Yeah…yeah…yeah Andrew, how hard could that be? This is the typical reaction I get. Granted, a few days soaking up the Tuscan sun, culture and delicious food was nothing to complain about. Stefan Wolansky, Brian Mullaney and I really worked as we tasted well over 325 wines during our 3 day trade tasting.
Wines tasted and categories covered were:
- 2008 Brunello Di Montalcino
– 2007 Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva
– Central Tuscany (Specifically the heart of Chianti Classico and its sub regions)
– Western Tuscany (Bolgheri & Maremma)
– New releases from Piedmont (Barolo, Barbaresco & Barbera)
– Amarones
– Southern/Central Italy
With 7 major regions covered like that there is going to be a lot of exciting offers and wines coming down the pike. Team Zachys has always been a firm believer in tasting trips like this as it is always best to go and find the wines that WE like the best rather than waiting for the wine world to come to us. To prove that point:
On the final day of the tasting and one of the last wines of the day (All wines were tasted blind)
• Wine #75 “Super dark and extracted color in the glass with incredible viscosity as the wine just clings to the sides of the glass. Very modern color and extraction…clearly a more progressive winemaker lending his hand to this wine. In the mouth it envelops completely in an ultra-ripe fashion. Not sure where it is from but this one is sure to be a CROWD PLEASER.”
Low and behold I get off the plane this past weekend to learn the new Wine Advocate #205 came out on Friday and the top scoring wine from the Southern & Central Italy reviews was THIS WINE. Zachys already had the inside track…and now you do as well.
We had a blast on our quick jaunt and now have plenty of ammunition to figure out some exciting new acquisitions to the store in the up and coming months.
Stay tuned as there are some great wines coming.
All my best,
Andrew
Every Winter we travel to Tuscany in one of the LEAST glamorous times of the year with one goal in mind…to taste a HUGE amount of the new releases. Last year the store’s director of operations (And my amateur cameraman) Brian Mullaney joined me as we tasted through the ENTIRE new release vintage of Brunello over a day and a half. A tasting like this was SO valuable to us that we have asked our host to expand it to ALL of Tuscany (Expanding to Bolgheri and Chianti Classico) and we will take 3 solid days to taste through HUNDREDS of new vintage releases.
So, as we are set to get on the plane on Sunday night to go “Tuscany or Bust” I felt a weekend-only sale was appropriate to free up some space for the new selections we are going to grab. The weather this weekend here in New York is going to be LOUSY, so take the time to study my list because there are some INCREDIBLE deals in here:
This sale is this weekend ONLY (Sale expires 11:59PM 2/24) so when my plane lands in Italy on Monday morning I know how much damage we can do on grabbing new wines that we are excited about.
Stay tuned as my film crew (Brian & Stefan) and I will be filming clips from the road to get you guys updates on what we are tasting and are excited about.
Don’t miss out…and get excited about all the new wines to come.
All my best,
Andrew
P.S. Just a reminder…if you live in the area and can find your way down to the store, the $1 sale is going on today ONLY!
With the big day approaching this weekend (Super bowl Sunday) we thought today was the perfect day to swap out the complimentary wines in the ENOMATIC TASTING CENTER. As I see it there are 3 types of Superbowl fans…
- Fans that are rooting for the AFC team
- Fans that are rooting for the NFC team
- Fans who are just watching for the commercials and watching the halftime show
Whatever your reason for watching we felt it would be a cool weekend to do a taste-off in the ENO with affordable wines from two of our favorite regions, with each having a big “anchor” wine. (Our own Super winner if you will)
For this weekend’s tasting here is how we have lined up the teams and the wines:
The San Francisco 49ers: Represented with 8 delicious California selections featuring the 2009 Dominus
The Baltimore Ravens (Who crushed my Patriots L ): Represented with 8 of the hottest Italian wines in the store and 2009 Sassicaia as the “Wow” wine for obvious reasons, I am pulling for the Italian wines and by default the Ravens (My loyalty is to my region before my sports). Regardless of whether you are looking for value wines or the delicious anchors….we have a great lineup in the ENO that is definitely worth Taking The Drive.
All my best,
Andrew
Beringer Vineyards Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 (#368555)
Bottle Price: $21.95
Bonterra Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Organic 2011 (#366216)
Bottle Price: $13.99
Broadside Cabernet Sauvignon Margarita Vineyard 2010 (#364255)
Bottle Price: $18.99
Fetzer Valley Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 (#368002)
Bottle Price: $8.25
Finnegan’s Lake Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 (#363581)
Bottle Price: $12.99
MacMurray Ranch Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2009 (#354913)
Bottle Price: $14.99
Sandhi SBC Chardonnay 2011 (#365643)
Bottle Price: $22.99
Dominus Estate 2009 (98JS) (#353832)
Bottle Price: $180.00
Castiglioni Toscana Frescobaldi 2009 (91JS) (#368058)
Bottle Price: $19.99
Crognolo Sette Ponti 2010 (92JS) (#367621)
Bottle Price: $28.99
Dainero IGT Castiglion del Bosco 2010 (#365358)
Bottle Price: $15.99
Villa Fidelia Sportoletti 2008 (91+SWJ) (#331500)
Bottle Price: $25.00
Verdicchio Classico Sartarelli 2011 (90SWJ) (#360175)
Bottle Price: $12.99
Soave Classico Monte Fiorentine Ca’ Rugate 2010 (91+SWJ) (#350816)
Bottle Price: $19.99
Rosso Di Montalcino Banfi 2010 (#358919)
Bottle Price: $18.99
Sassicaia 2009 (98JS/96WE) (#355343)
Bottle Price: $195.00
The ink has not dried…and the printing presses are whirring at our printer in Pennsylvania, so we felt this would be the perfect time to get you all a “sneak peak” at the new Gazette long before it hits mail boxes. We spent a month working really hard to capture the best of the best of all the new-release wines hitting the market this Fall and presenting them to you at super sharp pricing.
Whether it’s 2009 Bordeaux, 2009/2010 Burgundies, 2010 Rhones, 2006/2007 Brunellos, hot new releases from Spain, California classics or premium spirits…This Fall Gazette has a little something for everyone.
I think that some of the deals are SO GOOD that a few of these offerings may very well be sold out before hitting peoples mail boxes.
Take the time to peruse this “sneak peak” as there is a lot of good reading.
All my best,
Andrew
It pays to be thorough.
In this business, with the thousands upon thousands of wines out there, you always have to keep an eye out for that one special opportunity. You never know when you’re going to find something really special.
Nals Margreid (from Alto Adige, Italy) is a winery whose products are being imported to the United States this year for the first time ever. We encountered this winery almost by accident at a tasting. While I was looking for an opportunity to stock a modest supply of Muller Thurgau (and theirs certainly did not disappoint), I figured it would be unfair not to taste through all their offerings.
Boy, am I glad we did.
This is one of the most versatile wines we’ve ever seen! The combination of quality, value, and drinkability makes it a winner at any table, with any meal, for any occasion at any time of year. I would go so far to say that this is our all-time favorite Pinot Grigio. It’s that good.
With the press and accolades they’ve received, it’s just a matter of time before Nals Margreid becomes a household name. This winery’s future in the U.S. market looks bright, and Zachys is proud to stock it on its shelves. Available for $17.99 with a quality-to-price ratio that’s through the roof, this wine makes both the perfect gift and ideal pairing for a massive range of foods. To purchase simply call (800.723.0241), email, go online, or “take a drive” to the store. Come for a bottle…come back for a case!
Pinot Grigio has been a favorite at dinner tables across the country for decades. Let’s keep that tradition going!!!
Cheers!
Stefan
If you look at the calendar on the wall, the arrival of Labor Day Weekend marks the end of Summer to many. When you look at our upcoming temps for the next week it does not indicate that there is an end in sight for white wine season…
And (Quite frankly) I drink this single vineyard Soave all year round because it is THAT GOOD!!! The new vintage of Soave Classico Monte Fiorentine Ca’ Rugate just hit the shelves at the store a few weeks ago and I was alerted that The Sonoma Wine Journal got their hands on a bottle to taste:
“Nearly everything the winemaking team at Ca’ Rugate touches turns to gold, and this is par for the course with this house. A phenomenal wine, the Monte Fiorentine is made from Gargenega grapes grown in volcanic soils at moderate altitudes, which results in a wine of power and finesse, with medium body, soft acids, persistent minerality, and a dynamic energy from start to finish. The flavors call to mind freshly squeezed lemons over a bed of straw. Pairs well with light pastas, risotto, and calamari. This will probably be even better in 6 months’ time, but it is irresistable and thoroughly enjoyable at present. Drink now-2015…91+.” Sonoma Wine Journal 8/12.
A case of this is DEFINITELY going to my house…I recommend you do the same!!
All my best,
Andrew
Soave Classico Monte Fiorentine Ca’ Rugate 2010
Zachys Price: $19.99
It seems these days that the most famous and prestigious wines coming from the Bolgheri region of Tuscany are all “Aia” wines….i.e. Sassicaia, Ornellaia etc.etc. There is no disputing the extreme quality of these majestic reds, but with prices reaching or exceeding $200/bottle these days how can you enjoy them on a “regular” basis?
In comes my “Aia” math as I like to call it.
We have had HUGE success with the Greppicaia from I Greppi ever since it burst on the scene a few vintages ago. Mostly because the quality is already super high and the pricing super low.
I did a little back of the envelope math and based on today’s promotional price we are offering on the Greppicaia here’s how it measures up to the other “Aias”
1 Bottle 2009 Sassicaia = 3.88 Bottles of Greppicaia
1 Bottle 2009 Ornellaia = 4.11 Bottles of Greppicaia
Some nice math I would say!!!
I want to see an “Aia” wine as a regular wine at your house and this is the wine to do it.
All my best,
Andrew
Greppicaia I Greppi 2007 (93WE/92WS) {#335651} $45.00
“… Full and round, showing velvety tannins and a long aftertaste of grilled meat, smoky wood and dark fruits. This is nearly always excellent…92.” WS 9/10.
“Some obvious oak tones of spice and tobacco will integrate with more time in the bottle to give more space to the ripe fruit, mineral and chocolate notes that are already present in very good measure. The wine shows muscle and power with a determined, firm finish…93 points.” WE 12/10.
It’s one thing when you produce a wine in teeny tiny quantities and get good reviews from the press. It’s an ENTIRELY different thing altogether when you can produce in the tens of thousands and get the respect from Wine Spectator, James Suckling and Wine Advocate.
The Antinori family has done just that with their workhorse red Toscana Villa Antinori Red:
“A red with depth and richness, boasting black cherry, blackberry and tobacco notes. Requires some time to absorb its tannins, yet this is well-proportioned. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. Best from 2014 through 2020. 65,087 cases imported.” WS 8/12.
Rarely does a mass-production wine have the quality and depth to drink this well for over a decade. It’s safe to say: this is a familiar label that actually lives up to the hype! And at a hefty 29% off the release price, we don’t see this staying in our store for long!
Lock in for your bottles now, and see what the entire world is raving about!!
One of the HOTTEST estates from Tuscany at Zachys over the last 6-12 months has been Massimo Ferragamo’s Brunello estate…Castiglion del Bosco.
I have been so impressed by the progression of this estate in Montalcino and it’s overwhelming appeal to our client base that I had to make sure it was one of my stops on my Tuscan tour this past Winter. All I can say is WOW! Quite simply WOW! If you are ever in that neck of the woods and want to see a truly impressive piece of property done right…Castiglion del Bosco is it.
As I had the chance to taste through their line up of wines from Montalcino (Rosso, Brunello and Campo del Drago) they pulled out a super-juicy red from the Tuscan coast (Near Bolgheri) that I was not familiar with…DAINERO. A blend of 90% Merlot & 10% Sangiovese, this wine was the epitome of what I think of when I think rich, ripe, soft and juicy Tuscan red. It fell into the no-brainer category as it could be sold as inexpensively as $15…so I knew it would have a place here at the store. On the spot I told the winery to sign us up.
Flash forward to today: I totally forgot I ordered this and when approached by a few staff members last week inquiring about the wine, it’s origin and how it just appeared in the store I told them to give it a taste and tell me what they thought. It was sampled over the weekend and this is just some of the feedback I got…
“Rich and round with good structure and bright acidity. Cherry, black pepper, bright red plum. There were more tannins than I expected…Great everyday wine, without too much overpowering tannin, yet enough body to have a substantial mouth-feel. I really like this wine.” -Corie
“Ruby and velvety in color. big tannins, smooth, blackberry and cherry notes. In my opinion a great aging wine. Would go really well with a grilled rib eye steak order, pasta with meat sauce. Well rounded and easy drinking for someone who wants an inexpensive Italian wine.” -Alexis
After the 1st bottle was opened this past weekend I was hit with a whole bunch of inquiries on when we would start promoting this wine.
How about today?!
At $15/Bottle you can not go wrong…TRUST ME!
All my best,
Andrew
Castiglion del Bosco Dainero IGT 2009
Reg Bottle $17.99/Sale Bottle $14.99
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