This Week's News: The Binnacle House's Comedy Extravaganza %202.jpg) .jpg)
We are proud and honored to support The Binnacle House, The Binnacle House is committed to creating a future for the youth that we serve that transforms their lives and works toward reintegration of broken family ties. Their children leave their program academically enriched, vocationally prepared, and civically minded to contribute to the benefit of the greater good of the community. Please join them for an evening of laughs, drinks and good food! During the event there will be a live auction as well as a silent auction and a 50/50 raffle. For more information please call 908-782-0848 Tonight's Lineup: 
2016 Domaine Larue Vielles Vignes Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Grand Vin de Bourgogne Chardonnay $54.99   About the Winery In 1946, Guy Larue founded his family’s estate in the small hamlet of Gamay, in Saint-Aubin, located just behind the famed Montrachet and Chevalier-Montrachet slope. Much like its neighbor Chassagne-Montrachet to the south, Saint-Aubin was historically known for red wine, though the Larues have specialized in the great white crus of Saint-Aubin. In 1976, Guy’s son Denis assumed the reins of Domaine Larue and was joined by his brother, Didier, in 1982. In 2006, Denis’s son Bruno joined the Domaine, thus continuing the family’s winemaking lineage. Wines from Larue possess purity, energy, and an invariable minerality derived from the predominant limestone soils of Saint-Aubin. The Larues are meticulous and precise in all aspects of winegrowing and winemaking and their wines reflect these qualities. Tasting the full range is a veritable tour of the appellation, with each terroir’s individual and striking signature clearly evident. These wonderful white Burgundies have the additional benefit of being approachable young, although they are tightly wound and can always benefit from a few extra years of bottle age.
The Larue holdings are spread between the two villages of Saint-Aubin and Puligny-Montrachet, with a large concentration at the southern portion of the Saint-Aubin appellation. These holdings include seven premier cru climats, on south, southeast, and southwestern facing slopes, grown on variations of clay soils with a high concentration of limestone. Combined with the varying grades of slope and elevations ranging from 800 to 1200 feet, the Larues have a truly magical diversity within Saint-Aubin, one of the under-rated gems of Burgundy. The domaine's premier cru vineyard in Puligny-Montrachet, La Garenne, sits at a high altitude in the Hameau de Blagny, bordering Meursault. Their largest parcel, Saint-Aubin premier cru “Murgers des Dents de Chien,” shares its name with the Dents de Chien lieu-dit of Le Montrachet that is right around the corner and is the domaine's prized vineyard, capable of producing wine that can age and improve in the bottle for decades. 
About the Wine The terroir lies in the named plot "Sur Gamay". Though Gamay is not normally named in the appellation, these selected old vines are located just above the hamlet of Gamay under the rock of Dumay which overlooks it. The parcels have a south-easterly exposure, at an altitude of 1115 feet, mid-slope position, white marl-y soils with limestone predominating. These carefully managed Chardonnay vines were planted between 1950 and 1974. After maturity has been carefully checked, the grapes are harvested and taken to the vatting house in small bins. There they are lightly crushed, put through a pneumatic press, and the juices allowed to settle. The must is then transferred to (20% new) oak barrels by gravity and fermentation follows. After 10 months' elevage on fine lees, the wine is blended, treated with finings, and bottled after light filtration. The yield is some 3,000 bottles. Shining through the glass with greenish highlights, the bouquet has a marked minerality. The mouth reveals serious structure and meatiness, this wine has a true character and identity. This wine can be opened or cellared, depending on preference. 2015 The Wonderland Project Two Kings Sonoma County Pinot Noir $34.99   About the Winery The Wonderland Project was founded in 2010 by wine broker and former sommelier, Matt Ahern with the help of pedigreed Sonoma grape growers. After years of selling wine to elite restaurants in the Western US, Ahern realized that there was something missing from most wine lists: a high-quality wine made from high-quality fruit, with enough refinement for the most discerning palate at an accessible cost. In 2010, unable to find just the right wine to fill this niche, Ahern decided to make it himself. With the help of pedigreed Sonoma grape growers such as Andrew and Adam Mariani, the brothers behind Scribe Winery in Sonoma, have become very close friends of Matt and really helped with advice, direction and place to work some magic. The Wonderland Project has quickly become synonymous with near intangible quality at an amazing price. Package those two very important qualities with supreme marketing and design and this is a wine that should be for many, many years to come. 
About the Wine The grapes for the Pinot Noir are sourced from Carneros organically farmed vineyards including Stornetta, Withers Rd, Scribe, Sandbach. Relying on native yeast fermentations and minimal interventionist methods, after harvest the 15% whole cluster juice is fermented with native yeasts in stainless steel followed by aging in 15% new French oak for six months. On the nose, expect dark cherry flavors combined with sweet spices. When first sipped, this wine will give you great fruit balanced with layers of freshly picked flowers and pink peppercorn. This wine is quite harmonious; it will leave you intrigued and wanting more. 2013 Oddero Barolo Piedmont Nebbiolo DOCG $54.99  
About the Winery Oddero is one of the great, historic, traditional Barolo houses with a long history spanning over 200 years. There are mentions of the Oddero family in La Morra as far back as the 1700’s though the family was likely there even before that point. The winery was among the first producers to estate bottle their Barolo – in the late 1800’s, it was Giacomo Oddero (born 1926) and his brother Luigi (born 1928) who brought the winery into the modern era. They renovated their ancient farmhouse as well as elevated their quality and extended their vineyard holdings. Today, Mariacristina’s son Pietro and niece Isabella are taking over and represent the seventh generation in the family to run the winery. They are both hugely committed to raising the reputation of the winery and have made significant investments in the vineyards and cellar to really push the level of quality at this venerable estate. 
About the Wine A real flagship for Oddero, of course, produced in limited quantities and often held for several years in bottle before release, and a veritable “Treasure Chest” for any serious lover of Barolo. Practicing organic, hand-harvested in mid-October. Sourced from two crus in La Morra (Bricco Chiesa & Capalot with southeast exposure) and one in Castiglione Falletto (Bricco Fiasco with southwest exposure). The soils of Bricco Chiesa and Capalot are made up of fine clays, with sand and limestone. The soil at Bricco Fiasco is predominantly clay with some limestone. Each cru is fermented and macerated separately in stainless steel for about 20 days; then each cru is aged separately for 30 months in a mix of very large 40 to 75 HL casks of Austrian and Slavonian oak. In the spring, the crus are assembled into the final blend and then bottled at the end of summer. Finally, the wine spends a minimum of six months in the bottle before release. When first poured, aromas of spice with black tea. On the palate, expect a firm and chewy red with hints of blackberry, cherry and chocolate character. Full bodied and structured, has good ageability. 2,500 cases produced. 
Critical Acclaim “Oddero's 2013 Barolo is a beautifully delicate and nuanced expression of Nebbiolo from a balanced vintage. This edition offers a solid, firm and complete nature that translates to both the bouquet and the mouthfeel. The finish is polished, long and silky. I've always loved Oddero's base Barolo and this happy wine generously illustrates that preference.”–93 Points, The Wine Advocate “This strikes a nice balance between fruity and savory elements, delivering cherry, strawberry, floral, licorice and tobacco notes on a delicate frame. Harmonious and enjoyable now, though the refined tannins suggest that this will benefit from another year or two in bottle. Best from 2019 through 2032. 2,400 cases made.”–Wine Spectator * * * Cocktail Recipe of the Week: Honey Pear Margaritas from The Almond Eater 
Ingredients: 4 Cups Pear Juice 3 Ounces Cimarron Blanco Tequila 1 ½ Ounces Leroux Triple Sec 2 Tablespoons Honey 5 Rosemary Sprigs, 4 for Garnish 4 Cinnamon Sticks, for Garnish Optional: ¼ Teaspoon Cinnamon Directions: Place ingredients into a container or pitcher and stir vigorously. Put into refrigerator for at least one hour, allowing the flavors to absorb and chill adequately. Pour into glasses and enjoy! Yields 4. * * * Snack of the Week: Martins Special Hard Pretzels  
A family-owned bakery started by Henry Martin in the 1930’s. He passed it on to his nephew, Lloyd Martin, in the 70’s. Eleven years later, he, in turn, sold it to his brother, Clarence, the present owner. Starting work at 6 am, all 13 employees do various jobs so no one is twisting, etc. all day long. From their website, “NO, we do not twist pretzels in our sleep because we do it enough during the day!” Addictive and delicious, we carry the honey mustard pretzel bites as well as the Special (Original) classic hard pretzels. * * * |
