| Hello Caviste folks:
Hello December - hard to believe but the holidays are upon us and another year is drawing to a close. We have a great tasting lined up next week to explore some benchmark wines from Italy's Piedmont region. Next week's wine dinner is full but promises to be a delicious way to celebrate this time of year. Finally, we have some truly special red wines in from the iconic estate of Jean-Louis Dutraive. For anyone interested in furthering their wine education or just having a delicious glass of wine, they are well worth sampling.
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G.D. Vajra Tasting
with Kerrie from Winebow
Tuesday, Dec 5, 4:30-6:30, drop in |
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What a line up from the Vajra family, one of Barolo's iconic producers. They have farmed Bricco del Violle, one of the highest crus in Barolo, since the 1880s. Always traditional, they received organic certification in the 1970s. Since then, they have expanded their holdings to over 60 hectares, 10 of which are in Barolo. High elevation vines provide an advantage in being able to maintain freshness, silkiness with the fullness and depth of fruit in their wines. This balance gives their wines the capacity to age with ease.
Kerrie, from Winebow, will be pouring the following:
- Baudana Bianco Dragon 2022 | Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Nascetta | A collaboration between two families, this is a classic Langhe bianco. The blend reminds you of bright summer meadows with a clean mineral finish. A great sub at your next casual evening get together.
- NS Della Neve Rosé Brut NV | Nebbiolo & Pinot Noir | Thomas Jefferson once declared that the Nebbiolo was "as brisk as Champagne." Taking his cue, the Vajra family paid hommage to champagne by blending pinot noir with their nebbiolos to make this full-bodied, but crisp sparkling rosé.
- Dolcetto D'Alba 2022 | Stainless steel, and bottled in the Spring waning moon. Vibrant and fruity, blue fruits and plums, versatile in pairing with roast vegetables or chicken, a mid week sipper or pizza partner.
- Barolo Albe 2019 | Nebbiolo | An entré into Barolo without breaking the bank. Made from three separate vineyards, Fossati, La Volta and Coste di Vergne. They are aged in Slavonian oak casks for 30-36 months.
- Barolo Ravera 2019 | Nebbiolo | Ravera represents a union of different geologies from Barolo and Castiglione Falletto. The average elevation is 360 meters. It spends 30 months in Slavonian oak casks. This is one for your cellar. (We will pour small tastes as long as we can :-)
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HOLIDAY HOURS
A friendly reminder, we will be
CLOSED JANUARY 1-15
for our annual winter break
*Normal Hours in December*
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Dutraive Beaujolais
This is more about a producer than a specific wine, although one who fully embodies their region - Beaujolais. Many of you know, we love this neighbor to Burgundy, Beaujolais. Yet, it is a region seemingly in a ‘double shadow’ of confusion. One, is the shadow of their Pinot Noir centric neighbor, the second is the specter of mass-produced grocery store nouveau beaujolais being most people’s only frame of reference for this wine.
DON'T BE MISTAKEN - BOTH ARE WRONG !
Assuming all Beaujolais is like the grocery store variety misses the quality and value in this region. These wines are meant for enjoyment with friends; old familiar ones and ones you haven’t made yet but soon will with such delicious wines.
Beaujolais is roughly divided in two; a large general region, Beaujolais, and then a small sub-section comprised of 10 Crus. These Crus offer wines whose quality rivals that of top Burgundy and surpasses that of poorly produced burgundy. Here, Jean-Louis Dutraive is one of the most respected producers in the region and his wines are sought after around the globe. The quality of his wines and how well they stand among great Burgundy is attested to by the fact he was the first Beaujolais producer to be invited to participate in Le Paulée; the premier Burgundy event.
These wines are striking in their purity of fruit and racy nature, with a body that is elegant and extremely long on the palate. They invite reflection and contemplation about which fruit trees you have recently picked from. Like a comfortable suede jacket, they are something you want to return to repeatedly. They are great for family meals, or wine students interested in learning more about this wine and region, or as gifts for a pinot noir lover, and certainly for weekend sipping. We have a cross section of the wines, including the family Dutraive's bottling, which offers the opportunity to do a comparison tasting as well. (More than one bottle will be going home with me, that is for sure.)
Wines of Jean-Louis Dutraive -
Fleurie "Clos de la Grand Cour" 2022 - $54
Brouilly Vieilles Vignes 2022 - $55
Fleurie Vielles Vignes "Les Clos" 2022 - $56
Fleurie Vieilles Vignes lieu-dit "Champagne" 2022 - $67
And, two from the newer generation -
Justin Dutraive - Beaujolais "Les Bullands" 2022 - $34
Famille Dutraive - Chenas lieu-dit "Les perelles" 2022 - $48
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Parking Lot full?
Call ahead and we can put together a personalized selection which we'll happily deliver
directly to your car!
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Upcoming Events
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| Tastings and Events
Tasting with Kerrie from Winebow
Tuesday December 5
G. D. Vajra, iconic Piemontese wines
4:30-6:30pm
drop-in, free
Tasting with Sam from Kellogg
Wednesday December 13
Greek wines!
4:30-6:30pm
drop-in, free
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Wine Dinners
*RSVP Only*
Wednesday - December 6; 6pm
Kermit Lynch Wine Dinner with Nick Demos
Full; Waitlist available
~ more details to follow ~
*kindly email or call us with any questions or to RSVP*
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** Every day at 5:30 **
Sourdough Bread | Warm Olives | Pork Rinds | Crispy Boudin | Arancini | Chicken Liver Paté | Burrata | Pappardelle Pasta | Crispy Duck Breast | Meat & Cheese Plate
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Enjoy new delicious wines at a great value
without the hassle of making decisions.
Choose from our 3 options:
Benchmark Reds
Grower Champagne
3-pack Value Selections
Call or email us for more details.
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We look forward to helping you find some delicious wines for your next meal or event.
Have a great weekend!
Cheers,
The Caviste Team
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