Squire Value Picks for February 2010


  1. Trapiche Malbec “Oak Cask” 2007 (Argentina) $12
    This is just a great bang for your buck! Smooth and rich, this has black raspberry and spice notes, leading to a long, cherry flavored finish. Trapiche is one of the leading and largest producers in Argentina, one of the reasons why they are able to make this at such a great price! -Andrew Campbell
  2. Villa di Corlo “Corleto” Lambrusco Non-Vintage (Italy) $14
    I know, you’re thinking “Riunite”. Forget about it, this is a classy, dry version, with a moderate amount of bubbles, what the Italians call "frizzante." At 11.5 % alchohol there is just hint of fruit, best served alone or with a beet and arugula salad. Perfect as the first, or last wine, of the night! This is an artisanal version of lambrusco, easy to love and to surprise your friends and guests with. -David LeClaire
  3. Gordon Brothers Chardonnay 2008 (Washington) $16
    100% Chardonnay has a pale straw color with aromas of pineapple and toffee and flavors of pear, golden delicious apple, citrus zest and cloves. It has a medium body and a lingering finish. Food Pairing: citrus-sage roasted chicken, salmon or shellfish. Estate grown, 100% certified organic grapes. -Nick Tomassi
  4. Hogue Genesis Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (Washington) $16
    This dark ruby red wine has aromas and flavors of cassis, berry and plum with hints of sage and light oak spice in a medium body with a soft, velvety finish. Food Pairing: pepper-crusted tenderloin, roasted lamb or beef short ribs, with creamy, sage-oregano polenta. -Nick Tomassi
  5. Martinez Corta 'Cepas Antiguas' Rioja 2008 (Spain) $15
    Cepas Antiguas means 'old vines' in Spanish, and the grapes for this 100% Tempranillo, un-oaked Rioja come from 150 acres of old vines from high slopes on the Corta Family's estate in the heart of Rioja Alta. In 2006, they finished a state of the art, gravity-flow winery on the property to be capable of producing the fully-extracted, fruit driven wines. Ripe, intense black cherry and tobacco on the nose with a solid, chewy blackberry and cracked pepper on the palate and finish. -Olé Thompson
  6. Rosenblum Petite Sirah “Heritage Clones” 2007 (California) $18
    This a big, brawny brute of a wine! It has deep and complex notes of blueberry, blackberry and lavender that weave throughout the dark and tannic experience. This is not a meek wine, and shouldn’t be paired with meek food. Enjoy with a big, juicy peppered steak! -Andrew Campbell
  7. Dry Creek Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (California) $16
    100% Sauvignon Blanc; An excellent dry white in a light straw color. It has aromas of peach, honeydew and pear and floral flavors in a medium body with a long, clean, lingering finish. -Nick Tomassi
  8. Château DuCasse Bordeaux Blanc 2008 (France) $17
    This wine is clean and crisp, with about 78% Semillon and 22% Sauvignon Blanc. It is the second label for the Château Graville-LaCoste Graves Blanc. This in turn is the dry white wine produced by Château Roumieu-LaCoste Sauternes. Many Sauternes houses make a dry white to turn the cash register. Sauternes while rich and decadent, can cellar for decades. To get back to the DuCasse, the aroma is reminiscent of citrus fruit and green apples. On the palate, the flavor is delineated and long on the finish. -Joel Dhanapal
  9. Melini Chianti “Borghi d’Elsa” 2007 (Italy) $9
    This Chianti has full flavors of cherry, leather and currant notes, a great texture and a smooth finish without a bite that typical wines from Tuscany at this price have! -Andrew Campbell
  10. Clif Family Winery “The Climber Red” 2006 (California) $17
    A red blend with 32% Zinfandel, 28% Syrah, 25 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot and 4% Petite Sirah. It has a dark ruby color. Excellent aromas of blackberry and spice with hints of raspberry and black cherry and flavors of black fruit, cocoa and espresso. This is a medium body wine with ripe fruit that continues to a long finish. -Nick Tomassi

Squire Value Picks
Squire Cellar Picks
Question of the Month
Product of the Month
Home