WOW: A Wine of "Redemption"

WOW: Wine of the Week

A Wine of "Redemption:" Alexander Valley Vineyards Redemption Zinfandel 2009

Every one of us can use a little "redemption" now and again.  What better way to obtain it, but drinking it?!

As the chill enters the air slowly but surely, Uncorked turns to hearty, robust red wines to warm from within!

This wine can make a wonderful hostess gift, or stock pile it for the perfect way to apologize and ask for "redemption" from a spouse or loved one! 

Product Description

"Since 2001 Alexander Valley Vineyards has produced Redemption Zinfandel. From the beginning founder Hank Wetzel wanted to showcase the outstanding fruit from Dry Creek Valley and winemaker Kevin Hall continues that tradition with the release of the 2009. We harvested from two individual vineyards on the eastern side of the Dry Creek Valley from early September to early October. One vineyard is hillside with red rocky soil producing smaller berries with flavors of blackberry and blueberry. While the 2nd vineyard has gravelly loam soil located on the valley floor and produces fruit with pronounced flavors of cherry, plum and black pepper. Overall 2009 was a cooler vintage with fewer heat spikes than in past years, so the acidity of this vintage is slightly higher than prior releases. The growing season allowed for uniform ripening in the which led to wines with good structure, balance and complexity.
The inspiration for the image on our label is a painting attributed to the well known Renaissance painter Tiziano Vecelli, who is now simply referred to as "Titian". It is known as one of his last works c. 1575-1576 and over the years has been referenced as “Spain Succoruing Religion” ; “Religion Succored by Spain” and “Spain Coming to the Aid of Religion”. The painting was owned at one time by the Museo Nacional Del Prado, Madrid." - Winery Notes

Alexander Valley Vineyards "Redemption" Zinfandel 2009 Tasting Notes

"Aromas of blackberry, dark cherry, plum, chocolate, spice, black pepper and vanilla. There is mouth filling texture with spicy flavors of blueberry, black pepper, dark fruits and a long finish." - Winemaker Notes

WOW: Wines Fit for a King!

WOW: Wine(s) of the Week

New to ShopUncorked.com: The King's Series

This product line has it all: Wrath, a Bastard, Thorns, Favour and lastly A Sticky End!  This quirky portfolio delivers value from Brent Marris, one of New Zealand's most well known wine makers.

About Marisco Vineyards

"Pelican Brands and Marisco Vineyards jointly announced in 2010 the formation of a long term strategic partnership for the U.S. market. Brent Marris, the winemaking creator of Oyster Bay and later Wither Hills of New Zealand, created Marisco Vineyards in 2003. Marisco Vineyards, set in perhaps the most beautiful place on Earth in the Waihopai Valley of Marlborough, New Zealand, has two primary brands, The Kings Series and The Ned.

The Kings Series range of wines were launched in NZ October 2009 and are a celebration of Brent's family heritage dating back to the 12th and 13th Century in the United Kingdom on a small island in the Bristol Channel - Lundy Island. Each wine in the range tells a story about Brent's ancestors, the de Mariscos, and their tempestuous relationship with the English Monarchy.

The range includes a Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Noble Sauvignon Blanc and in the first 6 months of launch the brand has already received accolades with the King's Favour Sauvignon Blanc picking up a gold medal at the New Zealand Royal Easter Show and has been selected on AIR New Zealand Business Class in-flight wine list." - Winery Notes

Marisco Vineyards "The King's Favour" Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Tasting Notes...$12.99 per bottle

"Intensely complex aromas of blackcurrant and passionfruit tightly wound together with highlights of minerality, lime and grapefruit zest. A nuance of wet riverstone provides this wine with an unmistakeable Waihopai signature.  The King’s Favour 2011 is a precise yet powerful wine showing explosive flavours of lime, lemongrass and passion fruit. This wine redefines balance and elegance in Sauvignon Blanc whilst delivering an exciting array of flavours and aromas." - Winemaker Notes

Marisco Vineyards "The King's Thorn" Pinot Gris 2011 Tasting Notes...$12.99 per bottle

"Ripe stone fruits, a touch of rose petal and musk, and an intriguing aniseed note combine to give this wine a complex and generous aromatic profile.  Succulent pear and melon flavours are complemented by a hint of citrus and fennel, resulting in a wine of exquisite balance, weight and elegance. A luxurious texture adds further decadence to a wine of true class." - Winemaker Notes

Marisco Vineyards "The King's Bastard" Chardonnay 2011 Tasting Notes...$12.99 per bottle

"A perfumed bouquet of citrus, ripe fig and melon. A hint of cashew with some subtle spicy oak adds further interest.Grapefruit and citrus zest are balanced by some riper flavours of nectarine, melon and fig. The mid palate is rich and creamy, with nuts and spice adding complexity. Lovely fresh acidity on the finish keeps the wine focused and pure." - Winemaker Notes

Marisco Vineyards "The King's Wrath" Pinot Noir 2011 Tasting Notes...$20.79 per bottle

"Dark spiced fruits with attractive floral notes and a subtle hint of forest floor.  Black Doris plums and dark cherries dusted with five spice suppored by some savoury complexity.  Mocha and coffee notes from the oak complement the dense fruit.  The tannins are fine and velvety." - Winemaker Notes

Marisco Vineyards "The King's A Sticky End" Noble Sauvignon Blanc 2011 375ml Tasting Notes...$19.49 per bottle

"An expressive nose displaying ripe lychee and feijoa fruits with complementary hazelnut, musk and fig notes. With further bottle age this wine will reveal complex aromas of toasted bread, marmalade and honey.  Concentrated flavours of manuka honey, ripe nectarine and apricot with layers of zesty citrus. Lusciously viscous, this Noble Sauvignon Blanc is sweet without being cloying thanks to a delicate thread of acidity which provides a refreshing twist to this mouth-watering wine." - Winemaker Notes

WOW: New to ShopUncorked.com: Gotham Wines and Wine Men of Gotham

WOW: Wine(s) of the Week

New to ShopUncorked.com: Gotham Wines and Wine Men of Gotham

Problem: What wines to feature at your next October gathering?  OR, what hostess gift should you bring to your Halloween Party? OR, what to drink while doling out candy to this year's trick-or-treaters?!

Solution: Any one of the NEW three Gotham Wine (line priced at $12.99 per bottle) or four Wine Men of Gotham wines (line priced at $9.09 per bottle) featured in this week's WOW!

This week's WOW won't break the bank, but they WILL give your guests, friends and family something to talk about!  All wines are sourced from South Australia and a superb value.
"Gotham Wines was founded by Bruce Clugston and Fiona White with the release of Gotham Langhorne Creek Shiraz 2004.

Bruce and Fiona have a long history in wine retail and wholesale and seized the opportunity to make their  own wine with the 2004 vintage. Gotham Wines aim is to produce the best value wine money can buy. Gotham wines takes it name from  the pet name for New York city.  It was the great American writer Washington Irving who first named New York Gotham in his 1807 periodical, The Salmagundi. " - Winery Notes

With seven wines featured this week, Uncorked is confident that there is a wine to please every palate.  Stock up today for your next October gathering!

Gotham McLaren Vale Shiraz 2008 Tasting Notes...$12.99 per bottle

"Deep dense dark and brooding in color with a stunning rim of purple/red in the glass! The nose is rich ripe plums and loads of primary spices including fennel, black pepper, with mocha and coffee highlights. The palate has superb velvet tannins and incredible soft finish length. The wine is big and rich, yet elegant and silky. It will cellar very well for up to 8-12 years. Mouth watering!" - Winery Notes

Gotham McLaren Vale Cabernet 2009 Tasting Notes...$12.99 per bottle

"Black as ink to look at and on the nose it screams blueberries, creme de cassis, and liquorice, cedar and spice box.  The varietal definition is stunning with just the right balance of oak and fruit.  We extended the oak contact to 14 months to add some tannice structure to the wine and we think this will cellar particularly well.  An absolutely superb vintage and this is a classic Gotham." - Winery Notes

Gotham Barossa Valley Shiraz 2008 Tasting Notes...$12.99 per bottle

"Bright red in the glass, the nose is elegant with notes of plum and lovely spices which flow through to the palate with soft mouth feel and a hint of oak.  The palate is balanced and elegant with great oak structure but dominated by the natural Barossan fruit weight." - Winery Notes

Wine Men of Gotham Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Tasting Notes...$9.09 per bottle

Dry with elegant fruit aromas and superb balance between acid and fruit. The nose is of fresh fruit salad with some minerality. Fresh and vibrant on the palate with grassy notes and again fruit salad. Lively acid and a great zing to finish.

Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay 2011 Tasting Notes...$9.09 per bottle

Delightfully lifted aromatics on the nose with hints of nuts and tropical fruits. The palate is rich and defined with rich flavours and great mouth feel.

Wine Men of Gotham Shiraz 2011 Tasting Notes...$9.09 per bottle

Colour is red with some purple hints at the rim. The nose is quite savoury with some lovely pepper notes all bound together by plums. The palate is elegant and balanced with excellent fruit and some savouriness and spice with a great mouth feel. The finish lingers on for 30 seconds with a salivating freshness and mild tannins.

Wine Men of Gotham Shiraz Grenache 2011 Tasting Notes...$9.09 per bottle

The nose is complex with superb lift from the Grenache and fruit weight from the Shiraz. The palate is refined with delicate savoury flavours and great mouth feel.

WOW: "Siena," Sangiovese Based Blend: Pizza Perfect!

WOW: Wine of the Week

"Siena," Sangiovese Based Blend: Pizza Perfect!

With children back in school, football dominating schedules on Friday, Saturday and Sundays, it seems only natural to share one of our favorite wines that is the perfect compliment to Pizza!

That's right, Pizza!

This Sangiovese based blend from Ferrari-Carano has long been a household favorite, though, Ferrari-Carano is probably recognized for its Chardonnay.  Do not allow this beautiful red blend to pass you by this Fall!

What's better than having a wine that was destined to be paired with Italian dishes and pizza?!  The fact that this wine is UNDER $16 per bottle!  While most retailers price this wine at over $22 per bottle, Uncorked brings this versatile blend to you at a value price point!

At that price, what is stopping you from making THIS wine the official wine of your weekend?!

Product Description

"In 1979, Don and Rhonda Carano purchased a single 60-acre parcel of land in Sonoma County's Alexander Valley. The parcel included a restored 1904 farmhouse, a barn and 30 acres of grapes. So began a twenty-five year mission to acquire premium vineyard properties throughout the county, because Don and Rhonda truly believed, and still do, that owning their own vineyards is the best way to ensure the highest quality grapes needed to supply their growing winery in Dry Creek Valley and their mountain winery in Alexander Valley.
Today, Ferrari-Carano owns 19 estate vineyards in four different appellations totaling 1,400 acres, in some of the finest wine growing regions in all of California. Mountain, bench land and valley floor vineyards spread over a fifty mile radius were chosen for their diversity of microclimates and soil; the acclaimed and diverse Alexander Valley, the desirable Russian River Valley with its cooler temperatures, picturesque Dry Creek Valley, and, at the southernmost end of the county, Napa/Carneros. Each vineyard is a microclimate unto itself, contributing its own unique diversity of grape flavors, textures and structures derived from the perfectly balanced combination of climate, soil and plant material." - Winery Notes

Ferrari-Carano Siena 2010 Tasting Notes

Ferrari-Carano's Italian heritage is reflected in this Sangiovese-based, easysipping blend. Select lots of grapes are chosen from our vineyards in Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River Valleys to create a beautifully-balanced and medium-bodied wine. Siena has delicious aromas and flavors of freshpicked blackberries, raspberry jam, cola, cinnamon and clove. Sweet oak notes of vanilla and butterscotch complement lingering tart cherry, cranberry and strawberry. A wine with nice acidity and refined, elegant texture, Siena has tannins that are showy and evenly coat the palate.

Blend: 74% Sangiovese, 14% Malbec, 8% Syrah, 4% Cabernet

Ferrari-Carano Siena 2010 Pairings

Siena pairs perfectly with savory Italian food, pasta with flavorful tomato sauces, or pizza. Siena is also delicious with dishes such as Chicken Cacciatore, a duck salad with fruit like raspberries and oranges, or prosciutto on crostini.

WOW: A Fearless Entry into Fall

WOW: Wine of the Week

A Fearless Entry into Fall

It is official: Fall has arrived!
Cooler temperatures have arrived and it is time to turn our attention to robust red wines!

What better way to do that than with The Fearless Rider Malbec?!  This Malbec weighs in just under $15 per bottle and is perfect accompaniment to your Fall fare. 

Product Description

"Napa Valley winemaker Rob Lawson is thrilled to introduce his own label from Mendoza, Argentina. After many years making wine in Argentina with Giminez Riili, he also offers this incredible value Malbec harvested at 2000-4200 ft elevations in Maipu and the Uco Valley." - Winery Notes.

The Fearless Rider Malbec 2011 Tasting Notes

The aromas are bright and fruity, with roses and cherries. The mouth feel is soft with a lasting finish of black pepper, raspberries, and red cherries.

The Fearless Rider Malbec 2011 Pairings

Enjoy this wine with Empanadas, Whiskey Baked Ham or Teriyaki beef and it's go time!

WOW: A NEW (La) Playa to ShopUncorked.com!

WOW: Wine(s) of the Week

A NEW (La) Playa to ShopUncorked.com!

New to the ShopUncorked.com is the La Playa Portfolio from Chile.

As we have come to expect with Chilean wines, these wines offer top quality at value pricing!  All selections are $11.69 per bottle or UNDER!  With five different varietals, this week's WOW is sure to satisfy all palates.

La Playa Winery History

In 1952, patriarch Søren Axelsen left his native Copenhagen to travel the world. Eventually, he settled in California to grow his own grapes. But he never forgot the remarkable growing regions he had seen in Chile, in particular Colchagua Valley, which showed such great potential to produce world-class wines. By 1989, he had realized his dream, founding Viña La Playa alongside his sons Peter and Eric. Viña La Playa of Chile is a partnership between the Axelsens and two promient Chilean winemaking legends: the Sutil and Errázuriz families. The winery encompasses 597 acres of prime property in the Colchagua Valley, where its vineyards enjoy a unique microclimate that fosters the growth of premium wine grapes.
With near-perfect growing conditions, Colchagua Valley has been described as "The Next Napa" (Wine Enthusiast, March 2002) as "arguably Chile's premier opportunity for world-class wine production" (Wine Spectator, April 30, 2002), and as "2005 Wine Region of the Year," yeilding "some of the most compelling wines in the world" (Wine Enthusiast, 2005).

La Playa Block Selection Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Tasting Notes...$11.69 ea

Grapefruit and jalapeño on the nose. Fresh cut grass, minerals, tropical fruits.

La Playa Block Selection Reserve Pinot Noir 2010 Tasting Notes...$11.69 ea

Bright cherry, with hints of allspice.  Lingering red fruits on the finish.

La Playa Block Selection Reserve Carmenere 2009 Tasting Notes...$11.69 ea

An alluring example of the Bordeaux variety that was considered long-lost until it was rediscovered in Chile a decade ago. Blackberry jam, peppery spices, fresh herbs, rich lingering finish.  Blackberry jam, peppery spices, fresh herbs, rich
lingering finish.

La Playa Estate Merlot 2010 Tasting Notes...$8.97 ea

Fig and blueberry on the nose with a hint of violets.  Fruity, well rounded finish.

La Playa Block Selection Reserve Cabernet 2009 Tasting Notes...$11.69 ea

Raspberry and black currants, clove, black pepper, cola, and fresh herbs.

WOW: An American Summer, The Farewell Tour

WOW: Wine of the Week

An American Summer, The Farewell Tour

With Labor Day officially behind us, that MUST mean that Fall, school, football and the holidays are just around the corner.

This week's WOW is dedicated to that last hoorah of Summer!  Uncorked is pleased to bring the Limited Edition Chandon American Summer packaging to our clients.  These festive bottles come in two convenient sizes, 750ml and 187ml.  The regular (750ml) bottles are perfect for a gathering while the 187ml bottles are the perfect solution to your one-glass craving!

Order these today as quantities are VERY limited.

Product Description

"Salute Old Glory in sparkling style this year with our special Chandon Limited Edition Summer Brut Classic dressed in a colorful pop of red, white and blue stripes.  This patriotic beauty is available in two sizes: you’ll find the 750ml at select retailers and the 187ml at leading restaurants around the country. Is there a better way to create your own fireworks than popping a few Chandon corks?" - Winery Notes

Domaine Chandon Brut Classic American Summer Limited Edition NV Tasting Notes

Classic balance typifies this refreshingly soft, yet dry wine. The wine delivers complex apple and pear characteristics accented by citrus spice over notes of almond and caramel in the bouquet. When you taste Brut Classic, look for nutty flavors with hints of brioche that build to a refreshingly dry finish.

Summer Months Shipping Restrictions:

***Please note that ShopUncorked.com and Uncorked Wine Consulting will be altering shipping schedules based on the summer temperatures.  Please contact Courtney directly at courtney@uncorkedwineconsulting.com with any questions or concerns.***