ViNO! – Spokane’s Wine Authority – Finding Wines Worth Your Money
Date: May 15, 2012

 When we can offer two honest-to-goodness, densely flavored,  lushly    textured, and critically acclaimed Cabernets for under $20 we figure we should share  the news with you,  our best customers.   Even the Wine Spectator’s critic for Washington wines agrees with our assessment of the   2009 Milbrandt “Traditions” Cabernet Sauvignon (reg. $17.50 sale  $14.95 / cc 12.71) giving  it 90 points. A regular shelf-item for us since its release last December,  we were enthused with its new score and especially with its immediate drinkability while delivering nuanced, complex flavors usually found in $30+ versions.

The 90% Cabernet-based 2009 “Ghost of 413” from the Giant Wine Company ($16.95 / cc 14.41)arrives via a Seattle-based wholesaler, a city where nearly all of “Ghost” releases have been sold since their first 2005 vintage. Available for the first time in Spokane,celebrated winemaker/owners from Gorman and Mark Ryan wineries collaborated to blend this beauty NW wine critic Paul Gregutt has called, “…serious juice, …muscular and complex,” showing roasty black fruits, smooth black cherry, and touches of smoke.

Truly hard to pass up at these prices, genuine Cabernet lovers will be hard pressed to
find better values. Remember, your pleasure at ViNO! is guaranteed!

May we suggest:
A 2-pack with 1 of each – only $31.90 | cc 27.12
A 6-pack with 3 of each – only $90.92 | cc 81.35
Mixed case with 6 of each – only $172.26 | cc 162.69

(TO ORDER: simply reply to this message with your request)
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1. Milbrandt “Traditions” Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Columbia Valley, WA              90 Points Wine Spectator “Smart Buy”

Reg. $17.50 SALE PRICE $14.95  (Save 15%)

One Bottle $14.95 | cc   12.71 (cc = 15% discount*)
5% Six Bottles $85.22 | cc   76.25
10% 12 Bottles $161.46 | cc 152.49

Vino! Notes:  This vintage is lush and ripe and loaded with dark berries, coffee, and a hint of cedar. Nice oak nuances suggesting vanilla and cocoa continue through the lingering finish.

Wine Spectator gave 90 Points “Smart Buy”:  “Dark and ripe, this is dense with currant and plum concentration, wrapping chocolate and caramel notes around the fruit as the creamy finish persists. Drink now through 2014.”  –HS May 31, 2012

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2. Giant Wine Company “Ghost of 413” 2009
Columbia Valley, WA

One Bottle $16.95 | cc   14.41 (cc = 15% discount*)
5% Six Bottles $96.62 | cc   86.45
10% 12 Bottles $183.06 | cc 172.89

Vino! Notes:  Packing a whallop all around, meaty roasty black fruit aromas weave in espresso and vanilla notes. Flavors arrive initially smooth with juicy blackberry, soft spice, then tart black cherry and dusty cocoa-like tannins deliver a lingering smoke-laced finish.  This is truly packs in the flavor.

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TO ORDER
CALL: 509-838-1229
FAX: 509-838-1247
EMAIL:  vino@vinowine.com

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*Discount buying club (Connoisseur Club / cc) members receive 15% discount on all the wine they buy for a year.

Thank you…
–
John Allen & Crew
Vino! WineShop
222 South Washington
Spokane, WA 99201

THE FINE PRINT ABOUT OUR EMAIL OFFERS:
Top priority goes to our Connoisseur Club members who have
paid to receive these messages (and their 15% discount). Next in
line are our Wine of the Month Club members, long-standing
customers, then others, in that order. 24-hours after our email is
sent, orders are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, with an
attempt to allow as many people as possible to receive all or a
portion of their request. Due to the nature of wines offered in
limited quantity, we strongly suggest you order the maximum
you are willing to buy. If we can, we WILL obtain the maximum
bottles you order.

Here are two examples of very fine wines from specific sites in the Sonoma Valley, crafted according to the winemaker’s preference. Even though winemaker Cory Beck is responsible for many other wines that have to meet with “committee approval,” the Director’s Cut wines are his own baby.  Just below the topmost Reserve Wines Series from Francis Ford Coppola’s winery the “Director’s Cut” level is described on their website in filmmaking terms.  In the film business, when the final version of a film released by the studio differs from what the director intended, the director’s own re-edited version is called the Director’s Cut. In the same way, “the Director’s Cut wines showcase our winemaker’s vision of what Sonoma’s premier sub-appellations can bring out in varietals most suited for the region.” Initially suspicious of celebrity-type wines being something a bit less than top-quality, we were delighted to discover very evocative and characterful wines throughout their portfolio. In particular we enjoyed the 2007 Director’s Cut Zinfandel ($21.95 / cc 18.66) for capturing a dramatic expression of Zin’s brambly, juicy nature without going all jammy. Their 90 point 2009 Director’s Cut Russian River Chardonnay ($19.50 / cc 16.58) furnishes star impact with its silky texture and exotic fruit richness. These are both impressive examples of what the long, Pacific Ocean-influenced growing seasons of Sonoma Valley regions are known for: producing rich, deeply flavorful wines that are crisp, fruity, and very balanced through the finish. Stellar examples at reasonable prices! Enjoy.

May we suggest:
A 2-pack with 1 of each – only $41.45 | cc 35.23
A 6-pack with 3 of each – only $118.13 | cc 105.70
Mixed case with 6 of each – only $223.83 | cc 211.40
(TO ORDER: simply reply to this message with your request)
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1. Coppola Director’s Cut Dry Creek Zinfandel 2007
Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, CA

One Bottle $21.95 | cc 18.66 (cc = 15% discount*)
5% Six Bottles $125.12 | cc 111.95
10% 12 Bottles $237.06 | cc 223.89

Vino! Notes:  With a dose of 7% Petite Sirah (the winemaker’s favorite grape) this blend of 93% Zinfandelhas really come into its own over the last year in the bottle.  Aromas of spice, lite bramble, tootsie rolland earth suggest the complexity to come. Forward flavors weave together imparting deep black raspberry, dried herbs, and black pepper with a lively buoyancy, finishing with great fruit and lightly dusty tannins.
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2. Coppola Director’s Cut Chardonnay 2009
Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, CA         90 Points Wine & Spirits
One Bottle $19.50 | cc 16.58 (cc = 15% discount*)
5% Six Bottles $111.15 | cc 99.45
10% 12 Bottles $210.60 | cc 198.90

Vino! Notes:  Tropical scents of papaya intermingle with a toasty, nutty fragrance imparted from 50% new French oak barrels. Richly textured and viscous tropical flavors display suggestions of pineapple upside down cake with notes of banana and mango. Its long smooth finish arrives with a crispness reminiscent of green apple skin.  It’s a lip-smacker!

Wine & Spirits gave 90 points: “Juicy peach and peach fuzz refreshment—this is saturated with floral fruitrichness. The structure is a little blunt, but the orchard fruit carries it. Ready to chill for brunch with poached salmon.”

Terry’s Pick – TRANCHE PINK PAPE 2011 – $17.95 | cc 15.26
Columbia Valley, Washington
It was love at first sip for this dry rose, a blend of Counoise, Syrah and Cinsault
sourced from Washington’s Columbia Valley. Vibrant aromas of strawberry
and rhubarb lead to HUGE fruit flavors of more strawberry, all lush and
ripe with a lovely creamy texture and a touch of mineral. This one’s made
for sipping on the patio as you enjoy the warm spring sunshine.

John’s Pick – MILBRANDT VINEYARD – $17.50  $15.95 | cc 13.56
“BROTHER’S BLEND” RED 2009 Columbia Valley, Washington
This wine was the knockout winner when I tasted it blind against others at
twice the price! While selecting reds for a prestigious fund-raiser, this handsome
blend stood out for its super-supple textures and rich complex flavors.
A true kitchen sink mix, Butch and Jerry Milbrandt courageously combined
wines without regard to tradition using the favored grapes of Bordeaux, the
Rhone Valley, and northern Spain, all in one bottle – and with GREAT success.
Its delicious flavors resemble lush blackberry, blueberry, and mocha with hints
of licorice and dark cocoa, finishing with a velvety mouthfeel.  A real beauty.

Rhett’s Pick -  SOCKEYE PINOT GRIGIO 2010 – $10.95 | cc 9.31
Columbia Valley, Washington
It is a natural progression: the weather warms up…we start spending
more time outside…and we start drinking cheap and simple white wine.
The Sockeye Pinot Grigio is easy on the wallet, but not a simple wine by
any means! Blended with 16% Sauvignon Blanc and 9% Roussanne, it has
inviting apricot and nectarine notes mingled with lemon grass and citrus
blossoms. Bright flavors continue on the palate with orange peel, lime
zest, tangerine, Meyer lemon and kumquat combined with racy acidity,
a creamy mouthfeel and a lengthy, clean finish. This wine is perfectly
balanced for seafood whether it is fish, oysters, shrimp or lobster.

Call ViNO! at 509-838-1229 or e-mail us at vino@vinowine.com to order any of the above selections.   Cheers!

Riedel “Vinum” Series
Bordeaux
reg. $25.95
this week only
$19.95 each

Riedel “Vinum” Series
Burgundy
reg. $25.95
this week only
$19.95 each

Riedel “Vinum” Series
Zinfandel/Chianti
reg. $21.95
this week only
$15.95 each

Riedel “Vinum” Series
Port
reg. $21.95
this week only
$15.95 each

Riedel “O” Series (stemless)
Cabernet $12.95 & Chardonnay $10.95
Cab $10.25 (THIS WEEK) Chard $8.95
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Riedel “Wine” Series (thick stems)
Cabernet & Chardonnay Both $12.95
this week $10.25 ea.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Stoltz Fine Stemware
Cabernet $10.95 & Chardonnay $9.95
Cab $8.75 (THIS WEEK) Chard $7.95
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Stemware we use for Tastings
$6.95 ea. this week $5.75 ea.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
PLUS
All Decanters & Plastic Glassware – 20% off

RED – 2010 Joseph Carr “Josh” Cabernet Sauvignon, North
Coast, California – $14.95 -A quote from the winemakers: “After
we’re done producing our portfolio of Joseph Carr wines, we like to
sit around ‘the garage’ we call a wine cellar, and tinker with a few
things. We laugh, tell stories and produce a winemaker’s wine that
we make just for ourselves; handcrafted wines that we jokingly refer
to as a “vin de garage.” We really liked the vibrant flavors of spicy
blackberry, plum, and tobacco in this medium-weight Cabernet.
Dusty tannins with hints of coffee and cola finish things off nicely.
Drink today through 2015, and try with red meats, even burgers!

WHITE – 2011 Terra Andina Sauvignon Blanc, Central
Valley, Chile – $11.95 – The Central Valley of Chile is one of the
most important wine-producing areas in South America in terms
of volume. It is also one of the largest wine regions, stretching from
the Maipo Valley to the Maule Valley. Terra Andina offers us this
intense, fresh Sauvignon Blanc with scents of grapefruit, jalapeno,
grass and pepper. The first impression is sweet grapefruit, then come
reflections of jalapeno along with a lively acidity. This vivacious wine
will match nicely with shrimp scampi, grilled salmon with lime-butter,
or lemon-shrimp risotto. Drink today through 2014.

Classic Series – Under $20

RED – 2009 Domaine la Rocaliere Lirac, Rhone Valley,
France – $19.95 – Discovered and brought into the country
by Small Vineyards importers of Seattle, this southern French
wine from Lirac is a blend of 30% Grenache, 30% Carignan, 30%
Mourvedre and 10% Syrah. The result is a richly flavored wine with
scents of cherry, plum, and spiced mincemeat. The first taste has a
sweet hit then more cherry and plum show with hints of creosote.
Good structure and big ripe fruit, the wine needs to be paired with
food to show its best.

WHITE – 2010 Urlar Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand -
$18.50 – Family owned, Urlar Estate produces single vineyard wines
using organic and biodynamic principles. Scents furnish aromas of
pink grapefruit and reminded us of the smell of fresh-cut green
jalapeno! Lots of pink grapefruit shows up on the palate with a
honey-like smoothness. This richly textured Sauvignon Blanc is extremely
well balanced with fruit flavors that seem to just keep going.
Drink today through 2014, try with a goat cheese dressed salad.

Collector Series – Under $30

RED – 2009 Belle Pente Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton,
Oregon – $29.95 – First planted in 1994, Belle Pente owns 70
acres just two miles east of the town of Carlton in the new Yamhill-
Carlton viticultural area. With their intention to create a fresh,
easy-drinking lighter-style wine that reflects the best characteristics
of the vintage, this is classic Oregon Pinot Noir offering scents
of warm cherry, raspberry and earth. With a smooth texture the
wine shows flavors of baked strawberry and classic hints of forest-y
mushroom offering good balance. This rich wine fills in with notes
of black plum. The earthy note on the finish suggests a good pairing
with roast lamb to enjoy now through 2015.

WHITE -2011 Trinchero Sauvignon Blanc, Mary’s
Vineyard, Napa Valley, CA – $27.95 – Mary’s 14 acre Napa
Valley vineyard was planted in 1990 and is sustainably farmed.
The wine features scents of lemongrass and straw with hints
of mineral with very flavorful highlights and a silky texture.
Lemongrass flavors dominate along with suggestions of grapefruit
and minerality. Very pretty with a long, rich finish the wine is
vibrant enough to match with a wide variety of fish and seafood,
and likely an ideal match for lemon and caper laced chicken picatta.
Drink today through 2014.

Prestige Red – Under $50

RED – 2009 Ehlers Estate Merlot, St. Helena, Napa Valley,
California – $50.00 – Founded in the mid 1800s and now farmed
with strict adherence to organic and biodynamic farming standards,
this Napa Valley producer donates 100% of their proceeds to support
the Leducq Foundation, funding international cardiovascular
research. True to Napa form, this richly textured Merlot has deep
scents of dark cherry and blueberry with hints of roast meat. Ripe,
lush, and balanced, its full-on fruit flavors mingle with complex
suggestions of dried cherry, chocolate and black tea. Dusty tannins
and a lightly brisk acidity makes this a delicious wine today that
could also age comfortably through 2017. We recommend enjoying
this wine with braised or roasted meats.

Cellar Selection – Under $100

RED – 2009 Bouchard Chambolle-Musigny, Cote d’Or,
Burgundy, France – $79.00 – Located in eastern France, the
province of Burgundy is known as the motherland of Pinot Noir. The
2009 vintage is reputed to be fabulous due to a long, warm summer,
and Bouchard’s wines consistently display superb purity of fruit,
complex layers of flavor, as well as considerable aging potential. Wine
Spectator gave this beauty 90 points, saying, “This round red is rich and
youthful, packed with spicy cherry, raspberry and mineral flavors. For
all its flesh, there’s a lively structure and a lingering finish.” We were
especially taken with the wine’s ripe berry fruit flavors intertwined
with earth, spice, and lively tannins. We suggest giving it some cellar
time, with optimum drinking from 2014 through 2020.

When Dave Matthews (yes, of Dave Matthews Band fame) decided to have wines made, his direction was very specific: “…the best vintage is pretty much right now and the best pairing is your favorite people.” California’s Simi Winery provided the ideal match, where winemaker Steve Reeder supplied a similar philosophy, and the needed resources, to craft wines made for “right now drinkability.” Plus, the information on their website stresses environmental sustainability in both production and bottling.

Together Dave and Steve set out to create an approachable Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a Red Blend; after sampling them we agree they accomplished their goal in spades. Their supple and creamy 2010 Dreaming Tree Chardonnay ($15.50 | cc 13.18), sourced from vineyards in Monterey and Santa Barbara counties, offers a very graceful expression of the grape; the 2009 Dreaming Tree Cabernet Sauvignon ($15.50 | cc 13.18) displays spirited ripe fruit flavors and good structure, obtained predominantly from fruit grown in Sonoma County; while their delightful combination of Merlot and Zinfandel  yielded the 2009 Dreaming Tree “Crush Red” ($15.50 | cc 13.18), offering rich and smoky flavors from vines along California’s North Coast.

Dave Matthews says this about his wines, “It’s an invitation. This is something I feel good about inviting someone over to share with me. It’s something to be proud of.” Priced to be easy on the pocketbook and designed for everyday quaffing, load your audio player with one of DMB’s 26 best-selling albums and invite some of your favorite people over for great examples of right-now-drinkability, perfect for summer entertaining!

May we suggest:
A 2-pack with 1 of each – only $46.50 | cc 39.53
A 6-pack with 3 of each – only $88.35 | cc 79.05
Mixed case with 6 of each – only $167.40 | cc 158.10
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1. Dreaming Tree Chardonnay 2010
Central Coast, CA

One Bottle $15.50 | cc   13.18 (cc = 15% discount*)
5% Six Bottles $88.35 | cc   79.05
10% 12 Bottles $167.40 | cc 158.10

Vino! Notes:  Our tasters noted the balance of crisp acidity along with a silky texture right away, saying “Medium-bodied, bright acidity yet creamy, soft, rich, pear, a touch of vanilla cream.” Gentle touches of oak and butter round out the lingering finish. This type of Chardonnay goes extremely well with roast chicken, pork, and with a wide variety of creamy or lemony sauced dishes.
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2. Dreaming Tree Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
North Coast, CA  (65% from Sonoma County)

One Bottle $15.50 | cc   13.18 (cc = 15% discount*)
5% Six Bottles $88.35 | cc   79.05
10% 12 Bottles $167.40 | cc 158.10

Vino! Notes:  80% Cabernet & 20% Merlot, showcasing blackberry, anise, and grapey aromas. The flavors open to ripe lush blackberry laced with a white pepper feel; some tasters noted an almost cherry-cola nuance, finishing ultra-smooth. Lighter Cabernets in this style are an ideal match for beef or lamb, and they harmonize especially well when served with savory mushroom sauces.

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3. Dreaming Tree Crush Red 2009
North Coast, CA

One Bottle $15.50 | cc   13.18 (cc = 15% discount*)
5% Six Bottles $88.35 | cc   79.05
10% 12 Bottles $167.40 | cc 158.10

Vino! Notes:  67% Merlot, 33% Zinfandel, the most lively of the reds, vibrant floral aromas are followed by dark and spicy flavors of juicy black raspberry with a definite smoky note and a lightly dusty tannic backbone. This would be great with grilled foods.  Barbequed ribs, anyone?

*Connoisseur Club price is always 15% off full retail!  (Click here for *cc* info.)

Cost: $160.00/person

How about taking a bus tour through the Columbia Valley – a great wine tasting adventure where you’ll visit wineries that include: Columbia Crest, Fidelitas, Kestrel, Barnard Griffin, Desert Wind and several others.

Price of $160.00 includes deluxe bus transportation, Saturday box lunch on the patio at Columbia Crest Winery, overnight accommodations at the Best Western Plus, Grapevine Inn in Sunnyside with a Sunday morning breakfast buffett.

Dates for the tour are May 5 & 6 – the bus will be leaving promptly at 7:45am on Saturday and returning by 7pm on Sunday.

Contact Group Coordinators to reserve your spot today – 509-455-4354.

Regularly $15.50 – Now Only $11.95/cc 10.16*

Terra Rosa ancient vineyards lie high on the slopes of the Andes in the Luján and Valle de Uco regions of Mendoza and produce deep and dark, spicy and aromatic wines.

This Malbec expresses rich aromas of blueberry, exotic baking spices and enticing charred black fruit that lead to ripe and juicy flavors of more fruit, spice and light espresso and chocolate.

Round and full with great texture and a finish that beckons you back for another sip and even better – it is SUSTAINABLY FARMED.

Enjoy as the Argentines do, with pizza, pastas, and simply grilled meats and for an incredibly affordable price!

*Connoisseur Club price is always 15% off full retail!  (Click here for *cc* info.)

Erin’s Pick I: Carmen Grand Reserva Carménère, 2009 - $21.50 – $16.50 | cc 14.03
Apalta Valley, Chile
We discovered this wine at one of our 3rd Thursday tastngs at Savory and it was by
far the favorite. Intense ruby color with aromas of rich plum, cherry and a little earth
and mushroom. The wine is slightly vegetal with red pepper flavors that intermingle
with plum, cherry and spice plus hints of smoky earthiness that lingers nicely. This
wine is quaffable!

Erin’s Pick II: Trentadue La Storia Cuvee 32 Red Wine 2009 – $21.95 | cc 18.66
Alexander Valley Estate, Sonoma, California
Seductive…that’s what Trentadue’s La Storia Cuvee 32 is for me. With rich, ripe, juicy
fruit, chocolate and spice aromas and flavors – it simply calls to me. Moderate acidity and
tannins make the wine approachable now and even better in 6-12 months. Trentadue is
consistently one of my favorite California wineries – great wine at moderate prices.

Terry’s Pick I: St. Francis Red Splash 2007 – $18.50 $11.50 | cc 9.78
Sonoma County, California
With accolades like “One of the Best American Wines $15 and under” (Food & Wine)
and “Top Value” (Wine Spectator), how could you possibly go wrong? This blend of
Cabernet, Merlot, Cab Franc and Zinfandel is loaded with spice and herb notes on the
nose with juicy cherry and Marion berry flavors balanced by bright acidity and dusty
tannins. A great wine to pair with your favorite “winter-into-spring dishes”.

Terry’s Pick II: Willow Crest Cabernet Franc 2009 – $16.50 – $13.95 | cc 11.86
Columbia Valley, Washington
What a great price for a darn TASTY wine!!! Black cherry aromas with earth and
cedar notes give way to a well-balanced wine with more dark fruit and spice
flavors with dried herb undertones. There’s just a hint of charcoal adding to the
intense flavors of this medium-bodied beauty with a spicy, dark fruit finish.

Rhett’s Pick I: PB Wines Cabernet Franc 2009 – $27.50 | cc 23.36
Walla Walla, Washington
This deep ruby colored wine has aromas of dark cherry, lavender, wet dirt, ripe
blueberry and lite cocoa. A heavier style of Franc, but without the oak and
greenness, this wine has structure and somewhat of a coarse texture. Blackberry,
black currant and black raspberry flavors are balanced nicely with truffle,
baked strawberry, slate and dried tobacco. Decant to enjoy today or age for
another five years. (PB is Rasa Vineyards quality 2nd label)

Rhett’s Pick II: Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva 2006 – $15.50 | cc 13.18
Displays aromas of cherry blossom, pepper, raspberry and smoky oak. Flavors of
dried cherry, black plum skin and ripe blackberry with hints of cedar and rustic
leather linger on the finish. “Old World” in style with a lighter texture, lively
acidity and drying tannins. Complex flavors make a perfect match for grilled food
and strong cheeses. Start the grill and turn up the flamenco music

We’ll still have all of our great Saturday tastings every Saturday from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm and our hours Tuesday – Friday will remain the same -  10:00 am – 6:00 pm.