CHT FONGABAN PUISSEGUIN
ST. EMILION 2018
RE GU L A R $19.99
GAZE T T E S PE C I A L $16.99
Pierre Taix is an entrepreneurial spirit that tends to buck
the system; he farms organically, is proactive with respect
to nature and the environment, and makes a pretty darned
good wine. As a satellite of St. Emilion, Puisseguin is
north east of St. Emilion proper and borders Castillon
and Montagne St. Emilion. The grapes on the estate are
roughly 80% Merlot 20% Franc, and average 25yrs of age.
The sea’s influence provides a bit of a saltiness, and the
cool Atlantic climate allows for slow even maturation vs.
spikes that drive up sugars. Deeply colored, this crunchy
red shows blue and black fruits, black cherry, truffle, notes
of leather and baking spices in the lingering plush finish.
PAIR WITH GRILLED MEATS, RIB ROASTS, GRILLED
MUSHROOMS OR AGED HARD CHEESES.
Geoff Nicoll Dir. Beer, Wine & Spirits
CHT MARJOSSE
BORDEAUX ROUGE
RE GU L A R $19.99
GAZE T T E S PE C I A L $16.99
Château Marjosse was purchased by Château Cheval Blanc
legend Pierre Lurton in 1997, located in the heart of EntreDeux-Mers; so we have some great winemaking pedigree
behind this affordable beauty. Large old barrels, called
“foudres”, were used for 25% of the crop, so there is a nice
touch of oak, but it’s the bright fruit that shines through. The
wine opens with a compelling nose of lovely black currant
and raspberry with baking spices, raspberry pie, red and
black currants. Medium-bodied, the palate is filled with
fragrant red and black fruit, framed by great freshness and
soft, supple tannins, finishing on a floral note. 80% Merlot,
10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc with a
splash of old Malbec.
PAIR WITH WINTER STEWS, GRILLED STEAK, LAMB
GYROS OR ROASTED OR GRILLED LAMB.
Michael Cristillo Certified Specialist of Wine;
Corporate Wine & Spirits Buyer
13 STRIPES LAKE COUNTY
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
RE GU L A R $19.99
GAZE T T E S PE C I A L $14.99
88 Points Wine Enthusiast 2018
13 Stripes Winery works with the Navy SEAL Foundation,
a 4 Star Non-Profit Organization that does incredible work
with the Navy SEAL Families. For every bottle of 13 Stripes
sold, 50 cents will be donated to the Foundation. An
awesome organization and you get to enjoy a great wine,
to boot (pun intended)! This sturdy ‘soldier’ entices with
aromas of dark chocolate and bramble berry, leading to a
juicy, medium-bodied palate with oak tones and lingering,
sturdy tannins.
PAIR WITH ROAST MEATS, CARNE ASADA TACOS,
AND SPICED VEGETARIAN CHILI.
Michael Cristillo Certified Specialist of Wine;
Corporate Wine & Spirits Buyer
bodied with wonderful balance of red and black fruit,
beautiful acidity and tannins that makes this red the perfect
foil for grilled meats and veggies, hearty cheeses or enjoy a
glass while cooking!
PAIR WITH ROASTED PORK, BEEF BURGERS, BEEF
STEW, PÂTÉ, ROASTED DUCK, AND VENISON.
Michael Cristillo Certified Specialist of Wine;
Corporate Wine & Spirits Buyer
VINAS ROBLES ARBORIST
PASO ROBLES
PROPRIETARY RED 2019
REGULAR $23.99
GAZETTE SP E CIAL $17.99
PORTALUPI LUPI CALIFORNIA
PROPRIETARY RED
RE GULAR $16.99
GAZ E TTE SP E CI AL $14.99
Gold Medal - Central Coast Wine Competition 2021
The Arborist, literally the caretaker of trees, pays homage
to the iconic and magnificent Paso Robles oaks.
This estate blend is made mainly of varieties grown in
their Huerhuero Vineyard, located directly behind the
winery in the rolling hills of Paso Robles. Warm afternoons
and cool evening breezes shepherd the grapes to perfect
ripeness. The wine is then aged in both small and large
format French, Hungarian and American oak barrels for 18
months in order to add complexity while enhancing a soft,
velvety finish. PS - One tree is planted with a portion of the
proceeds from every bottle of The Arborist sold.
PAIR WITH GRILLED MEATS SUCH AS BEEF KABOBS,
ROAST BEEF AND BEEF STROGANOFF, AND HARD
CHEESES SUCH AS CHEDDAR OR MANCHEGO.
Michael Cristillo Certified Specialist of Wine;
Corporate Wine & Spirits Buyer
MAURO MOLINO
LANGHE NEBBIOLO
REGULAR $24.99
GAZETTE SP E CIAL $21.99
91 Points Wine Advocate 2019
Nebbiolo from Piedmont isn’t generally considered sexy, its
typically an edgy, youthfully austere, awkward wine when
experienced too early, but it can also be elegant, supple
and downright delicious. Molino, one of the new guard
making superb wines, has mastered the art of elegance,
and his Langhe Nebbiolo is a delicious example of the
more graceful side. It is racy and high toned with tart
cherry, black currants, notes of leather licorice and smoke.
Very appealing now, it will round out and show more
complexity with a few years resting.
PAIR WITH LAMB, CROWN ROAST OF PORK,
SAUSAGES OR OF COURSE YOUR FAVORITE PASTA.
Geoff Nicoll Dir. Beer, Wine & Spirits
DOMAINE LEDUC-FROUIN
ANJOU ROUGE
REGULAR $24.99
GAZETTE SP E CIAL $16.99
Domaine Leduc-Frouin was founded in 1873 and is now
managed by Antoine Leduc, 4th generation Winemaker.
Antoine was destined to work in his 80+ acre family estate
and he returned there in 1993 after doing his Oenology
studies in Bourgogne and Bordeaux. Combining tradition and
modernity, Antoine makes every effort to produce typical,
local and subtle wines. The diversity of the soils, Ecological
Agriculture certified “Terra Vitis” (organic agriculture
combined with traditional agriculture) allows him to perform
single vineyard winemaking. Pure Loire Valley Cabernet
Franc characteristics on the nose - fresh cherries, moss
covered river rocks, green foliage, a touch of black pepper
– very cohesive, fresh and inviting. The palate is medium
While there are significant sums of consumers that take
wine so seriously, it needn’t be that way. Wine should be
fun, you should be able to enjoy it without dissecting it,
analyzing and scoring it, just drink it with good food and
good friends. Well, Lupi by Portalupi fits the bill. This is an
old school field blend that is kind of the mutt, so to speak,
that is crafted for the purpose of letting your hair down and
relaxing with a glass of affordable tasty red. Comprised of
Petite Sirah, Tempranillo, Barbera and Malbec, this savory
little gem delivers ample satisfaction, at a crazy good
price. Its rich and coating on the palate, with ripe not quite
jammy fruit, and a pleasant earthy, slightly rustic note.
THERE’S PLENTY GOING ON, BUT DON’T DWELL ON
IT, PAIR IT WITH CHARCUTERIE, GRILLED SAUSAGE,
SAVORY PIZZAS, LAMB CHOPS OR GAME MEATS
Geoff Nicoll Dir. Beer, Wine & Spirits
SEAN THACKERY PLEIADES
OLD VINE PROPRIETARY RED
RE GULAR $26.99
GAZ E TTE SP E CI AL $22.99
This is all you need to know about this wine, as stated by
the winemaker -”The object of Pleiades is to be delicious,
delight the jaded, irritate the Wine Police and go well with
anything red wine goes with”. Fragrant and voluptuous
when first released, it will become far more subtle and
complex with age (as of course we all do). Perfumed dark
fruits fill your glass when first opened and are followed
by a brightly focused core of red berries, baking spice and
juicy acidity. A blend of Sangiovese, Pinot Noir, Viognier
and Petite Syrah to name but a few.
PAIR WITH BOLD MEATS AND SAUSAGE, GRILLED OF
COURSE, HEARTY CHEESES SUCH AS MANCHEGO,
AGED CHEDDAR, COMTE AND MAHON.
Michael Cristillo Certified Specialist of Wine;
Corporate Wine & Spirits Buyer
VINA ROBLES ESTATE
PASO ROBLES
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018
RE GULAR $26.99
GAZ E TTE SP E CI AL $19.99
Aromas of roasted black cherry, fig, caramel and milk
chocolate make a rich entry to the nose of this appellation
blend. Lavish creamy and smooth tannins frame the first
sip where roasted plum, fig and raisin favors are framed by
more rigid structure toward the finish.
ENJOY WITH STEAK, ROAST BEEF, ROSEMARY
BRAISED LAMB SHANKS AND SLOW COOKED BEEF
STEW.
Jose Cortes Wine Specialist South Pasadena
