Due to illness, we’ve had to postpone the Saturday sherry tastings AGAIN which were to begin this Saturday. Our apologies for the change! We’ll announce new dates as soon as we can.
Chaource cow milk cheese is back in stock. This 8.8 oz round of pasteurized cheese is a soft-ripened delight with a bloomy rind. A double cream cheese, it contains slightly more fat than Brie, and it has a delicate flavor, mild and fresh with a touch of fruity flavors and hints of the mushroom. It’s made in the Champagne region and it’s fantastic with Champagne!
Today 2010 Bodegas Lopez Heredia Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja ($63.00) arrived at the shop. 2010 was a fantastic vintage in Spain, officially rated “Excellent” by the Rioja Control Board. Definitely every bottle of a 2010 Rioja Crianza, Reserva or Gran Reserva that we’ve served has been spectacular. In this vintage, ripening was even, resulting in fruit that is balanced, structured and fresh, excellent for long aging. And as fans of Lopez Heredia wines know, this winery ages their wines typically twice as long as other wineries, before release. Most other Rioja wineries have already released their Gran Reservas, which must age a minimum of 5 years before release. The 2010 Viña Tondonia Rioja Reserva aged for 10 years before release (6 years in barrel, and 4 years in bottle). This wine is ready to drink now, and it will be perfect with spring lamb chops, poultry, charcuterie, or pasta dishes. It can also continue to age for another 5 – 10 years.
“The 2010 Viña Tondonia Reserva has all I expect from a Reserva from Tondonia, complexity, elegance and evolution, a developed nose with notes of forest floor and wild berries, herbs and flowers, a touch of iodine, brick dust and very fine, polished tannins. It has the seriousness and elegance of Tondonia. This is a blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacho (they use the masculine form of the name of the grape) and 5% each Graciano and Mazuelo that fermented in the ancient oak vats from when the winery was created 144 years ago and matured in well-seasoned, American oak barrels for six years.” 96 points Wine Advocate