More Blockbuster Wine Tastings

This weekend we're proud to host two special wine tastings, one with our good friend Andrew Crookes of Valkryie Selections on Saturday. Andrew is one of the those wine insiders you should never miss when he visits. Tasting with him is a rare treat to be relished.

Friday, June 28, 4-7 pm

Please join Lynne Barnard from Horizon Beverages. She'll be tasting some delicious wines from Italy, Austria, Spain and the United States. Such as:

Gagliardo Favorita 2011

Perhaps the ultimate oyster and shellfish wine. For centuries the Favorita grape has conquered the hearts of Roero farmers for centuries, becoming the "Favorite Grape", hence the name Favorita. Now with DNA testing, the grape is matched to the Vermentino variety popular in Liguria and Sardenia. Bursting with fresh aromas and lively flavors of pear and yellow apples with a delightful citrus-floral finish. Half way between still and sparkling, this lovely, crisp wine has just a bit of 'frizzante' adds just a tingle of effervescence that dances on the tongue. Reminiscent of summertime with every sip.

$16.99/bottle or $163.10/12 pack case ($13.59/bottle) or just $13.59/bottle in a mixed case of wine.

Laurenz Sophie Sing Gruner Veltliner 2011

"Nice focus and concentration to flavors of apple, lemon-lime and white pepper. Crisp finish is firm and well-spiced. Drink now through 2017. 4,000 cases imported." (Wine Spectator)

Wine Spectator: 88 points

"This fresh, crisp bottling features a green apple note with a touch of citrus. Made by Laurenz Moser V and his daughter Sophie, this is the epitome of light, fruity Grüner, a wine that dances easily across the palate." (Wine Enthusiast)

Wine Enthusiast: 87 points

$14.99/bottle or $143.90/12 pack case ($11.99/bottle) or just $11.99/bottle in a mixed case of wine.

Attems Cupra Ramato Pinot Grigio 2012

This unusual "ramato" or copper-colored Pinot Grigio (the color is a result of longer contact with the skins of the grape during winemaking) offers aromas of pink grapefruit, stone fruit and mineral. It's perfect when paired with fatty fish or vegetable antipasti. Acacia blossom, cherry and hints of wild strawberry are quick to emerge, yielding gradually to roast espresso bean and ginseng. Tangy notes of slaty mineral enliven a very seductive palate, which impresses with its fine balance, followed by a long-lingering, fresh finish that concludes on a pleasant note of bitter almond.

$20.99/bottle or $201.50/12 pack case ($16.79/bottle) or just $16.79/bottle in a mixed case of wine.

Vinedos de el Seque Alicante

"A blend of 80% Monastrell and 20% Syrah, the 2011 Vinedos de El Seque has a very ripe, voluptuous bouquet with macerated dark cherries, fresh fig, cassis and licorice. The palate is medium-bodied with sweet, fleshy tannins. There is a core of ripe cassis fruit infused with licorice and allspice that finishes with twist of bitter orange on the aftertaste. This is uncomplicated but enjoyable." (Wine Advocate)

Wine Advocate: 86 points

"Primary, spice-accented aromas and flavors of raspberry and boysenberry, with a peppery nuance emerging with air. Intensely fruity, with good finishing breadth and gentle tannins adding grip. A touch jammy but this is pretty alluring and extremely easy to drink." (International Wine Cellar)

International Wine Cellar: 88 points

$13.99/bottle or $134.30/12 pack case ($11.19/bottle) or just $11.19/bottle in a mixed case of wine.

Mercer Merlot 2008

"Fresh and appealing for coffee and roasted meat accents to the light-textured cherry and plum fruit, lingering almost delicately against modest tannins. Drink now through 2015. 3,232 cases made." (Wine Spectator)

Wine Spectator: 87 points

"Thick tannins take the fruit out fairly quickly, though the alcohol, just under 15%, suggests plenty of ripeness in the grapes. Dark flavors prevail––black cherry, cola, toast and bitter chocolate." (Wine Enthusiast)

Wine Enthusiast: 86 points

$24.99/bottle or $239.90/12 pack case ($19.99/bottle) or just $19.99/bottle in a mixed case of wine.

Saturday, June 29, 3-6 pm

Andrew Crookes from Valkyrie Selections will be here. The one. The only. Andrew. Tasting with him is like magic. Andrew seriously knows his stuff and he just happens to be one of our favorite folks in the entire wine industry. Please join us for this very special tasting. Andrew may even have an extra bottle or two up his sleeves!

Domaine Guillermarine Picpoul de Pinet 2011

Picpoul is the Muscadet of the South! This wine is a natural with seafood and shellfish because the wine finishes with such clean and bracing acidity. The rich mid-palate of melon and stone fruit is a delightful surprise. Notes of spring flowers and a streak of minerality provide a beautiful framework. This wine begs for warm and sunny days.

$14.99/bottle or $143.90/12 pack case ($11.99/bottle) or just $11.99/bottle in a mixed case of wine.

Eidosela Albarino 2011

"Expressive aromas of green apple, quince and lemon curd, with a strong mineral overtone. Sappy and focused on the palate, offering spicy orchard fruit flavors that are lifted by zesty acidity and a touch of white pepper. Closes with impressive clarity and length, leaving a spicy note behind. Great value here." (International Wine Cellar)

International Wine Cellar: 90 points

$14.99/bottle or $143.90/12 pack case ($11.99/bottle) or just $11.99/bottle in a mixed case of wine.

Valdesil Godello 2011

"Pungent citrus zest and pear scents are brightened by dusty minerals and white pepper. Racy and sharply focused, with incisive lemon and orchard fruit flavors and hints of honeysuckle and bitter lime pith. This racy, impressively balanced wine finishes with very good lift and nervy cut." (Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar)

International Wine Cellar: 91 points

$19.99/bottle or $191.90/12 pack case ($15.99/bottle) or just $15.99/bottle in a mixed case of wine.

Azul y Garanza Fiesta 2011

60% Grenache and 40% Tempranillo. Certified organic vineyard parcels (Murillo and Santa Cara) on extremely arid clay-calcareous based soils.

"Assertively perfumed bouquet evokes raspberry, blood orange and peppery spices, with floral nuances. Dry and precise on the palate, offering lively red fruit and floral pastille flavors underscored by a hint of white pepper. Finishes clean and tangy with notes of spice and red fruit preserve." (International Wine Cellar)

International Wine Cellar: 89 points

$10.99/bottle or $105.50/12 pack case ($8.79/bottle) or just $8.79/bottle in a mixed case of wine.

Terra Sanctus Plan de Dieu Cotes du Rhone Villages 2010

"60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, raised in concrete. Deep ruby. Pungent, grapey aromas and flavors of black raspberry and cherry, with a hint of herbs. Straightforward and slightly clenched." (International Wine Cellar)

International Wine Cellar: 87 points

$14.99/bottle or $143.90/12 pack case ($11.99/bottle) or just $11.99/bottle in a mixed case of wine.

Banshee Pinot Noir 2011

Oozing class, this beauty does everything that top-notch pinot noir should do - and then some.A blend of two top-notch vineyards, one in the Petaluma Wind Gap (Sonoma Coast) and one from Russian River Valley. The Sonoma County is a complex pinot with dark cherry fruit and sweet earthen minerality held together by bright acidity and long, ripe tannins. This wine is rapidly becoming an under-the-radar, cult favorite with wine insiders.

$21.99/bottle or $211.10/12 pack case ($17.59/bottle) or just $17.59/bottle in a mixed case of wine.

Looking forward to seeing you this weekend!

* Wine & Spirit Education Trust Certified *

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

Summer Hours Mon-Fri: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m Fri-Sat: 9 am to 11 pm Sunday: 12 to 8 p.m.   We're open year round. Closed only on Memorial Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.