TOP SECRET, Etude Cabernet, Steltzner Merlot, Tres Picos Garnacha,

Greetings from all of us in New London,

Thames River Wine & Spirits - http://www.thamesriver.com/wine/index.html

Brie & Bleu - http://brieandbleu.com/

Thames River Greenery - http://www.thamesriver.com/trg/gourmet.html

IMPORT - http://www.thamesriver.com/trg/featured.html


The line up for the Friday night tasting is just below a few items of interest. And the list includes something special.


• We have a wine so special that we cannot list it's name - we promised the distributor.
All I can tell you is that it is from one of the greatest and most sought after names in California. It retails for $58 a bottle. And people have been known to weep openly after taking their first sip.

It's almost impossible to find on the shelves of any store - and certainly no one else would open it up with out charge the way that we will on Friday night.
It is all about SHARING - Come early - and bring a box of tissues.

• Most asked question of the week:
"Is it too late to order gift baskets and have them delivered for the holiday?"
No it is not too late - AND, remember you can mix and match any of the items from any of our stores - for example: You may add Moonstruck Chocolates from Thames River Greenery to a wine and cheese basket, or Christopher Radko Ornaments from IMPORT to a gourmet basket, or a beautiful centerpiece from TRG to a bottle of wine - no problem. And we will wrap and deliver it right to the front door of the people receiving it.
Place just one call to order from all our stores: 8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 6 8 1 7


Dave's Fave - Monday Tasting - 1-6 p.m. - No Charge
Domaine Houchart Cotes de Provence 2004 $10
Dave Says:
It's cold and gray in New London, seems like you're always walking into a headwind, you can't find your gloves from last year and the zipper on your parka broke. Isn't it time we go to the South of France? Mais oui, let us travel there via this lovely Cotes de Provence. The Provencal vineyards of Domaine Houchart are situated at the foot of stunning Mount St. Victoire, and amongst the Grenache and Syrah vines grow pine, almond and olive trees, along with herbs such as thyme and rosemary. Monday, right here on old Bank Street, we can close our eyes and drift off to that vineyard in the hot sun. Sounds nice, non?


Wine Tasting Please Join Us
Friday December 14 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge


1 - IT'S A SECRET - California 2005 - $58 - Sonoma Coast - Single Vineyard.

2 - Tres Picos Garnacha 2006 $15 - Included in the Wine Spectator Top 100
This is a favorite of ours and for good reason. Deep and sweet, Tres Picos Borsao is cherry red in color with a hints of purple. In the nose, there is a 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 with flavors of blackberries, vanilla and plums. Perfectly combined, Tres Picos Borsao leaves us with a long, silky and balanced finish. We have offered this wine for quite awhile - now that it has made "The List" - everyone will discover what you may already know - this is an amazing wine for the price. Please try it again or for the very first time on Friday night.


3 - Steltzner Merlot 2004 $28
From Stag's Leap District Napa Valley www.steltzner.com
Richard Steltzner established his first Stags Leap District vineyards in 1965 on a nice little spot on the Silverado Trail in Napa. Steltzner Vineyards' first commercial release was in 1977, and the Steltzner Family established their own modest facility in 1983, with a 3,000 case capacity in the Stags Leap District. Allison Steltzner has been to our store and for those of you that had the opportunity to meet her you will agree that the entire family is deeply committed to making the best wine possible. This merlot has some great blueberry aromas along with a hint of smokiness and it is "like buddah" in your mouth. Please try it on Friday night.


4 - Etude Cabernet 2003 $90 www.etudewines.com
Very Limited Production - All of the major publications and reviewers rate this wine in the 90's. It is one of the finest examples of it's kind.
This is how the winemaker describes the wine: "Vibrant raspberry and blueberry aromas along with a bright perfume note are the signatures of this balanced and refined Cabernet Sauvignon. On the palate, the wine offers forward flavors of dark berries, violets and cassis that lead to a highly structured and complex finish packed with notes of bittersweet chocolate, black plum and almond." This is a wine that fancy restaurants and big shot collectors like to keep to themselves - but you can try it with us on Friday night.

It is a busy holiday season - take a break from the running around and join us on Friday night to try some very special wines.

Thank you for all of the cards, emails, and calls - we appreciate your support, and we hope to see you this week.



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


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