SLATE

Slateis a dark, plate-like metamorphic rock formed under low pressure. It retains heat and water well. Often gives the wine a ‘flinty’ taste.

White

2010, Germany-Mosel, Selbach-Oster, “Incline”
(devonian slate)
Riesling
$32 / $8.5 / white peach, white pear, lime, green apple & lotus flower

NV, Germany-Mosel, Loosen Bros., “Dr. L”
Sparkling Riesling
$40 / $8.5 / green apple, & sweet tarts

2010, Spain-Catalonia-Priorat, Igneus, “Barranc”
Macabeu, Garnatxa Blanca, Muscat & PX
$54 / pineapple, papaya, orange, honey & cinnamon

Rose

2010, Oregon-McMinnville-Mouton Noir “Love Drunk”
Pinot Noir/Chardonnay
$44 / $11.5 / strawberry, rosewater, fuji apple, hibiscus, & pomelo

Red

2010, Spain-Galicia-Ribeira Sacra, D. Ventura, “Burato”
Mencia
$40 / $10.5 / raspberry, sour cherry, rose petals & beets

2007, Germany-Rheingau-Assmannshausen, August Kesseler
“Spatburgunder” Pinot Noir
$42 / dark cherry, tart cherry, rhubarb, basil & allspice

2009, Italy-Vallee d’Aoste, Danilo Tomain, “Enfer d’Arvier”
Petit Rouge
$69 / dark cherry, tart cherry, rhubarb, basil & allspice

2008, Spain-Catalonia-Priorat, Vi de la Vila, “Black Slate”
(devonian slate)
Garnatxa & Syrah
$48 / blackberry, blueberry, sweet tobacco, dried green herbs, vanilla & dark chocolate

CLAY

Clay & Sand soils have good water & nutrient retention but poor drainage, which can translate into a more opulent style of wine. It is often found in combination the wind blown loess or loam soils.

White

2010, France-Burgundy-Macon-Morizottes, Larochette-Manciat
(limestone)
Chardonnay
$36 / $9.5 / nectarine, lemon & breakfast toast

2010, France-Burgundy-Meursault, Matrot
(limestone)
Chardonnay
$85 / apple butter, toasted hazelnuts, fresh brioche & nutmeg

2010, Spain-Txakolina, Ameztoi
Handorribi Zurri
$46 / $12 / lemon zest, lime, sorrel, acacia & effervescence

Red

2009, Portugal-Douro, Niepoort,“Twisted”
Touriga Franca & Touriga Nacional
$36 / $9.5 / blackberries & plum with dark chocolate & tobacco leaf

2008, Spain-Rioja, Mencos, “Crianza”
(limestone)
Tempranillo
$50 / cranberry & strawberry with bay leaf

2001, Spain-Rioja, Cina Ardanza, “Reserva Especial”
(limestone, iron)
Tempranillo
$75 / blackberry, baked strawberry, eucalyptus, anise, black currant, dill & bresaola

2009, California-Sonoma Coast, Hirsch, “Bohan-Dillon”
Pinot Noir
$75 / red cherry, wild strawberry, roses & mushrooms

2010, California-Anderson Valley, Littorai, “Les Larmes”
Pinot Noir
$90 / dark cherry, blackberries, cinnamon & sweet basil

2008, New Zealand-Central Otago, Mohua
Pinot Noir
$52 / $13.5 / dark raspberry, strawberry & green bean

2010, California-Sonoma Coast, Tangley Oaks “Lot #12″
Pinot Noir
$46 / $12 / raspberry, cherry cola, spiced apple, and light vanilla

2005, Italy-Tuscany-Chianti Classico, Castello Di Cacchiano
Sangiovese
$54 / cherry, pomegranate, asian five spice, mike & ikes candies, & suede shoes

2009, France-Cheverny, Domaine de Montcy
Gamay, Pinot Noir, Cot
$38 / cherry, mint, anise, cranberry, root beer, & ruby red grapefruit

Cider

NV, Virginia-Blue Ridge Mountains, Foggy Ridge “Serious Cider”
Stoke Red, Dabinett
$40 / $8 / sourdough, tart green apple, sorghum, dried geranium, dry finish

LIMESTONE

Limestone is made primarily from fossilized seashells. It possesses the ability to store water for irrigation, which is essential for wine growth. Its alkaline nature encourages high acidity grapes to flourish.

White

NV, Spain-Penedes-Cava, Castellroig
(rose)
Trepat
$40 / $7 / green apple & rose petal

NV, France-Champagne, Duval-Leroy
(kimmeridgean = clay & limestone)
Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
$80 /  $14 / green apple, lemon & toasty bread

2009, France-Burgundy-Chablis, Brocard, “Domaine St. Claire”
Chardonnay
$52 / green apple, cocktail lemon, gruyere cheese & hay

2010, France-Loire-Sancerre, Paul Thomas, “Chavignol”
(terre blanche limestone)
Sauvignon Blanc
$60  / $15  / kiffir lime, white grapefruit, asparagus, green herbs and flint

2009, France-Loire-Vouvray, Champalou
(clay)
Chenin Blanc
$38 / $10 / apricot, white peach, starfruit, lanolin, & sandalwood

2010, California-Sonoma County, Lioco
Chardonnay
$54 / $13.5 / ripe apple, pineapple, banana, & caramel

Red

2009, France-Southwest-Cahors, Clos la Coutale
(clay)
Malbec
$36 / $9.5 / dark cherry, blackberry, mint & sarsparilla

2009, Australia-Coonawarra, Penley Estate “Pheonix”
(terra rossa limestone)
Cabernet Sauvignon
$46 / $12 / blackcurrant, mulberry, raspberry, boysenberry, cedar, mint & eucalyptus

2003, Lebanon-Bekaa Valley, Chateau Musar
Cabernet Savignon, Cinsault & Carignan
$75 / macerated cherry, orange zest, red plum, red twizzler, & fresh turned earth

2009, Paso Robles-Turley “Pesenti Vineyard”
Zinfandel
$96 / blueberry, blackberry, cassis liquer and black peppercorn

PRIMARY ROCK

Primary Rock is a term used to describe rocks being first formed containing crystalline and no organic remains. These soils usually warm quickly and hold heat well, they allow the vines to dig deep to find nutrients needed for growth & have the best possible drainage.

White

2010, Italy-Alto Adige, Riff
Pinot Grigio
$32 / $8.5 / white peach, pear & acacia flowers

2010, Slovenia-Goriska Brda, Giocato
Pinot Grigio
$40 / asian pear, meyer lemon & mineral water

2010, Austria-Kamptal, Hirsch, “Zobing”
Riesling
$45 / $11.5 / green apple, snow pear, green herbs & flinty

2010, Spain-Galicia-Rias Baixas, Do Ferreiro
Albarino
$50 / $13 / orange, salted marcona almond & oyster juice

2010, South Africa- Neil Ellis,
Sauvignon Blanc
$36 / $9.5 / kiffer lime, grapefruit & grass

2010, Italy-Alto Adige-Valle Isarco, Abbazzia di Novacella
Kerner
$54 / pink grapefruit, tangerine, mountain berries & juicy fruit gum

2009, California-Santa Lucia Highlands-Talbott, “Sleepy Hollow”
Chardonnay
$54 / $14 / pineapple, mango, cinnamon, & buttered toast

2009, Austria-Rust-Heidi Schrock “Vogelsang”
Welschriesling, Weissburgunder
$48 / apricot, white peach, orange, lychee, and acacia flowers

Red

2010, Argentina-Mendoza-San Rafael, Alfredo Roca
Pinot Noir
$36 / $9.5 / dark cherry, dark raspberry, huckleberry, vanilla & nutmeg

2003, France-Provence-Bandol, Chateau Pradeaux
Mourvedre
$88 / dark cherry, herbs de provence, dried tobacco & black olives

2009, California-North Coast, Manifesto
Cabernet Sauvignon
$50 / $13 / blackberries, black currant, pine, cinnamon, & cocoa powder

2004, France-Rhone-Gigondas-Chateau Redortier
Grenache & Syrah
$75 / cherry and raspberry cobbler, fennel seed & saddle leather

2010. California-North Coast, Arnot-Roberts
Syrah
$78 / dark plum, violet, black cherry, white pepper, & venison

VOLCANIC

Volcanic soils have two types; vent based & lava based. Volcanic influenced soils are found to have some of the most nutrient rich soils for vine growth.

White

2010, Oregon-Willamette Valley, J. Christopher
Sauvignon Blanc
$46 / lemon balm, crabapple, white pear and riverside stone

2010, Greece-Santorini, Boutari
Assyrtiko
$46 / orange zest, lemon yogurt, beeswax, gardenia, & beach breeze

2010, France, Loire Valley-Muscadet Sevre et Maine, Domaine de Bella Vue
Melon
$36 / cocktail lemon, lime zest, honey crisp apple, tart pear, & sea salt

Red

2010, Oregon-Willamette Valley, Brooks
Pinot Noir
$58 / $15 / black cherry, raspberry, earth, truffle, cinnamon & vanilla bean

2008, Oregon, Eola-Amity Hills, Cristom
Syrah
$58 / $15 / dark cherry, blueberry, pepper & bacon

2009, France-Vin de Pays D’Oc-Domaine de Nizas “Les Mas Rouge”
Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petit Verdot
$42 / $12 / plum, blueberry, menthol, english leather, & violets