August 4*2*GO
Red Wine

2008 Le Grande Noir (Black Sheep) Pinot Noir, France - Regularly $10.99
In a world where so many things increasingly look the same, you'll find Le Grande Noir quite unique.  Both their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were winners in The Wine Trials 2010 “The world’s bestselling guide to inexpensive wines.”  Le Grand Pinot Noir is currently ranked #3 in the United States by sales volume and dollar sales among French Pinot Noir. It's a blend of Pinot Noir (88%) and Grenache (12%) from the Languedoc-Roussillon (Limoux), the “Tuscany of the South of France", and is very approachable with cherry and currant flavors and a hint of spice.  A good choice for pork, tuna, salmon and hard cheeses.

2007 90+ Cellars Lot 17 Merlot, Napa Valley - Regularly $12.99
90+ Cellars is a virtual winery buying the best and most highly rated finished wine from well known wineries which they would normally sell under their own label. These wineries either produced more than they needed or sales have slowed so their surplus is sold to 90+ Cellars with the promise that the source is not revealed. Lot 17 Merlot is from a winery that has made award winning wine since the mid-1800's.  It's a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc from 100% Napa Valley fruit and aged for a year in French oak.  Wonderful aromas of ripe currant and black cherry unfold into a medley of dark chocolate, mocha and sweet spice on the palate. The wine is rich and well balanced with supple tannins that linger pleasantly in the finish.

2005 Shingleback Show Reserve Shiraz, Australia - Regularly $19.99
Brothers Kym and John Davey planted their vineyard on family owned land in the Willunga Basin at the southern end of the acclaimed McLaren Vale Wine Region.  This area has a Mediterranean climate with a cool summer and warm, dry autumn creating perfect growing conditions with 2005 being possibly one of South Australia's greatest vintages. For this special bottling, only the best grapes from certain clones are hand harvested, then fermented in small batches and aged 14 months in small French and American oak barrels. This award winning wine has aromas of blackberries and mulberries that dominate the finer nuances of violet and dark chocolate. A full-bodied wine with a rich, textured palate, seamless integration and a long, lingering finish.
91 points, The Wine Spectator, Blue Gold Medal / Top 100 - 2008 Sydney International Wine Competition

2007 Landers-Jenkins Spirit Hawk Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma - Regularly $14.99
Rutherford Wine Company, the multi-generation family owned and operated winery, launched its Lander-Jenkins “Spirit Hawk” wines.  The winery is located in the heart of the world class Rutherford district in Napa and both the estate and winery have been certified organic by the CCOF. This Cabernet Sauvignon is their newest bottling and is sourced from family vineyards in Monterey, North Coast, and Central Valley that practice sustainability.  Sustainable agriculture is a way of raising food that is healthy for consumers and animals, does not harm the environment, is humane for workers, provides a fair wage to the farmer, and supports and enhances communities.  94% Cabernet Sauvignon is blended with 3% Malbec, 2% Merlot, and 1% Petite Verdot to create aromas of cranberry, mint and chocolate.  The full flavors of ripe Bing cherry, black currant, and crème brûlée lead to a long, well structured finish.  The new Landers-Jenkins "Spirit Hawk" wines are definitely a BEST BUY!