New Arrivals: Interesting, Value-driven Wines
Divided opinions last week, but one wine seemed to appeal to all the fanciers of new world style wines. Tasters found the 2017 Martin Ray Cabernet Sauvignon Napa surprisingly focused with layered and well-articulated fruit rarely found at its sub-20 price. We recommend it unreservedly.
February 5, 2020
 
Two wines got better as they were exposed to air during the tasting. The 2015 Grillo Iole Schioppettino Di Prepotto, a mountain red from Friuli in Italy and the southern French organic 2016 Le Clos du Serres Terrasses Du Larzac Ste. Pauline were both tight and unyielding at tastings’s start. Later tasters praised the former for its articulated fruit and the latter for its clear representation of the Syrah, Cinsault, and Carignan that make up its blend.
The 2017 MontRubi Gaintus Radical Sumoll was very divisive. It had a forward tart acid, that tasters in equal numbers found either mouthwatering or inscrutable.
Everyone who tasted the Rossi Cairo Gavi La Raia seemed to like it. People found the Maison l'Envoye Straight Shooter Pinot Noir very serviceable especially at its price. Some wanted more concentration and drive than it showed. We have tough tasters.
White
2018 Rossi Cairo Gavi La Raia: White flowers, apple, pear and a pure serious impactful palate. Lightly spicy on the finish. Very Good Plus Plus 21; Mixed Case, 18.9; Case, 17.85
Red
2017 MontRubi Gaintus Radical Sumoll: Deep ruby. Aromas and flavors of red currant and black cherry with a persistent floral note and a touch of herb and cinnamon. Finishes with luscious round tannins. Very Good to Excellent 21.99; Mixed Case, 19.79; Case, 18.69
2015 Grillo Iole Schioppettino Di Prepotto: Balanced and medium bodied. Violets, cherry, blackberry with an attractive spicy, peppery finish. Garrigue? Very Good Plus Plus
21; Mixed Case, 18.9; Case, 17.85
2017 Maison l'Envoye Straight Shooter Pinot Noir; Color: medium dark; Aroma: Mixed cherry & plum, some blackberry; Mouth: clean bright sweet ;y fripe and forw3ard, bright acid over dark fruit, good length; Very Good 17.99; Mixed Case, 16.19; Case, 15.29
2016 Le Clos du Serres Terrasses Du Larzac Ste. Pauline; Organic Color: Medium dark; Aroma: Head rather rich, pretty nicely firm; Mouth: Sweet clean light currant raspberry, juicy, clean acid fine; Very Good Plus 21; Mixed Case, 18.9; Case, 17.85
2017 Martin Ray Cabernet Sauvignon Napa; Color: very dark opaque purple brown; Aroma: some depth tar clean nice depth rather rich; Mouth: sweet ripe currant on the attack, backed with plum, a touch of wood & nice acid, long fine tannins, very Napa; Very Good Plus 18.99; Mixed Case, 17.09; Case, 16.1
New Arrivals Case: Special two each of the wines - 203
Instore New arrivals Pack: Specialone each wines - 108
Or Mix any 12 for 15% off
Any 6 for 10% off
Order by phone at 617.367.8605, or reserve here: order@federalwine.com
Please pass this on to any friends who are wine enthusiasts!
 
- Len Rothenberg