All the seasons in Pennsylvania have images that create wonderful memories, but my favorite is summer. Lightning bugs, fireworks, long, hazy days, that first tomato.
When I attended the recent Chairman’s Selection tasting, I found myself thinking of how these wines can add to our warmest season by enhancing our times with friends and family. Here are my impressions of quaffs that will complement our lives for the present and give us pleasant memories in the future.
Keep sipping, Steve
White Wines
Cantina Trexenta Contissa Vermentino di Sardegna 2014, code #78177, $11.99: A delicious wine with citrus and minerality for seafood dinners or just for drinking.
Claudie Peguet Pouilly-Loché Blanc 2014, code #78039, $19.99: French Chardonnay with flavors of peaches and tropical fruits. Rich and light.
Maison Henry Fessy Pouilly-Fuissé Sous La Roche 2014, code #78097, $17.99: Unoaked French Chardonnay. Very light and lemony. For picnics or the porch.
Maison Louis Latour Puligny-Montrachet Les Truffières 1er Cru 2011, code #33931, $49.99: Big, rich Chardonnay with layers of spicy complexity.
Rémi Niero Condrieu Les Ravines 2013, code #33958, $39.99: A unique French Viognier with complex fruit and floral flavors.
Red Wines
Jermann Red Angel on the Moonlight 2012, code #78103, $19.99: A light and savory Pinot Noir from northern Italy. Fruity and spicy.
Antonin Rodet Clos de Thorey Nuits-Saint-George Premier Cru 2010, code #33885, $44.99: French Pinot Noir with spicy elegance and a velvety, mouth-filling structure.
La Luna e I Falo Barbera d’Asti 2013, code #78232, $12.99: Fruity, easy-drinking red that belongs beside your grill.
Baldetti Alfonso Crano Syrah Cortona 2011, code #78089, $17.99: Unusual Italian Syrah with great fruit and a long finish. Takes on Aussie Shiraz.
Réserve des Oliviers Châteauneuf du Pape 2012, code #78054, $21.99: Elegant, smooth, long-finishing CNP and a bargain to boot.
Lunadoro Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2011, code #78268, $24.99: Fat Italian Sangiovese with strawberry, spice and leather. Grill wine.
Brandlin Henry’s Keep Proprietary Red Mount Veeder 2011, code #33926, $49.99: Good Bordeaux blend from Napa. Drink now or hold.
Château Martin Cuvée Coutelin Saint-Estèphe 2013, code #33870, $29.99: A complex, classic Bordeaux from the left-bank. Drink now.
Twelftree Shiraz White Hut 2011, code #78085, $39.99: Aussie Shiraz from the McLaren Vale. Richly balanced and fruity. Delicious.
Roger Peguet Hermitage 2010, code # 33639, $37.99: Syrah from northern Rhône. Soft with velvety black fruit. Well-balanced.
Mastroberardino Naturalis Historia Taurasi 2007, code #33668, $44.99: Amazing Aglianico. Fruit and tobacco with enough age to smooth out the tannins. Great depth.
Secoli Amarone della Valpolicella 2012, code #33973, $27.99: Well-balanced with leather, raisins and cherries in complex layers.
Ca‘ Ferreri Amarone Ca‘ Ferreri Amarone della Valpolicella 2009, code #33877, $29.99: Smooth with layers of cherry and plums and a spicy finish.
Sordo Barolo Rocche di Castiglione 2011, code #78267, $38.99: Big, easy Nebbiolo to drink now or lay down for the future. Nice finish.
