Saturday 11.17 Tasting

Saturday Tasting: Thanksgiving Wines with Bill Kniep 12 to 4pm At the Bar Tomorrow we will welcome Bill Kniep from Pinnacle Imports to pour our top seven selections for Thanksgiving Wines. Taste ahead of time and be confident about what you're pouring for your most persnickety family members.

2009 Samsara Syrah Melville Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills, California On Sale $39.99 A dazzling wine, the 2009 Syrah Melville bursts from the glass with black cherries, pepper, mint, violets and spices. It possesses striking varietal nuance and tons of character in an exuberant, flashy style I find highly appealing. Waves of fruit saturate the palate on a rich, creamy finish buffered by cooling veins of minerality. This is a wonderfully complete, harmonious wine from Samsara. The Melville is 100% Syrah, Estrella clone, fermented with 50% whole clusters and aged in French oak barrels, 25% new. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2019. 94 Points The Wine Advocate 2010 Bodegas Ordonez Zerran, Montsant, Spain On Sale $14.99 50% Garnacha, 40% Mazuelo, 10% Syrah. Bright violet color. Aromas of cherry, redcurrant, and potpourri, with a mineral topnote. Spicy cherry and earth flavors show a sexy floral nuance, strong minerality and very good focus. Finishes on a bitter cherry note, with strong cut and lingering spiciness. 90 Points Stephen Tanzer 2009 Bethel Heights Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon On Sale $23.99 Polished, light and immensely appealing for its pretty raspberry, cream, and floral aromas and flavors, lingering easily on the sleek finish. Drink now through 2015. 5,100 cases made. 90 Points Wine Spectator 2011 Bedrock Old Vines Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley, California On Sale $26.99 If there is any wine of the 2011 releases that accurately demonstrates the poised, claret-like, character of the 2011 vintage it is the 2011 Sonoma Valley Old-Vine. The late ripening Stellwagen Vineyard once again was included into this cuvee to lend its dark fruit, and Casa Santinamaria, another vineyard originally slated for vineyard designation, was included for its beautiful spice. -Winemaker's Notes 2010 Samuel Billaud Chablis "Les Grands Terroirs" On Sale $24.99 The 2010 Chablis is all about crystalline purity, depth and nuance. Lemon, white flowers, slate and crushed rocks all meld together in the glass. The 2010 impresses for its fabulous balance and impeccable finish. This a striking wine within its peer group. Anticipated maturity: 2012+. 90 Points The Wine Advocate 2010 Solitude Chardonnay, Carneros, California On Sale $25.99 Fruit source 100% from Sangiacomo Family Vineyards the same vineyards used by Rombauer, and winemaker Richard Litsch whom previously was working at Romabuer! On the nose rich tones of honeysuckle, pear, coconut, and vanilla. On the palate tropical notes backed with lively acidity. A beautiful creamy vanilla-oak finish! -Winemaker's Notes 2011 Domaine Boisson Cairanne Villages, Cotes du Rhone On Sale $17.99 Harmonious and with a fine, tight finish, this wine offers a rich and generous flavour - a typical white from the South. -Winemaker's Notes