Get the Early Scoop: Our Latest Sensational Discoveries
Domaine Guillemarine Picpoul de Pinet 2010
The Muscadet of the South
When Kevin harvests oysters from First Encounter Beach we frequently have them with a French white wine called Muscadet, which is the classic textbook pairing. Today we have a very delightful alternative to accompany those salty bivalves. It's called Picpoul de Pinet.
The name “Picpoul” means “lip stinger” in French, no doubt because of the wine's naturally high acidity. Yet, this lively acidity isn't the only reason why Picpoul is so wonderful with shellfish.
Domaine Guillemarine's vineyards face a salt lake called Bassin de Thau which is adjacent to the Mediterranean Sea, where oysters and mussels are farmed. In fact, 80% off all the mussels in France are sourced from this area! All the minerals from the shells, accompanied by fresh salty air, translate into a wine that's born to elevate shellfish and seafood.
It's important for you to know all Picpoul is not created equal. As much as 95% of Picpoul de Pinet is made by co-operatives. This one is not. Domaine Guillemarine has been passed down through the family for six generations.
Artisanal wine from a small, family-owned winery. We like that.
This lovely white wine has a rich mid-palate of melon and stone fruit with notes of spring flowers and a streak of minerality on a beautiful framework. It's amazingly focused.
Definitely out of the ordinary. A treat for our adventurous wine club members.
Did we mention it's easy on the wallet too?
$12.99/bottle or $124.70/12 pack case ($10.39/bottle) or just $10.39/bottle in a mixed case of wine.
Herencia Altes Garnatxa Blanco 2011
Quality and Authenticity
We were sitting in a small conference room in Boston with hotshot importer Eric Solomon when we first tasted the Herencia Altes Garnatxa Blanco.
This quirky wine made the cut in a matter of seconds.
We very quickly became smitten with both the label and the wine.
Now that Spring is upon us, it's time to start drinking unoaked white wines again. This tasty little wine was raised in small concrete tanks on the lees, so it's fresh and exciting in all the right places. It's also certified organic.
This is a wildly aromatic, tropical wine with notes of melon and white fruits on the nose. On the palate, it's balanced with medium body and a nice crisp freshness. This wine would go great with chicken, fish tacos, and tapas of all sorts.
$12.99/bottle or $124.70/12 pack case ($10.39/bottle) or just $10.39/bottle in a mixed case of wine.
L'Olivier de la Reze Minervois Blanc 2010
We'll let you in on a little secret. If you enjoy the luxury of white Châteauneuf du Pape, this unusual new white wine is a great alternative for less than half the price.
You won't see much white Minervois around. This one is a blend of 50% Roussanne, 40% Grenache Blanc and 10% Muscat Petit Grain, and it has been produced by the same family for four generations.
This white Minervois has fresh stone fruit with real freshness on the nose, with hints of white peach and braeburn apple on the palate. This medium-bodied wine has lush fruit, finishing with a zippy acidity. A delicious summer sipper. Made from certified organic vines.
$14.99/bottle or $143.90/12 pack case ($11.99/bottle) or just $11.99/bottle in a mixed case of wine.
Delas Crozes-Hermitage Les Launes 2009
Stockpile a winner like this while you can. Supplies are finite and they are dwindling.
We'll let the overwhelming press do the talking this time.
"Stylish, with lots of mocha, spice and black tea aromas backed by velvety-textured blackberry and raspberry fruit. The long, suave finish stretches out nicely, with the fruit and spice hanging on." (Wine Spectator)
Wine Spectator: 91 points
"The finest Crozes-Hermitage Les Launes to date. Its dense purple color is accompanied by sweet strawberry and black cherry fruit notes intermixed with hints of tobacco leaf, licorice and smoke (even though this cuvee is all tank-fermented and aged). A sleeper of the vintage as well as a great value, it should drink well for a decade." (Wine Advocate)
Wine Advocate: 90 points
“Ample black cherry fruit is enhanced by layers of floral and herbal complexity, while the tannins are supple, allowing the flavors to linger elegantly on the finish.” (Wine Enthusiast)
Wine Enthusiast: 90 points
Wine Enthusiast: Editor's Choice
“Spicy blackcurrant and cherry aromas are complicated by notes of incense and licorice. Juicy and attractively sweet in the mouth, offering lively dark berry flavors and a hint of bitter cherry pit. Gains flesh with air and finishes with good clarity and spicy persistence.” (International Wine Cellar)
International Wine Cellar: 89 points
Serve this Northern Rhône Syrah with a roasted chicken – perhaps with a garlic/olive/oil/Dijon mustard/Herbes de Provence rub – ooooohhhh la la. That's sure nice.
$22.99/bottle or $220.70/12 pack case ($18.39/bottle) or just $18.39/bottle in a mixed case of wine.
Rickshaw Pinot Noir 2010
Are you in love with Banshee Pinot Noir? We know there are scores of you fans out there. Rickshaw Pinot Noir is made by the folks at Banshee. It's their so-called “second label” with a price tag which is $10 less than Banshee!
Over the last few years, with the wild success of Banshee wines, they've gotten pretty good at unearthing high quality Pinot Noir lots across California. The 2010 Rickshaw Pinot Noir is comprised primarily of two upper echelon appellations: Sonoma Coast and Anderson Valley. These two appellations account for seven of the eleven vineyard sources in this utterly tasty Pinot blend.
The resulting wine is absolutely true to Pinot Noir's traditional flavor profile – extremely well balanced, and above all, delicious. The nose offers up sweet cherry notes, rose petals, and a touch of forest floor. The wine is suave and pleasantly juicy on the palate with notes of plum, dark cherry and pomegranate.
$14.99/bottle or $143.90/12 pack case ($11.99/bottle) or just $11.99/bottle in a mixed case of wine.
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Town Center Wine & Spirits
Cape Cod's Most Trusted Wine Merchant
Location
4550 State Highway
North Eastham, MA 02651
(Next to the Royal Thai Restaurant in the Town Center Plaza)
Tel: 508 255 3660
Fax: 508 255 6736 |
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Spring Hours
Mon-Sat 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m
We are open year round.
Only closed on Memorial Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas |
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