapes." Matteo Terroir for us means producing wines where the soil, the climate and traditions are recognizable by the consumer. For this reason we need to create a connection between the vineyards and the surrounding environment.  Hence the decision to produce wines respecting the times and harmony of nature.

Fattoria Sardi Colline Lucchesi Vermentino 2015 Certified organic Vermentino grapes. Pale yellow with light green hues. The nose is complex with hints of white flowers, fresh pears, summer peach, and ripe grapefruit. Medium-bodied wine, fresh, with nuances of citrus fruits, summer peach, finishing with an essence of Mediterranean sage & mint and light spice This authentic Vermentino is truly versatile, ideal with appetizers of all styles, seafood, pasta and light meat dishes. The complex flavors in this wine make an excellent complement to spicy fare. Cheers Costas

Chateau Greysac 2011

Château Greysac, located in the Médoc hamlet of Begadan, north of St. Estèphe, was built in the 1700s. For many years it was the property of the late Baron François de Gunzburg.   Classified as Médoc Cru Bourgeois, Château Greysac has been a member of the elite Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux since 1982. Château Greysac has become synonymous with classic Bordeaux style at an affordable price. Chateau Greysac 2011 I drank a lot of Greysac in college when it was owned by the late Baron Gunzberg. The soft, fruity, round, charming 2011 (65% Merlot, followed by mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and dollops of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot) is everything a Cru Bourgeois should be. The current proprietor, Jean Guyon, has made this property one that should be seriously considered by consumers.  Robert M. Parker, Jr. 86 Points eRobertParker.com Issue 212  Gold Medal  - Concours Mondial des Vins du Canada  Silver Medal - Concours de Bordeaux Bronze Medal - Challenge Internationale  Bronze Medal- Concours des Grands Vins de France  New Bordeaux - Jane Anson: 92/100. Firm ambitious strands of flavor, pretty good.

National Pink Day, Think Pink, Drink Pink, Be Pink

June 23 is National Pink Day It's National Pink Day,   A day where everything should be basking in pink splendor! THINK PINK, EAT PINK, DRINK PINK!

Bieler Pere & Fils Rose Cuvee Sabine 2015 Provence, France "High-pitched, mineral-tinged aromas of fresh red berries, lavender and white pepper. Clean, racy and sharply focused, conveying a weightless quality to the strawberry and orange zest flavors. Closes taut, minerally and long, displaying resonating red fruit and floral character. Quintessential pink Provence winethat's ridiculously easy to drink too much of, if such a thing were possible, and it's a crazy value to boot." Grenache: 40%, Syrah: 25%, Cabernet Sauvignon: 25%, Cinsault: 7%, Rolle: 3%. 90 Points Vinous

Chateau   de L'Aumerade Cuvee Marie-Christine Rose    2015 Provence,France Light, bright pink. Musky red berries and orange pith on the deeply perfumed nose. Fleshy and smooth on the palate, offering ripe citrus fruit and red berry flavors lifted by juicy acidity. Finishes warm and smooth, displaying a refreshingly bitter edge and good persistence. 89 Points Vinous

Dio Fili  Xinomavro Rose    2015  Siatista, Greece Xinomavro's ruddy fruit shows in this wine's pale color and earthy, tangy flavors. It's dry and savory, a touch of tannins adding gravitas to its delicate flavors. It's light enough to make a refreshing aperitif, and firm enough for dinner time. 90 Points "Best Buy" Wine & Spirits Magazine, Years Best Rose August 2016

La Vieille Ferme Rose    2015 Rhone, France Bright orange-pink. Fresh red berry and orange pith aromas, along with a hint of white pepper. Spicy red currant and bitter citrus fruit flavors show good clarity and a slightly firm edge. In an uncompromising style for the price, offering good finishing bite and decent persistence. 87 Points Vinous

Chateau Miraval Rose    2015 Provence, France Pale orange. Expressive scents of fresh red berries, orange zest, white flowers and chalky minerals show excellent clarity and lift. Fine-grained and focused on the palate, offering zesty red currant, strawberry and tangerine flavors and an exotic touch of honey on the back half. The floral note comes back strong on a silky, very persistent, mineral-tinged finish. 91 Points Vinous

Palacio De Canedo Godello 2014

Revisiting Godello, a Grape That Spain Has Rescued Wines of The Times By ERIC ASIMOV JUNE 2, 2016 The world of wine often seems like a laboratory with multiple experiments in progress. This is particularly so in Spain, where winemaking roots are ancient yet so much seems new again. All over Spain, old winemaking regions have been reconstituted. Grapes that were largely forgotten have been revived, and despite the economic difficulties and political impasses that have bedeviled the nation, excitement abounds for consumers. Consider the godello grape. Just a few decades ago, it had virtually disappeared from Spain. But a concerted effort by a small number of growers not only saved godello but also inspired wine producers all over the northwestern part of the country to see what they could do with it. Results have been exceptionally promising, and the change has been rapid. Read Complete Article

Palacio De Canedo Godello 2014 Bierzo, Spain Dense, rich and well balanced, with aromas and flavors of flowers and tropical fruits.  Eric Asimov The New York Times - Wines of the Times, June 2016 Viña del Palacio vineyard was planted in 1988 at an altitude of 1000 feet above sea level. The Vineyard is organically farmed and the wine is certified organic. The grapes are hand harvested and fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks on its lees to retain its character. The wine is fresh, and fruity with aromas of citrus and pineapple. Great fruit on the palate with balanced acidity and long clean, dry finish.

Splendid Summer Wines-All Under $20 Part II

Splendid Summer Wines-All Under $20 Part II Hot weather calls for refreshing wine that's easy to drink and easy on the wallet. Our guide to the best whites, rosés, reds and sparklers under $20 a bottle By LETTIE TEAGUE Updated June 13, 2016 4:09 p.m. ET SOMETIMES EVEN serious oenophiles need a glass or two of nonseriouswine. This is particularly true in the summertime, when quaffable and refreshing become more desirable qualities than complex or refined. Bottles should be priced accordingly; an easy-drinking wine should be easy to buy. I spent the past few weeks tasting a range of seasonally appropriate, delicious value bottles and found 20 reds, whites, rosés and sparklers from all over the world for under $20 a bottle-often well under, in fact. Read Complete Article

Domaine de la Pépière Muscadet Sèvre et Main Sur Lie 2015 Loire,  France Is there any bigger bargain in France than a good Muscadet, especially when it comes from a top producer like Domaine de la Pépière? Marked by notes of citrus and a distinct salinity, this is a wine to drink all summer long. Lettie Teague Wall Street Journal, June 2016

Castellroig Cava Brut Rosat Catalonia, Spain Some wines are as pleasurable to behold as they are to consume, as with this Cava from top producer Castellroig. Trepat, a red grape indigenous to the Catalonia region of Spain, gives the wine its sparkling pink hue. A zesty, dry, red-berry-inflected palate make it a true delight to drink. Lettie Teague Wall Street Journal, June 2016