Casali Di Bibbiano...Argante Toscana 2006

The white and silver label of this red is the perfect introduction to an elegant wine that fits any occasion and is at home on any table. Argante is forged of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot into a delicious and generous wine that offers notes of dark berries with sparks of anise and herbs.

Its lively style is the result of carefully handled fruit, and the depth of flavor is partly the result of fourteen to eighteen months in small French oak barrels. The tannins are not aggressive, and the structure is in place with depth and a fine balance that leaves you with a memorable finish.

Where liberty dwells, there is my country... Benjamin Franklin

we honor and remember the patriots of 9.11

tuscan passion...Marchesi De Frescobaldi Tenuta di Castiglioni 2007

Frescobaldi's 2007 Tenuta di Castiglioni is superb. Dark red fruit, licorice and delicious charred herbs and spice are some of the notes that emerge from this plump red. This 2007 is much richer and deeper than the '08 and some past vintages. Among the many wines of this quality, it is a clear hands-down winner of the vintage. In the able hands of the Frescobaldi team, the blend of fifty per-cent Cabernet, thirty Merlot, ten Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese is very successful. Tenuta di Castiglioni bares the classic Marchesi De Frescobaldi mark of passion. You can enjoy this now and as it matures through 2015.

brazen and seductive...Bodega Antucura Calvulcura 2004

A delicious, ripe blend of well crafted Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. This producer is in one of the ascendant regions for reds in the Uco Valley of Argentina. Fresh and full of complex fruit, with edges that suggest black cherry and cassis tied together with hints of mocha chocolate and subtle spice clove. The flavors have vertical dimension, arching like an arrow in flight, landing with a brazen and very seductive dark finish.

just released...The PrisonerOrin Swift Winery

At 37, winemaker Dave Phinney is at the top of his craft. His hugely successful Orin Swift wines are at an almost cult stage and regardless of price, everyone wants them. He began making his most accessible wine, The Prisoner, by accident. In 2000 he added a few varietals to a batch of Zinfandel that just did not move him, it had an awkward profile; but the corrected brooding red berry blend has been selling out vintage after vintage ever since, and so will this 2008.

The activist Dave Phinney is also focused and very purposeful, he’s donating all of the proceeds from his supple Veladora Sauvignon Blanc project to the consortium called Puertas Abiertas (Open Doors), which provides medical care to Napa’s farm workers and their families.

mussels with chorizo... chef curtis stone

prep...
1 pound Spanish chorizo, cut into bite size pieces
4 shallots, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
4 pounds mussels, bearded & scrubbed
1 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro & garnish
6 tablespoons butter
1 baguette, torn into large pieces

method...

1. saute the chorizo for about 8 minutes, or until they are golden
2. add the shallots and garlic, and saute for about 2 minutes, or until fragrant
3. add the mussels and toss quickly to coat
4. add the wine
5. cover and cook over medium-high heat for about 3 minutes, or until the mussels begin to open
6. discard any mussels that do not open
7. add 3 tablespoons of cilantro and toss to combine
8. using a slotted spoon, transfer the mussels and chorizo to a warm large serving bowl
9. cover to keep warm
10. boil the juices remaining in the pan for 1 minute
11. whisk in the butter
12. pour the sauce over the mussels, sprinkle with the additional cilantro and serve immediately with the baguette pieces


*and, of course, two to three bottles of white wine... served well chilled in the appropriate glassware

if you prefer red, we suggest an Aglianico, a bright young Chianti or Pinot Noir

a fourth to remember...

Paul Revere; artist Gilbert Stuart

we wish you all a safe, memorable and proud 4th of July celebration...

So through the night rode Paul Revere;
And so through the night went his cry of alarm
To every Middlesex village and farm,
A cry of defiance and not of fear,
A voice in the darkness, a knock at the door,
And a word that shall echo forevermore!
For borne on the night-wind of the Past,
Through all our history, to the last,
In the hour of darkness and peril and need,
The people will waken and listen to hear
The hurrying hoof-beats of that steed
And the midnight message of Paul Revere.

to celebrate the fourth we've chosen four hand-crafted wines that reflect the hard work, ethic and infectious spirit of the American family. We've tasted the wines with Paul Gardner, the brand manager of Flora Springs Winery, and find the Komes & Garvey families continue to produce distinctive, truly American wines.


flora springs napa cabernet 2006...
everyone knows that Napa is one of the best places in the world to grow cabernet. The vineyard sites of Flora Springs yield terrific fruit that produce classic estate bottled Napa Valley cab. This is a red with big, ripe, sweet fruit that isn't shy as it runs across the palate and slides with a smooth finish.


flora springs napa merlot 2007...
merlot is a favorite among seekers of soft supple red wine, but this bottle is an ambitious, delicious ready to drink effort. The vintage shows full throttle strawberry and cherry with hints of raspberry and cocoa spice; and yes it's really, really OK to enjoy merlot.


flora springs napa chardonnay 2008...
the knock on the door is of peaches and pear with hints of pineapple. This white brings it with bright acidity and subdued oak tones that make it a delicious wine that pairs well with food, and a wonderful sip on its own. Open the door to this throwback; a chardonnay with the classic style that once was a true ambassador for new world chardonnay.


flora springs trilogy 2006...
90 points RP wine advocate / robert parker
this red blend of Cabernet, Merlot with Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot is all about delicious notes of cedar, black currant and sweet dark cherry . This is a ready drink with elegant texture, great purity and length kept in focus with stunning balance. It will drink well over the next 7-10 years.