New for Memorial Day

We'll preview several new products today-a little something for everyone. ICYMI, click here for additional staff recommendations for your Memorial Day weekend activities. Please note our holiday weekend hours:

Friday 9am-10pm (regular hours)
Saturday 9am-10pm (regular hours)
Sunday 9am-7pm (regular hours)
Monday 9am-6pm (holiday hours)
These hours apply to both our Lawrenceville and Woodbridge locations.

New Products

New Amsterdam Apple Vodka. The story behind our premium vodka and gin isn't a history. It's a story that celebrates what's next. It's not about where you've been as long as you make an entrance.

We craft spirits for the places that move fast and don't look back. The places where the city is celebrated.

Available in 750ML and 1.75L sizes.

Sean Minor Four Bears Chardonnay. Golden straw color with aromas of apricot, apple and honeydew, with subtle notes of butter. On the entry, tropical fruit notes with green apple flavors are framed by nice acidity

which integrates well with the medium body mouth feel. A portion of the wine went through malolactic fermentation, which softens the wine and provides a perfect balance.

This had been exclusive to our Woodbridge store, but we've had so many requests for this that we are now stocking it in Lawrenceville as well. And everybody gets the new, lower Bottle Club® price of only $11.66.

Joel Gott Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2012 Washington blend has aromas of ripe berries, cherry pie, and cola with hints of sweet oak. On the front of the palate rich black currant flavors are followed by a sweet mid-palate with soft tannins and a juicy finish.

To make this well-balanced red wine, we blended Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a small amount of Malbec from the Red Mountain and Wahluke Slope appellations located within Columbia Valley, a sought-after location for red varietals. The wine was aged for 14 months in new and 2-year-old American oak barrels, helping to complement the tannins and soften the mid-palate. Only $12.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Dogfish Head Bière de Provence Saison. Inspired by the fields of Provence in

southern France, Bière de Provence begins with 2-row wheat and rye malts, and Jarrylo hops. A bounty of herbs, including lavender, bay leaf, marjoram and chervil, gives it a floral and spicy nose. With a hazy golden appearance, Bière de Provence is fermented using a Belgian yeast strain lending to a sweet and malty flavor profile. This summer saison has a smooth finish with a flavor that’s just as complex as it is crisp and refreshing. Dogfish Head officially calls this a "Limited Release," so please check with our beer team for availability.

Locations P-4. The concept of Locations is quite simple but ultimately made complex while retaining fun at the core. Simple in that the ethos is to make the best possible wine from a given country or location. The complex is tracking down vineyards that contribute

to the blend while keeping the soul of the wine in place. The fun is traveling around the world and meeting incredible people while tearing down the "rules wall" and making the wine the way Dave Phinney (of Orin Swift fame) wants to.

The inaugural release of Locations Portugal: A blend of Touriga Naçional, Trincadeira, and Touriga Franca sourced primarily from the northern region of Douro, with the remainder coming from the Alentejo region to the south.

The glass opens with a triple layered aroma of savory peppercorn and cocoa, jasmine flowers, and black fruit. The immediate dark chocolate structure provides the canvas on which black cherries, roasted lamb, and exotic spices intermingle. It finishes with the tapering dark chocolate structure and culminates with hints of vanilla. $15.96 in the Bottle Club®.

New Spring Selections

Fashions change pretty dramatically in the Spring. In our business, while we see the seasonal beers change regularly, new wines and spirits arrive when they're ready, not when the calendar suggests. Here, then, is a look at some of our newest arrivals.

Ravage Cabernet Sauvignon. Inspired by the knight’s code of courage and camaraderie, Ravage is audaciously bold wine for those who never back down from a challenge and always have each other’s back. Our wines are designed by winemaker Bryce Willingham to push your sensory limits to the edge.

Our flavors are smooth, bold and audacious. Dark berries layered with luscious vanilla and mocha to round out the palate. The tannins are soft enough to add balance while giving structure and depth. 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 4% aromatic reds. Only $10.99 in the Bottle Club®.

James Wyatt Untamed Red Blend. Full-bodied with a warming nose of plum, raspberry, baking spices and oak. Well balanced with ripe fruit flavors, natural acidity and integrated tannins. This classic Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre blend has been aged for nine months in oak. Pairs well with game, lamb, grilled vegetables.

This is a sophisticated wine that is sure to please many wine lovers. The taste profile is approachable and elegant, which makes this the perfect gift or addition to any dinner table. The grapes for this wine are from the Precept family estate who take great pride in their vineyards from the Yakima Valley. Only $14.97 in the Bottle Club®.

Acre Twenty One Chardonnay. Fresh, soft and food friendly, this 100% Chardonnay shows flavors of bright green apple and juicy pear framed with toasty oak and spice

nuances. Aged in predominantly French oak (30% new), this well integrated Chardonnay will pair well with chicken, seafood or cream based soups and pastas.

The well balanced fruit and oak characters make this a "go to" selection for anyone looking for an everyday Chardonnay. Complex yet friendly, this wine is an easy choice for both dinner parties and simple occasions Only $9.97 in the Bottle Club®.

2011 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova. Casanova di Neri is the outcome of a process of productive and philosophical evolution, a new vision of Brunello di Montalcino that interprets tradition in a different

innovative way. A profound commitment and respect for the land, a conviction that it is the linchpin for the production of unique wines and that the care given in treating the grapes in the winery according to their varying characteristics is what we value most.

95 points from Wine Advocate, and 94 points from James Suckling. The WA review: "This is another fabulous wine from Giacomo Neri. The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova is a deeply layered expression with bold tones of dark fruit that are softened and enhanced by spice, leather, tobacco and balsam herb. The wine is very beautiful and polished with slightly less depth and complexity compared the outstanding (100 point) vintage that precedes it. Despite the vintage variation, this is a wine of enormous pedigree and importance. It is generous and confident with a presentation that offers purity, intensity and persistence. Drink 2017-2030."

Limited availability. $87.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Our staff will be happy to help you find any of these selections, or a different product of your choosing. Just ask!

Old School, New Concept

Donnachiara's new Concept winery is located in Montefalcione (Avellino), with vineyards that stretch along the hills that are typical of the Irpinia. The winery's location is south-central Italy, east of Naples. Donnachiara produces white wines and red wines of high quality including Greco di Tufo, Fiano di Avellino, Taurasi DOCG and also sparkling wines like Santè Falanghina.

Donnachiara is a family owned and operated business, relying on values that only a family can express. Five generations of experience in quality wine means a wealth of knowledge, proper care and attachment to one’s work that exceed the economic return of any single project.

Another key aspect of the Donnachiara philosophy is the attention to the environment. The sensitivity to the culture and the concern for the landscape.  We pay strict attention to detail and  respect nature and sustainable production. For nearly a decade, “integrated management” has been the rule. This strategy eliminates plant disease. Our energy needs are produced by solar power at the winery. Water is recycled even though there is an  abundance of local springs. The vines are tended like window boxes even though the locations can be distinctly challenging. This process makes for superior vines, grapes, and ultimately, wines.

James Suckling rates the 2013 Donnachiara Falanghina Beneventano at 92 points: "Beautiful aromas of mangoes, dried papaya and hints of cream follow through to a full body with dried apples and minerals. Lots of lemon zest. Excellent Falanghina. Drink now."

Made from 100% Falanghina grapes, this pairs with pasta with light sauces, seafood and fresh cheese. Only $9.99 in the Bottle Club®.

What to Drink for the Holidays, Part 1

Time is short, the traffic stinks, and it's crowded everywhere you go. So that's the downside of the holiday season. The upside is time with family and friends, and the opportunity to share relaxed meals. The calendar even helped, by providing many people with two 3-day weekends. And when we have the opportunity to share holiday meals and to relax with people we care about, our thoughts always turn to wine, beer and spirits. Ok, we're in the industry, so that's expected. But what we're here to do is help you make informed choices. Our stores will be busy in these next couple of weeks, and if you don't have time to talk with one of our store associates, you can use this guide to make great selections.

In no particular order, we offer you the following recommendations:

Lazy Creek Vineyards, "Lazy Day" Pinot Noir. From the folks at Ferrari-Carano. Your blogger took two bottles of "Lazy Day" Pinot Noir to Thanksgiving, and everyone loved it. "Lazy Day" Pinot Noir comes from Anderson Valley in Mendocino County where warm, sunny days and cool, foggy mornings and nights create the ideal microclimate for producing this wine. This sustainably-farmed Pinot Noir has attractive aromas of plum, raspberry, a hint of licorice and toast. Lush flavors of bright red cherry and plum, with a nice touch of spice on the finish are perfect complements to round out this medium-bodied, easy-drinking wine. Only $24.96 in the Bottle Club®.

Robert Storey Cellars, Genevieve's Vineyard Napa Valley Chardonnay. A Chardonnay is a perfect white wine for ham, with the vanilla and fruit balancing against the salty smoke of the ham. This limited production wine was crafted by Kerry Damskey, AKA "The Indiana Jones of Winemaking."  Kerry's goal is to highlight the terroir; the place of origin.  Balance and brightness in his winemaking style allow the wine's nuances to slowly reveal themselves in a rich and impressive finish.  Harvested at optimum ripeness and barrel fermented in French Oak.  Luscious aromas of Asian Pear, vanilla and spice lead to a richly layered finish of pear and tropical fruit, with hints of vanilla and light, sweet oak. Only $16.96 in the Bottle Club®.

At this time of year, if we're not looking for "something special," we're choosing "something different." That brings us to Coat & Badge Merlot. Everyone remembers the scene in the movie "Sideways," but that was 1)California, 2)more than 10 years ago and 3)just a movie.

Coat & Badge is from Washington, where the terroir is well-suited to this traditional Bordeaux varietal. Because it's a softer wine, this Merlot will work nicely for virtually any holiday setting, pairing with a Charcuterie plate or a festive dinner. Coat & Badge is a medium- to full-bodied Merlot, offering flavors of ripe dark cherries, plum, earth and a touch of cocoa with fresh acidity. It's well-balanced and approachable. Only $12.96 in the Bottle Club®.

Another must-have for holiday entertaining is an aperitif wine. Whet the appetite of your guests with something light and tasty, like the Pikorua Sauvignon Blanc.

Pikorua is a classic example of a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc! It's juicy and ripe, with flavors of tropical fruits, grapefruit and grass. The lively acidity keeps the ripe fruit flavors in check, while fresh-cut herbal notes come through on the finish. This has a friendly style that is approachable and quite refreshing. If you like Kim Crawford then you should definitely check this out. Only $13.96 in the Bottle Club®.

That's a good start for your shopping. Above are four different varietals, from four different appellations, evenly divided between red and white. Look for more recommendations in the coming days, including craft beer and sparkling wine.

And while we have your attention, please note our special holiday hours:

Sunday, December 20, 9am-9pm
Wednesday, December 23, 8am-10pm
Thursday, December 24, 8am-7pm
Friday, December 25, Closed
Thursday, December 31, 8am-8pm
Friday, January 1, noon-4pm

Summer Slammed

The middle of the week is always a great time to turn our attention to our newest arrivals. We'll probably be very busy with deliveries over the next few weeks, in part because many of our wholesale distributors shut down for a full week in August. For our craft beer lovers, we're probably two or three weeks away from the first autumn beers of the season. Below are just a few of our newest products. Ask any manager for assistance in finding these items, or anything else in our stores.

Cockburn's White Port

Based on requests for a white port, we've added this great choice from Cockburn's. White Port is a style of Port that is really worth getting to know better.

Cockburn’s Fine White has the best of both worlds. It has the natural sugars of ripe grapes as well as the dryness of a slightly longer fermentation. The result: a slightly drier, easy-going, easy to drink White Port perfect for a summer’s afternoon, so sit back and relax.

Serve it chilled, straight from the ice bucket or the fridge. Or try making your own Port Tonic cocktail. A good slice of fresh lemon, orange, lime or even grapefruit; ice; a sprig of fresh mint or rosemary; tonic water and generous splash of Cockburn’s Fine White Port.

Available for only $12.99.

Alfred Gratien Champagne

Champagnes from Alfred Gratien have a lengthy tradition and, disregarding the mass-produced ethos and fashions of modern times, still remain true to that tradition today. What you get is a "hand-crafted" champagne that represents quality and uniqueness.

Brut: This great classic clearly shows the style of Alfred Gratien. It's a refined blend dominated by fruity Pinot Meunier combined with the elegance of Chardonnay.

Color: Light-gold, very beautiful

Sparkle: Fine, extremely long-lasting mousse

Bouquet: Citrus fruits, mangoes, peaches and apricots

Palate: A wonderful balance of aromatic strength and the freshness of exotic fruits

Overall impression: A refined blend in which the elegance of the Chardonnay melds with the fruitiness of the Pinot Meunier and the enduring flavor of the Pinot Noir. That is the art of champagne production.

92 points from Wine Spectator. $38.96 in the Bottle Club®.

Brut Rosé: The Alfred Gratien style is clearly revealed in this Rosé Champagne. A refined blend where the elegance of chardonnay and the fruity notes of Pinot Meunier mingle with delicacy.

Color : light-rose color with soft copper glints.

Sparkle : Fine and extremely long-lasting mousse.

Bouquet :The chardonnay aromas mingle subtly with the fruity bouquet of Pinot Noir.

Palate : Fine balance between aromatic strength and the freshness of small red berries dominated by raspberry.

Overall impression: A high quality Champagne that completes the Alfred Gratien range. The rosé is obtained by the addition of Pinot Noir still wine.

Also 92 points from Wine Spectator. $44.96 in the Bottle Club®.

Crown Royal, Cask Strength, Canal's Family Selection

At Joe Canal's, we sometimes partner with others to add outstanding products to our shelves. These partnerships allow us to offer you unique, limited-availability wines and spirits at reasonable prices. The Canal's Family Selection (CFS) designation means that the item was hand-selected for quality, taste and value.

Crown Royal is the standard of excellence for Canadian whisky. It is an extraordinary blend of 50 full-bodied Canadian whiskies, matured to perfection. It's delicately smooth and creamy, with hints of oak and the sweet flavor of vanilla. The finish is long and lingering. At cask strength, this weighs in at 51.5% ABV.

Very limited availability, at $54.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Olivier Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc Les Setilles

Sometimes the wine is an old favorite, but the vintage is new and noteworthy. That's the case with the Olivier Leflaive Les Setilles. Year in and year out, this wine represents impeccable quality and unsurpassed value in the French wine category. This wine exceeds expectations of even the most discriminating of palates.

Roughly 60% of the wine is aged in Allier oak, only 10% of which is new. The remaining 40% of the wine is aged in stainless steel to preserve clean varietal character. And it's 100% Chardonnay.

The 2013 vintage rated 91 points from James Suckling. "This is bright and delicious with sliced lemon, pineapple and minerals. Full body, crisp acidity and a clean finish. 60% barrels and made from vineyards at the foot of Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault. Drink now."

Available for $23.99.

So What's New?

Here's a quick mid-week preview of several new store items. As always, we can't possibly list all of the new products that we receive. If you're looking for something new and you don't see it listed here, just ask any store associate.

Apothic Crush

The Apothic brand is one of our strongest-selling blends from California. The Red has been enormously popular, and Dark sold out quickly this past autumn. We've just received a very limited amount of their newest, allocated wine: Apothic Crush.

The first taste entices, stimulating the senses. The next taste ignites, arousing the passion. The limited release blends Petite Sirah and Pinot Noir to create luscious aromas of caramel and chocolate, with a velvety smooth mouthfeel.

At only $11.99, this also will sell out very quickly.

Patrick Piuze Chablis 1er Cru Les Forêts 2013

From a single parcel of 70 year-old vines (bordering Dauvissat’s vineyards) located on the left bank of the Serein River. Three month fermentation in old barrels, 100% malolactic.

The IWC review: :(from a windy site at the bottom of Forets, with the vines planted north/south and yielding larger grapes):  Good pale yellow-green.  Pineapple and yellow peach on the nose, along with a note of stony reduction.  Citrussy and juicy but ultimately less deep than the Vaillons Les Minots--or is the wine's brisk acidity responsible for its slightly lean impression?  Finishes with very good tactile length.  I may be underrating this wine. 88-90 points."

Then there's this review: "Patrick Piuze’s 2013 La Forêt is a step up from both the Vaulorent and Les Minots, as it is more precise on the both the nose and palate. The fine bouquet is a lovely and quite wide open mélange of pear, lemon, orange zest, a fine base of chalky soil tones and a top note of dried flowers. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, pure and impressively long, with a good core, sound framing acids and lovely focus and grip on the complex finish. This is really a very good bottle. 2015-2025." John Gilman,View From The Cellar #54, Nov-Dec 2014. Review Score: 90+

This is also available in very limited quantities, at $54.99. Lawrenceville only.

Tomasello Wine

At Joe Canal's, we bring you the best that the world has to offer. We don't however, neglect our New Jersey wineries. When we can, we Buy Local in all of our product categories. At Lawrenceville, we're adding Tomasello's Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay, all in the 1.5 liter size, and priced at $11.99 each. Upon request, we can transfer a bottle from Lawrenceville to Woodbridge for you.

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

What to Drink for Thanksgiving, Part 3

Whether you're planning the dinner at your home, or whether you're a guest in need of something to bring, or whether you're eating out and you want to be knowledgeable when ordering, today's "What to Drink" installment is all about white wine. We'll also have beer recommendations, so come on back for that.

Certainly, we support the notion of "drink what you like." If you prefer a Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio to what we're recommending today, our wine team in the stores will be happy to help. Our suggestions are based on our experience with pairings, as well as our own palates.

We have found that a lightly sweet Riesling or a spicy-sweet Gewurztraminer to be the optimal white wines for Thanksgiving. They are not too light in body, so they hold up against the bold flavors of a Thanksgiving table, with the sweetness and spiciness playing nicely opposite the various traditional dishes.

Gewurztraminer is difficult to pronounce, but its complex character is why it's great for Thanksgiving. We suggest the Trimbach Gewurztraminer, from the Alsace region of France.

Gewurztraminer is at once the fruitiest and the spiciest of the white varietals; it's a unique wine. It reaches the height of perfection at Trimbach in Alsace.

Trimbach's dry personality makes it ideal as an aperitif and it pairs extremely well with specialty cuisine with pronounced flavors like you find on the Thanksgiving table. It's also a fine accompaniment for fish or seasoned meats, spicy and exotic dishes, soft cheeses (think Munster), and an assortment of desserts.

Available for only $16.99 in the Bottle Club®.

When it comes to Rieslings, we're very partial to wines produced by Josef Leitz. Generally, their vineyards face 100% south. The steeply sloped vineyards have very good drainage and are perfectly adapted for complexly structured, mineral driven wines. The more vigorous vineyards are those with high loess and loam. These vineyards bring forth the juicy, fruit backed Riesling. You'll find these to be nicely balanced wines that have a light, fruit-driven sweetness.

The Leitz Rudesheimer Riesling Kabinett is one excellent choice. It has a ripe aroma leads into flavors of apple and ripe citrus, with notes of guava and sage honey. The well-spiced finish is long. And it's only $13.96 in the Bottle Club®.

We're also partial to the Leitz Dragonstone. Dragonstone is translated from "Dracheinstein". The name goes back to the rock with this mythological name and also possibly to the form of a dragon. The soil consists of loess-loam sand stone and quartzite and in some parts also of chalk. The wines are amazingly elegant with a delicately spicy note.

The usual kirsch and lime flavors are now in the finest conceivable form: barely perceptibly sweet. Pointed yet creamy, salty and minty; animated and seductive. Only $14.99 in the Bottle Club®.

In case you missed them, click for Part 1 and Part 2 of "What to Drink for Thanksgiving."Next up: Beer for Thanksgiving.

A Napa Valley Classic

Robert Mondavi established his namesake winery in 1966 with a vision to create Napa Valley wines that would stand in the company of the world’s finest.  He chose To Kalon Vineyard in the heart of the Napa Valley as the home for Robert Mondavi Winery. This first-growth vineyard, located in Oakville, California, is renowned for producing some of the finest Cabernet Sauvignon wines in the world, as well as for its Sauvignon Blanc grapes, from which Mr. Mondavi crafted his signature wine, Fumé Blanc.

To Kalon Vineyard

Winemaker Notes: We hand-harvested the Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon in the cool, early morning and then gently pressed the whole clusters, minimizing skin contact, to retain freshness and vibrancy in the wine. For richness and complexity, we barrel-fermented 100% of the wine in 60-gallon French oak barrels. The wine was then barrel aged on its lees (sûr lie) for ten months with hand stirring (bâtonnage) to integrate flavors and develop its creamy texture. A portion of new barrels (3%) contribute subtle oak spices to the fruit character. The wine was bottled in August of 2013.

Fermenters

Vineyard Notes: Grapes for our Oakville Fume Blanc were harvested from our To Kalon Vineyard, which surrounds the Robert Mondavi Winery. To Kalon (Greek for highest beauty) is one of Napa Valley’s oldest and most respected vineyards. Here in the geographic center of the valley, To Kalon Vineyard lies against the hills on the Oakville bench, where lean, well-drained soils and an ideal climate foster complex flavors in Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.

Rated 93 Points - Wine & Spirits, US New Releases, October 2014
"Grown at To-Kalon, where Mondavi planted what are now its oldest dry-farmed, head-pruned sauvignon vines in 1960, this is mostly from a younger planting on that site from the early 1990s. The wine barrel-fermented in older oak and aged ten months on the lees. So you'd expect a major oak presence and something creamy-rich. You get that, plus a persistence of nectarine and white peach flavor, creating a fascinating dynamic with the oak tannins, together enhancing the earthy character of the fruit."

The 2012 Robert Mondavi Oakville Fumé is a Limited Release, available for only $29.99.

Robert Mondavi Winery Main Entrance

Double New from Italy

Some of our favorite table wines come from Italy. With one of the world's oldest winemaking traditions, you can always find something that's new and tasty, but still a value. That's true with Re Storto Pinot Grigio.

Re Storto Pinot Grigio is sourced from vineyards in the Northeastern provinces of Trento, Veneto and Friuli-Venezia-Giulia, Italy's best area for white wine. The grapes were destalked and fed into a pneumatic press,  where they remained for several hours. This pre-fermentation maceration of berries and juice results in a better extract and more aromatic development. Subsequently, the grapes are gently pressed and the juice is fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. After the alcoholic fermentation the wine remains for a brief period on the fine lees in stainless steel tanks.

The finished wine is a pale straw yellow. It has a fresh white and tropical fruit nose, with zippy acidity and a fresh fruity finish. Italy’s most famous white wine, Pinot Grigio makes for a refreshing aperitif and is equally delicious with vegetable dishes and shell fish.

We also carry the companion Re Storto Montepulciano D'Abruzzo, another outstanding value Italian red table wine.

New Products, New Reviews, New Month

Our buyers have been very busy, and we have lots of new products to discuss because of their efforts. Let's jump right in.

J.R. Ewing Bourbon

With more than 5 million viewers per episode, the updated version of the Dallas TV show mixes some of the original cast members into the story lines. J. R. Ewing, as played by the late Larry Hagman, was the central character of the original show. The legacy of that character lives on in this inspired Bourbon.

Distilled in Kentucky, every batch of J.R. Ewing Bourbon is handcrafted, and aged 4 years in newly charred American oak barrels. It provides classic flavor profile, balancing the sweetness of corn with hints of caramel, vanilla, oak, and a touch of orange.

Only $25.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Patrick Piuze Chablis "Terroir de Chablis" 2013

Patrick Piuze is a French-Canadian in his late thirties who first ran a wine bar in his native Montreal, but then got the wine bug and ended up making Chablis for Olivier Leflaive, Jean-Marie Guffens of Verget and Jean-Marc Brocard before setting out on his own in July 2008.

Harvest in Chablis

The Terroir de Chablis is completely unoaked and vinified in stainless steel tanks. Therefore, the terroir is what dominates here with intense minerality and puckering acidity.

This rated 90 points from Wine Advocate. Their review: "The 2013 Chablis Terroir de Chablis comes from the north-facing hill in Les Forets and another north-facing parcel opposite Vaillons. It has a more introspective but nicely defined bouquet that takes more time to unwind. But the palate is fresh with good tension and plenty of energy, complemented by a dash of white pepper on the slightly resinous finish. Drink now-2020."

Available in Lawrenceville only, at $24.99.

Brandon Bartfalvi is the Senior Wine Manager at our Lawrenceville location. Here are a few of his tasting notes on some recent arrivals.

2013 Castelfeder Pinot Grigio

A zippy and vibrant Pinot Grigio, offering flavors of ripe apples and pears with a dominant mineral streak. This is what Pinot Grigio should taste like! Great price and tons of personality!

2010 Chateau Macquin Saint Georges St. Emilion

Ripe, dark fruit notes of blackberry and cassis are balanced by firm tannins and good acidity. After a little decanting the wine reveals more spice and pepper notes especially on the finish. Good value!

2005 Oremus 5 Puttonyos Tokaji

One of the most underrated and overlooked dessert wines in the world!  This is a wine to be savored because of its immense complexity (sensory overload alert!!). Concentrated and dense, with notes of candied tropical fruits and sweet citrus flavors. As the wine opens in the glass, it reveals nutty undertones and coffee flavors on the long finish. A honeyed, complex effort! (owned by Vega Sicilia).

Cheers!

Upscale and Sophisticated

If you haven't tried some of the upscale Riesling's, you're missing out on an exceptional experience. new to our stores is the Pichler-Krutzler Riesling Pfaffenberg. This rated 94 points from Wine Advocate. Their review is below.

From “young” vines (of 40-45 years’ age) when compared with those of the small attached parcel of Gruner Veltliner, Pichler and Krutzler’s 2012 Riesling Pfaffenberg weighs-in at 12.5% alcohol despite not having been picked until October, 20 – several days after Loibenberg was brought at a full degree higher. There is fantastic clarity here allied to infectious juiciness. Pungent juniper berry and sage inflect fresh lime, apple, luscious honeydew and cassis, while a suffusion of crushed stone and smoky black tea serves for contrast with the wine’s effusive fruitiness. A veritably kaleidoscopic interplay ensues in the endlessly fascinating and refreshing finish of this exciting debut that should merit following through at least 2020.

Elisabeth Pichler and Erich Krutzler continue to hone their distinctive style as well as to freely and intuitively experiment, unencumbered by local habit or by the structure – however arguably useful – of the Vinea Wachau’s trio of wine categories. They carefully filter and critically consider any received opinions, even (or, dare I suggest, especially) those of Elisabeth’s famous father, F.X. (Tasting and trading observations and anecdotes with husbands and wives of both generations was among the highlights of my most recent Austrian travels.) Picking at this estate began already in late September, though Krutzler laughingly attributes that in part to his red-wine mentality which encompasses rigorous crop-dropping, in which he intends to be less aggressive in future. Erich Krutzler places emphasis on the relatively small berries and high skin-to-juice ratio of 2012 fruit in delivering energy, structure and sheer personality surpassing those exhibited in 2011, and he was not afraid to observe his norm of 24-30 hours’ pre-fermentative skin contact. Even as Pichler and Krutzler continue to build their vine surface via some extremely savvy and lucky site selections, their technical capabilities are being enhanced as well. New large casks are gradually being introduced, and beginning with vintage 2014, new equipment will permit movement of fruit as well as wine entirely by gravity and open-up a wider range of pressing options.

Only $29.99 in the Bottle Club®.

A Classic Region Returns

Like a refreshed classic cocktail, some older wine regions are producing superior wines today, and so it goes with Soave. Re Midas Soave hails from the Veneto, a region located in Northeast Italy with a deep winemaking history. This expansive region with sunny hillsides is home of the delicious Soave wine. Re Midas Soave fully expresses the Veneto region’s luscious fresh fruit flavors.

Re Midas Soave has a nose of wild flowers and ripe lemons. On the palate, it's bright, clean, delicious palate bursting with layers of fresh fruit and citrus overtones; crisp minerality, hints of toasted nuts and a nice lingering finish. Enjoy with seafood and shellfish, grilled vegetables, grilled chicken and pork.

As the myth goes, everything that Re (King) Midas touched turned to gold. Re Midas wines are an example of this “golden touch.”

100% Garganega.

Best of all, we are able to offer a steeply discounted Bottle Club® price of $3.98 for this summertime wine.

Then This Happened

To prepare for the busy holiday weekend, our buyers brought in more great new products. There are some outstanding values here, so we had to blog again.

Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey, Canal's Family Selection

The newest addition to the Canal's Family Selection (CFS) series! CFS spirits are always bottled from hand-selected barrels. Here, each bottle came from a single barrel, meaning this is a very limited-edition whiskey.

Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey is the first truly new variety of American straight whiskey introduced since Prohibition. Bernheim is also the first whiskey to use winter wheat as its primary grain creating a soft, sweet flavor and medium finish.

Produced at the namesake Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky, Bernheim is aged in Rickhouse Y at Heaven Hill's Nelson County facilities. Bernheim has earned numerous medals and distinctions for their award-winning taste since beginning in January of 2000.

As a straight whiskey, Bernheim meets all the same criteria as Bourbon or rye -- Bernheim is aged a minimum of two years in a new, charred oak barrel, distilled at less than 160 proof, and contains no coloring, flavoring or blending agents.

This is definitely something unique for the whiskey (or whisky) lover, and would make a great gift for Father's Day or Graduation. But you have to act fast, as each store received only about 1 case. Priced at $29.99.

Mont Gravet Cotes de Gascogne 2013

Mont Gravet has a pale, bright yellow color, with a very intense and refreshing nose. It displays flavors of citrus fruit and black currant leaf.

This is also a Wine Spectator Best Value. From their review: "Shows good acidity behind the bright green herb and crunchy pippin apple flavors, with notes of citrus zest. Hints of richness emerge on the creamy finish. Colombard. Drink now."

At only $7.49, this should be your summertime white wine. Mont Gravet will be a perfect pairing with seafood and salads.

Cameron Hughes Russian River Chardonnay Lot 415

As the premier American negociant, Cameron Hughes always delivers amazing quality and solid value. This Russian River Chardonnay is no exception.

Lot 415 shines with vivid notes of white peach, floral honey, lime, dried apricot, and crushed rocks. Focused fruit and lavish texture conspire to deliver a long and sinuous mineral finish. Splendid.

You'll find Lot 415 to be a perfect compliment to grilled chicken or lobster mac & cheese. This should arrive in the next day or two, and is priced at $14.96 in the Bottle Club®.

Curious Beasts Red

The Evocative Wrapped Bottles collection is made up of beautifully labeled wine bottles in an innovative, patent-pending resilient wrapped paper, made in the United States. The wraps perform like a fully synthetic paper but print as traditional pulp-based paper. It’s made with a poly layer between two sheets of traditional paper; the poly layer imparts tear-resistant qualities. The resulting "wine wrap" achieves the look and feel of a hand-wrapped bottle while production of the packaging remains at a high level of consistency. The wraps are 100% FSC certified and recyclable via single-stream recycling.

A rich blended wine that is composed of fruit harvested with one thought in mind: Big ripe rich FLAVOR. Not for the faint of heart, this is a BLOOD RED WINE, meant to deliver on the promise of its label . . . dark as night, rich as sin, and scary good. Serve with beef, lamb or pork Blend: Merlot, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Cabernet Franc. Only  $14.99 in the Bottle Club®. This also should arrive in the next day or two.

If you're getting an early start on the holiday weekend, be safe and have fun. Otherwise, please check this space tomorrow for the Friday Grab Bag, and don't miss our tastings (beginning tonight in Lawrenceville) and free food (both stores on Saturday).

Thirsty Tuesday, Too?

If you haven't already tried the Santa Martina Rosso, you've likely seen it on our shelves. It's a "daily red" kind of wine, perfect with a meal or with friends. We've just added the Pinot Grigio from Santa Martina, offering the same kind of quality and value as in the red.

Grown in the northeastern region of Veneto, Italy, Santa Martina is made from 100% Pinot Grigio. The grapes are hand-picked from hillside vineyards 750 feet above sea level with well-drained, mineral-rich, volcanic basaltic rock and calcerous clay soils.

After handpicking, grapes are brought to the winery for vinification. The grapes are gently crushed by pneumatic press and selected yeasts are added prior to three weeks of cold fermentation at 57°F.

It has a crisp, vibrant texture and delicate aromas of white fruit and apple are offset by notes of acacia blossoms and almonds.

Santa Martina Pinot Grigio is available for the Bottle Club® price of only $9.96. The warmer weather is the perfect time to try out a new white wine with a salad, with seafood, or with friends.

New Wine Wednesday

Maybe it's a Wine Wednesday, or maybe we just have a number of new items that we need to tell you about. Let's dive right into the new arrivals.

Domain Philippe Charlopin

Each store will only receive one case of two different wines from Domain Philippe Charlopin. The Morey Saint Denis rated 90-92 points, and the Marsannay en Montchenevoy rated 89-91 points, both from Wine Advocate. These Cote de Nuits wines are both from the 2010 vintage, with a winemaker that that delivers consistently high-quality efforts.

Bruichladdich Classic

Our selection of single-malt Scotch whisky is growing again. Bruichladdich makes some of the most compelling whisky on the market, with an unexpectedly large range of offerings. The latest, at one case per store, is the Classic Laddie, an unpeated Islay malt.

Smooth as pebbles in a pool, it’s clean, fresh and lively with both the oak and the grain in perfect harmony.

The bouquet is brilliant. Opening with barley sugar and a hint of mint before leading into the most wonderful notes of freshly cut wild flowers; buttercup, daisy, meadow-sweet, myrtle, primrose and cherry blossom. The cleanliness of the spirit is remarkable. As the seconds tick by, more aromas rise from the glass, little zephyrs of spindrift and sea pinks reminding you that this spirit is matured exclusively by the sea. After some four or five minutes and with the addition of a little water, caramelized fruits drift onto the scene; lemon drops and honey, tangerine and tablet.

The palate entry is so refined and refreshing, the sweet oak and the barley arriving together sending the taste buds into raptures. The fruits from distillation drift in on an Atlantic breeze and pop on the tongue like champagne bubbles. A combination of ripe green fruit, brown sugar and sweet malt bring closure. A taste back in time, a realization that not all single malts are equal and to achieve the absolute optimum, you must use barley that is grown in Scotland. Make this one the benchmark for all others you meet on your journey through the stills of Scotland.

More of the Pinot Project

The Pinot Project Pinot Noir has been a strong seller since we started carrying the brand. Now, we're adding two new wines from the Pinot Project team: the Pinot Project Pinot Grigio and the Chard Project Chardonnay.

Like any negociant, the Pinot Project team selects the best available wines to bring to market.  The Chardonnay is from California, and the Pinot Grigio is from Italy.

The CHARD PROJECT is hand-crafted from the finest California Chardonnay grapes; a majority of which come from Sonoma County. The wine is about half stainless steel fermented and half barrel fermented (30% of which are new). This combination gives The CHARD PROJECT a rich, lovely mouthfeel. Pure CHARD aromas and flavors – fresh apples and citrus kissed by oak and complimented by just the right amount of spice.

The Pinot Grigio is hand-crafted from the finest Italian Pinot grapes. Pure Pinot aromas and flavors - pears and citrus, unoaked to enhance the pure

fruit qualities. Extremely versatile with a host of your favorite dishes.

The items discussed on today's blog post are fewer than half of the new products that either have already arrived, or are due in within the next couple of days. Please don't hesitate to ask one of our team members to show you what's new at Joe Canal's!