Beyond Expectation

When you manage to get your tongue around it, Buitenverwachting (pronounced bay-ten-fur-vachk-ting) is Dutch for “beyond expectation.” Today, however, locals lovingly refer to the farm as Bayten. Nestled at the base of the imposing Constantia Mountain, it’s just a few miles from the azure blue of False Bay. The farm’s history dates back to 1773, but in 1982, the property was extensively renovated and replanted, and now produces some of the Cape’s most classical wines. Beyond expectation, indeed.

This crisp, zesty South African Sauvignon Blanc displays classic aromas and flavors of green fig, gooseberry and lime. Pepper and herbal notes are supported by elegant hints of mineral and chalk. 90 points from Wine Spectator, and #63 of the 2014 Top 100.

From the Wine Spectator review: "Very solid, with a crunchy feel along the edges and pure white peach, flint and honeysuckle notes racing along."

Only $13.99 in the Bottle Club®.

The estate

Come & Get It!

As the wintery weather makes getting around New Jersey even more challenging than usual, we thought we'd give you a good reason to venture out to Joe Canal's by offering some great new wines.

First up is the 2009 Mauro Molino Barolo Gallinotto. We've carried Mauro Molino wines for some time, so this label should be somewhat familiar:

The 2009 vintage received 91 points from Robert Parker/Wine Advocate. From their review: "The 2009 Barolo Gallinotto shows a...personality that is rare to find in this warmer vintage. Underbrush, bramble, wild berry, mint, licorice and wet tobacco play supporting roles. The wine does an excellent job of showing the more delicate and nuanced side of Nebbiolo with a compact, streamlined feel in the mouth. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2022." Regularly priced at $41.99, it's on sale at $36.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Another acclaimed international wine is the Glenelly Grand Vin de Glenelly. This is a South African version of a Bordeaux blend, featuring Shiraz, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. And it also received 91 points from Robert Parker/Wine Advocate.

The wine has a deep, dark and rich color. The wine offers an elegant complex bouquet developing aromas of cassis and spicy plums with notes of toast in the background. The palate has a great intensity and concentration with fantastic freshness and fine elegant, but well structured tannins. This carries a regular price of $21.99, but it's only $18.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Of course, gift sets are always popular at this time of year. Our newest wine gift set is from Frescobaldi and it includes one bottle each of Remole, Castiglioni Chianit DOCG, and Nippozzano Riserva Chianti DOCG, Separately, these wines would cost about $50.00. The gift set is in the Bottle Club® for only $40.00.

Wines from Australia can show a depth and range that compare favorably to what's being produced anywhere. Wynns "Black Label" Cabernet Sauvignon proves that. The 2010 vintage ranked as #85 in the 2013 Wine Spectator Top 100, with 91 points, and also earned 90 points from Wine Advocate. 

First produced in 1954, and widely known as ‘Black Label’, Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon has established a reputation for displaying excellent varietal and regional characteristics. A wine of style and stature, and a perennial favorite in auction circles, the ‘Black Label’ is one of Australia’s most collectable wines and Australia’s benchmark Cabernet Sauvignon. This is regularly priced at $38.99, but it's $32.99 in the Bottle Club®.  

There's another familiar label returning to our shelves. Buoncristiani's OPC Napa 2009 received 91 points from Wine Advocate, and we have a very limited quantity available.

Cheese, breads, olives, olive oil, glasses, sunshine and scenery not included with your purchase

"Old Pa's Cuvee" includes Napa Cabernet Sauvignon with Syrah, while also folding in further complexity of texture and flavor with Napa Malbec and Merlot blenders. Lush aromas of black cherry, chocolate, and blueberry lead to a fleshy mid palate of juicy blackberry and exotic spices with a velvety smooth finish. You can find it on their web site for $50, but we have it on sale in the Bottle Club® for only $41.99. 

Some of the staff at Joe Canal's prefer Rhone wines to any other region. In terms of high quality wines, there are some great values in Cotes-du-Rhone Villages, such as the Pierre Henri-Morel Signargues. The 2011 vintage received 91 points from Wine Spectator, and was rated as a Top 100 Best Value wine. This is a classic Grenache, Syrah, Mouvedre blend, offering ripe red cherries, blueberries and cranberries mixing with hints of garrigue flavors. The fresh fruit flavors continue in the mouth with fine tannins and very enjoyable structure making the wine a true pleasure to drink. We said it's a value: only $13.96 in the Bottle Club®. 

The winemaker is a protégé of the renowned Michel Chapoutier.  

One more? Ok, how about the 2009 Chateau de France Passac Leognan? Called the Vintage of a Lifetime, the 2009 Bordeaux wines sell quickly and score well; this one received 93 points from Wine Spectator!

There's a very deep garnet red color; delicate nose of light wood, toasted bread and berry jam ; on the palate, the aromas are reproduced with a perfect balance and freshness. Lovely long finish. The classic style of this elegant wine make it the perfect accompaniment of rich meats: red meats, lamb and roasted game meat. This will greatly enhance any holiday meal, priced at only $27.99 in the Bottle Club®.

So we had a very red wine day today. And while your mileage may vary, Red does out-sell White overall. We also post holiday specials on our Facebook pages and Twitter feeds, so please Friend us on FB and Follow us on Twitter. And if you have any questions or need assistance, any one of our friendly team members will be happy to help. 

 

Coming On Strong: South Africa

Because of its years of international isolation, the South African wine industry did not have the opportunity to fully develop its potential. As South Africa returned to the community of nations, their focus on local favorites like Pinotage didn't spark the growth that was hoped for.

With many South African wineries turning to international varieties, the growth opportunities are being realized. And a recent Wine Spectator cover story certainly helped as well. South African wines currently offer a nice balance of quality and value, which is why we're featuring Sutherland Sauvignon Blanc, from the Elgin region in the Overberg district of the Cape South Coast. That means it's southeast of Cape Town, on a high plateau that's surrounded by mountains, but still close to the Indian Ocean.

Driveway to the winery

The Elgin Valley is also known for their apples, pears, and cool climate wines like Sauvignon Blanc. Sutherland offers a lively, aromatic Sauvignon Blanc that flaunts mouthwatering flavors of gooseberry, grapefruit pith, citrus and melon tinged with gorgeously pure minerality. IWC gave it 90 points, saying it was "Bright pale yellow. Fresh, cool perfume of lime ice, grapefruit pith, gooseberry, licorice and caraway seed. At once cool and glyceral in the mouth, showing excellent fruit intensity and punch. Finishes tactile, dusty and rich, with lingering spices. An excellent value in Sauvignon Blanc."

 What to look for

This is a wine that will pair well with salads or light fish; it would be an excellent aperitif, and great with delicately flavored foods. The Sutherland Sauvignon Blanc has a regular price of $14.99, but it's currently available in the Bottle Club® for only $11.96.

 

Wine Ideas

We're at that time of year again, when it seems like everyone is looking for a great bottle of wine. Whether you're bringing a bottle to a holiday gathering, giving a gift, or adding to your own collection, Joe Canal's in Lawrenceville and Woodbridge has the best selection for you, matched by the best service. Here are some wines to consider on your next visit to one of our stores:

Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir Hemel-en-Aarde Valley 2011 was recently rated 92 points by Wine Spectator. In fact, their wines consistently score 90+ from both WS and WA. Here's the current WS review: "Very refined, with bergamot and rooibos tea notes, followed by silky cherry, mulled strawberry and cinnamon flavors at the core. Delivers a long, elegant, mineral-infused finish. Seductive. Drink now through 2016." The suggested retail price is $45, but this is on sale in the Bottle Club® for under $31.

Rhone wines are a personal favorite. From a simple Côtes du Rhône to an elegant Chateauneuf-du- Pape, there's a style for every occasion or every day. The Jaboulet Côtes du Rhône Parallele 45 is a blend of Grenache and Syrah (about 50-50) from vines averaging 25 years old. It's a fresh, medium bodied red driven by notes of black fruit and exotic spices with a rounded and delicate mouthfeel. Parallele 45 came in as one of "50 wines you can always trust" from the October 22, 2013 edition of Food & Wine magazine. You'll find this on sale in the Bottle Club® for only $11.99!

Looking for a Napa Cabernet at a generic wine price? Look no further than the Castle Rock Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. According to the winery, "This elegant full-bodied wine has a deep ruby color, has aromas of dark cherry and molasses, and is loaded with nuance and flavor. On the palate it gives flavors of black cherry, ripe plum and spice with hints of light oak. These flavors unite to form a long, smooth and harmonious finish. This wine makes an excellent companion to beef, lamb, venison, pasta dishes and most cheeses." On sale in the Bottle Club® for $12.99.

When you're searching for something that's a bit more upscale, consider the Nickel & Nickel Sullenger Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. We recently received the 2010 vintage, which scored a 93+ from WA. It's on sale in the Bottle Club® for $74.99.

We could have a team of writers blogging all day about the great wines and great values that we have at Joe Canal's in Lawrenceville and Woodbridge. Your best bet, of course, is to visit our stores and see the enormous selection of wine, beer and spirits that we have, at some of the best possible prices. Find your holiday wines at Joe Canal's.