Penelope Cruz, Latour Pouilly-Vinzelles, Borsao Tres Picos, Chionetti "Briccolero", Nickel & Nickel Vogt

Greetings from New London,

Thames River Wine & Spirits - 860-443-9463 - 84 Bank Street
Shop On Line: http://thamesriver.com/wine/instock.html


It was a great holiday week here - we hope that everyone enjoyed time with friends and family -
Thanks for the great turnout last week - Penfolds Grange was the star of the show and it lived up to all of the press.

We are keeping it short this week - Our list of wine for Friday is just below these items of interest.

RESTAURANT TIP: IBIZA - New Haven - 203-865-1933 - http://www.ibizanewhaven.com/
On Saturday night we had the opportunity to dine at the Spanish restaurant Ibiza in New Haven. Our party of four was received like Spanish Nobility. Our wait staff lead by Carlos and a girl that was a DEAD RINGER for Penelope Cruz - made the evening special. We decided to let Carlos and "Penelope" do the ordering for us - Appetizers, entrees, deserts - they never made a bad choice - We selected our own wines - Muga Reserva with appetizers and 2003 Clio with entrees - they were both exceptional - When it was time for dessert Carlos took over. He was like a great Matador - guiding us around his cape before placing the final glasses of sherry and dessert wines in front of us. I can recommend Ibiza without hesitation. If it has been a while since you and The Old Man have been out of the house to someplace new - consider Ibiza - 39 High Street, New Haven - it is worth the drive........ tell Penelope we said "Hola."


This Week At Brie & Bleu - Mrs. "Z" has selected TALLEGIO as the featured item.
Here is what she has to say:

Hope the Thanksgiving holiday went well for all. If people missed the great stilton and fruit cheeses of the past week here is another type of cheese to wet your appetite. This weeks featured cheese at Brie & Blue is an Italian cheese - Tallegio at $10/lb. This semisoft, uncooked cheese from the region around Bergamo gains flavour and an accompanying odor as the cheese ages. The crust is pinkish-gray and the paste is white, supple and fruity. Tallegio is an excellent dessert cheese that goes well with a robust wine. For an additional 10% off the cheese pair with a nice Bardolino purchased at Thames River Wine and Spirits.
Cheers,
Mrs.Z


Please Join Us
WINE TASTING - FRIDAY DECEMBER 1st - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

1 - Louis Latour Pouilly-Vinzelles 2004 - $14 white burgundy www.louislatour.com
This clean lemon colored wine has a distinct nose bursting with aromas of honey and hazelnuts. It is fresh and fruity yet also reveals more complex flavors of sweet honey and flowers. This is easy to drink and great with appetizers - try it Friday and see if it works for your holiday plans. At this price a case makes sense for the holiday season - perfect for all the people dropping by.

2 -Borsao Tres Picos 2005 - $14
Some of you were lucky enough to buy this wine by the case when we had a special tasting - we knew it would be a winner. NOW this wine is on the Top 100 List from Wine Spectator.
Deep and luscious, Tres Picos Borsao is cherry red in color with a hint of purple tones. In the nose, there is a boundless bouquet of mature red fruits with traces of flowers that are typical of the best Garnachas. In the mouth, it is rich and well-structured simultaneously conveying flavors of blackberries, strawberries and tones of leather, vanilla and plums. Perfectly combined with a sweet and pleasant tannin, Tres Picos Borsao leaves us with a long, silky and balanced finish

3 - Chionetti "Briccolero" Dolcetto di Dogliani 2003 $24
The Chionetti family has been producing some of the greatest Dolcetto made in Italy since 1918 when Quinto’s grandfather founded the estate. The wines produced here are of the single-vineyard variety, meaning that all the grapes used in production are taken from three small, individual vineyards that have been deemed to hold specific soil and climactic conditions perfect for the production of three of the most respected Dolcettos made in Italy today. These single-vineyard wines are estate bottled and produced in a traditional Dolcetto style that is pure and time-tested. Barely 1300 cases of each of these wines are produced in the most bountiful of vintages. The Briccolero is one of the most deeply flavored Dolcettos produced. It is nearly opaque in color and has wonderful, vibrant fruit aromatics coupled with hints of oak and earth. The wine shows beautiful lush purple fruit upfront with touches of mint. The length of flavor is outstanding as well - soft, easy tannins that flow and finish - with luscious fruit and hints of earth.


4 - Nickel & Nickel Vogt Vineyard Cabernet 2003 $85 www.nickelandnickel.com
Nickel & Nickel is devoted exclusively to producing 100% varietal, single-vineyard wines. This is Nickel & Nickel high altitute vineyard from atop Howell Mountain, it is widely considered their best cabernet but also the least expensive. Of all of their single vineyard cabernets this one shows the best structure, typical of a high altitute howell mountain cabernet. Dark fruit impressions mixed with a perfume of floral and berry can be found in the aroma. Wild berry and cassis are prevalent in the mouth with some vanilla and cedar coming from the oak. Although thick and chewy, there is a warm, coating texture to this wine that gives it a lot of depth and power. This is a BIG wine,as they say. And Friday night will be a nice opportunity to try it. This wine is not for everyone - but it might be Just Right for you. Join us on Friday and find out.


Thanks for your support - we appreciate it.
And thanks for all of the holiday wishes that we are receiving - you are too kind.
We look forward to seeing you this week - please say hello when you come to the store.

Please Join Us - It is fun, informal and a great way to start your weekend.



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