Today we are trying the 2009 Domaine de Dionysos Cairanne Cotes du Rhone La Cigalett. Made up of 65% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Carignan and 5% Cinsault, this was recently rated 91 points by Wine Spectator. Has some plum, red licorice and cherry on the nose lead  to flavors of cherry, spice, earth with some prickly tannins followed by a long finish. Needs some time once open to truely show it’s stuff or short term cellaring.

In Stock $16.99

Today we are trying a fine Malbec from Bodega La Flor Pulenta. This one recently got 90 points from Wine Advocate. It has some nice rapsberry, red licorice and earth on the nose. The wine has some silky tannins to go with flavors of cherry, licorice and earthy note on the long finish.

In Stock $14.99

Today we are trying the 2009 Aviva vino Bula from Montsant D.O. in Spain. Made up of 40% Mazuelo (Carignane), 40% Grenache and 20% Syrah, this recently got 91 points from Wine Advocate. It has aromas of earth, dried cherry and licorice to go with flavors of licorice, plum and other red fruits. The flavors echo on the long lingering finish. A steal for $12.99!

In Stock

We got 8 inches of snow this past weekend in Oxford, CT. but that didn’t stop a get together with a few friends from Waterbury coming down. We didn’t have the most elaborate meal, london broil and mashed potatoes, but the wines were top notch.  Here’s what we had.

2006 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley – In stock

I have had this wine several times in the last few years and I think this was best showing for this wine. I let this wine decant for 2 hours and the tannins have integrated more with time.  This had a nose of sweet cherry, mocha and earth. On the palate, this displayed plum, mocha, licorice and cherry. I still prefer the 2008 to this but this rounded into a top notch cab. I gave it 92 points.

2009 Chasseur Pinot Noir Sonoma County

One of the best values on the market right now. This entry level bottling delivers similar quality to their single vineyard wines. When I had this last year, the fruit needed time to settle down. Great nose of red fruits, strawberry and flowers go with flavors of strawberry, cherry and cream. Has a great finish to boot! I gave this 91 points.

2007 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley – 2006 in stock

I was pretty excited about this because I have not had a bottle of Caymus since the 2006 that we all drank over a year ago. The 2007 was a really nice wine but not up to the level of the 2006. Had some aromas of vanilla, black currant and raspberry. This had a heavy dose of oak, where the 2006 was far more balanced, but this still had a lot going on. Waves of flavors hit your palate with vanilla, tar, red and dark fruits. I gave this 93 points.

Nicolas Feuillatte NV Brut Rose Champagne – My wife wanted me to get a few roses so this was the first one I picked up. I really enjoyed this for the great strawberry and watermelon flavors that ends with a touch of spice. I gave it 90 points

Veuve Clicquot NV Demi Sec Champagne White Label – I had this at a trade show in the Fall and fell in love. I have always associated sweet sparkling wines with Asti but this gave me a whole new outlook. The wine showed fine complexity with flavors of rock candy and honey. Perfect for an aperitif or after dinner wine. I gave this 92 points.

Mumm NV Napa Brut Rose – I had this a while back and loved it for the money. This also has some great flavors of strawberry and vanilla. A touch lighter Feuillatte with a little more acidity, you get similar quality for half the price! I also gave this 90 points.

Duval Leroy NV Brut Champagne – This was great for it’s wonderful cream, toast and nut flavors. Full bodied, this a big wine with a great mouth feel and nice bubbles. My favorite of the bunch besides the demi sec. I gave it 92 points.

Gruet NV Brut Blanc de Noirs – Recently appeared on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2011, this wine was by far the driest of the bunch. This had some cream as well but not as pronounced as the Duval Leroy.  It also had some flavors of ginger and cinnamon. I gave this 88 points.

All wines in stock! Call for pricing!

Today we are trying two wines. The first is the 2010 Charles Smith Kung Fu Girl Riesling from Washington. The second is the 2010 Ruta 22 Malbec from Chile. The Riesling just got 90 points from Wine Spectator and has a lot of nice fruit but with a lingering acidity. The Malbec has a really nice nose to go along with some jammy fruit flavors. Very pleasing.

Kung Fu Girl is available.

Ruta 22 is in stock $10.99

Today we are trying the 2010 Acrobat Pinot Gris from Oregon. Mostly known for their Pinot Noir, Oregon also makes some nice Pinot Gris. This has very nice aromas of lemon and pine that lead to flavors of lemon, kiwi and cream. A terrific value and goes great with fish.

In stock $13.99

Today we are tasting the 2009 Veramonte Pinot Noir Ritual. The 2008 appeared on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2010 and got 90 points. The 2009 also got 90 points but is a very different wine. The 2008 had a lot of bright fruit flavors and aromas and the 2009 leans more toward Burgundy. This has a lot of dark fruits that really expand on the palate that leads to a long lingering finish. Just as good as the 2008 but different.

In Stock $18.99

At the end of every year, Wine Spectator comes out with their Top 100 Wines of the Year. Once the wines are announced, there typically is a mad dash to obtain these wines. The Wine of the Year instantly becomes very hard to find and increases in value. Some people say it might be a little over-hyped and there are plenty of good wines not on the list but one thing that can’t be denied is the wines on the list are all high quality wines.  Oxford Liquor Shoppe has done a good job over the years bringing in these wines, most of the time we have these in stock before the list is announced.  This year we thought it might be a good idea to let our customers know what we have in stock in case they are seeking them out.

#43 Gruet NV Blanc de Noirs New Mexico Score 90 points Price 15.99

“Elegant and focused, with creamy vanilla and apple aromas and rich yet crisp flavors of baked pear and cinnamon bread. Drink now through 2014. 20,000 cases made.”

#36 Terrabianca 2007 Campaccio Toscana Score 93 Points Price $29.99

“Very silky and floral, this red reminds me of Burgundy with its bilberry, violet and raspberry aromas and flavors. The grainy tannins show the other side to this wine, which needs time for the two components to balance. Ends with a long, intense, fruit-filled finish. Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2014 through 2027. 12,500 cases made.”

#20 Robert Mondavi 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Score 94 Points Price $53.99

“A supple, graceful, yet potent and engaging young Cabernet, the proverbial iron fist in a velvet glove. Shows intense, minty bay leaf and dried currant and berry flavors that unfold gracefully, picking up a nice minerally edge as well as tannins that are firm yet graceful and refined. Drink now through 2020. 7,700 cases made.”

Past Glories Still Available

Top 100 of 2010

#90 Bodega Norton 2007 Malbec Mendoza Reserva Score 90 Points Price $16.99

“Very ripe and very primal still, delivering a large core of velvety-textured raspberry, fig and boysenberry fruit that is liberally laced with dark toast, pastis and roasted vanilla. Should settle in nicely with modest cellaring, as the structure is dense, but polished and integrated. Drink now through 2011. 61,000 cases imported.”

#80 Vina Nora 2008 Rias Baixas Score 90 Points Price$16.99

“Firm, even chiseled, this flinty white delivers focused mineral, almond, pear and kumquat flavors. There’s enough weight for food, but a light spritz keeps this lively. Albariño. Drink now through 2011. 5,000 cases imported.”

#57 St.-Urbans-Hof 2009 Riesling Kabinett Mosel Ockfen Bockstein Score 92 Points Price $19.99

“Offers enticing peach, apricot, lime, and slate aromas and flavors, with a touch of vanilla cream. Creamy, yet bright and pure, with persistence and a complex finish. Drink now through 2025. 1,800 cases made.”

#44 Bodegas LAN 2006 Rioja Crianza Score 90 points Price $12.99 Magnum $19.99

“Fresh and balanced, this red brims with cherry, spice and licorice, with light, firm tannins and vibrant acidity. The texture is generous yet delicate. Not heavy, but vivacious. Drink now through 2014. 200,000 cases made.”

#18 Hall 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Score 94 Points Price $39.99

“A rich, dense, concentrated style, this is full-bodied, focused and pure, with hints of mocha and black licorice rounding out the core currant, plum and black cherry flavors. Focused and persistent, with a long finish. Drink now through 2017. 18,500 cases made.”

Top 100 of 2009

#28 Brancott 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Reserve Score 92 Points Price $17.99

“This is crisp, offering a lively mouthful of peach-accented grapefruit and mineral flavors, all hanging on effortlessly through the long, graceful finish. Drink now. 15,000 cases imported.”

#35 Viticcio 2006 Chianti Classico Riserva Score 93 Points Price $25.99

“Fabulous aromas of blackberry, dark chocolate and flowers follow through to a full-bodied palate, with supersilky tannins and amazing richness and subtlety. Goes on for minutes on the palate. Best from 2010 through 2015. 2,345 cases made.”

#55 Trimbach 2007 Riesling Alcase Score 91 Points Price $16.99

“This subtle Riesling offers a finely woven mix of white peach and crushed pine needle flavors, with hints of brine and smoke. There’s racy acidity, but it’s well-meshed, and a mineral note lingers on the delicate finish. Drink now through 2015. 12,000 cases imported.

#75  M. Chapoutier 2008 Cotes du Roussillon-Villages Les Vignes De Bila-Haut Score 90 Points Price $14.99

“This muscular red shows concentrated flavors of dark cherry, plum, raspberry tart and grilled fig. The dense finish of dark chocolate is firm and focused, with smoky notes. Best from 2010 through 2014. 15,000 cases made.”

#84 Chateau Malmaison 2006 Moulis Score 90 Points Price $20.99

“Blackberry and raspberry jam aromas follow through to a full body, with very soft tannins and pretty berry and currant character. This is seamless and well done for the vintage. Best after 2012. 8,330 cases made.”

Top 100 Wines of 2008

#65 Bodegas Muga 2004 Rioja Reserva Score 91 Points Price $39.99

“Focused and balanced, this vivacious red delivers black cherry, mineral, mint and citrus peel flavors, with firm but well-integrated tannins and a fresh, floral finish. Drink now through 2012. 4,000 cases imported.”

#52 Bodegas Lan 2004 Rioja Reserva Score 90 Points Price $16.99

“A silky texture carries expressive flavors of black plum, violet, licorice and smoke in this focused, balanced red. Has good intensity yet remains vibrant and accessible. Drink now through 2012. 50,000 cases made.”

Top 100 Wines of 2007

#7 Robert Mondavi 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Reserve Score 95 Points Price $102.99

“Weaves together a complex array of ripe, rich currant, anise, smoky oak and black cherry. Dense, concentrated and persistent, with great depth and focus. Ends with an amazingly long, richly flavored finish. Best from 2008 through 2018.”

Top 100 Wines of 2006

#24 Vina Almaviva 2003 Puente Alto Score 95 Points Price $83.99

“Very dense, with loads of raspberry ganache, black currant and fig fruit layered with loam, tobacco, mineral and cedar notes. Lots of grip on the finish, with impressive balance between the tannins, acidity and oak. Built like a Pauillac. Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2007 through 2015. 10,000 cases made.”

Top 100 Wines of 2002

#37 Rosemont 1999 Syrah McLaren Vale Balmoral Score 93 Points Price $32.99

“A bit more aristocratic than most Aussie Shirazes, this one strikes a beautiful chord of rich blackberry and currant fruit, hinting at anise and pepper. Has a fleshy frame, with sweet spicy notes darting in and out through the long, harmonious finish. Drink now through 2010. 10,000 cases made.”

Come by and check out our new promotion. Oxford Liquor Shoppe will be raffling off a brand new Bud Bottle Fire Pit! No purchase is neccessary! All you have to do is fill out an entry form and that’s it! The drawing will be held on December 9th! One entry per person per visit. Must be 21 and over to enter. Stop by and check it out!