Tonight's Lineup: 2013 J.Hofstätter 'Weissburgunder' Alto Adige Pinot Bianco $22.99 / $19.54   
About the Winery Founded in 1907 by Josef Hofstätter, the historic family winery is now operated in the fourth generation by his descended nephew Martin Foradori Hofstätter. Vineyards are sited on slopes on both sides of the River Adige, embracing a wide range of soils and microclimates. Grapes originate from several family-owned wine estates with their traditional farmsteads and manor houses, stately country houses known locally as ‘Ansitze’. No other family winery owns estates with vineyards on both the eastern and western side of the broad river valley. Wines grown there bear the estate name on their labels: Kolbenhof, Barthenau, Oberer and Unterer Yngram-Hof, Steinraffler and Oberkerschbaumer. Other vineyards include parcels of land in the areas of Tramin, Neumarkt and Pfatten near Auer, all of which are blessed with excellent climatic conditions. About the Wine 100% Pinot Blanc, the grapes are lightly pressed and naturally fermented using precise temperature control in order to ensure quality and consistency amongst all juice. With the color emitting hues of medium-straw golden yellow, on the nose there are fresh aromas of peach combined with apple and pear. On the palate, one can expect to find a juice that is harmonious in structure, while remaining elegant and zesty. The mouth feel is round with masses of finesse while hints of nut can be found on the lingering finish. .jpg)
2015 Tenuta Delle Terre Nere Etna Rosato $24.99 / $21.24   
About the Winery The estate is located in the northern slopes of the volcano, with vineyards between the village of Solicchiata and the town of Randazzo. The property consists of over 30 hectares, divided into 10 parcels in four crus, with a total vineyard surface of 27 hectares, with plans to expand to 30-32 hectares. Except for 6 hectars recently planted, the rest are between 50 and 100 years old. One parcel, having survived phylloxera, has reached the venerable age of 130-140 years old. With the vineyards ranging between about 2oo0 and 3, 300 feet above sea level, they are steeply sloped and tightly terraced, causing all vineyard work to be done manually. Very old vines, terraced with traditional alberello plantings that are very tightly spaced. The soil consists of loose, deep volcanic ash roughed up by a good measure of small volcanic pebbles.
About the Wine
The Etna Rosato is cherished for its luminous and mineral nature. Produced from the Nerello Mascalese grape and manually harvested. The wine is then vinified and bottled separately after 16-20 months of wood aging. Typically fruity on the nose, with hints of cherries and freshly picked strawberries. The mouth feel is refreshing and lively, while still remaining floral with a supple finish. "In trying to find balance, you walk a thin line. The Platonic ideal would be the rosé that has the body of a white and the soul of a red, if that makes any sense. Anyway, that’s what I’m looking for: a wine that’s joyful without being frivolous; that has tension, but is not austere. And I feel we come close. Our Etna Rosato is bright and vibrant, but never superficial. The joy it delivers has sophistication. I’ve found out that it ages beautifully. Not that there is any reason to age it. But when it does, the complexity is quite unexpected and remarkable in a rosé. Fish, poultry, soups, pasta, prosciutto and cantaloupe, figs and salame, bread and olives and cheese. You name it." -Winemaker 2012 Bodegas Catena Zapata Catena Alta 'Historic Rows' Mendoza Malbec $59.99 / $50.99  .jpg) .jpg)
About the Winery In the mid-nineties, in an effort to produce a super-premium wine, the winemaking team of Catena began an in-depth investigation into the yields from specially selected, high altitude vineyards, identifying the individual rows that produce the best fruit. Catena Alta is an assemblage of these historic rows within the Catena family’s estate vineyards. The blend of these rows, like the blend of musical notes that compose a symphony, creates a wine that is layered and complex, concentrated yet nuanced. In 2001 Nicolas' daughter Laura took over the Research & Development program at Bodega Catena Zapata. She immediately set about working with the high altitude Malbec that her father had planted. Laura was sure that this Argentine varietal, planted in these extreme microclimates, would yield something truly special. Laura's determination to produce a world class Malbec led her and the viticultural team to conduct an actual plant by plant selection of the top Malbec lots in their high altitude vineyards. These Zapata plants were managed and harvested separately to isolate their incredible potential. In 2004 this program produced such extraordinary fruit that the winemakeing team decided to ferment the fruit directly in new oak barrels. The result were three spectacular new Malbecs which showed the incredible quality of the family's high altitude Malbec vineyards. About the Wine In the Catena Zapata Malbec vineyards, yields were down between 20 and 50% - lowest in the vineyards in Altamira. They farm the vineyards for low yields already, so the effects were dramatic. If ever somebody had doubts that yields matter for quality, this year definitely proves that they do, and that low yields are essential if one is making wines of concentration and balance. You should see the incredibly dark color – inky – of the Malbecs, the density and richness of tannins, the depth of the wines. The 2012 Bodegas Catena Zapata ‘Catena Alta’ Malbec is fermented in small batches with French oak barrels as well as stainless steel tanks for 18 to 24 months. The hues of deep violet are matched with indigo highlights when poured into the glass. The nose has aromas of ripe red and black berry fruits with notes of violets and lavender and hints of leather and a touch of spices. The wine is full-bodied and rich, with sweet tannins and a smooth structure, offering multiple layers of of blackberries and black currant with hints of licorice, vanilla, and black pepper. This wine's lengthy finish shows beautiful minerality with fine tannins and lively acidity. 
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