Free Tastings at Spiritus

Thursday, March 31st from 4:30 to 7:00 PM &

Saturday, April 2nd from 1:00 to 4:00 PM

2009 Domaine Henri Clerc Bourgogne Blanc White Wine; Chardonnay; Burgundy; $19.99
The small Burgundy village of Puligny-Montrachet produces some of the most amazing and prized chardonnays in the world. Unfortunately too many wine drinkers in the U.S. are prohibited from enjoying these wines due to prices over $50 for village AOC wines, and much more for premier cru or grand cru bottlings. To not experience these wines leaves a huge void in any wine lover's understanding of what wine can be. The best solution I have seen (and tasted) to this dilemma is Henri Clerc's 2009 bourgogne blanc. With highly-regarded negociant winemaker Vincent Girardin conducting the winemaking operations since Monsieur Clerc's retirement in 2002, this wine delivers unbelievable value. The vineyard block known as Les Riaux borders Pulignys AOC vineyards, so with Girardin limiting yields and deploying a deft hand in the cellar, the ripe 2009 vintage offers a glimpse of what all the fuss in Burgundy is about. Pear, gooseberry and acacia mingle with a seductive kiss of spice, all precisely cut with racy acidity and an impressively persistent finish.

2009 Michael Pozzan Winery Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Red Wine; Pinot Noir; Sonoma; $14.99
A frequent guest speaker at the University of California- Davis, Michael Pozzan has made the study of wine his life. Hand-selecting the most distinctive fruit each growing season, Michael and his winemaker Richard Bruno produce wines of excellent quality at remarkable prices. Their 2009 pinot noir from the cooler Russian River valley is aged for nine months in French oak and features a delicately spicy bouquet. This wine is easy drinking with the fruit, acid, and tannin components expertly balanced. Drink it on its own or pair it with duck confit.

2007 Villa Sant'Anna Chianti Colli Senesi Red Wine; Sangiovese; Tuscany; $19.99
The Villa Sant Anna property is actually a small subset of a larger Tuscan estate in Abaddia di Montepulciano that has been owned by the Simona Ruggeri Fabroni family for the last 200 years. The land is primarily used to grow an assortment of fruits and vegetables and, like many small growers in Chianti, they traditionally sold off their grapes for bulk wine. In 1989 the matriarch of the estate Simona Ruggeri decided it was time to start producing and bottling the estate juice, and with the help of her two daughters Anna and Margherita, the Sant Anna winery was born. The quality of the fruit was superb and that initial attempt was so successful the Ruggeris decided to expand their operation. Since that first vintage, they have purchased new parcels in the Vino Nobile appellation to marry with their Chianti, as well as the finest French oak barrels for aging. Their 2007 Chianti is a traditional-style Italian red with dusty, le athery undertones and a core of warm, brambly berries and fresh acidity only Tuscany can deliver.

2009 Chateau La Croix Blanche Montagne Saint Emilion Red Wine; Bordeaux Blend; Bordeaux; $16.99
The Bordeaux are coming, the Bordeaux are coming! The 2009 vintage has re-ignited interest not seen since the great 2005's. And while prices on the big-name, classified growths have returned to their lofty levels, both consumers and suppliers now realize better than ever before that this world-class, historic region has so much more to offer from smaller estates. I have eagerly yet patiently awaited the 2009's, dismissing a number of early arrivals this winter after uninspired tastings, so I am now excited to have finally found the right wine to introduce you to the vintage. Blending 70% merlot with equal parts cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon, fifth generation winemaker Claude Guimberteau tends 50-year-old vines just north of the prestigious Saint Emilion district. His 2009 shows the full-bodied fruit of the harvest with a ripe, fleshy core of black currant and plum with an easy, velvety structure. Pounce on this great value now and look forward to more 2009's arriving later this year.

Easiest Free Parking in Town

Thirty-minute curbside parking is available directly in front of the store (outside of afternoon rush hour from 3:30-6:00). No meter, no hassle! We also offer free parking in the XL Center garage immediately next to our store. Have us validate your ticket and the garage parking is free for sixty minutes. Plus on Saturdays street parking is free all day!