$15 & Under / Domestic / Champagne & Sparkling / Collectibles / French /

Germany & Austria / Italian / Rose / Port, Sherry & Madeira /

Sake / Slovenia & Croatia / Southern Hemisphere / Spain & Portugal

J & J Kekfrankos  Eger 2006 Hungary

This is a truly lovely wine. It is made from Kekfrancos (or Blaufrankish), a grape that has some kinship with pinot noir. Now, with a few years of age, it has a silky texture and a complex bouquet of cedar, black cherry and spices. Tastes expensive.

$21.00

Pheasant's Tears Shavkapito Kartli 2010 Republic of Georgia

Pheasant's Tears is a winery from the Georgian Republic that produces their wines in large ceramic vessel called Kvevri , large enough for a man to fit inside. This is an age old method of winemaking that goes back thousands of years. Shavkapito is an indigenous Georgian red grape.The flavors here are of dark berries, pepper and fresh tobacco. The acid and tannin levels are well balanced. This might remind you of an Italian red of some sort. Although this is also made in Kvevri, it is a bit more familiar in style than the whites.

$17.50

Pheasant's Tears Rkatsiteli Kakheti 2009 Republic of Georgia

Pheasant's Tears is a winery from the Georgian Republic that produces their wines in large ceramic vessel called Kvevri , large enough for a man to fit inside. This is an age old method of winemaking that goes back thousands of years. Rkatsiteli is a white grape, indigenous to the region. The flavors have apple and apricot components with low acidity and pleasant, subtle tannin from the long exposure of the juice to grape skins, stems and seeds. This is very unusual and you need an open mind for the first couple of sips, but the rewards are great for the adventurous.

$17.50

Kabaj Sivi Pinot Goriska Brda 2009 Slovenia

Jean-Michel Morel is a transplanted Frenchman making wine in Slovenia. Although fiercely individualistic, he employs ancient and modern methods, side-by-side with no fealty to dogma. This Pinot Grigio or Sivi Pinot, as it is called in Slovenia, is fermented slowly, with its natural yeasts, aged for one year used barrels, and then laid to rest for four months in bottle. This wine has lovely texture and offers subtle flavors and aromas of white flowers and ripe peaches. Dry but not tart. This is best served after 30 minutes or so in a decanter, and cool, rather than cold. - George

$20.75

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Kabaj Merlot Goriska Brda 2007 Slovenia

We had the winemaker Jean-Michel Morel from Kabaj Winery in the store a couple of weeks ago and the wines are amazing. Perhaps the most surprising was this Merlot. I must say, I was a little disappointed when I heard that Merlot was the only grape they produce, and when I tasted it I had to reconfigure my preconceptions. This might be the most elegant and fascinating Merlot I have ever tasted. It is neither a fruit bomb, nor is it some kind of weedy , weird iteration. Aromatically complex and velvety.

$36.00

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Brkic Greda 2008 Bosnia Herzegovina

This wine hails from Bosnia Herzegovina. The grape is a native variety called Zilavka that has been grown in the area for over 1,000 years. The Brkic estate is farmed according to biodynamic principals. The grapes are fermented with native yeasts in large oak tanks. The flavors are clean and peachy, not unlike a white from Provence or the Rhone valley. There is just a hint of oak which is balanced and unobtrusive. This is a delicious wine that will offer something unique, but seems familiar at the same time.

$24.75